Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM) vs Nucor Corporation (NUE)
NUE leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though MLM is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. and Nucor Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
MLM
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
$571.90Basic Materials
NUE
Nucor Corporation
$222.28Basic Materials
Total return — MLM vs NUE
growth of $100 · last 30yMLM +2238.0%NUE +1682.1%MLM compounded faster
MLM NUE
MLM vs NUE: by the numbers
- •NUE is the larger company ($50.62B vs $34.34B market cap).
- •MLM trades at the lower earnings multiple (13.58 vs 22.44 P/E).
- •MLM converts more revenue to profit (38.67% vs 6.82% net margin).
- •NUE grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.67% vs 6.63% CAGR).
- •NUE pays the higher dividend yield (0.99% vs 0.58%).
Which is better, MLM or NUE?
Metric tally: MLM 7 · NUE 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMLM(lower P/E)
GrowthNUE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNUE(higher dividend yield)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MLM | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 13.58● | 22.44 |
| Forward P/E | 29.71 | 14.25● |
| P/S ratio | 5.25 | 1.52● |
| P/B ratio | 3.05 | 2.42● |
| PEG ratio | 1.32 | 0.86● |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.62 | 11.69● |
| FCF yield | 3.00%● | 1.02% |
Profitability
| Metric | MLM | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.56%● | 13.98% |
| Operating margin | 22.74%● | 10.04% |
| Net margin | 38.67%● | 6.82% |
| ROE | 22.43%● | 10.87% |
| ROIC | 6.87% | 6.74% |
Dividends
| Metric | MLM | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.58% | 0.99%● |
| Payout ratio | 17.61% | 29.75% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MLM | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.63% | 9.67%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 10.27% | 26.02%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.09%● | -19.62% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.85% | 21.12%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, MLM or NUE?
- It depends on your goal. value: MLM (lower P/E); growth: NUE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NUE (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, NUE leads 9 to 7.
- Is MLM or NUE cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MLM is cheaper: MLM trades at a 13.58 P/E and NUE at 22.44.
- Which has grown faster, MLM or NUE?
- Over the past five years, NUE grew revenue faster — MLM at a 6.63% CAGR versus NUE at 9.67%.
- Does MLM or NUE pay a bigger dividend?
- MLM yields 0.58% and NUE yields 0.99% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MLM or NUE more profitable?
- MLM runs the higher net margin — MLM at 38.67% versus NUE at 6.82%.
- Which has been the better investment, MLM or NUE?
- Over the past 10-year, NUE delivered the higher annualized total return — MLM at 12.06% versus NUE at 18.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Martin Marietta Materials P/E ratioNucor P/E ratioMartin Marietta Materials dividend yieldNucor dividend yieldMartin Marietta Materials ROENucor ROEMartin Marietta Materials operating marginNucor operating marginMartin Marietta Materials revenue growthNucor revenue growthMartin Marietta Materials free cash flowNucor free cash flow
Martin Marietta Materials & Nucor appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 9, 2026.