Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM) vs Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)
STLD leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics, though MLM is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. and Steel Dynamics, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
MLM
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
$609.12Basic Materials
STLD
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
$249.91Basic Materials
Total return — MLM vs STLD
growth of $100 · last 30yMLM +2477.7%STLD +5262.9%STLD compounded faster
MLM STLD
MLM vs STLD: by the numbers
- •MLM is the larger company ($36.58B vs $36.04B market cap).
- •MLM trades at the lower earnings multiple (14.52 vs 26.76 P/E).
- •MLM converts more revenue to profit (38.67% vs 7.22% net margin).
- •STLD grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.46% vs 6.63% CAGR).
- •STLD pays the higher dividend yield (0.81% vs 0.55%).
Which is better, MLM or STLD?
Metric tally: MLM 7 · STLD 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueMLM(lower P/E)
GrowthSTLD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSTLD(higher dividend yield)
QualitySTLD(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | MLM | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 14.52● | 26.76 |
| Forward P/E | 26.78 | 15.72● |
| P/S ratio | 5.61 | 1.90● |
| P/B ratio | 3.26● | 3.95 |
| PEG ratio | 1.41 | 1.06● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.76 | 15.66● |
| FCF yield | 2.81%● | 1.84% |
Profitability
| Metric | MLM | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.56%● | 14.00% |
| Operating margin | 22.74%● | 9.41% |
| Net margin | 38.67%● | 7.22% |
| ROE | 22.43%● | 14.97% |
| ROIC | 6.87% | 8.19%● |
Dividends
| Metric | MLM | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 0.81%● |
| Payout ratio | 17.61% | 25.31% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MLM | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.63% | 12.46%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 10.27% | 25.18%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.09% | 19.91%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.38% | 36.10%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, MLM or STLD?
- It depends on your goal. value: MLM (lower P/E); growth: STLD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: STLD (higher dividend yield); quality: STLD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, STLD leads 10 to 7.
- Is MLM or STLD cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, MLM is cheaper: MLM trades at a 14.52 P/E and STLD at 26.76.
- Which has grown faster, MLM or STLD?
- Over the past five years, STLD grew revenue faster — MLM at a 6.63% CAGR versus STLD at 12.46%.
- Does MLM or STLD pay a bigger dividend?
- MLM yields 0.55% and STLD yields 0.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is MLM or STLD more profitable?
- MLM runs the higher net margin — MLM at 38.67% versus STLD at 7.22%.
- Which has been the better investment, MLM or STLD?
- Over the past 10-year, STLD delivered the higher annualized total return — MLM at 13.64% versus STLD at 28.17%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Martin Marietta Materials P/E ratioSteel Dynamics P/E ratioMartin Marietta Materials dividend yieldSteel Dynamics dividend yieldMartin Marietta Materials ROESteel Dynamics ROEMartin Marietta Materials operating marginSteel Dynamics operating marginMartin Marietta Materials revenue growthSteel Dynamics revenue growthMartin Marietta Materials free cash flowSteel Dynamics free cash flow
Martin Marietta Materials & Steel Dynamics 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 June 20, 2026.