Nucor Corporation (NUE) vs Southern Copper Corporation (SCCO)

SCCO leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics, though NUE is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Nucor Corporation and Southern Copper Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — NUE vs SCCO

growth of $100 · last 30y
NUE +1754.4%SCCO +6801.2%SCCO compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,854$6,901
NUE SCCO

NUE vs SCCO: by the numbers

  • SCCO is the larger company ($143.37B vs $54.78B market cap).
  • NUE trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.81 vs 28.59 P/E).
  • SCCO converts more revenue to profit (34.16% vs 6.82% net margin).
  • SCCO grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.59% vs 9.67% CAGR).
  • SCCO pays the higher dividend yield (2.15% vs 0.92%).

Which is better, NUE or SCCO?

Metric tally: NUE 7 · SCCO 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNUE(lower P/E)
GrowthSCCO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSCCO(higher dividend yield)
QualitySCCO(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNUESCCO
P/E ratio23.8128.59
Forward P/E14.2724.85
P/S ratio1.619.70
P/B ratio2.5711.98
PEG ratio0.921.12
EV / EBITDA12.1816.11
FCF yield0.96%3.03%

Profitability

MetricNUESCCO
Gross margin13.98%60.42%
Operating margin10.04%54.62%
Net margin6.82%34.16%
ROE10.87%42.17%
ROIC6.74%23.14%

Dividends

MetricNUESCCO
Dividend yield0.92%2.15%
Payout ratio29.48%70.61%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNUESCCO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.67%10.59%
EPS CAGR (5Y)26.02%20.89%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-19.62%12.56%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.54%28.52%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NUE or SCCO?
It depends on your goal. value: NUE (lower P/E); growth: SCCO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SCCO (higher dividend yield); quality: SCCO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SCCO leads 10 to 7.
Is NUE or SCCO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NUE is cheaper: NUE trades at a 23.81 P/E and SCCO at 28.59.
Which has grown faster, NUE or SCCO?
Over the past five years, SCCO grew revenue faster — NUE at a 9.67% CAGR versus SCCO at 10.59%.
Does NUE or SCCO pay a bigger dividend?
NUE yields 0.92% and SCCO yields 2.15% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NUE or SCCO more profitable?
SCCO runs the higher net margin — NUE at 6.82% versus SCCO at 34.16%.
Which has been the better investment, NUE or SCCO?
Over the past 10-year, SCCO delivered the higher annualized total return — NUE at 20.15% versus SCCO at 26.14%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 25, 2026.