Nucor Corporation (NUE) vs The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW)

A side-by-side comparison of Nucor Corporation and The Sherwin-Williams Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnNUE vs SHW

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
NUE +549.5% (+20.6%/yr)SHW +280.4% (+14.3%/yr)NUE compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$649$380
NUE SHW

NUE vs SHW: by the numbers

  • SHW is the larger company ($77.81B vs $58.90B market cap).
  • NUE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.63 vs 29.54 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • SHW converts more revenue to profit (11.01% vs 7.99% net margin).
  • NUE grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.36% vs 4.44% CAGR).
  • SHW pays the higher dividend yield (0.99% vs 0.86%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNUESHW
P/E ratio20.6329.54
Forward P/E13.7126.47
P/S ratio1.633.19
P/B ratio2.6620.19
EV / EBITDA11.3619.81
FCF yield2.69%4.13%

Profitability

MetricNUESHW
Gross margin15.47%49.07%
Operating margin11.47%16.36%
Net margin7.99%11.01%
ROE13.04%69.74%
ROIC10.13%14.59%

Dividends

MetricNUESHW
Dividend yield0.86%0.99%
Payout ratio17.78%29.40%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNUESHW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.36%4.44%
EPS CAGR (5Y)26.02%6.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.04%-0.06%
Total return CAGR (5Y)20.00%2.39%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, NUE or SHW?
NUE has the lower trailing P/E: NUE trades at 20.63 and SHW at 29.54. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, NUE or SHW?
Over the past five years, NUE grew revenue faster — NUE at a 10.36% CAGR versus SHW at 4.44%.
Does NUE or SHW pay a bigger dividend?
NUE yields 0.86% and SHW yields 0.99% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NUE or SHW more profitable?
SHW runs the higher net margin — NUE at 7.99% versus SHW at 11.01%.
How have NUE and SHW total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, NUE delivered 21.26% and SHW delivered 14.49% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.