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

NUE leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

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 June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — NUE vs SHW

growth of $100 · last 30y
NUE +1967.9%SHW +4300.8%SHW compounded faster
01k2k3k4k5kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,068$4,401
NUE SHW

NUE vs SHW: by the numbers

  • SHW is the larger company ($78.26B vs $60.66B market cap).
  • NUE trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.37 vs 30.45 P/E).
  • SHW converts more revenue to profit (10.86% vs 6.82% net margin).
  • NUE grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.67% vs 4.87% CAGR).
  • SHW pays the higher dividend yield (1.00% vs 0.83%).

Which is better, NUE or SHW?

Metric tally: NUE 9 · SHW 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNUE(lower P/E)
GrowthNUE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSHW(higher dividend yield)
QualitySHW(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricNUESHW
P/E ratio26.3730.45
Forward P/E16.1627.07
P/S ratio1.793.29
P/B ratio2.8517.77
PEG ratio1.014.52
EV / EBITDA13.3820.64
FCF yield0.87%3.69%

Profitability

MetricNUESHW
Gross margin13.98%49.12%
Operating margin10.04%16.13%
Net margin6.82%10.86%
ROE10.87%58.66%
ROIC6.74%15.21%

Dividends

MetricNUESHW
Dividend yield0.83%1.00%
Payout ratio29.48%30.64%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNUESHW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.67%4.87%
EPS CAGR (5Y)26.02%6.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-19.62%-2.44%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.93%3.70%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NUE or SHW?
It depends on your goal. value: NUE (lower P/E); growth: NUE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SHW (higher dividend yield); quality: SHW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NUE leads 9 to 8.
Is NUE or SHW cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NUE is cheaper: NUE trades at a 26.37 P/E and SHW at 30.45.
Which has grown faster, NUE or SHW?
Over the past five years, NUE grew revenue faster — NUE at a 9.67% CAGR versus SHW at 4.87%.
Does NUE or SHW pay a bigger dividend?
NUE yields 0.83% and SHW yields 1.00% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NUE or SHW more profitable?
SHW runs the higher net margin — NUE at 6.82% versus SHW at 10.86%.
Which has been the better investment, NUE or SHW?
Over the past 10-year, NUE delivered the higher annualized total return — NUE at 20.73% versus SHW at 13.58%. 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 13, 2026.