Nucor Corporation (NUE) vs Vale S.A. (VALE)

VALE leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Nucor Corporation and Vale S.A. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — NUE vs VALE

growth of $100 · last 24y
NUE +1526.8%VALE +580.4%NUE compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $100200620102014201820222026$1,627$680
NUE VALE

NUE vs VALE: by the numbers

  • VALE is the larger company ($65.29B vs $54.57B market cap).
  • VALE trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.20 vs 23.73 P/E).
  • VALE converts more revenue to profit (7.06% vs 6.82% net margin).
  • NUE grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.67% vs -2.82% CAGR).
  • VALE pays the higher dividend yield (6.64% vs 0.93%).

Which is better, NUE or VALE?

Metric tally: NUE 6 · VALE 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueVALE(lower P/E)
GrowthNUE(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeVALE(higher dividend yield)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNUEVALE
P/E ratio23.7323.20
Forward P/E14.467.89
P/S ratio1.611.66
P/B ratio2.561.79
PEG ratio0.91
EV / EBITDA12.148.00
FCF yield0.97%5.12%

Profitability

MetricNUEVALE
Gross margin13.98%34.52%
Operating margin10.04%27.84%
Net margin6.82%7.06%
ROE10.87%7.62%
ROIC6.74%6.85%

Dividends

MetricNUEVALE
Dividend yield0.93%6.64%
Payout ratio29.48%175.15%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNUEVALE
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.67%-2.82%
EPS CAGR (5Y)26.02%-10.50%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-19.62%-26.26%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.93%2.25%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NUE or VALE?
It depends on your goal. value: VALE (lower P/E); growth: NUE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: VALE (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, VALE leads 9 to 6.
Is NUE or VALE cheaper?
On trailing earnings, VALE is cheaper: NUE trades at a 23.73 P/E and VALE at 23.20.
Which has grown faster, NUE or VALE?
Over the past five years, NUE grew revenue faster — NUE at a 9.67% CAGR versus VALE at -2.82%.
Does NUE or VALE pay a bigger dividend?
NUE yields 0.93% and VALE yields 6.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NUE or VALE more profitable?
VALE runs the higher net margin — NUE at 6.82% versus VALE at 7.06%.
Which has been the better investment, NUE or VALE?
Over the past 10-year, VALE delivered the higher annualized total return — NUE at 19.47% versus VALE at 20.10%. 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 24, 2026.