Nucor Corporation (NUE) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)
A side-by-side comparison of Nucor Corporation and Vulcan Materials Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NUE
Nucor Corporation
$257.29Basic MaterialsAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
VMC
Vulcan Materials Company
$268.57Basic MaterialsAt close: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — NUE vs VMC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yNUE +4552.6%VMC +2186.0%NUE compounded faster
NUE VMC
NUE vs VMC: by the numbers
- •NUE is the larger company ($58.60B vs $34.85B market cap).
- •NUE trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.52 vs 31.67 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.82% vs 7.99% net margin).
- •VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.53% vs 10.36% CAGR).
- •NUE pays the higher dividend yield (0.86% vs 0.75%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.52 | 31.67 |
| Forward P/E | 14.78 | 29.45 |
| P/S ratio | 1.63 | 4.33 |
| P/B ratio | 2.66 | 4.15 |
| PEG ratio | 0.79 | 1.91 |
| EV / EBITDA | 11.34 | 20.10 |
| FCF yield | 0.90% | 2.92% |
Profitability
| Metric | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 15.47% | 27.43% |
| Operating margin | 11.47% | 19.92% |
| Net margin | 7.99% | 13.82% |
| ROE | 13.04% | 13.23% |
| ROIC | 6.74% | 8.02% |
Dividends
| Metric | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.86% | 0.75% |
| Payout ratio | 29.48% | 24.79% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.36% | 10.53% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 26.02% | 13.07% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -19.62% | 7.63% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 21.64% | 9.20% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NUE or VMC?
- NUE has the lower trailing P/E: NUE trades at 20.52 and VMC at 31.67. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, NUE or VMC?
- Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — NUE at a 10.36% CAGR versus VMC at 10.53%.
- Does NUE or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
- NUE yields 0.86% and VMC yields 0.75% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is NUE or VMC more profitable?
- VMC runs the higher net margin — NUE at 7.99% versus VMC at 13.82%.
- How have NUE and VMC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, NUE delivered 19.52% and VMC delivered 8.97% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Nucor P/E ratioVulcan Materials P/E ratioNucor dividend yieldVulcan Materials dividend yieldNucor ROEVulcan Materials ROENucor operating marginVulcan Materials operating marginNucor revenue growthVulcan Materials revenue growthNucor free cash flowVulcan Materials free cash flow
Nucor & Vulcan Materials 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 August 1, 2026.