Nucor Corporation (NUE) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)

NUE leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

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

Total return — NUE vs VMC

growth of $100 · last 30y
NUE +1967.9%VMC +1391.3%NUE compounded faster
05001k2k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$2,068$1,491
NUE VMC

NUE vs VMC: by the numbers

  • NUE is the larger company ($60.66B vs $37.17B market cap).
  • NUE trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.37 vs 34.06 P/E).
  • VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.88% vs 6.82% net margin).
  • VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.56% vs 9.67% CAGR).
  • NUE pays the higher dividend yield (0.83% vs 0.71%).

Which is better, NUE or VMC?

Metric tally: NUE 9 · VMC 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueNUE(lower P/E)
GrowthVMC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNUE(higher dividend yield)
QualityVMC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricNUEVMC
P/E ratio26.3734.06
Forward P/E16.1626.49
P/S ratio1.794.69
P/B ratio2.854.47
PEG ratio1.011.90
EV / EBITDA13.3816.47
FCF yield0.87%2.95%

Profitability

MetricNUEVMC
Gross margin13.98%27.61%
Operating margin10.04%20.62%
Net margin6.82%13.88%
ROE10.87%13.22%
ROIC6.74%8.02%

Dividends

MetricNUEVMC
Dividend yield0.83%0.71%
Payout ratio29.48%24.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNUEVMC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.67%10.56%
EPS CAGR (5Y)26.02%13.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-19.62%5.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.93%11.33%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NUE or VMC?
It depends on your goal. value: NUE (lower P/E); growth: VMC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NUE (higher dividend yield); quality: VMC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NUE leads 9 to 8.
Is NUE or VMC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NUE is cheaper: NUE trades at a 26.37 P/E and VMC at 34.06.
Which has grown faster, NUE or VMC?
Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — NUE at a 9.67% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
Does NUE or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
NUE yields 0.83% and VMC yields 0.71% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NUE or VMC more profitable?
VMC runs the higher net margin — NUE at 6.82% versus VMC at 13.88%.
Which has been the better investment, NUE or VMC?
Over the past 10-year, NUE delivered the higher annualized total return — NUE at 20.73% versus VMC at 10.45%. 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.