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.

Compare

Total returnNUE vs VMC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
NUE +4552.6%VMC +2186.0%NUE compounded faster
01k2k3k4k5kStart $100200120062011201620212026$4,653$2,286
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

MetricNUEVMC
P/E ratio20.5231.67
Forward P/E14.7829.45
P/S ratio1.634.33
P/B ratio2.664.15
PEG ratio0.791.91
EV / EBITDA11.3420.10
FCF yield0.90%2.92%

Profitability

MetricNUEVMC
Gross margin15.47%27.43%
Operating margin11.47%19.92%
Net margin7.99%13.82%
ROE13.04%13.23%
ROIC6.74%8.02%

Dividends

MetricNUEVMC
Dividend yield0.86%0.75%
Payout ratio29.48%24.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNUEVMC
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.

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.