Nucor Corporation (NUE) vs United States Steel Corporation (X)

NUE leads on 9 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Nucor Corporation and United States Steel Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — NUE vs X

growth of $100 · last 29y
NUE +882.7%X +82.8%NUE compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020012006201120162021$983$183
NUE X

NUE vs X: by the numbers

  • NUE is the larger company ($60.66B vs $12.42B market cap).
  • NUE trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.37 vs 189.10 P/E).
  • NUE converts more revenue to profit (6.82% vs 0.64% net margin).
  • NUE grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.67% vs 4.51% CAGR).
  • NUE pays the higher dividend yield (0.83% vs 0.36%).

Which is better, NUE or X?

Metric tally: NUE 9 · X 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricNUEX
P/E ratio26.37189.10
Forward P/E16.03
P/S ratio1.790.81
P/B ratio2.850.77
PEG ratio1.01
EV / EBITDA13.3810.84
FCF yield0.87%

Profitability

MetricNUEX
Gross margin13.98%7.57%
Operating margin10.04%-2.36%
Net margin6.82%0.64%
ROE10.87%0.61%
ROIC6.74%1.24%

Dividends

MetricNUEX
Dividend yield0.83%0.36%
Payout ratio29.48%11.70%

Growth (annualized)

MetricNUEX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.67%4.51%
EPS CAGR (5Y)26.02%-19.55%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-19.62%24.58%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.93%47.40%

Frequently asked

Which is better, NUE or X?
It depends on your goal. value: NUE (lower P/E); growth: NUE (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NUE (higher dividend yield); quality: NUE (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NUE leads 9 to 5.
Is NUE or X cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NUE is cheaper: NUE trades at a 26.37 P/E and X at 189.10.
Which has grown faster, NUE or X?
Over the past five years, NUE grew revenue faster — NUE at a 9.67% CAGR versus X at 4.51%.
Does NUE or X pay a bigger dividend?
NUE yields 0.83% and X yields 0.36% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is NUE or X more profitable?
NUE runs the higher net margin — NUE at 6.82% versus X at 0.64%.
Which has been the better investment, NUE or X?
Over the past 10-year, NUE delivered the higher annualized total return — NUE at 20.73% versus X at 9.88%. 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 15, 2026.