PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) vs Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)

PPG leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of PPG Industries, Inc. and Steel Dynamics, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 19, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — PPG vs STLD

growth of $100 · last 30y
PPG +293.4%STLD +5262.9%STLD compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$393$5,363
PPG STLD

PPG vs STLD: by the numbers

  • STLD is the larger company ($36.04B vs $26.35B market cap).
  • PPG trades at the lower earnings multiple (16.87 vs 26.76 P/E).
  • PPG converts more revenue to profit (9.83% vs 7.22% net margin).
  • STLD grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.46% vs 2.37% CAGR).
  • PPG pays the higher dividend yield (2.40% vs 0.81%).

Which is better, PPG or STLD?

Metric tally: PPG 13 · STLD 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValuePPG(lower P/E)
GrowthSTLD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomePPG(higher dividend yield)
QualityPPG(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricPPGSTLD
P/E ratio16.8726.76
Forward P/E15.0215.72
P/S ratio1.651.90
P/B ratio3.273.95
PEG ratio0.321.06
EV / EBITDA11.4915.66
FCF yield4.62%1.84%

Profitability

MetricPPGSTLD
Gross margin40.56%14.00%
Operating margin12.80%9.41%
Net margin9.83%7.22%
ROE19.56%14.97%
ROIC43.13%8.19%

Dividends

MetricPPGSTLD
Dividend yield2.40%0.81%
Payout ratio40.80%25.31%

Growth (annualized)

MetricPPGSTLD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.37%12.46%
EPS CAGR (5Y)9.26%25.18%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-8.56%19.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-4.84%36.10%

Frequently asked

Which is better, PPG or STLD?
It depends on your goal. value: PPG (lower P/E); growth: STLD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: PPG (higher dividend yield); quality: PPG (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, PPG leads 13 to 4.
Is PPG or STLD cheaper?
On trailing earnings, PPG is cheaper: PPG trades at a 16.87 P/E and STLD at 26.76.
Which has grown faster, PPG or STLD?
Over the past five years, STLD grew revenue faster — PPG at a 2.37% CAGR versus STLD at 12.46%.
Does PPG or STLD pay a bigger dividend?
PPG yields 2.40% and STLD yields 0.81% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is PPG or STLD more profitable?
PPG runs the higher net margin — PPG at 9.83% versus STLD at 7.22%.
Which has been the better investment, PPG or STLD?
Over the past 10-year, STLD delivered the higher annualized total return — PPG at 2.80% versus STLD at 28.17%. 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 19, 2026.