RPM International Inc. (RPM) vs United States Steel Corporation (X)
RPM leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of RPM International Inc. and United States Steel Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 4, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
RPM
RPM International Inc.
$111.62Basic Materials
X
United States Steel Corporation
$54.84Basic Materials
Total return — RPM vs X
growth of $100 · last 29yRPM +754.6%X +95.9%RPM compounded faster
RPM X
RPM vs X: by the numbers
- •RPM is the larger company ($14.25B vs $12.42B market cap).
- •RPM trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.51 vs 189.10 P/E).
- •RPM converts more revenue to profit (8.63% vs 0.64% net margin).
- •RPM grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.79% vs 4.51% CAGR).
- •RPM pays the higher dividend yield (1.94% vs 0.36%).
Which is better, RPM or X?
Metric tally: RPM 10 · X 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueRPM(lower P/E)
GrowthRPM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRPM(higher dividend yield)
QualityRPM(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | RPM | X |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 21.51● | 189.10 |
| Forward P/E | 20.30 | — |
| P/S ratio | 1.85 | 0.81● |
| P/B ratio | 4.53 | 0.77● |
| PEG ratio | 1.21 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.86● | 20.08 |
| FCF yield | 4.04% | — |
Profitability
| Metric | RPM | X |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 41.36%● | 7.57% |
| Operating margin | 11.99%● | -2.36% |
| Net margin | 8.63%● | 0.64% |
| ROE | 21.16%● | 0.61% |
| ROIC | 12.50%● | 1.24% |
Dividends
| Metric | RPM | X |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.94%● | 0.36% |
| Payout ratio | 40.15% | 11.70% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | RPM | X |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.79%● | 4.51% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 18.02%● | -19.55% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -3.15% | 24.58%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.28% | 47.40%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, RPM or X?
- It depends on your goal. value: RPM (lower P/E); growth: RPM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RPM (higher dividend yield); quality: RPM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RPM leads 10 to 4.
- Is RPM or X cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, RPM is cheaper: RPM trades at a 21.51 P/E and X at 189.10.
- Which has grown faster, RPM or X?
- Over the past five years, RPM grew revenue faster — RPM at a 5.79% CAGR versus X at 4.51%.
- Does RPM or X pay a bigger dividend?
- RPM yields 1.94% and X yields 0.36% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is RPM or X more profitable?
- RPM runs the higher net margin — RPM at 8.63% versus X at 0.64%.
- Which has been the better investment, RPM or X?
- Over the past 10-year, RPM delivered the higher annualized total return — RPM at 10.49% versus X at 9.88%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
RPM International P/E ratioUnited States Steel P/E ratioRPM International dividend yieldUnited States Steel dividend yieldRPM International ROEUnited States Steel ROERPM International operating marginUnited States Steel operating marginRPM International revenue growthUnited States Steel revenue growthRPM International free cash flowUnited States Steel free cash flow
RPM International & United States Steel 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 July 4, 2026.