The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)

VMC leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics, though SHW is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of The Sherwin-Williams Company and Vulcan Materials Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — SHW vs VMC

growth of $100 · last 30y
SHW +4300.8%VMC +1388.2%SHW compounded faster
01k2k3k4k5kStart $100200120062011201620212026$4,401$1,488
SHW VMC

SHW vs VMC: by the numbers

  • SHW is the larger company ($78.26B vs $37.17B market cap).
  • SHW trades at the lower earnings multiple (30.45 vs 34.06 P/E).
  • VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.88% vs 10.86% net margin).
  • VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.56% vs 4.87% CAGR).
  • SHW pays the higher dividend yield (1.00% vs 0.71%).

Which is better, SHW or VMC?

Metric tally: SHW 7 · VMC 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSHW(lower P/E)
GrowthVMC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSHW(higher dividend yield)
QualitySHW(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricSHWVMC
P/E ratio30.4534.06
Forward P/E27.0726.49
P/S ratio3.294.69
P/B ratio17.774.47
PEG ratio4.521.90
EV / EBITDA20.6416.47
FCF yield3.69%2.95%

Profitability

MetricSHWVMC
Gross margin49.12%27.61%
Operating margin16.13%20.62%
Net margin10.86%13.88%
ROE58.66%13.22%
ROIC15.21%8.02%

Dividends

MetricSHWVMC
Dividend yield1.00%0.71%
Payout ratio30.64%24.79%

Growth (annualized)

MetricSHWVMC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.87%10.56%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.74%13.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.44%5.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)3.70%11.33%

Frequently asked

Which is better, SHW or VMC?
It depends on your goal. value: SHW (lower P/E); growth: VMC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SHW (higher dividend yield); quality: SHW (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VMC leads 10 to 7.
Is SHW or VMC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SHW is cheaper: SHW trades at a 30.45 P/E and VMC at 34.06.
Which has grown faster, SHW or VMC?
Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — SHW at a 4.87% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
Does SHW or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
SHW yields 1.00% and VMC yields 0.71% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is SHW or VMC more profitable?
VMC runs the higher net margin — SHW at 10.86% versus VMC at 13.88%.
Which has been the better investment, SHW or VMC?
Over the past 10-year, SHW delivered the higher annualized total return — SHW at 13.58% 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 14, 2026.