Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) vs Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)
A side-by-side comparison of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. and Steel Dynamics, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
SQM
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A.
$79.81Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
STLD
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
$246.03Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Sep 3, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — SQM vs STLD
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10ySQM +352.0% (+16.3%/yr)STLD +1119.4% (+28.4%/yr)STLD compounded faster over this window
SQM STLD
SQM vs STLD: by the numbers
- •STLD is the larger company ($35.26B vs $22.80B market cap).
- •SQM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.70 vs 22.45 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •SQM converts more revenue to profit (20.61% vs 7.83% net margin).
- •SQM grew revenue faster over the past five years (26.46% vs 9.68% CAGR).
- •SQM pays the higher dividend yield (1.25% vs 0.83%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | SQM | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 16.70 | 22.45 |
| Forward P/E | 11.90 | 14.69 |
| P/S ratio | 3.44 | 1.74 |
| P/B ratio | 3.69 | 3.80 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.50 | 14.19 |
| FCF yield | 8.39% | 2.67% |
Profitability
| Metric | SQM | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 29.32% | 14.62% |
| Operating margin | 24.83% | 10.57% |
| Net margin | 20.61% | 7.83% |
| ROE | 22.09% | 17.06% |
| ROIC | 11.60% | 10.79% |
Dividends
| Metric | SQM | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.25% | 0.83% |
| Payout ratio | 49.42% | 25.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | SQM | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 26.46% | 9.68% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 27.15% | 25.18% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 27.23% | 26.72% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.82% | 31.69% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, SQM or STLD?
- SQM has the lower trailing P/E: SQM trades at 16.70 and STLD at 22.45. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, SQM or STLD?
- Over the past five years, SQM grew revenue faster — SQM at a 26.46% CAGR versus STLD at 9.68%.
- Does SQM or STLD pay a bigger dividend?
- SQM yields 1.25% and STLD yields 0.83% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is SQM or STLD more profitable?
- SQM runs the higher net margin — SQM at 20.61% versus STLD at 7.83%.
- How have SQM and STLD total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, SQM delivered 15.77% and STLD delivered 28.62% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile P/E ratioSteel Dynamics P/E ratioSociedad Química y Minera de Chile dividend yieldSteel Dynamics dividend yieldSociedad Química y Minera de Chile ROESteel Dynamics ROESociedad Química y Minera de Chile operating marginSteel Dynamics operating marginSociedad Química y Minera de Chile revenue growthSteel Dynamics revenue growthSociedad Química y Minera de Chile free cash flowSteel Dynamics free cash flow
Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile & Steel Dynamics 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 September 3, 2026.