Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)

A side-by-side comparison of Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. and Vulcan Materials Company 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.

Compare

Total returnSQM vs VMC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
SQM +352.0% (+16.3%/yr)VMC +156.6% (+9.9%/yr)SQM compounded faster over this window
100200300400500Start $10020182020202220242026$452$257
SQM VMC

SQM vs VMC: by the numbers

  • VMC is the larger company ($33.79B vs $22.86B market cap).
  • SQM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.70 vs 31.12 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • SQM converts more revenue to profit (20.61% vs 13.82% net margin).
  • SQM grew revenue faster over the past five years (26.46% vs 10.53% CAGR).
  • SQM pays the higher dividend yield (1.25% vs 0.78%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricSQMVMC
P/E ratio16.7031.12
Forward P/E11.9028.87
P/S ratio3.444.26
P/B ratio3.694.08
EV / EBITDA8.5016.89
FCF yield8.39%2.98%

Profitability

MetricSQMVMC
Gross margin29.32%27.43%
Operating margin24.83%19.92%
Net margin20.61%13.82%
ROE22.09%13.23%
ROIC11.60%8.25%

Dividends

MetricSQMVMC
Dividend yield1.25%0.78%
Payout ratio49.42%25.15%

Growth (annualized)

MetricSQMVMC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)26.46%10.53%
EPS CAGR (5Y)27.15%13.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)27.23%7.63%
Total return CAGR (5Y)12.82%8.46%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, SQM or VMC?
SQM has the lower trailing P/E: SQM trades at 16.70 and VMC at 31.12. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, SQM or VMC?
Over the past five years, SQM grew revenue faster — SQM at a 26.46% CAGR versus VMC at 10.53%.
Does SQM or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
SQM yields 1.25% and VMC yields 0.78% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is SQM or VMC more profitable?
SQM runs the higher net margin — SQM at 20.61% versus VMC at 13.82%.
How have SQM and VMC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, SQM delivered 15.77% and VMC delivered 9.65% annualized total return. 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 September 3, 2026.