Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) vs Smurfit Westrock plc (SW)
STLD and SW are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.
A side-by-side comparison of Steel Dynamics, Inc. and Smurfit Westrock plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 26, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
STLD
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
$251.00Basic Materials
SW
Smurfit Westrock plc
$46.84Basic Materials
Total return — STLD vs SW
growth of $100 · last 18ySTLD +518.0%SW +472.3%STLD compounded faster
STLD SW
STLD vs SW: by the numbers
- •STLD is the larger company ($35.08B vs $24.42B market cap).
- •STLD trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.87 vs 65.38 P/E).
- •STLD converts more revenue to profit (7.22% vs 1.23% net margin).
- •SW grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.07% vs 12.46% CAGR).
- •SW pays the higher dividend yield (3.86% vs 0.84%).
Which is better, STLD or SW?
Metric tally: STLD 8 · SW 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueSTLD(lower P/E)
GrowthSW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSW(higher dividend yield)
QualitySTLD(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | STLD | SW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.87● | 65.38 |
| Forward P/E | 15.34 | — |
| P/S ratio | 1.91 | 0.84● |
| P/B ratio | 3.97 | 1.40● |
| PEG ratio | 1.07 | 0.43● |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.90 | 8.69● |
| FCF yield | 1.83% | 4.05%● |
Profitability
| Metric | STLD | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 14.00% | 18.42%● |
| Operating margin | 9.41%● | 6.24% |
| Net margin | 7.22%● | 1.23% |
| ROE | 14.97%● | 2.06% |
| ROIC | 8.19%● | 3.59% |
Dividends
| Metric | STLD | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.84% | 3.86%● |
| Payout ratio | 26.43% | 135.01% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | STLD | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.46% | 24.07%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 25.18%● | -16.43% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 19.91%● | -3.68% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 34.22%● | 1.06% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, STLD or SW?
- It depends on your goal. value: STLD (lower P/E); growth: SW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SW (higher dividend yield); quality: STLD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
- Is STLD or SW cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, STLD is cheaper: STLD trades at a 26.87 P/E and SW at 65.38.
- Which has grown faster, STLD or SW?
- Over the past five years, SW grew revenue faster — STLD at a 12.46% CAGR versus SW at 24.07%.
- Does STLD or SW pay a bigger dividend?
- STLD yields 0.84% and SW yields 3.86% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is STLD or SW more profitable?
- STLD runs the higher net margin — STLD at 7.22% versus SW at 1.23%.
- Which has been the better investment, STLD or SW?
- Over the past 10-year, STLD delivered the higher annualized total return — STLD at 28.52% versus SW at 5.47%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Steel Dynamics P/E ratioSmurfit Westrock P/E ratioSteel Dynamics dividend yieldSmurfit Westrock dividend yieldSteel Dynamics ROESmurfit Westrock ROESteel Dynamics operating marginSmurfit Westrock operating marginSteel Dynamics revenue growthSmurfit Westrock revenue growthSteel Dynamics free cash flowSmurfit Westrock free cash flow
Steel Dynamics & Smurfit Westrock 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 June 26, 2026.