Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)
STLD leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Steel Dynamics, Inc. and Vulcan Materials Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
STLD
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
$249.91Basic Materials
VMC
Vulcan Materials Company
$302.84Basic Materials
Total return — STLD vs VMC
growth of $100 · last 30ySTLD +5262.9%VMC +1365.1%STLD compounded faster
STLD VMC
STLD vs VMC: by the numbers
- •VMC is the larger company ($39.30B vs $36.04B market cap).
- •STLD trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.76 vs 36.01 P/E).
- •VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.88% vs 7.22% net margin).
- •STLD grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.46% vs 10.56% CAGR).
- •STLD pays the higher dividend yield (0.81% vs 0.67%).
Which is better, STLD or VMC?
Metric tally: STLD 13 · VMC 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueSTLD(lower P/E)
GrowthSTLD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSTLD(higher dividend yield)
QualitySTLD(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | STLD | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.76● | 36.01 |
| Forward P/E | 15.72● | 27.94 |
| P/S ratio | 1.90● | 4.96 |
| P/B ratio | 3.95● | 4.73 |
| PEG ratio | 1.06● | 1.90 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.66● | 17.31 |
| FCF yield | 1.84% | 2.79%● |
Profitability
| Metric | STLD | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 14.00% | 27.61%● |
| Operating margin | 9.41% | 20.62%● |
| Net margin | 7.22% | 13.88%● |
| ROE | 14.97%● | 13.22% |
| ROIC | 8.19%● | 8.02% |
Dividends
| Metric | STLD | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.81%● | 0.67% |
| Payout ratio | 25.31% | 24.79% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | STLD | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.46%● | 10.56% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 25.18%● | 13.07% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 19.91%● | 5.93% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 36.10%● | 13.70% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, STLD or VMC?
- It depends on your goal. value: STLD (lower P/E); growth: STLD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: STLD (higher dividend yield); quality: STLD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, STLD leads 13 to 4.
- Is STLD or VMC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, STLD is cheaper: STLD trades at a 26.76 P/E and VMC at 36.01.
- Which has grown faster, STLD or VMC?
- Over the past five years, STLD grew revenue faster — STLD at a 12.46% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
- Does STLD or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
- STLD yields 0.81% and VMC yields 0.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is STLD or VMC more profitable?
- VMC runs the higher net margin — STLD at 7.22% versus VMC at 13.88%.
- Which has been the better investment, STLD or VMC?
- Over the past 10-year, STLD delivered the higher annualized total return — STLD at 28.17% versus VMC at 11.21%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Steel Dynamics P/E ratioVulcan Materials P/E ratioSteel Dynamics dividend yieldVulcan Materials dividend yieldSteel Dynamics ROEVulcan Materials ROESteel Dynamics operating marginVulcan Materials operating marginSteel Dynamics revenue growthVulcan Materials revenue growthSteel Dynamics free cash flowVulcan Materials free cash flow
Steel Dynamics & Vulcan Materials 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 20, 2026.