Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)

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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnSTLD vs VMC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
STLD +1125.6% (+28.5%/yr)VMC +141.2% (+9.2%/yr)STLD compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$1,226$241
STLD VMC

STLD vs VMC: by the numbers

  • STLD is the larger company ($33.72B vs $31.21B market cap).
  • STLD trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.33 vs 28.40 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.82% vs 7.83% net margin).
  • VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.53% vs 9.68% CAGR).
  • STLD pays the higher dividend yield (0.86% vs 0.82%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricSTLDVMC
P/E ratio21.3328.40
Forward P/E13.6526.35
P/S ratio1.643.85
P/B ratio3.583.69
EV / EBITDA13.4515.46
FCF yield2.83%3.29%

Profitability

MetricSTLDVMC
Gross margin14.62%27.43%
Operating margin10.57%19.92%
Net margin7.83%13.82%
ROE17.06%13.23%
ROIC10.79%8.25%

Dividends

MetricSTLDVMC
Dividend yield0.86%0.82%
Payout ratio18.68%24.17%

Growth (annualized)

MetricSTLDVMC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.68%10.53%
EPS CAGR (5Y)25.18%13.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)26.72%7.63%
Total return CAGR (5Y)31.46%8.12%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, STLD or VMC?
STLD has the lower trailing P/E: STLD trades at 21.33 and VMC at 28.40. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, STLD or VMC?
Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — STLD at a 9.68% CAGR versus VMC at 10.53%.
Does STLD or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
STLD yields 0.86% and VMC yields 0.82% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is STLD or VMC more profitable?
VMC runs the higher net margin — STLD at 7.83% versus VMC at 13.82%.
How have STLD and VMC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, STLD delivered 28.36% and VMC delivered 9.71% 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 13, 2026.