Vulcan Materials Company (VMC) vs United States Steel Corporation (X)

VMC leads on 9 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Vulcan Materials Company and United States Steel Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — VMC vs X

growth of $100 · last 29y
VMC +1229.6%X +82.8%VMC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020012006201120162021$1,330$183
VMC X

VMC vs X: by the numbers

  • VMC is the larger company ($37.17B vs $12.42B market cap).
  • VMC trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.06 vs 189.10 P/E).
  • VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.88% vs 0.64% net margin).
  • VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.56% vs 4.51% CAGR).
  • VMC pays the higher dividend yield (0.71% vs 0.36%).

Which is better, VMC or X?

Metric tally: VMC 9 · X 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueVMC(lower P/E)
GrowthVMC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeVMC(higher dividend yield)
QualityVMC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricVMCX
P/E ratio34.06189.10
Forward P/E26.49
P/S ratio4.690.81
P/B ratio4.470.77
PEG ratio1.90
EV / EBITDA16.4710.84
FCF yield2.95%

Profitability

MetricVMCX
Gross margin27.61%7.57%
Operating margin20.62%-2.36%
Net margin13.88%0.64%
ROE13.22%0.61%
ROIC8.02%1.24%

Dividends

MetricVMCX
Dividend yield0.71%0.36%
Payout ratio24.79%11.70%

Growth (annualized)

MetricVMCX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.56%4.51%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.07%-19.55%
FCF CAGR (5Y)5.93%24.58%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.33%47.40%

Frequently asked

Which is better, VMC or X?
It depends on your goal. value: VMC (lower P/E); growth: VMC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: VMC (higher dividend yield); quality: VMC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VMC leads 9 to 5.
Is VMC or X cheaper?
On trailing earnings, VMC is cheaper: VMC trades at a 34.06 P/E and X at 189.10.
Which has grown faster, VMC or X?
Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — VMC at a 10.56% CAGR versus X at 4.51%.
Does VMC or X pay a bigger dividend?
VMC yields 0.71% and X yields 0.36% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is VMC or X more profitable?
VMC runs the higher net margin — VMC at 13.88% versus X at 0.64%.
Which has been the better investment, VMC or X?
Over the past 10-year, VMC delivered the higher annualized total return — VMC at 10.45% versus X at 9.88%. 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 June 14, 2026.