APD vs. CLF: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 24, 2025

Here’s a clear look at APD and CLF, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	APD	CLF
Company Name	Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.	Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Chemicals	Metals & Mining
Market Capitalization	65.07 billion USD	5.06 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	March 17, 1980	February 21, 1973
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of APD and CLF by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

APD vs. CLF: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	APD	CLF
5-Day Price Return	-1.36%	-3.22%
13-Week Price Return	4.05%	38.86%
26-Week Price Return	-6.49%	-10.27%
52-Week Price Return	5.14%	-19.53%
Month-to-Date Return	0.81%	-2.85%
Year-to-Date Return	0.06%	8.72%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.95M	17.08M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.16M	28.74M
3-Month Volatility	18.41%	80.62%
Beta	0.86	1.96

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

APD

9.70%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 26.17%
Q3: 13.48%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 2.52%
Min: -11.86%

APD’s Return on Equity of 9.70% is on par with the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

CLF

-26.06%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 31.09%
Q3: 16.14%
Median: 7.01%
Q1: 1.15%
Min: -19.85%

CLF has a negative Return on Equity of -26.06%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

APD

12.86%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 21.80%
Q3: 9.57%
Median: 4.44%
Q1: 1.14%
Min: -11.30%

A Net Profit Margin of 12.86% places APD in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

CLF

-9.03%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 40.97%
Q3: 17.87%
Median: 7.03%
Q1: 1.82%
Min: -20.01%

CLF has a negative Net Profit Margin of -9.03%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

APD

12.69%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.97%
Median: 8.08%
Q1: 4.46%
Min: -8.10%

APD’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.69% is around the midpoint for the Chemicals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

CLF

-9.54%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 59.48%
Q3: 26.06%
Median: 10.50%
Q1: 2.89%
Min: -21.46%

CLF has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -9.54%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	APD	CLF
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.70%	-26.06%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.87%	-8.44%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	12.86%	-9.03%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.69%	-9.54%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	31.87%	-5.29%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

APD

1.29

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.38
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.55

APD’s Current Ratio of 1.29 falls into the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

CLF

2.04

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 4.81
Q3: 2.86
Median: 1.94
Q1: 1.45
Min: 0.13

CLF’s Current Ratio of 2.04 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

APD

1.14

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.65
Q3: 0.94
Median: 0.65
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

APD’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Chemicals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.14. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

CLF

1.33

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 1.11
Q3: 0.52
Median: 0.29
Q1: 0.12
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.33, CLF operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Metals & Mining industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

APD

709.00

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 9.38
Q1: 3.10
Min: -9.39

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 709.00, APD demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

CLF

-1.55

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 65.47
Q3: 29.91
Median: 5.88
Q1: 0.91
Min: -26.49

CLF has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.55. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	APD	CLF
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.29	2.04
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	0.61
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.14	1.33
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	709.00	-1.55

Growth

Revenue Growth

APD vs. CLF: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

APD vs. CLF: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

APD

2.43%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.56%
Q3: 4.04%
Median: 2.47%
Q1: 1.45%
Min: 0.00%

APD’s Dividend Yield of 2.43% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

CLF

0.00%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 9.36%
Q3: 3.78%
Median: 1.41%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CLF currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

APD

36.13%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 181.25%
Q3: 95.01%
Median: 53.52%
Q1: 26.59%
Min: 0.00%

APD’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.13% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CLF

0.00%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 138.08%
Q3: 63.28%
Median: 38.78%
Q1: 12.84%
Min: 0.00%

CLF has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	APD	CLF
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.43%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	36.13%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

APD

41.92

Chemicals Industry

Max: 42.94
Q3: 29.77
Median: 20.37
Q1: 14.27
Min: 6.19

A P/E Ratio of 41.92 places APD in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

CLF

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 57.44
Q3: 32.87
Median: 18.04
Q1: 9.84
Min: 0.00

P/E Ratio data for CLF is currently unavailable.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

APD

5.39

Chemicals Industry

Max: 4.36
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.16

With a P/S Ratio of 5.39, APD trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Chemicals industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

CLF

0.27

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 3.19
Median: 1.97
Q1: 0.59
Min: 0.14

In the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, CLF’s P/S Ratio of 0.27 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

APD

4.04

Chemicals Industry

Max: 4.92
Q3: 2.56
Median: 1.54
Q1: 0.97
Min: 0.30

APD’s P/B Ratio of 4.04 is in the upper tier for the Chemicals industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

CLF

0.65

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 3.92
Q3: 2.15
Median: 1.40
Q1: 0.84
Min: 0.25

CLF’s P/B Ratio of 0.65 is in the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

APD vs. CLF: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	APD	CLF
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	41.92	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.39	0.27
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.04	0.65
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	117.38	3.48