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

Updated on August 22, 2025

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

Company Profile

APD is a standard domestic listing, while GFI trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	APD	GFI
Company Name	Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.	Gold Fields Limited
Country	United States	South Africa
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Chemicals	Metals & Mining
Market Capitalization	65.07 billion USD	27.36 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	March 17, 1980	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of APD and GFI 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. GFI: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	APD	GFI
5-Day Price Return	-1.36%	-2.26%
13-Week Price Return	4.05%	37.70%
26-Week Price Return	-6.49%	46.91%
52-Week Price Return	5.14%	82.11%
Month-to-Date Return	0.81%	19.54%
Year-to-Date Return	0.06%	113.25%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.95M	1.90M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.16M	2.18M
3-Month Volatility	18.41%	45.94%
Beta	0.86	1.49

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.

GFI

25.25%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, GFI’s Return on Equity of 25.25% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

APD vs. GFI: 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.

GFI

23.93%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

A Net Profit Margin of 23.93% places GFI in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

APD vs. GFI: 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.

GFI

45.14%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 45.14% places GFI in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	APD	GFI
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.70%	25.25%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.87%	13.45%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	12.86%	23.93%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.69%	45.14%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	31.87%	51.51%

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.

GFI

1.13

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s Current Ratio of 1.13 falls into the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

APD vs. GFI: 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.

GFI

0.57

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Metals & Mining industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

APD vs. GFI: 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.

GFI

32.40

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.40 is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	APD	GFI
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.29	1.13
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.07	0.72
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.14	0.57
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	709.00	32.40

Growth

Revenue Growth

APD vs. GFI: 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. GFI: 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.

GFI

0.00%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI 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. GFI: 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.

GFI

58.80%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.80% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	APD	GFI
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.43%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	36.13%	58.80%

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.

GFI

21.40

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s P/E Ratio of 21.40 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

APD vs. GFI: 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.

GFI

5.12

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s P/S Ratio of 5.12 is in the upper echelon for the Metals & Mining industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

APD vs. GFI: 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.

GFI

2.40

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s P/B Ratio of 2.40 is in the upper tier for the Metals & Mining 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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	APD	GFI
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	41.92	21.40
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.39	5.12
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.04	2.40
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	117.38	45.25