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

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

Company Profile

SymbolAPDNUE
Company NameAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.Nucor Corporation
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorMaterialsMaterials
GICS IndustryChemicalsMetals & Mining
Market Capitalization65.07 billion USD32.93 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateMarch 17, 1980March 17, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAPDNUE
5-Day Price Return-1.36%-0.61%
13-Week Price Return4.05%23.87%
26-Week Price Return-6.49%5.84%
52-Week Price Return5.14%-0.42%
Month-to-Date Return0.81%0.28%
Year-to-Date Return0.06%22.93%
10-Day Avg. Volume0.95M1.31M
3-Month Avg. Volume1.16M2.09M
3-Month Volatility18.41%35.13%
Beta0.861.83

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.

NUE

6.38%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

NUE’s Return on Equity of 6.38% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

APD vs. NUE: 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.

NUE

4.21%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

NUE’s Net Profit Margin of 4.21% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

APD vs. NUE: 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.

NUE

6.96%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

NUE’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.96% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAPDNUE
Return on Equity (TTM)9.70%6.38%
Return on Assets (TTM)3.87%3.78%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)12.86%4.21%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)12.69%6.96%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)31.87%10.43%

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.

NUE

2.83

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
4.81
Q3
2.86
Median
1.94
Q1
1.45
Min
0.13

NUE’s Current Ratio of 2.83 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. NUE: 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.

NUE

0.34

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
1.11
Q3
0.52
Median
0.29
Q1
0.12
Min
0.00

NUE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.34 is typical for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

APD vs. NUE: 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.

NUE

65.23

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
65.47
Q3
29.91
Median
5.88
Q1
0.91
Min
-26.49

NUE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 65.23 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. NUE: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAPDNUE
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.292.83
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.071.51
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)1.140.34
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)709.0065.23

Growth

Revenue Growth

APD vs. NUE: 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. NUE: 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.

NUE

1.56%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

NUE’s Dividend Yield of 1.56% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

APD vs. NUE: 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.

NUE

39.79%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

NUE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.79% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAPDNUE
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.43%1.56%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)36.13%39.79%

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.

NUE

25.58

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
57.44
Q3
32.87
Median
18.04
Q1
9.84
Min
0.00

NUE’s P/E Ratio of 25.58 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. NUE: 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.

NUE

1.08

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
6.52
Q3
3.19
Median
1.97
Q1
0.59
Min
0.14

NUE’s P/S Ratio of 1.08 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

APD vs. NUE: 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.

NUE

1.55

Metals & Mining Industry

Max
3.92
Q3
2.15
Median
1.40
Q1
0.84
Min
0.25

NUE’s P/B Ratio of 1.55 is within the conventional range for the Metals & Mining industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

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

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAPDNUE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)41.9225.58
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.391.08
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)4.041.55
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)117.3816.87