AU vs. VMC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AU and VMC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AU’s market capitalization stands at 23.52 billion USD, while VMC’s is 35.17 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
VMC carries a higher beta at 0.84, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AU (beta: 0.49) exhibits greater stability.
Symbol | AU | VMC |
---|---|---|
Company Name | AngloGold Ashanti Plc | Vulcan Materials Company |
Country | GB | US |
Sector | Basic Materials | Basic Materials |
Industry | Gold | Construction Materials |
CEO | Alberto Calderon Zuleta BA Econ, Econ, Law, M Phil Econ, | James Thomas Hill |
Price | 46.71 USD | 266.24 USD |
Market Cap | 23.52 billion USD | 35.17 billion USD |
Beta | 0.49 | 0.84 |
Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
IPO Date | August 5, 1998 | January 2, 1957 |
ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AU and VMC 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AU
25.86%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 25.86%
- Q3
- 12.48%
- Median
- 8.15%
- Q1
- 2.34%
- Min
- -3.82%
In the upper quartile for the Gold industry, AU’s Return on Equity of 25.86% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
VMC
11.79%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 32.32%
- Q3
- 20.74%
- Median
- 15.42%
- Q1
- 12.55%
- Min
- 11.55%
VMC’s Return on Equity of 11.79% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Return on Invested Capital
AU
12.23%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 20.84%
- Q3
- 9.90%
- Median
- 5.11%
- Q1
- 1.36%
- Min
- -10.62%
In the upper quartile for the Gold industry, AU’s Return on Invested Capital of 12.23% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
VMC
7.04%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 15.45%
- Q3
- 12.02%
- Median
- 9.68%
- Q1
- 7.11%
- Min
- 7.02%
VMC’s Return on Invested Capital of 7.04% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This indicates a less efficient conversion of invested capital into profit compared to most of its competitors.
Net Profit Margin
AU
17.91%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 26.48%
- Q3
- 21.01%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 8.22%
- Min
- -6.63%
AU’s Net Profit Margin of 17.91% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Gold industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
VMC
12.50%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 20.50%
- Q3
- 16.08%
- Median
- 10.94%
- Q1
- 9.16%
- Min
- 4.73%
VMC’s Net Profit Margin of 12.50% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Construction Materials industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin
AU
29.67%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 67.43%
- Q3
- 40.39%
- Median
- 30.64%
- Q1
- 19.83%
- Min
- -9.84%
AU’s Operating Profit Margin of 29.67% is around the midpoint for the Gold industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
VMC
18.96%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 26.51%
- Q3
- 22.33%
- Median
- 18.96%
- Q1
- 12.92%
- Min
- 6.22%
VMC’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.96% is around the midpoint for the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
Symbol | AU | VMC |
---|---|---|
Return on Equity (TTM) | 25.86% | 11.79% |
Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.37% | 5.61% |
Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 12.23% | 7.04% |
Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.91% | 12.50% |
Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.67% | 18.96% |
Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.78% | 44.35% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AU
2.34
Gold Industry
- Max
- 4.98
- Q3
- 3.76
- Median
- 2.34
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.52
AU’s Current Ratio of 2.34 aligns with the median group of the Gold industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
VMC
2.42
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 2.73
- Median
- 2.25
- Q1
- 1.63
- Min
- 0.87
VMC’s Current Ratio of 2.42 aligns with the median group of the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AU
0.33
Gold Industry
- Max
- 0.67
- Q3
- 0.34
- Median
- 0.17
- Q1
- 0.06
- Min
- 0.00
AU’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.33 is typical for the Gold industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
VMC
0.67
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 0.88
- Q3
- 0.71
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.21
- Min
- 0.01
VMC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AU
14.20
Gold Industry
- Max
- 45.23
- Q3
- 25.79
- Median
- 13.44
- Q1
- 2.91
- Min
- -6.26
AU’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 14.20 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Gold industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
VMC
6.72
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 32.44
- Q3
- 18.11
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 5.31
- Min
- 3.30
VMC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
Symbol | AU | VMC |
---|---|---|
Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.34 | 2.42 |
Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.57 | 1.51 |
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.33 | 0.67 |
Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.17 | 0.33 |
Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 0.25 | 2.55 |
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 14.20 | 6.72 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AU and VMC. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AU
0.27%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 3.65%
- Q3
- 1.37%
- Median
- 0.47%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AU’s Dividend Yield of 0.27% is consistent with its peers in the Gold industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
VMC
0.71%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 8.35%
- Q3
- 1.57%
- Median
- 0.61%
- Q1
- 0.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
VMC’s Dividend Yield of 0.71% is consistent with its peers in the Construction Materials industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AU
45.43%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 110.70%
- Q3
- 42.09%
- Median
- 15.45%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AU’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 45.43% is in the upper quartile for the Gold industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
VMC
26.48%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 86.74%
- Q3
- 26.48%
- Median
- 13.85%
- Q1
- 4.99%
- Min
- 0.00%
VMC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.48% is within the typical range for the Construction Materials industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
Symbol | AU | VMC |
---|---|---|
Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.27% | 0.71% |
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 45.43% | 26.48% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AU
16.93
Gold Industry
- Max
- 64.00
- Q3
- 46.06
- Median
- 29.03
- Q1
- 16.74
- Min
- 1.00
AU’s P/E Ratio of 16.93 is within the middle range for the Gold industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
VMC
37.57
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 37.00
- Q3
- 25.95
- Median
- 18.83
- Q1
- 14.75
- Min
- 6.99
At 37.57, VMC’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AU
-0.86
Gold Industry
- Max
- 14.01
- Q3
- 6.52
- Median
- 3.33
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Gold industry.
VMC
2.42
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.48
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Construction Materials industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AU
3.03
Gold Industry
- Max
- 15.12
- Q3
- 7.63
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
AU’s P/S Ratio of 3.03 aligns with the market consensus for the Gold industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
VMC
4.69
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.00
- Q3
- 3.98
- Median
- 2.34
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.50
VMC’s P/S Ratio of 4.69 is in the upper echelon for the Construction Materials 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AU
3.47
Gold Industry
- Max
- 6.10
- Q3
- 3.60
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.35
- Min
- 0.26
AU’s P/B Ratio of 3.47 is within the conventional range for the Gold 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.
VMC
4.33
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.60
- Q3
- 4.69
- Median
- 3.33
- Q1
- 1.80
- Min
- 0.76
VMC’s P/B Ratio of 4.33 is within the conventional range for the Construction Materials 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.
Valuation at a Glance
Symbol | AU | VMC |
---|---|---|
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 16.93 | 37.57 |
Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | -0.86 | 2.42 |
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 3.03 | 4.69 |
Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.47 | 4.33 |
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 18.13 | 40.47 |
EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 7.94 | 19.56 |
EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.13 | 5.39 |