B vs. MLM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 19, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	B	MLM
Company Name	--	Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.
Country	Canada	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Metals & Mining	Construction Materials
Market Capitalization	40.73 billion USD	37.39 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 13, 1985	February 17, 1994
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of B and MLM 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	B	MLM
5-Day Price Return	3.58%	3.30%
13-Week Price Return	19.56%	12.12%
26-Week Price Return	31.93%	13.68%
52-Week Price Return	23.86%	18.09%
Month-to-Date Return	10.74%	7.86%
Year-to-Date Return	45.31%	20.05%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.64M	0.54M
3-Month Avg. Volume	3.90M	0.44M
3-Month Volatility	31.00%	21.85%
Beta	1.21	1.03

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

B

11.35%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

B’s Return on Equity of 11.35% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MLM

11.88%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 24.78%
Q3: 14.96%
Median: 10.37%
Q1: 4.14%
Min: -2.94%

MLM’s Return on Equity of 11.88% is on par with the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

B

19.99%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

A Net Profit Margin of 19.99% places B in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MLM

16.47%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 28.01%
Q3: 15.18%
Median: 9.09%
Q1: 3.32%
Min: -4.30%

A Net Profit Margin of 16.47% places MLM in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

B

40.46%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 40.46% places B 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.

MLM

23.04%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 31.67%
Q3: 18.49%
Median: 11.57%
Q1: 7.82%
Min: -1.44%

An Operating Profit Margin of 23.04% places MLM in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	B	MLM
Return on Equity (TTM)	11.35%	11.88%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.81%	6.25%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	19.99%	16.47%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	40.46%	23.04%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	44.23%	29.44%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

B

3.21

Metals & Mining Industry

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

B’s Current Ratio of 3.21 is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

MLM

2.35

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 5.14
Q3: 2.89
Median: 1.92
Q1: 1.25
Min: 0.79

MLM’s Current Ratio of 2.35 aligns with the median group of the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

B

0.19

Metals & Mining Industry

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

B’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19 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.

MLM

0.58

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 0.99
Q3: 0.72
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

MLM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58 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.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

B

354.29

Metals & Mining Industry

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

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 354.29, B demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

MLM

16.36

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 54.89
Q3: 34.04
Median: 7.92
Q1: 4.28
Min: -6.24

MLM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 16.36 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	B	MLM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	3.21	2.35
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.53	1.21
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.19	0.58
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	354.29	16.36

Growth

Revenue Growth

B vs. MLM: 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

B vs. MLM: 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)

B

1.70%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

B’s Dividend Yield of 1.70% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MLM

0.52%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 5.91%
Q3: 4.64%
Median: 2.57%
Q1: 1.11%
Min: 0.00%

MLM’s Dividend Yield of 0.52% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

B

24.89%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

B’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 24.89% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MLM

17.62%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 174.17%
Q3: 91.80%
Median: 44.42%
Q1: 23.07%
Min: 0.00%

MLM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 17.62% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	B	MLM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.70%	0.52%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	24.89%	17.62%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

B

14.65

Metals & Mining Industry

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

B’s P/E Ratio of 14.65 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.

MLM

33.80

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 49.05
Q3: 24.51
Median: 12.09
Q1: 7.70
Min: 4.06

A P/E Ratio of 33.80 places MLM in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

B

2.93

Metals & Mining Industry

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

B’s P/S Ratio of 2.93 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.

MLM

5.57

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 4.03
Q3: 2.26
Median: 1.31
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.19

With a P/S Ratio of 5.57, MLM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Construction Materials industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

B

1.43

Metals & Mining Industry

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

B’s P/B Ratio of 1.43 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.

MLM

3.53

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 3.19
Q3: 1.80
Median: 1.08
Q1: 0.72
Min: 0.11

At 3.53, MLM’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Construction Materials industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

B vs. MLM: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Construction Materials industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	B	MLM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	14.65	33.80
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.93	5.57
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.43	3.53
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	23.60	38.05