CLF vs. STLD: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CLF and STLD, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CLF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. | Steel Dynamics, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Metals & Mining | Metals & Mining |
| Market Capitalization | 6.28 billion USD | 23.33 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | November 22, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CLF and STLD 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CLF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.97% | 1.96% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.07% | 22.93% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 41.56% | 14.76% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -9.98% | 9.52% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -13.68% | -0.89% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 14.15% | 36.24% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 21.80M | 1.24M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 26.38M | 1.29M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 80.37% | 33.70% |
| Beta | 1.95 | 1.52 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CLF
-27.70%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.65%
- Q3
- 18.32%
- Median
- 9.95%
- Q1
- 1.68%
- Min
- -21.32%
CLF has a negative Return on Equity of -27.70%. 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.
STLD
12.65%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.65%
- Q3
- 18.32%
- Median
- 9.95%
- Q1
- 1.68%
- Min
- -21.32%
STLD’s Return on Equity of 12.65% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CLF
-9.00%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 46.52%
- Q3
- 20.04%
- Median
- 7.57%
- Q1
- 1.57%
- Min
- -25.46%
CLF has a negative Net Profit Margin of -9.00%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
STLD
6.39%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 46.52%
- Q3
- 20.04%
- Median
- 7.57%
- Q1
- 1.57%
- Min
- -25.46%
STLD’s Net Profit Margin of 6.39% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CLF
-9.16%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 72.27%
- Q3
- 33.90%
- Median
- 14.82%
- Q1
- 2.88%
- Min
- -23.81%
CLF has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -9.16%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
STLD
7.96%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 72.27%
- Q3
- 33.90%
- Median
- 14.82%
- Q1
- 2.88%
- Min
- -23.81%
STLD’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.96% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CLF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -27.70% | 12.65% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -8.12% | 7.23% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -9.00% | 6.39% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -9.16% | 7.96% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -4.94% | 13.07% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CLF
2.04
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.96
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.41
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.
STLD
3.11
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.96
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.41
STLD’s Current Ratio of 3.11 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CLF
1.47
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.47, 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.
STLD
0.42
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
STLD’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.42 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CLF
-1.55
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 21.58
- Median
- 5.63
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- -24.82
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.
STLD
36.19
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 21.58
- Median
- 5.63
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- -24.82
STLD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 36.19 is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CLF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.04 | 3.11 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.61 | 1.47 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.47 | 0.42 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -1.55 | 36.19 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CLF
0.00%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 7.02%
- Q3
- 2.91%
- Median
- 1.13%
- 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.
STLD
1.27%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 7.02%
- Q3
- 2.91%
- Median
- 1.13%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
STLD’s Dividend Yield of 1.27% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CLF
0.00%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 151.02%
- Q3
- 64.89%
- Median
- 32.13%
- Q1
- 7.15%
- 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.
STLD
25.60%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 151.02%
- Q3
- 64.89%
- Median
- 32.13%
- Q1
- 7.15%
- Min
- 0.00%
STLD’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 25.60% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CLF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 25.60% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CLF
--
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 77.73
- Q3
- 39.76
- Median
- 20.87
- Q1
- 13.12
- Min
- 2.01
P/E Ratio data for CLF is currently unavailable.
STLD
20.14
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 77.73
- Q3
- 39.76
- Median
- 20.87
- Q1
- 13.12
- Min
- 2.01
STLD’s P/E Ratio of 20.14 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CLF
0.34
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.17
- Q3
- 4.39
- Median
- 2.43
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.15
In the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, CLF’s P/S Ratio of 0.34 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.
STLD
1.29
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.17
- Q3
- 4.39
- Median
- 2.43
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.15
STLD’s P/S Ratio of 1.29 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CLF
1.10
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.38
- Q3
- 3.01
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.34
CLF’s P/B Ratio of 1.10 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.
STLD
2.28
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.38
- Q3
- 3.01
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.34
STLD’s P/B Ratio of 2.28 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CLF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 20.14 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.34 | 1.29 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 2.28 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 4.41 | 39.80 |