CLF vs. VMC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CLF and VMC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CLF | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. | Vulcan Materials Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Metals & Mining | Construction Materials |
| Market Capitalization | 5.26 billion USD | 39.06 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CLF 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CLF | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 12.85% | 4.80% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 41.54% | 8.55% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -0.28% | 6.65% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -16.50% | 22.22% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.05% | 7.63% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 13.09% | 14.93% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 18.68M | 1.16M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 29.71M | 1.09M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 81.45% | 19.95% |
| Beta | 1.96 | 0.94 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CLF
-26.06%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 16.14%
- Median
- 7.01%
- Q1
- 1.15%
- Min
- -19.85%
CLF has a negative Return on Equity of -26.06%. 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.
VMC
11.70%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 24.78%
- Q3
- 14.96%
- Median
- 10.37%
- Q1
- 4.14%
- Min
- -2.94%
VMC’s Return on Equity of 11.70% is on par with the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CLF
-9.03%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 40.97%
- Q3
- 17.87%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- 1.82%
- Min
- -20.01%
CLF has a negative Net Profit Margin of -9.03%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
VMC
12.52%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 28.01%
- Q3
- 15.18%
- Median
- 9.09%
- Q1
- 3.32%
- Min
- -4.30%
VMC’s Net Profit Margin of 12.52% 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 (TTM)
CLF
-9.54%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 59.48%
- Q3
- 26.06%
- Median
- 10.50%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -21.46%
CLF has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -9.54%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
VMC
18.90%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 31.67%
- Q3
- 18.49%
- Median
- 11.57%
- Q1
- 7.82%
- Min
- -1.44%
An Operating Profit Margin of 18.90% places VMC 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CLF | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -26.06% | 11.70% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -8.44% | 5.84% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -9.03% | 12.52% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -9.54% | 18.90% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -5.29% | 27.56% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CLF
2.04
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.81
- Q3
- 2.86
- Median
- 1.94
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.13
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.
VMC
1.67
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.14
- Q3
- 2.89
- Median
- 1.92
- Q1
- 1.25
- Min
- 0.79
VMC’s Current Ratio of 1.67 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 (MRQ)
CLF
1.33
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.11
- Q3
- 0.52
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.33, 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.
VMC
0.59
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 0.99
- Q3
- 0.72
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
VMC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.59 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 (TTM)
CLF
-1.55
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 65.47
- Q3
- 29.91
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- -26.49
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.
VMC
7.88
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 54.89
- Q3
- 34.04
- Median
- 7.92
- Q1
- 4.28
- Min
- -6.24
VMC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.88 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 | CLF | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.04 | 1.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.61 | 1.13 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.33 | 0.59 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -1.55 | 7.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CLF
0.00%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.36%
- Q3
- 3.78%
- Median
- 1.41%
- 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.
VMC
0.65%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.91%
- Q3
- 4.64%
- Median
- 2.57%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
VMC’s Dividend Yield of 0.65% 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CLF
0.00%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 63.28%
- Median
- 38.78%
- Q1
- 12.84%
- 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.
VMC
26.53%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 174.17%
- Q3
- 91.80%
- Median
- 44.42%
- Q1
- 23.07%
- Min
- 0.00%
VMC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.53% 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 | CLF | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.65% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 26.53% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CLF
--
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 57.44
- Q3
- 32.87
- Median
- 18.04
- Q1
- 9.84
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for CLF is currently unavailable.
VMC
40.74
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 49.05
- Q3
- 24.51
- Median
- 12.09
- Q1
- 7.70
- Min
- 4.06
A P/E Ratio of 40.74 places VMC 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CLF
0.28
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.14
In the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, CLF’s P/S Ratio of 0.28 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.
VMC
5.10
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 4.03
- Q3
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.31
- Q1
- 0.66
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 5.10, VMC 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CLF
0.65
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.25
CLF’s P/B Ratio of 0.65 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.
VMC
4.10
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 3.19
- Q3
- 1.80
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.72
- Min
- 0.11
At 4.10, VMC’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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CLF | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 40.74 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.28 | 5.10 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.65 | 4.10 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 3.56 | 35.29 |