DOW vs. NUE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at DOW and NUE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | DOW | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Dow Inc. | Nucor Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Metals & Mining |
| Market Capitalization | 15.78 billion USD | 34.87 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 20, 2019 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of DOW 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | DOW | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -8.64% | -0.39% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -11.57% | 2.76% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -30.42% | 27.09% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -52.00% | 1.74% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -12.16% | -1.90% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -47.79% | 26.12% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 12.83M | 1.31M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 14.60M | 1.59M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 45.41% | 30.83% |
| Beta | 0.82 | 1.89 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
DOW
-6.58%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 29.52%
- Q3
- 13.18%
- Median
- 6.58%
- Q1
- 1.08%
- Min
- -12.53%
DOW has a negative Return on Equity of -6.58%. 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.
NUE
8.11%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.65%
- Q3
- 18.32%
- Median
- 9.95%
- Q1
- 1.68%
- Min
- -21.32%
NUE’s Return on Equity of 8.11% 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)
DOW
-2.77%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.17%
- Q3
- 9.38%
- Median
- 4.26%
- Q1
- 0.56%
- Min
- -8.93%
DOW has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.77%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
NUE
5.18%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 46.52%
- Q3
- 20.04%
- Median
- 7.57%
- Q1
- 1.57%
- Min
- -25.46%
NUE’s Net Profit Margin of 5.18% 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)
DOW
-0.86%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.38%
- Q3
- 14.36%
- Median
- 7.98%
- Q1
- 3.60%
- Min
- -9.26%
DOW has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.86%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
NUE
7.89%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 72.27%
- Q3
- 33.90%
- Median
- 14.82%
- Q1
- 2.88%
- Min
- -23.81%
NUE’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.89% 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 | DOW | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -6.58% | 8.11% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -1.93% | 4.80% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -2.77% | 5.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.86% | 7.89% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.27% | 11.43% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
DOW
1.94
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.31
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.75
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.73
DOW’s Current Ratio of 1.94 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
NUE
2.77
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.96
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.41
NUE’s Current Ratio of 2.77 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
DOW
1.04
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.84
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.00
DOW’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Chemicals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.04. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
NUE
0.33
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
NUE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.33 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)
DOW
3.42
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 56.43
- Q3
- 27.42
- Median
- 9.48
- Q1
- 3.36
- Min
- -9.39
DOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.42 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NUE
65.23
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 21.58
- Median
- 5.63
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- -24.82
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 65.23, NUE 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | DOW | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.94 | 2.77 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.28 | 1.51 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 0.33 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.42 | 65.23 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
DOW
10.99%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.88%
- Q3
- 3.88%
- Median
- 2.60%
- Q1
- 1.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
DOW’s Dividend Yield of 10.99% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
NUE
1.51%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 7.02%
- Q3
- 2.91%
- Median
- 1.13%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NUE’s Dividend Yield of 1.51% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
DOW
401.61%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 192.00%
- Q3
- 109.29%
- Median
- 62.55%
- Q1
- 30.93%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 401.61%, DOW’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Chemicals industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
NUE
31.04%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 151.02%
- Q3
- 64.89%
- Median
- 32.13%
- Q1
- 7.15%
- Min
- 0.00%
NUE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.04% 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 | DOW | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 10.99% | 1.51% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 401.61% | 31.04% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
DOW
--
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 48.58
- Q3
- 28.65
- Median
- 19.88
- Q1
- 14.03
- Min
- 6.73
P/E Ratio data for DOW is currently unavailable.
NUE
20.53
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 77.73
- Q3
- 39.76
- Median
- 20.87
- Q1
- 13.12
- Min
- 2.01
NUE’s P/E Ratio of 20.53 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)
DOW
0.39
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.61
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- 0.58
- Min
- 0.17
In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, DOW’s P/S Ratio of 0.39 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.
NUE
1.06
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.17
- Q3
- 4.39
- Median
- 2.43
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.15
NUE’s P/S Ratio of 1.06 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)
DOW
0.93
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.60
- Q3
- 2.61
- Median
- 1.50
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.33
DOW’s P/B Ratio of 0.93 is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals 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.
NUE
1.50
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.38
- Q3
- 3.01
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.34
NUE’s P/B Ratio of 1.50 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 | DOW | NUE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 20.53 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.39 | 1.06 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.93 | 1.50 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 25.83 | 63.79 |