DOW vs. VALE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at DOW and VALE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
DOW is a standard domestic listing, while VALE trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | DOW | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Dow Inc. | Vale S.A. |
| Country | United States | Brazil |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Chemicals | Metals & Mining |
| Market Capitalization | 16.25 billion USD | 43.83 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 20, 2019 | March 21, 2002 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of DOW and VALE 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 | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 6.06% | 3.98% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -26.02% | 1.34% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -40.88% | 3.50% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -56.11% | -1.65% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.59% | 4.58% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -42.89% | 2.49% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 18.32M | 24.44M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 13.03M | 22.28M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 56.02% | 23.29% |
| Beta | 0.88 | 0.87 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
DOW
-5.63%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 26.17%
- Q3
- 13.48%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- Min
- -11.86%
DOW has a negative Return on Equity of -5.63%. 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.
VALE
13.93%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 31.09%
- Q3
- 16.14%
- Median
- 7.01%
- Q1
- 1.15%
- Min
- -19.85%
VALE’s Return on Equity of 13.93% 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
-2.35%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 21.80%
- Q3
- 9.57%
- Median
- 4.44%
- Q1
- 1.14%
- Min
- -11.30%
DOW has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.35%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
VALE
13.81%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 40.97%
- Q3
- 17.87%
- Median
- 7.03%
- Q1
- 1.82%
- Min
- -20.01%
VALE’s Net Profit Margin of 13.81% 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
-0.14%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 27.33%
- Q3
- 13.97%
- Median
- 8.08%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -8.10%
DOW has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.14%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
VALE
20.82%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 59.48%
- Q3
- 26.06%
- Median
- 10.50%
- Q1
- 2.89%
- Min
- -21.46%
VALE’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.82% 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 | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -5.63% | 13.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -1.68% | 5.93% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -2.35% | 13.81% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -0.14% | 20.82% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.03% | 34.24% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
DOW
1.69
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 3.38
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.55
DOW’s Current Ratio of 1.69 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
VALE
1.22
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.81
- Q3
- 2.86
- Median
- 1.94
- Q1
- 1.45
- Min
- 0.13
VALE’s Current Ratio of 1.22 falls into the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
DOW
0.97
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 0.94
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.41
- Min
- 0.00
DOW’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Chemicals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.97. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
VALE
0.45
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.11
- Q3
- 0.52
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.12
- Min
- 0.00
VALE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.45 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
- 26.33
- Median
- 9.38
- Q1
- 3.10
- 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.
VALE
2.82
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 65.47
- Q3
- 29.91
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- -26.49
VALE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.82 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | DOW | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.69 | 1.22 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.05 | 0.81 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.97 | 0.45 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.42 | 2.82 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
DOW
12.16%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 6.56%
- Q3
- 4.04%
- Median
- 2.47%
- Q1
- 1.45%
- Min
- 0.00%
DOW’s Dividend Yield of 12.16% 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.
VALE
8.51%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.36%
- Q3
- 3.78%
- Median
- 1.41%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 8.51%, VALE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
DOW
126.09%
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 181.25%
- Q3
- 95.01%
- Median
- 53.52%
- Q1
- 26.59%
- Min
- 0.00%
DOW’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 126.09% is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals 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.
VALE
94.22%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 63.28%
- Median
- 38.78%
- Q1
- 12.84%
- Min
- 0.00%
VALE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 94.22% is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | DOW | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 12.16% | 8.51% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 126.09% | 94.22% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
DOW
--
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 42.94
- Q3
- 29.77
- Median
- 20.37
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 6.19
P/E Ratio data for DOW is currently unavailable.
VALE
8.24
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 57.44
- Q3
- 32.87
- Median
- 18.04
- Q1
- 9.84
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, VALE’s P/E Ratio of 8.24 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
DOW
0.39
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.36
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.01
- Q1
- 0.55
- Min
- 0.16
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.
VALE
1.14
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 6.52
- Q3
- 3.19
- Median
- 1.97
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.14
VALE’s P/S Ratio of 1.14 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
1.09
Chemicals Industry
- Max
- 4.92
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.54
- Q1
- 0.97
- Min
- 0.30
DOW’s P/B Ratio of 1.09 is within the conventional range for the Chemicals 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.
VALE
1.12
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 3.92
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 0.84
- Min
- 0.25
VALE’s P/B Ratio of 1.12 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 | VALE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 8.24 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.39 | 1.14 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.09 | 1.12 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 72.42 | 21.25 |