GFI vs. PPG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 21, 2025

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

Company Profile

GFI trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, PPG is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	GFI	PPG
Company Name	Gold Fields Limited	PPG Industries, Inc.
Country	South Africa	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Metals & Mining	Chemicals
Market Capitalization	28.02 billion USD	25.42 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	March 17, 1980	March 17, 1980
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GFI and PPG 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GFI	PPG
5-Day Price Return	2.55%	6.13%
13-Week Price Return	48.91%	-1.39%
26-Week Price Return	69.09%	-2.83%
52-Week Price Return	38.74%	-4.88%
Month-to-Date Return	26.26%	6.75%
Year-to-Date Return	125.23%	-5.72%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.79M	2.08M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.32M	2.00M
3-Month Volatility	49.08%	26.78%
Beta	1.48	1.18

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GFI

25.25%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, GFI’s Return on Equity of 25.25% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

PPG

13.91%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 26.17%
Q3: 13.48%
Median: 8.13%
Q1: 2.52%
Min: -11.86%

In the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, PPG’s Return on Equity of 13.91% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GFI

23.93%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

A Net Profit Margin of 23.93% places GFI in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

PPG

6.25%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 21.80%
Q3: 9.57%
Median: 4.44%
Q1: 1.14%
Min: -11.30%

PPG’s Net Profit Margin of 6.25% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Chemicals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GFI

45.14%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 45.14% places GFI 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.

PPG

10.67%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.33%
Q3: 13.97%
Median: 8.08%
Q1: 4.46%
Min: -8.10%

PPG’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.67% is around the midpoint for the Chemicals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GFI	PPG
Return on Equity (TTM)	25.25%	13.91%
Return on Assets (TTM)	13.45%	4.78%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	23.93%	6.25%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	45.14%	10.67%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	51.51%	36.90%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GFI

1.13

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s Current Ratio of 1.13 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.

PPG

1.42

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.38
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.73
Q1: 1.39
Min: 0.55

PPG’s Current Ratio of 1.42 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GFI

0.57

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Metals & Mining industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

PPG

0.97

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.65
Q3: 0.94
Median: 0.65
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.00

PPG’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.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GFI

32.40

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.40 is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

PPG

43.09

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 26.33
Median: 9.38
Q1: 3.10
Min: -9.39

PPG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 43.09 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GFI	PPG
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.13	1.42
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.72	1.04
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.57	0.97
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	32.40	43.09

Growth

Revenue Growth

GFI vs. PPG: 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

GFI vs. PPG: 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)

GFI

0.00%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI 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.

PPG

2.53%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.56%
Q3: 4.04%
Median: 2.47%
Q1: 1.45%
Min: 0.00%

PPG’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GFI

58.80%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.80% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

PPG

36.17%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 181.25%
Q3: 95.01%
Median: 53.52%
Q1: 26.59%
Min: 0.00%

PPG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.17% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GFI	PPG
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	2.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	58.80%	36.17%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GFI

22.58

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s P/E Ratio of 22.58 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.

PPG

24.45

Chemicals Industry

Max: 42.94
Q3: 29.77
Median: 20.37
Q1: 14.27
Min: 6.19

PPG’s P/E Ratio of 24.45 is within the middle range for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GFI

5.40

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s P/S Ratio of 5.40 is in the upper echelon for the Metals & Mining industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

PPG

1.53

Chemicals Industry

Max: 4.36
Q3: 2.23
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.55
Min: 0.16

PPG’s P/S Ratio of 1.53 aligns with the market consensus for the Chemicals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GFI

2.43

Metals & Mining Industry

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

GFI’s P/B Ratio of 2.43 is in the upper tier for the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

PPG

3.41

Chemicals Industry

Max: 4.92
Q3: 2.56
Median: 1.54
Q1: 0.97
Min: 0.30

PPG’s P/B Ratio of 3.41 is in the upper tier for the Chemicals industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

GFI vs. PPG: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Metals & Mining and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GFI	PPG
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	22.58	24.45
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.40	1.53
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.43	3.41
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	47.74	23.91