IFF vs. STLD: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 27, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	IFF	STLD
Company Name	International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.	Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Chemicals	Metals & Mining
Market Capitalization	17.21 billion USD	19.62 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	December 17, 1974	November 22, 1996
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of IFF 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	IFF	STLD
5-Day Price Return	1.99%	3.95%
13-Week Price Return	-11.33%	2.61%
26-Week Price Return	-18.11%	-2.54%
52-Week Price Return	-33.12%	12.06%
Month-to-Date Return	-5.48%	4.48%
Year-to-Date Return	-20.59%	16.84%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.05M	1.45M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.82M	1.38M
3-Month Volatility	26.91%	36.52%
Beta	1.12	1.44

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

IFF

-2.80%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF has a negative Return on Equity of -2.80%. 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

11.66%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s Return on Equity of 11.66% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

IFF

-3.48%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF has a negative Net Profit Margin of -3.48%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

STLD

6.07%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s Net Profit Margin of 6.07% 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.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

IFF

0.50%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.50% is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

STLD

7.53%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.53% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	IFF	STLD
Return on Equity (TTM)	-2.80%	11.66%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-1.39%	6.71%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-3.48%	6.07%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	0.50%	7.53%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	36.25%	12.55%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

IFF

1.86

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s Current Ratio of 1.86 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

STLD

3.13

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s Current Ratio of 3.13 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.

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

IFF

0.43

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.43 is typical for the Chemicals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

STLD

0.43

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.43 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.

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

IFF

1.73

Chemicals Industry

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

In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, IFF’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.73 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

STLD

36.19

Metals & Mining Industry

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

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.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	IFF	STLD
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.86	3.13
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.91	1.34
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.43	0.43
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	1.73	36.19

Growth

Revenue Growth

IFF vs. STLD: 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

IFF vs. STLD: 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)

IFF

2.43%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s Dividend Yield of 2.43% is consistent with its peers in the Chemicals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

STLD

1.53%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s Dividend Yield of 1.53% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

IFF

30.40%

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.40% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

STLD

27.49%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 27.49% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

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

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	IFF	STLD
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.43%	1.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	30.40%	27.49%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

IFF

Chemicals Industry

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

P/E Ratio data for IFF is currently unavailable.

STLD

17.95

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s P/E Ratio of 17.95 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.

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

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

IFF

1.49

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s P/S Ratio of 1.49 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.

STLD

1.09

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s P/S Ratio of 1.09 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.

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

IFF

1.31

Chemicals Industry

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

IFF’s P/B Ratio of 1.31 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.

STLD

2.14

Metals & Mining Industry

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

STLD’s P/B Ratio of 2.14 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.

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

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	IFF	STLD
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	17.95
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.49	1.09
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.31	2.14
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	27.52	123.13