MLM vs. VALE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

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

Company Profile

MLM 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	MLM	VALE
Company Name	Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.	Vale S.A.
Country	United States	Brazil
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Construction Materials	Metals & Mining
Market Capitalization	36.22 billion USD	42.07 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 17, 1994	March 21, 2002
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MLM 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MLM	VALE
5-Day Price Return	-1.94%	-1.57%
13-Week Price Return	5.70%	-3.81%
26-Week Price Return	12.97%	-3.48%
52-Week Price Return	12.36%	-5.32%
Month-to-Date Return	4.47%	-0.41%
Year-to-Date Return	16.28%	-2.40%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.43M	23.58M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.42M	21.26M
3-Month Volatility	21.04%	23.98%
Beta	1.03	0.93

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MLM

11.88%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 24.78%
Q3: 14.96%
Median: 10.37%
Q1: 4.14%
Min: -2.94%

MLM’s Return on Equity of 11.88% is on par with the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MLM

16.47%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 28.01%
Q3: 15.18%
Median: 9.09%
Q1: 3.32%
Min: -4.30%

A Net Profit Margin of 16.47% places MLM in the upper quartile for the Construction Materials industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MLM

23.04%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 31.67%
Q3: 18.49%
Median: 11.57%
Q1: 7.82%
Min: -1.44%

An Operating Profit Margin of 23.04% places MLM 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.

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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MLM	VALE
Return on Equity (TTM)	11.88%	13.93%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.25%	5.93%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.47%	13.81%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	23.04%	20.82%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	29.44%	34.24%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MLM

2.35

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 5.14
Q3: 2.89
Median: 1.92
Q1: 1.25
Min: 0.79

MLM’s Current Ratio of 2.35 aligns with the median group of the Construction Materials 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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MLM

0.58

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 0.99
Q3: 0.72
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.30
Min: 0.00

MLM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.58 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.

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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MLM

16.36

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 54.89
Q3: 34.04
Median: 7.92
Q1: 4.28
Min: -6.24

MLM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 16.36 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction Materials 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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MLM	VALE
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.35	1.22
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.21	0.81
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.58	0.45
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	16.36	2.82

Growth

Revenue Growth

MLM vs. VALE: 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

MLM vs. VALE: 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)

MLM

0.53%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 5.91%
Q3: 4.64%
Median: 2.57%
Q1: 1.11%
Min: 0.00%

MLM’s Dividend Yield of 0.53% 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.

VALE

8.93%

Metals & Mining Industry

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

With a Dividend Yield of 8.93%, VALE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MLM

17.62%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 174.17%
Q3: 91.80%
Median: 44.42%
Q1: 23.07%
Min: 0.00%

MLM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 17.62% is in the lower quartile for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MLM	VALE
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.53%	8.93%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	17.62%	94.22%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MLM

33.15

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 49.05
Q3: 24.51
Median: 12.09
Q1: 7.70
Min: 4.06

A P/E Ratio of 33.15 places MLM 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.

VALE

7.85

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 7.85 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MLM

5.46

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 4.03
Q3: 2.26
Median: 1.31
Q1: 0.66
Min: 0.19

With a P/S Ratio of 5.46, MLM 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.

VALE

1.08

Metals & Mining Industry

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

VALE’s P/S Ratio of 1.08 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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MLM

3.53

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 3.19
Q3: 1.80
Median: 1.08
Q1: 0.72
Min: 0.11

At 3.53, MLM’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.

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.

MLM vs. VALE: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MLM	VALE
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	33.15	7.85
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.46	1.08
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.53	1.12
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	37.32	20.23