NUE vs. VMC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at NUE and VMC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Nucor Corporation | Vulcan Materials Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Materials |
| GICS Industry | Metals & Mining | Construction Materials |
| Market Capitalization | 31.64 billion USD | 40.22 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | February 21, 1973 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NUE and VMC 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 | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.85% | 0.35% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -1.33% | 12.77% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 25.55% | 28.35% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -9.76% | 27.90% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.78% | -1.04% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 18.10% | 18.35% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.48M | 0.70M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.91M | 0.87M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.92% | 19.13% |
| Beta | 1.90 | 1.09 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
NUE
6.38%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.55%
- Q3
- 17.74%
- Median
- 9.00%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -21.32%
NUE’s Return on Equity of 6.38% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
VMC
11.70%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 24.24%
- Q3
- 15.27%
- Median
- 10.51%
- Q1
- 5.28%
- Min
- -5.22%
VMC’s Return on Equity of 11.70% is on par with the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
NUE
4.21%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 43.69%
- Q3
- 19.12%
- Median
- 6.48%
- Q1
- 1.50%
- Min
- -20.21%
NUE’s Net Profit Margin of 4.21% 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.
VMC
12.52%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 44.75%
- Q3
- 22.43%
- Median
- 9.02%
- Q1
- 4.99%
- Min
- -4.83%
VMC’s Net Profit Margin of 12.52% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Construction Materials industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
NUE
6.96%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 71.84%
- Q3
- 32.31%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 2.69%
- Min
- -23.81%
NUE’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.96% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
VMC
18.90%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 31.89%
- Q3
- 18.90%
- Median
- 11.67%
- Q1
- 8.77%
- Min
- -2.06%
VMC’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.90% is around the midpoint for the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 6.38% | 11.70% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.78% | 5.84% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.21% | 12.52% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.96% | 18.90% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.43% | 27.56% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
NUE
2.83
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.04
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.13
NUE’s Current Ratio of 2.83 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
VMC
1.67
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 5.14
- Q3
- 3.18
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.76
VMC’s Current Ratio of 1.67 aligns with the median group of the Construction Materials industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
NUE
0.34
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.51
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
NUE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.34 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.
VMC
0.59
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
VMC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.59 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
NUE
65.23
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 22.73
- Median
- 5.76
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- -21.72
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.
VMC
7.88
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 54.89
- Q3
- 34.24
- Median
- 7.96
- Q1
- 4.28
- Min
- -6.24
VMC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.88 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Construction Materials industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.83 | 1.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.51 | 1.13 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.34 | 0.59 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 65.23 | 7.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
NUE
1.63%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 8.17%
- Q3
- 3.57%
- Median
- 1.25%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NUE’s Dividend Yield of 1.63% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
VMC
0.63%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 6.59%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 2.19%
- Q1
- 0.85%
- Min
- 0.00%
VMC’s Dividend Yield of 0.63% 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
NUE
39.79%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 62.06%
- Median
- 33.17%
- Q1
- 10.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
NUE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.79% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
VMC
26.53%
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 149.16%
- Q3
- 76.08%
- Median
- 33.22%
- Q1
- 14.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
VMC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.53% is within the typical range for the Construction Materials industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.63% | 0.63% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 39.79% | 26.53% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
NUE
24.44
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 83.04
- Q3
- 41.69
- Median
- 20.30
- Q1
- 12.95
- Min
- 1.75
NUE’s P/E Ratio of 24.44 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.
VMC
41.82
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 33.62
- Q3
- 19.63
- Median
- 12.15
- Q1
- 7.04
- Min
- 2.32
At 41.82, VMC’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Construction Materials industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
NUE
1.03
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.28
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.37
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.16
NUE’s P/S Ratio of 1.03 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.
VMC
5.24
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 3.73
- Q3
- 2.10
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 0.67
- Min
- 0.21
With a P/S Ratio of 5.24, VMC 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
NUE
1.55
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.68
- Q3
- 2.45
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.34
NUE’s P/B Ratio of 1.55 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.
VMC
4.10
Construction Materials Industry
- Max
- 4.48
- Q3
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.26
- Q1
- 0.67
- Min
- 0.11
VMC’s P/B Ratio of 4.10 is in the upper tier for the Construction Materials 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | NUE | VMC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 24.44 | 41.82 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.03 | 5.24 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.55 | 4.10 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 16.12 | 36.22 |