VMC vs. WLK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 26, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	VMC	WLK
Company Name	Vulcan Materials Company	Westlake Corporation
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Construction Materials	Chemicals
Market Capitalization	38.36 billion USD	11.19 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 21, 1973	August 12, 2004
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of VMC and WLK 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	VMC	WLK
5-Day Price Return	-0.87%	4.39%
13-Week Price Return	6.85%	20.58%
26-Week Price Return	9.56%	-23.21%
52-Week Price Return	17.07%	-39.67%
Month-to-Date Return	5.69%	10.00%
Year-to-Date Return	12.86%	-23.92%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.85M	1.32M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.98M	1.28M
3-Month Volatility	19.90%	50.72%
Beta	0.93	0.97

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

VMC

11.70%

Construction Materials Industry

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

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.

WLK

-0.64%

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK has a negative Return on Equity of -0.64%. 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.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

VMC

12.52%

Construction Materials Industry

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

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.

WLK

-0.57%

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK has a negative Net Profit Margin of -0.57%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

VMC

18.90%

Construction Materials Industry

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

An Operating Profit Margin of 18.90% places VMC 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.

WLK

0.89%

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK’s Operating Profit Margin of 0.89% 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.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	VMC	WLK
Return on Equity (TTM)	11.70%	-0.64%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.84%	-0.32%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	12.52%	-0.57%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.90%	0.89%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	27.56%	11.20%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

VMC

1.67

Construction Materials Industry

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

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.

WLK

2.47

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK’s Current Ratio of 2.47 is in the upper quartile for the Chemicals industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

VMC

0.59

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 0.99
Q3: 0.72
Median: 0.55
Q1: 0.30
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.

WLK

0.46

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.46 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.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

VMC

7.88

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 54.89
Q3: 34.04
Median: 7.92
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.

WLK

157.33

Chemicals Industry

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

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 157.33, WLK demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	VMC	WLK
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.67	2.47
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.13	1.71
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.59	0.46
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	7.88	157.33

Growth

Revenue Growth

VMC vs. WLK: 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

VMC vs. WLK: 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)

VMC

0.66%

Construction Materials Industry

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

VMC’s Dividend Yield of 0.66% 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.

WLK

2.53%

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK’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.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

VMC

26.53%

Construction Materials Industry

Max: 174.17%
Q3: 91.80%
Median: 44.42%
Q1: 23.07%
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.

WLK

43.85%

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.85% is within the typical range for the Chemicals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	VMC	WLK
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.66%	2.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	26.53%	43.85%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

VMC

40.46

Construction Materials Industry

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

A P/E Ratio of 40.46 places VMC 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.

WLK

Chemicals Industry

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

P/E Ratio data for WLK is currently unavailable.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

VMC

5.07

Construction Materials Industry

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

With a P/S Ratio of 5.07, 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.

WLK

0.91

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK’s P/S Ratio of 0.91 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.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

VMC

4.10

Construction Materials Industry

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

At 4.10, VMC’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.

WLK

0.95

Chemicals Industry

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

WLK’s P/B Ratio of 0.95 is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

VMC vs. WLK: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Construction Materials and Chemicals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	VMC	WLK
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	40.46	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.07	0.91
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.10	0.95
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	35.04	26.05