Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) vs Steel Dynamics (STLD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Steel Dynamics (STLD) has outperformed Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) over the past year, gaining 64.0% versus a loss of 5.1%. Over five years, STLD leads with a +279.6% price change compared with -43.4% for CLF. Steel Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($33.55 billion vs $6.88 billion), about 4.9 times the size.
On valuation, Steel Dynamics trades at a lower forward P/E (12.0x vs 14.1x for Cleveland-Cliffs). Steel Dynamics pays a dividend yielding 0.88%, while Cleveland-Cliffs does not currently pay one. Steel Dynamics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.5% versus -7.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CLF | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $12.06 | $234.09 |
| Market cap | $6.88B | $33.55B |
| 1-day change | -1.55% | -1.71% |
| YTD return | -8.47% | +38.15% |
| 1-year return | -5.11% | +64.01% |
| 5-year return | -43.36% | +279.60% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 21.22 |
| Forward P/E | 14.06 | 11.97 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-1.61 | $11.03 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.88% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.06 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $18.61B | $18.18B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -3.00% | +3.63% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $-1.48B | $1.19B |
| Gross margin | -4.62% | 13.16% |
| Operating margin | -8.48% | 8.12% |
| Net margin | -7.94% | 6.52% |
| 52-week high | $16.70 | $288.74 |
| 52-week low | $7.73 | $140.87 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.78% | -18.93% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.48% | +15.75% |
| Average volume | 18.62M | 1.12M |
| Shares outstanding | 570.54M | 143.33M |
| Employees | 25,000 | 14,400 |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Industrials |
| Industry | Metal Mining | Steel/Iron Ore |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Steel Dynamics is about 4.9 times larger than Cleveland-Cliffs by market value ($33.55B vs $6.88B).
- STLD has outperformed CLF by 69.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Steel Dynamics is more profitable, keeping 6.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -7.9 cents for Cleveland-Cliffs.
- Steel Dynamics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+3.63% vs -3.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Cleveland-Cliffs in Basic Materials and Steel Dynamics in Industrials.
About Cleveland-Cliffs
CLF stock →Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. operates as a steel producer in the United States and Canada.
Basic Materials · Metal Mining · 25,000 employees
About Steel Dynamics
STLD stock →Steel Dynamics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a steel producer and metal recycler in the United States. It operates through four segments: Steel Operations, Metals Recycling Operations, Steel Fabrication Operations, and Aluminum Operations.
Industrials · Steel/Iron Ore · 14,400 employees
CLF vs STLD FAQ
Which is bigger, Cleveland-Cliffs or Steel Dynamics?
Steel Dynamics (STLD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $33.55B compared with $6.88B for Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CLF or STLD?
STLD returned +64.01% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.11% for CLF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Cleveland-Cliffs or Steel Dynamics?
Steel Dynamics pays a dividend yielding 0.88%, while Cleveland-Cliffs does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Cleveland-Cliffs and Steel Dynamics in the same industry?
No. Cleveland-Cliffs is in the Basic Materials sector, while Steel Dynamics is in Industrials.