Nucor (NUE) vs Steel Dynamics (STLD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Nucor (NUE) has outperformed Steel Dynamics (STLD) over the past year, gaining 81.5% versus a gain of 64.0%. Over five years, STLD leads with a +278.3% price change compared with +142.1% for NUE. Nucor is the larger company by market cap ($55.91 billion vs $33.55 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Steel Dynamics trades at a lower forward P/E (12.0x vs 12.2x for Nucor). Nucor offers the higher dividend yield (0.90% vs 0.88%). Steel Dynamics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.5% versus 5.4%.
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 | NUE | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $246.44 | $234.09 |
| Market cap | $55.91B | $33.55B |
| 1-day change | -1.84% | -1.71% |
| YTD return | +51.09% | +38.15% |
| 1-year return | +81.47% | +64.01% |
| 5-year return | +142.13% | +278.30% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.02 | 21.60 |
| Forward P/E | 12.24 | 11.97 |
| EPS (TTM) | $12.31 | $10.84 |
| Dividend yield | 0.90% | 0.88% |
| Annual dividend | $2.23 | $2.06 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $32.49B | $18.18B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.73% | +3.63% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.74B | $1.19B |
| Gross margin | 11.93% | 13.16% |
| Operating margin | — | 8.12% |
| Net margin | 5.37% | 6.52% |
| 52-week high | $280.11 | $288.74 |
| 52-week low | $131.32 | $140.87 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.02% | -18.93% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.16% | +15.75% |
| Average volume | 1.35M | 1.12M |
| Shares outstanding | 226.88M | 143.33M |
| Employees | 33,000 | 14,400 |
| Sector | Industrials | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Steel/Iron Ore | Steel |
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
- NUE has outperformed STLD by 17.5 percentage points over the past year.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Nucor in Industrials and Steel Dynamics in Basic Materials.
About Nucor
NUE stock →Nucor Corporation engages in the manufacture and sale of steel and steel products. The company operates in three segments: Steel Mills, Steel Products, and Raw Materials.
Industrials · Steel/Iron Ore · 33,000 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.
Basic Materials · Steel · 14,400 employees
NUE vs STLD FAQ
Which is bigger, Nucor or Steel Dynamics?
Nucor (NUE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $55.91B compared with $33.55B for Steel Dynamics (STLD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NUE or STLD?
NUE returned +81.47% over the past 12 months, compared with +64.01% for STLD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NUE or STLD?
NUE has the lower trailing P/E at 20.0, versus 21.6 for STLD. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Nucor or Steel Dynamics?
Nucor has the higher yield at 0.90%, compared with 0.88% for Steel Dynamics.
Are Nucor and Steel Dynamics in the same industry?
No. Nucor is in the Industrials sector, while Steel Dynamics is in Basic Materials.