NUCOR CORPORATION vs Steel Dynamics, Inc., two Steel stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
Nucor and Steel Dynamics are the two best-run electric-arc steelmakers in America, and they trade almost as twins: 23.8 times earnings against 26.3, 2.44 times book against 3.89. Steel Dynamics earns the higher return this year, 14.97% on equity against Nucor's 10.34%, and the fatter margin, 7.22% against 6.82%, though it carries more debt, 0.46 turns against Nucor's near-zero. Nucor is the larger and more diversified at $55B against $36B, with the longer record of through-cycle discipline. Both convert modest free cash mid-cycle. The pair is the closest matchup in domestic steel: Steel Dynamics slightly ahead on current returns, Nucor the bigger, cleaner-balance-sheet incumbent, and the two set the benchmark the rest of the industry is measured against.
Comparison updated 2026-07-11.
| Metric | NUE | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $239.59 | $245.54 |
| Market cap | $54.9B | $35.7B |
| Sector | Steel | Steel |
| Stage | Cyclical | Cyclical |
| Implied growth (priced in) | +20.7% | — |
| P/E | 23.8 | 26.3 |
| P/B | 2.44 | 3.89 |
| P/S | 1.61 | 1.88 |
| EV/EBITDA | 42.5 | 17.0 |
| Revenue growth | +12.3% | +10.7% |
| Gross margin | — | 14.7% |
| Operating margin | — | 10.3% |
| Net margin | 6.8% | 7.2% |
| Return on equity | 10.3% | 15.0% |
| Return on assets | 6.5% | 8.2% |
| Return on invested capital | — | 10.1% |
| FCF yield | 1.0% | 1.9% |
| Dividend yield | 0.9% | 0.8% |
| Debt / equity | 0.01 | 0.46 |
| Current ratio | 2.90 | 3.13 |
| Altman Z (solvency) | 5.01 | 5.74 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 8 / 9 | 7 / 9 |
Each week boothcheck ranks the stocks whose prices are betting on the most. Read the most stretched bets archive →
boothcheck is also on Android. Get the app on Google Play →
The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.