Nucor Corporation vs Philip Morris International Inc. — how do they compare? Nucor Corporation trades at $272.98 (market cap $62.54B), while Philip Morris International Inc. trades at $186.39 (market cap $289.90B). The key difference: Philip Morris International Inc. is far larger — about 4.6× Nucor Corporation's market cap, and Philip Morris International Inc. pays the higher dividend (3.16%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NUE | PM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $62.54B | $289.90B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $274.74 | $200.17 |
52-Week Low | $131.78 | $144.33 |
Enterprise Value | $66.95B | $333.02B |
Dividend Yield | 0.82% | 3.16% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Nucor (NUE) trades at $272.63, up 0.23% on the day, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and strong resistance near $280. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat expectations with EPS of $4.84 versus $4.46, driven by record steel shipments and higher prices. Revenue trends show recovery from 2024 lows, with 2026 projections at $36.1B. The stock is near its consensus price target of $279.63, with analyst sentiment leaning bullish (59% buy ratings).
Outlook: Nucor benefits from resilient steel demand and operational efficiency, but faces risks from tariff policies and cyclical industry pressures. The current P/E of 21.76 is reasonable given earnings growth, though net margins have compressed from 2022 peaks. Investors should monitor Q3 2026 results against the $5.72 EPS estimate for continued momentum.
Philip Morris International (PM) trades at $186.22, down 1.77% with mixed technical signals. The company reported strong Q1 and Q2 2026 earnings beats but faces margin pressure from rising costs. Revenue grew to $40.65B in 2025 with a robust 25.56% net income margin. Analyst consensus remains bullish with a $211.17 price target, though recent news highlights challenges including a $500M impairment charge and increased illicit cigarette trade in Europe.
PM offers solid fundamentals with high profitability and dividend yield, but near-term headwinds from cost inflation and regulatory risks warrant caution. The stock's valuation at 25.54x P/E is reasonable given earnings growth potential, making it attractive for long-term investors despite current volatility.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Nucor Corp manufactures steel and steel products. The company also produces direct reduced iron for use in its steel mills. The operations include international trading and sales companies that buy and sell steel and steel products manufactured by the company and others. The operating business segments are: steel mills, steel products and raw materials, the steel mills segment derives maximum revenue.
Read more on NUE →Philip Morris International is an international tobacco company with a product portfolio primarily consisting of cigarettes and reduced-risk products, including heat-not-burn, vapor and oral nicotine products, which are sold in markets outside the United States. The company diversified away from nicotine products with the acquisition of Vectura, a provider of innovative inhaled drug delivery solutions, in 2021.
Read more on PM →