Nucor Corporation vs Advanced Drainage Systems Inc — how do they compare? Nucor Corporation trades at $257.08 (market cap $58.17B), while Advanced Drainage Systems Inc trades at $131.83 (market cap $10.08B). The key difference: Nucor Corporation is far larger — about 5.8× Advanced Drainage Systems Inc's market cap, and Nucor Corporation pays the higher dividend (0.87%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| NUE | WMS | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $58.17B | $10.08B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $274.74 | $175.38 |
52-Week Low | $131.78 | $129.50 |
Enterprise Value | $62.58B | $11.68B |
Dividend Yield | 0.87% | 0.6% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Nucor Corporation (NUE) trades at $256.40, down 1.79% on the day, with a bullish technical signal supported by moving averages and strong institutional interest. The company shows improving fundamentals with recent earnings beats (Q1 and Q2 2026) and projected revenue growth to $36.1B in 2026. Analyst consensus remains positive with a $277.57 price target, though recent trade tensions and cyclical steel industry challenges present headwinds.
NUE offers value with reasonable valuation multiples (P/E 20.46, P/S 1.63) and strong profitability metrics (ROE 13.52%). Key risks include exposure to steel price volatility and macroeconomic sensitivity, but infrastructure demand and tariff protections provide tailwinds. Institutional accumulation and dividend stability support the investment case for long-term investors.
Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) trades at $133.67, down 1.54% on the day, amid a bearish technical signal. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.49 exceeding the $2.10 forecast. Revenue for 2025 was $2.90 billion, with a net income margin of 15.5%. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $188.20 price target, though technical indicators show selling pressure. Recent news highlights institutional buying and strong Q1 2027 results.
The outlook for WMS is mixed; strong fundamentals and analyst optimism contrast with near-term technical weakness. Investment opportunities include market share gains and acquisition synergies, while risks involve cyclical construction exposure and rising investing cash outflows. The stock's current price offers a potential upside to the consensus target, but investors should weigh execution risks against growth prospects.
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 →Advanced Drainage Systems Inc is engaged in designing, manufacturing, and marketing thermoplastic corrugated pipe and related water management products in North and South America, and Europe. The company's operating segment includes Pipe
Read more on WMS →