Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
LYB vs STLD
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. versus Steel Dynamics, Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
LYB wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but STLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
LYB wins this comparison 3–1 across 6 dimensions. LYB yields 4.28% — higher than STLD's 1.13% — and carries a 6.0/10 dividend safety score (Mixed) vs 8.3/10 for STLD (Strong). LYB wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but STLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, LYB generates 4.28% vs 1.13% — a 3.15% difference that translates to $3,150 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, STLD scores 8.3/10 (Strong) vs 6.0/10 (Mixed) for LYB — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | LYB | STLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 4.28% | 1.13% | LYB wins |
| Dividend safety | 6.0/10 | 8.3/10 | STLD wins |
| Growth trend | -1.97% vs 5y | -0.30% vs 5y | LYB wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 0.35 | 1.40 | LYB wins |
| Scale | $20.8B | $26.1B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 3 wins | 1 wins | LYB wins |
Dimension by dimension
LYB wins on yield (4.28% vs 1.13%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $315 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
LYB's higher yield (4.28%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus STLD's 1.13% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
STLD wins on safety (8.3/10 vs 6.0/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. STLD scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
STLD (8.3/10) scores 2.3 points higher than LYB (6.0/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
LYB shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
LYB's yield is 1.97% below its 5y average, versus 0.30% for STLD. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
LYB is less volatile (beta 0.35 vs 1.40)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
Comparable scale ($20.8B vs $26.1B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better for income, LYB or STLD?
LYB wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but STLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
LYB vs STLD: which has a higher dividend yield?
LYB yields 4.28% and STLD yields 1.13%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $315 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is LYB or STLD a safer dividend in 2026?
LYB scores 6.0/10 (Mixed) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. STLD scores 8.3/10 (Strong). STLD is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, LYB or STLD?
LYB's yield is 1.97% below its 5y average, versus 0.30% for STLD. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
LYB vs STLD: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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