Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
NUE vs STLD
Nucor Corporation versus Steel Dynamics Inc. — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
NUE and STLD are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | NUE | STLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 0.87% | 1.13% | STLD wins |
| Dividend safety | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | -0.54% vs 5y | -0.30% vs 5y | NUE wins |
| Volatility (beta) | 1.92 | 1.40 | STLD wins |
| Scale | $58.6B | $26.1B | NUE wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 2 wins | Tie |
Dimension by dimension
STLD wins on yield (1.13% vs 0.87%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $26 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
STLD's higher yield (1.13%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus NUE's 0.87% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
Safety scores are too close to call (8.6/10 vs 8.3/10)
Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.
NUE shows healthier dividend-vs-price trend
NUE's yield is 0.54% below its 5y average, versus 0.30% for STLD. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
STLD is less volatile (beta 1.40 vs 1.92)
Lower beta means smaller swings vs the S&P 500 — generally a steadier hold for income investors.
NUE is 2.2× larger by market cap
Larger companies tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
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, NUE or STLD?
NUE and STLD are evenly matched (2–2 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
NUE vs STLD: which has a higher dividend yield?
NUE yields 0.87% and STLD yields 1.13%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $26 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is NUE or STLD a safer dividend in 2026?
NUE scores 8.6/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. STLD scores 8.3/10 (Strong). NUE is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, NUE or STLD?
NUE's yield is 0.54% below its 5y average, versus 0.30% for STLD. Lower (or below-average) yield trend often means price appreciation outpaced distributions — a healthier signal.
NUE 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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