CLF vs. STLD

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD).

Performance

CLF vs. STLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

CLF vs. STLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.	-36.37%	41.28%	-53.97%	26.75%	-26.00%	49.52%	77.38%	12.72%	6.66%	-14.27%
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.	6.55%	50.70%	-1.99%	22.75%	60.14%	71.42%	12.46%	16.78%	-29.02%	23.34%

Fundamentals

EPS CLF : -$4.48 STLD : $8.03
PS Ratio CLF : 0.15 STLD : 1.46
Total Revenue (TTM) CLF : $18.61B STLD : $18.18B
Gross Profit (TTM) CLF : -$860.00M STLD : $2.38B
EBITDA (TTM) CLF : -$167.00M STLD : $2.11B

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CLF achieves a -36.37% return, which is significantly lower than STLD's 6.55% return. Over the past 10 years, CLF has underperformed STLD with an annualized return of 11.55%, while STLD has yielded a comparatively higher 25.35% annualized return.

CLF

• 1D: 4.19%
• 1M: -20.73%
• YTD: -36.37%
• 6M: -30.74%
• 1Y: 2.80%
• 3Y*: -22.75%
• 5Y*: -15.33%
• 10Y*: 11.55%

STLD

• 1D: 5.11%
• 1M: -6.51%
• YTD: 6.55%
• 6M: 29.88%
• 1Y: 45.86%
• 3Y*: 18.48%
• 5Y*: 30.71%
• 10Y*: 25.35%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

CLF vs. STLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CLF

CLF Risk / Return Rank: 43
CLF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
CLF Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
CLF Omega Ratio Rank: 45
CLF Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
CLF Martin Ratio Rank: 41

STLD

STLD Risk / Return Rank: 79
STLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
STLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
STLD Omega Ratio Rank: 73
STLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
STLD Martin Ratio Rank: 85

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CLF vs. STLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	CLF	STLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.04	1.23	-1.19
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.61	1.90	-1.30
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.23	-0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.35	-2.37
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.04	7.63	-7.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CLF vs. STLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CLF Sharpe Ratio is 0.04, which is lower than the STLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CLF and STLD, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CLF	STLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.04	1.23	-1.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.26	0.81	-1.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.65	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.32	-0.21

Correlation

The correlation between CLF and STLD is 0.55, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

CLF vs. STLD - Dividend Comparison

CLF has not paid dividends to shareholders, while STLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CLF Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.82%	3.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
STLD Steel Dynamics, Inc.	1.13%	1.18%	1.61%	1.44%	1.39%	1.68%	2.71%	2.82%	2.50%	1.44%	1.57%	3.08%

Drawdowns

CLF vs. STLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CLF drawdown since its inception was -98.78%, which is greater than STLD's maximum drawdown of -87.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CLF and STLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	CLF	STLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.78%	-87.05%	-11.73%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-51.67%	-20.33%	-31.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.37%	-32.20%	-50.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-82.37%	-68.46%	-13.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-91.39%	-12.26%	-79.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-47.41%	-33.48%	-13.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	21.55%	6.26%	+15.29%

Volatility

CLF vs. STLD - Volatility Comparison

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) has a higher volatility of 14.58% compared to Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) at 11.06%. This indicates that CLF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than STLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CLF	STLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.58%	11.06%	+3.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	53.80%	24.29%	+29.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	77.01%	37.62%	+39.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	59.32%	38.01%	+21.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	64.81%	39.19%	+25.62%

Financials

CLF vs. STLD - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. and Steel Dynamics, Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

CLF - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. reported a gross profit of -214.00M and revenue of 4.31B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was -5.0%.

STLD - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Steel Dynamics, Inc. reported a gross profit of 522.07M and revenue of 4.41B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 11.8%.

CLF - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. reported an operating income of -191.00M and revenue of 4.31B, resulting in an operating margin of -4.4%.

STLD - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Steel Dynamics, Inc. reported an operating income of 310.23M and revenue of 4.41B, resulting in an operating margin of 7.0%.

CLF - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. reported a net income of -249.00M and revenue of 4.31B, resulting in a net margin of -5.8%.

STLD - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Steel Dynamics, Inc. reported a net income of 266.03M and revenue of 4.41B, resulting in a net margin of 6.0%.