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CLF vs STLD
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) vs. Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- STLD has demonstrated stronger recent momentum with shares rising over 20% in the past month, contrasting CLF's more volatile performance amid energy cost pressures.
- In Q1 2026 earnings, STLD reported $5.2 billion in revenue (up 19.1% year-over-year) and positive EPS of $2.78, while CLF posted a loss with $4.9 billion revenue impacted by an $80 million energy cost spike.
- STLD exhibits lower volatility (10.29%) compared to CLF's 15.55%, appealing to stability-focused investors.
- Over the past 12 months, STLD delivered approximately 62-72% returns versus CLF's 14%, highlighting divergent relative performance.
- Both stocks benefit from steel sector tailwinds like strong demand and potential tariffs, but STLD's mini-mill efficiency provides a competitive edge.
Introduction
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) are prominent players in the U.S. steel industry, producing flat-rolled steel and other products essential for automotive, construction, and infrastructure sectors. This stock comparison analyzes their recent performance amid fluctuating steel prices, supply chain dynamics, and macroeconomic factors like potential trade tariffs. Traders seeking momentum opportunities and long-term investors evaluating sector exposure will find insights into relative strengths, risks, and market positioning valuable for informed decision-making in today's volatile environment.
CLF Overview and Recent Performance
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) is a vertically integrated steel producer with iron ore mining operations, supplying automotive-grade steel and serving major manufacturers. In recent market activity, CLF shares have shown volatility, trading around $9-10 with a 52-week range of $5.63 to $16.70 and a market cap near $5.7 billion. Q1 2026 results revealed $4.9 billion in revenues and 4.1 million net tons of steel shipments, but a net loss driven by an unexpected $80 million rise in energy costs from extreme weather. Sentiment has been tempered by broader sector pressures, though shares posted modest weekly gains of about 3% amid ongoing steel demand.
STLD Overview and Recent Performance
Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) operates efficient electric arc furnace mini-mills, focusing on recycled steel production for construction, automotive, and industrial applications. Recent weeks have seen STLD shares advance to around $209, reflecting over 20% monthly gains and strong yearly performance exceeding 70%. Q1 2026 earnings featured $5.2 billion in revenue, up 19.1% year-over-year, with adjusted EPS of $2.78 slightly below expectations but supported by robust order activity. Positive sector outlook, including anticipated demand from infrastructure and tariffs, has bolstered investor sentiment, with the stock outperforming broader markets.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
While both CLF and STLD operate in steel production, CLF’s integrated model with upstream mining exposes it to raw material volatility, contrasting STLD’s scrap-based mini-mills known for lower costs and flexibility. Growth drivers include shared infrastructure demand, but STLD benefits more from recent order acceleration. CLF faces higher risks from energy and weather disruptions, with greater price swings, while STLD shows superior stability and 12-month outperformance. Market sentiment favors STLD amid tariff discussions, though both track steel cycles.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI analysis currently leans toward STLD due to its consistent upward trend, positive profitability in recent quarters, lower volatility, and stronger relative positioning in the steel sector. Factors like accelerating orders and efficient operations provide probabilistic advantages over CLF’s challenges with costs and earnings misses, though sector catalysts could shift dynamics.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CLF is a StrongBuy and STLD is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CLF’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileSTLD’s FA Score has 4 green FA rating(s).
- CLF’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- STLD’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CLF’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while STLD’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CLF’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- STLD’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CLF (@Steel) experienced а +23.12% price change this week, while STLD (@Steel) price change was +8.35% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Steel industry was +1.56%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +4.63%, and the average quarterly price growth was +14.26%.
Reported Earning Dates
CLF is expected to report earnings on Jul 27, 2026.
STLD is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Steel (+1.56% weekly)The steel industry includes manufacturers of steel and steel-related products. Companies use iron ore and scrap steel to produce steel. The industry also includes companies involved in mining and marketing of steel products. Along with serving some of the domestic markets, U.S. steel output has, over the years, been used by international economies as well. Competition from imported steel has also increased over time. The industry could be susceptible to business cycles, since the element is an important input in industrial production. Some of the globally-renowned steel behemoths include Nucor Corporation, Vale, and ArcelorMittal SA.
| CLF | STLD | CLF / STLD | |
| Capitalization | 8.41B | 39.1B | 22% |
| EBITDA | 138M | 2.39B | 6% |
| Gain YTD | 11.069 | 60.667 | 18% |
| P/E Ratio | 145.67 | 29.09 | 501% |
| Revenue | 18.9B | 19B | 99% |
| Total Cash | 45M | 557M | 8% |
| Total Debt | 7.76B | 4.2B | 185% |
CLF | STLD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 44 | 38 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 66 Overvalued | 26 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 3 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 96 | 56 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 10 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 2 | 16 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
STLD's Valuation (26) in the Steel industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CLF (66). This means that STLD’s stock grew somewhat faster than CLF’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's Profit vs Risk Rating (3) in the Steel industry is significantly better than the same rating for CLF (100). This means that STLD’s stock grew significantly faster than CLF’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's SMR Rating (56) in the Steel industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CLF (96). This means that STLD’s stock grew somewhat faster than CLF’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's Price Growth Rating (10) in the Steel industry is in the same range as CLF (38). This means that STLD’s stock grew similarly to CLF’s over the last 12 months.
CLF's P/E Growth Rating (2) in the Steel industry is in the same range as STLD (16). This means that CLF’s stock grew similarly to STLD’s over the last 12 months.
| CLF | STLD | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 83% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 77% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 74% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 78% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | 2 days ago 78% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 78% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 20 days ago 82% | 16 days ago 63% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 87% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 86% | 2 days ago 76% |
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