ASTL vs CLF

For growth investors, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

(CLF) is the stronger pick with -3. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -12. 2% for Algoma Steel Group Inc. (ASTL). Analysts rate Algoma Steel Group Inc. (ASTL) a "Buy" — based on 1 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

Over the past 5 years, Algoma Steel Group Inc.

(ASTL) delivered a total return of -40. 7%, compared to -45. 5% for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CLF returned +227. 4% versus ASTL's -40. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Algoma Steel Group Inc.

(ASTL) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 23β versus Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. 's 2. 36β — meaning CLF is approximately 6% more volatile than ASTL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Algoma Steel Group Inc. (ASTL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 45% versus 115% for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

(CLF) is pulling ahead at -3. 0% versus -12. 2% for Algoma Steel Group Inc. (ASTL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. grew EPS -91. 1% year-over-year, compared to -392. 9% for Algoma Steel Group Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CLF leads at -6. 8% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

(CLF) is the more profitable company, earning -7. 9% net margin versus -9. 1% for Algoma Steel Group Inc. — meaning it keeps -7. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CLF leads at -7. 5% versus -12. 0% for ASTL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CLF leads at -4. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

In this comparison, ASTL (3.

8% yield) pays a dividend. CLF does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Algoma Steel Group Inc.

(ASTL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (3. 8% yield). Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF) carries a higher beta of 2. 36 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ASTL: -40. 4%, CLF: +227. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Basic Materials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: ASTL is a small-cap income-oriented stock; CLF is a small-cap quality compounder stock. ASTL pays a dividend while CLF does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.