CMP vs NEM vs ICL

For growth investors, Newmont Corporation (NEM) is the stronger pick with 19.

1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 6% for ICL Group Ltd (ICL). Newmont Corporation (NEM) offers the better valuation at 18. 0x trailing P/E (10. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Compass Minerals International, Inc. (CMP) a "Buy" — based on 17 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.

On trailing P/E, Newmont Corporation (NEM) is the cheapest at 18.

0x versus ICL Group Ltd at 31. 2x. On forward P/E, Newmont Corporation is actually cheaper at 10. 9x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: ICL Group Ltd wins at 0. 27x versus Newmont Corporation's 0. 85x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Newmont Corporation (NEM) delivered a total return of +83.

6%, compared to -58. 1% for Compass Minerals International, Inc. (CMP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NEM returned +293. 1% versus CMP's -39. 3%. 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), ICL Group Ltd (ICL) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

65β versus Compass Minerals International, Inc. 's 1. 54β — meaning CMP is approximately 136% more volatile than ICL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Newmont Corporation (NEM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 4% for Compass Minerals International, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Newmont Corporation (NEM) is pulling ahead at 19.

1% versus 4. 6% for ICL Group Ltd (ICL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Newmont Corporation grew EPS 124. 1% year-over-year, compared to -43. 8% for ICL Group Ltd. Over a 3-year CAGR, NEM leads at 22. 7% 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.

Newmont Corporation (NEM) is the more profitable company, earning 32.

1% net margin versus -6. 4% for Compass Minerals International, Inc. — meaning it keeps 32. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NEM leads at 46. 9% versus 2. 0% for CMP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NEM leads at 49. 8%, 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, ICL Group Ltd (ICL) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 27x versus Newmont Corporation's 0. 85x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Newmont Corporation (NEM) trades at 10. 9x forward P/E versus 35. 0x for Compass Minerals International, Inc. — 24. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NEM: 19. 5% to $137. 50.

In this comparison, ICL (3.

1% yield), NEM (0. 9% yield) pay a dividend. CMP does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Newmont Corporation (NEM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

75), 0. 9% yield, +293. 1% 10Y return). Compass Minerals International, Inc. (CMP) carries a higher beta of 1. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NEM: +293. 1%, CMP: -39. 3%), 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: CMP is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NEM is a mid-cap high-growth stock; ICL is a small-cap income-oriented stock. NEM, ICL pay a dividend while CMP 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.