CLF vs WS

For growth investors, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

(CLF) is the stronger pick with -3. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -9. 8% for Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS). Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS) offers the better valuation at 18. 4x trailing P/E (18. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS) 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, Worthington Steel, Inc.

(WS) delivered a total return of +66. 8%, compared to -47. 3% for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CLF returned +197. 0% versus WS's +66. 8%. 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), Worthington Steel, Inc.

(WS) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 92β versus Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. 's 2. 36β — meaning CLF is approximately 22% more volatile than WS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 19% 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 -9. 8% for Worthington Steel, Inc. (WS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Worthington Steel, Inc. grew EPS -29. 6% year-over-year, compared to -91. 1% for Cleveland-Cliffs 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.

Worthington Steel, Inc.

(WS) is the more profitable company, earning 3. 6% net margin versus -7. 9% for Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. — meaning it keeps 3. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WS leads at 4. 8% versus -7. 5% for CLF. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WS leads at 12. 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CLF: 4.

3% to $11. 11.

In this comparison, WS (1.

6% yield) pays a dividend. CLF does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Worthington Steel, Inc.

(WS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1. 6% 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 (WS: +66. 8%, CLF: +197. 0%), 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.

WS 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.