LOMA vs MLM

For growth investors, Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (LOMA) is the stronger pick with 41.

3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 0. 1% for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM). Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM) offers the better valuation at 31. 9x trailing P/E (30. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (LOMA) a "Buy" — based on 6 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, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

(MLM) is the cheapest at 31. 9x versus Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima at 66. 3x. On forward P/E, Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima is actually cheaper at 0. 0x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (LOMA) delivered a total return of +120.

7%, compared to +62. 5% for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MLM returned +242. 7% versus LOMA's -37. 7%. 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), Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

(MLM) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 87β versus Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima's 1. 50β — meaning LOMA is approximately 71% more volatile than MLM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (LOMA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 28% versus 53% for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (LOMA) is pulling ahead at 41.

3% versus 0. 1% for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (MLM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. grew EPS -42. 0% year-over-year, compared to -96. 5% for Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima. Over a 3-year CAGR, MLM leads at 2. 0% 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.

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

(MLM) is the more profitable company, earning 17. 4% net margin versus 2. 8% for Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima — meaning it keeps 17. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MLM leads at 23. 3% versus 9. 6% for LOMA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MLM leads at 30. 0%, 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.

On forward earnings alone, Loma Negra Compañía Industrial Argentina Sociedad Anónima (LOMA) trades at 0.

0x forward P/E versus 30. 8x for Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. — 30. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for MLM: 15. 8% to $695. 30.

In this comparison, MLM (0.

5% yield) pays a dividend. LOMA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

(MLM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 87), 0. 5% yield, +242. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MLM: +242. 7%, LOMA: -37. 7%), 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: LOMA is a small-cap high-growth stock; MLM is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. MLM pays a dividend while LOMA 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.