Cheapest on Free Cash Flow: Basic Materials
Basic Materials value, measured in real cash
Updated August 30, 2026
Every sector trades at its own going rate for a dollar of free cash flow, so a market-wide “cheap” list mostly ranks sectors, not stocks. This slice asks the sharper question: which Basic Materials names are cheap against their own peers’ price? The sector’s median multiple is 36.0× — everything here trades meaningfully below it. As on the main board, cheap can be earned (cyclical peaks, secular decline), so the multiple is where the work starts, not where it ends.
| # | Stock | P / FCF | FCF yield | Free cash flow (TTM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LYBLyondellBasell Industries N.V.Chemicals | 5.4× | 18.6% | $4.0B |
| Chemicals — 5.4× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 18.6% cash yield on $4.0B generated. | ||||
| 2 | NEMNewmont CorporationGold | 9.2× | 10.9% | $12.8B |
| Gold — 9.2× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 10.9% cash yield on $12.8B generated. | ||||
| 3 | CFCF Industries Holdings, Inc.Agricultural Inputs | 10.7× | 9.3% | $1.6B |
| Agricultural Inputs — 10.7× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 9.3% cash yield on $1.6B generated. | ||||
| 4 | FCXFreeport-McMoRan Inc.Copper | 16.0× | 6.2% | $5.9B |
| Copper — 16.0× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 6.2% cash yield on $5.9B generated. | ||||
| 5 | PPGPPG Industries, Inc.Chemicals - Specialty | 18.0× | 5.6% | $1.4B |
| Chemicals - Specialty — 18.0× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 5.6% cash yield on $1.4B generated. | ||||
| 6 | DDDuPont de Nemours, Inc.Chemicals - Specialty | 18.1× | 5.5% | $1.1B |
| Chemicals - Specialty — 18.1× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 5.5% cash yield on $1.1B generated. | ||||
| 7 | SHWThe Sherwin-Williams CompanyChemicals - Specialty | 23.4× | 4.3% | $3.2B |
| Chemicals - Specialty — 23.4× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 4.3% cash yield on $3.2B generated. | ||||
| 8 | CRHCRH plcConstruction Materials | 26.3× | 3.8% | $2.8B |
| Construction Materials — 26.3× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 3.8% cash yield on $2.8B generated. | ||||
| 9 | APDAir Products and Chemicals, Inc.Chemicals - Specialty | 30.2× | 3.3% | $2.1B |
| Chemicals - Specialty — 30.2× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 3.3% cash yield on $2.1B generated. | ||||
| 10 | VMCVulcan Materials CompanyConstruction Materials | 36.0× | 2.8% | $1.0B |
| Construction Materials — 36.0× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 2.8% cash yield on $1.0B generated. | ||||
| 11 | NUENucor CorporationSteel | 36.1× | 2.8% | $1.6B |
| Steel — 36.1× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 2.8% cash yield on $1.6B generated. | ||||
| 12 | ALBAlbemarle CorporationChemicals - Specialty | 36.2× | 2.8% | $577M |
| Chemicals - Specialty — 36.2× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 2.8% cash yield on $577M generated. | ||||
| 13 | STLDSteel Dynamics, Inc.Steel | 39.3× | 2.5% | $956M |
| Steel — 39.3× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 2.5% cash yield on $956M generated. | ||||
| 14 | MLMMartin Marietta Materials, Inc.Construction Materials | 43.2× | 2.3% | $810M |
| Construction Materials — 43.2× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 2.3% cash yield on $810M generated. | ||||
| 15 | LINLinde plcChemicals - Specialty | 46.5× | 2.2% | $5.0B |
| Chemicals - Specialty — 46.5× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 2.2% cash yield on $5.0B generated. | ||||
| 16 | IFFInternational Flavors & Fragrances Inc.Chemicals - Specialty | 48.9× | 2.0% | $400M |
| Chemicals - Specialty — 48.9× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 2.0% cash yield on $400M generated. | ||||
| 17 | ECLEcolab Inc.Chemicals - Specialty | 52.3× | 1.9% | $1.4B |
| Chemicals - Specialty — 52.3× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 1.9% cash yield on $1.4B generated. | ||||
| 18 | DOWDow Inc.Chemicals | 54.9× | 1.8% | $436M |
| Chemicals — 54.9× free cash flow against a Basic Materials median of 36.0×, a 1.8% cash yield on $436M generated. | ||||