Albemarle Corporation (ALB) vs Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS)

RS leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Albemarle Corporation and Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 28, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ALB vs RS

growth of $100 · last 30y
ALB +1364.4%RS +4559.2%RS compounded faster
01k2k3k4k5kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,464$4,659
ALB RS

ALB vs RS: by the numbers

  • RS is the larger company ($19.69B vs $15.77B market cap).
  • RS is profitable (5.43% net margin) while ALB runs a net loss (-4.24%).
  • ALB grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.29% vs 10.33% CAGR).
  • RS pays the higher dividend yield (1.30% vs 1.21%).

Which is better, ALB or RS?

Metric tally: ALB 5 · RS 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthALB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRS(higher dividend yield)
QualityRS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricALBRS
P/E ratio25.18
Forward P/E10.6817.95
P/S ratio2.891.35
P/B ratio1.612.81
PEG ratio1.28
EV / EBITDA17.3515.65
FCF yield3.64%3.05%

Profitability

MetricALBRS
Gross margin18.53%27.22%
Operating margin5.55%7.52%
Net margin-4.24%5.43%
ROE-2.36%11.32%
ROIC0.64%8.16%

Dividends

MetricALBRS
Dividend yield1.21%1.30%
Payout ratio35.54%

Growth (annualized)

MetricALBRS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)11.29%10.33%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.95%19.64%
FCF CAGR (5Y)92.70%-9.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-3.17%22.21%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ALB or RS?
It depends on your goal. growth: ALB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RS (higher dividend yield); quality: RS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RS leads 10 to 5.
Which has grown faster, ALB or RS?
Over the past five years, ALB grew revenue faster — ALB at a 11.29% CAGR versus RS at 10.33%.
Does ALB or RS pay a bigger dividend?
ALB yields 1.21% and RS yields 1.30% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ALB or RS more profitable?
RS runs the higher net margin — ALB at -4.24% versus RS at 5.43%.
Which has been the better investment, ALB or RS?
Over the past 10-year, RS delivered the higher annualized total return — ALB at 6.83% versus RS at 20.24%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 28, 2026.