Dow Inc. (DOW) vs Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS)

RS leads on 10 of 14 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Dow Inc. 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 — DOW vs RS

growth of $100 · last 7y
DOW -41.7%RS +333.8%RS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001kStart $100202120232025$58$434
DOW RS

DOW vs RS: by the numbers

  • DOW is the larger company ($20.93B vs $19.69B market cap).
  • RS is profitable (5.43% net margin) while DOW runs a net loss (-7.02%).
  • RS grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.33% vs -0.66% CAGR).
  • DOW pays the higher dividend yield (4.82% vs 1.30%).

Which is better, DOW or RS?

Metric tally: DOW 4 · RS 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthRS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDOW(higher dividend yield)
QualityRS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDOWRS
P/E ratio25.18
Forward P/E9.2717.95
P/S ratio0.531.35
P/B ratio1.372.81
PEG ratio1.28
EV / EBITDA28.9615.65
FCF yield3.05%

Profitability

MetricDOWRS
Gross margin6.16%27.22%
Operating margin-2.31%7.52%
Net margin-7.02%5.43%
ROE-18.11%11.32%
ROIC0.51%8.16%

Dividends

MetricDOWRS
Dividend yield4.82%1.30%
Payout ratio35.54%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDOWRS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.66%10.33%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-20.06%19.64%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-24.60%-9.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.65%22.21%

Frequently asked

Which is better, DOW or RS?
It depends on your goal. growth: RS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DOW (higher dividend yield); quality: RS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RS leads 10 to 4.
Which has grown faster, DOW or RS?
Over the past five years, RS grew revenue faster — DOW at a -0.66% CAGR versus RS at 10.33%.
Does DOW or RS pay a bigger dividend?
DOW yields 4.82% and RS yields 1.30% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DOW or RS more profitable?
RS runs the higher net margin — DOW at -7.02% versus RS at 5.43%.
Which has been the better investment, DOW or RS?
Over the past 5-year, RS delivered the higher annualized total return — DOW at -9.65% 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.