RPM International Inc. (RPM) vs Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS)

RPM leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of RPM International Inc. and Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — RPM vs RS

growth of $100 · last 30y
RPM +727.9%RS +4866.3%RS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$828$4,966
RPM RS

RPM vs RS: by the numbers

  • RS is the larger company ($19.22B vs $13.19B market cap).
  • RPM trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.92 vs 24.93 P/E).
  • RPM converts more revenue to profit (8.63% vs 5.43% net margin).
  • RS grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.33% vs 5.79% CAGR).
  • RPM pays the higher dividend yield (2.09% vs 1.31%).

Which is better, RPM or RS?

Metric tally: RPM 11 · RS 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueRPM(lower P/E)
GrowthRS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRPM(higher dividend yield)
QualityRPM(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricRPMRS
P/E ratio19.9224.93
Forward P/E18.7919.04
P/S ratio1.711.34
P/B ratio4.192.79
PEG ratio1.211.27
EV / EBITDA13.9315.51
FCF yield4.36%3.08%

Profitability

MetricRPMRS
Gross margin41.36%27.22%
Operating margin11.99%7.52%
Net margin8.63%5.43%
ROE21.16%11.32%
ROIC12.50%8.16%

Dividends

MetricRPMRS
Dividend yield2.09%1.31%
Payout ratio40.15%35.54%

Growth (annualized)

MetricRPMRS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.79%10.33%
EPS CAGR (5Y)18.02%19.64%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-3.15%-9.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.59%22.77%

Frequently asked

Which is better, RPM or RS?
It depends on your goal. value: RPM (lower P/E); growth: RS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RPM (higher dividend yield); quality: RPM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, RPM leads 11 to 5.
Is RPM or RS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RPM is cheaper: RPM trades at a 19.92 P/E and RS at 24.93.
Which has grown faster, RPM or RS?
Over the past five years, RS grew revenue faster — RPM at a 5.79% CAGR versus RS at 10.33%.
Does RPM or RS pay a bigger dividend?
RPM yields 2.09% and RS yields 1.31% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is RPM or RS more profitable?
RPM runs the higher net margin — RPM at 8.63% versus RS at 5.43%.
Which has been the better investment, RPM or RS?
Over the past 10-year, RS delivered the higher annualized total return — RPM at 9.39% versus RS at 19.20%. 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 July 9, 2026.