Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS) vs Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM)

A side-by-side comparison of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 4, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnRS vs SQM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
RS +601.1% (+21.5%/yr)SQM +351.4% (+16.3%/yr)RS compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$701$451
RS SQM

RS vs SQM: by the numbers

  • SQM is the larger company ($21.83B vs $20.45B market cap).
  • SQM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.42 vs 23.17 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • SQM converts more revenue to profit (20.61% vs 5.66% net margin).
  • SQM grew revenue faster over the past five years (26.46% vs 8.57% CAGR).
  • SQM pays the higher dividend yield (1.28% vs 1.24%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricRSSQM
P/E ratio23.1716.42
Forward P/E17.2011.32
P/S ratio1.303.38
P/B ratio2.783.63
EV / EBITDA14.668.36
FCF yield2.62%8.53%

Profitability

MetricRSSQM
Gross margin26.89%29.32%
Operating margin7.88%24.83%
Net margin5.66%20.61%
ROE12.09%22.09%
ROIC9.36%11.60%

Dividends

MetricRSSQM
Dividend yield1.24%1.28%
Payout ratio35.18%49.42%

Growth (annualized)

MetricRSSQM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.57%26.46%
EPS CAGR (5Y)19.64%27.15%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-1.79%27.23%
Total return CAGR (5Y)23.57%12.57%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, RS or SQM?
SQM has the lower trailing P/E: RS trades at 23.17 and SQM at 16.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, RS or SQM?
Over the past five years, SQM grew revenue faster — RS at a 8.57% CAGR versus SQM at 26.46%.
Does RS or SQM pay a bigger dividend?
RS yields 1.24% and SQM yields 1.28% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is RS or SQM more profitable?
SQM runs the higher net margin — RS at 5.66% versus SQM at 20.61%.
How have RS and SQM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, RS delivered 20.87% and SQM delivered 15.57% annualized total return. 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 September 4, 2026.