Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS) vs Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)
A side-by-side comparison of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. and Steel Dynamics, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
RS
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
$400.31Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Oct 2, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
STLD
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
$231.99Basic MaterialsDelayed quote: Oct 2, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — RS vs STLD
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yRS +558.0% (+20.7%/yr)STLD +1061.4% (+27.8%/yr)STLD compounded faster over this window
RS STLD
RS vs STLD: by the numbers
- •STLD is the larger company ($33.25B vs $20.44B market cap).
- •STLD trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.03 vs 23.29 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •STLD converts more revenue to profit (7.83% vs 5.66% net margin).
- •STLD grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.68% vs 8.57% CAGR).
- •RS pays the higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.89%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | RS | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.29 | 21.03 |
| Forward P/E | 17.00 | 13.33 |
| PEG ratio | 1.17 | 0.83 |
| P/S ratio | 1.29 | 1.62 |
| P/B ratio | 2.76 | 3.53 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.57 | 13.29 |
| FCF yield | 2.64% | 2.87% |
Profitability
| Metric | RS | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 26.89% | 14.62% |
| Operating margin | 7.88% | 10.57% |
| Net margin | 5.66% | 7.83% |
| ROE | 12.09% | 17.06% |
| ROIC | 9.36% | 10.79% |
Dividends
| Metric | RS | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | 0.89% |
| Payout ratio | 28.80% | 18.68% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | RS | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.57% | 9.68% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 19.64% | 25.18% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -1.79% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 24.76% | 33.75% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, RS or STLD?
- STLD has the lower trailing P/E: RS trades at 23.29 and STLD at 21.03. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, RS or STLD?
- Over the past five years, STLD grew revenue faster — RS at a 8.57% CAGR versus STLD at 9.68%.
- Does RS or STLD pay a bigger dividend?
- RS yields 1.24% and STLD yields 0.89% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is RS or STLD more profitable?
- STLD runs the higher net margin — RS at 5.66% versus STLD at 7.83%.
- How have RS and STLD total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, RS delivered 21.00% and STLD delivered 27.38% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Reliance Steel & Aluminum P/E ratioSteel Dynamics P/E ratioReliance Steel & Aluminum dividend yieldSteel Dynamics dividend yieldReliance Steel & Aluminum ROESteel Dynamics ROEReliance Steel & Aluminum operating marginSteel Dynamics operating marginReliance Steel & Aluminum revenue growthSteel Dynamics revenue growthReliance Steel & Aluminum free cash flowSteel Dynamics free cash flow
Reliance Steel & Aluminum & Steel Dynamics appear in these rankings
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 October 3, 2026.