Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS) vs Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)

STLD leads on 9 of 14 compared metrics.

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 July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — RS vs STLD

growth of $100 · last 30y
RS +4468.3%STLD +4809.0%STLD compounded faster
02k4k6kStart $100200120062011201620212026$4,568$4,909
RS STLD

RS vs STLD: by the numbers

  • STLD is the larger company ($32.02B vs $19.22B market cap).
  • STLD trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.49 vs 24.93 P/E).
  • STLD converts more revenue to profit (7.22% vs 5.43% net margin).
  • STLD grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.46% vs 10.33% CAGR).
  • RS pays the higher dividend yield (1.31% vs 0.93%).

Which is better, RS or STLD?

Metric tally: RS 5 · STLD 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthSTLD(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRS(higher dividend yield)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricRSSTLD
P/E ratio24.9324.49
Forward P/E19.0414.09
P/S ratio1.341.74
P/B ratio2.793.61
PEG ratio1.270.97
EV / EBITDA15.5115.54
FCF yield3.08%2.01%

Profitability

MetricRSSTLD
Gross margin27.22%14.00%
Operating margin7.52%9.41%
Net margin5.43%7.22%
ROE11.32%14.97%
ROIC8.16%8.19%

Dividends

MetricRSSTLD
Dividend yield1.31%0.93%
Payout ratio35.54%26.43%

Growth (annualized)

MetricRSSTLD
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.33%12.46%
EPS CAGR (5Y)19.64%25.18%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-9.42%19.91%
Total return CAGR (5Y)22.77%32.69%

Frequently asked

Which is better, RS or STLD?
It depends on your goal. growth: STLD (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RS (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, STLD leads 9 to 5.
Is RS or STLD cheaper?
On trailing earnings, STLD is cheaper: RS trades at a 24.93 P/E and STLD at 24.49.
Which has grown faster, RS or STLD?
Over the past five years, STLD grew revenue faster — RS at a 10.33% CAGR versus STLD at 12.46%.
Does RS or STLD pay a bigger dividend?
RS yields 1.31% and STLD yields 0.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is RS or STLD more profitable?
STLD runs the higher net margin — RS at 5.43% versus STLD at 7.22%.
Which has been the better investment, RS or STLD?
Over the past 10-year, STLD delivered the higher annualized total return — RS at 19.20% versus STLD at 26.45%. 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.