Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS) vs Smurfit Westrock plc (SW)

RS and SW are evenly matched — 8 metrics each of 16.

A side-by-side comparison of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. and Smurfit Westrock plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 29, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — RS vs SW

growth of $100 · last 18y
RS +437.5%SW +476.4%SW compounded faster
0200400600800Start $100201120142017202020232026$538$576
RS SW

RS vs SW: by the numbers

  • SW is the larger company ($24.64B vs $19.69B market cap).
  • RS trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.18 vs 65.58 P/E).
  • RS converts more revenue to profit (5.43% vs 1.23% net margin).
  • SW grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.07% vs 10.33% CAGR).
  • SW pays the higher dividend yield (3.85% vs 1.30%).

Which is better, RS or SW?

Metric tally: RS 8 · SW 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueRS(lower P/E)
GrowthSW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeSW(higher dividend yield)
QualityRS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricRSSW
P/E ratio25.1865.58
Forward P/E17.95
P/S ratio1.350.84
P/B ratio2.811.40
PEG ratio1.280.43
EV / EBITDA15.658.71
FCF yield3.05%4.04%

Profitability

MetricRSSW
Gross margin27.22%18.42%
Operating margin7.52%6.24%
Net margin5.43%1.23%
ROE11.32%2.06%
ROIC8.16%3.59%

Dividends

MetricRSSW
Dividend yield1.30%3.85%
Payout ratio35.54%135.01%

Growth (annualized)

MetricRSSW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.33%24.07%
EPS CAGR (5Y)19.64%-16.43%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-9.42%-3.68%
Total return CAGR (5Y)22.21%1.21%

Frequently asked

Which is better, RS or SW?
It depends on your goal. value: RS (lower P/E); growth: SW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: SW (higher dividend yield); quality: RS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, they are evenly matched.
Is RS or SW cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RS is cheaper: RS trades at a 25.18 P/E and SW at 65.58.
Which has grown faster, RS or SW?
Over the past five years, SW grew revenue faster — RS at a 10.33% CAGR versus SW at 24.07%.
Does RS or SW pay a bigger dividend?
RS yields 1.30% and SW yields 3.85% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is RS or SW more profitable?
RS runs the higher net margin — RS at 5.43% versus SW at 1.23%.
Which has been the better investment, RS or SW?
Over the past 10-year, RS delivered the higher annualized total return — RS at 20.24% versus SW at 5.13%. 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 29, 2026.