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).
RS
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
$385.78Basic Materials
SW
Smurfit Westrock plc
$46.98Basic Materials
Total return — RS vs SW
growth of $100 · last 18yRS +437.5%SW +476.4%SW compounded faster
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 8It 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
| Metric | RS | SW |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.18● | 65.58 |
| Forward P/E | 17.95 | — |
| P/S ratio | 1.35 | 0.84● |
| P/B ratio | 2.81 | 1.40● |
| PEG ratio | 1.28 | 0.43● |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.65 | 8.71● |
| FCF yield | 3.05% | 4.04%● |
Profitability
| Metric | RS | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 27.22%● | 18.42% |
| Operating margin | 7.52%● | 6.24% |
| Net margin | 5.43%● | 1.23% |
| ROE | 11.32%● | 2.06% |
| ROIC | 8.16%● | 3.59% |
Dividends
| Metric | RS | SW |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.30% | 3.85%● |
| Payout ratio | 35.54% | 135.01% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | RS | SW |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Reliance Steel & Aluminum P/E ratioSmurfit Westrock P/E ratioReliance Steel & Aluminum dividend yieldSmurfit Westrock dividend yieldReliance Steel & Aluminum ROESmurfit Westrock ROEReliance Steel & Aluminum operating marginSmurfit Westrock operating marginReliance Steel & Aluminum revenue growthSmurfit Westrock revenue growthReliance Steel & Aluminum free cash flowSmurfit Westrock free cash flow
Reliance Steel & Aluminum & Smurfit Westrock 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 June 29, 2026.