Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (RS) vs Vulcan Materials Company (VMC)

RS leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. and Vulcan Materials Company 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 VMC

growth of $100 · last 30y
RS +4866.3%VMC +1369.7%RS compounded faster
01k2k3k4k5kStart $100200120062011201620212026$4,966$1,470
RS VMC

RS vs VMC: by the numbers

  • VMC is the larger company ($37.46B vs $19.22B market cap).
  • RS trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.93 vs 34.08 P/E).
  • VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.88% vs 5.43% net margin).
  • VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.56% vs 10.33% CAGR).
  • RS pays the higher dividend yield (1.31% vs 0.73%).

Which is better, RS or VMC?

Metric tally: RS 10 · VMC 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueRS(lower P/E)
GrowthVMC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeRS(higher dividend yield)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricRSVMC
P/E ratio24.9334.08
Forward P/E19.0431.09
P/S ratio1.344.69
P/B ratio2.794.47
PEG ratio1.271.91
EV / EBITDA15.5117.94
FCF yield3.08%2.95%

Profitability

MetricRSVMC
Gross margin27.22%27.61%
Operating margin7.52%20.62%
Net margin5.43%13.88%
ROE11.32%13.22%
ROIC8.16%8.02%

Dividends

MetricRSVMC
Dividend yield1.31%0.73%
Payout ratio35.54%25.52%

Growth (annualized)

MetricRSVMC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.33%10.56%
EPS CAGR (5Y)19.64%13.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-9.42%5.93%
Total return CAGR (5Y)22.77%11.53%

Frequently asked

Which is better, RS or VMC?
It depends on your goal. value: RS (lower P/E); growth: VMC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: RS (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, RS leads 10 to 5.
Is RS or VMC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, RS is cheaper: RS trades at a 24.93 P/E and VMC at 34.08.
Which has grown faster, RS or VMC?
Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — RS at a 10.33% CAGR versus VMC at 10.56%.
Does RS or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
RS yields 1.31% and VMC yields 0.73% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is RS or VMC more profitable?
VMC runs the higher net margin — RS at 5.43% versus VMC at 13.88%.
Which has been the better investment, RS or VMC?
Over the past 10-year, RS delivered the higher annualized total return — RS at 19.20% versus VMC at 9.71%. 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.