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

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 October 3, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — RS vs VMC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
RS +588.2% (+21.3%/yr)VMC +130.6% (+8.7%/yr)RS compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$688$231
RS VMC

RS vs VMC: by the numbers

  • •VMC is the larger company ($31.50B vs $20.44B market cap).
  • •RS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.29 vs 28.66 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •VMC converts more revenue to profit (13.82% vs 5.66% net margin).
  • •VMC grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.53% vs 8.57% CAGR).
  • •RS pays the higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.84%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricRSVMC
P/E ratio23.2928.66
Forward P/E17.0026.71
PEG ratio1.172.19
P/S ratio1.293.88
P/B ratio2.763.72
EV / EBITDA14.5715.58
FCF yield2.64%3.26%

Profitability

MetricRSVMC
Gross margin26.89%27.43%
Operating margin7.88%19.92%
Net margin5.66%13.82%
ROE12.09%13.23%
ROIC9.36%8.25%

Dividends

MetricRSVMC
Dividend yield1.24%0.84%
Payout ratio28.80%24.17%

Growth (annualized)

MetricRSVMC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.57%10.53%
EPS CAGR (5Y)19.64%13.07%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-1.79%7.62%
Total return CAGR (5Y)24.76%7.89%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, RS or VMC?
RS has the lower trailing P/E: RS trades at 23.29 and VMC at 28.66. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, RS or VMC?
Over the past five years, VMC grew revenue faster — RS at a 8.57% CAGR versus VMC at 10.53%.
Does RS or VMC pay a bigger dividend?
RS yields 1.24% and VMC yields 0.84% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is RS or VMC more profitable?
VMC runs the higher net margin — RS at 5.66% versus VMC at 13.82%.
How have RS and VMC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, RS delivered 21.00% and VMC delivered 8.82% annualized total return. 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 October 3, 2026.