Friedman Industries (FRD) vs Insteel Industries (IIIN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Friedman Industries (FRD) has outperformed Insteel Industries (IIIN) over the past year, gaining 111.9% versus a loss of 22.4%. Over five years, FRD leads with a +239.3% price change compared with -24.9% for IIIN. Insteel Industries is the larger company by market cap ($570.6 million vs $306.3 million), about 1.9 times the size.
On valuation, Friedman Industries trades at a lower trailing P/E (11.1x vs 15.8x for Insteel Industries). Insteel Industries offers the higher dividend yield (0.41% vs 0.38%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FRD | IIIN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $42.47 | $29.48 |
| Market cap | $306.33M | $570.58M |
| 1-day change | -1.21% | -0.39% |
| YTD return | +109.81% | -6.57% |
| 1-year return | +111.88% | -22.44% |
| 5-year return | +239.31% | -24.92% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.06 | 15.76 |
| Forward P/E | — | 12.18 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.84 | $1.87 |
| Dividend yield | 0.38% | 0.41% |
| Annual dividend | $0.16 | $0.12 |
| 52-week high | $48.77 | $38.73 |
| 52-week low | $16.55 | $24.35 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.92% | -23.90% |
| Analyst consensus | — | none |
| Avg. price target upside | — | +32.32% |
| Average volume | 74.97K | 194.84K |
| Shares outstanding | 7.21M | 19.36M |
| Employees | 381 | 1,007 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Steel/Iron Ore | Steel/Iron Ore |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- FRD has outperformed IIIN by 134.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Insteel Industries trades at a higher earnings multiple (15.8x vs 11.1x trailing P/E).
About Friedman Industries
FRD stock →Friedman Industries, Incorporated engages in the manufacture and processing of steel products in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Flat-Roll Products and Tubular Products.
Industrials · Steel/Iron Ore · 381 employees
About Insteel Industries
IIIN stock →Insteel Industries Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets steel wire reinforcing products for concrete construction applications. The company offers prestressed concrete strand (PC strand) and welded wire reinforcement (WWR) products.
Industrials · Steel/Iron Ore · 1,007 employees
FRD vs IIIN FAQ
Which is bigger, Friedman Industries or Insteel Industries?
Insteel Industries (IIIN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $570.58M compared with $306.33M for Friedman Industries (FRD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FRD or IIIN?
FRD returned +111.88% over the past 12 months, compared with -22.44% for IIIN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FRD or IIIN?
FRD has the lower trailing P/E at 11.1, versus 15.8 for IIIN. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Friedman Industries or Insteel Industries?
Insteel Industries has the higher yield at 0.41%, compared with 0.38% for Friedman Industries.
Are Friedman Industries and Insteel Industries in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Steel/Iron Ore industry within the Industrials sector.