Mueller Industries (MLI) vs Reliance (RS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Reliance (RS) has outperformed Mueller Industries (MLI) over the past year, gaining 41.3% versus a gain of 22.1%. Over five years, MLI leads with a +455.5% price change compared with +168.5% for RS. Reliance is the larger company by market cap ($20.35 billion vs $13.33 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while Mueller Industries is growing revenue faster (+10.9% vs +3.3%).
On valuation, Mueller Industries trades at a lower forward P/E (13.8x vs 16.9x for Reliance). Reliance offers the higher dividend yield (1.23% vs 1.00%). Mueller Industries converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.3% versus 5.2%.
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 | MLI | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $60.27 | $398.54 |
| Market cap | $13.33B | $20.35B |
| 1-day change | +0.07% | +0.59% |
| YTD return | +4.91% | +37.16% |
| 1-year return | +22.05% | +41.29% |
| 5-year return | +455.54% | +168.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.69 | 23.16 |
| Forward P/E | 13.76 | 16.88 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.84 | $17.21 |
| Dividend yield | 1.00% | 1.23% |
| Annual dividend | $0.60 | $4.90 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.18B | $14.29B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +10.87% | +3.32% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $765.19M | $739.40M |
| Gross margin | 29.02% | 28.74% |
| Operating margin | 22.94% | 7.08% |
| Net margin | 18.31% | 5.17% |
| 52-week high | $71.12 | $433.02 |
| 52-week low | $48.27 | $260.31 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.26% | -7.96% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.75% | +2.69% |
| Average volume | 1.51M | 318.24K |
| Shares outstanding | 221.18M | 51.05M |
| Employees | 4,832 | 15,700 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Metal Fabrications | Metal Fabrications |
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
- RS has outperformed MLI by 19.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Reliance trades at a higher earnings multiple (23.2x vs 15.7x trailing P/E).
- Mueller Industries is more profitable, keeping 18.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.2 cents for Reliance.
- Mueller Industries grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.87% vs +3.32%).
About Mueller Industries
MLI stock →Mueller Industries, Inc. manufactures and sells copper, brass, and aluminum products in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Asia and the Middle East, and Mexico.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 4,832 employees
About Reliance
RS stock →Reliance, Inc. operates as a diversified metal solutions provider and metals service center company primarily in the United States and Canada.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 15,700 employees
MLI vs RS FAQ
Which is bigger, Mueller Industries or Reliance?
Reliance (RS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.35B compared with $13.33B for Mueller Industries (MLI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MLI or RS?
RS returned +41.29% over the past 12 months, compared with +22.05% for MLI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MLI or RS?
MLI has the lower trailing P/E at 15.7, versus 23.2 for RS. 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, Mueller Industries or Reliance?
Reliance has the higher yield at 1.23%, compared with 1.00% for Mueller Industries.
Are Mueller Industries and Reliance in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Fabrications industry within the Industrials sector.