Reliance (RS) vs Steel Dynamics (STLD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Steel Dynamics (STLD) has outperformed Reliance (RS) over the past year, gaining 64.6% versus a gain of 41.3%. Over five years, STLD leads with a +279.6% price change compared with +168.5% for RS. Steel Dynamics is the larger company by market cap ($33.55 billion vs $20.23 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Steel Dynamics trades at a lower forward P/E (12.0x vs 16.8x for Reliance). Reliance offers the higher dividend yield (1.24% vs 0.88%). Steel Dynamics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 6.5% 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 | RS | STLD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $396.22 | $234.09 |
| Market cap | $20.23B | $33.55B |
| 1-day change | -1.31% | -1.71% |
| YTD return | +37.16% | +38.62% |
| 1-year return | +41.29% | +64.57% |
| 5-year return | +168.48% | +279.60% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.02 | 21.22 |
| Forward P/E | 16.78 | 11.97 |
| EPS (TTM) | $17.21 | $11.03 |
| Dividend yield | 1.24% | 0.88% |
| Annual dividend | $4.90 | $2.06 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $14.29B | $18.18B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.32% | +3.63% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $739.40M | $1.19B |
| Gross margin | 28.74% | 13.16% |
| Operating margin | 7.08% | 8.12% |
| Net margin | 5.17% | 6.52% |
| 52-week high | $433.02 | $288.74 |
| 52-week low | $260.31 | $140.87 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.50% | -18.93% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +3.29% | +15.75% |
| Average volume | 319.00K | 1.12M |
| Shares outstanding | 51.05M | 143.33M |
| Employees | 15,700 | 14,400 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Metal Fabrications | 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
- STLD has outperformed RS by 23.3 percentage points over the past year.
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
About Steel Dynamics
STLD stock →Steel Dynamics, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a steel producer and metal recycler in the United States. It operates through four segments: Steel Operations, Metals Recycling Operations, Steel Fabrication Operations, and Aluminum Operations.
Industrials · Steel/Iron Ore · 14,400 employees
RS vs STLD FAQ
Which is bigger, Reliance or Steel Dynamics?
Steel Dynamics (STLD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $33.55B compared with $20.23B for Reliance (RS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, RS or STLD?
STLD returned +64.57% over the past 12 months, compared with +41.29% for RS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, RS or STLD?
STLD has the lower trailing P/E at 21.2, versus 23.0 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, Reliance or Steel Dynamics?
Reliance has the higher yield at 1.24%, compared with 0.88% for Steel Dynamics.
Are Reliance and Steel Dynamics in the same industry?
Both are in the Industrials sector, but in different industries: Metal Fabrications for Reliance and Steel/Iron Ore for Steel Dynamics.