Reliance (RS) vs Watts Water Technologies (WTS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Reliance (RS) has outperformed Watts Water Technologies (WTS) over the past year, gaining 44.1% versus a gain of 23.8%. Over five years, RS leads with a +172.7% price change compared with +96.1% for WTS. Reliance is the larger company by market cap ($20.55 billion vs $11.77 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while Watts Water Technologies is growing revenue faster (+8.3% vs +3.3%).
On valuation, Reliance trades at a lower forward P/E (17.0x vs 25.1x for Watts Water Technologies). Reliance offers the higher dividend yield (1.22% vs 0.62%). Watts Water Technologies converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 14.0% 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 | WTS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $402.45 | $352.72 |
| Market cap | $20.55B | $11.77B |
| 1-day change | +1.40% | +1.61% |
| YTD return | +39.32% | +25.77% |
| 1-year return | +44.08% | +23.81% |
| 5-year return | +172.70% | +96.07% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.38 | 30.33 |
| Forward P/E | 17.04 | 25.13 |
| EPS (TTM) | $17.21 | $11.63 |
| Dividend yield | 1.22% | 0.62% |
| Annual dividend | $4.90 | $2.19 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $14.29B | $2.44B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.32% | +8.27% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $739.40M | $340.80M |
| Gross margin | 28.74% | 49.46% |
| Operating margin | 7.08% | 18.38% |
| Net margin | 5.17% | 13.98% |
| 52-week high | $433.02 | $394.54 |
| 52-week low | $260.31 | $260.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.06% | -10.60% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +1.69% | +14.54% |
| Average volume | 319.62K | 195.69K |
| Shares outstanding | 51.05M | 27.47M |
| Employees | 15,700 | 5,700 |
| 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 WTS by 20.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Watts Water Technologies trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.3x vs 23.4x trailing P/E).
- Watts Water Technologies is more profitable, keeping 14.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.2 cents for Reliance.
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 Watts Water Technologies
WTS stock →Watts Water Technologies, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies products and solutions that manage and conserve the flow of fluids and energy into, through, and out of buildings in the commercial, industrial, and residential markets. The company offers residential and commercial flow control and protection products, including backflow preventers, water pressure regulators, temperature and pressure relief valves, thermostatic mixing valves, leak detection and protection products, commercial washroom solutions, hydration solutions, and emergency safety products and equipment for plumbing and hot water applications.
Industrials · Metal Fabrications · 5,700 employees
RS vs WTS FAQ
Which is bigger, Reliance or Watts Water Technologies?
Reliance (RS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.55B compared with $11.77B for Watts Water Technologies (WTS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, RS or WTS?
RS returned +44.08% over the past 12 months, compared with +23.81% for WTS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, RS or WTS?
RS has the lower trailing P/E at 23.4, versus 30.3 for WTS. 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 Watts Water Technologies?
Reliance has the higher yield at 1.22%, compared with 0.62% for Watts Water Technologies.
Are Reliance and Watts Water Technologies in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Metal Fabrications industry within the Industrials sector.