IIIN
IndustrialsInsteel Industries, Inc. · Manufacturing - Metal Fabrication · $520M
What is Insteel Industries, Inc.?
Insteel Industries is a small-cap industrials company specializing in steel wire reinforcing products for concrete construction. Based in Mount Airy, NC, it serves contractors, fabricators, and concrete product manufacturers primarily across North America.
Insteel generates revenue by manufacturing and selling two core product lines — prestressed concrete strand and welded wire reinforcement — to customers in the construction supply chain. Its products are embedded in concrete structures ranging from bridges and parking decks to drainage systems and residential slabs, making demand closely tied to construction activity and infrastructure spending cycles.
Insteel Industries was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Mount Airy, North Carolina.
- Prestressed concrete strand (PC strand) for bridges, buildings, and parking structures
- Engineered structural mesh as a primary reinforcement alternative to rebar
- Concrete pipe reinforcement for drainage, sewage, and water treatment infrastructure
- Standard welded wire reinforcement for residential and light commercial slab applications
Is IIIN a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates IIIN as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile with notable strengths and some areas of concern.
The Risk pillar stands out as a clear strength, suggesting Insteel carries a conservative financial structure relative to peers. The Growth pillar also rates positively, pointing to favorable demand tailwinds in infrastructure and construction markets. Valuation is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear richly priced relative to its fundamentals.
The Moat pillar rates Weak, indicating limited pricing power or durable competitive advantages in what is largely a commodity-driven market. Quality rates Neutral, suggesting room for improvement in returns and profitability metrics.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does IIIN pay dividends?
Yes — Insteel Industries, Inc. pays a dividend.
Insteel Industries pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap industrials. The company's conservative financial posture — reflected in its Strong Risk pillar — supports its ability to return cash to shareholders. Income-oriented investors may find the dividend cadence appealing, though payout sustainability should always be weighed against cyclical revenue exposure.
When does IIIN report earnings?
Insteel Industries reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Results tend to reflect shifts in construction activity, raw material costs, and infrastructure spending levels. Because Insteel operates in a cyclical end market, quarter-to-quarter variability is common and worth monitoring over multiple reporting periods.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Insteel Industries' investor relations page directly.
IIIN Price History
-7.0% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Insteel Industries, Inc.?
Based on Insteel Industries, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
IIIN Long-term Outlook
Insteel's Good Growth pillar suggests the company is positioned to benefit from ongoing infrastructure investment trends in the United States, including public works and nonresidential construction. However, the Weak Moat pillar signals that competitive pressures and commodity pricing dynamics could limit margin expansion. The Attractive Valuation rating indicates the market has not yet fully priced in a recovery scenario, which may offer upside if construction demand accelerates.
Growth drivers
- Federal and state infrastructure spending supporting demand for concrete reinforcing products
- Recovery in nonresidential construction activity driving welded wire reinforcement volumes
- Potential share gains in engineered reinforcing solutions as rebar alternatives gain adoption
Key risks
- Cyclical exposure to construction markets that can contract sharply during economic downturns
- Limited pricing power in a commodity-oriented product category with low switching costs
- Raw material cost volatility that can compress margins when steel wire rod prices rise
IIIN vs Peers
Insteel competes in the engineered steel products space alongside several other industrials-focused manufacturers.
Mayville focuses on contract manufacturing and fabrication across a broader set of end markets, giving it more diversification but less specialization in concrete reinforcing.
NWPX concentrates on infrastructure-related products, overlapping with Insteel in construction end markets but with a different product mix.
Tredegar operates across plastics and aluminum products, making it a more diversified materials company with less direct exposure to concrete construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Insteel Industries do?
Insteel Industries manufactures steel wire reinforcing products used in concrete construction. Its two main product lines — prestressed concrete strand and welded wire reinforcement — are used in bridges, buildings, drainage systems, and residential construction across the United States and Canada.
Does IIIN pay dividends?
Yes, Insteel Industries pays a regular dividend. The company's conservative balance sheet and Strong Risk pillar rating support its capacity to maintain shareholder distributions. Investors should review the latest dividend announcement on Insteel's investor relations page for current details.
When does IIIN report earnings?
Insteel reports earnings on a quarterly basis, as is standard for US-listed companies. Specific dates vary each quarter. For the most up-to-date earnings schedule, check Insteel Industries' investor relations page or your brokerage's earnings calendar.
Is IIIN a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates IIIN as Good overall. The stock shows strength in Risk and Growth pillars and carries an Attractive Valuation rating. However, a Weak Moat and Neutral Quality rating introduce uncertainty. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is IIIN overvalued?
Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, IIIN is rated Attractive, suggesting the stock is not considered expensive relative to its fundamentals. This does not guarantee price appreciation, but it indicates the market has not priced in an overly optimistic scenario for the business.
How does IIIN compare to its competitors?
Insteel is more narrowly focused than peers like Tredegar or Mayville Engineering, concentrating specifically on concrete reinforcing products. This specialization can be an advantage in its core market but also limits diversification. See the competitor section above for a side-by-side UQS comparison.
What is IIIN's market cap bracket?
Insteel Industries is classified as a small-cap company. Small-cap industrials like Insteel can offer growth potential tied to infrastructure cycles but may also carry higher volatility and lower liquidity compared to large-cap peers.
Who founded Insteel Industries?
Insteel Industries was incorporated in 1992. Detailed founding history, including executive leadership at inception, is publicly available through the company's official filings and corporate history disclosures on its investor relations website.
Is IIIN a long-term quality stock?
As a long-term quality indicator, IIIN's Good UQS Score reflects a mixed but generally positive profile. The Strong Risk pillar and Attractive Valuation are encouraging for long-term holders, while the Weak Moat rating suggests the company may face ongoing competitive pressure over time.
What is the main competitive advantage of Insteel Industries?
Insteel's primary advantages lie in its specialized manufacturing focus and established customer relationships within the concrete construction supply chain. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates Weak, indicating these advantages may not be deeply entrenched relative to sector peers.
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Pro Analysis
IIIN — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 57.3 | 44.7 | 15.0 | 76.4 | 100.0 | 80.9 | -0.1 |
| May 7, 2026 | 57.4 | 44.8 | 15.0 | 76.4 | 100.0 | 81.4 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 57.5 | 44.8 | 15.0 | 76.4 | 100.0 | 82.1 | -0.4 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 57.9 | 44.8 | 15.0 | 76.4 | 100.0 | 84.3 | +0.4 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 57.5 | 44.8 | 15.0 | 76.4 | 100.0 | 81.8 | -2.1 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 59.6 | 46.5 | 15.0 | 85.8 | 100.0 | 80.7 | +0.3 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 59.3 | 46.5 | 15.0 | 85.8 | 100.0 | 78.6 | -0.2 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 59.5 | 46.5 | 15.0 | 85.8 | 100.0 | 79.5 | -0.6 |
| Apr 5, 2026 | 60.1 | 46.5 | 15.0 | 85.8 | 100.0 | 83.6 | +0.1 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | 60.0 | 46.5 | 15.0 | 85.8 | 100.0 | 83.2 | — |
IIIN — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 44.7/100 (25%)Insteel Industries, Inc. has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 76.4/100 (20%)Insteel Industries, Inc. is growing rapidly with strong revenue and earnings expansion.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 100.0/100 (15%)Insteel Industries, Inc. carries minimal financial risk with conservative leverage and strong solvency.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 80.8/100 (15%)Insteel Industries, Inc. appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 15/100 (25%)Insteel Industries, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for IIIN.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the IIIN UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Insteel Industries, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Insteel Industries, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Insteel Industries, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.