RS
Basic MaterialsReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. · Steel · $19B
What is Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.?
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. is the largest metals service center in the United States, distributing a vast range of metal products to industries spanning construction, aerospace, and manufacturing. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, it serves customers across North America and internationally.
Reliance operates as a metals distribution and processing intermediary, sitting between primary metal producers and end-use manufacturers. The company stocks roughly 100,000 metal products — from carbon steel and aluminum to titanium and specialty alloys — and processes them to customer specifications before delivery. Revenue comes from product sales and value-added processing services. Its customer base includes small machine shops, fabricators, and original equipment manufacturers across heavy industry, energy, electronics, and non-residential construction.
Reliance was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
- Distribution of carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and specialty alloys
- Metals processing services including cutting, forming, and fabrication
- Tubular and non-ferrous building products distribution
- Specialty extruded metals and welded component manufacturing
- Multi-industry supply chain solutions across 315-plus service center locations
Is RS a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates RS as Below Average overall, reflecting mixed fundamentals across its five scoring pillars.
The Risk pillar stands out as the clearest positive — Reliance carries a Strong rating there, suggesting the balance sheet and financial stability hold up well relative to sector peers. Valuation also earns a Good label, meaning the stock does not appear significantly stretched relative to its fundamentals.
Growth and Moat are both rated Weak, indicating limited competitive differentiation and subdued expansion prospects — common challenges for metals distributors operating in a commoditized, cyclical industry.
Pro members can view the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics behind the RS rating at UQS Score. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does RS pay dividends?
Yes — Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. pays a dividend.
Reliance Steel & Aluminum pays a regular dividend, consistent with its long operating history and relatively stable cash generation. For a cyclical industrial distributor, maintaining a dividend signals management's confidence in through-cycle cash flow. Income-oriented investors may find the dividend cadence appealing, though payout sustainability should always be evaluated against the company's earnings cycle.
When does RS report earnings?
Reliance Steel & Aluminum reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed large-cap equities.
As a metals distributor, Reliance's quarterly results tend to reflect swings in metal pricing, industrial demand, and processing volumes. Revenue and margins can shift meaningfully with commodity cycles, making quarter-to-quarter comparisons less informative than longer-term trends.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Reliance Steel & Aluminum's investor relations page directly.
RS Price History
+116.0% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.?
Based on Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.'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.
RS Long-term Outlook
The UQS Growth pillar rates RS as Weak, pointing to limited near-term expansion momentum in a mature, commoditized distribution market. However, the Strong Risk rating suggests the company is positioned to weather downturns without significant financial stress. The Good Valuation label means the stock may offer a reasonable entry point for investors willing to accept slow-growth dynamics. The primary uncertainty remains the cyclicality of metals demand across its key end markets.
Growth drivers
- Non-residential construction activity driving demand for structural steel and specialty metals
- Aerospace and semiconductor supply chain recovery supporting specialty alloy volumes
- Acquisition-led network expansion into new geographies and product categories
Key risks
- Commodity price volatility compressing distribution margins in down cycles
- Weak Moat rating reflects limited pricing power versus producers and alternative distributors
- Slowing industrial activity reducing order volumes across heavy manufacturing end markets
RS vs Peers
Reliance competes with global steel producers and regional distributors, though its pure-play service center model sets it apart from vertically integrated rivals.
POSCO is a vertically integrated South Korean steelmaker focused on primary production, contrasting with Reliance's downstream distribution and processing model.
Steel Dynamics manufactures steel from scrap via electric arc furnaces, competing upstream of Reliance rather than as a direct service center rival.
Gerdau is a Brazilian-based long steel producer with a North American footprint, operating as a producer rather than a value-added metals distributor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Reliance Steel & Aluminum do?
Reliance Steel & Aluminum is a metals service center that distributes and processes a wide range of metal products — including steel, aluminum, titanium, and specialty alloys — to manufacturers, fabricators, and construction companies. It acts as an intermediary between primary metal producers and end-use customers, adding value through processing and just-in-time delivery.
Does RS pay dividends?
Yes, Reliance Steel & Aluminum pays a regular dividend. The company has maintained dividend payments over a long operating history, reflecting its relatively stable cash generation through metals distribution cycles. Investors should review current payout details on the company's investor relations page.
When does RS report earnings?
Reliance Steel & Aluminum reports on a quarterly cadence, in line with standard US-listed large-cap practice. Exact upcoming dates are not covered by our data source — check the company's investor relations page or financial calendar for confirmed report dates.
Is RS a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates RS as Below Average overall. The Risk pillar is Strong and Valuation is Good, but Growth and Moat are both Weak — reflecting the commoditized, cyclical nature of metals distribution. Whether RS fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. See the full pillar breakdown on UQS Score.
Is RS overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar rates RS as Good, suggesting the stock is not significantly overpriced relative to its fundamentals. For a cyclical distributor with weak growth prospects, a reasonable valuation can be an important consideration for long-term investors. Full valuation metrics are available to Pro members.
How does RS compare to its competitors?
Reliance differs from peers like POSCO, Steel Dynamics, and Gerdau in that it is a pure-play metals service center rather than a primary steel producer. This means Reliance's business model centers on distribution and processing rather than manufacturing, giving it a different cost structure and margin profile than vertically integrated competitors.
What is RS's market cap bracket?
Reliance Steel & Aluminum is classified as a large-cap company, placing it among the more substantial publicly traded metals distributors in the United States. Large-cap status generally implies greater liquidity and institutional coverage than smaller peers in the Basic Materials sector.
Who founded Reliance Steel & Aluminum?
Reliance Steel & Aluminum was founded in 1939. Founding details and early company history are widely available through the company's official website and public filings. The company has grown substantially through decades of organic expansion and acquisitions since its origins.
Is RS a long-term quality investment?
From a long-term quality standpoint, RS carries a Below Average UQS Score overall. Its Strong Risk rating indicates financial resilience, but the Weak Moat and Weak Growth pillars raise questions about durable competitive advantage and earnings expansion over time. Long-term investors should weigh these factors carefully alongside the Good Valuation label.
What is the main competitive advantage of Reliance Steel & Aluminum?
Reliance's scale — operating over 315 service center locations across 40 US states and internationally — provides logistical reach that smaller distributors cannot easily replicate. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting the difficulty of building durable pricing power in a commoditized distribution business.
What sector does RS belong to?
Reliance Steel & Aluminum is classified in the Basic Materials sector, specifically within metals distribution and processing. The sector is cyclical by nature, with performance tied closely to industrial activity, construction spending, and commodity price trends across steel, aluminum, and specialty metals markets.
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Pro Analysis
RS — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | 48.2 | 41.7 | 32.0 | 37.9 | 85.3 | 62.5 | -0.1 |
| May 5, 2026 | 48.3 | 41.7 | 32.0 | 37.9 | 85.3 | 63.1 | +0.2 |
| May 3, 2026 | 48.1 | 41.7 | 32.0 | 37.3 | 85.3 | 62.9 | -0.2 |
| May 1, 2026 | 48.3 | 41.7 | 32.0 | 37.3 | 85.3 | 64.3 | +0.5 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 47.8 | 41.7 | 32.0 | 35.2 | 85.3 | 63.5 | 0.0 |
| Apr 25, 2026 | 47.8 | 41.7 | 32.0 | 33.7 | 85.3 | 65.8 | +0.1 |
| Apr 24, 2026 | 47.7 | 41.7 | 32.0 | 33.3 | 85.3 | 65.8 | 0.0 |
| Apr 22, 2026 | 47.7 | 41.7 | 32.0 | 33.0 | 85.3 | 65.7 | -3.0 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 50.7 | 49.1 | 32.0 | 38.9 | 85.3 | 65.7 | +0.1 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 50.6 | 49.1 | 32.0 | 38.6 | 85.3 | 65.5 | 0.0 |
RS — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 43.4/100 (25%)Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. 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
— 38.2/100 (20%)Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
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
— 85.8/100 (15%)Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. 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
— 60.1/100 (15%)Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
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
— 32/100 (25%)Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. 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 RS.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the RS UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. 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 Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.'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 Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. 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.