Reliance Steel & Aluminum Company (RS)
NYSE:RS
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Reliance Steel (RS) AI Stock Analysis

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Reliance Steel

(NYSE:RS)

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Outperform 73 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:73Outperform
Price Target:
$309.00
▲(14.36% Upside)
Reliance Steel's overall stock score reflects a stable financial position and strong market share gains, as highlighted in the earnings call. However, technical indicators suggest a bearish trend, and valuation metrics indicate limited upside potential. The company's ability to manage cash flow effectively amidst market challenges is a positive factor.
Positive Factors
Market Share Gains
The significant increase in market share demonstrates Reliance Steel's effective growth strategy and competitive positioning, enhancing its long-term market influence and revenue potential.
Strong Operating Cash Flow
Strong cash flow generation allows Reliance Steel to reinvest in high-value initiatives, supporting sustainable growth and financial stability over the long term.
Non-Residential Construction Growth
Growth in non-residential construction and general manufacturing sectors indicates robust demand, supporting Reliance Steel's revenue and market expansion.
Negative Factors
Gross Profit Margin Pressure
Persistent margin pressure from trade policy and inventory challenges could impact profitability, affecting long-term financial performance.
Challenges in Specialty Products
Struggles in high-value specialty products can limit growth in key sectors, potentially affecting Reliance Steel's competitive edge and revenue diversification.
LIFO Expense Impact
The LIFO expense impact reduces profitability, highlighting potential volatility in earnings and the need for strategic inventory management.

Reliance Steel (RS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Reliance Steel Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionReliance Steel & Aluminum Co. is one of the largest metal service center companies in North America, providing a broad range of metal products and processing services. Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company operates through a network of more than 300 locations across the United States and internationally. Reliance specializes in the distribution and processing of metals, including steel, aluminum, copper, and various specialty metals, serving diverse sectors such as construction, aerospace, automotive, and energy.
How the Company Makes MoneyReliance Steel generates revenue through the sale of metal products and value-added processing services. The company's key revenue streams include the distribution of various metals, which accounts for the bulk of its sales, and processing services such as cutting, machining, and finishing that enhance the value of the raw materials. Additionally, Reliance benefits from strategic acquisitions of smaller metal service centers, expanding its market reach and product offerings. The company's strong relationships with suppliers and a diversified customer base across multiple industries contribute significantly to its earnings stability. Economic trends and demand fluctuations in the construction and manufacturing sectors also play a critical role in influencing the company’s revenue.

Reliance Steel Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 22, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Reliance demonstrated strong market share gains and cash flow management amidst challenging market conditions, characterized by pricing pressures and excess inventories in certain segments. The positive aspects of market share and operational performance were balanced by the negative pressures on gross margins and specific market challenges.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Market Share Gain
Reliance's U.S. market share increased to 17.1%, up from 14.5% in 2023, showcasing significant market share gain driven by the company's smart, profitable growth strategy.
Strong Operating Cash Flow
Generated approximately $262 million in operating cash flow in Q3 2025, which was strategically redeployed into high-value initiatives, including investments in advanced processing equipment.
Tons Sold Outperformance
Third quarter tons sold were a record, outperforming the industry by approximately 9 percentage points and increased 6.2% compared to Q3 2024, demonstrating the ability to gain market share.
Non-Residential Construction and General Manufacturing Growth
Shipments increased in these markets year-over-year, driven by strong demand in public infrastructure and industrial sectors.
Negative Updates
Gross Profit Margin Pressure
Gross profit margin faced headwinds due to trade policy uncertainty and excess inventories, particularly in the aerospace and semiconductor markets.
Challenges in High-Value Specialty Products
Continued underperformance in the aerospace and semiconductor markets due to excess inventories, impacting high-value specialty products.
LIFO Expense Impact
The third quarter faced a $25 million LIFO expense, contrasting with a $50 million LIFO income in Q3 2024, resulting in a $1.03 per share unfavorable year-over-year impact.
Company Guidance
During the Reliance Inc. Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company provided several key metrics and guidance for the upcoming period. Reliance reported record tons sold, outperforming the industry by approximately 9 percentage points, and increasing its U.S. market share to 17.1%, up from 14.5% in 2023. The company achieved non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of $3.64, aligning with their expectations and guidance. Operating cash flow for the third quarter was approximately $262 million, with a capital expenditure budget for 2025 set at $325 million. The company returned $124 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, with year-to-date repurchases totaling over 1.4 million shares. Looking ahead, Reliance anticipates fourth-quarter tons sold to increase by 3.5% to 5.5% compared to Q4 2024, but decrease by 5% to 7% from Q3 2025 due to seasonal trends. They also expect flat pricing for the fourth quarter, maintaining a long-term gross profit margin range of 29% to 31%.

Reliance Steel Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Reliance Steel demonstrates a stable financial position with a strong balance sheet and adequate cash flow generation. However, challenges in maintaining profit margins and cash flow growth are evident. The income statement reflects a slight decline in profitability, while the balance sheet remains robust with low leverage.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Reliance Steel's income statement shows a stable gross profit margin of around 27% in the TTM, slightly down from previous years. The net profit margin has decreased to 5.23% in the TTM from 6.33% in 2024, indicating a slight decline in profitability. Revenue growth is modest at 1.69% in the TTM, recovering from a decline in 2024. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also decreased, reflecting tighter operational efficiency. Overall, the company maintains a solid revenue base but faces challenges in maintaining previous profit levels.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet of Reliance Steel is strong, with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23 in the TTM, indicating conservative leverage. The return on equity has decreased to 10.09% in the TTM from 12.12% in 2024, reflecting reduced profitability. The equity ratio remains healthy, suggesting a stable financial structure. The company has managed its debt well, maintaining a solid equity base, which provides financial stability.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Cash flow analysis reveals a decrease in free cash flow growth by 20.48% in the TTM, indicating challenges in generating cash. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is slightly above 1, showing adequate cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.64, suggesting some pressure on free cash flow. While cash flow generation is adequate, the decline in free cash flow growth is a concern.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue13.92B13.84B14.81B17.02B14.09B8.81B
Gross Profit3.83B3.84B4.30B5.01B4.26B2.59B
EBITDA1.28B1.45B2.03B2.73B2.26B847.80M
Net Income728.20M875.20M1.34B1.84B1.41B369.10M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets10.55B10.02B10.48B10.33B9.54B8.11B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments261.20M318.10M1.08B1.17B300.50M683.50M
Total Debt1.69B1.42B1.38B1.87B1.87B1.85B
Total Liabilities3.23B2.79B2.75B3.23B3.44B2.98B
Stockholders Equity7.31B7.22B7.72B7.09B6.09B5.12B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow662.00M999.20M1.20B1.78B562.80M1.00B
Operating Cash Flow1.03B1.43B1.67B2.12B799.40M1.17B
Investing Cash Flow-363.00M-803.70M-483.90M-348.50M-652.30M-188.40M
Financing Cash Flow-714.90M-1.38B-1.28B-892.60M-528.90M-483.00M

Reliance Steel Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price270.21
Price Trends
50DMA
280.07
Negative
100DMA
291.99
Negative
200DMA
290.84
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.67
Positive
RSI
36.29
Neutral
STOCH
14.45
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For RS, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 270.21 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 275.97, below the 50-day MA of 280.07, and below the 200-day MA of 290.84, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.67 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 36.29 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 14.45 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for RS.

Reliance Steel Risk Analysis

Reliance Steel disclosed 25 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Reliance Steel reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Reliance Steel Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$22.70B20.6212.47%1.29%-1.49%-31.82%
74
Outperform
$33.82B20.777.98%1.49%1.66%-31.25%
73
Outperform
$14.13B19.769.94%1.72%-0.88%-25.15%
73
Outperform
$7.13B12.424.80%7.48%-16.69%585.38%
71
Outperform
$30.80B11.384.72%1.18%-4.51%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
60
Neutral
$16.31B50.650.78%2.48%-8.97%-67.03%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
RS
Reliance Steel
266.31
-39.11
-12.81%
MT
ArcelorMittal
39.27
14.05
55.71%
NUE
Nucor
147.78
3.09
2.14%
PKX
POSCO
53.59
1.32
2.53%
STLD
Steel Dynamics
155.41
16.89
12.19%
TX
Ternium SA
36.09
4.74
15.12%

Reliance Steel Corporate Events

Reliance Steel & Aluminum’s Strategic Gains Amid Market Challenges
Oct 25, 2025

Reliance Steel & Aluminum’s recent earnings call painted a picture of resilience and strategic growth amidst challenging market conditions. The company demonstrated strong market share gains and effective cash flow management, even as it faced pricing pressures and excess inventories in certain segments. While the positive aspects of market share and operational performance were highlighted, the call also acknowledged the negative pressures on gross margins and specific market challenges.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Reports Strong Q3 2025 Results
Oct 24, 2025

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., a leading global metal solutions provider, operates as the largest metals service center company in North America, offering a diverse range of metal products and value-added processing services.

Executive/Board ChangesStock BuybackFinancial Disclosures
Reliance Steel Approves Executive Severance Policy
Neutral
Oct 22, 2025

On October 21, 2025, Reliance Steel‘s board approved an Executive Severance Policy for officers and key employees, providing severance benefits in case of termination without cause. The policy includes cash payments based on salary and bonuses, and COBRA premium coverage, with a repayment clause if misconduct is found within 24 months. Reliance Steel reported its third-quarter 2025 financial results with net sales of $3.65 billion, a gross profit margin of 28.3%, and an EPS of $3.59. Despite a slight decrease in net sales compared to the previous quarter, the company achieved a 6.2% year-over-year increase in tons sold and repurchased $60.9 million in common stock.

The most recent analyst rating on (RS) stock is a Buy with a $345.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Reliance Steel stock, see the RS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Reliance Steel Expands Board with New Appointment
Positive
Oct 2, 2025

On October 1, 2025, Reliance, Inc. expanded its Board of Directors from eight to nine members by appointing John G. Sznewajs as an independent director. Mr. Sznewajs, with a strong background in finance and corporate strategy, brings valuable expertise to the board, enhancing Reliance’s strategic capabilities. His appointment is expected to bolster the company’s leadership and support its continued growth and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (RS) stock is a Hold with a $330.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Reliance Steel stock, see the RS Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Reliance Steel Secures New Term Loan Agreement
Positive
Aug 15, 2025

On August 14, 2025, Reliance, Inc. entered into a Term Loan Agreement with several financial institutions, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, and U.S. Bank, with JPMorgan Chase as the documentation agent. This agreement signifies a strategic financial move for Reliance, potentially impacting its financial stability and operational capabilities.

The most recent analyst rating on (RS) stock is a Buy with a $325.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Reliance Steel stock, see the RS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 26, 2025