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RS vs STLD
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Reliance, Inc. (RS) vs. Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Reliance, Inc. (RS) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) operate in the steel and metals sector, with RS focused on distribution and processing while STLD emphasizes production, recycling, and fabrication.
- Both stocks have delivered strong year-to-date returns as of July 17, 2026, with RS up approximately 38% and STLD up about 40%, outperforming the broader market.
- STLD shows significantly stronger one-year performance at roughly 82% compared to RS at about 22%, reflecting differences in business exposure and market positioning.
- Upcoming second-quarter earnings reports—STLD on July 20 and RS on July 22—represent near-term catalysts amid projected earnings growth for STLD.
- Valuation metrics are comparable, with trailing price-to-earnings ratios near 25-26x for both, though STLD offers a larger market capitalization and higher earnings growth trajectory recently.
- Sector sentiment remains influenced by industrial demand, with both companies benefiting from broader economic activity in construction, manufacturing, and related end markets.
Introduction
Reliance, Inc. (RS) and Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) represent two distinct approaches within the U.S. steel and metals industry, making them relevant for investors and traders seeking exposure to industrial materials. RS functions primarily as a diversified metals service center and distributor, while STLD operates as an integrated steel producer with recycling and fabrication capabilities. This comparison appeals to those evaluating relative performance, business model resilience, and positioning amid fluctuating commodity prices and economic cycles. Market participants focused on sector rotation, earnings momentum, or AI-driven trading signals may find the analysis useful for assessing trade-offs in the current environment.
RS Overview and Recent Performance
Reliance, Inc. (RS) operates as a leading metals service center company, distributing and processing a wide range of alloy, aluminum, stainless steel, and other specialty products primarily across the United States and Canada. The business serves diverse end markets including construction, transportation, aerospace, and industrial machinery through direct sales to original equipment manufacturers and fabricators. In recent market activity, the stock has shown resilience with year-to-date gains of approximately 38% as of July 17, 2026, supported by steady demand for processed metals. Upcoming second-quarter results scheduled for July 22 provide a focal point for sentiment, following first-quarter revenue of $4.03 billion. Broader factors such as industrial production trends and acquisition activity have influenced performance, contributing to a market capitalization of about $20.2 billion.
STLD Overview and Recent Performance
Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) is an integrated steel producer and recycler operating through segments including steel operations, metals recycling, steel fabrication, and aluminum products. Its offerings serve construction, automotive, energy, and manufacturing sectors with hot-rolled, cold-rolled, and specialty steel items. Recent market activity has highlighted stronger momentum, with the stock advancing roughly 40% year-to-date and over 80% over the trailing twelve months as of July 17, 2026. Second-quarter earnings are slated for July 20, with analyst projections pointing to substantial year-over-year EPS growth. Operational expansions, including new mill capacity, and favorable scrap metal dynamics have supported positioning, alongside a market capitalization near $34 billion.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Reliance, Inc. (RS) emphasizes distribution and value-added processing, offering lower capital intensity and broader product diversification compared to Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD)’s focus on primary steel production and vertical integration. Growth drivers differ accordingly: RS benefits from service center margins and acquisition-led expansion, while STLD gains from mill utilization rates, scrap recycling efficiencies, and fabrication demand. Recent momentum favors STLD on a one-year basis amid stronger earnings expansion, though both have posted solid year-to-date advances amid supportive industrial activity. Risk factors include commodity price volatility and cyclical end-market exposure for each, with STLD carrying higher beta and thus greater sensitivity to market swings. Sector sentiment remains constructive for steel-related equities, though trade-offs center on STLD’s scale and growth profile versus RS’s stability and distribution network reach.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including stronger trailing twelve-month returns, projected earnings growth, and positioning within the steel production segment, Tickeron’s AI would currently indicate a probabilistic preference toward Steel Dynamics, Inc. (STLD) over Reliance, Inc. (RS). Trend consistency and upcoming earnings catalysts appear more pronounced for STLD, though relative performance can shift with broader economic data and sector dynamics.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Disclaimers and LimitationsTo compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is RS is a StrongBuy and STLD is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
RS’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileSTLD’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- RS’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- STLD’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
RS’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while STLD’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- RS’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- STLD’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
RS (@Steel) experienced а +3.01% price change this week, while STLD (@Steel) price change was +4.93% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Steel industry was +2.62%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +6.42%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.42%.
Reported Earning Dates
RS is expected to report earnings on Oct 21, 2026.
STLD is expected to report earnings on Oct 21, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Steel (+2.62% weekly)The steel industry includes manufacturers of steel and steel-related products. Companies use iron ore and scrap steel to produce steel. The industry also includes companies involved in mining and marketing of steel products. Along with serving some of the domestic markets, U.S. steel output has, over the years, been used by international economies as well. Competition from imported steel has also increased over time. The industry could be susceptible to business cycles, since the element is an important input in industrial production. Some of the globally-renowned steel behemoths include Nucor Corporation, Vale, and ArcelorMittal SA.
| RS | STLD | RS / STLD | |
| Capitalization | 20.8B | 35.6B | 58% |
| EBITDA | 1.5B | 2.39B | 63% |
| Gain YTD | 42.238 | 46.598 | 91% |
| P/E Ratio | 23.70 | 22.42 | 106% |
| Revenue | 14.8B | 19B | 78% |
| Total Cash | 250M | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 2.03B | 4.2B | 48% |
RS | STLD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 24 | 15 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 20 Undervalued | 26 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 7 | 10 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 67 | 57 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 45 | 40 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 39 | 31 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
RS's Valuation (20) in the Steel industry is in the same range as STLD (26). This means that RS’s stock grew similarly to STLD’s over the last 12 months.
RS's Profit vs Risk Rating (7) in the Steel industry is in the same range as STLD (10). This means that RS’s stock grew similarly to STLD’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's SMR Rating (57) in the Steel industry is in the same range as RS (67). This means that STLD’s stock grew similarly to RS’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's Price Growth Rating (40) in the Steel industry is in the same range as RS (45). This means that STLD’s stock grew similarly to RS’s over the last 12 months.
STLD's P/E Growth Rating (31) in the Steel industry is in the same range as RS (39). This means that STLD’s stock grew similarly to RS’s over the last 12 months.
| RS | STLD | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 77% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 83% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 78% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 77% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 78% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 55% | 17 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 78% |
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STLD and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, STLD has been closely correlated with NUE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 83% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if STLD jumps, then NUE could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To STLD | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STLD | 100% | +2.72% | ||
| NUE - STLD | 83% Closely correlated | +2.66% | ||
| CMC - STLD | 74% Closely correlated | +1.34% | ||
| RS - STLD | 67% Closely correlated | +3.15% | ||
| CLF - STLD | 52% Loosely correlated | +8.85% | ||
| IIIN - STLD | 51% Loosely correlated | +1.08% | ||
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