Fact based stock research
Reliance Steel & Aluminum (NYSE:RS)

US7595091023

How to read the free ranks

For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".

Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".

Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.

Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.

(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).

(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum stock research in summary

rsac.com

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 39 (worse than 61% compared with investment alternatives), Reliance Steel & Aluminum (Steel, USA) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Reliance Steel & Aluminum are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 38 (worse than 62% of alternatives) and show below-average growth (Growth Rank of 21) but are safely financed (Safety Rank of 84), which means low debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 39, is a hold recommendation based on Reliance Steel & Aluminum's financial characteristics. As the company Reliance Steel & Aluminum's critical financial metrics exhibit below-average performance, such as low value (Obermatt Value Rank of 38) and low growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 21), it is a somewhat questionable stock investment, where the risk of paying too much for the shares is significant, unless the company has an exceptionally bright future. In this case, good financing practices (Obermatt Safety Rank of 84) are a positive sign, because it may allow the company to weather challenging times until the hoped-for cash flows materialize. This may be true for high-tech or biotechnology companies with enough cash to sustain prolonged business development. If they own properties that only provide cash flows in the future, the stock may look excessively expensive and unattractive today. In such cases, the Obermatt Method has limited value, as it is based on facts we can observe today. If the facts lie all in the future, stock investing becomes guesswork, and this should only be a driver in a limited number of investments that account for a small fraction of a safe portfolio. Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more

Latest Obermatt Ranks


360° View^new
Sentiment Rank^new
Value Rank	38
Growth Rank	21
Safety Rank	84
Combined Rank	39

Country	USA
Industry	Steel
Index	S&P MIDCAP
Size class	XX-Large

19-Dec-2024. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.

Further information

Multiple opinions. One number.

Analysts rarely agree on a stock’s future. So, who do you believe? Obermatt translates those collective views into a single Sentiment Rank. That plus the financial ranks give you the ultimate 360° View. Sign up to access them.

Why popular stocks have low ratings

It’s easier said than done. When your stock drops, it’s easy to want to sell it and find a better performer. Think twice, or even three times, before trading. Those fees (especially the hidden ones) can eat up your gains.

Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.

Research History: Reliance Steel & Aluminum

RESEARCH HISTORY	2021	2022	2023	2024
VALUE
VALUE	57	57	47	38
GROWTH
GROWTH	63	55	27	21
SAFETY
SAFETY	54	72	69	84
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT	n/a	51	90	^new
360° VIEW
360° VIEW	n/a	67	65	^new

Most recent update of the stock research: 19-Dec-2024. Financial reporting date used for calculating ranks: 30-Sep-2024. Stock research history is based on the Obermatt Method. The higher the rank, the better Reliance Steel & Aluminum is in the corresponding investment strategy.
Upgrade to a Premium Account to access the latest ranks.

Combined financial peformance in Detail

RESEARCH HISTORY	2021	2022	2023	2024
VALUE
VALUE	57	57	47	38
GROWTH
GROWTH	63	55	27	21
SAFETY
SAFETY	54	72	69	84
COMBINED
COMBINED	71	72	32	39

Last update of combined financial performance: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on combined financial performance: The higher the rank of Reliance Steel & Aluminum the better the performance.

Value Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 38 (worse than 62% compared with alternatives), Reliance Steel & Aluminum shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, where half the indicators are below and half above average for Reliance Steel & Aluminum. Price-to-Sales (P/S) is 62, which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 62% of comparable companies, indicating a good value concerning Reliance Steel & Aluminum's revenue size. The same is valid for dividend yields with a Dividend Yield rank of 71, which means that dividends are expected to be higher than for 71% of comparable investments. On the other hand, the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) is less favorable than for 83% of alternatives (only 17% of peers have an even higher ratio). The same is valid for the Price-to-Profit (or Price / Earnings, P/E) ratio, which is higher than for 69% of comparable companies, making the stock more expensive compared with the company's expected profit levels. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 38, is a hold recommendation based on Reliance Steel & Aluminum's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. This is a somewhat surprising picture, because it means that profits are low while dividends are high. One interpretation could be that profits are expected to increase, justifying the high dividend payments. But it could also mean that the company desperately keeps the high dividends to avoid a collapsing share price. This would be a rather dangerous constellation. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision, which is especially important in this case, as the financial indicators are inconclusive. ...read more

VALUE METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)	51	68	53	62
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)	60	50	55	31
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)	52	51	29	17
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD	60	67	67	71
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE	57	57	47	38

Last update of Value Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on value ratios: The higher the rank, the lower the value ratio of Reliance Steel & Aluminum; except for dividend yield where the rank is higher, the higher the yield.

Growth Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 21 (better than 21% compared with alternatives), Reliance Steel & Aluminum shows one of the most restricted growth dynamics in its industry. There is little momentum in this company. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Reliance Steel & Aluminum. Only Capital Growth has a good rank of 50, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its invested capital more than 22% of its competitors. The other three indicators are pointing South: Sales Growth has a rank of 28 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow less than 72% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a rank of 22 and Stock Returns with a rank of 39 are also low (below 61% of alternative investments). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 21, is a sell recommendation for growth and momentum investors. The good news from the invested capital side is surprising. A company with disappointing revenues, profits, and disappointed shareholders typically doesn't invest above average. Overall, the growth momentum for Reliance Steel & Aluminum is thus negative. As it is intriguing to see that company executives are optimistic about their investment policy, it is worthwhile looking into the details of the capital investment projects. They may indicate future growth and profits and thus if accompanied by a good value, a sign of good timing to invest in the stock. While momentum is a popular investment factor, the value aspect might be the more important one, in the longer term. We recommend analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks to arrive at a 360° View of the stock purchase case, especially since the growth performance is limited here. ...read more

GROWTH METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH	54	14	14	28
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH	59	65	41	22
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH	n/a	46	39	50
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS	46	73	71	39
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH	63	55	27	21

Last update of Growth Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on growth metrics: The higher the rank, the higher the growth and returns of Reliance Steel & Aluminum.

Safety Metrics in Detail

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 84 (better than 84% compared with alternatives) for 2024, the company Reliance Steel & Aluminum has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Reliance Steel & Aluminum is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, where all three are above average for Reliance Steel & Aluminum. Leverage is at 75, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 75% of its competitors. Refinancing is at a rank of 52, meaning that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 52% of its competitors. Finally, Liquidity is also good at a rank of 82, which means that the company generates more profit to service its debt than 82% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 84 (better than 84% compared with alternatives), Reliance Steel & Aluminum has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. These three positive financing indicators signal that the company is less likely to default on its debt obligations. However, it also means that its shareholder returns will be more modest if things go well. A low safety means fewer troubles in downtimes and less upside in good times. Investors may not have a debt issue with Reliance Steel & Aluminum but they should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more

SAFETY METRICS	2021	2022	2023	2024
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE	42	48	66	75
REFINANCING
REFINANCING	66	61	49	52
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY	46	65	74	82
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY	54	72	69	84

Last update of Safety Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on safety metrics: The higher the rank, the lower the leverage of Reliance Steel & Aluminum and the more cash is available to service its debt.

Sentiment Metrics in Detail

SENTIMENT	2021	2022	2023	2024
ANALYST OPINIONS
ANALYST OPINIONS	n/a	35	54	^new
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE	n/a	30	72	^new
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS	n/a	42	73	^new
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE	n/a	94	100	^new
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT	n/a	51	90	^new

Last update of Sentiment Rank: 19-Dec-2024. Stock analysis on sentiment metrics: The higher the rank, the more positive the sentiment for Reliance Steel & Aluminum.
Upgrade to a Premium Account to access the latest ranks.