AU vs. RS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AU and RS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AU’s market capitalization stands at 23.52 billion USD, while RS’s is 17.19 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
RS carries a higher beta at 0.88, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AU (beta: 0.49) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | AU | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AngloGold Ashanti Plc | Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. |
| Country | GB | US |
| Sector | Basic Materials | Basic Materials |
| Industry | Gold | Steel |
| CEO | Alberto Calderon Zuleta BA Econ, Econ, Law, M Phil Econ, | Karla R. Lewis CPA |
| Price | 46.71 USD | 326.96 USD |
| Market Cap | 23.52 billion USD | 17.19 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.49 | 0.88 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | August 5, 1998 | September 16, 1994 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AU and RS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AU
25.86%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 25.86%
- Q3
- 12.48%
- Median
- 8.15%
- Q1
- 2.34%
- Min
- -3.82%
In the upper quartile for the Gold industry, AU’s Return on Equity of 25.86% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
RS
10.54%
Steel Industry
- Max
- 19.41%
- Q3
- 6.56%
- Median
- 1.54%
- Q1
- -3.03%
- Min
- -12.88%
In the upper quartile for the Steel industry, RS’s Return on Equity of 10.54% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
AU
12.23%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 20.84%
- Q3
- 9.90%
- Median
- 5.11%
- Q1
- 1.36%
- Min
- -10.62%
In the upper quartile for the Gold industry, AU’s Return on Invested Capital of 12.23% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
RS
8.44%
Steel Industry
- Max
- 8.44%
- Q3
- 6.04%
- Median
- 2.41%
- Q1
- -2.16%
- Min
- -5.38%
In the upper quartile for the Steel industry, RS’s Return on Invested Capital of 8.44% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
AU
17.91%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 26.48%
- Q3
- 21.01%
- Median
- 16.48%
- Q1
- 8.22%
- Min
- -6.63%
AU’s Net Profit Margin of 17.91% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Gold industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
RS
5.65%
Steel Industry
- Max
- 6.80%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.88%
- Q1
- -2.05%
- Min
- -10.37%
A Net Profit Margin of 5.65% places RS in the upper quartile for the Steel industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
AU
29.67%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 67.43%
- Q3
- 40.39%
- Median
- 30.64%
- Q1
- 19.83%
- Min
- -9.84%
AU’s Operating Profit Margin of 29.67% is around the midpoint for the Gold industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
RS
7.61%
Steel Industry
- Max
- 17.40%
- Q3
- 7.61%
- Median
- 4.75%
- Q1
- -0.70%
- Min
- -10.86%
RS’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.61% is around the midpoint for the Steel industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 25.86% | 10.54% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.37% | 7.45% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 12.23% | 8.44% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.91% | 5.65% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.67% | 7.61% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.78% | 28.35% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AU
2.34
Gold Industry
- Max
- 4.98
- Q3
- 3.76
- Median
- 2.34
- Q1
- 1.51
- Min
- 0.52
AU’s Current Ratio of 2.34 aligns with the median group of the Gold industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
RS
3.17
Steel Industry
- Max
- 3.17
- Q3
- 3.03
- Median
- 2.58
- Q1
- 1.87
- Min
- 1.35
RS’s Current Ratio of 3.17 is in the upper quartile for the Steel industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AU
0.33
Gold Industry
- Max
- 0.67
- Q3
- 0.34
- Median
- 0.17
- Q1
- 0.06
- Min
- 0.00
AU’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.33 is typical for the Gold industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
RS
0.25
Steel Industry
- Max
- 0.48
- Q3
- 0.45
- Median
- 0.27
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
RS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.25 is typical for the Steel industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AU
14.20
Gold Industry
- Max
- 45.23
- Q3
- 25.79
- Median
- 13.44
- Q1
- 2.91
- Min
- -6.26
AU’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 14.20 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Gold industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
RS
7.15
Steel Industry
- Max
- 28.82
- Q3
- 10.16
- Median
- 3.04
- Q1
- -2.82
- Min
- -8.78
RS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.15 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Steel industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.34 | 3.17 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.57 | 1.58 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.33 | 0.25 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.17 | 0.17 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 0.25 | 1.13 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 14.20 | 7.15 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AU and RS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AU
0.27%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 3.65%
- Q3
- 1.37%
- Median
- 0.47%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AU’s Dividend Yield of 0.27% is consistent with its peers in the Gold industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
RS
1.41%
Steel Industry
- Max
- 16.89%
- Q3
- 3.75%
- Median
- 1.68%
- Q1
- 1.43%
- Min
- 0.00%
RS’s Dividend Yield of 1.41% is in the lower quartile for the Steel industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AU
45.43%
Gold Industry
- Max
- 110.70%
- Q3
- 42.09%
- Median
- 15.45%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AU’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 45.43% is in the upper quartile for the Gold industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
RS
32.33%
Steel Industry
- Max
- 222.70%
- Q3
- 39.78%
- Median
- 32.33%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.33% is within the typical range for the Steel industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.27% | 1.41% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 45.43% | 32.33% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AU
16.93
Gold Industry
- Max
- 64.00
- Q3
- 46.06
- Median
- 29.03
- Q1
- 16.74
- Min
- 1.00
AU’s P/E Ratio of 16.93 is within the middle range for the Gold industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
RS
22.48
Steel Industry
- Max
- 24.65
- Q3
- 23.86
- Median
- 21.78
- Q1
- 15.59
- Min
- 7.61
RS’s P/E Ratio of 22.48 is within the middle range for the Steel industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AU
-0.86
Gold Industry
- Max
- 14.01
- Q3
- 6.52
- Median
- 3.33
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.05
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Gold industry.
RS
2.89
Steel Industry
- Max
- 3.14
- Q3
- 2.43
- Median
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.40
- Min
- 0.10
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Steel industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AU
3.03
Gold Industry
- Max
- 15.12
- Q3
- 7.63
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
AU’s P/S Ratio of 3.03 aligns with the market consensus for the Gold industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
RS
1.26
Steel Industry
- Max
- 1.22
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.19
With a P/S Ratio of 1.26, RS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Steel industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AU
3.47
Gold Industry
- Max
- 6.10
- Q3
- 3.60
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.35
- Min
- 0.26
AU’s P/B Ratio of 3.47 is within the conventional range for the Gold industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
RS
2.44
Steel Industry
- Max
- 2.37
- Q3
- 1.48
- Median
- 0.77
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.38
At 2.44, RS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Steel industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AU | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 16.93 | 22.48 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | -0.86 | 2.89 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 3.03 | 1.26 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.47 | 2.44 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 18.13 | 17.93 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 7.94 | 14.22 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 3.13 | 1.37 |