DOW vs. RS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on November 20, 2025

Here’s a clear look at DOW and RS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	DOW	RS
Company Name	Dow Inc.	Reliance, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Materials	Materials
GICS Industry	Chemicals	Metals & Mining
Market Capitalization	15.82 billion USD	14.35 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	March 20, 2019	September 16, 1994
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of DOW 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.

DOW vs. RS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	DOW	RS
5-Day Price Return	3.76%	-0.64%
13-Week Price Return	-1.84%	-5.54%
26-Week Price Return	-25.48%	-9.68%
52-Week Price Return	-49.03%	-13.65%
Month-to-Date Return	-3.86%	-4.33%
Year-to-Date Return	-42.86%	0.35%
10-Day Avg. Volume	13.09M	0.30M
3-Month Avg. Volume	14.51M	0.36M
3-Month Volatility	44.06%	18.40%
Beta	0.79	0.95

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

DOW

-6.58%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 29.52%
Q3: 13.18%
Median: 6.58%
Q1: 1.08%
Min: -12.53%

DOW has a negative Return on Equity of -6.58%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

RS

10.09%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 41.65%
Q3: 18.32%
Median: 9.95%
Q1: 1.68%
Min: -21.32%

RS’s Return on Equity of 10.09% is on par with the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

DOW

-2.77%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 21.17%
Q3: 9.38%
Median: 4.26%
Q1: 0.56%
Min: -8.93%

DOW has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.77%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

RS

5.23%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 46.52%
Q3: 20.04%
Median: 7.57%
Q1: 1.57%
Min: -25.46%

RS’s Net Profit Margin of 5.23% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

DOW

-0.86%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 27.38%
Q3: 14.36%
Median: 7.98%
Q1: 3.60%
Min: -9.26%

DOW has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.86%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

RS

7.10%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 72.27%
Q3: 33.90%
Median: 14.82%
Q1: 2.88%
Min: -23.81%

RS’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.10% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	DOW	RS
Return on Equity (TTM)	-6.58%	10.09%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-1.93%	7.03%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-2.77%	5.23%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-0.86%	7.10%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	7.27%	29.06%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

DOW

1.94

Chemicals Industry

Max: 3.31
Q3: 2.27
Median: 1.75
Q1: 1.40
Min: 0.73

DOW’s Current Ratio of 1.94 aligns with the median group of the Chemicals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

RS

4.43

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 4.96
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.95
Q1: 1.40
Min: 0.41

RS’s Current Ratio of 4.43 is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

DOW

1.04

Chemicals Industry

Max: 1.84
Q3: 1.00
Median: 0.65
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.00

DOW’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Chemicals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.04. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

RS

0.19

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 1.10
Q3: 0.49
Median: 0.31
Q1: 0.09
Min: 0.00

RS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19 is typical for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

DOW

3.42

Chemicals Industry

Max: 56.43
Q3: 27.42
Median: 9.48
Q1: 3.36
Min: -9.39

DOW’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.42 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Chemicals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

RS

65.40

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 51.62
Q3: 21.58
Median: 5.63
Q1: 0.75
Min: -24.82

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 65.40, RS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	DOW	RS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.94	4.43
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.28	1.97
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	0.19
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	3.42	65.40

Growth

Revenue Growth

DOW vs. RS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

DOW vs. RS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

DOW

11.14%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 6.88%
Q3: 3.88%
Median: 2.60%
Q1: 1.39%
Min: 0.00%

DOW’s Dividend Yield of 11.14% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Chemicals industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

RS

1.79%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 7.02%
Q3: 2.91%
Median: 1.13%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

RS’s Dividend Yield of 1.79% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

DOW

401.61%

Chemicals Industry

Max: 192.00%
Q3: 109.29%
Median: 62.55%
Q1: 30.93%
Min: 0.00%

At 401.61%, DOW’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Chemicals industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

RS

34.66%

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 151.02%
Q3: 64.89%
Median: 32.13%
Q1: 7.15%
Min: 0.00%

RS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.66% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	DOW	RS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	11.14%	1.79%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	401.61%	34.66%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

DOW

Chemicals Industry

Max: 48.58
Q3: 28.65
Median: 19.88
Q1: 14.03
Min: 6.73

P/E Ratio data for DOW is currently unavailable.

RS

19.40

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 77.73
Q3: 39.76
Median: 20.87
Q1: 13.12
Min: 2.01

RS’s P/E Ratio of 19.40 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

DOW

0.38

Chemicals Industry

Max: 4.61
Q3: 2.21
Median: 0.95
Q1: 0.58
Min: 0.17

In the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry, DOW’s P/S Ratio of 0.38 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

RS

1.01

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 9.17
Q3: 4.39
Median: 2.43
Q1: 0.91
Min: 0.15

RS’s P/S Ratio of 1.01 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

DOW

0.93

Chemicals Industry

Max: 4.60
Q3: 2.61
Median: 1.50
Q1: 0.96
Min: 0.33

DOW’s P/B Ratio of 0.93 is in the lower quartile for the Chemicals industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

RS

2.02

Metals & Mining Industry

Max: 5.38
Q3: 3.01
Median: 1.72
Q1: 1.15
Min: 0.34

RS’s P/B Ratio of 2.02 is within the conventional range for the Metals & Mining 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.

DOW vs. RS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Chemicals and Metals & Mining industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	DOW	RS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	19.40
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	0.38	1.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	0.93	2.02
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	25.48	20.64