Zacks Research Predicts Weaker Earnings for Reliance

Reliance, Inc. (NYSE:RS) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research dropped their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Reliance in a research note issued to investors on Monday, March 2nd. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the industrial products company will post earnings of $16.97 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $18.43. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Reliance’s current full-year earnings is $16.98 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Reliance’s Q4 2026 earnings at $3.59 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $4.68 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $5.06 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $17.88 EPS.

Reliance (NYSE:RS) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 18th. The industrial products company reported $2.40 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.80 by ($0.40). Reliance had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 10.45%. The business had revenue of $3.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.45 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.22 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 11.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Reliance has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 4.500-4.70 EPS.

Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on the company. KeyCorp reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Reliance in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wall Street Zen lowered Reliance from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Sunday. BMO Capital Markets cut Reliance from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $340.00 to $320.00 in a research report on Friday, February 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered shares of Reliance from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $340.00 to $330.00 in a report on Friday, February 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of Reliance from $315.00 to $323.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Reliance currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $324.33.

Reliance Trading Down 2.7%

Shares of Reliance stock opened at $314.00 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 4.88 and a quick ratio of 2.30. Reliance has a 1 year low of $250.07 and a 1 year high of $365.59. The company has a market capitalization of $16.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.48, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.91. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $321.16 and a 200 day moving average price of $296.65.

Reliance Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be issued a $1.25 dividend. This is a positive change from Reliance’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.20. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Reliance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.36%.

Insider Activity at Reliance

In other news, COO Stephen Paul Koch sold 24,060 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $321.62, for a total transaction of $7,738,177.20. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 14,021 shares in the company, valued at $4,509,434.02. This represents a 63.18% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.35% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Reliance

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Reliance in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its position in shares of Reliance by 86.2% in the 4th quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 108 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. Greenline Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Reliance in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in Reliance during the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Guerra Advisors Inc acquired a new stake in Reliance during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.26% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Reliance

Here are the key news stories impacting Reliance this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Wells Fargo raised its price target from $315 to $323 and kept an “equal weight” rating — a modest vote of confidence that implies upside vs. the current market level. Wells Fargo price target raise
• Neutral Sentiment: AmericanBankingNews published a positive-leaning forecast mentioning Wells Fargo’s outlook, which may provide some near-term support but doesn’t change fundamentals. Wells Fargo forecast article
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research cut several near-term EPS estimates — notably Q1 2026 (to $4.61 from $4.74) and Q2 2026 (to $4.66 from $4.97) and trimmed some 2027 quarter forecasts — while keeping a “Hold” rating. These downgrades increase short-term earnings uncertainty and likely pressured the stock. Zacks Research note
• Negative Sentiment: Reliance’s most recent quarter showed an EPS miss (reported $2.40 vs. $2.80 expected) despite revenue growth; management set Q1 guidance of $4.50–4.70, but lingering misses amplify sensitivity to analyst revisions and could weigh on the stock. Quarterly results summary

About Reliance

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co (NYSE: RS) is a leading metals service center company that distributes and processes a broad array of metal products. The company offers cut-to-length, shearing, blanking, sawing, bending, machining and value-added services for carbon and alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, titanium and specialty metal alloys. Its products serve diverse end markets, including energy, infrastructure, general manufacturing, transportation, aerospace and defense.

Founded in 1939 in Los Angeles, Reliance Steel & Aluminum has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions.