ARROW ELECTRONICS, INC. vs RELIANCE, INC., two Distribution stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
Arrow Electronics and Reliance both distribute, one electronic components and one metals, but Reliance earns the sturdier economics: a 5.42% net margin and 11.28% return on equity against Arrow's 2.17% and 10.66%. Reliance trades dearer, 25.1 times earnings against Arrow's 15.4, and at 2.81 times book against 1.63, the market pricing its metals service centers as the steadier business. Arrow is the cheaper, lower-margin name, more levered to the electronics cycle. Both carry light-to-moderate debt. The pair prices two commodity distributors on their cyclicality: Reliance's metals distribution earns more per sale and commands a premium, Arrow's electronics distribution runs thinner and trades near book, and the multiple gap reflects which cycle the market trusts more.
Comparison updated 2026-07-11.
| Metric | ARW | RS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $215.03 | $385.59 |
| Market cap | $11.1B | $20.0B |
| Sector | Distribution | Distribution |
| Stage | Growth | Mature |
| Implied growth (priced in) | +4.8% | +10.5% |
| P/E | 15.4 | 25.1 |
| P/B | 1.63 | 2.81 |
| P/S | 0.33 | 1.35 |
| EV/EBITDA | 11.4 | 15.5 |
| Revenue growth | +20.5% | +8.7% |
| Gross margin | 11.5% | — |
| Operating margin | 3.8% | 9.1% |
| Net margin | 2.2% | 5.4% |
| Return on equity | 10.7% | 11.3% |
| Return on assets | 2.0% | 7.4% |
| Return on invested capital | 8.5% | 9.5% |
| FCF yield | 2.7% | 3.0% |
| Dividend yield | — | 1.2% |
| Debt / equity | 0.36 | 0.24 |
| Current ratio | 1.24 | 4.39 |
| Altman Z (solvency) | 7.44 | 6.08 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 6 / 9 | 5 / 9 |
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The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.