Free cash flow
Reliance Free cash flow decreased by 57.0% to $87.20M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 489.3%, from -$22.40M to $87.20M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a -2.8% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $21.50M | $87.10M | $336.10M | $337.30M | $182.70M | $540.20M | $716.60M | $281.70M | $164.90M | $340.50M | $415.40M | $17.60M | $268.10M | $351.10M | $362.40M | -$22.40M | $141.40M | $180.60M | $202.90M | $87.20M |
| QoQ Change | — | +305.1% | +285.9% | +0.4% | -45.8% | +195.7% | +32.7% | -60.7% | -41.5% | +106.5% | +22.0% | -95.8% | >999% | +31.0% | +3.2% | -106.2% | +731.3% | +27.7% | +12.3% | -57.0% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +749.8% | +520.2% | +113.2% | -16.5% | -9.7% | -37.0% | -42.0% | -93.8% | +62.6% | +3.1% | -12.8% | -227.3% | -47.3% | -48.6% | -44.0% | +489.3% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Reliance's free cash flow?
- Reliance (RS) reported free cash flow of $87.20M in Q1 2026.
- How has Reliance's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Reliance's free cash flow increased by 489.3% year-over-year, from -$22.40M to $87.20M.
- What is the long-term trend for Reliance's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Reliance's free cash flow has grown at a -2.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $562.80M to $502.50M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.