In this paper, the cold lateral extrusion process of branch form is considered. A numerical simulation method such as the rigid-plastic finite element method (FEM) in two different schemes of lateral extrusion process, viz, single-ended and doubleended has been used. The die geometry parameters, billet dimensions and power mode parameters were used for investigating the material flow, stress-strain state and variation of punch load. Based on FE simulation using three-dimensional DEFORM software, forming characteristics such as deformation patterns (gridlines distortion), distributions of effective strain and stress, the variation of punch load with punch stroke and comparisons of load-stroke curve in single-ended and double-ended lateral extrusion processes by using various relationships have been investigated.