-- Net sales of $2.45 billion increased 12.1% year-over-year
-- Gross profit margin of 28.0% from continued strong execution
-- GAAP EPS of $1.32 increased 94.1% year-over-year; Non-GAAP EPS of $1.30 increased 4.0% year-over-year
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26, 2017 -- Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS) today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.
Third Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights
- Sales were $2.45 billion, up 12.1% from $2.19 billion in the third quarter of 2016 and down 1.0% from $2.48 billion in the second quarter of 2017.
- Tons sold were up 5.3% from the third quarter of 2016 and down 1.2% from the second quarter of 2017, with the average selling price per ton sold up 6.8% from the third quarter of 2016 and up 0.2% from the second quarter of 2017.
- Gross profit margin was 28.0%, compared to 30.0% in the third quarter of 2016 and 28.4% in the second quarter of 2017. FIFO gross profit margin was 28.2%, compared to 29.4% in the third quarter of 2016 and 28.8% in the second quarter of 2017.
- Net income attributable to Reliance was $97.3 million, up 96.6% from $49.5 million in the third quarter of 2016 and down 5.5% from $103.0 million in the second quarter of 2017. Net income attributable to Reliance included pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges of $2.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2017 and $67.3 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2016.
- Earnings per diluted share were $1.32, up 94.1% from $0.68 in the third quarter of 2016 and down 5.7% from $1.40 in the second quarter of 2017.
- Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $1.30, up 4.0% from $1.25 in the third quarter of 2016 and down 7.1% from $1.40 in the second quarter of 2017.
- Reliance recorded a pre-tax net LIFO inventory valuation charge, or expense, of $6.3 million in the third quarter of 2017 and $10.0 million in the second quarter of 2017, included in cost of sales. Reliance recorded a pre-tax LIFO inventory valuation credit adjustment, or income, of $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2016.
- The effective tax rate was 30.4%, compared to 28.2% in the third quarter of 2016 and 31.2% in the second quarter of 2017.
- Cash flow from operations was $183.1 million in the third quarter of 2017 and net debt-to-total capital was 29.0% at September 30, 2017.
- A quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share was declared on October 24, 2017 for stockholders of record as of November 17, 2017 and will be payable on December 8, 2017.
Management Commentary
“Continued strong execution by our managers in the field drove a third quarter gross profit margin of 28.0%, solidly within our target range of 27% to 29%,” said Gregg Mollins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Reliance. “Demand in the quarter was stronger than we had anticipated, with our tons sold down only 1.2% from the second quarter of 2017 despite one less shipping day in the third quarter. Although many of our businesses experienced the normal seasonal trend of lower shipping volumes compared to the second quarter, certain of our businesses servicing the energy and non-residential construction markets experienced an increase in tons sold. While uncertainty in the marketplace from the pending Section 232 investigation continues, the level of imports has been declining from the elevated levels reached in the second quarter. This, combined with solid demand levels in the third quarter, supported stable to higher average prices with the exception of stainless steel products. This resulted in our average selling price remaining relatively flat compared to the second quarter of 2017.”
Mr. Mollins continued, “Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma impacted certain of our operations in the coastal regions of Texas, Louisiana and Florida in the third quarter. Despite temporary closures of some of our locations in the impacted areas, we are very fortunate to report that none of our employees were injured and we incurred no material damage to our facilities, inventory or equipment. The safety of all Reliance employees remains our top priority and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all who suffered personal losses as they recover and rebuild.”
Mr. Mollins concluded, “We are pleased with our ability to continue operating at improved profitability levels due primarily to the efforts of our managers in the field. Through our industry-leading value-added processing capabilities and relatively stable overall metals pricing, we were able to maintain a strong gross profit margin in the third quarter. For the first nine months of 2017, we increased our pre-tax income by $131.8 million, or 39.8%, and $63.8 million, or 16.1%, on a Non-GAAP basis, compared to the first nine months of 2016. We will continue to focus on maximizing our gross profit margin while managing our inventory accordingly. Despite continuing uncertainty in the marketplace, both pricing and demand levels are better than they were a year ago and we remain optimistic about the potential for increased infrastructure and equipment spending which should help support earnings growth.”
| Third Quarter 2017 Business Metrics | ||||||||||||
| (tons in thousands; percentage change) | ||||||||||||
| Q3 2017 | Q2 2017 | Sequential Quarter Change | Q3 2016 | Year-Over- Year Change | ||||||||
| Tons sold | 1,521.7 | 1,540.3 | (1.2%) | 1,445.5 | 5.3% | |||||||
| Tons sold (same-store) | 1,500.1 | 1,517.8 | (1.2%) | 1,426.3 | 5.2% | |||||||
| Average selling price per ton sold | $1,603 | $1,600 | 0.2% | $1,501 | 6.8% | |||||||
| Average selling price per ton sold (same-store) | $1,595 | $1,592 | 0.2% | $1,494 | 6.8% | |||||||
| Third Quarter 2017 Major Commodity Metrics | |||||||
| Tons Sold (tons in thousands; percentage change) | Average Selling Price per Ton Sold (percentage change) | ||||||
| Q3 2017 Tons Sold | Q2 2017 Tons Sold | Sequential Quarter Change | Q3 2016 Tons Sold | Year-Over- Year Change | Sequential Quarter Change | Year-Over- Year Change | |
| Carbon steel | 1,220.3 | 1,236.8 | (1.3%) | 1,167.4 | 4.5% | 0.4% | 6.6% |
| Aluminum | 89.8 | 93.2 | (3.6%) | 86.3 | 4.1% | 1.1% | 4.0% |
| Stainless steel | 79.1 | 78.6 | 0.6% | 78.0 | 1.4% | (1.9%) | 8.9% |
| Alloy | 54.8 | 53.7 | 2.0% | 44.6 | 22.9% | 0.4% | 6.5% |
| Sales ( | |||||||||||