Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. Reports Fourth Quart

- Fourth quarter EPS of $0.84 - Record annual gross profit margin of 30.1% for 2016  - Generated full year cash flow from operations of $626.5 million - Increased quarterly dividend by 6% to $0.45 per share

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE: RS ) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2016.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights

• Sales were $2.06 billion, up 1.7% from $2.03 billion in the fourth quarter of 2015 and down 5.7% from $2.19 billion in the third quarter of 2016.
• Tons sold were down 1.1% from the fourth quarter of 2015 and down 5.6% from the third quarter of 2016, with the average selling price per ton sold up 2.7% from the fourth quarter of 2015 and down 0.1% from the third quarter of 2016.
• Gross profit margin was 29.8%, compared to 28.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 30.0% in the third quarter of 2016.  FIFO gross profit margin was 29.0%, compared to 26.7% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 29.4% in the third quarter of 2016.
• Net income attributable to Reliance was $61.7 million, compared to $68.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $49.5 million in the third quarter of 2016.
• Earnings per diluted share were $0.84, compared to $0.94 in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $0.68 in the third quarter of 2016.
• Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.84, compared to $0.87 in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $1.25 in the third quarter of 2016.
• Reliance recorded a pre-tax LIFO inventory valuation credit adjustment, or income, of $16.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to $42.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2016, included in cost of sales.
• The effective tax rate was 35.8%, compared to 27.1% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 28.2% in the third quarter of 2016.
• Cash flow from operations was $238.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 and net debt-to-total capital was 30.3% at December 31, 2016.
• A quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share, an increase of 5.9%, was declared on February 14, 2017 for stockholders of record as of March 10, 2017 and will be payable on March 24, 2017.

Full Year 2016 Financial Highlights 

• Sales were $8.61 billion, down 7.9% from $9.35 billion in 2015.
• Tons sold were down 1.5% from 2015 and the average selling price per ton sold was down 6.8%.
• Gross profit margin was 30.1%, up 290 basis points from 27.2% in 2015. FIFO gross profit margin was 29.8%, up 380 basis points from 26.0% in 2015.
• Net income attributable to Reliance was $304.3 million, down 2.3% from $311.5 million in 2015.
• Earnings per diluted share were $4.16, consistent with $4.16 in 2015.
• Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $4.48, compared to $4.55 in 2015.
• A pre-tax LIFO inventory valuation credit adjustment, or income, of $27.4 million is included in cost of sales compared to a pre-tax LIFO inventory valuation credit adjustment, or income, of $117.0 million in 2015.
• The effective tax rate was 28.0% for 2016, compared to 31.1% for 2015.
• Cash flow from operations was $626.5 million, compared to $1.0 billion in 2015.

Management Commentary “Operationally, 2016 was a terrific year for Reliance as our focus on maximizing our gross profit margin resulted in our first ever annual gross profit margin above 30%,” said Gregg Mollins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Reliance.  “Although somewhat improved from 2015, the macro environment for our industry continued to be challenging with overall lower demand levels and pricing volatility resulting in a sales decline of $737 million in 2016 compared to 2015, due mostly to lower metal pricing.  However, the expansion of our FIFO gross profit margin to 29.8% for the 2016 year, a 380 basis point improvement over 26.0% in 2015, added $328 million more gross profit dollars, generally offsetting the reduction to our pre-tax income from our lower sales levels.  We believe our ability to increase our gross profit margin was made possible by the significant investments we have made in our value-added processing equipment to provide our customers with superior service and quality.  Our effective pricing strategy and discipline implemented by our managers in the field along with our continued focus on inventory management further contributed to this success.”

Mr. Mollins continued, “The positive metals pricing environment experienced in the second quarter of 2016 lost momentum as we progressed into the second half of the year. However, the environment recovered as multiple price increases were announced by the mills in late 2016 and have continued into 2017.  The trade cases filed by U.S. producers on various products throughout the year, along with production capacity discipline and price increases in raw materials, also continue to be supportive of domestic pricing. These factors have led to positive pricing momentum in early 2017.  Customer sentiment is also more positive than we have seen in some time, which we believe will materialize into higher metals demand in 2017.”

Mr. Mollins concluded, “2016 was a solid year for Reliance. We could not be more pleased with the strong operational execution throughout our Company that allowed us to thrive, even in challenging times.  We continued to profitably grow the Company, both organically and by completing three acquisitions, and ended the year with a strong balance sheet that provides us the ability to continue to execute our growth strategies and stockholder return activities, including an increase of our quarterly dividend.  We look forward to 2017, which we believe will feature a renewed enthusiasm for infrastructure and equipment spending, as well as improvement in the energy market, and we believe that Reliance is very well positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.”

End Market Commentary  Consistent with normal seasonal patterns, Reliance’s shipments declined in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared to the third quarter of 2016.  However, Reliance continues to benefit from its strategy of serving diverse end markets and providing superior quality and processing services through its extensive capital investments.  The Company’s same-store tons sold were down only 2.7% for the full year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the MSCI industry decline of 6.2%. 

• Automotive demand remains strong.  Reliance supports the automotive market mainly through the Company’s toll processing operations in the U.S. and Mexico and continues to increase its toll processing capacity through investments in new facilities and processing equipment primarily to support incremental demand from the increased usage of aluminum by the automotive industry.
• Aerospace demand also remains strong.  Reliance maintains its positive outlook in aerospace and expects to continue growing its market share in this end market given the capital investments and key acquisitions it has made in this space.
• Heavy industry demand remains relatively steady at low levels, with the greatest impact to heavier items.  Demand for small to mid-sized equipment remains healthier and demand for road construction equipment has improved as a result of the five year infrastructure bill, which was passed in December 2015.  Reliance anticipates modest improvement in the industrial equipment markets in 2017.    
• Non-residential construction demand remains relatively steady, with gradual upward growth expected in 2017.  The Company is optimistic that the new Administration’s focus on infrastructure spending will further improve future demand for metals.  Reliance has made investments in equipment and facilities, and is well positioned to absorb increased volume into its existing cost structure as this important market improves over time.
• Energy (oil and gas) demand has improved slightly for the products Reliance sells into this end market. Rig counts have improved and Reliance has begun to see signs of new activity in the market. 

Balance Sheet & Liquidity The Company generated cash flow from operations of $626.5 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared to $1.0 billion in 2015.  The Company ended the year with total debt outstanding of $1.9 billion, for a net debt-to-total capital ratio of 30.3%.  The Company had $897.4 million available for borrowings on its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility at December 31, 2016.    

“In 2016, our higher gross profit levels along with effective expense and working capital management allowed us to grow the Company while maintaining our solid financial position,” commented Karla Lewis, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Reliance.  “We were able to use our strong cash flow from operations to fund $154.9 million of capital expenditures and $348.7 million for our three acquisitions, as well as to pay $120.4 million in dividends to our valued stockholders.  In addition, we used proceeds from our new revolving credit facilities to retire $350.0 million of 6.2% senior unsecured notes when they matured on November 15, 2016, which will result in pro forma pre-tax interest savings of approximately $15.0 million per year.  Looking ahead, we remain focused on maintaining a solid overall liquidity position which will continue to provide us with the flexibility and resources to keep investing in the growth of our business, both organically and through acquisition opportunities, as well as to return value to our stockholders through increased dividend payments and opportunistic share repurchases.”

Stockholder Return Activity On February 14, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a 5.9% increase to the Company’s quarterly cash dividend to $0.45 per share of common stock, payable on March 24, 2017 to stockholders of record as of March 10, 2017. The Company has paid regular quarterly dividends for 57 consecutive years and, including the current increase of 5.9%, has increased the dividend 24 times since its 1994 IPO.

The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock in 2016.  In 2015, Reliance repurchased 6.2 million shares at an average price of $57.39 per share, for a total of $355.5 million.  At December 31, 2016, approximately 8.4 million shares remained available for repurchase under the share repurchase program.  The Company expects to opportunistically repurchase shares of its common stock going forward.

Business Outlook Reliance management is optimistic in regard to business activity levels and metal pricing entering 2017 given the positive sentiment surrounding both.  The Company estimates tons sold will be up 8% to 10% in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the fourth quarter of 2016 due to normal seasonal factors as well as January shipment levels exceeding year ago levels.  Metal pricing continues to trend higher for almost all of the products the Company sells.  Therefore, the Company expects its average selling price will be up 2% to 4% from the fourth quarter of 2016. Accordingly, management currently expects earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $1.25 to $1.35 for the first quarter of 2017.

Conference Call Details A conference call and simultaneous webcast to discuss the fourth quarter and full year 2016 financial results and business outlook will be held today, February 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time / 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time.  To listen to the live call by telephone, please dial (877) 407-0789 (U.S. and Canada) or (201) 689-8562 (International) approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time and use conference ID: 13653314.  The call will also be broadcast live over the Internet hosted on the Investors section of the Company's website at investor.rsac.com.

For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay of the call will also be available beginning that same day at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, March 2, 2017 by dialing (844) 512-2921 (U.S. and Canada) or (412) 317-6671 (International) and entering the conference ID: 13653314. The webcast will remain posted on the Investors section of Reliance’s website at investor.rsac.com for 90 days.

About Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., headquartered in Los Angeles, California, is the largest metals service center company in North America.  Through a network of more than 300 locations in 39 states and twelve countries outside of the United States, Reliance provides value-added metals processing services and distributes a full line of over 100,000 metal products to more than 125,000 customers in a broad range of industries.  Reliance focuses on small orders with quick turnaround and increasing levels of value-added processing.  In 2016, Reliance’s average order size was $1,560, approximately 47% of orders included value-added processing and approximately 40% of orders were delivered within 24 hours. Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.’s press releases and additional information are available on the Company’s website at www.rsac.com .

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, discussions of Reliance’s business strategies and its expectations concerning future demand and metal pricing and the Company’s results of operations, margins, profitability, impairment charges, liquidity, litigation matters and capital resources.  In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" and "continue," the negative of these terms, and similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements are based on management's estimates, projections and assumptions as of today’s date that may not prove to be accurate.  Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance.  Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including, but not limited to, those disclosed in reports Reliance has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  As a result, these statements speak only as of the date that they are made, and Reliance disclaims any and all obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Important risks and uncertainties about Reliance’s business can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC.

(Tables to follow)

Brenda Miyamoto Investor Relations (213) 576-2428 investor@rsac.com or Addo Investor Relations (310) 829-5400