RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-13122

RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

95-1142616

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

350 South Grand Avenue, Suite 5100

Los Angeles, California 90071

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(213) 687-7700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer ☒	Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐	Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of October 26, 2018, 70,432,046 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value, were outstanding.

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RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO.

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PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION			1

	Item 1.	Financial Statements

		Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets	1

		Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income	2

		Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	3

		Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	4

		Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	5

	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	14

	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	24

	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	24

PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION			24

	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	24

	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	24

	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	25

	Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	25

	Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	26

	Item 5.	Other Information	26

	Item 6.	Exhibits	26

SIGNATURES			27

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PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share and par value amounts)


	September 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017*
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	112.1	$	154.4
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $21.5 at September 30, 2018 and $15.5 at December 31, 2017		1,425.8		1,087.3
Inventories		2,083.7		1,726.0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		71.0		80.7
Income taxes receivable		—		2.9
Total current assets		3,692.6		3,051.3
Property, plant and equipment:
Land		231.1		229.7
Buildings		1,136.3		1,095.3
Machinery and equipment		1,830.7		1,738.6
Accumulated depreciation		(1,516.7)		(1,407.3)
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,681.4		1,656.3

Goodwill		1,853.3		1,842.6
Intangible assets, net		1,064.5		1,112.1
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies, net		34.6		47.8
Other assets		46.2		40.9
Total assets	$	8,372.6	$	7,751.0

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	461.2	$	346.7
Accrued expenses		89.0		83.6
Accrued compensation and retirement costs		156.7		139.3
Accrued insurance costs		41.4		42.1
Current maturities of long-term debt and short-term borrowings		89.1		92.0
Income taxes payable		2.6		—
Total current liabilities		840.0		703.7
Long-term debt		1,981.1		1,809.4
Long-term retirement costs		76.5		85.4
Other long-term liabilities		14.3		11.8
Deferred income taxes		430.4		440.8
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value:
Authorized shares — 5,000,000
None issued or outstanding		—		—
Common stock and additional paid-in capital, $0.001 par value:
Authorized shares — 200,000,000
Issued and outstanding shares – 71,443,121 at September 30, 2018 and 72,609,540 at December 31, 2017		495.6		594.6
Retained earnings		4,583.0		4,144.1
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(83.1)		(71.6)
Total Reliance stockholders’ equity		4,995.5		4,667.1
Noncontrolling interests		34.8		32.8
Total equity		5,030.3		4,699.9
Total liabilities and equity	$	8,372.6	$	7,751.0

* Amounts were derived from audited financial statements.

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in millions, except per share amounts)


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Net sales	$	2,974.5	$	2,450.1	$	8,720.5	$	7,344.6

Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)		2,140.2		1,764.6		6,148.8		5,235.4
Warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative		531.0		470.0		1,586.3		1,422.1
Depreciation and amortization		53.4		54.0		161.8		164.2
Impairment of long-lived assets		35.5		2.8		35.5		2.8
		2,760.1		2,291.4		7,932.4		6,824.5

Operating income		214.4		158.7		788.1		520.1

Other (income) expense:
Interest expense		22.0		19.1		62.6		54.9
Other (income) expense, net		(2.5)		(2.6)		(1.2)		2.1
Income before income taxes		194.9		142.2		726.7		463.1
Income tax provision		44.6		43.2		172.2		145.9
Net income		150.3		99.0		554.5		317.2
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		2.0		1.7		6.4		5.2
Net income attributable to Reliance	$	148.3	$	97.3	$	548.1	$	312.0

Earnings per share attributable to Reliance stockholders:
Diluted	$	2.03	$	1.32	$	7.49	$	4.24
Basic	$	2.06	$	1.33	$	7.57	$	4.28

Cash dividends per share	$	0.50	$	0.45	$	1.50	$	1.35

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Net income	$	150.3	$	99.0	$	554.5	$	317.2
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)		2.6		10.5		(11.5)		24.5
Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments, net of tax		—		—		—		2.3
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		2.6		10.5		(11.5)		26.8
Comprehensive income		152.9		109.5		543.0		344.0
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests		2.0		1.7		6.4		5.2
Comprehensive income attributable to Reliance	$	150.9	$	107.8	$	536.6	$	338.8

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)


	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2018		2017
Operating activities:
Net income	$	554.5	$	317.2
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense		161.8		164.2
Impairment of long-lived assets		35.5		2.8
Provision for uncollectible accounts		8.4		6.3
Deferred income tax benefit		(9.9)		(4.7)
Gain on sales of property, plant and equipment		(1.2)		(8.4)
Stock-based compensation expense		33.8		23.3
Other		6.8		4.9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding effect of businesses acquired):
Accounts receivable		(339.6)		(208.9)
Inventories		(352.2)		(235.5)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		9.9		12.6
Accounts payable and other liabilities		125.5		124.5
Net cash provided by operating activities		233.3		198.3

Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(152.6)		(118.1)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(55.6)		(1.3)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment		8.8		14.0
Other		10.4		5.6
Net cash used in investing activities		(189.0)		(99.8)

Financing activities:
Net short-term debt (repayments) borrowings		(24.6)		3.6
Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings		941.0		674.0
Principal payments on long-term debt		(752.5)		(634.5)
Dividends and dividend equivalents paid		(110.5)		(99.3)
Exercise of stock options		2.8		3.4
Share repurchases		(130.1)		—
Other		(9.9)		(5.3)
Net cash used in financing activities		(83.8)		(58.1)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(2.8)		7.0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(42.3)		47.4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		154.4		122.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	112.1	$	170.2

Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid during the period	$	50.6	$	44.2
Income taxes paid during the period, net	$	171.4	$	135.2

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Debt assumed in connection with acquisition	$	3.3	$	—

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

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RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2018

1. Basis of Presentation

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation with respect to the interim financial statements, have been included. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year ending December 31, 2018. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017, included in the Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (“Reliance”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”) Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Our consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and operating results of majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The ownership of the other interest holders of consolidated subsidiaries is reflected as noncontrolling interests. Our investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries are recorded under the equity method of accounting.

2. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards—Adopted

Revenue from Contracts with Customers—In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting changes that replaced most of the detailed guidance on revenue recognition that previously existed under U.S. GAAP. Under the new standard, an entity should recognize revenue when goods or services are transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. We adopted these changes as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. See Note 4—“Revenues” for further details.

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments—In August 2016, the FASB issued accounting changes that clarify the presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice with respect to eight types of cash flows. We adopted these changes as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards—Not Yet Adopted

Leases—In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting changes that require lessees to recognize most long-term leases on the balance sheet through the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability using a modified retrospective transition method. In July 2018, the FASB issued an update to these accounting changes providing an additional, optional transition method that allows lessees the option to initially apply the new accounting changes at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings while continuing to present all prior periods under previous lease accounting guidance. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, or January 1, 2019 for the Company. Early adoption is permitted.

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We have implemented a lease management system and are updating our accounting policies and internal controls that would be impacted by the new guidance. We anticipate adopting this new standard on January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method and the available practical expedients. We expect the adoption of these accounting changes will materially increase our assets and liabilities, but will not have a material impact on our net income, stockholders’ equity, or cash flows. We are unable to quantify the ultimate impact of adopting this new standard at this time as the actual impact will depend on the total amount of our lease commitments as of the adoption date.

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income—In February 2018, the FASB issued accounting changes that allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”). The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

3. Acquisitions

On August 1, 2018, we acquired KMS Fab, LLC and KMS South, Inc. (collectively, “KMS” or the “KMS Companies”). The KMS Companies are headquartered in Luzerne, Pennsylvania. The KMS Companies specialize in precision sheet metal fabrication ranging from prototypes to large production runs which utilize a wide variety of metals and fabrication methods including laser cutting, stamping, turret punching, machining, powder coating and welding. KMS’ net sales during the period from August 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018 were $4.6 million.

On March 1, 2018, we acquired DuBose National Energy Services, Inc. (“DuBose Energy”) and its affiliate, DuBose National Energy Fasteners & Machined Parts, Inc. (“DuBose Fasteners” and, together with DuBose Energy, “DuBose”). DuBose is headquartered in Clinton, North Carolina. DuBose specializes in fabrication, supply and distribution of metal and metal products to the nuclear industry, including utilities, component manufacturers and contractors. DuBose’s net sales during the period from March 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018 were $16.4 million.

On October 2, 2017, through our wholly owned subsidiary Diamond Manufacturing Company, we acquired Ferguson Perforating Company (“Ferguson”). Ferguson, headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, specializes in manufacturing highly engineered and complex perforated metal parts for diverse end markets including industrial machinery, automotive, aerospace, sugar products and consumer electronics manufacturers. Ferguson’s net sales were $29.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

We funded our 2018 and 2017 acquisitions with borrowings on our revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

The acquisitions discussed in this note have been accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the respective purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of each acquisition. The accompanying consolidated statements of income include the revenues and expenses of each acquisition since its respective acquisition date. The consolidated balance sheets reflect the allocation of each acquisition’s purchase price as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, as applicable. The purchase price allocations for our acquisitions of KMS and DuBose are preliminary and are pending the completion of various pre-acquisition period income tax returns. The measurement periods for purchase price allocations do not exceed 12 months from the acquisition date.

4. Revenues

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

On January 1, 2018, we adopted new accounting guidance relating to the recognition of revenue from contracts with our customers using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. We did not record a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption and comparable period financial statement amounts have not been adjusted. Our reported results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 would not have been different if reported under the previous accounting standard.

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Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when control of metal products or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. There are no significant judgments or estimates made to determine the amount or timing of our reported revenues. The amount of transaction price associated with unperformed performance obligations and the amount of our contract balances is not significant.

The following table presents our sales disaggregated by product and service. Certain sales taxes or value-added taxes collected from customers are excluded from our reported sales.


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Carbon Steel	$	1,637.6	$	1,319.5	$	4,741.0	$	3,936.8
Aluminum		559.9		475.3		1,680.1		1,446.2
Stainless Steel		418.7		343.3		1,250.6		1,038.6
Alloy		171.2		149.3		512.7		440.4
Toll processing and logistics		106.5		85.8		311.9		258.8
Other and eliminations		80.6		76.9		224.2		223.8
Total	$	2,974.5	$	2,450.1	$	8,720.5	$	7,344.6

Metal Sales

Metal product sales represented approximately 94% of our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. We have minimal long-term contract sales with our customers as we primarily transact in the “spot market” under fixed price sales orders. The majority of our metal product sales orders generally have only one performance obligation: sale of processed or unprocessed metal product. Control of the metal products we sell transfers to our customers upon delivery for orders with FOB destination terms or upon shipment for orders with FOB shipping point terms. Shipping and handling charges to our customers are included in net sales. We account for all shipping and handling of our products as fulfillment activities and not as a promised good or service. Costs incurred in connection with the shipping and handling of our products are typically included in operating expenses whether we use a third-party carrier or our own trucks. Shipment and delivery of our orders generally occur on the same day due to the close proximity of our customers and our metals service center locations.

Toll Processing and Logistics

Toll processing services relate to the processing of customer-owned metal. Logistics services primarily include transportation services for metal we toll-process. Revenue for these services is recognized over time as the toll processing or logistics services are performed. These services are generally short-term in nature with the service being performed in less than one day.

Seasonality

Some of our customers are in seasonal businesses, especially customers in the construction industry and related businesses. However, our overall operations have not shown any material seasonal trends as a result of our geographic, product and customer diversity. Typically, revenues in the months of July, November and December have been lower than in other months because of a reduced number of working days for shipments of our products, resulting from holidays observed by the Company as well as vacation and extended holiday closures at some of our customers.

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5. Goodwill

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows:


	(in millions)
Balance at January 1, 2018	$	1,842.6
Acquisitions		12.8
Effect of foreign currency translation		(2.1)
Balance at September 30, 2018	$	1,853.3

We had no accumulated impairment losses related to goodwill at September 30, 2018.

The goodwill recorded from our acquisitions of KMS and DuBose is tax deductible.

6. Intangible Assets, net

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following:


		September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Weighted Average	Gross				Gross
	Amortizable	Carrying		Accumulated		Carrying		Accumulated
	Life in Years	Amount		Amortization		Amount		Amortization
		(in millions)
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Covenants not to compete	4.7	$	0.9	$	(0.5)	$	0.8	$	(0.4)
Customer lists/relationships	15.1		698.2		(384.6)		745.0		(391.3)
Software	10.0		8.1		(8.1)		8.1		(8.1)
Other	7.6		1.0		(0.9)		6.3		(5.9)
			708.2		(394.1)		760.2		(405.7)
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Trade names			750.4		—		757.6		—
		$	1,458.6	$	(394.1)	$	1,517.8	$	(405.7)

Intangible assets recorded in connection with our acquisitions of KMS and DuBose were $22.9 million as of September 30, 2018 (see Note 3—“Acquisitions”). A total of $10.0 million was allocated to the trade names acquired, which is not subject to amortization.

We recognized amortization expense for intangible assets of $35.1 million and $38.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Foreign currency translation losses related to intangible assets, net, were $1.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

During the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 we recognized impairment losses of $16.5 million and $16.7 million on our trade name and customer relationship intangible assets, respectively, related to one of our energy businesses. See Note 12—“Impairment and Restructuring Charges” for further discussion of our impairment losses.

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The following is a summary of estimated aggregate amortization expense for the remaining three months of 2018 and each of the succeeding five years:


	(in millions)
2018 (remaining three months)	$	10.5
2019		41.9
2020		41.9
2021		40.2
2022		35.5
2023		29.5

7. Debt

Debt consisted of the following:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017
	(in millions)
Unsecured revolving credit facility due September 30, 2021	$	753.0	$	538.0
Unsecured term loan due from December 31, 2018 to September 30, 2021		540.0		562.5
Senior unsecured notes due April 15, 2023		500.0		500.0
Senior unsecured notes due November 15, 2036		250.0		250.0
Other notes and revolving credit facilities		38.3		64.0
Total		2,081.3		1,914.5
Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs		(11.1)		(13.1)
Less: amounts due within one year and short-term borrowings		(89.1)		(92.0)
Total long-term debt	$	1,981.1	$	1,809.4

Unsecured Credit Facility

On September 30, 2016, we entered into a $2.1 billion unsecured five-year credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) comprised of a $1.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility and a $600.0 million unsecured term loan, with an option to increase the revolving credit facility up to an additional $500.0 million at our request, subject to approval of the lenders and certain other customary conditions. The term loan due September 30, 2021 amortizes in quarterly installments, with an annual amortization of 10% until June 2021, with the balance to be paid at maturity. Interest on borrowings from the revolving credit facility and term loan at September 30, 2018 was at variable rates based on LIBOR plus 1.25% or the bank prime rate plus 0.25% and included a commitment fee at an annual rate of 0.15% on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. The applicable margins over LIBOR and base rate borrowings, along with commitment fees, are subject to adjustment every quarter based on our leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. All borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be prepaid without penalty.

Weighted average interest rates on borrowings outstanding on the revolving credit facility were 3.54% and 2.96% as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Weighted average interest rates on borrowings outstanding on the term loan were 3.49% and 2.82% as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, we had $753.0 million of outstanding borrowings, $40.8 million of letters of credit issued and $706.2 million available for borrowing on the revolving credit facility.

Senior Unsecured Notes

On November 20, 2006, we entered into an indenture (the “2006 Indenture”), for the issuance of $600.0 million of unsecured debt securities. The total debt issued was comprised of two tranches, (a) $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes bearing interest at the rate of 6.20% per annum, which matured and were repaid on November 15, 2016 and (b) $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes bearing interest at the rate of 6.85% per annum, maturing on November 15, 2036.

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On April 12, 2013, we entered into an indenture (the “2013 Indenture” and, together with the 2006 Indenture, the “Indentures”), for the issuance of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes at the rate of 4.50% per annum, maturing on April 15, 2023.

Under the Indentures, the notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. If we experience a change in control accompanied by a downgrade in our credit rating, we will be required to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Other Notes and Revolving Credit Facilities

Revolving credit facilities with a combined credit limit of approximately $62.1 million are in place for operations in Asia and Europe with combined outstanding balances of $28.5 million and $53.9 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Various industrial revenue bonds had combined outstanding balances of $9.8 million as of September 30, 2018 and $10.1 million as of December 31, 2017, and have maturities through 2027.

Covenants

The Credit Agreement and the Indentures include customary representations, warranties, covenants, acceleration, indemnity and events of default provisions. The covenants under the Credit Agreement include, among other things, two financial maintenance covenants that require us to comply with a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio.

8. Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were 22.9% and 30.4%, respectively. Our effective income tax rates for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were 23.7% and 31.5%, respectively. Our 2018 three-month and nine-month period effective income tax rates were favorably impacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”), which included significant changes to the taxation of U.S. corporations, including a reduction of the U.S. federal statutory rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. Based on our preliminary assessment of the impact of Tax Reform, we recognized a one-time, provisional net tax benefit of $207.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily related to the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities at the lowered federal statutory tax rate, which was partially offset by repatriation and related liabilities. Given the substantial changes to the Internal Revenue Code as a result of Tax Reform, our estimates of the financial impacts attributable to Tax Reform are subject to continuing analysis, interpretation and clarification of the new law, which could result in changes to our estimates in the fourth quarter of 2018. The adjustments to our provisional estimates during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were not significant. State income taxes offset by the effects of company-owned life insurance policies mainly accounted for the difference between our effective income tax rate and the federal statutory rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

9. Equity

Common Stock and Share Repurchase Plan

On October 20, 2015, our Board of Directors increased the number of shares authorized to be repurchased under our share repurchase plan by 7.5 million shares and extended the duration of the plan through December 31, 2018. On October 23, 2018, our Board of Directors amended our share repurchase plan, increasing the total authorized number of shares available to be repurchased by 5.0 million and extending the duration of the plan through December 31, 2021. As of October 23, 2018, we had authorization under the plan to repurchase approximately 10.7 million shares, or about 15% of our current outstanding shares. We repurchase shares through open market purchases under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). During the nine months ended

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September 30, 2018, we repurchased 1,510,916 shares of our common stock at an average cost of $86.48 per share for a total of $130.7 million. Repurchased and subsequently retired shares are restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares.

Common stock and additional paid-in capital activity included the following:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2018				September 30, 2018
				Weighted Average				Weighted Average
	Shares	Amount		Exercise Price Per Share	Shares	Amount		Exercise Price Per Share
	(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Stock-based compensation(1)	3,984	$	14.4		288,991	$	28.3
Stock options exercised	—		—		48,275		2.8	$	57.91
Share repurchases(2)	(918,352)		(80.7)		(1,510,916)		(130.7)
Total	(914,368)	$	(66.3)		(1,173,650)	$	(99.6)

⁽¹⁾

The nine months ended September 30, 2018 amount is comprised of stock-based compensation expense of $33.8 million reduced by $5.5 million of payments we made to tax authorities on our employees’ behalf for shares withheld related to net share settlements.

⁽²⁾

Includes 7,231 shares for $0.6 million pending settlement at September 30, 2018.

Dividends

On October 23, 2018, our Board of Directors declared the 2018 fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.50 per share. The dividend is payable on December 7, 2018 to stockholders of record as of November 16, 2018.

During the third quarters of 2018 and 2017, we declared and paid quarterly dividends of $0.50 and $0.45 per share, or $35.9 million and $32.8 million in total, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, we declared and paid quarterly dividends of $1.50 and $1.35 per share, or $108.5 million and $98.4 million in total, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, we paid $2.0 million and $0.9 million in dividend equivalents with respect to vested restricted stock units (“RSUs”), respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

We make annual grants of long-term incentive awards to officers and key employees in the forms of service-based and performance-based RSUs that generally have approximately 3-year vesting periods. The performance-based RSU awards are subject to both service and performance goal criteria. We also make annual grants of stock to the non-employee members of the Board of Directors that include dividend rights and vest immediately upon grant. The fair value of the RSUs and stock grants is determined based on the closing stock price of our common stock on the grant date.

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A summary of the status of our unvested service-based and performance-based RSUs as of September 30, 2018 and changes during the nine-month period then ended is as follows:


		Weighted
		Average Grant
Unvested Shares	Shares	Date Fair Value
Unvested at January 1, 2018	924,575	$	74.09
Granted(1)	474,715		84.26
Vested	(7,790)		72.43
Cancelled or forfeited	(20,160)		75.36
Unvested at September 30, 2018	1,371,340	$	77.60
Shares reserved for future grants (all plans)	1,376,110

⁽¹⁾

474,715 RSUs, including 178,970 performance-based RSUs, were granted in March 2018.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss included the following:


			Pension and		Accumulated
	Foreign Currency		Postretirement		Other
	Translation		Benefit Adjustments,		Comprehensive
	Loss		Net of Tax		Loss
	(in millions)
Balance as of January 1, 2018	$	(51.1)	$	(20.5)	$	(71.6)
Current-period change		(11.5)		—		(11.5)
Balance as of September 30, 2018	$	(62.6)	$	(20.5)	$	(83.1)

Foreign currency translation adjustments have not been adjusted for income taxes. Pension and postretirement benefit adjustments are net of taxes of $13.6 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental Contingencies

We are currently involved with an environmental remediation project related to activities at former manufacturing operations of Earle M. Jorgensen Company (“EMJ”), our wholly owned subsidiary, that were sold many years prior to our acquisition of EMJ in 2006. Although the potential cleanup costs could be significant, EMJ maintained insurance policies during the time it owned the manufacturing operations that have covered costs incurred to date, and are expected to continue to cover the majority of the related costs. We do not expect that this obligation will have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Legal Matters

From time to time, we are named as a defendant in legal actions. Generally, these actions arise in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently a party to any pending legal proceedings other than routine litigation incidental to the business. We expect that these matters will be resolved without having a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. We maintain general liability insurance against risks arising out of our normal course of business.

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11. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Reliance	$	148.3	$	97.3	$	548.1	$	312.0
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding		71,940,253		72,908,979		72,364,121		72,881,000
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards		1,040,977		708,500		772,461		630,427
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding		72,981,230		73,617,479		73,136,582		73,511,427

Earnings per share attributable to Reliance stockholders:
Diluted	$	2.03	$	1.32	$	7.49	$	4.24
Basic	$	2.06	$	1.33	$	7.57	$	4.28

Potentially dilutive securities whose effect would have been antidilutive were not significant for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

12. Impairment and Restructuring Charges

We recorded impairment and restructuring charges of $36.8 million in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.1 million and $2.4 million in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The 2018 charges mainly related to our decision to downsize one of our energy businesses due to changes in competitive factors for certain of the products they sell. The measurement of these assets at fair value was determined using a combination of discounted cash flow techniques for intangible assets and the market approach for property, plant, and equipment.

The impairment and restructuring charges (credits) consisted of the following:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
	(in millions)
Property, plant and equipment	$	2.3	$	2.8	$	2.3	$	2.8
Intangible assets, net		33.2		—		33.2		—
Total impairment charges		35.5		2.8		35.5		2.8
Restructuring––cost of sales		—		—		—		(0.2)
Restructuring––warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative expense		1.3		(0.7)		1.3		(0.2)
Total impairment and restructuring charges	$	36.8	$	2.1	$	36.8	$	2.4

13. Subsequent Event

On October 23, 2018, we purchased the remaining 40% noncontrolling interest of Acero Prime, S. de R.L. de C.V., a toll processor in Mexico, which increased our ownership from 60% to 100%.

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RELIANCE STEEL & ALUMINUM CO.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This report contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, discussions of our industry, our end markets, our business strategies and our expectations concerning future demand and our results of operations, margins, profitability, impairment charges, taxes, 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. All statements contained in this report, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s estimates, projections and assumptions as of the date of such statements.

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 this report and in other reports we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). As a result, these statements speak only as of the date that they were made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Important risks and uncertainties about our business can be found in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC, and such risk factors may be updated from time to time, including in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We had strong operational execution in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018, resulting in our second highest quarterly sales and gross profit in our history, following our record quarterly sales and gross profit in the second quarter of 2018. Net sales for the third quarter of 2018 were $2.97 billion, up 21.4% from $2.45 billion in the third quarter of 2017. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018, net sales were $8.72 billion, up 18.7% from $7.34 billion in the same period in 2017. Solid demand, coupled with Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (“Section 232”) tariffs, maintained the positive pricing momentum experienced in the first half of 2018 into the third quarter of 2018, resulting in pricing levels being significantly higher for almost every product we sell in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017. Highlights of the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 included:

Net sales of $2.97 billion in the third quarter of 2018, the second highest in our history following our record sales in the second quarter of 2018, increased $524.4 million, or 21.4%, compared to the third quarter of 2017;

Our gross profit margin of 28.0% in the third quarter of 2018 resulted in our second highest quarterly gross profit dollars of $834.3 million following our record gross profit dollars in the second quarter of 2018. Our gross profit margins of 28.0% and 29.5% for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 were within or in excess of our estimated range of 27% to 29%; and

Our earnings per diluted share of $2.03 and $7.49 for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 increased 53.8% and 76.7%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2017.

Our same-store tons sold decreased 1.4% in the three-month period ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. Our same-store tons sold increased 1.6% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

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Our same-store average selling price per ton sold in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 increased 22.4% and 16.7%, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2017. Our same-store average selling price per ton sold has increased sequentially in each of the past ten quarters, with the most significant price increases applicable to certain carbon and stainless steel products. Section 232 activity drove higher metal pricing on nearly every product we sell during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017.

Our S,G&A expense as a percent of sales of 17.9% and 18.2% in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018, respectively, decreased from 19.2% and 19.4% in the same 2017 periods, respectively, due to higher metals pricing that increased our sales levels.

Due to our higher average selling prices and shipment levels, along with our strong gross profit margin and effective working capital management, we generated cash flow from operations of $233.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, up from $198.3 million in the same period of 2017, despite significantly higher working capital requirements during 2018. As of September 30, 2018, our net debt-to-total capital ratio was 28.2%, up from 27.2% as of December 31, 2017. We believe we have sufficient liquidity as of September 30, 2018, with approximately $706.2 million available for borrowing on our revolving credit facility and $112.1 million in cash and cash equivalents.

During the third quarter of 2018 we continued to grow the Company by completing an acquisition and investing $54.0 million in capital expenditures while also returning value to our stockholders through payment of $35.9 million of cash dividends and $80.7 million of share repurchases.

We believe that our exposure to diverse end markets, broad product base and wide geographic footprint will continue to mitigate earnings volatility compared to many of our competitors.

We will continue to focus on working capital management and maximizing profitability of our existing businesses, as well as executing our proven growth strategies and stockholder return activities.

Acquisitions

On October 23, 2018, we purchased the remaining 40% noncontrolling interest of Acero Prime, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Acero Prime”), a toll processor in Mexico, which increased our ownership from 60% to 100%. Acero Prime, headquartered in San Luis Potosi, has four toll processing locations. Acero Prime performs metal processing services such as slitting, multi-blanking and oxy-fuel cutting, as well as storage and supply-chain management for a variety of different industries including automotive, home appliance, lighting, HVAC, machinery and heavy equipment. Acero Prime’s net sales were $30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

On October 2, 2017, through our wholly owned subsidiary Diamond Manufacturing Company, we acquired Ferguson Perforating Company (“Ferguson”). Ferguson, headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, specializes in manufacturing highly engineered and complex perforated metal parts for diverse end markets including industrial machinery, automotive, aerospace, sugar producers and consumer electronics manufacturers. Ferguson’s net sales were $29.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

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We funded our 2018 and 2017 acquisitions with borrowings on our revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three-Month and Nine-Month Periods Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth certain income statement data for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (dollars are shown in millions and certain amounts may not calculate due to rounding):


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018				2017				2018				2017
			% of				% of				% of				% of
	$		Net Sales		$		Net Sales		$		Net Sales		$		Net Sales
Net sales	$	2,974.5	100.0	%	$	2,450.1	100.0	%	$	8,720.5	100.0	%	$	7,344.6	100.0	%
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense shown below)		2,140.2	72.0			1,764.6	72.0			6,148.8	70.5			5,235.4	71.3
Gross profit (1)		834.3	28.0			685.5	28.0			2,571.7	29.5			2,109.2	28.7
Warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative expense ("S,G&A") (2)		531.0	17.9			470.0	19.2			1,586.3	18.2			1,422.1	19.4
Depreciation expense		42.0	1.4			41.8	1.7			126.7	1.5			125.3	1.7
Amortization expense		11.4	0.4			12.2	0.5			35.1	0.4			38.9	0.5
Impairment of long-lived assets (3)		35.5	1.2			2.8	0.1			35.5	0.4			2.8	—
Operating income	$	214.4	7.2	%	$	158.7	6.5	%	$	788.1	9.0	%	$	520.1	7.1	%

⁽¹⁾

Gross profit, calculated as net sales less cost of sales, and gross profit margin, calculated as gross profit divided by net sales, are non-GAAP financial measures as they exclude depreciation and amortization expense associated with the corresponding sales. About half of our orders are basic distribution with no processing services performed. For the remainder of our sales orders, we perform “first-stage” processing, which is generally not labor intensive as we are simply cutting the metal to size. Because of this, the amount of related labor and overhead, including depreciation and amortization, is not significant and is excluded from our cost of sales. Therefore, our cost of sales is substantially comprised of the cost of the material we sell. We use gross profit and gross profit margin as shown above as measures of operating performance. Gross profit and gross profit margin are important operating and financial measures, as their fluctuations can have a significant impact on our earnings. Gross profit and gross profit margin, as presented, are not necessarily comparable with similarly titled measures for other companies.

⁽²⁾

S,G&A expense includes $4.6 million and $8.1 million of gains related to the sale of non-core machinery and equipment in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

⁽³⁾

Impairment of long-lived assets includes $2.3 million related to property, plant and equipment and $33.2 million related to intangible assets for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018. The three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 include $2.8 million of impairment charges related to property, plant and equipment. See Expenses for further discussion.

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Net Sales


	September 30,				Dollar		Percentage
	2018		2017		Change		Change
	(in millions)
Net sales (three months ended)	$	2,974.5	$	2,450.1	$	524.4	21.4	%
Net sales (nine months ended)	$	8,720.5	$	7,344.6	$	1,375.9	18.7	%
Net sales, same-store (three months ended)	$	2,952.6	$	2,450.1	$	502.5	20.5	%
Net sales, same-store (nine months ended)	$	8,670.1	$	7,344.6	$	1,325.5	18.0	%


	September 30,				Tons		Percentage
	2018		2017		Change		Change
	(in thousands)
Tons sold (three months ended)		1,504.1		1,521.7		(17.6)	(1.2)	%
Tons sold (nine months ended)		4,684.3		4,602.4		81.9	1.8	%
Tons sold, same-store (three months ended)		1,500.4		1,521.7		(21.3)	(1.4)	%
Tons sold, same-store (nine months ended)		4,675.6		4,602.4		73.2	1.6	%


	September 30,				Price		Percentage
	2018		2017		Change		Change
Average selling price per ton sold (three months ended)	$	1,972	$	1,603	$	369	23.0	%
Average selling price per ton sold (nine months ended)	$	1,860	$	1,588	$	272	17.1	%
Average selling price per ton sold, same-store (three months ended)	$	1,962	$	1,603	$	359	22.4	%
Average selling price per ton sold, same-store (nine months ended)	$	1,853	$	1,588	$	265	16.7	%

Tons sold and average selling price per ton sold amounts exclude our toll processing sales (as we process the metal for a fee, without taking ownership of the metal). Same-store amounts exclude the results of our 2018 and 2017 acquisitions.

Our consolidated net sales were higher in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 due to higher metals prices. Prices for almost every product we sell increased in both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017. Our same-store average selling price has increased sequentially in the past ten quarters. Section 232 activity favorably impacted metal prices.

The automotive (which we serve primarily through our toll processing operations in the U.S. and Mexico) and aerospace end markets continued to perform well for us. Heavy industry demand continues to strengthen. Reliance has been experiencing increased activity in the industrial equipment markets, primarily related to construction and agricultural equipment. Non-residential construction demand, including infrastructure, continues to steadily improve, although it remains at significantly reduced demand levels from its peak levels experienced in 2006. Demand for the products we sell to the energy (oil and natural gas) end market continued to gradually improve in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, but remains significantly lower than the recent peak in 2014.

Since we primarily purchase and sell our inventories in the “spot” market, the changes in our average selling prices generally fluctuate in accordance with the changes in the costs of the various metals we purchase. The mix of products sold can also have an impact on our average selling prices.

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Our same-store average selling price per ton sold in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 increased 22.4% and 16.7%, respectively, from the comparable 2017 periods given increased mill pricing for most products we sell. As carbon steel sales represent approximately 54% of our sales dollars, changes in carbon steel prices have the most significant impact on changes in our overall average selling price per ton sold. Our major commodity selling prices changed year-over-year as follows:



	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30				September 30
			Same-store				Same-store
	Average Selling		Average Selling		Average Selling		Average Selling
	Price per Ton Sold		Price per Ton Sold		Price per Ton Sold		Price per Ton Sold
	(percentage change)				(percentage change)
Carbon steel	26.3	%	26.2	%	18.9	%	18.9	%
Aluminum	18.3	%	18.2	%	13.5	%	13.3	%
Stainless steel	18.6	%	18.1	%	13.2	%	12.8	%
Alloy	18.9	%	18.4	%	14.1	%	13.6	%

Cost of Sales



	September 30,
	2018				2017
			% of				% of		Dollar		Percentage
	$		Net Sales		$		Net Sales		Change		Change
	(dollars in millions)
Cost of sales (three months ended)	$	2,140.2	72.0	%	$	1,764.6	72.0	%	$	375.6	21.3	%
Cost of sales (nine months ended)	$	6,148.8	70.5	%	$	5,235.4	71.3	%	$	913.4	17.4	%

The increase in cost of sales in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 is mainly due to higher average cost per ton sold. See “Net Sales” above for trends in both demand and costs of our products.

Also, our last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method inventory valuation reserve adjustment, which is included in cost of sales and, in effect, reflects cost of sales at current replacement costs, resulted in a charge, or expense, of $77.5 million and $165.0 million in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018, respectively, compared to a charge, or expense, of $6.3 million and $26.3 million in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Gross Profit



	September 30,
	2018				2017
			% of				% of		Dollar		Percentage
	$		Net Sales		$		Net Sales		Change		Change
	(dollars in millions)
Gross profit (three months ended)	$	834.3	28.0	%	$	685.5	28.0	%	$	148.8	21.7	%
Gross profit (nine months ended)	$	2,571.7	29.5	%	$	2,109.2	28.7	%	$	462.5	21.9	%

Our gross profit was higher in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 due to higher metals prices. Our third quarter of 2018 gross profit of $834.3 million was the second highest in our Company’s history, following our record gross profit in the second quarter of 2018. See “Net Sales” and “Cost of Sales” above for further discussion on product pricing trends and our LIFO inventory valuation reserve adjustments, respectively.

Our gross profit margin during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 was within or above our estimated range of 27% to 29%. Our gross profit margin during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2018 benefited from the strong pricing environment throughout the period due to Section 232 activity and corresponding mill price increases compared to the same period in 2017 when mill price increases were less frequent.

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Expenses


	September 30,
	2018				2017
			% of				% of		Dollar		Percentage
	$		Net Sales		$		Net Sales		Change		Change
	(dollars in millions)
S,G&A expense (three months ended)	$	531.0	17.9	%	$	470.0	19.2	%	$	61.0	13.0	%
S,G&A expense (nine months ended)	$	1,586.3	18.2	%	$	1,422.1	19.4	%	$	164.2	11.5	%
S,G&A expense, same-store (three months ended)	$	522.8	17.7	%	$	470.0	19.2	%	$	52.8	11.2	%
S,G&A expense, same-store (nine months ended)	$	1,565.4	18.1	%	$	1,422.1	19.4	%	$	143.3	10.1	%
Depreciation & amortization expense (three months ended)	$	53.4	1.8	%	$	54.0	2.2	%	$	(0.6)	(1.1)	%
Depreciation & amortization expense (nine months ended)	$	161.8	1.9	%	$	164.2	2.2	%	$	(2.4)	(1.5)	%
Impairment of long-lived assets (three months ended)	$	35.5	1.2	%	$	2.8	0.1	%	$	32.7	1,167.9	%
Impairment of long-lived assets (nine months ended)	$	35.5	0.4	%	$	2.8	0.0	%	$	32.7	1,167.9	%

Same-store amounts exclude the results of our 2018 and 2017 acquisitions.

Our S,G&A expense increased in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 due to increases in incentive compensation resulting from higher levels of profitability, as well as significant increases in freight expenses due to strong demand, tight supply and higher fuel costs. Our S,G&A expense as a percentage of sales decreased over these same periods mainly due to our higher sales levels, as a result of higher average selling prices.

S,G&A expense includes $4.6 million and $8.1 million of gains related to the sale of non-core machinery and equipment in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

We recorded a $35.5 million charge for impairment of long-lived assets in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to a $2.8 million charge in the comparable 2017 periods. The 2018 impairment charge mainly related to our decision to downsize one of our energy businesses due to changes in competitive factors for certain of the products they sell. See Note 12 of the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our impairment charges.

Operating Income


	September 30,
	2018				2017
			% of				% of		Dollar		Percentage
	$		Net Sales		$		Net Sales		Change		Change
	(dollars in millions)
Operating income (three months ended)	$	214.4	7.2	%	$	158.7	6.5	%	$	55.7	35.1	%
Operating income (nine months ended)	$	788.1	9.0	%	$	520.1	7.1	%	$	268.0	51.5	%

Our operating income was significantly higher in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 due to higher gross profit dollars from higher average selling prices. Our operating income margin in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 increased due to our solid gross profit margin and a decline in our operating expenses as a percentage of sales, due to our higher sales levels. Our 2018 impairment charge lowered our operating income $32.7 million in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 and lowered our operating income margin by 1.1% and 0.4%,

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respectively, over these same periods. See “Net Sales” above for trends in both demand and costs of our products and “Expenses” for trends in our operating expenses.

Income Tax Rate

Net Income