Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. Announces Updated Guidance for the Second Quarter of 2017

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS) today announced that the Company is updating its guidance for the second quarter ending June 30, 2017.

Reliance currently expects earnings per diluted share to be in the range of $1.30 to $1.40 for the second quarter of 2017, compared to the Company’s prior outlook of $1.50 to $1.60 per diluted share. As a result of challenging market conditions, the positive momentum experienced for both demand and pricing trends in the first quarter of 2017 did not accelerate as originally anticipated into the second quarter of 2017. In addition, increased uncertainty in regard to metals pricing has placed downward pressure on the Company’s gross profit margin. Despite these changes in market conditions, Reliance continues to believe that it can sustain a reported LIFO gross profit margin within the range of 27% to 29%.

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, the Company 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 web site at www.rsac.com.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis 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 metals 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, 2016, filed with the SEC.

CONTACT:                                                                               
Brenda Miyamoto
Investor Relations
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