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Reliance Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2020

Filing Date
Filed February 25, 2021
Period End
December 31, 2020
Security
RS
In the record · 2016–202610-K1110-Q338-K74

RS filed 11 annual reports (10-K), 33 quarterly reports (10-Q) and 74 current reports (8-K) between 2016 and 2026.

  1. Material agreement8-K · Oct ’16Oct ’16
  2. Leadership change8-K · Oct ’19Oct ’19
  3. Leadership change8-K · Oct ’25Oct ’25

Summary

Summary of the 10-K filed February 25, 2021. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. reported a challenging 2020 driven by COVID-19, with net sales of $8.81 billiona, down 19.7% from $10.97 billion in 2019, as tons sold declined 10.8% and average selling price per ton fell 9.6%.

Despite lower volumes, the company achieved a record annual gross profit margin of 31.5%, up from 30.3% in 2019. Net income attributable to Reliance was $369.1 millionb, or $5.66 per diluted share, compared with $701.5 million in 2019. Results were weighed down by $157.8 million of impairment and restructuring charges, mainly a $137.5 million charge in the first quarter tied to energy-related businesses, and operating income fell to $565.8 million from $1.01 billion.

Cash flow from operations remained strong at $1.17 billionc, down 9.9% from a record $1.30 billion in 2019. The company strengthened its liquidity by issuing $900.0 million of senior unsecured notes in August 2020 and amending its $1.5 billion credit agreement; it had no outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement at year-end and $683.5 million of cash. Total debt was $1.66 billion, and the net debt-to-total capital ratio fell to 15.8% from 21.4%.

The company returned $164.1 milliond in dividends and repurchased $337.3 million of shares in 2020, and in February 2021 raised its quarterly dividend 10.0% to $0.6875 per share. Looking ahead, the 2021 capital expenditure budget is $245 million, with actual 2021 spending expected to be higher due to projects carried forward from 2020. Management stated that the COVID-19 pandemic's ultimate duration and severity remain uncertain, and that it cannot estimate the full impact on its business.

Key Highlights

  1. Net sales of $8.81 billion in 2020, down 19.7% from $10.97 billion in 2019, on a 10.8% decline in tons sold and a 9.6% decline in average selling price per ton.
  2. Record annual gross profit margin of 31.5% in 2020, versus 30.3% in 2019.
  3. Net income attributable to Reliance of $369.1 million, or $5.66 per diluted share, versus $701.5 million in 2019.
  4. Impairment and restructuring charges of $157.8 million in 2020, mainly a $137.5 million charge tied to energy-related businesses.
  5. Cash provided by operations of $1.17 billion, down 9.9% from $1.30 billion in 2019.
  6. Issued $900.0 million of senior unsecured notes in 2020; no borrowings outstanding under the $1.5 billion credit agreement at year-end, and $683.5 million of cash on hand.
  7. Quarterly dividend raised 10.0% to $0.6875 per share in February 2021, the 28th increase since the 1994 IPO; 2020 share repurchases totaled $337.3 million.

Financial Statements

FY2020 against FY2019

Line itemFY2020FY2019Change
Revenue$8.81B$10.97B−19.7%
SG&A Expenses$1.87B$2.10B−10.6%
Operating Expenses$8.25B$9.96B−17.2%
Operating Income$565.80M$1.01B−44.2%
Interest Expense$62.90M$85.00M−26.0%
Net Income$372.40M$706.10M−47.3%
EPS (Basic)$5.74$10.49−45.3%
EPS (Diluted)$5.66$10.34−45.3%
Shares Outstanding (Basic)64.33M66.89M−3.8%
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)65.26M67.86M−3.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How did COVID-19 affect Reliance's 2020 results?

    Demand fell across nearly all end markets. Tons sold declined 10.8% and average selling price per ton declined 9.6%, reducing net sales by 19.7% to $8.81 billion. Pretax income fell 48.5% to $478.2 million, and the company recorded $179.0 million of non-recurring charges, mostly impairment, restructuring and postretirement plan settlement charges.

  2. Did the company maintain its profitability despite lower sales?

    Yes, in part. Gross profit margin reached a record 31.5%, supported by value-added processing on 49% of orders shipped and pricing discipline. However, operating income fell to $565.8 million from $1.01 billion, and diluted EPS declined to $5.66 from $10.34.

  3. How strong is Reliance's balance sheet and liquidity?

    The company had $683.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $1.46 billion available on its revolving credit facility at December 31, 2020. Total debt was $1.66 billion, the net debt-to-total capital ratio was 15.8%, and the company was in compliance with its financial covenants, with an interest coverage ratio of 11.8 times against a 3.0 times minimum.

  4. What are the company's capital allocation priorities?

    In 2020 Reliance spent $172.0 million on capital expenditures, mostly growth-related, and paid $164.1 million in dividends and $337.3 million in share repurchases. The 2021 capital expenditure budget is $245 million, though actual spending is expected to be higher. The remaining share repurchase authorization is about 2.8 million shares, and the company expects to remain opportunistic in repurchases.