Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE: RS), Los Angeles, CA, reported sales for the full year 2012 of $8.4 billion, an increase of 3.8 percent from 2011. Tons sold increased 5.4 percent. Profit increased 7.4 percent to $403.5 million.
Relative strength in aerospace, energy (oil and gas), farm and heavy equipment, and auto (through the company’s toll processing business) continued to offset weakness in non-residential construction during the year.
Fourth-quarter sales for Reliance were $1.9 billion, a 7.1 decline from the same period a year earlier. Tons sold were down 3.9 percent year-over-year. Profit increased 18.4 percent to $80.4 million.