STOCK TITAN

Reliance (RS) boosts Q1 2026 EPS 36% and returns $301M to holders

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
10-Q

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Reliance, Inc. delivered strong first-quarter 2026 results, with net sales of $4.03 billion, up 15.5% from 2025 on record tons sold and a 12.6% increase in average selling price per ton. Net income rose to $265.6 million and diluted EPS increased to $5.10 from $3.74.

Operating margin improved to 9.1% as higher pricing and volume offset slightly lower gross margin. Operating cash flow climbed to $151.4 million, while capital spending fell to $64.2 million. The company returned $300.8 million via buybacks and dividends and ended with a 16.9% net debt‑to‑total capital ratio and $249.7 million in cash.

Positive

  • Strong top-line and EPS growth: Q1 2026 net sales increased 15.5% to $4.03 billion and diluted EPS rose 36.4% to $5.10, driven by record tons sold and a 12.6% higher average selling price per ton.
  • Margin and profitability expansion: Operating income grew 34.1% to $367.9 million, with operating margin improving to 9.1% and pretax income margin rising to 8.7%.
  • Improved cash generation: Net cash provided by operating activities rose to $151.4 million from $64.5 million, mainly due to higher profitability and working capital movements.
  • Significant capital returns with moderate leverage: The company returned $300.8 million via buybacks and dividends while keeping net debt‑to‑total capital at 16.9% and cash at $249.7 million.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Reliance posts double-digit growth, stronger margins and robust cash returns.

Reliance, Inc. grew Q1 2026 net sales by 15.5% to $4.03 billion, with record tons sold and a 12.6% higher average selling price per ton. Operating income increased 34.1% to $367.9 million, lifting operating margin to 9.1%.

Net income reached $265.6 million and diluted EPS rose 36.4% to $5.10, helped by higher profitability and a smaller share count. Cash from operations more than doubled to $151.4 million, while net debt‑to‑total capital remained modest at 16.9%, supporting balance sheet flexibility.

Capital deployment stayed shareholder‑friendly: the company spent $64.2 million on growth‑focused capital expenditures and returned $300.8 million through $234.2 million of repurchases and $66.6 million in dividends, following a 4.2% dividend rate increase effective in Q1 2026.

Net sales $4,026.0 million Three months ended March 31, 2026; up 15.5% year over year
Net income $265.6 million Three months ended March 31, 2026
Diluted EPS $5.10 per share Three months ended March 31, 2026 vs. $3.74 in 2025
Operating income $367.9 million Q1 2026 operating margin 9.1% vs. 7.9% in 2025
Operating cash flow $151.4 million Net cash provided by operating activities, Q1 2026
Capital expenditures $64.2 million Purchases of property, plant and equipment, Q1 2026
Share repurchases $234.2 million First quarter 2026 buybacks at average $299.42 per share
Net debt-to-total capital 16.9% As of March 31, 2026, reflecting increased revolver borrowings
LIFO financial
"The majority of our inventory is valued using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method"
An accounting method that assumes the most recently acquired inventory items are sold first, so the newest costs flow into cost of goods sold while older costs stay on the balance sheet. Imagine a stack of boxes where you take from the top; when prices are rising, that top-first approach produces higher reported costs and lower reported profits, which can reduce taxes and change profit margins. Investors watch LIFO because it affects reported earnings, tax liabilities, and how comparable a company’s performance is to peers.
FIFO financial
"On a FIFO basis, which excludes the impact of LIFO accounting, gross profit margin declined approximately 40 basis points"
FIFO (first-in, first-out) is an accounting and inventory rule that treats the oldest acquired items or shares as the ones sold first, like taking the oldest milk from the front of a fridge before newer cartons. For investors, FIFO matters because it changes reported profits, inventory values and tax bills — in rising-price environments it usually shows higher profits and higher taxes than alternative methods, affecting how company performance and cash flow are interpreted.
Section 232 regulatory
"Aluminum prices are at record levels, driven primarily by the 50% tariff imposed under Section 232 in June 2025."
A provision of U.S. trade law that lets the government review whether certain imports threaten national security and, if they do, impose measures such as tariffs, quotas or restrictions. For investors, it matters because these actions can suddenly raise costs, disrupt supply chains, or shield domestic producers—like a safety valve that can change competitive dynamics and profit outlooks for companies tied to affected imports.
net debt-to-total capital ratio financial
"our net debt-to-total capital ratio was 16.9%, compared to 14.4% at December 31, 2025"
Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement regulatory
"none of the Company’s directors or officers adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement"
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Table of Contents

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 March 31, 2026

OR

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

Graphic

Reliance, Inc.

(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.)

735 N. 19th Avenue

Phoenix, Arizona 85009

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(480) 564-5700

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

  ​ ​ ​

Trading Symbol(s)

  ​ ​ ​

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

RS

New York Stock Exchange

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 April 24, 2026, 51,048,522 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value, were outstanding.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

3

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income

3

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

4

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

5

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

6

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity

7

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

8

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

15

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

21

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

21

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

22

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

22

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

22

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

22

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

22

Item 5.

Other Information

23

Item 6.

Exhibits

23

SIGNATURE

24

Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

RELIANCE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in millions, except shares in thousands and per share amounts)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Net sales

$

4,026.0

$

3,484.7

Costs and expenses:

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)

2,854.1

2,451.4

Warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative

734.8

690.2

Depreciation and amortization

69.2

68.7

3,658.1

3,210.3

Operating income

367.9

274.4

Other (income) expense:

Interest expense

15.4

11.5

Other expense, net

3.0

0.5

Income before income taxes

349.5

262.4

Income tax provision

83.9

61.9

Net income

265.6

200.5

Less: net income – noncontrolling interests

0.7

0.8

Net income – Reliance

$

264.9

$

199.7

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

5.13

$

3.76

Diluted

$

5.10

$

3.74

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

51,633

53,075

Diluted

51,974

53,399

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

RELIANCE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Net income

$

265.6

$

200.5

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Foreign currency translation

(7.3)

3.3

Pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments, net of tax

(0.8)

(0.9)

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

(8.1)

2.4

Comprehensive income

257.5

202.9

Less: comprehensive income – noncontrolling interests

0.7

0.8

Comprehensive income – Reliance

$

256.8

$

202.1

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

RELIANCE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except shares in thousands and par value)

March 31,

December 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025*

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

249.7

$

216.6

Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses of $22.8 and $22.1

1,953.5

1,539.9

Inventories

2,234.9

2,187.8

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

135.2

165.6

Income taxes receivable

31.2

Total current assets

4,573.3

4,141.1

Property, plant and equipment, net

2,630.8

2,633.3

Operating lease right-of-use assets

331.5

315.2

Goodwill

2,175.4

2,169.9

Intangible assets, net

953.0

960.1

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies, net

41.9

48.0

Other long-term assets

103.4

105.7

Total assets

$

10,809.3

$

10,373.3

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable

$

552.1

$

375.2

Accrued expenses

152.5

150.0

Accrued compensation and retirement benefits

171.5

198.1

Accrued insurance costs

56.4

56.4

Current maturities of long-term debt

0.7

Current maturities of operating lease liabilities

69.2

67.7

Income taxes payable

41.1

Total current liabilities

1,042.8

848.1

Long-term debt

1,693.5

1,420.2

Operating lease liabilities

266.3

250.9

Long-term retirement benefits

25.3

24.9

Other long-term liabilities

74.4

74.1

Deferred income taxes

574.9

575.6

Total liabilities

3,677.2

3,193.8

Commitments and contingencies

Equity:

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value: 5,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

Common stock and additional paid-in capital, $0.001 par value and 200,000 shares authorized

Issued and outstanding shares—51,049 and 51,735

0.1

0.1

Retained earnings

7,218.5

7,257.6

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(95.7)

(87.6)

Total Reliance stockholders’ equity

7,122.9

7,170.1

Noncontrolling interests

9.2

9.4

Total equity

7,132.1

7,179.5

Total liabilities and equity

$

10,809.3

$

10,373.3

* Derived from audited financial statements.

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents

RELIANCE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Operating activities:

Net income

$

265.6

$

200.5

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

69.2

68.7

Stock-based compensation

13.3

12.2

Other

7.6

6.5

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable

(416.2)

(332.1)

Inventories

(47.7)

(85.9)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

83.1

80.8

Accounts payable and other liabilities

176.5

113.8

Net cash provided by operating activities

151.4

64.5

Investing activities:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

(64.2)

(86.9)

Other

(5.8)

(0.7)

Net cash used in investing activities

(70.0)

(87.6)

Financing activities:

Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings

925.0

788.0

Principal payments on long-term debt

(652.7)

(458.0)

Cash dividends and dividend equivalents

(66.6)

(65.2)

Share repurchases

(234.2)

(253.2)

Taxes paid on net-settled restricted stock units

(14.7)

(11.5)

Other

(3.4)

(18.7)

Net cash used in financing activities

(46.6)

(18.6)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

(1.7)

1.4

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

33.1

(40.3)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning balance

216.6

318.1

Cash and cash equivalents, ending balance

$

249.7

$

277.8

Supplemental cash flow information:

Interest paid

$

13.2

$

10.0

Income taxes paid, net

$

12.5

$

13.9

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

6

Table of Contents

RELIANCE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(in millions, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Common stock and additional paid-in capital:

Beginning balance

$

0.1

$

0.1

Stock-based compensation

13.3

12.2

Taxes paid on net-settled restricted stock units

(12.2)

Share repurchases

(1.2)

(12.2)

Noncontrolling interest purchased

0.1

Ending balance

0.1

0.1

Retained earnings:

Beginning balance

7,257.6

7,334.7

Net income – Reliance

264.9

199.7

Cash dividends

(64.7)

(63.7)

Dividend equivalents paid on vested restricted stock units

(1.9)

(1.5)

Taxes paid on net-settled restricted stock units

(2.5)

(11.5)

Share repurchases

(233.0)

(241.0)

Excise tax on repurchase of common shares

(1.9)

(2.2)

Ending balance

7,218.5

7,214.5

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

Beginning balance

(87.6)

(115.2)

Other comprehensive (loss) income

(8.1)

2.4

Ending balance

(95.7)

(112.8)

Total Reliance stockholders' equity

7,122.9

7,101.8

Noncontrolling interests:

Beginning balance

9.4

11.0

Comprehensive income

0.7

0.8

Noncontrolling interest purchased

(0.9)

Ending balance

9.2

11.8

Total equity

$

7,132.1

$

7,113.6

Cash dividends declared per common share

$

1.25

$

1.20

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

7

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RELIANCE, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Reliance, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “Reliance,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”). These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the requirements of Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In management’s opinion, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair presentation of interim results. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. These financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventories

The majority of our inventory is valued using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method, which is not in excess of market. Under this method, older costs are included in inventory, which may be higher or lower than current costs. We estimate the effect of LIFO on interim periods by allocating the projected year-end LIFO calculation to interim periods on a pro rata basis.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

There have been no material changes to the Company’s accounting policies related to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses—In November 2024, the FASB issued changes to expand the disclosure requirements for specific expense categories. The changes require disaggregated quantitative disclosure, in the notes to the financial statements, of prescribed expense categories included within relevant income statement expense captions. These changes will be effective beginning with our 2027 fiscal year and subsequent interim periods, with early adoption permitted. As the guidance only requires additional disclosure, there will be no impact to our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

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NOTE 2. REVENUES

The following table presents our net sales disaggregated by product and service (in millions):

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Carbon steel

$

2,218.1

$

1,904.2

Aluminum

754.6

605.6

Stainless steel

539.0

503.2

Alloy

180.6

158.4

Toll processing and logistics

171.9

160.2

Copper and brass

101.9

81.7

Miscellaneous and eliminations

59.9

71.4

Total

$

4,026.0

$

3,484.7

NOTE 3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET

Property, plant and equipment, net consists of the following (in millions):

March 31,

December 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Land

$

299.4

$

299.5

Buildings

1,805.1

1,797.6

Machinery and equipment

2,823.1

2,836.2

Construction in progress

268.4

243.4

Property, plant and equipment, gross

5,196.0

5,176.7

Less: accumulated depreciation

(2,565.2)

(2,543.4)

Property, plant and equipment, net

$

2,630.8

$

2,633.3

As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, noncash investing activities included $5.1 million and $7.5 million of capital expenditures, respectively, reflected in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

NOTE 4. GOODWILL

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

Balance as of January 1, 2026

$

2,169.9

Other

6.9

Foreign currency translation

(1.4)

Balance as of March 31, 2026

$

2,175.4

We had no accumulated impairment losses related to goodwill as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025.

During the first quarter of 2026, in connection with an operational realignment, the Company changed its reporting units. As a result, goodwill was reallocated among reporting units using a relative fair value approach, with no change in the consolidated carrying amount of goodwill. The Company performed an impairment assessment and concluded that no impairment existed. There was no change to the Company's reportable segments.

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NOTE 5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following (in millions):

March 31,

December 31,

2026

2025

Weighted Average

Gross

Gross

Amortizable

Carrying

Accumulated

Carrying

Accumulated

Life in Years

  ​ ​

Amount

  ​ ​

Amortization

  ​ ​

Amount

  ​ ​

Amortization

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

Customer lists/relationships

13.8

$

754.4

$

(603.3)

$

754.8

$

(596.6)

Backlog of orders

7.9

21.7

(11.9)

22.1

(11.4)

Other

9.1

11.3

(9.8)

10.2

(9.8)

787.4

(625.0)

787.1

(617.8)

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:

Trade names

790.6

790.8

$

1,578.0

$

(625.0)

$

1,577.9

$

(617.8)

The change in the carrying amount of intangible assets, net is as follows (in millions):

Balance as of January 1, 2026

$

960.1

Other

1.1

Amortization expense

(7.7)

Foreign currency translation

(0.5)

Balance as of March 31, 2026

$

953.0

The following is a summary of estimated future amortization expense (in millions):

2026 – remaining

$

22.2

2027

29.2

2028

27.7

2029

25.6

2030

20.7

Thereafter

37.0

$

162.4

NOTE 6. DEBT

Debt consisted of the following (in millions):

March 31,

December 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Unsecured revolving credit facility maturing September 10, 2029

$

550.0

$

277.0

Unsecured term loan maturing August 14, 2028

400.0

400.0

Senior unsecured notes, interest payable semi-annually at 2.15%, effective rate of 2.27%, maturing August 15, 2030

500.0

500.0

Senior unsecured notes, interest payable semi-annually at 6.85%, effective rate of 6.91%, maturing November 15, 2036

250.0

250.0

Other notes

0.7

Total

1,700.0

1,427.7

Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs

(6.5)

(6.8)

Less: amounts due within one year

(0.7)

Total long-term debt

$

1,693.5

$

1,420.2

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The weighted average effective interest rates on the Company’s outstanding borrowings as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 were 4.19% and 4.24%, respectively.

Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility

We have a $1.5 billion unsecured five-year revolving credit facility (“Credit Agreement”). As of March 31, 2026, borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at variable rates based on SOFR plus 1.00% or the bank prime rate, and we pay a commitment fee of 0.10% on the unused portion of the facility. Interest rates under the Credit Agreement are subject to quarterly adjustment based on our total net leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

Weighted average interest rates on borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility were 4.67% and 5.29% as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively. As of March 31, 2026, no letters of credit were outstanding compared to $0.7 million outstanding as of December 31, 2025.

Unsecured Term Loan

As of March 31, 2026, the borrowing under the Company’s $400.0 million unsecured term loan (the “Term Loan”) bore interest at SOFR plus 0.75%. Interest rates under the Term Loan are subject to quarterly adjustment based on our total net leverage ratio that is defined similarly as in our Credit Agreement.  

The interest rates on the outstanding balance of the term loan were 4.43% and 4.49% as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

Senior Unsecured Notes

Under the indentures for each series of our senior notes (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 make an offer to repurchase each series of the notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Letter of Credit/Letters of Guarantee Facility

We have a $50.0 million standby letters of credit/letters of guarantee agreement with one of the lenders under our Credit Agreement. We had $31.5 million and $31.7 million outstanding under this facility as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively.

Covenants

The Credit Agreement, Term Loan and indentures governing our debt securities include customary representations, warranties, covenants and events of default provisions. The covenants under the Credit Agreement and Term Loan include, among other things, a financial maintenance covenant that requires us to comply with a maximum total net leverage ratio. We were in compliance with the financial maintenance covenant under our Credit Agreement and Term Loan as of March 31, 2026.

NOTE 7. LEASES

Supplemental cash flow and balance sheet information is presented below (in millions):

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Cash payments for operating leases                 

$

28.7

$

27.8

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations

$

34.8

$

27.8

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NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES

Our effective income tax rates for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025 were 24.0% and 23.6%, respectively. The differences between our effective income tax rates and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% were mainly due to state income taxes partially offset by the net effects of company-owned life insurance policies.

NOTE 9. EQUITY

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

We grant long-term equity incentive awards annually to officers and key employees in the form of service-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). RSUs vest over an approximately three-year period ending December 1 and settle into an equivalent number of shares of our common stock. PSUs vest based on continued service and the achievement of a return on assets metric over a three-year performance period ending December 31 and settle into shares of our common stock, on a sliding scale up to a maximum of 200% of the number of PSUs granted.

The following summarizes the activity of our unvested RSUs and PSUs (in thousands, except per unit amounts):

Weighted

Average

Grant Date

RSU and PSU

Fair Value

Aggregate Units

Per Unit

Unvested as of January 1, 2026

312

$

294.81

Granted(1)

140

340.30

Cancelled or forfeited

(10)

299.15

Unvested as of March 31, 2026

442

$

309.14

Shares reserved for future issuance (all plans)

1,095

(1)Comprised of 79 RSUs and 61 PSUs granted in February 2026. The RSUs cliff vest on December 1, 2028 and the PSUs vest upon the achievement of return on asset performance above a threshold over a 3-year performance period ending December 31, 2028.

As of March 31, 2026, there was $102.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs and PSUs that is expected to be recognized, net of actual forfeitures and cancellations, over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.

Common Stock

We have paid regular quarterly cash dividends on our common stock for 67 consecutive years without a suspension or reduction. Our Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend from $1.20 to $1.25 per share in February 2026.

On April 17, 2026, our Board of Directors declared the 2026 second quarter cash dividend of $1.25 per share of common stock, payable on June 5, 2026 to stockholders of record as of May 22, 2026.

Share Repurchases

On October 22, 2024, our Board of Directors amended our share repurchase program to replenish the repurchase authorization to $1.5 billionAs of March 31, 2026, we had remaining authorization to repurchase $529.3 million of our common stock under the share repurchase program

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Our share repurchase activity consisted of the following (in millions, except shares in thousands and per share amounts):

2026

2025

Average Price

Average Price

Shares

Per Share

Amount

Shares

Per Share

Amount

First quarter

782

$

299.42

$

234.2

923

$

274.41

$

253.2

Our share repurchase table above excludes shares withheld related to net share settlements upon the vesting of RSUs and PSUs to settle employees’ tax withholding obligations of $14.7 million and $11.5 million in the first quarters of 2026 and 2025, respectively.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following (in millions):

Pension and

Postretirement Benefit

Accumulated Other

Foreign Currency

Plan Adjustments,

Comprehensive

Translation

  ​ ​

Net of Tax

  ​ ​

Income (Loss)

Balance as of January 1, 2026

$

(92.1)

$

4.5

$

(87.6)

Change

(7.3)

(0.8)

(8.1)

Balance as of March 31, 2026

$

(99.4)

$

3.7

$

(95.7)

See Note 15 “Equity” to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 for a discussion of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects.

NOTE 10. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in millions, except shares in thousands and per share amounts):

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Numerator:

Net income – Reliance

$

264.9

$

199.7

Denominator:

Weighted average shares outstanding

51,633

53,075

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards(1)

341

324

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

51,974

53,399

Earnings per share:

Basic

$

5.13

$

3.76

Diluted

$

5.10

$

3.74

(1)The computations of diluted earnings per share using the treasury stock method for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025 do not include 203 and 194 weighted average shares, respectively, in respect of outstanding RSUs and PSUs, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

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NOTE 11. 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. These actions generally 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 impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We maintain general liability insurance against risks arising in the ordinary course of business.

NOTE 12. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Reliance derives revenue primarily in the United States from its metals service center businesses. Following an operational realignment completed during the first quarter of 2026, the Company manages its business through operating segments that have been aggregated into a single reportable segment—metals service centers—based on similar economic characteristics. The operational realignment did not result in a change to the Company’s reportable segments and, accordingly, previously reported segment information has not been recast.

The measure of segment assets is reported on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as total assets.

The measure of segment profit and loss is net income reported on the accompanying consolidated income statements.

Information about our segment revenue, net income, significant expenses, and other quantitative information is presented below (in millions):

Metals Service Centers Segment

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

Net sales

$

4,026.0

$

3,484.7

Less:

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)

2,854.1

2,451.4

Compensation expense

452.7

420.1

Other segment items(1)

285.1

270.6

Depreciation and amortization expense

69.2

68.7

Interest expense

15.4

11.5

Income tax provision

83.9

61.9

Net income

$

265.6

$

200.5

Other Segment Disclosures:

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

$

64.2

$

86.9

(1)Other segment items mainly consist of warehousing and delivery costs, which include among others, third-party freight, gas and oil, utilities & rent, plant supplies, and repairs and maintenance.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The terms “Company,” “Reliance,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Reliance, Inc. and all its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), unless otherwise indicated.

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 (the “Exchange Act”). Our forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, discussions of our: industry and end markets; business strategies; acquisitions; expectations concerning our future growth and profitability; ability to generate industry leading returns for our stockholders; future demand and metals pricing; results of operations; margins; profitability; taxes; liquidity; cash flows; capital expenditures; expectations for macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, and the possibility of an economic recession or slowdown; anticipated effects from regulatory changes, including taxation, tariffs and other trade barriers; 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,” “preliminary,” “range,” “intend” and “continue,” the negative of these terms, and similar expressions. All statements contained in this report that are not 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. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking 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, actions taken by us, as well as developments beyond our control, including, but not limited to: changes in domestic and worldwide political and economic conditions; changes in U.S. and foreign trade policies and programs, including tariffs and trade policies and programs specifically affecting metal product markets and pricing; slowing economic growth, inflation, rising unemployment or other macroeconomic factors that could materially impact us, our customers and suppliers; metals pricing; demand for our products and services; the possibility that the expected benefits of government contracts, acquisitions and capital expenditures may not materialize as expected; and the impacts of labor constraints and supply chain disruptions. Deteriorations in economic conditions, including as a result of tariffs or trade barriers, economic policies, inflation, economic recession, slowing growth, outbreaks of infectious disease, or geopolitical conflicts such as in Ukraine, Iran and the Middle East, could lead to a decline in demand for our products and services and negatively impact our business, and may also impact financial markets and corporate credit markets which could adversely impact our access to financing, or the terms of any financing. Other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include those disclosed in this report and in other reports we have filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Important risks and uncertainties about our business can be found elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC and in other documents Reliance files or furnishes with the SEC. The Company cannot at this time predict all of the impacts of domestic and foreign tariffs and trade policies, inflation, product price fluctuations, economic recession, outbreaks of infectious disease, geopolitical conflicts and related economic effects, but these factors, individually or in any combination, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in assumptions, beliefs, or expectations or any change in events, conditions, or

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circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based. You should review any additional disclosures we make in our press releases and other documents we file with or furnish to the SEC.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in Item 1.

Results of Operations

The following sets forth certain income statement data for the first quarter of 2026 and 2025 (dollars are shown in millions, except per share amounts, and certain percentages may not calculate due to rounding):

2026

2025

% of

% of

Three Months Ended March 31,

  ​ ​

Net Sales

  ​ ​

  ​ ​

Net Sales

Net sales

$

4,026.0

100.0

%

$

3,484.7

100.0

%

Cost of sales (exclusive of LIFO and depreciation and amortization shown below)

2,816.6

70.0

2,426.4

69.6

LIFO expense

37.5

0.9

25.0

0.7

Gross profit(1)

1,171.9

29.1

1,033.3

29.7

Gross profit – FIFO(1)(2)

1,209.4

30.0

1,058.3

30.4

Warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”)

734.8

18.3

690.2

19.8

Depreciation expense

61.5

1.5

58.3

1.7

Amortization expense

7.7

0.2

10.4

0.3

Operating income

367.9

9.1

274.4

7.9

Interest expense

15.4

0.4

11.5

0.3

Other expense, net

3.0

0.1

0.5

Income before income taxes

349.5

8.7

262.4

7.5

Income tax provision

83.9

2.1

61.9

1.8

Net income

265.6

6.6

200.5

5.8

Less: net income – noncontrolling interests

0.7

0.8

Net income – Reliance

$

264.9

6.6

%

$

199.7

5.7

%

Diluted earnings per share

$

5.10

$

3.74

(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 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)

We use first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) gross profit, gross profit margin, and other FIFO-based non-GAAP performance measures to assess our ongoing operating performance and provide a basis for comparison with competitors that do not use the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) inventory accounting method.

Overview

Net sales were $4.03 billion in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 15.5% compared to 2025, driven by record tons sold, which increased 2.7%, and a 12.6% increase in average selling price per ton sold. Shipments grew across most end markets, with notably strong underlying demand across the broader manufacturing

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sector, primarily due to growth in industrial machinery, shipbuilding, military, consumer products and construction machinery. Demand in our largest end market by tons sold, non-residential construction, including infrastructure and data centers, also improved year-over-year.

Growth in tons sold exceeded the industry-wide decline of 5.1% reported by the Metals Service Center Institute (“MSCI”) by nearly 8 percentage points, continuing a multi-year trend of outperformance relative to industry shipments. We believe our scale, diversified business model, and customer service capabilities, including next-day delivery and value-added processing, enabled us to gain market share in a complex operating environment.

Carbon steel prices have benefited from tight supply conditions and solid underlying demand. Aluminum prices are at record levels, driven primarily by the 50% tariff imposed under Section 232 in June 2025.

Gross profit margin under our LIFO method was 29.1% compared to 29.7% in 2025. On a FIFO basis, which excludes the impact of LIFO accounting and is how we evaluate our ongoing operating performance, gross profit margin declined approximately 40 basis points to 30.0%. Despite the lower margin, gross profit per ton increased for most of the products we sold.

SG&A expense per ton increased 3.7%, reflecting higher incentive-based compensation associated with increased profitability, inflationary impacts on compensation and related benefits, and on certain warehousing and delivery costs. However, higher average selling price per ton sold improved operating leverage, resulting in a 150 basis point decline in SG&A margin.

Pretax income increased $87.1 million, or 33.2%, driven by volume growth, improved gross profit per ton, and improved operating leverage. As a result, pretax income margin improved 120 basis points to 8.7%.

Earnings per diluted share were $5.10 compared to $3.74 in 2025, an increase of 36.4%. The increase was primarily driven by higher profitability and, to a lesser extent, a 3% reduction in outstanding shares from continued share repurchase activity.  

Operating cash flow increased $86.9 million to $151.4 million, primarily due to improved profitability.  

Investments in capital expenditures declined $22.7 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 2025.

Returns to stockholders totaled $300.8 million, consisting of $234.2 million of share repurchases and $66.6 million of cash dividends, including a 4.2% increase in our regular quarterly dividend.

First Quarter Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to First Quarter Ended March 31, 2025

(in millions, except tons in thousands and average selling price per ton sold)

Net Sales

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

2026

  ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​

Change

  ​ ​

Change

Net sales

$

4,026.0

  ​ ​

$

3,484.7

  ​ ​

$

541.3

  ​ ​

15.5

%

Tons sold

1,672.7

1,628.9

43.8

2.7

%

Average selling price per ton sold

$

2,414

$

2,143

$

271

12.6

%

Tons sold and average selling price per ton sold exclude our toll processed tons. Our average selling price per ton sold includes intercompany transactions that are eliminated from our consolidated net sales.

Net sales increased due to record tons sold and an increase in average selling price per ton sold.

Our increase in tons sold reflects improved demand across most of our end markets, as well as market share gains achieved against a backdrop of ongoing trade policy uncertainty. We believe customers have continued

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to purchase in smaller quantities more frequently in the current operating environment, and that our diversified business model and high levels of customer service support growth in tons sold, enabling us to outperform the industry-wide decline in shipments.

Since we primarily purchase and sell our inventories in the spot market, our average selling prices generally fluctuate with the changes in replacement costs of the various metals we purchase. The mix of products sold can also have an impact on our average selling price per ton sold. As carbon steel sales represent a majority of our gross sales, changes in carbon steel prices have the most significant impact on changes in our average selling price per ton sold.

Carbon steel prices have benefited from tight supply conditions and solid underlying demand. Aluminum prices are at record levels, driven primarily by the 50% tariff imposed under Section 232 in June 2025.

The mix of our total sales by major commodity products and year-over-year changes in selling prices are presented below:

Sales by

Average Selling

Product

Price Per

(% of

Ton Sold

Three Months Ended March 31, 2026

Total Sales)

  ​ ​

(% Change)

Carbon steel

53

%

13.2

%

Aluminum

18

%

23.1

%

Stainless steel

13

%

4.1

%

Alloy

4

%

8.8

%

Copper & brass

3

%

27.1

%

Cost of Sales and Gross Profit

2026

2025

% of

% of

Dollar

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

  ​ ​

Net Sales

  ​ ​

  ​ ​

Net Sales

  ​ ​

Change

  ​ ​

Change

Cost of sales (exclusive of LIFO)

$

2,816.6

70.0

%

$

2,426.4

69.6

%

$

390.2

16.1

%

LIFO expense

$

37.5

0.9

%

$

25.0

0.7

%

$

12.5

Gross profit

$

1,171.9

29.1

%

$

1,033.3

29.7

%

$

138.6

13.4

%

We record, in cost of sales, noncash adjustments to our LIFO method inventory valuation reserve that, in effect, reflect cost of sales at current replacement costs. The increase in LIFO expense was due to more significant increases in metal pricing in 2026 compared to 2025. As of March 31, 2026, the inventory balance in our consolidated balance sheet includes a LIFO method inventory valuation reserve of $586.1 million.

See “Overview” and “Net Sales” above for further discussion of our gross profit margin and discussion of trends in both demand and costs of our products, and product pricing.

Expenses

2026

2025

% of

% of

Dollar

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

  ​ ​

Net Sales

  ​ ​

  ​ ​

Net Sales

  ​ ​

Change

  ​ ​

Change

SG&A expense

$

734.8

18.3

%

$

690.2

19.8

%

$

44.6

6.5

%

Depreciation and amortization expense

$

69.2

1.7

%

$

68.7

2.0

%

$

0.5

0.7

%

SG&A expense per ton increased 3.7%, reflecting higher incentive-based compensation associated with increased profitability, inflationary impacts on compensation and related benefits, and on certain warehousing and delivery costs. SG&A margin improved as higher average selling price per ton sold improved operating leverage.

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Operating Income

2026

  ​ ​

2025

% of

% of

Dollar

Percentage

Three Months Ended March 31,

  ​ ​

Net Sales

  ​ ​

  ​ ​

Net Sales

  ​ ​

Change

  ​ ​

Change

Operating income

$

367.9

9.1

%

$

274.4

7.9

%

$

93.5

34.1

%

Operating income increased due to record tons sold and a higher average selling price per ton sold that offset a moderate decline in gross profit margin. Operating margin increased 120 basis points from improved operating leverage of our operating expenses.

See “Net Sales” above for discussion of trends in demand, product costs and pricing, and “Expenses” for trends in our operating expenses.

Income Tax Rate

Our effective income tax rates for the first quarters of 2026 and 2025 were 24.0% and 23.6%, respectively. The differences between our effective income tax rates and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% were mainly due to state income taxes partially offset by the net effects of company-owned life insurance policies.

Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2026, we had $249.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, and our net debt-to-total capital ratio was 16.9%, compared to 14.4% at December 31, 2025, reflecting increased borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $86.9 million to $151.4 million, primarily due to improved profitability.  

Net cash used in investing activities of $70.0 million in the first quarter of 2026 decreased $17.6 million compared to $87.6 million in 2025. Our investment in capital expenditures declined $22.7 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to 2025. The majority of our capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2026 and 2025 were related to growth initiatives.

Net cash used in financing activities of $46.6 million in the first quarter of 2026 increased $28.0 million from $18.6 million in 2025. The increase was mainly the result of reduced net debt borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $57.7 million, partially offset by a $19.0 million decrease in share repurchases. Our returns to stockholders also included a 4.2% increase in our quarterly dividend rate effective in the first quarter of 2026; however, total dividend payments of $66.6 million in the first quarter of 2026 were consistent with 2025, as our share repurchase activity reduced outstanding shares by 3.0% year-over-year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe our primary sources of liquidity, including funds generated from operations, cash and cash equivalents and our $1.5 billion revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements and stockholder return activities over the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future.

As of March 31, 2026, we had $400.0 million outstanding under our Term Loan that matures prior to the September 10, 2029 maturity of our $1.5 billion unsecured revolving credit facility.

See Note 6—“Debt” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for further information on our Credit Agreement, Term Loan and indentures governing our debt securities.

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We believe we will continue to have sufficient liquidity to fund future operating needs and repay debt obligations as they become due. In addition to funds generated from operations and $950.0 million of remaining borrowing capacity under our unsecured revolving credit facility, we expect to be able to access the capital markets to raise funds, if desired. We believe our investment grade credit ratings enhance our ability to effectively raise capital. We believe our sources of liquidity will continue to be adequate to maintain operations, make necessary capital expenditures, finance strategic growth through acquisitions and internal initiatives, and fund our stockholder return activities.

Covenants

We were in compliance with the financial maintenance covenant under our Credit Agreement and Term Loan as of March 31, 2026.

Dividends

On April 17, 2026, our Board of Directors declared the 2026 second quarter cash dividend of $1.25 per share.

We have paid regular quarterly dividends to our stockholders for 67 consecutive years and increased the quarterly dividend on our common stock 33 times since our 1994 IPO, with the most recent increase of 4.2% from $1.20 to $1.25 per share effective in the first quarter of 2026. We have never reduced or suspended our regular quarterly dividend.

Share Repurchase Plan

See Note 9—“Equity” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for information on our share repurchases.

As of March 31, 2026, we had $529.3 million of remaining authorization under our $1.5 billion share repurchase program that was most recently amended by our Board of Directors on October 22, 2024. The program does not require the repurchase of any specific number of shares in any prescribed period, does not have a specific expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

Decisions regarding the timing and amount of share repurchases are made within the context of our overall capital allocation priorities, including funding operating needs, planned capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, maintaining targeted leverage metrics and returning capital to stockholders. The execution of repurchases may be affected by market conditions, business performance, liquidity considerations and other factors.

Seasonality

Some of our customers are in seasonal businesses, especially customers in the construction industry and related businesses. 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. The number of shipping days in each quarter has an impact on our quarterly sales and profitability. We cannot predict whether period-to-period fluctuations will be consistent with historical patterns. Results of any one or more quarters are therefore not necessarily indicative of annual results.

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests and additional evaluation when triggering events occur. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, and we review long-lived assets for impairment when indicators are present.

During the first quarter of 2026, in connection with an operational realignment, the Company changed its reporting units. There was no change to the Company's reportable segments.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. When we prepare these consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Some of our accounting policies are critical due to the fact that they involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Our most critical accounting estimates include those related to the recoverability of goodwill, other indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2026, there were no material changes to our critical accounting estimates as compared to the critical accounting estimates disclosed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Website Disclosure

The Company may use its website as a distribution channel of material company information. Financial and other important information regarding the Company is routinely posted on and accessible through the Company’s website at www.reliance.com and our investor relations website, https://investor.reliance.com. At our investor relations website, we make available, free of charge, a variety of information for investors, including access to our financial reports after we file or furnish them with the SEC. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about the Company when you enroll your email address through our investor relations website. The information found on these websites is not incorporated into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to website URLs are intended to be inactive textual references only.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For the Company’s disclosures about market risk, please see Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. There have been no material changes to the Company’s exposures to market risk as disclosed in Part II—Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), an evaluation was performed on the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to and as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our management,

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including the CEO and the CFO, concluded that, as of the end of the period covered in this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and our CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2026 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information contained under the captions “Legal Matters” and “Environmental Contingencies” in Note 11—“Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Our share repurchase activity for the first quarter of 2026 was as follows:

Total Number of

Maximum Dollar

Total Number

Average Price

Shares Purchased

Value That May

of Shares

Paid

as Part of Publicly

Yet Be Purchased

Period

Purchased

Per Share

Announced Plan

Under the Plan(1)

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

(in millions)

January 1 – January 31, 2026

4

$

292.16

4

$

762.4

February 1 – February 28, 2026

79

$

316.26

79

$

737.4

March 1 – March 31, 2026

699

$

297.56

699

$

529.3

Total

782

782

(1)All repurchases were made under our $1.5 billion share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors on October 22, 2024. The share repurchase program does not require the repurchase of any specific number of shares, does not have a specific expiration date and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Under the share repurchase plan, shares may be repurchased through a variety of methods including, but not limited to, open market purchases, accelerated share repurchases, negotiated block purchases and transactions structured through investment banking institutions under plans relying on Rule 10b5-1 and/or Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

During the first quarter of 2026, none of the Company’s directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) adopted, terminated or modified a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K).

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit
Number

  ​ ​ ​

Description

  ​ ​ ​

Form

  ​

Exhibit

  ​

Filing Date/
Period End Date

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

31.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

32**

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101*

The following financial information from Reliance, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Equity, and (v) related notes to these consolidated financial statements.

104*

Cover page interactive data file formatted as Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101).

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

RELIANCE, INC.

/s/ Arthur Ajemyan

Arthur Ajemyan

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Duly Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting Officer)

April 29, 2026

24

FAQ

How did Reliance (RS) perform financially in Q1 2026?

Reliance reported strong Q1 2026 results, with net sales of $4.03 billion, up 15.5% year over year, and net income of $265.6 million. Diluted earnings per share rose to $5.10 from $3.74, reflecting higher volumes, better pricing and improved operating leverage.

What drove Reliance (RS) revenue growth in the first quarter of 2026?

Revenue growth came from record tons sold, up 2.7% to 1.67 million tons, and a 12.6% increase in average selling price per ton. Strong demand across manufacturing, non‑residential construction and other end markets, plus higher carbon steel and aluminum prices, supported results.

How were Reliance (RS) margins and profitability in Q1 2026?

Reliance achieved an operating margin of 9.1% and a pretax margin of 8.7% in Q1 2026. Operating income grew to $367.9 million, while gross margin on a LIFO basis was 29.1% and FIFO gross margin was 30.0%, slightly lower but offset by higher profit per ton.

What was Reliance (RS) cash flow and capital spending in Q1 2026?

Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $151.4 million, more than double the prior year. Net cash used in investing was $70.0 million, including $64.2 million of capital expenditures, largely focused on growth initiatives at its metals service centers.

How much capital did Reliance (RS) return to shareholders in Q1 2026?

Reliance returned a total of $300.8 million to shareholders in Q1 2026. This included $234.2 million of share repurchases and $66.6 million of cash dividends, following a 4.2% increase in the quarterly dividend rate to $1.25 per share.

What is Reliance (RS) current leverage and liquidity position?

As of March 31, 2026, Reliance held $249.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and had total long‑term debt of $1.69 billion. Its net debt‑to‑total capital ratio was 16.9%, and it retained substantial unused capacity on its $1.5 billion revolving credit facility.