Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Reliance”, “the Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”). Our consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and operating results of majority‑owned subsidiaries. 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. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Business We operate a metals service center network of more than 300 locations in 39 states in the U.S. and in 12 other countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom) that provides value‑added metals processing services and distributes a full line of more than 100,000 metal products. Since our inception in 1939, we have not diversified outside our core business as a metals service center operator. Accounting Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, such as accounts receivable collectability, valuation of inventories, goodwill, long‑lived assets, income tax and other contingencies, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Accounts Receivable and Concentrations of Credit Risk Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the geographically diverse customer base and various industries into which our products are sold. Trade receivables are typically non‑interest bearing and are initially recorded at cost. Sales to our recurring customers are generally made on open account terms while sales to occasional customers may be made on a C.O.D. basis when collectability is not assured. Past due status of customer accounts is determined based on how recently payments have been received in relation to payment terms granted. Credit is generally extended based upon an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition, with terms consistent in the industry and no collateral is required. Losses from credit sales are provided for in the financial statements and consistently have been within the allowance provided. The allowance is an estimate of the uncollectability of accounts receivable based on an evaluation of specific customer risks along with additional reserves based on historical and probable bad debt experience. Amounts are written-off against the allowance in the period we determine that the receivable is uncollectible. As a result of the above factors, we do not consider ourselves to have any significant concentrations of credit risk. 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. This method of valuation is subject to year‑to‑year fluctuations in cost of material sold, which is influenced by the inflation or deflation existing within the metals industry as well as fluctuations in our product mix and on‑hand inventory levels. Fair Values of Financial Instruments Fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and the current portion of long‑term debt approximate carrying values due to the short period of time to maturity. Fair values of long‑term debt, which have been determined based on borrowing rates currently available to us or to other companies with comparable credit ratings, for loans with similar terms or maturity, approximate the carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements, with the exception of our publicly traded senior unsecured notes of $750.0 million and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The fair values of these senior unsecured notes based on quoted market prices as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, were $773.2 million and $1.08 billion, respectively, compared to their carrying values of $743.2 million and $1.09 billion as of the end of each respective fiscal year. These estimated fair values are based on Level 2 inputs. Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. We maintain cash and cash equivalents with high‑credit, quality financial institutions. The Company, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. Goodwill Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually. We have one operating segment and one reporting unit for goodwill impairment purposes. We test for impairment of goodwill by assessing qualitative factors to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not below the carrying value of the reporting unit. We also calculate the fair value of the reporting unit using our market capitalization or the discounted cash flow method, as necessary, and compare the fair value to the carrying value of the reporting unit to determine if impairment exists. We perform the required annual goodwill impairment evaluation on November 1 of each year. No impairment of goodwill was determined to exist in any of the years presented. Long‑Lived Assets Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost (or at fair value for assets acquired in connection with business combinations) and the provision for depreciation of these assets is generally computed on the straight‑line method at rates designed to distribute the cost of assets over the useful lives, estimated as follows: buildings, including leasehold improvements, over five to 50 years and machinery and equipment over three to 20 years. Other intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. Other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. We review the recoverability of our long‑lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We recognized impairment losses of $14.4 million on our other intangible assets with finite lives in 2015 and $36.4 million and $21.2 million related to our other intangible assets with indefinite lives in 2016 and 2015, respectively. We recognized impairment losses of $16.0 million and $17.7 million for property, plant, and equipment in 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 17 – “Impairment and Restructuring Charges” for further discussion of our impairment losses. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue from product or processing sales upon concluding that all of the fundamental criteria for product revenue recognition have been met, such as a fixed or determinable sales price; reasonable assurance of collectability; and passage of title and risks of ownership to the buyer. Such criteria are usually met upon delivery to the customer for orders with FOB destination terms or upon shipment for orders with FOB shipping point terms, or after toll processing services are performed. Considering the close proximity of our customers to our metals service center locations, shipment and delivery of our orders generally occur on the same day. Billings for orders where the revenue recognition criteria are not met, which primarily include certain bill and hold transactions (in which our customers request to be billed for the material but request delivery at a later date), are recorded as deferred revenue. Shipping and handling charges to our customers are included in Net sales. Costs incurred in connection with shipping and handling our products that are performed by third-party carriers and costs incurred by our personnel are typically included in operating expenses. In 2016, 2015 and 2014, shipping and handling costs included in Warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative expenses were $346.2 million, $319.1 million, and $312.6 million, respectively. Stock‑Based Compensation All of our stock‑based compensation plans are considered equity plans. We calculate the fair value of stock option awards on the grant date based on the closing market price of our common stock, using a Black‑Scholes option‑pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock grants is determined based on the fair value of our common stock on the grant date. The fair value of stock option and restricted stock awards is expensed on a straight‑line basis over their respective vesting periods, net of forfeitures when they occur. The stock-based compensation expense recorded was $24.4 million, $21.3 million, and $22.8 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in the Warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative expense caption of our consolidated statements of income. Environmental Remediation Costs We accrue for losses associated with environmental remediation obligations when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of the remediation feasibility study. Such accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. We are not aware of any environmental remediation obligations that would materially affect our operations, financial position or cash flows. See Note 14 – “Commitments and Contingencies” for further discussion on our environmental remediation matters. Income Taxes We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return with our wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The deferred tax assets and/or liabilities are determined by multiplying the differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases for assets and liabilities by the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such differences are recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of the change. The provision for income taxes reflects the taxes to be paid for the period and the change during the period in the deferred tax assets and liabilities. We evaluate on a quarterly basis whether, based on all available evidence, it is probable that the deferred income tax assets are realizable. Valuation allowances are established when it is estimated that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We make a comprehensive review of our uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Tax benefits are recognized when it is more‑likely‑than‑not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the authorities. The benefit from a position that has surpassed the more‑likely‑than‑not threshold is the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Foreign Currencies The currency effects of translating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, which operate in local currency environments, are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the results of operations in the Other income (expense), net caption and amounted to net gains of $1.8 million and $3.1 million in 2016 and 2014, respectively. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions were insignificant in 2015. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards—Adopted Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting—In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting changes intended to improve various aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions as part of its simplification initiative. We adopted these changes as of January 1, 2016. The adoption of these changes did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. For further discussion of our adoption of these accounting changes, see Note 12 — “Equity”. Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards—Not Yet Adopted Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments—In August 2016, the FASB issued accounting changes that clarifies 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. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Leases—In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting changes which will require lessees to recognize most long-term leases on-balance sheet through the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We have implemented a lease management system and are developing processes necessary to implement these accounting changes. We expect the adoption of these accounting changes will materially increase our assets and liabilities, but will not have a material impact on equity. We have not yet made any decision with respect to the timing or method of adoption of these accounting changes. Revenue from Contracts with Customers—In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting changes, which replace most of the detailed guidance on revenue recognition that currently exists under U.S. GAAP. Under the new guidance an entity should recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted after December 15, 2016. We primarily sell our inventories in the “spot market” pursuant to fixed price purchase orders and do not enter into transactions with multiple performance obligations. As such, even though we are evaluating the impact of the adoption of the new standard, we do not expect this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We have not yet made any decision with respect to the timing or method of adoption of these accounting changes.

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Reliance”, “the Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”). Our consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and operating results of majority‑owned subsidiaries. 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. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Business

We operate a metals service center network of more than 300 locations in 39 states in the U.S. and in 12 other countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom) that provides value‑added metals processing services and distributes a full line of more than 100,000 metal products. Since our inception in 1939, we have not diversified outside our core business as a metals service center operator.

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, such as accounts receivable collectability, valuation of inventories, goodwill, long‑lived assets, income tax and other contingencies, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Accounts Receivable and Concentrations of Credit Risk

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited due to the geographically diverse customer base and various industries into which our products are sold. Trade receivables are typically non‑interest bearing and are initially recorded at cost. Sales to our recurring customers are generally made on open account terms while sales to occasional customers may be made on a C.O.D. basis when collectability is not assured. Past due status of customer accounts is determined based on how recently payments have been received in relation to payment terms granted. Credit is generally extended based upon an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition, with terms consistent in the industry and no collateral is required. Losses from credit sales are provided for in the financial statements and consistently have been within the allowance provided. The allowance is an estimate of the uncollectability of accounts receivable based on an evaluation of specific customer risks along with additional reserves based on historical and probable bad debt experience. Amounts are written-off against the allowance in the period we determine that the receivable is uncollectible. As a result of the above factors, we do not consider ourselves to have any significant concentrations of credit risk.

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. This method of valuation is subject to year‑to‑year fluctuations in cost of material sold, which is influenced by the inflation or deflation existing within the metals industry as well as fluctuations in our product mix and on‑hand inventory levels.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and the current portion of long‑term debt approximate carrying values due to the short period of time to maturity. Fair values of long‑term debt, which have been determined based on borrowing rates currently available to us or to other companies with comparable credit ratings, for loans with similar terms or maturity, approximate the carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements, with the exception of our publicly traded senior unsecured notes of $750.0 million and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The fair values of these senior unsecured notes based on quoted market prices as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, were $773.2 million and $1.08 billion, respectively, compared to their carrying values of $743.2 million and $1.09 billion as of the end of each respective fiscal year. These estimated fair values are based on Level 2 inputs.

Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. We maintain cash and cash equivalents with high‑credit, quality financial institutions. The Company, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually. We have one operating segment and one reporting unit for goodwill impairment purposes.

We test for impairment of goodwill by assessing qualitative factors to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not below the carrying value of the reporting unit. We also calculate the fair value of the reporting unit using our market capitalization or the discounted cash flow method, as necessary, and compare the fair value to the carrying value of the reporting unit to determine if impairment exists. We perform the required annual goodwill impairment evaluation on November 1 of each year. No impairment of goodwill was determined to exist in any of the years presented.

Long‑Lived Assets

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost (or at fair value for assets acquired in connection with business combinations) and the provision for depreciation of these assets is generally computed on the straight‑line method at rates designed to distribute the cost of assets over the useful lives, estimated as follows: buildings, including leasehold improvements, over five to 50 years and machinery and equipment over three to 20 years.

Other intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. Other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. We review the recoverability of our long‑lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We recognized impairment losses of $14.4 million on our other intangible assets with finite lives in 2015 and $36.4 million and $21.2 million related to our other intangible assets with indefinite lives in 2016 and 2015, respectively. We recognized impairment losses of $16.0 million and $17.7 million for property, plant, and equipment in 2016 and 2015, respectively. See Note 17 – “Impairment and Restructuring Charges” for further discussion of our impairment losses.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from product or processing sales upon concluding that all of the fundamental criteria for product revenue recognition have been met, such as a fixed or determinable sales price; reasonable assurance of collectability; and passage of title and risks of ownership to the buyer. Such criteria are usually met upon delivery to the customer for orders with FOB destination terms or upon shipment for orders with FOB shipping point terms, or after toll processing services are performed. Considering the close proximity of our customers to our metals service center locations, shipment and delivery of our orders generally occur on the same day. Billings for orders where the revenue recognition criteria are not met, which primarily include certain bill and hold transactions (in which our customers request to be billed for the material but request delivery at a later date), are recorded as deferred revenue.

Shipping and handling charges to our customers are included in Net sales. Costs incurred in connection with shipping and handling our products that are performed by third-party carriers and costs incurred by our personnel are typically included in operating expenses. In 2016, 2015 and 2014, shipping and handling costs included in Warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative expenses were $346.2 million, $319.1 million, and $312.6 million, respectively.

Stock‑Based Compensation

All of our stock‑based compensation plans are considered equity plans. We calculate the fair value of stock option awards on the grant date based on the closing market price of our common stock, using a Black‑Scholes option‑pricing model. The fair value of restricted stock grants is determined based on the fair value of our common stock on the grant date. The fair value of stock option and restricted stock awards is expensed on a straight‑line basis over their respective vesting periods, net of forfeitures when they occur. The stock-based compensation expense recorded was $24.4 million, $21.3 million, and $22.8 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in the Warehouse, delivery, selling, general and administrative expense caption of our consolidated statements of income.

Environmental Remediation Costs

We accrue for losses associated with environmental remediation obligations when such losses are probable and reasonably estimable. Accruals for estimated losses from environmental remediation obligations generally are recognized no later than completion of the remediation feasibility study. Such accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. Recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recorded as assets when their receipt is deemed probable. We are not aware of any environmental remediation obligations that would materially affect our operations, financial position or cash flows. See Note 14 – “Commitments and Contingencies” for further discussion on our environmental remediation matters.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return with our wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. The deferred tax assets and/or liabilities are determined by multiplying the differences between the financial reporting and tax reporting bases for assets and liabilities by the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such differences are recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of the change. The provision for income taxes reflects the taxes to be paid for the period and the change during the period in the deferred tax assets and liabilities. We evaluate on a quarterly basis whether, based on all available evidence, it is probable that the deferred income tax assets are realizable. Valuation allowances are established when it is estimated that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

We make a comprehensive review of our uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Tax benefits are recognized when it is more‑likely‑than‑not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the authorities. The benefit from a position that has surpassed the more‑likely‑than‑not threshold is the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

Foreign Currencies

The currency effects of translating the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries, which operate in local currency environments, are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the results of operations in the Other income (expense), net caption and amounted to net gains of $1.8 million and $3.1 million in 2016 and 2014, respectively. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions were insignificant in 2015.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards—Adopted

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting—In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting changes intended to improve various aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions as part of its simplification initiative. We adopted these changes as of January 1, 2016. The adoption of these changes did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. For further discussion of our adoption of these accounting changes, see Note 12 — “Equity”.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards—Not Yet Adopted

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments—In August 2016, the FASB issued accounting changes that clarifies 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. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Leases—In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting changes which will require lessees to recognize most long-term leases on-balance sheet through the recognition of a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We have implemented a lease management system and are developing processes necessary to implement these accounting changes. We expect the adoption of these accounting changes will materially increase our assets and liabilities, but will not have a material impact on equity. We have not yet made any decision with respect to the timing or method of adoption of these accounting changes.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers—In May 2014, the FASB issued accounting changes, which replace most of the detailed guidance on revenue recognition that currently exists under U.S. GAAP. Under the new guidance an entity should recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted after December 15, 2016. We primarily sell our inventories in the “spot market” pursuant to fixed price purchase orders and do not enter into transactions with multiple performance obligations. As such, even though we are evaluating the impact of the adoption of the new standard, we do not expect this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We have not yet made any decision with respect to the timing or method of adoption of these accounting changes.