Reliance Steel & Aluminum (NYSE: RS) reported earnings on April 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Reliance Steel & Aluminum beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly and GAAP earnings per share increased significantly.

Gross margins dropped, operating margins were steady, net margins improved.

Revenue details
Reliance Steel & Aluminum booked revenue of $2.29 billion. The eight analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected to see revenue of $2.21 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.91 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $1.54. The six earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted $1.50 per share. GAAP EPS of $1.54 for Q1 were 25% higher than the prior-year quarter's $1.23 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 25.3%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.1%, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.1%, 30 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.44 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.52.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $9.39 billion. The average EPS estimate is $5.75.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 543 members out of 568 rating the stock outperform, and 25 members rating it underperform. Among 127 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 121 give Reliance Steel & Aluminum a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Reliance Steel & Aluminum is outperform, with an average price target of $62.09.

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