Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Los Angeles, CA, reported its first quarterly net loss since becoming a public company in 1994. In the second quarter, Reliance had a net loss of $5.8 million, compared with profit of $156.6 million in the 2008 quarter, and $20.1 million for the first quarter of 2009.

Sales in the second quarter were $1.2 billion, down 41% from the prior-year period, and down 20% from the first quarter.

(The 2009 second quarter financial results include in cost of sales a pre-tax LIFO income amount of $75 million, compared with a pre-tax LIFO expense amount of $40 million for the 2008 second quarter, and $75 million of LIFO income for the 2009 first quarter.)

"The 2009 second quarter was the most difficult operating environment we have ever experienced at our …