DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.'s (NYSE:RS) (RS) first-quarter net income fell 3.9% to $ 107.4 million from $111.7 million a year earlier.

On a per-share basis, earnings were unchanged at $1.46 a share. There were 73.5 million average shares outstanding in the latest quarter, compared to 76.5 million in the prior-year quarter.

The Los Angeles metals services company said revenue rose 3.6% to $1.91 billion from $1.84 billion a year earlier.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, projected earnings of $1.38 a share on revenue of $1.84 billion.

Reliance expects second-quarter earnings of $1.50 to $1.60 a share.

-Shirleen Dorman; 201-938-5400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com

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    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   04-17-08 0923   Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.