Note 16: Revenue Recognition

Ryerson primarily generates revenue by the processing and distribution of metals in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and China.

Revenue Accounting Policy

Revenue is recognized based on the consideration expected to be received for delivery of as-is or processed metal products when, or as, the Company satisfies its contractual obligation to transfer control of a product to a customer, which we refer to as a performance obligation.

The majority of our revenue is recognized at a point in time. The Company has determined that the most definitive demonstration that control has transferred to a customer is physical delivery, with the exception of bill and hold and consignment transactions. The Company’s bill-and-hold transactions are arrangements where a customer requests that we bill them for a product even though we retain physical possession of the product until it is subsequently delivered to the customer. Bill and hold revenue is recorded when all of the criteria within ASC 606 are met. Consignment transactions are arrangements where the Company transfers product to a customer location but retains ownership and control of such product until it is used by the customer. Revenue for consignment arrangements is recognized upon the customer’s usage.

Revenues associated with products which we believe have no alternative use, and where the Company has an enforceable right to payment, are recognized on an over time basis. Products with no alternative use include products made from unique alloys, custom extrusions, non-standard gauges, items that have been processed to a custom size that cannot be cost effectively reworked to a standard size, or items processed to customer specific drawings or specifications. Over-time revenues are recorded in proportion with the progress made toward completing the performance obligation.

Ryerson uses both input and output methods of measuring progress towards completion based on the type and extent of processing completed. Input methods are used for complex processing with multiple steps occurring over multiple days. Under the input method, the measure of performance, commonly called percentage of completion, is the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion for the products. Output methods are used for products with minimal processing where the normal pattern of production is less than one day. In these cases, the progress towards completion is measured based on the number of products on hand and ready for delivery in comparison to the total number of products in the order.

Significant judgment is required in determining which products qualify for over time revenue recognition, the methodology to be used in calculating the progress toward completion, and estimating the costs incurred to date and the total cost at completion.

Revenue is recorded net of returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives. Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net (excluded from revenues) basis.

Prices are generally fixed at the time of order confirmation. At each quarter end, the Company calculates an estimate of potential cash discounts and returns and allowances that could be taken by customers that are associated with outstanding accounts receivable, as well as estimates of customer rebates. Cash discounts and returns and allowances are calculated based on historical experience. Customer rebates are estimated based on actual sales and projections over the rebate period.

The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling costs as an activity necessary to fulfill the performance obligation to transfer product to the customer and not as a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs are estimated at quarter end in proportion to revenue recognized for transactions where actual costs are not yet known. Shipping and handling costs are included in warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expense. The balance recognized related to accrued shipping and handling costs was a net contract liability of $0.2 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024.

The Company’s performance obligations are typically short-term in nature. As a result, the Company has elected the practical expedient that provides an exemption of the disclosure requirements regarding information about remaining performance obligations on contracts that have original expected durations of one year or less.

Disaggregated Revenue

We have one operating and reportable segment, metals service centers.

The Company derives substantially all of its sales from the distribution of metals. The following table shows the Company’s percentage of sales by major product line:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Product Line

 

(Percentage of Sales)

 

Carbon Steel Flat

 

 

28

%

 

 

30

%

 

 

26

%

Carbon Steel Plate

 

 

9

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

11

 

Carbon Steel Long

 

 

12

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

14

 

Stainless Steel Flat

 

 

14

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

15

 

Stainless Steel Plate

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Stainless Steel Long

 

 

5

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

5

 

Aluminum Flat

 

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

15

 

Aluminum Plate

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Aluminum Long

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Other

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

Total

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

Revenue is recognized either at a point in time or over time based on (1) if the contract has an enforceable right to payment and (2) the type of product that is being sold to the customer with products that are determined to have no alternative use being recognized over time. The following table summarizes revenues by the type of item sold:

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

Timing of Revenue Recognition

2025

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Revenue on products with an alternative use

 

86

%

 

 

86

%

 

 

87

%

Revenue on products with no alternative use

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

13

 

Total

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

Contract Balances

A receivable is recognized in the period in which an invoice is issued, which is generally when the product is delivered to the customer. Payment terms on invoiced amounts are typically net 30 days from the invoice date. We do not have any contracts with significant financing components.

Receivables, which are included in accounts receivables within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, from contracts with customers were $463.5 million and $428.1 million as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

Contract assets, which consist primarily of revenues recognized over time that have not yet been invoiced and the value of inventory, as estimated, that will be received in conjunction with product returns, are reported in prepaid expenses and other current assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Contract liabilities, which consist primarily of accruals associated with amounts that will be paid to customers for volume rebates, cash discounts, sales returns and allowances, customer prepayments, estimates of shipping and handling costs associated with performance obligations recorded over time, and bill and hold transactions are reported in other accrued liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Contract assets amounted to $16.6 million and $19.8 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Contract liabilities amounted to $16.6 million and $17.6 million at December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. Contract liabilities satisfied during the period amounted $10.5 million for the year-ended December 31, 2025.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 23, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 20, 2025
2023Feb 21, 2024
2022Feb 22, 2023
2021Feb 23, 2022
2020Feb 24, 2021
2019Mar 4, 2020

About Revenue Disclosures

Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.

Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.