Metals distributor and processor Ryerson Inc. posted a net loss of $7.8 million during the third quarter ended Sept. 30, more than triple a year-earlier net loss of $2.5 million but narrower than a second-quarter net loss of $130 million.

Ryerson's net sales of $777.2 million were down 45.3 percent from $1.42 billion in the third quarter last year, on shipments that fell 19.7 percent to 497,000 tons from 619,000 tons.

The results included last-in, first-out (Lifo) inventory income of $37.1...