CRU Indices Increase Frequency of Their European Steel Sheet Indices

LONDON, January 14 - Having tracked European steel sheet prices on a monthly basis for over 25
years, CRU will be introducing weekly assessments for Germany, France, Italy
and Spain from February 2010.

When asked what necessitated the move, Paul Scott, a leading steel
analyst with CRU, commented, "The migration has been partly market driven.
Given the increased price volatility seen since 2004, steel market players
increasingly need to manage their price risk, and weekly assessments allow
this to be done more efficiently."

CRU's assessments of U.S. Midwest prices are already used in the
settlement of CME's U.S. Midwest Hotel-Rolled Coil Steel Futures Contract.*

When questioned if the increased frequency of these assessments could
lead to a European Steel Futures Contract, Scott suggested, "It certainly
could. We are happy for our assessments to be used in whichever way market
participants see fit; whether this be in the settlement of physical or
financial contracts."

Glenn Cooney, Head of Operations at CRU Indices, said, "We will launch
the indices in February and they will evolve through a shadow period before
being officially published in the summer of 2010. During this period only
data providers will see the output of the weekly indices."

Anyone wishing to be involved in the evolution of these indices by
becoming a data provider, should register at www.cruindices.com.

Upon completion of the shadow period, the indices will be available to
data providers and subscribers to CRU'S Steel Sheet Products Monitor.**

Notes for editors

CRU Indices is a division of CRU Group - the world's leading independent
authority on metals, mining, fertilizers and chemicals - who publish market
leading, independent price assessments for carbon steel. For further
information, visit www.cruindices.com

* CME's U.S. Midwest Hotel-Rolled Coil Steel Futures Contract was
launched in October 2008. For further information, visit
www.cmegroup.com/metals.

** CRU's Steel Sheet Products Monitor covers the global market for steel
sheet products providing accurate price assessments, accurate market
commentary and analysis. Samples available at www.cruanalysis.com

    Contacts

    Paul Scott
    Managing Consultant - Steel Team
    CRU Analysis
    Tel: +44-20-7903-2185
    Email: paul.scott@crugroup.com

    Glenn Cooney
    Head of Operations
    CRU Indices
    Tel: +44-20-7903-2056
    Email: glenn.cooney@crugroup.com

Contacts: Paul Scott, Managing Consultant - Steel Team, CRU Analysis, Tel: +44-20-7903-2185, Email: paul.scott at crugroup.com. Glenn Cooney, Head of Operations, CRU Indices, Tel: +44-20-7903-2056, Email: glenn.cooney at crugroup.com