CRU Increase Frequency of their US Plate Index

LONDON, May 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Having tracked plate prices in the
US Midwest on a monthly basis for over 15 years CRU are introducing weekly
assessments from May 26th.

Paul Scott, a leading steel analyst with CRU, commented, “We feel that
adding US Midwest Plate is a natural extension to our flat products index
portfolio”. CRU’s assessments of U.S. Midwest prices are already used in the
settlement of CME’s U.S. Midwest Hot-Rolled Coil Steel Futures Contract.*

Glenn Cooney, Head of Operations at CRU Indices, said, “We will launch
the weekly index on May 26th. It will evolve through a shadow period before
being officially published in CRU’s Steel Monitor later this year. During the
shadow period only data providers will see the weekly index”.

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

Upon completion of the shadow period, the indices will be available to
data providers and subscribers to CRU’S Steel 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 http://www.cruindices.com

* CME’s U.S. Midwest Hot-Rolled Coil Steel Futures Contract was launched
in October 2008. For further information, visit

http://www.cmegroup.com/metals.

** CRU’s Steel Products Monitor covers the global market for steel
products providing accurate price assessments, market commentary and
analysis. Samples available at http://www.crumonitor.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

SOURCE CRU