CSN: EBITDA Margin Exceeds 39% in 4Q09 and Net Income Reaches R$2.6 Billion in 2009

SAO PAULO, Feb. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CSN - Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (BOVESPA: CSNA3) (NYSE: SID) announces its results for the 4Q09:

• The 4Q09 EBITDA margin reached 39.4%, 6.2 p.p. up on 3Q09, underlining the recovery of CSN's operating margins.
• Net income totaled R$2.60 billion in 2009 and R$745 million in 4Q09;
• CSN is a highly capitalized company, with a cash position of R$8.1 billion;
• Total steel product sales volume grew by 58% in the second half of 2009 over first six months sales;
• Domestic steel product sales volume reached 1.0 million tonnes in 4Q09, 14% up on 3Q09;
• Crude steel production stood at 1.23 million tonnes in 4Q09, 5% more than in 3Q09;
• In a scenario marked by an economic slowdown, 2009 total domestic sales of flat steel fell by 26% over 2008, while CSN recorded a decline of 22%;
• Sales of finished iron ore products (CSN+Namisa) totaled 22.4 million tonnes in 2009, 22% up on the year before and a new Company record;
• Annual exports of finished iron ore products (CSN+Namisa) reached a record of 21.8 million tonnes, a 48% improvement over 2008;
• In 2009, CSN inaugurated its cement factory, adjacent to the Presidente Vargas Steelworks in Volta Redonda, adding value to the slag generated during steel production. 2009 cement sales reached 338,000 tonnes;
• Net revenue totaled R$3.06 billion in 4Q09, with increased domestic sales volume and an improved steel product mix;
• Overcoming the effects of the economic crisis, in 2009 CSN's shares appreciated by 108% on the BM&FBovespa and 168% on the NYSE, well above the 87% recorded by the IBOVESPA and the 19% recorded by the Dow Jones.

The full 4Q09 Earnings Release is available on CSN's IR website at www.csn.com.br/ir

CSN will be hosting conference calls about its 4Q09 Results TODAY, February 26, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. US ET in English and 8:00 a.m. US ET in Portuguese. Connection details may be obtained on the Company's IR website.

SOURCE Companhia Siderurgica Nacional