The Specialty Steel Industry of North America has released statistical data on imports, U.S. consumption, and import penetration for February 2009. The data represents U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD February 2009 compared to the same 2008 two month period. The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:

1. Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in YTD February 2009 were 34,103 tons, a 59.3% decrease compared to YTD February 2008; US consumption was 143,148 tons, a 40.6% decrease; two month import penetration was 23.8%, an 11.0 percentage point decrease from 2008.

2. Stainless steel plate: Imports in YTD February 2009 were 7,866 tons, a 50.4% decrease as compared to YTD February 2008; US consumption was 28,148 tons, a 36.5% decrease two month import penetration was 27.9%, a 7.9 percentage point decrease from 2008.

3. Stainless steel bar: Imports in YTD February 2009 were 14,380 tons, a 25.8% decrease as compared to YTD February 2008; US consumption was 28,693 tons, a 31.8% decrease two month import penetration was 50.1%, a 4.1 percentage point increase from 2008.

4. Stainless steel rod: Imports in YTD February 2009 were 2,019 tons, a 54.9% decrease compared to YTD February 2008; US consumption was 4,820 tons, a 52.7% decrease; two month import penetration was 41.9%, a 2.1 percentage point decrease from 2008.

5. Stainless steel wire: Imports in YTD February 2009 were 5,023 tons, a 25.5% decrease compared to YTD February 2008; US consumption was 6,687 tons, a 45.3% decrease; two month import penetration was 75.1%, a 19.9 percentage point increase from 2008.

6. Imports of total stainless steel comprising the foregoing product lines in YTD February 2009 were 63,391 tons, a 51.3% decrease compared to YTD February 2008; US consumption was 211,496 tons, a 39.5% decrease; two month import penetration was 30.0%, a 7.2 percentage point decrease from 2008.

7. Alloy tool steel: Imports in YTD February 2009 were 9,191 tons a 52.5% decrease compared to YTD February 2008; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.

9. Electrical steel: Imports in YTD February 2009 were 20,690 tons, an 11.2% increase compared to YTD February 2008; US consumption was 53,833 tons, an 8.7% decrease from February 2008; two month import penetration was 38.4%, a 6.9 percentage point increase from 2008.