CRU, with an unrivalled reputation for metals market data of the highest quality, has worked both with major steel industry participants and commodities traders to develop the most trusted set of steel price benchmarks available for this global market. With steel now widely seen as a potential growth market for metals traders, this agreement reflects Reuters' continued commitment to offering indispensable content and analytical tools to the commodities markets.

The CRU Steel Pricing Service, including extensive historical data, will be available as a fee-liable add-on within Reuters 3000 Xtra, Reuters Trader for Commodities, and other Reuters products. A limited free trial of the CRU service is also available to existing Reuters clients on request.

Tom Gros, Global Head of Equities, Commodities & Energy at Reuters comments: "By integrating the strengths of CRU's steel data with Reuters established services for the commodities markets, metals traders will be able to use one information desktop for the ever-growing range of instruments in which they trade. The analytical tools available to Reuters clients add unique value to CRU steel content, bringing a new level of transparency to the market and building confidence in the prospects for steel as a traded commodity."

Steven Burchell, Business Unit Manager for Steel at CRU said "CRU are keen to participate in new ways of providing those in the commodities markets with current and relevant information on steel. The addition of CRU's steel price data to the current Reuters services heralds a new beginning for electronic commodity information - users will be able to view current and historic prices and review implications for the markets via one information desktop. In addition to our own on-line services, we welcome the opportunity to further develop synergies with Reuters and I look forward to this new stage in electronic content provision."