CSN optimistic about 2010 sales

Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN), Brazil’s third-largest steelmaker, Friday announced plans to increase sales by one third in 2010, up from 4.1 million metric tons in 2009 to 5.5 million mt this year.

Additionally, the company aims to export 37 million mt of iron ore in 2010, up from 21.8 million mt in 2009, and expects to sell approximately 85 percent of its steel on the domestic market this year.

The company also reported 2009 fourth-quarter net earnings of US$407.1 million, down from US$2.19 billion earned in the same quarter of 2008.