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The article reports on the plan of steelmakers and distributors in the U.S. and Europe to increase their capital investments due to potential growth in 2010.

This article reports on the move by ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker by volume, to restart its blast furnace in Ghent, Belgium. The move by ArcelorMittal indicates that steel orders in Europe is picking up. However, ArcelorMittal warned that overall demand remains weak. The company closed in April 2009 after a decline in steel demand. Also discusses are the operations of the company across Europe.

This article reports on the price increase imposed by U.S. and European producers on flat steel. Other producers decided to re-start production as customers replenish inventories and automakers benefit from government-sponsored car-scrapping subsidies. Global demand is expected to recover by 2011 in spite of positive signs in emerging economies, according to steelmakers. Andre Gerdau Johannpeter of Gerdau SA points out the problem posed by overcapacity.

The article reports on the issuance of €1.1 billion of convertible bonds by ArcelorMittal, which is said to be a large enough sale for some analysts and investors to declare the European convertible bond market open again following its closure for business in 2008 due to the financial crisis. It notes that the firm's bond has a yield of about 7.25%. It adds that the firm issued the bond in order to diversify its sources of funding and lengthen the maturity of its debt.

The article reports on the plan announced by Corus Group Ltd. to lay off 3,500 employees in Europe and extend production cuts beyond March 2009 to some time in the second quarter of 2009 to weather the economic slump. According to the steel manufacturer, it will try to execute the job losses through voluntary departures. Michael J. Leahy, general secretary of the labor union Community, describes the move as damaging for British manufacturing.

This section offers world news briefs. A memorandum of understanding has been signed by energy ministers, regulators and power exchanges from France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg agreeing to link their power markets by 2009. A chart that lists export statistics in the Group of Seven countries is presented.

The article reports on the warning issued by European regulators that energy companies could face antitrust penalties for squeezing out competitors and keeping utility prices high.

The article reports that on December 21, 2012 steel producer ArcelorMittal announced it would record a $4.3 billion writedown on its operations in Europe, where demand for steel has declined 29% over a five-year period, including a drop of about 8% in 2012.

This article explains that European Union governments are debating whether to increase the region's bailout funds for indebted euro-zone countries in an admission that its funds for bailout might not be enough if Spain joins those which are suffering from a debt crisis.