Dec. 5, 2006 — WCI Steel Inc. has licensed Planalytics^(R) GasBuyer^(SM), a natural gas hedging and risk analysis platform. WCI Steel will use the GasBuyer to identify opportunities to purchase its natural gas at lower prices.

The GasBuyer helps businesses evaluate market conditions and determine if natural gas is undervalued or overvalued based on live NYMEX data and Planalytics' advanced price analysis models and predictive technologies. The GasBuyer makes this determination, up to a year in advance, by projecting how price movements will be influenced by fundamental factors (demand, inventory levels, etc.), technical analysis (support and resistance levels, etc.), trading dynamics (open interest, spread positions, etc.) and future weather conditions. Based on this comprehensive market view, the GasBuyer suggests when to take hedging actions because prices are low or when hedging actions should be avoided because prices are too high.

The GasBuyer helps companies cope with the extreme volatility of the natural gas market and make hedging decisions that proactively manage costs and price risk. Planalytics offers independent and unbiased guidance that can be incorporated into existing hedging and risk management programs. The technology allows companies to choose specific hedging approaches, decision-making time intervals and buying rules, and can be used for any volume of gas. It supports both physical and financial transactions, including forward buys, strips, futures, options, swaps, etc.

As an integrated producer of value-added, custom steel products serving niche markets, WCI Steel emphasizes customer and technical service. WCI Steel currently produces 185 grades of flat-rolled custom and commodity steel products at its Warren, Ohio, facility. WCI Steel focuses on a wide range of custom flat-rolled steel products, including high carbon, alloy, ultra high strength, and heavy-gauge galvanized steel and on developing closer, more responsive relationships with customers. Major customers are steel converters, processors, service centers, construction product companies, and to a lesser extent, automobile manufacturers.

Planalytics, Inc. is a global source of Business Weather Intelligence^(SM) — actionable information companies need to understand and optimize the impact of weather on their business. Weather is the most volatile of all external factors affecting business performance and Planalytics helps companies proactively manage this risk. Powered by an unparalleled database of weather's financial and volumetric impacts, proprietary forecasting technologies and market-specific expertise, Planalytics' Business Weather Intelligence is essential to any company, in any industry, looking to effectively shape strategies, pinpoint opportunities and make more profitable decisions.