PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gerdau S.A. Announces 1st Half 2008 Results: 1st Half 2008 Results -- Gross revenue reaches R$ 22.3 billion in the 1st semester 2008, 35.2% higher than the same period in 2007. -- Net profit reaches 3.2 billion in the semester with net margin of 16.0%. -- 2nd quarter dividends will be paid on August 27. Metalurgica Gerdau S.A. shareholders will receive R$ 0.60 per share and Gerdau S.A. shareholders R$ 0.36 per share. -- EBITDA reaches R$ 4.7 billion in the 1st semester, 51.7% higher than the value achieved in the same period in 2007. Margin is 23.6% versus 21.0% in 2007. -- Crude steel production grows 25.6% in 1st semester when compared to the same period in 2007, totaling 10.8 million tonnes. -- Exports from Brazil generate revenues of US$ 994.5 million in the semester, totaling 1.4 million tonnes. -- Metalurgica Gerdau S.A. and Gerdau S.A. conclude capital increase of approximately R$ 1.5 billion and R$ 2.9 billion, respectively. Metalurgica Gerdau issued 19.2 million stocks at R$ 78.35 per stock and Gerdau S.A. issued 48.1 million stocks at R$ 60.30 per stock. -- Shareholders approve 100% stock split aiming to increase stock. liquidity and facilitate investors' access by reducing the standard lot price. -- Acquisitions announced and closed this year represent investments of US$ 3.3 billion and business expansion in Brazil and abroad. Additional Information Gerdau S.A. informs that it has filed today its 1st half 2008 results at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and at the Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM). To access this document, please click on http://www.gerdau.com.br/ing/ri/download.asp?categoria=1,47&menu=inffinanceira s_relevantes This document and the complementary data regarding the 1st half 2008 are also available at Gerdau's site http://www.gerdau.com.br/ing/ri. DATASOURCE: Gerdau S.A. CONTACT: Thiago Deiro, Investor Relations Advisor, Gerdau S.A., +011-55-51-3323-2703, Web site: http://www.gerdau.com.br/

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