Large and medium sized mills posted a loss of 1.87 billion yuan in April, with the number of money-losing mills increased by four from the first quarter. According to the CISA deputy vice president Luo Bingsheng, during the first four months the steel industry made a loss of 5.18 billion yuan, 29 of all medium and large mills suffered from losses. Apparent crude steel consumption was 170.43 million tons, up 11.03 million tons, or 6.92 percent, year-on-year. As of the end of April, the domestic steel price index stood at 95.56 points, down 50.92 points, or 34.76 percent, from the same period of last year. The index was the lowest since 1994.