We evaluate their financial condition each reporting period by focusing primarily on cash provided by operating activities, their current ratio, the turnover rate of our accounts receivable and inventories, the amount and reasons for changes in cash used in investing activities, the amount and reasons for changes in cash provided by financing activities and our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments position at period end. their conservative financial practices have served us well in the past and are serving us well today. As a result, their financial position remains strong despite the negative effects on our business of the current downturn in the economic cycle.
NET SALES
Net sales to external customers by segment for 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
(in thousands)
|Year End December31 |2010 |2009 |%change |
|Steel mills |$10,860,760 |$7,159,512 |52% |
|Steel products |2,831,209 |2,691,322 |5% |
|Raw materials |1,814,329 |1,076,964 |68% |
|All other |338,329 |262,498 |29% |
|Total net sales to external customers |$15,844,627 |$11,190,296 |42% |

Note:Net sales for 2010 increased 42% from the prior year. The average sales price per ton increased 13% from $637 in 2009 to $720 in2010, while total tons shipped to outside customers increased 25%.
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In the steel mills segment, production and sales tons were as follows:
(in thousands)
|Year End December31 |2010