Preliminary interim report January-June 2000

8/22/2000 9:08 AM EST

Observer AB

* Operating profit before goodwill amortization and items affecting
comparability amounted to SEK 130.5 million (43.1). The operating margin was
23.6 percent (8.6).
* Sifo Research & Consulting and Sifo Interactive Media were divested as of
January 1, with a total capital gain of SEK 384 million.
* Profit after tax amounted to SEK 416.5 million (16.4).
* Profit per share after tax and full dilution, excluding goodwill
amortization and items affecting comparability, rose to SEK 1.35 (0.52).
* The Group's operating revenue rose to SEK 552.8 million (501.7). Organic
growth amounted to 21 percent in local currency.
* The financial position of Observer is very strong, which enables further
expansion.
* Norway's Imedia was acquired in June.