INTERIM REPORT 1 December 2004 - 28 February 2005

4/6/2005 2:30 AM EST

• Group turnover for the period excluding VAT amounted to SEK 12,610 m (11,756), an increase of 7 per cent. With comparable exchange rates, the increase was 8 per cent. Turnover including VAT was SEK 14,820 m (13,807).

• Profit after financial items amounted to SEK 2,309 m (1,788), an increase of 29 per cent. Group profit after estimated tax was SEK 1,501 m (1,162), corresponding to earnings per share of SEK 1.81 (1.40).

• Gross profit amounted to SEK 7,167 m (6,311), which corresponded to a margin of 56.8 per cent (53.7 per cent).

• Operating profit amounted to 2,204 m (1,701), an increase of 30 per cent. Operating margin was 17.5 per cent (14.5).

• The second quarter has started well. Sales in March increased by 20 per cent in comparable exchange rates.


Contact persons:
Carl-Henric Enhörning, IR +46 8 796 54 10
Leif Persson, CFO +46 8 796 13 00
Rolf Eriksen, CEO +46 8 796 52 33
Switchboard +46 8 796 55 00