Interim report - The third quarter of 1998

11/5/1998 5:35 AM EST

INTERIM REPORT

The first nine months of 1998

* Earnings after financial items rose by 9 per cent to MSEK 238 (219).The
capital gains in connection with the listing of Svedbergs have been excluded
from the previous year's earnings

* Invoiced sales rose to MSEK 3 572 (3 060)

* Seven corporate acquisitions have been completed with a total turnover
on a whole year basis of MSEK 800. One company has been disposed of
with an annual turnover of MSEK 180

The third quarter of 1998

* Earnings after financial items amounted to MSEK 81 (74), an increase by 9
per cent compared with the third quarter of 1997

* Inflow of orders rose by 24 per cent and invoiced sales rose by 17 per
cent compared with the same period for the previous year