Interim report Jan-March 1999

5/3/1999 9:52 AM EST

Interim report
1 January to 31 March 1999

The first quarter of 1999

@ Sluggish industrial climate, inflow of orders fell by 10% in a
comparable structure

@ Earnings after financial items amounted to MSEK 58 (63)

@ Earnings per share amounted to SEK 2.89 (2.80)

@ Forecast for the whole of 1999
- Against the background of the weak inflow of orders and the prevailing
economic climate of the first quarter, earnings for 1999 are assessed as
amounting to a considerable shortfall in comparison with last year

For further information, please call:
Börje Andersson, President and CEO, Tel. No. +46 (0)418-44 92 00
Hexagon AB (publ), Kronobryggan, S-261 31 LANDSKRONA, Sweden

Earnings and invoiced sales for the first quarter of 1999
The Group's earnings after financial items amounted to MSEK 57.9 (62.9).
Operating income amounted to MSEK 70.9 (70.0). In a comparable corporate
structure, invoiced sales fell by 4%
in the first quarter of 1999 compared with the same quarter of the previous
year. As a result of corporate acquisitions made during 1998, reported
invoiced sales rose by 7% from MSEK 1,124
to MSEK 1,207.


Jan-March Jan-March Change
1999 1998

Net turnover 1 207 1 124 + 7 %
Operating income 71 70 + 1 %
Margin 5.9 % 6.2 %
Earnings after 58 63 - 8 %
financial items
Post-tax earnings 43 42 + 3 %
Earnings per share 2.89 2.80 + 3 %


A capital gains item of MSEK 22 (2) is included in the operating income.

The deterioration in earnings is principally explained by the turndown in the
economic climate, with lower volumes during the period. Demand was
particularly weak in January and February. A certain improvement was noted
during March, but both the inflow of orders and invoiced sales represented a
shortfall for this month as well compared with the corresponding month last
year.

Quarterly figures 1998 1999
Q 1 Q 2 Q 3 Q 4 Q 1

Inflow of orders 1 210 1 210 1 247 1 243 1 222
Invoiced sales 1 124 1 242 1 206 1 374 1 207
Earnings after 63 95 81 74 58
financial items


Inflow of orders
Inflow of order fell by 10% in a comparable corporate structure during the
first quarter. As a result of corporate acquisitions made during 1998, inflow
of orders rose by 1% and amounted to MSEK 1,222 (1,210).

Hexagon monitors the order inflow trend in a comparable structure and in a
seasonally adjusted whole year rate which is based on the outcome of the last
six months. During the second half of 1998, the slowdown in the industrial
climate made an impact and the inflow of orders turned down. The decline in
the inflow of orders has continued during the first quarter of 1999. The order
inflow rate on a whole year basis was MSEK 4,630 in March compared with MSEK
5,020 a year earlier, a decline of 8%. From the beginning of the year, the
order inflow rate has fallen by 6%. All values are on a whole year basis and
relate to a comparable corporate structure.

Acquisitions and disinvestments
During the first quarter, two minor supplementary acquisitions were made by
Hexagon's subsidiaries and one major operation has been disposed of.

In January, Dacke Hydraulik acquired Östermo Mekaniska AB in Vaggeryd.
Operations, which turn over MSEK 40, will be coordinated with Dacke's other
local company, Vaggeryds Hydraulik. Both companies manufacture hydraulic
cylinders and the acquisition of Östermo involves coordination advantages
within several areas.

In February, EIE Maskin, which is a subsidiary of AKA Industriprodukter,
acquired Precisions-Produkter AB, whose turnover amounts to just under MSEK
15. The acquisition strengthens EIE's positions in linear transmissions.

In March, AKA Industriprodukter's refrigeration operations were disposed of.
Turnover during 1998 amounted to MSEK 314. The reason for this disinvestment
was to streamline AKA's operations, with greater focus on efforts within AKA's
top priority product areas and expansion in Eastern Europe. The capital gains
amounted to MSEK 22.3 after tax. The purchase price and repayment of loans
released a total of MSEK 152.

Profitability
Return on average shareholders' equity was 12% (15) after earnings were
charged with a 28% standard tax. The return on average capital employed
amounted to 13% (15).

Financial position of the Group
At 31 March, 1999 the equity ratio stood at 45% (43%). The visible
shareholders' equity amounted to MSEK 1 392 (1 257). Including the excess
value in listed shares, adjusted shareholders' equity amounted to MSEK 1 467
(1 358).

Liquid assets, including unutilised overdraft facilities, amounted to MSEK 377
(369). The corresponding figure at 31 December 1998 was MSEK 452. Credit
pledges are available in the form of syndicated loans of approx. MSEK 780
(735). Net debt in the Group was MSEK 649 (564) and net indebtedness
(interest-bearing liabilities minus liquid assets divided by shareholders'
equity) was 0.47 times (0.45). Interest cover rate was 4.8 times (6.6). The
Group's investments in fixed assets amounted to MSEK 42 (53). In addition,
acquisition of shares in subsidiaries was made at an amount of MSEK 24 (-), as
well as the acquisition of shares in affiliates at an amount of MSEK 1 (-).
Depreciations were MSEK 49 (42) during the first quarter of 1999.

Cash flow
Cash flow before changes in operating capital and investments amounted to MSEK
32 (45).


1999 1998
Cash flow from current operations - 6 - 2
Cash flow from investment operations 31 - 60
Cash flow from financial operations - 62 47
Change in liquid funds - 37 - 15

Liquid funds at the beginning of the period 210 226
Liquid funds at the end of the period 173 211


Invoiced sales and earnings after financial items by business area (1st
quarter)


Invoiced sales Earnings
1999 1998 1999 1998

Industrial Components and Systems 440 460 5.4 18.0
Niche Manufacturing 555 516 30.6 47.2
Norfoods 194 130 - 3.4 0.9
Other companies 23 23 8.2 6.2
Capital gains - - 22.3 -
Group adjustments and Parent company - 5 - 5 - 5.2 - 9.4

Group 1 207 1 124 57.9 62.9


Industrial Components and Systems
During the first quarter of 1999, invoiced sales in the Industrial Components
and Systems Division amounted to MSEK 440 (460), a fall by 4%. The inflow of
orders has fallen by 7% and amounted to MSEK 468 (506). Earnings after
financial items fell to MSEK 5.4 (18.0). In a comparable structure, the inflow
of orders fell by 9% and invoiced sales by 6%.

AKA Industriprodukter's invoiced sales fell by 12% to MSEK 186 (212). In
halves, the decline in invoiced sales is the result of the disposal of the
refrigeration operations, and lower volumes. Earnings have declined and
amounted to MSEK 1.2 (7.5).

Dacke Hydraulik's invoiced sales fell by 4% to MSEK 128 (133). In a comparable
structure, invoiced sales fell by 11% and the lower volumes have considerably
affected earnings in a negative direction.

Invoiced sales in Gustaf Fagerberg rose by 11% to MSEK 127 (114), an increase
which is wholly attributable to the acquisition of Teck Instrument AS which
was carried through last year. Earnings remained largely unchanged compared
with the same period last year.

Niche Manufacturing
Invoiced sales in the Niche Manufacturing Division rose by 8% to MSEK 555
(516) and the inflow of orders fell by 4%. In May 1998, Nordic Brass AB was
acquired and SwePart Plast AB was demergered, with the result that the figures
are not wholly comparable. In a comparable structure, invoiced sales fell by
4% and the inflow of orders by 14%. Earnings after financial items fell to
MSEK 30.6 (47.2).

Gislaved Gummi's invoiced sales remained largely unchanged compared with the
first quarter of 1998. EEC in Sri Lanka is included in the invoiced sales
figures for 1999 but was not included in the first quarter of 1998. In a
comparable structure, invoiced sales fell by 10% and the lower volumes have
considerably affected earnings in a negative direction. The inflow of orders
in a comparable structure rose by 1%.

Moteco increased the inflow of orders by 28% compared with the same period in
1998. Invoiced sales rose dramatically. Earnings declined as the result of an
unfavourable product mix and depressed prices, as well as delays in automation
investments which, among other things, had invoiced higher workforce costs
than planned. During the quarter, the company management has been reorganised.
Operations in China, which came on stream in September 1998, are developing
favourably.

Johnson Stål & Metall is the single operation which has been affected most
negatively by the weak industrial climate. In a comparable structure, the
inflow of orders fell by 22% and invoiced sales by 14%. Invoiced sales
amounted to MSEK 243 (283) and earnings fell by 47% compared with the same
period last year.

SwePart's invoiced sales remained largely unchanged during the first quarter
in a comparable structure. However, the inflow of orders fell by 24%. Earnings
doubled, which is wholly explained by the considerable improvement in earnings
in the subsidiary EBP.

Norfoods
Norfood's invoiced sales rose to MSEK 194 (130). The increase derives wholly
from the acquisition of Bech & Kjeldahl in Denmark. In a comparable structure,
the inflow of orders and invoiced sales remained largely unchanged during the
first quarter. Earnings fell to MSEK -3.4 (0.9). The decline in earnings is
largely explained by Bech & Kjeldahl's operations in Poland, which is being
phased out.

Other companies
Robust Ståldörrar's earnings amounted to MSEK -0.3 (-0.2). The affiliated
company VBG AB contributes to Hexagon's earnings according to the capital
share method at an amount of MSEK 8.5 (6.1).

Per share data
Earnings per share after 28% standard tax amounted to SEK 2.79 (3.06).
Earnings per share after full tax amounted to SEK 2.89 (2.80). Cash flow per
share was SEK 2.16 (3.04).
Visible shareholders' equity per share stood at SEK 94 (85) at 31 March 1999,
and the market price stood at SEK 146 (239). At the end of the period, the
number of shares was 14 793 182, which represented no change compared with the
previous year.

Parent Company
The Parent Company's earnings after financial items stood at MSEK 15.4 (-8.4).
Hexagon's programme with synthetic options (warrants) has favourably affected
earnings by MSEK 2.3 (-3.8) which is in turn linked to the trading price trend
of the Hexagon share. The equity ratio in the Parent Company was 58% (56).
Visible shareholders' equity including the capital proportion of untaxed
reserves amounted to MSEK 1 204 (984). Liquid assets, including unutilised
overdraft facilities, amounted to MSEK 192 (137). The corresponding figure at
31 December 1998 was MSEK 220. During the period, the Parent Company has
acquired shares in affiliates for MSEK 1 (-).

Reports published during 1999
Half-year report 1999 6 August 1999 (NB date changed)
3rd Quarter 1999 1 November 1999

Forecast for the whole of 1999
Against the background of the weak inflow of orders and the prevailing
economic climate of the first quarter, earnings for 1999 are assessed as
amounting to a considerable shortfall in comparison with last year.

Landskrona, 3 May 1999

HEXAGON AB (publ)

Börje Andersson
President and CEO

Consolidated income statement in brief

(MSEK) 1999 1998 Outcome 1998 1997
Jan-March Jan-March last Whole Whole
12 month year year
period
Net invoiced sales 1 206.8 1 124.2 5 029.0 4 946.4 4 218.0
Gross earnings 244.7 255.4 1 105.9 1 116.6 999.4
Selling expenses - 113.5 - 104.3 - 468.7 - 459.5 - 400.8
Administration expenses - 81.2 - 80.7 - 310.2 - 309.7 - 279.9
Research and development - 10.3 - 7.3 - 39.2 - 36.2 - 19.8
expenses

Other operating incomes and 0.2 0.7 0.8 1.3 - 0.6

earnings
Share of earnings in affiliated 8.7 6.2 22.9 20.4 27.1
companies
Capital gains earnings, sale 22.3 - 21.9 - 0.4 13.5
Group company
Operating earnings 70.9 70.0 333.4 332.5 338.9
Financial incomes and expenses - 13.0 - 7.1 - 25.8 - 19.9 - 34.8
Capital gains in connection with - - - - 83.8
the OTC listing of Svedbergs
Earnings after financial items 57.9 62.9 307.6 312.6 387.9
Tax - 14.5 - 21.5 - 99.2 - 106.2 - 105.0
Minority interest - 0.7 0.1 - 2.7 - 1.9 - 0.5
Net income 42.7 41.5 205.7 204.5 282.4

This earnings include - 48.6 - 42.5 - 186.7 - 180.6 - 162.0
depreciations of


Key ratios 1999 1998 1998 1997*
Jan-March Jan-March Whole Whole
year year
Earnings per share after 2.79 3.06 15.12 14.80(18.85)
standard tax (SEK)
Earnings per share after 2.89 2.80 13.83 13.80 (19.09)
full tax (SEK)
Cash flow per share (SEK) 2.16 3.04 24.60 22.78
Return on shareholders' 12 15 17 20 (25)
equity after standard tax
(%)
Return on capital employed 13 15 17 18 (23)
(%)
Equity ratio (%) 45 43 42 43
Visible shareholders' 94 85 92 82
equity per share (SEK)
Market price (SEK) 146 239 167 218
Average number of share 14 793 14 793 14 793 14 793
(thousands)


* The figures in brackets are calculated including capital gains Svedbergs

Consolidated balance sheet in brief

(MSEK) 1999.03.31 1998.03.31 1998.12.31
Goodwill 351.9 315.7 383.9
Other fixed assets 1 087.7 1 001.4 1 084.3
Total fixed assets 1 439.6 1 317.1 1 468.2
Other current assets 1 468.7 1 407.0 1 616.3
Cash and bank balances 173.0 211.3 209.9
Total current assets 1 641.7 1 618.3 1 826.2
TOTAL ASSETS 3 081.3 2 935.4 3 294.4
Shareholders' equity 1 348.9 1 215.9 1 153.1
Net income 42.7 41.5 204.5
Total shareholders' equity 1 391.6 1 257.4 1 357.6
Minority interest 9.3 13.7 9.3
Interest-bearing liabilities 822.4 775.2 957.9
Noninterest-bearing 858.0 889.1 969.6
liabilities
Total liabilities 1 680.4 1 664.3 1 927.5
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND 3 081.3 2 935.4 3 294.4
LIABILITIES


This interim report has not been subjected to special examination by the
Company's auditors.