Year-end report 2009

Fourth quarter of 2009 – Strong earnings and excellent cash flow

- Net sales rose to 703 MSEK (697)
- Operating profit increased 48 per cent to 80 MSEK (54)
- Profit after tax more than doubled to 68 MSEK (31)
- Earnings per share rose to 2.56 SEK (1.17)
- Operating cash flow was strong and totalled 143 MSEK (206)


Full-year 2009 – Favourable earnings thanks to forceful cost adjustments in a turbulent market

- Net sales totalled 2,608 MSEK (3,190), down 18 per cent
- Operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, amounted to 261 MSEK (310). Including these items, profit amounted to 163 MSEK (310)
- Profit after tax, excluding items affecting comparability, amounted to 172 MSEK (183). Including these items, profit amounted to 102 MSEK (183)
- Earnings per share, excluding items affecting comparability, amounted to 6.48 SEK (6.89). Including these items, earnings per share amounted to 3.84 SEK (6.89)
- Operating cash flow totalled 462 MSEK (411), excluding items affecting comparability
- Restructuring costs, recognised during the first quarter, amounted to 98 MSEK
- The board of directors proposes a dividend of 1,00 SEK per share (0,00)


President’s comments

“Our fourth-quarter earnings were strong and a major improvement compared with the corresponding quarter in 2008. We more than doubled our earnings per share and our operating profit amounted to 80 MSEK (54), up 48 per cent. We had a continuous improvement in sales, particularly to automotive customers, and yet again we coped with this volume increase in a flexible manner. As a result of continued efficiency in the handling of working capital, combined with our healthy earnings, cash flow remained very strong.

2009 was a turbulent year marked by sharply deteriorating demand. We coped with this situation favourably by taking rapid and forceful actions. We succeeded in achieving earnings per share that were almost in line with the preceding year at 6.48 SEK (6.89) (adjusted for items affecting comparability). The strong operating cash flow amounted to 462 MSEK and our net debt was reduced significantly. HEXPOL is well equipped to face 2010.

Georg Brunstam, President and CEO


For more information please contact:

Georg Brunstam
President and CEO
 
+46 (0)708-55 12 51

Urban Ottosson
CFO/IR
 
+46 (0)767-85 51 44