Ericsson signs TDMA contract with Tritel

Ericsson signs TDMA contract with Tritel Ericsson and Tritel Communications announced an exclusive network infrastructure agreement valued at approximately USD 300 million (SEK 2,310 million) for Ericsson to supply TDMA (IS-136) infrastructure equipment for Tritel's PCS (Personal Communication Services) markets located in the Southeastern United States. Tritel will deploy the 1900 MHz digital systems throughout Mississippi and Alabama, as well as parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Georgia. Under the agreement, Ericsson will provide a comprehensive wireless network solution, including

MeritaNordbanken implements plans to realize merger synergies as agreed

MeritaNordbanken implements plans to realize merger synergies as agreed At its meeting on January 26, MeritaNordbanken's Board of Directors discussed the Group's 1999 budget and action plan designed to implement Group strategy and achieve income and cost synergies as agreed in connection with the merger. The year's budget includes major new investments in the corporate and consumer banking market and asset management services. It also envisages continued allocation of resources to information technology in order to strengthen the Group's position as one of the world's leading providers of

Volvo Car Corporation. Sales and production statistics 1998

VOLVO CAR CORPORATION. SALES AND PRODUCTION STATISTICS, 1998 Invoiced sales of Volvo cars in 1998 amounted to 399,700 units, an increase by 3% compared to 1997. Sales trends were very positive in Europe and North America. However, in Japan and South-East Asia sales dropped for the second consecutive year due to the Asian crisis. The world market in 1998 In 1998 the total market for cars in the world increased by approximately 1% to 37,9 million units (37.5). The North American market declined by 1%, whereas the European market rose by 6.6%. In Japan, the market decreased by 12%. Volvo's

Preliminary report on the operations of AB Custos during 1998

PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF AB CUSTOS DURING 1998 *The total return on Custos' shares during 1998 was -1.5 percent for Series A shares and 0.4 percent for Series B shares *Custos' Board of Directors proposed giving shareholders the right to redeem every fifth Custos share for a payment of SEK 210 per share plus the dividend *A dividend of SEK 11.50 (7.25) per share, up 59 percent, is proposed *Custos divested its holdings in Skanska, Drott and Hufvudstaden CEO's comments "1998 was largely dominated by a number of sizable divestments of inherited holdings. The sale of our

Gambro acquires clinics in the US

Gambro acquires clinics in the US Stockholm, Sweden - Gambro AB (Stockholm Stock Exchange: GAMBaST, GAMBbST), a leading international healthcare company, has acquired three dialysis clinics and an acute dialysis program in the state of California. The acquisition, which is made through the subsidiary Gambro Healthcare, Inc., is effective January 1, 1999. The clinics serve a total of 170 patients in the California communities of Roseville, Auburn, Sacramento and Grass Valley. Gambro Healthcare is the second largest provider of kidney dialysis services in the US. The company now owns,

New report on the euro in Sweden's financial sector

New report on the euro in Sweden's financial sector The third situation report on the euro in Sweden's financial sector: Euron i den svenska finansiella sektorn- lägesrapport 3, is being issued today by the Riksbank. An English translation is scheduled for Friday, 5th February 1999. The report surveys the new conditions for Swedish financial agents that accompany the euro's introduction. The survey includes a description of the European System of Central Banks, the system for directing monetary policy in the euro area and TARGET, the European payment system. The report also presents the

Ericsson and T-Mobil in world's first GPRS contract

Ericsson and T-Mobil in world's first GPRS contract GSM embraces IP technology Ericsson and German operator T-Mobil (Deutsche Telekom MobilNet) have signed a contract to implement GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) into T-Mobil's nationwide GSM network. This packet-switched datacom technology will enable T- Mobil to offer wireless Internet and other IP-based services at speeds up to 115 kbps - a more than tenfold increase of the current network speeds. GPRS is also an important step for operators in the evolution to third-generation (3G) networks. The contract for T-Mobil's core network

Extra General Meeting in Custos decided in principle to redeem shares

Extra General Meeting in Custos decided in principle to redeem shares The Extra General Meeting in Custos today made a decision in principle to redeem shares. The decision means that the Board of Directors' proposal from October of last year progresses as planned. In brief, the proposal means that th Custos' shareholders will get the opportunity to redeem each fifth (5 ) Custos share for a consideration of SEK 210 per redeemed share. Shares tendered for redemption are also eligible for dividend for 1998, which is proposed at SEK 11.50 per share. Stockholm January 26, 1999 AKTIEBOLAGET

Sapa expands in Poland - new plant in Lodz

Sapa expands in Poland - new plant in Lodz Sapa, the Gränges Group extrusion company, has decided to further increase its capacity in Poland by building a new plant for powder coating and connected treatment of aluminium extrusions. The plant will be built in Lodz in the centre of Poland. The investment, amounting to more than MSEK 30 during 1999, will significantly increase Sapa's surface treatment capacity and geographical closeness with customers in the central and southern parts of Poland. Sapa is one of the leading extrusion companies in Poland. This investment leads to Sapa being able

Preliminary 1998 year end and fourth quarter results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, January 26, 1999 NETCOM AB ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY 1998 YEAR END AND FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS · 93% Annualized Increase in Tele2 Sweden?s Fixed Telephony and Internet Subscribers to 1,112,000 · 58% Annualized Increase in Mobile Telephony Subscribers to 1,279,000 · 41% Annualized Increase in Group Operating Revenue to Approximately 6.0 Billion SEK · Gain after Financial Items of Approximately 220 Million SEK Stockholm and New York - January 26, 1999 - NetCom AB (?NetCom?) (Nasdaq : NECSY), the leading alternative provider of telecommunication services in

NEG Micon, order for Spain

Year end report of 1998 HL Display AB

Year end report of 1998 HL Display AB (publ) * Consolidated sales rose by 34.4 % to MSEK 646.6 (481.1) compared to 1997 * Profit before tax totalled MSEK 71.0 (63.6) Sales and earnings Group sales rose during 1998 by 34.4 percent to MSEK 646.6 (481.1). Exchange rates have affected sales by +2,2 percent, compared with 1997. Profit before taxes amounted to MSEK 71.0 (63.6), an increase by 11.6 percent. Exchange rate effects explain for MSEK 4.9 of the increase. The fourth quarter of 1998 was a disappointment, primarily due to a slow down in incoming orders and disturbances in logistics and

Trelleborg to participate in new preference issue and to spin off Boliden holding to shareholders

Trelleborg's holding in Boliden Trelleborg to participate in new preference issue and to spin off Boliden holding to shareholders As a result of Boliden Ltd's decision to implement an issue of preference shares, the Trelleborg AB Board has decided to subscribe for its part of the issue (corresponding to a sum not exceeding CAD 96.5 M). The primary use of the issue is to finance the current expansion of the Rönnskär smelter in Sweden. Preference shares do not carry voting rights, but carry the right to conversion. The Trelleborg Group's participation in the issue is conditional upon its

GLOCALNET INGÅR SAMARBETE MED SERVICE PROVIDER I GREKLAND

GLOCALNET INGÅR SAMARBETE MED SERVICE PROVIDER I GREKLAND Glocalnet kan idag tillkännage att företaget har slutit ett avtal med Netnet Greece. Avtalet innebär att Netnet Greece ingår ett återförsäljaravtal med Glocalnet, som även erhåller en option att köpa 35% av den grekiska verksamheten. Netnet Greece har tidigare varit verksamt som agent för Netnet International och har under de senaste månaderna genomgått en stark expansion (mer än 15-20% tillväxt per månad). Den senaste månaden uppgick trafiken till mer än 300 000 minuter. Netnet Greece har ungefär 200 företagskunder. "Vi är väldigt

Glocalnet partners with service provider in Greece

GLOCALNET PARTNERS WITH SERVICE PROVIDER IN GREECE Glocalnet announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with Netnet Greece. In short, the letter of intent involves Netnet Greece replacing its current business partner, Netnet International with that of Glocalnet. Glocalnet also receives an option to acquire 35 percent of the Greek operation. Netnet Greece has previously been acting as an agent of Netnet International and has during recent months been undergoing rapid expansion (over 15 to 20 percent per month). Last month Netnet Greece generated traffic exceeding 300,000 minutes.

SKF exits and sells operations

SKF exits and sells operations SKF has decided to exit its involvement in the forging unit at Arvika, Sweden. The decision affects 210 employees. Operations include production of high- strength automotive components, such as connecting rods and items for diesel engines for heavy trucks, among other products. The forging unit also supplies forged rings for the SKF bearing production plants. The operations have been unprofitable during recent years and are not considered to be of strategic importance to the SKF Group. The company is part of the SKF Steel Division. SKF has agreed to sell its

Ericsson and Rational Software in agreement

Ericsson and Rational Software in agreement on integrated software development solution Ericsson and Rational Software Corporation today announced a strategic partnership under which Rational will provide Ericsson development teams worldwide with an integrated set of software development tools, processes and services. Ericsson will use Rational's integrated solution through the full development lifecycle to create software faster in both Web-based and embedded systems for wireline and wireless communications. "At Ericsson, we depend on our ability to develop software," says Jaak Urmi at

Sales of prilosec (losec) in the U.S. up 35 percent in 1998

SALES OF PRILOSEC (LOSEC ) IN THE U.S. UP 35 PERCENT IN 1998 Total sales of Prilosec (Losec) in the U.S. during the fourth quarter of 1998 amounted to USD 850 (1997: 655) m., an increase of 30 percent. Total sales of Prilosec during the period January - December 1998 amounted to USD 3,015 (2,240) m., an increase of 35 percent, corresponding to approximately SEK 23,900 (17,100) m. Total prescrip-tions rose by approximately 30 percent during the first eleven months. Contact persons: Mikael Widell, Press Officer, PR & Information, Astra AB, +46 8 553 264 28 Michael Olsson, Manager, Investor

Ericsson implementing forceful restructuring

Ericsson implementing forceful restructuring measures Rapid technological development and new work methods are leading to comprehensive structural changes and fewer jobs. New products and systems are much less labor-intensive than earlier generations. As a result of this technological development, the number of positions within Ericsson worldwide will decline by more than 11,000 during the next two years, including the elimination of 3,300 jobs in Sweden. The changes represent an aggressive strategy in line with ongoing technological and market trends. New technologies are being introduced

Green light for Norwegian-Swedish bank alliance

Green light for Norwegian-Swedish bank alliance The Norwegian Ministry of Finance gave the green light today to the strategic alliance between Norway´s SpareBank 1 Group and Swedbank. The alliance is based on an agreement between the banks providing for enhanced mutual collaboration aiming at strengthening local banking operations in both countries. Today´s go-ahead from the Norwegian authorities will now trigger a directed NOK 720 million initial share issue to purchase 25% of the SpareBank 1 Group. In addition, Swedbank, in collaboration with the SpareBank 1 banks, will opening a branch

Reporting 1999

REPORTING DATES 1999 Skandia's reports will be published on the following dates: Year-end report, 1998 February 18, 1999 Interim report January-March, 1999 April 29, 1999 Interim report January-June, 1999 August 5, 1999 Interim report January-September, 1999 October 27, 1999 Skandia's Annual General Meeting of shareholders will take place on Thursday, April 8, 1999. Investor Relations S-103 50 Stockholm Sweden Telephone +46-8-788 10 00 Telefax -46-8-788 30 80 www.skandia.se Office: Sveavägen 44 ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for

ICB Shipping AB releases Year-End Results on 4th February

ICB Shipping AB releases Year-End Results on 4th February ICB's Year-End results for 1998 will be released on 4th February 1999. The ICB Group undertook certain crossborder transfers of shares in shipowning companies within the group before year end 1998 which, according to present planning, will require one extra week for the consolidation of group accounts. The release of Year-End results was originally scheduled for 28th January. ICB Shipping AB Stockholm, Sweden, 22 January 1999 Contact person: Ola Lorentzon, CEO, tel. +46-8-613 30 30. ----------------------------------------------------

Lars Granlöf appointed Vice President, Corporate Control

Lars Granlöf appointed Vice President, Corporate Control Lars Granlöf has today been appointed acting Vice President, Corporate Control of Gambro. He is presently Vice President, Finance, a responsibility he will keep. Granlöf will be a co-opted member of the Gambro Executive Committee. He is succeeding Sören Mellstig, who has taken over the responsibility for the business area Renal Care Products. For further information please contact: Bengt Modéer, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +46-8-613 65 00, +46-70-513 65 33 Anna Augustson, European Investor Relations Manager,

Celsius gets order for two vessels to Swedish Coast Guard

Order for two new vessels to Swedish Coast Guard Celsius' business unit Kockums Naval Systems has received an order for two KBV 201 "multi-role" vessels for the Swedish Coast Guard. The order is estimated to be worth approximately SEK 240 M. The vessels will be built in Karlskrona, Sweden. The Swedish Coast Guard, together with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, has specified this class of vessel and is responsible for project planning and procurement. Kockums Naval Systems will design, build and deliver them. A new type of multi-role vessel, their primary mission will be year-