Synthetic Options

SYNTHETIC OPTIONS Today, the Board of Atle has decided to offer some 35 senior Atle group executives the opportunity to acquire synthetic options. The intention of this scheme is to further enhance the commitment of the individuals affected to Atle's future growth. Atle operates through a very substantial number of wholly and partially owned enterprises. Atle's professionals are under stern demands, both in operational and structural issues, in Atle's six investment companies. Synthetic options are an effective way of assisting the recruitment, retention and motivation of professionals in executive positions that satisfy such demands. The maximum number of options is 900,000, although the precise number will be publicised after the end of the application period. Those individuals eligible will be invited to subscribe for between 8,000 and 62,000 options each. Some options will be reserved for future sale to employees subject to current criteria, at a market premium. The options expire on 15 July 2003 and will have an exercise price equivalent to 120% of Atle's share price during a measurement period coincident with the application period. The price of the options will be set as of 5 July 2000 by financial institution Handelsbanken Investment Banking, which will apply the customary (Black & Scholes) calculation model to ensure that the options are priced on market terms. The price will be publicised subsequently, coincident with the definitive exercise price. Atle intends to hedge those commitments that the synthetic options imply for the company. Stockholm, 27 June 2000 Atle AB (publ) THE BOARD For more information, please contact Carl Wilhelm Ros, Chairman of Atle AB, on +46-70-557 49 15, or Gunnar Huss, Deputy Chief Executive of Atle AB,on +46-70-593 75 00. ATLE AB (Publ) BOX 7308 103 90 STOCKHOLM SWEDEN VISITING ADDRESS: REGERINGSGATAN 48 TELEPHONE +46 (0)8 506 10100 TELEFAX +46 (0)8 506 10110 CORPORATE IDENTITY NO.: 556454-8799 Atle- key facts Atle is a growth company that intends to be 2-3 times its current size in 5 years' time. Atle is a private equity player, investing in unlisted enterprises, participating actively in their development, and after a few years, finding them a suitable new home, thereby realising value growth. Since 1993, the Atle group's earnings after financial items have risen progressively, from SEK 373 m to SEK 1,025 m in 1999. Atle maintains a brisk transaction tempo, acquiring over 20 enterprises across all sectors each year. Since inception in 1992, Atle has invested in approximately 200 businesses and exited from 100. Its annual return from these exits has exceeded 50%. 43 holdings (26% of invested capital) are in IT and other technology enterprises. Atle is quoted on the Stockholm Stock Exchange's A List and has just over 16,000 shareholders. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/27/20000627BIT00950/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/06/27/20000627BIT00950/bit0002.pdf