Interim Report, Axfood AB, 1 January–30 September 2005

Spar Finland is reported as a discontinued operation on a separate line in the profit and loss account, and thus the figures below pertain to continuing operations. • Axfood’s consolidated sales during the first nine months of 2005 amounted to SEK 20,781 m (21,425), a decrease of 3.0%. • Axfood’s consolidated sales during the third quarter totalled SEK 7,090 m (7,161), a decrease of 1.0%. • Retail sales for Axfood’s wholly owned stores rose 4.0% during the period. Same-store sales decreased by 3.0%. • Operating profit for the period was SEK 825 m (839). Operating profit for the third quarter was SEK 312 m (333). • Profit after financial items for the period was SEK 814 m (814). Profit after financial items for the third quarter was SEK 309 Mkr (327). • Profit after tax for the period was SEK 579 m (586). Earnings per share were SEK 10.63 (10.94). • Axfood is selling all of its shares in Spar Finland for cash purchase price of EUR 38.7 m (approx. SEK 360 m). Purchase by the buyer is conditional upon approval from the Finnish Competition Authority. • The Board and management’s estimation is that operating profit for the year will be approximately SEK 1,000 m. (1,148)