Q1 Report 2008

Reporting period January – March

• Orders received increased by 25% to SEK 4,673 million (3,737)
• Net sales increased by 20.3% to SEK 4,107 million (3,415)
• Profit before tax rose by 29% to SEK 369 million (286)
• Net profit increased by 31% to SEK 266 million (203)
• Earnings per share increased by 29.7% to SEK 1.31 (1.01)
• EBITA before restructuring rose by 36.7% to SEK 655 million (479)
• Acquisition of Boston Scientific’s cardiac and vascular surgery divisions
• Continued strong profit forecasts for the year