Monthly report as of August 1998

To business editors: Press release for immediate publication Contact persons: Anders Remius, President and Kent Hertzell, Financial Director Telephone: +46(0)8-683 15 30 Internet: www.hl-display.com Monthly report as of August 1998 HL Display AB (publ) -Sales of January to August increased by 37.2% to MSEK 415.9 (303.2) compared to 1997 -Profit before tax increased by 25.8% to MSEK 56.8 (45.1) compared to 1997 [REMOVED GRAPHICS] January to August in brief The consolidated sales of January to August increased by 37.2 % to MSEK 415.9 (303.2). The Profit before tax of January to August amounted to MSEK 56.8 (45.1). The weakening of the Swedish Krona has had a positive effect on both sales and income. Profit before tax is affected by translation differences of MSEK +1.3 (0.5). A computer system breakdown occurred in August in the Sundsvall factory. The problems have now been solved, not causing any substantial financial losses. Capital expenditures on fixed assets amounted to MSEK 44.1 (20.3). These mainly regard the factory in Sundsvall. The relocation has been carried out without any production disruptions. Operation in the Swedish and Norwegian sales companies has suffered from logistic problems. Solutions to these problems are under way. Arne Karlsson, member of the board on HL Display AB, has been appointed to Managing Director of Ratos. HL Display congratulates Arne Karlsson. Consolidated 8 Mth. 8 Mth. Chang 12 Mth 12 Mth Full Key Figures Jan - Jan - e, % Sept 97 Sept 96 Year Aug 1998 Aug - Aug 98 - Aug 1997 1997 97 Net sales 415 858 303 209 37.2% 593 706 422 576 481 057 Operating profit 55 345 45 592 21.4% 73 368 58 997 63 615 Profit before tax 56 793 45 139 25.8% 75 257 59 621 63 603 Profit margin, % 13.7 14.9 -8.1% 12.7 14.1 13.2 Net investments, 44.1 20.3 117.2 75.1 31.3 51.3 MSEK % Return on - - - 22.0 25.5 26.2 capital employed % Return on - - - 29.3 29.6 29.6 shareholders' equity % Earnings - - - 6.58 5.24 5.65 per share after full tax , SEK Financial Report dates: Interim report 9 months 1998, 19/10/1998 Monthly report 10 months 1998, 20/11/1998 Monthly report 11 months 1998, 21/12/1998 Stockholm 21/09/98 Anders Remius Managing Director HL Display's business concept is to offer the retail trade and its suppliers customer-adapted display systems, which with a high degree of flexibility, short response time and in a cost-efficient manner will provide price and product information to the ultimate customer at the point of sale.