Monthly report as of July 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 July 1998 HL Display AB (publ) ales of January to July increased by 38.6% to MSEK 364.7 (263.2) compared to 1997 rofit before tax totalled MSEK 48.7 (40.8) [REMOVED GRAPHICS] January to July in brief The consolidated sales of January to July increased by 38.6 % to MSEK 364.7 (263.2). Sales of both subsidiaries and distributors are developing better than expected. Signs of a breakthrough on the North American market are shown, several retail stores have started to use the HL Datastrips. Sales of the local distributors on the Baltic market have exceeded expectations. HL Display Sverige AB has signed an agreement of distribution with the French manufacturer Caddie. Caddie is a market-leading supplier of shopping trolleys and logistic equipment. These products will be included in the Shop Systems product line. The Profit before tax of January to July amounted to MSEK 48.7 (40.8). Capital expenditures on fixed assets amount to MSEK 39.0 (19.4). These mainly regard the factory in Sundsvall. Consolidated Key Figures 7 Mth.7 Mth. Change, % 12 Mth 12 Mth Full Jan - Jan - Aug 97 Aug 96 Year July July - July - July 97 1997 1998 1997 98 Net sales 364 701 263 38.6%582 542 417 623 481 216 057 Operating profit 48 16340 549 18.8% 71 229 59 88663 615 Profit before tax 48 72440 849 19.3% 71 478 60 80363 603 Profit margin, % 13.4 15.5 -13.5% 12.3 14.6 13.2 Net investments, MSEK 39.0 19.4 101.0% 70.9 31.9 51.3 Return on capital - - - 24.6 28.1 26.2 employed % Return on shareholders' - - - 28.3 31.2 29.6 equity % Earnings per share after - - - 6.21 5.38 5.65 full tax , SEK Financial Report dates: Monthly report 8 months 1998, 21/09/1998 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 20/08/98 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.