Report as of January 2000
Report as of January 2000 HL Display AB (publ) * Sales for January increased by 11.4% to SEK 51.5 m (46.2) compared to corresponding period 1999. * Operating profit amounted to SEK 0.2 m (-0.3). * The periods profit before tax amounted to SEK 0.5 m (-4.5). * Progress for Datastrip in USA [REMOVED GRAPHICS] January 2000 in brief The consolidated sales for the month increased by 11.4 per cent to SEK 51.5 m (46.2). Sales during January was lower than an average month as a consequence of a normal seasonal variation for HL Display. During the last and first weeks of each year the order intake decreases substantially due to the Christmas-trade. This known effect was particularly drastic in connection with the turn of the year 1999/2000. Since the delivery times of most HL Display products rarely exceeds one to two weeks, a decrease in orders quickly gives consequences for the sales. The order intake has since mid-January been satisfactory. Operating profit for January amounted to SEK 0.2 m (-0.3). Profit before tax was SEK 0.5 m (-4.5). This includes a translation difference on consolidation of SEK +0.4 m that preceding year was SEK -3,5 m during January. Net investments in fixed assets amounted to SEK 4.1 m (9.9) during the period. Progress for Datastrip in USA On the American market it is normal for food-stores to display prices in open metal rails (c-channels). HL Display's partner Trion Industries Inc. has during 1999 experienced progress for Datastrip in this market. An important order during 1999 was for four million pieces of Datastrip to Target Stores, the third largest nation-wide grocery store. Several other larger chains is performing tests for the moment. The sales on the American market is estimated to increase in importance successively from year to year. During 1999 the sales on this market represented 2% of the Net sales of the group. [REMOVED GRAPHICS] Reporting dates: Monthly 2 months 20.03. report 2000 2000 Shareholder 20.03. s' meeting 2000 Interim 3 months 18.04. report 2000 2000 Monthly 4 months 16.05. report 2000 2000 Monthly 5 months 19.06. report 2000 2000 Interim 6 months 17.07. report 2000 2000 Monthly 7 months 16.08. report 2000 2000 Monthly 8 months 15.09. report 2000 2000 Interim 9 months 17.10. report 2000 2000 Monthly 10 16.11. report months 2000 2000 Monthly 11 18.12. report months 2000 2000 Stockholm 16.02.2000 Anders Remius Managing Director HL Display shall increase customer profitability by offering the retail trade and its suppliers cost efficient, customer-adapted display systems. Production is to be flexible and delivery times are to be kept short. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/16/20000216BIT00590/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/02/16/20000216BIT00590/bit0002.pdf