Report January-April 2000 HL Display AB

Report January-April 2000 HL Display AB (publ) * Sales for January to April increased by 10.5% to SEK 264.5 m (239.4) compared to corresponding period 1999. * The periods profit before tax amounted to SEK 8.5 m (12.2). [REMOVED GRAPHICS] January to April 2000 in brief The consolidated sales for the period increased by 10.5 % to SEK 264.5 m (239.4). During April sales amounted to SEK 64.0 m (66.1), a decrease of 3.2%. The sales of April was weak on the majority of the largest markets for HL Display. The weakening has been noted in sales to all customer segments and on different ranges of the assortment. As the order backlog of HL Display normally not exceeds two weeks, it is still to early to draw any conclusions about the recovery pace. Around 80 per cent of the sales of HL Display is exported. During the period 67 per cent was sold in the EU countries. The latest months strengthening of the Swedish krona, mainly in relation to the Euro, has meant that currency effects have affected the net sales negatively by 0.2% or SEK 5.2 m. Profit before tax was SEK 8.5 m (12.2). Profit for the month was SEK 2.9 m (6.6). The funds that has been reallocated from the insurance company SPP has now been fully accounted for, as SPP during April has notified how the funds can be used. This has affected the group result positively by SEK 3.5 m in April and totally for the period by SEK 4.5 m. The profit has been negatively affected by SEK 4.2 m due to the fact that the price of the groups largest raw material, PVC, has increased dramatically compared to the corresponding period in 1999. Currency effects have, compared to last year, lowered profit before tax by 2.5 m. Net investments in fixed assets amounted to SEK 20.9 m (27.3) during the period. [REMOVED GRAAPHICS] Reporting dates: Monthly 5 months19.06. Interim 6 months17.07. Monthly 7 months16.08. Monthly 8 months15.09. Interim 9 months17.10. Monthly 1016.11. Monthly 1118.12. 1) For definitions, see the Annual report Stockholm 16.05.2000 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/2000/05/16/20000516BIT00640/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/05/16/20000516BIT00640/bit0002.pdf