INTERIM REPORT JANUARY-MARCH 2004

INTERIM REPORT JANUARY-MARCH 2004 INTERIM REPORT JANUARY-MARCH 2004 Quarter Full year MSEK 1-04 4-03 1-03 2003 Net turnover 3,903 3,940 4,001 15,81 6 Operating profit 534 507 635 2,338 Profit after financial items 492 462 581 2,126 Profit after tax 349 295 389 1,451 Earnings per share (before 4.36 3.69 4.86 18.14 dilution), SEK Earnings per share (after 4.20 3.55 4.69 17.48 dilution), SEK Return on equity, % 8.9 7.8 10.3 9.7 - The Group's net turnover for January-March amounted to MSEK 3,903 (January-March 2003: 4,001). - The profit after tax was MSEK 349 (389). - Earnings per share amounted to SEK 4.36 (4.86). Return on equity was 8.9 per cent (10.3). - The operating profit amounted to MSEK 534 (635). Holmen Paper's operating profit declined by MSEK 75 and Iggesund Paperboard's by MSEK 29. Higher delivery volumes had a favourable effect on the result, while lower prices and currency fluctuations had adverse effects. In relation to the fourth quarter of 2003, the result increased by MSEK 27 to MSEK 534. - Demand for newsprint and magazine paper has improved slightly, but prices have decreased. Holmen Paper's deliveries were higher than in the first quarter of 2003. The market situation for paperboard remained stable during the first quarter, and deliveries rose slightly. Iggesund Paperboard's capacity utilisation continued at a high level and prices were generally stable. For further information please contact: Magnus Hall, President and CEO, tel +46 8 666 21 33 Anders Almgren, CFO, tel +46 8 666 21 16 Christer Lewell, Public Relations Director, tel +46 8 666 21 15. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/04/29/20040429BIT20420/wkr0006.pdf Hela Rapporten