INTERIM REPORT JANUARY-SEPTEMBER 2005
Quarter Jan-Sept Full year MSEK 3-05 2-05 3-04 2005 2004 2004 Net 4,082 4,201 3,824 12,084 11,611 15,653 turnover Operating 590 449 568 1,403 1,600 1,952 profit Profit 530 387 511 1,224 1,448 1,746 after financial items Profit 371 271 362 859 1,026 1,275 after tax Earnings 4.4 3.2 4.3 10.1 12.2 15.1 per share (after dilution), SEK Return on 9.6 7.0 9.6 7.4 8.4 7.9 equity, % - The Group’s net turnover for January-September amounted to MSEK 12,084 (January-September 2004: 11,611). - The profit after tax amounted to MSEK 859 (1,026). - Earnings per share after dilution amounted to SEK 10.1 (12.2). Return on equity was 7.4 % (8.4). - The operating profit amounted to MSEK 1,403 (1,600). The decline is mainly due to significant cost increases for energy and other input goods, and unfavourable currency effects. Higher prices for newsprint and magazine paper have at the same time had a positive effect on the result. In relation to the second quarter, the profit for the third quarter rose by MSEK 141 to MSEK 590, mainly owing to seasonally lower costs. - The market situation for newsprint inEurope remained good during the third quarter. Holmen Paper’s deliveries rose by 3 % in relation to January-September 2004. Prices were stable following the increases made at the beginning of the year. The market situation for virgin fibre-based paperboard in Europe was good during the third quarter. Iggesund Paperboard’s deliveries were 3 % lower than in January-September 2004, owing to lower production. Iggesund Paperboard has announced some price increases. Stockholm 27 October 2005 Magnus Hall President and CEO The report has not been subject to examination by the company’s auditors. Year-end report for 2005 will be published on 2 February 2006. The 2006 Annual General Meeting will be held in Stockholm on 28 March at 16.00 hrs CET. 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