Share transaction strengthens capacity of Wallenberg foundations

Share transaction strengthens capacity of Wallenberg foundations to make grants Wallenberg foundations are strengthening their capacity to make grants and diversifying their portfolio further by acquiring all of Investor AB's shares in SAS, SKF and Stora Enso. At the same time, these Wallenberg foundations are selling their A shares in Ericsson and SEB to Investor. The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) and Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation (MMW) sell to Investor, all their A shares in Ericsson and shares in SEB with a total value of SEK 13.6 billion. From Investor KAW and MMW receive all of Investor AB's shareholdings in SAS Sverige, SKF and Stora Enso, and SEK 83 million in cash payment - for a total value of SEK 13.6 billion. As Investor's largest owners, KAW and MMW fully support Investor's strategy to focus its core holdings on certain priority sectors that are expected to have a high rate of growth and are related to areas in which Investor makes new investments. KAW and MMW also desire to increase their yield and diversify their portfolios. "KAW and MMW, which together will grant about SEK 750 million in funds this year for scientific research and education - are increasing their yield through the exchange of the shares, and thereby their capacity to make grants to further important projects," says Professor Jan S. Nilsson, Executive Director of KAW's board. "By exchanging the shares, the foundations get a more diversified portfolio. Meanwhile Investor can focus its operations on the strategy that the foundations support as Investor's largest owners," says Jan S. Nilsson. The KAW foundation is acquiring the following shares from Investor: 12,149,161 shares in SAS Sverige, amounting to 17.2 percent of the share capital and voting rights. KAW did not own any shares in SAS prior to the transaction. 13,810,551 A shares in SKF, amounting to 12.1 percent of the share capital and 24.8 percent of the voting rights. After the transaction KAW owns 14,142,151 A shares in SKF, amounting to 12.4 percent of the share capital and 25.4 percent of the voting rights. 57,247,594 A shares and 14,684,071 R shares in Stora Enso Oyj, amounting to 7.9 percent of the share capital and 22.2 percent of the voting rights. KAW did not own any shares in Stora Enso prior to the transaction. The MMW foundation is acquiring the following shares from Investor: 1,006,819 shares in SAS Sverige, amounting to 1.4 percent of the share capital and voting rights. MMW did not own any shares in SAS prior to the transaction. 1,144,501 A shares in SKF, amounting to 1.0 percent of the share capital and 2.1 percent of the voting rights. MMW did not own any shares in SKF prior to the transaction. 4,744,192 A shares and 1,216,891 R shares in Stora Enso Oyj, amounting to 0.7 percent of the share capital and 1.8 percent of the voting rights. MMW did not own any shares in Stora Enso prior to the transaction. KAW is selling to Investor: 93,332,096 A shares in Ericsson, amounting to 1.1 percent of the share capital and 14.1 percent of the voting rights. KAW does not own any A shares in Ericsson after the transaction. 64,568,615 A shares in SEB, amounting to 9.2 percent of the share capital and 9.5 percent of the voting rights. After the transaction KAW owns 3,519,385 A shares and 1,202,241 C shares in SEB, amounting to 0.7 percent of the share capital and 0.5 percent of the voting rights. MMW is selling to Investor: 15,840,000 A shares in Ericsson, amounting to 0.2 percent of the share capital and 2.4 percent of the voting rights. MMW does not own any A shares in Ericsson after the transaction. In all Investor has acquired 109,172,096 A shares in Ericsson, amounting to 1.3 percent of the share capital and 16.4 percent of the voting rights. The value of the shares in these transactions has been determined by the volume-weighted average prices on Stockholmsbörsen (the Stockholm Stock Exchange) during the ten trading days immediately preceding the exchange of shares. (VWAP) Meeting with Press and Analysts Today at 11:00 a.m. in "Kammarsalen" at Berns, the above-described share transaction will be presented in greater detail by Jan S Nilsson, Executive Director of the KAW foundation, and Marcus Wallenberg, President and CEO of Investor. For information: Jan S. Nilsson, Executive Director, KAW, phone +46 8 545 01 781 Jacob Wallenberg, Vice Chairman, KAW, phone +46 8 22 19 00 Johan Stålhand, Executive Director, MMW, phone +46 8 545 01 770 The Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) According to its statutes, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation shall promote scientific research and educational activities benefiting the country of Sweden. To fulfill the aims of the Foundation, grants are made primarily to fund expensive scientific equipment and major scientific programs. The foundation was founded in 1917 and is registered in Stockholm. Peter Wallenberg is Chairman and Professor Jan S Nilsson is Executive Director. The Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation (MMW) The main purpose of the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation is to promote the care and upbringing of children, or to provide support for preparing their instruction or education, or to promote scientific research. Donations are not restricted to a certain family, families or specific persons. The mission of the Foundation is to be fulfilled by making direct grants or donations to institutes for such research or activities. The Foundation's policy is to grant funds to universities and other institutions conducting scientific research and education to support such activities. The foundation was founded in 1963 and is registered in Stockholm. Peter Wallenberg is Chairman and Johan Stålhand is Executive Director. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/15/20010615BIT00050/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/15/20010615BIT00050/bit0002.pdf