Interim Report January - June 2000

Interim Report January - June 2000 * Consolidated earnings after net financial items amounted to SEK 59 million (89). * Nonrecurrent items and provisions for bad debt losses affected earnings by SEK 27 million. * Profit improvements in business areas Feed Materials and Technical Products. * Jan Elmeklo has been appointed acting President and C.E.O. KARLSHAMNS AB (publ) Interim report for the six months to 30 June 2000 Sales volumes to Russia and South America decreased in the second quarter compared to the same period in 1999, which resulted in only marginal increases of speciality fat volumes over the first half of 1999. Raw material prices continued their down-trend after a certain stabilisation early in the year. Substantially reduced raw material prices and a stronger US$ caused problems among a number of customers with long-term agreements. Provisions totalling SEK 12 million have been made to cover these risks along with credit risks in South America. Earnings in the Group's raw material trading improved in the second quarter over the same period in 1999, but for the period to 30 June they are still SEK 13 million lower than last year. The lower net sales level is mainly due to decreasing raw material prices. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/08/16/20000816BIT00320/bit0001.doc The full report http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/08/16/20000816BIT00320/bit0002.pdf The full report