Munters AB Interim Report January - June 2000

MUNTERS AB INTERIM REPORT January - June 2000 2000 1999 Jan - Jun Jan - Jun Change Order intake, SEK M 1,675 1,303 + 29 % Invoicing, SEK M 1,448 1,226 + 18 % Operating earnings, SEK M 116 90 + 29 % - as a percentage of invoicing 8.0 7.4 - Earnings before taxes, SEK M 108 87 + 24 % - as a percentage of invoicing 7.4 7.1 - Earnings per share, SEK 2.62 2.18 +20 % *Order intake in the second quarter increased by 37 per cent @*Invoicing in the first half of the year rose by 18 per cent to SEK 1,448M *Operating earnings improved by 29 per cent to SEK 116M *Significant growth in HumiCool *Strong development and uninterrupted growth in invoicing over 26 quarters MUNTERS' OPERATIONS Munters is the world leader in moisture control with products and services for dehumidification, humidification and cooling of air. Operations are divided into three geographic regions - Europe, the Americas and Asia. In each region, operations are subdivided into the Product Areas: Dehumidification, Moisture Control Services (MCS) and HumiCool. Manufacturing and sales are carried out via the Group's own companies in more than 25 countries. The Group had 2,326 employees at the end of the reporting period. MARKET DEVELOPMENT The market in Europe continued to develop positively, except within Mist Elimination & Water Treatment. Demand within HumiCool and MCS showed a positive trend. The market in America showed high growth in all Product Areas. Significant demand was noted for Product Areas HumiCool and Dehumidification. Market activity in Latin America improved, especially within HumiCool. The market in Asia shows continued improvement. Demand is high, especially in China and Australia, and market activity also increased in Japan. SECOND QUARTER 2000 In the second quarter, Munters' order intake increased by 37 per cent to SEK 884M (644). Invoicing rose by 14 per cent to SEK 741M (652). Munters has now enjoyed uninterrupted sales growth over 26 quarters, compared with the same quarter the year before. Adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations the increase during the second quarter was 13 per cent. Earnings improved by 22 per cent to SEK 65M (53). Adjusted for exchange rate fluctuations the increase in earnings was 21 per cent. In the second quarter, order backlog increased by 32 per cent to SEK 585M (443). ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/08/10/20000810BIT00480/bit0001.doc The full report http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/08/10/20000810BIT00480/bit0002.pdf The full report