Micronic posts strong profit and upgrades outlook after first quarter

Taby, Sweden, April 20, 2006 - Micronic Laser Systems AB (Stockholm Exchange’s "O list": MICR) today presented the Group’s Interim Report for January 1 - March 31, 2006.

* Order intake during the first quarter reached SEK 348 (228) million. * Net sales for the first quarter are reported at SEK 377 (230) million. * Operating profit for the first quarter was SEK 96 (9) million. * Operating profit adjusted for capitalization and amortization of development costs totaled SEK 119 (41) million. * Profit after tax for the first quarter was SEK 68 (4) million, equal to SEK 1.73 (0.11) per share. * The order backlog at March 31 was SEK 828 (809) million and consisted of systems scheduled to ship during this year. “For the first quarter of 2006 I am very pleased to report a record high operating margin of 25 percent. Operating profit was charged with SEK 23 million in net amortization of capitalized development costs. Adjusted for this, operating margin was 32 percent. For the rolling 12-month period, our operating margin has now reached 18 percent, or 25 percent adjusted for capitalized development costs. Gross margin during the first quarter amounted to 61 percent. Our ongoing efforts to shorten lead times and enhance efficiency throughout the organization are having a tangible positive impact on margins. In the past quarter, we invoiced the Sigma system that was booked as an order,” says Sven Lofquist, President & CEO of Micronic Laser Systems AB. “In March we inaugurated our subsidiary in South Korea and over the coming year will devote considerable effort to creating a dynamic service and sales organization in this, our second largest market. The display market is showing continued powerful development and capacity investment forecasts for the industry have been raised for both the current year and 2007. This indicates favorable conditions for sales of pattern generators for display applications in 2006. In addition, the semiconductor market is showing sustained growth and we see good potential to significantly increase our market share. As part of our expansion, we have also shipped an additional Sigma system under a collaboration agreement. In view of these factors, we have upgraded our outlook for order intake and sales for the first six months and sales for the full year, and now expect net sales for 2006 to exceed SEK 1,500 million,” concludes Sven Lofquist. Company contact: Sven Lofquist President & CEO +46 8 638 52 00 sven.lofquist@micronic.se Agency contact: Luz Rodriguez The Loomis Group, Inc. +33 1 58 18 59 30 rodriguezl@loomisgroup.com