Micronic reports continued strong sales and growth in profit

Taby, Sweden, July 7, 2006 - Micronic Laser Systems AB (Stockholm Exchange’s "O list": MICR) today presented the Group’s Interim Report for January 1 - June 30, 2006.

* Order intake during the first six months of 2006 reached SEK 431 (557) million, of which SEK 83 (329) was booked in the second quarter. * Net sales for the first half of 2006 totaled SEK 841 (390) million, of which SEK 464 (160) million was generated in the second quarter. * Operating profit for the first six months was SEK 226 (-46) million, including SEK 130 (-55) for the second quarter. * Operating profit for the period adjusted for capitalization and amortization of development costs totaled SEK 274 (18) million, of which SEK 155 (-23) million referred to the second quarter. * Profit after tax for the first half of 2006 was SEK 162 (-36) million, equal to SEK 4.14 (-0.94) per share. Profit after tax for the second quarter was SEK 94 (-40) million, equal to SEK 2.41 (-1.04) per share. * The order backlog at the end of the period was SEK 420 (1,039) million and consisted of systems scheduled to ship during 2006 and 2007. “The first half of 2006 was characterized by fast-paced shipment of ordered systems. Sales for the first six months, at SEK 841 million, were on par with our expectations. Operating margin adjusted for net capitalized development costs was 33 percent for the first six months of 2006. The corresponding rolling 12-month figure is now 31 percent. Gross margin, which was bolstered by the product mix, reached a full 61percent for the first half of the year,” says Sven Löfquist, President and CEO of Micronic Laser Systems AB. “We are satisfied with our mid-year profit. The postponed order intake, as a result of a weaker display market, is however a major disappointment. The signals we are receiving from customers are in line with our latest assessment of a weak order intake throughout the remainder of 2006. Industry analysts expect the industry’s overall capacity expansion to remain high in the coming year. In the semiconductor market, we have recognized the sale of two Sigma systems during the period. In the second half of the year we anticipate weaker sales in the third quarter but we stand by the earlier assessment for the full year,” concludes Sven Löfquist. 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