"Orkla Brands is now showing profit improvements as a result of the action plan. However, we are still seeing rising raw material costs, which will have to be offset by further price hikes. The Sapa-Alcoa merger process is proceeding as planned, and Elkem Solar is still aiming to make its first deliveries towards the end of the year," says President and CEO Dag J. Opedal.

 

Orkla's first-quarter operating revenues totalled NOK 16.9 billion (up from NOK 13.9 billion in 2007). A significant part of the increase in the Group's operating revenues (but also slightly lower operating margin) is explained by the merged profile business (Sapa/Alcoa).

 

Orkla Brands, Sapa and Borregaard all posted satisfactory performances. Elkem's energy trading business realised a loss in 2008, in contrast with particularly high gains in 2007. As expected, profit from the primary aluminium business was negatively impacted by a weak USD and hedging losses. Furthermore, costs expensed for Elkem Solar's new plant were NOK 50 million higher than last year.

 

Orkla Associates' contribution to Group profit was lower than last year. REC (Renewable Energy Corporation, in which Orkla owns a 39.73 per cent stake) reported slightly lower profit than last year. In addition its contribution to Orkla's profit in 2007 was boosted by a gain on a sale of shares. Jotun (in which Orkla owns 42.5 per cent) maintained its positive trend from 2007.

 

Pre-tax profit in the first quarter amounted to NOK 881 million (NOK 3,505 million). Realised portfolio gains and proceeds from the sale of other financial assets were particularly high in the first quarter of 2007, which explains the year-on-year difference of approximately NOK 2 billion.

 

In a weak stock market, Orkla's Financial Investments area reported a return of -7.2 per cent, compared with -13.3 per cent for the Morgan Stanley Nordic Index and -16.1 per cent for the Oslo Stock Exchange Benchmark Index.

 

 

Ole Kristian Lunde

Tel.: +47-2254 4431

 

Rune Helland

Tel.: +47-2254 4411

 

Date:  6 May 2008

 

 

[*] EBITA: Operating profit before amortisation, restructuring and significant impairment charges