Interim Report for January 1 – September 30, 2006

Highest sales ever – continued improved profitability

During the third quarter of the year, the Poolia Group increased its sales and improved its profitability. Sales amounted to SEK 305.1 M, the highest-ever figure for an individual quarter. Operating profit for the quarter was SEK 19.0 M, double the level reported in the year-earlier period, corresponding to an operating margin of 6.2%. The positive market trend continued in all countries.

In Sweden, Poolia grew during the quarter by 40%, which equals the strong growth for the first quarter of the year. Poolia’s total sales for the year increased by 34%. All regions and occupational areas are improving, with the strongest growth noted in the Eastern Region. Healthy demand resulted in the favourable capacity utilisation for employed temps continuing and combined with continued efficiency-enhancement efforts led to an operating margin of 8.3% during the quarter.

In the Other Nordic Region, we invested in growth during the quarter by increasing the number of internal staff, which had a negative impact on profitability. In terms of sales, Denmark experienced strong performance, while growth in Finland and Norway was weaker.

In the UK, Poolia had its strongest quarter ever, both with regard to sales and earnings. The measures that the new management implemented in the spring are beginning to pay dividends, and the company’s operating margin for the quarter was 6.0%. The trend was most positive for the London office, which opened a branch in the financial district of Canary Wharf during the quarter.

In Germany, the discontinuation of all non-core business in Hamburg was completed as planned. Consequently, we reversed the remainder of the reserved funds, which will not be required. This created a positive contribution of SEK 2.0 M to the quarter’s operating profit. Although the core operations in Germany continued to grow strongly, we have not achieved volumes in the remaining German operations that are necessary to completely cover their overhead costs.

During the quarter, Poolia Healthcare continued its earlier trend of strong growth in terms of nurses but a decline in doctors, which resulted in modestly positive growth. The operating margin improved considerably due to internal efficiency enhancement efforts and was 8.5% for the quarter.

For further information, please contact:

Erik Strand, Managing Director and CEO, Tel: +46(0)8-555 650 60

Mats Påhlson, Chief Financial Officer, Tel: +46(0)8-555 650 20

Poolia’s success is based on constantly striving for premium quality. We specialise in temporary staffing and permanent recruitment within our focus areas of finance/accounting, administration, IT and healthcare. Poolia was founded in 1989 and is active in six countries.