Ratos increases Esselte holding

Ratos increases Esselte holding Ratos´ holding in Esselte AB amounts to 5,163,207 A-shares and 611,600 B- shares, together representing 16.9% of capital and 27.3% of voting rights in Esselte. As reported in Ratos´ Annual Report 1999, the Esselte holding as of 31 December, 1999 amounted to 4,558,207 A-shares and 233,500 B-shares, together representing 14.0% of capital and 23.8% of voting rights in Esselte. Stockholm 15 March, 2000 FÖRVALTNINGS AB RATOS For further information: Anna-Karin Eliasson, IR/Corporate Communications, +46-8 700 17 00 Ratos is a listed Private Equity company whose business concept is to create the highest possible yield for its shareholders through professional, active and responsible exercising of the ownership role in a number of selected companies and investment situations in which Ratos creates a unique investment opportunity for the operators on the stockmarket. Added values are created in connection with acquisition, development and divestment of companies. The Net asset value amounts to SEK 10bn. Ratos' Active holdings are Scandic Hotels, Telelogic, Dahl, Superfos, Capona, Esselte, DataVis, Telia Overseas and ACE. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/15/20000315BIT00150/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2000/03/15/20000315BIT00150/bit0002.pdf