Earnings continued to increase

Interim Report Six months ended June 30, 1999 Earnings continued to increase * Earnings after financial items were SEK 670 M (554), an increase of 21%. * Earnings after financial items totaled SEK 1,592 M in the past 12-month period (full year 1998, excluding items affecting comparability: 1,476). * Market situation mainly favorable in 1999; up in Sweden, United States, Poland, Spain, Portugal and African markets, stable in Finland and the United Kingdom, down in Norway and Denmark. * Lohja Rudus and Finnsementti sold to CRH (Ireland) in July. Capital gain: approximately SEK 1.7 billion. * Heidelberger Zement is Scancem's new principal owner. * Heidelberger Zement makes an offer to purchase the remaining shares from Scancem stockholders. ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/18/19990818BIT00100/bit0001.doc The full report http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/08/18/19990818BIT00100/bit0002.pdf The full report