Interim report for the nine months ended September 30, 2004

Interim report for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 ·Third-quarter operating profit rose 31 percent compared with year-earlier period. ·Increase in third-quarter sales in Europe. ·Sales for the year amounted to SEK 3,202 M (2,935). ·Profit after tax for the year was SEK 400 M (327). ·Earnings per share before dilution for the year were SEK 13.90 (11.40). Comments by the President "Sales improved further in the third quarter, with growth of 16 percent at fixed exchange rates compared with the preceding year. The accumulated growth in sales for the first nine months of the year was 12 percent. All market regions are continuing to develop favorably. The strong growth meant a considerable improvement in profitability and return on capital," says Seco Tools President and CEO Kai Wärn. For additional information, contact Kai Wärn, President and CEO (Tel: +46 223-401 10) or Tomas Eliasson, CFO (Tel: +46 223-401 20). E-mail may be sent to: investor.relations@secotools.com ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/11/05/20041105BIT20060/wkr0001.pdf The full report