Interim report for the six months ended October 31, 2003: Sectra raises second quarter earnings

Interim report for the six months ended October 31, 2003: Sectra raises second quarter earnings Sectra's profit after net financial items rose 50% to SEK 24.1 million (16.0) for the second quarter of the 2003/2004 financial year. Sectra reported sales of SEK 213.3 million (261.0) for the first six months, with a profit of SEK 36.3 million (35.7). Earnings per share totaled SEK 0.72 (0.73). "We're reporting the best second quarter in Sectra's history in terms of sales and earnings," comments Dr. Jan-Olof Brüer, President and CEO at Sectra AB. "A rising share of software license sales, primarily from international markets, has resulted in higher profit margin. Markets outside Sweden accounted for more than 65% of our sales in the past 12 months," Jan-Olof Brüer continues. "The past quarter marks the 100th quarter since Sectra was established in 1978. We can celebrate Sectra's 25th anniversary by having attained our sub-target of being market leader in our home market. Ahead, we have the challenge of continuing expansion in international markets," adds Jan-Olof Brüer. The new digital Sectra MicroDose Mammography system is now fully operational at Helsingborg Hospital in Sweden. Moreover, after the end of the quarter, Sectra sold the system to Klinikum Krefeld in Germany. "Our unique digital mammography system offers women undergoing mammography the benefit of the lowest radiation dosage in the world. Mammography specialists from hospitals all over the world are now queuing to study the Sectra MicroDose Mammography system at Helsingborg Hospital," Jan-Olof Brüer continues. Mammography is the second most common form of radiology examination. Digital technology has long been used to enhance efficiency in radiology operations and is now also beginning to replace film-based systems in the mammography area. "Our new digital mammography system offers major potential. In an effort to ensure the future product supply of the unique mammography stand that forms part of the Sectra MicroDose Mammography system, we have invested an additional SEK 85 million in the partly owned company, Mamea Imaging AB, through subscription for convertible debentures," adds Jan-Olof Brüer. In the area of secure communications systems, Sectra has won new customers in Finland and the U.S. "We note a continuing need for investment in flexible security solutions among the defense forces and public authorities. With our leading-edge expertise in communications security and encryption, we can assist our customers in ensuring information security," concludes Jan-Olof Brüer. For further information, contact: Sectra AB, Jan-Olof Brüer, President and CEO, +46 13 23 52 09, job@sectra.se Visit Sectra's website: www.sectra.se Sectra's operations Sectra has its roots in Linköping Institute of Technology and is one of Sweden's fastest growing high-tech companies in IT. Since the mid-1980s, Sectra has successfully conducted development and sales of advanced medical IT and telecommunications products. Today, the business includes products in medical systems, secure communication systems and wireless information systems. Business is conducted in eight countries with a total of 290 employees. Sales for the fiscal year 2002/03 reached SEK 503 million. Since March 1999, Sectra's shares have been quoted on the O list of the Stockholm Exchange. As of July 1, 2003, the share is quoted on the Attract 40 list. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/12/09/20031209BIT20050/wkr0005.pdf Sectra Interim report for the six months May - October 2003