Preliminary Earnings fiscal year 2003/2004 ended April 30, 2004: Strong fourth quarter for Sectra

Preliminary Earnings fiscal year 2003/2004 ended April 30, 2004: Strong fourth quarter for Sectra For the fourth quarter of the 2003/04 fiscal year, Sectra reported a profit after net financial items of SEK 50.8 million (28.1), excluding a nonrecurring write-down of SEK 70.9 million in the acquired company Mamea Imaging AB. Sales during the quarter amounted to SEK 163.0 million (133.8), the highest figure for an individual quarter in the company's history. For the 2003/04 fiscal year, Sectra reported profit after net financial items of SEK 21.0 million (78.9), corresponding to a profit margin of 5.6%. Excluding the nonrecurring write-down in Mamea Imaging AB, profit after net financial items amounted to SEK 98.6 million (78.9), corresponding to a profit margin of 19.9% (15.7). Sales for the year amounted to SEK 495.3 million (503.4) and order bookings to SEK 375.1 million (489.8). Earnings per share amounted to SEK 0.63 (1.62). "Net sales during the fourth quarter was the best in Sectra's history. This was due to our implementation of a number of installations and deliveries within both medical systems and secure communications systems," says Jan-Olof Brüer, CEO and President at Sectra. To secure strategic resources, competence and intellectual property for Sectra MicroDose Mammography, Sectra acquired the founders' shares in Mamea Imaging AB on April 30 and accordingly increased its ownership interest from 38 to 95%. During the fourth quarter, Sectra also implemented a private placement of new shares amounting to approximately SEK 150 million to finance intensified market investments within the mammography area. Major growth potential exists in the mammography area and Sectra's goal is to become a leading supplier in this market. In April, Klinikum Krefeld in Germany placed its Sectra MicroDose Mammography system in full clinical operation. "Klinikum Krefeld's mammography operations are an excellent example of how digital technology can contribute to the improvement of mammography examinations and will function as a good reference customer for us," notes Jan-Olof Brüer. "The work to build our sales channels and reference installations in selected markets within the mammography area will require substantial investments in the years ahead. In 2-4 year's time, our goal is that the mammography operations will account for a substantial part of Sectra's overall business," adds Jan-Olof Brüer. With a strong focus on international growth, Sectra has continued to expand its operations within the medical systems field. "The number of radiology departments now using our medical imaging system increased by 30% during the year and the system is today used by more than 500 hospitals worldwide. To be awarded the "Medical Imaging Company of the Year 2004" in competition with the world's leading suppliers of medical systems is proof of the fact that we take excellent care of our customers," continues Jan-Olof Brüer. During the fourth quarter, Sectra secured a order from the Swedish Defense Forces for the latest generation of high-speed encryption system. "This order is an indication that the Defense Forces are beginning to realize the focus on a new defense structure with network-based information processing," comments Jan-Olof Brüer. For further information, please contact: Sectra AB, Jan-Olof Brüer, President and CEO, +46 13 23 52 09, janolof.bruer@sectra.se Visit Sectra's website: www.sectra.com 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 and secure communication systems. Business is conducted in eight countries with a total of 347 employees. Sales for fiscal year 2003/2004 amounted to SEK 495 million. Since March 1999, Sectra's shares have been quoted on the O list of Stockholmsbörsen (Stockholm Exchange). ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/05/25/20040524BIT21110/wkr0007.pdf Year-end report 2003/2004 (pdf)