Interim Report January – September 2005

Continued strong development in the USA and full year forecast maintained
• Sales in the third quarter increased by 5 percent to MSEK 16,874 (15,182), adjusted for changes in ex¬change rates, acquisitions and divestitures. In the first nine months of the year sales increased by 4 percent to MSEK 48,303 (44,465), adjusted for changes in exchange rates, acquisitions and divestitures.
• Operating income in the third quarter increased by 3 percent to MSEK 1,134 (1,071), adjusted for changes in exchange rates. Operating margin was 6.7 percent (7.1). In the first nine months of the year operating income increased by 6 percent to MSEK 3,104 (2,911), adjusted for changes in exchange rates. Operating margin was
6.4 percent (6.5).
• Income before taxes in the third quarter increased by 4 percent (4 percent adjusted for IAS 39 revaluations and restructuring costs) to MSEK 978 (911), adjusted for changes in exchange rates. In the first nine months of the year income before taxes increased by 7 percent (7 percent adjusted for IAS 39 revaluations and restructuring costs) to MSEK 2,642 (2,439), adjusted for changes in exchange rates.
• Net income in the third quarter increased by 7 percent to MSEK 725 (677). In the first nine months of the year the increase was 7 percent to MSEK 1,958 (1,831).
• Earnings per share after taxes increased by 8 percent to SEK 1.95 (1.81) in the third quarter. In the first nine months of the year the increase was 7 percent to SEK 5.27 (4.92).
• Free cash flow in the third quarter amounted to MSEK 773 (512) representing 97 percent (72) of adjusted income. In the first nine months of the year free cash flow amounted to MSEK 1,312 (1,512) representing 63 (77) percent of adjusted income.