Novestra: strong increase in sales and improved result in most portfolio companies

NOVESTRA: STRONG INCREASE IN SALES AND IMPROVED RESULT IN MOST PORTFOLIO COMPANIES Five of AB Novestra's portfolio companies show positive cash flows in Q4 and very good growth despite a tough economic climate. An additional three portfolio companies have a positive development in both revenues and result and are presently fully financed with current business plans. The aggregate sales in Novestra's unlisted portfolio companies has increased from MSEK 560 in year 2000 to approx. SEK 1.2 billion in year 2001 and is expected to reach SEK 2.2 billion in year 2002. The companies in the portfolio have in average increased sales with 50% in year 2000 and 80% in 2001. An average increase in sales of approx. 100% is expected for 2002. Novestra's average ownership has increased from approx. 12% per company in 1999 to 20% in 2001 and is expected to reach approx. 25% in 2002. Average sales per company amounted to MSEK 40 in 2000 and, this year, is expected to increase to MSEK 70 per company. In 2002, Novestra expects the average sales to reach MSEK 140 per company. "The aggregate book value of our investments amounts to MSEK 300 and considering the companies' developments in sales and results it can be concluded that Novestra's investment strategy has proved successful and we have managed to take the company through a difficult market situation," says Novestra's chairman, Theodor Dalenson. For further information please contact Theodor Dalenson, AB Novestra, phone No. +46 8 545 017 50. About AB Novestra AB Novestra is one of the leading independent venture capital investment companies in the Nordic region with focus on companies providing enabling network technologies and services for the communications industry. Novestra's portfolio of companies includes B2 Bredband AB, Comintell Holding AB, Continuum Group Ltd, Netsurvey AB, Qbranch AB, Recollections, Inc., Strax Holdings, Inc. and a number of other holdings. Novestra's shares are listed on the O-List of Stockholmsborsen. For information regarding AB Novestra, please see www.novestra.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/2001/12/06/20011206BIT00100/bit0002.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/12/06/20011206BIT00100/bit0002.pdf