Summary and highlights q3 (january 1 -march 31, 2001)

INTERIM REPORT JULY 1, 2000 - MARCH 31, 2001 FOR AB NOVESTRA (PUBL.) SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS Q3 (JANUARY 1 - MARCH 31, 2001) Novestra reports a result for the period January 1 to March 31, 2001 of -27,076 (24,014). Of the total result, KSEK - 12,975 represents unrealized write-downs within liquidity management which suffered from adverse market conditions during the quarter. Shareholders' equity as of March 31, 2001 amounted to SEK 24.7 per share. The Group's cash and cash equivalents amounted to KSEK 191,586 (SEK 8.2 per share). Solidity was 90.7%. In spite of very unfavourable market conditions, most of Novestra's strategic holdings have, as of March 31, 2001, managed to either show a positive cash flow or secure immediate capital needs. Based on current expansion plans, the additional capital needed in these companies is limited. At the same time, the future value potential in some of the companies is significant. Novestra has stepped up the efforts to become an attractive partner for established industrial companies and financial partners. In this process, Novestra and Ericsson Business Innovation AB have entered into an agreement whereby Novestra and selected financial partners will have access to and an opportunity to invest in ongoing businesses and projects developed within Ericsson Business Innovation. Novestra has continued to focus on developing existing portfolio companies and has made additional investments in these totalling MSEK 11.5. Furthermore, Novestra has made two investments in new portfolio companies: MSEK 10.8 in Multilet AB, co-owned with Ericsson Business Innovation AB, for a 28.6 % ownership, and MSEK 14.9 in Strax Inc. for a 7.6 % ownership at favourable terms. Novestra has substantial reserves for additional investments in spite of the fact that difficult market conditions have forced some portfolio companies to postpone transactions that would have added to Novestra's liquidity reserves. After the period, Novestra has invested MSEK 12.5 for a 30% stake in 34 Networks AB which specialises in developing IP based solutions for a wider supply of services (voice, data, video) in the new generation's fixed and mobile networks. For further information, please contact Mr Thomas Åkerman, President, AB Novestra, phone: +46 8 545 017 50 About Novestra AB Novestra is one of the leading independent venture capital investment companies in the Nordic region with focus on companies providing enabling services and technologies for the communications industry. Novestra's portfolio of companies includes B2 Bredband AB, Comintell Holding AB, Continuum Group Ltd, Fanglobe Inc, Iquity Systems Inc, Multilet AB, Netsurvey AB, PowerNet AB, Qbranch AB and Strax Inc. 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 BIT http://www.bit.se The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/05/09/20010509BIT00570/bit0002.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/05/09/20010509BIT00570/bit0002.pdf