Interim Report January – September 2004

• Sales in Swedish crowns increased by 1%, to 9,797 MSEK (9,692). In local currencies, sales were up 4%

• Operating income excluding item affecting comparability amounted to 1,628 MSEK (1,693)

• Items affecting comparability amounted to 1,281 MSEK (0) and include a gain from UST settlement of 1,521 MSEK as well as impairment charges and provisions in match operations of 240 MSEK

• Net profit, including items affecting comparability, amounted to 1,596 MSEK (1,228)

• EPS, including items affecting comparability, increased to 4.88 SEK (3.68)


For further information, please contact:

Sven Hindrikes, President and Chief Executive Officer
Office +46 8 658 02 82, Mobile +46 70 567 41 76

Lars Dahlgren, Chief Financial Officer
Office +46 8 658 04 41, Mobile +46 70 958 04 41

Bo Aulin, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Office +46 8 658 03 64, Mobile +46 70 558 03 64

Emmett Harrison, Vice President, Investor Relations (IR)
Office +46 8 658 01 73, Mobile +46 70 938 01 73

Richard Flaherty, Vice President, Business Control & CFO, IR (US)
Office +1 804 302 1774, Mobile +1 804 400 1774