STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 10, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- New Wave Group AB:
-- During Q4 sales increased by 22 % to SEK 712 (585) m. and profit after net financial items by SEK 10 m. to SEK 108 (98) m.
-- During January--December sales increased by 22 % to SEK 2 302 (1 882) m.
-- Profit after net financial items improved by SEK 33 m. to SEK 214 (181) m.
-- Profit after tax increased to SEK 151,8 (133,5) m. and profit per share increased to SEK 4,92 (4,51).
-- The Corporate Profiling business area's sales increased by 37 % to SEK 1 581 (1,155) m. Profit after net financial items increased by SEK 27 m. to SEK 154 (127) m.
-- The Retailing business area's sales decreased by 1 % to SEK 721 (727) m. Profit after net financial items increased by SEK 6 m. to SEK 60 (54) m.
-- The sales of winter garments such as jackets, underwear, skiwear etc, was approximately SEK 50 m lower than expected during the 4th quarter due to mild weather.
-- Acquired entities have during 2004 contributed by SEK 10,8 m and new establishments have a negative effect of SEK 17 m.
-- There are suspicions about fraud in one of the subsidiaries. This has a negative effect of approximately SEK 6m on the result. The managing director and the financial manager have left the company. A new MD has been recruited and a new financial manager will be recruited within shortly.
-- New Wave Group has acquired Dahetra A/S with subsidiaries in Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Bangladesh. Dahetra had a turnover of SEK 83 m for 2004 and will be consolidated in New Wave Group from 1 January 2005.
-- The board proposes to increase the dividend to SEK 1,50 (1,25). Totaling to SEK 47,3 m.
-- For 2005, sales and result is expected to exceed the preceding year.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: CEO Torsten Jansson Phone: +46(0)708 99 80 50, +46(0)303 24 65 01 E-mail: torsten.jansson@nwg.se
dCEO Goran Harstedt
Phone: +46(0)708 99 80 17, +46(0)303 24 65 02 E-mail: goran.harstedt@nwg.se
CFO, Krister Magnusson
Phone: +46(0)708 99 80 21, +46(0)303 24 65 11 E-mail: krister.magnusson@nwg.se
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