Atlas Copco: Fourth Quarter Report at December 31, 2001--Unaudited (with link)


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 14, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Atlas Copco:

Q4: Strong Cash Flow, Weaker Demand


 -- Order volumes fell 5%.
 -- Profit after financial items was MSEK 1,054 (1,371), including
    restructuring costs of MSEK 200.
 -- Operating margin, excluding items affecting comparability, was
    11.8% (14.4).
 -- Low rental revenues had a negative effect on profits.
 -- Earnings per share were SEK 3.36 (4.12).
 -- Operating cash flow was a record MSEK 1,863 (815).

Note: All comparative figures are for the fourth quarter of 2000, unless otherwise stated.


                        Oct.-Dec.     Change     Jan.-Dec.     Change
                      2001     2000      %      2001   2000       %
 Orders received    12,343   12,177     +1    50,916   46,628     +9
 Revenues           13,117   12,841     +2    51,139   46,527    +10
 Operating profit*   1,348    1,823    -26     6,130    6,392     -4
  - as a percentage   10.3     14.2             12.0     13.7
    of revenues 
 
 Profit after
  financial          1,054    1,371    -23     4,700    4,689      0
   items*                                                   0      9
 - as a percentage     8.0     10.7              9.2     10.1
    of revenues
 
 *Items affecting     -200      -20             -260      -26
  comparability
 Earnings per share,
  SEK                 3.36     4.12    -18     14.63    13.95      +5
 Equity capital per
  share, SEK           133      115
 Return on capital
  employed
  (12-month values)     13       15

Dividend

The Board of Directors proposes that a dividend of SEK 5.50 (5.25) per share be paid for the 2001 fiscal year.

Outlook

The current overall decline in demand is foreseen to continue in the near-term. As a consequence, lower volumes and profitability are anticipated in the first quarter, primarily in the equipment rental business.

There are some indications of an improved business environment in North America, which could positively affect demand in the latter part of the year.

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 The following files are available for download:
 www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/14/20020214BIT01090/bit0001.doc
 The full year-end report
  
 www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/14/20020214BIT01090/bit0001.pdf
 The full year-end report


            

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