Sectra Interim Report for the First Quarter May -- July 2003: Sectra's International Sales Continue to Grow


LINKOPING, Sweden, Sept. 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Sectra reports a profit after financial items of SEK 12.2 million (19.8) for the first quarter, corresponding to a profit margin of 12.7% (13.9). Earnings per share amounted to SEK 0.25 (0.43) and sales to SEK 96.0 million (143.9).

"We're reporting strong first quarter earnings and our sales to markets outside of Sweden continue to increase," said Jan-Olof Bruer, President and CEO of Sectra AB. "This is a result of our long-term focus on international expansion."

Sectra has traditionally experienced seasonal variations that have resulted in the fiscal year starting with slow sales and low earnings.

"Sales during the first quarter were lower than in the year-earlier period, primarily due to the fact that we completed more installations of digital radiology systems in Scandinavia last year than we normally do during the summer months. Among other projects during the first quarter of last year, we completed the digitizing of the radiology department at Sodersjukhuset hospital in Stockholm, which is the single largest project in company history," said Jan-Olof Bruer.

Since the end of the quarter, installation of Sectra's new digital mammography system has commenced at Helsingborg Hospital in Sweden.

"Sectra MicroDose Mammography(TM) is being installed at Helsingborg Hospital. With our new system, women who undergo mammography exams at Helsingborg Hospital will benefit from the lowest radiation levels in the world," Jan-Olof Bruer concluded.

For further information, contact:

Sectra AB, Jan-Olof Bruer, President and CEO, +46 13 23 52 09, job@sectra.se

Visit Sectra's website: www.sectra.se

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