STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 19, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Investor's net asset value on March 31, 2004 amounted to SEK 91,584 m. (SEK 119 per share), compared with SEK 83,063 m. (SEK 108 per share) on December 31, 2003.
The net asset value increased by SEK 8,521 m. (-4,000), or 10 percent (-6), during the first three months of the year. The change in net asset value includes consolidated income after tax totaling SEK 6,636 m. (113), corresponding to SEK 8.65 per share (0.15). The net asset value was also affected by the dividend payment totaling SEK -1,726 m. (0).
The value of Investor's total assets on March 31, 2004 was SEK 107,734 m. (76,189). Net debt amounted to SEK 16,150 m. on March 31 (17,420), corresponding to 15 percent of total assets (23).
The value of Investor's Core Holdings increased by SEK 9,782 m. during the first three months of the year (- 3,984). Ericsson, ABB and SEB accounted for most of the increase: SEK 6,611 m., SEK 1,674 m. and SEK 622 m., respectively.
Investor sold shares in AstraZeneca for SEK 7,320 m. in February and recorded a capital gain of SEK 6,148 m. on the sale.
The value of New Investments increased by SEK 515 m. during the period (-52). Investments in the first quarter totaled SEK 490 m. (326) and shares were sold for SEK 845 m. (474) within the New Investments business.
The total return on Investor shares was 12 percent in the first three months of 2004 (-6). The total return was 69 percent during the past 12-month period (-56).
3/31 2004 12/31 2003 3/31 2003 Assets, SEK m. 107,734 103,656 76,189 Net debt, SEK m. -16,150 -20,593 -17,420 Net asset value, SEK m. 91,584 83,063 58,769 Net asset value per 119 108 77 share, SEK Development during the January-March 2004 January- quarter March 2003 Change in net asset 8,521 -4,000 value, SEK m. Change in net asset 10 -6 value, percent Change in net asset 11 -5 value per share, SEK Investor has chosen to release this net asset value report to provide financial information to the market as quickly as possible. Due to current accounting regulations, Investor's associated companies are to be reported in accordance with the equity method in the consolidated income statement and balance sheet. As a consequence, Investor must wait for the interim reports of associated companies before it can prepare its own formal interim report (see "Accounting Principles" for further information). The formal interim report will be released May 28, 2004.
The net asset value report can also be accessed on the Internet at www.investorab.com
For more information:
Lars Wedenborn, Chief Financial Officer: +46 8 614 2141, +46 735-24 21 41 lars.wedenborn@investorab.com
Fredrik Lindgren, Vice President, Corporate Communications: +46 8 614 2031, +46 735-24 20 31 fredrik.lindgren@investorab.com
Investor Relations Group, +46 8 614 2800 ir@investorab.com
Investor AB (publ), 556013-8298 Visiting address: Arsenalsgatan 8C SE-103 32 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: + 46 8 614 20 00 Fax: + 46 8 614 21 50 info@investorab.com
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The following files are available for download:
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/04/19/20040419BIT00070/wkr0001.doc
The full report
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/04/19/20040419BIT00070/wkr0002.pdf
The full report
-0- For more information: Lars Wedenborn, Chief Financial Officer +46 8 614 2141, +46 735-24 21 41 lars.wedenborn@investorab.com Fredrik Lindgren, Vice President, Corporate Communications +46 8 614 2031, +46 735-24 20 31 fredrik.lindgren@investorab.com Investor Relations Group +46 8 614 2800 ir@investorab.com