STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Aug. 18, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Holmen:
Quarter January-June
Full year
MSEK 2-04 1-04 2-03 2004 2003
2003
Net 3,884 3,903 4,010 7,787 8,011
15,816
turnover
Operating 456 534 609 990 1,244
2,338
profit
Profit 403 492 551 895 1,132
2,126
after
financial
items
Profit 286 349 392 635 781
1,451
after tax
Earnings 3.37 4.36 4.91 7.71 9.77
18.14
per share
(before
dilution),
SEK
Earnings 3.37 4.20 4.72 7.57 9.41
17.48
per share
(after
dilution),
SEK
Return on 7.8 8.9 10.5 8.3 10.4
9.7
equity, %
- The Group's net turnover for January-June amounted to MSEK 7,787(January -- June 2003: 8,011).
- The profit after tax was MSEK 635 (781).
- Earnings per share after dilution amounted to SEK 7.57 (9.41). Thereturn on equity was 8.3 per cent (10.4).
- The operating profit was MSEK 990 (1,244). The decline in the profitis due to lower newsprint prices and unfavourable currency effects, which were partly offset by higher delivery volumes. Compared with the first quarter, the result declined by MSEK 78 to MSEK 456.
- Demand for newsprint and magazine paper has continued to increase butthe price level is low. Holmen Paper's deliveries were higher than in thefirst half of 2003, and capacity utilisation was high.
The market situation for paperboard remained stable. Iggesund Paperboard's capacity utilisation was high and deliveries rose in relation to the first half of 2003.
For further information please contact: Magnus Hall, President and CEO, tel +46 8 666 21 33 Anders Almgren, CFO, tel +46 8 666 21 16 Christer Lewell, Public Relations Director, tel +46 8 666 21 15.
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