STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 5, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axel Johnson AB:
-- Continued earnings growth -- for the second consecutive year, earnings after net financial items showed positive growth, rising 54 percent to SEK 661 M. All operations showed improved earnings. -- Stable sales growth -- consolidated sales increased by 12 percent to SEK 8,640 M. -- Strong financial position -- the equity/assets ratio rose by 7 percentage points to 61 percent and the debt/equity ratio remained unchanged at 0. -- Acquisitions and divestments -- Ahlens acquired the Kicks cosmetics chain and Servera sold all of its properties. For further information, please contact: Goran Ennerfelt, President and Chief Executive Officer tel: +46-8-701 61 00 (-6160) Fredrik Persson, Chief Financial Officer tel: +46-8-701 61 00 (-6159) This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/05/20030305BIT00240/wkr0001.doc The full report www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/05/20030305BIT00240/wkr0002.pdf The full report