SCA Interim Report 1 January-30 June 2004


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, July 21, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Highlights of the SCA (Other OTC:SVCBF) Interim Report covering the period 1 January - 30 June 2004:


                                       2004:2   2004:1       0406    0306

 Earnings per share, SEK                 4.32     4.34       8.66   10.89
 Cash flow from current operations       2.27     3.48       5.75   13.01
 per share, SEK
 Net sales, SEK M                      22,340   21,687     44,027  43,121
 Earnings after financial items,
 SEK M                                  1,502    1,472      2,974   3,578
 Net earnings, SEK M                    1,009    1,014      2,023   2,525

Compared with first six months of 2003


 - Net sales amounted to SEK 44,027 M (43,121).
 - Earnings after taxes (net earnings) amounted to SEK 2,023 M (2,525) (1)
 - Earnings per share amounted to SEK 8.66 (10.89).
 - Operating cash surplus margin remained unchanged at 16% (16).
 - Growth amounted to 7%.

Compared with first quarter of 2004


 - Net sales amounted to SEK 22,340 M (21,687).
 - Earnings per share amounted to SEK 4.32 (4.34).
 - Operating cash surplus margin improved to 16% (15).
 - Improved operating profit for Packaging.

Other

The acquisitions of hygiene products companies in Australia/New Zealand and Mexico were completed in May. Accordingly, the total expenditure for the year's acquisitions amounts to SEK 8,035 M.

(1) Earnings during the first six months of 2004 were affected by costs for personnel reductions. During 2003, earnings in the first quarter were affected by sale of shares (see also page 10).

For further information please contact:

Jan Astrom, President and CEO. Telephone: +46 70 586 0701. Peter Nyquist, Senior Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Telephone: +46 70 575 2906.

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The following files are available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/07/21/20040721BIT00120/wkr0001.pdf The full report



            

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