Interim Report January - March 2008

Robust sales and profit growth in the first quarter 2008

• Order intake increased to 4 157 MSEK (3 780), corresponding to an organic growth of 11 per cent.
• Net sales grew to 4 027 MSEK (3 499), corresponding to an organic growth of 13 per cent.
• Operating earnings increased by 24 per cent to 643 MSEK (520). Earnings were adversely affected by exchange rate movements reducing earnings by -43 MSEK.
• Earnings before taxes, excluding non-recurring items1), increased by 19 per cent to 562 MSEK (474). Including these items earnings before taxes increased by 13 per cent. Earnings were adversely affected by exchange rate movements reducing earnings by -45 MSEK.
• Earnings after taxes, excluding non-recurring items1), increased by 19 per cent to 478 MSEK (403). Including these items earnings after taxes increased by 10 per cent.
• Earnings per share, before dilution and excluding non-recurring items1), increased by 19 per cent to 1.79 SEK (1.51). Including these items earnings per share grew by 9 per cent.