Regulatory
Press release
28 Jan 2003, 12:30 CET

Financial Statement 2002

FINANCIAL STATEMENT January-December 2002 Quarter Full year 2002 2002 2001 IV III IV 2002 2001 Net turnover, MSEK 1 735 1 804 1 735 7 067 6 910 Operating profit, MSEK 341 354 265 1 214 1 299 Operating margin, % 20 20 15 17 19 Profit after financial items, 312 329 230 1 116 1 181 MSEK Earnings per share. SEK 3.85 4.02 2.98 13.25 13.81 · Market demand remained good during the final quarter. Record production was achieved for Billerud as a whole and for nearly all paper machines in 2002. · Operating profit in the final quarter reached MSEK 341, down 4% on the previous quarter due to higher costs in connection with the maintenance stoppage at Gruvön. · Operating profit for the full year was MSEK 1,214 (1,299). After adjustments for one-off costs, the full-year result for 2001 was MSEK 1,346. · Currency hedging had a positive effect on results of MSEK 316, of which MSK 131 was in the final quarter. Currency hedging had a negative effect of MSEK 20 in 2001. · Synergy benefits from the formation of Billerud had a positive effect on results of MSEK 100. · Return on capital employed amounted to 25% (27). Excluding currency hedging effects, the return was 19%. · Cash flow in 2002 was MSEK 969, of which MSEK 661 was used to pay dividends and buy back Billerud shares. · The Board proposes a dividend of SEK 6.50 per share (3.50), up 86% on last year. The Board will also propose additional share buy-backs. · Based on the current economic conditions and existing currency hedging, Billerud estimates that results in 2003 will be in line with 2002. Bert Östlund, CEO, will present the results in a teleconference in English at 18.00 CET Please call +46 8 5052 0114 (from Sweden), +44 (0)20 7162 0125 (from Europe) or +1 334 323 6203 (from the US) at 17.55 CET. If you are unable to participate, there will be a replay facility for 48 hours. Please call UK replay number +44 (0)20 8288 4459 or US replay number +1 334 323 6222. Access code: 682 002 If you have any questions concerning this report, please contact Bert Östlund, President & CEO, +46 8 553 335 00 or +46 70 518 2757 or Nils Lindholm, CFO, +46 8 553 335 00 or +46 70 217 5225 E-mail: info@billerud.com Corporate Identity No. 556025-5001 www.billerud.com This document is a translation of the original, published in Swedish. In cases of any discrepancies between the Swedish and English versions, or in any other context, the Swedish original shall have precedence. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/01/28/20030128BIT00480/wkr0001.doc The full report http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/01/28/20030128BIT00480/wkr0002.pdf The full report