SecoTools Interim Report for three months ended March 31, 2004


FAGERSTA, Sweden, May 05, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- SecoTools:

- Sales at fixed exchange rates increased by 6 percent.

- Sales for the quarter amounted to SEK 1,060 M (1,040).

- Operating profit for the quarter totaled SEK 191 M (SEK 217 M, including inventory revaluations of SEK 28 M *).

- Profit after tax for the quarter amounted to SEK 129 M (142).

- Earnings per share before dilution for the quarter amounted to SEK 4.45 (4.90).

* Inventory revaluations during the first quarter of 2003 were an effect of the Group's application of the Swedish Financial Accounting Standards Council's clarification of its recommendation concerning inventory valuations, RR2:02.

For additional information: Lars Renstrom, President and CEO (Tel: +46 223-401 10); Tomas Eliasson, CFO (Tel: +46 223-401 20) or Stefan Sjodahl, Investor Relations (Tel: +46 223-401 32).

E-mail may be sent to: investor.relations@secotools.com

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The following files are available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/05/05/20040505BIT00430/wkr0001.pdf

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