INTERIM REPORT 1 APRIL - 31 DECEMBER 2023

Net sales increased by 7 percent and amounted to SEK 4,960 million (4,653).
Operating profit before amortisation of intangible non-current assets (EBITA) increased by 7 percent and amounted to SEK 674 million (630) corresponding to an EBITA margin of 13.6 percent (13.5).
Operating profit increased by 5 percent and amounted to SEK 564 million (536) corresponding to an operating margin of 11.4 percent (11.5).
Profit after tax increased by 4 percent and amounted to SEK 401 million (387) and earnings per share before/after dilution amounted to SEK 1.45 (1.40).

Net sales increased by 11 percent and amounted to SEK 14,928 million (13,447).
Operating profit before amortisation of intangible non-current assets (EBITA) increased by 18 percent and amounted to SEK 2,097 million (1,782) corresponding to an EBITA margin of 14.0 percent (13.3).
Operating profit increased by 18 percent and amounted to SEK 1,777 million (1,507) corresponding to an operating margin of 11.9 percent (11.2).
Profit after tax increased by 13 percent and amounted to SEK 1,240 million (1,093) and earnings per share before/after dilution amounted to SEK 4.45 (3.90). For the latest twelve month period earnings per share before dilution amounted to SEK 6.10 (5.10) and after dilution to SEK 6.10 (5.05).
Return on working capital (P/WC) amounted to 68 percent (65).
Return on equity amounted to 29 percent (31) and the equity ratio amounted to 38 percent (35).
Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 1,894 million (1,100). For the latest twelve month period, cash flow per share from operating activities amounted to SEK 10.05 (5.25).
Since the start of the financial year nine acquisitions have been completed, with total annual sales of about SEK 800 million.


Group Summary	3 months			9 months			Rolling 12 months
SEKm	31 Dec 2023	31 Dec 2022	∆	31 Dec 2023	31 Dec 2022	∆	31 Dec 2023	31 Mar 2023
Net sales	4,960	4,653	7%	14,928	13,447	11%	20,195	18,714
EBITA	674	630	7%	2,097	1,782	18%	2,855	2,540
EBITA-margin %	13.6	13.5		14.0	13.3		14.1	13.6
Profit after financial items	516	492	5%	1,604	1,394	15%	2,215	2,005
Profit for the period	401	387	4%	1,240	1,093	13%	1,701	1,554
Earnings per share before dilution, SEK	1.45	1.40		4.45	3.90		6.10	5.55
Earnings per share after dilution, SEK	1.45	1.40		4.45	3.90		6.10	5.55
Cash flow from operating activities per share, SEK	-	-		-	-		10.05	7.10
Return on equity, %	29	31		29	31		29	32
Equity ratio, %	38	35		38	35		38	36

Comparisons in parentheses refer to the corresponding period of the previous year, unless stated otherwise.