Swedish Match Reports Sales And Profits Up

Source from:  www.tobaccoreporter.com 02/19/2009

Feb 18, 2009-Swedish Match's net sales for the full year 2008, at SEK13,162 million, were up by 4.9 per cent on those of 2007, SEK12,551 million. Operating profit excluding major one-off items, at SEK3,017 million, was 10.5 per cent up on that of 2007, SEK2,730 million, while operating profit, at SEK3,090 million, was increased by 3.1 per cent from SEK2,997 million. Earnings per share (EPS) for the full year were up by 14.8 per cent from SEK7.82 to SEK8.98. Net sales for the fourth quarter, meanwhile, at SEK3,628 million, were up by 2.9 per cent on those of the fourth quarter of 2007, SEK3,527 million. Operating profit excluding major one-off items, at SEK864 million, was up by 8.7 per cent to SEK795 million, while operating profit, at SEK937 million, was down by 11.8 per cent from SEK1,062 million. EPS for the fourth quarter were down 4.5 per cent from SEK3.04 to SEK2.91. The Board has proposed a dividend increased from SEK3.50 to SEK4.10, up 17.1 per cent. Enditem