Increased rate of organic sales growth. Continued improvements in operating income and income before taxes - full year forecast 2004 maintained.
• Sales in the third quarter increased by 4 percent to MSEK 15,182 (14,774), adjusted for changes in exchange rates, acquisitions and divestitures. In the first nine months of the year sales increased by 3 percent to MSEK 44,465 (44,174), adjusted for changes in exchange rates, acquisitions and divestitures. Organic sales growth is positive and improving compared to last year.
• Operating income in the third quarter increased by 20 percent to MSEK 1,063 (912), adjusted for changes in exchange rates. Operating margin increased to 7.0 percent (6.2). In the first nine months of the year operating income increased by 13 percent to MSEK 2,887 (2,648), adjusted for changes in exchange rates. Operating margin increased to 6.5 percent (6.0).
• Income before taxes in the third quarter increased by 35 percent to MSEK 630 (475), adjusted for changes in exchange rates. In the first nine months of the year income before taxes increased by 23 percent to MSEK 1,627 (1,340), adjusted for changes in exchange rates.
• Net income in the third quarter increased by 34 percent to MSEK 393 (294). In the first nine months of the year, the increase was 22 percent to MSEK 1,017 (832).
• Earnings per share after full taxes increased 32 percent to SEK 1.07 (0.81) in the third quarter. In the first nine months of the year, the increase was 19 percent to SEK 2.78 (2.33).
Comments from the CEO, Thomas Berglund
"The third quarter confirms that Securitas is back to growth in both sales and income. Our previous forecast for the full year of an increase in income before taxes of 15-20 percent, adjusted for changes in exchange rates, is maintained."
The full report including tables can be downloaded from the following link.