Atlas Copco: Stable Cash Flow


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 24, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Atlas Copco (Other OTC:ATLKF):

Interim report at September 30, 2002 (unaudited)

Stable cash flow at high level

- Goodwill impairment charge of MSEK 6,950, no cash flow effect.

- Order volumes down 1% from Q3 2001, 8% negative currency translation effect.

- Profit after financial items, before impairment charge, was MSEK 1,241 (1,287), or 10.5% (9.9).

- Operating profit margin, before impairment charge, equaled 11.8% (12.5).

- Earnings per share, before impairment charge, were SEK 3.69 (4.06).

- Operating cash flow totaled MSEK 1,645 (1,403), 14% of revenues.


For further information:
Media:
Annika Berglund, Senior VP Group Communications 
Phone: +46 8 743 8070 Mobile: +46 70 322 8070 annika.berglund@se.atlascopco.com

Analysts:
Mattias Olsson Investor Relations Manager
Phone: +46 8 743 8291 Mobile: +46 70 518 8291 mattias.olsson@se.atlascopco.com

Internet site for the Atlas Copco Group www.atlascopco-group.com.

Presentations from Atlas Copco

For your convenience, a PowerPoint presentation of Atlas Copco's third quarter results will be published on www.atlascopco-group.com -- Investor Relations -- Presentations.

Interim report at December 30, 2002 The fourth quarter report will be published February 3, 2003.

This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net

The following files are available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/10/24/20021024BIT00610/wkr0001.doc The full report http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/10/24/20021024BIT00610/wkr0002.pdf The full report