STOCKHOLM, Jan 24, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Investor's net asset value on December 31, 2002 amounted to SEK 62,869 m. (SEK 82 per share), compared with SEK 118,284 m. on December 31, 2001 (SEK 154 per share). In the fourth quarter, Investor's net asset value increased SEK 5,955 m.
The value of Investor's total assets amounted to SEK 79,103 m. on December 31, 2002, as against SEK 129,366 m. at year-end 2001. Net debt amounted to SEK 16,234 m. on December 31, 2002 (11,082 at year-end 2001), corresponding to 21 percent of total assets.
The value of Investor's Core Holdings declined SEK 48,968 m. during the year, of which Ericsson and AstraZeneca accounted for a substantial part, SEK 18,730 m. and SEK 16,221 m., respectively. In the fourth quarter, the value of Core Holdings increased SEK 7,323 m.
Investor increased its holding in ABB through the purchase of shares for SEK 1,122 m., and shares were sold in AstraZeneca for SEK 2,995 m., in the fourth quarter. Earlier in the year Investor increased its holdings in Ericsson, Electrolux, SEB and WM-data.
The value of New Investments decreased SEK 2,071 m. during the year, of which SEK 950 m. in the fourth quarter.
The holding in Syngenta was sold in its entirety during the year. Most of Investor's remaining holding in Volvo was also sold.
Income of the Investor Group after tax amounted to SEK 1,610 m. in 2002, compared with SEK 8,156 m. last year.
The total return on Investor shares was -52 percent in 2002, compared with -15 percent last year. In the fourth quarter, the total return was 15 percent (14).
The proposed ordinary dividend to shareholders is SEK 2.25 per share (3.00). An extraordinary dividend of SEK 1.15 per share (2.50) is also proposed.
12/31 2002 12/31 2001
Assets, SEK bn. 79 129
Net debt, SEK bn. -16 -11
Net asset value, 63 118
SEK bn.
Net asset value 82 154
per share, SEK
Development during 2002 2001 October- October-
the year/quarter December December
2002 2001
Change in net -55 -26 6 16
asset value, SEK
bn.
Change in net -47 -18 10 16
asset value,
percent
Income after tax, 2 8 2 0
SEK bn.
Total return, -52 -15 15 14
percent
The year-end report can also be accessed on the Internet at www.investorab.com
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