Sharp rise in profit at SSAB

Sharp rise in profit at SSAB

SSAB today reports its results for the first quarter of 2007. Profit after
financial items increased by 38% to SEK 2,147 (1,558) million. 

- I am proud to be able once again to present a strong quarter, in fact the best
ever. Demand for our core niche products has remained strong. Deliveries of
extra and ultra high-strength sheet increased during the quarter by 25% compared
with last year and deliveries of quenched steels, which continue to be
restricted by available production capacity, increased by 8%, says CEO Olof
Faxander in a comment on the report. 

- Demand for products from our subsidiaries, Tibnor and Plannja, has also been
very strong, resulting in increases in deliveries of 11% and 29% respectively
compared with last year, continues Olof Faxander.

For the remainder of 2007, the steel operations' volumes of the core niche
products, quenched steels as well as extra and ultra high-strength sheet, are
expected to continue to increase. Additional quenched steel capacity will be
brought into operation after the summer. 

- Based on the agreements already entered into, it is believed that the steel
operations' prices in local currencies during the second quarter will be
somewhat higher than in the first quarter, concludes Olof Faxander.



Telephone conferences
At 14.00 today, Friday, we will be holding a telephone conference in Swedish
with Olof Faxander, primarily for the media. Please call +46 8 566 363 30,
approx. 5-10 minutes before the start of the conference.

At the webcast/telephone conference to be held at 16.30-17.30, primarily for
analysts and investors, we will provide a more extensive presentation of the
report and market trends for the first quarter of 2007. The presentation will be
held in English. For telephone numbers and a link to the presentation, please
visit our website, www.ssab.com


For more information:
Ulrika Ekström
Public Affairs
+46-8-45 45 734
+46-703-98 54 52