HiQ - good profitability, high growth and strong financial position

HiQ - good profitability, high growth and strong financial position

HiQ has continued to develop well in 2008. Sales have increased to SEK 862.1
(690.8) million. Operating profit (EBIT) amounts to SEK 143.4 (127.2) million,
giving an operating margin of 16.6 percent. Pre-tax profit amounts to SEK 145.8
(127.9) million. Cash flow from operations amounts to SEK 111.0 (35.4) million. 

“HiQ is developing very strongly in 2008. Sales have increased by 25 percent
with an operating margin of 16.6 percent - a result of which we are very proud.
HiQ is today a significant player in the Nordic market with a broad client base,
a strong geographical presence and a strong financial position,” says Lars
Stugemo, President and CEO of HiQ.

The effects of the general slowdown in the global economy favour strong,
specialist players with good client relations and a reputable brand. The
turbulence during the past twelve months, seen mainly on the financial markets,
is clearly also having an effect in other sectors. Among other things, the
current economic situation is resulting in the restructuring of a number of
sectors, which creates opportunities for HiQ to win new assignments and to
further strengthen its position in the market. HiQ has a very strong financial
position and hence a great freedom to further advance its position in the
market. 

”The current market favours specialist players such as HiQ that have good
customer relations and a strong brand. Our clients have to develop their
products and services continually if they are to remain competitive. We can help
them to do so. Technology continues to develop regardless of the economic
situation, and for HiQ this means that more business opportunities are arising
all the time,” says Stugemo.  

HiQ develops solutions in the areas of communications, software development and
simulation. Clients include leading players in several sectors including the
public sector, industry, telecoms, defence, gaming & entertainment, finance,
etc. During the period new agreements were signed with clients such as PTS
(Swedish National Post and Telecom Agency), BAE Systems Bofors and Ascom Sweden.

”Our projects are about helping our clients to use communication as a way to
develop, improve and become more streamlined. HiQ is at the centre of this
development and is contributing in various ways to the development of
communications,” concludes Stugemo. 

HiQ's President and CEO Lars Stugemo present the report at 9:00 a.m. today,
Monday 20 October, at HiQ's 9th floor offices at Mäster Samuelsgatan 17 in
Stockholm. 

The report can be ordered on +46 (0)8-588 90 000 or downloaded from www.hiq.se






For further information, please contact:
Lars Stugemo, President and CEO HiQ, tel.: +46 (0)8-588 90 000
Annika Billberg, Head of Corporate Communications and Investor Relations Manager
HiQ, 
tel.: +46 (0)8-588 90 015, +46 (0)704-200 103, annika.billberg@hiq.se

HiQ is an IT and management consultancy company focusing on high-tech solutions
in the fields of communications, software development and simulation technology.
The company is a leading player in these fields and the Nordic region is its
domestic market. HiQ employs close to 1,200 people at offices in the Nordic
region and in Eastern Europe. HiQ is listed on the Nordic Exchange's MidCap
list. For more information, please visit www.hiq.se