Axel Johnson AB: 2002 Year-end Report


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 5, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Axel Johnson AB:


 -- Continued earnings growth -- for the second consecutive year,
    earnings after net financial items showed positive growth, rising
    54 percent to SEK 661 M. All operations showed improved earnings.

 -- Stable sales growth -- consolidated sales increased by 12 percent to 
    SEK 8,640 M.

 -- Strong financial position -- the equity/assets ratio rose by 7 
    percentage points to 61 percent and the debt/equity ratio remained 
    unchanged at 0.

 -- Acquisitions and divestments -- Ahlens acquired the Kicks cosmetics 
    chain and Servera sold all of its properties.

 For further information, please contact:
 Goran Ennerfelt, President and Chief Executive Officer
 tel: +46-8-701 61 00 (-6160)

 Fredrik Persson, Chief Financial Officer
 tel: +46-8-701 61 00 (-6159)

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

 The following files are available for download:

 www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/05/20030305BIT00240/wkr0001.doc
 The full report

 www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/03/05/20030305BIT00240/wkr0002.pdf
 The full report