SKF Half-year report 2008


SKF Half-year report 2008

Record profit and sales, both for the second quarter and first half of 2008.
Outlook is for good volume growth for the third quarter of 2008.

•	Net sales for the second quarter of 2008 were SEK 16,077 m (14,963), and for
the first half year SEK 31,673 m (29,334).

•	Operating profit for the second quarter was SEK 2,135 m (2,019), and for the
first half year SEK 4,175 m (3,905). The operating margin for the second quarter
was 13.3% (13.5), and for the first half year 13.2% (13.3). 

•	Profit before taxes for the second quarter was SEK 1,978 m (1,957), and for
the first half year SEK 3,902 m (3,782). 

•	Net profit for the second quarter was SEK 1,369 m (1,274), and for the first
half year SEK 2,665 m (2,488). 

•	Basic earnings per share for the second quarter were SEK 2.95 (2.71), and for
the first half year SEK 5.72 (5.28). Diluted earnings per share for the second
quarter were SEK 2.94 (2.70), and for the first half year SEK 5.71 (5.26).

The increase of 7.4% in net sales for the quarter, in SEK, was attributable to:
volume 6.2%, structure 1.3%, price/mix 4.0% and currency effects -4.1%.
For the first half year, the increase of 8.0%, in SEK, was attributable to:
volume 5.6%, structure 1.2%, price/mix 3.9% and currency effects -2.7%.

Development in the second quarter 2008 
(calculated in local currencies excl. structural effects and compared to the
same period last year)    
Sales were significantly higher for the Group in total and were significantly
higher in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Sales in North America were relatively
unchanged. For the Industrial Division and the Service Division sales were
significantly higher and for the Automotive Division they were higher.

The manufacturing level for the second quarter of 2008 was slightly higher
compared to the first quarter 2008 and higher compared to the second quarter
last year.

Outlook for the third quarter of 2008 
(compared to the second quarter 2008 and adjusted for seasonality)   
The market demand for SKF's products and services in the third quarter of 2008
is expected to be higher for the Group. The demand is expected to be higher in
Europe, slightly lower in North America and significantly higher in both Asia
and Latin America. The demand is expected to be higher in the Industrial
Division and the Service Division and relatively unchanged for the Automotive
Division.

The manufacturing level for the third quarter 2008 will be unchanged compared to
the second quarter 2008, and slightly higher than the third quarter 2007. 



The Board of Directors and the CEO declare that the half-year report gives a
fair view of the performance of the business, position and profit or loss of the
company and the Group, and describes the principal risks and uncertainties that
the company and the companies in the Group face.

Göteborg, 14 July 2008 
Aktiebolaget SKF
(publ.)


Tom Johnstone	
President and CEO, Board member	


Leif Östling	Vito H Baumgartner 	Ulla Litzén	
Chairman	         Board member	         Board member


Clas Åke Hedström	Winnie Fok	Hans-Olov Olsson 
Board member	Board member	Board member


Lena Treschow Torell	Lars Wedenborn	Peter Grafoner
Board member	         Board member	Board member


Lennart Larsson	Kennet Carlsson
Board member	Board member

________________________________________________________________________________
_____

AB SKF may be required to disclose the information provided herein according to
the Securities Markets Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The
information was submitted for publication at 08.00 am on 15 July 2008.

________________________________________________________________________________
_____

Further information can be obtained from:
Ingalill Östman, Group Communication
tel: +46-31-3373260, mobile: +46-706-973260, e-mail: ingalill.ostman@skf.com 
Marita Björk, Investor Relations
tel: +46-31-3371994, mobile: +46-705-181994, e-mail: marita.bjork@skf.com

Aktiebolaget SKF, SE-415 50 Göteborg, Sweden, Company reg.no. 556007-3495,
tel: +46-31-3371000, fax: +46-31-3372832, www.skf.com


Aktiebolaget SKF, 415 50 Göteborg, tel: 031 337 1000, fax 031 337 1722,
www.skf.com

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GlobeNewswire