Posten Interim Report January - March 2005

President and CEO Erik Olsson comments:  

Quarter one is Posten's seventh consecutive quarter ofpositive operating earnings, though figures were slightly lower year on year. 

Revenues from message-forwarding, which is Posten's biggest business stream, continue to decline due to growing substitution. Both companies and public agencies are actively replacing conventional mail with electronic communications. The effort to achieve further efficiency improvementsand cut costs is proceeding. Demand is growing for Posten's logistics and direct mail services. 

The dramatic decline in payment transactions continues. Originally planned for June 2005, the Government's proposition concerning the future of the payment transaction business has been delayed. The resolution of this question is of considerable consequence for the company's employees, customers and business planning activities. 

Posten is a world leader when it comes to delivery performance. Our fantastic infrastructure and wealth of employee experience and know-how are unique strengths. At the same time, challenges lie ahead.

Please direct any questions
Posten's Press Office, tel +46 (0)8-23 10 10 

The complete financial report can also be downloaded from the following link    

Posten connects people and organizations around the world by delivering mail promptly, reliably and cost-effectively. We drive value creation by combining conventional postal services and convenient electronic solutions, and integrating these services into customer businesses. With over 3,000 retail service outlets, we provide daily service to 4.5 million homes and 800,000 businesses in Sweden. Every day we handle close to 20 million pieces of mail. With sales of over SEK 25 billion and roughly 30,000 employees, the group is one of the largest in Sweden. The group's parent, Posten AB (publ), is wholly owned by the Swedish Government. For more information, please visit our website at www.posten.se