Axis AB: Interim report January-December 2017 »

Fourth quarter

• Net sales increased during the fourth quarter by 7 percent to SEK 2,204 M (2,059). Net sales increased by 13 percent in local currencies.
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• Operating profit amounted to SEK 206 M (253), which corresponds to an operating margin of
  9.3percent (12.3).
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• Earnings for the period amounted to SEK 132 M(169).
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• Earnings per share amounted to SEK 1.90 (2.43).
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• The board proposes that no dividend shall be declared for the 2017 fiscal year (SEK 0.92).

January - December

• Net sales increased during the period by 16 percentto SEK 8,603 M (7,386). Net sales increased by 15 percent in local currencies.
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• Operating profit increased to SEK 1,014 M (885), which corresponds to an operating margin of 11.8 percent (12.0).
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• Earnings for the period amounted to SEK 736 M(639).
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• Earnings per share amounted to SEK 10.59 (9.20).

President's comments

During the year, the acquisitions made in 2016 performed well and are now making a strong contribution to our growth. During the fourth quarter, for example, Axis could present the increased integration of 2N, due to the integration of 2N's US-based employees into the Axis American sales organization. Through the release of the first thermal cameras in AXIS P Line, Axis took a large step towards being able to offer the value that thermal cameras can deliver to a wider range of customers and to more fields of application than before.

Axis growth is also reflected through the increase in the number of employees. At year-end, we had almost 2,900 employees. The largest increase came from recruitments of personnel for the research & development and sales functions. In this context, it is worth mentioning that we strengthened our organization with a vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, who will be responsible for leading Axis' expansion in these markets.

We also updated Axis long-term financial goals, which were last revised in 2004, so that they will be more aligned with the development of Axis and our market. Based on our current strategy, our ambition is to achieve annual sales growth of 15 percent with an operating margin that exceeds 10 percent. As we enter 2018, we have a strong basis to continue our profitable growth.

Ray Mauritsson
President

The full report can be found here.

This information is information that Axis AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 08.00 CET on January 26, 2018.