Financial performance, revenues and profits

Ekornes generated gross operating revenues of NOK 695.3 million in
the first quarter 2009, which is NOK 18.8 million or 2.8 per cent
higher than in the same period in 2008. However, excluding exchange
rate differences, underlying gross revenues fell by 4 per cent.

As at 31 March 2009 the Group's consolidated operating profit
totalled NOK 108.0 million (15.5 per cent), compared with NOK 101.0
million (14.9 per cent) in 2008, a rise of 6.9 per cent. Profit
before tax totalled NOK 87.3 million (12.5 per cent), compared with
NOK 101.1 million (14.9 per cent) in 2008, a reduction of NOK 13.8
million or 13.7 per cent. Profit was negatively affected by a NOK
20.5 million downward adjustment in the translated value of
capitalised assets resulting from the strengthening of the NOK since
the start of the year. Profit after tax totalled NOK 60.6 million,
compared with NOK 70.3 million in 2008. This gives an earnings per
share of NOK 1.65, compared with NOK 1.91 in 2008.

Order receipts

The company received orders worth NOK 758 million in the first
quarter 2009, compared with NOK 753 million in the same quarter in
2008. In fixed currencies order receipts totalled NOK 715 million,
compared with NOK 747 million in the same period last year. Last
year's figures were boosted by the effect of announced price rises in
the USA. As at 31 March 2009 the company's order reserve totalled NOK
268 million, compared with NOK 365 million at the same point the year
before, a drop of 26.6 per cent.

Order receipts in April 2009 totalled NOK 214 million, compared with
NOK 208 million in April 2008. At the end of April the order reserve
totalled NOK 306 million, compared with NOK 356 million last year.


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