– Group turnover excluding VAT for the financial year amounted to SEK
61,262 M (53,695), an increase of 14 per cent compared to last year.
With comparable exchange rates, the increase was 13 per cent.
– Profit after financial items was SEK 13,553 M (11,005). Group profit after tax amounted to SEK 9,247 M (7,275) corresponding to SEK 11.17
(8.79) per share, an increase of 27 per cent.
– Turnover excluding VAT for the fourth quarter increased by 13 per cent (with comparable exchange rates 9 per cent) and amounted to SEK 18,009 M (15,874).
– Profit after financial items for the fourth quarter amounted to SEK
4,297 M (4,056), an increase of 6 per cent.
– For the financial year 2005/2006 a net contribution of 150 new stores is planned.
– H&M starts franchising operations in the Middle East.
– The Group is preparing a large scale expansion within online and catalogue sales. The Netherlands will be the first country for the expansion, autumn 2006.
– The Board of Directors proposes a dividend of SEK 9.50 (8.00) per share.
– Sales in December increased by 14 per cent. The sales increase in comparable stores was four per cent.