Holding in Co/Acquisition

RNS Number:3149F
Investor AB
15 June 2001


Share transaction between Investor AB and Wallenberg foundations

Share transaction between Investor AB and Wallenberg foundations:

Investor increases ownership in Ericsson and SEB
Foundations acquire holdings in Stora Enso, SKF and SAS

As part of the strategy to focus operations on certain priority sectors,
Investor is increasing its ownership in Ericsson and SEB. This is being
done through acquisitions from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
(KAW) and Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation (MMW). At the same
time these foundations are acquiring Investor AB's total shareholdings
in Stora Enso, SKF and SAS. The transactions have a total value of SEK
13.6 billion. 1)

"Our strategy is based on increasing investments in certain growth
sectors - IT & Telecom, Financial Services and Healthcare," comments
Marcus Wallenberg, Investor's President and CEO.

"This sharper focus also means that we are exiting some companies in
industries where we do not see the same potential synergies with our new
investment operations. Today's share transaction clearly expresses this
and is completely in line with our strategy," says Marcus Wallenberg.

Investor's strategy is based on focusing and renewing its portfolio to
feature companies in select areas that have high growth and profit
potential. As an entrepreneurial owner, Investor not only provides
capital, but also contributes experience and knowledge existing in
Investor's internal and external networks.

Investor's largest single owners are the two foundations KAW and MMW,
which will grant about SEK 750 million in funds this year to support
scientific research and educational activities.

"I want to emphasize that we consider Stora Enso, SKF and SAS to be
three very well managed and market-leading companies with good
prospects. But they operate in industries that we do not intend to focus
on. It is important for us to be able to sell our holdings to long-term
owners," says Marcus Wallenberg.

The value of the shares in these transactions has been determined by the
volume-weighted average prices on Stockholmsborsen (the Stockholm Stock
Exchange) during the ten trading days immediately preceding the exchange
of shares. (VWAP)

The transaction results in a capital gain of about SEK 7 billion for
Investor AB.

The transactions are described in further detail in a separate
disclosure notice.

For further information contact:
Nils Ingvar Lundin, Managing Director, Corporate Relations, Investor AB
Mobile phone: +46 70 514 20 49
e-mail: nilsingvar.lundin@investorab.com

Fredrik Lindgren, Vice President, Investor Relations, Investor AB
Mobile phone: +46 70 624 20 31
e-mail: fredrik.lindgren@investorab.com

Meeting with Press and Analysts
Today at 11:00 a.m. in "Kammarsalen" at Berns, the above-described share
transactions will be presented in greater detail by Marcus Wallenberg,
President and CEO of Investor, and Jan S Nilsson, Executive Member of
the KAW foundation.

About Investor AB
Investor is Sweden's largest listed industrial holding company with a
total net asset value close to SEK 126 billion on March 31, 2001. The
company's business concept is to create shareholder value through long-
term active ownership and active investment activities. The annual total
return to shareholders has been in excess of 27 percent during the past
20 years. Investor is a leading shareholder in a number of public
multinational companies, including Ericsson, AstraZeneca, Scania, ABB,
Stora Enso, Atlas Copco, WM-data, SEB, Gambro, SKF, Electrolux, OM, Saab
AB and SAS. In addition to its core holdings, Investor has a growing
portfolio of new investments mainly in the IT and healthcare sectors.
Investor is headquartered in Stockholm and has offices in Amsterdam,
Hong Kong, London, New York and Palo Alto.  Of which SEK 83 million in
cash payment to the foundations.


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http://www.bit.se/bitonline/2001/06/15/20010615BIT00100/bit0002.pdf
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