Swedish Match Interim Report January -- September 2004


STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Oct. 26, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Swedish Match

- Sales in Swedish crowns increased by 1%, to 9,797 MSEK (9,692). In local currencies, sales were up 4%

- Operating income excluding item affecting comparability amounted to 1,628 MSEK (1,693)

- Items affecting comparability amounted to 1,281 MSEK (0) and include a gain from UST settlement of 1,521 MSEK as well as impairment charges and provisions in match operations of 240 MSEK

- Net profit, including items affecting comparability, amounted to 1,596 MSEK (1,228)

- EPS, including items affecting comparability, increased to 4.88 SEK (3.68)

For further information, please contact:

Sven Hindrikes, President and Chief Executive Officer Office +46 8 658 02 82, Mobile +46 70 567 41 76

Lars Dahlgren, Chief Financial Officer Office +46 8 658 04 41, Mobile +46 70 958 04 41

Bo Aulin, Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel Office +46 8 658 03 64, Mobile +46 70 558 03 64

Emmett Harrison, Vice President, Investor Relations (IR) Office +46 8 658 01 73, Mobile +46 70 938 01 73 Richard Flaherty, Vice President, Business Control & CFO, IR (US) Office +1 804 302 1774, Mobile +1 804 400 1774

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The following files are available for download:

http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/10/26/20041026BIT20690/wkr0001.pdf

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