Accounting figures for joint stock companies in the information sector, 2003

Positive operating profit margin again

The industries within ICT sector struggled with low and negative operating profit margins from 2000 to 2002. In 2003 it looks like the negative development has changed, and for the whole ICT sector the operating profit margin was calculated to 5,6 per cent. Development within telecommunication was especially positive, with operating profit margin at 13.9 per cent in 2003 against minus 0.4 per cent in 2002. For the first time since 1999 a positive operating profit margin at 1.2 per cent were registered within ICT consultancy services in 2003. The development of operating profit margin within the content sector from 2002 to 2003, were positive and calculated to 5.8 per cent in 2003. The industries within this sector have in less degree struggled with low or negative operating profit margins for the last years. Operating profit margin within publishing industries have been positive for the whole period from 1998, and in 2003 it was calculated to 9.8 per cent. Information services have, however, struggled with low or negative operating margins since 1999. In 2003 it was calculated to minus 0.8 per cent. In comparison the operating profit margin for all joint stock companies except from oil and gas were calculated to 5.5 per cent in 2003.

High return on equity in the ICT sector and the content sector

In 2003 return on equity within ICT sector and content sector were better than in the rest of the economic life, with ore without oil and gas. After three years with negative return on equity, the ICT sector had a return on equity at 9.1 per cent in 2003. There are, however, strong differences among the industries within this sector. While telecommunications had a return on equity at 12.8 per cent, ICT wholesale had a negative return on equity at 10.2 per cent. The content sector had a return on equity at 13.3 per cent in 2003. This was a strong improvement from the last two years when return on equity was calculated to 7.7 and 5.7 respectively. Also within this sector there are large differences among the industry groups. Return on equity within publishing industries and radio and television were 15.9 and 13.6 per cent respectively, while industries within information services had a negative return on equity at 13.4 per cent. In comparison the return on equity for all industries in average were 8.5 per cent in 2003. Leaving out oil and gas return on equity was 7.5 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Number of joint-stock companies
• Table 2 Operating income in NOK million
• Table 3 Operating expenses in NOK million
• Table 4 Operating profit in NOK million
• Table 5 Operating profit margin in per cent
• Table 6 Operating margin in per cent
• Table 7 Return on total assets in per cent
• Table 8 Return on equity in per cent
• Table 9 Circulation rate on total assets
• Table 10 Equity ratio in per cent
• Table 11 Current ratio