Key figures for listed enterprises (discontinued), Q3 2004

The operating margin, or operating profit in per cent of operating income, was 13.0 per cent. This is one percentage point lower than in the last quarter, and is at the same level as the figures in the third quarter of 2003.

The equity ratio was 38.5 per cent in the third quarter. This is a 2.2 percentage point increase compared with the third quarter of 2003. Compared with the same quarter in 2003, the figures decreased by 0.3 percentage points in equity ratio.

About the statistical basis

The key figures for listed companies are based on the quarterly reports of Norwegian companies listed on the Oslo Børs. The statistics do not include banks, insurance companies and foreign owned companies listed on the Oslo Børs.

The quarterly reports are based on the financial activity of the financial unit, i.e. the group company where consolidated accounts are produced. Consolidated quarterly reports include the parent company and all its subsidiaries, and show the financial development in all the companies as if they were one company. A group company may consist of companies involved in different industries and registered in different countries. Accordingly the statistics include foreign subsidiaries belonging to a Norwegian group listed on the Oslo Børs as well as subsidiaries involved in financial activities.

Companies that are listed and delisted affect the figures and their comparability between different quarters. The same applies to mergers and demergers, as such structural changes may affect company figures.

Tables:

• Table 1 Key figures for listed enterprises. (Adjusted figures 30 March 2005)