Ratos: Proposed dividend of SEK 3 per share

2012-12-18

This information is disclosed in accordance with the Securities Markets Act, the
    Financial Instruments Trading Act or demands made in the exchange rules.

As a consequence of the acquisition of Aibel announced today, the Board has
decided to propose to the Annual General Meeting that the ordinary dividend for
the 2012 financial year be reduced to SEK 3 per share (5.50).
Ratos's CEO, Susanna Campbell, comments: "Ahead of every dividend decision, the
Board considers how we create the most value for our shareholders over time -
issue a dividend or reinvest in the business. During the autumn we have seen an
increasing number of opportunities to invest more and the acquisition of Aibel
is a clear example. It is value-creating investments such as Aibel which will
further improve our opportunities to continue to create a high return for our
shareholders over time.
"We intend to continue to have a good dividend level since the dividend is
important for many of our shareholders and a central part of the return. SEK 3
per share is a level which both provides scope for acquisitions and for creating
long-term growth in both Ratos and the dividend," Susanna Campbell continues.
The Board has also proposed an updated dividend policy which is designed to
provide greater predictability. Ratos's dividend policy now reads:
  * The dividend over time shall reflect actual earnings development in Ratos.
  * Historically an average of over 50% of profit after tax has been paid as a
    dividend.
  * The aim is for an even development of the dividend.
Earnings development in Ratos's holdings has been mixed in 2012 where
approximately half of the holdings reported higher earnings compared with the
previous year after the first nine months. The holdings' earnings development in
the fourth quarter started at the level of the same period last year but is
expected to be slightly lower than the previous year for the fourth quarter as a
whole, which is in line with the assessment made in the most recent interim
report.
Ratos today has approximately SEK 1.7 billion in cash and taking into account
transactions announced but not yet completed (divestment of Stofa and Contex).
Ratos's liquid assets amount to approximately SEK 3 billion before the
acquisition of Aibel (Ratos's investment in Aibel amounts to approximately SEK
1 650m).
The Annual General Meeting will be held on 17 April 2013. The record date and
the date for payment of the dividend will be announced at the latest in the
notice of the Annual General Meeting.
For further information, please contact:
Susanna Campbell, CEO, +46 8 700 17 00
Emma Rheborg, Head of Corporate Communications and IR, +46 8 700 17 20

 Financial calendar from Ratos:
 Year-end report 2012                  15 February 2013
 Annual General Meeting 2013           17 April 2013
 Interim Report January - March 2013   8 May 2013

Ratos is a private equity conglomerate. The company's mission is to maximise
shareholder value over time through the professional, active and responsible
exercise of its ownership role in primarily medium to large unlisted Nordic
companies. Ratos's holdings include AH Industries, Arcus-Gruppen, Biolin
Scientific, Bisnode, Contex Group, DIAB, Euromaint, Finnkino, GS-Hydro, Hafa
Bathroom Group, HL Display, Inwido, Jøtul, KVD Kvarndammen, Mobile Climate
Control, SB Seating and Stofa. Ratos is listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm and
market capitalisation amounts to approximately SEK 22 billion.