The financial position of the Group remained strong during the third quarter.

The interest bearing net debt amounted to EUR 64 (76) million at the end of October. The effective net debt including as debt the sold receivables of EUR 63 (143) million equalled EUR 127 (219) million.

Cash and liquid assets amounted to EUR 18 (7) million. The available limit in the revolving credit facilities with core banks amounted to EUR 200 (200) million, and the unused limit in the securitisation programs was EUR 178 (98) million.

Due to dividend income the net financial income and expenses were positive and amounted to EUR 2.8 (-1.3) million during the third quarter. The year to date net financial items were EUR -1.1 (-4.6) million. The higher general interest rate level will have a negative impact on the net financial items on a yearly level.

Net gearing decreased to 14 (19)% compared with the end of third quarter in 2006, and equity ratio remained at the same level at 32 (32)%.

Free cash flow and net working capital

In the third quarter the operative cash flow before changes in net working capital and investments increased to EUR 39 (28) million. Increase in net working capital produced a cash flow of EUR -37 (-11) million, and net investments amounted to EUR -11 (-3) million. The free cash flow during the third quarter decreased to EUR -9 (14) million.

Year to date operative cash flow before changes in net working capital and investments was EUR 109 (90) million. Changes in net working capital resulted in a cash flow of EUR -157 (-97) million. This increase in cash outflow compared to last year is largely due to higher utilisation of the securitisation programs in 2006. The net cash flow effect of investments was EUR -19 (43) million. The net cash flow from investments during the second quarter in 2006 included the sales proceeds of MedLab -division to private equity investor CapMan. On a year to date basis the free cash flow was EUR -67 (35) million.