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

The interest-bearing net debt amounted to EUR 81 (64) million at the end of October. The effective net debt, including as debt the sold receivables of EUR 196 (63) million, equalled EUR 277 (127) million.

Cash and liquid assets amounted to EUR 20 (18) million. The available limit in the revolving credit facilities with core banks totalled EUR 200 (200) million, and the unused limit in the securitisation programmes was EUR 47 (178) million.

Net financial items during the third quarter amounted to EUR -3.7 (2.8) million. The net financial items of the comparison period included dividend income. The year-to-date net financial items were EUR -9.1 (-1.1) million. The increase is explained by a higher general interest rate level and loan margins, and by a higher amount of debt. Also, the dividend income during Q3 2007 decreased the net financial items last year.

Net gearing increased to 35 (14)% and the equity ratio decreased to 18 (32)%.

Free cash flow and net working capital

In the third quarter, the operative cash flow before changes in net working capital and investments amounted to EUR 21 (39) million. The change in net working capital produced a cash flow of EUR -3 (-37) million. Cash flow from net investments amounted to EUR -20 (-11) million. The free cash flow during the third quarter was EUR -1 (-9) million.

The year-to-date operative cash flow before changes in net working capital and investments was EUR 92 (109) million. Changes in net working capital resulted in a cash flow of EUR 36 (-157) million. The net cash flow effect of investments was EUR -32 (-19) million. On a year-to-date basis, the free cash flow increased to EUR 95 (-67) million.