Swedish Match AB reported consolidated and parent earnings results for the first quarter ended March 2013. For the quarter, the company's sales increased by 2% to SEK 2,982 million compared to SEK 2,917 million a year ago. In local currencies, sales for the first quarter increased by 5%. Operating profit increased by 6% to SEK 1,031 million compared to SEK 972 million a year ago, and includes an additional capital gain of SEK 159 million on the disposal of the former head office site in Stockholm. EPS (basic) increased by 14% to SEK 3.72 compared to SEK 3.27 a year ago, excluding larger one-time items EPS (basic) declined by 11% to SEK 2.92 compared to SEK 3.27 a year ago. Profit before income tax was SEK 895 million compared to SEK 838 million a year ago. Profit for the period was SEK 741 million compared to SEK 668 million a year ago. Investments in property, plant and equipment during the first quarter amounted to SEK 70 million compared to SEK 39 million a year ago. The net debt as per March 31, 2013 amounted to SEK 8,615 million compared to SEK 8,733 million at March 31, 2012. Net cash from operating activities was SEK 643 million compared to SEK 307 million a year ago. Purchase of intangible assets was SEK 5 million compared to SEK 9 million a year ago. The net debt in relation to EBITDA, excluding share of profit in STG, was SEK 2.4 billion for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2013. For the quarter, on a parent basis, the company’s sales were SEK 13 million compared to SEK 14 million a year ago. Operating loss was SEK 44 million compared to SEK 41 million a year ago. Profit before income tax was SEK 414 million compared to SEK 676 million a year ago. Profit for the period was SEK 490 million compared to SEK 781 million a year ago. The company provided earnings guidance for the year 2013. For the year, the company expects higher sales and operating profit for US cigars driven by strong volume growth. The tax rate for 2013, excluding one-time items as well as associated companies and joint ventures, is expected to be around 22%.

Swedish Match AB announced that at its annual general meeting held on April 25, 2013, the shareholders approved dividend of SEK 7.30 per share. The record date for entitlement to receive a cash dividend is April 30, 2013. The dividend is expected to be paid on May 6, 2013. The shareholders also elected Wenche Rolfsen as new member of the board.

Swedish Match AB reported consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported that its sales increased by 3% to SEK 3,148 million against SEK 3,064 million a year ago. Operating profit amounted to SEK 986 million against SEK 1,022 million a year ago. EPS (basic) increased by 15% to SEK 3.93 against SEK 3.42 a year ago. Operating profit from product areas increased by 9% to SEK 3,666 million against SEK 3,365 million a year ago. Profit before income tax was SEK 850 million compared to SEK 888 million a year ago. For the year, the company reported that its sales increased by 7% to SEK 12,486 million against SEK 11,666 million a year ago. Operating profit amounted to SEK 4,062 million against SEK 3,702 million a year ago. EPS (basic) increased by 18% to SEK 14.33 against SEK 12.14 a year ago. Operating profit from product areas decreased by 2% to SEK 883 million against SEK 898 million a year ago. As on December 31, 2012, the net debt increased to SEK 9,289,000,000, up from SEK 8,886,000,000 at the end of 2011, primarily as a result of share repurchase and dividends. Cash flow from operating activities for the year amounted to SEK 2,805,000,000 compared with SEK 2,608,000,000 for the same period of the previous year. The cash flow from operations increased compared to the same period previous year as a result of improved EBITDA, lower taxes paid and dividends received from associated companies. Profit before income tax was SEK 3,511 million compared to SEK 3,180 million a year ago. For the full year of 2013, the company anticipates higher sales and operating profit for US mass market cigars, driven by strong volume growth. The tax rate for 2013, excluding one time items as well as associated companies and joint ventures, is expected to be between 22 and 23%. The company expects that the investments in tangible and intangible assets for the full year 2013 will be at a similar level, around SEK 300 million. The estimates that the changes combined will lead to slight increase of the corporate income tax rate of the group, probably to a level of 22% to 23%.