Elanders AB proposed an increase in dividends to SEK 2.20 per share against SEK 1.10 per share a year ago, entailing an increase of 100%.

The company announced group and parent earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015. For the year, the group reported net sales increased by 14% and amounted to SEK 4,236 million against SEK 3,730 million a year ago. The operating result before depreciation (EBITDA) increased to SEK 428 million against SEK 292 million a year ago. The operating result (EBIT) increased to SEK 292 million, which is an improvement of 67% over the same period last year of SEK 175 million. The result before tax increased to SEK 259 million against SEK 140 million a year ago, which is an improvement of 85%. The net result increased to SEK 175 million against SEK 88 million corresponding to SEK 6.58 per share against SEK 3.48 per share a year ago. Operating cash flow increased to SEK 344 million against negative of SEK 38 million a year ago. Excluding acquisitions, the operating cash flow amounted to SEK 344 million against SEK 216 million a year ago. Cash flow from operating activities was SEK 268.5 million against SEK 161.8 million for the same period a year ago. Net investments in intangible and tangible assets were SEK 45.9 million against SEK 43.7 million for the same period a year ago. Cash flow from operating activities per share was SEK 10.13 against SEK 6.42 for the same period a year ago. Return on equity was 12.1% against 7.4% for the same period a year ago. Return on total assets was 8.2% against 5.9% for the same period a year ago.

For the fourth quarter, group net sales increased by 2% to SEK 1,124 million against SEK 1,099 million a year ago. The operating result before depreciation (EBITDA) increased to SEK 154 million against SEK 101 million a year ago. The operating result (EBIT) increased to SEK 111 million against SEK 71 million. The result before tax increased to SEK 105 million against SEK 62 million a year ago. The net result increased to SEK 73 million against SEK 45 million corresponding to SEK 2.77 per share against SEK 1.70 per share a year ago. Operating cash flow increased to SEK 237 million against SEK 175 million a year ago. Cash flow from operating activities was SEK 235.0 million against SEK 159.0 million for the same period a year ago. Cash flow from operating activities was SEK 235.0 million against SEK 159.0 million for the same period a year ago. Net investments in intangible and tangible assets were SEK 15.1 million against SEK 7.7 million for the same period a year ago. Cash flow per share was SEK 8.86 against SEK 6.00 for the same period a year ago. Net debt was SEK 738 million against SEK 895 million for the same period a year ago. Return on equity was 20.0% against 14.0% for the same period a year ago. Return on total assets was 12.6% against 8.2% for the same period a year ago.

For the quarter, the parent company reported net sales of SEK 7.6 million, operating loss of SEK 8.1 million, loss after financial items of SEK 15.7 million and loss of SEK 13.5 million against net sales of SEK 8.0 million, operating loss of SEK 13.0 million, loss after financial items of SEK 22.8 million and loss of SEK 66.5 million for the same period a year ago.

For the year, the parent company reported net sales of SEK 26.4 million, operating loss of SEK 29.3 million, result after financial items of SEK 54.2 million and result of SEK 69.5 million against net sales of SEK 24.3 million, operating loss of SEK 30.2 million, loss after financial items of SEK 49.3 million and loss of SEK 78.5 million for the same period a year ago.