Post Danmark recorded a profit before tax of DKK 595m in Q1 2006

Post Danmark recorded a profit before tax of DKK 595 million in the first quarter of 2006 against DKK 451 million in the same period the year before. Profit after tax was DKK 447 million (against DKK 316 million). The effect of the investment in the Belgian De Post – La Poste is also included in the result. – Overall, it is a satisfactory result, particularly in consideration of the fact that it was achieved in a period of continuous decline in the volume of letters, our most important business area, says Helge Israelsen, CEO of Post Danmark. Admittedly, letter volumes continued to fall in the first quarter of 2006. However, the fall is expected to be offset by growth in other product areas. In the first quarter of this year, the parcels segment thus recorded growth in both revenue and volume. – The volume of parcels went up by approx. 11 per cent, which caused parcels revenue to rise by approx. 9 per cent. This performance should be seen in the light of severe competition in the parcels market, says Helge Israelsen. Also in the market for the distribution of newspapers, magazines and periodicals as well as unaddressed items, growth was recorded in both revenue and volume. Total income amounted to DKK 3,118 million in the first quarter of 2006 against DKK 2,990 million in the same period the year before. – For the full year, we expect total revenue to increase and profit before tax to be on a par with 2005, says Helge Israelsen.