GOTHENBURG, Sweden, April 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PERIOD 1 JANUARY - 31 MARCH 2024 Net sales decreased by 7% (same in local currencies) and amounted to SEK 1,995.2 (2,135.5) million. Acquired business contributed 1%. Operating result amounted to SEK 185.5 (313.5) million. Result for the period amounted to SEK 121.1 (222.2) million. Earnings per share amounted to SEK 0.91 (1.67). * Cash flow from operating activities amounted to SEK 203.7 (-193.1) million. Equity ratio amounted to 63.2 (53.6) %. Net debt to equity ratio amounted to 29.5 (42.0) %. *Before and after dilution, recalculated with regard to the 2:1 share split carried out in June 2023. CEO COMMENTS Good cash flow and stable gross margin Net sales We had a rather tough start to 2024 with slightly lower sales than the previous year. The first quarter is and has always been the smallest quarter of the year for us and is often uneven both in terms of sales and results depending on marketing efforts, sales activities, shifts between quarters, etc. Net sales decreased by SEK 140.3 million from SEK 2,135.5 million to SEK 1,995.2 million, a decrease of 7%. Of our two sales channels, promo decreased by 6% and retail by 8%. Within the promo, the reduced net sales is partly due to Easter, which resulted in 2 - 3 fewer working days in March compared to 2023. The reduction in retail is mainly attributable to lower sales in the sports trade, where we also see a likely shift in sales into the second quarter. Despite the decrease in sales, we continue to take market shares with a significantly better outcome than ...