Vaisala published it's financial statements for 2005 today, February 14. Year 2005 was the best in Vaisala's history, both by net sales and profit after tax. Reasons for the good result include strategic changes, the effects of which started showing in 2005, as well as events occurred during the review period.

Demand grew during the second half of the year. Net sales grew in almost all geographical areas. The strongest growth took place in the U.S., which counted for half of the growth in net sales in EUR. Despite of the large number of orders received in the third quarter, the amount of orders received remained on a satisfactory level also during the last quarter in all divisions.

• Net sales: EUR 197.9 (178.1) million.
• Operating profit: EUR 30.1 (29.4) million.
• Orders received: EUR 196.5 (172.8) million.
• Order book: EUR 55.3 (52.7) million.
• Profit before tax: EUR 34.1 (29.1) million.
• Profit after tax: EUR 24.9 (21.0) million.
• Earnings per share: EUR 1.42 (1.20).
• The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of EUR 0.75. The date for the meeting has been set to March 23, 2006.

Outlook

As in the previous years, the first quarter will be modest, due to seasonality of the business. The market situation is not expected to change significantly in 2006. In 2006 the net sales and profit after tax are expected to remain on the previous year's level.

Vaisala aims to be the global market leader in its selected business areas also in the future. Therefore investments in product development and competitiveness will continue to be substantial.

Read the stock exhange release and CEO's presentation.