The ALSO Group, which is active in the wholesale and logistics services for information and communication technology products as well as consumer electronics, pushed up first- quarter net sales by an impressive 18% to CHF 544.9 million compared with the same period last year (Q1/2005: CHF 461.0 million). Net income stood at CHF 5.4 million, which represented a 32% increase (Q1/2005: CHF 4.1 million).

The IT markets in both Switzerland and Germany showed slight signs of improvement during the first three months of the year, with the fall in prices of most IT products slowing noticeably. Against this backdrop, ALSO pushed up net sales by an impressive 18% to CHF 544.9 million compared with the same period last year (Q1/2005: CHF 461.0 million) and recorded a 32% increase in net income of CHF 5.4 million (Q1/2005: CHF 4.1 million). At the end of the quarter, total assets stood at CHF 448.6 million (Q1/2005: CHF 368.5 million) and the equity ratio at 43% (Q1/2005: 44%).

Compared with the same period last year, the Swiss subsidiary posted slightly higher net sales and considerably higher net income. The German subsidiary continued to gain market share. It reported another double-digit increase in net sales over the same period last year and likewise achieved a substantially higher net income than in first quarter of 2005.

Outlook for 2006: In both Switzerland and Germany, overall conditions on the IT market have improved. For the current year – excluding unforeseen circumstances – ALSO expects improvements in both sales and net income. However, the Group will only make a concrete forecast of profit expectations with its half-yearly report.

Contact person:
Maya von Krannichfeldt, Head of Corporate Communications, Tel. +41 41 266 18 02

Upcoming events:
Half-yearly report: 25 July 2006
Third-quarter report: 24 October 2006