ADVANCE INFORMATION ABOUT ASPO GROUP'S NET SALES AND RESULT IN APRIL-JUNE 2012, AND CHANGES TO GUIDANCE FOR 2012

ASPO Plc   STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE    August 10, 2012 AT 8:30 A.M.

ADVANCE INFORMATION ABOUT ASPO GROUP'S NET SALES AND RESULT IN APRIL-JUNE 2012

According to initial information, the net sales of Aspo Group in the second quarter of 2012 was about EUR 123 million, i.e. at the level of the corresponding period last year (April-June 2011: EUR 124.6 million). According to initial information, operating profit decreased to about EUR 3.8 million in the second quarter (April-June 2011: EUR 5.2 million). According to advance information, the profit for the quarter increased to about EUR 3.5 million (April-June 2011: EUR 3.2 million) and earnings per share was at the level of the previous year, i.e. EUR 0.11 (April-June 2011: EUR 0.11). The figures have not been audited.

ASPO CHANGES ITS OUTLOOK FOR 2012

Due to the estimated result for the first year-half, the estimated result for July, and the decreased forecast of ESL Shipping's cargo volumes, Aspo's Board of Directors has decided to change Aspo's estimated outlook for 2012 announced on February 24, 2012.

The uncertainty in the global economy has affected key industrial sectors of Aspo's business operations and their demand in western markets. The transport volumes of the steel and energy sectors, important to ESL Shipping, have declined. The Scandinavian water stock has increased during the summer, which is likely to have an impact on the decrease of energy coal consumption and transports in the fall. The steel industry assesses that its production volumes are lower than usual. The international cargo price level is estimated to remain low.

In Leipurin, the uncertain economy had an impact on the number of bakery machinery deliveries in the first year-half. For other businesses, Aspo does not see any significant changes to previous estimates.

Aspo still estimates that it will grow significantly in the eastern growth markets, and therefore seeks to increase net sales.

New guidance for 2012, issued on August 10, 2012:
Aspo aims for growth in net sales but the operating profit will fall significantly short and earnings per share will fall slightly short of the level of 2011.

Guidance for 2012 issued by Aspo Group on February 24, 2012: Aspo aims for growth in net sales and operating profit, and will improve earnings per share.

The interim report for January-June 2012 will be published on August 21, 2012.

Helsinki, August 10, 2012

ASPO Plc

Aki Ojanen
CEO

For further information, please contact:
Aki Ojanen, CEO Aspo Plc, +358 9 5211, +358 400 106 592, aki.ojanen(a)aspo.com  

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Aspo is a conglomerate that owns and develops business operations in the Baltic Sea region focusing on demanding B-to-B customers. Our strong company brands - ESL Shipping, Leipurin, Telko and Kaukomarkkinat - aim to be the market leaders in their sectors. They are responsible for their own operations, customer relationships and the development of these. Together they generate Aspo's goodwill. Aspo's Group structure and business operations are continually developed without any predefined schedules. www.aspo.com