Metso Minerals' goodwill impairment to a large extent tax-deductible.

(From Hugin)

Metso Corporation has today received a decision from The Tax Office for Major Corporations in Finland regarding the goodwill impairment of EUR 205 million in Metso Minerals. According to the decision, EUR 175 million of the goodwill impairment has been accepted as tax-deductible. The corresponding tax benefit of EUR 51 million can be recognized in the fourth quarter of 2003. The cash flow impact of the tax-deductibility is estimated to materialize in 2003 and 2004. …