Stora Enso 4Q 2017 sales at Euro 2 511 million grew Euro 73 million, or 3% compared to same period a year ago. 4Q 2017 operational EBIT at Euro 280 million increased clearly by Euro 89 million, or 46.6%. The operational EBIT margin increased over 3%-points to 11.2%, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.
The Euro 50 million profit improvement programme is proceeding according to plan. Over 50% of the targeted costsavings were achieved by the end of the quarter, full effect expected by the end of 2018.
Stora Enso’s CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström comments on 4Q 2017 results: “We have reached a new level as a renewable materials company. The transformation has proven successful as we exceeded ten billion euros in sales and one billion in operational EBIT for the year. At the same time, we have strengthened our position in the bioeconomy for the future.”
FY 2017 sales at Euro 10 045 million were 2.5% higher than a year earlier, mainly due to higher volumes in all divisions except Paper, favourable pulp prices in all grades and also favourable prices in Packaging Solutions and Wood Products divisions.
Operational EBIT reached a significant milestone at Euro 1 004 million and increased 13.6%, mainly due to higher volumes, higher sales prices and better mix. Net foreign exchange rate movements, higher variable and fixed costs had a negative impact on operational EBIT. The increased costs were largely offset by good cost management through the Profit Improvement Programme. Operational EBIT margin was 10%.
Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper on global markets.
