UPM's 1Q 2017 sales were Euro 2,482 million, 1% higher than the Euro 2,446 million for 1Q 2016, mainly due to higher delivery volumes in UPM Biorefining, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers and UPM Plywood. Comparable EBIT increased by 8% to Euro 305 million, 12.3% of sales. Comparable EBIT increased mainly due to higher delivery volumes and lower depreciation.

Schnittholz

UPM reports 1% sales increase in 1Q

UPM's 1Q 2017 sales were Euro 2,482 million, 1% higher than the Euro 2,446 million for 1Q 2016, mainly due to higher delivery volumes in UPM Biorefining, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers and UPM Plywood. Sales prices were lower in several businesses, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.

Comparable EBIT increased by 8% to Euro 305 million, 12.3% of sales. Comparable EBIT increased mainly due to higher delivery volumes and lower depreciation. The net impact of changes in variable and fixed costs, including UPM’s cost efficiency measures, was largely neutral. Changes in sales prices in UPM’s product range had a negative net impact on the comparable EBIT.

Operating profit totalled Euro 312 million, compared to Euro 277 million in 1Q 2016. Items affecting comparability in operating profit totalled gains of Euro 7 million (charges of Euro 4 million).

Profit for 1Q 2017 was Euro 240 million, and comparable profit was Euro 234 million.

Jussi Pesonen, President and CEO, comments on 1Q result: "UPM started year 2017 with a successful quarter. Our performance continued on a high level thanks to strong operational efficiency and good growth in deliveries. Our comparable EBIT increased by 8% to Euro 305 million and our balance sheet strengthened further. Operating cash flow was strong at Euro 396 million and our net debt decreased to Euro 807 million.”

Through the renewing of the bio and forest industries, UPM is building a sustainable future across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Paper ENA and UPM Plywood.