Oct 25, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. As a result of Metso’s annual strategy process, Metso’s board of directors has updated on October 25 Metso’s financial targets and raised the dividend policy. The decision is based on Metso’s positive financial development and the continuing favorable market situation. The following new financial targets replace the previous targets set in August 2005: An average annual net sales growth of more than 10%. The growth will be attained both organically and through value-enhancing complementary acquisitions. Major acquisitions with a significant impact on Metso, such as the Aker-Kvaerner Pulping and Power acquisition, come on top of this 10% growth target. An operating profit margin (EBIT-%) of more than 10%. Furthermore, Metso’s target is that its key financial indicators, capital structure and cash flow metrics support a solid investment grade status in credit rating. Metso has also upgraded its dividend policy to distribute at least 50% (earlier 40%) of annual earnings per share as dividend or in other forms of repatriation of capital. “We will continue to execute our profitable growth strategy with the focus on fully exploiting the growth opportunities of the current market situation, growing the aftermarket business, as well as on securing continued, sustainable profitability over the business cycle,“ says Jorma Eloranta, president and CEO of Metso Corporation. “We still have a lot of opportunities to improve our performance, and there is no room for complacency – despite the consistent, strong development of our financial performance.” “At Metso, our focus is on profitable growth – we grow in order to make more profit. In Metso Paper the focus remains to ensure continued profitability improvement and growth in aftermarket business. In Metso Minerals and Metso Automation we aim to fully exploit the market growth while ensuring yearly improving profits. Our positive development, a very strong order backlog and favorable market outlook give us confidence to expect that also the years to come will be good for Metso and to our shareholders,“ Eloranta notes. Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2005 net sales of approximately Euro 4.2 billion. Its 22 000 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries.