Aug 14, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. Holmen, a leading manufacturer of printing paper, paperboard and sawn timber, announced its financial results for January-June 2012: - profit after tax for January–June 2012 totalled SEK 701 million (January–June 2011: SEK 672 million). - earnings per share amounted to SEK 8.3 (8.0). - return on equity was 7.2 per cent (8.1). - operating profit totalled SEK 1 048 million (1 050). Earnings from forest increased, while the contribution from currency hedges fell. - the operating profit from the second quarter was SEK 488 million, SEK 72 million lower than in the preceding quarter. - earnings from hydro power generated by the company were lower due to seasonal factors. Production efficiency and low costs in printing paper largely offset the expiry of favourable currency hedges. The market situation for paperboard was stable during the quarter, while demand for printing paper and sawn timber was weak, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.