Apr 27, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. International Paper reported 1Q 2012 net earnings attributable to common shareholders totaling $188 million compared with net earnings of $281 million in the 4Q 2011 and $354 million in the 1Q 2011. Amounts in all periods include the impact of special items, as the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Earnings from continuing operations and before special items in the 1Q 2012 totaled $247 million, compared with $312 million in the 4Q 2011 and $334 million in the 1Q 2011. Temple-Inland earnings were neutral, net of incremental interest expenses (before one-time costs and special items), for the 1Q 2012. Quarterly net sales were $6.7 billion compared with $6.4 billion in both the 4Q and 1Q 2011. Operating profits were $462 million in the 1Q 2012, down from $577 million in the 4Q 2011 both of which included special items. "1Q results reflect solid performance in an uneven global recovery," said John Faraci, Chairman and CEO. "I'm encouraged with the early progress we are making integrating Temple-Inland and we are off to a very strong start in identifying and capturing the merger benefits. As we move into our seasonally heavy maintenance outages in the second quarter, we remain confident in the full year earnings and cash flow outlook of our global portfolio." Industrial Packaging segment's 1Q operating profit was $278 million ($215 million including special items) compared with an operating profit of $316 million ($306 million including special items) in the 4Q 2011. Printing Papers segment's 1Q operating profit was $145 million ($146 million including special items) compared with an operating profit of $190 million ($189 million including special items) in the 4Q 2011. Consumer Packaging segment's 1Q operating profit was $96 million ($103 million including special items) compared with an operating profit of $62 million ($66 million including special items) in the 4Q 2011. xpedx, the company's North American distribution business, reported 1Q operating earnings of $19 million (a loss of $2 million including special items) compared with $33 million ($16 million including special items) in the 4Q 2011. Net corporate expenses for the 1Q 2012 totaled $69 million, compared with $31 million in the 4Q 2011 and $44 million in the 1Q 2011. The increase compared with the 4Q 2011 primarily reflects higher pension expenses. International Paper is a global paper and packaging company with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia, Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the company's North American distribution company.