Metsä Group's sales in 2019 totalled Euro 5,473.4 million, compared to Euro 5,709.1 million in 2018. Sales declined due to pulp prices and paperboard delivery volumes, both lower than in the year before.
The comparable operating result declined by 42% from the previous year and was Euro 494.9 million, or 9% of sales. The decrease in the operating result was mainly due to raw material and production costs, which were higher than in the comparison period, and the decline of sales prices of pulp.
Exchange rate fluctuations after hedging had a positive impact of around Euro 104 million on the operating result of the financial year, compared to 2018. This was largely due to the US dollar being approximately 5% stronger than in the previous year.
Sales in the 4Q 2019 totalled Euro 1,290.3 million, whereas sales of the corresponding period in the previous year were Euro 1,419 million.
4Q 2019 comparable operating result was Euro 76.4 million. 4Q 2019 operating result was Euro 32 million, compared to Euro 208 million in the 4Q 2018.
Metsä Group focuses on wood supply and forest services, wood products, pulp, fresh fibre paperboards and tissue and greaseproof papers. Metsäliitto Cooperative is the parent company of Metsä Group and is owned by approximately 103,000 Finnish forest owners.
