Stora Enso hits 7th consecutive quarter of sales growth

In Finland, Stora Enso’s sales increased 3.0% to EUR 2 585 (2 509) million, making Q3 the seventh consecutive quarter of sales growth. The growth was primarily due to favorable prices and active product mix management. Q4/2018 sales are estimated to be slightly higher than the amount of EUR 2 585 million recorded in the third quarter of 2018, and operational EBIT is expected to be in line with or somewhat lower than the EUR 358 million recorded in the third quarter of 2018.

Stora Enso’s CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström said, “We have now delivered our seventh consecutive quarter of sales growth. With a sales increase of 3%, or close to 5% excluding the divested Puumerkki, we continue our path of sustainable profitable growth. We see the results of our active work on product mix and pricing. Despite challenges for the Consumer Board division, we are delivering a 23% increase in operational EBIT and an operational EBIT margin of almost 14%. This shows the strength of our portfolio. All things considered, operational EBIT is expected to be clearly higher in 2018 compared to 2017.”

“Consumer Board, Packaging Solutions, Biomaterials and Paper divisions reported sales growth. Packaging Solutions and Biomaterials divisions delivered all-time high operational EBIT. For Wood Products, it was a record high operational EBIT in a third quarter. In the quarter, Paper stands out with strong sales growth, solid profitability and cash flow.”