Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • +44 (0)20 7454 5110
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
Return to PR Newswire homepage
  • News
  • Products
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All Public Company News
      • All Multimedia News
      • View All News Releases

      • Regulatory News

      • D/A/CH Regulatory News
      • UK Regulatory News
      • View All Regulatory News

  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads & Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking & Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film & Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers & Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalisation
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls & Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil & Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defence
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking & Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers & Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines & Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics & Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture & Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewellery
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film & Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks & Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels & Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Animal Welfare
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Economic News, Trends & Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • Labour & Union
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Public Safety
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Overview
  • Distribution
  • Paid Placement
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Disclosure Services
  • SocialBoost
  • Rooms
    • MediaRoom
    • ESG Rooms
  • AI Tools
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships
  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PR Newswire UK provides press release distribution, targeting, monitoring, and marketing services
  • Send a Release
    • Phone

    • +44 (0)20 7454 5110 from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT

    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us

      +44 (0)20 7454 5110
      from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT

  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • News in Focus
    • Browse News Releases
    • Regulatory News
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
    • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Overview
  • Distribution
  • Paid Placement
  • Multichannel Amplification
  • Disclosure Services
  • Cision Communications Cloud®
  • AI Tools
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships
  • Client Login
  • Send a Release
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists

Stora Enso Oyj Financial Statement Release 2018


News provided by

Stora Enso Oyj

01 Feb, 2019, 07:53 GMT

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

HELSINKI, Feb. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --

FINANCIAL STATEMENT RELEASE 1 February 2019 at 9.30 EET

Sales growth continued
Temporary operational challenges – Dividend proposal EUR 0.50 per share

Q4/2018 (year-on-year)

  • Sales increased 5.8% to EUR 2 657 (2 511) million, making Q4 the eighth consecutive quarter of sales growth.
  • Operational EBIT decreased slightly to EUR 271 (280) million.
  • The operational EBIT margin was 10.2% (11.2%), above 10% for the sixth consecutive quarter.
  • EPS increased by 75.0% to EUR 0.39 (0.22) and EPS excl. IAC was EUR 0.33 (0.26).
  • Cash flow from operations decreased to EUR 323 (519) million. Cash flow after investing activities amounted to EUR 148 (262) million.
  • Balance sheet continued to strengthen, and net debt was reduced by EUR 161 million. The net debt to operational EBITDA ratio improved to 1.1 (1.4).
  • Operational ROCE was 12.4% (13.5%).

Year 2018 (year-on-year)

  • Sales of EUR 10 486 (10 045) million increased 4.4%.
  • Operational EBIT of EUR 1 325 (1 004) million increased 32.0%.
  • Operational ROCE was 15.5% (11.9%), well above the strategic target of 13%.

Outlook for 2019

Stora Enso introduces new way of giving annual outlook and quarterly guidance. The Group starts to guide absolute range for quarterly operational EBIT, instead of comparing quarterly sales and operational EBIT to the previous quarter qualitatively.

Stora Enso's year 2019 is expected to be largely in line with 2018, provided that the current trading conditions do not significantly change. Demand growth is expected to continue for Stora Enso's other businesses except for European Paper, for which demand is forecast to continue to decline in 2019. Group's sales are expected to be higher and costs are forecast to increase in 2019 compared to 2018. Stora Enso will implement measures to mitigate these cost increases and the increased uncertainties with a new profit protection programme. 

Guidance for Q1/2019

Q1/2019 operational EBIT is expected to be in the range of EUR 260–350 million. The Group's annual maintenance schedule has been changed from last year. During Q1/2019 there will be annual maintenance shutdowns at Veracel pulp mill and Ostrołęka containerboard mill. The total negative impact of maintenance is estimated to be EUR 20 million more compared to Q1/2018. In Q1/2018 there were no annual maintenance shutdowns.

Key figures

 

 

EUR million

 

Q4/18 

 

Q4/17 

 

Change %
Q4/18-Q4/17 

 

Q3/18 

 

Change %
Q4/18-Q3/18 

 

2018

 

2017

 

Change %
2018–2017 

 

Sales

 

2 657

 

2 511

 

5.8%

 

2 585

 

2.8%

 

10 486

 

10 045

 

 

4.4%

 

Operational EBITDA

 

405

 

427

 

-5.1%

 

502

 

-19.3%

 

1 878

 

1 587

 

 

18.3%

 

Operational EBIT

 

271

 

280

 

-3.3%

 

358

 

-24.4%

 

1 325

 

1 004

 

 

32.0%

 

Operational EBIT margin

 

10.2%

 

11.2%


 

13.8%


 

12.6%

 

10.0%


 

Operating profit (IFRS)

 

356

 

236

 

50.7%

 

363

 

-1.9%

 

1390

 

904

 

 

53.7%

 

Profit before tax excl. IAC

 

267

 

238

 

12.3%

 

305

 

-12.3%

 

1190

 

826

 

 

44.1%

 

Profit before tax

 

315

 

209

 

50.7%

 

305

 

3.3%

 

1210

 

742

 

 

63.1%

 

Net profit for the period

 

299

 

173

 

72.5%

 

204

 

46.5%

 

988

 

614

 

 

61.0%

 

Net interest-bearing liabilities

 

2 092

 

2253

 

-7.1%

 

2172

 

-3.7%

 

2 092

 

2 253

 

 

-7.1%

 

Operational ROCE

 

12.4%

 

13.5%


 

16.7%


 

15.5%

 

11.9%


 

Earnings per share (EPS) excl. IAC, EUR

 

0.33

 

0.26

 

25.0%

 

0.31

 

3.8%

 

1.29

 

0.89

 

 

45.4%

 

EPS (basic), EUR

 

0.39

 

0.22

 

75.0%

 

0.27

 

42.6%

 

1.28

 

0.79

 

 

62.5%

 

Net debt/last 12 months' operational EBITDA ratio

 

1.1

 

1.4


 

1.1


 

1.1

 

1.4


 

Average number of employees

 

26 151

 

26 116

 

0.1%

 

26 545

 

-1.5%

 

26 067

 

26 206

 

 

 

 

-0.5%

Stora Enso's CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström comments on the fourth quarter 2018 results:

We continue to deliver sustainable profitable growth for the eighth consecutive quarter, with a sales increase of close to 6%. This was the highest fourth quarter sales since 2012 and the growth was primarily due to favourable prices and our active work on product mix and pricing. Due to slightly weaker markets, we have had lower levels of deliveries. We have experienced temporary operational issues at six of our mills, which has resulted in an EBIT impact of approximately EUR 40 million. Our operational EBIT decreased a bit over 3%, while operational EBIT margin exceeded 10% for the sixth consecutive quarter.

Looking at the whole year of 2018, sales are again well above EUR 10 billion and our operational EBIT increased by 32%. Our operational ROCE was close to 16%, well above the strategic target of 13%. I am also very pleased with the quite significant increase in full year EPS of 62.5%. We continue to strengthen our balance sheet and net debt/EBITDA amounted to 1.1. Therefore, the Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting a dividend of 0.50 euros per share, an increase of 22% from last year. This is the fourth year in a row with an increase. This is a vote of confidence for the future of Stora Enso.

Our transformation projects are progressing well. The investment in a new cross laminated timber (CLT) unit at the Gruvön sawmill is being completed. Commercial production will begin during the first quarter of 2019 as planned. I am additionally encouraged that we have taken an important step in securing our competitive raw material supply for the long term. We, together with the other shareholders, have signed a binding agreement aiming at completing the Bergvik Skog forestry transaction during the first half of 2019.

We continue to launch new products that enable our customers to leverage digital solutions to further advance their business. The most recent one is a new sustainable RFID tag technology called ECO™ by Stora Enso. It is designed for intelligent packaging functionalities in supply chain, retail and e-commerce applications. We have also entered an interesting partnership with H&M group and Inter IKEA group to industrialise new textile fibres in a sustainable way at attractive cost levels.

As sustainability is in the core of our business, I am indeed proud that we have been top-rated in combatting global warming by the international non-profit organisation CDP. CDP has included us on its new 2018 Climate A List, which identifies the global companies that are taking leadership in climate action. Moreover, we have been acknowledged as the leading Swedish listed company on sustainability in a ranking of all companies listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and we have received the award of the Best sustainable brand of the year in our industry.

With reference to current geopolitical developments, there is a notable risk of escalation in protectionist measures to the extent that global trade could materially shrink. This would have major knock-on effects for inflation, business sentiment, consumer outlook and ultimately global economic growth. Therefore, we have started to implement a profit protection programme of EUR 120 million to be kicked-off immediately, to better prepare for potential market weakness. 

In these times of increased uncertainty and less visibility, 2019 is expected to continue in line with 2018 for us, provided that the current trading conditions do not significantly change. I expect growth in demand to continue for all our businesses except for European paper, for which demand is forecast to continue to decline in 2019. Our sales are expected to be higher and costs are forecast to increase in 2019 compared to 2018. We will implement measures to mitigate these cost increases and the increased uncertainties with our profit protection programme.

As always, I would like to thank our customers for their business, our employees for their dedication, and our investors for their trust.

Events today

1) Press conference in Helsinki at 11.00 EET
The webcast and press conference for media will take place at 11.00 EET (10.00 CET, 09.00 UK time, 04.00 EST) at Stora Enso's Head Office, Kanavaranta 1, Helsinki. The event will be held in English and it will be hosted by CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström, CFO Seppo Parvi, and EVP, Communications Ulrika Lilja. The webcast may be accessed at https://storaenso.videosync.fi/2018-full-year-result  

2) Webcast and conference call for analysts and investors at 14.30 EET
The webcast and conference call for analysts and investors will take place at 14.30 EET (13.30 CET, 12.30 UK time, 07.30 EST). It will be hosted by CEO Karl-Henrik Sundström, CFO Seppo Parvi, and SVP, Head of Investor Relations Ulla Paajanen, and may be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/m6/p/gngcow7q 

Those analysts and investors who wish to ask questions should join the conference call (details below). All participants can follow the presentation over the webcast.

Live event at 14.30 EET      

UK                                       +44(0)2071-928-338

Finland                                 +358(0)9-2311-3291

Sweden                                +46(0)8-5661-8467

USA                                     +1-646-741-3167

Confirmation Code:               2894258

The links to the webcasts are also available on the Stora Enso website: storaenso.com/investors 

This release is a summary of Stora Enso's Financial Statement Release 2018. The complete report is attached to this release as a pdf file. It is also available on the company website at storaenso.com/investors.

Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has some 26 000 employees in over 30 countries. Our sales in 2018 were EUR 10.5 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com/investors

STORA ENSO OYJ 

For further information, please contact:
Ulrika Lilja
EVP, Communications
tel. +46-72-221-9228

Ulla Paajanen
SVP, Investor Relations
tel. +358-40-763-8767

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

http://news.cision.com/stora-enso-oyj/r/stora-enso-oyj-financial-statement-release-2018,c2730149

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/13589/2730149/a231e6a976c45962.pdf

STORAENSO RESULTS Q418 ENG

Related Links

http://storaenso.com/investors

Modal title

Also from this source

Stora Enso initiates a strategic review of its Swedish forest assets (Inside information)

As part of its stronger focus on renewable packaging, Stora Enso is initiating a strategic review of its Swedish forest assets. The review includes...

Stora Enso appoints Jutta Mikkola as Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

Stora Enso announces the appointment of Jutta Mikkola as new Senior Vice President and head of Investor Relations. Jutta will start her new role on...

More Releases From This Source

Explore

Environmental Products & Services

Environmental Products & Services

Paper, Forest Products & Containers

Paper, Forest Products & Containers

Utilities

Utilities

Alternative Energies

Alternative Energies

News Releases in Similar Topics

Contact PR Newswire

  • +44 (0)20 7454 5110
    from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT
  • General Enquiries
  • Media Enquiries
  • Partnerships

Products

  • Content Distribution
  • Multimedia Services
  • Disclosure Services
  • Cision Communications Cloud®

About

  • About PR Newswire
  • About Cision
  • Partnering Opportunities
  • Careers
  • Accessibility Statement
  • APAC
  • APAC - Simplified Chinese
  • APAC - Traditional Chinese
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Czech
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Israel
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Middle East - Arabic
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • United States
  • Vietnam

My Services

  • All News Releases
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
  • Data Privacy

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via Privacy@cision.com 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact PR Newswire

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Customer Portal
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Journalists
+44 (0)20 7454 5110
from 8 AM - 5:30 PM GMT
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Information Security Policy
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 PR Newswire Europe Limited. All Rights Reserved. A Cision company.