Stora Enso H1 2018

Stora Enso has released its results for the first half of 2018. Sales of €5,243 million were recorded, an increase of 4.3% on the same period last year. Excluding the divested Puumerkki, sales increased 5.8%. Operational EBIT of €696 million increased 60.4%, mainly due to favourable prices and active product mix management.

The company stated that Q3/2018 sales are estimated to be similar to the amount of €2,664 million recorded in the second quarter of 2018, and operational EBIT is expected to be in line with the €327 million recorded in the second quarter of 2018.

The impact of annual maintenance shutdowns is expected to be approximately €5 million lower than in the second quarter of 2018. The second quarter maintenance impact was €15 million higher than initially forecast. The Nordic wood supply situation is expected to continue to be tight, due to the risk of forest fires affecting harvesting conditions. The wood supply impact is expected to be approximately €10 million negative in the third quarter of 2018. These impacts are included in the above outlook.