Stora Enso’s operational EBIT for the first quarter of 2018 was approximately €369 million. This is well above the earlier guidance for the Q1 2018 operational EBIT. Sales for the first quarter of 2018, amounting to approximately €2,579 million, were similar to the fourth quarter 2017 sales of €2,511 million. The result was better than expected, mainly due to a good pricing environment, higher volumes at Consumer Board division’s European mills and continued strong operational performance.
On 9 February 2018, Stora Enso guided that its first quarter 2018 sales were estimated to be similar to or slightly higher than the amount of €2,511 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017. Moreover, based on the same guidance, operational EBIT was expected to be somewhat higher than the EUR 280 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017.
The second quarter 2018 sales are estimated to be similar to or slightly higher than the amount of approximately €2,579 million recorded in the first quarter of 2018 and operational EBIT is expected to be in line with or somewhat lower than the approximately €369 million recorded in the first quarter of 2018. The impact of annual maintenance shutdowns is expected to be approximately €40 million higher than in the first quarter of 2018 and it is included in the guidance figures.
