Solid performance continues in challenging business environment
Focus on cash flow and profit protection
Q3/2020 (compared with Q3/2019)
· Sales decreased by 13.5% to EUR 2 079 (2 402) million, due to lower deliveries and prices.
· Operational EBIT decreased to
· Operational EBIT margin was 8.4% (10.2%).
· Operating profit (IFRS) was
· EPS was
· Cash flow from operations amounted to
· The net debt to operational EBITDA ratio at 2.4 was above the target level of less than 2.0.
· Operational ROCE was 6.7% (9.2%), below the strategic target of more than 13%.
Q1-Q3/2020 (year-on-year)
· Sales were EUR 6 400 (7 644) million, mainly as a result of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Finnish union strikes during the first quarter.
· Operational EBIT was
Managing uncertainties
The health and safety of
The upcoming maintenance shutdowns in Q4 are well prepared to ensure the health and safety of the Group's employees, contractors and communities in which it operates.
The Group also continues to focus on sales and customer service as well as cost and working capital management, ensuring liquidity and cash flow to remain resilient and ensure quick recovery.
Guidance and outlook
Paper production at the
During Q4/2020 there will be annual maintenance shutdowns at seven mills. The total negative impact of maintenance is estimated to be
Key figures
EUR million Q3/20 Q3/19 Change Q2/20 Change Q1 Q1 Change 2019
% % -Q3/20 -Q3/19 % Q1
Q3/20 Q3/20 -Q3/20−
-Q3/19 -Q2/20
Q1
-Q3/19
Sales 2 079 2 402 -13.5% 2 114 -1.7% 6 400 7 644 -16.3% 10
055
Operational 330 397 -17.0% 332 -0.7% 997 1 337 -25.4% 1 614
EBITDA
Operational 175 245 -28.6% 178 -1.5% 532 879 -39.4% 1 003
EBIT
Operational 8.4% 10.2% 8.4% 8.3% 11.5% 10.0%
EBIT margin
Operating 145 170 -14.6% 226 -35.6% 633 624 1.3% 1 305
profit
(IFRS)
Profit 144 191 -24.3% 142 1.7% 413 745 -44.6% 835
before tax
excl.
IAC and FV
Profit 115 115 -0.7% 190 -39.6% 513 490 4.6% 1 137
before tax
(IFRS)
Net profit 86 59 46.9% 144 -40.1% 380 336 12.9% 856
for the
period
(IFRS)
Net 3 008 3 745 -19.7% 3 289 -8.5% 3 008 3 745 -19.7% 3 209
interest
-bearing
liabilities
Operational 6.7% 9.2% 6.8% 6.8% 12.1% 10.3%
ROCE, %
Earnings 0.14 0.18 -19.3% 0.14 2.2% 0.40 0.77 -47.5% 0.84
per
share (EPS)
excl. IAC
and FV, EUR
EPS 0.11 0.09 26.1% 0.19 -40.3% 0.49 0.46 7.2% 1.12
(basic),
EUR
Net 2.4 2.1 2.5 2.4 2.1 2.0
debt/last
12
months'
operational
EBITDA
ratio
Average 24 26 414 -7.5% 25 077 -2.6% 24 26 -5.8% 26
number of 428 817 347 096
employees
"We have delivered a solid result for the quarter and I am satisfied with our performance, considering the unprecedented uncertainty and volatility on markets around the world.
Although we report a decreased operational EBIT of EUR 175 million compared to last year, excluding Paper, operational EBIT remained at the same level due to strong results in the Packaging Materials, Wood Products and Forest divisions. The pandemic's biggest effect continues to be on our Paper business. I was very glad to see a return to positive cash flow for the quarter. The market also remains challenging for Biomaterials, with low pricing. On a positive note, excluding Paper, our operational EBIT margin increased to 11.8%, a sign of the resilience of our growth businesses and good cost management.
We have been successful in our focus on working capital and we delivered a good cash flow amounting to close to
I am satisfied that our major maintenance stops during the quarter have been well managed. We continue our normal safety work and our performance has improved compared to last year, even if we are not yet reaching our target level. Since we have several maintenance shutdowns planned for the last quarter of the year, we will continue our diligent work together with our partners and suppliers, with the target to protect our people, contractors and the local communities from Covid-19 outbreaks.
We have decided to start using a valuation method for our forest assets in the Nordics based on market transaction data and change the accounting policy from the fourth quarter of 2020 onwards. This method provides a more transparent, and less subjective valuation basis of the total value of the forest assets. Preliminary estimations indicate that the value of our forest assets is expected to be between
Regarding our transformation projects, our proactive
To further strengthen our position as a global provider of high-quality engineered wooden elements, we invest close to
As additional steps in our innovation agenda, we invest around
Unfortunately, in the short-term outlook, we can see the pandemic increasing and once again creating uncertainty in the pace and strength of the global financial recovery. I am convinced that the poor visibility of the market conditions will continue. In this environment, we don't give guidance, but it is fair to say that the outlook for our businesses remains mixed. Therefore, when I look at our resilience going forward, I am pleased that our liquidity is secured, and our profit protection programme is moving ahead with speed. We have also identified additional savings opportunities and will increase the saving target further to
The winners as I see it, will be companies that have long-term sustainable businesses, from environmental, social and financial perspective; that stay close to their customers and innovate based on the consumer future needs; that can manage volatility and are agile in adapting to this changed reality. This is
The future grows in the forest."
Webcast and conference call for analysts, investors and media today at 15.00 EEST
The webcast and conference call for analysts, investors and media will take place at 15.00 EEST (14.00 CEST, 13.00
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.
Media representatives who wish to ask questions after the Interim Report is published, may contact
The link to the webcast will be also available on the
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Live event at 15.00 EEST
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The conference call replay will be available until Tuesday
This release is a summary of
For further information, please contact:
EVP, Communications
tel. +46 72 221 9228
Investor enquiries:
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tel. +358 40 763 8767
Part of the bioeconomy,
For further information, please contact:
EVP, Communications
tel. +46 72 221 9228
Investor enquiries:
SVP, Investor Relations
tel. +358 40 763 8767
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