January–September 2022 (compared to 1–9/2021)
*Sales were EUR 1,879.7 million (1,565.6).
*The comparable operating result was EUR 420.0 million (295.3), or 22.3% of sales (18.9). Operating result was EUR 436.8 million (285.0).
*Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.90 (0.65), and earnings per share were EUR 0.94 (0.63).
*Comparable return on capital employed was 23.0% (19.4).
*Net cash flow from operations was EUR 161.7 million (209.8).
July–September 2022 (compared to 7–9/2021)
*Sales were EUR 647.3 million (516.1).
*The comparable operating result was EUR 152.5 million (104.0), or 23.6% (20.1) of sales. Operating result was EUR 153.4 million (99.4).
*Comparable earnings per share were EUR 0.33 (0.23), and earnings per share were EUR 0.33 (0.22).
*Comparable return on capital employed was 24.7% (19.1).
*Net cash flow from operations was EUR 66.4 million (59.1).
Metsä Board’s CEO Mika Joukio:
“Our result in July–September was again strong. Sales amounted to EUR 647 million, and our comparable operating result, totalling EUR 153 million, was record high. The comparable return on capital employed was 24.7%. The exceptionally strong demand for fresh fibre paperboards, which began last year, normalised towards the end of the review period, as was seen in the third quarter delivery volumes – especially in white kraftliners. However, the average prices of paperboards increased, compensating for the faster than expected cost increase especially in energy and chemicals.
Our sales in January–September totalled nearly EUR 1.9 billion, and our comparable operating result was EUR 420 million. Our profitability improved especially due to the higher prices of paperboards, our strong pulp business and a positive currency effect. The production volumes of paperboards, as well as of pulp and BCTMP were record high.
Cost inflation continued to be rapid, and we do not expect it to slow down significantly in the near future. High inflation and rising interest rates are quickly eroding households’ purchasing power. Consumers’ confidence in the economy is at a record low, which is reflected in purchasing behaviour. The main end uses of Metsä Board’s paperboards are in food and other daily consumer goods, where demand has remained relatively stable despite the economic cycles.
Europe is dealing with an unprecedented energy crisis, which may influence the availability and prices of energy this winter. Metsä Board’s high energy self-sufficiency is a clear competitive advantage, adding stability to our operations in a challenging market environment. The new recovery boiler and turbine that will shortly start up in Husum will increase our own bioenergy production, moving us closer to our goal of fossil free production by 2030.
more at: https://www.metsagroup.com/metsaboard/news-and-publications/news/2022/metsa-boards-comparable-operating-result-in-2022-januaryseptember-was-eur-420-million/