January–September 2023 compared with January–September 2022
*Net sales decreased to SEK 13,697m (15,921). The decline was mainly related to lower selling prices, which was partly offset by positive exchange rate effects and higher delivery volumes.
*EBITDA amounted to SEK 5,172m (8,213). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices. A strong result in the Forest segment and good growth in the Renewable Energy segment had a positive impact on earnings. EBITDA margin was 37.8% (51.6).
*Operating profit declined to SEK 3,738m (7,052).
*Operating cash flow was SEK 3,040m (4,958).
*Earnings per share was SEK 4.02 (7.85).
July–September 2023 compared with July–September 2022
*Net sales amounted to SEK 4,302m (5,007). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices, which were offset by higher delivery volumes.
*EBITDA declined to SEK 1,417m (2,484) and EBITDA margin was 32.9% (49.6). Lower selling prices were offset by effective cost control due to the high rate of self-sufficiency in primarly wood raw material but also energy and logistics.
Due to the high rate of self-sufficiency in wood raw material, energy, and logistics, SCA generated good profitability and strong operating cash flow during the quarter, despite lower selling prices and higher costs for wood raw material. The new paper machine in Obbola and the new CTMP facility at the Ortviken site contributed to higher delivery volumes.
The supply of wood raw material to SCA’s industries was stable during the quarter. The price of pulpwood continued to rise while the price of sawlogs was stable compared with the preceding quarter.
Selling prices for solid-wood products decreased compared with the preceding quarter due to lower demand in most customer segments and regions.
Demand in the Pulp segment was weak for both northern bleached softwood kraft pulp (NBSK) and chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), which resulted in lower selling prices in all regions.
Low demand for packaging material contributed to continued weak demand for kraftliner and selling prices were in line with the preceding quarter.
The wind power business continued to grow in the Renewable Energy segment. At the end of the third quarter of 2023, 743 wind turbines were operating on SCA’s land with an combined annual production capacity of 8.3 TWh.
more at: https://www.sca.com/en/media/press-releases/2023/interim-report-q3-2023/