Distribution of company announcements to the professional platforms, finance portals and syndication of important corporate news to a wide variety of news aggregators and financial news systems.
Metsäliitto Group's operating result excluding non-recurring items was EUR 120 million in January-September
Result for January-September - Sales EUR 4,981 million (EUR 5,167 million). - The operating result, excluding non-recurring items, was EUR 120 million (259). Operating result, including non-recurring items, was EUR 208 million (198). - Result before tax and excluding non-recurring items was EUR -43 million (105). The result from continuing operations, including changes in deferred tax liability, was EUR 39 million (-15).
Result for July-September - Sales EUR 1,595 million (EUR 1,698 million). - The operating result, excluding non-recurring items, was EUR 27 million (87). Operating result, including non-recurring items, was EUR 19 million (93). - Result before tax and excluding non-recurring items was EUR -28 million (33). The result from continuing operations, including changes in deferred tax liability, was EUR -33 million (22). Events in the third quarter - M-real announced the sale of its Graphic Papers Business Area to the South African company Sappi Limited for an enterprise value of EUR 750 million. The sale is expected to be completed latest during the first quarter of 2009. The sale includes several long-term supply agreements (maximum of 12 years), which in total correspond to about EUR 3.5 billion in sales during the term of agreements.
'"The planned transaction of M-real's Graphic Papers Business Area will significantly improve the future prospects of our Board and Paper Industry. It will also reinforce the operating environment of the entire industry. We will actively continue the strategic review of our remaining paper businesses. The tightened market situation and the increased production costs are causing pressure for further production adjustment measures in almost all of our business areas."
Kari Jordan, President & CEO, Metsäliitto Group
Metsäliitto Group
Income statement 2008 2007 2008 2007 2007 (Continuing operations) 1-9 1-9 Q3 Q3 1-12 Sales 4 981 5 167 1 595 1 698 6 797 Other operating income 215 66 43 28 92 Operating expenses -4 702 -4 736 -1 525 -1 544 -6 256 Depreciation and impairment -286 -299 -94 -89 -589 losses Operating profit 208 198 19 93 44 Share of results in associates 11 5 7 2 12 Net exchange gains / losses 1 -3 1 1 5 Other financial income & -176 -156 -63 -57 -221 expenses Result before tax 44 44 -36 38 -160 Income tax -5 -59 3 -16 -24 Result from continuing operations 39 -15 -33 22 -184
Sales and Operating profit Wood Board Tissue 1-9/2008 Wood Products Pulp *) and Paper and (EUR mill.) Supply Industry Industry Industry Cooking Papers Sales 1 372 923 1 232 2 514 695 Other operating income 12 5 22 172 18 Operating expenses -1 354 -915 -930 -2 414 -638 Depreciation & impairment -4 -32 -103 -172 -42 losses Operating profit 26 -19 221 100 33
*) Represents 100%. The Metsäliitto Group consolidates 53% of the Pulp Industry.
The Graphic Papers business units, which are to be transferred to Sappi under the deal announced at the end of September, are reported in discontinued operations.
The figures are unaudited METSÄLIITTO GROUP
INTERIM REPORT 1 January-30 September 2008
Sales and result Metsäliitto Group's sales for January-September were EUR 4,981 million (5,167). Comparable sales were down approximately three per cent. Sales have increased by the pulp mill in Uruguay, which has had an excellent start. However, sales have decreased by the closing down of the M-real's Sittingbourne and Wifsta paper mills, and the divestment of the folding carton business.
Due to the planned divestment of the Graphic Papers Business Area, the figures for the comparison years have also been adjusted in accordance with IFRS regulations. As a result of the divestment, Metsäliitto Group's sales in 2007 decreased by EUR 872 million, and in 2006 by EUR 858 million.
The operating result, excluding non-recurring items, was EUR 120 million (259). The net amount of non-recurring items was EUR 88 million (-61).
The net amount of non-recurring items in the third quarter was EUR -8 million. The most significant item was the EUR 13 million cost provision relating to the guarantee to the mill's energy supplier on behalf of the Pont Sainte Maxence (PSM) mill, sold in June 2006, and the write-down of receivables from PSM. The net amount of other non-recurring items totalled EUR 5 million in July-September.
In the second quarter, M-real sold a total of 100,000 Pohjolan Voima Oy B2 shares to Kymppivoima Oy for EUR 80 million, for which a sales gain and fair value of EUR 74 million was realised. Another significant non-recurring income was booked during the first quarter. This, together with the sale of mill operations in the UK and pension liability arrangements, generated a profit of EUR 24 million in total. Furthermore, different cost provisions were booked in January-September, totalling approximately EUR 2 million.
The operating result including non-recurring items was EUR 208 million (198). The Group's net financial expenses were 3.5 per cent of sales (3.0). Financial income was EUR 17 million (13), shares in associate companies were EUR 11 million (5) and financial expenses were EUR 193 million (169). Net exchange gains/losses recognised in financial items were EUR 1 million (-3). At the end of September, the exchange rate of the US dollar against the euro was 3 per cent stronger and that of the British pound 8 per cent weaker than at the beginning of the year. On average, the US dollar weakened by 13 per cent in January-September, and the British pound by 16 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The result before tax was EUR 44 million (44) and taxes, including changes in deferred tax liability, were EUR 5 million (59). The result for continuing operations was EUR 39 million (-15), the result for discontinued operations was EUR -276 million (-22) and the result for the financial period was EUR -237 million (-37).
The result for discontinued operations includes the result for mills classified as assets held for sale and the EUR 25 million sales gain reduction from the sale of the Map Merchant Group in 2007.
EUR 206 million as an impairment loss and other non-recurring items relating to the planned sale of the Graphic Papers Business Area was also recognised in the result for discontinued operations.
The result for January-September attributable to the owners of the parent company was EUR -73 million (50), and to the minority EUR -164 million (-87).
The Group's return on capital employed for continuing operations was 6.3 per cent (5.6), and the return on equity was 2.3 per cent (-0.8). Excluding non-recurring items, the return on capital employed was 4.0 per cent (7.2) and the return on equity was -3.0 per cent (2.4).
Balance sheet and financing Metsäliitto Group's overall liquidity at the end of September was EUR 1.4 billion (31 December 2007: 1.6). Of this, EUR 0.2 billion (0.4) was in terms of liquid assets and investments, and EUR 1.2 billion (1.2) was in binding credit facility agreements not included in the balance sheet. In addition, the Group can satisfy short-term financial needs with non-binding commercial paper schemes in Finland and abroad, as well as credit lines amounting to approximately EUR 0.5 billion.
The Group's equity ratio was 27.5 per cent in September and net gearing was 162 per cent (31 December 2007: 28.8% and 142%, respectively). Interest-bearing net liabilities stood at EUR 3,373 million (31 December 2007: 3,271). The planned sale of the Graphic Papers is expected to improve the equity ratio by at least 3 per cent units and the net gearing by over 25 per cent units. The equity ratio of the parent company, Metsäliitto Cooperative, was 56.0 per cent at the end of September and the net gearing ratio was 47 per cent (31 December 2007: 55.0% and 37% respectively).
Metsäliitto Cooperative's members' capital decreased by EUR 4.5 million in January-September. The actual members' capital grew by EUR 4.2 million, the additional members' capital A decreased by EUR 6.5 million, and the additional members' capital B decreased by EUR 2.2 million. At the end of September, Metsäliitto Cooperative had 129,978 members (31 December 2007: 131,032).
In September, Metsä Tissue signed a syndicated credit limit agreement of EUR 238 million to refinance the current syndicated loan falling due in June 2009. A total of eight banks were party to the agreement.
On 2 September 2008, Forest Oriental S.A., Metsä-Botnia's subsidiary in Uruguay which specialises in eucalyptus cultivation, received the approval of the Central Bank of Uruguay regarding registration of its program to issue a Corporate Bond for a nominal value of USD 100 million. The arranger issued the first series under the program with a nominal value of USD 35 million on 18 September 2008. The term of repayment of the first series is 10 years. Through the program, the company is seeking to achieve a more efficient capital structure and take part in the development of local Uruguayan long-term investment instruments.
Personnel The Group employed an average of 17,759 people (19,542) in January-September. At the end of September, the number of personnel in the Group was 17,205 (31 December 2007: 17,838). The parent company, Metsäliitto Cooperative, employed 3,272 people at the end of September (31 December 2007: 3,165).
Martin Lillandt, Senior Executive Vice President of Metsäliitto Cooperative will retire on 30 November 2008. Ole Salvén, Group Executive Vice President, Woods Products Industry, has been appointed Deputy to the CEO of Metsäliitto Cooperative as of 1 December 2008. Juha Mäntylä, Forest Director of Metsäliitto Group, has been appointed Group Executive Vice President, Metsäliitto Wood Supply, also from 1 December 2008.
Metsä-Botnia's President and CEO, Erkki Varis, retired on 31 August 2008. His successor, Ilkka Hämälä, assumed the position of President and CEO on 1 September 2008.
Discontinued operations The planned sale of the Graphic Papers Business Area was announced in September. In accordance with IFRS regulations, the results for mills included in the transaction have been entered in the line "Result from discontinued operations" in the income statement. The income statements of comparison years have been adjusted accordingly.
Investments, acquisitions and divestments Metsäliitto Group's capital expenditure and corporate acquisitions totalled EUR 190 million (318).
Restructuring process continues On 29 September, M-real announced the sale of its Graphic Papers Business Area to the South African company Sappi Limited. The sale comprises the Kirkniemi and Kangas mills in Finland, the Stockstadt mill in Germany and the Biberist mill in Switzerland, whose total capacity is approximately 1.9 million tons.
Of the Graphic Papers Business Area's units, the paper mills in Hallein, Gohrsmühle, Reflex and Äänekoski, as well as Husum paper mill's paper machine 8, will remain in M-real's ownership. After the closing of the transaction, the Äänekoski paper mill and Husum mill's PM8 will continue production for Sappi under a long-term contract. As part of the transaction, M-real and Sappi have also entered into a long-term agreement on the supply of pulp and BCTMP and other smaller services and supplies. In addition, Metsäliitto and Sappi have also signed a long-term wood supply agreement.
In connection with the sale, M-real is planning to discontinue the production of standard coated fine paper in the Hallein and Gohrsmühle mills. The company's intention is to develop Gohrsmühle and Reflex mills together as the specialty paper unit and to extend uncoated fine paper production in Gohrsmühle. M-real is continuing to investigate various options for the development of the Hallein mill with selected partners.
The transaction consideration of EUR 750 million consists of EUR 500 million in cash and assumed debt, a EUR 200 million vendor loan note from Sappi to M-real and EUR 50 million of newly issued shares in Sappi. M-real expects the transaction to reduce its annual sales by approximately EUR 1 billion and its net liabilities by approximately EUR 630 million.
The sale is subject to the approvals of Sappi's extraordinary shareholders' meeting and the competition authorities, as well as the implementation of Sappi's planned rights offering. The sale is expected to be completed latest during the first quarter of 2009.
In this interim report, the units included in the sale have been classified as assets held for sale, and EUR 206 million has been booked as an impairment loss and other non-recurring items relating to the sale.
Business areas
Wood Supply Wood Supply sales were EUR 1,372 million (1,243) in January-September, and the operating result came to EUR 26 million (28). The operating result includes approximately EUR 1 million (2) in non-recurring income. Wood Supply Finland accounted for EUR 936 million (864) of the sales and EUR 21 million (21) of the operating result.
Wood sale volumes in the entire industry are clearly below the level of recent years. The purchase volume of the forest industry from private forests was approximately 29 million cubic metres, which is about 14 million cubic metres less than in 2007.
The autumn season in domestic wood sales was boosted by the Finnish Government decision on tax exemption for wood from first thinning stands. Wood sales reached a weekly record in the last week of August with over 2.5 million cubic metres sold. While the government announced a fixed-term tax exemption for a share of the income from wood sales, the September wood sale volumes nevertheless dropped to a level some 25 per cent below the volumes in the corresponding period of the previous years.
Metsäliitto is actively pursuing measures to find solutions for the challenging wood sale situation. The national Summer Logging Campaign started by Metsäliitto in the spring with the objective of increasing the amount of thinning has progressed well. The area marked for thinning was already increased by one-third in 2007 compared with previous years. Metsäliitto and its partners in the national Campaign for Exploiting Peatland Logging Reserves have identified technical solutions and operating models for increasing around-the-year logging in commercial peatland.
The wood supply organisation is undergoing a reform. The reform of the Finnish wood supply organisation, announced in August, enhances the services available to owner-members, simplifies operation control and improves reporting. Changes will also be made in the wood supply organisation in Russia due to Russian export taxes on wood, which will probably be implemented at the turn of the year. In January-September, Metsäliitto's imports from Russia to Finland amounted to 1.7 million cubic metres (1.4).
In the Baltic countries, wood supply from private forests remained low, and poor weather conditions impeded harvesting. In Sweden, the wood supply market has continued to be brisk. While log prices have shown a declining trend, pulpwood prices have remained stable. In Central Europe, supply has remained at a high level.
Sufficient quantities of wood as required by the curtailed production volumes were supplied to the mills throughout the wood supply operating area. Deliveries to the mills totalled EUR 26.5 million (27.5) cubic metres in January-September.
Wood Products Industry Metsäliitto Wood Products Industry's sales were EUR 923 million (1,078) in January-September, and the operating result came to EUR -19 million (88). The difficult situation in the Solid Wood business line, which is due to the disproportionate relationship between the low market price of sawn timber and high wood raw material prices, is the main reason for the negative result. While other business lines where the proportion of upgrading and services is larger achieved a profit, their profitability has also deteriorated due to the market situation.
The market situation has led to the production of sawn timber being curtailed by 20 per cent at all mills during the year. Statutory labour negotiations concerning the potential closure of the Teuva sawmill and improving the efficiency of upgrading operations at the Kaskinen mill will begin on 27 October. The number of personnel affected is 102. The statutory labour negotiations concerning plans to close the Soinlahti sawmill will be concluded today, 22 October. The number of personnel affected is 69. Plywood, Kerto and glulam production has also been curtailed since September.
The economic downturn has also affected the construction market. This is seen in the lower amount of new residential construction as well as in the renovation of buildings. The transportation industry's prospects have also weakened.
The objective of Metsäliitto Wood Products Industry's business strategy is to increase added value and to decrease the proportion of standard products. During the first three quarters of the year, Wood Products Industry acquired iLevel's European engineering wood operations, constructed a new birch plywood upgrading mill in Suolahti and started the modernisation of the Boston unit's upgrading line in the UK.
Pulp During January-September, Metsä-Botnia's sales increased by approximately 20 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year, amounting to EUR 1,232 million (1,028). The operating result was EUR 221 million (160).
The sales and operating result improved particularly due to the excellent performance of the Uruguay mill, which started up in November 2007. The impact of the IFRS valuation of Uruguayan forests was approximately EUR 17 million. The profitability of the Finnish mills was only satisfactory due to higher wood raw material costs and the unsteady availability of raw material.
Frequent paper mill shutdowns during the summer in North America and Europe reduced the demand for pulp. In the third quarter, Chinese paper manufacturers also began to consume their existing pulp stocks and decreased their purchase volumes. As pulp mill utilisation rates were high during the third quarter, compared to the previous quarter, although demand was poor, the producers` pulp stocks increased markedly and pulp prices took a downward turn. In June, softwood pulp was selling at USD 900/tonne and hardwood pulp at USD 840/tonne. The comparable prices at the end of September were USD 850 and USD 800.
Foreign-currency-denominated market prices for softwood pulp were, on average, 13 per cent higher in January-September compared with the corresponding period last year. The average prices of hardwood pulp increased by 19 per cent. Conversely, the US dollar dropped approximately 13 per cent, so euro-denominated prices increased only slightly.
The Fray Bentos mill in Uruguay is performing steadily to the standards required as concerns production, product quality and the environment. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, released the first environmental monitoring report for the mill since it began operating in November 2007. The report finds that the mill is performing to the air and water quality standards projected in the Cumulative Impact Study (CIS) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) published by IFC before mill start-up. Emissions and effluents also remain clearly below the permit limits defined by the Uruguayan environmental authorities.
The external operating system of the Fray Bentos mill was audited in September by Inspecta. The audit results confirmed that the mill complies with international quality, environmental, occupational health and safety and product safety standards. The mill will be brought under Metsä-Botnia's joint ISO certificate at a later date.
M-real's result includes 30 per cent of pulp production's operating profit. In total, 53 per cent of the figures for the Pulp Industry are consolidated into Metsäliitto Group's financial statements.
Board and Paper Board and Paper Industry's sales totalled EUR 2,514 million (2,671), and the operating result excluding non-recurring items was EUR 16 million (66).
Increased wood raw material and energy costs, the stronger euro against the US dollar and British pound, and the production curtailments at Metsä-Botnia's mills in Finland depressed the operating result excluding non-recurring items compared with last year. The result was improved by the cost savings measures and price increases that were implemented, and the launch of the pulp mill in Uruguay in November 2007.
Non-recurring items totalled EUR 84 million net (73) in January-September.
The non-recurring items recognised in the operating result in July-September totalled EUR -11 million. They consisted of a EUR 13 million cost provision concerning the guarantee to the mill's energy supplier on behalf of the Pont Sainte Maxence (PSM) mill, sold in June 2006, the write-down of corresponding receivables from PSM and a EUR 2 million gain on the sale of land of mills sold at an earlier date.
During the second quarter, the EUR 74 million gain on the sale of Pohjolan Voima shares was booked as income, and a EUR 2 million cost provision dealing with the sales network efficiency enhancement programme was booked as an expense. During the first quarter, EUR 24 million was booked as income connected to the release of pension liabilities in the UK as a result of the divestment of the New Thames mill, and from certain other liabilities related to the shut-down of the Sittingbourne mill. Different cost provisions totalling EUR 1 million were booked as expenses.
The operating result including non-recurring items was EUR 100 million (139). Net interest and other financial expenses totalled EUR 108 million (100), income from associates was EUR -1 million (0) and net exchange gains/losses recognised as financial items were EUR 2 million (-3).
The result before tax from continuing operations was EUR -7 million (36), earnings per share were EUR -0.05 (0.06) and return on capital employed was 4.9 per cent (6.1). Excluding non-recurring items, the result before taxes was EUR -91 million (-37), earnings per share were EUR -0.31 (-0.19) and the return on capital employed was 1.3 per cent (3.2).
At the end of September, M-real's equity ratio was 32.5 per cent and net gearing was 114 per cent (31 December 2007: 34.4% and 99%). In some of M-real's borrowing arrangements, a limit of 120 per cent has been set for net gearing and a limit of 30 per cent for the equity ratio. At the end of September, net gearing calculated in the manner defined in the borrowing agreements was approximately 96 per cent, and the equity ratio approximately 38 per cent.
Tissue and Cooking Papers In January-September, sales of Metsä Tissue, which produces tissue and cooking papers, stood at EUR 696 million (632), and its operating result was EUR 33 million (22). The steady development in Metsä-Tissue's own brands and private label products contributed to the improvement in the result.
The operating result includes approximately EUR 5 million in non-recurring expenses and approximately EUR 4 million in non-recurring income.
Sales were up approximately 10 per cent from last year. Growth was promoted by an increase in production volumes (4%), the increase in selling prices and the changes in sales structure (6%).
Clean and Shine cleaning paper was launched under the Serla brand. In the large-scale consumer business, the Saga brand was integrated into the Katrin brand. The products were also grouped into three different quality grades at the same time. The Mola brand design was also modernised.
A second upgrading line was installed at the Naro Fominski distribution and upgrading unit in Russia. The line manufactures products under the Lambi, Mola and Katrin brands. Roller towel production for large-scale customers began in Krapkowice, Poland.
The construction of new warehouse space in Zilina, Slovakia, and Düren, Germany, is progressing according to schedule. The Bork warehouse in Germany has been sold.
In Sweden, the company launched a 12-month maintenance project in September with the purpose of documenting the best maintenance practices and sharing them throughout all Metsä Tissue units.
Risks and uncertainties Since the estimates and statements in this interim report are based on current plans and projections, they involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed in such statements. The risks related to the Group's business have been explained more extensively in Metsäliitto Group's annual report for 2007.
Consumer and investment demand are declining because of the financial crisis, and global economic uncertainty could have a negative impact on the market outlook in the long term.
Outlook Demand for all timber types continues to be good in Finland, and Metsäliitto is in an good position to respond to the desired and permanent upturn in the wood trade. Stands marked for felling before the winter, roundwood and forest energy are in particular demand. Although weather conditions in Finland will have an impact on the supply of wood to the Group's mills, it is probable that sufficient quantities can be supplied by means of special arrangements.
In order to improve the weakened profitability of the Solid Wood business line, Metsäliitto Wood Products Industry will have to initiate further production adjustment measures. The remaining business lines continue to be profitable despite the difficult market situation. Solid Wood will achieve a negative result for the full year, and the profitable operations of other business lines will not be enough to make the overall result profitable.
As pulp prices are expected to show a slightly declining trend, achieving profitable performance will be a challenge for Metsä-Botnia. The fourth-quarter result is nevertheless expected to be at a good level. The sharp growth in production costs will erode the profitability of the Finnish mills, and there will be further production curtailments in Finland.
The demand for M-real's principal products in Europe seems to be continuing at a relatively stable level in the fourth quarter, and measures aimed at increasing product prices will be continued in all business areas. Production costs will remain high, and M-real will not be able to fully offset cost inflation through its own cost-efficiency measures this year.
M-real's fourth-quarter operating result excluding non-recurring items is expected to show a seasonal weakening on the third quarter. The overall operating result for 2008 excluding non-recurring items will remain weaker than the year before. This is attributable to higher production expenses, restrictions in pulp production due to the wood raw material situation and the fact that price increases for coated fine paper have been delayed.
The weakening growth prospects in Europe are not expected to have any significant influence on the sales volumes of tissue and cooking paper. There is continuing pressure to transfer the higher expenses, regarding energy and transportation in particular, to sales prices.
Metsäliitto Group's third-quarter result excluding non-recurring items was in line with expectations. Due to seasonal factors and the difficult market situation of the Wood Products Industry in particular, the fourth-quarter operating profit before non-recurring items is likely to remain below the previous quarter's level. Metsäliitto Group's operating result for 2008, excluding non-recurring items will remain clearly below last year's level.
Espoo, 22 October 2008
Metsäliitto Group Board of Directors
For further information: Ilkka Pitkänen, Group CFO, Metsäliitto Group, tel. +358 10 465 4260 Anne-Mari Achrén, Group CCO, Metsäliitto Group, tel. +358 10 465 4541
Unaudited
METSÄLIITTO GROUP
Income statement 2008 2007 2008 2007 2007 (EUR mill.) 1-9 1-9 Change Q3 Q3 1-12 Sales 4 981 5 167 -186 1 595 1 698 6 797 Other operating income 215 66 149 43 28 92 Materials and services -3 362 -3 354 -8 -1 082 -1 139 -4 453 Employee costs -668 -730 62 -212 -226 -974 Other operating expenses -672 -652 -20 -231 -179 -829 Depreciation and -286 -299 13 -94 -89 -589 impairment losses Operating profit 208 198 10 19 93 44 Share of results in 11 5 6 7 2 12 associates Net exchange gains / 1 -3 4 1 1 5 losses Other financial income 17 13 4 7 -1 17 Other financial expenses -193 -169 -24 -70 -57 -238 Result before tax 44 44 0 -36 38 -160 Income taxes -5 -59 54 3 -16 -24 Result from continuing 39 -15 54 -33 22 -184 operations
Result from discontinued -276 -22 -254 -212 -5 -27 operations Net result for the period -237 -37 -200 -245 17 -211
Attributable to: Owners of parent company -73 50 -123 -92 21 -9 Minority interest -164 -87 -77 -153 -4 -202 -237 -37 -200 -245 17 -211
Change in members' Mem- Share Trans- Fair Retain- Mino- Total funds bers' pre- lation value ed rity EUR mill. capi- mium differ- and ear- inte- tal acc- ences other nings rest ount reser- ves Adjusted members' 577 30 6 136 628 1 194 2 571 funds January 1, 2007 Currency flow hedges recorded in equity 2 4 6 transferred to sales -6 -10 -16 Interest flow hedges recorded in equity 1 2 4 transferred to -1 -2 -3 financial items Commodity hedges recorded in equity 0 -2 -2 transferred to 4 5 9 purchases Assets classified as held for sale recognised to fair -7 -22 -29 value transferred to 0 financial items Translation -17 -12 -29 differences Net investment hedges 13 9 21 Other items -2 0 -2 Tax on equity -3 2 4 3 components Recognised directly in 0 0 -7 -5 -2 -24 -38 equity Result for the period 50 -87 -37 Total 0 0 -7 -5 49 -111 -75
Dividends paid -33 -13 -46 Increase in members' 17 17 capital, other changes Change in share 0 premium account Change in revaluation 3 -3 0 reserve Transfer from 0 unrestricted to restricted equity Business arrangements 4 4 Total 17 0 0 -3 -36 -9 -25 Adjusted members' 593 30 -1 134 641 1 074 2 471 funds Sept. 30, 2007
Change in members' funds Mem- Share Trans- Fair Retain- Mino- Total EUR mill. bers' pre- lation value ed rity capi- mium differ- and ear- inte- tal acc- ences other nings rest ount reser- ves Adjusted members' 574 30 -7 148 583 978 2 306 funds January 1, 2008 Currency flow hedges recorded in equity -3 -4 -7 transferred to sales -2 -4 -6 Interest flow hedges recorded in equity -1 -1 -2 transferred to 0 -1 -1 financial items Commodity hedges recorded in equity 2 2 4 transferred to 0 0 0 purchases Assets classified as held for sale recognised to fair 44 60 104 value transferred to -11 -17 -28 financial items Translation 14 9 23 differences Net investment hedges -3 -1 -4 Other items 0 0 0 Tax on equity 1 -8 -9 -16 components Recognised directly in 0 0 12 21 0 34 67 equity Result for the period -73 -164 -237 Total 0 0 12 21 -73 -130 -170
Dividends paid -36 -13 -50 Increase in members' -4 -4 capital, other changes Change in share 0 premium account Change in revaluation 0 reserve Transfer from 6 -6 0 unrestricted to restricted equity Business arrangements 3 3 Total -4 0 0 6 -42 -10 -51 Members' funds Sept. 570 30 5 175 468 837 2 085 30, 2008
Unaudited
Cash flow statement 2008 2007 2007 (EUR mill.) 1-9 1-9 1-12 Cash flow from operations Result for the period -237 -37 -211 Adjustments total 549 565 859 Change in working capital -89 -200 -34 Cash flow generated from operations 223 328 614 Net financial items -150 -174 -265 Income taxes paid -57 -60 -78 Net cash flow from operations 16 94 272
Cash flow from investments Acquisitions -3 -10 -46 Purchases of assets -187 -308 -447 Sold assets and others 170 93 447 Net cash flow from investments -20 -224 -45
Cash flow from financing Increase in equity -2 21 29 Change in long-term loans and other financial items -146 79 -21 Dividends paid -55 -51 -51 Net cash flow from financing -203 49 -42
Change in cash and cash equivalents -206 -81 184
Cash at beginning of period 428 246 246 Translation difference 0 -2 -3 Change in cash and cash equivalents -206 -81 184 Cash in assets classified as held for sale -3 1 0 Cash at end of period 218 164 428
EBITDA = Result before depreciation and impairment losses
Others I-III/08 I-III/07 QIII/08 QIII/07 I-IV/07 Operating profit 150 68 10 24 104 of which Wood Supply 26 28 4 9 38 Tissue and Cooking Papers 33 22 13 8 35 Market Pulp and Energy 50 32 21 14 39 Others and Group 41 -14 -28 -7 -8 eliminations
M-real includes 30 per cent of the Pulp Industry's (Metsä-Botnia) operating profit and Metsäliitto a further 23 per cent in the segments Consumer Packaging, Papers and Market Pulp and Energy. Production
Share of results in associates 7 2 2 7 2 1 2 Net exchange gains / 1 -2 2 8 1 0 -4 losses Other fin. income & -63 -51 -62 -65 -58 -43 -55 expenses Result before tax -36 54 26 -204 38 33 -27 Income taxes 3 -1 -7 35 -16 -25 -18 Result from continuing -33 53 19 -169 22 8 -45 operations
Result from discontinued -212 -45 -19 -5 -5 -13 -4 operations Net result for the period -245 8 0 -174 17 -5 -49
Unaudited
Change in tangible assets QIII/08 QIII/07 I-IV/07 Book value at beginning of period 4 021 4 197 4 197 Company acquisitions 4 3 22 Increase 180 299 430 Decrease -99 -144 -72 Assets classified as held for sale -646 - - Depreciation and impairment charges -268 -267 -362 - " - , discontinued operations -149 -58 -118 Translation differences and other changes 4 74 -76 Book value at end of period 3 047 4 104 4 021
Assets classified as held for sale include The Graphic Papers Business Area. Depreciation and impairment charges of discontinued operations include for the comparison periods also the depreciations of the MAP Merchant Group.
Commitments QIII/08 QIII/07 QIV/07 On own behalf (incl. leasing liabilities) 317 365 347 On behalf of associated companies 3 2 3 On behalf of others 2 5 4 Total 322 372 355
Commitments related to fixed assets QIII/08 QIII/07 QIV/07 Payments due under 1 year 0 61 38 Payments due in subsequent years 1 7 7
The market value of open derivative contracts at the end of the review period was EUR -3 million (12/07: EUR 29 million). Open derivative contracts also include closed contracts to a total amount of EUR 586 million (12/07: EUR 793 million).
Accounting policies The Financial Statements Bulletin was prepared in accordance with the IAS 34 standard Interim Financial Reporting and the accounting policies presented in Metsäliitto Group's Annual Report 2007.
Taxes include taxes corresponding to the result for the period under review.
This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
