SCA’s net sales for January-December 2018 amounted to SEK 18,755 million ($2 billion), an increase of 13%, of which price/mix accounted for 13%, volume for -5%, and currency for 5%. Sales increased in all segments, mainly related to higher prices and positive exchange rate effects, as the company said in the press release received by Lesprom Network.
FY 2018 EBITDA increased 44% to SEK 5,252 million ($583 million), which corresponds to an EBITDA margin of 28%. The increase was mainly attributable to higher selling prices. Earnings were positively impacted by exchange rate effects, but adversely impacted by higher raw material costs and lower delivery volumes, primarily in Pulp.
Operating profit in 2018 increased 59% to SEK 4,002 million ($444 million).
Net sales for the 4Q 2018 grew by 16%, of which price/mix accounted for 11%, volume for -1% and currency for 6%, and amounted to SEK 4,926 million ($547 million). The sales growth was mainly related to higher prices in all segments and positive exchange rate effects.
4Q 2018 EBITDA amounted to SEK 1,494 million ($166 million), an increase of 38%. The increase was mainly attributable to higher selling prices and positive exchange rate effects. Higher raw material costs had a negative impact on earnings. The cost of planned maintenance stops amounted to SEK 97 million ($10.8 million).
Operating profit increased 45% to SEK 1,143 million ($127 million).
Based in Sweden, SCA produces solid-wood products, pulp, kraftliner, publication papers and renewable energy.
