Interim Report Q3 2013

JANUARY 1–SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 (compared with same period a year ago)

• Net sales rose 7% (14% excluding exchange rate effects and divestments) to SEK 66,577m (61,963)
• Operating profit excluding items affecting comparability rose 11% (15% excluding exchange rate effects) to SEK 6,885m (6,224)
• Profit before tax, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 17% (21% excluding exchange rate effects) to SEK 6,140m (5,253)
• Items affecting comparability amounted to SEK -1,024m (-1,441)
• Earnings per share were SEK 5.28 (4.09)
• Cash flow from current operations was 4,060m (5,607)

(Table included in attached pdf)

  
CEO’S COMMENTS
To further strengthen its position in emerging markets, SCA has made an offer for the Chinese tissue company Vinda and has decided to invest in local production of hygiene products in India.

The efficiency programs in the hygiene and forest products operations are progressing according to plan.

Consolidated net sales for the first nine months of 2013, excluding exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 14% compared with the same period a year ago. The increase is mainly attributable to acquisitions and higher volumes. Operating profit excluding items affecting comparability and exchange rate effects rose 15%. Acquisition in Europe, higher volumes, lower raw material costs and cost savings contributed to the earnings improvement. Operating profit for Personal Care and Tissue, excluding items affecting comparability, divestments and exchange rate effects, rose 9% and 31% respectively. Operating profit for Forest Products, excluding items affecting comparability, decreased by 11%. Profit before tax, excluding items affecting comparability and exchange rate effects, rose 21%.

Consolidated net sales for the third quarter of 2013, excluding exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 6% compared with the same period a year ago. The increase is mainly attributable to higher volumes. Operating profit excluding items affecting comparability, divestments and exchange rate effects rose 12%. Higher volumes and prices along with cost savings contributed to the earnings improvement. The corresponding profit for Tissue rose 22%, while profit for Personal Care decreased by 3%. Operating profit for Forest Products, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 49%. Profit before tax, excluding items affecting comparability and exchange rate effects, rose 18%.

Operating profit for the third quarter of 2013, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 17% compared with the second quarter of 2013.

  
For further information, please contact:
Johan Karlsson, Vice President Investor Relations, Corporate Communications, +46 8 788 51 30
Boo Ehlin, Vice President Media Relations, Corporate Communications, +46 8 788 51 36
Joséphine Edwall-Björklund, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, +46 8 788 52 34

   
NB
SCA discloses the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Markets Act. This report has been prepared in both Swedish and English versions. In case of variations in the content between the two versions, the Swedish version shall govern. Submitted for publication on October 18, 2013, at 8.00 CET. This report has not been reviewed by the company’s auditors.