Quarter   January-September Full year
SEKm 3-10 2-10 3-09 2010 2009 2009
Net turnover 4 205 4 227 4 387 12 833 13 412 18 071
Operating profit 383 268 442 971 1 229 1 620
Profit after tax 216 133 280 528 781 1 006
Earnings per share, SEK 2.6 1.6 3.3 6.3 9.3 12.0
Return on equity, % 5.2 3.2 7.0 4.3 6.7 6.4
  • Profit after tax for January-September 2010 was SEK 528 million (January-September 2009: SEK 781 million).
  • Earnings per share reached SEK 6.3 (9.3). Return on equity totalled 4.3 per cent (6.7).
  • Operating profit amounted to SEK 971 million (1 229). Holmen Paper's operating profit deteriorated considerably as a result of lower newsprint prices and higher fibre costs. Profitability in the Group's other business areas improved.
  • From the second to the third quarter, operating profit climbed by SEK 115 million to SEK 383 million. The improvement is explained by seasonally lower staff and maintenance costs and higher paperboard production.
  • Demand for newsprint in Europe remained weak in the third quarter. The virgin fibre board market was robust and deliveries to Europe rose by 10 per cent during the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2009.

For further information please contact:

Magnus Hall, President and CEO, tel. +46 8 666 21 05

Anders Jernhall, CFO, tel. +46 8 666 21 22

Ingela Carlsson, Public Relations Director, tel. +46 70 212 97 12