Year-end Report 2013

JANUARY 1–DECEMBER 31, 2013 (compared with same period a year ago)

• Net sales rose 4% (10% excluding exchange rate effects and divestments) to SEK 89,019m (85,408)
• Operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 15% (19% excluding exchange rate effects and divestments) to SEK 9,934m (8,646)
• Profit before tax, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 21% (25% excluding exchange rate effects and divestments) to SEK 8,934m (7,382)
• Items affecting comparability totaled SEK -1,251m (-2,634), including revaluation of Vinda with a positive effect of SEK 564m (0)
• Earnings per share were SEK 7.90 (7.06)
• Cash flow from current operations was SEK 5,989m (7,271)
• The Board of Directors proposes an increase in the dividend by 5.6% to SEK 4.75 (4.50)
  

(Table included in attached pdf)

CEO’S COMMENTS
SCA further strengthened its position in emerging markets in 2013. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the offer for the Chinese tissue company Vinda was completed, and SCA is today the majority owner of Vinda with 51.4% ownership in the company. SCA decided during the year to invest in local production of hygiene products in India and has launched Libero baby diapers and Tempo consumer tissue in the Indian market.

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

Consolidated net sales for 2013, excluding exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 10% compared with a year ago. The increase is mainly attributable to acquisitions and higher volumes. Operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 19%. Cost savings, higher volumes, the acquisition in Europe and gains on forest swaps contributed to the earnings improvement. Operating profit for Personal Care and Tissue, excluding items affecting comparability, exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 4% and 27%, respectively. Operating profit for Forest Products, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 35%. Profit before tax, excluding items affecting comparability, exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 25%.

Consolidated net sales for the fourth quarter of 2013, excluding exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 1% compared with the same period a year ago. The increase is mainly attributable to higher volumes. Operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 31%. Cost savings and gains on forest swaps contributed to the earnings improvement. The corresponding profit for Tissue rose 18%, while profit for Personal Care decreased by 12% as a result of lower earnings for baby diapers associated with an increase in marketing activities. However, incontinence care products and feminine care products had a positive earnings impact. Operating profit for Forest Products, excluding items affecting comparability, rose 188%. Profit before tax, excluding items affecting comparability, exchange rate effects and divestments, rose 38%.

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 January 29, 2014, at 8.00 CET. This report has not been reviewed by the company’s auditors.

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