Portucel’s profit increased 2.3% to EUR 41.8 million – publico

                 

                         
                     

                 

 
                         

The profit of Portucel rose 2.3% to EUR 41.8 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period last year, announced this Wednesday the group led by Diogo da Silveira.

                     

                         In a statement filed with the Securities Market Commission (CMVM), the Portucel Group reveals that turnover grew 6.4% to 388.8 million euros for and states that the first three months of this year were marked “by the positive context of paper pulp prices, as well as by strong movements in exchange rates, notably the appreciation of the dollar against the euro. “

The paper mill also notes that the turnover figure includes 14.5 million Sales euros for the AMS, t company issue [paper intended for handkerchiefs and napkins, for example] recently acquired by Portucel, which is now included in the results presented by the group.

Once you have reached “record levels of sales” in the last quarter 2014, the operating performance of the uncoated area of ​​printing and writing paper (UWF) was more moderate in the first months of the year by registering a drop of 4.6% in apparent consumption in Europe.

As such, the group fell by 1.8% in sales volume, “a reduction, however, was more than offset by developments favorable average selling price of the group at that paper sales in value in the period grew by 1.5%, “advances the company.

The group explains that this” favorable evolution in the average price was supported by the strong appreciation of the dollar against the euro and by changing the ‘mix’ geographical sales, increasing the level of exports outside Europe. “

The rise in pulp prices led to an increase 12.7% in the value of sales, despite a decrease of about 5% in sales volume, mainly due to lower availability of market pulp, following the scheduled maintenance stoppages in the manufacturing of complex Group.

EBITDA (gross profit) Consolidated increased 4.4% to 81.4 million euros, including two million euros to the AMS, and the margin of EBITDA / Sales was 20.9%.

The Cash Flow exploration totaled EUR 69 million, 3.1% more than in the same quarter and the operating results have evolved in line with EBITDA growing 4.4% and situando- in 54.2 million euros. There was also an increase in costs of around EUR 2.8 million people, reflecting the rejuvenation program started in the second half of 2014 and which is currently in force in the group.