Stora Enso’s result matched forecasts

Forestry company Stora Enson the adjusted operating profit was EUR 100 million in the last quarter of the year.

Information service by Vara Research the consensus forecast compiled by 13 analysts predicts the adjusted operating result to have been EUR 100.7 million. In the comparison period, the adjusted operating result was 121 million euros.

The range of forecasts for the adjusted operating result was 85.0–126.8 million euros.

Turnover in October–December was 2,254 million euros.

Analysts expected turnover to have been 2,292 million euros. In the comparison period, the company’s turnover was 2,322 million euros.

The forecast range for turnover was EUR 2,199.0–2,345.6 million.

The company made a profit per share of 0.46 euros. In the comparison period, earnings per share were EUR 0.43. Analysts had expected 0.07 euros.

Stora Enso’s board proposes that a dividend of EUR 0.25 per share be paid. Analysts anticipate a dividend of EUR 0.28 per share. For the year 2024, Stora Enso paid shareholders EUR 0.25 per share as dividends in two different installments.

According to the company, the near-term outlook is difficult to predict. The market is still challenging and consumer confidence is weak. Geopolitical uncertainty weakens predictability.

Stora Enso in the packaging and pulp market expects to remain stable at a low level.

A busy end of the year

The key events of the end of the year were the start of a strategic assessment of the operations of sawmills and construction solutions in Central Europe and the confirmation that Stora Enso is preparing to separate its Swedish forest business into a new listed company in the first half of 2027.

According to the company, as a result of the sale of 175,000 hectares of Swedish forest assets, which will be completed in 2025, the adjusted operating result will decrease by approximately 20 million euros on an annual basis. The estimated impact per quarter is around five million euros.

CEO of Stora Enso Hans Sohlström describes the year 2025 as a turning point in the interim report, referring to the above-mentioned actions.

Despite the challenging macroeconomic and market environment, Stora Enso achieved a solid result, according to Sohlström.

“Basic performance improved in all business areas, except for the Biomaterials segment, which was affected by lower pulp prices,” commented Sohlström.

The output was also reduced last year by the ramp-up of the new cardboard line at the Oulu factory. It is a total investment of around one billion euros for the company.

“A sawmill company Junnikkala Oy:n the purchase further strengthened our wood procurement chain, and it supports the competitiveness of our unit in Oulu”, Sohlström estimates.

The turnover for the whole year is increasing

According to Sohlström, the differentiation and listing of Sweden’s forest assets on the stock exchange is a key focus, as well as the ongoing strategic review of the wood products business in Central Europe and the start-up of a new production line in Oulu.

According to Sohlström, the capital market day organized in the last quarter of the year is clear.

Stora Enso wants to be a leader in creating customer value, grow business, strengthen margins and generate strong cash flow during the business cycle.

“We achieve this through our continuous efforts in procurement, operational efficiency, commercial expertise, working capital and fixed costs while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation,” says Sohlström.

Stora Enso’s adjusted operating profit for the entire year 2025 was EUR 528 million. In 2024, the adjusted operating result was 598 million euros.

The turnover for the entire year 2025 was 9,326 million euros, while it was 9,049 million euros the previous year.