Near term outlook
Source: Financial statements bulletin 2024
The overall demand for consumer products and fresh fibre paperboards is influenced by the development of consumers’ purchasing power and general purchasing behaviour. Paperboard capacity, which is growing faster than demand, may cause imbalances, especially in the European paperboard market.
In January–March 2025, Metsä Board’s paperboard delivery volumes are expected to increase from the previous quarter (10–12/2024: 342,000 tonnes). Sales prices in local currencies are expected to remain stable.
Total costs, excluding pulp costs, are expected to remain at the previous quarter’s level.
There are no planned annual maintenance shutdowns at the mills in January–March.
Demand for softwood market pulp is expected to remain stable in Europe and China. Pulp capacity closures and restrictions related to the availability of wood raw material in North America, announced last year, will continue to reduce the supply of softwood market pulp. Demand for sawn timber is expected to remain at the current level.
Associated company Metsä Fibre’s result share is ex-pected to improve from the previous quarter.
In January–March 2025, exchange rate fluctuations, including the impact of hedges, will have a flat impact on the result compared to October–December 2024 and slightly positive impact compared to January–March 2024.
Result guidance for January–March 2025
Metsä Board’s comparable operating result in January–March 2025 is expected to improve from October–December 2024.