Company prepares for separation of Swedish forest assets and expects geopolitical tensions to increase costs in Q2.
Finance
Lumber pricing rises on tighter supply, but weak demand, duties, and disruptions cut shipments and keep both lumber and pulp operations under pressure.
High roundwood prices and slightly higher felling volumes lift income, even as trade and prices ease late in the year.
Volatile mortgage rates, weather disruptions, and cautious housing demand weigh on results and margins, with the largest pricing and gross-margin pressure in engineered wood products.
Lumber sales realizations rise 13% from fourth-quarter averages and oriented strand board realizations rise 8%.
The company points to weaker housing affordability in Ontario and British Columbia and expects its Clinton, Ontario automation site to start operating in July 2026.
Company expects Q2 2026 earnings of $2.33 per share as prices move higher with previously announced increases.
Packaging Solutions North America operating profit falls to $248 million on seasonally lower volumes and storm-related cost increases.
Mortgage rates above 6% and tariff uncertainty shape 2026 operating plans and input-cost expectations.
North America volumes grow broadly despite private label diaper exit as International Personal Care sales surge 9.1%.
Cost savings programme offsets lower prices as group begins market-driven shutdown at Joutseno pulp mill.
High industry inventories and cold weather limit production, while the company enters Phase 2 of its internal efficiency work.
Significant overcapacity in the forest industry led to production curtailments that reduced demand for pulpwood, and pulpwood prices fell during the quarter. Log demand decreased, and log prices began to decline slightly from very high levels.
North America sales surge 60% following opening of dedicated manufacturing facility in 2024.
The builder cited affordability concerns and competitive conditions, and said it adjusted incentives, sales pace and production while working down spec inventory.
The forestry group cites higher logistics and input costs, a stronger krona and uneven pricing between wood supply and finished products, while pointing to small pulp-price gains late in the quarter.
Affordability limits and cautious buyers keep incentives elevated as orders rise and the builder reduces unsold completed inventory.
Company completes full acquisition of ASV Packaging and invests over Euro 60 million to boost production capacity and automation.
Weak lumber demand and price pressure in China, a stronger ruble, and high interest costs drove asset impairments, capacity curtailments, and lower fourth-quarter sales.
Temporary cost increases from higher energy consumption and rising transport costs weigh on first-quarter results.