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Investing.com -- Shares of Mondi PLC (LSE:LON:MNDI) climbed 3.3% today as the company reported a first quarter EBITDA of €290 million, surpassing market expectations and its own previous quarter’s results.
The figure includes a modest €2 million gain from forest fair value adjustments and excludes maintenance costs, contrasting with the fourth quarter of 2024, which saw a €27 million forest fair value loss.
The positive earnings report comes against a backdrop of Mondi’s strategic moves, including significant capital expenditures and mergers and acquisitions, which are expected to enhance its earnings and free cash flow as the packaging sector recovers.
The company has been focusing on high-return investments, with over €1.2 billion in major capital expenditures anticipated to yield returns exceeding 15%.
Additionally, the recent €654 million acquisition of Schumacher Packaging (NYSE:PKG) is set to contribute to Mondi’s growth trajectory.
Despite the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty fueled by trade tensions, Mondi has not observed any substantial direct impacts on its operations.
Instead, the company notes potential secondary risks to demand and consumer confidence.
However, Mondi’s first quarter has seen stronger order books, and the company anticipates that price increases in corrugated and flexible packaging, starting from the second quarter, will further benefit earnings.
While the wider European paper and packaging sector faces production cuts ranging from 5% to 20% due to various challenges, including foreign exchange and macro uncertainties, Mondi remains relatively shielded.
The company expects minimal production adjustments, if any, within the 0-5% range.
This resilience supports analysts’ projections of around €1.2 billion in EBITDA for the year, which aligns with consensus estimates of €1.22 billion and just slightly below the €1.26 billion forecast by Jefferies Financial Group.
Investors responded positively to the news, propelling Mondi’s stock upward as the first quarter EBITDA landed at the upper end of market expectations.
The company’s balanced commentary on its outlook and the affirmation of its 2025 EBITDA projections have further bolstered investor confidence.
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