Blog Keyword - Midland PaperClips - fine paper, packaging and supply systems distributor

05.08.2012

Appleton Reports First Quarter 2012 Results

Appleton’s first quarter 2012 net sales of $219.6 million increased 0.7% compared to first quarter 2011 net sales of $218.0 million. The Company achieved strong revenue growth in the thermal papers segment where an 11.1% increase in net sales offset the decrease in sales for carbonless papers and Encapsys.

Appleton reported a first quarter 2012 operating loss of $49.8 million compared to operating income of $10.3 million during first quarter 2011. Current year results include restructuring expense and other costs totaling $61.3 million related to ceasing papermaking operations at its West Carrollton, Ohio mill. The 2011 first quarter results included a $3.2 million litigation settlement expense.

Mark Richards, Appleton’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said an excellent performance by the Company’s thermal papers segment enabled Appleton to exceed sales and profit expectations for the quarter, excluding restructuring expense and other related costs. While shipments of thermal receipt paper declined more than 3% compared to first quarter 2011, volume for the Company’s tag, ticket and entertainment (TLE) products, rose nearly 20%, led by an increase of more than 50% for shipments to international markets. “Our thermal segment continues to achieve strong growth, especially our TLE products,” said Richards. “Capturing that growth is consistent with our strategy to place greater focus on TLE product sales while improving the profitability of our thermal papers receipt business.”

Richards said the growth of Appleton’s thermal papers segment has helped to offset the decline of the carbonless segment. He added that there were no surprises with the performance of the Company’s carbonless segment, whose shipments declined 6% compared to first quarter 2011. “Fundamental objectives for all our segments are to reduce waste, improve operating efficiencies, reduce working capital, and provide the best product quality,” Richards said. “We have performed well.”

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05.08.2012

Cascades Price increase announcement

Effective with shipments made on or after June 4th, 2012, prices for the following cut size products and their product derivatives will increase by $2.00/cwt: Rolland Enviro100 Copy; ReproPlus50

All standard up charges remain in effect. Orders entered prior to May 7th, 2012 will be invoiced at the acknowledged price.

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05.07.2012

Time Nabs Magazine of the Year

The National Magazine Award winners were announced and honored Thursday night and while there were some familiar faces taking home the elephant statues, or "ellies," there were no runaway winners by specific magazine title, although Condé Nast received six of the 18 awards. According to ASME, 269 magazines submitted 1,800 entries.

Time Magazine grabbed magazine of the year—the most highly coveted award—and aside from Terry McDonnell's induction into ASME's Magazine Editor's Hall of Fame it was Time Inc.'s only win for the evening. Of the multiple award-winning titles, New York received three awards (essays and criticism, magazine section and single-topic issue) and The New Yorker received two (public interest and reporting).

Vanity Fair won for columns and commentary in a posthumous nod for three of Christopher Hitchens' columns that were among the last he wrote before dying of cancer last December.

Newcomers always get the spotlight when the finalists are announced and this year's—Vice and The Fader—did not make the podium for their general excellence nods for general-interest and active- and special interest magazines, respectively. Bloomberg Businessweek and Inc. took those awards instead.

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05.07.2012

Oil Falls to Four-Month Low on European Votes, U.S. Jobs

Oil fell to the lowest level in more than four months after European elections stoked speculation that austerity efforts will be derailed and weaker-than-expected jobs data underscored concern the U.S. economy may falter.

Futures pared losses after slumping as much as 3.2 percent to the lowest intraday price since Dec. 20. European equities and the euro fell after France elected Socialist Francois Hollande as president and Greek voters flocked to anti-bailout parties. Crude extended a 4 percent drop on May 4 after U.S. payrolls rose by the least in six months.

“Elections in France and Greece brought euro-zone fears back to the fore,” Nam Truong, a dealer at London Capital Group Holdings Plc, said in an e-mailed note. Investors are concerned that European austerity measures will weaken and additional stimulus will be needed to “prop up ailing euro-zone economies,” he said.

Crude for June delivery plunged as much as $3.15 to $95.34 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange and was at $97.89 at 11:07 a.m. London time. The contract tumbled $4.05 to $98.49 on May 4, the lowest close since February 7.

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05.07.2012

4As Print Committee Urges MPA, Publishers To Establish Transparency For Tablet Metrics

In an open letter to the MPA and to individual publishers, the Print Media Committee of the 4As is urging the magazine industry to be much more transparent in reporting readership of their tablet editions and interaction metrics for enhanced ads. The letter, signed by Group M managing partner and director of print George Jansen applauds the MPA for its recently issued guidelines for tablet edition reporting, but pointedly asks for greater depth and specificity in distinguishing among the types of tablet readers. In addition to calling on publishers to break out subscription and single-copy tablet edition sales, the group wants more insight into how many digital readers are subscribing from the device and how many are authenticating their print subscriptions for tablet access.

The 4As committee also asked for third party research that measures tablet readership across devices and in a consistent format that measures all publishing companies. The letter very sharply criticized the practice of bundling digital editions as part of overall circulation to meet rate base guarantees even though some advertisers are not themselves choosing to let their print ads run in the tablet editions. “These advertisers should not be charged for circulation they are not purchasing,” the letter states. “Magazines should establish a print ratebase and a digital ratebase, which will give the advertiser the flexibility to purchase the circulation they desire.”

Finally, the letter asks for more and deeper engagement metrics around enhanced tablet ads: “at minimum, average time spent with ‘enhanced’ ads such as video, slideshows, etc.” The committee also wants more data around how people are interacting with hot links in tablet ads.

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05.07.2012

International Paper To Invest $44M At Louisiana Mill

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's office says International Paper Co. is spending $44 million on new equipment and technology and other upgrades at its Bogalusa mill.

Jindal's office said Friday that the investment helps retain more than 400 jobs at the facility.

International Paper became the century-old mill's fifth owner when the company acquired Temple-Inland Inc. in February.

International Paper is based in Memphis, Tenn., and operates 10 facilities in Louisiana.

The state offered a $2.2 million tax credit to assist with the upgrades, which are scheduled to be completed in mid-2013.

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05.07.2012

Resolute Owns 63.3% of Fibrek; Extends Offer to May 17

AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, today announced that it has taken up and accepted for payment 12,305,679 additional shares of Fibrek Inc. deposited to its offer as of the close of business today. Together with the shares the Company acquired up to and including May 3, Resolute holds approximately 63.3% of the currently outstanding shares. As aggregate consideration for the shares taken up today, Resolute will distribute approximately 350,000 newly-issued shares of its common stock and CAD$6.8 million in cash through RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary.

The Company also announced that it has extended to 5:00 p.m. on May 17 the expiry time for its offer. As further described in the offer circular and other ancillary documentation related to the offer (as amended), Resolute intends to carry out a second step transaction to acquire the Fibrek shares not deposited in the offer.

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05.07.2012

Printed Paper Speakers Created by pmTUC Provide Good Sound Quality

At drupa, the world’s largest fair on print media technology, the Institute for Print and Media Technology of Chemnitz University of Technology (pmTUC) presents new research results, which truly make you prick up your ears: Loudspeakers that have been printed with flexography on standard paper. The R&D group of Prof. Dr. Arved Hübler, head of pmTUC, is co-exhibitor of press manufacturer Windmöller & Hölscher KG (Lengerich) and can be found in hall 15, booth A41/1.

The printed paper loudspeaker is connected to an audio amplifier like a conventional loudspeaker. "Frequency response, and hence sound quality, are very good and the paper is surprisingly loud. Just the bass of the paper-based loudspeaker is a bit weak”, explains Dr. Georg Schmidt, senior researcher at pmTUC.

The thin loudspeakers, which are printed in the laboratories of pmTUC, contain several layers of a conductive organic polymer and a piezoactive layer. According to project assistant Maxi Bellmann the loudspeakers are astonishingly robust and can be produced in a very cheap way as mass printing methods are used. The bottom side of the paper loudspeaker provides unused space on which coloured messages can be printed.

Prof. Hübler expects a broad range of new applications: The paper loudspeakers could, for instance, be integrated into common print products. As such, they offer an enormous potential for the advertising segment.

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05.07.2012

The Washington Post Company Reports First Quarter Earnings

The Washington Post Company today reported net income attributable to common shares of $31.0 million ($4.07 per share) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012, compared to $15.2 million ($1.87 per share) for the first quarter of last year. Net income includes $20.2 million ($2.70 per share) in income from discontinued operations and $2.8 million ($0.34 per share) in losses from discontinued operations for the first quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Income from continuing operations attributable to common shares was $10.8 million ($1.37 per share) for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $17.9 million ($2.21 per share) for the first quarter of 2011. As a result of the Company’s share repurchases, there were 6% fewer diluted average shares outstanding in the first quarter of 2012.

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05.07.2012

Remarks by the Postal Service Board of Governors Chairman and Postmaster General

“For the past several years the Board of Governors has sought legislation that would improve the Postal Service business model. We have emphasized that business-as-usual is unacceptable. The long-term financial stability of the Postal Service depends upon gaining greater flexibility to adapt to the changing realities of the modern marketplace. This can only be accomplished through legislative change coupled with aggressive actions by Postal management.

Last week the Senate passed legislation intended to reform the laws that govern the Postal Service. The Board of Governors followed those deliberations and the voting very closely.

We are keenly aware that the strong feelings that so many Americans feel about Postal issues can make the legislative process difficult. So we certainly know that the Senate leadership and the bill sponsors worked very hard to get the bill passed – and indeed we respect and appreciate their hard work.

Nevertheless, when we ask whether the legislation puts the Postal Service back on a path to financial stability, the bottom line is that the Senate bill does not provide the Postal Service with the flexibility and speed that it needs to have a sustainable business model.

Our financial condition has been deteriorating for several years, and we have been operating with a very low cash balance. Every day the Postal Service posts a loss of $25 million dollars.

We therefore strongly encourage the enactment of legislation that enables the Postal Service to avoid a default and return to long-term profitability.

In February the Postal Service published a comprehensive five-year plan. The plan that we developed was the result of countless hours of thought and analysis, including validation by outside experts who specialize in major and highly successful corporate restructurings. That plan would return the organization to sustained profitability. We remain unanimous in our conviction that this comprehensive five-year plan is a fair and reasonable approach for our customers, our employees and the communities that we serve.

The plan would better position the Postal Service to pursue vital and promising revenue opportunities and also achieve a cost reduction of $22.5 billion by the year 2016. Achieving this goal is critical because it would keep our costs below our projected revenues for the remainder of the decade. The Senate bill includes many hard-fought improvements but it does not enable all of the cost reductions that are necessary to return to profitability.

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05.07.2012

Suzano Announces Price Increase for Cut Size products

Please be advised that effective with orders shipping on May 29, 2012, Suzano Pulp and Paper will increase the price on all cut size brands by 3-4%.

All standard up-charges and terms of sale remain in effect until further notice.

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05.04.2012

AAA Fuel Gage & Exchange Rates

AAA’s Fuel Gage Report as of 5/04/12
National Unleaded Regular:
Current Average - $3.802/gallon
Month Ago Average - $3.928/gallon
Year Ago Average - $3.982/gallon
Highest Recorded Average - $4.114/gallon on 7/17/08
Diesel:
Current Average - $4.094/gallon
Month Ago Average - $4.164/gallon
Year Ago Average - $4.166/gallon
Highest Recorded Average - $4.845/gallon on 7/17/08

Current Exchange Rates as of 5/03/12
American Dollar to Canadian Dollar = 1.01595 (120 day high - 1.01905 on April 26, 2012; low 0.950905 on November 25, 2011)
American Dollar to Chinese Yuan = 0.159119 (120 day high – 0.159363 on May 2, 2012; low 0.156639 on November 28, 2011)
American Dollar to Euro = 1.3123 (120 day high - 1.3576 on November 18, 2011; low 1.2669 on January 16, 2012)
American Dollar to Japanese Yen = 0.012440 (120 day high – 0.0131387 on February 2, 2012; low 0.0119026 on March 21, 2012)
American Dollar to Mexican Peso = 0.0771611 (120 day high – 0.0793808 on March 14, 2012; low 0.0700535 on November 25, 2011)

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05.04.2012

Boise Inc. Reports Financial Results for First Quarter 2012

Boise Inc. today reported net income of $21.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for first quarter 2012, compared with net income of $18.7 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for first quarter 2011. EBITDA, excluding special items, was $87.4 million for first quarter 2012, compared with $84.4 million for first quarter 2011.

Packaging segment sales for first quarter 2012 were a record $272.3 million, an increase of $68.9 million, or 34%, compared with first quarter 2011. The acquisitions of Tharco and Hexacomb and higher net sales prices for corrugated products were the main drivers of this increase, offset partially by lower external sales volumes of linerboard due to increased vertical integration and lower net selling prices of linerboard as a result of softer export markets. Packaging segment sales for first quarter 2012 were up 8%, compared with fourth quarter 2011, due to the acquisition of Hexacomb and higher corrugated product sales volumes, offset partially by lower sales volumes and lower net selling prices of linerboard.

Paper segment sales for first quarter 2012 were $382.4 million, an increase of $7.3 million, or 2%, compared with first quarter 2011, driven by higher sales volumes of uncoated freesheet, due primarily to growth in label and release papers. This was offset partially by lower net selling prices for uncoated freesheet and lower sales volumes and net selling prices for market pulp. Paper segment sales increased $22.7 million, or 6%, compared with fourth quarter 2011, due primarily to increased sales volumes of uncoated freesheet, offset partially by decreased net selling prices of uncoated freesheet.

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05.04.2012

Oil Falls to 3-Week Low Before U.S. Jobs Data, Europe Elections

Oil fell to its lowest level in more than three weeks and headed for a weekly decline before the monthly U.S. jobs report and after services and manufacturing output in the euro region shrank more than initially estimated.

Futures lost as much as 1.1 percent in New York. A gauge of purchasing managers in both industries in Europe dropped to 46.7, below the earlier estimate of 47.4, London-based Markit Economics said today. Hiring in the U.S. probably picked up in April after the smallest gain in five months, economists said before a report today. European equities declined before elections in France, Greece, Italy and Germany this weekend.

“We experienced another sell-off in the oil market this morning, with West Texas Intermediate crude oil retreating toward $100 per barrel, as investors remain cautious ahead of the release of the non-farm payroll data,” Myrto Sokou, an analyst at Sucden Financial Ltd. in London, said by e-mail today. “Crucial elections in France and Greece bring further uncertainty and nervous trading to today’s session, amid persistent concerns about eurozone’s economic stability.”

Crude for June delivery on the New York Mercantile Exchange fell as much as $1.09 to $101.45 a barrel, the lowest since April 11, and was at $101.60 at 9:49 a.m. London time. Prices are down 3.2 percent this week and poised for the first weekly decline in three.

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05.04.2012

Flint Group announces PluriTech™ Shrink-U, the next generation of solvent-based packaging inks for the North American Gravure Shrink Sleeve Market.

Over the last five years the Shrink Sleeve market has become more complex and new film technologies have driven printers to acquire multiple ink systems to compete. High fidelity graphics are also pushing the limits of the conventional shrink ink systems. With PluriTech™ Shrink-U Flint Group responds to these challenges.

PluriTech™ Shrink-U provides excellent adhesion to a wide range of substrates making it truly “Universal”. This new ink system further delivers the peace of mind that comes with zero blocking, flex-crack free, and zero ink pick.

“The industry has been looking for a universal ink system for shrink applications for a long time. PluriTech™ Shrink-U provides that capability. This universal gravure shrink sleeve ink system can replace several inks used in the past; reducing inventories and complexity." says John Gaber Product Manager Film & Foil, Packaging and Narrow Web North America.

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05.04.2012

Interfor’s Q1 Results Down on Lower Sales Revenue and Higher Log Costs

INTERNATIONAL FOREST PRODUCTS LIMITED reported a net loss of $6.5 million or $0.12 per share in the first quarter of 2012. Included in the Company's results in the quarter was the effect of unrecognized tax assets of $1.8 million or $0.03 per share.

Excluding the tax allowance and other one-time items, Interfor recorded a net loss of $5.2 million or $0.09 per share in the first quarter of 2012 compared to a net loss of $3.7 million or $0.07 per share in the immediately preceding quarter and a net loss of $1.7 million or $0.03 per share in the first quarter of 2011.

Also included in the Company's accounts in the first quarter was a provision for share-based compensation of $1.3 million or $0.02 per share compared to a provision of $0.9 million or $0.02 per share in the immediately preceding quarter.

Key factors impacting the Company’s results in the first quarter were lower sales revenue, which fell $2 million or 1% vs the immediately preceding quarter, and higher log costs, particularly on the B.C. Coast.

EBITDA for the quarter (adjusted to exclude one-time items and "other income") was $5.8 million, down $0.9 million versus the fourth quarter of 2011 and down $5.8 million versus the first quarter of 2011.

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05.04.2012

Mercer International Inc. Reports 2012 First Quarter Results

Mercer International Inc. today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. Operating EBITDA* in the first quarter of 2012 was €30.6 million ($40.1 million), compared to €50.8 million ($69.5 million) in the first quarter of 2011 and €17.0 million ($22.9 million) in the fourth quarter of 2011.

For the first quarter of 2012, we had net income of €1.2 million ($1.6 million), or €0.02 ($0.03) per basic share, compared to net income of €29.1 million ($39.8 million), or €0.66 ($0.90) per basic share, in the first quarter of 2011 and a net loss of €1.8 million ($2.4 million), or €0.03 ($0.04) per basic share, for the fourth quarter of 2011.

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05.04.2012

Kraft Foods Delivers Strong Start To 2012

Kraft Foods Inc. today reported strong first quarter 2012 results that were driven by accelerated growth of Power Brands, new product innovation and effective cost management in each geography.

Net revenues were $13.1 billion, up 4.1 percent. Organic Net Revenues increased 6.5 percent, driven by 11 percent growth from Power Brands. Pricing contributed 5.5 percentage points of growth, while volume/mix contributed 1.0 percentage point. The shift of Easter-related shipments into the first quarter benefited volume/mix by approximately 1.3 percentage points, while product pruning in North America had a negative impact of approximately 0.5 percentage points.

Operating income was $1.7 billion, and operating income margin was 12.9 percent. Underlying Operating Income, which excludes Integration Program(2) costs, Restructuring Program(3) costs and Spin-Off Costs(4), grew 5.8 percent to $1.9 billion, driven by the effective management of input costs and volume/mix gains. These gains were tempered by the net impact of the following factors: significantly higher pension costs, the year-over-year change of unrealized gains/losses from hedging activities, an asset impairment charge, the loss of the Starbucks CPG business(5) and a gain on sale of an asset. Underlying Operating Income(1) margin rose 0.2 percentage points to 14.1 percent, despite the impact of the higher revenue base (from pricing) on the margin calculation of approximately 0.7 percentage points.

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05.04.2012

Metsä Board will focus on meeting demand for sustainable paperboard packaging

Mikko Helander, CEO of Metsä Board (formerly M-real), Europe’s leading producer of fresh forest fibre cartonboards, the world’s leading manufacturer of coated white-top kraftliners and a major paper supplier, spoke at Drupa (4th May 2012) about the company’s strategy to refocus on paperboard - the sustainable and lightweight packaging material.

“Metsä Board has undergone significant structural changes, transforming from a paper company to a profitable paperboard company. We look forward to a future based on sustainable products, modernised mills and improved services,” said Mikko Helander.

“Packaging is one of the biggest businesses in the world, and there is major growth potential for our paperboards in many markets,” Mikko Helander added. “Following the successful rebuild at our ?änekoski mill, Metsä Board’s cartonboard investment programme 2011-2012 has met one of its key aims - increased capacity. We are now working towards ‘Super Productivity’ in a systematic programme to make our productivity the best in the industry.”

Metsä Board has increased its cartonboard capacity by 150,000 tpa to 935,000 tpa by investment at three cartonboard mills in Finland. The Metsä Board Simpele rebuild was completed June 2011, Kyro in November 2011 and ?änekoski in May 2012. Refocusing of the Kemi linerboard mill’s production to coated grades after investment made in 2011 has been a success. Metsä Board’s state-of-the-art paperboard capacity, including the Kemi mill, today totals 1.31 million tpa.

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05.04.2012

Orient Paper Posts Preliminary First Quarter Results

Orient Paper, Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of diversified paper products in northern China, today announced unaudited preliminary results for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The Company plans to release full financial results and file its Form 10-Q on or before May 10, 2012 and will hold an earnings conference call to discuss its results.

For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total unaudited revenue increased 3.6% to approximately $34.4 million from $33.2 million in the first quarter of 2011. The Company sold 45,391 tonnes and 17,831 tonnes of corrugating medium paper and offset printing paper, respectively, up 104.9% and down 37.9% compared to the first quarter of 2011, respectively. The Company's new corrugating medium paper line with 360,000 tonnes annual production capacity contributed 7,491, 5,401, and 14,085 tonnes to the total corrugating medium paper sold during January, February and March of 2012, respectively.

During the quarter, the average selling prices (ASP) of the Company's corrugating medium paper and offset printing paper products rose 9.1% and declined 1.8%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2011. Excluding any currency translation adjustments, ASP of corrugating medium paper and offset printing paper measured in RMB rose 5.2% and declined 6.1%, respectively, compared to the first quarter of 2011.

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05.04.2012

Resolute Increases Ownership of Fibrek to 53.8%

AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products, today announced that it has taken up and accepted for payment 4,893,197 additional shares of Fibrek Inc. deposited to its offer as of the close of business today. Together with the shares the Company acquired up to and including May 2, Resolute now holds approximately 53.8% of the currently outstanding shares. As aggregate consideration for the shares taken up today, Resolute will distribute approximately 139,000 newly-issued shares of its common stock and CAD$2.7 million in cash through RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary.

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05.04.2012

China's Modern Paper Industry Slated for Major Development Says APP Report

The role of China’s paper industry as a new source of economic growth under the country’s 12th Five-Year Plan (FYP) for paper industry is highlighted in APP-China’s latest edition of the Paper Contract with China (PCwC) report.

Upon examination of the 12th FYP, it is clear that the paper industry's contribution to China’s GDP cannot be ignored.

According to official figures, the Chinese paper industry's output in 2010 stood at nearly RMB 600 billion (USD 95 billion) in value. This was a rise of over 25% compared to the previous year, demonstrating how the paper industry has become one of the key components of the Chinese national economy. As an indispensable part of the national economy, the paper industry also acts as an economic stimulant for a number of upstream and downstream industries, as well as for local economies. Being at the core of an extensive industrial supply chain, it has a profound impact on related industries such as forestry, agriculture, environmental protection, printing and publishing, chemicals, machinery manufacturing, industrial automation and transport.

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05.04.2012

Walgreens April Sales Decrease 3.7 Percent

Walgreens had April sales of $5.78 billion, a decrease of 3.7 percent from $6.0 billion for the same month in fiscal 2011.

Total front-end sales decreased 0.5 percent compared with the same month in 2011, while comparable store front-end sales decreased 2.2 percent. Customer traffic in comparable stores decreased 3.0 percent while basket size increased 0.8 percent.

For the combined March/April period that includes the Easter holiday season, comparable store front-end sales decreased by 0.5 percent, while customer traffic in comparable stores decreased 2.3 percent and basket size increased 1.8 percent.

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05.04.2012

Gap Inc. Reports April and First Quarter Sales Results

Gap Inc. today reported that net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 6 percent compared with last year, and April 2012 net sales were flat compared with last year.

Net sales for the first quarter, which ended April 28, 2012, increased 6 percent to $3.49 billion compared with $3.30 billion for the first quarter last year. The company’s first quarter comparable sales, which include the associated comparable online sales, were up 4 percent compared with a 3 percent decrease in the first quarter last year.

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05.04.2012

Nordstrom Reports April Sales

Nordstrom, Inc. today reported a 7.1 percent increase in same-store sales for the four-week period ended April 28, 2012 compared with the four-week period ended April 30, 2011. Preliminary total retail sales of $802 million for April 2012 increased 10.5 percent compared with total retail sales of $726 million for the same period in fiscal 2011.

First quarter same-store sales increased 8.5 percent compared with the same period in fiscal 2011. Preliminary first quarter total retail sales of $2.53 billion increased 13.7 percent compared with total retail sales of $2.23 billion for the same period in fiscal 2011.

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05.04.2012

Kohl's Corporation Reports April Comparable Store Sales

Kohl’s Corporation reported today that for the four-week month ended April 28, 2012 total sales decreased 1.9 percent and comparable store sales decreased 3.5 percent from the four-week month ended April 30, 2011.

For the quarter and year-to-date period, total sales increased 1.9 percent and comparable store sales increased 0.2 percent.

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05.04.2012

Saks Incorporated Announces April Comparable Store Sales

Retailer Saks Incorporated today announced that owned sales totaled $259.5 million for the four weeks ended April 28, 2012 compared to $257.3 million for the four weeks ended April 30, 2011, a 0.9% increase. Comparable store sales increased 2.0% for the month.

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05.04.2012

Productivity Top Priority with Xerox’s New iGen 150 Press

Every business wants a speedy road to profitability. For print providers, this means making job setup easy, production times fast and image quality precise and repeatable. Xerox’s (NYSE: XRX) new iGen™ 150 Press arms them with one of the most productive digital cut-sheet color presses.

Debuting here this week at drupa 2012, the iGen 150 is built on Xerox’s proven, award-winning iGen platform. Since its introduction at drupa 2008, the iGen4® Press has been used by more than 1,000 customers to produce millions of profitable pages per month. The iGen4 Press has been recognized to be the most productive system in its class, among those independently tested by the SpencerLab Digital Color Laboratory.1

Gilmore Doculink – a commercial/digital print shop in Ottawa – has tested the iGen 150 and reports the device is going to be a real win for their operation.

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05.04.2012

Flambeau River Papers announces price increase

Effective with all shipments on or after June 4, 2012, Flambeau River Papers will increase the transaction price for all cut size FRP Laser Bond papers by $2.00/cwt.

If you have any questions regarding these changes, please call your Midland Paper sales representative.

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05.04.2012

IP Announces 100% Recycled Paper for North American Customers

International Paper is pleased to announce the launch of a 100% recycled paper offering, Hammermill Great White 100 to North American customers. The paper is the newest product to join the Hammermill Great White line of recycled products.

"Consumers are interested in recycled paper products, but they also want confidence in the quality and how the product performs. Hammermill Great White 100 is the best of both worlds and offers a dependable 99.99% Jam-Free Guarantee paper that has a 92 brightness. It's a great paper that runs smoothly, looks sharp, and contains 100% post consumer fiber," said Jon Ernst, International Paper vice president for Imaging Papers.

This product is produced at IP's world-class Riverdale, Ala. Mill and comes after a multi-million dollar investment into their recycled product capabilities. The Hammermill Great White 100 joins IP's 30% and 50% recycled paper offerings already available and carries the Forest Stewardship Council® certification.

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05.04.2012

Quad/Graphics Renews OfficeMax Retail Insert and Catalog Work, and Adds Direct Mail With New Agreement

Quad/Graphics, Inc. has renewed its exclusive retail insert and catalog printing business with OfficeMax Incorporated and added significant direct mail volume for the leading office supply retailer in a new multiyear agreement. With additional related freight logistics and in-store signage business, total revenues from the long-time Quad/Graphics customer are expected to grow approximately 20 percent versus prior year levels.

“We have printed OfficeMax catalogs for more than 20 years and that has given us a solid foundation to expand our services for this leading retailer,” said Joel Quadracci, Chairman, President & CEO of Quad/Graphics. “Adding direct mail gives us another way to grow our marketing solutions partnership with this important client and reflects our commitment to serving our customers in more ways to deliver even greater value to their businesses.”

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05.03.2012

Macy's, Inc. First Quarter Same-Store Sales up 4.4%

Macy's, Inc. today reported total sales of $1.928 billion for the four weeks ended April 28, 2012, an increase of 0.4 percent compared with total sales of $1.920 billion in the four weeks ended April 30, 2011. On a same-store basis, Macy's, Inc. sales were up 1.2 percent in April 2012 as compared to April 2011.

For March-April combined, same-store sales were up 4.4 percent in 2012 compared with the same period in 2011. This was within the company's March-April same-store sales guidance, which initially was for an increase of 3 percent to 3.5 percent, then raised on April 5 to a range of 4.3 to 4.5 percent. As previously reported, April sales were planned to be weaker than in March, given the calendar shift in which the pre-Easter period fell into March this year versus April last year, and a significant cosmetics event shift from April last year to March this year. Moreover, April 2012 sales were disadvantaged by a Mother's Day that is later in May this year.

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05.03.2012

Limited Brands Reports April 2012 Sales

Limited Brands, Inc. reported a comparable store sales increase of 6 percent for the four weeks ended April 28, 2012, compared to the four weeks ended April 30, 2011. The company reported net sales of $659.0 million for the four weeks ended April 28, 2012, compared to net sales of $683.2 million last year.

The company reported a comparable store sales increase of 7 percent for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, compared to the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2011. The company reported net sales of $2.154 billion for the 13 weeks ended April 28, 2012, compared to sales of $2.217 billion last year.

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05.03.2012

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Reports Strong Growth in Revenue, EBITDA and EPS for its Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc., the world's leading florist and gift shop, today reported revenues from continuing operations of $179.7 million for its fiscal 2012 third quarter ended April 1, 2012, compared with revenues from continuing operations of $158.8 million in the prior year period. The Company said the 13.1 percent increase, or $20.9 million, reflected double digit revenue growth across all three of its business segments and, in particular, continued positive trends in its Consumer Floral segment, which grew 12.6 percent. Total revenue growth for the third quarter benefited from the shift of the Easter holiday to early in the Company's fiscal fourth quarter as well as contributions from several small acquisitions completed in the second half of fiscal 2011 and early in the first quarter of fiscal 2012. Excluding these benefits, total revenue for the period increased approximately 9.0 percent compared with the prior year period.

Gross profit margin for the quarter increased 100 basis points to 40.7 percent, compared with 39.7 percent in the prior year period. This was driven by a 200 basis point increase, to 39.0 percent, in the Company's Consumer Floral segment. Operating expenses as a percent of revenue improved 120 basis points to 40.6 percent compared with 41.8 percent in the prior year period. The improved operating expense ratio primarily reflects the increased revenues for the quarter as well as the Company's continued focus on improving leverage across its business platform.

As a result of the strong growth in revenues and gross margin, combined with enhanced operating leverage, EBITDA from continuing operations for the period increased 176.3 percent to $5.0 million compared with $1.8 million in the prior year period. Excluding stock-based compensation, EBITDA for the quarter was $6.4 million compared with $2.9 million in the prior year period. Income from continuing operations improved to $51,000, or $0.00 per share, compared with a loss of $2.2 million, or ($0.04) per share, in the prior year period.

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05.03.2012

Arjowiggins Graphic to build a 60 MW biomass cogeneration unit at its Besse sur Braye paper mill site

Arjowiggins Graphic (AWG) has finalized with CCB, a joint Dalkia France-Cofely subsidiary, the contract to build a 60 MW biomass cogeneration unit at its Besse sur Braye paper mill site, France. The unit will consume 200 000T per annum of waste wood materials to provide all the steam required by the mill and generate electricity for the national French electricity provider, EDF. The project, under discussion for 2 years and selected by the French government as part of the CRE4 program of the ministry of Environment in September 2011, is now ready to start its operational phase and is scheduled for completion during the second half of 2014.

The Besse paper mill, with a capacity of 320 000 tons, is the main production site of AWG. It principally produces high white recycled papers under the well-known brands of Cocoon™,Satimat green™ and Maine gloss green™, as well as CWF and UWF papers from FSC certified virgin pulp under the also well-known brand MCS™.

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05.03.2012

Oil Extends Biggest Drop in Two Weeks on Jobs, Supplies

Oil fell, extending the biggest decline in two weeks, as worse-than-forecast employment data underscored weakness in the global economy and U.S. crude stockpiles increased to the highest level in 21 years.

Futures slipped as much as 0.5 percent in New York after falling 0.9 percent yesterday. Prices dropped as data showed U.S. employers added fewer jobs than predicted last month while unemployment in Germany unexpectedly increased. Crude supplies in the U.S., the world’s biggest consumer of the commodity, rose to the most since September 1990, according to a report from the Energy Information Administration. Fuel stockpiles fell more than analysts projected in a Bloomberg News survey.

“We are still suffering from yesterday’s data,” Gerrit Zambo, an oil trader at Bayerische Landesbank in Munich, said in a telephone interview. “Unemployment numbers from Europe were very disappointing and the U.S. job numbers did their part in bringing oil prices down. The supply-demand situation is quite stable at the moment.”

Crude for June delivery was at $104.70 a barrel, down 52 cents, on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 10:23 a.m. London time. The contract yesterday slid 94 cents, the most since April 18, to $105.22.

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05.03.2012

Rising ebook sales almost make up for decline in old-fashioned paperbacks

In a sign of how Britons’ reading habits are changing, the Publishers’ Association (PA) said that sales of electronic novels hit £70 million in 2011, up from just £16 million in 2010.

The sales increase of £54 million almost entirely made up for the £57 million decline in sales of traditional paperback novels.

The growth in ebook sales comes as millions of Britons turn to Kindles and other so-called e-readers as their main way of consuming literature.

An estimated one in 40 UK adults were given a Kindle last Christmas, when a total of 1.3 million e-readers were sold.

At one point over the festive season John Lewis, the department store retailer, said that it was selling a Kindle every 30 seconds.

According to the PA’s new Statistics Yearbook, sales of physical books were £489 million in 2011, down from £546 million the year before.

However this decline was almost entirely compensated for by the 330 per cent increase in sales of e-novels.

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05.03.2012

Delhaize Group announces first quarter 2012 results

Financial Summary (at identical exchange rates): Revenue growth of 5.9% (2.3% organic growth); Comparable store sales evolution of -0.6% in the U.S. and -0.9% in Belgium; Double digit revenue growth in Southeastern Europe and Asia even without the positive impact of Delta Maxi acquisition; Group underlying operating margin of 3.5% (at actual exchange rates), impacted by our continuing investment in our growth initiatives, in particular price competitiveness and Bottom Dollar Food.

Other: Accelerating revenue momentum and volume growth in Food Lion Phase One stores and in Bottom Dollar Food stores; As a result of our investment behind strategic initiatives in the current environment, 2012 underlying operating profit is expected to decrease by 15% to 20% at identical exchange rates compared to last year.

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05.03.2012

Metsä Board Corporation’s operating result excluding non-recurring items was EUR 5 million in January–March

Result for January–March: Sales were EUR 545 million (Q4/2011: 524). The operating result excluding non-recurring items was EUR 5 million (-22). The operating result including non-recurring items was EUR -4 million (-215). The result before taxes excluding non-recurring items was EUR -9 million (-33). The result before taxes including non-recurring items was EUR -18 million (-230). Earnings per share from continuing operations excluding non-recurring items were EUR -0.02 (-0.04) and including non-recurring items EUR -0.05 (-0.63).

Events in the first quarter of 2012: The Premium Paper operations of the Reflex mill were sold to Hahnemühle FineArt GmbH and Hahnemühle’s private shareholders. After the closing of the transaction, Metsä Board no longer has operations in Reflex. The company’s management and reporting structure was renewed. As of the first quarter of 2012, the reporting segments are Paperboard, and Paper and Pulp. Pasi Piiparinen started as the head of Paperboard business area on 20 March 2012. The unprofitable operations of the Gohrsmühle mill in Germany were discontinued and the Alizay mill in France was shut down.

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05.03.2012

Report: Mobile commerce accounts for 13.3% of all online sales

IBM today announced the results of its Q1 2012 online mobile and buying trends study. The results showed that mobile commerce accounted for 13.3 percent of all sales, up from just 7% during Q1 2011, said Jay Henderson, strategy director at IBM Digital Marketing.

The study showed that mobile traffic to retailer sites made up 17% of total traffic, up from 11% during Q1 2011, Henderson said. This is important because it shows that mobile e-commerce is a significant driver to retail sites, he said.

“Lo and behold, I think 2012 may actually finally be the year of mobile. For us, that's one of the most exciting trends,” Henderson said. “No longer are we talking about the interesting trend to watch. Mobile's arrived.”

And it's not just about phones anymore, he said. IPads are making up a significant part of the mobile device traffic at 5.3%. Consumers are simply moving away from shopping online using their stationary desktops, Henderson says, which is at once exciting and challenging for CMOs.

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05.03.2012

Metsä Group’s operating result EUR 52 million excluding non-recurring items in January–March

Result for the first quarter of 2012: Sales amounted to EUR 1,284 million (1–3/2011: EUR 1,403 million). Operating result excluding non-recurring items was EUR 52 million (130). Operating result including non-recurring items was EUR 44 million (133). Result before taxes and excluding non-recurring items was EUR 18 million (86). Result before taxes including non-recurring items was EUR 10 million (89).

Events in the first quarter: Metsäliitto Group changed its name to Metsä Group and adopted a new corporate identity. Wood Products Industry is now Metsä Wood, Metsä-Botnia is Metsä Fibre and M-real is Metsä Board. The name of Metsä Tissue remained unchanged. Metsäliitto Cooperative’s Wood Supply is now Metsäliitto Puunhankinta in Finland and Metsä Forest internationally. A new investment product, Equity Bonus, has been available to owner-members of Metsäliitto Cooperative from the beginning of the year. The unprofitable operations of Metsä Board’s Gohrsmühle mill were discontinued and the Alizay mill in France was closed down. Metsä Board sold the Premium Paper business operations of the Reflex mill to Hahnemühle FineArt GmbH.

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05.03.2012

Mondi Group: Interim Management Statement 3 May 2012

Overall performance for the first quarter 2012 was in line with our expectations. As anticipated, the generally weaker trading environment seen towards the end of the prior year continued into the early part of the first quarter. The Group’s underlying operating profit of €120 million in the period was below that achieved in the previous quarter (2011 Q4: €132 million) and below that achieved in the strong trading environment prevalent in the comparable prior year period (2011 Q1: €179 million).

Pleasingly, following the low levels of demand seen towards the end of the previous quarter and into the early part of 2012, there was a clear trend of improving demand through the period under review, such that, on average, sales volumes were higher than the previous quarter across all paper grades. Similarly, although selling prices across all major paper grades were on average lower than those achieved in the previous quarter, a trend of improving prices towards the end of the quarter was evident. The benefits of these improving prices, partly offset by rising fibre input costs, are expected to be realised from the second quarter onwards.

Average input costs were lower than the prior quarter, but increased during the period with closing benchmark prices being higher than those at 31 December 2011. Benchmark hardwood pulp prices had increased by 15% at 31 March 2012 from 31 December 2011 levels and recovered paper increased by 30% over the same period. Wood costs remained at similar levels to those of the previous quarter.

Most emerging market currencies to which the Group is exposed as a net exporter were slightly weaker against the euro when compared to the previous quarter, providing a small positive contribution to the Group’s performance.

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05.03.2012

Study compares bio-based plastics

A qualitative analysis of bio-based plastics evaluates their environmental, health, and safety impacts through LCA information and plots them on an Avoid/Preferred spectrum.

“None of the bio-based plastics currently in commercial use or under development are fully sustainable. …Some bio-based plastics are preferable from a health and safety perspective, and others are preferable from an environmental perspective.” That’s the top-line conclusion of a study published by the Journal of Cleaner Production, titled “Sustainability of bio-based plastics: general comparative analysis and recommendations for improvement.”

Beginning with the assumption that “bio-based plastics appear to be more environmentally friendly materials than their petroleum-based counterparts when their origin and biodegradability are compared,” the 9-page study takes a qualitative approach to comparing a range of bio-plastic materials, “including all stages of their life cycles (cradle to grave) to assist in decision making about the selection of these materials.” In particular, the study evaluates which of the bio-based plastics currently on the market, or soon to be on the market, are preferable from an environmental, health, and safety perspective.

To analyze the materials, the study—conducted by the Work Environment Department and the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, University of Massachusetts-Lowell—reviewed existing literature on their environmental, health, and safety impacts, using a Bioplastics Spectrum to visually summarize the data.

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05.03.2012

Norske Skog, First quarter 2012: Lower costs and debt

Lower costs strengthened Norske Skog's gross operating earnings in the first quarter compared with the same quarter last year, while debt was significantly reduced.

Gross operating earnings in the first quarter were NOK 380 million, up from NOK 296 million in the same period last year, mainly as a result of lower costs. Earnings were somewhat weaker compared with the last quarter of 2011, due to seasonal effects.

We have received little help from the market. We have partly compensated for this through strong cost control, says President and CEO in Norske Skog, Sven Ombudstvedt.

Cash flow from operating activities was NOK 267 million and improved significantly from the same quarter last year when it was negative NOK 239 million. Net interest-bearing debt was reduced from NOK 7.9 to 7.1 billion during the quarter, mainly as a result of cash flow from operations and asset sales.

In two years, we have cut debt by NOK 2.4 billion or 25%. Risk has been reduced, and the financial room for manoeuvre has clearly been improved, says Ombudstvedt.

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05.03.2012

Resolute Now Owns 50.1% of Fibrek

AbitibiBowater Inc., doing business as Resolute Forest Products (NYSE: ABH) (TSX: ABH), today announced that it has taken up and accepted for payment 1,633,800 additional shares of Fibrek Inc. (TSX: FBK) deposited to its offer as of the close of business today. Together with the shares the Company acquired up to and including April 23, Resolute now has majority control of Fibrek, with approximately 50.1% of the currently outstanding shares. As aggregate consideration for the shares taken up today, Resolute will distribute approximately 46,000 newly-issued shares of its common stock and CAD$900,000 in cash through RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Resolute's offer remains open and expires at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on May 4, 2012.

The offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Fibrek made by Resolute, together with RFP Acquisition Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary, is more fully described in the offer circular and other ancillary documentation that Resolute filed on December 15, 2011, on the "SEDAR" website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators, as varied and extended. As further described in the offer circular and other ancillary documentation related to the offer (as amended), Resolute intends to carry out a second step transaction to acquire the Fibrek shares not deposited in the offer.

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05.03.2012

RR Donnelley Develops and Deploys New ProteusJet(SM) Multiweb Digital Print Platform for Direct Marketers

R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company today announced the development and installation of its new proprietary ProteusJet Multiweb platform, which has been installed in two of the company's direct response production facilities. This next generation piezoelectric 4-color inkjet technology enables direct marketers to use sophisticated 100% customized content and messaging to precisely target consumers for improved ROI.

"Our ProteusJet Multiweb four color print technology is a game changer for marketers who seek to maximize readership, receptivity and results," said Thomas J. Quinlan III, RR Donnelley's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Developing and deploying these exclusive high speed inkjet presses reflect our strategy of offering a compelling digital service to every segment that we serve. The RR Donnelley innovation pipeline continues to deliver winning technologies that expand the range of digitally driven solutions that we can provide."

The unique platform incorporates 2- and 3-web in-line assembly configurations to deliver superior high speed variable imaging quality in full color with crisp high resolution. The platform's image area allows designers to take full advantage of the ability to personalize 4-color content anywhere across the web and also extends the same high quality, 4-color imaging to the in-line envelope. This flexible platform also allows for a hybrid in-line print solution that enables offset to be integrated into the Multiweb imaging line.

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05.03.2012

Rite Aid Reports 2.9 Percent Same Store Sales Increase for April

Rite Aid Corporation today announced sales results for April.

For the four weeks ended April 28, 2012, same store sales increased 2.9 percent over the prior-year period. April front-end same store sales increased 2.7 percent. Pharmacy same store sales, which included an approximate 311 basis points negative impact from new generic introductions increased 3.0 percent. Prescription count at comparable stores increased 3.8 percent over the prior-year period.

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05.03.2012

Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports April Sales Results

Costco Wholesale Corporation today reported net sales of $7.25 billion for the month of April, the four weeks ended April 29, 2012, an increase of seven percent from $6.80 billion during the similar period last year.

For the first thirty-five weeks of its reporting period ended April 29, 2012, the Company reported net sales of $63.59 billion, an increase of ten percent from $57.59 billion during the similar period last year.

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05.03.2012

Stein Mart, Inc. Reports April 2012 Sales

Stein Mart, Inc. today reported comparable store sales for the four-week period ended April 28, 2012 decreased 1.6 percent. Total sales for the period were $95.2 million, a decrease of 0.9 percent from $96.0 million in the same period in 2011. For the first quarter, comparable store sales decreased 0.4 percent and total sales decreased 0.1 percent.

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05.03.2012

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Announces April Sales

The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. today announced comparable store sales for the four weeks ended April 28, 2012 decreased 5.0%. Total sales decreased 5.3% to $187.2 million for the four weeks compared with $197.7 million for the prior year period.

First quarter of fiscal 2012 comparable store sales decreased 1.3%. First quarter of fiscal 2012 total sales decreased 1.4% to $640.8 million compared with $649.9 million for the same period last year.

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