Stora Enso's Q4 2024 Impairment Test: A Deep Dive

Stora Enso, a leading provider of renewable solutions, recently released its Q4 2024 impairment test results, offering valuable insights into the company's financial health and strategic direction. This article delves into the key findings and their implications for investors.

Stora Enso's Q4 2024 impairment test revealed a significant reversal in the classification of the Beihai packaging board production site and forestry business. The company decided to retain these operations within the Group, reversing the previous classification as assets held for sale. This decision had a notable impact on Stora Enso's financial results, with the inclusion of previously suspended depreciation leading to a decrease of EUR 7.5 million per quarter in adjusted EBIT and IFRS operating result. This amounts to a EUR 30 million reduction in the full-year 2024 adjusted EBIT and IFRS operating result.



The reversal of the Beihai site classification also affected Stora Enso's net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio. The previously suspended depreciation increased Stora Enso's net debt by EUR 409 million to EUR 3,528 million, primarily due to the board investment at the Oulu site. Consequently, the net debt to adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio increased from 2.4 to 3.1, moving further away from the target of keeping the ratio below 2.0.



Stora Enso's earnings per share (EPS) and EPS excluding fair valuations (FV) were also impacted by the reversal. The inclusion of previously suspended depreciation into the restated results led to a decrease of EUR 0.04 in EPS and EUR 0.05 in EPS excl. FV compared to the previous year.

Despite these challenges, Stora Enso remains committed to its value creation programmes and profit improvement initiatives. The company's focus on sourcing, operational, and commercial efficiencies has driven significant improvements in adjusted EBIT and adjusted EBIT margin. Stora Enso's strategic initiatives, such as the consumer board investment at the Oulu site, are expected to further enhance the company's financial performance in the long run.

In conclusion, Stora Enso's Q4 2024 impairment test results highlight the importance of strategic asset management and the impact of classification reversals on a company's financial performance. While the reversal of the Beihai site classification had a significant effect on Stora Enso's earnings, the company's commitment to value creation programmes and profit improvement initiatives bodes well for its future prospects. Investors should closely monitor Stora Enso's progress in these areas as the company continues to navigate the evolving market landscape.