HELSINKI, Finland, Oct. 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- As a result of Metso's annual strategy process, Metso's Board of Directors has today updated Metso's financial targets and raised the dividend policy. The decision is based on Metso's positive financial development and the continuing favorable market situation. The following new financial targets replace the previous targets set in August 2005:
-- An average annual net sales growth of more than 10 percent. The growth
will be attained both organically and through value-enhancing
complementary acquisitions. Major acquisitions with a significant
impact on Metso, such as the Aker-Kvaerner Pulping and Power
acquisition, come on top of this 10% growth target.
-- An operating profit margin (EBIT-%) of more than 10 percent.
Furthermore, Metso's target is that its key financial indicators, capital structure and cash flow metrics support a solid investment grade status in credit rating.
Metso has also upgraded its dividend policy to distribute at least 50 percent (earlier 40 percent) of annual earnings per share as dividend or in other forms of repatriation of capital.
"We will continue to execute our profitable growth strategy with the focus on fully exploiting the growth opportunities of the current market situation, growing the aftermarket business, as well as on securing continued, sustainable profitability over the business cycle," says Jorma Eloranta, President and CEO of Metso Corporation. "We still have a lot of opportunities to improve our performance, and there is no room for complacency -- despite the consistent, strong development of our financial performance."
"At Metso, our focus is on profitable growth -- we grow in order to make more profit. In Metso Paper the focus remains to ensure continued profitability improvement and growth in aftermarket business. In Metso Minerals and Metso Automation we aim to fully exploit the market growth while ensuring yearly improving profits. Our positive development, a very strong order backlog and favorable market outlook give us confidence to expect that also the years to come will be good for Metso and to our shareholders," Eloranta notes.
Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2005 net sales of approximately EUR 4.2 billion. Its 22,000 employees in more than 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries.
It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding expectations for general economic development and the market situation, expectations for customer industry profitability and investment willingness, expectations for company growth, development and profitability and the realization of synergy benefits and cost savings, and statements preceded by "expects", "estimates", "forecasts" or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current decisions and plans and currently known factors. They involve risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results to materially differ from the results currently expected by the company.
Such factors include, but are not limited to:
(1) general economic conditions, including fluctuations in exchange rates
and interest levels which influence the operating environment and
profitability of customers and thereby the orders received by the
company and their margins
(2) the competitive situation, especially significant technological
solutions developed by competitors
(3) the company's own operating conditions, such as the success of
production, product development and project management and their
continuous development and improvement
(4) the success of pending and future acquisitions and restructuring.