Sales for the period January - June were 12 per cent up on the same period last year at EUR 682.3 million (610.7 million for the first half of 2006). Pulp sales decreased 8 per cent, being 1,238,000 tonnes. Operating profit was EUR 100.9 million, 14 per cent higher than for the first half of last year (88.6 million). Both sales and financial result benefited from the positive movement in pulp prices. The main factors adversely affecting the financial result were the weakening of the dollar against the euro and the higher cost of wood raw material. Foreign currency market prices for softwood pulp were on average 20 per cent higher than during the first half of last year. Average prices for hardwood pulp were 9 per cent stronger. The dollar was roughly 8 per cent weaker against the euro than during this period last year.