SCA reported that net sales for January-September 2010 period decreased 2% from the same period a year ago to $12 billion. Profit before tax, excluding restructuring costs, was $919 million an increase of 9%. Profit for the period, excluding restructuring costs, was $680 million.
Operating profit decreased 1% for the first nine months of 2010 and was level with the third quarter of 2009.
In SCA's Personal Care sector, third quarter 2010 net sales decreased 1% to $905 million. Sales of Tena-brand incontinence care products increased 4%, excluding exchange rate effects. Growth in Latin America, Russia and Eastern Europe remained very favorable.
Sales of baby diapers decreased 4%, excluding exchange rate effects. Sales of feminine care products rose 5%, excluding exchange rate effects.
“In the third quarter 2010, operating profit for Personal Care and Tissue decreased compared with the same period a year ago, mainly due to higher raw material costs,” said Jan Johansson, SCA's president and CEO.