Sweden's Essity posts Q1 results slightly above market view aided by volumes

Essity AB (publ)

23/04/2026 06:27

April 23 (Reuters) - Swedish hygiene products maker Essity ESSITYa.ST reported first-quarter core earnings slightly above market expectations on Thursday, helped by higher volumes that offset lower product prices.

Similarly to other consumer goods companies, Essity has been restructuring its operations and tempering prices to balance rising costs and lower consumer demand since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adjusted operating profit before amortisation (EBITA) fell 2% to 4.6 billion Swedish crowns ($498 million), against analysts' average forecast of 4.57 billion crowns, according to LSEG's I/B/E/S data

The Tork brand owner's product prices were 0.7% lower in the first quarter than a year ago

Adjusted EBITA margin increased to 13.9% from 13.5% in the first quarter of 2025

Essity has also decided on a share buyback of 3 billion crowns, it said on Wednesday

Weakening demand and increased costs have put pressure on Essity's growth and profitability, SpareBank 1 Markets wrote ahead of the results publication

Brazilian pulp giant Suzano SUZB3.SA has said it expects global prices for toilet paper, tissues and diapers to rise in the event of a prolonged Iran war

($1 = 9.2387 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Vera Dvorakova; Editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

((vera.dvorakova@thomsonreuters.com))