SWEDISH forestry group Stora more than doubled its profits in 1995 thanks to improved sales prices and rationalisation measures implemented in recent years. Stora registered profits after net financial items of 8.02 billion kronor (£728 million) in 1995 compared to 3.21 billion kronor (£292 million) in 1994. Sales rose to 57.1 billion kronor (£5.12 billion) from 48.8 billion (£4.40 billion).

Improved prices for pulp and paper products boosted the results, according to Stora. Net income after tax and minority shares was 5.36 billion kronor (£483 million), against 2.03 billion (£183 million) in 1994. Earnings per share totalled 16.70 kronor (£1.51) against 6.35 kronor (57p) last year.