Forestry & Paper: Textile Fibre Insights

Key message: DP price -7% m/m (+11% y/y) in September, with the Q3 22A average of USD 1,175/t down 7% q/q. (+11% y/y). Cotton and VSF were down 3% w/w. Cotton is now trading at a 1% discount to VSF. Spot DP is now USD 1,048/t. VSF inventory days stable at 27.5, while the average op. rate improves further to 61%. VSF theoretical profit further in the red at -USD 231/t.

Forestry & Paper: Sappi set to divest 3 of its European mills

ey message: Sappi is set to reduce its European Graphic Paper footprint by 38%, mostly impacting Coated Mechanical (CM: -69%) and Uncoated Woodfree (UWF: -100%), with a negligible impact on Coated Woodfree (CWF: -5%). European Packaging & Specialties exposure will also be impacted, with capacity set to decline by 26%. The deal is expected to close in FQ 2 23E for a total EV of EUR 272mn (EV/EBITDA: 4.7x), with the net cash proceeds of EUR 212mn set to reduce net debt further but earmarked for growth projects.