Author: sHq_LoGiNz

HONG KONG, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (“NetDragon” or the “Company”, Hong Kong Stock Code: 777), a global leader in building internet communities, is pleased to announce that it has achieved an “A” rating in the latest 2025 ESG assessment conducted by Wind Information Co.,Ltd (“Wind”), in recognition of its outstanding performance in environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance. Wind defines an “A” rated company as one with high management standards, low ESG risks, and strong capabilities for sustainable development. Among the 105 listed software companies assessed this year, NetDragon ranked 6^th. The Company also achieved scores above the industry average across all three dimensions: Environment, Social, and Governance, underscoring its comprehensive strength and leading position in sustainability.

Wind is a leading provider of financial data and analytics services in China. The Wind ESG Rating framework is composed of assessment towards managerial practices and controversy events, aligning with the foundation of international standards while adapting to the characteristics of China’s capital market. Leveraging its strong data capabilities, Wind has constructed a data‑driven ESG rating system that currently covers more than 12,000 corporate entities in the Greater China region, including all A‑share and Hong Kong‑listed companies, as well as public bond issuers.

NetDragon has consistently integrated sustainability into its business operations and product development. The Company is committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities, enhancing governance structures, and driving industry-wide and societal progress through technological innovation and global expansion. Through a wide range of initiatives, NetDragon continues to advance sustainability: in environmental protection, it actively explores best practices in energy conservation, carbon reduction, and green operations. NetDragon’s digital education products are deployed in over 2 million classrooms across 192 countries, fostering the global adoption of green education concepts. On the social front, the Company promotes philanthropic programs, advances education equity, and enhances public welfare through its distinctive “Gaming + Philanthropy” model, integrating digital innovation with meaningful social impact. In June, NetDragon partnered with the Xishuangbanna Tropical Rainforest Conservation Foundation to launch the “Towards the Future: Asian Elephant Rescue Action (象往未来•亚洲象救助行动),” leveraging gamified features in Eudemons Online to raise public awareness of wildlife protection. In corporate governance, NetDragon adheres to transparent, robust, and compliant governance practices, continuously creating long‑term value in line with ESG principles.

Through its ongoing commitment to ESG excellence, NetDragon has garnered broad recognition from both the industry and the wider community. The Company received “BBB” in MSCI ESG rating, surpassing the industry average in the “Privacy and Data Security” category. Furthermore, NetDragon was rated as a “low risk” company by the reputable rating agency Morningstar Sustainalytics, placing it among the top performers in the software and services industry. Recently, NetDragon’s digital education solutions won the “Education Innovation & Technology – Rising Star Award” at the “2025 Hong Kong Sustainable Development Innovation and Technology Awards,” organized by the World Institute of Sustainable Development Planners (WISDP) and sponsored by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Government of the HKSAR. NetDragon’s innovative case was also included in the 2025 Hong Kong Sustainable Development Innovation & Technology Solutions Report.

Looking ahead, NetDragon will continue to advance its ESG initiatives by enhancing management practices and disclosure standards, and furthering the development of its “Gaming+” model and digital education innovations. The Company aims to collaborate closely with global partners to promote cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and educational equity, thereby creating long‑term, sustainable value for both society and the environment.

About NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited   

NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) is a global leader in building internet communities with a long track record of developing and scaling multiple internet and mobile platforms that impact hundreds of millions of users, including previous establishments of China’s first online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China’s most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless.    

Established in 1999, NetDragon is one of the most reputable and well-known online game developers in China with a history of successful game titles including Eudemons Online, Heroes Evolved, Conquer Online, and Under Oath. In the past 10 years, NetDragon has also achieved success with its online education business both domestically and globally, and its overseas education business entity, currently a U.S.-listed subsidiary named Mynd.ai, is a global leader in interactive technology and its award-winning interactive displays and software can be found in more than 1 million learning and training spaces across 126 countries.   

For investor enquiries, please contact:  
NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited  
Ms. Maggie Zhou
Senior Director of Investor Relations  
Email: maggiezhou@nd.com.hk  / ir@netdragon.com   
Website: ir.netdragon.com     

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SOURCE NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited

STORA ENSO OYJ HALF-YEAR FINANCIAL REPORT 23 July 2025 at 8:30 EEST

HELSINKI, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 

Q2/2025 (year-on-year)

• Sales increased by 5% to EUR 2,426 (2,301) million, mainly due to higher deliveries and a positive impact from structural changes.
• Adjusted EBIT decreased by 18% to EUR 126 (153) million. Adjusted EBIT margin decreased to 5.2% (6.7%). The ramp-up of the new consumer board line at the Oulu site had a negative impact of approximately EUR 50 million.
• Operating result (IFRS) was EUR 64 (92) million, including items affecting comparability of EUR -35 million, and fair valuations and other non-operational items of EUR -27 million.
• Earnings per share were EUR 0.03 (0.05) and earnings per share excl. fair valuations (FV) were EUR 0.05 (0.06).
• The fair value of the forest assets increased to EUR 9.0 (8.7) billion, equivalent to EUR 11.40 per share.
• Cash flow from operations amounted to EUR 145 (323) million, impacted by the lower profit and decreasing trade payables.
• The net debt to adjusted EBITDA (LTM) ratio improved to 3.3 (3.5).
• Adjusted ROCE excluding the Forest segment (LTM) increased to 3.3% (1.1%).

January–June 2025 (year-on-year)

• Sales were EUR 4,789 (4,466) million.
• Adjusted EBIT was EUR 301 (302) million.
• Operating result (IFRS) was EUR 235 (232) million.
• Earnings per share (EPS) were EUR 0.17 (0.15) and EPS excl. fair valuations (FV) was EUR 0.18 (0.14).
• Cash flow from operations amounted to EUR 336 (592) million. Cash flow after investing activities was EUR -83 (-18) million.

Key highlights

• In May, Stora Enso entered into an agreement to divest approximately 175,000 hectares of forest land, equivalent to 12.4% of its total forest land holdings in Sweden for an enterprise value of EUR 900 million, equivalent to SEK 9.8 billion. Stora Enso will retain a 15% ownership and secure long-term wood supply.
• Stora Enso has initiated a strategic review of its Swedish forest assets. The review includes assessing a potential separation and public listing of the forest assets.
• The ramp-up of the new consumer board line at the Oulu site in Finland is proceeding, and the line is expected to reach full capacity during 2027.
• The acquisition of the Finnish sawmill company Junnikkala Oy was completed during the quarter.
• Stora Enso implemented a new, leaner and flatter organisational structure as of 1 July 2025, dividing its packaging business into four main areas with a reinforced focus on renewable packaging as the core business: Foodservice and Liquid Board, Cartonboard, Containerboard, and Packaging Solutions.
• FTSE Russel has upgraded Stora Enso’s ESG rating score from 4.4 to 4.6 (max 5.0), and ranked the Group as the best company in its sector. Stora Enso also remains included in the FTSE4Good Index Series.
• In July, Fitch confirmed that Stora Enso’s credit rating will continue as BBB- with Stable Outlook.

Outlook and focus for 2025
Stora Enso expects market demand to remain subdued and volatile, affected by heightened macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty.

Guidance
Stora Enso anticipates that the adverse impact on adjusted EBIT for the full year of 2025, due to the ramp-up of the new consumer packaging board line at the Oulu site in Finland, will be around or somewhat above EUR 100 million.

The Group’s capital expenditure forecast for the full year of 2025 is EUR 730–790 million.

In the third quarter of 2025, maintenance costs are expected to increase by approximately EUR 10 million from Q2/2025.

Fiber costs are expected to remain at high levels.

Focus for 2025

• Continue systematic and determined work across the whole Group to improve profitability, cash flow, and cost competitiveness through a focus on sourcing, operational efficiency, commercial excellence, working capital, and fixed costs
• Complete the sale of 12.4% of Swedish forest assets.
• Conduct a strategic review of the remaining Swedish forest assets, including the assessment of a potential separation and public listing of the forest assets.
• Continue to build a leaner and flatter organisation by dividing the packaging business into four main areas – Foodservice and Liquid Board, Cartonboard, Containerboard, and Packaging Solutions – with a reinforced focus on renewable packaging as the core business. The new streamlined organisation will increase customer focus, drive operational efficiency through increased integration, reduce complexity, and enhance the Group’s performance culture.
• Transition to a more integrated business model across the Nordic packaging board mills to improve the entire value chain and customer-centricity.
• Ramp up production and leverage the EUR 1 billion investment in the new packaging board line at the integrated mill in Oulu, Finland, to strengthen Stora Enso’s competitive position.

Outlook from Q2/2025 to Q3/2025

Markets remain volatile, with low consumer sentiment. The direct impact of the US tariffs at current rates is limited given that Stora Enso’s direct sales to the USA account for only just below 3% of total group sales (2024). Tariffs impacting global trade present both risks and opportunities to our business. However, the main risk, as it currently stands, is the overall impact on the economy and trade flows.

Overall demand in the packaging segments is expected to remain stable at a low level. Prices are expected to remain relatively stable, despite ongoing pressure from persistent overcapacity and increased competition from Asia in consumer boards. In euro terms, prices for overseas deliveries are expected to be negatively affected by a weaker US dollar. 

Market demand for pulp is expected to remain weak due to market uncertainty, the low season, and increased inventory levels. Market pulp prices are expected to continue decreasing or to flatten throughout the summer and into autumn, negatively impacted by a weaker US dollar. 

Following the holiday season, demand in the wood products markets is projected to return to previous low levels. Prices are expected to remain stable amid ongoing pressure from rising saw log costs. 

The Forest segment is estimated to maintain stable financial performance. 

The third quarter profitability will be negatively affected by the planned maintenance stops, approximately EUR 10 million, and the continuing ramp-up of the new line at Oulu, with an estimated impact of EUR 30–45 million.

Key figures

 

1 Total forest assets value, including leased land, assets held for sale and Stora Enso’s share of Tornator.
2 LTM=Last 12 months
3 Q1 and Q2 2024 restated in Q3 2024, please see the interim report for Q3 2024 for more details. 

Stora Enso’s President and CEO Hans Sohlström comments on the second quarter 2025 results:

During the second quarter of 2025, we continued to make good progress in building a stronger and more competitive Stora Enso. While market conditions remained challenging, we focused on the areas within our control – enhancing sourcing, operational efficiency, commercial excellence, working capital, and fixed costs.

We reached a major milestone with the agreement to divest approximately 175,000 hectares of forest land, equivalent to 12.4% of our total forest land holdings in Sweden, for an enterprise value of approximately EUR 900 million, in line with our Swedish forest book value. This transaction reduces our debt and enhances our financial flexibility. Stora Enso will retain a 15% ownership. In connection with the transaction, Stora Enso and the divested entity will enter into a 15-year wood supply agreement with a possible additional 15-year extension.

Following this, we initiated a strategic review of our remaining 1.2 million hectares of Swedish forest assets, reinforcing our commitment to active portfolio management and shareholder value creation. As part of this review, we will explore various options, including a potential separation and listing of the forest business into a new company that would be wholly owned by all Stora Enso shareholders. The aim of the review is to assess options to further strengthen Stora Enso’s leading renewable packaging business, as well as to unlock the value and business potential of the unique Swedish forest business. 

Our new consumer board line in Oulu continued the ramp-up during the quarter. Customer feedback on product quality has been very encouraging. While the ramp-up will continue to weigh on earnings in the short term, we remain confident the Oulu board line will be very cost-competitive and deliver some of the best quality products in the industry. This investment is central to our strategy of growing in renewable packaging. We also closed the acquisition of Junnikkala sawmills, which will further enhance the Oulu mill’s cost competitiveness.

Financially, all operational segments delivered positive adjusted EBIT for the second consecutive quarter, despite continued weakness in board and pulp markets, with total adjusted EBIT at EUR 126 million. The Oulu ramp-up had an approximately EUR 50 million negative impact on the second quarter adjusted EBIT. Sales at EUR 2.4 billion grew 5% year-on-year supported by high demand for wood products and packaging solutions. Our continuous, dedicated efforts to improve cash flow resulted in an operating working capital to sales of 6.9%, a decrease of 1.8 percentage points year-on-year. Cash flow was negative in the second quarter, as expected, driven by the final investments at the Oulu site.

Looking ahead, we expect subdued and volatile market demand to persist through the remainder of 2025, driven by macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. Market pulp prices are expected to continue to decrease or to flatten throughout the summer and into autumn, while some board prices are facing pressure due to low demand. We are also entering a period of higher maintenance activity, which will increase maintenance costs in the second half of the year. The Oulu ramp-up will continue to impact EBIT negatively, albeit less than in the second quarter.

As previously announced, we have implemented a new, leaner and flatter organisational structure as of 1 July 2025. This new structure will increase customer focus, drive operational efficiency with increased integration, reduce complexity and enhance the Group’s performance culture. The renewable packaging business will consist of four P&L responsible business areas: Foodservice and Liquid Board, Cartonboard, Containerboard, and Packaging Solutions. The remaining businesses continue to be divided into three P&L responsible business areas: Biomaterials, Wood Products, and Forest. Within these seven business areas, P&L responsibility is further decentralised down to 22 new P&L responsible business units close to customers and operations.

I am proud of the resilience and dedication shown by our teams across the company. We are navigating through a volatile world with determination and discipline, and we remain firmly on track to deliver long-term sustainable value. Thank you for your continued support. 

Webcast for analysts, investors, and media

Analysts, investors, and media are invited to participate in the webcast with a teleconference today at 11:00 am EET (10:00 CET, 9:00 BST, 4:00 EDT). The results will be presented by President and CEO Hans Sohlström and CFO Niclas Rosenlew. The presentation can be followed live via the link: https://stora-enso-oyj-q2-earnings-presentation-2025.open-exchange.net/registration

During the webcast presentation, analysts and investors will also have the possibility to ask questions. To participate in the teleconference, please choose the “Teleconference” option on the homepage of the webcast. Recording of the webcast will be available shortly after the event at the same address and at storaenso.com/en/investors/interim-report

Media representatives who wish to ask questions after the publication of the report may contact Carl Norell, SVP Corporate Communications at Stora Enso on +46 72 241 0349.

This release is a summary of Stora Enso’s Half-year Report January–June 2025. The complete report is attached to this release as a pdf file. It is also available on the company website at storaenso.com/en/investors/interim-report.

Media enquiries:
Carl Norell
SVP Corporate Communications
tel. +46 72 241 0349

Investor enquiries:
Jutta Mikkola
SVP Investor Relations
tel. +358 50 544 6061

The forest is at the heart of Stora Enso and we believe that everything made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. We are the leading provider of renewable products in packaging, biomaterials, and wooden construction, and one of the largest private forest owners in the world. Stora Enso has approximately 19,000 employees and our sales in 2024 were EUR 9 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Oy (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm AB (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA on OTC Markets (OTCQX) as ADRs and ordinary shares (SEOAY, SEOFF, SEOJF). storaenso.com/investors

CONTACT: 

Investor enquiries:
Jutta Mikkola
SVP Investor Relations
tel. +358 50 544 6061

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/stora-enso-oyj/r/stora-enso-half-year-report-january-june-2025–solid-business-performance-in-a-volatile-demand-envir,c4210236

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SOURCE Stora Enso Oyj

PASAY CITY, Philippines, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The SM Group is firming up its commitment to reduce plastic waste as a shared responsibility across its business units.  Led by its parent company, SM Investments Corporation, the conglomerate recently created a working group committee that convenes and conducts regular dialogues, enjoining SM’s different businesses to incorporate plastic reduction into their respective sustainability roadmaps.

This is in support of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022, or EPR Law which requires companies to take responsibility for the recovery of their plastic packaging products and to pursue waste management programs.

“While plastic plays a crucial role in modern life, its convenience often contributes to a throwaway culture, leading to one of our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. We understand the importance of waste recovery and recycling not only as part of our sustainable business vision but also as a social and legal obligation. SM’s approach is both practical and actionable,” Timothy Daniels, Head of Investor Relations and Sustainability, SM Investments Corporation said.

Take for example SM Markets, the SM Group’s umbrella brand for SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore, which has ushered in greener retail practices in encouraging the use of eco-bags over single-use plastics since 2007. In 2024 alone, SM Markets sold 19 million Green Bags, equivalent to around 42 million plastic bags avoided.

One of SM Retail’s affiliates, Watsons Philippines has transitioned 81% of its stores to using paper bags instead of single-use plastics. In addition, over 2,140 retail stock-keeping units (SKUs) fall under Watsons’ Sustainable Choices category, which includes products classified as Clean Beauty, Better Ingredients, Better Packaging, and Refills. These products reflect its commitment to offering more environmentally responsible options to consumers.

Goldilocks Bakeshop, Inc., one of SM’s portfolio investments, reduced the size of ribbons used in each of their packaging leading to a reduction of 7,000 kilograms of plastics annually.

2GO Group, Inc., the logistics business of the SM Group, has also taken deliberate steps to reduce plastic use by transitioning to environmentally friendly packaging. Their shipping operations now utilize 100% recyclable, reusable and biodegradable packaging materials.

Considering its footprint across the Philippines, SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) commits to foster the much-needed infrastructure that will help support and maintain plastic waste management strategies across its businesses. SM Prime has equipped its properties with Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and standardized waste segregation systems across all malls and developments. There are 15 designated drop-off points for plastic wastes, which diverted 63,874 kgs of plastics from landfills.

Trash-to-Cash (TTC) is a long-running monthly recycling market held in all SM Supermalls, where customers can exchange recyclables – such as paper, plastic and metal – for cash. TTC has facilitated the exchange of over 1 million kilograms of recyclables each month, totaling approximately 12 million kilograms. This is equivalent to saving 204,000 trees if all the recyclables were paper or reducing 18,000 tons of carbon emissions if all were plastic.

Consumer-facing initiatives such as the RDC (Recyclable, Disposable, Compostable) segregation bins launched by SM Supermalls in 2023 and information drives help employees and customers reinforce the group’s wider efforts.

SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) has also phased out single-use plastics in its hotels as early as 2018, replacing amenities with refillable or eco-friendly options.

“Plastic waste reduction at SM is about steady, coordinated progress made possible by a shared culture of everyday solutions, and a proactive approach across all our businesses,” Mr. Daniels added.

The United Nations Environment Programme identified plastic pollution as a global problem with 19-23 million tons of plastic waste going into the ecosystem, polluting lakes, rivers and seas.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

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SOURCE SM Investments Corporation