Stora Enso reported financial results for the first quarter of 2016. Sales were slightly down at 2.445 billion euros due to structurally declining paper business, but increased by 2.4% excluding paper and divested mills. Operational EBIT increased 12.7% to 248 million euros and the margin reached a record high of 10.1%. Cash flow from operations improved to 289 million euros. The company continued strengthening its balance sheet through high investments while reducing net debt. Stora Enso also provided guidance for the second quarter of 2016, estimating sales to be slightly higher than Q1 levels and operational EBIT to be in line with or somewhat lower due to scheduled annual maintenance shutdowns.