Mondi Plc (LON:MNDI) saw its 2018 profit and revenue beat analyst expectations but cautioned that the pricing outlook in 2019 looked mixed.
The FTSE 100-listed paper and packaging group posted a 19% jump in underlying earnings (EBITDA) to €1.76bn, up from €1.48bn a year earlier and above the analyst consensus forecast of €1.73bn.
READ: Mondi expects to report double-digit improvement in its 2018 earnings
The South Africa-based firm reported a 5,.4% rise in group revenue to €7.48bn, from €7.10bn in 2017.
Mondi’s chief executive officer, Peter Oswald commented: "We benefited from good demand across our fibre packaging businesses, higher average selling prices and the contribution from our recent acquisitions.”
However, he added: "Pricing is mixed going into 2019, with recent price reductions in containerboard grades and market pulp and stronger pricing in our kraft paper markets."
The group is to pay a final dividend of 54.55 euro cent per share, up 27% from the 42.90 euro cents paid in 2017, with the total dividend up 23% to 76.0 euro cents from 62.0 euro cents.