Mondi Group: Trading Statement

Mondi is currently finalising its results for the half year ended 30 June 2014, which will be released on 7 August 2014. It can now be confirmed that underlying operating profit for the half year ended 30 June 2014 is expected to be above that of the comparable prior year period of EUR367 million.

In the six months ended 30 June 2013, the Group recognised a net special item charge after tax of EUR68 million.  The net special item charge for the six months ended 30 June 2014 is around EUR16 million, relating to restructuring activities in the Group’s Coatings business and a net charge on early redemption of the EUR280 million Eurobond, partly offset by the release of a previously recognised provision for transaction costs.

Accordingly, Mondi advises that it expects earnings per share (EPS) for the half year ended 30 June 2014 to be within the ranges shown below:

• basic underlying EPS (euro cents) 49 to 54 (2013 49.4)  
• basic EPS (euro cents) 46 to 51 (2013 35.3)   
• basic headline EPS (euro cents) 46 to 51 (2013 45.7)

Mondi has disclosed basic underlying EPS, which is defined as basic EPS excluding the impact of special items, as the directors believe this provides a useful additional measure of the Group’s underlying performance. Mondi has disclosed basic EPS which includes the effect of special items. The disclosure of basic headline EPS is required under the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited and has been calculated in accordance with Circular 2/2013 as issued by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The above information has neither been reviewed nor audited by Mondi’s auditors.

Editors' notes:

Mondi is an international packaging and paper Group, employing around 26,000 people in production facilities across 31 countries. In 2013, Mondi had revenues of EUR6.5 billion and a ROCE of 15.3%. The Group's key operations are located in central Europe, Russia, the Americas and South Africa.

The Mondi Group is fully integrated across the packaging and paper value chain - from the management of its own forests and the production of pulp and paper (packaging paper and uncoated fine paper), to the conversion of packaging paper into corrugated packaging, industrial bags, extrusion coatings and release liner. Mondi is also a supplier of innovative consumer packaging solutions, advanced films and hygiene products components.

Mondi has a dual listed company structure, with a primary listing on the JSE Limited for Mondi Limited under the ticker code MND and a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange for Mondi plc, under the ticker code MNDI. The Group’s performance, and the responsible approach it takes to good business practice, has been recognised by its inclusion in the FTSE4Good Global, European and UK Index Series (since 2008) and the JSE's Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Index since 2007.

Mondi Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1967/013038/06)
JSE share code: MND     ISIN: ZAE000156550

Mondi plc
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registered number: 6209386)
JSE share code: MNP     ISIN: GB00B1CRLC47
LSE share code: MNDI

As part of the dual listed company structure, Mondi Limited and Mondi plc (together 'Mondi Group') notify both the JSE Limited and the London Stock Exchange of matters required to be disclosed under the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited and/or the Disclosure and Transparency and Listing Rules of the United Kingdom Listing Authority.

Sponsor in South Africa: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd