Stora Enso's sales for the first quarter amount to 2,295,9 million Euros, compared to 2,130.5 million the first quarter of 2009. Net profit amounts to 102,1 million Euros (-36.1). Return on capital employed (ROCE), excluding non-recurring items and fair valuations, is 6.0 percent (0.1).The economic environment is gradually improving, facilitating growth in demand for the Group’s products. However, demand is forecast to remain materially weaker than two years ago, before the market downturn. Structural supply and demand imbalance persists in most paper products in Europe, according to Stora Enso.“Our first quarter results announced today are further proof of the effectiveness of our early focus on things we can control. At 119 million Euros, the operating profit excluding fair valuations and non-recurring items is still not acceptable, but it is a remarkable improvement from almost zero a year ago," commented Jouko Karvinen, CEO of Stora Enso.“The results also show that we are already not just a European forest industry company, but a global packaging and paper company, with our wood products experiencing recovery. This year's market pulp net capacity of about 900,000 tons is also a concrete sign of our ability to seize opportunities, when they arise. This is a path we will stay on with selective investments in growth - but only in markets and areas where we can through sustainable competitive differentiation build a stable, long-term return for our shareholders," Karvinen continued.