SCA's net sales decreased by one percent (increased by four percent excluding exchange rate effects and divestments) to 105,750 million Kronor (106,965 million previous year). Operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability decreased, by four percent (unchanged excluding exchange rate effects) to 9,224 million Kronor (9,608).Earnings per share, including items affecting comparability, were 0.78 Kronor (7.90). Cash flow from current operations was 6,383 million Kronor (7,399). The Board of Directors proposes an increase in the dividend by five percent to 4.20 Kronor per share.”During the financial year SCA carried out important efficiency improvement measures, stepped up the pace in its launch of new products, and achieved growth in both mature and emerging markets. Sales increased in all business areas, and net sales for 2011, excluding exchange rate effects and divestments, rose four percent compared with a year earlier,” comments Jan Johansson, CEO of SCA.”Growth in the hygiene operations remained good in emerging markets, where Personal Care and Tissue grew sales by 13 and ten percent, respectively. To take advantage of growth opportunities in the hygiene operations and strengthen our positions in emerging markets, during the year we carried out acquisitions and investments in Brazil, Turkey and Russia, among other places.”Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2011, excluding exchange rate effects and divestments, increased by one percent, and operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability and exchange rate effects, increased by one percent compared with the fourth quarter a year ago.Compared with the third quarter, operating profit for the fourth quarter excluding items affecting comparability rose four percent, while net sales were largely unchanged. The operating margin for the hygiene operations continued to grow.Continued good demand is expected for SCA’s hygiene operations.