Norske Skog's gross operating earnings amounted to NOK 568 million in the second quarter of 2009, up from NOK 504 million in the first quarter. The result is also somewhat better than the result from the corresponding quarter in 2008. Reduced costs improved the gross operating margin from 9.6 per cent in the first quarter to 11 per cent in the second quarter. For the first six months of 2009 the gross operating earnings amounted to NOK 1.07 billion, up from NOK 901 million in the same period last year.

 

See attached press release and board of director's report.

 

Oxenøen, 6 August 2009

 

Norske Skog
Corporate affairs