The nine Canadian pulp and paper producers tracked by PPI Pulp & Paper Week recorded three consecutive quarters of profit in the face of unfavorable currency exchange rates, higher raw material costs and pricing pressures. The profit margin, however, remained very thin. Net earnings excluding special items for the group averaged 1.2% in Q3; they were 1.5% in Q2 and 2.2% in Q1. Sales were up 2.3% for Q3 2011 as compared to Q3 2012; revenues were down 1.2% in the same period.
