OREANDA-NEWS. In terms of paragraph 3.4(b) of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited, companies are required to publish a trading statement as soon as they become reasonably certain that the financial results for the period to be reported on next will differ by at least 20% from those of the previous corresponding period.

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.