UPM-Kymmene - Company Announcement

UPM announces new long-term financial targets and dividend policy

UPM-Kymmene Corporation   Stock Exchange Release  8 January 2009  at 08:00      
UPM has reviewed the financial targets for its businesses to correspond with the
company's new business structure effective from 1 December 2008. The company's  
long-term target is an operating profit margin that exceeds 10 percent. The     
return on equity target is at least five percentage points above the yield of a 
10 year risk-free investment. The gearing ratio is to be kept below 90 percent. 

In line with new financial targets, also the dividend policy has been reviewed. 
UPM intends to pay as an annual dividend at least one third of net cash flow    
from operating activities less operational capital expenditure. To promote      
stability in dividends, net cash flow will be calculated as an average over a   
three year period. Remaining funds are to be allocated between growth capital   
expenditure and debt reduction.                                                 

UPM's new financial targets emphasise the importance of cash flow in steering   
the business. In order to secure financial flexibility, the company has raised  
the priority of debt reduction. This emphasises the company's aim to meet the   
requirements of capital markets for an investment grade borrower.               

The minimum dividend for 2007 calculated according the new dividend policy would
have been EUR 0.42, whereas the actual dividend for 2007 was EUR 0.75. The      
Board's dividend proposal for 2008 will be published in the Financial Review on 
5 February 2009.                                                                

For further information, please contact:                                        
Mr Olavi Kauppila, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, tel. +358 204 15  
0658                                                                            
Mr Jyrki Salo, Executive Vice President and CFO, tel. +358 204 15 0011          

UPM, Corporate Communications                                                   
Media Desk, tel. +358 40 588 3284                                               
communications@upm-kymmene.com                                                  

UPM-Kymmene Corporation                                                         
Pirkko Harrela                                                                  
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications                              

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