On Dec. 11, 2018 Moody's (Toronto, Ont., Canada) released an outlook statement for the global paper and paper packaging (forest product) industry's forecast earnings. The following revisions in outlook were made about the global paper, packaging, & forest products industry:

Total outlook has now changed from stable to positive with operating income 2-4% higher instead of 4-6% over the period of the next 1-2 years. North America's industry overall is projected positive from stable to grow 1-3%, Europe 2-4%, Latin America 6-8%, in the next year to 18 months. 

 

After most firms had been projecting positive here throughout the first three quarters of the year, one of the initial reports of a change began when Nasdaq (New York, N.Y., USA) reported this Fall that a tough operating environment had begun plaguing the Paper-based Packaging Container sector's performance. Further, the industry was noted to be facing increasing competition not only from direct competitors, but also from the constant threat of substitution by alternative product materials.

 

Research and Market's (Dublin, Ireland) most recent published report of this overall industrial sector with projections to reach $266.88 billion by 2026 growing at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period staring in 2017 was released in Oct. 2018, likely prior to slightly lower third and fourth quarter considerations for the end of this year though long term projection reports include considerations for market adjustments based on the trends at the time of publication.