Verso Paper Reports Price Increases Produce Smaller Net Loss

The improvement in the company’s average sales price reflects price increases that went into effect during 2010. Verso announced additional price increases for its core products of $40 per ton effective April 1, 2011.

The company’s gross margin was 15.4 percent for the first quarter of 2011 compared to 7.4 percent for the same period in 2010 and 17.2 percent for the fourth quarter of 2010. Sales volume was stable on both a sequential quarter basis and year over year.