Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today reported second
quarter 2024 Operating EBITDA of $30.4 million, an increase from
negative Operating EBITDA of $68.7 million in the same quarter of
2023 and a decrease from Operating EBITDA of $63.6 million in the
first quarter of 2024.
In the second quarter of 2024, net loss was
$67.6 million ($1.01 per share), which included a non-cash
impairment of $34.3 million ($0.51 per share) against goodwill
related to the Torgau facility, compared to a net loss of $98.3
million ($1.48 per share) in the second quarter of 2023 and a net
loss of $16.7 million ($0.25 per share) in the first quarter of
2024, which included a non-cash loss on disposal of $23.6 million
($0.35 per share) related to the dissolution of the Cariboo Pulp
and Paper ("CPP") joint venture.
Mr. Juan Carlos Bueno, Chief Executive Officer,
stated: "The second quarter was another improved quarter for our
pulp segment as we continued to benefit from strengthening markets.
Despite lower pulp sales volumes primarily stemming from previously
announced scheduled downtime and the disposal of CPP, cash flow
from operations improved significantly in the second quarter of
2024. This improved aggregate liquidity allowed us to reduce
borrowings by approximately $45 million under our revolving credit
facilities during the quarter.
In the second quarter, pulp prices continued to
improve in all key markets due to strengthening demand and
supply-side disruptions. As these supply-side disruptions ease and
we enter into a period of traditionally lower seasonal demand, we
currently expect pulp prices to soften slightly in the third
quarter of 2024.
Lumber pricing was relatively flat in the second
quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2024 due to
continued weakness in both the U.S. and Europe. We currently expect
lumber prices to remain relatively steady in the third quarter as
demand continues to be impacted by the high interest rate
environment and economic uncertainty.
In the second quarter, we recognized a non-cash
goodwill impairment of $34.3 million related to the Torgau facility
as a result of ongoing weakness in European lumber, pallet and
biofuel markets stemming from high interest rates and other
economic conditions. We continue to expect to realize the synergies
at Torgau as market and economic conditions improve. To position
for improved markets, we continue to proceed with certain
previously announced, high-return capital projects at the Torgau
facility designed to increase the facility's lumber production
capacity to approximately 440 million board feet and planing
capacity to approximately 145 million board feet. The addition of
planing capacity will allow us to produce more U.S. dimensional
lumber while also providing us with the flexibility to shift
production between pallets and planed goods in order to maximize
profitability. These projects are currently progressing ahead of
schedule and we expect to start to see their benefits in
mid-2025.
In the second quarter of 2024, we had 44 days of
downtime (approximately 77,600 ADMTs) at our pulp mills which
included 37 days of planned major maintenance and seven additional
days due to slower than expected start-up compared to no days of
planned maintenance in the first quarter of 2024. We are currently
planning for a total of 18 days of maintenance downtime
(approximately 19,700 ADMTs) at our pulp mills in the third quarter
of 2024.
Overall per unit fiber costs for both our pulp
and solid wood segments were flat in the second quarter of 2024
compared to the first quarter and we currently expect stable per
unit fiber costs for the third quarter of 2024.
In the second quarter, we continued to work
towards fulfilling previously secured orders for large scale mass
timber projects. We have seen tremendous growth in our mass timber
business since last year, despite the challenging economic
conditions in this high interest rate environment, and will
continue to focus on project execution and growing the business. As
part of our growth strategy, we are completing optimization
projects at our Mercer Spokane facility which are expected to have
a meaningful impact on our production costs."
Mr. Bueno concluded: "We are seeing the positive
impact of strong pulp prices and stable costs in our operating
results. Our solid wood segment continues to be negatively impacted
by the high interest rate environment, but we remain committed to
continue making strategic investments in this segment to ensure we
are in a strong position as markets recover. With our strong
liquidity position and the significant majority of our annual
scheduled maintenance downtime completed, we currently believe we
are well-positioned to realize on strengthened pulp markets going
into the second half of 2024."
____________________
*Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial
performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States ("GAAP") and should not be considered in isolation or
as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.
See page 6 of the financial tables included in this press release
for a reconciliation of net loss to Operating EBITDA.
Consolidated Financial
Results
| |
Q2 |
|
|
Q1 |
|
|
Q2 |
|
|
YTD |
|
|
YTD |
|
| |
2024 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
| |
(in thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
499,384 |
|
|
$ |
553,430 |
|
|
$ |
529,863 |
|
|
$ |
1,052,814 |
|
|
$ |
1,052,529 |
|
| Operating loss |
$ |
(43,779 |
) |
|
$ |
(448 |
) |
|
$ |
(108,832 |
) |
|
$ |
(44,227 |
) |
|
$ |
(128,953 |
) |
| Operating EBITDA |
$ |
30,439 |
|
|
$ |
63,601 |
|
|
$ |
(68,680 |
) |
|
$ |
94,040 |
|
|
$ |
(41,210 |
) |
| Net loss |
$ |
(67,586 |
) |
|
$ |
(16,703 |
) |
|
$ |
(98,306 |
) |
|
$ |
(84,289 |
) |
|
$ |
(128,884 |
) |
| Net loss per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.25 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.48 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.94 |
) |
|
Diluted |
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.25 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.48 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.94 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated – Three Months Ended
June 30, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30,
2023
Total revenues for the second quarter of 2024
decreased by approximately 6% to $499.4 million from $529.9 million
in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower pulp and lumber
sales volumes partially offset by higher pulp sales realizations
and manufactured products revenues.
Costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2024
decreased by approximately 15% to $543.2 million from $638.7
million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of lower
pulp and lumber sales volumes and lower per unit fiber, energy and
chemical costs. In the second quarter of 2024, costs and expenses
included a non-cash goodwill impairment of $34.3 million related to
the Torgau facility, which was recognized as a result of ongoing
weakness in lumber, pallet and biofuels markets in Europe stemming
from high interest rates and other economic conditions. We continue
to expect to realize the synergies from the Torgau acquisition as
market and economic conditions improve. In the second quarter of
2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory impairment of $51.4 million,
which was partially offset by $22.0 million of insurance proceeds
received relating to the 2021 turbine downtime at our Rosenthal
mill and the July 2022 fire at our Stendal mill.
In the second quarter of 2024, Operating EBITDA
increased to $30.4 million from negative Operating EBITDA of $68.7
million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due higher pulp sales
realizations and lower per unit fiber, energy and chemical costs.
In the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory
impairment which was partially offset by insurance proceeds
received.
Segment Results
Pulp
| |
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
| |
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
| |
(in thousands) |
|
|
Pulp revenues |
$ |
346,808 |
|
|
$ |
374,175 |
|
| Energy and chemical
revenues |
$ |
20,563 |
|
|
$ |
28,519 |
|
| Operating income (loss) |
$ |
4,481 |
|
|
$ |
(83,459 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the second quarter of 2024, pulp segment
operating income increased to $4.5 million from an operating loss
of $83.5 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to
higher pulp sales realizations and lower per unit fiber and other
production costs. In the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a
non-cash inventory impairment which was partially offset by
insurance proceeds received.
Pulp segment revenues, which includes pulp,
energy and chemical revenues, in the second quarter of 2024
decreased by approximately 9% to $367.4 million from $402.7 million
in the same quarter of 2023 as a result of lower sales volumes and
lower energy and chemical sales realizations partially offset by
higher pulp sales realizations.
Pulp revenues in the second quarter of 2024
decreased by approximately 7% to $346.8 million from $374.2 million
in the same quarter of 2023 due to lower sales volumes partially
offset by higher sales realizations.
In the second quarter of 2024, third party
industry quoted average list prices for NBSK pulp increased in both
Europe and North America from the same quarter of 2023, including
achieving a record list price of $1,635 per ADMT in Europe as of
June 30, 2024. Third party industry quoted average net prices for
NBSK pulp in China also increased from the same quarter of 2023.
Our average NBSK pulp sales realizations in the second quarter of
2024 increased by approximately 15% to $811 per ADMT from $706 per
ADMT in the same quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of 2024,
average NBHK pulp sales realizations increased by approximately 16%
to $701 per ADMT from $602 per ADMT in the same quarter of
2023.
Total pulp sales volumes in the second quarter
of 2024 decreased by approximately 19% to 433,320 ADMTs from
536,878 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2023 primarily because of
lower production, due to scheduled maintenance downtime and the
disposal of CPP, and the timing of sales.
Energy and chemical revenues in the second
quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 28% to $20.6 million
from $28.5 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to
lower sales realizations and energy sales volumes.
Costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2024
decreased by approximately 25% to $364.0 million from $486.3
million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of lower
sales volumes and lower per unit fiber, energy and chemical costs.
In the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory
impairment of $51.4 million which was partially offset by $22.0
million of insurance proceeds received relating to the 2021 turbine
downtime at our Rosenthal mill and the July 2022 fire at our
Stendal mill.
Total pulp production in the second quarter of
2024 decreased by approximately 11% to 421,692 ADMTs compared with
475,615 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher
production lost for annual maintenance downtime and the disposal of
the CPP joint venture investment in the first quarter of 2024,
partially offset by the market curtailment at the Peace River and
CPP mills in the second quarter of 2023. We estimate that annual
maintenance downtime in the second quarter of 2024 adversely
impacted our operating income by approximately $60.2 million,
comprised of approximately $44.9 million in direct out-of-pocket
expenses and the balance in reduced production. Many of our
competitors that report their results using International Financial
Reporting Standards capitalize their direct costs of maintenance
downtime.
On average, in the second quarter of 2024,
overall per unit fiber costs decreased by approximately 15%
compared to the same quarter of 2023 due to stable supply. We
currently expect stable per unit fiber costs in the third quarter
of 2024.
Solid Wood
| |
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
| |
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
| |
(in thousands) |
|
|
Lumber revenues |
$ |
53,910 |
|
|
$ |
59,264 |
|
| Energy revenues |
$ |
4,301 |
|
|
$ |
5,360 |
|
| Manufactured products
revenues(1) |
$ |
35,381 |
|
|
$ |
15,989 |
|
| Pallet revenues |
$ |
26,741 |
|
|
$ |
32,675 |
|
| Biofuels revenues(2) |
$ |
8,155 |
|
|
$ |
10,242 |
|
| Wood residuals revenues |
$ |
1,750 |
|
|
$ |
2,520 |
|
| Operating loss |
$ |
(43,679 |
) |
|
$ |
(22,493 |
) |
|
______________ |
|
| (1)
Manufactured products primarily includes
cross-laminated timber ("CLT"), glue-laminated timber ("glulam")
and finger joint lumber. |
|
| (2)
Biofuels includes pellets and briquettes. |
|
| |
|
In the second quarter of 2024, our solid wood
segment had an operating loss of $43.7 million compared to $22.5
million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to the non-cash
goodwill impairment charge partially offset by higher mass timber
sales volumes and lower per unit fiber costs.
Solid wood segment revenues in the second
quarter of 2024 modestly increased to $130.2 million from $126.1
million in the same quarter of 2023 driven by higher manufactured
products revenues partially offset by lower revenues from our other
products.
Lumber revenues in the second quarter of 2024
decreased by approximately 9% to $53.9 million from $59.3 million
in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower sales volumes
partially offset by a modestly higher sales realization. Average
lumber sales realizations in the second quarter of 2024 increased
by approximately 5% to $463 per Mfbm from $443 per Mfbm in the same
quarter of 2023 driven by a modest increase in demand in the U.S.
market. In Europe, realized lumber prices were flat compared to the
same quarter of 2023. The U.S. market accounted for approximately
45% of our lumber revenues and approximately 39% of our lumber
sales volumes in the second quarter of 2024. The majority of the
balance of our lumber sales were to Europe.
Lumber sales volumes in the second quarter of
2024 decreased by approximately 13% to 116.6 MMfbm from 133.9 MMfbm
in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower production and
the timing of sales.
In the second quarter of 2024, as a result of
the continued ramp-up of our mass timber business, manufactured
products revenues more than doubled to $35.4 million from $16.0
million in the same quarter of 2023. Manufactured products sales
realizations increased by approximately 31% to $2,942 per m3 in the
second quarter of 2024 from $2,243 per m3 in the same quarter of
2023 as a result of higher CLT sales volumes, which generate higher
sales realizations relative to other manufactured products.
Energy, biofuels and wood residuals revenues in
the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 22% to $14.2
million from $18.1 million in the same quarter of 2023 driven by
lower sales realizations and sales volumes.
Pallet revenues in the second quarter of 2024
decreased by approximately 18% to $26.7 million from $32.7 million
in the same quarter of 2023 due to lower sales volumes and sales
realizations as weak economic conditions in Europe negatively
impacted demand.
Lumber production in the second quarter of 2024
decreased by approximately 9% to 111.4 MMfbm from 122.3 MMfbm in
the same quarter of 2023 driven by planned maintenance
downtime.
Fiber costs were approximately 75% of our lumber
cash production costs in the second quarter of 2024. In the second
quarter of 2024, per unit fiber costs for lumber production
decreased by approximately 12% compared to the same quarter of 2023
because of stable supply. We currently expect stable per unit fiber
costs in the third quarter of 2024.
Consolidated – Six Months Ended
June 30, 2024 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30,
2023
Total revenues for the first half of 2024 were
flat compared to the same period of 2023 as higher manufactured
products sales revenues and pulp sales volumes were offset by lower
lumber sales volumes and lower energy, pallet and pulp sales
realizations.
Costs and expenses in the first half of 2024
decreased by approximately 7% to $1,097.0 million from $1,181.5
million in the same period of 2023 primarily as a result of lower
per unit fiber, energy and chemical costs partially offset by the
non-cash goodwill impairment of $34.3 million and the non-cash loss
on disposal of the CPP joint venture investment of $23.6 million.
In the first half of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory
impairment of $66.6 million which was partially offset by $29.5
million of insurance proceeds received.
In the first half of 2024, Operating EBITDA
increased to $94.0 million from negative Operating EBITDA of $41.2
million in the same period of 2023 primarily due to lower per unit
fiber, energy and chemical costs. In the first half of 2023, we
recorded a non-cash inventory impairment which was partially offset
by insurance proceeds received.
Liquidity
As of June 30, 2024, we had cash and cash
equivalents of $263.2 million, approximately $317.4 million
available under our revolving credit facilities and aggregate
liquidity of about $580.6 million.
The following table is a summary of selected
financial information as of the dates indicated:
| |
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
| |
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
| |
(in thousands) |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
263,173 |
|
|
$ |
313,992 |
|
| Working capital |
$ |
760,126 |
|
|
$ |
806,468 |
|
| Total assets |
$ |
2,484,462 |
|
|
$ |
2,662,578 |
|
| Long-term liabilities |
$ |
1,688,183 |
|
|
$ |
1,740,731 |
|
| Total shareholders'
equity |
$ |
487,669 |
|
|
$ |
635,410 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarterly Dividend
A quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share will be
paid on October 3, 2024 to all shareholders of record on September
25, 2024. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval and
may be adjusted as business and industry conditions warrant.
Earnings Release Call
In conjunction with this release, Mercer
International Inc. will host a conference call, which will be
simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet. Management will
host the call, which is scheduled for August 9, 2024 at 10:00 AM
ET. Listeners can access the conference call live and archived for
30 days over the Internet at
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/3qmekae8/ or through a link on
the company's home page at https://www.mercerint.com. Please allow
15 minutes prior to the call to visit the website and download and
install any necessary audio software.
Mercer International Inc. is a global forest
products company with operations in Germany, USA and Canada with
consolidated annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of
pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 210 thousand cubic meters
of CLT, 45 thousand cubic meters of glulam, 17 million pallets and
230,000 metric tonnes of biofuels. To obtain further information on
the company, please visit its website at
https://www.mercerint.com.
The preceding includes forward looking
statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties
which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ
materially from forecasted results. Words such as "expects",
"anticipates", "are optimistic that", "projects", "intends",
"designed", "will", "believes", "estimates", "may", "could" and
variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements. Among those factors which
could cause actual results to differ materially are the following:
the highly cyclical nature of our business, raw material costs, our
level of indebtedness, competition, foreign exchange and interest
rate fluctuations, our use of derivatives, expenditures for capital
projects, environmental regulation and compliance, disruptions to
our production, market conditions and other risk factors listed
from time to time in our SEC reports.
APPROVED BY: William D. McCartney Chairman (604)
684-1099
Juan Carlos Bueno Chief Executive Officer (604)
684-1099
-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-
Summary Financial Highlights
| |
Q2 |
|
|
Q1 |
|
|
Q2 |
|
|
YTD |
|
|
YTD |
|
| |
2024 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
| |
(in thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
|
Pulp segment revenues |
$ |
367,371 |
|
|
$ |
432,404 |
|
|
$ |
402,694 |
|
|
$ |
799,775 |
|
|
$ |
803,095 |
|
|
Solid wood segment revenues |
|
130,238 |
|
|
|
119,023 |
|
|
|
126,050 |
|
|
|
249,261 |
|
|
|
247,064 |
|
|
Corporate and other revenues |
|
1,775 |
|
|
|
2,003 |
|
|
|
1,119 |
|
|
|
3,778 |
|
|
|
2,370 |
|
| Total revenues |
$ |
499,384 |
|
|
$ |
553,430 |
|
|
$ |
529,863 |
|
|
$ |
1,052,814 |
|
|
$ |
1,052,529 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pulp segment operating income (loss) |
$ |
4,481 |
|
|
$ |
17,447 |
|
|
$ |
(83,459 |
) |
|
$ |
21,928 |
|
|
$ |
(70,688 |
) |
|
Solid wood segment operating loss |
|
(43,679 |
) |
|
|
(13,706 |
) |
|
|
(22,493 |
) |
|
|
(57,385 |
) |
|
|
(49,562 |
) |
|
Corporate and other operating loss |
|
(4,581 |
) |
|
|
(4,189 |
) |
|
|
(2,880 |
) |
|
|
(8,770 |
) |
|
|
(8,703 |
) |
| Total operating loss |
$ |
(43,779 |
) |
|
$ |
(448 |
) |
|
$ |
(108,832 |
) |
|
$ |
(44,227 |
) |
|
$ |
(128,953 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pulp segment depreciation and amortization |
$ |
27,193 |
|
|
$ |
27,373 |
|
|
$ |
27,783 |
|
|
$ |
54,566 |
|
|
$ |
55,182 |
|
|
Solid wood segment depreciation and amortization |
|
12,526 |
|
|
|
12,811 |
|
|
|
12,126 |
|
|
|
25,337 |
|
|
|
32,024 |
|
|
Corporate and other depreciation and amortization |
|
222 |
|
|
|
220 |
|
|
|
243 |
|
|
|
442 |
|
|
|
537 |
|
| Total depreciation and
amortization |
$ |
39,941 |
|
|
$ |
40,404 |
|
|
$ |
40,152 |
|
|
$ |
80,345 |
|
|
$ |
87,743 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Operating EBITDA |
$ |
30,439 |
|
|
$ |
63,601 |
|
|
$ |
(68,680 |
) |
|
$ |
94,040 |
|
|
$ |
(41,210 |
) |
| Loss on disposal of investment
in joint venture |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
23,645 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
23,645 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
| Goodwill impairment |
$ |
34,277 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
34,277 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
| Income tax recovery
(provision) |
$ |
(1,263 |
) |
|
$ |
6,365 |
|
|
$ |
27,479 |
|
|
$ |
5,102 |
|
|
$ |
32,835 |
|
| Net loss |
$ |
(67,586 |
) |
|
$ |
(16,703 |
) |
|
$ |
(98,306 |
) |
|
$ |
(84,289 |
) |
|
$ |
(128,884 |
) |
| Net loss per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.25 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.48 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.94 |
) |
|
Diluted |
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.25 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.48 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.94 |
) |
| Common shares outstanding at
period end |
|
66,871 |
|
|
|
66,850 |
|
|
|
66,525 |
|
|
|
66,871 |
|
|
|
66,525 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary Operating Highlights
| |
Q2 |
|
|
Q1 |
|
|
Q2 |
|
|
YTD |
|
|
YTD |
|
| |
2024 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
| Pulp
Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pulp production ('000
ADMTs) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NBSK |
|
357.8 |
|
|
|
453.2 |
|
|
|
450.7 |
|
|
|
811.0 |
|
|
|
880.7 |
|
|
NBHK |
|
63.9 |
|
|
|
85.7 |
|
|
|
24.9 |
|
|
|
149.6 |
|
|
|
97.3 |
|
| Annual maintenance downtime
('000 ADMTs) |
|
64.9 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
24.5 |
|
|
|
64.9 |
|
|
|
38.0 |
|
| Annual maintenance downtime
(days) |
|
37 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
| Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NBSK |
|
377.6 |
|
|
|
488.2 |
|
|
|
473.6 |
|
|
|
865.8 |
|
|
|
852.1 |
|
|
NBHK |
|
55.7 |
|
|
|
77.5 |
|
|
|
63.3 |
|
|
|
133.2 |
|
|
|
120.7 |
|
| Average NBSK pulp prices
($/ADMT)(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Europe |
|
1,602 |
|
|
|
1,400 |
|
|
|
1,247 |
|
|
|
1,501 |
|
|
|
1,312 |
|
|
China |
|
811 |
|
|
|
745 |
|
|
|
668 |
|
|
|
778 |
|
|
|
780 |
|
|
North America |
|
1,697 |
|
|
|
1,440 |
|
|
|
1,510 |
|
|
|
1,568 |
|
|
|
1,593 |
|
| Average NBHK pulp prices
($/ADMT)(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
China |
|
735 |
|
|
|
662 |
|
|
|
483 |
|
|
|
698 |
|
|
|
597 |
|
|
North America |
|
1,437 |
|
|
|
1,223 |
|
|
|
1,277 |
|
|
|
1,330 |
|
|
|
1,400 |
|
| Average pulp sales
realizations ($/ADMT)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NBSK |
|
811 |
|
|
|
732 |
|
|
|
706 |
|
|
|
766 |
|
|
|
769 |
|
|
NBHK |
|
701 |
|
|
|
631 |
|
|
|
602 |
|
|
|
660 |
|
|
|
700 |
|
| Energy production ('000
MWh)(3) |
|
493.9 |
|
|
|
576.4 |
|
|
|
538.3 |
|
|
|
1,070.4 |
|
|
|
1,073.0 |
|
| Energy sales ('000
MWh)(3) |
|
185.0 |
|
|
|
220.6 |
|
|
|
207.7 |
|
|
|
405.5 |
|
|
|
404.6 |
|
| Average energy sales
realizations ($/MWh)(3) |
|
84 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
114 |
|
| Solid Wood
Segment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Lumber |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production (MMfbm) |
|
111.4 |
|
|
|
127.0 |
|
|
|
122.3 |
|
|
|
238.4 |
|
|
|
256.3 |
|
|
Sales (MMfbm) |
|
116.6 |
|
|
|
121.4 |
|
|
|
133.9 |
|
|
|
238.0 |
|
|
|
273.7 |
|
|
Average sales realizations ($/Mfbm) |
|
463 |
|
|
|
460 |
|
|
|
443 |
|
|
|
461 |
|
|
|
436 |
|
| Energy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production and sales ('000 MWh) |
|
33.7 |
|
|
|
38.7 |
|
|
|
41.9 |
|
|
|
72.4 |
|
|
|
82.4 |
|
|
Average sales realizations ($/MWh) |
|
128 |
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
126 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
| Manufactured products(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production ('000 cubic meters) |
|
11.1 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
18.4 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
Sales ('000 cubic meters) |
|
11.2 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
15.2 |
|
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
Average sales realizations ($/cubic meters) |
|
2,942 |
|
|
|
3,644 |
|
|
|
2,243 |
|
|
|
3,128 |
|
|
|
1,587 |
|
| Pallets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production ('000 units) |
|
2,547.8 |
|
|
|
3,056.3 |
|
|
|
2,747.2 |
|
|
|
5,604.1 |
|
|
|
5,627.4 |
|
|
Sales ('000 units) |
|
2,570.4 |
|
|
|
2,916.3 |
|
|
|
2,882.7 |
|
|
|
5,486.7 |
|
|
|
5,825.2 |
|
|
Average sales realizations ($/unit) |
|
10 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
| Biofuels(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production ('000 tonnes) |
|
41.0 |
|
|
|
37.9 |
|
|
|
43.6 |
|
|
|
78.9 |
|
|
|
76.2 |
|
|
Sales ('000 tonnes) |
|
40.4 |
|
|
|
48.2 |
|
|
|
40.4 |
|
|
|
88.6 |
|
|
|
66.2 |
|
|
Average sales realizations ($/tonne) |
|
202 |
|
|
|
234 |
|
|
|
254 |
|
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
277 |
|
| Average Spot Currency
Exchange Rates |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $ / €(6) |
|
1.0766 |
|
|
|
1.0855 |
|
|
|
1.0888 |
|
|
|
1.0810 |
|
|
|
1.0810 |
|
| $ / C$(6) |
|
0.7310 |
|
|
|
0.7415 |
|
|
|
0.7447 |
|
|
|
0.7362 |
|
|
|
0.7420 |
|
|
______________ |
|
| (1)
Source: RISI pricing report. Europe and North America are
list prices. China are net prices which include discounts,
allowances and rebates. |
|
| (2)
Sales realizations after customer discounts, rebates and
other selling concessions. Incorporates the effect of pulp price
variations occurring between the order and shipment dates. |
|
| (3)
Does not include our 50% joint venture interest in the CPP
mill, which is accounted for using the equity method. In the first
quarter of 2024, we disposed of our investment in CPP. |
|
| (4)
Manufactured products includes CLT, glulam and finger joint
lumber. |
|
| (5)
Biofuels includes pellets and briquettes. |
|
| (6)
Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rates
over the reporting period. |
|
|
MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS(Unaudited)(In thousands, except per share
data) |
| |
| |
|
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
| |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
499,384 |
|
|
$ |
529,863 |
|
|
$ |
1,052,814 |
|
|
$ |
1,052,529 |
|
| Costs and expenses |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization |
|
|
439,220 |
|
|
|
566,200 |
|
|
|
897,402 |
|
|
|
1,027,538 |
|
|
Cost of sales depreciation and amortization |
|
|
39,877 |
|
|
|
40,103 |
|
|
|
80,227 |
|
|
|
87,601 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
|
29,789 |
|
|
|
32,392 |
|
|
|
61,490 |
|
|
|
66,343 |
|
|
Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23,645 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Goodwill impairment |
|
|
34,277 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
34,277 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Operating loss |
|
|
(43,779 |
) |
|
|
(108,832 |
) |
|
|
(44,227 |
) |
|
|
(128,953 |
) |
| Other income (expenses) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(26,843 |
) |
|
|
(20,091 |
) |
|
|
(54,402 |
) |
|
|
(39,138 |
) |
|
Other income |
|
|
4,299 |
|
|
|
3,138 |
|
|
|
9,238 |
|
|
|
6,372 |
|
| Total other expenses, net |
|
|
(22,544 |
) |
|
|
(16,953 |
) |
|
|
(45,164 |
) |
|
|
(32,766 |
) |
| Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(66,323 |
) |
|
|
(125,785 |
) |
|
|
(89,391 |
) |
|
|
(161,719 |
) |
| Income tax recovery
(provision) |
|
|
(1,263 |
) |
|
|
27,479 |
|
|
|
5,102 |
|
|
|
32,835 |
|
| Net loss |
|
$ |
(67,586 |
) |
|
$ |
(98,306 |
) |
|
$ |
(84,289 |
) |
|
$ |
(128,884 |
) |
| Net loss per common share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.48 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.94 |
) |
|
Diluted |
|
$ |
(1.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.48 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.26 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.94 |
) |
| Dividends declared per common
share |
|
$ |
0.075 |
|
|
$ |
0.075 |
|
|
$ |
0.150 |
|
|
$ |
0.150 |
|
|
MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.INTERIM
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS(Unaudited)(In thousands,
except share and per share data) |
| |
| |
|
June 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
| |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
| ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
263,173 |
|
|
$ |
313,992 |
|
|
Accounts receivable, net |
|
|
344,819 |
|
|
|
306,166 |
|
|
Inventories |
|
|
399,515 |
|
|
|
414,161 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other |
|
|
26,177 |
|
|
|
23,461 |
|
|
Assets classified as held for sale |
|
|
35,052 |
|
|
|
35,125 |
|
| Total current assets |
|
|
1,068,736 |
|
|
|
1,092,905 |
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
|
1,332,414 |
|
|
|
1,409,937 |
|
|
Investment in joint ventures |
|
|
3,984 |
|
|
|
41,665 |
|
|
Amortizable intangible assets, net |
|
|
54,548 |
|
|
|
52,641 |
|
|
Goodwill |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
35,381 |
|
|
Operating lease right-of-use assets |
|
|
9,432 |
|
|
|
11,725 |
|
|
Pension asset |
|
|
5,458 |
|
|
|
5,588 |
|
|
Other long-term assets |
|
|
9,890 |
|
|
|
12,736 |
|
| Total assets |
|
$ |
2,484,462 |
|
|
$ |
2,662,578 |
|
| LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and other |
|
$ |
300,550 |
|
|
$ |
278,986 |
|
|
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations |
|
|
798 |
|
|
|
826 |
|
|
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale |
|
|
7,262 |
|
|
|
6,625 |
|
| Total current liabilities |
|
|
308,610 |
|
|
|
286,437 |
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
1,569,068 |
|
|
|
1,609,425 |
|
|
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations |
|
|
12,425 |
|
|
|
12,483 |
|
|
Operating lease liabilities |
|
|
5,973 |
|
|
|
7,755 |
|
|
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
13,343 |
|
|
|
13,744 |
|
|
Deferred income tax |
|
|
87,374 |
|
|
|
97,324 |
|
| Total liabilities |
|
|
1,996,793 |
|
|
|
2,027,168 |
|
| Shareholders’ equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common shares $1 par value; 200,000,000 authorized; 66,871,000
issued and outstanding (2023 – 66,525,000) |
|
|
66,850 |
|
|
|
66,471 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital |
|
|
362,313 |
|
|
|
359,497 |
|
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
241,795 |
|
|
|
336,113 |
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
|
(183,289 |
) |
|
|
(126,671 |
) |
| Total shareholders’
equity |
|
|
487,669 |
|
|
|
635,410 |
|
| Total liabilities and
shareholders’ equity |
|
$ |
2,484,462 |
|
|
$ |
2,662,578 |
|
|
MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
CASH FLOWS(Unaudited)(In thousands) |
|
|
| |
|
Three Months Ended June 30, |
|
|
Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
| Cash flows from (used in)
operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(67,586 |
) |
|
$ |
(98,306 |
) |
|
$ |
(84,289 |
) |
|
$ |
(128,884 |
) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows from operating
activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
39,941 |
|
|
|
40,152 |
|
|
|
80,345 |
|
|
|
87,743 |
|
|
Deferred income tax provision (recovery) |
|
|
7,322 |
|
|
|
(34,105 |
) |
|
|
(6,104 |
) |
|
|
(44,049 |
) |
|
Inventory impairment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
51,400 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
66,600 |
|
|
Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23,645 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Goodwill impairment |
|
|
34,277 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
34,277 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit
plan expense |
|
|
431 |
|
|
|
451 |
|
|
|
641 |
|
|
|
897 |
|
|
Stock compensation expense |
|
|
1,403 |
|
|
|
1,387 |
|
|
|
3,432 |
|
|
|
2,613 |
|
|
Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains) |
|
|
(3,382 |
) |
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
(6,831 |
) |
|
|
494 |
|
|
Other |
|
|
1,389 |
|
|
|
(5,452 |
) |
|
|
2,116 |
|
|
|
(6,601 |
) |
|
Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit
plan contributions |
|
|
(288 |
) |
|
|
(1,318 |
) |
|
|
(617 |
) |
|
|
(1,565 |
) |
|
Changes in working capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
21,929 |
|
|
|
12,168 |
|
|
|
(41,800 |
) |
|
|
23,510 |
|
|
Inventories |
|
|
4,506 |
|
|
|
58,880 |
|
|
|
4,595 |
|
|
|
(27,554 |
) |
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
|
15,718 |
|
|
|
(7,490 |
) |
|
|
18,108 |
|
|
|
(7,181 |
) |
|
Other |
|
|
6,525 |
|
|
|
(3,293 |
) |
|
|
5,473 |
|
|
|
(975 |
) |
|
Net cash from (used in) operating activities |
|
|
62,185 |
|
|
|
14,698 |
|
|
|
32,991 |
|
|
|
(34,952 |
) |
| Cash flows from (used in)
investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
|
|
(17,883 |
) |
|
|
(39,482 |
) |
|
|
(36,344 |
) |
|
|
(72,911 |
) |
|
Acquisition, net of cash acquired |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(82,100 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(82,100 |
) |
|
Property insurance proceeds |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,710 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2,710 |
|
|
Proceeds from government grants |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
787 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Other |
|
|
(2,271 |
) |
|
|
1,120 |
|
|
|
(2,081 |
) |
|
|
1,925 |
|
|
Net cash from (used in) investing activities |
|
|
(20,154 |
) |
|
|
(117,752 |
) |
|
|
(37,638 |
) |
|
|
(150,376 |
) |
| Cash flows from (used in)
financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facilities, net |
|
|
(44,965 |
) |
|
|
24,305 |
|
|
|
(35,840 |
) |
|
|
54,407 |
|
|
Dividend payments |
|
|
(5,014 |
) |
|
|
(4,982 |
) |
|
|
(5,014 |
) |
|
|
(4,982 |
) |
|
Payment of finance lease obligations |
|
|
(2,687 |
) |
|
|
(1,898 |
) |
|
|
(4,876 |
) |
|
|
(3,787 |
) |
|
Other |
|
|
(614 |
) |
|
|
(115 |
) |
|
|
(729 |
) |
|
|
(229 |
) |
|
Net cash from (used in) financing activities |
|
|
(53,280 |
) |
|
|
17,310 |
|
|
|
(46,459 |
) |
|
|
45,409 |
|
| Effect of exchange rate
changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
(1,478 |
) |
|
|
287 |
|
|
|
(775 |
) |
| Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents |
|
|
(11,099 |
) |
|
|
(87,222 |
) |
|
|
(50,819 |
) |
|
|
(140,694 |
) |
| Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period |
|
|
274,272 |
|
|
|
300,560 |
|
|
|
313,992 |
|
|
|
354,032 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents, end
of period |
|
$ |
263,173 |
|
|
$ |
213,338 |
|
|
$ |
263,173 |
|
|
$ |
213,338 |
|
|
MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.COMPUTATION OF OPERATING
EBITDA(Unaudited)(In thousands) |
| |
Operating EBITDA is defined as operating loss
plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset
impairment charges. Management uses Operating EBITDA as a benchmark
measurement of its own operating results, and as a benchmark
relative to its competitors. Management considers it to be a
meaningful supplement to operating loss as a performance measure
primarily because depreciation expense and non-recurring capital
asset impairment charges are not an actual cash cost, and
depreciation expense varies widely from company to company in a
manner that management considers largely independent of the
underlying cost efficiency of our operating facilities. In
addition, management believes Operating EBITDA is commonly used by
securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to
evaluate our financial performance.
Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of
a number of items that affect our net loss, including financing
costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is
not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not
be considered as an alternative to net loss or operating loss as a
measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from
(used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating
EBITDA is an internal measure and therefore may not be comparable
to other companies.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation
of net loss to Operating EBITDA for the periods indicated:
|
|
Q2 |
|
|
Q1 |
|
|
Q2 |
|
|
YTD |
|
|
YTD |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Net loss |
$ |
(67,586 |
) |
|
$ |
(16,703 |
) |
|
$ |
(98,306 |
) |
|
$ |
(84,289 |
) |
|
$ |
(128,884 |
) |
| Income tax provision
(recovery) |
|
1,263 |
|
|
|
(6,365 |
) |
|
|
(27,479 |
) |
|
|
(5,102 |
) |
|
|
(32,835 |
) |
| Interest expense |
|
26,843 |
|
|
|
27,559 |
|
|
|
20,091 |
|
|
|
54,402 |
|
|
|
39,138 |
|
| Other income |
|
(4,299 |
) |
|
|
(4,939 |
) |
|
|
(3,138 |
) |
|
|
(9,238 |
) |
|
|
(6,372 |
) |
| Operating loss |
|
(43,779 |
) |
|
|
(448 |
) |
|
|
(108,832 |
) |
|
|
(44,227 |
) |
|
|
(128,953 |
) |
| Add: Depreciation and
amortization |
|
39,941 |
|
|
|
40,404 |
|
|
|
40,152 |
|
|
|
80,345 |
|
|
|
87,743 |
|
| Add: Loss on disposal of
investment in joint venture |
|
— |
|
|
|
23,645 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
23,645 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Goodwill impairment |
|
34,277 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
34,277 |
|
|
|
— |
|
| Operating EBITDA |
$ |
30,439 |
|
|
$ |
63,601 |
|
|
$ |
(68,680 |
) |
|
$ |
94,040 |
|
|
$ |
(41,210 |
) |
Mercer (NASDAQ:MERC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024
Mercer (NASDAQ:MERC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024
