Clearwater Paper Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Clearwater Paper reported financial results for the first quarter of 2024 with net sales of $496 million, down 6% from the same period last year. Despite lower input costs and continued strength in tissue, net income was $17 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, $7 million lower than last year. Adjusted net income was $24 million. The company reduced net debt by $33 million and repurchased $1 million of outstanding shares.

Clearwater Paper signed a definitive agreement to acquire a bleached paperboard manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia, for $700 million. The transaction is expected to close shortly. The company expressed confidence in continued tissue performance and a recovery in paperboard demand.

Positive

• Strong performance driven by lower input costs and continued strength in tissue

  Improved customer demand in paperboard

  Reduced net debt by $33 million

  Expectation of continued strength in tissue performance and paperboard demand recovery

  Acquisition of Augusta facility for $700 million

Negative

• Net sales down 6% to $496 million from last year

  Net income decreased to $17 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, down $7 million from last year

  Adjusted net income lower at $24 million despite expectations

  Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $62 million

  Operating income and Adjusted EBITDA for Pulp and Paperboard segment significantly lower due to lower sales prices and impacts of severe weather event

  Decrease in paperboard sales volumes and average net selling price

  Consumer Products segment operating income and Adjusted EBITDA lower in the first quarter of 2024 compared to last year

  Retail tissue average net selling price decreased 2%

Insights

Financial Analyst

Clearwater Paper Corporation's first quarter results indicate a mixed financial performance. The 6% decline in net sales to $496 million reflects a challenging market environment. A key concern is the severe weather event at the Lewiston site, which affected production. The company's ability to resume operations quickly shows resilience, but investors should note the potential for such disruptions to recur. The reduction of net debt by $33 million signals a healthy approach to balance sheet management and the share repurchase activity represents management's confidence in the company's valuation. However, the slight decreases in net income and adjusted EBITDA year-over-year could be a cause for concern. The paperboard segment's sales decline of 12% and reduced operating income and EBITDA by nearly 50% highlight the segment's volatility, potentially indicating pricing pressure and market challenges. In contrast, the consumer products segment's performance with rising sales and operating income underscores a demand for diversified products. Investors should weigh the sector-specific risks against the backdrop of the company's proactive strategies like the Augusta acquisition.

Market Research Analyst

The performance of Clearwater Paper's tissue segment, with a 5% increase in sold volumes, suggests a robust demand that is expected to continue throughout the year. However, the decrease in average net selling price of retail tissue by 2% should be monitored as an indicator of potential pricing pressures or increased competition in the market. With regards to the anticipated recovery in paperboard demand, investors should consider the broader industry trends, particularly around customer de-stocking cycles and how this may affect future sales and pricing power. The Augusta acquisition is a strategic move that could provide Clearwater Paper with additional scale and efficiencies. It's expected to close soon and its successful integration will be critical for future growth and potentially enhanced market share. Investors should track post-acquisition performance closely to evaluate the efficacy of the expansion strategy.

SPOKANE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE:CLW), a premier supplier of quality consumer tissue and bleached paperboard today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Strong performance driven by lower input costs and continued strength in tissue
• Continued strong demand in tissue and improved customer demand in paperboard
• Severe weather event resulting in significant disruption to production at the Lewiston site
• Net sales of $496 million, down 6% from the first quarter of last year
• Net income of $17 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, down $7 million from the first quarter of last year
• Adjusted net income of $24 million, $1 million lower than the first quarter of last year
• Adjusted EBITDA of $62 million, $4 million lower than first quarter of last year
• Reduced net debt by $33 million, repurchased $1 million of outstanding shares with $6 million remaining under program

“Despite the significant weather event that impacted the quarter, we delivered solid results that came in at the higher end of our expectations through strong operational execution,” said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. “Our Lewiston team did a tremendous job repairing damaged equipment under very difficult conditions and resuming operations."

PAPERBOARD FACILITY ACQUISITION UPDATE

Clearwater Paper previously announced that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire from Graphic Packaging International, LLC its Augusta, Georgia bleached paperboard manufacturing facility and associated business for $700 million, subject to adjustments for inventory. The transaction is currently expected to close shortly.

OVERALL RESULTS

For the first quarter of 2024, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $496 million compared to net sales of $525 million for the first quarter of 2023. Net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $17 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, compared to net income for the first quarter of 2023 of $24 million, or $1.40 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, Clearwater Paper reported adjusted net income in the first quarter of 2024 of $24 million, or $1.43 per diluted share, compared to first quarter 2023 adjusted net income of $25 million, or $1.47 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2024 was $62 million, compared to the first quarter of 2023 Adjusted EBITDA of $66 million.

Pulp and Paperboard Segment

Net sales in the Pulp and Paperboard segment were $245 million for the first quarter of 2024, down 12% compared to first quarter 2023 net sales of $279 million. Segment operating income for the first quarter of 2024 was $25 million, compared to $57 million for the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $34 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $66 million in the first quarter of 2023. The decrease in operating income and Adjusted EBITDA were primarily due to lower sales prices and impacts of a severe weather event at our Lewiston Idaho facility, partially offset by lower input costs, specifically in wood, energy and freight.

Pulp and Paperboard Sales Volumes and Prices:

• Paperboard sales volumes were 187,303 tons in the first quarter of 2024, a decrease of 1% compared to 189,398 tons in the first quarter of 2023.
• Paperboard average net selling price decreased 11% to $1,284 per ton for the first quarter of 2023, compared to $1,441 per ton in the first quarter of 2023.

Consumer Products Segment

Net sales in the Consumer Products segment were $253 million for the first quarter of 2024, up 2% compared to first quarter 2023 net sales of $248 million. Segment operating income for the first quarter of 2024 was $32 million compared to operating income of $4 million in the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $46 million in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $19 million in the first quarter of 2023. The increases in operating income and Adjusted EBITDA were driven by higher sales volumes, lower input costs and strong operational performance.

Retail Tissue Sales Volumes and Prices:

• Retail tissue volumes sold were 79,929 tons in the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 5% compared to 76,848 tons in the first quarter of 2023.
• Retail tissue average net selling price decreased 2% to $3,138 per ton in the first quarter of 2024, compared to $3,201 per ton in the first quarter of 2023.

COMPANY OUTLOOK

“We expect continued strength in our tissue performance this year and a recovery in paperboard demand as we believe customer de-stocking is now largely behind us. We are also looking forward to completing the Augusta acquisition and personally welcoming the Augusta team to Clearwater Paper,” continued Kitch.

WEBCAST INFORMATION

Clearwater Paper Corporation will discuss these results during an earnings conference call that begins at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time today. A live webcast and accompanying supplemental information will be available on the company's website. A replay of today's conference call will be available on the website beginning at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time today.

ABOUT CLEARWATER PAPER

Clearwater Paper is a premier supplier of private brand tissue to major retailers, including grocery, club, mass merchants, and discount stores. In addition, the company produces paperboard used by quality-conscious printers and packaging converters, and offers services that include custom sheeting, slitting, and cutting. Clearwater Paper's employees build shareholder value by developing strong relationships through quality and service.

USE OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

In this press release, the company presents certain non-GAAP financial information for the first quarter of 2024 and 2023, including adjusted income and Adjusted EBITDA. Because these amounts are not in accordance with GAAP, reconciliations to net income as determined in accordance with GAAP are included in the tables at the end of this press release. The company presents these non-GAAP metrics because management believes they assist investors and analysts in comparing the company's performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that the company does not believe are indicative of its core operating performance. In addition, the company uses Adjusted EBITDA: (i) as a factor in evaluating management’s performance when determining incentive compensation, (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of the company's business strategies, and (iii) because the company's credit agreement and the indentures governing the company's outstanding notes use metrics similar to Adjusted EBITDA to measure the company's compliance with certain covenants.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as amended, including statements regarding: the pending acquisition of the paperboard facility and associated business in Augusta, Georgia, and our expectations regarding tissue performance and paperboard demand. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change. Our actual results of operations may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material differences in actual results include, but are not limited to: the expansion of our business through the acquisition of a paperboard manufacturing facility and associated business may not be completed or proceed as anticipated; our inability to realize the expected benefits of the acquisition because of integration difficulties or other challenges; competitive pricing pressures for our products, including as a result of capacity additions, demand reduction and the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the pricing of products globally; changes in the U.S. and international economies and in general economic conditions in the regions and industries in which we operate; manufacturing or operating disruptions, including equipment malfunctions and damage to our manufacturing facilities; the loss of, changes in prices in regard to, or reduction in, orders from a significant customer; changes in the cost and availability of wood fiber and wood pulp; changes in energy, chemicals, packaging and transportation costs and disruptions in transportation services impacting our ability to receive inputs or ship products to customers; reliance on a limited number of third-party suppliers, vendors and service providers required for the production of our products and our operations; changes in customer product preferences and competitors’ product offerings; cyber-security risks; larger competitors having operational, financial and other advantages; consolidation and vertical integration of converting operations in the paperboard industry; our ability to successfully execute capital projects and other activities to operate our assets, including effective maintenance, implement our operational efficiencies and realize higher throughput or lower costs; IT system disruptions and IT system implementation failures; labor disruptions; cyclical industry conditions; changes in expenses, required contributions and potential withdrawal costs associated with our pension plans; environmental liabilities or expenditures and climate change; our ability to attract, motivate, train and retain qualified and key personnel; our ability to service our debt obligations and restrictions on our business from debt covenants and terms; changes in our banking relations, or in our customer supply chain financing; negative changes in our credit agency ratings; changes in laws, regulations or industry standards affecting our business; and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements based on new developments or changes in the company’s expectations after the date of this press release.

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31,
(In millions, except per-share data)		2024			2023
Net sales	$	496.2		$	525.4
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		421.6			448.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses		36.2			36.0
Other operating charges, net 1		7.9			1.1
Total operating costs and expenses		465.8			485.6
Income from operations		30.4			39.8
Interest expense, net		(6.5	)		(7.6	)
Other non-operating income		0.3			0.1
Total non-operating expense		(6.2	)		(7.5	)
Income before income taxes		24.2			32.3
Income tax provision		7.0			8.4
Net income	$	17.2		$	23.8
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	1.03		$	1.42
Diluted		1.02			1.40
Average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic		16,607			16,834
Diluted		16,895			17,036
1 Other operating charges, net consist of amounts unrelated to ongoing core operating activities. Please refer to Note 9 within Clearwater Paper's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for the period end March 31, 2024 for the detailed breakout of this amount.

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In millions)	March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	55.2		$	42.0
Receivables, net		173.1			184.5
Inventories		327.8			319.8
Other current assets		20.2			17.9
Total current assets		576.2			564.1
Property, plant and equipment, net		983.1			990.1
Other assets, net		120.4			117.6
Total assets	$	1,679.7		$	1,671.8
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	0.9		$	0.8
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		300.6			285.1
Total current liabilities		301.4			286.0
Long-term debt		442.3			462.3
Liability for pension and other postretirement employee benefits		55.1			55.7
Deferred tax liabilities and other long-term obligations		196.3			199.1
Total liabilities		995.2			1,003.0
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock		—			—
Additional paid-in capital		13.5			14.9
Retained earnings		701.7			684.5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(30.7	)		(30.7	)
Total stockholders' equity		684.5			668.8
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,679.7		$	1,671.8

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2024			2023
Operating activities
Net income	$	17.2		$	23.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		23.2			24.8
Equity-based compensation expense		3.3			1.9
Deferred taxes		(1.6	)		(1.3	)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement employee benefits		(0.9	)		(0.5	)
Loss on sale or impairment associated with assets		0.2			1.1
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable		7.8			(6.4	)
(Increase) decrease in inventories		(8.2	)		(22.3	)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets		(2.3	)		0.4
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities		20.5			(31.7	)
Other, net		0.1			1.0
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities		59.2			(9.1	)
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment, net		(18.5	)		(21.5	)
Net cash flows used in investing activities		(18.5	)		(21.5	)
Financing activities
Borrowings on long-term debt		—			12.0
Repayments of long-term debt		(23.5	)		(12.2	)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards		(3.1	)		(4.2	)
Repurchases of common stock		(0.5	)		(1.7	)
Other, net		(0.4	)		(0.1	)
Net cash flows used in financing activities		(27.6	)		(6.3	)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		13.2			(37.0	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		42.0			54.4
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	55.2		$	17.4

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Segment Information
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2024			2023
Segment net sales:
Pulp and Paperboard	$	244.5		$	278.8
Consumer Products		253.1			248.3
Eliminations		(1.4	)		(1.7	)
Total segment net sales	$	496.2		$	525.4
Operating income (loss):
Pulp and Paperboard	$	25.3		$	57.1
Consumer Products		31.5			4.2
Corporate and eliminations		(18.5	)		(20.4	)
Other operating charges, net 1		(7.9	)		(1.1	)
Income from operations	$	30.4		$	39.8
1 Other operating charges, net consist of amounts unrelated to ongoing core operating activities. Please refer to Note 9 within Clearwater Paper's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for the period end March 31, 2024 for the detailed breakout of this amount.

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31,
(In millions)		2024			2023
Net income	$	17.2		$	23.8
Add back:
Income tax provision		7.0			8.4
Interest expense, net		6.5			7.6
Depreciation and amortization		23.2			24.8
Other operating charges, net 1		7.9			1.1
Other non-operating income		(0.3	)		(0.1	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	61.5		$	65.7
Pulp and Paperboard segment income	$	25.3		$	57.1
Depreciation and amortization		8.4			9.1
Adjusted EBITDA Pulp and Paperboard	$	33.7		$	66.2
Consumer Products segment income	$	31.5		$	4.2
Depreciation and amortization		14.2			15.0
Adjusted EBITDA Consumer Products	$	45.7		$	19.2
Corporate and other expenses	$	(18.5	)	$	(20.4	)
Depreciation and amortization		0.6			0.6
Adjusted EBITDA Corporate and other	$	(17.9	)	$	(19.8	)
Pulp and Paperboard segment	$	33.7		$	66.2
Consumer Products segment		45.7			19.2
Corporate and other		(17.9	)		(19.8	)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	61.5		$	65.7
1 Other operating charges, net consist of amounts unrelated to ongoing core operating activities. Please refer to Note 9 within Clearwater Paper's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for the period end March 31, 2024 for the detailed breakout of this amount.

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Unaudited)
	Quarter Ended March 31,
(In millions, except per share data)	2024		2023
Adjusted net income:
Net income	$	17.2	$	23.8
Add back:
Income tax provision		7.0		8.4
Income before income taxes		24.2		32.3
Add back:
Other operating charges, net		7.9		1.1
Adjusted income before tax	$	32.1	$	33.4
Normalized income tax provision		8.0		8.3
Adjusted net income	$	24.1	$	25.0
Weighted average diluted shares (thousands)		16,895		17,036
Adjusted income per diluted share	$	1.43	$	1.47
	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Calculation of net debt:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	0.9	$	0.8
Long-term debt		442.3		462.3
Add back:
Unamortized deferred debt costs		4.9		5.1
Less:
Cash and cash equivalents		55.2		42.0
Net debt	$	392.9	$	426.3

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240429536422/en/

Investor contact:

Sloan Bohlen

Solebury Strategic Communications

509-344-5906

investorinfo@clearwaterpaper.com

Media contact:

Julia Joy

Clearwater Paper Corporation

509-344-5953

Julia.joy@clearwaterpaper.com

 

Source: Clearwater Paper Corporation

FAQ

What were Clearwater Paper's net sales for the first quarter of 2024?

Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $496 million for the first quarter of 2024.

What was the net income of Clearwater Paper for the first quarter of 2024?

Clearwater Paper's net income for the first quarter of 2024 was $17 million, or $1.02 per diluted share.

What was the adjusted net income for Clearwater Paper in the first quarter of 2024?

Clearwater Paper reported adjusted net income of $24 million in the first quarter of 2024.

What was the reason for the decrease in operating income and Adjusted EBITDA for the Pulp and Paperboard segment?

The decrease was primarily due to lower sales prices and impacts of a severe weather event at the Lewiston Idaho facility.

What is Clearwater Paper's outlook for the future?

Clearwater Paper expects continued strength in tissue performance and a recovery in paperboard demand. The company is also looking forward to completing the Augusta acquisition.