Clearwater Paper Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End 2020 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE:CLW) reported strong Q4 and full-year 2020 financial results due to elevated demand for tissue products. Q4 net income reached $23 million, or $1.34 per share, with net sales of $453 million, a 4% increase YoY. For 2020, net income was $77 million, a significant recovery from a loss in 2019, with sales up 6.1% to $1.9 billion. The company reduced net debt by $200 million during the year. Despite this success, demand volatility and inflationary pressures are anticipated in Q1 2021.

Positive

• Net income for Q4 2020 was $23 million, vs. $2 million in Q4 2019.
• Full-year 2020 net income was $77 million, recovering from a loss in 2019.
• Net sales increased 4% to $453 million in Q4 2020, and 6.1% to $1.9 billion for the full year.
• Reduced net debt by $200 million in 2020.

Negative

• Demand for tissue products is expected to be volatile in Q1 2021.
• Inflationary headwinds anticipated, notably in market pulp pricing.

Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE:CLW), a premier supplier of quality consumer tissue and bleached paperboard today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.

2020 FOURTH QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

• Delivered strong performance due to continued elevated demand for tissue products and solid operational execution
• Achieved net income of $23 million, or $1.34 per diluted share and Adjusted EBITDA of $72 million
• Net sales of $453 million, up 4.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019
• Net debt reduction of $58 million

2020 FULL YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

• Supported our customers and consumers during COVID volatility and delivered net income of $77 million or $4.61 per diluted share and Adjusted EBITDA of $283 million.
• Net sales of $1.9 billion, up 6.1% compared to 2019
• Net debt reduction of $200 million

"Our people delivered exceptional results while persevering through significant professional and personal challenges in 2020, and I could not be prouder of the team," said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. “We delivered an outstanding year by focusing on our people and our customers. Our tissue business navigated through significant demand volatility, built better customer relationships, and ramped the new Shelby paper machine. Our paperboard business maintained stability despite variable end market demand. This performance enabled us to reduce net debt and strengthen our balance sheet.”

OVERALL RESULTS

For the fourth quarter of 2020, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $453 million, a 4.0% increase compared to net sales of $435 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2019. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $23 million, or $1.34 per diluted share, compared to net income in the fourth quarter of 2019 of $2 million, or $0.12 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, Clearwater Paper reported adjusted net income in the fourth quarter of 2020 of $25 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, compared to fourth quarter 2019 adjusted net income of $6 million, or $0.37 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $72 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 Adjusted EBITDA of $52 million.

For the full year 2020, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $1.9 billion, a 6.1% increase compared to net sales of $1.8 billion for 2019. Net income for the full year was $77 million in 2020, or $4.61 per diluted share, compared to a net loss for 2019 of $6 million or $0.34 per diluted share. On a non-GAAP basis, Clearwater Paper reported adjusted net income for 2020 of $89 million, or $5.30 per diluted share, compared to 2019 adjusted net income of $4 million, or $0.23 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for 2020 was $283 million, compared to 2019 Adjusted EBITDA of $167 million.

Consumer Products Segment

Net sales in the Consumer Products segment were $244 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, up 5.6% compared to the fourth quarter 2019 net sales of $231 million. In the fourth quarter of 2020, converted case shipments reached 13.9 million cases, an increase of 4% compared to 13.3 million cases shipped in the fourth quarter of 2019. Segment operating income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $27 million compared to operating income of $2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, up from $20 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. The increase in operating income and Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to increased production and shipment volumes from elevated demand which drove improvement in fixed cost absorption. The segment also benefited from lower external pulp prices and freight costs.

Net sales in the Consumer Products segment were $1.0 billion for the full year 2020, up 14% compared to 2019 net sales of $907 million. For 2020, converted case shipments reached 60 million cases, an increase of 16% compared to 51 million cases shipped for 2019. Segment operating income for 2020 was $109 million, compared to operating loss of $7 million for 2019. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $178 million for 2020, up from $63 million for 2019.

Tissue Sales Volumes and Prices:

• Total tissue volumes sold were 89,845 tons in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of 2% compared to 88,141 tons in the fourth quarter of 2019. Retail volumes represented 93% of total volumes sold in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase from 90% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Total tissue volumes sold were 380,973 tons for the year ended of 2020, an increase of 12% compared to 340,969 tons for 2019. Retail volumes represented 93% of total volumes sold for 2020, an increase from 91% for 2019.
• Average retail tissue net selling prices increased 2% to $2,745 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $2,698 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2019. Average retail tissue net selling prices increased 0.1% to $2,742 per ton for 2020, compared to $2,738 per ton for 2019.

Pulp and Paperboard Segment

Net sales in the Pulp and Paperboard Products segment were $209 million for the fourth quarter of 2020, up 2.1% compared to fourth quarter 2019 net sales of $205 million. The increase in sales was due to higher sales volume with a positive mix partially offset by lower pricing. Segment operating income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $34 million compared to $35 million for the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $43 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Net sales in the Pulp and Paperboard Products segment were $836 million for 2020, down 2.2% compared to 2019 net sales of $855 million. Segment operating income for 2020 was $126 million compared to $115 million for 2019. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $163 million for 2020, compared to $155 million for 2019.

Pulp and Paperboard Sales Volumes and Prices:

• Paperboard sales volumes were 206,232 tons in the fourth quarter of 2020, an increase of 3.6% compared to 199,074 tons in the fourth quarter of 2019. Paperboard sales volumes were 821,415 for the year ended 2020, a decrease of 1% compared to 827,913 tons for the year ended 2019
• Paperboard average net selling price decreased 2.0% to $1,002 per ton for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $1,023 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2019. Paperboard average net selling price decreased 1% to $1,008 per ton for the year ended 2020, compared to $1,023 per ton for the year ended 2019.

COMPANY OUTLOOK

"For the first quarter of 2021, our primary focus will remain on the health and safety of our people while we continue to operate our facilities and service customers. Demand for tissue products is expected to be volatile due to COVID-19 and will be lower than the first quarter of 2020 when COVID-19 started impacting consumer buying of tissue. We are anticipating some inflationary headwinds, notably in market pulp pricing, as well,” Kitch concluded.

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 at http://ir.clearwaterpaper.com. A replay of today's conference call will be available on the website at http://ir.clearwaterpaper.com/results.cfm beginning at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time today.

ABOUT CLEARWATER PAPER

Clearwater Paper is a premier supplier of private label tissue to major retailers and wholesale distributors, including grocery, drug, mass merchants and discount stores. In addition, the company produces bleached 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 fourth quarter and full year 2020 and 2019, including adjusted net income (loss) and Adjusted EBITDA. Because these amounts are not in accordance with GAAP, reconciliations to net income (loss) as determined in accordance with GAAP are included in the tables at the end of this press release. The company presents these non-GAAP amounts 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 factors 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 health and safety of company’s employees, product demand, market pulp pricing, retail in-stock conditions and inventories and general economic conditions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions, and projections that are subject to change, and actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operations; competitive pricing pressures for the company’s products, including as a result of increased capacity, as additional manufacturing facilities are operated by the company’s competitors; 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 transportation costs and disruptions in transportation services; changes in customer product preferences and competitors' product offerings; larger competitors having operational and other advantages; customer acceptance and timing and quantity of purchases of the company’s tissue products, including the existence of sufficient demand for and the quality of tissue produced by the company’s expanded Shelby, North Carolina operations; consolidation and vertical integration of converting operations in the paperboard industry; the company’s ability to successfully implement its operational efficiencies and cost savings strategies, along with related capital projects, and achieve the expected operational or financial results of those projects, including from the continuous digester at the company’s Lewiston, Idaho facility; changes in the U.S. and international economies and in general economic conditions in the regions and industries in which the company operates; manufacturing or operating disruptions, including IT system and IT system implementation failures, equipment malfunctions and damage to the company’s manufacturing facilities; cyber-security risks; changes in costs for and availability of packaging supplies, chemicals, energy, and maintenance and repairs; labor disruptions; cyclical industry conditions; changes in expenses, required contributions, and potential withdrawal costs associated with the company’s pension plans; environmental liabilities or expenditures; reliance on a limited number of third-party suppliers for raw materials; the company’s ability to attract, motivate, train and retain qualified and key personnel; material weaknesses in the company’s internal control over financial reporting; the company’s substantial indebtedness and ability to service its debt obligations; restrictions on the company’s business from debt covenants and terms; negative changes in the company’s credit agency ratings; changes in laws, regulations or industry standards affecting the company’s 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, 2019. 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)
	Three Months Ended December 31,									Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)	2020				2019					2020				2019
Net sales	$	452.8			$	435.5				$	1,868.6			$	1,761.5
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	376.1				384.2					1,574.4				1,597.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	32.6				28.9					122.0				112.8
Other operating charges, net	2.1				4.3					14.0				6.3
Total operating costs and expenses	410.9				417.4					1,710.4				1,716.1
Income (loss) from operations	41.9				18.1					158.1				45.4
Interest expense, net	(9.5		)		(12.4		)			(46.5		)		(44.9		)
Other non-operating expense	(1.9		)		(1.4		)			(7.6		)		(5.7		)
Debt retirement costs	(1.1		)		—					(5.9		)		(2.7		)
Total non-operating expense	(12.4		)		(13.8		)			(59.9		)		(53.3		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	29.5				4.3					98.2				(7.9		)
Income tax provision (benefit)	7.0				2.3					21.1				(2.3		)
Net income (loss)	$	22.6			$	2.0				$	77.1			$	(5.6	)
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	1.36			$	0.12				$	4.65			$	(0.34	)
Diluted	1.34				0.12					4.61				(0.34		)
Average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic	16,597				16,539					16,569				16,533
Diluted	16,891				16,556					16,724				16,533

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In millions)	December 31, 2020				December 31, 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	35.9			$	20.0
Restricted cash	—				1.4
Receivables, net	160.6				159.4
Inventories	263.3				281.4
Other current assets	15.2				3.6
Total current assets	474.9				465.8
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,191.5				1,257.7
Operating lease right-of-use assets	63.5				73.1
Goodwill and intangibles, net	48.8				52.0
Other assets, net	21.7				29.1
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,800.4			$	1,877.7
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	$	1.7			$	17.9
Trade payables	143.4				159.5
Accrued compensation	41.7				42.3
Other accrued liabilities	58.0				60.7
Total current liabilities	244.8				280.4
Long-term debt	716.4				884.5
Long-term operating lease liabilities	54.3				65.6
Liability for pension and other postretirement employee benefits	80.5				76.6
Other long-term obligations	25.2				17.3
Deferred tax liabilities	158.1				121.3
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,279.3				1,445.8
Common Stock	—				—
Paid in capital	16.6				9.8
Retained earnings	558.8				481.7
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(54.3		)		(59.5		)
Total Stockholders' Equity	521.1				432.0
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	1,800.4			$	1,877.8

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In millions)	2020				2019				2020				2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$	22.6			$	2.0			$	77.1			$	(5.6	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	27.5				29.3				111.0				115.6
Equity-based compensation expense	3.1				1.1				10.5				4.1
Deferred taxes	10.1				5.7				33.5				(0.3		)
Pension and other postretirement benefits	1.0				0.4				3.8				1.4
Debt retirement costs	1.1				—				5.9				2.7
Gain on divested assets, net	—				—				(1.4		)		—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable	11.8				(5.5		)		6.1				(18.0		)
(Increase) decrease in inventory	(7.0		)		(0.1		)		18.1				(21.2		)
(Increase) decrease in other current assets	(6.4		)		4.4				(11.2		)		(0.8		)
Increase (decrease) in trade payables	(0.3		)		7.8				(16.5		)		(53.9		)
Increase (decrease) in accrued compensation	(7.6		)		8.8				(2.5		)		4.8
Increase in other accrued liabilities	10.3				14.9				7.0				20.7
Other, net	4.7				3.1				5.6				6.1
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	70.9				71.8				247.0				55.6
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(12.2		)		(14.3		)		(39.6		)		(140.1		)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(12.2		)		(14.3		)		(39.6		)		(140.1		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings of short-term debt	—				14.5				108.5				549.3
Repayments of borrowings on short-term debt	—				(59.0		)		(122.0		)		(657.7		)
Borrowings of long-term debt	—				—				275.0				296.1
Repayments of long-term debt	(70.4		)		—				(449.4		)		(103.0		)
Payments for debt issuance costs	(0.1		)		(0.5		)		(4.4		)		(2.3		)
Other, net	—				(0.3		)		(0.7		)		(0.4		)
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities	(70.5		)		(45.3		)		(192.9		)		82.0
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(11.7		)		12.2				14.4				(2.5		)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	48.6				10.2				22.4				24.9
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	36.9			$	22.4			$	36.9			$	22.4

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Segment Information
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In millions)	2020				2019				2020				2019
Segment net sales:
Consumer Products	$	243.6			$	230.6			$	1,032.7			$	906.8
Pulp and Paperboard	209.3				204.9				835.9				854.7
Total segment net sales	$	452.8			$	435.5			$	1,868.6			$	1,761.5
Operating income (loss):
Consumer Products	$	27.0			$	1.6			$	109.2			$	(6.6	)
Pulp and Paperboard	34.4				35.3				126.0				115.3
Corporate	(17.3		)		(14.5		)		(63.0		)		(57.0		)
Other operating charges, net	(2.1		)		(4.3		)		(14.0		)		(6.3		)
Income (loss) from operations	$	41.9			$	18.1			$	158.1			$	45.4

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In millions)	2020				2019				2020				2019
Net income (loss)	$	22.6			$	2.0			$	77.1			$	(5.6	)
Add back:
Income tax provision (benefit)	7.0				2.3				21.1				(2.3		)
Interest expense, net	9.5				12.4				46.5				44.9
Depreciation and amortization expense	27.5				29.3				111.0				115.6
Other operating charges, net1	2.1				4.3				14.0				6.3
Other non-operating expense	1.9				1.4				7.6				5.7
Debt retirement costs	1.1				—				5.9				2.7
Adjusted EBITDA	$	71.6			$	51.7			$	283.2			$	167.3
Consumer Products income (loss)	$	27.0			$	1.6			$	109.2			$	(6.6	)
Depreciation and amortization	17.1				18.6				68.5				69.7
Consumer Products Adjusted EBITDA	$	44.1			$	20.2			$	177.7			$	63.1
Paperboard income	$	34.4			$	35.3			$	126.0			$	115.3
Depreciation and amortization	9.0				9.2				36.7				39.4
Paperboard Adjusted EBITDA	$	43.4			$	44.5			$	162.6			$	154.7
Corporate expenses	$	(17.3	)		$	(14.5	)		$	(63.0	)		$	(57.0	)
Depreciation and amortization	1.4				1.5				5.8				6.5
Corporate Adjusted EBITDA	$	(16.0	)		$	(13.0	)		$	(57.2	)		$	(50.5	)
Consumer Products	$	44.1			$	20.2			$	177.7			$	63.1
Paperboard	43.4				44.5				162.6				154.7
Corporate	(16.0		)		(13.0		)		(57.2		)		(50.5		)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	71.6			$	51.7			$	283.2			$	167.3

1

Other operating charges, net consist of amounts unrelated to ongoing core operating activities. Please refer to Note 10 within Clearwater Paper's Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2020 for the detailed breakout of this amount.

Clearwater Paper Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted Net Income
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In millions, except per share data)	2020				2019				2020				2019
Net income (loss)	$	22.6			$	2.0			$	77.1			$	(5.6	)
Add back:
Income tax provision (benefit)	7.0				2.3				21.1				(2.3		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	29.6				4.3				98.2				(7.9		)
Add back:
Debt retirement costs	1.1				—				5.9				2.7
Other operating charges, net	2.1				4.3				14.0				6.3
Adjusted income before tax	32.8				8.6				118.1				1.1
Normalized income provision (benefit)	8.2				2.5				29.5				(2.7		)
Adjusted net income (loss)	$	24.6			$	6.1			$	88.6			$	3.8
Weighted average diluted shares (in thousands)	16,891				16,556				16,724				16,533
Adjusted income (loss) per share	$	1.45			$	0.37			$	5.30			$	0.23

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210225006064/en/

FAQ

What were Clearwater Paper's Q4 2020 net sales?

Clearwater Paper reported Q4 2020 net sales of $453 million, up 4% from Q4 2019.

How did Clearwater Paper perform financially in 2020?

In 2020, Clearwater Paper achieved net income of $77 million and net sales of $1.9 billion, a 6.1% increase from 2019.

What is the net income reported by Clearwater Paper for Q4 2020?

Clearwater Paper reported net income of $23 million, or $1.34 per diluted share for Q4 2020.

What are the expectations for Clearwater Paper in Q1 2021?

The company anticipates volatile demand for tissue products and potential inflationary pressures in Q1 2021.