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Mercer International Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 and Year End 2024 Results and Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.075

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Mercer International (MERC) reported improved Q4 2024 results with Operating EBITDA of $99.2 million, up from $50.5 million in Q3 2024 and $21.1 million in Q4 2023. Net income reached $16.7 million ($0.25 per share) in Q4 2024, compared to a net loss of $17.6 million in Q3 2024.

Total revenues in Q4 2024 increased 4% to $488.4 million, driven by higher pulp sales realizations. The company successfully refinanced its 2026 Senior Notes, extending maturity to 2028, and reduced long-term debt by over $100 million using cash on hand. The board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share.

For full-year 2024, Operating EBITDA improved to $243.7 million from $17.5 million in 2023. The company ended 2024 with approximately $488.6 million in aggregate liquidity.

Mercer International (MERC) ha riportato risultati migliorati per il quarto trimestre del 2024, con un EBITDA operativo di 99,2 milioni di dollari, in aumento rispetto ai 50,5 milioni di dollari del terzo trimestre del 2024 e ai 21,1 milioni di dollari del quarto trimestre del 2023. L'utile netto ha raggiunto i 16,7 milioni di dollari (0,25 dollari per azione) nel quarto trimestre del 2024, rispetto a una perdita netta di 17,6 milioni di dollari nel terzo trimestre del 2024.

I ricavi totali nel quarto trimestre del 2024 sono aumentati del 4% a 488,4 milioni di dollari, grazie a maggiori realizzazioni nelle vendite di cellulosa. L'azienda ha rifinanziato con successo le sue Note Senior 2026, estendendo la scadenza al 2028 e riducendo il debito a lungo termine di oltre 100 milioni di dollari utilizzando liquidità disponibile. Il consiglio di amministrazione ha dichiarato un dividendo trimestrale di 0,075 dollari per azione.

Per l'intero anno 2024, l'EBITDA operativo è migliorato a 243,7 milioni di dollari rispetto ai 17,5 milioni di dollari del 2023. L'azienda ha chiuso il 2024 con circa 488,6 milioni di dollari di liquidità complessiva.

Mercer International (MERC) reportó resultados mejorados en el cuarto trimestre de 2024, con un EBITDA operativo de 99,2 millones de dólares, en comparación con los 50,5 millones de dólares en el tercer trimestre de 2024 y los 21,1 millones de dólares en el cuarto trimestre de 2023. El ingreso neto alcanzó los 16,7 millones de dólares (0,25 dólares por acción) en el cuarto trimestre de 2024, en comparación con una pérdida neta de 17,6 millones de dólares en el tercer trimestre de 2024.

Los ingresos totales en el cuarto trimestre de 2024 aumentaron un 4% a 488,4 millones de dólares, impulsados por mayores realizaciones en ventas de pulpa. La compañía refinanció con éxito sus Notas Senior 2026, extendiendo el vencimiento a 2028, y redujo la deuda a largo plazo en más de 100 millones de dólares utilizando efectivo disponible. La junta declaró un dividendo trimestral de 0,075 dólares por acción.

Para el año completo 2024, el EBITDA operativo mejoró a 243,7 millones de dólares desde 17,5 millones de dólares en 2023. La compañía terminó 2024 con aproximadamente 488,6 millones de dólares en liquidez agregada.

머서 인터내셔널 (MERC)는 2024년 4분기 결과가 개선되어 운영 EBITDA가 9,920만 달러로, 2024년 3분기의 5,050만 달러 및 2023년 4분기의 2,110만 달러에서 증가했다고 보고했습니다. 2024년 4분기 순이익은 1,670만 달러(주당 0.25달러)에 달했으며, 2024년 3분기의 순손실 1,760만 달러와 비교됩니다.

2024년 4분기 총 수익은 4% 증가하여 4억 8,840만 달러에 이르렀으며, 이는 펄프 판매 실현 증가에 의해 주도되었습니다. 회사는 2026년 만기 선순위 채권을 성공적으로 재융자하여 만기를 2028년으로 연장하였고, 보유 현금을 사용하여 장기 부채를 1억 달러 이상 줄였습니다. 이사회는 주당 0.075달러의 분기 배당금을 선언했습니다.

2024년 전체 연도의 운영 EBITDA는 2억 4,370만 달러로, 2023년의 1,750만 달러에서 개선되었습니다. 회사는 2024년을 약 4억 8,860만 달러의 총 유동성으로 마감했습니다.

Mercer International (MERC) a annoncé des résultats améliorés pour le quatrième trimestre 2024, avec un EBITDA opérationnel de 99,2 millions de dollars, en hausse par rapport à 50,5 millions de dollars au troisième trimestre 2024 et 21,1 millions de dollars au quatrième trimestre 2023. Le bénéfice net a atteint 16,7 millions de dollars (0,25 dollar par action) au quatrième trimestre 2024, contre une perte nette de 17,6 millions de dollars au troisième trimestre 2024.

Les revenus totaux au quatrième trimestre 2024 ont augmenté de 4% pour atteindre 488,4 millions de dollars, soutenus par des ventes de pâte à papier plus élevées. L'entreprise a réussi à refinancer ses Obligations Senior 2026, prolongeant l'échéance jusqu'en 2028, et a réduit sa dette à long terme de plus de 100 millions de dollars en utilisant des liquidités disponibles. Le conseil d'administration a déclaré un dividende trimestriel de 0,075 dollar par action.

Pour l'année complète 2024, l'EBITDA opérationnel a été amélioré à 243,7 millions de dollars contre 17,5 millions de dollars en 2023. L'entreprise a terminé 2024 avec environ 488,6 millions de dollars de liquidités agrégées.

Mercer International (MERC) berichtete über verbesserte Ergebnisse im vierten Quartal 2024 mit einem operativen EBITDA von 99,2 Millionen Dollar, ein Anstieg von 50,5 Millionen Dollar im dritten Quartal 2024 und 21,1 Millionen Dollar im vierten Quartal 2023. Der Nettogewinn erreichte 16,7 Millionen Dollar (0,25 Dollar pro Aktie) im vierten Quartal 2024, im Vergleich zu einem Nettoverlust von 17,6 Millionen Dollar im dritten Quartal 2024.

Die Gesamterlöse im vierten Quartal 2024 stiegen um 4% auf 488,4 Millionen Dollar, angetrieben durch höhere Erlöse aus Zellstoffverkäufen. Das Unternehmen refinanzierte erfolgreich seine 2026 Senior Notes, verlängerte die Fälligkeit bis 2028 und reduzierte die langfristigen Schulden um über 100 Millionen Dollar mit verfügbaren Mitteln. Der Vorstand erklärte eine vierteljährliche Dividende von 0,075 Dollar pro Aktie.

Für das Gesamtjahr 2024 verbesserte sich das operative EBITDA auf 243,7 Millionen Dollar von 17,5 Millionen Dollar im Jahr 2023. Das Unternehmen schloss das Jahr 2024 mit etwa 488,6 Millionen Dollar an liquiden Mitteln ab.

Positive
  • Operating EBITDA increased to $99.2M in Q4 2024 from $50.5M in Q3 2024
  • Q4 2024 revenues grew 4% YoY to $488.4M
  • Reduced long-term debt by over $100M
  • Full-year 2024 Operating EBITDA improved to $243.7M from $17.5M in 2023
  • Strong liquidity position of $488.6M at year-end
Negative
  • Pulp sales volumes decreased 8% YoY to 451,914 ADMTs in Q4 2024
  • Solid wood segment reported negative Operating EBITDA of $4.7M in Q4 2024
  • Full-year 2024 net loss of $85.1M
  • $34.3M non-cash goodwill impairment for Torgau facility

Insights

The Q4 2024 results demonstrate Mercer International's successful execution of operational and financial strategies, marked by several key achievements. The company's Operating EBITDA of $99.2 million represents a substantial 370% increase from Q4 2023, driven by three main factors:

Strategic Debt Management: The reduction of long-term debt by over $100 million using cash on hand, combined with the refinancing of 2026 Senior Notes to 2028, significantly improves the company's financial flexibility. This debt optimization, while maintaining $488.6 million in liquidity, positions Mercer strongly for future market opportunities and potential headwinds.

Operational Excellence: The absence of planned maintenance downtime in Q4 2024 compared to 23 days in Q4 2023 reflects improved operational efficiency. This contributed to cost reduction, though the 8% decrease in pulp production to 466,635 ADMTs indicates some operational challenges, particularly at Canadian mills.

Market Position and Pricing Power: Average NBSK pulp sales realizations increased 12% to $794 per ADMT, demonstrating strong pricing power in key markets. The geographic diversification across Europe, North America, and China provides natural hedging against regional market fluctuations.

However, several challenges warrant attention:

  • The solid wood segment continues to struggle with negative EBITDA, impacted by high interest rates affecting construction activity
  • Per unit fiber costs for lumber increased 18% YoY, indicating potential margin pressure in the solid wood segment
  • The $34.3 million goodwill impairment at the Torgau facility signals ongoing challenges in European markets

Looking forward, the company's improved operational efficiency and strong liquidity position provide a solid foundation for navigating market cycles, though continued attention to cost management and market diversification will be important for sustained performance improvement.

Selected Highlights

  • Fourth quarter Operating EBITDA* increased to $99.2 million (net income of $16.7 million) from $50.5 million (net loss of $17.6 million) in the third quarter of 2024
  • Full year 2024 Operating EBITDA increased to $243.7 million (net loss of $85.1 million) from $17.5 million (net loss of $242.1 million) in 2023
  • Refinanced our former 2026 Senior Notes, extending the maturity of our earliest senior notes to 2028, and decreased our long-term debt by over $100.0 million using cash on hand
  • Quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share

NEW YORK, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today reported fourth quarter 2024 Operating EBITDA of $99.2 million, an increase from $21.1 million in the same quarter of 2023 and $50.5 million in the third quarter of 2024.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, net income was $16.7 million ($0.25 per share) compared to a net loss of $87.2 million (negative $1.31 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2023 and a net loss of $17.6 million (negative $0.26 per share) in the third quarter of 2024.

Mr. Juan Carlos Bueno, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "With strengthened pulp markets, our operating results for the year improved significantly. In the fourth quarter of 2024, softwood pulp prices remained strong, decreasing slightly from recent record prices. Our operating results in the quarter benefited from a stronger dollar and no planned maintenance downtime. As we move into the first quarter of 2025, we currently expect modestly higher softwood pulp sales realizations due to stable demand and continued global softwood supply constraints.

Hardwood pulp prices in China and North America decreased in the fourth quarter of 2024 as the market absorbed capacity increases from earlier in the year. However, we currently believe hardwood pulp prices are near floor levels and are trending upwards in the first quarter of 2025 as the maintenance season begins in Latin America.

Lumber sales realizations increased in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter driven by modestly higher prices in the U.S. market, while in Europe, prices remained stable. In the first quarter of 2025, we currently expect lumber prices to modestly increase driven by stronger demand from certain European countries where economic conditions have improved and expect U.S. lumber prices to increase slightly due to limited North American supply.

Demand and pricing for our products may be further impacted by ongoing developments regarding U.S. trade policies involving Canada, the European Union and China. Our businesses have a relatively strong level of geographic and market diversification. As such, we expect the impacts of any tariffs and related measures to vary, including potentially presenting opportunities and some positive impacts, in areas of our operations.

Overall, per unit fiber costs for our pulp segment were flat in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2024. Per unit fiber costs for our solid wood segment increased due to stable demand and tight supply. In the first quarter of 2025, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to be generally stable at our pulp mills. For our sawmills, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to increase due to continued tight supply.

We are currently planning for a total of 21 days of planned maintenance downtime at our Celgar mill in the first quarter of 2025.

In our solid wood segment, our mass timber business successfully completed two large-scale projects in the U.S. The current high-interest rate environment in Europe and North America continues to have an impact on our solid wood segment, putting downward pressure on both short-term growth and demand for this segment's products. However, we continue to believe that we are well positioned to capitalize on more opportunities as cyclical conditions start to improve."

Mr. Bueno concluded: "Our operating results this year improved significantly compared to the prior year, driven by stronger pulp markets, lower costs and the growth of our mass timber business. We finished 2024 with approximately $488.6 million in aggregate liquidity and reduced our long-term debt by over $100 million in the fourth quarter using cash on hand. This focus on debt reduction will remain a key goal as we move forward in this improved market environment."

____________________
*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 income (loss) to Operating EBITDA.

Consolidated Financial Results

  Q4  Q3  Q4  YTD  YTD 
  2024  2024  2023  2024  2023 
  (in thousands, except per share amounts) 
Revenues $488,405  $502,141  $470,494  $2,043,360  $1,993,844 
Operating income (loss) $50,393  $8,841  $(56,395) $15,007  $(188,774)
Operating EBITDA $99,227  $50,455  $21,145  $243,722  $17,462 
Net income (loss) $16,707  $(17,559) $(87,216) $(85,141) $(242,056)
Net income (loss) per common share               
Basic $0.25  $(0.26) $(1.31) $(1.27) $(3.65)
Diluted $0.25  $(0.26) $(1.31) $(1.27) $(3.65)


Consolidated – Three Months Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2023

Total revenues for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 4% to $488.4 million from $470.5 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher pulp sales realizations partially offset by lower pulp sales volumes.

Costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 17% to $438.0 million from $526.9 million in the same quarter of 2023 driven by lower pulp sales volumes, foreign exchange gains mainly on dollar denominated accounts receivables held at our operations as the dollar strengthened relative to the euro and Canadian dollar at the end of 2024 and lower maintenance costs due to no days of planned maintenance downtime at our pulp mills in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 23 days in the fourth quarter of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, we recognized a $33.7 million non-cash impairment in connection with the classification of our sandalwood business as held for sale.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Operating EBITDA increased to $99.2 million from $21.1 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher pulp sales realizations, the positive impact of a stronger dollar and no planned days of maintenance downtime at our pulp mills in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Segment Results

Pulp

  Three Months Ended December 31, 
  2024  2023 
  (in thousands) 
Pulp revenues $351,181  $340,687 
Energy and chemical revenues $24,332  $23,495 
Segment Operating EBITDA(1) $106,130  $32,028 
______________
(1) Segment Operating EBITDA is a measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. Refer to the segment information note in our consolidated financial statements for more information.


In the fourth quarter of 2024, Segment Operating EBITDA increased to $106.1 million from $32.0 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher pulp sales realizations, foreign exchange gains mainly on dollar denominated accounts receivables held at our operations as the dollar strengthened relative to the euro and Canadian dollar at the end of 2024 and no days of planned maintenance downtime at our pulp mills in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 23 days in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Pulp segment revenues, comprised of pulp, energy and chemical revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 3% to $375.5 million from $364.2 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher pulp revenues.

Pulp revenues in the fourth quarter of 2024 modestly increased to $351.2 million from $340.7 million in the same quarter of 2023 as a result of higher sales realizations partially offset by lower sales volumes.

In the fourth 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. 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 fourth quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 12% to $794 per ADMT from $709 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2024, average NBHK pulp sales realizations modestly decreased to $578 per ADMT from $593 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2023.

Total pulp sales volumes in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 8% to 451,914 ADMTs from 491,156 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower production.

Energy and chemical revenues in the fourth quarter of 2024 were relatively flat at $24.3 million compared to $23.5 million in the same quarter of 2023.

Costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 16% to $306.9 million from $363.2 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower pulp sales volumes, the positive foreign exchange impact of a stronger dollar and lower maintenance costs due to no days of planned downtime at our pulp mills in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to 23 days in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Total pulp production in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 8% to 466,635 ADMTs compared with 507,670 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of the dissolution of the Cariboo Pulp & Paper Company ("CPP") joint venture in the first quarter of 2024 and unplanned downtime at our Canadian mills partially offset by fewer days of planned maintenance downtime.

On average, in the fourth quarter of 2024, overall per unit fiber costs decreased by approximately 5% compared to the same quarter of 2023 due to stable supply at all our mills. In the first quarter of 2025, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to increase in Germany due to tight supply offset by modestly lower per unit fiber costs in Canada.

Solid Wood

  Three Months Ended December 31, 
  2024  2023 
  (in thousands) 
Lumber revenues $58,586  $47,821 
Energy revenues $4,780  $4,928 
Manufactured products revenues(1) $12,673  $16,252 
Pallet revenues $23,100  $23,767 
Biofuels revenues(2) $11,411  $10,916 
Wood residuals revenues $1,087  $1,759 
Segment Operating EBITDA(3) $(4,686) $(5,632)
______________
(1) Manufactured products primarily includes cross-laminated timber ("CLT") and glue-laminated timber ("glulam").
(2) Biofuels includes pellets and briquettes.
(3) Segment Operating EBITDA is a measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. Refer to the segment information note in our consolidated financial statements for more information.


In the fourth quarter of 2024, Segment Operating EBITDA was relatively flat at negative $4.7 million compared to negative $5.6 million in the same quarter of 2023.

Solid wood segment revenues in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 6% to $111.6 million from $105.4 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher lumber and biofuels revenues partially offset by lower revenues from our other products.

Lumber revenues in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 23% to $58.6 million from $47.8 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of higher sales realizations and sales volumes. Average lumber sales realizations in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased to $474 per Mfbm from $427 per Mfbm in the same quarter of 2023 driven by an increase in demand in both the U.S and European markets. The U.S. market accounted for approximately 45% of our lumber revenues and approximately 38% of our lumber sales volumes in the fourth quarter of 2024. Most of the balance of our lumber sales were in Europe.

Lumber sales volumes in the fourth quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 10% to 123.6 MMfbm from 112.0 MMfbm in the same quarter of 2023 due to timing of sales.

Manufactured products revenues in the fourth quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 22% to $12.7 million from $16.3 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower sales volumes as we completed our major mass timber projects in the third quarter of 2024.

Lumber production in the fourth quarter of 2024 was relatively stable at 114.7 MMfbm compared to 111.6 MMfbm in the same quarter of 2023.

Fiber costs were approximately 75% of our lumber cash production costs in the fourth quarter of 2024. In the fourth quarter of 2024, per unit fiber costs for lumber increased by approximately 18% compared to the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to stable demand and tight supply. In the first quarter of 2025, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to increase due to continued tight supply.

Consolidated – Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2023

Total revenues in 2024 modestly increased to $2,043.4 million from $1,993.8 million in 2023 as higher pulp, manufactured products and lumber sales realizations were offset by lower sales realizations from our other products and lower pulp and lumber sales volumes.

Costs and expenses in 2024 decreased by approximately 7% to $2,028.4 million from $2,182.6 million in 2023 primarily as a result of lower per unit production costs due to the easing of inflationary pressure and cost reduction initiatives, lower sales volumes and foreign exchange gains mainly on dollar denominated accounts receivables held at our operations as the dollar strengthened relative to the euro and Canadian dollar at the end of 2024. In 2024, costs and expenses included a non-cash loss of $23.6 million recognized in connection with the dissolution of the CPP joint venture and 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 have achieved some of the planned synergies from the Torgau acquisition and expect to achieve further synergies as market and economic conditions improve. In 2023, we received insurance proceeds of $46.4 million relating to the 2021 turbine downtime at the Rosenthal mill and the 2022 fire at the Stendal mill and we recognized a $33.7 million non-cash impairment in connection with the classification of our sandalwood business as held for sale.

In 2024, Operating EBITDA increased to $243.7 million from $17.5 million in 2023 primarily due to higher pulp, manufactured products and lumber sales realizations, lower per unit fiber and other production costs and the positive foreign exchange impact of a stronger dollar. These increases were partially offset by lower sales realizations from our other products. In 2023, we received insurance proceeds of $46.4 million relating to the 2021 turbine downtime at the Rosenthal mill and the 2022 fire at the Stendal mill.

Liquidity

As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $184.9 million, approximately $303.7 million available under our revolving credit facilities and aggregate liquidity of about $488.6 million.

The following table is a summary of selected financial information as of the dates indicated:

  As of December 31, 
  2024  2023 
  (in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents $184,925  $313,992 
Working capital $653,466  $806,468 
Total assets $2,262,932  $2,662,578 
Long-term liabilities $1,576,619  $1,740,731 
Total shareholders' equity $429,775  $635,410 


Quarterly Dividend

A quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share will be paid on April 2, 2025 to all shareholders of record on March 26, 2025. 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 February 21, 2025 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/88s2i4a9 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 thousand 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

  Q4  Q3  Q4  YTD  YTD 
  2024  2024  2023  2024  2023 
  (in thousands, except per share amounts) 
Revenues from external customers               
Pulp segment $375,513  $373,268  $364,182  $1,548,556  $1,516,130 
Solid wood segment  111,637   125,093   105,443   485,991   472,054 
Corporate and other  1,255   3,780   869   8,813   5,660 
Total revenues $488,405  $502,141  $470,494  $2,043,360  $1,993,844 
                
Pulp Segment Operating EBITDA(1) $106,130  $54,645  $32,028  $260,914  $65,889 
Solid wood Segment Operating EBITDA(1)  (4,686)  (1,933)  (5,632)  (4,390)  (30,343)
Corporate and other  (2,217)  (2,257)  (5,251)  (12,802)  (18,084)
Operating EBITDA(2) $99,227  $50,455  $21,145  $243,722  $17,462 
                
Net income (loss) $16,707  $(17,559) $(87,216) $(85,141) $(242,056)
Net income (loss) per common share               
Basic $0.25  $(0.26) $(1.31) $(1.27) $(3.65)
Diluted $0.25  $(0.26) $(1.31) $(1.27) $(3.65)
Common shares outstanding at period end  66,871   66,871   66,525   66,871   66,525 
______________
(1) Segment Operating EBITDA is a measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. Refer to the segment information note in our consolidated financial statements for more information.
(2) Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under 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 income (loss) to Operating EBITDA.


Summary Operating Highlights

  Q4  Q3  Q4  YTD  YTD 
  2024  2024  2023  2024  2023 
Pulp Segment               
Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)               
NBSK  403.7   374.4   436.2   1,589.1   1,714.4 
NBHK  63.0   41.4   71.5   254.0   251.2 
Annual maintenance downtime ('000 ADMTs)     22.1   31.6   86.9   82.9 
Annual maintenance downtime (days)     20   23   57   71 
Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)               
NBSK  405.5   376.2   411.8   1,647.5   1,689.0 
NBHK  46.5   72.6   79.4   252.3   262.2 
Average NBSK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)               
Europe  1,500   1,573   1,245   1,519   1,257 
China  767   771   748   774   747 
North America  1,687   1,762   1,312   1,646   1,448 
Average NBHK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)               
China  548   635   643   645   592 
North America  1,298   1,467   1,083   1,356   1,227 
Average pulp sales realizations ($/ADMT)(2)               
NBSK  794   814   709   784   729 
NBHK  578   632   593   637   627 
Energy production ('000 MWh)(3)  545.1   509.8   544.6   2,125.3   2,142.0 
Energy sales ('000 MWh)(3)  204.7   187.0   213.2   797.2   832.6 
Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)(3)  105   86   92   91   107 
Solid Wood Segment               
Lumber               
Production (MMfbm)  114.7   122.5   111.6   475.6   462.3 
Sales (MMfbm)  123.6   108.8   112.0   470.4   500.5 
Average sales realizations ($/Mfbm)  474   451   427   462   435 
Energy               
Production and sales ('000 MWh)  36.1   17.9   38.7   126.3   160.2 
Average sales realizations ($/MWh)  133   145   127   131   134 
Manufactured products(4)               
Production ('000 cubic meters)  5.8   9.8   10.2   34.0   25.1 
Sales ('000 cubic meters)  5.7   9.9   12.1   30.7   33.4 
Average sales realizations ($/cubic meters)  1,880   3,463   1,234   3,006   1,514 
Pallets               
Production ('000 units)  2,113.8   2,525.5   2,184.7   10,243.5   10,707.2 
Sales ('000 units)  2,155.8   2,446.7   2,450.7   10,089.2   11,041.2 
Average sales realizations ($/unit)  11   11   10   10   11 
Biofuels(5)               
Production ('000 tonnes)  40.8   40.6   38.9   160.4   167.2 
Sales ('000 tonnes)  52.2   43.5   39.9   184.4   144.8 
Average sales realizations ($/tonne)  218   213   274   217   281 
Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates               
$ / €(6)  1.0668   1.0987   1.0761   1.0820   1.0817 
$ / C$(6)  0.7151   0.7331   0.7347   0.7302   0.7412 
______________
(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.
(3) Does not include our 50% joint venture interest in the CPP mill, which is accounted for using the equity method. In March 2024, we disposed of this interest in CPP.
(4) Manufactured products primarily includes CLT and glulam.
(5) Biofuels includes pellets and briquettes.
(6) Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rates over the reporting period.


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
  Three Months Ended
December 31,
  Year Ended
December 31,
 
  2024  2023  2024  2023 
Revenues $488,405  $470,494  $2,043,360  $1,993,844 
Costs and expenses            
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization  363,456   422,677   1,683,456   1,853,482 
Cost of sales depreciation and amortization  48,769   43,738   170,542   172,223 
Selling, general and administrative expenses  25,787   26,740   116,433   123,179 
Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale     33,734      33,734 
Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture        23,645    
Goodwill impairment        34,277    
Operating income (loss)  50,393   (56,395)  15,007   (188,774)
Other income (expenses)            
Interest expense  (28,319)  (27,245)  (109,150)  (88,246)
Other income (expenses)  (1,919)  (2,492)  7,228   7,197 
Total other expenses, net  (30,238)  (29,737)  (101,922)  (81,049)
Income (loss) before income taxes  20,155   (86,132)  (86,915)  (269,823)
Income tax recovery (provision)  (3,448)  (1,084)  1,774   27,767 
Net income (loss) $16,707  $(87,216) $(85,141) $(242,056)
Net income (loss) per common share            
Basic $0.25  $(1.31) $(1.27) $(3.65)
Diluted $0.25  $(1.31) $(1.27) $(3.65)
Dividends declared per common share $0.075  $0.075  $0.300  $0.300 


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
  December 31, 
  2024  2023 
ASSETS      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents $184,925  $313,992 
Accounts receivable, net  327,345   306,166 
Inventories  361,682   414,161 
Prepaid expenses and other  17,601   23,461 
Assets classified as held for sale  18,451   35,125 
Total current assets  910,004   1,092,905 
Property, plant and equipment, net  1,254,715   1,409,937 
Investment in joint ventures  3,348   41,665 
Amortizable intangible assets, net  49,829   52,641 
Goodwill     35,381 
Operating lease right-of-use assets  7,598   11,725 
Pension asset  9,378   5,588 
Deferred income tax assets  17,778   661 
Other long-term assets  10,282   12,075 
Total assets $2,262,932  $2,662,578 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
Current liabilities      
Accounts payable and other $248,661  $278,986 
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations  732   826 
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale  7,145   6,625 
Total current liabilities  256,538   286,437 
Long-term debt  1,473,986   1,609,425 
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations  11,134   12,483 
Operating lease liabilities  4,793   7,755 
Deferred income tax liabilities  74,772   97,324 
Other long-term liabilities  11,934   13,744 
Total liabilities  1,833,157   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  362,782   359,497 
Retained earnings  230,912   336,113 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (230,769)  (126,671)
Total shareholders’ equity  429,775   635,410 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $2,262,932  $2,662,578 


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
  For the Year Ended December 31, 
  2024  2023  2022 
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities         
Net income (loss) $(85,141) $(242,056) $247,039 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities         
Depreciation and amortization  170,793   172,502   144,153 
Deferred income tax provision (recovery)  (35,721)  (36,392)  7,003 
Inventory impairment  9,000   58,600    
Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale     33,734    
Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture  23,645       
Goodwill impairment  34,277       
Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan expense  1,272   5,214   1,708 
Stock compensation expense  3,859   5,922   6,737 
Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)  (8,311)  3,905   (16,802)
Other  2,087   (5,092)  (1,241)
Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan contributions  (675)  (1,152)  (2,942)
Changes in working capital         
Accounts receivable  (32,094)  52,507   (20,476)
Inventories  23,907   (15,836)  (63,184)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  (17,680)  (98,182)  66,796 
Other  986   (2,679)  (8,131)
Net cash from (used in) operating activities  90,204   (69,005)  360,660 
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities         
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  (84,318)  (136,324)  (178,742)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment  19,874   3,408   1,689 
Acquisition, net of cash     (82,100)  (256,604)
Property insurance proceeds  773   12,203   8,616 
Proceeds from government grants  787   5,569   1,067 
Purchase of term deposit        (75,000)
Proceeds from sale of term deposit        75,519 
Other  (4,108)  (2,623)  (1,155)
Net cash from (used in) investing activities  (66,992)  (199,867)  (424,610)
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities         
Redemption of senior notes  (300,000)      
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes  206,000   200,000    
Proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facilities, net  (25,061)  61,272   115,330 
Dividend payments  (20,060)  (19,950)  (19,847)
Payment of debt issuance costs  (4,515)  (4,865)  (3,871)
Payment of finance lease obligations  (8,918)  (7,785)  (10,003)
Other  (229)  (48)  (711)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities  (152,783)  228,624   80,898 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  504   208   (8,526)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  (129,067)  (40,040)  8,422 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  313,992   354,032   345,610 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $184,925  $313,992  $354,032 


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

COMPUTATION OF OPERATING EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and long-lived 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 income (loss) as a performance measure primarily because depreciation expense and long-lived asset impairment charges are not actual cash costs, 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 income (loss), including financing costs, income taxes 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 income (loss) or operating income (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.

Operating EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure at the consolidated level and is considered different from Operating EBITDA at the segment level, referred to as “Segment Operating EBITDA”, which is our single measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. For more information on Segment Operating EBITDA, refer to the segment information note within our consolidated financial statements.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Operating EBITDA for the periods indicated:

  Q4  Q3  Q4  YTD  YTD 
  2024  2024  2023  2024  2023 
Net income (loss) $16,707  $(17,559) $(87,216) $(85,141) $(242,056)
Income tax provision (recovery)  3,448   (120)  1,084   (1,774)  (27,767)
Interest expense  28,319   26,429   27,245   109,150   88,246 
Other expenses (income)  1,919   91   2,492   (7,228)  (7,197)
Operating income (loss)  50,393   8,841   (56,395)  15,007   (188,774)
Add: Depreciation and amortization  48,834   41,614   43,806   170,793   172,502 
Add: Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale        33,734      33,734 
Add: Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture           23,645    
Add: Goodwill impairment           34,277    
Operating EBITDA $99,227  $50,455  $21,145  $243,722  $17,462 

FAQ

What was MERC's Operating EBITDA in Q4 2024?

Mercer International's Operating EBITDA in Q4 2024 was $99.2 million, an increase from $50.5 million in Q3 2024 and $21.1 million in Q4 2023.

How much did MERC reduce its long-term debt in Q4 2024?

Mercer International reduced its long-term debt by over $100 million in Q4 2024 using cash on hand.

What is MERC's quarterly dividend for Q4 2024?

Mercer International declared a quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share, payable on April 2, 2025 to shareholders of record on March 26, 2025.

What was MERC's total revenue in Q4 2024?

MERC's total revenue in Q4 2024 was $488.4 million, representing a 4% increase from $470.5 million in Q4 2023.

How much liquidity did MERC have at the end of 2024?

Mercer International had approximately $488.6 million in aggregate liquidity at the end of 2024, including $184.9 million in cash and cash equivalents and $303.7 million available under revolving credit facilities.

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