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Sylvamo Delivers Strong Earnings, Free Cash Flow and Shareowner Returns in First Full Year

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Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM) reported its fourth quarter 2022 earnings, revealing a net income from continuing operations of $88 million ($1.99 per diluted share), down from $109 million in the previous quarter. Adjusted operating earnings also declined to $87 million ($1.97 per share) compared to $112 million. Despite challenges, the company achieved a full-year net income of $336 million ($7.57 per share) and generated $721 million in adjusted EBITDA. The board initiated a quarterly dividend of $0.1125 per share. Looking ahead, adjusted EBITDA for 2023 is projected between $760 million and $840 million, reflecting positive expectations for cash flow.

Positive
  • Full-year net income of $336 million ($7.57 per diluted share)
  • Adjusted EBITDA for 2022 was $721 million (20% margin)
  • Generated $418 million cash from operating activities
  • Initiated a quarterly dividend of $0.1125 per share
  • Reduced net debt by $371 million in 2022
Negative
  • Fourth quarter net income fell from $109 million in Q3 to $88 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA decreased from $216 million in Q3 to $170 million
  • Increased operational costs by $42 million in Q4
  • Volume decline of $20 million primarily due to channel inventory corrections

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM), the world’s paper company, is releasing fourth quarter 2022 earnings.

Financial Highlights - 2022 Full Year

  • Net income from continuing operations of $336 million ($7.57 per diluted share)
  • Adjusted operating earnings1 (non-GAAP) of $348 million ($7.84 per diluted share)
  • Adjusted EBITDA2 (non-GAAP) of $721 million (20% margin)
  • Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $418 million
  • Free cash flow3 (non-GAAP) of $269 million
  • Board of directors initiated a quarterly dividend of $0.1125 per share, paid for in the third and fourth quarters for a total of $10 million
  • Repurchased 1,556,835 shares of our common stock for approximately $80 million in the fourth quarter, resulting in 42.6 million shares outstanding as of Dec. 31

Message from the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

"I'm proud of our team and the strong earnings and free cash flow they generated in our first full year of operations," said Jean-Michel Ribiéras. "We managed supply chain, inflation and geopolitical challenges successfully while delivering outstanding results by implementing our three-pronged strategy of commercial excellence, operational excellence and financial discipline."

Financial Highlights - Fourth Quarter vs. Third Quarter

  • Net income from continuing operations of $88 million ($1.99 per diluted share) vs. $109 million ($2.44 per diluted share)
  • Adjusted operating earnings of $87 million ($1.97 per diluted share) vs. $112 million ($2.51 per diluted share)
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $170 million (18% margin) vs. $216 million (22% margin)
  • Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $142 million vs. $146 million
  • Free cash flow of $84 million vs. $114 million

Commercial and Operational Highlights – Fourth Quarter vs. Third Quarter

  • Price and mix improved by $31 million on the continued realization of prior price increases
  • Volume declined by $20 million, primarily driven by channel inventory corrections and seasonality in North America
  • Operations and costs increased by $42 million, driven by higher seasonal costs in Europe and North America, higher incentive compensation accruals, unfavorable foreign exchange in Latin America, and LIFO impacts
  • Planned maintenance outage expenses increased by $21 million, reflecting our heaviest outage quarter of the year
  • Input costs declined by $6 million with lower energy and distribution costs

Milestones Subsequent to the Fourth Quarter

  • Closed an agreement to acquire an uncoated freesheet mill in Nymolla, Sweden, for 150 million euros (approximately $160 million), subject to final net working capital and net debt adjustments
  • Repurchased 201,896 shares of our common stock for approximately $10 million in January 2023, resulting in 42.4 million shares outstanding as of Jan. 31

2023 Outlook – Full Year

  • Adjusted EBITDA for the year, including Nymolla, is expected to be $760 million to $840 million
  • Free cash flow is expected to be $300 million to $330 million

2023 Outlook – First Quarter vs. Fourth Quarter

  • Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter is expected to be $200 million to $215 million, which includes adjusted EBITDA for Nymolla of $15 million to $20 million
  • Since Nymolla is not included in fourth quarter results, the following sequential changes do not reflect the impact of Nymolla
    • Price and mix are expected to decrease by $15 million to $20 million, primarily reflecting a seasonal mix shift in Latin America
    • Volume is expected to decrease by $5 million to $10 million, reflecting the seasonally weakest demand quarter in Latin America
    • Operations and costs are expected to improve by $10 million to $15 million as unfavorable items in fourth quarter 2022 will not recur
    • Input and transportation costs are expected to improve by $5 million to $10 million, primarily due to favorable trends in natural gas and transportation costs
    • Total maintenance outage expenses are expected to improve by $29 million

Management Summary

Sylvamo is a cash flow story. We leverage our strengths to drive high returns on invested capital and generate free cash flow. We use that cash to increase shareowner value by maintaining a strong financial position, returning cash to shareowners and reinvesting in our business.

In 2022, we reduced net debt by $371 million and achieved our gross debt target of $1 billion. We made a principle-based decision and divested our Russian business for $385 million in net proceeds and used most of the funds to repay long-term debt. We also returned $90 million in cash to shareowners through dividends and share repurchases. Our board of directors increased our first quarter 2023 dividend to $0.25 per share, which we paid Jan. 25.

On Jan. 2, we acquired an uncoated freesheet mill in Nymolla, Sweden, for an attractive price. The acquisition includes a recently completed $40 million pulp modernization project that increased the mill's softwood pulping capacity by roughly 15% and will reduce the need for more expensive hardwood.

We would not have achieved this level of success without our customers, who value our commitment to uncoated freesheet and the promise of paper to educate, communicate and entertain. We are grateful for their continued support and partnerships.

Our talented and engaged colleagues are our greatest competitive advantage. Throughout 2022, they navigated supply chain, inflation and geopolitical challenges to deliver outstanding results. We remain committed to their safety, well-being and development. Building and fostering a culture of care and trust will help our team members work safely and do their best work every day. In turn, we will grow and succeed together, which will help us to realize our vision to be the employer, supplier and investment of choice.

1 Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) are net income (loss) (GAAP) excluding discontinued operations, net of tax and net special items. Management uses this measure to focus on ongoing operations and believes it is useful to investors because it enables them to perform meaningful comparisons of past and present combined operating results. The Company believes that using this information, along with net income (loss), provides for a more complete analysis of the results of operations. Net income (loss) is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. For more information regarding net special items, see the information under the heading Effects of Net Special Items and the Consolidated and Combined Statement of Operations and related notes included later in this release.

 

2 Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is net income (loss) (GAAP) excluding discontinued operations, net of tax, plus the sum of income taxes, net interest expense (income), depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested, transition service agreement expense, stock-based compensation, and, when applicable for the periods reported, net special items. Management uses this measure in managing the operating performance of our business and believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin provide investors and analysts meaningful insights into our operating performance and Adjusted EBITDA is a relevant metric for the third-party debt. The Company believes that using this information, along with net income (loss), provides for a more complete analysis of the results of its operations. Net income (loss) is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. For more information regarding net special items, see the information under the heading Effects of Net Special Items and the Consolidated and Combined Statement of Operations and related notes included later in this release.

 

3 Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP measure and the most directly comparable GAAP measure is cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations. Management utilizes this measure in connection with managing our business and believes that Free Cash Flow is useful to investors as a liquidity measure because it measures the amount of cash generated that is available, after reinvesting in the business, to maintain a strong balance sheet and service debt, and return cash to shareowners. It should not be inferred that the entire Free Cash Flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. Free Cash Flow also enables investors to perform meaningful comparisons between past and present periods

Select Financial Measures

 

(In millions)

Fourth
Quarter
2022

 

Third
Quarter
2022

 

Fourth
Quarter
2021

Net Sales

$

927

 

$

968

 

$

778

Net Income from Continuing Operations

 

88

 

 

109

 

 

29

Net Income (Loss)

 

94

 

 

57

 

 

62

Business Segment Operating Profit

 

133

 

 

175

 

 

81

Adjusted Operating Earnings

 

87

 

 

112

 

 

42

Adjusted EBITDA

 

170

 

 

216

 

 

123

Cash Provided By Operating Activities From Continuing Operations

 

142

 

 

146

 

 

131

Free Cash Flow

 

84

 

 

114

 

 

109

Segment Information

Sylvamo uses business segment operating profit to measure the earnings performance of its businesses and is calculated as set forth in footnote (f) under the "Sales and Earnings by Business Segment" table (page 10). Fourth quarter 2022 net sales by business segment and operating profit by business segment compared with the third quarter of 2022 and the fourth quarter of 2021 are as follows:

Business Segment Results

 

(In millions)

Fourth
Quarter
2022

 

Third
Quarter
2022

 

Fourth
Quarter
2021

Net Sales by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

$

119

 

 

$

130

 

 

$

103

 

Latin America

 

289

 

 

 

270

 

 

 

229

 

North America

 

527

 

 

 

589

 

 

 

463

 

Inter-segment Sales

 

(8

)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(17

)

Net Sales

$

927

 

 

$

968

 

 

$

778

 

Operating Profit by Business Segment

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

$

12

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

(24

)

Latin America

 

56

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

63

 

North America

 

65

 

 

 

98

 

 

 

42

 

Business Segment Operating Profit

$

133

 

 

$

175

 

 

$

81

 

Operating profits in the fourth quarter of 2022:

Europe - $12 million compared with $19 million in the third quarter of 2022. Earnings were lower as higher average sales prices were more than offset by lower volumes and higher operating costs.

Latin America - $56 million compared with $58 million in the third quarter of 2022. Earnings were slightly lower as higher average sales prices and higher volumes were offset by higher operating costs, higher maintenance outages and higher input costs.

North America - $65 million compared with $98 million in the third quarter of 2022. Earnings were lower as higher average sales prices and lower input costs were more than offset by lower volumes, higher operating costs and higher maintenance outages.

Earnings Webcast

The company will host an audio webcast at 10 a.m. EST / 9 a.m. CST. All interested parties are invited to listen at investors.sylvamo.com.

Parties who wish to participate should call +1-877-336-4440 (U.S.) or +1-409-207-6984 (international) and use access code 7148273. Participants should call in no later than 9:45 a.m. EST / 8:45 a.m. CST.

Replays are available at investors.sylvamo.com for one year and by phone for 90 days, beginning at approximately noon CST the day of the call. To listen to the replay by phone, call +1-866-207-1041 (U.S.) or +1-402-970-0847 (international) and use access code 9951284.

About Sylvamo

Sylvamo Corporation (NYSE: SLVM) is the world's paper company with mills in Europe, Latin America and North America. Our vision is to be the employer, supplier and investment of choice. We transform renewable resources into papers that people depend on for education, communication and entertainment. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, we employ more than 6,500 colleagues. Net sales for 2022 were $3.6 billion. For more information, please visit Sylvamo.com.

Effective Tax Rate

The reported effective tax rate for continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 28%, compared to 26% for the third quarter of 2022. The higher rate for the fourth quarter was due to the mix of earnings in our regions.

Excluding net special items, the effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2022 was 28%, compared with 28% for the third quarter of 2022.

Effects of Net Special Items

Net special items related to continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2022 amount to net after-tax income of $1 million ($0.02 per diluted share) compared with a net after-tax charge of $3 million ($0.07 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2022.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the information under the headings "2023 Outlook – Full Year" and "2023 Outlook – First Quarter vs. Fourth Quarter." Any or all forward-looking statements may turn out to be incorrect, and our actual actions and results could differ materially from what they express or imply, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include those disclosed in the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and in our subsequent filings with the SEC, available on our website, Sylvamo.com. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

Consolidated and Combined Statement of Operations

Preliminary and Unaudited

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2022

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

Net Sales

$

927

 

$

778

 

$

968

 

 

$

3,628

 

 

$

2,828

 

 

Costs and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of products sold

 

654

(a)

 

603

 

 

687

 

(g)

 

2,619

 

(a)

 

2,143

 

(n)

Selling and administrative expenses

 

97

(b)

 

65

(k)

 

80

 

(h)

 

325

 

(b)

 

207

 

(k)

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

 

32

 

 

31

 

 

30

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

126

 

 

Taxes other than payroll and income taxes

 

5

 

 

4

 

 

6

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

25

 

 

Interest expense (income), net

 

17

(c)

 

18

 

 

18

 

 

 

69

 

(c)

 

(1

)

(l)

Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

 

122

 

 

57

 

 

147

 

 

 

467

 

 

 

328

 

 

Income tax provision

 

34

 

 

28

(m)

 

38

 

(i)

 

131

 

(e)

 

101

 

(m)

Net Income From Continuing Operations

 

88

 

 

29

 

 

109

 

 

 

336

 

 

 

227

 

 

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

6

(d)

 

33

 

 

(52

)

(j)

 

(218

)

(f)

 

104

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

$

94

 

$

62

 

$

57

 

 

$

118

 

 

$

331

 

 

Basic Earnings Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

2.02

 

$

0.66

 

$

2.47

 

 

$

7.65

 

 

$

5.16

 

 

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

0.14

 

 

0.75

 

 

(1.18

)

 

 

(4.97

)

 

 

2.37

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

2.16

 

$

1.41

 

$

1.29

 

 

$

2.68

 

 

$

7.53

 

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

1.99

 

$

0.66

 

$

2.44

 

 

$

7.57

 

 

$

5.16

 

 

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

0.14

 

 

0.75

 

 

(1.16

)

 

 

(4.91

)

 

 

2.37

 

 

Net earnings (loss)

$

2.13

 

$

1.41

 

$

1.28

 

 

$

2.66

 

 

$

7.53

 

 

Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted

 

44

 

 

44

 

 

45

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

44

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this consolidated and combined statement of operations.

 

Three Months and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022

 

(a)

Includes a pre-tax gain of $10 million ($8 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, related to hedging the foreign exchange exposure of the Nymolla mill purchase price and a pre-tax loss of $4 million ($3 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, for one-time costs associated with the spinoff.

 

(b)

Includes a pre-tax loss of $3 million ($2 million after taxes) for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and a pre-tax loss of $20 million ($15 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, for one-time costs associated with the spinoff from International Paper. Also includes a pre-tax loss of $1 million ($1 million after taxes) for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and a pre-tax loss of $2 million ($2 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for transaction costs related to the Nymolla acquisition.

 

(c)

Includes a pre-tax loss of $5 million ($4 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to debt extinguishment costs.

 

(d)

Includes a pre-tax income of $6 million ($6 million after taxes) for the final gain on the disposal of our Russian operations.

 

(e)

Includes a $4 million tax benefit related to the reversal of a valuation allowance on France deferred tax assets.

 

(f)

Includes a pre-tax charge of $228 million ($228 million after taxes) to reserve for the elimination of the cumulative foreign currency translation loss related to our Russian operations and a pre-tax charge of $68 million ($57 million after taxes) related to the impairment of our Russian fixed assets.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

(g)

Includes pre-tax loss of $3 million ($2 million after taxes) for the three months ended September 30, 2022, for one-time costs associated with the spinoff.

 

(h)

Includes pre-tax loss of $7 million ($5 million after taxes) for the three months ended September 30, 2022, for one-time costs associated with the spinoff.

 

(i)

Includes a $4 million tax benefit related to the reversal of a valuation allowance on France deferred tax assets.

 

(j)

Includes a pre-tax charge of $78 million ($78 million after taxes) to reserve for the elimination of the cumulative foreign currency translation loss related to our Russian operations.

 

Three Months and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021

 

(k)

Includes net pre-tax loss of $6 million ($4 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, for one-time costs associated with the spinoff.

 

(l)

Includes pre-tax income of $20 million ($14 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, for interest income associated with the accrual of a foreign value-added tax refund in Brazil.

 

(m)

Includes $9 million of tax expense related to establishing a valuation allowance on France deferred tax assets for the three months ended December 31, 2021, which was offset for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 by a net $2 million tax benefit associated with a favorable Brazil court ruling that certain interest income is nontaxable.

 

(n)

Includes pre-tax income of $35 million ($23 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, for the accrual of a foreign value-added tax refund in Brazil.

 

 

At the date of distribution of Sylvamo common shares by International Paper to its shareholders on Oct. 1, 2021, Sylvamo had 43,949,277 total common shares outstanding. The calculation of earnings per share for certain historical periods presented utilizes the number of shares of common stock outstanding at the date of distribution as the basis for the calculation of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for periods presented prior to the spinoff because, at that time, Sylvamo did not operate as a separate, stand-alone entity, and no shares or equity-based awards were outstanding prior to the date of distribution.

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Operating Earnings

Preliminary and Unaudited

(In millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2022

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

2021

Net Income (Loss)

$

94

 

 

$

62

 

$

57

 

 

$

118

 

 

$

331

 

Less: Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

6

 

 

 

33

 

 

(52

)

 

 

(218

)

 

 

104

 

Net income From Continuing Operations

 

88

 

 

 

29

 

 

109

 

 

 

336

 

 

 

227

 

Add back: Net special items expense (income)

 

(1

)

 

 

13

 

 

3

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

(26

)

Adjusted Operating Earnings

$

87

 

 

$

42

 

$

112

 

 

$

348

 

 

$

201

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2022

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

2021

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share as Reported

$

2.13

 

 

$

1.41

 

$

1.28

 

 

$

2.66

 

 

$

7.53

 

Less: Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

0.14

 

 

 

0.75

 

 

(1.16

)

 

 

(4.91

)

 

 

2.37

 

Continuing Operations

 

1.99

 

 

 

0.66

 

 

2.44

 

 

 

7.57

 

 

 

5.16

 

Add back: Net special items expense (income)

 

(0.02

)

 

 

0.29

 

 

0.07

 

 

 

0.27

 

 

 

(0.59

)

Adjusted Operating Earnings Per Share

$

1.97

 

 

$

0.95

 

$

2.51

 

 

$

7.84

 

 

$

4.57

 

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

Sales and Earnings by Business Segment

Preliminary and Unaudited

(In millions)

 

Net Sales by Business Segment

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2022

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

2021

Europe

$

119

 

 

$

103

 

 

$

130

 

 

$

501

 

 

$

366

 

Latin America

 

289

 

 

 

229

 

 

 

270

 

 

 

1,023

 

 

 

786

 

North America

 

527

 

 

 

463

 

 

 

589

 

 

 

2,173

 

 

 

1,718

 

Inter-segment Sales

 

(8

)

 

 

(17

)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(42

)

Net Sales

$

927

 

 

$

778

 

 

$

968

 

 

$

3,628

 

 

$

2,828

 

Operating Profit by Business Segment

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2022

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

Europe

$

12

 

 

$

(24

)

 

$

19

 

$

50

 

$

(29

)

 

Latin America

 

56

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

58

 

 

212

 

 

194

 

 

North America

 

65

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

98

 

 

291

 

 

133

 

 

Business Segment Operating Profit

$

133

 

 

$

81

 

 

$

175

 

$

553

 

$

298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

$

122

 

 

$

57

 

 

$

147

 

$

467

 

$

328

 

 

Interest expense (income), net

 

17

 

(a)

 

18

 

 

 

18

 

 

69

(a)

 

(1

)

(e)

Net special items expense (income)

 

(6

)

(b)

 

6

 

(d)

 

10

(c)

 

17

(b)

 

(29

)

(d)

Business Segment Operating Profit (f)

$

133

 

 

$

81

 

 

$

175

 

$

553

 

$

298

 

 

Three Months and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022

 

(a)

Includes a pre-tax loss of $5 million ($4 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to debt extinguishment costs.

 

(b)

Includes a pre-tax gain of $10 million ($8 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, related to hedging the foreign exchange exposure of the Nymolla mill purchase price, a pre-tax loss of $3 million ($2 million after taxes) for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and a pre-tax loss of $24 million ($18 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, for one-time costs associated with the spinoff from International Paper, and a pre-tax loss of $1 million ($1 million after taxes) for the three months ended December 31, 2022, and a pre-tax loss of $2 million ($2 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for transaction costs related to the Nymolla acquisition.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

 

(c)

Includes pre-tax loss of $10 million ($7 million after taxes) for the three months ended September 30, 2022, for one-time costs associated with the spinoff.

 

Three Months and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021

 

(d)

Includes net pre-tax loss of $6 million ($4 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2021, for one-time costs associated with the spinoff, offset by net pre-tax income of $35 million ($23 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, for the accrual of a foreign value-added tax refund in Brazil.

 

(e)

Includes pre-tax income of $20 million ($14 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, for interest income associated with the accrual of a foreign value-added tax refund in Brazil.

 

(f)

As set forth in the chart above, business segment operating profit is defined as income from continuing operations before income taxes, but excluding net interest expense (income) and net special items. Business segment operating profit is a measure reported to our management for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to our business segments and assessing the performance of our business segments.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

Preliminary and Unaudited

(In millions)

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2022

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

2021

Net Income (Loss)

$

94

 

 

$

62

 

 

$

57

 

 

$

118

 

 

$

331

 

Less: Discontinued operations, net of tax

 

6

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

(52

)

 

 

(218

)

 

 

104

 

Net Income From Continuing Operations

 

88

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

336

 

 

 

227

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

34

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

131

 

 

 

101

 

Interest expense (income), net

 

17

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

(1

)

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

 

32

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

126

 

Stock-based compensation

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

14

 

Transition service agreement expense

 

1

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

7

 

Net special items expense (income)

 

(6

)

 

 

6

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

(29

)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

170

 

 

$

123

 

 

$

216

 

 

$

721

 

 

$

445

 

Net Sales

$

927

 

 

$

778

 

 

$

968

 

 

$

3,628

 

 

$

2,828

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

18.3

%

 

 

15.8

%

 

 

22.3

%

 

 

19.9

%

 

 

15.7

%

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin by Business Segment

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2022

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

2021

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

$

16

 

 

$

(18

)

 

$

24

 

 

$

70

 

 

$

(9

)

Latin America

 

72

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

74

 

 

 

281

 

 

 

254

 

North America

 

82

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

370

 

 

 

200

 

Total Business Segment Adjusted EBITDA

$

170

 

 

$

123

 

 

$

216

 

 

$

721

 

 

$

445

 

Net Sales (excluding discontinued operations and inter-segment sales eliminations)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

$

119

 

 

$

103

 

 

$

130

 

 

$

501

 

 

$

366

 

Latin America

 

289

 

 

 

229

 

 

 

270

 

 

 

1,023

 

 

 

786

 

North America

 

527

 

 

 

463

 

 

 

589

 

 

 

2,173

 

 

 

1,718

 

Total Business Segment Net Sales

$

935

 

 

$

795

 

 

$

989

 

 

$

3,697

 

 

$

2,870

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

13

%

 

 

(17

) %

 

 

18

%

 

 

14

%

 

 

(2

) %

Latin America

 

25

%

 

 

35

%

 

 

27

%

 

 

27

%

 

 

32

%

North America

 

16

%

 

 

13

%

 

 

20

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

12

%

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Preliminary and Unaudited

(In millions)

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

December 31, 2021

Assets

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

Cash and temporary investments

$

360

 

 

$

159

 

Accounts and notes receivable, net

 

450

 

 

 

402

 

Contract assets

 

30

 

 

 

26

 

Inventories

 

364

 

 

 

279

 

Assets held for sale

 

 

 

 

179

 

Other current assets

 

39

 

 

 

63

 

Total Current Assets

 

1,243

 

 

 

1,108

 

Plants, Properties and Equipment, Net

 

817

 

 

 

764

 

Forestlands

 

322

 

 

 

278

 

Goodwill

 

128

 

 

 

122

 

Right of Use Assets

 

35

 

 

 

40

 

Long-Term Assets Held for Sale

 

 

 

 

141

 

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

 

165

 

 

 

144

 

Total Assets

$

2,710

 

 

$

2,597

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

453

 

 

$

387

 

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

 

29

 

 

 

41

 

Accrued payroll and benefits

 

81

 

 

 

48

 

Liabilities held for sale

 

 

 

 

91

 

Other current liabilities

 

165

 

 

 

191

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

728

 

 

 

758

 

Long-Term Debt

 

1,003

 

 

 

1,357

 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

183

 

 

 

169

 

Long-Term Liabilities Held for Sale

 

 

 

 

13

 

Other Liabilities

 

118

 

 

 

118

 

Equity

 

 

 

Common stock, $1 par value, 200.0 shares authorized, 42.6 shares and 43.9 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively

 

44

 

 

 

44

 

Paid-In Capital

 

25

 

 

 

4

 

Retained Earnings

 

2,029

 

 

 

1,935

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

(1,338

)

 

 

(1,801

)

 

 

760

 

 

 

182

 

Less: Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 1.6 shares and 0.0 shares at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively

 

(82

)

 

 

 

Total Equity

 

678

 

 

 

182

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

$

2,710

 

 

$

2,597

 

Consolidated and Combined Statement of Cash Flows

Preliminary and Unaudited

(In millions)

 

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

Operating Activities

 

 

 

Net income from continuing operations

$

336

 

 

$

227

 

Depreciation, amortization, and cost of timber harvested

 

125

 

 

 

126

 

Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net

 

(7

)

 

 

(6

)

Stock-based compensation

 

20

 

 

 

14

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other

 

 

 

Accounts and notes receivable

 

(45

)

 

 

(99

)

Inventories

 

(99

)

 

 

12

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

48

 

 

 

196

 

Other

 

40

 

 

 

(47

)

Cash Provided By Operating Activities from Continuing Operations

 

418

 

 

 

423

 

Cash Provided By Operating Activities from Discontinued Operations, net

 

20

 

 

 

126

 

Cash Provided By Operating Activities

 

438

 

 

 

549

 

Investment Activities

 

 

 

Invested in capital projects

 

(149

)

 

 

(69

)

Cash pool arrangements with Parent

 

 

 

 

181

 

Cash Proceeds on disposal of business, net of cash divested

 

324

 

 

 

 

Other

 

10

 

 

 

1

 

Cash Provided By (Used for) Investment Activities from Continuing Operations

 

185

 

 

 

113

 

Cash Provided By (Used for) Investment Activities from Discontinued Operations, net

 

(5

)

 

 

14

 

Cash Provided By (Used for) Investment Activities

 

180

 

 

 

127

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

Net transfers from Parent

 

 

 

 

(456

)

Special payment to Parent

 

 

 

 

(1,520

)

Dividends paid

 

(10

)

 

 

 

Issuance of debt

 

75

 

 

 

1,501

 

Reduction of debt

 

(450

)

 

 

(129

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

(80

)

 

 

 

Other

 

(4

)

 

 

16

 

Cash Provided By (Used for) Financing Activities from Continuing Operations

 

(469

)

 

 

(588

)

Cash Provided By (Used for) Financing Activities from Discontinued Operations, net

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

Cash Provided By (Used for) Financing Activities

 

(470

)

 

 

(589

)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

 

32

 

 

 

(2

)

Change in Cash Included in Assets Held for Sale

 

(21

)

 

 

(4

)

Change in Cash and Temporary Investments

 

201

 

 

 

89

 

Cash and Temporary Investments

 

 

 

Beginning of the period

 

159

 

 

 

70

 

End of the period

$

360

 

 

$

159

 

SYLVAMO CORPORATION

Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operations to Free Cash Flow

Preliminary and Unaudited

(In millions)

 

 

Three Months Ended

December 31,

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2022

 

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

2021

Cash Provided By Operating Activities From Continuing Operations

$

142

 

 

$

131

 

 

$

146

 

 

$

418

 

 

$

423

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash invested in capital projects

 

(58

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(149

)

 

 

(69

)

Free Cash Flow

$

84

 

 

$

109

 

 

$

114

 

 

$

269

 

 

$

354

 

Reconciliation of Net Income From Continuing Operations to Adjusted EBITDA - 2023 Outlook

Estimates

(In millions)

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023

 

Twelve Months Ended
D
ecember 31,
2023

 

 

Net Income From Continuing Operations

$97 - $107

 

$368 - $420

Adjustments:

 

 

 

Income tax provision

42 - 47

 

161 - 184

Interest expense (income), net

13

 

50

Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested

37

 

146

Stock-based compensation

6

 

25

Net Special items expense

5

 

10 - 15

Adjusted EBITDA

$200 - $215

 

$760 - $840

Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operations to Free Cash Flow - 2023 Outlook

Estimates

(In millions)

 

 

Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
2023

 

Cash Provided By Operating Activities From Continuing Operations

$510 - $565

Adjustments:

 

Cash invested in capital projects

(210 - 235)

Free Cash Flow

$300 - $330

The non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because not all companies use identical calculations, the Company’s presentation of non-GAAP measures in this release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures disclosed by other companies, including companies in the same industry as Sylvamo.

 

Management believes certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, can facilitate a better understanding of the impact of various factors and trends on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Management also uses these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company’s performance.

 

Investor Contact: Hans Bjorkman, 901-519-8030, hans.bjorkman@sylvamo.com

Media Contact: Adam Ghassemi, 901-519-8115, adam.ghassemi@sylvamo.com

Source: Sylvamo

FAQ

What were Sylvamo's fourth quarter earnings results for 2022?

Sylvamo reported a net income of $88 million ($1.99 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter of 2022.

How did Sylvamo's adjusted EBITDA perform in 2022?

The company's adjusted EBITDA for 2022 was $721 million, representing a 20% margin.

What is Sylvamo's guidance for adjusted EBITDA in 2023?

Sylvamo expects adjusted EBITDA for 2023 to range between $760 million and $840 million.

How much cash flow did Sylvamo generate in 2022?

The company generated $418 million in cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations in 2022.

What dividend did Sylvamo declare for Q1 2023?

Sylvamo announced a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share for Q1 2023.

Sylvamo Corporation

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