Sylvamo Releases First-Quarter 2022 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Sylvamo (NYSE: SLVM) announced its first-quarter 2022 earnings, reporting a net income of $26 million ($0.59 per diluted share), down from $62 million in the previous quarter. The results include a $68 million impairment charge for Russian operations. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $187 million (19.1% margin), with free cash flow at $73 million. Despite challenges from input cost inflation, management remains optimistic, projecting an adjusted EBITDA between $725 million and $775 million for the year, excluding Russia. The company plans to exit its Russian business in an orderly manner.

Positive

• Adjusted operating earnings increased to $87 million compared to $75 million in Q4 2021.
• Adjusted EBITDA improved to $187 million with a 19.1% margin, up from 17.5% in Q4 2021.
• Strong operational performance with a gross debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.1x.
• Despite a decline in net income, healthy free cash flow of $73 million was generated.

Negative

• Net income significantly decreased from $62 million in Q4 2021 to $26 million.
• Impairment charge of $68 million related to Russian operations negatively impacted earnings.
• Free cash flow decreased compared to $162 million in the previous quarter.
• Increased input and transportation costs by $24 million, impacting margins.

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

Message from the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

• “We generated strong earnings and free cash flow,” said Jean-Michel Ribiéras. “We expect we will continue that trend and achieve pre-pandemic earnings levels, even excluding our Russian business. We have the right team to continue to service our customers and navigate input cost inflation and supply chain hurdles.”

First-Quarter Highlights

• Net income of $26 million ($0.59 per diluted share) compared with $62 million ($1.41 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2021; first quarter 2022 net income includes the impact of a $68 million ($57 million, net of tax) impairment charge for our Russian operations as we evaluate options to exit the business

• Adjusted operating earnings¹ (non-GAAP) of $87 million ($1.97 per diluted share) compared with $75 million ($1.71 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2021

• Adjusted EBITDA² (non-GAAP) of $187 million (19.1% margin) compared with $170 million (17.5% margin) in the fourth quarter of 2021

• Free cash flow³ (non-GAAP) of $73 million compared with $162 million in the fourth quarter of 2021

• All reported results for the first quarter of 2022 include our Russia operations

First-Quarter Commercial and Operational Highlights

• Price and mix improved by $53 million versus the prior quarter and volume decreased by $17 million due to slower seasonal demand in Eastern Europe and Latin America, while order backlogs remain strong

• Operations and costs increased by $22 million and total maintenance outage expenses decreased by $26 million versus the prior quarter, reflecting fewer planned maintenance outages

• Input and transportation costs increased by $24 million versus the prior quarter, reflecting higher costs for wood, energy, chemicals and distribution

• Adjusted EBITDA margins for Europe, Latin America and North America were 16%, 27% and 17%, respectively

• Repaid $33 million of debt, achieving a gross debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.1x

Second-Quarter Outlook

• Price and mix are expected to improve by $60 million to $65 million ($50 million to $55 million, excluding Russia), compared to the first quarter, reflecting continued realization of prior price increases in all regions

• Volume is expected to decrease $10 million to $15 million (remain stable, excluding Russia), with seasonally stronger Latin American volume offsetting more maintenance outages in North America

• Operations and costs are expected to increase by $10 million to $15 million ($5 million to $10 million, excluding Russia), due to other costs

• Input and transportation costs are projected to increase by $15 million to $20 million ($10 million to $15 million, excluding Russia), mainly due to higher prices of natural gas in North America and rising diesel costs affecting fiber delivery in Latin America

• Total maintenance outage expenses are projected to increase by $25 million ($15 million, excluding Russia), as we conduct more planned maintenance outages

• We also project $8 million in costs related to transition service agreements in the quarter and $15 million of one-time costs (transition service agreements costs are not included in adjusted EBITDA, and one-time costs are not included in adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating earnings)

Management Summary

We continue to execute our three-prong strategy of commercial excellence, operational excellence and financial discipline. This approach generated a 19.1% adjusted EBITDA margin in the first quarter of 2022.

Global demand continues to strengthen in most regions as schools and offices reopen. As a result, our volumes remain strong, running at full capacity in all three regions. We also continue to realize the benefit of prior price increases, which allowed price and mix to outpace input cost increases.

Our facilities operated well in a challenging supply chain environment, navigating input cost inflation and supply chain hurdles. Most importantly, we continue taking care of each other and our customers.

This strategy generated $73 million in free cash flow, enabling us to pay down $33 million in debt and increase our cash position by $49 million.

We believe Sylvamo will continue creating value as we work to achieve our vision of being the employer, supplier and investment of choice. We are currently on a path to generate between $725 million and $775 million in adjusted EBITDA and $160 million and $180 million in free cash flow this year, excluding Russia for the full year.

Our path forward in Russia is driven by our primary value to always do the right things in the right ways for the right reasons. We have made the decision to exit Russia. We will do so in an orderly manner and are conducting a process to sell our Russian business. We are working to reach an agreement and plan to complete this process promptly, including obtaining approval from our board, as well as the required government approvals to execute a transaction.

We would not be in this position without our team members who continue overcoming challenges while remaining focused on serving customers and taking care of themselves and their teammates. We appreciate them for everything they do each day.

1	Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) are net earnings (GAAP) excluding 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, provides for a more complete analysis of the results of operations by quarter. Net income 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 Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statement of Operations and related notes included later in this release.
2	Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is net income (GAAP) plus the sum of income taxes, net interest (income) expense, 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, provides for a more complete analysis of the results of its operations. Net income 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 Condensed 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 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 in the future. 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)	First Quarter 2022			Fourth Quarter 2021			First Quarter 2021
Net Sales	$	977		$	972		$	778
Net Income		26			62			62
Business Segment Operating Profit		141			123			84
Adjusted Operating Earnings		87			75			62
Adjusted EBITDA		187			170			123
Cash Provided By Operating Activities		92			184			82
Free Cash Flow		73			162			65

Segment Information

Sylvamo uses business segment operating profits to measure the earnings performance of its businesses and is calculated as set forth in footnote (c) under the "Sales and Earnings by Business Segment" table (page 8). First-quarter 2022 net sales by business segment and operating profit by business segment compared with the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2021 are as follows:

Business Segment Results
(In millions)	First Quarter 2022				Fourth Quarter 2021				First Quarter 2021
Net Sales by Business Segment
Europe	$	279			$	297			$	238
Latin America		215				229				168
North America		508				463				382
Inter-segment Sales		(25	)			(17	)			(10	)
Net Sales	$	977			$	972			$	778
Operating Profit by Business Segment
Europe	$	36			$	16			$	23
Latin America		40				64				43
North America		65				43				18
Total Business Segment Operating Profit	$	141			$	123			$	84

Operating profits in the first quarter of 2022:

Europe - $36 million compared with $16 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Earnings were higher as higher average sales prices and lower planned maintenance outages more than offset seasonally weaker demand, higher operating costs and higher input costs.

Latin America - $40 million compared with $64 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Earnings were lower as higher average sales prices were more than offset by lower seasonal demand, higher input costs and an unfavorable foreign exchange impact.

North America - $65 million compared with $43 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Earnings were higher as higher average sales prices, higher volumes and lower maintenance outages more than offset higher input costs.

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 +1-855-982-8078 (U.S.) or +1-469-886-1931 (international). The conference ID number is 3782388. 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, approximately two hours after the call. To listen to the replay by phone, call +1-855-859-2056 and use conference ID number 3782388.

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 7,500 colleagues. Net sales for 2021 were $3.5 billion. For more information, please visit Sylvamo.com.

Effective Tax Rate

The reported effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 50%, compared to 38% for the fourth quarter of 2021. The higher rate for the first quarter was due to the mix of earnings in the U.S. and various income tax rates in non-US jurisdictions, the impairment of the Russian assets, and an unfavorable U.S. rule change restricting foreign tax credits in certain jurisdictions.

Excluding net special items, the operational effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 31%, compared with 29% for the fourth quarter of 2021.

Effects of Net Special Items

Net special items in the first quarter of 2022 amount to a net after-tax charge of $61 million ($1.38 per diluted share) compared with net after-tax charge of $13 million ($0.30 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2021. For more information see the information under the Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statement of Operations and related notes included later in this release.

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 statement concerting expected earnings levels, the information under the heading “Second-Quarter Outlook” and expectations stated under the heading “Management Summary.” 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 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
Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statement of Operations
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In millions)
	Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	2022			2021
Net Sales	$	977		$	778		$	972
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold		649	(a)		525			678	(d)
Selling and administrative expenses		67	(b)		41			67
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested		34			36			35
Distribution expenses		85			85			70
Taxes other than payroll and income taxes		6			7			5
Impairment of business		68	(c)		—			—
Interest (income) expense, net		16			—			17	(e)
Income Before Income Taxes		52			84			100
Income tax provision		26			22			38
Net Income	$	26		$	62		$	62
Earnings Per Share - Basic	$	0.59		$	1.41		$	1.41
Earnings Per Share - Diluted	$	0.59		$	1.41		$	1.41
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted		44			44			44

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

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

(a) Includes pre-tax loss of $2 million ($2 million after taxes) for one-time costs associated with the spin-off.

(b) Includes pre-tax loss of $3 million ($2 million after taxes) for one-time costs associated with the spin-off.

(c) Pre-tax charge of $68 million ($57 million after taxes) related to the impairment of our Russian fixed assets.

Three Months Ended December 31, 2021

(d) Includes pre-tax loss of $6 million ($4 million after taxes) for one-time costs associated with the spin-off.

(e) Includes $9 million of tax expense related to establishing a valuation allowance on France deferred tax assets.

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 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 March 31,						Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	2022			2021
Net Income	$	26		$	62		$	62
Add back: Net special items expense (income)		61			—			13
Adjusted Operating Earnings	$	87		$	62		$	75

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	2022			2021
Diluted Earnings per Common Share as Reported	$	0.59		$	1.41		$	1.41
Add back: Net special items expense (income)		1.38			—			0.30
Adjusted Operating Earnings per Share	$	1.97		$	1.41		$	1.71

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In millions)
	Three Months Ended March 31,								Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	2022				2021
Net Income	$	26			$	62			$	62
Adjustments:
Income tax provision		26				22				38
Interest (income) expense, net		16				—				17
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested		34				36				35
Stock-based compensation		4				3				4
Transition service agreement expense		8				—				8
Net special items expense (income)		73				—				6
Adjusted EBITDA	$	187			$	123			$	170
Net Sales	$	977			$	778			$	972
Adjusted EBITDA Margin		19.1	%			15.8	%			17.5	%

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin by Business Segment
	Three Months Ended March 31,								Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	2022				2021
Adjusted EBITDA
Europe	$	46			$	32			$	27
Latin America		57				57				81
North America		84				34				62
Total Business Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	187			$	123			$	170
Net Sales (excluding Inter-segment Sales)
Europe	$	279			$	238			$	297
Latin America		215				168				229
North America		508				382				463
Total Business Segment Net Sales	$	1,002			$	788			$	989
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Europe		16	%			13	%			9	%
Latin America		27	%			34	%			35	%
North America		17	%			9	%			13	%

SYLVAMO CORPORATION
Sales and Earnings by Business Segment
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In millions)
Net Sales by Business Segment
	Three Months Ended March 31,								Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	2022				2021
Europe	$	279			$	238			$	297
Latin America		215				168				229
North America		508				382				463
Inter-segment Sales		(25	)			(10	)			(17	)
Net Sales	$	977			$	778			$	972

Operating Profit by Business Segment
	Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	2022			2021
Europe	$	36		$	23		$	16
Latin America		40			43			64
North America		65			18			43
Total Business Segment Operating Profit	$	141		$	84		$	123
Income Before Income Taxes	$	52		$	84		$	100
Interest (income) expense, net		16			—			17
Net special items expense (income)		73	(a)		—			6	(b)
Business Segment Operating Profit (c)	$	141		$	84		$	123

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
(a)	Includes a pre-tax charge $68 million ($57 million after taxes) related to the impairment of our Russian fixed assets and a pre-tax loss of $5 million ($4 million after taxes) for one-time costs associated with the spin-off.
Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
(b)	Includes pre-tax loss of $6 million ($4 million after taxes) for one-time costs associated with the spin-off.
(c)	As set forth in the chart above, business segment operating profit is defined as income before income taxes, but excluding net interest (income) expense 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.

SYLVAMO CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(In millions)
	March 31, 2022				December 31, 2021
	(Preliminary and Unaudited)
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and temporary investments	$	229			$	180
Accounts and notes receivable, net		483				490
Contract assets		29				29
Inventories		376				342
Other current assets		56				67
Total Current Assets		1,173				1,108
Plants, Properties and Equipment, Net		816				885
Forestlands		330				278
Goodwill		151				132
Right of Use Assets		43				41
Deferred Charges and Other Assets		196				153
Total Assets	$	2,709			$	2,597
Liabilities and Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	435			$	445
Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt		25				42
Accrued payroll and benefits		46				51
Other current liabilities		181				220
Total Current Liabilities		687				758
Long-Term Debt		1,341				1,358
Deferred Income Taxes		205				169
Other Liabilities		145				130
Equity
Common stock, $1 par value, 200.0 share authorized, 44.1 shares and 43.9 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		44				44
Paid-In Capital		8				4
Retained Earnings		1,961				1,935
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		(1,680	)			(1,801	)
		333				182
Less: Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 0.1 shares and 0.0 shares at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively		(2	)			—
Total Equity		331				182
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	2,709			$	2,597

SYLVAMO CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated and Combined Statement of Cash Flows
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In millions)
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2022				2021
Operating Activities
Net income	$	26			$	62
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested		34				36
Deferred income tax provision (benefit), net		(4	)			12
Stock-based compensation		4				3
Impairment of business		68				—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other
Accounts and notes receivable		30				(16	)
Inventories		(31	)			2
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(56	)			10
Other		21				(27	)
Cash Provided By Operating Activities		92				82
Investment Activities
Invested in capital projects		(19	)			(17	)
Cash pool arrangements with Parent		—				(11	)
Other		—				5
Cash Used For Investment Activities		(19	)			(23	)
Financing Activities
Net transfers from Parent		—				79
Reduction of debt		(35	)			(3	)
Other		(4	)			—
Cash Provided By (Used for) Financing Activities		(39	)			76
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash		15				(61	)
Change in Cash and Temporary Investments		49				74
Cash and Temporary Investments
Beginning of the period		180				95
End of the period	$	229			$	169

SYLVAMO CORPORATION
Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operations to Free Cash Flow
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In millions)
	Three Months Ended March 31,								Three Months Ended December 31, 2021
	2022				2021
Cash Provided By Operating Activities	$	92			$	82			$	184
Adjustments:
Cash invested in capital projects		(19	)			(17	)			(22	)
Free Cash Flow	$	73			$	65			$	162

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA - 2022 Full Year Outlook
Estimates
(In millions)
	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
Net Income	$267 - $302
Adjustments:
Income tax provision	120 - 135
Interest (income) expense, net	67
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested	130
Stock-based compensation	16
Transition service agreement expense	25
Net Special items expense (income)	100
Adjusted EBITDA	$725 - $775

Reconciliation of Cash Provided by Operations to Free Cash Flow - 2022 Full Year Outlook
Estimates
(In millions)
	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
Cash Provided By Operating Activities	$335 - $355
Adjustments:
Cash invested in capital projects	(175)
Free Cash Flow	$160 - $180

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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220511005221/en/

Investor Contact: Hans Bjorkman, 901-419-3525, hans.bjorkman@sylvamo.com

Media Contact: Adam Ghassemi, 901-419-4436, adam.ghassemi@sylvamo.com

Source: Sylvamo

FAQ

What were Sylvamo's earnings for the first quarter of 2022?

Sylvamo reported a net income of $26 million, or $0.59 per diluted share.

How did Sylvamo's adjusted EBITDA perform in Q1 2022?

The adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2022 was $187 million, resulting in a 19.1% margin.

What is Sylvamo's outlook for the second quarter of 2022?

Sylvamo expects price and mix improvements of $60 million to $65 million in Q2 2022.

What is the impact of Sylvamo’s Russian operations on its financial results?

The Russian operations resulted in a $68 million impairment charge in Q1 2022.

What is Sylvamo's plan regarding its Russian business?

Sylvamo plans to exit its Russian business in an orderly manner and is in the process of selling it.