0001333274false00013332742024-02-152024-02-15

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 15, 2024

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Washington

000-51826

47-0956945

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

Suite 1120, 700 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1G8

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (604) 684-1099

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

 

MERC

 

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 


 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

The information furnished under Item 2.02 of this Current Report shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

On February 15, 2024, Mercer International Inc. (the “Company”) announced by press release the Company’s results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023. A copy of such press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

Item 8.01. Other Events

On February 15, 2024, the Company announced by press release that its board of directors had authorized a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share to be paid on April 4, 2024 to all shareholders of record on March 27, 2024. A copy of such press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

Description

99.1

Press Release dated February 15, 2024

104

 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

1

 


 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

 

 

 

 

Date: February 15, 2024

By:

 

/s/ Richard Short

 

 

 

Richard Short

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2

 


 

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

img159729660_0.jpg 

 

 

For Immediate Release

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC. REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END 2023 RESULTS AND ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND OF $0.075

 

Selected Highlights

Fourth quarter Operating EBITDA* of $21.1 million and net loss of $87.2 million
Full year 2023 Operating EBITDA of $17.5 million and net loss of $242.1 million
Continued to ramp up and build out the order book of our mass timber business in 2023
Quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share

 

NEW YORK, NY, February 15, 2024 ‑ Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today reported that Operating EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $21.1 million compared to $96.1 million in the same quarter of 2022 and $37.5 million in the third quarter of 2023.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2023, net loss was $87.2 million (or $1.31 per share), which included a non-cash impairment of $33.7 million (or $0.51 per share) relating to the classification of our sandalwood business as held for sale, compared to net income of $20.0 million (or $0.30 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2022 and net loss of $26.0 million (or $0.39 per share) in the third quarter of 2023.

 

In 2023, Operating EBITDA was $17.5 million compared to $536.5 million in 2022. Net loss was $242.1 million (or $3.65 per share) in 2023 compared to net income of $247.0 million (or $3.74 per basic share and $3.71 per diluted share) in 2022.

 

Mr. Juan Carlos Bueno, the Chief Executive Officer, stated: “In the fourth quarter, our operating results were positively impacted by an improved pulp pricing environment. However, our results decreased relative to the preceding

____________________

*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.

 


 

Page 2

 

quarter because of greater planned maintenance downtime in the fourth quarter and because in the third quarter there were positive impacts from the recognition of non-cash items and sales of previously impaired inventory.

 

In the fourth quarter, we saw improved pulp pricing for both NBSK and NBHK across all our markets as customers restocked inventories. We currently believe this pricing momentum will continue into 2024 with modest price increases expected in the first quarter. We continued to be negatively impacted by the overall weakness in the lumber market as slightly higher prices in the U.S. were offset by lower prices in Europe.

 

We recognized a non‐cash impairment of $33.7 million against our sandalwood business in the fourth quarter of 2023 as we made the strategic decision to pursue a sale of this business to focus on our core strategy, resulting in these assets and associated liabilities being valued at fair market value and classified as held for sale as at the end of 2023.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2023, all our mills ran very efficiently and we had 23 days of scheduled maintenance downtime (approximately 31,600 ADMTs) at our pulp mills. In the first quarter of 2024, we have no scheduled maintenance downtime at our pulp mills.

 

Overall per unit fiber costs for our pulp segment were stable in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter. Per unit fiber costs for our solid wood segment decreased due to the availability of lower cost beetle damaged wood in Germany.

 

In 2023, we saw strong growth in our mass timber business as we secured major customer contracts and continued to build out our order book. We began 2024 with a mass timber order book of almost $100 million. We are pleased that this business has exceeded our expectations to date, including by contributing positively to our Operating EBITDA in the fourth quarter.”

 

Mr. Bueno concluded: “We have seen pulp pricing and fiber supply conditions improve and currently expect this to continue in 2024. While market conditions have improved, our team remains disciplined on controlling costs, including by limiting discretionary spending and managing working capital to ensure our cash and liquidity levels remain healthy. We finished 2023 with approximately $610 million in aggregate liquidity and believe we are well positioned to ensure the integrity of our balance sheet through the business cycle.”

 

 


 

Page 3

 

Current Market Environment

We currently expect improved pulp pricing in 2024, led by Europe, where third-party quoted list prices for NBSK pulp increased to $1,350 per ADMT in January 2024 with additional modest increases expected to continue in the first half of 2024 as a result of stronger demand due to the easing of inflationary pressures. For China and North America we currently expect prices to be generally stable in the first part of 2024, with reduced supply offset by continued weak demand. For NBHK pulp we currently expect stable prices in the first half of 2024.

In our solid wood segment, we currently expect a modest increase in U.S. lumber prices in the first half of 2024 driven by increased housing activity and low customer inventory levels. In Europe, we expect lumber prices to be relatively flat as demand remains weak due to continued high interest rates and economic uncertainty. We currently expect mass timber prices to be stable in the first half of 2024.

Consolidated Financial Results

 

Q4

 

 

Q3

 

 

Q4

 

 

YTD

 

 

YTD

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022(1)

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Revenues

$

470,494

 

 

$

470,821

 

 

$

583,056

 

 

$

1,993,844

 

 

$

2,280,937

 

 

Operating income (loss)

$

(56,395

)

 

$

(3,426

)

 

$

47,263

 

 

$

(188,774

)

 

$

392,368

 

 

Operating EBITDA

$

21,145

 

 

$

37,527

 

 

$

96,128

 

 

$

17,462

 

 

$

536,521

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(87,216

)

 

$

(25,956

)

 

$

20,024

 

 

$

(242,056

)

 

$

247,039

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(1.31

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

(3.65

)

 

$

3.74

 

 

Diluted

$

(1.31

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

(3.65

)

 

$

3.71

 

 

 

(1)
Includes results of the Torgau facility since September 30, 2022.

Consolidated – Three Months Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2022

Total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by approximately 19% to $470.5 million from $583.1 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower pulp and energy sales realizations partially offset by higher pulp sales volumes.

Costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased modestly to $526.9 million from $535.8 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily as a result of lower per unit fiber, energy, freight and chemical costs partially offset by a $33.7 million non-cash impairment recognized in connection with the classification of our sandalwood business as held for sale and higher pulp sales volumes.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, Operating EBITDA was $21.1 million compared to $96.1 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower pulp and energy sales realizations partially offset by lower per unit production and freight costs.

 


 

Page 4

 

Segment Results

Pulp

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Pulp revenues

$

340,687

 

 

$

425,421

 

 

Energy and chemical revenues

$

23,495

 

 

$

37,804

 

 

Operating income

$

1,245

 

 

$

68,972

 

 

In the fourth quarter of 2023, pulp segment operating income was $1.2 million compared to $69.0 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily as a result of lower pulp and energy sales realizations partially offset by lower per unit fiber, energy, chemical and freight costs.

Our pulp segment revenues decreased by approximately 21% to $364.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 from $463.2 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to the relatively weaker pulp market and lower energy revenues.

Pulp revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by approximately 20% to $340.7 million from $425.4 million in the same quarter of 2022 due to lower sales realizations partially offset by higher sales volumes.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, third party industry quoted average list prices for NBSK pulp were materially lower in all our markets compared to the same quarter of 2022. Our average NBSK pulp sales realizations decreased by approximately 22% to $709 per ADMT in the fourth quarter of 2023 from $913 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2022. In the fourth quarter of 2023, our average NBHK pulp sales realizations decreased by approximately 34% to $593 per ADMT from $896 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2022.

Total pulp sales volumes increased by approximately 6% to 491,156 ADMTs in the fourth quarter of 2023 from 465,318 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2022 primarily because of higher production.

Energy and chemical revenues decreased by approximately 38% to $23.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 from $37.8 million in the same quarter of 2022 as a result of lower sales realizations partially offset by higher sales volumes.

Costs and expenses in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by approximately 8% to $363.2 million from $394.3 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower per unit fiber, energy, chemical and freight costs partially offset by higher pulp sales volumes.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, per unit fiber costs decreased by approximately 7% from the same quarter of 2022 driven by stable supply and the benefits from our Peace River woodroom. We currently expect modestly lower

 


 

Page 5

 

per unit fiber costs in the first quarter of 2024 due to stable supply.

Solid Wood

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Lumber revenues

$

47,821

 

 

$

45,041

 

 

Energy revenues

$

4,928

 

 

$

7,310

 

 

Manufactured products revenues(1)

$

16,252

 

 

$

5,583

 

 

Pallet revenues

$

23,767

 

 

$

36,063

 

 

Biofuels revenues(2)

$

10,916

 

 

$

17,691

 

 

Wood residuals revenues

$

1,759

 

 

$

6,722

 

 

Operating loss

$

(18,411

)

 

$

(14,281

)

 

______________

(1)
Manufactured products primarily includes cross-laminated timber, glulam and finger joint lumber.
(2)
Biofuels includes pellets and briquettes.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, solid wood segment operating loss was $18.4 million compared to $14.3 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower solid wood products' sales realizations, with the exception of manufactured products, partially offset by lower per unit fiber costs.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, solid wood segment revenues decreased by approximately 11% to $105.4 million from $118.4 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily as a result of lower pallet, biofuels, energy and wood residuals sales realizations partially offset by higher manufactured products revenues.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, lumber revenues increased by approximately 6% to $47.8 million from $45.0 million in the same quarter of 2022 as higher sales volumes were only partially offset by modestly lower sales realizations. Average lumber sales realizations decreased by approximately 6% to $427 per Mfbm in the fourth quarter of 2023 from approximately $454 per Mfbm in the same quarter of 2022 as a result of weaker demand in the European market driven by higher interest rates and an uncertain economic outlook. In the U.S. market, sales realizations were flat in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter of 2022. The U.S. market accounted for approximately 49% of our lumber revenues and approximately 39% of our lumber sales volumes in the fourth quarter of 2023. The remaining balance of our lumber sales were primarily to Europe.

Lumber sales volumes increased by approximately 13% to 112.0 MMfbm in the fourth quarter of 2023 from 99.2 MMfbm in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to the timing of sales.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, we continued to ramp up our mass timber operations and manufactured products revenues increased to $16.3 million from $5.6 million in the same quarter of 2022 as a result of both higher sales realizations and sales volumes. Manufactured products sales realizations increased to $1,234 per m3 in the fourth quarter of 2023 from $561 per m3 in the same quarter of 2022 as a result of higher cross-laminated timber and glulam

 


 

Page 6

 

sales volumes.

Energy and wood residuals revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by approximately 52% to $6.7 million from $14.0 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower sales realizations.

Pallet revenues in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by approximately 34% to $23.8 million from $36.1 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower sales realizations and sales volumes. Biofuels in the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by approximately 38% to $10.9 million from $17.7 million in the same quarter of 2022 primarily due to lower sales volumes and realizations.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, lumber production decreased by approximately 5% to 111.6 MMfbm from 117.3 MMfbm in the same quarter of 2022 as a result of maintenance downtime.

Fiber costs were approximately 70% of our lumber cash production costs in the fourth quarter of 2023. In the fourth quarter of 2023, per unit fiber costs for lumber production decreased by approximately 19% compared to the same quarter of 2022 due to an increased supply of beetle damaged wood in Germany. We currently expect modestly lower per unit fiber costs in the first quarter of 2024 as a result of the continuing availability of beetle damaged wood partially offset by stronger demand.

Consolidated – Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Total revenues in 2023 decreased by approximately 13% to $1,993.8 million from $2,280.9 million in 2022 primarily due to lower pulp, lumber and energy sales realizations partially offset by the inclusion of Torgau for a full year and higher sales volumes.

Costs and expenses in 2023 increased by approximately 16% to $2,182.6 million from $1,888.6 million in 2022 primarily as a result of the inclusion of Torgau for a full year, higher per unit fiber costs, a $33.7 million impairment recognized in connection with the classification of our sandalwood business as held for sale and higher sales volumes. These increases were partially offset by lower per unit energy and freight costs and the receipt of $46.4 million of insurance proceeds in 2023 relating to the 2021 turbine downtime at the Rosenthal mill and the July 2022 fire at the Stendal mill. In 2022, we received insurance proceeds of $17.3 million related to the Stendal fire.

In 2023, Operating EBITDA was $17.5 million compared to $536.5 million in 2022 primarily due to lower pulp, lumber and energy sales realizations and higher per unit fiber costs partially offset by lower per unit energy and freight costs and higher insurance proceeds received.

 


 

Page 7

 

Liquidity

As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $314.0 million and approximately $296.3 million available under our revolving credit facilities and as a result aggregate liquidity of about $610 million.

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

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

313,992

 

 

$

354,032

 

 

Working capital

$

806,468

 

 

$

800,114

 

 

Total assets

$

2,662,578

 

 

$

2,725,037

 

 

Long-term liabilities

$

1,740,731

 

 

$

1,508,192

 

 

Total shareholders' equity

$

635,410

 

 

$

838,784

 

 

Quarterly Dividend

A quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share will be paid on April 4, 2024 to all shareholders of record on March 27, 2024. 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 16, 2024 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/6gsbsf2n 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 2.3 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 210 thousand cubic meters of cross-laminated timber, 45 thousand cubic meters of glulam, 17 million pallets and 230,000 metric 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

 


 

Page 8

 

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:

Jimmy S.H. Lee

Executive Chairman

(604) 684-1099

 

Juan Carlos Bueno

Chief Executive Officer

(604) 684-1099

 

-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-

 

 


 

Summary Financial Highlights

 

Q4

 

 

Q3

 

 

Q4

 

 

YTD

 

 

YTD

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022(1)

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Pulp segment revenues

$

364,182

 

 

$

348,853

 

 

$

463,225

 

 

$

1,516,130

 

 

$

1,866,117

 

 

Solid wood segment revenues

 

105,443

 

 

 

119,547

 

 

 

118,410

 

 

 

472,054

 

 

 

408,458

 

 

Corporate and other revenues

 

869

 

 

 

2,421

 

 

 

1,421

 

 

 

5,660

 

 

 

6,362

 

 

Total revenues

$

470,494

 

 

$

470,821

 

 

$

583,056

 

 

$

1,993,844

 

 

$

2,280,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp segment operating income (loss)

$

1,245

 

 

$

21,181

 

 

$

68,972

 

 

$

(48,262

)

 

$

340,664

 

 

Solid wood segment operating income (loss)

 

(18,411

)

 

 

(19,690

)

 

 

(14,281

)

 

 

(87,663

)

 

 

70,642

 

 

Corporate and other operating loss

 

(39,229

)

 

 

(4,917

)

 

 

(7,428

)

 

 

(52,849

)

 

 

(18,938

)

 

Total operating income (loss)

$

(56,395

)

 

$

(3,426

)

 

$

47,263

 

 

$

(188,774

)

 

$

392,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp segment depreciation and amortization

$

30,783

 

 

$

28,186

 

 

$

29,199

 

 

$

114,151

 

 

$

112,058

 

 

Solid wood segment depreciation and amortization

 

12,779

 

 

 

12,517

 

 

 

19,451

 

 

 

57,320

 

 

 

31,170

 

 

Corporate and other depreciation and amortization

 

244

 

 

 

250

 

 

 

215

 

 

 

1,031

 

 

 

925

 

 

Total depreciation and amortization

$

43,806

 

 

$

40,953

 

 

$

48,865

 

 

$

172,502

 

 

$

144,153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

$

21,145

 

 

$

37,527

 

 

$

96,128

 

 

$

17,462

 

 

$

536,521

 

 

Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale

$

33,734

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

33,734

 

 

$

 

 

Income tax recovery (provision)

$

(1,084

)

 

$

(3,984

)

 

$

(8,608

)

 

$

27,767

 

 

$

(98,264

)

 

Net income (loss)

$

(87,216

)

 

$

(25,956

)

 

$

20,024

 

 

$

(242,056

)

 

$

247,039

 

 

Net income (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(1.31

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

(3.65

)

 

$

3.74

 

 

Diluted

$

(1.31

)

 

$

(0.39

)

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

(3.65

)

 

$

3.71

 

 

Common shares outstanding at period end

 

66,525

 

 

 

66,525

 

 

 

66,167

 

 

 

66,525

 

 

 

66,167

 

 

 

(1)
Includes results of the Torgau facility since September 30, 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1


 

Summary Operating Highlights

 

Q4

 

 

Q3

 

 

Q4

 

 

YTD

 

 

YTD

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022(1)

 

 

Pulp Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

436.2

 

 

 

397.5

 

 

 

390.9

 

 

 

1,714.4

 

 

 

1,607.6

 

 

NBHK

 

71.5

 

 

 

82.5

 

 

 

80.6

 

 

 

251.2

 

 

 

271.0

 

 

Annual maintenance downtime ('000 ADMTs)

 

31.6

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

39.5

 

 

 

82.9

 

 

 

111.0

 

 

Annual maintenance downtime (days)

 

23

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

71

 

 

 

80

 

 

Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

411.8

 

 

 

425.1

 

 

 

393.4

 

 

 

1,689.0

 

 

 

1,660.8

 

 

NBHK

 

79.4

 

 

 

62.1

 

 

 

72.0

 

 

 

262.2

 

 

 

257.0

 

 

Average NBSK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

1,245

 

 

 

1,160

 

 

 

1,442

 

 

 

1,257

 

 

 

1,427

 

 

China

 

748

 

 

 

680

 

 

 

920

 

 

 

747

 

 

 

949

 

 

North America

 

1,312

 

 

 

1,293

 

 

 

1,745

 

 

 

1,448

 

 

 

1,704

 

 

Average NBHK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China

 

643

 

 

 

530

 

 

 

837

 

 

 

592

 

 

 

794

 

 

North America

 

1,083

 

 

 

1,023

 

 

 

1,608

 

 

 

1,227

 

 

 

1,514

 

 

Average pulp sales realizations ($/ADMT)(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

709

 

 

 

666

 

 

 

913

 

 

 

729

 

 

 

876

 

 

NBHK

 

593

 

 

 

530

 

 

 

896

 

 

 

627

 

 

 

869

 

 

Energy production ('000 MWh)(4)

 

544.6

 

 

 

524.4

 

 

 

515.8

 

 

 

2,142.0

 

 

 

2,028.1

 

 

Energy sales ('000 MWh)(4)

 

213.2

 

 

 

214.8

 

 

 

183.4

 

 

 

832.6

 

 

 

751.7

 

 

Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)(4)

 

92

 

 

 

108

 

 

 

156

 

(5)

 

107

 

 

 

214

 

(5)

Solid Wood Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lumber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production (MMfbm)

 

111.6

 

 

 

94.4

 

 

 

117.3

 

 

 

462.3

 

 

 

442.2

 

 

Sales (MMfbm)

 

112.0

 

 

 

114.7

 

 

 

99.2

 

 

 

500.5

 

 

 

409.9

 

 

Average sales realizations ($/Mfbm)

 

427

 

 

 

443

 

 

 

454

 

 

 

435

 

 

 

703

 

 

Energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and sales ('000 MWh)

 

38.7

 

 

 

39.0

 

 

 

39.0

 

 

 

160.2

 

 

 

109.6

 

 

Average sales realizations ($/MWh)

 

127

 

 

 

140

 

 

 

159

 

(5)

 

134

 

 

 

224

 

(5)

Manufactured products(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 cubic meters)

 

10.2

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

25.1

 

 

 

36.3

 

 

Sales ('000 cubic meters)

 

12.1

 

 

 

11.0

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

33.4

 

 

 

28.8

 

 

Average sales realizations ($/cubic meters)

 

1,234

 

 

 

1,752

 

 

 

561

 

 

 

1,514

 

 

 

715

 

 

Pallets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 units)

 

2,184.7

 

 

 

2,895.1

 

 

 

2,568.4

 

 

 

10,707.2

 

 

 

2,568.4

 

 

Sales ('000 units)

 

2,450.7

 

 

 

2,765.3

 

 

 

2,646.3

 

 

 

11,041.2

 

 

 

2,646.3

 

 

Average sales realizations ($/unit)

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

14

 

 

Biofuels(7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes)

 

38.9

 

 

 

52.1

 

 

 

45.7

 

 

 

167.2

 

 

 

45.7

 

 

Sales ('000 tonnes)

 

39.9

 

 

 

38.7

 

 

 

49.8

 

 

 

144.8

 

 

 

49.8

 

 

Average sales realizations ($/tonne)

 

274

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

355

 

 

 

281

 

 

 

355

 

 

Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ / €(8)

 

1.0761

 

 

 

1.0884

 

 

 

1.0218

 

 

 

1.0817

 

 

 

1.0534

 

 

$ / C$(8)

 

0.7347

 

 

 

0.7458

 

 

 

0.7366

 

 

 

0.7412

 

 

 

0.7691

 

 

______________

(1)
Includes results of the Torgau facility since September 30, 2022.
(2)
Source: RISI pricing report. Europe and North America are list prices. China are net prices which include discounts, allowances and rebates.
(3)
Sales realizations after customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Incorporates the effect of pulp price variations occurring between the order and shipment dates.
(4)
Does not include our 50% joint venture interest in the Cariboo mill, which is accounted for using the equity method.
(5)
Energy sales realizations for the year ended December 31, 2022 are net of the German energy windfall tax of $6.7 million for the pulp segment and $1.1 million for the solid wood segment.
(6)
Manufactured products includes cross-laminated timber, glulam and finger joint lumber.
(7)
Biofuels includes pellets and briquettes.
(8)
Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rates over the reporting period.

2


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended
December 31,

 

 

For the Year Ended
 December 31,

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

Revenues

$

470,494

 

 

$

583,056

 

 

$

1,993,844

 

 

$

2,280,937

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

422,677

 

 

 

451,196

 

 

 

1,853,482

 

 

 

1,638,672

 

Cost of sales depreciation and amortization

 

43,738

 

 

 

48,841

 

 

 

172,223

 

 

 

144,064

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

26,740

 

 

 

35,756

 

 

 

123,179

 

 

 

105,833

 

Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale

 

33,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,734

 

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(56,395

)

 

 

47,263

 

 

 

(188,774

)

 

 

392,368

 

Other income (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(27,245

)

 

 

(18,768

)

 

 

(88,246

)

 

 

(71,499

)

Other income (expenses)

 

(2,492

)

 

 

137

 

 

 

7,197

 

 

 

24,434

 

Total other expenses, net

 

(29,737

)

 

 

(18,631

)

 

 

(81,049

)

 

 

(47,065

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(86,132

)

 

 

28,632

 

 

 

(269,823

)

 

 

345,303

 

Income tax recovery (provision)

 

(1,084

)

 

 

(8,608

)

 

 

27,767

 

 

 

(98,264

)

Net income (loss)

$

(87,216

)

 

$

20,024

 

 

$

(242,056

)

 

$

247,039

 

Net income (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(1.31

)

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

(3.65

)

 

$

3.74

 

Diluted

$

(1.31

)

 

$

0.30

 

 

$

(3.65

)

 

$

3.71

 

Dividends declared per common share

$

0.075

 

 

$

0.075

 

 

$

0.300

 

 

$

0.300

 

 

 

3


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

313,992

 

 

$

354,032

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

306,166

 

 

 

351,993

 

Inventories

 

 

414,161

 

 

 

450,470

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

23,461

 

 

 

21,680

 

Assets classified as held for sale

 

 

35,125

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,092,905

 

 

 

1,178,175

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

1,409,937

 

 

 

1,341,322

 

Investment in joint ventures

 

 

41,665

 

 

 

45,635

 

Amortizable intangible assets, net

 

 

52,641

 

 

 

61,497

 

Goodwill

 

 

35,381

 

 

 

30,937

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

11,725

 

 

 

15,049

 

Pension asset

 

 

5,588

 

 

 

4,397

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

12,736

 

 

 

48,025

 

Total assets

 

$

2,662,578

 

 

$

2,725,037

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other

 

$

278,986

 

 

$

377,306

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

826

 

 

 

755

 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

 

 

6,625

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

286,437

 

 

 

378,061

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,609,425

 

 

 

1,346,508

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

12,483

 

 

 

12,178

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

7,755

 

 

 

9,475

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

13,744

 

 

 

14,072

 

Deferred income tax

 

 

97,324

 

 

 

125,959

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,027,168

 

 

 

1,886,253

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares $1 par value; 200,000,000 authorized; 66,525,000 issued and outstanding (2022 – 66,167,000)

 

 

66,471

 

 

 

66,132

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

359,497

 

 

 

354,495

 

Retained earnings

 

 

336,113

 

 

 

598,119

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(126,671

)

 

 

(179,962

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

635,410

 

 

 

838,784

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,662,578

 

 

$

2,725,037

 

 

4


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(242,056

)

 

$

247,039

 

 

$

170,988

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

172,502

 

 

 

144,153

 

 

 

132,199

 

Deferred income tax provision (recovery)

 

 

(36,392

)

 

 

7,003

 

 

 

18,791

 

Inventory impairment

 

 

58,600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale

 

 

33,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,368

 

Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan expense

 

 

5,214

 

 

 

1,708

 

 

 

2,831

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

5,922

 

 

 

6,737

 

 

 

2,394

 

Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)

 

 

3,905

 

 

 

(16,802

)

 

 

(16,597

)

Other

 

 

(5,092

)

 

 

(1,241

)

 

 

384

 

Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan contributions

 

 

(1,152

)

 

 

(2,942

)

 

 

(4,258

)

Changes in working capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

52,507

 

 

 

(20,476

)

 

 

(121,579

)

Inventories

 

 

(15,836

)

 

 

(63,184

)

 

 

(96,442

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

(98,182

)

 

 

66,796

 

 

 

75,589

 

Other

 

 

(2,679

)

 

 

(8,131

)

 

 

(12,454

)

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

 

 

(69,005

)

 

 

360,660

 

 

 

182,214

 

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(136,324

)

 

 

(178,742

)

 

 

(159,440

)

Acquisition, net of cash acquired

 

 

(82,100

)

 

 

(256,604

)

 

 

(51,258

)

Property insurance proceeds

 

 

12,203

 

 

 

8,616

 

 

 

21,540

 

Proceeds from government grants

 

 

5,569

 

 

 

1,067

 

 

 

9,333

 

Purchase of term deposit

 

 

 

 

 

(75,000

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of term deposit

 

 

 

 

 

75,519

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

785

 

 

 

534

 

 

 

2,031

 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

 

 

(199,867

)

 

 

(424,610

)

 

 

(177,794

)

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemption of senior notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(824,557

)

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

875,000

 

Proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facilities, net

 

 

61,272

 

 

 

115,330

 

 

 

(33,396

)

Dividend payments

 

 

(19,950

)

 

 

(19,847

)

 

 

(17,167

)

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

 

(4,865

)

 

 

(3,871

)

 

 

(14,483

)

Payment of finance lease obligations

 

 

(7,785

)

 

 

(10,003

)

 

 

(7,850

)

Other

 

 

(48

)

 

 

(711

)

 

 

3,616

 

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

 

 

228,624

 

 

 

80,898

 

 

 

(18,837

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

208

 

 

 

(8,526

)

 

 

(1,071

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(40,040

)

 

 

8,422

 

 

 

(15,488

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

 

354,032

 

 

 

345,610

 

 

 

361,098

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

313,992

 

 

$

354,032

 

 

$

345,610

 

 

5


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

COMPUTATION OF OPERATING EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital 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 non-recurring capital asset impairment charges are not an actual cash cost, 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, we believe 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 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. The following tables set forth the net income (loss) to Operating EBITDA:

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q3

 

 

Q4

 

 

YTD

 

 

YTD

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2022(1)

 

 

Net income (loss)

$

(87,216

)

 

$

(25,956

)

 

$

20,024

 

 

$

(242,056

)

 

$

247,039

 

 

Income tax provision (recovery)

 

1,084

 

 

 

3,984

 

 

 

8,608

 

 

 

(27,767

)

 

 

98,264

 

 

Interest expense

 

27,245

 

 

 

21,863

 

 

 

18,768

 

 

 

88,246

 

 

 

71,499

 

 

Other expenses (income)

 

2,492

 

 

 

(3,317

)

 

 

(137

)

 

 

(7,197

)

 

 

(24,434

)

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(56,395

)

 

 

(3,426

)

 

 

47,263

 

 

 

(188,774

)

 

 

392,368

 

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

43,806

 

 

 

40,953

 

 

 

48,865

 

 

 

172,502

 

 

 

144,153

 

 

Add: Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale

 

33,734

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,734

 

 

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

$

21,145

 

 

$

37,527

 

 

$

96,128

 

 

$

17,462

 

 

$

536,521

 

 

______________

(1)
Includes results of the Torgau facility since September 30, 2022.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6


v3.24.0.1
Document and Entity Information
Feb. 15, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date Feb. 15, 2024
Entity Registrant Name MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Entity Central Index Key 0001333274
Entity File Number 000-51826
Entity Tax Identification Number 47-0956945
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code WA
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Entity Address, Address Line One Suite 1120
Entity Address, Address Line Two 700 West Pender Street
Entity Address, City or Town Vancouver
Entity Address, State or Province BC
Entity Address, Country CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code V6C 1G8
City Area Code (604)
Local Phone Number 684-1099
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
Trading Symbol MERC
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ

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