false000133327400013332742024-05-092024-05-09

 

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): May 9, 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 May 9, 2024, Mercer International Inc. (the “Company”) announced by press release the Company’s results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2024. A copy of such press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

Item 8.01. Other Events

On May 9, 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 July 3, 2024 to all shareholders of record on June 26, 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 May 9, 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: May 9, 2024

By:

 

/s/ Richard Short

 

 

 

Richard Short

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2

 


 

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

img159729660_0.jpg 

 

 

For Immediate Release

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC. REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2024 RESULTS AND ANNOUNCES QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND OF $0.075

 

Selected Highlights

First quarter Operating EBITDA* of $63.6 million and net loss of $16.7 million
Improving pulp markets and lower costs driving stronger EBITDA
Quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share

 

NEW YORK, NY, May 9, 2024 ‑ Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today reported first quarter 2024 Operating EBITDA of $63.6 million, an increase from $27.5 million in the same quarter of 2023 and $21.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

In the first quarter of 2024, net loss was $16.7 million (or $0.25 per share), which included a non-cash loss on disposal of $23.6 million (or $0.35 per share) relating to the dissolution of the Cariboo Pulp and Paper ("CPP") joint venture, compared to a net loss of $30.6 million (or $0.46 per share) in the first quarter of 2023 and a net loss of $87.2 million (or $1.31 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2023, which included a non-cash impairment charge of $33.7 million (or $0.51 per share) relating to the classification of our sandalwood business as held for sale.

 

Mr. Juan Carlos Bueno, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "In the first quarter, our operating results were
positively impacted by an improved pulp and lumber pricing environment, lower fiber and other production costs and no planned maintenance downtime.

 

NBSK pulp prices in Europe and North America continued to improve in the first quarter, driven by stronger demand, lower customer inventory levels and global supply disruptions. In China, third party industry quoted NBSK net

____________________

*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 loss to Operating EBITDA.

 


 

Page 2

 

prices were flat, with weaker demand around the Chinese New Year offset by stronger demand towards the end of the quarter. We believe this positive pricing momentum will continue and expect modest price increases in the second quarter of 2024.

 

Lumber pricing in both the U.S. and Europe also improved in the first quarter of 2024 as a result of a modest increase in demand. However, we currently expect lumber prices to be generally flat in the second quarter as demand continues to be impacted by high interest rates and economic uncertainty.

 

In the first quarter, we continued our focus on our strategic priorities. To this end, in April 2024, we announced the dissolution of the CPP joint venture, which will allow us to direct resources to areas aligned with our long-term focus.

 

In the first quarter of 2024, all our pulp mills ran very efficiently with no scheduled maintenance downtime. We are currently planning for a total of 35 days of maintenance downtime (approximately 60,800 ADMTs) at our pulp mills in the second quarter of 2024.

 

Overall per unit fiber costs for our pulp segment decreased in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the fourth quarter of 2023 due to stable supply. Per unit fiber costs for our solid wood segment increased compared to the prior quarter due to strong demand for sawlogs.

 

We continue to maintain a healthy order book for our growing mass timber business and commenced work on certain large-scale projects in the second quarter."

 

Mr. Bueno concluded: "Overall, conditions continued to improve in the first quarter, including better pricing and lower production costs for our pulp segment. While we expect this momentum to continue in the second quarter of 2024, we remain steadfast in managing our costs and liquidity prudently. As a result of our strong liquidity, we believe we are well positioned to execute our business plan through the business cycle."

Current Market Environment

We currently expect pulp pricing to continue to improve in the second quarter of 2024, led by Europe and North America as a result of stronger demand and global supply constraints. In China, we currently expect stable prices in the second quarter of 2024.

 


 

Page 3

 

In our solid wood segment, we currently expect stable U.S. and European lumber prices in the second quarter of 2024 as demand remains weak due to continued high interest rates and economic uncertainty. We currently expect mass timber prices to remain generally stable in the second quarter of 2024 as a result of steady demand.

Consolidated Financial Results

 

Q1

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q1

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenues

$

553,430

 

 

$

470,494

 

 

$

522,666

 

Operating loss

$

(448

)

 

$

(56,395

)

 

$

(20,121

)

Operating EBITDA

$

63,601

 

 

$

21,145

 

 

$

27,470

 

Net loss

$

(16,703

)

 

$

(87,216

)

 

$

(30,578

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(1.31

)

 

$

(0.46

)

Diluted

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(1.31

)

 

$

(0.46

)

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

Total revenues for the first quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 6% to $553.4 million from $522.7 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher pulp sales volumes partially offset by lower pulp sales realizations.

Costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2024 modestly increased to $553.9 million from $542.8 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of higher pulp sales volumes and the non-cash loss on disposal of the CPP joint venture investment partially offset by lower per unit fiber, chemical, energy and freight costs.

In the first quarter of 2024, Operating EBITDA increased to $63.6 million from $27.5 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower per unit fiber and other production costs, lower freight costs and higher pulp sales volumes partially offset by lower pulp sales realizations.

Segment Results

Pulp

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Pulp revenues

$

408,295

 

 

$

369,656

 

Energy and chemical revenues

$

24,109

 

 

$

30,745

 

Operating income

$

17,447

 

 

$

12,771

 

In the first quarter of 2024, our pulp segment operating income increased by approximately 36% to $17.4 million from $12.8 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of lower per unit fiber and other production costs, lower freight costs and higher sales volumes partially offset by lower sales realizations and the non-cash loss on disposal of the CPP joint venture investment.

 


 

Page 4

 

Pulp segment revenues, which includes pulp, energy and chemical revenues, in the first quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 8% to $432.4 million from $400.4 million in the same quarter of 2023 due to higher sales volumes partially offset by lower sales realizations.

In the first quarter of 2024, third party industry quoted average list prices for NBSK pulp modestly increased in Europe and decreased in North America from the same quarter of 2023. Third party industry quoted average net prices for NBSK pulp in China decreased from the same quarter of 2023. Our average NBSK pulp sales realizations in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 14% to $732 per ADMT from $849 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2023. In the first quarter of 2024, average NBHK pulp sales realizations decreased by approximately 22% to $631 per ADMT from $809 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2023.

Total pulp sales volumes in the first quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 30% to 565,664 ADMTs from 435,973 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2023 primarily because of the sales timing and higher production.

Energy and chemical revenues in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 21% to $24.1 million from $30.7 million in the same quarter of 2023 due to lower sales realizations partially offset by higher sales volumes.

Costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 7% to $416.5 million from $388.0 million in the first quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher pulp sales volumes and the non-cash loss on disposal of the CPP joint venture investment partially offset by lower per unit fiber, chemical, energy and freight costs.

On average, in the first quarter of 2024, overall per unit fiber costs decreased by approximately 16% from the same quarter of 2023 due to lower per unit fiber costs at all our pulp mills as a result of stable supply. We currently expect per unit fiber costs to decrease in the second quarter of 2024 as a result of continued stable supply.

 


 

Page 5

 

Solid Wood

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Lumber revenues

$

55,882

 

 

$

60,039

 

Energy revenues

$

4,838

 

 

$

5,695

 

Manufactured products revenues(1)

$

16,713

 

 

$

5,804

 

Pallet revenues

$

28,020

 

 

$

36,175

 

Biofuels revenues(2)

$

11,254

 

 

$

8,135

 

Wood residuals revenues

$

2,316

 

 

$

5,166

 

Operating loss

$

(13,706

)

 

$

(27,069

)

______________

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

In the first quarter of 2024, our solid wood segment had an operating loss of $13.7 million compared to $27.1 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily because of lower per unit energy, fiber and freight costs partially offset by lower pallet sales realizations.

Solid wood segment revenues in the first quarter of 2024 modestly decreased to $119.0 million from $121.0 million in the same quarter of 2023 as higher manufactured products and biofuel revenues were more than offset by lower revenues from other products.

Lumber revenues in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 7% to $55.9 million from $60.0 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower sales volumes partially offset by higher sales realizations. Average lumber sales realizations in the first quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 7% to $460 per Mfbm from $429 per Mfbm in the same quarter of 2023 driven by stronger demand in the U.S. market. The U.S. market accounted for approximately 53% of our lumber revenues and approximately 43% of our lumber sales volumes in the first quarter of 2024. The majority of the balance of our lumber sales were to Europe.

Lumber sales volumes in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 13% to 121.4 MMfbm from 139.9 MMfbm in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower production and sales timing.

In the first quarter of 2024, our mass timber business continued to ramp up operations and manufactured products revenues more than doubled to $16.7 million from $5.8 million in the same quarter of 2023. Manufactured products sales realizations increased to $3,644 per cubic meters in the first quarter of 2024 from $666 per cubic meters in the same quarter of 2023 as a result of higher CLT and glulam sales volumes, which generate higher sales realizations relative to other manufactured products.

 

 

 


 

Page 6

 

Energy, biofuels and wood residuals revenues in the first quarter of 2024 modestly decreased to $18.4 million from $19.0 million in the same quarter of 2023 as a result of lower sales realizations partially offset by higher biofuel sales volumes.

Pallet revenues in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 23% to $28.0 million from $36.2 million in the same quarter of 2023 due to lower sales realizations and sales volumes as weak economic conditions in Europe negatively impacted demand.

Lumber production in the first quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 5% to 127.0 MMfbm from 134.0 MMfbm in the same quarter of 2023 due to weak demand.

Fiber costs were approximately 75% of our lumber cash production costs in the first quarter of 2024. In the first quarter of 2024, per unit fiber costs for lumber production decreased by approximately 11% compared to the same quarter of 2023 because of continued stable supply. We currently expect modestly higher per unit fiber costs in the second quarter of 2024 driven by continued strong demand.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $274.3 million, approximately $280.6 million available under our revolving credit facilities and aggregate liquidity of about $554.9 million.

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

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

274,272

 

 

$

313,992

 

Working capital

$

825,364

 

 

$

806,468

 

Total assets

$

2,605,355

 

 

$

2,662,578

 

Long-term liabilities

$

1,730,178

 

 

$

1,740,731

 

Total shareholders' equity

$

573,639

 

 

$

635,410

 

Quarterly Dividend

A quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share will be paid on July 3, 2024 to all shareholders of record on June 26, 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 May 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET. Listeners can access the conference call live and archived for 30 days over the Internet at

 


 

Page 7

 

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/tdezetkf or through a link on the company's home page at https://www.mercerint.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to visit the website and download and install any necessary audio software.

Mercer International Inc. is a global forest products company with operations in Germany, USA and Canada with consolidated annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 210 thousand cubic meters of CLT, 45 thousand cubic meters of glulam, 17 million pallets and 230,000 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 our business, raw material costs, our level of indebtedness, competition, foreign exchange and interest rate fluctuations, our use of derivatives, expenditures for capital projects, environmental regulation and compliance, disruptions to our production, market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our SEC reports.

APPROVED BY:

William D. McCartney

Interim Chairman

(604) 684-1099

 

Juan Carlos Bueno

Chief Executive Officer

(604) 684-1099

 

-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-

 

 


 

Summary Financial Highlights

 

Q1

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q1

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Pulp segment revenues

$

432,404

 

 

$

364,182

 

 

$

400,401

 

Solid wood segment revenues

 

119,023

 

 

 

105,443

 

 

 

121,014

 

Corporate and other revenues

 

2,003

 

 

 

869

 

 

 

1,251

 

Total revenues

$

553,430

 

 

$

470,494

 

 

$

522,666

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp segment operating income

$

17,447

 

 

$

1,245

 

 

$

12,771

 

Solid wood segment operating loss

 

(13,706

)

 

 

(18,411

)

 

 

(27,069

)

Corporate and other operating loss

 

(4,189

)

 

 

(39,229

)

 

 

(5,823

)

Total operating loss

$

(448

)

 

$

(56,395

)

 

$

(20,121

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp segment depreciation and amortization

$

27,373

 

 

$

30,783

 

 

$

27,399

 

Solid wood segment depreciation and amortization

 

12,811

 

 

 

12,779

 

 

 

19,898

 

Corporate and other depreciation and amortization

 

220

 

 

 

244

 

 

 

294

 

Total depreciation and amortization

$

40,404

 

 

$

43,806

 

 

$

47,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

$

63,601

 

 

$

21,145

 

 

$

27,470

 

Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture

$

23,645

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale

$

 

 

$

33,734

 

 

$

 

Income tax recovery (provision)

$

6,365

 

 

$

(1,084

)

 

$

5,356

 

Net loss

$

(16,703

)

 

$

(87,216

)

 

$

(30,578

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(1.31

)

 

$

(0.46

)

Diluted

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(1.31

)

 

$

(0.46

)

Common shares outstanding at period end

 

66,850

 

 

 

66,525

 

 

 

66,421

 

 

 

1


 

Summary Operating Highlights

 

Q1

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q1

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

Pulp Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

453.2

 

 

 

436.2

 

 

 

430.0

 

NBHK

 

85.7

 

 

 

71.5

 

 

 

72.3

 

Annual maintenance downtime ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

31.6

 

 

 

13.5

 

Annual maintenance downtime (days)

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

10

 

Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

488.2

 

 

 

411.8

 

 

 

378.6

 

NBHK

 

77.5

 

 

 

79.4

 

 

 

57.4

 

Average NBSK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

1,400

 

 

 

1,245

 

 

 

1,377

 

China

 

745

 

 

 

748

 

 

 

891

 

North America

 

1,440

 

 

 

1,312

 

 

 

1,675

 

Average NBHK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China

 

662

 

 

 

643

 

 

 

710

 

North America

 

1,223

 

 

 

1,083

 

 

 

1,523

 

Average pulp sales realizations ($/ADMT)(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

732

 

 

 

709

 

 

 

849

 

NBHK

 

631

 

 

 

593

 

 

 

809

 

Energy production ('000 MWh)(3)

 

576.4

 

 

 

544.6

 

 

 

534.6

 

Energy sales ('000 MWh)(3)

 

220.6

 

 

 

213.2

 

 

 

196.9

 

Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)(3)

 

88

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

128

 

Solid Wood Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lumber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production (MMfbm)

 

127.0

 

 

 

111.6

 

 

 

134.0

 

Sales (MMfbm)

 

121.4

 

 

 

112.0

 

 

 

139.9

 

Average sales realizations ($/Mfbm)

 

460

 

 

 

427

 

 

 

429

 

Energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and sales ('000 MWh)

 

38.7

 

 

 

38.7

 

 

 

40.5

 

Average sales realizations ($/MWh)

 

125

 

 

 

127

 

 

 

141

 

Manufactured products(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 cubic meters)

 

7.2

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

0.8

 

Sales ('000 cubic meters)

 

4.0

 

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

4.3

 

Average sales realizations ($/cubic meters)

 

3,644

 

 

 

1,234

 

 

 

666

 

Pallets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 units)

 

3,056.3

 

 

 

2,184.7

 

 

 

2,880.2

 

Sales ('000 units)

 

2,916.3

 

 

 

2,450.7

 

 

 

2,942.4

 

Average sales realizations ($/unit)

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

12

 

Biofuels(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes)

 

37.9

 

 

 

38.9

 

 

 

32.6

 

Sales ('000 tonnes)

 

48.2

 

 

 

39.9

 

 

 

25.8

 

Average sales realizations ($/tonne)

 

234

 

 

 

274

 

 

 

315

 

Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ / €(6)

 

1.0855

 

 

 

1.0761

 

 

 

1.0730

 

$ / C$(6)

 

0.7415

 

 

 

0.7347

 

 

 

0.7393

 

______________

(1)
Source: RISI pricing report. Europe and North America are list prices. China are net prices which include discounts, allowances and rebates.
(2)
Sales realizations after customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Incorporates the effect of pulp price variations occurring between the order and shipment dates.
(3)
Does not include our 50% joint venture interest in the CPP mill, which is accounted for using the equity method. In the first quarter of 2024, we disposed of our investment in CPP.
(4)
Manufactured products includes CLT, glulam and finger joint lumber.
(5)
Biofuels includes pellets and briquettes.
(6)
Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rates over the reporting period.

2


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Revenues

$

553,430

 

 

$

522,666

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

458,182

 

 

 

461,338

 

Cost of sales depreciation and amortization

 

40,350

 

 

 

47,498

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

31,701

 

 

 

33,951

 

Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture

 

23,645

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

(448

)

 

 

(20,121

)

Other income (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(27,559

)

 

 

(19,047

)

Other income

 

4,939

 

 

 

3,234

 

Total other expenses, net

 

(22,620

)

 

 

(15,813

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(23,068

)

 

 

(35,934

)

Income tax recovery

 

6,365

 

 

 

5,356

 

Net loss

$

(16,703

)

 

$

(30,578

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(0.46

)

Diluted

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(0.46

)

Dividends declared per common share

$

0.075

 

 

$

0.075

 

 

 

3


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

274,272

 

 

$

313,992

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

368,466

 

 

 

306,166

 

Inventories

 

 

408,326

 

 

 

414,161

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

42,241

 

 

 

23,461

 

Assets classified as held for sale

 

 

33,597

 

 

 

35,125

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,126,902

 

 

 

1,092,905

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

1,361,975

 

 

 

1,409,937

 

Investment in joint ventures

 

 

4,455

 

 

 

41,665

 

Amortizable intangible assets, net

 

 

51,113

 

 

 

52,641

 

Goodwill

 

 

34,616

 

 

 

35,381

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

10,623

 

 

 

11,725

 

Pension asset

 

 

5,513

 

 

 

5,588

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

10,158

 

 

 

12,736

 

Total assets

 

$

2,605,355

 

 

$

2,662,578

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other

 

$

294,289

 

 

$

278,986

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

806

 

 

 

826

 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

 

 

6,443

 

 

 

6,625

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

301,538

 

 

 

286,437

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,615,173

 

 

 

1,609,425

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

12,349

 

 

 

12,483

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

6,797

 

 

 

7,755

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

13,448

 

 

 

13,744

 

Deferred income tax

 

 

82,411

 

 

 

97,324

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,031,716

 

 

 

2,027,168

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares $1 par value; 200,000,000 authorized; 66,850,000 issued and outstanding (2023 – 66,525,000)

 

 

66,796

 

 

 

66,471

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

360,941

 

 

 

359,497

 

Retained earnings

 

 

314,396

 

 

 

336,113

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(168,494

)

 

 

(126,671

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

573,639

 

 

 

635,410

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,605,355

 

 

$

2,662,578

 

 

4


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(16,703

)

 

$

(30,578

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

40,404

 

 

 

47,591

 

Deferred income tax recovery

 

 

(13,426

)

 

 

(9,944

)

Inventory impairment

 

 

 

 

 

15,200

 

Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture

 

 

23,645

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

210

 

 

 

446

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

2,029

 

 

 

1,226

 

Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)

 

 

(3,449

)

 

 

270

 

Other

 

 

727

 

 

 

(1,149

)

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

 

 

(329

)

 

 

(247

)

Changes in working capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(63,729

)

 

 

11,342

 

Inventories

 

 

89

 

 

 

(86,434

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

2,390

 

 

 

309

 

Other

 

 

(1,052

)

 

 

2,318

 

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

 

 

(29,194

)

 

 

(49,650

)

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(18,461

)

 

 

(33,429

)

Proceeds from government grants

 

 

787

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

190

 

 

 

805

 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

 

 

(17,484

)

 

 

(32,624

)

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from revolving credit facilities, net

 

 

9,125

 

 

 

30,102

 

Payment of finance lease obligations

 

 

(2,189

)

 

 

(1,889

)

Other

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(114

)

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

 

 

6,821

 

 

 

28,099

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

137

 

 

 

703

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(39,720

)

 

 

(53,472

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

313,992

 

 

 

354,032

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

274,272

 

 

$

300,560

 

 

5


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

COMPUTATION OF OPERATING EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

Operating EBITDA is defined as operating 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 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, management believes Operating EBITDA is commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate our financial performance.

 

Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net 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 loss or operating loss as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA is an internal measure and therefore may not be comparable to other companies.

 

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

 

 

Q1

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q1

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2023

 

Net loss

$

(16,703

)

 

$

(87,216

)

 

$

(30,578

)

Income tax provision (recovery)

 

(6,365

)

 

 

1,084

 

 

 

(5,356

)

Interest expense

 

27,559

 

 

 

27,245

 

 

 

19,047

 

Other expenses (income)

 

(4,939

)

 

 

2,492

 

 

 

(3,234

)

Operating loss

 

(448

)

 

 

(56,395

)

 

 

(20,121

)

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

40,404

 

 

 

43,806

 

 

 

47,591

 

Add: Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture

 

23,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add: Impairment of sandalwood business held for sale

 

 

 

 

33,734

 

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

$

63,601

 

 

$

21,145

 

 

$

27,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6


v3.24.1.u1
Document and Entity Information
May 09, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date May 09, 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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