RYN Rayonier Inc

Rayonier (NYSE:RYN) today reported first quarter net income of $35.1 million, or 45 cents per share. This compares to $55.2 million, or 71 cents per share, in fourth quarter 2006 and $23.2 million, or 30 cents per share, in first quarter 2006. Fourth quarter 2006 results included special item gains of $9.0 million, or 12 cents per share. (See Schedule H for details.) Lee Thomas, President and CEO, said: �First quarter results were quite good. Demand continued to be very strong and prices increased for our Performance Fibers products; in Timber, volumes were up as some customers advanced their harvests to take advantage of strong U.S. pulp and Northwest log export markets; and Real Estate results benefited from a sale that had been expected to close later in the year.� First quarter income was below fourth quarter 2006, excluding special items, primarily due to lower Real Estate and Performance Fibers results partly offset by improved earnings in Northwest timber. Earnings improved compared to first quarter 2006 primarily due to stronger Performance Fibers and Real Estate results partly offset by weaker lumber markets. Sales for the first quarter of $300 million were $29 million below fourth quarter 2006 but $23 million above first quarter 2006. Cash provided by operating activities of $52 million was $1 million above first quarter 2006. Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) of $61 million was $37 million above first quarter 2006 mainly due to higher operating earnings and lower capital expenditures. (CAD is a non-GAAP measure defined and reconciled to GAAP in the attached exhibits.) Debt of $671 million was $12 million above year-end 2006. The debt-to-capital ratio of 42.0 percent was comparable to year-end 2006. Cash at March 31, 2007 was $28 million compared to $40 million at December 31, 2006. Timber Sales of $65 million and operating income of $26 million were $18 million and $7 million above fourth quarter 2006, respectively, primarily due to higher timber volumes driven by strong U.S. pulp and Northwest log export markets. Compared to first quarter 2006, sales and operating income increased $11 million and $2 million, respectively, mainly due to stronger U.S. timber volumes. Volumes compared to both previous quarters also increased due to harvesting on timberland we acquired last year. Real Estate Sales of $21 million and operating income of $15 million were $14 million and $15 million below fourth quarter 2006, respectively, primarily due to fewer development acres sold, partially offset by an increase in rural acres sold. Compared to first quarter 2006, sales and operating income increased $8 million and $5 million, respectively, mainly due to an increase in rural acres sold and improved overall prices partly offset by a decrease in development acres sold. Performance Fibers Due primarily to planned maintenance downtime, sales and operating income of $166 million and $27 million, respectively, were $30 million and $6 million below fourth quarter 2006, with lower volumes partially offset by higher prices for both cellulose specialties and absorbent materials. The operating income variance was also impacted by a property tax settlement that benefited fourth quarter 2006 and higher manufacturing costs in the current quarter. Compared to first quarter 2006, sales and operating income improved $20 million and $17 million, respectively, largely due to higher prices for both cellulose specialties and absorbent materials. Wood Products Sales of $20 million were $2 million below fourth quarter 2006 due to a decline in volume, while the operating loss of $3 million was $1 million less than in the fourth quarter due to slightly improved prices. Compared to first quarter 2006, sales and operating income declined $12 million and $6 million, respectively, due to significantly weaker prices partially offset by lower manufacturing costs. Other Operations Sales of $28 million were $2 million below fourth quarter 2006 and $4 million lower than first quarter 2006. The operating loss of $1 million was unfavorable by $2 million compared to fourth quarter 2006 primarily due to the impact of legal settlements in that quarter, and $1 million below first quarter 2006. Other Items Corporate expenses of $9.1 million were $2.2 million below fourth quarter 2006 mainly due to decreased business development expenses but comparable to first quarter 2006. Interest expense of $13.6 million was essentially unchanged from fourth quarter 2006. Compared to first quarter 2006, interest expense increased $1.4 million mainly due to higher debt partially offset by lower interest rates. Interest and other income of $1.0 million was $1.5 million and $1.2 million below fourth quarter and first quarter 2006, respectively, primarily due to lower interest income. There was no impact from discontinued operations in first quarter 2007 and 2006, however, fourth quarter 2006 included income of $5.3 million due to a reduction in environmental reserves as a result of the approval of a more cost-effective remediation plan at a closed facility. The first quarter effective tax rate, before discrete items, was 16.7 percent, compared to 16.4 percent in first quarter 2006. Including discrete items, the effective tax rate increased to 17.6 percent compared to 14.6 percent in first quarter 2006. (See Schedule J for details.) Outlook �Rayonier�s mix of core businesses continues to provide us with strength and balance and we look forward to another good year with earnings comparable to 2006, excluding special items,� Thomas said. �Although the housing slowdown continues to put pressure on our Timber and Real Estate businesses, we expect the impact will be offset by the strength of Performance Fibers. �However, we are closely monitoring the ongoing wildfires in Southeast Georgia which have affected about 26,000 acres of our timberland and are not yet fully contained. Our preliminary estimate of the impact on second quarter earnings is $5 to $7 million, or 6 to 9 cents per share. Once the area is fully accessible, we will be able to more accurately assess the damage.� Rayonier is a leading international forest products company with three core businesses: Timber, Real Estate and Performance Fibers. It owns, leases or manages 2.7 million acres of timber and land in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. The company�s holdings include approximately 200,000 acres with residential and commercial development potential along the fast-growing Interstate 95 corridor between Savannah, Georgia, and Daytona Beach, Florida. Its Performance Fibers business is the world�s leading producer of high-value specialty cellulose fibers. Approximately 40 percent of the company�s sales are outside the U.S. to customers in more than 50 countries. Rayonier is structured as a real estate investment trust. Except for historical information, the statements made in this press release are �forward-looking statements� made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding anticipated earnings, revenues, volumes, pricing, costs and other statements relating to Rayonier�s financial and operational performance, in some cases are identified by the use of words such as �may,� �will,� �should,� �expect,� �estimate,� �believe,� �anticipate� and other similar language. The following important factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this release: changes in global market trends and world events; interest rate and currency movements; changes in key management personnel; fluctuations in demand for, or supply of, cellulose specialty products, absorbent materials, timber, wood products or real estate and entry of new competitors into these markets; adverse weather conditions and natural disasters affecting production, timber availability and sales, or distribution; changes in production costs for wood products or performance fibers, particularly for raw materials such as wood, energy and chemicals; unexpected delays in the entry into or closing of real estate sale transactions; changes in law, policy or political environment that might condition, limit or restrict the development of real estate; the ability of the company to identify and complete timberland and higher-value real estate acquisitions; the company's ability to continue to qualify as a REIT; the ability of the company to complete like-kind exchanges of timberland; and implementation or revision of governmental policies, laws and regulations affecting the environment, endangered species, timber harvesting, import and export controls or taxes, including changes in tax laws that could reduce the benefits associated with REIT status. For additional factors that could impact future results, please see the company's most recent Form 10-K on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Rayonier assumes no obligation to update these statements except as may be required by law. A conference call will be held on Tuesday, April 24, at 2:00 p.m. EDT to discuss these results. Interested parties are invited to listen to the live webcast by logging onto www.rayonier.com and following the link. Supplemental materials will be available at the website. A replay will be available on the site shortly after the call where it will be archived for one month. Also, investors may access the �listen only� conference call by dialing 913-981-5584. For further information, visit the company�s web site at www.rayonier.com. Complimentary copies of Rayonier press releases and other financial documents are also available by mail or fax by calling 1-800-RYN-7611. RAYONIER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) (millions of dollars, except per share information) � Three Months Ended March 31, Dec. 31, March 31, 2007� 2006� 2006� Profitability Sales $ 299.7� $ 328.5� $ 277.2� Operating income $ 55.2� $ 67.6� $ 37.2� Income from continuing operations $ 35.1� $ 49.9� $ 23.2� Discontinued operations $ -� $ 5.3� $ -� Net income $ 35.1� $ 55.2� $ 23.2� Income per diluted common share Continuing operations $ 0.45� $ 0.64� $ 0.30� Net income $ 0.45� $ 0.71� $ 0.30� Pro forma net income (a) (d) $ 0.45� $ 0.59� $ 0.30� Operating income as a percent of sales 18.4% 20.6% 13.4% Adjusted ROE (a) (d) 15.2% 20.1% 10.4% Average diluted shares outstanding (millions) 78.5� 78.3� 78.0� � Three Months Ended March 31, 2007� 2006� Capital Resources and Liquidity Cash provided by operating activities $ 52.4� $ 50.8� Cash used for investing activities $ (46.9) $ (40.4) Cash used for financing activities $ (17.0) $ (30.8) Adjusted EBITDA (b) (d) $ 97.5� $ 70.8� Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) (c) (d) $ 60.8� $ 23.7� Borrowing/(repayment) of debt, net $ 12.0� $ (0.8) � 03/31/07� 12/31/06� Debt $ 671.4� $ 659.0� Debt / capital 42.0% 41.8% Cash $ 28.5� $ 40.2� � (a), (b), (c) and (d), see Schedule B. � - A - RAYONIER FOOTNOTES FOR SCHEDULE A MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) � � (a) Pro forma net income and Adjusted ROE are non-GAAP measures. See Schedule H for reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure. � (b) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings from continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and the non-cash cost basis of real estate sold. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure of operating cash generating capacity of the Company. See reconciliation on Schedule I. � (c) Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) is defined as cash provided by operating activities less capital spending, adjusted for equity based compensation amounts, the tax benefits associated with certain strategic acquisitions, the change in committed cash and other items which include the proceeds from matured energy forward contracts and the change in capital expenditures purchased on account. CAD is a non-GAAP measure of cash generated during a period that is available for dividend distribution, repurchase of the Company�s common shares, debt reduction and for strategic acquisitions net of associated financing. See reconciliation on Schedule H. � (d) Management considers these measures to be important to estimate the enterprise and shareholder values of the Company as a whole and of its core segments, and for allocating capital resources. In addition, analysts, investors and creditors use these measures when analyzing the financial condition and cash generating ability of the Company. � - B - RAYONIER CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) (millions of dollars, except per share information) � Three Months Ended March 31, Dec. 31, March 31, 2007� 2006� 2006� � Sales $ 299.7� $ 328.5� $ 277.2� Costs and expenses Cost of sales 231.7� 249.2� 224.2� Selling and general expenses 15.8� 18.9� 16.2� Other operating income, net (3.0) (7.2) (0.4) Operating income 55.2� 67.6� 37.2� Interest expense (13.6) (13.8) (12.2) Interest and other income, net 1.0� 2.5� 2.2� Income before taxes 42.6� 56.3� 27.2� Income tax expense (7.5) (6.4) (4.0) Income from continuing operations $ 35.1� $ 49.9� $ 23.2� Discontinued operations, net -� 5.3� -� Net income $ 35.1� $ 55.2� $ 23.2� � Income per Common Share: Basic From continuing operations $ 0.45� $ 0.65� $ 0.30� Net income $ 0.45� $ 0.72� $ 0.30� Diluted From continuing operations $ 0.45� $ 0.64� $ 0.30� Net income $ 0.45� $ 0.71� $ 0.30� � Pro forma net income (a) Adjusted diluted EPS $ 0.45� $ 0.59� $ 0.30� � Weighted average Common Shares used for determining Basic EPS 77,130,711� 76,679,126� 76,289,274� Diluted EPS 78,528,221� 78,331,461� 78,006,773� � (a) Non-GAAP measure, see Schedule H for a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure. � � - C -� RAYONIER BUSINESS SEGMENT SALES AND OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) (millions of dollars) � Three Months Ended March 31, Dec. 31, March 31, 2007� 2006� 2006� Sales Timber $ 65.0� $ 47.2� $ 54.5� � Real Estate 21.0� 34.9� 13.1� � Performance Fibers Cellulose specialties 129.5� 146.1� 106.7� Absorbent materials 36.9� 50.0� 39.3� Total Performance Fibers 166.4� 196.1� 146.0� � Wood Products 19.7� 21.3� 31.6� � Other Operations 27.6� 29.1� 32.0� � Intersegment eliminations -� (0.1) -� � Total sales $ 299.7� $ 328.5� $ 277.2� � Operating income/(loss) Timber $ 26.3� $ 18.8� $ 23.9� � Real Estate 15.2� 29.9� 10.2� � Performance Fibers 27.1� 32.6� 10.2� � Wood Products (3.3) (4.2) 2.6� � Other Operations (1.3) 1.3� (0.5) � Corporate (9.1) (11.3) (9.5) � Intersegment eliminations and other 0.3� 0.5� 0.3� � Total operating income $ 55.2� $ 67.6� $ 37.2� � - D - RAYONIER CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) (millions of dollars) � CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS March 31, Dec. 31, 2007� 2006� Assets Current assets $ 291.6� $ 300.3� Timber, timberlands and logging roads, net of depletion and amortization 1,112.8� 1,127.5� Property, plant and equipment 1,385.5� 1,365.0� Less - accumulated depreciation (1,018.7) (1,011.2) 366.8� 353.8� Investment in New Zealand JV 59.9� 61.2� Other assets 136.4� 121.8� $ 1,967.5� $ 1,964.6� Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities $ 172.8� $ 193.3� Long-term debt 670.9� 655.4� Non-current liabilities for dispositions and discontinued operations 110.0� 111.8� Other non-current liabilities 87.6� 86.1� Shareholders' equity 926.2� 918.0� $ 1,967.5� $ 1,964.6� � CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2007� 2006� Cash provided by operating activities: Net Income $ 35.1� $ 23.2� Depreciation, depletion, amortization and non-cash basis of real estate sold 42.3� 33.2� Other non-cash items included in income 4.9� 4.1� Changes in working capital and other assets and liabilities (29.9) (9.7) 52.4� 50.8� Cash used for investing activities: Capital expenditures (31.4) (36.5) Purchase of timberlands and wood chipping facilities (8.7) (4.3) (Increase)/decrease in restricted cash (14.0) 0.1� Other 7.2� 0.3� (46.9) (40.4) Cash used for financing activities: Borrowing/(repayment) of debt, net 12.0� (0.8) Dividends paid (36.3) (35.9) Issuance of common shares 5.1� 4.1� Excess tax benefits from equity-based compensation 2.2� 1.8� (17.0) (30.8) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (0.2) 0.4� Cash and cash equivalents: Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (11.7) (20.0) Balance, beginning of year 40.2� 146.2� Balance, end of period $ 28.5� $ 126.2� � - E - RAYONIER SELECTED SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) (millions of dollars) � Three Months Ended March 31, Dec. 31, March 31, 2007� 2006� 2006� � Geographical Data (Non-U.S.) Sales New Zealand $ 12.3� $ 10.2� $ 5.5� Other 2.0� 3.7� 4.5� Total $ 14.3� $ 13.9� $ 10.0� � Operating income (loss) New Zealand $ 0.8� $ 0.3� $ (1.1) Other (0.5) 1.0� (0.4) Total $ 0.3� $ 1.3� $ (1.5) � Timber Sales Northwest U.S. $ 30.7� $ 21.9� $ 27.2� Southern U.S. 31.1� 22.2� 25.0� New Zealand 3.2� 3.1� 2.3� Total $ 65.0� $ 47.2� $ 54.5� � Operating income (loss) Northwest U.S. $ 18.0� $ 9.6� $ 16.0� Southern U.S. 7.8� 8.5� 8.9� New Zealand 0.5� 0.7� (1.0) Total $ 26.3� $ 18.8� $ 23.9� � Adjusted EBITDA by Segment(a) Timber $ 48.0� $ 33.4� $ 38.8� Real Estate 18.8� 32.0� 11.5� Performance Fibers 42.4� 53.2� 25.3� Wood Products (1.7) (2.6) 4.3� Other Operations (1.3) 1.4� (0.2) Corporate and other (8.7) (10.9) (8.9) Total $ 97.5� $ 106.5� $ 70.8� � � (a) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure, see Schedule I for reconciliation to nearest GAAP measure. � - F - RAYONIER SELECTED OPERATING INFORMATION MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) � Three Months Ended � � � March 31, 2007 Dec. 31, 2006 March 31, 2006 Timber Northwest U.S., in millions of board feet 79� 51� 75� Southern U.S., in thousands of short green tons 1,643� 1,363� 1,247� � Real Estate Acres sold Development 123� 4,020� 744� Rural 5,867� 2,400� 2,660� Northwest U.S. 148� 713� -� Total 6,138� 7,133� 3,404� � Performance Fibers Sales Volume Cellulose specialties, in thousands of metric tons 114� 137� 104� Absorbent materials, in thousands of metric tons 55� 76� 65� Production as a percent of capacity 95.1% 103.9% 98.9% � Lumber Sales volume, in millions of board feet 73� 83� 84� � - G - RAYONIER RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) (millions of dollars, except per share information) � CASH AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION: Three Months Ended March 31, March 31, 2007� 2006� Cash provided by operating activities $ 52.4� $ 50.8� Capital spending (a) (31.4) (36.5) Decrease in committed cash 27.8� (b) 5.9� Equity based compensation adjustments 5.8� 4.2� Like-kind exchange tax benefits on third party real estate sales (c) (1.0) (0.9) Other 7.2� 0.2� Cash Available for Distribution $ 60.8� $ 23.7� � (a) Capital spending excludes strategic acquisitions and dispositions. (b) Primarily 2006 interest paid in 2007 and previously reflected as a reduction in 2006 CAD. (c) Represents taxes that would have been paid if the Company had not completed LKE transactions. � PRO FORMA NET INCOME AND ADJUSTED RETURN ON EQUITY: � Three Months Ended March 31, December 31, March 31, 2007� 2006� 2006� PRO FORMA NET INCOME $ Per Diluted Share $ Per Diluted Share $ Per Diluted Share � � � Net Income $ 35.1� $ 0.45� $ 55.2� $ 0.71� $ 23.2� $ 0.30� � Discontinued Operations - Environmental Reserves -� -� (5.3) (0.07) -� -� Deferred Tax Adjustment -� -� (3.7) (0.05) -� -� Pro Forma Net Income $ 35.1� $ 0.45� $ 46.2� $ 0.59� $ 23.2� $ 0.30� � � Annualized Pro Forma Net Income $ 140.4� $ 184.8� $ 92.8� � � Divided by: Average Equity $ 922.1� $ 920.9� $ 889.0� � � � � Adjusted ROE 15.2% 20.1% 10.4% � � � � - H - � RAYONIER RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) (millions of dollars) � ADJUSTED EBITDA: � � � � � Timber Real Estate Perfor-mance Fibers Wood Products Other Oper-ations Cor-porate and other Total Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 Cash provided by operating activities $ 47.3� $ 19.0� $ 45.4� $ (1.3) $ (7.3) $ (50.7) $ 52.4� Income tax expense -� -� -� -� -� 7.5� 7.5� Interest, net -� -� -� -� -� 12.6� 12.6� Working capital increases (decreases) 2.4� (1.0) (2.8) (0.4) 6.0� 25.4� 29.6� Other balance sheet changes (1.7) 0.8� (0.2) -� -� (3.5) (4.6) Adjusted EBITDA $ 48.0� $ 18.8� $ 42.4� $ (1.7) $ (1.3) $ (8.7) $ 97.5� � Dec. 31, 2006 Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations $ 28.2� $ 37.4� $ 45.1� $ (2.2) $ 8.0� $ (31.9) $ 84.6� Income tax expense -� -� -� -� -� 6.4� 6.4� Interest, net -� -� -� -� -� 11.1� 11.1� Working capital increases (decreases) 0.3� (1.4) 7.9� (0.4) (5.3) 0.7� 1.8� Other balance sheet changes 4.9� (4.0) 0.2� -� (1.3) 2.8� 2.6� Adjusted EBITDA $ 33.4� $ 32.0� $ 53.2� $ (2.6) $ 1.4� $ (10.9) $ 106.5� � March 31, 2006 Cash provided by operating activities $ 43.8� $ 7.5� $ 29.6� $ 0.7� $ 0.5� $ (31.3) $ 50.8� Income tax expense -� -� -� -� -� 4.0� 4.0� Interest, net -� -� -� -� -� 10.0� 10.0� Working capital increases (decreases) 4.5� 4.7� (4.3) 3.6� (0.9) 2.8� 10.4� Other balance sheet changes (9.5) (0.7) -� -� 0.2� 5.6� (4.4) Adjusted EBITDA $ 38.8� $ 11.5� $ 25.3� $ 4.3� $ (0.2) $ (8.9) $ 70.8� � - I - RAYONIER RECONCILIATION OF STATUTORY INCOME TAX TO REPORTED INCOME TAX MARCH 31, 2007 (unaudited) (millions of dollars, except percentages) � Three Months Ended March 31, Dec. 31, March 31, 2007� 2006� 2006� $ % $ % $ % � Income tax provision at the U.S. statutory rate $ (14.9) (35.0) $ (19.6) (35.0) $ (9.6) (35.0) � REIT income not subject to federal tax 10.7� 25.2� 12.5� 22.2� 8.0� 29.4� � Lost deduction on REIT interest expense and overhead expenses associated with REIT activities � � � (3.1) (7.2) (4.0) (7.1) (3.2) (11.8) � Foreign, state and local income taxes, foreign exchange rate changes and permanent differences � � 0.2� 0.3� (0.5) (0.8) 0.3� 1.0� � Income tax expense before discrete items $ (7.1) (16.7) $ (11.6) (20.7) $ (4.5) (16.4) � Built-in gain adjustments -� -� 1.5� 2.7� -� -� � Deferred tax adjustments -� -� 3.7� 6.6� -� -� � Other (0.4) (0.9) -� -� 0.5� 1.8� � Income tax expense $ (7.5) (17.6) $ (6.4) (11.4) $ (4.0) (14.6) � - J - �