Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE:CLW), a premier
supplier of quality tissue and bleached paperboard products, today
reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months
ended September 30, 2023.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
- Outstanding performance driven by strong operational results
and continued market strength in tissue
- Net sales of $520 million, down 3% from the third quarter of
last year
- Net income of $37 million, or $2.17 per diluted share
- Adjusted net income of $37 million, $6 million higher than the
third quarter of last year
- Adjusted EBITDA of $81 million, $3 million higher than third
quarter of last year
- Adjusted EBITDA margin at 15%, up from 14% during the third
quarter of last year
- Redeeming 2025 notes in Q4 2023 with a combination of a new
term loan, cash on hand, and drawing on existing ABL facility
- Repurchased $5 million of outstanding shares, with $10 million
remaining under program
- Reduced net debt by $69 million from second quarter of this
year, $416 million since 2020
“We had an outstanding third quarter which came in at the higher
end of our expectations, driven by good operational performance in
both businesses and continued strength in tissue. Demand remained
strong in tissue, while we balanced paperboard supply and demand to
manage inventory levels,” said Arsen Kitch, president and chief
executive officer. “We continued to focus on our financial
flexibility by reducing net debt by $69 million in the quarter, for
a total reduction of $416 million since 2020.”
OVERALL RESULTS
For the third quarter of 2023, Clearwater Paper reported net
sales of $520 million compared to net sales of $539 million for the
third quarter of 2022. Net income for the third quarter of 2023 was
$37 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, compared to net income for
the third quarter of 2022 of $21 million, or $1.21 per diluted
share. On a non-GAAP basis, Clearwater Paper reported adjusted net
income in the third quarter of 2023 of $37 million, or $2.19 per
diluted share, compared to third quarter 2022 adjusted net income
of $31 million, or $1.83 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA for the
third quarter of 2023 was $81 million, compared to the third
quarter of 2022 Adjusted EBITDA of $77 million.
For the first nine months of 2023, Clearwater Paper reported net
sales of $1.6 billion, a slight increase compared to the first nine
months of 2022. Net income for the first nine months of 2023 was
$90 million, or $5.29 per diluted share, compared to net income for
the first nine months of 2022 of $52 million, or $3.04 per diluted
share. On a non-GAAP basis, Clearwater Paper reported adjusted net
income in the first nine months of 2023 of $92 million, or $5.37
per diluted share, compared to the first nine months of 2022
adjusted net income of $68 million, or $3.96 per diluted share.
Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2023 was $218 million,
compared to the first nine months of 2022 Adjusted EBITDA of $199
million.
Pulp and Paperboard Segment
Net sales in the Pulp and Paperboard segment were $261 million
for the third quarter of 2023, down 13% compared to third quarter
2022 net sales of $301 million. Segment operating income for the
third quarter of 2023 was $43 million, compared to $64 million for
the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $52
million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $73 million in
the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in operating income and
Adjusted EBITDA were primarily driven by lower sales volumes and
sales prices, planned production downtime to manage inventories,
partially offset by lower input costs, specifically in wood, energy
and freight.
Net sales in the Pulp and Paperboard segment were $812 million
for the first nine months of 2023, down 6% compared to net sales of
$863 million in the first nine months of 2022. Segment operating
income for the first nine months of 2023 was $142 million, compared
to $166 million for the first nine months of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA
for the segment was $170 million in the first nine months of 2023,
compared to $194 million in the first nine months of 2022. The
decrease in operating income and Adjusted EBITDA were driven
primarily by lower sales volumes and planned production downtime to
manage inventories partially offset by higher sales prices.
Pulp and Paperboard Sales Volumes and Prices:
- Paperboard sales volumes were 187,944 tons in the third quarter
of 2023, a decrease of 10% compared to 208,298 tons in the third
quarter of 2022. Paperboard sales volumes were 563,502 tons in the
first nine months of 2023, a decrease of 10% compared to 625,557
tons in the first nine months of 2022.
- Paperboard average net selling price decreased 4% to $1,350 per
ton for the third quarter of 2023, compared to $1,405 per ton in
the third quarter of 2022. Paperboard average net selling price
increased 5% to $1,401 per ton for the first nine months of 2023,
compared to $1,334 per ton in the first nine months of 2022.
Consumer Products Segment
Net sales in the Consumer Products segment were $259 million for
the third quarter of 2023, up 8% compared to third quarter 2022 net
sales of $241 million. Segment operating income for the third
quarter of 2023 was $31 million compared to operating income of $5
million in the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted EBITDA for the
segment was $46 million in the third quarter of 2023, compared to
$21 million in the third quarter of 2022. The increase in operating
income and Adjusted EBITDA were driven by higher sales prices and
lower input costs, primarily in pulp, freight, chemicals and
energy.
Net sales in the Consumer Products segment were $761 million for
the first nine months of 2023, up 9% compared to net sales of $696
million in the first nine months of 2022. Segment operating income
for the first nine months of 2023 was $61 million, compared to
operating income of $10 million in the first nine months of 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA for the segment was $105 million in the first nine
months of 2023, compared to $57 million in the first nine months of
2022. The increase in operating income and Adjusted EBITDA were
driven by higher sales prices partially offset by higher input
costs, primarily in freight and energy costs.
Retail Tissue Sales Volumes and Prices:
- Retail tissue volumes sold were 80,588 tons in the third
quarter of 2023, an increase of 5% compared to 76,938 tons in the
third quarter of 2022. Retail tissue volumes sold were 236,108 tons
in the first nine months of 2023, an increase of 3% compared to
228,968 tons in the first nine months of 2022.
- Retail tissue average net selling price increased 4% to $3,198
per ton in the third quarter of 2023, compared to $3,082 per ton in
the third quarter of 2022. Retail tissue average net selling price
increased 8% to $3,204 per ton in the first nine months of 2023,
compared to $2,980 per ton in the first nine months of 2022.
COMPANY OUTLOOK
“We are optimistic that our strong performance in tissue will
continue into next year, driven by stable demand and improved cost
structure. We also expect a gradual recovery in paperboard volumes
starting in 2024. The refinancing of our 2025 notes will improve
our financial flexibility and position us to continue to invest in
our business and take advantage of strategic opportunities as they
arise,” continued Kitch.
WEBCAST INFORMATION
Clearwater Paper Corporation will discuss these results during
an earnings conference call that begins at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time
today. To register for the conference call, please visit
https://conferencingportals.com/event/kDmRPaIa. After registering,
confirmation will be sent by email, including dial-in details and
unique conference call codes for entry. Registration is open
through the live call, but we recommend that you register a day in
advance or at minimum 10 minutes before the start of the call. A
live webcast and accompanying supplemental information will be
available on the company's website at
http://ir.clearwaterpaper.com. A replay of today's conference call
will be available on the website at
https://ir.clearwaterpaper.com/investors/events-and-presentations
beginning at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time today.
ABOUT CLEARWATER PAPER
Clearwater Paper is a premier supplier of private brand tissue
to major retailers, including grocery, club, mass merchants, and
discount stores. In addition, the company produces bleached
paperboard used by quality-conscious printers and packaging
converters, and offers services that include custom sheeting,
slitting, and cutting. Clearwater Paper's employees build
shareholder value by developing strong relationships through
quality and service.
USE OF NON-GAAP MEASURES
In this press release, the company presents certain non-GAAP
financial information for the third quarter and first nine months
of 2023 and 2022, including adjusted income and Adjusted EBITDA.
Because these amounts are not in accordance with GAAP,
reconciliations to net income as determined in accordance with GAAP
are included in the tables at the end of this press release. The
company presents these non-GAAP metrics because management believes
they assist investors and analysts in comparing the company's
performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by
excluding items that the company does not believe are indicative of
its core operating performance. In addition, the company uses
Adjusted EBITDA: (i) as a factor in evaluating management’s
performance when determining incentive compensation, (ii) to
evaluate the effectiveness of the company's business strategies,
and (iii) because the company's credit agreement and the indentures
governing the company's outstanding notes use metrics similar to
Adjusted EBITDA to measure the company's compliance with certain
covenants.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 as amended, including statements regarding: product demand,
cost structure improvements, our expectations regarding the
paperboard and tissue markets, operational and financial
performance, the redemption of our notes, our financial
flexibility, our continued investment in our business, our ability
to take advantage of strategic opportunities as they arise, and our
focus on cash flow generation and inventory management. These
forward-looking statements are based on management’s current
expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are
subject to change. Our actual results of operations may differ
materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking
statements contained in this press release. Factors that could
cause or contribute to such material differences in actual results
include, but are not limited to: competitive pricing pressures for
our products, including as a result of capacity additions, demand
reduction and the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on the
pricing of products globally; changes in the U.S. and international
economies and in general economic conditions in the regions and
industries in which we operate; manufacturing or operating
disruptions, including equipment malfunctions and damage to our
manufacturing facilities; the loss of, changes in prices in regard
to, or reduction in, orders from a significant customer; changes in
the cost and availability of wood fiber and wood pulp; changes in
energy, chemicals, packaging and transportation costs and
disruptions in transportation services impacting our ability to
receive inputs or ship products to customers; reliance on a limited
number of third-party suppliers, vendors and service providers
required for the production of our products and our operations;
changes in customer product preferences and competitors’ product
offerings; cyber-security risks; larger competitors having
operational, financial and other advantages; consolidation and
vertical integration of converting operations in the paperboard
industry; our ability to successfully execute capital projects and
other activities to operate our assets, including effective
maintenance, implement our operational efficiencies and realize
higher throughput or lower costs; IT system disruptions and IT
system implementation failures; labor disruptions; cyclical
industry conditions; changes in expenses, required contributions
and potential withdrawal costs associated with our pension plans;
environmental liabilities or expenditures and climate change; our
ability to attract, motivate, train and retain qualified and key
personnel; our ability to service our debt obligations and
restrictions on our business from debt covenants and terms; changes
in our banking relations, or in our customer supply chain
financing; negative changes in our credit agency ratings; changes
in laws, regulations or industry standards affecting our business;
and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in
the company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2022. The forward-looking statements are made as
of the date of this press release and the company does not
undertake to update any forward-looking statements based on new
developments or changes in the company’s expectations after the
date of this press release.
Clearwater Paper
Corporation
Consolidated Statements of
Operations
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(In millions, except per-share
data)
2023
2022
2023
2022
Net sales
$
519.9
$
538.8
$
1,569.9
$
1,553.3
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales
427.4
454.8
1,314.6
1,332.0
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
36.4
32.9
111.5
99.6
Other operating charges, net
1.8
2.2
2.4
8.5
Total operating costs and expenses
465.5
489.9
1,428.5
1,440.0
Income from operations
54.4
48.9
141.5
113.3
Interest expense, net
(6.9
)
(8.0
)
(22.0
)
(27.3
)
Debt retirement costs
—
—
—
(0.5
)
Other non-operating (expense) income
0.1
(1.4
)
0.3
(4.3
)
Total non-operating expense
(6.8
)
(9.4
)
(21.7
)
(32.1
)
Income before income taxes
47.6
39.5
119.8
81.2
Income tax provision
11.0
18.9
29.6
29.3
Net income
$
36.6
$
20.6
$
90.1
$
51.9
Net income per common share:
Basic
$
2.20
$
1.23
$
5.37
$
3.09
Diluted
2.17
1.21
5.29
3.04
Average shares outstanding (in
thousands):
Basic
16,682
16,754
16,800
16,777
Diluted
16,895
17,093
17,051
17,085
Clearwater Paper
Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets
(Unaudited)
(In millions)
September 30, 2023
December 31, 2022
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
110.2
$
53.7
Receivables, net
173.0
188.8
Inventories
333.3
324.0
Other current assets
10.5
19.9
Total current assets
627.0
586.3
Property, plant and equipment, net
993.8
1,017.1
Other assets, net
116.2
100.1
Total assets
$
1,737.0
$
1,703.5
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt
$
0.9
$
0.9
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities
260.0
311.1
Total current liabilities
260.9
312.0
Long-term debt
564.8
564.9
Liability for pension and other
postretirement employee benefits
56.9
58.2
Deferred tax liabilities and other
long-term obligations
205.9
196.4
Total liabilities
1,088.4
1,131.5
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock
—
—
Additional paid-in capital
15.1
28.5
Retained earnings
666.9
576.8
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net
of tax
(33.5
)
(33.3
)
Total stockholders' equity
648.5
572.1
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity
$
1,737.0
$
1,703.5
Clearwater Paper
Corporation
Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(In millions)
2023
2022
2023
2022
Operating activities
Net income
$
36.6
$
20.6
$
90.1
$
51.9
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
24.4
26.2
73.8
77.4
Equity-based compensation expense
3.5
4.0
7.0
9.6
Deferred taxes
(4.4
)
(1.6
)
(7.3
)
(5.8
)
Defined benefit pension and other
postretirement employee benefits
(0.4
)
0.7
(1.5
)
2.2
Amortization of deferred debt costs and
debt retirement
0.3
0.5
0.9
1.8
Loss on sale or impairment associated with
assets
0.3
1.2
1.4
5.8
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
23.6
4.2
7.9
(17.6
)
Inventories
6.9
(39.2
)
(10.1
)
(49.1
)
Other current assets
2.9
1.4
8.6
5.6
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities
(6.0
)
(4.4
)
(46.9
)
50.0
Other, net
0.4
(0.3
)
1.0
1.1
Net cash flows provided by operating
activities
88.2
13.3
125.0
132.8
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and
equipment, net
(14.2
)
(6.7
)
(48.5
)
(19.9
)
Net cash flows used in investing
activities
(14.2
)
(6.7
)
(48.5
)
(19.9
)
Financing activities
Borrowings on short-term debt
—
—
12.0
—
Repayments of borrowings on short-term
debt
—
—
(12.0
)
—
Repayments of long-term debt
(0.2
)
(25.3
)
(0.7
)
(80.8
)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement
of equity awards
(0.1
)
—
(4.7
)
(2.5
)
Repurchases of common stock
(5.0
)
(1.0
)
(15.1
)
(4.9
)
Other, net
(0.1
)
0.7
(0.2
)
0.7
Net cash flows used in financing
activities
(5.5
)
(25.7
)
(20.7
)
(87.6
)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash
equivalents and restricted cash
68.5
(19.1
)
55.8
25.3
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
at beginning of period
41.7
70.6
54.4
26.2
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
at end of period
$
110.2
$
51.5
$
110.2
$
51.5
Clearwater Paper
Corporation
Segment Information
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(In millions)
2023
2022
2023
2022
Segment net sales:
Pulp and Paperboard
$
261.4
$
300.8
$
812.4
$
862.8
Consumer Products
259.3
241.0
761.3
696.1
Eliminations
(0.8
)
(3.0
)
(3.8
)
(5.6
)
Total segment net sales
$
519.9
$
538.8
$
1,569.9
$
1,553.3
Operating income (loss):
Pulp and Paperboard
$
42.7
$
63.7
$
141.8
$
165.9
Consumer Products
31.4
5.2
60.6
9.6
Corporate and eliminations
(18.0
)
(17.8
)
(58.5
)
(53.8
)
Other operating charges, net 1
(1.8
)
(2.2
)
(2.4
)
(8.5
)
Income from operations
$
54.4
$
48.9
$
141.5
$
113.3
1Other operating charges, net consist of
amounts unrelated to ongoing core operating activities. Please
refer to Note 9 within Clearwater Paper's Form 10-Q filed with the
SEC for the period end September 30, 2023 for the detailed breakout
of this amount.
Clearwater Paper
Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP
Financial Measures
Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(In millions)
2023
2022
2023
2022
Net income
$
36.6
$
20.6
$
90.1
$
51.9
Add back:
Income tax provision
11.0
18.9
29.6
29.3
Interest expense, net
6.9
8.0
22.0
27.3
Depreciation and amortization
24.4
26.2
73.8
77.4
Other operating charges, net1
1.8
2.2
2.4
8.5
Debt retirement costs
—
—
—
0.5
Other non-operating (income) expense
(0.1
)
1.4
(0.3
)
4.3
Adjusted EBITDA
$
80.6
$
77.3
$
217.6
$
199.2
Pulp and Paperboard segment income
$
42.7
$
63.7
$
141.8
$
165.9
Depreciation and amortization
9.4
9.3
27.9
27.8
Adjusted EBITDA Pulp and Paperboard
$
52.1
$
73.0
$
169.6
$
193.7
Consumer Products segment income
$
31.4
$
5.2
$
60.6
$
9.6
Depreciation and amortization
14.4
16.0
44.1
46.9
Adjusted EBITDA Consumer Products
$
45.8
$
21.2
$
104.7
$
56.6
Corporate and other expenses
$
(18.0
)
$
(17.8
)
$
(58.5
)
$
(53.8
)
Depreciation and amortization
0.6
0.9
1.8
2.6
Adjusted EBITDA Corporate and other
$
(17.4
)
$
(16.9
)
$
(56.7
)
$
(51.1
)
Pulp and Paperboard segment
$
52.1
$
73.0
$
169.6
$
193.7
Consumer Products segment
45.8
21.2
104.7
56.6
Corporate and other
(17.4
)
(16.9
)
(56.7
)
(51.1
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
80.6
$
77.3
$
217.6
$
199.2
1 Other operating charges, net consist of
amounts unrelated to ongoing core operating activities. Please
refer to Note 9 within Clearwater Paper's Form 10-Q filed with the
SEC for the period end September 30, 2023 for the detailed breakout
of this amount.
Clearwater Paper
Corporation
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP
Financial Measures
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended September
30,
Nine Months Ended September
30,
(In millions, except per share
data)
2023
2022
2023
2022
Adjusted income:
Net income
$
36.6
$
20.6
$
90.1
$
51.9
Add back:
Income tax provision
11.0
18.9
29.6
29.3
Income before income taxes
47.6
39.5
119.8
81.2
Add back:
Debt retirement costs
—
—
—
0.5
Other operating charges, net
1.8
2.2
2.4
8.5
Adjusted income before tax
$
49.4
$
41.6
$
122.2
$
90.2
Normalized income tax provision
12.3
10.4
30.5
22.5
Adjusted income
$
37.0
$
31.2
$
91.6
$
67.6
Weighted average diluted shares
(thousands)
16,895
17,093
17,051
17,085
Adjusted income per diluted share
$
2.19
$
1.83
$
5.37
$
3.96
September 30, 2023
June 30, 2023
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Calculation of net debt:
Current portion of long-term debt
$
0.9
$
0.9
$
0.9
$
0.9
Long-term debt
564.8
564.8
564.9
564.9
Add back:
Unamortized deferred debt costs
2.8
3.0
3.2
3.4
Less:
Cash and cash equivalents
110.2
41.7
16.7
53.7
Net debt
$
458.3
$
527.0
$
552.3
$
515.5
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231030158659/en/
Clearwater Paper Corporation
Investor contact: Sloan Bohlen Solebury Strategic
Communications 509-344-5906 investorinfo@clearwaterpaper.com
Media contact: Jules Joy, Director, Corporate
Communications 509-344-5967 Julia.joy@clearwaterpaper.com
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