Plum Creek Reports Improved Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2012
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (NYSE: PCL) today announced fourth
quarter earnings of $79 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, on revenues
of $354 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $61
million, or $0.38 per diluted share, on revenues of $315 million.
Earnings for the full year of 2012 were $203 million, or $1.25 per
diluted share, on revenues of $1.34 billion. Earnings for the full year
of 2011 were $193 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, on revenues of
$1.17 billion.
“We were able to post a five percent growth in full-year net income,
ending 2012 on a strong note,” said Rick Holley, president and chief
executive officer. “We exceeded our initial expectations for the fourth
quarter, benefitting from continued strong demand for well-managed
timberlands. In 2012 we grew adjusted EBITDA to $530 million, or an
increase of 19 percent, exceeding our goal for the year.
“During the year, we continued to position ourselves to benefit from the
emerging recovery in residential construction. We’ve worked closely with
logging contractors over the past several years to ensure we are in
preferred positions to serve the growing demand from our traditional
customers as well as emerging bioenergy customers.
“We maintained our capital discipline. We sold non-strategic timberlands
when we could lock-in very attractive returns for those properties
today. We also invested more than $195 million in timber and non-timber
resources that will add to our earnings and cash flow for years to come.
Financially we’re in great shape to take advantage of opportunities to
grow the long-term value of Plum Creek.
“We’re excited about the prospects for continued recovery and growth in
2013 and expect that the opportunities beyond are even more compelling.
Over the past year, housing has moved from being a drag on the economy
to being a bright spot. We are seeing improving demand for lumber and
wood panels that is expected to translate into higher demand and pricing
for logs in 2013.”
Summary of 2012 Results
The company reported $281 million in operating income for 2012, $6
million higher than 2011’s $275 million operating income. Profit
improvement in the timber and manufacturing businesses were partially
offset by lower income from the real estate segment.
The company’s timber resource segments reported a combined $110 million
of operating income for 2012, up $12 million from 2011’s level. Sawlog
prices were largely unchanged from year to year while pulpwood prices
increased approximately $1 per ton in both the Northern and Southern
regions. The company’s harvest level of 17.9 million tons was 13 percent
higher than the 2011 harvest of 15.8 million tons. In the North, the
total harvest grew nearly 190,000 tons, or 5 percent. In the South, the
total harvest grew approximately 1.9 million tons, a 17 percent increase
in harvest volume compared to 2011. The company’s early 2012 timber deed
acquisition contributed approximately 650,000 tons of the increase.
In the Real Estate segment, the company reported revenue of $352 million
in 2012 and $301 million in 2011. Operating income was $187 million
during 2012 compared with $195 million during 2011. Per acre values of
the various land types sold were consistent with those realized for the
past four years. The decline in operating margin in the segment was due
entirely to higher-than-typical book basis of the land sold during 2012.
Operating income from the company’s Manufacturing segment was $29
million, nearly double the $15 million reported in 2011. Product prices
in each of the segment’s product lines increased between three and ten
percent when compared to 2011 prices. Sales volumes for plywood and
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) increased 16 percent and 24 percent
respectively while lumber sales volumes were largely unchanged.
Review of Quarterly Operations
The Northern Resources segment reported operating profit of $5 million
for the fourth quarter, compared to a $7 million profit reported in the
fourth quarter of 2011. As planned, the company’s fourth quarter harvest
volumes were lower than those of the same period of 2011. The eleven
percent lower harvest volumes combined with temporarily higher road
expenses offset the benefit of slightly higher prices for both sawlogs
and pulpwood experienced in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The Southern Resources segment reported fourth quarter operating profit
of $24 million, an increase of $5 million from the fourth quarter of
2011. Average pulpwood prices have increased approximately $2 per ton,
or 16 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 as strong demand
from pulp and paper customers and recovering demand from Oriented
Strandboard (OSB) producers have kept pressure on the resource
throughout the region. The company increased its pulpwood harvest
approximately 10 percent over fourth quarter 2011 levels to serve
customer needs and capture attractive pricing. Southern sawlog prices
were unchanged from their fourth quarter 2011 level. The 5 percent
increase in the fourth quarter sawlog harvest came exclusively from the
timber deed acquired in the first quarter of 2012.
The Real Estate segment reported revenue of $109 million and operating
profit of $74 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The segment
reported $93 million of revenue and $61 million of operating profit for
the fourth quarter of 2011. The company sold approximately 47,000 acres
of land in the fourth quarter of 2012. Sales included an approximately
16,600 acre large, non-strategic sale of western Oregon timberlands for
$58 million, or $3,500 per acre. The balance of the properties sold
consisted of 9,700 acres of rural recreation lands that captured
approximately $1,950 per acre, approximately 3,550 acres of conservation
lands sold for more than $2,250 per acre, and 17,100 acres of lower
productivity, non-strategic properties captured $1,365 per acre.
The Manufacturing segment reported operating profit of $7 million for
the fourth quarter of 2012, up $4 million from the same period of 2011.
Prices for lumber, plywood, and MDF were higher than fourth quarter 2011
levels. Plywood prices in particular were up nearly 19 percent from
their fourth quarter 2011 level while lumber and MDF prices increased
more modestly, one and four percent respectively. Lumber sales volumes
were similar to those of the fourth quarter of 2011, while plywood and
MDF sales volumes improved nine percent and 25 percent, respectively.
Fourth Quarter Debt Issue
As previously announced, during the fourth quarter the company issued
$325 million of 3.25% senior unsecured notes due 2023.
Outlook
Lumber, plywood, and OSB customers are anticipating continued demand
growth in 2013 as residential construction activity continues to recover
and housing starts approach 1 million units for the first time since
2007. As sawlog customers increase production to meet this demand
growth, the company expects sawlog prices to improve. Pulpwood demand
from pulp and paper mills throughout the nation remains very good and
recovering demand from OSB producers and emerging demand from wood
pellet producers are expected to result in improved pulpwood prices in
the South and continued attractive prices in the North.
The company plans to harvest between 17.5 and 18.0 million tons of
timber this year, similar to 2012’s 17.9 million ton harvest. While the
total harvest volume is expected to be largely unchanged, the company
expects to shift the mix of its harvest during 2013 as sawlog demand and
pricing improves.
Improving consumer confidence and continued interest in hard asset
investments is expected to provide a solid foundation for rural real
estate activity, particularly in the Gulf South and Lake State regions.
Real Estate segment sales for the year are expected to be between $250
million and $300 million with land basis expense between 30 and 35
percent of sales. First quarter sales are expected to be between $80 and
$85 million.
Lumber, specialty plywood and MDF markets are expected to remain strong
and grow further in the coming year. As a result, Manufacturing segment
results are expected to continue to improve in 2013.
Third-party interest expense in 2013 is expected to be approximately $80
million; about $2 million lower than 2012’s expense.
Reflecting all of these factors, the company expects 2013 income to be
between $1.25 and $1.50 per share. The company expects to report first
quarter income between $0.28 and $0.33 per share.
“We expect improving results from our timber resource and manufacturing
businesses in 2013,” continued Holley. “We expect real estate sales to
moderate as we do not expect to repeat the relatively high level of
large, non-strategic timberland sales concluded in 2012.
“The management team and I are as excited about the future at Plum Creek
as we have ever been. Recovering demand and the structural changes to
timber supply and demand in North America are setting the table for
excellent growth in the coming years. Years of thoughtful, disciplined
capital allocation have positioned us to benefit tremendously as these
shifts in the marketplace occur. We have an unmatched asset base, strong
balance sheet and excellent financial flexibility, all the tools
required to continue our disciplined approach to long-term value
creation for our shareholders,” concluded Holley.
Earnings Conference Call and Supplemental Information
Plum Creek will hold a conference call today, Jan. 28, at 5:00 p.m. ET
(2:00 p.m. PT). A live webcast of the conference call may be accessed
through Plum Creek’s Internet site at www.plumcreek.com
by clicking on the “Investors” link.
Investors without Internet access should dial 1-800-572-9852 at least 10
minutes prior to the start of the call, referencing Plum Creek’s
earnings conference call. Those wishing to access the call from outside
the United States and Canada should dial 1-706-645-9676, also
referencing Plum Creek’s earnings conference call. Replay of the call
will be available for 48 hours after completion of the live call and can
be accessed at 1-855-859-2056 or 1-404-537-3406 (international calls),
using the code 31584649.
Supplemental financial information for Plum Creek operations, including
statistical data and reconciliations to non-GAAP measures is available
in the Investors section of Plum Creek’s website at www.plumcreek.com.
Plum Creek is one of the largest landowners in the nation and the most
geographically diverse, with approximately 6.4 million acres of
timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and
wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest. For more
information, visit www.plumcreek.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as amended. Some of
these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will,"
"should," "seek," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates," or
"anticipates," or the negative of those words or other comparable
terminology. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of
risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the
cyclical nature of the forest products industry, our ability to harvest
our timber, our ability to execute our acquisition strategy, the market
for and our ability to sell or exchange non-strategic timberlands and
timberland properties that have higher and better uses, and various
regulatory constraints. These and other risks, uncertainties and
assumptions are detailed from time to time in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. It is
likely that if one or more of the risks materializes, or if one or more
assumptions prove to be incorrect, the current expectations of Plum
Creek and its management will not be realized. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the
date made, and neither Plum Creek nor its management undertakes any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
2012
2011
REVENUES:
Timber
$
641
$
572
Real Estate
352
301
Manufacturing
324
273
Other
22
21
Total Revenues
1,339
1,167
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of Goods Sold:
Timber
498
445
Real Estate
157
92
Manufacturing
286
250
Other
2
2
Total Cost of Goods Sold
943
789
Selling, General and Administrative
116
106
Total Costs and Expenses
1,059
895
Other Operating Income (Expense), net
1
3
Operating Income
281
275
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
59
56
Interest Expense, net:
Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)
82
81
Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)
58
58
Total Interest Expense, net
140
139
Income before Income Taxes
200
192
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
(3
)
(1
)
Net Income
$
203
$
193
PER SHARE AMOUNTS:
Net Income per Share – Basic
$
1.25
$
1.19
Net Income per Share – Diluted
$
1.25
$
1.19
Weighted-Average Number of Shares Outstanding
– Basic
161.5
161.7
– Diluted
161.9
162.0
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
Quarter Ended December 31,
2012
2011
REVENUES:
Timber
$
161
$
151
Real Estate
109
93
Manufacturing
78
65
Other
6
6
Total Revenues
354
315
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of Goods Sold:
Timber
124
118
Real Estate
33
24
Manufacturing
69
60
Other
1
1
Total Cost of Goods Sold
227
203
Selling, General and Administrative
30
29
Total Costs and Expenses
257
232
Other Operating Income (Expense), net
—
—
Operating Income
97
83
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
17
12
Interest Expense, net:
Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)
21
20
Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value, Authorized Shares – 300.6,
Outstanding (net of Treasury Stock) – 162.0 at December 31, 2012 and
161.3 at December 31, 2011
2
2
Additional Paid-In Capital
2,288
2,261
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
(97
)
(28
)
Treasury Stock, at Cost, Common Shares – 26.9 at December 31, 2012
and 26.9 at December 31, 2011
(938
)
(937
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(32
)
(35
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
1,223
1,263
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$
4,384
$
4,259
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Year Ended December 31,
(In Millions)
2012
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income
$
203
$
193
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By
Operating Activities:
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
114
96
Basis of Real Estate Sold
138
77
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
(59
)
(56
)
Distributions from Timberland Venture
56
56
Deferred Income Taxes
(3
)
—
Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases (Net of Amortization)
(8
)
11
Timber Deed Acquired
(98
)
(5
)
Pension Plan Contributions
(20
)
(3
)
Working Capital Changes Impacting Cash Flow:
Income Tax Receivable
—
(1
)
Other Working Capital Changes
15
(7
)
Other
15
13
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
353
374
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures (Excluding Timberland Acquisitions)
(72
)
(70
)
Timberlands Acquired
(18
)
(89
)
Mineral Rights Acquired
(76
)
(12
)
Other
(1
)
—
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
(167
)
(171
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends
(272
)
(272
)
Borrowings on Line of Credit
1,843
1,921
Repayments on Line of Credit
(2,087
)
(1,739
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt
773
—
Debt Issuance Costs
(5
)
—
Principal Payments and Retirement of Long-Term Debt
(353
)
(95
)
Proceeds from Stock Option Exercises
18
10
Acquisition of Treasury Stock
(1
)
(26
)
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
(84
)
(201
)
Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents
102
2
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of Period
254
252
End of Period
$
356
$
254
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
Quarter Ended December 31,
(In Millions)
2012
2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income
$
79
$
61
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By
Operating Activities:
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
27
26
Basis of Real Estate Sold
27
20
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
(17
)
(12
)
Deferred Income Taxes
(2
)
(2
)
Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases (Net of Amortization)
(2
)
(3
)
Timber Deed Acquired
—
(5
)
Pension Plan Contributions
(10
)
—
Working Capital Changes
10
(8
)
Other
4
3
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
116
80
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital Expenditures (Excluding Timberland Acquisitions)
(20
)
(27
)
Timberlands Acquired
—
(13
)
Mineral Rights Acquired
(76
)
—
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities
(96
)
(40
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends
(68
)
(68
)
Borrowings on Line of Credit
131
824
Repayments on Line of Credit
(378
)
(778
)
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-Term Debt
323
—
Debt Issuance Costs
(2
)
—
Principal Payments and Retirement of Long-Term Debt
(3
)
(46
)
Proceeds from Stock Option Exercises
13
1
Acquisition of Treasury Stock
—
(10
)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities
16
(77
)
Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents
36
(37
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Beginning of Period
320
291
End of Period
$
356
$
254
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
SEGMENT DATA
(UNAUDITED)
Year Ended December 31,
(In Millions)
2012
2011
Revenues:
Northern Resources
$
246
$
233
Southern Resources
417
359
Real Estate
352
301
Manufacturing
324
273
Other
22
21
Eliminations
(22
)
(20
)
Total Revenues
$
1,339
$
1,167
Operating Income (Loss):
Northern Resources
$
20
$
24
Southern Resources
90
74
Real Estate
187
195
Manufacturing
29
15
Other (A)
19
21
Other Costs and Eliminations, net
(64
)
(54
)
Total Operating Income
$
281
$
275
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment: (B)
Northern Resources
$
46
$
50
Southern Resources
157
125
Real Estate
326
274
Manufacturing
44
28
Other
20
21
Other Costs and Eliminations, net
(63
)
(52
)
Total
$
530
$
446
(A) During 2011, the company received a payment of $2 million for
the settlement of a dispute that related to certain mineral rights. This
amount is reported as Other Operating Gain/(Loss) in our Other Segment
and is included in Other Operating Income (Expense), net in the
Consolidated Statements of Income.
(B) Refer to the separate schedule, "Segment Data - Adjusted
EBITDA" for reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income and
net cash provided by operating activities.
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
SEGMENT DATA
(UNAUDITED)
Quarter Ended December 31,
(In Millions)
2012
2011
Revenues:
Northern Resources
$
61
$
66
Southern Resources
105
93
Real Estate
109
93
Manufacturing
78
65
Other
6
6
Eliminations
(5
)
(8
)
Total Revenues
$
354
$
315
Operating Income (Loss):
Northern Resources
$
5
$
7
Southern Resources
24
19
Real Estate
74
61
Manufacturing
7
3
Other
5
5
Other Costs and Eliminations, net
(18
)
(12
)
Total Operating Income
$
97
$
83
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment: (A)
Northern Resources
$
11
$
14
Southern Resources
39
33
Real Estate
101
82
Manufacturing
11
6
Other
6
5
Other Costs and Eliminations, net
(18
)
(11
)
Total
$
150
$
129
(A) Refer to the separate schedule, "Segment Data - Adjusted
EBITDA" for reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income and
net cash provided by operating activities.
Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc
Segment Data - Adjusted EBITDA
Reconciliation of Operating Income and Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities
(Unaudited)
We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings from continuing operations,
excluding equity method earnings, and before interest, taxes,
depreciation, depletion, amortization, and basis in lands sold. Adjusted
EBITDA is not considered a measure of financial performance under U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and the items
excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components of our
consolidated financial statements.
We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because
we believe it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period
to period, and each business segment’s contribution to that performance,
by eliminating non-cash charges to earnings, which can vary
significantly by business segment. These non-cash charges include timber
depletion, depreciation of fixed assets and the basis in lands sold. We
also use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental liquidity measure because we
believe it is useful in measuring our ability to generate cash. In
addition, we believe Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used by investors,
lenders and rating agencies to assess our financial performance.
A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income and net cash from
operating activities, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP performance
and liquidity measures, is provided in the following schedules:
Year Ended December 31, 2012
Operating Income
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Basis of Real Estate Sold
Adjusted EBITDA
By Segment
Northern Resources
$
20
$
26
$
—
$
46
Southern Resources
90
67
—
157
Real Estate
187
1
138
326
Manufacturing
29
15
—
44
Other
19
1
—
20
Other Costs and Eliminations
(65
)
1
—
(64
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
1
—
—
1
Total
$
281
$
111
$
138
$
530
Reconciliation to Net Income(1)
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
59
Interest Expense
(140
)
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
3
Net Income
$
203
Reconciliation to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net Cash Flows from Operations
$
353
Interest Expense
140
Amortization of Debt Costs
(3
)
Provision / (Benefit) for Income Taxes
(3
)
Distributions from Timberland Venture
(56
)
Deferred Income Taxes
3
Gain on Sale of Properties and Other Assets
—
Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases
8
Timber Deed Acquired
98
Pension Plan Contributions
20
Working Capital Changes
(15
)
Other
(15
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
530
(1) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments
for financial reporting purposes.
Year Ended December 31, 2011
Operating Income
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Basis of Real Estate Sold
Adjusted EBITDA
By Segment
Northern Resources
$
24
$
26
$
—
$
50
Southern Resources
74
51
—
125
Real Estate
195
2
77
274
Manufacturing
15
13
—
28
Other
21
—
—
21
Other Costs and Eliminations
(55
)
2
—
(53
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
1
—
—
1
Total
$
275
$
94
$
77
$
446
Reconciliation to Net Income(1)
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
56
Interest Expense
(139
)
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
1
Net Income
$
193
Reconciliation to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net Cash Flows from Operations
$
374
Interest Expense
139
Amortization of Debt Costs
(2
)
Provision / (Benefit) for Income Taxes
(1
)
Distributions from Timberland Venture
(56
)
Deferred Income Taxes
—
Gain on Sale of Properties and Other Assets
—
Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases
(11
)
Timber Deed Acquired
5
Pension Plan Contributions
3
Working Capital Changes
8
Other
(13
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
446
(1) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments
for financial reporting purposes.
Quarter Ended December 31, 2012
Operating Income
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Basis of Real Estate Sold
Adjusted EBITDA
By Segment
Northern Resources
$
5
$
6
$
—
$
11
Southern Resources
24
15
—
39
Real Estate
74
—
27
101
Manufacturing
7
4
—
11
Other
5
1
—
6
Other Costs and Eliminations
(18
)
—
—
(18
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
—
—
—
—
Total
$
97
$
26
$
27
$
150
Reconciliation to Net Income(1)
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
17
Interest Expense
(36
)
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
1
Net Income
$
79
Reconciliation to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net Cash Flows from Operations
$
116
Interest Expense
36
Amortization of Debt Costs
(1
)
Provision / (Benefit) for Income Taxes
(1
)
Distributions from Timberland Venture
—
Deferred Income Taxes
2
Gain on Sale of Properties and Other Assets
—
Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases
2
Timber Deed Acquired
—
Pension Plan Contributions
10
Working Capital Changes
(10
)
Other
(4
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
150
(1) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments
for financial reporting purposes.
Quarter Ended December 31, 2011
Operating Income
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Basis of Real Estate Sold
Adjusted EBITDA
By Segment
Northern Resources
$
7
$
7
$
—
$
14
Southern Resources
19
14
—
33
Real Estate
61
1
20
82
Manufacturing
3
3
—
6
Other
5
—
—
5
Other Costs and Eliminations
(12
)
1
—
(11
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
—
—
—
—
Total
$
83
$
26
$
20
$
129
Reconciliation to Net Income(1)
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
12
Interest Expense
(35
)
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
1
Net Income
$
61
Reconciliation to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities
Net Cash Flows from Operations
$
80
Interest Expense
35
Amortization of Debt Costs
—
Provision / (Benefit) for Income Taxes
(1
)
Distributions from Timberland Venture
—
Deferred Income Taxes
2
Gain on Sale of Properties and Other Assets
—
Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases
3
Timber Deed Acquired
5
Pension Plan Contributions
—
Working Capital Changes
8
Other
(3
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
129
(1) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments
for financial reporting purposes.
Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. Investors: John Hobbs,
1-800-858-5347 Media: Kathy Budinick, 1-888-467-3751
Press Release $PCL Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc.
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (NYSE: PCL) today announced fourth quarter earnings of $79 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, on revenues of $354 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $61 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, on revenues of $315 million.
Earnings for the full year of 2012 were $203 million, or $1.25 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.34 billion. Earnings for the full year of 2011 were $193 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.17 billion.
“We were able to post a five percent growth in full-year net income, ending 2012 on a strong note,” said Rick Holley, president and chief executive officer. “We exceeded our initial expectations for the fourth quarter, benefitting from continued strong demand for well-managed timberlands. In 2012 we grew adjusted EBITDA to $530 million, or an increase of 19 percent, exceeding our goal for the year.
“During the year, we continued to position ourselves to benefit from the emerging recovery in residential construction. We’ve worked closely with logging contractors over the past several years to ensure we are in preferred positions to serve the growing demand from our traditional customers as well as emerging bioenergy customers.
“We maintained our capital discipline. We sold non-strategic timberlands when we could lock-in very attractive returns for those properties today. We also invested more than $195 million in timber and non-timber resources that will add to our earnings and cash flow for years to come. Financially we’re in great shape to take advantage of opportunities to grow the long-term value of Plum Creek.
“We’re excited about the prospects for continued recovery and growth in 2013 and expect that the opportunities beyond are even more compelling. Over the past year, housing has moved from being a drag on the economy to being a bright spot. We are seeing improving demand for lumber and wood panels that is expected to translate into higher demand and pricing for logs in 2013.”
Summary of 2012 Results
The company reported $281 million in operating income for 2012, $6 million higher than 2011’s $275 million operating income. Profit improvement in the timber and manufacturing businesses were partially offset by lower income from the real estate segment.
The company’s timber resource segments reported a combined $110 million of operating income for 2012, up $12 million from 2011’s level. Sawlog prices were largely unchanged from year to year while pulpwood prices increased approximately $1 per ton in both the Northern and Southern regions. The company’s harvest level of 17.9 million tons was 13 percent higher than the 2011 harvest of 15.8 million tons. In the North, the total harvest grew nearly 190,000 tons, or 5 percent. In the South, the total harvest grew approximately 1.9 million tons, a 17 percent increase in harvest volume compared to 2011. The company’s early 2012 timber deed acquisition contributed approximately 650,000 tons of the increase.
In the Real Estate segment, the company reported revenue of $352 million in 2012 and $301 million in 2011. Operating income was $187 million during 2012 compared with $195 million during 2011. Per acre values of the various land types sold were consistent with those realized for the past four years. The decline in operating margin in the segment was due entirely to higher-than-typical book basis of the land sold during 2012.
Operating income from the company’s Manufacturing segment was $29 million, nearly double the $15 million reported in 2011. Product prices in each of the segment’s product lines increased between three and ten percent when compared to 2011 prices. Sales volumes for plywood and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) increased 16 percent and 24 percent respectively while lumber sales volumes were largely unchanged.
Review of Quarterly Operations
The Northern Resources segment reported operating profit of $5 million for the fourth quarter, compared to a $7 million profit reported in the fourth quarter of 2011. As planned, the company’s fourth quarter harvest volumes were lower than those of the same period of 2011. The eleven percent lower harvest volumes combined with temporarily higher road expenses offset the benefit of slightly higher prices for both sawlogs and pulpwood experienced in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The Southern Resources segment reported fourth quarter operating profit of $24 million, an increase of $5 million from the fourth quarter of 2011. Average pulpwood prices have increased approximately $2 per ton, or 16 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 as strong demand from pulp and paper customers and recovering demand from Oriented Strandboard (OSB) producers have kept pressure on the resource throughout the region. The company increased its pulpwood harvest approximately 10 percent over fourth quarter 2011 levels to serve customer needs and capture attractive pricing. Southern sawlog prices were unchanged from their fourth quarter 2011 level. The 5 percent increase in the fourth quarter sawlog harvest came exclusively from the timber deed acquired in the first quarter of 2012.
The Real Estate segment reported revenue of $109 million and operating profit of $74 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. The segment reported $93 million of revenue and $61 million of operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2011. The company sold approximately 47,000 acres of land in the fourth quarter of 2012. Sales included an approximately 16,600 acre large, non-strategic sale of western Oregon timberlands for $58 million, or $3,500 per acre. The balance of the properties sold consisted of 9,700 acres of rural recreation lands that captured approximately $1,950 per acre, approximately 3,550 acres of conservation lands sold for more than $2,250 per acre, and 17,100 acres of lower productivity, non-strategic properties captured $1,365 per acre.
The Manufacturing segment reported operating profit of $7 million for the fourth quarter of 2012, up $4 million from the same period of 2011. Prices for lumber, plywood, and MDF were higher than fourth quarter 2011 levels. Plywood prices in particular were up nearly 19 percent from their fourth quarter 2011 level while lumber and MDF prices increased more modestly, one and four percent respectively. Lumber sales volumes were similar to those of the fourth quarter of 2011, while plywood and MDF sales volumes improved nine percent and 25 percent, respectively.
Fourth Quarter Debt Issue
As previously announced, during the fourth quarter the company issued $325 million of 3.25% senior unsecured notes due 2023.
Outlook
Lumber, plywood, and OSB customers are anticipating continued demand growth in 2013 as residential construction activity continues to recover and housing starts approach 1 million units for the first time since 2007. As sawlog customers increase production to meet this demand growth, the company expects sawlog prices to improve. Pulpwood demand from pulp and paper mills throughout the nation remains very good and recovering demand from OSB producers and emerging demand from wood pellet producers are expected to result in improved pulpwood prices in the South and continued attractive prices in the North.
The company plans to harvest between 17.5 and 18.0 million tons of timber this year, similar to 2012’s 17.9 million ton harvest. While the total harvest volume is expected to be largely unchanged, the company expects to shift the mix of its harvest during 2013 as sawlog demand and pricing improves.
Improving consumer confidence and continued interest in hard asset investments is expected to provide a solid foundation for rural real estate activity, particularly in the Gulf South and Lake State regions. Real Estate segment sales for the year are expected to be between $250 million and $300 million with land basis expense between 30 and 35 percent of sales. First quarter sales are expected to be between $80 and $85 million.
Lumber, specialty plywood and MDF markets are expected to remain strong and grow further in the coming year. As a result, Manufacturing segment results are expected to continue to improve in 2013.
Third-party interest expense in 2013 is expected to be approximately $80 million; about $2 million lower than 2012’s expense.
Reflecting all of these factors, the company expects 2013 income to be between $1.25 and $1.50 per share. The company expects to report first quarter income between $0.28 and $0.33 per share.
“We expect improving results from our timber resource and manufacturing businesses in 2013,” continued Holley. “We expect real estate sales to moderate as we do not expect to repeat the relatively high level of large, non-strategic timberland sales concluded in 2012.
“The management team and I are as excited about the future at Plum Creek as we have ever been. Recovering demand and the structural changes to timber supply and demand in North America are setting the table for excellent growth in the coming years. Years of thoughtful, disciplined capital allocation have positioned us to benefit tremendously as these shifts in the marketplace occur. We have an unmatched asset base, strong balance sheet and excellent financial flexibility, all the tools required to continue our disciplined approach to long-term value creation for our shareholders,” concluded Holley.
Earnings Conference Call and Supplemental Information
Plum Creek will hold a conference call today, Jan. 28, at 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT). A live webcast of the conference call may be accessed through Plum Creek’s Internet site at www.plumcreek.com by clicking on the “Investors” link.
Investors without Internet access should dial 1-800-572-9852 at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call, referencing Plum Creek’s earnings conference call. Those wishing to access the call from outside the United States and Canada should dial 1-706-645-9676, also referencing Plum Creek’s earnings conference call. Replay of the call will be available for 48 hours after completion of the live call and can be accessed at 1-855-859-2056 or 1-404-537-3406 (international calls), using the code 31584649.
Supplemental financial information for Plum Creek operations, including statistical data and reconciliations to non-GAAP measures is available in the Investors section of Plum Creek’s website at www.plumcreek.com.
Plum Creek is one of the largest landowners in the nation and the most geographically diverse, with approximately 6.4 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest. For more information, visit www.plumcreek.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as amended. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seek," "approximately," "intends," "plans," "estimates," or "anticipates," or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the cyclical nature of the forest products industry, our ability to harvest our timber, our ability to execute our acquisition strategy, the market for and our ability to sell or exchange non-strategic timberlands and timberland properties that have higher and better uses, and various regulatory constraints. These and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions are detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. It is likely that if one or more of the risks materializes, or if one or more assumptions prove to be incorrect, the current expectations of Plum Creek and its management will not be realized. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance, and speak only as of the date made, and neither Plum Creek nor its management undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Total Revenues
December 31, 2012
December 31, 2011
(A) During 2011, the company received a payment of $2 million for the settlement of a dispute that related to certain mineral rights. This amount is reported as Other Operating Gain/(Loss) in our Other Segment and is included in Other Operating Income (Expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(B) Refer to the separate schedule, "Segment Data - Adjusted EBITDA" for reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income and net cash provided by operating activities.
(A) Refer to the separate schedule, "Segment Data - Adjusted EBITDA" for reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income and net cash provided by operating activities.
Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc
Segment Data - Adjusted EBITDA
Reconciliation of Operating Income and Net Cash
Provided by Operating Activities
(Unaudited)
We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings from continuing operations, excluding equity method earnings, and before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and basis in lands sold. Adjusted EBITDA is not considered a measure of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components of our consolidated financial statements.
We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because we believe it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period, and each business segment’s contribution to that performance, by eliminating non-cash charges to earnings, which can vary significantly by business segment. These non-cash charges include timber depletion, depreciation of fixed assets and the basis in lands sold. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental liquidity measure because we believe it is useful in measuring our ability to generate cash. In addition, we believe Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used by investors, lenders and rating agencies to assess our financial performance.
A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income and net cash from operating activities, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP performance and liquidity measures, is provided in the following schedules:
(1) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments for financial reporting purposes.
(1) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments for financial reporting purposes.
(1) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments for financial reporting purposes.
(1) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments for financial reporting purposes.
Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc.
Investors: John Hobbs, 1-800-858-5347
Media: Kathy Budinick, 1-888-467-3751
Source: Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc.