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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): August 8, 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 August 8, 2024, Mercer International Inc. (the “Company”) announced by press release the Company’s results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2024. A copy of such press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

Item 8.01. Other Events

On August 8, 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 October 3, 2024 to all shareholders of record on September 25, 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 August 8, 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: August 8, 2024

By:

 

/s/ Richard Short

 

 

 

Richard Short

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2

 


 

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

img159729660_0.jpg 

 

 

For Immediate Release

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

Selected Highlights

Second quarter Operating EBITDA* of $30.4 million and net loss of $67.6 million
Strengthened pulp markets drive improvement in operating cash flows and liquidity
Quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share

 

NEW YORK, NY, August 8, 2024 ‑ Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today reported second quarter 2024 Operating EBITDA of $30.4 million, an increase from negative Operating EBITDA of $68.7 million in the same quarter of 2023 and a decrease from Operating EBITDA of $63.6 million in the first quarter of 2024.

 

In the second quarter of 2024, net loss was $67.6 million ($1.01 per share), which included a non-cash impairment of $34.3 million ($0.51 per share) against goodwill related to the Torgau facility, compared to a net loss of $98.3 million ($1.48 per share) in the second quarter of 2023 and a net loss of $16.7 million ($0.25 per share) in the first quarter of 2024, which included a non-cash loss on disposal of $23.6 million ($0.35 per share) related to the dissolution of the Cariboo Pulp and Paper (“CPP”) joint venture.

 

Mr. Juan Carlos Bueno, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "The second quarter was another improved quarter for our pulp segment as we continued to benefit from strengthening markets. Despite lower pulp sales volumes primarily stemming from previously announced scheduled downtime and the disposal of CPP, cash flow from operations improved significantly in the second quarter of 2024. This improved aggregate liquidity allowed us to reduce borrowings by approximately $45 million under our revolving credit facilities during the quarter.

 

In the second quarter, pulp prices continued to improve in all key markets due to strengthening demand and

____________________

*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

 

supply-side disruptions. As these supply-side disruptions ease and we enter into a period of traditionally lower seasonal demand, we currently expect pulp prices to soften slightly in the third quarter of 2024.

 

Lumber pricing was relatively flat in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2024 due to continued weakness in both the U.S. and Europe. We currently expect lumber prices to remain relatively steady in the third quarter as demand continues to be impacted by the high interest rate environment and economic uncertainty.

 

In the second quarter, we recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment of $34.3 million related to the Torgau facility as a result of ongoing weakness in European lumber, pallet and biofuel markets stemming from high interest rates and other economic conditions. We continue to expect to realize the synergies at Torgau as market and economic conditions improve. To position for improved markets, we continue to proceed with certain previously announced, high-return capital projects at the Torgau facility designed to increase the facility's lumber production capacity to approximately 440 million board feet and planing capacity to approximately 145 million board feet. The addition of planing capacity will allow us to produce more U.S. dimensional lumber while also providing us with the flexibility to shift production between pallets and planed goods in order to maximize profitability. These projects are currently progressing ahead of schedule and we expect to start to see their benefits in mid-2025.

 

In the second quarter of 2024, we had 44 days of downtime (approximately 77,600 ADMTs) at our pulp mills which included 37 days of planned major maintenance and seven additional days due to slower than expected start-up compared to no days of planned maintenance in the first quarter of 2024. We are currently planning for a total of 18 days of maintenance downtime (approximately 19,700 ADMTs) at our pulp mills in the third quarter of 2024.

 

Overall per unit fiber costs for both our pulp and solid wood segments were flat in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter and we currently expect stable per unit fiber costs for the third quarter of 2024.

 

In the second quarter, we continued to work towards fulfilling previously secured orders for large scale mass timber projects. We have seen tremendous growth in our mass timber business since last year, despite the challenging economic conditions in this high interest rate environment, and will continue to focus on project execution and growing the business. As part of our growth strategy, we are completing optimization projects at our Mercer Spokane facility which are expected to have a meaningful impact on our production costs."

 

Mr. Bueno concluded: "We are seeing the positive impact of strong pulp prices and stable costs in our operating results. Our solid wood segment continues to be negatively impacted by the high interest rate environment, but we

 


 

Page 3

 

remain committed to continue making strategic investments in this segment to ensure we are in a strong position as markets recover. With our strong liquidity position and the significant majority of our annual scheduled maintenance downtime completed, we currently believe we are well-positioned to realize on strengthened pulp markets going into the second half of 2024."

 

Consolidated Financial Results

 

Q2

 

 

Q1

 

 

Q2

 

 

YTD

 

 

YTD

 

 

2024

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenues

$

499,384

 

 

$

553,430

 

 

$

529,863

 

 

$

1,052,814

 

 

$

1,052,529

 

Operating loss

$

(43,779

)

 

$

(448

)

 

$

(108,832

)

 

$

(44,227

)

 

$

(128,953

)

Operating EBITDA

$

30,439

 

 

$

63,601

 

 

$

(68,680

)

 

$

94,040

 

 

$

(41,210

)

Net loss

$

(67,586

)

 

$

(16,703

)

 

$

(98,306

)

 

$

(84,289

)

 

$

(128,884

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(1.01

)

 

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(1.48

)

 

$

(1.26

)

 

$

(1.94

)

Diluted

$

(1.01

)

 

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(1.48

)

 

$

(1.26

)

 

$

(1.94

)

Consolidated – Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

Total revenues for the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 6% to $499.4 million from $529.9 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower pulp and lumber sales volumes partially offset by higher pulp sales realizations and manufactured products revenues.

Costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 15% to $543.2 million from $638.7 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of lower pulp and lumber sales volumes and lower per unit fiber, energy and chemical costs. In the second quarter of 2024, costs and expenses included a non-cash goodwill impairment of $34.3 million related to the Torgau facility, which was recognized as a result of ongoing weakness in lumber, pallet and biofuels markets in Europe stemming from high interest rates and other economic conditions. We continue to expect to realize the synergies from the Torgau acquisition as market and economic conditions improve. In the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory impairment of $51.4 million, which was partially offset by $22.0 million of insurance proceeds received relating to the 2021 turbine downtime at our Rosenthal mill and the July 2022 fire at our Stendal mill.

In the second quarter of 2024, Operating EBITDA increased to $30.4 million from negative Operating EBITDA of $68.7 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due higher pulp sales realizations and lower per unit fiber, energy and chemical costs. In the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory impairment which was partially offset by insurance proceeds received.

 


 

Page 4

 

Segment Results

Pulp

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Pulp revenues

$

346,808

 

 

$

374,175

 

Energy and chemical revenues

$

20,563

 

 

$

28,519

 

Operating income (loss)

$

4,481

 

 

$

(83,459

)

In the second quarter of 2024, pulp segment operating income increased to $4.5 million from an operating loss of $83.5 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher pulp sales realizations and lower per unit fiber and other production costs. In the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory impairment which was partially offset by insurance proceeds received.

Pulp segment revenues, which includes pulp, energy and chemical revenues, in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 9% to $367.4 million from $402.7 million in the same quarter of 2023 as a result of lower sales volumes and lower energy and chemical sales realizations partially offset by higher pulp sales realizations.

Pulp revenues in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 7% to $346.8 million from $374.2 million in the same quarter of 2023 due to lower sales volumes partially offset by higher sales realizations.

In the second quarter of 2024, third party industry quoted average list prices for NBSK pulp increased in both Europe and North America from the same quarter of 2023, including achieving a record list price of $1,635 per ADMT in Europe as of June 30, 2024. Third party industry quoted average net prices for NBSK pulp in China also increased from the same quarter of 2023. Our average NBSK pulp sales realizations in the second quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 15% to $811 per ADMT from $706 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2023. In the second quarter of 2024, average NBHK pulp sales realizations increased by approximately 16% to $701 per ADMT from $602 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2023.

Total pulp sales volumes in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 19% to 433,320 ADMTs from 536,878 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2023 primarily because of lower production, due to scheduled maintenance downtime and the disposal of CPP, and the timing of sales.

Energy and chemical revenues in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 28% to $20.6 million from $28.5 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower sales realizations and energy sales volumes.

Costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 25% to $364.0 million from $486.3 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily as a result of lower sales volumes and lower per unit fiber, energy

 


 

Page 5

 

and chemical costs. In the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory impairment of $51.4 million which was partially offset by $22.0 million of insurance proceeds received relating to the 2021 turbine downtime at our Rosenthal mill and the July 2022 fire at our Stendal mill.

Total pulp production in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 11% to 421,692 ADMTs compared with 475,615 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to higher production lost for annual maintenance downtime and the disposal of the CPP joint venture investment in the first quarter of 2024, partially offset by the market curtailment at the Peace River and CPP mills in the second quarter of 2023. We estimate that annual maintenance downtime in the second quarter of 2024 adversely impacted our operating income by approximately $60.2 million, comprised of approximately $44.9 million in direct out-of-pocket expenses and the balance in reduced production. Many of our competitors that report their results using International Financial Reporting Standards capitalize their direct costs of maintenance downtime.

On average, in the second quarter of 2024, overall per unit fiber costs decreased by approximately 15% compared to the same quarter of 2023 due to stable supply. We currently expect stable per unit fiber costs in the third quarter of 2024.

Solid Wood

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Lumber revenues

$

53,910

 

 

$

59,264

 

Energy revenues

$

4,301

 

 

$

5,360

 

Manufactured products revenues(1)

$

35,381

 

 

$

15,989

 

Pallet revenues

$

26,741

 

 

$

32,675

 

Biofuels revenues(2)

$

8,155

 

 

$

10,242

 

Wood residuals revenues

$

1,750

 

 

$

2,520

 

Operating loss

$

(43,679

)

 

$

(22,493

)

______________

(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 second quarter of 2024, our solid wood segment had an operating loss of $43.7 million compared to $22.5 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge partially offset by higher mass timber sales volumes and lower per unit fiber costs.

Solid wood segment revenues in the second quarter of 2024 modestly increased to $130.2 million from $126.1 million in the same quarter of 2023 driven by higher manufactured products revenues partially offset by lower revenues from our other products.

 


 

Page 6

 

Lumber revenues in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 9% to $53.9 million from $59.3 million in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower sales volumes partially offset by a modestly higher sales realization. Average lumber sales realizations in the second quarter of 2024 increased by approximately 5% to $463 per Mfbm from $443 per Mfbm in the same quarter of 2023 driven by a modest increase in demand in the U.S. market. In Europe, realized lumber prices were flat compared to the same quarter of 2023. The U.S. market accounted for approximately 45% of our lumber revenues and approximately 39% of our lumber sales volumes in the second quarter of 2024. The majority of the balance of our lumber sales were to Europe.

Lumber sales volumes in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 13% to 116.6 MMfbm from 133.9 MMfbm in the same quarter of 2023 primarily due to lower production and the timing of sales.

In the second quarter of 2024, as a result of the continued ramp-up of our mass timber business, manufactured products revenues more than doubled to $35.4 million from $16.0 million in the same quarter of 2023. Manufactured products sales realizations increased by approximately 31% to $2,942 per m3 in the second quarter of 2024 from $2,243 per m3 in the same quarter of 2023 as a result of higher CLT sales volumes, which generate higher sales realizations relative to other manufactured products.

Energy, biofuels and wood residuals revenues in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 22% to $14.2 million from $18.1 million in the same quarter of 2023 driven by lower sales realizations and sales volumes.

Pallet revenues in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 18% to $26.7 million from $32.7 million in the same quarter of 2023 due to lower sales volumes and sales realizations as weak economic conditions in Europe negatively impacted demand.

Lumber production in the second quarter of 2024 decreased by approximately 9% to 111.4 MMfbm from 122.3 MMfbm in the same quarter of 2023 driven by planned maintenance downtime.

Fiber costs were approximately 75% of our lumber cash production costs in the second quarter of 2024. In the second quarter of 2024, per unit fiber costs for lumber production decreased by approximately 12% compared to the same quarter of 2023 because of stable supply. We currently expect stable per unit fiber costs in the third quarter of 2024.

 


 

Page 7

 

Consolidated – Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

Total revenues for the first half of 2024 were flat compared to the same period of 2023 as higher manufactured products sales revenues and pulp sales volumes were offset by lower lumber sales volumes and lower energy, pallet and pulp sales realizations.

Costs and expenses in the first half of 2024 decreased by approximately 7% to $1,097.0 million from $1,181.5 million in the same period of 2023 primarily as a result of lower per unit fiber, energy and chemical costs partially offset by the non-cash goodwill impairment of $34.3 million and the non-cash loss on disposal of the CPP joint venture investment of $23.6 million. In the first half of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory impairment of $66.6 million which was partially offset by $29.5 million of insurance proceeds received.

In the first half of 2024, Operating EBITDA increased to $94.0 million from negative Operating EBITDA of $41.2 million in the same period of 2023 primarily due to lower per unit fiber, energy and chemical costs. In the first half of 2023, we recorded a non-cash inventory impairment which was partially offset by insurance proceeds received.

Liquidity

As of June 30, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $263.2 million, approximately $317.4 million available under our revolving credit facilities and aggregate liquidity of about $580.6 million.

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

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

263,173

 

 

$

313,992

 

Working capital

$

760,126

 

 

$

806,468

 

Total assets

$

2,484,462

 

 

$

2,662,578

 

Long-term liabilities

$

1,688,183

 

 

$

1,740,731

 

Total shareholders' equity

$

487,669

 

 

$

635,410

 

Quarterly Dividend

A quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share will be paid on October 3, 2024 to all shareholders of record on September 25, 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 August 9, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET. Listeners can access the conference call live and archived for 30 days over the Internet at

 


 

Page 8

 

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/3qmekae8/ 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

Chairman

(604) 684-1099

 

Juan Carlos Bueno

Chief Executive Officer

(604) 684-1099

 

-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-

 

 


 

Summary Financial Highlights

 

Q2

 

 

Q1

 

 

Q2

 

 

YTD

 

 

YTD

 

 

2024

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Pulp segment revenues

$

367,371

 

 

$

432,404

 

 

$

402,694

 

 

$

799,775

 

 

$

803,095

 

Solid wood segment revenues

 

130,238

 

 

 

119,023

 

 

 

126,050

 

 

 

249,261

 

 

 

247,064

 

Corporate and other revenues

 

1,775

 

 

 

2,003

 

 

 

1,119

 

 

 

3,778

 

 

 

2,370

 

Total revenues

$

499,384

 

 

$

553,430

 

 

$

529,863

 

 

$

1,052,814

 

 

$

1,052,529

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp segment operating income (loss)

$

4,481

 

 

$

17,447

 

 

$

(83,459

)

 

$

21,928

 

 

$

(70,688

)

Solid wood segment operating loss

 

(43,679

)

 

 

(13,706

)

 

 

(22,493

)

 

 

(57,385

)

 

 

(49,562

)

Corporate and other operating loss

 

(4,581

)

 

 

(4,189

)

 

 

(2,880

)

 

 

(8,770

)

 

 

(8,703

)

Total operating loss

$

(43,779

)

 

$

(448

)

 

$

(108,832

)

 

$

(44,227

)

 

$

(128,953

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp segment depreciation and amortization

$

27,193

 

 

$

27,373

 

 

$

27,783

 

 

$

54,566

 

 

$

55,182

 

Solid wood segment depreciation and amortization

 

12,526

 

 

 

12,811

 

 

 

12,126

 

 

 

25,337

 

 

 

32,024

 

Corporate and other depreciation and amortization

 

222

 

 

 

220

 

 

 

243

 

 

 

442

 

 

 

537

 

Total depreciation and amortization

$

39,941

 

 

$

40,404

 

 

$

40,152

 

 

$

80,345

 

 

$

87,743

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

$

30,439

 

 

$

63,601

 

 

$

(68,680

)

 

$

94,040

 

 

$

(41,210

)

Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture

$

 

 

$

23,645

 

 

$

 

 

$

23,645

 

 

$

 

Goodwill impairment

$

34,277

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

34,277

 

 

$

 

Income tax recovery (provision)

$

(1,263

)

 

$

6,365

 

 

$

27,479

 

 

$

5,102

 

 

$

32,835

 

Net loss

$

(67,586

)

 

$

(16,703

)

 

$

(98,306

)

 

$

(84,289

)

 

$

(128,884

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(1.01

)

 

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(1.48

)

 

$

(1.26

)

 

$

(1.94

)

Diluted

$

(1.01

)

 

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(1.48

)

 

$

(1.26

)

 

$

(1.94

)

Common shares outstanding at period end

 

66,871

 

 

 

66,850

 

 

 

66,525

 

 

 

66,871

 

 

 

66,525

 

 

 

1


 

Summary Operating Highlights

 

Q2

 

 

Q1

 

 

Q2

 

 

YTD

 

 

YTD

 

 

2024

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Pulp Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

357.8

 

 

 

453.2

 

 

 

450.7

 

 

 

811.0

 

 

 

880.7

 

NBHK

 

63.9

 

 

 

85.7

 

 

 

24.9

 

 

 

149.6

 

 

 

97.3

 

Annual maintenance downtime ('000 ADMTs)

 

64.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.5

 

 

 

64.9

 

 

 

38.0

 

Annual maintenance downtime (days)

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

35

 

Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

377.6

 

 

 

488.2

 

 

 

473.6

 

 

 

865.8

 

 

 

852.1

 

NBHK

 

55.7

 

 

 

77.5

 

 

 

63.3

 

 

 

133.2

 

 

 

120.7

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

1,602

 

 

 

1,400

 

 

 

1,247

 

 

 

1,501

 

 

 

1,312

 

China

 

811

 

 

 

745

 

 

 

668

 

 

 

778

 

 

 

780

 

North America

 

1,697

 

 

 

1,440

 

 

 

1,510

 

 

 

1,568

 

 

 

1,593

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China

 

735

 

 

 

662

 

 

 

483

 

 

 

698

 

 

 

597

 

North America

 

1,437

 

 

 

1,223

 

 

 

1,277

 

 

 

1,330

 

 

 

1,400

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

811

 

 

 

732

 

 

 

706

 

 

 

766

 

 

 

769

 

NBHK

 

701

 

 

 

631

 

 

 

602

 

 

 

660

 

 

 

700

 

Energy production ('000 MWh)(3)

 

493.9

 

 

 

576.4

 

 

 

538.3

 

 

 

1,070.4

 

 

 

1,073.0

 

Energy sales ('000 MWh)(3)

 

185.0

 

 

 

220.6

 

 

 

207.7

 

 

 

405.5

 

 

 

404.6

 

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

 

84

 

 

 

88

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

114

 

Solid Wood Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lumber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production (MMfbm)

 

111.4

 

 

 

127.0

 

 

 

122.3

 

 

 

238.4

 

 

 

256.3

 

Sales (MMfbm)

 

116.6

 

 

 

121.4

 

 

 

133.9

 

 

 

238.0

 

 

 

273.7

 

Average sales realizations ($/Mfbm)

 

463

 

 

 

460

 

 

 

443

 

 

 

461

 

 

 

436

 

Energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and sales ('000 MWh)

 

33.7

 

 

 

38.7

 

 

 

41.9

 

 

 

72.4

 

 

 

82.4

 

Average sales realizations ($/MWh)

 

128

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

134

 

Manufactured products(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 cubic meters)

 

11.1

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

18.4

 

 

 

4.0

 

Sales ('000 cubic meters)

 

11.2

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

15.2

 

 

 

10.4

 

Average sales realizations ($/cubic meters)

 

2,942

 

 

 

3,644

 

 

 

2,243

 

 

 

3,128

 

 

 

1,587

 

Pallets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 units)

 

2,547.8

 

 

 

3,056.3

 

 

 

2,747.2

 

 

 

5,604.1

 

 

 

5,627.4

 

Sales ('000 units)

 

2,570.4

 

 

 

2,916.3

 

 

 

2,882.7

 

 

 

5,486.7

 

 

 

5,825.2

 

Average sales realizations ($/unit)

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

12

 

Biofuels(5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes)

 

41.0

 

 

 

37.9

 

 

 

43.6

 

 

 

78.9

 

 

 

76.2

 

Sales ('000 tonnes)

 

40.4

 

 

 

48.2

 

 

 

40.4

 

 

 

88.6

 

 

 

66.2

 

Average sales realizations ($/tonne)

 

202

 

 

 

234

 

 

 

254

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

277

 

Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ / €(6)

 

1.0766

 

 

 

1.0855

 

 

 

1.0888

 

 

 

1.0810

 

 

 

1.0810

 

$ / C$(6)

 

0.7310

 

 

 

0.7415

 

 

 

0.7447

 

 

 

0.7362

 

 

 

0.7420

 

______________

(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
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Revenues

 

$

499,384

 

 

$

529,863

 

 

$

1,052,814

 

 

$

1,052,529

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

 

439,220

 

 

 

566,200

 

 

 

897,402

 

 

 

1,027,538

 

Cost of sales depreciation and amortization

 

 

39,877

 

 

 

40,103

 

 

 

80,227

 

 

 

87,601

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

29,789

 

 

 

32,392

 

 

 

61,490

 

 

 

66,343

 

Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,645

 

 

 

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

34,277

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,277

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

 

(43,779

)

 

 

(108,832

)

 

 

(44,227

)

 

 

(128,953

)

Other income (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(26,843

)

 

 

(20,091

)

 

 

(54,402

)

 

 

(39,138

)

Other income

 

 

4,299

 

 

 

3,138

 

 

 

9,238

 

 

 

6,372

 

Total other expenses, net

 

 

(22,544

)

 

 

(16,953

)

 

 

(45,164

)

 

 

(32,766

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(66,323

)

 

 

(125,785

)

 

 

(89,391

)

 

 

(161,719

)

Income tax recovery (provision)

 

 

(1,263

)

 

 

27,479

 

 

 

5,102

 

 

 

32,835

 

Net loss

 

$

(67,586

)

 

$

(98,306

)

 

$

(84,289

)

 

$

(128,884

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(1.01

)

 

$

(1.48

)

 

$

(1.26

)

 

$

(1.94

)

Diluted

 

$

(1.01

)

 

$

(1.48

)

 

$

(1.26

)

 

$

(1.94

)

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.075

 

 

$

0.075

 

 

$

0.150

 

 

$

0.150

 

 

 

3


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

263,173

 

 

$

313,992

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

344,819

 

 

 

306,166

 

Inventories

 

 

399,515

 

 

 

414,161

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

26,177

 

 

 

23,461

 

Assets classified as held for sale

 

 

35,052

 

 

 

35,125

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,068,736

 

 

 

1,092,905

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

1,332,414

 

 

 

1,409,937

 

Investment in joint ventures

 

 

3,984

 

 

 

41,665

 

Amortizable intangible assets, net

 

 

54,548

 

 

 

52,641

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

 

 

35,381

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

9,432

 

 

 

11,725

 

Pension asset

 

 

5,458

 

 

 

5,588

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

9,890

 

 

 

12,736

 

Total assets

 

$

2,484,462

 

 

$

2,662,578

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other

 

$

300,550

 

 

$

278,986

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

798

 

 

 

826

 

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

 

 

7,262

 

 

 

6,625

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

308,610

 

 

 

286,437

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,569,068

 

 

 

1,609,425

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

12,425

 

 

 

12,483

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

5,973

 

 

 

7,755

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

13,343

 

 

 

13,744

 

Deferred income tax

 

 

87,374

 

 

 

97,324

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,996,793

 

 

 

2,027,168

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares $1 par value; 200,000,000 authorized; 66,871,000 issued and outstanding (2023 – 66,525,000)

 

 

66,850

 

 

 

66,471

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

362,313

 

 

 

359,497

 

Retained earnings

 

 

241,795

 

 

 

336,113

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(183,289

)

 

 

(126,671

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

487,669

 

 

 

635,410

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

2,484,462

 

 

$

2,662,578

 

 

4


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(67,586

)

 

$

(98,306

)

 

$

(84,289

)

 

$

(128,884

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

39,941

 

 

 

40,152

 

 

 

80,345

 

 

 

87,743

 

Deferred income tax provision (recovery)

 

 

7,322

 

 

 

(34,105

)

 

 

(6,104

)

 

 

(44,049

)

Inventory impairment

 

 

 

 

 

51,400

 

 

 

 

 

 

66,600

 

Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,645

 

 

 

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

34,277

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,277

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

431

 

 

 

451

 

 

 

641

 

 

 

897

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

1,403

 

 

 

1,387

 

 

 

3,432

 

 

 

2,613

 

Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)

 

 

(3,382

)

 

 

224

 

 

 

(6,831

)

 

 

494

 

Other

 

 

1,389

 

 

 

(5,452

)

 

 

2,116

 

 

 

(6,601

)

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

 

 

(288

)

 

 

(1,318

)

 

 

(617

)

 

 

(1,565

)

Changes in working capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

21,929

 

 

 

12,168

 

 

 

(41,800

)

 

 

23,510

 

Inventories

 

 

4,506

 

 

 

58,880

 

 

 

4,595

 

 

 

(27,554

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

15,718

 

 

 

(7,490

)

 

 

18,108

 

 

 

(7,181

)

Other

 

 

6,525

 

 

 

(3,293

)

 

 

5,473

 

 

 

(975

)

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

 

 

62,185

 

 

 

14,698

 

 

 

32,991

 

 

 

(34,952

)

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(17,883

)

 

 

(39,482

)

 

 

(36,344

)

 

 

(72,911

)

Acquisition, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(82,100

)

 

 

 

 

 

(82,100

)

Property insurance proceeds

 

 

 

 

 

2,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,710

 

Proceeds from government grants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

787

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

(2,271

)

 

 

1,120

 

 

 

(2,081

)

 

 

1,925

 

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

 

 

(20,154

)

 

 

(117,752

)

 

 

(37,638

)

 

 

(150,376

)

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facilities, net

 

 

(44,965

)

 

 

24,305

 

 

 

(35,840

)

 

 

54,407

 

Dividend payments

 

 

(5,014

)

 

 

(4,982

)

 

 

(5,014

)

 

 

(4,982

)

Payment of finance lease obligations

 

 

(2,687

)

 

 

(1,898

)

 

 

(4,876

)

 

 

(3,787

)

Other

 

 

(614

)

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(729

)

 

 

(229

)

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

 

 

(53,280

)

 

 

17,310

 

 

 

(46,459

)

 

 

45,409

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

150

 

 

 

(1,478

)

 

 

287

 

 

 

(775

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(11,099

)

 

 

(87,222

)

 

 

(50,819

)

 

 

(140,694

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

274,272

 

 

 

300,560

 

 

 

313,992

 

 

 

354,032

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

263,173

 

 

$

213,338

 

 

$

263,173

 

 

$

213,338

 

 

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:

 

 

Q2

 

 

Q1

 

 

Q2

 

 

YTD

 

 

YTD

 

 

2024

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Net loss

$

(67,586

)

 

$

(16,703

)

 

$

(98,306

)

 

$

(84,289

)

 

$

(128,884

)

Income tax provision (recovery)

 

1,263

 

 

 

(6,365

)

 

 

(27,479

)

 

 

(5,102

)

 

 

(32,835

)

Interest expense

 

26,843

 

 

 

27,559

 

 

 

20,091

 

 

 

54,402

 

 

 

39,138

 

Other income

 

(4,299

)

 

 

(4,939

)

 

 

(3,138

)

 

 

(9,238

)

 

 

(6,372

)

Operating loss

 

(43,779

)

 

 

(448

)

 

 

(108,832

)

 

 

(44,227

)

 

 

(128,953

)

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

39,941

 

 

 

40,404

 

 

 

40,152

 

 

 

80,345

 

 

 

87,743

 

Add: Loss on disposal of investment in joint venture

 

 

 

 

23,645

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,645

 

 

 

 

Goodwill impairment

 

34,277

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,277

 

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

$

30,439

 

 

$

63,601

 

 

$

(68,680

)

 

$

94,040

 

 

$

(41,210

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6


v3.24.2.u1
Document and Entity Information
Aug. 08, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date Aug. 08, 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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