Domtar reports Q4 net earnings fall to US$61M from US$325M in year-ago period, citing closure and restructuring costs, Q4 2010 tax credit of US$127M; net sales flat at US$1.37B
Sandy Yang
MONTREAL
,
February 3, 2012
(press release)
–
Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS - News) (TSX: UFS - News) today reported net earnings of $61 million ($1.63 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to net earnings of $117 million ($2.95 per share) for the third quarter of 2011 and net earnings of $325 million ($7.59 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2010. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 amounted to $1.4 billion. Excluding items listed below, the Company had earnings before items1 of $93 million ($2.49 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to earnings before items1 of $123 million ($3.10 per share) for the third quarter of 2011 and earnings before items1 of $103 million ($2.41 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2010.
Fourth quarter 2011 items:
Closure and restructuring costs of $38 million ($23 million after tax) mostly related to the restructuring of certain U.S. pension benefit plans; and
Charge of $12 million ($9 million after tax) related to the impairment and write-down of property, plant and equipment.
Third quarter 2011 items:
Gains on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $4 million ($3 million after tax);
Charge of $8 million ($4 million after tax) related to the impairment and write-down of property, plant and equipment;
Premium paid on debt repurchase of $4 million ($3 million after tax);
Closure and restructuring costs of $1 million ($1 million after tax); and
Negative impact of purchase accounting of $1 million ($1 million after tax).
Fourth quarter 2010 items:
Benefit from cellulosic biofuel producer income tax credit of $127 million;
Benefit from reversal of a valuation allowance on Canadian deferred income tax assets of $100 million;
Costs for debt repurchase of $7 million ($4 million after tax); and
Closure and restructuring costs of $1 million ($1 million after tax).
"Our pulp earnings were affected by the rapid decline in global pulp prices while earnings from our paper business were impacted by the typical seasonal slowdown of the fourth quarter. Nevertheless, our fourth quarter results are good results and I am pleased to see the Attends business perform to expectations," said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer.
FISCAL YEAR 2011 HIGHLIGHTS
For fiscal year 2011, net earnings amounted to $365 million ($9.08 per share) compared to net earnings of $605 million ($14.00 per share) for fiscal year 2010. The Company had earnings before items1 of $452 million ($11.24 per share) for fiscal 2011 compared to earnings before items1 of $471 million ($10.90 per share) for fiscal 2010. Sales amounted to $5.6 billion for fiscal year 2011.
Commenting on the 2011 performance, Mr. Williams said, "Looking back at 2011, we delivered another strong performance. The second half was slightly more challenging due to the decline in pulp prices however we maintained our volumes. This solid performance enabled us to pursue our commitment to returning a majority of free cash flow to shareholders. In 2011, we returned over $543 million or $13.50 per share, representing 73% of total free cash flow1, through a combination of share buyback and regular dividends."
QUARTERLY REVIEW
Operating income before items1 was $148 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to an operating income before items1 of $193 million in the third quarter of 2011. Depreciation and amortization totaled $95 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
In December 2011, Domtar signed a four-year master agreement with the United Steelworkers that covers approximately 3,000 hourly employees at nine different locations in the United States. Per the agreement, Domtar is restructuring the pension plans covering these negotiated employees. This will result in Domtar's withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan and the transition of all covered employees not grandfathered under the existing defined-benefit pension plans to a defined-contribution pension plan for future service. As a result, Domtar incurred a $41 million charge recorded under Closure and restructuring costs.
(In millions of dollars)
4Q 2011
3Q 2011
Sales
$1,369
$1,417
Operating income (loss)
Pulp and Paper segment
92
189
Distribution segment
-
(1)
Personal Care segment
7
-
Corporate
-
(1)
Total
99
187
Operating income before items1
148
193
Depreciation and amortization
95
93
The decrease in operating income before items1 in the fourth quarter of 2011 was the result of lower average selling prices for pulp, lower shipments for paper and higher energy costs. These factors were partially offset by lower maintenance costs, lower freight costs, the positive impact of a weaker Canadian dollar and the inclusion of Attends' earnings for a full quarter.
When compared to the third quarter of 2011, paper shipments decreased 6.5% and pulp shipments increased 12.6%. Paper deliveries of ArivaTM decreased 8% when compared to the third quarter of 2011. The shipments-to-production ratio for paper was 95% in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to 102% in the third quarter of 2011. Paper inventories increased by 40,000 tons while pulp inventories decreased by 25,000 metric tons as at the end of December, compared to September levels.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL
Cash flow provided from operating activities amounted to $883 million and capital expenditures amounted to $144 million, resulting in free cash flow1 of $739 million for fiscal 2011. Domtar's net debt-to-total capitalization ratio1 stood at 12% at December 31, 2011 compared to 9% at December 31, 2010.
OUTLOOK
Prices for pulp are still expected to remain under pressure in certain geographies while market dynamics in the Asian markets are stabilizing. In fine papers, North American demand is expected to decline at a 2-4% rate in 2012, consistent with long-term trends. Any acceleration in employment growth may help mitigate the structural decline in paper demand. Inflation on input costs is expected to be moderate in 2012.
About Domtar
Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS - News) (TSX: UFS - News) is the largest integrated manufacturer and marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America and the second largest in the world based on production capacity, and is also a manufacturer of papergrade, fluff and specialty pulp. The Company designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a wide range of business, commercial printing and publishing as well as converting and specialty papers including recognized brands such as Cougar®, Lynx® Opaque Ultra, Husky® Opaque Offset, First Choice® and Domtar EarthChoice® Office Paper, part of a family of environmentally and socially responsible papers. Domtar also produces a complete line of incontinence care products and distributes washcloths marketed primarily under the Attends® brand name. Domtar owns and operates ArivaTM, an extensive network of strategically located paper distribution facilities. The Company employs approximately 8,700 people. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.
Domtar Corporation
Highlights
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)
Three months ended
December 31
Three months ended
December 31
Twelve months ended
December 31
Twelve months ended
December 31
2011
2010
2011
2010
(Unaudited)
$
$
$
$
Selected Segment Information
Sales
Pulp and Paper
1,177
1,212
4,953
5,070
Distribution
177
212
781
870
Personal Care
54
-
71
-
Wood
-
-
-
150
Total for reportable segments
1,408
1,424
5,805
6,090
Intersegment sales - Pulp and Paper
(39)
(51)
(193)
(229)
Intersegment sales - Wood
-
-
-
(11)
Consolidated sales
1,369
1,373
5,612
5,850
Depreciation and amortization and impairment and write-down of property, plant and equipment
Pulp and Paper
91
94
368
381
Distribution
1
1
4
4
Personal Care
3
-
4
-
Wood
-
-
-
10
Total for reportable segments
95
95
376
395
Impairment and write-down of property, plant and equipment - Pulp and Paper
12
-
85
50
Consolidated depreciation and amortization and impairment and write-down
of property, plant and equipment 107
95
461
445
Operating income (loss)
Pulp and Paper
92
161
581
667
Distribution
-
(3)
-
(3)
Personal Care
7
-
7
-
Wood
-
-
-
(54)
Corporate
-
(3)
4
(7)
Consolidated operating income
99
155
592
603
Interest expense, net
20
29
87
155
Earnings before income taxes and equity earnings
79
126
505
448
Income tax expense (benefit)
11
(199)
133
(157)
Equity loss, net of taxes
7
-
7
-
Net earnings
61
325
365
605
Per common share (in dollars)
Net earnings
Basic
1.64
7.67
9.15
14.14
Diluted
1.63
7.59
9.08
14.00
Weighted average number of common and exchangeable shares outstanding (millions)
Basic
37.1
42.4
39.9
42.8
Diluted
37.4
42.8
40.2
43.2
Cash flows provided from operating activities
172
166
883
1,166
Additions to property, plant and equipment
80
41
144
153
Domtar Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)
Three months ended
December 31
Three months ended
December 31
Twelve months ended
December 31
Twelve months ended
December 31
2011
2010
2011
2010
(Unaudited)
$
$
$
$
Sales
1,369
1,373
5,612
5,850
Operating expenses
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization
1,039
1,020
4,171
4,417
Depreciation and amortization
95
95
376
395
Selling, general and administrative
87
94
340
338
Impairment and write-down of property, plant and equipment
12
-
85
50
Closure and restructuring costs
38
1
52
27
Other operating loss (income), net
(1)
8
(4)
20
1,270
1,218
5,020
5,247
Operating income
99
155
592
603
Interest expense, net
20
29
87
155
Earnings before income taxes and equity earnings
79
126
505
448
Income tax expense (benefit)
11
(199)
133
(157)
Equity loss, net of taxes
7
-
7
-
Net earnings
61
325
365
605
Per common share (in dollars)
Net earnings
Basic
1.64
7.67
9.15
14.14
Diluted
1.63
7.59
9.08
14.00
Weighted average number of common and exchangeable shares outstanding (millions)
Basic
37.1
42.4
39.9
42.8
Diluted
37.4
42.8
40.2
43.2
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