Forest and paper industry rebounding in Canada, US, Europe, with stronger results in Q4 2013 than a year earlier; Canadian companies benefited from weaker Canadian dollar, growth in US housing starts, while US saw better pricing, productivity gains: PwC

Aimee Bellah

VANCOUVER, British Columbia , March 24, 2014 (press release) – Innovation & adapting to changing technology key to future growth

Canadian forest and paper companies are turning the corner and returning to profitability, according to PwC’s Global Forest and Paper Industry Net Earnings Summary for the quarter ending December 31, 2013 released by PwC today.

This survey of public companies shows that most Canadian companies achieved generally positive results in the fourth quarter, particularly when compared to 2012 performance. For example, the net earnings of nine selected Canadian western-based companies increased from $10.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, to $48.3 million in Q4 2013. The net earnings of four eastern-based companies went from red to black, improving from a loss of $57.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 to earnings of $7.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

“This quarter was a pivotal time for Canadian forest and paper companies. After a long period of recovery, these results provide optimism for the industry moving into 2014,” says Bruce McIntyre, Leader of PwC’s Forest, Paper and Packaging industry practice in Canada. “In addition to improving market conditions, Canadian manufacturers have also benefitted from a weakening Canadian dollar.”

Furthermore, US housing starts continued their steady recovery with about 18% growth in 2013. Although severe winter weather conditions throughout eastern North America slowed housing construction in December, prices for structural building materials remained strong in the last quarter. Softwood pulp prices also remained strong due to low inventories and steady demand, while hardwood pulp was kept in check due to higher inventories. Newsprint prices remained steady through the quarter.

In the US, improved pricing and productivity gains allowed the nine US-based forest and paper companies in the survey to post strong results. Net earnings of US $2.2 billion for the fourth quarter of 2013 are up from US $0.9 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Internationally, European based companies, which experienced significant net losses (€ 972.3 million) in Q4 2012, had much stronger results with net earnings of € 243.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2013, based on the eight companies surveyed. The six Japanese companies in the survey also had a profitable quarter, with earnings of US $321.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared with earnings of $459.7 million for the same period in 2012.

“Forest and paper companies should leverage these positive results from the last quarter to help position the industry for future growth. However, industry executives are still concerned about the possibility of tough times ahead due to a variety of economic and business risks as reported in PwC’s 17th Annual Global CEO Survey. A key area of focus is adapting more quickly to changing technology,” adds McIntyre.

Bruce McIntyre will be chairing PwC's 27th Annual Global Forest Industry Conference on May 6, 2014 in Vancouver, BC, where the industry’s financial performance and opportunities for sustainable growth will be discussed under the theme of “Building for the Future”.

For more information, please visit www.pwc.com/ca/fpp. A copy of results from PwC’s Net Earnings Summary is also available from the media contacts.

Follow PwC on Twitter at @PwC_Canada_LLP and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pwccanada.

About PwC Canada
PwC Canada helps organizations and individuals create the value they’re looking for. More than 5,700 partners and staff in offices across the country are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax, consulting and deals services. PwC Canada is a member of the PwC network of firms with more than 180,000 people in 158 countries. Find out more by visiting us at www.pwc.com/ca.

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