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Weyerhaeuser Reports Lower 2nd Quarter Earnings
July 25, 2006 (Press Release) - Weyerhaeuser Company today reported second quarter net earnings of $314 million, or
$1.26 per diluted share, on net sales of $5.7 billion. This compares with $420
million, or $1.71 per diluted share, on net sales of $5.7 billion for the
second quarter 2005.
Second quarter 2006 earnings include the following after-tax items:
-- A charge of $12 million, or 5 cents per diluted share, related to the
restructuring of the Containerboard, Packaging and Recycling business
model.
-- A charge of $11 million, or 4 cents per diluted share, related to the
closure of facilities.
In addition, net earnings for second quarter 2006 include a one-time tax
benefit of $48 million, or 19 cents per diluted share, related to a change in
Texas state income tax law, a reduction in the Canadian federal income tax
rate and a deferred tax adjustment related to the Medicare Part D subsidy.
Second quarter 2005 earnings include the following after-tax items:
-- A gain of $110 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, related to the
sale of the company's operations in coastal British Columbia.
-- A charge of $44 million, or 18 cents per diluted share, related to a
planned repatriation of $1.1 billion of eligible Canadian earnings
under the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.
-- The recognition of $37 million, or 15 cents per diluted share of a
deferred gain from previous timberlands sales.
-- A charge of $12 million, or 5 cents per diluted share, related to
litigation.
"The recovery in the paper markets was welcomed after a period of
challenging quarters for those businesses," said Steven R. Rogel, chairman,
president and chief executive officer. "At the same time, we can't rely on
market conditions to improve our earnings performance. That's why we're being
proactive and taking steps such as changing the business model of our
integrated packaging business. This exciting initiative is starting to pay
dividends and provides a glimpse into other changes we're making in how we go
to market."
SUMMARY OF SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Millions (except per share data)
2Q 2006 2Q 2005 Change
Net earnings $314 $420 ($106)
Earnings per diluted share $1.26 $1.71 ($0.45)
Net sales $5,687 $5,713 ($26)
SEGMENT RESULTS FOR SECOND QUARTER
(Contributions to Pre-Tax Earnings)
Millions 2Q 2006 2Q 2005 Change
Timberlands $224 $210 $14
Wood Products $131 $204 ($73)
Cellulose Fiber and White Papers $23 $16 $7
Containerboard, Packaging and
Recycling $74 $99 ($25)
Real Estate and Related Assets $123 $156 ($33)
TIMBERLANDS
2Q 2006 1Q 2006 Change
Contribution to pre-tax
earnings (millions) $224 $198 $26
Second quarter earnings improved from first quarter due to the realization
of slightly higher log prices and the timing of portfolio improvement sales of
non-strategic properties. Operating costs increased in both the West and South
primarily due to higher fuel prices. Third quarter earnings are expected to be lower than the second quarter
due to seasonally reduced harvest and sales activity, softening domestic log
prices and lower sales of non-strategic properties.
WOOD PRODUCTS
2Q 2006 1Q 2006 Change
Contribution to pre-tax
earnings (millions) $131 $117 $14
Earnings in the second quarter of 2006 improved from first quarter due to
seasonal increases in shipment volumes for all major product lines despite a
decline in residential construction activity. Average prices realized for
oriented strand board and engineered lumber declined from the first quarter,
partially offset by an increase for composite panels. Average prices realized
for lumber were unchanged from first quarter. Manufacturing costs for lumber and oriented strand board remained constant
quarter to quarter, and manufacturing costs for composite products declined,
primarily due to moderating natural gas and resin prices. The company incurred $10 million in countervailing and anti-dumping duties
and related costs on Canadian softwood lumber the company sold into the United
States in the second quarter of 2006, compared with $11 million in the first
quarter. Weyerhaeuser expects substantially lower third quarter earnings from
ongoing wood products operations compared with second quarter due to declining
prices. The company expects to recognize a gain on the sale of the North
American composite mills during the third quarter.
CELLULOSE FIBER AND WHITE PAPERS
2Q 2006 1Q 2006 Change
Contribution (charge) to
pre-tax earnings (millions) $23 ($763) $786
First quarter 2006 results included a $746 million impairment of fine
paper goodwill. Second quarter included pre-tax charges of $11 million
associated with the closure of the Prince Albert facility. Excluding these
items, earnings improved $51 million from first quarter. Fine paper and cellulose fiber products both experienced stronger market
conditions, resulting in the realization of higher prices. Fine paper sales
volumes reflected the closures of the Prince Albert and Dryden No.1 paper
machine operations. Cellulose fiber sales volumes were flat compared to first
quarter. Second quarter manufacturing costs for fine paper increased significantly
due to extended annual maintenance mill shutdowns and major power
interruptions at Plymouth, N.C. Energy and chip costs improved across the
segment; however this was partially offset by the continued negative effect of
the Canadian exchange rate on the cost of Canadian operations. Weyerhaeuser expects the segment to show continued improved performance in
third quarter. The company expects to realize the full effect of price
increases implemented during second quarter and the additional benefit of
price increases announced for third quarter. Manufacturing costs are expected
to decrease due to fewer scheduled maintenance shutdowns and improved
operating performance.
CONTAINERBOARD, PACKAGING AND RECYCLING
2Q 2006 1Q 2006 Change
Contribution to pre-tax
earnings (millions) $74 $22 $52
Second quarter 2006 results included pre-tax charges of $18 million for
charges associated with changes to the segment's business model and pre-tax
charges of $5 million related to facility closures. Excluding these items,
earnings improved $75 million compared with first quarter. Second quarter earnings improved primarily due to the realization of
containerboard and packaging price increases coupled with higher packaging
shipments. Packaging shipments increased despite the closure of seven
packaging facilities since December. Manufacturing costs declined from first
quarter levels mainly due to moderating natural gas costs and increased asset
utilization. The market conditions for OCC (old corrugated containers) drove
costs significantly higher during the second quarter. Weyerhaeuser expects continued earnings improvement from this segment in
the third quarter due primarily to the full realization of previous price
increases, partially offset by escalating OCC costs.
REAL ESTATE AND RELATED ASSETS
2Q 2006 1Q 2006 Change
Contribution to pre-tax
earnings (millions) $123 $172 ($49)
First quarter results included pre-tax land sales earnings of
approximately $33 million and pre-tax gains related to insurance recoveries
and partnership restructuring of $17 million. Excluding these items, total
earnings were relatively unchanged from first quarter. The number of single-family homes closed in second quarter increased
seasonally compared with first quarter. Despite lower margins, single family
earnings increased seasonally but were offset by higher operating costs. The
backlog of homes sold, but not closed, at the end of the second quarter
represents more than five months' sales. Weyerhaeuser expects third quarter real estate and related earnings to
approximate second quarter activity.
ABOUT WEYERHAEUSER
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest integrated forest
products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2005, sales were $22.6
billion. It has offices or operations in 18 countries, with customers
worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting
of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real
estate construction, development and related activities.
SOURCE: Weyerhaeuser Company
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