Sales volumes were 322,265 tons in the third quarter of 2026, a decrease of 1% compared to 324,198 tons in the third quarter of 2025.
Oct. 26, 2026 - Clearwater Paper Corporation (NYSE:CLW) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
"We delivered strong commercial execution during the quarter, with average selling prices increasing versus the second quarter. We successfully implemented our first announced price increase and continue to make meaningful progress on implementing the second increase," said Arsen Kitch, president and chief executive officer. "Our volumes and costs were negatively affected by a significant operational disruption at our Augusta mill late in the third quarter, with the impact being largely offset by a portion of RWI settlements. Operational Issues have continued into October, but we are making progress getting the mill back to normal operating conditions."
OVERALL RESULTS
For the third quarter of 2026, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $385 million, compared to $399 million in the third quarter of 2025. The company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share for the quarter, compared to net loss from continuing operations of $54 million, or $3.34 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $24 million for the third quarter of 2026 compared to $18 million in the third quarter of 2025. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was due to the timing of our major maintenance outage at our Lewiston facility offset by reduced sales prices. The Lewiston outage occurred in the third quarter of 2025 as compared to the second quarter of 2026.
For the nine months of 2026, Clearwater Paper reported net sales of $1.1 billion compared to $1.2 billion for the nine months of 2025. The company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $36 million, or $2.23 per diluted share for the nine months of 2026, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $56 million, or $3.47 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $18 million for the nine months of 2026 compared to $87 million in the first nine months of 2025. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was due to the impact of a weather event during the first quarter of 2026 and reduced sales prices offset by higher sales volumes.
Sales volumes and prices:
Sales volumes were 322,265 tons in the third quarter of 2026, a decrease of 1% compared to 324,198 tons in the third quarter of 2025. Sales volumes were 953,906 tons in the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 4% compared to 918,399 tons in the first nine months of 2025.
Paperboard average net selling price decreased 4% to $1,111 per ton for the third quarter of 2026, compared to $1,160 per ton in the third quarter of 2025. Paperboard average net selling price decreased 7% to $1,096 per ton for the first nine months of 2026, compared to $1,176 per ton in the first nine months of 2025.
COMPANY OUTLOOK
"We are optimistic about a continued recovery in SBS industry conditions, even as we face cost headwinds in transportation and chemicals. RISI is forecasting improved pricing later this quarter and into next year, which should help us recover some of the cost increases that we've faced and put us on the path towards our cross-cycle Adjusted EBITDA margins and cash flows," concluded Kitch.
Clearwater Paper is a premier independent supplier of paperboard packaging products to North American converters. Headquartered in Spokane, Washington, the company produces high-quality paperboard that provides sustainable packaging solutions for consumer goods and food service applications.
SOURCE: Clearwater Paper Corporation