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Verso Paper Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2012 Results

Thursday 07. March 2013 - Verso Paper Corp. (NYSE: VRS) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012. Results for the quarters ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 include:

“As we enter 2013, we are seeing operating rates being sustained at levels above 90% and volumes and pricing at or above our forecasted levels for the first quarter. For the full year we remain cautious as the U.S. economy remains sluggish.”
Operating income of $60.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to operating loss of $36.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Net income of $25.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, or $0.48 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $67.9 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011.
EBITDA of $87.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to ($4.9) million in the fourth quarter of 2011, and Adjusted EBITDA before pro forma effects of profitability program of $41.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to $47.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 (Note: Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined and reconciled to net income later in this release).
Overview
Verso’s net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 decreased $89.3 million, or 19.8%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, reflecting a 17.0% decline in total sales volume, which was driven by the closure of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year, as well as a 3.4% decrease in the average sales price per ton for all of our products. Verso’s gross margin was 14.0% for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 12.6% for the fourth quarter of 2011.
Verso reported net income of $25.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2012, or $0.48 per diluted share, which included $47.4 million of net gains from special items, or $0.90 per diluted share, primarily due to proceeds from the insurance settlement related to the fire and explosion at our Sartell mill. Verso had a net loss of $67.9 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011, which included $51.5 million of charges from special items, or $0.98 per diluted share.
“In the fourth quarter we experienced our normal seasonal slowdown in demand. Despite this, our year end inventories and order book were in good condition as we entered 2013. Pricing was stable during the fourth quarter in our major grades and market pulp prices began to recover. Adjusted EBITDA of $41.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 was below the prior year same period level of $47.7 million. This was a significant result after the consideration of a 17% drop in volume related to capacity closures across our system and a decline in average selling prices. The work we continue to put into our ‘R Gap’ process to lower our manufacturing costs and other cost control measures across our system helped us to offset the impacts of these lower volumes and prices, as reflected in our year over year results,” said David Paterson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verso.
“As we enter 2013, we are seeing operating rates being sustained at levels above 90% and volumes and pricing at or above our forecasted levels for the first quarter. For the full year we remain cautious as the U.S. economy remains sluggish.”
Verso’s net sales for 2012 decreased $247.9 million, or 14.4%, compared to 2011, reflecting an 11.1% decrease in volume for all of our products, which was driven by the shutdown of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year, as well as a 3.7% decrease in sales prices compared to 2011.
For the year ended December 31, 2012, Verso recorded special items totaling $57.8 million, or $1.09 per diluted share, primarily related to restructuring costs associated with the closure of our Sartell mill, offset by the proceeds from the insurance settlement related to the fire and explosion at our Sartell mill. For the year ended December 31, 2011, special items of $82.8 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, were primarily related to restructuring costs associated with the shutdown of three paper machines, losses related to debt refinancing, goodwill impairment, and the negative impact of de-designating certain hedges.
Excluding special items, net loss was $116.0 million, or adjusted diluted loss per share of $2.19, for the year ended December 31, 2012. Excluding special items, net loss was $54.3 million, or adjusted diluted loss per share of $1.02, for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Summary Results
Results of Operations – Comparison of the Fourth Quarter of 2012 to the Fourth Quarter of 2011
Net Sales. Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 decreased 19.8%, to $361.0 million from $450.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Total sales volume was down 17.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2011, which was driven by the shutdown of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year, as well as a 3.4% decrease in the average sales price per ton for all of our products.
Net sales for our coated papers segment decreased 22.6% in the fourth quarter of 2012 to $288.0 million from $371.9 million for the same period in 2011, due to a 21.0% decrease in paper sales volume, which was driven by the shutdown of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year. The average sales price per ton of coated paper decreased 2.0% compared to the same period last year.
Net sales for our market pulp segment decreased 3.2% in the fourth quarter of 2012 to $36.6 million from $37.8 million for the same period in 2011. The average sales price per ton decreased 5.5% while sales volume increased 2.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2011.
Net sales for our other segment decreased 10.1% to $36.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 from $40.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. This decrease was due to a 10.3% decrease in sales volume, while the sales price per ton remained flat.
Cost of sales. Cost of sales, including depreciation, amortization, and depletion, was $337.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $424.9 million in 2011, reflecting realized cost reductions from the shutdown of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year. Our gross margin, excluding depreciation, amortization, and depletion, was 14.0% for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to 12.6% for the fourth quarter of 2011. Depreciation, amortization, and depletion expenses were $26.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $31.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2011.
Selling, general, and administrative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $18.2 million in both the fourth quarter of 2012 and 2011.
Restructuring charges. Restructuring charges for the fourth quarter of 2012 were $5.4 million related to on-going closure costs of the Sartell mill, compared to $24.5 million in 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2011, restructuring charges reflected the permanent shutdown of three paper machines.
Other operating income. Other operating income in the fourth quarter of 2012 reflected insurance proceeds in excess of costs and property damages incurred of $60.6 million, as we reached a final settlement agreement with our insurance provider for property and business losses resulting from the fire and explosion at our Sartell mill.
Interest expense. Interest expense for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $36.8 million compared to $31.8 million for the same period in 2011.
Income tax (benefit) expense. Income tax benefit for the fourth quarter of 2012 of $1.3 million resulted from a reduction in the deferred tax liability related to the non-cash trademark impairment charge that was taken as a result of a reduction in production capacity from the closure of the Sartell mill.
Results of Operations – Comparison of 2012 to 2011
Net Sales. Net sales for 2012 decreased 14.4% to $1,474.6 million from $1,722.5 million in 2011, reflecting an 11.1% decrease in total sales volume, which was driven by the shutdown of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year. Additionally, the average sales price for all of our products decreased 3.7%, led by a decline in the price of pulp.
Net sales for our coated papers segment decreased 17.0% to $1,177.1 million in 2012, from $1,418.8 million in 2011. This change reflects a 15.3% decrease in paper sales volume, which was driven by the shutdown of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year. The average sales price per ton of coated paper decreased 2.1% compared to the prior year.
Net sales for our market pulp segment decreased 6.2% to $140.8 million in 2012, from $150.1 million in 2011. This decrease was due to a 10.7% decline in the average sales price per ton while sales volume increased 5.0% compared to 2011.
Net sales for our other segment increased 2.1% to $156.7 million in 2012, from $153.6 million in 2011. The improvement in 2012 is due to a 4.2% increase in sales volume, reflecting the continued development of new paper product offerings for our customers. The average sales price per ton decreased 2.0% compared to 2011.
Cost of sales. Cost of sales, including depreciation, amortization, and depletion, was $1,390.8 million in 2012, compared to $1,585.6 million in 2011, reflecting realized cost reductions from the shutdown of three paper machines late last year and the closure of the Sartell mill in the third quarter of this year. Our gross margin, excluding depreciation, amortization, and depletion, was 13.7% for 2012, compared to 15.2% for 2011, reflecting lower average sales prices during 2012. Depreciation, amortization, and depletion expenses were $118.2 million for 2012, compared to $125.3 million for 2011.
Selling, general, and administrative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $74.4 in 2012, compared to $78.0 million in 2011.
Restructuring charges. Restructuring charges for 2012 were $102.4 million, and consisted primarily of fixed asset and other impairment charges of $77.1 million and severance and benefit costs of $19.4 million related to the closure of the Sartell mill. Restructuring and other charges of $24.5 million in 2011 reflected the permanent shut down of the No. 2 coated groundwood paper machine at our mill in Bucksport, Maine, and two supercalendered paper machines at our mill in Sartell, Minnesota.
Other operating income. Other operating income in 2012 reflected insurance proceeds in excess of costs and property damages incurred of $60.6 million, as we reached a final settlement agreement with our insurance provider for property and business losses resulting from the fire and explosion at our Sartell mill.
Interest expense. Interest expense was $135.4 million for 2012, compared to $126.6 million for 2011.
Other loss, net. In 2012, Other loss, net was $7.4 million compared to a net loss of $26.1 million in 2011. Included in the results for 2012 and 2011 were losses of $8.2 million and $26.1 million, respectively, related to the early retirement of debt in connection with debt refinancing.
Income tax (benefit) expense. Income tax benefit for 2012 of $1.4 million resulted primarily from a reduction in the deferred tax liability related to the non-cash trademark impairment charge that was taken as a result of a reduction in production capacity from the closure of the Sartell mill.