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- Earnings per share from continuing operations and before special items
were $0.41 versus $0.69 in the fourth quarter of 2007 and $0.45 in the
2007 first quarter.
- First-quarter 2008 net earnings totaled $0.31 per share, compared with
net earnings of $0.78 per share in the prior quarter and $0.97 per
share in the first quarter of 2007.
- Net sales for the quarter were $5.7 billion, versus $5.8 billion in the
fourth quarter and $5.2 billion in the first quarter of 2007.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Paper
(NYSE: IP) today reported preliminary first-quarter 2008 net earnings of $133
million ($0.31 per share) compared with net earnings of $327 million ($0.78
per share) in the 2007 fourth quarter and $434 million ($0.97 per share) in
the first quarter of 2007. Amounts in all periods include special items,
including a net after-tax gain in the first quarter of 2007 of $264 million
($0.59 per share) from sales and exchanges of businesses.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/IPLOGO )
Diluted Earnings Per Share Summary
First Fourth First
Quarter Quarter Quarter
2008 2007 2007
Net Earnings $0.31 $0.78 $0.97
Discontinued Operations:
Loss on sale or impairment 0.04 0.01 0.06
Loss (gain) from operations - 0.01 (0.01)
0.04 0.02 0.05
Earnings from Continuing
Operations 0.35 0.80 1.02
Net Special Items
Expense (Income) 0.06 (0.11) (0.57)
Earnings from Continuing
Operations and Before
Special Items $0.41 $0.69 $0.45
Earnings from continuing operations and before special items in the first
quarter of 2008 were $175 million ($0.41 per share), compared with $294
million ($0.69 per share) in the 2007 fourth quarter and $203 million ($0.45
per share) in the first quarter of 2007.
Quarterly net sales were $5.7 billion, down slightly from $5.8 billion in
the fourth quarter and up from $5.2 billion in the first quarter of 2007.
Industry segment operating profits were $332 million for the 2008 first
quarter versus $566 million in the 2007 fourth quarter and $403 million in the
first quarter of 2007. The quarter-to-quarter decrease reflects higher input
costs, lower earnings from land sales and operating performance below
expectations early in the quarter. Additionally, the company reported equity
earnings, net of taxes, of $17 million from its 50 percent investment in Ilim
Holding S.A., a separate reportable industry segment in Russia.
"We continued to realize price improvement in the first quarter," said
Chairman and CEO John Faraci. "However, those gains were more than offset by
sharply increasing input costs, as well as the expected quarter-to-quarter
decline in earnings from land sales."
Commenting on the second quarter of 2008, Faraci said, "We are prepared to
work through the weakness of the U.S. economy. Our business outside of North
America continues to demonstrate healthy growth and solid pricing."
SEGMENT INFORMATION
During the 2008 first quarter, in order to facilitate performance
comparisons with other companies, the company changed its method of allocating
corporate overhead expenses to allocate additional expense to its business
segments. Accordingly, business segment operating profits for all periods have
been restated to reflect this change. First-quarter 2008 segment operating
profits and business trends compared with the previous quarter are as follows:
Operating profits for Printing Papers were $185 million, down from
fourth-quarter operating profits of $243 million driven largely by higher raw
material and energy costs and some unfavorable operating disruptions. Brazil
experienced higher energy costs and operating expenses in the first quarter.
U.S. sales volume declined slightly while Eastern Europe and Russia continue
to show growth. Price realizations improved later in the quarter in North
America.
Industrial Packaging operating profits were $97 million, down from $109
million in the prior quarter because of higher raw material and energy costs
that were only partially offset by solid mill operations and pricing. Mill
maintenance outage costs were higher than in the fourth quarter. The European
box market was seasonally slower in the first quarter, but daily shipments
were up quarter over quarter in the U.S.
Consumer Packaging operating profits were $9 million (including a $5
million charge relating to the reorganization of Shorewood's Canadian
operations) compared with $15 million in the 2007 fourth quarter, driven by
higher input costs as well as Shorewood's weak demand and costs associated
with facility closures. The mills had fewer maintenance outages resulting in
lower costs but they were largely offset by several operational issues. U.S.
coated paperboard revenues remain strong, especially for cupstock. The
foodservice business performed well with steady volume, solid operations and
strong pricing.
The company's distribution business, xpedx, reported operating profits of
$16 million, down from $28 million in the prior quarter driven by slower
demand in some product segments, higher fuel and freight costs and bad debt
expenses. Paper revenues remained steady while packaging and facility supplies
experienced a seasonal slowdown.
Forest Products operating profits were $25 million, compared with fourth
quarter operating profits of $171 million because of lower earnings from land
sales. While land sales are difficult to forecast within a quarter, the
company's objective continues to be to maximize net present value for
shareholders.
Equity earnings, net of taxes, in Ilim Holding S.A. totaled $17 million
for the quarter. This represents the company's 50 percent interest in Ilim's
after-tax operating results for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2007 (Ilim's
results are reported on a one-quarter lag).
Net corporate expenses totaled $21 million for the quarter, down from $56
million in the 2007 fourth quarter and $37 million in the 2007 first quarter,
reflecting lower pension expenses. Corporate overhead charges allocated to
industry segments declined versus the 2007 fourth quarter because of lower
medical and incentive compensation costs, and were about equal to 2007
first-quarter charges.
EFFECTIVE TAX RATE
The effective tax rate from continuing operations and before special items
for the first quarter of 2008 was 31.5 percent, compared with 31 percent in
the fourth quarter of 2007 and 32 percent in the first quarter of 2007.
EFFECTS OF SPECIAL ITEMS
Special items in the first quarter of 2008 included a $40 million pre-tax
charge ($25 million after taxes) for adjustments of legal reserves, a pre-tax
charge of $5 million ($3 million after taxes) for costs associated with the
reorganization of Shorewood operations in Canada, a $3 million pre-tax gain
($2 million after taxes), for adjustments to previously recorded reserves
associated with the company's transformation plan, and a $1 million credit
before and after taxes for adjustments to estimated gains/losses of businesses
previously sold. The net after-tax effect of these special items is a loss of
$25 million, or $0.06 per share.
Special items in the fourth quarter of 2007 included a pre-tax charge of
$9 million ($6 million after taxes) for charges relating to the company's
transformation plan and a state tax adjustment, and a $13 million pre-tax gain
($9 million after taxes) for adjustments to estimated gains/losses of
production facilities previously sold. Additionally, a $41 million net income
tax benefit was recorded relating to the effective settlement of certain tax
audit issues. The net after-tax effect of these special items is a gain of $44
million, or $0.11 per share.
Special items in the first quarter of 2007 included an $18 million pre-tax
charge ($11 million after taxes) for charges relating to the company's
transformation plan, a pre-tax gain of $205 million ($164 million after taxes)
relating to the assets exchanged for the Luiz Antonio mill in Brazil, a
pre-tax gain of $103 million ($96 million after taxes) from the sale of the
Arizona Chemical business, and a $6 million pre-tax credit ($4 million after
taxes) for adjustments to estimated gains/losses of businesses previously
sold. The net after-tax effect of these special items is a gain of $254
million, or $0.57 per share.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Discontinued operations for the 2008 first quarter included a pre-tax
charge of $25 million ($16 million after taxes) related to the final
settlement of a Beverage Packaging post-closing sale adjustment and a $1
million after-tax charge for the operating results of certain Wood Products
facilities for the quarter.
Discontinued operations for the fourth quarter of 2007 consisted of a
pre-tax charge of $9 million ($5 million after taxes) for adjustments relating
to sales of businesses previously sold, and a $6 million after-tax charge for
the fourth-quarter operating results of certain Wood Products facilities.
Discontinued operations for the 2007 first quarter included a net pre-tax
gain of $22 million (a loss of $20 million after taxes) for adjustments
relating to sales of businesses previously sold, and a $3 million after-tax
charge for the operating results of the Beverage Packaging and Wood Products
businesses.
EARNINGS WEBCAST
The company will hold a webcast to review earnings at 9 a.m. Eastern
Daylight Time U.S. / 8 a.m. Central Daylight U.S. Time today. All interested
parties are invited to listen to the webcast live via the company's Internet
site at http://www.internationalpaper.com by clicking on the Investors tab and
going to the Presentations page. A replay of the webcast will also be
available on the Web site beginning at noon today. Parties who wish to
participate in the webcast via teleconference may dial +1 (706) 679-8242 or,
within the U.S. only, (877) 316-2541, and ask to be connected to the
International Paper 1Q 2008 Earnings Call. The conference ID number is
41326910. Participants should call in no later than 8:45 a.m. EDT/7:45 a.m.
CDT. An audio-only replay will be available for four weeks following the call.
To access the replay, dial +1 (706) 645-9291 or, within the U.S. only, (800)
642-1687, and when prompted for the conference ID, enter "41326910."
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global paper and packaging company
with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America, Russia,
Asia and North Africa. Its businesses include uncoated papers and industrial
and consumer packaging, complemented by xpedx, the company's North American
distribution company. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company employs
more than 50,000 people in more than 20 countries and serves customers
worldwide. 2007 net sales were approximately $22 billion. For more information
about International Paper, its products and stewardship efforts, visit
internationalpaper.com .
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect
management's current views and are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in these statements. Factors which could cause actual results to
differ relate to: (i) industry conditions, including but not limited to
changes in the cost or availability of raw materials and energy,
transportation costs, the company's product mix, demand and pricing for its
products; (ii) global economic conditions and political changes, particularly
in Latin America, Russia, Europe and Asia, including but not limited to
changes in currency exchange rates, credit availability, and the company's
credit ratings issued by recognized credit rating organizations; (iii) natural
disasters, such as hurricanes and earthquakes; (iv) the company's ability to
realize anticipated profit improvement from its transformation plan, and (v)
unanticipated expenditures related to the cost of compliance with
environmental and other governmental regulations and to actual or potential
litigation. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. These and other factors that could cause or contribute to actual
results differing materially from such forward-looking statements are
discussed in greater detail in the company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings.
International Paper Company
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Three Months
Ended Ended
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007 2007
Net Sales $5,668 $5,217 $5,841
Costs and Expenses
Cost of products sold 4,261 3,851 4,242
Selling and administrative
expenses 472 435 500
Depreciation, amortization
and cost of timber harvested 286 262 278
Distribution expenses 285 256 269
Taxes other than payroll
and income taxes 44 42 38
Restructuring and other charges 42 (a) 18 (c) 9 (f)
Net gains on sales and impairments
of businesses (1) (314) (d) (13) (g)
Interest expense, net 81 61 79
Earnings From Continuing Operations
Before Income Taxes, Equity
Earnings and Minority Interest 198 (a) 606 (c,d) 439 (f,g)
Income tax provision 59 143 94 (h)
Equity earnings, net of taxes 16 - -
Minority interest expense,
net of taxes 5 6 7
Earnings From Continuing Operations 150 (a) 457 (c,d) 338 (f-h)
Discontinued Operations, net of
taxes and minority interest (17) (b) (23) (e) (11) (i)
Net Earnings $133 (a,b) $434 (c-e) $327 (f-i)
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings from continuing
operations $0.36 (a) $1.03 (c,d) $0.80 (f-h)
Discontinued operations (0.04) (b) (0.05) (e) (0.02) (i)
Net earnings $0.32 (a,b) $0.98 (c-e) $0.78 (f-i)
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings from continuing
operations $0.35 (a) $1.02 (c,d) $0.80 (f-h)
Discontinued operations (0.04) (b) (0.05) (e) (0.02) (i)
Net earnings $0.31 (a,b) $0.97 (c-e) $0.78 (f-i)
Average Shares of Common Stock
Outstanding - Diluted 423.3 448.4 423.8
Cash Dividends Per Common Share $0.25 $0.25 $0.25
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
(a) Includes a $40 million pre-tax charge ($25 million after taxes) for
adjustments to legal reserves, a pre-tax charge of $5 million ($3
million after taxes) for costs associated with the reorganization of
the Company's Shorewood operations in Canada, and a pre-tax gain of $3
million ($2 million after taxes) for adjustments to previously
recorded reserves associated with the Company's Transformation Plan.
(b) Includes a pre-tax charge of $25 million ($16 million after taxes) for
the settlement of a post-closing adjustment on the sale of the
beverage packaging business and the operating results of certain wood
products facilities during the quarter.
(c) Includes an $18 million pre-tax charge ($11 million after taxes) for
severance and other charges associated with the Company's
Transformation Plan.
(d) Includes a pre-tax gain of $103 million ($96 million after taxes) on
the sale of the Arizona Chemical business, a pre-tax gain of $205
million ($164 million after taxes) related to the asset exchange for
the Luiz Antonio mill in Brazil, and a $6 million pre-tax credit ($4
million after taxes) for adjustments to the loss on the sale of the
coated and supercalendered papers business.
(e) Includes a pre-tax gain of $21 million ($9 million after taxes)
relating to the sale of the wood products business, a pre-tax loss of
$15 million ($39 million after taxes) for adjustments to the loss on
the sale of the beverage packaging business, a pre-tax gain of $6
million ($4 million after taxes) for adjustments to the loss on the
sale of the kraft papers business, a $10 million pre-tax credit ($6
million after taxes) for additional refunds received from the Canadian
government of duties paid by the Company's Weldwood of Canada Limited
business, and the operating results of the beverage packaging and wood
products businesses.
(f) Includes a pre-tax charge of $4 million ($3 million after taxes) for
asset write-offs at the Pensacola mill, a pre-tax charge of $14
million ($9 million after taxes) for severance and other charges
associated with the Company's Transformation Plan, and a pre-tax gain
of $9 million ($6 million after taxes) for an Ohio Commercial Activity
Tax adjustment.
(g) Includes a pre-tax gain of $7 million ($5 million after taxes) for an
adjustment to the loss on the sale of box plants in the United Kingdom
and Ireland, a pre-tax gain of $5 million ($3 million after taxes) for
an adjustment to the loss on the sale of the Marasquel mill, and a net
pre-tax gain of $1 million ($1 million after taxes) for other items.
(h) Includes a $41 million tax benefit relating to the effective
settlement of certain income tax audit issues.
(i) Includes a pre-tax charge of $9 million ($5 million after taxes) for
the beverage packaging business and a pre-tax gain of $4 million ($3
million after taxes) for the wood products business for adjustments
related to the sale of those businesses, a pre-tax charge of $4
million ($3 million after taxes) for additional taxes associated with
the sale of Weldwood of Canada Limited, and the quarterly operating
results of the wood products business.
International Paper Company
Reconciliation of Earnings Before
Special Items to Net Earnings
(In millions except for per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2008 2007 2007
Earnings Before Special Items $ 175 $ 203 $ 294
Restructuring and other charges (26) (11) (6)
Net gains on sales and impairments
of businesses 1 264 9
Interest Income - 1 -
Income tax adjustments - - 41
Earnings Per Common Share from
Continuing Operations 150 457 338
Discontinued
operations (17) (23) (11)
Net Earnings as Reported $ 133 $ 434 $ 327
Three Months Ended
Diluted Earnings per Common Share March 31,
2008 2007 2007
Earnings Per Share
Before Special Items $ 0.41 $ 0.45 $ 0.69
Restructuring and other charges (0.06) (0.02) (0.03)
Net gains on sales and
impairments of businesses - 0.59 0.02
Income tax adjustments - - 0.12
Earnings Per Common Share from
Continuing Operations 0.35 1.02 0.80
Discontinued operations (0.04) (0.05) (0.02)
Diluted Earnings per Common Share $ 0.31 $ 0.97 $ 0.78
(1) The Company calculates Earnings Before Special Items by excluding the
after-tax effect of items considered by management to be unusual from
the earnings reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"). Management uses this measure to focus on on-going
operations, and believes that it is useful to investors because it
enables them to perform meaningful comparisons of past and present
operating results. International Paper believes that using this
information along with net earnings provides for a more complete
analysis of the results of operations by quarter. Net earnings is the
most directly comparable GAAP measure.
(2) Diluted earnings per common share reflect the inclusion of
contingently convertible securities in the computation.
International Paper
Sales and Earnings by Industry Segment
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In Millions)
Sales by Industry Segment
Three Months Three Months
Ended Ended
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007 2007
Printing Papers $ 1,715 $ 1,540 $ 1,720
Industrial Packaging 1,445 1,235 1,390
Consumer Packaging 770 715 780
Distribution 1,985 1,675 2,045
Forest Products 25 85 190
Other Businesses (4) - 135 -
Corporate and Inter-segment (272) (168) (284)
Sales
Net Sales $ 5,668 $ 5,217 $ 5,841
Operating Profit by Industry Segment
Three Months Three Months
Ended Ended
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007 (2) 2007 (2)
Printing Papers $ 185 $ 167 $ 243
Industrial Packaging 97 73 109
Consumer Packaging 9 (3) 40 15
Distribution 16 20 28
Forest Products 25 97 171
Other Businesses (4) - 6 -
Operating Profit (1) 332 403 566
Interest expense, net (81) (61) (79)
Minority interest / equity
earnings adjustment (5) 4 5 4
Corporate items, net (21) (37) (56)
Restructuring and other
charges (37) (18) (9)
Net gains on sales and
impairments of businesses 1 314 13
Earnings From Continuing
Operations Before Income
Taxes, Equity Earnings
and Minority Interest $ 198 $ 606 $ 439
Equity Earnings in Ilim
Holding S.A., Net of
Taxes (1) $ 17 $ - $ -
(1) In addition to the operating profits shown above, International Paper
recorded $17 million of equity earnings, net of taxes, for the three
months ended March 31, 2008, related to its equity investment in Ilim
Holding S.A., a separate reportable industry segment.
(2) Prior-year information has been revised to reflect a change in the
allocation of corporate overhead to the Company's industry segments.
(3) Includes a charge of $5 million related to the reorganization of the
Company's Shorewood operations in Canada.
(4) Includes Arizona Chemical and certain smaller businesses.
(5) Operating profits for industry segments include each segment's
percentage share of the profits of subsidiaries included in that
segment that are less than wholly owned. The pre-tax minority
interest/equity earnings for these subsidiaries are included here to
present consolidated earnings before income taxes, equity earnings and
minority interest.
International Paper Company
Sales Volume by Product (1) (2)
Preliminary and Unaudited
International Paper Consolidated
Three Months Three Months
Ended Ended
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007 2007
Printing Papers
(In thousands of
short tons) 910 982 917
U.S. Uncoated Papers 373 376 367
European & Russian
Uncoated Papers 210 144 227
Brazilian Uncoated
Papers 8 5 6
Asian Uncoated Papers
Uncoated Papers 1,501 1,507 1,517
Market Pulp (3) 354 335 382
Packaging (In thousands
of short tons)
Container of the Americas 882 882 895
European Container (Boxes) 295 307 294
Other Industrial and
Consumer Packaging 179 131 187
Industrial and Consumer 2
Packaging 1,356 1,320 1,376
Containerboard 506 392 461
Coated Paperboard 606 591 609
Saturated and Bleached
Kraft Papers 65 53 63
(1) Sales volumes include third party and inter-segment sales and exclude
sales of equity investees.
(2) Sales volumes for divested businesses are included through the date of
sale, except for discontinued operations.
(3) Includes internal sales to mills.
International Paper Company
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In Millions)
March 31, December 31,
2008 2007
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and Temporary Investments $ 880 $ 905
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net 3,206 3,152
Inventories 2,147 2,071
Assets of Businesses Held for Sale - 24
Deferred Income Tax Assets 206 213
Other 273 370
Total Current Assets 6,712 6,735
Plants, Properties and Equipment, Net 10,290 10,141
Forestlands 778 770
Investments 1,317 1,276
Goodwill 3,658 3,650
Deferred Charges and Other Assets 1,600 1,587
Total Assets $ 24,355 $ 24,159
Liabilities and Common Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Notes Payable and Current
Maturities of Long-Term Debt $ 727 $ 267
Liabilities of Businesses Held
for Sale - 4
Accounts Payable and Accrued
Liabilities 3,418 3,571
Total Current Liabilities 4,145 3,842
Long-Term Debt 6,037 6,353
Deferred Income Taxes 3,117 2,919
Other Liabilities 1,823 2,145
Minority Interest 234 228
Common Shareholders' Equity
Invested Capital 4,603 4,297
Retained Earnings 4,396 4,375
Total Common Shareholders' Equity 8,999 8,672
Total Liabilities and Common
Shareholders' Equity $ 24,355 $ 24,159
International Paper Company
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
Preliminary and Unaudited
(In Millions)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2008 2007
Operating Activities
Net earnings $ 133 $ 434
Discontinued operations, net of taxes and
minority interest 17 23
Earnings from continuing operations 150 457
Depreciation, amortization and cost of
timber harvested 286 262
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense, net (130) 74
Restructuring and other charges 42 18
Payments related to restructuring and legal
reserves (22) (22)
Net gains on sales and impairments of
businesses (1) (314)
Equity earnings, net (16) -
Periodic pension expense, net 28 52
Other, net 34 51
Changes in current assets and liabilities
Accounts and notes receivable 5 (81)
Inventories (32) (129)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (75) (61)
Other 118 (11)
Cash provided by operations - continuing
operations 387 296
Cash used for operations - discontinued
operations - (44)
Cash Provided by Operations 387 252
Investment Activities
Invested in capital projects (215) (178)
Proceeds from divestitures 14 1,633
Other (140) (118)
Cash (used for) provided by investment
activities - continuing operations (341) 1,337
Cash used for investment activities -
discontinued operations - (11)
Cash (Used for) Provided by Investment
Activities (341) 1,326
Financing Activities
Repurchases of common stock - (398)
Issuance of common stock 1 30
Issuance of debt 83 -
Reduction of debt (26) (362)
Change in book overdrafts (39) 20
Dividends paid (112) (114)
Other - (3)
Cash Used for Financing Activities (93) (827)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash 22 15
Change in Cash and Temporary Investments (25) 766
Cash and Temporary Investments
Beginning of the period 905 1,624
End of the period $ 880 $ 2,390
SOURCE International Paper
CONTACT:
Media: Patty Neuhoff, +1-901-419-4052,
or Investors: Tom
Cleves, +1-901-419-7566,
Ann-Marie Donaldson, +1-901-419-4967,
or Emily Nix,
+1-901-419-4987,
all of International Paper
Web site: http://www.internationalpaper.com
(IP)
