Potlatch Corporation Reports First Quarter 2016 Results and Announces 172,000 Acre Central Idaho Timberland Sale


SPOKANE, Wash., April 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Potlatch Corporation (Nasdaq:PCH) today announced its first quarter 2016 results and the sale of approximately 172,000 acres of timberlands in central Idaho to Southern Pine Plantations, a private timberland investment company based in Macon, Georgia, for $114 million.

"We purchased the central Idaho timberlands in 2007 intending to take advantage of what was a strong rural recreational real estate market around McCall, Idaho.  Unfortunately, that market declined significantly due to the recession and the bankruptcy of the Tamarack Resort," said Mike Covey, chairman and chief executive officer.  "The attractive offer for our less productive central Idaho timberlands frees up our capital without having to wait for the real estate market to rebound.  This will allow us to take advantage of our low public market valuation by repurchasing shares, as well as reduce our leverage by retiring debt," concluded Mr. Covey.

The board of directors of Potlatch has approved a $60 million share repurchase program.  Sale proceeds are also expected to be used for debt retirement and other general corporate purposes.  The share repurchase is expected to be completed over the next 24 months through open market transactions at prevailing market prices.  The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management at its discretion, based upon a number of factors such as the market price of the company’s stock and general market and economic conditions.

We expect to record a book loss on the timberland sale of $36 million after taxes in the second quarter of 2016.

First Quarter 2016 Results

Potlatch today reported net income of $0.2 million, or $0.00 per diluted share, on revenues of $127.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.  Net income was $5.7 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, on revenues of $134.1 million in the first quarter of 2015.

"We are encouraged by the increase in lumber prices thus far this year, and expect continued momentum to drive improved earnings in 2016 compared to last year," said Mike Covey. "Our Wood Products segment returned to profitability in the first quarter despite downtime at our St. Maries, Idaho sawmill due to log shortages.  We expect the higher lumber prices to carry through to sawlog prices in Idaho for the balance of the year," stated Mr. Covey.                       

Financial Highlights      
(millions, except per share data) 
      
       
  Q1 2016 Q4 2015 Q1 2015
Revenues $127.9  $138.0  $134.1 
Net income $0.2  $3.5  $5.7 
Net income per diluted share $  $0.09  $0.14 
Distribution per share $0.375  $0.375  $0.375 
Net cash from operations $28.9  $18.9  $24.4 
Cash and short-term investments at end of period $7.8  $7.9  $28.0 
             

Business Performance: Q1 2016 vs. Q4 2015

Resource

Resource’s operating income was $10.2 million on revenues of $48.7 million in the first quarter, compared to operating income of $16.1 million on revenues of $63.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.  Harvest volumes were seasonally lower in the North and the South.  Northern sawlog prices were 6% lower in the first quarter.  Prices realized for sawlogs in the South decreased 7% primarily due to a seasonally lower mix of hardwood logs.

Wood Products

Wood Products earned $1.0 million on revenues of $83.2 million in the first quarter, compared to a loss of $1.3 million on revenues of $79.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.  Our St. Maries, Idaho sawmill took 11 days of downtime in the first quarter due to log shortages resulting from an unseasonably warm winter.  Lumber shipments were 2% lower and average lumber prices were 3% higher in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter.

Real Estate

Real Estate’s operating income was $2.1 million on revenues of $5.6 million in the first quarter, compared to operating income of $2.5 million on revenues of $7.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.  Lower land basis, due to less recently acquired property with a higher basis in the sales mix, partially offset the sale of fewer acres in the first quarter.

Conference Call Information

A live conference call and webcast will be held today, April 26, 2016, at 9 a.m. Pacific Time (noon Eastern Time).  Investors may access the webcast at www.potlatchcorp.com by clicking on the Investor Resources link or by conference call at 1-866-393-8403 for U.S./Canada and 1-706-679-7929 for international callers.  Participants will be asked to provide conference I.D. number 78097980.  Supplemental materials that will be discussed during the call are available on the website.

A replay of the conference call will be available two hours following the call until May 3, 2016 by calling 1-800-585-8367 for U.S./Canada or 1-404-537-3406 for international callers.  Callers must enter conference I.D. number 78097980 to access the replay.

About Potlatch

Potlatch is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with approximately 1.4 million acres of timberland in Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota and Mississippi.  Potlatch, a certified forest practices leader, is committed to providing superior returns to stockholders through long-term stewardship of its forest resources.  The company also conducts a land sales and development business and operates wood products manufacturing facilities through its taxable REIT subsidiary.  More information about Potlatch can be found on the company’s website at www.potlatchcorp.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as amended, including without limitation, the expected loss on the sale of central Idaho timberlands;  the use of proceeds from the sale of central Idaho timberlands; the repurchase of shares, the expected timing and method of share repurchase; the repayment of debt; our expectations regarding future company performance; the direction of our business markets; business conditions in our Resource, Wood Products and Real Estate segments; lumber pricing; sawlog pricing; performance of our Wood Products, Resource and Real Estate segments in 2016; and similar matters.  These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change, and actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the U.S. housing market, changes in timberland values; changes in timber harvest levels on the company's lands; changes in timber prices; changes in policy regarding governmental timber sales; changes in the United States and international economies; changes in the level of construction activity; changes in Chinese demand; changes in tariffs, quotas and trade agreements involving wood products; currency fluctuation; changes in demand for our products; changes in production and production capacity in the forest products industry; competitive pricing pressures for our products; unanticipated manufacturing disruptions; changes in general and industry-specific environmental laws and regulations; unforeseen environmental liabilities or expenditures; weather conditions; restrictions on harvesting due to fire danger; changes in raw material, fuel and other costs; the ability to satisfy complex rules in order to remain qualified as a REIT; changes in tax laws that could reduce the benefits associated with REIT status; and other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.

 
Potlatch Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
Unaudited (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
  
 Quarter Ended
 March 31,
 2016 2015
Revenues$127,896  $134,125 
Costs and expenses:   
Cost of goods sold109,815  107,772 
Selling, general and administrative expenses13,009  12,326 
 122,824  120,098 
Operating income5,072  14,027 
Interest expense, net(6,025) (8,069)
Income (loss) before income taxes(953) 5,958 
Income tax benefit (provision)1,110  (302)
Net income$157  $5,656 
    
Net income per share:   
Basic$  $0.14 
Diluted$  $0.14 
Dividends per share$0.375  $0.375 
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):   
Basic40,875  40,802 
Diluted40,960  40,885 
      


 
Potlatch Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)
     
  March 31,
 2016
 December 31,
 2015
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
Cash $7,789  $7,886 
Short-term investments 35  39 
Receivables, net 14,710  13,420 
Inventories 25,028  35,162 
Other assets 14,106  14,246 
Total current assets 61,668  70,753 
Property, plant and equipment, net 74,060  75,285 
Timber and timberlands, net 810,856  816,599 
Deferred tax assets, net 46,645  46,600 
Other assets 8,126  7,375 
Total assets $1,001,355  $1,016,612 
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Current liabilities:    
Revolving line of credit borrowings $  $30,000 
Current portion of long-term debt   5,007 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 44,580  39,740 
Current portion of pension and other postretirement employee benefits 5,973  5,973 
Total current liabilities 50,553  80,720 
Long-term debt 627,709  598,874 
Pension and other postretirement employee benefits 118,999  119,369 
Other long-term obligations 13,618  13,913 
Total liabilities 810,879  812,876 
Commitments and contingencies    
Stockholders' equity:    
Common stock, $1 par value 40,688  40,681 
Additional paid-in capital 351,188  350,541 
Accumulated deficit (88,108) (72,983)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (113,292) (114,503)
Total stockholders’ equity 190,476  203,736 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,001,355  $1,016,612 
         


 
Potlatch Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)
   
  Quarter Ended
  March 31,
  2016 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES    
Net income $157  $5,656 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:    
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 8,605  8,504 
Basis of real estate sold 2,034  408 
Change in deferred taxes (1,110) (936)
Employee benefit plans 2,737  1,723 
Equity-based compensation expense 954  1,136 
Other, net (531) (501)
Working capital and operating-related activities, net 16,047  8,447 
Net cash from operating activities 28,893  24,437 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES    
Change in short-term investments 4  7,483 
Property, plant and equipment (932) (4,810)
Timberlands reforestation and roads (2,242) (2,734)
Other, net 116  309 
Net cash from investing activities (3,054) 248 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES    
Dividends to common stockholders (15,258) (15,253)
Repayment of revolving line of credit (30,000)  
Repayment of long-term debt (5,000)  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 27,500   
Change in book overdrafts (2,836) (3,551)
Employee tax withholdings on vested performance share awards (101) (1,407)
Other, net (241) 26 
Net cash from financing activities (25,936) (20,185)
Increase (decrease) in cash (97) 4,500 
Cash at beginning of period 7,886  4,644 
Cash at end of period $7,789  $9,144 
         


 
Potlatch Corporation
Segment Information
Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)
   
  Quarter Ended
  March 31,
  2016 2015
Revenues:    
Resource $48,710  $53,955 
Wood Products 83,238  89,233 
Real Estate 5,566  3,111 
  137,514  146,299 
Elimination of intersegment revenues - Resource (9,618) (12,174)
Total consolidated revenues $127,896  $134,125 
     
Operating income:    
Resource $10,207  $14,978 
Wood Products 956  3,500 
Real Estate 2,075  1,599 
Eliminations and adjustments 1,465  2,975 
  14,703  23,052 
Corporate (9,631) (9,025)
Operating income 5,072  14,027 
Interest expense, net (6,025) (8,069)
Income (loss) before income taxes $(953) $5,958 
     
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:    
Resource $6,128  $6,254 
Wood Products 1,901  1,576 
Real Estate 2  15 
  8,031  7,845 
Corporate 208  284 
Bond discounts and deferred loan fees 366  375 
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization $8,605  $8,504 
     
Basis of real estate sold:    
Real Estate $2,245  $471 
Eliminations and adjustments (211) (63)
Total basis of real estate sold $2,034  $408 
         

            

Contact Data