Potlatch Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results


SPOKANE, Wash., Jan. 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Potlatch Corporation (Nasdaq:PCH) today reported net income of $3.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, on revenues of $138.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015.  Net income was $20.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, on revenues of $146.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Net income for the full year of 2015 was $31.7 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, on revenues of $575.3 million.  This compares to net income of $89.9 million, or $2.20 per diluted share, on revenues of $607.0 million in 2014.

"The strong U.S. dollar was at the top of a list of factors that drove lumber prices lower, which contributed to 2015 being a very challenging year," said Mike Covey. "We maintained our focus on things in our control.  We successfully integrated 200,000 acres of timberlands that we acquired in Alabama and Mississippi at the end of 2014.  We also completed four high-return capital projects at each of our lumber mills on time and under budget this year.  Our Resource business continues to be a steady contributor of cash and the Minnesota rural recreational real estate market remains strong," concluded Mr. Covey.

Financial Highlights
(millions, except per-share data)                                             

  Q4 2015 Q3 2015 Q4 2014
Revenues $138.0  $174.5  $146.2 
Net income $3.5  $21.8  $20.1 
Net income per diluted share $0.09  $0.53  $0.49 
Distribution per share $0.375  $0.375  $0.375 
Net cash from operations $18.9  $38.5  $23.7 
Cash and short-term investments at end of period $7.9  $1.3  $31.0 


Business Performance: Q4 2015 vs. Q3 2015

Resource

Resource’s operating income was $16.1 million on revenues of $63.5 million in the fourth quarter, compared to operating income of $36.4 million on revenues of $102.3 million in the third quarter of 2015.  Harvest volumes were seasonally lower in the North and the South.  Northern sawlog prices were 10% lower in the fourth quarter.  Prices realized for sawlogs in the South decreased 11% primarily due to a seasonally lower mix of hardwood logs.

Wood Products

Wood Products lost $1.3 million on revenues of $79.9 million in the fourth quarter, compared to a loss of $5.4 million on revenues of $82.9 million in the third quarter of 2015.  Average lumber prices were down 6% in the fourth quarter compared to the third quarter.  Higher lumber shipments and lower wood costs partially offset the effect of lower lumber prices.

Real Estate

Real Estate’s operating income was $2.5 million on revenues of $7.3 million in the fourth quarter, compared to operating income of $4.2 million on revenues of $7.8 million in the third quarter of 2015.  Land basis was higher in the fourth quarter due to a shift to include more recently acquired property in the sales mix compared to the third quarter.  The Minnesota rural recreational real estate market remained strong in the fourth quarter.

Outlook

“We anticipate better results in 2016 based on a belief that the recovery in the U.S. housing market will continue and that lumber prices will improve.  The investments in our lumber mills in 2015 are expected to result in additional production and higher grade recovery this year.  We plan to harvest 4.4 million tons in our Resource segment and anticipate selling between 20,000 and 25,000 acres in our Real Estate segment in 2016.  We are evaluating opportunities to sell timberland as part of our strategy to take advantage of strong private timberland markets and repurchase our stock at a steep discount,” concluded Mr. Covey.

Conference Call Information

A live conference call and webcast will be held today, January 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 16086021.  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 February 2, 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 16086021 to access the replay.

About Potlatch

Potlatch is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with approximately 1.6 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, statements about our expectations regarding future company performance; the direction of our business markets; business conditions in our Resource, Wood Products and Real Estate segments; the U.S. housing market; lumber pricing; sawlog pricing; estimated production of more volume and higher grade lumber as a result of our investments in our lumber mills in 2015; performance of our Wood Products, Resource and Real Estate segments in 2016; strength of Minnesota rural recreational real estate market; earnings growth; estimated harvest of 4.4 million tons in the Resource segment in 2016; estimated sale of 20,000 to 25,000 acres of real estate 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, 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 Twelve Months Ended
 December 31, December 31,
 2015 2014 2015 2014
Revenues$137,989  $146,237  $575,336  $606,950 
Costs and expenses:       
Cost of goods sold116,752  107,773  470,037  429,789 
Selling, general and administrative expenses11,382  11,861  46,392  44,655 
 128,134  119,634  516,429  474,444 
Operating income9,855  26,603  58,907  132,506 
Interest expense, net(8,341) (6,434) (32,761) (22,909)
Income before income taxes1,514  20,169  26,146  109,597 
Income tax benefit (provision)2,035  (33) 5,568  (19,687)
Net income$3,549  $20,136  $31,714  $89,910 
        
Net income per share:       
Basic$0.09  $0.49  $0.78  $2.21 
Diluted0.09  0.49  0.77  2.20 
Cash distributions per share$0.375  $0.375  $1.50  $1.425 
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):       
Basic40,866  40,764  40,842  40,749 
Diluted40,948  40,927  40,988  40,894 

                                                                                                        
Potlatch Corporation
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
Unaudited (Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)
                                                                                                        

 December 31,
 2015
 December 31,
 2014
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash$7,886  $4,644 
Short-term investments39  26,368 
Receivables, net13,420  9,928 
Inventories35,162  31,490 
Deferred tax assets, net1  6,168 
Other assets214,246  13,894 
Total current assets70,753  92,492 
Property, plant and equipment, net75,285  65,749 
Timber and timberlands, net816,599  828,420 
Deferred tax assets, net146,600  37,228 
Other assets27,375  7,857 
Total assets$1,016,612  $1,031,746 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$39,740  $43,064 
Revolving line of credit borrowings30,000   
Current liability for pensions and other postretirement employee benefits5,973  6,260 
Current installments on long-term debt5,007  22,870 
Total current liabilities80,720  72,194 
Long-term debt2598,874  602,798 
Liability for pensions and other postretirement employee benefits119,369  115,936 
Other long-term obligations13,913  15,752 
Total liabilities812,876  806,680 
Stockholders’ equity203,736  225,066 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$1,016,612  $1,031,746 
    

1 Current deferred tax assets were classified as noncurrent in 2015 due to adoption of ASU No. 2015-17.
2 Debt issuance costs in 2014 were reclassified to conform with the 2015 presentation.

                                                                                          

Potlatch Corporation
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)                            
                                                                                         

 Twelve Months Ended
 December 31,
 2015 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES   
Net income$31,714  $89,910 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation, depletion and amortization38,105  26,749 
Basis of real estate sold7,012  8,646 
Change in deferred taxes(5,696) (1,616)
Employee benefit plans4,986  2,122 
Equity-based compensation expense4,758  4,137 
Other, net(2,046) (2,191)
Funding of qualified pension plans  (3,550)
Working capital changes(4,819) 7,165 
Net cash from operating activities74,014  131,372 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES   
Change in short-term investments26,329  25,883 
Transfer from company owned life insurance (COLI)1,492  28,870 
Transfer to COLI  (25,515)
Property, plant and equipment(18,987) (13,261)
Timberlands reforestation and roads(13,745) (10,971)
Acquisition of timber and timberlands(10,230) (388,952)
Other, net886  1,263 
Net cash from investing activities(14,255) (382,683)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES   
Distributions to common stockholders(61,017) (57,848)
Repayment of long-term debt(22,500)  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt  310,000 
Revolving line of credit borrowings30,000   
Issuance of common stock  398 
Change in book overdrafts(1,549) 1,465 
Deferred financing costs(45) (2,388)
Employee tax withholdings on vested performance share awards(1,453) (1,104)
Other, net47  (154)
Net cash from financing activities(56,517) 250,369 
Increase (decrease) in cash3,242  (942)
Cash at beginning of period4,644  5,586 
Cash at end of period$7,886  $4,644 

                                                              
Potlatch Corporation
Segment Information
Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)
                                                              

 Quarter Ended Twelve Months Ended
 December 31, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2015 2014 2015 2014
Revenues:       
Resource$63,487  $69,245  $263,875  $252,581 
Wood Products79,922  88,650  336,214  376,239 
Real Estate7,305  4,108  28,989  40,460 
 150,714  162,003  629,078  669,280 
Intersegment revenues - Resource(12,725) (15,766) (53,742) (62,330)
Total consolidated revenues$137,989  $146,237  $575,336  $606,950 
        
Operating income:       
Resource$16,186  $23,854  $76,350  $84,976 
Wood Products(1,360) 9,122  (5,235) 52,442 
Real Estate2,495  1,650  16,849  26,945 
Eliminations and adjustments333  174  3,283  (190)
 17,654  34,800  91,247  164,173 
Corporate(16,140) (14,631) (65,101) (54,576)
Income before income taxes$1,514  $20,169  $26,146  $109,597 
        
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:       
Resource$7,494  $5,102  $28,807  $17,847 
Wood Products1,880  1,589  6,810  6,176 
Real Estate12  15  56  59 
 9,386  6,706  35,673  24,082 
Corporate565  717  2,432  2,667 
Total depreciation, depletion and amortization$9,951  $7,423  $38,105  $26,749 
        
Basis of real estate sold - Real Estate$3,763  $1,427  $7,394  $9,355 
Eliminations and adjustments(140) (70) (382) (709)
Total basis of real estate sold - Real Estate$3,623  $1,357  $7,012  $8,646 



            

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