Mercer International Inc. Reports 2009 First Quarter Results


NEW YORK, April 29, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq:MERC) (TSX:MRI.U) today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009. Total revenues in the quarter and Operating EBITDA decreased to EUR139.6 million (U.S.$181.9 million) and EUR1.1 million (U.S.$1.4 million) from EUR186.8 million (U.S.$280.2 million) and EUR32.8 million (U.S.$49.4 million), respectively, in the same period last year as pulp industry conditions remained challenging. Operating EBITDA is defined on page 4 of this press release and reconciled to net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders on page 6 of the financial tables in this press release.



 Summary Financial Highlights


                                          Q1         Q4         Q1
                                         2009       2008       2008
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
                                       (in millions of Euros, except
                                           where otherwise stated)

 Pulp revenues                         EUR129.0   EUR161.0   EUR179.1
 Energy revenues                           10.6       11.0        7.7
 Operating income (loss)                  (12.4)     (21.4)      18.6
 Operating EBITDA (loss)                    1.1       (7.5)      32.8
 Unrealized gain (loss) on
  derivative instruments                  (15.0)     (29.7)      (7.9)
 Foreign exchange gain
  (loss) on debt                           (4.4)      (0.9)       6.0
 Net income (loss) attributable
  to common shareholders                  (39.4)     (59.0)       2.9
 Net income (loss) per share
  attributable to common
  shareholders
 Basic                                 EUR(1.08)  EUR(1.63)   EUR0.08
 Diluted                               EUR(1.08)  EUR(1.63)   EUR0.08


 Summary Operating Highlights

                                          Q1         Q4         Q1
                                         2009       2008       2008
                                       ---------  ---------  ---------
 Pulp Production ('000 ADMTs)             345.6      338.9      360.9
 Scheduled Production Downtime
  ('000 ADMTs)                               --       21.0        1.5
 Pulp Sales ('000 ADMTs)                  336.7      364.1      348.2
 NBSK pulp list price in Europe
  (US$/ADMT)                                585        698        880
 NBSK pulp list price in Europe
  (EUR/ADMT)                                449        530        586
 Average pulp sales realizations
  (EUR/ADMT)(1)                             377        436        510
 Energy Production ('000 MWh)             356.3      348.8      364.9
 Energy Sales ('000 MWh)                  112.2      107.9      114.1
 Average Spot Currency Exchange
  Rates(2):
 EUR / $                                 0.7675     0.7591     0.6666
 C$ / $                                  1.2453     1.2118     1.0042
 C$ / EUR                                1.6217     1.5951     1.5057


 (1) List price, less discounts and commissions.
 (2) Average Bank of Canada noon spot rates over the reporting period.

President's Comments

Mr. Jimmy S.H. Lee, President and Chairman, stated: "Our first quarter results, while very disappointing, were largely as expected and reflect the prevailing difficult economic environment. Pulp prices declined further in the first two months of 2009 although the stronger U.S. dollar in the period softened the impact of such decreases. In the quarter we recorded a non-cash provision of EUR4.6 million against our inventories. Beneficial to us in the quarter were lower fiber and freight costs along with the higher tariffs now in effect for excess energy sold from our German mills."

Mr. Lee continued: "Despite the severe market challenges, we continue to focus on improvements in areas of our business that we can control, including the implementation of cost reduction at our mills and initiatives to enhance and sustain liquidity. With the completion of the amendment to the project finance loan of our 74.9% owned subsidiary Stendal in the current quarter, we have been able to decisively increase the Stendal mill's liquidity. We are also in continuing negotiations with lenders with respect to the term financing for the "green" energy project at our Celgar mill."

Mr. Lee added: "As there has been a return of Chinese buyers to the market in the current quarter and the announcement of a price increase for April in China and Europe, there is some indication that certain markets may have bottomed out and stabilized. Despite these developments, we are cognizant that the renewed demand from China may be temporary and primarily motivated by current pricing. Significant volumes remain in global pulp distribution channels and need to be balanced by further production curtailments among producers. As a result we expect market conditions to remain difficult in the near-term."

Mr. Lee concluded: "Although there have been several temporary and permanent mill closures, because of sales of inventory from such idled mills, the effect of such reduced production has not yet been really reflected in balancing the market."

Three Months Ended March 31, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

Pulp revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased by approximately 28.0% to EUR129.0 million from EUR179.1 million in the comparative period of 2008, primarily due to the ongoing global economic crisis and its effect on world pulp markets. Revenues from the sale of excess energy increased by approximately 36.6% in the first quarter to EUR10.6 million from EUR7.7 million in the same quarter last year due to the higher biomass energy tariffs now in effect under Germany's Renewable Energy Resources Act.

Pulp production decreased to 345,620 ADMTs in the current quarter from 360,881 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2008 primarily due to seven days of unscheduled production downtime at our Celgar mill as a result of a temporary railway shutdown due to weather conditions. We took no scheduled maintenance downtime at our mills in the first three months of 2009 compared to one day in the same period of 2008.

Pulp sales volume decreased to 336,659 ADMTs in the current quarter from 348,176 ADMTs in the comparative period of 2008. Average pulp sales realizations decreased by approximately 26.1% to EUR377 per ADMT in the first quarter of 2009, compared to EUR510 per ADMT in the same period last year.

Costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2009 decreased to EUR152.0 million from EUR168.2 million in the comparative period of 2008.

As a result of continuing weak NBSK markets in the current quarter, we recorded additional non-cash provisions of EUR3.4 million and EUR1.2 million against our finished goods and fiber inventories, respectively.

On average, and including the effect of the non-cash inventory provision on our fiber inventories, our fiber costs decreased by approximately 10.4% in the first quarter of 2009 from the same period in 2008 primarily due to lower demand. We currently expect fiber prices to level off in the near term due to the effect of the ongoing sawmilling curtailments and harvesting reductions.

During the first quarter of 2009, our raw material inventories decreased to EUR26.5 million from EUR38.2 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2008. Our pulp inventories increased by approximately 7.9% to EUR40.9 million in the first quarter of 2009 from EUR37.9 million at the end of the prior quarter.

For the first quarter of 2009, we recorded an operating loss of EUR12.4 million compared to operating income of EUR18.6 million in the comparative quarter of 2008, primarily due to lower price realizations and sales volume resulting from deteriorating market conditions.

Interest expense in the first quarter of 2009 decreased very marginally to EUR16.5 million from EUR16.6 million in the comparative quarter of 2008.

In the first three months of 2009 we recorded a loss of EUR3.2 million on the final disposition of certain investments previously owned by our Stendal mill. Such investments were held in an independently-managed fund created for purposes of investing the debt service reserve account funds under the mill's project finance facility.

Our Stendal mill recorded an unrealized loss of EUR15.0 million on our interest rate derivatives at the end of the current quarter, compared to an unrealized loss of EUR7.9 million in the same quarter of last year in large part due to the significant decrease in European interest rates. We recorded a foreign exchange loss on our debt of EUR4.4 million in the first quarter of 2009 compared to an unrealized gain of EUR6.0 million.

In the first quarter of 2009, the noncontrolling shareholder's interest in the Stendal mill's loss was EUR9.3 million, compared to EUR3.2 million in the same quarter last year.

In the first quarter of 2009, we reported Operating EBITDA of EUR1.1 million compared to EUR32.8 million in the first quarter of 2008 and an Operating EBITDA loss of EUR7.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. EBITDA in the current quarter includes non-cash inventory provisions of EUR4.6 million. Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges. Management uses Operating EBITDA as a benchmark measurement of its own operating results, and as a benchmark relative to its competitors. Management considers it to be a meaningful supplement to operating income as a performance measure primarily because depreciation expense and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges are not an actual cash cost, and depreciation expense varies widely from company to company in a manner that management considers largely independent of the underlying cost efficiency of their operating facilities. In addition, we believe Operating EBITDA is commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate our financial performance.

Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income, including financing costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income attributable to common shareholders or income from operations as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. For a reconciliation of Operating EBITDA to net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, see page 6 of the financial tables included in this press release.

We reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders for the first quarter of 2009 of EUR39.4 million, or a loss of EUR1.08 per basic and diluted share, which included an aggregate unrealized non-cash loss of EUR19.4 million on Stendal's interest rate derivative and foreign exchange losses on our debt. In the first quarter of 2008, net income attributable to common shareholders was EUR2.9 million, or EUR0.08 per basic and diluted share. As at March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, we had 36,422,487 and 36,285,027 common shares outstanding.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In light of the continued volatile market environment and recessionary economic conditions, we are providing additional information concerning our liquidity and capital resources.

The following table is a summary of selected financial information for the periods indicated:



                                         As at      As at
                                       March 31,   Dec. 31,
                                         2009        2008
                                       ---------   ---------
                                          (in thousands)

 Financial Position

 Cash and cash equivalents             EUR41,236   EUR42,452
 Cash, restricted                          3,531      13,000
 Working capital                         109,961     154,374
 Property, plant and equipment           879,300     881,704
 Total assets                          1,113,541   1,151,600
 Long-term liabilities                   926,561     914,970
 Total equity                             78,385     132,103

As at March 31, 2009, our cash and cash equivalents were EUR41.2 million, working capital was EUR110.0 million and we had approximately EUR31.5 million in available undrawn lines of credit.

As at March 31, 2009, we had an aggregate amount of EUR522.8 million outstanding under the Stendal mill's project finance facility. We had also drawn approximately C$22.0 million under the C$40.0 million working capital facility for our Celgar mill and approximately EUR10.0 million under the EUR40.0 million working capital facility for our Rosenthal mill.

Restricted Group

The following table is a summary of selected financial information for the Restricted Group for the periods indicated:



                                         As at      As at
                                       March 31,   Dec. 31,
                                         2009        2008
                                       ---------   ---------
                                          (in thousands)

 Restricted Group Financial Position

 Cash and cash equivalents             EUR28,682   EUR26,176
 Working capital                          73,683     101,490
 Property, plant and equipment           354,777     351,009
 Total assets                            562,641     564,374
 Long-term liabilities                   316,826     309,235
 Total equity                            189,069     210,179

As at March 31, 2009, our Restricted Group had cash and cash equivalents of EUR28.7 million, working capital of EUR73.7 million and approximately EUR31.5 million in available undrawn lines of credit.

Earnings Release Call

In conjunction with this release, Mercer International Inc. will host a conference call, which will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet. Management will host the call, which is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 10:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time). Listeners can access the conference call live and archived through May 30, 2009, over the Internet at http://investor.shareholder.com/media/eventdetail.cfm?mediaid=36264&c=MERC&mediakey=957433ACFFF2F424B0AB33A05D209E5E&e=0 or through a link on the Company's News/Financial page at http://www.mercerint.com/s/NewsReleases.asp. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to visit the site and download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of this call will be available approximately two hours after the live call ends until May 7, 2009 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Daylight Time). The replay number is (800) 642-1687 for domestic callers or (706) 645-9291 for international callers, and the passcode is 94432276.

Mercer International Inc. is a global pulp manufacturing company. To obtain further information on the company, please visit its web site at http://www.mercerint.com.

The preceding includes forward looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the effects of the current economic and financial turmoil, the highly cyclical nature of our business, raw material costs, our level of indebtedness, competition, foreign exchange and interest rate fluctuations, our use of derivatives, expenditures for capital projects, environmental regulation and compliance, disruptions to our production, market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our SEC reports.



                       MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                  INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                              (Unaudited)
                        (In thousands of Euros)

                                            March 31,      Dec. 31,
                                              2009           2008
                                         -------------  -------------
 ASSETS

 Current assets
   Cash and cash equivalents                EUR41,236      EUR42,452
   Cash, restricted                             3,531         13,000
   Receivables                                 80,943        100,158
   Inventories                                 89,761         98,457
   Prepaid expenses and other                   3,085          4,834
                                         -------------  -------------
 Total current assets                         218,556        258,901
                                         -------------  -------------
 Long-term assets
   Property, plant and equipment              879,300        881,704
   Investments                                     71            419
   Deferred note issuance and
    other costs                                 8,852          4,011
   Deferred income tax                          3,231          3,036
   Note receivable, less
    current portion                             3,531          3,529
                                         -------------  -------------
                                              894,985        892,699
                                         -------------  -------------
 Total assets                            EUR1,113,541   EUR1,151,600
                                         =============  =============

 LIABILITIES

 Current liabilities
   Accounts payable and
    accrued expenses                        EUR81,575      EUR87,517
   Pension and other post-retirement
    benefit obligations,
    current portion                               520            510
   Debt, current portion                       26,500         16,500
                                         -------------  -------------
 Total current liabilities                    108,595        104,527
                                         -------------  -------------
 Long-term liabilities
   Debt, less current portion                 838,556        837,918
   Unrealized interest rate
    derivative losses                          62,125         47,112
   Pension and other post-retirement
    benefit obligations                        12,980         12,846
   Capital leases and other                     9,877         11,267
   Deferred income tax                          3,023          5,827
                                         -------------  -------------
                                              926,561        914,970
                                         -------------  -------------
 Total liabilities                          1,035,156      1,019,497
                                         -------------  -------------

 EQUITY

 Shareholders' equity
   Share capital                              202,844        202,844
   Paid-in capital                             (5,897)           299
   Retained earnings (deficit)                (74,396)       (35,046)
   Accumulated other
    comprehensive loss                         (6,944)        (1,872)
                                         -------------  -------------
 Total shareholders' equity                   115,607        166,225
                                         -------------  -------------

 Noncontrolling interest (deficit)            (37,222)       (34,122)
                                         -------------  -------------
 Total equity                                  78,385        132,103
                                         -------------  -------------
 Total liabilities and equity            EUR1,113,541   EUR1,151,600
                                         =============  =============


                       MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

             INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                              (Unaudited)
            (In thousands of Euros, except per share data)

                                              Three Months Ended
                                                   March 31,
                                         ----------------------------
                                             2009           2008
                                         -------------  -------------
 Revenues

    Pulp revenue                           EUR129,033     EUR179,101
    Energy revenue                             10,539          7,715
                                         -------------  -------------
                                              139,572        186,816
 Costs and expenses

    Operating costs                           131,997        147,156
    Operating depreciation
     and amortization                          13,401         14,121
                                         -------------  -------------
                                               (5,826)        25,539
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses                    7,145          6,896
    (Sale) purchase of
     emission allowances                         (558)            --
                                         -------------  -------------
 Operating income (loss)                      (12,413)        18,643
                                         -------------  -------------

 Other income (expense)

    Interest expense                          (16,549)       (16,620)
    Investment income (loss)                   (3,202)           310
    Foreign exchange gain (loss)
     on debt                                   (4,416)         6,031
    Unrealized gain (loss) on
     derivative instruments                   (15,013)        (7,850)
                                         -------------  -------------
 Total other income (expense)                 (39,180)       (18,129)
                                         -------------  -------------
 Net income (loss) before income taxes        (51,593)           514
 Income tax benefit (provision)
  - current                                       (49)           376
  - deferred                                    3,031         (1,204)
                                         -------------  -------------
 Net income (loss)                            (48,611)          (314)
 Less:  net loss attributable to
  noncontrolling interest                       9,261          3,183
                                         -------------  -------------
 Net income (loss) attributable to
  common shareholders                         (39,350)         2,869

 Retained earnings (deficit),
  beginning of period                         (35,046)        37,419
                                         -------------  -------------
 Retained earnings (deficit),
  end of period                            EUR(74,396)     EUR40,288
                                         =============  =============

 Net income (loss) per share
  attributable to common shareholders

    Basic                                    EUR(1.08)       EUR0.08
                                         =============  =============
    Diluted                                  EUR(1.08)       EUR0.08
                                         =============  =============


                       MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

               RESTRICTED GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
                   Combined Condensed Balance Sheet
                              (Unaudited)
                        (In thousands of Euros)

The terms of the indenture governing our 9.25% senior unsecured notes require that we provide the results of operations and financial condition of Mercer International Inc. and our restricted subsidiaries under the indenture, collectively referred to as the "Restricted Group". As at and during the three months and year ended March 31,2009 and 2008, the Restricted Group was comprised of Mercer International Inc., our Rosenthal and Celgar mills and certain holding subsidiaries. The Restricted Group excludes the Stendal mill.



                                   March 31, 2009
                -------------------------------------------------------
                 Restricted   Unrestricted                Consolidated
                   Group      Subsidiaries  Eliminations     Group
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 ASSETS

 Current assets
   Cash and cash
    equivalents     EUR28,682     EUR12,554         EUR--     EUR41,236
   Cash,
    restricted             --         3,531            --         3,531
   Receivables         42,699        38,244            --        80,943
   Inventories         56,979        32,782            --        89,761
   Prepaid
    expenses
    and other           2,069         1,016            --         3,085
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total current
  assets              130,429        88,127            --       218,556

   Property,
    plant
    and
    equipment         354,777       524,523            --       879,300
   Other                3,664         5,259            --         8,923
   Deferred
    income
    tax                 3,231            --            --         3,231
   Due from
    unrestricted
    group              67,009            --       (67,009)           --
   Note
    receivable,
    less current
    portion             3,531            --            --         3,531
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total assets      EUR562,641    EUR617,909    EUR(67,009) EUR1,113,541
                ============= ============= ============= =============

 LIABILITIES

 Current
  liabilities
   Accounts
    payable
    and accrued
    expenses        EUR46,226     EUR35,349         EUR--     EUR81,575
   Pension and
    other post-
    retirement
    benefit
    obligations,
    current
    portion               520            --            --           520
   Debt, current
    portion            10,000        16,500            --        26,500
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total current
  liabilities          56,746        51,849            --       108,595

   Debt, less
    current
    portion           297,672       540,884            --       838,556
   Due to
    restricted
    group                  --        67,009       (67,009)           --
   Unrealized
    interest
    rate
    derivative
    losses                 --        62,125            --        62,125
   Pension and
    other post-
    retirement
    benefit
    obligations        12,980            --            --        12,980
   Capital
    leases
    and other           6,174         3,703            --         9,877
   Deferred
    income
    tax                    --         3,023            --         3,023
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total
  liabilities         373,572       728,593       (67,009)    1,035,156
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

 EQUITY

 Total
  shareholders'
  equity
  (deficit)           189,069       (73,462)           --       115,607
 Noncontrolling
  interest
  (deficit)                --       (37,222)           --       (37,222)
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total
  liabilities
  and equity       EUR562,641    EUR617,909    EUR(67,009) EUR1,113,541
                ============= ============= ============= =============


                       MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

               RESTRICTED GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
                   Combined Condensed Balance Sheet
                              (Unaudited)
                        (In thousands of Euros)

                                  December 31, 2008
                -------------------------------------------------------
                 Restricted   Unrestricted                Consolidated
                   Group      Subsidiaries  Eliminations     Group
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
ASSETS

 Current assets
   Cash and cash
    equivalents     EUR26,176     EUR16,276         EUR--     EUR42,452
   Cash,
    restricted             --        13,000            --        13,000
   Receivables         57,258        42,900            --       100,158
   Inventories         59,801        38,656            --        98,457
   Prepaid
    expenses
    and other           3,215         1,619            --         4,834
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total current
  assets              146,450       112,451            --       258,901

   Property,
    plant
    and
    equipment         351,009       530,695            --       881,704
   Other                4,425             5            --         4,430
   Deferred
    income
    tax                 3,036            --            --         3,036
   Due from
    unrestricted
    group              55,925            --       (55,925)           --
   Note
    receivable,
    less current
    portion             3,529            --            --         3,529
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total assets      EUR564,374    EUR643,151    EUR(55,925) EUR1,151,600
                ============= ============= ============= =============

 LIABILITIES

 Current
  liabilities
   Accounts
    payable
    and accrued
    expenses        EUR44,450     EUR43,067         EUR--     EUR87,517
   Pension and
    other post-
    retirement
    benefit
    obligations,
    current
    portion               510            --            --           510
   Debt, current
    portion                --        16,500            --        16,500
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total current
  liabilities          44,960        59,567            --       104,527

   Debt, less
    current
    portion           289,222       548,696            --       837,918
   Due to
    restricted
    group                  --        55,925       (55,925)           --
   Unrealized
    interest
    rate
    derivative
    losses                 --        47,112            --        47,112
   Pension and
    other post-
    retirement
    benefit
    obligations        12,846            --            --        12,846
   Capital
    leases
    and other           7,167         4,100            --        11,267
   Deferred
    income tax             --         5,827            --         5,827
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total
  liabilities         354,195       721,227       (55,925)    1,019,497
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

 EQUITY

 Total
  shareholders'
  equity
  (deficit)           210,179       (43,954)           --       166,225
 Noncontrolling
  interest
  (deficit)                --       (34,122)           --       (34,122)
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Total
  liabilities
  and equity       EUR564,374    EUR643,151    EUR(55,925) EUR1,151,600
                ============= ============= ============= =============


                       MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

               RESTRICTED GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
              Combined Condensed Statements of Operations
                              (Unaudited)
                        (In thousands of Euros)

                          Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
                -------------------------------------------------------
                 Restricted   Unrestricted                Consolidated
                   Group      Subsidiaries  Eliminations     Group
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
 Revenues           EUR79,032     EUR60,540         EUR--    EUR139,572
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

 Operating costs       73,316        58,681            --       131,997
 Operating
  depreciation
  and
  amortization          6,704         6,697            --        13,401
 Selling, general
  and
  administrative
  expenses              4,422         2,165            --         6,587
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
                       84,442        67,543            --       151,985
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
    Operating
     income
     (loss)            (5,410)       (7,003)           --       (12,413)
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

 Other income
  (expense)
   Interest
    expense            (7,302)      (10,356)        1,109       (16,549)
   Investment
    income (loss)         916        (3,009)       (1,109)       (3,202)
   Foreign
    exchange
    gain (loss)
    on debt            (4,416)           --            --        (4,416)
   Derivative
    instruments            --       (15,013)           --       (15,013)
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
   Total other
    income
    (expense)         (10,802)      (28,378)           --       (39,180)
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
     Net income
      (loss)
      before
      income
      taxes           (16,212)      (35,381)           --       (51,593)
 Income tax
  benefit
  (provision)             208         2,774            --         2,982
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
     Net income
      (loss)          (16,004)      (32,607)           --       (48,611)
 Less: net
  loss
  attributable
  to
  noncontrolling
  interest                 --         9,261            --         9,261
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
     Net income
      (loss)
      attribut-
      able to
      common
      share-
      holders      EUR(16,004)   EUR(23,346)        EUR--    EUR(39,350)
                ============= ============= ============= =============


                            Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
                -------------------------------------------------------
                 Restricted   Unrestricted                Consolidated
                   Group      Subsidiaries  Eliminations     Group
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

 Revenues          EUR104,588     EUR82,228         EUR--    EUR186,816
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

 Operating costs       81,142        66,014            --       147,156
 Operating
  depreciation
  and
  amortization          7,421         6,700            --        14,121
 Selling, general
  and
  administrative
  expenses              3,744         3,152            --         6,896
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
                       92,307        75,866            --       168,173
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
    Operating
     income
     (loss)            12,281         6,362            --        18,643
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------

 Other income
  (expense)
   Interest
    expense            (6,712)      (10,867)          959       (16,620)
   Investment
    income (loss)       1,736          (467)         (959)          310
   Foreign
    exchange
    gain (loss)
    on debt             6,627          (596)           --         6,031
   Derivative
    instruments            --        (7,850)           --        (7,850)
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
   Total other
    income
    (expense)           1,651       (19,780)           --       (18,129)
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
      Net income
       (loss)
       before
       income
       taxes           13,932       (13,418)           --           514
 Income tax
  benefit
  (provision)          (2,154)        1,326            --          (828)
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
      Net income
       (loss)          11,778       (12,092)           --          (314)
 Less: net
  loss
  attributable
  to
  noncontrolling
  interest                 --         3,183            --         3,183
                ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
      Net income
       (loss)
       attribut-
       able to 
       common
       share-
       holders      EUR11,778     EUR(8,909)        EUR--      EUR2,869
                ============= ============= ============= =============


                        MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

                     COMPUTATION OF OPERATING EBITDA
                              (Unaudited)
                        (In thousands of Euros)

                                             Three Months Ended
                                                  March 31,
                                        ---------------------------- 
                                            2009            2008
                                        ------------    ------------
 Net income (loss) attributable 
  to common shareholders                 EUR(39,350)       EUR2,869
 Net loss attributable to 
  noncontrolling interest                    (9,261)         (3,183)
 Income taxes (benefits)                     (2,982)            828
 Interest expense                            16,549          16,620
 Investment (income) loss                     3,202            (310)
 Unrealized foreign exchange 
  (gain) loss on debt                         4,416          (6,031)
 Derivative financial instruments            15,013           7,850
                                        ------------    ------------
 Operating income (loss)                    (12,413)         18,643
 Add: Depreciation and 
  amortization                               13,467          14,192
                                        ------------    ------------
 Operating EBITDA(1)                       EUR1,054       EUR32,835
                                        ============    ============


 (1)  Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of
      items that affect our net income (loss) attributable to common
      shareholders, including financing costs and the effect of
      derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of
      financial performance under accounting principles generally
      accepted in the United States, and should not be considered as
      an alternative to net income (loss) attributable to common
      shareholders or income (loss) from operations as a measure of
      performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating
      activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA has
      significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be
      considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our
      results as reported under GAAP.


              COMPUTATION OF RESTRICTED GROUP OPERATING EBITDA
                                (Unaudited)
                          (In thousands of Euros)

                                             Three Months Ended
                                                  March 31,
                                        ---------------------------- 
                                            2009            2008
                                        ------------    ------------
 Restricted Group
 Net income (loss) attributable 
  to common shareholders                 EUR(16,004)      EUR11,778
 Income taxes (benefits)                       (208)          2,154
 Interest expense                             7,302           6,712
 Investment (income) loss                      (916)         (1,736)
 Unrealized foreign exchange        
  (gain) loss on debt                         4,416          (6,627)
                                        ------------    ------------
 Operating income (loss)                     (5,410)         12,281
 Add: Depreciation and              
  amortization                                6,770           7,492
                                        ------------    ------------
 Operating EBITDA(1)                       EUR1,360       EUR19,773
                                        ============    ============


 (1)  Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of
      items that affect our net income (loss) attributable to common
      shareholders, including financing costs and the effect of
      derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of
      financial performance under accounting principles generally
      accepted in the United States, and should not be considered as
      an alternative to net income (loss) attributable to common
      shareholders or income (loss) from operations as a measure of
      performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating
      activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA has
      significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be
      considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our
      results as reported under GAAP.


            

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