Consumables

NewPage Reports Second Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Monday 12. August 2013 - Results in line with expectations despite lower North American demand

Strong liquidity position as the company enters the second half of 2013
NewPage Holdings Inc. (NewPage) today reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2013.
Net sales in the second quarter of 2013 were $720 million compared to $759 million in the second quarter of 2012. The decrease was primarily the result of lower sales volume and lower average paper prices, partially offset by improved mix.
Net loss in the second quarter of 2013 was $13 million compared to net income of $84 million in the second quarter of 2012. The change in results was driven by bankruptcy-related items in the prior-year quarter, primarily associated with the reversal of $115 million of interest expense on the pre-petition debt.
Operating cash flows in the second quarter of 2013 were $19 million, which included $16 million of bankruptcy-related payments. Operating cash flows in the second quarter of 2012 were $96 million, which included $12 million of bankruptcy-related payments and $63 million representing 2011 post-petition First Lien Notes interest that was reversed into income as it was re-characterized as a principal reduction. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the company used $23 million of cash in operations, which included $58 million of bankruptcy-related payments. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the company used $48 million of cash in operations, which included a $38 million interest payment on pre-petition debt and $34 million of other bankruptcy-related payments. Any remaining bankruptcy-related payments are not expected to be significant.
Adjusted EBITDA (see reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA below), was $50 million in the second quarter of 2013 compared to $57 million in the second quarter of 2012.
“The results for the second quarter and first half of the year were in line with our expectations. Lower costs offset the impact of weak North American demand and lower pricing for our coated paper products,” said George F. Martin, president and chief executive officer for NewPage. “We continue to align our product offerings to meet the changing needs of our customers and believe we are well positioned for the current competitive environment, with a highly efficient cost structure and a flexible, strategically placed mill platform.”
NewPage ended the second quarter with $271 million of available liquidity, consisting of $267 million of availability under the revolving credit facility and $4 million of available cash and cash equivalents. “The company did an excellent job optimizing working capital during the second quarter,” said Jay A. Epstein, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “On July 15, 2013, we received confirmation from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that our financial position meets the requirement of adequate financial assurance related to certain landfill obligations. This confirmation will improve our available liquidity as it results in the release of approximately $20 million in letters of credit issued under the revolving credit facility.”
Lower year over year prices reflect the continuing decline in demand for printing and writing paper. Reported industry shipments of printing and writing paper in North America were down approximately 4%, in line with the company’s volume decline during the second quarter.
Costs declined during the second quarter on a year over year basis. Decreased volume and lower depreciation and maintenance expense were offset somewhat by inflation, which was lower than expected for the quarter driven largely by lower latex prices and lower wood costs.
“We have four of our five major outages behind us and our mills are running well in preparation for the seasonally stronger second half of the year. Seasonal strength, the impact of our announced pricing actions and continued benefit from cost initiatives we put in place in the first half should help drive improved performance in the second half of the year,” Martin concluded.
Basis of Presentation
The implementation of the Chapter 11 plan and the application of fresh start accounting materially changed the carrying amounts and classifications reported in the company’s consolidated financial statements and resulted in it becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the company’s consolidated financial statements for periods prior to December 31, 2012 will not be comparable to its consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 or for periods subsequent to December 31, 2012. References to “Successor” or “Successor Company” refer to NewPage Holdings on or after December 31, 2012, after giving effect to the implementation of the Chapter 11 plan and the application of fresh start accounting. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” refer to NewPage prior to December 31, 2012.