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Weyerhaeuser Reports Second Quarter Results

General News

Weyerhaeuser Company (or the “Company”) reported second quarter net earnings of $72 million, or 10 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $1.6 billion. This compares with net earnings of $128 million, or 17 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $1.7 billion for the same period last year.

Excluding a net after-tax charge of $5 million for special items, primarily related to the early extinguishment of debt, the company reported second quarter net earnings of $77 million, or 11 cents per diluted share. This compares with net earnings before special items of $123 million for the same period last year and $138 million for the first quarter of 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2020 was $386 million compared with $343 million for the same period last year and $413 million for the first quarter of 2020.

“In the second quarter, we delivered strong results across each of our businesses despite the disruptive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Devin W. Stockfish, president and chief executive officer. “I am extremely proud of the dedication and focus of our teams as they safely adapted business practices, efficiently pivoted operating postures, and capitalized on operational excellence opportunities while navigating unprecedented fluctuations in market demand. This includes delivering record low cost performance in lumber despite significant production curtailments.”

“These operational efforts, in conjunction with improving market conditions and our prior actions to enhance financial flexibility, enabled us to generate solid cash flow and strengthen our balance sheet. Entering the third quarter, U.S. housing activity is improving, but against a backdrop of rising COVID-19 infection rates and the rollback of certain economic reopening plans. We remain focused on operating safely and efficiently, effectively capitalizing on a full range of market conditions, and driving long-term value for our shareholders through disciplined, prudent capital allocation.”

Timberlands

Q2 2020 Performance – In the West, log sales volumes and average sales realizations were comparable to the first quarter, as lower volumes and realizations for domestic and Japan export logs were offset by improved China export volumes and realizations. Forestry and road spending was seasonally higher, and export costs increased. In the South, harvest volumes decreased approximately 4 percent and average sales realizations declined slightly due to mix. In the North, fee harvest volumes decreased seasonally due to spring breakup.

Q3 2020 Outlook – Weyerhaeuser expects third quarter earnings and Adjusted EBITDA will be lower than second quarter. In the West, the company anticipates slightly lower average log sales realizations and seasonally higher road, forestry, and per unit logging and hauling costs. The company expects higher average Western domestic log realizations, slightly lower export log realizations, and a higher proportion of domestic log sales compared with the second quarter. In the South, the company expects seasonally higher forestry expenses, decreased fee harvest volumes and slightly lower average log sales realizations, primarily due to mix.

Real Estate, Energy & Natural Resources

Q2 2020 Performance – The number of real estate acres sold decreased compared with the first quarter, and average price per acre declined due to the mix of properties sold. Average land basis as a percent of sales increased slightly due to mix. Energy & Natural Resources earnings and Adjusted EBITDA were comparable to the first quarter.

Q3 2020 Outlook – Weyerhaeuser anticipates third quarter earnings and Adjusted EBITDA will be comparable to the second quarter. The company now expects full year 2020 Adjusted EBITDA for the segment will be approximately $235 million, an increase from the $200 million previously expected.

Wood Products

Q2 2020 Performance – Market demand for wood products declined sharply in April due to the economic impact of COVID-19 but rebounded later in the quarter. In April, Weyerhaeuser reduced production volumes across its manufacturing facilities to align with customer demand. As the quarter progressed, the company dynamically adjusted operating rates in response to improving market conditions.

Average sales realizations for lumber increased 5 percent compared with the first quarter, and manufacturing costs improved across all product lines due to operational excellence and cost management initiatives. This was partially offset by lower sales volumes for most product lines.

Second quarter special items consist of an $8 million pretax benefit from product remediation insurance proceeds.

Q3 2020 Outlook – Weyerhaeuser expects third quarter earnings and Adjusted EBITDA will be significantly higher than second quarter. To date, third quarter benchmark pricing for lumber and oriented strand board is significantly higher than the second quarter average. The company also anticipates increased sales volumes across most product lines.

Unallocated

Q2 2020 Performance – Second quarter results include a benefit from elimination of intersegment profit in inventory and LIFO compared with a charge in the first quarter. The second quarter benefit was due to lower end of quarter log and lumber inventory levels.

Income Taxes

Q2 2020 Performance – The provision for income taxes was a charge for second quarter, compared with a benefit for first quarter, as the company adjusted its estimated annual effective tax rate to reflect higher average sales realizations for lumber and oriented strand board.

About Weyerhaeuser

Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 11 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. We are also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. Our company is a real estate investment trust. In 2019, we generated $6.6 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,400 people who serve customers worldwide. We are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. Learn more at www.weyerhaeuser.com.

Contact:

Nancy Thompson – Media Contact – nancy.thompson@weyerhaeuser.com – (919) 861-0342

Source: Weyerhaeuser Company