LP Building Solutions Reports First Quarter 2021 Results, Provides Second Quarter Outlook, and More

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP) reported its quarter ended March 31, 2021 financial results.

Key Highlights for the First Quarter

–Net sales increased by 74% to $1.0 billion

–LP® SmartSide® net sales increased by 49% to $283 million

–OSB net sales increased by $319 million to $539 million, $333 million of which was from higher OSB prices

–Net income attributed to LP was $320 million ($3.00 per diluted share)

–Cash provided by operating activities was $314 million

–Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $461 million

–Adjusted Diluted EPS(1) was $3.01 per share

(1) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Information” and “Reconciliation of Net Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA, Non-GAAP Adjusted Income, and Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted EPS”

Capital Allocation Update

–Paid $122 million in the quarter to repurchase 2.4 million shares of LP common stock

–As of May 3, 2021, $32 million remaining under the $300 million share repurchase authorization

–Paid $17 million in cash dividends

–Cash and cash equivalents of $658 million as of March 31, 2021

–Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share

–Announces additional authorization of $1 billion to repurchase LP common stock

“LP’s Siding and OSB segments both set records for sales and EBITDA in the first quarter,” said LP Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brad Southern. “LP’s operations, procurement, and logistics teams overcame supply chain challenges as well as extreme winter weather in the southeast to deliver outstanding results. Capacity expansion projects are underway at Houlton and Peace Valley in order to meet strong and growing demand for innovative SmartSide and Structural Solutions products.”

First Quarter 2021 Highlights

Net sales for the first quarter of 2021 increased by $432 million (or 74%) over the prior year to $1.0 billion. SmartSide revenue increased by $93 million (or 49%) and OSB prices increased by $333 million, partially offset by 7% percent lower OSB sales volume. Additionally, South America revenue increased by $17 million over the prior year to $53 million.

Net income attributed to LP for the first quarter 2021 increased by $287 million over the prior year to $320 million ($3.00 per diluted share) primarily due to the growth in SmartSide and the higher OSB prices. We recognized debt extinguishment charges of $11 million during the first quarter of 2021. During the first quarter of 2020, we recognized pre-tax impairment charges of $7 million related to fiber-producing assets.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 increased by $378 million over the prior year to $461 million, primarily due to SmartSide revenue growth and higher OSB prices.

Segment Results

Siding

The Siding segment serves diverse end markets with a broad product offering including LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding, LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® prefinished siding, and LP® Outdoor Building Solutions® products for premium outdoor buildings. Our SmartSide products consist of a full line of engineered wood siding, trim, soffit, and fascia.

For the first quarter of 2021, Siding net sales increased by $73 million (or 35%) compared to the corresponding period in 2020, primarily due to SmartSide revenue growth of $93 million or 49% (39% volume, 7% price) partially offset by a decrease in fiber sales. Adjusted EBITDA increased by $48 million (or 116%) from 2020, primarily due to the increase in SmartSide revenue partially offset by a decrease in fiber sales and higher freight costs.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

The OSB segment manufactures and distributes OSB structural panel products including the value-added OSB portfolio known as LP Structural Solutions (LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier, LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier, LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring, and LP® FlameBlock® Fire-Rated Sheathing) and LP® TopNotch® Sub-Flooring. OSB is manufactured using wood strands arranged in layers and bonded with resins.

For the first quarter of 2021, OSB net sales increased by $319 million (or 145%) compared to the corresponding period in 2020. OSB prices increased by $333 million, while OSB sales volume decreased by 7% due to supply disruptions and weather-related shutdowns. Structural Solutions accounted for 47% of the total OSB segment volume in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 43% in the first quarter of 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 increased over the prior year by $319 million, primarily due to increased OSB prices, slightly offset by the lower volume and higher freight costs.

Engineered Wood Products (EWP)

The EWP segment is comprised of LP® SolidStart® I-Joist, Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), and Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL) and other related products. This segment also includes the sales of I-Joist and LVL products produced by our joint venture and sales of plywood produced as a by-product of the LVL production process.

For the first quarter of 2021, EWP net sales increased by $24 million (or 24%) compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to increased pricing in response to rising input costs, the net impact of which was an Adjusted EBITDA decline of $2 million.

South America

Our South America segment manufactures and distributes OSB structural panel and siding products in South America and certain export markets. This segment has manufacturing operations in two countries, Chile and Brazil, and operates sales offices in Chile, Brazil, Peru, Columbia, and Argentina.

For the first quarter of 2021, South America net sales increased by $17 million (or 47%) and Adjusted EBITDA increased by $14 million compared to the corresponding period in 2020 due to higher OSB and siding pricing partially offset by a decrease in OSB sales volume.

Q2 2021 Outlook and 2021 Capital Expenditure Guidance

Our guidance is based on current plans and expectations and is subject to a number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks, including those set forth below under “Forward-Looking Statements.”

–SmartSide sales in the second quarter of 2021 to be more than 30% higher than the second quarter of 2020

–OSB sales in the second quarter of 2021 to be sequentially higher than the first quarter of 2021 by more than 30%

–Adjusted EBITDA(2) for the second quarter of 2021 to be greater than $580 million

–Given our current outlook, we expect capital expenditures for 2021 to be in the range of $230 million to $250 million, including $90 million to $95 million for the previously announced Houlton mill conversion, $30 million to $35 million for other strategic growth projects, $10 million for Peace Valley, and $100 million to $110 million for sustaining maintenance.

(2) This is a non-GAAP financial measure. With respect to Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2021, certain items that affect net income on a GAAP basis, such as product-line discontinuance charges, other operating credits and charges, net, loss on early debt extinguishment, investment income, and other non-operating items, that would be required to be included in the comparable forecasted GAAP measures without unreasonable effort. As such, the Company is unable to provide a reasonable estimate of GAAP net income, or a corresponding reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income.

For the full press release, click here.

About LP Building Solutions

As a leader in high-performance building solutions, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LP Building Solutions, NYSE: LPX) manufactures engineered wood building products that meet the demands of builders, remodelers, and homeowners worldwide. Its extensive offerings include innovative and dependable building products and accessories, such as LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding, LP Structural Solutions portfolio (LP WeatherLogic^® Air & Water Barrier, LP Legacy^® Premium Sub-Flooring, LP^® TechShield^® Radiant Barrier, LP^® FlameBlock^® Fire-Rated Sheathing and more), oriented strand board (OSB), LP^® TopNotch^® Sub-Flooring, LP, LP^® Outdoor Building Solutions^®, and LP Elements^® Performance Fencing. In addition to product solutions, LP provides industry-leading service and warranties. Since its founding in 1972, LP has been Building a Better World^™ by helping customers construct beautiful, durable homes. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, LP operates 25 plants across the U.S., Canada, Chile and Brazil. For more information, visit LPCorp.com.

Contact:

Aaron Howald – Investor Relations – aaron.howald@lpcorp.com – (615) 986-5792

Source: Louisiana-Pacific Corporation