Rayonier Reports Fourth Quarter 2021 Results

The following table summarizes operating income (loss), pro forma operating income (loss)⁵ and Adjusted EBITDA⁵ for the current quarter and comparable prior year period:

Overview of Full-Year Results

Full-year 2021 net income attributable to Rayonier was $152.6 million, or $1.08 per share, on revenues of $1.1 billion. This compares to net income attributable to Rayonier of $37.1 million, or $0.27 per share, on revenues of $859.2 million in the prior year. Full-year results included $44.8 million of income from Large Dispositions,⁶ a $10.3 million gain on Fund II Timberland Dispositions attributable to Rayonier¹ and a $7.5 million gain on investment in Timber Funds² (reflecting the gain recognized on the sale of Funds III and IV and the gain recognized on Fund II carried interest incentive fees), partially offset by a $2.2 million loss from the termination of a cash flow hedge⁷ and a $0.2 million loss related to debt extinguishments and modifications.⁸ The prior year results included $28.7 million of income from a Large Disposition,⁶ partially offset by $17.2 million of costs related to the merger with Pope Resources³ and $7.9 million of timber write-offs resulting from casualty events attributable to Rayonier.⁹ Excluding these items and adjusting for pro forma net income adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests in the operating partnership,⁴ pro forma net income⁵ was $94.1 million, or $0.67 per share, on pro forma revenues⁵ of $863.1 million versus pro forma net income⁵ of $33.1 million, or $0.25 per share, on pro forma revenues⁵ of $720.4 million in the prior year.

The following table summarizes the full-year and comparable prior year results:

Full-year operating income was $269.8 million versus $74.4 million in the prior year. Full-year operating income included $44.8 million of income from Large Dispositions,⁶ a $10.3 million gain on Fund II Timberland Dispositions attributable to Rayonier,¹ a $7.5 million gain on investment in Timber Funds² and $45.6 million of operating income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Timber Funds segment. Prior year operating income included $28.7 million of income from a Large Disposition,⁶ partially offset by $17.2 million of costs related to the merger with Pope Resources,³ $7.9 million of timber write-offs resulting from casualty events attributable to Rayonier⁹ and $11.6 million of operating loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Timber Funds segment. Excluding these items, full-year pro forma operating income⁵ was $161.6 million versus $82.3 million in the prior year. Full-year Adjusted EBITDA⁵ was $329.8 million versus $267.4 million in the prior year.

The following table summarizes operating income (loss), pro forma operating income (loss)⁵ and Adjusted EBITDA⁵ for the current full-year and comparable prior year:

Full-year cash provided by operating activities was $325.1 million versus $204.2 million in the prior year. Full-year cash available for distribution (CAD)⁵ of $207.8 million increased $45.3 million versus the prior year primarily due to higher Adjusted EBITDA⁵ ($62.4 million), partially offset by higher cash interest paid ($1.6 million), higher cash taxes paid ($6.6 million) and higher capital expenditures ($8.9 million).

“We concluded the year with solid operational results and are very pleased with our overall full-year 2021 financial performance,” said David Nunes, President and CEO. “We achieved record full-year Adjusted EBITDA results in both our Southern Timber and Pacific Northwest Timber segments, despite contending with increased costs as well as volume constraints driven by inclement weather conditions. Our New Zealand Timber segment achieved our third highest-ever full-year Adjusted EBITDA result, despite navigating myriad export market challenges and COVID-related headwinds during the course of the year. Finally, in our Real Estate segment, we achieved the second highest Adjusted EBITDA result and highest weighted average price per acre since our separation into a pure-play timberland REIT, underscoring our focus on optimizing our portfolio value. While the pandemic continued to pose challenges throughout the year, we were able to achieve very strong results across the company due in large part to the unwavering focus of our people, the relative strength of our markets, and our nimble approach to operational decision-making. As we look to 2022, we are encouraged by robust end-market demand and believe we are well-positioned to capitalize on favorable pricing momentum across many of our timber markets, as well as continued strong interest in rural land and entitled development properties.”

“During the fourth quarter, we achieved total Adjusted EBITDA of $50.4 million. In Southern Timber, Adjusted EBITDA improved 44% versus the prior year quarter, as strong demand drove 25% higher net stumpage prices and a 14% increase in harvest volumes. In Pacific Northwest Timber, Adjusted EBITDA declined 8% versus the prior year quarter, as a 2% reduction in harvest volumes and higher costs were partially offset by a modest increase in weighted-average log prices. In New Zealand Timber, Adjusted EBITDA declined 42% versus the prior year quarter, as higher pricing was more than offset by 9% lower harvest volumes and compressed margins due to significantly higher shipping costs.”

“Real Estate segment Adjusted EBITDA declined $22.9 million versus the prior year quarter, as a 90% reduction in acres sold was partially offset by a significant increase in weighted-average prices. As anticipated, Real Estate sales activity in the fourth quarter was relatively light following an exceptionally strong third quarter.”

“As previously disclosed, during the fourth quarter we closed two transactions associated with our divestiture of the Timber Funds business, which we acquired in the Pope Resources transaction. Following these transactions, we have now completely exited the Timber Funds business and plan to discontinue reporting the Timber Funds segment beginning in Q1 2022. In sum, we generated total proceeds to Rayonier of approximately $73 million through our divestiture of the Timber Funds business. We’re very pleased to have successfully completed the exit of the Timber Funds business, as it allows us to simplify our corporate structure and financial reporting. We’re further pleased to have returned significant capital from this non-core asset at a favorable valuation relative to our initial underwriting.”

“Consistent with our focus on active portfolio management, we also closed on $179 million of timberland acquisitions in 2021, including a transaction in the fourth quarter consisting of 66,844 acres in Texas and Georgia for $124 million, or roughly $1,860 per acre. These properties are positioned in strong timber markets with a diverse customer base, and further provide a complementary age-class distribution. The opportunistic use of our at-the-market (ATM) equity offering program, as well as proceeds from the sale of the Timber Funds business, allowed us to fund this acquisition with cash on hand.”

“Lastly, as previously disclosed, during 2021 we completed a series of financing actions, including the issuance of $450 million of senior notes, the execution of a $200 million delayed draw term loan, and the amendment of our revolving credit facility and other term loan facilities. Subsequent to year-end, we repaid $325 million of senior notes maturing in 2022 with cash on hand and proceeds from the delayed draw term loan. Collectively, these actions reduced our weighted average cost of debt to approximately 2.7% and extended our weighted average maturity to approximately seven years. With year-end net debt to 2021 Adjusted EBITDA of 3.1x, we are well-positioned going into 2022 with ample balance sheet flexibility to fund growth initiatives and other capital allocation priorities.”

Southern Timber

Fourth quarter sales of $58.7 million increased $14.2 million, or 32%, versus the prior year period. Harvest volumes increased 14% to 1.53 million tons versus 1.34 million tons in the prior year period, as drier ground conditions enabled customers to ramp up production to meet pent-up demand. Average pine sawtimber stumpage prices increased 21% to $30.74 per ton versus $25.48 per ton in the prior year period, driven by strong domestic lumber demand coupled with elevated chip-n-saw pricing due to increased competition from pulp mills. Average pine pulpwood stumpage prices climbed 34% to $21.08 per ton versus $15.71 per ton in the prior year period, reflecting strong domestic demand as well as constrained supply due to wet weather conditions leading up to the fourth quarter. Overall, weighted-average stumpage prices (including hardwood) increased 25% to $24.14 per ton versus $19.36 per ton in the prior year period. Operating income of $19.0 million increased $9.1 million versus the prior year period due to higher net stumpage realizations ($7.3 million), higher volumes ($1.7 million), lower depletion rates ($0.8 million) and higher non-timber income ($0.6 million), partially offset by higher costs ($1.3 million).

Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁵ of $33.6 million was 44%, or $10.2 million, above the prior year period.

Pacific Northwest Timber

Fourth quarter sales of $34.7 million were flat versus the prior year period, while harvest volumes declined 2% to 387,000 tons versus 396,000 tons in the prior year period. Average delivered sawtimber prices increased 2% to $98.09 per ton versus $96.23 per ton in the prior year period, primarily driven by favorable species mix, as a higher percentage of Douglas-fir sawtimber was harvested in the current year quarter. Average delivered pulpwood prices increased 9% to $36.82 per ton versus $33.78 per ton in the prior year period, primarily driven by improved demand as pulp mills resumed full production in the region. Operating income of $1.5 million improved $2.1 million versus the prior year period due to lower depletion rates ($2.8 million), higher net stumpage realizations ($0.8 million) and higher non-timber income ($0.3 million), partially offset by higher costs ($1.9 million).

Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁵ of $13.2 million was 8%, or $1.1 million, below the prior year period.

New Zealand Timber

Fourth quarter sales of $67.5 million increased $7.3 million, or 12%, versus the prior year period. Harvest volumes decreased 9% to 642,000 tons versus 702,000 tons in the prior year period, primarily driven by above average production in the prior year quarter following COVID-related disruptions earlier in the year. Average delivered prices for export sawtimber increased 27% to $132.87 per ton versus $104.78 per ton in the prior year period, while average delivered prices for domestic sawtimber increased 10% to $81.16 per ton versus $73.53 per ton in the prior year period. The increase in export sawtimber prices versus the prior year period reflected the ability of log exporters to pass higher costs on to customers, as well as the restriction on competing log imports into China from Australia. However, favorable export pricing was more than offset by significantly higher shipping costs, as supply chain issues continued to drive increased freight and demurrage costs. The increase in domestic sawtimber prices (in U.S. dollar terms) was driven in part by the rise in the NZ$/US$ exchange rate (US$0.70 per NZ$1.00 versus US$0.67 per NZ$1.00). Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates, domestic sawtimber prices improved 6% versus the prior year period, following the upward trend in the export market. Operating income of $3.6 million decreased $5.3 million versus the prior year period as a result of lower net stumpage realizations ($5.1 million), lower volumes ($1.2 million), lower carbon credit sales ($1.2 million) and higher costs ($0.6 million), partially offset by favorable foreign exchange impacts ($1.6 million) and lower depletion rates ($1.3 million).

Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁵ of $9.8 million was 42%, or $7.0 million, below the prior year period.

Timber Funds

Fourth quarter sales of $71.3 million increased $59.2 million versus the prior year period, while operating income of $18.4 million increased $17.4 million versus the prior year period. Fourth quarter sales and operating income included $69.7 million and $15.6 million, respectively, from the Fund II Timberland Dispositions.¹ Fourth quarter operating income also included a $3.8 million gain on investment in Timber Funds,² which reflects the gain recognized on Fund II carried interest incentive fees. Excluding these items and adjusting for the portion of sales and operating income attributable to noncontrolling interests, pro forma sales⁵ were $0.3 million and pro forma operating loss⁵ was $0.7 million. This compares to pro forma sales⁵ and pro forma operating income⁵ of $2.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in the prior year period.

Harvest volumes decreased 81% to 22,000 tons versus 115,000 tons in the prior year period, due to the third quarter sale of Funds III and IV as well as the completed disposition of the Fund II timberlands during the fourth quarter.

Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁵ of ($0.6) million was $1.5 million below the prior year period.

Real Estate

Fourth quarter sales of $11.5 million decreased $20.5 million versus the prior year period. The Real Estate segment generated an operating loss of $0.3 million versus operating income of $10.9 million in the prior year period. Lower segment results in the current year period were driven by a 90% reduction in the number of acres sold (1,209 acres sold versus 12,543 acres sold in the prior year period), partially offset by a significant increase in weighted-average prices ($8,635 per acre versus $2,440 per acre in the prior year period).

Improved Development sales of $4.3 million included $2.9 million from the Richmond Hill development project south of Savannah, Georgia and $1.4 million from the Wildlight development project north of Jacksonville, Florida. Sales in Richmond Hill included the project’s first residential and commercial (non-industrial) sales, consisting of two residential lots for $0.1 million (an average of $45,000 per lot or $184,000 per acre) and a 5-acre commercial property for $1.9 million ($371,000 per acre). In addition, sales within the Richmond Hill development project included an industrial sale consisting of a 12-acre parcel for $1.0 million ($89,000 per acre). Sales in Wildlight consisted of 5.2 acres of commercial property for $1.4 million ($266,000 per acre). This compares to prior year period Improved Development sales of $6.7 million.

There were no Unimproved Development sales in the fourth quarter or the prior year period.

Rural sales of $6.1 million consisted of 1,186 acres at an average price of $5,132 per acre. This compares to prior year period sales of $14.3 million, which consisted of 3,621 acres at an average price of $3,942 per acre.

There were no Timberland & Non-Strategic sales in the fourth quarter. This compares to prior year period sales of $9.6 million, which consisted of 8,718 acres at an average price of $1,102 per acre.

Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁵ of $2.8 million was $22.9 million below the prior year period.

Trading

Fourth quarter sales of $18.6 million decreased $4.9 million versus the prior year period primarily due to lower volumes, partially offset by higher prices. Sales volumes decreased 38% to 145,000 tons versus 235,000 tons in the prior year period. The Trading segment generated an operating loss of $0.5 million versus breakeven results in the prior year period, primarily driven by weaker export market conditions.

Other Items

Fourth quarter corporate and other operating expenses of $8.2 million increased $0.5 million versus the prior year period, primarily due to higher compensation and benefits ($0.7 million), higher legal costs ($0.3 million) and higher other overhead costs ($0.2 million), partially offset by $0.7 million of costs related to the Pope Resources merger³ in the prior year period.

Fourth quarter interest expense of $10.6 million increased $0.3 million versus the prior year period due to higher average outstanding debt.

Fourth quarter interest and miscellaneous income / (expense) of $0.2 million increased $0.2 million versus the prior year period, primarily due to higher cash held in interest-bearing accounts and favorable net periodic pension costs.

Fourth quarter income tax expense of $1.6 million increased $2.1 million versus the prior year period, primarily due to tax benefits realized in the prior year.

In September 2020, we established an at-the-market (ATM) equity offering program under which we may sell common shares, from time to time, having an aggregate sales price of up to $300 million. There were 1.7 million shares issued under the ATM program during the three months ended December 31, 2021 at an average price of $39.70 per share.

Outlook

In 2022, we expect to achieve net income attributable to Rayonier of $83 to $92 million, EPS of $0.57 to $0.64 and Adjusted EBITDA of $310 to $340 million.

In our Southern Timber segment, we expect to achieve full-year harvest volumes of 6.3 to 6.6 million tons. The anticipated increase relative to the prior year reflects a rebound in harvest activity following the wet weather conditions and supply chain constraints that negatively impacted full-year 2021 volumes, as well as the expected contribution from recent acquisitions. We also expect a meaningful improvement in weighted average stumpage realizations relative to full-year 2021 driven by strong sawtimber and pulpwood demand, partially offset by higher harvest and transportation costs. Overall, we expect full-year Adjusted EBITDA of $145 to $153 million, a significant increase over full-year 2021 results.

In our Pacific Northwest Timber segment, we expect to achieve full-year harvest volumes of 1.7 to 1.8 million tons. We expect weighted average pricing to increase modestly relative to full-year 2021 driven by continued strong demand. However, we expect that higher prices will be largely offset by increased harvest and transportation costs. Overall, we expect full-year Adjusted EBITDA of $55 to $60 million, generally in line with full-year 2021 results.

In our New Zealand Timber segment, we expect full-year harvest volumes of 2.6 to 2.8 million tons. For the full-year, we expect modestly lower export pricing relative to the full-year pricing achieved in 2021. However, as log inventories in China normalize and demand picks up following the Lunar New Year, we expect export pricing to increase from current levels. Seasonally lower volumes, supply chain disruptions and lower pricing are generally expected to result in a lower Adjusted EBITDA contribution from this segment in the first half versus the second half of the year. Overall, we expect full-year Adjusted EBITDA of $68 to $75 million, a decrease from full-year 2021 results.

Turning to our Real Estate segment, we remain focused on opportunistically unlocking the long-term value of our HBU development and rural property portfolio. Following exceptionally strong Real Estate results in 2021, we currently anticipate more normalized transaction activity in 2022. Overall, we expect full-year Adjusted EBITDA of $70 to $80 million.

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About Rayonier

Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of December 31, 2021, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.7 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. South (1.80 million acres), U.S. Pacific Northwest (490,000 acres) and New Zealand (419,000 acres). More information is available at rayonier.com.

Contact:

Collin Mings – investorrelations@rayonier.com – (904) 357-9100

Source: Rayonier