Sylvamo Second Quarter Results Show Increased Earnings and Operating Margins, Annual Guidance Raised

Sylvamo, the world’s paper company, is releasing second quarter 2022 earnings.

Message from the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

• “We saw increasing earnings and operating margins in the second quarter after a successful first quarter. We are also raising our adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow full-year guidance based on our first half of the year performance and our second half outlook,” said Jean-Michel Ribiéras. “We remain committed to reducing debt, investing in high-return projects and returning cash to shareowners as we continue delivering on our investment thesis.”

Russian Operations

• In May, we announced the decision to sell our Russian operations
• Management has committed to a plan for the sale, and the business is now classified as discontinued operations in our financial statements; all amounts reported in this news release for current and prior periods, as well as our outlook for the third quarter and full year, exclude our Russian operations unless otherwise noted

Second Quarter Highlights

• Net income from continuing operations of $84 million ($1.89 per diluted share) compared with $55 million ($1.25 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2022
• Adjusted operating earnings¹ (non-GAAP) of $90 million ($2.02 per diluted share) compared with $59 million ($1.34 per diluted share) in the first quarter of 2022, which was $0.12 per diluted share above the high end of the company’s guidance range
• Adjusted EBITDA² (non-GAAP) of $189 million (20.7% margin) compared with $146 million (17.8% margin) in the first quarter of 2022, which was $9 million above the high end of the company’s guidance range
• Free cash flow³ (non-GAAP) of $39 million compared with $32 million in the first quarter of 2022
• Repaid $48 million of debt, achieving a gross debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio of 2.2x

Second Quarter Commercial and Operational Highlights

• Price and mix improved by $73 million versus the prior quarter, mainly due to prior price increases implemented in all regions
• Operations improved by $2 million and total planned maintenance outage expenses rose by $17 million in North America
• Input costs grew by $16 million versus the prior quarter, reflecting higher chemical, energy, fiber and transportation costs
• Adjusted EBITDA margins for Europe, Latin America and North America were 16%, 32% and 16%, respectively

Third Quarter Outlook

• Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be $205 million to $215 million
• Price and mix are expected to improve by $40 million to $45 million compared to the second quarter, reflecting continued realization of prior increases in all regions
• Volume is expected to improve by $5 million to $10 million, with seasonally stronger volume in North America
• Operations and costs are expected to increase by $5 million to $10 million
• Input and transportation costs are projected to rise by $35 million to $40 million, primarily due to higher chemicals, energy, fiber and transportation costs
• Total maintenance outage expenses are projected to decrease by $14 million

Management Summary

Commercial excellence, operational excellence and financial discipline continue to guide our decisions. Executing our three-prong strategy helped generate a 20.7% adjusted EBITDA margin in the second quarter of 2022 and enabled us to generate $39 million of free cash flow. The free cash flow contributed to the reduction of $48 million of debt.

Sylvamo outperformed industry demand with a strong customer focus. Our facilities operated well in all regions, including safe and efficient annual outages at our two mills in North America.

Based on our strong first half results and our second half outlook, we are raising our full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance from a prior range of $725 million and $775 million to $740 million and $780 million and increasing our free cash flow guidance from a prior range of $160 million and $180 million to $170 million and $190 million.

In May, we announced the decision to sell our Russian operations. We have committed to a plan for the sale, and the business is now classified as discontinued operations. We continue to work with our advisers and potential buyers to secure the regulatory approvals required to complete a sale agreement.

We continue moving toward our targeted gross debt level of $1 billion to reduce risk and increase flexibility while improving free cash flow and equity value. At the same time, we continue developing more than $100 million in high-return capital projects, which will help Sylvamo realize savings as we move into 2023 and beyond.

We declared a quarterly dividend of $0.1125 per share, which we paid in July. Our board of directors also authorized a share repurchase program to acquire up to $150 million of the company’s common stock.

Safety continues to be our most important responsibility. We would not be the world’s paper company if our team members did not work tirelessly to serve our customers while looking out for one another and ensuring everyone returns home safely each day. They are vital to our ability to deliver for all our stakeholders and achieve our vision of being the employer, supplier and investment of choice.

Sylvamo generated strong margins, earnings and free cash flow in the second quarter. We are raising full-year adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow guidance based on our first half of the year performance and our second half outlook. We remain committed to reducing debt, investing in high-return projects and returning cash to shareowners as we continue delivering on our investment thesis.

Segment Information

Sylvamo uses business segment operating profit to measure the earnings performance of its businesses and is calculated as set forth in footnote (e) under the “Sales and Earnings by Business Segment” table (page 9). Second quarter 2022 net sales by business segment and operating profit by business segment compared with the first quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2021 are as follows:

Operating profits in the second quarter of 2022:

Europe – $17 million compared with $2 million in the first quarter of 2022. Earnings were higher as higher average sales prices more than offset higher operating costs and higher input costs.

Latin America – $59 million compared with $39 million in the first quarter of 2022. Earnings were higher as higher average sales prices more than offset higher operating costs and higher input costs.

North America – $66 million compared with $62 million in the first quarter of 2022. Earnings were higher as higher average sales prices, higher volumes, lower maintenance outages and lower operating costs more than offset higher input costs.

For the complete press release, click here.

About Sylvamo

Sylvamo Corporation (NYSE: SLVM) is the world’s paper company with mills in Europe, Latin America and North America. Our vision is to be the employer, supplier and investment of choice. We transform renewable resources into papers that people depend on for education, communication and entertainment. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, we employ more than 7,500 colleagues. Net sales for 2021 were $3.5 billion. For more information, please visit Sylvamo.com.

Contact:

Hans Bjorkman – Investor Contact – hans.bjorkman@sylvamo.com – (901) 419-3525

Source: Sylvamo Corporation