10-Q 1 a10-q20150630.htm QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q 10-Q 2015.06.30
 
 
 
 
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015

OR
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 1-10239
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Organized in the
State of Delaware
 
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
91-1912863

601 Union Street, Suite 3100
Seattle, Washington 98101-1374
Telephone: (206) 467-3600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.

Large accelerated filer  x        Accelerated filer    o        Non-accelerated filer  o        Smaller reporting company  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  o    No   x

The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, as of July 31, 2015 was 174,729,333.


 
 
 
 
 





PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
For the Quarter ended June 30, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 




PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Timber
 
$
170

 
$
171

Real Estate
 
25

 
77

Manufacturing
 
92

 
94

Energy and Natural Resources
 
8

 
9

Other
 
7

 
5

Total Revenues
 
302

 
356

 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold:
 
 
 
 
Timber
 
127

 
125

Real Estate
 
12

 
30

Manufacturing
 
77

 
84

Energy and Natural Resources
 
3

 
3

Other
 
8

 
5

Total Cost of Goods Sold
 
227

 
247

Selling, General and Administrative
 
32

 
30

Total Costs and Expenses
 
259

 
277

 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Income (Expense), net
 
2

 
3

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
45

 
82

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
19

 
15

 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense, net:
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)
 
27

 
27

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)
 
15

 
15

Total Interest Expense, net
 
42

 
42

 
 
 
 
 
Income before Income Taxes
 
22

 
55

 
 
 
 
 
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 
1

 

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
21

 
$
55

 
 
 
 
 
PER SHARE AMOUNTS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income per Share – Basic
 
$
0.12

 
$
0.31

Net Income per Share – Diluted
 
$
0.12

 
$
0.31

 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared – per Common Share Outstanding
 
$
0.44

 
$
0.44

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Shares Outstanding
 
 
 
 
– Basic
 
175.5

 
177.1

– Diluted
 
175.7

 
177.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
    Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
 
$
17

 
$
17

    Equity Earnings (Loss) from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
2

 
(2
)
Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
$
19

 
$
15


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





3


PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Timber
 
$
362

 
$
363

Real Estate
 
134

 
100

Manufacturing
 
186

 
184

Energy and Natural Resources
 
16

 
18

Other
 
10

 
8

Total Revenues
 
708

 
673

 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold:
 
 
 
 
Timber
 
266

 
263

Real Estate
 
101

 
40

Manufacturing
 
160

 
163

Energy and Natural Resources
 
5

 
5

Other
 
10

 
8

Total Cost of Goods Sold
 
542

 
479

Selling, General and Administrative
 
65

 
59

Total Costs and Expenses
 
607

 
538

 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Income (Expense), net
 
5

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
106

 
139

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
41

 
29

 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense, net:
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)
 
54

 
54

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)
 
29

 
29

Total Interest Expense, net
 
83

 
83

 
 
 
 
 
Income before Income Taxes
 
64

 
85

 
 
 
 
 
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 
1

 

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
63

 
$
85

 
 
 
 
 
PER SHARE AMOUNTS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income per Share – Basic
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.48

Net Income per Share – Diluted
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.47

 
 
 
 
 
Dividends Declared – per Common Share Outstanding
 
$
0.88

 
$
0.88

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Number of Shares Outstanding
 
 
 
 
– Basic
 
175.7

 
177.1

– Diluted
 
175.9

 
177.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
 
$
40

 
$
32

Equity Earnings (Loss) from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
1

 
(3
)
Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
$
41

 
$
29


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

4


PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
(In Millions)
 
2015
 
2014
NET INCOME
 
$
21

 
$
55

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES:
 
 
 
 
  Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
 
 
 
 
       Amortization of Actuarial Loss Reclassified to Pension Expense
 
1

 
1

  Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Grantor Trust Assets:
 
 
 
 
       Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During Period
 

 
(2
)
       Less: Reclassification for Amounts Recognized in Net Income
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Tax
 
1

 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Items of Other Comprehensive Income
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) After Tax
 
1

 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
 
$
22

 
$
54

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(In Millions)
 
2015
 
2014
NET INCOME
 
$
63

 
$
85

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES:
 
 
 
 
  Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
 
 
 
 
       Amortization of Actuarial Loss Reclassified to Pension Expense
 
2

 
1

  Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Grantor Trust Assets:
 
 
 
 
       Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During Period
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
       Less: Reclassification for Amounts Recognized in Net Income
 
(1
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Tax
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Items of Other Comprehensive Income
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) After Tax
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
 
$
63

 
$
85

 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


5


PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
 
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
83

 
$
92

Accounts Receivable
 
43

 
38

Inventories
 
56

 
61

Deferred Tax Asset
 
6

 
6

Assets Held for Sale
 
60

 
98

Other Current Assets
 
15

 
15

 
 
263

 
310

 
 
 
 
 
Timber and Timberlands, net
 
3,945

 
4,009

Minerals and Mineral Rights, net
 
286

 
289

Property, Plant and Equipment, net
 
118

 
120

Equity Investment in Timberland Venture
 
227

 
217

Equity Investment in Real Estate Development Ventures
 
126

 
126

Deferred Tax Asset
 
25

 
23

Investment in Grantor Trusts (at Fair Value)
 
48

 
48

Other Assets
 
42

 
45

Total Assets
 
$
5,080

 
$
5,187

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
 
$
439

 
$
439

Line of Credit
 
108

 
95

Accounts Payable
 
35

 
27

Interest Payable
 
26

 
22

Wages Payable
 
18

 
31

Taxes Payable
 
15

 
10

Deferred Revenue
 
34

 
23

Other Current Liabilities
 
11

 
10

 
 
686

 
657

 
 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
 
1,976

 
1,976

Note Payable to Timberland Venture
 
783

 
783

Other Liabilities
 
102

 
100

Total Liabilities
 
3,547

 
3,516

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock, $0.01 Par Value, Authorized Shares – 75.0, Outstanding – None
 

 

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value, Authorized Shares – 300.6, Outstanding (net of Treasury Stock) – 174.9 at June 30, 2015 and 175.9 at December 31, 2014
 
2

 
2

Additional Paid-In Capital
 
2,961

 
2,955

Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
(363
)
 
(271
)
Treasury Stock, at Cost, Common Shares – 29.5 at June 30, 2015 and 28.3 at December 31, 2014
 
(1,044
)
 
(992
)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
(23
)
 
(23
)
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
1,533

 
1,671

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
5,080

 
$
5,187


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6


PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(In Millions)
 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
63

 
$
85

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (Includes $2 MDF Fire Impairment Loss in 2014)
 
65

 
66

Basis of Real Estate Sold
 
92

 
31

Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
(41
)
 
(29
)
Distributions from Timberland Venture
 
30

 
28

Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
1

 

Deferred Income Taxes
 
(2
)
 

Working Capital Changes
 
15

 
7

Other
 
4

 
1

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities
 
227

 
189

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures, Excluding Timberland Acquisitions (Includes $4 MDF Fire Replacement Capital in 2014)
 
(38
)
 
(40
)
Timberlands Acquired
 
(7
)
 

Contributions to Real Estate Development Ventures
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
2

 
1

Insurance Recoveries (Property Damage)
 
1

 

Sales/(Purchases) of Marketable Securities, net
 
1

 

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities
 
(43
)
 
(43
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Dividends
 
(155
)
 
(156
)
Borrowings on Line of Credit
 
216

 
748

Repayments on Line of Credit
 
(203
)
 
(1,063
)
Proceeds from Stock Option Exercises
 
1

 
1

Acquisition of Treasury Stock
 
(52
)
 
(2
)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities
 
(193
)
 
(472
)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(9
)
 
(326
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
 
 
 
Beginning of Period
 
92

 
433

 
 
 
 
 
End of Period
 
$
83

 
$
107


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


7

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)



Note 1. Basis of Presentation

General. When we refer to “Plum Creek,” “the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” we mean Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., a Delaware Corporation and a real estate investment trust, or “REIT,” and all of its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries.

The consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of Plum Creek and its subsidiaries. At June 30, 2015, the company owned and managed approximately 6.4 million acres of timberlands in the Northwest, Southern, and Northeast United States. Included in the 6.4 million acres are approximately 675,000 acres of higher value timberlands, which are expected to be sold and/or developed over the next fifteen years for recreational, conservation or residential purposes. Included within the 675,000 acres of higher value timberlands are approximately 500,000 acres we expect to sell for recreational uses, approximately 100,000 acres we expect to sell for conservation and approximately 75,000 acres that are identified as having development potential. In addition, the company has approximately 225,000 acres of non-strategic timberlands, which are expected to be sold in smaller acreage transactions over the near and medium term. In the meantime, all of our timberlands continue to be managed productively in our business of growing and selling timber. At June 30, 2015, the company owned seven wood product conversion facilities in the Northwest United States. In March 2015, due to the loss of a significant customer, the company permanently closed its remanufacturing facility in Meridian, Idaho.

Plum Creek has elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the United States Internal Revenue Code and, as such, generally does not pay corporate-level income tax. However, the company conducts certain non-REIT activities through various taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to corporate-level income tax. These activities include our manufacturing operations, the harvesting and selling of logs, the development and/or sale of some of our higher value timberlands, timber and wood fiber procurement services, coal leases, and the company's investment in real estate development ventures. Plum Creek’s overall effective tax rate is lower than the federal statutory corporate rate due to Plum Creek’s status as a REIT.

Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. All transactions are denominated in United States dollars.

The consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q are unaudited and do not contain all of the information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to be included in a full set of financial statements. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The audited financial statements in the company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K include a summary of significant accounting policies of the company and should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of operations for such periods have been included in this Form 10-Q. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year.

Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on operating income or net income.


 

8

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Note 2. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30 (in millions, except per share amounts):
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders
$
21

 
$
55

Denominator for Basic Earnings per Share
175.5

 
177.1

Effect of Dilutive Securities – Stock Options
0.2

 
0.2

Effect of Dilutive Securities – Restricted Stock Units and Value Management Plan

 
0.1

Denominator for Diluted Earnings per Share – Adjusted for Dilutive Securities
175.7

 
177.4

Per Share Amounts:
 
 
 
Net Income Per Share – Basic
$
0.12

 
$
0.31

Net Income Per Share – Diluted
$
0.12

 
$
0.31

 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders
$
63

 
$
85

Denominator for Basic Earnings per Share
175.7

 
177.1

Effect of Dilutive Securities – Stock Options
0.2

 
0.2

Effect of Dilutive Securities – Restricted Stock Units and Value Management Plan

 
0.1

Denominator for Diluted Earnings per Share – Adjusted for Dilutive Securities
175.9

 
177.4

Per Share Amounts:
 
 
 
Net Income Per Share - Basic
$
0.35

 
$
0.48

Net Income Per Share - Diluted
$
0.35

 
$
0.47


Under the company's Stock Incentive Plan, the company grants restricted stock units, which prior to vesting, are entitled to non-forfeitable cash payments equal to dividends paid on the company's common shares. These awards are considered participating securities for purposes of computing basic and diluted earnings per share.


Note 3. Inventories

Inventories, accounted for using the lower of average cost or market, consisted of the following (in millions): 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Raw Materials (primarily logs)
$
9

 
$
12

Work-In-Process
3

 
3

Finished Goods
29

 
31

 
41

 
46

Supplies
15

 
15

Total
$
56

 
$
61




9

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Note 4. Timber and Timberlands

Timber and Timberlands consisted of the following (in millions): 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Timber and Logging Roads, net
$
2,490

 
$
2,518

Timber Deeds, net
75

 
83

Timberlands
1,380

 
1,408

Timber and Timberlands, net
$
3,945

 
$
4,009



Note 5. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment consisted of the following (in millions): 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Land, Buildings and Improvements
$
99

 
$
97

Machinery and Equipment
335

 
331

 
434

 
428

Accumulated Depreciation
(316
)
 
(308
)
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
$
118

 
$
120



Note 6. Income Taxes

Plum Creek has elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the United States Internal Revenue Code. A REIT generally does not pay corporate-level income tax if it distributes 100% of its taxable income to shareholders and satisfies other organizational and operational requirements as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. If a company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years.

Plum Creek operates as a REIT through various wholly-owned subsidiaries and a joint venture partnership. The activities of the operating partnerships and joint venture partnership consist primarily of sales of standing timber under pay-as-cut sales contracts.

Plum Creek conducts certain activities through various wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to corporate-level income tax. These activities include the company's manufacturing operations, the harvesting and sale of logs, the development and/or sale of some of the company's higher value timberlands, timber and wood fiber procurement services, coal leases, and the company's investment in real estate development ventures. Plum Creek's taxable REIT subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.

Prior to 2011, Plum Creek was generally subject to corporate-level tax (built-in gains tax) when the company made a taxable disposition of certain properties acquired in a 2001 merger. The built-in gains tax applied to gains recognized from such asset sales to the extent that the fair value of the property exceeded its tax basis at the merger date. Built-in gains tax was generally not payable on dispositions of property to the extent the proceeds from such dispositions were reinvested in qualifying like-kind replacement property.

The company's 2008 federal income tax return is currently being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS has proposed an adjustment to the company's U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Timberland Venture formation transaction, which occurred on October 1, 2008, on the basis that the transfer of the timberlands to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC was a taxable transaction to the company at the time of the transfer rather than a nontaxable capital contribution to the Timberland Venture. The company has filed a protest with IRS Appeals. Based on recent discussions with IRS Appeals, the company does not expect to reach a resolution with IRS Appeals and plans to file a petition in the United States Tax Court.

If the IRS's position is upheld on judicial appeal, it could result in a maximum built-in gains tax liability of approximately $100 million. In addition, the company could be required to accelerate the distribution to its stockholders of up to $600 million of gain from the transaction. The company expects that as much as 80% of any such distribution could be made with the company's

10

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


common stock, and stockholders would be subject to tax on the distribution at the applicable capital gains tax rate. The company would also be required to pay interest on the undistributed gain, which would be substantial, and, if applicable, penalties.

We believe the transfer of the timberlands was a nontaxable contribution to the Timberland Venture and not a taxable transaction. We have not accrued income taxes for financial reporting purposes with respect to this matter and do not believe it is reasonably possible any material accrual will be made within the next twelve months. We are confident in our position and believe that the proposed re-characterization of the Timberland Venture formation transaction by the IRS will ultimately be unsuccessful. We intend to vigorously contest this re-characterization.


Note 7. Borrowings

Debt consisted of the following (in millions): 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Variable Rate Debt
 
 
 
Term Credit Agreement (A)
$
225

 
$
225

Revolving Line of Credit (B)
108

 
95

Fixed Rate Debt
 
 
 
Senior Notes
1,330

 
1,330

Installment Note Payable
860

 
860

Note Payable to Timberland Venture
783

 
783

Total Debt
3,306

 
3,293

Less:
 
 
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
439

 
439

Line of Credit
108

 
95

Long-Term Portion
$
2,759

 
$
2,759


(A)
The company has a $225 million term credit agreement that matures on April 3, 2019. The interest rate on the $225 million term credit agreement was 1.69% and 1.67% as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. After giving effect to expected patronage distributions, the effective net interest rate on the term loan was approximately 1% as of both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

(B)
The weighted-average interest rate for the borrowings on the line of credit was 1.38% and 1.34% as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As of June 30, 2015, we had $108 million of borrowings and $1 million of standby letters of credit outstanding; $591 million remained available for borrowing under our $700 million line of credit. As of July 1, 2015, $73 million of the borrowings outstanding under our line of credit was repaid.




11

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Note 8. Stockholders’ Equity

The changes in the company’s stockholders’ equity accounts were as follows during 2015 (in millions): 
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Retained
Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
 
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
 
 
Shares
 
Dollars
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Equity
January 1, 2015
175.9

 
$
2

 
$
2,955

 
$
(271
)
 
$
(992
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
1,671

Net Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

 
 
 
 
 
42

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
(77
)
 
 
 
 
 
(77
)
Stock Option Exercises

 

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

Shares Issued under Stock Incentive Plans
0.2

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Share-based Compensation
 
 
 
 
3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3

Common Stock Repurchased
(0.5
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
(21
)
 
 
 
(21
)
March 31, 2015
175.6

 
$
2

 
$
2,959

 
$
(306
)
 
$
(1,013
)
 
$
(24
)
 
$
1,618

Net Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
21

 
 
 
 
 
21

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

 
1

Dividends
 
 
 
 
 
 
(78
)
 
 
 
 
 
(78
)
Share-based Compensation
 
 
 
 
2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2

Common Stock Repurchased
(0.7
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
(31
)
 
 
 
(31
)
June 30, 2015
174.9

 
$
2

 
$
2,961

 
$
(363
)
 
$
(1,044
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
1,533


The changes in the company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows during 2015 (in millions): 
 
Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) (A)
 
Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Net Loss (B)
 
Gain on Cash Flow Hedge
 
Total
January 1, 2015
$
14

 
$
(42
)
 
$
5

 
$
(23
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(1
)
 
1

 

 

March 31, 2015
$
12

 
$
(41
)
 
$
5

 
$
(24
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications

 

 

 

Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 
1

 

 
1

June 30, 2015
$
12

 
$
(40
)
 
$
5

 
$
(23
)

(A)
Unrealized holding gains are reclassified to Other Operating Income (Expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income when the related available for sale securities are sold.

(B)
Amortization of actuarial gains and losses on the company's defined benefit pension plans is included in the computation of pension cost. See Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



12

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Note 9. Fair Value Measurements

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis. The company’s fair value measurements of its cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities, and trading securities, measured on a recurring basis, are categorized as Level 1 measurements under the fair value hierarchy in the Accounting Standards Codification. A Level 1 valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical unrestricted assets or liabilities. Summarized below are the Level 1 assets reported in the company’s financial statements at fair value, measured on a recurring basis (in millions): 
 
Balance at
June 30, 2015
 
Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets of Identical Assets
(Level 1 Measurements)
Cash Equivalents (A)
$
80

 
$
80

Available-for-Sale Securities (B)
43

 
43

Trading Securities (B)
5

 
5

Total
$
128

 
$
128

 
 
 
 
 
Balance at
December 31, 2014
 
Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets of Identical Assets
(Level 1 Measurements)
Cash Equivalents (A)
$
90

 
$
90

Available-for-Sale Securities (B)
43

 
43

Trading Securities (B)
5

 
5

Total
$
138

 
$
138

 
(A)
Consists of several money market funds and is included in the $83 million and $92 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

(B)
Consists of several mutual funds and is included in Investment in Grantor Trusts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. At June 30, 2015, investments in these mutual funds were approximately 45% in domestic (U.S.) equities, 25% in international equities and 30% in debt securities.

Available-for-Sale Securities. Certain investments in the grantor trusts relate to the company's non-qualified pension plans and are classified as available-for-sale securities. The company has invested in various money market, debt and equity mutual funds and plans to use these investments to fund its non-qualified pension obligations. Unrealized holding gains and losses are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The company records changes in unrealized holding gains and losses in Other Comprehensive Income, unless an other than temporary impairment has occurred, which is then charged to expense. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities were not material to the company's financial position or results of operations for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014. As of both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the amortized cost of the available-for-sale securities was approximately $31 million. See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Trading Securities. Certain investments in the grantor trusts relate to the company's deferred compensation plans and are classified as trading securities. Deferred compensation amounts are invested in various money market, debt and equity mutual funds. The company plans to use these investments to fund deferred compensation obligations. Realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized gains and losses (and a corresponding amount of compensation expense) are recognized in the company's Consolidated Statements of Income. Deferred compensation obligations are included in Other Liabilities and were $5 million at both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Changes in the fair value of trading securities were not material to the company's financial position or results of operations for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.


13

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Other Instruments. Summarized below are the carrying amount and fair value of the company's debt (estimated using the discounted cash flow method) along with the categorization under the fair value hierarchy in the Accounting Standards Codification (in millions): 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value at June 30, 2015
 
 
Carrying Amount at June 30, 2015
 
Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Public Debt (A)
 
$
1,330

 
$

 
$
1,373

 
$

 
$
1,373

Term Credit Agreement (B)
 
225

 

 
225

 

 
225

Line of Credit (C)
 
108

 

 
108

 

 
108

Installment Note Payable (D)
 
860

 

 
891

 

 
891

Note Payable to Timberland Venture (E)
 
783

 

 

 
890

 
890

Total Debt
 
$
3,306

 
$

 
$
2,597

 
$
890

 
$
3,487

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2014
 
 
Carrying Amount at
December 31, 2014
 
Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Public Debt (A)
 
$
1,330

 
$

 
$
1,398

 
$

 
$
1,398

Term Credit Agreement (B)
 
225

 

 
225

 

 
225

Line of Credit (C)
 
95

 

 
95

 

 
95

Installment Note Payable (D)
 
860

 

 
906

 

 
906

Note Payable to Timberland Venture (E)
 
783

 

 

 
892

 
892

Total Debt
 
$
3,293

 
$

 
$
2,624

 
$
892

 
$
3,516


(A)
Fair value of the company's Public Debt (publicly issued Senior Notes) is estimated using multiple market quotes for the company's public bonds.

(B)
Fair value is estimated by adjusting the spread over LIBOR to a current market quote for comparable debt.

(C)
Fair value is estimated by adjusting the spread over LIBOR to a current market quote for comparable credit lines.

(D)
Fair value is estimated by adjusting the spread over the applicable Treasury rate to a current market quote for comparable debt.

(E)
Fair value is estimated by using market quotes for the company's Public Debt adjusted by an estimated risk premium for holding company debt and the different maturity.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. There were no fair value measurements of assets or liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.



14

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Note 10. Employee Pension Plans

The components of pension cost were as follows for the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30 (in millions): 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Service Cost
$
2

 
$
2

Interest Cost
3

 
2

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(3
)
 
(3
)
Recognized Actuarial Loss
1

 
1

Total Pension Cost
$
3

 
$
2

 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Service Cost
$
4

 
$
4

Interest Cost
5

 
4

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(6
)
 
(5
)
Recognized Actuarial Loss
2

 
1

Total Pension Cost
$
5

 
$
4



Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies. The company is subject to regulations regarding forest, harvest and manufacturing practices and is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings, including, but not limited to, environmental and regulatory matters, incidental to its business. Reserves have been established for any probable losses. Except as discussed in Note 6, management does not believe that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, are material. However, it is possible that one or more of these matters could become material in the future, and an unfavorable outcome in one or more of these matters could have a material negative financial impact on the company. See Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of a tax proceeding involving the company and its consolidated subsidiaries.


Note 12. Variable Interest Entities

Real Estate Development Ventures. MWV-Charleston Land Partners, LLC (“MWV-CLP”) is a variable interest entity. The primary activities of MWV-CLP are the active development of residential and commercial real estate on approximately 22,000 acres ("Class A Properties") and the identification, entitlement, marketing, and selling of approximately 64,000 acres of high-value rural and development-quality lands ("Class B Properties"). MWV-CLP is managed by an affiliate of WestRock Company (formerly MeadWestvaco Corporation). MWV-CLP is financed by regular capital calls from the manager of MWV-CLP in proportion to a member’s ownership interest. If a member does not make a capital contribution, the member’s ownership interest is diluted. The company made an initial capital contribution of $152 million in 2013. Also, during the years 2014 to 2020, the company agreed to make additional capital contributions of at least $48 million in connection with its interest in the Class B Properties, of which $37 million remained outstanding as of June 30, 2015. The company does not intend to provide any other sources of financing for MWV-CLP. We account for our interest in MWV-CLP under the equity method of accounting.

The company is not the primary beneficiary of MWV-CLP. The company considers the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of MWV-CLP to be the day-to-day operating decisions along with the oversight responsibilities for the real estate development projects and properties. WestRock Company has the power to direct the activities of MWV-CLP that most significantly impact its economic performance through its ability to manage the day-to-day operations of MWV-CLP. WestRock Company also has the ability to control all management decisions associated with the 22,000 acres of the Class A Properties through its majority representation on the board of directors for the Class A Properties and its joint control of the Class B Properties due to its equal representation on the board of directors for the Class B Properties.

The carrying amount of our investment in MWV-CLP is $126 million as of both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Equity Investment in Real Estate Development Ventures. Our maximum exposure

15

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


to loss is $126 million, our carrying amount of our investment, plus any future capital contributions we elect to contribute to MWV-CLP. At a minimum, the company has agreed to make capital contributions in connection with its interest in Class B Properties of $37 million over the next six years. The company has a 50% ownership interest in the Class B Properties, and therefore, is entitled to 50% of the earnings or losses associated with these properties. Additionally, the company has a 4% ownership interest in the Class A Properties in which it is generally entitled to 4% of the earnings or losses associated with these properties.

Timberland Venture. In 2008, the company contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands located in its Southern Resources Segment to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (“the Timberland Venture”) in exchange for a $705 million preferred interest and a 9% common interest valued at $78 million. The Timberland Venture’s other member, an affiliate of The Campbell Group LLC, contributed $783 million of cash in exchange for 91% of the Timberland Venture’s common interest. Following the contribution, the company borrowed $783 million from the Timberland Venture (“Note Payable to Timberland Venture”). The company accounts for its interest in the Timberland Venture under the equity method of accounting.
 
The Timberland Venture is a variable interest entity. The primary operating activities of the Timberland Venture consist of owning timberlands and entering into cutting contracts with an affiliate of the other member. Besides quarterly interest payments on the Note Payable to Timberland Venture, the company has not provided financing or other support to the venture. The venture generates sufficient cash from operating activities to finance its operations.

We are not the primary beneficiary of the Timberland Venture. The company does not manage the day-to-day operations of the Timberland Venture, has only limited protective rights and its involvement is generally limited to receiving distributions on its preferred and common interests. We are not the primary beneficiary because we do not direct the activities that most significantly impact the Timberland Venture’s economic performance. We believe that the activities that most significantly impact the Timberland Venture’s economic performance include managing the timberlands along with the timing and extent of the harvesting activities, neither of which we control.

The carrying amount of the investment is $227 million at June 30, 2015 and $217 million at December 31, 2014, and it is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Equity Investment in Timberland Venture. Our maximum exposure to loss is $227 million, the carrying amount of the investment. Generally, losses are first allocated among the common interests based on positive capital accounts in which we hold a 9% common interest. No losses are allocated to our preferred interest ($705 million) until the common interests have absorbed losses of approximately $861 million.


Note 13. Summarized Income Statement Information of the Timberland Venture

The earnings of the Timberland Venture are a significant component of consolidated earnings. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Equity earnings for the Timberland Venture were $40 million for the six-month period ending June 30, 2015 and were $32 million for the six-month period ending June 30, 2014. Equity earnings includes the amortization of the difference between the book value of the company’s investment and its proportionate share of the Timberland Venture’s net assets. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, amortization of basis difference was $12 million and $4 million, respectively. Furthermore, interest expense in connection with the loan from the Timberland Venture was $29 million for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. The table below presents summarized income statement information for the Timberland Venture (in millions): 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
$
10

 
$
10

Cost of Goods Sold (A)
9

 
9

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
2

 
2

Operating Income (Loss)
(1
)
 
(1
)
Interest Income, net
29

 
29

Net Income before Allocation to Preferred and Common Interests
$
28

 
$
28


(A)
Cost of Goods Sold includes Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization of $8 million for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.

16

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Note 14. Segment Information

The tables below present information about reported segments for the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30 (in millions): 
 
Northern
Resources
 
Southern
Resources
 
Real
Estate
 
Manufacturing(A)
 
Energy and Natural Resources
 
Other(B)
 
Total(C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Revenues
$
41

 
$
129

 
$
25

 
$
92

 
$
8

 
$
7

 
$
302

Intersegment Revenues
6

 

 

 

 

 

 
6

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
6

 
21

 

 
2

 
2

 

 
31

Basis of Real Estate Sold

 

 
9

 

 

 

 
9

Other Operating Gain

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Equity Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 
2

 
2

Operating Income (Loss)
3

 
32

 
11

 
14

 
5

 
2

 
67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Revenues
$
44

 
$
127

 
$
77

 
$
94

 
$
9

 
$
5

 
$
356

Intersegment Revenues
6

 

 

 

 

 

 
6

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
6

 
19

 

 
6

 
2

 

 
33

Basis of Real Estate Sold

 

 
25

 

 

 

 
25

Other Operating Gain

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Equity Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Operating Income (Loss)
5

 
33

 
45

 
10

 
6

 
(3
)
 
96

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Northern
Resources
 
Southern
Resources
 
Real
Estate(D)
 
Manufacturing(A)
 
Energy and Natural Resources
 
Other(B)
 
Total(C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Revenues
$
105

 
$
257

 
$
134

 
$
186

 
$
16

 
$
10

 
$
708

Intersegment Revenues
12

 

 

 

 

 

 
12

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
13

 
41

 

 
5

 
4

 

 
63

Basis of Real Estate Sold

 

 
92

 

 

 

 
92

Other Operating Gain

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Equity Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Operating Income (Loss)
16

 
63

 
30

 
23

 
10

 
1

 
143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Revenues
$
113

 
$
250

 
$
100

 
$
184

 
$
18

 
$
8

 
$
673

Intersegment Revenues
14

 

 

 

 

 

 
14

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
14

 
37

 

 
9

 
4

 

 
64

Basis of Real Estate Sold

 

 
31

 

 

 

 
31

Other Operating Gain

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Equity Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Operating Income (Loss)
21

 
64

 
57

 
19

 
12

 
(4
)
 
169



17

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


(A)
During the second quarter of 2014, we experienced a fire at our MDF facility and recorded a $2 million loss representing the net book value of the building and equipment damaged or destroyed by the fire. For both the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, we recorded gains related to insurance recoveries of $2 million and $4 million, respectively. Insurance recoveries were received for costs incurred to rebuild or replace the damaged building and equipment and for business interruption costs. Both the building and equipment loss and the insurance recoveries are reported as Other Operating Gain in the Manufacturing Segment and are included in Other Operating Income (Expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(B)
For segment reporting, Equity Earnings (Loss) from Real Estate Development Ventures is included in Operating Income (Loss) for the Other Segment. Equity earnings of $2 million and an equity loss of $2 million were recorded for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively, and equity earnings of $1 million and an equity loss of $3 million were recorded for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.

(C)
Consolidated depreciation, depletion and amortization includes unallocated corporate expense of $1 million for each of the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively, and $2 million for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.

(D)
In January 2015, the company closed the second phase of a two-phase transaction with The Nature Conservancy, selling approximately 117,000 acres in Montana for $85 million. The first phase of the transaction, a sale of approximately 48,000 acres in Washington, closed in 2014. The total sales price of $131 million was allocated among the Montana and Washington properties based on an external appraisal.

A reconciliation of total segment operating income to income before income taxes is presented below for the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30 (in millions): 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Total Segment Operating Income
$
67

 
$
96

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses
(20
)
 
(17
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net

 
1

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
17

 
17

Total Interest Expense, net
(42
)
 
(42
)
Income before Income Taxes
$
22

 
$
55

 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Total Segment Operating Income
$
143

 
$
169

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses
(39
)
 
(35
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
3

 
2

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
40

 
32

Total Interest Expense, net
(83
)
 
(83
)
Income before Income Taxes
$
64

 
$
85



Note 15. Subsequent Events

Quarterly Dividend. On August 4, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the company to make a dividend payment of $0.44 per share, or approximately $77 million, which will be paid on August 31, 2015 to stockholders of record on August 14, 2015.


18


ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

Included in this item are the consolidated financial statements related to Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. These financial statements are provided pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X in connection with the shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed in November of 2014 pursuant to which Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. has registered and from time to time may offer and sell debt securities. As of June 30, 2015, Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. has publicly issued and outstanding $1,333 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes ("Public Debt") pursuant to the shelf registration statement.


PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
(In Millions)
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Timber
 
$
170

 
$
171

Real Estate
 
25

 
77

Manufacturing
 
92

 
94

Energy and Natural Resources
 
8

 
9

Other
 
7

 
5

Total Revenues
 
302

 
356

 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold:
 
 
 
 
Timber
 
127

 
125

Real Estate
 
12

 
30

Manufacturing
 
77

 
84

Energy and Natural Resources
 
3

 
3

Other
 
8

 
5

Total Cost of Goods Sold
 
227

 
247

Selling, General and Administrative
 
32

 
30

Total Costs and Expenses
 
259

 
277

 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Income (Expense), net
 
2

 
3

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
45

 
82

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
19

 
15

 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense, net
 
27

 
27

 
 
 
 
 
Income before Income Taxes
 
37

 
70

 
 
 
 
 
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 
1

 

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners
 
36

 
70

Net Income Allocable to Series T-1 Preferred Interest
 
(15
)
 
(15
)
Net Income Available to Common Interest Partners
 
$
21

 
$
55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
    Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
 
$
17

 
$
17

    Equity Earnings (Loss) from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
2

 
(2
)
Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
$
19

 
$
15


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



19


PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(In Millions)
 
2015
 
2014
REVENUES:
 
 
 
 
Timber
 
$
362

 
$
363

Real Estate
 
134

 
100

Manufacturing
 
186

 
184

Energy and Natural Resources
 
16

 
18

Other
 
10

 
8

Total Revenues
 
708

 
673

 
 
 
 
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
Cost of Goods Sold:
 
 
 
 
Timber
 
266

 
263

Real Estate
 
101

 
40

Manufacturing
 
160

 
163

Energy and Natural Resources
 
5

 
5

Other
 
10

 
8

Total Cost of Goods Sold
 
542

 
479

Selling, General and Administrative
 
65

 
59

Total Costs and Expenses
 
607

 
538

 
 
 
 
 
Other Operating Income (Expense), net
 
5

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
106

 
139

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
41

 
29

 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense, net
 
54

 
54

 
 
 
 
 
Income before Income Taxes
 
93

 
114

 
 
 
 
 
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 
1

 

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners
 
92

 
114

Net Income Allocable to Series T-1 Preferred Interest
 
(29
)
 
(29
)
Net Income Available to Common Interest Partners
 
$
63

 
$
85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION:
 
 
 
 
    Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
 
$
40

 
$
32

    Equity Earnings (Loss) from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
1

 
(3
)
Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
$
41

 
$
29


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

20


PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
(In Millions)
 
2015
 
2014
NET INCOME BEFORE ALLOCATION TO SERIES T-1 PREFERRED INTEREST AND PARTNERS
 
$
36

 
$
70

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES:
 
 
 
 
  Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
 
 
 
 
       Amortization of Actuarial Loss Reclassified to Pension Expense
 
1

 
1

  Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Grantor Trust Assets:
 
 
 
 
       Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During Period
 

 
(2
)
       Less: Reclassification for Amounts Recognized in Net Income
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Tax
 
1

 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Items of Other Comprehensive Income
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) After Tax
 
1

 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
 
$
37

 
$
69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(In Millions)
 
2015
 
2014
NET INCOME BEFORE ALLOCATION TO SERIES T-1 PREFERRED INTEREST AND PARTNERS
 
$
92

 
$
114

 
 
 
 
 
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES:
 
 
 
 
  Defined Benefit Pension Plans:
 
 
 
 
       Amortization of Actuarial Loss Reclassified to Pension Expense
 
2

 
1

  Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Grantor Trust Assets:
 
 
 
 
       Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During Period
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
       Less: Reclassification for Amounts Recognized in Net Income
 
(1
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Tax
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Related to Items of Other Comprehensive Income
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) After Tax
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
 
$
92

 
$
114

 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



21


PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

(In Millions)
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
83

 
$
92

Accounts Receivable
 
43

 
38

Inventories
 
56

 
61

Deferred Tax Asset
 
6

 
6

Assets Held for Sale
 
60

 
98

Other Current Assets
 
15

 
15

 
 
263

 
310

 
 
 
 
 
Timber and Timberlands, net
 
3,945

 
4,009

Minerals and Mineral Rights, net
 
286

 
289

Property, Plant and Equipment, net
 
118

 
120

Equity Investment in Timberland Venture
 
227

 
217

Equity Investment in Real Estate Development Ventures
 
126

 
126

Deferred Tax Asset
 
25

 
23

Investment in Grantor Trusts ($48 at Fair Value in 2015 and 2014)
 
49

 
49

Other Assets
 
42

 
45

Total Assets
 
$
5,081

 
$
5,188

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
 
$
439

 
$
439

Line of Credit
 
108

 
95

Accounts Payable
 
35

 
27

Interest Payable
 
19

 
15

Wages Payable
 
18

 
31

Taxes Payable
 
15

 
10

Deferred Revenue
 
34

 
23

Other Current Liabilities
 
11

 
10

 
 
679

 
650

 
 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
 
1,976

 
1,976

Other Liabilities
 
103

 
101

Total Liabilities
 
2,758

 
2,727

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and Contingencies
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
PARTNERSHIP CAPITAL
 
 
 
 
Series T-1 Preferred Interest
 
790

 
790

Partners’ Capital (Common Partnership Interests)
 
1,533

 
1,671

Total Partnership Capital
 
2,323

 
2,461

Total Liabilities and Partnership Capital
 
$
5,081

 
$
5,188


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


22


PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
(In Millions)
 
2015
 
2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners
 
$
92

 
$
114

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (Includes $2 MDF Fire Impairment Loss in 2014)
 
65

 
66

Basis of Real Estate Sold
 
92

 
31

Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities
 
(41
)
 
(29
)
Distributions from Timberland Venture
 
30

 
28

Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
1

 

Deferred Income Taxes
 
(2
)
 

Working Capital Changes
 
15

 
7

Other
 
4

 
1

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities
 
256

 
218

 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures, Excluding Timberland Acquisitions (Includes $4 MDF Fire Replacement Capital in 2014)
 
(38
)
 
(40
)
Timberlands Acquired
 
(7
)
 

Contributions to Real Estate Development Ventures
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
2

 
1

Insurance Recoveries (Property Damage)
 
1

 

Sales/(Purchases) of Marketable Securities, net
 
1

 

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities
 
(43
)
 
(43
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Cash Distributions to Common Partners
 
(206
)
 
(157
)
Cash Distributions for Series T-1 Preferred Interest
 
(29
)
 
(29
)
Borrowings on Line of Credit
 
216

 
748

Repayments on Line of Credit
 
(203
)
 
(1,063
)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities
 
(222
)
 
(501
)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(9
)
 
(326
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
 
 
 
Beginning of Period
 
92

 
433

 
 
 
 
 
End of Period
 
$
83

 
$
107


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


23

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Note 1. Basis of Presentation

General. Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. is a Delaware Limited Partnership and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (“Parent”), a Delaware Corporation and a real estate investment trust, or “REIT.” References herein to “the Operating Partnership,” “we,” “us,” or “our” relate to Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and all of its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries; references to “Plum Creek” or “Parent” relate to Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and all of its wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries.

At June 30, 2015, the Operating Partnership owned and managed approximately 6.4 million acres of timberlands in the Northwest, Southern, and Northeast United States. Included in the 6.4 million acres are approximately 675,000 acres of higher value timberlands, which are expected to be sold and/or developed over the next fifteen years for recreational, conservation or residential purposes. Included within the 675,000 acres of higher value timberlands are approximately 500,000 acres we expect to sell for recreational uses, approximately 100,000 acres we expect to sell for conservation and approximately 75,000 acres that are identified as having development potential. In addition, the Operating Partnership has approximately 225,000 acres of non-strategic timberlands, which are expected to be sold in smaller acreage transactions over the near and medium term. In the meantime, all of our timberlands continue to be managed productively in our business of growing and selling timber. At June 30, 2015, the Operating Partnership owned seven wood product conversion facilities in the Northwest United States. In March 2015, due to the loss of a significant customer, the Operating Partnership permanently closed its remanufacturing facility in Meridian, Idaho.

The consolidated financial statements of the Operating Partnership include the accounts of Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and its subsidiaries. The Operating Partnership is 100% owned by Plum Creek. Plum Creek has no assets or liabilities other than its direct and indirect ownership interests in Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and its interest in Plum Creek Ventures I, LLC (“PC Ventures”), a 100% owned subsidiary of Plum Creek. The Parent has no operations other than its investment in these subsidiaries and transactions in its own equity, such as the issuance and/or repurchase of common stock and the receipt of proceeds from stock option exercises. Intercompany transactions and accounts between Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. All transactions are denominated in United States dollars.

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. has elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the United States Internal Revenue Code and, as such, generally does not pay corporate-level income tax. However, the Operating Partnership conducts certain non-REIT activities through various wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to corporate-level income tax. These activities include our manufacturing operations, the harvesting and selling of logs, the development and/or sale of some of the Operating Partnership's higher value timberlands, timber and wood fiber procurement services, coal leases, and the Operating Partnership's investment in real estate development ventures. The Operating Partnership’s tax provision includes the tax expense and/or benefit associated with Plum Creek’s wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries, as well as any tax expense and/or benefit incurred by the REIT. The effective tax rate for the Operating Partnership is lower than the federal corporate statutory rate primarily due to Plum Creek’s status as a REIT.

The consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q are unaudited and do not contain all of the information required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to be included in a full set of financial statements. These interim consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. for the three years ended December 31, 2014, which were included on Form 10-K of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and filed with the SEC on February 26, 2015, and which include a summary of significant accounting policies of the Operating Partnership. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments necessary to present fairly the results of operations for such periods have been included in this Form 10-Q. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year.

Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on operating income or net income.



24

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 2. Inventories

Inventories, accounted for using the lower of average cost or market, consisted of the following (in millions):
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Raw Materials (primarily logs)
$
9

 
$
12

Work-In-Process
3

 
3

Finished Goods
29

 
31

 
41

 
46

Supplies
15

 
15

Total
$
56

 
$
61



Note 3. Timber and Timberlands

Timber and Timberlands consisted of the following (in millions):
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Timber and Logging Roads, net
$
2,490

 
$
2,518

Timber Deeds, net
75

 
83

Timberlands
1,380

 
1,408

Timber and Timberlands, net
$
3,945

 
$
4,009



Note 4. Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment consisted of the following (in millions):
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Land, Buildings and Improvements
$
99

 
$
97

Machinery and Equipment
335

 
331

 
434

 
428

Accumulated Depreciation
(316
)
 
(308
)
Property, Plant and Equipment, net
$
118

 
$
120



Note 5. Income Taxes

Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. is a wholly-owned limited partnership and therefore, not subject to income tax. Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P.’s taxable income is allocated 100% (directly and indirectly) to its parent, Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., which has elected to be taxed as a REIT under sections 856-860 of the United States Internal Revenue Code. A REIT generally does not pay corporate-level income tax if it distributes 100% of its taxable income to shareholders and satisfies other organizational and operational requirements as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. If a company fails to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, it will be subject to federal income taxes at regular corporate rates (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) and may not be able to qualify as a REIT for four subsequent taxable years.

The Operating Partnership conducts certain non-REIT activities through various wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries, which are subject to corporate-level income tax. These activities include our manufacturing operations, the harvesting and sale of logs, the development and/or sale of some of the Operating Partnership's higher value timberlands, timber and wood fiber procurement services, coal leases, and the Operating Partnership's investment in real estate development ventures. The Operating Partnership's tax provision includes the tax expense and/or benefit associated with Plum Creek's wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries, as well as any tax expense and/or benefit incurred by the REIT.


25

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Prior to 2011, Plum Creek was generally subject to corporate-level tax (built-in gains tax) when the Operating Partnership made a taxable disposition of certain properties acquired in a 2001 merger. The built-in gains tax applied to gains recognized from such asset sales to the extent that the fair value of the property exceeded its tax basis at the merger date. Built-in gains tax was generally not payable on dispositions of property to the extent the proceeds from such dispositions were reinvested in qualifying like-kind replacement property.

Plum Creek's 2008 federal income tax return is currently being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS has proposed an adjustment to Plum Creek's U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Timberland Venture formation transaction, which occurred on October 1, 2008, on the basis that the transfer of the timberlands to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC was a taxable transaction to Plum Creek at the time of the transfer rather than a nontaxable capital contribution to the Timberland Venture. Plum Creek has filed a protest with IRS Appeals. Based on recent discussions with IRS Appeals, Plum Creek does not expect to reach a resolution with IRS Appeals and plans to file a petition in the United States Tax Court.

If the IRS's position is upheld on judicial appeal, it could result in a maximum built-in gains tax liability of approximately $100 million. In addition, Plum Creek could be required to accelerate the distribution to its stockholders of up to $600 million of gain from the transaction. Plum Creek expects that as much as 80% of any such distribution could be made with Plum Creek's common stock, and stockholders would be subject to tax on the distribution at the applicable capital gains tax rate. Plum Creek would also be required to pay interest on the undistributed gain, which would be substantial, and, if applicable, penalties.

We believe the transfer of the timberlands was a nontaxable contribution to the Timberland Venture and not a taxable transaction. We have not accrued income taxes for financial reporting purposes with respect to this matter and do not believe it is reasonably possible any material accrual will be made within the next twelve months. We are confident in our position and believe that the proposed re-characterization of the Timberland Venture formation transaction by the IRS will ultimately be unsuccessful. We intend to vigorously contest this re-characterization.


Note 6. Borrowings

Debt consisted of the following (in millions):
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Variable Rate Debt
 
 
 
Term Credit Agreement (A)
$
225

 
$
225

Revolving Line of Credit (B)
108

 
95

Fixed Rate Debt
 
 
 
Senior Notes
1,330

 
1,330

Installment Note Payable
860

 
860

Total Debt
2,523

 
2,510

Less:
 
 
 
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
439

 
439

Line of Credit
108

 
95

Long-Term Portion
$
1,976

 
$
1,976


(A)
The Operating Partnership has a $225 million term credit agreement that matures on April 3, 2019. The interest rate on the $225 million term credit agreement was 1.69% and 1.67% as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. After giving effect to expected patronage distributions, the effective net interest rate on the term loan was approximately 1% as of both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

(B)
The weighted-average interest rate for the borrowings on the line of credit was 1.38% and 1.34% as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As of June 30, 2015, we had $108 million of borrowings and $1 million of standby letters of credit outstanding; $591 million remained available for borrowing under our $700 million line of credit. As of July 1, 2015, $73 million of the borrowings outstanding under our line of credit was repaid.

26

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 7. Partners’ Capital

The changes in the Operating Partnership’s capital accounts were as follows during 2015 (in millions):
 
Preferred
Partnership
Interest
 
Common
Partners’
Capital
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Partnership
Capital
January 1, 2015
$
790

 
$
1,694

 
$
(23
)
 
$
2,461

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners
 
 
56

 
 
 
56

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Net Income Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest
14

 
(14
)
 
 
 

Distributions to Partners (Common Partnership Interests)
 
 
(97
)
 
 
 
(97
)
Distributions for Series T-1 Preferred Interest
(14
)
 
 
 
 
 
(14
)
Capital Contributions from Parent
 
 
3

 
 
 
3

March 31, 2015
$
790

 
$
1,642

 
$
(24
)
 
$
2,408

Net Income before Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest and Partners
 
 
36

 
 
 
36

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
 
 
1

 
1

Net Income Allocation to Series T-1 Preferred Interest
15

 
(15
)
 
 
 

Distributions to Partners (Common Partnership Interests)
 
 
(109
)
 
 
 
(109
)
Distributions for Series T-1 Preferred Interest
(15
)
 
 
 
 
 
(15
)
Capital Contributions from Parent
 
 
2

 
 
 
2

June 30, 2015
$
790

 
$
1,556

 
$
(23
)
 
$
2,323


The changes in the Operating Partnership's accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows during 2015 (in millions): 
 
Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) (A)
 
Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Net Loss (B)
 
Gain on Cash Flow Hedge
 
Total
January 1, 2015
$
14

 
$
(42
)
 
$
5

 
$
(23
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(1
)
 
1

 

 

March 31, 2015
$
12

 
$
(41
)
 
$
5

 
$
(24
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications

 

 

 

Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 
1

 

 
1

June 30, 2015
$
12

 
$
(40
)
 
$
5

 
$
(23
)

(A)
Unrealized holding gains are reclassified to Other Operating Income (Expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income when the related available for sale securities are sold.

(B)
Amortization of actuarial gains and losses on the Operating Partnership's defined benefit pension plans is included in the computation of pension cost. See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.






27

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 8. Fair Value Measurements

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis. The Operating Partnership’s fair value measurements of its cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities, and trading securities, measured on a recurring basis, are categorized as Level 1 measurements under the fair value hierarchy in the Accounting Standards Codification. A Level 1 valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical unrestricted assets or liabilities. Summarized below are the Level 1 assets reported in the Operating Partnership’s financial statements at fair value, measured on a recurring basis (in millions):
 
Balance at
June 30, 2015
 
Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in Active
Markets of Identical Assets
(Level 1 Measurements)
Cash Equivalents (A)
$
80

 
$
80

Available-for-Sale Securities (B)
43

 
43

Trading Securities (B)
5

 
5

Total
$
128

 
$
128

 
 
 
 
 
Balance at
December 31, 2014
 
Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
Quoted Prices in Active
  Markets of Identical Assets
(Level 1 Measurements)
Cash Equivalents (A)
$
90

 
$
90

Available-for-Sale Securities (B)
43

 
43

Trading Securities (B)
5

 
5

Total
$
138

 
$
138


(A)
Consists of several money market funds and is included in the $83 million and $92 million of Cash and Cash Equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

(B)
Consists of several mutual funds and is included in Investment in Grantor Trusts in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. At June 30, 2015, investments in these mutual funds were approximately 45% in domestic (U.S.) equities, 25% in international equities and 30% in debt securities.

Available-for-Sale Securities. Certain investments in the grantor trusts relate to the Operating Partnership's non-qualified pension plans and are classified as available-for-sale securities. The Operating Partnership has invested in various money market, debt and equity mutual funds and plans to use these investments to fund its non-qualified pension obligations. Unrealized holding gains and losses are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. The Operating Partnership records changes in unrealized holding gains and losses in Other Comprehensive Income, unless an other than temporary impairment has occurred, which is then charged to expense. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities were not material to the Operating Partnership's financial position or results of operations for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014. As of both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the amortized cost of the available-for-sale securities was approximately $31 million. See Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Trading Securities. Certain investments in the grantor trusts relate to the Operating Partnership's deferred compensation plans and are classified as trading securities. Deferred compensation amounts are invested in various money market, debt and equity mutual funds. The Operating Partnership plans to use these investments to fund deferred compensation obligations. Realized gains and losses and changes in unrealized gains and losses (and a corresponding amount of compensation expense) are recognized in the Operating Partnership's Consolidated Statements of Income. Deferred compensation obligations are included in Other Liabilities and were $5 million at both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Changes in the fair value of trading securities were not material to the Operating Partnership's financial position or results of operations for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.


28

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Other Instruments. Summarized below are the carrying amount and fair value of the Operating Partnership's debt (estimated using the discounted cash flow method) along with the categorization under the fair value hierarchy in the Accounting Standards Codification (in millions): 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value at June 30, 2015
 
 
Carrying Amount at June 30, 2015
 
Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Public Debt (A)
 
$
1,330

 
$

 
$
1,373

 
$

 
$
1,373

Term Credit Agreement (B)
 
225

 

 
225

 

 
225

Line of Credit (C)
 
108

 

 
108

 

 
108

Installment Note Payable (D)
 
860

 

 
891

 

 
891

Total Debt
 
$
2,523

 
$

 
$
2,597

 
$

 
$
2,597

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2014
 
 
Carrying Amount at
December 31, 2014
 
Quoted Prices
In Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Public Debt (A)
 
$
1,330

 
$

 
$
1,398

 
$

 
$
1,398

Term Credit Agreement (B)
 
225

 

 
225

 

 
225

Line of Credit (C)
 
95

 

 
95

 

 
95

Installment Note Payable (D)
 
860

 

 
906

 

 
906

Total Debt
 
$
2,510

 
$

 
$
2,624

 
$

 
$
2,624


(A)
Fair value of the Operating Partnership's Public Debt (publicly issued Senior Notes) is estimated using multiple market quotes for the Operating Partnership's public bonds.

(B)
Fair value is estimated by adjusting the spread over LIBOR to a current market quote for comparable debt.

(C)
Fair value is estimated by adjusting the spread over LIBOR to a current market quote for comparable credit lines.

(D)
Fair value is estimated by adjusting the spread over the applicable Treasury rate to a current market quote for comparable debt.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis. There were no fair value measurements of assets or liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.



29

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 9. Employee Pension Plans

The components of pension cost were as follows for the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30 (in millions):
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Service Cost
$
2

 
$
2

Interest Cost
3

 
2

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(3
)
 
(3
)
Recognized Actuarial Loss
1

 
1

Total Pension Cost
$
3

 
$
2

 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Service Cost
$
4

 
$
4

Interest Cost
5

 
4

Expected Return on Plan Assets
(6
)
 
(5
)
Recognized Actuarial Loss
2

 
1

Total Pension Cost
$
5

 
$
4



Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies. The Operating Partnership is subject to regulations regarding forest, harvest and manufacturing practices and is, from time to time, involved in various legal proceedings, including, but not limited to, environmental and regulatory matters, incidental to its business. Reserves have been established for any probable losses. Except as discussed in Note 5, management does not believe that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, are material. However, it is possible that one or more of these matters could become material in the future, and an unfavorable outcome in one or more of these matters could have a material negative financial impact on the Operating Partnership. See Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of a tax proceeding involving Plum Creek.


Note 11. Variable Interest Entities

Real Estate Development Ventures. MWV-Charleston Land Partners, LLC (“MWV-CLP”) is a variable interest entity. The primary activities of MWV-CLP are the active development of residential and commercial real estate on approximately 22,000 acres ("Class A Properties") and the identification, entitlement, marketing, and selling of approximately 64,000 acres of high-value rural and development-quality lands ("Class B Properties"). MWV-CLP is managed by an affiliate of WestRock Company (formerly MeadWestvaco Corporation). MWV-CLP is financed by regular capital calls from the manager of MWV-CLP in proportion to a member’s ownership interest. If a member does not make a capital contribution, the member’s ownership interest is diluted. The Operating Partnership made an initial capital contribution of $152 million in 2013. Also, during the years 2014 to 2020, the Operating Partnership agreed to make additional capital contributions of at least $48 million in connection with its interest in the Class B Properties, of which $37 million remained outstanding as of June 30, 2015. The Operating Partnership does not intend to provide any other sources of financing for MWV-CLP. The Operating Partnership accounts for its interest in MWV-CLP under the equity method of accounting.

The Operating Partnership is not the primary beneficiary of MWV-CLP. The Operating Partnership considers the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of MWV-CLP to be the day-to-day operating decisions along with the oversight responsibilities for the real estate development projects and properties. WestRock Company has the power to direct the activities of MWV-CLP that most significantly impact its economic performance through its ability to manage the day-to-day operations of MWV-CLP. WestRock Company also has the ability to control all management decisions associated with the 22,000 acres of the Class A Properties through its majority representation on the board of directors for the Class A Properties and its joint control of the Class B Properties due to its equal representation on the board of directors for the Class B Properties.

30

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

The carrying amount of our investment in MWV-CLP is $126 million as of both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Equity Investment in Real Estate Development Ventures. Our maximum exposure to loss is $126 million, our carrying amount of our investment, plus any future capital contributions we elect to contribute to MWV-CLP. At a minimum, the Operating Partnership has agreed to make capital contributions in connection with its interest in Class B Properties of $37 million over the next six years. The Operating Partnership has a 50% ownership interest in the Class B Properties, and therefore, is entitled to 50% of the earnings or losses associated with these properties. Additionally, the Operating Partnership has a 4% ownership interest in the Class A Properties in which it is generally entitled to 4% of the earnings or losses associated with these properties.

Timberland Venture. In 2008, a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, Plum Creek Timber Operations I, LLC (“PC Member”), contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands located in its Southern Resources Segment to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC (“the Timberland Venture”) in exchange for a $705 million preferred interest and a 9% common interest valued at $78 million. The Timberland Venture’s other member, an affiliate of The Campbell Group LLC, contributed $783 million of cash in exchange for 91% of the Timberland Venture’s common interest. Following the formation of the Timberland Venture, Plum Creek Ventures I, LLC (“PC Ventures”), a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., borrowed $783 million from the Timberland Venture. PC Ventures used the proceeds from the borrowing to make a $783 million capital contribution to the Operating Partnership. The Operating Partnership accounts for its interest in the Timberland Venture under the equity method of accounting.

The Timberland Venture is a variable interest entity. The primary operating activities of the Timberland Venture consist of owning timberlands and entering into cutting contracts with an affiliate of the other member. Besides quarterly distributions to PC Ventures which it uses to fund interest payments on the loan owed by PC Ventures, the Operating Partnership has not provided financing or other support to the venture. The venture generates sufficient cash from operating activities to finance its operations.

We are not the primary beneficiary of the Timberland Venture. PC Member does not manage the day-to-day operations of the Timberland Venture, has only limited protective rights and its involvement is generally limited to receiving distributions on its preferred and common interests. We are not the primary beneficiary because we do not direct the activities that most significantly impact the Timberland Venture’s economic performance. We believe that the activities that most significantly impact the Timberland Venture’s economic performance include managing the timberlands along with the timing and extent of the harvesting activities, neither of which we control.

The carrying amount of the investment is $227 million at June 30, 2015 and $217 million at December 31, 2014, and it is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Equity Investment in Timberland Venture. Our maximum exposure to loss is $227 million, the carrying amount of the investment. Generally, losses are first allocated among the common interests based on positive capital accounts in which we hold a 9% common interest. No losses are allocated to our preferred interest ($705 million) until the common interests have absorbed losses of approximately $861 million.



31

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 12. Summarized Income Statement Information of the Timberland Venture

The earnings of the Timberland Venture are a significant component of consolidated earnings. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Equity earnings for the Timberland Venture were $40 million for the six-month period ending June 30, 2015 and were $32 million for the six-month period ending June 30, 2014. Equity earnings includes the amortization of the difference between the book value of the Operating Partnership’s investment and its proportionate share of the Timberland Venture’s net assets. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, amortization of basis difference was $12 million and $4 million, respectively. The table below presents summarized income statement information for the Timberland Venture (in millions):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
$
10

 
$
10

Cost of Goods Sold (A)
9

 
9

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
2

 
2

Operating Income (Loss)
(1
)
 
(1
)
Interest Income, net
29

 
29

Net Income before Allocation to Preferred and Common Interests
$
28

 
$
28


(A)
Cost of Goods Sold includes Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization of $8 million for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.


32

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

Note 13. Segment Information

The tables below present information about reported segments for the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30 (in millions):
 
Northern
Resources
 
Southern
Resources
 
Real
Estate
 
Manufacturing(A)
 
Energy and Natural Resources
 
Other(B)
 
Total(C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Revenues
$
41

 
$
129

 
$
25

 
$
92

 
$
8

 
$
7

 
$
302

Intersegment Revenues
6

 

 

 

 

 

 
6

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
6

 
21

 

 
2

 
2

 

 
31

Basis of Real Estate Sold

 

 
9

 

 

 

 
9

Other Operating Gain

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Equity Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 
2

 
2

Operating Income (Loss)
3

 
32

 
11

 
14

 
5

 
2

 
67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Revenues
$
44

 
$
127

 
$
77

 
$
94

 
$
9

 
$
5

 
$
356

Intersegment Revenues
6

 

 

 

 

 

 
6

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
6

 
19

 

 
6

 
2

 

 
33

Basis of Real Estate Sold

 

 
25

 

 

 

 
25

Other Operating Gain

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Equity Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Operating Income (Loss)
5

 
33

 
45

 
10

 
6

 
(3
)
 
96

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Northern
Resources
 
Southern
Resources
 
Real
Estate(D)
 
Manufacturing(A)
 
Energy and Natural Resources
 
Other(B)
 
Total(C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Revenues
$
105

 
$
257

 
$
134

 
$
186

 
$
16

 
$
10

 
$
708

Intersegment Revenues
12

 

 

 

 

 

 
12

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
13

 
41

 

 
5

 
4

 

 
63

Basis of Real Estate Sold

 

 
92

 

 

 

 
92

Other Operating Gain

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Equity Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Operating Income (Loss)
16

 
63

 
30

 
23

 
10

 
1

 
143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
External Revenues
$
113

 
$
250

 
$
100

 
$
184

 
$
18

 
$
8

 
$
673

Intersegment Revenues
14

 

 

 

 

 

 
14

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
14

 
37

 

 
9

 
4

 

 
64

Basis of Real Estate Sold

 

 
31

 

 

 

 
31

Other Operating Gain

 

 

 
2

 

 

 
2

Equity Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
Operating Income (Loss)
21

 
64

 
57

 
19

 
12

 
(4
)
 
169



33

PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS, L.P.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

(A)
During the second quarter of 2014, we experienced a fire at our MDF facility and recorded a $2 million loss representing the net book value of the building and equipment damaged or destroyed by the fire. For both the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, we recorded gains related to insurance recoveries of $2 million and $4 million, respectively. Insurance recoveries were received for costs incurred to rebuild or replace the damaged building and equipment and for business interruption costs. Both the building and equipment loss and the insurance recoveries are reported as Other Operating Gain in the Manufacturing Segment and are included in Other Operating Income (Expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

(B)
For segment reporting, Equity Earnings (Loss) from Real Estate Development Ventures is included in Operating Income (Loss) for the Other Segment. Equity earnings of $2 million and an equity loss $2 million were recorded for the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively, and equity earnings of $1 million and an equity loss of $3 million were recorded for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.

(C)
Consolidated depreciation, depletion and amortization includes unallocated corporate expense of $1 million for each of the quarterly periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively, and $2 million for each of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.

(D)
In January 2015, the Operating Partnership closed the second phase of a two-phase transaction with The Nature Conservancy, selling approximately 117,000 acres in Montana for $85 million. The first phase of the transaction, a sale of approximately 48,000 acres in Washington, closed in 2014. The total sales price of $131 million was allocated among the Montana and Washington properties based on an external appraisal.

A reconciliation of total segment operating income to income before income taxes is presented below for the quarterly and six-month periods ended June 30 (in millions):
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Total Segment Operating Income
$
67

 
$
96

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses
(20
)
 
(17
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net

 
1

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
17

 
17

Interest Expense, net
(27
)
 
(27
)
Income before Income Taxes
$
37

 
$
70

 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Total Segment Operating Income
$
143

 
$
169

Corporate and Other Unallocated Expenses
(39
)
 
(35
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
3

 
2

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
40

 
32

Interest Expense, net
(54
)
 
(54
)
Income before Income Taxes
$
93

 
$
114




34


ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statement

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “strategy,” or “anticipates,” or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including, but not limited to, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Some factors include changes in governmental, legislative and environmental restrictions, catastrophic losses from fires, floods, windstorms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, insect infestations or diseases, as well as changes in economic conditions and competition in our domestic and export markets and other factors described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those contemplated by our projected, forecasted, estimated or budgeted results as reflected in forward-looking statements relating to our operations and business include, but are not limited to:

the failure to meet our expectations with respect to our likely future performance;
an unanticipated reduction in the demand for timber products and/or an unanticipated increase in supply of timber products;
an unanticipated reduction in demand for higher and better use timberlands or non-strategic timberlands;
our failure to make strategic acquisitions or to integrate any such acquisitions effectively or, conversely, our failure to make strategic divestitures; and
our failure to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT.

It is likely that if one or more of the risks materializes, or if one or more assumptions prove to be incorrect, the current expectations of Plum Creek and its management will not be realized. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and neither Plum Creek nor its management undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial information and analysis included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2015.



35


Organization of the Company

In management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (Item 2 of this form), when we refer to “Plum Creek,” “the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” we mean Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., a Delaware Corporation and a real estate investment trust, or “REIT”, for federal income tax purposes, is the parent company of Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership (the “Operating Partnership” or “Partnership”), and Plum Creek Ventures I, LLC, a Delaware Limited Liability Company (“PC Ventures”). Plum Creek conducts substantially all of its activities through the Operating Partnership and various wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership.

The Operating Partnership has borrowed and has currently outstanding $2.5 billion principal amount of debt, including $1.3 billion of publicly issued notes. PC Ventures has borrowed and has currently outstanding $783 million in principal amount of debt (“the Note Payable to Timberland Venture”) from an entity (“the Timberland Venture”) in which a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership has a common and preferred equity interest. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. PC Ventures used the proceeds from the borrowing to make a $783 million capital contribution to the Operating Partnership in exchange for a preferred equity interest in the Operating Partnership. PC Ventures has no other activities and the Operating Partnership has no ownership interest in PC Ventures.

The Note Payable to Timberland Venture is an obligation of PC Ventures and not an obligation of the Operating Partnership. Therefore, any discussion of the Note Payable to Timberland Venture below is not applicable to the Operating Partnership. Unless otherwise specified, all other discussion and analysis below are applicable to both Plum Creek and the Operating Partnership.


Results of Operations

Second Quarter 2015 Compared to Second Quarter 2014

The following table compares Operating Income (Loss) by Segment and other items impacting our net income for the quarters ended June 30 (in millions):
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Operating Income (Loss) by Segment
 
 
 
 
 
Northern Resources
$
3

 
$
5

 
$
(2
)
Southern Resources
32

 
33

 
(1
)
Real Estate
11

 
45

 
(34
)
Manufacturing
14

 
10

 
4

Energy and Natural Resources
5

 
6

 
(1
)
Other
2

 
(3
)
 
5

Total Segment Operating Income
67

 
96

 
(29
)
Other Costs and Eliminations
(20
)
 
(17
)
 
(3
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net

 
1

 
(1
)
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
17

 
17

 

Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)
(27
)
 
(27
)
 

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)
(15
)
 
(15
)
 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
1

 

 
1

Net Income
$
21

 
$
55

 
$
(34
)



36


Northern Resources Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2015
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
 
Harvest Tons
(millions)
 
Average Sales
Realization
 
Harvest Tons
(millions)
 
Average Sales
Realization
Sawlog ($/Ton Delivered)
0.434

 
$
79

 
0.499

 
$
83

Pulpwood ($/Ton Delivered)
0.306

 
$
47

 
0.248

 
$
41

Total
0.740

 
 
 
0.747

 
 

Revenues decreased by $3 million, or 6%, to $47 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. The decrease was due primarily to lower sawlog harvest volumes ($5 million) and lower sawlog prices ($2 million) offset, in part, by higher pulpwood prices ($2 million) and higher pulpwood volumes ($2 million).

Sawlog harvest volumes decreased 13% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to recent land sales and the shift of harvest volumes previously scheduled for the current year to the next several years. Sawlog prices decreased 4% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. Sawlog prices declined during the second quarter of 2015 due primarily to lower log demand and an adequate supply of logs. The reduced demand for sawlogs is due primarily to fewer exports of logs and lumber to China. Exports to China have decreased as a result of the strong U.S. dollar and the slowing Chinese economy. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2015, there was an ample supply of sawlogs in the Western U.S. due to the unusually mild winter that led to favorable harvesting conditions.

Pulpwood prices increased 13% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to a continued limited supply of hardwood pulpwood in the Lake States and Northeastern regions of the U.S., partially as a result of a shortage of loggers and haulers. Pulpwood harvest volumes increased 24% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to extended cold winter weather in the early spring, which allowed for more harvesting operations compared to the prior year.

Northern Resources Segment operating income was 6% of its revenues for the second quarter of 2015 compared to 10% of its revenues for the second quarter of 2014. The decrease in operating performance was due primarily to lower sawlog prices and harvest volumes. Segment costs and expenses decreased by $1 million, or 2%, to $44 million.

For 2015, we expect sawlog harvest volumes to decrease between 10% and 15% compared to the 2.3 million tons we harvested in 2014 due primarily to recent land sales and the shift of harvest volumes previously scheduled for the current year to the next several years. We expect pulpwood harvest volumes in 2015 to approximate the 1.6 million tons we harvested in 2014.


Southern Resources Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2015
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
 
Harvest Tons
(millions)
 
Average Sales
Realization
 
Harvest Tons
(millions)
 
Average Sales
Realization
Sawlog ($/Ton Stumpage)
1.499

 
$
22

 
1.619

 
$
22

Pulpwood ($/Ton Stumpage)
2.270

 
$
13

 
2.159

 
$
12

Total
3.769

 
 
 
3.778

 
 

Revenues increased by $2 million, or 2%, to $129 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. The increase was due primarily to higher pulpwood prices ($2 million).

Pulpwood prices increased 9% during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. This increase was due primarily to continued good demand from our paper and packaging customers and increased fiber demand from competing uses, primarily wood pellet producers.

Sawlog prices generally remained at recessionary levels during the second quarter of 2015. Despite the 11% increase in housing starts during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 and the approximately 3% increase in U.S. lumber production, sawlog prices have remained at recessionary levels because at current lumber production levels there is an ample supply of sawlogs.


37


Southern Resources Segment operating income was 25% of its revenues for the second quarter of 2015 compared to 26% of its revenues for the second quarter of 2014. Segment costs and expenses increased by $3 million, or 3%, to $97 million for the second quarter of 2015.

For 2015, we expect sawlog harvest volumes to decline modestly from the 6.5 million tons we harvested in 2014. We expect pulpwood harvest volumes in 2015 to approximate the 9.3 million tons we harvested in 2014. Additionally, during 2015 we expect to harvest a higher percentage of sawlogs and pulpwood from our Gulf South Region, which generally has lower sales realizations.


Real Estate Segment.
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2015
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
Property
Acres
Sold
 
Revenues
(millions)
 
Revenue
per Acre
 
Acres
Sold
 
Revenues
(millions)
 
Revenue
per Acre
Small Non-Strategic
1,515

 
$
1

 
$
955

 
23,640

 
$
19

 
$
790

Conservation
6,610

 
6

 
860

 
11,875

 
8

 
635

Higher and Better Use / Recreational
8,005

 
18

 
2,255

 
31,530

 
46

 
1,485

Conservation Easements
n/a

 

 

 
n/a

 
4

 
300

Total
16,130

 
$
25

 
 
 
67,045

 
$
77

 
 

Revenues decreased by $52 million, or 67%, to $25 million in the second quarter of 2015. This decrease is due primarily to selling approximately 49,400 acres in Wisconsin during the second quarter of 2014 for $45.3 million. The transaction consisted of the following collection of properties: approximately 22,400 acres of higher and better use / recreational property with an estimated value of $28.7 million; approximately 17,000 acres of small non-strategic property with an estimated value of $11.6 million; and approximately 10,000 acres of conservation property with an estimated value of $5 million.

Revenues from the sale of higher and better use / recreational properties were $18 million during the second quarter of 2015 compared to $46 million in the second quarter of 2014. This decrease of $28 million was due primarily to selling fewer higher and better use / recreational acres, partially offset by higher per acre selling prices during the second quarter of 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the company sold 8,005 acres compared to selling 31,530 acres during the same period in the prior year. This decrease of 23,525 acres is due primarily to selling approximately 22,400 acres in Wisconsin during the second quarter of 2014. Furthermore, the reduction in acres sold is due to the company owning fewer lower value higher and better use / recreational acres along with the company retaining most of its superior quality acres until the rural real estate markets recover. The increase in the per acre selling prices is due primarily to the previously mentioned Wisconsin sale in the second quarter of 2014, which generally has lower land values than other regions of the country.

Revenues from the sale of small non-strategic properties were $1 million during the second quarter of 2015 compared to $19 million in the second quarter of 2014. This decrease of $18 million was due primarily to selling approximately 17,000 acres in Wisconsin during the second quarter of 2014 to a single buyer.

During the second quarter of 2014 the company sold a conservation easement in New Hampshire for $4 million. No easement sales occurred during the second quarter of 2015.

The timing of sales is a function of many factors, including the general state of the economy, demand in local real estate markets, the ability to obtain entitlements, the ability of buyers to obtain financing, the number of competing properties listed for sale, the seasonal nature of sales (particularly in the northern states), the plans of adjacent landowners, our expectation of future price appreciation, the timing of harvesting activities, and the availability of government and not-for-profit funding (especially for conservation sales). In any period the average sales price per acre will vary based on the location and physical characteristics of the parcels sold.

Real Estate Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 44% for the second quarter of 2015 and 58% for the second quarter of 2014. This decrease is due primarily to a higher operating margin on the 49,400 acres sold in Wisconsin during the second quarter of 2014 compared to the properties sold during the second quarter of 2015. Most of the Wisconsin property sold had low book values per acre as the property had been owned for decades. Real Estate Segment costs and expenses decreased by $18 million to $14 million in the second quarter of 2015 due primarily to selling fewer acres.




38


Manufacturing Segment. During the second quarter of 2014, we experienced a fire at our MDF facility and recorded a $2 million loss representing the net book value of the building and equipment damaged or destroyed by the fire. For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015, we recorded gains related to insurance recoveries of $1 million. For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014, we recorded gains related to insurance recoveries of $4 million, which, when combined with the building and equipment loss, resulted in a net gain of $2 million. Insurance recoveries were received for costs incurred to rebuild or replace the damaged building and equipment and for business interruption costs. Both the building and equipment loss and the insurance recoveries are reported as Other Operating Gain in the Manufacturing Segment and are included in Other Operating Income (Expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2015
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
 
Sales Volume
 
Average Sales
Realization (A)
 
Sales Volume
 
Average Sales
Realization (A)
Lumber
30,510 MBF
 
$
422

 
39,697 MBF
 
$
594

Plywood
45,265 MSF
 
$
520

 
37,620 MSF
 
$
468

MDF
59,374 MSF
 
$
685

 
54,831 MSF
 
$
675


(A)
Represents product prices at the mill level.

Revenues decreased by $2 million, or 2%, to $92 million in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. This decrease in revenues was due primarily to lower lumber sales volumes ($6 million) and lower lumber prices ($5 million) partially offset by higher plywood sales volumes ($4 million), higher plywood prices ($2 million), higher MDF sales volumes ($2 million) and higher MDF prices ($1 million).

On January 29, 2015, we announced the permanent closure of our remanufacturing facility in Idaho. The mill stopped manufacturing boards by March 31, 2015 and sold all of its inventory by June 30, 2015. Excluding our Idaho remanufacturing facility, lumber sales volume decreased by 16% ($2 million) during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to the declining supply of logs in the region. Excluding our Idaho remanufacturing facility, lumber prices decreased by 15% ($2 million) during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in the prior year due primarily to an excess supply of lumber. The supply of lumber available in the U.S. has increased due primarily to increased imports (primarily Canada) as a result of the strong U.S. dollar, along with an increase in domestic lumber production.

Plywood sales volume was 20% higher during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to increased purchases of veneer. Plywood production volumes decreased during the second quarter of 2014 due to the declining regional supply of logs, but production volumes have been restored to normal levels as a result of higher veneer purchases (which are now accounting for approximately 50% of the volume produced). Plywood average prices were 11% higher during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to continued strong demand from our industrial customers (e.g., recreational vehicle manufacturers) and an even greater focus on manufacturing higher value products.

MDF sales volume was 8% higher during the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to the fire at our MDF facility on June 10, 2014, which temporarily suspended production. MDF average prices increased 2% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014.

Excluding the impact of the net insurance recoveries during the second quarters of both 2015 and 2014, Manufacturing Segment operating income was 13% of its revenues for the second quarter of 2015 compared to 9% of its revenues for the second quarter of 2014. The increase in operating performance was due primarily to higher plywood and MDF prices and lower raw material and manufacturing costs. Excluding the net insurance recoveries during the second quarters of both 2015 and 2014, Manufacturing Segment costs and expenses decreased by $6 million, or 7%, to $80 million. The decrease in costs and expenses is due primarily to lower lumber sales volumes, lower MDF raw material costs ($2 million), lower MDF depreciation ($1 million), and a favorable workers’ compensation adjustment ($2 million), offset in part by higher MDF and plywood sales volumes. The lower MDF raw material costs is primarily due to declining resin prices, and the lower MDF depreciation expense is due to a portion of the equipment being fully depreciated by the end of 2014.



39


Energy and Natural Resources Segment. Revenues decreased by $1 million, or 11%, to $8 million during the second quarter of 2015. This decrease is due primarily to lower income from our oil, natural gas and coal leases.

Operating income was $5 million during the second quarter of 2015 compared to $6 million during the second quarter of 2014. Costs and expenses were $3 million in the second quarter of both 2015 and 2014.

Other Segment. The Other Segment includes revenues and expenses associated with our business of providing timber and wood-fiber procurement services by the harvesting and selling of trees from timberlands that are not owned by the company. Additionally, equity earnings (losses) associated with our investment in MWV-Charleston Land Partners, LLC ("MWV-CLP") are reported in the Other Segment.

Other Segment operating income for the second quarter of 2015 was $2 million compared to an Other Segment operating loss of $3 million for the second quarter of 2014. This change of $5 million is due primarily to reporting equity earnings/loss related to our investment in MWV-CLP, whereby during the second quarter of 2015 we reported equity earnings of $2 million and during the second quarter of 2014 we reported an equity loss of $2 million. The change of $4 million is due primarily to a large land sale by MWV-CLP during the second quarter of 2015. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Costs and Eliminations. Other costs and eliminations (which consists of corporate overhead) decreased operating income by $20 million during the second quarter of 2015 and decreased operating income by $17 million during the second quarter of 2014. This increase of $3 million is due primarily to higher legal, consulting and compliance costs and higher wage and benefits costs.

Interest Expense, net. Interest expense, net of interest income, was $42 million for both of the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $1 million for the second quarter of 2015 compared to a provision for income taxes of essentially $0 for the second quarter of 2014. This increase in expense for income taxes was due primarily to higher earnings from our manufacturing businesses.




40


Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

The following table compares Operating Income (Loss) by Segment and other items impacting our net income for the six months ended June 30 (in millions):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Operating Income (Loss) by Segment
 
 
 
 
 
Northern Resources
$
16

 
$
21

 
$
(5
)
Southern Resources
63

 
64

 
(1
)
Real Estate
30

 
57

 
(27
)
Manufacturing
23

 
19

 
4

Energy and Natural Resources
10

 
12

 
(2
)
Other
1

 
(4
)
 
5

Total Segment Operating Income
143

 
169

 
(26
)
Other Costs and Eliminations
(39
)
 
(35
)
 
(4
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
3

 
2

 
1

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
40

 
32

 
8

Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)
(54
)
 
(54
)
 

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)
(29
)
 
(29
)
 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
1

 

 
1

Net Income
$
63

 
$
85

 
$
(22
)


Northern Resources Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Harvest Tons
(millions)
 
Average Sales
Realization
 
Harvest Tons
(millions)
 
Average Sales
Realization
Sawlog ($/Ton Delivered)
1.004

 
$
83

 
1.166

 
$
85

Pulpwood ($/Ton Delivered)
0.766

 
$
47

 
0.718

 
$
43

Total
1.770

 
 
 
1.884

 
 

Revenues decreased by $10 million, or 8%, to $117 million for the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. The decrease was due primarily to lower sawlog harvest volumes ($13 million) and lower sawlog prices ($2 million) offset, in part, by higher pulpwood prices ($4 million) and higher pulpwood volumes ($2 million).

Sawlog harvest volumes decreased 14% during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 due primarily to recent land sales and the shift of harvest volumes previously scheduled for the current year to the next several years. Sawlog prices decreased 2% during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. Sawlog prices declined during the second quarter of 2015 due primarily to lower log demand and an adequate supply of logs. The reduced demand for sawlogs is due primarily to fewer exports of logs and lumber to China. Exports to China have decreased as a result of the strong U.S. dollar and the slowing Chinese economy. Additionally during the first six months of 2015, there was an ample supply of sawlogs in the Western U.S. due to the unusually mild winter that led to favorable harvesting conditions.

Pulpwood prices increased 11% for the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 due primarily to a continued limited supply of hardwood pulpwood in the Lake States and Northeastern regions of the U.S., partially as a result of a shortage of loggers and haulers. Pulpwood harvest volumes increased 7% during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 due primarily to extended cold winter weather in the early spring, which allowed for more harvesting operations compared to the prior year.


41


Northern Resources Segment operating income was 14% of its revenues for the first six months of 2015 compared to 16% of its revenues for the first six months of 2014. The decrease in operating performance was due primarily to lower sawlog prices and harvest volumes. Segment costs and expenses decreased by $5 million, or 5%, to $101 million due primarily to lower sawlog harvest volumes.

For 2015, we expect sawlog harvest volumes to decrease between 10% and 15% compared to the 2.3 million tons we harvested in 2014 due primarily to recent land sales and the shift of harvest volumes previously scheduled for the current year to the next several years. We expect pulpwood harvest volumes in 2015 to approximate the 1.6 million tons we harvested in 2014.


Southern Resources Segment. Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Harvest Tons
(millions)
 
Average Sales
Realization
 
Harvest Tons
(millions)
 
Average Sales
Realization
Sawlog ($/Ton Stumpage)
3.026

 
$
23

 
3.169

 
$
22

Pulpwood ($/Ton Stumpage)
4.365

 
$
13

 
4.213

 
$
12

Total
7.391

 
 
 
7.382

 
 

Revenues increased by $7 million, or 3%, to $257 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. The increase was due primarily to higher pulpwood prices ($4 million), higher pulpwood volumes ($1 million), and higher sawlog prices ($1 million).

Pulpwood prices increased 9% during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. This increase was due primarily to continued good demand from our paper and packaging customers and increased fiber demand from competing uses, primarily wood pellet producers. Pulpwood harvest volumes increased 4% during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014.

Sawlog prices generally remained at recessionary levels during the first six months of 2015. Despite the 11% increase in housing starts during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 and the approximately 3% increase in U.S. lumber production, sawlog prices have remained at recessionary levels because at current lumber production levels there is an ample supply of sawlogs.

Southern Resources Segment operating income was 25% of its revenues for the first six months of 2015 compared to 26% of its revenues for the first six months of 2014. The decrease in operating margin was due primarily to higher depletion expense. Segment costs and expenses increased by $8 million, or 4%, to $194 million for the first six months of 2015 due primarily to higher average depletion rates ($4 million non-cash impact) and higher operating expenses. The increase in average depletion rates was due primarily to increased harvest volumes from our long-term timber deeds, which have a higher depletion rate compared to depletion rates on timberlands we own. Operating expenses increased primarily due to higher share-based compensation expense, forest management and road maintenance expenses.

For 2015, we expect sawlog harvest volumes to decline modestly from the 6.5 million tons we harvested in 2014. We expect pulpwood harvest volumes in 2015 to approximate the 9.3 million tons we harvested in 2014. Additionally, during 2015 we expect to harvest a higher percentage of sawlogs and pulpwood from our Gulf South Region, which generally has lower sales realizations.



42


Real Estate Segment.
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Property
Acres
Sold
 
Revenues
(millions)
 
Revenue
per Acre
 
Acres
Sold
 
Revenues
(millions)
 
Revenue
per Acre
Small Non-Strategic
3,575

 
$
4

 
$
1,175

 
26,675

 
$
23

 
$
850

Conservation
127,770

 
94

 
735

 
15,290

 
14

 
865

Higher and Better Use / Recreational
16,015

 
36

 
2,230

 
35,655

 
55

 
1,570

Conservation Easements
n/a

 

 

 
n/a

 
8

 
320

Total
147,360

 
$
134

 
 
 
77,620

 
$
100

 
 

Revenues increased by $34 million, or 34%, to $134 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase is due primarily to an increase in revenues from conservation sales ($80 million), offset in part by a decrease in revenue from small non-strategic sales ($19 million) and higher and better use / recreational sales ($19 million).

Revenues from the sale of conservation properties were $94 million during the first six months of 2015 compared to $14 million in the first six months of 2014. During the first quarter of 2015, we concluded a two-phase deal with The Nature Conservancy by selling approximately 117,000 acres in Montana for $85 million. The first phase closed during the fourth quarter of 2014 and consisted of nearly 48,000 acres in the state of Washington. Conservation sales vary significantly from period to period and are primarily impacted by government and not-for-profit funding, the limited number of conservation buyers, and the timing of our transactions. Additionally, the price per acre for conservation properties can vary significantly due to the geographic location and the rationale for the conservation designation.

Revenue from our higher and better use / recreational properties during the first six months of 2015 was $36 million compared to $55 million during the same period in the prior year. This decrease of $19 million was due primarily to selling fewer HBU acres, partially offset by higher per acre selling prices during the first six months of 2015. During the first six months of 2015, the company sold 16,015 acres of higher and better use / recreational properties compared to selling 35,655 acres during the same period in the prior year. This decrease of 19,640 acres is due primarily to selling approximately 22,400 acres in Wisconsin during the first six months of 2014. Furthermore, the reduction in acres sold is due to the company owning fewer lower value higher and better use / recreational acres along with the company retaining most of its superior quality acres until the rural real estate markets recover. The increase in the per acre selling prices is due primarily to the previously mentioned Wisconsin sale during the first six months of 2014, which generally has lower land values than other regions of the country.

Revenues from small non-strategic sales decreased due primarily to selling approximately 23,100 fewer acres during the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014. This decrease was due primarily to a Wisconsin transaction which closed during the second quarter of 2014 and consisted of a sale of approximately 17,000 acres of small non-strategic property with an estimated value of $11.6 million; approximately 22,400 acres of higher and better use / recreational property with an estimated value of $28.7 million; and approximately 10,000 acres of conservation property with an estimated value of $5 million. During 2015 there have not been any large package sales of small non-strategic properties.

The timing of real estate sales is a function of many factors, including the general state of the economy, demand in local real estate markets, the ability to obtain entitlements, the ability of buyers to obtain financing, the number of competing properties listed for sale, the seasonal nature of sales (particularly in the northern states), the plans of adjacent landowners, our expectation of future price appreciation, and the timing of harvesting activities. Also, in any period the average sales price per acre will vary based on the location and physical characteristics of the parcels sold.

We expect revenues from real estate sales during 2015 to range between $280 million and $300 million.

Real Estate Segment operating income was 22% of its revenues for the first six months of 2015 compared to 57% for 2014. This decrease is due primarily to selling a greater percentage of properties with a high book basis during the first six months of 2015 compared to selling a greater percentage of properties with a low book basis during the first six months of 2014. For example, the large conservation sale in Montana during the first quarter of 2015 (represents 79% of the acres sold during the first six months of 2015) had a relatively high book basis compared to our other properties as a result of stepping-up the book basis for our Montana properties to fair value in connection with our 2001 merger with The Timber Company. Furthermore, our sale of 49,400 acres in Wisconsin during the second quarter of 2014 (represents 64% of the acres sold during the first six months of 2014) had a relatively low book basis compared to our other properties as a result of owning most of the Wisconsin properties for several decades.


43


Real Estate Segment costs and expenses increased by $61 million to $104 million during the first six months of 2015 due primarily to selling more acres and selling properties with higher book value.


Manufacturing Segment. During the second quarter of 2014, we experienced a fire at our MDF facility and recorded a $2 million loss representing the net book value of the building and equipment damaged or destroyed by the fire. For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015, we recorded gains related to insurance recoveries of $2 million. For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014, we recorded gains related to insurance recoveries of $4 million, which, when combined with the building and equipment loss, resulted in a net gain of $2 million. Insurance recoveries were received for costs incurred to rebuild or replace the damaged building and equipment and for business interruption costs. Both the building and equipment loss and the insurance recoveries are reported as Other Operating Gain in the Manufacturing Segment and are included in Other Operating Income (Expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Key operating statistics for the segment are as follows:
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Sales Volume
 
Average  Sales
Realization (A)
 
Sales Volume
 
Average Sales
Realization (A)
Lumber
66,593 MBF
 
$
488

 
77,400 MBF
 
$
584

Plywood
92,795 MSF
 
$
511

 
76,808 MSF
 
$
460

MDF
113,427 MSF
 
$
686

 
105,512 MSF
 
$
677


(A)
Represents product prices at the mill level.

Revenues increased by $2 million, or 1%, to $186 million in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014. This increase in revenues was due primarily to higher plywood sales volumes ($5 million), higher plywood prices ($5 million), higher MDF sales volumes ($5 million) and higher MDF prices ($1 million), partially offset by lower lumber sales volumes ($9 million) and lower lumber prices ($5 million).

On January 29, 2015, we announced the permanent closure of our remanufacturing facility in Idaho. The mill stopped manufacturing boards by March 31, 2015 and sold all of its inventory by June 30, 2015. Excluding our Idaho remanufacturing facility, lumber sales volume decreased by 16% ($5 million) during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 due primarily to the declining supply of logs in the region. Excluding our Idaho remanufacturing facility, lumber prices decreased by 12% ($3 million) during the first six months of 2015 compared to the same period in the prior year due primarily to an excess supply of lumber. The supply of lumber available in the U.S. has increased due primarily to increased imports (primarily Canada) as a result of the strong U.S. dollar, along with an increase in domestic lumber production.

Plywood sales volume was 21% higher during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 due primarily to increased purchases of veneer. Plywood production volumes decreased during the first six months of 2014 due to the declining regional supply of logs, but production volumes have been restored to normal levels as a result of higher veneer purchases (which are now accounting for approximately 50% of the volume produced). Plywood average prices were 11% higher during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 due primarily to continued strong demand from our industrial customers (e.g., recreational vehicle manufacturers), an even greater focus on manufacturing higher value products, and to a lesser extent, limited supply. The supply of plywood has been limited due to a competing West coast plywood mill that was destroyed by a fire in July 2014.

MDF sales volume was 8% higher during the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014 due primarily to severe winter weather and rail transportation issues during the first quarter of 2014 that negatively impacted MDF sales volume. Prior year sales volume was also negatively impacted by the fire at our MDF facility on June 10, 2014, which temporarily suspended production. MDF average prices increased 1% in the first six months of 2015 compared to the first six months of 2014.

Excluding the impact of the net insurance recoveries during the second quarters of both 2015 and 2014, Manufacturing Segment operating income was 11% of its revenues for the first six months of 2015 compared to 9% of its revenues for the first six months of 2014. This increase in operating performance was due primarily to higher plywood prices and lower raw material and manufacturing costs. Excluding the net insurance recoveries during the second quarters of both 2015 and 2014, Manufacturing Segment costs and expenses decreased by $2 million, or 1%, to $165 million. The decrease in costs and expenses is due primarily to lower lumber sales volumes, lower MDF raw material costs ($2 million), lower MDF depreciation ($2 million), and a favorable workers’ compensation adjustment ($2 million), offset in part by higher MDF and plywood sales volumes. The lower MDF raw

44


material costs are primarily due to declining resin prices, and the lower MDF depreciation expense is due to a portion of the equipment being fully depreciated by the end of 2014.


Energy and Natural Resources Segment. Revenues decreased by $2 million, or 11%, to $16 million during the first six months of 2015. This decrease is due primarily to lower income from our oil, natural gas and coal leases.
 
Operating income was $10 million during the first six months of 2015 compared to $12 million during the same period in the prior year. Costs and expenses were $6 million for the first six months of both 2015 and 2014.

Other Segment. The Other Segment includes revenues and expenses associated with our business of providing timber and wood-fiber procurement services by the harvesting and selling of trees from timberlands that are not owned by the company. Additionally, equity earnings (losses) associated with our investment in MWV-Charleston Land Partners, LLC ("MWV-CLP") are reported in the Other Segment.

Other Segment operating income for the first six months of 2015 was $1 million compared to an Other Segment operating loss of $4 million for the first six months of 2014. This change of $5 million is due primarily to reporting equity earnings/loss related to our investment in MWV-CLP, whereby during the first six months of 2015 we reported equity earnings of $1 million and during the first six months of 2014 we reported an equity loss of $3 million. The change of $4 million is due primarily to a large land sale by MWV-CLP during the second quarter of 2015. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other Costs and Eliminations. Other costs and eliminations (which consists of corporate overhead) decreased operating income by $39 million for the first six months of 2015 and decreased operating income by $35 million for the first six months of 2014. This increase of $4 million is due primarily to higher share-based compensation costs ($2 million) and higher wage and benefits costs ($1 million). The increase in share-based compensation expense is due primarily to fair value adjustments associated with our value management plan. We adjust the fair value of our liability quarterly based on our relative total shareholder return compared to the performance of several peer groups.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Corporate overhead costs along with Segment specific selling, general and administrative costs are reported in total on our Consolidated Statements of Income and decreased operating income by $65 million during the first six months of 2015 and by $59 million during the first six months of 2014. This increase in expense of $6 million is due primarily to higher share-based compensation costs ($4 million) and higher wage and benefits costs ($2 million). The increase in share-based compensation expense is a result of fair value adjustments associated with our value management plan.

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture. Equity earnings from the Timberland Venture were $40 million during the first six months of 2015 compared to $32 million during the first six months of 2014. The increase in equity earnings is due primarily to a land sale by the Timberland Venture during the first quarter of 2015.

In 2008, the company contributed 454,000 acres of timberlands to the Timberland Venture in exchange for a $705 million preferred interest and a 9% common interest valued at $78 million. The Timberland Venture recorded the timberlands based on their fair value ($783 million). No gain was recognized by the company in 2008 in connection with the contribution of timberlands, and as a result, our book basis in the timberlands of $174 million became the basis for the company’s initial investment in the Timberland Venture.

The initial basis difference (i.e., deferred gain) of $609 million was allocated among the land and standing timber based on fair value. The deferred gain is being amortized into equity earnings as standing timber is harvested and sold, and as land is sold. The deferred gain recognized during the first quarter of 2015 in connection with land sales was $8 million. Furthermore, proceeds from land sales are allocated among the investors based on their common interest (i.e., Plum Creek is entitled to 9% of the proceeds).

Interest Expense, net. Interest expense, net of interest income, was $83 million for both of the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $1 million for the first six months of 2015 compared to a provision for income taxes of essentially $0 for the first six months of 2014. This $1 million increase in expense for income taxes was due primarily to higher earnings from our manufacturing businesses. 

At June 30, 2015, we have recorded deferred tax assets of $61 million (net of a $12 million valuation allowance) and deferred tax liabilities of $30 million. Our determination of the realization of deferred tax assets is based upon management's judgment of various future events and uncertainties, including the timing, nature and amount of future taxable income earned by certain wholly-

45


owned subsidiaries. A valuation allowance is recognized if management believes it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Management believes that due to the reversal of various taxable temporary differences and/or the planned execution of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, sufficient taxable income can be generated to utilize the company's remaining deferred tax assets of $61 million for which a valuation allowance was determined to be unnecessary.


Financial Condition and Liquidity

We believe we have a strong balance sheet and do not foresee any near-term liquidity issues. At June 30, 2015, we had a cash balance of $83 million and had availability of $591 million under our line of credit. In addition to the discussion that follows, we have summarized our sources and uses of cash for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 in a table later in this section.

Cash Flow

The following table summarizes total cash flows for operating, investing and financing activities for the six months ended June 30 (in millions):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities
$
227

 
$
189

 
$
38

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities
(43
)
 
(43
)
 

Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities
(193
)
 
(472
)
 
279

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
(9
)
 
$
(326
)
 
$
317


Cash Flows from Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2015 totaled $227 million compared to the $189 million we generated during the six months ended June 30, 2014. This increase of $38 million is due primarily to higher proceeds from real estate sales ($31 million). See Results of Operations for a discussion of factors impacting real estate proceeds for our Real Estate Segment.

Capital Expenditures. Capital expenditures (excluding timberland acquisitions) for the six months ended June 30, 2015 were $38 million compared to $40 million for the same period in 2014. Planned capital expenditures for 2015 are expected to range between $90 million and $95 million and include approximately $72 million for our timberlands, $11 million for our manufacturing facilities, $3 million for our real estate development projects, and $6 million for investments in information technology. The timberland expenditures are primarily for reforestation and other expenditures associated with the planting and growing of trees. Approximately 55% of planned capital expenditures in 2015 are discretionary, primarily expenditures for silviculture. Capital expenditures at our manufacturing facilities consist primarily of expenditures to sustain operating activities. Expenditures for real estate development are included in Other Operating Activities, net on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Real Estate Development Ventures. In connection with the timberland acquisition from MeadWestvaco Corporation, the company and MeadWestvaco Corporation formed a limited liability company (MWV-CLP). Plum Creek has agreed to make capital contributions to MWV-CLP through the year 2020, with minimum required contributions of $6 million during 2015. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the company made contributions of $2 million to MWV-CLP. See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Future Cash Requirements.  Cash required to meet our future financial needs will be significant. Our next scheduled debt principal payment is our 5.875% Senior Notes ($439 million), which mature in November 2015. We may refinance all or a portion of this borrowing at or near maturity. Debt principal not refinanced by new borrowings or by the then available borrowing capacity under our line of credit would be paid using cash generated from operations. Furthermore, we believe that our cash flows from operating activities over the next twelve months will be more than adequate to fund planned capital expenditures and our dividend.


46


The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash (in millions):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
Sources of Cash:
 
 
 
 
 
Operations (A)
$
182

 
$
155

 
$
27

Changes in Working Capital
15

 
7

 
8

Cash Distributions from Timberland Venture
30

 
28

 
2

Cash Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
3

 
1

 
2

Cash from Stock Option Exercises
1

 
1

 

Increase Debt Obligations, net
13

 

 
13

Total Sources of Cash
244

 
192

 
52

Uses of Cash:
 
 
 
 
 
Returned to Stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends
(155
)
 
(156
)
 
1

Common Stock Repurchases
(52
)
 
(2
)
 
(50
)
Reinvest in the Business:
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures (B)
(38
)
 
(41
)
 
3

Timberlands Acquired
(7
)
 

 
(7
)
Contributions to Real Estate Development Ventures
(2
)
 
(4
)
 
2

Meet Our Pension Obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
Sales/(Purchases) of Marketable Securities
1

 

 
1

Reduce Debt Obligations, net

 
(315
)
 
315

Total Uses of Cash
(253
)
 
(518
)
 
265

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
(9
)
 
$
(326
)
 
$
317


(A)
Calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows by adding Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Basis of Real Estate Sold, Earnings from Unconsolidated Entities, Deferred Income Taxes, and Other Operating Activities (excluding Expenditures for Real Estate Development - see Footnote B) to Net Income.

(B)
Calculated from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows by adding Capital Expenditures (excluding Timberland Acquisitions) and Expenditures for Real Estate Development (which are included in Other Operating Activities) and Insurance Recoveries (Property Damage). Expenditures for Real Estate Development were $1 million for each of the six month periods ending June 30, 2015 and 2014.


Borrowings

Debt Financing. We strive to maintain a balance sheet that provides the financial flexibility to pursue our strategic objectives. In order to maintain this financial flexibility, our objective is to maintain an investment grade credit rating. This is reflected in our moderate use of debt, established access to credit markets and no material covenant restrictions in our debt agreements that would prevent us from prudently using debt capital. All of our borrowings, except for the Note Payable to Timberland Venture, are made by Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., the company's wholly-owned operating partnership (“the Partnership”). Furthermore, all of the outstanding indebtedness of the Partnership is unsecured.

Line of Credit. We have a $700 million revolving line of credit agreement that matures on January 15, 2019. Subject to customary covenants, the line of credit allows for borrowings from time to time up to $700 million, including up to $60 million of standby letters of credit. Borrowings on the line of credit fluctuate daily based on cash needs. The interest rate on the line of credit is currently LIBOR plus 1.25%, including the facility fee. This rate can range from LIBOR plus 1% to LIBOR plus 2% depending on our debt ratings.

The weighted-average interest rate for the borrowings on the line of credit was 1.38% and 1.34% as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. As of June 30, 2015, we had $108 million of borrowings and $1 million of standby letters of credit outstanding; $591 million remained available for borrowing under our line of credit. As of July 1, 2015, $73 million of the borrowings outstanding under our line of credit was repaid.

47



Term Credit Agreement. The company has a $225 million term credit agreement that matures on April 3, 2019. The interest rate on the term credit agreement was 1.69% and 1.67% as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The interest rate on the term credit agreement is based on LIBOR plus 1.50%. After giving effect to patronage distributions, the effective net interest rate on the term loan was approximately 1% as of both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The term loan agreement is subject to covenants that are substantially the same as those of our revolving line of credit. The term credit agreement allows for prepayment of the borrowings at any time prior to the maturity date without premium or penalty.

Senior Notes. As of June 30, 2015, the company had publicly issued and outstanding $1,333 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes (“Public Debt”). The Public Debt is issued by the Partnership and is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. This amount includes $439 million of 5.875% Public Debt which matures in 2015, $569 million of 4.70% Public Debt which matures in 2021 and $325 million of 3.25% Public Debt which matures in 2023.

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and the Partnership have filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under the shelf registration statement, Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., from time to time, may offer and sell any combination of preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares, warrants and guarantees, and the Partnership, from time to time, may offer and sell debt securities. The company and the Partnership intend to maintain a shelf registration statement with respect to such securities.

Installment Note Payable. The company has an $860 million installment note payable to MWV Community Development and Land Management, LLC ("MWV CDLM"), which was issued in connection with the acquisition of certain timberland assets. Following the acquisition, MWV CDLM pledged the installment note to certain banks in the farm credit system. The annual interest rate on the installment note is fixed at 5.207%. After giving effect to patronage distributions, the company's effective net interest rate on the installment note was approximately 4.5% as of both June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

During the ten-year term of the note, interest is paid semi-annually with the principal due upon maturity. The installment note matures on December 6, 2023, but may be extended at the request of the holder if the company at the time of the request intends to refinance all or a portion of the installment note for a term of five years or more. The installment note is generally not redeemable prior to maturity except in certain limited circumstances and could be subject to a premium on redemption. The installment note is subject to covenants similar to those of our revolving line of credit and term credit agreement.

Debt Covenants. Our Senior Notes, Term Credit Agreement, Line of Credit and Installment Note Payable contain various restrictive covenants, none of which are expected to materially impact the financing of our ongoing operations. We are in compliance with all of our borrowing agreement covenants as of June 30, 2015.

Our Term Credit Agreement, Line of Credit and Installment Note Payable require that we maintain certain interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios. We have no covenants and restrictions associated with changes in our debt ratings. Our Term Credit Agreement, Line of Credit and Installment Note Payable each contain a covenant restricting our ability to make any restricted payments, which includes dividend payments, if we are in default under our debt agreements. Furthermore, there are no material covenants associated with our Note Payable to Timberland Venture, and this indebtedness is not considered in computing any of our debt covenants since the debt is an obligation of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. and not the Partnership.

As of June 30, 2015, we can borrow the entire amount available under our Line of Credit, and we expect to be able to incur at least this level of additional indebtedness for the next twelve months.


Equity

Dividends. On August 4, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.44 per share, or approximately $77 million, which will be paid on August 31, 2015 to stockholders of record on August 14, 2015. Future dividends will be determined by our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, based on consideration of a number of factors. The primary factors considered by the Board in declaring the current dividend amount were current quarter and full year forecasted cash flow and operating results, as measured by Funds from Operations (defined as net income plus non-cash charges for depletion, depreciation and amortization, and the cost basis of land sales), along with the amount of cash on hand. In addition, the Board also considers the following factors when determining dividends: the company's capital requirements; economic conditions; tax considerations; borrowing capacity; changes in the prices of, and demand for, our products; changes in our ability to sell timberlands at attractive prices; and the appropriate timing of timber harvests, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, stock repurchases, debt repayment and other means by which the company could deliver value to its stockholders.


48


Share Repurchases. Plum Creek's Board of Directors has authorized a common stock repurchase program that may be increased from time to time at the Board of Directors' discretion. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, we repurchased 1.2 million shares of common stock at a total cost of $50 million, or an average cost per share of $41.46. At June 30, 2015, $75 million is available for share repurchases under the current Board of Directors' authorization.


Other Information

Accounting Standards Issued and Not Yet Implemented.

Consolidation. In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2015-02, Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (Topic 810). The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The new standard seeks to improve specific areas of the consolidation guidance and reduce the number of consolidation models. Specific changes relate to how reporting entities evaluate whether (1) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (2) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a variable interests entity (VIE), and (3) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting entity requires the reporting entity to consolidate the VIE. The company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. The comprehensive new standard will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific requirements, and require revenue to be recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Adoption of the new rules could affect the timing of revenue recognition for certain transactions. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the standard by one year, and as such, the standard will now be effective for Plum Creek in the first quarter of 2018; however, entities are allowed to adopt one year earlier if they choose (i.e., the original effective date). The guidance permits two implementation approaches: (1) a retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years; or (2) a modified retrospective basis whereby the new standard would be applied to new contracts and existing contracts with remaining performance obligations as of the effective date, with a cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded to beginning retained earnings. The company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures, and the implementation approach to be used.


Performance and Liquidity Measures (Non-GAAP Measures)

For a discussion of the factors impacting our operating performance see the discussion included in this Item under Results of Operations. For a discussion of the factors impacting our liquidity, see the discussion included in this Item under Financial Condition and Liquidity. We have included the following Non-GAAP measurements because we believe these are commonly used by investors, lenders and rating agencies to assess our financial performance.

Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings from continuing operations, excluding Equity Earnings from the Timberland Venture, and before interest expense (including any gains or losses from extinguishment of debt), taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and basis in real estate sold. In addition to including Equity Earnings or Loss from Real Estate Development Ventures in Adjusted EBITDA, we also include, as an add back to Operating Income for the Other Segment, our proportional share of depreciation, depletion, amortization, and basis in real estate sold from this equity method investment. Adjusted EBITDA is not considered a measure of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and the items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components of our consolidated financial statements.
 
We present Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure because we believe it facilitates operating performance comparisons from period to period, and each business segment’s contribution to that performance, by eliminating non-cash charges to earnings, which can vary significantly by business segment. These non-cash charges include timber depletion, depreciation of fixed assets and the basis in real estate sold. We also use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental liquidity measure because we believe it is useful in measuring our ability to generate cash. In addition, we believe Adjusted EBITDA is commonly used by investors, lenders and rating agencies to assess our financial performance.

49



Second Quarter 2015 Compared to Second Quarter 2014

The following table compares Adjusted EBITDA by segment for the quarters ended June 30 (in millions):
 
Quarter Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
 
 
 
 
 
Northern Resources
$
9

 
$
11

 
$
(2
)
Southern Resources
53

 
52

 
1

Real Estate
20

 
70

 
(50
)
Manufacturing
16

 
16

 

Energy and Natural Resources
7

 
8

 
(1
)
       Other
8

 
(2
)
 
10

       Other Costs and Eliminations, net
(19
)
 
(15
)
 
(4
)
Total Adjusted EBITDA
$
94

 
$
140

 
$
(46
)

The following schedules provide a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income and net cash from operating activities, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP performance and liquidity measures, for the quarters ended June 30 (in millions):
 
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
Basis of Real Estate Sold
 
Adjusted EBITDA
By Segment (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Northern Resources
 
$
3

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
9

Southern Resources
 
32

 
21

 

 
53

Real Estate
 
11

 

 
9

 
20

Manufacturing
 
14

 
2

 

 
16

Energy and Natural Resources
 
5

 
2

 

 
7

Other
 
2

 

 
6

 
8

Other Costs and Eliminations
 
(20
)
 
1

 

 
(19
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
47

 
$
32

 
$
15

 
$
94

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Net Income (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
 
17

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 
(42
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Flows from Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
76

Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

Amortization of Debt Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

Distributions from Timberland Venture
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
Equity Earnings, Depletion, Amortization, and Basis of Real Estate Sold from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8

Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2

Gain on Sale of Properties and Other Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Timber Deed Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pension Plan Contributions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Working Capital Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(31
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3
)
Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
94

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes Equity Earnings from Real Estate Development Ventures ($2 million) in Operating Income for the Other Segment, along with our proportional share of depreciation, depletion, amortization ($0), and basis in real estate sold ($6 million) from this equity method investment.
(2) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments for financial reporting purposes.


50



 
 
Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
Basis of Real Estate Sold
 
Adjusted EBITDA
By Segment (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Northern Resources
 
$
5

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
11

Southern Resources
 
33

 
19

 

 
52

Real Estate
 
45

 

 
25

 
70

Manufacturing
 
10

 
6

 

 
16

Energy and Natural Resources
 
6

 
2

 

 
8

Other
 
(3
)
 
1

 

 
(2
)
Other Costs and Eliminations
 
(17
)
 
1

 

 
(16
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
 
1

 

 

 
1

Total
 
$
80

 
$
35

 
$
25

 
$
140

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Net Income (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
 
17

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 
(42
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Flows from Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
132

Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42

Amortization of Debt Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Distributions from Timberland Venture
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Equity Earnings, Depletion, Amortization, and Basis of Real Estate Sold from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gain on Sale of Properties and Other Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Timber Deed Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pension Plan Contributions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Working Capital Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(32
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
140

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes Equity Loss from Real Estate Development Ventures ($2 million) in Operating Income for the Other Segment, along with our proportional share of depreciation, depletion, amortization ($1 million), and basis in real estate sold ($0) from this equity method investment.
(2) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments for financial reporting purposes.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2014

The following table compares Adjusted EBITDA by segment for the six months ended June 30 (in millions):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
 
 
 
 
 
Northern Resources
$
29

 
$
35

 
$
(6
)
Southern Resources
104

 
101

 
3

Real Estate
122

 
88

 
34

Manufacturing
28

 
28

 

Energy and Natural Resources
14

 
16

 
(2
)
Other
7

 
(3
)
 
10

       Other Costs and Eliminations, net
(35
)
 
(32
)
 
(3
)
Total Adjusted EBITDA
$
269

 
$
233

 
$
36





51


The following schedules provide a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income and net cash from operating activities, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP performance and liquidity measures, for the six months ended June 30 (in millions):
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
Basis of Real Estate Sold
 
Adjusted EBITDA
By Segment (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Northern Resources
 
$
16

 
$
13

 
$

 
$
29

Southern Resources
 
63

 
41

 

 
104

Real Estate
 
30

 

 
92

 
122

Manufacturing
 
23

 
5

 

 
28

Energy and Natural Resources
 
10

 
4

 

 
14

Other
 
1

 

 
6

 
7

Other Costs and Eliminations
 
(39
)
 
1

 

 
(38
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
 
3

 

 

 
3

Total
 
$
107

 
$
64

 
$
98

 
$
269

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Net Income (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
 
40

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 
(83
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Flows from Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
227

Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
83

Amortization of Debt Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1

Distributions from Timberland Venture
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(30
)
Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
Equity Earnings, Depletion, Amortization, and Basis of Real Estate Sold from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7

Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2

Gain on Sale of Properties and Other Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Timber Deed Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pension Plan Contributions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Working Capital Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(15
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4
)
Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
269

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes Equity Earnings from Real Estate Development Ventures ($1 million) in Operating Income for the Other Segment, along with our proportional share of depreciation, depletion, amortization ($0), and basis in real estate sold ($6 million) from this equity method investment.
(2) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments for financial reporting purposes.



52


 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
 
Basis of Real Estate Sold
 
Adjusted EBITDA
By Segment (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Northern Resources
 
$
21

 
$
14

 
$

 
$
35

Southern Resources
 
64

 
37

 

 
101

Real Estate
 
57

 

 
31

 
88

Manufacturing
 
19

 
9

 

 
28

Energy and Natural Resources
 
12

 
4

 

 
16

Other
 
(4
)
 
1

 

 
(3
)
Other Costs and Eliminations
 
(35
)
 
1

 

 
(34
)
Other Unallocated Operating Income (Expense), net
 
2

 

 

 
2

Total
 
$
136

 
$
66

 
$
31

 
$
233

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Net Income (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture
 
32

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 
(83
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Flows from Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
189

Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
83

Amortization of Debt Costs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Distributions from Timberland Venture
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(28
)
Distributions from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Equity Earnings, Depletion, Amortization and Basis of Real Estate Sold from Real Estate Development Ventures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2
)
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gain on Sale of Properties and Other Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Timber Deed Acquired
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Pension Plan Contributions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Working Capital Changes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(7
)
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)
Adjusted EBITDA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
233

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes Equity Loss from Real Estate Development Ventures ($3 million) in Operating Income for the Other Segment, along with our proportional share of depreciation, depletion, amortization ($1 million), and basis in real estate sold ($0) from this equity method investment.
(2) Includes reconciling items not allocated to segments for financial reporting purposes.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

The company has no off-balance sheet debt. For information on contractual obligations, see the table Contractual Obligations in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.




53


ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Approximately $3.0 billion (including $783 million of related party obligations) of Plum Creek’s long-term debt bears interest at fixed rates, and therefore the fair value of these instruments is affected by changes in market interest rates. We also have variable rate debt that is affected by changes in market interest rates. For a discussion of our debt obligations and the fair value of the company's debt, see Notes 7 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table presents contractual principal cash flows based upon maturity dates of the company's debt obligations and the related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates, along with the total fair value for the fixed and variable rate debt (in millions):
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Rate Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third Party Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Due(A)
$
439

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,754

 
$
2,193

 
$
2,264

Average Interest Rate(B)
4.9
%
 
4.7
%
 
4.7
%
 
4.7
%
 
4.7
%
 
4.7
%
 
 
 
 
Related Party Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Due
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
783

 
 
 
 
 
$
783

 
$
890

Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable Rate Debt(C)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
225

 
 
 
$
225

 
$
225

 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Fair Value
June 30, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Rate Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third Party Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Due(A)
$

 
$
439

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,754

 
$
2,193

 
$
2,289

Average Interest Rate(B)
4.9
%
 
4.9
%
 
4.7
%
 
4.7
%
 
4.7
%
 
4.7
%
 
 
 
 
Related Party Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Due
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
783

 
 
 
$
783

 
$
911

Interest Rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable Rate Debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
225

 
$
225

 
$
225


(A)
Excludes unamortized discount of $3 million and $4 million at June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(B)
Represents the average stated interest rate of total fixed rate debt (excluding related party debt) outstanding as of June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

(C)
As of June 30, 2015, the interest rate for the term credit agreement was 1.69%. Not included in the above table are borrowings under our $700 million revolving line of credit of $108 million. As of June 30, 2015, the weighted-average interest rate on the $108 million of borrowings was 1.38%.


54


ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The company’s management, with the participation of the company’s Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), has evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), has concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period.
 
(b)
Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Prior to 2011, Plum Creek was generally subject to corporate-level tax (built-in gains tax) when the company made a taxable disposition of certain properties acquired in a 2001 merger. The built-in gains tax applied to gains recognized from such asset sales to the extent that the fair value of the property exceeded its tax basis at the merger date. Built-in gains tax was generally not payable on dispositions of property to the extent the proceeds from such dispositions were reinvested in qualifying like-kind replacement property.

The company's 2008 federal income tax return is currently being audited by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS has proposed an adjustment to the company's U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Timberland Venture formation transaction, which occurred on October 1, 2008, on the basis that the transfer of the timberlands to Southern Diversified Timber, LLC was a taxable transaction to the company at the time of the transfer rather than a nontaxable capital contribution to the Timberland Venture. We have filed a protest with IRS Appeals. Based on recent discussions with IRS Appeals, the company does not expect to reach a resolution with IRS Appeals and plans to file a petition in the United States Tax Court.

If the IRS's position is upheld on judicial appeal, it could result in a maximum built-in gains tax liability of approximately $100 million. In addition, the company could be required to accelerate the distribution to its stockholders of up to $600 million of gain from the transaction. The company expects that as much as 80% of any such distribution could be made with the company's common stock, and stockholders would be subject to tax on the distribution at the applicable capital gains tax rate. The company would also be required to pay interest on the undistributed gain, which would be substantial, and, if applicable, penalties.

We believe the transfer of the timberlands was a nontaxable contribution to the Timberland Venture and not a taxable transaction. We have not accrued income taxes for financial reporting purposes with respect to this matter and do not believe it is reasonably possible any material accrual will be made within the next twelve months. We are confident in our position and believe that the proposed re-characterization of the Timberland Venture formation transaction by the IRS will ultimately be unsuccessful. We intend to vigorously contest this re-characterization.

  
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the company's Risk Factors as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2015.



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ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table contains information about the company’s purchases of equity securities during the second quarter of 2015:
Period
 
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased (A)
 
Average Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or
Programs (B)
 
Maximum Number
(or Approximate
Dollar Value)
of Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased Under
the  Plans
or Programs (B)
April 1, 2015
through
April 30, 2015
 
547 
shares of common
stock
 
$43.49
 
0  
shares of common
stock
 
$ 106 million
May 1, 2015
through
May 31, 2015
 
151,064
shares of common
stock
 
$41.98
 
150,561  
shares of common
stock
 
$ 100 million
June 1, 2015
through
June 30, 2015
 
610,286
shares of common
stock
 
$40.96
 
610,286 
shares of common
stock
 
$ 75 million
Total
 
761,897
shares of common
stock
 
$41.17
 
760,847  
shares of common
stock
 
 

(A)
Includes shares of the company’s common stock purchased from employees in non-open market transactions. The shares of stock were sold by the employees to the company in exchange for cash that was used to pay withholding taxes associated with the vesting of restricted stock unit awards under the company’s stock incentive plan. The price per share surrendered is based on the closing price of the company’s stock on the vesting dates of the awards.

(B)
The Board of Directors, from time to time, has authorized a share repurchase program. On August 3, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a $200 million share repurchase program, which was publicly announced on August 4, 2010. At June 30, 2015, the remaining share repurchase authorization was $75 million.


ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.


ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.


ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION

None.




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ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS

List of Exhibits

Each exhibit set forth below in the Index to Exhibits is filed as a part of this report. All exhibits not filed herewith are incorporated herein by reference to a prior filing as indicated. Exhibits designated by a positive sign (“+”) indicate management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

The agreements included as exhibits to this report are included to provide information about their terms and not to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the company or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement that were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the agreement and:
should not be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk among the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;
may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement;
may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to investors; and
were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.

Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Designation
 
Nature of Exhibit
 
 
 
2.1
 
Contribution Agreement dated as of August 22, 2008 between Plum Creek Timber Operations I, LLC and TCG Member, LLC (Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed August 27, 2008).
 
 
 
2.2
 
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Southern Diversified Timber, LLC dated as of October 1, 2008 between Plum Creek Timber Operations I, LLC and TCG Member, LLC (Exhibit 2.2 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed October 7, 2008).
 
 
 
2.3
 
Master Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 28, 2013, by and among MeadWestvaco Corporation, MWV Community Development and Land Management, LLC and MWV Community Development, Inc., as sellers, and Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P., Plum Creek Marketing, Inc., Plum Creek Land Company and Highland Mineral Resources, LLC, as purchasers (Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K, File No. 1-10239, filed October 29, 2013).
 
 
 
3.1
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., as amended (Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q, File No. 1-10239, for the quarter ended June 30, 2009).
 
 
 
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-laws of Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc., as amended (Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-K, File No. 1-10239, for the year ended December 31, 2010).
 
 
 
3.3
 
Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Plum Creek Timberlands, L.P. (Exhibit 3.3 to Form 10-K, File No. 1-10239, for the year ended December 31, 2010).
 
 
 
12.1
 
Statements regarding computation of ratios.
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of Rick R. Holley pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of David W. Lambert pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of Rick R. Holley, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(b) and 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.2
 
Certification of David W. Lambert, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14(b) and 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ DAVID W. LAMBERT
 
 
DAVID W. LAMBERT
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

Date: August 4, 2015



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