EX-99.1 2 o41435exv99w1.htm PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 30, 2008 PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 30, 2008
EXHIBIT 99.1
(MERCER LOGO)
(MERCER LOGO)
For Immediate Release
MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC. REPORTS 2008 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS
     NEW YORK, NY, July 30, 2008 — Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC, TSX: MRI.U) today reported results for the second quarter of 2008. Revenues and Operating EBITDA in the second quarter of 2008 decreased to €170.6 million (U.S.$266.5 million) and €19.8 million (U.S.$30.9 million) from €176.6 million (U.S.$238.1 million) and €25.0 million (U.S.$33.7 million), respectively, in the second quarter of 2007, primarily due to the continued weakness of the U.S. dollar which more than offset pulp list price improvements and higher sales and production volumes. Operating EBITDA is defined on page 4 of this press release and reconciled to net income from continuing operations on page 7 of the financial tables in this press release.
Summary Financial Highlights
                         
    Q2   Q1   Q2
    2008   2008   2007
    (in millions of Euro, except where otherwise stated)
Revenues
   € 170.6     € 179.1     € 176.6  
Operating income from continuing operations
     6.2       18.6       10.9  
Operating EBITDA
     19.8       32.8       25.0  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments
     20.6       (7.9 )     —  
Foreign exchange gain on debt
     0.2       6.0       1.3  
Net income from continuing operations
     0.9       2.9       3.3  
Net income per share
                        
Basic
   € 0.02     € 0.08     € 0.09  
Diluted
   € 0.02     € 0.08     € 0.09  
Summary Operating Highlights
                         
    Q2   Q1   Q2
    2008   2008   2007
Pulp Production (‘000 ADMTs)
     356.8       360.9       326.4  
Scheduled Production Downtime (‘000 ADMTs)
     15.0       1.5       24.0  
Pulp Sales (‘000 ADMTs)
     347.3       348.2       337.0  
NBSK pulp list price in Europe (US$/ADMT)
     900       880       783  
NBSK pulp list price in Europe (€/ADMT)
     576       586       579  
Average pulp sales realizations (€/ADMT)(1)
     485       510       518  
Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates:
                        
€ / $(2)
     0.6401       0.6666       0.7416  
C$ / $(2)
     1.0099       1.0015       1.0981  
C$ / €(3)
     1.5783       1.5060       1.4810  
 
(1)   List price, less discounts and commissions.
 
(2)   Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon spot rate over the reporting period.
 
(3)   Average Bank of Canada noon spot rate over the reporting period.

 

Page 2

President’s Comments
     Mr. Jimmy S.H. Lee, President and Chairman, stated: “While all of our mills performed generally well and production volumes increased approximately 9% from the same quarter last year, our results were adversely impacted by the continued weakening of the U.S. dollar versus the Euro and by 11 days of scheduled production downtime at our Celgar mill.”
     Mr. Lee continued: “Pulp prices during the quarter were relatively flat but our average pulp sales realizations declined by 6.4% from the second quarter of 2007 because of the slumping U.S. dollar.”
     Mr. Lee added: “In June the German government approved amendments to the country’s Renewable Energy Resources Act, its legislative framework for the promotion of electricity generation from renewable energy sources, including biomass. A key element of the Act is that public electric utilities give priority to electricity from renewable energy sources and pay a fixed tariff for a period of 20 years. The amount of tariff is generally dependent on the technology used, the year the installation was put into operation and the size of the plant. The Act is only applicable to installments with a capacity of 20MW or less, effectively excluding our Rosenthal and Stendal mills, as large industrial complexes, from the statutory scheme. The recent amendments to the Act, currently scheduled to take effect January 1, 2009, raise this capacity limit, permitting our German mills to participate in the program, and increase the tariff for biomass energy. As a result, once the amendments become effective, we expect to be able to materially increase the revenues from our sales of surplus energy in Germany.”
     Mr. Lee concluded: “We are pleased with the legislative developments in Germany which, along with progress on our Celgar green-energy initiative, help advance one of our key objectives of increasing production of and revenues from green energy. We also expect that certain fiber supply initiatives that have recently been implemented will take some pressure off fiber costs for the balance of the year. Although pulp prices have been impacted by slowing world economies, we believe the supply and demand fundamentals for NBSK pulp are fairly balanced and will support strengthening markets over the mid to long term. As one of the lowest cost NBSK producers in the market with highly modern facilities, we believe we are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in our industry.”
Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
     Revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2008 decreased by 3.4% to €170.6 million from €176.6 million in the comparative period of 2007, primarily due to the weak U.S. dollar.
     Pulp production increased to 356,819 ADMTs in the current quarter, from 326,350 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2007 as all of our mills performed generally well.

 

Page 3

     Pulp sales volume increased to 347,259 ADMTs in the second quarter of 2008 from 337,016 ADMTs in the comparative period of 2007. Average pulp sales realizations were €485 per ADMT in the current quarter of 2008 compared to €518 per ADMT in the second quarter of 2007, as the weakness of the U.S. dollar versus the Euro more than offset pulp list price improvements.
     Costs and expenses in the second quarter of 2008 decreased marginally to €164.4 million from €165.7 million in the comparative period of 2007, despite higher freight costs and warehousing expenses in connection with the shipment backlog at the Port of Vancouver.
     On average, our fiber costs decreased by approximately 2.9% in the second quarter of 2008 from the same period of 2007. Our fiber costs in Germany decreased in the current quarter from the comparative period of 2007 and are expected to remain stable in the short term because of lower demand from the European board industry. However, there is some uncertainty related to Russian government tariffs which are expected to reduce Russian wood exports to Europe and which may begin to exert upward pressure on pricing if Scandinavian producers, who traditionally import significant amounts of Russian wood, seek out alternative supply markets such as Germany.
     In the second quarter of 2008, fiber costs at our Celgar mill were comparable to the same quarter of 2007 and the prior quarter. Fiber costs have remained consistent despite significant curtailments in sawmilling activity as a result of the faltering North American housing and lumber markets which have sharply decreased the availability of fiber. Recent fiber initiatives at our Celgar mill, such as new pulp log procurement arrangements and the addition of a second shift in the woodroom, have helped stabilize fiber supply to the mill and we believe will provide some pricing relief over the balance of the year.
     During the second quarter of 2008, our raw material inventories increased to €30.8 million from €29.0 million at the end of the first quarter of 2008. Our pulp inventories increased by approximately 100% and 7.7% at the end of the current quarter of 2008, compared to the same time last year and the end of the first quarter of 2008, respectively. Pulp inventories at our Celgar mill remained high and largely the same as at March 31, 2008 due to delays in shipments to China caused by a sustained backlog at the Port of Vancouver. While this inventory is generally already committed to customer orders, we do not record the sale until the pulp is shipped. Pulp inventories increased at our Stendal mill, as slowing economies and tighter credit caused certain of its customers to delay purchases into the second half of 2008.
     We recorded no contribution to income from the sale of emission allowances in the current quarter as the applicable emissions certificates were not issued until after June 30. In the same quarter last year, we

 

Page 4

recorded only a negligible contribution to income as a result of weak markets and prices for the sale of emission allowances. In the current quarter, sales of surplus energy were approximately 20% higher than the second quarter of 2007.
     For the second quarter of 2008, operating income from continuing operations decreased to €6.2 million from €10.9 million in the comparative quarter of 2007, as the generally positive performance of our mills was more than offset by the continued weakness in the U.S. dollar against the Euro.
     Interest expense in the second quarter of 2008 decreased to €16.0 million from €17.6 million in the comparative quarter of 2007, primarily due to a lower level of borrowing.
     We recorded an unrealized gain of €20.6 million before minority interests on our interest rate derivatives at the end of the current quarter, compared to an unrealized gain of €18.1 million in the same quarter of last year. We recorded foreign exchange gains of €0.2 million and €1.3 million on our debt in the periods ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
     In the second quarter of 2008, minority interest, representing the minority shareholder’s interest in the Stendal mill, was €3.4 million, compared to €1.1 million in the same quarter of last year.
     Operating EBITDA decreased to €19.8 million in the second quarter of 2008 from €25.0 million in the second quarter of 2007. Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) from continuing operations plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges. Management uses Operating EBITDA as a benchmark measurement of its own operating results, and as a benchmark relative to its competitors. Management considers it to be a meaningful supplement to operating income as a performance measure primarily because depreciation expense and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges are not an actual cash cost, and depreciation expense varies widely from company to company in a manner that management considers largely independent of the underlying cost efficiency of their operating facilities. In addition, we believe Operating EBITDA is commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate our financial performance.
     Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income, including financing costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or income from operations as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. For a

 

Page 5

reconciliation of net income to Operating EBITDA, see page 7 of the financial tables included in this press release.
     We reported net income from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2008 of €0.9 million, or €0.02 per basic and diluted share, as compared to net income from continuing operations of €3.3 million, or €0.09 per basic and diluted share in the second quarter of 2007.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
     Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2008 increased to €349.7 million from €346.1 million in the comparative period of 2007, primarily due to higher pulp list prices which were in large part offset by the weak U.S. dollar.
     Operating EBITDA was €52.6 million in the first half of 2008 compared to €53.3 million in the six months ended June 30, 2007. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. See the discussion of our results for the second quarter of 2008 for additional information relating to Operating EBITDA and page 7 of the financial tables for a reconciliation to net income from continuing operations.
     We reported net income from continuing operations for the first half of 2008 of €3.7 million, or €0.10 per basic and diluted share. In the first half of 2007, we reported net income from continuing operations of €4.4 million, or €0.12 per basic and diluted share.
Earnings Release Call
     In conjunction with this release, Mercer International Inc. will host a conference call, which will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet. Management will host the call, which is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 10:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time). Listeners can access the conference call live and archived through August 31, 2008, over the Internet through a link at the Company’s web site at http://www.mercerint.com/s/NewsReleases.asp, or at http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=49730. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to visit the site and download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of this call will be available approximately two hours after the live call ends until August 7, 2008 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Daylight Time). The replay number is (800) 642-1687 for domestic callers or (706) 645-9291 for international callers, and the passcode is 55178967.
     Mercer International Inc. is a global pulp manufacturing company. To obtain further information on the company, please visit its web site at http://www.mercerint.com.

 

Page 6

     The preceding includes forward looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the highly cyclical nature of our business, raw material costs, our level of indebtedness, competition, foreign exchange and interest rate fluctuations, our use of derivatives, expenditures for capital projects, environmental regulation and compliance, disruptions to our production, market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our SEC reports.
     
APPROVED BY:
 
Jimmy S.H. Lee
Chairman & President
(604) 684-1099
  FD
Investors: Eric Boyriven, Alexandra Tramont
Media: Jordana Miller
(212) 850-5600
 
    
David M. Gandossi
Executive Vice-President &
Chief Financial Officer
(604) 684-1099
    
-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-

 

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Euros)
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2008     2007  
ASSETS
                
Current assets
                
Cash and cash equivalents
   € 83,295     € 84,848  
Receivables
     98,181       89,890  
Note receivable, current portion
     557       5,896  
Inventories
     106,360       103,610  
Prepaid expenses and other
     6,485       6,015  
 
            
Total current assets
     294,878       290,259  
 
            
Long-term assets
                
Cash, restricted
     33,000       33,000  
Property, plant and equipment
     897,377       933,258  
Investments
     778       96  
Deferred note issuance and other costs
     4,640       5,303  
Deferred income tax
     12,202       17,624  
Note receivable, less current portion
     3,406       3,977  
 
            
 
     951,403       993,258  
 
            
Total assets
   € 1,246,281     € 1,283,517  
 
            
 
                
LIABILITIES
                
Current liabilities
                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   € 89,914     € 87,000  
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, current portion
     438       493  
Debt, current portion
     35,042       34,023  
 
            
Total current liabilities
     125,394       121,516  
 
            
Long-term liabilities
                
Debt, less current portion
     786,988       815,832  
Unrealized interest rate derivative losses
     9,155       21,885  
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations
     17,450       19,983  
Capital leases and other
     11,534       8,999  
Deferred income tax
     22,361       18,640  
 
            
 
     847,488       885,339  
 
            
Total liabilities
     972,882       1,006,855  
 
            
 
                
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                
Share capital
     203,600       202,844  
Additional paid-in capital
     445       134  
Retained earnings
     41,159       37,419  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
     28,195       36,265  
 
            
Total shareholders’ equity
     273,399       276,662  
 
            
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
   € 1,246,281     € 1,283,517  
 
            

(1)

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Euros, except per share data)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
                                
Revenues
   € 170,585     € 176,603     € 349,686     € 346,134  
 
                                
Costs and expenses
                                
Operating costs
     142,902       143,658       282,343       278,302  
Operating depreciation and amortization
     13,514       13,990       27,635       27,719  
 
                        
 
     14,169       18,995       39,708       40,113  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
     7,953       8,051       14,849       15,459  
(Sale) purchase of emission allowances
     —       (39 )     —       (766 )
 
                        
Operating income from continuing operations
     6,216       10,943       24,859       25,420  
 
                        
 
                                
Other income (expense)
                                
Interest expense
     (16,013 )     (17,641 )     (32,633 )     (37,709 )
Investment income
     1,421       1,584       1,731       3,195  
Foreign exchange gain on debt
     238       1,349       6,269       2,603  
Realized gain on derivative instruments
     —       —       —       6,820  
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
     20,580       18,100       12,730       17,852  
 
                        
Total other income (expense)
     6,226       3,392       (11,903 )     (7,239 )
 
                        
Income before income taxes and minority interest from continuing operations
     12,442       14,335       12,956       18,181  
Income tax benefit (provision) — current
     (213 )     (384 )     163       (733 )
— deferred
     (7,922 )     (9,520 )     (9,126 )     (12,972 )
 
                        
Income before minority interest from continuing operations
     4,307       4,431       3,993       4,476  
Minority interest
     (3,436 )     (1,091 )     (253 )     (43 )
 
                        
Net income from continuing operations
     871       3,340       3,740       4,433  
Net loss from discontinued operations
     —       (181 )     —       (188 )
 
                        
Net income
     871       3,159       3,740       4,245  
 
                                
Retained earnings, beginning of period
     40,288       16,326       37,419       15,240  
 
                        
Retained earnings, end of period
   € 41,159     € 19,485     € 41,159     € 19,485  
 
                        
 
                                
Net income from continuing operations per share:
                                
Basic and diluted
   € 0.02     € 0.09     € 0.10     € 0.12  
 
                        
Net income per share:
                                
Basic and diluted
   € 0.02     € 0.09     € 0.10     € 0.12  
 
                        

(2)

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
RESTRICTED GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Combined Condensed Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Euros)
The terms of the indenture governing our 9.25% senior unsecured notes require that we provide the results of operations and financial condition of Mercer International Inc. and our restricted subsidiaries under the indenture, collectively referred to as the “Restricted Group”. As at and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, the Restricted Group was comprised of Mercer International Inc., certain holding subsidiaries and our Rosenthal and Celgar mills. The Restricted Group excludes the Stendal mill.
                                 
    June 30, 2008  
    Restricted     Unrestricted             Consolidated  
    Group     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Group  
ASSETS
                                
Current
                                
Cash and cash equivalents
   € 70,151     € 13,144     € —     € 83,295  
Receivables
     47,978       50,203       —       98,181  
Note receivable, current portion
     557       —       —       557  
Inventories
     64,451       41,909       —       106,360  
Prepaid expenses and other
     4,612       1,873       —       6,485  
 
                        
Total current assets
     187,749       107,129       —       294,878  
Cash, restricted
     —       33,000       —       33,000  
Property, plant and equipment
     358,250       539,127       —       897,377  
Other
     5,414       4       —       5,418  
Deferred income tax
     9,122       3,080       —       12,202  
Due from unrestricted group
     53,993       —       (53,993 )     —  
Note receivable, less current portion
     3,406       —       —       3,406  
 
                        
Total assets
   € 617,934     € 682,340     € (53,993 )   € 1,246,281  
 
                        
 
                                
LIABILITIES
                                
Current
                                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   € 49,922     € 39,992     € —     € 89,914  
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, current portion
     438       —       —       438  
Debt, current portion
     —       35,042       —       35,042  
 
                        
Total current liabilities
     50,360       75,034       —       125,394  
Debt, less current portion
     261,376       525,612       —       786,988  
Due to restricted group
     —       53,993       (53,993 )     —  
Unrealized derivative loss
     —       9,155       —       9,155  
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations
     17,450       —       —       17,450  
Capital leases and other
     7,063       4,471       —       11,534  
Deferred income tax
     6,374       15,987       —       22,361  
 
                        
Total liabilities
     342,623       684,252       (53,993 )     972,882  
 
                        
 
                                
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)
     275,311       (1,912 )     —       273,399  
 
                        
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
   € 617,934     € 682,340     € (53,993 )   € 1,246,281  
 
                        

(3)

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
RESTRICTED GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Combined Condensed Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Euros)
                                 
    December 31, 2007  
    Restricted     Unrestricted             Consolidated  
    Group     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Group  
ASSETS
                                
Current
                                
Cash and cash equivalents
  € 59,371     € 25,477     € —     € 84,848  
Receivables
    37,482       52,408       —       89,890  
Note receivable, current portion
    589       5,307       —       5,896  
Inventories
    63,444       40,166       —       103,610  
Prepaid expenses and other
    3,714       2,301       —       6,015  
 
                        
Total current assets
    164,600       125,659       —       290,259  
Cash, restricted
    —       33,000       —       33,000  
Property, plant and equipment
    385,569       547,689       —       933,258  
Other
    5,399       —       —       5,399  
Deferred income tax
    10,852       6,772       —       17,624  
Due from unrestricted group
    57,457       —       (57,457 )     —  
Note receivable, less current portion
     3,977       —       —       3,977  
 
                        
Total assets
  € 627,854     € 713,120     € (57,457 )   € 1,283,517  
 
                        
 
                                
LIABILITIES
                                
Current
                                
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   € 43,621     € 43,379     € —     € 87,000  
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, current portion
     493       —       —       493  
Debt, current portion
    —       34,023       —       34,023  
 
                        
Total current liabilities
    44,114       77,402       —       121,516  
Debt, less current portion
    273,589       542,243       —       815,832  
Due to restricted group
    —       57,457       (57,457 )     —  
Unrealized derivative loss
    —       21,885       —       21,885  
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations
    19,983       —       —       19,983  
Capital leases and other
    7,033       1,966       —       8,999  
Deferred income tax
    4,553       14,087       —       18,640  
 
                        
Total liabilities
    349,272       715,040       (57,457 )     1,006,855  
 
                        
 
                                
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)
    278,582       (1,920 )     —       276,662  
 
                        
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
   € 627,854     € 713,120     € (57,457 )   € 1,283,517  
 
                        

(4)

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
RESTRICTED GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Combined Condensed Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Euros)
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    Restricted     Unrestricted             Consolidated  
    Group     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Group  
Revenues
  € 97,694     € 72,891     € —     € 170,585  
 
                        
 
                                
Operating costs
    87,938       54,964       —       142,902  
Operating depreciation and amortization
    6,774       6,740       —       13,514  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    4,865       3,088       —       7,953  
(Sale) purchase of emission allowances
     —       —       —       —  
 
                        
 
     99,577       64,792       —       164,369  
 
                        
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
     (1,883 )     8,099       —       6,216  
 
                        
 
                                
Other income (expense)
                                
Interest expense
    (4,440 )     (10,614 )     (959 )     (16,013 )
Investment income (expense)
    (373 )     835       959       1,421  
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on debt
    (248 )     486       —       238  
Derivative financial instruments
    —       20,580       —       20,580  
 
                        
Total other income (expense)
    (5,061 )     11,287       —       6,226  
 
                        
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest from continuing operations
    (6,944 )     19,386       —       12,442  
Income tax provision
    (1,303 )     (6,832 )     —       (8,135 )
 
                        
Income (loss) before minority interest from continuing operations
    (8,247 )     12,554       —       4,307  
 
                                
Minority interest
    —       (3,436 )     —       (3,436 )
 
                        
Net income (loss)
  € (8,247 )   € 9,118     € —     € 871  
 
                        
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    Restricted     Unrestricted             Consolidated  
    Group     Subsidiary     Eliminations     Group  
Revenues
  € 104,307     € 72,296     € —     € 176,603  
 
                        
Operating costs
    86,893       56,765       —       143,658  
Operating depreciation and amortization
    6,975       7,015       —       13,990  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    4,642       3,409       —       8,051  
(Sale) purchase of emission allowances
    (4 )     (35 )     —       (39 )
 
                        
 
     98,506       67,154       —       165,660  
 
                        
Operating income from continuing operations
    5,801       5,142       —       10,943  
 
                        
Other income (expense)
                                
Interest expense
    (6,961 )     (11,606 )     926       (17,641 )
Investment income
    1,136       1,374       (926 )     1,584  
Foreign exchange gain on debt
    1,009       340       —       1,349  
Derivative financial instruments, net
    —       18,100       —       18,100  
 
                        
Total other income (expense)
    (4,816 )     8,208       —       3,392  
 
                        
Income before income taxes and minority interest from continuing operations
    985       13,350       —       14,335  
Income tax provision
    (1,612 )     (8,292 )     —       (9,904 )
 
                        
Income (loss) before minority interest from continuing operations
    (627 )     5,058       —       4,431  
Minority interest
    —       (1,091 )     —       (1,091 )
 
                        
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
    (627 )     3,967       —       3,340  
Net loss from discontinued operations
    (181 )     —       —       (181 )
 
                        
Net income (loss)
  € (808 )   € 3,967     € —     € 3,159  
 
                        

(5)

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
RESTRICTED GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Combined Condensed Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Euros)
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2008  
    Restricted     Unrestricted             Consolidated  
    Group     Subsidiaries     Eliminations     Group  
Revenues
   € 198,796     € 150,890     € —     € 349,686  
 
                        
 
                                
Operating costs
     165,594       116,749       —       282,343  
Operating depreciation and amortization
     14,195       13,440       —       27,635  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
     8,609       6,240       —       14,849  
(Sale) purchase of emission allowances
     —       —       —       —  
 
                        
 
     188,398       136,429       —       324,827  
 
                        
Operating income
     10,398       14,461       —       24,859  
 
                        
 
                                
Other income (expense)
                                
Interest expense
     (11,152 )     (21,481 )     —       (32,633 )
Investment income (expense)
     1,363       368       —       1,731  
Foreign exchange gain (loss) on debt
     6,379       (110 )     —       6,269  
Derivative financial instruments
     —       12,730       —       12,730  
 
                        
Total other income (expense)
     (3,410 )     (8,493 )     —       (11,903 )
 
                        
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest
     6,988       5,968       —       12,956  
Income tax provision
     (3,457 )     (5,506 )     —       (8,963 )
 
                        
Income (loss) before minority interest
     3,531       462       —       3,993  
Minority interest
     —       (253 )     —       (253 )
 
                        
Net income (loss)
   € 3,531     € 209     € —     € 3,740  
 
                        
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007  
    Restricted     Unrestricted             Consolidated  
    Group     Subsidiary     Eliminations     Group  
Revenues
   € 204,240     € 141,894     € —     € 346,134  
 
                        
 
                                
Operating costs
     163,747       114,555       —       278,302  
Operating depreciation and amortization
     13,661       14,058       —       27,719  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
     8,705       6,754       —       15,459  
(Sale) purchase of emission allowances
     (268 )     (498 )     —       (766 )
 
                        
 
     185,845       134,869       —       320,714  
 
                        
Operating income from continuing operations
     18,395       7,025       —       25,420  
 
                        
Other income(expense)
                                
Interest expense
     (14,418 )     (25,132 )     1,841       (37,709 )
Investment income
     2,440       2,596       (1,841 )     3,195  
Foreign exchange gain on debt
     2,263       340       —       2,603  
Derivative financial instruments, net
     —       24,672       —       24,672  
 
                        
Total other (expense) income
     (9,715 )     2,476       —       (7,239 )
 
                        
Income before income taxes and minority interest from continuing operations
     8,680       9,501       —       18,181  
Income tax provision
     (4,150 )     (9,555 )     —       (13,705 )
 
                        
Income (loss) before minority interest from continuing operations
     4,530       (54 )     —       4,476  
Minority interest
     —       (43 )     —       (43 )
 
                        
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
     4,530       (97 )     —       4,433  
Net loss from discontinued operations
     (188 )     —       —       (188 )
 
                        
Net income (loss)
   € 4,342     € (97 )   € —     € 4,245  
 
                        

(6)

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
COMPUTATION OF OPERATING EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Euros)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (in thousands)     (in thousands)  
Net income from continuing operations
   € 871     € 3,340     € 3,740     € 4,433  
Minority interest
     3,436       1,091       253       43  
Income taxes
     8,135       9,904       8,963       13,705  
Interest expense
     16,013       17,641       32,633       37,709  
Investment income
     (1,421 )     (1,584 )     (1,731 )     (3,195 )
Unrealized foreign exchange gain on debt
     (238 )     (1,349 )     (6,269 )     (2,603 )
Derivative financial instruments, net
     (20,580 )     (18,100 )     (12,730 )     (24,672 )
 
                        
Operating income from continuing operations
     6,216       10,943       24,859       25,420  
Add: Depreciation and amortization
     13,584       14,055       27,776       27,847  
 
                        
Operating EBITDA
   € 19,800     € 24,998     € 52,635     € 53,267  
 
                        
 
(1)   Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss), including financing costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from operations as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.
COMPUTATION OF RESTRICTED GROUP OPERATING EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of Euros)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
    (in thousands)     (in thousands)  
Restricted Group
                                
Net income from continuing operations(1)
   € (8,247 )   € (627 )   € 3,531     € 4,530  
Income taxes
     1,303       1,612       3,457       4,150  
Interest expense
     4,440       6,961       11,152       14,418  
Investment income
     373       (1,136 )     (1,363 )     (2,440 )
Unrealized foreign exchange gain on debt
     248       (1,009 )     (6,379 )     (2,263 )
 
                        
Operating income from continuing operations
     (1,883 )     5,801       10,398       18,395  
Add: Depreciation and amortization
     6,844       7,040       14,336       13,789  
 
                        
Operating EBITDA(2)
   € 4,961     € 12,841     € 24,734     € 32,184  
 
                        
 
(1)   For the Restricted Group, net income (loss) from continuing operations and net income (loss) are the same.
 
(2)   Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss), including financing costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from operations as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP.

(7)

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