EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE

Exhibit 99.1

 

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc.

999 Third Avenue, Suite 4300

Seattle, Washington 98104

206 467 3600

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News Release   
   For more information contact:

For immediate release

   Investors: John Hobbs 1-800-858-5347

Oct. 25, 2010

   Media: Kathy Budinick 1-888-467-3751

 

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. Reports Results for Third Quarter 2010

SEATTLE – Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (NYSE: PCL) today announced third quarter earnings of $32 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, on revenues of $259 million. Earnings for the third quarter of 2009 were $19 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, on revenues of $294 million. Results for the third quarter of 2009 include a $2 million after-tax ($4 million pre-tax) pension settlement charge resulting from personnel reductions in 2009, primarily within the company’s manufacturing operations. The expense, net of tax, reduced earnings by $0.02 per share.

Earnings for the first nine months of 2010 were $154 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, on revenues of $834 million. Results for the first nine months of 2010 include an $11 million ($0.07 per diluted share) after-tax gain on the first-quarter sale of certain natural gas assets. As a result, income from continuing operations for the first nine months was $143 million, or $0.88 per diluted share.

Earnings for the first nine months of 2009 were $208 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.04 billion. Results for the first nine months of 2009 include approximately $13 million of after-tax ($21 million pre-tax) charges primarily associated with the downsizing of the company’s manufacturing operations somewhat offset by $8 million of unrelated one-time tax benefits. Combined, these two items reduced net income by $5 million, or approximately $0.03 per diluted share.

Cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2010 totaled $312 million. The company ended the third quarter with $267 million in cash and cash equivalents.

“Our timber resource segments and Manufacturing segment reported improved financial performance, and profit from our Real Estate segment was similar to last year’s. While interest in rural lands remains steady, we did not see the growth in real estate revenue we were expecting as individual and family buyers remained cautious in reaction to increased economic uncertainty,” said Rick Holley, president and chief executive officer.

“Despite the slow pace of economic recovery, we remain excited about the long-term prospects for significant growth in our cash flows as the economy recovers, Canadian

 

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Plum Creek Timber Company Reports Results

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lumber supply becomes constrained, and bioenergy demand grows. We continue to sustainably manage our business to maximize the long-term value of our assets and our company,” continued Holley.

Review of Operations

The Northern Resources segment reported a $5 million operating profit during the quarter compared to the $3 million profit for the same period of 2009. Sawlog prices have recovered from the low levels experienced during 2009. Average Northern Resources sawlog prices were $10 per ton higher, or 18 percent higher, than the prevailing prices of the third quarter of 2009. While prices have improved from their lows, the company continues to restrict its sawlog harvest in the Pacific Northwest due to relatively unattractive sawlog prices in the region. Average pulpwood prices in the segment were $1 per ton higher than those experienced during 2009. As planned, the segment’s total harvest volume was 1,050,000 tons, approximately 270,000 tons lower than the 2009 level.

Operating profit in the Southern Resources segment was $25 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $21 million for the same period of 2009. Prices for both sawlogs and pulpwood have improved, $1 per ton and $2 per ton, respectively, from the levels experienced during the same period of 2009. The company’s harvest plan for 2010 called for a shift in harvest emphasis from first thinnings that produce exclusively pulpwood to second thinnings that produce a mix of pulpwood and small-diameter sawlogs. As a result, the company’s Southern pulpwood volumes were 340,000 tons lower than they were during the same period of 2009. Total third-quarter harvest volumes in the segment were approximately 2.9 million tons, 380,000 tons lower than those of the third quarter of 2009.

The Real Estate segment reported total revenue of $39 million and operating income of $19 million. Third quarter 2009 Real Estate segment revenue was $73 million resulting in operating income of $20 million. The $73 million of 2009 revenue included a $25 million land exchange with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. This non-cash, value-for-value exchange had no impact to earnings or cash flow.

The company sold approximately 23,000 acres of lands during the quarter at values similar to those of the past several quarters. Sales consisted of nearly 10,000 acres of recreation lands with average values of $2,335 per acre and 10,270 acres of small, non-strategic lands valued at approximately $1,025 per acre. Nearly 3,000 acres of conservation lands captured values of nearly $1,900 per acre.

The Manufacturing segment reported a $7 million operating profit. The segment reported a $1 million operating loss for the third quarter of 2009 including the effect of the $4 million pension settlement charge mentioned above. Profitability in each of the segment’s product lines improved from 2009’s third quarter. Product prices increased year-over-year. Lumber prices increased an average of 9 percent while plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF) prices increased approximately 7 percent and 6 percent respectively. Sales volumes for plywood and MDF increased 7 and 14 percent respectively. Lumber sales volumes were 28 percent lower during 2010 as the result of the permanent closure of two lumber mills in 2009.

 

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Plum Creek Timber Company Reports Results

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Outlook

Overall timber markets are expected to be fairly stable during the fourth quarter. Sawlog prices should remain at third quarter levels and compare favorably to the fourth quarter of 2009. Pulpwood demand and prices remain at historically attractive levels, and customer operating rates, and therefore pulpwood demand, are expected to remain healthy during the fourth quarter.

During the fourth quarter the Northern segment’s harvest is expected to decline from third quarter levels. The company continues to defer its Oregon sawlog harvest due to unattractive pricing in the region and plans to seasonally reduce its hardwood pulpwood production in the Northeast and Lake States regions during the fourth quarter. The Southern harvest is expected to be slightly higher than the third quarter’s level. As a result, the company expects its 2010 total harvest to be approximately 15.2 million tons, 4 percent below the 2009 harvest level.

The fourth-quarter Real Estate segment sales are expected to be between $140 million and $160 million. This includes the $89 million third phase of the Montana conservation sale scheduled to close in the fourth quarter. As a result, the company expects full-year Real Estate segment sales to be between $320 million and $340 million, approximately 8 percent below previous estimates.

We expect our Manufacturing segment to remain profitable at slightly above breakeven performance during the seasonally weak fourth quarter.

The company expects to report fourth-quarter income between $0.40 and $0.47 per share, resulting in full-year 2010 income from continuing operations between $1.28 and $1.35 per share.

“Business conditions have slowly improved over the past twelve months, but remain challenging in every segment. In our day-to-day operations, we never lose sight of our goal to maximize the net present value of our asset base. We will continue to defer the harvest of our most valuable sawlogs. Likewise, we are holding our most valuable lands for future opportunities while capturing good value in lower-value markets where prices remain the most attractive,” Holley continued.

“Successfully managing such long-lived assets requires conviction about long-term business opportunities and consistent, disciplined capital allocation. We are well positioned with a valuable asset base, long-term growth of our harvests, and conservative capital structure,” concluded Holley.

Earnings Conference Call and Supplemental Information

Plum Creek will hold a conference call today, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m. EDT (2 p.m. PDT). A live webcast of the conference call may be accessed through Plum Creek’s Web site at www.plumcreek.com by clicking on the “Investors” link.

 

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Investors without internet access should dial 1-800-572-9852 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time, referencing Plum Creek’s earnings. Those wishing to access the call from outside the United States/Canada should dial 1-706-645-9676, also referencing Plum Creek’s earnings. Replay of the call will be available for 48 hours after completion of the live call and can be accessed at 1-800-642-1687 or 1-706-645-9291 (international calls), using the code 84401833.

Supplemental financial information for Plum Creek operations, including statistical data, is available in the “Investors” information section of Plum Creek’s Web site at www.plumcreek.com.

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Plum Creek is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the nation with approximately 7 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest. For more information, visit www.plumcreek.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as amended. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,” “approximately,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “anticipates,” or the negative of those words or other comparable terminology. The accuracy of such statements is subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, but not limited to, the cyclical nature of the forest products industry, our ability to harvest our timber, our ability to execute our acquisition strategy, the market for and our ability to sell or exchange non-strategic timberlands and timberland properties that have higher and better uses, and various regulatory constraints. These and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions are detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 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 are not guarantees of performance, and 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.

 

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PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,
2010
     September 30,
2009
 
     (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)  

Revenues:

     

Timber

   $ 429       $ 414   

Real Estate

     181         419   

Manufacturing

     208         189   

Other

     16         14   
                 

Total Revenues

     834         1,036   
                 

Costs and Expenses:

     

Cost of Goods Sold:

     

Timber

     317         326   

Real Estate

     69         179   

Manufacturing

     184         205   

Other

     1         1   
                 

Total Cost of Goods Sold

     571         711   

Selling, General and Administrative

     70         75   
                 

Total Costs and Expenses

     641         786   
                 

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     9         —     
                 

Operating Income

     202         250   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     44         43   

Interest Expense, net:

     

Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)

     59         69   

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)

     43         43   
                 

Total Interest Expense, net

     102         112   

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

     —           1   

Income before Income Taxes

     144         182   

(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes

     1         (26
                 

Income From Continuing Operations

     143         208   

Gain on Sale of Properties, net of tax

     11         —     
                 

Net Income

   $ 154       $ 208   
                 

Per Share Amounts:

     

Income From Continuing Operations - Basic

   $ 0.88       $ 1.27   

Income From Continuing Operations - Diluted

   $ 0.88       $ 1.27   

Net Income per Share - Basic

   $ 0.95       $ 1.27   

Net Income per Share - Diluted

   $ 0.94       $ 1.27   

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

     

- Basic

     162.2         163.5   

- Diluted

     162.5         163.6   


 

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Quarter Ended  
     September 30,
2010
     September 30,
2009
 
     (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)  

Revenues:

     

Timber

   $ 145       $ 152   

Real Estate

     39         73   

Manufacturing

     70         65   

Other

     5         4   
                 

Total Revenues

     259         294   
                 

Costs and Expenses:

     

Cost of Goods Sold:

     

Timber

     108         120   

Real Estate

     18         51   

Manufacturing

     62         65   

Other

     —           —     
                 

Total Cost of Goods Sold

     188         236   

Selling, General and Administrative

     20         20   
                 

Total Costs and Expenses

     208         256   
                 

Other Operating Income (Expense), net

     —           —     
                 

Operating Income

     51         38   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     15         14   

Interest Expense, net:

     

Interest Expense (Debt Obligations to Unrelated Parties)

     20         22   

Interest Expense (Note Payable to Timberland Venture)

     14         14   
                 

Total Interest Expense, net

     34         36   

Income before Income Taxes

     32         16   

Benefit for Income Taxes

     —           (3
                 

Net Income

   $ 32       $ 19   
                 

Per Share Amounts:

     

Net Income per Share - Basic

   $ 0.20       $ 0.12   

Net Income per Share - Diluted

   $ 0.20       $ 0.12   

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

     

- Basic

     161.6         162.8   

- Diluted

     161.8         162.9   


 

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 
     (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)  
ASSETS     

Current Assets:

    

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 267      $ 299   

Accounts Receivable

     31        24   

Taxes Receivable

     1        15   

Inventories

     46        46   

Deferred Tax Asset

     7        6   

Assets Held for Sale

     99        115   

Other Current Assets

     18        14   
                
     469        519   

Timber and Timberlands, net

     3,436        3,487   

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

     148        156   

Equity Investment in Timberland Venture

     189        201   

Deferred Tax Asset

     12        14   

Investment in Grantor Trusts (at Fair Value)

     32        33   

Other Assets

     35        38   
                

Total Assets

   $ 4,321      $ 4,448   
                
LIABILITIES     

Current Liabilities:

    

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

   $ 51      $ 55   

Line of Credit

     320        —     

Accounts Payable

     32        32   

Interest Payable

     34        25   

Wages Payable

     16        20   

Taxes Payable

     20        14   

Deferred Revenue

     28        16   

Other Current Liabilities

     10        21   
                
     511        183   

Long-Term Debt

     1,577        1,625   

Line of Credit

     —          320   

Note Payable to Timberland Venture

     783        783   

Other Liabilities

     79        71   
                

Total Liabilities

     2,950        2,982   
                

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) - 161.6 at September 30, 2010, and 162.8 at December 31, 2009

     2        2   

Additional Paid-In Capital

     2,241        2,233   

Retained Earnings

     59        110   

Treasury Stock, at cost, Common Shares - 26.2 at September 30, 2010, and 24.8 at December 31, 2009

     (911     (860

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     (20     (19
                

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     1,371        1,466   
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 4,321      $ 4,448   
                


 

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,
2010
    September 30,
2009
 
     (In Millions)  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

    

Net Income

   $ 154      $ 208   

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

    

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization (includes $10 Lumber Impairment Loss in 2009)

     72        85   

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     57        139   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     (44     (43

Distributions from Timberland Venture

     56        53   

Deferred Income Taxes

     1        (21

Gain on Sales of Properties and Other Assets

     (13     —     

Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases (Net of Amortization)

     5        (5

Pension Plan Contributions

     (4     (8

Working Capital Changes Impacting Cash Flow:

    

Like-Kind Exchange Funds

     —          48   

Income Tax Receivable

     14        17   

Other Working Capital Changes

     (2     12   

Other

     16        7   
                

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

     312        492   
                

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

    

Capital Expenditures (Excluding Timberland Acquisitions)

     (51     (45

Timberlands Acquired

     —          (1

Proceeds from Sales of Properties and Other Assets

     13        1   

Other

     1        (1
                

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

     (37     (46
                

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

    

Dividends

     (205     (207

Borrowings on Line of Credit

     1,505        695   

Repayments on Line of Credit

     (1,505     (662

Principal Payments and Retirement of Long-Term Debt

     (53     (203

Proceeds from Stock Option Exercises

     2        —     

Acquisition of Treasury Stock

     (51     (87
                

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

     (307     (464
                

Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (32     (18

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

    

Beginning of Period

     299        369   
                

End of Period

   $ 267      $ 351   
                


 

PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Quarter Ended  
     September 30,
2010
    September 30,
2009
 
     (In Millions)  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

    

Net Income

   $ 32      $ 19   

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

    

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

     24        28   

Basis of Real Estate Sold

     14        21   

Equity Earnings from Timberland Venture

     (15     (14

Distribution from Timberland Venture

     28        28   

Deferred Revenue from Long-Term Gas Leases (Net of Amortization)

     (1     (1

Pension Plan Contributions

     (4     (8

Working Capital Changes Impacting Cash Flow:

    

Other Working Capital Changes

     19        20   

Other

     8        5   
                

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

     105        98   
                

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

    

Capital Expenditures (Excluding Timberland Acquisitions)

     (20     (17

Timberlands Acquired

     —          (1

Other

     1        —     
                

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

     (19     (18
                

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

    

Dividends

     (69     (69

Borrowings on Line of Credit

     368        264   

Repayments on Line of Credit

     (368     (206

Principal Payments and Retirement of Long-Term Debt

     —          (65
                

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

     (69     (76
                

Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents

     17        4   

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

    

Beginning of Period

     250        347   
                

End of Period

   $ 267      $ 351