Plum Creek Reports Q4 EPS $0.45 Incl. Charges Vs. $0.44 Est. (PCL)

Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. PCL today announced fourth quarter earnings of $59 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, on revenues of $356 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $28 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, on revenues of $258 million. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2010 include a $13 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, loss on the early extinguishment of debt. Earnings for the fourth quarter of 2009 include a $3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, loss on the early extinguishment of debt. Earnings for the full year of 2010 were $213 million, or $1.31 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.19 billion. Results for the full year of 2010 include an $11 million, or $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 2010 was $202 million, or $1.24 per diluted share. Results for 2010 include the loss from the early retirement of debt mentioned above. Earnings for the full year of 2009 were $236 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, on revenues of $1.29 billion. In addition to the loss from the early retirement of debt mentioned above, the 2009 results include approximately $13 million of after-tax ($22 million pre-tax) charges primarily associated with the downsizing of the company's manufacturing operations. These items were offset somewhat by one-time tax benefits of approximately $8 million recorded in the first quarter of 2009. “Each of our businesses performed well in 2010 and are positioned to benefit further from an improving economy in 2011,” said Rick Holley, president and chief executive officer. “Profitability in our timber resource segments increased 54 percent despite a slightly lower harvest volume in 2010. Our Manufacturing segment's performance improved as well, reporting a $24 million profit compared to a loss in 2009. Our land sales captured attractive values and declined solely due to the smaller size of the final phase of our three-year Montana conservation sale. “We've continued our disciplined allocation of capital, reducing debt by nearly $100 million and repurchasing $50 million of stock at attractive prices. In addition, we completed our refinancing plans during the fourth quarter at very attractive rates leaving us in an excellent financial position. Looking ahead, we are well positioned to benefit as the economy continues to improve.” Summary of 2010 Results The company generated $297 million in operating income for 2010, similar to the $299 million of operating income generated in 2009. Improved operating performance in the timber resource, manufacturing, and non-timber resource businesses was offset by lower income in the company's Real Estate segment due exclusively to the smaller size of the Montana conservation sale in 2010. Net income declined $23 million compared to 2009 primarily due to a favorable tax provision recorded in 2009. Operating profit in the company's timber resource segments increased a combined $42 million, or 54 percent from 2009 despite a slightly lower harvest in 2010. Modestly improved residential construction and industrial markets increased sawlog demand in most regions. As a result, sawlog prices improved by 2 to 15 percent year over year depending on the region. Demand for pulpwood remained attractive throughout 2010. Northern pulpwood prices held steady at 2009 levels. Southern pulpwood prices were 16 percent higher than 2009 as weather-related log shortages drove very strong pricing in the first half of 2010. The company's harvest level of 15.4 million tons was 2.5 percent lower than the 2009 harvest of 15.8 million tons. In the North, the company maintained a low sawlog harvest level and reduced its pulpwood harvest approximately 400,000 tons. In the South, the company's 11.5-million-ton harvest was similar to 2009, however the mix of the harvest shifted toward small-diameter sawlogs as the company's 2010 harvest focused more on second thinnings that produce a mix of pulpwood and small-diameter sawlogs. In the Real Estate segment, the company reported income of $180 million during 2010 compared with $278 million during 2009. In 2010, the company completed the three-phase Montana conservation sale of approximately 310,000 acres of timberlands to The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land. The final two phases contributed $162 million and $37 million of income to the segment's 2009 and 2010 results, respectively. The sale of large, non-strategic timberlands contributed to the segment's results in both 2009 and 2010. These sales generated $23 million of income in 2009 and $25 million of income in 2010. The balance of the 2010 real estate revenues and income, $214 million and $118 million, respectively, were generated from the sale of approximately 164,000 acres of recreation, conservation and lower-productivity, non-strategic timberlands. Performance in the company's Manufacturing segment turned around dramatically following the downsizing of the business in 2009. The segment reported 2010 operating profit of $24 million, a $47 million improvement from a $23 million loss in 2009. The operating loss for 2009 included $20 million of one-time charges related to the segment's downsizing. Each of the segment's product lines contributed significantly to the improved financial performance. Prices for lumber, plywood, and medium density fiberboard (MDF) each increased year-over-year. Lumber sales volumes declined 30 percent reflecting the downsizing of the operations that took place in 2009, while sales volumes increased 11 percent for plywood and 19 percent for MDF. Review of Quarterly Operations The Northern Resources segment reported operating profit of $1 million for the fourth quarter, compared with operating loss of $1 million reported in the fourth quarter of 2009. A combination of lower costs and higher log prices expanded margins in the Northern Resources segment. Average Northern Resources sawlog prices were $6 per ton, or 12 percent higher than the prevailing prices of the fourth 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 Northern harvest volume was approximately 920,000 tons, approximately 260,000 tons lower than the 2009 level. The Southern Resources segment reported fourth quarter operating profit of $28 million, compared with a $17 million operating profit reported during the fourth quarter of 2009. Prices for sawlogs have improved $1 per ton, while pulpwood prices are similar to the levels experienced during the same period of 2009. Overall Southern harvest volumes increased approximately 570,000 tons, or 22 percent, compared to the near record low harvest of the fourth quarter of 2009. Sawlogs accounted for 425,000 tons of the increase, consistent with the company's 2010 harvest plan which called for a shift in harvest emphasis from first thinnings that produce primarily pulpwood, to second thinnings that produce a mix of pulpwood and small-diameter sawlogs. The Real Estate segment reported revenue of $155 million and operating profit of $73 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. The segment reported $67 million of revenue and $44 million of operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2009. The 2010 results include $89 million of revenue and $37 million of operating income from the final phase of the Montana conservation sale. During the fourth quarter, the company sold approximately 115,000 acres of land, more than 69,000 acres of which consisted of the final phase of the Montana conservation sale mentioned above. The balance of the properties sold consisted of 16,100 acres of rural recreation lands that captured approximately $2,000 per acre. Approximately 8,300 acres of conservation lands sold for nearly $1,000 per acre, and 21,400 acres of lower productivity, non-strategic properties captured $1,050 per acre. The Manufacturing segment reported operating profit of $3 million for the fourth quarter of 2010, compared with breakeven results for the same period of 2009. Each of the product lines within the segment contributed to the improved performance. Prices for lumber and plywood were up 8 percent and 6 percent respectively from fourth quarter 2009 levels. MDF prices were relatively unchanged from the fourth quarter of 2009. Sales volumes were similar to those of the fourth quarter of 2009. Debt Refinancing Completed As previously reported, the company completed significant refinancing activity during the fourth quarter. Specifically, the company: Issued $575 million of 4.7 percent coupon, 10-year bonds Pre-paid $213 million of private placement notes scheduled to mature during the fourth quarter of 2011 Pre-paid, in full, a $250 million term credit agreement scheduled to mature in June 2012 Reduced outstanding borrowing on the company's Line of Credit with the balance of the funds raised in the fourth-quarter debt issuance. The company recorded a one-time charge of $13 million ($0.08 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2010 for debt retirement costs. In addition, the company entered into a new four-year, $600 million revolving credit facility that will provide ample liquidity for the needs of the company. Outlook “We believe recovery in our businesses will continue in 2011,” continued Holley. “The supply chain remains tight and lumber prices have been firming over the past four months. We are starting to see this reflected in West Coast log prices where prices began climbing in December and have continued to improve in January. However, sawlog markets throughout the nation are still below what we consider attractive levels. We are approaching 2011 conservatively and expect our harvest volume and mix will be similar to that of our 2010 harvest. In our Real Estate segment, we will continue to focus on those markets where prices have been attractive, holding our most valuable lands for the future.” The company plans to harvest between 15 and 16 million tons of timber this year, comparable to 2010 levels. The company expects the volume and harvest mix to be similar to 2010 in both the Northern and Southern resource segments. Real Estate segment sales for the year are expected to be between $250 million and $300 million. First quarter sales are expected to be between $50 million and $60 million. The Manufacturing segment is expected to generate $15 to $20 million profit in 2011. Interest expense is expected to be similar to 2010's level. Reflecting all of these factors, the company expects 2011 income to be between $1.25 and $1.45 per share. The company expects to report first quarter income to be between $0.20 and $0.25 per share. “We will continue to exercise operational flexibility just as we have during the downturn. We have a strong balance sheet and will respond quickly to market opportunities as they arise. “As was the case in 2010, we expect cash flow from operations in 2011 to comfortably support our dividend and capital programs, and we will continue our tradition of disciplined capital allocation to deliver value to our shareholders. Our geographic diversity, financial capability and strategic focus have served the company well in a wide variety of economic environments and we will continue to leverage these strengths to benefit from the opportunities that lie ahead,” concluded Holley.