Try our mobile app
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International Paper (NYSE: IP) today reported full-year and fourth quarter 2023 financial results.
FULL-YEAR AND FOURTH QUARTER 2023 HIGHLIGHTS
"In 2023, the International Paper team demonstrated our agility by navigating through challenging market conditions,'' said Mark Sutton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We executed well and delivered $260 million of Building a Better IP benefits, while accelerating cost reduction efforts across our operations and supply chain. Although earnings were impacted by lower demand and cost inflation, we executed strategic actions to further optimize our mill system and invest in the future growth of our packaging business. We also returned $839 million to our shareowners."
"As we enter 2024," Sutton added, "we remain committed to creating value for our customers and shareowners. We see demand growth across the markets we serve. Because our Building a Better IP mindset is embedded into our culture, we will continue to accelerate our commercial strategies and drive operational excellence to improve profitability."
Diluted Net EPS and Adjusted Operating EPS | ||||||||||
FourthQuarter2023 | ThirdQuarter2023 | FourthQuarter2022 | Full-Year2023 | Full-Year2022 | ||||||
Net Earnings (Loss) | $ (0.82) | $ 0.47 | $ (0.90) | $ 0.82 | $ 4.10 | |||||
Less – Discontinued Operations (Gain) Loss, Net of Taxes | — | 0.08 | 1.38 | 0.04 | 0.64 | |||||
Net Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations | (0.82) | 0.55 | 0.48 | 0.86 | 4.74 | |||||
Add Back – Non-Operating Pension Expense (Income) | 0.04 | 0.04 | (0.13) | 0.15 | (0.52) | |||||
Add Back – Net Special Items Expense (Income) | 1.58 | 0.08 | 0.41 | 1.64 | 0.63 | |||||
Income Taxes - Non-Operating Pension and Special Items | (0.39) | (0.03) | 0.11 | (0.49) | (1.67) | |||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings* | $ 0.41 | $ 0.64 | $ 0.87 | $ 2.16 | $ 3.18 | |||||
* | Adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) is defined as net earnings (loss) (GAAP) excluding discontinued operations, net special items and non-operating pension expense (income). Management uses this measure to focus on on-going operations, and believes that it is useful to investors because it enables them to perform meaningful comparisons of past and present consolidated operating results from continuing operations. For discussion of discontinued operations, net special items and non-operating pension expense (income), see the disclosure under Effects of Net Special Items, Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes and Consolidated Statement of Operations and related notes included later in this release. A reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to adjusted operating earnings is included later in this release. |
Select Financial Measures | ||||||||||
(In millions) | FourthQuarter2023 | ThirdQuarter2023 | FourthQuarter2022 | Full-Year2023 | Full-Year2022 | |||||
Net Sales | $ 4,601 | $ 4,613 | $ 5,133 | $ 18,916 | $ 21,161 | |||||
Net Earnings (Loss) | (284) | 165 | (318) | 288 | 1,504 | |||||
Business Segment Operating Profit (Loss) | 257 | 352 | 451 | 1,249 | 1,848 | |||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings | 142 | 224 | 309 | 755 | 1,168 | |||||
Cash Provided By (Used For) Operations | 492 | 468 | 761 | 1,833 | 2,174 | |||||
Free Cash Flow** | 187 | 240 | 439 | 692 | 1,243 | |||||
** | Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is cash provided by (used for) operations. A reconciliation of cash provided by (used for) operations to free cash flow and an explanation of why we believe that free cash flow provides useful information to investors, is included later in this release. |
SEGMENT INFORMATIONBusiness segment operating profits are used by International Paper's management to measure the earnings performance of the Company's businesses and are calculated as set forth in footnote (h) below under "Sales and Earnings by Business Segment". Fourth quarter 2023 net sales by business segment and operating profit (loss) by business segment compared with the third quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2022 along with full-year 2023 net sales by business segment and operating profit (loss) by business segment compared with full-year 2022 are as follows:
Business Segment Results | ||||||||||
(In millions) | FourthQuarter2023 | ThirdQuarter2023 | FourthQuarter2022 | Full-Year2023 | Full-Year2022 | |||||
Net Sales by Business Segment | ||||||||||
Industrial Packaging | $ 3,842 | $ 3,787 | $ 4,169 | $ 15,596 | $ 17,451 | |||||
Global Cellulose Fibers | 656 | 725 | 842 | 2,890 | 3,227 | |||||
Corporate and Inter-segment Sales | 103 | 101 | 122 | 430 | 483 | |||||
Net Sales | $ 4,601 | $ 4,613 | $ 5,133 | $ 18,916 | $ 21,161 | |||||
Operating Profit (Loss) by Business Segment | ||||||||||
Industrial Packaging | $ 315 | $ 325 | $ 416 | $ 1,266 | $ 1,742 | |||||
Global Cellulose Fibers | (58) | 27 | 35 | (17) | 106 | |||||
Total Business Segment Operating Profit (Loss) | $ 257 | $ 352 | $ 451 | $ 1,249 | $ 1,848 | |||||
Industrial Packaging operating profits (losses) in the fourth quarter of 2023 were $315 million compared with $325 million in the third quarter of 2023. In North America, earnings were lower as higher sales volumes for containerboard, lower planned outage costs and lower economic downtime were more than offset by lower sales prices for containerboard and corrugated boxes, an unfavorable geographic mix and the non-repeat of favorable adjustments related to employee benefit costs in the third quarter of 2023. Input costs were slightly higher, as higher recovered fiber costs were mostly offset by lower energy and other raw material costs. In EMEA, earnings were higher, driven by seasonally higher volumes and a favorable product mix. EMEA earnings also benefited from an energy subsidy and other favorable one-time items in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Global Cellulose Fibers operating profits (losses) in the fourth quarter of 2023 were $(58) million compared with $27 million in the third quarter of 2023. Earnings were impacted by lower pulp pricing, partially offset by an improved product mix. Earnings were also impacted by higher planned outage costs and the non-repeat of favorable adjustments related to employee benefit costs in the third quarter of 2023. Sales volumes improved and economic downtime was lower, reflecting continued market improvement. Input costs were lower, primarily for wood and chemicals.
EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT - ILIM JOINT VENTUREThe Company completed the sale of its investment in the prior Ilim joint venture in the third quarter of 2023 for proceeds of $508 million ($472 million net of transaction costs). All current period and historical results have been adjusted to reflect Ilim as a discontinued operation.
CORPORATE EXPENSESCorporate expenses, net was a benefit of $9 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared with expense of $20 million in the third quarter of 2023.
EFFECTIVE TAX RATEThe reported effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 19%, compared to 17% in the third quarter of 2023. The fourth quarter tax benefit is primarily driven by the impact of the mill strategic actions.
The operational effective tax rate was 34% for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to 18% in the third quarter of 2023. The higher operational effective tax rate is a result of U.S. federal income tax benefits recorded in the third quarter as well as an increased deferred tax valuation allowance in the fourth quarter.
The operational effective tax rate is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated by adjusting the income tax provision from continuing operations and rate to exclude the tax effect of net special items and non-operating pension expense (income). Management believes that this presentation provides useful information to investors by providing a meaningful comparison of the income tax rate between past and present periods.
EFFECTS OF SPECIAL ITEMSNet special items in the fourth quarter of 2023 amount to a net after-tax charge of $415 million ($1.20 per diluted share) compared with a charge of $22 million ($0.06 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2023 and a charge of $174 million ($0.49 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of 2022. Net special items in all periods include the following charges (gains):
Fourth Quarter 2023 | Third Quarter 2023 | Fourth Quarter 2022 | ||||||||||
(In millions) | Before Tax | After Tax | Before Tax | After Tax | Before Tax | After Tax | ||||||
Restructuring and other charges, net: | ||||||||||||
Severance and other costs (a) | $ 118 | $ 89 | $ — | $ — | $ — | $ — | ||||||
Building a Better IP | (19) | (14) | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Other | — | — | — | — | (4) | (3) | ||||||
Total restructuring and other charges, net | 99 | 75 | — | — | (4) | (3) | ||||||
Accelerated depreciation (a) | 422 | 317 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Environmental remediation reserve adjustment | 7 | 5 | 29 | 22 | 48 | 36 | ||||||
Equity method investment impairment | 18 | 14 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
EMEA Packaging goodwill impairment | — | — | — | — | 76 | 76 | ||||||
Legal reserve adjustments | — | — | — | — | 11 | 8 | ||||||
Foreign currency cumulative translation loss related to sale of equity method investment | — | — | — | — | 10 | 10 | ||||||
Tax expense related to legal entity restructuring | — | 4 | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Foreign deferred tax valuation allowance | — | — | — | — | — | 45 | ||||||
Interest related to the timber monetization settlement | — | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | ||||||
Total special items, net | $ 546 | $ 415 | $ 29 | $ 22 | $ 144 | $ 174 | ||||||
(a) | Amounts associated with mill strategic actions. See notes (b) and (c) on the Consolidated Statement of Operations included later in this release. |
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAXESDiscontinued operations, net of taxes include the equity earnings associated with our prior Ilim joint venture. Discontinued operations, net of taxes also includes the following special items charges (gains):
Third Quarter 2023 | Fourth Quarter 2022 | |||||||
(In millions) | Before Tax | After Tax | Before Tax | After Tax | ||||
Ilim equity method investment impairment and transaction costs | $ 59 | $ 50 | $ 533 | $ 533 | ||||
Total | $ 59 | $ 50 | $ 533 | $ 533 | ||||
EARNINGS WEBCASTThe company will host a webcast today to discuss earnings and current market conditions, beginning at 10 a.m. ET (9 a.m. CT). All interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast via the company's website by clicking on the Investors tab and going to the Events & Presentations page at https://www.internationalpaper.com/investors/events-presentations. A replay of the webcast will also be on the website beginning approximately two hours after the call.
Parties who wish to participate in the webcast via teleconference may dial +1 (409) 207-6995 or, within the U.S. only, (844) 291-5494, and ask to be connected to the International Paper full-year and fourth quarter earnings call. The conference ID number is 3266705. Participants should call in no later than 9:45 a.m. ET (8:45 a.m. CT). An audio-only replay will be available for ninety days following the call. To access the replay, dial +1 (402) 970-0847 or, within the U.S. only, (866) 207-1041 and when prompted for the conference ID, enter 9191047.
About International PaperInternational Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com.
Visit https://www.internationalpaper.com/investors for more information regarding International Paper, including a slide presentation regarding the full-year and fourth quarter 2023. We use this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to our investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.
Certain statements in this press release that are not historical in nature may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking or conditional words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "could," "should," "can," "forecast," "intend," "look," "may," "will," "remain," "confident," "commit" and "plan" or similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and reflect management's current views and speak only as to the dates the statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to: (i) risks with respect to climate change and global, regional, and local weather conditions, as well as risks related to our ability to meet targets and goals with respect to climate change and the emission of greenhouse gases and other environmental, social and governance matters; (ii) the level of our indebtedness, risks associated with our variable rate debt, and changes in interest rates (including the impact of current elevated interest rate levels); (iii) the impact of global and domestic economic conditions and industry conditions, including with respect to current negative macroeconomic conditions, inflationary pressures and changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, energy sources and transportation sources, supply chain shortages and disruptions, competition we face, cyclicality and changes in consumer preferences, demand and pricing for our products, and conditions impacting the credit, capital and financial markets; (iv) risks arising from conducting business internationally, domestic and global geopolitical conditions, military conflict (including the Russia/Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts, and the potential geopolitical and economic consequences associated therewith), changes in currency exchange rates, trade protectionist policies, downgrades in our credit ratings, and/or the credit ratings of banks issuing certain letters of credit, issued by recognized credit rating organizations; (v) the amount of our future pension funding obligations, and pension and healthcare costs; (vi) the costs of compliance, or the failure to comply with, existing and new environmental (including with respect to climate change and GHG emissions), tax, labor and employment, privacy, anti-bribery and anti-corruption, and other U.S. and non-U.S. governmental laws and regulations; (vii) any material disruption at any of our manufacturing facilities or other adverse impact on our operations due to severe weather, natural disasters, climate change or other causes; (viii) our ability to realize expected benefits and cost savings associated with restructuring initiatives; (ix) our ability to achieve the benefits expected from, and other risks associated with, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, spinoffs, capital investments and other corporate transactions, (x) cybersecurity and information technology risks, including as a result of security breaches and cybersecurity incidents; (xi) loss contingencies and pending, threatened or future litigation, including with respect to environmental related matters; (xii) our exposure to claims under our agreements with Sylvamo Corporation; (xiii) our failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the spin-off of Sylvamo Corporation and the qualification of such spin-off as a tax-free transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes; and (xiv) our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, particularly in light of current labor market conditions. These and other factors that could cause or contribute to actual results differing materially from such forward-looking statements can be found in our press releases and reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that we currently believe to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANYConsolidated Statement of OperationsPreliminary and Unaudited(In millions, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||
Three Months EndedDecember 31, | Three Months EndedSeptember 30, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
Net Sales | $ 4,601 | $ 5,133 | $ 4,613 | $ 18,916 | $ 21,161 | |||||||
Costs and Expenses | ||||||||||||
Cost of products sold | 3,282 | (a) | 3,668 | (h) | 3,345 | (a) | 13,629 | (a) | 15,143 | (h) | ||
Selling and administrative expenses | 357 | 315 | 286 | 1,360 | 1,293 | |||||||
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested | 689 | (b) | 251 | 258 | 1,432 | (b) | 1,040 | |||||
Distribution expenses | 395 | 446 | 382 | 1,575 | 1,783 | |||||||
Taxes other than payroll and income taxes | 39 | 38 | 39 | 154 | 148 | |||||||
Restructuring and other charges, net | 99 | (c) | (4) | (i) | — | 99 | (c) | 89 | (i) | |||
Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of businesses | — | 76 | (j) | — | — | 76 | (j) | |||||
Net (gains) losses on sales of equity method investments | — | 10 | (k) | — | — | 10 | (k) | |||||
Net (gains) losses on mark to market investments | — | — | — | — | (65) | (l) | ||||||
Interest expense, net | 52 | 59 | (m) | 58 | 231 | (d) | 325 | (m) | ||||
Non-operating pension expense (income) | 14 | (48) | 13 | 54 | (192) | |||||||
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Earnings (Loss) | (326) | 322 | 232 | 382 | 1,511 | |||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | (61) | (e) | 148 | (n) | 39 | 59 | (e) | (236) | (n) | |||
Equity earnings (loss), net of taxes | (19) | (f) | (3) | (1) | (21) | (f) | (6) | |||||
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations | (284) | 171 | 192 | 302 | 1,741 | |||||||
Discontinued operations, net of taxes | — | (489) | (o) | (27) | (g) | (14) | (g) | (237) | (o) | |||
Net Earnings (Loss) | $ (284) | $ (318) | $ 165 | $ 288 | $ 1,504 | |||||||
Basic Earnings Per Common Share | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ (0.82) | $ 0.48 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.87 | $ 4.79 | |||||||
Discontinued operations, net of taxes | — | (1.38) | (0.08) | (0.04) | (0.65) | |||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ (0.82) | $ (0.90) | $ 0.47 | $ 0.83 | $ 4.14 | |||||||
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ (0.82) | $ 0.48 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.86 | $ 4.74 | |||||||
Discontinued operations, net of taxes | — | (1.38) | (0.08) | (0.04) | (0.64) | |||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ (0.82) | $ (0.90) | $ 0.47 | $ 0.82 | $ 4.10 | |||||||
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted | 346.0 | 353.7 | 348.1 | 349.1 | 367.0 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated Statement of Operations. | ||||
(a) | Includes pre-tax charges of $7 million ($5 million after taxes), $29 million ($22 million after taxes) and $36 million ($27 million after taxes) for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, respectively, for environmental remediation reserve adjustments. | |||
(b) | Includes a pre-tax charge of $422 million ($317 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for accelerated depreciation associated with the permanent closure of our containerboard mill in Orange, Texas and the permanent shutdown of pulp machines at our Riegelwood, North Carolina and Pensacola, Florida mills. | |||
(c) | Includes a pre-tax charge of $118 million ($89 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for costs associated with the permanent closure of our containerboard mill in Orange, Texas and the permanent shutdown of pulp machines at our Riegelwood, North Carolina and Pensacola, Florida mills and pre-tax income of $19 million ($14 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for the revision of severance estimates related to our Building a Better IP initiative. | |||
(d) | Includes pre-tax income of $6 million ($4 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for interest income associated with the settlement of tax audits and a pre-tax charge of $3 million ($2 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 related to the previously announced settlement of the timber monetization restructuring tax matter. | |||
(e) | Includes tax expense of $4 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 related to internal legal entity restructuring and a tax benefit of $23 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 related to the settlement of tax audits. | |||
(f) | Includes a pre-tax charge of $18 million ($14 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for the other-than-temporary impairment of an equity method investment. | |||
(g) | Includes charges of $59 million ($50 million after taxes) and $135 million ($126 million after taxes) for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, respectively, for impairment and transaction costs related to our former equity method investment in the Ilim joint venture. | |||
(h) | Includes pre-tax charges of $48 million ($36 million after taxes) and $63 million ($47 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively, for environmental remediation reserve adjustments, a pre-tax charge of $11 million ($8 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for a litigation reserve, pre-tax income of $15 million ($11 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for a legal settlement and a pre-tax charge of $6 million ($5 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for other costs. | |||
(i) | Includes a pre-tax charge of $93 million ($70 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for debt extinguishment costs and other pre-tax income of $4 million ($3 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022. | |||
(j) | Includes a charge of $76 million (before and after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to the impairment of goodwill in our EMEA Packaging business. | |||
(k) | Includes a loss of $10 million (before and after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for the foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment related to the sale of an equity method investment. | |||
(l) | Includes a pre-tax net gain of $65 million ($49 million after taxes) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to the monetization of our investment in Sylvamo Corporation. | |||
(m) | Includes pre-tax charges of $3 million ($2 million after taxes) and $58 million ($43 million after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively, related to the previously announced settlement of the timber monetization restructuring tax matter. | |||
(n) | Includes tax expense of $45 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to a foreign deferred tax valuation allowance, a tax benefit of $604 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to the previously announced settlement of the timber monetization restructuring tax matter and a tax benefit of $66 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to the tax-free exchange of our shares of Sylvamo Corporation. | |||
(o) | Includes a charge of $533 million (before and after taxes) for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for the impairment of our equity method investment in connection with our announced plan to sell our interest in the Ilim joint venture. | |||
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANYReconciliation of Net Earnings (Loss) to Adjusted Operating EarningsPreliminary and Unaudited(In millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||
Three Months EndedDecember 31, | Three Months EndedSeptember 30, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Net Earnings (Loss) | $ (284) | $ (318) | $ 165 | $ 288 | $ 1,504 | ||||||
Less: Discontinued operations, net of taxes (gain) loss | — | 489 | 27 | 14 | 237 | ||||||
Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations | (284) | 171 | 192 | 302 | 1,741 | ||||||
Add back: Non-operating pension expense (income) | 14 | (48) | 13 | 54 | (192) | ||||||
Add back: Net special items expense (income) | 546 | 144 | 29 | 572 | 233 | ||||||
Income taxes - Non-operating pension and special items | (134) | 42 | (10) | (173) | (614) | ||||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings | $ 142 | $ 309 | $ 224 | $ 755 | $ 1,168 | ||||||
Three Months EndedDecember 31, | Three Months EndedSeptember 30, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Diluted Earnings per Common Share as Reported | $ (0.82) | $ (0.90) | $ 0.47 | $ 0.82 | $ 4.10 | ||||||
Less: Discontinued operations, net of taxes (gain) loss | — | 1.38 | 0.08 | 0.04 | 0.64 | ||||||
Continuing Operations | (0.82) | 0.48 | 0.55 | 0.86 | 4.74 | ||||||
Add back: Non-operating pension expense (income) | 0.04 | (0.13) | 0.04 | 0.15 | (0.52) | ||||||
Add back: Net special items expense (income) | 1.58 | 0.41 | 0.08 | 1.64 | 0.63 | ||||||
Income taxes per share - Non-operating pension and special items | (0.39) | 0.11 | (0.03) | (0.49) | (1.67) | ||||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings per Share | $ 0.41 | $ 0.87 | $ 0.64 | $ 2.16 | $ 3.18 | ||||||
Notes: | |||||||||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings is a non-GAAP measure. Net earnings (loss) is the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The Company calculates Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) by excluding the after-tax effect of discontinued operations, non-operating pension expense (income) and items considered by management to be unusual or otherwise not reflective of on-going operations (net special items) as reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and related notes included in this release from the earnings reported under U.S. GAAP. Management uses this measure to focus on on-going operations, and believes that it is useful to investors because it enables them to perform meaningful comparisons of past and present consolidated operating results from continuing operations. The Company believes that using this information, along with net earnings, provides for a more complete analysis of the results of operations by quarter. | |||||||||||
Since diluted earnings per share are computed independently for each period, twelve-month per share amounts may not equal the sum of respective quarters. | |||||||||||
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANYSales and Earnings by Business SegmentPreliminary and Unaudited(In millions) | |||||||||||||
Net Sales by Business Segment | |||||||||||||
Three Months EndedDecember 31, | Three Months EndedSeptember 30, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Industrial Packaging | $ 3,842 | $ 4,169 | $ 3,787 | $ 15,596 | $ 17,451 | ||||||||
Global Cellulose Fibers | 656 | 842 | 725 | 2,890 | 3,227 | ||||||||
Corporate and Inter-segment Sales | 103 | 122 | 101 | 430 | 483 | ||||||||
Net Sales | $ 4,601 | $ 5,133 | $ 4,613 | $ 18,916 | $ 21,161 | ||||||||
Operating Profit (Loss) by Business Segment | |||||||||||||
Three Months EndedDecember 31, | Three Months EndedSeptember 30, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Industrial Packaging | $ 315 | $ 416 | $ 325 | $ 1,266 | $ 1,742 | ||||||||
Global Cellulose Fibers | (58) | 35 | 27 | (17) | 106 | ||||||||
Total Business Segment Operating Profit (Loss) | $ 257 | $ 451 | $ 352 | $ 1,249 | $ 1,848 | ||||||||
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes and Equity Earnings | (326) | 322 | 232 | 382 | 1,511 | ||||||||
Interest expense, net | 52 | 59 | (d) | 58 | 231 | (a) | 325 | (d) | |||||
Adjustment for less than wholly owned subsidiaries (g) | (2) | (3) | — | (2) | (5) | ||||||||
Corporate expenses, net | (9) | (20) | 20 | 27 | 34 | ||||||||
Corporate net special items | (1) | (b) | 65 | (e) | 29 | (b) | 28 | (b) | 99 | (e) | |||
Business net special items | 529 | (c) | 76 | (f) | — | 529 | (c) | 76 | (f) | ||||
Non-operating pension expense (income) | 14 | (48) | 13 | 54 | (192) | ||||||||
Business Segment Operating Profit (Loss) (h) | $ 257 | $ 451 | $ 352 | $ 1,249 | $ 1,848 | ||||||||
(a) | Includes income of $6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for interest income associated with the settlement of tax audits and a charge of $3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 related to the previously announced settlement of the timber monetization restructuring tax matter. | ||||||||||||
(b) | Includes charges of $7 million, $29 million and $36 million for the three months ended December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2023 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, respectively, for environmental remediation reserve adjustments and income of $8 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for the revision of severance estimates related to our Building a Better IP initiative. | ||||||||||||
(c) | Related to Industrial Packaging, includes a charge of $428 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for accelerated depreciation, severance and other costs associated with the permanent closure of our containerboard mill in Orange, Texas and income of $8 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for the revision of severance estimates related to our Building a Better IP initiative. | ||||||||||||
Related to Global Cellulose Fibers, includes a charge of $112 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for accelerated depreciation, severance and other costs associated with the permanent shutdown of pulp machines at our Riegelwood, North Carolina and Pensacola, Florida mills and income of $3 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 for the revision of severance estimates related to our Building a Better IP initiative. | |||||||||||||
(d) | Includes charges of $3 million and $58 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively, related to the previously announced settlement of the timber monetization restructuring tax matter. | ||||||||||||
(e) | Includes charges of $48 million and $63 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively, for environmental remediation reserve adjustments, a charge of $11 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for a litigation reserve, a loss of $10 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for the foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment related to the sale of an equity method investment, a charge of $93 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for debt extinguishment costs, a net gain of $65 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to the monetization of our investment in Sylvamo Corporation, income of $15 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 for a legal settlement and other income of $4 million and a charge of $2 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022, respectively. | ||||||||||||
(f) | Related to Industrial Packaging, includes a charge of $76 million for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2022 related to the impairment of goodwill in our EMEA Packaging business. | ||||||||||||
(g) | Operating profits for business segments include each segment's percentage share of the profits of subsidiaries included in that segment that are less than wholly owned. The pre-tax earnings for these subsidiaries is adjusted here to present consolidated earnings before income taxes and equity earnings. | ||||||||||||
(h) | As set forth in the chart above, business segment operating profit is defined as earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity earnings, but including the impact of less than wholly owned subsidiaries, and excluding interest expense, net, corporate expenses, net, corporate net special items, business net special items and non-operating pension expense. Business segment operating profit is a measure reported to our management for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to our business segments and assessing the performance of our business segments. Business segment operating profit is presented in our financial statement footnotes in accordance with ASC 280. | ||||||||||||
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANYSales Volume by Product (a)Preliminary and Unaudited | |||||||||||
International Paper Consolidated | |||||||||||
Three Months EndedDecember 31, | Three Months EndedSeptember 30, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | |||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Industrial Packaging (In thousands of short tons) | |||||||||||
Corrugated Packaging (b) | 2,325 | 2,443 | 2,329 | 9,428 | 10,202 | ||||||
Containerboard | 783 | 546 | 677 | 2,604 | 2,642 | ||||||
Recycling | 535 | 545 | 529 | 2,152 | 2,190 | ||||||
Saturated Kraft | 42 | 42 | 40 | 160 | 188 | ||||||
Gypsum /Release Kraft | 58 | 67 | 58 | 237 | 251 | ||||||
EMEA Packaging (b) | 331 | 342 | 299 | 1,282 | 1,376 | ||||||
Industrial Packaging | 4,074 | 3,985 | 3,932 | 15,863 | 16,849 | ||||||
Global Cellulose Fibers (In thousands of metric tons) (c) | 676 | 711 | 692 | 2,681 | 2,893 | ||||||
(a) | Sales volumes include third party and inter-segment sales and exclude sales of equity investees. | ||||||||||
(b) | Volumes for corrugated box sales reflect consumed tons sold ("CTS"). Board sales by these businesses reflect invoiced tons. | ||||||||||
(c) | Includes North American volumes and internal sales to mills. | ||||||||||
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANYConsolidated Balance SheetPreliminary and Unaudited(In millions) | ||||
December 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||
Assets | ||||
Current Assets | ||||
Cash and Temporary Investments | $ 1,113 | $ 804 | ||
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net | 3,059 | 3,284 | ||
Contract Assets | 433 | 481 | ||
Inventories | 1,889 | 1,942 | ||
Assets Held for Sale | — | 133 | ||
Other | 114 | 126 | ||
Total Current Assets | 6,608 | 6,770 | ||
Plants, Properties and Equipment, Net | 10,150 | 10,431 | ||
Investments | 163 | 186 | ||
Long-Term Financial Assets of Variable Interest Entities | 2,312 | 2,294 | ||
Goodwill | 3,041 | 3,041 | ||
Overfunded Pension Plan Assets | 118 | 297 | ||
Right of Use Assets | 448 | 424 | ||
Deferred Charges and Other Assets | 421 | 497 | ||
Total Assets | $ 23,261 | $ 23,940 | ||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||
Current Liabilities | ||||
Notes Payable and Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt | 138 | 763 | ||
Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities | 3,821 | 4,237 | ||
Total Current Liabilities | 3,959 | 5,000 | ||
Long-Term Debt | 5,455 | 4,816 | ||
Long-Term Nonrecourse Financial Liabilities of Variable Interest Entities | 2,113 | 2,106 | ||
Deferred Income Taxes | 1,552 | 1,732 | ||
Underfunded Pension Benefit Obligation | 280 | 281 | ||
Postretirement and Postemployment Benefit Obligation | 140 | 150 | ||
Long-Term Lease Obligations | 312 | 283 | ||
Other Liabilities | 1,095 | 1,075 | ||
Equity | ||||
Common Stock | 449 | 449 | ||
Paid-in Capital | 4,730 | 4,725 | ||
Retained Earnings | 9,491 | 9,855 | ||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | (1,565) | (1,925) | ||
13,105 | 13,104 | |||
Less: Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost | 4,750 | 4,607 | ||
Total Equity | 8,355 | 8,497 | ||
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ 23,261 | $ 23,940 | ||
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANYConsolidated Statement of Cash FlowsPreliminary and Unaudited(In millions) | ||||
Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||
2023 | 2022 | |||
Operating Activities | ||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ 288 | $ 1,504 | ||
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested | 1,432 | 1,040 | ||
Deferred income tax expense (benefit), net | (156) | (773) | ||
Restructuring and other charges, net | 99 | 89 | ||
Periodic pension (income) expense, net | 94 | (116) | ||
Net (gains) losses on mark to market investments | — | (65) | ||
Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of businesses | — | 76 | ||
Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of equity method investments | 153 | 543 | ||
Equity method dividends received | 13 | 204 | ||
Equity (earnings) losses, net of taxes | (108) | (291) | ||
Other, net | 20 | 108 | ||
Changes in current assets and liabilities | ||||
Accounts and notes receivable | 255 | (59) | ||
Contract assets | 48 | (103) | ||
Inventories | 73 | (162) | ||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (402) | 110 | ||
Interest payable | (19) | 41 | ||
Other | 43 | 28 | ||
Cash Provided By (Used For) Operating Activities | 1,833 | 2,174 | ||
Investment Activities | ||||
Invested in capital projects, net of insurance recoveries | (1,141) | (931) | ||
Proceeds from sale of equity method investments, net of transaction costs | 472 | — | ||
Proceeds from exchange of equity securities | — | 311 | ||
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | 4 | 13 | ||
Other | (3) | (1) | ||
Cash Provided By (Used For) Investment Activities | (668) | (608) | ||
Financing Activities | ||||
Repurchases of common stock and payments of restricted stock tax withholding | (218) | (1,284) | ||
Issuance of debt | 783 | 1,011 | ||
Reduction of debt | (780) | (1,017) | ||
Change in book overdrafts | (8) | 1 | ||
Dividends paid | (642) | (673) | ||
Net debt tender premiums paid | — | (89) | ||
Other | (1) | (3) | ||
Cash Provided By (Used for) Financing Activities | (866) | (2,054) | ||
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Temporary Investments | 10 | (3) | ||
Change in Cash and Temporary Investments | 309 | (491) | ||
Cash and Temporary Investments | ||||
Beginning of the period | 804 | 1,295 | ||
End of the period | $ 1,113 | $ 804 | ||
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANYReconciliation of Cash Provided by Operations to Free Cash FlowPreliminary and Unaudited(In millions) | |||||||||
Three Months EndedDecember 31, | Twelve Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
Cash Provided By (Used For) Operating Activities | $ 492 | $ 761 | $ 1,833 | $ 2,174 | |||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||
Cash invested in capital projects, net of insurance recoveries | (305) | (322) | (1,141) | (931) | |||||
Free Cash Flow | $ 187 | $ 439 | $ 692 | $ 1,243 | |||||
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) measure and the most directly comparable GAAP measure is cash provided by operations. Management believes that free cash flow is useful to investors as a liquidity measure because it measures the amount of cash generated that is available, after reinvesting in the business, to maintain a strong balance sheet, pay dividends, repurchase stock, service debt and make investments for future growth. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. By adjusting for certain items that are not indicative of the Company's ongoing performance, free cash flow also enables investors to perform meaningful comparisons between past and present periods. | |||||||||
The non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because not all companies use identical calculations, the Company's presentation of non-GAAP measures in this release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures disclosed by other companies, including companies in the same industry as International Paper. | |||||||||
Management believes non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with information presented in accordance with GAAP, can facilitate a better understanding of the impact of various factors and trends on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company's performance. Investors are cautioned to not place undue reliance on any non-GAAP financial measures used in this release. | |||||||||
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-paper-reports-full-year-and-fourth-quarter-2023-results-302050095.html
SOURCE International Paper
