NASDAQ$MERC

Mercer International Inc · Q4 2023 earnings

Q4 2023 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Mercer International Inc. experienced a net loss despite improved pulp pricing, impacted by planned maintenance downtime and a non-cash impairment.

Mercer International Inc. reported a net loss of $87.2 million for Q4 2023, influenced by a $33.7 million non-cash impairment related to the sandalwood business. Despite improved pulp pricing, the results were lower than the previous quarter due to planned maintenance and the absence of positive impacts from non-cash items and previous inventory sales.

  • Operating EBITDA for Q4 2023 was $21.1 million, compared to $96.1 million in Q4 2022.
  • Net loss for Q4 2023 was $87.2 million, or $1.31 per share, including a $33.7 million non-cash impairment.
  • Pulp pricing improved in all markets during the quarter, leading to customer restocking.
  • Mass timber business exhibited strong growth, securing major contracts and contributing positively to Operating EBITDA.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$470M

Previous: $583M-19.3%
EPS (adj)

-$0.80

Previous: $0.30-366.7%
Average NBSK Pulp Prices Europe

$1.25K

No prior period
Average NBSK Pulp Prices China

$748.00

No prior period
Average NBSK Pulp Prices North America

$1.31K

No prior period
Average NBHK Pulp Prices China

$643.00

No prior period
Average NBHK Pulp Prices North America

$1.08K

No prior period
NBSK Pulp Sales (ADMTs)

411.8K

No prior period
NBHK Pulp Sales (ADMTs)

79.4K

No prior period
Average NBSK Pulp Sales Realizations

$709.00

No prior period
Average NBHK Pulp Sales Realizations

$593.00

No prior period
Energy Production (MWh) - Pulp

544.6K

No prior period
Energy Sales (MWh) - Pulp

213.2K

No prior period
Avg Energy Sales Realizations - Pulp

$92.00

No prior period
Lumber Production (MMfbm)

111.6K

No prior period
Lumber Sales (MMfbm)

112.0K

No prior period
Avg Lumber Sales Realizations

$427.00

Previous: $454.00-5.9%
Energy Production (MWh) - Solid Wood

38.7K

No prior period
Avg Energy Sales Realizations - Solid Wood

$127.00

No prior period
Manufactured Products Production (cubic meters)

10.2K

No prior period
Manufactured Products Sales (cubic meters)

12.1K

No prior period
Avg Manufactured Products Sales Realizations

$1.23K

No prior period
Pallets Production (units)

2.2M

No prior period
Pallets Sales (units)

2.5M

No prior period
Avg Pallets Sales Realizations

$10.00

No prior period
Biofuels Production (tonnes)

38.9K

No prior period
Biofuels Sales (tonnes)

39.9K

No prior period
Avg Biofuels Sales Realizations

$274.00

No prior period
Capital Expenditures

-$26M

Previous: $49.9M-152.2%
Net Income

-$87.2M

Previous: $20M-535.6%
Operating Income

-$56.4M

Previous: $47.3M-219.3%
Gross Profit

$4.08M

Previous: $83M-95.1%
Stock-Based Comp

$1.56M

Previous: $3.06M-49.1%

Revenue & EPS history

Mercer · Revenue · Quarterly

$470M

Q4 2023-19.3%vs Q4 2022
Beat estimate in 11 of 14 quarters(79%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Mercer · $468M total across 2 segments · Q3 2023

  • Pulp Segment
    $349M-23.6%
  • Solid Wood Segment
    $120M+61.0%

Forward guidance

The company expects improved pulp pricing in 2024, especially in Europe, with modest increases expected in the first half of the year. U.S. lumber prices are expected to increase slightly in the first half of 2024, while European lumber prices are expected to remain relatively flat. Mass timber prices are expected to be stable in the first half of 2024.

Tailwinds

  • Improved pulp pricing is expected in 2024, led by Europe.
  • NBSK pulp prices increased to $1,350 per ADMT in Europe in January 2024.
  • Modest increases in pulp prices are expected to continue in the first half of 2024 due to stronger demand.
  • A modest increase in U.S. lumber prices is expected in the first half of 2024 due to increased housing activity and low customer inventory levels.
  • Mass timber prices are expected to be stable in the first half of 2024.

Headwinds

  • Prices in China and North America are expected to be generally stable in the first part of 2024 due to continued weak demand.
  • NBHK pulp prices are expected to be stable in the first half of 2024.
  • Lumber prices in Europe are expected to be relatively flat due to continued high interest rates and economic uncertainty.
  • The company saw weakness in the lumber market as slightly higher prices in the U.S. were offset by lower prices in Europe.
  • The company recognized a non‐cash impairment of $33.7 million against our sandalwood business in the fourth quarter of 2023

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2023

Historical avgQ4 2023

+0.3%

Avg return

Earnings day

-1.2%

Avg return

5 days after

-1.7%

Avg return

30 days after

44%

28 / 64 earnings

Positive

+24.5%

Q4 2015

Best reaction

-15.5%

Q1 2010

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026+3.6%-26.9%-24.3%
Q3 2025-6.9%-6.3%-11.7%
Q1 2025-7.3%-20.0%-15.0%
Q4 2024+16.9%+22.8%-1.1%
Q3 2024-0.2%-2.3%-4.3%
Q2 2024+6.6%+0.8%-12.6%
Q1 2024-2.4%-3.3%-17.2%
Q4 2023+9.1%+7.7%+20.4%
Q3 2023+22.4%+19.3%+23.4%
Q2 2023+7.1%-4.9%+7.1%
Q1 2023-5.1%-3.6%-6.7%
Q4 2022-2.4%-5.6%-17.8%
Q3 2022-4.7%-11.6%-3.4%
Q2 2022+0.0%-5.4%+1.8%
Q1 2022+1.4%+3.5%-5.4%
Q4 2021+1.4%+4.6%+11.0%
Q3 2021+2.2%+0.3%+5.7%
Q2 2021-0.3%+0.9%+0.4%
Q1 2021-3.8%-5.8%-13.4%
Q4 2020-4.8%-2.2%+5.9%
Q3 2020+6.8%+16.5%+39.9%
Q2 2020-6.9%-10.5%+6.0%
Q1 2020-2.9%-13.9%-16.1%
Q4 2019-5.5%-4.5%-30.8%
Q3 2019+3.4%+6.9%+1.9%
Q2 2019-5.4%-10.6%-7.6%
Q1 2019+23.8%+23.8%+2.0%
Q4 2018-2.3%-3.7%-9.4%
Q3 2018-8.0%-13.0%-30.8%
Q2 2018+2.1%+7.2%+5.7%
Q1 2018+1.5%+7.1%+20.6%
Q4 2017+1.5%-2.3%-0.8%
Q3 2017-2.4%+2.8%+0.0%
Q2 2017-7.0%-9.0%-9.0%
Q1 2017-2.0%-5.2%-7.6%
Q4 2016+0.4%+4.2%+2.1%
Q3 2016+1.9%+1.3%+23.2%
Q2 2016-3.2%-2.7%+2.9%
Q1 2016-12.8%
Q4 2015+24.5%
Q3 2015+1.7%
Q2 2015-0.9%
Q1 2015-2.4%
Q4 2014+0.9%
Q3 2014+11.4%
Q2 2014+0.3%
Q1 2014+8.3%
Q4 2013+0.6%
Q3 2013+5.6%
Q2 2013+0.0%
Q1 2013+0.5%
Q4 2012-0.7%
Q3 2012-0.1%
Q2 2012+7.2%
Q1 2011-0.1%
Q1 2012+0.6%
Q4 2009-0.3%
Q4 2011-0.3%
Q3 2011-5.7%
Q3 2010-5.7%
Q2 2010-9.1%
Q2 2011-9.1%
Q4 2010-9.1%
Q1 2010-15.5%

Discussion

Share your read of this quarter. Sign-in carries your eToro identity.

Join the conversation

Sign in with eToro to post your read of this quarter and vote on others'.

Sign in with eToro