West Fraser(WFG)

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West Fraser(WFG) - 2022 Q2 - Earnings Call Presentation
2022-08-26 14:25
INVESTOR PRESENTATION July 2022 West Fraser Financial Information: The financial information related to West Fraser contained in this Presentation is derived from our Q2 2022 Interim Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and is discussed in our Managements' Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 (our "Q2 2022 MD&A"). Additional information is also discussed in our MD&A for year ended D ...
West Fraser(WFG) - 2022 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2022-07-28 22:42
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE:WFG) Q2 2022 Earnings Conference Call July 28, 2022 11:30 AM ET Company Participants Ray Ferris - President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Virostek - Chief Financial Officer Chris McIver - Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Development Conference Call Participants Sean Steuart - TD Hamir Patel - CIBC Mark Wilde - BMO Paul Quinn - RBC Operator Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the West Fraser Q2 2022 Results Conference Call. At this time, all ...
West Fraser(WFG) - 2022 Q2 - Quarterly Report
2022-07-27 21:07
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION Unless otherwise indicated, the financial information contained in this MD&A is derived from our Interim Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. This MD&A uses various Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures, including "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA by segment", "available liquidity", "total debt to ...
West Fraser(WFG) - 2022 Q1 - Earnings Call Presentation
2022-04-29 21:06
INVESTOR PRESENTATION April 2022 West Fraser Financial Information: The financial information related to West Fraser contained in this Presentation is derived from our Q1 2022 Interim Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and is discussed in our Managements' Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (our "Q1 2022 MD&A"). Additional information is also discussed in our MD&A for year ended Decembe ...
West Fraser(WFG) - 2022 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2022-04-29 20:14
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE:WFG) Q1 2022 Earnings Conference Call April 29, 2022 11:30 AM ET Company Participants Ray Ferris - President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Virostek - Chief Financial Officer Chris McIver - Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Development Conference Call Participants Sean Steuart - TD Securities Hamir Patel - CIBC Capital Markets Mark Wilde - BMO Paul Quinn - RBC Capital Markets Operator Good morning, ladies and gentlemen and welcome to West FraserÂ's Q1 2022 R ...
West Fraser(WFG) - 2022 Q1 - Quarterly Report
2022-04-28 21:18
Management's Discussion & Analysis [Introduction, Business, and Strategy](index=1&type=section&id=INTRODUCTION) West Fraser, a diversified wood products company, pursues strong financial results through cost control and a strong balance sheet, acknowledging industry cyclicality and currency volatility - West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with manufacturing facilities in **Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and Europe**[5](index=5&type=chunk) - The company's core strategy emphasizes **cost control**, operating responsibly and sustainably, and maintaining a **strong, investment-grade balance sheet** to navigate market cycles and fund growth[6](index=6&type=chunk)[10](index=10&type=chunk) - Earnings are **highly sensitive** to cyclical world economic conditions, particularly the **U.S. housing market**, and are subject to volatility from **foreign exchange rate fluctuations**[7](index=7&type=chunk) [Recent Developments](index=3&type=section&id=RECENT%20DEVELOPMENTS) Q1 2022 saw North American housing fundamentals tempered by rising rates, significant Canadian transportation challenges leading to production curtailments, a **$13 million** Hinton mill impairment, and a **$1.25 billion** share repurchase bid - The U.S. housing market remained supportive with starts at **1.79 million units** in March 2022, but rising interest rates and inflation pose risks to demand for new construction and remodeling[11](index=11&type=chunk)[12](index=12&type=chunk) - Logistics and transportation challenges in Canada, including rail service availability and weather issues, negatively impacted the ability to ship products, forcing production reductions at several facilities[13](index=13&type=chunk) - The Hinton pulp mill will permanently reduce capacity by shutting one of its two production lines and transitioning to Unbleached Kraft Pulp, leading to a **$13 million** impairment charge[15](index=15&type=chunk) - On April 26, 2022, the company launched a substantial issuer bid (SIB) to purchase up to **$1.25 billion** of its Common shares via a "modified Dutch auction"[17](index=17&type=chunk)[18](index=18&type=chunk) [First Quarter 2022 Results](index=5&type=section&id=FIRST%20QUARTER%20RESULTS) West Fraser reported strong Q1 2022 financial results with sales of **$3.11 billion** and earnings of **$1.09 billion**, driven by higher pricing despite transportation issues, resulting in **$1.59 billion** Adjusted EBITDA Q1 2022 Financial Summary | ($ millions) | Q1-22 | Q4-21 | Q1-21 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Sales** | $3,110 | $2,038 | $2,343 | | **Operating earnings** | $1,427 | $450 | $879 | | **Earnings** | $1,090 | $334 | $665 | | **Adjusted EBITDA** | $1,592 | $615 | $1,008 | - The earnings trend improved through Q4-21 and Q1-22 due to **strong product pricing**, although gains were partially offset by transportation disruptions, particularly impacting rail service in Western Canada[20](index=20&type=chunk) [Segment Performance Analysis](index=6&type=section&id=Discussion%20%26%20Analysis%20by%20Product%20Segment) The Lumber and North America EWP segments drove Q1 earnings with higher pricing, while Europe EWP performed strongly, and Pulp & Paper reported a loss due to transportation and cost challenges [Lumber Segment](index=6&type=section&id=Lumber%20Segment) The Lumber segment's Adjusted EBITDA surged to **$796 million** in Q1 2022, driven by higher pricing despite transportation disruptions impacting SPF shipments, with log costs rising and a potential **$43 million** duty recovery from the Softwood Lumber Dispute Lumber Segment Financials (Q1-22) | ($ millions) | Q1-22 | Q4-21 | Q1-21 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Sales** | $1,501 | $888 | $1,300 | | **Operating earnings** | $750 | $195 | $607 | | **Adjusted EBITDA** | $796 | $240 | $646 | - Higher lumber pricing was the main driver of increased earnings, contributing a **$541 million** increase to **Adjusted EBITDA** compared to Q4-21 and **$222 million** compared to Q1-21[26](index=26&type=chunk) - SPF production and shipments decreased due to transportation disruptions in Western Canada, while SYP production and shipments increased, partly due to the acquisition of the Angelina lumber mill[23](index=23&type=chunk)[24](index=24&type=chunk)[29](index=29&type=chunk)[30](index=30&type=chunk) - Preliminary results from the AR3 review of softwood lumber duties for the 2020 calendar year indicate a potential future recovery of **$43 million** for West Fraser[45](index=45&type=chunk) [North America Engineered Wood Products (NA EWP) Segment](index=11&type=section&id=North%20America%20Engineered%20Wood%20Products%20Segment) The NA EWP segment achieved **$730 million** Adjusted EBITDA, driven by higher OSB and plywood pricing despite sequential volume decreases from railcar shortages, with overall costs increasing due to higher input prices NA EWP Segment Financials (Q1-22) | ($ millions) | Q1-22 | Q4-21 | Q1-21 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Sales** | $1,217 | $834 | $781 | | **Operating earnings** | $647 | $270 | $299 | | **Adjusted EBITDA** | $730 | $343 | $353 | - Higher OSB and plywood pricing drove the segment's performance, contributing a **$434 million** increase to **Adjusted EBITDA** compared to Q4-21[56](index=56&type=chunk) - OSB shipment volumes decreased from Q4-21 due to limited railcar availability in Western Canada and Ontario but increased from Q1-21 due to the inclusion of an additional month of shipments post-**Norbord acquisition**[54](index=54&type=chunk) - Cost of products sold increased compared to Q1-21 due to higher costs for wood and other inputs like resins, wax, and energy[59](index=59&type=chunk) [Pulp & Paper Segment](index=13&type=section&id=Pulp%20%26%20Paper%20Segment) The Pulp & Paper segment reported a **$38 million** loss and negative **$15 million** Adjusted EBITDA in Q1 2022, impacted by a **$13 million** Hinton mill impairment, lower shipments due to railcar shortages, and increased fibre and freight costs Pulp & Paper Segment Financials (Q1-22) | ($ millions) | Q1-22 | Q4-21 | Q1-21 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Sales** | $171 | $159 | $177 | | **Earnings (loss) before tax** | $(38) | $(25) | $1 | | **Adjusted EBITDA** | $(15) | $(14) | $11 | - A **$13 million** impairment charge was recorded for equipment at the Hinton, Alberta pulp mill as part of its transition to Unbleached Kraft Pulp (UKP)[73](index=73&type=chunk) - Pulp shipments were adversely impacted by railcar shortages and port backlogs, leading to production curtailments to manage inventory levels[67](index=67&type=chunk)[69](index=69&type=chunk) - Costs increased due to higher fibre, supplies, and energy costs, as well as higher freight costs from substituting trucking for rail services[70](index=70&type=chunk)[71](index=71&type=chunk) [Europe Engineered Wood Products (Europe EWP) Segment](index=14&type=section&id=Europe%20Engineered%20Wood%20Products%20Segment) The Europe EWP segment achieved strong **$78 million** Adjusted EBITDA, driven by increased shipment volumes from seasonal demand recovery and normalized production, alongside higher product pricing and an additional month of operations post-**Norbord acquisition** Europe EWP Segment Financials (Q1-22) | ($ millions) | Q1-22 | Q4-21 | Q1-21 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Sales** | $241 | $184 | $112 | | **Earnings before tax** | $59 | $36 | $(6) | | **Adjusted EBITDA** | $78 | $61 | $11 | - Shipment and production volumes increased significantly compared to Q4-21, which was impacted by a seasonal slowdown and a major maintenance shutdown at the Genk, Belgium facility[79](index=79&type=chunk)[81](index=81&type=chunk) - Compared to Q1-21, higher product pricing was the primary driver of improved results, contributing a **$90 million** increase to **Adjusted EBITDA**[80](index=80&type=chunk) - Input costs, particularly for resins, increased year-over-year, driven by availability constraints and rising natural gas costs[83](index=83&type=chunk) [Non-Operational Items Analysis](index=16&type=section&id=Discussion%20%26%20Analysis%20of%20Non-Operational%20Items) Non-operational items include an equity-based compensation recovery due to share price decrease, a **23%** effective tax rate, and a **$94 million** actuarial gain on retirement plans from increased discount rates - A recovery was recognized in equity-based compensation in Q1-22 due to a decrease in the company's share price during the quarter[89](index=89&type=chunk) - The effective tax rate was **23%** in Q1-22, compared to **24%** in both Q4-21 and Q1-21[93](index=93&type=chunk) - An after-tax actuarial gain of **$94 million** was recorded on retirement benefit plans, reflecting an increase in the discount rate used to calculate liabilities, partially offset by lower returns on plan assets[98](index=98&type=chunk) [Outlook and Operations](index=18&type=section&id=OUTLOOK%20AND%20OPERATIONS) The company anticipates robust wood product demand but faces risks from rising rates and transportation challenges, leading to a reduced SPF lumber shipment forecast, while Norbord integration is on track for **$61 million** synergies and **$500-$600 million** capital spending - The 2022 SPF lumber shipment forecast has been reduced from **3.0-3.2 billion board feet** to **2.8-3.0 billion board feet** due to acute and prolonged transportation challenges in Western Canada[106](index=106&type=chunk) - The 2022 OSB shipment outlook is maintained at **6.1-6.4 billion square feet**, but input costs for both NA and Europe EWP segments are expected to increase more significantly than anticipated, primarily due to higher energy costs[107](index=107&type=chunk)[108](index=108&type=chunk) - The **Norbord integration** is progressing well and is on track to achieve targeted annual synergies of **$61 million** by the end of 2022[112](index=112&type=chunk) - The company anticipates investing approximately **$500 to $600 million** in capital spending in 2022 and increased its quarterly dividend to **$0.25 per share**[112](index=112&type=chunk)[114](index=114&type=chunk) [Liquidity and Capital Resources](index=21&type=section&id=LIQUIDITY%20AND%20CAPITAL%20RESOURCES) West Fraser maintained strong liquidity of **$2.85 billion** and a negative **-18%** net debt to total capital ratio, with Q1 operating cash flow of **$563 million** impacted by tax payments and working capital increases, and **$210 million** returned to shareholders Liquidity and Debt Ratios (as of March 31, 2022) | ($ millions, except as otherwise indicated) | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Cash and short-term investments | $1,816 | $1,568 | | **Available liquidity** | **$2,851** | **$2,593** | | Total debt to total capital | 6% | 7% | | Net debt to total capital | (18%) | (16%) | Q1 2022 Cash Flow Summary | ($ millions) | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Cash provided by operating activities | $563 | $462 | | Cash used for financing activities | $(217) | $(109) | | Cash used for investing activities | $(92) | $582 | - Cash from operations was impacted by a **$456 million** income tax payment (largely a top-up for 2021 earnings) and a combined **$587 million** increase in receivables and inventories[135](index=135&type=chunk)[137](index=137&type=chunk)[138](index=138&type=chunk)[139](index=139&type=chunk) - During Q1 2022, the company returned **$210 million** to shareholders through **$189 million** in share repurchases and **$21 million** in dividends[140](index=140&type=chunk)[141](index=141&type=chunk) [Risks and Uncertainties](index=26&type=section&id=RISKS%20AND%20UNCERTAINTIES) The company's business is subject to various risks and uncertainties detailed in the Annual MD&A and supplemented by new risks identified in this report - The company's business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which are included in the Annual MD&A and this report[144](index=144&type=chunk) [Controls and Procedures](index=26&type=section&id=CONTROLS%20AND%20PROCEDURES) Management confirms responsibility for disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting, excluding Angelina Forest Products LLC from Q1 2022 scope, with no material changes to ICFR reported - Management has limited the scope of its design of disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting to exclude Angelina Forest Products LLC, which was acquired on December 1, 2021[146](index=146&type=chunk) - Angelina's contribution to consolidated sales was **2.2%** and to consolidated earnings was **3.5%** for the three months ended March 31, 2022[147](index=147&type=chunk) - No changes in internal controls over financial reporting occurred during Q1 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal controls[150](index=150&type=chunk) [Non-GAAP and Other Specified Financial Measures](index=27&type=section&id=Non-GAAP%20and%20Other%20Specified%20Financial%20Measures) This section defines and reconciles non-GAAP measures like **Adjusted EBITDA** and liquidity ratios, used to evaluate performance and provide investors with additional insight into financial condition - The report uses non-GAAP measures including **Adjusted EBITDA**, **available liquidity**, **total debt to total capital ratio**, and **net debt to total capital ratio** to provide additional performance indicators[152](index=152&type=chunk) - **Adjusted EBITDA** is defined as earnings adding back finance expense, taxes, amortization, equity-based compensation, impairment charges, and other non-recurring items[153](index=153&type=chunk) Reconciliation of Earnings to Adjusted EBITDA | ($ millions) | Q1-22 | Q4-21 | Q1-21 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Earnings** | **$1,090** | $334 | $665 | | Finance expense, net | 7 | 1 | 13 | | Tax provision | 330 | 104 | 205 | | Amortization | 157 | 153 | 122 | | Equity-based compensation | (5) | 12 | 7 | | Impairment charges | 13 | — | — | | Other | — | 11 | (4) | | **Adjusted EBITDA** | **$1,592** | $615 | $1,008 | [Forward-Looking Statements](index=32&type=section&id=Forward-Looking%20Statements) This section provides a cautionary note on forward-looking statements within the MD&A, identifying future expectations and listing numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially - The MD&A contains forward-looking statements regarding operations, financial condition, performance, and outlook[177](index=177&type=chunk) - Key forward-looking statements relate to the impact of interest rates, transportation service timing, completion of share repurchases, demand for products, projected shipments, operating costs, and expected synergies from the **Norbord integration**[178](index=178&type=chunk)[179](index=179&type=chunk) - A comprehensive list of risk factors that could cause actual results to differ is provided, including economic conditions, product pricing, input costs, transportation disruptions, and government policy changes[180](index=180&type=chunk)
West Fraser(WFG) - 2021 Q4 - Earnings Call Presentation
2022-02-17 06:47
INVESTOR PRESENTATION February 2022 West Fraser Financial Information: The financial information related to West Fraser contained in this Presentation is derived from our 2021 Annual Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and is discussed in our Managements' Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021 (our "2021 Annual MD&A"). This Presentation uses various Non-GAAP and other specified financial measures, includ ...
West Fraser(WFG) - 2021 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2022-02-16 20:40
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE:WFG) Q4 2021 Earnings Conference Call February 16, 2022 11:30 AM ET Company Participants Raymond Ferris – President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Virostek – Chief Financial Officer Chris Mclver – Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development Conference Call Participants Sean Steuart – TD Securities Mark Wilde – BMO Hamir Patel – CIBC Capital Markets Paul Quinn – RBC Capital Markets Operator Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. And welcome to West Fraser Q4 ...
West Fraser(WFG) - 2021 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2021-10-29 04:29
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE:WFG) Q3 2021 Earnings Conference Call October 28, 2021 11:30 AM ET Company Participants Raymond Ferris - President and CEO Chris Virostek - CFO Peter Wijnbergen - President, Engineered Wood Products Conference Call Participants Mark Wilde - BMO Sean Steuart - TD Securities Paul Quinn - RBC Operator Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the West Fraser Q3 2021 Results Conference Call. During this conference, West Fraser's representatives will be making certain s ...
West Fraser(WFG) - 2021 Q3 - Earnings Call Presentation
2021-10-28 15:26
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |--------------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Investor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Presentation | | | | | | | October 2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | General: This presentation contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Securit ...