SÃO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Suzano, the world's largest pulp producer, announces its results for the third quarter of 2025 (3Q25), reporting sales of 3.6 million tonnes of pulp and paper combined, a 20% increase on the same quarter last year (3Q24). The positive result is driven by the operations of the Ribas do Rio Pardo pulp mill, inaugurated in 2024, and by the integration of paper production from assets acquired in the United States in October 2024. The cash cost of pulp production (excluding downtime) ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. reported an adjusted EBITDA of negative $144 million for Q3 2025, indicating continued operation within an extended cycle trough [3] - The lumber segment's adjusted EBITDA was negative $123 million, a significant decline from $15 million in Q2 2025, primarily due to lower pricing and a $67 million out-of-period duty expense [7] - Cash flow from operations was $58 million, with a net cash balance of $212 million, down from $310 million in the prior quarter [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The North America EWP segment posted negative $15 million in adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025, down from $68 million in Q2, driven by lower OSB pricing [7] - The pulp and paper segment reported negative $6 million in adjusted EBITDA, compared to negative $1 million in the previous quarter, largely due to an annual maintenance shutdown [8] - The Europe business generated $1 million in adjusted EBITDA, similar to the $2 million reported in Q2 2025 [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. housing starts averaged 1.31 million units annually through August, reflecting stable but uninspiring levels of new home construction [4] - The company noted subdued demand in repair and remodeling, continuing a trend observed in previous quarters [4] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet and liquidity profile, allowing for countercyclical investments and opportunistic growth [5][11] - Actions taken include the permanent removal of 820 million board feet of capacity, representing approximately 12% of the company's lumber capacity, to create a more resilient business [11][12] - The company plans to continue managing its asset portfolio prudently while remaining flexible in its operating strategy to meet customer needs [12][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's ability to navigate the challenging business environment, supported by a strong financial position [11] - The company is monitoring macroeconomic conditions and trade policies closely, indicating readiness to respond to changes in the market [15] - Despite a challenging year-to-year outlook, management remains optimistic about the longer-term prospects for the industry [16] Other Important Information - The U.S. Department of Commerce announced final CVD and ADD rates for AR6 at a combined rate of 26.5%, with West Fraser having the lowest duty rate in the Canadian industry [10] - A proclamation imposing Section 232 tariffs of 10% on imported softwood timber and lumber into the U.S. took effect on October 14, 2025 [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Approach to managing production in lumber and North America OSB - Management highlighted actions taken early in the cycle, including mill closures and adjustments to shift configurations, to remain nimble in production management [18][19] Question: Implied Q4 operating rate for OSB - The implied operating rate for Q4 is expected to be around 80%, influenced by maintenance shutdowns during the weaker seasonal period [20][22] Question: M&A opportunities in the current down cycle - Management emphasized a quality-first approach to M&A, indicating that while there are opportunities, they remain selective and focused on enhancing the company's strength [23][24] Question: Federal support for the lumber industry - Management noted ongoing discussions with the government regarding support measures for the industry, although specific details were not provided [28][30] Question: Inventory levels in the U.S. channel - Management indicated that their inventory levels are intentionally lean, with customers purchasing as needed, but they do not have visibility into customer inventory levels [31][34] Question: Conditions in Canadian markets and competitor behavior - The Canadian market remains competitive, with no significant changes in demand or competitor behavior noted since the imposition of higher U.S. duties [46][47] Question: Capital expenditures outlook for 2026 - Management indicated that they will provide 2026 capital expenditure guidance in February, with a focus on operationalizing major projects completed in recent years [50] Question: State of the Caribou Pulp facility post-fire - The Caribou Pulp facility has been repaired and is back up and running, with positive signs of improvement in the European segment [51]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - West Fraser reported an adjusted EBITDA of negative $144 million for Q3 2025, indicating continued operation within an extended cycle trough [4][6] - The lumber segment posted adjusted EBITDA of negative $123 million, a significant decline from $15 million in Q2 2025, primarily due to lower pricing and a $67 million out-of-period duty expense [8][10] - Cash flow from operations was $58 million, with a net cash balance of $212 million, down from $310 million in the prior quarter [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The North America EWP segment reported adjusted EBITDA of negative $15 million, down from $68 million in Q2, driven by lower OSB pricing [8] - The Pulp and Paper segment's adjusted EBITDA was negative $6 million, compared to negative $1 million in Q2, largely due to maintenance shutdowns [9] - The Europe business generated $1 million of adjusted EBITDA, similar to the $2 million reported in Q2 [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. housing starts averaged 1,310,000 units through August, reflecting stable but uninspiring demand [5] - The company noted subdued repair and remodeling demand during the quarter, continuing a trend observed in previous quarters [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining a strong balance sheet and liquidity profile, allowing for counter-cyclical investments [6][16] - West Fraser has permanently removed 170 million board feet of capacity in its Canadian lumber business to optimize its asset portfolio [14][15] - The company aims to leverage its product and geographic diversity while maintaining cost discipline and a commitment to sustainability [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging macroeconomic conditions and the impact of shifting trade policies on operations [14] - The company remains optimistic about the long-term prospects for the industry despite a challenging near-term outlook [20] - Management emphasized the importance of quality in potential M&A opportunities, particularly in the current down cycle [28][30] Other Important Information - The U.S. Department of Commerce released final CVD and ADD rates for AR6 at a combined rate of 26.5%, with West Fraser having the lowest duty rate in the Canadian industry [12] - A proclamation imposing a 10% tariff on imported softwood timber and lumber into the U.S. took effect on October 14, 2025 [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Approach to managing production in lumber and OSB - Management highlighted actions taken early in the cycle, including mill closures and shift adjustments, to remain nimble in production [22][24] Question: Implied Q4 operating rate for OSB - The implied operating rate for OSB in Q4 is expected to be around 80%, influenced by seasonal maintenance shuts [26] Question: M&A opportunities in the down cycle - The company maintains a quality-first approach to M&A, focusing on high-quality assets that enhance strength during the cycle [28][30] Question: Federal support for lumber industry - Management noted ongoing discussions with the government regarding support measures for the lumber industry, but specifics were limited [34][35] Question: Inventory levels in the U.S. channel - Management indicated that their own inventory levels are intentionally lean, but they do not have visibility into customer inventory levels [37][39] Question: Conditions in the Canadian market - The Canadian market remains competitive, but it is smaller than the U.S. market and does not drive demand significantly [51] Question: CapEx outlook for 2026 - The company is wrapping up major projects and will provide 2026 CapEx guidance in February, with a focus on operationalizing recent investments [55] Question: State of the Cowrie facility post-fire - The Cowrie facility has been repaired and is back up and running, with positive signs in the European segment [55] Question: European lumber imports and OSB demand - Management noted no significant changes in visibility regarding European lumber imports and observed some price improvement in OSB demand in Europe [60][61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - West Fraser generated $84 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q2 2025, representing an approximate 6% margin, continuing to operate within a cyclical downturn [4] - The company exited Q2 with nearly $1.7 billion of available liquidity and a strong cash position net of debts [5][6] - Cash flow from operations was $85 million in Q2, with a net cash balance of $310 million, up from $156 million in the prior quarter [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The lumber segment posted adjusted EBITDA of $15 million in Q2, down from $66 million in Q1, primarily due to lower pricing and higher fiber costs [8] - The North America EWP segment generated $68 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q2, down from $125 million in Q1, driven by lower OSB pricing [8] - The Pulp and Paper segment generated negative $1 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q2, compared to $7 million in Q1, largely due to an inventory write-down [8] - The European business posted $2 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q2, improving from negative $2 million in Q1, linked to higher OSB pricing and shipments [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. housing starts averaged 1,320,000 units on a seasonally adjusted basis in Q2, reflecting a decline in new home construction due to elevated mortgage and interest rates [4] - Repair and remodeling demand remained subdued, impacted by broader macro factors [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maintain a strong balance sheet and liquidity profile, allowing for counter-cyclical investments and growth opportunities [6] - West Fraser is focused on controlling costs and optimizing its mill portfolio to create a more resilient company [13] - The company is prepared to support discussions regarding softwood lumber tariffs and is actively scenario planning for various trade-related outcomes [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted ongoing challenges with housing affordability and repair and remodeling markets, leading to modified shipment guidance for 2025 [10] - The company remains optimistic about the longer-term prospects for the industry despite a cloudy near-term outlook due to global trade complexities [17] Other Important Information - The U.S. Department of Commerce released preliminary combined rates for softwood lumber duties at 26.05%, which could result in an expense of $65 million if confirmed [12] - The company successfully amended and extended its $1 billion credit facility and increased its $300 million term loan [9] Q&A Session Summary Question: What have you learned about the substitutability between SPF and SYP? - Management noted that price spreads between products tend to close during high demand and separate during low demand, driven by supply and demand dynamics [20][21] Question: What are your views on a possible lumber export quota? - Management indicated that all options are on the table for discussions regarding lumber and that they are prepared to support the government in these discussions [24][25] Question: Are you cash flow positive in the North American lumber and OSB business? - Management refrained from discussing specific segment cash flow but emphasized the strength of their diversified product portfolio and counter-cyclical investments [27][29] Question: What do you need to do to improve the European business? - Management expressed confidence in their European assets and team, noting that they are well-positioned for recovery as demand improves [47][49] Question: What is the M&A opportunity set looking like? - Management stated they are ready to acquire quality assets if they become available, emphasizing a focus on quality and synergies rather than opportunistic purchases [68][70]