West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE:WFG) ranks among the best sustainability stocks to invest in. On October 24, RBC Capital reaffirmed its Outperform rating on West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE:WFG) but reduced its price target from $92 to $91. Best Lumber Stocks to Buy Photo by René Schubert on Unsplash This follows the company’s October 23 earnings results for the third-quarter of 2025, which showed significant losses amid difficult market conditions. In almost every indicator, West Fraser’s Q3 2025 fi ...

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today announced that Richard Short, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, will be attending and hosting meetings at the following upcoming conferences: BofA Securities 2025 Leveraged Finance ConferenceBoca Raton, Florida, December 2 and 3, 2025Presentation at 10:10 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 UBS Global Industrials & Transportation ConferencePalm Beach, Florida, December 4, 2025 A copy of the presentation will ...

Core Viewpoint - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. will permanently close its Augusta, Georgia and 100 Mile House, British Columbia lumber mills by the end of 2025 due to timber supply challenges and soft lumber markets [1][2][3] Group 1: Mill Closures - The 100 Mile House lumber mill is unable to access a sufficient volume of economically viable timber, leading to its closure, which will affect approximately 165 employees and reduce capacity by 160 million board feet [2] - The Augusta lumber mill's closure is attributed to challenging lumber demand and loss of economically viable residual outlets, impacting around 130 employees and reducing capacity by 140 million board feet [3] - The indefinite curtailment of the Huttig, Arkansas and Lake Butler, Florida mills will now be permanent, with plans for dismantling and site sales [4] Group 2: Strategic Positioning - The closures are intended to better position West Fraser to compete in a challenging market environment [5] - The company anticipates restructuring and impairment charges in the fourth quarter of 2025 related to these closures [5] Group 3: Company Overview - West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with over 50 facilities across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, producing a variety of wood products [6]

Core Insights - International Paper reported a net loss of $1.1 billion for Q3 2025, a significant decline from a profit of $150 million in the same period last year, primarily due to $675 million in accelerated depreciation related to mill closures [1] - Despite the loss, net sales increased to $6.22 billion in Q3 2025 from $3.98 billion a year earlier, indicating strong revenue growth [1] Financial Performance - The company achieved a 28% sequential improvement in adjusted EBITDA across its Packaging Solutions businesses, attributed to price realization, cost management, and lower fiber costs [2] - The GCF division reported revenue of $2.8 billion in 2024, highlighting its significance within the company's portfolio [5] Operational Changes - International Paper closed four facilities in the US in 2025, including the Red River containerboard mill, which reduced annual containerboard capacity by 800,000 tonnes [3][4] - The shutdown affected approximately 179 salaried employees, representing 1% of the company's global workforce [4] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focusing on sustainable packaging solutions and has agreed to sell its Global Cellulose Fibers business to American Industrial Partners for $1.5 billion, part of its strategy to concentrate on core operations [4]

Core Viewpoint - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. reported significant challenges in the third quarter of 2025, including supply and demand imbalances for wood-based products, elevated mortgage rates affecting housing affordability, and new tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. The company remains committed to its strategy of maintaining operational flexibility and controlling costs while seeking long-term shareholder value [1][2]. Financial Performance - Third quarter sales were $1.307 billion, down from $1.532 billion in the second quarter of 2025. - The company reported a loss of $204 million, or $(2.63) per diluted share, compared to a loss of $24 million, or $(0.38) per diluted share in the previous quarter. - Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter was $(144) million, a decline from $84 million in Q2-25 [2][12]. Tariffs and Trade - The U.S. administration imposed a 10% Section 232 tariff on imported softwood timber and lumber effective October 14, 2025, in addition to existing duties on Canadian lumber [3]. - Canadian softwood lumber exports to the U.S. have faced trade disputes and tariffs since April 2017, impacting the company's operations [2]. Liquidity and Capital Allocation - Cash and short-term investments decreased to $546 million as of September 26, 2025, from $641 million at the end of 2024. - Capital expenditures in Q3-25 were $90 million, and the company paid $25 million in dividends, maintaining a dividend of $0.32 per share for the fourth quarter [5][6]. Market Outlook - The company anticipates medium to long-term demand for new home construction in North America due to factors such as improved housing affordability, a large population cohort entering home-buying age, and an aging housing stock [7][8]. - The seasonally adjusted annualized rate of U.S. housing starts was 1.31 million units in August 2025, with permits issued for the same number, indicating stable construction activity despite near-term uncertainties [9]. Operational Insights - The Lumber segment faced muted demand in Q3-25, leading to a reduction in shipment targets for both SPF and SYP products [11]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the Lumber segment was $(123) million, which included $67 million in export duty expenses [12][34]. Regional Demand - In Europe and the U.K., demand is expected to improve but remain challenging in the near term, with long-term growth anticipated due to the increasing use of OSB as an alternative to plywood [10]. - The global pulp market is experiencing disruptions due to U.S. tariffs, creating demand uncertainty in Chinese markets, although NBSK pricing is expected to remain stable [15].

Core Points - Mercer International will release its third quarter results for the period ending September 30, 2025, on November 6, 2025, after market close [1] - A conference call to discuss the results will be hosted by the President and CEO, Juan Carlos Bueno, and CFO, Richard Short, on November 7, 2025, at 10:00 am ET [1] Company Overview - Mercer International Inc. is a global forest products company with operations in Germany, the United States, and Canada [4] - The company has a consolidated annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 210,000 cubic meters of cross-laminated timber, 45,000 cubic meters of glulam, 17 million pallets, and 230,000 metric tonnes of biofuels [4]

Core Insights - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. reported a decline in demand for wood-based building products in Q2-25, particularly in the North America Engineered Wood Products (NA EWP) segment, due to lower-than-expected spring building activity and ongoing housing affordability challenges [3][4][12] - The company experienced a decrease in sales and earnings compared to Q1-25, with Q2-25 sales at $1.532 billion and a net loss of $24 million, or $0.38 per diluted share [5][10] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2-25 was $84 million, down from $195 million in Q1-25, reflecting the impact of reduced demand and pricing pressures [5][10] Financial Performance - Q2-25 sales were $1.532 billion, an increase from $1.459 billion in Q1-25 [5] - Q2-25 earnings were a loss of $24 million compared to a profit of $42 million in Q1-25 [5] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2-25 was $84 million, representing 6% of sales, down from $195 million in Q1-25 [10][41] Market and Demand Outlook - The U.S. housing market showed a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 1.32 million housing starts in June 2025, with permits issued at 1.40 million units, indicating potential for future demand despite near-term uncertainties [14] - Long-term demand for wood products is expected to be supported by improved housing affordability, stabilization of inflation and interest rates, and an aging U.S. housing stock [13][15] - In Europe, demand for wood products is anticipated to grow in the long term, although near-term challenges persist due to geopolitical developments and inflationary pressures [15] Operational Adjustments - The company is taking steps to ensure operational flexibility and cost control in response to the current demand environment [4] - Capital expenditures in Q2-25 were $78 million, with expected total capital expenditures for 2025 projected to be between $400 million and $450 million [9][22] - The company has reduced its shipment targets for both SPF and SYP lumber due to slower demand and uncertainties related to tariffs [16][18] Segment Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for the Lumber segment was $15 million, while the NA EWP segment reported $68 million [10][42] - The Pulp & Paper segment experienced a slight loss with an Adjusted EBITDA of $(1) million [10][42] - The Europe EWP segment reported an Adjusted EBITDA of $2 million, indicating stable performance amidst market challenges [10][42]

Company Overview - Mercer International Inc. is a global forest products company with operations in Germany, the United States, and Canada [4] - The company has a consolidated annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, 210,000 cubic meters of cross-laminated timber, 45,000 cubic meters of glulam, 17 million pallets, and 230,000 metric tonnes of biofuels [4] Upcoming Financial Results - Mercer International will release its second quarter results for the period ending June 30, 2025, on Thursday, July 31, 2025, after the close of the market [1] - A conference call will be hosted by Juan Carlos Bueno, President and CEO, and Richard Short, CFO and Secretary, on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 10:00 am ET to discuss the results [1] Conference Call Details - The conference call will be available live over the Internet through a webcast [2] - Participants must register to join the live call and ask questions, with registration available via a specific URL [3] - A replay of the webcast will be archived and accessible through the company's website for those unable to participate live [2]

Core Insights - Mercer International Inc. has received an updated ESG Risk Rating of 16.8 from Sustainalytics, improving from the previous rating of 17.4 in 2024, indicating ongoing progress in ESG risk management [1][2] - The company remains in the "low" risk category and ranks in the top 15th percentile within the global Paper and Forestry industry sector [3] - Mercer achieved a "Strong" management rating across all material ESG issues and maintained "Low" or "Negligible" risk ratings in key areas such as emissions, waste, and corporate governance [4] Company Overview - Mercer International Inc. operates in Germany, the USA, and Canada, with a consolidated annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of pulp, 960 million board feet of lumber, and various other products including biofuels [6] ESG Management - The improvement in the ESG Risk Rating reflects tangible progress in managing key sustainability risks, particularly in emissions tracking and governance [5] - The Sustainalytics ESG Risk Rating assesses a company's exposure to industry-specific ESG risks and its management of those risks, classified into five categories: negligible, low, medium, high, and severe [3][8]

Core Viewpoint - West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. is set to hold an analysts' conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial and operating results on July 24, 2025 [1][2]. Group 1: Conference Call Details - The conference call will be chaired by Mr. Sean McLaren, President and Chief Executive Officer of West Fraser [2]. - Participants can join the call by dialing a toll-free number or through a webcast [1][2]. - The financial and operating results will be released on July 23, 2025, one day prior to the call [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with over 50 facilities across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe [3]. - The company promotes sustainable forest practices and produces a variety of products including lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, and newsprint [3]. - West Fraser's products are utilized in home construction, repair and remodeling, as well as in industrial applications and paper products [3].