Acadian Timber Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick, Feb. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acadian Timber Corp. (“Acadian” or the “Company”) (TSX:ADN) today reported financial and operating results1 for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2021.

“Acadian is extremely proud to announce that there were no recordable safety incidents among employees and contractors during the year while delivering solid operational results,” commented Adam Sheparski, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Market demand for our products remains strong with a number of new customers beginning to take delivery and we continue to seek business development opportunities and improvements throughout the business.”

Acadian generated $16.9 million of Free Cash Flow during the year, compared to $15.2 million in 2020, and declared dividends of $19.4 million or $1.16 per share to our shareholders. Acadian’s balance sheet remains solid with $19.8 million of net liquidity as at December 31, 2021, which includes funds available under our credit facilities.

Acadian today also announced that it is adding a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”) and a Normal Course Issuer Bid (“NCIB”), to facilitate shareholder support in the Company and to enhance capital management flexibility.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Acadian is instituting a DRIP to enable Canadian resident shareholders to automatically reinvest cash dividends paid on their Acadian shares in additional shares. To enroll in the DRIP, shareholders must contact the broker, dealer, bank, or other market participant who holds their Acadian shares.

Acadian shareholders will be eligible to participate in the DRIP beginning with the dividend record date March 31, 2022 provided that their broker, dealer, bank, or other market participant has enrolled them on or before that date. Acadian shares to be issued under the DRIP will be issued directly from treasury of Acadian at a price equal to the volume-weighted average trading price of the shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange for the five trading days immediately preceding the relevant dividend payment date.

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Acadian has conditionally reserved for issuance with the Toronto Stock Exchange 1.5 million additional shares to accommodate the purchase of shares under the DRIP.

Macer Forest Holdings Inc., a company controlled by Acadian Board of Directors Chair Malcolm Cockwell, has indicated that it will initially participate in the DRIP for 50% of dividends payable to it. Macer Forest Holdings Inc. owns approximately 45% of the outstanding common shares of Acadian.

Normal Course Issuer Bid

On February 9, 2022, the Company filed a notice of intention with the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) to purchase for cancellation up to 834,345 common shares representing 5% of the 16,686,916 common shares outstanding as of February 3, 2022, subject to regulatory approval. The purchases will be made through the facilities of the TSX and/or any alternative Canadian trading systems to the extent they are eligible. The price that the Company will pay for any such shares will be the market price at the time of acquisition. The Company believes that repurchasing shares at the prevailing market prices from time to time is a worthwhile use of funds and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. Purchases may commence on February 14, 2022 and shall terminate not later than February 13, 2023. Based on average daily trading volume (“ADTV”) of 8,365 over the last six months, daily purchases will be limited to 2,091 common shares (25% of the ADTV of the Class A shares), other than block purchase exemptions. The Company has not purchased any of its common shares over the past 12 months.

Review of Operations

Financial and Operating Highlights

Three Months Ended December 31, 2021

Acadian generated sales of $25.9 million, compared to $24.9 million in the prior year period. The weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, increased 7% year-over-year benefiting from favourable operating conditions and increased sawlog pricing. Sales volume, excluding biomass, decreased 7% due to lower hardwood pulpwood sales. Biomass sales volume decreased 27% due to lower domestic sales.

Operating costs and expenses were $19.8 million during the fourth quarter, compared to $18.1 million during the prior year period. This year-over-year increase reflects higher harvesting activity in Maine and increased timber services in New Brunswick. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, increased 10% reflecting higher log processing and fuel costs, partially offset by a stronger Canadian dollar.

Adjusted EBITDA was $6.3 million during the fourth quarter, compared to $7.3 million in the prior year period and Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was 24% compared to 29% in the prior year period.

Net income for the fourth quarter totaled $6.5 million, or $0.39 per share, compared to $15.3 million, or $0.92 per share in the same period of 2020. Net income was impacted by a combination of lower gains on non-cash items such as unrealized foreign exchange on long-term debt and fair value adjustments in 2021 compared to 2020.

Year Ended December 31, 2021

Acadian generated sales of $95.7 million, compared to $91.0 million in the prior year. Sales volume, excluding biomass, decreased 5% primarily due to lower softwood pulpwood sales due to the competition of sawmill residuals and to a lesser extent lower hardwood pulpwood sales due to increased regional inventories. Acadian’s weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, increased 4% with a higher value product mix and strong sawlog prices.

Operating costs and expenses were $74.0 million during 2021, compared to $70.2 million in the prior year due to higher harvesting costs and timber services activity. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, increased 2% due to higher fuel costs partially offset by a stronger Canadian dollar.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $22.5 million, compared to $21.5 million in the prior year, while Adjusted EBITDA margin was 23% compared to 24% in the prior year.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2021 totaled $18.7 million, or $1.12 per share, compared to net income of $22.1 million, or $1.32 per share, in 2020. Net income was primarily impacted by lower gains on non-cash items such as unrealized foreign exchange on long-term debt and fair value adjustments in 2021 compared to 2020.

Segment Performance

New Brunswick Timberlands

The table below summarizes operating and financial results for New Brunswick Timberlands for the fourth quarter.

Sales for New Brunswick Timberlands were $18.0 million compared to $19.3 million during the prior year period. Sales volume, excluding biomass, decreased 23% due to reduced softwood sawlogs and hardwood pulpwood sales, partially offset by an increase in hardwood sawlogs sales, driven by strong demand and increased timber services activity. The softwood lumber market continues to be strong but regional demand for softwood sawlogs was lower due to high inventories compared to the prior year period. Biomass sales volume decreased 28% during the quarter due to lower domestic sales.

The weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, for the fourth quarter was $71.39 per m3, or 6% higher than the prior year period, as a result of strong hardwood sawlog prices and volumes.

Operating costs and expenses were $13.2 million during the fourth quarter, compared to $12.9 million in the prior year due to increased timber services activity and higher land management costs, partially offset by lower sales volume. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, increased 13% reflecting higher log processing and fuel costs compared to the prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $4.5 million compared to $6.5 million during the prior year period and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 25% compared to 34% in the prior year period.

There were no recordable safety incidents among employees or contractors during the fourth quarter.

The table below summarizes operating and financial results for New Brunswick Timberlands for the year.

Sales for New Brunswick Timberlands totaled $71.5 million, compared to $68.5 million in 2020. Sales volume, excluding biomass, decreased 10% primarily due to lower softwood pulpwood sales offset by higher sawlog sales. While softwood pulpwood markets remained weak due to high roundwood inventories and competition from sawmill residuals in the region, demand for sawlogs remained strong due to favourable end use markets. Biomass sales volume decreased 22% due to lower domestic sales.

The weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, for the year was $69.92 per m3, 5% higher year-over-year, as a result of strong sawlog prices and a lower proportion of softwood pulpwood in the mix.

Operating costs and expenses were $53.8 million during 2021, compared to $50.3 million in the prior year due to higher harvesting costs and additional timber services activity. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, increased 5% due to a higher proportion of hardwood in the mix combined with higher fuel costs compared to the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $17.9 million, compared to $18.4 million in the prior year, while Adjusted EBITDA margin was 25% compared to 27% during the prior year.

Maine Timberlands

The table below summarizes operating and financial results for Maine Timberlands for the fourth quarter.

Sales for Maine Timberlands during the fourth quarter totaled $8.0 million compared to $5.6 million in the prior year period. Sales volume, excluding biomass, increased by 39% due to higher softwood and hardwood sawlogs sales driven by favourable operating conditions and strong demand.

The weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, in Canadian dollar terms was $78.88 per m3, compared to $75.78 per m3 during the same period of 2020. In U.S. dollar terms, the weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, was $62.56 per m3, compared to $58.11 per m3 in 2020 with higher sawlog prices benefiting from favourable market dynamics. The 8% price increase in U.S. dollar terms was partially offset by a stronger Canadian dollar.

Operating costs and expenses for the fourth quarter were $6.0 million, compared to $4.7 million during the same period in 2020 as a result of higher harvesting activity. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, decreased 4% benefiting from a higher proportion of softwood in the mix combined with a stronger Canadian dollar.

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $2.1 million compared to $1.3 million during the prior year period and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 26% compared to 24% in the prior year period.

There were no recordable safety incidents among employees or contractors during the fourth quarter.

The table below summarizes operating and financial results for Maine Timberlands for the year.

Sales for our Maine Timberlands were $24.2 million compared to $22.5 million in 2020. Sales volume, excluding biomass, increased by 10% primarily due to a 16% increase in the softwood sawlog sales volume, as a result of favourable operating conditions and end use market dynamics during the fourth quarter

The weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, in Canadian dollar terms was $77.35 per m3, compared to $78.90 per m3 in 2020. In U.S. dollar terms, the weighted average selling price, excluding biomass, was $61.52 per m3, compared to $59.13 per m3 in 2020 with higher sawlog prices driven by a strong demand. The 4% price increase in U.S. dollar terms was more than offset by a stronger Canadian dollar.

Operating costs and expenses for 2021 were $18.9 million, compared to $17.7 million in 2020 primarily due to higher harvesting activity. Weighted average variable costs, excluding biomass, decreased 6% reflecting a stronger Canadian dollar.

Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $5.9 million compared to $5.3 million in the prior year and Adjusted EBITDA margin was flat year-over-year at 24%. Higher adjusted EBITDA was primarily the result of higher sales volume and stronger sawlog prices compared to 2020.

Market Outlook

Continued demand from repair and remodeling activity and new home construction is expected to support North American softwood and hardwood lumber consumption in the short to medium term. Consensus forecast is for approximately 1.57 million U.S. housing starts in 2022 as compared to 1.58 million in 2021. Although interest rates are expected to rise, a large U.S. population entering their home buying years and a low inventory of homes for sale will be key drivers supporting this growth.

Accordingly, demand for our softwood sawlogs is expected to remain stable as a result of these positive end use market dynamics. Acadian also expects continued strong demand and pricing for its hardwood sawlog products, and to benefit from new customer relationships relating to both the appearance and industrial hardwood lumber markets.

We remain cautiously optimistic that hardwood pulpwood will remain stable through 2022 with increasing customer confidence and market demand for hardwood pulp. Meanwhile, markets for softwood pulpwood are expected to remain challenged given elevated regional inventories of both softwood pulpwood and sawmill residuals.

Quarterly Dividend

Based on a strong balance sheet and outlook for the remainder of the year, Acadian is pleased to announce a dividend of $0.29 per share, payable on April 15, 2022 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2022.

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Acadian Timber Corp. (“Acadian”, the “Company” or “we”) is one of the largest timberland owners in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern U.S. and has a total of approximately 2.4 million acres of land under management. Acadian owns and manages approximately 761,000 acres of freehold timberlands in New Brunswick, approximately 300,000 acres of freehold timberlands in Maine and provides timber services relating to approximately 1.3 million acres of Crown licensed timberlands in New Brunswick. Acadian’s products include softwood and hardwood sawlogs, pulpwood and biomass by-products, sold to approximately 90 regional customers.

Acadian’s business strategy is to maximize cash flows from its existing timberland assets through sustainable forest management and other land use activities while growing its business by acquiring assets and actively managing these assets to drive improved performance.

Acadian’s shares are listed for trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ADN.

For further information, please visit our website at www.acadiantimber.com or contact:

Susan Wood
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: 506-737-2345
Email: ir@acadiantimber.com

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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This News Release contains forward-looking information and statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Acadian Timber Corp. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Acadian”), or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is included in this News Release and includes statements made in the section entitled “Market Outlook,” and without limitation other statements regarding management’s beliefs, intentions, results, performance, goals, achievements, future events, plans and objectives, business strategy, growth strategy and prospects, access to capital, liquidity and trading volumes, dividends, taxes, capital expenditures, projected costs, market trends and similar statements concerning anticipated future events, results, achievements, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements in this News Release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, should not be unduly relied upon, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results may vary. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

• Expectations regarding product demand and end use markets, including expectations for U.S. housing starts, which may be impacted by changes in interest rates, U.S. population demographics and the inventory of homes for sale. Expectations regarding product demand are based on anticipated market conditions, anticipated regional inventory levels of key customers, and the economic situation of key customers. Estimates for U.S. housing starts are based on forecasts published by major financial institutions.
  

Other risks and factors are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report dated February 9, 2022, and in each of the Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2021 and the Management Information Circular dated March 26, 2021 and other filings of Acadian made with securities regulatory authorities, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking information is based on various material factors or assumptions, which are based on information currently available to Acadian. Readers are cautioned that the preceding list of material factors or assumptions is not exhaustive. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this News Release are based upon what management believes are reasonable assumptions, Acadian cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this News Release are made as of the date of this News Releasebased on information currently available to management and should not be relied upon as representing Acadian’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this News Release. Acadian assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events, circumstances or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

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