KapStone Paper and Packaging Corporation (NYSE:KS) today reported preliminary results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2014.
As compared to 2013's fourth quarter, results for 2014's fourth quarter are below:
- Net sales of $563 million flat to the prior year
- Net income of $34 million down $9 million, or 22 percent
- Adjusted net income of $40 million down $4 million, or 8 percent
- Adjusted EBITDA of $102 million down $8 million, or 7 percent
- Adjusted EBITDA margin of 18.1 percent, down from 19.5 percent
- Diluted EPS of $0.35 down $0.10 per share, or 22 percent
- Adjusted diluted EPS of $0.41 down $0.04 per share, or 9 percent
As compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, results for the year ended December 31, 2014:
- Net sales of $2,301 million up $553 million, or 32 percent
- Net income of $172 million up $45 million, or 35 percent
- Adjusted net income of $189 million up $51 million, or 38 percent
- Adjusted EBITDA of $456 million up $123 million, or 37 percent
- Adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.8 percent up from 19.1 percent
- Diluted EPS of $1.76 up $0.44 per share, or 33 percent
- Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.94 up $0.52 per share, or 37 percent
Roger W. Stone, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Almost every year has been transformational for KapStone, and 2014 was no exception with the successful integration of Longview. The fourth quarter is typically a weaker quarter for KapStone with annual planned maintenance outages at both our Roanoke Rapids and Cowpens mills and the unfavorable seasonal impacts. As a result of the seasonality, we took 12,000 tons of market downtime at our Cowpens recycled containerboard mill. In addition, weak European markets reduced demand for saturating kraft, and therefore, KapStone decreased saturating kraft production by 8,500 tons. The west coast port slowdown hurt our operations in the fourth quarter and continues to be disruptive. On a more optimistic note, we are already seeing improvements in our product mix as we move further into this year and have a sound order backlog.
"KapStone's strength is best evidenced by its robust operating cash flows which delivered $107 million in the fourth quarter. The strong cash flows were used to make a $150 million debt prepayment, and the Company initiated a cash dividend plan in December."
Fourth Quarter Operating Highlights
Consolidated net sales of $563 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 were flat compared to 2013. During the current quarter, we experienced some price pressure on exports. Work slow-downs at west coast ports delayed or reduced some shipments. The Company sold 687,000 tons of paper during the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to 703,000 tons a year earlier. The Company's average mill selling price of $677 per ton in the fourth quarter of 2014 increased by $7 per ton compared to the fourth quarter of 2013 due to the combined impact of the 2014 kraft paper and 2013 containerboard price increases, partially offset by lower export containerboard prices and a weaker Euro. Average mill selling prices decreased $12 per ton from the third quarter of 2014, reflecting the seasonally less favorable product mix and lower export containerboard prices.
Operating income of $62 million for the 2014 fourth quarter decreased by $12 million, or 16 percent, compared to the 2013 fourth quarter. Financial performance in the current quarter was down from 2013 mainly due to inflation on fiber and compensation costs, lower export containerboard prices, and market downtime for saturating kraft and recycled containerboard, partially offset by higher prices on kraft paper and productivity improvements. In addition, work slowdowns at west coast ports reduced operating income by $3 million from lower sales and production volumes, operating inefficiencies, higher freight and distribution costs, and a less favorable product mix.
Interest expense was $6 million for the fourth quarter of 2014, down $3 million from a year ago as a result of lower interest rates. At December 31, 2014, the average interest rate on our debt was 1.8 percent compared to 2.5 percent at the end of 2013. Due to the $150 million debt prepayment the Company incurred a $3 million loss on debt extinguishment.
The effective income tax rate for the 2014 fourth quarter was 34.6 percent compared to 31.6 percent for the 2013 fourth quarter. The higher effective income tax rate in the 2014 fourth quarter reflects higher state income taxes and a favorable tax reserve reversal in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Full Year Operating Highlights
Consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2014, were $2,301 million, an increase of 32 percent, compared to 2013 sales of $1,748 million. The increase was primarily due to the volume resulting from the Longview acquisition, higher prices and improved mix.
Operating income of $300 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 was higher than 2013's $220 million by 36%. The increase was due to the full year of Longview results compared to 6 months in 2013, higher selling prices and productivity gains from recent strategic capital investments, partially offset by inflation on fiber and compensation costs and higher maintenance outage costs.
Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $27 million, up $6 million from a year ago due to the full year effect of borrowings relating to the Longview acquisition partially offset by lower interest rates in 2014. Amortization of debt issuance costs of $6 million for 2014 increased by $2 million from the prior year due to amortization on the $20 million of debt issuance costs paid to finance the Longview acquisition. Loss on debt extinguishment totaled $6 million in 2014 reflecting voluntary debt prepayments.
The effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 34.0 percent compared to 34.7 percent for 2013. Favorable discrete tax adjustments in 2014 were partially offset by higher state income taxes. For 2014, the Company's cash tax rate was 30 percent compared to 2 percent in 2013. In 2013, the Company benefitted from the utilization of cellulosic biofuel tax credits.
Cash Flow and Working Capital
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $77 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2014, from September 30, 2014 to $28 million. The Company generated $107 million of net cash from operating activities during the fourth quarter and made a voluntary debt prepayment of $150 million reducing the debt leverage ratio to 2.38 times, down from 3.8 times at the time of the Longview acquisition. Capital expenditures in the fourth quarter reached $25 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cash and cash equivalents increased by $16 million from December 31, 2013 reflecting cash provided by operating activities of $313 million, cash used for capital expenditures of $137 million and $160 million of cash used for financing activities. Major capital projects completed in the year include paper machine upgrades at the Charleston and Longview mills and upgrades to certain corrugating machines.
At December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $237 million of working capital and $396 million of revolver borrowing capacity.
Conclusion
In summary, Stone commented, "Our balance sheet and cash flow generation are very strong, and we are well-poised and determined to continue to grow this company profitably."
