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Mar 31, 2023

Sylvamo Q1 2023 Earnings Report

Sylvamo's first quarter results were in line with guidance, with adjusted operating earnings per share up more than 85% compared to the first quarter of 2022.

Key Takeaways

Sylvamo's first quarter 2023 earnings showed a net income from continuing operations of $97 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, and an adjusted EBITDA of $208 million, representing a 22% margin. The company repurchased 80% of its outstanding notes, eliminating restrictive covenants and enabling increased cash returns to shareholders.

Adjusted EBITDA was $208 million, consistent with the outlook of $205 million to $215 million, achieving a 22% adjusted EBITDA margin.

The company maintained a strong balance sheet and repurchased 80% of its outstanding notes to eliminate restrictive covenants.

Net income from continuing operations was $97 million ($2.25 per diluted share) compared to $88 million ($1.99 per diluted share) in the previous quarter.

Adjusted operating earnings were $108 million ($2.51 per diluted share) compared to $87 million ($1.97 per diluted share) in the previous quarter.

Total Revenue
$959M
Previous year: $977M
-1.8%
EPS
$2.51
Previous year: $1.97
+27.4%
Adjusted EBITDA
$208M
Previous year: $146M
+42.5%
Free Cash Flow
$2M
Previous year: $32M
-93.8%
Effective Tax Rate
31%
Gross Profit
$271M
Previous year: $328M
-17.4%
Cash and Equivalents
$191M
Previous year: $162M
+17.9%
Free Cash Flow
$2M
Previous year: $73M
-97.3%
Total Assets
$2.8B
Previous year: $2.71B
+3.3%

Sylvamo

Sylvamo

Sylvamo Revenue by Segment

Sylvamo Revenue by Geographic Location

Forward Guidance

Sylvamo projects 2023 adjusted EBITDA of $720 million to $770 million and free cash flow of $250 million to $280 million. Second quarter adjusted EBITDA is expected to be $115 million to $125 million.

Positive Outlook

  • Seasonally stronger volume in Latin America is projected to improve volume by $10 million to $15 million compared to the first quarter.
  • Input and transportation costs are projected to improve by $15 million to $20 million, with favorable trends in energy and chemicals compared to the first quarter.
  • The integration of the new mill in Sweden is proceeding well and is expected to strengthen performance.
  • Favorable trends in energy and chemical input costs are expected to improve financial performance.
  • Channel inventory corrections are expected to continue, contributing to adjusted EBITDA.

Challenges Ahead

  • Price and mix are expected to decrease by $45 million to $50 million compared to the first quarter, reflecting the realization of prior price decreases for pulp in all regions and paper in Europe as well as less favorable product mix.
  • Operations and costs are expected to increase by $10 million to $15 million primarily due to unabsorbed fixed costs compared to the first quarter.
  • Total planned maintenance outage expenses are expected to increase by $59 million compared to the first quarter, with two-thirds of 2023 planned maintenance outage costs scheduled for the second quarter.
  • Pulp price decreases will impact adjusted EBITDA.
  • Continued channel inventory corrections will impact adjusted EBITDA.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income