MERC - Mercer International Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year End Results and Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.1375

February, 13 2020 04:30 PM Mercer International Inc.

Selected Highlights

2019 Operating EBITDA of $210.4 million and net loss of $9.6 million
Fourth quarter pulp segment annual maintenance downtime of 54 days significantly contributed to negative Operating EBITDA* of $34.2 million and a net loss of $72.7 million

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today reported fourth quarter 2019 Operating EBITDA decreased to negative $34.2 million from positive $118.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 and from $50.8 million in the third quarter of 2019. In the fourth quarter of 2019, net loss was $72.7 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to net income of $45.0 million, or $0.69 per basic share and $0.68 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018 and net income of $1.2 million, or $0.02 per share in the third quarter of 2019.

In 2019, Operating EBITDA declined to $210.4 million from $364.6 million and the net loss was $9.6 million (or $0.15 per share) compared to net income of $128.6 million (or $1.96 per diluted share) in 2018.

Mr. David M. Gandossi, the Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Our fourth quarter results reflect significant annual maintenance activities in our pulp segment and weakness in the pulp markets. High producer inventories, particularly of hardwood pulp, resulted in pricing pressure on both hardwood and softwood. We believe that pricing for both pulps were bottoming going into 2020 and we expect that improving market conditions will support modest upward pricing pressure during 2020. However, there may be near-term headwinds on pulp prices and demand in China as a result of the current ongoing coronavirus outbreak. In the first quarter of 2020, we have three days of scheduled downtime at one of our pulp mills.

In the current quarter our wood segment benefitted from lower fiber costs which largely contributed to it achieving record quarterly operating income of $5.3 million."
____________________
*Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. See page 6 of the financial tables included in this press release for a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Operating EBITDA.

Consolidated Financial Results: Impacted by annual maintenance downtime and lower sales realizations


Q4


Q3


Q4


Year


Year



2019


2019


2018⁽¹⁾


2019


2018⁽¹⁾



















(in thousands, except per share amounts)


Revenues
$
331,172


$
383,536


$
412,225


$
1,624,411


$
1,457,718


Operating income (loss)
$
(66,106
)

$
18,747


$
90,997


$
84,003


$
267,867


Operating EBITDA
$
(34,159
)

$
50,799


$
118,083


$
210,397


$
364,596


Loss on settlement of debt ⁽²⁾
$
(4,750
)

$
—


$
—


$
(4,750
)

$
(21,515
)

Legal cost award
$
—


$
—


$
—


$
—


$
(6,951
)

Acquisition commitment fee
$
—


$
—


$
(5,250
)

$
—


$
(5,250
)

Net income (loss)
$
(72,721
)

$
1,207


$
45,009


$
(9,639
)

$
128,589


Net income (loss) per common share




















Basic
$
(1.11
)

$
0.02


$
0.69


$
(0.15
)

$
1.97


Diluted
$
(1.11
)

$
0.02


$
0.68


$
(0.15
)

$
1.96

______________

(1) Results of Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd. ("MPR") included from December 10, 2018.
(2) Redemption of 7.75% senior notes due 2022.

Consolidated –Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

In the fourth quarter of 2019 our operating EBITDA decreased to negative $34.2 million from positive $50.8 million in the third quarter of 2019, and from $118.1 million in the same quarter of 2018. The decrease in the current quarter compared to the prior quarter of 2019 was primarily due to higher annual maintenance costs, the negative impact of a weaker dollar at the end of the year compared to the euro and Canadian dollar on the dollar denominated cash and receivables balances held at our mills and lower pulp sales realizations. Compared to the same quarter of 2018 lower pulp sales realizations and higher annual maintenance costs were partially offset by lower per unit fiber costs and the reversal of $13.7 million in accrued wastewater fees as a result of completing certain approved capital projects.

Segment Results

Pulp: Significantly impacted by annual maintenance downtime


Three Months Ended December 31,



2019


2018⁽¹⁾



(in thousands)


Pulp revenues
$
275,517


$
345,128


Energy and chemical revenues
$
15,273


$
24,240


Operating income (loss)
$
(66,574
)

$
94,532

______________

(1) Results of MPR included from December 10, 2018.

In the fourth quarter of 2019 the pulp segment had an operating loss of $66.6 million compared to operating income of $94.5 million in the same quarter of 2018. The decrease was primarily due to lower pulp sales realizations and higher annual maintenance costs partially offset by lower per unit fiber costs and the reversal of $13.7 million in accrued wastewater fees. In the current quarter of 2019, the NBSK pulp realized sales price decreased by approximately 30% to $581 per ADMT from $830 per ADMT in the same quarter of the prior year due to high producer inventory levels. NBSK sales volumes increased by approximately 6% to 416,569 ADMTs in the current quarter from 392,729 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2018 due to the inclusion of MPR for a full quarter and strong demand from China.

In the current quarter, the pulp mills had 54 days (approximately 86,500 ADMTs) of annual maintenance downtime compared to 3 days (approximately 5,700 ADMTs) of annual maintenance downtime in the same quarter of the prior year. We estimate that annual maintenance downtime in the current quarter adversely impacted our operating income by approximately $74.1 million, comprised of approximately $54.5 million in direct out-of-pocket expenses and the balance in reduced production. Many of our competitors that report their results using International Financial Reporting Standards capitalize their direct costs of maintenance downtime.

Per unit fiber costs decreased in the current quarter by approximately 17% from the same quarter of 2018 due to lower per unit fiber costs for our German mills. In Germany, fiber costs benefitted from the continuing availability of beetle damaged wood. Fiber costs in Canada remained at high levels due to strong fiber demand in Celgar's fiber procurement basket.

As a result of higher per unit fiber costs for our Canadian mills and the decline in pulp sales realizations in the current quarter of 2019, we recorded a non-cash write down of inventory carrying values at our Canadian mills of $9.2 million.

Wood Products: Strong production and lower costs


Three Months Ended December 31,



2019


2018










(in thousands)


Lumber revenues
$
35,071


$
37,234


Energy revenues
$
2,646


$
2,817


Wood residual revenues
$
1,871


$
2,328


Operating income
$
5,274


$
669

In the fourth quarter of 2019 the wood products segment operating income increased to $5.3 million compared to $0.7 million in the same quarter of 2018. The increase reflects record productivity, improved grade outturn and a greater mix of U.S. dimension products, combined with lower per unit fiber costs. In the current quarter per unit fiber costs decreased by approximately 29% from the same quarter of 2018 primarily as a result of the availability of beetle damaged wood. Average lumber sales realizations decreased by approximately 6% to $347 per Mfbm in the fourth quarter of 2019 from approximately $369 per Mfbm in the same quarter of 2018 primarily due to lower pricing in Europe partially offset by higher pricing in the U.S. due to increased demand. European lumber pricing declined due to an increase in the supply of lumber processed from beetle damaged wood which generally obtains lower prices.

Consolidated –Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018

Total revenues in 2019 increased by approximately 11% to $1,624.4 million from $1,457.7 million in 2018 primarily due to the inclusion of the results of MPR for a full year and higher pulp and energy sales volumes partially offset by lower sales realizations.

Costs and expenses in 2019 increased by approximately 29% to $1,540.4 million from $1,189.9 million in 2018 due to the inclusion of MPR costs for a full year, higher pulp sales volumes and higher annual maintenance costs partially offset by lower per unit fiber costs, the positive impact of a stronger dollar primarily on our euro denominated costs and expenses and the reversal of $20.9 million in accrued wastewater fees at our German pulp mills.

In 2019, we redeemed $100.0 million of 2022 Senior Notes at a cost, including premium, of $103.9 million and recorded a loss on such redemption of $4.8 million (being $0.07 per share). In 2018, we redeemed $300.0 million of 2022 Senior Notes at a cost, including premium, of $317.4 million and recorded a loss on such redemption of $21.5 million (being $0.33 per share).

Interest expense in 2019 increased to $75.8 million from $51.5 million in 2018 primarily as a result of the issuance in December 2018 of $350.0 million of our 2025 Senior Notes to finance the acquisition of MPR.

In 2018, we incurred expenses of $7.0 million in connection with a legal cost award and $5.3 million in an acquisition commitment fee related to our acquisition of MPR.

In 2019, after giving effect to costs of $4.8 million, or $0.07 per share, for the loss on the redemption of senior notes our net loss was $9.6 million, or $0.15 per share. In 2018 we had net income of $128.6 million, or $1.97 per basic and $1.96 per diluted share, after giving effect to costs of $33.7 million, or $0.52 per basic and $0.51 per diluted share, for the loss on the redemption of senior notes, the legal cost award and the acquisition commitment fee.

In 2019, Operating EBITDA decreased by approximately 42% to $210.4 million from $364.6 million in 2018 as lower sales realizations and higher annual maintenance costs were only partially offset by lower per unit fiber costs, a $20.9 million reversal of accrued wastewater fees and the positive impact of a stronger dollar primarily on our euro denominated costs and expenses.

Segment Results

Selected Pulp Segment Financial Information


Year Ended December 31,



2019


2018⁽¹⁾










(in thousands)


Pulp revenues
$
1,370,742


$
1,190,588


Energy and chemical revenues
$
86,381


$
77,616


Depreciation and amortization
$
117,108


$
87,628


Operating income
$
90,583


$
274,356

(1) Results of MPR included from December 10, 2018.

Selected Wood Products Segment Financial Information


Year Ended December 31,



2019


2018










(in thousands)


Lumber revenues
$
142,243


$
168,663


Energy revenues
$
9,721


$
10,831


Wood residual revenues
$
7,973


$
9,542


Depreciation and amortization
$
7,966


$
8,485


Operating income
$
7,349


$
6,203

Liquidity

The following table is a summary of selected financial information as of the dates indicated:


December 31,



2019


2018










(in thousands)


Cash and cash equivalents
$
351,085


$
240,491


Working capital
$
588,385


$
615,311


Total assets
$
2,065,720


$
1,975,735


Long-term liabilities
$
1,259,005


$
1,198,918


Total equity
$
550,403


$
581,429

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $287.2 million available under our revolving credit facilities.

Outlook

Going into 2020, we currently expect continued steady demand to improve markets over the year. Until recently, the combination of steady demand and falling inventories, along with the supply restrictions created by the shut of an NBSK mill in Nova Scotia and the industry strike in Finland was putting upward pressure on prices. However, the current ongoing coronavirus outbreak could create inland logistics restrictions or other disruptions that may, over time, begin to slow down paper manufacturing in China and put pressure on pulp pricing and demand. We are currently unable to determine the full impact at this time. We continue to closely monitor this developing situation.

We currently expect modestly higher lumber prices in the near term due to stronger demand in the U.S.

Quarterly Dividend

A quarterly dividend of $0.1375 per share will be paid on April 1, 2020 to all shareholders of record on March 25, 2020. Future dividends will be subject to Board approval and may be adjusted as business and industry conditions warrant.

Director Appointment

We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Rainer Rettig to our board of directors effective February 14, 2020. Mr. Rettig is currently the head of the Circular Economy Program of Covestro AG (formerly known as Bayer Material Science, a subgroup of Bayer AG), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-tech polymer materials. Since 1989, Mr. Rettig has served various senior roles at Bayer AG and Bayer Material Science. Mr. Rettig holds a Ph.D in polymer chemistry and polymer processing from the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany.

Earnings Release Call

In conjunction with this release, Mercer International Inc. will host a conference call, which will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet. Management will host the call, which is scheduled for February 14, 2020 at 10:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time). Listeners can access the conference call live and archived for 30 days over the Internet at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/aw3cd9fe or through a link on the company's home page at https://www.mercerint.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to visit the site and download and install any necessary audio software.

Mercer International Inc. is a global forest products company with operations in Germany and Canada with consolidated annual production capacity of 2.2 million tonnes of pulp and 550 million board feet of lumber. To obtain further information on the company, please visit its website at https://www.mercerint.com.

The preceding includes forward looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Words such as "expects", "anticipates", "projects", "intends", "designed", "will", "believes", "estimates", "may", "could" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the highly cyclical nature of our business, raw material costs, our level of indebtedness, competition, foreign exchange and interest rate fluctuations, our use of derivatives, expenditures for capital projects, environmental regulation and compliance, disruptions to our production, market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our SEC reports.

APPROVED BY:

Jimmy S.H. Lee
Executive Chairman
(604) 684-1099

David M. Gandossi
Chief Executive Officer
(604) 684-1099

Summary Financial Highlights







































Q4

Q3

Q4

Year

Year


2019

2019

2018⁽¹⁾

2019

2018⁽¹⁾


















(in thousands, except per share amounts)


Pulp segment revenues
$
290,790


$
345,060


$
369,368


$
1,457,123


$
1,268,204


Wood products segment revenues

39,588



36,458



42,379



159,937



189,036


Corporate and other revenues

794



2,018



478



7,351



478


Total revenues
$
331,172


$
383,536


$
412,225


$
1,624,411


$
1,457,718























Pulp segment operating income (loss)
$
(66,574
)

$
21,386


$
94,532


$
90,583


$
274,356


Wood products segment operating income

5,274



544



669



7,349



6,203


Corporate and other operating loss

(4,806
)


(3,183
)


(4,204
)


(13,929
)


(12,692
)

Total operating income (loss)
$
(66,106
)

$
18,747


$
90,997


$
84,003


$
267,867























Pulp segment depreciation and amortization
$
29,492


$
29,744


$
24,176


$
117,108


$
87,628


Wood products segment depreciation and amortization

2,029



2,016



2,625



7,966



8,485


Corporate and other depreciation and amortization

426



292



285



1,320



616


Total depreciation and amortization
$
31,947


$
32,052


$
27,086


$
126,394


$
96,729























Operating EBITDA
$
(34,159
)

$
50,799


$
118,083


$
210,397


$
364,596


Loss on settlement of debt ⁽²⁾
$
(4,750
)

$
—


$
—


$
(4,750
)

$
(21,515
)

Legal cost award
$
—


$
—


$
—


$
—


$
(6,951
)

Acquisition commitment fee
$
—


$
—


$
(5,250
)

$
—


$
(5,250
)

Benefit (provision) for income taxes
$
15,875


$
(244
)

$
(20,457
)

$
(19,226
)

$
(48,681
)

Net income (loss)
$
(72,721
)

$
1,207


$
45,009


$
(9,639
)

$
128,589


Net income (loss) per common share




















Basic
$
(1.11
)

$
0.02


$
0.69


$
(0.15
)

$
1.97


Diluted
$
(1.11
)

$
0.02


$
0.68


$
(0.15
)

$
1.96


Common shares outstanding at period end

65,629



65,629



65,202



65,629



65,202


______________



















(1) Results of MPR included from December 10, 2018.
















(2) Redemption of 7.75% senior notes due 2022.

Summary Operating Highlights







































Q4

Q3

Q4

Year

Year


2019

2019

2018⁽¹⁾

2019

2018⁽¹⁾

Pulp Segment




















Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)




















NBSK

381.3



441.7



413.6



1,736.4



1,451.3


NBHK

60.9



75.3



21.3



304.2



21.3


Annual maintenance downtime ('000 ADMTs)

86.5



14.1



5.7



108.1



75.6


Annual maintenance downtime (days)

54



13



3



82



54


Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)




















NBSK

416.6



451.2



392.7



1,773.2



1,418.0


NBHK

65.3



91.0



22.9



325.7



22.9


Average NBSK pulp list prices ($/ADMT)⁽²⁾




















Europe

822



860



1,205



946



1,183


China

588



585



805



634



878


North America

1,115



1,170



1,428



1,239



1,337


Average NBHK pulp list prices ($/ADMT)⁽²⁾




















China

475



507



763



576



790


North America

893



970



1,213



1,036



1,152


Average pulp sales realizations ($/ADMT)⁽³⁾




















NBSK

581



609



830



663



821


NBHK

476



499



707



567



707


Energy production ('000 MWh)⁽⁴⁾

432.9



572.5



504.6



2,141.2



1,625.2


Energy sales ('000 MWh)⁽⁴⁾

154.5



224.7



213.9



822.8



615.2


Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)

88



89



99



91



103























Wood Products Segment




















Lumber production (MMfbm)

106.7


96.6



104.7



414.7


398.7


Lumber sales (MMfbm)

101.1



97.0


100.9



408.8



412.9


Average lumber sales realizations ($/Mfbm)

347


337


369



348


408


Energy production and sales ('000 MWh)

23.1


13.9


23.8



83.5


86.3


Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)

114


116


118



116


125























Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates




















$ / €⁽⁵⁾

1.1075



1.1120


1.1414



1.1194


1.1817


$ / C$⁽⁵⁾

0.7578


0.7573



0.7577



0.7537


0.7722


______________



















(1) Results of MPR included from the date of acquisition on December 10, 2018.
(2) Source: RISI pricing report.
(3) Sales realizations after customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Incorporates the effect of pulp price variations occurring between the order and shipment dates.
(4) Excludes energy production and sales relating to our 50% joint venture interest in the Cariboo mill which is accounted for as an equity investment.
(5) Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rates over the reporting period.

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)


Three Months Ended

For the Year Ended

December 31,
December 31,

2019

2018⁽¹⁾

2019

2018⁽¹⁾

Revenues
$
331,172


$
412,225


$
1,624,411


$
1,457,718


Costs and expenses
















Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

346,020



276,673



1,340,380



1,032,101


Cost of sales depreciation and amortization

31,693



26,976



125,801



96,288


Selling, general and administrative expenses

19,565



17,579



74,227



61,462


Operating income (loss)

(66,106
)


90,997



84,003



267,867


Other income (expenses)
















Interest expense

(20,647
)


(15,492
)


(75,750
)


(51,464
)

Loss on settlement of debt

(4,750
)


—



(4,750
)


(21,515
)

Legal cost award

—



—



—



(6,951
)

Acquisition commitment fee

—



(5,250
)


—



(5,250
)

Other income (expenses)

2,907



(4,789
)


6,084



(5,417
)

Total other expenses, net

(22,490
)


(25,531
)


(74,416
)


(90,597
)

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

(88,596
)


65,466



9,587



177,270


Benefit (provision) for income taxes

15,875



(20,457
)


(19,226
)


(48,681
)

Net income (loss)
$
(72,721
)

$
45,009


$
(9,639
)

$
128,589


Net income (loss) per common share
















Basic
$
(1.11
)

$
0.69


$
(0.15
)

$
1.97


Diluted
$
(1.11
)

$
0.68


$
(0.15
)

$
1.96


Dividends declared per common share
$
0.1375


$
0.1250


$
0.5375


$
0.5000


______________















(1) Results of MPR included from December 10, 2018.

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share data)



December 31,



2019

2018

ASSETS









Current assets









Cash and cash equivalents

$
351,085


$
240,491


Accounts receivable


208,740



252,692


Inventories


272,599



303,813


Prepaid expenses and other


12,273



13,703


Total current assets


844,697



810,699


Property, plant and equipment, net


1,074,242



1,029,257


Investment in joint ventures


53,122



62,574


Amortizable intangible assets, net


53,371



53,927


Operating lease right-of-use assets


13,004



—


Other long-term assets


26,038



17,904


Deferred income tax


1,246



1,374


Total assets

$
2,065,720


$
1,975,735


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY









Current liabilities









Accounts payable and other

$
255,544


$
194,484


Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations


768



904


Total current liabilities


256,312



195,388


Debt


1,087,932



1,041,389


Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations


25,489



25,829


Finance lease liabilities


31,103



24,669


Operating lease liabilities


10,520



—


Other long-term liabilities


14,114



13,924


Deferred income tax


89,847



93,107


Total liabilities


1,515,317



1,394,306


Shareholders’ equity









Common shares $1 par value; 200,000,000 authorized; 65,629,000 issued and outstanding (2018 – 65,202,000)


65,598



65,171


Additional paid-in capital


344,994



342,438


Retained earnings


256,371



301,990


Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(116,560
)


(128,170
)

Total shareholders’ equity


550,403



581,429


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$
2,065,720


$
1,975,735

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)


For the Year Ended December 31,


2019

2018

2017

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities












Net income (loss)
$
(9,639
)

$
128,589


$
70,483


Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash flows from operating activities












Depreciation and amortization

126,394



96,729



85,294


Deferred income tax provision (benefit)

(7,873
)


16,596



22,056


Inventory impairment

9,200



—



—


Loss on settlement of debt

4,750



21,515



10,696


Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan expense

3,449



1,868



2,179


Stock compensation expense

3,036



3,940



2,890


Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)

7,116



746



(875
)

Other

5,834



2,419



3,372


Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan contributions

(4,467
)


(1,133
)


(2,031
)

Changes in working capital












Accounts receivable

41,369



(10,370
)


(64,949
)

Inventories

24,683



(58,082
)


(19,994
)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

45,256



37,959



37,170


Other

(4,825
)


(4,108
)


(4,365
)

Net cash from (used in) operating activities

244,283



236,668



141,926


Cash flows from (used in) investing activities












Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(132,034
)


(87,012
)


(57,915
)

Purchase of amortizable intangible assets

(623
)


(600
)


(1,777
)

Acquisitions

(6,380
)


(380,312
)


(61,627
)

Other

(321
)


445



(232
)

Net cash from (used in) investing activities

(139,358
)


(467,479
)


(121,551
)

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities












Redemption of senior notes

(103,875
)


(317,439
)


(234,945
)

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes

205,500



350,000



550,000


Proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facilities, net

(58,404
)


36,560



22,281


Dividend payments

(35,279
)


(40,724
)


(29,866
)

Payment of interest rate derivative liability

—



—



(6,887
)

Repurchase of common shares

(754
)


—



—


Payment of debt issuance costs

(4,213
)


(10,074
)


(11,620
)

Proceeds from government grants

6,467



—



600


Other

(3,344
)


(3,462
)


(812
)

Net cash from (used in) financing activities

6,098



14,861



288,751


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(429
)


(4,297
)


10,716


Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

110,594



(220,247
)


319,842


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year

240,491



460,738



140,896


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year
$
351,085


$
240,491


$
460,738

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
COMPUTATION OF OPERATING EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)

Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges. Management uses Operating EBITDA as a benchmark measurement of its own operating results, and as a benchmark relative to its competitors. Management considers it to be a meaningful supplement to operating income (loss) as a performance measure primarily because depreciation expense and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges are not an actual cash cost, and depreciation expense varies widely from company to company in a manner that management considers largely independent of the underlying cost efficiency of our operating facilities. In addition, we believe Operating EBITDA is commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate our financial performance.





















Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss), including financing costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from operations as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. The following tables set forth the net income (loss) to Operating EBITDA:






















Q4


Q3


Q4


Year


Year



2019


2019


2018


2019


2018


Net income (loss)
$
(72,721
)

$
1,207


$
45,009


$
(9,639
)

$
128,589


Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(15,875
)


244



20,457



19,226



48,681


Interest expense

20,647



18,183



15,492



75,750



51,464


Loss on settlement of debt

4,750



—



—



4,750



21,515


Legal cost award

—



—



—



—



6,951


Acquisition commitment fee

—



—



5,250



—



5,250


Other (income) expenses

(2,907
)


(887
)


4,789



(6,084
)


5,417


Operating income (loss)

(66,106
)


18,747



90,997



84,003



267,867


Add: Depreciation and amortization

31,947



32,052



27,086



126,394



96,729


Operating EBITDA
$
(34,159
)

$
50,799


$
118,083


$
210,397


$
364,596

Company Name:	Mercer International Inc.
Stock Symbol:	MERC
Market:	NASDAQ
Website:	mercerint.com

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