NewPage 10-Q 2010 Q1 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2010

8540 Gander Creek Drive

Miamisburg, Ohio 45342

877.855.7243

Commission File Number	Registrant	IRS Employer Identification Number	State of Incorporation
001-32956	NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION	05-0616158	Delaware
333-125952	NEWPAGE CORPORATION	05-0616156	Delaware

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

NewPage Holding Corporation	Yes	x	No	¨
NewPage Corporation	Yes	x	No	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

NewPage Holding Corporation	Yes	¨	No	¨
NewPage Corporation	Yes	¨	No	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

NewPage Holding Corporation	Large accelerated filer  ¨	Accelerated filer  ¨
	Non-accelerated filer  x	Smaller reporting company  ¨
NewPage Corporation	Large accelerated filer  ¨	Accelerated filer  ¨
	Non-accelerated filer  x	Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

NewPage Holding Corporation	Yes	¨	No	x
NewPage Corporation	Yes	¨	No	x

There were 10 Common Shares, $0.01 per share par value, of NewPage Holding Corporation and 100 Common Shares, $0.01 per share par value, of NewPage Corporation outstanding as of May 1, 2010.

This Form 10-Q is a combined quarterly report being filed separately by two registrants: NewPage Holding Corporation and NewPage Corporation. NewPage Corporation meets the conditions set forth in general instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.

References to “NewPage Holding” refer to NewPage Holding Corporation, a Delaware corporation; references to “NewPage” refer to NewPage Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage Holding. References to “NewPage Group” refer to NewPage Group Inc., a Delaware corporation and the direct parent of NewPage Holding. Unless the context provides otherwise, references to “we,” “us” and “our” refer to NewPage Holding and its subsidiaries. All assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cash flows presented for all periods represent those of NewPage Holding’s wholly-owned subsidiary, NewPage, except for activity related to NewPage Holding’s debt and equity and income tax effects. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided pertains to both NewPage Holding and NewPage.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other related laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of federal and state securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends” and similar expressions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, they are subject to numerous factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. These factors, risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following:

• our substantial level of indebtedness

• changes in the supply of, demand for, or prices of our products

• general economic and business conditions in the United States and Canada and elsewhere

• the ability of our customers to continue as a going concern, including our ability to collect accounts receivable according to customary business terms

• the activities of competitors, including those that may be engaged in unfair trade practices

• changes in significant operating expenses, including raw material and energy costs

• changes in currency exchange rates

• changes in the availability of capital

• changes in the regulatory environment, including requirements for enhanced environmental compliance

• the other factors described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009

Given these risks and uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, either to reflect new developments or for any other reason, except as required by law.

1

INDEX

	Page
PART I    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.      Financial Statements:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009	3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009	4
Consolidated Statements of Equity (Deficit) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009	5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009	7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.       Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21
Item 3.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	27
Item 4T.   Controls and Procedures	27
PART II    OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.      Legal Proceedings	27
Item 6.      Exhibits	28
Signatures	29

2

PART I        FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

MARCH 31, 2010 AND DECEMBER 31, 2009

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

	NewPage Holding						NewPage
	Mar. 31, 2010			Dec. 31, 2009			Mar. 31, 2010			Dec. 31, 2009
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13		$	5		$	13		$	5
Accounts receivable, net		254			296			254			296
Inventories (Note C)		592			602			592			602
Other current assets		22			23			22			23
Total current assets		881			926			881			926
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $968 as of March 31, 2010 and $905 as of December 31, 2009		2,896			2,965			2,896			2,965
Other assets		118			115			117			114
TOTAL ASSETS	$	3,895		$	4,006		$	3,894		$	4,005
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Accounts payable	$	195		$	230		$	195		$	230
Other current liabilities		318			238			318			238
Total current liabilities		513			468			513			468
Long-term debt (Note D)		3,255			3,231			3,050			3,030
Other long-term obligations		485			493			485			493
Commitments and contingencies (Note K)
EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Common stock, NewPage Holding—10 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, $0.01 per share par value; NewPage—100 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, $0.01 per share par value		—			—			—			—
Additional paid-in capital		693			685			799			791
Accumulated deficit		(785	)		(606	)		(697	)		(522	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(266	)		(265	)		(256	)		(255	)
Total equity (deficit)		(358	)		(186	)		(154	)		14
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)	$	3,895		$	4,006		$	3,894		$	4,005

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

Dollars in millions

	NewPage Holding						NewPage
	First Quarter Ended Mar. 31,						First Quarter Ended Mar. 31,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Net sales	$	817		$	722		$	817		$	722
Cost of sales		849			720			849			720
Selling, general and administrative expenses		49			46			49			46
Interest expense (including non-cash interest expense of $16, $12, $12 and $7)		101			72			97			67
Other (income) expense, net (Note G)		(3	)		—			(3	)		—
Income (loss) before income taxes		(179	)		(116	)		(175	)		(111	)
Income tax (benefit)		—			(3	)		—			(3	)
Net income (loss)		(179	)		(113	)		(175	)		(108	)
Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests		—			1			—			1
Net income (loss) attributable to the company	$	(179	)	$	(114	)	$	(175	)	$	(109	)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT) (unaudited)

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

Dollars in millions

									Accum-
									ulated
									Other
									Compre-
				Additional		Accum-			hensive
	Common Stock			Paid-in		ulated			Income
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit			(Loss)			Total
Balance at December 31, 2009	10	$	—	$	685	$	(606	)	$	(265	)	$	(186	)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)							(179	)					(179	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss on defined benefit plans										(1	)		(1	)
Cash-flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains (losses)										(2	)		(2	)
Reclassification adjustment to net income (loss)										1			1
Foreign currency translation adjustment										1			1
Comprehensive income (loss)												$	(180	)
Equity awards (Note E)					8								8
Balance at March 31, 2010	10	$	—	$	693	$	(785	)	$	(266	)	$	(358	)

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2009

Dollars in millions

	Equity Attributable to the Company
	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in			Accum- ulated			Accum- ulated Other Compre- hensive Income			Total Attribut- able to the			Noncon- trolling
	Shares	Amount		Capital			Deficit			(Loss)			Company			Interests		Total
Balance at December 31, 2008	10	$	—	$	661		$	(283	)	$	(402	)	$	(24	)	$	26	$	2
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)								(114	)					(114	)		1		(113	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss on defined benefit plans, net of tax of $1											4			4					4
Cash-flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax benefit of $2											(3	)		(3	)				(3	)
Reclassification adjustment to net income (loss), net of tax of $3											5			5					5
Foreign currency translation adjustment											(2	)		(2	)				(2	)
Comprehensive income (loss)													$	(110	)	$	1	$	(109	)
Equity awards (Note E)					3									3					3
Loans to NewPage Group					(2	)								(2	)				(2	)
Balance at March 31, 2009	10	$	—	$	662		$	(397	)	$	(398	)	$	(133	)	$	27	$	(106	)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

NEWPAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT) (unaudited)

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

Dollars in millions

									Accum-
									ulated
									Other
									Compre-
				Additional		Accum-			hensive
	Common Stock			Paid-in		ulated			Income
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit			(Loss)			Total
Balance at December 31, 2009	100	$	—	$	791	$	(522	)	$	(255	)	$	14
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)							(175	)					(175	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss on defined benefit plans										(1	)		(1	)
Cash-flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains (losses)										(2	)		(2	)
Reclassification adjustment to net income (loss)										1			1
Foreign currency translation adjustment										1			1
Comprehensive income (loss)												$	(176	)
Equity awards (Note E)					8								8
Balance at March 31, 2010	100	$	—	$	799	$	(697	)	$	(256	)	$	(154	)

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2009

Dollars in millions

	Equity Attributable to the Company
	Common Stock			Additional Paid-in			Accum- ulated			Accum- ulated Other Compre- hensive Income			Total Attribut- able to the			Noncon- trolling
	Shares	Amount		Capital			Deficit			(Loss)			Company			Interests		Total
Balance at December 31, 2008	100	$	—	$	767		$	(214	)	$	(396	)	$	157		$	26	$	183
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)								(109	)					(109	)		1		(108	)
Amortization of net actuarial loss on defined benefit plans, net of tax of $1											4			4					4
Cash-flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax benefit of $2											(3	)		(3	)				(3	)
Reclassification adjustment to net income (loss), net of tax of $3											5			5					5
Foreign currency translation adjustment											(2	)		(2	)				(2	)
Comprehensive income (loss)													$	(105	)	$	1	$	(104	)
Equity awards (Note E)					3									3					3
Loans to parent companies					(2	)								(2	)				(2	)
Balance at March 31, 2009	100	$	—	$	768		$	(323	)	$	(392	)	$	53		$	27	$	80

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009

Dollars in millions

	NewPage Holding						NewPage
	First Quarter Ended Mar. 31, 2010			First Quarter Ended Mar. 31, 2009			First Quarter Ended Mar. 31, 2010			First Quarter Ended Mar. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$	(179	)	$	(113	)	$	(175	)	$	(108	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		68			70			68			70
Non-cash interest expense		16			12			12			7
(Gain) loss on disposal and impairment of assets		6			4			6			4
Deferred income taxes		—			(4	)		—			(4	)
Non-cash U.S. pension (income) expense		9			12			9			12
Equity award expense (Note E)		8			3			8			3
Change in operating assets and liabilities		68			(54	)		68			(54	)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities		(4	)		(70	)		(4	)		(70	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(11	)		(15	)		(11	)		(15	)
Proceeds from sales of assets		11			22			11			22
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities		—			7			—			7
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		67			—			67			—
Payment of financing costs		(4	)		—			(4	)		—
Loans to parent companies		—			(2	)		—			(2	)
Repayments of long-term debt		—			(20	)		—			(20	)
Borrowings on revolving credit facility		124			302			124			302
Payments on revolving credit facility		(176	)		(219	)		(176	)		(219	)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		11			61			11			61
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1			1			1			1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		8			(1	)		8			(1	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		5			3			5			3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	13		$	2		$	13		$	2
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Cash paid for interest	$	13		$	37		$	13		$	37

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NEWPAGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

A. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

NewPage Holding Corporation (“NewPage Holding”) is a holding company that owns all of the outstanding capital stock of NewPage Corporation. NewPage Corporation and its subsidiaries are engaged in manufacturing, marketing and distributing printing papers used primarily for commercial printing, magazines, catalogs, textbooks and labels. Our products include coated, uncoated, supercalendered, newsprint and specialty papers and market pulp. Our products are manufactured at multiple mills in the United States and one mill in Canada and are supported by multiple distribution and converting locations. We operate within one operating segment. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NewPage Holding and all entities it controls. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Unless the context provides otherwise, the terms “we,” “our” and “us” refer to NewPage Holding and its consolidated subsidiaries, including NewPage Corporation, a separate public-reporting company. Unless otherwise noted, “NewPage” refers to NewPage Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. Other than NewPage Holding’s debt obligation and related financing costs, interest expense and income tax effects, all other assets, liabilities, income, expenses, and cash flows presented for all periods represent those of its wholly-owned subsidiary, NewPage. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided pertains to both NewPage Holding and NewPage.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have not been audited. However, in the opinion of management, these financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

B. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Derivative Financial Instruments

We periodically use derivative financial instruments as part of our overall strategy to manage exposure to market risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate and natural gas price fluctuations. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. We regularly monitor the credit-worthiness of the counterparties to our derivative instruments in order to manage our credit risk exposures under these agreements. Our risk of loss in the event of nonperformance by any counterparty under derivative financial instrument agreements is not considered significant by management. These derivative instruments are measured at fair value and are classified as other assets or other long-term obligations on our balance sheets depending on the fair value of the instrument. If the derivative is designated as a fair-value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash-flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the hedged item affects

8

earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash-flow hedges and financial instruments not designated as hedges are recognized in earnings. Prior to our debt refinancing in September 2009, we utilized interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to market risks from interest rate fluctuations. After our debt refinancing, we no longer have sufficient variable-rate debt exposure for our outstanding interest rate swaps to qualify for hedge accounting treatment and record the fair value of the interest rate swaps as other current liabilities with changes in fair value recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. We recognized in interest expense a loss of $4 for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010, for interest rate swaps that did not qualify for hedge accounting.

Interest Rates

As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had outstanding interest rate swaps totaling $900 for which we receive amounts based on LIBOR and pay amounts based on a fixed rate. These swaps expire from June 30, 2010 through December 2012. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we also had outstanding a $200 interest rate swap that expires in December 2012 with an offsetting exposure for which we receive amounts based on a fixed rate and pay amounts based on LIBOR. During the first quarter of 2010, we locked in the floating rate components of the remaining interest rate swaps. As part of that transaction we agreed to settle substantially all of the remaining liability in the third quarter of 2010. We measure the fair values of our interest rate swaps using observable interest-rate yield curves for comparable assets and liabilities at commonly quoted intervals. We paid cash of $7 and $8 on our interest rate agreements for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Natural Gas

In order to hedge the future cost of natural gas consumed at our mills, we engage in financial hedging of future gas purchase prices, designated as cash flow hedges. We hedge with financial instruments that are priced based on New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) natural gas futures contracts. We do not hedge basis (the effect of varying delivery points or locations) or transportation costs (the cost to transport the gas from the delivery point to a company location) under these transactions. As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we were party to natural gas futures contracts for notional amounts aggregating 1,650,000 and 2,130,000 MMBTUs, which expire through October 2011. We measure the fair values of our natural gas contracts based on natural gas futures contracts priced on the NYMEX.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the fair values and carrying amounts of our financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are as follows:

	Mar. 31, 2010			Dec. 31, 2009
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Qualifying as hedges—
Other long-term liabilities—natural gas contracts	$	(3	)	$	(2	)
Not qualifying as hedges—
Other current liabilities:
Interest rate swap agreements	$	(34	)	$	(35	)
Interest rate swap agreements		6			4

9

The amount of gain (loss) on cash flow hedges recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and the amount reclassified to income (loss) during the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:

Derivative Type	Amount of gain (loss) recognized in OCI			Location of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income (loss)	Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI to income (loss)
First quarter ended March 31, 2010
Natural gas contracts	$	(2	)	Cost of sales	$	(1	)
First quarter ended March 31, 2009
Interest rate swap agreements	$	(3	)	Interest expense	$	(7	)
Natural gas contracts		(3	)	Cost of sales		(1	)

Assets and Liabilities Not Carried at Fair Value

The fair value of long-term debt is based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current interest rates available to us for debt of similar terms and maturities. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the carrying amounts of all other assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments approximated their fair value. Details of our long-term debt are as follows:

	March 31, 2010						December 31, 2009
	Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Fair Value			Carrying Amount
Long-term debt:
NewPage Holding	$	(2,607	)	$	(3,106	)	$	(2,686	)	$	(3,083	)
NewPage		(2,554	)		(2,901	)		(2,624	)		(2,882	)

C. CURRENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Inventories

Inventories as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consist of:

	Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Finished and in-process goods	$	359	$	376
Raw materials		93		86
Stores and supplies		140		140
	$	592	$	602

If inventories had been valued at current costs, they would have been valued at $572 and $607 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

10

Accounts Payable

Accounts payable as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 includes zero and $13 of outstanding checks in excess of cash.

D. LONG-TERM DEBT

The balances of long-term debt as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows:

	Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
NewPage:
Revolving credit facility	$	—	$	52
11.375% first-lien senior secured notes (face amount $1,770 and $1,700)		1,672		1,601
Floating rate second-lien senior secured notes (LIBOR plus 6.25%)		225		225
10% second-lien senior secured notes (face amount $806)		805		805
12% senior subordinated notes (face amount $200)		199		199
Capital lease		149		148
Subtotal		3,050		3,030
NewPage Holding—
Senior unsecured NewPage Holding PIK Notes (face amount $211 and $207; LIBOR plus 7.00%)		205		201
	$	3,255	$	3,231

In February 2010, we issued an additional $70 in aggregate principal amount of 11.375% senior secured notes due 2014 (the “Additional First-Lien Notes”) in a private placement. The Additional First-Lien Notes have substantially the same terms as the existing first-lien senior secured notes.

E. EQUITY

Included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is equity award expense of $8 and $3. In February 2010, the compensation committee amended the outstanding stock option awards of employees and directors to change the exercise price to $2.00 per share and vest the unearned performance-based options for 2008 and 2009. Included in the amount of equity award expense for 2010 is $6 to reflect the effects of the modification on the vested time-based options and the vesting of the prior-year unearned performance-based options. An additional $1 of expense will be recognized over future periods for the modification of the unvested time-based options.

11

The following table summarizes activity in the plan:

Shares of NewPage Group issuable under stock options, in thousands	Options	Weighted- average exercise price
Outstanding at December 31, 2009	5,070	$	20.47
Granted	976		7.71
Outstanding at March 31, 2010	6,046		6.36
Exercisable at March 31, 2010	4,246		9.88

The outstanding options and the exercisable options at March 31, 2010, have a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 7.8 years.

We utilize a Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of other variables. These variables include expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors (term of option). We estimate the expected term of options granted by incorporating the contractual term of the options and employees’ expected exercise behaviors. We estimate the volatility of NewPage Group’s common stock by considering volatility of appropriate peer companies and adjusting for factors unique to our stock, including the effect of debt leverage.

Assumptions used to determine the fair value of option grants are as follows:

	First Quarter Ended Mar. 31,
	2010			2009
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$	2.41		$	3.05
Weighted-average assumptions used for grants:
Expected volatility		90	%		90	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.5	%		2.0	%
Expected life of option (in years)		4			5

12

F. RETIREMENT AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

A summary of the components of net periodic costs for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

Pension Plans	U.S. Plans						Canadian Plans
	First Quarter Ended Mar. 31,						First Quarter Ended Mar. 31,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Service cost	$	6		$	5		$	1		$	—
Interest cost		16			16			5			4
Expected return on plan assets		(16	)		(14	)		(5	)		(3	)
Amortization of net loss		3			5			1			—
Net periodic cost	$	9		$	12		$	2		$	1

Other Postretirement Plans	U.S. Plans					Canadian Plans
	First Quarter Ended Mar. 31,					First Quarter Ended Mar. 31,
	2010			2009		2010		2009
Service cost	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	—
Interest cost		2			3		—		—
Amortization of net prior service cost (credit)		(3	)		—		—		—
Net periodic cost	$	(1	)	$	3	$	—	$	—

G. OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE

During the first quarter ended March 31, 2010, we recognized $11 of net loss on disposal and impairment of assets in other (income) expense. In addition, we recognized $(13) of (income) for alternative fuel mixture tax credits in the first quarter ended March 31, 2010, as income recognition criteria was met during the quarter.

H. INCOME TAXES

For the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, we recorded a valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax benefit for federal income taxes and for certain states as it was more likely than not that we would not realize those benefits. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, we have allocated zero and $2 of tax expense to other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding offset as an allocation to tax benefit from operations.

I. RESTRUCTURING

During 2008, we announced actions being taken to integrate NewPage operations and the former Stora Enso North America facilities and services. The restructuring actions included the permanent closure of six paper machines and two mills affecting approximately 980 employees, the permanent closure of a converting facility affecting approximately 160 employees and the reduction of personnel in other areas, including sales, finance and other support functions, affecting approximately 200 employees. Most of the affected employees had separated from the company by December 31, 2008 with the remainder separating in 2009 and 2010. We expect remaining closure-related activities to be completed in 2010.

13

The activity in the accrued restructuring liability relating to these actions for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

	Closure Costs			Employee Costs
First quarter ended March 31, 2010
Balance accrued at December 31, 2009	$	4		$	3
Payments		(3	)		(1	)
Balance accrued at March 31, 2010	$	1		$	2
First quarter ended March 31, 2009
Balance accrued at December 31, 2008	$	14		$	19
Adjustments		—			(1	)
Payments		(2	)		(9	)
Balance accrued at March 31, 2009	$	12		$	9

During the first quarter ended March 31, 2009, we recorded an adjustment of $1 in selling, general and administrative expenses for the reversal of employee-related costs included as an assumed liability in the purchase price allocation as a result of a change in estimate.

J. DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

In April 2010, NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. (“NPPH”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage, announced that it entered into an agreement with Nova Scotia Power Inc. (“NSPI”) to sell certain assets, including a boiler at the Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia mill, for a cash sales price of Canadian $80. We expect to recognize a gain on the transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010 and is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals. In addition, NSPI and NPPH signed a term sheet for NPPH to construct for NSPI a 60 MW biomass cogeneration utility plant for the generation of electricity by December 31, 2012 for approximately Canadian $93. NSPI and NPPH also entered into a management, operations and maintenance agreement related to NPPH operating the utility assets for NSPI.

In February 2010, Consolidated Water Power Company (“CWPCo”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage, announced that it signed an agreement with Wisconsin Rapids Water Works Lighting Commission to sell the CWPCo utility transmission and distribution assets (“CWPCo Utility”). The purchase price will be equal to the net book value of the assets at the time of closing, which is subject to regulatory approvals. In March 2010, CWPCo announced that it entered into a nonbinding letter of intent to sell five hydroelectric projects to Great Lakes Utilities for a net cash sales price of approximately $70. The closing of the transaction is subject to completion of the CWPCO Utility sale, execution of a sales agreement with Great Lakes Utilities and regulatory approval. We anticipate closing the sale of the hydroelectric assets in the fourth quarter of 2010. We continue to hold and operate the assets in the normal course of our operations.

In March 2009, NewPage Wisconsin System Inc. (“NPWSI”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage, completed the sale of a hydroelectric generating facility located in Niagara, Wisconsin to Northbrook Wisconsin, LLC for a net cash sales price of $22. Included in cost of sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 is a loss on the sale of $3.

K. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Claims have been made against us for the costs of environmental remediation measures taken or to be taken. Reserves for these liabilities have been established and no insurance recoveries have been

14

anticipated in the determination of the reserves. We are involved in various other litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the currently expected outcome of any matter, lawsuit or claim that is pending or threatened, or all of them combined, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

L. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Variable interest entity

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued new guidance on the accounting for a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This guidance requires a qualitative approach to identifying a controlling financial interest in a VIE, and requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. This guidance is effective for us as of January 1, 2010. The effect of the adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

M. SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING INFORMATION

NewPage has issued $1,770 face amount of 11.375% senior secured notes due May 2014, $225 face amount of floating rate senior secured notes due May 2012, $806 face amount of 10% senior secured notes due May 2012 and $200 face amount of 12% senior subordinated notes due May 2013 (collectively, the “Notes”). The Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by NewPage’s 100%-owned subsidiaries, except Consolidated Water Power Company, our non-guarantor subsidiary.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared from financial information on the same basis of accounting as the consolidated financial statements. Investments in our subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method. Certain adjustments totaling $18 have been made that decrease the net losses of the parent and guarantor subsidiaries columns in the supplemental consolidating statement of operations to correct the classification of certain expenses in the period ended March 31, 2009. This adjustment is not considered material.

15

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

MARCH 31, 2010

	NewPage Corporation			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidation/ Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13		$	(6	)	$	6	$	—		$	13
Accounts receivable		201			52			1		—			254
Inventories		286			306			—		—			592
Other current assets		16			5			1		—			22
Total current assets		516			357			8		—			881
Intercompany receivables		1,265			334			103		(1,702	)		—
Property, plant and equipment, net		42			2,798			56		—			2,896
Investment in subsidiaries		1,735			67			—		(1,802	)		—
Other assets		111			5			1		—			117
TOTAL ASSETS	$	3,669		$	3,561		$	168	$	(3,504	)	$	3,894
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Accounts payable	$	30		$	165		$	—	$	—		$	195
Other current liabilities		171			142			5		—			318
Total current liabilities		201			307			5		—			513
Intercompany payables		334			1,282			86		(1,702	)		—
Long-term debt		2,901			149			—		—			3,050
Other long-term liabilities		387			88			10		—			485
Equity (deficit)		(154	)		1,735			67		(1,802	)		(154	)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT)	$	3,669		$	3,561		$	168	$	(3,504	)	$	3,894

16

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

DECEMBER 31, 2009

	NewPage Corporation		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidation/ Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1	$	—	$	4	$	—		$	5
Accounts receivable		230		65		1		—			296
Inventories		293		309		—		—			602
Other current assets		15		7		1		—			23
Total current assets		539		381		6		—			926
Intercompany receivables		1,262		274		85		(1,621	)		—
Property, plant and equipment, net		41		2,867		57		—			2,965
Investment in subsidiaries		1,783		66		—		(1,849	)		—
Other assets		110		3		1		—			114
TOTAL ASSETS	$	3,735	$	3,591	$	149	$	(3,470	)	$	4,005
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	54	$	176	$	—	$	—		$	230
Other current liabilities		117		116		5		—			238
Total current liabilities		171		292		5		—			468
Intercompany payables		274		1,279		68		(1,621	)		—
Long-term debt		2,882		148		—		—			3,030
Other long-term liabilities		394		89		10		—			493
Equity		14		1,783		66		(1,849	)		14
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	3,735	$	3,591	$	149	$	(3,470	)	$	4,005

17

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

	NewPage Corporation			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiary		Consolidation/ Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	732		$	758		$	21	$	(694	)	$	817
Cost of sales		752			770			21		(694	)		849
Selling, general and administrative expenses		49			—			—		—			49
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries		27			—			—		(27	)		—
Interest expense		93			4			—		—			97
Other (income) expense, net		(14	)		11			—		—			(3	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		(175	)		(27	)		—		27			(175	)
Income tax (benefit)		—			—			—		—			—
Net income (loss)	$	(175	)	$	(27	)	$	—	$	27		$	(175	)

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2009

	NewPage Corporation			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiary		Consolidation/ Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	510		$	738		$	21	$	(547	)	$	722
Cost of sales		516			731			21		(548	)		720
Selling, general and administrative expenses		43			3			—		—			46
Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiaries		(3	)		—			—		3			—
Interest expense		65			2			—		—			67
Other (income) expense, net		1			(1	)		—		—			—
Income (loss) before income taxes		(112	)		3			—		(2	)		(111	)
Income tax (benefit)		(3	)		—			—		—			(3	)
Net income (loss)		(109	)		3			—		(2	)		(108	)
Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests		—			—			—		1			1
Net income (loss) attributable to the company	$	(109	)	$	3		$	—	$	(3	)	$	(109	)

18

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

	NewPage Corporation			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiary		Consolidation/ Eliminations		Consolidated
CASHFLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$	3		$	(9	)	$	2	$	—	$	(4	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(2	)		(9	)		—		—		(11	)
Proceeds from sales of assets		—			11			—		—		11
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities		(2	)		2			—		—		—
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		67			—			—		—		67
Payment of financing costs		(4	)		—			—		—		(4	)
Borrowings on revolving credit facility		124			—			—		—		124
Payments on revolving credit facility		(176	)		—			—		—		(176	)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		11			—			—		—		11
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			1			—		—		1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		12			(6	)		2		—		8
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1			—			4		—		5
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	13		$	(6	)	$	6	$	—	$	13

19

NEWPAGE CORPORATION

SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FIRST QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2009

	NewPage Corporation			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non- Guarantor Subsidiary			Consolidation/ Eliminations		Consolidated
CASHFLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	$	(60	)	$	(10	)	$	(1	)	$	1	$	(70	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures		(2	)		(13	)		—			—		(15	)
Proceeds from sales of assets		—			22			—			—		22
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities		(2	)		9			—			—		7
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Loans to parent companies		(2	)		—			—			—		(2	)
Repayments on long-term debt		(20	)		—			—			—		(20	)
Borrowings on revolving credit facility		302			—			—			—		302
Payments on revolving credit facility		(219	)		—			—			—		(219	)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities		61			—			—			—		61
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			1			—			—		1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(1	)		—			(1	)		1		(1	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1			—			2			—		3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	—		$	—		$	1		$	1	$	2

* * * * *

20

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Company Background

We believe that we are the largest coated paper manufacturer in North America based on production capacity. Coated paper is used primarily in media and marketing applications, such as high-end advertising brochures, direct mail advertising, coated labels, magazines, magazine covers and inserts, catalogs and textbooks. We operate 20 paper machines at ten paper mills located in Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nova Scotia, Canada.

Trends in Our Business

North American printing paper demand is primarily driven by advertising and print media usage. In particular, the demand for certain grades of coated paper is affected by spending on catalog and promotional materials by retailers and spending on magazine advertising, which affects the number of printed pages in magazines. During the first quarter of 2010, North American printing paper demand increased compared to the first quarter of 2009, as a result of decreased advertising spending and magazine and catalog circulation during the first quarter of 2009 largely attributable to general economic factors and inventory reductions by customers. As a result of the higher demand, our market-related downtime in the first quarter of 2010 declined to 39,000 tons compared to 149,000 tons of market-related downtime in the first quarter of 2009. We will consider the need for additional market-related downtime from time to time based on market conditions.

The available supply of coated paper in North America was lower during the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009, primarily as a result of North American capacity closures. We believe imports continue to affect the North American market, placing downward pressure on North American coated paper prices as a result of low transportation costs and foreign overcapacity.

North American prices for coated paper products historically have been determined by North American supply and demand, rather than directly by raw material costs or other costs of sales. In the short term, therefore, we have limited ability to increase prices in response to increases in our costs if demand relative to supply does not remain strong. After declining throughout the first three quarters of 2009, primarily as a result of the benefits of the alternative fuel mixture credit being passed on to customers, abnormally low market pulp prices and the negative effects of imports of coated paper from China and Indonesia, we believe that pricing stabilized during the fourth quarter of 2009 and remained relatively stable into the first quarter of 2010.

In September 2009, NewPage, along with two other U.S. paper producers and the United Steelworkers Union, filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that manufacturers of certain coated paper in China and Indonesia are dumping their products in the United States and that these manufacturers have been subsidized by their governments in violation of U.S. trade laws. The U.S. International Trade Commission determined by unanimous vote in November 2009 that there is a reasonable indication that the U.S. industry is being materially injured by unfairly traded Chinese and Indonesian imports. The Department of Commerce announced its preliminary countervailing duty determinations in March 2010 and its preliminary dumping determinations in April 2010. We expect that final determinations in the cases will be completed by the end of 2010. No assurance can be given that final determinations will be made, that final duties will be imposed or as to the amount of any final duties that may be imposed.

21

Additional First Lien Notes Issuance

In February 2010, we issued an additional $70 million in aggregate principal amount of 11.375% senior secured notes due 2014 (the “Additional First-Lien Notes”) in a private placement. The Additional First-Lien Notes have substantially the same terms as the existing $1.7 billion 11.375% first-lien senior secured notes.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our historical results of operations for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report. All assets, liabilities, income, expenses and cash flows presented for all periods represent those of NewPage Holding’s wholly-owned subsidiary, NewPage, except for NewPage Holding’s debt and equity activity and income tax effects. Unless otherwise noted, the information provided pertains to both NewPage Holding and NewPage.

First Quarter 2010 Compared to First Quarter 2009

	NewPage Holding
	First Quarter Ended Mar. 31,
	2010					2009
(in millions)	$			%		$			%
Net sales		817		100.0			722		100.0
Cost of sales		849		103.9			720		99.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses		49		6.1			46		6.4
Interest expense		101		12.4			72		10.0
Other (income) expense, net		(3	)	(0.5	)		—		0.0
Income (loss) before income taxes		(179	)	(21.9	)		(116	)	(16.1	)
Income tax (benefit)		—		0.0			(3	)	(0.5	)
Net income (loss)		(179	)	(21.9	)		(113	)	(15.6	)
Net income (loss)—noncontrolling interests		—		0.0			1		0.2
Net income (loss) attributable to the company		(179	)	(21.9	)		(114	)	(15.8	)
Supplemental Information
Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)	$	15				$	55

Net sales for the first quarter of 2010 were $817 million compared to $722 million for the first quarter of 2009, an increase of $95 million or 13%. Net sales were affected primarily by higher sales volume of core paper ($136 million) and other non-core paper, partially offset by lower average core paper prices ($101 million) in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter of 2009. Core volume is principally coated freesheet, coated groundwood and supercalendered paper products sold in North America. Average core paper prices decreased to $858 per ton in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $965 per ton in the first quarter of 2009. Core paper sales volume increased to 792,000 tons in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 668,000 tons in the first quarter of 2009 as a result of decreased advertising spending and magazine and catalog circulation during the first quarter of 2009 largely attributable to general economic factors and inventory reductions by customers. We took 39,000 tons of market-related downtime in the first quarter of 2010 compared to 149,000 tons of market-related downtime in the first quarter of 2009. We will consider the need for additional downtime from time to time based on market conditions.

22

Cost of sales for the first quarter of 2010 was $849 million compared to $720 million for the first quarter of 2009, an increase of $129 million or 18%. The increase was primarily a result of higher core paper sales volume ($98 million) and higher volumes of other non-core paper, partially offset by lower levels market-related downtime. Gross margin (loss) for the first quarter of 2010 decreased to (3.9)% compared to 0.3% for the first quarter of 2009 primarily as a result of lower average core paper sales prices ($101 million). Maintenance expense at our mills totaled $71 million and $68 million in the first quarter of 2010 and 2009.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $49 million for the first quarter of 2010 from $46 million for the first quarter of 2009, primarily as a result of $5 million higher stock compensation expense. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased in the first quarter of 2010 to 6.1% from 6.4% in the first quarter of 2009.

Interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 was $101 million compared to $72 million for the first quarter of 2009. Interest expense for NewPage for the first quarter of 2010 was $97 million compared to $67 million for the first quarter of 2009. The increases resulted primarily from higher interest rates on outstanding debt. Because of the debt refinancing in September 2009 and the Additional First-Lien Notes in February 2010, we expect an increase in interest expense over prior year periods because the First-Lien Notes have a higher interest rate than the term loan that was repaid.

Other (income) expense was $(3) million for the first quarter of 2010 and zero for the first quarter of 2009. The amount recognized in the first quarter of 2010 includes $11 million of net loss on disposal and impairment of assets, offset by $(13) million of (income) recognized for alternative fuel mixture tax credits as income recognition criteria was met during the quarter.

Income tax expense (benefit) for the first quarter of 2010 and 2009 was zero and $(3) million. For the first quarter of 2010 and 2009, we recorded a valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax benefit for federal income taxes and for certain states as it was more likely than not that we would not realize those benefits. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, we have allocated zero and $2 million of tax expense to other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding offset as an allocation to tax benefit from operations.

Net income (loss) attributable to NewPage Holding was $(179) million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $(114) million in the first quarter of 2009. Net income (loss) attributable to NewPage was $(175) million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to $(109) million in the first quarter of 2009. The decreases were primarily a result of significantly lower sales pricing.

Adjusted EBITDA was $15 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared to $55 million for the first quarter of 2009. See “Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company to Adjusted EBITDA” for further information on the use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a measurement tool.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Company to Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) attributable to the company before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of our performance under GAAP, are not intended to represent net income (loss) attributable to the company, and should not be used as an alternative to net income (loss) attributable to the company as an indicator of performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are shown because they are a basis upon which our

23

management assesses performance and are primary components of certain covenants under our revolving credit facility. In addition, our management believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors because they and similar measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies with substantial financial leverage. The use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA instead of net income (loss) attributable to the company has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

• EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our current cash expenditure requirements, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments

• EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs

• EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt

• although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized often will have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements

• our measures of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation

Because of these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as discretionary cash available to us to reinvest in the growth of our business.

24

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to the company to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

	NewPage Holding
	First Quarter Ended March 31,
(in millions)	2010			2009
Net income (loss) attributable to the company	$	(179	)	$	(114	)
Interest expense		101			72
Income taxes (benefit)		—			(3	)
Depreciation and amortization		68			70
EBITDA	$	(10	)	$	25
Equity awards		8			3
(Gain) loss on disposal and impairment of assets		6			4
Non-cash U.S. pension expense		9			12
Integration and related severance costs		2			11
Adjusted EBITDA	$	15		$	55

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Variable interest entity

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new guidance on the accounting for a variable interest entity (VIE). This guidance requires a qualitative approach to identifying a controlling financial interest in a VIE, and requires ongoing assessment of whether an entity is a VIE and whether an interest in a VIE makes the holder the primary beneficiary of the VIE. This guidance is effective for us as of January 1, 2010. The effect of the adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Available Liquidity

As of March 31, 2010, our principal sources of liquidity include cash generated from operating activities and availability under our revolving credit facility. The amount of borrowings and letters of credit available to NewPage pursuant to the revolving credit facility is limited to the lesser of $500 million or an amount determined pursuant to a borrowing base ($374 million as of March 31, 2010).

As of March 31, 2010, we had $234 million available for borrowing in excess of the $50 million required minimum, after reduction for $90 million in letters of credit. As of March 31, 2010, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. We have not experienced, and do not currently anticipate that we will experience, any limitations in our ability to access funds available under our revolving credit facility. In an effort to manage credit risk exposures under our debt and derivative instruments, we regularly monitor the credit-worthiness of the counterparties to these agreements. We believe our cash flow from operations, available borrowings under our revolving credit facility and cash and cash equivalents will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months. However, given the uncertainty of the current economic environment, we cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our revolving credit facility in an amount sufficient to enable us to fund our liquidity needs.

25

Aggregate indebtedness as of March 31, 2010 totaled $3,361 million, which includes $3,150 million at NewPage. We expect an increase in interest expense over prior year periods because the First-Lien Notes have a higher interest rate than the term loan that was repaid. Beginning in 2012, our debt service requirements will substantially increase as a result of scheduled payments of our indebtedness. We anticipate that we will seek to refinance our indebtedness prior to that time or retire portions of indebtedness with issuances of equity securities, proceeds from the sale of assets or cash generated from operations. Our ability to operate our business, service our debt requirements and reduce our total debt will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, as well as the availability of revolving credit borrowings and other borrowings to refinance our existing indebtedness.

Cash Flows

Cash provided by (used for) operating activities was $(4) million during the first quarter of 2010 compared to $(70) million during the first quarter of 2009, which was primarily the result of changes in inventory levels. Finished goods inventory increased during the first quarter of 2009 as a result of low sales volumes and inventory reductions by customers and declined in the first quarter of 2010 as we continued our inventory reduction efforts that began in the fourth quarter of 2009 to reduce our finished goods inventory levels to match customer requirements. Investing activities in 2010 include spending of $11 million for capital expenditures and the receipt of $11 million of proceeds from the sales of assets. Financing activities in 2010 included the issuance of $70 million of additional First-Lien Notes (proceeds of $67 million) used to repay existing borrowings under the revolver and for general corporate purposes.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $11 million and $15 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

Financial Discussion

During the first quarter of 2010, we continued to achieve cost savings from production and operating efficiencies, synergies and other restructuring activities that resulted from the acquisition of Stora Enso North America. We also continued evaluating ways to raise capital through the issuance and refinancing of debt and through the sale of nonstrategic assets.

In April 2010, NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. (“NPPH”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage, announced that it entered into an agreement with Nova Scotia Power Inc. (“NSPI”) to sell certain assets, including a boiler at the Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia mill, for a cash sales price of Canadian $80 million. We expect to recognize a gain on the transaction, which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010 and is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals. In addition, NSPI and NPPH signed a term sheet for NPPH to construct for NSPI a 60 MW biomass cogeneration utility plant for the generation of electricity by December 31, 2012 for approximately Canadian $93 million. NSPI and NPPH also entered into a management, operations and maintenance agreement related to NPPH operating the utility assets for NSPI.

In February 2010, Consolidated Water Power Company (“CWPCo”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of NewPage, announced that it signed an agreement with Wisconsin Rapids Water Works Lighting Commission to sell the CWPCo utility transmission and distribution assets (“CWPCo Utility”). The purchase price will be equal to the net book value of the assets at the time of closing, which is subject to regulatory approvals. In March 2010, CWPCo announced that it entered into a nonbinding letter of intent to sell five hydroelectric projects to Great Lakes Utilities for a net cash sales price of approximately

26

$70 million. The closing of the transaction is subject to completion of the CWPCO Utility sale, execution of a sales agreement with Great Lakes Utilities and regulatory approval. We anticipate closing the sale of the hydroelectric assets in the fourth quarter of 2010. We continue to hold and operate the assets in the normal course of our operations.

We have various investments held by our defined-benefit pension plan trusts. The returns on these assets have generally matched the broader market. We are monitoring the effects of our underfunded pension plans on our minimum pension funding requirements and pension expense for future periods. We do not anticipate material increases in our minimum funding requirements during 2010.

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $436 million and $484 million of our debt consisted of borrowings with variable interest rates. If market interest rates increase, variable-rate debt will create higher debt service requirements, which could adversely affect our cash flow or compliance with our debt covenants. The potential annual increase in interest expense resulting from a 100 basis point increase in quoted interest rates on our debt balances outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 would be $4 million and $5 million.

ITEM 4T.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are properly recorded and summarized so that reliable financial records and reports can be prepared and assets safeguarded. In addition, a system of disclosure controls is maintained to ensure that information required to be disclosed is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner to management responsible for the preparation and reporting of our financial information.

Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the disclosure control systems as being effective as they encompass material matters for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. To the best of our knowledge, there were no changes in the internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the first quarter ended March 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II        OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In September 2009, NewPage, along with two other U.S. paper producers and the United Steelworkers Union, filed antidumping and countervailing duty petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission alleging that manufacturers of certain coated paper in China and Indonesia are dumping their products in the United States and that these manufacturers have been subsidized by their governments in violation of U.S. trade laws.

The U.S. International Trade Commission determined by unanimous vote in November 2009 that there is a reasonable indication that the U.S. industry is being materially injured by unfairly traded Chinese and Indonesian imports. The Department of Commerce announced its preliminary countervailing duty determinations in March 2010 and its preliminary dumping determinations in April 2010. We expect that final determinations in the cases will be completed by the end of 2010.

27

If the Department of Commerce makes a final determination that dumping or subsidies are present and the International Trade Commission determines that the domestic industry has been injured as a result, the Department of Commerce will impose final duties on the covered products imported from these countries in order to offset the effects of the dumping and subsidies. No assurance can be given that these determinations will be made, that final duties will be imposed or as to the amount of any final duties that may be imposed.

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Description
4.1	Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 24, 2010 to the 11.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2014 among NewPage Corporation, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee
10.1	Asset Purchase Agreement among NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. and Nova Scotia Power Inc. dated April 1, 2010
10.2	Management, Operating and Maintenance Agreement among NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. and Nova Scotia Power Inc. dated April 1, 2010
10.3	Term sheet for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract among NewPage Port Hawkesbury Corp. and Nova Scotia Power Inc. dated April 1, 2010
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

28

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, NewPage Holding Corporation and NewPage Corporation have duly caused this Report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

NEWPAGE HOLDING CORPORATION		NEWPAGE CORPORATION
By:	/s/ David J. Prystash	By:	/s/ David J. Prystash
	David J. Prystash Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) Date: May 6, 2010		David J. Prystash Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) Date: May 6, 2010

29