EXHIBIT 99.1
Media Contact:
--------------
Gordon R. Manuel
864-282-9448
Analyst Contact:
----------------
Duane A. Owens
864-282-9488
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2005
BOWATER ANNOUNCES SECOND QUARTER 2005
FINANCIAL RESULTS
GREENVILLE, SC - Bowater Incorporated (NYSE: BOW) reported a net loss of $3.6
million, or $0.06 per diluted share, on sales of $897.5 million for the second
quarter of 2005. These results compare with a net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.02
per diluted share, on sales of $788.0 million in the second quarter of 2004.
Before special items, the net loss for the second quarter of 2005 was $3.1
million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with the 2004 second quarter net
loss before special items of $14.9 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. Second
quarter 2005 special items, net of tax, consisted of a $6.1 million gain related
to asset sales, a $0.8 million gain resulting from foreign currency changes and
a $7.4 million loss related to an asset impairment charge.
"Bowater's paper markets improved significantly in the second quarter,
although pressures remain in several cost areas," said Arnold M. Nemirow,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Pricing was higher in the
second quarter and we expect the strong market fundamentals in our key grades to
result in better financial performance in the second half of the year."
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(In millions, except per-share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------------------- --------------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
------------------------------- --------------------------------
Sales $ 897.5 $ 788.0 $ 1,734.5 $ 1,533.3
Net loss $ (3.6) $ (1.3) $ (2.7) $ (33.8)
Loss per diluted share (in accordance with GAAP) $ (0.06) $ (0.02) $ (0.05) $ (0.59)
Special items, net of tax (per diluted share):
Sale of assets (gain) loss (0.11) (0.06) (0.23) (0.05)
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (0.01) (0.18) (0.12) (0.17)
Asset impairment 0.13 - 0.13 -
------------------------------- --------------------------------
Loss per share excluding special items $ (0.05) $ (0.26) $ (0.27) $ (0.81)
------------------------------- --------------------------------
(more)
Bowater's average transaction price for newsprint rose $20 per metric ton
in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of 2005. The company's
average operating costs for newsprint increased by $10 per metric ton as a
result of higher repair costs and lower production. Increased newsprint export
shipments resulted in an inventory decrease of 20,000 metric tons. The company
expects to curtail 59,000 metric tons of newsprint production in the third
quarter. Of the curtailment, approximately 20,000 metric tons is related to a 19
day outage earlier this month at the Thunder Bay, Ontario mill as a result of
high wood fiber and energy costs. The remaining 39,000 tons of downtime is due
primarily to the continued idling of a machine at Thunder Bay. North American
newsprint industry operating rates were 96% year-to-date in June and mill
inventories were at historically low levels. The company informed its North
American customers of a $35 per metric ton price increase effective June 1.
Consumption of coated mechanical papers in North America is strong, led by
growth in magazine advertising pages and in direct mail. Bowater's average
transaction price for coated and specialty papers increased $25 per short ton
compared to the first quarter of 2005, while the company's average operating
cost decreased $5 per ton. The company announced price increases of $35 to $45
per ton for its various coated paper grades in July.
Bowater's average transaction price for market pulp increased $3 per metric
ton compared to the first quarter of 2005. Average operating costs increased $15
per ton in the second quarter. The company curtailed 13,000 metric tons of
market pulp due to annual maintenance outages. Recently released June
inventories of worldwide chemical market pulp producers declined to 33 days of
supply.
The company's average transaction price for lumber was unchanged, compared
to the first quarter of 2005, while shipments increased 10%. During the quarter,
the company paid countervailing and antidumping duties of approximately $8.6
million.
Labor agreements covering approximately 2,200 employees at five of the
company's six Canadian paper mills were ratified on July 8, 2005. These
employees are represented predominately by the Communications, Energy and Paper
Workers Union. The agreements have effective dates of May 1, 2004, and will
expire on April 30, 2009. The agreements provide for annual wage increases
averaging 2.5% for each of the first two years and averaging 2% annually
thereafter as well as changes to pension and post-retirement benefits.
Bowater will hold a management conference call to discuss these financial
results at 9:00 a.m. EDT, today, July 28, 2005. The conference call number is
877-209-0397 or 612-332-1025 (international). The call will also be broadcast
via the Internet. Interested parties may connect to the Bowater website at
www.bowater.com, then follow the on-screen instructions for access to the call
and related information. A replay of the call will be available from 1:30 p.m.
EDT today through August 31, on the website or by dialing 800-475-6701 or
320-365-3844 (international) and using the access code 788750.
(more)
Bowater Incorporated, headquartered in Greenville, SC, is a leading
producer of newsprint and coated mechanical papers. In addition, the company
makes uncoated mechanical papers, bleached kraft pulp and lumber products. The
company has 12 pulp and paper mills in the United States, Canada and South Korea
and 12 North American sawmills that produce softwood lumber. Bowater also
operates two facilities that convert a mechanical base sheet to coated products.
Bowater's operations are supported by approximately 1.4 million acres of
timberlands owned or leased in the United States and Canada and 30 million acres
of timber cutting rights in Canada. Bowater is one of the world's largest
consumers of recycled newspapers and magazines. Bowater common stock is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange, the Pacific Exchange and the London Stock
Exchange. A special class of stock exchangeable into Bowater common stock is
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BWX).
All amounts are in U.S. dollars.
Statements in this news release that are not reported financial results or other
historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include, for example,
statements about our business outlook, assessment of market conditions,
strategies, future plans, future sales, prices for our major products, inventory
levels, capital spending and tax rates. These forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance. They are based on management's expectations
that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties, any of which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by
the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to the
forward-looking statements in this news release include those described under
the caption "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" in
Bowater's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and
from time to time, in Bowater's other filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Information about industry or general economic conditions contained
in this press release is derived from third party sources that the company
believes are widely accepted and accurate; however, the company has not
independently verified this information and cannot assure its accuracy.
# # #
BOWATER INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, in millions except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------------------------- -----------------------------
2005 2004 2005 2004
------------------ -------------- -------------- -----------
Sales $ 897.5 $ 788.0 $ 1,734.5 $ 1,533.3
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, amortization
and cost of timber harvested 642.5 577.3 1,250.1 1,144.8
Depreciation, amortization and cost of timber harvested 81.6 84.9 163.4 171.1
Distribution costs 89.4 79.4 172.3 156.4
Selling and administrative expense 41.1 31.8 80.0 68.8
Asset impairment (2) 11.9 - 11.9 -
Net gain on fixed assets and land sales 9.8 5.1 20.8 4.2
----- ------- -------- --------
Operating income (loss) 40.8 19.7 77.6 (3.6)
Other expense (income):
Interest income (1.1) (1.1) (2.2) (2.1)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest 49.3 49.9 99.5 98.1
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 3.3 (1.7) 1.8 (1.3)
Other, net (2.0) (2.2) (4.7) (3.8)
----- ------- -------- --------
49.5 44.9 94.4 90.9
----- ------- -------- --------
Loss before income taxes and minority interests (8.7) (25.2) (16.8) (94.5)
Provision for income tax benefit (5.6) (22.9) (13.4) (56.7)
Minority interests in the net income (loss) of subsidiaries 0.5 (1.0) (0.7) (4.0)
----- ------- -------- --------
Net loss $ (3.6) $ (1.3) $ (2.7) $ (33.8)
===== ======= ======== ========
Basic loss per common share: (1)
Net loss per share $ (0.06) $ (0.02) $ (0.05) $ (0.59)
====== ======== ========= =========
Average common shares outstanding (1) 57.4 57.2 57.3 57.1
====== ======== ========= =========
Diluted loss per common share: (1)
Net loss per share $ (0.06) $ (0.02) $ (0.05) $ (0.59)
====== ======== ========= =========
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding (1) 57.4 57.2 57.3 57.1
====== ======== ========= =========
BOWATER INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited, in millions of US dollars)
Consolidated Balance Sheet June 30, December 31,
2005 2004
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 51.0 $ 29.7
Accounts receivable, net 446.4 377.0
Inventories 333.8 327.9
Other current assets 106.9 168.1
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Total current assets 938.1 902.7
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Timber and timberlands 185.8 186.2
Fixed assets, net 3,168.4 3,301.1
Goodwill 828.2 828.2
Other assets 217.6 240.7
-------------------------------- -------------------------
$ 5,338.1 $ 5,458.9
================================ =========================
Current liabilities
Current installments of long-term debt $ 20.7 $ 14.0
Short-term bank debt 105.0 73.0
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 444.4 458.4
Dividends payable 11.2 11.2
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Total current liabilities 581.3 556.6
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Long-term debt, net of current installments 2,400.4 2,427.9
Pension, other postretirement benefits and other long-term liabilities 492.1 495.2
Deferred income taxes 358.0 403.4
Minority interests in subsidiaries 67.5 68.5
Shareholders' equity 1,438.8 1,507.3
-------------------------------- -------------------------
$ 5,338.1 $ 5,458.9
================================ =========================
Six Months Ended
Consolidated Cash Flow June 30,
--------------------------------------------------------------
2005 2004
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities $ 51.4 $ 21.7
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Cash flows from (used for) investing activities:
Cash invested in fixed assets, timber and timberlands (50.1) (38.9)
Disposition of fixed assets, including timber and timberlands 23.0 7.3
-------------------------------- -------------------------
(27.1) (31.6)
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Cash flows from (used for) financing activities:
Cash dividends, including minority interests (22.9) (23.2)
Financing activities, net 18.0 42.7
Stock options exercised 1.9 5.2
-------------------------------- -------------------------
(3.0) 24.7
-------------------------------- -------------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents $ 21.3 $ 14.8
================================ =========================
BOWATER INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to the Press Release and Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(1) For the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004, no adjustments to net loss are
necessary. The effect of dilutive securities is not included in the
computation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 to
prevent antidilution.
(2) During the three months ended June 30, 2005, Bowater decided to permanently
shut the older, higher cost No. 1 line at Benton Harbor. This shut resulted
in a one-time non-cash asset impairment of $11.9 million.
(3) A reconciliation of certain financial statement line items reported under
generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") to earnings reported
before special items is presented below. We believe that this measure
allows investors to more easily compare our on-going operations and
financial performance from period to period. This measure is not as
complete as GAAP earnings; consequently, investors should rely on GAAP
earnings. In addition to GAAP earnings, we use the other measures that we
disclose in order to provide perspective on our financial performance.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
(unaudited, in millions except per share amounts)
Adjustment for Special Items
Land sales GAAP as
GAAP as & fixed Foreign Asset adjusted for
reported assets exchange impairment Special Items
-------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------------
Operating income (loss) $ 40.8 $ (9.8) - $ 11.9 $ 42.9
Other expense (income)
Interest income (1.1) - - - (1.1)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest 49.3 - - - 49.3
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 3.3 - (3.3) - -
Oher, net (2.0) - - - (2.0)
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
49.5 - (3.3) - 46.2
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Loss before income taxes and minority interests (8.7) (9.8) 3.3 11.9 (3.3)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) (5.6) (3.7) 4.5 4.5 (0.3)
Minority interests in the net income (loss)of subsidiaries 0.5 - (0.4) - 0.1
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Net income (loss) $ (3.6) $ (6.1) $ (0.8) $ 7.4 $ (3.1)
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Diluted shares 57.4 57.4 57.4 57.4 57.4
-------------- --------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
EPS $ (0.06) $ (0.11) $ (0.01) $ 0.13 $ (0.05)
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Effective tax rate 64.4% 37.8% 136.4% 37.8% 9.1%
-------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Three Months Ended June 30, 2004
(unaudited, in millions except per share amounts)
Adjustment for Special Items
Land sales GAAP as
GAAP as & fixed Foreign Asset adjusted for
reported assets exchange impairment Special Items
-------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------------
Operating income (loss) $ 19.7 $ (5.1) $ - $ - $ 14.6
Other expense (income)
Interest income (1.1) - - - (1.1)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest 49.9 - - - 49.9
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (1.7) - 1.7 - -
Other, net (2.2) - - - (2.2)
------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
44.9 - 1.7 - 46.6
------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Loss before income taxes and minority interests (25.2) (5.1) (1.7) - (32.0)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) (22.9) (1.9) 8.5 - (16.3)
Minority interests in the net income (loss) of subsidiaries (1.0) 0.2 (0.8)
------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Net income (loss) $ (1.3) $ (3.2) $ (10.4) $ - $(14.9)
------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Diluted Shares 57.2 57.2 57.2 - 57.2
------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
EPS $ (0.02) $(0.06) $ (0.18) $ - $(0.26)
------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Effective tax rate 90.9% 37.3% -500.0% 50.9%
------------------------- ------------ -------------- ------------------
Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
(unaudited, in millions except per share amounts)
Adjustment for Special Items
Land sales GAAP as
GAAP as & fixed Foreign Asset adjusted for
reported assets exchange impairment Special Items
-------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------------
Operating income (loss) $ 77.6 $(20.8) $ - $ 11.9 $ 68.7
Other expense (income)
Interest income (2.2) - - - (2.2)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest 99.5 - - - 99.5
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 1.8 - (1.8) - -
Other, net (4.7) - - - (4.7)
------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------------
94.4 - (1.8) - 92.6
------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------------
Loss before income taxes and minority interests (16.8) (20.8) 1.8 11.9 (23.9)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) (13.4) (7.5) 9.4 4.5 (7.0)
Minority interests in the net income(loss)of subsidiaries (0.7) - (0.5) - (1.2)
------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------------
Net income (loss) $ (2.7) $(13.3) $ (7.1) $ 7.4 $(15.7)
------------- ------------------------ ------------- ------------------
Diluted shares 57.3 57.3 57.3 57.3 57.3
------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------------
EPS $ (0.05) $(0.23) $ (0.12) $ 0.13 $(0.27)
------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------------
Effective tax rate 79.8% 36.1% 522.2% 37.8% 29.3%
------------- ----------- ------------ ------------- ------------------
Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
(unaudited, in millions except per share amounts)
Adjustment for Special Items
Land sales GAAP as
GAAP as & fixed Foreign Asset adjusted for
reported assets exchange impairment Special Items
------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------------
Operating income (loss) $ (3.6) $ (4.2) $ - $ - $ (7.8)
Other expense (income)
Interest income (2.1) - - - (2.1)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest 98.1 - - - 98.1
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (1.3) - 1.3 - -
Other, net (3.8) - - - (3.8)
------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- -----------------
90.9 - 1.3 - 92.2
------------- ----------- ------------ -------------- -----------------
Loss before income taxes and minority interests (94.5) (4.2) (1.3) - (100.0)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit) (56.7) (1.6) 8.4 - (49.9)
Minority interests in the net income loss)of subsidiaries (4.0) 0.2 (3.8)
------------- ----------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
Net loss $ (33.8) $ (2.6) $ (9.9) $ - $(46.3)
------------- ----------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
Diluted Shares 57.1 57.1 57.1 - 57.1
------------- ----------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
EPS $ (0.59) $ (0.05) $(0.17) $ - $(0.81)
------------- ----------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
Effective tax rate 60.0% 38.1% -646.2% 49.9%
------------- ----------- ------------- -------------- ----------------
A schedule of historical financial and operating statistics is available
upon request and on Bowater's web site (www.bowater.com).