International Paper Reports Full-Year and Fourth Quarter 2024 Results
Get Alerts IP Hot Sheet
Join SI Premium – FREE
Full-year and fourth quarter net earnings include a pre-tax charge of
"During 2024, we initiated our strategy to deliver profitable growth as the low-cost, most reliable and innovative sustainable packaging solutions provider for our customers," said Chairman and CEO
"2025 will be a transformational year with disciplined execution to further reduce costs and balance our capacity to our demand," Silvernail added. "We will continue to optimize and invest in our box plant system to deliver service excellence for our customers while actively exploring strategic options for our Global Cellulose Fibers business. We look forward to welcoming the DS Smith team into the IP family as we work together to become a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions."
Diluted Net EPS and Adjusted Operating EPS | ||||||||||
Fourth | Fourth | Third | Full-Year | Full-Year | ||||||
Net Earnings (Loss) Per Share | $ (0.42) | $ (0.82) | $ 0.42 | $ 1.57 | $ 0.82 | |||||
Less – Discontinued Operations (Gain) Loss, Net of Taxes | — | — | — | — | 0.04 | |||||
Net Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations | (0.42) | (0.82) | 0.42 | 1.57 | 0.86 | |||||
Add Back – Non-Operating Pension Expense (Income) | (0.02) | 0.04 | (0.03) | (0.12) | 0.15 | |||||
Add Back – Net Special Items Expense (Income) | 0.52 | 0.36 | 0.33 | 1.02 | 0.43 | |||||
Income Taxes - Non-Operating Pension and Special Items | (0.10) | (0.09) | (0.28) | (1.34) | (0.19) | |||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings Per Share* | $ (0.02) | $ (0.51) | $ 0.44 | $ 1.13 | $ 1.25 | |||||
Select Financial Measures
| ||||||||||
(In millions) | Fourth | Fourth | Third | Full-Year | Full-Year | |||||
$ 4,580 | $ 4,601 | $ 4,686 | $ 18,619 | $ 18,916 | ||||||
Net Earnings (Loss) | (147) | (284) | 150 | 557 | 288 | |||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings* | (7) | (175) | 153 | 400 | 438 | |||||
Cash Provided By (Used For) Operations | 397 | 492 | 521 | 1,678 | 1,833 | |||||
Free Cash Flow** | 137 | 187 | 309 | 757 | 692 | |||||
Adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP), adjusted operating earnings per share (non-GAAP) and business segment operating profit for the full-year and fourth quarter of 2023 included in this release have been adjusted to include the pre-tax charge of | |
* | Adjusted operating earnings and adjusted operating earnings per share are non-GAAP financial measures defined as net earnings (loss) (a GAAP measure) excluding discontinued operations, net special items and non-operating pension expense (income). Net earnings (loss) and diluted earnings (loss) per share are the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The Company calculates adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) by excluding the after-tax effect of discontinued operations, non-operating pension expense (income) and net special items from the earnings (loss) reported under |
** | Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure, which equals cash provided by operations (a GAAP measure) less cash invested in capital projects. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is cash provided by (used for) operations. A reconciliation of cash provided by (used for) operations to free cash flow and an explanation of why we believe this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors, are included later in this release. |
SEGMENT INFORMATION
The following table presents net sales and business segment operating profit (loss), which is the Company's measure of segment profitability. Business segment operating profit (loss) is a measure reported to our management for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to our business segments and assessing the performance of our business segments and is presented in our financial statement footnotes in accordance with ASC 280 - "Segment Reporting". Fourth quarter 2024 net sales by business segment and operating profit (loss) by business segment compared with the third quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2023 along with full-year 2024 net sales by business segment and operating profit (loss) by business segment compared with full-year 2023 are as follows:
Business Segment Results
| ||||||||||
(In millions) | Fourth | Fourth | Third | Full-Year | Full-Year | |||||
Industrial Packaging | $ 3,869 | $ 3,842 | $ 3,926 | $ 15,534 | $ 15,596 | |||||
Global Cellulose Fibers | 662 | 656 | 710 | 2,793 | 2,890 | |||||
Corporate and Inter-segment Sales | 49 | 103 | 50 | 292 | 430 | |||||
$ 4,580 | $ 4,601 | $ 4,686 | $ 18,619 | $ 18,916 | ||||||
Business Segment Operating Profit (Loss) | ||||||||||
Industrial Packaging | $ 247 | $ (32) | $ 197 | $ 951 | $ 919 | |||||
Global Cellulose Fibers | (250) | (133) | 40 | (226) | (92) | |||||
Industrial Packaging business segment operating profit (loss) in the fourth quarter of 2024 was
Global Cellulose Fibers business segment operating profit (loss) in the fourth quarter of 2024 was
EFFECTS OF NET SPECIAL ITEMS
Net special items include items considered by management to not be reflective of the Company's underlying operations. Net special items in the fourth quarter of 2024 amount to a net after-tax charge of $146 million (
Fourth Quarter 2024 | Fourth Quarter 2023 | Third Quarter 2024 | |||||||||||
(In millions) | Before Tax | After Tax | Before Tax | After Tax | Before Tax | After Tax | |||||||
Severance and other costs | $ 162 | $ 122 | (a) | $ 99 | $ 75 | (a) | $ 56 | $ 42 | (a) | ||||
DS Smith combination costs | 38 | 38 | (b) | — | — | 26 | 26 | (b) | |||||
Environmental remediation adjustments | 35 | 26 | (c) | 7 | 5 | (c) | — | — | |||||
Global Cellulose Fibers strategic options costs | 5 | 4 | (b) | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Strategic advisory fees | — | — | — | — | 25 | 19 | (b) | ||||||
Third-party warehouse fire | — | — | — | — | 13 | 9 | (e) | ||||||
Net gain on sale of fixed assets | (58) | (44) | (d) | — | — | — | — | ||||||
— | — | — | — | (6) | (6) | (f) | |||||||
Equity method investment impairment | — | — | 18 | 14 | (h) | — | — | ||||||
Tax expense (benefit) related to internal legal entity restructuring | — | — | — | 4 | (g) | — | (78) | (g) | |||||
Total special items, net | $ 182 | $ 146 | $ 124 | $ 98 | $ 114 | $ 12 | |||||||
(a) | Severance and other costs associated with the Company's 80/20 strategic approach which includes the realignment of resources and mill strategic actions. See note (d) of the Consolidated Statement of Operations. |
(b) | Transaction and other costs that the Company believes are not reflective of the Company's underlying operations. |
(c) | Environmental remediation adjustments associated with remediation work at a waste pit site at a mill acquired but never operated by the Company, and last utilized by the predecessor owner of the mill, and post-closure remediation work associated with the mill strategic actions implemented in Q4 2023. |
(d) | Net gain on the sale of fixed assets primarily for a building at our |
(e) | The Company's cost for third-party damages associated with a warehouse fire in |
(f) | Settlement associated with an Italian antitrust matter initially recorded as a special item in 2019. |
(g) | Tax benefit resulting from internal legal entity restructuring. |
(h) | Other-than-temporary impairment of an equity method investment. |
EARNINGS WEBCAST
The company will host a webcast today to discuss earnings and current market conditions, beginning at
Parties who wish to participate in the webcast via teleconference may dial +1 (646) 307-1963 or, within the
About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in
Visit https://www.internationalpaper.com/investors for more information regarding International Paper, including a slide presentation regarding the full-year and fourth quarter 2024. We use this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to our investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release that are not historical in nature may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking or conditional words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "could," "should," "can," "forecast," "intend," "look," "may," "will," "remain," "confident," "commit" and "plan" or similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and reflect management's current views and speak only as to the dates the statements are made and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding anticipated financial results, economic conditions, industry trends, future prospects and the anticipated benefits, execution and consummation of corporate transactions or contemplated acquisitions, including our proposed business combination with DS Smith Plc, which we expect to close on
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | |||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
$ 4,580 | $ 4,601 | $ 4,686 | $ 18,619 | $ 18,916 | |||||||
Costs and Expenses | |||||||||||
Cost of products sold | 3,250 | (a) | 3,282 | (h) | 3,342 | (a) | 13,376 | (a) | 13,629 | (h) | |
Selling and administrative expenses | 521 | (b) | 357 | 508 | (b) | 1,840 | (b) | 1,360 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 499 | (c) | 689 | (c) | 267 | 1,305 | (c) | 1,432 | (c) | ||
Distribution expenses | 348 | 395 | 357 | 1,475 | 1,575 | ||||||
Taxes other than payroll and income taxes | 34 | 39 | 37 | 147 | 154 | ||||||
Restructuring charges, net | 162 | (d) | 99 | (i) | 56 | (d) | 221 | (d) | 99 | (i) | |
Net (gains) losses on sales of fixed assets | (58) | (e) | — | — | (58) | (e) | — | ||||
Interest expense, net | 56 | 52 | 51 | 208 | (f) | 231 | (j) | ||||
Non-operating pension expense (income) | (8) | 14 | (12) | (42) | 54 | ||||||
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity Earnings (Loss) | (224) | (326) | 80 | 147 | 382 | ||||||
Income tax provision (benefit) | (78) | (61) | (k) | (71) | (g) | (415) | (g) | 59 | (k) | ||
Equity earnings (loss), net of taxes | (1) | (19) | (l) | (1) | (5) | (21) | (l) | ||||
Earnings (Loss) From Continuing Operations | (147) | (284) | 150 | 557 | 302 | ||||||
Discontinued operations, net of taxes | — | — | — | — | (14) | (m) | |||||
Net Earnings (Loss) | $ (147) | $ (284) | $ 150 | $ 557 | $ 288 | ||||||
Basic Earnings Per Common Share | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ (0.42) | $ (0.82) | $ 0.43 | $ 1.60 | $ 0.87 | ||||||
Discontinued operations, net of taxes | — | — | — | — | (0.04) | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ (0.42) | $ (0.82) | $ 0.43 | $ 1.60 | $ 0.83 | ||||||
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ (0.42) | $ (0.82) | $ 0.42 | $ 1.57 | $ 0.86 | ||||||
Discontinued operations, net of taxes | — | — | — | — | (0.04) | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ (0.42) | $ (0.82) | $ 0.42 | $ 1.57 | $ 0.82 | ||||||
Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding - Diluted | 347.4 | 346.0 | 353.4 | 354.2 | 349.1 | ||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this Consolidated Statement of Operations. | |||||||||||
(a) | Includes pre-tax charges of | ||||||||||
(b) | Includes pre-tax charges of | ||||||||||
(c) | Includes pre-tax charges of | ||||||||||
(d) | Includes pre-tax charges of | ||||||||||
(e) | Includes a pre-tax gain of | ||||||||||
(f) | Includes pre-tax income of | ||||||||||
(g) | Includes tax benefits of | ||||||||||
(h) | Includes pre-tax charges of | ||||||||||
(i) | Includes a pre-tax charge of | ||||||||||
(j) | Includes pre-tax income of | ||||||||||
(k) | Includes tax expense of | ||||||||||
(l) | Includes a pre-tax charge of | ||||||||||
(m) | Includes charges of | ||||||||||
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY | ||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Net Earnings (Loss) | $ (147) | $ (284) | $ 150 | $ 557 | $ 288 | |||||
Less: Discontinued operations, net of taxes (gain) loss | — | — | — | — | 14 | |||||
Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations | (147) | (284) | 150 | 557 | 302 | |||||
Add back: Non-operating pension expense (income) | (8) | 14 | (12) | (42) | 54 | |||||
Add back: Net special items expense (income) | 182 | 124 | 114 | 363 | 150 | |||||
Income taxes - Non-operating pension and special items | (34) | (29) | (99) | (478) | (68) | |||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings | $ (7) | $ (175) | $ 153 | $ 400 | $ 438 | |||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Diluted Earnings per Common Share as Reported | $ (0.42) | $ (0.82) | $ 0.42 | $ 1.57 | $ 0.82 | |||||
Less: Discontinued operations, net of taxes (gain) loss | — | — | — | — | 0.04 | |||||
Continuing Operations | (0.42) | (0.82) | 0.42 | 1.57 | 0.86 | |||||
Add back: Non-operating pension expense (income) | (0.02) | 0.04 | (0.03) | (0.12) | 0.15 | |||||
Add back: Net special items expense (income) | 0.52 | 0.36 | 0.33 | 1.02 | 0.43 | |||||
Income taxes per share - Non-operating pension and special items | (0.10) | (0.09) | (0.28) | (1.34) | (0.19) | |||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings per Share | $ (0.02) | $ (0.51) | $ 0.44 | $ 1.13 | $ 1.25 | |||||
Notes: | |||||||||||
Adjusted Operating Earnings and Adjusted Operating Earnings Per Share are non-GAAP financial measures defined as net earnings (loss) (a GAAP measure) excluding discontinued operations, net special items and non-operating pension expense (income). Net earnings (loss) and Diluted earnings (loss) per share are the most directly comparable GAAP measures. The Company calculates Adjusted Operating Earnings (non-GAAP) by excluding the after-tax effect of discontinued operations, non-operating pension expense (income) and net special items, as described in greater detail above, from the net earnings (loss) reported under | |||||||||||
Non-operating pension expense (income) represents amortization of prior service cost, amortization of actuarial gains/losses, expected return on assets and interest cost. The Company excludes these amounts from Adjusted Operating Earnings as the Company does not believe these items reflect ongoing operations. These particular pension cost elements are not directly attributable to current employee service. The Company includes service cost in our non-GAAP financial measure as it is directly attributable to employee service, and the corresponding employees' compensation elements, in connection with ongoing operations. | |||||||||||
Since diluted earnings per share are computed independently for each period, twelve-month per share amounts may not equal the sum of respective quarters. | |||||||||||
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
| |||
Assets | |||
Current Assets | |||
Cash and Temporary Investments | $ 1,170 | $ 1,113 | |
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net | 2,966 | 3,059 | |
Contract Assets | 396 | 433 | |
Inventories | 1,784 | 1,889 | |
Other | 108 | 114 | |
Total Current Assets | 6,424 | 6,608 | |
Plants, Properties and Equipment, Net | 9,658 | 10,150 | |
Investments | 160 | 163 | |
Long-Term Financial Assets of Variable Interest Entities | 2,331 | 2,312 | |
Goodwill | 3,038 | 3,041 | |
Overfunded Pension Plan Assets | 92 | 118 | |
Right of Use Assets | 433 | 448 | |
Deferred Charges and Other Assets | 664 | 421 | |
Total Assets | $ 22,800 | $ 23,261 | |
Liabilities and Equity | |||
Current Liabilities | |||
Notes Payable and Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt | 193 | 138 | |
Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities | 4,115 | 3,821 | |
Total Current Liabilities | 4,308 | 3,959 | |
Long-Term Debt | 5,368 | 5,455 | |
Long-Term Nonrecourse Financial Liabilities of Variable Interest Entities | 2,120 | 2,113 | |
Deferred Income Taxes | 1,072 | 1,552 | |
Underfunded Pension Benefit Obligation | 233 | 280 | |
Postretirement and Postemployment Benefit Obligation | 133 | 140 | |
Long-Term Lease Obligations | 292 | 312 | |
Other Liabilities | 1,101 | 1,095 | |
Equity | |||
Common Stock | 449 | 449 | |
Paid-in Capital | 4,732 | 4,730 | |
Retained Earnings | 9,393 | 9,491 | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | (1,722) | (1,565) | |
12,852 | 13,105 | ||
Less: Common Stock Held in Treasury, at Cost | 4,679 | 4,750 | |
Total Equity | 8,173 | 8,355 | |
Total Liabilities and Equity | $ 22,800 | $ 23,261 | |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
| |||
Twelve Months Ended | |||
2024 | 2023 | ||
Operating Activities | |||
Net earnings (loss) | $ 557 | $ 288 | |
Depreciation and amortization | 1,305 | 1,432 | |
Deferred income tax expense (benefit), net | (473) | (156) | |
Restructuring charges, net | 221 | 99 | |
Net (gains) losses on sales and impairments of equity method investments | — | 153 | |
Net (gains) losses on sales on sales of fixed assets | (58) | — | |
Equity method dividends received | — | 13 | |
Equity (earnings) losses, net of taxes | 5 | (108) | |
Periodic pension (income) expense, net | 1 | 94 | |
Other, net | 130 | 20 | |
Changes in current assets and liabilities | |||
Accounts and notes receivable | 59 | 255 | |
Contract assets | 36 | 48 | |
Inventories | 12 | 73 | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (140) | (402) | |
Interest payable | 16 | (19) | |
Other | 7 | 43 | |
Cash Provided By (Used For) Operating Activities | 1,678 | 1,833 | |
Investment Activities | |||
Invested in capital projects | (921) | (1,141) | |
Proceeds from sale of equity method investments, net of transaction costs | — | 472 | |
Proceeds from insurance recoveries | 25 | — | |
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | 91 | 4 | |
Other | (3) | (3) | |
Cash Provided By (Used For) Investment Activities | (808) | (668) | |
Financing Activities | |||
Repurchases of common stock and payments of restricted stock tax withholding | (23) | (218) | |
Issuance of debt | 102 | 783 | |
Reduction of debt | (141) | (780) | |
Change in book overdrafts | (69) | (8) | |
Dividends paid | (643) | (642) | |
Other | (1) | (1) | |
Cash Provided By (Used for) Financing Activities | (775) | (866) | |
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Temporary Investments | (38) | 10 | |
Change in Cash and Temporary Investments | 57 | 309 | |
Cash and Temporary Investments | |||
Beginning of the period | 1,113 | 804 | |
End of the period | $ 1,170 | $ 1,113 | |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY | |||||||||
Three Months Ended | Twelve Months Ended | ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
Cash Provided By (Used For) Operating Activities | $ 397 | $ 492 | $ 1,678 | $ 1,833 | |||||
Adjustments: | |||||||||
Cash invested in capital projects | (260) | (305) | (921) | (1,141) | |||||
Free Cash Flow | $ 137 | $ 187 | $ 757 | $ 692 | |||||
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which equals cash provided by (used for) operating activities less cash invested in capital projects. The most directly comparable GAAP measure is cash provided by operations. Management utilizes this measure in connection with managing our business and believes that free cash flow is useful to investors as a liquidity measure because it measures the amount of cash generated that is available, after reinvesting in the business, to maintain a strong balance sheet, pay dividends, repurchase stock, service debt and make investments for future growth. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. | |||||||
The non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for an analysis of our results calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because not all companies use identical calculations, the Company's presentation of non-GAAP financial measures in this release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures disclosed by other companies, including companies in the same industry as International Paper. | |||||||
Management believes non-GAAP financial measures, when used in conjunction with information presented in accordance with GAAP, can facilitate a better understanding of the impact of various factors and trends on the Company's financial results. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating the Company's performance. Investors are cautioned to not place undue reliance on any non-GAAP financial measures used in this release. | |||||||
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/international-paper-reports-full-year-and-fourth-quarter-2024-results-302363838.html
SOURCE International Paper
Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!
You May Also Be Interested In
- California Resources completes $63M acquisition of Crimson Midstream
- Definitive Healthcare names Clay Ritchey as new CEO
- Asendia USA Helps Retailers Navigate New EU Customs Rules with Free e-Book and Webinar
Create E-mail Alert Related Categories
PRNewswire, Press ReleasesRelated Entities
Dividend, EarningsSign up for StreetInsider Free!
Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more!



Tweet
Share