Edgar Filing: MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


[X]		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

[ ]

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File No.: 000-51826

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


Washington		47-0956945
(State or other jurisdiction		(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

Suite 1120, 700 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1G8

(Address of office)

(604) 684-1099

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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. 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 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


Large Accelerated Filer ¨		Accelerated Filer x		Non-Accelerated Filer ¨		Smaller Reporting Company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ¨ NO x

The Registrant had 64,501,896 shares of common stock outstanding as at October 28, 2015.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

(Unaudited)

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except number of shares and per share data)


	September 30,			December 31,
	2015			2014
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	137,288		$	53,172
Restricted cash (Note 9)		9,488			10,286
Receivables		139,405			141,088
Inventories (Note 2)		139,829			146,576
Prepaid expenses and other		7,197			6,745
Deferred income tax		19,863			19,968

Total current assets		453,070			377,835

Property, plant and equipment, net		783,773			883,150
Other assets		21,374			22,767
Deferred income tax		14,200			43,055

Total assets	$	1,272,417		$	1,326,807


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other (Note 3)	$	127,677		$	102,225
Dividends payable (Note 6)		7,418			-
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations (Note 5)		1,019			1,177
Debt (Note 4)		-			12,101

Total current liabilities		136,114			115,503

Debt (Note 4)		670,092			675,412
Interest rate derivative liability (Note 9)		11,411			17,962
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations (Note 5)		29,808			34,837
Capital leases and other		13,347			15,321
Deferred income tax		18,684			28,892

Total liabilities		879,456			887,927


Shareholders’ equity
Common shares $1 par value; 200,000,000 authorized;
64,502,000 issued and outstanding (2014 - 64,274,000)		388,897			386,338
Paid-in capital		4,149			4,769
Retained earnings		146,602			100,214
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 8)		(146,687	)		(52,441	)

Total shareholders’ equity		392,961			438,880

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,272,417		$	1,326,807


Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Subsequent event (Note 6)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 3

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Revenues
Pulp	$	249,141		$	276,959		$	729,924		$	814,947
Energy and chemicals		21,752			24,651			65,452			77,540

		270,893			301,610			795,376			892,487
Costs and expenses
Operating costs		197,506			222,831			587,747			689,600
Operating depreciation and amortization		16,890			19,314			50,587			58,784
Selling, general and administrative expenses		12,465			11,279			35,530			34,653

Operating income		44,032			48,186			121,512			109,450


Other income (expense)
Interest expense		(13,275	)		(17,456	)		(40,635	)		(52,071	)
Gain on settlement of debt		-			31,851			-			31,851
Foreign exchange loss on intercompany debt		(20	)		(3,178	)		(4,432	)		(3,365	)
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments (Note 9)		(342	)		3,447			(699	)		9,224
Other expense		(56	)		(230	)		(169	)		(119	)

Total other income (expense)		(13,693	)		14,434			(45,935	)		(14,480	)

Income before income taxes		30,339			62,620			75,577			94,970
Income tax benefit (provision)
Current		(2,789	)		(1,106	)		(9,290	)		(2,633	)
Deferred		(3,790	)		30,305			(12,481	)		25,424

Net income		23,760			91,819			53,806			117,761
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			(3,482	)		-			(7,812	)

Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	23,760		$	88,337		$	53,806		$	109,949


Net income per share attributable to common shareholders (Note 7)
Basic	$	0.37		$	1.38		$	0.84		$	1.79
Diluted	$	0.37		$	1.37		$	0.83		$	1.78

Cash dividend declared per common share (Note 6)	$	0.115		$	-		$	0.115		$	-

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 4

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income	$	23,760		$	91,819		$	53,806		$	117,761
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes
Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of tax effect of $nil in all periods)		(14,106	)		(41,527	)		(94,866	)		(44,506	)
Change in unrecognized losses and prior service costs related to defined benefit plans (net of tax effect of $nil in all periods)		273			197			732			587
Change in unrealized gains on marketable securities (net of tax effect of $nil in all periods)		(34	)		(14	)		(112	)		(3	)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		(13,867	)		(41,344	)		(94,246	)		(43,922	)

Total comprehensive income (loss)		9,893			50,475			(40,440	)		73,839
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			(3,482	)		-			(7,812	)

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	9,893		$	46,993		$	(40,440	)	$	66,027

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	23,760		$	88,337		$	53,806		$	109,949
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest		-			(23,755	)		-			(23,755	)
Cash dividends declared ($0.115 per common share)		(7,418	)		-			(7,418	)		-
Retained earnings, beginning of period		130,260			32,427			100,214			10,815

Retained earnings, end of period	$	146,602		$	97,009		$	146,602		$	97,009

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 5

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities
Net income	$	23,760		$	91,819		$	53,806		$	117,761
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities
Gain on settlement of debt		-			(31,851	)		-			(31,851	)
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments		342			(3,447	)		575			(9,224	)
Depreciation and amortization		17,086			19,397			50,956			59,035
Deferred income taxes		3,790			(30,305	)		12,481			(25,424	)
Foreign exchange loss on intercompany debt		20			3,178			4,432			3,365
Defined benefit pension plan and post-retirement benefit plan expense		533			629			1,627			1,875
Stock compensation expense		427			592			1,785			923
Other		767			2,308			1,802			4,022
Defined benefit pension plan and post-retirement benefit plan contributions		(431	)		(724	)		(1,344	)		(1,950	)
Changes in working capital
Receivables		10,623			(14,439	)		(12,059	)		(17,254	)
Inventories		(2,054	)		(147	)		(7,702	)		5,186
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		18,522			19			36,593			14,199
Other		(1,695	)		(172	)		(983	)		(2,846	)

Net cash from (used in) operating activities		71,690			36,857			141,969			117,817

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment		(9,413	)		(9,418	)		(28,184	)		(22,135	)
Purchase of intangible assets		(1,005	)		(1,135	)		(2,895	)		(3,590	)
Other		27			(418	)		324			(145	)

Net cash from (used in) investing activities		(10,391	)		(10,971	)		(30,755	)		(25,870	)

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities
Repayment of debt		-			(14,683	)		(10,763	)		(45,224	)
Proceeds from issuance of shares		-			(84	)		-			53,858
Payment of interest rate derivative liability		-			-			(7,015	)		-
Repayment of capital lease obligations		(578	)		(580	)		(1,718	)		(1,772	)
Proceeds from sale and lease-back transactions		-			-			466			1,047
Proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facilities, net		(12,881	)		-			(3,358	)		-
Proceeds from government grants		-			2,028			159			6,086
Other		-			(592	)		(106	)		(592	)

Net cash from (used in) financing activities		(13,459	)		(13,911	)		(22,335	)		13,403

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(1,419	)		(13,075	)		(4,763	)		(13,155	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		46,421			(1,100	)		84,116			92,195
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		90,867			241,023			53,172			147,728

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	137,288		$	239,923		$	137,288		$	239,923

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 6

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars)


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014			2015			2014
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for
Interest	$	1,138	$	2,903		$	27,043		$	35,792
Income taxes	$	412	$	498		$	1,227		$	2,316

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities
Payment-in-kind note issued to acquire noncontrolling interest	$	-	$	12,101		$	-		$	12,101
Acquisition of production and other equipment under capital lease obligations	$	-	$	(7	)	$	-		$	611
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued purchases for property, plant and equipment	$	715	$	(1,040	)	$	(83	)	$	(3,334	)
Increase (decrease) in receivables of government grants for long-term assets	$	-	$	33		$	-		$	(2,929	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 7

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 1. The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The interim consolidated financial statements contained herein include the accounts of Mercer International Inc. (“Mercer Inc.”) and all of its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”). The Company’s shares of common stock are quoted and listed for trading on both the NASDAQ Global Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The year-end Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. The footnote disclosure included herein has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted for interim financial statements in the United States (“GAAP”). The interim consolidated financial statements should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. In the opinion of the Company, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contained herein contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods included. The results for the periods included herein may not be indicative of the results for the entire year.

The Company has three pulp mills that are aggregated into one reportable business segment, market pulp. Accordingly, the results presented are those of the reportable business segment.

In these interim consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are expressed in United States dollars (“U.S. dollars” or “$”). The symbol “€” refers to euros and the symbol “C$” refers to Canadian dollars.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant management judgment is required in determining the accounting for, among other things, pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, deferred income taxes (valuation allowance), depreciation and amortization, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for long-lived assets, intercompany loans of a long-term investment nature, legal liabilities and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue Recognition – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”) that requires companies to recognize revenue when a customer obtains control rather than when companies have transferred substantially all risks and rewards of a good or service. This update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein and requires expanded disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”) which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of ASU 2015-03 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 8

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 2. Inventories


	September 30,		December 31,
	2015		2014
Raw materials	$	64,469	$	52,877
Finished goods		30,473		45,090
Spare parts and other		44,887		48,609

	$	139,829	$	146,576

Note 3. Accounts Payable and Other


	September 30,		December 31,
	2015		2014
Trade payables	$	29,307	$	34,329
Accrued liabilities		61,070		41,368
Interest rate derivative liability, current portion (Note 9)		12,295		14,832
Accrued interest payable		16,243		4,728
Other		8,762		6,968

	$	127,677	$	102,225

Note 4. Debt

Debt consists of the following:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2015		2014
2019 Senior Notes, unsecured (a)	$	250,000	$	250,000
2022 Senior Notes, unsecured (a)		400,000		400,000
Payment-in-kind note (b)		-		12,101
Revolving credit facilities
€75.0 million (c)		20,092		25,412
C$40.0 million (d)		-		-
€25.0 million (e)		-		-
€5.0 million (f)		-		-

		670,092		687,513
Less: current portion		-		(12,101	)

Debt, less current portion	$	670,092	$	675,412

As at September 30, 2015, the maturities of debt are as follows:


Matures	Amount
2015	$	-
2016		-
2017		-
2018		-
2019		270,092
Thereafter		400,000

	$	670,092

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 9

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 4. Debt (continued)

Certain of the Company’s debt instruments were issued under agreements which, among other things, may limit its ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to make certain payments, including dividends. These limitations are subject to specific exceptions. As at September 30, 2015, the Company is in compliance with the terms of its debt agreements.

(a)

On November 26, 2014, the Company completed a private offering of $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7.00% senior notes which mature on December 1, 2019 (“2019 Senior Notes”) and $400,000 in aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior notes which mature on December 1, 2022 (“2022 Senior Notes” and collectively with the 2019 Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were issued at a price of 100% of their principal amount.

The Senior Notes are general unsecured senior obligations of the Company. They rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness of the Company and are senior in right of payment to any current or future subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Notes are effectively junior in right of payment to all existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness, and all indebtedness and liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries.

The Company may redeem all or a part of the Senior Notes, upon not less than 30 days’ or more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) discussed below, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but not including) the applicable redemption date. The 2019 Senior Notes redemption prices are equal to 103.50% for the twelve month period beginning on December 1, 2016, 101.75% for the twelve month period beginning on December 1, 2017, and 100.00% beginning on December 1, 2018 and at any time thereafter. The 2022 Senior Notes redemption prices are equal to 105.813% for the twelve month period beginning on December 1, 2017, 103.875% for the twelve month period beginning on December 1, 2018, 101.938% for the twelve month period beginning on December 1, 2019, and 100.00% beginning on December 1, 2020 and at any time thereafter.

(b)	A €10.0 million payment-in-kind note due to the former noncontrolling shareholder of the Stendal mill which the Company redeemed on April 20, 2015 for a cash payment of €10.0 million ($10,763).

(c)

A €75.0 million revolving credit facility at the Stendal mill that matures in October 2019. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by the mill’s inventory and receivables and bear interest at Euribor plus 3.50%. As at September 30, 2015, €18.0 million ($20,092) of this facility was drawn and was accruing interest at a rate of 3.50%, and approximately €57.0 million ($63,623) was available.

(d)

A C$40.0 million revolving credit facility at the Celgar mill that matures in May 2019. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by the mill’s inventory and receivables and are restricted by a borrowing base calculated on the mill’s inventory and receivables. Canadian dollar denominated amounts bear interest at bankers acceptance plus 1.50% or Canadian prime. U.S. dollar denominated amounts bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.50% or U.S. base. As at September 30, 2015, approximately C$1.7 million ($1,268) was supporting letters of credit and approximately C$38.3 million ($28,596) was available.

(e)

A €25.0 million revolving credit facility at the Rosenthal mill that matures in October 2016. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by the mill’s inventory and receivables and bear interest at Euribor plus 3.50%. As at September 30, 2015, approximately €0.4 million ($446) of this facility was supporting bank guarantees leaving approximately €24.6 million ($27,459) available.

(f)

A €5.0 million revolving credit facility at the Rosenthal mill that matures in December 2015. Borrowings under this facility bear interest at the rate of the three-month Euribor plus 3.50% and are secured by certain land at the Rosenthal mill. As at September 30, 2015 approximately €1.3 million ($1,396) of this facility was supporting bank guarantees leaving approximately €3.7 million ($4,185) available.

FORM 10-Q

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MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 5. Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Obligations

Defined Benefit Plans

Included in pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations are amounts related to the Company’s Celgar and Rosenthal mills. The largest component of this obligation is with respect to the Celgar mill which maintains a defined benefit pension plan and post-retirement benefit plans for certain employees (the “Celgar Defined Benefit Plans”).

Pension benefits are based on employees’ earnings and years of service. The Celgar Defined Benefit Plans are funded by contributions from the Company based on actuarial estimates and statutory requirements. Pension contributions during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 totaled $431 and $1,344, respectively (2014 – $724 and $1,950).

The components of the net periodic benefit costs relating to the Celgar Defined Benefit Plans for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2015					2014
	Pension Benefits			Post- Retirement Benefits		Pension Benefits			Post- Retirement Benefits
Service cost	$	29		$	194	$	31		$	183
Interest cost		304			233		466			316
Expected return on plan assets		(500	)		-		(564	)		-
Amortization of unrecognized items		271			2		200			(3	)

Net periodic benefit cost	$	104		$	429	$	133		$	496

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015					2014
		Pension Benefits			Post- Retirement Benefits		Pension Benefits			Post- Retirement Benefits

Service cost	$	92		$	607	$	92		$	548
Interest cost		1,028			731		1,390			942
Expected return on plan assets		(1,563	)		-		(1,684	)		-
Amortization of unrecognized items		726			6		596			(9	)

Net periodic benefit cost	$	283		$	1,344	$	394		$	1,481

Defined Contribution Plan

Effective December 31, 2008, the Celgar Defined Benefit Plans were closed to new members. In addition, the defined benefit service accrual ceased on December 31, 2008, and members began to receive pension benefits, at a fixed contractual rate, under a new defined contribution plan effective January 1, 2009. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company made contributions of $173 and $521, respectively (2014 – $157 and $556), to this plan.

Multiemployer Plan

The Company participates in a multiemployer plan for the hourly-paid employees at the Celgar mill. The contributions to the plan are determined based on a percentage of pensionable earnings pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company has no current or future contribution obligations in excess of the contractual contributions. Contributions during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 totaled $399 and $1,249, respectively (2014 – $392 and $1,413).

FORM 10-Q

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MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 6. Shareholders’ Equity

Dividends

In July 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.115 per common share. This dividend was paid on October 5, 2015 to all shareholders of record on September 28, 2015.

In October 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.115 per common share. Payment of the dividend will be made on January 5, 2016 to all shareholders of record on December 28, 2015. Future dividends are subject to approval by the Board of Directors and may be adjusted as business and industry conditions warrant.

Stock Based Compensation

In June 2010, the Company adopted a stock incentive plan (the “2010 Plan”) which provides for options, restricted stock rights, restricted shares, performance shares, performance share units (“PSUs”) and stock appreciation rights to be awarded to employees, consultants and non-employee directors. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were no issued and outstanding restricted stock rights, performance shares or stock appreciation rights. As at September 30, 2015, after factoring in all allocated shares, there remain approximately 2.1 million common shares available for grant.

PSUs

PSUs comprise rights to receive common shares at a future date that are contingent on the Company and the grantee achieving certain performance objectives. The performance objective periods are generally three years.

For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, the Company recognized an expense of $262 and $1,359, respectively, related to PSUs (2014 – $449 and $503).

The following table summarizes PSU activity during the period:


	Number of PSUs
Outstanding at January 1, 2015		969,544
Granted		401,368
Vested and issued		(160,608	)
Forfeited		(24,505	)

Outstanding at September 30, 2015		1,185,799

Restricted Shares

Restricted shares generally vest over one year; however, 200,000 restricted shares granted during the year ended December 31, 2011 vest in equal amounts over a five-year period commencing in 2012.

Expense recognized for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 was $165 and $426 respectively (2014 – $143 and $420). As at September 30, 2015, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted shares amounted to approximately $409 (2014 – $427), which will be amortized over the remaining vesting periods.

The following table summarizes restricted share activity during the period:


	Number of
	Restricted Shares
Outstanding at January 1, 2015		118,000
Granted		38,000
Vested		(78,000	)

Outstanding at September 30, 2015		78,000

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 12

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 6. Shareholders’ Equity (continued)

Stock Options

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, 30,000 stock options were exercised (2014 – nil) for proceeds of $219, and 25,000 stock options were cancelled (2014 – nil) in exchange for $149. The Company has no stock options outstanding as at September 30, 2015.

Note 7. Net Income Per Share Attributable to Common Shareholders


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted	$	23,760	$	88,337	$	53,806	$	109,949

Net income per share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic	$	0.37	$	1.38	$	0.84	$	1.79

Diluted	$	0.37	$	1.37	$	0.83	$	1.78

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic ⁽¹⁾		64,423,896		64,155,288		64,365,962		61,290,986
Effect of dilutive instruments:
PSUs		330,353		325,802		333,937		407,898
Restricted shares		36,260		69,432		59,911		76,960
Stock options		-		18,967		5,136		13,278

Diluted		64,790,509		64,569,489		64,764,946		61,789,122

(1) For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, the basic weighted average number of shares excludes 78,000 restricted shares which have been issued, but have not vested as at September 30, 2015 (2014 – 118,000 restricted shares).

The calculation of diluted net income per share attributable to common shareholders does not assume the exercise of any instruments that would have an anti-dilutive effect on net income per share. There were no anti-dilutive instruments for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

Note 8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes in amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component are as follows:


	Foreign			Defined Benefit			Unrealized
	Currency			Pension and			Gains on
	Translation			Post-Retirement			Marketable
	Adjustments			Benefit Items			Securities			Total
Balance December 31, 2014	$	(33,268	)	$	(19,287	)	$	114		$	(52,441	)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(94,866	)		-			(112	)		(94,978	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated othercomprehensive income (loss)		-			732			-			732

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes		(94,866	)		732			(112	)		(94,246	)

Balance September 30, 2015	$	(128,134	)	$	(18,555	)	$	2		$	(146,687	)

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 13

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 9. Derivative Transactions

The Company is exposed to certain market risks relating to its ongoing business. The Company seeks to manage these risks through internal risk management policies as well as, from time to time, the use of derivatives. The derivatives are measured at fair value with changes in fair value immediately recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments in the Interim Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Interest Rate Derivative

During 2002, the Company entered into certain variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps in connection with the Stendal mill with respect to an aggregate maximum amount of approximately €612.6 million of the principal amount of the indebtedness under the Stendal mill’s senior project finance facility, which was settled in November 2014. Under the remaining interest rate swaps, the Company pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate with the derivative payments being calculated on a notional amount. As at September 30, 2015, the contract has a fair value of €21.2 million ($23,706) of which €11.0 million ($12,295) is classified as current within accounts payable and other and €10.2 million ($11,411) is classified as a long-term liability in the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet. The contract has an aggregate notional amount of €222.7 million, a fixed interest rate of 5.28% and matures in October 2017.

The Company has pledged as collateral cash in the amount of 67% of the fair value of the interest rate swap up to €8.5 million to the derivative counterparty. The calculation to determine the collateral is performed semi-annually, with the final calculation in October 2017. As at September 30, 2015, the collateral was €8.5 million ($9,488). This cash has been classified as restricted cash in the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The interest rate derivative is with a bank that is part of a banking syndicate that holds the Stendal €75.0 million revolving credit facility and the Company does not anticipate non-performance by the bank.

Note 10. Financial Instruments

The fair value of financial instruments is summarized as follows:


	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	137,288	$	137,288	$	53,172	$	53,172
Restricted cash	$	9,488	$	9,488	$	10,286	$	10,286
Marketable securities	$	84	$	84	$	196	$	196
Interest rate derivative liability	$	23,706	$	23,706	$	32,794	$	32,794
Debt	$	670,092	$	676,592	$	687,513	$	695,013

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates the fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. Marketable securities are recorded at fair value based on quoted prices in an active market. See the Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure section below for details on how the fair value of the interest rate derivative and debt was determined.

Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure

The Company classified its marketable securities within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy because quoted prices are available in an active market for the exchange-traded equities.

The Company’s interest rate derivative is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, as it is valued using internal models that use as their basis readily observable market inputs, such as forward interest rates and yield curves observable at specified intervals. The observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. The Company’s debt is recognized at amortized cost. The fair value of debt classified as Level 2 reflects recent market transactions.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 14

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 10. Financial Instruments (continued)

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s outstanding financial instruments and their estimated fair values under the fair value hierarchy:


	Fair value measurements at September 30, 2015 using:
Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Marketable securities	$	84	$	-	$	-	$	84

Liabilities
Interest rate derivative	$	-	$	23,706	$	-	$	23,706
Debt
Senior Notes		-		656,500		-		656,500
Revolving credit facilities		-		20,092		-		20,092

	$	-	$	700,298	$	-	$	700,298


	Fair value measurements at December 31, 2014 using:
Description	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets
Marketable securities	$	196	$	-	$	-	$	196

Liabilities
Interest rate derivative	$	-	$	32,794	$	-	$	32,794
Debt
Senior Notes		-		657,500		-		657,500
Revolving credit facilities		-		25,412		-		25,412
Payment-in-kind note		-		-		12,101		12,101

	$	-	$	715,706	$	12,101	$	727,807

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

(a)

The Company is involved in legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of any legal actions and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the outcome of any such claim which is pending or threatened, either individually or on a combined basis, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

(b)

In 2012, as a result of a regular tax field audit for the Stendal mill, German public authorities commenced a preliminary investigation into past managers of the mill relating to whether certain settlement amounts received by the Stendal mill in 2007, 2010 and 2011 from the main contractor under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contract for the construction of the Stendal mill should have reduced the assessment base for the original investment subsidies granted to the mill by German authorities. The payments were made by the contractor to the Stendal mill to settle certain warranty, performance and remediation claims that the Stendal mill made against the contractor after completion of mill construction in 2004. The amounts currently under review aggregate approximately €8.3 million ($9,264). Investment subsidies received by the Stendal mill were generally based upon a percentage of the assessment base for subsidies of the mill. If the settlement payments received by the Stendal mill result in a reduction of the assessment base for subsidies under applicable German rules there could be a proportionate reduction in the investment subsidies and the difference could be repayable by the Stendal mill. The Stendal mill believes that it has properly recorded the settlement amounts received from the contractor and that the same do not reduce the assessment base for subsidies of the mill. While it is not reasonably possible to predict the outcome of the legal action and claim, it is the opinion of management that the outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 15

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

(c)

The Company is subject to regulations that require the handling and disposal of asbestos in a prescribed manner if a property undergoes a major renovation or demolition. Otherwise, the Company is not required to remove asbestos from its facilities. Generally asbestos is found on steam and condensate piping systems as well as certain cladding on buildings and in building insulation throughout older facilities. The Company’s obligation for the proper removal and disposal of asbestos products from the Company’s mills is a conditional asset retirement obligation. As a result of the longevity of the Company’s mills, due in part to the maintenance procedures and the fact that the Company does not have plans for major changes that require the removal of asbestos, the timing of the asbestos removal is indeterminate. As a result, the Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate the fair value of its asbestos removal and disposal obligation. The Company will recognize a liability in the period in which sufficient information is available to reasonably estimate its fair value.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 16

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “non-GAAP financial measures”, that is, financial measures that either exclude or include amounts that are not excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, referred to as “GAAP”. Specifically, we make use of the non-GAAP measure “Operating EBITDA”.

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

Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, including financing costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or income (loss) from operations as a measure of performance, or as an alternative to net cash from operating activities as a measure of liquidity.

Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are that Operating EBITDA does not reflect: (i) our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (ii) changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; (iii) the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our outstanding debt; (iv) noncontrolling interests in our Stendal northern bleached softwood kraft, or “NBSK”, pulp mill operations prior to our acquisition of 100% of the economic interest of Stendal in September 2014; (v) the impact of realized or marked to market changes in our derivative positions, which can be substantial; and (vi) the impact of impairment charges against our investments or assets. Because of these limitations, Operating EBITDA should only be considered as a supplemental performance measure and should not be considered as a measure of liquidity or cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Because all companies do not calculate Operating EBITDA in the same manner, Operating EBITDA as calculated by us may differ from Operating EBITDA or EBITDA as calculated by other companies. We compensate for these limitations by using Operating EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance and by relying primarily on our GAAP financial statements.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 17

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In this document: (i) unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” or “Mercer” mean Mercer International Inc. and its subsidiaries; (ii) references to “Mercer Inc.” mean the Company excluding its subsidiaries; (iii) information is provided as of September 30, 2015, unless otherwise stated; (iv) all references to “$” mean U.S. dollars, which is our reporting currency, “€” refers to euros and “C$” refers to Canadian dollars; (v) “ADMTs” refers to air-dried metric tonnes; and (vi) “MWh” refers to megawatt hours.

Results of Operations

General

We operate three northern bleached softwood kraft, referred to as “NBSK”, pulp mills, being our Rosenthal and Stendal mills located in Germany and our Celgar mill located in Western Canada. We have a consolidated annual production capacity of approximately 1.5 million ADMTs.

The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 should be read in conjunction with our interim consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this quarterly report, as well as our most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, referred to as the “SEC”.

Current Market Environment

As our operating costs are primarily incurred in euros and Canadian dollars and our principal product, NBSK pulp, is quoted in U.S. dollars, our business and operating margins have benefited from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Such benefit is generally partially offset as a strengthening of the U.S. dollar puts downward pressure on pulp prices, since a stronger U.S. dollar increases costs to our European and Asian customers. Our energy and chemical sales are made in local currencies and, as a result, our realizations decline in U.S. dollar terms when the U.S. dollar strengthens.

During the current quarter of 2015, the U.S. dollar was 16% and 17% stronger against the euro and Canadian dollar, respectively, compared to the same quarter of 2014. This in large part contributed to a 10% reduction in our costs and expenses in the third quarter of 2015, compared to the same quarter of 2014.

During the third quarter of 2015, pulp list prices decreased by approximately 5% in China and marginally in each of Europe and North America, compared to the end of the prior quarter of 2015. At the end of the current quarter, list prices in Europe, North America and China were approximately $840, $960 and $635 per ADMT, respectively.

Currently, the NBSK pulp market is generally balanced with world producer inventories at about 30 days’ supply.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 18

Looking forward for the fourth quarter of 2015, we currently expect generally stable pricing in Europe and China, although recently announced temporary pollution related curtailments of certain Chinese tissue mills could create some short-term pricing pressure.

Summary Financial Highlights


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
	(in thousands, other than per share amounts)
Pulp revenues	$	249,141		$	276,959		$	729,924		$	814,947
Energy and chemical revenues	$	21,752		$	24,651		$	65,452		$	77,540
Operating income	$	44,032		$	48,186		$	121,512		$	109,450
Operating EBITDA⁽¹⁾	$	61,118		$	67,583		$	172,468		$	168,485
Foreign exchange loss on intercompany debt	$	(20	)	$	(3,178	)	$	(4,432	)	$	(3,365	)
Gain on settlement of debt	$	-		$	31,851		$	-		$	31,851
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$	(342	)	$	3,447		$	(699	)	$	9,224
Income tax benefit (provision)	$	(6,579	)	$	29,199		$	(21,771	)	$	22,791
Net income⁽²⁾	$	23,760		$	88,337		$	53,806		$	109,949
Net income per share⁽²⁾
Basic	$	0.37		$	1.38		$	0.84		$	1.79
Diluted	$	0.37		$	1.37		$	0.83		$	1.78
Common shares outstanding at period end		64,502			64,274			64,502			64,274

(1)	The following table provides a reconciliation of net income attributable to common shareholders to operating income and Operating EBITDA for the periods indicated:


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014			2015		2014
	(in thousands)
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	23,760	$	88,337		$	53,806	$	109,949
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-		3,482			-		7,812
Income tax (benefit) provision		6,579		(29,199	)		21,771		(22,791	)
Interest expense		13,275		17,456			40,635		52,071
Foreign exchange loss on intercompany debt		20		3,178			4,432		3,365
Gain on settlement of debt		-		(31,851	)		-		(31,851	)
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments		342		(3,447	)		699		(9,224	)
Other expense		56		230			169		119

Operating income		44,032		48,186			121,512		109,450
Add: Depreciation and amortization		17,086		19,397			50,956		59,035

Operating EBITDA	$	61,118	$	67,583		$	172,468	$	168,485

(2)	Attributable to common shareholders.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 19

Selected Production, Sales and Other Data


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Pulp production (‘000 ADMTs)		369.5		375.7		1,091.0		1,111.3
Annual maintenance downtime (‘000 ADMTs)		11.1		10.1		50.9		27.8
Annual maintenance downtime (days)		11		10		36		22
Pulp sales (‘000 ADMTs)		390.2		386.9		1,111.3		1,125.1
Average NBSK pulp list prices in Europe ($/ADMT)⁽¹⁾		843		932		862		926
Average NBSK pulp list prices in North America ($/ADMT)⁽¹⁾		967		1,030		981		1,026
Average NBSK pulp list prices in China ($/ADMT)⁽¹⁾		638		728		657		738
Average pulp sales realizations ($/ADMT)⁽²⁾		632		709		650		717
Energy production (‘000 MWh)		475.5		472.0		1,380.9		1,384.5
Energy sales (‘000 MWh)		214.8		207.4		610.5		606.0
Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)		91		107		92		112

Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates
$ / €⁽³⁾		1.1119		1.3250		1.1143		1.3555
$ / C$⁽³⁾		0.7642		0.9184		0.7943		0.9141

(1)	Source: RISI pricing report.

(2)	Average realized pulp prices for the periods indicated reflect customer discounts and pulp price movements between the order and shipment dates.

(3)	Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York noon spot rate over the reporting period.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2015 decreased by approximately 10% to $270.9 million from $301.6 million in the same quarter of 2014, primarily due to lower pulp sales realizations.

Pulp revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2015 decreased by approximately 10% to $249.1 million from $277.0 million in the same quarter of 2014, due to lower pulp sales realizations, partially offset by higher sales volumes.

Energy and chemical revenues decreased by approximately 12% to $21.8 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $24.7 million in the same quarter of 2014, primarily due to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and Canadian dollar.

Pulp production decreased marginally to 369,473 ADMTs in the current quarter from 375,742 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2014. In the third quarter of 2015, we had 11 days (approximately 11,100 ADMTs) of annual maintenance downtime, which was at our Rosenthal mill, compared to ten days (approximately 10,100 ADMTs) in the same quarter of 2014. We estimate that such maintenance downtime in the current quarter adversely impacted our Operating EBITDA by approximately $6.0 million, comprised of approximately $4.1 million in direct out-of-pocket expenses and the balance in reduced production. Many of our competitors that report their financial results using International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) capitalize their direct costs of maintenance shutdowns.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 20

Our Stendal mill has an additional four-day maintenance shutdown scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2015.

Pulp sales volumes increased marginally to 390,216 ADMTs in the current quarter from 386,944 ADMTs in the same quarter of 2014, primarily due to stronger sales volumes to China, partially offset by lower sales to Europe.

In the current quarter of 2015, list prices for NBSK pulp declined from the same quarter of 2014, largely as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Average list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe were approximately $843 per ADMT in the third quarter of 2015, compared to approximately $932 per ADMT in the same quarter of 2014. Average list prices for NBSK pulp in North America and China were approximately $967 per ADMT and $638 per ADMT, respectively, in the third quarter of 2015, compared to approximately $1,030 per ADMT and $728 per ADMT, respectively, in the same quarter of 2014.

Average pulp sales realizations decreased by approximately 11% to $632 per ADMT in the third quarter of 2015 from approximately $709 per ADMT in the same quarter last year, primarily due to lower list prices largely resulting from the strength of the U.S. dollar.

Costs and expenses in the current quarter decreased by approximately 10% to $226.9 million from $253.4 million in the third quarter of 2014, primarily due to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated expenses. During the current quarter, the U.S. dollar was 16% and 17% stronger against the euro and Canadian dollar, respectively, compared to the same quarter of 2014.

In October 2015, we received a positive decision from the British Columbia Utilities Commission that determined our Celgar mill was entitled to a rebate for past over-payments to the local utility provider. While the actual amount of such rebate is subject to the approval of such commission, we and the local utility have agreed that the amount refundable to us is approximately $6.5 million and to jointly seek approval of the same. The commission decision will also lower our Celgar mill’s operating costs going forward.

In the third quarter of 2015, operating depreciation and amortization decreased by approximately 12% to $16.9 million from $19.3 million in the same quarter of 2014, due to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and Canadian dollar.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $12.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $11.3 million in the same quarter of 2014.

Transportation costs decreased by approximately 18% to $20.0 million in the current quarter from $24.3 million in the same quarter of 2014 due to the stronger U.S. dollar.

On average, our overall per unit fiber costs in the current quarter decreased by approximately 11% from the same quarter of 2014, primarily as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro and the Canadian dollar more than offsetting increases in local currency per unit fiber prices. In the current quarter, in euro terms, average fiber prices in Germany were approximately 2% higher than the comparative quarter. In the current quarter, in Canadian dollar terms, average fiber prices for our Celgar mill were approximately 19% higher than the comparative quarter due to increased demand for chips from coastal mills in the Celgar mill’s fiber procurement region and the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, as a portion of the Celgar mill’s fiber supply is purchased in U.S. dollars.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 21

In the third quarter of 2015, our operating income decreased by approximately 9% to $44.0 million from $48.2 million in the same quarter of 2014, primarily due to lower pulp sales realizations, partially offset by the net positive impact of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and Canadian dollar.

Interest expense in the current quarter decreased to $13.3 million from $17.5 million in the same quarter of 2014, primarily as a result of lower indebtedness.

During the third quarter of 2014, we recorded a non-cash gain of $31.9 million on the settlement of debt as a result of our acquisition of all of the shareholder loans of the former noncontrolling shareholder in Stendal.

In the third quarter of 2014, as a result of a strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro, we recorded a non-cash loss on the foreign exchange translation of intercompany debt between Mercer Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, which decreased our net income by $3.2 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share.

In the current quarter, we recorded a non-cash derivative loss of $0.3 million on the mark to market adjustment of our Stendal mill’s interest rate derivative, compared to a non-cash derivative gain of $3.4 million in the same quarter of 2014.

The noncontrolling shareholder’s interest in the Stendal mill’s net income, which was eliminated in the third quarter of 2014, was $3.5 million in the third quarter of last year.

During the third quarter of 2015, we recorded an income tax expense of $6.6 million, compared to a net income tax benefit of $29.2 million in the same quarter of 2014, primarily due to the recognition of income tax loss carry-forwards.

For the third quarter of 2015, we reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $23.8 million, or $0.37 per basic and diluted share, which included an income tax expense of $6.6 million. For the third quarter of 2014, we reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $88.3 million, or $1.38 per basic and $1.37 per diluted share, which included a non-cash gain of $31.9 million (or $0.50 per basic and $0.49 per diluted share) on the settlement of debt and a net income tax benefit of $29.2 million (or $0.46 per basic and $0.45 per diluted share).

In the third quarter of 2015, Operating EBITDA decreased by approximately 10% to $61.1 million from $67.6 million in the same quarter of 2014, primarily as a result of lower pulp sales realizations, partially offset by the net positive impact of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and Canadian dollar which in large part contributed to a 10% reduction in costs and expenses.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 22

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 decreased by approximately 11% to $795.4 million from $892.5 million in the same period in 2014, primarily due to lower pulp sales realizations.

Pulp revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 decreased by approximately 10% to $729.9 million from $814.9 million in the same period of 2014, due to both lower sales realizations and sales volumes.

Energy and chemical revenues decreased by approximately 15% to $65.5 million in the current period of 2015 from $77.5 million in the same period of 2014, primarily due to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and Canadian dollar.

Pulp production decreased by approximately 2% to 1,090,963 ADMTs in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from 1,111,330 ADMTs in the same period of 2014. In the current period of 2015, we had an aggregate of 36 days (approximately 50,900 ADMTs) of annual maintenance downtime, compared to 22 days (approximately 27,800 ADMTs) of annual maintenance downtime in the same period of 2014. We estimate that such maintenance downtime in the current period of 2015 adversely impacted our Operating EBITDA by approximately $36.7 million, comprised of approximately $24.1 million in direct out-of-pocket expenses and the balance in reduced production. Many of our competitors that report their financial results using IFRS capitalize their direct costs of maintenance shutdowns.

Pulp sales volumes decreased marginally to 1,111,257 ADMTs in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from 1,125,054 ADMTs in the same period of 2014, primarily due to weaker demand from North America, partially offset by higher sales in China.

Average list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe were approximately $862 per ADMT in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to approximately $926 per ADMT in the same period of 2014. Average list prices for NBSK pulp in North America and China were approximately $981 per ADMT and $657 per ADMT, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to approximately $1,026 per ADMT and $738 per ADMT, respectively, in the same period of 2014.

Average pulp sales realizations decreased by approximately 9% to $650 per ADMT in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from approximately $717 per ADMT in the same period of 2014, primarily due to lower list prices, largely resulting from the strength of the U.S. dollar.

Costs and expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 decreased by approximately 14% to $673.9 million from $783.0 million in the same period of 2014, primarily due to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated expenses, partially offset by higher annual maintenance costs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the U.S. dollar was 18% and 13% stronger against the euro and Canadian dollar, respectively, compared to the same period of 2014.

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In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, operating depreciation and amortization decreased by approximately 14% to $50.6 million from $58.8 million in the same period of 2014, due to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and Canadian dollar.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased slightly to $35.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from $34.7 million in the same period of 2014.

Transportation costs decreased by approximately 16% to $57.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from $68.6 million in the same period of 2014 due to the stronger U.S. dollar.

On average, our overall per unit fiber costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 decreased by approximately 15% from the same period of 2014, primarily as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro and the Canadian dollar more than offsetting increases in our Celgar mill’s per unit fiber prices. In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, in euro terms, average fiber prices in Germany were marginally lower compared to the same period of 2014 as a result of a balanced wood market. In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, in Canadian dollar terms, average fiber prices for our Celgar mill were approximately 17% higher than the comparative period due to increased demand for chips from coastal mills in the Celgar mill’s fiber procurement region and the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar, as a portion of the Celgar mill’s fiber supply is purchased in U.S. dollars.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our operating income increased by approximately 11% to $121.5 million from $109.5 million in the same period of 2014, primarily due to the positive impact of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and Canadian dollar on our costs and expenses, partially offset by lower pulp sales realizations, higher costs associated with annual maintenance downtime and the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar on our energy and chemical sales.

Interest expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 decreased to $40.6 million from $52.1 million in the same period of 2014, primarily as a result of lower indebtedness.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a non-cash gain of $31.9 million on the settlement of debt as a result of our acquisition of all of the shareholder loans of the former noncontrolling shareholder in Stendal.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro, we recorded a non-cash loss on the foreign exchange translation of intercompany debt between Mercer Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries which reduced our net income by $4.4 million, or $0.07 per basic and diluted share, compared to $3.4 million, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, in the same period of 2014.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded a derivative loss of $0.7 million on the mark to market adjustment of our Stendal mill’s interest rate derivative, compared to a non-cash derivative gain of $9.2 million in the same period of 2014.

The noncontrolling shareholder’s interest in the Stendal mill’s net income, which was eliminated in the third quarter of 2014, was $7.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded an income tax expense of $21.8 million, compared to a net income tax benefit of $22.8 million in the same period of 2014, primarily due to the recognition of income tax loss carry-forwards.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $53.8 million, or $0.84 per basic and $0.83 per diluted share, which included an income tax expense of $21.8 million. For the same period of 2014, we reported net income attributable to shareholders of $109.9 million, or $1.79 per basic and $1.78 per diluted share, which included a non-cash gain of $31.9 million (or $0.52 per basic and diluted share) on the settlement of debt and a net income tax benefit of $22.8 million (or $0.37 per basic and diluted share).

In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, Operating EBITDA increased by approximately 2% to $172.5 million from $168.5 million in the same period of 2014, primarily as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro and Canadian dollar which in large part contributed to a 14% reduction in our costs and expenses, partially offset by lower pulp sales realizations and higher annual maintenance costs.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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


	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(in thousands)
Financial Position
Cash and cash equivalents	$	137,288	$	53,172
Working capital	$	316,956	$	262,332
Total assets	$	1,272,417	$	1,326,807
Long-term liabilities	$	743,342	$	772,424
Total equity	$	392,961	$	438,880

As at September 30, 2015, our cash and cash equivalents had increased to $137.3 million from $53.2 million at the end of 2014 and our working capital had increased to $317.0 million from $262.3 million at the end of 2014.

As at September 30, 2015, we had approximately $123.9 million available under our revolving credit facilities.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro and the Canadian dollar, we recorded a non-cash reduction in the carrying value of our net assets, consisting primarily of our fixed assets, denominated in euros and Canadian dollars. This non-cash reduction of approximately $94.9 million does not affect our net income, Operating EBITDA or cash flows but is reflected in our other comprehensive income (loss) and as a reduction to our total equity.

Sources and Uses of Funds

Our principal sources of funds are cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand and our revolving credit facilities. Our principal uses of funds consist of operating expenditures, capital expenditures and interest payments on our outstanding 7.0% Senior Notes due 2019 and 7.75% Senior Notes due 2022.

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We paid a quarterly dividend of $0.115 per common share ($7.4 million) on October 5, 2015 to shareholders of record on September 28, 2015.

Debt Covenants

Certain of our long-term obligations contain various financial tests and covenants customary to these types of arrangements. See our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

As at September 30, 2015, we were in full compliance with all of the covenants of our indebtedness.

Cash Flow Analysis

Cash Flows from Operating Activities. We operate in a cyclical industry and our operating cash flows vary accordingly. Our principal operating cash expenditures are for labor, fiber and chemicals.

Working capital levels fluctuate throughout the year and are affected by maintenance downtime, changing sales patterns, seasonality and the timing of receivables and revenues and the payment of payables and expenses.

Cash provided by operating activities was $142.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $117.8 million in the comparative period of 2014. An increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses provided cash of $36.6 million in the current period of 2015, compared to $14.2 million in the same period of 2014. An increase in inventories, excluding non-cash items, used cash of $7.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to a decrease in inventories providing cash of $5.2 million in the same period of 2014. An increase in receivables, excluding non-cash items, used cash of $12.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $17.3 million in the same period of 2014.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 used cash of $30.8 million, of which $14.0 million was related to wastewater projects which are designed to reduce our wastewater fees and $2.2 million was related to the construction of a new chip storage area at the Rosenthal mill. In the same period of 2014, investing activities used cash of $25.9 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities. In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, financing activities used cash of $22.3 million, compared to providing cash of $13.4 million in the same period of 2014. In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the redemption of the payment-in-kind note issued in respect of the purchase of the minority interest in our Stendal mill in 2014 used cash of $10.8 million and a scheduled payment in respect of our interest rate derivative used cash of $7.0 million. In the nine months ended September 30, 2014, proceeds from our offering of shares of our common stock provided cash of $53.9 million, principal repayments under our Stendal mill’s prior credit facilities, which were paid out in the fourth quarter of 2014, used cash of $44.5 million and proceeds of government grants provided cash of $6.1 million.

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Capital Commitments and Future Liquidity

Based upon the current level of operations and our current expectations for future periods in light of the current economic environment and, in particular, current and expected pulp pricing and foreign exchange rates, we believe that cash flow from operations and available cash, together with available borrowings, will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs in the next 12 months.

We currently have no material commitments to acquire assets or operating businesses. We anticipate that there may be acquisitions or commitments to capital projects in the future. To achieve the long-term goals of expanding our assets and earnings, additional capital resources may be required. Depending on the size of a transaction or project, the capital resources that will be required can be substantial. The necessary resources will be generated from cash flow from operations, cash on hand, borrowing against our assets or the issuance of securities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At September 30, 2015, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K).

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

There were no material changes outside the ordinary course to any of our material contractual obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

We entered into a new two-year collective bargaining agreement with the unionized employees at our Rosenthal mill that took effect July 1, 2015 and provides for, among other things, an annual 2.4% increase in pay for such employees.

Foreign Currency

As we hold certain assets and liabilities in euros and Canadian dollars and the majority of our expenditures are denominated in euros or Canadian dollars, our consolidated financial results are subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

We translate foreign denominated assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange on the balance sheet date. Equity accounts are translated using historical exchange rates. Unrealized gains or losses from these translations are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and do not affect our net earnings.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2015, as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the euro and Canadian dollar, we recorded a non-cash reduction in the carrying value of our net assets, consisting primarily of our fixed assets, denominated in euros and Canadian dollars. As a result, our accumulated other comprehensive loss increased to $146.7 million.

Based upon the exchange rate at September 30, 2015, the U.S. dollar has strengthened by approximately 12% and 16% in value against the euro and the Canadian dollar, respectively, since September 30, 2014. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”.

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Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect both the amount and the timing of the recording of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying note disclosures. Our management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the probable future resolution of the uncertainties increases, these judgments become even more subjective and complex.

Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 to our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. While all of the significant accounting policies are important to the consolidated financial statements, some of these policies may be viewed as having a high degree of judgment. On an ongoing basis, using currently available information, management reviews its estimates, including those related to the accounting for, among other things, pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, deferred income taxes (valuation allowance), depreciation and amortization, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for long-lived assets, intercompany loans of a long-term investment nature, legal liabilities and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known.

We have identified certain accounting policies that are the most important to the portrayal of our current financial condition and results of operations.

For information about both our significant and critical accounting policies, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

The statements in this report 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, as amended.

Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates”, or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will”, “should”, “could”, or “may”, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, forecasts and assumptions by our management and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

●

the highly cyclical nature of our business;

●

our level of indebtedness could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity;

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●

a weakening of the global economy could adversely affect our business and financial results and have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital resources;

●

cyclical fluctuations in the price and supply of our raw materials could adversely affect our business;

●

we operate in highly competitive markets;

●

we are exposed to currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations;

●

we periodically use derivatives to manage certain risks which has caused significant fluctuations in our operating results;

●

we are subject to extensive environmental regulation and we could have environmental liabilities at our facilities;

●

our business is subject to risks associated with climate change and social and government responses thereto;

●

our new enterprise resource planning system may cost more than expected, be delayed, fail to perform as planned and interrupt operational transactions during and following the implementation, which could adversely affect our operations and results of operations;

●

our operations require substantial capital and we may be unable to maintain adequate capital resources to provide for such requirements;

●

future acquisitions may result in additional risks and uncertainties in our business;

●

changes in credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations could adversely affect our cost of financing and have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities;

●

we are subject to risks related to our employees;

●

we rely on German federal and state government grants and participate in German and European statutory energy programs;

●

we are dependent on key personnel;

●

we may experience material disruptions to our production (including as a result of, among other things, planned and unplanned maintenance shutdowns);

●

if our long-lived assets become impaired, we may be required to record non-cash impairment that could have a material impact on our results of operations;

●

we may incur losses as a result of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a pandemic, terrorist attacks or natural disasters;

●

our insurance coverage may not be adequate;

●

we rely on third parties for transportation services;

●

failures or security breaches of our information technology systems could disrupt our operations and negatively impact our business;

●

the price of our common stock may be volatile; and

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●

a small number of our shareholders could significantly influence our business.

Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. The forgoing review of important factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance and should be read in conjunction with the risks and assumptions including those set forth in reports and other documents we have filed with or furnished to the SEC, including in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. We advise you that these cautionary remarks expressly qualify in their entirety all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. Unless required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements based on unanticipated events or changed expectations. However, you should carefully review the reports and other documents we file from time to time with the SEC.

Cyclical Nature of Business

Revenues

The pulp business is highly cyclical in nature and markets are characterized by periods of supply and demand imbalance, which in turn affects prices. Pulp markets are highly competitive and are sensitive to cyclical changes in the global economy, industry capacity and foreign exchange rates, all of which can have a significant influence on selling prices and our operating results. The length and magnitude of industry cycles have varied over time but generally reflect changes in macro-economic conditions and levels of industry capacity. Pulp is a commodity that is generally available from other producers. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition is generally based upon price, which is generally determined by supply relative to demand.

Industry capacity can fluctuate as changing industry conditions can influence producers to idle production capacity or permanently close mills. In addition, to avoid substantial cash costs in idling or closing a mill, some producers will choose to operate at a loss, sometimes even a cash loss, which can prolong weak pricing environments due to oversupply. Oversupply of our products can also result from producers introducing new capacity in response to favorable pricing trends. Certain integrated pulp and paper producers have the ability to discontinue paper production by idling their paper machines and selling their NBSK pulp production on the market if market conditions, prices and trends warrant such actions.

Demand for pulp has historically been determined primarily by general global macroeconomic conditions and has been closely tied to overall business activity. NBSK pulp prices can fluctuate widely over time. Between 2005 and 2014, European list prices for NBSK pulp have fluctuated between a low of approximately $575 per ADMT in 2009 to a high of $1,030 per ADMT in 2011.

In 2012, pulp prices declined sharply, primarily due to economic uncertainty in Europe and credit tightening in China. Economic uncertainty in Europe and China, respectively, impacted both demand and prices. At the end of 2012, list prices were approximately $810 per ADMT in Europe, $870 per ADMT in North America and $655 per ADMT in China. At the end of 2013, list prices had increased to $905 per ADMT in Europe, $990 per ADMT in North America and $750 per ADMT in China. In 2014, list prices were on average approximately 7% higher than 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, pulp prices decreased from the end of 2014. As at September 30, 2015, list prices for NBSK pulp were approximately $840 per ADMT in Europe, $960 per ADMT in North America and $635 per ADMT in China.

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A producer’s actual sales price realizations are list prices net of customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Over the last three years, these have increased as producers compete for customers and sales. Our sales price realizations may also be affected by NBSK price movements between the order and shipment dates.

Accordingly, prices for pulp are driven by many factors outside our control and we have little influence over the timing and extent of price changes, which are often volatile. Prices may fall below our cash production costs, requiring us to either incur short-term losses on product sales or cease production at one or more of our mills. Therefore, our profitability depends on managing our cost structure, particularly our costs for raw materials which represent a significant component of our operating costs and can fluctuate based upon factors beyond our control. If the prices of our products decline, or if prices for our raw materials increase, or both, our results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.

Costs

Our production costs are influenced by the availability and cost of raw materials, energy and labor and our plant efficiencies and productivity. Our main raw material is fiber in the form of wood chips and pulp logs. Wood chip and pulp log costs are primarily affected by the supply of, and demand for, lumber and pulp, which are both cyclical, and, to a lesser extent, by increasing demand from renewable energy producers. Higher fiber costs could affect our margins if we are unable to pass along price increases to our pulp customers or purchasers of surplus energy. The state of lumber markets affects both the amount of sawmill residuals, such as chips, produced as a by-product of lumber and the level of timber harvesting, which provides us with pulp logs. Production costs also depend on the total volume of production. Lower operating rates during periods of cyclically low demand result in higher average production costs and lower margins.

Currency

The majority of our sales are in products quoted in U.S. dollars while most of our operating costs and expenses are in euros, other than those of the Celgar mill, which are primarily incurred in Canadian dollars. Our results of operations and financial condition are reported in U.S. dollars. As a result, our expenses are reduced by an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and to the Canadian dollar. Such a shift in the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and the Canadian dollar improves our operating margins and the cash flow available to fund our operations. Conversely, a weakening of the U.S. dollar to the euro and the Canadian dollar reduces our operating margins and the cash flow available to fund our operations. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and each of the euro and the Canadian dollar. Changes in these rates may affect our results of operations and financial condition and, consequently, our fair value. We seek to manage these risks through internal risk management policies as well as the periodic use of derivatives. We may use derivatives to reduce or limit our exposure to interest rate and currency risks. We may also use derivatives to reduce or limit our exposure to fluctuations in pulp prices. We use derivatives to reduce our potential losses or to augment our potential gains, depending on our management’s perception of future economic events and developments. These types of derivatives are generally highly speculative in nature. They are also very volatile as they are highly leveraged given that margin requirements are relatively low in proportion to notional amounts.

Many of our strategies, including the use of derivatives, and the types of derivatives selected by us, are based on historical trading patterns and correlations and our management’s expectations of future events. However, these strategies may not be effective in all market environments or against all types of risks. Unexpected market developments may affect our risk management strategies during this time and unanticipated developments could impact our risk management strategies in the future. If any of the variety of instruments and strategies we utilize is not effective, we may incur significant losses.

All of our derivatives are marked to market at the end of each reporting period and all unrealized gains and losses are recognized in earnings for a reporting period. We determine market valuations based primarily upon observable inputs, including applicable yield curves.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recorded a derivative loss of approximately $0.7 million on our outstanding interest rate derivative, compared to a non-cash derivative gain of $9.2 million in the same period of 2014.

We are also subject to some energy price risk, primarily for the natural gas and electricity that our operations purchase. Our electricity price risks are mitigated by the ability of all of our mills to produce renewable energy.

For additional information, please refer to Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

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ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referred to as the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.

It should be noted that any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable (and not absolute) assurance as to its effectiveness and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals.

Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to routine litigation incidental to our business, including that which is described in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. We do not believe that the outcome of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

As of September 30, 2015, there have been no material changes to the factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALE OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS


Exhibit No.		Description

31.1		Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2		Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

32.1*		Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

32.2*		Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

101		The following financial statements from the Company’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended September 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL: (i) Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Interim Consolidated Statements of Retained Earnings; (iv) Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (v) Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

* In accordance with Release No. 33-8212 of the SEC, these Certifications: (i) are “furnished” to the SEC and are not “filed” for the purposes of liability under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (ii) are not to be subject to automatic incorporation by reference into any of the Company’s registration statements filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the purposes of liability thereunder or any offering memorandum, unless the Company specifically incorporates them by reference therein.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

By:		/s/ David M. Gandossi
		David M. Gandossi
		Chief Executive Officer and President

Date: October 29, 2015

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