Rayonier Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

• First quarter net income attributable to Rayonier of $1.4 million ($0.01 per share) on revenues of $168.1 million
• First quarter pro forma net income of $7.0 million ($0.05 per share)
• First quarter operating income of $16.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $56.2 million
• First quarter cash provided by operations of $52.3 million and cash available for distribution (CAD) of $36.8 million

Rayonier Inc. (NYSE:RYN) today reported first quarter net income attributable to Rayonier of $1.4 million, or $0.01 per share, on revenues of $168.1 million. This compares to net income attributable to Rayonier of $8.3 million, or $0.06 per share, on revenues of $179.1 million in the prior year quarter.

The first quarter results included $1.3 million of net costs associated with legal settlements¹ and a $4.5 million pension settlement charge, net of tax.² Excluding these items and adjusting for pro forma net income adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interests,³ first quarter pro forma net income⁴ was $7.0 million, or $0.05 per share. This compares to pro forma net income⁴ of $1.1 million, or $0.01 per share, in the prior year period.

The following table summarizes the current quarter and comparable prior year period results:

First quarter operating income was $16.2 million versus $10.6 million in the prior year period, which included $2.3 million of timber write-offs resulting from a casualty event. Excluding this item, prior year first quarter pro forma operating income⁴ was $12.9 million. First quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁴ was $56.2 million versus $54.7 million in the prior year period.

The following table summarizes operating income (loss), pro forma operating income (loss),⁴ and Adjusted EBITDA⁴ for the current quarter and comparable prior year period:

Cash provided by operating activities was $52.3 million versus $64.0 million in the prior year period. Cash available for distribution (CAD)⁴ was $36.8 million, which increased $6.4 million versus the prior year period due to lower cash interest paid (net) ($4.7 million), higher Adjusted EBITDA⁴ ($1.5 million), and lower cash taxes paid ($0.4 million), partially offset by higher capital expenditures ($0.1 million).

“Overall, we delivered modestly improved first quarter results relative to the prior year quarter, which were in-line with our expectations at the start of the year,” said Mark McHugh, President and CEO. “We achieved total Adjusted EBITDA of $56.2 million, representing a 3% increase versus the prior year period, as stronger results from our Southern Timber and New Zealand Timber segments more than offset lower results in our Pacific Northwest Timber and Real Estate segments.”

“In our Southern Timber segment, Adjusted EBITDA increased 5% versus the prior year quarter, as a 6% increase in harvest volumes was partially offset by a 4% decrease in weighted-average net stumpage realizations. In our Pacific Northwest Timber segment, Adjusted EBITDA declined 34% versus the prior year quarter, driven by a 17% decrease in harvest volumes and an 11% decrease in weighted-average delivered log prices. In our New Zealand Timber segment, Adjusted EBITDA improved 88% versus the prior year quarter, as higher carbon credit sales and favorable foreign exchange impacts were partially offset by 4% lower export sawtimber prices.”

“In our Real Estate segment, Adjusted EBITDA was $2.0 million below the prior year quarter, as transaction activity was relatively limited to start the year, consistent with our prior guidance.”

Southern Timber

First quarter sales of $70.0 million decreased $1.9 million, or 3%, versus the prior year period. Harvest volumes increased 6% to 2.01 million tons versus 1.89 million tons in the prior year period, as we benefited from weather-related constraints on competing supply. Average pine sawtimber stumpage realizations decreased 3% to $30.62 per ton versus $31.57 per ton in the prior year period, primarily due to a less favorable geographic mix. Average pine pulpwood stumpage realizations decreased 2% to $16.89 per ton versus $17.32 per ton in the prior year period, which was also primarily driven by an unfavorable geographic mix. Overall, weighted-average net stumpage realizations (including hardwood) decreased 4% to $23.07 per ton versus $24.03 per ton in the prior year period. Non-timber sales of $9.1 million decreased 3% versus the prior year period, as lower pipeline easement revenues were partially offset by growth in our land-based solutions business. Operating income of $23.0 million increased $0.8 million versus the prior year period due to favorable costs ($1.7 million) and higher volumes ($1.5 million), partially offset by lower net stumpage realizations ($1.9 million) and lower non-timber income ($0.5 million).

First quarter Adjusted EBITDA4 of $44.8 million was 5%, or $2.0 million, above the prior year period.

Pacific Northwest Timber

First quarter sales of $25.2 million decreased $9.2 million, or 27%, versus the prior year period. Harvest volumes decreased 17% to 317,000 tons versus 384,000 tons in the prior year period, primarily due to the Large Disposition we completed in Oregon in late 2023. Average delivered prices for domestic sawtimber decreased 9% to $84.31 per ton versus $93.12 per ton in the prior year period due to a combination of weaker demand from domestic lumber mills, reduced export market tension, and an unfavorable species mix, as a lower proportion of Douglas-Fir sawtimber was harvested in the current year period. Average delivered pulpwood prices decreased 39% to $29.31 per ton versus $48.23 per ton in the prior year period, as supply constraints and strong end-market demand significantly benefited the prior year period. An operating loss of $4.4 million versus an operating loss of $3.5 million in the prior year period was driven by lower net stumpage realizations ($0.4 million), higher depletion expense ($0.3 million), and lower volumes ($0.2 million).

First quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁴ of $4.7 million was 34%, or $2.4 million, below the prior year period.

New Zealand Timber

First quarter sales of $45.7 million increased $1.6 million, or 4%, versus the prior year period. Sales volumes of 480,000 tons were relatively flat versus the prior year period. Average delivered prices for export sawtimber decreased 4% to $108.72 per ton versus $112.97 per ton in the prior year period, driven by weaker construction demand in China. Average delivered prices for domestic sawtimber declined 5% to $68.13 per ton versus $71.58 per ton in the prior year period. The decrease in domestic sawtimber prices was primarily driven by weaker domestic demand and decreased competition from export markets, coupled with the decline in the NZ$/US$ exchange rate (US$0.62 per NZ$1.00 versus US$0.63 per NZ$1.00). Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates, domestic sawtimber prices decreased 3% versus the prior year period. First quarter non-timber / carbon credit sales totaled $3.5 million versus $0.3 million in the prior year period. Operating income of $7.4 million increased $8.1 million versus the prior year period due to favorable foreign exchange impacts ($3.4 million), higher carbon credit income ($3.3 million), the prior year write-off of timber basis due to a tropical cyclone casualty event ($2.3 million), lower costs ($0.5 million), and lower depletion rates ($0.3 million), partially offset by lower net stumpage realizations ($1.7 million).

First quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁴ of $11.4 million was 88%, or $5.4 million, above the prior year period.

Real Estate

First quarter sales of $15.6 million decreased $0.7 million versus the prior year period, while operating loss of $0.1 million decreased $1.0 million versus the prior year period. Sales and operating income decreased versus the prior year period due to fewer acres sold (1,933 acres sold versus 2,087 acres sold in the prior year period) and lower weighted-average prices ($5,774 per acre versus $6,200 per acre in the prior year period), partially offset by favorable deferred revenue adjustments.

Improved Development sales of $1.8 million consisted of two transactions in the Heartwood development project south of Savannah, Georgia, including a 3.1-acre multi-tenant retail parcel for $1.0 million ($321,000 per acre) and 18 finished residential lots for $0.8 million (a base price before true-up of $46,000 per lot or $284,000 per acre). This compares to Improved Development sales of $4.8 million in the prior year period.

Rural sales of $8.7 million consisted of 1,498 acres at an average price of $5,828 per acre. This compares to prior year period sales of $6.5 million, which consisted of 1,531 acres at an average price of $4,245 per acre.

Timberland & Non-Strategic sales of $0.6 million consisted of a 430-acre transaction for $1,421 per acre. This compares to prior year period sales of $1.6 million, which consisted of a 528-acre transaction for $3,100 per acre.

First quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁴ of $4.6 million decreased $2.0 million versus the prior year period.

Trading

First quarter sales of $11.8 million decreased $0.8 million versus the prior year period, primarily due to lower prices. Sales volumes of 105,000 tons remained flat versus the prior year period. The Trading segment generated breakeven results versus operating income of $0.3 million in the prior year period.

Other Items

First quarter corporate and other operating expenses of $9.8 million increased $1.2 million versus the prior year period, primarily due to higher compensation and benefits expenses and professional services fees. Compensation and benefits expenses were elevated versus the prior year quarter primarily due to the acceleration of equity compensation expense for retirement-eligible employees.

First quarter interest expense of $9.7 million decreased $2.0 million versus the prior year period, primarily due to lower average outstanding debt.

First quarter net income tax benefit of $0.8 million versus income tax expense of $1.1 million in the prior year period was primarily due to a $1.2 million tax benefit associated with the pension termination and settlement.

Update on Initiatives to Enhance Shareholder Value

We are continuing to make progress toward our $1 billion disposition target, and we are actively evaluating several large-scale transactions. Specifically, we are currently marketing approximately 115,000 acres in Washington state, and we have further identified approximately 100,000 acres in the U.S. South that may be suitable for disposition. In addition, we are evaluating strategic alternatives for our New Zealand joint venture interest and have engaged a financial advisor to assist us with this process. We expect to provide additional information as it becomes available.

Outlook

“Following first quarter results that were largely in line with our expectations, we believe we are on track to achieve our prior full-year Adjusted EBITDA guidance,” added McHugh. “As indicated at the beginning of the year, our full-year 2024 financial guidance excludes the potential impact of any additional asset sales as part of the $1 billion disposition target that we announced in November 2023.”

“In our Southern Timber segment, we are on track to achieve our full-year volume guidance but anticipate lower quarterly harvest volumes for the remainder of the year. We expect that pine stumpage realizations will decrease modestly over the remainder of the year due to a less favorable geographic mix and a relatively higher proportion of thinning volume. Further, we continue to expect higher non-timber income for full-year 2024 relative to full-year 2023 driven by growth in our land-based solutions business.”

“In our Pacific Northwest Timber segment, we remain on track to achieve our full-year volume guidance as we expect harvest volumes to increase during the second half of the year. We believe that market conditions have generally stabilized, and we expect that end-market demand will improve modestly over the course of the year. We further expect weighted-average delivered log prices will increase modestly into the second half of the year as mill inventories continue to normalize.”

“In our New Zealand Timber segment, we are on track to achieve our full-year volume guidance as we anticipate higher quarterly harvest volumes for the remainder of the year. We expect weighted-average log prices to decline modestly in the near term before rebounding in the second half of the year due to lower expected log supply into China. Following the recent pull back in carbon credit pricing, we now anticipate the full-year contribution from carbon credit sales to be comparable with the prior year.”

“In our Real Estate segment, we remain encouraged by the strong interest in our development projects and rural properties. Overall, there continues to be healthy demand for HBU properties and timberland assets despite the higher interest rate environment. Consistent with our prior guidance, we expect a significant uptick in transaction volume and operating results in the second quarter.”

Conference Call

A conference call and live audio webcast will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 10:00 AM (ET) to discuss these results.

Access to the live audio webcast will be available at www.rayonier.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website and available shortly after the call.

Investors may listen to the conference call by dialing 888-604-9366 (domestic) or 517-308-9338 (international), passcode: RAYONIER. A replay of the conference call will be available one hour following the call until Saturday, June 1, 2024, by dialing 800-813-5525 (domestic) or 203-369-3346 (international), passcode: 4071.

Complimentary copies of Rayonier press releases and other financial documents are also available by calling (904) 357-9100.

About Rayonier

Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of March 31, 2024, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.7 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. South (1.85 million acres), U.S. Pacific Northwest (418,000 acres) and New Zealand (422,000 acres). More information is available at www.rayonier.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements - Certain statements in this press release regarding anticipated financial outcomes including Rayonier’s earnings guidance, if any, business and market conditions, outlook, expected dividend rate, Rayonier’s business strategies, expected harvest schedules, timberland acquisitions and dispositions, the anticipated benefits of Rayonier’s business strategies, and other similar statements relating to Rayonier’s future events, developments or financial or operational performance or results, are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” “project,” “anticipate” and other similar language. However, the absence of these or similar words or expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable when made, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements.

The following important factors, among others, could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements that may have been made in this document: the cyclical and competitive nature of the industries in which we operate; fluctuations in demand for, or supply of, our forest products and real estate offerings, including any downturn in the housing market; entry of new competitors into our markets; changes in global economic conditions and geopolitical tensions, including the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions between China and Taiwan as well as in the Middle East; business disruptions arising from public health crises and outbreaks of communicable diseases; fluctuations in demand for our products in Asia, and especially China; the uncertainties of potential impacts of climate-related initiatives; the cost and availability of third party logging, trucking and ocean freight services; the geographic concentration of a significant portion of our timberland; our ability to identify, finance and complete timberland acquisitions and/or to complete dispositions; changes in environmental laws and regulations regarding timber harvesting, delineation of wetlands, endangered species and development of real estate generally, that may restrict or adversely impact our ability to conduct our business, or increase the cost of doing so; adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophic events such as hurricanes, wind storms and wildfires; the lengthy, uncertain and costly process associated with the ownership, entitlement and development of real estate, especially in Florida and Washington, including changes in law, policy and political factors beyond our control; the availability of financing for real estate development and mortgage loans; changes in tariffs, taxes or treaties relating to the import and export of our products or those of our competitors; changes in key management and personnel; and our ability to meet all necessary legal requirements to continue to qualify as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) and changes in tax laws that could adversely affect beneficial tax treatment.

For additional factors that could impact future results, please see Item 1A - Risk Factors in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and similar discussion included in other reports that we subsequently file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised, however, to review any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures – To supplement Rayonier’s financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), Rayonier uses certain non-GAAP measures, including “cash available for distribution,” “pro forma sales,” “pro forma operating income (loss),” “pro forma net income,” and “Adjusted EBITDA,” which are defined and further explained in this communication. Reconciliation of such measures to the nearest GAAP measures can also be found in this communication. Rayonier’s definitions of these non-GAAP measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. These non-GAAP measures should be considered supplemental to, and not a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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