RockTenn Reports 4Q Fiscal 2013 Earnings Up 111 Percent Over the Prior Year Quarter

RockTenn reported earnings for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2013 of $2.40 per diluted share and adjusted earnings of $2.66 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings per diluted share increased 91% over the prior year quarter.

Net sales of $2,485 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 increased $131 million compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. Segment income of $332 million increased $123 million or 59% over the prior year quarter.

RockTenn’s restructuring and other costs and operating losses and transition costs due to plant closures for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were $0.26 per diluted share after-tax. These costs primarily consisted of $19 million of pre-tax facility closure charges and $7 million of pre-tax acquisition and integration costs. The pre-tax facility closure charges primarily consisted of severance and other employee costs, equipment impairments and carrying costs for facilities acquired in the Smurfit-Stone acquisition that were partially offset by gains on the sale of previously closed facilities.

“We are pleased with our record adjusted earnings and cash flow in the September quarter and for all of fiscal 2013,” RockTenn CEO Steve Voorhees said. “We expect to continue to improve our business performance and generate strong free cash flow during fiscal 2014. With our leverage ratio now below two times for the first time since March 2011, we have significant flexibility to take advantage of opportunities to invest in our business and return capital to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases.”

Containerboard shipments of approximately 1,825,000 tons decreased approximately 34,000 tons compared to the prior year quarter due to lower domestic sales. Consumer Packaging segment paperboard and pulp shipments of approximately 366,000 tons increased approximately 16,000 tons over the prior year quarter.

Corrugated Packaging segment net sales increased $147 million to $1,744 million and segment income increased $125 million to $238 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to the prior year quarter. The increased sales and earnings are primarily related to higher selling prices and increased synergies that were partially offset by higher commodity and other costs.

In addition, segment income included a $12 million gain related to the recording of additional value of spare parts at our containerboard mills acquired in the Smurfit-Stone acquisition and a $9 million gain related to the termination of a steam supply contract at its Solvay recycled containerboard mill, net of boiler start-up costs. Corrugated Packaging segment EBITDA margin was 20.0% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 up 630 basis points from the 13.7% in the prior year quarter, the highest such segment EBITDA margin since the Smurfit-Stone acquisition and primarily represents higher pricing, increased synergy realization and continued operating performance improvements.

Consumer Packaging segment net sales increased $11 million and segment income declined $10 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to the prior year quarter. Segment income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 included $18 million received in connection with the termination and settlement of a paperboard supply agreement, net of legal fees in the period, and segment income in the current year fourth quarter included approximately $8 million related to a partial insurance settlement of property damage claims associated with the prior year Demopolis turbine failure. Additionally, segment income was impacted primarily by higher commodity and other costs that were partially offset by generally higher selling prices and volumes. Consumer Packaging segment EBITDA margin was 17.0% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, driven by higher SBS, URB and pulp pricing and continued operating execution.

Recycling segment net sales increased $12 million over the prior year fourth quarter to $276 million primarily as the impact of increased selling prices exceeded the impact of lower volumes. Segment income increased $7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to the impact of cost structure improvements.