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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 March 31, 2000
OR
[ ] 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. 1-7852
POPE & TALBOT, INC.
DELAWARE 94-0777139
- -------------------------------- ------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
1500 S.W. 1ST AVE., PORTLAND, OREGON 97201
- ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (503) 228-9161
-----------------------------
NONE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report.
Indicate by checkmark 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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the close of the latest practicable date.
Common stock, $1 par value - 14,575,648 shares as of April 30, 2000
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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<CAPTION>
PAGE NO.
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ITEM 1. Financial Statements:
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -
March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999 3
Consolidated Statements of Income -
Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 5
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 6
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations 8
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 14
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings *
ITEM 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds *
ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities *
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders *
ITEM 5. Other Information *
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 14
SIGNATURES 15
</TABLE>
*Omitted since no answer is called for, answer is in the negative or
inapplicable.
2
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Part I. Financial Information
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
POPE & TALBOT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 31, December 31,
2000 1999
--------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 13,556 $ 22,719
Short-term investments 13,781 10,649
Accounts receivable 74,930 74,099
Inventories 87,025 84,466
Prepaid expenses 12,719 10,866
--------------- ----------------
Total current assets 202,011 202,799
Properties
Plant and equipment 469,544 457,537
Accumulated depreciation (240,215) (232,129)
--------------- ----------------
229,329 225,408
Land and timber cutting rights 8,656 8,759
--------------- ----------------
Total properties 237,985 234,167
Other assets
Deferred income tax assets, net 14,735 19,448
Other 12,081 13,792
--------------- ----------------
Total other assets 26,816 33,240
--------------- ----------------
$ 466,812 $ 470,206
=============== ================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings $ 13,780 $ 11,059
Current portion of long-term debt 3,121 4,024
Accounts payable 32,468 29,305
Accrued payroll and related taxes 17,885 18,727
Other accrued liabilities 17,606 32,101
--------------- ----------------
Total current liabilities 84,860 95,216
Long-term liabilities
Long-term debt, net of current portion 145,608 147,038
Other long-term liabilities 42,728 41,851
--------------- ----------------
Total long-term liabilities 188,336 188,889
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock -- --
Common stock 15,457 15,451
Additional paid-in capital 48,135 48,596
Retained earnings 155,685 147,893
Cumulative translation adjustment (11,513) (11,149)
Common stock held in treasury, at cost (14,148) (14,690)
--------------- ----------------
Total stockholders' equity 193,616 186,101
--------------- ----------------
$ 466,812 $ 470,206
=============== ================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
3
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POPE & TALBOT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------------------------
2000 1999
---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Wood products $ 58,531 $ 56,403
Pulp products 81,787 52,802
---------------- ----------------
Total 140,318 109,205
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales:
Wood products 49,978 48,345
Pulp products 64,941 58,086
Selling, general and administrative 6,976 5,607
Interest, net 2,479 2,414
---------------- ----------------
Total 124,374 114,452
Income (loss) before income taxes and
minority interest 15,944 (5,247)
Income tax provision (benefit) 6,551 (1,596)
---------------- ----------------
Income (loss) before minority interest 9,393 (3,651)
Minority interest in subsidiary net loss,
net of income tax benefit -- (1,375)
---------------- ----------------
Net income (loss) $ 9,393 $ (2,276)
================ ================
Per common share:
Basic net income (loss) $ .65 $ (.17)
================ ================
Diluted net income (loss) $ .64 $ (.17)
================ ================
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding (000's) 14,536 13,481
================ ================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
4
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POPE & TALBOT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended
March 31,
--------------------
2000 1999
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<S> <C> <C>
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 9,393 $ (2,276)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 8,574 8,220
Minority interest in subsidiary loss -- (1,375)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (831) (8,301)
Inventories (2,559) 6,825
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,025 1,992
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2,955) 4,174
Current and deferred income taxes (4,483) (3,011)
Other liabilities 950 572
-------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities 9,114 6,820
Cash flow from investing activities:
Purchases of short-term investments (9,140) (3,306)
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments 6,008 8,234
Capital expenditures (13,987) (4,920)
Proceeds from sale of other properties 6 3
-------- --------
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities (17,113) 11
Cash flow from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings 2,721 (968)
Reduction of long-term debt, including current portion (2,333) (136)
Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock 49 --
Cash dividends (1,601) (2,561)
-------- --------
Net cash used for financing activities (1,164) (3,665)
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Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (9,163) 3,166
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 22,719 27,473
-------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 13,556 $ 30,639
======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of this statement.
5
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POPE & TALBOT, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2000 and 1999
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared by the Company in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q
and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for
a complete presentation of financial position, results of operations, and
cash flow activity required under generally accepted accounting principles.
In the opinion of the Company, all adjustments (consisting of only normal
accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of results have been made, and
the Company believes such presentation is adequate to make the information
presented not misleading. These interim financial statements should be read
in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes in
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1999.
2. Accounting Change
Effective January 1, 2000, the Company changed the method for valuation of
fiber in wood chip and pulp inventories of the Harmac pulp operations from
the FIFO method to the LIFO method. The Company made this change to
conform Harmac's method of valuing fiber inventories with its other pulp
manufacturing facility. The impact of this change was an increase in cost
of sales and corresponding decrease in pre-tax operating earnings of
approximately $350,000, or $.01 per diluted share. The cumulative effect
of this change to the LIFO method on operating results as of the
beginning of 2000 has not been presented, as the effect is not readily
determinable.
3. Earnings Per Share
Certain Company stock options were not included in the computation of
diluted earnings per share because the options' exercise prices were
greater than average market prices. Such stock options totaled 301,185 and
961,252 for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
Refer to Exhibit 11.1 of this filing for the computation of average common
shares outstanding and earnings per average common share.
4. Comprehensive income (loss) was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended
March 31,
----------------------------
2000 1999
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<S> <C> <C>
Net income (loss) $ 9,393 $(2,276)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (364) 1,539
---------- ---------
Comprehensive income (loss) $ 9,029 $ (737)
========== =========
</TABLE>
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5. Segment Information
The Company classifies its business into two operating segments: wood
products and pulp products. A reconciliation of the totals reported for the
operating segments to the applicable line items in the consolidated
financial statements was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended
March 31,
------------------------------------
2000 1999
<S> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Wood products $ 58,531 $ 56,403
Pulp products 81,787 52,802
-------------- --------------
Total operating segments $140,318 $109,205
============== ==============
Operating profit (loss):
Wood products $ 6,590 $ 6,522
Pulp products 14,766 (7,002)
-------------- --------------
Total operating segments 21,356 (480)
Corporate (2,933) (2,353)
Interest expense, net (2,479) (2,414)
-------------- --------------
Income (loss) before income
taxes and minority interest $ 15,944 $ (5,247)
============== ==============
</TABLE>
6. Legal Matters and Contingencies
The Company is a party to legal proceedings, environmental matters and
other contingencies generally incidental to its business. Although the
final outcome of these contingencies is subject to many variables and
cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, the Company presently
believes that the ultimate outcome resulting from these proceedings and
matters would not have a material effect on the Company's current financial
position or liquidity; however, in any given future reporting period such
proceedings or matters could have a material effect on results of
operations.
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ITEM 2.
POPE & TALBOT, INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Pope & Talbot, Inc.'s (the "Company's") net income in the first quarter of 2000
was $9.4 million, or $.64 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $2.3
million, or $.17 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 1999. Strong pulp
markets and a significant increase in pulp prices were the primary reasons for
the improved performance.
Total revenues were $140.3 million in the first quarter of 2000 compared with
$109.2 million in the same period of 1999. Pulp products revenues were $81.8
million in the first quarter of 2000 compared with $52.8 million in the same
period of 1999. Pulp sales totaled 150,924 metric tons in the first quarter of
2000, compared with 142,670 metric tons in the first quarter of 1999 and 137,544
metric tons in the fourth quarter of 1999. Average mill net pulp prices of $538
per metric ton in the first quarter of 2000 rose $169 per metric ton, or 46
percent, over the same period a year ago and $53 per metric ton, or 11 percent,
from the fourth quarter of 1999.
Wood products revenues in the first quarter of 2000 totaled $58.5 million
compared with $56.4 million in the same quarter of 1999 and $62.1 million in the
fourth quarter of 1999. Average lumber prices of $360 per thousand board feet in
the current quarter were up 4 percent compared with the first quarter of last
year and flat with fourth quarter of 1999. Lumber sales volumes of 138 million
board feet in the first quarter of 2000 were flat compared with the same period
a year ago and down 5 percent from the fourth quarter of 1999. In anticipation
of the end of the lumber import quota fiscal year on March 31, 2000, the Company
curtailed production at one of its Canadian sawmills and increased inventory
levels at the other mills to reduce quota costs at the highest tariff levels.
Cost of sales for pulp products was $64.9 million in the first quarter of 2000
compared with $58.1 million in the same period of 1999. Pulp production totaled
147,792 metric tons in the first quarter of 2000 compared with 142,600 metric
tons in the same period last year and 128,266 in the fourth quarter of 1999.
Production in the fourth quarter of 1999 was reduced by the impact of a
planned 10-day maintenance shutdown at the Company's Halsey pulp mill. Average
production costs per ton of pulp decreased in the first quarter of 2000 compared
with the same quarter last year as production levels increased and fiber costs
decreased. Usage of higher cost fiber from pulp grade logs was lower in the
first quarter of 2000 due to the availability of residual wood chips from lumber
producers at favorable prices.
Cost of sales for wood products in the first quarter of 2000 increased 3 percent
compared with the first quarter of 1999 due primarily to higher log costs. The
cost of the Canadian saw log inventory converted in the first quarter of 2000
was indexed under the British Columbia log pricing system to third quarter 1999
lumber sales prices, a cyclical peak in lumber sales prices. Lumber production
totaled 166.0 million board feet in the first quarter of 2000 compared with
146.2 million board feet in the same period of last year and 136.5 million board
feet in the fourth quarter of 1999.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of 2000
totaled $7.0 million compared with $5.6 million in the same period of 1999.
Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2000
included higher costs related to employee incentive plans linked to the
Company's financial performance and higher legal fees related to the
Company's NAFTA claim against the Canadian Federal Government.
8
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
During the first quarter of 2000, operations generated cash of $9.1 million
compared with $6.8 million in the first quarter of 1999. Income in the first
quarter of 2000 before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")
was $27.0 million, compared with $5.4 million in the first quarter of 1999 and
$20.7 million in the fourth quarter of 1999. In the first quarter of 2000,
lumber inventories increased due to the Company's decision to build inventory in
Canada rather than incur quota costs at the highest tariff levels, as the end of
the import quota fiscal year was March 31, 2000. Payments of Canadian stumpage
and income taxes reduced accrued liabilities and income taxes payable in the
first quarter of 2000. In the first quarter of 1999, cash generated from
reductions in raw material inventories was more than offset by an increase in
accounts receivable, primarily the result of strong pulp sales volume in that
quarter.
The Company invested approximately $14.0 million in capital projects in the
first quarter of 2000 and estimates that total 2000 capital spending, excluding
environmental-related capital costs at the Halsey pulp mill, will approximate
$20.1 million. These capital projects will relate primarily to maintenance of
existing operations with a limited number of relatively small, high-return
projects. Costs to complete the chlorine dioxide capital project at the Halsey
pulp mill are anticipated to be approximately $26.7 million in 2000, for total
estimated capital spending in 2000 of $46.7 million.
In the first quarter of 2000, the Company consolidated its Canadian banking
relationships to one bank and renegotiated its Canadian revolving credit
agreements. The Company currently has a revolving credit and term loan facility
with a Canadian bank, secured by certain inventory and accounts receivable. The
agreement provides $75 million Canadian (approximately $52 million U.S.) of
revolving credit renewable in March 2001. The Company had $13.8 million of
borrowings under this agreement at March 31, 2000. The Company also has a $25
million revolving credit agreement with a domestic bank renewable in June 2000.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
CYCLICAL OPERATING RESULTS AND PRODUCT PRICING
The Company's financial performance is principally dependent on the prices it
receives for its products. Prices for the Company's products are highly cyclical
and have fluctuated significantly in the past and may fluctuate significantly in
the future. Pulp prices increased significantly in the first quarter of 2000
relative to the first quarter of 1999, while lumber prices reached a cyclical
peak in the third quarter of 1999 and have declined since then. No assurance can
be given as to the sustainability of the recent pulp price improvements.
The Company's financial performance is also dependent on the rate at which it
utilizes its production capacity. When capacity utilization is reduced, its cost
per unit of production increases and its profitability decreases.
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The markets for the Company's products are highly cyclical and are characterized
by periods of excess product supply due to many factors, including:
- additions to industry capacity;
- increased industry production;
- periods of insufficient demand due to weak general economic activity
or other causes; and
- inventory de-stocking by customers.
The Company's primary products are commodities, resulting in extreme price
competition. The global demand for pulp has recently begun to exceed supply, and
pulp prices have increased as a result. Prices for lumber have begun to decline
as rising U.S. interest rates impact the rate of new housing starts. The
Company's industries are capital-intensive, which leads to high fixed costs and
generally results in continued production as long as prices are sufficient to
cover marginal costs. This has also caused substantial price competition and
volatility and caused the Company to recently generate net losses from
continuing operations in its pulp operations segment. In the event of a
recession, demand and prices are likely to drop substantially.
RISKS OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
In general, the Company's sales are subject to the risks of international
business, including:
- fluctuations in foreign currencies;
- changes in the economic strength of the countries in which it does
business;
- trade disputes;
- changes in regulatory requirements;
- tariffs and other barriers; and
- quotas, duties, taxes and other charges or restrictions upon
exportation and importation.
Since mid-1999, pulp prices have increased steadily as a result of strong paper
demand and reduced world-wide pulp inventories. In contrast, the 1998 economic
crisis in Asia softened demand for wood and pulp products in that region and, as
a result, producers for the Asian markets redirected their products to other
regions. Weakness in Asian markets eroded worldwide pricing for the Company's
products, indirectly adversely affecting its financial results. Asian markets
have since strengthened, but if these markets worsened, it could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
AVAILABILITY AND PRICING OF RAW MATERIALS
Logs, wood chips and sawdust, the principal raw materials used in the
manufacture of the Company's products, are purchased in highly competitive,
price-sensitive markets. These raw materials have historically exhibited price
and demand cyclicality. Supply and price of these raw materials are dependent
upon a variety of factors over which the Company has no control, including
environmental and conservation regulations, and natural disasters, such as
forest fires, hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions. A decrease in the
supply of logs, wood chips and sawdust can cause higher raw material costs.
The principal sources of raw material for the Company's wood products operations
are timber obtained through long-term cutting licenses on public lands, logs
purchased on open markets, timber offered for sale through competitive bidding
by U.S. federal agencies and timber purchased under long-term contracts to cut
timber on private lands. The Company's lumber capacity comes from British
Columbia (75%) and the Black Hills region of South Dakota and Wyoming (25%). In
Canada, the Company's timber requirements are obtained primarily from the
Provincial Government of British
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Columbia under long-term timber harvesting licenses which allow the Company to
remove timber from defined areas annually on a sustained yield basis. Under
these licenses, the Provincial Government has the authority to modify prices and
harvest volumes at any time. British Columbia's Commission on Resources and
Environment issued the Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan of 1997. This land use
plan set aside several new wilderness areas. The British Columbia government has
also implemented a Forest Practices Code, which sets strict standards for
logging activities and reforestation responsibilities. No assurance can be given
that in the near or long-term the Company's timber supplies will be stable or
that these forest restrictions will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's operations.
Softwood fiber (wood chips and sawdust), particularly in the quantities
necessary to support world-scale pulp production facilities, fluctuates in the
Pacific Northwest. In the last decade Pacific Northwest log availability has
been reduced and lumber and plywood mills have shut down. The volume of lower
cost residual chips has dropped correspondingly. Pulp mills that require wood
chips as the primary source of raw material may have to rely on additional
higher cost supply sources which produce chips directly from pulpwood and/or
deliver from greater distances. To provide an adequate supply of wood fiber for
its Halsey, Oregon mill, the Company has expanded its capability of using
sawdust as a raw material for a significant portion of the production and
diversified its suppliers of fiber. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to obtain an adequate supply of softwood fiber for its operations.
Harmac has a long-term fiber supply agreement with Weyerhaeuser Company Limited
(Weyerhaeuser) that provides for 1.7 million cubic meters of fiber per year
through 2019. Fiber is purchased at market or at prices determined under a
formula intended to reflect fair market value of the fiber and which takes into
account the net sales value of pulp sold by Harmac. The failure by Weyerhaeuser
to produce the required fiber pursuant to this contract could have a material
adverse effect on the Company as a whole. The Company has entered into
arrangements with other independent fiber suppliers to provide fiber incremental
to that provided by Weyerhaeuser.
DEPENDENCE ON A SINGLE CUSTOMER FOR THE HALSEY, OREGON PULP MILL
Approximately 35-40% of the pulp produced by the Halsey, Oregon pulp mill is
sold to Grays Harbor Paper Company pursuant to a long-term contract. Loss of
this key customer would have a material adverse impact on the Company if a
replacement buyer could not be secured on a timely basis.
QUOTAS AND EXPORT FEES ON LUMBER EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES
Softwood lumber exports to the U.S. by Canadian producers have been a
contentious trade issue between Canada and the U.S. for a number of years.
Effective April 1996, the governments of Canada and the U.S. entered into a
five-year agreement, the Softwood Lumber Agreement, concerning the export of
softwood lumber to the U.S. Pursuant to the agreement, in each of the subsequent
five fiscal years ended March 31, Canadian softwood lumber producers in certain
provinces were assigned quotas of lumber volumes that could be shipped to the
U.S. fee-free. Incremental volumes were subject to a two-tier fee of $53 per
thousand board feet and $106 per thousand board feet. On August 26, 1999, in
settlement of a British Columbia stumpage dispute, Canada and the United States
amended the Softwood Lumber Agreement for producers in British Columbia to add a
third-tier fee at a rate of $146 per thousand board feet.
In March 1999, the Company filed under the North American Free Trade Agreement a
claim against the Canadian Federal Government. In its claim, the Company
asserted that its duty-free export quota volume has been unfairly allocated and
then unfairly reduced since the agreement came into effect. A merits hearing
with the appointed arbitration panel took place on May 1, 2000. There can be no
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assurance as to when the claim will be resolved. The Canadian Softwood Lumber
Agreement expires in 2001 and the Company cannot predict whether the agreement
will be renewed or what the terms of any renewed agreement might be.
GLOBAL COMPETITION
The markets for the Company's products are highly competitive on a global basis,
with a number of major companies competing in each market and with no company
holding a dominant position. In particular, the wood products industry is highly
competitive, with a large number of companies producing products that are
reasonably standardized. Many of the Company's competitors have substantially
greater financial resources than it does. Some of its competitors may have the
advantage of not being affected by fluctuations in the value of the Canadian
dollar. While the principal basis for competition is price, the Company also
competes to a lesser extent on the basis of quality and customer service.
EXCHANGE RATE FLUCTUATIONS
Although the Company's sales are made primarily in U.S. dollars, a substantial
portion of its operating costs and expenses are incurred in Canadian dollars.
Significant variations in relative currency values, particularly a significant
increase in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, could
have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
The Company is subject to extensive federal, state, provincial and local
environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations impose stringent
standards on the Company regarding, among other things:
- air emissions;
- water discharges;
- use and handling of hazardous materials;
- use, handling and disposal of waste; and
- remediation of environmental contamination.
The Company may incur substantial costs to comply with current requirements or
new environmental laws that might be adopted. In addition, the Company may
discover currently unknown environmental problems or conditions that may or may
not require remediation. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on
its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The
Company has spent significant amounts of money in the past to comply with
environmental regulations and expects that it will have to spend money in the
future. The Company has established reserves based on current information to
address known environmental liabilities. Additional significant expenditures
could be required if the law changes or new information is discovered, and those
expenditures could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition.
In April 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published regulations
known as the "Cluster Rules" establishing standards and limitations for air and
water emissions by pulp mills. The capital costs to comply with these
regulations at the Halsey pulp mill are anticipated to total approximately $35
million, with compliance required by the first quarter of 2001. The Company has
spent $16.4 million of these capital costs through the end of the first quarter
of 2000.
Current legislation requires all pulp mills in British Columbia to eliminate the
discharge of chlorinated organic compounds by December 31, 2002. Currently, the
cost of available technology to eliminate all chlorinated organic compounds at
kraft pulp mills is prohibitive. The British Columbia government,
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industry participants and other stakeholders are engaged in discussion to
resolve this issue. If the current legislation is not amended, substantially all
of the chemical pulp mills in British Columbia would likely be required to be
closed, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business.
The Company is currently participating in the investigation of environmental
contamination at two sites on which it previously conducted business. The
ultimate cost to the Company for site remediation and monitoring on these sites
cannot be predicted with certainty due to the unknown magnitude of the
contamination, the varying costs of alternative clean-up methods, the clean-up
time frame possibilities, the evolving nature of remediation technologies and
governmental regulations and the inability to determine its share of multi-party
obligations or the extent to which contributions will be available from the
other parties, including insurance carriers.
COST REDUCTIONS EXPECTED FROM CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
The Company has made and will continue to make capital expenditures in both its
lumber and pulp operations that it expects to generate cost savings. Although
the Company's management is experienced in achieving cost reductions and
operating efficiencies, there can be no assurance that any specified level of
cost savings will be fully achieved or will be achieved within the time periods
contemplated. In addition, costs savings from capital projects may be offset by
cost increases in other areas so that total costs may not actually decrease.
FINANCIAL LEVERAGE
The Company's long-term debt as a percentage of total capitalization at March
31, 2000 of 43 percent is higher than in recent years. While the Company's
leverage level is not unusual for the forest products and pulp industries, such
leverage increases its financial risk by (i) potentially increasing the cost of
additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures and other
purposes, and (ii) increasing the amount of cash flow dedicated to the payment
of interest and principal.
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ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company has significant operations in Canada and, therefore, is exposed to
foreign currency rate risk. In general, a weakening of the Canadian dollar
relative to the U.S. dollar has a negative translation effect. Conversely, a
strengthening of the Canadian dollar would have the opposite effect.
The Company's investments in foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency
other than the U.S. dollar are not hedged. The net assets in foreign
subsidiaries translated into U.S. dollars using the period-end exchange rates
were approximately $155 million. The potential loss in fair value resulting from
a hypothetical 10% adverse change in foreign exchange rates would be
approximately $15.5 million at March 31, 2000. Any loss in fair value would be
reflected as a cumulative translation adjustment and would not impact net income
of the Company.
The Company is exposed to foreign currency transaction gains and losses on the
translation of U.S. dollar denominated intercompany borrowings and U.S. dollar
accounts receivable of its Canadian subsidiary. Transaction gains and losses
were not material to the Company's first quarter 2000 and 1999 results.
Changes in interest rates will impact fixed and variable rate debt differently.
A change in the interest rate on fixed rate debt will impact the fair value of
the debt, whereas a change in the interest rate on variable rate debt will
impact interest expense and cash flows. The Company's debt is primarily fixed
rate and, therefore, net income is not materially impacted when market interest
rates change.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) EXHIBITS
11.1 Statement showing computation of per share earnings.
18.1 Letter regarding change in accounting principle.
27.1 Financial data schedule.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file with the Commission a copy
of any agreement not filed under exhibit item (4) above on the basis of the
exemption set forth in the Commission's rules and regulations.
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the three months ended March 31, 2000.
14
<PAGE>
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.
POPE & TALBOT, INC.
--------------------------------------
Registrant
Date: May 9, 2000 /s/ Maria M. Pope
--------------------------------------
Maria M. Pope
Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
15
<PAGE>
Exhibit 11.1
POPE & TALBOT, INC.
STATEMENT SHOWING CALCULATION OF AVERAGE
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING AND EARNINGS
PER AVERAGE COMMON SHARE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three months ended
March 31,
---------------------------
2000 1999
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding 14,535,781 13,481,441
Application of the "treasury stock"
method to the stock benefit plans 234,498 --
------------ ------------
Total common and common
equivalent shares,
assuming full dilution 14,770,279 13,481,441
============ ============
Net income (loss) $ 9,393,000 $ (2,276,000)
============ ============
Net income (loss) per common share,
assuming dilution $ .64 $ (.17)
============ ============
</TABLE>
The computation of basic net income per common share is not included because the
computation can be clearly determined from the material contained in this
report.
<PAGE>
May 12, 2000
Pope & Talbot, Inc.
1500 S.W. First Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97201
RE: Form 10-Q Report for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2000
Gentlemen/Ladies:
This letter is written to meet the requirements of Regulation S-K calling for a
letter from a registrant's independent accountants whenever there has been a
change in accounting principle or practice.
We have been informed that, as of January 1, 2000, the Company changed from a
first-in, first-out basis (FIFO) method of accounting for the valuation of fiber
inventories to a last-in, first-out basis (LIFO) at its Harmac pulp production
division (Harmac). According to management, this change was made to conform
Harmac's method of valuing fiber inventories with the Company's other pulp
manufacturing facility. It is also noted that the LIFO method is used
extensively within the pulp manufacturing segment of the forest products
industry.
A complete coordinated set of financial and reporting standards for determining
the preferability of accounting principles among acceptable alternative
principles has not been established by the accounting profession. Thus, we
cannot make an objective determination of whether the change in accounting
described in the preceding paragraph is to a preferable method. However, we have
reviewed the pertinent factors, including those related to financial reporting,
in this particular case on a subjective basis, and our opinion stated below is
based on our determination made in this manner.
We are of the opinion that the Company's change in method of accounting is to an
acceptable alternative method of accounting, which, based upon the reasons
stated for the change and our discussions with you, is also preferable under the
circumstances in this particular case. In arriving at this opinion, we have
relied on the business judgment and business planning of your management.
We have not audited the application of this change to the financial statements
of any period subsequent to December 31, 1999. Further, we have not examined and
do not express any opinion with respect to your financial statements for the
three months ended March 31, 2000.
Very truly yours,
Arthur Andersen LLP
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE POPE &
TALBOT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-2000
<PERIOD-END> MAR-31-2000
<CASH> 13,556
<SECURITIES> 13,781
<RECEIVABLES> 74,930
<ALLOWANCES> 0
<INVENTORY> 87,025
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 202,011
<PP&E> 469,544
<DEPRECIATION> 240,215
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 466,812
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 84,860
<BONDS> 145,608
0
0
<COMMON> 15,457
<OTHER-SE> 178,159
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 466,812
<SALES> 140,318
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 140,318
<CGS> 114,919
<TOTAL-COSTS> 114,919
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,479
<INCOME-PRETAX> 15,944
<INCOME-TAX> 6,551
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 9,393
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 9,393
<EPS-BASIC> .65
<EPS-DILUTED> .64
</TABLE>
