FORT HOWARD CORP
10-Q, 1997-04-22
PAPER MILLS
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, DC   20549

                                 FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
  [X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended        March 31, 1997        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 number:       0-20473     


                       FORT HOWARD CORPORATION                      

            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                       39-1090992     

(State or other jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. Employer   
incorporation or organization)                       Identification Number)

1919 South Broadway, Green Bay, Wisconsin                   54304         
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number including area code:       414/435-8821     


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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of 
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

            Class                          Outstanding at April 10, 1997   
            -----                          -----------------------------

Common Stock, par value $.01                        74,639,227
  per share                                                              





                        PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION


                            FORT HOWARD CORPORATION

                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (Unaudited)

                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                       March 31,      
                                               -----------------------
                                               1997               1996
                                               ----               ----
                                                 (In thousands, except
                                                    per share data)

Net sales.................................     $400,759       $385,747
Cost of sales.............................      229,040        238,369
                                               --------       --------
Gross income..............................      171,719        147,378
Selling, general and administrative.......       33,482         33,175
                                               --------       --------
Operating income..........................      138,237        114,203
Interest expense..........................       57,862         70,773
Other expense, net........................          780            563
                                               --------       --------
Income before taxes.......................       79,595         42,867
Income taxes..............................       29,848         15,927
                                               --------       --------
Income before extraordinary item..........       49,747         26,940

Extraordinary item -- loss on debt 
  repurchases (net of income taxes
  of $867 in 1997)........................       (1,327)            --
                                               --------       --------

Net income................................     $ 48,420       $ 26,940
                                               ========       ========

Earnings per share:
  Net income before extraordinary item....     $   0.67       $   0.43
  Extraordinary item......................        (0.02)            --
                                               --------       --------
  Net income..............................     $   0.65       $   0.43
                                               ========       ========

Average shares outstanding................       74,531         63,372
                                               ========       ========


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







                                     - 2 -
                            FORT HOWARD CORPORATION

                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (Unaudited)

                                                March 31,      December 31,
                                                  1997             1996    
                                               ----------      ------------
                                                       (In thousands)
Assets
  Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents................. $      663        $      759
    Receivables, less allowances of $3,484
      in 1997 and $3,343 in 1996..............     70,830            63,194
    Inventories...............................    149,301           151,248
    Deferred income taxes.....................     54,000            60,000
    Income taxes receivable...................     10,121            10,121
                                               ----------        ----------
      Total current assets....................    284,915           285,322

  Property, plant and equipment...............  2,062,864         2,057,446
    Less:  Accumulated depreciation...........    831,337           809,650
                                               ----------        ----------
      Net property, plant and equipment.......  1,231,527         1,247,796

  Other assets................................     64,581            82,262
                                               ----------        ----------
      Total assets............................ $1,581,023        $1,615,380
                                               ==========        ==========
Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit
  Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable.......................... $  118,758        $  131,205
    Interest payable..........................     21,171            60,443
    Income taxes payable......................     21,282             7,700
    Other current liabilities.................     68,800           110,357
    Current portion of long-term debt.........     11,425            11,972
                                               ----------        ----------
      Total current liabilities...............    241,436           321,677

  Long-term debt..............................  2,441,446         2,451,373
  Deferred and other long-term income taxes...    252,474           247,464
  Other liabilities...........................     49,141            49,703

  Shareholders' deficit:
    Common Stock..............................        746               744
    Additional paid-in capital................  1,115,323         1,108,976
    Cumulative translation adjustment.........      1,311             4,717
    Retained deficit.......................... (2,520,854)       (2,569,274)
                                               ----------        ----------
      Total shareholders' deficit............. (1,403,474)       (1,454,837)
                                               ----------        ----------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' 
        deficit............................... $1,581,023        $1,615,380
                                               ==========        ==========

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



                                    - 3 -
                           FORT HOWARD CORPORATION

               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (Unaudited)

                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                            March 31,       
                                                   ----------------------
                                                   1997              1996
                                                   ----              ----
                                                       (In thousands)

Cash provided from (used for) operations:
  Net income...................................... $ 48,420      $ 26,940
  Depreciation....................................   25,855        25,112
  Non-cash interest expense.......................    3,235         3,294
  Deferred income taxes...........................    9,829         6,295
  Pre-tax loss on debt repurchases................    2,194            --
  Decrease in restricted cash.....................   14,916            --
  (Increase) decrease in receivables..............   (7,636)       14,219
  Decrease in inventories.........................    1,947         4,729
  Decrease in accounts payable....................  (12,447)       (8,699)
  Decrease in interest payable....................  (39,272)      (40,644)
  Increase in income taxes payable................   13,582         8,131
  All other, net..................................  (39,311)      (27,277)
                                                   --------      -------- 
    Net cash provided from operations.............   21,312        12,100

Cash used for investment activity:
  Additions to property, plant and equipment......  (14,896)       (8,873)

Cash provided from (used for) financing 
  activities:
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings..............   99,700        22,324
  Repayment of long-term borrowings............... (109,505)      (26,111)
  Issuance of Common Stock........................    3,293           208
                                                   --------      -------- 
    Net cash used for financing activities........   (6,512)       (3,579)
                                                   --------      --------
Decrease in cash..................................      (96)         (352)

Cash at beginning of period.......................      759           946
                                                   --------      --------

  Cash at end of period........................... $    663      $    594
                                                   ========      ======== 

Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
  Interest paid................................... $ 93,878      $108,082
  Income taxes paid - net.........................    2,155         1,182

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







                                    - 4 -
                           FORT HOWARD CORPORATION

             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments 
(consisting only of normally recurring accruals) which are, in the opinion of 
management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim 
periods presented.  Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior 
years' data to the current format.  These financial statements should be read 
in conjunction with the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 1996.

2.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

     Earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding during the periods.  The weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding for the three month periods ended 
March 31, 1997 and 1996 were 74,530,556 and 63,372,063, respectively.  The 
assumed exercise of all outstanding stock options has been excluded from the 
computation of earnings per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 
1997 and 1996 because the result was not material or was antidilutive.

     In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" 
("SFAS No. 128").  The Company will adopt SFAS No. 128 effective for the year 
ending December 31, 1997.  On a pro forma basis, if the Company had adopted 
SFAS No. 128 for the three months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, the effect of 
this accounting change on reported earnings per share ("EPS") would be:

                                                          Three Months Ended
                                                                March 31,      
                                                        ----------------------
                                                        1997              1996
                                                        ----              ----
Earnings Per Share:
  BASIC
    Income before extraordinary item as reported..      $ 0.67          $ 0.43
    Effect of SFAS No. 128........................          --              --
                                                        ------          ------
    Basic income before extraordinary item as
      restated....................................      $ 0.67          $ 0.43
                                                        ======          ======
    Net income as reported........................      $ 0.65          $ 0.43
    Effect of SFAS No. 128........................          --              --
                                                        ------          ------
    Basic income as restated......................      $ 0.65          $ 0.43
                                                        ======          ======
  DILUTED
    Diluted income before extraordinary item (A)..      $ 0.66          $ 0.42
                                                        ======          ======
    Diluted income (A)............................      $ 0.64          $ 0.42
                                                        ======          ======

(A) In accordance with the provisions of APB Opinion No. 15, the Company 
currently does not report fully diluted EPS due to immaterial dilution.

                                    - 5 -
3.  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     At December 31, 1996, the Company had $14,916,000 of cash restricted as 
collateral under the terms of its 1995 Accounts Receivable Facility.  At 
March 31, 1997, there was no cash restricted under the terms of this Facility.

4.  INVENTORIES

     Inventories consist of:

                                                March 31,    December 31,
                                                  1997           1996    
                                                ---------    ------------
                                                    (In thousands)

       Raw materials and supplies.............. $ 66,730         $ 70,595
       Finished and partly-finished products...   82,571           80,653
                                                --------         --------
                                                $149,301         $151,248
                                                ========         ========

5.  CONTINGENCIES

     The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to lawsuits and state and 
federal administrative proceedings incidental to their businesses.  Although 
the final results in such suits and proceedings cannot be predicted with 
certainty, the Company currently believes that the ultimate resolution of all 
such lawsuits and proceedings, after taking into account the liabilities 
accrued with respect to such matters, will not have a material adverse effect 
on the Company's financial condition or on its results of operations.





























                                    - 6 -
                           FORT HOWARD CORPORATION

             MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED
                FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

First Quarter 1997 Compared to 1996

                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                        March 31,         
                                               ------------------------
                                               1997                1996
                                               ----                ----
                                                    (In thousands,
                                                  except percentages)

Net sales:
  Domestic tissue.........................     $336,820        $324,908
  International operations................       44,107          43,808
  Harmon..................................       19,832          17,031
                                               --------        -------- 
  Consolidated............................     $400,759        $385,747
                                               ========        ======== 
Operating income:
  Domestic tissue.........................     $130,520        $106,920
  International operations................        7,115           6,305
  Harmon..................................          602             978
                                               --------        -------- 
  Consolidated............................     $138,237        $114,203
                                               ========        ======== 
Consolidated net income...................     $ 48,420        $ 26,940
                                               ========        ======== 
Operating income as a percent of net sales         34.5%           29.6%


     Net Sales.  Consolidated net sales increased 3.9% to $401 million in the 
first quarter of 1997 compared to $386 million in the first quarter of 1996.  
Domestic tissue net sales increased 3.7% in the first quarter of 1997 compared 
to the first quarter of 1996 due to a 6.3% increase in sales volume offset by 
a 2.5% decrease in net selling prices.  For the first quarter of 1997, sales 
volume of converted products increased 8.6% from the first quarter of 1996.  
There were no sales of parent rolls in the first quarter of 1997.  Net selling 
prices decreased for the first quarter of 1997 compared to the first quarter 
of 1996 as a result of price decreases in the consumer market which took 
effect in April and June 1996.

     Net sales of the Company's international operations increased 0.7% in the 
first quarter of 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996 due to higher 
volume and increased exchange rates, offset by a decrease in net selling 
prices at the Company's United Kingdom facility.  Net sales of the Company's 
wastepaper brokerage subsidiary, Harmon Assoc., Corp. ("Harmon"), increased 
due to a 20.0% volume increase offset by decreased net selling prices.  





                                    - 7 -
     Gross Income.  For the first quarter of 1997, consolidated gross income 
increased 16.5% to $172 million from $147 million in the first quarter of 1996 
due to higher volume and lower raw material costs partially offset by a 
decrease in net selling prices.  Consolidated gross margins increased to 42.8% 
for the first quarter of 1997 from 38.2% for the first quarter of 1996.  
Domestic tissue gross margins increased for the first quarter of 1997 compared 
to the first quarter of 1996 due to higher volume and lower wastepaper and 
other fiber-based raw material costs.  Wastepaper prices began decreasing 
significantly in late 1995 and continued to decrease through the first half of 
1996, and have been stable since mid-1996.

     Gross margins of international operations increased in the first quarter 
of 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996 due to lower wastepaper costs.

     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and 
administrative expenses, as a percent of net sales, decreased slightly to 8.4% 
for the first quarter of 1997 compared to 8.6% in 1996 principally due to the 
impact of higher net sales.

     Operating Income.  Operating income increased 21.0% to $138 million in 
the first quarter of 1997 compared to $114 million in the first quarter of 
1996.  Operating income as a percent of net sales increased to 34.5% in the 
first quarter of 1997 compared to 29.6% in the first quarter of 1996.  
Domestic tissue operating income as a percent of net sales increased to 38.8% 
in the first quarter of 1997 from 32.9% in the first quarter of 1996 due to 
higher volume as well as lower wastepaper and other raw material costs.  
International operating income as a percent of sales rose in the first quarter 
of 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996 also due to higher volume and 
lower wastepaper costs.  

     Interest Expense.  Interest expense decreased 18.2% to $58 million in the 
first quarter of 1997 compared to the first quarter of 1996 due to lower debt 
balances resulting from debt repayments using the proceeds from the 1996 sale 
of common stock and cash provided from operations.

     Extraordinary Loss.  The Company's net income in the first quarter of 
1997 was decreased by an extraordinary loss of $1.3 million (net of income 
taxes of $0.9 million) representing the write-off of deferred loan costs 
associated with the prepayment of a portion of the outstanding indebtedness 
under the Company's 1995 Bank Credit Agreement.

     Net Income.  For the first quarter of 1997, net income increased 78% to 
$48 million compared to $27 million for the first quarter of 1996.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

     For the first three months of 1997, cash decreased $96,000.  Capital 
additions of $15 million and debt repayments of $110 million were funded 
principally by borrowings of $100 million, net proceeds of $3 million from the 
sale of common stock pursuant to the exercise of stock options and $21 million 
of cash from operations partially offset by seasonal working capital 
requirements.

     During the first three months of 1997, receivables increased $8 million 
due to higher domestic tissue sales in the first quarter of 1997 compared to 
the fourth quarter of 1996. Accounts payable decreased $12 million due to 
payments made to customers under annual promotion and rebate programs and 


                                    - 8 -
lower capital spending during the first quarter of 1996.  The liability for 
interest payable decreased $39 million due to semi-annual interest payments 
made in February and March 1997.  Other current liabilities declined 
$42 million resulting from the payment of obligations due on an annual basis, 
including employee bonuses and customer incentive payments.  As a result of 
all these changes, net working capital increased to $43 million at March 31, 
1997 from a deficit of $36 million at December 31, 1996.

     The 1995 Revolving Credit Facility of the Company's 1995 Bank Credit 
Agreement, which may be used for general corporate purposes, has a final 
maturity of March 16, 2002.  At March 31, 1997, the Company had $173 million 
in available capacity under the 1995 Revolving Credit Facility.

IMPACT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD

     In February 1997 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" 
("SFAS No. 128").  The Company will adopt SFAS No. 128 effective for the year 
ending December 31, 1997.  The Company does not expect SFAS No. 128 to have a 
significant impact on its reported earnings per share.  See footnote 2 to the 
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a pro forma disclosure of the 
impact of SFAS No. 128 for the three months ended March 31, 1997, and 1996.






































                                    - 9 -
                          PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    None

2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES

    None

3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

    None

4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

    None

5.  OTHER INFORMATION

    None

6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

    a)     Exhibits:

           Exhibit No.                      Description

              27          Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended
                          March 31, 1997.

              99          News release containing financial results for the
                          quarter ended March 31, 1997.

    b)     No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company for the quarter
           for which this report is filed.






















                                    - 10 -
                            FORT HOWARD CORPORATION

                                  SIGNATURES



     Pursuant to the requirement 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.




                                    FORT HOWARD CORPORATION                

                                    Registrant



April 21, 1997                     /s/ Kathleen J. Hempel                
                                   ---------------------------------------
                                   Kathleen J. Hempel, Vice Chairman and 
                                   Chief Financial Officer and Principal 
                                   Accounting Officer




April 21, 1997                     /s/ James W. Nellen II               
                                   --------------------------------------
                                   James W. Nellen II, Vice President 
                                   and Secretary



























                                    - 11 -
                            INDEX TO EXHIBITS



           Exhibit No.                      Description

              27          Financial Data Schedule for the three months ended
                          March 31, 1997.

              99          News release containing financial results for the
                          quarter ended March 31, 1997.

















































                                    - 12 -


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM 
FORT HOWARD CORPORATION'S UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS 
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000038195
<NAME> FORT HOWARD CORPORATION
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                   <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                        3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                       DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                            MAR-31-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                   1
<CASH>                                                          663
<SECURITIES>                                                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                74,314
<ALLOWANCES>                                                  3,484
<INVENTORY>                                                 149,301
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                            284,915
<PP&E>                                                    2,062,864
<DEPRECIATION>                                              831,337
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            1,581,023
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                       241,436
<BONDS>                                                   2,441,446
<COMMON>                                                        746
                                             0
                                                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                               (1,404,220)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              1,581,023
<SALES>                                                     400,759
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                            400,759
<CGS>                                                       229,040
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                               229,040
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                  0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                  0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                           57,862
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                              79,595
<INCOME-TAX>                                                 29,848
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                          49,747
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                              (1,327)
<CHANGES>                                                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                                 48,420
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                  0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                  0.65
                                                                   





</TABLE>

                                                                 Exhibit 99
                                                                 -----------
NEWS


                                             For further information contact:

                                             Media:
                                             Cliff Bowers, Ext. 4087


(FORT HOWARD LOGO here)


P. O. Box 19130                              Financial:
Green Bay, WI 54307-9130                     Mike Lempke, Ext. 2492
414/435-8821


FOR RELEASE:  IMMEDIATELY




                        FORT HOWARD EARNINGS PER SHARE
                        INCREASE 56% FOR FIRST QUARTER

     GREEN BAY, WI - April 21, 1997 - Fort Howard Corporation today reported 
that net income per share reached $0.67 before an extraordinary item for the 
first quarter ending March 31, 1997, an increase of 56% compared to $0.43 in 
the same period of 1996.  

     Net sales, operating income, operating margin and earnings per share all 
increased in the first quarter of 1997.  Quarterly operating income increased 
year-on-year for the ninth consecutive quarter.

     "Every aspect of our business is performing superbly," said Fort Howard 
Chairman, President and CEO, Michael T. Riordan.  "Our results confirm our 
strategies as a successful consumer products business and distinguish us from 
the broader paper and forest products sector.

     "As we look through the balance of this year, raw material costs, 
pricing, operating rates and overall economic growth appear positive.  In 
light of this strong environment, we believe Fort Howard can continue to 
perform at very high levels," Riordan said.



















                                   - More -


                                  - Ad One -



                          Operating Income Increases

     Operating income increased 21% to $138,237,000 for the first quarter 
compared to $114,203,000 for the first quarter of 1996.  The increase was due 
to higher sales volume and lower wastepaper costs in both the company's 
domestic and international operations.  Fort Howard's operating income margin 
for the quarter was 34.5% compared to 29.6% for the first quarter of 1996 and 
31.3% in the fourth quarter of 1996 before the 1996 environmental charge.


                                  Net Income

     For the first quarter of 1997, net income before an extraordinary item 
was $49,747,000, an increase of 85% compared to first quarter 1996 net income 
of $26,940,000.  The net income after an extraordinary item was $0.65 per 
share in the first quarter of 1997 compared to $0.43 per share in the first 
quarter of 1996. Extraordinary losses related to debt prepayments in 1997 (see 
Note to Financial Information) impacted the company's financial performance in 
the first quarter of 1997.  


                             Net Sales Performance

     For the first quarter, Fort Howard's net sales increased 3.9% to 
$400,759,000 compared to first quarter 1996 net sales of $385,747,000.  
Domestic tissue sales increased 3.7% for the first quarter of 1997 compared to 
first quarter 1996.  Sales volume of converted products increased 8.6% but 
this was partially offset by lower selling prices resulting from industry-wide 
price decreases in the at-home tissue market which occurred in mid-1996.  
Also, net sales of the company's international operations and the company's 
wastepaper brokerage operations increased for the first quarter of 1997 
compared to first quarter 1996.


























                                   - More -


                                  - Ad Two -


     Fort Howard is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer tissue 
products for both the away-from-home and at-home markets in the United States 
and United Kingdom.  

     In the domestic at-home market, its principal brands include Mardi Gras 
printed napkins (which holds the leading domestic market position) and paper 
towels, Soft 'N Gentle bath and facial tissue, So-Dri paper towels, and Green 
Forest, the leading domestic line of environmentally positioned recycled 
tissue paper products.  Prominent away-from-home market brands include the 
Preference Ultra line of premium products, Preference near-premium products, 
and the Envision line of environmentally positioned products.


(Financial information and note follow on separate pages.  The note is an 
integral part of these statements.)

                                   # # # # #












































                         FORT HOWARD CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                 (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                      March 31,
                                                --------------------
                                                1997            1996
                                                ----            ----
                                      (In thousands, except per share amounts) 
<S>                                           <C>            <C>
Net sales                                     $400,759       $385,747
Cost of sales                                  229,040        238,369
                                              --------       --------
Gross income                                   171,719        147,378
Selling, general and administrative             33,482         33,175
                                              --------       --------
Operating income                               138,237        114,203
Interest expense                                57,862         70,773
Other expense, net                                 780            563
                                              --------       --------
Income before taxes                             79,595         42,867
Income tax expense                              29,848         15,927
                                              --------       --------
Income before extraordinary item                49,747         26,940
Extraordinary item - loss on
   debt repurchases, net                        (1,327)            --
                                              --------       --------
Net income                                    $ 48,420       $ 26,940
                                              ========       ========

Net income per share:
  Before extraordinary item                   $   0.67       $   0.43
  Extraordinary item                             (0.02)            --
                                              --------       --------
  Net income                                  $   0.65       $   0.43
                                              ========       ========

Average shares outstanding                      74,531         63,372
                                              ========       ========

</TABLE>






















                            FORT HOWARD CORPORATION
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                      March 31,   December 31,
                                                        1997         1996    
                                                    ------------  ------------
                                                          (In thousands)     
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>           
Assets
  Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents                        $      663    $      759 
    Receivables, less allowances of $3,484 in 1997
      and $3,343 in 1996                                 70,830        63,194
    Inventories                                         149,301       151,248
    Deferred income taxes                                54,000        60,000
    Income taxes receivable                              10,121        10,121
                                                     ----------    ----------
      Total current assets                              284,915       285,322

  Property, plant and equipment                       2,062,864     2,057,446
    Less:  Accumulated depreciation                     831,337       809,650
                                                     ----------    ----------
      Net property, plant and equipment               1,231,527     1,247,796

  Other assets                                           64,581        82,262
                                                     ----------    ----------
      Total assets                                   $1,581,023    $1,615,380
                                                     ==========    ==========

Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit
  Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable                                 $  118,758    $  131,205
    Interest payable                                     21,171        60,443
    Income taxes payable                                 21,282         7,700
    Other current liabilities                            68,800       110,357
    Current portion of long-term debt                    11,425        11,972
                                                     ----------    ----------
      Total current liabilities                         241,436       321,677

  Long-term debt                                      2,441,446     2,451,373
  Deferred and other long-term income taxes             252,474       247,464
  Other liabilities                                      49,141        49,703

  Shareholders' deficit:
    Common Stock                                            746           744
    Additional paid-in capital                        1,115,323     1,108,976
    Cumulative translation adjustment                     1,311         4,717
    Retained deficit                                 (2,520,854)   (2,569,274)
                                                     ----------    ----------
      Total shareholders' deficit                    (1,403,474)   (1,454,837)
                                                     ----------    ----------
      Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit    $1,581,023    $1,615,380
                                                     ==========    ==========

</TABLE>










                           FORT HOWARD CORPORATION
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
                                                          Three Months Ended  
                                                              March 31,     
                                                        --------------------
                                                        1997            1996
                                                        ----            ----
                                                           (In thousands)   
<S>                                                   <C>           <C>
Cash provided from (used for) operations:
  Net income                                          $  48,420     $  26,940
  Depreciation                                           25,855        25,112
  Non-cash interest expense                               3,235         3,294
  Deferred income tax expense                             9,829         6,295
  Pre-tax loss on debt repurchases                        2,194            --
  Decrease in restricted cash                            14,916            --
  (Increase) decrease in receivables                     (7,636)       14,219
  Decrease in inventories                                 1,947         4,729
  Decrease in accounts payable                          (12,447)       (8,699)
  Decrease in interest payable                          (39,272)      (40,644)
  Increase in income taxes payable                       13,582         8,131
  All other, net                                        (39,311)      (27,277)
                                                      ---------     ---------
    Net cash provided from operations                    21,312        12,100

Cash used for investment activity:
  Additions to property, plant and equipment            (14,896)       (8,873)

Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings                     99,700        22,324
  Repayment of long-term borrowings                    (109,505)      (26,111)
  Issuance of Common Stock                                3,293           208
                                                      ---------     ---------
    Net cash used for financing activities               (6,512)       (3,579)
                                                      ---------     ---------
Decrease in cash                                            (96)         (352)

Cash at beginning of period                                 759           946
                                                      ---------     ---------

  Cash at end of period                               $     663     $     594
                                                      =========     =========
</TABLE>

                                     *****

















                            FORT HOWARD CORPORATION
                         NOTE TO FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                  (Unaudited)

1.  The Company's net income in the first quarter of 1997 was decreased by an
    extraordinary loss of $1.3 million (net of income taxes of $0.9 million)
    representing the write-off of deferred loan costs associated with the
    prepayment of a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 1995
    Bank Credit Agreement.



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