SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly period ended September 30, 1996
[ ] 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 1-3439
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 36-2041256
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. employer
of incorporation or organization ) identification no.)
150 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number: 312-346-6600
Indicate by check mark (X) 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 requirement for the past 90
days.
Yes X No
Number of common shares outstanding as of November 8, 1996: 99,169,602
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<TABLE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>
September 30, December 31,
(in millions) 1996* 1995
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents.................... $ 209.7 $ 40.3
Accounts and notes receivable (less
allowances of $23.9 and $22.1).............. 606.4 743.0
Inventories.................................. 720.6 733.3
Other........................................ 142.1 166.3
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
Total current assets............... 1,678.8 1,682.9
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
Property, plant and equipment................ 4,819.1 4,750.0
Accumulated depreciation and amortization.... (2,249.6) (2,114.2)
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
Property, plant and equipment--net. 2,569.5 2,635.8
Timberlands.................................. 43.5 57.7
Goodwill..................................... 496.3 545.5
Investment in non-consolidated affiliates.... 1,160.6 1,096.2
Other........................................ 476.2 380.8
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
Total assets................................. $ 6,424.9 $ 6,398.9
============================================= ============= ===========
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable............................. $ 304.3 $ 347.9
Current maturities of senior and
subordinated long-term debt................ 183.0 27.1
Notes payable and current maturities of non-
recourse debt of consolidated affiliates.... 35.2 29.3
Income taxes................................. -- .8
Accrued and other current liabilities........ 301.0 296.6
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
Total current liabilities.......... 823.5 701.7
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
Senior long-term debt........................ 3,277.0 2,807.3
Subordinated debt............................ 423.6 809.2
Non-recourse debt of consolidated affiliates. 252.6 268.6
Other long-term liabilities.................. 310.7 313.7
Deferred taxes............................... 440.9 493.1
Commitments and contingencies................
Stockholders' equity:
Series E preferred stock.................. 115.0 115.0
Common stock (99.2 and 99.1 shares
outstanding)........................... 953.0 953.1
Retained earnings......................... 7.4 97.8
Foreign currency translation adjustment... (176.8) (156.9)
Unamortized expense of restricted
stock plan............................... (2.0) (3.7)
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
Total stockholders' equity......... 896.6 1,005.3
_____________________________________________ _____________ ___________
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity... $ 6,424.9 $ 6,398.9
============================================= ============= ===========
<FN>
*Unaudited; subject to year-end audit
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND RETAINED EARNINGS (ACCUMULATED DEFICIT)
<CAPTION>
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
(in millions except per share) 1996 1995 1996 1995
_________________________________ _________ _________ _________ _________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales........................ $1,295.1 $1,924.0 $3,898.9 $5,706.8
Cost of products sold............ 1,037.1 1,330.4 3,022.3 4,002.0
Selling, general and
administrative expenses......... 148.1 151.7 457.7 455.9
Depreciation and amortization.... 78.2 97.1 236.2 285.7
Equity (income) from affiliates.. (10.2) (2.5) (57.0) (6.2)
Other (income) expense-net....... (.1) (11.5) (8.2) (30.0)
_________________________________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Income before interest expense,
income taxes, minority interest
and extraordinary charges....... 42.0 358.8 247.9 999.4
Interest expense................. (106.8) (114.5) (308.0) (354.0)
_________________________________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Income (loss) before income
taxes, minority interest and
extraordinary charges........... (64.8) 244.3 (60.1) 645.4
(Provision) credit for income
taxes........................... 17.4 (102.6) 22.1 (263.1)
Minority interest................ (.3) (12.7) 1.5 (25.5)
_________________________________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Income (loss) before
extraordinary charges........... (47.7) 129.0 (36.5) 356.8
Extraordinary charges from early
extinguishment of debt
(net of income tax benefit)..... (3.3) (177.9) (3.3) (181.0)
_________________________________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Net income (loss)................ (51.0) (48.9) (39.8) 175.8
Preferred stock dividends........ (2.0) (2.0) (6.0) (6.0)
_________________________________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Net income (loss) applicable to
common shares................... $ (53.0) $ (50.9) $ (45.8) $ 169.8
_________________________________ ========= ========= ========= =========
Retained earnings (accumulated
deficit), beginning of period... $ 75.3 $ 128.4 $ 97.8 $ (96.3)
Net income (loss)................ (51.0) (48.9) (39.8) 175.8
Cash dividends on common and
preferred stock................. (16.9) (24.6) (50.6) (24.6)
_________________________________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Retained earnings, end of period. $ 7.4 $ 54.9 $ 7.4 $ 54.9
_________________________________ ========= ========= ========= =========
Per share of common stock - Primary:
Income (loss) before
extraordinary charges........... $ (.50) $ 1.32 $ (.43) $ 3.79
Extraordinary charges from early
extinguishment of debt
(net of income tax benefit)..... (.03) (1.85) (.03) (1.95)
_________________________________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Net income (loss)................ $ (.53) $ (.53) $ (.46) $ 1.84
_________________________________ ========= ========= ========= =========
Per share of common stock -
Fully Diluted:
Income (loss) before
extraordinary charges........... $ * $ 1.12 $ * $ 3.08
Extraordinary charges from early
extinguishment of debt
(net of income tax benefit)..... * (1.57) * (1.55)
_________________________________ --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss)................ $ * $ (.45) $ * $ 1.53
_________________________________ ========= ========= ========= =========
Cash dividends................... $ .15 $ .15 $ .45 $ .15
======== ======== ======== ========
Common shares and common share
equivalents outstanding
(weighted average, in millions):
Primary...................... 99.2 95.9 99.2 92.5
========= ========= ========= =========
Fully Diluted................ * 113.1 * 116.6
========= ========= ========= =========
<FN>
Unaudited; subject to year-end audit
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
*Fully diluted amounts and average shares outstanding have not been presented
due to anti-dilutive nature.
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<CAPTION>
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
1996 1995 1996 1995
(in millions except per share)
______________________________________ ________ ________ ________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)..................... $ (51.0) $ (48.9) $ (39.8) $ 175.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income
(loss) to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization....... 78.2 97.1 236.2 285.7
Deferred taxes...................... (21.6) 74.4 (45.0) 183.0
Foreign currency transaction gains.. (2.4) (5.6) (1.9) (9.9)
Equity income from affiliates....... (10.2) (2.5) (57.0) (6.2)
Extraordinary charges from early
extinguishment of debt............. 3.3 177.9 3.3 181.0
Other--net.......................... .3 37.5 30.3 75.3
Changes in current assets and
liabilities net of adjustments for
dispositions and an acquisition:
(Increase) decrease in accounts and
notes receivable--net.............. 32.3 16.0 147.8 (162.8)
Increase in inventories............. (12.0) (73.6) (34.1) (145.1)
Decrease in other current assets.... 16.1 31.0 5.0 8.0
Increase (decrease) in accounts
payable and other current
liabilities........................ 28.0 35.4 (19.2) 82.5
______________________________________ __________________ __________________
Net cash provided by operating
activities........................... 61.0 338.7 225.6 667.3
______________________________________ __________________ __________________
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments made on debt................. (239.7) (329.3) (314.7) (703.9)
Payments by consolidated affiliates
on non-recourse debt................. (11.5) (5.7) (17.4) (144.4)
Borrowings............................ 316.3 191.1 538.0 490.3
Non-recourse borrowings of
consolidated affiliates.............. -- 2.4 1.6 4.1
Proceeds from issuance of common
stock-net............................ -- .8 -- 1.6
Cash dividends........................ (16.9) (24.6) (50.6) (24.6)
______________________________________ __________________ __________________
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities................. 48.2 (165.3) 156.9 (376.9)
______________________________________ __________________ __________________
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures.................. (56.4) (97.7) (158.7) (279.7)
Proceeds from sales of assets......... 32.6 6.8 40.6 15.8
Purchase of securities of a non-
consolidated affiliate............... -- -- (39.6) --
Payments made for businesses acquired. -- (13.2) (43.4) (24.7)
Other--net............................ (3.9) (13.0) (10.5) (16.7)
______________________________________ __________________ __________________
Net cash used in investing activities. (27.7) (117.1) (211.6) (305.3)
______________________________________ __________________ __________________
Effect of exchange rate changes on
cash................................. .1 -- (1.5) 8.5
______________________________________ __________________ __________________
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents..................... 81.6 56.3 169.4 (6.4)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
of period............................ 128.1 45.9 40.3 108.6
______________________________________ __________________ __________________
Cash and cash equivalents, end of
period............................... $ 209.7 $ 102.2 $ 209.7 $ 102.2
======= ======= ======= =======
<FN>
See Note 12 regarding non-cash investing and financing activities and
supplemental cash flow information.
Unaudited; subject to year-end audit
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1: Basis of Presentation
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") for Form 10-Q, the financial statements, footnote
disclosures and other information normally included in the financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed. These financial statements, footnote
disclosures and other information should be read in conjunction with
the financial statements and the notes thereto included in Stone
Container Corporation's (the "Company's") latest Annual Report on Form
10-K. In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying unaudited
consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to
fairly present the Company's financial position as of September 30,
1996 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three and
nine month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.
NOTE 2: Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been restated to conform with the
current year presentation in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
NOTE 3: Sale of Non-core Assets
On September 11, 1996, the Company sold the majority of its U.S. wood
products assets to U.S. Forest Industries, Inc. for cash and debt
securities. The Company incurred a loss from the sale approximating
$11 million, or $.11 per common share.
NOTE 4: Joint Ventures
On July 12, 1996, the Company and Gaylord Container Corporation entered
into a joint venture whereby the retail packaging businesses of these
two companies were merged to form S&G Packaging Company, L.L.C.
("S&G"). The Company accounts for its interest in S&G under the equity
method. S&G produces paper grocery bags and sacks, handle sacks and
variety bags, with estimated annual sales in excess of $300 million and
serves supermarkets, quick service restaurants, paper distributors and
non-food mass merchandisers throughout North America and the Caribbean.
On May 30, 1996, the Company entered into a joint venture with
Four M Corporation (Box USA) ("Four M") to form Florida Coast Paper
Company, L.L.C. ("FCPC") to purchase a paperboard mill located in Port
St. Joe, Florida, from St. Joe Paper Company for $185 million plus
applicable working capital. As part of the transaction, FCPC sold,
through a private placement, debt of approximately $165 million.
Pursuant to an exchange offer, such privately-placed debt can be
exchanged for registered notes identical to the privately-placed notes.
The Company accounts for its investment in FCPC under the equity
method. Concurrent with the formation of the joint venture, the
Company and Four M entered into output purchase agreements with FCPC
which require each of the joint venture partners to purchase 50 percent
of the production of FCPC. The output purchase agreements also require
the Company and Four M to equally share in the funding of certain cash
flow deficits of FCPC.
NOTE 5: Subsidiary Issuance of Stock
On November 1, 1995, Stone-Consolidated Corporation ("Stone-
Consolidated"), a Canadian subsidiary of the Company, amalgamated its
operations (the "Amalgamation") with Rainy River Forest Products Inc.,
a Toronto-based Canadian pulp and paper company. As a result of the
issuance of common shares by Stone-Consolidated associated with the
Amalgamation, the Company's equity ownership in Stone-Consolidated was
reduced from 74.6 percent to 46.6 percent. Accordingly, effective
November 1, 1995 the Company began reporting Stone-Consolidated as a
non-consolidated affiliate under the equity method of accounting.
Prior to such date, the Company reported Stone-Consolidated as a
consolidated subsidiary.
NOTE 6: Debt Financing Activities
On July 24, 1996 the Company, in a private placement, sold $125 million
principal amount of 11-7/8 percent Rating Adjustable Senior Notes due
2016 ("Rating Adjustable Senior Notes"). Interest, which is payable
semi-annually commencing February 1, 1997, can be adjusted from time to
time by reference to the credit rating assigned to the Rating
Adjustable Senior Notes by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and/or
Standard and Poor's Corporation. Net proceeds from the sale of the
Rating Adjustable Senior Notes were used to fund a portion of the
redemption of the Company's 11-1/2 percent Senior Subordinated Notes
due September 1, 1999 ("11-1/2 percent Senior Subordinated Notes").
Subsequently, on November 8, 1996, pursuant to an exchange offer, the
holders of the privately placed debt exchanged such notes for
registered notes. See also Note 7.
On August 16, 1996, Stone Container Finance Company of Canada
("SCFCC"), a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sold
$200 million principal amount of 11-1/2 percent Senior Notes due August
15, 2006 (the "SCFCC Notes"). Payment of the principal and interest on
the SCFCC Notes is guaranteed by the Company. Interest on the SCFCC
Notes is payable semi-annually commencing February 15, 1997. Net
proceeds of the SCFCC Notes were used to fund a portion of the
redemption of the Company's 11-1/2 percent Senior Subordinated Notes
and for general corporate purposes.
NOTE 7: Debt Repurchase
On September 16, 1996, the Company purchased and retired the remaining
$222 million principal amount of its 11-1/2 percent Senior Subordinated
Notes at a price of 101.438 percent of the principal amount plus
accrued interest. Primarily as a result of this transaction, the
Company incurred extraordinary charges for the early extinguishment of
debt of $3.3 million for the third quarter and first nine months of
1996. Funding for repurchase of the 11-1/2 percent Senior Subordinated
Notes was financed from the sale of the Rating Adjustable Senior Notes
and a portion of the SCFCC Notes. Earlier in the year, the Company
purchased $8 million of the 11-1/2 percent Senior Subordinated Notes on
the open market at an average price of 99.5 percent of the principal
amount.
NOTE 8: Credit Agreement Amendments
On March 22, 1996, the Company and its bank group amended and restated
the Company's bank credit agreement to, among other things, provide for
an additional senior secured term loan facility of $190 million with a
final maturity of October 1, 2003 and a supplemental revolving credit
facility of $110 million maturing May 15, 1999 (the "Supplemental
Revolver"). Additionally, the Company received consents from a
majority of its holders to waive mandatory repayment. Such consents
waive mandatory repayment requirements from excess cash flow (as
defined) on no less than 80% of each of the Company's term loans until
September 1997. The credit agreement as amended no longer has a cross-
acceleration provision in the event of an acceleration of the non-
recourse debt of Stone Venepal (Celgar) Pulp, Inc. ("SVCPI"). The
funds provided by the new term loan facility were used to repay
indebtedness outstanding under the Company's $450 million revolving
credit facility under the bank credit agreement without reducing the
commitments thereunder, with the excess proceeds providing liquidity in
the form of cash. At September 30, 1996, the Company's bank credit
agreement, as amended, consists of three senior secured term loans
aggregating $763 million which mature through October 1, 2003 and a
$560 million senior secured revolving credit facility commitment, which
includes the Supplemental Revolver, maturing May 15, 1999 (collectively
the "Credit Agreement").
On June 20, 1996, the Company and its bank group further amended
the Credit Agreement to permit the Company to contribute its retail
packaging assets into a joint venture with Gaylord Container
Corporation (see Note 4). The Company is currently working with its
lenders to amend certain financial covenants of the Credit Agreement.
NOTE 9: Purchase of Securities of a Non-consolidated Affiliate
During the 1996 first quarter, the Company purchased approximately $40
million of convertible debt securities of Financiere Carton Papier
("FCP"), a non-consolidated affiliate of the Company. The securities
are not convertible into FCP common stock until March 1999. If the
Company converted the securities into FCP common stock, the Company
would own approximately 80 percent of the outstanding shares of FCP.
NOTE 10: Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-
Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" ("SFAS 121"),
which requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying
amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The adoption of SFAS 121
did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
Also, effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), by electing to continue to apply the
intrinsic value-based method of accounting for stock-based
compensation. The Company will provide the required proforma
disclosures pertaining to its stock-based compensation in its year end
1996 financial statement footnotes.
NOTE 11: Inventories
Inventories are summarized as follows:
September 30, December 31,
(in millions) 1996 1995
________________________________________ ________ ________
Raw materials and supplies.............. $ 246.3 $ 287.5
Paperstock.............................. 384.2 358.8
Work in process......................... 21.6 23.1
Finished products....................... 120.3 123.1
________________________________________ ________ ________
772.4 792.5
Excess of current cost over LIFO
inventory value........................ (51.8) (59.2)
________ ________
Total inventories....................... $ 720.6 $ 733.3
======== ========
NOTE 12: Additional Cash Flow Statement Information
The Company's non-cash investing and financing activities and cash
payments for interest and income taxes were as follows:
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
(in millions) 1996 1995 1996 1995
______________________________ ________ ________ ________ ________
Non-cash investing and
financing activities:
Notes receivable received as
partial consideration from
sale of assets.............. $ 27.8 $ -- $ 27.8 $ --
Issuance of common stock as
partial consideration to
extinguish debt............. -- 174.8 -- 174.8
Assumption of non-recourse
debt of an affiliate........ -- 13.1 -- 13.1
Cash paid during the periods
for:
Interest (net of
capitalization)............. $ 91.5 $ 109.4 $ 285.8 $ 342.7
Income taxes (net of refunds) 6.5 26.3 18.6 88.3
NOTE 13: Commitments and Contingencies
On July 24, 1996, SVCPI, an indirect subsidiary of the Company, and
CITIC B.C. Inc., an indirect subsidiary of China International Trust
and Investment Corporation, entered into an agreement which among other
items contemplates a single corporation that would own the Celgar pulp
mill in Castlegar, British Columbia upon CITIC B.C. Inc.'s cure of its
defaults with lenders and SVCPI.
The agreement contemplates that this entity would own 100 percent
of the interest in the mill. This entity would be owned 50 percent by
CITIC Canada, Inc., and 45 percent by Stone Container (Canada) Inc.,
with the remaining 5 percent owned by a subsidiary of Venepal S.A.C.A.,
a Venezuelan pulp and paper company.
As part of the agreement, CITIC B.C. Inc. has agreed to bring
current all interest, fees and expense payments due on its
indebtedness, including reimbursements to the Company for amounts
previously advanced on behalf of CITIC B.C. Inc.
Pursuant to the loan agreement, the lenders to the mill are
subject to a six-month moratorium with respect to pursuing their
rights. During this period of time, SVCPI will have the opportunity to
exercise its rights to purchase CITIC B.C. Inc.'s interest in the
Celgar mill assets or find a buyer to purchase such interest. The
purchase price would include the assumption of CITIC B.C. Inc's portion
of the Celgar mill indebtedness. Such indebtedness, if assumed, shall
be non-recourse to the Company. As part of the SVCPI and CITIC B.C.
Inc. agreement, SVCPI and CITIC B.C. Inc. are also attempting to work
toward an acceptable restructuring with its lenders of the indebtedness
at the mill, which has been structured as non-recourse to the Company.
No assurances can be given, however, that an acceptable restructuring
can be accomplished during such moratorium.
In addition to the advances made by the Company to SVCPI to cure
CITIC B.C. Inc.'s payment defaults and fund CITIC B.C. Inc.'s portion
of operating expenses, the Company has from time to time advanced
amounts to SVCPI to fund operating deficits and debt service
requirements. The extent of any advances that the Company may make in
the future to SVCPI are likely to depend on the terms of any
restructuring achieved with the lenders and operating results at the
Celgar mill.
<PAGE>
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations
Effective November 1, 1995, the Company began reporting Stone-
Consolidated Corporation ("Stone-Consolidated") as a non-consolidated
affiliate in accordance with the equity method of accounting. Prior to
such date the Company reported Stone-Consolidated as a consolidated
subsidiary. See also Note 5.
Provided below are certain financial data for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995. Also provided, for
comparative purposes only, are supplemental restated financial data for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 1995 assuming that the
historical financial results of Stone-Consolidated were reported by the
Company in accordance with the equity method of accounting effective
January 1, 1995.
Three Three
months months
ended ended
Three months ended Sept. 30, Nine months ended Sept. 30,
September 30, 1995 September 30, 1995
1996 1995 (restated) 1996 1995 (restated)
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________
Net sales..... $1,295.1 $1,924.0 $1,620.1 $3,898.9 $5,706.8 $4,911.2
Depreciation
and
amortization. 78.2 97.1 79.9 236.2 285.7 235.4
Interest
expense...... 106.8 114.5 106.7 308.0 354.0 328.8
Income (loss)
before income
taxes,
minority
interest and
extraordinary
charges...... (64.8) 244.3 206.5 (60.1) 645.4 567.3
Net income
(loss)....... $ (51.0) $ (48.9) $ (48.9) $ (39.8) $ 175.8 $ 175.8
The loss before extraordinary charges for the 1996 third quarter
was $47.7 million, or $.50 per share of common stock while income
before extraordinary charges for the 1995 third quarter was $129.0
million, or $1.32 per share of common stock on a primary basis and
$1.12 per share of common stock on a fully diluted basis. The loss for
the current quarter includes net non-recurring charges of approximately
$8 million, or $.08 per common share, relating to asset sales.
Additionally, in the 1996 third quarter, the Company recorded
extraordinary charges from the early extinguishment of debt of $3.3
million, or $.03 per share of common stock, while in the 1995 third
quarter, the Company recorded extraordinary charges from the early
extinguishment of debt of $177.9 million, or $1.85 per share on a
primary basis and $1.57 per share on a fully diluted basis. The net
loss for the 1996 third quarter was $51.0 million, or $.53 per share of
common stock, while the net loss for the 1995 third quarter was $48.9
million, or $.53 per share of common stock on a primary basis and $.45
per share of common stock on a fully diluted basis.
For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Company recorded
a loss before extraordinary charges of $36.5 million, or $.43 per share
of common stock, while for the nine months ended September 30, 1995,
income before the extraordinary charges was $356.8 million, or $3.79
per share of common stock on a primary basis and $3.08 per share of
common stock on a fully diluted basis. After extraordinary charges of
$3.3 million related to the early extinguishment of debt, the Company
incurred a net loss of $39.8 million, or $.46 per share of common stock
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. For the nine months
ended September 30, 1995, the Company recorded extraordinary charges
from the early extinguishment of debt totalling $181.0 million, or
$1.95 per share on a primary basis and $1.55 per share on a fully
diluted basis, resulting in net income of $175.8 million, or $1.84 per
share of common stock on a primary basis and $1.53 per share of common
stock on a fully diluted basis.
Net sales for the three and nine month periods ended September 30,
1996 decreased $628.9 million and $1.81 billion, respectively, from
the comparable prior year periods. Net sales for the third quarter and
first nine months of 1995 included $303.9 million and $795.6 million,
respectively, of sales of Stone-Consolidated. Excluding the effect of
Stone-Consolidated, sales for the third quarter and first nine months
of 1996 decreased approximately $325 million or 20.1 percent, and $1.01
billion or 20.6 percent, respectively, from the comparable prior year
periods.
The decreases in sales and net income for the third quarter and
first nine months of 1996 from the prior year periods primarily
resulted from lower average selling prices for the majority of the
Company's products.
Shipments of corrugated containers, including the Company's
proportionate share of the shipments by its foreign affiliates, were
13.7 billion square feet for the third quarter of 1996, compared with
13.1 billion for the comparable prior year period. The Company shipped
40.2 billion square feet of corrugated containers during both the first
nine months of 1996 and 1995. Shipments of paper bags and sacks,
including the Company's proportionate share of the shipments of S&G
Packaging Company, L.L.C. ("S&G"), were 133 thousand tons and 411
thousand tons for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996,
respectively, compared with 140 thousand tons and 434 thousand tons
shipped during the same 1995 periods.
Production of containerboard and kraft paper for the three and
nine months ended September 30, 1996 were 1.39 million tons and 3.69
million tons, respectively, compared to 1.23 million tons and 3.84
million tons produced during the comparable 1995 periods.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
The Company's working capital ratio was 2.0 to 1 at September 30, 1996
and 2.4 to 1 at December 31, 1995. The Company's long-term debt to
total capitalization ratio was 74.7 percent at September 30, 1996 and
72.2 percent at December 31, 1995. Capitalization, for purposes of
this ratio, includes long-term debt (which includes debt of certain
consolidated affiliates which is non-recourse to the Company), deferred
income taxes, minority interest and stockholders' equity.
The Company's primary capital requirements for liqidity consist of
debt service, including principal and interest, and capital
expenditures, including capital expenditures for compliance with
certain environmental legislation requirements and ongoing maintenance
expenditures and improvements. The Company is highly leveraged, and as
a result, will incur substantial ongoing interest expense. The Company
has debt maturities or amortization obligations of approximately $203
million in 1997 (including the Company's $150 million 10-3/4 percent
Senior Subordinated Notes) with greater maturities due in 1998 and
1999. See "Outlook".
On March 22 and June 20, 1996, the Company and its bank group
amended the Company's bank credit agreement. Additionally, the Company
will request further credit agreement amendments relating to compliance
with certain financial covenants. See also Note 8. At November 8,
1996, the Company had borrowing availability of approximately $515
million (net of letters of credit which reduce the amount available to
be borrowed) under its revolving credit facilities. The term loans and
the $560 million revolving credit facility had weighted average
interest rates for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 of 8.8
percent and 8.7 percent, respectively. The weighted average rates do
not include the effect of the amortization of deferred debt issuance
costs.
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities was $225.6 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996, compared with $667.3 million for
the comparable period of 1995.
Financing activities:
The Company purchased and retired $230 million principal amount of its
11-1/2 percent Senior Subordinated Notes due 1999. See also Note 7.
On August 16, 1996, Stone Container Finance Company of Canada, a
newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sold $200 million
principal amount of 11-1/2 percent Senior Notes due August 15, 2006.
See also Note 6.
On July 24, 1996, the Company sold $125 million principal amount
of 11-7/8 percent Rating Adjustable Senior Notes due 2016 ("Rating
Adjustable Senior Notes"). See also Note 6.
On April 25, 1996, the Company issued $33.3 million aggregate
principal amount of tax-exempt, industrial development revenue bonds at
7-1/4 percent. The proceeds from the issuance have been and will be
used to acquire, construct and install certain solid waste disposal
components of the Company's containerboard mill facilities located in
Snowflake, Arizona and Port Wentworth, Georgia.
On March 22, 1996, the Company borrowed $190 million under a
senior secured term loan facility provided under its Credit Agreement.
See also Note 8. The proceeds of the term loan were used to repay
indebtedness outstanding under the Company's $450 million revolving
credit facility (without a corresponding reduction in commitments) and
provide additional liquidity in the form of cash.
In each of the first, second and third quarters of 1996, the
Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $.4375 per share on its Series
E Cumulative Preferred Stock and $.15 per share on its common stock.
On September 16, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors declared a
quarterly cash dividend of $.4375 per share on the Series E Cumulative
Preferred Stock, payable November 15, 1996. On October 28, 1996, the
Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $.15
per common share, payable December 13, 1996. Dividends are permitted
pursuant to covenants contained in various of the Company loan
agreements. Currently, the most restrictive covenant, the Company's
Credit Agreement, has an available dividend pool of approximately $135
million at September 30, 1996. No assurance can be given that the
available pool will be sufficient in the future to permit such dividend
payments to continue.
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
totalled approximately $159 million.
On September 11, 1996, the Company sold the majority of its wood
products assets, to U.S. Forest Industries, Inc. for cash and long-term
promissory notes. See also Note 3.
Stone Venepal (Celgar) Pulp, Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Stone
Container, and CITIC B.C. Inc., an indirect subsidiary of China
International Trust and Investment Corporation, have entered into an
agreement which among other items contemplates a single corporation
that would own the Celgar pulp mill in Castlegar, British Columbia.
See also Note 13.
On July 12, 1996, the Company and Gaylord Container Corporation
entered into a joint venture whereby the retail packaging businesses of
these two companies were combined to form S&G. See also Note 4.
On May 30, 1996, the Company entered into a joint venture
agreement with Four M Corporation (Box USA) to purchase a paperboard
mill located in Port St. Joe, Florida, from St. Joe Paper Company for
$185 million plus applicable working capital. See also Note 4.
Additionally, in the 1996 first quarter the Company purchased
approximately $40 million of convertible debt securities of Financiere
Carton Papier ("FCP"), a non-consolidated affiliate of the Company, in
order to provide FCP with sufficient funds for debt service and for
general working capital purposes. See also Note 9.
Outlook:
The Company's net loss increased from $21.1 million in the second
quarter of 1996 to $51.0 million in the 1996 third quarter primarily
due to continued weak selling prices for the majority of the Company's
products. The Company expects to report a net loss for the fourth
quarter and for the full year of 1996. Beginning in late 1995, demand
for containerboard and market pulp was dramatically reduced and the
Company, in an effort to prevent excessive increases in inventory, took
significant downtime at various of its mills in the last half of 1995
and the first half of 1996.
The Company believes that demand for containerboard, corrugated
containers and market pulp will improve and as a result the Company has
announced fourth quarter 1996 price increases for containerboard and
corrugated containers. No assurance can be given that such increased
demand or price increases will be sustained or that demand or pricing
for the Company's products will be maintained at current levels.
The Company will be required in the future to generate cash flows
to fully meet the Company's debt service requirements. The Company has
debt amortizations of approximately $203 million in 1997, $432 million
in 1998, $361 million in 1999 and $535 million in 2000. In the event
that the Company is unable to generate sufficient operating cash flows
to fully meet such debt service requirements, it is anticipated that
the Company would refinance portions of this indebtedness and/or use a
substantial portion of its sources of liquidity including
availabilities under its revolving credit facilities to repay such
indebtedness. The Company also anticipates that it will be able to
access the capital markets to refinance certain of such obligations.
No assurance can be given that such sources will be available in
sufficient amounts for such requirements.
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits
11 Computation of Primary and Fully Diluted Net Income (Loss)
Per Common Share.
27 Financial Data Schedule for the nine months ended September
30, 1996.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
1. A Report on Form 8-K dated July 19, 1996 was filed under
Item 5 - Other Events.
2. A Report on Form 8-K dated July 25, 1996 was filed under
Item 5 - Other Events.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
By: THOMAS P. CUTILLETTA
Thomas P. Cutilletta
Senior Vice President,
Administration and
Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting
Officer)
Date: November 14, 1996
<TABLE>
STONE CONTAINER CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF PRIMARY AND FULLY DILUTED
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
(in millions, except per share)
<CAPTION>
Three months ended Nine months ended
September 30, September 30,
1996 1995 1996 1995
________ ________ ________ ________
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Primary Earnings Per Share
Shares of Common Stock:
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding...... 99.2 95.9 99.2 92.5
-------- ------- -------- -------
Primary Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding...................... 99.2 95.9 99.2 92.5
======== ======== ======== ========
Net income (loss)................. $ (51.0) $ (48.9) $ (39.8) $ 175.8
Less:
Series E Cumulative Convertible
Exchangeable Preferred Stock
dividend...................... (2.0) (2.0) (6.0) (6.0)
________ ________ ________ ________
Net income (loss) used in computing
primary net income (loss) per
common share.................... $ (53.0) $ (50.9) $ (45.8) $ 169.8
======== ======== ======== ========
Primary Earnings Per Share........ $ (.53) $ (.53) $ (.46) $ 1.84
======== ======== ======== ========
Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share
Shares of Common Stock:
Weighted average number of
common shares outstanding..... 99.2 95.9 99.2 92.5
Dilutive effect of options and
warrants...................... .3 -- .3 --
Addition from assumed conversion
of 8.875% convertible senior
subordinated notes............ 5.2 12.3 5.2 18.5
Addition from assumed conversion
of 6.75% convertible
subordinated debentures....... 1.3 1.5 1.3 2.2
Addition from assumed conversion
of Series E Cumulative
Convertible Exchangeable
Preferred Stock............... 3.4 3.4 3.4 3.4
-------- -------- -------- --------
Fully Diluted Weighted Average
Shares Outstanding.............. 109.4 113.1 109.4 116.6
======== ======== ======== ========
Net Income (loss)................. $ (51.0) $ (48.9) $ (39.8) $ 175.8
Less:
Series E Cumulative Convertible
Exchangeable Preferred Stock
dividend..................... (2.0) (2.0) (6.0) (6.0)
Income adjustment associated
with assumed conversion of
Stone-Consolidated Corporation
8% convertible subordinated
debentures.................... -- (5.1) -- (9.0)
Add back:
Interest on 8.875% convertible
senior subordinated notes..... .8 1.9 2.4 8.7
Interest on 6.75% convertible
subordinated debentures....... .4 .5 1.4 2.3
Series E Cumulative Convertible
Exchangeable Preferred Stock
dividend...................... 2.0 2.0 6.0 6.0
________ ________ ________ ________
Net income (loss) used in
computing fully diluted net
income (loss) per common share.. $ (49.8) $ (51.6) $ (36.0) $ 177.8
======== ======== ======== ========
Fully Diluted Earnings Per
Share(A)........................ $ (.46) $ (.45) $ (.33) $ 1.53
======== ======== ======== ========
<FN>
(A) Fully diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1996 are not presented in the consolidated financial statements
due to anti-dilutive nature.
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from Stone Container
Corporation and Subsidiaries' September 30, 1996 Consolidated Balance Sheet and
Consolidated Operations and Retained Earnings and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
<CASH> 210
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 630
<ALLOWANCES> 24
<INVENTORY> 721
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 1679
<PP&E> 4819
<DEPRECIATION> 2250
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 6425
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 824
<BONDS> 3953
0
115
<COMMON> 953
<OTHER-SE> (171)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 6425
<SALES> 3899
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3899
<CGS> 3022
<TOTAL-COSTS> 3716
<OTHER-EXPENSES> (65)
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 308
<INCOME-PRETAX> (60)
<INCOME-TAX> (22)
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (37)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (3)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (40)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (.46)
<EPS-DILUTED> (.46)
</TABLE>
