Domtar Corporation recently reported net earnings of $19 million ($0.54 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to net earnings of $66 million ($1.84 per share) for the third quarter of 2012 and net earnings of $61 million ($1.63 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2012 amounted to $1.3 billion.
Excluding items listed below, the Company had earnings before items1 of $46 million ($1.31 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to earnings before items1 of $67 million ($1.87 per share) for the third quarter of 2012 and earnings before items1 of $93 million ($2.49 per share) for the fourth quarter of 2011.
Fourth quarter 2011 items:
Closure and restructuring costs of $38 million ($23 million after tax); and
Charge of $12 million ($9 million after tax) related to the impairment and write-down of property, plant and equipment.
"Our paper and pulp businesses performed largely in-line with expectations from a sales standpoint in the fourth quarter," said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Higher costs for fiber and energy and unexpected costs incurred at a pulp mill following a planned maintenance outage affected results.
For fiscal year 2012, net earnings amounted to $172 million ($4.76 per share) compared to net earnings of $365 million ($9.08 per share) for fiscal year 2011. The Company had earnings before items1 of $233 million ($6.45 per share) for fiscal 2012 compared to earnings before items1 of $452 million ($11.24 per share) for fiscal 2011. Sales amounted to $5.5 billion for fiscal year 2012.
Commenting on the year, Mr. Williams said, "The down cycle in pulp prices contributed to the majority of the decline in Domtar's earnings. We accomplished a great deal again in 2012 nevertheless. We completed two acquisitions in our Personal Care business, we announced the conversion of a world-class commodity paper mill to manufacture specialty papers and launched several innovative projects that provide alternative uses for our wood fiber and the by-products of our manufacturing process. Our journey to build a growing fiber-based business is well underway," added Mr. Williams.
