Graphic Packaging Holding Company Reports Second Quarter 2015 Results

Graphic Packaging Holding Company (GPK), (the “Company”), a leading provider of paper-based packaging solutions to food, beverage and other consumer products companies, today reported Net Income for second quarter 2015 of $57.6 million, or $0.17 per share, based upon 330.9 million weighted average diluted shares. This compares to the second quarter 2014 Net Loss of $(40.0) million, or $(0.12) per share, based on 328.7 million weighted average diluted shares.

Including the tax impact, second quarter 2015 Net Income was negatively impacted by $3.7 million of Charges Associated with Business Combinations and Other Special Charges. When adjusting for these charges, Adjusted Net Income for the second quarter of 2015 was $61.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share. This compares to second quarter 2014 Adjusted Net Income of $66.0 million or $0.20 per diluted share.

“We delivered on our expectations despite continued soft demand in key end-markets,” said Chairman and CEO David Scheible. “Although market volumes remain challenging, we continue to post strong results as Adjusted EBITDA margin was up 110 basis points over last year to 18.2%. The increase was driven by our ongoing asset optimization strategies, acquisition integration and strong operating performance. Our global supply chain has been extremely efficient as we produced and sold more net tons through our integrated system versus second quarter last year. Our strong performance has generated over $40 million in productivity benefits through the first six months of the year.”

Net Sales

Net Sales decreased 5.3% to $1,057.1 million in the second quarter of 2015, compared to $1,116.7 million in the prior year period. Excluding $107.7 million of sales in the prior year period from divested businesses, Adjusted Net Sales increased $48.1 million or 4.8%. The increase was driven by $82.7 million of improved volume/mix, primarily related to acquisitions. The sales increase was partially offset by $34.6 million of unfavorable foreign exchange rates and modestly lower pricing.

EBITDA

EBITDA for second quarter 2015 was $187.1 million, or $167.4 million higher than the second quarter of 2014. When adjusting both periods for Charges Associated with Business Combinations and Other Special Charges, and the prior year period for Loss on Sale of Assets, Adjusted EBITDA increased 0.7% to $192.1 million in the second quarter of 2015 from $190.8 million in the second quarter of 2014. When comparing against the prior year quarter, Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2015 was positively impacted by $12.7 million of improved net operating performance and $9.2 million of favorable volume/mix. These benefits were partially offset by $8.6 million in higher costs (primarily for labor and benefits), $5.4 million of unfavorable foreign exchange rates, $4.3 million of EBITDA from divested businesses and $2.3 million of lower price, net of commodity deflation.

Other Results

Total Net Debt declined $64.9 million during the second quarter 2015 to $1,997.6 million. The Company’s June 30, 2015 Net Leverage Ratio dropped to 2.71 times Adjusted EBITDA from 3.17 times Adjusted EBITDA at the end of the second quarter of 2014. At June 30, 2015, the Company had available domestic liquidity of $960.6 million, including the undrawn availability under its $1.25 billion domestic revolving credit facility.

Net Interest Expense was $17.8 million in second quarter 2015, compared to $21.2 million in second quarter 2014. The decrease was due to both lower debt balances and lower overall interest rates.

Capital expenditures for second quarter 2015 were $66.3 million, compared to $49.6 million in the second quarter of 2014. The increase is primarily the result of additional investments being made in the Company’s mills, including the previously announced Cogen installation at the West Monroe, LA mill.

Second quarter 2015 Income Tax Expense was $35.1 million compared to a benefit of $(33.2) million in the second quarter of 2014. The prior year benefit was primarily driven by the pre-tax loss generated from the sale of the Company’s multi-wall bag business. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had approximately $551 million of NOLs for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which may be used to offset future taxable income.

In the picture: David Scheible