UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): February 28, 2019
VERSO CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 001-34056 | 75-3217389 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
8540 Gander Creek Drive
Miamisburg, Ohio 45342
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)
(877) 855-7243
(Registrants’ telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Item 2.02 | Results of Operations and Financial Condition. |
On February 28, 2019, Verso Corporation (“Verso”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2018. A copy of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. The press release, including the information contained therein, is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02, is not to be considered “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any of Verso’s previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) | Exhibits |
Exhibit | |||
Number | Description of Exhibit | ||
99.1 | Press release issued by Verso on February 28, 2019. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: February 28, 2019 | ||||
VERSO CORPORATION | ||||
By: | /s/ Allen J. Campbell | |||
Allen J. Campbell | ||||
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Verso Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Financial Results
MIAMISBURG, Ohio, Feb. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Verso Corporation (NYSE: VRS) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2018.
Fourth Quarter 2018 Highlights:
Overview
"Considerable sales growth, materially enhanced profitability and $211 million in debt reduction marked 2018 as a fantastic, banner year in Verso's history," said Verso Chief Executive Officer B. Christopher DiSantis. "With stronger pricing, effective mix management, and new Specialty and Packaging products as underlying drivers, we continue to explore every available opportunity to capitalize on our strengthened balance sheet, build a more diversified, sustainable business, and create value for our stockholders."
Results of Operations – Comparison of Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 to Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
| Three Months Ended
|
| Three Month | ||
(Dollars in millions) | 2017 |
| 2018 |
| $ Change |
Net sales | $ 639 |
| $ 695 |
| $ 56 |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation
| 560 |
| 579 |
| 19 |
Depreciation and amortization | 28 |
| 28 |
| - |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 26 |
| 24 |
| (2) |
Restructuring charges | 1 |
| (1) |
| (2) |
Other operating (income) expense | 1 |
| 2 |
| 1 |
Operating income | 23 |
| 63 |
| 40 |
Interest expense | 9 |
| 1 |
| (8) |
Other (income) expense | (14) |
| (24) |
| (10) |
Income before income taxes | 28 |
| 86 |
| 58 |
Income tax expense (benefit) | (8) |
| - |
| 8 |
Net income | $ 36 |
| $ 86 |
| $ 50 |
Comments on Results of Operations - Comparison of Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 to Three Months Ended December 31, 2017
Results of Operations - Comparison of 12 Months Ended December 31, 2018 to 12 Months Ended December 31, 2017
| Twelve Months Ended
|
| Twelve Month | ||
(Dollars in millions) | 2017 |
| 2018 |
| $ Change |
Net sales | $ 2,461 |
| $ 2,682 |
| $ 221 |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation
| 2,250 |
| 2,321 |
| 71 |
Depreciation and amortization | 115 |
| 111 |
| (4) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 107 |
| 102 |
| (5) |
Restructuring charges | 9 |
| 1 |
| (8) |
Other operating (income) expense | 1 |
| (5) |
| (6) |
Operating income (loss) | (21) |
| 152 |
| 173 |
Interest expense | 38 |
| 33 |
| (5) |
Other (income) expense | (21) |
| (52) |
| (31) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | (38) |
| 171 |
| 209 |
Income tax expense (benefit) | (8) |
| - |
| 8 |
Net income (loss) | $ (30) |
| $ 171 |
| $ 201 |
Comments on Results of Operations - Comparison of 12 Months Ended December 31, 2018 to 12 Months Ended December 31, 2017
Guidance
The Company is providing the following guidance:
Presentation of Predecessor and Successor Financial Results
The Company adopted fresh-start reporting as of July 15, 2016 (the "Effective Date"), the effective date of its First Modified Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code dated June 20, 2016, and the date that Verso emerged from its Chapter 11 Cases. As a result of the application of fresh-start reporting, the Company's financial statements for periods prior to the Effective Date are not comparable to those for periods subsequent to the Effective Date. References to "Successor" refer to the Company on or after the Effective Date. References to "Predecessor" refer to the Company prior to the Effective Date. Operating results for the Successor and Predecessor periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full fiscal year. References such as the "Company," "we," "our" and "us" refer to Verso Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, whether Predecessor and/or Successor, as appropriate.
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
EBITDA consists of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA reflects adjustments to EBITDA to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider to be indicative of our ongoing performance. We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a way of evaluating our performance relative to that of our peers and to assess compliance with our credit facility. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP operating performance measures commonly used in our industry that provide investors and analysts with measures of ongoing operating results, unaffected by differences in capital structures, capital investment cycles, and ages of related assets among otherwise comparable companies.
We believe that the supplemental adjustments applied in calculating Adjusted EBITDA are reasonable and appropriate to provide additional information to investors.
Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and are susceptible to varying calculations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. You should consider our EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA in addition to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, our operating or net income (loss), which are determined in accordance with GAAP.
The following table reconciles Net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the presented periods:
|
|
| Predecessor |
|
| Successor | ||||||||
|
|
| January 1, 2016 |
|
| July 15, 2016 |
| Three Months |
| 12 Months |
| Three Months |
| 12 Months |
|
|
| Through |
|
| Through |
| Ended |
| Ended |
| Ended |
| Ended |
|
|
| July 14, |
|
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
| December 31, |
(Dollars in millions) |
| 2016 |
|
| 2016 |
| 2017 |
| 2017 |
| 2018 |
| 2018 | |
Net income (loss) |
| $ 1,178 |
|
| $ (32) |
| $ 36 |
| $ (30) |
| $ 86 |
| $ 171 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) |
| - |
|
| (20) |
| (8) |
| (8) |
| - |
| - | |
Interest expense |
| 39 |
|
| 17 |
| 9 |
| 38 |
| 1 |
| 33 | |
Depreciation and amortization |
| 100 |
|
| 93 |
| 28 |
| 115 |
| 28 |
| 111 | |
EBITDA |
| $ 1,317 |
|
| $ 58 |
| $ 65 |
| $ 115 |
| $ 115 |
| $ 315 | |
Adjustments to EBITDA: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Reorganization items, net (1) |
| (1,338) |
|
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| Restructuring charges (2) |
| 151 |
|
| 11 |
| 1 |
| 9 |
| (1) |
| 1 |
| Non-cash equity award compensation (3) |
| 4 |
|
| 1 |
| - |
| 1 |
| 2 |
| 8 |
| Androscoggin PM No. 3 startup (4) |
| - |
|
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| 10 |
| Countervailing duty settlement (5) |
| - |
|
| - |
| - |
| - |
| (22) |
| (42) |
| Fresh start accounting adjustments (6) |
| 3 |
|
| 46 |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| - |
| (Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets (7) |
| (57) |
|
| 2 |
| 2 |
| 3 |
| - |
| (8) |
| Pre- and post-reorganization costs (8) |
| 6 |
|
| 8 |
| - |
| 1 |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| Other severance costs (9) |
| 2 |
|
| 3 |
| 1 |
| 6 |
| - |
| - |
| Strategic initiatives costs (10) |
| - |
|
| - |
| 3 |
| 3 |
| - |
| 5 |
| Extinguishment of NMTC obligation (11) |
| - |
|
| - |
| (7) |
| (7) |
| - |
| - |
| Other items, net (12) |
| 7 |
|
| 4 |
| - |
| 3 |
| 1 |
| 3 |
Adjusted EBITDA |
| $ 95 |
|
| $ 133 |
| $ 65 |
| $ 134 |
| $ 96 |
| $ 296 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Net gains associated with the Chapter 11 Cases. |
(2) | For 2016, charges are primarily associated with the closure of the Wickliffe Mill, of which $137 million is non-cash. For 2017 and 2018, charges are primarily associated with the closure and relocation of the Memphis office headquarters and closure of the Wickliffe Mill. |
(3) | Amortization of non-cash incentive compensation. |
(4) | Costs incurred in connection with the upgrade of previously shuttered No. 3 paper machine and pulp line at the Androscoggin Mill. |
(5) | Countervailing duty settlement gains pursuant to the Settlement Agreement. |
(6) | Non-cash charges related to the one-time impacts of adopting fresh start accounting. |
(7) | Realized (gains) and losses on the disposal of assets, which are primarily attributable to the sale of hydroelectric facilities in January 2016 and the sale of the Wickliffe Mill in September 2018. |
(8) | Costs incurred in connection with advisory and legal services related to planning for and emerging from the Chapter 11 Cases. |
(9) | Severance and related benefit costs not associated with restructuring activities. |
(10) | Professional fees and other charges associated with the strategic alternatives initiative. |
(11) | Extinguishment of obligation in December 2017 in connection with the unwind of a New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) transaction entered in 2010. |
(12) | Costs associated with the indefinite idling of the Wickliffe Mill and unrealized losses (gains) on energy-related derivative contracts in 2016, costs incurred in connection with the re-engineering of information systems and costs associated with the temporary idling of the No. 3 paper machine at the Androscoggin Mill in 2017, and other miscellaneous adjustments in 2016, 2017 and 2018. |
About Verso
Verso Corporation is the turn-to company for those looking to successfully navigate the complexities of paper sourcing and performance. A leading North American producer of graphic and specialty papers, packaging and pulp, Verso provides insightful solutions that help drive improved customer efficiency, productivity, brand awareness and business results. Verso's long-standing reputation for quality and reliability is directly tied to our vision to be a company with passion that is respected and trusted by all. Verso's passion is rooted in ethical business practices that demand safe workplaces for our employees and sustainable wood sourcing for our products. This passion, combined with our flexible manufacturing capabilities and an unmatched commitment to product performance, delivery and service, make Verso a preferred choice among commercial printers, paper merchants and brokers, converters, publishers and other end users. For more information, visit us online at versoco.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this press release, all statements that are not purely historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, our guidance for the first quarter of 2019, our ability to strengthen our balance sheet and other strategic expectations for 2019. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "estimate," "intend," "potential" and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on currently available business, economic, financial, and other information and reflect management's current beliefs, expectations, and views with respect to future developments and their potential effects on Verso. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties that may affect Verso and its business. Verso's actual actions and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements due to a variety of factors, including those risks and uncertainties listed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Verso's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and from time to time in Verso's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Verso assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement made in this press release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or actual outcomes.
Conference Call
Verso will host a conference call on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 1 p.m. (EST) to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2018 financial results. Analysts and investors may access the live conference call only by dialing 888-317-6003 (U.S. toll-free), 866-284-3684 (Canada toll-free) or 412-317-6061 (international) and referencing elite entry number 6892200 and Verso Corporation. To register, please dial in 10 minutes before the conference call begins. The news release and fourth quarter and full year 2018 results will be available on Verso's website at http://investor.versoco.com by navigating to the Financial Information page.
Analysts and investors may also access the live conference call and webcast by clicking on the event link https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1524/29518 or by visiting Verso's website at http://investor.versoco.com and navigating to the Events page. Please go to this link at least one hour before the call and follow the instructions to register, download and install any necessary audio/video software.
A telephonic replay of the call can be accessed at 877-344-7529 (U.S. toll-free), 855-669-9658 (Canada toll-free) or 412-317-0088 (international), access code 10129152. The replay will be available starting at 3 p.m. (EST) Thursday, February 28, 2019, and will remain available until March 28, 2019. An archive of the conference call and webcast will be available at http://investor.versoco.com starting at 3 p.m. (EST) Thursday, February 28, 2019, and will remain available for 120 days.
CONTACT: Investor contact: investor.relations@versoco.com, 937-528-3220; or Media contact: Kathi Rowzie, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, 937-528-3700, kathi.rowzie@versoco.com
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