Domtar Corporation Reports Preliminary Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

Higher pulp prices and strong cost performance drive improved results
(All financial information is in U.S. dollars, and all earnings per share results are diluted, unless otherwise noted).

Second quarter 2017 net earnings of $0.61 per share
$121 million of cash flow from operating activities
Pulp shipments 15% higher year-to-date

Domtar Corporation (NYSE:UFS) (TSX:UFS) today reported net earnings of $38 million ($0.61 per share) for the second quarter of 2017 compared to net earnings of $20 million ($0.32 per share) for the first quarter of 2017 and net earnings of $18 million ($0.29 per share) for the second quarter of 2016. Sales for the second quarter of 2017 were $1.2 billion.

Excluding items listed below, the Company had earnings before items¹ of $38 million ($0.61 per share) for the second quarter of 2017 compared to earnings before items¹ of $20 million ($0.32 per share) for the first quarter of 2017 and earnings before items¹ of $38 million ($0.61 per share) for the second quarter of 2016.

Second quarter 2017 items:

None.

First quarter 2017 items:

None.

Second quarter 2016 items:

Litigation settlement of $2 million ($2 million after tax);
Impairment of property, plant & equipment of $3 million ($2 million after tax); and
Closure and restructuring costs of $21 million ($16 million after tax).

QUARTERLY REVIEW

"Our pulp price momentum continued in the quarter following the implementation of several price increases," said John D. Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Productivity was strong, resulting in good cost performance despite the high level of scheduled major maintenance outages at several pulp and paper mills. Notably, Ashdown had an excellent operating quarter and continued to make significant strides on increasing production of fluff pulp. Customer qualifications continue to progress well and we are on track to ramp-up to approximately 50% fluff pulp sales by year-end."

Mr. Williams added, "In spite of competitive market pressures, we delivered a solid performance in Personal Care. We continued to show broad-based, year-over-year volume growth across most of our product channels, while benefits from our cost savings and efficiency improvement projects partially offset price erosion. We expect to continue to invest in innovation, marketing and targeted growth initiatives to capture the opportunities in our categories and geographies."

Operating income was $64 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to operating income of $42 million in the first quarter of 2017. Depreciation and amortization totaled $79 million in the second quarter of 2017.

Operating income before items¹ was $64 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to an operating income before items¹ of $42 million in the first quarter of 2017.


(In millions of dollars)	2Q 2017			1Q 2017

Sales	$	1,224		$	1,304
Operating income (loss)
Pulp and Paper segment		65			34
Personal Care segment		13			16
Corporate		(14	)		(8	)
Total operating income		64			42
Operating income before items¹		64			42
Depreciation and amortization		79			80

The increase in operating income in the second quarter of 2017 was the result of higher average selling prices for pulp, lower raw material costs, favorable productivity and lower maintenance costs. These factors were partially offset by lower volume, higher selling, general and administrative expenses, and higher freight costs.

When compared to the first quarter of 2017, manufactured paper shipments were down 6% and pulp shipments decreased 15%. The shipments-to-production ratio for paper was 98% in the second quarter of 2017, compared to 105% in the first quarter of 2017. Paper inventories increased by 18,000 tons and pulp inventories increased by 33,000 metric tons when compared to the first quarter of 2017.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL

Cash flow from operating activities amounted to $121 million and capital expenditures were $37 million, resulting in free cash flow¹ of $84 million for the second quarter of 2017. Domtar's net debt-to-total capitalization ratio¹ stood at 28% at June 30, 2017 compared to 30% at March 31, 2017.

OUTLOOK

For the remainder of the year, we expect our paper shipments to be in-line with market demand. Our pulp shipments should be higher due to the ramp-up of the Ashdown fluff pulp line, while mix should continue to improve as we convert more volume to fluff pulp. In Personal Care, investments in advertising and promotion in addition to new customer wins should drive higher sales, while raw material costs are expected to increase marginally.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

The Company will hold a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its second quarter 2017 financial results. Financial analysts are invited to participate in the call by dialing 1 (800) 499-4035 (toll free - North America) or 1 (416) 204-9269 (International) at least 10 minutes before start time, while media and other interested individuals are invited to listen to the live webcast on the Domtar Corporation website at www.domtar.com.

The Company will release its third quarter 2017 earnings results on October 27, 2017 before markets open, followed by a conference call at 11:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss results. The date is tentative and will be confirmed approximately three weeks prior to the official earnings release date.

About Domtar
Domtar is a leading provider of a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication, specialty and packaging papers, market pulp and absorbent hygiene products. With approximately 10,000 employees serving more than 50 countries around the world, Domtar is driven by a commitment to turn sustainable wood fiber into useful products that people rely on every day. Domtar's annual sales are approximately $5.1 billion, and its common stock is traded on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges. Domtar's principal executive office is in Fort Mill, South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release about our plans, expectations and future performance, including the statements by Mr. Williams and those contained under "Outlook," are "forward-looking statements." Actual results may differ materially from those suggested by these statements for a number of reasons, including changes in customer demand and pricing, changes in manufacturing costs, future acquisitions and divestitures, including facility closings, and the other reasons identified under "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K for 2016 as filed with the SEC and as updated by subsequently filed Form 10-Qs. Except to the extent required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances or otherwise.

Domtar Corporation
Highlights
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)

	Three months ended			Three months ended			Six months ended			Six months ended
	June 30,			June 30,			June 30,			June 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
	(Unaudited)
	$			$			$			$

Selected Segment Information
Sales
Pulp and Paper		999			1,054			2,072			2,139
Personal Care		241			228			490			444
Total for reportable segments		1,240			1,282			2,562			2,583
Intersegment sales		(16	)		(15	)		(34	)		(29	)
Consolidated sales		1,224			1,267			2,528			2,554
Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment
Pulp and Paper		63			72			127			145
Personal Care		16			15			32			31
Total for reportable segments		79			87			159			176
Impairment of property, plant and equipment - Pulp and Paper		—			3			—			24
Consolidated depreciation and amortization and impairment of property, plant and equipment		79			90			159			200

Operating income (loss)
Pulp and Paper		65			35			99			54
Personal Care		13			15			29			29
Corporate		(14	)		(11	)		(22	)		(26	)
Consolidated operating income		64			39			106			57
Interest expense, net		17			15			34			32
Earnings before income taxes		47			24			72			25
Income tax expense		9			6			14			3
Net earnings		38			18			58			22
Per common share (in dollars)
Net earnings
Basic		0.61			0.29			0.93			0.35
Diluted		0.61			0.29			0.93			0.35
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions)
Basic		62.6			62.6			62.6			62.7
Diluted		62.7			62.7			62.7			62.8
Cash flows from operating activities		121			118			212			215
Additions to property, plant and equipment		37			119			71			219

Domtar Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)

	Three months ended		Three months ended		Six months ended		Six months ended
	June 30,		June 30,		June 30,		June 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(Unaudited)
	$		$		$		$

Sales		1,224		1,267		2,528		2,554
Operating expenses
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization		968		1,013		2,043		2,063
Depreciation and amortization		79		87		159		176
Selling, general and administrative		111		104		219		207
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		—		3		—		24
Closure and restructuring costs		—		21		—		23
Other operating loss, net		2		—		1		4
		1,160		1,228		2,422		2,497
Operating income		64		39		106		57
Interest expense, net		17		15		34		32
Earnings before income taxes		47		24		72		25
Income tax expense		9		6		14		3
Net earnings		38		18		58		22
Per common share (in dollars)
Net earnings
Basic		0.61		0.29		0.93		0.35
Diluted		0.61		0.29		0.93		0.35
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (millions)
Basic		62.6		62.6		62.6		62.7
Diluted		62.7		62.7		62.7		62.8

Domtar Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets at
(In millions of dollars)


	June 30,			December 31,
	2017			2016
	(Unaudited)
	$			$
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		124			125
Receivables, less allowances of $7 and $7		613			613
Inventories		759			759
Prepaid expenses		41			40
Income and other taxes receivable		18			31
Total current assets		1,555			1,568
Property, plant and equipment, net		2,779			2,825
Goodwill		569			550
Intangible assets, net		625			608
Other assets		139			129
Total assets		5,667			5,680
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
Bank indebtedness		—			12
Trade and other payables		627			656
Income and other taxes payable		28			22
Long-term debt due within one year		1			63
Total current liabilities		656			753
Long-term debt		1,203			1,218
Deferred income taxes and other		677			675
Other liabilities and deferred credits		361			358
Shareholders' equity
Common stock		1			1
Additional paid-in capital		1,966			1,963
Retained earnings		1,217			1,211
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(414	)		(499	)
Total shareholders' equity		2,770			2,676
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		5,667			5,680

Domtar Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions of dollars)

	For the six months ended
	June 30, 2017			June 30, 2016
	(Unaudited)
	$			$
Operating activities
Net earnings		58			22
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		159			176
Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties		(12	)		(5	)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment		—			24
Stock-based compensation expense		3			3
Other		—			(4	)
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effect of acquisition of business
Receivables		11			25
Inventories		10			18
Prepaid expenses		(4	)		(13	)
Trade and other payables		(35	)		(8	)
Income and other taxes		21			(16	)
Difference between employer pension and other post-retirement contributions and pension and other post-retirement expense		—			(3	)
Other assets and other liabilities		1			(4	)
Cash flows from operating activities		212			215
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(71	)		(219	)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		—			(1	)
Cash flows used for investing activities		(71	)		(220	)
Financing activities
Dividend payments		(52	)		(50	)
Stock repurchase		—			(10	)
Net change in bank indebtedness		(12	)		1
Change in revolving credit facility		(30	)		(50	)
Proceeds from receivables securitization facility		25			120
Repayments of receivables securitization facility		(15	)		(20	)
Repayments of long-term debt		(63	)		(1	)
Other		(1	)		(1	)
Cash flows used for financing activities		(148	)		(11	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(7	)		(16	)
Impact of foreign exchange on cash		6			1
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		125			126
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		124			111
Supplemental cash flow information
Net cash payments for:
Interest		31			32
Income taxes		15			27

Domtar Corporation
Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)

The following table sets forth certain non-U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") financial metrics identified in bold as "Earnings before items", "Earnings before items per diluted share", "EBITDA", "EBITDA margin", "EBITDA before items", "EBITDA margin before items", "Free cash flow", "Net debt" and "Net debt-to-total capitalization". Management believes that the financial metrics are useful to understand our operating performance and benchmark with peers within the industry. The Company calculates "Earnings before items" and "EBITDA before items" by excluding the after-tax (pre-tax) effect of specified items. These metrics are presented as a complement to enhance the understanding of operating results but not in substitution for GAAP results.

				2017									2016
				Q1			Q2			YTD			Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			Year
Reconciliation of "Earnings before items" to Net earnings
		Net earnings	($)		20			38			58			4			18			59			47			128
	(+)	Impairment of property, plant and equipment	($)		—			—			—			16			2			4			—			22
	(+)	Closure and restructuring costs	($)		—			—			—			2			16			8			(1	)		25
	(+)	Litigation settlement	($)		—			—			—			—			2			—			—			2
	(+)	Impact of purchase accounting	($)		—			—			—			—			—			—			1			1
	(=)	Earnings before items	($)		20			38			58			22			38			71			47			178
	(/)	Weighted avg. number of common shares outstanding (diluted)	(millions)		62.8			62.7			62.7			62.8			62.7			62.7			62.7			62.7
	(=)	Earnings before items per diluted share	($)		0.32			0.61			0.93			0.35			0.61			1.13			0.75			2.84

Reconciliation of "EBITDA" and "EBITDA before items" to Net earnings
		Net earnings	($)		20			38			58			4			18			59			47			128
	(+)	Income tax expense (benefit)	($)		5			9			14			(3	)		6			16			10			29
	(+)	Interest expense, net	($)		17			17			34			17			15			17			17			66
	(=)	Operating income	($)		42			64			106			18			39			92			74			223
	(+)	Depreciation and amortization	($)		80			79			159			89			87			87			85			348
	(+)	Impairment of property, plant and equipment	($)		—			—			—			21			3			5			—			29
	(=)	EBITDA	($)		122			143			265			128			129			184			159			600
	(/)	Sales	($)		1,304			1,224			2,528			1,287			1,267			1,270			1,274			5,098
	(=)	EBITDA margin	(%)		9	%		12	%		10	%		10	%		10	%		14	%		12	%		12	%
		EBITDA	($)		122			143			265			128			129			184			159			600
	(+)	Closure and restructuring costs	($)		—			—			—			2			21			10			(1	)		32
	(+)	Litigation settlement	($)		—			—			—			—			2			—			—			2
	(+)	Impact of purchase accounting	($)		—			—			—			—			—			—			1			1
	(=)	EBITDA before items	($)		122			143			265			130			152			194			159			635
	(/)	Sales	($)		1,304			1,224			2,528			1,287			1,267			1,270			1,274			5,098
	(=)	EBITDA margin before items	(%)		9	%		12	%		10	%		10	%		12	%		15	%		12	%		12	%

Reconciliation of "Free cash flow" to Cash flows from operating activities
		Cash flows from operating activities	($)		91			121			212			97			118			95			155			465
	(-)	Additions to property, plant and equipment	($)		(34	)		(37	)		(71	)		(100	)		(119	)		(83	)		(45	)		(347	)
	(=)	Free cash flow	($)		57			84			141			(3	)		(1	)		12			110			118

"Net debt-to-total capitalization" computation
		Bank indebtedness	($)		2			—						6			1			—			12
	(+)	Long-term debt due within one year	($)		64			1						41			64			63			63
	(+)	Long-term debt	($)		1,188			1,203						1,211			1,237			1,309			1,218
	(=)	Debt	($)		1,254			1,204						1,258			1,302			1,372			1,293
	(-)	Cash and cash equivalents	($)		(111	)		(124	)					(97	)		(111	)		(168	)		(125	)
	(=)	Net debt	($)		1,143			1,080						1,161			1,191			1,204			1,168
	(+)	Shareholders' equity	($)		2,685			2,770						2,736			2,716			2,754			2,676
	(=)	Total capitalization	($)		3,828			3,850						3,897			3,907			3,958			3,844
		Net debt	($)		1,143			1,080						1,161			1,191			1,204			1,168
	(/)	Total capitalization	($)		3,828			3,850						3,897			3,907			3,958			3,844
	(=)	Net debt-to-total capitalization	(%)		30	%		28	%					30	%		30	%		30	%		30	%

"Earnings before items", "Earnings before items per diluted share", "EBITDA", "EBITDA margin", "EBITDA before items", "EBITDA margin before items", "Free cash flow", "Net debt" and "Net debt-to-total capitalization" have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and therefore should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for Net earnings, Operating income or any other earnings statement, cash flow statement or balance sheet financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. It is important for readers to understand that certain items may be presented in different lines by different companies on their financial statements, thereby leading to different measures for different companies.

Domtar Corporation
Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – By Segment 2017
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)

The following table sets forth certain non-U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") financial metrics identified in bold as "Operating income (loss) before items", "EBITDA before items" and "EBITDA margin before items" by reportable segment. Management believes that the financial metrics are useful to understand our operating performance and benchmark with peers within the industry. The Company calculates the segmented "Operating income (loss) before items" by excluding the pre-tax effect of specified items. These metrics are presented as a complement to enhance the understanding of operating results but not in substitution for GAAP results.

				Pulp and Paper					Personal Care					Corporate					Total
				Q1'17	Q2'17	Q3'17	Q4'17	YTD	Q1'17	Q2'17	Q3'17	Q4'17	YTD	Q1'17	Q2'17	Q3'17	Q4'17	YTD	Q1'17	Q2'17	Q3'17	Q4'17	YTD
Reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to "Operating income (loss) before items"
		Operating income (loss)	($)	34	65	—	—	99	16	13	—	—	29	(8)	(14)	—	—	(22)	42	64	—	—	106
	(+)	Impairment of property, plant and equipment	($)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	(+)	Impact of purchase accounting	($)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	(+)	Closure and restructuring costs	($)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	(+)	Litigation settlement	($)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
	(=)	Operating income (loss) before items	($)	34	65	—	—	99	16	13	—	—	29	(8)	(14)	—	—	(22)	42	64	—	—	106

Reconciliation of "Operating income (loss) before items" to "EBITDA before items"
		Operating income (loss) before items	($)	34	65	—	—	99	16	13	—	—	29	(8)	(14)	—	—	(22)	42	64	—	—	106
	(+)	Depreciation and amortization	($)	64	63	—	—	127	16	16	—	—	32	—	—	—	—	—	80	79	—	—	159

	(=)	EBITDA before items	($)	98	128	—	—	226	32	29	—	—	61	(8)	(14)	—	—	(22)	122	143	—	—	265
	(/)	Sales	($)	1,073	999	—	—	2,072	249	241	—	—	490	—	—	—	—	—	1,322	1,240	—	—	2,562
	(=)	EBITDA margin before items	(%)	9%	13%	—	—	11%	13%	12%	—	—	12%	—	—	—	—	—	9%	12%	—	—	10%

"Operating income (loss) before items", "EBITDA before items" and "EBITDA margin before items" have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies and therefore should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for Operating income (loss) or any other earnings statement, cash flow statement or balance sheet financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. It is important for readers to understand that certain items may be presented in different lines by different companies on their financial statements, thereby leading to different measures for different companies.

Domtar Corporation
Quarterly Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – By Segment 2016
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)

				Pulp and Paper					Personal Care ⁽¹⁾					Corporate					Total
				Q1'16	Q2'16	Q3'16	Q4'16	Year	Q1'16	Q2'16	Q3'16	Q4'16	Year	Q1'16	Q2'16	Q3'16	Q4'16	Year	Q1'16	Q2'16	Q3'16	Q4'16	Year
Reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to "Operating income (loss) before items"
		Operating income (loss)	($)	19	35	89	74	217	14	15	15	13	57	(15)	(11)	(12)	(13)	(51)	18	39	92	74	223
	(+)	Impairment of property, plant and equipment	($)	21	3	5	—	29	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	21	3	5	—	29
	(+)	Impact of purchase accounting	($)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1
	(+)	Closure and restructuring costs	($)	2	21	10	(2)	31	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	—	—	2	21	10	(1)	32
	(+)	Litigation settlement	($)	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	2	—	2	—	—	2
	(=)	Operating income (loss) before items	($)	42	59	104	72	277	14	15	15	15	59	(15)	(9)	(12)	(13)	(49)	41	65	107	74	287

Reconciliation of "Operating income (loss) before items" to "EBITDA before items"
		Operating income (loss) before items	($)	42	59	104	72	277	14	15	15	15	59	(15)	(9)	(12)	(13)	(49)	41	65	107	74	287
	(+)	Depreciation and amortization	($)	73	72	71	68	284	16	15	16	17	64	—	—	—	—	—	89	87	87	85	348

	(=)	EBITDA before items	($)	115	131	175	140	561	30	30	31	32	123	(15)	(9)	(12)	(13)	(49)	130	152	194	159	635
	(/)	Sales	($)	1,085	1,054	1,054	1,046	4,239	216	228	231	242	917	—	—	—	—	—	1,301	1,282	1,285	1,288	5,156
	(=)	EBITDA margin before items	(%)	11%	12%	17%	13%	13%	14%	13%	13%	13%	13%	—	—	—	—	—	10%	12%	15%	12%	12%

⁽¹⁾ On October 1, 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of Home Delivery Incontinent Supplies Co. in the United States.

Domtar Corporation
Supplemental Segmented Information
(In millions of dollars, unless otherwise noted)

		2017									2016
		Q1			Q2			YTD			Q1			Q2			Q3			Q4			Year
Pulp and Paper Segment
Sales	($)		1,073			999			2,072			1,085			1,054			1,054			1,046			4,239
Operating income	($)		34			65			99			19			35			89			74			217
Depreciation and amortization	($)		64			63			127			73			72			71			68			284
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	($)		—			—			—			21			3			5			—			29

Paper
Paper Production	('000 ST)		709			715			1,424			785			715			726			714			2,940
Paper Shipments - Manufactured	('000 ST)		745			698			1,443			786			752			744			739			3,021
Communication Papers	('000 ST)		622			582			1,204			657			627			620			618			2,522
Specialty and Packaging	('000 ST)		123			116			239			129			125			124			121			499
Paper Shipments - Sourced from 3rd parties	('000 ST)		29			26			55			32			29			35			27			123
Paper Shipments - Total	('000 ST)		774			724			1,498			818			781			779			766			3,144
Pulp
Pulp Shipments^(a)	('000 ADMT)		453			383			836			369			360			369			415			1,513
Pulp Shipments mix^(b):
Hardwood Kraft Pulp	(%)		4	%		3	%		4	%		5	%		4	%		4	%		8	%		5	%
Softwood Kraft Pulp	(%)		67	%		62	%		64	%		66	%		61	%		63	%		63	%		63	%
Fluff Pulp	(%)		29	%		35	%		32	%		29	%		35	%		33	%		29	%		32	%

Personal Care Segment
Sales	($)		249			241			490			216			228			231			242			917
Operating income	($)		16			13			29			14			15			15			13			57
Depreciation and amortization	($)		16			16			32			16			15			16			17			64

Average Exchange Rates	$US / $CAN		1.323			1.344			1.334			1.375			1.289			1.305			1.333			1.325
	$CAN / $US		0.756			0.744			0.750			0.727			0.776			0.766			0.750			0.755
	€ / $US		1.066			1.100			1.083			1.103			1.130			1.116			1.078			1.107

^(a) Figures represent Pulp Shipments to third parties.

^(b) Percentages include Pulp Shipments to our Personal Care segment.

Note: the term "ST" refers to a short ton and the term "ADMT" refers to an air dry metric ton.

¹ Non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures in the appendix.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170728005237/en/

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