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Clearwater Paper Financials

CLW
Source SEC Filings (10-K/10-Q) Data as of Mar 31, 2026 Currency USD FYE December

This page shows Clearwater Paper (CLW) financial statements, including the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and key financial ratios. View 15 years of annual fundamentals and quarterly data, with year-over-year growth rates and compound annual growth rates (CAGR). All figures are derived from SEC filings (10-K and 10-Q reports).

Rhea AI CLW FY2025

Clearwater Paper’s recent story is thin gross margins colliding with heavy reinvestment, leaving operations unable to fund themselves in FY2025.

By FY2025, revenue was back above FY2023 levels, but operating cash flow had fallen to $12.3M from $191M. Because free cash flow also swung from $117M to -$76.5M, the problem is not sales volume alone; the business lost so much margin and cash conversion that added revenue no longer pays for ongoing investment.

The balance sheet is more forgiving than the income statement, with debt-to-equity down to 0.4x from 1.2x in FY2021. A current ratio of 2.4x suggests near-term liquidity is workable, so the immediate strain looks more like weak operating economics than a short-term funding squeeze.

In FY2024, net income of $196.3M sat beside an operating loss of -$64.5M. That mismatch — and another operating loss in FY2025 — implies reported earnings were briefly helped by items outside the core operation, making operating profit the cleaner read on how the business is actually performing.

[ NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE ]

Financial Health Signals

Profitability Growth Leverage Liquidity Cash Flow Returns 37 / 100
Financial Health Score 37/100

Scored against operating companies for FY2025. Each of the six dimensions is a percentile rank within that peer group; the overall is their average, with missing dimensions counted as zero out of six. A high score means strong standing among peers, not absolute cross-industry strength. How this score is calculated →

Health score ≠ stock price. This rates the quality of Clearwater Paper's business: profitability, growth, balance sheet strength. It doesn't tell you whether the stock is a good buy at today's price. Not financial advice. Use it alongside valuation analysis and your own research.

Profitability
20

Clearwater Paper has an operating margin of -2.7%, meaning the company retains $-3 of operating profit per $100 of revenue. This below-average margin results in a low score of 20/100, suggesting thin profitability after operating expenses. This is up from -4.7% the prior year.

Growth
78

Clearwater Paper's revenue grew 12.4% year-over-year to $1.6B, a solid pace of expansion. This earns a growth score of 78/100.

Leverage
8

Clearwater Paper has elevated debt relative to equity (D/E of 0.42), meaning the company relies heavily on borrowed funds. This high leverage results in a low score of 8/100, reflecting increased financial risk.

Liquidity
68

With a current ratio of 2.43, Clearwater Paper holds $2.43 in current assets for every $1 of short-term obligations. This comfortable liquidity earns a score of 68/100.

Cash Flow
25

While Clearwater Paper generated $12.3M in operating cash flow, capex of $88.8M consumed most of it, leaving -$76.5M in free cash flow. This results in a low score of 25/100, reflecting heavy capital investment rather than weak cash generation.

Returns
25

Clearwater Paper generates a -2.3% ROE, indicating limited profit relative to shareholders' investment. This results in a returns score of 25/100. This is down from 23.0% the prior year.

Altman Z-Score Grey Zone
2.08

Clearwater Paper scores 2.08, placing it in the grey zone between 1.81 and 2.99. This signals moderate financial risk that warrants monitoring.

Distress-screening estimate for non-financial companies. Not computed for banks or insurers, where the Altman model does not apply.

Piotroski F-Score Partial
5/8

Clearwater Paper passes 5 of 8 computable financial strength tests (1 of the nine could not be computed from available data). 2 of 4 profitability signals pass, 1 of 2 leverage/liquidity signals pass, both operating efficiency signals pass.

Earnings Quality Mixed
-0.66x

For every $1 of reported earnings, Clearwater Paper generates $-0.66 in operating cash flow ($12.3M OCF vs -$18.6M net income). This mixed ratio suggests some earnings may rely on non-cash accounting items.

Interest Coverage At Risk
-2.4x

Clearwater Paper earns $-2.4 in operating income for every $1 of interest expense (-$42.1M vs $17.8M). This narrow margin raises concern about the company's ability to service its debt if operating income declines.

Key Financial Metrics

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Earnings & Revenue

Revenue
$1.6B
YoY+12.4%
5Y CAGR-3.6%
10Y CAGR-1.9%

Clearwater Paper generated $1.6B in revenue in fiscal year 2025. This represents an increase of 12.4% from the prior year.

EBITDA
$50.3M
YoY+42.5%
5Y CAGR-28.5%
10Y CAGR-12.4%

Clearwater Paper's EBITDA was $50.3M in fiscal year 2025, measuring earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. This represents an increase of 42.5% from the prior year.

Net Income
-$18.6M
YoY-109.5%

Clearwater Paper reported -$18.6M in net income in fiscal year 2025. This represents a decrease of 109.5% from the prior year.

EPS (Diluted)
$-1.15
YoY-109.8%

Clearwater Paper earned $-1.15 per diluted share (EPS) in fiscal year 2025. This represents a decrease of 109.8% from the prior year.

Cash & Balance Sheet

Free Cash Flow
-$76.5M
YoY-38.6%

Clearwater Paper generated -$76.5M in free cash flow in fiscal year 2025, representing cash available after capex. This represents a decrease of 38.6% from the prior year.

Cash & Debt
$30.7M
YoY-61.4%
5Y CAGR-3.1%
10Y CAGR+2.6%

Clearwater Paper held $30.7M in cash against $345.5M in long-term debt as of fiscal year 2025.

Dividends Per Share
N/A
Shares Outstanding
N/A

Margins & Returns

Gross Margin
7.4%
YoY+1.9pp
5Y CAGR-8.3pp
10Y CAGR-4.1pp

Clearwater Paper's gross margin was 7.4% in fiscal year 2025, indicating the percentage of revenue retained after direct costs. This is up 1.9 percentage points from the prior year.

Operating Margin
-2.7%
YoY+2.0pp
5Y CAGR-11.2pp
10Y CAGR-8.0pp

Clearwater Paper's operating margin was -2.7% in fiscal year 2025, reflecting core business profitability. This is up 2.0 percentage points from the prior year.

Net Margin
-1.2%
YoY-15.4pp
5Y CAGR-5.3pp
10Y CAGR-6.9pp

Clearwater Paper's net profit margin was -1.2% in fiscal year 2025, showing the share of revenue converted to profit. This is down 15.4 percentage points from the prior year.

Return on Equity
-2.3%
YoY-25.2pp
5Y CAGR-17.0pp
10Y CAGR-19.9pp

Clearwater Paper's ROE was -2.3% in fiscal year 2025, measuring profit generated per dollar of shareholder equity. This is down 25.2 percentage points from the prior year.

Capital Allocation

R&D Spending
N/A
Share Buybacks
$17.2M
YoY+72.0%
10Y CAGR-16.1%

Clearwater Paper spent $17.2M on share buybacks in fiscal year 2025, returning capital to shareholders by reducing shares outstanding. This represents an increase of 72.0% from the prior year.

Capital Expenditures
$88.8M
YoY-23.8%
5Y CAGR+17.5%
10Y CAGR-0.2%

Clearwater Paper invested $88.8M in capex in fiscal year 2025, funding long-term assets and infrastructure. This represents a decrease of 23.8% from the prior year.

CLW Income Statement

Metric Q1'26 Q4'25 Q3'25 Q2'25 Q1'25 Q4'24 Q3'24 Q2'24
Revenue $360.3M-6.8% $386.4M-3.2% $399.0M+1.8% $391.8M+3.6% $378.2M-2.3% $387.1M-1.6% $393.3M+14.2% $344.4M
Cost of Revenue $361.2M-2.2% $369.2M-2.9% $380.3M+9.0% $348.8M+2.1% $341.5M N/A $363.2M+4.8% $346.4M
Gross Profit -$900K-105.2% $17.2M-8.0% $18.7M-56.5% $43.0M+17.2% $36.7M+149.7% $14.7M-51.2% $30.1M+1605.0% -$2.0M
R&D Expenses N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
SG&A Expenses $20.6M-2.4% $21.1M-14.6% $24.7M-5.4% $26.1M-9.7% $28.9M N/A $31.6M+4.3% $30.3M
Operating Income -$10.4M-238.7% $7.5M+113.5% -$55.4M-665.3% $9.8M+345.0% -$4.0M N/A -$1.2M+97.4% -$46.9M
Interest Expense $4.7M-21.7% $6.0M+33.3% $4.5M+15.4% $3.9M+14.7% $3.4M N/A $13.0M+31.3% $9.9M
Income Tax -$3.7M-428.6% -$700K+89.2% -$6.5M-442.1% $1.9M+205.6% -$1.8M+81.4% -$9.7M-193.9% -$3.3M+77.4% -$14.6M
Net Income -$12.8M-133.4% $38.3M+171.9% -$53.3M-2074.1% $2.7M+142.9% -$6.3M-103.2% $199.1M+3332.8% $5.8M+122.5% -$25.8M
EPS (Diluted) $-0.80 N/A $-3.30-2041.2% $0.17+144.7% $-0.38-103.2% $11.91+3302.9% $0.35+122.6% $-1.55

CLW Balance Sheet

Metric Q1'26 Q4'25 Q3'25 Q2'25 Q1'25 Q4'24 Q3'24 Q2'24
Total Assets $1.6B-1.2% $1.6B+1.7% $1.6B-4.8% $1.6B+0.4% $1.6B-2.7% $1.7B-32.5% $2.5B+0.4% $2.5B
Current Assets $522.1M-0.7% $526.0M+7.8% $487.9M-4.4% $510.1M+2.1% $499.6M-8.4% $545.4M-25.5% $731.9M-0.3% $733.9M
Cash & Equivalents $36.5M+18.9% $30.7M-10.8% $34.4M-26.3% $46.7M+6.1% $44.0M-44.7% $79.6M+124.2% $35.5M-10.4% $39.6M
Inventory $269.7M-4.3% $281.7M-0.5% $283.2M-0.2% $283.9M+9.5% $259.3M+0.5% $258.0M-2.5% $264.6M-37.0% $420.2M
Accounts Receivable N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Goodwill N/A $0 $0 N/A N/A $48.6M N/A N/A
Total Liabilities $756.0M-0.9% $763.0M-2.0% $778.5M-3.2% $804.0M+0.8% $797.3M-3.3% $824.7M-54.8% $1.8B+0.2% $1.8B
Current Liabilities $200.4M-7.3% $216.2M-7.0% $232.4M-10.3% $259.1M-13.7% $300.2M-6.3% $320.4M-22.3% $412.1M-2.6% $423.3M
Long-Term Debt $360.5M+4.3% $345.5M+3.0% $335.5M+2.1% $328.5M+16.7% $281.6M0.0% $281.6M-75.4% $1.1B+0.5% $1.1B
Total Equity $813.8M-1.4% $825.3M+5.4% $783.0M-6.4% $836.8M0.0% $836.6M-2.1% $854.6M+28.6% $664.6M+0.9% $658.6M
Retained Earnings $849.4M-1.5% $862.3M+4.7% $823.9M-6.1% $877.3M+0.3% $874.5M-0.7% $880.8M+29.2% $681.7M+0.9% $675.8M

CLW Cash Flow Statement

Metric Q1'26 Q4'25 Q3'25 Q2'25 Q1'25 Q4'24 Q3'24 Q2'24
Operating Cash Flow $500K-90.0% $5.0M-85.3% $34.0M+220.6% -$28.2M-1980.0% $1.5M+104.3% -$35.1M-316.7% $16.2M-23.2% $21.1M
Capital Expenditures $9.1M-38.9% $14.9M-18.6% $18.3M-20.1% $22.9M-30.0% $32.7M-0.9% $33.0M-29.8% $47.0M+159.7% $18.1M
Free Cash Flow -$8.6M+13.1% -$9.9M-163.1% $15.7M+130.7% -$51.1M-63.8% -$31.2M+54.2% -$68.1M-121.1% -$30.8M-1126.7% $3.0M
Investing Cash Flow -$9.1M+36.8% -$14.4M+52.6% -$30.4M-32.8% -$22.9M+30.0% -$32.7M-103.4% $959.5M+2141.5% -$47.0M+93.5% -$726.3M
Financing Cash Flow $14.3M+146.6% $5.8M+136.7% -$15.8M-129.4% $53.7M+1320.5% -$4.4M+99.5% -$880.3M-3384.7% $26.8M-96.1% $689.6M
Dividends Paid N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Share Buybacks $0 $0-100.0% $2.1M-50.0% $4.2M-61.5% $10.9M+172.5% $4.0M+60.0% $2.5M-16.7% $3.0M

CLW Financial Ratios

Metric Q1'26 Q4'25 Q3'25 Q2'25 Q1'25 Q4'24 Q3'24 Q2'24
Gross Margin -0.3%-4.7pp 4.5%-0.2pp 4.7%-6.3pp 11.0%+1.3pp 9.7%+5.9pp 3.8%-3.9pp 7.6%+8.2pp -0.6%
Operating Margin -2.9%-4.8pp 1.9%+15.8pp -13.9%-16.4pp 2.5%+3.6pp -1.1% N/A -0.3%+13.3pp -13.6%
Net Margin -3.5%-13.5pp 9.9%+23.3pp -13.4%-14.0pp 0.7%+2.4pp -1.7%-53.1pp 51.4%+50.0pp 1.5%+9.0pp -7.5%
Return on Equity -1.6%-6.2pp 4.6%+11.4pp -6.8%-7.1pp 0.3%+1.1pp -0.8%-24.1pp 23.3%+22.4pp 0.9%+4.8pp -3.9%
Return on Assets -0.8%-3.2pp 2.4%+5.8pp -3.4%-3.6pp 0.2%+0.5pp -0.4%-12.3pp 11.9%+11.6pp 0.2%+1.3pp -1.0%
Current Ratio 2.61+0.2 2.43+0.3 2.10+0.1 1.97+0.3 1.66-0.0 1.70-0.1 1.78+0.0 1.73
Debt-to-Equity 0.44+0.0 0.420.0 0.43+0.0 0.39+0.1 0.340.0 0.33-1.4 1.720.0 1.73
FCF Margin -2.4%+0.2pp -2.6%-6.5pp 3.9%+17.0pp -13.0%-4.8pp -8.3%+9.3pp -17.6%-9.8pp -7.8%-8.7pp 0.9%

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Frequently Asked Questions

Clearwater Paper (CLW) reported $1.6B in total revenue for fiscal year 2025. This represents a 12.4% change compared to the previous fiscal year. Revenue measures the total income earned from the company's primary business operations before any expenses are deducted.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) revenue grew by 12.4% year-over-year, from $1.4B to $1.6B in fiscal year 2025.

No, Clearwater Paper (CLW) reported a net income of -$18.6M in fiscal year 2025, with a net profit margin of -1.2%.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) reported diluted earnings per share of $-1.15 for fiscal year 2025. This represents a -109.8% change compared to the previous fiscal year. EPS represents the portion of a company's net income allocated to each outstanding share of common stock and is widely used to evaluate profitability on a per-share basis.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) had EBITDA of $50.3M in fiscal year 2025, measuring earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

As of fiscal year 2025, Clearwater Paper (CLW) had $30.7M in cash and equivalents against $345.5M in long-term debt.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) had a gross margin of 7.4% in fiscal year 2025, indicating the percentage of revenue retained after direct costs of goods sold.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) had an operating margin of -2.7% in fiscal year 2025, reflecting the profitability of core business operations before interest and taxes.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) had a net profit margin of -1.2% in fiscal year 2025, representing the share of revenue converted into profit after all expenses.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) has a return on equity of -2.3% for fiscal year 2025, measuring how efficiently the company generates profit from shareholder equity.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) generated -$76.5M in free cash flow during fiscal year 2025. This represents a -38.6% change compared to the previous fiscal year. Free cash flow represents the cash a company generates after accounting for capital expenditures, and is widely used to assess financial flexibility and shareholder value.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) generated $12.3M in operating cash flow during fiscal year 2025, representing cash generated from core business activities.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) had $1.6B in total assets as of fiscal year 2025, including both current and long-term assets.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) invested $88.8M in capital expenditures during fiscal year 2025, funding long-term assets and infrastructure.

Yes, Clearwater Paper (CLW) spent $17.2M on share buybacks during fiscal year 2025, returning capital to shareholders by reducing shares outstanding.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) had a current ratio of 2.43 as of fiscal year 2025, which is generally considered healthy.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) had a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.42 as of fiscal year 2025, measuring the company's financial leverage by comparing total debt to shareholder equity.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) had a return on assets of -1.2% for fiscal year 2025, measuring how efficiently the company uses its assets to generate profit.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) has an Altman Z-Score of 2.08, placing it in the Grey Zone (moderate risk). The Z-Score combines five financial ratios (working capital, retained earnings, EBIT, market capitalization, and revenue relative to total assets) to predict the likelihood of bankruptcy. Scores above 2.99 indicate financial safety while scores below 1.81 suggest financial distress. Learn more in our complete guide to financial health indicators.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) has a Piotroski F-Score of 5 out of 8 computable signals; 1 of the nine could not be computed from available data, so the full-scale strength rating is not shown. The F-Score evaluates nine binary signals across profitability (positive ROA, positive cash flow, improving ROA, earnings quality), leverage (decreasing debt, improving liquidity, no share dilution), and operating efficiency (improving gross margin, improving asset turnover). Scores of 7 to 9 indicate strong and improving fundamentals. Learn more in our complete guide to financial health indicators.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) has an earnings quality ratio of -0.66x, considered mixed quality. This ratio compares operating cash flow to net income. A ratio above 1.0x means the company generates more cash than its reported earnings, indicating sustainable, cash-backed profits. Ratios below 1.0x suggest earnings rely on accounting accruals rather than actual cash generation. Learn more in our complete guide to financial health indicators.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) has an interest coverage ratio of -2.4x, meaning it can struggle to cover its interest obligations. This ratio divides operating income by interest expense. Ratios above 5x indicate strong debt-servicing ability, while ratios below 2x suggest the company may face difficulty meeting interest payments if earnings decline. Learn more in our complete guide to financial health indicators.

Clearwater Paper (CLW) scores 37 out of 100 on our Financial Health Score, indicating weak standing within its operating companies peer group. The score is a 0-100 composite of six dimensions (Profitability, Growth, Leverage, Liquidity, Cash Flow, Returns), each ranked as a percentile relative to companies in the same scoring family (banks against banks, REITs against REITs, and so on) rather than across all industries. It rates the quality of the business, not whether the stock is fairly priced, and is not financial advice. Learn more in our complete guide to financial health indicators.

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