Notice of First Quarter Results Conference Call and Softwood Lumber Duties and Operational Update
Rhea-AI Summary
West Fraser (TSX/NYSE: WFG) will host a Q1 2026 results call on April 30, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. PT/11:30 a.m. ET. The company reported USDOC preliminary AR7 rates would lower combined cash deposit rate from 26.47% to 20.70%.
West Fraser expects a $73M non-cash Q1-26 charge and an additional $41M non-cash charge to export duty expense, a $15M refund from AR1 liquidation, incremental interest expense, resumed Blue Ridge mill operations, Henderson production start, and High Level OSB operations ending by April.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Combined cash deposit rate lowered to 20.70%
- Company expects a $15M refund from AR1 liquidation
- Full operations resumed at Blue Ridge Alberta lumber mill
- Production commenced at new Henderson, Texas lumber facility
- Lumber benchmarks: Western SPF 2x4 +9%, Westside SYP 2x4 +35%
Negative
- $73M non-cash Q1-26 export duty charge
- $41M additional non-cash Q1-26 export duty charge
- Expect incremental interest expense on export duty deposits
- Manufacturing at High Level Alberta OSB mill concluding by end April
News Market Reaction – WFG
On the day this news was published, WFG gained 2.88%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
To participate in the call, please dial: 1-888-510-2154 (Toll-free
Please let the operator know you wish to participate in the West Fraser conference call chaired by Mr. Sean McLaren, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Following management's discussion of the quarterly results, the analyst community will be invited to ask questions.
Update on US Department of Commerce ('USDOC') Softwood Lumber Duties
The USDOC issued preliminary rates for the seventh administrative review period (AR7) on April 9 for Anti-Dumping Duties (ADD) and Countervailing Duties (CVD), covering shipments made during the 2024 calendar year. These rates are expected to be finalized and come into effect later this year and would decrease the Company's combined current cash deposit rate from
The Company expects to record a
Additionally, the USDOC is processing the liquidation of ADD for the first administrative review period (AR1) covering exports between August 2017 and December 2017. Based on the liquidation rate, the Company expects to receive a refund of
The Company expects to record incremental interest expense on export duty deposits in Q1-26 in relation to the above matters.
Operational update
Full operations have resumed at the Company's
Lumber pricing rebounded in the first quarter as compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. The Western SPF 2x4 Random benchmark rose from
The call will be recorded for webcasting purposes and will be available on our website at www.westfraser.com. West Fraser's first quarter 2026 financial and operating results will be released on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
About West Fraser
West Fraser is a diversified wood products company with more than 50 facilities in
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including those relating to the expected impact of the AR7 preliminary rate on the combined cash deposit rate, the anticipated timing of implementation of the expected rate reduction, the expected non-cash charge in Q1-26 to export duty expense, the impact of the AR1 liquidation process including the anticipated refund in relation thereto, the expected additional non-cash charge in Q1-2026 to export duty expense resulting from a change in estimate of amounts recoverable and payable over all of the administrative review periods (AR1 through AR8), the expected incremental interest expense on the duty deposits and liabilities, and the anticipated timing of conclusion of the High Level OSB operations. Any such forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to us and are based on assumptions and analyses made by us considering our experience and our perception of historical trends and current conditions, including our assessment of the expected impact of the USDOC liquidation process, the AR7 preliminary rate and related additional duties payable and our assumption that amounts recoverable and payable over all of the administrative review periods will be as estimated which are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties concerning the outcome of trade investigations and litigation, including the impact on anticipated recoverability of duties on deposit under appeal and the ability to recover through the liquidation process or otherwise as estimated, as well as the consequential impact on the profitability of our Canadian business, financial condition and results of operations. Readers should also refer to the risk factors and uncertainties set forth in the Company's annual information form and management's discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2025, each dated February 11, 2026, as updated in our management's discussion and analysis quarterly reports filed from time to time, each available at SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (http://www.sec.gov). There can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which forward-looking statements are based will be realized. Actual results may differ, and the difference may be material and adverse to the Company and its shareholders. Except as may be required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.