Weyerhaeuser Company Announces 5.3% Dividend Increase

Rhea-AI Summary

Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) has announced a 5.3 percent increase in its quarterly base cash dividend, from $0.19 per share to $0.20 per share. The dividend is payable on March 22, 2024, to shareholders of record as of March 8, 2024. The company's president and CEO, Devin W. Stockfish, emphasized their commitment to growing the sustainable base dividend by 5 percent annually through 2025. Weyerhaeuser's cash return framework aims to achieve a targeted total return to shareholders of 75 to 80 percent of annual Adjusted Funds Available for Distribution (Adjusted FAD), with the flexibility to return additional cash through supplemental dividends or share repurchases.

Financial Analyst

The announcement by Weyerhaeuser Company of an increased quarterly base cash dividend of $0.20 per share represents a positive signal to the market regarding the company's financial health and confidence in its future earnings potential. The modest 5.3 percent increase is aligned with the company's stated goal of growing its sustainable base dividend by 5 percent annually through 2025. This approach suggests a conservative yet steady growth strategy in shareholder returns, which may appeal to income-focused investors.

From a financial analysis perspective, the commitment to a target total return to shareholders of 75 to 80 percent of annual Adjusted Funds Available for Distribution (Adjusted FAD) is significant. It indicates that Weyerhaeuser is focused on maintaining a high payout ratio, which is often attractive to a certain class of investors. However, it is crucial to monitor whether such high payouts are sustainable in the long run without compromising the company's ability to reinvest in its business and manage debt levels effectively.

Market Research Analyst

The timber and wood products sector, where Weyerhaeuser operates, is subject to cyclical market conditions. The flexibility in the capital allocation framework, allowing for additional cash return through either supplemental cash dividends or share repurchases, provides Weyerhaeuser with the ability to adapt to market conditions and optimize shareholder value. This strategy could potentially stabilize the stock price during market volatility and support a positive investor sentiment.

Understanding the industry-specific term, Adjusted Funds Available for Distribution (Adjusted FAD), is crucial for stakeholders. Adjusted FAD is a non-GAAP measure that adjusts net cash from operations for capital expenditures and significant non-recurring items, providing a clearer view of the company's available cash to return to shareholders. It is a key metric for investors as it offers insights into the company's operational efficiency and financial flexibility.

Economist

The increase in dividend payout must be evaluated within the broader economic context. In a low-interest-rate environment, dividend-paying stocks like Weyerhaeuser become more attractive as they offer yields that can outpace those of traditional fixed-income investments. However, if interest rates rise, the relative attractiveness of dividend stocks may decrease. It's essential to consider the impact of macroeconomic factors, such as interest rates and economic growth rates, on the company's performance and the sustainability of its dividend policy.

Moreover, the company's ability to grow its dividend in line with its stated goal through 2025 will depend on its operational efficiency and the overall health of the economy, particularly the real estate market, which drives demand for wood products. An economist's perspective can help investors understand the potential risks and rewards of Weyerhaeuser's dividend policy in the context of economic cycles and policy changes.

SEATTLE, Feb. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) today announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly base cash dividend of $0.20 per share on the common stock of the company, reflecting a 5.3 percent increase from the prior quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share.

The dividend is payable in cash on March 22, 2024, to holders of record of such common stock as of the close of business on March 8, 2024.

"We're pleased to announce this increase in our quarterly base dividend and further demonstrate our commitment to grow our sustainable base dividend by 5 percent annually through 2025," said Devin W. Stockfish, president and chief executive officer. "We continue to believe our dividend framework, combined with opportunistic share repurchase, will enhance our ability to drive long-term shareholder value by returning meaningful and appropriate amounts of cash back to shareholders across a variety of market conditions."

Under Weyerhaeuser's cash return framework, the company expects to supplement its quarterly base cash dividend, as appropriate, with an additional return of variable cash to achieve a targeted total return to shareholders of 75 to 80 percent of annual Adjusted Funds Available for Distribution (Adjusted FAD). The company has the flexibility in its capital allocation framework to return this additional cash either in the form of a supplemental cash dividend or through opportunistic share repurchase.

Adjusted FAD, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by Weyerhaeuser as net cash from operations adjusted for capital expenditures and significant non-recurring items.

ABOUT WEYERHAEUSER
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest private owners of timberlands, began operations in 1900. We own or control approximately 10.5 million acres of timberlands in the U.S. and manage additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. We manage these timberlands on a sustainable basis in compliance with internationally recognized forestry standards. We are also one of the largest manufacturers of wood products in North America. Our company is a real estate investment trust. In 2023, we generated $7.7 billion in net sales and employed approximately 9,300 people who serve customers worldwide. Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WY. Learn more at www.weyerhaeuser.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning the company's expectations about the amount, timing and occurrence of future quarterly and supplemental cash dividends as well as the company's dividend framework and future share repurchases. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as "will," "expects" and "targeted" and similar words and expressions referencing future events. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, the accuracy of which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those identified in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as those set forth from time to time in our other public statements, reports, registration statements, prospectuses, information statements and other filings with the SEC.

It is not possible to predict or identify all risks and uncertainties that might affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements and, consequently, our descriptions of such risks and uncertainties should not be considered exhaustive. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise. Also included in this news release are references to Adjusted FAD, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted FAD may not be comparable to similarly named or captioned non-GAAP financial measures of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in how such measures are calculated. Adjusted FAD should not be considered in isolation from, and is not intended to represent an alternative to, our GAAP results.

For more information contact:
Analysts – Andy Taylor, 206-539-3907
Media – Nancy Thompson, 919-861-0342

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SOURCE Weyerhaeuser Company

What is the new quarterly base cash dividend announced by Weyerhaeuser Company?

Weyerhaeuser Company has announced a quarterly base cash dividend of $0.20 per share, reflecting a 5.3 percent increase from the prior quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share.

When is the dividend payable to shareholders?

The dividend is payable in cash on March 22, 2024.

What is the company's commitment regarding the sustainable base dividend?

The company is committed to growing the sustainable base dividend by 5 percent annually through 2025.

What is the targeted total return to shareholders based on Weyerhaeuser's cash return framework?

The company aims to achieve a targeted total return to shareholders of 75 to 80 percent of annual Adjusted Funds Available for Distribution (Adjusted FAD).

What is Adjusted FAD?

Adjusted FAD is a non-GAAP measure defined by Weyerhaeuser as net cash from operations adjusted for capital expenditures and significant non-recurring items.