STOCK TITAN

Deeper Q1 loss and covenant waiver for Mercer International (NASDAQ: MERC)

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Mercer International Inc. reported weaker first quarter 2026 results, with revenues of $489.3 million versus $507.0 million a year earlier. Operating EBITDA fell to $7.8 million, including a $22.0 million non-cash inventory impairment, down from $47.1 million.

The company posted a net loss of $52.0 million ($0.78 per share), compared to a $22.3 million loss in 2025, and shareholders’ equity moved to a deficit of $5.5 million from $68.1 million at year-end 2025. Higher fiber costs and unfavorable foreign exchange pressured both pulp and solid wood segments.

Mercer secured a waiver on a leverage covenant under its German revolving credit facility and still classified borrowings there as non-current, while aggregate liquidity was about $229.0 million as of March 31, 2026. Management highlighted its "One Goal One Hundred" cost program, with approximately $41.0 million savings achieved since launch, and a $171 million mass timber order book supporting future projects.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Margins, leverage and equity position all deteriorated despite cost savings.

Mercer International saw Q1 2026 revenues slip to $489.3M while Operating EBITDA dropped to $7.8M from $47.1M a year earlier. A $22.0M non-cash inventory impairment and about 22% higher pulp fiber costs heavily compressed profitability.

Net loss widened to $52.0M and shareholders’ equity swung to a $5.5M deficit as of March 31, 2026, indicating balance sheet strain. The company also failed a leverage covenant on its German revolving credit facility, requiring a lender waiver, while current and long-term debt together exceeded $1.6B.

Liquidity remained moderate with $84.5M in cash and about $229.0M of total liquidity after facility capacity reductions. Management’s “One Goal One Hundred” program has delivered roughly $41.0M savings since April 2025 and a $171M mass timber order book, but actual relief depends on sustained execution and the market recovery the company references for the latter half of 2026.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Q1 2026 revenue $489.3 million Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2026
Q1 2026 Operating EBITDA $7.8 million Consolidated Operating EBITDA including $22.0 million inventory impairment
Q1 2026 net loss $52.0 million Net loss for the quarter, or $0.78 per share basic and diluted
Inventory impairment $22.0 million Non-cash impairment against pulp and fiber inventory in Q1 2026
Mass timber order book $171 million Order book and commitments supporting multi-year mass timber production
Cost savings achieved $41.0 million Cumulative "One Goal One Hundred" savings since April 2025
Total liquidity $229.0 million Cash and available revolving credit capacity as of March 31, 2026
Shareholders’ equity (deficit) -$5.5 million Total shareholders’ equity at March 31, 2026
Operating EBITDA financial
"First quarter Operating EBITDA* of $7.8 million (net loss of $52.0 million)"
Operating EBITDA is a measure of the cash profit a company generates from its core business activities, calculated by taking earnings and adding back interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization while excluding one‑time items and non‑operating income. For investors it acts like checking how much money a store makes from selling its products before financing, taxes and accounting charges, helping compare operational performance across companies and periods.
Segment Operating EBITDA financial
"Segment Operating EBITDA for the pulp segment decreased to $6.9 million"
non-cash inventory impairment financial
"included a non-cash inventory impairment of $22.0 million against pulp and fiber inventory"
A non-cash inventory impairment is an accounting charge that reduces the reported value of a company's stock of goods when those items are worth less than previously recorded, without any cash leaving the business. Think of it like marking down a used car on your balance sheet because the market price dropped: it lowers reported profits and book value today, which matters to investors because it can signal product obsolescence, pricing pressure or future margin and cash-flow risks.
German revolving credit facility financial
"extended waiver for the German revolving credit facility to address covenant compliance"
mass timber financial
"Within this segment, our mass timber order book and commitments grew to approximately $171 million"
liquidity financial
"measures and solutions with the goal of enhancing our liquidity and financial condition"
Liquidity is how easily and quickly an asset or investment can be converted into cash without losing value. It matters to investors because higher liquidity means they can access their money quickly if needed, while lower liquidity can make it harder to sell assets promptly or at a fair price, potentially creating financial challenges. Think of it like trying to sell a common item versus a rare collectible—it's much easier to sell the common item fast.
Revenue $489.3 million
Operating EBITDA $7.8 million
Net loss $52.0 million
Net loss per share $0.78
false000133327400013332742026-05-072026-05-07

 

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): May 7, 2026

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Washington

000-51826

47-0956945

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

Suite 1120, 700 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1G8

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (604) 684-1099

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

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 (see General Instructions A.2. below):

 

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

 

MERC

 

NASDAQ Global Select Market

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

The information furnished under Item 2.02 of this Current Report shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

On May 7, 2026, Mercer International Inc. (the “Company”) announced by press release the Company’s results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2026. A copy of such press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Number

Description

99.1

Press Release dated May 7, 2026

104

 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

1

 


 

 

SIGNATURES

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.

 

 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

 

 

 

 

Date: May 7, 2026

By:

 

/s/ Richard Short

 

 

 

Richard Short

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

2

 


 

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

img159729660_0.jpg

 

 

For Immediate Release

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC. REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2026 RESULTS

Selected Highlights

First quarter Operating EBITDA* of $7.8 million (net loss of $52.0 million), including a non-cash inventory impairment of $22.0 million, compared to $47.1 million (net loss of $22.3 million) in the same quarter of 2025
Secured an extended waiver for the German revolving credit facility to address covenant compliance and to provide flexibility to pursue and implement steps to enhance liquidity and financial condition to position for an eventual market recovery
On track for our $100 million "One Goal One Hundred" goal, attaining $11.0 million of cost savings in the first quarter, and a total of approximately $41.0 million since launch in April 2025; one of various initiatives to improve our balance sheet
Mass timber momentum continues to build, backed by an order book and commitments of $171 million that support a multi-year production plan

 

NEW YORK, NY, May 7, 2026 ‑ Mercer International Inc. (Nasdaq: MERC) today reported first quarter 2026 Operating EBITDA of $7.8 million, a decrease from $47.1 million in the same quarter of 2025 and an increase from negative $20.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.

 

In the first quarter of 2026, net loss was $52.0 million ($0.78 per share) compared to $22.3 million ($0.33 per share) in the same quarter of 2025 and $308.7 million ($4.61 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2025.

 

Mr. Juan Carlos Bueno, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Our pulp sales realizations showed resilience this quarter as softwood pulp markets held steady, while hardwood pulp performance trended upward on favorable demand-supply dynamics. However, elevated fiber costs across our supply chain and a slower-than-anticipated recovery in prices continued to weigh on our results. As a result, we recognized a non-cash impairment of $22 million against pulp and fiber inventory. We are starting to see supply responses to prevailing market conditions and currently

____________________

*Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. See page 6 of the financial tables included in this press release for a reconciliation of net loss to Operating EBITDA.

 


 

Page 2

 

expect a more balanced market in the later half of 2026.

 

The current conflicts in the Middle East and their impacts on energy supply are creating significant inflationary pressures and further economic uncertainty. We believe these conditions may negatively impact demand for our products and increase certain operating costs, such as chemicals and freight. Conversely, high oil prices are raising interest in bio-substitution, as expensive oil-based synthetics drive increased demand for lower-cost, wood-pulp-derived alternatives. While the potential impacts and duration of these conditions are currently unknown, we continue to monitor and assess these events.

 

We continue to pursue our "One Goal One Hundred" program and remain confident that we will achieve our targeted $100 million in cost savings and operational efficiencies by year end. With $11 million in profitability actions realized this quarter, our cumulative total has reached approximately $41 million since its launch in April 2025. The program is part of our broader initiatives to improve our balance sheet and preserve cash, including efforts to reduce capital expenditures and optimize working capital.

 

In the first quarter of 2026, European softwood pulp prices increased compared to the fourth quarter of 2025 due to supply constraints, although these gains were offset by higher discounts. In China, softwood pulp pricing remained under pressure from an oversupplied paper sector and ongoing economic uncertainties, while excess inventory tempered the North American market. Conversely, hardwood pulp prices increased globally due to stronger demand and tightening inventory levels. Looking ahead to the second quarter, we expect softwood pulp prices to increase modestly across all markets, with hardwood pricing remaining relatively steady.

 

Our lumber sales realizations in both the U.S. and Europe were relatively stable in the first quarter of 2026. For the second quarter, we currently expect lumber prices to remain stable in Europe and modestly increase in the U.S. due to low supply.

 

Per unit fiber costs for our pulp and solid wood segments increased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the fourth quarter of 2025 driven by supply constraints and strong demand. We currently expect per unit fiber costs to stabilize in the second quarter of 2026 as improved availability is offset by strong demand.

 

In the first quarter of 2026, we had relatively stable production but fiber constraints in Europe required us to strategically reduce production at our German mills by approximately 20,000 tonnes. There was no annual planned maintenance downtime in the first quarter of 2026 and none is currently scheduled for the second quarter.

 


 

Page 3

 

Overall, our solid wood segment remains pressured by high U.S. interest rates and European economic headwinds. As conditions improve, we expect a strong recovery, with pent-up demand and supply constraints eventually driving higher pricing. Current geopolitical conflicts may delay any economic recovery. With the installation of new scanning technology currently underway at Torgau that is expected to be operational in the second quarter, we are well positioned to increase our production of on-grade dimensional lumber. This allows us to scale our exports to the U.S. market, enabling us to shift more of our existing production into higher-value dimensional products. Within this segment, our mass timber order book and commitments grew to approximately $171 million this quarter. This portfolio is increasingly weighted toward large-scale projects related to data center infrastructure, representing approximately 60% of our existing project pipeline. We expect these contracts to begin contributing to our results as they commence in late 2026 and into 2027.

 

As a result of ongoing economic uncertainty and softness in the markets for our products, we did not meet the requisite leverage ratio required under our German revolving credit facility at the end of the first quarter. As announced, to address this, we secured a waiver of the applicable covenant from the lenders under the facility. Based on management's current forecasts and assumptions, including with respect to pricing and demand for our products, we currently expect to achieve compliance with the leverage ratio by the fourth quarter of 2026. Accordingly, amounts outstanding under our German revolving credit facility remain classified as "non-current liabilities" at the end of the first quarter.

 

The waiver gives us additional flexibility to pursue and implement measures and solutions with the goal of enhancing our liquidity and financial condition in the current economic environment, including to address maturing indebtedness, and to assist our positioning for an eventual market recovery. To this end, we are also evaluating strategic alternatives and financing options to address our liquidity needs and goals. Our board of directors has appointed a special committee of independent directors to oversee, review and evaluate the development and implementation of potential liquidity management strategies and other transactions to improve our capital structure."

 

Mr. Bueno concluded: "In the first quarter of 2026, economic headwinds continued and were accompanied by geopolitical volatility. In these difficult conditions, the steps being taken to address liquidity, combined with our ongoing focus on production discipline and the "One Goal One Hundred" program, are intended to position us to capture market upside when conditions improve towards the second half of the year."

 


 

Page 4

 

Consolidated Financial Results

 

Q1

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q1

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

2025

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenues

$

489,304

 

 

$

449,504

 

 

$

506,974

 

Operating income (loss)

$

(32,892

)

 

$

(278,489

)

 

$

6,733

 

Operating EBITDA

$

7,848

 

 

$

(20,149

)

 

$

47,088

 

Net loss

$

(51,996

)

 

$

(308,700

)

 

$

(22,339

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(0.78

)

 

$

(4.61

)

 

$

(0.33

)

Diluted

$

(0.78

)

 

$

(4.61

)

 

$

(0.33

)

Consolidated – Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2025

Total revenues for the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 3% to $489.3 million from $507.0 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease was primarily due to lower pulp sales realizations partially offset by modestly higher sales realizations from our other products.

Costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 4% to $522.2 million from $500.2 million in the same period of 2025. This increase was primarily due to the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated costs and expenses and higher per unit fiber costs partially offset by lower maintenance costs. In the first quarter of 2026, costs and expenses included a non-cash inventory impairment of $22.0 million against pulp and fiber inventory due to low pulp prices and high fiber costs.

In the first quarter of 2026, Operating EBITDA decreased to $7.8 million, which includes the $22.0 million non-cash inventory impairment, from $47.1 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease primarily resulted from lower pulp sales realizations, higher per unit fiber costs, and the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar partially offset by lower maintenance costs.

Segment Results

Pulp

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Pulp revenues

$

319,170

 

 

$

356,964

 

Energy and chemical revenues

$

25,813

 

 

$

24,116

 

Segment Operating EBITDA(1)

$

6,897

 

 

$

49,872

 

______________

(1)
Segment Operating EBITDA is a measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. Refer to the segment information note in our consolidated financial statements for more information.

In the first quarter of 2026, Segment Operating EBITDA for the pulp segment decreased to $6.9 million from $49.9 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease primarily resulted from lower pulp sales realizations, higher

 


 

Page 5

 

per unit fiber costs, and the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar partially offset by lower maintenance costs. In the first quarter of 2026, Segment Operating EBITDA also included a non-cash inventory impairment of $22.0 million.

Pulp segment revenues, comprised of pulp, energy and chemical revenues, in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 9% to $345.0 million from $381.1 million in the same period of 2025 driven by lower pulp revenues.

Pulp revenues in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 11% to $319.2 million from $357.0 million in the same period of 2025 primarily as a result of lower sales realizations.

In the first quarter of 2026, the third-party industry quoted average list price for NBSK pulp in Europe modestly increased compared to the same period of 2025 primarily due to supply constraints. In the first quarter of 2026, the third-party industry quoted average list price for NBSK pulp in North America and the third-party industry quoted average net price for NBSK pulp in China decreased compared to the same period of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to weak demand driven by the current economic climate and, in China, an oversupplied paper market. Our average NBSK pulp sales realizations in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 11% to $696 per ADMT from $783 per ADMT in the same period of 2025 due to lower prices in North America and China.

In the first quarter of 2026, the third-party industry quoted average list price for NBHK pulp in North America and the third-party industry quoted average net price for NBHK pulp in China modestly increased from the same period of 2025 primarily due to global supply constraints. In the first quarter of 2026, average NBHK pulp sales realizations remained flat at $564 per ADMT compared to $570 per ADMT in the same period of 2025.

Pulp sales volumes in the first quarter of 2026 were relatively steady at 470,700 ADMTs compared to 477,879 ADMTs in the same period of 2025.

Energy and chemical revenues in the first quarter of 2026 were relatively flat at $25.8 million compared to $24.1 million in the same period of 2025.

Costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2026 remained stable at $366.9 million compared to $360.9 million in the same period of 2025 as higher per unit fiber costs and the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated costs and expenses were partially offset by lower maintenance costs. In the first quarter of 2026, costs and expenses included a non-cash inventory impairment charge of $22.0 million against inventory as a result of low pulp prices and high fiber costs.

 


 

Page 6

 

Total pulp production in the first quarter of 2026 was relatively flat at 465,717 ADMTs compared to 458,909 ADMTs in the same period of 2025. There was no planned maintenance downtime in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 22 days (approximately 29,700 ADMTs) at our Celgar mill in the same period of 2025. This benefit was mostly offset by the impact of reduced production at our German mills due to fiber supply constraints in Europe.

Overall average per unit fiber costs in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 22% compared to the same period of 2025 primarily as a result of reduced supply in Germany and Canada. For the second quarter of 2026, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to stabilize as improved availability is offset by strong demand.

Solid Wood

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Lumber revenues

$

60,091

 

 

$

65,386

 

Manufactured products revenues(1)

$

21,041

 

 

$

18,824

 

Pallet revenues

$

29,860

 

 

$

23,177

 

Biofuels revenues(2)

$

12,180

 

 

$

9,224

 

Energy revenues

$

5,598

 

 

$

4,866

 

Wood residuals revenues

$

2,972

 

 

$

1,243

 

Segment Operating EBITDA(3)

$

(5,631

)

 

$

(292

)

______________

(1)
Manufactured products primarily include cross-laminated timber ("CLT") and glue-laminated timber ("glulam").
(2)
Biofuels include pellets and briquettes.
(3)
Segment Operating EBITDA is a measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. Refer to the segment information note in our consolidated financial statements for more information.

In the first quarter of 2026, Segment Operating EBITDA for the solid wood segment was negative $5.6 million compared to negative $0.3 million in the same period of 2025. This primarily resulted from higher per unit fiber costs partially offset by modestly higher sales realizations for most of our products.

Solid wood segment revenues in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 7% to $131.7 million from $122.7 million in the same period of 2025 as a result of higher revenue from all product categories except for lumber.

Lumber revenues in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 8% to $60.1 million from $65.4 million in the same period of 2025 primarily due to lower sales volumes. Average lumber sales realizations in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 7% to $536 per Mfbm from $499 per Mfbm in the same period of 2025 primarily as a result of lower supply and higher fiber costs in the European market. This increase was partially offset by lower average sales realization in the U.S. market due to weak demand. The U.S. market accounted for approximately 46% of our lumber revenues and approximately 42% of our lumber sales volumes in the first quarter of 2026. The balance of our lumber sales was mainly to Europe.

 


 

Page 7

 

Lumber sales volumes in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 14% to 112.1 MMfbm from 130.9 MMfbm in the same period of 2025 as a result of lower production.

In the first quarter of 2026, manufactured products revenues increased by approximately 12% to $21.0 million from $18.8 million in the same period of 2025 primarily due to higher sales volumes partially offset by lower sales realizations. Manufactured products sales realizations decreased by approximately 36% to $1,801 per cubic meter in the first quarter of 2026 from $2,832 per cubic meter in the same period of 2025 as construction activity was weighted toward modest-scale projects amid an elevated interest rate environment in the U.S.

Lumber production in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 9% to 115.9 MMfbm from 128.0 MMfbm in the same period of 2025 due to fiber supply constraints.

Fiber costs were approximately 85% of our lumber cash production costs in the first quarter of 2026. In the first quarter of 2026, per unit fiber costs for lumber production increased by approximately 36% compared to the same period of 2025 due to reduced supply and strong demand. For the second quarter of 2026, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to be flat as the positive impact of improved supply will be offset by strong demand.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2026, we had cash and cash equivalents of $84.5 million. After taking into account the Waiver and the 70 million reduction in borrowing capacity thereunder, we had approximately $144.5 million available under our revolving credit facilities, bringing aggregate liquidity to about $229.0 million as of March 31, 2026. Please refer to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2026, for further information regarding the Waiver and liquidity as of March 31, 2026.

The following table is a summary of selected financial information as of the dates indicated:

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

84,541

 

 

$

186,805

 

Working capital

$

449,976

 

 

$

582,176

 

Total assets

$

1,963,836

 

 

$

2,041,420

 

Current liabilities

$

384,776

 

 

$

283,626

 

Long-term liabilities

$

1,584,598

 

 

$

1,689,734

 

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

$

(5,538

)

 

$

68,060

 

 

Earnings Release Call

In conjunction with this release, Mercer International Inc. will host a conference call, which will be simultaneously broadcast live over the Internet. Management will host the call, which is scheduled for May 8, 2026 at

 


 

Page 8

 

10:00 AM ET. Listeners can access the conference call live and archived for 30 days over the Internet at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/ha9u4g4a or through a link on the company's home page at https://www.mercerint.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to visit the website and download and install any necessary audio software.

Mercer International Inc. is a global forest products company with operations in Germany, USA and Canada with consolidated annual production capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of pulp, 1,023 million board feet of lumber, 210 thousand cubic meters of CLT, 45 thousand cubic meters of glulam, 17 million pallets and 230 thousand tonnes of biofuels. To obtain further information on the company, please visit its website at https://www.mercerint.com.

The preceding includes forward-looking statements which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Words such as "expects", "anticipates", "are optimistic that", "projects", "intends", "designed", "will", "believes", "estimates", "may", "could" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: the highly cyclical nature of our business, raw material costs, our level of indebtedness, ability to refinance or obtain any necessary financing on acceptable terms in the future, competition, foreign exchange and interest rate fluctuations, our use of derivatives, expenditures for capital projects, environmental regulation and compliance, disruptions to our production, market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our SEC reports.

APPROVED BY:

William D. McCartney

Chairman

(604) 684-1099

 

Juan Carlos Bueno

Chief Executive Officer

(604) 684-1099

 

-FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW-

 

 

 

 

 


 

Summary Financial Highlights

 

Q1

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q1

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

2025

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenues from external customers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp segment

$

344,983

 

 

$

334,254

 

 

$

381,080

 

Solid wood segment

 

131,742

 

 

 

110,216

 

 

 

122,720

 

Corporate and other

 

12,579

 

 

 

5,034

 

 

 

3,174

 

Total revenues

$

489,304

 

 

$

449,504

 

 

$

506,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp Segment Operating EBITDA(1)

$

6,897

 

 

$

(11,323

)

 

$

49,872

 

Solid wood Segment Operating EBITDA(1)

 

(5,631

)

 

 

(10,771

)

 

 

(292

)

Corporate and other

 

6,582

 

 

 

1,945

 

 

 

(2,492

)

Operating EBITDA(2)

$

7,848

 

 

$

(20,149

)

 

$

47,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

$

(51,996

)

 

$

(308,700

)

 

$

(22,339

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(0.78

)

 

$

(4.61

)

 

$

(0.33

)

Diluted

$

(0.78

)

 

$

(4.61

)

 

$

(0.33

)

Common shares outstanding at period end

 

66,983

 

 

 

66,983

 

 

 

66,871

 

______________

(1)
Segment Operating EBITDA is a measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. Refer to the segment information note in our consolidated financial statements for more information.
(2)
Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. See page 6 of the financial tables included in this press release for a reconciliation of net loss to Operating EBITDA.

1


 

Summary Operating Highlights

 

Q1

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q1

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

2025

 

Pulp Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

362.5

 

 

 

378.0

 

 

 

370.4

 

NBHK

 

103.2

 

 

 

82.0

 

 

 

88.5

 

Annual maintenance downtime ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

41.5

 

 

 

29.7

 

Annual maintenance downtime (days)

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

22

 

Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

385.1

 

 

 

367.0

 

 

 

388.1

 

NBHK

 

85.6

 

 

 

105.4

 

 

 

89.8

 

Average NBSK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

1,618

 

 

 

1,498

 

 

 

1,550

 

China

 

685

 

 

 

671

 

 

 

793

 

North America

 

1,563

 

 

 

1,568

 

 

 

1,753

 

Average NBHK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

China

 

595

 

 

 

540

 

 

 

578

 

North America

 

1,338

 

 

 

1,198

 

 

 

1,268

 

Average pulp sales realizations ($/ADMT)(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBSK

 

696

 

 

 

702

 

 

 

783

 

NBHK

 

564

 

 

 

528

 

 

 

570

 

Energy production ('000 MWh)

 

544.6

 

 

 

500.4

 

 

 

527.1

 

Energy sales ('000 MWh)

 

179.3

 

 

 

166.0

 

 

 

198.7

 

Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)

 

123

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

108

 

Solid Wood Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lumber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production (MMfbm)

 

115.9

 

 

 

108.6

 

 

 

128.0

 

Sales (MMfbm)

 

112.1

 

 

 

103.0

 

 

 

130.9

 

Average sales realizations ($/Mfbm)

 

536

 

 

 

533

 

 

 

499

 

Energy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and sales ('000 MWh)

 

38.0

 

 

 

35.5

 

 

 

36.0

 

Average sales realizations ($/MWh)

 

147

 

 

 

141

 

 

 

135

 

Manufactured products(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 cubic meters)

 

7.9

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

7.1

 

Sales ('000 cubic meters)

 

10.7

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

5.9

 

Average sales realizations ($/cubic meter)

 

1,801

 

 

 

1,805

 

 

 

2,832

 

Pallets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 units)

 

2,433.3

 

 

 

1,836.6

 

 

 

2,096.4

 

Sales ('000 units)

 

2,381.3

 

 

 

2,020.8

 

 

 

2,128.8

 

Average sales realizations ($/unit)

 

13

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

11

 

Biofuels(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production ('000 tonnes)

 

35.4

 

 

 

38.2

 

 

 

44.5

 

Sales ('000 tonnes)

 

38.1

 

 

 

35.8

 

 

 

40.3

 

Average sales realizations ($/tonne)

 

320

 

 

 

278

 

 

 

229

 

Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ / €(5)

 

1.1701

 

 

 

1.1641

 

 

 

1.0531

 

$ / C$(5)

 

0.7292

 

 

 

0.7175

 

 

 

0.6969

 

______________

(1)
Source: RISI pricing report. Europe and North America are list prices. China are net prices which include discounts, allowances and rebates.
(2)
Sales realizations after customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions.
(3)
Manufactured products primarily include CLT and glulam.
(4)
Biofuels include pellets and briquettes.
(5)
Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rates over the reporting period.

2


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Revenues

 

$

489,304

 

 

$

506,974

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

 

452,985

 

 

 

430,247

 

Cost of sales depreciation and amortization

 

 

40,666

 

 

 

40,290

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

28,545

 

 

 

29,704

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(32,892

)

 

 

6,733

 

Other income (expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(29,101

)

 

 

(28,155

)

Other income (expenses)

 

 

1,820

 

 

 

(185

)

Total other expenses, net

 

 

(27,281

)

 

 

(28,340

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(60,173

)

 

 

(21,607

)

Income tax recovery (provision)

 

 

8,177

 

 

 

(732

)

Net loss

 

$

(51,996

)

 

$

(22,339

)

Net loss per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.78

)

 

$

(0.33

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.78

)

 

$

(0.33

)

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

 

 

$

0.075

 

 

3


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

March 31,
2026

 

 

December 31,
2025

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

84,541

 

 

$

186,805

 

Restricted cash

 

 

5,000

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

329,070

 

 

 

298,889

 

Inventories

 

 

366,024

 

 

 

359,401

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

50,117

 

 

 

20,707

 

Total current assets

 

 

834,752

 

 

 

865,802

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

1,068,595

 

 

 

1,115,490

 

Amortizable intangible assets, net

 

 

26,247

 

 

 

26,110

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

6,307

 

 

 

6,818

 

Pension asset

 

 

12,758

 

 

 

12,975

 

Deferred income tax assets

 

 

7,586

 

 

 

7,839

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

7,591

 

 

 

6,386

 

Total assets

 

$

1,963,836

 

 

$

2,041,420

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other

 

$

275,705

 

 

$

269,217

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

732

 

 

 

745

 

Current debt

 

 

108,339

 

 

 

13,664

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

384,776

 

 

 

283,626

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,509,588

 

 

 

1,605,144

 

Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

10,607

 

 

 

10,392

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

3,463

 

 

 

3,858

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 

49,084

 

 

 

58,298

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

11,856

 

 

 

12,042

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,969,374

 

 

 

1,973,360

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares $1 par value; 200,000,000 authorized; 66,983,000 issued and outstanding (2025 – 66,983,000)

 

 

66,871

 

 

 

66,871

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

366,228

 

 

 

365,357

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(329,012

)

 

 

(277,016

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(109,625

)

 

 

(87,152

)

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

 

 

(5,538

)

 

 

68,060

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

1,963,836

 

 

$

2,041,420

 

 

4


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Cash flows from (used in) operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(51,996

)

 

$

(22,339

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

40,740

 

 

 

40,355

 

Deferred income tax recovery

 

 

(8,009

)

 

 

(9,506

)

Inventory impairment

 

 

22,000

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan expense (income)

 

 

(79

)

 

 

169

 

Stock compensation expense

 

 

788

 

 

 

1,006

 

Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)

 

 

(4,640

)

 

 

8,418

 

Other

 

 

(212

)

 

 

1,628

 

Changes in working capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(32,032

)

 

 

(16,798

)

Inventories

 

 

(35,130

)

 

 

(6,891

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

12,666

 

 

 

28,432

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

(29,762

)

 

 

(27,463

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(85,666

)

 

 

(2,989

)

Cash flows from (used in) investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

 

 

(13,166

)

 

 

(20,082

)

Other

 

 

341

 

 

 

222

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(12,825

)

 

 

(19,860

)

Cash flows from (used in) financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from revolving credit facilities, net

 

 

5,848

 

 

 

21,754

 

Payment of finance lease obligations

 

 

(3,563

)

 

 

(2,508

)

Other

 

 

(527

)

 

 

 

Net cash from financing activities

 

 

1,758

 

 

 

19,246

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(531

)

 

 

151

 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(97,264

)

 

 

(3,452

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

 

 

186,805

 

 

 

184,925

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

 

$

89,541

 

 

$

181,473

 

 

5


 

MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.

COMPUTATION OF OPERATING EBITDA

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and long-lived asset impairment charges. Management uses Operating EBITDA as a benchmark measurement of its own operating results, and as a benchmark relative to its competitors. Management considers it to be a meaningful supplement to operating income (loss) as a performance measure primarily because depreciation expense and long-lived asset impairment charges are not actual cash costs, and depreciation expense varies widely from company to company in a manner that management considers largely independent of the underlying cost efficiency of our operating facilities. In addition, management believes Operating EBITDA is commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate our financial performance.

 

Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss), including financing costs, income taxes and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or operating income (loss) as a measure of performance, nor as an alternative to net cash from (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA is an internal measure and therefore may not be comparable to other companies.

 

Operating EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure at the consolidated level and is considered different from Operating EBITDA at the segment level, referred to as "Segment Operating EBITDA", which is our single measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. For more information on Segment Operating EBITDA, refer to the segment information note within our consolidated financial statements.

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net loss to Operating EBITDA for the periods indicated:

 

 

Q1

 

 

Q4

 

 

Q1

 

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

2025

 

Net loss

$

(51,996

)

 

$

(308,700

)

 

$

(22,339

)

Income tax provision (recovery)

 

(8,177

)

 

 

2,587

 

 

 

732

 

Interest expense

 

29,101

 

 

 

29,762

 

 

 

28,155

 

Other expenses (income)

 

(1,820

)

 

 

(2,138

)

 

 

185

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(32,892

)

 

 

(278,489

)

 

 

6,733

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

40,740

 

 

 

42,658

 

 

 

40,355

 

Add: Impairments of long-lived assets

 

 

 

 

215,682

 

 

 

 

Operating EBITDA

$

7,848

 

 

$

(20,149

)

 

$

47,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6


FAQ

How did Mercer International (MERC) perform financially in Q1 2026?

Mercer International reported Q1 2026 revenues of $489.3 million, slightly below $507.0 million a year earlier. Operating EBITDA dropped to $7.8 million, and the company recorded a net loss of $52.0 million, wider than the prior-year loss of $22.3 million.

What affected Mercer International’s profitability in Q1 2026?

Profitability was pressured by lower pulp sales realizations, significantly higher per unit fiber costs, and a $22.0 million non-cash inventory impairment on pulp and fiber inventory. Unfavorable foreign exchange on euro and Canadian dollar costs also contributed, partially offset by lower maintenance expenses.

What is Mercer International’s liquidity position as of March 31, 2026?

As of March 31, 2026, Mercer held $84.5 million in cash and cash equivalents. Including availability under its revolving credit facilities, aggregate liquidity totaled about $229.0 million, after factoring in the covenant waiver and a €70 million reduction in German borrowing capacity.

What happened with Mercer International’s German revolving credit facility?

Mercer did not meet the required leverage ratio under its German revolving credit facility at Q1 2026 end. The company obtained a waiver of the applicable covenant from lenders and, based on current forecasts, expects to regain compliance with the leverage ratio by the fourth quarter of 2026.

How is Mercer International’s mass timber business developing?

Mercer’s mass timber business showed momentum, with an order book and commitments of about $171 million supporting a multi-year production plan. Roughly 60% of the project pipeline relates to data center infrastructure, with contracts expected to contribute to results beginning in late 2026 and into 2027.

What progress has Mercer International made on its cost savings program?

The company’s “One Goal One Hundred” program targets $100 million in cost savings and efficiencies by year-end 2026. Mercer achieved about $11.0 million in savings during Q1 2026, bringing the cumulative total to approximately $41.0 million since the program launched in April 2025.

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