Mercer International - 10-Q quarterly report FY

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ     NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES o     NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o     NO þ

The Registrant had 36,443,487 shares of common stock outstanding as at November 5, 2009.

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The interim consolidated financial statements contained herein include the accounts of Mercer International Inc. (“Mercer Inc.”) and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries collectively (the “Company”). The Company’s shares of common stock are quoted and listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange, respectively.

The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The year-end consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements. The footnote disclosure included herein has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted for interim financial statements in the United States (“GAAP”). The interim consolidated financial statements should be read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008. In the opinion of the Company, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements contained herein contain all adjustments necessary to fairly present the results of the interim periods included. The results for the periods included herein may not be indicative of the results for the entire year.

The Company has three pulp mills that are aggregated into one reportable business segment, market pulp. Accordingly the results presented are those of the reportable business segment.

Certain prior year amounts in the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

In these interim consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are expressed in Euros (“€”). The term “U.S. dollars” and the symbol “$” refer to United States dollars. The symbol “C$” refers to Canadian dollars.

Preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant management judgment is required in determining the accounting for, among other things, the accounting for doubtful accounts and reserves, depreciation and amortization, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for long-lived assets, derivative financial instruments, environmental conservation and legal liabilities, asset retirement obligations, pensions and post-retirement benefit obligations, income taxes, contingencies, and inventory obsolescence and provisions. Actual results could differ from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known.

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On July 1, 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) officially released the Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification” or “ASC”). Pursuant to FASB Statement No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, the Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Codification does not change GAAP, but it is a major restructuring of how accounting and reporting standards that constitute GAAP are organized. That is, the Codification is the single source of authoritative nongovernmental GAAP. The organizational changes are expected to make GAAP easier to research by simplifying user access to all authoritative guidance. As a result, content resides in new locations within the Codification which means referencing to specific guidance has changed. For example, the pre-Codification guidance for leases is primarily found in Financial Accounting Standard No. 13, Accounting for Leases, as well as a number of other guidance such as Emerging Issue Task Force abstracts while the Codification guidance for leases is found in ASC 840. To assist in the transition, where a reference to the new Codification “topic” reference number is defined, the pre-Codification standard has also been noted.

On August 28, 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No 2009-05, Measuring Liabilities at Fair Value (“ASU 2009-05”), previously exposed for comments as proposed Financial Statement Position FASB No. 157-f, Measuring Liabilities under FASB Statement No.157, Fair Value Measurements, to provide guidance on measuring the fair value of liabilities under ASC 820. This ASU clarifies that the quoted price for the identical liability, when traded as an asset in an active market, is also a Level 1 measurement for that liability when no adjustment to the quoted price is required. In the absence of a Level 1 measurement, an entity must use one or more of the valuation techniques as described in the guidance. This ASU is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after August 28, 2009. The Company is in the process of determining the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements and disclosures.

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In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance as outlined in the Transfers and Servicing Topic ASC 860 (“ASC 860”), originally released as Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. FASB issued this guidance to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets. Additionally, on and after the effective date, the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity is no longer relevant for accounting purposes. This guidance must be applied as of the beginning of the first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. This guidance must be applied to transfers occurring on or after the effective date. The Company is in the process of determining the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2008, the FASB issued guidance as outlined in the Defined Benefit Plans Topic ASC 715 (“ASC 715-20”), originally released as FASB Staff Position No. 132 (R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits. This topic provides guidance with respect to an employer’s (sponsor’s) disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan and also requires disclosures about fair value measurements of plan assets. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009, and implementation is required to be prospective. Earlier application of the provisions is permitted. The Company is in the process of determining the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance will have on its financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance as outlined in the Consolidations Topic ASC 810 (“ASC 810-10-65”), originally released as FASB Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51 (“FAS 160”). This guidance establishes accounting and reporting standards for entities that have equity investments that are not attributable directly to the parent, called noncontrolling interests or minority interests. Additionally, the guidance states where and how to report noncontrolling interests in the consolidated statements of financial position and operations, how to account for changes in noncontrolling interests and provides disclosure requirements. The provisions of this guidance are effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009 and amended its presentation and disclosure accordingly. See Note 10 — Noncontrolling Interest.

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In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance as outlined in the revised Business Combinations Topic ASC 805 (“ASC 805”), originally released as FASB Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations. This guidance establishes how an entity accounts for identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests acquired, how to account for goodwill acquired and determines what disclosures are required as part of a business combination. The guidance is applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009, and the adoption had no impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosures.

In February 2008, the FASB issued guidance as outlined in the Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic ASC 820 (“ASC 820-10-65-1”), originally released FASB Staff Position No. 157-2,Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP FAS 157-2”). This guidance defers the effective date of the Financial Instruments Topic, for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. This guidance defers the effective date to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, for items within the scope of ASC 820-10-65-1. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statement disclosures.

In March 2008, the FASB issued guidance as outlined in the Derivatives and Hedging Topic ASC 815 (“ASC 815-10-50” and “ASC 815-10-65-1”), originally released as FASB Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The new guidance requires enhanced disclosures about how and why companies use derivatives, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect a company’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The provisions within this guidance are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009, and it had no impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet or Consolidated Statement of Operations, see Note 6 — Derivative Transactions.

In April 2008, the FASB issued guidance as outlined in General Intangibles Other than GoodwillTopic ASC 350, (“ASC 350”) and the Risks and Uncertainties Topic ASC 275 (“ASC 275”), originally released as FASB Staff Position No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. This guidance amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under ASC 350. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2009, the impact of which was not material.

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In May 2008, the FASB issued guidance as outlined in the Debt Topic ASC 470 (“ASC 470-20”), originally released as FASB Staff Position 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Settlement). This new guidance states that convertible debt instruments that are within its scope are required to be separated into both a debt component and an equity component. In addition, any debt discount is to be accreted to interest expense over the expected life of the debt. The new provisions within this guidance are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and implementation is generally required to be retrospective. The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2009 had no impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosure.

In April 2009, the FASB issued new guidance as outlined in the Financial Instruments Topic ASC 825 (“ASC 825-10-50” and “ASC 825-10-65-1”), originally released as FSP FAS 107-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The new guidance requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. ASC 825-10-65-1 also amends the guidance previously released as APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. The provisions of the new guidance are effective for interim periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance on April 1, 2009, the impact of which was not material. See Note 9 — Financial Instruments.

In May 2009 the FASB issued guidance as outlined in the Subsequent Events Topic ASC 855 (“ASC 855-10”), originally released as FAS No. 165, Subsequent Events. This guidance establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued (subsequent event). Specifically, the new guidance defines the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date, and the disclosures required. The Company adopted this guidance effective June 30, 2009. The adoption of this guidance has not resulted in any significant changes in how the Company recognizes or discloses subsequent events.

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The Company had a non-qualified stock option plan which provides for options to be granted to officers and employees to acquire a maximum of 3,600,000 common shares including options for 130,000 shares to directors who are not officers or employees. This plan expired in 2008 but unexercised options that were previously granted under this plan remain outstanding. The Company also has a stock incentive plan which provides for options, stock appreciation rights and restricted shares to be awarded to employees and outside directors to a maximum of 1,000,000 common shares. During the first quarter of 2008, the Company implemented a new form of stock-based compensation called performance stock under its existing stock incentive plan.

Grants of performance stock comprise rights to receive stock at a future date that are contingent on the Company and the grantee achieving certain performance objectives. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, potential stock based performance awards totaled 565,165, which vest on December 31, 2010. Expense for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 was €388 and €327, respectively (2008 — €175 and €429).

The fair value of performance stock is determined based upon the number of shares awarded and the quoted price of the Company’s stock. Performance stock generally cliff vest three years from the award date. As of September 30, 2009, no performance stock had vested. During the three month period ended September 30, 2009, nil performance stock was cancelled. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, 39,991 performance stock were forfeited due to the departure of an employee. On April 28, 2009, 34,542 performance stock were awarded to two employees.

The fair value of restricted stock is determined based upon the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock generally vests over one year. Expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Expense recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was €2 and €49, respectively (2008 — €38 and€139).

As at September 30, 2009, the total remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock amounted to approximately €9 (2008 — €82), which will be amortized over their remaining vesting period.

During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, 21,000 restricted stock awards were granted (2008 — nil and 21,000). There were nil restricted stock awards cancelled during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 (2008 — nil).

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During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, no options were exercised, cancelled, expired or granted.

The calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders does not assume the exercise of stock options and awards or the conversion of convertible notes that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share.

Stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders because they are anti-dilutive represented 928,334 for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 (2008 — 828,334) and 928,334 for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 (2008 — 98,334). Restricted stock excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders because they are anti-dilutive represented 21,000 shares for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 (2008 — 24,470) and 21,000 shares for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 (2008 — 38,288).

Shares associated with the convertible notes excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders because they are anti-dilutive represented 8,678,065 for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 (2008 — 8,678,065).

Performance stock excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders because they are anti-dilutive represented 369,924 shares for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 (2008 — 372,642).

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Debt consists of the following:

Certain of the Company’s debt agreements were issued under an indenture which, among other things, restricts its ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to make certain payments. These limitations are subject to other important qualifications and exceptions. As at September 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the indenture.

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The Company made scheduled principal repayments under these facilities of €34,023 in 2008, and€32,049 during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2009, the principal maturities of debt are as follows:

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The Company is exposed to certain market risks relating to its ongoing business. The Company seeks to manage these risks through internal risk management policies as well as, from time to time, the use of derivatives. Currently, the primary risk managed using derivative instruments is interest rate risk.

During 2004, the Company entered into certain variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps in connection with the Stendal Loan Facility with respect to an aggregate maximum principal amount of approximately €612,600 of the total indebtedness under the Stendal Loan Facility. Under the interest rate swaps, the Company pays a fixed rate and receives a floating rate with the interest payments being calculated on a notional amount. Currently, the aggregate notional amount of these contracts is €505,430 at a fixed interest rate of 5.28% and they mature October 2017 (matching the maturity of the Stendal Loan Facility). The Company substantially converted the Stendal Loan Facility from a variable interest rate loan into a fixed interest rate loan, thereby reducing interest rate uncertainty.

The Company recognized an unrealized loss of €3,327 and €10,889, with respect to these interest rate swaps for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively (2008 — Unrealized loss of €8,215 and an unrealized gain of €4,515), in “Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments” in the Interim Consolidated Statement of Operations. The guidance outlined in ASC 815, originally released as FAS 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments at their fair value in the consolidated balance sheet. Accordingly, the fair value of the interest rate swap is presented in “Unrealized interest rate derivative losses” within the long-term liabilities section in the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets, which currently amounts to a cumulative unrealized loss of €58,001 (2008 — €47,112).

The interest rate derivative contracts are with the same banks that hold the Stendal Loan Facility and the Company does not anticipate non-performance by the banks.

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Included in pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations are amounts related to the Company’s Celgar and German mills.

The largest component of this obligation is with respect to the Celgar mill which maintains defined benefit pension and post-retirement benefit plans for certain employees (“Celgar Plans”).

Pension benefits are based on employees’ earnings and years of service. The Celgar Plans are funded by contributions from the Company based on actuarial estimates and statutory requirements. Pension contributions for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 totaled €107 and €693, respectively (2008 — €402 and €1,527).

The Company anticipates based on actuarial estimates that it will make contributions to the defined benefit pension plan of approximately €914 in 2009.

Effective December 31, 2008, the defined benefit plan was closed to new members. In addition, the defined benefit service accrual ceased on December 31, 2008, and members began to receive pension benefits, at a fixed contractual rate, under a new defined contribution plan effective January 1, 2009.

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The Company has authorized 200,000,000 common shares (2008 — 200,000,000) with a par value of $1 per share. As at September 30, 2009, the Company had 36,443,487 (2008 — 36,422,487) common shares issued and outstanding.

The Company has authorized 50,000,000 preferred shares (2008 — 50,000,000) with $1 par value issuable in series, of which 2,000,000 shares have been designated as Series A. The preferred shares may be issued in one or more series and with such designations and preferences for each series as shall be stated in the resolutions providing for the designation and issue of each such series adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors is authorized by the Company’s articles of incorporation to determine the voting, dividend, redemption and liquidation preferences pertaining to each such series. As at September 30, 2009, no preferred shares had been issued by the Company.

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The Company adopted the guidance outlined in ASC 820-10-65-1, originally released as FSP FAS 157-2, effective April 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance resulted in additional disclosure of fair value information for all interim reporting periods. The additional fair value information includes the fair value and the carrying amount of financial instruments, and the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments.

The fair value of financial instruments at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is summarized as follows:

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates the fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying value of receivables approximates the fair value due to their short-term nature and historical collectability. The fair value of notes receivable was estimated using discounted cash flows at prevailing market rates. The fair value of debt reflects recent market transactions and discounted cash flow estimates. The fair value of the interest rate derivatives is based on current interest rates. These values represent the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate agreements taking into consideration current interest rates and the creditworthiness of the counterparties.

The Company adopted the guidance outlined in ASC 820, originally released as FAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, effective January 1, 2008. The adoption of this guidance resulted in no impact on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet or the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The fair value methodologies and, as a result, the fair value of the Company’s investments and derivative instruments are determined based on the fair value hierarchy provided in ASC 820. The fair value hierarchy per ASC 820 is as follows:

Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

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Level 2 — Valuations based on observable inputs in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted interest or currency exchange rates.

Level 3 — Valuations based on significant unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, such as discounted cash flow methodologies based on internal cash flow forecasts.

The Company classified its investments within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy where quoted prices are available in an active market. Level 1 investments include exchange-traded equities.

The Company’s derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, as they are traded on the over-the-counter market and are valued using internal models that use as their basis readily observable market inputs, such as forward interest rates.

The valuation techniques used by the Company are based upon observable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. In addition, the Company considered the risk of non-performance of the obligor, which in some cases reflects the Company’s own credit risk, in determining the fair value of the derivative instruments. The counterparty to our interest rate swap derivative is a multi-national financial institution. The fair value of the interest rate swaps represents the Company’s exposure on the derivative contracts.

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s outstanding financial instruments and their estimated fair values under the hierarchy defined in ASC 820:

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The Company adopted the guidance outlined in ASC 810-10-65, originally released as FAS 160, on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance resulted in retrospective presentation and disclosure changes to the December 31, 2008 Consolidated Balance Sheet. These changes are denoted in the table below:

Commencing January 1, 2009, the Company followed the guidance in ASC 810-10-65, and applied any accounting changes on a prospective basis. Pursuant to the new guidance, the noncontrolling shareholder will be attributed its share of losses even if that attribution results in a net deficit balance.

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Previously, Stendal mill losses in excess of the noncontrolling shareholder’s equity interest were attributable to the Company. The resulting impact of this change in accounting is the recognition of approximately €790 and €10,835 loss by the noncontrolling shareholder for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The Company’s net loss attributable to common shareholders for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 would have increased by €790 and €10,835, to a net loss of €14,902 and €75,773 had the Company not adopted the new guidance, resulting in an increase in the net loss per share attributable to the common shareholders of €0.02 and €0.30 per share, respectively.

On March 13, 2009, the Company made a €10,000 capital contribution to the Stendal mill, of which€2,582 related to an increase in the Stendal mill’s stated capital, diluting the interest held by the noncontrolling shareholder and resulting in a 4.32% increase in the Company’s equity ownership in the Stendal mill from 70.58% to 74.90%. Pursuant to ASC 810-10-65, the increase in equity ownership was accounted for as an equity transaction. The carrying amount of the Company’s shareholders’ equity was adjusted to reflect the 4.32% increase of ownership interest in the Stendal mill. As a result, the noncontrolling deficit and the Company’s Additional Paid-in Capital were reduced by €6,161.

During the year, as part of the new Green Energy project for the Celgar mill, the Company entered into a number of contracts for the purchase of a new 48 megawatt condensing turbine-generator set, as well as other related equipment commitments. As at September 30, 2009, the value of the contracts committed was approximately €6,900 (C$11.0 million).

The Company is involved in a property transfer tax and a property tax dispute with respect to the Celgar mill and certain other legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these legal actions and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the outcome of any such claim which is pending or threatened, either individually or on a combined basis, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events up to November 6, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.

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The terms of the indenture governing our 9.25% senior unsecured notes require that we provide the results of operations and financial condition of Mercer International Inc. and our restricted subsidiaries under the indenture, collectively referred to as the “Restricted Group”. As at and during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Restricted Group was comprised of Mercer International Inc., certain holding subsidiaries and our Rosenthal and Celgar mills. The Restricted Group excludes the Stendal mill.

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