Resolute Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results

US $

• Q2 GAAP net income of $256 million / $3.29 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $260 million
• Net cash position at $53 million and liquidity at $1.3 billion at quarter-end
• GHG emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
• Entered into agreement to be acquired by Paper Excellence Group

MONTRÉAL, Aug. 4, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Resolute Forest Products Inc. (NYSE: RFP) (TSX: RFP) today reported net income for the quarter ended June 30 of $256 million, or $3.29 per diluted share, compared to net income of $268 million, or $3.34 per diluted share, in the same period in 2021. Sales were $1,058 million in the quarter, a decrease of $82 million from the year-ago period. Excluding special items, the company reported net income of $155 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, compared to net income of $300 million, or $3.74 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021.

Non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjustments for special items and adjusted EBITDA, are explained and reconciled below.

Quarterly Operating Income Variance Against Prior Period

Consolidated

The company reported operating income of $217 million in the quarter, compared to $235 million in the first quarter. The $18 million variation mainly reflects higher shipments ($47 million) across all segments, more than offset by higher manufacturing costs ($55 million), mainly related to fiber ($25 million) and maintenance ($19 million) costs, as well as energy prices ($7 million). The overall impact of pricing was neutral as higher realized transaction prices in the pulp and paper segments were offset by lower average transaction prices in the wood products segment. The company also recorded higher freight ($8 million) and selling, general and administrative expenses ($4 million).

Segment Operating Income Variance

Wood Products

The wood products segment generated operating income of $180 million in the quarter, $39 million lower than the previous quarter. The average transaction price fell to $931 per thousand board feet, a decrease of $91 per thousand board feet, or 9%, reflecting lower benchmark lumber prices, despite the positive impact of consolidating engineered wood products in the segment's sales following the acquisition of the remaining 50% equity interest in Resolute-LP Engineered Wood Larouche Inc. and Resolute-LP Engineered Wood St-Prime Limited Partnership. Shipments rose by 65 million board feet, but finished goods inventory increased by 16 million board feet, to 239 million board feet, reflecting continued challenges with rail car availability. The operating cost per unit (or, "delivered cost") rose by $43 per thousand board feet, or 8%, mainly reflecting higher log costs due to stumpage fees and fuel price. EBITDA in the segment slipped by $39 million, to $191 million.

Market Pulp

Operating income in the market pulp segment was $41 million in the second quarter, $19 million higher than in the prior quarter. The average transaction price increased by $117 per metric ton, or 14%, due to stronger market conditions. Shipments were 29,000 metric tons higher, helping to reduce finished goods inventory by 14,000 metric tons to 68,000 metric tons at quarter-end. The delivered cost rose by $42 per metric ton, mainly due to higher maintenance and fiber costs. EBITDA in the segment improved by $22 million, to $48 million.

Tissue

The tissue segment incurred an operating loss of $9 million in the quarter, in line with the first quarter. The average transaction price increased by $84 per short ton, or 4%, on rising market pricing. Shipments were 1,000 short tons higher and finished goods inventory fell by 2,000 short tons. The delivered cost increased by $126 per short ton, or 6%, mostly due to higher market pulp prices. EBITDA in the segment fell by $1 million, to negative $5 million.

Paper

The paper segment recorded operating income of $37 million in the quarter, an improvement of $12 million over the previous quarter. The average transaction price rose by $35 per metric ton, or 5%, due to stronger market conditions in all grades. Shipments rose by 29,000 metric tons, helping to reduce finished goods inventory by 18,000 metric tons to 67,000 metric tons at quarter-end. The delivered cost increased by $11 per metric ton, or 2%, mainly due to higher freight and maintenance costs. EBITDA improved by $13 million, to $47 million.

Consolidated Quarterly Operating Income Variance Against Year-Ago Period

The $217 million of operating income reported in the second quarter was $189 million lower than the comparable quarter of 2021. The variance includes higher selling prices for the pulp, paper and tissue segments ($108 million), more than offset by lower selling prices for wood ($157 million) and lower shipments as a result of logistics constraints ($17 million). The company faced higher manufacturing costs ($104 million), mainly related to fiber costs ($42 million), maintenance, labor and outside service costs ($31 million) and energy prices ($25 million), as well as higher freight costs ($25 million).  It also benefitted from a lower Canadian dollar ($8 million).

Corporate, Cash and Liquidity

The company generated $281 million of cash from operating activities in the quarter, and it invested $24 million, net, in fixed assets, for a total of $37 million in the first six months of the year.

With $355 million of quarter-end cash, liquidity stood at $1.3 billion. As a result, the company ended the quarter in a net cash position of $53 million.

By quarter-end, the company recorded cumulative softwood lumber duty deposits of $500 million on the balance sheet, including $60 million paid in the quarter.

The company also determined that it is more likely than not that $105 million of the U.S. net deferred income tax assets will be fully realized in the future prior to expiration, which resulted in a valuation allowance reversal and related income tax benefit during the quarter.

On July 6, Resolute and Paper Excellence Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Domtar Corporation, announced that they have entered into an agreement under which the latter will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Resolute stock. The company expects the transaction to close in the first half of 2023, following stockholder and regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. For additional information on the transaction, please see Resolute's current reports on Form 8-K filed on July 6 and July 7, 2022 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (or, the "SEC"). A full description of the transaction will be outlined in the proxy statement of Resolute to be filed with the SEC at www.sec.gov and with the Canadian securities regulators on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com and mailed to stockholders of Resolute.

Earnings Conference Call

Due to the pending transaction with Paper Excellence Group, the company will not host a second quarter 2022 earnings conference call.

Description of Special Items

Special items	Second quarter
(in millions)		2022		2021
Closure costs, impairment and      other related charges	$	5	$	(1)
Net loss on disposition of assets		3		-
Non-operating pension and other      postretirement benefit costs      (credits)		3		(3)
Other (income) expense, net		(13)		49
U.S. deferred income tax asset		(105)		-
valuation allowance reversal
Income tax effect of special items		6		(13)
Total	$	(101)	$	32

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Statements in this document that are not reported financial results or other historical information of Resolute Forest Products are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include, for example, statements relating to the potential benefits of the proposed transaction between Resolute Forest Products and Domtar Corporation; the prospective performance and outlook of our business, performance and opportunities; the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction, the expected timing of completion of the proposed transaction; the impact of the coronavirus  (or, "COVID-19") pandemic and resulting economic conditions on our business, results of operations and market price of our securities; the impact on our future business results of the price volatility of our products; the logistics and transportation network constraints and the levels of inventory; the estimated expenditures relating to the indefinite idling of the pulp and paper operations at Calhoun (Tennessee); and to our: efforts and initiatives to reduce costs and increase revenues and profitability; business and operating outlook; future pension obligations; assessment of market conditions; growth strategies and prospects, and the growth potential of the company and the industry in which we operate; liquidity; future cash flows, including as a result of the changes to our pension funding obligations; estimated capital expenditures; environmental, social and governance  (or, "ESG") reporting; and strategies for achieving our goals generally. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "should," "would," "could," "will," "may," "expect," "believe," "see," "anticipate," "continue," "contribute," "position," "maintain," "remain," "increase," "plan," "grow," "enhance," "seek," "provide," "support," "estimate," "maximize" and other terms with similar meaning indicating possible future events or potential impact on our business or Resolute Forest Products' shareholders.

The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based on management's current assumptions, beliefs, and expectations, all of which involve a number of business risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future financial condition, results of operations, and performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this document include, but are not limited to: uncertainties as to the timing of the proposed transaction with Domtar Corporation; the risk that the proposed transaction with Domtar Corporation may not be completed in a timely manner or at all; the possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied or waived, including the failure to receive any required regulatory approvals from any applicable governmental entities (or any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on such approvals); the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, including in circumstances that would require us to pay a termination fee or other expenses; the inability to recover softwood lumber duty refunds in a timely manner or at all; the effect of the pendency of the proposed transaction on our ability to retain and hire key personnel, our ability to maintain relationships with our customers, suppliers and others with whom we do business and our business generally or our stock price; risks related to diverting management's attention from our ongoing business operations; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and resulting economic conditions; developments in non-print media, including changes in consumer habits, and the effectiveness of our responses to these developments; intense competition in the forest products industry; any inability to offer products certified to globally recognized forestry management and chain of custody standards; any inability to successfully implement our strategies to increase our earnings power; the possible failure to successfully integrate acquired businesses with ours or to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or divestitures or other strategic transactions or projects, including loss of synergies following business divestitures; uncertainty or changes in political or economic conditions in the U.S., Canada or other countries in which we sell our products, including the effects of pandemics; global economic and political conditions; the highly cyclical nature of the forest products industry; any difficulties in obtaining timber or wood fiber at favorable prices, or at all; impacts of inflation on the price of goods and services, including changes in the cost of purchased energy and other raw materials; any loss of important customers and resulting accounts receivable credit risk exposure; physical, financial, regulatory, transitional and litigation risks associated with global, regional, and local weather conditions, and climate change; financial, litigation, liability and reputational risks associated with ESG reporting; any disruption in operations or increased labor costs due to labor disputes or occupational health and safety issues; difficulties in our employee relations or in employee attraction or retention, and workforce shortages; disruptions to our supply chain, operations, or the delivery of our products, including due to public health epidemics and workforce shortages; disruptions to our information technology systems including cybersecurity and privacy incidents; risks related to the operation and transition of legacy system applications; negative publicity, even if unjustified; currency fluctuations; any increase in the level of required contributions to our pension plans, including as a result of any increase in the amount by which they are underfunded; our ability to maintain adequate capital resources to provide for all of our substantial capital requirements; the terms of our outstanding indebtedness, which could restrict our current and future operations; increases of interest rates and changes relating to the London Interbank Offered Rate, which could impact our borrowings under our credit facilities; losses that are not covered by insurance; any additional closure costs and long-lived asset impairment or goodwill impairment or accelerated depreciation charges; any need to record additional valuation allowances against our recorded deferred income tax assets or any limitation of our use of certain tax attributes; our exports from one country to another country becoming or remaining subject to duties, cash deposit requirements, border taxes, quotas, or other trade remedies or restrictions; countervailing and anti-dumping duties on imports to the U.S. of the vast majority of our softwood lumber products produced at our Canadian sawmills; any failure to comply with laws or regulations generally; any additional environmental or health and safety liabilities; any violation of trade laws, export controls, or other laws relating to our international sales and operations; adverse outcomes of legal proceedings, claims and governmental inquiries, investigations, and other disputes in which we are involved; the actions of holders of a significant percentage of our common stock; and the potential risks and uncertainties set forth under Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2022 and as set forth under Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 4, 2022, which have been heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, including related governmental responses and economic impacts, market disruptions and resulting changes in consumer habits. In addition, please refer to the documents that Resolute files with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.

All forward-looking statements in this document are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this document and in our other filings with the SEC and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. We disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About Resolute Forest Products

Resolute Forest Products is a global leader in the forest products industry with a diverse range of products, including market pulp, tissue, wood products and papers, which are marketed in over 60 countries. The company owns or operates some 40 facilities, as well as power generation assets, in the United States and Canada. Resolute has third-party certified 100% of its managed woodlands to internationally recognized sustainable forest management standards. The shares of Resolute Forest Products trade under the stock symbol RFP on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Resolute has received regional, North American and global recognition for its leadership in corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, as well as for its business practices. Visit www.resolutefp.com for more information.

RESOLUTE FOREST PRODUCTS INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2022			2021			2022			2021
Sales	$	1,058		$	1,140		$	2,003		$	2,013
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation, amortization and distribution costs		647			566			1,194			1,088
Depreciation and amortization		35			40			67			81
Distribution costs		111			93			203			177
Selling, general and administration expenses		40			36			76			82
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges		5			(1)			9			2
Net loss on disposition of assets		3			—			2			—
Operating income		217			406			452			583
Interest expense		(6)			(5)			(11)			(11)
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit (costs) credits		(3)			3			(10)			5
Other income (expense), net ^(2)		13			(49)			58			(94)
Income before income taxes		221			355			489			483
Income tax benefit (provision) ^(3)		35			(87)			(23)			(127)
Net income including noncontrolling interest		256			268			466			356
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		—			—			—			(1)
Net income attributable to Resolute Forest Products Inc.	$	256		$	268		$	466		$	355
Net income per share attributable to Resolute Forest Products Inc.      common shareholders:
Basic	$	3.32		$	3.37		$	6.02		$	4.42
Diluted	$	3.29		$	3.34		$	5.97		$	4.39
Weighted-average number of Resolute Forest Products Inc.      common shares outstanding:
Basic		77.5			79.5			77.4			80.4
Diluted		78.2			80.3			78.2			81.1
See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statement Information

RESOLUTE FOREST PRODUCTS INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars)
	June 30,			December 31,
	2022				2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	355		$	112
Accounts receivable, net:
Trade		314			257
Other		53			56
Inventories, net		599			510
Other current assets		58			54
Total current assets		1,379			989
Fixed assets, net		1,274			1,270
Amortizable intangible assets, net		56			57
Goodwill ^(1)		85			31
Deferred income tax assets		615			653
Operating lease right-of-use assets		56			54
Other assets		572			484
Total assets	$	4,037		$	3,538
Liabilities and equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other	$	491		$	421
Current portion of long-term debt		2			2
Current portion of operating lease liabilities		8			8
Total current liabilities		501			431
Long-term debt, net of current portion		300			300
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations		1,070			1,151
Deferred income tax liabilities		2			—
Operations lease liabilities, net of current portion		52			51
Other liabilities		90			88
Total liabilities		2,015			2,021
Equity:
Resolute Forest Products Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock		—			—
Additional paid-in capital		3,811			3,807
Deficit		(543)			(1,009)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,025)			(1,062)
Treasury stock at cost		(224)			(222)
Total Resolute Forest Products Inc. shareholders' equity		2,019			1,514
Noncontrolling interest		3			3
Total equity		2,022			1,517
Total liabilities and equity	$	4,037		$	3,538
See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statement Information

RESOLUTE FOREST PRODUCTS INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars)
	Six Months Ended June 30,
		2022			2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interest	$	466		$	356
Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interest to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation		5			3
Depreciation and amortization		67			81
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges		2			—
Deferred income taxes		20			127
Net pension contributions and other postretirement benefit payments		(24)			(47)
Gain on previously-held equity investments^(1)		(42)			—
Net loss on disposition of assets		2			—
Loss (gain) on translation of foreign currency denominated deferred income taxes		10			(24)
(Gain) loss on translation of foreign currency denominated pension and other postretirement benefit obligations		(15)			32
Net planned major maintenance amortization (payments)		14			(9)
Changes in working capital:
Accounts receivable		(49)			(61)
Inventories		(69)			(30)
Other current assets		(14)			(2)
Accounts payable and other		63			36
Other, net		(8)			13
Net cash provided by operating activities		428			475
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in fixed assets		(37)			(47)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired ^(1)		(50)			—
Disposition of assets		5			—
Increase in countervailing and anti-dumping duty cash deposits on softwood lumber		(103)			(89)
Other investing activities, net		—			3
Net cash used in investing activities		(185)			(133)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of long-term debt		—			300
Repayments of debt		(1)			(557)
Purchases of treasury stock		(2)			(20)
Payments of financing fees		—			(7)
Other financing activities, net		—			2
Net cash used in financing activities		(3)			(282)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash		(2)			—
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash	$	238		$	60
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash:
Beginning of period	$	152		$	159
End of period	$	390		$	219
Cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	355		$	177
Restricted cash (included in "Other assets")	$	35		$	42
See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statement Information

RESOLUTE FOREST PRODUCTS INC. RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING INCOME AND NET INCOME ADJUSTED FOR SPECIAL ITEMS
A reconciliation of our operating income, net income and net income per diluted share reported before special items is presented in the tables below. See Note 1 to the Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures regarding our use of non-GAAP measures.
Three months ended June 30, 2022	Operating income			Net income			EPS
(Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
GAAP, as reported	$	217		$	256		$	3.29
Adjustments for special items:
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges		5			5			0.06
Net loss on disposition of assets		3			3			0.04
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit costs		—			3			0.04
Other income, net		—			(13)			(0.17)
U.S. deferred income tax asset valuation allowance reversal		—			(105)			(1.34)
Income tax effect of special items		—			6			0.08
Adjusted for special items	$	225		$	155		$	2.00
Three months ended June 30, 2021	Operating income			Net income			EPS
(Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
GAAP, as reported	$	406		$	268		$	3.34
Adjustments for special items:
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges		(1)			(1)			(0.01)
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit credits		—			(3)			(0.04)
Other expense, net		—			49			0.61
Income tax effect of special items		—			(13)			(0.16)
Adjusted for special items	$	405		$	300		$	3.74
Six months ended June 30, 2022	Operating income			Net income			EPS
(Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
GAAP, as reported	$	452		$	466		$	5.97
Adjustments for special items:
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges		9			9			0.11
Net loss on disposition of assets		2			2			0.03
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit costs		—			10			0.13
Other income, net		—			(58)			(0.74)
U.S. deferred income tax asset valuation allowance reversal		—			(105)			(1.34)
Income tax effect of special items		—			8			0.10
Adjusted for special items	$	463		$	332		$	4.26
Six months ended June 30, 2021	Operating income			Net income			EPS
(Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
GAAP, as reported	$	583		$	355		$	4.39
Adjustments for special items:
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges		2			2			0.02
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit credits		—			(5)			(0.06)
Other expense, net		—			94			1.16
Income tax effect of special items		—			(27)			(0.33)
Adjusted for special items	$	585		$	419		$	5.18

RESOLUTE FOREST PRODUCTS INC. RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
A reconciliation of our net income including noncontrolling interest to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is presented in the tables below. See Note 1 to the Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures regarding our use of the non-GAAP measures EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.
Three months ended June 30, 2022	Market pulp		Tissue		Wood products		Paper		Corporate and other		Total
(Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars)
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	$      41		$       (9)		$    180		$      37		$        7		$    256
Interest expense									6		6
Income tax benefit									(35)		(35)
Depreciation and amortization	7		4		11		10		3		35
EBITDA	$      48		$       (5)		$    191		$      47		$     (19)		$    262
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges									5		5
Net loss on disposition of assets									3		3
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit costs									3		3
Other income, net									(13)		(13)
Adjusted EBITDA	$      48		$       (5)		$    191		$      47		$     (21)		$    260
Three months ended June 30, 2021	Market pulp		Tissue		Wood products		Paper		Corporate and other		Total
(Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars)
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	$      30		$       (7)		$    405		$       (7)		$  (153)		$    268
Interest expense									5		5
Income tax provision									87		87
Depreciation and amortization	6		4		10		16		4		40
EBITDA	$      36		$       (3)		$    415		$        9		$     (57)		$    400
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges									(1)		(1)
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit credits									(3)		(3)
Other expense, net									49		49
Adjusted EBITDA	$      36		$       (3)		$    415		$        9		$     (12)		$    445
Six months ended June 30, 2022	Market pulp		Tissue		Wood products		Paper		Corporate and other		Total
(Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars)
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	$      63		$     (18)		$    399		$      62		$     (40)		$    466
Interest expense									11		11
Income tax provision									23		23
Depreciation and amortization	11		9		22		19		6		67
EBITDA	$      74		$       (9)		$    421		$      81		$      —		$    567
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges									9		9
Net loss on disposition of assets									2		2
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit costs									10		10
Other income, net									(58)		(58)
Adjusted EBITDA	$      74		$       (9)		$    421		$      81		$     (37)		$    530
Six months ended June 30, 2021	Market pulp		Tissue		Wood products		Paper		Corporate and other		Total
(Unaudited, in millions of U.S. dollars)
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	$      34		$       (9)		$    626		$     (31)		$  (264)		$    356
Interest expense									11		11
Income tax provision									127		127
Depreciation and amortization	12		9		21		31		8		81
EBITDA	$      46		$      —		$    647		$      —		$  (118)		$    575
Closure costs, impairment and other related charges									2		2
Non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit credits									(5)		(5)
Other expense, net									94		94
Adjusted EBITDA	$      46		$      —		$    647		$      —		$     (27)		$    666

	RESOLUTE FOREST PRODUCTS INC. Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statement Information
1.	On April 1, 2022, we acquired a 34.5 megawatt cogeneration facility in Senneterre (Quebec) for $8 million, including a contingent consideration. With this acquisition, we will maximize the use of biomass from our regional operations.
	On March 4, 2022 (or, the "Acquisition Date"), we acquired control of Resolute-LP Engineered Wood Larouche Inc. and Resolute-LP Engineered Wood St-Prime Limited Partnership (or, "Larouche and St-Prime"), that were previously held as 50% owned joint ventures, by acquiring the remaining 50% equity interests from Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, for a cash consideration of $51 million (including $1 million of working capital adjustment, and net of cash acquired of $8 million), subject to post-closing adjustments. Larouche and St-Prime, which are engineered wood product facilities located in Quebec, produce I-joists for the construction industry. This acquisition solidifies our presence in the engineered wood product segment.
	At the Acquisition Date, our previously-held equity investments of $17 million were remeasured at a fair value of $59 million, which resulted in a gain of $42 million. The gain was recorded in "Other income (expense), net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
2.	Other income (expense), net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, was comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
(Unaudited, in millions)	2022			2021				2022			2021
Foreign exchange gain (loss)	$	11		$	(6)			$	8		$	(11)
(Loss) gain on commodity contracts^(1)		—			(49)				2			(86)
Income from equity method investments		1			4				7			4
Gain on previously-held equity investments (see Note 1 above)		1			—				42			—
Miscellaneous income (expense)		—			2				(1)			(1)
	$	13		$	(49)			$	58		$	(94)

(1)	The losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, were principally related to lumber futures contracts; none of these contracts were outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and 2021.

3.	During the second quarter of 2022, after evaluating all available positive and negative evidence, although realization is not assured, we determined that it is more likely than not that $105 million of the U.S. net deferred income tax assets released during the quarter, will be realized in the future prior to expiration.
4.	The following significant event occurred subsequent to June 30, 2022:
	On July 5, 2022, Resolute and Paper Excellence Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Domtar Corporation (or, "Domtar"), entered into a business combination agreement (or, the "Transaction") under which Domtar will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Resolute for $20.50 per share, in cash, without interest, and one contractual contingent value right per share (or, the "CVR").
	Under the CVR, stockholders will receive any refunds on approximately $500 million of deposits on softwood lumber duties paid by Resolute through June 30, 2022, including any interest thereon, net of certain expenses and of applicable tax and withholding. Any proceeds attributable to the CVR will be distributed proportionally to the CVR holders, and the value will ultimately be determined by the terms and timing of the resolution of the softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the United States. The terms and timing of such resolution is uncertain.
	The Board has unanimously approved the Transaction. The Transaction is subject to stockholder approval of the majority of the outstanding shares of Resolute at a stockholders' meeting (or, the "Special Meeting") to be held in early fall. In addition to stockholder approval, the Transaction is subject to applicable regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of certain other customary closing conditions. A significant stockholder of Resolute, which holds approximately 40% of the outstanding shares, has entered into a voting and support agreement to vote its shares in favor of the Transaction. The Transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023.
	Further information regarding the Transaction will be included in the proxy statement that will be sent to stockholders in advance of the Special Meeting.

	RESOLUTE FOREST PRODUCTS INC. Note to the Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures
1.	Operating income, net income and net income per diluted share (or, "EPS"), in each case as adjusted for special items, as well as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (or, "EBITDA"), and adjusted EBITDA, in each case by reportable segment (market pulp, tissue, wood products and paper) in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification 290, "Segment Reporting," are not financial measures recognized under generally accepted accounting principles (or, "GAAP").
	We calculate operating income, as adjusted for special items, as operating income from our Consolidated Statements of Operations, adjusted for items such as closure costs, impairment and other related charges and gains or losses on disposition of assets that are excluded from our segment's performance from GAAP operating income.
	We calculate net income, as adjusted for special items, as net income from our Consolidated Statements of Operations, adjusted for the same special items applied to operating income, in addition to non-operating pension and other postretirement benefit costs and credits, other income and expense, net, U.S. deferred income tax asset valuation allowance reversal (to offset future projected tax implications of the global intangible low-taxed income inclusion), and the income tax effect of special items.
	EPS, as adjusted for special items, is calculated as net income, as adjusted for special items, per diluted share.
	EBITDA by reportable segment is calculated as net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest from the Consolidated Statements of Operations, allocated to each of our reportable segments, adjusted for depreciation and amortization. Net income (loss) including non-controlling interest is equal to operating income (loss) for the segments. EBITDA for corporate and other is calculated as net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest from the Consolidated Statements of Operations, after the allocation to reportable segments, adjusted for interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization.
	Adjusted EBITDA means EBITDA, excluding the same special items (excluding tax items) applied to net income (loss).
	We define net cash as total debt less cash and cash equivalents.
	Liquidity is calculated as cash and cash equivalents from our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and availability under our credit facilities.
	We believe that using these non-GAAP measures is useful because they are consistent with the indicators management uses internally to measure the Company's performance, and it allows the reader to compare our operations and financial performance from period to period. Operating income, net income, and EPS, in each case as adjusted for special items, as well as EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and EBITDA margin are internal measures, and therefore may not be comparable to those of other companies. These non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as substitutes to financial measures determined under GAAP in our Consolidated Statements of Operations in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Resolute Forest Products Inc.

Investors: Marianne Limoges, Treasurer and Vice President, Investor Relations, 514 394-2217, [email protected]; Media and Others: Louis Bouchard, Director, Canadian Public Affairs and Government Relations, 514 394-2261, [email protected]