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Rayonier's (RYN) Q3 Net Income & Revenues Surpass Estimates

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Rayonier Inc. (RYN - Free Report) reported third-quarter 2018 net income per share of 18 cents, comfortably beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of six cents. However, the bottom line came in lower than the prior-year figure of 19 cents.

Post the third-quarter earnings release on Oct 31, shares of Rayonier closed 3.1% higher at $31.15 during regular trading session on Nov 1, reflecting investors’ reaction toward better-than-expected results.

Total sales for the third quarter came in at $200.9 million, up 8.9% year over year, handily outpacing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $190 million.

Segmental Performance

During the reported quarter, operating income in the company’s Southern Timber segment decreased to $9.2 million from $11.5 million recorded in the year-ago quarter.

The Pacific Northwest Timber posted operating income of $1.9 million compared to $1.1 million of operating income reported in third-quarter 2017.

New Zealand Timber reported operating income of $16.4 million, down from the prior-year tally of $19.3 million.

Real Estate’s operating income was $24.7 million, higher than the year-ago tally of $11.4 million.

Trading segment’s operating income came in at $0.3 million, down from the year-earlier figure of $1.1 million.

Lastly, the Corporate and Other segment posted loss of $6.2 million compared with a loss of $5.1 million incurred in the comparable period last year.

Liquidity

Rayonier ended the third quarter with $146.3 million in cash and cash equivalents, up from $112.7 million recorded as of Dec 31, 2017. Total long-term debt was $972.4 million, down from the figure of $1.02 billion as on Dec 31, 2017.

2018 Outlook

The company expects to achieve its previously-announced guidance, before considering the impact of the New Zealand timberland sale during third-quarter 2018 that represents an upside to the guidance.

Earlier, it had provided 2018 earnings per share of 63-68 cents, while net income for the year is projected at $82-$89 million.

Conclusion

Rayonier’s better-than-expected results are encouraging. While robust demand for rural higher and better uses (HBU) properties will likely drive its near-term revenues, a disciplined acquisition strategy ensures inorganic growth in the long term.

Nevertheless, stiff competition from its substitutes and other market players in the timberland sector, along with strict regulatory requirements, might impact the company’s business.

Rayonier Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
 


Rayonier Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
| Rayonier Inc. Quote

Currently, Rayonier carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

We, now, look forward to the earnings releases of Lamar Advertising Company (LAMR - Free Report) , Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL - Free Report) and Outfront Media Inc. (OUT - Free Report) , all of which are scheduled to report their quarterly numbers next week.

Note: Anything related to earnings presented in this write-up represent funds from operations (FFO) — a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs.

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