Packaging Corporation of America - 10-Q quarterly report FY2010 Q3

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As of November 1, 2010, the Registrant had outstanding 102,553,240 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

The condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2010 and 2009 of Packaging Corporation of America (“PCA” or the “Company”) and for the three- and nine-month periods then ended are unaudited but include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with Article 10 of SECRegulation S-X.Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete audited financial statements. Operating results for the period ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with PCA’s Annual Report onForm 10-Kfor the year ended December 31, 2009.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of PCA include all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The Company has one joint venture that is accounted for under the equity method.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company recognizes revenue as title to the products is transferred to customers. Shipping and handling billings to a customer are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales. In addition, the Company offers volume rebates to certain of its customers. The total cost of these programs is estimated and accrued as a reduction to net sales at the time of the respective sale.

PCA is engaged in one line of business: the integrated manufacture and sale of packaging materials, boxes and containers for industrial and consumer markets. No single customer accounts for more than 10% of total net sales.

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)2010-06,“Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) — Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.” This ASU requires new disclosures and clarifies existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement as set forth in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820. ASU2010-06amends ASC 820 to now require: (1) a reporting entity should disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers; and (2) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs, a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements. In addition, ASU2010-06clarifies the requirements of existing disclosures. ASU2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll

In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU2009-16,“Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860) — Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets,” which formally codifies FASB Statement No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets,” into the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. ASU2009-16revises the provisions of former FASB Statement No. 140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities,” and will require more information about transfers of financial assets, including securitization transactions, and where entities have continuing exposure to the risks related to transferred financial assets. ASU 2009-16is effective at the start of a reporting entity’s first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2010. See Note 9 for additional information.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per common share for the periods presented.

Options to purchase 0.6 million shares for both the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and options to purchase 1.5 million shares and 1.9 million shares for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30 2009, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted common shares outstanding as their exercise price exceeded the average market price of the Company’s common stock for each respective reporting period.

Comprehensive income is as follows:

In October 1999, the Company adopted a long-term equity incentive plan, which provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance awards to directors, officers and employees of PCA, as well as others who engage in services for PCA. Option awards granted to directors, officers and employees have contractual lives of seven or ten years. Options granted to officers and employees vest ratably over a three-year period, and options granted to directors vest immediately. Restricted stock awards granted to employees generally vest at the end of a four-year period, and restricted stock awards granted to directors vest at the end of a six-month period. The plan, which will terminate on October 19, 2014, provides for the issuance of up to 8,550,000 shares of common stock over the life of the plan. As of September 30, 2010, options and restricted stock of 7,092,654 shares have been granted, net of forfeitures. Forfeitures are added back to the pool of shares of common stock available to be granted at a future date.

Compensation expense for both stock options, which were fully vested at June 30, 2010, and restricted stock recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was as follows:

The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of each option grant as of the date of grant. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The expected life of the option is estimated using historical data pertaining to option exercises and employee terminations. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for estimating the expected life. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant. The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. There were no option grants during the first nine months of 2010.

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity and related information follows:

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $1.5 million and $1.4 million respectively. As of September 30, 2010, there is no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards granted under the Company’s equity incentive plan as all outstanding awards have vested.

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity follows:

The Company generally recognizes compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards ratably over their vesting periods. As PCA’s Board of Directors has the ability to accelerate vesting of restricted stock upon an employee’s retirement, the Company accelerates the recognition of compensation expense for certain employees approaching normal retirement age. As of September 30, 2010, there was $16.9 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to the above restricted stock awards. The Company expects to recognize the cost of these stock awards over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years.

The components of inventories are as follows:

An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations must necessarily be based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Because these are subject to many factors beyond management’s control, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.

The components of other intangible assets are as follows:

For the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, net pension costs were comprised of the following:

The Company makes pension plan contributions that are sufficient to fund its actuarially determined costs, generally equal to the minimum amounts required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). However, from time to time the Company may make discretionary contributions in excess of the required minimum amounts. The Company expects to contribute $15.0 million to the pension plans in 2010, of which $10.5 million has been contributed through September 30, 2010.

For the three- and nine-months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, net postretirement costs were comprised of the following:

PCA has an on-balance sheet securitization program for its trade accounts receivable that is accounted for as a secured borrowing under ASC 860, “Transfers and Servicing.” To effectuate this program, the Company formed a wholly owned, limited-purpose subsidiary, Packaging Credit Company, LLC (“PCC”), which in turn formed a wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote, special-purpose subsidiary, Packaging Receivables Company, LLC (“PRC”), for the purpose of acquiring receivables from PCC. Both of these entities are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. Under this program, PCC purchases on an ongoing basis substantially all of the receivables of the Company and sells such receivables to PRC. PRC and lenders established a $150.0 million receivables-backed revolving credit facility (“Receivables Credit Facility”) through which PRC obtains funds to purchase receivables from PCC. The receivables purchased by PRC are solely the property of PRC. In the event of liquidation of PRC, the creditors of PRC would be entitled to satisfy their claims from PRC’s assets prior to any distribution to PCC or the Company. Credit available under the receivables credit facility is on a borrowing-base formula. As a result, the full amount of the facility may not be available at all times. At September 30, 2010, $109.0 million was outstanding and included in “Short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Approximately $292.4 million of accounts receivable at September 30, 2010 have been sold to PRC and are included in “Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and customer deductions” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company records its derivatives in accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” The guidance requires the Company to recognize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use and designation of the derivative instrument. For a derivative designated as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the derivative is recognized in earnings in the period of change in fair value together with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item. For a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) and is

PCA is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing operations. When appropriate, the Company uses derivatives as a risk management tool to mitigate the potential impact of certain market risks. The primary risks managed by using derivative financial instruments are interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risks. PCA does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company has historically used treasury lock derivative instruments to manage interest costs and the risk associated with changing interest rates. On June 12, 2003 and January 17, 2008, in connection with contemplated issuances of ten-year debt securities, PCA entered into interest rate protection agreements with counterparties to protect against increases in the ten-year U.S. Treasury Note rate. These treasury rates served as references in determining the interest rates applicable to the debt securities the Company issued in July 2003 and March 2008, respectively. As a result of changes in the interest rates on those treasury securities between the time PCA entered into the agreements and the time PCA priced and issued the debt securities, the Company: (1) received a payment of $22.8 million from the counterparty upon settlement of the 2003 interest rate protection agreement on July 21, 2003; and (2) made a payment of $4.4 million to the counterparty upon settlement of the 2008 interest rate protection agreement on March 25, 2008. The Company recorded the settlements in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which are amortized over the terms of the respective notes.

On May 25, 2010, in connection with a contemplated issuance of ten-year debt securities to eventually refinance PCA’s currently outstanding $400.0 million of senior notes that mature in 2013, PCA entered into interest rate protection agreements with counterparties to protect against increases in the ten-year U.S. Treasury Note rate. The treasury rate will serve as a reference in determining the interest rate applicable to the new debt securities the Company expects to issue in the future. The interest rate protection agreements were properly documented and designated as cash flow hedges at inception. At September 30, 2010, the Company had a notional value of $400.0 million in interest rate protection agreements outstanding that are expected to settle by the end of 2012.

In connection with the energy optimization projects at its Valdosta, Georgia mill and Counce, Tennessee mill, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts on December 18, 2009, May 6, 2010, July 27, 2010 and September 30, 2010 to hedge its exposure to forecasted purchases of machinery and equipment denominated in foreign currencies. The foreign currency forward contracts were properly documented and designated as cash flow hedges at inception. At September 30, 2010, the Company had a notional value of $6.3 million in foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding that are expected to settle by the end of the third quarter of 2011.

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to these derivative financial instruments. The amount of counterparty credit exposure is the unrealized gains, if any, on such derivative contracts. To minimize credit risk, the Company only enters into these types of transactions with investment grade counterparties. On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates each hedge’s net position relative to the counterparty’s

The fair value of the Company’s treasury locks at September 30, 2010 was $29.2 million, which is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2010. The fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts was nominal at September 30, 2010.

The impact of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income and OCI is as follows:

The net amount of settlement gains or losses on derivative instruments included in accumulated OCI to be realized during the next 12 months is a net gain of $1.8 million ($1.1 million after tax) at September 30, 2010. Mark to market gains and losses on derivative instruments included in accumulated OCI will be reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. There were no ineffective portions of these contracts during the period.

The carrying and estimated fair values of PCA’s financial instruments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were as follows:

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates its carrying amounts due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

The fair value of the receivables credit facility approximates its carrying amount due to the variable interest-rate feature of the instrument. The fair values of the senior notes are based on quoted market prices. The fair value of the capital lease obligations was estimated to not be materially different from the carrying amount.

The following presents information about PCA’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value and the valuation techniques used to determine those fair values. The inputs used in the determination of fair values are categorized according to the fair value hierarchy as follows:

The valuation techniques are as follows:

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:

The money market funds PCA invests in include funds comprised of U.S. Treasury obligations or backed by U.S. Treasury obligations. The Company measures the fair value of money market funds based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

The Company calculates the fair value of its Treasury locks and foreign currency forward contracts using quoted treasury rates and currency spot rates, respectively, plus or minus forward points to calculate forward rates.

There were no changes in the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure fair values on a recurring basis as a result of adopting ASC 820. PCA had no assets or liabilities that were measured on a nonrecurring basis.

The potential costs for various environmental matters are uncertain due to such factors as the unknown magnitude of possible cleanup costs, the complexity and evolving nature of governmental laws and regulations and their interpretations, and the timing, varying costs and effectiveness of alternative cleanup technologies. From 1994 through September 30, 2010, remediation costs at PCA’s mills and corrugated plants totaled approximately $3.2 million. As of September 30, 2010, the Company maintained an environmental reserve of $9.3 million relating toon-sitelandfills and surface impoundments as well as ongoing and anticipated remedial projects. Liabilities recorded for environmental contingencies are estimates of the probable costs based upon available information and assumptions. Because of these uncertainties, PCA’s estimates may change. As of the date of this filing, the Company believes that it is not reasonably possible that future environmental expenditures and asset retirement obligations above the $9.3 million accrued as of September 30, 2010, will have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

On October 17, 2007, PCA announced that its Board of Directors authorized a $150.0 million common stock repurchase program. There is no expiration date for the common stock repurchase program. Through September 30, 2010, the Company repurchased 5,063,121 shares of common stock, with 1,094,392 shares repurchased for $25.1 million, or $22.94 per share, during the third quarter of 2010. Of these shares, 145,992 shares were purchased for $3.4 million during the last several days of September and were subsequently settled and retired in October. All but 50,000 shares of the remaining 948,400 shares purchased during the third quarter were retired prior to September 30, 2010. The 50,000 shares held in treasury at September 30, 2010 were subsequently retired in October 2010. As of September 30, 2010, $36.8 million of the $150.0 million authorization remained available for repurchase of the Company’s common stock.

The Company generates black liquor as a by-product of its pulp manufacturing process and uses it in a mixture with diesel fuel to produce energy at its Counce, Tennessee, Valdosta, Georgia, and Tomahawk, Wisconsin mills. Through December 31, 2009, the U.S. Internal Revenue Code provided a $0.50 per gallon refundable tax credit for taxpayers who use alternative fuels in their trade or business. As a registered alternative fuel mixer, the Company believes the use of black liquor as an alternative fuel through December 31, 2009 qualified for this tax credit. After December 31, 2009, the alternative fuel mixture credit for a mixture of black liquor and diesel fuel used is no longer available. During the first quarter of 2010, the Chief Counsel’s Office of the Internal Revenue Service released Memorandum AM2010-001, which provided clarification about the calculation of the alternative fuel mixture credit for black liquor. As a result, during the first quarter of 2010 the Company released the reserve of $9.2 million that was established in 2009 due to the ambiguity in the calculation of the credit. This reserve release resulted in additional income of $9.2 million, which was recorded in Alternative Fuel Mixture Tax Credits on the income statement in the first quarter of 2010.

The total alternative fuel mixture credits earned by PCA in 2008 and 2009 were $185.4 million, which was recorded as income with a corresponding receivable on its balance sheet during 2009 when the Company received its registration as a producer of alternative fuel. As federal cash taxes became due, PCA applied these credits against the taxes due. The laws governing the alternative fuel mixture credit, as well as the taxability of benefits received from this credit, are not completely defined. The IRS has not issued definitive guidance regarding such taxability. PCA believes that the manner in which the credit was claimed will not subject the Company to federal or state income taxes on such benefits. If it is determined that any of the credits are subject to taxation, PCA will be required to pay those taxes and take a corresponding charge to its income.

In a Chief Counsel’s Office of the Internal Revenue Service Memorandum AM2010-002 dated June 28, 2010, the IRS concluded that black liquor qualifies for the taxable cellulosic biofuel producer credit of $1.01 per gallon

Based upon both the IRS memorandums and guidance regarding the cellulosic biofuel producer credit, during the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and upon receipt of the cellulosic biofuel registration, the Company analyzed the additional potential benefits from claiming the cellulosic biofuel producer credit for 2009 instead of the alternative fuel mixture credit, or claiming a combination of the two credits for 2009. For the 372 million gallons of alternative fuels produced in 2009, PCA claimed about two-thirds of the gallons as cellulosic biofuel producer credits and about one-third of the gallons as alternative fuel mixture credits. As a result, the Company recorded a charge of $(111.9) million in Other Expense, Net due to the reversal of a portion of the income previously recorded from alternative fuel mixture credits and a $145.8 million benefit in the Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes to reflect the reallocation of gallons to the cellulosic biofuel producer credit. The net impact of the reallocation of the gallons between the two credits resulted in additional net income impact of $33.4 million in the third quarter of 2010. Additional expenses of $0.8 million ($0.5 million after tax) related to the cellulosic biofuel producer credit were also recorded.

The amount of credits that the Company can apply against future federal taxes owed will be dependent upon the timing and amount of PCA’s future taxable income. As of September 30, 2010, PCA has remaining tax credits of $114.3 million to be used to offset future cash tax payments. The cellulosic biofuel producer credit carryforward must be utilized to offset federal taxes owed by December 31, 2015, at which time the credit carryforward expires. A valuation allowance was not recorded against the deferred tax asset for this credit carryforward since the Company believes the credit can be fully utilized before expiration. If it is determined that any of the credit carryforward will become subject to expiration, PCA will reduce the deferred tax asset and record a corresponding charge to income.

During September and October 2010, PCA and eight other U.S. and Canadian containerboard producers were named as defendants in five purported class action lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging violations of the Sherman Act. Four of the suits have been designated as related; PCA experts that the fifth complaint will be so designated as well. The complaints allege that the defendants conspired to limit the supply of containerboard, and that the purpose and effect of the alleged conspiracy was to artificially increase prices of containerboard products during the period of August 2005 to the time of filing of the complaints. The complaints were filed as purported class action suits on behalf of all purchasers of containerboard products during such period. The complaint seeks treble damages and costs, including attorney’s fees. PCA believes the allegations are without merit and will defend this lawsuit vigorously.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing date of thisForm 10-Qand determined there were no events to disclose.

Packaging Corporation of America, or PCA, is the fifth largest producer of containerboard and corrugated products in the United States, based on production capacity. We produce a wide variety of corrugated products ranging from basic corrugated shipping containers to specialized packaging, such as wax-coated boxes for the agriculture industry. We also have multi-color printing capabilities to make high-impact graphics boxes and displays that offer our customers more attractive packaging. Our operating facilities and customers are located primarily in the United States.

In analyzing our operating performance, we focus on the following factors that affect our business and are important to consider when reviewing our financial and operating results:

The cost to manufacture containerboard is dependent, in large part, on the costs of wood fiber, recycled fiber, purchased fuels, electricity and labor and fringe benefits. Excluding the cost of containerboard, labor and benefits costs make up the largest component of corrugated products’ manufactured costs.

The market for containerboard is generally subject to changes in the U.S. economy. Historically, supply and demand, as well as industry-wide inventory levels, have influenced prices of containerboard and corrugated products. In addition to U.S. shipments, approximately 10% of domestically produced containerboard has been exported annually for use in other countries.

Market conditions for containerboard and corrugated products remained favorable during the third quarter of 2010. As reported by the Fibre Box Association, industry-wide shipments of corrugated products increased 2.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 and September corrugated products shipments were up 4.6% above previous year levels. Containerboard industry production increased 6.5% in the third quarter 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009. Published prices for containerboard did not change during the third quarter after having increased $60 per ton in April 2010 and $50 per ton in January 2010. Reported industry containerboard inventories at the end of the third quarter 2010 were essentially unchanged from 2009 levels, which was the lowest September ending level in 30 years at approximately 2.239 million tons.

During the third quarter of 2010, we produced approximately 646,000 tons of containerboard at our mills. Our corrugated products manufacturing plants sold about 7.8 billion square feet (“bsf”) of corrugated products during the third quarter of 2010. Our corrugated products shipments remained strong, up 4.3% compared to the third quarter of 2009. Containerboard volume sold to domestic and export customers increased 12.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Sales prices of containerboard and corrugated products were higher than the third quarter of 2009 as a result of the January and April containerboard price increases and the pass-through of those price increases to corrugated products.

Recycled fiber prices decreased during the quarter, with average prices dropping approximately $10 per ton from the second quarter 2010 average price. However, more recent prices for recycled fiber have increased and the October published average price has increased approximately $20 per ton above the third quarter 2010 average price. Wood fiber costs continued to decrease resulting in 2010 third quarter costs lower than the first half of the year as weather and logging conditions improved throughout the U.S. South. Purchased fuel costs in the third quarter of 2010 remained in line with second quarter 2010 with prices paid for fuels increasing by less than 1%. Purchased electricity costs in the third quarter of 2010 rose about 6% above average second quarter 2010 costs, reflecting

As disclosed in Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company is a producer of black liquor, an alternative fuel. In a Chief Counsel’s Office of the Internal Revenue Service Memorandum AM2010-002 dated June 28, 2010, the IRS concluded that black liquor qualifies for the taxable cellulosic biofuel producer credit of $1.01 per gallon of biofuel produced in 2009. PCA received the required cellulosic biofuel producer registration code on September 13, 2010. In a Chief Counsel’s Office of the Internal Revenue Service Memorandum AM2010-004 dated October 5, 2010, the IRS concluded that a black liquor producer may claim the alternative fuel mixture credit and the cellulosic biofuel producer credit in the same taxable year for different volumes of black liquor (the same gallon of fuel cannot receive both credits, but different gallons of fuel can be claimed as either the alternative fuel mixture credit or the cellulosic biofuel producer credit).

Based upon both the IRS memorandums and guidance regarding the cellulosic biofuel producer credit, the Company analyzed the additional potential benefits from claiming the cellulosic biofuel producer credit for 2009 instead of the alternative fuel mixture credit, or claiming a combination of the two credits for 2009. For the 372 million gallons of alternative fuels produced in 2009, PCA claimed about two-thirds of the gallons as cellulosic biofuel producer credits and about one-third of the gallons as alternative fuel mixture credits. This resulted in additional net income of $33.4 million in the third quarter of 2010. As of September 30, 2010, PCA has remaining credits of $114.3 million to be used to offset future cash tax payments. See Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for a description of the alternative fuel mixture tax credits and the cellulosic biofuel producer credit.

Excluding the impact of the tax credits described above and asset disposal charges relating to our major energy projects at our linerboard mills and facility closure costs, we earned net income of $61.7 million ($0.60 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2010 compared with $25.3 million ($0.25 per diluted share) in the third quarter of 2009 and $113.3 million ($1.10 per diluted share) for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $79.7 million ($0.78 per diluted share) for the comparable period in 2009. We exclude those special items in presenting these measures and assessing our operating performance. Management uses these measures to focus on PCA’s on-going operations and assess its own performance and believes that it is useful to investors because it enables them to perform meaningful comparisons of past and present operating results. Reconciliations to the most comparable measure reported in accordance with GAAP are included elsewhere in this section under “Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to Reported Amounts.”

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of 2010, our earnings, excluding special items, are expected to be lower than the third quarter of 2010 due to seasonally lower volumes related in part to three less corrugated products shipping days as well as normal seasonality. Wood costs and energy costs are expected to be higher with colder weather, and recycled fiber costs have begun to tread up and are expected to be higher in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The historical results of operations of PCA for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are set forth below:

Net sales increased by $89.2 million, or 16.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from the comparable period in 2009, primarily as a result of increased sales prices ($61.3 million) and higher sales volumes ($27.9 million) of corrugated products and containerboard to third parties.

Corrugated products shipments for the third quarter increased 4.3% compared to the third quarter of 2009 both on a total basis and ashipments-per-workdaybasis. Total corrugated products volume sold for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased 0.3 billion square feet (“bsf”) to 7.8 bsf compared to 7.5 bsf in the third quarter of 2009. The third quarter of 2010 and 2009 both contained 64 workdays, which are those days not falling on a weekend or holiday. Containerboard volume sold to outside domestic and export customers increased 12.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. Containerboard mill production for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was 646,000 tons compared to 588,000 tons during the same period in 2009.

Income from operations decreased by $108.7 million, or 112.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. As noted in Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, PCA received the cellulosic biofuel producer registration in September 2010. As a result, income from operations was reduced primarily due to reversing a portion of our 2009 alternative fuel mixture credits out of income from operations ($111.9 million) in order to claim cellulosic biofuel producer credits which were recorded in the provision for income taxes ($145.8 million) in the third quarter of 2010. In addition, income from operations for the third quarter of 2009 included alternative fuel mixture credits ($47.1 million). Excluding the impact of tax credits and 2010 charges for a corrugated products plant closing and major energy project related asset disposals ($2.8 million in the aggregate), income from operations increased $53.1 million compared to third quarter 2009. Such increase primarily resulted from increased sales prices ($61.3 million) and volume ($10.9 million), partially offset by higher costs for recycled fiber ($4.9 million), wood fiber ($3.8 million), transportation ($3.6 million), labor and fringe benefits ($2.8 million), and other items which were individually insignificant.

Gross profit increased $55.9 million, or 50.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from the comparable period in 2009, primarily due to the sales price and volume increases described above. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 25.9% of net sales for third quarter 2010 compared to 20.0% in the third quarter of 2009. The increase was primarily due to the increases in sales prices and volume previously described.

Selling and administrative expenses increased $3.0 million, or 6.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, as a result of higher expenses related to salaries, including merit increases, new hires, and the timing and estimates of incentive compensation ($2.4 million), related fringe benefits ($0.2 million) and travel, entertainment and meeting costs ($0.4 million).

Corporate overhead increased $2.3 million, or 17.7%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, primarily due to increased salary and fringe benefits ($1.6 million) and increased expenses related to outside services for tax and human resource matters ($0.5 million).

Other expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased $0.3 million or 7.4% compared to the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to expense related to the closing of our Windsor, Colorado corrugated products plant during the quarter ($1.4 million) partially offset by a reduction of fixed asset disposal expense ($1.0 million).

Net interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 11.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of higher capitalized interest ($1.1 million) being recorded related to the Counce and Valdosta major energy optimization projects during the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

Due to the impact of recording the black liquor tax credits, PCA’s effective tax rate was -561.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 16.8% for the comparable period in 2009. Excluding the impact of the black

The historical results of operations of PCA for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are set forth below:

Net sales increased by $193.6 million, or 12.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the comparable period in 2009 primarily as a result of increased sales volumes of corrugated products and containerboard to third parties ($156.0 million) and higher average prices for the first nine months of 2010 ( $37.6 million) compared to the first nine months of 2009.

Septemberyear-to-date2010 corrugated products shipments increased 8.6%, or 1.9 bsf to 23.3 bsf compared to 21.4 bsf in the first nine months of 2009. On ashipments-per-workdaybasis, corrugated products volume increased 8.1% during the first three quarters of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The percentage increase, on ashipments-per-workdaybasis, was lower than on a total basis due to one more workday in the first nine months of 2010 (190 days), which are those days not falling on a weekend or holiday, than the first nine months of 2009 (189 days). Containerboard volume sold to domestic and export customers increased 21.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Containerboard mill production during the first three quarters of 2010 was approximately 1,804,000 tons compared to 1,658,000 tons produced during the comparable period in 2009.

Income from operations decreased by $192.6 million, or 68.4%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As noted in Note 15 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, PCA received the cellulosic biofuel producer registration in September 2010. As a result, income from operations was reduced primarily due to reversing a portion of our 2009 alternative fuel mixture credits out of income from operations ($111.9 million) in order to claim cellulosic biofuel producer credits which were recorded in the provision for income taxes ($145.8 million) in the third quarter of 2010. In addition, income from operations for the nine months ended September 30 included alternative fuel mixture credits in the amounts of $126.8 million in 2009 and $9.2 million in 2010. Excluding the impact of tax credits, energy project related asset disposals ($5.0 million in 2010) and 2010 charges for two plant closings ($3.4 million), income from operations increased $45.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in income from operations was primarily attributable to increased sales volume ($50.6 million), sales prices ($37.6 million) and lower average energy costs ($9.8 million) partially offset by

Gross profit increased $45.9 million, or 13.5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the comparable period in 2009. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 21.0% of net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to 21.3% of net sales in the first nine months of 2010 due primarily to the higher sales volume and prices previously described.

Selling and administrative expenses increased $5.8 million, or 4.5%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, primarily as a result of higher expenses for salaries ($3.2 million), related fringe benefits ($0.8 million), travel, entertainment and meetings ($1.1 million), and broker commissions ($0.6 million).

Corporate overhead for the first nine months of 2010 increased $1.5 million or 3.5% compared to the same period in 2009, primarily due to increased expenses for outside services related to tax, human resource and audit matters ($0.6 million), meetings, travel and entertainment ($0.5 million), and compensation ($0.4 million).

Other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased $1.8 million or 14.9% above other expense for the first nine months of 2009, primarily due to costs to close the Ackerman, Mississippi sawmill in the first quarter of 2010 ($2.0 million) and our Windsor, Colorado corrugated products plant in the third quarter of 2010 ($1.4 million) partially offset by lower expenses related to legal matters ($1.7 million).

Net interest expense decreased $1.8 million, or 6.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of higher capitalized interest ($2.1 million) being recorded related to the Counce and Valdosta major energy optimization projects during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

Due to the impact of recording the black liquor tax credits, PCA’s effective tax rate was — 134.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 18.8% for the comparable period in 2009. Excluding the impact of the black liquor credits, the effective tax rate would have been 35.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 37.9% for the comparable period in 2009. The effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% principally due to the impact of the alternative fuel mixture tax credit and the cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit, state and local income taxes, and the domestic manufacturers’ deduction. The Company had no material changes to its uncertain tax positions under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” during the first nine months of 2010.

The following table presents a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented:

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $211.0 million compared to $209.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $1.7 million, or 0.8%. Net income, excluding the income from the tax credits (described in Note 15 to the financial statements included in this report) of $42.7 million in 2010 and $127.5 million in 2009, was $107.9 million and $79.7 million, respectively, for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, an increase of $28.2 million that increased net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, more alternative fuel mixture and cellulosic biofuel producer tax credits ($34.3 million) were used to reduce federal tax payments during the first nine months of 2010 compared to

Net cash used for investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased $158.0 million, or 214.6%, to $231.7 million, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was primarily related to higher additions to property, plant and equipment of $162.3 million, which included $135.0 million for the major energy optimization projects at our linerboard mills, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Partially offsetting this increase was a $3.1 million acquisition completed during the third quarter of 2009.

Net cash used for financing activities totaled $67.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, a difference of $6.5 million, or 10.7%, compared to the same period in 2009. The difference was primarily attributable to repurchases of PCA common stock of $24.8 million during the nine months of 2010, partially offset by lower common stock dividends paid of $15.1 million and higher proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $2.6 million during the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

PCA’s primary sources of liquidity are net cash provided by operating activities, borrowings under PCA’s revolving credit facility, and additional borrowings under PCA’s receivables credit facility. As of September 30, 2010, PCA had $172.2 million in unused borrowing capacity under its existing credit agreements, net of the impact on this borrowing capacity of $18.8 million of outstanding letters of credit. Currently, PCA’s primary uses of cash are for operations, capital expenditures, debt service and declared common stock dividends, which it expects to be able to fund from these sources.

The following table provides the outstanding balances and the weighted average interest rates as of September 30, 2010 for PCA’s revolving credit facility, the receivables credit facility, and the senior notes:

The above table excludes unamortized debt discount of $1.0 million at September 30, 2010. It also excludes from the projected annual cash interest payments, the non-cash income from the annual amortization of the $22.8 million received in July 2003 and the non-cash expense from the annual amortization of the $4.4 million paid in March 2008 to settle the treasury locks related to the 53/4% senior notes due 2013 and 61/2% senior notes due 2018. The amortization is being recognized over the terms of the 53/4% senior notes due 2013 and 61/2% senior notes due 2018 and is included in interest expense, net.

On April 14, 2010, PCA extended its $150.0 million receivables-backed credit facility through March 1, 2011.

The instruments governing PCA’s indebtedness contain financial and other covenants that limit, among other things, the ability of PCA and its subsidiaries to:

These limitations could limit corporate and operating activities.

In addition, PCA must maintain minimum net worth and maximum debt to total capitalization and minimum interest coverage ratios under the revolving credit facility. A failure to comply with the restrictions contained in the revolving credit facility could lead to an event of default, which could result in an acceleration of any outstanding indebtednessand/orprohibit PCA from drawing on the revolving credit facility. Such an acceleration may also constitute an event of default under the senior notes indentures and the receivables credit facility. As of September 30, 2010, PCA was in compliance with these covenants.

PCA currently expects to incur capital expenditures of $310.0-$320.0 million in 2010, including up to $180.0 million for major energy optimization projects at its Counce and Valdosta mills. The remaining$130.0-$140.0 millionin expenditures will be used primarily for maintenance capital, cost reduction, business growth and environmental compliance. As of September 30, 2010, PCA spent $230.9 million for capital expenditures and had committed to spend an additional $183.4 million in the remainder of 2010 and beyond.

PCA believes that net cash generated from operating activities, available cash reserves, alternative energy tax credits, available borrowings under its committed credit facilities and available capital through access to capital markets will be adequate to meet its liquidity and capital requirements, including payments of any declared common stock dividends, for the foreseeable future. As its debt or credit facilities become due, PCA will need to repay, extend or replace such facilities, which will be subject to future economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond PCA’s control.

Net income and diluted earnings per share excluding special items are non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable measure reported in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 follow:

PCA is exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and changes in the market value of its financial instruments. PCA periodically enters into derivatives in order to minimize these risks, but not for trading purposes. For a discussion of derivatives and hedging activities, see Note 10 to PCA’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

The interest rates on approximately 84% of PCA’s debt are fixed. A one percent increase in interest rates related to variable rate debt would have resulted in an increase in interest expense and a corresponding decrease in income before taxes of $1.1 million annually. In the event of a change in interest rates, management could take actions to mitigate its exposure to the change. However, due to the uncertainty of the specific actions that would be taken and their possible effects, the sensitivity analysis assumes no changes in PCA’s financial structure.

PCA is subject to, and must comply with, a variety of federal, state and local environmental laws, particularly those relating to air and water quality, waste disposal and the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater. The most significant of these laws affecting the Company are:

PCA believes that it is currently in material compliance with these and all applicable environmental rules and regulations. Because environmental regulations are constantly evolving, the Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, costs to maintain compliance with these and other environmental laws. PCA works diligently to anticipate and budget for the impact of applicable environmental regulations, and does not currently expect that future environmental compliance obligations will materially affect its business or financial condition.

PCA does not believe that inflation has had a material impact on its financial position or results of operations during the three- and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2010 and 2009.

PCA does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2010 that would require disclosure under SEC FR-67, “Disclosure in Management’s Discussion and Analysis About Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement and Aggregate Contractual Obligations.”

Management’s discussion and analysis of PCA’s financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, PCA evaluates its estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, pensions and other postretirement benefits, income taxes, contingencies and litigation. PCA bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

PCA has included in its Annual Report onForm 10-Kfor the year ended December 31, 2009, a discussion of its critical accounting policies which it believes affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. PCA has not made any changes in any of these critical accounting policies during the first nine months of 2010.

Some of the statements in this Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q,and in particular, statements found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are often identified by the words “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “hope,” or similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. These factors, risks and uncertainties include the following:

Our actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements, and accordingly, we can give no assurances that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do occur, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. In view of these uncertainties, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements that have been made to reflect the occurrence of events after the date hereof. For a discussion of other factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors included in our Annual Report onForm 10-Kfor the year ended December 31, 2009.

For a discussion of market risks related to PCA, see Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk and Risk Management Policies” in this Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q.

PCA maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined inRule 13a-15(e)of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in PCA’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to PCA’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Prior to filing this report, PCA completed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of PCA’s management, including PCA’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2010. The evaluation of PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures included a review of the controls’ objectives and design, PCA’s implementation of the controls and the effect of the controls on the information generated for use in this report. Based on this evaluation, PCA’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that PCA’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2010.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, there were no changes in internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, PCA’s internal control over financial reporting.

During September and October 2010, PCA and eight other U.S. and Canadian containerboard producers were named as defendants in five purported class action lawsuits filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, alleging violations of the Sherman Act. Four of the suits have been designated as related; PCA experts that the fifth complaint will be so designated as well. The complaints allege that the defendants conspired to limit the supply of containerboard, and that the purpose and effect of the alleged conspiracy was to artificially increase prices of containerboard products during the period of August 2005 to the time of filing of the complaints. The complaints were filed as purported class action suits on behalf of all purchasers of containerboard products during such period. The complaint seeks treble damages and costs, including attorney’s fees. PCA believes the allegations are without merit and will defend this lawsuit vigorously.

PCA is a party to various other legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business. These legal actions cover a broad variety of claims spanning our entire business. As of the date of this filing, we believe it is not reasonably possible that the resolution of these legal actions will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report onForm 10-Kfor the year ended December 31, 2009.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock repurchases in the third quarter of 2010: