UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission File No.: 000-51826
MERCER INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Washington
47-0956945
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
Suite 1120, 700 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 1G8
(Address of office)
(604) 684-1099
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
MERC
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ NO ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ NO ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “non-accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ☐ NO ☒
The Registrant had 66,982,506 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 5, 2026.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2026
(Unaudited)
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 2
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
Revenues
$
489,304
506,974
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization
452,985
430,247
Cost of sales depreciation and amortization
40,666
40,290
Selling, general and administrative expenses
28,545
29,704
Operating income (loss)
(32,892
)
6,733
Other income (expenses)
Interest expense
(29,101
(28,155
1,820
(185
Total other expenses, net
(27,281
(28,340
Loss before income taxes
(60,173
(21,607
Income tax recovery (provision)
8,177
(732
Net loss
(51,996
(22,339
Net loss per common share
Basic
(0.78
(0.33
Diluted
Dividends declared per common share
—
0.075
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Loss related to defined benefit pension plans, net of tax
(477
(262
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(21,996
34,337
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(22,473
34,075
Total comprehensive income (loss)
(74,469
11,736
See accompanying Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 3
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
March 31,2026
December 31,2025
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
84,541
186,805
Restricted cash
5,000
Accounts receivable, net
329,070
298,889
Inventories
366,024
359,401
Prepaid expenses and other
50,117
20,707
Total current assets
834,752
865,802
Property, plant and equipment, net
1,068,595
1,115,490
Amortizable intangible assets, net
26,247
26,110
Operating lease right-of-use assets
6,307
6,818
Pension asset
12,758
12,975
Deferred income tax assets
7,586
7,839
Other long-term assets
7,591
6,386
Total assets
1,963,836
2,041,420
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other
275,705
269,217
Pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations
732
745
Current debt
108,339
13,664
Total current liabilities
384,776
283,626
Long-term debt
1,509,588
1,605,144
10,607
10,392
Operating lease liabilities
3,463
3,858
Deferred income tax liabilities
49,084
58,298
Other long-term liabilities
11,856
12,042
Total liabilities
1,969,374
1,973,360
Shareholders’ equity
Common shares $1 par value; 200,000,000 authorized; 66,983,000 issued and outstanding (2025 – 66,983,000)
66,871
Additional paid-in capital
366,228
365,357
Accumulated deficit
(329,012
(277,016
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(109,625
(87,152
Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)
(5,538
68,060
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 4
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common shares
Three Months Ended March 31:
Number(thousands of shares)
Amount,at ParValue
AdditionalPaid-inCapital
RetainedEarnings (Accumulated Deficit)
AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveLoss
TotalShareholders’Equity (Deficit)
Balance as of December 31, 2025
66,983
Stock compensation expense
871
Other comprehensive loss
Balance as of March 31, 2026
Balance as of December 31, 2024
66,850
362,782
230,912
(230,769
429,775
855
Dividends declared
(5,015
Other comprehensive income
Balance as of March 31, 2025
363,637
203,558
(196,694
437,351
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 5
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash flows from (used in) operating activities
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation and amortization
40,740
40,355
Deferred income tax recovery
(8,009
(9,506
Inventory impairment
22,000
Defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plan expense (income)
(79
169
788
1,006
Foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)
(4,640
8,418
Other
(212
1,628
Changes in working capital
Accounts receivable
(32,032
(16,798
(35,130
(6,891
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
12,666
28,432
(29,762
(27,463
Net cash used in operating activities
(85,666
(2,989
Cash flows from (used in) investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(13,166
(20,082
341
222
Net cash used in investing activities
(12,825
(19,860
Cash flows from (used in) financing activities
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities, net
5,848
21,754
Payment of finance lease obligations
(3,563
(2,508
(527
Net cash from financing activities
1,758
19,246
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(531
151
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(97,264
(3,452
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period
184,925
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period
89,541
181,473
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
Cash paid for interest
25,047
25,026
Cash paid for income taxes
16,912
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Leased production and other equipment
3,402
1,388
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 6
NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
The Interim Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein include the accounts of Mercer International Inc. (“Mercer Inc.”) and all of its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”). Mercer Inc. owns 100% of its subsidiaries. The Company’s shares of common stock are quoted and listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
The Interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31, 2025 was derived from the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not contain all of the footnote disclosures from the annual Consolidated Financial Statements. The footnote disclosure included herein has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted for interim financial statements in the United States (“GAAP”). The unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements should be read together with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. In the opinion of the Company, the unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein have been prepared on a consistent basis with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods included. The results for the periods included herein may not be indicative of the results for the entire year.
In these Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are expressed in United States dollars (“U.S. dollars” or “$”). The symbol “€” refers to euros and the symbol “C$” refers to Canadian dollars.
Liquidity and Debt Covenants
As of March 31, 2026, the Company’s German subsidiaries that are borrowers under the German revolving credit facility did not meet the required leverage ratio thereunder. A waiver dated May 4, 2026, was received with respect to the leverage ratio covenant, effective through September 30, 2026. For additional disclosure, see Debt Note 5 (b).
Management currently believes that its existing cash balances, anticipated cash flows from operations and available capacity under its credit facilities will be sufficient to meet its liquidity requirements for at least the next 12 months from the issuance date of these financial statements. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had current assets of $834,752 and current liabilities of $384,776. These liabilities include the Canadian joint revolving credit facility, which matures in January 2027. Refinancing negotiations have begun for this facility and are expected to be completed before maturity. Alternatively, management currently believes that the Company maintains sufficient global liquidity to settle the amount due under the Canadian joint revolving credit facility, if necessary.
Management’s forecasts for covenant compliance and its ability to maintain access to capital distributions rely on various factors, including underlying market and operational estimates and assumptions. As actual results may vary, there can be no assurance that these forecasted outcomes will be realized. It is possible a change in these estimates and assumptions could impact future covenant compliance, which would materially impact the Company’s liquidity.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant management judgment is required in determining the accounting for, among other things, future cash flows associated with the Company’s debt covenant compliance and related debt classification and impairment testing for long-lived assets, depreciation and amortization, pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, deferred income taxes (valuation allowance and permanent reinvestment), revenues under long-term contracts, inventory impairment, legal liabilities and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known.
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 7
Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted
Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses
In November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2024-03, which expands disclosures about specific expense categories presented on the face of the statement of operations and addresses requests from investors for more detailed information about the types of expenses (including purchases of inventory, employee compensation, and depreciation and amortization) in commonly presented expense captions (such as cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses). ASU 2024-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods thereafter with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2024-03.
Note 2. Supplemental Financial Statement Information
The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported on the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total amount presented in the Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Restricted cash (a)
Note 3. Inventories
Inventories as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, were comprised of the following:
Raw materials
104,745
92,885
Finished goods
114,803
118,674
Spare parts and other
146,476
147,842
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company recorded inventory impairment charges of $15,100 against raw materials inventory and $6,900 against finished goods inventory as a result of low pulp prices and high fiber costs. The inventory impairment charges are included in “Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization” in the Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations.
For the three months ended March 31, 2025, there were no inventory impairment charges recorded.
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 8
Note 4. Accounts Payable and Other
Accounts payable and other as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, was comprised of the following:
March 31,
December 31,
Trade payables
72,829
72,046
Accrued expenses
95,167
85,720
Interest payable
34,663
32,946
Income tax payable
10,313
11,099
Payroll-related accruals
25,471
25,156
Deposits for mass timber sales contracts (a)
11,999
16,434
Wastewater fee (b)
12,073
10,570
Operating lease liability
2,976
3,097
10,214
12,149
Note 5. Debt
Debt as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, was comprised of the following:
Maturity
Senior notes (a)
12.875% senior notes
2028
400,000
5.125% senior notes
2029
875,000
Credit arrangements
€370.1 million German joint revolving credit facility (b)
2027
201,215
200,925
C$160.0 million Canadian joint revolving credit facility (c)
94,338
94,758
€2.6 million demand loan (d)
C$20 million standby letters of credit facility (e)
Finance lease liability
53,563
54,873
Less: unamortized senior note issuance costs
(6,189
(6,748
1,617,927
1,618,808
Less current portion of debt:
(14,001
(13,664
Canadian joint revolving credit facility
(94,338
(108,339
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 9
The maturities of the long-term principal portion of the senior notes and credit arrangements as of March 31, 2026 were as follows:
Senior Notes and Credit Arrangements
1,476,215
Certain of the Company’s debt instruments were issued under agreements which, among other things, may limit its ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to make certain payments, including dividends. These limitations are subject to specific exceptions. As of March 31, 2026, the Company was in compliance with the terms of its debt agreements with the exception of a financial covenant under its German joint revolving credit facility. Refer to (b) below for additional details.
The 2029 Senior Notes can be redeemed at 100.00% of their principal amount. The following table presents theredemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) and the redemption periods of the 2028Senior Notes:
2028 Senior Notes
12 Month Period Beginning
Percentage
October 1, 2025
106.438%
October 1, 2026
103.219%
October 1, 2027 and thereafter
100.000%
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 10
Debt Covenants and Waiver
As of March 31, 2026, the Company’s German subsidiaries that are borrowers under the German revolving credit facility did not meet the required leverage ratio thereunder. A waiver dated May 4, 2026, was received with respect to the leverage ratio covenant for the first three quarters of 2026, such that the leverage ratio financial covenant will not be required to be tested until the Calculation Date (as defined in the German joint revolving credit facility) occurring on December 31, 2026 (and thereafter). Based on this waiver and management’s assessment of the probability of meeting the required leverage ratio and complying with other covenants at subsequent compliance dates within the next year, the amount due under this facility remains classified as non-current in the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet. Under the terms of the waiver, distributions to the parent entity are prohibited until September 30, 2026 (subject to limited exceptions). Additionally, certain covenants were modified, one of which limits facility utilization to €300.0 million while the leverage ratio exceeds 2.00:1.00. The waiver also provides for, among other things, modifications to the existing variable margin to a range of 2.50% to 4.25% depending on prescribed leverage ratios, and creates additional events of default such as cross-defaults to certain of the Company’s other indebtedness, including the outstanding Senior Notes and Canadian joint revolving credit facility, and provides other ancillary lender protections. As of March 31, 2026, adjusting for the utilization limit, approximately €109.4 million ($125,832) was available for future draws. Non-compliance with the leverage ratio covenant addressed pursuant to the waiver did not and does not trigger any cross-default provisions under the Company’s other debt agreements.
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 11
Note 6. Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Obligations
Defined Benefit Plans
Pension benefits are based on employees’ earnings and years of service. The defined benefit plans are funded by contributions from the Company based on actuarial estimates and statutory requirements. The components of the net benefit costs for the Celgar and Peace River defined benefit plans, in aggregate for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were as follows:
Pension
Other Post-RetirementBenefits
Service cost
649
22
647
34
Interest cost
1,084
107
980
108
Expected return on plan assets
(1,464
(1,338
Amortization of unrecognized items
(286
(191
(81
(181
Net benefit costs (gains)
(17
(62
208
(39
The components of the net benefit costs (gains) other than service cost are recorded in “Other income (expenses)” in the Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amortization of unrecognized items relates to actuarial losses (gains) and prior service costs.
Defined Contribution Plan
Effective December 31, 2008, the defined benefit plans at the Celgar mill were closed to new members and the service accrual ceased. Effective January 1, 2009, the members began to receive pension benefits, at a fixed contractual rate, under a new defined contribution plan. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company made contributions of $447 to this plan (2025 – $211).
Multiemployer Plan
The Company participates in a multiemployer plan for the hourly-paid employees at the Celgar mill. The contributions to the plan are determined based on a percentage of pensionable earnings pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. The Company has no current or future contribution obligations in excess of the contractual contributions. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company made contributions of $550 to this plan (2025 – $706).
Note 7. Income Taxes
The U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate and the Company’s effective income tax rate are as follows:
U.S. Federal statutory rate
21.0%
Effective income tax rate
13.6%
(3.4%)
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 12
The differences between the 21% U.S. Federal statutory rate and the effective income tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, were driven by changes in valuation allowances, the tax benefit of a partnership structure, the effect of foreign earnings and adjustments to the estimated annual effective tax rate.
Note 8. Shareholders’ Equity
Stock Based Compensation
The Company’s stock incentive plan consists of stock options, restricted stock units, deferred stock units (“DSUs”), restricted shares, performance shares, performance share units (“PSUs”) and stock appreciation rights. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, there were no issued and outstanding stock options, performance shares or stock appreciation rights. As of March 31, 2026, after factoring in all allocated shares and the forfeiture of 1.21 million PSUs during the three months ended March 31, 2026, there remain approximately 4.3 million common shares available for grant.
Note 9. Net Loss Per Common Share
The reconciliation of basic and diluted net loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was as follows:
Basic and diluted
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (a)
66,964,534
66,893,083
The calculation of diluted net loss per common share does not assume the exercise of any instruments that would have an anti-dilutive effect on net loss per common share. Non-vested instruments excluded from the calculation of net loss per common share because they were anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 were as follows:
PSUs
3,180,482
5,169,040
Restricted shares
111,732
21,054
RSUs
274,220
Equity DSUs
101,956
50,397
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 13
Note 10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The change in the accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (net of tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was as follows:
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Items
Total
(116,638
29,486
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified
(138,634
29,009
(249,997
19,228
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
(215,660
18,966
Note 11. Related Party Transactions
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, services from the Company’s 20% owned logging and chipping operation were $2,395 (2025 – $2,969) and as of March 31, 2026, the Company had a payable balance to the operation of $439 (December 31, 2025 – receivable of $1,077).
For the three months ended March 31, 2026, services from the Company’s 26% owned wood purchasing operation were $1,353 (2025 – $2,229) and as of March 31, 2026, the Company had a payable balance to the operation of $643 (December 31, 2025 – $nil).
Note 12. Segment Information
The Company is managed based on the primary products it manufactures: pulp and solid wood, whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (the “CODM”) to assess segment performance and to make decisions about resource allocation. The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. Accordingly, the Company’s four pulp mills are aggregated into the pulp segment. The Friesau sawmill, the Torgau facility and the mass timber facilities are aggregated into the solid wood segment.
Revenues between segments are accounted for at prices that approximate fair value. These include revenues from the sale of residual fiber from the solid wood segment to the pulp segment for use in the pulp production process and from the sale of residual fuel from the pulp segment to the solid wood segment for use in energy production.
The CODM uses net income (loss) before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization and impairments of long-lived assets (“Segment Operating EBITDA”) as the primary measure in its review of segment operating performance, using the measure to assess segment trends and identify strategies to improve the allocation of resources among the reportable segments.
Total assets and the income or loss items following Segment Operating EBITDA, other than depreciation, amortization and impairment of long-lived assets, are not allocated to the segments, as those items are reviewed separately by management.
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 14
Information about certain segment data for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 was as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2026
Pulp
Solid Wood
Total of Segments (a)
Revenues from external customers
344,983
131,742
476,725
Intersegment revenues
762
12,706
13,468
345,745
144,448
490,193
Less segment expenses:
Fiber
173,094
80,044
Maintenance (b)
23,481
9,235
Freight
36,827
14,930
Labor (c)
24,838
16,657
Chemicals
31,803
Energy
14,256
8,411
Other (d)
34,549
20,802
Segment Operating EBITDA
6,897
(5,631
1,266
11,741
1,422
13,163
Reconciliation to loss before income taxes
Total of segments’ Segment Operating EBITDA
Segment depreciation and amortization
(25,838
(14,790
(40,628
Other income
Corporate items and eliminations
6,470
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 15
Corporate and Other
Consolidated
Revenues from external customers by major products
319,170
Lumber
60,091
Energy and chemicals
25,813
5,598
525
31,936
Manufactured products (a)
21,041
Pallets
29,860
Biofuels (b)
12,180
Wood residuals
2,972
12,054
15,026
Total revenues from external customers
12,579
Revenues from external customers by geography (c)
U.S.
35,994
42,042
78,036
Foreign countries
Germany
71,167
58,106
129,273
China
155,603
404
156,007
Other countries
82,219
31,190
125,988
308,989
89,700
411,268
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 16
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
381,080
122,720
503,800
344
10,021
10,365
381,424
132,741
514,165
138,284
66,368
41,966
9,193
35,432
13,324
24,193
14,647
28,061
14,407
8,424
49,209
21,077
49,872
(292
49,580
13,760
6,281
20,041
(28,222
(11,960
(40,182
Other expenses
(2,665
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 17
356,964
65,386
24,116
4,866
3,174
32,156
18,824
23,177
9,224
1,243
38,848
47,310
642
86,800
77,058
46,629
161
123,848
137,570
393
137,963
127,604
28,388
2,371
158,363
342,232
75,410
2,532
420,174
Note 13. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement
Due to their short-term maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable and other approximates their fair value. The estimated fair values of the Company’s outstanding debt under the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025 were as follows:
Fair value measurements as of
March 31, 2026 using:
Description
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Revolving credit facilities
295,553
Senior notes
707,528
1,003,081
December 31, 2025 using:
295,683
868,137
1,163,820
The carrying value of the revolving credit facilities classified as Level 2 approximates the fair value as the variable interest rates reflect current interest rates for financial instruments with similar characteristics and maturities.
The fair value of the senior notes classified as Level 2 was determined using quoted prices in a dealer market, or using recent market transactions. The Company’s senior notes are not carried at fair value in the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2026 or December 31, 2025. However, fair value disclosure is required. The carrying value of the Company’s senior notes, net of unamortized note issuance costs, was $1,268,811 as of March 31, 2026 (December 31, 2025 – $1,268,252).
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 18
Credit Risk
The Company’s exposure to credit losses may increase if its customers’ production and other costs are adversely affected by inflation, interest rate levels and tariffs. Although the Company has historically not experienced significant credit losses, it is possible that there could be a material adverse impact from potential adjustments of the carrying amount of trade receivables if the cash flows of the Company’s customers are adversely impacted by inflation, interest rate levels and tariffs. As of March 31, 2026, the Company has not had significant credit losses.
As of March 31, 2026, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents of $84,541, restricted cash of $5,000, and accounts receivable of $329,070 recorded in the Interim Consolidated Balance Sheet, net of any allowances for losses, represent the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk.
Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 19
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains “non-GAAP financial measures”, that is, financial measures that either exclude or include amounts that are not excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, referred to as “GAAP”. Specifically, we make use of the non-GAAP financial measure “Operating EBITDA”.
We define Operating EBITDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and long-lived asset impairment charges.
We use Operating EBITDA as a benchmark measurement of our own operating results and as a benchmark relative to our competitors. We consider it to be a meaningful supplement to operating income (loss) as a performance measure primarily because depreciation expense and long-lived asset impairment charges are not actual cash costs, and depreciation expense varies widely from company to company in a manner that we consider largely independent of the underlying cost efficiency of our operating facilities. In addition, we believe Operating EBITDA is commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate our financial performance.
Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss), including financing costs, income taxes and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or operating income (loss) as a measure of performance, or as an alternative to net cash from (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA is an internal measure and therefore may not be comparable to other companies.
Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are that Operating EBITDA does not reflect: (i) our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (ii) changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; (iii) the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our outstanding debt; (iv) the impact of realized or marked-to-market changes in our derivative positions, which can be substantial; and (v) the impact of impairment charges against our investments or long-lived assets. Because of these limitations, Operating EBITDA should only be considered as a supplemental performance measure and should not be considered as a measure of liquidity or cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Because all companies do not calculate Operating EBITDA in the same manner, Operating EBITDA as calculated by us may differ from Operating EBITDA or EBITDA as calculated by other companies. We compensate for these limitations by using Operating EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance and by relying primarily on our GAAP financial statements.
Operating EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure at the consolidated level and is considered different from Operating EBITDA at the segment level, referred to as “Segment Operating EBITDA”, which is our single measure of segment profit or loss presented in our financial statements under GAAP. For more information on Segment Operating EBITDA, refer to the segment information note within our consolidated financial statements.
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 20
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In this document: (i) unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” or “Mercer” mean Mercer International Inc. and its subsidiaries; (ii) references to “Mercer Inc.” mean the Company excluding its subsidiaries; (iii) information is provided as of March 31, 2026, unless otherwise stated; (iv) our reporting currency is dollars and references to “€” mean euros and “C$” mean Canadian dollars; (v) “ADMTs” mean air-dried metric tonnes; (vi) “CLT” mean cross-laminated timber; (vii) “glulam” mean glue-laminated timber; (viii) “m3” mean cubic meters; (ix) “NBSK” mean northern bleached softwood kraft; (x) “NBHK” mean northern bleached hardwood kraft; (xi) “MW” mean megawatts and “MWh” mean megawatt hours; (xii) “Mfbm” mean thousand board feet of lumber and “MMfbm” mean million board feet of lumber; and (xiii) our lumber metrics are converted from m3 to Mfbm using a conversion ratio of 1.6 m3 of lumber equaling one Mfbm, which is the ratio commonly used in the industry.
Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this report may not add up precisely to totals we provide and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figure.
The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition for the three months ended March 31, 2026 should be read in conjunction with our Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in this quarterly report, as well as our most recent annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, referred to as the “SEC”.
Results of Operations
General
We have two reportable operating segments:
Each segment offers primarily different products and requires different manufacturing processes, technology and sales and marketing.
Current Market Environment
In the first quarter of 2026, our NBSK pulp sales realization was relatively steady compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. While European third-party published list prices increased, this was offset by higher discounts. The Chinese market continued to be pressured by an oversupplied paper sector and weak demand linked to economic and trade uncertainties. Similarly, North American prices were tempered by excess regional inventory. Conversely, our NBHK pulp sales realizations increased as a result of higher prices driven by stronger demand and lower inventory levels.
In the first quarter of 2026, our lumber sales realizations were relatively stable in both the U.S. and Europe compared to the fourth quarter of 2025.
As of March 31, 2026, the third-party industry quoted NBSK pulp list prices in Europe and North America were approximately $1,655 per ADMT and $1,590 per ADMT, respectively, and the third-party industry quoted NBSK pulp net price in China was approximately $675 per ADMT. Prices for China are net of discounts, allowances and rebates.
In the second quarter of 2026, we currently expect NBSK pulp prices to modestly increase in all our markets and NBHK pulp prices to be relatively steady.
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In the second quarter of 2026, we currently expect lumber prices to remain stable in Europe and modestly increase in the U.S. due to lower supply. In the second quarter of 2026, we anticipate pallet prices to remain flat due to continued weak economic conditions in Europe and mass timber prices to remain relatively steady.
Per unit fiber costs for the pulp and solid wood segments increased in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the fourth quarter of 2025 driven by supply constraints and strong demand. For the second quarter of 2026, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to stabilize as improved availability is offset by strong demand.
Summary Financial Highlights
(in thousands, other than per share amounts)
Statement of Operations Data
Pulp segment
Solid wood segment
Corporate and other
Total revenues
Pulp Segment Operating EBITDA(1)
Solid wood Segment Operating EBITDA(1)
6,582
(2,492
Operating EBITDA(2)
7,848
47,088
Common shares outstanding at period end
(in thousands)
Income tax provision (recovery)
(8,177
29,101
28,155
Other expenses (income)
(1,820
185
Add: Depreciation and amortization
Operating EBITDA
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Selected Production, Sales and Other Data
Pulp Segment
Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)
NBSK
362.5
370.4
NBHK
103.2
88.5
Annual maintenance downtime ('000 ADMTs)
29.7
Annual maintenance downtime (days)
Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)
385.1
388.1
85.6
89.8
Average NBSK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)
Europe
1,618
1,550
685
793
North America
1,563
1,753
Average NBHK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)
595
578
1,338
1,268
Average pulp sales realizations ($/ADMT)(2)
696
783
564
570
Energy production ('000 MWh)
544.6
527.1
Energy sales ('000 MWh)
179.3
198.7
Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)
123
Solid Wood Segment
Production (MMfbm)
115.9
128.0
Sales (MMfbm)
112.1
130.9
Average sales realizations ($/Mfbm)
536
499
Production and sales ('000 MWh)
38.0
36.0
Average sales realizations ($/MWh)
147
135
Manufactured products(3)
Production ('000 m3)
7.9
7.1
Sales ('000 m3)
10.7
5.9
Average sales realizations ($/m3)
1,801
2,832
Production ('000 units)
2,433.3
2,096.4
Sales ('000 units)
2,381.3
2,128.8
Average sales realizations ($/unit)
13
11
Biofuels(4)
Production ('000 tonnes)
35.4
44.5
Sales ('000 tonnes)
38.1
40.3
Average sales realizations ($/tonne)
320
229
Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates
$ / €(5)
1.1701
1.0531
$ / C$(5)
0.7292
0.6969
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Consolidated – Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Total revenues for the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 3% to $489.3 million from $507.0 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease was primarily due to lower pulp sales realizations partially offset by modestly higher sales realizations from our other products.
Costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 4% to $522.2 million from $500.2 million in the same period of 2025. This increase was primarily due to the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated costs and expenses and higher per unit fiber costs partially offset by lower maintenance costs. In the first quarter of 2026, costs and expenses included a non-cash inventory impairment charge of $22.0 million against pulp and fiber inventory as a result of low pulp prices and high fiber costs.
In the first quarter of 2026, cost of sales depreciation and amortization was relatively steady at $40.7 million compared to $40.3 million in the same period of 2025.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were relatively flat at $28.5 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $29.7 million in the same period of 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, we had a negative foreign exchange impact of approximately $21.5 million on our operating loss compared to the same period of 2025. This negative impact was primarily due to the effect of a weaker dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated costs and expenses.
In the first quarter of 2026, our operating loss was $32.9 million compared to an operating income of $6.7 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease was primarily due to lower pulp sales realizations, higher per unit fiber costs and the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar partially offset by lower maintenance costs. In the first quarter of 2026, our operating loss also included a non-cash inventory impairment charge of $22.0 million.
Interest expense in the first quarter of 2026 was relatively steady at $29.1 million compared to $28.2 million in the same period of 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, other income was $1.8 million compared to other expenses of $0.2 million in the same period of 2025. Other income in the first quarter of 2026 primarily consisted of interest earned on cash. In the same period of 2025, other expenses primarily consisted of foreign exchange losses on dollar denominated cash held at our operations as the dollar weakened against the euro at the end of the period mostly offset by interest earned on cash in the quarter.
During the first quarter of 2026, we had an income tax recovery of $8.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 14%, and in the same period of 2025, we had an income tax provision of $0.7 million on a loss before income tax of $21.6 million. Our effective tax rates were different from the statutory rates of the jurisdictions in which we operate as we do not recognize tax recoveries for certain entities which we do not expect to realize a tax benefit.
In the first quarter of 2026, our net loss was $52.0 million, or $0.78 per share, compared to $22.3 million, or $0.33 per share in the same period of 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, Operating EBITDA decreased to $7.8 million from $47.1 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease primarily resulted from lower pulp sales realizations, higher per unit fiber costs, and the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar partially offset by lower maintenance costs. In the first quarter of 2026, our Operating EBITDA also included a non-cash inventory impairment charge of $22.0 million.
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Pulp Segment – Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Selected Financial Information
Pulp revenues
Energy and chemical revenues
Segment Operating EBITDA(1)
Pulp segment revenues, comprised of pulp, energy and chemical revenues, in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 9% to $345.0 million from $381.1 million in the same period of 2025 driven by lower pulp revenues.
Pulp revenues in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 11% to $319.2 million from $357.0 million in the same period of 2025 primarily as a result of lower sales realizations.
Energy and chemical revenues in the first quarter of 2026 were relatively stable at $25.8 million compared to $24.1 million in the same period of 2025.
Total pulp production in the first quarter of 2026 was relatively flat at 465,717 ADMTs compared to 458,909 ADMTs in the same period of 2025. There was no planned maintenance downtime in the first quarter of 2026, compared to 22 days (approximately 29,700 ADMTs) at our Celgar mill in the same period of 2025. This benefit was mostly offset by the impact of reduced production at our German mills due to fiber supply constraints in Europe.
There is currently no annual maintenance downtime planned for our pulp mills in the second quarter of 2026.
Pulp sales volumes in the first quarter of 2026 were relatively steady at 470,700 ADMTs compared to 477,879 ADMTs in the same period of 2025, consistent with the relatively flat production.
In the first quarter of 2026, the third-party industry quoted average list price for NBSK pulp in Europe modestly increased compared to the same period of 2025 primarily due to supply constraints. In the first quarter of 2026, the third-party industry quoted average list price for NBSK pulp in North America and the third-party industry quoted average net price for NBSK pulp in China decreased compared to the same period of 2025. The decrease was primarily due to weak demand driven by the current economic climate and, in China, an oversupplied paper market. Third-party industry quoted average list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe and North America were approximately $1,618 per ADMT and $1,563 per ADMT, respectively, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to approximately $1,550 per ADMT and $1,753 per ADMT, respectively, in the same period of 2025. The third-party industry quoted average net price for NBSK pulp in China was approximately $685 per ADMT in the first quarter of 2026 compared to approximately $793 per ADMT in the same period of 2025. Prices quoted for China are net of discounts, allowances and rebates whereas quoted prices for Europe and North America are before applicable discounts, allowances and rebates.
In the first quarter of 2026, the third-party industry quoted average list price for NBHK pulp in North America and the third-party industry quoted average net price for NBHK pulp in China modestly increased from the same period of 2025 primarily due to global supply constraints. The third-party industry quoted average list price for NBHK pulp in North America was approximately $1,338 per ADMT in the first quarter of 2026 compared to approximately $1,268 per ADMT in the same period of 2025. The third-party industry quoted average net price for NBHK pulp in China was approximately $595 per ADMT in the first quarter of 2026 compared to approximately $578 per ADMT in the same period of 2025.
Our average NBSK pulp sales realizations in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 11% to $696 per ADMT from $783 per ADMT in the same period of 2025 due to lower prices in North America and China. In the first quarter of 2026, average NBHK pulp sales realizations remained flat at $564 per ADMT compared to $570 per ADMT in the same period of 2025.
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In the first quarter of 2026, we had a negative foreign exchange impact of approximately $15.7 million on Segment Operating EBITDA compared to the same period of 2025 primarily due to the effect of a weaker dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated costs and expenses.
In the first quarter of 2026, we recorded a non-cash inventory impairment of $22.0 million as a result of low pulp prices and high fiber costs.
Costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2026 remained stable at $366.9 million compared to $360.9 million in the same period of 2025 as higher per unit fiber costs and the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated costs and expenses were partially offset by lower maintenance costs. In the first quarter of 2026, costs and expenses included a non-cash inventory impairment charge of $22.0 million against inventory as a result of low pulp prices and high fiber costs.
Overall average per unit fiber costs in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 22% compared to the same period of 2025 primarily as a result of reduced supply in Germany and Canada. For the second quarter of 2026, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to stabilize as improved availability is offset by strong demand.
Transportation costs for our pulp segment in the first quarter of 2026 were relatively flat at $36.8 million compared to $35.4 million in the same period of 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, Segment Operating EBITDA for the pulp segment decreased to $6.9 million from $49.9 million in the same period of 2025. This decrease primarily resulted from lower pulp sales realizations, higher per unit fiber costs, and the negative foreign exchange impact from a weaker dollar partially offset by lower maintenance costs. In the first quarter of 2026, Segment Operating EBITDA also included a non-cash inventory impairment of $22.0 million.
Solid Wood Segment – Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Lumber revenues
Manufactured products revenues(1)
Pallet revenues
Biofuels revenues(2)
Energy revenues
Wood residuals revenues
Segment Operating EBITDA(3)
Solid wood segment revenues in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 7% to $131.7 million from $122.7 million in the same period of 2025 as a result of higher revenue from all product categories except for lumber.
Lumber revenues in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 8% to $60.1 million from $65.4 million in the same period of 2025 primarily due to lower sales volumes.
In the first quarter of 2026, manufactured products revenues increased by approximately 12% to $21.0 million from $18.8 million in the same period of 2025 primarily due to higher sales volumes partially offset by lower sales realizations.
Pallet revenues in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 29% to $29.9 million from $23.2 million in the
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same period of 2025 primarily due to higher sales volumes.
Biofuels, energy and wood residuals revenues in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 36% to $20.8 million from $15.3 million in the same period of 2025 primarily as a result of higher sales realizations for wood residuals and biofuels.
Lumber production in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 9% to 115.9 MMfbm from 128.0 MMfbm in the same period of 2025 due to fiber supply constraints.
Lumber sales volumes in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by approximately 14% to 112.1 MMfbm from 130.9 MMfbm in the same period of 2025 as a result of lower production.
Average lumber sales realizations in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 7% to $536 per Mfbm from $499 per Mfbm in the same period of 2025 primarily as a result of lower supply and higher fiber costs in the European market. This increase was partially offset by lower average sales realization in the U.S. market due to weak demand. The U.S. market accounted for approximately 46% of our lumber revenues and approximately 42% of our lumber sales volumes in the first quarter of 2026. The balance of our lumber sales was mainly to Europe.
Manufactured products sales realizations decreased by approximately 36% to $1,801 per m3 in the first quarter of 2026 from $2,832 per m3 in the same period of 2025 as construction activity was weighted toward modest-scale projects amid an elevated interest rate environment in the U.S.
Fiber costs were approximately 85% of our lumber cash production costs in the first quarter of 2026. In the first quarter of 2026, per unit fiber costs for lumber production increased by approximately 36% compared to the same period of 2025 due to reduced supply and strong demand. For the second quarter of 2026, we currently expect per unit fiber costs to be flat as the positive impact of improved supply will be offset by strong demand.
Transportation costs for our solid wood segment in the first quarter of 2026 increased by approximately 12% to $14.9 million from $13.3 million in the same period of 2025 as a result of higher freight rates.
In the first quarter of 2026, Segment Operating EBITDA for the solid wood segment was negative $5.6 million compared to negative $0.3 million in the same period of 2025. This primarily resulted from higher per unit fiber costs partially offset by modestly higher sales realizations for most of our products.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Summary of Cash Flows
We operate in a cyclical industry and our operating cash flows vary accordingly. Our principal operating cash expenditures are for production costs, such as fiber, chemicals and energy costs, and other material operating costs for maintenance, freight and labor. Historically, we have met our liquidity needs principally from cash on hand, cash flow from operations, and, if needed, external borrowings, including borrowings under revolving credit facilities and issuances of debt securities.
Working capital levels fluctuate throughout the year and are affected by maintenance downtime, changing sales patterns, seasonality and the timing of receivables and sales and the payment of payables and expenses.
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Cash Flows from (used in) Operating Activities. In the three months ended March 31, 2026, cash used in operating activities was $85.7 million compared to $3.0 million in the same period of 2025. An increase in accounts receivable used cash of $32.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2026 and $16.8 million in the same period of 2025. Adjusting for inventory impairments of $22.0 million, an increase in inventories used cash of $35.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2026 and $6.9 million in the same period of 2025. An increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses provided cash of $12.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2026 and $28.4 million in the same period of 2025. An increase in prepaid expenses and other used cash of $29.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2026, primarily related to prepaid interest payments on our senior notes due 2028, and $27.5 million in the same period of 2025.
Cash Flows from (used in) Investing Activities. In the three months ended March 31, 2026, investing activities used cash of $12.8 million. In the three months ended March 31, 2026, we incurred $13.2 million of capital expenditures primarily related to lime kiln improvement and other strategic projects at our Stendal mill and maintenance projects across all mills and facilities.
In the three months ended March 31, 2025, investing activities used cash of $19.9 million. In the three months ended March 31, 2025, we incurred $20.1 million of capital expenditures primarily related to completion of the wood room project at our Celgar mill, log yard upgrades and other strategic projects at our Torgau facility and maintenance projects across all mills and facilities.
Cash Flows from (used in) Financing Activities. In the three months ended March 31, 2026, financing activities provided cash of $1.8 million. In the three months ended March 31, 2026, we borrowed approximately $5.8 million under our revolving credit facilities.
In the three months ended March 31, 2025, financing activities provided cash of $19.2 million. In the three months ended March 31, 2025, we borrowed approximately $21.8 million under our revolving credit facilities.
Balance Sheet Data
The following table is a summary of selected financial information as of the dates indicated:
Working capital
449,976
582,176
Long-term liabilities
1,584,598
1,689,734
Sources and Uses of Funds
Our principal sources of funds are cash flows from operations and cash and cash equivalents on hand. Our principal uses of funds consist of operating expenditures, capital expenditures and interest payments on our senior notes.
QUARTERLY REPORT - PAGE 28
The following table sets out our total capital expenditures and interest expense for the periods indicated:
Capital expenditures
13,166
20,082
Cash paid for interest expense(1)
Interest expense(2)
As of March 31, 2026, we had cash and cash equivalents of $84.5 million. After taking into account the Waiver and the €70 million reduction in borrowing capacity thereunder (see “Debt Covenants”), we had approximately $144.5 million available under our revolving credit facilities, bringing aggregate liquidity to about $229.0 million as of March 31, 2026.
We currently consider the majority of undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. income tax has been provided on such earnings. However, if we were required to repatriate funds to the U.S., we believe that we currently could repatriate the majority thereof without incurring any material amount of taxes as a result of our shareholder advances and U.S. tax reform. However, it is currently not practical to estimate the income tax liability that might be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the U.S. Substantially all of our undistributed earnings are held by our foreign subsidiaries outside of the U.S.
The Canadian joint revolving credit facility matures in January 2027 and is, therefore, classified as a current liability. Refinancing negotiations have begun for this facility and are expected to be completed before maturity. However, there can be no assurance such existing maturity will be extended, or other refinancings or related initiatives will be completed on acceptable terms, or at all. Alternatively, management currently believes that the Company maintains sufficient global liquidity to settle the obligation, if necessary. Management’s forecasts for its ability to maintain access to capital distributions rely on various factors, including underlying market and operational estimates and assumptions. As actual results may vary, there can be no assurance that these forecasted outcomes will be realized, and it is possible a change in these estimates and assumptions could materially impact our liquidity.
Based upon the current level of operations and our current expectations for future periods in light of the current economic environment, and in particular, current and expected pulp and lumber pricing, foreign exchange rates and our ability to complete refinancings of existing indebtedness, we believe that cash flow from operations and available cash, together with available borrowings under our revolving credit facilities and access to capital markets, will be adequate to finance the capital requirements for our business for the next 12 months.
In the future we may make commitments to additional capital projects or make acquisitions to achieve our long-term goals, including expanding our assets and earnings, which may require capital resources. Capital resources may also be required to repay or refinance our maturing debt over the longer term. Such capital resources may be substantial. The necessary capital resources are expected to be generated from cash flow from operations, cash on hand, borrowings against assets, asset dispositions, the issuance of securities or other financing arrangements. We continually monitor potential capital sources, including debt and equity financings, to, among other things, meet our targeted liquidity requirements and balance sheet goals. Our future success and ability to meet our business goals will be highly dependent on our ability to continue to access outside sources of capital.
Debt Covenants
Certain of our long-term obligations contain various financial tests and covenants customary to these types of arrangements. See our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
As of March 31, 2026, our leverage ratio exceeded the 3.50:1.00 maximum permitted under our German joint revolving credit facility, under which $201.2 million was drawn. We secured a waiver dated May 4, 2026 with respect to this covenant for the first three quarters of 2026 (the “Waiver”). Based on our current forecasts, we anticipate
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returning to compliance by the fourth quarter of 2026, driven by targeted cost reductions, cyclical cash flow improvements, and stabilizing market conditions. In accordance with the Waiver and our assessment of the probability of meeting the required leverage ratio and complying with other covenants at subsequent compliance dates within the next year, the amount due under this facility remains classified as a non-current liability as of March 31, 2026.
Pursuant to the Waiver, the lenders waived the requirement to comply with the leverage ratio financial covenant for the first three fiscal quarters of 2026. The Waiver also modified certain covenants, including limiting utilization of the German joint revolving credit facility to €300 million while the leverage ratio exceeds 2.00:1.00, limiting drawdown requests for incremental borrowings to €20 million (until certain liquidity forecasts are provided), requiring average liquidity of the Company and its subsidiaries of US$30 million (tested monthly and measured over a rolling 13-week period), restricting capital expenditures of the German borrowers and their subsidiaries to €60 million for fiscal year 2026 without agent consent, and restricting distributions by the German borrowers to the Company until September 30, 2026 (subject to limited exceptions). The interest rate margin under the facility was modified to a range of 2.50% to 4.25% based on specified leverage ratio levels. The Waiver also provides, among other things, for a grant of security over certain assets of the German borrowers and guarantors, includes certain reporting requirements and creates additional events of default such as cross-defaults to certain of our other indebtedness, including our outstanding Senior Notes and Canadian joint revolving credit facility. Further information regarding the Waiver is set forth in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 7, 2026.
The Waiver gives us the opportunity to pursue and implement measures and solutions to enhance our liquidity and financial condition in the current economic environment and to assist our positioning for an eventual market recovery. To this end, we are also evaluating strategic alternatives and financing options to address our liquidity needs and goals. Our board of directors has appointed a special committee of independent directors to oversee, review and evaluate the development and implementation of potential liquidity management strategies and other transactions to improve our capital structure.
Any further covenant waivers may lead to increased costs, increased interest rates, additional restrictive covenants and other available lender protections as may be agreed with our lenders. There can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain additional waivers in a timely manner, or on acceptable terms. Any inability to secure additional relief could lead to an event of default and the acceleration of amounts due. We intend to meet any resulting liquidity needs through a combination of internal cash generation and continued access to the debt and equity capital markets. See “Sources and Uses of Funds”.
Our other debt agreements remain in compliance and this Waiver does not trigger any cross-default provisions under those agreements.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
There were no material changes outside the ordinary course to any of our material contractual obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2026.
Foreign Currency
Our reporting currency is the dollar. However, we hold certain assets and liabilities in euros and Canadian dollars and the majority of our expenditures are denominated in euros or Canadian dollars. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results are subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
We translate foreign denominated assets and liabilities into dollars at the rate of exchange on the balance sheet date. Equity accounts are translated using historical exchange rates. Unrealized gains or losses from these translations are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and do not affect our net earnings.
As a result of a stronger dollar versus the euro and Canadian dollar as of March 31, 2026, during the three months ended March 31, 2026, we recorded a non-cash decrease of $22.0 million in the carrying value of our net assets denominated in euros and Canadian dollars, consisting primarily of our property, plant and equipment. This non-cash decrease does not affect our net loss, Operating EBITDA or cash but is reflected in our other comprehensive income (loss) and as a decrease to our total equity. As a result, our accumulated other comprehensive loss increased to $109.6 million.
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Based upon the exchange rate as of March 31, 2026, the dollar was approximately 2% stronger against the Canadian dollar and euro since December 31, 2025. See “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect both the amount and the timing of the recording of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying note disclosures. Our management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the probable future resolution of the uncertainties increases, these judgments become even more subjective and complex.
Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 to our audited annual financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. While all of the significant accounting policies are important to the consolidated financial statements, some of these policies may be viewed as having a high degree of judgment. On an ongoing basis using currently available information, management reviews its estimates, including those related to accounting for, among other things, future cash flows associated with the Company’s debt covenant compliance and related debt classification and impairment testing for long-lived assets, depreciation and amortization, pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, deferred income taxes (valuation allowance and permanent reinvestment), revenues under long-term contracts, inventory impairment, legal liabilities and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and changes in these estimates are recorded when known.
For information about our significant and critical accounting policies, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
The statements in this report that are not reported financial results or other historical information are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.
Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates”, or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will”, “should”, “could”, or “may”, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, forecasts and assumptions by our management and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
Risks Related to our Business
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Risks Related to our Debt
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Risks Related to Macroeconomic Conditions
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Risks Related to Ownership of our Shares
Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. The foregoing review of important factors is not exhaustive or necessarily in order of importance and should be read in conjunction with the risks and assumptions including those set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and in the other reports and documents we have filed with or furnished to the SEC. We advise you that these cautionary remarks expressly qualify in their entirety all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf. Unless required by law, we do not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements based on unanticipated events or changed expectations. However, you should carefully review the reports and other documents we file from time to time with the SEC.
Cyclical Nature of Business
The pulp and lumber businesses are highly cyclical in nature and markets are characterized by periods of supply and demand imbalance, which in turn can materially affect prices. Pulp and lumber markets are sensitive to cyclical changes in the global economy, industry capacity and foreign exchange rates, all of which can have a significant influence on selling prices and our operating results. The length and magnitude of industry cycles have varied over
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time but generally reflect changes in macroeconomic conditions and levels of industry capacity. Pulp and lumber are commodities that are generally available from other producers. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition is generally based upon price, which is primarily determined by supply relative to demand.
Industry capacity can fluctuate as changing industry conditions can influence producers to idle production capacity or permanently close mills. In addition, to avoid substantial cash costs in idling or closing a mill, some producers will choose to operate at a loss, sometimes even a cash loss, which can prolong weak pricing environments due to oversupply. Oversupply of our products can also result from producers introducing new capacity in response to favorable pricing trends. Certain integrated pulp and paper producers have the ability to discontinue paper production by idling their paper machines and selling their pulp production on the market, if market conditions, prices and trends warrant such actions.
Demand for each of pulp and lumber has historically been determined primarily by general global macroeconomic conditions and has been closely tied to overall business activity. Pulp and lumber prices have been and are likely to continue to be volatile and can fluctuate widely over time.
The third-party industry quoted average European list prices for NBSK pulp between 2017 and 2026 have fluctuated between a low of $810 per ADMT in 2017 to a high of $1,655 per ADMT in 2026. In the same period, third-party industry quoted average North American list prices for NBHK pulp have fluctuated between a low of $830 per ADMT in 2017 to a high of $1,620 per ADMT in 2022.
As a key construction material, the pricing and demand for lumber is also significantly influenced by the number of housing starts, especially in the U.S. In the U.S., third-party industry quoted monthly average western spruce/pine/fir (WSPF) 2 x 4 #2&Btr prices between 2017 and 2026 have fluctuated between a low of $310 per Mfbm in 2017 to a high of $1,604 per Mfbm in 2021. Similarly, the demand for CLT and glulam is primarily driven by the wood construction market and increased government policies focused on a low-carbon economy.
Our mills and operations voluntarily subject themselves to third-party certifications in compliance with internationally recognized, sustainable management standards because end use paper and lumber customers have shown an increased interest in understanding the origin of products they purchase. Demand for our products could be adversely affected if we, or our suppliers, are unable to achieve compliance, or are perceived by the public as failing to comply, with these standards or if our customers require compliance with alternate standards for which our operations are not certified.
A pulp producer’s actual sales price realizations are net of customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Accordingly, prices for pulp and lumber are driven by many factors outside our control, and we have little influence over the timing and extent of price changes, which are often volatile. Because market conditions beyond our control determine the prices for pulp and lumber, prices may fall below our cash production costs, requiring us to either incur short-term losses on product sales or cease production at one or more of our mills. Therefore, our profitability depends on managing our cost structure, particularly raw materials which represent a significant component of our operating costs and can fluctuate based upon factors beyond our control. If the prices of our products decline, or if prices for our raw materials increase, or both, our results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Costs
Our production costs are influenced by the availability and cost of raw materials, energy and labor, and our plant efficiencies and productivity. Our main raw material is fiber in the form of wood chips, pulp logs, sawlogs and lumber. Wood chip, pulp log and sawlog costs are primarily affected by the supply of, and demand for, lumber and pulp, which are both highly cyclical. Higher fiber prices could affect producer profit margins if they are unable to pass along price increases to pulp and lumber customers or purchasers of surplus energy.
Currency
We have manufacturing operations in Germany, Canada and the U.S. Most of the operating costs and expenses of our German mills are incurred in euros and those of our Canadian mills in Canadian dollars. However, the majority of our sales are in products quoted in dollars. Our results of operations and financial condition are reported in dollars. As a
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result, our costs generally benefit from a strengthening dollar but are adversely affected by a decrease in the value of the dollar relative to the euro and to the Canadian dollar. Such declines in the dollar relative to the euro and the Canadian dollar reduce our operating margins and the cash flow available to fund our operations and to service our debt. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the exchange rates between the dollar and the euro and Canadian dollar. Changes in these rates may affect our results of operations and financial condition and, consequently, our fair value. We seek to manage these risks through internal risk management policies as well as the periodic use of derivatives.
For additional information, please refer to “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, referred to as the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.
It should be noted that any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable (and not absolute) assurance as to its effectiveness and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals.
Changes in Internal Controls
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are subject to routine litigation incidental to our business, including that which is described in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. We do not believe that the outcome of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the factors disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
We have obtained a temporary Waiver under our German joint revolving credit facility, and any failure to comply with the terms of the Waiver, return to compliance by the end of the waiver period or obtain additional relief could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.
As of March 31, 2026, we did not meet the required leverage ratio covenant under our German joint revolving credit facility. We subsequently obtained a Waiver from our lenders, effective through September 30, 2026. Pursuant to the Waiver, we are subject to additional restrictions, including limitations on facility utilization, capital expenditures and distributions, as well as increased interest rate margins and security requirements. For more information, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt Covenants” in Part I, Item 2 of this report.
There can be no assurance that we will return to compliance with our financial covenants by the end of the Waiver period or that, if necessary, we would be able to obtain additional waivers under our existing indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at all. The Waiver also created additional events of default, including cross-defaults to certain of our other debt agreements and failure to comply with the Waiver’s covenants and reporting requirements. Our inability to maintain compliance or secure additional relief could result in an event of default, acceleration of amounts due, and a material adverse impact on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
Investors should also review the risk factors under “Item 1.A. Risk Factors - Risks Related to our Debt” in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, which remain applicable.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
31.1
Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2
Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1*
Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2*
Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
101
The following financial information from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2026 of Mercer International Inc., formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Interim Consolidated Statements of Operations; (ii) Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iii) Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity; (v) Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
104
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 has been formatted in iXBRL.
* In accordance with Release No. 33-8212 of the SEC, these Certifications: (i) are “furnished” to the SEC and are not “filed” for the purposes of liability under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and (ii) are not to be subject to automatic incorporation by reference into any of the Company’s registration statements filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the purposes of liability thereunder or any offering memorandum, unless the Company specifically incorporates them by reference therein.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
By:
/s/ Richard Short
Richard Short
Chief Financial Officer and Authorized Officer
Date: May 7, 2026
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