Half Year Results Announcement To 31 December 2003

Half Year Results Announcement To 31 December 2003

Fletcher Challenge Forests today reported operating earnings prior to forest revaluation for the six months ended 31 December 2003 of $23 million, compared with $47 million (prior to unusual items) recorded in the corresponding six months to December 2002.

A challenging foreign exchange environment, high shipping costs, reduced sales from owned forest estates and loss of synergies from the cancellation of the Central North Island Forest Partnership (“CNIFP”) management contract, were all factors behind the decline in earnings.

Operating earnings from the processing, marketing and distribution businesses were $19 million compared with $21 million recorded in the corresponding six months to December 2002, and were significantly higher than the $9 million for the six months to June 2003.

Highlights during the six month period included: The sale, subject to shareholder approval, of the majority of the Company’s forest assets and further progress on refocusing the business • •

A proposed $0.625 per share return of capital to shareholders in March

• Expansion of the US distribution business with the acquisition of an additional 33% of The Empire Company (“Empire”), raising ownership to 67%

• Commissioning, at the Taupo mill, of a third line producing solid lineal mouldings for the US market

• Progressing the development of new international markets for existing products and new high value applications for Radiata pine.

The net loss after taxation for the six month period of $26 million includes a write-down in the carrying value of the Company’s forest crop of $38 million (after tax), to align the value of the forest assets with the sales price announced during December 2003. Prior to the forest crop write-down, net earnings for the period were $12 million.

Commentary Operating revenue for the period totalled $336 million, down 6% on the corresponding six months to December 2002. The adverse impact of the strong New Zealand dollar and reduced log sales volumes was partially offset by the consolidation of Empire from 1 November 2003. The average NZ/US dollar exchange rate during the six months to December 2003 was $0.6036 compared to $0.4830 for the six months to December 2002. The change in foreign exchange rates was mitigated by the Company’s hedging policy, which contributed $7 million pre tax (2002: $12 million).

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisations (“EBITDA”) for the processing, marketing and distribution businesses for the six months to December 2003 was steady at $26 million, compared to $27 million for December 2002 and $16 million for the six months to June 2003. The Australasian and Asian Consumer Solutions segment, with EBITDA of $13 million for the current period compared to $8 million for December 2002 and $12 million for the six months to June 2003, benefited from the strong demand in both the domestic and Australian markets and reduced log prices. Sales prices remained stable as demand was matched by competitors redirecting supply from export markets into the domestic market.

The North American Consumer Solutions segment was impacted by the strong New Zealand dollar and weak US lumber prices. EBITDA, which includes the consolidation of Empire from 1 November 2003, was $13 million for the current period, compared to $19 million for December 2002. This represents a significant improvement from the EBITDA of $4 million for the six months to June 2003. The Moulding and Better market indicator price series rose from the June 2003 low of USD900/mbf to USD1,050/mbf at December 2003, which, combined with the continued focus on efficiency and reductions in pruned log prices, assisted the New Zealand based operations to return to profitability during the period.

The Forests and Supply business contributed EBITDA of $2 million for the six months to December 2003 compared to $20 million for December 2002. Increases to average sales prices in US dollars during the period were not sufficient to offset the higher NZ/US dollar exchange rate, further increases to shipping rates, the reductions in sales volumes from our owned estates and a loss of operating synergies following the termination of the CNIFP management contract on 30 June 2003. The sales volume reduction of 14% from the six months to December 2002 follows the sale of mature forestry rights to UBS Timber Investors on 28 March 2003.

Forest Crop Valuation 2 The carrying value of the forest crop has been revalued to an estimated net market value based upon the sale and purchase agreement for the forest assets, including the Tarawera forestry right at $165 million. The forest crop carrying value is net of other forest assets (recorded at historic cost) included within the forest sale and direct forest sale costs of $35 million.

Cash Flows Net cash from operations totalled $16 million compared to $29 million in December 2002, reflecting the difficult trading conditions within our forestry business and the strong NZ dollar. A $25 million movement in net working capital related primarily to forest sale costs and the termination of the CNIFP management contract. Net cash applied to investing activities during the period of $23 million included the acquisition of the additional 33% interest in Empire ($17 million). The Statement of Financial Position now incorporates the consolidation of Empire. Net debt totalled $125 million as at 31 December 2003, including the debt held by Empire of $17 million, representing a debt to book capitalisation ratio of 13%.

Forest Sale and Capital Return On 18 December 2003, in line with the previously announced strategy to refocus the business away from forest ownership and towards the Company’s processing, marketing and distribution activities, subsidiaries of the Company signed an agreement for the sale of the group’s forest assets to a consortium led by Kiwi Forests Group Limited for a price of $725 million (including $165 million for the Tarawera forestry right). Shareholders will vote on the forests sale and associated return of capital of $0.625 per share at a Special Meeting of Shareholders on 20 February 2004. The Tarawera forestry right sale was subject to a financing condition being confirmed by 31 January 2004. This condition was not met, and the forestry right will be re-marketed. If the sale is completed, the Company intends to include the proceeds of any future sale of the Tarawera forestry right in the second capital return scheduled for the second half of calendar 2004.

Outlook The strategies pursued by the Company have laid a strong foundation for the Company’s transition from a price-taking commodity producer to a consumer focused manufacturer of more sophisticated, high-margin wood products. Key business attributes that will drive the future of the Company include a leadership position in marketing premium wood products, effective distribution channels, world class processing plants, an established customer base and effective brands and a drive to expand the markets for its products. Forward Looking Statements: There are statements included in this release which are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and they are included herein in reliance upon the safe harbours created by that Act. As forward-looking statements are predictive in nature, they are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties relating to Fletcher Challenge Forests, its operations, the markets in which it competes and other factors (some of which are beyond the control of Fletcher Challenge Forests).

The Company will hold a results briefing for media representatives at 10:00 am NZ time onThursday 12 February. For “listen-in only” access to the briefing, dial 083-032 (within NZ);or +64-8308-3032 internationally. Enter 206 489# when prompted for your PIN.

© Scoop Media