Verso Paper Corp. today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2012.
Verso's net sales for the second quarter of 2012 decreased $33.5 million, or 8.4%, reflecting a 5.5% decrease in the average sales price for all of our products combined with a 3.1% decline in total sales volume, which was driven by the shutdown of three paper machines late last year. Verso's gross margin was 11.5% for the second quarter of 2012 compared to 15.1% for the second quarter of 2011, reflecting the higher average sales prices during 2011.
Verso reported a net loss of $20.7 million in the second quarter of 2012, or $0.39 per diluted share, which included $22.4 million of net benefits from special items, or $0.42 per diluted share, primarily due to debt refinancing. Verso had a net loss of $24.3 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2011, which included $3.7 million of charges from special items, or $0.07 per diluted share.
"Demand in the coated industry continued to be challenged during the second quarter of 2012 which resulted in a delay in the announced price increases during the quarter. This was primarily a result of the drop-off in advertising spending and slowdowns in the commercial print area which are impacted by the sluggish GDP growth. However, our coated groundwood and coated freesheet volumes were relatively flat with last year's levels and we did a good job of managing our pricing relative to overall market demand. Adjusted EBITDA was comparable to the first quarter of this year and slightly better if you exclude the over $5.0 million impact related to scheduled maintenance outages we took during the second quarter," said David Paterson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verso.