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On Wednesday, Argus analyst Marie Ferguson maintained a Hold rating on Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE:WY), citing challenges faced by the company in the current economic climate. This aligns with broader analyst sentiment, as InvestingPro data shows 8 analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates downward. As the largest domestic owner of forestland, Weyerhaeuser’s earnings are closely tied to the new-housing market, which has seen a downturn due to high borrowing costs and a sluggish economic environment. The company’s current market capitalization stands at $18.7 billion, with a beta of 1.17, indicating higher volatility than the broader market.
The company, which reported strong results in 2021 buoyed by a surge in housing starts and lumber prices, has since experienced difficulties. According to InvestingPro analysis, revenue declined 6.56% in the last twelve months to $7.1 billion, with a modest gross profit margin of 18.23%. The slowdown in construction over the last two years has led to an oversupply situation, further exacerbated by the growth of existing home sales. These factors continue to create headwinds for new construction, reflected in the stock trading above its Fair Value based on comprehensive analysis available in the InvestingPro Research Report, one of 1,400+ detailed company analyses available to subscribers.
Despite the possibility of a return to positive annual earnings growth in 2025, Argus analysts project that any improvement will be measured against a low base. The housing market is anticipated to lag behind the broader economic recovery, with expectations of continued sluggishness through most of 2025. Analysts at Argus suggest that Weyerhaeuser may not gain a fundamental foothold until 2026.
Weyerhaeuser’s earnings are primarily derived from its Wood Products segment, which has been underperforming due to the recent economic downturn. Approximately 65% of the segment’s EBITDA is generated from new-home construction, with the remainder split between non-residential construction and residential remodeling and repairs. High mortgage rates have also played a role in replicating conditions similar to those that led to record-low earnings for the company in 2019.
In terms of shareholder returns, Weyerhaeuser has adjusted its dividend payments. While the REIT significantly reduced its supplemental dividend year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024, it increased its regular quarterly payout in the first quarter of 2025. One notable strength highlighted by InvestingPro is the company’s impressive 55-year streak of maintaining dividend payments. Currently, the dividend yield stands at 3.3%, which is below the peer average of 3.9%. The company maintains a healthy financial position with a current ratio of 2.04, indicating strong liquidity to meet short-term obligations.
In other recent news, Weyerhaeuser Company has announced a significant $375 million acquisition of approximately 117,000 acres of timberland in North Carolina and Virginia from Roanoke Timberlands LLC. This acquisition is expected to enhance the company’s Southern Timberlands portfolio, contributing to a projected average annual timber free cash flow yield of 5.1 percent. Additionally, Weyerhaeuser has agreed to sell its Princeton, British Columbia sawmill to the Gorman Group for approximately $120 million CAD, a move aligned with its strategy to optimize operations. The sale of the sawmill, which has been facing operational challenges, is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2025.
DA Davidson has maintained a Buy rating on Weyerhaeuser stock with a price target of $36, reflecting confidence in the company’s strategic direction despite the sawmill’s lower-than-average sale price. Moreover, Weyerhaeuser’s shareholders recently approved the company’s executive compensation plan and elected its board of directors during the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for 2025 was also ratified by a majority of shareholders. These developments highlight Weyerhaeuser’s ongoing efforts to manage its extensive timberland and manufacturing operations effectively.
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