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Boise Inc. Announces Financial Results for First Quarter 2009

 
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    BOISE, Idaho, May 5, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ ----Boise Inc. (NYSE: BZ) today reported a net loss of $0.9 million or ($0.01) per diluted share for first quarter 2009, compared with fourth quarter net loss of $15.5 million or ($0.20) per diluted share. Boise Inc. first quarter 2008 net loss was $16.4 million or ($0.26) per diluted share.

    EBITDA, excluding special items, was $58.6 million for first quarter 2009, compared with $76.0 million for fourth quarter 2008, and $53.1 million for the combined first quarter 2008 for the packaging and paper assets of Boise Cascade, L.L.C. (the "Predecessor") and Boise Inc.

    Net covenant debt was $949.0 million at March 31, 2009, a decline of $65.9 million from $1,014.9 million at December 31, 2008.

       FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
       (in millions, except per-share data)
       
       Boise Inc.   Combined(a) Boise Inc.  Predecessor
       -------------- ----------- ----------  -----------
       Jan 1 -
       1Q        4Q         1Q         1Q        Feb 21,
       2009      2008       2008       2008        2008
       ----      ----       ----       ----      --------
       Sales                  $500.3    $591.1     $587.9    $228.0       $359.9
       Income from
       operations             $21.4     $11.4                $(9.3)       $23.1
       Net income (loss)       $(0.9)   $(15.5)              $(16.4)       $22.8
       Net income (loss)
       per share basic and
       diluted               $(0.01)   $(0.20)              $(0.26)
       EBITDA (b)              $52.7     $41.4      $26.3      $2.6        $23.7
       EBITDA excluding
       special items (b)      $58.6     $76.0      $53.1     $28.7        $24.4
       
       Interest expense        $22.2     $26.2                $11.4
       Depreciation and
       amortization (c)       $32.0     $33.1                $12.7         $0.5
       Net covenant
       debt (d)              $949.0  $1,014.9             $1,005.7
       
       (a) Includes combined results for Predecessor and Boise Inc.
       (b) For reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA and EBITDA to EBITDA
       excluding special items, see "Summary Notes to Consolidated Financial
       Statements and Segment Information."
       (c) Predecessor period excludes $16.7 million of depreciation due to
       classification of property as assets held for sale in first quarter
       2008.
       (d) Net covenant debt is calculated in accordance with credit agreements.
       For reconciliation of total debt to net covenant debt, see "Summary
       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Segment Information."
       
       

    "In the first quarter 2009, we generated strong cash flow and improved EBITDA over last year despite very challenging markets for all our products. We also made good progress reducing our covenant debt by nearly $66 million dollars," said Alexander Toeldte, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boise Inc. "We reduced financial risk in our newsprint business by terminating our contract with AbitibiBowater to sell directly to customers and took significant downtime to match production to demand. We managed our working capital levels well and will continue to balance production with demand and focus on cash generation."

    Sales

    Total sales for first quarter 2009 were $500.3 million, a decrease of $87.6 million, or 15%, from $587.9 million during the combined first quarter 2008 and down 15% from fourth quarter 2008 sales of $591.1 million.

    Paper segment sales decreased $73.7 million, or 17%, during first quarter 2009 compared with the combined first quarter 2008, driven by 22% lower uncoated freesheet sales volumes. This was due to market downtime and the St. Helens mill downsizing, which eliminated 200,000 tons, or 13%, of our annual uncoated freesheet capacity. Reduced sales volumes were partially offset by higher net sales prices. Paper segment sales in first quarter 2009 declined by $37.6 million, or 10%, from fourth quarter 2008 due to lower sales volumes, partially offset by higher net selling prices.

    Packaging segment sales decreased $16.3 million, or 9%, to $157.1 million from $173.4 million during first quarter 2009 compared with the combined first quarter 2008. The decrease was driven mainly by lower newsprint and segment linerboard sales volumes as we balanced production to match lower demand. Newsprint volumes were also reduced in first quarter 2009 by the transition from selling all of our output to AbitibiBowater to selling directly to customers, which began in March. Sequentially, from fourth quarter 2008 to first quarter 2009, Packaging segment sales decreased $56.7 million, or 27%, due to lower volumes and lower net selling prices.

    Prices and Volumes

    Average net selling prices of uncoated freesheet papers improved $104 per ton, or 12%, to $981 per ton during first quarter 2009 compared with the combined first quarter 2008 and improved $12 per ton, or 1%, over fourth quarter 2008. Uncoated freesheet sales volumes were 303,000 tons during first quarter 2009, a decline of 22% versus the combined prior year period and down 9% from fourth quarter 2008 due to market downtime as a result of lower demand and reduced capacity as a result of the St. Helens mill downsizing. Combined sales volumes of premium office, label and release, and flexible packaging papers, which represented 26% of our first quarter 2009 uncoated freesheet sales volumes, increased by 1% from the prior year.

    Linerboard net selling prices to third parties declined $44 per ton, or 11%, to $352 per ton in first quarter 2009 from $396 per ton in the combined first quarter 2008 and declined $54 per ton, or 13%, from fourth quarter 2008, due to softening demand, particularly in export markets. Linerboard sales volumes to third parties were 38,000 tons, a decrease of 21% compared with the combined first quarter 2008 and down 30% from fourth quarter 2008 due to soft market conditions. We took downtime late in fourth quarter 2008 and first quarter 2009 to match supply to demand.

    Corrugated container and sheet prices improved $5 per thousand square feet (msf), or 9%, to $60 per msf in first quarter 2009 over prices for these products during the combined first quarter 2008 and decreased $1 per msf, or 2%, compared with fourth quarter 2008 prices. Sales volumes for corrugated containers and sheets were 1.4 thousand msf in first quarter 2009, a decline of 9% versus the combined first quarter 2008 and down 7% from fourth quarter 2008, driven mainly by lower volumes from our sheet feeder plant in Texas as a result of slowing industrial markets. Sales volumes for corrugated containers and sheets from our plants in the Pacific Northwest experienced more modest declines due to more stable demand in agricultural and food sectors.

    Newsprint pricing in first quarter 2009 increased by $88 per ton, or 18%, to $588 per ton over the combined first quarter 2008 and declined $55 per ton, or 9%, from fourth quarter 2008. Newsprint sales volumes were 60,000 tons, a decline of 30% compared with the combined first quarter 2008 and down 36% from fourth quarter 2008 due to weak demand and the start-up of our direct marketing efforts.

    Input Costs

    Total fiber, energy, and chemical costs for first quarter 2009 were $205.7 million, a decrease of $66.5 million, or 24%, over costs of $272.2 million for the combined first quarter 2008, and a decrease of $61.3 million, or 23%, from costs of $267.0 million for fourth quarter 2008.

       INPUT COST SUMMARY
       
       Boise
       Boise Inc.    Combined(a)    Inc.   Predecessor
       --------------  -----------   -----   -----------
       Jan 1 -
       Feb 21,
       1Q 2009  4Q 2008    1Q 2008    1Q 2008      2008
       -------  -------    -------    -------    --------
       (in millions)
       Fiber             $94.1  $124.0      $127.3     $51.3       $76.0
       Energy            $60.8   $77.5       $82.8     $34.8       $48.1
       Chemicals         $50.8   $65.5       $62.0     $25.5       $36.5
       
       Total            $205.7  $267.0      $272.2    $111.5      $160.7
       
       (a) Includes combined results for Predecessor and Boise Inc.
       
       

    Total fiber costs during first quarter 2009 were $94.1 million, a decrease of $33.2 million, or 26%, from $127.3 million incurred for fiber in the combined first quarter 2008 and a decrease of $29.9 million, or 24%, from $124.0 million for fourth quarter 2008. This decrease was due primarily to lower prices for purchased pulp, wood and recycled fiber, and reduced consumption of wood fiber as a result of lower production capacity due to the St. Helens mill downsizing and market downtime.

    Energy costs in first quarter 2009 decreased $22.0 million, or 27%, to $60.8 million compared with $82.8 million in the same quarter a year ago. Lower overall energy consumption and lower prices for natural gas and fuel were the primary drivers, partially offset by higher electricity prices. Energy costs in first quarter 2009 decreased $16.7 million, or 22%, from $77.5 million in fourth quarter 2008, due to lower total consumption and prices for natural gas.

    Chemical costs in first quarter 2009 were $50.8 million, a decrease of $11.2 million, or 18%, compared with $62.0 million in the prior year's first quarter and down $14.7 million, or 22%, compared with $65.5 million in fourth quarter 2008, driven by reduced consumption partially offset by higher prices.

    Alternative Fuel Tax Credit

    The U.S. Internal Revenue Code allows an excise tax for taxpayers who use alternative fuels in the taxpayer's trade or business. Each year, under normal operating conditions, we produce and use approximately 500 million gallons of fuel produced from biomass to provide energy to four of our five paper mills. During the first quarter, we filed to be registered as an alternative fuel mixer and, in late April, received notification from the Internal Revenue Service that our registration was approved. We became eligible to receive the tax credit at our four pulp and paper mills beginning at various dates from late January to late March 2009. Through April 30, 2009, we had filed for approximately $37 million in tax credits, before the effect of income taxes. To date, we have received $3.9 million of cash related to these credits. Our first quarter results do not include any effects of the alternative fuel credits.

    Webcast and Conference Call

    Boise Inc. will host a webcast and conference call on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern, at which time we will review the company's recent performance. To participate in the conference call, dial 866-841-1001 (international callers should dial 832-445-1689). The webcast may be accessed through Boise's Internet site and will be archived for one year following the call. Go to www.BoiseInc.com and click on the link to the webcast under Webcasts & Presentations on the Investors drop-down menu.

    A replay of the conference call will be available in Webcasts & Presentations from May 5 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern through June 5 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Playback numbers are 800-642-1687 for U.S. callers and 706-645-9291 for international callers. The passcode is 95734398.

    About Boise Inc.

    Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Boise Inc. (NYSE: BZ) manufactures packaging products and papers including corrugated containers, containerboard, label and release and flexible packaging papers, imaging papers for the office and home, printing and converting papers, newsprint, and market pulp. Our entire team of approximately 4,120 employees is committed to delivering excellent value while managing our businesses to sustain environmental resources for future generations. Visit our website at www.BoiseInc.com.

    Basis of Presentation

    On February 22, 2008, we completed the acquisition of Boise Cascade, L.L.C.'s packaging and paper manufacturing businesses (the Acquisition). The Acquisition was accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, resulting in a new basis of accounting from that previously reported by the Predecessor. However, sales and most operating cost items are substantially consistent with those reported by the Predecessor. Finished goods inventory was revalued to estimated selling prices less costs of disposal and a reasonable profit on the disposal. Depreciation changed as a result of adjustments to the fair values of property and equipment due to our purchase price allocation.

    We present our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Our earnings release also supplements the GAAP presentations by reflecting EBITDA. EBITDA represents income (loss) before interest (change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, interest expense, and interest income), income taxes, and depreciation, amortization, and depletion. EBITDA is the primary measure used by our chief operating decision makers to evaluate segment operating performance and to decide how to allocate resources to segments. We believe EBITDA is useful to investors because it provides a means to evaluate the operating performance of our segments and our company on an ongoing basis using criteria that are used by our internal decision makers and because it is frequently used by investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies with substantial financial leverage. We believe EBITDA is a meaningful measure because it presents a transparent view of our recurring operating performance and allows management to readily view operating trends, perform analytical comparisons, and identify strategies to improve operating performance. For example, we believe that the inclusion of items such as taxes, interest expense, and interest income distorts management's ability to assess and view the core operating trends in our segments. EBITDA, however, is not a measure of our liquidity or financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), income (loss) from operations, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. The use of EBITDA instead of net income (loss) or segment income (loss) has limitations as an analytical tool, including the inability to determine profitability; the exclusion of interest and associated significant cash requirements; and the exclusion of depreciation, amortization, and depletion, which represent significant and unavoidable operating costs, given the level of our indebtedness and the capital expenditures needed to maintain our businesses. Management compensates for these limitations by relying on our GAAP results. Our measures of EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release may contain statements that are "forward looking" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate, or imply future results, performance, or achievements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, and technological factors outside our control that may cause our business, strategy, or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, among others, our substantial level of indebtedness; our continued ability to comply with our financial covenants and debt service obligations; our ability to comply with the continued listing requirements of the NYSE; changes in the supply of, demand for, or prices of our products; the activities of competitors; changes in significant operating expenses, including raw material and energy costs; our success at marketing newsprint directly to customers; our ability to weather the current economic downturn in the United States and elsewhere; changes in the regulatory environment, including requirements for enhanced environmental compliance; and other risks and uncertainties that are detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not intend, and undertakes no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements.

       Boise Inc.
       Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)
       (unaudited, in thousands, except share and per-share data)
       
       Boise Inc.               Predecessor
       --------------------------------    -----------
       Three        Three       Three
       Months       Months      Months      January 1
       Ended        Ended       Ended       Through
       March 31,  December 31,  March 31,   February 21,
       2009         2008        2008         2008
       ----         ----        ----         ----
       Sales
       Trade                    $484,868     $566,671    $226,044     $258,430
       Related parties            15,417       24,448       1,944      101,490
       ------       ------       -----      -------
       500,285      591,119     227,988      359,920
       -------      -------     -------      -------
       Costs and expenses
       Materials, labor,
       and other operating
       expenses                 413,139      490,576     195,429      313,931
       Fiber costs from
       related parties            5,703        7,771      18,629        7,662
       Depreciation,
       amortization, and
       depletion                 31,972       33,126      12,747          477
       Selling and
       distribution
       expenses                  13,782       13,715       5,943        9,097
       General and
       administrative
       expenses                  10,373        7,556       4,549        6,606
       St. Helens mill
       restructuring              3,648       29,780           -            -
       Other (income)
       expense, net                 239       (2,820)        (28)        (989)
       ------       ------      ------       ------
       478,856      579,704     237,269      336,784
       -------      -------     -------      -------
       
       Income (loss) from
       operations                21,429       11,415      (9,281)      23,136
       ------       ------      ------       ------
       
       Foreign exchange gain
       (loss)                      (678)      (3,185)       (853)          54
       Change in fair value
       of interest rate
       derivatives                 (132)        (683)          -            -
       Interest expense          (22,154)     (26,156)    (11,435)          (2)
       Interest income                54           94       1,821          161
       -----        -----       -----        -----
       (22,910)     (29,930)    (10,467)         213
       -------      -------     -------      -------
       
       Income (loss) before
       income taxes              (1,481)     (18,515)    (19,748)      23,349
       Income tax (provision)
       benefit                      565        3,030       3,377         (563)
       -----        -----       -----        -----
       Net income (loss)           $(916)    $(15,485)   $(16,371)     $22,786
       =====     ========    ========      =======
       
       Weighted average
       common shares
       outstanding:
       Basic and diluted      77,491,233   77,260,274  62,682,834            -
       
       Net income (loss) per
       common share:
       Basic and diluted          $(0.01)      $(0.20)     $(0.26)          $-
       
       
       Segment Information
       (unaudited, in thousands)
       
       Boise Inc.              Predecessor
       ---------------------------------   -----------
       Three         Three      Three
       Months        Months     Months      January 1
       Ended         Ended      Ended        Through
       March 31,   December 31, March 31,    February 21,
       2009          2008       2008          2008
       ----          ----       ----          ----
       Segment sales
       Paper                   $351,995      $389,644   $172,203      $253,508
       Packaging                157,132       213,788     59,885       113,485
       Intersegment
       eliminations and
       other                    (8,842)      (12,313)    (4,100)       (7,073)
       ------       -------     ------        ------
       $500,285      $591,119   $227,988      $359,920
       ========      ========   ========      ========
       
       Segment income (loss)
       Paper                    $24,776      $(12,303)   $11,849       $20,718
       Packaging                  1,125        26,075    (19,761)        5,685
       Corporate and Other       (5,150)       (5,542)    (2,222)       (3,213)
       ------        ------     ------        ------
       20,751         8,230    (10,134)       23,190
       ------        ------    -------        ------
       
       Change in fair value
       of interest rate
       derivatives                (132)         (683)         -             -
       Interest expense         (22,154)      (26,156)   (11,435)           (2)
       Interest income               54            94      1,821           161
       -----         -----      -----         -----
       Income (loss) before
       income taxes            $(1,481)     $(18,515)  $(19,748)      $23,349
       =======      ========   ========       =======
       
       EBITDA (a)
       Paper                    $46,122        $9,222    $18,969       $21,066
       Packaging                 10,781        36,660    (14,548)        5,738
       Corporate and Other       (4,180)       (4,526)    (1,808)       (3,137)
       ------        ------     ------        ------
       $52,723       $41,356     $2,613       $23,667
       =======       =======     ======       =======
       
       
       Boise Inc.
       Consolidated Balance Sheets
       (unaudited, in thousands)
       
       Boise Inc.
       ---------------------------------
       March 31, 2009  December 31, 2008
       --------------  -----------------
       ASSETS
       
       Current
       Cash and cash equivalents              $27,510           $22,518
       Receivables
       Trade, less allowances of $979
       and $961                            183,606           220,204
       Related parties                        2,532             1,796
       Other                                  5,805             4,937
       Inventories                            309,952           335,004
       Deferred income taxes                    8,791             5,318
       Prepaid and other                        7,638             6,289
       -----             -----
       545,834           596,066
       -------           -------
       Property
       Property and equipment, net          1,250,219         1,262,810
       Fiber farms and deposits                14,496            14,651
       ------            ------
       1,264,715         1,277,461
       ---------         ---------
       
       Deferred financing costs                69,718            72,570
       Intangible assets, net                  34,425            35,075
       Other assets                             6,454             7,114
       -----             -----
       Total assets                        $1,921,146        $1,988,286
       ==========        ==========
       
       
       Boise Inc.
       Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
       (unaudited, in thousands, except share data)
       
       Boise Inc.
       ---------------------------------
       March 31, 2009  December 31, 2008
       --------------  -----------------
       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
       EQUITY
       
       Current
       Current portion of long-term debt          $7,479            $25,822
       Income taxes payable                          804                841
       Accounts payable
       Trade                                   157,871            177,157
       Related parties                           1,492              3,107
       Accrued liabilities
       Compensation and benefits                45,248             44,488
       Interest payable                            168                184
       Other                                    21,167             17,402
       ------             ------
       234,229            269,001
       -------            -------
       Debt
       Long-term debt, less current
       portion                                  967,340          1,011,628
       Notes payable                              69,229             66,606
       ------             ------
       1,036,569          1,078,234
       ---------          ---------
       Other
       Deferred income taxes                      15,208              8,907
       Compensation and benefits                 152,177            149,691
       Other long-term liabilities                33,583             33,007
       ------             ------
       200,968            191,605
       -------            -------
       
       Commitments and contingent
       liabilities
       
       Stockholders' Equity
       Preferred stock, $.0001 par
       value per share:                               -                  -
       1,000,000 shares authorized;
       none issued
       Common stock, $.0001 par value per
       share:                                         8                  8
       250,000,000 shares authorized;
       79,879,372 shares and 79,716,130
       shares issued and outstanding
       Additional paid-in capital                576,008            575,151
       Accumulated other comprehensive
       loss                                     (85,689)           (85,682)
       Accumulated deficit                       (40,947)           (40,031)
       -------            -------
       Total stockholders' equity                449,380            449,446
       -------            -------
       
       Total liabilities and
       stockholders' equity                  $1,921,146         $1,988,286
       ==========         ==========
       
       
       Boise Inc.
       Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
       (unaudited, in thousands)
       
       Boise Inc.         Predecessor
       ------------------     -----------
       Three     Three
       Months    Months        January 1
       Ended     Ended          Through
       March 31, March 31,     February 21,
       2009      2008           2008
       ----      ----           ----
       Cash provided by (used for)
       operations
       Net income (loss)                      $(916)   $(16,371)      $22,786
       Items in net income (loss) not
       using (providing) cash
       Depreciation, depletion, and
       amortization
       of deferred financing
       costs and other                    35,030      13,554           477
       Share-based compensation
       expense                               857           -             -
       Related-party interest expense          -          986             -
       Notes payable interest expense       2,623           -             -
       Pension and other
       postretirement benefit
       expense                             2,450       1,237         1,826
       Deferred income taxes                 (844)     (3,377)           11
       Change in fair value of energy
       derivatives                         2,191        (204)          (37)
       Change in fair value of
       interest rate derivatives             132           -             -
       (Gain) loss on sales of
       assets, net                           (20)         (3)         (943)
       Other                                  678         853           (54)
       Decrease (increase) in working
       capital, net of acquisitions
       Receivables                         38,800      23,485       (23,522)
       Inventories                         25,258      (5,158)        5,343
       Prepaid expenses                       256      (7,451)          875
       Accounts payable and accrued
       liabilities                       (19,577)     23,654       (10,718)
       Current and deferred income taxes        (39)      1,806           335
       Pension and other postretirement
       benefit payments                     (1,319)        (47)       (1,826)
       Other                                    128      (1,155)        2,326
       ------      ------         -----
       Cash provided by (used for)
       operations                         85,688      31,809        (3,121)
       ------      ------        ------
       Cash provided by (used for)
       investment
       Acquisitions of businesses and
       facilities                             (543) (1,219,421)            -
       Cash released from (held in)
       trust, net                                -     403,989             -
       Expenditures for property and
       equipment                           (17,171)    (10,224)      (10,168)
       Sales of assets                           61           -        17,662
       Other                                   (412)      2,410           863
       -----       -----         -----
       Cash provided by (used for)
       investment                        (18,065)   (823,246)        8,357
       -------    --------         -----
       Cash provided by (used for)
       financing
       Issuances of long-term debt           10,000   1,065,700             -
       Payments of long-term debt           (72,631)    (35,000)            -
       Payments to stockholders for
       exercise of conversion rights             -    (120,170)            -
       Payments of deferred financing
       fees                                      -     (81,898)            -
       Payments of deferred
       underwriters fees                         -     (12,420)            -
       Net equity transactions with
       related parties                           -           -        (5,237)
       ------      ------        ------
       Cash provided by (used for)
       financing                         (62,631)    816,212        (5,237)
       -------     -------        ------
       Increase (decrease) in cash and
       cash equivalents                      4,992      24,775            (1)
       Balance at beginning of the period    22,518         186             8
       ------      ------        ------
       Balance at end of the period         $27,510     $24,961            $7
       =======     =======        ======
       
       

    Summary Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Segment Information

    The Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss), Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and Segment Information do not include all Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2009, as well as the other reports the Company files with the SEC. Net income (loss) for all periods presented involved estimates and accruals.

    On February 22, 2008, Boise Inc. or "the Company," "we," "us," or "our" completed the acquisition (the Acquisition) of Boise White Paper, L.L.C., Boise Packaging & Newsprint, L.L.C., Boise Cascade Transportation Holdings Corp. (collectively, the Paper Group), and other assets and liabilities related to the operation of the paper, packaging and newsprint, and transportation businesses of the Paper Group and part of the headquarters operations of Boise Cascade, L.L.C. (Boise Cascade). The business we acquired is referred to as the "Predecessor."

    The accompanying consolidated statement of income (loss) and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2008, include the activities of Aldabra 2 Acquisition Corp. prior to the Acquisition and the operations of the acquired businesses from February 22, 2008, through March 31, 2008. The consolidated statement of income (loss) and cash flows for the period of January 1 through February 21, 2008, of the Predecessor are presented for comparative purposes.

    Boise Inc. operates its business in three reportable segments: Paper, Packaging, and Corporate and Other (support services). Boise Inc. manufactures commodity and premium office papers, a range of packaging papers, including label and release papers, flexible packaging papers, and printing and converting papers. Boise Inc. also manufactures corrugated containers, containerboard, newsprint, and market pulp.

    (a) EBITDA represents income (loss) before interest (change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, interest expense, and interest income), income taxes, and depreciation, amortization, and depletion. The following table reconciles net income (loss) to EBITDA for Boise Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, the three months ended December 31, 2008, and the Predecessor period of January 1 through February 21, 2008 (unaudited, in thousands):

       Boise Inc.             Predecessor
       ----------------------------------- -----------
       Three         Three       Three
       Months        Months      Months    January 1
       Ended         Ended       Ended      Through
       March 31,   December 31,  March 31, February 21,
       2009          2008        2008        2008
       ----          ----        ----        ----
       
       Net income (loss)           $(916)     $(15,485)   $(16,371)    $22,786
       Change in fair value
       of interest rate
       derivatives                  132           683           -           -
       Interest expense           22,154        26,156      11,435           2
       Interest income               (54)          (94)     (1,821)       (161)
       Income tax provision
       (benefit)                   (565)       (3,030)     (3,377)        563
       Depreciation,
       amortization,
       and depletion             31,972        33,126      12,747         477
       ------        ------      ------      ------
       EBITDA                    $52,723       $41,356      $2,613     $23,667
       =======       =======      ======     =======
       
       

    The following table reconciles EBITDA to EBITDA excluding special items for Boise Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, and the three months ended December 31, 2008. The table also reconciles the Predecessor period of January 1 through February 21, 2008, and the combined three months ended March 31, 2008 (unaudited, in thousands):

       Boise Inc.            Predecessor   Combined
       ------------------------------- -----------   --------
       Three       Three      Three                   Three
       Months      Months     Months    January 1     Months
       Ended       Ended      Ended      Through      Ended
       March 31, December 31, March 31, February 21, March 31,
       2009        2008       2008        2008        2008
       ----        ----       ----        ----        ----
       
       EBITDA             $52,723     $41,356     $2,613    $23,667      $26,280
       St. Helens
       mill
       restructuring (a)   3,648      37,568          -          -            -
       Impact of
       energy hedges       2,191         (26)      (204)       (37)        (241)
       Gain on
       changes in
       supplemental
       pension plans           -      (2,914)         -          -            -
       Inventory
       purchase
       accounting
       expense                 -           -      6,555          -        6,555
       Impact of
       DeRidder
       outage                  -           -     19,776        732       20,508
       ------      ------     ------     ------       ------
       EBITDA
       excluding
       special
       items             $58,562     $75,984    $28,740    $24,362      $53,102
       =======     =======    =======    =======      =======
       
       

    (a) In November 2008, we announced the restructuring of our St. Helens, Oregon, paper mill. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded $3.6 million of restructuring charges in "St. Helens mill restructuring." Of the $37.6 million restructuring charge recorded during the three months ended December 31, 2008, $29.8 million is included in "St. Helens mill restructuring" and $7.8 million related to inventory write-downs is included in "Materials, labor, and other operating expenses."

    The following table reconciles total debt to net debt and net covenant debt at March 31, 2009 and 2008, and December 31, 2008 (unaudited, in thousands):

       Boise Inc.
       -----------------------------------
       March 31,   December 31,  March 31,
       2009          2008        2008
       ----          ----        ----
       
       Current portion of long-term debt      $7,479       $25,822     $11,000
       Long-term debt, less current
       portion                              967,340     1,011,628   1,019,700
       Notes payable                          69,229        66,606      58,793
       ------        ------      ------
       Total debt                          1,044,048     1,104,056   1,089,493
       Less cash and cash equivalents        (27,510)      (22,518)    (24,961)
       -------       -------     -------
       Net debt                            1,016,538     1,081,538   1,064,532
       Less notes payable                    (69,229)      (66,606)    (58,793)
       Other                                   1,729             -           -
       ------        ------      ------
       Net covenant debt                    $949,038    $1,014,932  $1,005,739
       ========    ==========  ==========
       
       

    SOURCE Boise Inc.

    http://www.BoiseInc.com
       
    Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
     
     

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    No-Load Funds

    Some mutual funds want you to pay for the privilege of them (or your investment adviser) taking your money to invest. It's called a load, and it works like a cover charge to get into a nightclub. Luckily, there are such things as no-load funds. As the name implies, shares of these funds are sold without a fee paid to a broker or investment advisor.

    The entire amount you invest in no-load funds goes to work for your returns. On the other hand, with load funds, right off the bat you're charged commission (not to mention other fees incurred over the life of the investment). Let's say, for example, you invest $25,000 into a load fund that charges a 5% commission. This costs you $1,250 off the top, bringing your actual investment down to only $23,750.

    The often-cited horse race analogy argues against investing in load funds. Here's the logic behind it: Would you place a bet on a horse that had to start a race 200 yards behind the others? Well, maybe you would if you got a tip from a sketchy, trench coat-clad man in a dark alley. However, under most circumstances, it's not smart to put your money on that handicapped horse.

    But some argue that at times that man in the trench coat (aka your broker) knows more about the horses than you do, and has a better shot at picking a winner. Also, sometimes these fees are unavoidable because some funds are available only through investment advisers.

    Cost-benefit analysis can help determine when a load fund is worth it (in other words, when it will score you a load) and when it is better to "do it yourself" and avoid the fees. Load-fund fees range depending on share class and can cover a variety of costs, such as paper work and fund management.