Q2 2026 Rayonier Inc Earnings Call

August 6, 2026

Operator 2: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to the Q2 2026 Rayonier Inc. earnings conference call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. I will now hand the conference call over to Collin Mings, Vice President of Capital Markets and Strategic Planning. Collin, please go ahead.

Operator: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to the Q2 2026 Rayonier Inc. earnings conference call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. I will now hand the conference call over to Collin Mings, Vice President of Capital Markets and Strategic Planning. Collin, please go ahead.

Speaker #2: session. If you would like to ask a 1 to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star 1 again. I will now hand the conference call over to Collin Mings, Vice President of Capital Markets and Strategic Planning.

Speaker #2: Collin, please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Thank you, and good morning. Welcome to Rayonier's investor teleconference, covering Q2 earnings. Our earnings statements and financial supplement were released yesterday afternoon, and are available on our website at rayonier.com.

Collin Mings: Thank you and good morning. Welcome to Rayonier's Investor Teleconference covering Q2 earnings. Our earning statements and financial supplement were released yesterday afternoon and are available on our website at rayonier.com. I would like to remind you that in these presentations, we include forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of federal securities laws. Our earnings release and forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the SEC list some of the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we may make. They're also referenced on page two of our financial supplement. Throughout these presentations, we will also discuss non-GAAP financial measures, which are defined and reconciled to the nearest GAAP measures in our earnings release and supplemental materials. With that, let's start our teleconference with opening comments from Mark McHugh, our President and CEO. Mark?

Speaker #3: I would like to remind you that in these presentations, we include forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of Federal Securities Laws.

Speaker #3: Our earnings release informs 10-K and 10-Q, followed by the SEC, list some of the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we may make.

Speaker #3: They're also referenced on page 2 of our financial supplement. Throughout these presentations, we will also discuss non-GAAP financial measures, which are defined and reconciled to the nearest GAAP measures in our earnings release and supplemental materials.

Speaker #3: With that, let's start our teleconference with opening comments from Mark McHugh, our President and CEO. Mark?

Speaker #4: Thanks, Collin. Good morning, everyone. Before turning to our Q2 results, I'd like to provide a brief update on our merger of equals with Potlatch Deltic, as well as the two Timberland transactions we announced yesterday, which further advance our portfolio optimization strategy.

Mark McHugh: Thanks, Collin. Good morning, everyone. Before turning to our Q2 results, I'd like to provide a brief update on our merger of equals with PotlatchDeltic, as well as the two timberland transactions we announced yesterday, which further advance our portfolio optimization strategy. Since closing the merger in late January, our team has moved quickly to optimize our organizational structure, capture operational efficiencies, and integrate the two companies' cultures into a shared foundation. We also signed a lease on our new corporate headquarters in Atlanta, which we expect to open in early 2027. I'm proud of our team's execution over the past six months. We've made significant progress on integration initiatives, and we remain on track to achieve our run rate synergies targets. Moving to the transactions we announced yesterday. Last week, we closed two timberland transactions with Resource Management Service, or RMS.

Speaker #4: Since closing the merger in late January, our team has moved quickly to optimize our organizational structure to capture operational efficiencies and integrate the two companies' cultures into a shared foundation.

Speaker #4: We also signed a lease on our new corporate headquarters in Atlanta, which we expect to open in early 2027. I'm proud of our team's execution over the past 6 months.

Speaker #4: We've made significant progress on integration initiatives, and we remain on track to achieve our run-rate synergies targets. Moving to the transactions we announced yesterday, last week we closed two Timberland transactions with resource management service, or RMS.

Speaker #4: The transactions comprise the sale of approximately 36,000 acres in Southwest Washington for $145 million, and the concurrent acquisition of approximately 57,000 acres in Texas and Alabama for $146 million, subject to customary closing adjustments.

Mark McHugh: The transactions comprise a sale of approximately 36,000 acres in southwest Washington for $145 million and the concurrent acquisition of approximately 57,000 acres in Texas and Alabama for $146 million, subject to customary closing adjustments. The transactions were structured as a tax-efficient, like-kind exchange and are expected to be accretive to cash flow on a timber-only basis, with further upside potential from HB real estate sales and land-based solutions opportunities. These transactions reflect our continued focus on portfolio optimization as we look to concentrate our capital in markets with the strongest cash flow attributes and the most favorable long-term growth prospects. Notably, we're able to advance these objectives through a land exchange transaction rather than an outright acquisition, thereby preserving our future capital allocation flexibility. Now let's move on to our Q2 results.

Speaker #4: The transactions were structured as a tax-efficient, like-kind exchange, and are expected to be accretive to cash flow on a timber-only basis, with further upside potential from HBU Real Estate sales and land-based solutions opportunities.

Speaker #4: These transactions reflect our continued focus on portfolio optimization, as we look to concentrate our capital in markets with the strongest cash flow attributes and the most favorable long-term growth prospects.

Speaker #4: Notably, we were able to advance these objectives through a land exchange transaction rather than an outright acquisition, thereby preserving our future capital allocation flexibility.

Speaker #4: Now let's move on to our Q2 results. I'll start with a review of our overall financial results, as well as our segment-level performance, after which Wayne will review key liquidity and balance sheet metrics, as well as our outlook for the balance of the year.

Mark McHugh: I'll start with a review of our overall financial results, as well as our segment level performance, after which Wayne will review key liquidity and balance sheet metrics, as well as our outlook for the balance of the year. For the Q2, Rayonier reported GAAP earnings of $19 million, or $0.06 per share. Adjusting for pro forma items, the majority of which were related to the merger, net income was $32 million, or $0.10 per share. Adjusted EBITDA in the Q2 was $124 million, which was well above the prior year period, primarily due to the contributions from the PotlatchDeltic operations, along with solid operational performance across our segments. Moving on to our segment results, let's start on page nine with our Southern Timber segment.

Speaker #4: For the Q2, Rayonier reported GAAP earnings of $19 million or $0.06 per share. Adjusting for pro forma items, the majority of which were related to the merger, net income was $32 million, or $0.10 per share.

Speaker #4: Adjusted EBITDA in the Q2 was $124 million, which was well above the prior year period, primarily due to the contributions from the Potlatch Deltic operations along with solid operational performance across our segments.

Speaker #4: Moving on to our segment results, let's start on page 9 with our Southern Timber segment. Adjusted EBITDA in Q2 of $53 million was 85% above the prior-year quarter, as increased harvest volumes more than offset lower pricing.

Mark McHugh: Adjusted EBITDA in the Q2 of $53 million was 85% above the prior year quarter as increased harvest volumes more than offset lower pricing. Total harvest volumes more than doubled versus the prior year quarter, primarily due to the addition of roughly 1.5 million tons of volume from the PotlatchDeltic timberlands. Turning to pricing in the Southern Timber segment, recall at the beginning of last quarter, our reported pricing reflects delivered log prices rather than net stumpage realizations, consistent with the prevalent mode of sale across the combined portfolio. In sawlog markets, demand was steady as lumber prices climbed throughout the Q2. Looking ahead, we expect that sawmills in the US South will continue to gain market share from Canada and gradually increase production in response to a more favorable lumber pricing environment, which should support stronger sawlog demand within our southern footprints.

Speaker #4: Total harvest volumes more than doubled versus the prior-year quarter, primarily due to the addition of roughly 1.5 million tons of volume from the PotlatchDeltic timberland.

Speaker #4: Turning to pricing in the Southern Timber segment, recall the beginning last quarter, our reported pricing reflects delivered log prices rather than net stumpage realizations, consistent with the prevalent mode of sale across the combined portfolio.

Speaker #4: In saw log markets, demand was steady as lumber prices climbed throughout the Q2. Looking ahead, we expect that sawmills in the U.S. South will continue to gain market share from Canada and gradually increase production in response to a more favorable lumber pricing environment, which should support stronger saw log demand within our Southern footprint.

Speaker #4: In pulpwood markets, challenging conditions persisted during the quarter. Demand remained subdued, while historically dry weather across the U.S. South, coupled with salvage harvesting associated with the fires in Florida and Georgia, further added to supply.

Mark McHugh: In pulpwood markets, challenging conditions persisted during the quarter. Demand remained subdued while historically dry weather across the US South, coupled with salvage harvesting associated with the fires in Florida and Georgia, further added to supply. That said, we believe that pulpwood pricing has generally stabilized in our primary market areas, and we're encouraged by recent gains in containerboard pricing, as well as improved mill operating rates for our customers. As it relates to the fires in the US South, approximately 9,300 acres of our timberlands in Georgia were affected. Following our assessment of the damage, we recorded a casualty loss of approximately $2 million in the Q2, which was reflected as a pro forma item. Our team moved quickly to initiate salvage operations on the affected tracks, harvesting approximately 50,000 tons during the quarter.

Speaker #4: That said, we believe that pulpwood pricing has generally stabilized in our primary market areas, and we're encouraged by recent gains in container board pricing, as well as improved mill operating rates for our customers.

Speaker #4: As it relates to the fires in the U.S. South, approximately were affected. Following our assessment of the damage, we recorded a casualty loss of approximately $2 million in the Q2, which was reflected as a pro forma item.

Speaker #4: Our team moved quickly to initiate salvage operations on the affected tracts, harvesting approximately 50,000 tons during the quarter. These efforts are now largely complete, and we do not expect any material impacts to our business moving forward.

Mark McHugh: These efforts are now largely complete. We do not expect any material impacts to our business moving forward. Moving on to our Northwest Timber segment on page 10. Q2 adjusted EBITDA of $26 million was significantly above the $7 million reported in the prior year quarter. Harvest volumes more than doubled in the Q2 as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the contribution of 360,000 tons of incremental harvest volume from PotlatchDeltic's Idaho Timberlands. Notably, harvest activity in Idaho was strong during the Q2 due to drier than normal weather conditions. Improving lumber prices also helped propel sawlog prices higher in Idaho in the quarter, as a significant portion of our sawlog sales in the state are indexed to lumber prices. Turning to Wood Products on page 11.

Speaker #4: Moving on to our Northwest Timber segment on page 10, Q2 adjusted EBITDA of $26 million was significantly above the $7 million reported in the prior year quarter.

Speaker #4: Harvest volumes more than doubled in the Q2, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the contribution of $360,000 tons of incremental harvest volume from Potlatch Deltic's Idaho Timberlands.

Speaker #4: Notably, harvest activity in Idaho was strong during the Q2 due to drier-than-normal weather conditions. Improving lumber prices also helped propel saw log prices higher in Idaho in the quarter, as a significant portion of our saw log sales in the state are indexed to lumber prices.

Speaker #4: Turning to wood products on page 11, this segment generated $25 million of adjusted EBITDA in the Q2, which was above our expectations, entering the quarter.

Mark McHugh: This segment generated $25 million of adjusted EBITDA in the Q2, which was above our expectations entering the quarter. Notably, this was the strongest quarterly adjusted EBITDA result that this segment has registered since PotlatchDeltic's Q3 of 2022. Our average lumber price realization was $505 per MBF, and shipments totaled 314 million board feet, in line with our prior guidance. Our average lumber price realization increased by roughly 18% from $427 per MBF in the Q1, including the pre-merger period. The improvement in lumber markets during the Q2 was driven primarily by supply-side factors as mill curtailments, coupled with higher tariffs on Canadian imports, have limited supply. In addition, industry-wide transportation challenges, especially the limited availability of flatbed trucking, have constrained the flow of lumber into certain markets. Our team has been very proactive in navigating these transportation challenges.

Speaker #4: Notably, this was the strongest quarterly adjusted EBITDA result that this segment has registered since Potlatch Deltic's Q3 of 2022. Our average lumber price realization was $505 per MBF, and shipments totaled $314 million board fee, in line with our prior guidance.

Speaker #4: Our average lumber price realization increased by roughly 18% from $427 per MBF in the first quarter, including the pre-merger period. The improvement in lumber markets during the Q2 was driven primarily by supply-side factors, as mill curtailments coupled with higher tariffs on Canadian imports have limited supply.

Speaker #4: In addition, industry-wide transportation challenges, especially the limited availability of flatbed trucking, have constrained the flow of lumber into certain markets. Our team has been very proactive in navigating these transportation challenges.

Speaker #4: By further leveraging rail transportation alongside our established trucking network, we maintained a reliable product flow to customers throughout the quarter. In addition, the increased transportation costs that we've incurred have largely been passed through to customers.

Mark McHugh: By further leveraging rail transportation alongside our established trucking network, we maintained a reliable product flow to customers throughout the quarter. In addition, the increased transportation costs that we've incurred have largely been passed through to customers. Against this backdrop, overall demand was relatively stable. The seasonal price weakness following the spring building season that we saw in each of the past two years did not materialize this year. In fact, buyers generally encountered less available supply than anticipated during the quarter, which supported pricing. Our home center business also remained healthy through the quarter, which was encouraging as demand from this channel typically tapers off heading into the summer months. Channel inventories remain at normal levels. Pricing has remained fairly stable into the early part of the Q3, with supply and demand generally in balance. Moving to our Real Estate segment on Page 12.

Speaker #4: Against this backdrop, overall demand was relatively stable, and the seasonal price weakness following the spring building season that we saw in each of the past two years did not materialize this year.

Speaker #4: In fact, buyers generally encountered less available supply than anticipated during the quarter, which supported pricing. Our home center business also remained healthy through the quarter, which was encouraging as demand from this channel typically tapers off heading into the summer months.

Speaker #4: Channel inventories remain at normal levels, and pricing has remained fairly stable into the early part of the third quarter, with supply and demand generally in balance.

Speaker #4: Moving to our real estate segment on page 12, in the Q2, real estate revenue totaled $54 million on approximately $7,500 acres sold at an average price of $6,300 per acre.

Mark McHugh: In the Q2, Real Estate revenue totaled $54 million on approximately 7,500 acres sold at an average price of $6,300 per acre. Sales increased significantly from the prior year quarter due to a higher number of acres sold, partially offset by a slightly lower average price per acre due to the sales mix. Real Estate segment adjusted EBITDA in the Q2 was $38 million, up $20 million from the prior year period. Within improved development, sales totaled $6 million. We continue to see broad-based demand at our Wildlight and Heartwood development projects. Activity remains on a favorable trajectory, reflecting the benefit of the investments we've made over the past several years in entitlements, infrastructure, and market development. Meanwhile, the Chenal Valley project in Little Rock, which is relatively more mature, remains well-positioned to provide a steady stream of cash flow moving forward.

Speaker #4: Sales increased significantly from the prior year quarter due to a higher number of acres sold, partially offset by a slightly lower average price per acre due to the sales mix.

Speaker #4: Real estate segment adjusted EBITDA in the Q2 was $38 million, up $20 million from the prior year period. Within improved development, sales totaled $6 million.

Speaker #4: We continue to see broad-based demand at our wildlife and hardwood development projects and activity remains on a favorable trajectory, reflecting the benefit of the investments we've made over the past several years in entitlements, infrastructure, and market development.

Speaker #4: Meanwhile, the Chanal Valley project in Little Rock, which is relatively more mature, remains well-positioned to provide a steady stream of cash flow moving forward.

Speaker #4: Moving to the rural category, Q2 sales totaled $41 million consisting of nearly 7,500 acres sold at an average price of roughly $5,400 per acre.

Mark McHugh: Moving to the rural category, Q2 sales totaled $41 million, consisting of nearly 7,500 acres sold at an average price of roughly $5,400 per acre. The most notable transaction was a 460-acre bolt-on sale to a solar developer for $4.6 million, or roughly $10,000 per acre. This sale underscores the continued interest we are seeing from solar developers across our southern land portfolio. At the end of Q2, our pipeline of land under option for lease or sale to solar developers stood at approximately 77,000 acres. More broadly, overall sentiment in the rural land market remains positive, and we continue to achieve strong premiums above timberland value in our rural HBU business. I'll now turn the call over to Wayne to cover key liquidity and balance sheet metrics, as well as our outlook for the balance of the year.

Speaker #4: The most notable transaction was a $460-acre bolt-on sale to a solar developer for $4.6 million. For roughly 10,000 dollars per acre. This sale underscores the continued interest we are seeing from solar developers across our Southern land portfolio.

Speaker #4: At the end of the Q2, our pipeline of land under option for lease or sale to solar developers stood at approximately $77,000 acres, more broadly overall sentiment in the rural land market remains positive, and we continue to achieve strong premiums above Timberland value in our rural HBU business.

Speaker #4: I'll now turn the call over to Wayne to cover key liquidity and balance sheet metrics, as well as our outlook for the balance of the year.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Mark. Moving to our capital resources and liquidity, our cash available for distribution, or CAD, was $177 million through the first six months of 2026 versus $47 million in the prior year period.

Wayne Wasechek: Thanks, Mark. Moving to our capital resources and liquidity. Our cash available for distribution, or CAD, was $177 million through the H1 of 2026, versus $47 million in the prior year period. The significant increase in CAD was primarily driven by the contribution from the PotlatchDeltic businesses, coupled with significantly improved Real Estate results. A reconciliation of CAD to cash provided by operating activities and other GAAP measures is provided on Page 8 of the supplement. During Q2, we repurchased approximately 3.5 million shares at an average price of $20.95 per share or $72 million in total. We have been very active on this front during the H1 of the year, as we have repurchased 4.9 million shares for a total of $103 million. As of the end of Q2, we had $126 million remaining on our current share repurchase authorization.

Speaker #1: The significant increase in CAD was primarily driven by the contribution from the Potlatch Deltic businesses coupled with significantly improved real estate results. A reconciliation of CAD to cash provided by operating activities and other gap measures is provided on page 8 of the supplement.

Speaker #1: During the Q2, we repurchased approximately $3.5 million shares at an average price of $20.95 per share, or $72 million in total. We have been very active on this front during the first half of the year, as we have repurchased $4.9 million shares for a total of $103 million.

Speaker #1: As of the end of the Q2, we had $126 million remaining on our current share repurchase authorization. We continue to believe that our stock price is trading at a significant discount to net asset value.

Wayne Wasechek: We continue to believe that our stock price is trading at a significant discount to net asset value. As such, we remain active under our share repurchase program as we believe buybacks represent a compelling use of capital and one of the most attractive opportunities to create value for our shareholders in the near term. Turning to our balance sheet. We continue to maintain a conservative leverage profile and significant capital allocation flexibility. In April, we repaid a $200 million term loan at maturity using cash on hand, which we viewed as a more favorable capital allocation option than refinancing in the current higher interest rate environment. We finished Q2 with $412 million of cash and roughly $1.9 billion of debt. Our net debt to enterprise value, based on our closing stock price at the end of the quarter, was 18%. Moving to our outlook.

Speaker #1: As such, we remain active under our share repurchase program as we believe buybacks represent a compelling use of capital and one of the most attractive opportunities to create value for a shareholder in the near term.

Speaker #1: Turning to our balance sheet, we continue to maintain a conservative leverage profile and significant capital allocation flexibility. In April, we repaid a $200 million term loan at maturity using cash on hand, which we viewed as a more favorable capital allocation option than refinancing in the current higher interest rate environment.

Speaker #1: We finished the Q2 with $412 million of cash and roughly $1.9 billion of debt. Our net debt-to-enterprise value, based on our closing stock price at the end of the quarter, was 18%.

Speaker #1: Moving to our outlook, consistent with the initial 2026 financial guidance we provided in February, full-year metrics reflect a pro-rata contribution from the PotlatchDeltic operations starting on January 31.

Wayne Wasechek: Consistent with the initial 2026 financial guidance we provided in February, full-year metrics reflect a pro rata contribution from the PotlatchDeltic operations starting on 31 January. With respect to our individual segments, starting with our Southern Timber segment, we expect to achieve full-year harvest volumes of 12.2 to 12.5 million tons, with anticipated harvest volumes of 3.1 to 3.3 million tons in Q3. We expect regional sawtimber and pulpwood prices to remain relatively stable for Q3 compared to Q2.

Speaker #1: With respect to our individual segments, starting with our Southern timber segment, we expect to achieve full-year harvest volumes of 12.2 to 12.5 million tons, with anticipated harvest volumes of 3.1 to 3.3 million tons in the third quarter.

Speaker #1: We expect regional saw timber and pulpwood prices to remain relatively stable for the third quarter compared to the second quarter. However, as previously discussed, full-year and quarterly average pine prices for the combined companies' Southern timber segment are expected to be lower than the standalone prices for Rayonier and the prior year based on the geographic mix of the combined company.

Wayne Wasechek: As previously discussed, full-year and quarterly average pine prices for the combined company's Southern Timber segment are expected to be lower than the standalone prices for Rayonier in the prior year, based on the geographic mix of the combined company. In our Northwest Timber segment, we expect to achieve full-year harvest volumes of 2 to 2.2 million tons, with anticipated harvest volumes of approximately 600,000 tons in Q3. We expect overall sawtimber prices to be modestly higher in Q3 compared to Q2, primarily due to higher index sawlog prices on a portion of the volume coming from our Idaho timberlands. We continue to expect that full-year 2026 average log pricing for the combined company's Northwest Timber segment will be higher than the standalone pricing for Rayonier in the prior year.

Speaker #1: In our Northwest timber segment, we expect to achieve full-year harvest volumes of 2 to 2.2 million tons, with anticipated harvest volumes of approximately 600,000 tons in the third quarter.

Speaker #1: We expect overall saw timber prices to be modestly higher in the third quarter, compared to the second quarter, primarily due to higher index saw log prices on a portion of the volume coming from our Idaho Timberlands.

Speaker #1: We continue to expect that full-year 2026 average log pricing for the combined companies' Northwest timber segment will be higher than the standalone pricing for Rayonier in the prior year.

Speaker #1: In our wood products segment, we continue to expect lumber shipments to total approximately $1.1 billion board feet for the 11 months of contribution in 2026.

Wayne Wasechek: In our Wood Products segment, we continue to expect lumber shipments to total approximately 1.1 billion board feet for the 11 months of contribution in 2026. We further expect lumber shipments in Q3 of approximately 320 to 330 million board feet. We continue to be encouraged by the improvement in lumber prices, which has been driven largely by more favorable supply-demand dynamics, in addition to broader transportation constraints. As of July month-end, our average quarter-to-date lumber price realization was modestly higher than our average price realization in Q2. In our Real Estate segment, we are pleased by the continuing momentum in our sales activity and maintain a healthy pipeline of rural and improved development land sale opportunities as we move forward.

Speaker #1: We further expect lumber shipments in the third quarter of approximately $320 to $330 million board feet, we continue to be encouraged by the improvement in lumber prices, which has been driven largely by more favorable supply-demand dynamics in addition to broader transportation constraints.

Speaker #1: As of July month end, our average quarter-to-date lumber price realization was modestly higher than our average price realization in the second quarter. In our real estate segment, we are pleased by the continued momentum in our sales activity and maintain a healthy pipeline of rural and improved development land sale opportunities as we move forward.

Speaker #1: Based on our current transaction pipeline and sales closed quarter-to-date, we expect an adjusted EBITDA contribution in the third quarter of $25 to $35 million.

Wayne Wasechek: Based on our current transaction pipeline and sales closed quarter to date, we expect an adjusted EBITDA contribution in Q3 of $25 to $35 million. For the full year, we continue to expect an adjusted EBITDA contribution from our Real Estate segment of $180 to $200 million. As it relates to the land exchange with RMS that Mark discussed earlier, I'd note that our timber harvest guidance includes the impact of these transactions. In addition, the Washington sale will be treated as a large disposition and will have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. I'll now turn the call back to Mark for closing comments.

Speaker #1: For the full year, we continue to expect an adjusted EBITDA contribution from our real estate segment of $180 to $200 million. As it relates to the land exchange with RMS that Mark discussed earlier, I'd note that our timber harvest guidance includes the impact of these transactions.

Speaker #1: In addition, the Washington sale will be treated as a large disposition and will have no impact on adjusted EBITDA. I'll now turn the call back to Mark for closing comments.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Wayne. As I reflect on the first half of the year, I want to commend our employees for their focus and dedication during a period of significant change.

Mark McHugh: Thanks, Wayne. As I reflect on H1 of the year, I want to commend our employees for their focus and dedication during a period of significant change. Our team has navigated challenging market conditions while advancing key integration initiatives, and I remain confident that our merger with PotlatchDeltic will create significant long-term value for our shareholders. While the macroeconomic backdrop remains uncertain, we believe the long-term fundamentals of our industry are promising, and we remain focused on optimizing the value of our land base. In addition, we are continuing to build long-term value per share through disciplined capital allocation and active portfolio management, as reflected in our recent share repurchase activity, as well as the land exchange transaction with RMS. In sum, I'm very pleased with our operational execution during Q2, and I'm proud of our team's resilience and determination.

Speaker #2: Our team has navigated challenging market conditions while advancing key integration initiatives in our main confident that our merger with Potlatch Deltic will create significant long-term value for our shareholders.

Speaker #2: While the macroeconomic backdrop remains uncertain, we believe the long-term fundamentals of our industry are promising, and we remain focused on optimizing the value of our land base.

Speaker #2: In addition, we are continuing to build long-term value per share through disciplined capital allocation and active portfolio management, as reflected in our recent share repurchase activity as well as the land exchange transaction with RMS.

Speaker #2: In sum, I'm very pleased with our operational execution during the second quarter, and I'm proud of our team's resilience and determination. Before turning it back to the operator, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic wildfires near Spokane, Washington.

Mark McHugh: Before turning it back to the operator, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic wildfires near Spokane, Washington. While these fires are not proximate to our timberland ownership, they are certainly impacting our team members based in the Spokane area, where PotlatchDeltic previously maintained its headquarters. We're monitoring the situation closely and working to support our team members, their families, and the broader community as they cope with these events. Our thoughts go out to all those affected. That concludes our prepared remarks, and I'll now turn the call back to the operator for questions.

Speaker #2: While these fires are not proximate to our timberland ownership, they are certainly impacting our team members based in the Spokane area, where Potlatch Deltic previously maintained its headquarters.

Speaker #2: We are monitoring the situation closely, and working to support our team members; their families, and the broader community as they cope with these events.

Speaker #2: Our thoughts go out to all those affected. That concludes our prepared remarks, and I'll now turn the call back to the operator for questions.

Speaker #3: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 to raise your hand.

Operator 2: Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. Your line will remain open after your first question for follow-up questions. To withdraw your question, press star one again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question to allow for optimum sound quality, and if you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Please stand by now while we compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Matthew McKellar with RBC Capital Markets. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. Your line will remain open after your first question for follow-up questions. To withdraw your question, press star one again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question to allow for optimum sound quality, and if you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Please stand by now while we compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Matthew McKellar with RBC Capital Markets. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Your line will remain open after your first question for follow-up questions. To withdraw your question, press star 1 again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question to allow for optimum sound quality and, if you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device.

Speaker #3: Please stand by now while we compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from the line of Matthew McKellar with RBC Capital Markets. Your line is open.

Speaker #3: Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Hi, good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Let me first, on the timberlands transactions you've announced, beyond the incremental timber EBITDA benefit that you've projected here, can you give us a sense of how you're thinking about potential HPU real estate and land-based solutions upside opportunities that may exist in the acquired acreage?

Matthew McKellar: Hi, good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Maybe first, on the timberlands transactions you've announced, beyond the incremental timber EBITDA benefit that you've projected here, can you give us a sense of how you're thinking about potential HBU Real Estate and land-based solutions upside opportunities that may exist in the acquired acreage? Is there anything specific on the land-based solutions side that you're looking at at this stage that would involve that acquired acreage? Thank you.

Speaker #4: And is there anything specific on the land-based solutions side that you're looking at at this stage that would involve that acquired acreage? Thank you.

Speaker #2: Hey, Matthew. This is Mark. I wouldn't say that there's anything particularly unique about these properties as it relates to land-based solutions upside, but recognize these are markets where we have a lot of experience, both on the real estate HPU side as well as finding opportunities on the land-based solutions side.

Mark McHugh: Hey, Matthew, this is Mark. I wouldn't say that there's anything particularly unique about these properties as it relates to land-based solutions upside, recognize these are markets where we have a lot of experience, both on the Real Estate HBU side as well as finding opportunities on the land-based solutions side. We really just see it as kind of additive to our portfolio in those areas.

Speaker #2: So we really just see it as kind of additive to our portfolio in those areas.

Speaker #4: Okay. Great. Congrats on the acquisition. Last for me, just outside of the benefit of the higher index saw logs in Idaho that you noted, what trends are you seeing in saw timber prices in the Pacific Northwest into Q3 here?

Matthew McKellar: Okay, great. Congrats on the acquisition. Last for me, just outside of the benefit of the higher index sawlogs in Idaho that you noted, what trends are you seeing in sawtimber prices in the Pacific Northwest into Q3 here? Is the fire activity having any kind of noticeable impact on supply in the region? Thank you.

Speaker #4: And is the fire activity having any kind of noticeable impact on supply in the region? Thank you.

Speaker #5: Yeah, hi, Matt. Thanks, just Wayne. Yeah, certainly, you're right. With index sawlogs and where pricing's at, we're seeing higher index log prices in Idaho.

Wayne Wasechek: Yeah. Hi, Matt. Thanks to Wayne. Yeah, certainly you're right. With index sawlogs and where pricing's at, we're seeing higher index log prices in Idaho. As it relates to the Pacific Northwest, yeah, that is also having an impact. We see pricing increasing there as well, slightly. It's having a positive impact. As it relates to the fires, no, I don't think that's having a significant impact, whether it be on volume or transactions or pricing there. While it's unfortunate that the fires are happening there in the West, I think we've seen that kind of year after year and no real pricing impact from those fires.

Speaker #5: But as it relates to the Pacific Northwest, yeah, that is also having an impact. We see pricing increasing there as well, slightly. So it's having a positive impact.

Speaker #5: As it relates to the fires, no, I don't think that's having a significant impact, whether it be on volume or transactions or pricing there.

Speaker #5: While it's unfortunate that the fires are happening there in the West, I think we've seen that kind of year after year. And no real pricing impact from those fires.

Speaker #4: Thanks. I'll turn it back. Appreciate the perspective.

Matthew McKellar: Thanks. I'll turn it back. Appreciate the perspective.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from the line of Anthony Pettinari with Citi. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: Your next question comes from the line of Anthony Pettinari with Citi. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Anthony Pettinari with Citi. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Anthony Pettinari: Hi, good morning.

Speaker #6: Good morning. Good morning. Mark, I think you said that pulpwood prices you were seeing some improvement, maybe exiting the quarter in reference to container board price hikes which I guess we've seen.

Wayne Wasechek: Morning.

Mark McHugh: Morning.

Anthony Pettinari: Good morning. Mark, I think you said that pulpwood prices, you were seeing some improvement maybe exiting the quarter, and you referenced containerboard price hikes, which I guess we've seen. I'm wondering if you can give any kind of finer point on that into the H2 of the year and just given these outstanding hikes, given recycled fiber prices are, I think, I don't know, 50%, 60% higher than they were six, seven months ago, just how that dynamic impacts pulpwood and what you're seeing in that market.

Speaker #6: I'm wondering if you can give any kind of finer point on that into the second half of the year, and just given these outstanding hikes, given recycled fiber prices are I think, I don't know, 50, 60 percent higher than they were six, seven months ago.

Speaker #6: Just how that dynamic impacts pulpwood and what you're seeing in that market.

Speaker #2: Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't say that we have seen a significant amount of positive momentum on pulpwood pricing at this stage. But what we have seen is that markets have generally stabilized.

Mark McHugh: Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't say that we have seen a significant amount of positive momentum on pulpwood pricing at this stage. What we have seen is that markets have generally stabilized. Look, it's been a challenging few years for pulpwood pricing. We've kind of had this perfect storm of multiple mill closures coupled with the elevated supply from the hurricane salvage and then just very dry weather conditions across the South. We saw several successive quarters of declining prices. We think that that's generally stabilized. Again, with some better end market dynamics for our customers, improving in containerboard prices, as well as improved operating rates at the mills, I'd say that we're seeing just some green shoots for some potential positive price momentum here in the coming quarters.

Speaker #2: Look, it's been a challenging few years for pulpwood pricing. We've kind of had this perfect storm of multiple mill closures coupled with the elevated supply from the hurricane salvage, and then just very dry weather conditions across the South.

Speaker #2: And so we saw several successive quarters of declining prices. We think that that's generally stabilized. And again, with some better end-market dynamics, for our customers, improving in container board prices, as well as improved operating rates at the mills, I'd say that we're seeing just some green shoots for some potential positive price momentum here in the coming quarters.

Speaker #6: Got it. Got it. And then just switching gears to lumber, the Canadian import duties can you provide any thoughts on the resets, like the timing of when that will happen, sort of expectations for what the new duty level will be?

Anthony Pettinari: Got it. Just switching gears to lumber, the Canadian import duties, can you provide any thoughts on the reset, like the timing of when that will happen, sort of expectations for what the new duty level will be? The administration has talked about additional 50% tariffs on Canada that I think would hit LVL. I'm not sure if they would hit other wood products, any thoughts you can share on the import duty and tariff dynamic?

Speaker #6: And the administration has talked about additional 50% tariffs on Canada that I think would hit LVL. I'm not sure if they would hit other wood products, but any thoughts you can share on the import duty and tariff dynamic?

Speaker #2: Yeah, no, my understanding is that those incremental tariffs or potential incremental tariffs on certain Canadian imports would not attach to lumber. And look, while the preliminary AR7 would bring duties down modestly from current levels, it's worth putting that in context.

Mark McHugh: My understanding is that those incremental tariffs or potential incremental tariffs on certain Canadian imports would not attach to lumber. Look, while the preliminary AR7 would bring duties down modestly from current levels, it's worth putting that in context. Even at the modestly lower preliminary rate, AR7 would still be the highest, or I'm sorry, the second-highest combined rate since the Softwood Lumber Agreement expired in 2015. When you layer the Section 232 tariff on top of that, the all-in duty burden on Canadian lumber would still be roughly 35%. Even at that lower duty rate, we expect that US lumber producers will continue to gain market share from Canada. We just don't see the mills that have shut down in Canada coming back online, certainly not with a 35% duty and tariff burden.

Speaker #2: Even at the modestly lower preliminary rate, AR7 would still be the highest or I'm sorry, the second highest combined rate since the softwood 2015.

Speaker #2: And when you layer the Section 232 tariff on top of that, the all-in duty burden on Canadian lumber would still be roughly 35%. So even at that lower duty rate, we expect that US lumber producers will continue to gain market share from Canada.

Speaker #2: We just don't see the mills that have shut down in Canada coming back online, certainly not with a 35% duty and tariff burden. So perhaps we see some incremental volume from Canada at the margin, but it's just hard to envision that this would really move the dial relative to the current market dynamics.

Mark McHugh: Perhaps we see some incremental volume from Canada at the margin, but it's just hard to envision that this would really move the dial relative to the current market dynamics. In terms of the timing, my understanding is that one component of the duty actually just got extended by a couple of months, our expectation, it's going to be a little bit later in the year, perhaps, than initially anticipated.

Speaker #2: And in terms of the timing, my understanding is that one component of the duty actually just got extended by a couple of months. And so our expectation that's going to be a little bit later in the year perhaps than initially anticipated.

Speaker #6: Okay. That's very helpful. I'll turn it over.

Anthony Pettinari: Okay. That's very helpful. I'll turn it over.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from the line of Buck Horn with Raymond James. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: Your next question comes from the line of Buck Horne with Raymond James. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Buck Horne with Raymond James. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #5: Hey, good morning, guys. Quick question on the harvest volumes planned for the back half of the year. Just feels like you had a little bit of extra activity in the second quarter.

Buck Horne: Hey, good morning, guys. Quick question on the harvest volumes planned for the H2 of the year. Just feels like you had a little bit of extra activity in the Q2, maybe due to drier weather conditions. I'm just wondering to what degree there's some conservatism maybe built in. If the weather remains dry or if transportation were to free up, is there potential upside to harvest activity in the H2 of the year?

Speaker #5: Maybe due to drier weather conditions. I'm just wondering to what degree there's some conservatism, maybe built in. If the weather remains dry or if transportation were to free up, is there potential upside to harvest activity in the back half of the year?

Speaker #5: Yeah, Buck. I think certainly we tightened our guidance range for the year just a little bit, on both ends. But however, really, the midpoint is effectively remain unchanged.

Wayne Wasechek: Yeah, Buck, I think certainly we tightened our guidance range for the year just a little bit on both ends. However, really the midpoint has effectively remained unchanged. I think, look, we're farther through the year. Our team has had some additional opportunity to evaluate the combined harvest plan. They're continuing to optimize. Yeah, while we were a little bit higher than we anticipated, just given favorable harvest conditions, that doesn't change our overall outlook for the year.

Speaker #5: I think, look, we're farther through the year. Our team has had some additional opportunity to evaluate the combined harvest plan. They're continuing to optimize.

Speaker #5: So yeah, while we were a little bit higher than we anticipated, just given favorable harvest conditions, that doesn't change our overall outlook for the year.

Speaker #5: Okay. Perfect. And just one quick one on just higher, better use outcomes. Congrats on the new solar activity and the pipeline there. Any conversations with potential data centers or data center developers or any sort of combination with solar arrays if there's any developments on that front?

Buck Horne: Okay. Perfect. Just one quick one on just higher, better use outcomes. Congrats on the new solar activity and the pipeline there. Any conversations with potential data centers or data center developers or any sort of combination with solar arrays if there's any developments on that front?

Speaker #2: Yeah, as we discussed last quarter, we have seen increased interest from data center developers here recently. And I'd say that interest has been pretty varied.

Mark McHugh: Yeah. As we discussed last quarter, we have seen increased interest from data center developers here recently. I'd say that interest has been pretty varied. It ranges from developers looking to purchase maybe a few hundred acres for the actual data center footprint, other developers looking for several thousand acres for data center co-located power, and perhaps even a buffer zone to address community concerns. Needless to say, the site requirements and the due diligence for data center development are even more stringent than what we see for solar development. These types of opportunities are invariably going to take longer to materialize. With that said, we're certainly focused on identifying these types of opportunities within our land base, and really capturing some of that momentum that we see in data center development.

Speaker #2: It ranges from developers looking to purchase maybe a few hundred acres for the actual data center footprint, other developers looking for several thousand acres for data center co-located power.

Speaker #2: And perhaps even a buffer zone to address community concerns. But needless to say, the site requirements and the due diligence for data center development are even more stringent than what we see for solar development.

Speaker #2: So these types of opportunities are invariably going to take longer to materialize. With that said, we're certainly focused on identifying these types of opportunities within our land base.

Speaker #2: And really capturing some of that momentum that we see in data center development. We put together a cross-functional team internally to identify what we think are higher potential sites within the portfolio.

Mark McHugh: We put together a cross-functional team internally to identify what we think are higher potential sites within the portfolio. We've also enlisted some outside experts to help us with identifying those opportunities, as well as marketing the potential sites. Optimistic that we'll see this type of use contribute to our portfolio of HBU opportunities, but still a little early to speculate on just orders of magnitude in terms of pricing or number of acres that might ultimately be sold into that use.

Speaker #2: We've also enlisted some outside experts to help us with identifying those opportunities, as well as marketing the potential sites. So optimistic that we'll see this type of use contribute to our portfolio of HBU opportunities, but still a little early to speculate on just orders of magnitude in terms of pricing or number of acres that might ultimately be sold into that use.

Speaker #5: Perfect. Appreciate it, Colin. Thanks, guys. Congrats.

Buck Horne: Perfect. Appreciate the color. Thanks guys. Congrats.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from the line of Mike Roxland with Truist Securities. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: Your next question comes from the line of Michael Roxland with Truist Securities. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Michael Roxland with Truist Securities. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Yeah, thank you, Mark. Wayne, Collin, for taking my questions. First one: over the last few years, you've been selling timberland in the Pacific Northwest.

Michael Roxland: Thank you, Mark, Wayne, and Collin, for taking my questions. First one, just over the last few years, you've been selling timberland in the Pacific Northwest. I think at one point, maybe two or three years ago, you had more than 400,000 acres in Washington. With the current 1031, you now had, call it 260,000 acres. On the call, Mark, you mentioned optimizing the land base. Is there anything about the location, the Pacific Northwest in particular, relative to the South that makes that region less appealing? Is it tough to get appropriate scale? Is it less attractive outlets for wood? Why have you been downsizing your position in the Pacific Northwest?

Speaker #4: I think at one point, maybe two or three years ago, you had more than 400,000 acres in Washington. With the current 1031, you're now at, call it, 260,000 acres.

Speaker #4: So, on the call, Mark, you mentioned optimizing the land base. So is there anything about the location relative to the Pacific Northwest in particular, relative to the South, that makes that region less appealing?

Speaker #4: Is it tough to get appropriate scale? Is it less attractive outlets for wood? Why have you been downsizing your position in the Pacific Northwest?

Mark McHugh: It's a great question. I wouldn't say that there's anything about the Northwest that makes us want to necessarily shrink there. I think it's just a relative opportunity set. Look, in the US South, there's just a lot more embedded option value around HBU real estate as well as land-based solutions. We just don't have much in the way of HBU real estate activity in the Pacific Northwest, and likewise, the land-based solutions opportunities are pretty limited. You recognize that going back a number of years ago as well, we also generally had a younger age class in the Pacific Northwest and a much higher component of hemlock within the portfolio.

Speaker #2: It's a great question. I wouldn't say that there's anything about the Northwest that makes us want to necessarily shrink there. I think it's just the relative opportunity set.

Speaker #2: Look, in the US South, there's just a lot more embedded option value around HBU real estate, as well as land-based solutions. We just don't have much in the way of HBU real estate activity in the Pacific Northwest.

Speaker #2: And likewise, the land-based solutions opportunities are pretty limited. Recognize that, going back a number of years ago as well, we also generally had a younger age class in the Pacific Northwest and a much higher component of hemlock within the portfolio.

Speaker #2: So some of the transactions that we've done on the disposition side in the last several years in the Northwest have really been seeking to upgrade the residual portfolio by minimizing the component of hemlock in the portfolio and trying to kind of improve the overall age class balance.

Mark McHugh: Some of the transactions that we've done on the disposition side in the last several years in the Northwest have really been seeking to upgrade the residual portfolio by minimizing the component of hemlock in the portfolio and trying to kind of improve the overall age class balance. You'll still really like our position there. I'd say our overall portfolio value on a per acre basis has improved by virtue of the transactions that we've done in the Northwest. Again, at this point, I think we still have sufficient scale to be meaningful in that market. That's really what's been driving some of those decisions.

Speaker #2: So you'll still really like our position there. And I'd say our overall portfolio value on a per-acre basis has improved by virtue of the transactions that we've done in the Northwest.

Speaker #2: And again, at this point, I think we still have sufficient scale to be meaningful in that market. But that's really what's been driving some of those decisions.

Speaker #4: Got it. No, I appreciate the color there. And then just in terms of the shared purchases, obviously, there's been a very wide discount to NAV.

Michael Roxland: Got it. I appreciate the color there. Then just in terms of the share purchases, obviously there's been a wide discount to NAV. You guys have a solid balance sheet post your transformation the last few years. Why not be even more opportunistic and buy back an increasing amount of shares here? Obviously, there was a step up in Q2 relative to Q1, I realize that, but why not spend $100 million a quarter or more a discount to NAV?

Speaker #4: You guys have a solid balance sheet posted to your transformation last few years. Why not be even more opportunistic and buy back an increasing amount of shares here?

Speaker #4: And obviously, there was a step up in QQ relative to 1Q. I realize that, but why not spend $100 million a quarter or more discount to NAV?

Speaker #2: Yeah, I was just saying they're prepared, Mark. So we continue to see buybacks as a very compelling use of capital based on where the stock price sits right now.

Mark McHugh: As we said in the prepared remarks, we continue to see buybacks as a very compelling use of capital based on where the stock price sits right now. The balance sheet is in good shape, we do have capacity remaining under our current authorization. We do expect to remain active buying back shares if we continue to trade in this range we've been over the past several months. That said, we also want to be measured as to how aggressive we are at any single point in time, as market conditions have been pretty volatile of late. We also want to maintain some balance sheet flexibility so that we can maintain that ability to be nimble and opportunistic around cap allocation. Again, I think we've been appropriately aggressive with our recent buybacks.

Speaker #2: The balance sheet is in good shape, and we do have capacity remaining under our current authorization. So we do expect to remain active buying back shares if we continue to trade in this range we've been over the past several months.

Speaker #2: That said, we also want to be measured as to how aggressive we are at any single point in time, as market conditions have been pretty volatile of late.

Speaker #2: And we also want to maintain some balance sheet flexibility so that we can maintain that ability to be nimble and opportunistic around capital allocation.

Speaker #2: So again, I think we've been appropriately aggressive with our recent buybacks. I think last quarter was probably our most active quarter ever in terms of buybacks.

Mark McHugh: I think last quarter was probably our most active quarter ever in terms of buybacks volume. Again, I think we still have some balance sheet flexibility to continue to be aggressive. You recognize our capacity isn't limitless either. We're still committed to maintaining our investment-grade credit rating, and again, we want to maintain a conservative balance sheet and maintain that capital allocation capacity. Again, I think we've been appropriately aggressive, and we want to continue to be opportunistic on that front.

Speaker #2: Volume. And again, I think we still have some balance sheet flexibility to continue to be aggressive. But you recognize our capacity isn't limitless either.

Speaker #2: We're still committed to maintaining our investment-grade credit rating. And again, we want to maintain a conservative balance sheet and maintain that capital allocation capacity.

Speaker #2: And so again, I think we've been appropriately aggressive and we want to continue to be opportunistic on that front.

Speaker #4: Got it. Thank you.

Michael Roxland: Got it. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from the line of Mark Weintraub with Seaport Global. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator 2: Your next question comes from the line of Mark Weintraub with Seaport Global. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Mark Weintraub with Seaport Global. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #5: Thank you. Mark, two questions. One, just sort of building on a little bit on the kind of a data center question and just more generally, housing's not doing great, but we have this massive II infrastructure build-out going on.

Mark Weintraub: Thank you. Mark, two questions. One, just sort of building on a little bit on the kind of a data center question, and just more generally. Housing's not doing great, but we have this massive AI infrastructure build-out going on. I'm sure you're looking at all different types of ways in which you can participate and get your share. Can you kind of speak to that beyond obviously selling land to data centers? Relatedly, I'm sure solar is a part of this answer. We've also got energy costs going up and more uncertainties. Are you seeing that translate in any way to increased activity on the solar side, or is it premature to be drawing any thoughts along those lines?

Speaker #5: And so I'm sure you're looking at all different types of ways in which you can participate and get your share. Can you kind of speak to that beyond obviously selling land to data centers?

Speaker #5: And then relatedly, I'm sure solar is a part of this answer. And we've also got energy costs going up and more uncertainties. Are you seeing that translate in any way to increased activity on the solar side or is it premature to be drawing any thoughts along those lines?

Speaker #2: Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily say we've seen increased activity on the solar option side of things, but I think what we have seen is that developers have really been focused on optimizing their pipeline rather than expanding.

Mark McHugh: Yeah. I wouldn't necessarily say we've seen increased activity on the solar option side of things. I think what we have seen is that developers have really been focused on optimizing their pipeline rather than expanding it. They're sorting through interconnection costs. We've obviously seen changes in the regulatory environment and some of the financial incentives around solar. We actually think our option portfolio could shrink a bit here in coming quarters, but likely with a higher quality mix of projects within that portfolio. There's certainly momentum on the solar front, and we think that that's going to translate to a pretty favorable runway as it relates to long-term solar development. Again, we've been really focused on building out that solar option portfolio now for the last 4 or 5 years.

Speaker #2: They're sorting through interconnection costs. We've obviously seen changes in the regulatory environment and some of the financial incentives around solar. So we actually think our option portfolio could shrink a bit here in coming quarters, but likely with a higher quality mix of projects within that portfolio.

Speaker #2: So there's certainly momentum on the solar front and we think that that's going to translate to a pretty favorable runway as it relates to long-term solar development.

Speaker #2: But again, we've been really focused on building out that solar option portfolio now for the last four or five years but keep in mind that most of these options have terms in the range of five to seven years.

Mark McHugh: Keep in mind that most of these options have terms in the range of 5 to 7 years. We're just now reaching that point where we think we'll start to see a more regular turnover of option maturities. 2027 is actually the first year that we see a big step up in those option maturities. I think over the next 2, 3 years, we should start to get better visibility on what that long-term conversion rate might look like. Again, very optimistic about the pipeline on both the renewable energy side as well as some of the interests that we're seeing on the data center development. I guess one other point I'd make around, just the pick up in energy demand is I think that could also translate to new opportunities around bioenergy and biofuels.

Speaker #2: So we're just now reaching that point where we think we'll start to see a more regular turnover of option maturities. 2027 is actually the first year that we see a big step up in those option maturities.

Speaker #2: So I think over the next two, three years, we should start to get better visibility on what that long-term conversion rate might look like.

Speaker #2: But again, very optimistic about the pipeline on both the renewable energy side, as well as some of the interest that we're seeing on the data center development.

Speaker #2: And I guess one other point I'd make around just the pickup in energy demand is I think that could also translate to new opportunities around bioenergy and biofuels.

Speaker #2: That's an area where we've been spending a lot of time really trying to evaluate those types of opportunities, particularly in the U.S. South.

Mark McHugh: That's an area where we've been spending a lot of time really trying to evaluate those types of opportunities, particularly in the US South.

Speaker #5: Great. And maybe just on the point you made about solar options expiring, is there any reason why things can't happen before we're coming to the end of solar towards the end, solar option expiration?

Mark Weintraub: Great. Maybe just on the point you made about solar options expiring, is there any reason why things can't happen before we're coming towards the end of solar option expiration? If not, why is the timing tending to coincide with when things are coming to an end?

Speaker #5: And if not, how does, or why is, the timing sort of tending to coincide with when things are coming to an end?

Speaker #2: Yeah, they certainly can happen before the end of an option expiration. And we've certainly seen that within our portfolio of options where counterparties have converted the option over to a purchase or a lease prior to that option termination.

Mark McHugh: Yeah, they certainly can happen before the end of an option expiration, and we've certainly seen that within our portfolio of options where counterparties have converted the option over to a purchase or a lease prior to that option termination. Recognize, what's underlying that typical five to seven year term is just the interconnection studies, all the regulatory hurdles that have to be cleared before that project can really get underway. I'd say the limiter there is just the period of time that that requires. There is a pretty protracted regulatory process. Again, we don't expect that we're going to see really early terminations or really early conversions just because there is a duration of time required for that due diligence.

Speaker #2: But recognize that what's underlying that typical five to seven-year term is just the interconnection studies and all the regulatory hurdles that have to be cleared before that project can really get underway.

Speaker #2: And so I'd say the limiter there is just the period of time that that requires. There is a pretty protracted regulatory process. And so again, we don't expect that we're going to see really early terminations or really early conversions just because there is a duration of time required for that due diligence.

Speaker #5: Gotcha. And is it the counterparty that basically doing that due diligence? And if so, how much are you in the know as to how that's proceeding?

Mark Weintraub: Got you. Is it the counterparty that's basically doing that due diligence? If so, how much are you in the know as to how that's proceeding?

Speaker #2: Yeah, it's the counterparty that's doing that due diligence. And we usually do get periodic updates. Obviously, the extent that the counterparty remains in the option and doesn't terminate it early, that suggests that they're making good progress on that due diligence and on that interconnection study and ultimately a power purchase agreement.

Mark McHugh: Yeah, it's the counterparty that's doing that due diligence, and we usually do get periodic updates. Obviously, the extent that the counterparty remains in the option and doesn't terminate it early, that suggests that they're making good progress on that due diligence and on that interconnection study and ultimately a power purchase agreement. Yeah, we do get periodic updates from those counterparties, but we're not heavily involved in the actual process.

Speaker #2: But yeah, we do get periodic updates from those counterparties, but we're not heavily involved in the actual process.

Speaker #5: Super. Thanks for the color.

Mark Weintraub: Super. Thanks for the color.

Speaker #3: And a reminder that if you would like to ask a question, please press star one now on your telephone keypad to join the queue.

Operator 2: A reminder that if you would like to ask a question, please press star one now on your telephone keypad to join the queue. Your next question comes from the line of Ketan Mamtora with BMO Capital Markets. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator: A reminder that if you would like to ask a question, please press star one now on your telephone keypad to join the queue. Your next question comes from the line of Ketan Mamtora with BMO Capital Markets. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from the line of Catan Mamtora with BMO Capital Markets. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #5: Thank you. Thank you. Good morning, Mark. Maybe first question, coming back to capital allocation—Mark, you talked about keeping the balance sheet conservative and having some flexibility.

Ketan Mamtora: Thank you. Good morning, Mark, Wayne. Maybe first question, coming back to capital allocation. Mark, you talked about keeping the balance sheet conservative, having some flexibility. How would you have us think about what that sort of conservatism looks like? You have us think about it on a net debt to enterprise value basis as a debt leverage. What would be the broad sort of levels that you are looking at?

Speaker #5: How would you have us think about what that sort of conservatism looks like? You have us think about it on a net debt to enterprise value basis?

Speaker #5: Is it debt leverage? And what would be sort of the broad sort of levels that you are looking at?

Speaker #2: I'd say we think about it on both fronts. To some extent, there's a leverage level that we're comfortable sustaining. And recognize that that has evolved over time, given that we're in a much higher interest rate environment than we were a few years back.

Mark McHugh: I'd say we think about it on both fronts. To some extent, there's a leverage level that we're comfortable sustaining and recognize that that has evolved over time, given that we're in a much higher interest rate environment than we were a few years back. We're also mindful of just how the rating agencies look at that because we are committed to maintaining that investment-grade credit rating. So I'd say we look at a host of different leverage metrics in making that determination of where our comfort level. We've published some of those in the past. Most recently, we've said we want to maintain leverage, net debt to EBITDA inside of 3 times. We're still, I think, within that range.

Speaker #2: But we're also mindful of just how the rating agencies look at that because we are committed to maintaining that investment-grade credit rating. And so I'd say we look at a host of different leverage metrics in making that determination of where our comfort level.

Speaker #2: And we've published some of those in the past. I mean, most recently, we've said we want to maintain leverage—net debt to EBITDA—inside of three times.

Speaker #2: And we're still, I think, within that range. But like I said, that capacity is not limitless either. And we're certainly mindful, even more mindful of leverage levels today, just given the higher interest rate environment that we're in.

Mark McHugh: Like I said, that capacity is not limitless either, and we're certainly even more mindful of leverage levels today just given the higher interest rate environment that we're in.

Speaker #5: Got it. No, that's helpful. And then Shelly purchases, loud and fear that that's kind of an area of focus. Outside of that, are there sort of opportunities for sort of investments, maybe downstream in wood products, given that lumber fundamentals have started to improve?

Ketan Mamtora: Got it. No, that's helpful. Share repurchases, Louden says that that's kind of an area of focus. Outside of that, are there sort of opportunities for investments maybe downstream in Wood Products, given that lumber fundamentals have started to improve? Curious if there are opportunities like that that you see over the next 12 to 24 months.

Speaker #5: Curious if there are opportunities like that that you see over the next 12, 24 months.

Speaker #2: Yeah, we're going to we do look at those types of opportunities, but we're going to look at them through the same lens as we would any other capital allocation alternative.

Mark McHugh: Yeah. We do look at those types of opportunities, we're going to look at them through the same lens as we would any other capital allocation alternative. We're going to deploy capital really with a view towards building long-term value per share. As we've discussed in the past, the bar for external growth, I'd say, is pretty high right now given the opportunity that we see in buybacks. We'll certainly consider high return capital projects or even M&A if we see a compelling opportunity that we believe will create long-term value for shareholders within that Wood Products business.

Speaker #2: We're going to deploy capital really with a view towards building long-term value per share. And as we discussed in the past, the bar for external growth, I'd say, is pretty high right now, given the opportunity that we see in buybacks.

Speaker #2: But we'll certainly consider high-return capital projects or even M&A if we see a compelling opportunity that we believe will create long-term value for shareholders within that wood products business.

Speaker #5: Got it. And then just one last one from me. On solar, Mark, can you just rough order of magnitude, what percentage of that 77,000 portfolio comes due in 2027 in terms of the option agreement expiring?

Ketan Mamtora: Got it. Just one last one from me. On solar, Mark, can you just rough order of magnitude, what % of that 77,000 portfolio comes due in 2027 in terms of the option agreement expiring?

Speaker #2: Yeah, we haven't disclosed that specific percentage. I don't necessarily want to get into the exact number of acres because that's going to change over time.

Mark McHugh: We haven't disclosed that specific %. I don't necessarily want to get into the exact number of acres because that's going to change over time. The point I was making is that 2027 is the first year that we see a much larger slug of option maturities. Again, just given that typical duration of 5 to 7 years, given that we've been building up this portfolio over really the last 3 to 4 years, 2027 is when we kind of start to see a pickup. I would say it becomes more normalized thereafter, just given how that option portfolio is built up over the period of the last 4 years.

Speaker #2: But the point I was making is that 2027 is the first year that we see a much larger slug of option maturities. Again, just given that typical duration of five to seven years, and given that we've been building up this portfolio over really the last three to four years, 2027 is when we kind of start to see a pickup.

Speaker #2: And then I would say it becomes more normalized thereafter, just given how that option portfolio has been built up over the period of the last four years.

Speaker #5: Got it. That's helpful. Good luck in the back office.

Ketan Mamtora: Got it. That's helpful. Good luck in the back half.

Speaker #3: There are no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn the call back to Colin Mings for closing remarks.

Operator 2: There are no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn the call back to Collin Mings for closing remarks.

Operator: There are no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn the call back to Collin Mings for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: Thanks. I'd like to thank everybody for joining us. Please contact us with any follow-up questions.

Collin Mings: Thanks. I'd like to thank everybody for joining us. Please contact us with any follow-up questions.

Speaker #3: And this concludes today's call. Thank you all for attending. You may now disconnect. This event has now concluded. Thank you for joining Q2 2026 Rayonier Inc earnings conference call.

Operator 2: This concludes today's call. Thank you all for attending. You may now disconnect. This event has now concluded. Thank you for joining Q2 2026 Rayonier Incorporated Earnings Conference Call. The line will disconnect automatically.

Operator: This concludes today's call. Thank you all for attending. You may now disconnect.

Q2 2026 Rayonier Inc Earnings Call

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