International Paper Reports Fourth Quarter and 2012 Earnings

Special items in the fourth quarter of 2011 included a pre-tax charge of $18 million ($13 million after taxes) for restructuring and other charges, a pre-tax gain of $4 million ($3 million after taxes) for an adjustment to the loss on the sale of our Shorewood business, a net tax expense of $22 million and charges of $6 million ($5 million after taxes) for other items. Restructuring and other charges included a pre-tax charge of $14 million ($11 million after taxes) for costs associated with the restructuring of our xpedx operations, pre-tax charges of $12 million ($7 million after taxes) for costs associated with the signing of an agreement to acquire Temple-Inland, and net pre-tax gains of $8 million ($5 million after taxes) for other items. The net tax expense of $22 million included a $24 million expense related to internal restructurings, a $9 million expense for costs associated with our acquisition of a majority interest in Andhra Pradesh Paper Mills Limited, a $13 million benefit related to the release of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance, and $2 million of expense for other items. In addition, a gain of $6 million (before and after taxes) was recorded for interest associated with a tax claim.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations in both the fourth and third quarters of 2012 included the Operating Earnings of Temple-Inland's Building Products business. Also included are pre-tax charges of $13 million ($8 million after taxes) and $2 million ($1 million after taxes) in the fourth quarter of 2012 and the third quarter of 2012, respectively, for expenses associated with pursuing the divestiture of this business.