AF&PA Reports U.S. P&W Shipments

http://www.afandpa.org/

The American Forest & Paper Association has released its May 2013 Printing-Writing Paper Report.

According to the report, total printing-writing paper shipments were down 7 percent compared to May 2012, with total inventory levels increasing 1 percent from April.
Additional key findings: 

Coated mechanical (CM) shipments in May decreased 13 percent compared to May 2012. Shipments of CM are down 12 percent for the year, with imports through April up 14 percent.

May shipments of coated free sheet (CFS) papers decreased 2 percent compared to May 2012, with year-to-date CFS shipments up less than 1 percent compared to 2012. Imports of CFS papers increased 22 percent in April compared to the same period last year.
Uncoated free sheet (UFS) paper shipments decreased 5 percent year-over-year in May. For the year, shipments are down 4 percent in 2013. Imports of UFS in April increased 26 percent compared to April 2012. 
May uncoated mechanical (UM) paper shipments decreased 11 percent when compared to May 2012, with year-over-year imports through April up 5 percent.

EURO-GRAPH Reports P&W Shipments

EURO-GRAPH has reported European coated mechanical paper shipments declined -13.1% in May, as compared to the same month last year. Demand fell -14.7% for the month and exports were down -8.3%. Coated woodfree paper shipments decreased -8.8% and demand declined -13.9%. Exports rose +10.9%. Supercalendered paper shipments were down -9.6%, demand decreased -8.5% and exports fell -8.5%. Uncoated woodfree shipments were down -5.9% and demand fell -9.4%. Exports increased +27.5%.

Verso Addresses NYSE's Determination

Verso Addresses NYSE's Determination to Commence Delisting Proceedings: Verso Paper Corp. announced today that the New York Stock Exchange has determined to commence proceedings to delist Verso's common stock from the NYSE due to Verso's failure to satisfy the NYSE's continued listing standard relating to market capitalization. As previously disclosed, on December 21, 2011, the NYSE initially notified Verso that it had fallen below the NYSE's continued listing standard relating to market capitalization. To maintain the listing, the NYSE requires that Verso have an average market capitalization over a consecutive 30 trading-day period of at least $75 million. On February 6, 2012, Verso submitted to the NYSE a plan to achieve compliance with the market capitalization standard within 18 months after the initial notice from the NYSE, and the NYSE notified Verso of its approval of the plan on March 16, 2012. Verso's market capitalization exceeded the $75 million requirement during much of the 18-month plan period; however, it was not able to maintain such level at the end of the plan period as required by the NYSE. As of June 21, 2013, the last day of the plan period, Verso's 30 trading-day average market capitalization was $60.5 million.

Falling Loonie Boost for Catalyst

http://www.avtimes.net/falling-loonie-a-boost-for-catalyst-canadian-dollar-opened-monday-at-95-cents-as-u-s-greenback-rises-due-to-u-s-fed-expectations-1.333246

As the Canadian dollar is falling to almost a two-year low, Catalyst Paper, one the Alberni Valley's largest producers of jobs, is riding a bit of a high. 
As of Monday morning, the Canadian dollar is trading at 95.04 cents U.S., down 0.60 of a cent from Friday's close against the U.S. greenback. 

It is the lowest the loonie has traded at since October 2011.
And while a drop like that can be painful in the stock market, it is a big money maker for parts of the local industry that manufacture in Canadian dollars, but sell in American. 
"It's good for us," said Catalyst CEO Kevin Clarke, who is stepping down at the end of the month. "Every cent it weakens against the U.S. dollar, because we sell everything in U.S. dollars, is a positive on a weighted average base of about between six and seven million dollars a year."

Domtar's CEO Supports Call for Climate Action

http://www.paperage.com/2013news/06_26_2013domtar_williams_climate_action.html

Domtar's President and CEO, John D. Williams, offered his support for the Obama Administration's proposal to develop a more certain path for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"The President is correct that America is uniquely suited to find sensible solutions for addressing this issue," said Williams. "The forest products industry has voluntarily made significant reductions in its reliance on fossil fuels over the past decade. We are better utilizing the energy value of our biomass by-products which are carbon neutral over the long term, making our industry more sustainable economically and environmentally.

U.S. Ad Spend Holds

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/203295/us-ad-spend-holds-cable-and-spanish-language-tv.html#axzz2XAOE00B5

U.S. advertising spending in the first quarter of 2013 was virtually the same as a year ago -- with the second and third quarters also appearing murky.

Kantar Media says spending inched lower by 0.1% to stop at $30.2 million -- with the better performers including cable TV, Spanish-language TV and outdoor. 
Looking forward, Jon Swallen, chief research officer at Kantar Media North America, states: “Data from the early second quarter are mixed, suggesting marketers are still being cautious and conservative with ad budgets. However, there are some bright spots, including healthy growth for Hispanic media and outdoor.

Neiman Marcus Plans IPO

http://www.chainstoreage.com/article/neiman-marcus-files-ipo-looks-expand-outlet-center-format

Luxury department store operator Neiman Marcus Inc. on Monday disclosed plans for a proposed public offering of up to $100 million. 
The retailer’s plan, announced in a regulatory filing, comes some eight years after it was acquired for $5.1 billion by private equity firms TPG Capital and Warburg Pincus. In its filing, Neiman Marcus indicated a desire to expand its outlet center concept, Last Call, which currently operates 35 locations.

Young Americans Still Turn to Printed Books

http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/06/25/younger-americans-library-services/

Younger Americans—those ages 16-29—exhibit a fascinating mix of habits and preferences when it comes to reading, libraries, and technology. Almost all Americans under age 30 are online, and they are more likely than older patrons to use libraries’ computer and internet connections; however, they are also still closely bound to print, as three-quarters (75%) of younger Americans say they have read at least one book in print in the past year, compared with 64% of adults ages 30 and older.

Large Newspapers See Gains

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/newspaper-executives-say-new-online-subscription-models-are-paying-off/2013/06/24/a18b63d2-dd17-11e2-a484-7b7f79cd66a1_story.html

Executives at some of the nation’s largest newspaper companies say they are more hopeful about their future after seeing readership grow for digital subscriptions.

Speaking at the American Society of News Editors’ annual convention, the newspaper executives said Monday that increased use of their digital products is resulting in higher revenue.

Canadian Gov. Invests in Biofuel Production

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/government-of-canada-encourages-innovative-biofuel-production-in-sarnia-1805631.htm

Under FedDev Ontario's Investing in Business Innovation (IBI) initiative, Woodland Biofuels will receive a repayable contribution of up to $800,000 to operate a plant to demonstrate the efficiency and scalability of cellulosic ethanol production using its unique technology. The patented technology uses a series of chemical reaction steps to produce cellulosic ethanol biofuel from plant materials, including agricultural and forestry waste. Through the plant's operations, Woodland Biofuels will determine the optimal processes and procedures for producing cellulosic ethanol, preparing the company to construct commercial plants and licence others to build plants that use Woodland's technology.

Why We Should Care About Saving the USPS

Why We Should Give a Damn About Saving the USPS:
"Print is dead." I hear it all the time. People love to say it. "No one reads magazines anymore."Here's the thing, though: Print isn't dead—at least not yet. Digital is growing at an aggressive rate, but it hasn't obliterated print. In fact, according to a recent survey by AdWeek, 98.6 percent of all magazine consumption is still rooted in print. And with the majority of magazine readers reading print, then publishers still need to be concerned with mailing a print product—even if it feels like the U.S. Postal Service can't get it together. 
It's not the USPS that failed us—it's Congress. The USPS can't make any major moves without its approval. We've all read the stories—the USPS isn't really broke; it's just been mandated by congress that it pre-fund future retiree health benefits, which costs the USPS over $5 billion per year. This is something no other federal agency is required to do; in fact, even few corporate plans are fully-prefunded. Esquire, Forbes and even my publication, The Nation have all covered it. And Senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) are jointly sponsoring legislation which would reverse the mandate.
See, the discounted rates to mail magazines...were set up as a tactical way to honor the freedom of the press and to give a price break to media outlets educating the public...
Let me be clear: Just because Congress has turned the USPS into a model of inefficiency does not mean that I support privatization...What it means is that we should treat the USPS like any other company that is faced with necessary changes. Let's remove the $5.5 billion/year roadblock to let it do its job and grow. Let's support a Congress that values a free press; that isn't focusing on slash-and-burn techniques to save the institution, but rather gives it room to adapt; that reinvigorates the USPS's role in American communities, rural and urban...