News Releases

    • AbitibiBowater Delivers Ongoing Improvements in Q2 Operating Results
      ABH (TSX, NYSE)
          US$
      
          - Annual Synergy Run Rate of Over $270 Million at End of Q2
          - Operating Income Improvement of $86 Million, $104 Million
            Excluding Special Items
          - Newsprint Segment Improves to Break-Even
          - Phase 2 Review of Operations OngoingMONTREAL, Aug. 7 /CNW Telbec/ - AbitibiBowater Inc. today reported a net
      loss for the second quarter 2008 of $251 million, or $4.36 per diluted share,
      on sales of $1.7 billion. These results compare with a net loss of $248
      million, or $4.32 per diluted share, on sales of $1.7 billion for the first
      quarter of 2008.
          Second quarter 2008 special items, net of tax, consisted of the
      following: an $11 million loss relating to foreign currency changes, an
      $11 million gain on asset sales, a $29 million loss related to asset closures,
      impairment and severance and a $72 million charge related to tax adjustments.
      Excluding these special items, the net loss for the quarter would have been
      $150 million, or $2.60 per diluted share. Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures
      are contained in Notes 5 and 6 of this release.
          "Although our financial results remain unacceptable, we did see a
      significant improvement in our operating performance in the quarter. Our
      efforts to offset cost pressures with synergies, combined with our announced
      price increases, should provide a significant improvement in both our
      operating efficiency and financial performance through the balance of this
      year," stated President and CEO David J. Paterson. "Recognizing continued
      market and economic challenges, AbitibiBowater is ready to take all actions it
      believes necessary, including the elimination of unprofitable production.
      Also, as our Phase 2 review of operations continues, an important
      consideration will be the renewal on acceptable terms of the CEP labor
      agreements of our Canadian operations in 2009."
      
          Segment Detail
          --------------
      
          Coated Papers
      
          Income for the coated papers segment of $35 million for the second
      quarter was essentially flat compared to the first quarter of 2008. EBITDA
      from the segment was $45 million. The Company's average transaction price for
      coated papers increased $44 per short ton during the quarter, while average
      operating costs increased $28 per short ton mainly due to higher energy
      related costs. The Company is implementing the third quarter price increase of
      $50 per short ton. Building on the Catawba success, AbitibiBowater is
      examining options for a future conversion of a newsprint machine to coated
      mechanical paper.
      
          Market Pulp
      
          Income for the market pulp segment of $21 million for the second quarter
      was lower by $10 million compared to the first quarter of 2008. EBITDA was
      $34 million. The average market pulp transaction price for the Company
      increased $6 per metric ton, while average operating costs increased $47 per
      metric ton compared to the first quarter, mainly as a result of higher fiber
      and energy costs, as well as scheduled annual outages at the Calhoun,
      Tennessee and Thunder Bay, Ontario facilities.
      
          Newsprint
      
          For the second quarter, the newsprint segment generated income of
      $1 million, compared to a loss of $69 million for the first quarter of 2008,
      while EBITDA improved from $14 million to $81 million. The Company's average
      transaction price increased $49 per metric ton. Average operating costs
      decreased $5 per metric ton, compared to the first quarter as a result of mill
      closures or idling in the first quarter and the realization of significant
      merger-related synergies. The Company has implemented the previously announced
      $20 per metric ton per month price increases for newsprint for the first eight
      months of this year and anticipates implementing the September $20 per metric
      ton price increase.
      
          Specialty Papers
      
          The specialty papers segment had a loss of $32 million, compared to a
      loss of $39 million for the first quarter and EBITDA improved to $37 million.
      The Company's average transaction price increased $35 per short ton during the
      quarter, while average operating costs increased $29 per short ton, mainly due
      to repair spending and higher energy related costs.
      
          Wood Products
      
          For the second quarter, the wood products segment had a loss of
      $13 million, compared to a loss of $35 million for the first quarter and
      EBITDA improved from a loss of $24 million to a loss of $2 million. The
      average transaction price for the Company increased $9 per thousand board
      feet, while average operating costs decreased $51 per thousand board feet
      compared to the first quarter due to continued cost reduction efforts, the
      idling of higher cost facilities and a $15 million benefit as a result of the
      sale of log inventory previously subjected to lower of cost or market
      adjustments.
      
          Investor Call
          -------------
      
          A conference call hosted by Management to discuss Q2 results will be held
      today at 10:00 AM (Eastern). Interested parties should dial (866) 898-9626 or
      (514) 868-1042 fifteen minutes before the beginning of the call, which will be
      webcast at www.abitibibowater.com, under "Webcasts and Presentations" in the
      "Investors" section.
          Participants not able to listen to the live conference call can access a
      replay, which will also be available on the "Investors" section of the
      Company's website beginning an hour after the conclusion of the call. Replay
      by phone will be available until August 16, 2008, by dialing (514) 861-2272
      (Passcode 3265672 #).
      
          About AbitibiBowater
          --------------------
      
          AbitibiBowater produces a wide range of newsprint, commercial printing
      papers, market pulp and wood products. It is the eighth largest publicly
      traded pulp and paper manufacturer in the world. AbitibiBowater owns or
      operates 27 pulp and paper facilities and 34 wood products facilities located
      in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and South Korea. Marketing
      its products in more than 90 countries, the Company is also among the world's
      largest recyclers of old newspapers and magazines, and has more third-party
      certified sustainable forest land than any other company in the world.
      AbitibiBowater's shares trade under the stock symbol ABH on both the New York
      Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
      
          Forward-Looking Statements
          --------------------------
      
          Statements in this news release that are not reported financial results
      or other historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the
      meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include,
      for example, statements about our efforts to improve operating and financial
      performance, our plans for future price increases for certain of our products,
      our Phase 2 Review of Operations, our efforts to reduce costs, increase
      revenues and profitability, our potential conversion of manufacturing capacity
      to coated and other value-added papers, and our business outlook, our
      assessments of market conditions and our strategies for achieving our goals
      generally. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of
      forward-looking terminology such as the words "should," "would," "could,"
      "may," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," and other terms with similar meaning
      indicating possible future events or potential impact on the business or
      stockholders of AbitibiBowater.
          The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
      forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance.
      These statements are based on management's current assumptions, beliefs and
      expectations, all of which involve a number of business risks and
      uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These
      risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, industry conditions
      generally and further growth in alternative media, our ability to realize
      announced price increases, our ability to obtain timely contributions to our
      cost-reduction initiatives from our unionized and salaried employees, the
      prices and terms under which we would be able to sell targeted assets, the
      continued strength of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, and the
      costs of raw materials such as energy, chemicals and fiber. In addition, with
      respect to forward-looking statements relating to the combination of
      Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. and Bowater Incorporated, the following factors,
      among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set
      forth in the forward-looking statements: the risk that the businesses will not
      be integrated successfully or that the improved financial performance, product
      quality and product development will not be achieved; the risk that other
      combinations within the industry or other factors may limit our ability to
      improve our competitive position; the risk that the cost savings and other
      expected synergies from the combination may not be fully realized or may take
      longer to realize than expected; and disruption from the transaction making it
      more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or
      suppliers. Additional factors are detailed from time to time in
      AbitibiBowater's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and
      the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including those factors
      contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended
      December 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on March 20, 2008, and the Company's
      Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, filed with
      the SEC on May 12, 2008, under the caption "Risk Factors" in each respective
      report. All forward-looking statements in this news release are expressly
      qualified by information contained in the Company's filings with the SEC and
      the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. AbitibiBowater disclaims any
      obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information.ABITIBIBOWATER INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (Unaudited, in millions except per share amounts)
      
      
                                      Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                            June 30,                 June 30,
                                     ---------------------   ---------------------
                                          2008      2007(1)       2008     2007(1)
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
          Sales                      $   1,696   $     798   $   3,424   $   1,570
          Costs and expenses:
            Cost of sales, excluding
             depreciation,
             amortization and cost
             of timber harvested         1,293         639       2,696       1,240
            Depreciation,
             amortization and cost
             of timber harvested           187          80         378         160
            Distribution costs             189          83         388         158
            Selling and
             administrative
             expenses                       90          46         187          95
            Closure costs,
             impairment and other
             related charges                17           -          27           -
            Net gain on disposition
             of assets(2)                  (17)        (65)        (40)       (123)
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
          Operating (loss) income          (63)         15        (212)         40
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
          Other income (expense):
            Interest income                  3           2           6           4
            Interest expense              (203)        (48)       (332)        (95)
            Foreign exchange
             gain (loss)                   (16)        (17)         25         (20)
            Other, net                      28           2          18          (2)
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                          (188)        (61)       (283)       (113)
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
          Loss before income taxes
           and minority interests         (251)        (46)       (495)        (73)
      
          Income tax benefit
           (provision)(3)                    5         (19)          2         (20)
          Minority interests,
           net of tax                       (5)          2          (6)         (5)
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
          Net loss                   $    (251)  $     (63)  $    (499)  $     (98)
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      
          Net loss per common share:
      
          Basic and diluted(4)       $   (4.36)  $   (2.09)  $   (8.68)  $   (3.28)
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      
          Weighted-average number
           of shares outstanding:
      
          Basic and diluted(4)            57.6        29.9        57.5        29.9
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      
      
                                   ABITIBIBOWATER INC.
                               CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (Unaudited, in millions)
      
      
                                                             June 30,  December 31,
                                                                2008          2007
                                                           ----------    ----------
          Assets
      
          Current assets:
            Cash and cash equivalents                       $    341      $    195
            Accounts receivable, net                             805           754
            Inventories, net                                     828           906
            Assets held for sale(2)                              197           184
            Other current assets                                 108           103
                                                           ----------    ----------
              Total current assets                             2,279         2,142
                                                           ----------    ----------
          Timber and timberlands                                  52            58
          Fixed assets, net                                    5,314         5,707
          Goodwill                                               780           779
          Other intangible assets, net                         1,164         1,203
          Other assets                                           599           430
                                                           ----------    ----------
            Total assets                                    $ 10,188      $ 10,319
                                                           ----------    ----------
                                                           ----------    ----------
      
          Liabilities and shareholders' equity
      
          Current liabilities:
            Accounts payable and accrued liabilities        $  1,100      $  1,206
            Short-term bank debt                                 652           589
            Current installments of long-term debt                16           364
            Liabilities associated with assets
             held for sale(2)                                     12            19
                                                           ----------    ----------
              Total current liabilities                        1,780         2,178
                                                           ----------    ----------
          Long-term debt, net of current installments          5,441         4,695
          Pension and other postretirement
           benefit obligations                                   884           936
          Other long-term liabilities                            240           231
          Deferred income taxes                                  218           230
          Minority interests in subsidiaries                     150           150
          Commitments and contingencies
          Shareholders' equity                                 1,475         1,899
                                                           ----------    ----------
            Total liabilities and shareholders' equity      $ 10,188      $ 10,319
                                                           ----------    ----------
                                                           ----------    ----------
      
      
                                   ABITIBIBOWATER INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (Unaudited, in millions)
      
                                                               Six Months Ended
                                                                    June 30,
                                                           ------------------------
                                                                2008        2007(1)
                                                           ----------    ----------
          Cash flows from operating activities:
          Net loss                                          $   (499)     $    (98)
          Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
           net cash from operating activities:
            Share-based compensation                               7             8
            Depreciation, amortization and cost
             of timber harvested                                 378           160
            Deferred income taxes                                 (9)           23
            Minority interests, net of tax                         6             5
            Net pension contributions                           (110)          (11)
            Net gain on disposition of assets                    (40)         (123)
            Amortization of debt discount (premium), net          43            (4)
            Gain on extinguishment of debt                       (31)            -
            Gain on translation of foreign-currency
             denominated debt                                    (15)          (17)
            Changes in working capital:
              Accounts receivable                                (65)           18
              Inventories                                         56           (34)
              Income tax receivables and payables                 10             -
              Accounts payable and accrued liabilities           (97)          (15)
            Other, net                                            (8)           32
                                                           ----------    ----------
              Net cash used for operating activities            (374)          (56)
                                                           ----------    ----------
          Cash flows from investing activities:
          Cash invested in fixed assets, timber
           and timberlands                                       (82)          (51)
          Disposition of assets, including timber
           and timberlands                                       205           147
          Direct acquisition costs related to
           the Combination                                         -           (12)
          Cash received in monetization of
           financial instruments                                   4             -
                                                           ----------    ----------
              Net cash provided by investing activities          127            84
                                                           ----------    ----------
          Cash flows from financing activities:
          Cash dividends, including minority interests            (7)          (23)
          Short-term financing                                    93             8
          Short-term financing repayments                        (18)           (8)
          Issuance of long-term debt                             974             -
          Payments of long-term debt                            (508)          (15)
          Payment of deferred financing and credit
           facility fees                                         (71)            -
          Increase in restricted cash requirements               (70)            -
                                                           ----------    ----------
              Net cash provided by (used for)
               financing activities                              393           (38)
                                                           ----------    ----------
          Net increase (decrease) in cash and
           cash equivalents                                      146           (10)
          Cash and cash equivalents:
              Beginning of period                                195            99
                                                           ----------    ----------
              End of period                                 $    341      $     89
                                                           ----------    ----------
                                                           ----------    ----------
      
      
          ABITIBIBOWATER INC.
      
          Notes to the Press Release and Unaudited Consolidated Financial
          Statement Information
      
          (1) On October 29, 2007, pursuant to a Combination Agreement and
              Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 29, 2007, Abitibi-
              Consolidated Inc. ("Abitibi") and Bowater Incorporated ("Bowater")
              combined in a merger of equals (the "Combination"), with each
              becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of AbitibiBowater Inc. The
              Combination has been accounted for in accordance with Statement of
              Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations."
              Bowater is deemed to be the "acquirer" of Abitibi for accounting
              purposes, and AbitibiBowater is deemed to be the successor to Bowater
              for purposes of U.S. securities laws and regulations governing
              financial reporting. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, our press
              release and unaudited Consolidated Financial Statement information,
              including related notes, reflect the results of operations and
              financial position of both Abitibi and Bowater as of June 30, 2008
              and December 31, 2007 and for the three-month and six-month periods
              ended June 30, 2008 and those of only Bowater for the three-month and
              six-month periods ended June 30, 2007. No significant adjustments
              were made to the preliminary purchase price allocation during the six
              months ended June 30, 2008.
      
          (2) During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we sold approximately
              14,916 acres of timberlands, our Price sawmill and other assets for
              proceeds of approximately $29 million, resulting in a net gain on
              disposition of assets for the first quarter of 2008 of $23 million.
              During the three months ended June 30, 2008, we sold approximately
              28,200 acres of timberlands, our Snowflake, Arizona newsprint mill
              and certain related assets and liabilities, and other assets for
              proceeds of approximately $176 million, resulting in a net gain on
              disposition of assets for the second quarter of 2008 of $17 million.
              As a result of the restatement of our Snowflake mill to its fair
              market value less costs to sell as of the date of the Combination, we
              did not recognize a gain or loss on this sale. During the first and
              second quarters of 2007, we sold approximately 52,200 acres and
              55,600 acres, respectively, of timberlands primarily located in
              Tennessee and Canada. At June 30, 2008, we held our Fort William,
              Ontario and our Mokpo, Korea facility and some of our timberlands in
              the United States and Canada for sale.
      
          (3) During the first and second quarters of 2008, income tax benefits and
              tax credits of $93 million and $79 million, respectively, arising
              primarily from operating losses outside the United States were
              entirely offset by tax charges to increase our tax valuation
              allowance. During the first and second quarters of 2007, income tax
              benefits and tax credits of $13 million and $24 million,
              respectively, were entirely offset by tax charges to increase our tax
              valuation allowance.
      
          (4) For the calculation of basic and diluted loss per share for the three
              and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, no adjustments to net
              loss are necessary. Additionally, no adjustments to our basic
              weighted-average number of common shares outstanding are necessary to
              compute our diluted weighted-average number of common shares
              outstanding for all periods presented as the effect would be anti-
              dilutive. In addition, no adjustments to net loss and the diluted
              weighted average number of common shares were necessary after giving
              effect to the assumed conversion of the convertible notes
              representing 35 million additional common shares. As a result of the
              Combination, each issued and outstanding share of Bowater common
              stock and exchangeable share of Bowater Canada Inc. was converted
              into 0.52 of a share of AbitibiBowater common stock and 0.52 of an
              exchangeable share of AbitibiBowater Canada Inc., respectively. All
              share and share-related information for the periods preceding the
              Combination have been restated to reflect the Bowater exchange ratio
              of 0.52.
      
          (5) A reconciliation of certain financial statement line items reported
              under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") to our use of
              non-GAAP measures of operating income (loss), net loss and loss per
              share reported before special items is presented in the tables below.
              We believe that these measures allow investors to more easily compare
              our ongoing operations and financial performance from period to
              period. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to
              and not as a substitute for measures of financial performance
              prepared in accordance with GAAP. Consequently, investors should rely
              on GAAP operating income (loss), net loss and loss per share.
              Non-GAAP measures included in our press release include:
      
              Operating income (loss) before special items - is defined as
              operating income (loss) from our Consolidated Statements of
              Operations adjusted for special items. Internally, we use a non-GAAP
              operating income (loss) measure as an indicator of a segment's
              performance and excludes closure costs, impairment and other related
              charges, severance and merger-related costs, gains on dispositions of
              assets and other discretionary charges or credits from GAAP operating
              income. Therefore, this non-GAAP presentation is consistent with our
              internal presentation. This non-GAAP measure should be used in
              addition to and not as a substitute for operating income (loss)
              provided in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We believe
              that this non-GAAP measure is useful because it is consistent with
              our internal presentation and performance analysis and allows
              investors to more easily compare our ongoing operations and financial
              performance from period to period.
      
              Net loss before special items - is defined as net loss from our
              Consolidated Statements of Operations adjusted for the special items
              discussed above plus foreign exchange gains or losses, and the
              adjustment for tax charges that have been taken against income tax
              benefits arising primarily from operating losses at certain of our
              operations outside the United States (refer to Note 3 above). The
              adjustment for these items is consistent with our internal
              presentation, and the tax adjustment is provided for our investors to
              reflect a more appropriate effective tax rate. This non-GAAP measure
              should be used in addition to and not as a substitute for net loss
              provided in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We believe
              that this non-GAAP measure is useful because it is consistent with
              our internal presentation and allows investors to more easily compare
              our ongoing operations and financial performance from period to
              period.
      
              Loss per share (EPS) before special items - is defined as diluted EPS
              calculated based on the net loss before special items. This non-GAAP
              measure should be used in addition to and not as a substitute for our
              loss per share calculated in accordance with GAAP as provided in the
              Consolidated Statements of Operations. We believe that this non-GAAP
              measure is useful because it is consistent with our internal
              presentation and allows investors to more easily compare our EPS from
              ongoing operations and financial performance from period to period.
      
      
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Three Months Ended
           June 30, 2008                       Operating          Net
          (unaudited, in millions                  (loss)       (loss)
           except per share amounts)              income       income          EPS
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
          GAAP as reported                       $   (63)     $  (251)     $ (4.36)
      
          Adjustments for special items:
              Sale of assets                         (17)         (11)       (0.19)
              Severance                               17           16         0.28
              Closure costs, impairment and
               other related charges                  13           13         0.23
              Foreign exchange                         -           11         0.19
              Tax adjustments                          -           72         1.25
                                                -----------------------------------
          GAAP as adjusted for special items     $   (50)     $  (150)     $ (2.60)
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
      
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Three Months Ended
           March 31, 2008                      Operating          Net
          (unaudited, in millions                  (loss)       (loss)
           except per share amounts)              income       income          EPS
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          GAAP as reported                       $  (149)     $  (248)     $ (4.32)
      
          Adjustments for special items:
              Sale of assets                         (23)         (16)       (0.27)
              Severance                                8            7         0.13
              Closure costs, impairment and
               other related charges                  10           10         0.17
              Foreign exchange                         -          (44)       (0.77)
              Tax adjustments                          -           76         1.32
                                                -----------------------------------
          GAAP as adjusted for special items     $  (154)     $  (215)     $ (3.74)
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
      
          (6) A reconciliation of our operating income (loss) reported under GAAP
              to our use of the non-GAAP measure of EBITDA by reportable segment is
              presented in the tables below. EBITDA by reportable segment is
              defined as operating income (loss) from our Consolidated Statements
              of Operations, allocated to our reportable segments (newsprint,
              coated papers, specialty papers, market pulp and wood products) in
              accordance with SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an
              Enterprise and Related Information," adjusted by depreciation,
              amortization and cost of timber harvested. We believe that this
              non-GAAP measure allows investors to more easily compare the ongoing
              operations and financial performance of our reportable segments from
              period to period. Internally, we use this EBITDA by reportable
              segment measure as an indicator of a reportable segment's
              performance. Therefore, this non-GAAP measure is consistent with our
              internal presentation. We believe that this non-GAAP measure is
              useful because it is consistent with our internal presentation and
              performance analysis and allows investors to more easily compare our
              ongoing financial performance from period to period. This non-GAAP
              measure should be used in addition to and not as a substitute for
              operating income (loss) by reportable segment provided in the notes
              to our Consolidated Financial Statements in our quarterly filings
              with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
      
      
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Depreciation,
                                                         amortization
          Three Months Ended                                 and cost    EBITDA by
          June 30, 2008                        Operating    of timber   Reportable
          (unaudited, in millions)         (loss) income    harvested      Segment
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
          GAAP as reported                       $   (63)     $   187
      
          Allocated to reportable
           segments:
              Newsprint                                1           80      $    81
              Coated papers                           35           10           45
              Specialty papers                       (32)          69           37
              Market pulp                             21           13           34
              Wood products                          (13)          11           (2)
              Corporate and other                    (75)           4
                                              ------------------------
          GAAP as reported                       $   (63)     $   187
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
      
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Depreciation,
                                                        amortization
          Three Months Ended                                 and cost    EBITDA by
          March 31, 2008                       Operating    of timber   Reportable
          (unaudited, in millions)         (loss) income    harvested      Segment
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      
          GAAP as reported                       $  (149)     $   191
      
          Allocated to reportable
           segments:
              Newsprint                              (69)          83      $    14
              Coated papers                           34           10           44
              Specialty papers                       (39)          69           30
              Market pulp                             31           14           45
              Wood products                          (35)          11          (24)
              Corporate and other                    (71)           4
                                              ------------------------
          GAAP as reported                       $  (149)     $   191
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
      For further information:
      For further information: For Investors: Duane Owens, Vice President and
      Treasurer, (864) 282-9488; For Media: Seth Kursman, Vice President,
      Communications and Government Affairs, (514) 394-2398,
      seth.kursman@abitibibowater.com