Boise Cascade Company reported net income of $104.1 million, or $2.61 per share, on sales of $1.6 billion for the Q1 ended March 31, 2024, compared with net income of $96.7 million, or $2.43 per share, on sales of $1.5 billion for the Q1 ended March 31, 2023.
"I am pleased with the strong financial results that our team delivered during the first quarter. As expected, it was a period influenced by seasonal factors and the relative strength of new single-family starts," stated Nate Jorgensen, CEO. "As we enter the Q2, economic and geopolitical uncertainties are prevalent, and the extent of the potential impact on the broader economy and residential construction activity is unknown. Despite the near-term environment, an undersupply of single-family homes remains, and I have great confidence in our team as we stay focused on the effective deployment of our outstanding balance sheet in support of our stakeholders."
In Q1 2024, total U.S. housing starts and single-family housing starts increased 1% and 27%, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023. Single-family housing starts are the key demand driver for our sales.
Wood Products
Wood Products' sales, including sales to Building Materials Distribution (BMD), increased $31.5 million, or 7%, to $468.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $437.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in sales was driven by higher sales volumes for I-joists and LVL (collectively referred to as EWP), as well as higher plywood sales prices. These increases were offset partially by decreased sales prices for EWP, as well as lower plywood sales volumes and other sales related to residual byproducts and lumber. Wood Products' segment income increased $1.8 million to $71.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $69.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in segment income was due primarily to higher EWP sales volumes and higher plywood sales prices. These increases in segment income were offset partially by lower EWP prices and higher wood fiber costs.
Building Materials Distribution
BMD's sales increased $125.8 million, or 9%, to $1,505.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $1,379.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Compared with the same quarter in the prior year, the increase in sales was driven by sales volume increases of 12%, offset partially by sales price decreases of 3%. By product line, commodity sales increased 1%, general line product sales increased 16%, and EWP sales increased 12%. BMD segment income increased $2.8 million to $72.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, from $69.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The increase in segment income was driven by a gross margin increase of $22.9 million, resulting primarily from higher sales volumes and improved margins on general line and commodity products. The gross margin improvement was offset partially by increased selling and distribution expenses and depreciation and amortization expense of $16.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively.
Boise Cascade Company is one of the largest producers of engineered wood products and plywood in North America and a leading U.S. wholesale distributor of building products.
