tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Rayonier Inc. REIT (RYN)
NYSE:RYN

Rayonier (RYN) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
255 Followers

Top Page

RYN

Rayonier

(NYSE:RYN)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Neutral 63 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:63Neutral
Price Target:
$25.00
â–²(16.33% Upside)
Action:DowngradedDate:02/18/26
The score is driven primarily by steady but not fully dependable financial performance (improving leverage and positive operating cash flow, offset by revenue and free-cash-flow volatility). Earnings-call outlook is supportive due to merger-driven diversification and synergy targets, while technical signals are mixed and valuation is held back by a high P/E despite a very high dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Merger-driven scale & synergies
The PotlatchDeltic merger materially increases scale and geographic diversification to roughly 4 million acres while targeting $40M run-rate synergies. Greater scale reduces concentration risk, improves sustainable yield and operating flexibility, and enhances long-term cash generation and pricing leverage.
Record Real Estate cash generation
Record real estate EBITDA and robust 2026 guidance reflect a durable, cash‑generative development and land‑sale pipeline. This sizeable, recurring contribution diversifies earnings away from cyclical timber markets, smoothing CAD and supporting capital allocation priorities like dividends and reinvestment over the medium term.
Improved liquidity & leverage
Strong year‑end liquidity and modest pro‑forma net debt leave leverage well inside the company's mid‑cycle target. This balance‑sheet flexibility supports dividends, remaining buyback capacity, and merger integration costs without forcing near‑term asset sales or heavy refinancing risk, strengthening resilience across cycles.
Negative Factors
Top-line volatility
A roughly 62% revenue decline demonstrates significant top‑line volatility that undermines predictability of margins and cash flows. For a timber/real‑estate REIT, volatile harvest volumes and lumpy land transactions make earnings, free cash flow and distributions harder to underwrite reliably over the medium term.
Pulpwood & mill demand headwinds
Structural pulpwood pressure—mill closures, elevated salvage supply and regionally concentrated pricing weakness—compresses stumpage realizations in Southern markets. Persistent lower pulpwood prices and demand shifts can meaningfully reduce timber segment cash generation and margins for multiple years.
Volatile free cash flow
Recurrent free‑cash‑flow variability, including a large negative year and recent declines, constrains predictable capital allocation. Volatile FCF limits the company’s ability to reliably fund capex, sustain special payouts, or accelerate buybacks without increasing leverage, reducing medium‑term financial visibility.

Rayonier (RYN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Rayonier Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionRayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of December 31, 2020, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.7 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S. South (1.73 million acres), U.S. Pacific Northwest (507,000 acres) and New Zealand (417,000 acres). The Company also acts as the managing member in a private equity timber fund business with three funds comprising approximately 141,000 acres. On a look-through basis, the Company's ownership in the timber fund business equates to approximately 17,000 acres.
How the Company Makes MoneyRayonier generates revenue primarily through the sale of timber and the management of its forest resources, which includes harvesting and selling logs to lumber mills and other manufacturers. The Forest Resources segment is a significant revenue driver, capitalizing on long-term contracts and market demand for timber products. Additionally, the Real Estate segment contributes to earnings through land sales and leasing activities, often developing land for residential and commercial projects. The company also benefits from partnerships with other firms in the timber and real estate sectors, enhancing its market reach and operational efficiency. Furthermore, Rayonier's strategic focus on sustainability and responsible land management positions it favorably in an increasingly eco-conscious market, potentially driving additional revenue through green initiatives and certifications.

Rayonier Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 11, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 06, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Overall the call conveyed a cautiously positive outlook. Key strategic highlights include a successfully closed merger (ahead of schedule), record Real Estate results, improved full-year adjusted EBITDA (+8% YoY), stronger CAD (+41%), a solid balance sheet and clear synergy targets. Near-term operating challenges were also emphasized—notably weaker Q4 EBITDA relative to an exceptionally strong prior-year quarter, significant pulpwood pricing pressure (pulpwood -27% YoY in Q4), lower Pacific Northwest harvest volumes (-26% YoY) and ongoing integration/transaction costs. Management expects lumber price momentum and Real Estate strength to help offset timber/pulpwood headwinds as synergies and diversification from the merger take effect.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Merger with PotlatchDeltic Closed Ahead of Schedule
Merger closed January 30, 2026 creating a combined company with ~4 million acres, diversified timberland portfolio, real estate platform and wood products manufacturing. Management expects $40 million run-rate synergies by end of year 2 (with ~$20 million run rate in year 1) and plans a new company name/ticker in Q1.
Record Real Estate Performance
Real Estate segment delivered a record full-year adjusted EBITDA of $127 million, well above original guidance of $86–$96 million. Q4 real estate revenue was $42 million on ~3,800 acres at an average of $9,700/acre; Q4 real estate adjusted EBITDA was $33 million. Management projects full-year Real Estate adjusted EBITDA of $180–$200 million for 2026 and Q1 contribution of $30–$35 million.
Full-Year Adjusted EBITDA Growth
Company delivered full-year adjusted EBITDA of $248 million, an 8% increase versus 2024 and above the high end of prior guidance.
Improved Liquidity and Strong Balance Sheet
Cash at year-end of $843 million and ~$1.1 billion of debt. Net debt to enterprise value was 6%, and net debt was less than 1x 2025 adjusted EBITDA. Pro forma net debt post-merger expected ~$1.3–$1.4 billion, well inside the 3x mid-cycle EBITDA leverage target.
Higher Cash Available for Distribution (CAD)
CAD increased to $199 million in 2025 from $141 million in 2024, a ~41% increase driven by higher adjusted EBITDA, lower cash interest expense, higher interest income and lower capex.
Wood Products & Lumber Momentum
Management noted improving lumber prices and expects Wood Products shipments of ~1.1 billion board feet for 11 months of 2026 post-merger, with the Wood Products segment expected to be slightly positive to overall adjusted EBITDA in Q1 based on current prices.
Capital Allocation Flexibility
Company repurchased ~110,000 shares in Q4 for $2.9 million at $26.31 average, still has ~$230 million remaining on repurchase authorization, paid a $1.40/share special dividend and intends to be opportunistic with buybacks given perceived discount to NAV.
Progress on Land-Based Solutions (LBS)
Combined company expands LBS capabilities (solar, carbon capture & storage, offsets, lithium/brine exposure). Management remains optimistic about long-term value creation despite policy/timing headwinds.
Negative Updates
Q4 Adjusted EBITDA Decline Versus Prior Year
Q4 adjusted EBITDA was $62 million versus $95 million in the prior year quarter, a decline of ~35% largely because 2024 had exceptionally concentrated real estate closings.
Southern Timber Segment Weakness — Pulpwood Pricing Pressure
Southern Timber Q4 adjusted EBITDA of $32 million was down 8% YoY. Weighted average net stumpage realizations decreased 9%; pulpwood net stumpage pricing fell ~27% to roughly $12/ton due to mill closures, unfavorable mix and elevated supply from dry weather and prior hurricane salvage activity.
Pacific Northwest Timber Volume Decline
Pacific Northwest Q4 adjusted EBITDA ~$5 million, down ~24% YoY. Total harvest volumes fell ~26% YoY (impact of Washington dispositions completed late 2024) and average delivered sawlog pricing decreased ~3% to $87/ton.
Real Estate Quarter-to-Quarter Variability
Q4 Real Estate sales decreased substantially versus the prior year quarter, which included $495 million of large dispositions. On a pro forma basis, Q4 revenue declined by ~$30 million due to fewer acres sold.
Pulpwood & Mill Demand Headwinds
Pulpwood markets faced significant near-term headwinds: elevated supply (hurricane salvage and dry weather), recent mill closures and geographically concentrated pricing pressure, particularly in Atlantic markets. Management does not expect an immediate return to peak historical pulpwood pricing and characterizes some mill closures as more structural.
Transaction and Integration Costs
Q4 included ~$6 million of merger-related costs; management expects additional organizational restructuring and integration costs as synergies are implemented, including difficult personnel decisions.
Limited Near-Term Segment Guidance / Partial-Year Contributions
Because the merger closed late in the reporting period, management provided limited segment guidance and many 2026 figures incorporate pro rata or partial-year contributions (e.g., 11 months of Wood Products), adding near-term uncertainty.
Q4 Business Mix and Lumpy Results
Management emphasized that Real Estate results are lumpy and prior-year comparatives (large disposals) create volatility in quarterly comparisons, which contributed to the apparent weakness in Q4 adjusted EBITDA.
Company Guidance
The company provided limited 2026 guidance reflecting the pro rata PotlatchDeltic contribution beginning Jan. 31: Southern Timber harvests of 12.1–12.6 million tons (higher sustainable yield) with regional pine stumpage expected to trend modestly above Q4 levels but below Rayonier’s prior-year stand‑alone realizations; Pacific Northwest Timber harvests of 2.0–2.3 million tons with full‑year log pricing expected higher than legacy Rayonier (noting ~75% of Idaho sawtimber indexed to lumber); Wood Products shipments of ~1.1 billion board feet for 11 months in 2026 with the segment expected to be slightly positive to adjusted EBITDA in Q1; Real Estate adjusted EBITDA of $30–35 million in Q1 and $180–200 million for the full year; pro forma net debt of roughly $1.3–1.4 billion post-close; run‑rate synergies targeted at $40 million by end of year 2 (≈$20 million run rate in year 1); and ~ $230 million remaining on the share repurchase authorization with the dividend yield above 4.5%.

Rayonier Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Solid underlying profitability and steady operating cash generation with improving leverage, but confidence is tempered by sharp revenue volatility (notably the 2025 drop) and uneven free-cash-flow consistency.
Income Statement
62
Positive
Profitability metrics look strong on the surface with healthy operating and EBITDA margins in recent years, and net margin spikes in 2025 (likely influenced by one-time items). However, the core concern is top-line volatility: revenue fell sharply in 2025 after solid growth in 2023–2024, which raises questions around earnings durability. Overall, margins are generally resilient, but revenue trajectory is inconsistent.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
Leverage appears manageable for a REIT, with debt-to-equity improving meaningfully from 2020–2023 levels to a lower level in 2024 and especially 2025. Equity remains sizable relative to assets, and returns on equity are strong in 2024–2025. The main weakness is that the capital structure has historically carried higher leverage, and the sharp earnings swing in 2025 makes balance-sheet strength harder to underwrite purely off headline profitability.
Cash Flow
64
Positive
Operating cash flow is consistently positive across the period, supporting the underlying cash-generating profile. Free cash flow is positive in most years but has shown volatility, including a large negative year in 2022 and modest declines in 2024–2025. Cash conversion versus reported earnings is generally decent, but the variability in free cash flow suggests uneven reinvestment needs and/or working-capital/cycle sensitivity.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue484.50M1.26B1.06B909.07M1.11B
Gross Profit157.30M478.16M294.36M220.79M313.48M
EBITDA216.50M553.20M390.19M315.73M425.78M
Net Income474.40M359.15M173.49M107.08M152.55M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.40B3.47B3.65B3.79B3.64B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments842.90M323.16M207.70M114.25M362.17M
Total Debt1.07B1.19B1.45B1.60B1.46B
Total Liabilities1.15B1.64B1.69B1.80B1.69B
Stockholders Equity2.21B1.77B1.86B1.87B1.77B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow206.70M159.06M202.87M-264.10M70.00M
Operating Cash Flow256.70M261.59M298.38M269.20M325.10M
Investing Cash Flow615.10M354.01M124.09M-516.40M-26.30M
Financing Cash Flow-372.90M-479.36M-328.87M-4.60M-16.30M

Rayonier Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price21.49
Price Trends
50DMA
22.60
Negative
100DMA
22.47
Negative
200DMA
22.54
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.27
Positive
RSI
37.89
Neutral
STOCH
17.81
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For RYN, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 21.49 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 22.51, below the 50-day MA of 22.60, and below the 200-day MA of 22.54, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.27 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 37.89 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 17.81 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for RYN.

Rayonier Risk Analysis

Rayonier disclosed 18 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Rayonier reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Rayonier Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
65
Neutral
$2.17B12.193.79%4.94%3.15%1.96%
63
Neutral
$6.54B48.4223.75%12.79%8.88%131.78%
53
Neutral
$17.94B55.583.38%3.57%-1.64%-37.58%
* Real Estate Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
RYN
Rayonier
21.49
-2.40
-10.06%
WY
Weyerhaeuser
24.53
-4.60
-15.80%

Rayonier Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Rayonier Appoints New Executive Vice President and CFO
Positive
Feb 5, 2026

On February 2, 2026, following the effective time of a previously announced merger, Rayonier appointed Wayne Wasechek as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, marking a key change in the company’s post-merger leadership team. Under his new management arrangement, Rayonier set Mr. Wasechek’s annual base salary at $535,000 and made him eligible for an annual cash incentive award targeted at 100% of base salary, as well as annual long-term incentive awards with a target grant-date fair value of $975,000, highlighting the company’s commitment to competitively compensating its finance leadership in the wake of the transaction.

The most recent analyst rating on (RYN) stock is a Buy with a $26.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rayonier stock, see the RYN Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
Rayonier Restructures Credit Facilities After PotlatchDeltic Merger
Neutral
Feb 3, 2026

On January 30, 2026, Rayonier Inc. and several affiliated borrowers, including entities tied to the recently combined PotlatchDeltic operations, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement that consolidates and updates prior credit and term loan arrangements into $1.8095 billion of senior unsecured credit facilities. The package comprises a $200 million revolving credit facility maturing in 2030 and $1.6095 billion in term loans with staggered maturities through 2035, all cross‑guaranteed among the borrowers and further backed by key PotlatchDeltic subsidiaries, with interest rates tied to SOFR benchmarks and leverage-based margins, plus the option—at lenders’ discretion—to upsize the revolver and add incremental term loans, subject to leverage limits and customary covenants. The agreement embeds leverage and interest coverage covenants, standard restrictions on dividends, liens, timber and timberland dispositions and other corporate actions, and provides for potential patronage refunds from Farm Credit system lenders, collectively shaping Rayonier’s capital structure and financial flexibility following its merger of equals with PotlatchDeltic, which closed on January 30, 2026. In a leadership development following the merger’s completion, the company disclosed that Executive Vice President and Chief Resource Officer Douglas M. Long will retire effective February 13, 2026, signaling an early management transition in the combined organization.

The most recent analyst rating on (RYN) stock is a Buy with a $26.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rayonier stock, see the RYN Stock Forecast page.

M&A TransactionsShareholder Meetings
Rayonier Shareholders Approve PotlatchDeltic Merger Share Issuance
Positive
Jan 27, 2026

On January 27, 2026, Rayonier shareholders approved the issuance of new common shares needed to complete the company’s merger with PotlatchDeltic, with sufficient votes cast at a special meeting to render an adjournment proposal unnecessary; on the same day, both companies disclosed that their respective stockholders had cleared all merger-related proposals. The stock-and-cash transaction, expected to close after the market close on January 30, 2026 subject to customary conditions, will see each PotlatchDeltic share converted into 1.8185 Rayonier shares plus $0.61 in cash, leaving existing Rayonier investors with about 54% of the enlarged timber REIT and former PotlatchDeltic holders with 46%, with the combined company initially retaining the Rayonier name and NYSE ticker before rebranding later in the first quarter of 2026.

The most recent analyst rating on (RYN) stock is a Buy with a $27.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rayonier stock, see the RYN Stock Forecast page.

Legal ProceedingsM&A TransactionsRegulatory Filings and ComplianceShareholder Meetings
Rayonier advances PotlatchDeltic merger amid disclosure suits
Neutral
Jan 16, 2026

Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic, which agreed on October 13, 2025 to merge PotlatchDeltic into a Rayonier subsidiary, have moved their all-stock transaction forward with an effective registration statement and joint proxy materials filed on December 23, 2025, ahead of special shareholder meetings set for January 27, 2026. Following the merger announcement, three shareholder lawsuits and multiple demand letters in Washington and New York courts have challenged the adequacy of disclosures in the joint proxy statement/prospectus; while both companies maintain the claims are without merit and that existing disclosures comply with securities laws, they are voluntarily issuing detailed supplemental valuation and financial-analysis disclosures—covering Morgan Stanley and BofA Securities’ DCF assumptions, comparable company sets, analyst price targets, and projected synergies—to moot the claims, reduce costs and delay risk, and keep the planned transaction on track for completion.

The most recent analyst rating on (RYN) stock is a Buy with a $26.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rayonier stock, see the RYN Stock Forecast page.

M&A Transactions
Rayonier Announces Merger with PotlatchDeltic Corporation
Neutral
Dec 10, 2025

On October 13, 2025, Rayonier Inc., a North Carolina-based company, announced a merger agreement with PotlatchDeltic Corporation, a Delaware corporation, to combine in an all-stock merger-of-equals transaction. This merger is expected to create a significant impact on both companies’ operations and industry positioning, as it involves the consolidation of their financial information and resources.

The most recent analyst rating on (RYN) stock is a Buy with a $24.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rayonier stock, see the RYN Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresM&A TransactionsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
Rayonier Revises 2024 Financial Statements Post-Sale
Neutral
Nov 21, 2025

Rayonier Inc. announced revisions to its 2024 financial statements following the sale of its 77% interest in a New Zealand joint venture on June 30, 2025. The company’s New Zealand operations are now classified as discontinued operations, and its reportable segments have been realigned, with the Trading segment’s activities now included in the Southern Timber and Pacific Northwest Timber segments. These changes reflect the company’s strategic shift and compliance with SEC requirements.

The most recent analyst rating on (RYN) stock is a Hold with a $24.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Rayonier stock, see the RYN Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 18, 2026