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West Fraser Timber Co (TSE:WFG)
TSX:WFG
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West Fraser Timber Co (WFG) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:WFG

West Fraser Timber Co

(TSX:WFG)

Rating:53Neutral
Price Target:
C$106.00
▲(3.10% Upside)
West Fraser Timber Co's overall score reflects significant financial challenges, including declining profitability and cash flow issues. While the balance sheet is strong, the negative P/E ratio and market challenges highlighted in the earnings call weigh heavily on the score. Technical indicators suggest some stability, but valuation concerns persist.

West Fraser Timber Co (WFG) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

West Fraser Timber Co Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionWest Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., a diversified wood products company, engages in manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing lumber, engineered wood products, pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals and renewable energy. It offers spruce-pine-fir and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood products, medium density fiberboard panels and plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber wood products. The company also provides northern bleached softwood Kraft pulp and bleached chemical thermo-mechanical pulp used to produce various paper products, including printing and writing papers, specialty grades, and various tissue products. It sells its products to major retail chains, contractor supply yards, and wholesalers, as well as industrial customers for further processing or as components for other products in Canada, the United States, China, Europe, Asia, and other countries. West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. was founded in 1955 and is based in Vancouver, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyWest Fraser Timber Co. generates revenue primarily through the sale of wood products, with key revenue streams including lumber sales, engineered wood products, and by-products such as wood chips and sawdust. The company benefits from its diversified product offerings, allowing it to serve a wide range of customers in the construction and manufacturing industries. Additionally, West Fraser engages in strategic partnerships and joint ventures that enhance its supply chain and market reach. Factors contributing to its earnings include fluctuations in lumber prices, demand in the housing market, and the company's ability to efficiently manage its production processes while maintaining sustainable forestry practices.

West Fraser Timber Co Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 23, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 22, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted a strong balance sheet and improvements in the European segment, but faced significant declines in EBITDA across key segments, market challenges, and increased duties impacting financial results.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Balance Sheet
West Fraser exited Q2 with nearly $1.7 billion of available liquidity and a strong cash position net of debt, reflecting a robust capital allocation strategy.
European Business Improvement
The European business posted $2 million of adjusted EBITDA in Q2, a sequential improvement from negative $2 million in Q1, linked to higher OSB pricing and shipments.
Cash Flow Increase
Cash flow from operations was $285 million in Q2, with net cash balance increasing to $310 million from $156 million in the prior quarter.
Credit Facility Extension
Successfully amended and extended a $1 billion credit facility and increased a term loan from $200 million to $300 million.
Negative Updates
Decline in Lumber and North America EWP EBITDA
The Lumber segment posted $15 million in adjusted EBITDA, down from $66 million in Q1. North America EWP segment generated $68 million, down from $125 million in Q1, due to lower pricing and inventory valuation adjustments.
Pulp and Paper Segment Loss
The Pulp and Paper segment reported negative $1 million of adjusted EBITDA, compared to $7 million in Q1, impacted by an inventory write-down.
Market Challenges
New home construction and remodeling demand were subdued due to elevated mortgage and interest rates, impacting U.S. housing demand.
Softwood Lumber Duties Increase
Preliminary CVD and ADD rates resulted in a combined rate of 26.05%, potentially increasing export duties payable by $65 million.
Company Guidance
During West Fraser's second quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance indicating ongoing challenges in their Lumber and North American Oriented Strand Board (OSB) segments due to softer-than-expected demand levels. This was attributed to ongoing issues with housing affordability and subdued repair and remodeling markets. The company revised its 2025 shipment guidance for SPF, SYP, and North American OSB, reflecting these market conditions. The call highlighted West Fraser's strong balance sheet, with $1.7 billion in available liquidity and a net cash balance of $310 million, which supports their capital allocation strategy. Despite the cyclical downturn, the company remains focused on cost control, optimizing its mill portfolio, and preparing for various trade-related scenarios, including potential tariffs and a Section 232 investigation into U.S. lumber imports. West Fraser's strategic capital investments aim to enhance operational resilience and position the company for future growth opportunities.

West Fraser Timber Co Financial Statement Overview

Summary
West Fraser Timber Co is facing financial headwinds with declining revenues and profitability. The balance sheet is strong with low leverage, but negative return on equity and declining cash flows are concerning. Operational inefficiencies and cash generation need improvement.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
West Fraser Timber Co has experienced declining revenue and profitability over recent periods. The TTM data shows a negative net profit margin of -2.18% and a negative EBIT margin of -1.87%, indicating operational challenges. The gross profit margin remains moderate at 27.77%, but revenue growth has been negative, reflecting a contraction in sales.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The company's balance sheet is relatively stable with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, suggesting conservative leverage. However, the return on equity is negative at -1.82%, indicating inefficiencies in generating returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is strong, showing a solid foundation of equity relative to total assets.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Cash flow analysis reveals a decline in free cash flow growth, down by 43.95% in the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 0.80, indicating some challenges in converting income into cash. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.17, suggesting limited cash generation relative to net income.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.83B6.17B6.45B9.70B10.52B4.59B
Gross Profit1.62B1.84B1.77B4.56B5.87B1.89B
EBITDA433.00M614.00M337.00M4.17B5.68B1.36B
Net Income-127.00M-5.00M-167.00M1.98B2.95B588.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets8.77B8.76B9.41B9.97B10.43B4.17B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments646.00M641.00M900.00M1.16B1.57B460.33M
Total Debt329.00M229.00M538.00M536.00M510.00M507.39M
Total Liabilities1.87B1.81B2.19B2.35B2.78B1.70B
Stockholders Equity6.90B6.95B7.22B7.62B7.66B2.47B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow88.00M174.00M48.00M1.73B2.92B826.56M
Operating Cash Flow533.00M661.00M525.00M2.21B3.55B1.02B
Investing Cash Flow-408.00M-318.00M-530.00M-459.00M-286.00M
Financing Cash Flow-483.00M-582.00M-268.00M-2.13B-2.16B

West Fraser Timber Co Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price102.81
Price Trends
50DMA
101.02
Positive
100DMA
101.53
Positive
200DMA
110.30
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.49
Negative
RSI
53.53
Neutral
STOCH
81.50
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:WFG, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 102.81 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 101.79, above the 50-day MA of 101.02, and below the 200-day MA of 110.30, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.49 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 53.53 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 81.50 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:WFG.

West Fraser Timber Co Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
61
Neutral
$10.41B7.18-0.06%2.87%2.87%-36.73%
60
Neutral
C$317.34M21.984.24%8.55%-26.79%-57.05%
53
Neutral
$8.29B3,150.31-1.80%1.74%-8.30%-191.60%
48
Neutral
C$130.92M-3.84%3.89%49.05%
$3.21B13.5417.05%1.46%
$493.93M-11.53%
$1.15B-19.38%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:WFG
West Fraser Timber Co
102.81
-15.16
-12.85%
TSE:ADN
Acadian Timber
17.30
1.17
7.25%
TSE:WEF
Western Forest Prod
12.24
-0.96
-7.27%
STLJF
Stella-Jones
57.04
-10.47
-15.51%
IFSPF
Interfor
9.43
-3.34
-26.16%
CFPZF
Canfor
9.82
-1.06
-9.74%

West Fraser Timber Co Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
West Fraser Enhances Liquidity with Credit Facility Renewal
Positive
Jun 2, 2025

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has announced the renewal and extension of its $1 billion credit facility to May 2030 and an increase in its term loan to $300 million, maturing in May 2028. This strategic financial move enhances the company’s liquidity and financial flexibility, positioning it strongly for future operations and stability in the wood products industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:WFG) stock is a Buy with a C$125.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on West Fraser Timber Co stock, see the TSE:WFG Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
West Fraser Releases 2024 Sustainability Report Highlighting Key Achievements
Positive
May 22, 2025

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting significant achievements in environmental, social, and governance goals. Key accomplishments include enhanced safety training, a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, sustainable forest management, partnerships with Indigenous Nations, and community investments. These initiatives underscore West Fraser’s commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management, potentially strengthening its industry position and stakeholder relationships.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:WFG) stock is a Buy with a C$125.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on West Fraser Timber Co stock, see the TSE:WFG 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: Sep 06, 2025