West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (WFG) AI Stock Analysis
WFG AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchWest Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (NYSE: WFG) is a diversified wood products manufacturer headquartered in Canada with operations spanning North America and global markets. The company faced top-line contraction as FY2025 revenue fell 10.1% to $5.55B, leading to a net loss of -$952.6M. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue reached $5.24B with an operating margin of -5.6%, while maintaining a conservative debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.
- Market cap
- $5.12B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $5.24B
- P/E
- — fwd 51.8x
- 1Y return
- -0.7% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $85.83 31.2% vs last close
Bull case
- Analysts project a recovery in the next fiscal year with EPS estimated to rise 143.2% to $1.73 and revenue expanding 9.5% to $6.09B.
- The company maintains a low-leverage balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07 and shareholders' equity of $5.56B.
- The stock has a 15-year record of consecutive dividend payments with a 16.2% 5-year annualized dividend growth rate.
Bear case
- FY2025 net income dropped to -$952.6M and gross margin dropped into negative territory at -0.6%.
- Free cash flow turned negative at -$315.0M in FY2025 after falling from $2.92B in FY2021.
- West Fraser Timber underperformed broader benchmarks with a 5-year return of -22.4% compared to 83.0% for the S&P 500.
What West Fraser Timber does
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. manufactures, sells, markets, and distributes wood products globally. Its portfolio includes spruce-pine-fir and southern yellow pine lumber, treated wood, medium density fiberboard panels, plywood, oriented strand board, and laminated veneer lumber. The company also produces pulp, newsprint, wood chips, and other residuals used in renewable energy production. Its pulp products, including northern bleached softwood Kraft and bleached chemical thermo-mechanical pulp, supply paper, specialty grade, and tissue manufacturers. Founded in 1955, the Vancouver-based company distributes products across Canada, the United States, China, Europe, and Asia through major retail chains, contractor supply yards, wholesalers, and industrial customers.
Growth and profitability
West Fraser Timber's revenue decreased from $10.52B in FY2021 to $5.55B in FY2025, reflecting a 5-year revenue CAGR of -0.0%. Annual profitability shifted from net income of $2.95B in FY2021 to a net loss of -$952.6M in FY2025, with gross margin dropping to -0.6% and operating margin declining to -8.7%. Free cash flow turned negative at -$315.0M in FY2025 compared to $2.92B in FY2021. For the trailing twelve months, revenue stood at $5.24B with an EPS of -$15.36. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue fell 6.4% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings grew 10.3%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, West Fraser Timber held $73.9M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $379.5M, resulting in net debt of $305.6M. The company maintains a current ratio of 2.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07 alongside shareholders' equity of $5.56B. Operating cash flow in FY2025 was $96.0M. During FY2025, capital expenditures totaled $411.0M, share buybacks absorbed $129.0M, and dividends paid were $101.0M, contributing to a 26.5% reduction in share count over 5 years.
Valuation and performance
At a last close of $65.40, West Fraser Timber had a market capitalization of $5.12B and an enterprise value of $6.03B. The stock trades at a forward P/E of 51.8x, compared to the median of 13.4x for its US-listed Basic Materials peers. Its EV to EBITDA ratio is 11.7x versus the peer median of 10.5x, while its price-to-sales of 1.0x sits below the peer median of 1.8x. Over the trailing 1-year period, the stock fell 0.7%, underperforming the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%. Over 5 years, the stock returned -22.4% against an 83.0% gain for the S&P 500.
WFG dividend
West Fraser Timber pays a forward annual dividend of $1.28 per share, which represents a 1.96% dividend yield. The payout ratio stands at 75.8%, with payments distributed on a quarterly basis. The company has paid dividends for 15 consecutive years, achieving a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 16.2%. The last ex-dividend date occurred on September 29, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage includes 2 Strong Buy, 4 Buy, and 1 Hold ratings, with no Sell or Strong Sell recommendations. The mean price target of $85.83 implies a 31.2% premium over the last close of $65.40. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project an EPS of -$4.00 on revenue of $5.56B. For the next fiscal year, 3 analysts project revenue of $6.09B and EPS of $1.73. The company beat EPS estimates in 1 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is October 29, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Trailing twelve months profit margin stands at -23.0% with an operating margin of -5.6%, reflecting ongoing profitability pressure.
- Quarterly revenue declined 6.4% year-over-year in the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026.
- West Fraser Timber beat earnings estimates in only 1 of the trailing 4 quarters.
- Forward P/E of 51.8x trades at a substantial premium to the US-listed Basic Materials peer median of 13.4x.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this WFG AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (WFG). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: WFG income statement, WFG balance sheet, WFG key metrics, WFG analyst forecast, WFG chart. See the WFG stock overview for the latest quote and news.
WFG AI stock analysis FAQ
What is West Fraser Timber's dividend yield and payment schedule?
West Fraser Timber pays a forward annual dividend of $1.28 per share, which corresponds to a 1.96% dividend yield. Dividends are distributed on a quarterly frequency and have been paid for 15 consecutive years.
How does West Fraser Timber's balance sheet look?
As of June 30, 2026, the company held $73.9M in cash and short-term investments against $379.5M of total debt, resulting in net debt of $305.6M. Its current ratio is 2.06 and debt-to-equity is 0.07.
What are analysts forecasting for West Fraser Timber's earnings?
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, analysts estimate an EPS of -$4.00 on revenue of $5.56B. For the subsequent fiscal year, 3 analysts estimate EPS will rebound to $1.73 on $6.09B in revenue.
When is West Fraser Timber's next earnings report?
The company's next earnings report is scheduled for October 29, 2026.