Verso's net sales for the first quarter of 2011 increased $53.0 million, or 14.6%, as the average sales price for all of our products increased 13.3% compared to the first quarter of 2010 and increased 2.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. The improvement in our average sales price reflects price increases that went into effect during 2010. We announced additional price increases for our core products of $40 per ton effective April 1, 2011. Verso's gross margin was 15.4% for the first quarter of 2011 compared to 7.4% for the same period in 2010 and 17.2% for the fourth quarter of 2010. Sales volume was stable on both a sequential quarter basis and year over year.
Verso reported a net loss of $44.6 million in the first quarter of 2011, or $0.84 per diluted share, which included $26.5 million of charges from special items, or $0.50 per diluted share, primarily due to $26.1 million in pre-tax net losses related to the early retirement of debt in connection with our debt refinancing. Verso had a net loss of $53.6 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010, which included $1.6 million of charges from special items, or $0.03 per diluted share, primarily due to costs associated with new product development.
"Our first quarter adjusted EBITDA results improved $34 million compared to the first quarter of 2010. Normally, the first and second quarters are seasonally slow quarters for coated papers, so we view our first quarter results as very positive," said Mike Jackson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Verso. "Prices continued to improve in the first quarter, consistent with our expectations. We also announced a price increase of $40 per ton, effective April 1 for all of our core products.
"All of our announced energy projects are on schedule, and, as previously mentioned, we expect a positive EBITDA impact of $50 million per year, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2012.
"During the quarter, we also focused on our capital structure by refinancing our second priority senior secured notes due 2014 and a portion of our first priority senior secured notes due 2014 with new second priority senior secured notes, which extended our maturity date to 2019 and reduced our interest expense."
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Source: Verso Paper Corp.