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Andersons, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number 000-20557
 
 
THE ANDERSONS, INC.
(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
OHIO
 
34-1562374
(State of incorporation
or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1947 Briarfield Boulevard, Maumee, Ohio
 
43537
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(419) 893-5050
(Telephone Number)
 (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filer
ý
Accelerated Filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨

Smaller reporting company
¨
Emerging growth company
¨

 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
The registrant had approximately 28.4 million common shares outstanding, no par value, at April 27, 2017.


Table of Contents

THE ANDERSONS, INC.
INDEX
 
 
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 


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Table of Contents


Part I. Financial Information


Item 1. Financial Statements

The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2016
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
29,645

 
$
62,630

 
$
46,301

Restricted cash
752

 
471

 
718

Accounts receivable, net
190,628

 
194,698

 
207,740

Inventories (Note 2)
641,294

 
682,747

 
703,452

Commodity derivative assets – current (Note 5)
48,049

 
45,447

 
61,316

Other current assets
83,623

 
72,133

 
76,575

Total current assets
993,991

 
1,058,126

 
1,096,102

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivative assets – noncurrent (Note 5)
339

 
100

 
371

Goodwill
63,934

 
63,934

 
63,934

Other intangible assets, net
103,057

 
106,100

 
117,023

Other assets, net
8,108

 
10,411

 
5,803

Equity method investments
208,993

 
216,931

 
236,083

 
384,431

 
397,476

 
423,214

Rail Group assets leased to others, net (Note 3)
342,936

 
327,195

 
337,661

Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 3)
440,395

 
450,052

 
462,661

Total assets
$
2,161,753

 
$
2,232,849

 
$
2,319,638


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The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2016
Liabilities and equity
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term debt (Note 4)
$
255,000

 
$
29,000

 
$
274,002

Trade and other payables
276,834

 
581,826

 
367,338

Customer prepayments and deferred revenue
81,628

 
48,590

 
100,384

Commodity derivative liabilities – current (Note 5)
29,914

 
23,167

 
33,394

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
65,952

 
69,648

 
65,129

Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 4)
56,144

 
47,545

 
54,044

Total current liabilities
765,472

 
799,776

 
894,291

Other long-term liabilities
36,125

 
27,833

 
27,463

Commodity derivative liabilities – noncurrent (Note 5)
450

 
339

 
874

Employee benefit plan obligations
34,832

 
35,026

 
46,151

Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 4)
365,971

 
397,065

 
402,360

Deferred income taxes
181,541

 
182,113

 
179,780

Total liabilities
1,384,391

 
1,442,152

 
1,550,919

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares, without par value (63,000 shares authorized; 29,430 shares issued at 3/31/2017, 12/31/16 and 3/31/2016)
96

 
96

 
96

Preferred shares, without par value (1,000 shares authorized; none issued)

 

 

Additional paid-in-capital
220,366

 
222,910

 
217,050

Treasury shares, at cost (1,074, 1,201 and 1,185 shares at 3/31/2017, 12/31/16 and 3/31/2016, respectively)
(40,727
)
 
(45,383
)
 
(44,774
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(11,964
)
 
(12,468
)
 
(18,327
)
Retained earnings
601,560

 
609,206

 
596,115

Total shareholders’ equity of The Andersons, Inc.
769,331

 
774,361

 
750,160

Noncontrolling interests
8,031

 
16,336

 
18,559

Total equity
777,362

 
790,697

 
768,719

Total liabilities and equity
$
2,161,753

 
$
2,232,849

 
$
2,319,638

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


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The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)(In thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Sales and merchandising revenues
$
852,016

 
$
887,879

Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
775,558

 
820,124

Gross profit
76,458

 
67,755

Operating, administrative and general expenses
81,947

 
79,881

Interest expense
6,100

 
7,051

Other income (loss):
 
 
 
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net
(1,878
)
 
(6,977
)
Other income, net
7,897

 
3,246

Income (loss) before income taxes
(5,570
)
 
(22,908
)
Income tax provision (benefit)
(2,535
)
 
(7,286
)
Net income (loss)
(3,035
)
 
(15,622
)
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests
54

 
(926
)
Net income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
$
(3,089
)
 
$
(14,696
)
Per common share:
 
 
 
Basic earnings (losses) attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(0.52
)
Diluted earnings (losses) attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(0.52
)
Dividends declared
$
0.160

 
$
0.155

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


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The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
(3,035
)
 
$
(15,622
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
Change in fair value of debt securities (net of income tax of $0 and $74)

 
(126
)
Change in unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service cost (net of income tax of $7 and $(10) - Note 8)
(10
)
 
173

Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of income tax of $0 and $0)
514

 
2,505

Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $0 and $(35))

 
60

Other comprehensive income (loss)
504

 
2,612

Comprehensive income (loss)
(2,531
)
 
(13,010
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests
54

 
(926
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
$
(2,585
)
 
$
(12,084
)
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


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The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(3,035
)
 
$
(15,622
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
21,003

 
20,902

Bad debt expense
629

 
424

Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliates, net of dividends
1,931

 
7,033

Gains on sale of facilities and investments in affiliates


(4,701
)
 
(685
)
Gains on sale of Rail Group assets and related leases
(3,609
)
 
(2,443
)
Deferred income taxes
(628
)
 
(988
)
Stock-based compensation expense
1,220

 
1,473

Other
(94
)
 
(20
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
7,563

 
(37,474
)
Inventories
33,456

 
43,947

Commodity derivatives
4,017

 
(15,630
)
Other assets
(9,375
)
 
1,526

Payables and other accrued expenses
(277,612
)
 
(270,296
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(229,235
)
 
(267,853
)
Investing Activities
 
 
 
Purchases of Rail Group assets
(25,074
)
 
(7,340
)
Proceeds from sale of Rail Group assets
5,621

 
4,967

Purchases of property, plant and equipment and capitalized software
(5,608
)
 
(12,305
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
125

 
206

Proceeds from returns of investments in affiliates

 
(22
)
Proceeds from sale of facilities and investments

13,787

 
15,013

Purchase of investments
(1,817
)
 

Change in restricted cash
(281
)
 
(269
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(13,247
)
 
250

Financing Activities
 
 
 
Net change in short-term borrowings
226,000

 
258,000

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
15,175

 
76,908

Proceeds from long-term financing arrangement
10,396

 

Payments of long-term debt
(37,852
)
 
(80,399
)
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares to employees and directors
511

 
1,275

Payments of debt issuance costs
(33
)
 
(299
)
Dividends paid
(4,483
)
 
(4,338
)
Other
(217
)
 
(993
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
209,497

 
250,154

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(32,985
)
 
(17,449
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
62,630

 
63,750

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
29,645

 
$
46,301

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

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The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity
(Unaudited)(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Common
Shares
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Treasury
Shares
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
96

 
$
222,848

 
$
(52,902
)
 
$
(20,939
)
 
$
615,151

 
$
19,485

 
$
783,739

Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(14,696
)
 
(926
)
 
(15,622
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,612

 
 
 
 
 
2,612

Stock awards, stock option exercises and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $417 (212 shares)
 
 
(5,798
)
 
8,128

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,330

Dividends declared ($0.155 per common share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4,340
)
 
 
 
(4,340
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
$
96

 
$
217,050

 
$
(44,774
)
 
$
(18,327
)
 
$
596,115

 
$
18,559

 
$
768,719

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
96

 
$
222,910

 
$
(45,383
)
 
$
(12,468
)
 
$
609,206

 
$
16,336

 
$
790,697

Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3,089
)
 
54

 
(3,035
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
504

 
 
 
 
 
504

Other change in noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8,359
)
 
(8,359
)
Stock awards, stock option exercises and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $(323) (126 shares)
 
 
(2,549
)
 
4,604

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2,055

Dividends declared ($0.16 per common share)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4,500
)
 
 
 
(4,500
)
Restricted share award dividend equivalents
 
 
$
5

 
$
52

 
 
 
$
(57
)
 
 
 

Balance at March 31, 2017
$
96

 
$
220,366

 
$
(40,727
)
 
$
(11,964
)
 
$
601,560

 
$
8,031

 
$
777,362

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


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The Andersons, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


1. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Andersons, Inc. and its wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries (the “Company”). All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Investments in unconsolidated entities in which the Company has significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal and recurring items considered necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the periods indicated have been made. The results in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. An unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2016 has been included as the Company operates in several seasonal industries.
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data at December 31, 2016 was derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in The Andersons, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “2016 Form 10-K”).
New Accounting Standards
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers. The FASB issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016, and December 2016 within ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, respectively.  The core principle of the new revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue from the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. These standards are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company plans on using the modified retrospective method of adoption and does not plan to early adopt.
While we are still continuing to evaluate the potential future impact of these standards on our financial statements, we believe the following items may be impacted upon adoption:
- Methodology for recognizing certain fee-based arrangements within our Grain and Ethanol segments;
- Determination of whether we are the principal or agent for certain revenue streams within several of our segments;
- Methodology for recognizing gains on certain sale transactions within our Rail segment
Our evaluation of these standards, which includes reviewing representative samples of customer contracts, considers the amount and timing of revenues recognized, financial statement presentation, and required disclosures.
Leasing
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 supersedes the current accounting for leases. The new standard, while retaining two distinct types of leases, finance and operating, (i) requires lessees to record a right of use asset and a related liability for the rights and obligations associated with a lease, regardless of lease classification, and recognize lease expense in a manner similar to current accounting, (ii) eliminates current real estate specific lease provisions, (iii) modifies the lease classification criteria and (iv) aligns many of the underlying lessor model principles with those in the new revenue standard. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within. Early adoption is permitted, however the Company does not plan to early adopt. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach when transitioning to ASU 2016-02 for leases that exist as of or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements.
The Company expects this standard to have the effect of bringing substantially all of the off balance-sheet rail assets currently in nonrecourse financing deals noted in Item 2 of Form 10-Q onto the balance sheet along with a corresponding liability for the

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associated obligations. Additionally, we have other arrangements currently classified as operating leases which will be recorded as a right of use asset and corresponding liability on the balance sheet. The magnitude of these items is substantially less than the rail assets that will be recorded on the balance sheet. We expect any impact to the statement of operations to be minimal post adoption.
Other applicable standards
In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07 Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This standard requires that the service cost component be reported in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the employees during the period. The other components of net benefit costs should be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of income from operations if that subtotal is presented. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This update removes the requirement to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, however the Company has not done so at this time. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This standard clarifies how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. At adoption, the Company will elect to continue classifying distributions from equity method investments using the cumulative earnings approach which is consistent with current practice.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update changes the accounting for credit losses on loans and held-to-maturity debt securities and requires a current expected credit loss (CECL) approach to determine the allowance for credit losses. This includes allowances for trade receivables. The Company has not historically incurred significant credit losses and does not currently anticipate circumstances that would lead to a CECL approach differing from the Company's existing allowance estimates in a material way. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, however the Company does not plan to do so.
In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This standard simplifies the accounting treatment for excess tax benefits and deficiencies, forfeitures, and cash flow considerations related to share-based compensation. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company implemented this standard in the current quarter and elected not to adjust the prior periods. It did not have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures.
In January, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This standard provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not expect the impact from adoption of this standard to be material to currently held financial assets and liabilities.



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2. Inventories
Major classes of inventories are as follows:
(in thousands)
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2016
Grain
$
443,870

 
$
495,139

 
$
450,414

Ethanol and co-products
15,549

 
10,887

 
11,895

Plant nutrients and cob products
165,584

 
150,259

 
207,109

Retail merchandise
11,082

 
20,678

 
27,792

Railcar repair parts
5,209

 
5,784

 
6,185

Other

 

 
57

 
$
641,294

 
$
682,747

 
$
703,452


Inventories on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016 do not include 2.7 million, 0.9 million and 2.8 million bushels of grain, respectively, held in storage for others. The Company does not have title to the grain and is only liable for any deficiencies in grade or shortage of quantity that may arise during the storage period. Management has not experienced historical losses on any deficiencies and does not anticipate material losses in the future.

3. Property, Plant and Equipment
The components of Property, plant and equipment, net are as follows:
(in thousands)
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2016
Land
$
29,331

 
$
30,672

 
$
30,138

Land improvements and leasehold improvements
78,798

 
79,631

 
77,531

Buildings and storage facilities
321,344

 
322,856

 
304,276

Machinery and equipment
388,230

 
392,418

 
377,879

Construction in progress
13,113

 
12,784

 
47,755

 
830,816

 
838,361

 
837,579

Less: accumulated depreciation
390,421

 
388,309

 
374,918

 
$
440,395

 
$
450,052

 
$
462,661

Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment was $12.1 million and $12.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
In December 2016, the Company recorded charges totaling $6.0 million for impairment of property, plant and equipment in the Retail business. This does not include $0.5 million of impairment charges related to software. The Company wrote down the value of these assets to the extent their carrying amounts exceeded fair value. The Company classified the significant assumptions used to determine fair value of the impaired assets as Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.
In December 2016, the Company also recorded charges totaling $2.3 million for impairment of property, plant and equipment in the Plant Nutrient segment due to the closing of a cob facility.
Rail Group Assets
The components of Rail Group assets leased to others are as follows:
(in thousands)
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2016
Rail Group assets leased to others
$
448,761

 
$
431,571

 
$
436,948

Less: accumulated depreciation
105,825

 
104,376

 
99,287

 
$
342,936

 
$
327,195

 
$
337,661


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Depreciation expense on Rail Group assets leased to others amounted to $4.7 million and $4.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


4. Debt
The Company is party to borrowing arrangements with a syndicate of banks. See Note 5 in the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K for a description of these arrangements. Total borrowing capacity for the Company under all lines of credit is currently at $871.3 million, including $21.3 million of debt of The Andersons Denison Ethanol LLC ("TADE"), which is non-recourse to the Company. At March 31, 2017, the Company had a total of $553.6 million available for borrowing under its lines of credit. The Company's borrowing capacity is reduced by a combination of outstanding borrowings and letters of credit. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of March 31, 2017.
The Company’s short-term and long-term debt at March 31, 2017December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016 consisted of the following:
(in thousands)
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2016
Short-term Debt - Recourse
$
255,000

 
$
29,000

 
$
274,002

Total Short-term Debt
255,000

 
29,000

 
274,002

 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt – Recourse
56,144

 
47,545

 
54,044

Total Current Maturities of Long-term Debt
56,144

 
47,545

 
54,044

 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term Debt, Less: Current Maturities – Recourse
365,971

 
397,065

 
402,360

Total Long-term Debt, Less: Current Maturities
$
365,971

 
$
397,065

 
$
402,360



5. Derivatives
The Company’s operating results are affected by changes to commodity prices. The Grain and Ethanol businesses have established “unhedged” position limits (the amount of a commodity, either owned or contracted for, that does not have an offsetting derivative contract to lock in the price). To reduce the exposure to market price risk on commodities owned and forward grain and ethanol purchase and sale contracts, the Company enters into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts and over-the-counter forward and option contracts with various counterparties. These contracts are primarily traded via the regulated Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME"). The Company’s forward purchase and sales contracts are for physical delivery of the commodity in a future period. Contracts to purchase commodities from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of commodities to processors or other commercial consumers generally do not extend beyond one year.

All of these contracts meet the definition of derivatives. While the Company considers its commodity contracts to be effective economic hedges, the Company does not designate or account for its commodity contracts as hedges as defined under current accounting standards. The Company accounts for its commodity derivatives at estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of the commodity derivative contracts that require the receipt or posting of cash collateral is recorded on a net basis (offset against cash collateral posted or received, also known as margin deposits) within commodity derivative assets or liabilities. Management determines fair value based on exchange-quoted prices and in the case of its forward purchase and sale contracts, estimated fair value is adjusted for differences in local markets and non-performance risk. For contracts for which physical delivery occurs, balance sheet classification is based on estimated delivery date. For futures, options and over-the-counter contracts in which physical delivery is not expected to occur but, rather, the contract is expected to be net settled, the Company classifies these contracts as current or noncurrent assets or liabilities, as appropriate, based on the Company’s expectations as to when such contracts will be settled.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses in the value of commodity contracts (whether due to changes in commodity prices, changes in performance or credit risk, or due to sale, maturity or extinguishment of the commodity contract) and grain inventories are included in cost of sales and merchandising revenues.

Generally accepted accounting principles permit a party to a master netting arrangement to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments against the right to reclaim cash collateral or obligation to return cash collateral under the same

12

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master netting arrangement. The Company has master netting arrangements for its exchange traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter contracts. When the Company enters into a futures, option or an over-the-counter contract, an initial margin deposit may be required by the counterparty. The amount of the margin deposit varies by commodity. If the market price of a futures, option or an over-the-counter contract moves in a direction that is adverse to the Company’s position, an additional margin deposit, called a maintenance margin, is required. The margin deposit assets and liabilities are included in short-term commodity derivative assets or liabilities, as appropriate, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table presents at March 31, 2017December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, a summary of the estimated fair value of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments that require cash collateral and the associated cash posted/received as collateral. The net asset or liability positions of these derivatives (net of their cash collateral) are determined on a counterparty-by-counterparty basis and are included within current or noncurrent commodity derivative assets (or liabilities) on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
(in thousands)
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
 
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
 
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
Collateral paid (received)
$
(2,769
)
 
$

 
$
28,273

 
$

 
$
27,498

 
$

Fair value of derivatives
32,310

 

 
1,599

 

 
11,389

 

Balance at end of period
$
29,541

 
$

 
$
29,872

 
$

 
$
38,887

 
$


The following table presents, on a gross basis, current and noncurrent commodity derivative assets and liabilities:
 
March 31, 2017
(in thousands)
Commodity Derivative Assets - Current
 
Commodity Derivative Assets - Noncurrent
 
Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Current
 
Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Noncurrent
 
Total
Commodity derivative assets
$
57,499

 
$
341

 
$
554

 
$
3

 
$
58,397

Commodity derivative liabilities
(6,681
)
 
(2
)
 
(30,468
)
 
(453
)
 
(37,604
)
Cash collateral
(2,769
)
 

 

 

 
(2,769
)
Balance sheet line item totals
$
48,049

 
$
339

 
$
(29,914
)
 
$
(450
)
 
$
18,024

 
December 31, 2016
(in thousands)
Commodity Derivative Assets - Current
 
Commodity Derivative Assets - Noncurrent
 
Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Current
 
Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Noncurrent
 
Total
Commodity derivative assets
$
36,146

 
$
140

 
$
1,447

 
$
6

 
$
37,739

Commodity derivative liabilities
(18,972
)
 
(40
)
 
(24,614
)
 
(345
)
 
(43,971
)
Cash collateral
28,273

 

 

 

 
28,273

Balance sheet line item totals
$
45,447

 
$
100

 
$
(23,167
)
 
$
(339
)
 
$
22,041

 
March 31, 2016
(in thousands)
Commodity Derivative Assets - Current
 
Commodity Derivative Assets - Noncurrent
 
Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Current
 
Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Noncurrent
 
Total
Commodity derivative assets
$
46,999

 
$
382

 
$
1,219

 
$
5

 
$
48,605

Commodity derivative liabilities
(13,181
)
 
(11
)
 
(34,613
)
 
(879
)
 
(48,684
)
Cash collateral
27,498

 

 

 

 
27,498

Balance sheet line item totals
$
61,316

 
$
371

 
$
(33,394
)
 
$
(874
)
 
$
27,419



13

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The gains and losses included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the line items in which they are located are as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Gains (losses) on commodity derivatives included in cost of sales and merchandising revenues
$
27,025

 
$
(8,859
)
The Company had the following volume of commodity derivative contracts outstanding (on a gross basis) at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016:
 
March 31, 2017
Commodity (in thousands)
Number of Bushels
 
Number of Gallons
 
Number of Pounds
 
Number of Tons
Non-exchange traded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corn
201,200

 

 

 

Soybeans
29,015

 

 

 

Wheat
7,956

 

 

 

Oats
46,861

 

 

 

Ethanol

 
178,040

 

 

Corn oil

 

 
6,279

 

Other
100

 
1,000

 

 
239

Subtotal
285,132

 
179,040

 
6,279

 
239

Exchange traded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corn
104,790

 

 

 

Soybeans
47,605

 

 

 

Wheat
40,855

 

 

 

Oats
1,660

 

 

 

Ethanol

 
16,590

 

 

Other

 

 

 
15

Subtotal
194,910

 
16,590

 

 
15

Total
480,042

 
195,630

 
6,279

 
254


14

Table of Contents

 
December 31, 2016
Commodity (in thousands)
Number of Bushels
 
Number of Gallons
 
Number of Pounds
 
Number of Tons
Non-exchange traded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corn
175,549

 

 

 

Soybeans
20,592

 

 

 

Wheat
7,177

 

 

 

Oats
36,025

 

 

 

Ethanol

 
215,081

 

 

Corn oil

 

 
9,358

 

Other
108

 
1,144

 

 
110

Subtotal
239,451

 
216,225

 
9,358

 
110

Exchange traded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corn
63,225

 

 

 

Soybeans
39,005

 

 

 

Wheat
45,360

 

 

 

Oats
4,120

 

 

 

Ethanol

 
78,120

 

 

Subtotal
151,710

 
78,120

 

 

Total
391,161

 
294,345

 
9,358

 
110

 
March 31, 2016
Commodity (in thousands)
Number of Bushels
 
Number of Gallons
 
Number of Pounds
 
Number of Tons
Non-exchange traded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corn
235,426

 

 

 

Soybeans
21,509

 

 

 

Wheat
12,654

 

 

 

Oats
32,136

 

 

 

Ethanol

 
149,374

 

 

Corn oil

 

 
3,850

 

Other
18

 

 
6,234

 
85

Subtotal
301,743

 
149,374

 
10,084

 
85

Exchange traded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corn
129,465

 

 

 

Soybeans
34,315

 

 

 

Wheat
20,950

 

 

 

Oats
3,225

 

 

 

Ethanol

 
1,470

 

 

Subtotal
187,955

 
1,470

 

 

Total
489,698

 
150,844

 
10,084

 
85


15

Table of Contents

At March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, the Company had recorded the following amounts for the fair value of the Company's interest rate derivatives:
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
(in thousands)
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts included in other long term liabilities
$
(2,141
)
 
$
(2,530
)
 
$
(4,618
)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
$
(2,141
)
 
$
(2,530
)
 
$
(4,618
)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contract included in other short term liabilities
$

 
$

 
$
(96
)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives designated as hedging instruments
$

 
$

 
$
(96
)
The gains and losses included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and the line item in which they are located for interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Interest income (expense)
$
389

 
$
(1,600
)
The Company also has foreign currency derivatives which are considered effective economic hedges of specified economic risks but which are not designated as accounting hedges. At March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, the Company had recorded the following amounts for the fair value of the Company's foreign currency derivatives:
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
(in thousands)
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency contracts included in short term assets
$
(14
)
 
$
(112
)
 
$
1,478

Total fair value of foreign currency contract derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
$
(14
)
 
$
(112
)
 
$
1,478

The gains and losses included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and the line item in which they are located for foreign currency contract derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Foreign currency derivative gains included in Other income, net
$
98

 
$
1,478





16

Table of Contents

6. Employee Benefit Plans

The following are components of the net periodic benefit cost for the pension and post-retirement benefit plans maintained by the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
Pension Benefits
(in thousands)
Three months ended March 31,
2017
 
2016
Service cost
$

 
$

Interest cost
39

 
48

Recognized net actuarial loss
63

 
36

Benefit cost
$
102

 
$
84

 
Post-retirement Benefits
(in thousands)
Three months ended March 31,
2017
 
2016
Service cost
$
123

 
$
213

Interest cost
300

 
405

Amortization of prior service cost

 
(89
)
Recognized net actuarial loss

 
235

Benefit cost
$
423

 
$
764


7. Income Taxes

On a quarterly basis, the Company estimates the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year and makes changes if necessary based on new information or events. The estimated annual effective tax rate is forecast based on actual historical information and forward-looking estimates and is used to provide for income taxes in interim reporting periods. The Company also recognizes the tax impact of certain unusual or infrequently occurring items, such as the effects of changes in tax laws or rates and impacts from settlements with tax authorities, discretely in the quarter in which they occur. Additionally, the annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of state income taxes, the tax benefit related to railroad track maintenance credit transactions, and to benefits or costs related to various permanent book to tax differences and tax credits.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2.5 million at an effective tax rate of 45.5%, which varied from the U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to a 9.8% benefit related to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $7.3 million at an effective tax rate of 31.8%.

Other than the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits discussed above, there have been no material changes to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits reported at December 31, 2016.


17

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8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following tables summarize the after-tax components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (a)
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2017
(in thousands)
 
Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 
Investment in Debt Securities
 
Defined Benefit Plan Items
 
Total
Beginning Balance
 
$

 
$
(11,002
)
 
$

 
$
(1,466
)
 
$
(12,468
)
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 

 
514

 

 
(10
)
 
504

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
 

 
514

 

 
(10
)
 
504

Ending balance
 
$

 
$
(10,488
)
 
$

 
$
(1,476
)
 
$
(11,964
)
 
 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (a)
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2016
(in thousands)
 
Losses on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
 
Investment in Debt Securities
 
Defined Benefit Plan Items
 
Total
Beginning Balance
 
$
(111
)
 
$
(12,041
)
 
$
126

 
$
(8,913
)
 
$
(20,939
)
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 
60

 
2,505

 

 
229

 
2,794

 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
(126
)
 
(56
)
 
(182
)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
 
60

 
2,505

 
(126
)
 
173

 
2,612

Ending balance
 
$
(51
)
 
$
(9,536
)
 
$

 
$
(8,740
)
 
$
(18,327
)
(a) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
There were no reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
The following table shows the reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2016:

18

Table of Contents

 
 
Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)
(in thousands)
Three months ended March 31, 2016
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components
 
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented
Defined Benefit Plan Items
 
 
 
 
     Amortization of prior-service cost
 
$
(89
)
 
(b)
 
 
(89
)
 
Total before tax
 
 
33

 
Income tax provision
 
 
$
(56
)
 
Net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
Other items
 
 
 
 
     Recognition of gain on sale of investment
 
(200
)
 
 
 
 
(200
)
 
Total before tax
 
 
74

 
Income tax provision
 
 
(126
)
 
Net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total reclassifications for the period
 
$
(182
)
 
Net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate credits to profit/loss
(b) This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 6).

19

Table of Contents


9. Earnings Per Share
The Company’s non-vested restricted stock that was granted prior to March 2015 is considered a participating security since the share-based awards contain a non-forfeitable right to dividends irrespective of whether the awards ultimately vest. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for common stock and any participating securities according to dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.
(in thousands, except per common share data)
Three months ended March 31,
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
$
(3,089
)
 
$
(14,696
)
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stock

 
3

Earnings (losses) available to common shareholders
$
(3,089
)
 
$
(14,699
)
Earnings per share – basic:
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
28,281

 
28,101

Earnings (losses) per common share – basic
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(0.52
)
Earnings per share – diluted:
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic
28,281

 
28,101

Effect of dilutive awards

 

Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted
28,281

 
28,101

Earnings (losses) per common share – diluted
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(0.52
)
There were no antidilutive stock-based awards outstanding at March 31, 2017 or March 31, 2016.

20

Table of Contents

10. Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016:
(in thousands)
March 31, 2017
Assets (liabilities)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Restricted cash
752

 

 

 
752

Commodity derivatives, net (a)
29,566

 
(11,542
)
 

 
18,024

Provisionally priced contracts (b)
(86,314
)
 
(37,643
)
 

 
(123,957
)
Convertible preferred securities (c)

 

 
3,294

 
3,294

Other assets and liabilities (d)
8,518

 
(2,141
)
 

 
6,377

Total
$
(47,478
)
 
$
(51,326
)
 
$
3,294

 
$
(95,510
)
(in thousands)
December 31, 2016
Assets (liabilities)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Restricted cash
471

 

 

 
471

Commodity derivatives, net (a)
29,872

 
(7,831
)
 

 
22,041

Provisionally priced contracts (b)
(105,321
)
 
(64,876
)
 

 
(170,197
)
Convertible preferred securities (c)

 

 
3,294

 
3,294

Other assets and liabilities (d)
9,391

 
(2,530
)
 

 
6,861

Total
$
(65,587
)
 
$
(75,237
)
 
$
3,294

 
$
(137,530
)
(in thousands)
March 31, 2016
Assets (liabilities)
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash equivalents
$
25,496

 
$

 
$

 
$
25,496

Restricted cash
718

 

 

 
718

Commodity derivatives, net (a)
38,070

 
(10,651
)
 

 
27,419

Provisionally priced contracts (b)
88,356

 
42,836

 

 
131,192

Convertible preferred securities (c)

 

 
775

 
775

Other assets and liabilities (d)
13,958

 
(4,828
)
 
160

 
9,290

Total
$
166,598

 
$
27,357

 
$
935

 
$
194,890

 
(a)
Includes associated cash posted/received as collateral
(b)
Included in "Provisionally priced contracts" are those instruments based only on underlying futures values (Level 1) and delayed price contracts (Level 2)
(c)
Recorded in “Other noncurrent assets” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)
Included in other assets and liabilities are deferred compensation assets, ethanol risk management contracts, and foreign exchange derivative contracts (Level 1), interest rate derivatives (Level 2), and contingent consideration to the former owners of Kay Flo Industries, Inc (Level 3).

Level 1 commodity derivatives reflect the fair value of the exchange-traded futures and options contracts that the Company holds, net of the cash collateral that the Company has in its margin account.

The majority of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the market approach valuation technique. With the market approach, fair value is derived using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

The Company’s net commodity derivatives primarily consist of futures or options contracts via regulated exchanges and contracts with producers or customers under which the future settlement date and bushels (or gallons in the case of ethanol contracts) of commodities to be delivered (primarily wheat, corn, soybeans and ethanol) are fixed and under which the price may or may not be fixed. Depending on the specifics of the individual contracts, the fair value is derived from the futures or options prices on the CME or the New York Mercantile Exchange for similar commodities and delivery dates as well as observable quotes for local basis adjustments (the difference, which is attributable to local market conditions, between the quoted futures price and the local cash price). Because basis for a particular commodity and location typically has multiple

21

Table of Contents

quoted prices from other agribusinesses in the same geographical vicinity and is used as a common pricing mechanism in the Agribusiness industry, we have concluded that basis is a Level 2 fair value input for purposes of the fair value disclosure requirements related to our commodity derivatives. Although nonperformance risk, both of the Company and the counterparty, is present in each of these commodity contracts and is a component of the estimated fair values, based on the Company’s historical experience with its producers and customers and the Company’s knowledge of their businesses, the Company does not view nonperformance risk to be a material input to fair value for these commodity contracts.

These fair value disclosures exclude physical grain inventories measured at net realizable value. The net realizable value used to measure the Company’s agricultural commodity inventories is the fair value (spot price of the commodity in an exchange), less cost of disposal and transportation based on the local market. This valuation would generally be considered Level 2. The amount is disclosed in Note 2. Changes in the net realizable value of commodity inventories are recognized as a component of cost of sales and merchandising revenues.

Provisionally priced contract liabilities are those for which the Company has taken ownership and possession of grain but the final purchase price has not been established. In the case of payables where the unpriced portion of the contract is limited to the futures price of the underlying commodity or the Company has delivered provisionally priced grain and a subsequent payable or receivable is set up for any futures changes in the grain price, quoted CBOT prices are used and the liability is deemed to be Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. For all other unpriced contracts which include variable futures and basis components, the amounts recorded for delayed price contracts are determined on the basis of local grain market prices at the balance sheet date and, as such, are deemed to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The risk management contract liability allows related ethanol customers to effectively unprice the futures component of their inventory for a period of time, subjecting the bushels to market fluctuations. The Company records an asset or liability for the market value changes of the commodities over the life of the contracts based on quoted CBOT prices and as such, the balance is deemed to be Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company’s stake in the Iowa Northern Railway Company ("IANR") was redeemed in the first quarter of 2016. The remaining convertible preferred securities are interests in two early-stage enterprises in the form of debt securities with the possibility of conversion to equity under certain circumstances.
A reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for the Company’s fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs is as follows:
 
Contingent Consideration
 
Convertible Securities
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Asset (liability) at January 1,
$

 
$
(350
)
 
$
3,294

 
$
13,550

Gains (losses) included in earnings

 
190

 

 
710

Sales proceeds

 

 

 
(13,485
)
Asset (liability) at March 31,
$

 
$
(160
)
 
$
3,294

 
$
775


The following tables summarize quantitative information about the Company's Level 3 fair value measurements as of March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016:
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(in thousands)
Fair Value as of March 31, 2017
 
Valuation Method
 
Unobservable Input
 
Weighted Average
Convertible Notes
$
3,294

 
Cost Basis, Plus Interest
 
N/A
 
N/A
(in thousands)
Fair Value as of December 31, 2016
 
Valuation Method
 
Unobservable Input
 
Weighted Average
Convertible Notes
$
3,294

 
Cost Basis, Plus Interest
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Property
$
11,210

 
Third-Party Appraisal
 
N/A
 
N/A
(in thousands)
Fair Value as of March 31, 2016
 
Valuation Method
 
Unobservable Input
 
Weighted Average
Convertible Notes
$
775

 
Cost Basis, Plus Interest
 
N/A
 
N/A


22

Table of Contents

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated using quoted market prices or discounted future cash flows based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. As such, the Company has concluded that the fair value of long-term debt is considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
(in thousands)
March 31,
2017

December 31,
2016
 
March 31,
2016
Fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities
$
426,105

 
$
450,940

 
$
472,997

Fair value in excess of carrying value
1,036

 
3,116

 
12,577

The fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying value as they are close to maturity.

11. Related Party Transactions
Equity Method Investments
The Company, directly or indirectly, holds investments in companies that are accounted for under the equity method. The Company’s equity in these entities is presented at cost plus its accumulated proportional share of income or loss, less any distributions it has received.
The following table presents the Company’s investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity:
(in thousands)
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC
$
38,694

 
$
38,972

 
$
32,483

The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
19,946

 
19,739

 
28,199

The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
13,266

 
22,069

 
29,446

Lansing Trade Group, LLC
88,339

 
89,050

 
98,763

Thompsons Limited (a)
46,054

 
46,184

 
45,479

Other
2,694

 
917

 
1,713

Total
$
208,993

 
$
216,931

 
$
236,083

 (a) Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures
On January 1, 2017, The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC (“TAEI”) was merged with and into The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC (“TAME”). The Company had owned (66%) of TAEI, which, in turn, had owned 50% of TAME. Pursuant to the merger, the Company’s ownership units in TAEI were canceled and converted into ownership units in TAME. As a result, the Company now directly owns 33% of the outstanding ownership units of TAME.
Prior to this transaction, the noncontrolling interest in TAEI was attributed 33% of the gains and losses of TAME recorded by the Company in its equity in earnings of affiliates.
The following table summarizes income (loss) earned from the Company’s equity method investments by entity:
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
% Ownership at
March 31, 2017
 
2017
 
2016
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC
55%
 
$
(277
)
 
$
(322
)
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
39%
 
207

 
(1,079
)
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
33%
 
(463
)
 
(1,809
)
Lansing Trade Group, LLC
33% (a)
 
(711
)
 
(2,767
)
Thompsons Limited (b)
50%
 
(595
)
 
(1,000
)
Other
5% - 50%
 
(39
)
 

Total
 
 
$
(1,878
)
 
$
(6,977
)
 (a) This does not consider restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 0.6%
 (b) Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures


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There were no distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates were $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Investment in Debt Securities
The Company previously owned 100% of the cumulative convertible preferred shares of Iowa Northern Railway Company (“IANR”), which operates a short-line railroad in Iowa. In the first quarter of 2016, these shares were redeemed and the Company no longer has an ownership stake in this entity. See Footnote 10 for additional information on the effects of this transaction.

Related Party Transactions
In the ordinary course of business, the Company will enter into related party transactions with each of the investments described above, along with other related parties. The following table sets forth the related party transactions entered into for the time periods presented:
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Sales revenues
$
198,068

 
$
194,838

Service fee revenues (a)
4,627

 
4,636

Purchases of product
134,508

 
101,953

Lease income (b)
1,287

 
2,037

Labor and benefits reimbursement (c)
3,690

 
3,898

Other expenses (d)

 
149

 
(a)
Service fee revenues include management fees, corn origination fees, ethanol and distillers dried grains (DDG) marketing fees, and other commissions.
(b)
Lease income includes the lease of the Company’s Albion, Michigan and Clymers, Indiana grain facilities as well as certain railcars to the various ethanol LLCs and IANR.
(c)
The Company provides all operational labor to the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs and charges them an amount equal to the Company’s costs of the related services.
(d)
Other expenses include payments to IANR for repair facility rent and use of its railroad reporting mark, payment to LTG for the lease of railcars and other various expenses.
(in thousands)
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
Accounts receivable (e)
$
19,999

 
$
26,254

 
$
19,066

Accounts payable (f)
19,888

 
23,961

 
16,124

(e)
Accounts receivable represents amounts due from related parties for sales of corn, leasing revenue and service fees.
(f)
Accounts payable represents amounts due to related parties for purchases of ethanol and other various items.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol that the Company purchased from the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs were $123.3 million and $87.6 million, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, revenues recognized for the sale of corn to the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs were $117.5 million and $118.5 million, respectively.

From time to time, the Company enters into derivative contracts with certain of its related parties, including the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs, LTG, and the Thompsons Limited joint ventures, for the purchase and sale of grain and ethanol, for similar price risk mitigation purposes and on similar terms as the purchase and sale of derivative contracts it enters into with unrelated parties. The fair value of derivative contract assets with related parties as of March 31, 2017December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016 was $2.0 million, $4.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The fair value of derivative contract liabilities with related parties as of March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016 was $0.5 million, $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

12. Segment Information
The Company’s operations include five reportable business segments that are distinguished primarily on the basis of products and services offered. The Grain business includes grain merchandising, the operation of terminal grain elevator facilities and the investments in LTG and Thompsons Limited. The Ethanol business purchases and sells ethanol and also manages the

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ethanol production facilities organized as limited liability companies, one is consolidated and three are investments accounted for under the equity method. The Company performs services under various contracts for these investments. Rail operations include the leasing, marketing and fleet management of railcars and other assets, railcar repair and metal fabrication. The Plant Nutrient business manufactures and distributes agricultural inputs, primarily fertilizer, to dealers and farmers, along with turf care and corncob-based products. The Retail business operates large retail stores, a distribution center, and a lawn and garden equipment sales and service facility. In January 2017, the Company announced that the Retail business will be closed in the first half of 2017. Included in “Other” are the corporate level costs not attributed to an operating segment.
The segment information below includes the allocation of expenses shared by one or more operating segments. Although management believes such allocations are reasonable, the operating information does not necessarily reflect how such data might appear if the segments were operated as separate businesses. Inter-segment sales are made at prices comparable to normal, unaffiliated customer sales. The Company does not have any customers who represent 10 percent or more of total revenues.
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
 
Revenues from external customers
 
 
 
 
Grain
$
478,528

 
$
538,814

 
Ethanol
154,153

 
114,693

 
Plant Nutrient
146,587

 
166,991

 
Rail
40,390

 
39,609

 
Retail
32,358

 
27,772

 
Total
$
852,016

 
$
887,879

 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Inter-segment sales
 
 
 
Grain
$
66

 
$
1,451

Plant Nutrient
171

 
247

Rail
292

 
379

Total
$
529

 
$
2,077

 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
 
 
Grain
$
(5,073
)
 
$
(17,405
)
Ethanol
1,716

 
(2,680
)
Plant Nutrient
6,672

 
1,704

Rail
6,078

 
9,375

Retail
(6,846
)
 
(2,076
)
Other
(8,171
)
 
(10,900
)
Noncontrolling interests
54

 
(926
)
Total
$
(5,570
)
 
$
(22,908
)

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Table of Contents

(in thousands)
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
March 31, 2016
Identifiable assets
 
 
 
 
 
Grain
$
884,870

 
$
961,114

 
$
948,802

Ethanol
170,020

 
171,115

 
177,987

Plant Nutrient
512,744

 
484,455

 
591,639

Rail
415,801

 
398,446

 
380,347

Retail
21,594

 
31,257

 
46,653

Other
156,724

 
186,462

 
174,210

Total
$
2,161,753

 
$
2,232,849

 
$
2,319,638


13. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is party to litigation, or threats thereof, both as defendant and plaintiff with some regularity, although individual cases that are material in size occur infrequently. As a defendant, the Company establishes reserves for claimed amounts that are considered probable and capable of estimation. If those cases are resolved for lesser amounts, the excess reserves are taken into income and, conversely, if those cases are resolved for larger than the amount the Company has accrued, the Company records additional expense. The Company believes it is unlikely that the results of its current legal proceedings for which it is the defendant, even if unfavorable, will be material. As a plaintiff, amounts that are collected can also result in sudden, non-recurring income.
Litigation results depend upon a variety of factors, including the availability of evidence, the credibility of witnesses, the performance of counsel, the state of the law, and the impressions of judges and jurors, any of which can be critical in importance, yet difficult, if not impossible, to predict. Consequently, cases currently pending, or future matters, may result in unexpected, and non-recurring losses, or income, from time to time. Finally, litigation results are often subject to judicial reconsideration, appeal and further negotiation by the parties, and as a result, the final impact of a particular judicial decision may be unknown for some time, or may result in continued reserves to account for the potential of such post-verdict actions.
The estimated range of loss for all outstanding claims that are considered reasonably possible is not material.
Build-to-Suit Lease
In August, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement with an initial term of 15 years for a build-to-suit facility to be used as the new corporate headquarters which was completed in the third quarter of 2016. Since the Company is deemed to be the owner of this facility for accounting purposes during the construction period, it has recognized an asset and a corresponding financing obligation.
The Company has recorded a build-to-suit financing obligation in other long-term liabilities of $24.1 million, $14.0 million, and $10.0 million at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, and March 31, 2016, respectively. The Company has recorded a build-to-suit financing obligation in other current liabilities of $0.8 million, $0.9 million, and $0.9 million at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2016, and March 31, 2016, respectively.

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14. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Certain supplemental cash flow information, including noncash investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
8,670

 
$
5,731

Noncash investing and financing activity
 
 
 
Capital projects incurred but not yet paid
$
2,216

 
$
7,305

Investment merger (decreasing equity method investments and non-controlling interest)
8,360

 

Outstanding receivable for sale of assets
3,597

 

Dividends declared not yet paid
4,501

 
4,341


15. Sale of Assets

On March 31, 2017 the Company sold four farm center locations in Florida for $17.4 million and recorded a $4.7 million gain, net of transaction costs in Other income, net. The sales price includes a working capital adjustment receivable of $3.6 million that was outstanding as of March 31, 2017.
On May 2, 2016 the Company sold eight grain and agronomy locations in Iowa for $54.3 million and recorded a nominal gain.

16. Exit Costs

In January 2017, the Company announced that the Retail business will be closed in the first half of 2017, and is seeking to sell or find alternate uses for the Group's assets. As of March 31, 2017, the book value of assets in this segment includes $11.1 million of inventory and $10.2 million of plant, property, and equipment and software, subsequent to asset impairments of $6.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016. In the first quarter, the Company also recorded charges of $7.8 million of exit charges.

17. Subsequent Events

On April 13, 2017, the Company amended its line of credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. The amended agreement provides for a credit facility in the amount of $800 million.


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Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward Looking Statements
The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains forward-looking statements which relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The reader is urged to carefully consider these risks and others, including those risk factors listed under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (“2016 Form 10-K”). In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. These forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation, other than any imposed by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting policies and critical accounting estimates, as described in our 2016 Form 10-K, have not materially changed through the first quarter of 2017.
Executive Overview

Our operations are organized, managed and classified into five reportable business segments: Grain, Ethanol, Plant Nutrient, Rail, and Retail. Each of these segments is based on the nature of products and services offered.

The agricultural commodity-based business is one in which changes in selling prices generally move in relationship to changes in purchase prices. Therefore, increases or decreases in prices of the agricultural commodities that the business deals in will have a relatively equal impact on sales and cost of sales and a much less significant impact on gross profit. As a result, changes in sales between periods may not necessarily be indicative of the overall performance of the business and more focus should be placed on changes in gross profit.
Grain Group
The Grain Group's performance in the first quarter reflects significant improvement over the prior year, however, merchandising margins continue to feel pressure and intense competition. The improvements were primarily due to higher space income, as the Group was able to purchase grain at more typical prices during the 2016 harvest, along with the divestiture of underperforming assets in Iowa during the first half of 2016. The Group's affiliates also saw improvements over the prior year.
Grain inventories on hand at March 31, 2017 were 100.1 million bushels, of which 2.7 million bushels were stored for others. This compares to 104.2 million bushels on hand at March 31, 2016, of which 2.8 million bushels were stored for others. Total grain storage capacity was approximately 153 million bushels at March 31, 2017 compared to 161 million bushels at March 31, 2016, with the decrease resulting from the sale of Iowa grain assets and partially offset by the construction of an elevator in Tennessee.
Spring planting is underway and the progress is on pace with the five year average. While weather will play a factor in the planting progress, the Grain Group is still expecting farmers to plant as many or slightly more combined corn and soybean acres in 2017 than in 2016.
Ethanol Group
The Ethanol Group's first quarter results reflect improvements in overall margins from higher ethanol prices coupled with lower corn prices, much of the price increase is due to hedges entered into in the prior quarter. These ethanol margins were offset by weakness in margins on co-products, such as DDGs, from lower export demand and localized elevated vomitoxin levels in eastern draw areas in the 2016 corn crop.
The Group has substantially completed a project to double the ethanol production capacity of its facility in Albion, Michigan. The project was operational ahead of schedule and on budget.


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Table of Contents

Ethanol volumes shipped for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
(in thousands)
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Ethanol (gallons shipped)
89,423

 
73,873

E-85 (gallons shipped)
9,257

 
6,320

Corn Oil (pounds shipped)
4,260

 
3,614

DDG (tons shipped) *
42

 
40

* DDG tons shipped converts wet tons to a dry ton equivalent amount

The above table shows only shipped volumes that flow through the Company's sales revenues. Total ethanol, corn oil and DDG production by the unconsolidated LLCs is higher. However, the portion of that volume that is sold directly to their customers is excluded here.
Plant Nutrient Group
The Plant Nutrient Group's results reflect continued pressure on prices, particularly in base nutrient products, which has put pressure on overall margins. Volumes have also declined compared to the prior year as a result of lower farm income and a market that continues to experience uncertainty around future nutrient prices leading to lower immediate demand. We expect this trend to continue during the year.

On March 31, 2017, the Group sold its farm center facilities in Florida, resulting in a gain of approximately $4.7 million.

Storage capacity at our wholesale nutrient and farm center facilities, including leased storage, was approximately 486 thousand tons for dry nutrients and approximately 528 thousand tons for liquid nutrients at March 31, 2017 and approximately 508 thousand tons for dry nutrients and approximately 572 thousand tons for liquid nutrients at March 31, 2016. The decrease in our storage capacity is a result of the sales of Florida farm center assets in the first quarter of 2017 and the Iowa farm center assets in the second quarter of 2016.

Tons of product shipped (including sales and service tons) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
(in thousands)
Three months ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Wholesale Nutrients - Base nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
190

 
212

Wholesale Nutrients - Value added products
130

 
119

Other (includes Farm Centers, Turf, and Cob)
129

 
129

Total tons
449

 
460

Rail Group
The Rail Group saw a decline in average utilization rates from 91.5 percent in the first quarter of 2016 to 83.6 percent in the first quarter of 2017. Average lease rates remained relatively flat. Rail Group assets under management (owned, leased or managed for financial institutions in non-recourse arrangements) at March 31, 2017 were 23,394 compared to 22,991 at March 31, 2016.
Utilization rates are under pressure due to substantial increases in operational efficiency of the railroads in North America driving a decrease in the number of cars needed to move the same volume of freight. This has made it more difficult for the Group to re-market cars as they return from existing leases and we also incur additional storage costs while the cars sit idle.
The Group purchased over 600 cars with leases attached in the first quarter and continues to focus on strategically growing the rail fleet, as well as look for opportunities to open new repair facilities.



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Table of Contents

Retail Group
The retail industry is highly competitive. Our stores compete with a variety of retail merchandisers, including home centers, department and hardware stores, as well as local and national grocers.

In January 2017, the Company announced that the Retail business will be closed in the first half of 2017 and incurred exit charges, much of which is employee severance cost, of $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2017.
Other
Our “Other” activities include corporate costs and functions that provide support and services to the operating segments. The results include expenses and benefits not allocated to the operating segments, including a portion of our ERP project.


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Table of Contents

Operating Results
The following discussion focuses on the operating results as shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations with a separate discussion by segment. Additional segment information is included in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein in Note 12. Segment Information.
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Sales and merchandising revenues
$
852,016

 
$
887,879

Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
775,558

 
820,124

Gross profit
76,458

 
67,755

Operating, administrative and general expenses
81,947

 
79,881

Interest expense (income)
6,100

 
7,051

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net
(1,878
)
 
(6,977
)
Other income (expense), net
7,897

 
3,246

Income (loss) before income taxes
(5,570
)
 
(22,908
)
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
54

 
(926
)
Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
$
(5,624
)
 
$
(21,982
)
Comparison of the three months ended March 31, 2017 with the three months ended March 31, 2016:
Grain Group
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Sales and merchandising revenues
$
478,528

 
$
538,814

Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
454,879

 
522,614

Gross profit
23,649

 
16,200

Operating, administrative and general expenses
25,327

 
28,022

Interest expense (income)
2,696

 
2,487

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net
(1,345
)
 
(3,767
)
Other income (expense), net
646

 
668

Income (loss) before income taxes
(5,073
)
 
(17,408
)
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 
(3
)
Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
$
(5,073
)

$
(17,405
)

Operating results for the Grain Group have improved by $12.3 million compared to the results of the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $60.3 million. This decrease was more than offset by a decrease of cost of sales and merchandising revenues for a net favorable gross profit impact of $7.4 million. The increase was driven by space income as the value of storage capacity has greatly improved compared to the same period in 2016. Additionally, 2016 included reduced gross profit from the divestiture of Iowa grain assets of $1.5 million.

Operating, administrative and general expenses decreased by $2.7 million compared to the same period in 2016 due primarily to decreases in labor and benefit costs as a result of productivity efforts and the Iowa divestiture noted above.

Equity in losses of affiliates improved $2.4 million due to improved operating results of both Lansing Trade Group ("LTG") and Thompsons Limited. LTG continues to recover from under performance in its core markets in the first quarter of 2016.




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Table of Contents

Ethanol Group
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Sales and merchandising revenues
$
154,153

 
$
114,693

Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
148,613

 
112,357

Gross profit
5,540

 
2,336

Operating, administrative and general expenses
3,247

 
2,748

Interest expense (income)
(3
)
 
11

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net
(533
)
 
(3,210
)
Other income (expense), net
7

 
30

Income (loss) before income taxes
1,770

 
(3,603
)
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
54

 
(923
)
Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc.
$
1,716

 
$
(2,680
)

Operating results for the Ethanol Group increased $4.4 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues increased $39.5 million compared to the results of the same period last year with cost of sales and merchandising revenues increasing at almost the same rate. These changes were due to an increase in average ethanol sales price coupled with a lower cost of corn compared to the same quarter in the prior year. Partially offsetting the better ethanol margins were lower DDG margins due to dampened demand as a result of localized vomitoxin issues in the 2016 corn crop in the Group's eastern draw areas.

Equity in earnings of affiliates increased $2.7 million due to better results from the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs. The facilities' productivity and output remained strong and margins were better, as noted above.
Plant Nutrient Group
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Sales and merchandising revenues
$
146,587

 
$
166,991

Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
120,779

 
140,302

Gross profit
25,808

 
26,689

Operating, administrative and general expenses
23,060

 
23,882

Interest expense (income)
1,640

 
1,898

Other income (expense), net
5,564

 
795

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
6,672

 
$
1,704


Gross profit for the Plant Nutrient Group decreased $0.9 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $20.4 million and cost of sales and merchandising revenues have decreased $19.5 million. Margins remain tight due to competitive pressures and margin compression in the wholesale and farm center businesses due to lower base nutrient prices, lower farm income, and resulting lower demand.

Operating, administrative and general expenses decreased $0.8 million due to staffing reductions and productivity initiatives.

Other income increased as a result of a $4.7 million gain on the sale of farm center locations in Florida.






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Table of Contents

Rail Group
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Sales and merchandising revenues
$
40,390

 
$
39,609

Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
28,082

 
25,049

Gross profit
12,308

 
14,560

Operating, administrative and general expenses
5,500

 
4,871

Interest expense (income)
1,809

 
1,691

Other income (expense), net
1,079

 
1,377

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
6,078

 
$
9,375


Operating results for the Rail Group decreased $3.3 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues increased $0.8 million while cost of sales and merchandising revenues increased $3.0 million. Operating results were driven by a significant decrease in utilization rates in the base leasing business, along with higher maintenance, storage, and freight costs.
Retail Group
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Sales and merchandising revenues
$
32,358

 
$
27,772

Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
23,205

 
19,802

Gross profit
9,153

 
7,970

Operating, administrative and general expenses
16,041

 
9,989

Interest expense (income)
88

 
146

Other income (expense), net
130

 
89

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
(6,846
)
 
$
(2,076
)

Operating results for the Retail Group declined $4.8 million from the same period last year. Results were driven by $7.8 million in store closure costs, most of which related to employee severance costs. Gross profit increased by $1.2 million as part of the higher volume of sales from the liquidation efforts.
Other
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
2017
 
2016
Sales and merchandising revenues
$

 
$

Cost of sales and merchandising revenues

 

Gross profit

 

Operating, administrative and general expenses
8,772

 
10,369

Interest expense (income)
(130
)
 
818

Other income (expense), net
471

 
287

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
(8,171
)
 
$
(10,900
)

The other operating loss not allocated to business segments decreased $2.7 million compared to the same period in the prior year. Operating, administrative and general expenses decreased $1.6 million, a majority of which is due to severance costs in the prior year that did not occur in 2017. The $0.9 million variance in interest is primarily due to mark-to-market gains on interest rate derivative contracts.




33

Table of Contents

Income Taxes

An income tax benefit of $2.5 million was provided at 45.5% in the current quarter. In the first quarter of 2016, an income tax benefit of $7.3 million was provided at 31.8%. The higher 2017 effective tax rate is primarily due to discrete tax benefits related to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company anticipates that its 2017 effective annual rate will be 34.0%. The Company’s actual 2016 effective tax rate was 32.3%. The higher 2017 rate is primarily due to decreased benefits related to the income attributable to non-controlling interests and federal tax credits, partially offset by the lower impact of state taxes.


34

Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital
At March 31, 2017, the Company owned working capital of $228.5 million. The following table presents changes in the components of current assets and current liabilities:
(in thousands)
March 31, 2017
 
March 31, 2016
 
Variance
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
29,645

 
$
46,301

 
$
(16,656
)
Restricted cash
752

 
718

 
34

Accounts receivable, net
190,628

 
207,740

 
(17,112
)
Inventories
641,294

 
703,452

 
(62,158
)
Commodity derivative assets – current
48,049

 
61,316

 
(13,267
)
Other current assets
83,623

 
76,575

 
7,048

Total current assets
993,991

 
1,096,102

 
(102,111
)
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term debt
255,000

 
274,002

 
(19,002
)
Trade and other payables
276,834

 
367,338

 
(90,504
)
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue
81,628

 
100,384

 
(18,756
)
Commodity derivative liabilities – current
29,914

 
33,394

 
(3,480
)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
65,952

 
65,129

 
823

Current maturities of long-term debt
56,144

 
54,044

 
2,100

Total current liabilities
765,472

 
894,291

 
(128,819
)
Working Capital
$
228,519

 
$
201,811

 
$
26,708

In comparison to March 31, 2016 current assets decreased significantly. This was primarily due to a decrease in the Plant Nutrient Group’s inventories. The Group owned fewer tons, at lower prices, in its wholesale business and sold its Florida and Iowa farm centers, both of which are included in the 2016 balances. Retail inventory is also down due to the decision to close retail stores and the start of inventory liquidation. See discussion below on additional sources and uses of cash for an understanding of the decrease in cash from prior year.
Current liabilities were down compared to the prior year due to a decrease in trade and other payables. This decrease was driven by two factors. First, the Plant Nutrient Group had a decrease in inventory payables at the end of the quarter. Second, the Grain Group had a decrease in accounts payable due to the sale of the Iowa facilities, which are included in the 2016 balance. The remaining change is due to timing of payments. Short-term debt decreased $19.0 million due to declines in commodity prices and associated working capital requirements. Finally, customer prepayments and deferred revenue also decreased in the Plant Nutrient Group, which experienced lower fertilizer prices that reduced the dollar value of customer prepayments compared to the same period in 2016, along with no prepayments for its Iowa locations in 2017.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Operating Activities
Our operating activities used cash of $229.2 million and $267.9 million in the first three months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The cash used year to date is primarily a result of net losses incurred as well as the fact that use of cash is typically high in the first quarter as the Company prepares for the spring planting season.
Investing Activities
Investing activities used cash of $13.2 million through the first three months of 2017, compared to cash provided of $0.3 million in the prior year. This change is due to a $17.1 million increase in net spend on railcar acquisitions and sales. The variability in railcar purchases and sales is driven by timing of opportunities in the Rail Group asset market. This increase was partially offset by a $6.7 million decrease in capital expenditures.
In 2017, we expect to spend a total of $145.0 million for the purchase of railcars, barges and related leases and capitalized modifications of railcars. We also expect to offset this amount by proceeds from the sales and dispositions of approximately $120.0 million during the year.

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Additionally, total capital spending for 2017 on property, plant and equipment in our base business excluding rail leasing activity, but inclusive of information technology spending is expected to be approximately $76.2 million.
Financing Activities
Financing activities provided cash of $209.5 million and $250.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Short term borrowings decreased $32.0 million. This change was driven primarily by declines in commodity prices and associated working capital requirements. In addition, the current year saw a decrease of $51.3 million in funds provided by long-term debt issuance and other long-term financing arrangements, but this was largely offset by a $42.5 million decrease in long-term debt payments.
We are party to borrowing arrangements with a syndicate of banks that provide a total of $871.3 million in borrowings, which includes $21.3 million of debt of The Andersons Denison Ethanol LLC which is non-recourse to the Company. Of that total, we had $553.6 million remaining available for borrowing at March 31, 2017. Peak short-term borrowings to date were $367.0 million on February 15, 2017. Typically, our highest borrowing occurs in the late winter and early spring due to seasonal inventory requirements in our fertilizer and grain businesses.

We paid $4.5 million in dividends in the first three months of 2017 compared to $4.3 million in the prior year. We paid $0.16 per common share for the dividends paid in January 2017 and $0.155 per common share for the dividends paid in January, 2016. On March 3, 2017, we declared a cash dividend of $0.16 per common share payable on April 24, 2017 to shareholders of record on April 3, 2017.
Certain of our long-term borrowings include covenants that, among other things, impose minimum levels of equity and limitations on additional debt. We are in compliance with all such covenants as of March 31, 2017. In addition, certain of our long-term borrowings are collateralized by first mortgages on various facilities or are collateralized by railcar assets. Our non-recourse long-term debt is collateralized by ethanol plant assets.
Because we are a significant consumer of short-term debt in peak seasons and the majority of this is variable rate debt, increases in interest rates could have a significant impact on our profitability. In addition, periods of high grain prices and/or unfavorable market conditions could require us to make additional margin deposits on our exchange traded futures contracts. Conversely, in periods of declining prices, we receive a return of cash.
We believe our sources of liquidity will be adequate to fund our operations, capital expenditures and payments of dividends in the foreseeable future.

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Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

Our Rail Group utilizes leasing arrangements that provide off-balance sheet financing for its activities. We lease assets from financial intermediaries through sale-leaseback transactions, the majority of which involve operating leasebacks. Rail Group assets we own or lease from a financial intermediary are generally leased to a customer under an operating lease. We also arrange non-recourse lease transactions under which we sell assets to a financial intermediary, and assign the related operating lease to the financial intermediary on a non-recourse basis. In such arrangements, we generally provide ongoing maintenance and management services for the financial intermediary, and receive a fee for such services. On most of the assets, we hold an option to purchase the assets at the end of the lease.

The following table describes our Rail Group asset positions at March 31, 2017: 
Method of Control
Financial Statement
 
Units
Owned-railcars available for sale
On balance sheet – current
 
561

Owned-railcar assets leased to others
On balance sheet – non-current
 
15,780

Railcars leased from financial intermediaries
Off balance sheet
 
3,699

Railcars – non-recourse arrangements
Off balance sheet
 
3,249

Total Railcars
 
 
23,289

Locomotive assets leased to others
On balance sheet – non-current
 
36

Locomotives leased from financial intermediaries
Off balance sheet
 
4

Total Locomotives
 
 
40

Barge assets leased to others
On balance sheet – non-current
 

Barge assets leased from financial intermediaries
Off balance sheet
 
65

Total Barges
 
 
65

In addition, we manage 501 railcars for third party customers or owners for which we receive a fee.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
For further information, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. There were no material changes in market risk, specifically commodity and interest rate risk during the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer ("Certifying Officers"), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on the results of this evaluation, management concluded that, as of March 31, 2017, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management concluded that the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016.  As required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of any change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. The Company is undertaking the phased implementation of an ERP software system. The Company believes it is maintaining and monitoring appropriate internal controls during the implementation period and further believes that its internal control environment will be enhanced as a result of this implementation.  There have been no other changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.




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Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are currently subject to various claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business, which include environmental issues, employment claims, contractual disputes, and defensive counter claims. We accrue liabilities where litigation losses are deemed probable and estimable. We believe it is unlikely that the results of our current legal proceedings, even if unfavorable, will be materially different from what we currently have accrued. There can be no assurance, however, that any claims or suits arising in the future, whether taken individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our operations are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this Form 10-Q and could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. These risks can be impacted by factors beyond our control as well as by errors and omissions on our part. The most significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results are described in our 2016 Form 10-K (Item 1A).

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

No sales or repurchases of shares have occurred in 2017.

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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
 
 
 
 
No.
  
Description
 
 
10.77
 
Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement - Total Shareholder Return
 
 
 
10.78
 
Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement - Earnings Per Share
 
 
 
10.79
 
Form of Restricted Share Award
 
 
 
10.80
 
Form of Restricted Share Award - Non-Employee Directors Agreement
 
 
 
12
  
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
 
32.1
  
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
 
101
 
Financial Statements from the interim report on Form 10-Q of The Andersons, Inc. for the period ended March 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ANDERSONS, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: May 5, 2017
 
By /s/ Patrick E. Bowe
 
 
Patrick E. Bowe
 
 
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
Date: May 5, 2017
 
By /s/ John Granato
 
 
John Granato
 
 
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
 
 


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Exhibit Index
The Andersons, Inc.
 
 
 
 
No.
  
Description
 
 
 
10.77
 
Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement - Total Shareholder Return
 
 
 
10.78
 
Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement - Earnings Per Share
 
 
 
10.79
 
Form of Restricted Share Award
 
 
 
10.80
 
Form of Restricted Share Award - Non-Employee Directors Agreement
 
 
 
12
  
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15d-14(a)
 
 
32.1
  
Certifications Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
 
 
 
101
 
Financial Statements from the interim report on Form 10-Q of The Andersons, Inc. for the period ended March 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


42