Clearwater Paper Corp - Quarter Report: 2016 June (Form 10-Q)

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)



ý	Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2016



¨	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: 001-34146

CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




Delaware		20-3594554
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

601 West Riverside, Suite 1100 Spokane, Washington		99201
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(509) 344-5900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 (section 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 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 number of shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding as of July 22, 2016 was 16,992,902.

CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION

Index to Form 10-Q




		Page Number

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015		2

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015		3

Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015		4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015		5

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		6 - 20

ITEM 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	21 - 32

ITEM 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	33

ITEM 4.	Controls and Procedures	33

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	Legal Proceedings	34

ITEM 1A.	Risk Factors	34

ITEM 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Uses of Proceeds	34

ITEM 6.	Exhibits	34

SIGNATURES		35

EXHIBIT INDEX		36

Part I



ITEM 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands - except per-share amounts)



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Net sales	$	436,671		$	444,558		$	873,875		$	878,584
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	(361,851		)	(384,347		)	(730,498		)	(774,179		)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(34,655		)	(28,138		)	(65,450		)	(57,095		)
Total operating costs and expenses	(396,506		)	(412,485		)	(795,948		)	(831,274		)
Income from operations	40,165			32,073			77,927			47,310
Interest expense, net	(7,396		)	(7,774		)	(15,039		)	(15,556		)
Earnings before income taxes	32,769			24,299			62,888			31,754
Income tax provision	(11,905		)	(8,702		)	(23,578		)	(10,400		)
Net earnings	$	20,864		$	15,597		$	39,310		$	21,354
Net earnings per common share:
Basic	$	1.22		$	0.82		$	2.27		$	1.11
Diluted	1.21			0.81			2.26			1.10

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
Net earnings	$	20,864		$	15,597		$	39,310		$	21,354
Other comprehensive income:
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement employee benefits:
Amortization of actuarial loss included in net periodic cost, net of tax of $276, $1,261, $865, and $2,467	427			1,965			1,339			3,842
Amortization of prior service credit included in net periodic cost, net of tax of $(166), $(204), $(332), and $(411)	(256		)	(321		)	(513		)	(641		)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	171			1,644			826			3,201
Comprehensive income	$	21,035		$	17,241		$	40,136		$	24,555

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands – except per-share amounts)



	June 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	9,395		$	5,610
Restricted cash	2,270			2,270
Short-term investments	—			250
Receivables, net	143,061			139,052
Taxes receivable	744			14,851
Inventories	248,934			255,573
Other current assets	7,659			9,331
Total current assets	412,063			426,937
Property, plant and equipment, net	881,975			866,538
Goodwill	209,087			209,087
Intangible assets, net	17,517			19,990
Pension assets	1,555			596
Other assets, net	4,535			4,221
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,526,732		$	1,527,369
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	208,292		$	220,368
Current liability for pensions and other postretirement employee benefits	7,559			7,559
Total current liabilities	215,851			227,927
Long-term debt	569,371			568,987
Liability for pensions and other postretirement employee benefits	86,465			89,057
Other long-term obligations	42,873			46,738
Accrued taxes	1,516			1,676
Deferred tax liabilities	127,762			118,118
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 5,000,000 authorized shares, no shares issued	—			—
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 100,000,000 authorized shares-24,208,242 and 24,193,098 shares issued	2			2
Additional paid-in capital	343,155			340,095
Retained earnings	559,617			520,307
Treasury stock, at cost, common shares-7,215,340 and 6,380,309 shares repurchased	(365,158		)	(329,990		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(54,722		)	(55,548		)
Total stockholders’ equity	482,894			474,866
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,526,732		$	1,527,369

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Unaudited (Dollars in thousands)



	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
	2016			2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings	$	39,310		$	21,354
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	43,174			41,640
Equity-based compensation expense	7,716			2,019
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	8,674			(2,480		)
Employee benefit plans	(2,561		)	1,438
Deferred issuance costs on long-term debt	419			446
Disposal of plant and equipment, net	—			272
Non-cash adjustments to unrecognized taxes	(160		)	(979		)
Changes in working capital, net	(13,394		)	29,309
Changes in taxes receivable, net	14,107			1,255
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	(148		)	(1,459		)
Funding of qualified pension plans	—			(3,179		)
Other, net	(722		)	(1,726		)
Net cash flows from operating activities	96,415			87,910
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Changes in short-term investments, net	250			(10,000		)
Additions to plant and equipment	(57,394		)	(55,538		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			507
Net cash flows from investing activities	(57,144		)	(65,031		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of treasury stock	(35,168		)	(37,148		)
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	477,169			—
Repayments of revolving credit facility borrowings	(477,169		)	—
Payment of tax withholdings on equity-based payment arrangements	(466		)	(3,048		)
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	148			1,459
Other, net	—			(8		)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(35,486		)	(38,745		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,785			(15,866		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,610			27,331
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	9,395		$	11,465

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	13,368		$	14,280
Cash paid for income taxes	10,885			8,030
Cash received from income tax refunds	10,506			2,029
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Changes in accrued plant and equipment	$	(2,841	)	$	(5,187	)

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Unaudited

NOTE 1 Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

GENERAL

Clearwater Paper manufactures quality consumer tissue, away-from-home tissue, parent roll tissue, bleached paperboard and pulp at manufacturing facilities across the nation. The company is a premier supplier of private label tissue to major retailers and wholesale distributors, including grocery, drug, mass merchants and discount stores. In addition, the company produces bleached paperboard used by quality-conscious printers and packaging converters.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION

The accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the related Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. We believe that all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of the interim periods presented have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on February 22, 2016.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant areas requiring the use of estimates and measurement of uncertainty include determination of net realizable value for deferred tax assets, uncertain tax positions, assessment of impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangibles, assessment of environmental matters, equity-based compensation and pension and postretirement obligation assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

We consider all highly liquid instruments with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH

Our short-term investments are invested primarily in demand deposits, which have very short maturity periods, and therefore earn an interest rate commensurate with low-risk instruments. We do not attempt to hedge our exposure to interest rate risk for our short-term investments. Our restricted cash in which the underlying instrument has a term of greater than twelve months from the balance sheet date is classified as non-current and is included in “Other assets, net” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of both June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $2.3 million classified as current on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Trade accounts receivable are stated at the amount we expect to collect. Trade accounts receivable do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the losses we expect will result from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We generally determine the allowance based on a combination of actual historical write-off experience and an analysis of specific customer accounts. As of both June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had allowances for doubtful accounts of $1.4 million.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, including any interest costs capitalized, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of buildings, equipment and other depreciable assets is determined using the straight-line method. Assets we acquire through business combinations have estimated lives that are typically shorter than the assets we construct or buy new. Accumulated depreciation totaled $1,552.4 million and $1,512.1 million at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Consistent with authoritative guidance, we assess the carrying amount of long-lived assets with definite lives that are held-for-use and evaluate them for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that we may be unable to recover the carrying amount of the assets.

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On December 15, 2015, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock. The repurchase program authorizes purchases of our common stock from time to time through open market purchases, negotiated transactions or other means, including accelerated stock repurchases and 10b5-1 trading plans in accordance with applicable securities laws and other restrictions. We have no obligation to repurchase stock under this program and may suspend or terminate the program at any time. In total, we have repurchased 835,031 shares of our outstanding common stock as of June 30, 2016, pursuant to this repurchase program, of which 125,665 shares were repurchased during the second quarter of 2016 at an average price of $59.75 per share. As of June 30, 2016, we had up to $64.8 million of authorization remaining pursuant to this stock repurchase program.

On December 15, 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to $100 million of our common stock. We completed that program during the fourth quarter of 2015. In total, we repurchased 1,881,921 shares of our outstanding common stock under that program at an average price of $53.13 per share.

DERIVATIVES

We had no activity during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 that required hedge or derivative accounting treatment. However, to help mitigate our exposure to market risk for changes in utility commodity pricing, we use firm price contracts to supply a portion of the natural gas requirements for our manufacturing facilities. As of June 30, 2016, these contracts covered approximately 44% of our expected average monthly natural gas requirements for the remainder of 2016. Historically, these contracts have qualified for treatment as “normal purchases or normal sales” under authoritative guidance and thus required no mark-to-market adjustment.

NOTE 2 Recently Adopted and New Accounting Standards

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718). Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects related to the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, statutory tax withholding requirements and classification on the statement of cash flows. The standard requires all excess tax benefits and deficiencies to be recognized as income tax expenses or benefits discretely in the reporting period in which they occur. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017 and, based on our preliminary assessment, currently believe the most significant impact of our adoption of ASU 2016-09 to our consolidated financial statements will be to recognize in our provision for income taxes line of our consolidated statement of operations, instead of to consolidated equity, certain tax benefits or tax shortfalls upon a restricted stock award vesting, performance share award settlement, or stock option exercise relative to the deferred tax asset position established.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. Based on our preliminary assessment, we determined the adoption will increase both our assets and liabilities presented on our consolidated balance sheets to reflect the ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities. We are continuing our assessment, which may identify other impacts.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The core principle of the new standard is for companies to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration, or payment, to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will also result in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provide guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively, such as service revenue and contract modifications, and clarify guidance for multiple-element arrangements. This standard was originally issued as effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption prohibited. However, in July 2015, the FASB approved deferring the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. In its approval, the FASB also permitted the early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard may be applied under either a retrospective or cumulative effect adoption method. We plan on adopting the standard under the deferred effective date. Additionally, the new guidance requires enhanced disclosures, including revenue recognition policies to identify performance obligations to customers and significant judgments in measurement and recognition. Based on our preliminary assessment, we do not anticipate the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We anticipate enhancing our disclosures upon the adoption of this standard. We plan to adopt this standard under the cumulative effect adoption method. We are continuing our assessment, which may identify other impacts.

We reviewed all other new accounting pronouncements issued in the period and concluded that they are not applicable to our business.

NOTE 3 Inventories

Inventories at the balance sheet dates consist of:



(In thousands)	June 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Pulp, paperboard and tissue products	$	157,054	$	156,055
Materials and supplies	79,782		80,020
Logs, pulpwood, chips and sawdust	12,098		19,498
	$	248,934	$	255,573

NOTE 4 Intangible Assets

Intangible assets at the balance sheet dates are comprised of the following:



	June 30, 2016
(Dollars in thousands, lives in years)	Useful Life	Historical Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance
Customer relationships	9.0	$	41,001	$	(25,056	)	$	15,945
Trade names and trademarks	10.0	3,286		(1,807		)	1,479
Non-compete agreements	5.0	574		(481		)	93
		$	44,861	$	(27,344	)	$	17,517

	December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands, lives in years)	Useful Life	Historical Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net Balance
Customer relationships	9.0	$	41,001	$	(22,778	)	$	18,223
Trade names and trademarks	10.0	3,286		(1,643		)	1,643
Non-compete agreements	5.0	574		(450		)	124
		$	44,861	$	(24,871	)	$	19,990

For each of the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, intangible assets amortization expense was $1.2 million. For each of the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, intangible assets amortization expense was $2.5 million.

NOTE 5 Income Taxes

Consistent with authoritative guidance, our estimated annual effective tax rate is used to allocate our expected annual income tax provision to interim periods. The rate is the ratio of our estimated annual income tax provision to estimated pre-tax ordinary income and excludes "discrete items," which are significant, unusual or infrequent items reported separately, net of their related tax effect. The estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to the current interim period’s ordinary income to determine the income tax provision allocated to the interim period. The income tax effects of discrete items are then determined separately and recognized in the interim period in which the income or expense items arise.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, the effective tax rates attributable to continuing operations were as follows:



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State taxes, net of credits	3.6		2.2		3.6		2.2
Change in valuation allowances	(0.2	)	0.9		0.1		0.9
Federal manufacturing deduction	(1.7	)	(3.1	)	(1.7	)	(3.1	)
Change in uncertain tax positions	0.2		—		1.2		(3.1	)
Interest accrued on uncertain tax positions	—		—		—		0.1
Federal credits and audit adjustments	(0.7	)	(0.4	)	(0.7	)	(0.4	)
Return to provision adjustments	(0.2	)	—		(0.1	)	(0.1	)
Other	0.3		1.2		—		1.3
Effective tax rate	36.3	%	35.8	%	37.4	%	32.8	%

Our estimated annual effective tax rate for 2016 is approximately 37%, compared with approximately 35% for 2015.

NOTE 6 Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at the balance sheet dates consist of:



(In thousands)	June 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Trade accounts payable	$	116,909	$	128,045
Accrued wages, salaries and employee benefits	45,137		43,997
Accrued interest	11,930		11,981
Accrued discounts and allowances	9,819		8,954
Accrued taxes other than income taxes payable	6,282		5,112
Accrued utilities	6,202		7,536
Other	12,013		14,743
	$	208,292	$	220,368

NOTE 7 Debt

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. As of June 30, 2016, $4.8 million of the credit facility was being used to support outstanding standby letters of credit. Loans under the credit facility bear interest (i) for LIBOR loans, at LIBOR plus between 1.25% and 1.75% and (ii) for base rate loans, a per annum rate equal to the greater of the following rates plus between 0.25% and 0.75%: (a) the rate of interest announced by Bank of America from time to time as its prime rate for such day; (b) the weighted average of interest rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers for such day, plus 0.50%; or (c) LIBOR for a 30-day interest period as determined on such day, plus 1.00%. The percentage margin on all loans is based on our fixed charge coverage ratio for the most recent four quarters. As of June 30, 2016, we would have been permitted to draw an additional $120.2 million under the credit facility at LIBOR plus 1.25%, or base rate plus 0.25%.

NOTE 8 Other Long-Term Obligations

Other long-term obligations at the balance sheet dates consist of:



(In thousands)	June 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Long-term lease obligations, net of current portion	$	23,636	$	24,054
Deferred compensation	8,720		10,755
Deferred proceeds	8,235		9,386
Other	2,282		2,543
	$	42,873	$	46,738

NOTE 9 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, is comprised of the following:



(In thousands)	Pension and Other Post Retirement Employee Benefit Plan Adjustments			Total
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	(55,548	)	$	(55,548	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax¹	826			826
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	(54,722	)	$	(54,722	)

(In thousands)	Pension and Other Post Retirement Employee Benefit Plan Adjustments			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	(70,863	)	$	(70,863	)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax¹	3,201			3,201
Balance at June 30, 2015	$	(67,662	)	$	(67,662	)

For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, net periodic costs associated with our pension and other postretirement employee benefit, or OPEB, plans included in other comprehensive income and reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss included $2.2 million and $6.3 million, respectively, of actuarial loss amortization, as well as $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of prior service credit amortization, all net of tax totaling $0.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively. These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and OPEB costs in Note 10, “Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefit Plans.”

NOTE 10 Pension and Other Postretirement Employee Benefit Plans

The following table details the components of net periodic cost of our company-sponsored pension and OPEB plans for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
	Pension Benefit Plans						Other Postretirement Employee Benefit Plans
Service cost	$	382		$	307		$	51		$	33
Interest cost	3,633			3,475			810			892
Expected return on plan assets	(4,878		)	(5,074		)	(1		)	—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	6			18			(428		)	(543		)
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	2,761			3,226			(2,058		)	—
Net periodic cost	$	1,904		$	1,952		$	(1,626	)	$	382



	Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
	Pension Benefit Plans						Other Postretirement Employee Benefit Plans
Service cost	$	780		$	623		$	125		$	181
Interest cost	7,261			6,965			1,576			1,940
Expected return on plan assets	(9,761		)	(10,058		)	(1		)	—
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	11			36			(856		)	(1,088		)
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)	5,645			6,309			(3,441		)	—
Net periodic cost	$	3,936		$	3,875		$	(2,597	)	$	1,033

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we made no contributions to our qualified pension plans. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, we made contributions of $3.2 million to our qualified pension plans. We do not expect to make contributions in 2016.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we made contributions of $0.2 million to our company-sponsored non-qualified pension plan. We estimate contributions will total $0.4 million in 2016. We do not anticipate funding our OPEB plans in 2016 except to pay benefit costs as incurred during the year by plan participants.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, $0.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of net periodic pension and OPEB costs were charged to "Cost of sales," and $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, were charged to "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, $1.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of net periodic pension and OPEB costs were charged to "Cost of sales" and $0.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, were charged to "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

NOTE 11 Earnings per Common Share

Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus all potentially dilutive securities that were assumed to be converted into common shares at the beginning of the period under the treasury stock method.

The following table reconciles the number of common shares used in calculating the basic and diluted net earnings per share:



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2016		2015		2016		2015
Basic average common shares outstanding¹	17,065,663		19,081,848		17,293,091		19,205,254
Incremental shares due to:
Restricted stock units	53,108		93,459		32,355		74,324
Performance shares	89,783		118,868		60,617		104,330
Stock options	25,441		79		—		459
Diluted average common shares outstanding	17,233,995		19,294,254		17,386,063		19,384,367

Basic net earnings per common share	$	1.22	$	0.82	$	2.27	$	1.11
Diluted net earnings per common share	1.21		0.81		2.26		1.10

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation	222,026		265,149		665,605		326,085


¹	Basic average common shares outstanding include restricted stock awards that are fully vested, but are deferred for future issuance.

NOTE 12 Equity-Based Compensation

We recognize equity-based compensation expense for all equity-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including restricted stock units, or RSUs, performance shares and stock options, based on estimated fair values.

EMPLOYEE AWARDS

Employee equity-based compensation expense was recognized as follows:



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2016		2015		2016		2015
Restricted stock units	$	367	$	552	$	660	$	963
Performance shares	819		1,164		1,436		2,043
Stock options	748		592		1,284		941
Total employee equity-based compensation	$	1,934	$	2,308	$	3,380	$	3,947

During the first six months of 2016, 3,000 restricted stock units were settled and distributed in the first quarter, and an additional 20,000 restricted stock units were settled and distributed in the second quarter. After adjusting for minimum tax withholdings, a net 1,892 shares and 13,252 shares were issued during each respective period. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the minimum tax withholding payments made totaled $0.5 million.

The following table summarizes the number of share-based awards granted under the Clearwater Paper Corporation 2008 Stock Incentive Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2016 and the grant-date fair value of the awards:



	Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2016
	Number of Shares Subject to Award	Average Fair Value of Award Per Share
Restricted stock units	44,627	$	39.10
Performance shares	93,397	39.70
Stock options	280,191	14.42

DIRECTOR AWARDS

Annually, each outside member of our Board of Directors receives deferred equity-based awards that are measured in units of our common stock and ultimately settled in cash at the time of payment. Accordingly, the compensation expense associated with these awards is subject to fluctuations each quarter based on mark-to-market adjustments at each reporting period in line with changes in the market price of our common stock. As a result of the mark-to-market adjustment, we recorded director equity-based compensation expense of $3.6 million and a benefit of $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, we recorded director equity-based compensation expense of $4.3 million and a benefit of $1.9 million, respectively.

As of June 30, 2016, the liability amounts associated with director equity-based compensation included in "Other long-term obligations" and "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet were $7.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015, liability amounts associated with director equity-based compensation included in "Other long-term obligations" totaled $9.4 million.

NOTE 13 Fair Value Measurements

The estimated fair values of our financial instruments at the dates presented below are as follows:



	June 30,				December 31,
	2016				2015
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
(In thousands)	Amount		Value		Amount		Value
Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments (Level 1)	$	11,665	$	11,665	$	8,130	$	8,130
Long-term debt (Level 1)	575,000		569,500		575,000		558,250

Accounting guidance establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of financial instruments, providing a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, or “Level 1” measurements, followed by quoted prices of similar assets or observable market data, or “Level 2” measurements, and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs, or “Level 3” measurements.

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used should seek to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

NOTE 14 Segment Information

The table below presents information about our reportable segments:



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
Segment net sales:
Consumer Products	$	247,912		$	239,391		$	492,930		$	474,567
Pulp and Paperboard	188,759			205,167			380,945			404,017
Total segment net sales	$	436,671		$	444,558		$	873,875		$	878,584

Operating income (loss):
Consumer Products	$	18,544		$	17,032		$	36,934		$	29,427
Pulp and Paperboard	40,032			27,754			75,195			43,948
	58,576			44,786			112,129			73,375
Corporate	(18,411		)	(12,713		)	(34,202		)	(26,065		)
Income from operations	$	40,165		$	32,073		$	77,927		$	47,310

Depreciation and amortization:
Consumer Products	$	14,203		$	13,438		$	27,962		$	26,415
Pulp and Paperboard	6,449			6,737			12,816			14,048
Corporate	1,372			457			2,396			1,177
Total depreciation and amortization	$	22,024		$	20,632		$	43,174		$	41,640

NOTE 15 Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information

All of our direct and indirect subsidiaries guarantee our $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes issued in 2014 and due 2025, which we refer to as the 2014 Notes, and our $275 million aggregate principal amount of 4.5% senior notes issued in January 2013 and due 2023, which we refer to as the 2013 Notes, on a joint and several basis. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the guarantor subsidiaries to make distributions to Clearwater Paper, the issuer of the 2014 Notes and 2013 Notes. The following tables present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Clearwater Paper and its subsidiaries, the guarantor and non-guarantor entities, and the eliminations necessary to arrive at the information for Clearwater Paper on a consolidated basis.

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2016



				Guarantor
(In thousands)	Issuer			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Net sales	$	425,637		$	67,824		$	(56,790	)	$	436,671
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(356,698		)	(61,943		)	56,790			(361,851		)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(30,817		)	(3,838		)	—			(34,655		)
Total operating costs and expenses	(387,515		)	(65,781		)	56,790			(396,506		)
Income from operations	38,122			2,043			—			40,165
Interest expense, net	(7,373		)	(23		)	—			(7,396		)
Earnings before income taxes	30,749			2,020			—			32,769
Income tax provision	(11,124		)	(781		)	—			(11,905		)
Equity in income of subsidiary	1,239			—			(1,239		)	—
Net earnings	$	20,864		$	1,239		$	(1,239	)	$	20,864
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	171			—			—			171
Comprehensive income	$	21,035		$	1,239		$	(1,239	)	$	21,035

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016



				Guarantor
(In thousands)	Issuer			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Net sales	$	844,683		$	145,449		$	(116,257	)	$	873,875
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(713,412		)	(133,343		)	116,257			(730,498		)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(57,654		)	(7,796		)	—			(65,450		)
Total operating costs and expenses	(771,066		)	(141,139		)	116,257			(795,948		)
Income from operations	73,617			4,310			—			77,927
Interest expense, net	(15,016		)	(23		)	—			(15,039		)
Earnings before income taxes	58,601			4,287			—			62,888
Income tax provision	(21,594		)	(1,984		)	—			(23,578		)
Equity in loss of subsidiary	2,303			—			(2,303		)	—
Net earnings	$	39,310		$	2,303		$	(2,303	)	$	39,310
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	826			—			—			826
Comprehensive income	$	40,136		$	2,303		$	(2,303	)	$	40,136

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2015




				Guarantor
(In thousands)	Issuer			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Net sales	$	401,444		$	70,271		$	(27,157	)	$	444,558
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(342,714		)	(68,790		)	27,157			(384,347		)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(25,431		)	(2,707		)	—			(28,138		)
Total operating costs and expenses	(368,145		)	(71,497		)	27,157			(412,485		)
Income (loss) from operations	33,299			(1,226		)	—			32,073
Interest expense, net	(7,715		)	(59		)	—			(7,774		)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	25,584			(1,285		)	—			24,299
Income tax provision	(9,681		)	(841		)	1,820			(8,702		)
Equity in income of subsidiary	(2,126		)	—			2,126			—
Net earnings (loss)	$	13,777		$	(2,126	)	$	3,946		$	15,597
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,644			—			—			1,644
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	15,421		$	(2,126	)	$	3,946		$	17,241

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2015




				Guarantor
(In thousands)	Issuer			Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
Net sales	$	796,831		$	143,599		$	(61,846	)	$	878,584
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales	(693,760		)	(142,265		)	61,846			(774,179		)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(50,219		)	(6,876		)	—			(57,095		)
Total operating costs and expenses	(743,979		)	(149,141		)	61,846			(831,274		)
Income (loss) from operations	52,852			(5,542		)	—			47,310
Interest expense, net	(15,482		)	(74		)	—			(15,556		)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	37,370			(5,616		)	—			31,754
Income tax provision	(12,909		)	(1,183		)	3,692			(10,400		)
Equity in loss of subsidiary	(6,799		)	—			6,799			—
Net earnings (loss)	$	17,662		$	(6,799	)	$	10,491		$	21,354
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	3,201			—			—			3,201
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	20,863		$	(6,799	)	$	10,491		$	24,555

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidating Balance Sheet

At June 30, 2016



(In thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Total
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	9,395		$	—	$	—		$	9,395
Restricted cash	2,270			—		—			2,270
Receivables, net	127,823			15,238		—			143,061
Taxes receivable	2,221			35		(1,512		)	744
Inventories	216,891			32,043		—			248,934
Other current assets	7,196			463		—			7,659
Total current assets	365,796			47,779		(1,512		)	412,063
Property, plant and equipment, net	740,687			141,288		—			881,975
Goodwill	209,087			—		—			209,087
Intangible assets, net	3,657			13,860		—			17,517
Intercompany receivable (payable)	(1,147		)	1,147		—			—
Investment in subsidiary	142,061			—		(142,061		)	—
Pension assets	1,555			—		—			1,555
Other assets, net	5,043			844		(1,352		)	4,535
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,466,739		$	204,918	$	(144,925	)	$	1,526,732
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	185,769		$	24,035	$	(1,512	)	$	208,292
Current liability for pensions and other postretirement employee benefits	7,559			—		—			7,559
Total current liabilities	193,328			24,035		(1,512		)	215,851
Long-term debt	569,371			—		—			569,371
Liability for pensions and other postretirement employee benefits	86,465			—		—			86,465
Other long-term obligations	42,458			415		—			42,873
Accrued taxes	705			811		—			1,516
Deferred tax liabilities	91,518			37,596		(1,352		)	127,762
Stockholders' equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss	537,616			142,061		(142,061		)	537,616
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(54,722		)	—		—			(54,722		)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,466,739		$	204,918	$	(144,925	)	$	1,526,732

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidating Balance Sheet

At December 31, 2015



(In thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash	$	5,610		$	—		$	—		$	5,610
Restricted cash	2,270			—			—			2,270
Short-term investments	250			—			—			250
Receivables, net	123,131			15,921			—			139,052
Taxes receivable	16,221			(1,370		)	—			14,851
Inventories	219,130			36,443			—			255,573
Other current assets	8,838			493			—			9,331
Total current assets	375,450			51,487			—			426,937
Property, plant and equipment, net	719,436			147,102			—			866,538
Goodwill	209,087			—			—			209,087
Intangible assets, net	4,180			15,810			—			19,990
Intercompany receivable (payable)	14,013			(15,151		)	1,138			—
Investment in subsidiary	139,758			—			(139,758		)	—
Pension assets	596			—			—			596
Other assets, net	4,142			79			—			4,221
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,466,662		$	199,327		$	(138,620	)	$	1,527,369
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	196,891		$	23,477		$	—		$	220,368
Current liability for pensions and other postretirement employee benefits	7,559			—			—			7,559
Total current liabilities	204,450			23,477			—			227,927
Long-term debt	568,987			—			—			568,987
Liability for pensions and other postretirement employee benefits	89,057			—			—			89,057
Other long-term obligations	46,182			556			—			46,738
Accrued taxes	874			802			—			1,676
Deferred tax liabilities	82,246			34,734			1,138			118,118
Stockholders’ equity excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss	530,414			139,758			(139,758		)	530,414
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(55,548		)	—			—			(55,548		)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,466,662		$	199,327		$	(138,620	)	$	1,527,369

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016



(In thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings	$	39,310		$	2,303		$	(2,303	)	$	39,310
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	32,905			10,269			—			43,174
Equity-based compensation expense	7,716			—			—			7,716
Deferred tax provision	7,858			1,954			(1,138		)	8,674
Employee benefit plans	(2,561		)	—			—			(2,561		)
Deferred issuance costs on long-term debt	419			—			—			419
Non-cash adjustments to unrecognized taxes	(169		)	9			—			(160		)
Changes in working capital, net	(18,437		)	6,555			(1,512		)	(13,394		)
Changes in taxes receivable, net	14,000			(1,405		)	1,512			14,107
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	(148		)	—			—			(148		)
Other, net	(706		)	(16		)	—			(722		)
Net cash flows from operating activities	80,187			19,669			(3,441		)	96,415
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Changes in short-term investments, net	250			—			—			250
Additions to plant and equipment	(54,049		)	(3,345		)	—			(57,394		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(53,799		)	(3,345		)	—			(57,144		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of treasury stock	(35,168		)	—			—			(35,168		)
Investment from (to) parent	12,883			(16,324		)	3,441			—
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	477,169			—			—			477,169
Repayments of revolving credit facility borrowings	(477,169		)	—			—			(477,169		)
Payment of tax withholdings on equity-based payment arrangements	(466		)	—			—			(466		)
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	148			—			—			148
Net cash flows from financing activities	(22,603		)	(16,324		)	3,441			(35,486		)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	3,785			—			—			3,785
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,610			—			—			5,610
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	9,395		$	—		$	—		$	9,395

Clearwater Paper Corporation

Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2015



(In thousands)	Issuer			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Total
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings (loss)	$	17,662		$	(6,799	)	$	10,491		$	21,354
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	31,792			9,848			—			41,640
Equity-based compensation expense	2,019			—			—			2,019
Deferred tax (benefit) provision	(4,751		)	296			1,975			(2,480		)
Employee benefit plans	1,438			—			—			1,438
Deferred issuance costs on long-term debt	446			—			—			446
Disposal of plant and equipment, net	303			(31		)	—			272
Non-cash adjustments to unrecognized taxes	(977		)	(2		)	—			(979		)
Changes in working capital, net	23,859			5,450			—			29,309
Changes in taxes receivable, net	6,760			(15,758		)	10,253			1,255
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	(1,459		)	—			—			(1,459		)
Funding of qualified pension plans	(3,179		)	—			—			(3,179		)
Other, net	(703		)	(1,023		)	—			(1,726		)
Net cash flows from operating activities	73,210			(8,019		)	22,719			87,910
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Changes in short-term investments, net	(10,000		)	—			—			(10,000		)
Additions to plant and equipment	(52,526		)	(3,012		)	—			(55,538		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	—			507			—			507
Net cash flows from investing activities	(62,526		)	(2,505		)	—			(65,031		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of treasury stock	(37,148		)	—			—			(37,148		)
Investment from parent	12,195			10,524			(22,719		)	—
Payment of tax withholdings on equity-based payment arrangements	(3,048		)	—			—			(3,048		)
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	1,459			—			—			1,459
Other, net	(8		)	—			—			(8		)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(26,550		)	10,524			(22,719		)	(38,745		)
Decrease in cash	(15,866		)	—			—			(15,866		)
Cash at beginning of period	27,331			—			—			27,331
Cash at end of period	$	11,465		$	—		$	—		$	11,465



ITEM 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Our disclosure and analysis in this report contains, in addition to historical information, certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding natural gas purchases and requirements, tax rates, benefit plan funding, the costs, timing and benefits associated with strategic capital investments including our continuous pulp digester project, our stock repurchase program, the timing of and costs related to major maintenance and repairs, input costs, and cash flows. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “target,” “project,” “believe,” “schedule,” “estimate,” “may,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections that are subject to change. Our actual results of operations may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this report. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those risks discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our 2015 Form 10-K, as well as the following:


•	competitive pricing pressures for our products, including as a result of increased capacity as additional manufacturing facilities are operated by our competitors in North America and abroad;


•	changes in the U.S. and international economies and in general economic conditions in the regions and industries in which we operate;


•	changes in customer product preferences and competitors' product offerings;


•	the loss of or changes in prices in regards to a significant customer;


•	cyclical industry conditions;


•	changes in the cost and availability of wood fiber and wood pulp;


•	inability to successfully implement our operational efficiencies and expansion strategies;


•	changes in transportation costs and disruptions in transportation services;


•	customer acceptance, timing and quantity of purchases of our tissue products;


•	changes in costs and availability of packaging supplies, chemicals, energy and maintenance and repairs;


•	environmental liabilities or expenditures;


•	labor disruptions;


•	manufacturing or operating disruptions, including IT system and IT system implementation failures, equipment malfunction and damage to our manufacturing facilities;


•	changes in expenses and required contributions associated with our pension plans;


•	reliance on a limited number of third-party suppliers for raw materials;


•	inability to fund our debt obligations;


•	restrictions on our business from debt covenants and terms; and


•	changes in laws, regulations or industry standards affecting our business.

Forward-looking statements contained in this report present management’s views only as of the date of this report. Except as required under applicable law, we do not intend to issue updates concerning any future revisions of management’s views to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.

OVERVIEW

Background

Clearwater Paper manufactures quality consumer tissue, away-from-home tissue, parent roll tissue, bleached paperboard and pulp at manufacturing facilities across the nation. The company is a premier supplier of private label tissue to major retailers and wholesale distributors, including grocery, drug, mass merchant and discount stores. In addition, the company produces bleached paperboard used by quality-conscious printers and packaging converters. Clearwater Paper's employees build shareholder value by developing strong customer partnerships through quality and service.

Recent Events

Strategic Capital Projects

As part of our focus on strategic capital spending on projects that we expect to provide a positive return on investments, we announced on September 8, 2015 the construction of a continuous pulp digester project at our Lewiston, Idaho, pulp and paperboard facility. We estimate that the total cost for this pulp optimization project will be approximately $148-$158 million, excluding estimated capitalized interest. As of June 30, 2016, we have incurred a total of $50.1 million in total project costs, of which $9.6 million was incurred in the second quarter of 2016. We have also capitalized $1.3 million of interest related to the project, of which $0.5 million was incurred in the second quarter of 2016. We expect to spend an additional $42 million on this project in 2016 and the remaining balance thereafter. Construction on this project began in 2015 and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2017. We anticipate that this project will significantly reduce air emissions, result in operational improvements through increased pulp quality and production, and lower our costs through the more efficient utilization of wood chips.

Capital Allocation

Lewiston Power Outage

Due to an electrical malfunction, on July 6, 2016, we experienced a power outage at our Lewiston, Idaho facility, which disrupted production as we brought the facility back on line in stages. We currently estimate that this disruption will reduce our third quarter operating income by approximately $4 million to $5 million, reflecting both repair costs and lost production.

Components and Trends in our Business

Net sales

Net sales predominantly consist of sales of consumer tissue and paperboard products, net of discounts, returns and allowances and any sales taxes collected. Prices for our consumer tissue products tend to be primarily driven by the value of our products to our customers, and are generally priced relative to the prices of branded tissue products. Demand and pricing for our pulp and paperboard products are largely determined by general global market conditions and the demand for high quality paperboard.



Operating costs
	Three Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2016				2015
	Cost		Percentage of Cost of Sales		Cost		Percentage of Cost of Sales
Purchased pulp	$	46,513	12.9	%	$	45,223	11.8	%
Transportation¹	45,233		12.5		44,776		11.6
Chemicals	40,676		11.2		43,528		11.3
Chips, sawdust and logs	38,543		10.7		35,481		9.2
Energy	18,787		5.2		26,188		6.8
Packaging supplies	21,196		5.9		23,432		6.1
Maintenance and repairs²	21,345		5.9		24,124		6.3
Depreciation	19,294		5.3		18,731		4.9
	$	251,587	69.5	%	$	261,483	68.0	%

	Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2016				2015
	Cost		Percentage of Cost of Sales		Cost		Percentage of Cost of Sales
Purchased pulp	$	94,643	13.0	%	$	92,951	12.0	%
Transportation¹	89,846		12.3		88,578		11.4
Chemicals	82,919		11.4		86,687		11.2
Chips, sawdust and logs	75,608		10.4		70,757		9.1
Energy	41,183		5.6		54,676		7.1
Packaging supplies	42,365		5.8		47,601		6.2
Maintenance and repairs²	39,650		5.4		53,580		6.9
Depreciation	38,060		5.2		37,700		4.9
	$	504,274	69.0	%	$	532,530	68.8	%


¹	Includes internal and external transportation costs.


²	Excluding related labor costs.

Purchased pulp. We purchase a significant amount of the pulp needed to manufacture our consumer products, and to a lesser extent our paperboard, from external suppliers. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, total purchased pulp costs increased compared to the same periods in 2015 by $1.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Increased tissue shipments were the primary reason for the increase, as external pulp pricing decreased and internal pulp usage increased compared to the comparable periods in 2015.

Transportation. Fuel prices, mileage driven and line-haul rates largely impact transportation costs for the delivery of raw materials to our manufacturing facilities, internal inventory transfers and the delivery of our finished products to customers. Changing fuel prices particularly affect our margins for consumer products because we supply customers throughout the U.S. and transport unconverted parent rolls from our tissue mills to our tissue converting facilities. We experienced favorable fuel and line haul rates in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in 2015. Overall transportation costs were $0.5 million and $1.3 million higher for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, primarily due to increased tissue shipments.

Chemicals. We consume a substantial amount of chemicals in the production of pulp and paperboard, as well as in the production of TAD tissue. The chemicals we generally use include polyethylene, caustic, starch, sodium chlorate, latex and paper processing chemicals. A portion of the chemicals used in our manufacturing processes, particularly in the paperboard extrusion process, are petroleum based and are impacted by petroleum prices.

Our chemical costs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased $2.9 million and $3.8 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015 primarily due to favorable polyethylene pricing.

Chips, sawdust and logs. We purchase chips, sawdust and logs to manufacture pulp. We source residual wood fibers under both long-term and short-term supply agreements, as well as in the spot market. Overall costs for chips, sawdust and logs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, increased $3.1 million and $4.9 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. The higher overall costs for both comparative periods were due to increased production in the three and six months ended June

30, 2016, compared to the same periods of 2015 during which planned major maintenance outages occurred at our Idaho pulp and paperboard facility in the first quarter and our Arkansas pulp and paperboard facility in the second quarter. In addition, pricing has increased at our Idaho pulp and paperboard operation in the 2016 periods compared to the 2015 periods.

Energy. We use energy in the form of electricity, hog fuel, steam and natural gas to operate our mills. Energy prices may fluctuate widely from period-to-period due primarily to volatility in weather and electricity and natural gas rates. We generally strive to reduce our exposure to volatile energy prices through conservation. In addition, a cogeneration facility that produces steam and electricity at our Lewiston, Idaho manufacturing site helps to lower our energy costs.

Energy costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, decreased $7.4 million and $13.5 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015, due to lower pricing for natural gas, electricity and hog fuel. In addition, low natural gas prices for our Idaho facility allowed us to increase gas generated electricity for internal consumption, displacing a portion of higher priced purchased electricity.

To help mitigate our exposure to changes in natural gas prices, we use firm-price contracts to supply a portion of our natural gas requirements. As of June 30, 2016, these contracts covered approximately 44% of our expected average monthly natural gas requirements for the remainder of 2016.

Maintenance and repairs. We regularly incur significant costs to maintain our manufacturing equipment. We perform routine maintenance on our machines and periodically replace a variety of parts such as motors, pumps, pipes and electrical parts.

Major equipment maintenance and repairs in our Pulp and Paperboard segment also require maintenance shutdowns approximately every 18 to 24 months at both our Idaho and Arkansas facilities, which increase costs and may reduce net sales in the quarters in which the major maintenance shutdowns occur. During the second quarter and first half of 2016, maintenance and repair spending decreased $2.8 million and $13.9 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015. There were no major maintenance outages during the first half of 2016, compared to planned major maintenance of approximately $7 million in the second quarter of 2015 and $22 million in the first half of 2015. We expect to incur planned major maintenance costs of approximately $15 to $18 million at our Idaho facility during the third quarter of 2016. This planned major maintenance is expected to result in five days of paper machine downtime.

In addition to ongoing maintenance and repair costs, we make capital expenditures to increase our operating capacity and efficiency, improve safety at our facilities and comply with environmental laws. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we spent $28.9 million and $54.6 million, respectively, on capital expenditures, which included $17.6 million and $35.5 million, respectively, of capital spending on strategic projects and other projects designed to reduce future manufacturing costs and provide a positive return on investment. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, we spent $29.6 million and $50.4 million, respectively, on capital expenditures.

Packaging supplies. As a significant producer of private label consumer tissue products, we package to order for retail chains, wholesalers and cooperative buying organizations. Under our agreements with those customers, we are responsible for the expenses related to the unique packaging of our products for direct retail sale to their consumers. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, packaging costs decreased by $2.2 million and $5.2 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015 due to favorable pricing for packaging supplies.

Depreciation. We record substantially all of our depreciation expense associated with our plant and equipment in "Cost of sales" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Depreciation expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, increased $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2015 as the result of increased depreciation related to capital spending during recent periods.

Other. Other costs not included in the above table primarily consist of wage and benefit expenses and miscellaneous operating costs. Although period cut-offs can impact cost of sales amounts, we would expect this impact to be relatively steady as a percentage of costs on a period-over-period basis. Other costs decreased in the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2016, in part due to the receipt of a net $2.8 million in partial reimbursement of previously incurred costs related to performance issues with the recovery boiler at our Arkansas pulp and paperboard facility during the second quarter of 2013 through the first quarter of 2015. We also experienced lower wage and benefit expenses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, due primarily to $1.7 million of costs incurred in the first half of 2015 associated with a new collective bargaining agreement at our consumer products and pulp and paperboard facilities in Lewiston, Idaho, as well as lower net pension and other post retirement employee benefit plan expenses in the first half of 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of compensation and associated expenses for sales and administrative personnel, as well as commission expenses related to sales of our products. Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2016 and 2015 were $34.7 million and $28.1 million, respectively. The higher expense was primarily a result of $3.6 million of mark-to-market expense during the second quarter of 2016, compared to a mark-to-market benefit of $1.5 million for the second quarter of 2015, related to our directors' common stock units which will ultimately be settled in cash. In addition, higher depreciation expense and profit dependent compensation accruals contributed to the increased selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2016.

Interest expense

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 includes interest on our $275 million aggregate principal amount of 4.5% senior notes issued in January 2013 and due 2023, which we refer to as the 2013 Notes, and interest on our $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes issued in 2014 and due 2025, which we refer to as the 2014 Notes. Interest expense for both the three and six-month periods also includes amortization of deferred issuance costs associated with all of our notes and our revolving credit facility. Interest expense in the first half of 2016 was slightly lower compared to the first half of 2015 due to the capitalization of interest associated with our continuous pulp digester project.

Income taxes

Income taxes are based on reported earnings and tax rates in the jurisdictions in which our operations occur and offices are located, adjusted for available credits, changes in valuation allowances and differences between reported earnings and taxable income using current tax laws and rates. We generally expect our effective income tax rate, excluding discrete items, to remain fairly constant, although it could fluctuate due to changes in tax law.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2015

The following table sets forth data included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of net sales.



	Three Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2016					2015
Net sales	$	436,671		100.0	%	$	444,558		100.0	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	(361,851		)	82.9		(384,347		)	86.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(34,655		)	7.9		(28,138		)	6.3
Total operating costs and expenses	(396,506		)	90.8		(412,485		)	92.8
Income from operations	40,165			9.2		32,073			7.2
Interest expense, net	(7,396		)	1.7		(7,774		)	1.7
Earnings before income taxes	32,769			7.5		24,299			5.5
Income tax provision	(11,905		)	2.7		(8,702		)	2.0
Net earnings	$	20,864		4.8	%	$	15,597		3.5	%

Net sales—Second quarter 2016 net sales decreased by $7.9 million compared to the second quarter of 2015. This decrease was primarily the result of lower average paperboard net selling prices during the second quarter of 2016, which were driven by an unfavorable mix shift, and a decrease in paperboard shipments due to increased competition in the domestic market. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in retail tissue shipments. These items are further discussed below under “Discussion of Business Segments.”

Cost of sales—Cost of sales was 82.9% of net sales for the second quarter of 2016 and 86.5% of net sales for the same period in 2015. Our overall cost of sales were $22.5 million lower than the second quarter of 2015, primarily due to the absence of major maintenance costs in the second quarter of 2016 compared to approximately $7 million of planned major maintenance costs incurred at our Arkansas pulp and paperboard facility during the second quarter of 2015, as well as the receipt of a net $2.8 million in partial reimbursement of previously incurred costs related to performance issues with the recovery boiler at our Arkansas pulp and paperboard facility during the second quarter of 2013 through the first quarter of 2015. Lower chemicals, energy and packaging costs also favorably affected the comparison to the prior year period. Higher purchased pulp and transportation costs, as well as higher chips, sawdust and log costs, partially offset the favorable comparisons.

Selling, general and administrative expenses—Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2016 increased $6.5 million compared to the second quarter of 2015. The higher expense was primarily a result of $3.6 million of mark-to-market

expense during the second quarter of 2016, compared to a $1.5 million mark-to-market benefit during the second quarter of 2015, related to our directors' common stock units, which will ultimately be settled in cash. In addition, higher depreciation expense and profit dependent compensation accruals contributed to the increased selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of 2016.

Interest expense—Interest expense for the second quarter of 2016 decreased by $0.4 million due to capitalized interest of $0.5 million.

Income tax provision—We recorded an income tax provision of $11.9 million in the three months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $8.7 million in the same three month period of 2015. The rate determined under generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 was approximately 36%.

During the second quarters of 2016 and 2015, there were a number of items that were included in the calculation of our income tax provision that we do not believe were indicative of our core operating performance. Excluding these items, the adjusted tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 would have been approximately 36%. The following table details these items:



	Three Months Ended
	June 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Income tax provision	$	(11,905	)	$	(8,702	)
Special items, tax impact:
Directors' equity-based compensation (expense) benefit	(1,275		)	459
Costs associated with Long Island facility closure	(188		)	(231		)
Gain associated with the sale of the specialty mills	—			419
Adjusted income tax provision	$	(13,368	)	$	(8,055	)

Discussion of Business Segments

Consumer Products



	Three Months Ended
	June 30,
(Dollars in thousands - except per ton amounts)	2016			2015
Net sales	$	247,912		$	239,391
Operating income	18,544			17,032
Percent of net sales	7.5		%	7.1		%

Shipments (short tons)
Non-retail	20,028			24,744
Retail	79,095			71,476
Total tissue tons	99,123			96,220
Converted products cases (in thousands)	13,229			13,125

Sales price (per short ton)
Non-retail	$	1,496		$	1,430
Retail	2,747			2,846
Total tissue	$	2,494		$	2,482

Our Consumer Products segment's net sales for the second quarter of 2016 increased $8.5 million compared to the second quarter of 2015 due to a 10.7% increase in retail tons sold, partially offset by a decrease in non-retail tons sold. The retail sales increase was driven by higher towel sales, partially offset by decreases in bath and facial tissue sales. In addition, parent roll sales decreased due to inventory level management. Overall, the segment sales prices were impacted favorably by product mix, which shifted slightly from parent roll to retail. In retail sales, there was a mix shift within towels that resulted in a lower average net selling price.

Segment operating income for the second quarter of 2016 increased by $1.5 million compared to the second quarter of 2015 due to the increased retail sales volume and improved mix, as well as lower energy and packaging costs, partially offset by higher transportation costs due to increased shipments and product mix.

Pulp and Paperboard



	Three Months Ended
	June 30,
(Dollars in thousands - except per ton amounts)	2016			2015
Net sales	$	188,759		$	205,167
Operating income	40,032			27,754
Percent of net sales	21.2		%	13.5		%

Paperboard shipments (short tons)	199,132			204,983
Paperboard sales price (per short ton)	$	948		$	997

Net sales for the Pulp and Paperboard segment decreased by $16.4 million during the second quarter of 2016, compared to the second quarter of 2015. The decrease was due to a 4.9% decrease in net selling prices, a portion of which was due to a mix shift from higher priced extruded paperboard sales toward non-extruded paperboard sales, and decreased shipments due to increased competition in the domestic market.

Operating income for the segment increased $12.3 million during the second quarter of 2016, compared to the second quarter of 2015, primarily due to the absence of approximately $7 million of planned major maintenance costs incurred at our Arkansas facility during the second quarter of 2015 and lower input costs for chemicals, energy, employee benefits, and transportation. In addition, we received a net $2.8 million in partial reimbursement of previously incurred costs related to performance issues with the recovery boiler at our Arkansas pulp and paperboard facility during the second quarter of 2013 through the first quarter of 2015.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2015

The following table sets forth data included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of net sales.



	Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands)	2016					2015
Net sales	$	873,875		100.0	%	$	878,584		100.0	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	(730,498		)	83.6		(774,179		)	88.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(65,450		)	7.5		(57,095		)	6.5
Total operating costs and expenses	(795,948		)	91.1		(831,274		)	94.6
Income from operations	77,927			8.9		47,310			5.4
Interest expense, net	(15,039		)	1.7		(15,556		)	1.8
Earnings before income taxes	62,888			7.2		31,754			3.6
Income tax provision	(23,578		)	2.7		(10,400		)	1.2
Net earnings	$	39,310		4.5		$	21,354		2.4

Net sales—Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased by $4.7 million, or 0.5%, compared to the same period in 2015. This slight decrease was primarily due to lower tissue and paperboard pricing, as well as a shift in product mix during the first half of 2016 from extruded to non-extruded paperboard. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in paperboard and retail tissue shipments. These items are further discussed below under “Discussion of Business Segments.”

Cost of sales—Cost of sales was 83.6% of net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 88.1% of net sales for the same period in 2015. Our overall costs of sales were lower than the first half of 2015 primarily due to the absence of approximately $22 million of planned major maintenance costs incurred at our Idaho and Arkansas pulp and paperboard facilities during the first half of 2015, as well as lower costs for energy, chemicals, and packaging and the receipt of a net $2.8 million in partial reimbursement of previously incurred costs related to performance issues with the recovery boiler at our Arkansas pulp and paperboard facility during the second quarter of 2013 through the first quarter of 2015. Wage and benefit expenses were also lower during the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period in 2015, due primarily to lower net pension and other post retirement employee benefit expenses in the first half of 2016 and $1.7 million of costs incurred in the first half of 2015 associated with a new collective bargaining agreement at our consumer products and pulp and paperboard facilities in Lewiston, Idaho.

Selling, general and administrative expenses—Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2016 increased $8.4 million compared to the same period in 2015 primarily due to $4.3 million of mark-to-market expense during the first half of 2016, compared to a $1.9 million mark-to-market benefit in the same period of 2015, related to our directors' common stock units, as well as the recognition of a $1.5 million gain during the second quarter of 2015 related to the release of restricted cash balances pertaining to the settlement of a working capital escrow account established in connection with the 2014 sale of our specialty business and mills. In addition, higher depreciation expense, profit dependent compensation accruals and bad debt expense contributed to the increased selling, general and administrative expenses for the first half of 2016.

Interest expense—Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased by $0.5 million compared to the same period in 2015. The decrease was attributable to capitalized interest of $0.9 million in the first half of 2016.

Income tax provision—We recorded an income tax provision of $23.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to $10.4 million in the same period of 2015. The rate determined under GAAP for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was approximately 38% compared to a rate of approximately 33% for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The net decrease to our effective tax rate in the six months ended June 30, 2015, was primarily the result of state discrete items.

During the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, there were a number of items that were included in the calculation of our income tax provision that we do not believe were indicative of our core operating performance. Excluding these items, the adjusted tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2016 would have been approximately 37% compared to an adjusted rate of approximately 33% for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The following table details these items:



	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Income tax provision	$	(23,578	)	$	(10,400	)
Special items, tax impact:
Directors' equity-based compensation (expense) benefit	(1,536		)	604
Costs associated with Long Island facility closure	(343		)	(402		)
Gain associated with the sale of the specialty mills	—			459
Costs associated with labor agreement	—			(533		)
Adjusted income tax provision	$	(25,457	)	$	(10,272	)

Discussion of Business Segments

Consumer Products



	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
(Dollars in thousands - except per ton amounts)	2016			2015
Net sales	$	492,930		$	474,567
Operating income	36,934			29,427
Percent of net sales	7.5		%	6.2		%

Shipments (short tons)
Non-retail	44,386			45,851
Retail	154,122			142,578
Total tissue tons	198,508			188,429
Converted products cases (in thousands)	26,219			26,150

Sales price (per short ton)
Non-retail	$	1,486		$	1,451
Retail	2,765			2,855
Total tissue	$	2,479		$	2,513

Net sales for our Consumer Products segment increased $18.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period of 2015, primarily due to increased retail tissue shipments. This increase was driven by higher towel sales, partially offset by decreases in bath and facial sales. In addition, there was a mix shift within towels that resulted a lower average net selling price.

Segment operating income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 increased by $7.5 million compared to the same period of 2015, largely due to lower energy costs resulting from favorable rates, lower costs for packaging supplies, and lower wage and benefit expenses. These favorable changes were partially offset by higher pulp costs, as a result of increased shipments, and higher depreciation expense.

Pulp and Paperboard



	Six Months Ended
	June 30,
(Dollars in thousands - except per ton amounts)	2016			2015
Net sales	$	380,945		$	404,017
Operating income	75,195			43,948
Percent of net sales	19.7		%	10.9		%

Paperboard shipments (short tons)	400,472			396,618
Paperboard sales price (per short ton)	$	950		$	1,014

Net sales for the Pulp and Paperboard segment decreased by $23.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period of 2015. The decrease was primarily due to a 6.3% decrease in net selling prices, which was due to a mix shift from higher priced extruded paperboard sales toward non-extruded paperboard sales and continuing price pressures in the marketplace. These unfavorable pricing impacts were partially offset by a slight increase in shipments.

Operating income for the segment increased $31.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2016, compared to the same period of 2015, primarily due to the absence of approximately $22 million of planned major maintenance that was incurred at our Idaho and Arkansas facilities during the first half of 2015. In addition, operating income increased due to lower energy costs resulting from lower electrical rates, increased usage of internally generated electricity and favorable natural gas pricing, lower externally purchased pulp costs due to lower pulp prices and the lack of major maintenance in the first half of 2016, lower transportation costs and favorable polyethylene pricing. We also received a net $2.8 million in partial reimbursement of previously incurred costs related to performance issues with the recovery boiler at our Arkansas pulp and paperboard facility during the second quarter of 2013 through the first quarter of 2015.

EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAX, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (EBITDA) AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

We use earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, and EBITDA adjusted for certain items, or Adjusted EBITDA, as supplemental performance measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to net earnings, operating income or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as alternatives to cash flows from operating activities or a measure of our liquidity or profitability. In addition, our calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may or may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

We present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted income tax provisions because we believe they assist investors and analysts in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA: (i) as factors in evaluating management’s performance when determining incentive compensation, (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and (iii) because our credit agreement and the indentures governing the 2013 Notes and 2014 Notes use metrics similar to EBITDA to measure our compliance with certain covenants.

The following table provides our EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented, as well as a reconciliation to net earnings.



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	June 30,					June 30,
(In thousands)	2016		2015			2016		2015
Net earnings	$	20,864	$	15,597		$	39,310	$	21,354
Interest expense, net	7,396		7,774			15,039		15,556
Income tax provision	11,905		8,702			23,578		10,400
Depreciation and amortization expense	22,024		20,632			43,174		41,640
EBITDA	$	62,189	$	52,705		$	121,101	$	88,950
Directors' equity-based compensation expense (benefit)	3,610		(1,457		)	4,336		(1,927		)
Costs associated with Long Island facility closure	533		735			965		1,289
Costs associated with labor agreement	—		—			—		1,730
Gain associated with the sale of the specialty mills	—		(1,331		)	—		(1,462		)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	66,332	$	50,652		$	126,402	$	88,580

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The following table presents information regarding our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015:



(In thousands)	2016			2015
Net cash flows from operating activities	$	96,415		$	87,910
Net cash flows from investing activities	(57,144		)	(65,031		)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(35,486		)	(38,745		)

Cash Flows Summary

Net cash flows from operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2016 increased by $8.5 million compared to the same period in 2015. The increase in operating cash flows was largely due to higher earnings, after adjusting for non-cash related items, which increased $32.9 million compared to the first half of 2015, as well as a $12.9 million change in taxes receivable due largely to amounts received from income tax refunds during the first half of 2016. These increases in cash from operating activities were partially offset by $13.4 million of cash flows used in working capital in the first half of 2016 compared to $29.3 million of cash flows generated from working capital in the first half of 2015. The cash flows used in working capital for the first half of 2016 were due largely to a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Net cash flows from investing activities increased by $7.9 million. Capital spending for plant and equipment increased by $1.9 million compared to the first half of 2015. During the first half of 2016, the increase in capital spending was due to our continued focus on strategic capital projects, including our continuous pulp digester project at our Lewiston, Idaho facility. In addition, net investing cash flows were also impacted by the conversion of $0.3 million of short-term investments into cash during the first six months of 2016, compared to the conversion of $10.0 million of cash into short-term investments during the same period of 2015.

Net cash flows used for financing activities were $35.5 million for the first half of 2016, and were largely driven by $35.2 million in repurchases of our outstanding common stock pursuant to our most recent $100 million stock repurchase program. Net cash flows used for financing activities were $38.7 million for the first six months of 2015, due largely to $37.1 million in repurchases of our outstanding common stock pursuant to a previous stock repurchase program. Borrowings and repayments on our credit facility, which are presented gross in our consolidated statements of cash flows, both totaled $477.2 million for the first half of 2016, compared to no activity in the first half of 2015.

Capital Resources

Due to the competitive and cyclical nature of the markets in which we operate, there is uncertainty regarding the amount of cash flows we will generate during the next twelve months. However, we believe that our cash flows from operations, our cash on hand and short-term investments, as well as borrowing capacity under our senior secured revolving credit facility will be adequate to fund our debt service requirements and provide cash required to support our ongoing operations, capital expenditures, stock repurchase program and working capital needs for the next twelve months.

We may choose to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We cannot be certain that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Debt Arrangements

Our annual debt service obligation, consisting of cash payments for interest on the 2013 Notes and the 2014 Notes, is estimated to be $28.5 million for 2016.

The terms of the 2013 Notes limit our ability and the ability of any restricted subsidiaries to borrow money, pay dividends, redeem or repurchase capital stock, make investments, sell assets, create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from any restricted subsidiaries, enter into transactions with affiliates, enter into sale and lease back transactions, create liens, and consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. The terms of the 2014 Notes limit our ability and the ability of any restricted subsidiaries to incur certain liens, engage in sale and leaseback transactions and consolidate, merge with, or convey, transfer or lease substantially all of our or their assets to another person.

Credit Arrangements

As of June 30, 2016, there were no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility, but $4.8 million of the credit facility was being used to support outstanding standby letters of credit. Loans under the credit facility bear interest (i) for LIBOR loans, at LIBOR plus between 1.25% and 1.75% and (ii) for base rate loans, at a per annum rate equal to the greater of the following rates plus between 0.25% and 0.75%: (a) the rate of interest announced by Bank of America from time to time as its prime rate for such day; (b) the weighted average of interest rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers for such day, plus 0.50%; or (c) LIBOR for a 30-day interest period as determined on such day, plus 1.00%. The percentage margin on all loans is based on our fixed charge coverage ratio for the most recent four quarters. As of June 30, 2016, we would have been permitted to draw an additional $120.2 million under the credit facility at LIBOR plus 1.25%, or base rate plus 0.25%.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

As of June 30, 2016, there were no significant changes to the contractual obligations table disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We currently are not a party to off-balance sheet arrangements that would require disclosure under this section.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to select and apply accounting policies that best provide the framework to report our results of operations and financial position. The selection and application of those policies requires management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments concerning reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. As a result, it is possible that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.

As of June 30, 2016, there have been no significant changes with regard to the critical accounting policies disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

See Note 2 "Recently Adopted and New Accounting Standards" to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding recently adopted and new accounting pronouncements.



ITEM 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risks on financial instruments includes interest rate risk on our secured revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2016, there were no borrowings outstanding under the credit facility. The interest rates applied to borrowings under the credit facility are adjusted often and therefore react quickly to any movement in the general trend of market interest rates. For example, a one percentage point increase or decrease in interest rates, based on assumed outstanding credit facility borrowings of $10.0 million, would have an approximate $0.1 million annual effect on interest expense. We currently do not attempt to mitigate the effects of short-term interest rate fluctuations on our credit facility borrowings through the use of derivative financial instruments.

Commodity Risk

We are exposed to market risk for changes in natural gas commodity pricing, which we partially mitigate through the use of firm price contracts for a portion of our natural gas requirements for our manufacturing facilities. As of June 30, 2016, these contracts covered approximately 44% of our expected average monthly natural gas requirements for the remainder of 2016.

Foreign Currency Risk

We have minimal foreign currency exchange risk. Virtually all of our international sales are denominated in U.S. dollars.



ITEM 4.
Controls and Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and Chief Financial Officer, or CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of disclosure controls and procedures is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Subject to the limitations noted above, our management, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the second quarter of 2016. Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of June 30, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to meet the objective for which they were designed and operated at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Controls

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II



ITEM 1.
Legal Proceedings

We may from time to time be involved in claims, proceedings and litigation arising from our business and property ownership. We believe, based on currently available information, that the results of such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.



ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors

There are no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. See Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, entitled “Risk Factors.”



ITEM 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Uses of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table provides information about share repurchases that we made during the three months ended June 30, 2016 (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
April 1, 2016 to April 30, 2016	—	$	—	—	$	72,339
May 1, 2016 to May 31, 2016	125,665	$	59.75	125,665	$	64,832
June 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016	—	$	—	—	$	64,832
Total	125,665	$	59.75	125,665



ITEM 6.
Exhibits
The exhibit index is located on page 36 of this Form 10-Q.

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.




		CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION
		(Registrant)


Date: July 27, 2016	By		/s/ JOHN D. HERTZ
			John D. Hertz
			Senior Vice President, Finance and
			Chief Financial Officer
			(Duly Authorized Officer; Principal
			Financial Officer)


Date: July 27, 2016	By		/s/ ROBERT N. DAMMARELL
			Robert N. Dammarell
			Vice President, Corporate Controller
			(Duly Authorized Officer; Principal
			Accounting Officer)

CLEARWATER PAPER CORPORATION

EXHIBIT INDEX



EXHIBIT NUMBER		DESCRIPTION
10.1¹		Amendment to the Clearwater Paper Corporation Annual Incentive Plan, effective as of January 1, 2016

(31)		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications.

(32)*		Furnished statements of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C Section 1350.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.



_*	In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release No. 34-47986, the certifications furnished in Exhibit 32 hereto are deemed to accompany this Form 10-Q and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

₁	Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.