Green Plains Inc. - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

 









 



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________________



FORM 10-Q



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



For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2016



Commission File Number 001-32924



Green Plains Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)







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   ☐ No



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

☒ Yes   ☐ 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.



Large accelerated filer ☒      Accelerated filer ☐      Non-accelerated filer ☐     Smaller reporting company ☐



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). 



☐ Yes   ☒ No



The number of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding as of May 2, 2016, was 38,464,374 shares.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS





 

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Commonly Used Defined Terms



Green Plains Inc. and Subsidiaries:





Accounting Defined Terms:





Industry Defined Terms:













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GREEN PLAINS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



(in thousands, except share amounts)









See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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GREEN PLAINS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



(unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)











See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



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GREEN PLAINS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)



(unaudited and in thousands)









See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.



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GREEN PLAINS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



(unaudited and in thousands)



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GREEN PLAINS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



(unaudited and in thousands)















See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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GREEN PLAINS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



(unaudited)



1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION, DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES



References to the Company



References to “Green Plains” or the “company” in the consolidated financial statements and in these notes to the consolidated financial statements refer to Green Plains Inc., an Iowa corporation, and its subsidiaries.



Consolidated Financial Statements



The consolidated financial statements include the company’s accounts and all significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. Unconsolidated entities are included in the financial statements on an equity basis. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.



The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Because they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP, the consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.



The unaudited financial information reflects adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. The adjustments are normal and recurring in nature, unless otherwise noted.



Reclassifications



Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not affect total revenues, costs and expenses, net income or stockholders’ equity.



Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements



The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The company bases its estimates on historical experience and assumptions it believes are proper and reasonable under the circumstances and regularly evaluates the appropriateness of its estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Key accounting policies, including but not limited to those relating to revenue recognition, depreciation of property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, derivative financial instruments, and accounting for income taxes, are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.



Description of Business



Green Plains is the fourth largest ethanol producer in North America. The company operates within four business segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil, (2) agribusiness, which includes grain handling and storage and cattle feedlot operations, (3) marketing and distribution, which includes marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil and other commodities, and (4) partnership, which includes fuel storage and transportation services. The company is also a partner in a joint venture focused on developing technology to grow and harvest algae in commercially viable quantities.



Revenue Recognition



The company recognizes revenue when the following criteria are satisfied: persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, title of product and risk of loss are transferred to the customer, price is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.



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Sales of ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil and other commodities by the company’s marketing business are recognized when title of product and risk of loss are transferred to an external customer. Revenues related to marketing for third parties are presented on a gross basis when the company takes title of the product and assumes risk of loss. Unearned revenue is recorded for goods in transit when the company has received payment but the title has not yet been transferred to the customer. Revenues for receiving, storing, transferring and transporting ethanol and other fuels are recognized when the product is delivered to the customer.



The company routinely enters into fixed-price, physical-delivery energy commodity purchase and sale agreements. At times, the company settles these transactions by transferring its obligations to other counterparties rather than delivering the physical commodity. These transactions are reported net as a component of revenues. Revenues also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on effective cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.



Sales of agricultural commodities, including cattle, are recognized when title of product and risk of loss are transferred to the customer, which depends on the agreed upon terms. The sales terms provide passage of title when shipment is made or the commodity is delivered. Revenues related to grain merchandising are presented gross and include shipping and handling, which is also a component of cost of goods sold. Revenues from grain storage are recognized when services are rendered.



A substantial portion of the partnership revenues are derived from fixed-fee commercial agreements for storage, terminal or transportation services. The partnership recognizes revenue when there is evidence an arrangement exists; risk of loss and title transfer to the customer; the price is fixed or determinable; and collectability is reasonably ensured. Revenues from base storage, terminal or transportation services are recognized once these services are performed, which occurs when the product is delivered to the customer.



Cost of Goods Sold



Cost of goods sold includes direct labor, materials and plant overhead costs. Direct labor includes all compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in ethanol plant and cattle feedlot operations. Grain purchasing and receiving costs, excluding labor costs for grain buyers and scale operators, are also included in cost of goods sold. Materials include the cost of corn feedstock, denaturant, process chemicals, cattle and veterinary supplies. Corn feedstock costs include unrealized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, inbound freight charges, inspection costs and transfer costs as well as realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on effective cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Plant overhead consists primarily of plant and feedlot utilities, repairs and maintenance, yard expenses and outbound freight charges. Shipping costs incurred by the company, including railcar costs, are also reflected in cost of goods sold.



The company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts to minimize the effect of price changes on the agribusiness segment’s grain and cattle inventories and forward purchase and sales contracts. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices and settled predominantly in cash. The company is exposed to loss when counterparties default on forward purchase and sale contracts. Grain inventories held for sale and forward purchase and sale contracts are valued at market prices when available or other market quotes adjusted for differences, primarily in transportation, between the exchange-traded market and local market where the terms of the contract is based. Changes in the fair value of grain inventories held for sale, forward purchase and sale contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts are recognized as a component of cost of goods sold.



Operations and Maintenance Expenses



In the partnership segment, transportation expenses represent the primary component of operations and maintenance expenses. Transportation expenses includes rail car leases, freight and shipping of the company’s ethanol and co-products, as well as costs incurred storing ethanol at destination terminals.



Derivative Financial Instruments



The company uses various derivative financial instruments, including exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded and over-the-counter options contracts, to minimize risk and the effect of price changes related to corn, ethanol, cattle and natural gas. The company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy to reduce the adverse effect market volatility may have on its operating results. The company may hedge these commodities as one way to mitigate risk, however, there may be situations when the hedging activities themselves result in losses.

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By using derivatives to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, the company is exposed to credit and market risk. The company’s exposure to credit risk includes the counterparty’s failure to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. The company minimizes credit risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties, limiting the amount of financial exposure it has with each counterparty and monitoring their financial condition. Market risk is the risk that the value of the financial instrument might be adversely affected by a change in commodity prices or interest rates. The company manages market risk by incorporating parameters to monitor exposure within its risk management strategy which limits the types of derivative instruments and strategies the company can use and the degree of market risk it can take using derivative instruments.



The company evaluates its physical delivery contracts to determine if they qualify for normal purchase or sale exemptions which are expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business. Contracts that do not meet the normal purchase or sale criteria are recorded at fair value. Changes in fair value are recorded in operating income unless the contracts qualify for, and the company elects to use, hedge accounting treatment.



Certain qualifying derivatives related to the ethanol production and agribusiness segments are designated as cash flow hedges. The company evaluates the derivative instrument to ascertain its effectiveness prior to entering into cash flow hedges. Ineffectiveness is recognized in current period results, while other unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income until the gain or loss from the underlying hedged transaction is realized. When it becomes probable a forecasted transaction will not occur, the cash flow hedge treatment is discontinued, which affects earnings. These derivative financial instruments are recognized in current assets or other current liabilities at fair value.



At times, the company hedges its exposure to changes in the value of inventories and designates qualifying derivatives as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of the hedged inventory is adjusted in current period results for changes in fair value. Ineffectiveness is recognized in current period results to the extent the change in fair value of the inventory is not offset by the change in fair value of the derivative.



Recent Accounting Pronouncements



Effective January 1, 2016, the company adopted the amended guidance in ASC Topic 835-30, Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the debt, consistent with debt discounts. The amended guidance has been applied on a retrospective basis, and the balance sheet of each individual period presented has been adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of the new guidance.



Effective January 1, 2017, the company will adopt the amended guidance in ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or settle. The amended guidance also will allow an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than it can currently for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting and to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. Early application is permitted. The company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the amended guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.



Effective January 1, 2018, the company will adopt the amended guidance in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires revenue recognition to reflect the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard permits either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early application beginning January 1, 2017 is permitted. The company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.



Effective January 1, 2019, the company will adopt the amended guidance in ASC 842, Leases, which aims to make leasing activities more transparent and comparable and requires substantially all leases to be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including leases currently accounted for as operating leases. Early application is permitted. The company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the amended guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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2.  GREEN PLAINS PARTNERS LP



Initial Public Offering of Subsidiary



On July 1, 2015, Green Plains Partners LP, or the partnership, a newly formed subsidiary of the company, closed its initial public offering, or the IPO. In conjunction with the IPO, the company contributed its downstream ethanol transportation and storage assets to the partnership. A total of 11,500,000 common units, representing limited partner interests including 1,500,000 common units pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option, were sold to the public for $15.00 per common unit. The partnership received net proceeds of approximately $157.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, structuring fees and offering expenses. The partnership used the proceeds to make a distribution to the company of $155.3 million and to pay approximately $0.9 million in origination fees under its new $100.0 million revolving credit facility. The remaining $1.3 million was retained for general partnership purposes. The company now owns a 62.5% limited partner interest, consisting of 4,389,642 common units and 15,889,642 subordinated units, and a 2.0% general partner interest in the partnership. The public owns the remaining 35.5% limited partner interest in the partnership. As such, the partnership is consolidated in the company’s financial statements.



The partnership is a fee-based master limited partnership formed by Green Plains to provide fuel storage and transportation services by owning, operating, developing and acquiring ethanol and fuel storage tanks, terminals, transportation assets and other related assets and businesses. The partnership’s assets include (i) 30 ethanol storage facilities, located at or near the company’s 14 ethanol production plants, which have the ability to efficiently and effectively store and load railcars and tanker trucks with all of the ethanol produced at the company’s ethanol production plants, (ii) eight fuel terminal facilities, located near major rail lines, which enable the partnership to receive, store and deliver fuels from and to markets that seek access to renewable fuels, and (iii) transportation assets, including a leased railcar fleet of approximately 2,600 railcars, which is contracted to transport ethanol from the company’s ethanol production plants to refineries throughout the United States and international export terminals. The partnership expects to be the company’s primary downstream logistics provider to support its over one billion gallons per year ethanol marketing and distribution business since the partnership’s assets are the principal method of storing and delivering the ethanol the company produces.



A substantial portion of the partnership’s revenues are derived from long-term, fee-based commercial agreements with Green Plains Trade, a subsidiary of the company. In connection with the IPO, the partnership (1) entered into (i) a ten-year fee-based storage and throughput agreement; (ii) a six-year fee-based rail transportation services agreement; and (iii) a one-year fee-based trucking transportation agreement, and (2) assumed (i) an approximately 2.5-year terminal services agreement for the partnership’s Birmingham, Alabama-unit train terminal; and (ii) various other terminal services agreements for its other fuel terminal facilities, each with Green Plains Trade. The partnership’s storage and throughput agreement, and certain terminal services agreements, including the terminal services agreement for the Birmingham facility, are supported by minimum volume commitments. The partnership’s rail transportation services agreement is supported by minimum take-or-pay capacity commitments. The company also has agreements which establish fees for general and administrative, and operational and maintenance services it provides. These transactions are eliminated in the presentation of consolidated financial results.



3.  ACQUISITION



Acquisition of Hereford Ethanol Plant

 

On November 12, 2015, the company acquired an ethanol production facility in Hereford, Texas, with an annual production capacity of approximately 100 mmgy for approximately $78.8 million for the ethanol plant assets, as well as working capital acquired or assumed of approximately $19.4 million. The following is a summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):





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4.  FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES



The following methods, assumptions and valuation techniques were used to estimate the fair value of the company’s financial instruments:



Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities the company can access at the measurement date. Level 1 unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives relate to exchange-traded open trade equity and option values in the company’s brokerage accounts.



Level 2 – directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets other than quoted prices included within Level 1, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, and other inputs that are observable or can be substantially corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means. Grain inventories held for sale in the agribusiness segment are valued at nearby futures values, plus or minus nearby basis.



Level 3 – unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and comprise a significant component of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. The company currently does not have any recurring Level 3 financial instruments.



There have been no changes in valuation techniques and inputs used in measuring fair value. The company’s assets and liabilities by level are as follows (in thousands):





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The company believes the fair value of its debt was approximately $765.6 million compared with a book value of $765.9 million at March 31, 2016,  and the fair value of its debt was approximately $661.8 million compared with a book value of $663.6 million at December 31, 2015. The company estimated the fair value of its outstanding debt using Level 2 inputs. The company believes the fair values of its accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated book value, which were $106.1 million and $104.5 million, respectively, at March 31, 2016,  and $96.2 million and $167.0 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015.



Although the company currently does not have any recurring Level 3 financial measurements, the fair values of tangible assets and goodwill acquired and equity component of convertible debt represent Level 3 measurements which were derived using a combination of the income approach, market approach and cost approach for the specific assets or liabilities being valued.



5.  SEGMENT INFORMATION



Company management reports the financial and operating performance in the following four operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil, (2) agribusiness, which includes grain handling and storage and cattle feedlot operations, (3) marketing and distribution, which includes marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil and other commodities, and (4) partnership, which includes fuel storage and transportation services.



Under GAAP, when transferring assets between entities under common control, the entity receiving the net assets initially recognizes the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities at the date of transfer. The transferee’s prior period financial statements are restated for all periods its operations were part of the parent’s consolidated financial statements. On July 1, 2015, Green Plains Partners received ethanol storage and railcar assets and liabilities in a transfer between entities under common control. Effective January 1, 2016, the partnership acquired the storage and transportation assets of the Hereford and Hopewell production facilities in a transfer between entities under common control for approximately $62.3 million and entered into amendments to the related commercial agreements with Green Plains Trade. The transferred assets and liabilities are recognized at our historical cost and reflected retroactively in the segment information of the consolidated financial statements presented in this Form 10-Q. The assets of Green Plains Partners were previously included in the ethanol production and marketing and distribution segments. Expenses related to the ethanol storage and railcar assets, such as depreciation, amortization and railcar lease expenses, are also reflected retroactively in the following segment information. There are no revenues related to the operation of the ethanol storage and railcar assets in the partnership segment prior to their respective transfers to the partnership, when the related commercial agreements with Green Plains Trade became effective.



Corporate activities include selling, general and administrative expenses, consisting primarily of compensation, professional fees and overhead costs not directly related to a specific operating segment.



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During the normal course of business, the operating segments do business with each other. For example, the ethanol production segment sells ethanol to the marketing and distribution segment, the agribusiness segment sells grain to the ethanol production segment and the partnership segment provides fuel storage and transportation services for the marketing and distribution segment. These intersegment activities are treated like third-party transactions and recorded at market values. Consequently, these transactions affect segment performance; however, they do not impact the company’s consolidated results since the revenues and corresponding costs are eliminated in consolidation.



The following tables set forth certain financial data for the company’s operating segments (in thousands):















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The following table sets forth third-party revenues by product line (in thousands):







The following table sets forth total assets by operating segment (in thousands):





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6.  INVENTORIES



Inventories are carried at lower of cost or market, except for grain held for sale and fair-value hedged inventories, which are reported at market value.



The components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):



















7.  GOODWILL



The company did not have any changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, which was $40.9 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.  Goodwill of $30.3 million is attributable to the ethanol production segment and $10.6 million is attributable to the partnership segment.





8.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS



At March 31, 2016, the company’s consolidated balance sheet reflected unrealized losses of $1.1 million, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income. The company expects these losses  will be reclassified in operating income over the next 12 months as a result of hedged transactions that are forecasted to occur. The amount realized in operating income, will differ as commodity prices change.



Fair Values of Derivative Instruments



The fair values of the company’s derivative financial instruments and the line items on the consolidated balance sheets where they are reported are as follows (in thousands):











(1) Derivative financial instruments as reflected on the consolidated balance sheets are net of related margin deposit assets of $11.9 million and $7.7 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

(2) Balance at March 31, 2016 includes $0.5 million of net unrealized gains on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

(3)Balance at December 31, 2015 includes $2.3 million of net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments.





Refer to Note 4 - Fair Value Disclosures, which contains fair value information related to derivative financial instruments.



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Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income



The gains or losses recognized in income and other comprehensive income related to the company’s derivative financial instruments and the line items on the consolidated financial statements where they are reported are as follows (in thousands):





















There were no gains or losses from discontinuing cash flow or fair value hedge treatment during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. 



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The open commodity derivative positions as of March 31, 2016, are as follows (in thousands):











Energy trading contracts that do not involve physical delivery are presented net in revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. Included in revenues are net gains on energy trading contracts of $3.4 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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9.  DEBT



The components of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):











Short-term notes payable and other borrowings at March 31, 2016, include working capital revolvers at Green Plains Cattle, Green Plains Grain and Green Plains Trade with outstanding balances of $74.0 million, $112.0 million and $91.4 million, respectively. Short-term notes payable and other borrowings at December 31, 2015, include working capital revolvers at Green Plains Cattle, Green Plains Grain and Green Plains Trade with outstanding balances of $69.7 million, $77.0 million and $80.2 million, respectively.



Effective January 1, 2016, the company adopted ASC 835-30, Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which resulted in the reclassification of approximately $11.4 million from other assets to long-term debt within the balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, there is $10.8 million of debt issuance costs recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the company’s long-term debt.



Ethanol Production Segment



Green Plains Processing has a $345.0 million senior secured credit facility, which is guaranteed by the company and subsidiaries of Green Plains Processing and secured by the stock and substantially all of the assets of Green Plains Processing. The interest rate is 5.50% plus LIBOR, subject to a 1.00% floor.  The terms of the credit facility require the borrower to maintain a maximum total leverage ratio of 4.00 to 1.00 at the end of each quarter, decreasing to 3.25 to 1.00 over the life of the credit facility and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00. The credit facility also has a provision requiring the company to make special quarterly payments of 50% to 75% of its available free cash flow, subject to certain limitations.



At March 31, 2016, the interest rate on this term debt was 6.50%. Scheduled principal payments are $0.9 million each quarter.



Agribusiness Segment



Green Plains Grain has a $125.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, which matures on August 26, 2016, to finance working capital up to the maximum commitment based on eligible collateral equal to the sum of percentages of eligible cash, receivables and inventories, less miscellaneous adjustments. Advances are subject to an interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.25% or the base rate plus 2.25%. The credit facility also includes an accordion feature that enables the facility to be increased by up to $75.0 million with agent approval. The credit facility can also be increased by up to $50.0 million for seasonal borrowings. Total commitments outstanding cannot exceed $250.0 million.



Lenders receive a first priority lien on certain cash, inventory, accounts receivable and other assets owned by subsidiaries in the agribusiness segment as security on the credit facility. The terms impose affirmative and negative covenants, including maintaining working capital of $20.3 million and tangible net worth of $26.3 million for 2016. Capital expenditures are limited to $8.0 million per year under the credit facility, plus equity contributions from the company and unused amounts from the previous year. In addition, the credit facility requires the company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00 and an annual leverage ratio of 6.00 to 1.00 at the end of each quarter. The credit facility also contains restrictions on

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distributions related to capital stock, with exceptions for distributions up to 50% of net profit before tax, subject to certain conditions. 



Green Plains Cattle has a $100.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, which matures on October 31, 2017, to finance working capital for the cattle feedlot operations up to the maximum commitment based on eligible collateral equal to the sum of percentages of eligible receivables, inventories and other current assets, less miscellaneous adjustments. Advances are subject to variable interest rates equal to LIBOR plus 2.00% to 3.00%,  or the base rate plus 0.00% to 0.25%, depending upon availability. The credit facility also includes an accordion feature that enables the credit facility to be increased by up to $50.0 million with agent approval.



Lenders receive a first priority lien on certain cash, inventory, accounts receivable, property and equipment and other assets owned by Green Plains Cattle as security on the credit facility. The terms impose affirmative and negative covenants, including maintaining working capital of $15.0 million and tangible net worth of $20.3 million for 2016 and maintain a total debt to tangible net worth ratio of 3.50 to 1.00. Capital expenditures are limited to $3.0 million per year under the credit facility, plus unused amounts from the previous year.



Marketing and Distribution Segment



Green Plains Trade has a $150.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, which matures on November 26, 2019, to finance working capital for marketing and distribution activities based on eligible collateral equal to the sum of percentages of eligible receivables and inventories, less miscellaneous adjustments. The outstanding balance is subject to the lender’s floating base rate plus the applicable margin or LIBOR plus the applicable margin.



The terms impose affirmative and negative covenants, including maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15 to 1.00. Capital expenditures are limited to $1.5 million per year under the credit facility. The credit facility also contains restrictions on distributions related to capital stock, with exceptions for distributions up to 50% of net income if on a pro forma basis, (a) availability has been greater than $10.0 million for the last 30 days and (b) the borrower would be in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio on the distribution date.



At March 31, 2016, Green Plains Trade had $6.9 million presented as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet, the use of which was restricted for repayment towards the outstanding loan balance. 



Partnership Segment



Green Plains Partners, through a wholly owned subsidiary, has a $100.0 million revolving credit facility, which matures in July 2020, to fund working capital, acquisitions, distributions, capital expenditures and other general partnership purposes. Advances under this credit facility are subject to a floating interest rate based on the partnership’s maximum consolidated net leverage ratio equal to (a) a base rate plus 0.75% to 1.75% or (b) a LIBOR rate plus 1.75% to 2.75%.  The credit facility may be increased up to $50.0 million without the consent of the lenders.



The partnership’s obligations under the credit facility are secured by a first priority lien on (i) the capital stock of the partnership’s present and future subsidiaries, (ii) all of the partnership’s present and future personal property, such as investment property, general intangibles and contract rights, including rights under agreements with Green Plains Trade, and (iii) all proceeds and products of the equity interests of the partnership’s present and future subsidiaries and its personal property. The terms impose affirmative and negative covenants including restricting the partnership’s ability to incur additional debt, acquire and sell assets, create liens, invest capital, pay distributions and materially amend the partnership’s commercial agreements with Green Plains Trade. The credit facility also requires the partnership to maintain a maximum consolidated net leverage ratio of no more than 3.50 to 1.00, and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of no less than 2.75 to 1.00.



Corporate Activities



In September 2013, the company issued $120.0 million of 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2018, or the 3.25% notes. The 3.25% notes are senior, unsecured obligations of the company, with interest payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The company may settle the 3.25% notes in cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. The company intends to repay the 3.25% notes with cash for the principal and cash or common stock for the conversion premium. 



Prior to April 1, 2018, the 3.25% notes are not convertible unless certain conditions are satisfied. The conversion rate is

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subject to adjustment when the quarterly cash dividend exceeds $0.04 per share. The conversion rate was recently adjusted to 48.8834 shares of common stock per $1,000 of principal which is equal to a conversion price of approximately $20.46 per share. The company may be obligated to increase the conversion rate in certain events, including redemption of the 3.25% notes.  



The company may redeem all of the 3.25% notes at any time on or after October 1, 2016 if the company’s common stock equals or exceeds 140% of the applicable conversion price for a specified time period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date the company delivers notice of the redemption. The redemption price will equal 100% of the principal plus any accrued and unpaid interest. Holders of the 3.25% notes have the option to require the company to repurchase the 3.25% notes in cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal plus accrued and unpaid interest when there is a fundamental change, such as change in control. Default on any loan in excess of $10.0 million constitutes an event of default, which could result in the 3.25% notes being declared due and payable.



Covenant Compliance



The company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of March 31, 2016.



Capitalized Interest



The company had $358 thousand and $175 thousand of capitalized interest during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.



Restricted Net Assets



At March 31, 2016, there were approximately $674.3 million of net assets at the company’s subsidiaries that could not be transferred to the parent company in the form of dividends, loans or advances due to restrictions contained in the credit facilities of these subsidiaries.



10.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION



The company has an equity incentive plan that reserves 3.5 million shares of common stock for issuance to its directors and employees. The plan provides for shares, including options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights tied to the value of common stock, restricted stock, and restricted and deferred stock unit awards, to be granted to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The company measures stock-based compensation at fair value on the grant date, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The company records noncash compensation expense related to equity awards in its consolidated financial statements over the requisite period on a straight-line basis. Substantially all of the existing stock-based compensation has been equity awards.



The activity related to the exercisable stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2016, is as follows:







 (1) Includes in-the-money options totaling 288,750 shares at a weighted-average exercise price of $9.56.



Option awards allow employees to exercise options through cash payment for the shares of common stock or simultaneous broker-assisted transactions in which the employee authorizes the exercise and immediate sale of the option in the open market. The company uses newly issued shares of common stock to satisfy its stock-based payment obligations. 



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The non-vested stock award and deferred stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2016, is as follows:





Green Plains Partners



Green Plains Partners has adopted the LTIP, an incentive plan intended to promote the interests of the partnership, its general partner and affiliates by providing incentive compensation based on units to employees, consultants and directors to encourage superior performance. The incentive plan reserves 2.5 million common units for issuance in the form of options, restricted units, phantom units, distributable equivalent rights, substitute awards, unit appreciation rights, unit awards, profits interest units or other unit-based awards. The partnership measures unit-based compensation related to equity awards in its consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis.



The non-vested unit-based awards activity for the three months ended March 31, 2016, is as follows:





Compensation costs for stock-based and unit based payment plans during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, were approximately $2.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively. At March 31, 2016, there were $16.3 million of unrecognized compensation costs from stock-based and unit-based compensation related to non-vested awards. This compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.3 years. The potential tax benefit related to stock-based payment is approximately 38.0% of these expenses.



11.  EARNINGS PER SHARE



Basic earnings per share, or EPS, is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed using the treasury stock method by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of any outstanding dilutive securities.



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The basic and diluted EPS are calculated as follows (in thousands):





For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, 108 thousand and 1.1 million shares, respectively, related to stock-based compensation awards and convertible debt were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS as the inclusion of these shares would have been antidilutive. Also excluded from the computations of diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, were stock-based compensation awards totaling 337 thousand and 253 thousand shares, respectively, because the exercise prices or the grant-date fair value, as applicable, of the corresponding awards were greater than the average market price of the company’s common stock during the respective periods. 



12.  STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY



Components of stockholders’ equity are as follows (in thousands):











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Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):



















13.  INCOME TAXES



Beginning in 2016, the company records actual income tax expense or benefit during interim periods rather than on an annual effective tax rate method. Certain items are given discrete period treatment and the tax effect of those items are reported in full in the relevant interim period. Green Plains Partners is a limited partnership, which is treated as a flow-through entity for federal income tax purposes and is not subject to federal income taxes. The partnership is subject to state income taxes in certain states. As a result, the company’s consolidated financial statements reflect a benefit or provision for income taxes on pre-tax income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest in the partnership.



Income tax benefit was $14.9 million three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $2.4 million for three months ended March 31, 2015. The effective tax rate, calculated as the ratio of income tax expense to income before income taxes, was approximately 42.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and 42.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions was $0.2 million as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015. Recognition of these benefits would have a favorable impact on the company’s effective tax rate. 



The 2016 effective tax rate can be affected by variances among the estimates and amounts of taxable income among the various states, entities and activity types, realization of tax credits, adjustments from resolution of tax matters under review, valuation allowances and the company’s assessment of its liability for uncertain tax positions.



14.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES



Operating Leases



The company leases certain facilities and parcels of land under agreements that expire at various dates. For accounting purposes, rent expense is based on a straight-line amortization of the total payments required over the lease. The company incurred lease expenses of $9.4 million and $8.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.



Aggregate minimum lease payments under these agreements for the remainder of 2016 and in future years are as follows (in thousands):







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Commodities



As of March 31, 2016, the company had contracted future purchases of grain, corn oil, natural gas, crude oil, ethanol, distillers grains and cattle, valued at approximately $312.8 million.



Legal



In November 2013, the company acquired ethanol plants located in Fairmont, Minnesota and Wood River, Nebraska. There is ongoing litigation related to the consideration for this acquisition. If the litigation is resolved favorably, the company will recognize a gain in a future period. In the event of a negative outcome, there will be no impact to the company.



In addition to the above-described proceeding, the company is currently involved in litigation that has arisen in the ordinary course of business, but does not believe any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



15.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS



Commercial Contracts



Three subsidiaries of the company have executed separate financing agreements for equipment with Axis Capital Inc. Gordon Glade, Vice Chairman/Founder of Axis Capital, is a member of the company’s board of directors. In March 2014, a subsidiary of the company entered into $1.4 million of new equipment financing agreements with Axis Capital with monthly payments beginning in April 2014. Balances of approximately $1.0 million related to these financing arrangements were included in debt at March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015. Payments, including principal and interest, totaled $69 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The weighted average interest rate for the financing agreements with Axis Capital was 6.8%.



Aircraft Leases



Effective January 1, 2015, the company entered into two agreements with an entity controlled by Wayne Hoovestol for the lease of two aircrafts. Mr. Hoovestol is chairman of the company’s board of directors. The company agreed to pay $9,766 per month for the combined use of up to 125 hours per year of the aircrafts. Flight time in excess of 125 hours per year will incur additional hourly charges. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, payments related to these leases totaled $48 thousand and $57 thousand. The company had no outstanding payables related to these agreements at March 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015. 



16.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS



Effective April 1, 2016, the company increased its ownership of BioProcess Algae, a joint venture formed in 2008, to 82.8% and will consolidate BioProcess Algae in its consolidated financial statements beginning on that date. The joint venture is focused on developing technology to grow and harvest algae in commercially viable quantities, using the carbon dioxide that is created as part of the ethanol production process.

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



General



The following discussion and analysis provides information we believe is relevant to understand our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in this report together with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.



Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements



This report contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather plans and objectives for future operations based on management’s reasonable estimates of future results or trends, and include statements preceded by, followed by, or that include words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continue,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “outlook,” “plans,” “predicts,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” and similar words and phrases, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future operating or financial performance, business strategy, business environment, key trends, and benefits of actual or planned acquisitions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made in accordance with safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although we believe our expectations regarding future events are based on reasonable assumptions, any or all forward-looking statements in this report may be based on inaccurate assumptions or not account for known or unknown risks and uncertainties, and therefore, be incorrect. Consequently, no forward-looking statement is guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially from the results expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. The cautionary statements in this report expressly qualify all of our forward-looking statements. In addition, we are not obligated, and do not intend, to update any of our forward-looking statements at any time unless an update is required by applicable securities laws.



Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Specifically, we may experience significant fluctuations in future operating results due to a number of economic conditions, including, but not limited to, competition in the ethanol and other industries in which we operate, commodity market risks including those that may result from current weather conditions, financial market risks, counterparty risks, risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation, risks related to closing and achieving anticipated results from acquisitions, risks associated with merchant trading, risks associated with the operations of a cattle-feeding business, risks associated with the joint venture to commercialize algae production and growth potential of the algal biomass industry, and other risk factors detailed in our reports filed with the SEC. Also in relation to Green Plains Partners LP, or the partnership, additional risks include, but are not limited to, compliance with commercial contractual obligations, potential tax consequences related to our investment in the partnership and risks disclosed in the partnership’s SEC filings and associated with the operation of the partnership as a separate, publicly traded entity.



In light of these assumptions, risks and uncertainties, the results and events discussed in the forward-looking statements contained in this report or any document incorporated by reference might not occur. We caution investors not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which represent management’s views only as of the date of this report or document incorporated by reference. We are not under any obligation, and we expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



Overview



Green Plains is a vertically integrated ethanol producer, marketer and distributor focused on generating stable operating margins through our diversified business segments and risk management strategy. We have operations throughout the ethanol value chain, beginning upstream with our grain handling and storage operations, continuing through our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil production operations, and ending downstream with our marketing, terminal and distribution services. We believe owning and operating assets throughout the ethanol value chain enables us to mitigate changes in commodity prices, differentiating us from companies focused only on ethanol production. We formed Green Plains Partners LP, a master limited partnership, to be our primary downstream logistics provider since its assets are the principal method of storing and delivering the ethanol we produce. The partnership completed its IPO on July 1, 2015. We own a 62.5% limited partner interest, a 2.0% general partner interest and all of the partnership’s incentive distribution rights. The public owns the remaining 35.5% limited partner interest. The partnership is consolidated in our financial statements.

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Results of Operations



Industry Trends and Factors Affecting our Results of Operations



Ethanol demand generally follows gasoline demand, which is typically lowest during the first calendar quarter of the year due to reduced driving and winter weather conditions. Based on three-year average demand by quarter, ethanol demand has been approximately 5% lower during the first calendar quarter compared with the fourth calendar quarter. In addition, ethanol producers generally are able to produce more ethanol from their facilities in cooler temperatures, which may cause inventories to build if supply outpaces demand. During the first quarter of 2016, domestic ethanol production averaged 983,000 barrels per day, while demand averaged 861,000 barrels per day and exports averaged 102,000 barrels per day. As  of April 1, 2016, domestic ethanol ending stocks were 22.2 million barrels according to the EIA, approximately 5.3% higher than January 1, 2016, and 8.5% higher than April 3, 2015.



During the first quarter, we operated our facilities at approximately 83.3% of capacity, resulting in production of 247.0 million gallons for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared with 232.5 million gallons for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, due primarily to the lower margin environment. The increase in production volumes and associated revenues were attributable to production at our Hereford, Texas plant, which we acquired on November 12, 2015, and our Hopewell, Virginia plant, which we acquired on October 23, 2015 and resumed ethanol production on February 8, 2016, partially offset by the lower capacity utilization during the first quarter of 2016.  



Effective January 1, 2016, we sold the ethanol storage and leased railcar assets of the Hereford and Hopewell production facilities to the partnership for $62.3 million, and amended our storage and throughput minimum volume commitment to 246.5 mmg from 212.5 mmg per calendar quarter and increased our rail transportation services minimum volumetric capacity commitment by 6.7 mmg.



We expect ethanol production and consumption to be more in balance in the coming quarters. Ethanol producers typically shut down their production facilities for a few days during the spring and fall for routine plant maintenance. Summer driving season, particularly in an environment of relatively inexpensive gasoline prices, as well as strong export demand, should increase ethanol consumption over the next couple of quarters. Moreover, ethanol has resumed trading at a  discount to gasoline, after trading at a premium since September 2015, further improving the economics of using ethanol as an oxygenate and octane enhancer when blended with gasoline.



According to the U.S. Department of Energy, International Energy Statistics, global demand continues to grow at approximately 2% to 3% per year as countries, such as Argentina, increase ethanol blending mandates. We believe U.S. ethanol producers are well positioned to participate in that growth. Brazil, the second largest ethanol-producing country, uses sugarcane to produce ethanol. The average price of sugar during the first quarter was 14.3 cents per pound. The equivalent value of sugar produced from corn starch is approximately 7.3 cents per pound based on current U.S. corn costs of approximately $3.50 per bushel. Given these production economics, we expect the United States will continue to be the leading supplier of ethanol in the world.



On April 12, 2016, the USDA affirmed its earlier corn planting projection of 93.6 million acres for the 2016-2017 season in the WASDE, which is significantly higher than its projected corn plantings of 88.0 million acres last year. Absent unusual or severe weather conditions, additional supply could affect the price of corn favorably for domestic ethanol producers.  



Comparability of our Financial Results



Under GAAP, when transferring assets between entities under common control, the entity receiving the net assets initially recognizes the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities at the date of transfer. The transferee’s prior period financial statements are restated for all periods its operations were part of the parent’s consolidated financial statements. On July 1, 2015, Green Plains Partners received ethanol storage and railcar assets and liabilities in a transfer between entities under common control. Effective January 1, 2016, the partnership acquired the storage and transportation assets of the Hereford and Hopewell production facilities in a transfer between entities under common control. The transferred assets and liabilities are recognized at our historical cost and reflected retroactively in the segment information of the consolidated financial statements presented in this Form 10-Q. The assets of Green Plains Partners were previously included in the ethanol production and marketing and distribution segments. Expenses related to the ethanol storage and railcar assets, such as depreciation, amortization and railcar lease expenses, are also reflected retroactively in the following segment information. There are no revenues related to the operation of these ethanol storage and railcar assets in the partnership segment prior July 1, 2015, the date the related commercial agreements with Green Plains Trade became effective.

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We report the financial and operating performance in the following four operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production of ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil, (2) agribusiness, which includes grain handling and storage and cattle feedlot operations (3) marketing and distribution, which includes marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil and other commodities and (4) partnership, which includes fuel storage and transportation services.



On October 23, 2015, we acquired an ethanol production facility located in Hopewell, Virginia. The dry mill ethanol plant’s production capacity is approximately 60 mmgy. We resumed ethanol production at the plant in February of 2016, and corn oil processing is expected to be operational during the second quarter of 2016.



On November 12, 2015, we acquired an ethanol production facility in Hereford, Texas. The purchase includes an ethanol plant with production capacity of approximately 100 mmgy, a corn oil extraction system, working capital and other related assets.



Corporate activities include selling, general and administrative expenses, consisting primarily of compensation, professional fees and overhead costs not directly related to a specific operating segment.



During the normal course of business, the operating segments do business with each other. For example, the ethanol production segment sells ethanol to the marketing and distribution segment, the agribusiness segment sells grain to the ethanol production segment and the partnership segment provides fuel storage and transportation services for the marketing and distribution segment. These intersegment activities are treated like third-party transactions and recorded at market values. Consequently, these transactions affect segment performance; however, they do not impact the company’s consolidated results since the revenues and corresponding costs are eliminated in consolidation.



Segment Results



The selected operating segment financial information are as follows (in thousands):









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* Percentage variance not considered meaningful.



Three Months Ended March 31, 2016, compared with the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015



Consolidated Results



Consolidated revenues increased $10.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015. Revenues from ethanol and cattle sales increased $54.8 million and $11.0 million, respectively, while revenues from grain and natural gas sales decreased $47.9 million and $11.7 million, respectively. Ethanol revenues were affected by increased volumes sold, partially offset by lower average realized prices. Cattle revenues were impacted by higher volumes sold, partially offset by decreased average realized prices. Grain revenues were impacted by lower average realized prices and volumes sold. Natural gas revenues were impacted by decreased average realized prices.



Operating income decreased $26.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period last year primarily due to decreased ethanol production margins and losses related to valuation of natural gas inventories held for forward business that is fully hedged. Interest expense increased $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 due to higher average borrowing costs and debt balances outstanding during the quarter. Income tax benefit was $14.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $2.4 million for the same period in 2015.



The following discussion provides greater detail about our first quarter segment performance.



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Ethanol Production Segment



Key operating data for our ethanol production segment is as follows:















Revenues in our ethanol production segment decreased $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 primarily due to lower average ethanol and distillers grains prices realized, partially offset by higher volumes produced and sold. The increased volumes produced was due to the acquisition of the Hereford and Hopewell ethanol plants, which produced approximately 24.5 mmg during the three months ended March 31, 2016, partially offset by a decrease in our daily average production capacity. Corn oil sold increased modestly for the first quarter of 2016 compared with the same period last year due to higher production levels. The average price realized for corn oil was approximately 21% lower for the first quarter of 2016, compared with the same period in 2015.



Cost of goods sold for our ethanol production segment increased $25.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period last year due to higher production volumes, partially offset by an 11% decrease in average cost per bushel of corn during the three months ended March 31, 2016. As a result of the factors identified above, operating income decreased $36.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015. Depreciation and amortization expense for the segment was $15.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $13.7 million for the same period last year.



Agribusiness Segment



Revenues in our agribusiness segment increased $64.3 million while operating income remained flat for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015. Grain revenues were impacted by increased volumes sold, partially offset by decreased average realized prices. We sold 88.0 million bushels of grain, including 86.5 million bushels to our ethanol production segment during the first quarter of 2016 compared with sales of 70.4 million bushels of grain, including 68.5 million bushels to our ethanol production segment during the same period last year. Cattle feedlot revenues increased due to a 48% increase in volumes sold during the first quarter of 2016 compared with the same quarter last year, partially offset by decreased average realized prices. 



Marketing and Distribution Segment



Revenues in our marketing and distribution segment increased $13.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 due to increased ethanol revenues of $63.2 million as a result of higher volumes sold, partially offset by decreased grain and natural gas revenues of $25.8 million and $22.7 million, respectively. Grain revenues were impacted by lower average realized prices and volumes. Natural gas revenues were impacted by lower average realized prices. The marketing and distribution segment sold 326.2 mmg and 275.9 mmg of ethanol for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.



Operating income decreased $6.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 primarily due to decreased trading margins. Trading margins were $7.9 million lower for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 due to lower volumes sold and reduction in the valuation of certain inventories held for forward business that is fully hedged. We anticipate profits on these positions will be realized during the remainder of 2016.



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Partnership Segment



As a result of the IPO, the partnership segment received downstream ethanol transportation and storage assets. Expenses related to these contributed assets, such as depreciation, amortization and railcar lease expenses, are reflected retroactively in the partnership segment. No revenues related to the operation of the contributed ethanol storage and railcar assets are reflected in this segment for periods prior to its initial public offering on July 1, 2015, when the storage and transportation agreements became effective.



Revenues generated by our partnership segment from the new ethanol storage and railcar commercial agreements were approximately $20.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Operating income increased $18.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 due to revenues related to these commercial agreements, partially offset by increased operations and maintenance expenses of $1.6 million and general and administrative expenses of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.



Intersegment Eliminations



Intersegment eliminations of revenues increased by $79.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 due to the following factors: increased corn sales from the agribusiness segment to the ethanol production segment of $55.0 million, increased corn sales from the marketing and distribution segment to the agribusiness segment of $37.4 million and increased transportation and storage fees from the partnership segment to the marketing and distribution segment of $20.2 million, partially offset by decreased ethanol sales from the ethanol production segment to the marketing and distribution segment of $12.2 million, decreased distillers grains sales from the ethanol production segment to the marketing and distribution segment of $11.6 million and decreased natural gas sales from the marketing and distribution segment to the ethanol production segment of $10.7 million.



Intersegment eliminations of operating income increased by $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 due primarily to decreased average margins realized during the first quarter of 2016, compared with 2015. Ethanol is sold from the ethanol production segment to the marketing and distribution segment as it is produced and transferred into storage tanks located at each respective plant. The finished product is then sold by the marketing and distribution segment to external customers. Profit is recognized by the ethanol production segment upon sale to the marketing and distribution segment, but is eliminated from consolidated results until title to the product has been transferred to a third party.



Corporate Activities



Operating income was impacted by an increase in operating expenses for corporate activities of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with the same period in 2015 primarily due to an increase in personnel costs and professional fees.



Income Taxes



We recorded income tax benefit of $14.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $2.4 million for the same period in 2015.  The effective tax rate (calculated as the ratio of income tax expense to income before income taxes) was approximately 42.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with 42.4% for the same period in 2015. The slight increase in the effective tax rate was due primarily to the impact of the noncontrolling interest in the partnership on the consolidated financial results.



Noncontrolling Interest



We, together with our subsidiaries, own a 62.5% limited partner interest and a 2.0% general partner interest in the partnership and own all of the partnership’s incentive distribution rights, with the remaining 35.5% limited partner interest owned by public common unitholders for the three months ended March 31, 2016. We consolidate the financial results of the partnership, and record a noncontrolling interest for the economic interest in the partnership held by the public common unitholders. Noncontrolling interest on the consolidated statements of operations includes the portion of net income attributable to the economic interest in the partnership held by the public common unitholders of the partnership. Noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets includes the portion of net assets of the partnership attributable to the public common unitholders of the partnership. 



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EBITDA



We use EBITDA to compare the financial performance of our business segments and manage those segments. We believe EBITDA allows investors to compare our results with our peers and other companies. EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income or cash flow, which are prepared in accordance with GAAP. Since EBITDA calculations may vary from company to company, our computation of EBITDA may not be comparable with a similarly titled measure.



The reconciliation of net income to EBITDA is as follows (in thousands):





























Liquidity and Capital Resources



Our principal sources of liquidity include cash generated from operating activities and bank credit facilities. We fund our operating expenses and service debt primarily with operating cash flows. Capital resources for maintenance and growth expenditures are funded by a variety of sources, including cash generated from operating activities, borrowings under bank credit facilities, or issuance of senior unsecured notes or equity. Our ability to access capital markets for debt under reasonable terms depends on our financial condition, credit ratings and market conditions. We believe that our ability to obtain financing at reasonable rates and history of consistent cash flow from operating activities provide a solid foundation to meet our future liquidity and capital resource requirements.



On March 31, 2016, we had $383.4 million in cash and equivalents, excluding restricted cash, consisting of $295.8 million held at our parent company and the remainder held at our subsidiaries. We also had $146.6 million available under our revolving credit agreements,  some of which were subject to restrictions or other lending conditions. Funds held by our subsidiaries are generally required for their ongoing operational needs and restricted from distribution. At March 31, 2016,  our subsidiaries had approximately $674.3 million of net assets that were not available to us in the form of dividends, loans or advances due to restrictions contained in their credit facilities.



Net cash used by operating activities was $81.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared with $45.8 million for the same period in 2015. Operating activities were affected by decreased operating profits and an increase in working capital for the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily consisting of an increase in accounts receivable and inventories and a decrease in accounts payable. Net cash used by investing activities was $18.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, due primarily to capital expenditures at our ethanol plants. Net cash provided by financing activities was $98.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Effective January 1, 2016, the partnership acquired the storage and transportation assets of the Hereford and Hopewell ethanol plants and borrowed $48.0 million on its revolving credit facility and cash on hand to fund the purchase of the assets. Additionally, Green Plains Trade, Green Plains Cattle and Green Plains Grain use revolving credit facilities to finance working capital requirements. We frequently draw from and repay these facilities which results in significant cash movements reflected on a gross basis within financing activities as proceeds from and payments on short-term borrowings.



We incurred capital expenditures of $16.5 million in the first three months of 2016 for various maintenance and expansion projects. Capital spending for the remainder of 2016 is expected to be approximately $38.2 million for various projects, and is expected to be financed with available borrowings under our credit facilities and cash provided by operating activities.



In August 2013, our board of directors initiated a quarterly cash dividend. We have paid a quarterly cash dividend since this initial authorization and anticipate declaring a cash dividend in future quarters on a regular basis. Future declarations of dividends, however, are subject to board approval and may be adjusted as our cash position, business needs or market

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conditions change. On February 10, 2016, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share. The dividend was paid on March 18, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2016.



For each calendar quarter commencing with the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the partnership agreement requires us to distribute all available cash, as defined, to our partners within 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Available cash generally means all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of that quarter less cash reserves established by our general partner plus all or any portion of the cash on hand resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of that quarter. On April 21, 2016, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership declared a cash distribution of $0.4050 per unit on outstanding common and subordinated units. The distribution is payable on May 13, 2016, to unitholders of record at the close of business on May 6, 2016.



In August 2014, we announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our common stock. Under the program, we may repurchase shares in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share buyback programs, tender offers or by other means. The timing and amount of repurchase transactions are determined by our management based on market conditions, share price, legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice. There were no shares repurchased under the program during the first quarter of 2016.  To date, we have repurchased 191,700 shares of common stock for approximately $4.0 million under the program.



We believe we have sufficient working capital for our existing operations. A sustained period of unprofitable operations, however, may strain our liquidity making it difficult to maintain compliance with our financing arrangements. We may sell additional equity or borrow capital to improve or preserve our liquidity, expand our business or build additional or acquire existing businesses. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to secure funding necessary for additional working capital or these projects at reasonable terms, if at all.



Debt



For additional information related to our debt, see Note 9 – Debt included as part of the notes to consolidated financial statements and Note 11 – Debt included as part of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.



We were in compliance with our debt covenants at March 31, 2016. Based on our forecasts and the current margin environment, we believe we will maintain compliance at each of our subsidiaries for the next twelve months or have sufficient liquidity available on a consolidated basis to resolve noncompliance. We cannot provide assurance that actual results will approximate our forecasts or that we will inject the necessary capital into a subsidiary to maintain compliance with its respective covenants. In the event a subsidiary is unable to comply with its debt covenants, the subsidiary’s lenders may determine that an event of default has occurred, and following notice, the lenders may terminate the commitment and declare the unpaid balance due and payable.



Effective January 1, 2016, we adopted ASC 835-30, Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which resulted in the reclassification of approximately $11.4 million from other assets to long-term debt within the balance sheet as of December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, there is $10.8 million of debt issuance costs recorded as a direct reduction of the carrying value of our long-term debt.



Ethanol Production Segment



Green Plains Processing has a $345.0 million senior secured credit facility which matures in June of 2020. At March 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance was $314.4 million and our interest rate was 6.5%.



We also have small equipment financing loans, capital leases on equipment or facilities, and other forms of debt financing.



Agribusiness Segment



Green Plains Grain has a $125.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility to finance working capital up to the maximum commitment based on eligible collateral. This facility can be increased by up to $75.0 million with agent approval and up to $50.0 million for seasonal borrowings.  Total commitments outstanding under the facility cannot exceed $250.0 million. The facility matures in August of 2016 and we intend to refinance by the maturity date. At March 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance was $112.0 million on the facility and our interest rate was 4.4%.

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Green Plains Cattle has a $100.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility to finance working capital up to the maximum commitment based on eligible collateral. The facility matures in October of 2017. At March 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance was $74.0 million on the facility and our interest rate was 3.5%.



Marketing and Distribution Segment



Green Plains Trade has a $150.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility to finance working capital up to the maximum commitment based on eligible collateral. The facility matures in November of 2019. At March 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance was $91.4 million on the facility and our interest rate was 3.2%.  



Partnership Segment



Green Plains Partners, through a wholly owned subsidiary, has a $100.0 million secured revolving credit facility to fund working capital, acquisitions, distributions, capital expenditures and other general partnership purposes. This facility can be increased by up to $50.0 million without the consent of the lenders. The facility matures in July of 2020. At March 31, 2016, the outstanding principal balance was $51.0 million on the facility and our interest rate was 2.2%.



Corporate Activities



In September 2013, we issued $120.0 million of 3.25% convertible senior notes due in 2018, which are senior, unsecured obligations with interest payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year. Prior to April 1, 2018, the notes are not convertible unless certain conditions are satisfied. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment when the quarterly cash dividend exceeds $0.04 per share. The conversion rate was recently adjusted as of March 31, 2016 to 48.8834 shares of common stock per $1,000 of principal, which is equal to a conversion price of approximately $20.46 per share.  We intend to repay the notes with cash for the principal, and cash or common stock for the conversion premium.



Contractual Obligations



Contractual obligations as of March 31, 2016,  were as follows (in thousands):





Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates



Key accounting policies including those relating to revenue recognition, depreciation of property and equipment, asset retirement obligations, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, derivative financial instruments, and accounting for income taxes, are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Information about our critical accounting policies and estimates are included in our annual report on

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Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.



Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements



We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements other than the operating leases, which are entered into in the ordinary course of business and disclosed in the Contractual Obligations section above.





























Item 3.  Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk.



We use various financial instruments to manage and reduce our exposure to various market risks, including changes in commodity prices and interest rates. We conduct all of our business in U.S. dollars and are not currently exposed to foreign currency risk.



Interest Rate Risk



We are exposed to interest rate risk through our loans which bear interest at variable rates. Interest rates on our variable-rate debt are based on the market rate for the lender’s prime rate or LIBOR. A 10% increase in interest rates would affect our interest cost by approximately $3.2 million per year. At March 31, 2016,  we had $765.9 million in debt, $634.4 million of which had variable interest rates.



See Note 9 – Debt included as part of the notes to consolidated financial statements for more information about our debt.



Commodity Price Risk



Our business is highly sensitive to commodity price risk, particularly for ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, corn and natural gas. Corn prices are affected by weather conditions, yield, changes in domestic and global supply and demand, and government programs and policies. Natural gas prices are influenced by severe weather in the summer and winter and hurricanes in the spring, summer and fall. Other factors include North American exploration and production, and the amount of natural gas in underground storage during injection and withdrawal seasons. Ethanol prices are sensitive to world crude oil supply and demand, the price of crude oil, gasoline and corn, the price of substitute fuels, refining capacity and utilization, government regulation and consumer demand for alternative fuels. Distillers grains prices are impacted by livestock numbers on feed, prices for feed alternatives and supply, which is associated with ethanol plant production.



To reduce the risk associated with fluctuations in the price of corn, natural gas, ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil, at times we use forward fixed-price physical contracts and derivative financial instruments, such as futures and options executed on the Chicago Board of Trade and the New York Mercantile Exchange. We focus on locking in favorable operating margins, when available, using a model that continually monitors market prices for corn, natural gas and other inputs relative to the price for ethanol and distillers grains at each of our production facilities. We create offsetting positions using a combination of forward fixed-price purchases, sales contracts and derivative financial instruments. As a result, we frequently have gains on derivative financial instruments that are offset by losses on forward fixed-price physical contracts or inventories and vice versa.



Ethanol Production Segment



In the ethanol production segment, net gains and losses from settled derivative instruments are offset by physical commodity purchases or sales to achieve the intended operating margins. Our results are impacted when there is a mismatch of gains or losses associated with the derivative instrument during a reporting period when the physical commodity purchases or sale has not yet occurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, revenues included net losses of $4.3 million and cost of goods sold included net gains of $1.9 million associated with derivative financial instruments.



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Our exposure to market risk, which includes the impact of our risk management activities resulting from our fixed-price purchase and sale contracts and derivatives, is based on the estimated net income effect resulting from a hypothetical 10% change in price for the next 12 months starting on March 31, 2016, are as follows (in thousands):



 (1) Estimated volumes reflect anticipated expansion of production capacity at our ethanol plants and assumes production at full capacity.

(2) Distillers grains quantities are stated on an equivalent dried ton basis.

(3) Millions of BTU’s.



Agribusiness Segment



In the agribusiness segment, our inventories, physical purchase and sale contracts and derivatives are marked to market. To reduce commodity price risk caused by market fluctuations for purchase and sale commitments of grain and cattle, and grain held in inventory, we enter into exchange-traded futures and options contracts that serve as economic hedges.



The market value of exchange-traded futures and options used for hedging are highly correlated with the underlying market value of grain inventories and related purchase and sale contracts for grain and cattle. The less correlated portion of inventory and purchase and sale contract market values, known as basis, is much less volatile than the overall market value of exchange-traded futures and tends to follow historical patterns. We manage this less volatile risk by constantly monitoring our position relative to the price changes in the market. Inventory values are affected by the month-to-month spread in the futures markets. These spreads are also less volatile than overall market value of our inventory and tend to follow historical patterns, but cannot be mitigated directly. Our accounting policy for futures and options, as well as the underlying inventory held for sale and purchase and sale contracts, is to reflect their current market values and include gains and losses in the consolidated statement of operations.



Our daily net commodity position consists of inventories related to purchase and sale contracts and exchange-traded contracts. The fair value of our position was approximately $4.0 million for grain and $10.7 million for cattle at March 31, 2016. Our market risk at that date, based on the estimated net income effect resulting from a hypothetical 10% change in price, was approximately $0.2 million for grain and $0.6 million for cattle.



Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.



Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures



We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure information that must be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure.



Under the supervision of and participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, management carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act and concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.



Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting



Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. There were no material changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION



Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.



We are currently involved in litigation that has arisen during the ordinary course of business. We do not believe this litigation will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



Item 1A.  Risk Factors.



Investors should carefully consider the discussion of risks and the other information in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015,  including the risk factors discussion in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and the discussion of risks and other information in this report, including “Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” which is included in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Investors should also carefully consider the discussion of risks with the partnership under the heading “Risk Factors” and other information in their annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Although we have attempted to discuss key factors, our investors need to be aware that other risks may prove to be important in the future. New risks may emerge at any time and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our financial performance.



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



Employees surrender shares when restricted stock grants are vested to satisfy statutory minimum required payroll tax withholding obligations. 



The following table lists the shares that were surrendered during the first quarter of 2016:





In August 2014, we announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our common stock. Under this program, we may repurchase shares in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated buyback programs, tender offers or by other means. The timing and amount of the transactions are determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time, without prior notice. There were no shares repurchased under the program during the first quarter of 2016. Approximately $96.0 million of shares are remaining to be repurchased under the program. 







Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.



None.



Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures.



Not applicable.



Item 5.  Other Information.



None. 

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Item 6.  Exhibits.

Exhibit Index 





















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SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.























































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