Party City Holdco Inc. - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

OR

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 001-37344

Party City Holdco Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(914) 345-2020

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 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

As of October 31, 2016, 119,498,654 shares of the Registrant’s common stock were outstanding.

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PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.

Form 10-Q

September 30, 2016

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PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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PARTY CITY HOLDCO INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share)

Note 1 – Description of Business

Party City Holdco Inc. (the “Company” or “Party City Holdco”) is a vertically integrated supplier of decorated party goods. The Company designs, manufactures, sources and distributes party goods, including paper and plastic tableware, metallic and latex balloons, Halloween and other costumes, accessories, novelties and stationery throughout the world. The Company’s retail operations include over 900 specialty retail party supply stores (including approximately 180 franchise stores) in the United States and Canada operating under the names Party City and Halloween City, and e-commerce websites, principally through the domain name PartyCity.com. Party City Holdco franchises both individual stores and franchise areas throughout the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico, principally under the name Party City.

Party City Holdco is a holding company with no operating assets or operations. The Company owns 100% of PC Nextco Holdings, LLC (“PC Nextco”), which owns 100% of PC Intermediate Holdings, Inc. (“PC Intermediate”). PC Intermediate owns 100% of Party City Holdings Inc. (“PCHI”), which owns the Company’s operating subsidiaries.

During January 2016, the Company acquired 19 franchise stores located in Arizona and New Mexico in one transaction for total consideration of approximately $26,500. Additionally, during March 2016, the Company acquired Festival S.A. (“Festival”), a manufacturer of costumes and accessories, for approximately $5,000.

Note 2 – Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned and controlled entities. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

The majority of our retail operations define a fiscal year (“Fiscal Year”) as the 52-week period or 53-week period ended on the Saturday nearest December 31st of each year and define fiscal quarters (“Fiscal Quarter”) as the four interim 13-week periods following the end of the previous Fiscal Year, except in the case of a 53-week Fiscal Year when the fourth Fiscal Quarter is extended to 14 weeks. The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company combine the Fiscal Quarters of our retail operations with the calendar quarters of our wholesale operations. The Company has determined the differences between the retail operation’s Fiscal Year and Fiscal Quarters and the calendar year and calendar quarters to be insignificant.

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. Our business is subject to substantial seasonal variations as our retail segment has realized a significant portion of its net sales, cash flows and net income in the fourth quarter of each year, principally due to its Halloween season sales in October and, to a lesser extent, other year-end holiday sales. We expect that this general pattern will continue. Our results of operations may also be affected by industry factors that may be specific to a particular period such as movement in and the general level of raw material costs. For further information see the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2016.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. The pronouncement clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The update is effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2018. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the pronouncement on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The pronouncement simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The update is effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2017. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the pronouncement on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”. The ASU requires that companies recognize on their balance sheets assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by the companies’ leases. The update is effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2019. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the pronouncement on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The update impacts the accounting for equity investments and the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected. The pronouncement will be effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2018. Although the Company continues to evaluate this pronouncement, it does not believe that it will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations: Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments”. The update requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The Company adopted the update during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and such adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory: Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”. The update changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. The pronouncement will be effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2017. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the pronouncement on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement”. The update amended the guidance on internal use software to clarify how customers in cloud computing arrangements should determine whether the arrangements include software licenses. The Company adopted the update during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and such adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, “Compensation – Stock Compensation: Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period”. The update clarifies that a performance target in a share-based payment that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period should be accounted for as a performance condition. The Company adopted the update during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and such adoption did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. The pronouncement contains a five-step model which replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance. The update is effective for the Company during the first quarter of 2018; however, early adoption is permitted. The pronouncement can be applied retrospectively to prior reporting periods or through a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of the pronouncement on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and its method of adoption.

Note 3 – Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.

The Company estimates retail inventory shortage for the periods between physical inventory dates on a store-by-store basis. Inventory shrinkage estimates can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shortage trends. The shrinkage rate from the most recent physical inventory, in combination with historical experience, is the basis for estimating shrinkage.

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Note 4 – Income Taxes

The income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was determined based upon the Company’s estimated consolidated effective income tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2016. The difference between the estimated consolidated effective income tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2016 and the U.S. federal statutory rate is primarily attributable to state income taxes, unrecognized foreign tax credits and benefits on certain foreign losses, partially offset by a foreign rate differential and available domestic manufacturing deductions.

Note 5 – Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:

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Note 6 – Capital Stock

At September 30, 2016, the Company’s authorized capital stock consisted of 300,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value common stock.

Note 7 – Segment Information

Industry Segments

The Company has two identifiable business segments. The Wholesale segment designs, manufactures, contracts for manufacture and distributes party goods, including paper and plastic tableware, metallic and latex balloons, Halloween and other costumes, accessories, novelties and stationery throughout the world. The Retail segment operates specialty retail party supply stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Party City and Halloween City, and it operates e-commerce websites, principally through the domain name Partycity.com. The Retail segment also franchises both individual stores and franchise areas throughout the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico, principally under the name Party City.

The Company’s industry segment data for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 was as follows:

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The Company’s industry segment data for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 was as follows:

Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is a party to certain claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe these proceedings will result, individually or in the aggregate, in a material adverse effect on its financial condition or future results of operations.

On November 18, 2015, a putative class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, naming Party City Holdco Inc. and certain executives as defendants. An Amended Complaint was filed on April 25, 2016, which named additional defendants. The Amended Complaint alleges violations of Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with public filings related to the Company’s April 2015 initial public offering (“IPO”). The plaintiff seeks to represent a class of shareholders who purchased stock in the initial public offering or who can trace their shares to that offering. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and costs. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against this action. The Company is unable, at this time, to determine whether the outcome of the litigation would have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

On April 5, 2016, a derivative complaint was filed in the Supreme Court for the State of New York, naming certain directors and executives as defendants, and naming the Company as a nominal defendant. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and costs, and corporate governance reforms, for alleged injury to the Company in connection with public filings related to the Company’s April 2015 IPO, compensation paid to executives, and the termination of the management agreement disclosed in the IPO-related public filings. On June 15, 2016, by agreement of the parties, the court entered a temporary stay of the proceedings pending (among other things) resolution of the motion to dismiss in connection with the November 18, 2015 filed class action. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against this action. The Company is unable, at this time, to determine whether the outcome of the litigation would have a material impact on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

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Note 9 – Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is directly and indirectly affected by changes in certain market conditions. These changes in market conditions may adversely impact the Company’s financial performance and are referred to as market risks. The Company, when deemed appropriate, uses derivatives as a risk management tool to mitigate the potential impact of certain market risks. The primary market risk managed through the use of derivative financial instruments is foreign currency exchange rate risk.

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

A portion of the Company’s cash flows is derived from transactions denominated in foreign currencies. In order to reduce the uncertainty of foreign exchange rate movements on transactions denominated in foreign currencies, including the British Pound Sterling, the Canadian Dollar, the Euro, the Malaysian Ringgit and the Australian Dollar, the Company enters into foreign exchange contracts with major international financial institutions. These forward contracts, which typically mature within one year, are designed to hedge anticipated foreign currency transactions, primarily inventory purchases and sales. For contracts that qualify for hedge accounting, the terms of the foreign exchange contracts are such that cash flows from the contracts should be highly effective in offsetting the expected cash flows from the underlying forecasted transactions.

The foreign currency exchange contracts are reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The fair value of the foreign currency exchange contracts is the estimated amount that the counterparties would receive or pay to terminate the foreign currency exchange contracts at the reporting date, taking into account current foreign exchange spot rates. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had certain foreign currency exchange contracts that qualified for hedge accounting. No components of these agreements were excluded in the measurement of hedge effectiveness. As these hedges were 100% effective, there was no impact on earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness. The Company anticipates that substantially all unrealized gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to these foreign currency exchange contracts will be reclassified into earnings by June 2018.

The following table displays the fair values of the Company’s derivatives at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

The following table displays the notional amounts of the Company’s derivatives at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

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Note 10 – Fair Value Measurements

The provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, define fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 established a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

The following table shows assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2016 that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

The following table shows assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2015 that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company is required to record other assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally as a result of impairment charges.

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximated fair value at September 30, 2016 because of the short-term maturities of the instruments and/or their variable rates of interest.

The carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s borrowings under its $1,340,000 senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan Credit Agreement”) and its $350,000 of 6.125% senior notes (“Senior Notes”) are as follows:

The fair values of the Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Senior Notes represent Level 2 fair value measurements as the debt instruments trade in inactive markets.

The carrying amounts for other long-term debt approximated fair value at September 30, 2016 based on the discounted future cash flows of each instrument at rates currently offered for similar debt instruments of comparable maturity.

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During August 2015, the Company acquired 75% of the operations of Accurate Custom Injection Molding Inc. (“ACIM”). Based on the terms of the acquisition agreement, the Company will acquire the remaining 25% interest in ACIM over the next eight years and the Company’s liability for the estimated purchase price of such interest was $405 at September 30, 2016. The liability represents a Level 3 fair value measurement as it is based on unobservable inputs.

During March 2015, the Company acquired all of the stock of Travis Designs Limited (“Travis”), a United Kingdom-based entity with costume design and sourcing capabilities. The purchase price includes contingent consideration, based on the sales of the business acquired through the end of 2016. As of September 30, 2016, the liability was $1,102. The liability represents a Level 3 fair value measurement as it is based on unobservable inputs.

Note 11 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income available for common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are calculated based on the weighted average number of outstanding common shares plus the dilutive effect of stock options as if they were exercised.

A reconciliation between basic and diluted income (loss) per share is as follows:

During both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, 2,276,695 stock options and 4,544,964 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of net income (loss) per common share – diluted as they were anti-dilutive.

Note 12 – Long-Term Obligations

Long-term obligations at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

Note 13 — Subsequent Event

During October 2016, the Company amended its Term Loan Credit Agreement. Prior to the execution of the amendment in October 2016, the Company borrowed $100,000 under its $540,000 asset-based revolving credit facility (which has a seasonal increase to $640,000 during a certain period of each calendar year) (“ABL Facility”) and used the proceeds to make a voluntary prepayment of a portion of the outstanding balance under the Term Loan Credit Agreement. Then, at the time of the amendment, all outstanding term loans were replaced with new term loans for the same principal amount. The applicable margin for ABR borrowings was lowered from 2.25% to 2.00% and the applicable margin for LIBOR borrowings was lowered from 3.25% to 3.00%. Additionally, the LIBOR floor was lowered from 1.00% to 0.75%.

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The amended agreement provides for two pricing options: (i) an ABR for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day plus 0.5%, (c) the adjusted LIBOR rate plus 1% and (d) 1.75% or (ii) the LIBOR rate, with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%, in each case plus an applicable margin. The amendment provides that the term loans are subject to a 1.00% prepayment premium if voluntarily repaid within six months from the date of the amendment. Otherwise, the term loans may be voluntarily prepaid at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage costs with respect to loans based on the LIBOR rate.

The Company incurred $626 of costs, principally banker fees, in conjunction with the amendment.

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References throughout this document to the “Company” include Party City Holdco Inc. and its subsidiaries. In this document the words “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer only to the Company and its subsidiaries and not to any other person.

Business Overview

Our Company

We are the leading party goods retailer by revenue in North America and, we believe, the largest vertically integrated supplier of decorated party goods globally by revenue. With over 900 locations (inclusive of approximately 180 franchised stores), we have the only coast-to-coast network of party superstores in the U.S. and Canada that make it easy and fun to enhance special occasions with a differentiated shopping experience and an unrivaled assortment of innovative and exciting merchandise offered at a compelling value. During the Halloween selling season, we also operate a network of approximately 300 temporary stores under the Halloween City banner.

How We Assess the Performance of Our Company

In assessing the performance of our company, we consider a variety of performance and financial measures for our two operating segments, Retail and Wholesale. These key measures include revenues and gross profit, comparable retail same-store sales and operating expenses. We also review other metrics such as adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per common share – diluted. For a discussion of our use of these measures and a reconciliation of net income (loss) to adjusted EBITDA and income (loss) before income taxes to adjusted net income (loss), please see below.

Segments

Our retail operations generate revenue primarily through the sale of Amscan, Designware, Anagram, Costumes USA and other party supplies through Party City, Halloween City and PartyCity.com. During 2015, approximately 75% of the product that was sold by our retail operations was supplied by our wholesale operations.

Our wholesale revenues are generated from the sale of party goods for all occasions, including paper and plastic tableware, accessories and novelties, metallic and latex balloons and stationery. Our products are sold at wholesale to party goods superstores, including our franchise stores, other party goods retailers, mass merchants, independent card and gift stores, dollar stores and other retailers and distributors throughout the world.

Intercompany sales between the Wholesale and the Retail segment are eliminated, and the wholesale profits on intercompany sales are deferred and realized at the time the merchandise is sold to the retail consumer. For segment reporting purposes, certain general and administrative expenses and art and development costs are allocated based on total revenues.

Financial Measures

Revenues. Revenues from retail store operations are recognized at point of sale. We estimate future retail sales returns and record a provision in the period in which the related sales are recorded based on historical information. E-commerce sales are recorded on a free-on-board (“FOB”) destination basis and include shipping revenues. Retail sales are reported net of taxes collected. Franchise royalties are recognized based on reported franchise retail sales. Additionally, fees paid by franchisees when franchise stores are opened are recognized upon the completion of the Company’s performance requirements and the opening of the franchise store.

Revenues from our wholesale operations represent the sale of our products to third parties, less rebates, discounts and other allowances. The terms of our wholesale sales are generally FOB shipping point, and revenue is recognized when goods are shipped. We estimate reductions to revenues for volume-based rebate programs and subsequent credits at the time sales are recognized. Intercompany sales from our wholesale operations to our retail stores are eliminated in our consolidated total revenues.

Comparable Retail Same-Store Sales. The growth in same-store sales represents the percentage change in same-store sales in the period presented compared to the prior year. Same-store sales exclude the net sales of a store for any period if the store was not open during the same period of the prior year. Acquired stores are excluded from same-store sales until they are converted to the Party City format and included in our sales for the comparable period of the prior year. Comparable sales are calculated based upon stores that were open at least thirteen full months as of the end of the applicable reporting period. When a store is reconfigured or relocated within the same general territory, the store continues to be treated as the same store. If, during the period presented, a store was closed, sales from that store up to and including the closing day are included as same-store sales as long as the store was open during the same period of the prior year. Same-store sales for the Party City brand include North American retail e-commerce sales.

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Cost of Sales. Cost of sales at wholesale reflects the production costs (i.e., raw materials, labor and overhead) of manufactured goods and the direct cost of purchased goods, inventory shrinkage at both retail and wholesale, inventory adjustments, inbound freight to our manufacturing and distribution facilities, distribution costs and outbound freight to get goods to our wholesale customers. At retail, cost of sales reflects the direct cost of goods purchased from third parties and the production or purchase costs of goods acquired from our wholesale operations. Retail cost of sales also includes inventory shrinkage, inventory adjustments, inbound freight, occupancy costs related to store operations (such as rent and common area maintenance, utilities and depreciation on assets) and all logistics costs associated with our retail e-commerce business.

Our cost of sales increases in higher volume periods as the direct costs of manufactured and purchased goods, inventory shrinkage and freight are generally tied to net sales. However, other costs are largely fixed or vary based on other factors and do not necessarily increase as sales volume increases. Changes in the mix of our products may also impact our overall cost of sales. The direct costs of manufactured and purchased goods are influenced by raw material costs (principally paper, petroleum-based resins and cotton), domestic and international labor costs in the countries where our goods are purchased or manufactured and logistics costs associated with transporting our goods. We monitor our inventory levels on an on-going basis in order to identify slow-moving goods.

Wholesale Selling Expenses. Wholesale selling expenses include the costs associated with our wholesale sales and marketing efforts, including merchandising and customer service. Costs include the salaries and benefits of the related work force, including sales-based bonuses and commissions. Other costs include catalogues, showroom rent, travel and other operating costs. Certain selling expenses, such as sales-based bonuses and commissions, vary in proportion to sales, while other costs vary based on other factors, such as our marketing efforts, or are largely fixed and do not necessarily increase as sales volumes increase.

Retail Operating Expenses. Retail operating expenses include all of the costs associated with retail store operations, excluding occupancy-related costs included in cost of sales. Costs include store payroll and benefits, advertising, supplies and credit card costs. Retail expenses are largely variable but do not necessarily vary in proportion to net sales.

Franchise Expenses. Franchise expenses include the costs associated with operating our franchise network, including salaries and benefits of the administrative work force and other administrative costs. These expenses generally do not vary proportionally with royalties and franchise fees.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses include all operating costs not included elsewhere in the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). These expenses include payroll and other expenses related to operations at our corporate offices, including occupancy costs, related depreciation and amortization, legal and professional fees and data-processing costs. These expenses generally do not vary proportionally with net sales.

Art and Development Costs. Art and development costs include the costs associated with art production, creative development and product management. Costs include the salaries and benefits of the related work force. These expenses generally do not vary proportionally with net sales.

Adjusted EBITDA. We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, net, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, as further adjusted to eliminate the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance. We caution investors that amounts presented in accordance with our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures disclosed by other issuers, because not all issuers calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure of operating performance in addition to EBITDA because we believe it assists investors in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by eliminating the impact of items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA: (i) as a factor in determining incentive compensation, (ii) to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies, and (iii) because the credit facilities use Adjusted EBITDA to measure compliance with certain covenants.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss). Adjusted net income represents our net income (loss), adjusted for, among other items, intangible asset amortization, non-cash purchase accounting adjustments, amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts, refinancing charges, equity based compensation and impairment charges. We present adjusted net income because we believe it assists investors in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by eliminating the impact of items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance.

Adjusted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share – Diluted. Adjusted net income per common share – diluted represents adjusted net income (loss) divided by the Company’s diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. We present the metric because we believe it assists investors in comparing our per share performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by eliminating the impact of items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance.

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared To Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results and operating results as a percentage of total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

Revenues

Total revenues for the third quarter of 2016 were $557.0 million and were $1.5 million, or 0.3%, higher than the third quarter of 2015. The following table sets forth the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

Retail

Retail net sales during the third quarter of 2016 were $347.6 million and increased $8.1 million, or 2.4%, compared to the third quarter of 2015. Retail net sales at our Party City stores totaled $305.6 million and were $11.7 million, or 4.0%, higher than the third quarter of 2015, reflecting increased store count and positive same-store sales. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2016, we acquired 23 franchise stores, opened 24 new stores and closed 14 stores. Global retail e-commerce sales totaled $35.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and were $0.2 million, or 0.6% lower than the three months ended September 30, 2015. Global retail e-commerce sales were negatively impacted by $1.0 million as the U.S. Dollar strengthened in comparison to the British Pound Sterling. Sales at our temporary Halloween City stores were $6.2 million during the third quarter of 2016 or $3.4 million lower than the corresponding quarter of 2015. The decrease was principally due to the Company making a strategic decision to open fewer Halloween City stores during the 2016 Halloween selling season in response to the impact of Halloween falling on a Monday this year, as opposed to on a Saturday last year.

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Same-store sales for the Party City brand (including North American retail e-commerce sales) increased by 1.2% during the third quarter of 2016; as a 2.8% increase in average transaction dollar size was partially offset by a 1.6% decrease in transaction count. Excluding the impact of e-commerce, same-store sales increased by 0.4% as a 2.5% increase in average transaction dollar size, principally due to less promotional activity in our retail stores, opportunistic price increases and improved mix, was partially offset by a 2.1% decrease in transaction count. The North American retail e-commerce sales included in our same store sales for the Party City brand comp increased by 8.6% as a 10.3% increase in transaction count was partially offset by a 1.7% decrease in average transaction dollar size. The increase in e-commerce transaction count reflects improved customer conversion (the percentage of website visitors who purchase product from the site), principally due to enhanced digital marketing, expanded product assortment and increased promotional activity. The decrease in average transaction dollar size principally reflects the increased promotional activity, mostly related to free shipping of product. Same-store sales percentages were not affected by foreign currency as such percentages are calculated in local currency.

Wholesale

Wholesale net sales during the third quarter of 2016 totaled $205.8 million and were $6.1 million, or 2.9% lower than during the third quarter of 2015. Net sales to domestic party goods retailers and distributors (including our franchisee network) totaled $106.3 million and were $8.0 million, or 7.0%, lower than in the third quarter of 2015. The decrease was principally due to our acquisition of 23 franchise stores during December 2015 and January 2016, as post-acquisition sales to such stores (approximately $6 million during the third quarter of 2015) are now eliminated as intercompany sales. Additionally, gift product sales were approximately $2 million lower than during the third quarter of 2015 principally due to the de-emphasis and reorganization of our Grasslands Road gift division. Net sales of metallic balloons to domestic distributors and retailers and our franchisee network totaled $18.5 million in the third quarter of 2016 and were $0.3 million, or 1.6%, higher than the third quarter of 2015. Our international sales (which include U.S. export sales and exclude U.S. import sales from foreign subsidiaries) totaled $81.0 million and were $1.6 million, or 2.0% higher than the third quarter of 2015 despite a $7.2 million negative impact from foreign currency translation. The translation impact was principally due to the U.S. Dollar strengthening in comparison to the British Pound Sterling. International sales increased versus the corresponding quarter of 2015 primarily due to higher costumes sales (impact of approximately $4 million, principally into the U.K. market), increased sales of garments and accessories (impact of approximately $2 million, also principally into the U.K. market) and higher sales of latex balloons (impact of approximately $1 million).

Intercompany sales to our retail affiliates totaled $210.6 million during the third quarter of 2016 and were $4.0 million, or 2.0% higher than the corresponding quarter of 2015. Intercompany sales represented 50.6% of total wholesale sales during the third quarter of 2016, compared to 49.4% during the corresponding quarter of 2015. The increase in intercompany sales was principally due to the impact of the higher company store count (as discussed above under “-Retail”) and the increasing share of shelf (as noted below under “-Gross Profit”) being partially offset by certain shipments of Halloween product shifting from the third quarter of 2015 to the second quarter of 2016. The intercompany sales of our wholesale segment are eliminated against the intercompany purchases of our retail segment in the consolidated financial statements.

Royalties and franchise fees

Royalties and franchise fees for the third quarter of 2016 were $3.6 million and were $0.5 million lower than the third quarter of 2015 principally due to acquiring 23 franchise stores during December 2015 and January 2016.

Gross Profit

The following table sets forth the Company’s gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015.

The gross profit margin on net sales at retail during the third quarter of 2016 was 38.3% or 60 basis points higher than in the third quarter of 2015. The increase in margin was principally driven by: 1) an increase in our wholesale share of shelf at our Party

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City stores and our North American retail e-commerce operations (i.e., the percentage of our retail product cost of sales supplied by our wholesale operations) from 73.5% during the third quarter of 2015 to 75.1% during the third quarter of 2016, 2) reduced promotional activity in our retail stores and 3) favorable mix. These positive drivers were partially offset by higher occupancy costs and the impact of the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar on our international retail operations that purchase product denominated in U.S. Dollars and sell in local currency (approximately $0.5 million impact).

The gross profit on net sales at wholesale during the third quarters of 2016 and 2015 was 30.9% and 29.2%, respectively. The increase in margin was primarily driven by reduced product costs and the favorable impact on gross margin rate associated with lower sales of licensed products, partially offset by the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar and its unfavorable impact on certain of our international subsidiaries that purchase product denominated in U.S. Dollars and sell in local currency (approximately $1 million impact).

Operating expenses

Wholesale selling expenses totaled $14.7 million in the third quarter of 2016 and were $0.7 million, or 4.7%, lower than during the corresponding quarter of 2015 principally due to the impact of foreign currency translation. Wholesale selling expenses were 7.2% and 7.3% of net wholesale sales during the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Retail operating expenses during the third quarter of 2016 were $100.7 million and were $1.7 million, or 1.6%, lower than during the third quarter of 2015. The decrease was principally due to improved labor productivity and efficiency in our stores, in part as a result of the costs associated with last year’s reset activities. Retail operating expenses were 29.0% and 30.2% of net retail sales during the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Franchise expenses during the third quarters of 2016 and 2015 were $3.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

General and administrative expenses during the third quarter of 2016 totaled $39.0 million and were $3.0 million, or 8.3%, higher than in the third quarter of 2015. The increase was principally due to inflationary cost increases and higher professional fees (partially related to costs incurred in connection with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance procedures).

Art and development costs were $5.5 million and $4.9 million during the third quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase was principally due to increased head count and other costs incurred in order to support the expansion of Halloween and other retail programs.

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net, totaled $22.4 million during the third quarter of 2016, compared to $29.6 million during the third quarter of 2015. The decrease reflects the reduction in interest rates following the Company’s August 2015 debt refinancing.

Other (income) expense, net

Other (income) expense, net generally includes foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, corporate development expenses and (gains) losses from unconsolidated joint ventures.

For the third quarter of 2016, other income, net, totaled $0.9 million. Such amount included $1.8 million of foreign currency transaction gains.

For the third quarter of 2015, other expense, net, totaled $79.1 million, all of which related to the refinancing of the Company’s debt. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company redeemed its $700 million of 8.875% senior notes (“Old Senior Notes”) and refinanced its existing $1,125 million senior secured term loan facility (“Old Term Loan Credit Agreement”) and $400 million asset-based revolving credit facility (“Old ABL Facility”) with new indebtedness consisting of: (i) a $1,340 million senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan Credit Agreement”), (ii) a $540 million asset-based revolving credit facility (with a seasonal increase to $640 million during a certain period of each calendar year) (“ABL Facility”) and (iii) $350 million of 6.125% senior notes (“Senior Notes”). The redemption price for the Old Senior Notes was 6.656 % of the principal amount, $46.6 million. The Company recorded such amount in other expense, net. Additionally, in conjunction with the refinancing, the Company wrote-off $22.7 million of previously capitalized deferred financing costs, original issuance discounts and call premiums and also recorded such amount in other expense, net. Further, in conjunction with the refinancing of the term loans, the Company incurred banker and legal fees, $9.8 million of which was recorded in other expense, net.

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Income tax expense (benefit)

The income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was determined based upon the Company’s estimated consolidated effective income tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2016.

The difference between the estimated consolidated effective income tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2016, as determined as of September 30, 2016, and the U.S. federal statutory rate is primarily attributable to state income taxes, unrecognized foreign tax credits and benefits on certain foreign losses, partially offset by a foreign rate differential and available domestic manufacturing deductions.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared To Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

The following table sets forth the Company’s operating results and operating results as a percentage of total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

Revenues

Total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $1,534.1 million and were $21.1 million, or 1.4%, higher than the corresponding period of 2015. The following table sets forth the Company’s total revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

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Retail

Retail net sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were $1,043.2 million and increased $40.0 million, or 4.0%, compared to the corresponding period of 2015. Retail net sales at our Party City stores totaled $934.3 million and were $37.3 million, or 4.2% higher than the corresponding period of 2015, as increased store count and positive same-store sales were partially offset by the impact of foreign currency translation. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2016, we acquired 23 franchise stores, opened 24 new stores and closed 14 stores. A strengthening of the U.S. Dollar, in comparison to the Canadian Dollar, negatively impacted our Canadian retail sales during the first nine months of 2016 by $2.5 million. Global retail e-commerce sales totaled $102.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and were $6.1 million, or 6.3% higher than the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The North American retail e-commerce sales included in our same store sales for the Party City brand comp increased by 11.8% during the period (see below for further detail). This positive factor was partially offset by a $1.8 million decrease in e-commerce sales due to the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar in comparison to the British Pound Sterling. Sales at our temporary Halloween City stores were $6.2 million during 2016 or $3.4 million lower than the corresponding period of 2015. The decrease was principally due to the Company making a strategic decision to open fewer Halloween City stores during the 2016 Halloween selling season in response to the impact of Halloween falling on a Monday this year, as opposed to on a Saturday last year.

Same-store sales for the Party City brand (including North American retail e-commerce sales) increased by 1.3% during the first nine months of 2016; as a 2.3% increase in average transaction dollar size was partially offset by a 1.0% decrease in transaction count. Excluding the impact of e-commerce, same-store sales increased by 0.3% as a 1.8% increase in average transaction dollar size was partially offset by a 1.5% decrease in transaction count. The increase in average transaction dollar size was principally due to opportunistic price increases and improved mix. The North American retail e-commerce sales included in our same store sales for the Party City brand comp increased by 11.8% as a 12.5% increase in transaction count was partially offset by a 0.7% decrease in average transaction dollar size. The increase in e-commerce transaction count reflects improved customer conversion (the percentage of website visitors who purchase product from the site), principally due to enhanced digital marketing, expanded product assortment and increased promotional activity. The decrease in average transaction dollar size principally relates to the increased promotional activity, mostly related to free shipping of product. Same-store sales percentages were not affected by foreign currency as such percentages are calculated in local currency.

Wholesale

Wholesale net sales during the first nine months of 2016 totaled $479.9 million and were $17.7 million, or 3.6% lower than during the first nine months of 2015. Net sales to domestic party goods retailers and distributors (including our franchisee network) totaled $247.3 million and were $23.3 million, or 8.6% lower than the corresponding period of 2015. The decrease was principally due to our acquisition of 23 franchise stores during December 2015 and January 2016; as post-acquisition sales to such stores (approximately $14 million during the first nine months of 2015) are now eliminated as intercompany sales. The decrease was also partially due to lower gift product sales (approximately $7 million impact) due to the de-emphasis and reorganization of our Grasslands Road gift division. These factors were partially offset by the August 2015 acquisition of Accurate Custom Injection Molding Inc. positively impacting sales during the first nine months of 2016 by approximately $3 million. Net sales of metallic balloons to domestic distributors and retailers and our franchisee network totaled $58.8 million during the first nine months of 2016 and were $1.3 million, or 2.2% lower than the corresponding period of 2015 as certain Valentine’s Day sales shifted into December 2015 (the corresponding sales for the previous Valentine’s Day occurred in January 2015). Our international sales (which include U.S. export sales and exclude U.S. import sales from foreign subsidiaries) totaled $173.8 million and were $6.9 million, or 4.1% higher than the corresponding period of 2015, despite an $11.3 million negative impact from foreign currency translation during 2016. International sales increased versus the corresponding period of 2015 primarily due to higher costumes sales (impact of approximately $4 million, principally into the U.K. market), increased sales of garments and accessories (impact of approximately $3 million, also principally into the U.K. market), the success of a new store-in-store program with a mass merchandiser in Australia (impact of approximately $2 million), increased sales in Europe due to the 2016 European football championships (impact of approximately $2 million) and higher sales of latex balloons (impact of approximately $1 million).

Intercompany sales to our retail affiliates totaled $465.2 million during the first nine months of 2016 and were $39.1 million, or 9.2%, higher than the corresponding period of 2015. Intercompany sales represented 49.2% of total wholesale sales during the first nine months of 2016, compared to 46.1% during the corresponding period of 2015. The increase in intercompany sales was principally due to the impact of the higher company store count (as discussed above under “-Retail”), the increasing share of shelf (as noted below under “-Gross Profit”), and higher shipments of summer/luau product. The intercompany sales of our wholesale segment are eliminated against the intercompany purchases of our retail segment in the consolidated financial statements.

Royalties and franchise fees

Royalties and franchise fees for the first nine months of 2016 were $11.0 million and were $1.2 million lower than the first nine months of 2015 principally due to acquiring franchise stores during December 2015 and January 2016.

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Gross Profit

The following table sets forth the Company’s gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015.

The gross profit margin on net sales at retail during the first nine months of 2016 was 40.2%, or 90 basis points, higher than the corresponding period of 2015. The increase in margin was principally driven by an increase in our wholesale share of shelf at our Party City stores and our North American retail e-commerce operations (i.e., the percentage of our retail product cost of sales supplied by our wholesale operations) from 73.6% during the first nine months of 2015 to 75.9% during the first nine months of 2016.

The gross profit on net sales at wholesale during the first nine months of 2016 and 2015 was 31.6% and 29.6%, respectively. The increase in margin was primarily driven by reduced product costs and the favorable impact on gross margin rate associated with lower sales of licensed products. These positive factors were partially offset by the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar and its unfavorable impact on certain of our international subsidiaries that purchase product denominated in U.S. Dollars and sell in local currency.

Operating expenses

Wholesale selling expenses totaled $45.9 million in the first nine months of 2016 and were $3.0 million, or 6.1%, lower than in the corresponding period of 2015. The decrease was principally due to cost savings associated with the reorganization of our gift sales group (discussed above) and, to a lesser extent, the $1.0 million impact of foreign currency translation at international subsidiaries. Wholesale selling expenses were 9.6% and 9.8% of net wholesale sales during the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Retail operating expenses during the first nine months of 2016 were $278.1 million and were $10.1 million, or 3.8%, higher than the corresponding period of 2015. The increase was principally due to higher store payroll costs (driven by the higher store count) and higher advertising costs in support of our new campaign which was launched in the second quarter of 2016. Foreign currency translation at international subsidiaries reduced retail operating expenses by $0.8 million in comparison to 2015. Retail operating expenses were 26.7% of net retail sales during both the first nine months of 2016 and the first nine months of 2015.

Franchise expenses during the first nine months of 2016 and 2015 were $10.5 million and $10.6 million, respectively.

General and administrative expenses during the first nine months of 2016 totaled $115.8 million and were $5.8 million, or 5.3%, higher than in 2015. The increase was principally due to inflationary cost increases, higher professional fees (partially related to costs incurred in connection with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance procedures) and higher stock-based compensation expense. Foreign currency translation at international subsidiaries reduced general and administrative expenses by $1.2 million in comparison to 2015.

Art and development costs were $16.6 million and $15.4 million during the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase was principally due to increased head count and other costs incurred in order to support the expansion of Halloween and other retail programs.

Interest expense, net

Interest expense, net, totaled $67.9 million during the first nine months of 2016, compared to $101.4 million during the corresponding period of 2015. The decrease principally reflects the reduction in interest rates following the Company’s third quarter 2015 debt refinancing and the repayment of the $350.0 million PIK notes (the “Nextco Notes”), which were fully redeemed during the second quarter 2015 with proceeds from the Company’s initial public offering.

Other (income) expense, net

Other (income) expense, net generally includes foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, corporate development expenses and (gains) losses from unconsolidated joint ventures.

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, other income, net, totaled $4.1 million. Such amount included $6.9 million of foreign currency transaction gains, primarily the impact of the change in the U.S. Dollar from December 31, 2015 to September 30, 2016 and the corresponding re-measurement of the U.S. dollar-denominated receivables and payables of our foreign operations.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, other expense, net, totaled $126.5 million, $79.1 million of which related to the third quarter refinancing of the Company’s debt and $46.3 million of which related to the Company’s initial public offering.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the Company redeemed its Old Senior Notes and refinanced its Old Term Loan Credit Agreement and Old ABL Facility with new indebtedness consisting of: (i) a $1,340 million senior secured term loan facility, (ii) a $540 million asset-based revolving credit facility (with a seasonal increase to $640 million during a certain period of each calendar year) and (iii) $350 million of 6.125% senior notes. The redemption price for the Old Senior Notes was 6.656 % of the principal amount, $46.6 million. The Company recorded such amount in other expense, net. Additionally, in conjunction with the refinancing, the Company wrote-off $22.7 million of previously capitalized deferred financing costs, original issuance discounts and call premiums and also recorded such amount in other expense, net. Further, in conjunction with the refinancing of the term loans, the Company incurred banker and legal fees, $9.8 million of which was recorded in other expense, net.

During April 2015, in conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering, the Company paid a 2% prepayment penalty, or $7.0 million, in order to redeem its Nextco Notes, and paid a management agreement termination fee of $30.7 million to affiliates of THL and Advent. Additionally, in conjunction with the redemption of the Nextco Notes, the Company wrote off $8.6 million of capitalized debt issuance costs and original issuance discounts.

Income tax expense (benefit)

The income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was determined based upon the Company’s estimated consolidated effective income tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2016.

The difference between the estimated consolidated effective income tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2016, as determined as of September 30, 2016, and the U.S. federal statutory rate is primarily attributable to state income taxes, unrecognized foreign tax credits and benefits on certain foreign losses, partially offset by a foreign rate differential and available domestic manufacturing deductions.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per Common Share – Diluted