SCHOLASTIC CORP - Annual Report: 2017 (Form 10-K)
United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 | Commission File No. 000-19860
Scholastic Corporation
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 13-3385513 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) | |
557 Broadway, New York, New York | 10012 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 343-6100
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of class | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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 x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
x Large accelerated filer | o Accelerated filer | o Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | o Smaller reporting company | o Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock, par value $0.01, held by non-affiliates as of November 30, 2016, was approximately $1,312,526,586. As of such date, non-affiliates held no shares of the Class A Stock, $0.01 par value. There is no active market for the Class A Stock.
The number of shares outstanding of each class of the Registrant’s voting stock as of June 30, 2017 was as follows: 33,460,158 shares of Common Stock and 1,656,200 shares of Class A Stock.
Documents Incorporated By Reference
Part III incorporates certain information by reference from the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held September 20, 2017.
Table of Contents |
PAGE | ||||
Part I
Item 1 | Business
Overview
Scholastic Corporation (the “Corporation” and together with its subsidiaries, “Scholastic” or the “Company”) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for grades pre-kindergarten ("pre-K") to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials
and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized and comprehensive solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. Since its founding in 1920, Scholastic has emphasized quality products and a dedication to reading and learning. The Company is the leading operator of school-based book clubs and book fairs in the United States. It distributes its products and services through these proprietary channels, as well as directly to schools and libraries, through retail stores and through the internet. The Company’s website, scholastic.com, is a leading site for teachers, classrooms and parents and an award-winning destination for children. Scholastic has operations in the United States and throughout the world including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Asia and, through its export business, sells products in approximately 145 countries.
The Company currently employs approximately 6,500 people in the United States and approximately 2,500 people outside the United States.
Segments – Continuing Operations
The Company categorizes its businesses into three reportable segments: Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution; Education; and International.
The following table sets forth revenues by reportable segment for the three fiscal years ended May 31:
(Amounts in millions) | |||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution | $ | 1,052.1 | $ | 1,000.9 | $ | 957.8 | |||||
Education | 312.7 | 299.7 | 276.8 | ||||||||
International | 376.8 | 372.2 | 401.2 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 1,741.6 | $ | 1,672.8 | $ | 1,635.8 | |||||
Additional financial information relating to the Company’s reportable segments is included in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” which is included herein.
CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTION
(60.4% of fiscal 2017 revenues)
General
The Company’s Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment includes the publication and distribution of children’s books, ebooks, media and interactive products in the United States through its school book clubs and school book fairs channels and through the trade channel.
The Company is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books and is the leading operator of school-based book clubs and school-based book fairs in the United States. The Company is also a leading publisher of children’s print books, ebooks and audiobooks distributed through the trade channel. Scholastic offers a broad range of children’s books through its school and trade channels, many of which have received awards for excellence in children’s literature, including the Caldecott and Newbery Medals.
The Company obtains titles for sale through its distribution channels from three principal sources. The first source for titles is the Company’s publication of books created under exclusive agreements with authors, illustrators, book packagers or other media companies. Scholastic generally controls the exclusive rights to sell these titles through all
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channels of distribution in the United States and, to a lesser extent, internationally. Scholastic’s second source of titles is obtaining licenses to publish books exclusively in specified channels of distribution, including reprints of books originally published by other publishers for which the Company acquires rights to sell in the school market. The third source of titles is the Company’s purchase of finished books from other publishers.
School-Based Book Clubs
Scholastic founded its first school-based book club in 1948. The Company's school-based book clubs consist of reading clubs for pre-K through grade 8. In addition to its regular reading club offerings, the Company creates special theme-based and seasonal offers targeted to different grade levels during the year.
The Company mails promotional materials containing order forms to classrooms in the vast majority of the pre-K to grade 8 schools in the United States. Classroom teachers who wish to participate in a school-based book club provide the promotional materials to their students, who may choose from curated selections at substantial reductions from list prices. The teacher aggregates the students’ orders and forwards them to the Company. Approximately 64% of kindergarten ("K") to grade 5 elementary school teachers in the United States who received promotional materials in fiscal 2017 participated in the Company’s school-based book clubs. In fiscal 2017, approximately 96% of total book club revenues were placed via the internet through the Company’s online ordering platform, which allows parents, as well as teachers, to order online. Products are shipped to the classroom for distribution to the students. Teachers who participate in the book clubs receive bonus points and other promotional incentives, which may be redeemed from the Company for additional books and other resource materials and items for their classrooms or the school.
School-Based Book Fairs
The Company began offering school-based book fairs in 1981 under the name Scholastic Book Fairs. The Company is the leading distributor of school-based book fairs in the United States serving schools in all 50 states. Book fairs give children access to hundreds of popular, quality books and educational materials, increase student reading and help book fair organizers raise funds for the purchase of school library and classroom books, supplies and equipment. Book fairs are generally weeklong events where children and families peruse and purchase their favorite books together. The Company delivers its book fairs from its warehouses to schools principally by a fleet of Company-owned and leased vehicles. Sales and customer service representatives, working from the Company’s regional offices and distribution facilities and national distribution facility in Missouri, along with local area field representatives, provide support to book fair organizers. Book fairs are conducted by school personnel, volunteers and parent-teacher organizations, from which the schools may receive either books, supplies and equipment or a portion of the proceeds from every book fair they host. The Company is currently focused on maximizing participation at its book fairs through increasing attendance at each book fair event. Approximately 91% of the schools that conducted a Scholastic Book Fair in fiscal 2016 hosted a fair in fiscal 2017.
Trade
Scholastic is a leading publisher of children’s books sold through bookstores, internet retailers and mass merchandisers in the United States. Scholastic’s original publications include Harry Potter™, The Hunger Games, The 39 Clues®, Spirit Animals®, The Magic School Bus®, I Spy™, Captain Underpants®, Goosebumps® and Clifford The Big Red Dog®, and licensed properties such as Star Wars®, Lego®, Pokemon® and Geronimo Stilton®. In addition, the Company’s Klutz® imprint is a publisher and creator of “books plus” products for children, including titles such as Make Clay Charms, Sew Mini Treats, Make Your Own Mini Erasers, and Lego Chain Reactions.
The Company’s trade organization focuses on publishing, marketing and selling books to bookstores, internet retailers, mass merchandisers, specialty sales outlets and other book retailers, and also supplies books for the Company’s proprietary school channels. The Company maintains a talented and experienced creative staff that constantly seeks to attract, develop and retain the best children’s authors and illustrators. The Company believes that its trade publishing staff, combined with the Company’s reputation and proprietary school distribution channels, provides a significant competitive advantage, evidenced by numerous bestsellers over the past two decades. Bestsellers in the trade division during fiscal 2017 included Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two, the original screenplay of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them™ film, Ghosts, Dogman and Dogman Unleashed, Five Nights at Freddy's: The Silver Eyes, and the Pokemon: Deluxe Essential Handbook, as well as multiple series, including Harry Potter, Captain Underpants, Wings of Fire, The Baby-Sitters Club® Graphix, and Star Wars: Jedi Academy.
Also included in the Company's trade organization are Weston Woods Studios, Inc. ("Weston Woods") and Scholastic Audio, as well as Scholastic Entertainment Inc. ("SEI"). Weston Woods creates audiovisual adaptations of classic children’s picture books distributed through the school and retail markets. Scholastic Audio provides audiobook
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productions of popular children's titles. SEI is responsible for exploiting the Company's film and television assets, which include a large television programming library based on the Company's properties.
EDUCATION
(18.0% of fiscal 2017 revenues)
Education includes the publication and distribution to schools and libraries of children’s books, other print and on-line reference, non-fiction and fiction focused products, classroom magazines and classroom materials for core and supplemental literacy instruction, as well as consulting services and related products supporting professional development for teachers and school and district administrators, including professional books, coaching, workshops and seminars which in combination cover grades pre-K to 12 in the United States.
The Company is a leading provider of classroom libraries and paperback collections, including best-selling titles and leveled books for guided reading, to individual teachers and other educators and schools and school district customers. Additionally, the Company provides books and consulting services to community-based organizations and other groups engaged in literacy initiatives through Scholastic Family and Community Engagement (FACE). Scholastic helps schools build classroom collections of high quality, award-winning books for every grade, reading level and multicultural background, including it's Leveled Bookroom and the Phyllis C. Hunter classroom library series. Scholastic serves customer needs with customized support for literacy instruction, providing comprehensive literacy programs which include print and digital content, as well as assessment tools. The Company publishes and sells professional books authored by notable experts in education, such as Disrupting Thinking by Kylene Beers and Bob Probst, and supplemental materials like Next Step Forward in Guided Reading, authored by Jan Richardson. These materials are designed for and generally purchased by teachers, both directly from the Company and through teacher stores and booksellers, including the Company's on-line teacher store (www.scholastic.com/teacherstore), which provides professional books and other educational materials to teachers and other educators.
Scholastic is the leading publisher of classroom magazines. Teachers in grades pre-K to 12 use the Company’s 30 classroom magazines, including Scholastic News®, Scope®, Storyworks®, Let's Find Out® and Junior Scholastic®, to supplement formal learning programs by bringing subjects of current interest into the classroom, including current events, literature, math, science, social studies and foreign languages. These offerings provide schools with substantial non-fiction material, which is required to meet new higher educational standards. Each magazine has its own website with online digital resources that supplement the print materials. Scholastic’s classroom magazine circulation in the United States in fiscal 2017 was approximately 15.5 million, with approximately 77% of the circulation in grades pre-K to 6. The majority of magazines purchased are paid for with school or district funds, with parents and teachers paying for the balance. Circulation revenue accounted for substantially all classroom magazine revenue in fiscal 2017.
Scholastic is also a leading publisher of quality children’s reference and non-fiction products and subscriptions to databases sold primarily to schools and libraries in the United States. These products include non-fiction books published in the United States under the imprints Children’s Press® and Franklin Watts®. Also included in the segment is the Company's consumer magazine business, including Teacher magazine.
The products and services described above are offered by Scholastic to educators in pre-K to 12 schools as a comprehensive program for student achievement and literacy development. These solutions encompass core literacy curriculum publishing, including the Company’s guided reading programs, print programs involving customized classroom and library book collections, related supplemental materials made available through the Company’s classroom magazines, including additional non-fiction material available to students through the digital components accompanying the print classroom magazines, and the Company’s custom curriculum and teaching guides and other professional development materials and services to aid teachers in the implementation of the Company’s comprehensive solutions.
INTERNATIONAL
(21.6% of fiscal 2017 revenues)
General
The International segment includes the publication and distribution of products and services outside the United States by the Company’s international operations, and its export and foreign rights businesses.
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Scholastic has operations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Singapore and other parts of Asia including Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea and Japan. The Company has branches in the United Arab Emirates and Colombia and, through its export business, sells products in approximately 145 countries. The Company’s international operations have original trade and educational publishing programs; distribute children’s books, digital educational resources and other materials through school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs and trade channels; produce and distribute magazines; and offer on-line services. Many of the Company’s international operations also have their own export and foreign rights licensing programs and are book publishing licensees for major media properties. Original books published by many of these operations have received awards for excellence in children’s literature. In Asia, the Company also publishes and distributes products under the Grolier name for parents to teach their children at home and engages in direct sales in shopping malls and door to door, as well as operating tutorial centers that provide English language training to students.
Canada
Scholastic Canada, founded in 1957, is a leading publisher and distributor of English and French language children’s books. Scholastic Canada is the largest school-based book club and school-based book fair operator in Canada and is one of the leading suppliers of original or licensed children’s books to the Canadian trade market. Since 1965, Scholastic Canada has also produced quality Canadian-authored books and educational materials, including an early reading program sold to schools for grades K to 6.
United Kingdom
Scholastic UK, founded in 1964, is the largest school-based book club and book fair operator in the United Kingdom and is a publisher and one of the leading suppliers of original or licensed children’s books to the United Kingdom trade market. Scholastic UK also publishes supplemental educational materials, including professional books for teachers. Scholastic also holds equity method investments in two publishers, one of which is also a distributor, in the United Kingdom.
Australia
Scholastic Australia, founded in 1968, is the largest school-based book club and book fair operator in Australia, reaching approximately 90% of the country’s primary schools. Scholastic Australia also publishes quality children’s books supplying the Australian trade market.
New Zealand
Scholastic New Zealand, founded in 1962, is the largest children’s book publisher and the leading book distributor to schools in New Zealand. Through its school-based book clubs and book fairs, Scholastic New Zealand reaches approximately 90% of the country’s primary schools. In addition, Scholastic New Zealand publishes quality children’s books supplying the New Zealand trade market.
Asia
The Company’s Asian operations include initiatives for educational publishing programs based out of Singapore, as well as the wholly-owned Grolier direct sales business, which sells English language and early childhood learning materials through a network of independent sales representatives in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand and engages in direct sales in shopping malls and door to door. In addition, the Company operates school-based book clubs and book fairs throughout Asia; publishes original titles in English and Hindi languages in India, including specialized curriculum books for local schools; conducts reading improvement programs inside local schools in the Philippines; and operates a chain of English language tutorial centers in China in cooperation with local partners.
Foreign Rights and Export
The Company licenses the rights to selected Scholastic titles in 47 languages to other publishing companies around the world. The Company’s export business sells educational materials, digital educational resources and children’s books to schools, libraries, bookstores and other book distributors in approximately 145 countries that are not otherwise directly serviced by Scholastic subsidiaries. The Company also partners with governments and non-governmental agencies to create and distribute books to public schools in developing countries.
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Discontinued Operations
During the twelve month period ended May 31, 2017, the Company did not dispose of any components of the business that would meet the criteria for discontinued operations reporting.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company sold its educational technology and services business (formerly the Company's Educational Technology and Services segment) to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The transaction was completed on May 29, 2015. The educational technology and services business was engaged, among other things, in the development and sale of reading and math improvement programs, as well as providing consulting and professional development services, principally to schools in the United States. The sale included the equity in two former subsidiaries, International Center for Leadership in Education and Tom Snyder Productions, as well as rights to sell all of the products of the educational technology and services business internationally.
Additionally, during fiscal 2015, the Company completed a restructuring of the Media, Licensing and Advertising segment and discontinued its Soup2Nuts animation and audio production studio operations, Scholastic Interactive, which designed software, apps and games for pre-K to grade 8, and the print edition of Parent and Child, a periodic consumer magazine.
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION
The Company’s books, magazines and other materials are manufactured by the Company with the assistance of third parties under contracts entered into through arms-length negotiations or competitive bidding. As appropriate, the Company enters into multi-year agreements that guarantee specified volume in exchange for favorable pricing terms. Paper is purchased directly from paper mills and other third-party sources. The Company does not anticipate any difficulty in continuing to satisfy its manufacturing and paper requirements.
In the United States, the Company mainly processes and fulfills orders for school-based book clubs, trade, reference and non-fiction products, educational products and export orders from its primary warehouse and distribution facility in Jefferson City, Missouri. In connection with its trade business, the Company sometimes will ship product directly from printers to customers. Magazine orders are processed at the Jefferson City facility and are shipped directly from printers.
School-based book fair orders are fulfilled through a network of warehouses across the country, as well as from the Company's Jefferson City warehouse and distribution facility. The Company’s international school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, trade and educational operations use distribution systems similar to those employed in the United States.
CONTENT ACQUISITION
Access to intellectual property or content (“Content”) for the Company’s product offerings is critical to the success of the Company’s operations. The Company incurs significant costs for the acquisition and development of Content for its product offerings. These costs are often deferred and recognized as the Company generates revenues derived from the benefits of these costs. These costs include the following:
• | Prepublication costs. Prepublication costs are incurred in all of the Company’s reportable segments. Prepublication costs include costs incurred to create and develop the art, prepress, editorial, digital conversion and other content required for the creation of the master copy of a book or other media. |
• | Royalty advances. Royalty advances are incurred in all of the Company’s reportable segments, but are most prevalent in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment and enable the Company to obtain contractual commitments from authors to produce Content. The Company regularly provides authors with advances against expected future royalty payments, often before the books are written. Upon publication and sale of the books or other media, the authors generally will not receive further royalty payments until the contractual royalties earned from sales of such books or other media exceed such advances. The Company values its position in the market as the largest publisher and distributor of children's books in obtaining Content, and the Company’s experienced editorial staff aggressively acquires Content from both new and established authors. |
• | Acquired intangible assets. The Company may acquire fully or partially developed Content from third parties via acquisitions of entities or outright purchase of the rights to Content. |
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SEASONALITY
The Company’s Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution school-based book fair and book club channels and most of its Education businesses operate on a school-year basis; therefore, the Company’s business is highly seasonal. As a result, the Company’s revenues in the first and third quarters of the fiscal year generally are lower than its revenues in the other two fiscal quarters. Typically, school-based channels and magazine revenues are minimal in the first quarter of the fiscal year as schools are not in session. Trade sales can vary through the year due to varying release dates of published titles. The Company generally experiences a loss from operations in the first and third quarters of each fiscal year.
COMPETITION
The markets for children’s books, educational products and entertainment materials are highly competitive. Competition is based on the quality and range of materials made available, price, promotion and customer service, as well as the nature of the distribution channels. Competitors include numerous other book, ebook, textbook, library, reference material and supplementary publishers, distributors and other resellers (including over the internet) of children’s books and other educational materials, national publishers of classroom and professional magazines with substantial circulation, and distributors of products and services on the internet. In the United States, competitors also include regional and local school-based book fair operators, other fundraising activities in schools, and bookstores. Competition may increase to the extent that other entities enter the market and to the extent that current competitors or new competitors develop and introduce new materials that compete directly with the products distributed by the Company or develop or expand competitive sales channels. The Company believes that its position as both a publisher and distributor are unique to certain of the markets in which it competes, principally in the context of its children’s book business.
COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARKS
As an international publisher and distributor of books, Scholastic aggressively utilizes the intellectual property protections of the United States and other countries in order to maintain its exclusive rights to identify and distribute many of its products. Accordingly, SCHOLASTIC is a trademark registered in the United States and in a number of countries where the Company conducts business or otherwise distributes its products. The Corporation’s principal operating subsidiary in the United States, Scholastic Inc., and the Corporation’s international subsidiaries, through Scholastic Inc., have registered and/or have pending applications to register in relevant territories trademarks for important services and programs. All of the Company’s publications, including books and magazines, are subject to copyright protection both in the United States and internationally. The Company also obtains domain name protection for its internet domains. The Company seeks to obtain the broadest possible intellectual property rights for its products, and because inadequate legal and technological protections for intellectual property and proprietary rights could adversely affect operating results, the Company vigorously defends those rights against infringement.
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Executive Officers
The following individuals have been determined by the Board of Directors to be the executive officers of the Company. Each such individual serves in his or her position with Scholastic until such person’s successor has been elected or appointed and qualified or until such person’s earlier resignation or removal.
Name | Age | Employed by Registrant Since | Previous Position(s) Held | |
Richard Robinson | 80 | 1962 | Chairman of the Board (since 1982), President (since 1974) and Chief Executive Officer (since 1975). | |
Maureen O’Connell | 55 | 2007 | Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer (since 2007). | |
Iole Lucchese | 50 | 1991 | Executive Vice President (since 2016), Chief Strategy Officer (since 2014); President, Scholastic Canada (2015-2016); and Co-President, Scholastic Canada (2003-2015). | |
Judith A. Newman | 59 | 1993 | Executive Vice President and President, Book Clubs (since 2014), Book Clubs and eCommerce (2011-2014), Book Clubs (2005-2011) and Scholastic At Home (2005-2006); Senior Vice President and President, Book Clubs and Scholastic At Home (2004-2005); and Senior Vice President, Book Clubs (1997-2004). | |
Alan Boyko | 63 | 1988 | President, Scholastic Book Fairs, Inc. (since 2005). | |
Andrew S. Hedden | 76 | 2008 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (since 2008) and member of the Board of Directors (since 1991). | |
Available Information
The Corporation’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are accessible at the Investor Relations portion of its website (scholastic.com) and are available, without charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company also posts the dates of its upcoming scheduled financial press releases, telephonic investor calls and investor presentations on the “Events and Presentations” portion of its website at least five days prior to the event. The Company’s investor calls are open to the public and remain available through the Company’s website for at least 45 days thereafter.
The public may also read and copy materials that the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information, as well as copies of the Company’s filings, from the Office of Investor Education and Advocacy by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site, at www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
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Item 1A | Risk Factors
Set forth below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other documents that the Corporation files with the SEC are risks that should be considered in evaluating the Corporation’s common stock, as well as risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual future results of the Company to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in this Report and in other public statements the Company makes. Additionally, because of the following risks and uncertainties, as well as other variables affecting the Company’s operating results, the Company’s past financial performance should not be considered an indicator of future performance.
If we cannot anticipate trends and develop new products or adapt to new technologies responding to changing customer preferences, this could adversely affect our revenues or profitability.
The Company operates in highly competitive markets that are subject to rapid change, including, in particular, changes in customer preferences and changes and advances in relevant technologies. There are substantial uncertainties associated with the Company’s efforts to develop successful trade publishing, educational, and media products and services, including digital products and services, for its customers, as well as to adapt its print and other materials to new digital technologies, including the internet cloud technologies, ebook readers, tablets and other devices and school-based technologies. The Company makes significant investments in new products and services that may not be profitable, or whose profitability may be significantly lower than the Company anticipates or has experienced historically. In particular, in the context of the Company’s current focus on key digital opportunities, including ebooks for children and schools, the markets are continuing to develop and the Company may be unsuccessful in establishing itself as a significant factor in any market which does develop. Many aspects of an ebook market which could develop for children and schools, such as the nature of the relevant software and hardware, the size of the market, relevant methods of delivery and relevant content, as well as pricing models, are still evolving and will, most likely, be subject to change on a recurrent basis until a pattern develops and becomes more defined. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in implementing its ebook strategy, including the continuing development of its ereading applications for consumer and classroom markets, which could adversely affect the Company’s revenues and growth opportunities. In this connection, the Company previously determined to cease its support for its ereading applications offered to consumers through its school and ecommerce channels in favor of concentrating its efforts towards the introduction of a universal cross-platform streaming application, to be made available initially to the classroom market. There can be no assurance that the Company will ultimately be successful in its redirected strategy of introducing a streaming model directed to the classroom market or the subsequent development of a broader streaming model. In addition, the Company faces market risks associated with systems development and service delivery in its evolving school ordering and ecommerce businesses.
Our financial results would suffer if we fail to successfully differentiate our offerings and meet market needs in school-based book clubs and book fairs, two of our core businesses.
The Company’s school-based book clubs and book fairs are core businesses, which produce a substantial part of the Company’s revenues. The Company is subject to the risks that it will not successfully continue to develop and execute new promotional strategies for its school-based book clubs or book fairs in response to future customer trends, including any trends relating to a demand for ebooks on the part of customers, or technological changes or that it will not otherwise meet market needs in these businesses in a timely or cost-effective fashion and successfully engage a newer millennial teacher population in order to increase current teacher sponsorship in its book club business, as well as maintain school sponsorship at the planned level in its book fair business and ordering levels in each of these businesses, which would have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial results. The Company differentiates itself from competitors by providing curated offerings in its school-based book clubs and book fairs designed to make reading attractive for children, in furtherance of its mission as a champion of literacy. Competition from mass market and on-line distributors using customer-specific curation tools could reduce this differentiation, posing a risk to the Company's results.
If we fail to maintain the continuance of strong relationships with our authors, illustrators and other creative talent, as well as to develop relationships with new creative talent, our business could be adversely affected.
The Company’s business, in particular the trade publishing and media portions of the business, is highly dependent on maintaining strong relationships with the authors, illustrators and other creative talent who produce the products and services that are sold to its customers. Any overall weakening of these relationships, or the failure to develop successful new relationships, could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business and financial performance.
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We own certain significant real estate assets which are subject to various risks related to conditions affecting the real estate market.
The Company has direct ownership of certain significant real estate assets, in particular, the Company’s headquarters location in New York City and its primary distribution center in Jefferson City, Missouri. The New York headquarters location serves a dual purpose as it also contains premium retail space that is, from time to time, leased to retail tenants in order to generate rental income and cash flow, and the Company is currently engaged in a renovation of its New York headquarters which will include making additional space available for retail use. Accordingly, the Company is sensitive to various risk factors such as changes to real estate values and property taxes, pricing and demand for high end retail spaces in Soho, New York City, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand, and the credit worthiness of any retail tenants. There is also no guarantee that investment objectives for the retail component of the Company’s real estate will be achieved.
If we fail to adapt to new purchasing patterns or trends, our business and financial results could be adversely affected.
The Company’s business is affected significantly by changes in customer purchasing patterns or trends in, as well as the underlying strength of, the trade, educational and media markets for children. In particular, the Company’s educational publishing business may be adversely affected by budgetary restraints and other changes in educational funding as a result of new policies which could result from the recent change in administration and changes in the Department of Education at the federal level or otherwise resulting from new legislation or regulatory action, whether at the federal, state or local level, as well as changes in the procurement process, to which the Company may be unable to adapt successfully. In addition, there are many competing demands for educational funds, and there can be no guarantee that the Company will otherwise be successful in continuing to obtain sales of its educational materials and programs from any available funding.
The competitive pressures we face in our businesses could adversely affect our financial performance and growth prospects.
The Company is subject to significant competition, including from other trade and educational publishers and media, entertainment and internet companies, as well as retail and internet distributors, many of which are substantially larger than the Company and have much greater resources. To the extent the Company cannot meet these challenges from existing or new competitors, including in the educational publishing business, and develop new product offerings to meet customer preferences or needs, the Company’s revenues and profitability could be adversely affected.
Additionally, demand for many of the Company’s product offerings, particularly books sold through school channels, is subject to price sensitivity. Failure to maintain a competitive pricing model could reduce revenues and profitability.
Our reputation is one of our most important assets, and any adverse publicity or adverse events, such as a significant data privacy breach or violation of privacy laws or regulations, could cause significant reputational damage and financial loss.
The businesses of the Company focus on children’s reading, learning and education, and its key relationships are with educators, teachers, parents and children. In particular, the Company believes that, in selecting its products, teachers, educators and parents rely on the Company’s reputation for quality books and educational materials and programs appropriate for children. Negative publicity, either through traditional media or through social media, could tarnish this relationship.
Also, in certain of its businesses the Company holds or has access to personal data, including that of customers. Adverse publicity stemming from a data breach, whether or not valid, could reduce demand for the Company’s products or adversely affect its relationship with teachers or educators, impacting participation in book clubs or book fairs or decisions to purchase educational materials or programs produced by the Company's Education segment. Further, a failure to adequately protect personal data, including that of customers or children, or other data security failure, such as cyber attacks from third parties, could lead to penalties, significant remediation costs and reputational damage, including loss of future business.
The Company is subject to privacy laws and regulations in the conduct of its business in the United States and in other jurisdictions in which it conducts its international operations, many of which vary significantly, relating to use of information obtained from customers of, and participants in, the Company’s on-line offerings. In addition, the Company is also subject to the regulatory requirements of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA") in
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the United States relating to access to, and the use of information received from, children in respect to the Company’s on-line offerings. Since the businesses of the Company are primarily centered on children, failures of the Company to comply with the requirements of COPPA and similar laws in particular, as well as failures to comply generally with applicable privacy laws and regulations, could lead to significant reputational damage and other penalties and costs, including loss of future business.
We maintain an experienced and dedicated employee base that executes the Company’s strategies. Failure to attract, retain and develop this employee base could result in difficulty with executing our strategy.
The Company’s employees, notably its Chief Executive Officer, senior executives and other editorial staff members, have substantial experience in the publishing and education markets. Inability to adequately maintain a workforce of this nature could negatively impact the Company’s operations.
If we are unsuccessful in implementing our corporate strategy we may not be able to maintain our historical growth.
The Company’s future growth depends upon a number of factors, including the ability of the Company to successfully implement its strategies for its respective business units in a timely manner, the introduction and acceptance of new products and services, including the success of its digital strategy and its ability to implement and successfully market new programs in its educational publishing business, as well as through the Company's developing educational publishing operation in Singapore, its ability to expand in the global markets that it serves, its ability to meet demand for content meeting current standards in the United States and its continuing success in implementing on-going cost containment and reduction programs. Difficulties, delays or failures experienced in connection with any of these factors could materially affect the future growth of the Company.
Failure of one or more of our information technology platforms could affect our ability to execute our operating strategy.
The Company relies on a variety of information technology platforms to execute its operations, including human resources, payroll, finance, order-to-cash, procurement, vendor payment, inventory management, distribution and content management systems and its internal operating systems. Many of these systems are integrated via internally developed interfaces and modifications. Failure of one or more systems could lead to operating inefficiencies or disruptions and a resulting decline in revenue or profitability. As the Company continues to implement its new enterprise-wide customer and content management systems and the migration to software as a service ("SaaS") and cloud-based technology solutions, in its initiatives to integrate its separate legacy platforms into a cohesive enterprise-wide system, there can be no assurance that it will be successful in its efforts or that the staged implementation of these initiatives in the Company's global operations will not involve disruptions in its systems or processes having a short term adverse impact on its operations and ability to service its customers.
Increases in certain operating costs and expenses, which are beyond our control and can significantly affect our profitability, could adversely affect our operating performance.
The Company’s major expense categories include employee compensation and printing, paper and distribution (such as postage, shipping and fuel) costs. Compensation costs are influenced by general economic factors, including those affecting costs of health insurance, post-retirement benefits and any trends specific to the employee skill sets that the Company requires.
Paper prices fluctuate based on worldwide demand and supply for paper in general, as well as for the specific types of paper used by the Company. If there is a significant disruption in the supply of paper or a significant increase in paper costs, or in its shipping or fuel costs, beyond those currently anticipated, which would generally be beyond the control of the Company, or if the Company’s strategies to try to manage these costs, including additional cost savings initiatives, are ineffective, the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected.
Failure of third party providers to provide contracted outsourcing of business processes and information technology services could cause business interruptions and could increase the costs of these services to the Company.
The Company outsources business processes to reduce complexity and increase efficiency for activities such as distribution, manufacturing, product development, transactional processing, information technologies and various administrative functions. Increasingly, the Company is engaging third parties to provide SaaS, which can reduce the
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Company’s internal execution risk, but increases the Company’s dependency upon third parties to execute business critical information technology tasks. If SaaS providers are unable to provide these services, or if outsource providers fail to execute their contracted functionality, the Company could experience disruptions to its distribution and other business activities and may incur higher costs.
The inability to obtain and publish best-selling new titles such as Harry Potter could cause our future results to decline in comparison to historical results.
The Company invests in authors and illustrators for its Trade publication business, and has a history of publishing hit titles such as Harry Potter. The inability to publish best-selling new titles in future years could negatively impact the Company.
The loss of or failure to obtain rights to intellectual property material to our businesses would adversely affect our financial results.
The Company’s products generally comprise intellectual property delivered through a variety of media. The ability to achieve anticipated results depends in part on the Company’s ability to defend its intellectual property against infringement, as well as the breadth of rights obtained. The Company’s operating results could be adversely affected by inadequate legal and technological protections for its intellectual property and proprietary rights in some jurisdictions, markets and media, as well as by the costs of dealing with claims alleging infringement of the intellectual property rights of others, including claims involving business method patents in the ecommerce and internet area, and the Company’s revenues could be constrained by limitations on the rights that the Company is able to secure to exploit its intellectual property in different media and distribution channels, as well as geographic limitations on the exploitation of such rights.
Because we sell our products and services in foreign countries, changes in currency exchange rates, as well as other risks and uncertainties, could adversely affect our operations and financial results.
The Company has various operating subsidiaries domiciled in foreign countries. In addition, the Company sells products and services to customers located in foreign countries where it does not have operating subsidiaries, and a significant portion of the Company’s revenues are generated from outside of the United States. The Company’s business processes, including distribution, sales, sourcing of content, marketing and advertising, are, accordingly, subject to multiple national, regional and local laws, regulations and policies. The Company could be adversely affected by noncompliance with foreign laws, regulations and policies, including those pertaining to foreign rights and exportation. The Company is also exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and to business disruption caused by political, financial or economic instability or the occurrence of natural disasters in foreign countries. In addition, the Company and its foreign operations could be adversely impacted by a downturn in general economic conditions on a more global basis caused by general political instability or unrest or changes in economic affiliations. For example, the results of the Referendum on the United Kingdom’s (or the UK) Membership in the European Union (EU) (referred to as Brexit), advising for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, could affect our sales in the UK, as the uncertainty caused by the vote and the uncertain future course of negotiations between the EU and the UK could negatively impact the economies of the UK and other nations.
Failure to meet the demands of regulators, and the associated high cost of compliance with regulations, as well as failure to enforce compliance with our Code of Ethics and other policies, could negatively impact us.
The Company operates in multiple countries and is subject to different regulations throughout the world. In the United States, the Company is regulated by the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission and other regulating bodies. Failure to comply with these regulators, including providing these regulators with accurate financial and statistical information that often is subject to estimates and assumptions, or the high cost of complying with relevant regulations, could negatively impact the Company.
In addition, the decentralized and global nature of the Company’s operations makes it more difficult to communicate and monitor compliance with the Company’s Code of Ethics and other material Company policies and to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, some of which have global applicability, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the United States and the UK Bribery Act in the United Kingdom. Failures to comply with the Company’s Code of Ethics and violations of such laws or regulations, including through employee misconduct, could result in significant liabilities for the Company, including criminal liability, fines and civil litigation risk, and result in damage to the reputation of the Company.
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Certain of our activities are subject to weather risks, which could disrupt our operations or otherwise adversely affect our financial performance.
The Company conducts certain of its businesses and maintains warehouse and office facilities in locations that are at risk of being negatively affected by severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods or snowstorms. Notably, much of the Company’s domestic distribution facilities are located in central Missouri. A disruption of these or other facilities could impact the Company’s school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs and education businesses. Additionally, weather disruptions could result in school closures, resulting in reduced demand for the Company’s products in its school channels during the affected periods. Accordingly, the Company could be adversely affected by any future significant weather event.
Control of the Company resides in our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and other members of his family through their ownership of Class A Stock, and the holders of the Common Stock generally have no voting rights with respect to transactions requiring stockholder approval.
The voting power of the Corporation’s capital stock is vested exclusively in the holders of Class A Stock, except for the right of the holders of Common Stock to elect one-fifth of the Board of Directors and except as otherwise provided by law or as may be established in favor of any series of preferred stock that may be issued. Richard Robinson, the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of the Robinson family beneficially own all of the outstanding shares of Class A Stock and are able to elect up to four-fifths of the Corporation’s Board of Directors and, without the approval of the Corporation’s other stockholders, to effect or block other actions or transactions requiring stockholder approval, such as a merger, sale of substantially all assets or similar transaction.
Note
The risk factors listed above should not be construed as exhaustive or as any admission regarding the adequacy of disclosures made by the Company prior to and including the date hereof.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements. Additional written and oral forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time in SEC filings and otherwise. The Company cautions readers that results or expectations expressed by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those relating to the Company’s future business prospects, plans, ecommerce and digital initiatives, new product introductions, strategies, new education standards, goals, revenues, improved efficiencies, general costs, manufacturing costs, medical costs, potential cost savings, merit pay, operating margins, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, the cost and timing of capital projects, interest costs, cash flows and income, are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, due to factors including those noted in this Annual Report and other risks and factors identified from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Item 1B | Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2 | Properties
The Company maintains its principal offices in the metropolitan New York area, where it owns or leases approximately 0.6 million square feet of space. On February 28, 2014, the Company acquired its headquarters space (including land, building, fixtures and related personal property and leases) at 555 Broadway, New York, NY from its landlord under a purchase and sale agreement. As a result of such purchase, the Company now owns the entirety of its principal headquarters space located at 557 and 555 Broadway in New York City, and the Company has commenced the renovation of this headquarters space to create new premium retail space and a more modern and efficient office plan.
The Company also owns or leases approximately 1.5 million square feet of office and warehouse space for its primary warehouse and distribution facility located in the Jefferson City, Missouri area. In addition, the Company owns or leases approximately 2.8 million square feet of office and warehouse space in approximately 60 facilities in the United States, principally for Scholastic book fairs. The Company owns or leases approximately 1.4 million square feet of office and warehouse space in approximately 130 facilities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and elsewhere around the world for its international businesses.
The Company considers its properties adequate for its current needs. With respect to the Company’s leased properties, no difficulties are anticipated in negotiating renewals as leases expire or in finding other satisfactory space, if current premises become unavailable. For further information concerning the Company’s obligations under its leases, see Notes 1 and 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Item 3 | Legal Proceedings
Various claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business are pending against the Company. The Company accrues a liability for such matters when it is probable that a liability has occurred and the amount of such liability can be reasonably estimated. When only a range can be estimated, the most probable amount in the range is accrued unless no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, in which case the minimum amount in the range is accrued. Legal costs associated with litigation loss contingencies are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. The Company does not expect, in the case of those claims and lawsuits where a loss is considered probable or reasonably possible, after taking into account any amounts currently accrued, that the reasonably possible losses from such claims and lawsuits would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Item 4 | Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
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Part II
Item 5 | Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information: Scholastic Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol SCHL. Scholastic Corporation’s Class A Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Class A Stock”), is convertible, at any time, into Common Stock on a share-for-share basis. There is no public trading market for the Class A Stock. Set forth below are the quarterly high and low sales prices for the Common Stock as reported by NASDAQ for the periods indicated:
For fiscal years ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||
High | Low | High | Low | ||||||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 42.22 | $ | 37.44 | $ | 46.28 | $ | 40.01 | |||||||
Second Quarter | 46.51 | 35.20 | 44.24 | 37.58 | |||||||||||
Third Quarter | 49.38 | 42.89 | 43.74 | 30.34 | |||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 46.57 | 41.04 | 39.45 | 34.51 | |||||||||||
Holders: The number of holders of Class A Stock and Common Stock as of July 10, 2017 were 3 and approximately 10,000, respectively.
Dividends: During fiscal 2017, the Company declared four regular quarterly dividends in the amount of $0.15 per Class A and Common share, amounting to total dividends declared during fiscal 2017 of $0.60 per share. During fiscal 2016, the Company declared four regular quarterly dividends in the amount of $0.15 per Class A and Common share, amounting to total dividends declared during fiscal 2016 of $0.60 per share.
On July 19, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per Class A and Common share in respect of the first quarter of fiscal 2018. This dividend is payable on September 15, 2017 to shareholders of record on August 31, 2017. All dividends have been in compliance with the Company’s debt covenants.
Share purchases: During fiscal 2017, the Company repurchased 179,394 Common shares on the open market at an average price paid per share of $38.80 for a total cost of approximately $6.9 million, pursuant to a share buy-back program authorized by the Board of Directors. During fiscal 2016, pursuant to the same share buy-back program, the Company repurchased 413,960 Common shares on the open market at an average price paid per share of $34.75 for a total cost of approximately $14.4 million.
The following table provides information with respect to repurchases of shares of Common Stock by the Corporation during the three months ended May 31, 2017:
Period | Total number of shares purchased | Average price paid per share | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | Maximum number of shares (or approximate dollar value in millions) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (i) | ||||||||||
March 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 39.5 | ||||||||
April 1, 2017 through April 30, 2017 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 39.5 | ||||||||
May 1, 2017 through May 31, 2017 | 23,375 | $ | 41.57 | 23,375 | $ | 38.6 | ||||||||
Total | 23,375 | $ | 41.57 | 23,375 | $ | 38.6 | ||||||||
(i) Represents the remaining amount under the current $50.0 million Board authorization for Common share repurchases announced on July 22, 2015, which is available for further repurchases, from time to time as conditions allow, on the open market or through negotiated private transactions.
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Stock Price Performance Graph
The graph below matches the Corporation’s cumulative 5-year total shareholder return on Common Stock with the cumulative total returns of the NASDAQ Composite index and a customized peer group of three companies that includes Pearson PLC, John Wiley & Sons Inc. and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment in the Corporation’s Common Stock, in the index and in the peer group (with the reinvestment of all dividends) from June 1, 2012 to May 31, 2017. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt was added to the peer group on November 14, 2013, which was the first day its shares traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Scholastic Corporation, the NASDAQ Composite Index
and a Peer Group
*$100 invested on 5/31/12 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||
Scholastic Corporation | $ | 100.00 | $ | 114.05 | $ | 122.45 | $ | 173.67 | $ | 154.83 | $ | 171.05 | |||||||||||
NASDAQ Composite Index | 100.00 | 122.23 | 150.06 | 179.32 | 175.01 | 219.24 | |||||||||||||||||
Peer Group | 100.00 | 106.27 | 122.79 | 138.76 | 97.51 | 81.03 | |||||||||||||||||
The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
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Item 6 | Selected Financial Data
(Amounts in millions, except per share data) For fiscal years ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: | |||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ | 1,741.6 | $ | 1,672.8 | $ | 1,635.8 | $ | 1,561.5 | $ | 1,549.8 | |||||||||
Cost of goods sold (1) | 814.5 | 762.3 | 758.5 | 725.0 | 715.4 | ||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (2) | 777.8 | 777.7 | 771.1 | 727.3 | 734.8 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 38.7 | 38.9 | 47.9 | 60.3 | 65.4 | ||||||||||||||
Severance (3) | 14.9 | 11.9 | 9.6 | 10.5 | 13.1 | ||||||||||||||
Asset impairments (4) | 6.8 | 14.4 | 15.8 | 28.0 | — | ||||||||||||||
Operating income | 88.9 | 67.6 | 32.9 | 10.4 | 21.1 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 1.0 | 1.1 | 3.5 | 6.9 | 14.5 | ||||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on investments and other (5) | — | 2.2 | 0.5 | (5.8 | ) | 0.0 | |||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 87.9 | 68.7 | 29.9 | (2.3 | ) | 6.6 | |||||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (6) | 35.4 | 24.7 | 14.4 | (15.6 | ) | 1.7 | |||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | 52.5 | 44.0 | 15.5 | 13.3 | 4.9 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (0.2 | ) | (3.5 | ) | 279.1 | 31.1 | 26.2 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | 52.3 | 40.5 | 294.6 | 44.4 | 31.1 | ||||||||||||||
Share Information: | |||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations: | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.42 | $ | 0.15 | |||||||||
Diluted | $ | 1.48 | $ | 1.26 | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.41 | $ | 0.15 | |||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations: | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | 8.53 | $ | 0.97 | $ | 0.82 | |||||||
Diluted | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 8.34 | $ | 0.95 | $ | 0.80 | |||||||
Net income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.18 | $ | 9.00 | $ | 1.39 | $ | 0.97 | |||||||||
Diluted | $ | 1.47 | $ | 1.16 | $ | 8.80 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 0.95 | |||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | 34.7 | 34.1 | 32.7 | 32.0 | 31.8 | ||||||||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | 35.4 | 34.9 | 33.4 | 32.5 | 32.4 | ||||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.600 | $ | 0.600 | $ | 0.600 | $ | 0.575 | $ | 0.500 | |||||||||
Balance Sheet Data: | |||||||||||||||||||
Working Capital | $ | 583.4 | $ | 571.8 | $ | 562.9 | $ | 233.2 | $ | 299.2 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 444.1 | 399.7 | 506.8 | 20.9 | 87.4 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | 1,760.4 | 1,713.1 | 1,822.3 | 1,528.5 | 1,441.0 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term debt (excluding capital leases) | — | — | — | 120.0 | — | ||||||||||||||
Total debt | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 135.8 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||
Long-term capital lease obligations | 6.5 | 7.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 57.5 | ||||||||||||||
Total capital lease obligations | 7.6 | 8.6 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 57.7 | ||||||||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,307.9 | 1,257.6 | 1,204.9 | 915.4 | 864.4 | ||||||||||||||
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(1) | In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized pretax exit costs related to its software distribution business in Australia of $0.5. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $1.5 related to a warehouse optimization project in Canada and a $0.4 pretax charge related to unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business. In fiscal 2014, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $2.4 for royalties related to Storia® operating system-specific apps that are no longer supported due to the transition to a Storia streaming model and a $0.3 pretax charge related to unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business. In fiscal 2013, the Company recognized a pretax charge for costs related to unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business of $0.9. |
(2) | In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $1.5 related to a branch consolidation project in the Company's book fairs operations. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $15.4 related to unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business, a pretax pension settlement charge of $4.3, and a $0.4 pretax charge related to the relocation of the Company's Klutz® division. In fiscal 2014, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $15.9 related to unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business, a pretax pension settlement charge of $1.7 and a pretax charge of $1.0 related to Storia operating system-specific apps. In fiscal 2013, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $16.5 related to unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business and a pretax charge of $4.0 related to asset impairments. |
(3) | In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized pretax severance expense of $12.9 as part of cost reduction programs. In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized pretax severance expense of $9.5 as part of cost reduction and restructuring programs. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized pretax severance expense of $8.9 as part of cost reduction and restructuring programs. In fiscal 2014, the Company recognized pretax severance expense of $9.9 as part of a cost savings initiative. In fiscal 2013, the Company recognized pretax severance expense of $9.4 as part of a cost savings initiative. |
(4) | In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge related to certain website development assets of $5.7 and certain legacy prepublication assets of $1.1. In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $7.5 related to legacy building improvements in connection with the Company's headquarters renovation and a pretax charge of $6.9 for certain legacy prepublication assets. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $8.3 in connection with the restructuring of the Company's media and entertainment businesses, a $4.6 pretax impairment charge related to the discontinuation of certain outdated technology platforms, and a $2.9 pretax impairment charge associated with the closure of the retail store located at the Company headquarters in New York City. In fiscal 2014, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $14.6 for assets related to Storia operating system-specific apps and a pretax impairment charge of $13.4 related to goodwill associated with the book clubs reporting unit in the Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment. |
(5) | In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $2.2 on the sale of a China-based cost method investment. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $0.6 on the sale of a UK-based cost method investment. In fiscal 2014, the Company recognized a pretax loss of $1.0 and $4.8 related to a U.S.-based equity method investment and a UK-based cost method investment, respectively. |
(6) | In fiscal 2014, the Company recognized previously unrecognized tax positions resulting in a benefit of $13.8, inclusive of interest, as a result of a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service related to the audits for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009. |
Item 7 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
The Company categorizes its businesses into three reportable segments: Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution; Education; and International.
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial position and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes included in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Overview and Outlook
Revenues from continuing operations in fiscal 2017 were $1.74 billion, an increase of 4.1% from $1.67 billion in fiscal 2016, reflecting higher sales in the Company's Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment of $51.2 million, increased revenues in the Education segment of $13.0 million, higher local currency revenues in the International segment of $14.1 million, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign exchange of $9.5 million. Earnings from continuing operations per diluted share were $1.48 for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, compared to $1.26 in the prior fiscal year.
In fiscal 2017, operating income grew by $21.3 million driven by the strong performance in the trade channel in the first half of the current fiscal year and the strong finish in the Education segment in the fourth quarter of the current fiscal year. The Company continues to see an expanding market for core Pre-K to 6 reading programs as a substitute for basal textbooks, and the Company is in a strong position to continue to grow market share with comprehensive literacy curriculum and professional learning services.
In fiscal 2017, in addition to the normal maintenance levels of capital expenditures and prepublication expense related to the development of new products and platforms, the Company spent $30.6 million of capital on strategic technology upgrades and initiatives forming part of the previously announced multi-year transformational technology investment program. These technology investments are designed to enable the Company to better utilize data to go to market, simplify and standardize business processes across divisions, and communicate more effectively with
17
customers. The Company also spent $20.6 million related to the redesign and upgrade of its headquarters building in New York City. The investment in the building is creating a 21st century workplace that integrates seamless and scalable technology to improve capacity and productivity, as well as freeing higher value Broadway-facing retail space on the lower levels.
Looking forward to fiscal 2018, the Company has launched Scholastic 2020, a three-year plan to significantly improve operating income as the Company approaches its 100th anniversary in October 2020. This plan will align the Company's investments in transformative technology with its operations and publishing groups in order to reduce costs, simplify business processes and improve the use of data analytics for more efficient marketing and sales. The Scholastic 2020 plan will be based on a concentrated cross company process which will both help manage technology and ensure that the Company works cooperatively on reaching specific goals utilizing the information provided. While the Company expects fiscal 2018 to show lower results, particularly after the 2017 breakout performance of the new Harry Potter titles, as well as higher costs in technology, the Company anticipates growth in operating income in the following years as a result of the Scholastic 2020 plan to drive process improvements across the Company. The improvements are particularly important for the book club and book fairs distribution programs as these channels include significant costs of handling, fulfillment, and freight which need to be constantly manged for greater efficiency. As the Company generates better-quality information as a result of the investments in technology, it will realize lower costs in marketing and operations, as well as the benefits of better digital communications with customers so the Company can continue to provide great products and services to schools and families.
In the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, the Company expects trade sales in fiscal 2018 to return to more normal levels after the fiscal 2017 performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two and the original screenplay by J.K. Rowling of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Partially offsetting this decline is the expectation of moderate revenue growth in the Company’s book club and book fairs channels. While the Company expects some increased marketing opportunities in connection with the upcoming 20th anniversary of Harry Potter in the U.S. in calendar year 2018, the Company's fiscal 2018 publishing plan will focus primarily on new books in bestselling series like Dog Man, Wings of Fire and Jedi Academy and licensed publishing against popular media properties like American Girl, Five Nights at Freddy's and Pokemon. The book clubs channel expects to drive growth with new product, pricing and merchandising strategies, including a greater focus on traditionally successful multi-grade club offerings. The book fairs channel expects to improve revenue and profitability by increasing revenue per fair, using more robust business analytics to right-size fair types and target growth opportunities in the higher demographic markets.
In the Education segment, the Company expects to grow revenues in fiscal 2018 by focusing on the opportunity to provide a complete Pre-K to 6 core literacy curriculum to school districts and increase market share for both core and supplemental literacy products, as well as the expansion of the Company's services business focused on product-aligned professional development and family and community engagement. Expected revenue growth in the Education segment is predicated on the Company’s expanded market presence.
In the International segment, revenues in fiscal 2018 are expected to be on par with the past fiscal year, with growth in most countries offset by a return to usual levels in Canada and export in the absence of new Harry Potter-related publishing. In fiscal 2018, the Company will place greater emphasis on growing the international education business in both mature and emerging markets with deeper penetration of key products as the Company looks to build its position as a global partner with schools in support of research-based instructional literacy and mathematics programs. The Company also expects direct sales in Asia to grow as a result of increased training and support of its large independent sales force.
In fiscal 2018, the Company expects to complete the previously reported termination of its domestic defined benefit pension plan. The final step in this process will involve the distribution of earned benefits to plan participants and the purchase of annuity contracts from a third-party insurance company. The final settlement of these liabilities will trigger the recognition of the accumulated actuarial losses associated with this plan.
In fiscal year 2018, the Company will continue to invest in its overarching strategic technology innovation program as it looks to complete the final year of a previously announced plan of investment, as well as the commencement of a new multi-year program seeking to upgrade its Oracle enterprise-wide platforms for financial management, supply chain, transportation and logistics. In addition, the Company will complete all construction work on its headquarters building in fiscal 2018.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
General:
The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations is based upon its Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements involves the use of estimates and assumptions by management, which affects the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current business factors, future expectations and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, all of which are necessary in order to form a basis for determining the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates the adequacy of its reserves and the estimates used in calculations, including, but not limited to: collectability of accounts receivable; sales returns; amortization periods; stock-based compensation expense; pension and other post-retirement obligations; tax rates; recoverability of inventories; deferred income taxes and tax reserves; fixed assets; prepublication costs; royalty advance reserves; customer reward programs; and the fair value of goodwill and other intangibles. For a complete description of the Company’s significant accounting policies, see Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Report. The following policies and account descriptions include all those identified by the Company as critical to its business operations and the understanding of its results of operations:
Revenue Recognition:
The Company’s revenue recognition policies for its principal businesses are as follows:
School-Based Book Clubs – Revenue from school-based book clubs is recognized upon shipment of the products.
School-Based Book Fairs – Revenues associated with school-based book fairs are related to sales of product. Book fairs are typically run by schools and/or parent teacher organizations over a five business-day period. The amount of revenue recognized for each fair represents the net amount of cash collected at the fair and remitted to the Company. Revenue is fully recognized at the completion of the fair. At the end of reporting periods, the Company defers estimated revenue for those fairs that have not been completed as of the period end, based on the number of fair days occurring after period end on a straight-line calculation of the full fair’s revenue. The Company also estimates revenues for those fairs which have not reported final fair results.
Trade – Revenue from the sale of children’s books for distribution in the retail channel is primarily recognized when risks and benefits transfer to the customer, or when the product is on sale and available to the public. For newly published titles, the Company, on occasion, contractually agrees with its customers when the publication may be first offered for sale to the public, or an agreed upon “Strict Laydown Date.” For such titles, the risks and benefits of the publication are not deemed to be transferred to the customer until such time that the publication can contractually be sold to the public, and the Company defers revenue on sales of such titles until such time as the customer is permitted to sell the product to the public. Revenue for ebooks, which generally is the net amount received from the retailer is recognized upon electronic delivery to the customer by the retailer.
A reserve for estimated returns is established at the time of sale and recognized as a reduction to revenue. Actual returns are charged to the reserve as received. Reserves for returns are based on historical return rates, sales patterns, type of product and expectations. In order to develop the estimate of returns that will be received subsequent to May 31, 2017, management considers patterns of sales and returns in the months preceding May 31, 2017, as well as actual returns received subsequent to year end, available customer and market specific data and other return rate information that management believes is relevant. Actual returns could differ from the Company’s estimate. A one percentage point change in the estimated reserve for returns rate would have resulted in an increase or decrease in operating income for the year ended May 31, 2017 of approximately $1.9 million.
Education – Revenue from the sale of educational materials is recognized upon shipment of the products, or upon acceptance of product by the customer depending on individual customer terms. Revenues from professional development services are recognized when the services have been provided to the customer.
Film Production and Licensing – Revenue from the sale of film rights, principally for the home video and domestic and foreign television markets, is recognized when the film has been delivered and is available for showing or
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exploitation. Licensing revenue is recognized in accordance with royalty agreements at the time the licensed materials are available to the licensee and collections are reasonably assured.
Magazines – Revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the subscription period, as the magazines are delivered.
Magazine Advertising – Revenue is recognized when the magazine is for sale and available to the subscribers.
Scholastic In-School Marketing – Revenue is recognized when the Company has satisfied its obligations under the program and the customer has acknowledged acceptance of the product or service. Certain revenues may be deferred pending future deliverables.
Accounts receivable:
Accounts receivable are recognized net of allowances for doubtful accounts and reserves for returns. In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to customers that satisfy predefined credit criteria. Reserves for returns are based on historical return rates, sales patterns, type of product and expectations. In order to develop the estimate of returns that will be received subsequent to May 31, 2017, management considers patterns of sales and returns in the months preceding May 31, 2017, as well as actual returns received subsequent to year end, available customer and market specific data and other return rate information that management believes is relevant. Reserves for estimated bad debts are established at the time of sale and are based on an evaluation of accounts receivable aging, and, where applicable, specific reserves on a customer-by-customer basis, creditworthiness of the Company’s customers and prior collection experience to estimate the ultimate collectability of these receivables. At the time the Company determines that a receivable balance, or any portion thereof, is deemed to be permanently uncollectible, the balance is then written off. A one percentage point change in the estimated bad debt reserve rates, which are applied to the accounts receivable aging, would have resulted in an increase or decrease in operating income for the year ended May 31, 2017 of approximately $2.3 million.
Inventories:
Inventories, consisting principally of books, are stated at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out method, or market. The Company records a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based upon a calculation using the historical usage rates by channel and the sales patterns of its products, and specifically identified obsolete inventory. The impact of a one percentage point change in the obsolescence reserve rate would have resulted in an increase or decrease in operating income for the year ended May 31, 2017 of approximately $3.5 million.
Royalty advances:
Royalty advances are initially capitalized and subsequently expensed as related revenues are earned or when the Company determines future recovery through earndowns is not probable. The Company has a long history of providing authors with royalty advances, and it tracks each advance earned with respect to the sale of the related publication. Historically, the longer the unearned portion of the advance remains outstanding, the less likely it is that the Company will recover the advance through the sale of the publication, as the related royalties earned are applied first against the remaining unearned portion of the advance. The Company applies this historical experience to its existing outstanding royalty advances to estimate the likelihood of recovery. Additionally, the Company’s editorial staff regularly reviews its portfolio of royalty advances to determine if individual royalty advances are not recoverable through earndowns for discrete reasons, such as the death of an author prior to completion of a title or titles, a Company decision to not publish a title, poor market demand or other relevant factors that could impact recoverability.
Goodwill and intangible assets:
Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.
With regard to goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair values of its identified reporting units to the carrying values of their net assets. The Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of its identified reporting units are less than their carrying values. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company performs the two-step test. For each of the reporting units, the estimated fair value is determined utilizing the expected present value of
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the projected future cash flows of the reporting unit, in addition to comparisons to similar companies. The Company reviews its definition of reporting units annually or more frequently if conditions indicate that the reporting units may change. The Company evaluates its operating segments to determine if there are components one level below the operating segment level. A component is present if discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of the business. If an operating segment only contains a single component, that component is determined to be a reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. If an operating segment contains multiple components, the Company evaluates the economic characteristics of these components. Any components within an operating segment that share similar economic characteristics are aggregated and deemed to be a reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. Components within the same operating segment that do not share similar economic characteristics are deemed to be individual reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes. The Company has seven reporting units with goodwill subject to impairment testing. The determination of the fair value of the Company’s reporting units involves a number of assumptions, including the estimates of future cash flows, discount rates and market-based multiples, among others, each of which is subject to change. Accordingly, it is possible that changes in assumptions and the performance of certain reporting units could lead to impairments in future periods, which may be material.
With regard to other intangibles with indefinite lives, the Company determines the fair value by asset, which is then compared to its carrying value. The Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the identified asset is less than its carrying value. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company performs a quantitative test. The estimated fair value is determined utilizing the expected present value of the projected future cash flows of the asset.
Intangible assets with definite lives consist principally of customer lists, intellectual property and other agreements and are amortized over their expected useful lives. Customer lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over five to ten years, while other agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over their contractual term. Intellectual property assets are amortized over their remaining useful lives, which is approximately five years.
Unredeemed Incentive Credits:
The Company employs incentive programs to encourage sponsor participation in its book clubs and book fairs. These programs allow the sponsors to accumulate credits which can then be redeemed for Company products or other items offered by the Company. The Company recognizes a liability at the estimated cost of providing these credits at the time of the recognition of revenue for the underlying purchases of Company product that resulted in the granting of the credits. As the credits are redeemed, such liability is reduced.
Employee Benefit Plan Obligations:
The rate assumptions discussed below impact the Company’s calculations of its pension and post-retirement obligations. The rates applied by the Company are based on the portfolios’ past average rates of return, discount rates, actuarial information and, with regard to the U.S. Pension Plan, assumptions related to the plan's expected termination. Any change in market performance, interest rate performance, assumed health care cost trend rate, compensation rates or, with regard to the U.S. Pension Plan, estimated lump sum payments and expected fair value of annuity contracts could result in significant changes in the Company’s pension and post-retirement obligations.
Pension obligations
UK Pension Plan
The Company’s UK Pension Plan calculations are based on three primary actuarial assumptions: the discount rate, the long-term expected rate of return on plan assets and the anticipated rate of compensation increases. The discount rate is used in the measurement of the projected, accumulated and vested benefit obligations and interest cost component of net periodic pension costs. The long-term expected return on plan assets is used to calculate the expected earnings from the investment or reinvestment of plan assets. The anticipated rate of compensation increase is used to estimate the increase in compensation for participants of the plan from their current age to their assumed retirement age. The estimated compensation amounts are used to determine the benefit obligations and the service cost component of net periodic pension costs.
U.S. Pension Plan
The Company's U.S. Pension Plan calculations are impacted by its expected termination which is considered imminent and likely to occur during fiscal 2018. As such, the Company utilized a discount rate and short-term expected rate of return on plan assets to arrive at an obligation for which additional estimates, related to the anticipated amount of lump sum payments to be distributed in fiscal 2018 and insurance company pricing on the
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portion of the obligation not distributed through lump sum payments, were used to calculate the benefit obligation. Pension benefits in the cash balance plan for employees located in the U.S. are based on formulas in which the employees’ balances are credited monthly with interest based on the average rate for one-year U.S. Treasury Bills plus 1%. Contribution credits are based on employees’ years of service and compensation levels during their employment periods for the periods prior to June 1, 2009.
A one percentage point change in the discount rate would have resulted in an increase or decrease in operating income for the year ended May 31, 2017 of approximately $0.1 million. A one percentage point change in the expected long-term return on plan assets would have resulted in an increase or decrease in operating income for the year ended May 31, 2017 of approximately $1.5 million.
Other post-retirement benefits – The Company provides post-retirement benefits, consisting of healthcare and life insurance benefits, to eligible retired United States-based employees. The post-retirement medical plan benefits are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis, with the employee paying a portion of the premium and the Company paying the remainder. The existing benefit obligation is based on the discount rate and the assumed health care cost trend rate. The discount rate is used in the measurement of the projected and accumulated benefit obligations and the service and interest cost component of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost.
A one percentage point change in the discount rate would have resulted in an increase or decrease in operating income for the year ended May 31, 2017 of approximately $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The assumed health care cost trend rate is used in the measurement of the long-term expected increase in medical claims. A one percentage point change in the health care cost trend rate would have resulted in an increase or decrease in operating income for the year ended May 31, 2017 of approximately $0.1 million. A one percentage point change in the health care cost trend rate would have resulted in an increase or decrease in the post-retirement benefit obligation as of May 31, 2017 of approximately $3.0 million and $2.6 million, respectively.
Equity Awards:
Stock-based compensation – The Company measures the cost of services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company recognizes the cost on a straight-line basis over an award’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, except for the grants to retirement-eligible employees, based on the award’s fair value at the date of grant. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The determination of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model requires management to make significant judgments and estimates. The use of different assumptions and estimates in the option-pricing model could have a material impact on the estimated fair value of option grants and the related expense. The risk-free interest rate is based on a U.S. Treasury rate in effect on the date of grant with a term equal to the expected life. The expected term is determined based on historical employee exercise and post-vesting termination behavior. The expected dividend yield is based on actual dividends paid or to be paid by the Company. The volatility is estimated based on historical volatility corresponding to the expected life. The fair value of the restricted stock units are assumed to be the per share market price of the Company's stock as of the date of grant.
Taxes:
Income Taxes – The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, for purposes of determining taxable income deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to be realized.
The Company believes that its taxable earnings, during the periods when the temporary differences giving rise to deferred tax assets become deductible or when tax benefit carryforwards may be utilized, should be sufficient to realize the related future income tax benefits. For those jurisdictions where the expiration date of the tax benefit carryforwards or the projected taxable earnings indicate that realization is not likely, the Company establishes a valuation allowance.
In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company estimates future taxable earnings, with consideration for the feasibility of on-going tax planning strategies and the realizability of tax benefit carryforwards, to determine which deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized in the future. Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets can be impacted by changes to tax laws, changes to statutory tax rates and future taxable earnings. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates in future periods, the Company may need to adjust the valuation allowance.
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The Company recognizes a liability for uncertain tax positions that the Company has taken or expects to file in an income tax return. An uncertain tax position is recognized only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable based on its technical merit. A recognized tax benefit of a qualifying position is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority having full knowledge of all relevant information.
The Company assesses foreign investment levels periodically to determine if all or a portion of the Company’s investments in foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely invested. If foreign investments are not expected to be indefinitely invested, the Company provides for income taxes on the portion that is not indefinitely invested.
Non-income Taxes – The Company is subject to tax examinations for sales-based taxes. A number of these examinations are ongoing and, in certain cases, have resulted in assessments from taxing authorities. Where a sales tax liability in respect to a jurisdiction is probable and can be reliably estimated, the Company has made accruals for these matters which are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Future developments relating to the foregoing could result in adjustments being made to these accruals.
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Results of Operations
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)
For fiscal years ended May 31,
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | % (1) | $ | % (1) | $ | % (1) | |||||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution | $ | 1,052.1 | 60.4 | $ | 1,000.9 | 59.8 | $ | 957.8 | 58.6 | |||||||||||
Education | 312.7 | 18.0 | 299.7 | 17.9 | 276.8 | 16.9 | ||||||||||||||
International | 376.8 | 21.6 | 372.2 | 22.3 | 401.2 | 24.5 | ||||||||||||||
Total revenues | 1,741.6 | 100.0 | 1,672.8 | 100.0 | 1,635.8 | 100.0 | ||||||||||||||
Cost of goods sold (2) | 814.5 | 46.8 | 762.3 | 45.6 | 758.5 | 46.4 | ||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) (3) | 777.8 | 44.6 | 777.7 | 46.5 | 771.1 | 47.1 | ||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 38.7 | 2.2 | 38.9 | 2.3 | 47.9 | 2.9 | ||||||||||||||
Severance (4) | 14.9 | 0.9 | 11.9 | 0.7 | 9.6 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||
Asset impairments (5) | 6.8 | 0.4 | 14.4 | 0.9 | 15.8 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income | 88.9 | 5.1 | 67.6 | 4.0 | 32.9 | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||
Interest income | 1.4 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (2.4 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (2.2 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (3.8 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||
Gain (loss) on investments and other (6) | — | — | 2.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 87.9 | 5.0 | 68.7 | 4.1 | 29.9 | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 35.4 | 2.0 | 24.7 | 1.5 | 14.4 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | 52.5 | 3.0 | 44.0 | 2.6 | 15.5 | 0.9 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (0.2 | ) | (0.0 | ) | (3.5 | ) | (0.2 | ) | 279.1 | 17.1 | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 52.3 | 3.0 | $ | 40.5 | 2.4 | $ | 294.6 | 18.0 | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 0.47 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | 8.53 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.18 | $ | 9.00 | ||||||||||||||
Diluted: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 1.48 | $ | 1.26 | $ | 0.46 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 8.34 | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 1.47 | $ | 1.16 | $ | 8.80 | ||||||||||||||
(1) | Represents percentage of total revenues. |
(2) | In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized pretax exit costs related to its software distribution business in Australia of $0.5. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $1.5 related to a warehouse optimization project in Canada and a $0.4 pretax charge related to unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business. |
(3) | In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $1.5 related to a branch consolidation project in the Company's book fairs operations. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax charge of $15.4 related to unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business, a pretax pension settlement charge of $4.3, and a $0.4 pretax charge related to the relocation of the Company's Klutz® division. |
(4) | In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized pretax severance expense of $12.9 as part of cost reduction programs. In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized pretax severance expense of $9.5 as part of cost reduction and restructuring programs. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized pretax severance expense of $8.9 as part of cost reduction and restructuring programs. |
(5) | In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized pretax impairment charges related to certain website development assets of $5.7 and certain legacy prepublication assets of $1.1. In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $7.5 related to legacy building improvements in connection with the Company's headquarters renovation and a pretax charge of $6.9 for certain legacy prepublication assets. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $8.3 in connection with the |
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restructuring of the Company's media and entertainment businesses, a $4.6 pretax impairment charge related to the discontinuation of certain outdated technology platforms, and a $2.9 pretax impairment charge associated with the closure of the retail store located at the Company headquarters in New York City.
(6) | In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $2.2 on the sale of a China-based cost method investment. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $0.6 on the sale of a UK-based cost method investment. |
Results of Operations – Consolidated
Fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016
Continuing Operations
Revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 increased by $68.8 million, or 4.1%, to $1,741.6 million, compared to $1,672.8 million in the prior fiscal year. Within the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, revenues from the trade channel increased $96.2 million primarily driven on the strength of Harry Potter publishing, frontlist and backlist, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two, as well as the screen play of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film released in November 2016. This was partially offset by lower revenues in the book club and book fairs channels of $33.0 million and $12.0 million, respectively, primarily driven by fewer book club sponsors and a lower number of fairs. The Education segment revenues increased $13.0 million driven by strong fiscal year fourth quarter sales of literacy initiatives, particularly family and community engagement and summer reading programs, as well as higher professional development and services revenue. Local currency revenues in the International segment increased $14.1 million, primarily driven by the strength of the new Harry Potter publishing in Canada and certain export markets, as well as sales gains in the trade and fairs channels in the Company's major international markets. The Company's increased international revenues were partialy offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange of $9.5 million, primarily driven by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound.
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was 46.8%, compared to 45.6% in the prior fiscal year. The higher cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was driven by royalty costs associated with higher sales of Harry Potter titles, partially offset by the favorable impact higher revenues had on fixed costs coupled with favorable product mix and the Company's decision to exit the low margin software distribution business in Australia.
Components of Cost of goods sold for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
($ amounts in millions) | |||||||||||||||
2017 | % of revenue | 2016 | % of revenue | 2015 | % of revenue | ||||||||||
Product, service and production costs | $ | 432.6 | 24.8 | % | $ | 432.4 | 25.8 | % | $ | 429.3 | 26.2 | % | |||
Royalty costs | 146.4 | 8.4 | 92.0 | 5.5 | 84.3 | 5.2 | |||||||||
Prepublication and production amortization | 23.5 | 1.3 | 27.1 | 1.6 | 30.0 | 1.8 | |||||||||
Postage, freight, shipping, fulfillment and all other costs | 212.0 | 12.3 | 210.8 | 12.7 | 214.9 | 13.2 | |||||||||
Total cost of goods sold | $ | 814.5 | 46.8 | % | $ | 762.3 | 45.6 | % | $ | 758.5 | 46.4 | % | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 remained relatively flat at $777.8 million, compared to $777.7 million in the prior fiscal year. Fiscal 2017 includes higher employee related expenses primarily due to the impact of a wage improvement program for employees in the U.S. distribution centers of $9.2 million, higher spending on strategic technology platforms for new enterprise-wide customer and content management systems and the migration to software as a service ("SaaS") and cloud-based technology solutions combined with increased spending on Company websites, as well as additions to the sales management team in the Education segment, offset by lower book club channel promotion and catalog costs of $8.5 million and a reduction of $1.5 million in expenses due to a warehouse optimization project in the Company's book fairs operations in the prior fiscal year period.
Depreciation and amortization expenses for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 remained relatively flat at $38.7 million compared to $38.9 million in the prior fiscal year. The fiscal 2016 impairment of certain legacy prepublication assets drove lower depreciation expense in fiscal 2017, and was partially offset by higher depreciation expense from certain strategic technology platforms that went live in the current fiscal year.
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Severance expense of $14.9 million in fiscal 2017 included $12.9 million related to cost reduction programs. Severance expense of $11.9 million in fiscal 2016 included $9.5 million related to cost reduction and restructuring programs.
Asset impairments for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 were $6.8 million, compared to $14.4 million in the prior fiscal year. In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized pretax impairment charges related to certain website development assets of $5.7 million and certain legacy prepublication assets of $1.1 million. In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $7.5 million on the abandonment of legacy building improvements in connection with the Company's renovation of its headquarters location in New York City representing approximately 40% of the total renovation project for the entire building. The renovation effort will occur in phases and, as additional floors are renovated over the project's life, additional building improvements will be abandoned. In fiscal 2016, the Company also recognized a pretax impairment charge of $6.9 million for certain legacy prepublication assets.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, net interest expense remained relatively flat at $1.0 million, compared to $1.1 million in the prior fiscal year. The relatively flat net interest expense was driven by the absence of long-term debt and a lack of significant change in short-term borrowings on available lines of credit.
In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $2.2 million on the sale of a China-based cost method investment.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was 40.3%, compared to 36.0% in the prior fiscal year. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the settlement of a tax position with the IRS in the prior fiscal period which drove a lower effective rate in fiscal 2016.
Earnings from continuing operations for fiscal 2017 increased by $8.5 million to $52.5 million, compared to $44.0 million in fiscal 2016. The basic and diluted earnings from continuing operations per share of Class A Stock and Common Stock were $1.51 and $1.48, respectively, in fiscal 2017, compared to $1.29 and $1.26, respectively, in fiscal 2016.
Discontinued Operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was $0.2 million, compared to $3.5 million in the prior fiscal year. The basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations per share of Class A Stock and Common Stock were less than $0.01 and $0.01, per basic and diluted share, respectively, in fiscal 2017 compared to basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations per share of Class A Stock and Common Stock of $0.11 and $0.10, respectively, in fiscal 2016. The Company did not discontinue any operations in fiscal 2017.
The resulting net income for fiscal 2017 was $52.3 million, or $1.51 and $1.47 per basic and diluted share, respectively, compared to net income of $40.5 million, or $1.18 and $1.16 per basic and diluted share, respectively, in fiscal 2016.
Fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015
Continuing Operations
Revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 increased by $37.0 million, or 2.3%, to $1,672.8 million, compared to $1,635.8 million in the prior fiscal year. Within the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, revenues from trade publishing sales increased $35.5 million driven by strong sales for both frontlist and backlist titles, led by the strong performance of Harry Potter related titles, partially offset by lower year-over-year sales of Minecraft titles. The book fairs channel experienced higher revenues of $23.0 million driven by an increase in revenue per fair coupled with an increase in fair count. The increases within this segment were partially offset by lower media operations revenues of $9.8 million and lower book club channel revenues of $5.6 million due to a lower number of book club events. Education segment revenues for fiscal 2016 increased $22.9 million driven by strong fiscal year fourth quarter sales of classroom books and guided reading programs coupled with increased circulation in classroom magazines, while local currency revenues in the International segment increased $14.2 million, primarily driven by increased sales of local titles within the Australia trade channel. This was more than offset by foreign currency exchange declines of $43.2 million due to the strength of the U.S. dollar against most foreign currencies.
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was 45.6%, compared to 46.4% in the prior fiscal year. The modest decrease in cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was driven by lower production costs associated with the Company's media operations and favorable product mix, partially offset by the
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strength of the U.S. dollar which impacted the Company's international operations due to purchases of U.S. product in U.S. dollars.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 increased to $777.7 million, compared to $771.1 million in the prior fiscal year, primarily as a result of higher strategic technology spending on new enterprise-wide customer and content management systems and the migration to SaaS and cloud-based technology solutions. To a lesser extent, the increase was due to higher employee-related expenses of $7.8 million associated with the book fairs channel efforts to increase revenues, higher sales management-related expenses associated with the classroom books and literacy initiatives to increase sales and $1.5 million in expenses related to a branch consolidation project in the Company's book fairs operations, coupled with the effect of a $3.7 million insurance settlement in the prior fiscal year relating to a fire in a warehouse in India. The increases were partially offset by lower international expense attributable to foreign currency translation of $15.3 million, lower unabsorbed overhead burden as costs were being offset by transition service fees under the transition services agreement with the purchaser of the educational technology and services business in fiscal 2016, and lower pension expense of $4.3 million related to a settlement on a portion of the domestic pension plan in the prior fiscal year.
Severance expense of $11.9 million in fiscal 2016 included $9.5 million related to cost reduction and restructuring programs. Severance expense of $9.6 million in fiscal 2015 included $8.9 million related to cost reduction and restructuring programs.
Asset impairments for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 were $14.4 million, compared to $15.8 million in the prior fiscal year. In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $7.5 million on the abandonment of legacy building improvements in connection with the Company's renovation of its headquarters location in New York City. The project will occur in phases and certain legacy building improvements will be abandoned as additional floors are renovated over the project's life. The Company also recognized a pretax impairment charge of $6.9 million for certain legacy prepublication assets. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $8.3 million in respect to certain goodwill, production and programming assets in connection with the restructuring of the Company's media and entertainment businesses, recognized an impairment charge of $4.6 million for the discontinuation of certain outdated technology platforms and recognized an impairment charge of $2.9 million associated with the closure of its retail store located at the Company headquarters in New York City.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, net interest expense decreased to $1.1 million, compared to $3.5 million in the prior fiscal year, due to the reduction in borrowings under the Loan Agreement described under "Financing" below.
In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $2.2 million on the sale of a China-based cost method investment. In fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $0.6 million related to a UK-based cost method investment.
The Company’s effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was 36.0%, compared to 48.2% in the prior fiscal year.
Earnings from continuing operations for fiscal 2016 increased by $28.5 million to $44.0 million, compared to $15.5 million in fiscal 2015. The basic and diluted earnings from continuing operations per share of Class A Stock and Common Stock were $1.29 and $1.26, respectively, in fiscal 2016, compared to $0.47 and $0.46, respectively, in fiscal 2015.
Discontinued Operations
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was $3.5 million, compared to earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $279.1 million in the prior fiscal year. The change was driven by the net gain of $275.6 million associated with the sale of the educational technology and services business in the prior fiscal year. The basic and diluted loss from discontinued operations per share of Class A Stock and Common Stock were $0.11 and $0.10, respectively, in fiscal 2016, compared to basic and diluted earnings from discontinued operations per share of Class A Stock and Common Stock of $8.53 and $8.34, respectively, in fiscal 2015.
The resulting net income for fiscal 2016 was $40.5 million, or $1.18 and $1.16 per basic and diluted share, respectively, compared to net income of $294.6 million, or $9.00 and $8.80 per basic and diluted share, respectively, in fiscal 2015.
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Results of Operations – Segments
CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTION
($ amounts in millions) | 2017 compared to 2016 | 2016 compared to 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | $ change | % change | $ change | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 1,052.1 | $ | 1,000.9 | $ | 957.8 | $ | 51.2 | 5.1 | % | $ | 43.1 | 4.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 462.1 | 415.9 | 407.1 | 46.2 | 11.1 | 8.8 | 2.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses * | 446.9 | 464.4 | 445.9 | (17.5 | ) | (3.8 | ) | 18.5 | 4.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Asset impairments | — | — | 10.2 | — | N/A | (10.2 | ) | (100.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 143.1 | $ | 120.6 | $ | 94.6 | $ | 22.5 | 18.7 | % | $ | 26.0 | 27.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
Operating margin | 13.6 | % | 12.0 | % | 9.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Other operating expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses, bad debt expenses and depreciation and amortization.
Fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016
Revenues for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 increased by $51.2 million to $1,052.1 million, compared to $1,000.9 million in the prior fiscal year. Trade channel revenues increased $96.2 million, primarily due to higher trade publishing sales of $94.9 million. The increase in trade publishing revenues was primarily driven on the strength of Harry Potter publishing, frontlist and backlist, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two, as well as the screen play of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film released in November 2016. Continued sales of bestselling series, including Wings of Fire, The Baby-Sitters Club® Graphix and Star Wars: Jedi Academy, and the success of popular new releases including Dog Man and Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey, Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier, and Five Nights at Freddy's: The Silver Eyes by Scott Cawthorn and Kira Breed-Wrisley, also drove the higher revenues, which were partially offset by lower year-over-year sales of Minecraft titles. The book club channel revenues decreased $33.0 million due to lower teacher sponsor levels, as well as lower revenue per event and per sponsor. The book fairs channel revenues decreased $12.0 million resulting from a 9% reduction in fairs held during the period, reflecting in part the planned strategy to reduce the number of lower margin fairs, partially offset by the higher revenue per fair of approximately 7%.
Cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was $462.1 million, or 43.9% of revenues, compared to $415.9 million, or 41.6% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year. The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was primarily driven by royalty costs in the trade channel mainly associated with higher sales of Harry Potter titles, partially offset by the favorable impact the higher revenues in the trade channel had on fixed costs, favorable trade channel product mix and purchasing efficiencies in the book club channel that yielded lower product costs.
Other operating expenses were $446.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, compared to $464.4 million in the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in book club channel promotion and catalog costs of $8.5 million, approximately $4.4 million in lower depreciation expense driven by the prior fiscal year impairment of certain legacy prepublication assets and a reduction of $1.5 million in expenses related to a warehouse optimization project in the Company's book fairs operations in the prior fiscal year period, partially offset by higher promotional spending in the trade channel due to the new Harry Potter titles and the impact of the wage improvement program for employees in the U.S. distribution centers.
Segment operating income for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was $143.1 million, compared to $120.6 million in the prior fiscal year. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by the higher sales of Harry Potter titles, partially offset by lower book club and book fair channel revenues and higher cost of goods sold.
Fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015
Revenues for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 increased by $43.1 million to $1,000.9 million, compared to $957.8 million in the prior fiscal year. Trade channel revenues increased $25.7 million, primarily due to higher trade publishing sales of $35.5 million. The increase in trade publishing revenues was driven by strong sales for both frontlist and backlist titles and the strong performance of Harry Potter, including frontlist titles such as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition and the Harry Potter-themed coloring books, as well as an increase in backlist titles, partially offset by lower year-over-year sales of Minecraft titles. The higher trade publishing revenues were partially offset by lower sales of $9.8 million in the media operations. The book fairs channel revenues increased $23.0 million due to a 3.4% increase in revenue per fair coupled with a 1.0% increase in fair count. The book club channel
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revenues decreased $5.6 million due to a lower number of book club events, caused in part by the relatively late start to the school calendar compared to the prior fiscal year, partially offset by a 2.3% increase in revenue per event. Sales of Minecraft series handbook titles across all Children's Book Publishing and Distribution channels totaled $22.2 million for fiscal 2016, compared to $57.1 million in the prior fiscal year.
Cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was $415.9 million, or 41.6% of revenues, compared to $407.1 million, or 42.5% of revenues, in the prior fiscal year. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue remained relatively flat for this segment, with a modest improvement due to lower production amortization costs.
Other operating expenses were $464.4 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, compared to $445.9 million in the prior fiscal year. The increase was partially due to higher employee-related expenses of $7.8 million in the book fairs channel, primarily associated with continued efforts to improve sales, and $1.5 million in expenses related to a branch consolidation project in the Company's book fairs operations.
Asset impairments were $10.2 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015 as the Company recognized an impairment charge of $8.3 million in respect of certain goodwill, production and programming assets associated with the restructuring of the media and entertainment business and a $1.9 million impairment charge relating to the transition to a new ecommerce software platform for club ordering.
Segment operating income for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was $120.6 million, compared to $94.6 million in the prior fiscal year. The increase was driven by higher revenues, primarily from the trade publishing channel and the book fairs channel, relatively flat cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues and lower impairment charges, partially offset by higher employee-related expenses associated with the efforts to improve book fairs channel sales.
EDUCATION
($ amounts in millions) | 2017 compared to 2016 | 2016 compared to 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | $ change | % change | $ change | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 312.7 | $ | 299.7 | $ | 276.8 | $ | 13.0 | 4.3 | % | $ | 22.9 | 8.3 | % | ||||||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 103.2 | 101.5 | 96.0 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 5.5 | 5.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses * | 157.7 | 148.5 | 141.4 | 9.2 | 6.2 | 7.1 | 5.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Asset impairments | 1.1 | 6.9 | — | (5.8 | ) | (84.1 | ) | 6.9 | 100.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 50.7 | $ | 42.8 | $ | 39.4 | $ | 7.9 | 18.5 | % | $ | 3.4 | 8.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
Operating margin | 16.2 | % | 14.3 | % | 14.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Other operating expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses, bad debt expenses and depreciation and amortization.
Fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016
Revenues for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 increased by $13.0 million to $312.7 million, compared to $299.7 million in the prior fiscal year, primarily driven by a $14.8 million increase in revenues from classroom books and literacy initiatives due to strong fiscal year fourth quarter sales of family and community engagement programs, including the summer literacy program LitCamp, and increased demand for customer summer reading programs, higher professional development and services revenue and higher sales of professional books such as The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading and Disruptive Thinking: Why How We Read Matters and the Company's Next Step Guided Reading Assessment product. Classroom magazines revenues increased $3.9 million primarily due to demand for materials for the U.S. presidential election coupled with higher circulation. This was partially offset by $5.7 million in lower revenues primarily resulting from fewer custom publishing programs when compared to the prior fiscal year.
Cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was $103.2 million, or 33.0% of revenue, compared to $101.5 million, or 33.9% of revenue, in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was primarily driven by lower prepublication amortization associated with certain digital education products and favorable product mix due to higher classroom magazine sales which carry higher margins.
Other operating expenses were $157.7 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, compared to $148.5 million in the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to additions to the sales management team, higher promotional related expenses, the incurrence of higher operating expenses related to the sales of U.S. presidential election year materials in the classroom magazines channel and the impact of the wage improvement program for employees in the U.S. distribution centers.
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In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge related to certain legacy prepublication assets of $1.1 million. In fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge for certain legacy prepublication assets of $6.9 million.
Segment operating income for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was $50.7 million, compared to $42.8 million in the prior fiscal year. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by fewer impairment charges of $5.8 million coupled with the increase in revenues, partially offset by the increase in other operating expenses primarily resulting from the higher employee related expenses.
Fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015
Revenues for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 increased by $22.9 million to $299.7 million, compared to $276.8 million in the prior fiscal year. $14.2 million of the increase was primarily driven by classroom books and literacy initiatives due to strong fiscal year fourth quarter sales of classroom books and guided reading and customized curriculum programs. Classroom magazines revenues increased $5.5 million due to higher circulation and consumer magazines revenues increased $3.2 million due to increased digital and custom publishing programs.
Cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was $101.5 million, or 33.9% of revenue, compared to $96.0 million, or 34.7% of revenue, in the prior fiscal year. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue remained relatively flat for this segment, with modest improvement due to the higher margins associated with the Company's classroom magazines.
Other operating expenses increased by $7.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, due to higher sales management-related expenses as part of the Company's continued efforts to increase sales from classroom books and literacy initiatives and higher operating expenses related to the increased circulation of classroom magazines.
Asset impairments were $6.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, due to impairment charges for certain legacy prepublication assets.
Segment operating income for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 improved by $3.4 million. The increase was driven by the higher sales from classroom books and literacy initiatives, as well as from classroom magazines, coupled with the relatively flat cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue, partially offset by higher sales management-related expenses and impairment charges.
INTERNATIONAL
($ amounts in millions) | 2017 compared to 2016 | 2016 compared to 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | $ change | % change | $ change | % change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 376.8 | $ | 372.2 | $ | 401.2 | $ | 4.6 | 1.2 | % | $ | (29.0 | ) | (7.2 | )% | |||||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 197.2 | 194.4 | 201.7 | 2.8 | 1.4 | (7.3 | ) | (3.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other operating expenses * | 160.9 | 166.4 | 176.2 | (5.5 | ) | (3.3 | ) | (9.8 | ) | (5.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Asset impairments | — | — | 2.7 | — | N/A | (2.7 | ) | (100.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 18.7 | $ | 11.4 | $ | 20.6 | $ | 7.3 | 64.0 | % | $ | (9.2 | ) | (44.7 | )% | |||||||||||||
Operating margin | 5.0 | % | 3.1 | % | 5.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* Other operating expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses, bad debt expenses, severance and depreciation and amortization.
Fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016
Revenues for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 increased by $4.6 million to $376.8 million, compared to $372.2 million in the prior fiscal year. Total local currency revenues across the Company's foreign operations increased $14.1 million when compared to the prior fiscal year, but were offset by foreign currency exchange declines of $9.5 million, primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound. Local currency revenues from Canada increased $13.5 million, primarily due to the strength of new Harry Potter publishing and, to a lesser extent, improvements in revenues due to the negative impact the labor action in Ontario schools had on the prior fiscal year period sales. Local currency revenues from the Company's Asia operations coupled with the export and foreign rights channels increased $7.0 million, primarily due to certain export sales related to the new Harry Potter publishing, as well as strong performance in the Company's Malaysia operations. Local UK currency revenues increased $2.8 million, primarily due to an increase in revenues driven by licensed product and higher book fairs channel revenues driven by
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the prior fiscal year acquisition of a leading book fair provider. Local currency revenues from Australia and New Zealand decreased $9.2 million, primarily due to lower software distribution revenues of $16.0 million as the Company is exiting this low margin business in Australia. This was partially offset by continued demand for local titles within the Australia trade channel and the continued strong performance from the Australia and New Zealand book club channels.
Cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was $197.2 million, or 52.3% of sales, compared to $194.4 million, or 52.2% of sales, in the prior fiscal year. The relatively flat cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenue was driven by favorable product mix in Australia driven by the exit of the aforementioned low margin software distribution business in Australia net of exit costs of $0.5 million, partially offset by royalty costs associated with the higher sales of Harry Potter titles.
Other operating expenses decreased by $5.5 million when compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily driven by $4.9 million in foreign exchange translation, as well as lower operating expenses in Indonesia.
Segment operating income for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017 was $18.7 million, compared to $11.4 million in the prior fiscal year. Total local currency operating income across the Company's foreign operations increased $6.5 million, primarily driven by the success of the new Harry Potter publishing. Foreign exchange translation was favorable to operating income by $0.8 million.
Fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015
Revenues for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 decreased by $29.0 million to $372.2 million, compared to $401.2 million in the prior fiscal year. Total local currency revenues across the Company's foreign operations increased $14.2 million when compared to the prior fiscal year, but were offset by foreign currency exchange declines of $43.2 million as the U.S. dollar strengthened against most foreign currencies. Local currency revenues from Australia and New Zealand increased $10.3 million, primarily on increased sales of local titles within the Australia trade channel. Local currency revenues increased $6.3 million from the Company's Asia operations, primarily led by operations in Malaysia, India, and the Philippines. Local currency revenues from the UK increased $2.8 million, primarily due to an increase in book fairs channel revenues driven by the acquisition of a UK book fairs business, Troubadour, Ltd., partially offset by lower sales within the trade and book club channels. Local currency revenue increases were partially offset by lower revenues in the Company's export and foreign rights channel of $3.1 million, reflecting the negative impact of the strengthened U.S. dollar. Lower local currency revenues in Canada of $2.1 million were due to the effect of the labor action in Ontario schools.
Cost of goods sold for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was $194.4 million, or 52.2% of sales, compared to $201.7 million, or 50.3% of sales, in the prior fiscal year. The increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues was primarily driven by the impact fixed costs had on the lower local currency sales in Canada. Additionally, the strong U.S. dollar further increased cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues due to the fact that many of the Company's international operations purchase U.S. product in U.S. dollars. This increase was partially offset by $1.5 million in lower costs due to a warehouse optimization project in Canada that occurred during the prior fiscal year.
Other operating expenses decreased by $9.8 million when compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease was primarily driven by $16.3 million in foreign exchange translation, partially offset by a $3.7 million insurance settlement in the prior fiscal year relating to a fire in a warehouse in India and an increase of $1.9 million in bad debt expense due to economic conditions in Malaysia and Thailand. Other operating expenses were also impacted by $0.9 million and $1.5 million of severance expenses for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to cost saving initiatives.
Segment operating income for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was $11.4 million, compared to $20.6 million in the prior fiscal year. The decrease was driven by $3.9 million in foreign exchange translation, higher cost of goods sold due to U.S. sourced product, the presence of a $3.7 million insurance settlement in the prior fiscal year relating to a fire in a warehouse in India, an increase of $1.9 million in bad debt expense due to economic conditions in Malaysia and Thailand, lower revenues from the Canadian operations and lower gross margin sales in the Australian channels. This was partially offset by $2.7 million in impairment charges of certain outdated technology platforms in the prior fiscal year, $1.5 million in lower costs due to a warehouse optimization project in Canada during the prior fiscal year and $0.6 million in lower severance costs in fiscal 2016.
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Overhead
Fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016
Corporate overhead expense for fiscal 2017 increased by $16.4 million to $123.6 million, compared to $107.2 million in the prior fiscal year. The increase was primarily related to higher spending on strategic technology platforms for new enterprise-wide customer and content management systems and the migration to SaaS and cloud-based technology solutions, combined with increased spending on company websites, as well as higher severance expense of $3.4 million related to cost reduction programs and higher facilities-related expenses due to the renovation of the Company's headquarters location in New York City, partially offset by $1.8 million in lower impairment charges. In fiscal 2017, the Company recognized $5.7 million in impairment charges related to certain website development assets compared to $7.5 million in impairment charges in fiscal 2016 related to the abandonment of legacy building improvements in connection with the Company's renovation of its headquarters location in New York City. The Company expects costs associated with its strategic technology initiatives to continue into future fiscal periods, as well as the incurrence of additional impairment charges related to the renovation of the Company's headquarters location in New York City as upcoming phases of the renovation project result in the abandonment of additional legacy building improvements.
Fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015
Corporate overhead for fiscal 2016 decreased by $14.5 million to $107.2 million, compared to $121.7 million in the prior fiscal year. The decrease primarily related to lower unabsorbed overhead burden, as costs in fiscal 2016 were offset by transition service fees under a transition services agreement with the purchaser of the educational technology and services business, and lower pension expense of $4.3 million related to a settlement on a portion of the domestic pension plan in the prior fiscal year. Cost savings associated with the Company's efforts to offset the unabsorbed overhead burden are reflected in the Company's reportable segments in fiscal 2016 and future fiscal periods. The decrease was partially offset by higher strategic technology spending on the new enterprise-wide customer and content management systems and the migration to SaaS and cloud-based technology solutions and $4.6 million in higher impairment charges associated with a $7.5 million impairment charge related to the abandonment of legacy building improvements in connection with the Company's renovation of its headquarters location in New York City. This compares to a $2.9 million impairment charge in fiscal 2015 associated with the closure of the retail store that was located at the Company headquarters in New York City. Corporate overhead expenses were also impacted by $8.6 million and $7.4 million of severance expenses related to cost saving initiatives for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $444.1 million at May 31, 2017 and $399.7 million at May 31, 2016. Cash and cash equivalents held by the Company’s U.S. operations totaled $430.5 million at May 31, 2017 and $385.3
million at May 31, 2016.
Cash provided by operating activities was $141.4 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, compared to cash used in operating activities of $78.9 million for the prior fiscal year, representing an increase in cash provided by operating activities of $220.3 million. The increase in cash provided was primarily due to the prior fiscal year payment of approximately $186 million in income tax related to the sale of the educational technology and services business, a decrease in cash used in discontinued operations of $10.1 million, and favorable changes in operating assets and liabilities of $28.5 million, primarily driven by a reduction in income tax receivables in fiscal 2017.
Cash used in investing activities was $92.8 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, compared to cash used in investing activities of $39.5 million for the prior fiscal year, representing an increase in cash used in investing activities of $53.3 million. The increase in cash used was primarily driven by $30.1 million in higher capital spending related to the investment plan to create premium retail space and modernize the Company's headquarters office space and increased spending for strategic technology initiatives. These trends are expected to continue in fiscal 2018. In addition, $14.7 million is attributable to the difference between the amount of the final release of the funds remaining in the escrow established in connection with the sale of the educational technology and services business and the amounts released in fiscal 2016. The Company also incurred $6.4 million in higher acquisition related payments in the current fiscal year.
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Cash used in financing activities was $4.1 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, compared to cash provided by financing activities of $12.0 million for the prior fiscal year, representing an increase in cash used in financing activities of $16.1 million. The Company experienced lower proceeds pursuant to employee stock plans of $19.9 million and higher short-term credit facility net repayments of $2.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in the Company's repurchase of common stock of $7.5 million.
Fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015
Cash used in operating activities was $78.9 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $166.9 million for the prior fiscal year, representing an increase in cash used in operating activities of $245.8 million. The increase in cash used was primarily due to income tax payments of approximately $186 million in fiscal 2016 resulting from the gain on the sale of the educational technology and services business recognized in fiscal 2015, as well as to discontinued operations which contributed $69.5 million to the increase in cash used driven by the absence of the operating income from the former educational technology and services business which was sold on May 29, 2015.
Cash used in investing activities was $39.5 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, compared to cash provided by investing activities of $445.3 million for the prior fiscal year, representing an increase in cash used in investing activities of $484.8 million. The increase in cash used was primarily driven by discontinued operations which resulted in an increase in the use of cash of $487.6 million, driven by the cash proceeds of $543.2 million which had been received in the prior fiscal year which comprised sale proceeds of $577.7 million less restricted cash held in escrow of $34.5 million, the $33.9 million in cash used in investing activities associated with the former educational technology and services business before it was sold, the release of $24.6 million in restricted cash from escrow in fiscal 2016 and a working capital adjustment resulting in a $2.9 million final payment to the purchaser in fiscal 2016.
Cash provided by financing activities was $12.0 million for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016, compared to cash used in financing activities of $124.5 million for the prior fiscal year, representing an increase in cash provided by financing activities of $136.5 million. In fiscal 2016, the Company experienced lower net repayment activity under the Loan Agreement of $120.0 million and higher proceeds pursuant to employee stock plans of $19.3 million, and the Company's short-term net borrowings position resulted in an increase in cash provided of $11.5 million. This increase was partially offset by an increase in the Company's repurchase of its Common shares of $10.9 million.
Due to the seasonal nature of its business as discussed under “Seasonality” above, the Company usually experiences negative cash flows in the June through October time period. As a result of the Company’s business cycle, borrowings have historically increased during June, July and August, have generally peaked in September or October, and have been at their lowest point in May.
The Company’s operating philosophy is to use cash provided by operating activities to create value by paying down debt, reinvesting in existing businesses and, from time to time, making acquisitions that will complement its portfolio of businesses or acquiring other strategic assets, as well as engaging in shareholder enhancement initiatives, such as share repurchases or dividend declarations. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017, the Company purchased approximately $6.9 million of its Common shares on the open market compared to approximately $14.4 million of share purchases in the prior fiscal year.
The Company has maintained, and expects to maintain for the foreseeable future, sufficient liquidity to fund ongoing operations, including working capital requirements, pension contributions, dividends, currently authorized Common share repurchases, debt service, planned capital expenditures and other investments. As of May 31, 2017, the Company’s primary sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $444.1 million, cash from operations, and funding available under the Loan Agreement totaling approximately $375.0 million. The Company may at any time, but in any event not more than once in any calendar year, request that the aggregate availability of credit under the Revolving Loan be increased by an amount of $10.0 million or an integral multiple of $10.0 million (but not to exceed $150.0 million). Additionally, the Company has short-term credit facilities of $48.4 million, less current borrowings of $6.2 million and commitments of $4.9 million, resulting in $37.3 million of current availability at May 31, 2017. Accordingly, the Company believes these sources of liquidity are sufficient to finance its ongoing operating needs, as well as its financing and investing activities, and the Company does not expect to incur significant domestic borrowings to meet operating needs in fiscal 2018.
33
The following table summarizes, as of May 31, 2017, the Company’s contractual cash obligations by future period (see Notes 4, 5 and 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”):
$ amounts in millions | |||||||||||||||||||
Payments Due By Period | |||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations | 1 Year or Less | Years 2-3 | Years 4-5 | After Year 5 | Total | ||||||||||||||
Minimum print quantities | $ | 45.5 | $ | 93.4 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 138.9 | |||||||||
Royalty advances | 8.4 | 8.2 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 19.4 | ||||||||||||||
Lines of credit and short-term debt | 6.2 | — | — | — | 6.2 | ||||||||||||||
Capital leases (1) | 1.4 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 8.5 | ||||||||||||||
Pension and post-retirement plans (2) | 130.9 | 6.5 | 6.8 | 17.9 | 162.1 | ||||||||||||||
Operating leases | 30.0 | 36.6 | 16.3 | 7.6 | 90.5 | ||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 222.4 | $ | 147.2 | $ | 27.9 | $ | 28.1 | $ | 425.6 | |||||||||
(1) Includes principal and interest.
(2) Includes anticipated amount of U.S. pension plan distributions resulting from the termination of the plan. Excludes expected Medicare
Part D subsidy receipts.
Financing
Loan Agreement
The Company is party to the Loan Agreement and certain credit lines with various banks as described in Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” There were no outstanding borrowings under the Loan Agreement as of May 31, 2017. For a more complete description of the Loan Agreement, as well as the Company's other debt obligations, reference is made to Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Acquisitions
In the ordinary course of business, the Company explores domestic and international expansion opportunities, including potential niche and strategic acquisitions. As part of this process, the Company engages with interested parties in discussions concerning possible transactions. The Company will continue to evaluate such expansion opportunities and prospects. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Item 7A | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company conducts its business in various foreign countries, and as such, its cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company sells products from its domestic operations to its foreign subsidiaries, creating additional currency risk. The Company manages its exposures to this market risk through internally established procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of short-term forward exchange contracts which were not significant as of May 31, 2017. The Company does not enter into derivative transactions or use other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company is subject to the risk that market interest rates and its cost of borrowing will increase and thereby increase the interest charged under its variable-rate debt.
Additional information relating to the Company’s outstanding financial instruments is included in Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” which is included herein.
34
The following table sets forth information about the Company’s debt instruments as of May 31, 2017 (see Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”):
$ amounts in millions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fiscal Year Maturity | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Thereafter | Total | 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt Obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lines of credit and current portion of long-term debt | $ | 6.2 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6.2 | $ | 6.2 | |||||||||||||||
Average interest rate | 4.1 | % | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Item 8 | Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Page | ||
The following consolidated financial statement schedule for the years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is filed with this annual report on Form 10-K: | ||
All other schedules have been omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.
36
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Amounts in millions, except per share data) For fiscal years ended May 31, | |||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Revenues | $ | 1,741.6 | $ | 1,672.8 | $ | 1,635.8 | |||||
Operating costs and expenses: | |||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 814.5 | 762.3 | 758.5 | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 777.8 | 777.7 | 771.1 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 38.7 | 38.9 | 47.9 | ||||||||
Severance | 14.9 | 11.9 | 9.6 | ||||||||
Asset impairments | 6.8 | 14.4 | 15.8 | ||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses | 1,652.7 | 1,605.2 | 1,602.9 | ||||||||
Operating income | 88.9 | 67.6 | 32.9 | ||||||||
Interest income | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | ||||||||
Interest expense | (2.4 | ) | (2.2 | ) | (3.8 | ) | |||||
Gain (loss) on investments and other | — | 2.2 | 0.5 | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 87.9 | 68.7 | 29.9 | ||||||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 35.4 | 24.7 | 14.4 | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | 52.5 | 44.0 | 15.5 | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (0.2 | ) | (3.5 | ) | 279.1 | ||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 52.3 | $ | 40.5 | $ | 294.6 | |||||
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share of Class A and Common Stock | |||||||||||
Basic: | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 0.47 | |||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | 8.53 | |||
Net income (loss) | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.18 | $ | 9.00 | |||||
Diluted: | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 1.48 | $ | 1.26 | $ | 0.46 | |||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 8.34 | |||
Net income (loss) | $ | 1.47 | $ | 1.16 | $ | 8.80 | |||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.600 | $ | 0.600 | $ | 0.600 | |||||
See accompanying notes
37
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Amounts in millions) For fiscal years ended May 31, | |||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 52.3 | $ | 40.5 | $ | 294.6 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net: | |||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (5.3 | ) | (8.1 | ) | (15.3 | ) | |||||
Pension and post-retirement adjustments: | |||||||||||
Amortization of prior service credit | — | (0.0 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||
Net actuarial gain (loss) associated with benefit plans | (2.2 | ) | (1.6 | ) | (6.3 | ) | |||||
Total other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (7.5 | ) | $ | (9.7 | ) | $ | (21.8 | ) | ||
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 44.8 | $ | 30.8 | $ | 272.8 | |||||
See accompanying notes
38
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in millions) Balances at May 31, | |||||||
ASSETS | 2017 | 2016 | |||||
Current Assets: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 444.1 | $ | 399.7 | |||
Restricted cash held in escrow | — | 9.9 | |||||
Accounts receivable, net | 199.2 | 196.3 | |||||
Inventories, net | 282.5 | 271.2 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 44.3 | 72.5 | |||||
Current assets of discontinued operations | 0.4 | 0.5 | |||||
Total current assets | 970.5 | 950.1 | |||||
Noncurrent Assets: | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 475.3 | 437.6 | |||||
Prepublication costs, net | 43.3 | 41.8 | |||||
Royalty advances, net | 41.8 | 44.0 | |||||
Goodwill | 118.9 | 116.2 | |||||
Noncurrent deferred income taxes | 53.7 | 68.5 | |||||
Other assets and deferred charges | 56.9 | 54.9 | |||||
Total noncurrent assets | 789.9 | 763.0 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 1,760.4 | $ | 1,713.1 | |||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||
Current Liabilities: | |||||||
Lines of credit and current portion of long-term debt | $ | 6.2 | $ | 6.3 | |||
Accounts payable | 141.2 | 138.2 | |||||
Accrued royalties | 34.2 | 31.6 | |||||
Deferred revenue | 24.2 | 23.5 | |||||
Other accrued expenses | 178.0 | 175.9 | |||||
Accrued income taxes | 2.8 | 1.6 | |||||
Current liabilities of discontinued operations | 0.5 | 1.2 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 387.1 | 378.3 | |||||
Noncurrent Liabilities: | |||||||
Other noncurrent liabilities | 65.4 | 77.2 | |||||
Total noncurrent liabilities | 65.4 | 77.2 | |||||
Commitments and Contingencies: | |||||||
Stockholders’ Equity: | |||||||
Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized, 2.0 shares; Issued and Outstanding, none | — | — | |||||
Class A Stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized, 4.0 shares; Issued and Outstanding, 1.7 shares | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||
Common Stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized, 70.0 shares; Issued, 42.9 shares; Outstanding, 33.4 and 32.7 shares, respectively | 0.4 | 0.4 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 606.8 | 600.7 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (94.2 | ) | (86.7 | ) | |||
Retained earnings | 1,091.2 | 1,059.8 | |||||
Treasury stock at cost | (296.3 | ) | (316.6 | ) | |||
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,307.9 | 1,257.6 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 1,760.4 | $ | 1,713.1 | |||
39
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
(Amounts in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Retained Earnings | Treasury Stock At Cost | Total Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at May 31, 2014 | 1.7 | $ | 0.0 | 30.6 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 580.8 | $ | (55.2 | ) | $ | 765.1 | $ | (375.7 | ) | $ | 915.4 | ||||||||||||||
Net Income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 294.6 | — | 294.6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | (15.3 | ) | — | — | (15.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension and post-retirement adjustments (net of tax of $(2.5)) | — | — | — | — | — | (6.5 | ) | — | — | (6.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 11.3 | — | — | — | 11.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds pursuant to stock-based compensation plans | — | — | — | — | 28.1 | — | — | — | 28.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of treasury stock at cost | — | — | (0.1 | ) | — | — | — | — | (3.5 | ) | (3.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock issued pursuant to equity-based plans | — | — | 1.0 | — | (28.7 | ) | — | — | 29.3 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | — | — | — | (19.8 | ) | — | (19.8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at May 31, 2015 | 1.7 | $ | 0.0 | 31.5 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 591.5 | $ | (77.0 | ) | $ | 1,039.9 | $ | (349.9 | ) | $ | 1,204.9 | ||||||||||||||
Net Income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 40.5 | — | 40.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | (8.1 | ) | — | — | (8.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension and post-retirement adjustments (net of tax of $(1.8)) | — | — | — | — | — | (1.6 | ) | — | — | (1.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 9.7 | — | — | — | 9.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds pursuant to stock-based compensation plans | — | — | — | — | 47.2 | — | — | — | 47.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of treasury stock at cost | — | — | (0.4 | ) | — | — | — | — | (14.4 | ) | (14.4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock issued pursuant to equity-based plans | — | — | 1.6 | — | (47.7 | ) | — | — | 47.7 | 0.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | — | — | — | (20.6 | ) | — | (20.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at May 31, 2016 | 1.7 | $ | 0.0 | 32.7 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 600.7 | $ | (86.7 | ) | $ | 1,059.8 | $ | (316.6 | ) | $ | 1,257.6 | ||||||||||||||
Net Income (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 52.3 | — | 52.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — | — | — | — | — | (5.3 | ) | — | — | (5.3 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension and post-retirement adjustments (net of tax of $0.4) | — | — | — | — | — | (2.2 | ) | — | — | (2.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 10.1 | — | — | — | 10.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Proceeds pursuant to stock-based compensation plans | — | — | — | — | 22.5 | — | — | — | 22.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of treasury stock at cost | — | — | (0.2 | ) | — | — | — | — | (6.9 | ) | (6.9 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock issued pursuant to equity-based plans | — | — | 0.9 | — | (26.5 | ) | — | — | 27.2 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | — | — | — | — | — | — | (20.9 | ) | — | (20.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at May 31, 2017 | 1.7 | $ | 0.0 | 33.4 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 606.8 | $ | (94.2 | ) | $ | 1,091.2 | $ | (296.3 | ) | $ | 1,307.9 | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes
40
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in millions) Years ended May 31, | |||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Cash flows - operating activities: | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 52.3 | $ | 40.5 | $ | 294.6 | |||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (0.2 | ) | (3.5 | ) | 279.1 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | 52.5 | 44.0 | 15.5 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile earnings (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations: | |||||||||||
Provision for losses on accounts receivable | 11.0 | 12.3 | 10.6 | ||||||||
Provision for losses on inventory | 16.0 | 12.0 | 21.7 | ||||||||
Provision for losses on royalty advances | 4.3 | 4.1 | 3.6 | ||||||||
Amortization of prepublication and production costs | 23.3 | 26.4 | 30.4 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 39.1 | 39.3 | 48.3 | ||||||||
Amortization of pension and post-retirement actuarial gains and losses | 2.1 | 4.4 | 6.9 | ||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 15.5 | 18.8 | (3.5 | ) | |||||||
Stock-based compensation | 10.1 | 9.7 | 8.8 | ||||||||
Income from equity investments | (5.3 | ) | (3.5 | ) | (2.0 | ) | |||||
Non cash write off related to asset impairments | 6.8 | 14.4 | 15.8 | ||||||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on investments | — | (2.2 | ) | (0.6 | ) | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of amounts acquired: | |||||||||||
Accounts receivable | (15.2 | ) | (18.7 | ) | 1.6 | ||||||
Inventories | (29.4 | ) | (27.8 | ) | (33.4 | ) | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 24.9 | (34.4 | ) | (0.3 | ) | ||||||
Royalty advances | (2.3 | ) | (9.1 | ) | (6.2 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable | (6.0 | ) | (12.7 | ) | 12.1 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses | 3.1 | 2.8 | 5.3 | ||||||||
Accrued income taxes | 1.2 | (155.2 | ) | (24.6 | ) | ||||||
Accrued royalties | 2.9 | 5.2 | (3.1 | ) | |||||||
Deferred revenue | 0.8 | 2.2 | 2.2 | ||||||||
Pension and post-retirement obligations | (5.3 | ) | (2.1 | ) | (2.2 | ) | |||||
Other noncurrent liabilities | (3.7 | ) | 0.4 | 2.5 | |||||||
Other, net | (4.2 | ) | 1.7 | (1.1 | ) | ||||||
Total adjustments | 89.7 | (112.0 | ) | 92.8 | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations | 142.2 | (68.0 | ) | 108.3 | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations | (0.8 | ) | (10.9 | ) | 58.6 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 141.4 | (78.9 | ) | 166.9 | |||||||
Cash flows - investing activities: | |||||||||||
Prepublication and production expenditures | (26.9 | ) | (25.2 | ) | (29.0 | ) | |||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment | (65.7 | ) | (35.6 | ) | (30.3 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from sale of assets | — | 3.3 | 0.7 | ||||||||
Loan to investee | — | — | (3.0 | ) | |||||||
Repayment of loan to investee | — | — | 4.8 | ||||||||
Other investment and acquisition related payments | (10.1 | ) | (3.7 | ) | (8.3 | ) | |||||
Other | — | — | 1.1 | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations | (102.7 | ) | (61.2 | ) | (64.0 | ) | |||||
Working capital adjustment/Proceeds from sale of discontinued assets | — | (2.9 | ) | 577.7 | |||||||
Changes in restricted cash held in escrow for discontinued assets | 9.9 | 24.6 | (34.5 | ) | |||||||
Other cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations | — | — | (33.9 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (92.8 | ) | (39.5 | ) | 445.3 | ||||||
See accompanying notes
41
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in millions) Years ended May 31, | |||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Cash flows - financing activities: | |||||||||||
Net (repayments) borrowings under credit agreement and revolving loan | — | — | (120.0 | ) | |||||||
Borrowings under lines of credit | 28.3 | 39.0 | 350.9 | ||||||||
Repayments of lines of credit | (28.5 | ) | (36.5 | ) | (359.9 | ) | |||||
Repayment of capital lease obligations | (1.1 | ) | (0.8 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||
Reacquisition of common stock | (6.9 | ) | (14.4 | ) | (3.5 | ) | |||||
Proceeds pursuant to stock-based compensation plans | 25.4 | 45.3 | 26.0 | ||||||||
Payment of dividends | (20.8 | ) | (20.5 | ) | (19.7 | ) | |||||
Other | (0.5 | ) | (0.1 | ) | 2.1 | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations | (4.1 | ) | 12.0 | (124.3 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of discontinued operations | — | — | (0.2 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (4.1 | ) | 12.0 | (124.5 | ) | ||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (0.1 | ) | (0.7 | ) | (1.8 | ) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 44.4 | (107.1 | ) | 485.9 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 399.7 | 506.8 | 20.9 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 444.1 | $ | 399.7 | $ | 506.8 | |||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Supplemental Information: | |||||||||||
Income taxes payments (refunds), net | $ | 3.0 | $ | 183.3 | $ | 34.2 | |||||
Interest paid | 1.4 | 1.6 | 3.2 | ||||||||
Non cash: Property, plant and equipment additions accrued in accounts payable | 14.4 | — | — | ||||||||
See accompanying notes
42
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in millions, except share and per share data)
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of the business
Scholastic Corporation (the “Corporation” and together with its subsidiaries, “Scholastic” or the “Company”) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for Pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized and comprehensive solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. Since its founding in 1920, Scholastic has emphasized quality products and a dedication to reading and learning. The Company is the leading operator of school-based book clubs and book fairs in the United States. It distributes its products and services through these proprietary channels, as well as directly to schools and libraries, through retail stores and through the internet. The Company’s website, scholastic.com, is a leading site for teachers, classrooms and parents and an award-winning destination for children. Scholastic has operations in the United States and throughout the world including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other parts of Asia and, through its export business, sells products in approximately 145 countries.
Basis of presentation
Principles of consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Corporation and all wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform to the current year presentation.
Discontinued operations
During the twelve month period ended May 31, 2017, the Company did not dispose of any components of the business that would meet the criteria for discontinued operations reporting.
The Company closed or sold several operations during fiscal 2015. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company sold its educational technology and services business, which, among other things, was engaged in the development and sale of technology-based reading and math improvement programs, as well as providing consulting and professional development services. Additionally during fiscal 2015, the Company completed a restructuring of the businesses comprising its former Media, Licensing and Advertising segment, including discontinuing its Soup2Nuts animation and audio production studio operations and Scholastic Interactive, as well as the print edition of a periodic consumer magazine.
All of these businesses are classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements for all periods presented.
Use of estimates
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements involves the use of estimates and assumptions by management, which affects the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, current business factors, and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, all of which are necessary in order to form a basis for determining the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates the adequacy of its reserves and the estimates used in calculations, including, but not limited to:
• | Accounts receivable reserves for returns |
• | Accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts |
• | Pension and other post-retirement obligations |
43
• | Uncertain tax positions |
• | Inventory reserves |
• | Cost of goods sold from book fair operations during interim periods determined based on estimated gross profit rates |
• | Sales tax contingencies |
• | Royalty advance reserves |
• | Unredeemed incentive programs |
• | Impairment testing for goodwill for assessment and measurement, intangibles and other long-lived assets and investments. |
• | Assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations. |
• | Revenues for fairs which have not reported final fair results |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue recognition
The Company’s revenue recognition policies for its principal businesses are as follows:
School-Based Book Clubs – Revenue from school-based book clubs is recognized upon shipment of the products.
School-Based Book Fairs – Revenues associated with school-based book fairs are related to sales of product. Book fairs are typically run by schools and/or parent teacher organizations over a five business-day period. The amount of revenue recognized for each fair represents the net amount of cash collected at the fair. Revenue is fully recognized at the completion of the fair. At the end of reporting periods, the Company defers estimated revenue for those fairs that have not been completed as of the period end based on the number of fair days occurring after period end on a straight-line calculation of the full fair’s revenue. The Company also estimates revenues for those fairs which have not reported final fair results.
Trade –Revenue from the sale of children’s books for distribution in the retail channel is primarily recognized when risks and benefits transfer to the customer, or when the product is on sale and available to the public. For newly published titles, the Company, on occasion, contractually agrees with its customers when the publication may be first offered for sale to the public, or an agreed upon “Strict Laydown Date.” For such titles, the risks and benefits of the publication are not deemed to be transferred to the customer until such time that the publication can contractually be sold to the public, and the Company defers revenue on sales of such titles until such time as the customer is permitted to sell the product to the public. Revenue for ebooks, which is generally the net amount received from the retailer, is recognized upon electronic delivery to the customer by the retailer.
A reserve for estimated returns is established at the time of sale and recognized as a reduction to revenue. Actual returns are charged to the reserve as received. Reserves for returns are based on historical return rates, sales patterns, type of product and expectations. In order to develop the estimate of returns that will be received subsequent to fiscal year end, management considers patterns of sales and returns in the months preceding the current fiscal year, as well as actual returns received subsequent to year end, available customer and market specific data and other return rate information that management believes is relevant. Actual returns could differ from the Company’s estimate.
Education – Revenue from the sale of educational materials is recognized upon shipment of the products, or upon acceptance of product by the customer depending on individual customer terms. Revenues from professional development services are recognized when the services have been provided to the customer.
Film Production and Licensing – Revenue from the sale of film rights, principally for the home video and domestic and foreign television markets, is recognized when the film has been delivered and is available for showing or exploitation. Licensing revenue is recognized in accordance with royalty agreements at the time the licensed materials are available to the licensee and collections are reasonably assured.
Magazines – Revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the subscription period, as the magazines are delivered.
Magazine Advertising – Revenue is recognized when the magazine is for sale and available to the subscribers.
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Scholastic In-School Marketing – Revenue is recognized when the Company has satisfied its obligations under the program and the customer has acknowledged acceptance of the product or service. Certain revenues may be deferred pending future deliverables.
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Accounts receivable
Accounts receivable are recognized net of allowances for doubtful accounts and reserves for returns. In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit to customers that satisfy predefined credit criteria. The Company is required to estimate the collectability of its receivables. Reserves for returns are based on historical return rates, sales patterns, type of product and expectations. In order to develop the estimate of returns that will be received subsequent to fiscal year end, management considers patterns of sales and returns in the months preceding the current fiscal year, as well as actual returns received subsequent to year end, available customer and market specific data and other return rate information that management believes is relevant. Reserves for estimated bad debts are established at the time of sale and are based on an evaluation of accounts receivable aging, and, where applicable, specific reserves on a customer-by-customer basis, creditworthiness of the Company’s customers and prior collection experience to estimate the ultimate collectability of these receivables. At the time the Company determines that a receivable balance, or any portion thereof, is deemed to be permanently uncollectible, the balance is then written off.
Inventories
Inventories, consisting principally of books, are stated at the lower of cost, using the first-in, first-out method, or market. The Company records a reserve for excess and obsolete inventory based upon a calculation using the historical usage rates by channel, the sales patterns of its products and specifically identified obsolete inventory.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are recognized on a straight-line basis, over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings have estimated useful life, for purposes of depreciation of forty years. Building improvements are depreciated over the life of the improvement which typically does not exceed twenty-five years. Capitalized software, net of accumulated amortization, was $45.0 and $31.1 at May 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Capitalized software is amortized over a period of three to seven years. Amortization expense for capitalized software was $12.9, $11.4 and $17.7 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over periods not exceeding ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease or the life of the assets, whichever is shorter. The Company evaluates the depreciation periods of property, plant and equipment to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying value is not recoverable or warrant revised estimates of useful lives.
Leases
Lease agreements are evaluated to determine whether they are capital or operating leases. When substantially all of the risks and benefits of property ownership have been transferred to the Company, as determined by the test criteria in the current authoritative guidance, the lease is recognized as a capital lease.
Capital leases are capitalized at the lower of the net present value of the total amount of rent payable under the leasing agreement (excluding finance charges) or the fair market value of the leased asset. Capital lease assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis in Depreciation and amortization expense, over a period consistent with the Company’s normal depreciation policy for tangible fixed assets, but not exceeding the lease term. Interest charges are expensed over the period of the lease in relation to the carrying value of the capital lease obligation.
Rent expense for operating leases, which may include free rent or fixed escalation amounts in addition to minimum lease payments, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the duration of each lease term. Sublease income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the duration of each lease term. To the extent expected sublease income is less than expected rental payments the Company recognizes a current loss on the difference between the fair values of the sublease and the rental payments. The Company also receives lease payments from retail stores that utilize the
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Broadway facing space of the Company's headquarters location in New York City. Lease payments received are presented as a reduction in rent expense in Selling, general and administrative expenses.
Prepublication costs
Prepublication costs are incurred in all of the Company’s reportable segments. Prepublication costs include costs incurred to create and develop the art, prepress, editorial, digital conversion and other content required for the creation of the master copy of a book or other media. Prepublication costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a two-to-five-year period based on expected future revenues. The Company regularly reviews the recoverability of the capitalized costs based on expected future revenues.
Royalty advances
Royalty advances are incurred in all of the Company’s reportable segments, but are most prevalent in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment and enable the Company to obtain contractual commitments from authors to produce content. The Company regularly provides authors with advances against expected future royalty payments, often before the books are written. Upon publication and sale of the books or other media, the authors generally will not receive further royalty payments until the contractual royalties earned from sales of such books or other media exceed such advances.
Royalty advances are initially capitalized and subsequently expensed as related revenues are earned or when the Company determines future recovery through earndowns is not probable. The Company has a long history of providing authors with royalty advances, and it tracks each advance earned with respect to the sale of the related publication. The royalties earned are applied first against the remaining unearned portion of the advance. Historically, the longer the unearned portion of the advance remains outstanding, the less likely it is that the Company will recover the advance through the sale of the publication. The Company applies this historical experience to its existing outstanding royalty advances to estimate the likelihood of recoveries through earndowns. Additionally, the Company’s editorial staff regularly reviews its portfolio of royalty advances to determine if individual royalty advances are not recoverable through earndowns for discrete reasons, such as the death of an author prior to completion of a title or titles, a Company decision to not publish a title, poor market demand or other relevant factors that could impact recoverability.
Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and are reviewed for impairment annually as of May 31 or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.
With regard to goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair values of its identified reporting units to the carrying values of their net assets. The Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of its identified reporting units are less than their carrying values. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount the Company performs the two-step test. For each of the reporting units, the estimated fair value is determined utilizing the expected present value of the projected future cash flows of the reporting unit, in addition to comparisons to similar companies. The Company reviews its definition of reporting units annually or more frequently if conditions indicate that the reporting units may change. The Company evaluates its operating segments to determine if there are components one level below the operating segment. A component is present if discrete financial information is available, and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of the business. If an operating segment only contains a single component, that component is determined to be a reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. If an operating segment contains multiple components, the Company evaluates the economic characteristics of these components. Any components within an operating segment that share similar economic characteristics are aggregated and deemed to be a reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes. Components within the same operating segment that do not share similar economic characteristics are deemed to be individual reporting units for goodwill impairment testing purposes. The Company has seven reporting units with goodwill subject to impairment testing.
With regard to other intangibles with indefinite lives, the Company determines the fair value by asset, which is then compared to its carrying value. The Company first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the identified asset is less than its carrying value. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company performs a quantitative test. The estimated fair value is determined utilizing the expected present value of the projected future cash flows of the asset.
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Intangible assets with definite lives consist principally of customer lists, intellectual property and other agreements and are amortized over their expected useful lives. Customer lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over five to ten years, while other agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over their contractual term. Intellectual property assets are amortized over their remaining useful lives, which is approximately five years.
Income taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, for purposes of determining taxable income deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to be realized.
The Company believes that its taxable earnings, during the periods when the temporary differences giving rise to deferred tax assets become deductible or when tax benefit carryforwards may be utilized, should be sufficient to realize the related future income tax benefits. For those jurisdictions where the expiration date of the tax benefit carryforwards or the projected taxable earnings indicates that realization is not likely, the Company establishes a valuation allowance.
In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company estimates future taxable earnings, with consideration for the feasibility of on-going tax planning strategies and the realizability of tax benefit carryforwards, to determine which deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized in the future. Valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets can be impacted by changes to tax laws, changes to statutory tax rates and future taxable earnings. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates in future periods, the Company may need to adjust the valuation allowance.
The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a two-step method. Recognition occurs when an entity concludes that a tax position, based solely on technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. If a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, the amount recognized is the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. The Company assesses all income tax positions and adjusts its reserves against these positions periodically based upon these criteria. The Company also assesses potential penalties and interest associated with these tax positions, and includes these amounts as a component of income tax expense.
In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known. The Company’s effective tax rate is based on expected income and statutory tax rates and permanent differences between financial statement and tax return income applicable to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
The Company assesses foreign investment levels periodically to determine if all or a portion of the Company’s investments in foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely invested. If foreign investments are not expected to be indefinitely invested, the Company provides for income taxes on the portion that is not indefinitely invested.
Non-income Taxes
The Company is subject to tax examinations for sales-based taxes. A number of these examinations are ongoing and, in certain cases, have resulted in assessments from taxing authorities. Where a sales tax liability in respect to a jurisdiction is probable and can be reliably estimated, the Company has made accruals for these matters which are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. These amounts are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Selling, general and administrative expenses. Future developments relating to the foregoing could result in adjustments being made to these accruals.
Unredeemed incentive credits
The Company employs incentive programs to encourage sponsor participation in its book clubs and book fairs. These programs allow the sponsors to accumulate credits which can then be redeemed for Company products or other items offered by the Company. The Company recognizes a liability for the estimated costs of providing these credits at the time of the recognition of revenue for the underlying purchases of Company product that resulted in the granting of the credits. As the credits are redeemed, such liability is reduced.
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Other noncurrent liabilities
The rate assumptions discussed below impact the Company’s calculations of its pension and post-retirement obligations. The rates applied by the Company are based on the portfolios’ past average rates of return, discount rates, actuarial information and, with regard to the U.S. Pension Plan, assumptions related to the plan's expected termination. Any change in market performance, interest rate performance, assumed health care cost trend rate, compensation rates or, with regard to the U.S. Pension Plan, estimated lump sum payments and expected fair value of annuity contracts could result in significant changes in the Company’s pension and post-retirement obligations.
Pension obligations – Scholastic Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans covering the majority of their employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. The Company’s pension plans and other post-retirement benefits are accounted for using actuarial valuations.
UK Pension Plan
The Company’s UK Pension Plan calculations are based on three primary actuarial assumptions: the discount rate, the long-term expected rate of return on plan assets and the anticipated rate of compensation increases. The discount rate is used in the measurement of the projected, accumulated and vested benefit obligations and interest cost component of net periodic pension costs. The long-term expected return on plan assets is used to calculate the expected earnings from the investment or reinvestment of plan assets. The anticipated rate of compensation increase is used to estimate the increase in compensation for participants of the plan from their current age to their assumed retirement age. The estimated compensation amounts are used to determine the benefit obligations and the service cost component of net periodic pension costs.
U.S. Pension Plan
The Company's U.S. Pension Plan calculations are impacted by its expected termination which is considered imminent and likely to occur during fiscal 2018. As such, the Company utilized a discount rate and short-term expected rate of return on plan assets to arrive at an obligation for which additional estimates, related to the anticipated amount of lump sum payments to be distributed in fiscal 2018 and insurance company pricing on the portion of the obligation not distributed through lump sum payments, were used to calculate the benefit obligation. Pension benefits in the cash balance plan for employees located in the U.S. are based on formulas in which the employees’ balances are credited monthly with interest based on the average rate for one-year U.S. Treasury Bills plus 1%. Contribution credits are based on employees’ years of service and compensation levels during their employment periods for the periods prior to June 1, 2009.
Other post-retirement benefits – The Company provides post-retirement benefits, consisting of healthcare and life insurance benefits, to eligible retired U.S.-based employees. The post-retirement medical plan benefits are funded on a pay-as-you-go basis, with the Company paying a portion of the premium and the employee paying the remainder. The Company calculates the existing benefit obligation, based on the discount rate and the assumed health care cost trend rate. The discount rate is used in the measurement of the projected and accumulated benefit obligations and the interest cost component of net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. The assumed health care cost trend rate is used in the measurement of the long-term expected increase in medical claims.
Foreign currency translation
The Company’s non-United States dollar-denominated assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at prevailing rates at the balance sheet date and the revenues, costs and expenses are translated at the weighted average rates prevailing during each reporting period. Net gains or losses resulting from the translation of the foreign financial statements and the effect of exchange rate changes on long-term intercompany balances are accumulated and charged directly to the foreign currency translation adjustment component of stockholders’ equity until such time as the operations are substantially liquidated or sold. The Company assesses foreign investment levels periodically to determine if all or a portion of the Company’s investments in foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely invested.
Shipping and handling costs
Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are classified as revenue. Costs incurred in shipping and handling are recognized in Cost of goods sold.
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Advertising costs
The Company incurs costs for both direct-response and non-direct-response advertising. The Company capitalizes direct-response advertising costs for expenditures, primarily related to classroom magazines. The asset is amortized on a cost-pool-by-cost-pool basis over the period during which the future benefits are expected to be received. Included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the balance sheet is $6.0 and $6.0 of capitalized advertising costs as of May 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company expenses non-direct-response advertising costs as incurred.
Stock-based compensation
The Company recognizes the cost of services received in exchange for any stock-based awards. The Company recognizes the cost on a straight-line basis over an award’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period, except for the grants to retirement-eligible employees, based on the award’s fair value at the date of grant.
The fair values of stock options granted by the Company are estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company’s determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards using this option-pricing model is affected by the price of the Common Stock as well as by assumptions regarding highly complex and subjective variables, including, but not limited to, the expected price volatility of the Common Stock over the terms of the awards, the risk-free interest rate, and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value that may ultimately be realized by those who receive these awards.
Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods, if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates, in order to derive the Company’s best estimate of awards ultimately expected to vest. In determining the estimated forfeiture rates for stock-based awards, the Company annually conducts an assessment of the actual number of equity awards that have been forfeited previously. When estimating expected forfeitures, the Company considers factors such as the type of award, the employee class and historical experience. The estimate of stock-based awards that will ultimately be forfeited requires significant judgment and, to the extent that actual results or updated estimates differ from current estimates, such amounts will be recognized as a cumulative adjustment in the period such estimates are revised.
The table set forth below provides the estimated fair value of options granted by the Company during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the significant weighted average assumptions used in determining such fair value under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The average expected life represents an estimate of the period of time stock options are expected to remain outstanding based on the historical exercise behavior of the option grantees. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve corresponding to the expected life in effect at the time of the grant. The volatility was estimated based on historical volatility corresponding to the expected life.
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Estimated fair value of stock options granted | $ | 12.70 | $ | 14.78 | $ | 11.41 | |||||
Assumptions: | |||||||||||
Expected dividend yield | 1.5 | % | 1.4 | % | 1.8 | % | |||||
Expected stock price volatility | 36.6 | % | 38.2 | % | 38.2 | % | |||||
Risk-free interest rate | 1.5 | % | 1.9 | % | 2.2 | % | |||||
Average expected life of options | 6 years | 6 years | 6 years | ||||||||
New Accounting Pronouncements
ASU 2017-07
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (the "ASU") No. 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The ASU requires entities to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit costs and present it with other current compensation costs for related employees in the income statement, and present the other components elsewhere in the income statement and outside of income from operations if that subtotal is presented. The amendments in this update also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable.
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The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to early adopt this ASU in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending May 31, 2018. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017 and 2016 service costs were less than $0.1. Therefore, a majority of the net periodic benefit costs of the Company will be presented below Operating income and before Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes. See note 13, "Employee Benefit Plans," for further information.
ASU 2017-04
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which removes step two from the goodwill impairment test (comparison of implied fair value of goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill for a reporting unit). Instead, an entity should measure its goodwill impairment by the amount the carry value exceeds the fair value of a reporting unit.
The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company does not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
ASU 2016-16
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” The ASU removes the prohibition against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The ASU, which is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative, is intended to reduce the complexity and diversity in practice related to the tax consequences of certain types of intra-entity asset transfers, particularly those involving intellectual property.
The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
ASU 2016-18 and ASU 2016-15
In November 2016 and August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash and ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (A Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), respectively, which address specific statement of cash flows classification issues.
The ASUs will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company does not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on its statement of cash flows.
ASU 2016-13
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (the "ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). This ASU introduces amendments to the accounting for credit losses on instruments defined within the ASU's scope and will impact both financial services and non-financial services entities. Due to its broad scope, which includes trade and lease receivables, this ASU states that it is likely that all entities will need to evaluate the impact of its amendments. Under the amendments, an entity will recognize, as an allowance, its estimate of expected credit losses, which the FASB believes will result in more timely recognition of such losses. The ASU does not prescribe a specific method to make the estimate so its application will require significant judgment.
The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
ASU 2016-09
In March 2016, the FASB issued the ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this ASU require, among other things, that all income tax effects of awards be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. The ASU permits an employer to repurchase a higher number of employee's shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting. The ASU also allows for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.
The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The company will adopt the ASU under the prospective transition method. This ASU requires that the income tax effects of awards be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. Currently these effects are accounted for as Additional paid-in capital. The ASU also eliminates the requirement to reclassify excess tax benefits from operating activities to financing activities on the statement of cash flows. For the twelve month periods ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company had excess tax benefits of $0.8, $1.9 and $1.1, respectively. The Company will continue to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant.
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ASU 2016-02
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The amendments in this ASU require, among other things, lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability in the balance sheet for all leases. The lease liability will be measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The right-of-use asset will be measured at the lease liability amount, adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received and lessee's initial direct costs (e.g., commissions).
The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, and expects that there will be a significant increase to other assets and other liabilities.
ASU 2015-11
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, as part of its Simplification Initiative. Currently, inventory is measured at the lower of cost using the first-in, first-out method or market. The amendments in this ASU require entities that measure inventory using any method other than last-in, first-out or the retail inventory method to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The amendments should be applied prospectively and earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or fiscal year period.
The ASU will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company does not expect the amendments in this ASU to have a material impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB announced that it is amending the FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") by issuing ASU 2014-09, Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (the "New Revenue Standard"). The amendments in this ASU provide a single model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersede current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue guidance. The core principle of the new ASU is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. New disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers are also required. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 which deferred the effective date of the New Revenue Standard. In 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, and ASU 2016-12 to clarify, among other things, the implementation guidance related to principal versus agent considerations, identifying performance obligations, and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The amendments in this update are to be applied on a retrospective basis, either to each prior reporting period presented or by presenting the cumulative effect of applying the update recognized at the date of initial application.
The New Revenue Standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is evaluating the adoption methodology and the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows, including assessing the impact of the guidance across all of its revenue streams. This includes a review of current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the guidance. While this evaluation is in progress, and the impact is not fully assessed, the Company believes this standard will result in changes relating to the reporting periods in which certain revenues associated with incentive programs within the Company's school channels are recognized.
2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The Company continuously evaluates its portfolio of businesses for both impairment and economic viability, as well as for possible strategic dispositions. The Company monitors the expected cash proceeds to be realized from the disposition of discontinued operations’ assets, and adjusts asset values accordingly. As a result, the Company closed or sold several operations during fiscal 2015. All of these businesses were classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
During the twelve months ended May 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company did not dispose of any components of the business that would meet the criteria for discontinued operations reporting.
On May 29, 2015, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets comprising its former educational technology and services (“Ed Tech”) business and categorized this business as a discontinued operation. In connection with the sale of the Ed Tech business to the purchaser, the Company entered into a transition services agreement
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whereby the Company provided administrative, distribution and other services to the purchaser. Transition service fees under this agreement were recorded as a reduction to Selling, general and administrative expenses. All services under the transition services agreement were terminated on August 1, 2016. As of May 31, 2017, the Company had adequately fulfilled all service requirements and there were no hold backs from the escrow for breaches of representations and warranties or other claims.
During fiscal 2015, the Company completed a restructuring of the businesses comprising its former Media, Licensing and Advertising segment and discontinued a subscription-based print magazine business, the animation and audio production business, and the game console digital content business, all of which were previously reported in such segment.
The following table summarizes the operating results of the discontinued operations for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017. Fiscal year 2017 operating results primarily relate to insignificant continuing cash flows from passive activities:
Ed Tech | All Other | Total | |||||||||
Revenues | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.4 | $ | 0.4 | |||||
Operating costs and expenses | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.9 | ||||||||
Interest income (expense) | — | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | (0.8 | ) | $ | 0.4 | $ | (0.4 | ) | |||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (0.3 | ) | 0.1 | (0.2 | ) | ||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | $ | (0.5 | ) | $ | 0.3 | $ | (0.2 | ) | |||
The following table summarizes the operating results of the discontinued operations for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016:
Ed Tech | All Other | Total | |||||||||
Revenues | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.8 | $ | 0.8 | |||||
Operating costs and expenses (1) | 1.5 | 1.2 | 2.7 | ||||||||
Interest income (expense) | — | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||
Gain (loss) on sale | (2.9 | ) | — | (2.9 | ) | ||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | (4.4 | ) | $ | (0.3 | ) | $ | (4.7 | ) | ||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (1.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (1.2 | ) | |||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | $ | (3.3 | ) | $ | (0.2 | ) | $ | (3.5 | ) | ||
1) Gain (loss) on sale included the finalization of the working capital adjustments from the sale of the Ed Tech business, resulting in a payment to the purchaser of $2.9.
The following table summarizes the operating results of the discontinued operations for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2015:
Ed Tech | All Other | Total | |||||||||
Revenues | $ | 217.4 | $ | 11.7 | $ | 229.1 | |||||
Operating costs and expenses (1) | 208.8 | 14.5 | 223.3 | ||||||||
Interest income (expense) | — | 0.1 | 0.1 | ||||||||
Gain (loss) on sale | 454.0 | — | 454.0 | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | 462.6 | $ | (2.7 | ) | $ | 459.9 | ||||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 181.8 | (1.0 | ) | 180.8 | |||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | $ | 280.8 | $ | (1.7 | ) | $ | 279.1 | ||||
(1) Operating costs and expenses included costs related to unabsorbed overhead burden associated with the former educational technology and services business of $15.8.
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The following table sets forth the assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company as of May 31:
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 0.4 | 0.5 | |||||
Current assets of discontinued operations | $ | 0.4 | $ | 0.5 | |||
Accounts payable | — | 0.0 | |||||
Accrued royalties | 0.5 | 0.0 | |||||
Other accrued expenses | — | 1.2 | |||||
Current liabilities of discontinued operations | $ | 0.5 | $ | 1.2 | |||
As of May 31, 2017 and 2016, assets and liabilities of discontinued operations primarily related to insignificant continuing cash flows from passive activities.
3. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company categorizes its businesses into three reportable segments: Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution and Education, which comprise the Company's domestic operations, and International.
• | Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution operates as an integrated business which includes the publication and distribution of children’s books, ebooks, media and interactive products in the United States through its book clubs and book fairs in its school channels and through the trade channel. This segment is comprised of three operating segments. |
• | Education includes the publication and distribution to schools and libraries of children’s books, classroom magazines, supplemental and core classroom materials and related support services, and print and on-line reference and non-fiction products for grades pre-kindergarten to 12 in the United States. This segment is comprised of two operating segments. |
• | International includes the publication and distribution of products and services outside the United States by the Company’s international operations, and its export and foreign rights businesses. This segment is comprised of three operating segments. |
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The following table sets forth information for the Company’s segments for the three fiscal years ended May 31:
Children's Book Publishing & Distribution (1) | Education (1) | Overhead (1) (2) | Total Domestic | International (1) | Total | ||||||||||||||||||
2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 1,052.1 | $ | 312.7 | $ | — | $ | 1,364.8 | $ | 376.8 | $ | 1,741.6 | |||||||||||
Bad debts | 4.2 | 1.1 | — | 5.3 | 5.7 | 11.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization(3) | 22.5 | 8.5 | 23.6 | 54.6 | 7.4 | 62.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Asset impairments | — | 1.1 | 5.7 | 6.8 | — | 6.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Segment operating income (loss) | 143.1 | 50.7 | (123.6 | ) | 70.2 | 18.7 | 88.9 | ||||||||||||||||
Segment assets at May 31, 2017 | 395.7 | 200.6 | 922.2 | 1,518.5 | 241.5 | 1,760.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill at May 31, 2017 | 40.9 | 68.0 | — | 108.9 | 10.0 | 118.9 | |||||||||||||||||
Expenditures for other non-current assets(4) | 63.6 | 21.8 | 54.5 | 139.9 | 11.5 | 151.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets at May 31, 2017(4) | 140.2 | 93.9 | 418.2 | 652.3 | 67.1 | 719.4 | |||||||||||||||||
2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 1,000.9 | $ | 299.7 | $ | — | $ | 1,300.6 | $ | 372.2 | $ | 1,672.8 | |||||||||||
Bad debts | 5.6 | 1.8 | — | 7.4 | 4.9 | 12.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization(3) | 26.5 | 11.8 | 19.0 | 57.3 | 8.0 | 65.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Asset impairments | — | 6.9 | 7.5 | 14.4 | — | 14.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Segment operating income (loss) | 120.6 | 42.8 | (107.2 | ) | 56.2 | 11.4 | 67.6 | ||||||||||||||||
Segment assets at May 31, 2016 | 394.4 | 172.8 | 898.0 | 1,465.2 | 247.4 | 1,712.6 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill at May 31, 2016 | 40.9 | 65.4 | — | 106.3 | 9.9 | 116.2 | |||||||||||||||||
Expenditures for other non-current assets(4) | 46.3 | 9.1 | 26.6 | 82.0 | 13.8 | 95.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets at May 31, 2016(4) | 144.4 | 82.6 | 379.2 | 606.2 | 66.6 | 672.8 | |||||||||||||||||
2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 957.8 | $ | 276.8 | $ | — | $ | 1,234.6 | $ | 401.2 | $ | 1,635.8 | |||||||||||
Bad debts | 5.3 | 1.9 | — | 7.2 | 3.4 | 10.6 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization(3) | 35.4 | 13.2 | 21.3 | 69.9 | 8.4 | 78.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Asset impairments | 10.2 | — | 2.9 | 13.1 | 2.7 | 15.8 | |||||||||||||||||
Segment operating income (loss) | 94.6 | 39.4 | (121.7 | ) | 12.3 | 20.6 | 32.9 | ||||||||||||||||
Segment assets at May 31, 2015 | 378.3 | 178.3 | 1,014.6 | 1,571.2 | 248.0 | 1,819.2 | |||||||||||||||||
Goodwill at May 31, 2015 | 40.9 | 65.4 | — | 106.3 | 10.0 | 116.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Expenditures for other non-current assets(4) | 51.7 | 11.1 | 11.6 | 74.4 | 21.1 | 95.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets at May 31, 2015(4) | 140.2 | 92.9 | 378.5 | 611.6 | 68.5 | 680.1 | |||||||||||||||||
(1) | As discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” the Company closed or sold several operations during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. All of these businesses are classified as discontinued operations in the Company’s financial statements and, as such, are not reflected in this table. |
(2) | Overhead includes all domestic corporate amounts not allocated to operating segments, including expenses and costs related to the management of corporate assets. Unallocated assets are principally comprised of deferred income taxes and property, plant and equipment related to the Company’s headquarters in the metropolitan New York area, its fulfillment and distribution facilities located in Missouri, its facility located in Connecticut and unabsorbed burden associated with the former educational technology and services business. |
(3) | Includes depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortization of intangible assets and prepublication and production costs. |
(4) | Other non-current assets include property, plant and equipment, prepublication, production, royalty advances, goodwill, intangibles and investments. Expenditures for other non-current assets for the International reportable segment include expenditures for long-lived assets of $6.7, $10.3 and $9.6 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Other non-current assets for the International reportable segment include long-lived assets of $33.4, $35.3 and $37.3 at May 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. |
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4. DEBT
The following table summarizes debt as of May 31:
Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value | ||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||
Loan Agreement: | |||||||||||||||
Revolving Loan (interest rate of n/a and n/a, respectively) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
Unsecured Lines of Credit (weighted average interest rates of 4.1% and 4.4%, respectively) | 6.2 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.3 | |||||||||||
Total debt | $ | 6.2 | $ | 6.2 | $ | 6.3 | $ | 6.3 | |||||||
Less lines of credit and current portion of long-term debt | (6.2 | ) | (6.2 | ) | (6.3 | ) | (6.3 | ) | |||||||
Total long-term debt | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
The Company's debt obligations as of May 31, 2017 have maturities of one year or less.
Loan Agreement
On January 5, 2017, Scholastic Corporation and Scholastic Inc. (each, a “Borrower” and together , the “Borrowers”) entered into a new 5-year credit facility with certain banks (the “Loan Agreement”). The Loan Agreement replaced the Company's then existing loan agreement and has substantially similar terms, except that:
(i) | the borrowing limit was reduced to $375.0 from $425.0; |
(ii) | the “starter” basket for permitted payments of dividends and other payments in respect of capital stock was increased to $275.0 from $75.0; and |
(iii) | the maturity date was extended to January 5, 2022. |
The prior loan agreement, which was originally entered into in 2007 and had a maturity date of December 5, 2017, was terminated in connection with the entry into the new Loan Agreement.
The Loan Agreement allows the Company to borrow, repay or prepay and reborrow at any time prior to the January 5, 2022 maturity date. Under the Loan Agreement, interest on amounts borrowed thereunder is due and payable in arrears on the last day of the interest period (defined as the period commencing on the date of the advance and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower at the time each advance is made). The interest pricing under the Loan Agreement is dependent upon the Borrower’s election of a rate that is either:
• | A Base Rate equal to the higher of (i) the prime rate, (ii) the prevailing Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% or (iii) the Eurodollar Rate for a one month interest period plus 1% plus, in each case, an applicable spread ranging from 0.175% to 0.60%, as determined by the Company’s prevailing consolidated debt to total capital ratio. |
- or -
• | A Eurodollar Rate equal to the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable spread ranging from 1.175% to 1.60%, as determined by the Company’s prevailing consolidated debt to total capital ratio. |
As of May 31, 2017, the indicated spread on Base Rate Advances was 0.175% and the indicated spread on Eurodollar Advances was 1.175%, both based on the Company’s prevailing consolidated debt to total capital ratio.
The Loan Agreement also provides for the payment of a facility fee in respect of the aggregate amount of revolving credit commitments ranging from 0.20% to 0.40% per annum based upon the Company’s prevailing consolidated debt to total capital ratio. At May 31, 2017, the facility fee rate was 0.20%.
A portion of the revolving credit facility up to a maximum of $50.0 is available for the issuance of letters of credit. In addition, a portion of the revolving credit facility up to a maximum of $15.0 is available for swingline loans. The Loan
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Agreement has an accordion feature which permits the Company, provided certain conditions are satisfied, to increase the facility by up to an additional $150.0.
As of May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Loan Agreement. At May 31, 2017, the Company had open standby letters of credit totaling $5.3 issued under certain credit lines, including $0.4 under the Loan Agreement and $4.9 under the domestic credit lines discussed below.
The Loan Agreement contains certain covenants, including interest coverage and leverage ratio tests and certain limitations on the amount of dividends and other distributions, and at May 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
Lines of Credit
As of May 31, 2017, the Company’s domestic credit lines available under unsecured money market bid rate credit lines totaled $25.0. There were no outstanding borrowings under these credit lines as of May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016. As of May 31, 2017, availability under these unsecured money market bid rate credit lines totaled $20.1. All loans made under these credit lines are at the sole discretion of the lender and at an interest rate and term agreed to at the time each loan is made, but not to exceed 365 days. These credit lines may be renewed, if requested by the Company, at the option of the lender.
As of May 31, 2017, the Company had equivalent various local currency credit lines, totaling $23.4, underwritten by banks primarily in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Outstanding borrowings under these facilities were equivalent to $6.2 at May 31, 2017 at a weighted average interest rate of 4.1%, compared to outstanding borrowings equivalent to $6.3 at May 31, 2016 at a weighted average interest rate of 4.4%. As of May 31, 2017, the equivalent amounts available under these facilities totaled $17.2. These credit lines are typically available for overdraft borrowings or loans up to 364 days and may be renewed, if requested by the Company, at the sole option of the lender.
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Lease obligations
The Company leases warehouse space, office space and equipment under various capital and operating leases over periods ranging from one to ten years. Certain of these leases provide for scheduled rent increases based on price-level factors. The Company generally does not enter into leases that call for contingent rent. In most cases, the Company expects that, in the normal course of business, leases will be renewed or replaced. Net rent expense relating to the Company’s non-cancelable operating leases for the three fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $24.9, $25.7 and $24.2, respectively. Net rent expense represents rent expense reduced for sublease income and lease payments received.
Amortization of assets under capital leases covering land, buildings and equipment was $1.1, $0.8 and $0.2 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and is included in Depreciation and amortization expense.
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The following table sets forth the aggregate minimum future annual rental commitments at May 31, 2017 under non-cancelable operating leases for the fiscal years ending May 31:
Operating Leases | Capital Leases | |||||
2018 | $ | 30.0 | $ | 1.4 | ||
2019 | 21.0 | 1.3 | ||||
2020 | 15.6 | 1.2 | ||||
2021 | 9.7 | 1.1 | ||||
2022 | 6.6 | 1.0 | ||||
Thereafter | 7.6 | 2.5 | ||||
Total minimum lease payments | $ | 90.5 | $ | 8.5 | ||
Less minimum sublease income and lease payments to be received | 41.2 | — | ||||
Minimum lease payments, net of sublease income | $ | 49.3 | $ | 8.5 | ||
Less amount representing interest | (0.9 | ) | ||||
Present value of net minimum capital lease payments | 7.6 | |||||
Less current maturities of capital lease obligations | 1.1 | |||||
Long-term capital lease obligations | $ | 6.5 | ||||
Other Commitments
The following table sets forth the aggregate minimum future contractual commitments at May 31, 2017 relating to royalty advances and minimum print quantities for the fiscal years ending May 31:
Royalty Advances | Minimum Print Quantities | ||||||
2018 | $ | 8.4 | $ | 45.5 | |||
2019 | 6.3 | 46.3 | |||||
2020 | 1.9 | 47.1 | |||||
2021 | 2.3 | — | |||||
2022 | 0.4 | — | |||||
Thereafter | 0.1 | — | |||||
Total commitments | $ | 19.4 | $ | 138.9 | |||
The Company had open standby letters of credit of $5.3 issued under certain credit lines as of May 31, 2017 and 2016. These letters of credit are scheduled to expire within one year; however, the Company expects that substantially all of these letters of credit will be renewed, at similar terms, prior to expiration.
Contingencies
Various claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business are pending against the Company. The Company accrues a liability for such matters when it is probable that a liability has occurred and the amount of such liability can be reasonably estimated. When only a range can be estimated, the most probable amount in the range is accrued unless no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, in which case the minimum amount in the range is accrued. Legal costs associated with litigation loss contingencies are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. The Company does not expect, in the case of those various claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business where a loss is considered probable or reasonably possible, that the reasonably possible losses from such claims and lawsuits (either individually or in the aggregate) would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
6. INVESTMENTS
Included in the Other assets and deferred charges section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets were investments of $28.6 and $26.2 at May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively.
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The Company's 48.5% equity interest in Make Believe Ideas Limited (MBI), a UK-based children's book publishing company, is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the purchase agreement, and subject to its provisions, the Company will purchase the remaining outstanding shares in MBI following the completion of MBI's accounts for the calendar year 2018. Equity method income from this investment is reported in the International segment. The net carrying value of this investment was $8.6 and $8.0 at May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively.
The Company’s 26.2% non-controlling interest in a separate children’s book publishing business located in the UK is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Equity method income from this investment is reported in the International segment. The net carrying value of this investment was $20.0 and $18.1 at May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively.
The Company has other equity and cost method investments that had a net carrying value of less than $0.1 and $0.1 at May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively.
Income from equity investments reported in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations totaled $5.3 for the year ended May 31, 2017, $3.5 for the year ended May 31, 2016 and $2.0 for the year ended May 31, 2015.
For the year ended May 31, 2016, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $2.2 on the sale of a cost method investment in China. For the year ended May 31, 2015, the Company recognized a pretax gain of $0.6 on the sale of a UK-based cost method investment that had previously been determined to be other than temporarily impaired.
7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The following table summarizes the major classes of assets at cost and accumulated depreciation for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Land | $ | 77.5 | $ | 77.4 | |||
Buildings | 239.7 | 240.4 | |||||
Capitalized software | 202.0 | 196.0 | |||||
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 224.7 | 221.5 | |||||
Building and leasehold improvements | 176.9 | 141.7 | |||||
Total at cost | 920.8 | 877.0 | |||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | (445.5 | ) | (439.4 | ) | |||
Property, plant and equipment, net | $ | 475.3 | $ | 437.6 | |||
Depreciation and amortization expense related to property, plant, and equipment were $36.2, $36.7 and $46.0 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the twelve months ended May 31, 2017, the Company capitalized $34.2 of building improvements not yet being depreciated related to the investment plan to create premium retail space and modernize the Company's headquarters office space and recognized a pretax impairment charge related to certain website development assets of $5.7. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recognized a pretax impairment charge of $7.5 related to the abandonment of legacy building improvements in connection with the Company's renovation of its headquarters location in New York City.
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8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
The following table summarizes the activity in Goodwill for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Gross beginning balance | $ | 155.8 | $ | 155.9 | |||
Accumulated impairment | (39.6 | ) | (39.6 | ) | |||
Beginning balance | 116.2 | 116.3 | |||||
Additions | 2.8 | — | |||||
Foreign currency translation | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | |||
Gross ending balance | 158.5 | 155.8 | |||||
Accumulated impairment | (39.6 | ) | (39.6 | ) | |||
Ending balance | $ | 118.9 | $ | 116.2 | |||
In fiscal 2017, the Company purchased a digital phonics business resulting in the recognition of $2.8 of Goodwill. See note 9, "Acquisitions," for more information.
The following table summarizes Other intangibles for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Other intangibles subject to amortization - beginning balance | $ | 4.7 | $ | 4.7 | |||
Additions | 7.0 | 2.4 | |||||
Amortization expense | (2.5 | ) | (2.2 | ) | |||
Foreign currency translation | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||
Total other intangibles subject to amortization, net of accumulated amortization of $22.0 and $19.5, respectively | $ | 9.0 | $ | 4.7 | |||
Total other intangibles not subject to amortization | $ | 2.1 | $ | 2.1 | |||
Total other intangibles | $ | 11.1 | $ | 6.8 | |||
In fiscal 2017, the Company purchased a digital phonics business and the assets of a U.S.-based book fair business resulting in the recognition of $6.8 and $0.2 of amortizable intangible assets, respectively. In fiscal 2016, the Company purchased a UK-based book fair business and the assets of a U.S.-based book fair business resulting in the Company recognizing $1.9 and $0.5 of amortizable intangible assets, respectively.
Amortization expense for Other intangibles totaled $2.5, $2.2 and $1.9 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The following table reflects the estimated amortization expense for intangibles for the next five fiscal years ending May 31:
2018 | $ | 2.0 | |
2019 | 1.9 | ||
2020 | 1.9 | ||
2021 | 1.6 | ||
2022 | 1.4 | ||
Intangible assets with indefinite lives consist principally of trademark and tradename rights. Intangible assets with definite lives consist principally of customer lists, intellectual property and other agreements. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The weighted-average remaining useful lives of all amortizable intangible assets is approximately 5 years.
9. ACQUISITIONS
In fiscal 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the share capital of Ooka Island Inc., a Canadian-based digital phonics business, for $9.7, net of cash acquired. Fair values were assigned to the assets and liabilities acquired, including
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inventory, receivables, payables and intellectual property. The Company utilized internally-developed discounted cash flow forecasts to determine the fair value of the intellectual property. The fair values of the net assets were $6.9 which included $6.8 of amortizable intangible assets attributable to the intellectual property, resulting in $2.8 of goodwill that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The results of operations of this business subsequent to the acquisition are included in the Education segment.
The Company also purchased the assets of a U.S.-based book fair business in fiscal 2017 for approximately $0.4. The acquisition resulted in $0.2 of amortizable intangible assets. The results of operations of this business subsequent to the acquisition are included in the Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment.
In fiscal 2016, the Company acquired 100% of the share capital of Troubadour, Limited, a book fairs business located in the United Kingdom, for £2.1 million, net of cash acquired, which was equivalent to approximately $3.2. Fair values were assigned to the assets and liabilities acquired, including inventory, trade receivables and payables, a customer list and fixed assets, in addition to cash. The Company utilized internally-developed discounted cash flow forecasts to determine the fair value of the customer list. The fair values of the net assets were $3.2 which included $1.9 of amortizable intangible assets attributable to the customer list. The results of operations of this business subsequent to the acquisition are included in the International segment.
The Company also purchased the assets of a U.S.-based book fairs business in fiscal 2016 for approximately $0.5. The acquisition resulted in $0.5 of amortizable intangible assets. The results of operations of this business subsequent to the acquisition were included in the Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment.
The transactions in fiscal 2017 and 2016 were not determined to be material individually or in the aggregate to the Company's results and therefore pro forma financial information is not presented.
10. TAXES
The components of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes for the fiscal years ended May 31 are:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
United States | $ | 78.7 | $ | 62.1 | $ | 27.4 | |||||
Non-United States | 9.2 | 6.6 | 2.5 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 87.9 | $ | 68.7 | $ | 29.9 | |||||
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the fiscal years ended May 31 consists of the following components:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Federal | |||||||||||
Current | $ | 8.3 | $ | (4.0 | ) | $ | 3.3 | ||||
Deferred | 17.7 | 19.2 | 5.3 | ||||||||
Total federal | $ | 26.0 | $ | 15.2 | $ | 8.6 | |||||
State and local | |||||||||||
Current | $ | 1.8 | $ | 4.1 | $ | 1.2 | |||||
Deferred | 2.2 | 1.8 | 0.9 | ||||||||
Total state and local | $ | 4.0 | $ | 5.9 | $ | 2.1 | |||||
Non-United States | |||||||||||
Current | $ | 5.4 | $ | 4.1 | $ | 4.7 | |||||
Deferred | — | (0.5 | ) | (1.0 | ) | ||||||
Total non-United States | $ | 5.4 | $ | 3.6 | $ | 3.7 | |||||
Total | |||||||||||
Current | $ | 15.5 | $ | 4.2 | $ | 9.2 | |||||
Deferred | 19.9 | 20.5 | 5.2 | ||||||||
Total current and deferred | $ | 35.4 | $ | 24.7 | $ | 14.4 | |||||
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Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation
A reconciliation of the significant differences between the effective income tax rate and the federal statutory rate on earnings from continuing operations before income taxes for the fiscal years ended May 31 is as follows:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Computed federal statutory provision | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | |||||
State income tax provision, net of federal income tax benefit | 3.3 | 3.7 | 4.2 | ||||||||
Difference in effective tax rates on earnings of foreign subsidiaries | 0.0 | 1.2 | 3.7 | ||||||||
Charitable contributions | (0.3 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (1.1 | ) | |||||
Tax credits | (0.5 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (0.5 | ) | |||||
Valuation allowances | 0.1 | (0.7 | ) | 2.4 | |||||||
Uncertain Positions | 2.9 | 3.9 | 11.5 | ||||||||
Other - net | (0.2 | ) | (6.4 | ) | (7.0 | ) | |||||
Effective tax rates | 40.3 | % | 36.0 | % | 48.2 | % | |||||
Total provision for income taxes | $ | 35.4 | $ | 24.7 | $ | 14.4 | |||||
The tax provision for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 was favorably impacted by settlement with the Internal Revenue Service ( the "IRS"). During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company reached a settlement with the IRS for fiscal years ended May 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and the Company recognized previously unrecognized tax benefits of $4.9, inclusive of interest, as a result of this settlement. Subsequent periods remain open.
Unremitted Earnings
At May 31, 2017, the Company had not provided U.S. income taxes on accumulated but undistributed earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries of approximately $63.2 to the extent that such earnings are expected to be indefinitely reinvested. However, if any portion were to be distributed, the related U.S. tax liability may be reduced by foreign income taxes paid on those earnings. Determining the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to those investments in these non-U.S. subsidiaries is not practicable. The Company assesses foreign investment levels periodically to determine if all or a portion of the Company’s investments in foreign subsidiaries are indefinitely invested.
Deferred Taxes
The significant components for deferred income taxes for the fiscal years ended May 31, including deferred income taxes related to discontinued operations, are as follows:
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Deferred tax assets | |||||||
Tax uniform capitalization | $ | 9.5 | $ | 6.2 | |||
Prepublication expenses | 14.8 | 26.4 | |||||
Inventory reserves | 24.6 | 25.1 | |||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | 3.3 | 4.2 | |||||
Other reserves | 26.0 | 26.3 | |||||
Post-retirement, post-employment and pension obligations | 12.5 | 15.9 | |||||
Tax carryforwards | 31.1 | 32.2 | |||||
Lease accounting | (0.4 | ) | (0.4 | ) | |||
Other - net | 10.2 | 12.0 | |||||
Gross deferred tax assets | 131.6 | 147.9 | |||||
Valuation allowance | (26.8 | ) | (28.4 | ) | |||
Total deferred tax assets | $ | 104.8 | $ | 119.5 | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | |||||||
Prepaid expenses | (0.4 | ) | (0.6 | ) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (50.7 | ) | (50.4 | ) | |||
Total deferred tax liability | $ | (51.1 | ) | $ | (51.0 | ) | |
Total net deferred tax assets | $ | 53.7 | $ | 68.5 | |||
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Total net deferred tax assets of $53.7 at May 31, 2017 and $68.5 at May 31, 2016, respectively, are reported in noncurrent assets.
For the year ended May 31, 2017, the valuation allowance decreased by $1.6 and for the year ended May 31, 2016, the valuation allowance increased by $0.1. The valuation allowance is based on the Company’s assessment that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets will not be realized in the foreseeable future. The valuation allowance at May 31, 2017 relates to the Company's total foreign operating loss carryforwards of $112.3 principally in the UK, which do not expire and other operating loss carryforwards in Asia and Canada.
The benefits of uncertain tax positions are recorded in the financial statements only after determining a more likely-than-not probability that the uncertain tax positions will withstand challenge, if any, from taxing authorities, in which case such benefits are included in long-term income taxes payable, reduced by the associated federal deduction for state taxes and non-U.S. tax credits, and may also include other long-term tax liabilities that are not uncertain but have not yet been paid. The interest and penalties related to these uncertain tax positions are recorded as part of the Company’s income tax expense and constitute part of Other noncurrent liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $14.1, excluding $1.7 accrued for interest and penalties, $17.9, excluding $2.3 accrued for interest and penalties, and $17.3, excluding $1.6 accrued for interest and penalties, respectively. Of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, $14.1, $17.0 and $14.6, respectively, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate.
During the years presented, the Company recognized interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for taxes in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company recognized a benefit of $0.6, an expense of $0.7, and an expense of $0.5 for the years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
A reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefits for the fiscal years ended May 31 is as follows:
Gross unrecognized benefits at May 31, 2014 | $ | 14.4 | |
Decreases related to prior year tax positions | (0.7 | ) | |
Increase related to prior year tax positions | — | ||
Increases related to current year tax positions | 3.6 | ||
Settlements during the period | — | ||
Lapse of statute of limitation | — | ||
Gross unrecognized benefits at May 31, 2015 | $ | 17.3 | |
Decreases related to prior year tax positions | (6.2 | ) | |
Increase related to prior year tax positions | 4.3 | ||
Increases related to current year tax positions | 5.4 | ||
Settlements during the period | (2.9 | ) | |
Lapse of statute of limitation | — | ||
Gross unrecognized benefits at May 31, 2016 | $ | 17.9 | |
Decreases related to prior year tax positions | (6.3 | ) | |
Increase related to prior year tax positions | 0.1 | ||
Increases related to current year tax positions | 3.0 | ||
Settlements during the period | (0.6 | ) | |
Lapse of statute of limitation | — | ||
Gross unrecognized benefits at May 31, 2017 | $ | 14.1 | |
Unrecognized tax benefits for the Company decreased by $3.8 for the year ended May 31, 2017 and increased by $0.6 for the year ended May 31, 2016. Although the timing of the resolution and/or closure on audits is highly uncertain, it is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next twelve months. However, given the number of years remaining subject to examination and the number of matters being examined, the Company is unable to estimate the full range of possible adjustments to the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits.
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The Company, including its domestic subsidiaries, files a consolidated U.S. income tax return, and also files tax returns in various states and other local jurisdictions. Also, certain subsidiaries of the Company file income tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The Company is routinely audited by various tax authorities.
Non-income Taxes
The Company is subject to tax examinations for sales-based taxes. A number of these examinations are ongoing and, in certain cases, have resulted in assessments from taxing authorities. The Company assesses sales tax contingencies for each jurisdiction in which it operates, considering all relevant facts including statutes, regulations, case law and experience. Where a sales tax liability in respect to a jurisdiction is probable and can be reliably estimated for such jurisdiction, the Company has made accruals for these matters which are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. These amounts are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements in Selling, general and administrative expenses. Future developments relating to the foregoing could result in adjustments being made to these accruals.
The State of Wisconsin has assessed Scholastic Book Fairs, Inc. (“SBF”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, $5.4, exclusive of penalties and interest, for sales tax in fiscal years 2004 through 2014. Based upon the facts and circumstances and the relevant laws in the State of Wisconsin, the Company does not believe these assessments are merited and has elected to litigate these assessments. While the Company believes it will prevail in this litigation and accordingly has not recognized a liability for these assessments, the results of litigation cannot be assured and it is reasonably possible that SBF could be found liable for all or a portion of the amounts assessed.
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11. CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS
Class A Stock and Common Stock
Capital stock consisted of the following as of May 31, 2017:
Class A Stock | Common Stock | Preferred Stock | ||||||
Authorized | 4,000,000 | 70,000,000 | 2,000,000 | |||||
Reserved for Issuance | 244,506 | 6,822,489 | — | |||||
Outstanding | 1,656,200 | 33,383,303 | — | |||||
The only voting rights vested in the holders of Common Stock, except as required by law, are the election of such number of directors as shall equal at least one-fifth of the members of the Board. The Class A Stockholders are entitled to elect all other directors and to vote on all other matters. The Class A Stockholders and the holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on matters on which they are entitled to vote. The Class A Stockholders have the right, at their option, to convert shares of Class A Stock into shares of Common Stock on a share-for-share basis. With the exception of voting rights and conversion rights, and as to any rights of holders of Preferred Stock if issued, the Class A Stock and the Common Stock are equal in rank and are entitled to dividends and distributions, when and if declared by the Board.
Preferred Stock
The Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series, with the rights of each series, including voting rights, to be determined by the Board before each issuance. To date, no shares of Preferred Stock have been issued.
Stock-based awards
At May 31, 2017, the Company maintained two stockholder-approved stock-based compensation plans with regard to the Common Stock: the Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”), under which no further awards can be made; and the Scholastic Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The 2011 Plan was adopted in July 2011 and provides for the issuance of incentive stock options; non-qualified stock options; restricted stock; and other stock-based awards. On September 24, 2014, the stockholders approved an amendment to the 2011 Plan increasing the shares available for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2011 plan by 2,475,000 shares.
The Company’s stock-based awards vest over periods not exceeding four years. Provisions in the Company’s stock-based compensation plans allow for the acceleration of vesting for certain retirement-eligible employees, as well as for certain other events.
Stock Options – At May 31, 2017, non-qualified stock options to purchase 185,212 shares and 2,110,766 shares of Common Stock were outstanding under the 2001 Plan and the 2011 Plan, respectively. During fiscal 2017, 507,977 options were granted under the 2011 Plan at a weighted average exercise price of $39.42.
At May 31, 2017, 1,397,818 shares of Common Stock were available for additional awards under the 2011 Plan.
In September 2007, the stockholders approved the Scholastic Corporation 2007 Outside Directors Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Directors Plan”). From September 2007 through September 2011, the 2007 Directors Plan provided for the automatic grant to each non-employee director, on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, of non-qualified stock options to purchase 3,000 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price per share equal to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant and 1,200 restricted stock units. In July 2012, the Board approved an amended and restated 2007 Outside Directors stock incentive Plan (the “Amended 2007 Directors Plan”), which was approved by the stockholders in September 2012. The Amended 2007 Directors Plan provides for the automatic grant to each non-employee director, on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders, of stock options and restricted stock units with a value equal to a fixed dollar amount. Such dollar amount, as well as the split of such amount between stock options and restricted stock units, will be determined annually by the Board (or committee designated by the Board) in advance of the grant date. The value of the stock option portion of the annual grant is determined based on the Black-Scholes option pricing method, with the exercise price being the fair market value of the Common Stock on the grant date, and the value of the restricted stock unit portion is the fair market value of the Common Stock on the grant date.
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In December 2015, the Board approved an amendment to the Amended 2007 Directors Plan to provide that a non-employee director elected between annual meetings of stockholders would receive a grant at the time of such election equal to a pro rata portion of the most recent annual grant of stock options and restricted stock units, based on the number of regular Board meetings remaining to be held for the annual period during which such election occurred. In July 2016, stock options and restricted stock units with a value of seventy thousand dollars for each non-employee director, with 40% of such value in the form of options and 60% in the form of restricted stock units, were approved, and, on September 21, 2016, an aggregate of 14,784 options at an exercise price of $38.56 per share and 7,623 restricted stock units were granted to the non-employee directors under the Amended 2007 Directors Plan. As of May 31, 2017, 153,340 options were outstanding under the Amended 2007 Directors Plan.
The Scholastic Corporation 2004 Class A Stock Incentive Plan (the “Class A Plan”) provided for the grant to Richard Robinson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation as of the effective date of the Class A Plan, of options to purchase Class A Stock (the “Class A Options”). As of May 31, 2017, there were 244,506 Class A Options to Mr. Robinson outstanding under the Class A Plan, and no shares of Class A Stock remained available for additional awards under the Class A Plan.
Generally, options granted under the various plans may not be exercised for a minimum of one year after the date of grant and expire approximately ten years after the date of grant. The intrinsic value of these stock options is deductible by the Company for tax purposes upon exercise. The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options as stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis, or sooner if the employee effectively vests upon termination of employment for certain retirement-eligible employees, as well as in certain other events.
The following table sets forth the intrinsic value of stock options exercised, pretax stock-based compensation cost and related tax benefits for the Class A Stock and Common Stock plans for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised | $ | 11.0 | $ | 14.6 | $ | 5.8 | |||||
Stock-based compensation cost (pretax) | $ | 10.1 | $ | 9.7 | $ | 11.3 | |||||
Tax benefits related to stock-based compensation cost | $ | 0.8 | $ | 1.8 | $ | 2.1 | |||||
Weighted average grant date fair value per option | $ | 12.70 | $ | 14.78 | $ | 11.41 | |||||
Pretax stock-based compensation cost is recognized in Selling, general and administrative expenses. As of May 31, 2017, the total pretax compensation cost not yet recognized by the Company with regard to outstanding unvested stock options was $3.0. The weighted average period over which this compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 2.0.years. In fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, there were no stock-based compensation costs recognized in discontinued operations. In fiscal 2015, stock-based compensation cost included $2.5 of expense recognized in discontinued operations.
The following table sets forth the stock option activity for the Class A Stock and Common Stock plans for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2017:
Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||
Outstanding at May 31, 2016 | 3,025,046 | $ | 32.10 | |||||||||
Granted | 522,761 | $ | 39.39 | |||||||||
Exercised | (833,046 | ) | $ | 30.97 | ||||||||
Expired, cancellations and forfeitures | (20,937 | ) | $ | 38.68 | ||||||||
Outstanding at May 31, 2017 | 2,693,824 | $ | 33.81 | 6.3 | $ | 24.0 | ||||||
Exercisable at May 31, 2017 | 1,446,554 | $ | 30.14 | 4.6 | $ | 18.0 | ||||||
Restricted Stock Units – In addition to stock options, the Company has issued restricted stock units to certain officers and key executives under the 2011 Plan (“RSUs”). The RSUs automatically convert to shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis as the award vests, which is typically over a four-year period beginning thirteen months from the grant date and thereafter annually on the anniversary of the grant date. There were 37,791 shares of Common Stock issued upon vesting of RSUs during fiscal 2017. The Company measures the value of RSUs at fair value based on
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the number of RSUs granted and the price of the underlying Common Stock on the grant date. The Company amortizes the fair value of outstanding Stock Units as stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis, or sooner if the employee effectively vests upon termination of employment under certain circumstances.
The following table sets forth the RSU award activity for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
RSUs granted | 52,331 | 74,536 | 66,146 | ||||||||
Weighted average grant date price per unit | $ | 39.22 | $ | 43.10 | $ | 33.80 | |||||
As of May 31, 2017, the total pretax compensation cost not yet recognized by the Company with regard to unvested RSUs was $1.6. The weighted average period over which this compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 1.6 years.
Management Stock Purchase Plan - The Company maintains a Management Stock Purchase Plan (“MSPP”), which allows certain members of senior management to defer up to 100% of their annual cash bonus payments in the form of restricted stock units (“MSPP Stock Units”) which are purchased by the employee at a 25% discount from the lowest closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ on any day during the fiscal quarter in which such bonuses are payable. The MSPP Stock Units are converted into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis at the end of the applicable deferral period. The Company measures the value of MSPP Stock Units based on the number of awards granted and the price of the underlying Common Stock on the grant date, giving effect to the 25% discount. The Company amortizes this discount as stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term on a straight-line basis, or sooner if the employee effectively vests upon termination of employment under certain circumstances.
The following table sets forth the MSPP Stock Unit activity for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||
MSPP Stock Units allocated | 42,565 | 58,633 | 67,027 | |||||||
Purchase price per unit | $ | 28.49 | $ | 30.38 | $ | 23.79 | ||||
At May 31, 2017, there were 334,744 shares of Common Stock remaining authorized for issuance under the MSPP.
As of May 31, 2017, the total pretax compensation cost not yet recognized by the Company with regard to unvested MSPP Stock Units under the MSPP was less than $0.1. The weighted average period over which this compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 1.7 years.
The following table sets forth the RSU and MSPP Stock Unit activity for the year ended May 31, 2017:
Stock Units/RSUs | Weighted Average grant date fair value | |||||
Nonvested as of May 31, 2016 | 273,263 | $ | 23.79 | |||
Granted | 94,896 | $ | 26.14 | |||
Vested | (58,084 | ) | $ | 35.67 | ||
Forfeited | — | $ | — | |||
Nonvested as of May 31, 2017 | 310,075 | $ | 22.28 | |||
The total fair value of shares vested during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $2.1, $3.4 and $3.3, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which is offered to eligible United States employees. The ESPP permits participating employees to purchase Common Stock, with after-tax payroll deductions, on a quarterly basis at a 15% discount from the closing price of the Common Stock on NASDAQ. The purchase of Common Stock occurs on the last business day of the calendar quarter. The Company recognizes the discount on the
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Common Stock issued under the ESPP as stock-based compensation expense in the quarter in which the employees participated in the plan.
The following table sets forth the ESPP share activity for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Shares issued | 42,799 | 43,141 | 55,501 | ||||||||
Weighted average purchase price per share | $ | 35.58 | $ | 33.65 | $ | 31.98 | |||||
At May 31, 2017, there were 520,469 shares of Common Stock remaining authorized for issuance under the ESPP.
12. TREASURY STOCK
The Company has authorizations from the Board of Directors to repurchase Common Stock, from time to time as conditions allow, on the open market or through negotiated private transactions, as summarized in the table below:
Authorization | Amount | |||
July 2015 | 50.0 | |||
Less repurchases made under the authorization as of May 31, 2017 | (11.4 | ) | ||
Remaining Board authorization at May 31, 2017 | $ | 38.6 | ||
On July 22, 2015, the Board authorized $50.0 for the share buy-back program, to be funded with available cash. During the twelve months ended May 31, 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares on the open market for approximately $6.9 at an average cost of $38.80 per share. The Company’s repurchase program may be suspended at any time without prior notice.
13. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Pension Plans
The Company has a cash balance retirement plan (the “U.S. Pension Plan”), which covers the majority of United States employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. The Company funds all of the contributions for the U.S. Pension Plan. Benefits generally are based on the Company’s contributions and interest credits allocated to participants’ accounts based on years of benefit service and annual pensionable earnings. The U.S. Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan. It is the Company’s policy to fund the minimum amount required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. Effective June 1, 2009, no further benefits will accrue to employees under the U.S. Pension Plan.
The Company has a defined benefit pension plan (the “UK Pension Plan”) that covers certain employees located in the United Kingdom who meet various eligibility requirements. Benefits are based on years of service and on a percentage of compensation near retirement. The UK Pension Plan is funded by contributions from the Company.
On July 20, 2016, the Board approved the termination of the U.S. Pension Plan (the "Expected Termination"), in which all benefit accruals were previously frozen as of June 1, 2009. Based on the U.S. Pension Plan’s current funded status and the frozen benefit, it was determined that the on-going costs of maintaining the U.S. Pension Plan were growing at a greater rate than the benefit delivered to the Company’s employees and former employees. An application was filed with the IRS for an advance determination as to whether the U.S. Pension Plan met the qualification requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 401(a). Upon approval of the IRS the assets of the U.S. Pension Plan will be distributed either via a lump sum payment to each eligible active and deferred vested participant or to another qualified retirement plan designated by the participant, or via an annuity contract underwritten by a highly rated insurance company. All participants currently receiving a periodic benefit will continue to receive their benefit payments without disruption. The Company expects that completion of the process for terminating the pension plan, which involves several regulatory steps and approvals, will take place in fiscal 2018.
As of May 31, 2017, the Expected Termination is considered imminent and it is likely to occur during fiscal 2018. As such, the actuarial assumptions were updated based on the short-term nature of the plan. A short-term expected rate of return on plan assets was used rather than a long-term return for the U.S. Pension Plan, as the assets are expected to be distributed within the next fiscal year. The pension benefit obligation for the U.S. Pension Plan included estimates for the anticipated amount of lump sum payments to be distributed in fiscal 2018 as well as estimates for insurance
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company pricing on the portion of the obligation not distributed through lump sum payments. Therefore the U.S. pension benefit obligation measured as of May 31, 2017 includes an estimate for the expected fair value of annuity contracts in addition to the obligation derived from actuarial assumptions. The net funded status of the U.S. Pension Plan was also classified as a short-term asset.
The Company’s pension plans have a measurement date of May 31.
Post-Retirement Benefits
The Company provides post-retirement benefits to eligible retired United States-based employees (the “Post-Retirement Benefits”) consisting of certain healthcare and life insurance benefits. Employees may become eligible for these benefits after completing certain minimum age and service requirements. Effective June 1, 2009, the Company modified the terms of the Post-Retirement Benefits, effectively excluding a large percentage of employees from the plan. At May 31, 2017, the Company had no unrecognized prior service credit.
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act (the “Medicare Act”) introduced a prescription drug benefit under Medicare (“Medicare Part D”) as well as a Federal subsidy of 28% to sponsors of retiree health care benefit plans providing a benefit that is at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare Part D. The Company has determined that the Post-Retirement Benefits provided to its retiree population are in aggregate the actuarial equivalent of the benefits under Medicare Part D. As a result, in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized a cumulative reduction of its accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation of $2.5, $3.1 and $3.0, respectively, due to the Federal subsidy under the Medicare Act.
The Company’s post-retirement benefit plan has a measurement date of May 31.
The following table sets forth the weighted average actuarial assumptions utilized to determine the benefit obligations for the U.S. Pension Plan and the UK Pension Plan (collectively the “Pension Plans”), including the Post-Retirement Benefits, at May 31:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Post-Retirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount rate | 2.4 | % | 3.5 | % | 3.8 | % | 2.5 | % | 3.5 | % | 3.5 | % | 3.7 | % | 3.7 | % | 3.8 | % | ||||||||||
Rate of compensation increase | — | — | — | 4.1 | % | 3.8 | % | 4.1 | % | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Discount rate | 3.5 | % | 3.8 | % | 3.9 | % | 3.5 | % | 3.5 | % | 4.2 | % | 3.7 | % | 3.8 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||||||||
Expected short-term return on plan assets | 4.8 | % | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Expected long-term return on plan assets | — | 4.8 | % | 5.4 | % | 3.9 | % | 4.2 | % | 5.1 | % | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Rate of compensation increase | — | — | — | 3.8 | % | 4.1 | % | 4.2 | % | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
To develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption for the Pension Plans, the Company considers historical returns and future expectations. Considering this information and the potential for lower future returns due to a generally lower interest rate environment, the Company selected an assumed weighted average long-term rate of return of 3.9% for the UK Pension Plan. In fiscal 2017, the U.S. Pension Plan utilized a short-term rate of return assumption due to the Expected Termination.
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The following table sets forth the change in benefit obligation for the Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits at May 31:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||
Change in benefit obligation: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 125.0 | $ | 130.0 | $ | 39.8 | $ | 43.1 | $ | 38.3 | $ | 36.3 | |||||||||||
Service cost | — | — | — | — | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest cost | 3.2 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 1.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Plan participants’ contributions | — | — | — | — | 0.2 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Actuarial losses (gains) | 9.2 | 1.2 | 6.3 | (1.5 | ) | (8.2 | ) | 3.0 | |||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | — | — | (4.3 | ) | (2.3 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Benefits paid, including expenses | (9.6 | ) | (10.8 | ) | (1.3 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (2.4 | ) | (2.7 | ) | |||||||||||
Benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 127.8 | $ | 125.0 | $ | 41.7 | $ | 39.8 | $ | 28.8 | $ | 38.3 | |||||||||||
The Expected Termination resulted in an increase in actuarial losses for the U.S. Pension Plan in fiscal 2017 when compared to the prior period. The increase primarily related to premiums associated with insurance company pricing for the obligations that will not be distributed through lump sum payments.
The following table sets forth the change in plan assets for the Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits at May 31:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||
Change in plan assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $ | 135.1 | $ | 143.2 | $ | 29.1 | $ | 30.5 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||
Actual return on plan assets | 7.0 | 2.6 | 3.5 | (0.0 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Employer contributions | — | — | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 2.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Benefits paid, including expenses | (9.6 | ) | (10.7 | ) | (1.3 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (2.4 | ) | (2.7 | ) | |||||||||||
Plan participants’ contributions | — | — | — | — | 0.2 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation | — | — | (3.2 | ) | (1.7 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $ | 132.5 | $ | 135.1 | $ | 29.2 | $ | 29.1 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||
The following table sets forth the net funded status of the Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits and the related amounts recognized on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at May 31:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Post-Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current assets | $ | 4.7 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||
Non-current assets | — | 10.1 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | — | — | — | — | (2.1 | ) | (2.6 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Non-current liabilities | — | — | (12.5 | ) | (10.7 | ) | (26.7 | ) | (35.7 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net funded balance | $ | 4.7 | $ | 10.1 | $ | (12.5 | ) | $ | (10.7 | ) | $ | (28.8 | ) | $ | (38.3 | ) | |||||||
The Expected Termination resulted in the net funded balance for the U.S. Pension Plan to be classified as a Current asset based on the expectation that all assets will be distributed during fiscal 2018.
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The following amounts were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at May 31:
2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Post - Retirement Benefits | Total | U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Post - Retirement Benefits | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net actuarial gain (loss) | $ | (51.3 | ) | $ | (16.3 | ) | $ | (3.3 | ) | $ | (70.9 | ) | $ | (44.0 | ) | $ | (13.2 | ) | $ | (11.9 | ) | $ | (69.1 | ) | |||||||
Amount recognized in Accumulated comprehensive income (loss) before tax | $ | (51.3 | ) | $ | (16.3 | ) | $ | (3.3 | ) | $ | (70.9 | ) | $ | (44.0 | ) | $ | (13.2 | ) | $ | (11.9 | ) | $ | (69.1 | ) | |||||||
The estimated net loss for the Pension Plans that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost over the Company’s fiscal year ending May 31, 2018 is $2.3. The Expected Termination has not triggered settlement accounting in fiscal 2017.
The estimated net loss for the Post-Retirement Benefits that will be amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost over the fiscal year ending May 31, 2018 is $0.1.
Income tax expense of $0.4, income tax benefit of $1.8 and income tax benefit of $2.5 were recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss at May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The following table sets forth the projected benefit obligations, accumulated benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets with respect to the Pension Plans for the fiscal years ended May 31:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | ||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||
Projected benefit obligations | $ | 127.8 | $ | 125.0 | $ | 41.7 | $ | 39.8 | |||||||
Accumulated benefit obligations | 127.8 | 125.0 | 40.9 | 39.1 | |||||||||||
Fair value of plan assets | 132.5 | 135.1 | 29.2 | 29.1 | |||||||||||
The following table sets forth the net periodic (benefit) cost for the Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits for the fiscal years ended May 31:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Post - Retirement Benefits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Components of net (benefit) cost: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | $ | 0.0 | |||||||||||||||||
Interest cost | 3.2 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expected return on assets | (6.1 | ) | (6.5 | ) | (7.8 | ) | (1.0 | ) | (1.3 | ) | (1.5 | ) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net amortization and deferrals | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lump sum settlement charge | — | — | 4.3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net periodic (benefit) cost | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | (1.1 | ) | $ | 2.2 | $ | 1.0 | $ | 1.1 | $ | 0.9 | $ | 1.3 | $ | 4.1 | $ | 2.4 | |||||||||||||||
On May 31, 2016, the Company changed the approach used to measure service and interest costs for pension and other postretirement benefits. The Company previously measured service and interest costs utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the plan obligations. The Company elected to measure service and interest costs by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve to the plans’ liability cash flows. This change did not affect the measurement of the Company's plan obligations.
On May 31, 2017, the Expected Termination of the U.S. Pension Plan is considered imminent and it is likely to occur during fiscal 2018. As such, the Company included estimates for the anticipated amount of lump sum payments to be distributed in fiscal 2018 as well as estimated insurance company pricing on the portion of the obligation not
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distributed through lump sum payments. This change does affect the measurement of the Company's U.S. Pension Plan obligations as of May 31, 2017, however the Net periodic benefit for the U.S. Pension Plan for the period ended May 31, 2017 was not affected.
Plan Assets
The Company’s investment policy with regard to the assets in the Pension Plans is to actively manage, within acceptable risk parameters, certain asset classes where the potential exists to outperform the broader market.
The following table sets forth the total weighted average asset allocations for the Pension Plans by asset category at May 31:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | ||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
Equity securities | 13.4 | % | 28.3 | % | 38.8 | % | 36.8 | % | |||
Debt securities | 76.5 | % | 69.2 | % | 32.8 | % | 33.8 | % | |||
Real estate | — | % | — | % | 6.9 | % | 7.5 | % | |||
Other | 10.1 | % | 2.5 | % | 21.5 | % | 21.9 | % | |||
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||
The weighted average asset allocation for the U.S. Pension Plan's Other investments includes cash resulting from the timing of the transfer of certain assets.
The following table sets forth the targeted weighted average asset allocations for the Pension Plans included in the Company’s investment policy:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | ||||
Equity | 15 | % | 40 | % | |
Debt and cash equivalents | 85 | % | 30 | % | |
Real estate and other | 0 | % | 30 | % | |
100 | % | 100 | % | ||
The fair values of the Company’s Pension Plans’ assets are measured using Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. For a more complete description of fair value measurements see Note 20, “Fair Value Measurements.”
The following table sets forth the measurement of the Company’s Pension Plans’ assets at fair value by asset category at the respective dates:
Assets at Fair Value as of May 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 18.4 | $ | 0.5 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 18.9 | |||||||||||||
Equity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. (1) | 12.7 | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | 13.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
International (2) | — | — | — | 10.3 | — | — | 10.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pooled, Common and Collective Funds (3) | — | — | 101.4 | — | — | — | 101.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Income (4) | — | — | — | 9.6 | — | — | 9.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Annuities | — | — | — | — | — | 5.8 | 5.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate (5) | — | — | — | 2.0 | — | — | 2.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 31.1 | $ | 1.5 | $ | 101.4 | $ | 21.9 | $ | — | $ | 5.8 | $ | 161.7 | |||||||||||||
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Assets at Fair Value as of May 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3.3 | $ | 0.9 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 4.2 | |||||||||||||
Equity securities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. (1) | 34.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 34.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
International (2) | 4.2 | — | — | 10.7 | — | — | 14.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Pooled, Common and Collective Funds (3) | — | — | 93.5 | — | — | — | 93.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fixed Income (4) | — | — | — | 9.8 | — | — | 9.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Annuities | — | — | — | — | — | 5.5 | 5.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate (5) | — | — | — | 2.2 | — | — | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 41.6 | $ | 0.9 | $ | 93.5 | $ | 22.7 | $ | — | $ | 5.5 | $ | 164.2 | |||||||||||||
(1) | Funds which invest in a diversified portfolio of publicly traded U.S. common stocks of large-cap, medium-cap and small-cap companies. There are no restrictions on these investments. |
(2) | Funds which invest in a diversified portfolio of publicly traded common stock of non-U.S. companies, primarily in Europe and Asia. There are no restrictions on these investments. |
(3) | Funds which invest in bond index funds available to certain qualified retirement plans but not traded openly in any public exchanges. |
(4) | Funds which invest in a diversified portfolio of publicly traded government bonds, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities. There are no restrictions on these investments. |
(5) | Represents assets of a non-U.S. entity plan invested in a fund whose underlying investments are comprised of properties. The fund has publicly available quoted market prices and there are no restrictions on these investments. |
The Company has purchased annuities to service fixed payments to certain retired plan participants in the UK. These annuities are purchased from investment grade counterparties. These annuities are not traded on open markets and are therefore valued based upon the actuarial determined valuation, and related assumptions, of the underlying projected benefit obligation, a Level 3 valuation technique. The fair value of these assets was $5.8 and $5.5 at May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively.
The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of these Level 3 assets for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017 and 2016:
Balance at May 31, 2015 | $ | 6.1 | |
Actual Return on Plan Assets: | |||
Relating to assets still held at May 31, 2016 | 0.0 | ||
Relating to assets sold during the year | — | ||
Purchases, sales and settlements, net | (0.3 | ) | |
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | — | ||
Foreign currency translation | (0.3 | ) | |
Balance at May 31, 2016 | $ | 5.5 | |
Actual Return on Plan Assets: | |||
Relating to assets still held at May 31, 2017 | 1.2 | ||
Relating to assets sold during the year | — | ||
Purchases, sales and settlements, net | (0.3 | ) | |
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 | — | ||
Foreign currency translation | (0.6 | ) | |
Balance at May 31, 2017 | $ | 5.8 | |
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Contributions
In fiscal 2018, the Company expects to make contributions of $1.1 to the Pension Plans.
Estimated future benefit payments
The following table sets forth the expected future benefit payments under the Pension Plans and the Post-Retirement Benefits by fiscal year:
U.S. Pension Plan | UK Pension Plan | Post - Retirement | ||||||||||||||
Pension Benefits | Benefit Payments | Medicare Subsidy Receipts | ||||||||||||||
2018 | $ | 127.8 | $ | 0.8 | $ | 2.3 | $ | 0.2 | ||||||||
2019 | — | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.2 | ||||||||||||
2020 | — | 0.9 | 2.3 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
2021 | — | 1.0 | 2.3 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
2022 | — | 1.3 | 2.2 | 0.3 | ||||||||||||
2023-2027 | — | 7.3 | 10.6 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||
Estimated future benefit payments for the U.S. Pension Plan are impacted by the Expected Termination and all benefits are expected to be paid in fiscal 2018.
Assumed health care cost trend rates at May 31:
2017 | 2016 | ||||
Health care cost trend rate assumed for the next fiscal year | 7.0 | % | 7.0 | % | |
Rate to which the cost trend is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate) | 5.0 | % | 5.0 | % | |
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate | 2024 | 2024 | |||
Assumed health care cost trend rates could have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the post-retirement health care plan. A one percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Total service and interest cost - 1% increase | $ | 0.1 | $ | 0.2 | |||
Total service and interest cost - 1% decrease | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | |||
Post-retirement benefit obligation - 1% increase | 3.0 | 4.3 | |||||
Post-retirement benefit obligation - 1% decrease | (2.6 | ) | (3.7 | ) | |||
Defined contribution plans
The Company also provides defined contribution plans for certain eligible employees. In the United States, the Company sponsors a 401(k) retirement plan and has contributed $7.1, $6.8 and $7.9 for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
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14. ACCRUED SEVERANCE
The table below provides information regarding Accrued severance, which is included in “Other accrued expenses” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 4.4 | $ | 2.0 | |||
Accruals | 14.9 | 11.9 | |||||
Payments | (12.7 | ) | (9.5 | ) | |||
Ending balance | $ | 6.6 | $ | 4.4 | |||
The Company implemented cost reduction programs in fiscal 2017, recognizing severance expense of $12.9. The Company implemented cost reduction and restructuring programs in fiscal 2016, recognizing severance expense of $9.5.
15. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The following table presents the impact on earnings of reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pension Plans | Post - Retirement Benefits | Pension Plans | Post - Retirement Benefits | Pension Plans | Post - Retirement Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 0.0 | $ | — | $ | 0.0 | |||||||||||
Net amortization and deferrals | — | — | — | (0.1 | ) | — | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Lump sum settlement charge | — | — | — | — | 4.3 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss | 1.7 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 1.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Tax benefit | (0.4 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (1.1 | ) | (2.0 | ) | (0.4 | ) | |||||||||||
Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 1.3 | $ | 0.3 | $ | 1.4 | $ | 1.6 | $ | 3.7 | $ | 0.7 | |||||||||||
The amounts reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were recognized in Selling, general and administrative expense.
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The following tables summarize the activity in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, by component for the periods indicated:
Foreign currency translation adjustments | Pension Plans | Post - Retirement Benefits | Total | ||||||||||||
Balance at May 31, 2015(1) | $ | (31.9 | ) | $ | (38.0 | ) | $ | (7.1 | ) | $ | (77.0 | ) | |||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (8.1 | ) | (2.8 | ) | $ | (1.8 | ) | $ | (12.7 | ) | |||||
Less: amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of taxes) | |||||||||||||||
Lump Sum Settlement charge | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss | — | 1.4 | 1.6 | 3.0 | |||||||||||
Net prior service credit | — | — | (0.0 | ) | (0.0 | ) | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (8.1 | ) | (1.4 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (9.7 | ) | |||||||
Balance at May 31, 2016(1) | $ | (40.0 | ) | $ | (39.4 | ) | $ | (7.3 | ) | $ | (86.7 | ) | |||
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | $ | (5.3 | ) | $ | (8.8 | ) | $ | 5.0 | $ | (9.1 | ) | ||||
Less: amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of taxes) | |||||||||||||||
Lump Sum Settlement charge | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Amortization of net actuarial loss | — | 1.3 | 0.3 | 1.6 | |||||||||||
Net prior service credit | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (5.3 | ) | (7.5 | ) | 5.3 | (7.5 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at May 31, 2017 (1) | $ | (45.3 | ) | $ | (46.9 | ) | $ | (2.0 | ) | $ | (94.2 | ) | |||
(1) Obligations under Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits are reported net of taxes of $22.0, $22.4 and $20.6 at May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
16. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The following table summarizes the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators for the Basic and Diluted earnings (loss) per share computation for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Class A and Common Shares | $ | 52.4 | $ | 43.9 | $ | 15.4 | |||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Class A and Common Shares, net of tax | (0.2 | ) | (3.5 | ) | 279.1 | ||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Class A and Common Shares | 52.2 | 40.4 | 294.5 | ||||||||
Weighted average Shares of Class A Stock and Common Stock outstanding for basic earnings (loss) per share (in millions) | 34.7 | 34.1 | 32.7 | ||||||||
Dilutive effect of Class A Stock and Common Stock potentially issuable pursuant to stock-based compensation plans (in millions) | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 | ||||||||
Adjusted weighted average Shares of Class A Stock and Common Stock outstanding for diluted earnings (loss) per share (in millions) | 35.4 | 34.9 | 33.4 | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) per share of Class A Stock and Common Stock | |||||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share: | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.29 | $ | 0.47 | |||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | $ | (0.00 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | 8.53 | |||
Net income (loss) | $ | 1.51 | $ | 1.18 | $ | 9.00 | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share: | |||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | $ | 1.48 | $ | 1.26 | $ | 0.46 | |||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 8.34 | |||
Net income (loss) | $ | 1.47 | $ | 1.16 | $ | 8.80 | |||||
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Earnings from continuing operations exclude earnings of $0.1, $0.1 and $0.1 for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for earnings attributable to participating RSUs.
In a period in which the Company reports a discontinued operation, Earnings (loss) from continuing operations is used as the “control number” in determining whether potentially dilutive common shares are dilutive or anti-dilutive. There were 0.4 million potentially anti-dilutive shares outstanding pursuant to compensation plans as of May 31, 2017.
A portion of the Company’s Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") which are granted to employees participate in earnings through cumulative dividends which are payable and non-forfeitable to the employees upon vesting of the RSUs. Accordingly, the Company measures earnings per share based upon the lower of the Two-class method or the Treasury Stock method.
The following table sets forth Options outstanding pursuant to stock-based compensation plans for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | ||
Options outstanding pursuant to stock-based compensation plans (in millions) | 2.7 | 3.0 | |
As of May 31, 2017, $38.6 remains available for future purchases of common shares under the current repurchase authorization of the Board of Directors.
See Note 12, “Treasury Stock,” for a more complete description of the Company’s share buy-back program.
17. OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES
Other accrued expenses consist of the following at May 31:
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Accrued payroll, payroll taxes and benefits | $ | 48.5 | $ | 44.9 | |||
Accrued bonus and commissions | 33.8 | 28.2 | |||||
Accrued other taxes | 26.1 | 30.4 | |||||
Accrued advertising and promotions | 34.9 | 35.7 | |||||
Accrued insurance | 7.6 | 7.7 | |||||
Other accrued expenses | 27.1 | 29.0 | |||||
Total accrued expenses | $ | 178.0 | $ | 175.9 | |||
18. OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
Other financial data consisted of the following for the fiscal years ended May 31:
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||
Advertising expense | $ | 121.0 | $ | 127.3 | $ | 129.7 | |||||
Amortization of prepublication and production costs | 23.3 | 26.4 | 30.4 | ||||||||
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss) | 1.0 | (0.5 | ) | 0.1 | |||||||
Purchases related to contractual commitments for minimum print quantities | 53.1 | 48.7 | 68.2 | ||||||||
2017 | 2016 | ||||||
Royalty advances allowance for reserves | $ | 93.8 | $ | 90.1 | |||
Accounts receivable reserve for returns | 36.3 | 32.1 | |||||
Accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts | 13.7 | 16.1 | |||||
Unredeemed credits issued in conjunction with the Company’s school-based book club and book fair operations (included in other accrued expenses) | 8.7 | 8.9 | |||||
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19. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING
The Company enters into foreign currency derivative contracts to economically hedge the exposure to foreign currency fluctuations associated with the forecasted purchase of inventory, the foreign exchange risk associated with certain receivables denominated in foreign currencies and certain future commitments for foreign expenditures. These derivative contracts are economic hedges and are not designated as cash flow hedges. The Company marks-to-market these instruments and records the changes in the fair value of these items in Selling, general and administrative expenses, and it recognizes the unrealized gain or loss in other current assets or other current liabilities. The notional values of the contracts as of May 31, 2017 and 2016 were $36.5 and $31.8, respectively. Net unrealized gains of $0.8 and unrealized losses of $0.5 were recognized at May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016, respectively.
20. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company determines the appropriate level in the fair value hierarchy for each fair value measurement of assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s financial statements. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs, which refer to assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, based upon the highest and best use, into three levels as follows:
• | Level 1 Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. |
• | Level 2 Observable inputs other than unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities such as |
◦ | Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets |
◦ | Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets |
◦ | Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability |
◦ | Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means |
• | Level 3 Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data available, which are significant to the fair value measurement and require the Company to develop its own assumptions. |
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value consisted of cash and cash equivalents, debt and foreign currency forward contracts. Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of bank deposits and short-term investments, such as money market funds, the fair value of which is based on quoted market prices, a Level 1 fair value measure. The Company employs Level 2 fair value measurements for the disclosure of the fair value of its various lines of credit. The fair value of the Company's debt approximates the carrying value for all periods presented. For a more complete description of fair value measurements employed, see Note 4, “Debt.” The fair values of foreign currency forward contracts, used by the Company to manage the impact of foreign exchange rate changes to the financial statements, are based on quotations from financial institutions, a Level 2 fair value measure. See Note 19, “Derivatives and Hedging,” for a more complete description of fair value measurements employed.
Non-financial assets and liabilities for which the Company employs fair value measures on a non-recurring basis include:
• | Long-lived assets |
• | Investments |
• | Assets acquired in a business combination |
• | Goodwill, definite and indefinite-lived intangible assets |
• | Long-lived assets held for sale |
Level 2 and Level 3 inputs are employed by the Company in the fair value measurement of these assets and liabilities. For the fair value measurements employed by the Company for goodwill, see Note 8, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles." For the fair value measurements employed by the Company for certain property, plant and equipment, production assets, investments and prepublication assets, the Company assessed future expected cash flows attributable to these assets.
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The following tables present non-financial assets that were measured and recognized at fair value on a non-recurring basis and the total impairment losses and additions recognized on those assets:
Net carrying value as of | Fair value measured and recognized using | Impairment losses for fiscal year ended | Additions due to other investments and acquisitions | ||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2017 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | May 31, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | $ | 2.8 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 2.8 | $ | — | $ | 2.8 | |||||||||||
Prepublication assets | — | — | — | — | 1.1 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | — | — | — | — | 5.7 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets | 6.8 | 7.0 | — | 7.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net carrying value as of | Fair value measured and recognized using | Impairment losses for fiscal year ended | Additions due to other investments and acquisitions | ||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2016 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | May 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 7.5 | $ | — | |||||||||||
Prepublication assets | — | — | — | — | 6.9 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets | 1.9 | — | — | 2.4 | — | 2.4 | |||||||||||||||||
Net carrying value as of | Fair value measured and recognized using | Impairment losses for fiscal year ended | Additions due to other investments and acquisitions | ||||||||||||||||||||
May 31, 2015 | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | May 31, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 5.4 | $ | — | |||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | — | — | — | — | 7.5 | — | |||||||||||||||||
Prepublication assets | — | — | — | — | 2.9 | — | |||||||||||||||||
21. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On July 19, 2017, the Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.15 per Class A and Common share in respect of the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2017 to shareholders of record on August 31, 2017.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS
OF SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Scholastic Corporation as of May 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2017. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(c). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Scholastic Corporation at May 31, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Scholastic Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated July 24, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
July 24, 2017
79
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS
OF SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION
We have audited Scholastic Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Scholastic Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Scholastic Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Scholastic Corporation as of May 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2017, and our report dated July 24, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
New York, New York
July 24, 2017
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Supplementary Financial Information | |
Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited, amounts in millions except per share data) | |
First Quarter | Second Quarter | Third Quarter | Fourth Quarter | Fiscal Year Ended May 31, | |||||||||||||||
2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 282.7 | $ | 623.1 | $ | 336.2 | $ | 499.6 | $ | 1,741.6 | |||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 169.7 | 271.3 | 160.3 | 213.2 | 814.5 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | (39.5 | ) | 67.9 | (15.5 | ) | 39.6 | 52.5 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (0.1 | ) | 0.0 | 0.1 | (0.2 | ) | (0.2 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) | (39.6 | ) | 67.9 | (15.4 | ) | 39.4 | 52.3 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per share of Class A and Common Stock: | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic: | |||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (1) | (1.15 | ) | 1.96 | (0.45 | ) | 1.13 | 1.51 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (1) | (0.00 | ) | 0.00 | 0.01 | (0.01 | ) | (0.00 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) (1) | (1.15 | ) | 1.96 | (0.44 | ) | 1.12 | 1.51 | ||||||||||||
Diluted: | |||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (1) | (1.15 | ) | 1.92 | (0.45 | ) | 1.11 | 1.48 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (1) | (0.00 | ) | 0.00 | 0.01 | (0.01 | ) | (0.01 | ) | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) (1) | (1.15 | ) | 1.92 | (0.44 | ) | 1.10 | 1.47 | ||||||||||||
2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 191.2 | $ | 601.8 | $ | 366.0 | $ | 513.8 | $ | 1,672.8 | |||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 114.5 | 257.1 | 178.0 | 212.7 | 762.3 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations | (48.9 | ) | 65.2 | (7.2 | ) | 34.9 | 44.0 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax | (0.5 | ) | (0.3 | ) | (1.8 | ) | (0.9 | ) | (3.5 | ) | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | (49.4 | ) | 64.9 | (9.0 | ) | 34.0 | 40.5 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per share of Class A and Common Stock: | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic: | |||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (1) | (1.46 | ) | 1.90 | (0.21 | ) | 1.02 | 1.29 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (1) | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.11 | ) | |||||||||
Net income (loss) (1) | (1.48 | ) | 1.89 | (0.26 | ) | 0.99 | 1.18 | ||||||||||||
Diluted: | |||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (1) | (1.46 | ) | 1.85 | (0.21 | ) | 1.00 | 1.26 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (1) | (0.02 | ) | (0.01 | ) | (0.05 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.10 | ) | |||||||||
Net income (loss) (1) | (1.48 | ) | 1.84 | (0.26 | ) | 0.97 | 1.16 | ||||||||||||
(1) The sum of the quarters may not equal the full year basic and diluted earnings per share since each quarter is calculated separately.
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Item 9 | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A | Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, after conducting an evaluation, together with other members of the Company’s management, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of May 31, 2017, have concluded that the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in its reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and accumulated and communicated to members of the Corporation’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of the Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Corporation. A corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The Company’s management (with the participation of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer), after conducting an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013), concluded that the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of May 31, 2017.
Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2017, which is included herein. There was no change in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended May 31, 2017 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B | Other Information
None.
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Part III
Item 10 | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held September 20, 2017 to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act. Certain information regarding the Corporation’s Executive Officers is set forth in Part I - Item 1 - Business.
Item 11 | Executive Compensation
Incorporated herein by reference from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held September 20, 2017 to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
Item 12 | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Incorporated herein by reference from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held September 20, 2017 to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
Item 13 | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Incorporated herein by reference from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held September 20, 2017 to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
Item 14 | Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Incorporated herein by reference from the Corporation’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held September 20, 2017 to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
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Part IV
Item 15 | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) | Financial Statements: |
The following Consolidated Financial Statements are included in Part II, Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”: | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 | |
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets at May 31, 2017 and 2016 | |
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 | |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | |
(a)(2) | Supplementary Financial Information - Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations Financial Statement Schedule. |
and (c) | |
The following consolidated financial statement schedule is included with this report: Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves. | |
All other schedules have been omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto. | |
(a)(3) and (b) | |
Exhibits: | |
2.1 | Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of April 23, 2015, by and among Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, as Purchaser, Scholastic Corporation, as Parent Seller, and Scholastic Inc., as Seller (incorporated by reference to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on July 29, 2015, SEC File No. 000-19860) (the "2015 10-K"). |
3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended to date (incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC on October 5, 2006, SEC File No. 000-19860) (the “August 31, 2006 10-Q”). |
3.2 | Bylaws of the Corporation, amended and restated as of December 12, 2007 (incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on December 14, 2007, SEC File No. 000-19860). |
84
10.1* | Scholastic Corporation Management Stock Purchase Plan, amended and restated effective as of September 23, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on July 30, 2009, SEC File No. 000-19860) (the “2009 10-K”), together with Amendment No. 1 to the Scholastic Corporation Management Stock Purchase Plan, effective as of September 21, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement as filed with the SEC on August 9, 2011, SEC File No. 000-19860). |
10.2* | Scholastic Corporation Director’s Deferred Compensation Plan, amended and restated effective as of September 23, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the 2009 10-K). |
10.3* | Scholastic Corporation 2007 Outside Directors Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Directors’ Plan”) effective as of September 23, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the 2009 10-K) and the Amended and Restated Scholastic Corporation 2007 Outside Directors Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC on January 2, 2013, SEC File No. 000-19860) (“the November 30, 2012 10-Q”), and Amendment No. 1, effective as of May 21, 2013 (incorporated by reference to the 2013 10-K), and Amendment No. 2, effective as of December 16, 2015 (incorporated by reference to the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC on December 18, 2015, SEC FIle No. 000-19860). |
10.4* | Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2007 Directors’ Plan (incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC on January 9, 2008, SEC File No. 000-19860) (the “November 30, 2007 10-Q”) and the Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2007 Directors’ Plan, effective as of September 19, 2012 (incorporated by reference to the November 30, 2012 10-Q). |
10.5* | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 2007 Directors’ Plan effective as of September 23, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the 2009 10-K) and the Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, effective as of September 19, 2012 (incorporated by reference to the November 30, 2012 10-Q). |
10.6* | Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, amended and restated as of July 21, 2009 (the “2001 Plan”) (incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC on October 10, 2009, SEC File No. 000-19860) (the “August 31, 2009 10-Q”), and Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated Scholastic Corporation 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the 2013 10-K). |
10.7* | Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2001 Plan (incorporated by reference to the August 31, 2009 10-Q). |
10.8* | Scholastic Corporation 2004 Class A Stock Incentive Plan (the “Class A Plan”) (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement as filed with the SEC on August 2, 2004, SEC File No. 000-19860), Amendment No. 1, effective as of May 25, 2006 (incorporated by reference to the 2006 10-K), Amendment No. 2, dated July 18, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement as filed with the SEC on August 22, 2006, SEC File No. 000-19860), and Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 20, 2007 (incorporated by reference to the February 28, 2007 10-Q). |
10.9* | Form of Class A Option Agreement under the Class A Plan (incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on August 8, 2005, SEC File No. 000-19860). |
10.10* | Scholastic Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the November 30, 2011 10-Q) Amendment No. 1 to the Scholastic Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the 2013 10-K) and Amendment No. 2 to the Scholastic Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC on December 22, 2014, SEC File No. 000-19860). |
85
10.11* | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Scholastic Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the November 30, 2011 10-Q). |
10.12* | Form of Stock Option Agreement under the Scholastic Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the November 30, 2011 10-Q). |
10.13* | Severance Agreement, dated September 26, 2013, between Scholastic Corporation and Maureen O’Connell (incorporated by reference to the Corporation’s Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC on December 19, 2013, SEC File No. 000-19860) (the “November 30, 2013 Form 10-Q”). |
10.14* | Scholastic Corporation 2013 Executive Performance Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the November 30, 2013 Form 10-Q). |
'10.15 | Credit Agreement, dated as of January 5, 2017, among the Corporation and Scholastic Inc., as borrowers, the Initial Lenders named therein, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated and Well Fargo Securities, LLC as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Wells Fargo N.A., Capital One N.A., Fifth Third Bank and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as syndicate agents, and Branch Banking and Trust Company, as documentation agent. |
21 | Subsidiaries of the Corporation, as of May 31, 2017. |
23 | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. |
31.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation filed pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32 | Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document ** |
101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document ** |
101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Document ** |
101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Document ** |
101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Document ** |
101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document ** |
* | The referenced exhibit is a management contract or compensation plan or arrangement described in Item 601(b) (10) (iii) of Regulation S-K. |
** | In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information in Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K shall be deemed to be “furnished” and not “filed.” |
86
Item 16 | Summary
None.
87
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: | July 24, 2017 | SCHOLASTIC CORPORATION |
By: /s/ Richard Robinson | ||
Richard Robinson, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
88
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Richard Robinson his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing necessary and requisite to be done, as fully and to all the intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Richard Robinson | Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer) | July 24, 2017 | ||
Richard Robinson | ||||
/s/ Maureen O’Connell | Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) | July 24, 2017 | ||
Maureen O’Connell | ||||
/s/ Kenneth Cleary | Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) | July 24, 2017 | ||
Kenneth Cleary | ||||
/s/ Andrés Alonso | Director | July 24, 2017 | ||
Andrés Alonso | ||||
/s/ James W. Barge | Director | July 24, 2017 | ||
James W. Barge | ||||
/s/ Marianne Caponnetto | Director | July 24, 2017 | ||
Marianne Caponnetto | ||||
/s/ John L. Davies | Director | July 24, 2017 | ||
John L. Davies | ||||
/s/ Andrew S. Hedden | Director | July 24, 2017 | ||
Andrew S. Hedden | ||||
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Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Peter Warwick | Director | July 24, 2017 | ||
Peter Warwick | ||||
/s/ Margaret A. Williams | Director | July 24, 2017 | ||
Margaret A. Williams | ||||
/s/ David J. Young | Director | July 24, 2017 | ||
David J. Young | ||||
90
Scholastic Corporation
Financial Statement Schedule
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
YEAR ENDED May 31, 2017
ITEM 15(c)
S-1
Schedule II
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
(Amounts in millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Years ended May 31, | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at Beginning of Year | Expensed | Write-Offs and Other | Balance at End of Year | |||||||||||||
2017 | ||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 16.1 | $ | 11.0 | $ | 13.4 | $ | 13.7 | ||||||||
Reserve for returns | 32.1 | 80.4 | 76.2 | (1) | 36.3 | |||||||||||
Reserves for obsolescence | 73.9 | 16.0 | 18.0 | 71.9 | ||||||||||||
Reserve for royalty advances | 90.1 | 4.3 | 0.6 | 93.8 | ||||||||||||
2016 | ||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 14.9 | $ | 12.3 | $ | 11.1 | $ | 16.1 | ||||||||
Reserve for returns | 27.9 | 56.6 | 52.4 | (1) | 32.1 | |||||||||||
Reserves for obsolescence | 81.1 | 12.0 | 19.2 | 73.9 | ||||||||||||
Reserve for royalty advances | 86.8 | 4.1 | 0.8 | 90.1 | ||||||||||||
2015 | ||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | $ | 15.6 | $ | 10.6 | $ | 11.3 | $ | 14.9 | ||||||||
Reserve for returns | 27.0 | 53.9 | 53.0 | (1) | 27.9 | |||||||||||
Reserves for obsolescence | 81.8 | 21.7 | 22.4 | 81.1 | ||||||||||||
Reserve for royalty advances | 85.3 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 86.8 | ||||||||||||
(1) | Represents actual returns charged to the reserve |
S-2