UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

OR

For the transition period from ________to_______

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-33164

 

DOMTAR CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

234 Kingsley Park Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29715

(Address of principal executive offices)

(zip code)

(803) 802-7500

(Registrant’s telephone number)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  ☒    NO  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation ST (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    YES  ☒    NO  ☐

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.

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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

At October 31, 2018, 62,901,876 shares of the issuer’s common stock were outstanding.

 

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2018

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

DOMTAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

 

 

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

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

 

 

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

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

 

 

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

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

 

 

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

 

 

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INDEX FOR NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1.

_________________

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, in the opinion of Management, include all adjustments that are necessary for the fair statement of Domtar Corporation’s (“the Company”) financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Results for the first nine months of the year may not necessarily be indicative of full year results. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Domtar Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The December 31, 2017 Consolidated Balance Sheet, presented for comparative purposes in this interim report, was derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Since January 1, 2018, upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09, as issued by FASB, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, the Company’s accounting policy related to revenue recognition is as follows:

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished goods to customers. Revenue is recognized at a single point in time when the performance obligation is satisfied which occurs when the control over the goods is transferred to customers. For shipping and handling activities performed after customers obtain control of the goods, the Company elected to account for these activities as fulfillment activities rather than assessing such activities as separate performance obligations. Accordingly, the sale of goods to customers represents a single performance obligation to which the entire transaction price is allocated.

The point in time when the control of goods is transferred to customers is largely dependent on delivery terms. Revenue is recorded at the time of shipment for delivery terms designated free on board (“f.o.b.”) shipping point. For sales transactions designated f.o.b. destination, revenue is recorded when the product is delivered to the customer’s delivery site.

Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for goods transferred to customers. Revenue is recognized net of variable consideration in the form of rebates, discounts and other commercial incentives extended to customers. Variable consideration is recognized using the most likely amounts which are based on an analysis of historical experience and current period expectations. The Company includes estimated amounts of variable consideration in revenue to the extent that it is probable that there will not be a significant reversal of recognized revenue when the uncertainty related to that variable consideration is resolved.

For all the Company’s contracts, customer payments are due in less than one year. Accordingly, the Company does not adjust the amount of revenue recognized for the effects of a significant financing component.

Sales taxes, and other similar taxes, collected from customers are excluded from revenue.

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2.

_________________

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

ACCOUNTING CHANGES IMPLEMENTED

REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. The core principal of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue, to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity is entitled to, in exchange for those goods and services. This new guidance supersedes the revenue recognition requirements found in topic 605.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the standard using the full retrospective method which resulted in a reclassification in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The previously reported amounts for Sales and Selling, general and administrative expenses were decreased by $2 million and $7 million, respectively, in relation to the reclassification of certain payments made to customers classified as a reduction of Sales under the new standard. These reclassifications are exclusively contained within the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income and do not have a cumulative effect on retained earnings or other components of equity or net assets in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2017.

No practical expedients were used in the transition to the new standard as they were not applicable.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost”, which requires an entity to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost with other employee compensation costs in operating income. Only the service cost components will be eligible for capitalization in assets. The other components of the net periodic benefit cost (i.e. interest expense, expected return on plan assets, amortization of actuarial gains or losses and amortization of prior year service costs) will be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance of this accounting standard update which resulted in a reclassification in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The previously reported amounts of Cost of sales were increased by $4 million and $11 million, respectively, Selling, general and administrative expenses were decreased by nil and $1 million, respectively, both with a corresponding impact in Non-service components of net periodic benefit cost. The Company utilized a practical expedient included in the accounting standard update which allowed the Company to use amounts previously disclosed in its pension plans and other post-retirement benefits plans note for the prior periods as the estimation basis for applying the required retrospective presentation requirements. In addition, these required retrospective reclassifications resulted in adjustments to the previously reported Operating income within the Company’s reportable operating segment disclosures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, which amends the guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the ASU retains many current requirements, it significantly revises an entity’s accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The ASU also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments.

The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 with no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, “Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships”, which clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument in an existing hedging relationship would not, in and of itself, be considered a termination of the derivative instrument or a change in a critical term of the hedging relationship. As long as all other hedge accounting criteria in ASC 815 are met, a hedging relationship in which the hedging derivative instrument is novated would not be discontinued or require redesignation. This clarification applies to both cash flow and fair value hedging relationships.

The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 with no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

CLASSIFICATION OF CASH FLOWS

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows”, which amends ASC 230 to add or clarify guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows.

The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 with no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities”, which amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in ASC 815. The objectives of the ASU are to (1) improve the transparency and understandability of information conveyed to financial statement users about an entity’s risk management activities by better aligning the entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with those risk management activities and (2) reduce the complexity of and simplify the application of hedge accounting by preparers.

The Company early adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 with no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

FUTURE ACCOUNTING CHANGES

LEASES

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases”, which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all of their leases with a lease term greater than 12 months while continuing to recognize expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income in a manner similar to current accounting standards. The accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from existing guidance. Enhanced disclosures will also be required to give financial statement users the ability to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

As a lessee, Domtar’s various leases under existing guidance are classified as operating leases that are not recorded on the balance sheet but are recorded in the statement of earnings as expense is incurred. Upon adoption of the new guidance, lease expense will generally be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and the Company will be required to record substantially all leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability.

While the precise amount of the right-of-use asset and lease liability will not be known until closer to the adoption date, management estimates the amount to be less than 5% of both total assets and total liabilities. This estimate is based on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet and lease portfolio, both as of September 30, 2018. The adoption of the guidance will likely have an insignificant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.

The Company will adopt the new lease guidance on January 1, 2019 and, if required, recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the retained earnings as of that date.  Upon adoption, the Company will continue to report comparative periods presented in the financial statements under current GAAP (ASC 840, Leases) and provide the required disclosures under ASC 840 for all periods presented under ASC 840.

 

IMPLEMENTATION COSTS FOR CLOUD COMPUTING ARRANGEMENTS

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”. Under the guidance, implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements (“CCA”) should be evaluated for capitalization using the same approach as implementation costs associated with internal-use software and expensed over the term of the hosting arrangement. The ASU also provides the following guidance on presentation and disclosure:

This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption.

While the Company is still evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard, it does not expect this new guidance to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 3.

________________

DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

HEDGING PROGRAMS

The Company is exposed to market risk, such as changes in currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and interest rates. To the extent the Company decides to manage the volatility related to these exposures, the Company may enter into various financial derivatives that are accounted for under the derivatives and hedging guidance. These transactions are governed by the Company's hedging policies which provide direction on acceptable hedging activities, including instrument type and acceptable counterparty exposure.

Upon inception, the Company formally documents the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items. At inception and quarterly thereafter, the Company formally assesses whether the financial instruments used in hedging transactions are effective at offsetting changes in either the cash flow or the fair value of the underlying exposures. The ineffective portion of the qualifying instrument is immediately recognized to earnings. The amount of ineffectiveness recognized was immaterial for all periods presented. The Company does not hold derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

CREDIT RISK

The Company is exposed to credit risk on the accounts receivable from its customers. In order to reduce this risk, the Company reviews new customers’ credit history before granting credit and conducts regular reviews of existing customers’ credit performance. As of September 30, 2018, one of Domtar’s Pulp and Paper segment customers located in the U.S. represented 11% or $75 million (December 31, 2017 –  12% or $83 million) of the Company’s receivables.

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company attempts to minimize this exposure by entering into contracts with counterparties that are believed to be of high credit quality. Collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk is usually not obtained. The credit standing of counterparties is regularly monitored.

INTEREST RATE RISK

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates on its cash and cash equivalents, bank indebtedness, revolving credit facility and securitization, term loan and long-term debt. The Company’s objective in managing exposure to interest rate changes is to minimize the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower its overall borrowing costs. The Company may manage this interest rate exposure through the use of derivative instruments such as interest rate swap contracts, whereby it agrees to exchange the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed upon notional principal amount.

COST RISK

Cash flow hedges:

The Company is exposed to price volatility for raw materials and energy used in its manufacturing process. The Company manages its exposure to cost risk primarily through the use of supplier contracts. The Company purchases natural gas at the prevailing market price at the time of delivery. To reduce the impact on cash flow and earnings due to pricing volatility, the Company may utilize derivatives to fix the price of forecasted natural gas purchases. The changes in the fair value on qualifying instruments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss to the extent effective, and reclassified into Cost of sales in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Current contracts are used to hedge a portion of forecasted purchases over the next 45 months.

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 3. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

 

The following table presents the volumes under derivative financial instruments for natural gas contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2018 to hedge forecasted purchases:

 

 

The natural gas derivative contracts were fully effective as of September 30, 2018. There were no amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 resulting from hedge ineffectiveness (three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 – nil).

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

Cash flow hedges:

The Company has manufacturing operations in the United States, Canada and Europe. As a result, it is exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates in Canada and Europe. Moreover, certain assets and liabilities are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and are exposed to foreign currency movements. Accordingly, the Company’s earnings are affected by increases or decreases in the value of the Canadian dollar and European currencies. The Company’s European subsidiaries are also exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in a currency other than their Euro functional currency. The Company’s risk management policy allows it to hedge a significant portion of its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for periods up to three years. The Company may use derivative financial instruments (currency options and foreign exchange forward contracts) to mitigate its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 3. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

 

Derivatives are used to hedge forecasted purchases in Canadian dollars by the Company’s Canadian subsidiary over the next 24 months. Derivatives are also currently used to hedge a portion of forecasted sales in British pounds and Norwegian krone and a portion of forecasted purchases in U.S. dollars and Swedish krona by its European subsidiaries over the next 5 months. Such derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges. The changes in the fair value on qualifying instruments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss to the extent effective, and reclassified into Sales or Cost of sales in the period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

The following table presents the currency values under significant currency positions pursuant to currency derivatives outstanding as of September 30, 2018 to hedge forecasted purchases and sales:

 

 

⁽¹⁾Represents the remaining three months of 2018 

 

The foreign exchange derivative contracts were fully effective as of September 30, 2018. There were no amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 resulting from hedge ineffectiveness (three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 – nil).

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

The accounting standards for fair value measurements and disclosures, establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement.

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 3. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

 

The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (except Long-term debt, see (b) below) at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, in accordance with the accounting standards for fair value measurements and disclosures and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value.

 

 

The net cumulative loss recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss relating to natural gas contracts is $7 million at September 30, 2018, of which a loss of $1 million will be recognized in Cost of sales upon maturity of the derivatives over the next 12 months at the then prevailing values, which may be different from those at September 30, 2018.

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 3. DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTINUED)

 

The net cumulative gain recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss relating to currency options and forwards hedging forecasted purchases is $1 million at September 30, 2018, of which a gain of $1 million will be recognized in Cost of sales or Sales upon maturity of the derivatives over the next 12 months at the then prevailing values, which may be different from those at September 30, 2018.

 

 

Due to their short-term maturity, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, bank indebtedness, trade and other payables and income and other taxes approximate their fair values.

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 4.

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EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table provides the reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

The following table provides the securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per common share in the future, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive:

 

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5.

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PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

The Company has several defined contribution plans and multiemployer plans. The pension expense under these plans is equal to the Company’s contribution. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the pension expense was $18 million and $40 million, respectively (2017 – $9 million and $30 million, respectively).

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors both contributory and non-contributory U.S. and non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans. Non-unionized employees in Canada joining the Company after January 1, 1998 participate in a defined contribution pension plan. Salaried employees in the U.S. joining the Company after January 1, 2008 participate in a defined contribution pension plan. Unionized and non-union hourly employees in the U.S. who are not grandfathered under the existing defined benefit pension plans, participate in a defined contribution pension plan for future service. The Company also sponsors a number of other post-retirement benefit plans for eligible U.S. and non-U.S. employees; the plans are unfunded and include life insurance programs and medical and dental benefits. The Company also provides supplemental unfunded defined benefit pension plans and supplemental unfunded defined contribution pension plans to certain senior management employees.

Components of net periodic benefit cost for pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans:

 

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost for pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans:

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 5. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)

 

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for pension plans and other post-retirement benefits plans, other than service cost, are presented in Non-service components of net periodic benefit cost on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company contributed $48 million and $55 million, respectively (2017 – $38 million and $44 million, respectively) to the pension plans and $1 million and $3 million, respectively (2017 – nil and $2 million, respectively) to the other post-retirement benefit plans.

 

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 6.

_________________

OTHER OPERATING LOSS (INCOME), NET

Other operating loss (income), net is an aggregate of both recurring and occasional loss or income items and, as a result, can fluctuate from period to period. The Company’s other operating loss (income), net includes the following:

 

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 7.

_________________

INCOME TAXES

For the third quarter of 2018, the Company’s income tax expense was $3 million, consisting of a current income tax benefit of $5 million and a deferred income tax expense of $8 million. This compares to an income tax expense of $3 million in the third quarter of 2017, consisting of a current income tax expense of $10 million and a deferred income tax benefit of $7 million. The Company made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $15 million during the third quarter of 2018. The effective tax rate was 3% compared with an effective tax rate of 4% in the third quarter of 2017. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2018 was favorably impacted by the income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “U.S. Tax Reform”), including the benefit related to additional an pension contribution, and the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2017 was favorably impacted by the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. The effective tax rates for both the third quarter of 2018 and 2017 were favorably impacted by the finalization of certain estimates in connection with the filing of the Company’s 2017 and 2016 income tax returns, respectively.

For the first nine months of 2018, the Company’s income tax expense amounted to $22 million, consisting of a current income tax expense of $19 million and a deferred income tax expense of $3 million. This compares to an income tax expense of $17 million in the first nine months of 2017, consisting of a current income tax expense of $36 million and a deferred income tax benefit of $19 million. The Company made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $40 million during the first nine months of 2018. The effective tax rate was 10% compared to an effective tax rate of 12% in the first nine months of 2017. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2018 was favorably impacted by the income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Reform, including the benefit related to an additional pension contribution, the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations, as well as by enacted law changes in several U.S. states. The effective tax rate for both the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 were favorably impacted by the finalization of certain estimates in connection with the filing of the Company’s 2017 and 2016 income tax returns, respectively.

On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Reform. SAB 118 provides guidance which allows companies to use a measurement period, similar to that used in business combinations, to account for the impacts of the U.S. Tax Reform. The U.S. Tax Reform provides for a mandatory one-time deemed repatriation tax on the Company’s undistributed foreign earnings and profits.  The Company recorded a provisional repatriation tax amount of $46 million in its consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017. As of September 30, 2018, the Company has finalized its U.S. tax returns for the 2017 tax year which include a repatriation tax amount of $39 million. The difference between the provisional amount and the final amount is included as a benefit to income tax expense in the third quarter of 2018 and favorably impacts the effective tax rate for both the third quarter and the first nine months of 2018.

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 8.

_________________

INVENTORIES

The following table presents the components of inventories:

 

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 9.

_________________

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table presents the components of intangible assets:

 

 

Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $4 million and $14 million, respectively (2017 – $4 million and $14 million, respectively).

Amortization expense for the next five years related to intangible assets is expected to be as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 10.

_________________

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS BY COMPONENT

The following table presents the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss by component⁽¹⁾ for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and the year ended December 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

25

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 10. CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS BY COMPONENT (CONTINUED)

The following table presents reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

26

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 10. CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS BY COMPONENT (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 11.

_________________

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On January 29, 2018, May 8, 2018 and August 7, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.435 per share, respectively, to be paid to holders of the Company’s common stock. Dividends of $27 million, $28 million and $27 million were paid on April 16, 2018, July 16, 2018 and October 15, 2018, respectively, to shareholders of record on April 2, 2018, July 3, 2018 and October 2, 2018, respectively.

On November 6, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.435 per share to be paid to holders of the Company’s common stock. This dividend is to be paid on January 15, 2019, to shareholders of record on January 2, 2019.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program (the “Program”) of up to $1.3 billion. Under the Program, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, shares of its outstanding common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of stock repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including the market conditions as well as corporate and regulatory considerations. The Program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time, and the Company has no obligation to repurchase any amount of its common stock under the Program. The Program has no set expiration date. The Company repurchases its common stock in part to reduce the dilutive effects of stock options and awards, and to improve shareholders’ returns.

The Company makes open market purchases of its common stock using general corporate funds. Additionally, the Company may enter into structured stock repurchase agreements with large financial institutions using general corporate funds in order to lower the average cost to acquire shares. The agreements would require the Company to make up-front payments to the counterparty financial institutions, which would result in either the receipt of stock at the beginning of the term of the agreements followed by a share adjustment at the maturity of the agreements, or the receipt of either stock or cash at the maturity of the agreements, depending upon the price of the stock.

During the first nine months of 2018 and 2017, there were no shares repurchased under the Program.

Since the inception of the Program, the Company has repurchased 24,853,827 shares at an average price of $39.33 for a total cost of $977 million. All shares repurchased are recorded as Treasury stock on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the par value method at $0.01 per share.

 

 

28

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 12.

_________________

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations enacted by federal, provincial, state and local authorities. The Company may also incur substantial costs in relation to enforcement actions (including orders requiring corrective measures, installation of pollution control equipment or other remedial actions) as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws and regulations applicable to its past and present properties. The Company’s ongoing efforts to identify potential environmental concerns that may be associated with such properties may result in additional environmental costs and liabilities which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

In connection with contamination of a site bordering Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, on February 16, 2010, the government of British Columbia issued a Remediation Order to Seaspan International Ltd. and the Company, in order to define and implement an action plan to address soil, sediment and groundwater issues. Construction began in January 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2019. The Company previously recorded an environmental reserve to address its estimated exposure. The possible cost in excess of the reserve is not considered to be material for this matter.

The following table reflects changes in the reserve for environmental remediation and asset retirement obligations:

 

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) and/or various state agencies have notified the Company that it may be a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, commonly known as “Superfund”, and similar state laws with respect to other hazardous waste sites as to which no proceedings have been instituted against the Company. The Company continues to take remedial action under its Care and Control Program at its former wood preserving sites, and at a number of operating sites, due to possible soil, sediment or groundwater contamination.

Climate change regulation

Various national and local laws and regulations relating to climate change have been established or are emerging in jurisdictions where the Company currently has, or may have in the future, manufacturing facilities or investments. The Company does not expect to be disproportionately affected by these measures compared with other pulp and paper producers located in these jurisdictions.

The EPA Clean Power Plan regulation is being litigated and has been stayed. The EPA has proposed to repeal and replace the Clean Power Plan in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order issued on March 28, 2017. The proposed replacement rule, entitled the “Affordable Clean Energy” (“ACE”) rule, was published on August 31, 2018, and the EPA plans to finalize the rule in the first part of 2019. ACE would require states to develop plans imposing standards of performance mandating efficiency improvements at all fossil fuel-fired electric utility boilers. The litigation over the Clean Power Plan remains held in abeyance by the D.C. circuit while the EPA completes its rulemaking process. Regardless of the outcome for the Clean Power Plan and ACE, the Company does not expect to be disproportionately affected compared with other pulp and paper producers located in the states where the Company operates.

The Government of Canada is reviewing national policies to further reduce greenhouse gases (“GHG”) and has announced its intent to impose a cost on carbon emissions. The Company does not expect its facilities to be disproportionately affected by these measures compared with other pulp and paper producers in Canada.

 

29

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

 

The province of Quebec has a GHG cap-and-trade systems with reduction targets. British Columbia has a carbon tax that applies to the purchase of fossil fuels within the province. The province of Ontario has announced the ending of its GHG cap-and-trade program and is working on an “orderly wind-down”. The Company does not expect to be disproportionately affected by these activities compared to the other pulp and paper producers located in these provinces.

CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of operations, the Company becomes involved in various legal actions mostly related to contract disputes, patent infringements, environmental and product warranty claims, and labor issues. While the final outcome with respect to actions outstanding or pending at September 30, 2018, cannot be predicted with certainty, it is management’s opinion that their resolution will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

INDEMNIFICATIONS

In the normal course of business, the Company offers indemnifications relating to the sale of its businesses and real estate. In general, these indemnifications may relate to claims from past business operations, the failure to abide by covenants and the breach of representations and warranties included in the sales agreements. Typically, such representations and warranties relate to taxation, environmental, product and employee matters. The terms of these indemnification agreements are generally for an unlimited period of time. At September 30, 2018, the Company is unable to estimate the potential maximum liabilities for these types of indemnification guarantees as the amounts are contingent upon the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Accordingly, no provision has been recorded. These indemnifications have not yielded a significant expense in the past.

Pension Plans

The Company has indemnified and held harmless the trustees of its pension funds, and the respective officers, directors, employees and agents of such trustees, from any and all costs and expenses arising out of the performance of their obligations under the relevant trust agreements, including in respect of their reliance on authorized instructions from the Company or for failing to act in the absence of authorized instructions. These indemnifications survive the termination of such agreements. At September 30, 2018, the Company has not recorded a liability associated with these indemnifications, as it does not expect to make any payments pertaining to these indemnifications.

 

 

 

30

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 13.

_________________

SEGMENT DISCLOSURES

The Company’s two reportable segments described below also represent its two operating segments. Each reportable segment offers different products and services and requires different manufacturing processes, technology and/or marketing strategies. The following summary briefly describes the operations included in each of the Company’s reportable segments:

An analysis and reconciliation of the Company’s business segment information to the respective information in the financial statements is as follows:

 

 

31

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 13. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

 

32

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14.

_________________

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The following information is presented as required under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, in connection with the Company’s issuance of debt securities that are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Domtar’s significant 100% owned domestic subsidiaries, including Domtar Paper Company, LLC, Domtar Industries LLC (and subsidiaries, excluding Domtar Funding LLC), Domtar A.W. LLC, Attends Healthcare Products Inc., EAM Corporation, Associated Hygienic Products LLC and Home Delivery Incontinent Supplies Co., (“Guarantor Subsidiaries”), on a joint and several basis. The Guaranteed Debt is not guaranteed by certain of Domtar’s foreign and non-significant domestic subsidiaries, all 100% owned, (collectively the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). A subsidiary’s guarantee may be released in certain customary circumstances, such as if the subsidiary is sold or sells all of its assets, if the subsidiary’s guarantee of the Credit Agreement is terminated or released and if the requirements for legal defeasance to discharge the indenture have been satisfied.

The following supplemental condensed consolidating financial information sets forth, on an unconsolidated basis, the Balance Sheets at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and the Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 for Domtar Corporation (the “Parent”), and on a combined basis for the Guarantor Subsidiaries and, on a combined basis, the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. The supplemental condensed consolidating financial information reflects the investments of the Parent in the Guarantor Subsidiaries, as well as the investments of the Guarantor Subsidiaries in the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries, using the equity method.

 

 

 

33

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

 

34

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

 

35

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

36

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

37

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

38

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 14. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

 

 

 

 

39

 

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DOMTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

(UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 15.

_________________

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On November 1, 2018, the Company announced a margin improvement plan within the Personal Care Division. As part of this plan, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the permanent closure of its Waco, Texas Personal Care manufacturing and distribution facility, the relocation of certain of its manufacturing assets and a workforce reduction of approximately 214 employees across the division.

The Waco, Texas facility is expected to cease operations in the third quarter of 2019. The aggregate pre-tax earnings charge in connection with this margin improvement plan is estimated to be $57 million, which includes: a) an estimated $29 million in charges relating to accelerated depreciation of the carrying amounts of certain manufacturing equipment and the write-down of related spare parts; b) $10 million of estimated severance and related employee benefits; c) $11 million of estimated relocation and other costs; and d) $7 million of an estimated amount related to the future lease payments at the Waco facility, net of expected sublease revenues. The Company is also expected to incur approximately $5 million of capital expenditures related to certain equipment installation costs. The estimated total charge is expected to be recognized starting in the fourth quarter of 2018 through the third quarter of 2019.

Closure and restructuring costs are based on management’s best estimates. Although the Company does not anticipate significant changes, actual costs may differ from these estimates due to subsequent business developments. As such, additional costs and further impairment charges may be required in future periods.

 

 

 

40

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with Domtar Corporation’s unaudited interim financial statements and notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This MD&A should also be read in conjunction with the historical financial information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 23, 2018. Throughout this MD&A, unless otherwise specified, “Domtar Corporation,” “the Company,” “Domtar,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Domtar Corporation and its subsidiaries. Domtar Corporation’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Except where otherwise indicated, all financial information reflected herein is determined on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The information contained on our website, www.domtar.com, is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q and should in no way be construed as a part of this or any other report that we file with or furnish to the SEC.

In accordance with industry practice, in this report, the term “ton” or the symbol “ST” refers to a short ton, an imperial unit of measurement equal to 0.9072 metric tons. The term “metric ton” or the symbol “ADMT” refers to an air dry metric ton. In this report, unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, and the term “dollars” and the symbol “$” refer to U.S. dollars. In the following discussion, unless otherwise noted, references to increases or decreases in income and expense items, prices, contribution to net earnings (loss), and shipment volumes are based on three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. The three month and nine month periods are also referred to as the third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017. Reference to notes refers to footnotes to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

This MD&A is intended to provide investors with an understanding of our recent performance, financial condition and outlook. Topics discussed and analyzed include:

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new accounting standard on revenue from contracts with customers using the full retrospective method, which resulted in a reclassification in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The previously reported amounts for Sales and Selling, general and administrative expenses were decreased by $2 million and $7 million, respectively, in relation to the reclassification of certain payments made to customers classified as a reduction of Sales under the new standard. These reclassifications are exclusively contained within the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income and do not have a cumulative effect on retained earnings or other components of equity or net assets in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 1, 2017.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new accounting guidance on improving the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit costs, which resulted in a reclassification in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The previously reported amounts of Cost of sales were increased by $4 million and $11 million, respectively, Selling, general and administrative expenses were decreased by nil and $1 million, respectively, both with a corresponding impact in Non-service components of net periodic benefit cost. We utilized a practical expedient included in the accounting standard update which allowed us to use amounts previously disclosed in our pension plans and other post-retirement benefits plans note for the prior periods as the estimation basis for applying the required retrospective presentation requirements. In addition, these required retrospective reclassifications resulted in adjustments to the previously reported Operating income within the Company’s reportable operating segment disclosures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

For more details, refer to Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” of the financial statements in this Form 10-Q.  

41

 

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RECENT DEVELOPMENT

On November 1, 2018, we announced a margin improvement plan within our Personal Care Division. As part of this plan, our Board of Directors approved the permanent closure of our Waco, Texas, Personal Care manufacturing and distribution facility, the relocation of certain of our manufacturing assets and a workforce reduction of approximately 214 employees across the division.

The Waco, Texas facility is expected to cease operations in the third quarter of 2019. The aggregate pre-tax earnings charge in connection with this margin improvement plan is estimated to be $57 million, which includes: a) an estimated $29 million in charges relating to accelerated depreciation of the carrying amounts of certain manufacturing equipment and the write-down of related spare parts; b) $10 million of estimated severance and related employee benefits; c) $11 million of estimated relocation and other costs; and d) $7 million of an estimated amount related to the future lease payments at the Waco facility, net of expected sublease revenues. We also expect to incur approximately $5 million of capital expenditures related to certain equipment installation costs. The estimated total charge is expected to be recognized starting in the fourth quarter of 2018 through the third quarter of 2019.

Closure and restructuring costs are based on management’s best estimates. Although we do not anticipate significant changes, actual costs may differ from these estimates due to subsequent business developments. As such, additional costs and further impairment charges may be required in future periods.

OVERVIEW

We design, manufacture, market and distribute a wide variety of fiber-based products, including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers, and absorbent hygiene products. The foundation of our business is a network of wood fiber converting assets that produce paper grade, fluff and specialty pulp. More than 50% of our pulp production is consumed internally to manufacture paper and other consumer products with the balance sold as market pulp. We are the largest integrated marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America serving a variety of customers, including merchants, retail outlets, stationers, printers, publishers, converters and end users. We are also a marketer and producer of a broad line of incontinence care products as well as infant diapers. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.

We have two reportable segments as described below, which also represent our two operating segments. Each reportable segment offers different products and services and requires different manufacturing processes, technology and/or marketing strategies. The following summary briefly describes the operations included in each of our reportable segments.

Pulp and Paper: Our Pulp and Paper segment consists of the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of communication, specialty and packaging papers, as well as softwood, fluff and hardwood market pulp.

Personal Care: Our Personal Care segment consists of the design, manufacturing, marketing and distribution of absorbent hygiene products.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

42

 

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HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018  

 

 

OUTLOOK

In the fourth quarter, we expect lower maintenance costs in Pulp and Paper. Paper and pulp should continue to realize higher prices  following recently announced price increases. Personal Care should benefit from higher volume and our margin improvement efforts while commodity cost inflation is expected to remain at elevated levels.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND SEGMENT REVIEW

This section presents a discussion and analysis of our third quarter and first nine months of 2018 and 2017 sales, operating income (loss) and other information relevant to the understanding of our results of operations.

As a result of adopting the new accounting standard “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” we have revised our 2017 segment disclosures to conform to the new guideline. Previously reported numbers for Sales were as follows: $1,054 million for Pulp and Paper, $253 million for Personal Care, and $(15) million for Intersegment sales for the third quarter of 2017 and $3,126 million for Pulp and Paper, $743 million for Personal Care and $(49) million for Intersegment sales for the first nine months of 2017.

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As a result of adopting the new accounting guideline “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” we have revised our 2017 segment disclosures to conform to the new guideline. Previously reported numbers for Operating income (loss) were as follows: $93 million for Pulp and Paper, $8 million for Personal Care, and $(12) million for Corporate for the third quarter of 2017 and $192 million for Pulp and Paper, $37 million for Personal Care, and $(34) million for Corporate for the first nine months of 2017.

 

 

 

 

44

 

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(e)

 

Commentary –Third quarter of 2018 compared to Third quarter of 2017

Interest Expense, net

We incurred $15 million of net interest expense in the third quarter of 2018, a decrease of $1 million compared to net interest expense of $16 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Income Taxes

For the third quarter of 2018, our income tax expense was $3 million, consisting of a current income tax benefit of $5 million and a deferred income tax expense of $8 million. This compares to an income tax expense of $3 million in the third quarter of 2017, consisting of a current income tax expense of $10 million and a deferred income tax benefit of $7 million. We made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $15 million during the third quarter of 2018.  Our effective tax rate was 3% compared with an effective tax rate of 4% in the third quarter of 2017. Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2018 was favorably impacted by the income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “U.S. Tax Reform”), including the benefit related to an additional pension contribution, and the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2017 was favorably impacted by the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. Our effective tax rates for both the third quarter of 2018 and the third quarter of 2017 were favorably impacted by the finalization of certain estimates in connection with the filing of our 2017 and 2016 income tax returns.

 

45

 

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On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Reform. The U.S. Tax Reform provides for a mandatory one-time deemed repatriation tax on our undistributed foreign earnings and profits. We recorded a provisional repatriation tax amount of $46 million in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017. As of September 30, 2018, we have finalized our U.S. tax returns for the 2017 tax year which include a repatriation tax amount of $39 million. The difference between the provisional amount and the final amount is included as a benefit to income tax expense in the third quarter of 2018 and favorably impacts our effective tax rate for the quarter.

 

 

 

(e)

 

Commentary – First nine months of 2018 compared to first nine months of 2017

Interest Expense, net

We incurred $47 million of net interest expense in the first nine months of 2018, a decrease of $3 million compared to net interest expense of $50 million in the first nine months of 2017. This decrease was mostly due to the repayment at maturity in June 2017 of the 10.75% Notes and was partially offset by an increase in interest rate on the Term Loan.  

Income Taxes

For the first nine months of 2018, our income tax expense was $22 million, consisting of a current income tax expense of $19 million and a deferred income tax expense of $3 million. This compares to an income tax expense of $17 million in the first nine months of 2017, consisting of a current income tax expense of $36 million and a deferred income tax benefit of $19 million. We made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $40 million during the first nine months of 2018.  Our effective tax rate was 10% compared to an effective tax rate of 12% in the first nine months of 2017. Our effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2018 was favorably impacted by the income tax effects of the U.S. Tax Reform, including the benefit related to an additional pension contribution, by the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations, as well as enacted law changes in Sweden and several U.S. states. Our effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2017 was favorably impacted by the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations as well as by enacted law changes in several U.S. states. Our effective tax rates for both the first nine months of 2018 and the first nine months of 2017 were favorably impacted by the finalization of certain estimates in connection with the filing of our 2017 and 2016 income tax returns, respectively.

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Commentary – Segment Review

Pulp and Paper Segment

Sales in our Pulp and Paper segment increased by $92 million, or 9%, when compared to sales in the third quarter of 2017. This increase in sales is mostly due to an increase in net average selling prices for pulp and paper as well as an increase in our paper sales volumes. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in our pulp sales volume.

Operating income in our Pulp and Paper segment amounted to $135 million in the third quarter of 2018, an increase of $46 million, when compared to operating income of $89 million in the third quarter of 2017. Our results were positively impacted by:

 

These increases were partially offset by:

 

Sales in our Pulp and Paper segment increased by $243 million, or 8%, when compared to sales in the first nine months of 2017. This increase in sales is mostly due to an increase in net average selling prices for pulp and paper as well as an increase in our paper sales volume. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in our pulp sales volume.

Operating income in our Pulp and Paper segment amounted to $290 million in the first nine months of 2018, an increase of $109 million, when compared to operating income of $181 million in the first nine months of 2017. Our results were positively impacted by:

These increases were partially offset by:

The markets in which our pulp and paper business operate are highly competitive with well-established domestic and foreign manufacturers. Most of our products are commodities that are widely available from other producers as well. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition for these products is based primarily on price, which is determined by supply relative to demand. We also compete on the basis of product quality, breadth of offering and service solutions. Further, we compete against electronic transmission and document storage alternatives. As a result of such competition, we are experiencing ongoing decreasing demand for most of our existing paper products.

 

The pulp market is highly fragmented with many manufacturers competing worldwide. Competition is primarily on the basis of access to low-cost wood fiber, product quality and competitively priced pulp products.

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In the fourth quarter, we expect lower maintenance costs in Pulp and Paper. Paper and pulp should continue to realize higher prices  following recently announced price increases.

Personal Care Segment

Sales in our Personal Care segment decreased by $14 million, or 6%, when compared to sales in the third quarter of 2017. This decrease was mainly driven by lower volume, unfavorable foreign currency exchange, and lower selling prices, partially offset by favorable mix when compared to the third quarter of 2017.

Operating income decreased by $11 million, or 138% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017. Our results were negatively impacted by:

Sales in our Personal Care segment increased by $10 million, or 1%, when compared to sales in the first nine months of 2017. This increase in sales was driven by favorable foreign currency exchange, mostly due to the fluctuation between the U.S. dollar and the Euro and favorable mix, partially offset by lower volume and selling prices.

Operating income decreased by $30 million or 81% in the first nine months of 2018 when compared to the first nine months of 2017. Our results were negatively impacted by:

These decreases were partially offset by:

In our absorbent hygiene products business, we compete in an industry with fundamental drivers for long-term growth; however, competitive market pressures in the healthcare and retail markets grew significantly in the recent years. Although the impact of such pressures presents some uncertainties, we expect them to result in lower than previously anticipated sales and operating margins.

While we expect an overall increase in healthcare spending due to an aging population, it is not clear how pressures to limit this spending brought forth through administrative changes by various national governments may impact the source of the funding. Additional changes in the balance of public versus private funding may be forthcoming and these could impact overall consumption or the channels in which consumption occurs. Additionally, excess industry capacity has increased pricing pressure in all markets and instigated a shift in the infant and adult private label retail space as competitors historically almost absent in our markets have increased their presence in such markets.

The principal methods and elements of competition remain brand recognition and loyalty, product innovation, quality and performance, price and marketing and distribution capabilities.

In the fourth quarter, Personal Care should benefit from higher volume and our margin improvement efforts while commodity cost inflation is expected to remain at elevated levels.  

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE

For the first nine months of 2018, stock-based compensation expense recognized in our results of operations was $19 million for all outstanding awards which includes the mark-to-market expense related to liability awards of $7 million. This compares to a stock-based compensation expense of $15 million for all outstanding awards which includes the mark-to-market expense related to liability awards of $1 million in the first nine months of 2017. Compensation costs for performance awards are based on management’s best estimate of the final performance measurement.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our principal cash requirements are for ongoing operating costs, pension contributions, working capital and capital expenditures, as well as principal and interest payments on our debt and income tax payments. We expect to fund our liquidity needs primarily with internally generated funds from our operations and, to the extent necessary, through borrowings under our contractually committed $700 million credit facility, of which $700 million is currently undrawn and available, or through our $150 million receivables securitization facility, of which $98 million is currently undrawn and available. Under adverse market conditions, there can be no assurance that these agreements would be available or sufficient. See “Capital Resources” below.

Our ability to make payments on the requirements mentioned above will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, which is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Our credit and receivable securitization facilities and debt indentures impose various restrictions and covenants on us that could limit our ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for unanticipated capital investments or to take advantage of business opportunities.

A portion of our cash is held outside the U.S. by foreign subsidiaries. The earnings of the foreign subsidiaries reflect full provision for local income taxes. We continue to assess the impact of the U.S. Tax Reform with respect to our current strategy of reinvesting profits of foreign subsidiaries back into those foreign operations. We have not completed our analysis of the impact of the U.S. Tax Reform and how changes will impact operational decisions around the utilization of cash residing in the foreign subsidiaries and there have been no material changes to our estimated amounts.

Operating Activities

Our operating cash flow requirements are primarily for salaries and benefits, the purchase of raw materials, including fiber and energy and other expenses such as income tax and property taxes.

Cash flows from operating activities totaled $337 million in the first nine months of 2018, a $13 million increase compared to cash flows from operating activities of $324 million in the first nine months of 2017. This increase in cash flows from operating activities is primarily due to an increase in profitability, partly offset by a decrease in cash flow from working capital elements in the first nine months of 2018 when compared to the first nine months of 2017. We made income tax payments, net of refunds of $40 million in the first nine months of 2018 compared to income tax payments, net of refunds of $18 million during the first nine months of 2017. We paid $46 million of employer pension and other post-retirement contribution in excess of pension and other post-retirement expense in the first nine months of 2018 compared to $33 million in the first nine months of 2017.

Investing Activities

Cash flows used for investing activities in the first nine months of 2018 amounted to $113 million, a $10 million increase compared to cash flows used for investing activities of $103 million in the first nine months of 2017.

The use of cash in the first nine months of 2018 was attributable to additions to property, plant and equipment of $111 million. Also, in the first nine months of 2018, we made an additional investment of $4 million in our joint venture CelluForce (a company that develops and manufactures nanocrystalline cellulose, a recyclable and renewable nanomaterial) and a $2 million investment in Prisma Renewable Composites, LLC (a company focused on developing advanced materials from lignin and other natural resources).  These uses of cash were partially offset by proceeds of disposals of property, plant and equipment of $4 million.

The use of cash in the first nine months of 2017 was attributable to additions to property, plant and equipment of $111 million, partially offset by proceeds of disposals of property, plant and equipment of $8 million.

Our capital expenditures for 2018 are expected to be approximately between $200 million and $220 million.

Financing Activities

Cash flows used for financing activities totaled $105 million in the first nine months of 2018 compared to cash flows used for financing activities of $212 million in the first nine months of 2017.

The use of cash in the first nine months of 2018 was primarily the result of dividend payments ($81 million) and the net repayments of borrowings under our receivable securitization ($25 million).

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The use of cash in the first nine months of 2017 was primarily the result of dividend payments ($78 million), the net repayment of borrowings under our credit facilities (revolver and receivable securitization) and long-term debt ($123 million) and a decrease in our bank indebtedness ($12 million).

Capital Resources

Net indebtedness, consisting of bank indebtedness and long-term debt, net of cash and cash equivalents, was $848 million as of September 30, 2018 compared to $991 million as of December 31, 2017.

Notes Maturity 

Our 10.75% Notes, in aggregate principal amount of $63 million, matured on June 1, 2017.

Term Loan

 

In the third quarter of 2015, a wholly owned subsidiary of Domtar borrowed $300 million under an unsecured 10-year Term Loan Agreement that matures on July 20, 2025, with certain domestic banks. The Company and certain significant domestic subsidiaries of the Company unconditionally guarantee the borrowing under the Term Loan Agreement.

 

Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.875%. The Term Loan Agreement contains customary covenants, including two financial covenants: (i) an interest coverage ratio, as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, that must be maintained at a level of not less than 3 to 1 and (ii) a leverage ratio, as defined in the Term Loan Agreement that must be maintained at a level of not greater than 3.75 to 1. At September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with these financial covenants.

Revolving Credit Facility

In August 2018, we amended and restated our unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain domestic and foreign banks, extending the Credit Agreement’s maturity date from August 18, 2021 to August 22, 2023.  The amount available under the Credit Agreement remains at $700 million.  

Borrowings by the Company under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by our significant domestic subsidiaries. Borrowings by foreign borrowers under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company, our significant domestic subsidiaries and certain of our foreign significant subsidiaries.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the LIBOR, EURIBOR Canadian bankers’ acceptance or prime rate as applicable, plus a margin linked to our credit rating.  In addition, we pay facility fees quarterly at rates dependent on our credit ratings.

The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and events of default for transactions of this type, including two financial covenants: (i) an interest coverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, that must be maintained at a level of not less than 3 to 1 and (ii) a leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement that must be maintained at a level of not greater than 3.75 to 1 (or 4.00 to 1 upon the occurrence of certain qualifying material acquisitions). At September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with these financial covenants and had no borrowings  (September 30, 2017– nil). At September 30, 2018, we had no outstanding letters of credit (September 30, 2017 – nil), leaving $700 million unused and available under this facility.  

Receivables Securitization

We have a $150 million receivables securitization facility that matures in March 2019. 

At September 30, 2018, we had no borrowings under the receivables securitization facility and we had $52 million of letters of credit under the program (September 30, 2017 – $60 million and $51 million, respectively). The program contains certain termination events, which include, but are not limited to, matters related to receivable performance, certain defaults occurring under the Credit Agreement or our failure to repay or satisfy material obligations. At September 30, 2018, we had $98 million unused and available under the receivable securitization facility.

Common Stock

On January 29, 2018, May 8, 2018 and August 7, 2018, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.435 per share, respectively, to be paid to holders of our common stock. Dividends of $27 million, $28 million and $27 million were paid on April 16, 2018, July 16, 2018 and October 15, 2018, respectively, to shareholders of record on April 2, 2018, July 3, 2018 and October 2, 2018, respectively.

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On November 6, 2018, our Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.435 per share to be paid to holders of our common stock. This dividend is to be paid on January 15, 2019, to shareholders of record on January 2, 2019.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

In the normal course of business, we finance certain of our activities off balance sheet through operating leases.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Refer to Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” of the financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates, assumptions and choices amongst acceptable accounting methods that affect our reported results of operations and financial position. Critical accounting estimates pertain to matters that contain a significant level of management estimates about future events, encompass the most complex and subjective judgments and are subject to a fair degree of measurement uncertainty. On an ongoing basis, management reviews its estimates, including those related to environmental matters and asset retirement obligations, impairment and useful lives of long-lived assets, closure and restructuring costs, intangible assets impairment, pension and other post-retirement benefit plans, income taxes, business combinations and contingencies related to legal claims. These critical accounting estimates and policies have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. We believe these accounting policies, and others, should be reviewed as they are essential to understanding our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

For more details on critical accounting policies, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

There has not been any material change to our policies since December 31, 2017 except for the adoption of ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” on January 1, 2018. For more details, refer to Note 2 “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” of the financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, contains forward-looking statements relating to trends in, or representing management’s beliefs about, Domtar Corporation’s future growth, results of operations, performance, liquidity and business prospects and opportunities. These forward-looking statements are generally denoted by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “aim”, “target”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “project”, “may”, “will”, “should” and similar expressions. These statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any occurs, what effect they will have on Domtar Corporation’s results of operations or financial condition. These factors include, but are not limited to:

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You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Unless specifically required by law, Domtar Corporation disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances.

 

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Information relating to quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. There have been no material changes in our exposure to market risk since December 31, 2017. A full discussion on Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk, is found in Note 3 “Derivatives and Hedging Activities and Fair Value Measurement,” of the financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of September 30, 2018, an evaluation was performed by members of management, at the direction and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report.

 

 

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 12 “Commitments and Contingencies” of the financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the discussion regarding legal proceedings.

For a description of previously reported legal proceedings refer to Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, contains important risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During the third quarter and the first nine months of 2018, we did not repurchase any shares under our stock repurchase program (the “Program”). We currently have $323 million of remaining availability under our Program. The Program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time and we have no obligation to repurchase any amount of our common stock under the Program. The Program has no set expiration date. We repurchase our common stock, from time to time, in part to reduce the dilutive effects of our stock options and awards and to improve shareholders’ returns. The timing and amount of stock repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, availability under the program as well as corporate and regulatory considerations. All shares repurchased are recorded as Treasury stock on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the par value method at $0.01 per share.

 

During 2017, there were no shares repurchased under the Program. As of December 31, 2017, the approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the Program was $323 million.

ITEM 3. DEFAULT UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURE

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

 

 

 

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