Edgar Filing: STERICYCLE INC

SRCL-2014.09.30-10Q

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014 or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 0-21229

Stericycle, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		36-3640402
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)

28161 North Keith Drive

Lake Forest, Illinois 60045

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(847) 367-5910

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES x NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer x		Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨		Smaller reporting company ¨

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

As of November 3, 2014 there were 84,924,367 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

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Stericycle, Inc.

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	Page No.
PART I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013	4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and year ended December 31, 2013	5

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	6

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	33

Item 4. Controls and Procedures	33

PART II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings	35

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	35

Item 6. Exhibits	36

Signatures	37

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PART I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STERICYCLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)



In thousands, except share and per share data
	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	41,985		$	67,167
Short-term investments	479			413
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $19,478 in 2014 and $19,134 in 2013	456,461			388,996
Deferred income taxes	18,185			18,031
Prepaid expenses	37,929			28,379
Other current assets	37,638			37,279
Total Current Assets	592,677			540,265
Property, plant and equipment, net	498,577			358,967
Goodwill	2,415,210			2,231,582
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $109,135 in 2014 and $88,098 in 2013	910,928			720,035
Other assets	28,242			37,124
Total Assets	$	4,445,634		$	3,887,973
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	165,074		$	150,380
Accounts payable	131,617			89,146
Accrued liabilities	139,025			107,445
Deferred revenues	22,406			18,826
Other current liabilities	57,183			50,387
Total Current Liabilities	515,305			416,184
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,512,333			1,280,663
Deferred income taxes	470,383			396,119
Other liabilities	67,426			27,469
Equity:
Common stock (par value $.01 per share, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 84,774,015 issued and outstanding in 2014 and 85,500,037 issued and outstanding in 2013)	848			855
Additional paid-in capital	256,641			195,110
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(95,351		)	(56,468		)
Retained earnings	1,694,549			1,610,964
Total Stericycle, Inc.’s Equity	1,856,687			1,750,461
Noncontrolling interest	23,500			17,077
Total Equity	1,880,187			1,767,538
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	4,445,634		$	3,887,973

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

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STERICYCLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)



In thousands, except share and per share data
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Revenues	$	667,877		$	534,579		$	1,878,654		$	1,574,908
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation shown below)	373,973			280,645			1,026,149			826,703
Depreciation - cost of revenues	15,235			12,531			43,063			36,856
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)	125,603			96,689			355,330			282,580
Depreciation – selling, general and administrative expenses	5,033			2,610			12,325			8,373
Amortization	8,497			6,709			24,214			19,884
Total Costs and Expenses	528,341			399,184			1,461,081			1,174,396
Income from Operations	139,536			135,395			417,573			400,512
Other Income (Expense):
Interest income	27			151			97			420
Interest expense	(16,644		)	(13,467		)	(47,980		)	(40,028		)
Other expense, net	(477		)	(1,341		)	(1,569		)	(2,899		)
Total Other Expense	(17,094		)	(14,657		)	(49,452		)	(42,507		)
Income Before Income Taxes	122,442			120,738			368,121			358,005
Income Tax Expense	39,401			39,906			122,633			123,508
Net Income	$	83,041		$	80,832		$	245,488		$	234,497
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	196			285			1,558			1,289
Net Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	82,845		$	80,547		$	243,930		$	233,208
Earnings Per Common Share Attributable to Stericycle, Inc. Common Shareholders:
Basic	$	0.98		$	0.94		$	2.87		$	2.71
Diluted	$	0.96		$	0.92		$	2.83		$	2.67
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic	84,858,360			85,849,656			84,940,975			86,021,764
Diluted	86,116,455			87,401,565			86,237,202			87,497,276

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

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STERICYCLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)



In thousands
	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013		2014			2013
Net Income	$	83,041		$	80,832	$	245,488		$	234,497

Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(51,552		)	23,549		(40,777		)	(17,070		)
Amortization of cash flow hedge into income, net of tax ($55 and $50, and $155 and $150) for the three-and nine-months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	97			79		254			236
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of tax ($0 and $0, and $47 and $0) for the three-and nine-months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	(159		)	—		(308		)	—
Total Other Comprehensive Income/ (Loss)	(51,614		)	23,628		(40,831		)	(16,834		)

Comprehensive Income	31,427			104,460		204,657			217,663
Less: Comprehensive Income/ (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(1,621		)	347		(390		)	389
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	33,048		$	104,113	$	205,047		$	217,274

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

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STERICYCLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)



In thousands
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	245,488		$	234,497
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Stock compensation expense	13,365			12,088
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	(10,747		)	(12,354		)
Depreciation	55,388			45,229
Amortization	24,214			19,884
Deferred income taxes	8,833			15,623
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	3,953			(307		)
Other	1,379			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions and divestitures:
Accounts receivable	(25,420		)	(43,816		)
Accounts payable	13,383			3,258
Accrued liabilities	17,640			21,420
Deferred revenues	2,326			(614		)
Other assets and liabilities	(4,830		)	41,181
Net cash provided by operating activities	344,972			336,089
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(328,811		)	(131,902		)
(Purchases of)/ proceeds from investments	(2,051		)	45
Capital expenditures	(66,262		)	(54,329		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(397,124		)	(186,186		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of long-term debt and other obligations	(45,031		)	(48,858		)
Borrowings on foreign bank debt	151,605			164,669
Repayments on foreign bank debt	(136,025		)	(163,941		)
Borrowings on senior credit facility	1,154,100			731,015
Repayments on senior credit facility	(979,059		)	(725,940		)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(4,014		)	(2,623		)
Payments of deferred financing costs	(2,280		)	—
Purchases and cancellations of treasury stock	(157,004		)	(114,531		)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	33,904			33,827
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised	10,747			12,354
Payments to noncontrolling interests	(732		)	(1,018		)
Net cash provided by/ (used in) financing activities	26,211			(115,046		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	759			(1,795		)
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents	(25,182		)	33,062
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	67,167			34,659
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	41,985		$	67,721

NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Issuances of obligations for acquisitions	$	100,944		$	88,530
Issuances of obligations for purchases of noncontrolling interest	—			2,113

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

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STERICYCLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 and

Year Ended December 31, 2013

(Unaudited)



In thousands
	Stericycle, Inc. Equity
	Issued and Outstanding Shares		Common Stock			Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Equity
Balance at January 1, 2013	85,988		$	860		$	116,720		$	1,463,277		$	(39,064	)	$	15,530		$	1,557,323
Net income									311,372						1,712			313,084
Currency translation adjustment												(17,718		)	(1,442		)	(19,160		)
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax												314						314
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	973		10			47,991												48,001
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	(1,461	)	(15		)	—			(163,685		)							(163,700		)
Stock compensation expense						17,457												17,457
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised						17,153												17,153
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions															4,211			4,211
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership						(4,211		)							(2,926		)	(7,137		)
Payments to noncontrolling interests															(8		)	(8		)
Balance at December 31, 2013	85,500		$	855		$	195,110		$	1,610,964		$	(56,468	)	$	17,077		$	1,767,538
Net income									243,930						1,558			245,488
Currency translation adjustment												(38,829		)	(1,948		)	(40,777		)
Change in qualifying cash flow hedge, net of tax												(54		)				(54		)
Issuance of common stock for exercise of options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases	686		7			37,419												37,426
Purchase/ cancellation of treasury stock	(1,412	)	(14		)	—			(160,345		)							(160,359		)
Stock compensation expense						13,365												13,365
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised						10,747												10,747
Noncontrolling interests attributable to acquisitions															6,943			6,943
Reduction to noncontrolling interests due to additional ownership															(130		)	(130		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	84,774		$	848		$	256,641		$	1,694,549		$	(95,351	)	$	23,500		$	1,880,187

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

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STERICYCLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Unless the context requires otherwise, “we”, “us” or “our” refers to Stericycle, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Company believes the disclosures included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In our opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation for the periods presented have been reflected and are of a normal recurring nature. At December 31, 2013, the Company recorded an immaterial correction of an error to reclassify $5.2 million of book overdrafts from cash and cash equivalents to other current liabilities. This adjustment had no impact on previously reported stockholders' equity, net income, or earnings per share. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Stericycle, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the entire year ending December 31, 2014.

There were no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies since the filing of its 2013 Form 10-K. As discussed in the 2013 Form 10-K, the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of reported assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of filing this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. No events have occurred that would require adjustment to or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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NOTE 2 – ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

The following table summarizes the locations of our acquisitions for the nine months ended September 30, 2014:



Acquisition Locations		2014
United States		12
Brazil		1
Canada		2
Chile		3
Japan		2
Portugal		5
Romania		3
South Korea		1
Spain		3
United Kingdom		3
Total		35

During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, we completed five acquisitions. Domestically, we acquired selected assets of one regulated waste business and selected assets of one communication solutions business. Internationally, in Portugal, we acquired 100% of the stock of three regulated waste businesses.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, we completed fourteen acquisitions. Domestically, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business, selected assets of two regulated waste businesses, and one communication solutions business. Internationally, in Brazil, we acquired selected assets of one regulated waste business. In Canada, we acquired 100% of the stock of one communication solutions business. In Chile, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business, and 90% of the stock of another. In South Korea, which represents a new market for us, we acquired 75.5% of the stock of one regulated waste business. In Portugal, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business. In Romania, we acquired selected assets of one regulated waste business and 100% of the stock of another. In Spain, we acquired selected assets of one regulated waste business. In addition, we acquired selected assets of one regulated waste business in the United Kingdom.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we completed sixteen acquisitions. Domestically, we acquired selected assets of five regulated waste businesses and one communication solutions business. In Canada, we acquired 100% of the stock of one communication solutions business. In Chile, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business. In Japan, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses. In Portugal, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business. In Romania, we acquired selected assets of one regulated waste business. In Spain, we acquired 100% of the stock of one regulated waste business and selected assets of one regulated waste business. In addition, we acquired 100% of the stock of two regulated waste businesses in the United Kingdom.

The following table summarizes the aggregate purchase price paid for acquisitions and other adjustments of consideration to be paid for acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30:

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In thousands
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013
Cash	$	328,811	$	131,902
Promissory notes	78,325		56,602
Deferred consideration	6,124		28,550
Contingent consideration	16,495		3,378
Total purchase price	$	429,755	$	220,432

For financial reporting purposes, our 2014 and 2013 acquisitions were accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. These acquisitions resulted in the recognition of goodwill in our financial statements reflecting the premium paid to acquire businesses that we believe are complementary to our existing operations and fit our growth strategy. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized a net increase in goodwill of $202.4 million excluding the effect of foreign currency translation (see Note 9 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). A net increase of $176.2 million was assigned to our United States reportable segment, and a net increase of $26.2 million was assigned to our International reportable segment. Approximately $99 million of the goodwill recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 will be deductible for income taxes.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized a net increase in intangible assets from acquisitions of $242.8 million, excluding the effect of foreign currency translation. The changes include $97.0 million in the estimated fair value of acquired customer relationships with amortizable lives of 10 to 40 years, $145.3 million in permits with indefinite lives, and $0.2 million in tradename with an amortizable life of 15 years, and $0.3 million in other intangibles with an amortizable life of 10 years.

The purchase prices for these acquisitions in excess of acquired tangible assets have been primarily allocated to goodwill and other intangibles and are preliminary, pending completion of certain intangible asset valuations and completion accounts. The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation for current period acquisitions and other adjustments to purchase price allocations during the nine months ended September 30:



In thousands
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
Fixed assets	$	127,621		$	10,683
Intangibles	242,792			79,798
Goodwill	202,391			153,482
Accounts receivable	56,696			9,392
Accounts payable	(32,561		)	(6,100		)
Net other (liabilities)/ assets	(67,564		)	(6,448		)
Debt	(22,097		)	(3,642		)
Net deferred tax liabilities	(70,580		)	(12,521		)
Noncontrolling interests	(6,943		)	(4,212		)
Total purchase price allocation	$	429,755		$	220,432

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred $10.7 million and $6.2 million, respectively, of acquisition related expenses. These expenses are included with "Selling, general and administrative expenses" ("SG&A") on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

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Included in the acquisitions discussed above for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 is the acquisition of 100% of the stock of PSC Environmental Services, LLC ("PSC Environmental"), which was consummated on April 22, 2014. Subject to various adjustments, the total consideration for the PSC Environmental acquisition was $284.0 million, of which $248.2 million was paid in cash, $30.0 million was paid by a two-year promissory note, and $5.8 million of the total purchase price represents contingent consideration which is based on Stericycle's expected future utilization of acquired net operating losses. A portion of the cash payment was applied to pay PSC Environmental’s indebtedness as of the closing date. As part of the PSC Environmental acquisition, we assumed $30.0 million in environmental remediation liabilities (see Note 11 - Environmental Liabilities, in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

Included in the acquisitions discussed above for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 is the acquisition of 100% of the stock of Shiraishi-Sogyo Co. Ltd. ("Shiraishi"). Consideration for the acquisition of Shiraishi included the effective settlement of pre-existing non-interest bearing loans we extended to Shiraishi for $15.7 million and the assumption of Shiraishi's bank debt of $4.7 million.

The results of operations of these acquired businesses have been included in the consolidated statements of income from the date of the acquisition. The pro forma revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 from the aggregate acquisitions was approximately $241 million, which includes $131.7 million estimated impact to 2014 reported revenues. Our pro forma earnings include estimates for intangible asset amortization expense but does not include estimated synergies as the timing and realizability of synergies is uncertain. The following consolidated pro forma information on the impact of these acquisitions to our consolidated revenues is based on the assumption that these acquisitions all occurred on January 1, 2014 and 2013.



In thousands
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014	2013
Revenues	1,987,813	1,815,807
Net income	246,570	236,030

NOTE 3 – NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted

Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists

On January 1, 2014, we adopted guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting

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date. For example, an entity should not evaluate whether the deferred tax asset expires before the statute of limitations on the tax position or whether the deferred tax asset may be used prior to the unrecognized tax benefit being settled. We are applying this guidance on a prospective basis. The implementation of this guidance did not affect our results of operations or financial liquidity.

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance that changes the threshold for reporting discontinued operations and adds new disclosures. The new guidance defines a discontinued operation as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and "represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results." For disposals of individually significant components that do not qualify as discontinued operations, an entity must disclose pre-tax earnings of the disposed component. For public business entities, this guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company has no plans to dispose of a component of our entity and therefore does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Revenue From Contracts With Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers. The revenue guidance contains principles that an entity will apply to determine the measurement of revenue and timing of when it is recognized. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard will be effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 for public entities, with no early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the change, however it does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Accounting for Share-Based Payment When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that applies to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. It requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and follows existing accounting guidance for the treatment of performance conditions. The standard will be effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not have any share-based payments with a performance target and therefore does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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NOTE 4 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The impact of our creditworthiness has been considered in the fair value measurements noted below. In addition, the fair value measurement of a liability must reflect the nonperformance risk of an entity.



In thousands
			Fair Value Measurements Using
	Total as of September 30, 2014		Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	41,985	$	41,985	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments	479		479		—		—
Total assets	$	42,464	$	42,464	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	28,806	$	—	$	—	$	28,806
Total liabilities	$	28,806	$	—	$	—	$	28,806



In thousands
			Fair Value Measurements Using
	Total as of December 31, 2013		Level 1 Inputs		Level 2 Inputs		Level 3 Inputs
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	67,167	$	67,167	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments	413		413		—		—
Total assets	$	67,580	$	67,580	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration	$	12,527	$	—	$	—	$	12,527
Total liabilities	$	12,527	$	—	$	—	$	12,527

We had contingent consideration liabilities recorded using Level 3 inputs in the amount of $28.8 million, of which $16.4 million was classified as current liabilities at September 30, 2014. Contingent

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consideration liabilities were $12.5 million at December 31, 2013. Contingent consideration represents amounts expected to be paid as part of acquisition consideration only if certain future events occur. These events are usually targets for revenues or earnings related to the business acquired. We arrive at the fair value of contingent consideration by applying a weighted probability of potential outcomes to the maximum possible payout. The calculation of these potential outcomes is dependent on both past financial performance and management assumptions about future performance. If the financial performance measures were all fully met, our maximum liability would be $36.7 million at September 30, 2014. Contingent consideration liabilities are reassessed each quarter and are reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as part of “Other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities”. Changes to contingent consideration are reflected in the table below:



In thousands
Contingent consideration at December 31, 2013	$	12,527
Increases due to acquisitions	16,495
Decrease due to change of noncontrolling interests	(635		)
Decrease due to payments	(2,916		)
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	(618		)
Changes in fair value reflected in Selling, general, and administrative expenses	3,953
Contingent consideration at September 30, 2014	$	28,806

Fair Value of Debt: At September 30, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated, using Level 2 inputs, at $1.67 billion compared to a carrying amount of $1.68 billion. At December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s debt obligations was estimated, using Level 2 inputs, at $1.41 billion compared to a carrying amount of $1.43 billion. The fair values were estimated using an income approach by applying market interest rates for comparable instruments. The Company has no current plans to retire a significant amount of its debt prior to maturity.

There were no movements of items between fair value hierarchies.

NOTE 5 – INCOME TAXES

We file U.S. federal income tax returns and income tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions.

The Company has recorded accruals to cover uncertain tax positions taken on previously filed tax returns. Such liabilities relate to additional taxes, interest and penalties the Company may be required to pay in various tax jurisdictions. During the course of examinations by various taxing authorities, proposed adjustments may be asserted. The Company evaluates such items on a case-by-case basis and adjusts the accrual for uncertain tax positions. During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we had immaterial net decreases to our accruals related to a reassessment of previous and current uncertain tax positions. The effective tax rates for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were approximately 32.2% and 33.1%, respectively. The decrease in the current quarter tax rate as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year is primarily related to a recognition of certain tax benefits in 2014 that were previously uncertain.

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NOTE 6 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

At September 30, 2014, we had the following stock option and stock purchase plans:


•	the 2014 Incentive Stock Plan, which our stockholders approved in May 2014;


•	the 2011 Incentive Stock Plan, which our stockholders approved in May 2011;


•	the 2008 Incentive Stock Plan, which our stockholders approved in May 2008;


•	the 2005 Incentive Stock Plan, which our stockholders approved in April 2005;


•	the 2000 Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan, which expired in February 2010;


•	the 1997 Stock Option Plan, which expired in January 2007;


•	the 1996 Directors Stock Option Plan, which expired in May 2006; and


•	the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), which our stockholders approved in May 2001.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense:

The following table presents the total stock-based compensation expense resulting from stock option awards, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and the ESPP included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:



In thousands
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Cost of revenues – stock option plan	$	14	$	32	$	42	$	102
Selling, general and administrative – stock option plan	3,600		3,561		11,459		10,265
Selling, general and administrative – RSUs	319		389		948		967
Selling, general and administrative – ESPP	308		163		916		754
Total pre-tax expense	$	4,241	$	4,145	$	13,365	$	12,088

The following table sets forth the tax benefits related to stock compensation:



In thousands
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Tax benefit recognized in Statement of Income	$	1,319	$	1,109	$	3,248	$	3,493
Excess tax benefit realized	3,667		3,981		10,747		12,354

Stock Options:

Stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, is summarized as follows:

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	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Total Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at beginning of year	5,540,482		$	70.29
Granted	975,038		115.31
Exercised	(646,434	)	53.91
Forfeited	(101,361	)	93.91
Canceled or expired	(1,657	)	80.96
Outstanding at September 30, 2014	5,766,068		$	79.32	6.25	$	214,733
Exercisable at September 30, 2014	3,030,962		$	63.97	5.18	$	159,403
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2014	5,527,430		$	78.34

As of September 30, 2014, there was $49.0 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested option awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.05 years.

The total exercise intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax value (the difference between the sales price on that trading day in the quarter ended September 30, and the exercise price associated with the respective option).



In thousands
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$	14,375	$	12,809	$	40,893	$	40,537

The Company uses historical data to estimate expected life and volatility. The estimated fair value of stock options at the time of the grant using the Black-Scholes model option pricing model was as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Stock options granted (shares)	11,555			4,950			975,038			1,050,080
Weighted average fair value at grant date	$	21.32		$	26.51		$	21.30		$	21.99
Assumptions:
Expected term (in years)	4.78			5.75			4.75			5.83
Expected volatility	16.98		%	26.20		%	17.39		%	27.05		%
Expected dividend yield	—		%	—		%	—		%	—		%
Risk free interest rate	1.59		%	1.67		%	1.52		%	1.00		%

Restricted Stock Units:

Restricted stock units ("RSUs") vest at the end of three or five years. Our 2008, 2011 and 2014 Plans include a share reserve related to RSUs granted at a 2-1 ratio.

A summary of the status of our non-vested RSUs and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2014, are as follows:

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	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Total Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in thousands)
Non-vested at beginning of year	70,457		$	88.32
Granted	16,334		115.67
Vested and released	(17,288	)	85.00
Forfeited	(5,610	)	89.21
Non-vested at September 30, 2014	63,893		$	96.13	$	7,447

As of September 30, 2014, there was $4.4 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.12 years.

NOTE 7 – COMMON STOCK

The following table provides information about our repurchase of shares of our common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014:



	Number of Shares Repurchased and Canceled	Amount Paid for Repurchases		Average Price Paid per Share
		(in thousands)
Three months ended March 31, 2014	685,990	$	78,340	$	114.20
Three months ended June 30, 2014	527,243	58,846		111.61
Three months ended September 30, 2014	198,728	23,173		116.60
Nine months ended September 30, 2014	1,411,961	$	160,359	$	113.57

Three months ended March 31, 2013	74,820	$	7,160	$	95.70
Three months ended June 30, 2013	540,390	59,015		109.21
Three months ended September 30, 2013	421,060	48,356		114.84
Nine months ended September 30, 2013	1,036,270	$	114,531	$	110.52

Of the 198,728 shares repurchased during the three months ended September 30, 2014, 29,100 shares in the amount of $3.4 million were not settled. This amount is recognized as part of other accrued liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2014.

NOTE 8 – EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options, shares to be purchased under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan and RSUs. The effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, an increase in the fair market value of the Company’s common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive securities.

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The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:



In thousands, except share and per share data
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	82,845	$	80,547	$	243,930	$	233,208
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	84,858,360		85,849,656		84,940,975		86,021,764
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options	1,258,095		1,551,909		1,296,227		1,475,512
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	86,116,455		87,401,565		86,237,202		87,497,276
Earnings per share – Basic	$	0.98	$	0.94	$	2.87	$	2.71
Earnings per share – Diluted	$	0.96	$	0.92	$	2.83	$	2.67

NOTE 9 – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and other identifiable indefinite lived intangibles are not amortized, but are subject to an annual impairment test, or more frequent testing if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired.

Goodwill:

We have two geographical reportable segments, “United States” and “International”, both of which have goodwill. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill since January 1, 2013, by reportable segment, were as follows:



In thousands
	United States			International			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	1,616,286		$	448,817		$	2,065,103
Goodwill acquired during year	57,250			116,534			173,784
Purchase accounting allocation adjustments	4,541			1,470			6,011
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	—			(13,316		)	(13,316		)
Balance as of December 31, 2013	1,678,077			553,505			2,231,582
Goodwill acquired during year	180,990			43,300			224,290
Purchase accounting allocation adjustments	(4,825		)	(17,074		)	(21,899		)
Changes due to foreign currency fluctuations	—			(18,763		)	(18,763		)
Balance as of September 30, 2014	$	1,854,242		$	560,968		$	2,415,210

Current year adjustments to goodwill for certain 2013 acquisitions are primarily due to the finalization of intangible asset valuations.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, we performed our annual goodwill impairment evaluation for our three reporting units: Domestic Regulated and Compliance Services, Domestic Regulated Recall and Returns Management Services, and International Regulated and Compliance Services. We calculated fair value for our reporting units using an income method and validated those results using a market approach. Both the income and market approaches indicated no impairment to goodwill to any of our three reporting units.

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Market Approach: Our market approach begins by calculating the market capitalization of the Company using the average stock price for the prior twelve months and the outstanding share count at June 30, 2014. We then look at the Company's Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (“EBITDA”), adjusted for stock compensation expense and other items, such as changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, restructuring and plant closure costs, and litigation settlement, for the prior twelve months. The calculated market capitalization is divided by the modified EBITDA to arrive at a valuation multiple. The fair value of each reporting unit is then calculated by taking the product of the valuation multiple and the trailing twelve months' modified EBITDA of that reporting unit. The fair value was then compared to the reporting units' book value and determined to be in excess of the book value. We believe that starting with the fair value of the company as a whole is a reasonable measure as that fair value is then allocated to each reporting unit based on that reporting unit's individual earnings. A sustained drop in our stock price would have a negative impact to our fair value calculations. A temporary drop in earnings of a reporting unit would have a negative impact to our fair value calculations.

The results of our goodwill impairment test using the market approach indicated the fair value of our reporting units exceeded book value by a substantial amount, in excess of 100% of book value.

Income Approach: The income approach uses expected future cash flows of each reporting unit and discounts those cash flows to present values. Expected future cash flows are calculated using management assumptions of internal growth, capital expenditures, and cost efficiencies. Future acquisitions are not included in the expected future cash flows. We use a discount rate based on our Company calculated weighted average cost of capital which is adjusted for each of our reporting units based on size risk premium and country risk premium. Significant assumptions used in the income approach include realization of future cash flows and the discount rate used to present value those cash flows.

The results of our goodwill impairment test using the income approach indicated the fair value of our Domestic Regulated and Compliance Services and Recall and Returns Management Services reporting units exceeded book value by a substantial amount; in excess of 100%. Our International Regulated and Compliance Services reporting units' fair value exceeded book value by approximately 85% and had $576.7 million in assigned goodwill at June 30, 2014.

Other Intangible Assets:

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the values of other intangible assets were as follows:



In thousands
	September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Value		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Value
Amortizable intangibles:
Covenants not-to-compete	$	8,548	$	5,459	$	3,089	$	9,405	$	5,366	$	4,039
Customer relationships	749,903		101,927		647,976		670,889		81,271		589,618
Tradenames	5,235		1,234		4,001		5,283		1,031		4,252
Technology	611		495		116		611		416		195
Other	555		20		535		91		14		77
Indefinite lived intangibles:
Operating permits	249,411		—		249,411		116,054		—		116,054
Tradenames	5,800		—		5,800		5,800		—		5,800
Total	$	1,020,063	$	109,135	$	910,928	$	808,133	$	88,098	$	720,035

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During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we wrote off $1.4 million in operating permits due to rationalizing certain of our domestic and international operations. These expenses are reflected as part of "Selling, general and administrative expenses." Under generally accepted accounting principles, a fair value must be assigned to all acquired assets based on a theoretical "market participant" regardless of the acquirers' intended use for these assets.This accounting treatment can lead to the recognition of losses when a company disposes of acquired assets. We complete our annual impairment analysis of our indefinite lived intangibles during the quarter ended December 31 of each year, or more frequently, if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired.

Our finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives. We have determined that our customer relationships have useful lives from 10 to 40 years based upon the type of customer, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 23.7 years. We have covenants not-to-compete intangibles with useful lives from 3 to 14 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 3.4 years. We have tradename intangibles with useful lives from 10 to 40 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 15.1 years. We have technology with a useful life of 5 years, with a weighted average remaining useful life of 1.3 years. We have determined that our permits have indefinite lives due to our ability to renew these permits with minimal additional cost, and therefore these are not amortized.

During the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate amortization expense was $8.5 million and $6.7 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate amortization expense was $24.2 million and $19.9 million, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years, assuming no additional amortizable intangible assets, is as follows for the years ended December 31:



In thousands
2014	$	32,832
2015	35,043
2016	34,698
2017	34,553
2018	34,223

Future amortization expense may fluctuate depending on changes in foreign currency rates, future acquisitions, or changes to the estimated amortizable life of the intangibles. The estimates for amortization expense noted above are based upon foreign exchange rates as of September 30, 2014.

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NOTE 10 – DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:



In thousands
	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Obligations under capital leases	$	14,971	$	7,343
$1.2 billion senior credit facility weighted average rate 1.61%, due in 2019	443,972		272,358
$100 million private placement notes 5.64%, due in 2015	100,000		100,000
$175 million private placement notes 3.89%, due in 2017	175,000		175,000
$125 million private placement notes 2.68%, due in 2019	125,000		125,000
$225 million private placement notes 4.47%, due in 2020	225,000		225,000
$125 million private placement notes 3.26%, due in 2022	125,000		125,000
Promissory notes and deferred consideration weighted average rate of 1.98% and weighted average maturity of 3.3 years	294,082		252,195
Foreign bank debt weighted average rate 7.52% and weighted average maturity of 1.7 years	174,382		149,147
Total debt	1,677,407		1,431,043
Less: current portion of total debt	165,074		150,380
Long-term portion of total debt	$	1,512,333	$	1,280,663

Our $1.2 billion senior credit facility maturing in June 2019, our $100.0 million private placement notes maturing April 2015, our $175.0 million private placement notes maturing in October 2017, our $125.0 million private placement notes maturing in December 2019, our $225.0 million private placement notes maturing in October 2020, and our $125.0 million private placement notes maturing in December 2022, all require us to comply with various financial, reporting and other covenants and restrictions, including a restriction on dividend payments. The financial debt covenants are the same for the senior credit facility and the private placement notes. At September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our financial debt covenants.

On June 3, 2014, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement (the “new credit agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender, a lender and a letter of credit issuer, other lenders party to the new credit agreement, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as syndication agents, and Union Bank, N.A. and Santander Bank, National Association, as co-documentation agents. The new credit agreement amended and restated our prior amended and restated credit agreement dated as of September 21, 2011. The new credit agreement increases our unsecured revolving credit facility from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion and extends the maturity date of our borrowings from September 21, 2016 to June 3, 2019. We paid $2.1 million in financing fees which will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the new credit agreement.

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 we had $187.7 million and $155.0 million, respectively, committed to outstanding letters of credit under our senior credit facility. The unused portion of the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $568.3 million and $572.6 million, respectively.

Our $100.0 million private placement notes that mature in April 2015 were classified as long-term debt due to our intent to pay this obligation by borrowing on our $1.2 billion senior credit facility.

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NOTE 11 – ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES

We accrue environmental remediation costs associated with identified sites where an assessment has indicated that cleanup costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such accruals are based on currently available information, estimated timing of remedial actions, existing technology, and enacted laws and regulations. The liability for environmental and closure costs is included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in part of "Accrued liabilities" and "Other liabilities".

When we believe that both the amount of a particular environmental remediation liability and the timing of the payments are fixed or reliably determinable, we inflate the cost in current dollars using a weighted-average inflation rate (2.1% at September 30, 2014) and discount the cost to present value using a weighted-average risk-free discount rate (2.7% at September 30, 2014). The inflation rate is calculated based on a weighted-average inflation rate that considers the rate of inflation at the end of the year and average inflation rates for the past 10, 20, and 30 years. The discount rate is a weighted-average year-end discount rate based on rates for U.S. Treasury bonds for the next 10, 20, and 30 years. Both calculations factor in expected timing of cash outflows.

At September 30, 2014, the total environmental remediation liabilities recorded were $29.9 million, of which $1.3 million was classified as accrued liabilities and $28.6 million was classified as other liabilities. The portion of the recorded environmental remediation liabilities that are not subject to inflation or discounting, because the amounts and timing of payments are not fixed or reliably determinable, was $9.2 million. The portion of the recorded environmental remediation liabilities that are subject to inflation or discounting, because the amounts and timing of payments are fixed or reliably determinable, was $20.7 million. The total expected aggregate undiscounted amount of the liability at September 30, 2014 was $38.5 million.

NOTE 12 – GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Management has determined that we have two reportable segments: United States (which includes Puerto Rico) and International. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of customers. The same accounting principles and critical accounting policies are used in the preparation of the financial statements for both reportable segments.

Detailed information for our United States reportable segment is as follows:



In thousands
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Regulated and compliance solutions	$	454,046	$	353,049	$	1,252,696	$	1,040,636
Recall and returns solutions	16,611		25,071		64,395		71,334
Total revenues	470,657		378,120		1,317,091		1,111,970
Net interest expense	11,559		10,786		33,869		32,283
Income before income taxes	108,318		103,925		325,447		299,281
Income taxes	34,242		34,687		114,902		109,499
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	74,076	$	69,238	$	210,545	$	189,782

Depreciation and amortization	$	16,948	$	12,041	$	45,726	$	37,303

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Detailed information for our International reportable segment is as follows:



In thousands
	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Regulated and compliance solutions	$	197,220	$	156,459	$	561,563	$	462,938
Net interest expense	5,058		2,530		14,014		7,325
Income before income taxes	14,124		16,813		42,674		58,724
Income taxes	5,159		5,219		7,731		14,009
Net income	8,965		11,594		34,943		44,715
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	196		285		1,558		1,289
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	8,769	$	11,309	$	33,385	$	43,426

Depreciation and amortization	$	11,817	$	9,809	$	33,876	$	27,810

NOTE 13 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We operate in a highly regulated industry and must deal with regulatory inquiries or investigations from time to time that may be instituted for a variety of reasons. We are also involved in a variety of civil litigation from time to time.

Class Action Lawsuits. As we have previously disclosed, we were served on March 12, 2013 with a class action complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania by an individual plaintiff for itself and on behalf of all other “similarly situated” customers of ours. The complaint alleges, among other things, that we imposed unauthorized or excessive price increases and other charges on our customers in breach of our contracts and in violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. The complaint sought certification of the lawsuit as a class action and the award to class members of appropriate damages and injunctive relief.

The Pennsylvania class action complaint was filed in the wake of a settlement with the State of New York of an investigation under the New York False Claims Act (which the class action complaint describes at some length). The New York investigation arose out of a qui tam (or “whistle blower”) complaint under the federal False Claims Act and comparable state statutes which was filed under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in April 2008 by a former employee of ours. The qui tam complaint was filed on behalf of the United States and 14 states and the District of Columbia. On September 4, 2013, we filed our answer to Plaintiff-Relator’s Second Amended Complaint, generally denying the allegations therein. Also, as previously disclosed, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Virginia and North Carolina have issued civil investigative demands to explore the allegations made on their behalf in the qui tam complaint but have not yet decided whether to join the Illinois action. The qui tam case is in the early stages of discovery.

Following the filing of the Pennsylvania class action complaint, we were served with class action complaints filed in federal court in California, Florida, Illinois, Mississippi and Utah and in state court in California. These complaints asserted claims and allegations substantially similar to those made in the Pennsylvania class action complaint. All of these cases appear to be follow-on litigation to our settlement with the State of New York. On August 9, 2013, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) granted

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our Motion to Transfer these related actions to the Northern District of Illinois for centralized pretrial proceedings. On December 10, 2013, we filed our answer to the Amended Consolidated Class Action Complaint in the MDL action, generally denying the allegations therein. The MDL action is in the early stages of discovery.

We believe that we have operated in accordance with the terms of our customer contracts and that these complaints are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend ourselves against each of these lawsuits.

We have not accrued any amounts in respect of these lawsuits, and we cannot estimate the reasonably possible loss or the range of reasonably possible losses that we may incur. We are unable to make such an estimate because (i) litigation is by its nature uncertain and unpredictable, (ii) the proceedings are at an early stage and (iii) in our judgment, there are no comparable proceedings against other defendants that might provide guidance in making estimates.

Utah Proceedings. On May 28, 2013, we received a notice of violation and order to comply from the State of Utah Division of Air Quality alleging violations of certain conditions of the operating permit for our incineration facility in North Salt Lake relating to emissions and emissions testing at the facility. We have subsequently completed testing, in accordance with protocols approved by the Division of Air Quality, that demonstrates that the facility is currently operating in compliance with applicable emissions standards and our permit conditions. We filed a formal response to the notice of violation on September 27, 2013 and remain in discussions with the Division of Air Quality regarding a resolution of this matter. A hearing before an administrative law judge has been scheduled for July 2015 in the event that a resolution has not been achieved by that date. We estimate that the cost of resolving matters with the Division of Air Quality will not be material to our financial statements.

Junk Fax Lawsuit. On April 2, 2014, we were served with a class action complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Case 1:14-cv-02070) by an individual plaintiff for himself and on behalf of all other “similarly situated” persons. The complaint alleges, among other things, that we sent facsimile transmissions of unsolicited advertisements to plaintiff and others similarly situated in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, as amended by the Junk Fax Prevention Act of 2005 (the “TCPA”). The complaint seeks certification of the lawsuit as a class action and the award to class members of the greater of actual damages or the sum of $500 for each violation and injunctive and other relief. Under the TCPA, the statutory remedy of $500 per violation may be trebled if the Court finds the violations to be willful or knowing. On May 22, 2014, we filed our answer to the complaint, generally denying the allegations therein. Discovery in the case is proceeding.

We have not accrued any amounts in respect of the TCPA action, and we cannot estimate the reasonably possible loss or the range of reasonably possible losses that we may incur. We are unable to make such an estimate because (i) the proceedings are at an early stage and discovery is ongoing and (ii) other reported TCPA claims have resulted in a broad range of outcomes, with each case being dependent on its own unique facts and circumstances.

We review all of our outstanding legal proceedings with counsel quarterly, and we will disclose an estimate of any reasonably possible loss or range of reasonably possible losses if and when we are able to make such an estimate and the reasonably possible loss or range of reasonably possible losses is material to our financial statements.

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Environmental Matters. On April 22, 2014, we completed our acquisition of PSC Environmental Services, LLC (“PSC Environmental”) and consequently became subject to the legal proceedings in which PSC Environmental was a party on that date. PSC Environmental’s operations are regulated by federal, state and local laws enacted to regulate the discharge of materials into the environment, remediate contaminated soil and groundwater or otherwise protect the environment. As a result of this continuing regulation, PSC Environmental frequently becomes a party to legal or administrative proceedings involving various governmental authorities and other interested parties. The issues involved in these proceedings generally relate to alleged violations of existing permits and licenses or alleged responsibility under federal or state Superfund laws to remediate contamination at properties owned either by PSC Environmental or by other parties to which either PSC Environmental or the prior owners of certain of its facilities shipped wastes.

From time to time, PSC Environmental pays fines or penalties in regulatory proceedings relating primarily to waste treatment, storage or disposal facilities. We believe that the fines or other penalties that PSC Environmental may pay in connection with any pending regulatory proceedings of this nature will not, individually or in the aggregate, be material to our financial statements.

On September 18, 2014, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Stericycle Specialty Waste Solutions, Inc., received a notice of violation (“NOV”) from the New Mexico Environment Department (“NMED”) concerning our 10-day transfer facility in Albuquerque. The violations alleged in the NOV generally relate to the management of Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (“CESQG”) waste under a CESQG agreement that we have with NMED, as well as some recordkeeping matters. We have met with NMED and are currently in discussions regarding a resolution of the matters alleged in the NOV. We believe that the penalties ultimately assessed under the NOV could exceed $100,000 but that, in any event, they will not be material to our financial statements.

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

We are in the business of providing regulated and compliance solutions to healthcare and commercial businesses. This includes the collection and processing of specialized waste for disposal, and a variety of training, consulting, recall/return, communication, and compliance services. We were incorporated in 1989 and presently serve a diverse customer base of nearly 599,000 customers throughout the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The regulated solutions we provide include: medical waste disposal, our Steri-Safe^® medical waste and compliance program, our Clinical Services program, our Sharps Management Service featuring Bio Systems^® reusable sharps containers, pharmaceutical waste disposal, and hazardous waste disposal. Our compliance solutions include: training, consulting, inbound/outbound communications, data reporting, and other regulatory compliance services. In addition to our regulated and compliance solutions, we offer regulated recall and returns management solutions which encompass a number of services for a variety of businesses, but consist primarily of managing the recall, withdrawal, or return of expired or recalled products and pharmaceuticals.

Highlights of the three months ended September 30, 2014:


•	revenues were $667.9 million, up $133.3 million or 24.9% from $534.6 million in the third quarter last year;


•	third quarter gross profit as a percent of revenues decreased to 41.7% from 45.2% in 2013;


•	operating income was $139.5 million, up $4.1 million or 3.1% from $135.4 million in the third quarter last year;


•	we incurred $14.7 million in pre-tax expenses related to acquisitions, integration, plant conversion, and litigation related expenses;


•	cash flow from operations was $106.6 million.

Highlights of the nine months ended September 30, 2014:


•	revenues were $1,878.7 million, up $303.7 million or 19.3% from $1,574.9 million in the same period last year;


•	gross profit as a percent of revenues decreased to 43.1% from 45.2% in 2013;


•	operating income was $417.6 million, up $17.1 million or 4.3% from $400.5 million in the same period last year;


•	we incurred $36.6 million in pre-tax expenses related to acquisitions, integration, change in fair value of contingent consideration, plant conversion, and litigation related expenses;


•	cash flow from operations was $345.0 million.

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THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 COMPARED TO

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

The following summarizes the Company’s operations:



In thousands, except per share data
	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
	$		%	$			%
Revenues	$	667,877	100.0	$	534,579		100.0
Cost of revenues	373,128		55.9	280,222			52.4
Depreciation - cost of revenues	15,235		2.3	12,531			2.3
Plant conversion expenses	845		0.1	423			0.1
Total cost of revenues	389,208		58.3	293,176			54.8
Gross profit	278,669		41.7	241,403			45.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of adjusting items shown below)	111,793		16.7	92,964			17.4
Acquisition expenses	3,472		0.5	2,111			0.4
Integration expenses	7,461		1.1	1,423			0.3
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	—		—	(185		)	0.0
Plant conversion expenses	1,535		0.2	364			0.1
Litigation expenses	1,342		0.2	12			0.0
Total SG&A expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)	125,603		18.8	96,689			18.1
Depreciation	5,033		0.8	2,610			0.5
Amortization	8,497		1.3	6,709			1.3
Income from operations	139,536		20.9	135,395			25.3
Net interest expense	16,617		2.5	13,316			2.5
Income tax expense	39,401		5.9	39,906			7.5
Net income	83,041		12.4	80,832			15.1
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	196		—	285			0.1
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	82,845	12.4	$	80,547		15.1
Earnings per share- diluted	$	0.96		$	0.92

Revenues: Our revenues increased $133.3 million, or 24.9%, in the third quarter of 2014 to $667.9 million from $534.6 million in the same period in 2013. Domestic revenues increased $92.5 million, or 24.5%, to $470.7 million from $378.1 million in the same period in 2013. Organic revenue growth for domestic small account customers increased by $19.2 million, or approximately 9%, driven by higher revenues from our Steri-Safe, regulated waste services for retailers, and other regulated compliance services. Organic revenue from domestic large account customers increased by $10.9 million, or approximately 8%, as we increased the total number of accounts and expanded our reusable sharps services, pharmaceutical waste as well as strong performance in our specialty waste services. Organic revenues for recall and returns management services decreased by $8.5 million in 2014 driven by fewer large scale recall events. Organic revenues exclude revenue growth attributed to businesses acquired within the preceding twelve months. Revenues from domestic acquisitions closed within the preceding twelve months contributed $70.9 million to the increase in revenues in the third quarter of 2014.

International revenues increased $40.8 million, or 26.1%, in the third quarter of 2014, to $197.2 million from $156.5 million in the same period in 2013. Organic growth, currency rate fluctuations and acquisitions

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impact the comparison of 2014 and 2013. Organic growth in the international segment contributed $22.0 million in revenues, or approximately 14%. Organic growth excludes the effect of foreign exchange and acquisitions and divestitures less than one year old. The effect of foreign exchange rates unfavorably impacted international revenues in 2014 by $4.1 million as foreign currencies declined against the U.S. dollar. Revenue from acquisitions closed within the preceding twelve months contributed $22.9 million to the increase in revenues in the third quarter of 2014.

Cost of Revenues: Our cost of revenues increased $96.0 million, or 32.8%, in the third quarter of 2014 to $389.2 million from $293.2 million in the same period in 2013. We recognized $0.8 million and $0.4 million in plant conversion expenses during the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Our domestic cost of revenues increased $65.7 million, or 34.9%, in the third quarter of 2014 to $254.1 million from $188.4 million in the same period in 2013 as a result of costs related to a proportional increase in revenues from acquisitions and organic growth.

Our international cost of revenues increased $30.3 million, or 28.9%, in the third quarter of 2014 to $135.1 million from $104.8 million in the same period in 2013 as a result of costs related to proportional increase in revenues from acquisitions and organic growth.

Our consolidated gross profit as a percent of revenues decreased to 41.7% during the third quarter of 2014 from 45.2% during the same period in 2013. As identified above, plant conversion expenses negatively impacted our consolidated gross profit. In general, international gross profits are lower than domestic gross profits because the international operations have fewer small account customers, which tend to provide higher gross profits. Historically, the international operations have had most of their revenues from large account customers, such as hospitals. As the international revenues increase, consolidated gross profits receive downward pressure due to this “business mix” shift, which may be offset by additional international small account market penetration, integration savings, and domestic business expansion.

Domestic gross profit as a percent of revenues decreased to 46.0% during the third quarter of 2014 from 50.2% in the same period in 2013 primarily due to the inclusion of the PSC Environmental acquisition results in 2014 and less contribution from high margin recall events. International gross profit as a percent of revenues decreased to 31.5% during the third quarter of 2014 from 33.0% during the same period in 2013 due to service mix shift on new revenues.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: Excluding the effect of acquisition and integration expenses, and other items (collectively the “Adjusting Items”), depreciation, and amortization expenses, our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased $18.8 million, or 20.3%, in the third quarter of 2014 to $111.8 million from $93.0 million in the same period in 2013 primarily as investment spending supported the increase in revenues and acquired SG&A expenses. As a percent of revenues, these costs decreased to 16.7% in the third quarter of 2014 from 17.4% during the same period in 2013.

Domestically, third quarter SG&A expenses, excluding Adjusting Items, depreciation, and amortization expenses, increased $9.9 million, or 14.8%, to $76.6 million from $66.7 million in the same period in 2013. As a percent of revenues, SG&A was at 16.3% in the third quarter of 2014 and 17.6% in the same period in 2013. As a percent of revenues, amortization expense of acquired intangible assets increased by 0.1%.

Internationally, third quarter SG&A expenses, excluding Adjusting Items, depreciation, and amortization expenses, increased $8.9 million, or 33.8%, to $35.2 million from $26.3 million in the same period in 2013. As a percent of revenues, SG&A was at 17.8% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to 16.8% in the same period in 2013 in support of new business growth opportunities. As a percent of revenues, amortization expense of acquired intangible assets decreased by 0.2%.

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During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $3.5 million in acquisition expenses, $7.5 million of expenses related to the integration of our acquisitions, $1.3 million in litigation expenses, and $1.5 million in plant conversion expenses related to the write off of permit intangibles in support of plant rationalization and new plant start up costs.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, we recognized $2.1 million in acquisition expenses, $1.4 million of expenses related to the integration of our acquisitions, $0.4 million in plant closure expenses, partially offset by $0.2 million related to a change in fair value of contingent consideration.

Income from Operations: Income from operations increased $4.1 million, or 3.1%, in the third quarter of 2014 to $139.5 million from $135.4 million in same period in 2013. Comparison of income from operations between the third quarter of 2014 and the same period of 2013 was affected by Adjusting Items described above in the SG&A section.

Domestically, our income from operations increased $4.7 million, or 4.1%, to $120.2 million in the third quarter of 2014 from $115.5 million in the same period in 2013. Internationally, our income from operations decreased $0.6 million, or 3.0%, to $19.3 million in the third quarter of 2014 from $19.9 million in the same period in 2013 primarily related to increased acquisition and integration expenses.

Net Interest Expense: Net interest expense increased to $16.6 million during the third quarter of 2014 from $13.3 million during the same period in 2013. The increase in interest expense was due to increased borrowings and higher interest costs in Latin America as well as increased borrowings on the senior credit facility to fund the acquisition of PSC Environmental on April 22, 2014.

Income Tax Expense: Income tax expense decreased to $39.4 million in the third quarter of 2014 from $39.9 million in the same period in 2013. The reported tax rates for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were 32.2% and 33.1%, respectively. The decrease in the current quarter tax rate as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year is primarily related to the recognition of tax benefits in 2014.

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NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 COMPARED TO

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

The following summarizes the Company’s operations:



In thousands, except per share data
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013
	$		%	$			%
Revenues	$	1,878,654	100.0	$	1,574,908		100.0
Cost of revenues	1,023,615		54.5	826,280			52.5
Depreciation - cost of revenues	43,063		2.3	36,856			2.3
Plant conversion expenses	2,534		0.1	423			—
Total cost of revenues	1,069,212		56.9	863,559			54.8
Gross profit	809,442		43.1	711,349			45.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses (exclusive of adjusting items shown below)	321,302		17.1	272,363			17.3
Acquisition expenses	10,672		0.6	6,238			0.4
Integration expenses	14,625		0.8	3,702			0.2
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	3,953		0.2	(307		)	0.0
Plant conversion expenses	1,535		0.1	468			0.0
Litigation expenses	3,243		0.2	116			0.0
Total SG&A expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)	355,330		18.9	282,580			17.9
Depreciation	12,325		0.7	8,373			0.5
Amortization	24,214		1.3	19,884			1.3
Income from operations	417,573		22.2	400,512			25.4
Net interest expense	47,883		2.5	39,608			2.5
Income tax expense	122,633		6.5	123,508			7.8
Net income	245,488		13.1	234,497			14.9
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,558		0.1	1,289			0.1
Net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	243,930	13.0	$	233,208		14.8
Earnings per share- diluted	$	2.83		$	2.67

Revenues: Our revenues increased $303.7 million, or 19.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to $1,878.7 million from $1,574.9 million in the same period in 2013. Domestic revenues increased $205.1 million, or 18.4%, to $1,317.1 million from $1,112.0 million in the same period in 2013. Organic revenue growth for domestic small account customers increased by $54.3 million, or approximately 8%, driven by an increase in Steri-Safe revenues and regulated waste services for retailers. Organic revenue from domestic large account customers increased by $26.0 million, or approximately 7%, as we increased the total number of accounts and expanded our reusable sharps services and pharmaceutical waste disposal programs as well as strong performance in our specialty waste services. Organic revenues for recall and returns management services decreased by $6.9 million in 2014 driven by fewer large scale recall events. Organic revenues exclude revenue growth attributed to businesses acquired within the preceding twelve months. Revenues from domestic acquisitions closed within the preceding twelve months contributed $131.7 million to the increase in revenues in 2014.

International revenues increased $98.6 million, or 21.3%, in 2014, to $561.6 million from $462.9 million in the same period in 2013. Organic growth, currency rate fluctuations and acquisitions impact the

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comparison of 2014 and 2013. Organic growth in the international segment contributed $38.4 million in revenues, or approximately 8%. Organic growth excludes the effect of foreign exchange and acquisitions less than one year old. The effect of foreign exchange rates unfavorably impacted international revenues in 2014 by $16.5 million as foreign currencies declined against the U.S. dollar. Revenues from international acquisitions closed within the preceding twelve months contributed $76.7 million to the increase in revenues in 2014.

Cost of Revenues: Our cost of revenues increased $205.7 million, or 23.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to $1,069.2 million from $863.6 million in the same period in 2013. We recognized $2.5 million and $0.4 million in plant conversion expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Our domestic cost of revenues increased $131.1 million, or 23.4%, in 2014 to $691.0 million from $559.9 million in the same period in 2013 as a result of costs related to a proportional increase in revenues from acquisitions and internal growth.

Our international cost of revenues increased $74.5 million, or 24.5%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to $378.2 million from $303.7 million in the same period in 2013 as a result of costs related to proportional increase in revenues from acquisitions and internal growth.

Our consolidated gross profit as a percent of revenues decreased to 43.1% during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 from 45.2% during the same period in 2013. As identified above, plant conversion expenses negatively impacted our consolidated gross profit. In general, international gross profits are lower than domestic gross profits because the international operations have fewer small account customers, which tend to provide higher gross profits. Historically, the international operations have had most of their revenues from large account customers, such as hospitals. As the international revenues increase, consolidated gross profits receive downward pressure due to this “business mix” shift, which may be offset by additional international small account market penetration, integration savings, and domestic business expansion.

Domestic gross profit as a percent of revenues decreased to 47.5% in 2014 from 49.6% in the same period in 2013 primarily due to the inclusion of the PSC Environmental acquisition results in 2014 and less contribution from high margin recall events. International gross profit as a percent of revenues decreased to 32.7% in 2014 from 34.4% during the same period in 2013 due to service mix shift on new revenues.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses: Excluding the effect of Adjusting Items, depreciation, and amortization expenses, our SG&A expenses increased $48.9 million, or 18.0%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to $321.3 million from $272.4 million in the same period in 2013 primarily as investment spending supported the increase in revenues and acquired SG&A expenses. As a percent of revenues, these costs decreased to 17.1% in 2014 from 17.3% during the same period in 2013.

Domestically, 2014 SG&A expenses, excluding Adjusting Items, depreciation, and amortization expenses, increased $25.2 million, or 12.9%, to $221.0 million from $195.8 million in the same period in 2013. As a percent of revenues, SG&A was at 16.8% in 2014 compared to 17.6% in the same period in 2013. As a percent of revenues, amortization expense of acquired intangible assets did not change and remained at 1.0%.

Internationally, 2014 SG&A expenses, excluding Adjusting Items, increased $23.7 million, or 30.9%, to $100.3 million from $76.6 million in the same period in 2013. As a percent of revenues, SG&A was at 17.9% in 2014 compared to 16.5% in the same period in 2013. As a percent of revenues, amortization expense of acquired intangible assets did not change and remained at 1.9%.

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $10.7 million in acquisition expenses, $14.6 million of expenses related to the integration of our acquisitions, $3.2 million in litigation settlement expense, $4.0 million related to a change in fair value of contingent consideration, and $1.5 million in plant conversion expenses related to the write off of permit intangibles in support of plant rationalization and new plant start up costs.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized $6.2 million in acquisition expenses, $3.7 million of expenses related to the integration of our acquisitions, $0.5 million of plant closure expenses, $0.1 million in litigation settlement expense, partially offset by $0.3 million related to a change in fair value of contingent consideration.

Income from Operations: Income from operations increased $17.1 million, or 4.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to $417.6 million from $400.5 million in same period in 2013. Comparison of income from operations between 2014 and the same period of 2013 was affected by Adjusting Items described above in the SG&A section.

Domestically, our income from operations increased $27.7 million, or 8.3%, to $360.8 million in 2014 from $333.1 million in the same period in 2013. Internationally, our income from operations decreased $10.6 million, or 15.7%, to $56.8 million in 2014 from $67.4 million in the same period in 2013. The decrease in international income from operations is primarily related to an increase in acquisition and integration expense and expense related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration.

Net Interest Expense: Net interest expense increased to $47.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 from $39.6 million during the same period in 2013. The increase in interest expense was due to increased borrowings and higher interest costs in Latin America as well as increased borrowings on the senior credit facility to fund the acquisition of PSC Environmental on April 22, 2014.

Income Tax Expense: Income tax expense decreased to $122.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 from $123.5 million in the same period in 2013. The reported tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were 33.3% and 34.5%, respectively. The decrease in the current year tax rate as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year and the statutory tax rate is primarily related to a benefit from the recognition of tax deductible goodwill associated with legal entity mergers in Brazil.

Annual Impairment Test: We completed our annual goodwill impairment test during the second quarter of 2014. We used both a market approach and an income approach to determine the fair value of our reporting units. The market approach compares the market capitalization of the company as a whole, which is the fair value, and allocates a portion of that fair value to each reporting unit based on that reporting unit’s historic cash flows, as measured by a modified Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization. The income approach uses estimates of future cash flows discounted to a present value to arrive at a fair value. Both the market and income approaches indicated no impairment to any of our three reporting units.

Our operating permits are tested for impairment annually at December 31, or more frequently, if circumstances indicate that they may be impaired. During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we wrote off $1.4 million in operating permits due to rationalizing certain of our domestic and international operations. These expenses are reflected as part of "Selling, general and administrative expenses."

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

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million private placement notes maturing in December 2019, our $225.0 million private placement notes maturing in October 2020, and our $125.0 million private placement notes maturing in December 2022, all require us to comply with various financial, reporting and other covenants and restrictions, including a restriction on dividend payments. The financial debt covenants are the same for the senior credit facility and the private placement notes. At September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our financial debt covenants.

On June 3, 2014, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement (the “new credit agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender, a lender and a letter of credit issuer, other lenders party to the new credit agreement, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as syndication agents, and Union Bank, N.A. and Santander Bank, National Association, as co-documentation agents. The new credit agreement amended and restated our prior amended and restated credit agreement dated as of September 21, 2011, as amended. The new credit agreement increases our unsecured revolving credit facility from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion and extends the maturity date of our borrowings from September 21, 2016 to June 3, 2019. We paid $2.1 million in financing fees which will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the new credit agreement.

As of September 30, 2014, we had $444.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our $1.2 billion senior unsecured credit facility, which includes foreign currency borrowings of $139.0 million. We also had $187.7 million committed to outstanding letters of credit under this facility. The unused portion of the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2014 was $568.3 million. At September 30, 2014, our interest rates on borrowings under our revolving credit facility were as follows:


•	A fee of 0.125% on our revolving credit facility


•	For borrowings less than one month, the higher of the following


◦	Federal funds rate plus 0.5%


◦	Euro Currency rate plus 1.0% or the prime rate


•	For borrowings greater than one month: LIBOR plus 1.0%

The weighted average rate of interest on the unsecured revolving credit facility was 1.61% per annum, which includes the 0.125% facility fee at September 30, 2014.

As of September 30, 2014, we had outstanding $100.0 million of seven-year 5.64% unsecured senior notes issued to nine institutional purchasers in a private placement completed in April 2008. Interest is payable in arrears semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 beginning on October 15, 2009, and principal is payable at the maturity of the notes on April 15, 2015. These notes have been classified as long-term debt due to our intent to pay this obligation by borrowing on our $1.2 billion senior credit facility.

As of September 30, 2014, we had outstanding $175.0 million of seven-year 3.89% unsecured senior notes and $225.0 million of 10-year 4.47% unsecured senior notes issued to 39 institutional purchasers in a private placement completed in October 2010. Interest is payable in arrears semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 beginning on April 15, 2011, and principal is payable at the maturity of the notes, October 15, 2017 in the case of the seven-year notes and October 15, 2020 in the case of the 10-year notes.

As of September 30, 2014, we had outstanding $125.0 million of seven-year 2.68% unsecured senior notes and $125.0 million of 10-year 3.26% unsecured senior notes issued to 46 institutional purchasers in a private placement completed in December 2012. Interest is payable in arrears semi-annually on June 12 and December 12 beginning on June 12, 2013, and principal is payable at the maturity of the notes, December 12, 2019 in the case of the seven-year notes and December 12, 2022 in the case of the 10-year notes.

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As of September 30, 2014, we had $294.1 million in promissory notes issued in connection with acquisitions during 2007 through 2014, $174.4 million in foreign subsidiary bank debt outstanding, and $15.0 million in capital lease obligations.

Working Capital: At September 30, 2014, our working capital decreased $46.7 million to $77.4 million compared to $124.1 million at December 31, 2013.

Current assets increased by $52.4 million. Net accounts receivable (inclusive of acquisitions) increased by $67.5 million, partially offset by a $25.2 million decrease in cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2013 we had excess cash of approximately $20 million related to the receipt of reimbursement funds, with an offset in current liabilities. Days sales outstanding (“DSO”) was calculated at 62 days at September 30, 2014 and 63 days at December 31, 2013 which was affected by acquired receivables of approximately $57 million. Current liabilities increased by $99.1 million of which approximately $61 million can be attributed to acquired accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and $20.1 million in other current liabilities related to entities showing "negative cash" due to book to bank differences.

Net Cash Provided or Used: Net cash provided by operating activities increased $8.9 million, or 2.6%, to $345.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $336.1 million for the comparable period in 2013. The increase is primarily related to stronger collections period over period on higher revenues. In the third quarter of 2013, we received approximately $42 million in reimbursement cash of which approximately $20 million was paid out during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Cash provided by operations as a ratio to net income was 141% and 143% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $397.1 million compared to $186.2 million in the same period in 2013. We used $196.9 million more in funds to acquire new businesses in 2014, notably our PSC Environmental acquisition in April 2014. Our capital expenditures, as a percent of revenues, were at 3.5% and 3.4% in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $26.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $115.0 million net cash used in the same period in 2013. In 2014, we had $175.0 net borrowings on our senior credit facility which we used to fund of our current year acquisitions compared to $5.1 million in the same period in 2013. We had share repurchases of $157.0 million in 2014 compared to $114.5 million in 2013, an increase of $42.5 million.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are subject to market risks arising from changes in interest rates. Our potential additional interest expense over one year that would result from a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the interest rate on all of our variable rate obligations would be approximately $6.2 million on a pre-tax basis.

We have exposure to commodity pricing for gas and diesel fuel for our trucks and for the purchase of containers and boxes. We do not hedge these items to manage the exposure.

We have exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. We have subsidiaries in eleven foreign countries whose functional currency is the local currency. We have operations in Argentina that has seen an erosion of the value of the Argentine Peso when compared to the U.S. Dollar. We translate results of operations of our international operations using an average exchange rate. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could unfavorably impact our consolidated results of operations.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this Report. On the basis of this evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer each concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as “controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in the reports, files or submits under the Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.” Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding our required disclosures.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The term internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the issuers’ principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by the issuer’s Board of Directors, management, and other personnel, 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. During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

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FROM TIME TO TIME WE ISSUE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS RELATING TO SUCH THINGS AS ANTICIPATED FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, BUSINESS PROSPECTS, ACQUISITION ACTIVITIES AND SIMILAR MATTERS.

THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, SOME OF WHICH ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL (FOR EXAMPLE, GENERAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS). OUR ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE RESULTS DESCRIBED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE SUCH DIFFERENCES INCLUDE DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE INTEGRATION OF ACQUIRED BUSINESSES, CHANGES IN GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION OF MEDICAL WASTE COLLECTION AND TREATMENT, AND INCREASES IN TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER OPERATING COSTS, AS WELL AS VARIOUS OTHER FACTORS.

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PART II. – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 13 - Legal Proceedings, in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Item 1 of Part I).

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

In February 2014, at a time when we had purchased an additional 4,084,242 shares since the prior increase in authorization, our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase up to an additional 4,084,242 shares, thereby again giving the Company the authority to purchase up to a total of 6,000,000 additional shares.

Under resolutions that our Board of Directors has adopted, we have been authorized to purchase a cumulative total of 24,621,640 shares of our common stock on the open market. As of September 30, 2014, we had purchased a cumulative total of 19,621,881 shares.

The following table provides information about our purchases of shares of our common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities



Period	Total Number of Share (or Units) Purchased *	Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)		Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1 - January 31, 2014	193,172	$	115.04	193,172	2,134,306
February 1 - February 28, 2014	406,260	114.11		406,260	5,812,288
March 1 - March 31, 2014	86,558	112.72		86,558	5,725,730
April 1 - April 30, 2014	355,603	111.03		355,603	5,370,127
May 1 - May 31, 2014	171,640	112.82		171,640	5,198,487
June 1 - June 30, 2014	—	—		—	5,198,487
July 1 – July 31, 2014	—	—		—	5,198,487
August 1 – August 31, 2014	—	—		—	5,198,487
September 1 – September 30, 2014	198,728	116.60		198,728	4,999,759
Total	1,411,961	113.57		1,411,961	4,999,759

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



31.1	Rules 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Charles A. Alutto, President and Chief Executive Officer

31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Daniel V. Ginnetti, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

32	Section 1350 Certification of Charles A. Alutto, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Daniel V. Ginnetti, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



101.INS XBRL	Instance Document

101.SCH XBRL	Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL XBRL	Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF XBRL	Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB XBRL	Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE XBRL	Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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SIGNATURES

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

Dated: November 7, 2014

STERICYCLE, INC.

(Registrant)

By: /s/ DANIEL V. GINNETTI

Daniel V. Ginnetti

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)