Edgar Filing: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

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

Commission file number 001-36166

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

27-1566372

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

125 High Street

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 351-5000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

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

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

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

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

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

The number of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of April 27, 2018 was 123,397,251.

Table of Contents


		Page (s)
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			3

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):		4

	Consolidated Balance Sheets		4

	Consolidated Statements of Operations		5

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss		6

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows		7

	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		8

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		25

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		41

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		42

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		42

Item 1A.	Risk Factors		42

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		42

Item 6.	Exhibits		43

SIGNATURES		44

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements contained herein include forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “could,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “forecast,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “target” or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not statements of historical facts. They include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations; financial condition; liquidity; prospects, growth and strategies; our competitive strengths; the industry in which we operate; the impact of new accounting guidance and tax laws; expenses; effective tax rates; future liabilities; the outcome and impact of pending or threatened litigation; decisions of our customers; education expenditures; population growth; state curriculum adoptions and purchasing cycles; the impact of acquisitions and other investments; our share repurchase program; the timing, structure and expected impact of our operational efficiency and cost-reduction initiatives and the estimated savings and amounts expected to be incurred in connection therewith; and potential business decisions. We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. We caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us on the date of this report.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained herein. In addition, even if actual results are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained herein, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.

Important factors that could cause actual results to vary from expectations include, but are not limited to: changes in state and local education funding and/or related programs, legislation and procurement processes; changes in state academic standards; industry cycles and trends; the rate and state of technological change; state requirements related to digital instructional materials; changes in product distribution channels and concentration of retailer power; changes in our competitive environment, including free and low-cost open educational resources; periods of operating and net losses; our ability to enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights; risks based on information technology systems and potential breaches of those systems; dependence on a small number of print and paper vendors; third-party software and technology development; possible defects in digital products; our ability to identify, complete, or achieve the expected benefits of, acquisitions; our ability to execute on our long-term growth strategy; increases in our operating costs; exposure to litigation; major disasters or other external threats; contingent liabilities; risks related to our indebtedness; future impairment charges; changes in school district payment practices; a potential increase in the portion of our sales coming from digital sales; risks related to doing business abroad; changes in tax law or interpretation; management and personnel changes; timing, higher costs and unintended consequences of our operational efficiency and cost-reduction initiatives; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (and our subsequent filings pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events described herein may not occur.

We undertake no obligation, and do not expect, to publicly update or publicly revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained herein.

PART 1—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets


(in thousands of dollars, except share information)	March 31, 2018 (Unaudited)			December 31, 2017
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	98,664		$	148,979
Short-term investments		—			86,449
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debts and book returns of $20.7 million and $23.6 million, respectively		164,435			201,080
Inventories		206,444			154,644
Prepaid expenses and other assets		27,418			29,947

Total current assets		496,961			621,099
Property, plant, and equipment, net		150,648			153,906
Pre-publication costs, net		335,791			324,897
Royalty advances to authors, net		47,446			46,469
Goodwill		783,073			783,073
Other intangible assets, net		593,332			610,663
Deferred income taxes		3,593			3,593
Deferred commissions		23,704			—
Other assets		23,564			19,891

Total assets	$	2,458,112		$	2,563,591

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	$	8,000		$	8,000
Accounts payable		120,461			61,502
Royalties payable		53,973			72,992
Salaries, wages, and commissions payable		14,929			54,970
Deferred revenue		225,726			275,111
Interest payable		341			322
Severance and other charges		7,219			6,926
Accrued postretirement benefits		1,618			1,618
Other liabilities		23,579			22,788

Total current liabilities		455,846			504,229
Long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs		759,058			760,194
Long-term deferred revenue		401,585			419,096
Accrued pension benefits		23,810			24,133
Accrued postretirement benefits		19,297			20,285
Deferred income taxes		26,499			22,269
Other liabilities		19,038			18,192

Total liabilities		1,705,133			1,768,398

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017		—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 380,000,000 shares authorized; 147,974,285 and 147,911,466 shares issued at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively; 123,397,251 and 123,334,432 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively		1,479			1,479
Treasury stock, 24,577,034 shares as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, at cost (related parties of $193,493 at 2018 and 2017)		(518,030	)		(518,030	)
Capital in excess of par value		4,882,458			4,879,793
Accumulated deficit		(3,570,127	)		(3,521,527	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(42,801	)		(46,522	)

Total stockholders’ equity		752,979			795,193

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,458,112		$	2,563,591

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

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share information)	2018			2017
Net sales	$	219,768		$	221,917
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization		106,909			107,536
Publishing rights amortization		10,090			13,398
Pre-publication amortization		26,716			27,577

Cost of sales		143,715			148,511
Selling and administrative		150,534			156,352
Other intangible asset amortization		7,241			8,076
Restructuring		—			3,875
Severance and other charges		3,943			1,206
Loss on sale of assets		884			—

Operating loss		(86,549	)		(96,103	)

Other income (expense)
Interest expense		(10,936	)		(10,453	)
Interest income		506			245
Change in fair value of derivative instruments		372			45

Loss before taxes		(96,607	)		(106,266	)
Income tax expense		4,704			14,392

Net loss	$	(101,311	)	$	(120,658	)

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders
Basic	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.98	)

Diluted	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.98	)

Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		123,222,353			122,777,615

Diluted		123,222,353			122,777,615

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

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share information)	2018			2017
Net loss	$	(101,311	)	$	(120,658	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax		227			(60	)
Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments, net of tax		18			(2	)
Net change in unrealized gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax		3,476			1,361

Other comprehensive income, net of taxes		3,721			1,299

Comprehensive loss	$	(97,590	)	$	(119,359	)

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

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands of dollars)	2018			2017
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(101,311	)	$	(120,658	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Loss on sale of assets		884			—
Depreciation and amortization expense		63,285			68,321
Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs		1,046			1,046
Deferred income taxes		4,230			13,678
Stock-based compensation expense		2,923			2,544
Change in fair value of derivative instruments		(372	)		(45	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable		36,645			48,812
Inventories		(51,800	)		(46,690	)
Other assets		1,680			(3,366	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		2,683			2,057
Royalties payable and author advances, net		(20,217	)		(21,804	)
Deferred revenue		(38,224	)		(37,904	)
Interest payable		19			(88	)
Severance and other charges		3			(3,546	)
Accrued pension and postretirement benefits		(1,311	)		(1,785	)
Other liabilities		3,151			3,550

Net cash used in operating activities		(96,686	)		(95,878	)

Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments		86,539			66,240
Additions to pre-publication costs		(25,536	)		(27,860	)
Additions to property, plant, and equipment		(12,240	)		(17,170	)

Net cash provided by investing activities		48,763			21,210

Cash flows from financing activities
Payments of long-term debt		(2,000	)		(2,000	)
Tax withholding payments related to net share settlements of restricted stock units and awards		(1,073	)		(789	)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan		681			895

Net cash used in financing activities		(2,392	)		(1,894	)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(50,315	)		(76,562	)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period		148,979			226,102

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	$	98,664		$	149,540

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Interest paid	$	9,842		$	9,482
Income taxes (refunded) paid		(228	)		23
Non-cash investing activities
Pre-publication costs included in accounts payable	$	29,420		$	17,135
Property, plant, and equipment included in accounts payable		15,122			3,589

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

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share information)

1.	Basis of Presentation

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company (“HMH”, “Houghton Mifflin Harcourt”, “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”) is a global learning company, specializing in world-class content, services and cutting edge technology solutions that enable learning in a changing landscape. We provide dynamic, engaging, and effective solutions across a variety of media and in three key focus areas: early learning, kindergarten through 12^th grade (“K-12”) and beyond the classroom, reaching over 50 million students in more than 150 countries worldwide.

The K-12 market is our primary market, and in the United States, we are a leading provider of educational content by market share. Some of our core educational offerings include HMH Science Dimensions, Collections, GO Math!, Read 180 Universal, and Journeys. We believe our long-standing reputation and trusted brand enable us to capitalize on trends in the education market through our existing and developing channels.

Furthermore, for nearly two centuries, we have published renowned and awarded children’s, fiction, nonfiction, culinary and reference titles enjoyed by readers throughout the world. Our distinguished author list includes ten Nobel Prize winners, forty-eight Pulitzer Prize winners, and fifteen National Book Award winners. We are home to popular characters and titles such as Curious George, Carmen Sandiego, The Lord of the Rings, The Whole30, The Best American Series, the Peterson Field Guides, CliffsNotes, and The Polar Express, and published distinguished authors such as Philip Roth, Temple Grandin, Tim O’Brien, Amos Oz, Kwame Alexander, Lois Lowry, and Chris Van Allsburg.

We sell our products and services across multiple media and distribution channels. Leveraging our portfolio of content, including some of our best-known children’s brands and titles, such as Carmen Sandiego and Curious George, we have created interactive digital content, mobile applications and educational games that can be used by families at home or on the go.

Our digital products portfolio, combined with our content development or distribution agreements with recognized technology leaders such as Apple, Google, Intel and Microsoft, enable us to bring our next-generation educational solutions and content to learners across virtually all platforms and devices. Additionally, we believe our technology and development capabilities allow us to enhance content engagement and effectiveness with embedded assessment, interactivity and personalized adaptable content as well as increased accessibility.

The March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consolidated financial statements of HMH include the accounts of all of our wholly-owned subsidiaries as of, and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in our annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted consistent with Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary by management to fairly state the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year or for any future period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and the notes thereto also included therein.

Seasonality and Comparability

Our net sales, operating profit or loss and net cash provided by or used in operations are impacted by the inherent seasonality of the academic calendar. Consequently, the performance of our businesses may not be comparable quarter to consecutive quarter and should be considered on the basis of results for the whole year or by comparing results in a quarter with results in the same quarter for the previous year.

Approximately 87% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 were derived from our Education segment, which is a markedly seasonal business. Schools conduct the majority of their purchases in the second and third quarters of the calendar year in preparation for the beginning of the school year. Thus, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, approximately 67% of our consolidated net sales were realized in the second and third quarters. Sales of K-12 instructional materials and customized testing products are also cyclical, with some years offering more sales opportunities than others in light of the state adoption calendar. The amount of funding available at the state level for educational materials also has a significant effect on year-to-year net sales. Although the loss of a single customer would not have a material adverse effect on our business, schedules of school adoptions and market acceptance of our products can materially affect year-to-year net sales performance.

2.	Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial results are affected by the selection and application of accounting policies and methods. Except for the adoption of the new revenue recognition accounting standard discussed below, there were no material changes in the three months ended March 31, 2018 to the application of significant accounting policies and estimates as described in our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Adoption of New Revenue Recognition Accounting Standard

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new revenue standard utilizing the modified retrospective method. As a result, we changed our accounting policy for revenue recognition as detailed below. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. Using the modified retrospective approach, we applied the standard only to contracts that are not completed at the date of initial application. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods as we believe it is still comparable.

There was a significant impact relating to the requirement to capitalize incremental costs to acquire new contracts, which consist of sales commissions. During previous periods, these costs were expensed as incurred. Further, there is an impact to our accounting for software license revenue. Under the previous guidance, when vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) is not established for undelivered maintenance services, software licenses are recognized ratably over the life of the service period due to the separation criteria of the software license and related maintenance services not being met. The requirement for establishing VSOE does not exist under the new standard, thus software licenses are no longer recognized over the maintenance term, but rather as the software licenses are delivered as fair value can be established to allow for separate recognition.

The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated balance sheets at January 1, 2018 were as follows:


	December 31, 2017			Adjustments due to Adoption			January 1, 2018
Assets
Accounts receivable, net	$	201,080		$	(1,092	)	$	199,988
Contract assets (1)		—			1,092			1,092
Deferred commissions		—			24,040			24,040

	$	201,080		$	24,040		$	225,120

Liabilities
Deferred revenue (current and long-term)	$	694,207		$	(28,671	)	$	665,536
Stockholders’ equity

Accumulated deficit (2)	$	(3,521,527	)	$	52,711		$	(3,468,816	)

(1)	Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.

(2)

The adoption resulted in the write off of a portion of a deferred tax asset for deferred revenue. However, due to our valuation allowance position, there is no net tax effect on accumulated deficit as the valuation allowance will also be reversed commensurate to the reduction in the deferred tax asset.

Impact of New Revenue Recognition Accounting Standard on Financial Statement Line Items

In accordance with the new revenue standard requirements, the disclosure of the impact of adoption on our consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and cash flows were as follows:


	March 31, 2018
	As Reported			Balances Without Adoption			Effect of Change Higher / (Lower)
Assets
Accounts receivable, net	$	164,435		$	167,055		$	(2,620	)
Contract assets		2,620			—			2,620
Deferred commissions		23,704			—			23,704

	$	190,759		$	167,055		$	23,704

Liabilities
Deferred revenue (current and long-term)	$	627,311		$	658,793		$	(31,482	)
Stockholders’ equity

Accumulated deficit	$	(3,570,127	)	$	(3,572,601	)	$	(2,474	)


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	As Reported			Balances Without Adoption			Effect of Change Higher / (Lower)
Net sales	$	219,768		$	216,957		$	2,811
Selling and administrative		150,534			150,197			337
Operating loss		(86,549	)		(89,023	)		2,474
Net loss		(101,311	)		(103,785	)		2,474

The adoption resulted in offsetting shifts in cash flows through net loss within cash flows from operating activities for deferred commissions, which are included within other assets, and deferred revenue consistent with the effects on our consolidated statements of operations as noted in the table above. The adoption had no impact on our overall cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities.

Revenue Recognition

We derive revenue primarily from the sale of print and digital content and instructional materials, trade books, reference materials, assessment materials and multimedia instructional programs; license fees for book rights, content and software; and services that include test development, test delivery, test scoring, professional development, consulting and training as well as access to hosted interactive content. Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that we determine are within the scope of the new revenue recognition accounting standard, we perform the following five steps: (i) identify the contract with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation. We only apply the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that we will collect the consideration we are entitled to in exchange for the goods or services transferred to the customer. At contract inception, we assess the goods or services promised within each contract to determine those that represent performance obligations, and assess whether each promised good or service is distinct. We then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring products or services to a customer. To the extent the transaction price includes variable consideration, which generally reflects estimated future product returns, we estimate the amount of variable consideration that should be included in the transaction price utilizing the most likely amount method to which we expect to be entitled. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in our judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. Estimates of variable consideration and the determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment of our anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available. Sales, value add, and other taxes collected on behalf of third parties are excluded from revenue.

We estimate the collectability of contracts upon execution. As products are shipped with right of return, the transaction price allocated is adjusted to reflect the estimated returns for the arrangement on these sales and is made at the time of sale based on historical experience by product line or customer.

Shipping and handling fees charged to customers are included in net sales.

When determining the transaction price of a contract, an adjustment is made if payment from a customer occurs either significantly before or significantly after performance, resulting in a significant financing component. We do not assess whether a significant financing component exists if the period between when we perform our obligations under the contract and when the customer pays is one year or less. None of our contracts contained a significant financing component as of March 31, 2018.

Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. Contract modifications exist when the modification either creates new, or changes the existing, enforceable rights and obligations. Generally, contract modifications are for products or services that are not distinct from the existing contract due to the inability to use, consume or sell the products or services on their own to generate economic benefits and are accounted for as if they were part of that existing contract. The effect of a contract modification on the transaction price and measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue (either as an increase in or a reduction of revenue) on a cumulative catch-up basis.

Physical product revenue is generally recognized when the customer obtains control of our product, which occurs at a point in time, and may be upon shipment or upon delivery based on the contractual shipping terms of a contract. Service revenue is generally recognized over time as the services are delivered to the customer. The selection of the method to measure progress towards completion requires judgment and is based on the nature of the products or services to be provided. Services are expected to be delivered to the customer throughout the term of the contract, and we believe recognizing revenue ratably over the term of the contract best depicts the transfer of value to the customer.

If the contract contains a single performance obligation, the entire transaction price is allocated to the single performance obligation. We enter into certain contracts that have multiple performance obligations, one or more of which may be delivered subsequent to the delivery of other performance obligations. These performance obligations may include print and digital media, professional development services, training, software licenses, access to hosted content, and various services related to the software including but not limited to hosting, maintenance and support, and implementation. We allocate the transaction price based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised products or services underlying each performance obligation. We determine standalone selling prices based on the price at which the performance obligation is sold separately. If the standalone selling price is not observable through past transactions, we estimate the standalone selling price taking into account available information such as market conditions and internally approved pricing guidelines related to the performance obligations. Generally, our performance obligations include print and digital textbooks and instructional materials, trade books, reference materials, assessment materials and multimedia instructional programs; licenses to book rights and content; access to hosted content; and services including test development, test delivery, test scoring, professional development, consulting and training. Software performance obligations include perpetual and subscription based or SaaS software licenses, software maintenance and support services, professional services and training when those services relate to software performance obligations.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable include amounts billed and currently due from customers and are recorded net of allowances for doubtful accounts and reserves for returns. In the normal course of business, we extend credit to customers that satisfy predefined criteria. Allowances for doubtful accounts are established through the evaluation of accounts receivable aging and prior collection experience to estimate the ultimate collectability of these receivables. The transaction prices allocated are adjusted to reflect expected returns and are based on historical return rates and sales patterns.

Contract Assets

Contract assets include unbilled amounts, primarily for service arrangements, where revenue is recognized over time as the services are delivered to the customer and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer, and right of payment is not subject to the passage of time. Amounts may not exceed their net realizable value. Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.

Deferred Commissions

Our incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract, which consist of sales commissions, are deferred and amortized over the period of contract performance. Applying the practical expedient, we recognize sales commission expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. At March 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018, we had $23.7 million and $24.0 million of deferred commissions, respectively. We had $1.1 million of amortization expense related to deferred commissions during the three months ended March 31, 2018. These costs are included in selling and administrative expenses.

Deferred Revenue

Our contract liabilities consist of advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized and are classified as deferred revenue on our consolidated balance sheets. Our contract assets and liabilities are accounted for and presented on a net basis as either a contract asset or contract liability at the end of each reporting period. We classify deferred revenue as current or noncurrent based on the timing of when we expect to recognize revenue. In order to determine revenue recognized in the period from contract liabilities, we first allocate revenue to the individual contract liability balance outstanding at the beginning of the period until the revenue exceeds that balance. If additional advances are received on those contracts in subsequent periods, we assume all revenue recognized in the reporting period first applies to the beginning contract liability as opposed to a portion applying to the new advances for the period.

3.	Recent Accounting Standards

Recent accounting pronouncements, not included below, are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new accounting standard to incorporate Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which addresses the accounting implications of the major tax reform legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“2017 Tax Act”), enacted on December 22, 2017. SAB 118 allows a company to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date and was effective upon issuance. We continue to analyze the 2017 Tax Act, and in certain areas, have made reasonable estimates of the effects on our consolidated financial statements and tax disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance to simplify the test for goodwill impairment by the elimination of Step 2 in the determination on whether goodwill should be considered impaired. The annual assessments are still required to be completed. The guidance will be effective in 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance, but we do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that primarily requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets but record expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current accounting. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The guidance is effective in 2019 with early adoption permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures, but we believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets due to the recognition of the lease rights and obligations related to our office space leases as assets and liabilities.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to revenue recognition. This new accounting standard replaced most current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminated most industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration

for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Entities may adopt the new standard either retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements (the full retrospective method) or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption (modified retrospective method) in the year of adoption without applying to comparative periods financial statements. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2018 applying the modified retrospective method.

The new standard superseded substantially all existing revenue recognition guidance. It impacts the revenue recognition for a significant number of our contracts, in addition to our business processes and our information technology systems. As a result, we established a cross-functional coordinated team to implement the new revenue recognition standard. We have implemented changes to our systems, processes and internal controls to meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements.

Refer to Note 2 for a detailed description of the impact of the adoption of the revenue standard.

In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. The changes to the guidance require employers to report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the reporting period. The other components of net benefit costs will be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost and outside of a subtotal of income from operations. The guidance became effective January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance on restricted cash, which requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending amounts for the periods shown on the statement of cash flows. The guidance became effective January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued a guidance update to classifications of certain cash receipts and cash payments on the Statement of Cash Flows with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. This updated guidance addresses the following eight specific cash flow issues: debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies (including bank-owned life insurance policies); distributions received from equity method investees; beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The guidance became effective January 1, 2018 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that changes the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The guidance requires the recognition of the income tax effects of awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, thus eliminating additional paid-in capital pools. The guidance also allows for the employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting. In addition, the guidance allows for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than on an estimated basis. The guidance became effective January 1, 2017. The adoption of the guidance resulted in the recognition of approximately $12.3 million (tax effected) of previously unrecorded additional paid-in capital net operating losses as of January 1, 2017. The additional net operating losses were offset by an increase to the valuation allowance, accordingly no income tax benefit was recognized as a result of the adoption.

4.	Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:


	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Finished goods	$	192,733	$	145,875
Raw materials		13,711		8,769

Inventories	$	206,444	$	154,644

5.	Contract Assets, Contract Liabilities and Deferred Commissions

Contract assets consist of unbilled amounts at the reporting date and are transferred to accounts receivable when the rights become unconditional. Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets. Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue (current and long-term). The following table presents changes in contract assets and contract liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2018:


	March 31, 2018		January 1, 2018		$ Change			% Change
Contract assets	$	2,620	$	1,092	$	1,528			139.9	%
Contract liabilities (deferred revenue)		627,311		665,536		(38,225	)		(5.7	)%

The $39.8 million decrease in our net contract liabilities from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018 was due to a $38.2 million decrease in our contract liabilities, primarily due to satisfaction of performance obligations related to physical and digital products during the period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we recognized the following net sales as a result of changes in the contract asset and contract liabilities balances:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Net sales recognized in the period from:
Amounts included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the period	$	51,933

As of March 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations was $688.9 million, and we will recognize approximately 74% over the next 1 to 3 years to net sales.

Prior to the adoption of the new revenue standard, we expensed incremental commissions paid to sales representatives for obtaining product sales as well as service contracts. We expect that the costs are recoverable, and under the new standard, we capitalize these incremental costs of obtaining customer contracts unless the capitalization and amortization of such costs are not expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. Applying the practical expedient, we recognize sales commission expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. We had deferred commissions in the amount of $23.7 million at March 31, 2018 and amortized $1.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The amortization is included in selling and administrative expenses.

6.	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following:


	March 31, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Total		Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Total
Goodwill	$	783,073	$	—		$	783,073	$	783,073	$	—		$	783,073

Trademarks and tradenames: indefinite-lived	$	161,000	$	—		$	161,000	$	161,000	$	—		$	161,000
Trademarks and tradenames: definite-lived		194,130		(22,191	)		171,939		194,130		(19,101	)		175,029
Publishing rights		1,180,000		(1,088,246	)		91,754		1,180,000		(1,078,156	)		101,844
Customer related and other		444,640		(276,001	)		168,639		444,640		(271,850	)		172,790

Other intangible assets, net	$	1,979,770	$	(1,386,438	)	$	593,332	$	1,979,770		(1,369,107	)	$	610,663

There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Amortization expense for definite-lived trademarks and tradenames, publishing rights and customer related and other intangibles were $17.3 million and $21.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Debt

Our debt consisted of the following:


	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
$800,000 term loan due May 29, 2021, interest payable quarterly (net of discount and issuance costs)	$	767,058	$	768,194
Less: Current portion of long-term debt		8,000		8,000

Total long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs	$	759,058	$	760,194

Term Loan Facility

We entered into an amended and restated $800 million term loan credit facility (the “term loan facility”) dated as of May 29, 2015 in connection with the closing of an acquisition. The term loan facility matures on May 29, 2021 and the interest rate is based on LIBOR plus 3.0% or an alternative base rate plus applicable margins. LIBOR is subject to a floor of 1.0%, with the length of the LIBOR contracts ranging up to six months at the option of the Company.

The term loan facility may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium. The term loan facility is required to be repaid in quarterly installments of $2.0 million.

The term loan facility was issued at a discount equal to 0.5% of the outstanding borrowing commitment. As of March 31, 2018, the interest rate of the term loan facility was 4.9%.

The term loan facility does not require us to comply with financial maintenance covenants. We are currently required to meet certain incurrence based financial covenants as defined under our term loan facility. The term loan facility is subject to usual and customary conditions, representations, warranties and covenants, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, acquisitions, asset dispositions, dividends to stockholders, repurchase or redemption of our stock, transactions with affiliates and other matters. The term loan facility is subject to customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the administrative agent may, or at the request of certain required lenders shall, accelerate the obligations outstanding under the term loan facility.

We are subject to an excess cash flow provision under our term loan facility which is predicated upon our leverage ratio and cash flow. There was no payment required under the excess cash flow provision in 2018 and 2017.

Interest Rate Hedging

On August 17, 2015, we entered into interest rate derivative contracts with various financial institutions having an aggregate notional amount of $400.0 million to convert floating rate debt into fixed rate debt and had $400.0 million outstanding as of March 31, 2018. We assessed at inception, and re-assess on an ongoing basis, whether the interest rate derivative contracts are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged variable rate debt.

These interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges and qualify for hedge accounting under the accounting guidance related to derivatives and hedging. Accordingly, we recorded an unrealized gain of $3.5 million and $1.4 million in our statements of comprehensive loss to account for the changes in fair value of these derivatives during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The corresponding $2.3 million hedge asset and $1.2 million hedge liability is included within other assets and other liabilities (long-term), respectively, in our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The interest rate derivative contracts mature on July 22, 2020.

Revolving Credit Facility

On July 22, 2015, we entered into an amended and restated revolving credit facility (the “revolving credit facility”). The revolving credit facility provides borrowing availability in an amount equal to the lesser of either $250.0 million or a borrowing base that is computed monthly or weekly and comprised of the borrowers’ and the guarantors’ eligible inventory and receivables. The revolving credit facility includes a letter of credit subfacility of $50.0 million, a swingline subfacility of $20.0 million and the option to expand the facility by up to $100.0 million in the aggregate under certain specified conditions. The revolving credit facility may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium.

The revolving credit facility requires the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 on a trailing four-quarter basis only during certain periods commencing when excess availability under the revolving credit facility is less than certain limits prescribed by the terms of the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility is subject to usual and customary conditions, representations, warranties and covenants, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, acquisitions, asset dispositions, dividends to stockholders, repurchase or redemption of our stock, transactions with affiliates and other matters. The revolving credit facility is subject to customary events of default. No amounts have been drawn on the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2018.

As of March 31, 2018, the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant under our revolving credit facility was not applicable, due to our level of borrowing availability. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, which is only tested in limited situations, is 1.0 to 1.0 through the end of the facility.

Guarantees

Under both the revolving credit facility and the term loan facility, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers Inc., HMH Publishers LLC and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company are the borrowers (collectively, the “Borrowers”), and Citibank, N.A. acts as both the administrative agent and the collateral agent.

The obligations under our senior secured facilities are guaranteed by the Company and each of its direct and indirect for-profit domestic subsidiaries (other than the Borrowers) (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and are secured by all capital stock and other equity interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors and substantially all of the other tangible and intangible assets of the Borrowers and the Guarantors, including, without limitation, receivables, inventory, equipment, contract rights, securities, patents, trademarks, other intellectual property, cash, bank accounts and securities accounts and owned real estate. The revolving credit facility is secured by first priority liens on receivables, inventory, deposit accounts, securities accounts, instruments, chattel paper and other assets related to the foregoing (the “Revolving First Lien Collateral”), and second priority liens on the collateral which secures the term loan facility on a first priority basis. The term loan facility is secured by first priority liens on the capital stock and other equity interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors, equipment, owned real estate, trademarks and other intellectual property, general intangibles that are not Revolving First Lien Collateral and other assets related to the foregoing, and second priority liens on the Revolving First Lien Collateral.

8.	Restructuring, Severance and Other Charges

2017 Restructuring Plan

On an ongoing basis, we assess opportunities for improved operational effectiveness and efficiency and better alignment of expenses with net sales, while preserving our ability to make the investments in content and our people that we believe are important to our long-term success. As a result of these assessments, we have undertaken a restructuring initiative in order to enhance our growth potential and better position us for long-term success. This initiative is described below.

Beginning at the end of 2016, we worked with a third party consultant to review our operating model and organizational design in order to improve our operational efficiency, better focus on the needs of our customers and right-size our cost structure to create long-term shareholder value.

In March 2017, we committed to certain operational efficiency and cost-reduction actions we planned to take in order to accomplish these objectives (“2017 Restructuring Plan”). These actions include making organizational design changes across layers of the Company below the executive team and other right-sizing initiatives expected to result in reductions in force, consolidating and/or subletting certain office space under real estate leases as well as other potential operational efficiency and cost-reduction initiatives. We have completed the organizational design change actions in 2017 and expect to substantially complete the remaining actions by the end of 2018.

Implementation of actions under the 2017 Restructuring Plan is expected to result in total charges of approximately $45.0 million to $49.0 million, of which approximately $35.0 million to $39.0 million of these charges are estimated to result in future cash outlays. We recorded cash-related costs of $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, of which a portion of these expenses totaling approximately $0.1 million were related to severance and termination benefits, with the remaining amount of approximately $3.8 million related to implementation of the plan. These costs are included in the restructuring line item within our consolidated statements of operations.

The following table provides a summary of our total costs associated with the 2017 Restructuring Plan, included in the restructuring line item within our consolidated statements of operations, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 by major type of cost:


Type of Cost	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017		Total Amount Incurred to Date
Restructuring charges: (1)
Severance and termination benefits	$	—	$	141	$	16,206
Office space consolidation (2)		—		—		7,857
Implementation and impairment (3)		—		3,734		16,990

	$	—	$	3,875	$	41,053

(1)	All restructuring charges are included within Corporate and Other.

(2)	During 2017, we recorded a non-cash charge for a write-off of property, plant, and equipment of approximately $1.0 million and $6.8 million of accruals related to vacating certain office space in three of our locations.

(3)	During 2017, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $9.1 million related to a certain long-lived asset included within property, plant, and equipment.

Our restructuring liabilities are primarily comprised of accruals for severance and termination benefits and office space consolidation. The following is a rollforward of our liabilities associated with the 2017 Restructuring Plan:


	2018
	Restructuring accruals at December 31, 2017		Charges		Cash payments			Restructuring accruals at March 31, 2018
Severance and termination benefits	$	4,306	$	—	$	(2,578	)	$	1,728
Office space consolidation		5,296		—		(395	)		4,901

	$	9,602	$	—	$	(2,973	)	$	6,629

The following table provides a summary of our estimates of costs associated with the 2017 Restructuring Plan through the end of 2018 by major type of cost:


Type of Cost	Total Estimated Amount Expected to be Incurred
Restructuring charges:
Severance and termination benefits	$	15,000	to	$	16,500
Office space consolidation		13,000	to		15,000
Implementation and impairment		17,000	to		17,500

	$	45,000	to	$	49,000

Severance and Other Charges

2018

Exclusive of the 2017 Restructuring Plan, during the three months ended March 31, 2018, $0.8 million of severance payments were made to employees whose employment ended in 2018 and prior years and $0.2 million of net payments were made for office space no longer utilized by the Company as a result of prior savings initiatives. Further, we recorded an expense in the amount of $3.9 million to reflect costs for severance, which we expect to be paid over the next twelve months.

2017

Exclusive of the 2017 Restructuring Plan, during the three months ended March 31, 2017, $2.7 million of severance payments were made to employees whose employment ended in 2017 and prior years and $2.1 million of net payments were made for office space no longer utilized by the Company. Further, we recorded an expense in the amount of $0.8 million to reflect costs for severance related to cost savings, which have been fully paid, along with a $0.4 million charge for office space no longer occupied.

A summary of the significant components of the severance/restructuring and other charges, which are not allocated to our segments and included in Corporate and Other, is as follows:


	2018
	Severance/ other accruals at December 31, 2017		Severance/ other expense		Cash payments			Severance/ other accruals at March 31, 2018
Severance costs	$	341	$	3,943	$	(794	)	$	3,490
Other accruals		1,299		—		(173	)		1,126

	$	1,640	$	3,943	$	(967	)	$	4,616


	2017
	Severance/ other accruals at December 31, 2016		Severance/ other expense		Cash payments			Severance/ other accruals at March 31, 2017
Severance costs	$	6,417	$	766	$	(2,680	)	$	4,503
Other accruals		4,604		440		(2,143	)		2,901

	$	11,021	$	1,206	$	(4,823	)	$	7,404

The current portion of the severance and other charges was $7.2 million and $6.9 million (inclusive of the 2017 Restructuring Plan) as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

9.	Income Taxes

The computation of the annual estimated effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and significant judgment, including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year, projections of the proportion of income earned and taxed in various jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained or as the tax environment changes.

At the end of each interim period, we estimate the annual effective tax rate and apply that rate to our ordinary quarterly earnings. The amount of interim tax benefit recorded for the year-to-date ordinary loss is limited to the amount that is expected to be realized during the year or recognizable as a deferred tax asset at year end. The tax expense or benefit related to significant, unusual or extraordinary items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect, are individually computed, and are recognized in the interim period in which those items occur. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates or tax status is recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we continued to perform analysis and evaluate interpretations and other guidance regarding the 2017 Tax Act, but did not record any adjustments to the amounts recorded on a provisional basis in the year ended December 31, 2017 or deem any such amounts as complete.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded an income tax expense of approximately $4.7 million and $14.4 million, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $9.7 million is primarily related to the 2017 Tax Act resulting in a lower annual effective tax rate and our ability to utilize indefinite-lived deferred tax liabilities as a source of future taxable income in our assessment of realization of deferred tax assets. For all periods, the income tax expense was impacted by certain discrete tax items, including the accrual of potential interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions. Including the tax effects of these discrete tax items, the effective rate was (4.9)% and (13.5)% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Reserves for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding accrued interest and penalties, were $15.7 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

10.

Retirement and Postretirement Benefit Plans

We have a noncontributory, qualified defined benefit pension plan (the “Retirement Plan”), which covers certain employees. The Retirement Plan is a cash balance plan, which accrues benefits based on pay, length of service, and interest. The funding policy is to contribute amounts subject to minimum funding standards set forth by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code. The Retirement Plan’s assets consist principally of common stocks, fixed income securities, investments in registered investment companies, and cash and cash equivalents. We also have a nonqualified defined benefit plan, or nonqualified plan, that previously covered employees who earned over the qualified pay limit as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. The nonqualified plan accrues benefits for the participants based on the cash balance plan calculation. The nonqualified plan is not funded. We use a December 31 date to measure the pension and postretirement liabilities. In 2007, both the qualified and nonqualified pension plans eliminated participation in the plans for new employees hired after October 31, 2007.

We recognize the funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as an asset or liability in the balance sheet and recognize actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits in other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently amortize those items in the statement of operations.

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans consisted of the following:


	Pension Plans
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Interest cost	$	1,325		$	1,382
Expected return on plan assets		(1,995	)		(2,316	)
Amortization of net loss		354			201

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	(316	)	$	(733	)


	Other Post Retirement Plans
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Service cost	$	32		$	33
Interest cost		168			193
Amortization of prior service cost		(172	)		(335	)
Amortization of net loss		—			3

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost	$	28		$	(106	)

There were no contributions to the pension plans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, and we do not expect to make a contribution to the pension plans during 2018.

11.

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standard for fair value measurements, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. The accounting standard establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:


		Level 1		Observable input such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
		Level 2		Observable inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

		Level 3		Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of three valuation techniques identified in the tables below. Where more than one technique is noted, individual assets or liabilities were valued using one or more of the noted techniques. The valuation techniques are as follows:

^(a)

Market approach: Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities;

^(b)

Cost approach: Amount that would be currently required to replace the service capacity of an asset (current replacement cost); and

^(c)

Income approach: Valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on market expectations (including present value techniques).

On a recurring basis, we measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, including our money market funds, short-term investments which consist of U.S. treasury securities and U.S. agency securities, foreign exchange forward contracts, and interest rate derivatives contracts. The accounting standard for fair value measurements defines fair value 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. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. In determining fair value, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible as well as consider counterparty and its credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:


	March 31, 2018		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Valuation Technique
Financial assets
Money market funds	$	78,957	$	78,957	$	—		(a)
Interest rate derivatives		2,318		—		2,318		(a)
Foreign exchange derivatives		263		—		263		(a)

	$	81,538	$	78,957	$	2,581


	December 31, 2017		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Valuation Technique
Financial assets
Money market funds	$	115,464	$	115,464	$	—		(a)
U.S. treasury securities		16,065		16,065		—		(a)
U.S. agency securities		70,384		—		70,384		(a)
Foreign exchange derivatives		351		—		351

	$	202,264	$	131,529	$	70,735

Financial liabilities
Interest rate derivatives	$	1,159	$	—	$	1,159		(a)

	$	1,159	$	—	$	1,159

Our money market funds and U.S. treasury securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. Our U.S. agency securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using other than quoted prices in active markets. In addition to $79.0 million and $115.5 million invested in money market funds as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, we had $19.7 million and $33.5 million of cash invested in bank accounts as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Our foreign exchange derivatives consist of forward contracts and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued based on observable inputs and are available for substantially the full term of our derivative instruments. We use foreign exchange forward contracts to fix the functional currency value of forecasted commitments, payments and receipts. The aggregate notional amount of the outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts was $10.8 million and $15.8 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Our foreign exchange forward contracts contain netting provisions to mitigate credit risk in the event of counterparty default, including payment default and cross default. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair value of our counterparty default exposure was less than $1.0 million and spread across several highly rated counterparties.

Our interest rate derivatives are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued based on observable inputs and are available for substantially the full term of our derivative instruments. Our interest rate risk relates primarily to U.S. dollar borrowings, partially offset by U.S. dollar cash investments. We have historically used interest rate derivative instruments to manage our earnings and cash flow exposure to changes in interest rates by converting floating-rate debt into fixed-rate debt. The aggregate notional amount of the outstanding interest rate derivative instruments was $400.0 million as of March 31, 2018.

We designate these derivative instruments either as fair value or cash flow hedges under the accounting guidance related to derivatives and hedging. We record changes in the value of fair value hedges in interest expense, which is generally offset by changes in the fair value of the hedged debt obligation. Interest payments made or received related to our interest rate derivative instruments are included in interest expense. We record the effective portion of any change in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as unrealized gains or losses in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, until the hedged cash flow occurs, at which point the effective portion of any gain or loss is reclassified to earnings. In the event the hedged cash flow does not occur, or it becomes no longer probable that it will occur, we reclassify the amount of any gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge to interest expense at that time.

We believe we do not have significant concentrations of credit risk arising from our interest rate derivative instruments, whether from an individual counterparty or a related group of counterparties. We manage the concentration of counterparty credit risk on our interest rate derivatives instruments by limiting acceptable counterparties to a diversified group of major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, limiting the amount of credit exposure to each counterparty, and actively monitoring their credit ratings and outstanding fair values on an ongoing basis. Furthermore, none of our derivative transactions contain provisions that are dependent on our credit ratings from any credit rating agency.

We also employ master netting arrangements that reduce our counterparty payment settlement risk on any given maturity date to the net amount of any receipts or payments due between us and the counterparty financial institution. Thus, the maximum loss due to counterparty credit risk is limited to the unrealized gains in such contracts net of any unrealized losses should any of these counterparties fail to perform as contracted. Although these protections do not eliminate concentrations of credit risk, as a result of the above considerations, we do not consider the risk of counterparty default to be significant.

Non-Financial Assets and Liabilities

There were no impairments related to our non-financial assets and there were no non-financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Our non-financial assets, which include goodwill, other intangible assets, property, plant, and equipment, and pre-publication costs, are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, if certain trigger events occur, or if an annual impairment test is required, we evaluate the non-financial assets for impairment. If an impairment did occur, the asset is required to be recorded at the estimated fair value. An impairment analysis was not performed for the preparation of this report, as there were no triggering events for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Fair Value of Debt

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair market values of our debt at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The fair value of debt is deemed to be the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.


	March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Debt
Term Loan	$	767,058	$	699,940	$	768,194	$	710,579

The fair market values of our debt were estimated based on quoted market prices on a private exchange for those instruments that are traded and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The fair market values require varying degrees of management judgment. The factors used to estimate these values may not be valid on any subsequent date. Accordingly, the fair market values of the debt presented may not be indicative of their future values.

12.

Commitments and Contingencies

There were no material changes in our commitments under contractual obligations, as disclosed in our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

We are involved in ordinary and routine litigation and matters incidental to our business. Litigation alleging infringement of copyrights and other intellectual property rights is common in the educational publishing industry. Specifically, there have been various settled, pending and threatened litigation that allege we exceeded the print run limitation or other restrictions in licenses granted to us to reproduce photographs in our textbooks. During 2016, we settled all such pending or actively threatened litigations alleging infringement of copyrights, and made total settlement payments of $10.0 million, collectively. We received approximately $4.5 million of insurance recovery proceeds during the first quarter of 2017.

While management believes that there is a reasonable possibility we may incur a loss associated with other pending and threatened litigation, we are not able to estimate such amount, but we do not expect any of these matters to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We have insurance over such amounts and with coverage and deductibles as management believes is reasonable. There can be no assurance that our liability insurance will cover all events or that the limits of coverage will be sufficient to fully cover all liabilities.

In connection with an agreement with a development content provider, we agreed to act as guarantor to that party’s loan to finance such development. Such guarantee is expected to remain until 2020. Under the guarantee, we believe the maximum future payments to approximate $14.0 million. If in the unlikely event that we were required to make payments on behalf of the development content provider, we would have recourse against the development content provider.

We were contingently liable for $2.5 million of performance-related surety bonds for our operating activities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. An aggregate of $25.2 million of letters of credit existed as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, of which $0.1 million backed the aforementioned performance-related surety bonds as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

We routinely enter into standard indemnification provisions as part of license agreements involving use of our intellectual property. These provisions typically require us to indemnify and hold harmless licensees in connection with any infringement claim by a third party relating to the intellectual property covered by the license agreement. The assessment business routinely enters into contracts with customers that contain provisions requiring us to indemnify the customer against a broad array of potential liabilities resulting from any breach of the contract or the invalidity of the test. Although the term of these provisions and the maximum potential amounts of future payments we could be required to make is not limited, we have never incurred any costs to defend or settle claims related to these types of indemnification provisions. We therefore believe the estimated fair value of these provisions is inconsequential, and have no liabilities recorded for them as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

13.

Net Loss Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”):


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Numerator
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	$	(101,311	)	$	(120,658	)

Denominator
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic		123,222,353			122,777,615
Diluted		123,222,353			122,777,615
Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders
Basic	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.98	)
Diluted	$	(0.82	)	$	(0.98	)

As we incurred a net loss in each of the periods presented above, all outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and restricted stock units for those periods have an anti-dilutive effect and therefore are excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Accordingly, basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are equal for such periods.

The following table summarizes our weighted average outstanding common stock equivalents that were anti-dilutive attributable to common stockholders during the periods, and therefore excluded from the computation of diluted EPS:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Stock options		3,465,749		3,132,844
Restricted stock and restricted stock units		2,128,620		1,085,069

14.

Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Repurchase Program

Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion in aggregate value of the Company’s common stock. As of March 31, 2018, there was approximately $482.0 million available for share repurchases under this authorization. The aggregate share repurchase program may be executed through December 31, 2018. Repurchases under the program may be made from time to time in the open market (including under a trading plan) or in privately negotiated transactions. The extent and timing of any such repurchases would generally be at our discretion and subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. Any repurchased shares may be used for general corporate purposes. There was no share repurchase activity for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

15.

Segment Reporting

As of March 31, 2018, we had two reportable segments (Education and Trade Publishing). Our Education segment provides educational products, technology platforms and services to meet the diverse needs of today’s classrooms. These products and services include print and digital content in the form of textbooks, digital courseware, instructional aids, educational assessment and intervention solutions, which are aimed at improving achievement and supporting learning for students who are not keeping pace with peers, professional development and school reform services. Our Trade Publishing segment primarily develops, markets and sells consumer books in print and digital formats and licenses book rights to other publishers and electronic businesses in the United States and abroad. The principal distribution channels for Trade Publishing products are retail stores, both physical and online, and wholesalers. Reference materials are also sold to schools, colleges, libraries, office supply distributors and other businesses.

We measure and evaluate our reportable segments based on net sales and segment Adjusted EBITDA. We exclude from our segments certain corporate-related expenses, as our corporate functions do not meet the definition of a segment, as defined in the accounting guidance relating to segment reporting. In addition, certain transactions or adjustments that our Chief Operating Decision Maker considers to be non-operational, such as amounts related to goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges, derivative instruments charges, acquisition-related activity, restructuring/integration costs, severance, separation costs and facility closures, equity compensation charges, debt extinguishment losses, legal settlement charges, gains or losses from divestitures, amortization and depreciation expenses, as well as interest and taxes, are excluded from segment Adjusted EBITDA. Although we exclude these amounts from segment Adjusted EBITDA, they are included in reported consolidated net loss and are included in the reconciliation below.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	Education			Trade Publishing			Corporate/ Other
2018
Net sales	$	183,032		$	36,736		$	—
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		(3,053	)		(837	)		(11,442	)
2017
Net sales	$	185,384		$	36,533		$	—
Segment Adjusted EBITDA		(10,801	)		(422	)		(12,869	)

The following table disaggregates our net sales by major source, which is the manner our businesses are viewed and managed:


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
(in thousands)	Education		Trade Publishing		Consolidated
Core solutions (1)	$	61,234	$	—	$	61,234
Extension businesses (2)		121,798		—		121,798
Trade print and digital products		—		36,736		36,736

Net sales	$	183,032	$	36,736	$	219,768

(1)	Comprehensive solutions primarily for reading, math, science and social studies programs.

(2)	Primarily consists of our Heinemann brand, intervention, supplemental and assessment products as well as professional services.

Reconciliation of Segment Adjusted EBITDA to the consolidated statements of operations is as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2018			2017
Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	(15,332	)	$	(24,092	)
Interest expense		(10,936	)		(10,453	)
Interest income		506			245
Depreciation expense		(19,238	)		(19,270	)
Amortization expense		(44,047	)		(49,051	)
Non-cash charges—stock-compensation		(2,923	)		(2,544	)
Non-cash charges—gain on derivative instruments		372			45
Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions		(182	)		(565	)
2017 Restructuring Plan		—			(3,875	)
Severance, separation costs and facility closures		(3,943	)		(1,206	)
Legal settlement		—			4,500
Loss on sale of assets		(884	)		—

Loss before taxes		(96,607	)		(106,266	)
Provision for income taxes		4,704			14,392

Net loss	$	(101,311	)	$	(120,658	)

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

The following discussion and analysis is intended to facilitate an understanding of our results of operations and financial condition and should be read in conjunction with the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited financial statements and the related notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 22, 2018. This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We are a global learning company, specializing in education solutions across a variety of media, delivering content, services and technology to both educational institutions and consumers, reaching over 50 million students in more than 150 countries worldwide. In the United States, we are a leading provider of K-12 educational content by market share. We believe our long-standing reputation and trusted brand enable us to capitalize on consumer and digital trends in the education market through our existing and developing channels. Furthermore, our trade and reference materials, including adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction books, have won industry awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, Newbery and Caldecott medals and National Book Award.

Key Aspects and Trends of Our Operations

Business Segments

We are organized along two business segments: Education and Trade Publishing. Our Education segment is our largest segment and represented approximately 87% of our total net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 88% of our total net sales for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. Our Trade Publishing segment represented approximately 13% of our total net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 12% of our total net sales for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. The Corporate and Other category represents certain general overhead costs not fully allocated to the business segments, such as legal, accounting, treasury, human resources and executive functions.

Net Sales

We derive revenue primarily from the sale of print and digital content and instructional materials, trade books, reference materials, multimedia instructional programs, license fees for book rights, content, software and services, test scoring, consulting and training. We primarily sell to customers in the United States. Our net sales are driven primarily as a function of volume and, to a certain extent, changes in price. Our net sales consist of our billings for products and services, less revenue that will be deferred until future recognition along with the transaction price allocation adjusted to reflect the estimated returns for the arrangement. Deferred revenues primarily derive from online interactive digital content, digital and online learning components along with undelivered work-texts, workbooks and services. The work-texts, workbooks and services are deferred until control is transferred to the customer, which often extends over the life of the contract and our hosted online and digital content is typically recognized ratably over the life of the contract. The digitalization of education content and delivery is driving a shift in the education market. As the K-12 educational market transitions to purchasing more digital, personalized education solutions, we believe our ability now or in the future to offer embedded assessments, adaptive learning, real-time interaction and student specific personalization of educational content in a platform- and device-agnostic manner will provide new opportunities for growth. An increasing number of schools are utilizing digital content in their classrooms and implementing online or blended learning environments, which is altering the historical mix of print and digital educational materials in the classroom. As a result, our business model has shifted to more digital and online learning components to address the needs of the education marketplace; thus, often resulting in an increase in our billings being deferred compared to historical levels. The level of revenues being deferred can fluctuate depending upon the mix of product offering between digital and non-digital products, the length of programs and the mix of product delivered immediately or over time.

Core curriculum programs, which represent the most significant portion of our Education segment net sales, cover curriculum standards in a particular K-12 academic subject and include a comprehensive offering of teacher and student materials required to conduct the class throughout the school year. Products and services in these programs include print and digital offerings for students and a variety of supporting materials such as teacher’s editions, formative assessments, supplemental materials, whole group instruction materials, practice aids, educational games and professional services. The process through which materials and curricula are selected and procured for classroom use varies throughout the United States. Currently, nineteen states, known as adoption states, review and approve new programs usually every six to eight years on a state-wide basis. School districts in those states typically select and purchase materials from the state-approved list. The remaining states are known as open states or open territories. In those states, materials are not reviewed at the state level, and each individual school or school district is free to procure materials at any time,

although most follow a five-to-ten year replacement cycle. The student population in adoption states represents over 50% of the U.S. elementary and secondary school-age population. Some adoption states provide “categorical funding” for instructional materials, which means that those state funds cannot be used for any other purpose. Our core curriculum programs, primarily in adoption states, typically have higher deferred sales than other parts of the business. The higher deferred sales are primarily due to the length of time that our programs are being delivered, along with greater component and digital product offerings. A significant portion of our Education segment net sales is dependent upon our ability to maintain residual sales, which are subsequent sales after the year of the original adoption, and our ability to continue to generate new business by developing new programs that meet our customers’ evolving needs. In addition, our market is affected by changes in state curriculum standards, which drive instruction, assessment and accountability in each state. Changes in state curriculum standards require that instructional materials be revised or replaced to align to the new standards, which historically has driven demand for core curriculum programs.

We also derive our Education segment net sales from the sale of summative, cognitive and formative or in-classroom assessments to districts and schools in all 50 states. Summative assessments are concluding or “final” exams that measure students’ proficiency in a particular academic subject or group of subjects on an aggregate level or against state standards. Formative assessments are on-going, in-classroom tests that occur throughout the school year and monitor progress in certain subjects or curriculum units. Additionally, our offerings include supplemental products that target struggling learners through comprehensive intervention solutions aimed at raising student achievement by providing solutions that combine technology, content and other educational products, as well as consulting and professional development services. We also offer products targeted at assisting English language learners.

In international markets, we predominantly export and sell K-12 books to premium private schools that utilize the U.S. curriculum, which are located primarily in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. Our international sales team utilizes a global network of distributors in local markets around the world.

Our Trade Publishing segment sells works of fiction and non-fiction in the General Interest and Young Reader’s categories, dictionaries and other reference works. While print remains the primary format in which trade books are produced and distributed, the market for trade titles in digital format, primarily e-books, has developed over the past several years, and generally represents approximately 10% of our annual Trade Publishing net sales.

Factors affecting our net sales include:

Education

•

state or district per student funding levels;

•

federal funding levels;

•

the cyclicality of the purchasing schedule for adoption states;

•

student enrollments;

•

adoption of new education standards;

•

state acceptance of submitted programs and participation rates for accepted programs;

•

technological advancement and the introduction of new content and products that meet the needs of students, teachers and consumers, including through strategic agreements pertaining to content development and distribution; and

•

the amount of net sales subject to deferrals, which is impacted by the mix of product offering between digital and non-digital products, the length of programs and the mix of product delivered immediately or over time.

Trade Publishing

•

consumer spending levels as influenced by various factors, including the U.S. economy and consumer confidence;

•

the publishing of bestsellers along with obtaining recognized authors;

•

film and series tie-ins to our titles that spur sales of current and backlist titles, which are titles that have been on sale for more than a year; and

•

market growth or contraction.

State or district per-student funding levels, which closely correlate with state and local receipts from income, sales and property taxes, impact our sales as institutional customers are affected by funding cycles. Most public school districts, the primary customers for K-12 products and services, are largely dependent on state and local funding to purchase materials.

We monitor the purchasing cycles for specific disciplines in the adoption states in order to manage our product development and to plan sales campaigns. Our sales may be materially impacted during the years that major adoption states, such as Florida, California and Texas, are or are not scheduled to make significant purchases. For example, Florida adopted social studies materials in 2016, for purchase in 2017, and adopted science materials in 2017 for purchase in 2018. Texas school districts purchased social studies and high school math materials in 2015 and purchased materials for languages other than English and career and technical education in 2017. The next major adoption in Texas is expected to be Reading/English Language Arts materials, currently scheduled for adoption in 2018 and purchase in 2019. California adopted English Language Arts materials in 2015, with purchases beginning in 2016 and continuing through 2018, and adopted history social science materials in 2017 for purchase in 2018 and continuing through 2020. Both Florida and Texas, along with several other adoption states, provide dedicated state funding for instructional materials and classroom technology, with funding typically appropriated by the legislature in the first half of the year in which materials are to be purchased. Texas has a two-year budget cycle, and in the 2017 legislative session appropriated funds for purchases in 2017 and 2018. California funds instructional materials in part with a dedicated portion of state lottery proceeds and in part out of general formula funds, with the minimum overall level of school funding determined according to the Proposition 98 funding guarantee. We do not currently have contracts with these states for future instructional materials adoptions and there is no guarantee that our programs will be accepted by the state (for example, our K-8 social science materials were not adopted in California in 2017).

Long-term growth in the U.S. K-12 market is positively correlated with student enrollments, which is a driver of growth in the educational publishing industry. Although economic cycles may affect short-term buying patterns, school enrollments are highly predictable and are expected to trend upward over the longer term. From 2013-2014 to 2025-2026, total public school enrollment, a major long-term driver of growth in the K-12 Education market, is projected to increase by 3% to 51.4 million students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

The digitalization of education content and delivery is also driving a shift in the education market. As the K-12 educational market transitions to purchasing more digital solutions, we believe our ability to offer embedded assessments, adaptive learning, real-time interaction and student specific personalized learning and educational content in a platform- and device-agnostic manner will provide new opportunities for growth.

Our Trade Publishing segment is heavily influenced by the U.S. and broader global economy, consumer confidence and consumer spending. As the economy continues to recover, both consumer confidence and consumer spending have increased.

While print remains the primary format in which trade books are produced and distributed, the market for trade titles in digital format, primarily e-books, has developed over the past several years, as the industry evolved to embrace new technologies for developing, producing, marketing and distributing trade works. We continue to focus on the development of innovative new digital products which capitalize on our strong content, our digital expertise and the consumer demand for these products.

In the Trade Publishing segment, annual results can be driven by bestselling trade titles. Furthermore, backlist titles can experience resurgence in sales when made into films or series. In the past years, a number of our backlist titles such as The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Life of Pi, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Polar Express, The Giver and The Time Traveler’s Wife have benefited in popularity due to movie or series releases and have subsequently resulted in increased trade sales.

We employ several pricing models to serve various customer segments, including institutions, government agencies, consumers and other third parties. In addition to traditional pricing models where a customer receives a product in return for a payment at the time of product receipt, we currently use the following pricing models:

•

Pay-up-front: Customer makes a fixed payment at time of purchase and we provide a specific product/service in return;

•

Pre-pay Subscription: Customer makes a one-time payment at time of purchase, but receives a stream of goods/services over a defined time horizon; for example, we currently provide customers the option to purchase a multi-year subscription to textbooks where for a one-time charge, a new copy of the work text is delivered to the customer each year for a defined time period. Pre-pay subscriptions to online textbooks are another example where the customer receives access to an online book for a specific period of time; and

•

Pay-as-you-go Subscription: Similar to the pre-pay subscription, except that the customer makes periodic payments in a pre-described manner. With the exception of our professional services business, this pricing model is the least prevalent of the three models.

Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization

Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization, include expenses directly attributable to the production of our products and services, including the non-capitalizable costs associated with our content and platform development group. The expenses within cost of sales include variable costs such as paper, printing and binding costs of our print materials, royalty expenses paid to our authors, gratis costs or products provided at no charge as part of the sales transaction, and inventory obsolescence. Also included in cost of sales are labor costs related to professional services and the non-capitalized costs associated

with our content and platform development group. We also include amortization expense associated with our customer-facing software platforms. Certain products such as trade books and products associated with our renowned authors carry higher royalty costs; conversely, digital offerings usually have a lower cost of sales due to lower costs associated with their production. Also, sales to adoption states usually contain higher cost of sales. A change in the sales mix of our products or services can impact consolidated profitability.

Publishing rights and Pre-publication amortization

A publishing right is an acquired right that allows us to publish and republish existing and future works as well as create new works based on previously published materials. As part of our March 9, 2010 restructuring, we recorded an intangible asset for publishing rights and amortize such asset on an accelerated basis over the useful lives of the various copyrights involved. This amortization will continue to decrease approximately 25% annually through March of 2023.

We capitalize the art, prepress, manuscript and other costs incurred in the creation of the master copy of our content, known as the pre-publication costs. Pre-publication costs are primarily amortized from the year of sale over five years using the sum-of-the-years-digits method, which is an accelerated method for calculating an asset’s amortization. Under this method, the amortization expense recorded for a pre-publication cost asset is approximately 33% (year 1), 27% (year 2), 20% (year 3), 13% (year 4) and 7% (year 5). We utilize this policy for all pre-publication costs, except with respect to our Trade Publishing segment’s consumer books, which we generally expense such costs as incurred; our assessment products, which we use the straight-line amortization method and the acquired content of our 2015 acquisition, which we amortize over 7 years using an accelerated amortization method. The amortization methods and periods chosen best reflect the pattern of expected sales generated from individual titles or programs. We periodically evaluate the remaining lives and recoverability of capitalized pre-publication costs, which are often dependent upon program acceptance by state adoption authorities.

Selling and administrative expenses

Our selling and administrative expenses include the salaries, benefits and related costs of employees engaged in sales and marketing, fulfillment and administrative functions. Also included within selling and administrative costs are variable costs such as commission expense, outbound transportation costs and depository fees, which are fees paid to state-mandated depositories that fulfill centralized ordering and warehousing functions for specific states. Additionally, significant fixed and discretionary costs include facilities, telecommunications, professional fees, promotions, sampling and advertising.

Other intangible asset amortization

Our other intangible asset amortization expense primarily includes the amortization of acquired intangible assets consisting of tradenames, customer relationships, content rights and licenses. The tradenames, customer relationships, content rights and licenses are amortized over varying periods of 6 to 25 years. The expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $7.2 million.

Interest expense

Our interest expense includes interest accrued on our term loan facility along with, to a lesser extent, our revolving credit facility, capital leases, the amortization of any deferred financing fees and loan discounts, and payments in connection with interest rate hedging agreements. Our interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $10.9 million.

Results of Operations

Consolidated Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017


	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018			For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017			Dollar Change			Percent Change
(dollars in thousands)
Net sales	$	219,768		$	221,917		$	(2,149	)		(1.0	)%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization		106,909			107,536			(627	)		(0.6	)%
Publishing rights amortization		10,090			13,398			(3,308	)		(24.7	)%
Pre-publication amortization		26,716			27,577			(861	)		(3.1	)%

Cost of sales		143,715			148,511			(4,796	)		(3.2	)%
Selling and administrative		150,534			156,352			(5,818	)		(3.7	)%
Other intangible assets amortization		7,241			8,076			(835	)		(10.3	)%
Restructuring		—			3,875			(3,875	)		NM
Severance and other charges		3,943			1,206			2,737			NM
Loss on sale of assets		884			—			884			NM

Operating loss		(86,549	)		(96,103	)		9,554			9.9	%

Other income (expense):
Interest expense		(10,936	)		(10,453	)		(483	)		(4.6	)%
Interest income		506			245			261			NM
Change in fair value of derivative instruments		372			45			327			NM

Loss before taxes		(96,607	)		(106,266	)		9,659			9.1	%
Income tax expense		4,704			14,392			(9,688	)		(67.3	)%

Net loss	$	(101,311	)	$	(120,658	)	$	19,347			16.0	%

NM = not meaningful

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $2.1 million, or 1.0%, from $221.9 million for the same period in 2017 to $219.8 million. The net sales decrease was driven by a $2.4 million decrease in our Education segment, partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in our Trade Publishing segment. Within our Education segment, the decrease was primarily due to lower net sales from Core Solutions, which declined by $4.2 million from $65.4 million in 2017 to $61.2 million. The primary drivers of the decrease in Core Solutions sales were anticipated lower net sales of Reading programs in the third year of California’s English Language Arts adoption as well as the non-recurrence of the $5.0 million one-time fee we recognized in 2017 in connection with the expiration of a distribution agreement. Partially offsetting the decrease in our Core Solutions sales was an increase in sales from our Extension businesses, which primarily consist of our Heinemann brand, intervention, supplemental and assessment products as well as professional services. Extension businesses net sales for the current period increased $1.8 million from $120.0 million in 2017 to $121.8 million in 2018 primarily driven by higher Heinemann net sales. The primary driver of the increase in our Heinemann net sales was sales of the Fountas & Pinnell Classroom product, which was introduced in the third quarter of 2017. Within our Trade Publishing segment, the increase was primarily due to higher licensing income along with print titles sales such as the Instant Pot series and Whole30 series.

Operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018 improved by $9.6 million from a loss of $96.1 million for the same period in 2017 to a loss of $86.5 million, due primarily to the following:

•

Our selling and administrative costs decreased by $5.8 million, primarily due to a reduction in internal and outside labor related costs of $4.3 million, a decrease in office lease cost of $0.5 million due to office space reductions and lower IT expenses of $2.4 million relating to maintenance contracts, hardware and telecommunications mostly associated with actions taken under the 2017 Restructuring Plan. Additionally, variable expenses such as commissions, samples, transportation and depository fees were $1.0 million lower in the current period. Offsetting the reductions in costs was an increase in professional fees of $2.8 million in 2018 as the prior year benefited from a $4.5 million non-recurring insurance reimbursement pertaining to a legal matter in 2016,

•

A $5.0 million net reduction in amortization expense related to publishing rights, pre-publication and other intangible assets, primarily due to our use of accelerated amortization methods for publishing rights amortization,

•

A $3.9 million charge in 2017 associated with our 2017 Restructuring Plan, which did not occur in 2018,

•

Our cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization, decreased $0.6 million of which $1.0 million is attributed to lower sales volume offset by a $0.4 million unfavorable change in profitability as our cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization, as a percentage of net sales increased to 48.6% from 48.5% due to a product mix carrying higher costs,

•

Partially offsetting the favorable change in operating loss was a $2.7 million increase in severance and other charges as the majority of such expenses during the 2017 period were in connection with our 2017 Restructuring Plan and were included within the restructuring line item, and

•

A $0.9 million loss on the sale of assets associated with the divestiture of certain non-core products in the first quarter of 2018.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.5 million from $10.5 million for the same period in 2017 to $10.9 million, primarily due to an increase in interest on the term loan facility of $1.1 million due to an increase in variable interest rates, offset by a reduction of $0.6 million of net settlement payments on our interest rate derivative instruments during the current period.

Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.3 million from $0.2 million for the same period in 2017 to $0.5 million, primarily due to increases in interest rates on our investments.

Change in fair value of derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 favorably changed by $0.3 million from a slight gain in the same period in 2017 to a gain of $0.4 million in 2017. The change in fair value of derivative instruments was related to foreign exchange forward contracts executed on the Euro that were favorably impacted by the weaker U.S. dollar against the Euro.

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $9.7 million, from an expense of $14.4 million for the same period in 2017, to an expense of $4.7 million in 2018. For 2018, our annual effective tax rate, exclusive of discrete items used to calculate the tax provision, is expected to be approximately (5.4)%, which is primarily related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“2017 Tax Act”) resulting in a lower annual effective tax rate and our ability to utilize indefinite-lived deferred tax liabilities as a source of future taxable income in our assessment of realization of deferred tax assets. For 2017, the effective tax rate method was estimated to be (13.0)% primarily attributed to the movement in the deferred tax liability associated with tax amortization on indefinite-lived intangibles, and state and foreign taxes. For both periods, the income tax expense was impacted by certain discrete tax items including the accrual of potential interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions.

Adjusted EBITDA

To supplement our financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we have presented Adjusted EBITDA, which is not prepared in accordance with GAAP. This information should be considered as supplemental in nature and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors regarding our results of operations because it assists both investors and management in analyzing and benchmarking the performance and value of our business. Adjusted EBITDA provides an indicator of general economic performance that is not affected by debt restructurings, fluctuations in interest rates or effective tax rates, non-cash charges, or levels of depreciation or amortization along with costs such as severance, separation and facility closure costs, acquisition-related activity costs, restructuring costs and integration costs. Accordingly, our management believes that this measurement is useful for comparing general operating performance from period to period. In addition, targets in Adjusted EBITDA (further adjusted to include changes in deferred revenue) are used as performance measures to determine certain compensation of management, and Adjusted EBITDA is used as the base for calculations relating to incurrence covenants in our debt agreements. Other companies may define Adjusted EBITDA differently and, as a result, our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA of other companies. Although we use Adjusted EBITDA as a financial measure to assess the performance of our business, the use of Adjusted EBITDA is limited because it does not include certain material costs, such as interest and taxes, necessary to operate our business. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net loss/income in accordance with GAAP as a measure of performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of liquidity or free cash flow for discretionary use. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Adjusted EBITDA.

Below is a reconciliation of our net loss to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Net loss	$	(101,311	)	$	(120,658	)
Interest expense		10,936			10,453
Interest income		(506	)		(245	)
Provision for income taxes		4,704			14,392
Depreciation expense		19,238			19,270
Amortization expense		44,047			49,051
Non-cash charges—stock compensation		2,923			2,544
Non-cash charges— loss (gain) on derivative instrument		(372	)		(45	)
Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions		182			565
2017 Restructuring Plan		—			3,875
Severance, separation costs and facility closures		3,943			1,206
Legal reimbursement		—			(4,500	)
Loss on sale of assets		884			—

Adjusted EBITDA	$	(15,332	)	$	(24,092	)

Segment Operating Results

Results of Operations—Comparing Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

Education


	Three Months Ended March 31,						Dollar Change			Percent Change
	2018			2017			Dollar Change			Percent Change
Net sales	$	183,032		$	185,384		$	(2,352	)		(1.3	)%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization		81,636			82,826			(1,190	)		(1.4	)%
Publishing rights amortization		8,338			11,379			(3,041	)		(26.7	)%
Pre-publication amortization		26,647			27,507			(860	)		(3.1	)%

Cost of sales		116,621			121,712			(5,091	)		(4.2	)%
Selling and administrative		119,075			127,024			(7,949	)		(6.3	)%
Other intangible asset amortization		5,759			6,635			(876	)		(13.2	)%
Loss on sale of assets		884			—			884			NM

Operating loss		(59,307	)		(69,987	)		10,680			15.3	%

Net loss	$	(59,307	)	$	(69,987	)	$	10,680			15.3	%

Adjustments from net loss to Education segment Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation expense	$	14,626		$	13,666		$	960			7.0	%
Amortization expense		40,744			45,521			(4,777	)		(10.5	)%
Loss on sale of assets		884			—			884			NM

Education segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	(3,053	)	$	(10,800	)	$	7,747			71.7	%

Education segment Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales		(1.7	)%		(5.8	)%

NM = not meaningful

Our Education segment net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $2.4 million, or 1.3%, from $185.4 million for the same period in 2017 to $183.0 million. The net sales decrease was primarily due to lower net sales from Core Solutions, which declined by $4.2 million from $65.4 million in 2017 to $61.2 million. The primary drivers of the decrease in Core Solutions sales were lower net sales of Reading programs in the third year of California’s English Language Arts adoption as well as the non-recurrence of the $5.0 million one-time fee we recognized in 2017 in connection with the expiration of a distribution agreement. Partially offsetting the decrease in our Core Solutions sales was an increase in sales from our Extension businesses, which primarily consist of our Heinemann brand, intervention, supplemental and assessment products as well as professional services. Extension businesses net sales for the current period increased $1.8 million from $120.0 million in 2017 to $121.8 million in 2018 primarily driven by higher Heinemann net sales. The primary driver of the increase in our Heinemann net sales was sales of the Fountas & Pinnell Classroom product, which was introduced in the third quarter of 2017.

Our Education segment cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $5.1 million, or 4.2%, from $121.7 million for the same period in 2017 to $116.6 million. Publishing rights and pre-publication amortization decreased by $3.9 million from the same period in 2017 primarily due to our use of accelerated amortization methods for publishing rights amortization. Our cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization, decreased $1.2 million from $82.8 million in 2017 to $81.6 million in 2018 attributed to lower sales volume.

Our Education segment selling and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $8.0 million, or 6.3%, from $127.0 million for the same period in 2017 to $119.1 million. The decrease was driven by a reduction in internal and outside labor related costs of $6.0 million and a $1.0 million decrease in technology costs due to reduced hosting and maintenance contracts in connection with the actions taken under the 2017 Restructuring Plan. Further, there was a $1.0 million decrease in variable expenses such as commissions and samples.

Our Education segment other intangible asset amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $0.9 million, or 13.2%, from the same period in 2017, which was due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized in the middle of 2017.

Our Education segment Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018 improved $7.7 million, or 71.7%, from a loss of $10.8 million for the same period in 2017 to a loss of $3.1 million in 2018. Our Education segment Adjusted EBITDA excludes depreciation, amortization and loss on sale of assets. The increase is due to the identified factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses after removing those items not included in Education segment Adjusted EBITDA. Education segment Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was (1.7)% and (5.8)% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Trade Publishing


	Three Months Ended March 31,						Dollar Change			Percent Change
	2018			2017			Dollar Change			Percent Change
Net sales	$	36,736		$	36,533		$	203			0.6	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization		25,273			24,710			563			2.3	%
Publishing rights amortization		1,752			2,019			(267	)		(13.2	)%
Pre-publication amortization		69			70			(1	)		(1.4	)%

Cost of sales		27,094			26,799			295			1.1	%
Selling and administrative		12,472			12,351			121			1.0	%
Other intangible asset amortization		1,482			1,441			41			2.8	%

Operating loss		(4,312	)		(4,058	)		(254	)		(6.3	)%

Net loss	$	(4,312	)	$	(4,058	)	$	(254	)		(6.3	)%

Adjustments from net loss to Trade Publishing segment Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation expense	$	172		$	105		$	67			63.8	%
Amortization expense		3,303			3,530			(227	)		(6.4	)%

Trade Publishing segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	(837	)	$	(423	)	$	(414	)		(97.9	)%

Trade Publishing segment Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales		(2.3	)%		(1.2	)%

NM = not meaningful

Our Trade Publishing segment net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.2 million, or 0.6%, from $36.5 million for the same period in 2017 to $36.7 million. The increase was primarily due to higher licensing income along with print titles sales such as the Instant Pot series and Whole30 series.

Our Trade Publishing segment cost of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.3 million, or 1.1%, from $26.8 million for the same period in 2017 to $27.1 million. The increase was primarily driven by our cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization, which as a percentage of net sales increased to 68.8% from 67.6% resulting in $0.5 million of unfavorable profitability due to a product mix coupled with an increase of $0.1 million due to greater sales volume, partially offset by lower publishing rights amortization due to our use of accelerated amortization methods.

Our Trade Publishing segment selling and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.1 million, or 1.0%, from $12.4 million for the same period in 2017 to $12.5 million. The increase was primarily due to higher marketing and promotion costs, partially offset by a reduction of internal and outside labor related costs.

Our Trade Publishing segment other intangible asset amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased slightly from the same period in 2017.

Our Trade Publishing segment Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018 changed unfavorably from a loss of $0.4 million for the same period in 2017 to a loss of $0.8 million. Our Trade Publishing segment Adjusted EBITDA excludes depreciation and amortization costs. Our Trade Publishing segment Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was (2.3)% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which was an unfavorable change from (1.2)% for the same period in 2017 due to the identified factors impacting net sales, cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses after removing those items not included in Trade Publishing segment Adjusted EBITDA.

Corporate and Other


	Three Months Ended March 31,						Dollar			Percent
	2018			2017			Change			Change
Net sales	$	—		$	—		$	—			NM
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales, excluding publishing rights and pre-publication amortization		—			—			—			NM
Publishing rights amortization		—			—			—			NM
Pre-publication amortization		—			—			—			NM

Cost of sales		—			—			—			NM
Selling and administrative		18,987			16,977			2,010			11.8	%
Restructuring		—			3,875			(3,875	)		NM
Severance and other charges		3,943			1,206			2,737			NM

Operating loss		(22,930	)		(22,058	)		(872	)		(4.0	)%

Interest expense		(10,936	)		(10,453	)		(483	)		(4.6	)%
Interest income		506			245			261			NM
Change in fair value of derivative instruments		372			45			327			NM

Loss before taxes		(32,988	)		(32,221	)		(767	)		(2.4	)%
Income tax expense		4,704			14,392			(9,688	)		(67.3	)%

Net loss	$	(37,692	)	$	(46,613	)	$	8,921			19.1	%

Adjustments from net loss to Corporate and Other segment Adjusted EBITDA
Interest expense	$	10,936		$	10,453		$	483			4.6	%
Interest income		(506	)		(245	)		(261	)		NM
Provision for income taxes		4,704			14,392			(9,688	)		(67.3	)%
Depreciation expense		4,440			5,499			(1,059	)		(19.3	)%
Non-cash charges—(gain) loss on derivative instruments		(372	)		(45	)		(327	)		NM
Non-cash charges—stock compensation		2,923			2,544			379			14.9	%
Fees, expenses or charges for equity offerings, debt or acquisitions		182			565			(383	)		(67.8	)%
2017 Restructuring Plan		—			3,875			(3,875	)		NM
Severance, separation costs and facility closures		3,943			1,206			2,737			NM
Legal reimbursement		—			(4,500	)		4,500			NM

Corporate and Other segment Adjusted EBITDA	$	(11,442	)	$	(12,869	)	$	1,427			11.1	%

NM = not meaningful

The Corporate and Other category represents certain general overhead costs not fully allocated to the business segments such as legal, accounting, treasury, human resources, technology and executive functions along with restructuring, severance and other non-operating costs.

Our selling and administrative expense for the Corporate and Other category for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $2.0 million, or 11.8%, from $17.0 million for the same period in 2017 to $19.0 million. The increase was primarily due to higher professional fees in 2018 as the prior year benefited from a $4.5 million insurance reimbursement pertaining to a legal matter in 2016, partially offset by $1.1 million of higher depreciation expense along with higher professional fees associated with the Company’s technology infrastructure.

Our 2017 Restructuring Plan costs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $3.9 million, which included severance and termination benefits of $0.2 million and implementation costs of $3.7 million.

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.5 million from $10.5 million for the same period in 2017 to $10.9 million, primarily due to an increase in interest on the term loan facility of $1.1 million due to an increase in variable interest rates, partially offset by a reduction of $0.6 million of net settlement payments on our interest rate derivative instruments during the current period.

Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $0.3 million from $0.2 million for the same period in 2017 to $0.5 million, primarily due to increases in interest rates on our investments.

Our change in fair value of derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2018, favorably changed by $0.3 million from a slight gain in the same period in 2017 to a gain of $0.4 million. The change in fair value of derivative instruments was related to foreign exchange forward contracts executed on the Euro that were favorably impacted by the weaker U.S. dollar against the Euro.

Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased $9.7 million, from an expense of $14.4 million for the same period in 2017, to an expense of $4.7 million in 2018. For 2018, our annual effective tax rate, exclusive of discrete items used to calculate the tax provision, is expected to be approximately (5.4)%, which is primarily attributed to the 2017 Tax Act resulting in a lower annual effective tax rate and our ability to utilize indefinite-lived deferred tax liabilities as a source of future taxable income in our assessment of realization of deferred tax assets. For 2017, the effective tax rate method was estimated to be (13.0)% primarily attributed to the movement in the deferred tax liability associated with tax amortization on indefinite-lived intangibles, and state and foreign taxes. For both periods, the income tax expense was impacted by certain discrete tax items including the accrual of potential interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions.

Adjusted EBITDA for the Corporate and Other category for the three months ended March 31, 2018, favorably changed $1.4 million, or 11.1%, from a loss of $12.9 million for the same period in 2017 to a loss of $11.4 million. Our Adjusted EBITDA for the Corporate and Other category excludes interest, taxes, depreciation, derivative instruments charges, equity compensation charges, acquisition-related activity, restructuring costs, integration costs, severance and facility vacant space costs and legal settlement reimbursements. The favorable change in our Adjusted EBITDA for the Corporate and Other category was due to the factors described above after removing those items not included in Adjusted EBITDA for the Corporate and Other category.

Seasonality and Comparability

Approximately 87% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 were derived from our Education segment, which is a markedly seasonal business. Schools conduct the majority of their purchases in the second and third quarters of the calendar year in preparation for the beginning of the school year. Thus, over the past three completed fiscal years, approximately 67% of our consolidated net sales were realized in the second and third quarters. Sales of K-12 instructional materials and customized testing products are also cyclical, with some years offering more sales opportunities than others in light of the state adoption calendar. The amount of funding available at the state level for educational materials also has a significant effect on year-to-year net sales. Although the loss of a single customer would not have a material adverse effect on our business, schedules of school adoptions and market acceptance of our products can materially affect year-to-year net sales performance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources


(in thousands)	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	98,664	$	148,979
Short-term investments		—		86,449
Current portion of long-term debt		8,000		8,000
Long-term debt, net of discount and issuance costs		759,058		760,194


	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018			For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(96,686	)	$	(95,878	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		48,763			21,210
Net cash used in financing activities		(2,392	)		(1,894	)

Operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $96.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, a $0.8 million increase from the $95.9 million of net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in cash used in operating activities from 2017 to 2018 was primarily driven by unfavorable net changes in operating assets and liabilities of $6.6 million primarily due to unfavorable changes in accounts receivable of $12.2 million due to timing of collections and unfavorable changes in inventory of $5.1 million. These unfavorable changes in operating assets and liabilities were partially offset by favorable changes of $10.7 million primarily in other assets, royalties and severance. Further, the increase in net cash used in operating activities was also partially offset by more profitable operations, net of non-cash items, of $5.8 million.

Investing activities

Net cash provided by investing activities was $48.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $27.6 million from the $21.2 million provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in cash provided by investing activities was primarily due to higher net proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments of $20.3 million compared to 2017. Also, capital investing expenditures related to pre-publication costs and property, plant, and equipment decreased by $7.3 million, primarily due to the timing of spend.

Financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $0.5 million from the $1.9 million of net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in cash used in financing activities was due to greater tax withholding payments related to net share settlements of restricted stock units and awards and lower proceeds from our employee stock purchase plan.

Debt

Under both our revolving credit facility and term loan facility, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishers Inc., HMH Publishers LLC and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company are the borrowers (collectively, the “Borrowers”), and Citibank, N.A. acts as both the administrative agent and the collateral agent.

The obligations under these senior secured facilities are guaranteed by the Company and each of its direct and indirect for-profit domestic subsidiaries (other than the Borrowers) (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and are secured by all capital stock and other equity interests of the Borrowers and the Guarantors and substantially all of the other tangible and intangible assets of the Borrowers and the Guarantors, including, without limitation, receivables, inventory, equipment, contract rights, securities, patents, trademarks, other intellectual property, cash, bank accounts and securities accounts and owned real estate. The revolving credit facility is secured by first priority liens on receivables, inventory, deposit accounts, securities accounts, instruments, chattel paper and other assets related to the foregoing (the “Revolving First Lien Collateral”), and second priority liens on the collateral which secures the term loan facility on a first priority basis. The term loan facility is secured by first priority liens on the capital stock and other equity interests of the Borrower and the Guarantors, equipment, owned real estate, trademarks and other intellectual property, general intangibles that are not Revolving First Lien Collateral and other assets related to the foregoing, and second priority liens on the Revolving First Lien Collateral.

Term Loan Facility

We entered into an amended and restated $800.0 million term loan credit facility (the “term loan facility”) dated as of May 29, 2015 in connection with the closing of an acquisition. As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $778.0 million ($767.1 million, net of discount and issuance costs) outstanding under the term loan facility.

The term loan facility has a six-year term and matures on May 29, 2021. The interest rate applicable to borrowings under the facility is based, at our election, on LIBOR plus 3.0% or an alternative base rate plus applicable margins. LIBOR is subject to a floor of 1.0%, with the length of the LIBOR contracts ranging up to six months at the option of the Company. As of March 31, 2018, the interest rate of the term loan facility was 4.9%.

The term loan facility may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium. The term loan facility is required to be repaid in quarterly installments of $2.0 million.

The term loan facility is subject to usual and customary conditions, representations, warranties and covenants, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, acquisitions, asset dispositions, dividends to stockholders, repurchase or redemption of our stock, transactions with affiliates and other matters. The term loan facility is subject to customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the administrative agent may, or at the request of certain required lenders shall, accelerate the obligations outstanding under the term loan facility.

We are subject to an excess cash flow provision under the term loan facility which is predicated upon our leverage ratio and cash flow. We were not required to make a payment under the excess cash flow provision in 2018 and 2017.

Revolving Credit Facility

On July 22, 2015, we entered into an amended and restated revolving credit facility (the “revolving credit facility”) to, among other things, reduce the pricing, extend the maturity, conform certain terms to those of our term loan facility and to provide greater availability and operational flexibility. The revolving credit facility provides borrowing availability in an amount equal to the lesser of $250.0 million and a borrowing base that is computed monthly or weekly as the case may be and comprised of the Borrowers’ and certain Guarantors’ eligible inventory and receivables.

The revolving credit facility includes a letter of credit subfacility of $50.0 million, a swingline subfacility of $20.0 million and the option to expand the facility by up to $100.0 million in the aggregate under certain specified conditions. The amount of any outstanding letters of credit reduces borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility on a dollar-for-dollar basis. As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $25.2 million of outstanding letters of credit and approximately $146.0 million of borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility. No loans have been drawn on the revolving credit facility as of May 3, 2018.

The revolving credit facility has a five year term and matures on July 22, 2020. The interest rate applicable to borrowings under the facility is based, at our election, on LIBOR plus 1.75% or an alternative base rate plus 0.75%; such applicable margins may increase up to 2.25% and 1.25%, respectively, based on average daily availability. The revolving credit facility may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time, without premium.

The revolving credit facility requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 on a trailing four-quarter basis for periods in which excess availability under the facility is less than the greater of $25.0 million and 12.5% of the lesser of the total commitment and the borrowing base then in effect, or less than $20.0 million if certain conditions are met. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio was not applicable under the facility as of March 31, 2018, due to our level of borrowing availability.

The revolving credit facility is subject to usual and customary conditions, representations, warranties and covenants, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, acquisitions, asset dispositions, dividends to stockholders, repurchase or redemption of our stock, transactions with affiliates and other matters. The revolving credit facility is subject to customary events of default. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the administrative agent may, or at the request of certain required lenders shall, accelerate the obligations outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

General

We had $98.7 million of cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2018. We had $149.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and $86.4 million of short-term investments at December 31, 2017.

We expect our net cash provided by operations combined with our cash and cash equivalents and borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility to provide sufficient liquidity to fund our current obligations, capital spending, debt service requirements and working capital requirements over at least the next twelve months.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our financial results are affected by the selection and application of critical accounting policies and methods. Except for the adoption of the new revenue recognition accounting standard discussed below, there were no material changes in the three months ended March 31, 2018 to the application of critical accounting policies and estimates as described in our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, which were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services, in an amount that reflects the consideration which we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that we determine are within the scope of the new revenue recognition accounting standard, we perform the following five steps: (i) identify the contract with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation. We only apply the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that we will collect the consideration we are entitled to in exchange for the goods or services we transfer to the customer. At contract inception, we assess the goods or services promised within each contract and determine those that are performance obligations, and assess whether each promised good or service is distinct. We then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

Accounts Receivable

Contract Assets

Contract assets include unbilled amounts for primarily service revenue where revenue is recognized over time as the services are delivered to the customer based on the extent of progress towards completion and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer, and right of payment is not subject to the passage of time. Amounts may not exceed their net realizable value. Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.

Deferred Commissions

Deferred Revenue

Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for a detailed description of the impact of the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on our consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

Although inflation during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was well below levels in prior years and, therefore, benefited results, particularly in the area of manufacturing costs, there were offsetting costs. Our ability to adjust selling prices has always been limited by competitive factors and long-term contractual arrangements which either prohibit price increases or limit the amount by which prices may be increased. Further, a weak domestic economy at a time of low inflation could cause lower tax receipts at the state and local level, and the funding and buying patterns for textbooks and other educational materials could be adversely affected. Prices for paper moderated during the last three years.

The most significant assets affected by inflation include pre-publication, other property, plant and equipment and inventories. We use the weighted average cost method to value substantially all inventory. We have negotiated favorable pricing through contractual agreements with our two top print and sourcing vendors, and from our other major vendors, which has helped to stabilize our unit costs, and therefore our cost of inventories sold. Our publishing business requires a high level of investment in pre-publication for our educational works, and in other property, plant and equipment. We expect to continue to commit funds to the publishing areas through both internal growth and acquisitions. We believe that by continuing to emphasize cost controls, technological improvements and quality control, we can continue to moderate the impact of inflation on our operating results and financial position.

Covenant Compliance

As of March 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.

We are currently required to meet certain incurrence based financial covenants as defined under our term loan facility and revolving credit facility. We have incurrence based financial covenants primarily pertaining to a maximum leverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio, and liquidity. A breach of any of these covenants, ratios, tests or restrictions, as applicable, for which a waiver is not obtained could result in an event of default, in which case our lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable and result in a cross-default under other arrangements containing such provisions. A default would permit lenders to accelerate the maturity for the debt under these agreements and to foreclose upon any collateral securing the debt owed to these lenders and to terminate any commitments of these lenders to lend to us. If the lenders accelerate the payment of the indebtedness, our assets may not be sufficient to repay in full the indebtedness and any other indebtedness that would become due as a result of any acceleration. Further, in such an event, the lenders would not be required to make further loans to us, and assuming similar facilities were not established and we are unable to obtain replacement financing, it would materially affect our liquidity and results of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Stock Repurchase Program

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 3 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting pronouncements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, which could affect operating results, financial position and cash flows. We manage exposure to these market risks through our regular operating and financing activities and, when appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. These derivative financial instruments are utilized to hedge economic exposures as well as reduce our earnings and cash flow volatility resulting from shifts in market rates. As permitted, we may designate certain of these derivative contracts for hedge accounting treatment in accordance with authoritative guidance regarding accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. However, certain of these instruments may not qualify for, or we may choose not to elect, hedge accounting treatment and, accordingly, the results of our operations may be exposed to some level of volatility. Volatility in our results of operations will vary with the type and amount of derivative hedges outstanding, as well as fluctuations in the currency and interest rate market during the period. Periodically, we may enter into derivative contracts, including interest rate swap agreements and interest rate caps and collars to manage interest rate exposures, and foreign currency spot, forward, swap and option contracts to manage foreign currency exposures. The fair market values of all of these derivative contracts change with fluctuations in interest rates and/or currency rates and are designed so that any changes in their values are offset by changes in the values of the underlying exposures. Derivative financial instruments are held solely as risk management tools and not for trading or speculative purposes.

By their nature, all derivative instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market and credit risk not recognized in our financial statements. The market risk associated with these instruments resulting from currency exchange and interest rate movements is expected to offset the market risk of the underlying transactions, assets and liabilities being hedged. Our policy is to deal with counterparties having a single A or better credit rating at the time of the execution. We manage our exposure to counterparty risk of derivative instruments by entering into contracts with a diversified group of major financial institutions and by actively monitoring outstanding positions.

We continue to review liquidity sufficiency by performing various stress test scenarios, such as cash flow forecasting which considers hypothetical interest rate movements. Furthermore, we continue to closely monitor current events and the financial institutions that support our credit facility, including monitoring their credit ratings and outlooks, credit default swap levels, capital raising and merger activity.

As of March 31, 2018, we had $778.0 million ($767.1 million, net of discount and issuance costs) of aggregate principal amount indebtedness outstanding under our term loan facility that bears interest at a variable rate. An increase or decrease of 1% in the interest rate will change our interest expense by approximately $7.8 million on an annual basis. We also have up to $250.0 million of borrowing availability, subject to borrowing base availability, under our revolving credit facility, and borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a variable rate. We had no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2018. Assuming that the revolving credit facility is fully drawn, an increase or decrease of 1% in the interest rate will change our interest expense associated with the revolving credit facility by $2.5 million on an annual basis.

Our interest rate risk relates primarily to U.S. dollar borrowings partially offset by U.S. dollar cash investments. We have historically used interest rate derivative instruments to manage our earnings and cash flow exposure to changes in interest rates. On August 17, 2015, we entered into interest rate derivative contracts with various financial institutions having an aggregate notional amount of $400.0 million to convert floating rate debt into fixed rate debt, which we designated as cash flow hedges, and for which we had $400.0 million outstanding as of March 31, 2018. These contracts were effective beginning September 30, 2016 and mature on July 22, 2020.

We conduct various digital development activities in Ireland, and as such, our cash flows and costs are subject to fluctuations from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We manage our exposures to this market risk through the use of short-term foreign exchange forward and option contracts, when deemed appropriate, which were not significant as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. We do not enter into derivative transactions or use other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2018 pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on their evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of March 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, except for the following.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new revenue recognition accounting standard. We have implemented changes to our systems, processes and internal controls as a result of the adoption. These included the development of new policies based on the five-step model provided in the new revenue standard, including capitalization of sales commissions, new training, ongoing contract review requirements, and gathering of information for disclosures.

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in ordinary and routine litigation and matters incidental to our business. Specifically, there have been various settled, pending and threatened litigation that allege we exceeded the print run limitation or other restrictions in licenses granted to us to reproduce photographs in our instructional materials. During 2016, we settled all such pending or actively threatened litigations alleging infringement of copyrights, and made total settlement payments of $10.0 million collectively. We received approximately $4.5 million of insurance recovery proceeds during the first quarter of 2017.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes since the beginning of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. For more information regarding the risks associated with our business and industry, please see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

There were no repurchases of our equity securities in the first quarter of 2018. Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion in aggregate value of our common stock. As of March 31, 2018, there was approximately $482.0 million available for share repurchases under this authorization. The aggregate share repurchase program may be executed through December 31, 2018. Repurchases under the program may be made from time to time in the open market (including under a trading plan) or in privately negotiated transactions. The extent and timing of any such repurchases would generally be at our discretion and subject to market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. Any repurchased shares may be used for general corporate purposes.

Item 6. Exhibits


Exhibit No.		Description

31.1*		Certification of CEO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*		Certification of CFO Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**		Certification of CEO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**		Certification of CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*		XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

*	Filed herewith.

This certification shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section. Furthermore, this certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

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.


	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company (Registrant)

May 3, 2018	By:	/s/ John J. Lynch, Jr.
		John J. Lynch, Jr.
		Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

	Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Company (Registrant)

May 3, 2018	By:	/s/ Joseph P. Abbott, Jr.
		Joseph P. Abbott, Jr.
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)