10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
___________________________________
FORM 10-Q 
___________________________________
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2015
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to            
Commission file number 1-4304
___________________________________
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
___________________________________
 
Delaware
75-0725338
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
6565 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, Texas 75039
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(214) 689-4300
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 ___________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ¨

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

The number of shares outstanding of common stock as of January 5, 2016 was 116,241,485.


COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

2



PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands, except share data)
 
2015
 
2014
Net sales
 
$
1,154,859

 
$
1,679,990

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold
 
997,242

 
1,500,067

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
101,908

 
113,383

Interest expense
 
18,304

 
19,057

 
 
1,117,454

 
1,632,507

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
 
37,405

 
47,483

Income taxes
 
11,772

 
13,218

Earnings from continuing operations
 
25,633

 
34,265

 
 
 
 
 
Loss from discontinued operations before income tax benefit
 
(572
)
 
(2,102
)
Income tax benefit
 
(2
)
 
(21
)
Loss from discontinued operations
 
(570
)
 
(2,081
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
25,063

 
32,184

Less net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
—

 
—

Net earnings attributable to CMC
 
$
25,063

 
$
32,184

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.29

Loss from discontinued operations
 
—

 
(0.02
)
Net earnings
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.27

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.29

Loss from discontinued operations
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.02
)
Net earnings
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.27

 
 
 
 
 
Cash dividends per share
 
$
0.12

 
$
0.12

Average basic shares outstanding
 
116,022,241

 
117,818,170

Average diluted shares outstanding
 
117,339,445

 
118,909,618

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3




COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands)
 
2015

2014
Net earnings
 
$
25,063


$
32,184

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
 



Foreign currency translation adjustment and other
 
(21,995
)

(27,284
)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives:
 





Unrealized holding loss, net of income taxes of $(147) and $(284)
 
(9
)

(525
)
Reclassification for loss (gain) included in net earnings, net of income taxes of $(49) and $26
 
(118
)

39

Net unrealized loss on derivatives, net of income taxes of $(196) and $(258)
 
(127
)

(486
)
Defined benefit obligation:
 





Net gain, net of income taxes of $0 and $4
 
—


8

Amortization of prior services, net of income taxes of $(1) and $1
 
(1
)

(4
)
Defined benefit obligation, net of income taxes of $(1) and $5
 
(1
)

4

Other comprehensive loss
 
(22,123
)

(27,766
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
2,940


$
4,418

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands, except share data)
 
November 30, 2015
 
August 31, 2015
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
637,188

 
$
485,323

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,855 and $9,033)
 
715,030

 
900,619

Inventories, net
 
794,702

 
880,484

Current deferred tax assets
 
4,370

 
3,310

Other current assets
 
93,256

 
93,643

Assets of businesses held for sale
 
14,892

 
17,008

Total current assets
 
2,259,438

 
2,380,387

Property, plant and equipment:
 
 
 
 
Land
 
74,971

 
75,086

Buildings and improvements
 
487,830

 
489,500

Equipment
 
1,650,671

 
1,670,755

Construction in process
 
62,586

 
59,241


 
2,276,058

 
2,294,582

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(1,415,680
)
 
(1,410,932
)

 
860,378

 
883,650

Goodwill
 
66,230

 
66,383

Other noncurrent assets
 
116,661

 
115,168

Total assets
 
$
3,302,707

 
$
3,445,588

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable-trade
 
$
222,228

 
$
260,984

Accounts payable-documentary letters of credit
 
31,723

 
41,473

Accrued expenses and other payables
 
246,238

 
290,677

Notes payable
 
—

 
20,090

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
10,451

 
10,110

Liabilities of businesses held for sale
 
4,379

 
5,276

Total current liabilities
 
515,019

 
628,610

Deferred income taxes
 
51,373

 
55,803

Other long-term liabilities
 
94,727

 
101,919

Long-term debt
 
1,275,410

 
1,277,882

Total liabilities
 
1,936,529

 
2,064,214

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
 
 
 

Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued 129,060,664 shares; outstanding 116,232,191 and 115,635,338 shares
 
1,290

 
1,290

Additional paid-in capital
 
348,695

 
365,863

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(135,658
)
 
(113,535
)
Retained earnings
 
1,384,653

 
1,373,568

Less treasury stock, 12,828,473 and 13,425,326 shares at cost
 
(232,951
)
 
(245,961
)
Stockholders' equity attributable to CMC
 
1,366,029

 
1,381,225

Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
149

 
149

Total stockholders' equity
 
1,366,178

 
1,381,374

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
3,302,707

 
$
3,445,588

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5



COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
25,063

 
$
32,184

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
31,991

 
33,859

Provision for losses on receivables, net
 
2,071

 
(95
)
Stock-based compensation
 
6,266

 
5,728

Amortization of interest rate swaps termination gain
 
(1,899
)
 
(1,899
)
Deferred income taxes
 
(14,058
)
 
(2,908
)
Tax benefit from stock plans
 
(25
)
 
(13
)
Net gain on sales of assets and other
 
(2,830
)
 
(467
)
Write-down of inventories
 
2,657

 
—

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
166,661

 
100,486

Advance payments on sale of accounts receivable programs, net
 
10,678

 
(88,201
)
Inventories
 
78,700

 
(96,656
)
Other assets
 
(3,963
)
 
3,804

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables
 
(76,449
)
 
(61,448
)
Other long-term liabilities
 
(5,290
)
 
(4,270
)
Net cash flows from (used by) operating activities
 
219,573

 
(79,896
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(11,169
)
 
(22,450
)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other
 
2,813

 
882

Proceeds from the sale of subsidiaries
 
—

 
2,845

Net cash flows used by investing activities
 
(8,356
)
 
(18,723
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in documentary letters of credit, net
 
(9,752
)
 
32,410

Short-term borrowings, net change
 
(20,090
)
 
(11,758
)
Repayments on long-term debt
 
(2,909
)
 
(2,444
)
Stock issued under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures
 
(7,628
)
 
(2,981
)
Treasury stock acquired
 
(4,555
)
 
(9,341
)
Cash dividends
 
(13,978
)
 
(14,150
)
Tax benefit from stock plans
 
25

 
13

Decrease in restricted cash
 
1

 
—

Net cash flows used by financing activities
 
(58,886
)
 
(8,251
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(466
)
 
(1,980
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
151,865

 
(108,850
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
485,323

 
434,925

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
637,188

 
$
326,075

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental information:
 
 
 
 
Noncash activities:
 
 
 
 
Change in liabilities related to purchases of property, plant and equipment
 
$
7,562

 
$
5,062

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6



COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
 
Common Stock
Additional
Accumulated
Other
 
Treasury Stock
 Non-
 
(in thousands, except share data)
Number of
Shares
Amount
Paid-In
Capital
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Retained
Earnings
Number of
Shares
Amount
controlling
Interests
Total
Balance, September 1, 2014
129,060,664

$
1,290

$
359,338

$
(19,509
)
$
1,350,070

(11,231,402
)
$
(218,494
)
$
111

$
1,472,806

Net earnings
 
 
 
 
32,184

 
 
 
32,184

Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
(27,766
)
 
 
 
 
(27,766
)
Cash dividends ($0.12 per share)
 
 
 
 
(14,150
)
 
 
 
(14,150
)
Treasury stock acquired
 
 


 
 
(560,493
)
(9,341
)
 
(9,341
)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures
 
 
(11,362
)
 
 
398,042

8,381

 

(2,981
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
8,490

 
 
 
 
 

8,490

Tax benefit from stock plans
 
 
13

 
 
 
 


13

Balance, November 30, 2014
129,060,664

$
1,290

$
356,479

$
(47,275
)
$
1,368,104

(11,393,853
)
$
(219,454
)
$
111

$
1,459,255

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
Additional
Accumulated
Other
 
Treasury Stock
 Non-
 
(in thousands, except share data)
Number of
Shares
Amount
Paid-In
Capital
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Retained
Earnings
Number of
Shares
Amount
controlling
Interests
Total
Balance, September 1, 2015
129,060,664

$
1,290

$
365,863

$
(113,535
)
$
1,373,568

(13,425,326
)
$
(245,961
)
$
149

$
1,381,374

Net earnings
 
 
 
 

25,063

 
 
 
25,063

Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
(22,123
)
 
 
 
 
(22,123
)
Cash dividends ($0.12 per share)
 
 
 
 
(13,978
)
 
 
 
(13,978
)
Treasury stock acquired
 
 
 
 
 
(316,086
)
(4,555
)
 
(4,555
)
Issuance of stock under incentive and purchase plans, net of forfeitures
 
 
(25,193
)
 
 
912,939

17,565

 
(7,628
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
4,965

 
 
 
 
 
4,965

Tax benefit from stock plans
 
 
25

 
 
 
 
 
25

Reclassification of share-based liability awards
 
 
3,035

 
 
 
 
 
3,035

Balance, November 30, 2015
129,060,664

$
1,290

$
348,695

$
(135,658
)
$
1,384,653

(12,828,473
)
$
(232,951
)
$
149

$
1,366,178

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

7




COMMERCIAL METALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting Principles
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") on a basis consistent with that used in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015 filed by Commercial Metals Company ("CMC", and together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, cash flows and stockholders' equity for the periods indicated. These notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. The results of operations for the three month period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Effective September 1, 2015, the Company elected to change its accounting method for valuing its U.S. inventories that used the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method to the weighted average cost method for the Americas Mills, Americas Recycling, and Americas Fabrication segments and to the specific identification method for its steel trading division headquartered in the U.S. in its International Marketing and Distribution segment. At September 1, 2015, 51% of the Company's total net inventories were valued using LIFO. The Company believes the changes are preferable because weighted average cost or specific identification (1) results in better matching of revenues and expenses and better reflects the current value of inventory in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, (2) more closely aligns with the physical flow of these inventories, (3) are the methods the Company uses to monitor the financial results of these segments and this division for operational and financial planning, (4) eliminates the manual LIFO calculation and quarterly LIFO estimation process resulting in greater precision in determining quarterly cost of goods sold and inventory balances and reducing the administrative burden to report inventories because the information systems calculate inventory using the weighted average cost or the specific identification methods, and (5) improves comparability with the Company’s peers. Additionally, the Company believes that the change to using weighted average cost at its Americas segments increases consistency in inventory costing as its International Mill segment currently uses the weighted average cost method. The Company applied this change in accounting principle retrospectively to all prior periods presented herein. The cumulative effect of these accounting changes resulted in a $124.2 million increase in retained earnings as of September 1, 2014.

Also effective September 1, 2015, the Company elected to change its accounting method for valuing its inventories in its International Marketing and Distribution segment, except for its steel trading division headquartered in the U.S., from the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method to the specific identification method. At September 1, 2015, 38% of the Company's total net inventories were valued using the FIFO method. The Company believes the change from FIFO to specific identification is preferable because it (1) results in better matching of revenues with expenses, (2) more closely aligns with the physical flow of these inventories, and (3) is the method the Company uses to monitor the financial results of the segment for operational and financial planning. Because this change in accounting principle was immaterial in all prior periods, it was not applied retrospectively. The change did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended November 30, 2015.


8



As a result of the retrospective application of the change in accounting principle from LIFO to weighted average cost or specific identification, certain financial statement line items in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2015 and its condensed consolidated statement of earnings and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended November 30, 2014 were adjusted as presented below.
(in thousands, except share data)
 
As Originally Reported
Effect of Change
As Adjusted
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the three months ended November 30, 2014:
Cost of goods sold
 
$
1,493,769

$
6,298

$
1,500,067

Income taxes
 
15,447

(2,229
)
13,218

Earnings from continuing operations
38,334

(4,069
)
34,265

Net earnings attributable to CMC
36,253

(4,069
)
32,184

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
$
0.33

$
(0.04
)
$
0.29

Net earnings
 
0.31

(0.04
)
0.27

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
$
0.32

$
(0.03
)
$
0.29

Net earnings
 
0.30

(0.03
)
0.27

 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2015:
Inventories, net
 
$
781,371

$
99,113

$
880,484

Current deferred tax assets
29,137

(25,827
)
3,310

Accrued expenses and other payables
279,415

11,262

290,677

Retained earnings
1,311,544

62,024

1,373,568

 
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended November 30, 2014:
Net earnings
$
36,253

$
(4,069
)
$
32,184

Deferred income taxes
(835
)
(2,073
)
(2,908
)
Inventories working capital change
(102,954
)
6,298

(96,656
)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables working capital change
(61,292
)
(156
)
(61,448
)
The effect of the change in accounting principle is net of the effect of lower of cost or market adjustments.
 
The following table shows the effect of the change in accounting principle from LIFO to weighted average cost or specific identification on earnings from continuing operations, net earnings attributable to CMC and the related basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to CMC for the three months ended November 30, 2015:
(in thousands, except share data)
 
As Computed Under LIFO
As Reported Under New Inventory Costing Methodologies
Effect of Change
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
38,096

$
25,633

$
(12,463
)
Net earnings attributable to CMC
 
37,526

25,063

(12,463
)
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
0.32

$
0.22

$
(0.10
)
Net earnings
 
0.32

0.22

(0.10
)
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share attributable to CMC:
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
0.32

$
0.22

$
(0.10
)
Net earnings
 
0.32

0.21

(0.11
)

9




Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) changing the requirements for reporting discontinued operations if the disposal of a component of an entity, or a group of components of an entity, represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The guidance requires expanded disclosures for discontinued operations and also requires entities to disclose the pre-tax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The guidance changed the Company’s practice of assessing discontinued operations and the presentation and disclosure in the Company’s condensed financial statements. The guidance was adopted on a prospective basis.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company adopted guidance issued by the FASB requiring entities to measure inventory, other than that measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method, at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is defined as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The guidance changes the Company's practice of measuring inventory at the lower of cost or market, which included net realizable value, replacement cost and net realizable value plus normal profit margin. The guidance was adopted on a prospective basis.

In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance requiring deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The requirement that current deferred tax liabilities and assets of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount is not affected by this guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance prospectively in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued guidance requiring the acquirer in a business combination to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. Additionally, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, must be calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the circumstances under which an entity would account for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement as a license of internal-use software. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance requiring an entity to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued guidance modifying the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities. This guidance also eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. Entities may elect to apply this guidance either on a retrospective or a modified retrospective basis. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued guidance eliminating the concept of extraordinary items. Under this guidance an entity will no longer be allowed to separately disclose extraordinary items, net of tax, in the income statement after income from continuing operations if an event or transaction is unusual in nature and occurs infrequently. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance prospectively. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance requiring management to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide disclosures in certain circumstances. The

10



new guidance was issued to reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance providing a measurement alternative to the existing fair value measurement guidance for reporting entities that consolidate a collateralized financing entity in which (1) the financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value except for those incidental financial assets and financial liabilities with their carrying values that approximate fair values and (2) the changes in the fair values of those financial assets and financial liabilities are reflected in earnings. When the measurement alternative is elected, the financial assets and liabilities of a collateralized financing entity will be measured using the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets and the fair value of the financial liabilities. This guidance is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to account for a performance target as a performance condition if the target affects vesting and could be achieved after the requisite service period. The new guidance did not introduce additional disclosure requirements and was issued to resolve diversity in practice. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company currently accounts for such performance targets in a manner consistent with the new guidance and does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance requiring entities to recognize revenue from contracts with customers by applying a five-step model in accordance with the core principle to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, this guidance specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and expands disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. In August 2015, the FASB issued guidance deferring the effective date of this guidance to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein. Entities have the option to adopt this guidance either retrospectively or through a modified retrospective transition method. This new standard will supersede existing revenue guidance and affect the Company's revenue recognition process and the presentations or disclosures of the Company's consolidated financial statements and footnotes. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

11



NOTE 2. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following tables reflect the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI"), net of income taxes:
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 2015
(in thousands)
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
 
Defined Benefit Obligation
 
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance, August 31, 2015
 
$
(113,081
)
 
$
2,305

 
$
(2,759
)
 
$
(113,535
)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
(21,995
)
 
(9
)
 
—

 
(22,004
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
 
—

 
(118
)
 
(1
)
 
(119
)
Net other comprehensive loss
 
(21,995
)
 
(127
)
 
(1
)
 
(22,123
)
Balance, November 30, 2015
 
$
(135,076
)
 
$
2,178

 
$
(2,760
)
 
$
(135,658
)

 
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 2014
(in thousands)
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
 
Defined Benefit Obligation
 
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance, August 31, 2014
 
$
(19,891
)
 
$
3,014

 
$
(2,632
)
 
$
(19,509
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
(27,284
)
 
(525
)
 
8

 
(27,801
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
 
—

 
39

 
(4
)
 
35

Net other comprehensive income (loss)
 
(27,284
)
 
(486
)
 
4

 
(27,766
)
Balance, November 30, 2014
 
$
(47,175
)
 
$
2,528

 
$
(2,628
)
 
$
(47,275
)

The significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the corresponding line items in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings to which the items were reclassified were as follows:
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
Components of AOCI (in thousands)
 
Location
 
2015
 
2014
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives:
 

 


 
 
Commodity
 
Cost of goods sold
 
$
(51
)
 
$
(20
)
Foreign exchange
 
Net sales
 
57

 
—

Foreign exchange
 
Cost of goods sold
 
(8
)
 
(200
)
Foreign exchange
 
SG&A expenses
 
35

 
21

Interest rate
 
Interest expense
 
134

 
134


 

 
167

 
(65
)
Income tax effect
 
Income taxes benefit (expense)
 
(49
)
 
26

Net of income taxes
 

 
$
118

 
$
(39
)
Defined benefit obligation:
 

 


 
 
Amortization of prior services
 
SG&A expenses
 
$
2

 
$
3

Income tax effect
 
Income taxes benefit (expense)
 
(1
)
 
1

Net of income taxes
 

 
$
1

 
$
4

Amounts in parentheses reduce earnings.

12



NOTE 3. SALES OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company entered into a third amended $200.0 million U.S. sale of accounts receivable program which expires on August 15, 2017. Under the program, CMC contributes, and several of its subsidiaries sell without recourse, certain eligible trade accounts receivable to CMC Receivables, Inc. ("CMCRV"), a wholly owned subsidiary of CMC. CMCRV is structured to be a bankruptcy-remote entity and was formed for the sole purpose of buying and selling trade accounts receivable generated by the Company. CMCRV sells the trade accounts receivable in their entirety to three financial institutions. Under the amended U.S. sales of accounts receivable program, with the consent of both CMCRV and the program's administrative agent, the amount advanced by the financial institutions can be increased to a maximum of $300.0 million for all trade accounts receivable sold. The remaining portion of the purchase price of the trade accounts receivable takes the form of subordinated notes from the respective financial institutions. These notes will be satisfied from the ultimate collection of the trade accounts receivable after payment of certain fees and other costs. The Company accounts for sales of the trade accounts receivable as true sales, and the trade accounts receivable balances that are sold are removed from the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The cash advances received are reflected as cash provided by operating activities on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Additionally, the U.S. sale of accounts receivable program contains certain cross-default provisions whereby a termination event could occur if the Company defaulted under certain of its credit arrangements. The covenants contained in the receivables purchase agreement are consistent with the credit facility described in Note 7, Credit Arrangements.

At November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, under its U.S. sale of accounts receivable program, the Company had sold $200.4 million and $274.3 million of trade accounts receivable, respectively, to the financial institutions. At November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, the Company had no advance payments outstanding on the sale of its trade accounts receivable.
 
In addition to the U.S. sale of accounts receivable program described above, the Company's international subsidiaries in Europe and Australia sell trade accounts receivable to financial institutions without recourse. These arrangements constitute true sales, and once the trade accounts receivable are sold, they are no longer available to the Company's creditors in the event of bankruptcy. In the third quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company phased out its existing European program and entered into a two year renewable trade accounts receivable sales program with a different financial institution. The new agreement increased the facility limit from PLN 200.0 million to PLN 220.0 million. The European program allows the Company's European subsidiaries to obtain an advance of up to 90% of eligible trade accounts receivable sold under the terms of the arrangement. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company phased out its existing Australian program and entered into a one year renewable trade accounts receivable sales program with a different financial institution. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company entered into a first amendment to its Australian program, which extended the maturity date to October 2016. Under the new Australian program, trade accounts receivable balances are sold to a special purpose vehicle, which in turn sells 100% of the eligible trade accounts receivable of Commercial Metals Pty. Ltd., CMC Steel Distribution Pty. Ltd. and G.A.M. Steel Pty. Ltd. to the financial institution. In August 2015, the Company entered into a second amendment to its Australian program, which reduced the facility limit from A$75.0 million to A$40.0 million. The financial institution will fund up to the facility limit for all trade accounts receivable sold, and the remaining portion of the purchase price of the trade accounts receivable is in the form of a subordinated note from the financial institution. This note will be satisfied from the ultimate collection of the trade accounts receivable after payment of certain fees and other costs. The Company accounts for sales of the trade accounts receivable as true sales, and the trade accounts receivable balances that are sold are removed from the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The cash advances received are reflected as cash provided by operating activities on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

At November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, under its European and Australian programs, the Company had sold $71.6 million and $97.9 million of trade accounts receivable, respectively, to third-party financial institutions and received advance payments of $38.4 million and $27.7 million, respectively.

During the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, cash proceeds from the U.S. and international sale of accounts receivable programs were $134.6 million and $118.9 million, respectively, and cash payments to the owners of accounts receivable were $123.9 million and $207.1 million, respectively. For a nominal servicing fee, the Company is responsible for servicing the trade accounts receivable for the U.S. and Australian programs. Discounts on U.S. and international sales of trade accounts receivable were $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively, and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

As of November 30, 2015, the deferred purchase price on the Company's U.S., European and Commercial Metals Pty. Ltd. sale of accounts receivable programs was included in accounts receivable on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of August 31, 2015, the deferred purchase price on the Company's U.S., European, Commercial Metals Pty. Ltd. and CMC Steel Distribution Pty. Ltd. sale of accounts receivable programs was included in accounts receivable on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, the deferred purchase price on the G.A.M. Steel Pty.

13



Ltd. sale of accounts receivable programs was included in assets of businesses held for sale on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following tables summarize the activity of the deferred purchase price receivables for the U.S. and international sale of accounts receivable programs:

 
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 2015
(in thousands)
 
Total
 
U.S.
 
Australia*
 
Europe
Beginning balance
 
$
339,547

 
$
269,778

 
$
18,038

 
$
51,731

Transfers of accounts receivable
 
588,419

 
486,523

 
46,074

 
55,822

Collections
 
(699,104
)
 
(560,171
)
 
(48,826
)
 
(90,107
)
Ending balance
 
$
228,862

 
$
196,130

 
$
15,286

 
$
17,446

 
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 2014
(in thousands)
 
Total
 
U.S.
 
Australia*
 
Europe
Beginning balance
 
$
385,169

 
$
329,797

 
$
34,071

 
$
21,301

Transfers of accounts receivable
 
1,128,244

 
949,163

 
90,729

 
88,352

Collections
 
(1,041,573
)
 
(870,640
)
 
(102,424
)
 
(68,509
)
Ending balance
 
$
471,840

 
$
408,320

 
$
22,376

 
$
41,144

                                      
* Includes the sales of accounts receivable activities related to discontinued operations and businesses held for sale (transfers of accounts receivable of $12.3 million and $60.5 million, and collections of $24.9 million and $63.6 million for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively).
NOTE 4. INVENTORIES, NET

As of November 30, 2015, inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. As of August 31, 2015, inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. See Note 1, Accounting Policies, for further discussion of the adoption of the new accounting pronouncement.

Effective September 1, 2015, the Company elected to change its accounting method for valuing all of its inventories that used the LIFO method to either the weighted average or specific identification methods. The Company applied this change in accounting principle retrospectively to all prior periods presented. See Note 1, Accounting Policies, for further disclosures regarding this change in accounting principle.

Additionally, effective September 1, 2015, the Company elected to change its accounting method for valuing all of its inventories in its International Marketing and Distribution segment, except for its steel trading division headquartered in the U.S., from the FIFO method to the specification identification method. Because this change in accounting principle was immaterial in all prior periods, it was not applied retrospectively. The change did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the quarter ended November 30, 2015. See Note 1, Accounting Policies, for further disclosures regarding this change in accounting principle.

The Company determines the inventory cost for its International Mill segment using the weighted average cost method.

At November 30, 2015, 52% of the Company's total net inventories were valued using the weighted average cost method and 48% of the Company's total net inventories were valued using the specification identification method.

The majority of the Company's inventories are in the form of finished goods with minimal work in process. At November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, $47.6 million and $61.5 million, respectively, of the Company's inventories were in the form of raw materials.

14




NOTE 5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table details the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment:
 
 
 
Americas
 
International
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Recycling
 
Mills
 
Fabrication
 
Mill
 
Marketing and Distribution
 
Consolidated
Balance at August 31, 2015
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Goodwill
 
$
9,751

 
$
4,970

 
$
57,637

 
$
2,517

 
$
1,912

 
$
76,787

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
(9,751
)
 
—

 
(493
)
 
(160
)
 
—

 
(10,404
)
 
 
 
—

 
4,970

 
57,144

 
2,357

 
1,912

 
66,383

Foreign currency translation
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(155
)
 
2

 
(153
)
Balance at November 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
9,751

 
4,970

 
57,637

 
2,351

 
1,914

 
76,623

 
Accumulated impairment losses
 
(9,751
)
 
—

 
(493
)
 
(149
)
 
—

 
(10,393
)
 
 
 
$
—

 
$
4,970

 
$
57,144

 
$
2,202

 
$
1,914

 
$
66,230


The total gross carrying amounts of the Company's intangible assets that are subject to amortization were $44.1 million and $47.8 million at November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, respectively, and are included in other noncurrent assets on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. Excluding goodwill, there are no other significant intangible assets with indefinite lives. Intangible amortization expense from continuing operations was $1.1 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
NOTE 6. BUSINESSES HELD FOR SALE, DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
Businesses Held for Sale
As of November 30, 2015, one component of the Australian steel distribution business remained for sale and continued to be classified as held for sale. The components of assets and liabilities of businesses held for sale on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet were as follows:
(in thousands)
 
November 30, 2015
 
August 31, 2015
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
$
3,737

 
$
3,244

Inventories, net
 
9,928

 
12,514

Other current assets
 
—

 
41

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
1,227

 
1,209

Assets of businesses held for sale
 
$
14,892

 
$
17,008

Liabilities:
 


 


Accounts payable-trade
 
$
1,909

 
$
3,011

Accrued expenses and other payables
 
2,470

 
2,265

Liabilities of businesses held for sale
 
$
4,379

 
$
5,276


Discontinued Operations
Despite focused efforts and substantial progress to stabilize and improve the results of the Australian distribution business, the Company determined that achieving acceptable financial returns would take additional time and investment. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company decided to exit and sell its steel distribution business in Australia and determined that this decision met the definition of a discontinued operation. As a result, this business has been presented as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. The expenses associated with exiting this business were not material for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014. The Australian steel distribution business was previously an operating segment included in the International Marketing and Distribution reporting segment.

15




Financial information for discontinued operations was as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Net sales
 
$
11,554

 
$
59,011

Loss from discontinued operations before income tax benefit
 
(572
)
 
(2,102
)

Dispositions

There were no material dispositions during the first quarters of fiscal 2016 or 2015.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company sold all of the outstanding capital stock of our wholly owned copper tube manufacturing operation, Howell Metal Company ("Howell") for $58.5 million, $3.2 million of which was held in escrow as of both November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015.
NOTE 7. CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS

On June 26, 2014, the Company entered into a fourth amended and restated credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") for a revolving credit facility of $350.0 million with a maturity date of June 26, 2019. The maximum availability under the Credit Agreement can be increased to $500.0 million with bank approval. The Company's obligation under its Credit Agreement is secured by its U.S. inventory. The Credit Agreement's capacity includes $50.0 million for the issuance of stand-by letters of credit and was reduced by outstanding stand-by letters of credit which totaled $23.4 million at both November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015.

Under the Credit Agreement, the Company is required to comply with certain financial and non-financial covenants, including covenants to maintain: (i) an interest coverage ratio (consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense, as each is defined in the Credit Agreement) of not less than 2.50 to 1.00 and (ii) a debt to capitalization ratio (consolidated funded debt to total capitalization, as each is defined in the Credit Agreement) that does not exceed 0.60 to 1.00. In addition, beginning on the date three months prior to each maturity date of the Company's 2017 Notes and 2018 Notes and each day thereafter that the 2017 Notes and the 2018 Notes are outstanding, the Company will be required to maintain liquidity of at least $150.0 million in excess of each of the outstanding aggregate principal amounts of the 2017 Notes and 2018 Notes. Loans under the Credit Agreement bear interest based on the Eurocurrency rate, a base rate or the LIBOR rate.

At November 30, 2015, the Company's interest coverage ratio was 4.41 to 1.00, and the Company's debt to capitalization ratio was 0.48 to 1.00. The Company had no amounts drawn under its revolving credit facilities at November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015.

In May 2013, the Company issued $330.0 million of 4.875% Senior Notes due May 15, 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). Interest on these notes is payable semiannually.

In August 2008, the Company issued $500.0 million of 7.35% senior unsecured notes due in August 2018 (the "2018 Notes"). In anticipation of the offering, the Company entered into hedge transactions which reduced the Company's effective interest rate on these notes to 6.40% per annum. Interest on these notes is payable semiannually.

In July 2007, the Company issued $400.0 million of 6.50% senior unsecured notes due in July 2017 (the "2017 Notes"). In anticipation of the offering, the Company entered into hedge transactions which reduced the Company's effective interest rate on these notes to 5.74% per annum. Interest on these notes is payable semiannually.

At November 30, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in its debt agreements.

During fiscal 2012, the Company terminated its existing interest rate swap transactions and received cash proceeds of approximately $52.7 million, net of customary finance charges. The resulting gain was deferred and is being amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining term of the respective debt tranches. At November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, the unamortized amounts were $17.4 million and $19.2 million, respectively. Amortization of the deferred gain for each of the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014 was $1.9 million.


16



The Company has uncommitted credit facilities available from U.S. and international banks. In general, these credit facilities are used to support trade letters of credit (including accounts payable settled under bankers' acceptances), foreign exchange transactions and short-term advances which are priced at market rates.

Long-term debt, including the deferred gain from the termination of the interest rate swaps, was as follows: 
(in thousands)
 
Weighted Average
Interest Rate as of November 30, 2015
 
November 30, 2015
 
August 31, 2015
$330 million notes at 4.875% due May 2023
 
4.875%
 
$
330,000

 
$
330,000

$500 million notes at 7.35% due August 2018
 
6.40%
 
512,524

 
513,680

$400 million notes at 6.50% due July 2017
 
5.74%
 
404,830

 
405,573

Other, including equipment notes
 
 
 
38,507

 
38,739

 
 
 
 
1,285,861

 
1,287,992

Less current maturities
 
 
 
10,451

 
10,110

 
 
 
 
$
1,275,410

 
$
1,277,882

 
Interest on these notes is payable semiannually.

CMC Poland Sp.z.o.o. ("CMCP") has uncommitted credit facilities of $53.2 million with several banks with expiration dates ranging from January 2016 to November 2016. During the three months ended November 30, 2015, CMCP had no borrowings and no repayments under these credit facilities. During the three months ended November 30, 2014, CMCP had total borrowings of $19.0 million and total repayments of $19.0 million under these facilities. At November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, no amounts were outstanding under these credit facilities.

The Company had no material amounts of interest capitalized in the cost of property, plant and equipment during the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014. Cash paid for interest during the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014 was $9.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively.
NOTE 8. DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company's global operations and product lines expose it to risks from fluctuations in metal commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, natural gas prices and interest rates. One objective of the Company's risk management program is to mitigate these risks using derivative instruments. The Company enters into (i) metal commodity futures and forward contracts to mitigate the risk of unanticipated changes in gross margin due to the volatility of the commodities' prices, (ii) foreign currency forward contracts that match the expected settlements for purchases and sales denominated in foreign currencies and (iii) natural gas forward contracts to mitigate the risk of unanticipated changes in operating cost due to the volatility of natural gas prices. When sales commitments to customers include a fixed price freight component, the Company occasionally enters into freight forward contracts to reduce the effects of the volatility of ocean freight rates.

At November 30, 2015, the notional values of the Company's foreign currency contract commitments and its commodity contract commitments were $306.3 million and $33.5 million, respectively. At August 31, 2015, the notional values of the Company's foreign currency contract commitments and its commodity contract commitments were $390.8 million and $37.7 million, respectively.

The following table provides information regarding the Company's commodity contract commitments as of November 30, 2015:
Commodity
 
Long/Short
 
Total
Aluminum
 
Long
 
5,963

 MT
Copper
 
Long
 
702

 MT
Copper
 
Short
 
4,150

 MT
Zinc
 
Long
 
15

 MT
                                      
MT = Metric Ton

The Company designates only those contracts which closely match the terms of the underlying transaction as hedges for accounting purposes. These hedges resulted in substantially no ineffectiveness in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of

17



earnings, and there were no components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014. Certain foreign currency and commodity contracts were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, although management believes they are essential economic hedges.

The following tables summarize activities related to the Company's derivative instruments and hedged items recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings: 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (in thousands)
 
Location
 
2015
 
2014
Commodity
 
Cost of goods sold
 
$
2,172

 
$
3,435

Foreign exchange
 
Net sales
 
—

 
2,436

Foreign exchange
 
Cost of goods sold
 
50

 
1,871

Foreign exchange
 
SG&A expenses
 
5,219

 
12,200

Gain before income taxes
 
 
 
$
7,441

 
$
19,942


The Company's fair value hedges are designated for accounting purposes with the gains or losses on the hedged items offsetting the gains or losses on the related derivative transactions. Hedged items relate to firm commitments on commercial sales and purchases.
Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments (in thousands)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
Location
 
2015
 
2014
Foreign exchange
 
Net sales
 
$
144

 
$
(175
)
Foreign exchange
 
Cost of goods sold
 
(994
)
 
1,154

Gain (loss) before income taxes
 
 
 
$
(850
)
 
$
979


Hedged Items Designated as Fair Value Hedging Instruments (in thousands)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
Location
 
2015
 
2014
Foreign exchange
 
Net sales
 
$
(145
)
 
$
179

Foreign exchange
 
Cost of goods sold
 
994

 
(1,154
)
Gain (loss) before income taxes
 
 
 
$
849

 
$
(975
)

Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Commodity
 
$
(477
)
 
$
(68
)
Foreign exchange
 
468

 
(457
)
Loss, net of income taxes
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(525
)

Effective Portion of Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (in thousands)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
 
Location
 
2015
 
2014
Commodity
 
Cost of goods sold
 
$
(51
)
 
$
(20
)
Foreign exchange
 
Net sales
 
57

 
—

Foreign exchange
 
Cost of goods sold
 
(8
)
 
(200
)
Foreign exchange
 
SG&A expenses
 
35

 
21

Interest rate
 
Interest expense
 
134

 
134

Gain (loss) before income taxes
 
 
 
$
167

 
$
(65
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
 
 
(49
)
 
26

Gain (loss), net of income taxes
 
 
 
$
118

 
$
(39
)


18



The Company enters into derivative agreements that include provisions to allow the set-off of certain amounts. Derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets. The asset and liability balances in the tables below reflect the gross amounts of derivative instruments at November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015. The fair value of the Company's derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows: 
Derivative Assets (in thousands)
 
November 30, 2015
 
August 31, 2015
Commodity — designated for hedge accounting
 
$
—

 
$
19

Commodity — not designated for hedge accounting
 
1,826

 
846

Foreign exchange — designated for hedge accounting
 
645

 
1,500

Foreign exchange — not designated for hedge accounting
 
1,053

 
3,088

Derivative assets (other current assets)*
 
$
3,524

 
$
5,453

 
Derivative Liabilities (in thousands)
 
November 30, 2015
 
August 31, 2015
Commodity — designated for hedge accounting
 
$
739

 
$
129

Commodity — not designated for hedge accounting
 
301

 
537

Foreign exchange — designated for hedge accounting
 
520

 
874

Foreign exchange — not designated for hedge accounting
 
475

 
1,263

Derivative liabilities (accrued expenses and other payables)*
 
$
2,035

 
$
2,803

 _________________ 
* Derivative assets and liabilities do not include the hedged items designated as fair value hedges.

As of November 30, 2015, all of the Company's derivative instruments designated to hedge exposure to the variability in future cash flows of the forecasted transactions will mature within twelve months.

All of the instruments are highly liquid and were not entered into for trading purposes.

19



NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE

The Company has established a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. These levels are determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Levels within the hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets (other than those included in Level 1) which are observable, either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3 - Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

The following tables summarize information regarding the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)
 
November 30, 2015
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets  for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant  Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable  Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market investments(1)
 
$
472,269

 
$
472,269

 
$
—

 
$
—

Commodity derivative assets(2)
 
1,826

 
1,826

 
—

 
—

Foreign exchange derivative assets(2)
 
1,698

 
—

 
1,698

 
—

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivative liabilities(2)
 
1,040

 
301

 
739

 
—

Foreign exchange derivative liabilities(2)
 
995

 
—

 
995

 
—


 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)
 
August 31, 2015
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets  for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant  Other
Observable  Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable  Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market investments(1)
 
$
271,840

 
$
271,840

 
$
—

 
$
—

Commodity derivative assets(2)
 
865

 
846

 
19

 
—

Foreign exchange derivative assets(2)
 
4,588

 
—

 
4,588

 
—

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivative liabilities(2)
 
666

 
537

 
129

 
—

Foreign exchange derivative liabilities(2)
 
2,137

 
—

 
2,137

 
—

 _________________ 
(1) Money market investments are short-term in nature, and the value is determined by broker quoted prices in active markets. The investment portfolio mix can change each period based on the Company's assessment of investment options.

(2) Derivative assets and liabilities classified as Level 1 are commodity futures contracts valued based on quoted market prices in the London Metal Exchange or Commodity Exchange, Inc. Amounts in Level 2 are based on broker quotes in the over-the-counter market. Further discussion regarding the Company's use of derivative instruments and the classification of the assets and liabilities is included in Note 8, Derivatives and Risk Management.

There were no material non-recurring fair value remeasurements during the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


20



The carrying values of the Company's short-term items, including the deferred purchase price of accounts receivable, documentary letters of credit and notes payable, approximate fair value due to their short term nature.

The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are not required to be measured at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
 
 
 
 
November 30, 2015
 
August 31, 2015
(in thousands)
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
$400 million notes at 6.50% due July 2017(1)
 
Level 2
 
$
404,830

 
$
415,474

 
$
405,573

 
$
419,400

$500 million notes at 7.35% due August 2018(1)
 
Level 2
 
512,524

 
535,650

 
513,680

 
530,000

$330 million notes at 4.875% due May 2023(1)
 
Level 2
 
330,000

 
290,400

 
330,000

 
300,630

_________________
(1) The fair values of the 2017 Notes, 2018 Notes and 2023 Notes are estimated based on readily available market prices of these notes at November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, or similar notes with the same maturities, rating and interest rates.
NOTE 10. INCOME TAX

The Company's effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014 was 31.5% and 27.8%, respectively. For the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, the tax rate is lower than the statutory income tax rate of 35% primarily because the Company had income from operations in countries which have lower tax rates than the United States. In addition, the Company benefited under Section 199 of the Internal Revenue Code related to domestic production activity income during the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014. The Company's effective income tax rate from discontinued operations for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014 was 0.4% and 1.0%, respectively. The Company's effective income tax rate from discontinued operations for the three months ended November 30, 2015 reflected the fact that earnings from discontinued operations before income taxes included a loss in Australia, a jurisdiction in which all tax losses created a deferred tax asset that was subject to a full valuation allowance, and thus no tax benefit.

The Company made net payments of $4.7 million and $11.6 million for income taxes during the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of both November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, the reserve for unrecognized income tax benefits related to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes was $27.3 million, exclusive of interest and penalties.

The Company's policy classifies interest recognized on an underpayment of income taxes and any statutory penalties recognized on a tax position as income tax expense, and the balances at the end of a reporting period are recorded as part of the current or noncurrent reserve for uncertain income tax positions. For the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, before any income tax benefits, the Company recorded immaterial amounts of accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized income tax benefits.

During the twelve months ending November 30, 2016, it is reasonably possible that the statute of limitations pertaining to positions taken by the Company in prior year income tax returns may lapse or that income tax audits in various taxing jurisdictions could be finalized. As a result, the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits may decrease by approximately $17.8 million, which would reduce the provision for income taxes by $2.5 million.

The Company files income tax returns in the United States and multiple foreign jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. In the normal course of business, CMC and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. The following is a summary of tax years subject to examination:

U.S. Federal — 2009 and forward
U.S. States — 2009 and forward
Foreign — 2009 and forward

The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state revenue authorities from 2009 to 2011. Management believes the Company's recorded tax liabilities as of November 30, 2015 sufficiently reflect the anticipated outcome of these examinations.

21



NOTE 11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company's stock-based compensation plans are described, and informational disclosures provided, in Note 15, Stock-Based Compensation Plans, to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. During the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, restricted stock units and performance stock units totaling 1.5 million and 1.0 million, respectively, were granted at a weighted-average fair value of $16.02 and $16.08, respectively.

During the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company granted 430,376 and 392,517 equivalent shares, respectively, of performance stock units and restricted stock units accounted for as liability awards. The fair value of these liability awards is remeasured each reporting period and is recognized ratably over the service period. As of November 30, 2015, the Company had 898,584 equivalent shares in liability awards outstanding. The Company expects 853,654 equivalent shares to vest.

In general, the restricted stock units granted during fiscal 2016 and 2015 vest ratably over a period of three years. However, certain restricted stock units granted during fiscal 2015 either vest after a period of three years or vest after a specified service period. One-third of each such award vests on the second anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining two-thirds of each such award vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. In addition, certain restricted stock units granted during fiscal 2014 vest after a specified service period. For each such award, 25% vests on the second anniversary of the grant date; 25% vests on the third anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 50% vests on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. Subject to the achievement of performance targets established by the Compensation Committee of CMC's Board of Directors, the performance stock units granted during fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 will vest after a period of three years.

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014 of $6.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively, was included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
NOTE 12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CMC

The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows: 
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands, except share data)
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to CMC
 
$
25,633

 
$
34,265

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
       Shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
 
116,022,241

 
117,818,170

 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to CMC
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.29

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
       Shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
 
116,022,241

 
117,818,170

 
 
 
 
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
Stock-based incentive/purchase plans
 
1,317,204

 
1,091,448

Shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share
 
117,339,445

 
118,909,618

 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to CMC
 
$
0.22

 
$
0.29

 
 
 
 
 
Anti-dilutive shares not included above
 
818,546

 
672,352

CMC's restricted stock is included in the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding, but is omitted from the basic earnings per share calculation until the shares vest.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, CMC's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $100.0 million of shares of CMC common stock. This new program replaced the existing program, which was terminated by CMC's Board of Directors in connection with the approval of the new program. During the three months

22




ended November 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company purchased 316,086 and 560,493 shares of CMC common stock, respectively, at an average purchase price of $14.41 and $16.67 per share, respectively. The Company had remaining authorization to purchase $53.6 million of common stock at November 30, 2015 pursuant to its share repurchase program.
NOTE 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of conducting its business, the Company becomes involved in litigation, administrative proceedings and governmental investigations, including environmental matters. See Note 18, Commitments and Contingencies, to the consolidated financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.
The Company has received notices from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") or state agencies with similar responsibility that it is considered a potentially responsible party ("PRP") at several sites, none owned by the Company, and may be obligated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA") or similar state statute to conduct remedial investigations, feasibility studies, remediation and/or removal of alleged releases of hazardous substances or to reimburse the EPA for such activities. The Company is involved in litigation or administrative proceedings with regard to several of these sites in which the Company is contesting, or at the appropriate time may contest, its liability at the sites. In addition, the Company has received information requests with regard to other sites which may be under consideration by the EPA as potential CERCLA sites. Some of these environmental matters or other proceedings may result in fines, penalties or judgments being assessed against the Company. At both November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, the Company had $1.0 million accrued for cleanup and remediation costs in connection with CERCLA sites. The estimation process is based on currently available information, which is in many cases preliminary and incomplete. Total environmental liabilities, including CERCLA sites, were $3.8 million and $4.3 million as of November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015, respectively, of which $2.4 million was classified as other long-term liabilities as of both November 30, 2015 and August 31, 2015. Due to evolving remediation technology, changing regulations, possible third-party contributions, the inherent shortcomings of the estimation process and other factors, amounts accrued could vary significantly from amounts paid. Historically, the amounts the Company has ultimately paid for such remediation activities have not been material.
Management believes that adequate provisions have been made in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the potential impact of these contingencies, and that the outcomes of the suits and proceedings described above, and other miscellaneous litigation and proceedings now pending, will not have a material adverse effect on the business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

23



NOTE 14. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company's operating segments engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses and for which discrete financial information is available. Operating results for the operating segments are regularly reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and to assess performance. The Company's chief operating decision maker is identified as the Chief Executive Officer. Operating segments are aggregated for reporting purposes when the operating segments are identified as similar in accordance with the basic principles and aggregation criteria in the accounting standards. The Company's reporting segments are based primarily on product lines and secondarily on geographic area. The reporting segments have different lines of management responsibility as each business requires different marketing strategies and management expertise.

The Company structures its business into the following five reporting segments: Americas Recycling, Americas Mills, Americas Fabrication, International Mill and International Marketing and Distribution. The Americas Recycling segment processes scrap metals for use as a raw material by manufacturers of new metal products. The Americas Mills segment manufactures finished long steel products including reinforcement bar ("rebar"), merchant bar, light structural, some special bar quality ("SBQ") and other special sections as well as semi-finished billets for re-rolling and forging applications. The Americas Fabrication segment consists of the Company's rebar and structural fabrication operations, fence post manufacturing plants, construction-related product facilities and plants that heat-treat steel to strengthen and provide flexibility. The International Mill segment includes the Company's minimill and the Company's recycling and fabrication operations in Poland. The International Marketing and Distribution segment includes international operations for the sale, distribution and processing of steel products, ferrous and nonferrous metals and other industrial products. Additionally, this segment includes the Company's marketing and distribution divisions headquartered in the U.S. and also operates a recycling facility in Singapore. Corporate contains expenses of the Company's corporate headquarters and interest expense related to its long-term debt.

The financial information presented for the International Marketing and Distribution segment excludes the steel distribution business in Australia. These operations have been classified as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. See Note 6, Businesses Held for Sale, Discontinued Operations and Dispositions, for more information.

The Company uses adjusted operating profit (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure, to compare and to evaluate the financial performance of its segments. Adjusted operating profit (loss) is the sum of the Company's earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense and discounts on sales of accounts receivable. Intersegment sales are generally priced at prevailing market prices. Certain corporate administrative expenses are allocated to the segments based upon the nature of the expense. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.


24



The following is a summary of certain financial information from continuing operations by reportable segment:
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 2015
 
 
Americas
 
International
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Recycling
 
Mills
 
Fabrication
 
Mill
 
Marketing and Distribution
 
Corporate
 
Eliminations
 
Continuing Operations
Net sales-unaffiliated customers
 
$
154,836

 
$
217,641

 
$
379,481

 
$
120,448

 
$
280,062

 
$
2,391

 
$
—

 
$
1,154,859

Intersegment sales
 
24,371

 
166,891

 
2,833

 
—

 
2,975

 
—

 
(197,070
)
 
—

Net sales
 
179,207

 
384,532

 
382,314

 
120,448

 
283,037

 
2,391

 
(197,070
)
 
1,154,859

Adjusted operating profit (loss)
 
(6,548
)
 
59,064

 
21,345

 
2,771

 
(2,169
)
 
(18,072
)
 
(330
)
 
56,061

Total Assets as of November 30, 2015*
 
220,683

 
690,262

 
667,239

 
338,995

 
710,651

 
1,203,498

 
(550,372
)
 
3,280,956

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30, 2014
 
 
Americas
 
International
 
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
 
Recycling
 
Mills
 
Fabrication
 
Mill
 
Marketing and Distribution
 
Corporate
 
Eliminations
 
Continuing Operations
Net sales-unaffiliated customers
 
$
269,802

 
$
303,859

 
$
408,237

 
$
177,629

 
$
519,631

 
$
832

 
$
—

 
$
1,679,990

Intersegment sales
 
46,257

 
220,992

 
4,251

 
—

 
18,175

 
—

 
(289,675
)
 
—

Net sales
 
316,059

 
524,851

 
412,488

 
177,629

 
537,806

 
832

 
(289,675
)
 
1,679,990

Adjusted operating profit (loss)
 
(1,952
)
 
72,648

 
(4,181
)
 
4,223

 
16,669

 
(19,611
)
 
(805
)
 
66,991

Total assets as of August 31, 2015*
 
261,676

 
738,669

 
713,860

 
403,706

 
798,914

 
1,049,815

 
(552,577
)
 
3,414,063

                                             
* Excludes total assets from discontinued operations of $21.7 million at November 30, 2015 and $31.5 million at August 31, 2015.

Reconciliations of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted operating profit are provided below:
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
25,633


$
34,265

Income taxes
 
11,772


13,218

Interest expense
 
18,304


19,057

Discounts on sales of accounts receivable
 
352


451

Adjusted operating profit
 
$
56,061


$
66,991

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

In the following discussion, references to "we," "us," "our" or the "Company" mean Commercial Metals Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, which are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. This discussion contains or incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results, based on information available at the time this report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or, with respect to any document incorporated by reference, available at the time that such document was filed with the SEC. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those identified in the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" in this Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the

25




section entitled "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015. We do not undertake any obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, new information or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Effective September 1, 2015, we elected to change the accounting method by which we value our U.S. inventories from the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method of accounting to the weighted average cost method for our Americas Mills, Americas Recycling and Americas Fabrication segments and to the specific identification method for our steel trading division headquartered in the U.S. in our International Marketing and Distribution segment. This change affected 51% of our inventories which were on the LIFO method as of September 1, 2015, and we applied these changes in accounting principle retrospectively to all prior periods presented. As a result of the retrospective application of this change in accounting principle, certain financial statement line items in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2015 and our condensed consolidated statement of earnings and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended November 30, 2014 were adjusted.

Also effective September 1, 2015, we elected to change the accounting method by which we value our inventories in our International Marketing and Distribution segment, except for our steel trading division headquartered in the U.S., from the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method to the specific identification method. At September 1, 2015, 38% of our inventories were on the FIFO method. This change did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements in any prior period. As such, this change in accounting principle was not applied retrospectively.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2016, we adopted guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board requiring entities to measure inventory, other than that measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method, at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is defined as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The guidance was adopted on a prospective basis.

There have been no other material changes to our critical accounting policies as set forth in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2015.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of our results of operations is based on our continuing operations and excludes any results of our discontinued operations.
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Net sales*
 
$
1,154,859

 
$
1,679,990

Adjusted operating profit*+
 
56,061

 
66,991

Earnings from continuing operations
 
25,633

 
34,265

Adjusted EBITDA*+
 
87,700

 
100,123

_______________________________________
* Excludes divisions classified as discontinued operations.
+ Non-GAAP financial measure.

Adjusted Operating Profit

In the table above, we have included financial statement measures that were not derived in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). We use adjusted operating profit to compare and to evaluate the financial performance of our segments. Adjusted operating profit is the sum of our earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, interest expense and discounts on sales of accounts receivable. For added flexibility, we may sell certain trade accounts receivable both in the U.S. and internationally. We consider sales of accounts receivable as an alternative source of liquidity to finance our operations, and we believe that removing these costs provides a clearer perspective of our operating performance. Adjusted operating profit may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.


26



Reconciliations of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted operating profit are provided below:
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
25,633

 
$
34,265

Income taxes
 
11,772

 
13,218

Interest expense
 
18,304

 
19,057

Discounts on sales of accounts receivable
 
352

 
451

Adjusted operating profit
 
$
56,061

 
$
66,991


Adjusted EBITDA

The other non-GAAP financial measure included in the table above is adjusted EBITDA. We use adjusted EBITDA (earnings from continuing operations before net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and impairment charges) as a non-GAAP financial measure. There were no net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests and no impairment charges during the three months ended November 30, 2015 and 2014. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings or as a better measure of liquidity than net cash flows from operating activities, as determined by GAAP. However, we believe that adjusted EBITDA provides relevant and useful information, which is often used by analysts, creditors and other interested parties in our industry. In calculating adjusted EBITDA, we exclude our largest recurring non-cash charge, depreciation and amortization, as well as impairment charges, which are also non-cash. Adjusted EBITDA provides a core operational performance measurement that compares results without the need to adjust for federal, state and local taxes which have considerable variation between U.S. jurisdictions. Tax regulations in international operations add additional complexity. We also exclude interest cost in our calculation of adjusted EBITDA. The results are, therefore, without consideration of financing alternatives of capital employed. Adjusted EBITDA is part of a debt compliance test in certain of our debt agreements and is the target benchmark for our annual and long-term cash incentive performance plans for management. Adjusted EBITDA may be inconsistent with similar measures presented by other companies.

Reconciliations of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA are provided below:
 
 
Three Months Ended November 30,
(in thousands)
 
2015
 
2014
Earnings from continuing operations