Table of Contents

     
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
TANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152018
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 001-34806
QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin 39-1152983
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
N61 W23044 Harry'sHarry’s Way, Sussex, Wisconsin 53089-3995 (414) 566-6000
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (Registrant'sRegistrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.025 per share The New York Stock Exchange, LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ¨  No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ¨  No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No ¨
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 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant'sregistrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large“large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer"” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "smaller reporting company"“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ox
 
Accelerated filer xo
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Emerging growth company o
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 Act).  Yes ¨  No x
The aggregate market value of the class A common stock (based on the closing price of $18.51$20.83 per share on the New York Stock Exchange, LLC) on June 30, 2015,29, 2018, the last business day of the registrant'sregistrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, held by non-affiliates was $533,245,927.$631,416,217. The registrant'sregistrant’s class B common stock is not listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an organized over-the-counter market, but each share of the registrant'sregistrant’s class B common stock is convertible into one share of the registrant'sregistrant’s class A common stock.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer'sissuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
Class Outstanding as of February 18, 2016
11, 2019
Class A Common Stock 35,727,01838,374,368
Class B Common Stock 14,198,46413,556,858
Class C Common Stock 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the registrant's 2016registrant’s 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
     



QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
FORM 10-K INDEX
For the Year Ended December 31, 20152018

  Page No.
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Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent any statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the objectives, goals, strategies, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates, prospects, projections and outlook of Quad/Graphics, Inc. (the "Company"“Company” or "Quad/Graphics"“Quad”), and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "foresee," "believe"“may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “foresee,” “believe” or "continue"“continue” or the negatives of these terms, variations on them and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. These risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Among risks, uncertainties and other factors that may impact Quad/GraphicsQuad are those described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk“Risk Factors," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as such may be amended or supplemented in Part II, Item 1A, "Risk“Risk Factors," of the Company'sCompany’s subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and the following:

The impact of decreasing demand for printed materials and significant overcapacity in thea highly competitive commercial printing industryenvironment creates downward pricing pressures;

The inabilitypressures and potential under-utilization of the Company to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency rapidly enough to meet market conditions;assets;

The impact of electronicdigital media and similar technological changes, including digital substitution by consumers;

The impact of changing future economic conditions;

The impact of the various covenants in the Company's debt facilities that impose restrictions may affect the Company's ability to operate its business;

The failure of clients to perform under contracts or to renew contracts with clients on favorable terms or at all;

The impact of fluctuations in costs (including labor and labor-related costs, energy costs, freight rates and raw materials) and the impact of fluctuations in the availability of raw materials;

The impact of changes in postal rates, service levels or regulations;

The failure to successfully identify, manage, complete and integrate acquisitions and investments;investments, including the proposed acquisition of LSC Communications, Inc. (“LSC”);

The inability of the Company to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency rapidly enough to meet market conditions;

The impact of increased business complexity as a result of the Company's entry into additional markets;Company’s transformation to a marketing solutions provider;

The impact of regulatory matters and legislative developments or changes in laws, including changes in cyber-security, privacy and environmental laws;

The impact of changing future economic conditions;

The failure of clients to perform under contracts or to renew contracts with clients on favorable terms or at all;

The failure to attract and retain qualified talent across the enterprise;

Significant capital expenditures may be needed to maintain the Company’s platforms and processes and to remain technologically and economically competitive;

The impact of changes in postal rates, service levels or regulations;

The fragility and decline in overall distribution channels, including newspaper distribution channels;

The impact of the various restrictive covenants in the Company’s debt facilities on the Company’s ability to operate its business;

The impact of risks associated with the operations outside of the United States (“U.S.”), including costs incurred or reputational damage suffered due to improper conduct of its employees, contractors or agents;

The impact on the holders of Quad’s class A common stock of a limited active market for such shares and the inability to independently elect directors or control decisions due to the voting power of the class B common stock;

The impact of an other than temporary decline in operating results and enterprise value that could lead to non-cash impairment charges due to the impairment of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets;

The impact on the holders of Quad/Graphics' class A common stock of a limited active market for such shares and the inability to independently elect directors or control decisions due to the voting power of the class B common stock;

Significant capital expenditures may be needed to maintain the Company's platform and processes and to remain technologically and economically competitive;assets; and

The impactimpacts that the proposed acquisition of risks associated withLSC may have on the operations outsideCompany, both prior to and following consummation of the United States, including costs incurred or reputational damage suffered due to improper conduct of its employees, contractors or agents.that acquisition.

Quad/GraphicsQuad cautions that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not exhaustive and you should carefully consider the other factors detailed from time to time in Quad/Graphics'Quad’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"(“SEC”) and other uncertainties and potential events when reviewing the Company'sCompany’s forward-looking statements.

Because forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Except to the extent required by the federal securities laws, Quad/GraphicsQuad undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



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PART I

Item 1.Business

Overview

At the forefront of innovationAs a worldwide marketing solutions partner dedicated to creating a better way, Quad uses its data-driven, integrated marketing solutions platform to help clients reduce complexity, increase efficiency and enhance marketing spend effectiveness. Quad provides its clients with unmatched scale for 45 years, Quad/Graphics is a leading printclient on-site services and expanded subject expertise in marketing strategy, creative solutions, media deployment and marketing services provider focused on helping brand owners market their products, services and content more efficiently and effectively across media channels. The Company was founded in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, as a Wisconsin corporation, in 1971 by the late Harry V. Quadracci. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had approximately 22,500 full-time equivalent employees in North America, South America and Europe, and served a diverse base of approximately 9,400 clients from 161 facilities located in 17 countries, as well as strategic investments in printing operations in Brazil and India.

management services. With a consultativeclient-centric approach, worldwide capabilities,that drives its expanded offering, combined with leading-edge technology and single-source simplicity, the Company believes it has the resources and knowledge to help a wide variety of clients in multiple vertical industries, including but not limited to, retail, publishing healthcare, insurance and financial. Quad/Graphics creates value for its clients by helping them perform better in today's rapidly changing world through the integration of print products with complementary services to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, create engagement, lift response and increase revenue.healthcare.

To better serveQuad was founded in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, as a Wisconsin corporation, in 1971 by the evolving needslate Harry V. Quadracci. As of marketers and publishers in today's multimedia world, Quad/Graphics streamlined its United States organizational structure in 2015 by consolidating several print product lines into two main sales groups—Marketing Solutions and Publishing Solutions. TheFebruary 11, 2019, the Quadracci family, through the Quad Voting Trust, has voting control of approximately 72%, which the Company believes that this streamlined approach will better alignprovides it with continued stability and flexibility as Quad works to achieve its offerings with its clients' expanding integrated marketinglong-term strategic vision. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately 20,600 full-time equivalent employees in North America, South America, Europe and publishing needsAsia, and help drive future innovation. The Company usesserved a consultative approach to tailor the Company's wide rangediverse base of print products and complementary services to the unique characteristics of each vertical industry it serves. These products and services include:

Print. Including retail inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, books, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global paper procurement.

Logistics. Including mailing solutions, postal consultation, delivery optimization and hygiene services, delivery monitoring and tracking,approximately 6,100 clients. Quad locations span 15 countries, including 60 manufacturing and distribution logisticsfacilities and transportation services.

Digital. Including email, social, mobile (activated print, apps, websites), digital publishingmore than 60 client-based marketing on-site locations, with additional investments in printing operations in Brazil and beacon technology.

Strategy. Including brand, campaign, and media planning and placement.

Data. Including data insights, segmentation and response analysis.

Creative. Including concept and design, page layout and production, copywriting, photography, retouching, mobile, video production and optimization.

Workflow. Including content management, process management, production and facilities management services, color management, and digital file processing and proofing.



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Quad/Graphics proudly partners with leading marketers, brand owners and publishers:

Leading marketers and brand owners include American Eagle Outfitters, American Girl, Best Buy Co., Inc., Bluestem Brands, Charter Communications, Colony Brands, ConAgra Foods, Inc., CVS Health Corporation, Eddie Bauer LLC, Hanesbrands, Inc., Menards, Inc., Mylan N.V., Publishers Clearing House, Inc., Publix Super Markets, Inc., Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., Tractor Supply Company, Walgreen Co., and Weight Watchers International, Inc.

Leading publishers include Condé Nast, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, Hearst Magazines, hibu plc, McGraw-Hill Education, Meredith Corporation, National Geographic Partners LLC, Rodale Inc., Simon & Schuster, Inc., TEN: The Enthusiast Network LLC, Time Inc., Wenner Media LLC, Yellow Pages Digital and Media Solutions Limited.India.

The Company benefits from consistent executive leadership who is committedon a transformative journey that it describes in evolutions. Each new evolution expands the Company’s offerings to transforming the Company to remain relevant and competitive, and create enhanced value for shareholders. The Company refers to its transformative journey in chapters. The Company's first chapter coversclients. Quad 1.0 covered a period of tremendous organic growth that began with its founding in 1971 and concluded in 2010. The Company views1971. During this chapter as a 40-year period of building a strong and lasting foundation in which Quad/Graphics established the Company's culture based on strong values that are still in place today. During this period, the Company grew rapidly through greenfield growth;growth, built a premier manufacturing and distribution platform equipped with the latest technology; andtechnology, established its reputation as one of the industry'sprinting industry’s foremost innovators. When chapter one culminatedinnovators and created a Company culture based on strong values that remains in 2010, Quad/Graphics had grown from a tiny upstart into a $1.8 billion global provider of print and media solutions with approximately 11,600 employees in the United States, South America and Europe operating 11 domestic plants, plus international locations in Poland, Argentina and Brazil.place today.

Quad/Graphics' second chapterQuad 2.0 began in 2010 and continues today. The Company's second chapter relates to itstoday with Quad’s ongoing role as a disciplined print industry consolidator. Quad/GraphicsQuad saw an opportunity to start participatingparticipate in industry consolidation in response to economic and industry pressures following the great recession of 2008 and 2009, which severely impacted volumes. Atprint volumes and accelerated the same time, digital and mobile content delivery methods cameimpact of age as consumers rushed to adopt new technologies, creating confusion for marketers on how to use print in combination with other channels as part ofmedia disruption. Through a multimedia campaign. This created an opportunity for Quad/Graphics—with manufacturing and distribution economies of scale, a strong balance sheet and access to capital markets—to take advantageseries of consolidating acquisition opportunities in order to reduce costs and address overcapacity in the industry.

The Company completed a number of value-driven industry consolidation opportunities in recent years, including the July 2010 acquisition ofacquisitions that included World Color Press, Inc. ("(“World Color Press"Press”), which was a transformative event in the Company's history, as it significantly enhanced Quad/Graphics' size, range of product and service offerings, and overall industry presence. At this time, Quad/Graphics class A common stock began to trade on The New York Stock Exchange, LLC ("NYSE") under the symbol "QUAD." Other consolidating acquisitions have included Vertis Holdings Inc. ("Vertis") in January 2013 and Brown Printing Company, ("Brown Printing") in May 2014 as well as the asset swap with Transcontinental Inc. ("Transcontinental") in 2011. Through each of these acquisitions, the Company added experienced talent and was able to enhance orand expand its product and service offerings, while removing inefficient and underutilized capacity, pulling out costs and transitioning work to the mostmore efficient facilities. This includes maximizing capacity utilization atperiod of consolidation created the Company's mostadvanced, highly automated and efficient flexiblemanufacturing and modern mega plant facilities (facilities greater than 1.0 million square feet) that Quad/Graphics built and maintained during chapter one ofdistribution platform the Company's transformative journey, as well as plants that were acquired in which Quad/Graphics continues to make strategic investments.Company has today.

As theThe Company transitions from chapter two to chapter three, Quad/Graphics continues to strengthen its core product lines and make the necessary adjustments to quickly respond to ongoing industry pressures, with the goal in chapter three to be the industry's high-quality, low-cost producer to position the Company to take advantage of transformational opportunities. In chapter three, Quad/Graphicsbelieves it will continue to invest in waysdrive productivity improvements into the future through an engaged workforce and ongoing adoption of the latest manufacturing automation and technology. Through this strategy, the Company believes it can maintain the strongest, most efficient print manufacturing platform and remain the high-quality, low-cost producer. This strategy also allows Quad to automategenerate the earnings and streamline process and workflowscash flow necessary to better servesupport future value-creating opportunities that fuel Quad 3.0.

Quad 3.0 evolved when significant media disruption created the opportunity for Quad to create greater value for its clients improve efficienciesby extending its offering beyond print and reduce costs. Additionally, with a strategic account focus in key vertical industries,content execution to include an integrated stack of marketing services. In Quad 3.0, the Company intends to leverageleverages its extensive relationships with more than 9,400 companies to further develop and grow innovative and complementary products anddata-driven print expertise as part of an integrated marketing services. The Company believes these products and services will helpsolutions platform that helps its clients drive improved performancenot only plan and Return Onproduce marketing programs, but also deploy, manage and measure them across all traditional and digital channels. In February 2019, the Company announced that it is evolving its brand from Quad/Graphics to Quad to reflect the role it now plays with clients as a marketing solutions partner.



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Investment ("ROI") on their total marketing spend in two distinct ways: first, through helping them market their products and content more effectively across multiple media channels to increase revenue, and second, through improving efficiencies and speed to market through reducing the overall production and distribution costs.

In support of Quad/Graphics' chapter three transformational growth strategy, the Company built upon its strength in printing, supply chain management and logistics, and in 2015 expanded its packaging, in-store promotions and marketing services offering. This expansion also supports the Company's strategic selling approach to the retail industry—a key vertical market for the Company that includes brick and mortar, electronic retail and brand owners—while also allowing the Company to develop its offerings in growth markets. For example, with the acquisition of Wisconsin-based Proteus Packaging ("Proteus") in 2013, the Company entered the high-end paperboard packaging market, including automotive, biotechnology, food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals, software and electronics. In addition, on April 14, 2015, Quad/Graphics completed the acquisition of Copac Global Packaging, Inc. ("Copac,") a leading international provider of innovative packaging and supply chain solutions, including turnkey packaging design, production and fulfillment services across a range of end markets. Copac has production facilities in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and strategically sources packaging product manufacturing over multiple end markets in Central America and Asia, giving it a global footprint. Copac manufactures products such as folding cartons, labels, inserts, tags and specialty envelopes in vertical industries including apparel, consumer products, tobacco, healthcare, food and beverage. The Company continued to expand in the packaging market with the acquisition of Specialty Finishing, Inc. ("Specialty") on August 25, 2015. Specialty is a full-service paperboard folding carton manufacturer and logistics provider located in Omaha, Nebraska, which serves a variety of vertical industries including food, pharmaceutical and industrial supplies. Upon the completion of the Specialty acquisition, the Company rebranded its newly formed division as QuadPackaging to take advantage of this growing market segment. Given its increased scale, vertical expertise and geographic footprint, QuadPackaging is now positioned to compete for large-volume or multi-location clients in a diverse range of vertical industries across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Central and South America.

In 2015, Quad/Graphics announced the expansion of its existing BlueSoho business, expanding its marketing agency solutions offering into campaign development, shopper activation and mobile/digital programming. The Company believes that BlueSoho will play an important role in defining its path forward in chapter three as it is now uniquely capable of orchestrating cross-media programs that turn shoppers into buyers and buyers into loyal brand advocates. The expanding service set is now comprised of local promotional strategy, conceptual design, media planning and buying, creative development, production services, marketplace deployment and program measurement. This strategic repositioning of BlueSoho as an independent brand enables Quad/Graphics to capture new business, especially among brand owners who understand the benefits of fully orchestrated media execution and actionable brand experiences—from campaign development through all forms of media activation.

As part of the Company's focus on in-store promotion growth opportunities, Quad/Graphics announced the acquisition of Marin's International, S.A. ("Marin's") on February 3, 2015. Marin's is a worldwide leader in the point-of-sale display industry. Marin's specializes in the research and design of display solutions, and uses its own European-based sales force as well as a network of global licensees, including Quad/Graphics, to sell its patented product portfolio. Marin's enhances Quad/Graphics' existing in-store and large-format marketing promotions and, combined with the power of BlueSoho, Marin's will help the Company expand its ability to help retailers and brand marketers promote their brands as part of a global campaign.



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As Quad/Graphics continues on its path forward, the Company remains focused on its five primary strategic goals that support its objective to be the industry's high-quality, low-cost producer to position the Company to take advantage of transformational opportunities and drive improved performance through innovation for its clients. The Company believes these goals will allow it to be successful despite ongoing industry challenges. These strategic goals are described in the "Strategy" section of this document and include the following:

1.Strengthen the core;

2.Grow the business profitably;

3.Walk in the shoes of our clients;

4.Engage employees; and

5.Enhance financial strength and create shareholder value.

More information regarding Quad/GraphicsQuad is available on the Company'sCompany’s website at www.QG.com. Quad/Graphicswww.QUAD.com. Quad is not including the information contained on or available through its website as part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are made available to the public at no charge through a link appearing on the Company'sInvestor Relations section of the Company’s website. Quad/GraphicsQuad provides access to such materials through its website as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the SEC.

Industry and Competition

According to a December 2018 Dun & Bradstreet First Research report, the U.S. advertising services industry is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 4% between 2018 and 2022, as compared to the printing industry which is in secular decline. This opportunity for growth supports Quad’s 3.0 transformation and a review of both the marketing services and printing industries is set forth below.

The marketing services industry is highly fragmented. According to the December 2018 Dun & Bradstreet First Research report, the top 50 companies in the U.S. advertising and marketing services industry generate less than 40% of industry revenue. Services in this industry include advertising for print, broadcast and online media (about 25% of industry sales); public relations (12%); and direct marketing (10%). Other services include display advertising, media buying (reselling advertising time or space), and media representation (selling advertising time or space on behalf of media outlet owners). The U.S. advertising and marketing services industry includes about 38,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies), with combined annual revenue of about $100 billion.

The global commercial printingprint industry is made up of companies whose capabilities include commercial lithographic printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, screen printing, quick printing, digital printing, business form printing, prepress services that include adjusting images and text and creating high-quality print files, and postpress services, including trade binding.also highly fragmented. According to the April 2015 Global Commercial Printing IBISWorld industry report, the global commercial printing industry generates an estimated $708 billion in annual revenue and has a low level of market share concentration with the four largest players (which includes Quad/Graphics) in the industry accounting for approximately 5% of annual industry revenue.

Quad/Graphics operates primarily in the commercial print portion of the printing industry. According to the October 2015September 2018 Printing in the U.S. IBISWorld industry report, the United States commercial printing industry, in the aggregate, generates an estimated $82$76 billion in annual revenue, employs more than 435,000 employeesover 430,000 people and is comprised of approximately 45,000 companies. 48,000 companies. The commercialreport also states that no printing industry is also highly fragmented, with the four largest printing companies (which includes Quad/Graphics) accountingcompany accounts for lessmore than 20%5% of total commercial print industry annual revenue in the United States. Although there has been significant industry consolidation, particularly in the past decade, the largest 400 U.S. printers in the printing industry still only represent approximately just over half of the total industry revenue in the United States,U.S., according to the December 2015 2018 Printing Impressions PI400.PI400 rankings.

AccordingIn addition to the October 2015 Printingbeing highly fragmented, competition in the U.S. IBISWorldprinting industry report, the commercial print industry in the United States services markets including advertising, publishing, retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, stationeryremains intense, and textile manufacturers, financial and legal firms, and wholesalers with capabilities that include the following:

Commercial Lithographic Printing. Commercial lithographic printing accounts for approximately 55% of industry revenue with primary end uses including advertising, publications, periodicals, catalogs, directories, financial and legal printing, and labels and wrappers.

Commercial Screen Printing. Commercial screen printing accounts for approximately 9% of industry revenue and derives its revenue from printing on apparel in addition to revenue from advertisers, label printing, and printing decals.


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Commercial Flexographic Printing. Commercial flexographic printing accounts for approximately 8% of industry revenue and is mainly used for packaging, labels and wrappers.

Digital Printing. Digital printing accounts for approximately 7% of industry revenue and, since it does not require printing plates and requires less initial setup than many of the other forms of commercial printing, it is very cost effective for small print runs.

Book Printing. Book printing accounts for approximately 5% of industry revenue and involves printing and binding books and pamphlets.

Commercial Gravure Printing. Commercial gravure printing accounts for approximately 4% of industry revenue with primary end uses including advertising, catalogs, directories, publications, periodicals, stationery, and labels.

Quick Printing. Quick printing accounts for approximately 3% of industry revenue and is primarily a business-to-business service that is characterized by its short-run printing and fast copying speeds.

Other Printing. Other printing accounts for approximately 9% of industry revenue and includes printing blank books, loose leaf binders and business forms.

Demand for printed products and related services is affected by real gross domestic product growth, as economic activity and advertising spending are key drivers of consumer demand. In times of global economic uncertainty, advertisers may reduce spending. Magazine publishers, facing diminished advertising pages, reduce total page counts; catalog marketers reduce page counts, circulation and the frequency of print campaigns; retailers curb investments in store inventory and cut back on retail insert circulation and advertising; and other advertisers reduce their direct mail volume, particularly in the banking, insurance, credit card, real estate and nonprofit industries. In addition, the Company believes that there are indicators of heightened competitive pressures. The industry has excess manufacturing capacity created by continued declines in industry volumes which, in turn, have created accelerated downward pricing pressures. The Company faces competition due to the increased accessibility and quality of digital alternatives to traditional delivery of printed documents through the online distribution and hosting of media content, and the digital distribution of documents and data. The Company faces competition from print management and marketing consulting firms that look to streamline processes and reduce the overall print spend of the Company’s clients.

The commercial print industry has moved toward a demand for shorter print runs, faster product turnaround and increased production efficiency of products with lower page counts and increasingincreased complexity. This, combined with increases in postage expenses (which significantly outpaced inflation over the last ten years) and the increased use of alternative digital marketing technologies haveand communication channels, has led to excess manufacturing capacity in the industry and thisprint industry. This excess capacity has allowed forcertain larger printers, like Quad, with economies of scale, strong balance sheets and access to capital markets, the ability to installinvest in automation and more efficient equipment, take advantage of consolidating acquisition opportunities to remove excess, inefficient and/or underutilized capacity, and reduce overall costs.

Quad/Graphics

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Competition in both the marketing services and print industries is affected by real gross domestic product growth, as economic activity and advertising spending are key drivers of consumer demand. In times of economic prosperity, advertisers may increase spending to build brand awareness and to drive sales. Conversely, in times of global economic uncertainty and budget pressures, advertisers may reduce spending or shift their spending to other forms of media. For print specifically, magazine publishers that face diminished advertising pages reduce total page counts; catalog marketers reduce page counts, circulation and frequency of print campaigns; retailers curb investments in store inventory and cut back on retail insert newspaper circulation and advertising; and other advertisers reduce their direct mail volume, particularly in the banking, insurance, credit card, real estate and nonprofit industries. It is possible that these customers instead decide to move advertising spend to digital alternatives.

Marketing services providers face pressure to satisfy major clients’ needs, as the win or loss of a major client account can impact revenue significantly. Another challenge facing marketing service providers relates to public concern and general annoyance with advertising methods. For example, data collection of personal information for marketing purposes is an issue under scrutiny from federal legislation, and marketing service providers are facing future restrictions on certain types of data they collect. In Europe, the European Union already has been enforcing data protection through the General Data Protection Regulations.

The Company faces competition in the advertising and marketing services industry based on access to a skilled workforce, pricing, adapting quickly to new technology, creating unique and effective campaigns and offering superior customer service. Across Quad’s range of printed products, competition is based on total price of printing, materials and distribution; quality; distribution capabilities; customer service; access to a highly skilled workforce; availability to schedule work on appropriate equipment; on-time production and delivery; and state-of-the-art technology to meet a client’s business objectives, including the ability to adopt new technology quickly.

As consumer media consumption habits change, marketing services providers face increased demand to offer end-to-end marketing services, from strategy and creative through execution, across all channels, traditional and digital. As new marketing and advertising channels emerge, marketing services providers must expand their services beyond traditional channels, such as for television, newspapers, print publications and radio, to digital channels, such as mobile, internet search, internet display and video, to create effective multichannel campaigns for their clients.

Quad believes that traditional business users of print and print-related services are focused on generating and tracking the highest returns on their marketing spend. Quad believes it is well positioned to help clients achieve greater process efficiencies and marketing spend effectiveness through data-driven integrated marketing solutions. The Company believes that its clients receive the greatest return on their marketing and advertising dollarsspend when they effectively usestart with a strong marketing strategy that uses print in combination with other media channels, informed by customer data, to target the appropriate customerscreate targeted and combine digital alternatives with customized print products in a targeted, cross-channelrelevant multichannel marketing campaign driven by an overall marketing strategy. Quad/Graphics believes it is well positioned to help its clients navigate through this changing media landscape and create innovative ways to connect print with digital channels.campaigns.

Finally, the Company believes that successful commercial printing companies will invest in mailing and logistics capabilities because, for many clients, mailing and distribution represent their largest cost—typically two to three times the cost of their print expense. Therefore, Quad/Graphics believes a printer's ability to impact mailing and distribution expenses through data hygiene solutions and sophisticated, automated printing, finishing and distribution equipment creates value for clients by minimizing their total manufacturing and distribution cost.



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Seasonality

The CompanyQuad is subject to seasonality in its quarterly results as net sales and operating income are higher in the third and fourth quarters of the calendar year as compared to the first and second quarters. The fourth quarter is typically the highest seasonal quarter for cash flows from operating activities and Free Cash Flow due to the reduction of working capital requirements that reach peak levels during the third quarter. Seasonality is driven by increased magazine advertising page counts, retail inserts, catalogs and books primarily due to back-to-school and holiday-related advertising and promotions. The Company expects this seasonality impact to continue in future years.

Strategy

As Quad/Graphics continues onQuad believes employee pride, combined with a relentless quest to create a better way, builds the opportunity to invent the future as a preferred marketing solutions partner, helping its path forward, the Companyclients win every day. To accomplish this vision, Quad remains focused on its five primaryconsistent strategic goalspriorities as follows:



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Walk in the Shoes of Clients

The Company encourages all employees, regardless of job title, to walk in the shoes of clients by putting a priority on listening to clients’ needs and challenges, doing what they can to make it easy to work with Quad, and making the client experience enjoyable at every touchpoint. In Quad 3.0, the Company is focused on evolving client print-production conversations to conversations encompassing consultative, enterprise-wide solutions that supportwill create more value for clients. To accomplish this, a key component of Quad’s client-facing strategy is to strengthen relationships at higher levels within a client’s organization so the Company can better understand, anticipate and satisfy the organization’s needs. In Quad 3.0, Quad seeks to become an invaluable strategic marketing partner for its objectiveclients, helping them successfully navigate today’s constantly evolving media landscape through innovative data-driven solutions, produced and deployed across multiple media channels. The Company also believes its proactive thought leadership in the key issues facing its clients, including data-driven marketing and postal reform, will foster loyalty to be the industry's high-quality, low-cost producerQuad brand.

Grow the Business Profitably

This strategy centers on Quad’s ability to fuel transformative growthgrow its business at a time when significant media disruption and drive improved performance through innovation forprint industry headwinds continue. Key components of this strategy are as follows:

Quad 3.0, in which the Company serves as a comprehensive marketing solution partner to its clients. The Company believes its integrated end-to-end marketing solutions platform will create more value than the following goalstraditional agency approach that operates in silos and is focused on profit by media channel. Quad’s integrated marketing solutions platform removes the complexity Quad’s clients’ face when working with multiple agency partners, providing a streamlined and simplified approach to help them achieve their marketing goals. In doing so, the Company believes it will allow itincrease client efficiencies through workflow re-engineering, content production and process optimization; and improve their client’s overall marketing spend effectiveness through customer insights and analytics, creative services and enhanced personalization leading to be successful despite ongoing industry challenges:more real-time and actionable measurement.

1.Strengthen the Core
Organic growth, in which the Company leverages knowledge from existing client relationships in key growth vertical industries to develop complementary products and services that help brand owners market more efficiently and effectively across media channels. Quad is also focused on ensuring it has the right talent in the right positions to facilitate strategic marketing conversations with its clients that lead to a better understanding of their needs, developing tailored solutions and growing market share.

Quad/Graphics
Disciplined acquisitions, that take many different forms. For example, the Company intends to continue to pursue value-driven industry consolidating acquisitions as well as acquisitions and investments that help accelerate the Company’s transformation in Quad 3.0, such as the proposed acquisition of LSC.

Strengthen the Core

Quad uses a disciplined return on capital framework and historically has made significant investments in its print manufacturing platform and data management capabilities that have resulted in what it believes is one of the most integrated, automated, efficient, innovative and modern manufacturing platformsplatform and distribution network in the printing industry. Core or foundational print product lines at Quad/Graphics include retail inserts, publications, catalogs, books and directories, as they represent a large percentage of the Company's revenue. The Company's disciplinedCompany’s continued focus on maintaining the strength ofto strengthen its core product lines,manufacturing platform through investments tothat streamline, automate and improve efficiencies and throughput, while reducing labor costs, promotes sustainable cash flow and continued value creation. AFurther, Quad’s disciplined culture of holistic Continuous Improvement and commitment to Lean Enterprise and a disciplined culture of continuous process improvementManufacturing methodologies is a high priority throughout the Company and supports its goal of strengthening the production and distribution functions for core product lines to beso that Quad can remain the industry'sprinting industry’s high-quality, low-cost producer.

Quad/Graphics believes that its national distribution network is also a key attribute in its ability to strengthen the core foundation of the Company. Quad/Graphics has made strategic capital expenditures and information technology ("IT") investments to build what it believes is one of the most efficient and innovative distribution networks in the commercial printing industry. The Company's goal, and an integral component of how Quad/Graphics creates client value, is to maintain and utilize a fully integrated, national distribution network to help mitigate rising postage costs for its clients by minimizing their total cost of production and distribution.

Quad/Graphics also strengthens the core of the Company through a dedicated focus on having the right people in the right roles at the right time. The Company benefits from leadership consistency and longevity with senior executives having decades of print industry experience, which gives them valuable knowledge and perspective. The Company also continues to enhance its leadership team, bringing aboard complementary, experienced talent who can immediately contribute to advancing the Company's goals.

2.Grow the Business Profitably

The Company believes it is well positioned to grow the business profitably. Key components of this strategy are centered on the Company's ability to grow through ongoing innovation, organic growth and disciplined acquisitions. Innovation takes many different forms at Quad/Graphics. From a client perspective, Quad/Graphics believes that marketing today has been upended due to the proliferation of digital media which has increased complexity and created a crisis in measurement given that many client organizational structures are siloed by media channel expertise. This marketing shift has created an opportunity for both Quad/Graphics and its clients to innovate and create enhanced value. The Company believes that no channel is an island; each influences and impacts the other. Quad/Graphics also believes that print delivers high levels of marketingROI, especially when used in combination with other media channels. As supported by the November 2015 InfoTrends study Micro to Mega: Trends in Business Communications, using multiple media channels yields a better response rate for integrated marketing campaigns. Specifically, marketers reported an


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average improvement of 28% in response rate when adding email, social media, and mobile application channels to their print campaigns.Empower Employees

The Company leverages knowledge from existing client relationships in key vertical industries to drive innovation and the development of complementary products and services that help brand owners market their products, services and content more efficiently and effectively across media channels. The Company is focused on ensuring it has the right talent in the best positions to have strategic marketing conversations with its clients to define their needs, develop tailored solutions and grow market share. Clients benefit from improved performance and ROI on their marketing spend through better reach and end-user engagement, improved response and increased revenue derived from these cross-channel marketing programs.

From a manufacturing platform perspective, innovation drives the Company's ability to help its clients precisely segment and target their audience to deliver relevant content, ads and offers. Through advanced variable printing capabilities and data management solutions, the Company can provide relevant content to encourage one-to-one end consumer connection and reader engagement. Innovation through automation in the manufacturing platform also allows Quad/Graphics to improve productivity and reduce costs in support of the Company's long standing commitment to be the industry's high-quality, low-cost producer.

Another key attribute of this strategy is the Company's ability to grow the business through compelling, ongoing platform investments that drive profitable organic growth and productivity in the Company's current business, as well as using a disciplined approach to execute on acquisitions that help the Company transition into chapter three of its journey. This includes pursuing growth opportunities that will help transform an existing product line, or expand Quad/Graphics' business into higher growth product and service categories that are a logical extension of its core print product lines. The Company also believes that additional value-driven industry consolidation opportunities will create measurable value through the addition of complementary capabilities, allowing the Company to provide an enhanced range of products and services, and create significant efficiencies in the overall print production and distribution processes.

3.Walk in the Shoes of our Clients

Quad/Graphics believes that every client, regardless of size, is the most important client. A key component of Quad/Graphics' client-facing strategy is to strengthen relationships at different levels inside a client's organization so the Company can better understand, anticipate and exceed the client's needs—sometimes before the client even knows it has a need. The Company's goal is to become an invaluable strategic partner to its clients—a partner who is focused on helping each client successfully navigate today's changing media landscape. While Quad/Graphics has dedicated sales, sales service and customer service representatives, the Company reinforces that all employees, regardless of job title, are part of the Quad/Graphics' client experience team. As such, all employees are responsible for meeting the needs of its clients every day, making it easy to do work with Quad/Graphics, and making the client experience enjoyable at every touchpoint. Quad/Graphics believes itsQuad’s strategy to walk in the shoes of our clients helps allempower employees focus on the client experience at all touchpoints throughout its end-to-end process to improve client satisfaction and create loyalty to the Quad/Graphics brand. The Company also believes its proactive thought leadership in the key issues facing clients—such as cross-channel marketing and postal reform—will create value and deepen client relationships.

4.Engage Employees

Quad/Graphics' strategy to engage employeestheir career journey builds on key aspects of itsthe Company’s distinct corporate culture, includingwhich the Company uses to fuel its ongoing Quad 3.0 transformation. These aspects include strong and lasting Company values and an organization-wide entrepreneurial spirit and opportunity-seeking mentality where employeesmentality. Employees are encouraged to take pride and ownership in their work;work, take advantage of continuous learning apprenticeprograms to advance in their careers and job-advancement opportunities;improve leadership skills, share knowledge by mentoring others;others and innovate solutions.solutions to drive performance. With the encouragement to do things differently—differently, to be something greater and findto create a better way—way, the Company believes its employees are more fully engaged in producing better results for clients and the local communities surrounding its facilities, and advancing the Company'sCompany’s strategic goals.goals, while supporting community activities, initiatives and organizations that impact the quality of life near Quad’s facilities. As Quad continues to expand its integrated marketing platform in Quad 3.0, the Company believes this creates possibilities for each employee that are advantageously distinct from other employers.


Enhance Financial Strength and Create Shareholder Value

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The Company believes one of the most important ways it can drive employee engagement is by acting on a continuous employee feedback loop. Quad/Graphics believes in transparent and regular two-way communication with employees. The Company provides the opportunity for all employees to have a voice or share an opinion through a number of different channels including surveys and open forums at Company town hall and department meetings. The Company then demonstrates its commitment to their engagement by maintaining a safe work environment while implementing programs and policies that address their needs and/or suggestions. At the same time, the Company consistently reinforces the Company's long-standing eight core values that drive how the Company operates: Believe in People, Do the Right Thing, Trust in Trust, Innovate, Grow, Make Money, Have Fun, and Do Things for the Rose (i.e., do things for the sake of excellence).

5.Enhance Financial Strength and Create Shareholder Value

Quad/GraphicsQuad follows a disciplined approach to maintaining and enhancing financial strength to create shareholder value, which is essential given ongoing media disruption and printing industry challenges. This key strategic goalstrategy is centered on the Company'sCompany’s ability to maximize net earnings, Free Cash Flow net earnings and EBITDA;operating margins; maintain consistent financial policies to ensure a strong balance sheet, liquidity level and liquidity level;access to capital; and retain the financial flexibility needed to strategically allocate and deploy capital as circumstances change.

The priorities for capital allocation and deployment are adjusted based on prevailing circumstances and what the Company thinks is best for shareholder value creation at any particular point in time. Those priorities currently include the following: (1) deleveraging the Company'sCompany’s balance sheet through debt and pension liability reductions; (2) making compelling investments that drive profitable organic growth and productivity in the Company's current business,Company’s print manufacturing and distribution operations, as well as executing on acquisitions through a disciplined approach that includes continued expansion into higher-growth products andmarketing services that are complementary to its core product and service lines,help accelerate the Company’s transformation in Quad 3.0, and pursuing value-driven industry consolidation; and (3) returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

To provide ongoing improvement in manufacturing productivity, the Company applies holistic Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing methodologies to simplify and streamline processes and to ultimately maximize operating margins. These same methodologies are applied to its selling, general and administrative functions to create a truly Lean Enterprise. The Company has been working diligently to lower its cost structure by consolidating its manufacturing platform into its most efficient facilities, as well as realizing purchasing, mailing and logistics efficiencies by centralizing and consolidating print manufacturing volumes and eliminating redundancies in its administrative and corporate operations. Quad believes that its focused efforts to be the high-quality, low-cost producer generates increased Free Cash Flow and allows the Company to maintain a strong balance sheet through debt and pension liability reductions. The Company’s disciplined financial approach also allows it to maintain sufficient liquidity and to reduce refinancing risk, with the nearest significant debt maturity not occurring until January 2021.

Competitive Advantages

Quad/Graphics believes its success has been fueledQuad’s strategic priorities are powered by a number ofthree key competitive advantages that drivethe Company believes distinguishes itself from its five primary strategic goals. These competitive advantages are an efficient, flexible and modern manufacturing platform; vertically integrated non-print capabilities; a client-centric approach; leading mailing and distribution capabilities;competitors: a commitment to ongoing innovation, a commitment to platform excellence, and a commitment to its people and lasting culture.



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Commitment to Ongoing Innovation

At the forefront of innovation for more than 47 years, Quad believes its commitment to ongoing innovation drives its purpose to create a better way. To accomplish this, Quad takes a disciplined build-partner-acquire approach:

Build

From integrated marketing solutions and technology to productivity improvements and vertically integrated businesses like healthcare, Quad prides itself on strategically investing in and developing the appropriate expertise internally to increase revenue or reduce costs as follows:

In strategic marketing functions, Quad continues to hire business professionals with client-side marketing experience to help advance conversations with clients to be more consultative or solutions-based in Quad 3.0. To further support its marketing solutions thought leadership, Quad conducts annual quantitative research called Customer Focus®™. This extensive survey, conducted by a third party, provides consumer insight on singular and integrated media usage. The survey reveals the unique characteristics of special demographic, generational, gender and socio-economic groups and how they consume advertising and marketing messaging, and their attitudes and engagement preferences in several industry segments. According to survey data, print remains a strong driver across generations. This active response to print has influenced magazine publishers to increase usage of custom product covers to enhance reader engagement and retailers who primarily use digital channels, such as online-only retailers, to incorporate print into their marketing strategy. Further, Quad can combine the insights from Customer Focus®and use its proprietary segmentation tool, called Accelerated Insights®, to leverage client data and create effective hyper-personalized campaigns in both traditional and digital channels. The ability to generate content that is relevant to the consumer is one way the Company believes it can help its clients influence consumer behavior, lift response and enhance return on investment.

The Company also remains committed to ongoing innovation throughout its print manufacturing and distribution processes to better serve its clients and remain the industry’s high-quality, low-cost producer. Over the last five years, Quad has invested an average of 2.5% of its annual net sales for capital expenditures in its core print manufacturing and distribution platform. This investment has resulted in what the Company believes is the most advanced and efficient print manufacturing and distribution platform in the industry and has allowed the Company to reduce the amount invested in recent years without impacting its leading technological excellence.

To improve internal processes, enhance client service levels and further drive efficiencies, the Company has consistently focused on the rapid adoption of technological innovations. In the early years, the Company integrated its imaging, manufacturing and distribution networks into a single platform using a networked information technology infrastructure. This platform, connected via Quad’s own Smartools® proprietary enterprise resource planning system, provides seamless, real-time information flow across sales and estimating, production planning, scheduling, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, invoicing, reporting and customer service. In Quad 3.0, the Company has extended its spirit of innovation with business process management tools that further simplify and improve existing internal workflows. This includes pricing, job specifications and client acceptance to streamlining and automating the hand-offs between departments throughout the entire order workflow through invoicing. Quad also has applied robotic process automation to streamline data processing and report generation. This allows employees to focus on value-adding tasks, while the robotic process completes the transactional, repetitive functions. Where appropriate, Quad also leverages artificial intelligence in areas such as labor management, scheduling and predictive machine maintenance.

A commitment to innovation and creating a better way to do business has also helped to expand Quad’s vertically-integrated non-print capabilities, such as data management, imaging, logistics and distribution, ink manufacturing (Chemical Research\Technology), paper procurement, and equipment research and design. This approach to business gives the Company a competitive advantage in delivering lower costs for its clients, enhancing customer service levels and allowing substantial control over critical links in the overall print supply chain to help it control the quality, cost and availability of key inputs in the printing process. In addition, QuadMed, LLC (“QuadMed”), the Company’s health and wellness subsidiary, was founded in 1990 to create a better way to address the Company’s own employees’ needs for quality, cost-effective healthcare. Today, QuadMed provides employer-sponsored healthcare


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solutions on a national level to employers of all sizes, including private and public sector companies. These solutions include, but are not limited to, on-site and near-site healthcare clinics, occupational health services, telemedicine, and health and wellness programs.

Partner

In addition to building capabilities internally, Quad fosters innovation by partnering with companies whose expertise helps fill a specific gap or amplify an existing offering. For example, to strengthen its integrated marketing solutions platform, Quad established a partnership with Rise Interactive Media & Analytics, LLC (“Rise”), a digital marketing agency specializing in media, analytics and customer experience, and as of March 2018, owns a controlling interest in this company. The partnership brings together Quad’s expertise in optimizing a client’s marketing spend in traditional channels with Rise’s expertise in digital channels. The Company believes this creates more integrated, multi-channel campaigns and, ultimately, advances data-driven marketing through the delivery of highly relevant, consistent messages, at scale, to consumers.

Acquire

When the Company wants to drive innovation by filling multiple gaps in its integrated marketing solutions platform to quickly scale, acquire talent and/or accelerate its transformation, the Company acquires the targeted company if the opportunity meets Quad’s disciplined acquisition criteria. For example, on February 21, 2018, the Company acquired Ivie & Associates (“Ivie”), a premier marketing services provider specializing in customized marketing and business process outsourcing to provide clients with unmatched scale for on-site marketing services, integrated execution, and expanded subject matter expertise in digital, media and creative.

On January 3, 2019, the Company acquired Periscope, Inc. (“Periscope”), one of the nation’s top five independent creative agencies by annual revenue, offering world-class capabilities in strategy, including media buying and analytics, creative and account management, as well as packaging design and premedia services. The acquisition supports and accelerates the Company’s ongoing Quad 3.0 transformation, creating a highly efficient global platform for creating marketing campaigns and programs — from strategy and creative through execution — across all media channels.

Additionally, on October 30, 2018, the Company and LSC entered into a definitive agreement, pursuant to which Quad will acquire LSC in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion, including the refinancing of LSC’s debt and assumption of other obligations. The Company expects to complete the acquisition in mid-2019, following the completion of customary closing conditions including regulatory approval and approval by the shareholders of both companies. Together with LSC, the Company will enhance its highly efficient print platform with a focus on executioncompelling combination of talent, expertise and influencing media spendclient technology. This will further fuel the Quad 3.0 transformation and strengthen the role of print in today’s multichannel world.

Commitment to Platform Excellence

Platform excellence pertains to Quad’s integrated Manufacturing, Mailing and Distribution, and Marketing platforms that support Quad 3.0 as follows:



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Manufacturing Platform

Quad continues to invest in equipment and leading-edge technology to ensure its manufacturing platform remains the strongest and most sustainable in the printing industry and that it continues to support a vast range of traditional and digital print solutions, finishing techniques and distribution capabilities to create value for its clients; a disciplinedclients in Quad 3.0. At the same time, the Company has continued to strengthen its platform by removing excess, under-utilized capacity and consistent financial approach; a well-defined integration process;by consolidating work into facilities where it can achieve the greatest manufacturing and a distinct corporate culture that empowersdistribution efficiencies. Over the past eight years, the Company has closed 43 manufacturing plants representing nearly 13.4 million square feet of under-utilized production capacity. This commitment to consolidating work into fewer facilities to maximize capacity is one key way Quad maintains platform excellence and engages employees to think and act like owners to drive business results.

Efficient, Flexible and Modern Manufacturing Platformremains the industry’s high-quality, low-cost producer.

The Company has continuously invested in its print manufacturing platform through modernstate-of-the-art equipment and automation that allow for more pages to be printed for each revolution of the press, reducing the amount of time that each individual printing job takes to complete. In addition, the Company's long-standing commitment to invest in its manufacturing platform to create productivity improvements has led to more automation designed to reducereduces labor costs, maximizemaximizes labor productivity and increaseincreases throughput. Within the last 5 years, these investments include multiple wide-web offset presses and digital presses; more than 50 automated guided vehicles or computer-controlled robotic forklifts; and more than 40 automated palletizers, which automatically configure bundles of finished magazines and catalogs on pallets at the end of a binding line.

The Company'sCompany’s investment in its manufacturing platform has consistently been based on evaluating the economic useful economic life of the underlying equipment rather than focusing on the potential mechanical life of the equipment. This discipline is critical in an industry in which technological change can create obsolescence well before the end of the mechanical life of equipment. To remain the industry’s high-quality, low-cost producer, Quad makes a concerted effort to treat all costs as variable and maintains a stringent focus on achieving productivity improvements and sustainable cost reductions through a variety of holistic Continuous Improvement and Lean Enterprise programs in both manufacturing and administrative areas.

Another key aspect of the Company'sCompany’s modern manufacturing platform is the combination of its footprint of mega plants (facilities greater than 1.0one million square feet) that produce a number ofseveral different products under one roof; mega zones where multiple facilities in close geographic proximity are managed as one large facility; and smaller strategically located facilities. The Company has continued to evolve its platform by equipping facilities to be product line agnostic, which enables the Company to maximize equipment utilization. Quad/GraphicsQuad believes that the large plant size of certain of its key printing facilities allows the Company to drive savings in certain product lines (such as magazinespublications and catalogs) due to efficiencieseconomies of scale and from investments in automation and technology. Complementing its mega plant and mega zone footprints are smaller facilities, strategically located closer to final


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distribution points for expedited delivery. This allows clients greater deadline flexibility for adjusting content or marketing strategy, especially for commercial products, direct mail and retail inserts. The Company's platform provides it with the flexibility to meet complex customer service requirements, such as quick turns for time-sensitive material, or when weather patterns threaten production or delivery in a specific area of the country.

To achieve its goal to be the industry's high-quality, low-cost producer, Quad/Graphics makes a concerted effort to treat all costs as variable and maintains a stringent focus on achieving productivity improvements and sustainable cost reductions through a variety of continuous improvement programs in both manufacturing and administrative areas. The Company believes it is making progress toward this goal by remaining focused on the following:

the implementation of sustainable reductions in non-labor and indirect labor spending areas;

a disciplined approachcontinues to improving capacity utilization and productivity across the entire platform; and

a focused effort to take out direct costs through a variety of means, including the maximization of labor mix and the expansion of continuous improvement programs to reduce waste, eliminate redundancies and shorten cycle times.

Vertically Integrated Non-Print Capabilities

Quad/Graphics has a long history of finding a better way to do business. This approach to business gives the Company a competitive advantage in reducing costs and creating efficiencies fortransform its clients and employees. Vertically-integrated non-print capabilities—such as data management, imaging, logistics and distribution, ink manufacturing, paper procurement, equipment research and design, and health and wellness—assist the Company in delivering lower costs for its clients, enhancing customer service levels, allowing substantial control over critical links in the overall print supply chain (such as the Company's ink manufacturing capabilities which help it control the quality, cost and availability of a key input in the printing process), increasing flexibility and providing more aggregated services to each client.

Chemical Research\Technology ("CR\T") is the ink manufacturing subsidiary of Quad/Graphics. With CR\T, Quad/Graphics is one of the largest ink manufacturers in the United States, and the only United States commercial printer that produces its own inks. Quad/Graphics founded CR\T in 1982 to formulate and manufacture its own special blend of inks based on extensive experience working directly with the Company's press operators. The benefits of manufacturing its own inks include better management of the quality and consistency of the product, a better yield per pound of ink, and increased raw materials purchasing power.

Quad/Graphics has been dedicated to research and development to improve its print manufacturing platform for more than 35 years. The Company's research and development designers and systems engineers work closely with the Company's press and finishing operators and IT professionals, and over the years have developed a range of advancementsfrom conventional web offset presses to modern digital presses that the Company's management believes puts its print platform at the forefront of print innovation. The value of these innovations to the industry is supported by the fact that these technology solutions are sold by the Company's QuadTech subsidiary to equipment manufacturers and other printers in the commercial, newspaper and packaging printing industries.

Outside of print, Quad/Graphics successfully integrates health and wellness for all employees through the Company's QuadMed subsidiary, which specializes in employer-sponsored health care solutions. QuadMed was founded in 1990 to address the Company's own employees' needs for quality, cost-effective primary care. In 2013, QuadMed acquired Novia CareClinics, LLC ("Novia"), and today provides workplace solutions on a national level to employers of all sizes, including private and public sector companies. These services include 82 on-site and near-site primary care clinics, telemedicine, and comprehensive health and wellness programs.



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Client-Centric Approach

Throughout its 45-year history, Quad/Graphics has put its partnership with clients at the center of its operations, creating solutions clients need to meet their business objectives. Quad/Graphics has made a concerted effort to hire talent with client-side experience who can provide unique insights into how the client operates and where they may be experiencing a marketing challenge the Company can help solve. To better serve the evolving needs ofwill give marketers and publishers in today's multimedia world, Quad/Graphics streamlined its United States organization in 2015 by consolidating several print product lines into two main sales groups—Marketing Solutions and Publishing Solutions. The Company believes that this streamlined approach will better align its offerings with its clients' expanding integrated marketing and publishing needs and help drive future innovation. The Company uses a consultative approach to tailor its widefull range of printoptions to produce and deliver relevant direct mail, books, packaging and other commercial products faster and complementary services to the unique characteristics of each vertical industry it serves. This consultative approach includes the following:more cost-effectively:

leveraging its integrated data analytics, finishing technology and logistics operations, which allow clients to create and track customized and relevant communications across channels on a cost-effective basis, with the objective of delivering higher response rates at a lower cost;

consulting with clients on marketing strategies to integrate personalized, targeted print communications (including in-store signage and point-of-purchase displays), with other media channels including mobile, email, the Web, tablets and e-readers, video and social media to drive higher response rates;

improving the cost-effectiveness of local advertising investments through an improved understanding of customers' shopping behavior, messaging preferences and media consumption habits;

developing workflow solutions to help clients streamline content management across multiple channels;

deploying its interactive media capabilities, including planning, executing and monitoring interactive print campaigns, email, personalized URLs, mobile solutions and digital editions, and creating and maintaining microsites in support of effective, cross-channel marketing campaigns to connect print with mobile technologies—such as smartphones and tablets—to create compelling calls to action that drive business results; and

continuing to invest in leading-edge technologies and capabilities to ensure it can provide the most desirable and effective cross-channel solutions to marketers and publishers as technologies and user preferences change.

Quad/Graphics' "high tech/high touch" approach has led to what the Company believes is an excellent client service reputation. The Company uses the latest technologyhas invested in its technology-enabled direct mail platform to provide innovative front-end toolsets and tools to better connect clients with employeesdata workflows; industry-best back-end logistics and employees with each other. Its own brand of Smartools® not only link the Company's peoplepostal optimization; and equipment across its entire network of plants, but extend to the Company's clients as well, creating true, real-time communications integration. For example, the Company's Smartools® provide clients with access to the very same up-to-the-minute information used by the Company'sa diverse production customer service and sales representatives, allowing them to better manage current projects and plan future work.

Quad/Graphics pays particularly close attention to listening to what its clients say about the Company, proactively seeking their input through the annual Quad/Graphics Performance Client Survey. The survey provides sound insightsplatform that is highly leveraged on clients' experience with the Company as well as ways to enhance products, services and overall value. Key concerns are addressed by a Senior Executive Team led by the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, demonstrating the Company's top-down commitment to client satisfaction. Based on survey results, the Company has worked on a series of initiatives to streamline and simplify internal processes to address known pain points; share more information about its expanded product and service offering via a newly launched website (QG.com), including a focus on its expertise in meetingpersonalization technologies serving the needs of specific vertical industries;today’s leading marketers. Personalization and provide clients with peer networking and thought leadership opportunities intargeting create the key issues facing clients such as cross-channel marketing challenges and postal reform issues. In 2015,opportunity to reach the Company held a two-day marketing thought leadership conference where it brought together leading


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marketers and publishers from a diverse group of industries for learning and networking opportunities. The Company's event featured keynote presentations, small group discussions, working breakout sessions and real stories from the front lines of cross-channel marketing. Quad/Graphics' 2015 Postal Conference connected United States Postal Service ("USPS") officials, key Congressional staff and client leadership responsible for circulation, production and marketingright recipients with a unique opportunity to share information, and discuss today's most pressing postal issues. Participants took away knowledge to help their business and advance postal regulation and legislation for a sustainable USPS.

Leading Mailing and Distribution Capabilities

Quad/Graphics creates targeted and personalized printed materials for its clients,relevant message at the right time which, in turn, helps its clients increase consumer response rates, maximize their return on print spending and reduce overall costs. Quad/Graphics uses its in-dataBuilt over many years, Quad’s data-driven, one-to-one direct marketing platform includes in-house capabilities to analyze mailmailing list data, demographic data, consumer transaction data and other consumer-specific data to help its clients target consumers throughcreate targeted and personalized printed materials. Personalization and targeting create the opportunity to reach the right recipients with the right (or relevant) message at the right time. The Company believes that integrating its analysis of mail list data with its logistics services allows it to reduce client freight costs for shipments to newsstands and postal centers, while providing a high level of dependability and rapid response times that are crucial to the delivery of time-sensitive materials. Further, the Company uses a national consolidation network to combine like-destination freight to maximize cost-effectiveness.

Postal rates are a significant component of many clients' cost structures, and Quad/Graphics believes that postal costs influence the number of pieces that its clients print and mail.
The Company has invested significantly inalso continues to transform its mail preparation and distribution capabilities to offset increasing postage costs, and to help clients successfully navigatebook platform through the ever-changing postal environment. Through its data analytics, unique software to merge mailstreams on a large scale, advanced finishing capabilities andrapid implementation of digital press technology and in-house transportationintegrated systems, and logistics operations, the Company manages the mail preparationcreation of On-Q™, a proprietary demand-driven ordering system that helps clients better manage ordering and distribution of most of its clients' products to maximize efficiencyinventory. Quad is helping book publishers with increased customization and reduce theseversioning capabilities; faster time-to-market; reduced waste, inventories and obsolescence; and lower fixed costs. The Company helps its United States clients reduce their overall postage costs through what it believes, based on information published by or otherwise made available from its competitors, is the industry's largest co-mail program. The Company's co-mail program involves the sorting and bundling of printed products to be mailed to consumers, in order to facilitate better integration with USPS. The USPS offers significant work-sharing discounts for this sorting, bundling and drop-shipping to more than 300 USPS postal processing centers as it reduces handling by the USPS. By combining the products of multiple clients in the mailstream, the Company leverages the volume from participating clients, regardless of the production facility, to achieve USPS discounts for their benefit. Quad/Graphics co-mailed approximately 5.4 billion magazines, catalogs and direct marketing pieces in 2015. Quad/Graphics estimates that the Company's clients saved an estimated $260 million in 2015 through the Company's co-mailing programs.

Quad/Graphics

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Recent investments in digital press technology in the Company’s high-end folding carton packaging business has enabled it to enter markets in which it previously was not as competitive, such as private label packaging. With its digital press platform, Quad is able to cost-competitively accommodate shorter runs with quicker turns.

Mailing and Distribution Platform

Quad is also able to leverage the volume of products running through its plants for further client distribution savings by coordinating and consolidating shipments from single mega plants or multiple plants that create a mega zone, and then routing those shipments directly to thousands of local newspapers, USPSUnited States Postal Service (“USPS”) processing facilities or other distribution facilities. In addition, each major United States metropolitan area is within one day'sday’s drive of at least one of the Company'sCompany’s strategically located facilities, providing its clients the flexibility to print closest to their end consumers.

CommitmentPostal rates are a significant component of many clients’ cost structures, and Quad believes that postal costs influence the number of pieces that its clients print and mail. Therefore, the Company has invested significantly in its mailing and distribution platform to Ongoing Innovationmitigate increasing postage costs, and Rapid Adoptionto help clients successfully navigate the ever-changing postal environment. The Company performs an analysis of Technologymail list data as part of its logistics services, which allows it to reduce client freight costs for shipments to newsstands and postal centers, while providing a high level of dependability and rapid response times that are crucial to the delivery of time-sensitive materials. Further, the Company manages mail distribution of most of its clients’ products to maximize efficiency and reduce these costs, and its co-mail program is the largest in the print industry, based on information published by or otherwise made available from competitors. Quad’s co-mail program involves the sorting and bundling of printed products to be mailed to consumers, in order to facilitate better integration with the USPS. In return, the USPS offers significant work-sharing discounts for this sorting, bundling and drop-shipping. Quad co-mailed approximately 3.7 billion publications, catalogs and direct marketing pieces in 2018. Due to the continuously increasing costs of utilizing the USPS and to help control costs for its clients, Quad launched and is expanding a Focus on Executionpilot project revolving around alternate delivery strategies for clients’ products that result in Quad managing delivery directly to the consumer and Influencing Media Spend for Its Clientsbypassing the USPS as a delivery method.

OverMarketing Platform

In Quad 3.0, the last five years, Quad/Graphics has invested an average of 3% of its annual net sales for capital expenditures. This investment has resulted in what the Company believes is one of the most advanced and efficient platforms in the industry and has allowed the Company to reduce the amount invested in recent years without impacting its leading technological excellence. The Company has had a continuedCompany’s commitment to researchplatform excellence extends to integrated marketing solutions, specifically as it relates to the services provided at client on-sites. With the acquisition of Ivie, Quad now has more 1,200 professionals dedicated to content creation and development, platform maintenance, manufacturing process improvementsmarketing execution at more than 60 client on-sites, including retail and publishing. For clients who engage the rapid adoptionCompany’s on-site marketing solutions model, Quad employees serve as a natural extension of technological innovations. For example, in early 2015 the Company announced a three-year plan to transform some of its platform from conventional web offset presses to modern digital presses that will give marketersclient’s internal marketing department and publishers a full range of options to produce and deliver relevant direct mail, book and other commercial products faster and more cost-effectively. Another example of Quad/Graphics' innovative approach is the integration of its imaging, manufacturing and distribution networks into a


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single platform using a networked IT infrastructure. This platform—connected via Quad/Graphics' own Smartools®—provides seamless, real-time information flow across sales and estimating,fulfill traditional agency executional roles while also providing production planning, scheduling, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, invoicing, reporting and customer service.

From a client-facing technology perspective, Quad/Graphics believes it isefficiencies at the forefront of the printing industry with creating and/or rapidly adopting services that help marketers and publishers drive improved performance and ROI on their marketing spend. In 2015, Quad/Graphics announced the expansion of its existing BlueSoho business, expanding its marketing agency solutions offering into campaign development, shopper activation and mobile/digital programming.scale. The Company believes that BlueSoho will play an important role in defining its path forward as it is now uniquely capable of orchestrating cross-media programs that turn shoppers into buyersthis model increases process efficiencies and buyers into loyal brand advocates. The expanding service set is now comprised of local promotional strategy, conceptual design, media planningenables clients to focus on what they do best: sell more products, services and buying, creative development, production services, marketplace deploymentcontent.

Commitment to People and program measurement. This strategic repositioning of BlueSoho as an independent brand enables Quad/Graphics to capture new business, especially among brand owners who understand the benefits of fully orchestrated media execution and actionable brand experiences—from campaign development through all forms of media activation.Lasting Culture

Data supportsQuad believes that its employees do not just make a difference—they are the Company's beliefdifference. The Company believes this is a key competitive advantage that marketers will continue to use a multichannel approach. The November 2015 InfoTrends study Micro to Mega: Trends in Business Communications found that utilizing multiple media channels yielded a better response rate for marketing campaigns. Specifically, marketers reported an average improvement of 28% in response rate when adding email, social media, and mobile application channels to their print campaigns.is not easily replicated by its competitors given its long-standing culture.

The Company has long believed that print possesses the unique ability to create an emotional connection with consumers and readers that promotes engagement and response. Data supports the Company’s belief that print works. According to the December 2015 InfoTrends study Direct Marketing Production Printing & Value-Added Services: A Strategy for Growth, 62% of consumers receiving printed catalogs that made a purchase within the last three months were influenced by the catalog. Furthermore, the study found that two-thirds of direct mail is opened and more than 40% of consumers have made a purchase in the last three months because of a piece of direct mail they received.

Quad/Graphics also conducts an annual quantitative research study, Customer Focus®, which provides consumer views on singular and integrated media usage via an extensive survey. For example, the 2015 Customer Focus® study found that 60% of United States adults use retail inserts to find sales, coupons or promotions, and 65% of United States adults want to receive direct mail that is personalized with customized offers based on needs, interests and purchase history. The survey reveals the unique characteristics of special demographic, generational, gender and socio-economic groups and how they consume advertising and marketing messaging, and their attitudes and engagement preferences in a number of industry segments. The Company's clients use these insights to validate current marketing strategies and form strategies for new programs. Further, when coupled with third-party persona data sources, Customer Focus® provides the Company's clients with a basis for segmentation, creative and messaging relevancy, regardless of delivery channel.

This active response to print has influenced magazines publishers to increase usage of custom product covers to enhance reader engagement and retailers who primarily use digital channels, such as online-only retailers, or electronic-retailers, to incorporate print into their marketing strategy. In the past 24 months, the Company has assisted more than 40 electronic retail clients to mail printed catalogs or direct mail for the first time. Of these clients, 95% continue to market with print and more than 50% have increased page count, circulation or delivery frequency.



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Disciplined and Consistent Financial Approach

As a controlled public company, Quad/Graphics enjoys the competitive advantage of remaining under the leadership and control of the founder's family. The Quadracci family has had consistent control over the Company's operations and decision-making process since its founding in 1971, which allows for a longer-term strategic view with stability of leadership and strategic vision and deployment. As of February 18, 2016, the Quadracci family retains approximately 80% voting control of the Company through the ownership of high-vote stock. This leadership and voting control structure enables the Company to manage the Company's strategy and financial policy by having the foresight to make decisions today that could impact the Company years from now and avoiding the pitfalls of short-term decision-making that could potentially jeopardize the stability and longevity of the Company.

Quad/Graphics believes that its disciplined financial approach of focusing on maximizing earnings and Free Cash Flow, and maintaining a strong balance sheet provides a competitive advantage. Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing methodologies are among the tools that Quad/Graphics uses to improve manufacturing productivity and to ultimately maximize operating margins. The Company applies these same methodologies to its selling, general and administrative functions to create a truly Lean Enterprise. Additionally, Quad/Graphics has a culture of continuous cost reduction that includes minimizing waste, increasing efficiencies and throughput, and simplifying and streamlining processes. The Company has been working diligently to lower its cost structure by consolidating its manufacturing platform into its most efficient facilities, as well as realizing purchasing, mailing and logistics efficiencies by centralizing and consolidating print manufacturing volumes and eliminating redundancies in its administrative and corporate operations. Quad/Graphics believes that its focused efforts to be the high-quality, low-cost producer generates increased Free Cash Flow and allows the Company to maintain a strong balance sheet through debt and pension liability reductions. The Company's disciplined financial approach also allows it to maintain sufficient liquidity as well as to reduce refinancing risk, with the nearest significant maturity not occurring until April 2019.

The Company takes a very disciplined approach to its capital allocation decisions. A key part of this discipline is a goal of having ROI exceed the cost of capital, whether the investments are related to purchasing the right equipment or investing in the right strategic growth initiatives. The Company balances the use of cash between deleveraging the balance sheet through debt and pension liability reductions; making compelling investment opportunities; or returning cash back to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

When reviewing an investment opportunity, such as a consolidating acquisition, Quad/Graphics uses a disciplined, value-driven approach to ensure the following criteria are met before any opportunity is selected:

Strategic Fit. The Company conducts a thorough review process to ensure a potential acquisition will be a good strategic fit.

Economics Make Sense. The Company ensures that the economics make sense and will create value through an enhanced range of products and services, revenue-generating solutions and increased efficiencies. Key economics include the negotiated purchase price, targeted efficiencies from integrating the companies together and the necessary cost to achieve those synergies.

Executable Integration Plan. The Company makes certain that the integration plan is executable in a timely manner and without risk of significant client disruption. The Company has a holistic approach to integration and measures success with four key elements: financial metrics, client retention and satisfaction, employee integration, and IT and platform integration.

Balance Sheet Integrity. The Company ensures that post-acquisition, it retains the financial strength and flexibility it had prior to the acquisition.



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Well-Defined Integration Process

As Quad/Graphics has grown through acquisitions, it has refined its integration process, creating what it believes to be a very well-defined and disciplined approach. The Company's integration process puts a strong focus on serving clients well—minimizing disruption and maximizing retention—while improving the efficiency and productivity of its platform to drive cost savings. The Company does not simply "bolt on" its acquisitions, leaving them to operate independently and overlooking the opportunities to eliminate redundancies and improve efficiencies. Rather, it seeks to fully integrate the business. Following an integration, Quad/Graphics takes a holistic approach to measuring success, considering client retention and satisfaction, employee integration, IT and platform integration and financial metrics. The Company uses the knowledge gained to improve future integration processes and has applied the same discipline to manage cost reduction initiatives through the Company's Project Management Office.

Given that integrating corporate cultures is one of the most complex and important efforts following an acquisition, the Company puts a strong focus on it. Looking specifically at employee integration efforts, Quad/Graphics spends time helping new employees understand Company culture, including how it runs the business and the values system that drives decision-making and conduct. As necessary, new employees in management and supervisory roles participate in a training program that helps them develop a deeper understanding of the organization and resources.

Distinct Corporate Culture

Quad/GraphicsQuad believes that its distinct corporate culture, which evolved from a core set of values conceived by the late founder Harry V. Quadracci, drives thoughtful decision-making, especially with regard to how it managesits disciplined approach to managing operations, and createscreating solutions that redefine print in a multichannel media landscape,marketplace, and better positionspositioning the Company to prevail in the dynamic and competitive printing industry. The Company fosters an entrepreneurial environment by inspiring and empowering employees to own projects and enact solutions that advance the Company'sCompany’s goals. Employees in the United States also may have a beneficial ownership interest in theQuad through Company through company stock held in an employee stock ownership plan,the Quad/Graphics, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”), enhancing their sense of ownership. The Company believes that the empowerment,this sense of employee engagement and developmentdistinct corporate culture drives its disciplined approach to all aspects of its employee owners foster a strong partnership approach within the business that delivers results.business.

To maintain a culture of employee empowerment, the Company helps employees keep current on skills through education and training programs offered on the job and in the classroom. Continuous Improvement classes include Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma training, designed to empower both production and administrative employees to find better ways to do their jobs and improve department and Company performance. Safety initiatives include regular safety huddles and quizzes to discuss safe work conduct and promote a safety mindset, as well as on-site safety classes, including first-responder training. The Company also maintains what it believes to be the industry's premier management training program, also known as the Corporate Training Program, which attracts capable, inspired next-generation talent as well as experienced, ready-to-contribute second-career talent.

Quad/Graphics further invests in its employees by providing personal improvement classes, financial and retirement planning and comprehensive health and wellness benefits. Through its own network of QuadMed primary care clinics located at larger worksite locations, and combined with advanced telemedicine systems, the Company provides high-quality primary medical care and specialty services to employees and their families at a low cost. The Company demonstrates its commitment to wellness through onsite fitness centers at a number of printing plant locations, as well as by offering smoking cessation, weight-management and nutrition classes among other wellness-related programs; providing employee assistance program counseling services; and developing its own programs with financial incentives for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma (known as Well You) and promoting healthy lifestyles. QuadMed also sells this business model of healthcare services to third-party businesses.



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The Company hasdemonstrates its commitment to employee engagement in a numbervariety of programs designed to attract next-generation talent while retaining and engaging existing, valued employees. These programs include "Think Smalls," a small-group gathering outside of work hours to strengthen co-worker relationships and provide a forum for meaningful business discussion; an industry years of service recognition program; and financial and volunteer support inways, including the communities where employees live and work. These programs are part of the Company's "Quad Proud" campaign that recognizes individual employee contributions to the Company's collective success while never forgetting the importance of being a Quad/Graphics team member, which includes the obligation to mentor the next generation of employees.following:

Quad/GraphicsOffering employees a competitive compensation and benefits package;

Providing employees with a safe work environment with robust safety training and accountability programs;

Offering continuous learning and career advancement opportunities, such as through registered mechanical and electrical apprenticeship programs, youth apprenticeship programs, the Company’s own Accelerated Career Training program for production employees, digital media training, affinity groups and leadership development training;

Promoting employee health and wellness through a variety of personal improvement programs and facilities, including the Company’s own QuadMed primary care clinics;

Acting on employee feedback garnered through regular surveys and open forums at department and company-wide meetings;

Offering an employee referral program and investing in technology and improved processes to facilitate an easy hiring and on-boarding process; and

Fostering pride through employee recognition programs, employee and family events, community outreach activities and support, a history of environmental commitments, such as effective management of resources and reducing waste, and adhering to a published code of ethics.

Quad is led by an experienced management team with a proven track record in the printing industry that is committed to preserving the Company'sCompany’s values-based culture. The senior management team includes individualsentrepreneurially minded leaders with a long tenure at Quad mixed with the Company augmented with seasoned industry talent realized through strategic hiringnew hires or leaders from recent acquisitions, further supportedsupplemented by managers and employees committed to advancing print and marketing solutions in coordination with the ever-evolving multichannel media landscape. The Company believes the experience and stability of senior management, paired with next-generation entrepreneurially minded employees,talent, will contribute to its long-term success as it continues on its path forward.

Segment Descriptionforward in Quad 3.0.

Quad/Graphics operates primarilyQuad also enjoys a competitive advantage in consistent, stable leadership that is focused on making decisions in the commercial print portionbest long-term interest of the Company. It is able to do this because of the Quadracci family voting control, which enables the Company to manage its strategy and disciplined financial policy by being able to make decisions today that could benefit the Company years from now and avoid the pitfalls of short-term decision making that could potentially jeopardize the stability and longevity of the Company.

Environmental Stewardship

Quad strives to be the leader in the printing industry with related productin adopting new technologies and service offerings designedprocesses to offer clients complete solutionsminimize the Company’s impact on the environment. The Company believes it has long been known for communicating their messageits environmental stewardship. Quad’s proactive approach to target audiences. The Company'sincorporate holistic practices has also positively impacted operating costs through the reduction of waste, energy use, and reportable segments are aligned with how the chief operating decision maker of the Company currently manages the business. The Company's reportable and operating segments and their product and service offerings are summarized below:

United States Print and Related Services

The United States Print and Related Services segment is predominantly comprised of the Company's United States printing operations and is managed as one integrated platform. This includes retail inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, books, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global paper procurement, together with complementary service offerings, including marketing strategy, media planning and placement, data insights, segmentation and response analytics services, creative services, videography, photography, workflow solutions, digital imaging, facilities management services, digital publishing, interactive print solutions including image recognition and near field communication technology, mailing, distribution, logistics, and data optimization and hygiene services. This segment also includes the manufacture of ink. The United States Print and Related Services segment accounted for approximately 92%, 91% and 90% of Quad/Graphics' consolidated net sales in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

International

The International segment consists of the Company's printing operations in Europe and Latin America, including operations in England, France, Germany, Poland, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Peru,emissions, as well as strategic investmentsthrough the implementation of water conservation solutions. The Company has also undertaken steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its manufacturing processes and to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in printing operations in Brazil and India. This segment provides printed products and complementary service offerings consistent with the United States Print and Related Services segment. The International segment accounted for approximately 8%, 9% and 10%its fleet of the Company's consolidated net sales in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.Company-owned tractor trailers.



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CorporateAs the owner, lessee or operator of various real properties and facilities, Quad is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to air emissions; waste generation, handling, management and disposal; sanitary and storm water discharge; and remediation of contaminated sites. Historically, compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Compliance with existing or new environmental laws and regulations may require the Company to make future expenditures.

Corporate consists of unallocated general and administrative activities and associated expenses including, in part, executive, legal and finance. In addition, in 2014 and 2015 certain expenses and income from frozen employee retirement plans, such as pension and postretirement benefit plans, are included in Corporate and not allocated to the operating segment.

For additional financial information by segment and geographic area, see Note 22, "Segment Information," and Note 23, "Geographic Area and Product Information," to the consolidated financial statements, respectively, in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For a discussion of the risks attendant to the Company's foreign operations, see the risk factor titled "There are risks associated with the Company's operations outside of the United States" in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Competition

The printing industry, with approximately 45,000 companies in the United States, is highly fragmented and competitive. The four largest printing companies account for less than 20% of total commercial print industry annual revenue in the United States, with Quad/Graphics being the second largest. Although there has been significant industry consolidation, particularly in the past decade, the largest 400 printers in the printing industry still only represent just over half of the total industry revenue in the United States, according to the December 2015 Printing Impressions PI400. According to the October 2015 Printing in the U.S. IBISWorld industry report, the majority of commercial printers in the United States are privately owned and generate, on average, less than $35 million in annual revenue and approximately 70% of firms operating in the industry have fewer than 10 employees.

In addition to being in a highly fragmented industry, the Company also faces competition due to the increased accessibility and quality of digital alternatives to traditional delivery of printed documents through the online distribution and hosting of media content, and the digital distribution of documents and data. In addition, the Company faces competition from print management firms, which look to streamline processes and reduce the overall print spend of the Company's clients, as well as from strategic marketing firms focused on helping businesses integrate multiple channels into their marketing campaigns.

Across Quad/Graphics' range of products and services, competition is based on a number of factors, including the following:

total price of printing, materials and distribution;

quality;

range of services offered, including the ability to provide multichannel marketing campaigns;

marketing expertise;

distribution capabilities;

customer service;

access to a highly skilled workforce;

availability to schedule work on appropriate equipment;

on-time production and delivery; and

state-of-the-art technology to meet a client's business objectives, including the ability to adopt new technology quickly.


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Clients

Quad/GraphicsQuad enjoys long-standing relationships with a diverse base of clients, which includes both national and regional corporations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The Company'sCompany’s clients include industry-leading blue chip companies that operate in a wide range of industries and serve both businesses and consumers, including retailers, publishers and direct marketers. The Company'sCompany’s relationships with its largest clients average more than 19over 20 years in duration.

In 2015, Quad/Graphics2018, Quad served approximately 9,4006,100 clients, and its 10ten largest clients accounted for approximately 15% of consolidated sales, with none representing more than 5% individually. The Company believes that its large and diverse client base, broad geographic coverage and extensive range of printing and print-related capabilities are competitive strengths.

Patents, Trademarks and Trade Names

Quad/GraphicsQuad operates research and development facilities that support the development of new equipment, process improvements, raw materials and content management, and distribution technologies to better meet client needs and improve operating efficiencies. The Company continues to innovate within the printing and print-related industry and, as a result, has developed what it believes to be one of the most powerful patent portfolios in the print industry.

Quad/GraphicsQuad currently holds or has rights to commercialize a wide variety of worldwide patents and applications relating to its business. The Company intends to continue to file patent applications that it believes will help ensure the continued strength of the Company and its portfolio. Additionally, the Company markets products, services and capabilities under a number of trademarks and trade names. Quad/GraphicsQuad aggressively defends its intellectual property rights and intends to continue to do so in the future.

Raw Materials

The primary raw materials that Quad/GraphicsQuad uses in its print business are paper, ink and energy. At this time, the Company'sCompany’s supply of raw materials is readily available from numerous vendors; however, based on market conditions, that could change in the future. The Company generally buys these raw materials based upon market prices that are established with the vendor as part of the procurement process.

The majorityApproximately half of the paper used by the Company is supplied directly by its clients. For those clients that do not directly supply their own paper, the Company makes use of its purchasing efficiencies to supply paper by negotiating with leading paper vendors, uses a wide variety of paper grades, weights and sizes, and does not rely on any one vendor. In addition, the Company generally includes price adjustment clauses in sales contracts for paper and other critical raw materials in the printing process. Although these clauses generally mitigate paper price risk, higher paper prices and tight paper supplies may have an impact on client demand for printed products. The Company'sCompany’s working capital requirements, including the impact of seasonality, are partially mitigated through the direct purchasing of paper by its clients.

The Company produces the majority of ink used in its print production, allowing it to control the quality, cost and supply of key inputs. Raw materials for the ink manufacturing process are purchased externally from a variety of vendors.



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The Company generally cannot pass on to clients the impact of higher electric and natural gas energy prices on its manufacturing costs, and increases in energy prices result in higher manufacturing costs for certain of its operations. The Company mitigates its risk through natural gas hedges when appropriate. In its logistic operations, however, the Company is able to pass a substantial portion of any increase in fuel prices directly to its clients.



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Environmental Stewardship

As the owner, lessee or operator of various real properties and facilities, Quad/Graphics is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to air emissions; waste generation, handling, management and disposal; sanitary and storm water discharge; and remediation of contaminated sites. Historically, compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Compliance with existing or new environmental laws and regulations may require the Company to make future expenditures.

Quad/Graphics strives to be the leader in the printing industry in adopting new technologies and processes to minimize the Company's impact on the environment. The Company believes it has long been known for its environmental stewardship. Quad/Graphics' proactive approach to incorporate holistic practices has also positively impacted operating costs through the reduction of waste, energy use, emissions, as well as through the implementation of water conservation solutions. The Company has also undertaken steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its manufacturing processes and to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in its fleet of Company-owned tractor trailers.

Employees

As of December 31, 2015, Quad/Graphics2018, Quad had approximately 22,50020,600 full-time equivalent employees in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Within the United States, there were approximately 19,60016,900 full-time equivalent employees, of which approximately 800400 were covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Outside of the United States, there were approximately 2,9003,700 full-time equivalent employees, of which approximately 1,3001,200 were either governed by agreements that applyan industry-wide agreement, by a collective bargaining agreement or through a works councilscouncil or similar arrangements. Quad/Graphicsarrangement. Quad believes that its employee relations are good and that the Company maintains an employee-centric culture.

Business Acquisitions and Strategic Investments

The followingCompany completed the acquisition of Ivie on February 21, 2018, for a net purchase price of $92 million, excluding acquired cash. Ivie is headquartered in Flower Mound, Texas and provides a full array of marketing services, including creative and production services, studio services, sourcing, procurement, staff enhancement, media services, public relations, digital, technology solutions and project management for many leading brands throughout the world.

The Company increased its equity position in Rise from 19% to 57% on March 14, 2018, for $9 million cash paid and the conversion of previously provided loans to equity ownership. Rise is a listingdigital marketing agency headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and specializes in media, analytics and customer experience, and helps enterprise marketers see, shape, and act on opportunities in digital media.

The Company completed the acquisition of Periscope on January 3, 2019, for a net preliminary purchase price of $121 million, excluding acquired cash. Periscope is a creative agency headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota and provides a comprehensive offering, including media buying and analytics, creative and account management. Periscope also has packaging design and premedia services that complement Quad’s print-production capabilities.

On October 30, 2018, the Company's 2015Company and LSC entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which the Company will acquire LSC in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion, including the refinancing of LSC’s debt and assumption of other obligations. The acquisition activity. is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval and approval by the shareholders of both companies.

For additional information related to the Company'sCompany’s acquisition activity, see Note 2, "Acquisitions3, “Acquisitions and Strategic Investments," to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company completed the acquisition of Specialty, a full-service paperboard folding carton manufacturer and logistics provider located in Omaha, Nebraska, on August 25, 2015.

The Company completed the acquisition of Copac, a leading international provider of innovative packaging and supply chain solutions, including turnkey packaging design, production and fulfillment services across a range of end markets headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on April 14, 2015.

The Company completed the acquisition of Marin's, a worldwide leader in the point-of-sale display industry headquartered in Paris, France, on February 3, 2015.



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Executive Officers of Quad/GraphicsQuad

The following table sets forth the names, ages (as of February 18, 2016)11, 2019) and positions of Quad/Graphics'Quad’s executive officers.

Name Age Position
J. Joel Quadracci 4750 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
John C. Fowler65Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Global Strategy and Corporate Development
Thomas J. Frankowski55Chief Operating Officer
Renee B. Badura52Executive Vice President of Sales
David A. BlaisEric N. Ashworth 53 Executive Vice President of Global ProcurementProduct Solutions and PlatformMarket Strategy, and President of BlueSoHo
Renee B. Badura55Executive Vice President of Sales
Thomas J. Frankowski58Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
David J. Honan 4750 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer J. Kent 4447 Executive Vice President of Administration and General Counsel
Kelly A. Vanderboom 4144 Executive Vice President, President of Logistics Vice President and Treasurer
Steven D. Jaeger 5154 Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Nancy J. OttAnne M. Bauer 5054 Vice President of Human Resources
Maura D. Packham47Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Anthony C. Staniak43Vice President, Corporate ControllerExecutive Director and Chief Accounting Officer

Mr. Quadracci has served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quad/GraphicsQuad since January 2010. Since March, 2018, Mr. Quadracci also serves on the Board of Directors of Rise Interactive Media & Analytics, LLC. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer from July 2006 to January 2010, President from January 2005 to July 2006 and has served as a director of Quad/GraphicsQuad since 2003. Mr. Quadracci joined Quad/GraphicsQuad in 1991 and, prior to becoming President and Chief Executive Officer, served in various capacities, including Sales Manager, Regional Sales Strategy Director, Vice President of Print Sales, Senior Vice President of Sales & Administration, and President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Quadracci is the brother of Kathryn Quadracci Flores, a director of the Company, and the brother-in-law of Christopher B. Harned, a director of the Company. Quad/Graphics believes that Mr. Quadracci's experience in the printing industry and in leadership positions with the Company qualifies him for service as a director of the Company.

Mr. FowlerAshworth has served as Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Global Strategy and Corporate Development since March 2014. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from July 2010 to March 2014, as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from May 2005 to July 2010 and as Vice President and Controller from when he joined Quad/Graphics in 1980 (which at the time was the Company's top financial position) until May 2005. Prior to joining Quad/Graphics, Mr. Fowler worked for Arthur Andersen LLP for six years.

Mr. Frankowski has served as Chief Operating Officer since March 2014. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing & OperationsProduct Solutions and Market Strategy, and President of EuropeBlueSoHo since April 2016. Since March, 2018, Mr. Ashworth also serves on the Board of Directors of Rise Interactive and Analytics, LLC. He previously served as President of BlueSoHo and Media Solutions from August 2015 to April 2016. Prior to joining Quad, Mr. Ashworth was President of SGK, Inc. (formerly Schawk, Inc.) from July 20102012 to March 2014.July 2015, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer of SGK from September 2009 to July 2012 and Global Chief Growth Officer of Anthem Worldwide (a division of SGK) from November 2003 to September 2009. Prior thereto, Mr. FrankowskiAshworth was Senior ViceCo-founder and President of ManufacturingBlueMint Associates from 2004 to July 2010, President of Quad/Graphics Europe, Quad/Graphics' Polish subsidiary, from 2008 to July 2010, and he servedJune 2002 through November 2003, after serving in various other capacitiesmarketing related roles since he joined Quad/Graphics in 1979.1992.

Ms. Badura has served as Executive Vice President of Sales since June 2015. She previously served as Vice President of Omnichannel Sales Strategy from February 2014 to June 2015, as Regional Vice President of Sales-Midwest for Marketing Solutions from January 2012 to February 2014, as Vice President of Sales - East Coast for Magazines and Catalogs from April 2007 to December 2011, as Vice President of Sales - West Coast from January 2004 to March 2007 and in various other capacities since she joined Quad/GraphicsQuad in 1986.



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Mr. BlaisFrankowski has served as Executive Vice President of Global Procurement and Platform StrategyChief Operating Officer since March 2014. He previously served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Client Services from January 2012 to March 2014 and as Executive Vice PresidentManufacturing Operations and President of Magazines and CatalogsEurope from July 2010 to January 2012.March 2014. Prior thereto, Mr. BlaisFrankowski was Senior Vice President of Sales & AdministrationManufacturing from May 20052004 to July 2010, Quad/Graphics' Vice President of OperationsQuad Europe, Quad Polish subsidiary, from 19992008 to May 2005July 2010, and he served in various other capacities since he joined Quad/GraphicsQuad in 1984.1979.



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Mr. Honan has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 2015. He previously served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from March 2014 to January 2015, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from July 2010 to March 2014, Vice President and Corporate Controller from December 2009 to July 2010 and as the Company'sCompany’s Corporate Controller from when he joined Quad/GraphicsQuad in May 2009 until December 2009. Prior to joining Quad/Graphics,Quad, Mr. Honan served as Vice President, General Manager and Chief Financial Officer of Journal Community Publishing Group, a subsidiary of media conglomerate Journal Communications Inc., for five years. Before joining Journal Community Publishing Group, Mr. Honan worked in executive-level roles in investor relations and corporate development at Newell Rubbermaid, a global marketer of consumer and commercial products. Prior thereto, Mr. Honan worked at the accounting firm Arthur Andersen LLP for 11 years.

Ms. Kent has served as Executive Vice President of Administration and General Counsel since June 2015. She previously served as Vice President and General Counsel from December 2013 to June 2015 and as the Company'sCompany’s Assistant General Counsel from when she joined Quad/GraphicsQuad in August 2010 until December 2013. Prior to joining Quad/Graphics,Quad, Ms. Kent held various positions in the legal department at Harley-Davidson Motor Company from March 2003 to July 2010. Prior thereto, Ms. Kent served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin and practiced law at Foley & Lardner LLP, a Milwaukee-based law firm.

Mr. Vanderboom has served as Executive Vice President since 2018. Since March 2018, Mr. Vanderboom has also served on the Board of Directors of Rise Interactive Media & Analytics, LLC. He has also served as Treasurer and President of Logistics Vice President and Treasurer since March 2014. He previously served as Quad/Graphics'Quad’s Vice President & Treasurer from 2008 to March 2014 and as its Treasurer from 2007 to 2008. Prior to becoming Quad/Graphics'Quad’s Treasurer, Mr. Vanderboom served as Director of Treasury, Risk & Planning from 2006 until 2007, as Controller of Quad/Graphics'Quad’s Distribution and Facilities departments from 2004 until 2006, and in various other capacities since he joined Quad/GraphicsQuad in 1993.

Mr. Jaeger has served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer since November 2015. He previously served as Executive Vice President, President of Direct Marketing and Chief Information Officer from November 2014 to November 2015, as Executive Vice President, President of Direct Marketing and Media Solutions and Chief Information Officer from March 2014 to November 2014, as Corporate Vice President of Information and Technology for Quad/GraphicsQuad since 2013, Vice President of Information Systems and Infrastructure from 2007 to 2012 and as President of Quad/Direct since August 2007. Prior thereto, Mr. Jaeger had been Quad/Graphics'Quad Vice President of Information Systems from 1998 to 2006 and had worked in various other capacities since he joined the Company in 1994. Prior to joining Quad/Graphics,Quad, Mr. Jaeger worked for Andersen Consulting for eight years.

Ms. OttBauer has served as Vice President of Human Resources since December 2013. She previously served as the Company's Executive Director of Human Resources from 2009 to 2013, as Manager of Human Resources from 1994 to 2009 and as Employee Services Generalist from 1986 to 1994. Prior to joining Quad/Graphics, Ms. Ott worked for Principal Financial Group.

Ms. Packham has served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications from when she joined Quad/Graphics in July 2010. Prior to joining Quad/Graphics, Ms. Packham served as World Color Press' Vice President of Marketing for North America during 2010 and as World Color Press' Vice President of Marketing for the Marketing Solutions Group from 2003 to 2009. She joined World Color Press in 1995 as a senior financial analyst.



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Mr. Staniak has served as Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since January 2015. HeMarch 2017. She previously served as Executive Director Financial- Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officerof the Company from May 2016 until March 2014 to January 2015, as Executive Director and Financial Controller from March 2013 to March 2014,2017. She joined the Company in September 2011, serving as Director of Internal Audit from November 2011 to March 2013 and as Director of External Reporting from when he joined Quad/Graphics in October 2009Corporate Accounting until November 2011.May 2016. Prior to joining Quad/Graphics, Mr. Staniak served as Chief Financial Officer for the data consulting firm Sagence,Quad, Ms. Bauer held various accounting positions at Journal Communications, Inc. since 2002. Prior thereto, Mr. Staniak worked in the audit division of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen LLP since 1995.during her 18 years there, including Vice President and Controller from June 2000 until September 2011.

Executive officers of the Company are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Company's boardCompany’s Board of directors.Directors. Other than described above, there are no family relationships between any directors or executive officers of Quad/Graphics.Quad.



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Item 1A.Risk Factors

You should carefully consider each of the risks described below, together with all of the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making an investment decision with respect to Quad/Graphics'Quad’s securities. If any of the following risks develop into actual events, the Company'sCompany’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Quad/Graphics

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Risks Relating to Quad

Quad operates in a highly competitive industry.

Quad/Graphics operates primarily in the commercial print portion of the printing industry. The printing industry, with approximately 45,000 companies in the United States, is highly fragmented and competitive. The four largest printing companies account for less than 20% of total commercial print industry annual revenue in the United States. Although there has been significant industry consolidation, particularly in the past decade, the largest 400 printers in the printing industry still only represent just over half of the total industry revenue in the United States, according to the December 2015 Printing Impressions PI400. According to the October 2015 Printing in the U.S. IBISWorld Industry Report, the majority of commercial printers in the United States are privately owned and generate, on average, less than $35 million in annual revenue and approximately 70% of firms operating in the industry have fewer than 10 employees. As such, the Company competes for business not only with large and mid-sized printers, but also with smaller regional printers. In certain circumstances, due primarily to factors such as freight rates and client preference for local services, printers with better access to certain regions of a given country may be preferred by clients in such regions.

In recent years, the printing industry has experienced a reduction in demand for printed materials and overcapacity due to various factors including the great recession of 2008 and 2009, which severely impacted volumes and competition from alternative sources of communication, including email, the Web, electronic readers, interactive television and electronic retailing. The impacts of overcapacity and intense competition have led to continued downward pricing pressures. Printing industry revenues may continue to decrease in the future. Some of the industries that the Company services have been subject to consolidation efforts, leading to a smaller number of potential clients. Furthermore, if the smaller clients of Quad/Graphics are consolidated with larger companies using other printing companies, the Company could lose its clients to competing printing companies.environment.

The printing industry isadvertising and marketing services industries are highly competitive and are expected to remain so. The U.S. advertising and marketing services industry includes about 38,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies), with combined annual revenue of about $100 billion. Any failure on the part of the Company to compete effectively in the markets it serves could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could require changes to the way it conducts its business or require it to reassess strategic alternatives involving its operations.

Quad operates primarily in the commercial print portion of the printing industry. The printing industry, with approximately 48,000 companies in the United States, is highly fragmented and competitive. Although there has been significant industry consolidation, particularly in the past decade, the largest 400 U.S. printers only represent approximately half of the total industry revenue in the U.S., according to the December 2018 Printing ImpressionsPI400 rankings. As such, the Company competes for business not only with large and mid-sized printers, but also with smaller regional printers and the growing forms of digital alternatives to print. In certain circumstances, due primarily to factors such as freight rates and client preference for local services, printers with better access to certain regions of a given country may be preferred by clients in such regions.

The printing industry continues to experience a reduction in demand for printed materials and overcapacity due to various factors including the great recession of 2008 and 2009, which severely impacted print volumes and accelerated the impact of media disruption. Specifically, there is a sustained and increasing shift of digital substitution by marketers and advertisers, to both replace and augment campaigns that were historically focused on print. The impacts of overcapacity and intense competition have led to continued downward pricing pressures. Printing industry revenues may continue to decrease in the future. Some of the industries that the Company services have been subject to consolidation efforts, leading to a smaller number of potential clients. Furthermore, if the smaller clients of Quad are consolidated with larger companies using other printing companies, the Company could lose its clients to competing printing companies.

Significant downward pricing pressure and decreasing demand for printing services caused by factors outside of the Company'sCompany’s control may adversely affect the Company.

The Company has experienced significant downward pricing pressures for printing services in the past, and pricing for printing services has declined significantly in recent years. Such pricing may continue to decline from current levels. In addition, demand for printing services has decreased in recent years and may continue to decrease. Any increases in the supply of printing services or decreases in demand could cause prices to continue to decline, and prolonged periods of low prices, weak demand and/or excess supply could have a material adverse effect on the Company'sCompany’s business growth, results of operations and liquidity.



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Quad/Graphics may not be able to reduce costs and improve its operating efficiency rapidly enough to meet market conditions.

Because the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive, Quad/Graphics will need to continue to improve its operating efficiency in order to maintain or improve its profitability. There can be no assurance that the Company's continuing cost reduction efforts will continue to be beneficial to the extent anticipated, or that the estimated productivity, cost savings or cash flow improvements will be realized as anticipated or at all. If the Company's efforts are not successful, it could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations and competitive position. In addition, the need to reduce ongoing operating costs have and, in the future, may continue to result in significant up-front costs to reduce workforce, close or consolidate facilities, or upgrade equipment and technology.

The impact of electronicdigital media and similar technological changes, including the substitution of printed products forwith digital content, may continue to adversely affect the results of the Company'sCompany’s operations.

The media landscape is experiencing rapid change due to the impact of electronicdigital media and digital content on printed products. Improvements in the accessibility and quality of digital media through the online distribution and hosting of media content, mobile technologies, e-reader technologies, electronicdigital retailing and the digital distribution of documents and data has resulted and may continue to result in increased consumer substitution. Continued consumer acceptance of such digital media, as an alternative to print materials, is uncertain and difficult to predict and may decrease the demand for the Company'sCompany’s printed products, result in reduced pricing for its printing services and additional excess capacity in the printing industry, and adversely affect the results of the Company'sCompany’s operations.

Future declines in economic conditions may adversely affect the Company's results of operations.

In general, demand for the Company's products and services is highly related to general economic conditions in the markets Quad/Graphics clients serve. Declines in economic conditions in the United States or in other countries in which the Company operates may adversely impact the Company's financial results, and these impacts may be material. Because such declines in demand are difficult to predict, the Company or the industry may have increased excess capacity as a result. An increase in excess capacity has resulted and may continue to result in declines in prices for the Company's products and services. In addition, a prolonged decline in the global economy and an uncertain economic outlook has and could further reduce the demand in the printing industry. Economic weakness and constrained advertising spending have resulted, and may in the future result, in decreased revenue, operating margin, earnings and growth rates and difficulty in managing inventory levels and collecting accounts receivable. The Company has experienced, and expects to experience in the future, excess capacity and lower demand due to economic factors affecting consumers' and businesses' spending behavior. Uncertainty about future economic conditions makes it difficult for the Company to predict results of operations, financial position and cash flows and to make strategic decisions regarding the allocation and deployment of capital.

Quad/Graphics' debt facilities include various covenants imposing restrictions that may affect the Company's ability to operate its business.

On September 1, 1995, and as last amended on November 24, 2014, Quad/Graphics entered into a senior secured note agreement (the "Master Note and Security Agreement") pursuant to which the Company has issued over time senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion in various tranches. As of December 31, 2015, the borrowings outstanding under the Master Note and Security Agreement were $260.4 million. On April 28, 2014, and as last amended on December 18, 2014, the Company entered into a $1.6 billion senior secured credit facility (the "Senior Secured Credit Facility,") which includes three different loan facilities, a Term Loan A, a Term Loan B, and a revolving credit facility. The $850.0 million revolving credit facility and the $450.0 million Term Loan A mature on April 27, 2019. The $300.0 million Term Loan B matures on April 27, 2021. As of December 31, 2015, the borrowings outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility was $774.6 million. On April 28, 2014, the Company also issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its unsecured 7.0% senior notes due May 1, 2022 ("Senior Unsecured Notes,") all of which remains outstanding as of December 31, 2015.



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The Company's various lending arrangements include certain financial covenants.As competition increases among retail-based customers, they may enter into business combinations or alliances and establish companies in other market segments to expand their businesses. In addition, tonew and enhanced technologies, including search, web and infrastructure computing services, digital content, and electronic devices, affect the financial covenants,customers’ reliance on the debt facilities also include certain limitationsuse of printed materials. The internet facilitates competitive entry and comparison shopping, and the reliance on acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividendsdigital retailing may reduce the Company’s sales and repurchases of capital stock. As of December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in its debt agreements. While the Company currently expects to be in compliance in future periods with all of the financial covenants, there can be no assurance that these covenants will continue to be met. The Company's failure to maintain compliance with the covenants could prevent the Company from borrowing additional amounts and could result in a default under any of the debt agreements. Such default could cause the outstanding indebtedness to become immediately due and payable, by virtue of cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.profits.

Quad/Graphics' business depends substantially on customer contract renewals and/or customer retention. Any contract non-renewals, renewals on different terms and conditions or decline in the Company's customer retention or expansion could materially adversely affect Quad/Graphics' results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

The Company has historically derived a significant portion of its revenue from long-term contracts with significant clients. If the Company loses significant clients, is unable to renew such contracts on similar terms and conditions, or at all, or is not awarded new long-term contracts with important clients in the future, its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be adversely affected.

The Company is exposed to risks of loss in the event of nonperformance by its clients. Some of the Company's clients are highly leveraged or otherwise subject to their own operating and regulatory risks. Even if the Company's credit review and analysis mechanisms work properly, the Company may experience financial losses and loss of future business if its clients become bankrupt, insolvent or otherwise are unable to pay the Company for its work performed. Any increase in the nonpayment or nonperformance by clients could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and financial condition.

Certain of the industries in which the Company's clients operate are experiencing consolidation. When client consolidation occurs, it is possible that the volume of work performed by the Company for a client after the consolidation will be less than it was before the consolidation or that the client's work will be completely moved to competitors. Any such reduction or loss of work could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and financial condition.

Quad/GraphicsQuad may be adversely affected by increases in its operating costs, including the cost and availability of raw materials, labor-related costs, fuel and other energy costs and freight rates.

The primary raw materials that Quad/GraphicsQuad uses in its print business are paper, ink and energy. The price of such raw materials has fluctuated over time and has caused fluctuations in the Company'sCompany’s net sales and cost of sales. This volatility may continue and Quad/GraphicsQuad may experience increases in the costs of its raw materials in the future as prices in the overall paper, ink and energy markets are expected to remain beyond its control.

The majorityApproximately half of the paper used by the Company is supplied directly by its clients. For those clients that do not directly supply their own paper, the Company generally includes price adjustment clauses in sales contracts for paper and other critical raw materials in the printing process. Although these clauses generally mitigate paper price risk, higher paper prices and tight paper supplies may have an impact on client demand for printed products. If Quad/GraphicsQuad passes along increases in the cost of paper and the price of the Company'sCompany’s products and services increases as a result, client demand could be adversely affected, and thereby, negatively impact Quad/Graphics'Quad’s financial performance. If the Company is unable to continue to pass along increases in the cost of paper to its clients, future increases in paper costs would adversely affect its margins and profits.

Quad/Graphics is dependent upon the vendors within the Company's supply chain to maintain a steady supply of inventory, parts and materials. Many of the Company's products are dependent upon a limited number of vendors, and significant disruptions could adversely affect operations. Under recent market conditions, including the tightening credit market, it is possible that one or more of the Company's vendors will be unable to fulfill their operating obligations due to financial hardships, liquidity issues or other reasons related to the prolonged market recovery.



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Due to the significance of paper in the Company'sCompany’s print business, it is dependent on the availability of paper. In periods of high demand, certain paper grades have been in short supply, including grades used in the Company'sCompany’s business. In addition, during periods of tight supply, many paper producers allocate shipments of paper based upon historical purchase levels of customers. Additionally, the declining number of paper suppliers in the United States and Canada has resulted in a contraction in the overall paper manufacturing industry. This contraction of suppliers may cause overall supply issues, may cause certain paper grades to be in short supply or unavailable, and may cause paper prices to substantially increase.

The United States Department of Commerce (“DOC”) and the International Trade Commission (“ITC”) completed investigations in June and August 2018, respectively, to determine if manufacturers of uncoated groundwood paper based in the United States are being disadvantaged as compared to their Canadian competitors due to subsidies from the federal government of Canada.  Additionally, the investigation looked into allegations that the Canadian paper manufacturers were improperly exporting less expensive paper into the United States.

The DOC issued a “preliminary” decision recommending a combined tariff, ranging from 0% to as much as 35%, depending on the company (each company was to have been assessed a duty specific to their own unique circumstances, which would have resulted in varying duty amounts). The ITC subsequently completed its own investigation and in August 2018 concluded that the Canadian paper producers were not benefiting from unfair subsidies from the Canadian government, nor was there any evidence the Canadian paper manufacturers were improperly exporting less expensive paper into the United States. As a result of these findings, the ITC rescinded the DOC’s proposed tariffs. The Company believes the ITC’s decision to rescind the proposed tariffs will allow printers and publishers to continue to have access to a supply of uncoated groundwood paper at reasonable prices.

Although Quad/Graphicshistorically Quad generally has not experienced significant difficulty in obtaining adequate quantities of paper, continued decline in suppliers, changes as noted above in United States import or trade regulations, or other unforeseen developments in the overall paper markets could result in a decrease in the supply of paper and could adversely affect the Company'sCompany’s revenues or profits.

In addition, the Company may not be able to resell waste paper and other by-products or the prices received for their sale may decline substantially.



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Quad is dependent upon the vendors within the Company’s supply chain to maintain a steady supply of inventory, parts and materials. Many of the Company’s products are dependent upon a limited number of vendors, and significant disruptions could adversely affect operations. Under recent market conditions, it is possible that one or more of the Company’s vendors will be unable to fulfill their operating obligations due to financial hardships, liquidity issues or other reasons.

The Company has less frequently been ablegenerally cannot pass on to pass alongclients the impact of higher electric and natural gas energy prices on its manufacturing costs, and increases in the costenergy prices result in higher manufacturing costs for certain of ink and energy to its clients.operations. If the Company is unable to pass along increases in the cost of ink and energy costs, future increases in these items would adversely affect its margins and profits. If Quad/Graphics is able toEven if Quad could pass along increases in theenergy costs, of ink and energy and the price of the Company'sCompany’s products and services increaseswould increase as a result, clientresult. Client demand could be adversely affected, and would thereby negatively impact Quad/Graphics'Quad’s financial performance.

Labor represents a significant component of the cost structure of Quad/Graphics.Quad. Increases in wages, salaries and benefits, such as medical, dental, pension and other post-retirement benefits, may impact the Company'sCompany’s financial performance. Changes in interest rates, investment returns or the regulatory environment may impact the amounts the Company will be required to contribute to the pension plans that it sponsors and may affect the solvency of these pension plans. Quad/GraphicsQuad may be unable to achieve labor productivity targets, to retain employees or labor may not be adequately available in locations in which the Company operates, which could negatively impact the Company'sCompany’s financial performance.

Freight rates and fuel costs also represent a significant component of the Company'sCompany’s cost structure. In general, the Company has been able to pass along increases in the cost of freight and fuel to many of its clients. If the Company is not able to pass along a substantial portion of increases in freight rates or in the price of fuel, future increases in these items would adversely impact the Company'sCompany’s margin and profits. If Quad/GraphicsQuad passes along increases in the cost of freight and fuel and the price of the Company'sCompany’s products and services increases as a result, client demand could be adversely affected, and thereby, negatively impact Quad/Graphics'Quad’s financial performance.

Changes in postal rates, postal regulations and postal services may adversely impact customers' demand for print products and services.

Postal costs are a significant component of the cost structures of many of the Company's clients and potential clients. Postal rate changes and USPS regulations that result in higher overall costs can influence the volume that these clients will be willing to print and ultimately send through the USPS.

Integrated distribution with the postal service is an important component of the Company's business. Any material change in the current service levels provided by the postal service could impact the demand that clients have for print services. The USPS has reported cumulative net losses totaling more than $56 billion since 2007. Without increased revenues or action by Congress to reform the USPS' cost structure, these losses will continue into the future. As a result of these financial difficulties, the USPS has come under increased pressure to adjust its postal rates and service levels. In January 2014, the USPS implemented a temporary exigent postage rate increase of 6.0% (includes the normal and expected annual Consumer Price Index ("CPI") increase of 1.7% and an additional 4.3% temporary exigent increase). In January 2015, the USPS filed a proposal with the Postal Regulatory Commission ("PRC") for a CPI increase of 2.0% on April 26, 2015. After being rejected twice by the PRC, the third proposal was approved, and prices were implemented on May 31, 2015. Additionally, the 4.3% temporary exigent increase was extended and is scheduled to end in April 2016. However, the USPS has filed an appeal in federal court requesting that the "surcharge" be continued and made part of the permanent base postage rate. Additionally, there is legislation pending before Congress that would also make this surcharge a permanent part of the base postage rate. Many of the Company's customers have already budgeted for their postal spend assuming that the current law would be maintained and the surcharge would end as scheduled. A court ruling or passage of legislation that maintains the postage surcharge may result in customers reducing mail volumes and exploring the use of alternative methods for delivering their products, such as continued


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diversion to the Internet and other alternative media channels in order to ensure that they stay within their expected postage budgets.

The USPS does offer "work-share" discounts that provide incentives to co-mail and place product as far down the mail-stream as possible. Discounts are earned as a result of less handling of the mail, and therefore, lower costs for the USPS. As a result, Quad/Graphics has made substantial investments in co-mailing technology and equipment to ensure customers benefit from these discounts. As the USPS reacts to its financial difficulties, it often revises design standards for mail entering its system. These design standards often increase costs for customers and, in turn, minimize the value of the cost reductions that the Company's co-mailing services provide. If the incentives to co-mail are minimized by USPS regulations, the overall cost to mail printed products will increase and may result in print volumes declining.

Current federal law limits postal rate increase (outside of an "exigent circumstance") to the increase in the CPI. This cap works to ensure funding stability and predictability for mailers. However, that same federal statute requires the PRC to conduct a review of the overall rate-making structure for the USPS. This review will begin in late 2016 with new rates going into effect by January 1, 2018. This rate review may result in a substantially altered rate structure for mailers. There is a great deal of uncertainty as to the outcome of this review as it may retain the current CPI cap or, more likely, it will result in a revised structure. The newly revised rates may include a higher rate cap or potentially the elimination of a rate cap altogether which will result in no restrictions on the USPS' ability to increase rates from year to year. That kind of rate-making flexibility may lead to price spikes for mailers and may also reduce the incentive for the USPS to continue to take out costs and instead continue to rely on postage to cover the costs of an outdated postal service that does not reflect the industry's ability or willingness to pay. The end result may be reduced demand for printed products as customers may move more aggressively into other delivery methods such as the many digital and mobile options now available to consumers.

If Quad/GraphicsQuad fails to identify, manage, complete and integrate acquisitions, investment opportunities or other significant transactions, it may adversely affect the Company'sCompany’s future results.

As part of Quad/Graphics'Quad’s growth strategy, the Company may pursue acquisitions of, investment opportunities in, or other significant transactions with, companies that are complementary to the Company'sCompany’s business. In order to pursue this strategy successfully, the Company must identify attractive acquisition or investment opportunities, successfully complete the transaction, some of which may be large and complex, and manage post-closing issues such as integration of the acquired company or employees. Quad/GraphicsQuad may not be able to identify or complete appealing acquisition or investment opportunities given the intense competition for these transactions. Even if the Company identifies and completes suitable corporate transactions, the Company may not be able to successfully address inherent risks in a timely manner, or at all. These inherent risks include, among other things: (1) failure to successfully integrate the purchased operations, technologies, products or services and maintain uniform standard controls, policies and procedures; (2) substantial unanticipated integration costs; (3) loss of key employees including those of the acquired business; (4) diversion of management'smanagement’s attention from other operations; (5) failure to retain the clients of the acquired business; (6) failure to achieve any projected synergies and performance targets; (7) additional debt and/or assumption of known or unknown liabilities; (8) potential dilutive issuances of equity securities; and (9) a write-off of goodwill, client lists, other intangibles and amortization of expenses. If the Company fails to successfully integrate an acquisition, the Company may not realize all or any of the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, and Quad/Graphics'Quad future results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, the diversion of management'smanagement’s attention from the Company'sCompany’s other operations due to these acquisitions and integration effort could adversely affect its business and have a negative financial impact.

See “Risks Relating to the Proposed Acquisition of LSC” below.



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Quad/Graphics' entry into additionalQuad may not be able to reduce costs and improve its operating efficiency rapidly enough to meet market conditions.

Because the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive, Quad will need to continue to improve its operating efficiency in order to maintain or improve its profitability. There can be no assurance that the Company’s continuing cost reduction efforts will continue to be beneficial to the extent anticipated, or that the estimated productivity, cost savings or cash flow improvements will be realized as anticipated or at all. If the Company’s efforts are not successful, it could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations and competitive position. In addition, the need to reduce ongoing operating costs have and, in the future, may continue to result in significant up-front costs to reduce workforce, close or consolidate facilities, or upgrade equipment and technology.

Quad’s transformation to a marketing solutions provider increases the complexity of the Company'sCompany’s business, and if the Company is unable to successfully adapt its business processes as required by these new markets, the Company will be at a competitive disadvantage and its ability to grow will be adversely affected.

As the Company expands its product line to provide additionalintegrated marketing and publishing channels,platform, the overall complexity of the Company'sCompany’s business increases at an accelerated rate and the Company becomes subject to different market dynamics. The new markets into which Quad/GraphicsQuad is expanding, or may expand, may have different characteristics from the markets in which the Company currently competes.historically competed. These different characteristics may include, among other things, demand volume requirements, demand seasonality, product generation development rates, client concentrations and performance and compatibility requirements. The Company'sCompany’s failure to make the necessary adaptations to its business model to address these different characteristics, complexities and new market dynamics could adversely affect the Company'sCompany’s operating results.

Quad/Graphics and its facilities are subject to various consumer protection and privacy laws and regulations, and will become subject to additional laws and regulations in the future. If Quad/Graphics' efforts to comply with such laws or protect the security of information are unsuccessful, any failure may subject the Company to material liability, require it to incur material costs or otherwise adversely affect its results of operations as a result of compliance with such laws, costly enforcement actions and private litigation.

The nature of the Company's business includes the receipt and storage of information about the Company's clients, vendors and the end-users of Quad/Graphics' products and services. Quad/Graphics and its clients are subject to various United States and foreign consumer protection, information security, data privacy and "do not mail" requirements at the federal, states, provincial and local levels. Quad/Graphics is subject to many legislative and regulatory laws and regulations around the world concerning data protection and privacy. In addition, the interpretation and application of consumer and data protection laws in the United States and elsewhere are often fluid and uncertain. To the extent that the Company or its clients become subject to additional or more stringent requirements or that the Company is not successful in its efforts to comply with existing requirements or protect the security of information, demand for the Company's services may decrease and the Company's reputation may suffer, which could adversely affect the Company's results of operations. In addition, such laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner inconsistent with Quad/Graphics' internal policies. If so, the Company could suffer costly enforcement actions (including an order requiring changes to Quad/Graphics' data practices) and private litigation, which could have an adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. Complying with these various laws could cause Quad/Graphics to incur substantial costs or require changes to the Company's business practices in a manner adverse to Quad/Graphics' business.

Quad/GraphicsQuad may suffer a data-breach of sensitive information. If Quad/Graphics'Quad’s efforts to protect the security of such information are unsuccessful, any such failure may result in costly government enforcement actions andand/or private litigation, and our salesthe Company’s business and reputation could suffer.

Quad/GraphicsQuad and its clients are subject to various United States and foreign cyber-security laws, which require the Company to maintain adequate protections for electronically held information. The Company may not be able to anticipate techniques used to gain access to Quad/Graphics'Quad’s systems or facilities, the Company's clients' systems vendor systemsof the Company’s clients or vendors, or implement adequate prevention measures. Moreover, unauthorized parties may attempt to access Quad/Graphics'Quad’s systems or facilities, or the Company's clients' systems of the Company’s clients or vendor systemsvendors, through fraud or deception. In the event and to the extent that a data breach occurs, such breach could have an adverse effect on the Company'sCompany’s business and results of operations. Complying with these various laws could cause Quad/GraphicsQuad to incur substantial costs or require changes to the Company'sCompany’s business practices in a manner adverse to Quad/Graphics'Quad’s business.

Future declines in economic conditions may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

In general, demand for the Company’s products and services is highly related to general economic conditions in the markets Quad’s clients serve. Declines in economic conditions in the United States or in other countries in which the Company operates may adversely impact the Company’s financial results, and these impacts may be material. Because such declines in demand are difficult to predict, the Company or the industry may have increased excess capacity as a result. An increase in excess capacity has resulted, and may continue to result, in declines in prices for the Company’s products and services. In addition, a prolonged decline in the global economy and an uncertain economic outlook has and could further reduce the demand in the printing industry. Economic weakness and constrained advertising spending have resulted, and may in the future result, in decreased revenue, operating margin, earnings and growth rates and difficulty in managing inventory levels and collecting accounts receivable. The Company has experienced, and expects to experience in the future, excess capacity and lower demand due to economic factors affecting consumers’ and businesses’ spending behavior. Uncertainty about future economic conditions makes it difficult for the Company to predict results of operations, financial position and cash flows and to make strategic decisions regarding the allocation and deployment of capital.



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An other than temporaryQuad’s business depends substantially on customer contract renewals and/or customer retention. Any contract non-renewals, renewals on different terms and conditions or decline in operatingthe Company’s customer retention or expansion could materially adversely affect Quad’s results of operations, financial condition and enterprise value could lead to non-cash impairment charges due to the impairment of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets.cash flows.

The Company has historically derived a material amountsignificant portion of property, plant, equipment and other intangible assets on its balance sheet, due in part to acquisitions. As of December 31, 2015,revenue from long-term contracts with significant clients as the Company hadprogresses through Quad 3.0. If the following long-lived assetsCompany loses significant clients, is unable to renew such contracts on similar terms and conditions, or at all, or is not awarded new long-term contracts with important clients in the future, its consolidated balance sheet included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statementsresults of operations, financial condition and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:cash flows may be adversely affected.

Property, plant and equipmentThe Company is exposed to risks of $1,675.8 million; and

Other intangible assets, primarily representingloss in the valueevent of customer relationships acquired, of $110.5 million.

As of December 31, 2015, these assets represented approximately 63%nonperformance by its clients. Some of the Company's total assets. TheCompany’s clients are highly leveraged or otherwise subject to their own operating and regulatory risks. Even if the Company’s credit review and analysis mechanisms work properly, the Company assesses impairmentmay experience financial losses and loss of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets based uponfuture business if its clients become bankrupt, insolvent or otherwise are unable to pay the expected future cash flows of the respective assets. These valuations include management's estimates of sales, profitability, cash flow generation, capital structure, cost of debt, interest rates, capital expenditures and other assumptions. A decline in expected profitability, significant negative industry or economic trends, inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of the assets or in entity structure, and divestitures may adversely impact the assumptions usedCompany for its work performed. Any increase in the valuations. As a result,nonpayment or nonperformance by clients could adversely affect the recoverability of these assets could be called into question, and the Company could be required to write down or write off these assets. Such an occurrence could have a material adverse effect on the Company'sCompany’s results of operations and financial position.condition.

If Quad/GraphicsCertain industries in which the Company’s clients operate are experiencing consolidation. When client consolidation occurs, it is not able to take advantagepossible that the volume of technological developments in the printing industry on a timely basis,work performed by the Company may experiencefor a decline inclient after the demand for its services,consolidation will be unable to implement its business strategy and experience reduced profits.

The printing industry is experiencing rapid change as new technologies are developedless than it was before the consolidation or that offer clients an array of choices for their marketing and publication needs. In order to grow and remain competitive, the Companyclient’s work will need to adapt to future changes in technology, enhance the Company's existing offerings and introduce new offerings to address the changing demands of clients. If Quad/Graphics is unable to meet future challenges from competing technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost, the Company could lose clientsbe completely moved to competitors. In general,addition, new and enhanced technologies, including search, web and infrastructure computing services, digital content, and electronic devices, may affect customers. The internet facilitates competitive entry and comparison shopping, and the developmentreliance on digital retailing may reduce customers’ volume. Any such reduction or loss of new communication channels insidework could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and outside the printing and media solutions industry requires the Company to anticipate and respond to the varied and continually changing demands of clients. The Company may not be able to accurately predict technological trends or the success of new services in the market.financial condition.

Currently, there is a limited active market for Quad/Graphics' class A common stockFailure to attract and as a result, shareholders may be unable to sell their class A common stock without losing a significant portion of their investment.

The Company's class A common stock has been traded onretain qualified talent across the NYSE underenterprise could materially adversely affect the symbol "QUAD" since July 6, 2010. However, there is currently a limited active market for the class A common shares. The Company cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in the Company will lead to the development of an active trading market for its class A common stock on the NYSE or how liquid that market will become. If a more active trading market does not develop, shareholders may have difficulty selling any class A common stock without negatively affecting the stock price, and thereby, losing a significant portion of their investment.



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Changes in the legal and regulatory environment could limit the Company'sCompany’s business, activities, increase its operating costs, reduce demand for its products or result in litigation.

The conduct of the Company's businesses is subject to various laws and regulations administered by federal, state and local government agencies in the United States, as well as to foreign laws and regulations administered by government entities and agencies in markets in which the Company operates. These laws and regulations and interpretations thereof may change, sometimes dramatically, as a result of political, economic or social events. Such regulatory environment changes may include changes in environmental laws, requirements of United States and foreign occupational health and safety laws, accounting standards and taxation requirements. Changes in laws, regulations or governmental policy and the related interpretations may alter the environment in which Quad/Graphics does business, and therefore, may impact its results or increase its costs or liabilities.

In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries are party to a variety of legal and environmental remediation obligations arising in the normal course of business, as well as environmental remediation and related indemnification proceedings in connection with certain historical activities, former facilities and contractual obligations of acquired businesses. Permits are required for the operation of certain parts of the Company's business, and these permits are subject to renewal, modification and, in some circumstances, revocation. Due to regulatory complexities, uncertainties inherent in litigation and the risk of unidentified contaminants on current and former properties, the potential exists for remediation, liability and indemnification costs to differ materially from the costs the Company has estimated. Quad/Graphics cannot assure you that the Company's costs in relation to these matters will not exceed its established liabilities or otherwise have an adverse effect on its results of operations.

Various laws and regulations addressing climate change are being considered at the federal and state levels. Proposals under consideration include limitations on the amount of greenhouse gas that can be emitted (so-called "caps") together with systems of trading allowed emissions capacities. The impacts of such proposals could have a material adverse impact on the Company'scompetitive position, financial condition and results of operations.

Quad/GraphicsQuad continues to be substantially dependent on its production personnel to print the Company’s products in a cost-effective and efficient manner that allows the Company to obtain new customers and to drive sales from the Company’s existing customers. Quad believes that there is significant competition for production personnel with the skills and technical knowledge that the Company requires. The Company’s ability to continue efficient operations, reduce production costs, and consolidate operations will depend, in large part, on the Company’s success in recruiting, training, integrating and retaining sufficient numbers of production personnel to support the Company’s production, cost savings and consolidation targets. New hires require significant training and it may take significant time before they achieve full productivity. In addition, an increase in the wages paid by competing employers could result in an increase in the wage rates that the Company must pay. As a result, Quad may incur significant costs to attract, train and retain employees, including significant expenditures related to salaries and benefits, and the Company may lose new, as well as existing, employees to competitors or other companies before the Company realizes the benefit of its investment in recruiting and training them. The Company’s recent hires and planned hires may not become productive as quickly as the Company expects, and the Company may be unable to hire or retain sufficient numbers of qualified individuals in the markets where the Company does business or plans to do business. In addition, due to turnover, a large percentage of employees will be new to the Company. If the Company is unable to hire and train sufficient numbers of personnel, the Company’s business would be adversely affected.

Quad may be required to make capital expenditures to maintainsustain its platformplatforms and processes and to remain technologically and economically competitive, which may increase its costs or disrupt its operations.

The Company may need to make significant capital expenditures as it develops and continues to maintain its platformplatforms and processes. The Company also may be required to make capital expenditures to develop and integrate new technologies to remain technologically and economically competitive. In order to accomplish this effectively, the Company will need to deploy its resources efficiently, maintain effective cost controls and bear potentially significant market and raw material risks. If the Company'sCompany’s revenues decline, it may impact the Company'sCompany’s ability to expend the capital necessary to develop and implement new technology and be economically competitive. Debt or equity financing, or cash generated from operations, may not be available or sufficient for these requirements or for other corporate


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purposes or, if debt or equity financing is available, it may not be on terms favorable to the Company. In addition, even if capital is available to the Company, there is risk that the Company'sCompany’s vendors will have discontinued the production of parts needed for repairs, replacements or improvements to the Company'sCompany’s existing manufacturing platform,platforms, leading the Company to expend more capital than expected to perform such repairs, replacements or improvements.

Quad/Graphics' revenueChanges in postal rates, postal regulations and postal services may adversely impact customers’ demand for print products and services.

Postal costs are a significant component of the cost structures of many of the Company’s clients and potential clients. Postal rate changes and USPS regulations that result in higher overall costs can influence the volume that these clients will be willing to print and ultimately send through the USPS.

Integrated distribution with the postal service is subjectan important component of the Company’s business. Any material change in the current service levels provided by the postal service could impact the demand that clients have for print services. The USPS continues to cyclicalexperience financial problems. Without increased revenues or action by Congress to reform the USPS’ cost structure, these losses will continue into the future. As a result of these financial difficulties, the USPS has come under increased pressure to adjust its postal rates and seasonal variations.service levels. Additional price increases may result in customers reducing mail volumes and exploring the use of alternative methods for delivering a larger portion of their products, such as continued diversion to the internet and other alternative media channels in order to ensure that they stay within their expected postage budgets.

The Company's business is seasonal, with Quad/Graphics recognizingUSPS does offer “work-share” discounts that provide incentives to co-mail and place product as far down the majority of its operating income in the third and fourth quarters of the financial year, primarilymail-stream as possible. Discounts are earned as a result of less handling of the increased magazine advertising page countsmail, and retail inserts, catalogstherefore, lower costs for the USPS. As a result, Quad has made substantial investments in co-mailing technology and booksequipment to ensure customers benefit from back-to-schoolthese discounts. As the USPS reacts to its financial difficulties, it often revises design standards for mail entering its system. These design standards often increase costs for customers and, holiday-related advertisingin turn, decrease the value of the cost reductions that the Company’s co-mailing services provide. If the incentives to co-mail are decreased by USPS regulations, the overall cost to mail printed products will increase and promotions. The fourth quarter is the highest seasonal quarter for cash flows from operating activities and Free Cash Flow duemay result in print volumes declining.

Current federal law limits postal rate increases (outside of an “exigent circumstance”) to the reductionincrease in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). This cap works to ensure funding stability and predictability for mailers. However, that same federal statute requires the Postal Regulatory Commission (“PRC”) to conduct a review of working capital requirements that reach peak levels during the third quarter. Within any year, this seasonality could adversely affectoverall rate-making structure for the Company's cash flows andUSPS. The results of operations.that study found that the current rate structure has been partially successful in meeting the USPS’ goals. The current system does result in predictable and stable rate making. However, the PRC also concluded that the current rate structure does not meet USPS’ revenue needs and lacks pricing efficiency. As a result, the PRC proposed a new rate-making structure that would provide the USPS with additional pricing flexibility over the current CPI cap, and which may result in a substantially altered rate structure for mailers. There is a great deal of uncertainty as to the outcome of this review as the PRC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with comments due on March 1, 2018. An additional round of comments was due on March 30, 2018. Any newly revised rates that would be effective as a result of new rules issued by the PRC may include a higher rate cap, or potentially the elimination of a rate cap altogether, which will result in no restrictions on the USPS’ ability to increase rates from year to year. This may lead to price spikes for mailers and may also reduce the incentive for the USPS to continue to take out costs and instead continue to rely on postage to cover the costs of an outdated postal service that does not reflect the industry’s ability or willingness to pay. The end result may be reduced demand for printed products as customers may move more aggressively into other delivery methods, such as the many digital and mobile options now available to consumers.

On April 12, 2018, an executive order was issued for a presidential task force to review the USPS with a provided time frame of 120 days. Other initiatives, such as postal reform legislation and PRC response, have been temporarily delayed, pending the outcome of this review. The recommendations stemming from the presidential task force were published on December 4, 2018, which were wide in scope and will require additional input from a multitude of stakeholders, including the United States Congress. The Company expects that with the publication of the report, both postal reform legislation as well as the PRC’s proposed rate structure changes will be further investigated within the next year.



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The Company has significant liabilities with respectfragility of and decline in overall distribution channels, including newspaper distribution channels, may adversely impact customers’ access to defined benefit pension plans that could grow incost effective distribution of their advertising materials, and therefore may adversely impact the future and cause the Company to incur additional costs.Company’s business.

As a resultThe distribution channels of print products and services, including the 2010 acquisitionnewspaper industry, face significant competition from other sources of World Color Press,news, information and entertainment content delivery. If overall distribution channels, including newspaper distribution channels, continue to decline, the Company assumed frozen single employer defined benefit pension plansCompany’s customers may be adversely impacted by the lack of access to cost effective distribution of their advertising materials. In turn, this decline in cost effective distribution channels may force customers to use other avenues of distribution that may be at significantly higher cost, which may decrease customer demand for certain of its employees in the United States. The majority of the plans' assets are held in North AmericanCompany’s products and global equity securitiesservices, and debt securities. The asset allocation as of December 31, 2015, was approximately 54% equity securities and 46% debt securities.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had underfunded pension liabilities of approximately $138 million for single employer defined benefit plans in the United States. Under current United States pension law, pension funding deficits are generally required to be funded over a seven-year period. These pension deficits may increase or decrease depending on changes in the levels of interest rates, pension plan investment performance, pension legislation and other factors. Declines in global debt and equity markets would increase the Company's potential pension funding obligations. Any significant increase in the Company's required contributions could have a material adverse impact on its business,thus adversely affect Quad financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company is heavily dependent on its Executive Management team, including its Chief Executive Officer and other skilled personnel and, if the Company is unable to retain such personnel or hire qualified personnel, the Company may not be able to compete effectively.

The Company’s future success depends on its continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, and retain its Executive Management team, including its Chief Executive Officer, and other skilled personnel for all areas of the organization. The Company’s continued ability to compete effectively depends on its ability to attract new employees and retain its existing employees.

Quad’s debt facilities include various covenants imposing restrictions that may affect the Company’s ability to operate its business.

On September 1, 1995, and as last amended on November 24, 2014, Quad entered into a senior secured note agreement (the “Master Note and Security Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company has issued over time senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion in various tranches. As of December 31, 2018, the borrowings outstanding under the Master Note and Security Agreement were $96.2 million. On April 28, 2014, and as last amended on February 10, 2017, the Company entered into a senior secured credit facility (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility,”) which includes three different loan facilities: a Term Loan A, a Term Loan B, and a revolving credit facility. The $725.0 million revolving credit facility and the $375.0 million Term Loan A mature on January 4, 2021. The $300.0 million Term Loan B matures on April 27, 2021. As of December 31, 2018, the borrowings outstanding under the Senior Secured Credit Facility were $560.8 million. On April 28, 2014, the Company also issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its unsecured 7.0% senior notes due May 1, 2022 (“Senior Unsecured Notes,”), of which $243.5 million remained outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

On January 31, 2019, the Company completed the third amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility. See Note 24, “Subsequent Events,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further detail.

The Company’s various lending arrangements include certain financial covenants. In addition to the single employer defined benefit plans described above,financial covenants, the debt facilities also include certain limitations on acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividends and repurchases of capital stock. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has previously participatedwas in multiemployer pension plans ("MEPPs")compliance with all financial covenants in its debt agreements. While the United States, including the Graphic Communications International Union - Employer Retirement Fund ("GCIU") and the Graphic Communications ConferenceCompany currently expects to be in compliance in future periods with all of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters National Pension Fund ("GCC"). Priorfinancial covenants, there can be no assurance that these covenants will continue to be met. The Company’s failure to maintain compliance with the acquisition of World Color Press by Quad/Graphics, World Color Press received notice that certain planscovenants could prevent the Company from borrowing additional amounts and could result in which it participated were in critical status, as defined in Section 432a default under any of the Internal Revenue Codedebt agreements. Such default could cause the outstanding indebtedness to become immediately due and payable, by virtue of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). As a result, the Company could have been subject to increased contributioncross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.



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Quad may be adversely affected by interest rates, associated with these plans or other MEPPs suffering from declines in their funding levels. Due to the significantly underfunded status of the United States multiemployer plansparticularly floating interest rates, and the potential increased contribution rates, the Company withdrew from participation in these multiemployer plans and has replaced these pension benefits with a Company-sponsored "pay as you go" defined contribution plan, which is historically the form of retirement benefit provided to the Company's employees.foreign exchange rates.

As of December 31, 2015,2018, 34% of the Company’s borrowings were subject to variable interest rates. As a result, the Company estimatesis exposed to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, and has recordedincreases in interest rates could adversely affect the Company.

The Company entered into a $250.0 million interest rate swap on February 7, 2017. The swap was designated as a cash flow hedge as its financial statementspurpose is to reduce the variability of cash flows from interest payments related to a pre-tax withdrawal liability for allportion of Quad’s variable-rate debt. The swap effectively converts $250.0 million of the Company’s variable-rate debt based on one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to a fixed rate of 3.89% (including a 2.00% spread on underlying debt at December 31, 2018). The variable interest rate resets monthly, and the swap is a five year arrangement, maturing on February 28, 2022.

Because a portion of the Company’s operations are outside of the United States, multiemployer planssignificant revenues and expenses are denominated in local currencies. Although operating in local currencies may limit the impact of approximately $48 million in the aggregate. There are arbitration proceedings in process with the GCIU, and also both the Company and GCIU have filed lawsuits in Federal court. Arbitration proceedings with the GCC have been completed, both sides have appealed the arbitrator's ruling, and litigation has commenced. Until litigation with the multiemployer plans' trustees is concluded, the exact amount of the withdrawal liability will not be known, and, as such, a difference from the recorded estimate could have an adverse effectcurrency rate fluctuations on the Company's results of operations of the Company’s non-United States subsidiaries and business units, fluctuations in such rates may affect the translation of these results into the Company’s consolidated financial positionstatements. To the extent revenues and cash flows.expenses are not in the applicable local currency, the Company may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the currency risk. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company’s efforts at hedging will be successful. There is always a possibility that attempts to hedge currency risks will lead to greater losses than predicted.

There are risks associated with the Company'sCompany’s operations outside of the United States.

Although the substantial majority of the Company'sCompany’s business activity takes place in the United States, a portion of Quad/GraphicsQuad’s net sales are derived from operations in foreign countries. The Company'sCompany’s products and services are sold primarily throughout North America, South America and Europe. In addition, the Company strategically sources packaging product manufacturing over multiple end markets in Central America and Asia. The Company'sCompany’s printing operations located in Europe and Latin America include operations in England, France, Germany, Poland, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, as well as strategic investments in printing operations in Brazil and India. Net sales from the Company'sCompany’s wholly-owned subsidiaries outside of the United States accounted for approximately 8%, 9% and 10% of its consolidated net sales for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013, respectively.2016.

As a result, the Company is subject to the risks inherent in conducting business outside of the United States, including, but not limited to: the impact of economic and political instability; fluctuations in currency values, foreign-currency exchange rates, devaluation and conversion restrictions; exchange control regulations and other limits on the Company'sCompany’s ability to import raw materials or finished product; tariffs and other trade barriers; political and economic instability; trade restrictions and economic embargoes by the United States or other countries; social unrest, acts of terrorism, force majeure, war or other armed conflicts; inflation and fluctuations in interest rates; language barriers;


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difficulties in staffing, training, employee retention and managing international operations; logistical and communications challenges; differing local business practices and cultural consideration; restrictions on the ability to repatriate funds; foreign ownership restrictions and the potential for nationalization or expropriation of property or other resources; longer accounts receivable payment cycles; potential adverse tax consequences and being subject to different legal and regulatory regimes that may preclude or make more costly certain initiatives or the implementation of certain elements of its business strategy. Any international expansion or acquisition that the Company undertakes could amplify these risks related to operating outside of the United States.

Quad/GraphicsQuad is exposed to the economic and political conditions in Argentina. The Argentine economy has experienced significant volatility in recent decades, characterized by periods of low or negative growth, high and variable levels of inflation and currency devaluation. As a consequence, the Company'sCompany’s business and operations have been, and could be in the future, affected from time to time to varying degrees by economic and political developments and other material events affecting the Argentine economy. The majority of the Company'sCompany’s employees in Argentina are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. A strike, work stoppage or other form of labor protest in Argentina in the future could disrupt the Company'sCompany’s Argentina operations and result in a material adverse impact to the Company's Company’s


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Argentina operations'operations’ financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, which could force the Company to reassess its strategic alternatives involving operations in Argentina. In addition, on March 25, 2015, due to deteriorating economic conditions, including inflation and currency devaluation, combined with uncertain political conditions, declining print volumes and labor challenges, the Company'sCompany’s Argentina subsidiaries, Anselmo L. Morvillo S.A. (“Morvillo”) and World Color Argentina, S.A. (the “Argentina Subsidiaries”) commenced bankruptcy restructuring proceedings with a goal of consolidating operations. The Company may be unable to successfully completecompleted such consolidation and emerged from bankruptcy; however, the Company’s Argentina operations’ repayment and other obligations resulting from such proceedings mayconsolidation, if not be (in whole or in part) decided in the Company's favor. Any such outcomesuccessfully completed as and when due, may result in an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations,Company’s Argentina operations’ financial position and cash flows. As of December 31, 2015,2018, the Company had $22.1$18.6 million of total assets in Argentina, representing 0.8% of Quad/GraphicsQuad consolidated total assets. For the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company recognized $67.4$43.8 million of net sales in Argentina, representing 1.4%1.0% of Quad/GraphicsQuad consolidated net sales.

Quad/GraphicsQuad may incur costs or suffer reputational damage due to improper conduct of its employees, contractors or agents.

The Company could be adversely affected by engaging in business practices that are in violation of United States and foreign anti-corruption laws, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Company operates in parts of the world with developing economies that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree, and in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-corruption laws may conflict with local customs and practices. In certain countries, the Company does substantial business with government entities or instrumentalities, which creates enhancedincreased risk of a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act risk.and international laws. There can be no assurance that all of the Company'sCompany’s employees, contractors or agents, including those representing the Company in countries where practices which violate anti-corruption laws may be customary, will not take actions in violation of Quad/Graphics'that violate Quad’s policies and procedures. The failure to comply with the laws governing international business practices may result in substantial penalties and fines. For additional information, see Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Quad and its facilities are subject to various consumer protection and privacy laws and regulations, and will become subject to additional laws and regulations in the future. If Quad’s efforts to comply with such laws or protect the security of information are unsuccessful, any failure may subject the Company to material liability, require it to incur material costs or otherwise adversely affect its results of operations as a result of compliance with such laws, costly enforcement actions and private litigation.

The nature of the Company’s business includes the receipt and storage of information about the Company’s clients, vendors and the end-users of Quad’s products and services. Quad and its clients are subject to various United States and foreign consumer protection, information security, data privacy and “do not mail” requirements at the federal, states, provincial and local levels. Quad is subject to many legislative and regulatory laws and regulations around the world concerning data protection and privacy. In addition, the interpretation and application of consumer and data protection laws in the United States and elsewhere are often fluid and uncertain. To the extent that the Company or its clients become subject to additional or more stringent requirements or that the Company is not successful in its efforts to comply with existing requirements or protect the security of information, demand for the Company’s services may decrease and the Company’s reputation may suffer, which could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. In addition, such laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner inconsistent with Quad’s internal policies. If so, the Company could suffer costly enforcement actions (including an order requiring changes to Quad’s data practices) and private litigation, which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. Complying with these various laws could cause Quad to incur substantial costs or require changes to the Company’s business practices in a manner adverse to Quad’s business.



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Changes in the legal and regulatory environment could limit the Company’s business activities, increase its operating costs, reduce demand for its products or result in litigation.

The conduct of the Company’s businesses is subject to various laws and regulations administered by federal, state and local government agencies in the United States, as well as to foreign laws and regulations administered by government entities and agencies in markets in which the Company operates. These laws and regulations and interpretations thereof may change, sometimes dramatically, as a result of political, economic or social events, such as the election of the new administration. Such regulatory environment changes may include changes in taxation requirements, accounting and disclosure standards, immigration laws and policy, environmental laws, and requirements of United States and foreign occupational health and safety laws. Changes in laws, regulations or governmental policy and the related interpretations may alter the environment in which Quad does business, and therefore, may impact its results or increase its costs or liabilities.

In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries are party to a variety of legal and environmental remediation obligations arising in the normal course of business, as well as environmental remediation and related indemnification proceedings in connection with certain historical activities, former facilities and contractual obligations of acquired businesses. Permits are required for the operation of certain parts of the Company’s business, and these permits are subject to renewal, modification and, in some circumstances, revocation. Due to regulatory complexities, uncertainties inherent in litigation and the risk of unidentified contaminants on current and former properties, the potential exists for remediation, liability and indemnification costs to differ materially from the costs the Company has estimated. Quad cannot assure you that the Company’s costs in relation to these matters will not exceed its established liabilities or otherwise have an adverse effect on its results of operations.

Various laws and regulations addressing climate change are being considered at the federal and state levels. Proposals under consideration include limitations on the amount of greenhouse gas that can be emitted (so-called “caps”) together with systems of trading allowed emissions capacities. The impacts of such proposals could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

If Quad is not able to take advantage of technological developments in the printing industry on a timely basis, the Company may experience a decline in the demand for its services, be unable to implement its business strategy and experience reduced profits.

The printing industry is experiencing rapid change as new digital technologies are developed that offer clients an array of choices for their marketing and publication needs. In order to grow and remain competitive, the Company will need to adapt to future changes, especially with regard to technology, to enhance the Company’s existing offerings and introduce new offerings to address the changing demands of clients. If Quad is unable to meet future challenges from competing technologies on a timely basis or at an acceptable cost, the Company could lose clients to competitors. In general, the development of new communication channels inside and outside the printing and media solutions industry requires the Company to anticipate and respond to the varied and continually changing demands of clients. The Company may not be able to accurately predict technological trends or the success of new services in the market.

Quad’s revenue, operating income and cash flows are subject to cyclical and seasonal variations.

The Company’s business is seasonal, with Quad recognizing the majority of its operating income in the third and fourth quarters of the financial year, primarily as a result of the increased magazine advertising page counts and retail inserts, catalogs and books from back-to-school and holiday-related advertising and promotions. The fourth quarter is typically the highest seasonal quarter for cash flows from operating activities and Free Cash Flow due to the reduction of working capital requirements that reach peak levels during the third quarter. If the Company does not successfully manage the increased workflow, necessary increases in paper and ink inventory, production capacity flows and other business elements during these high seasons of activity, this seasonality could adversely affect the Company’s cash flows and results of operations.



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If QuadMed, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, fails to comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations, the Company could face substantial penalties, and its business, reputation, operations, prospects and financial condition of the Company’s subsidiary could be adversely affected.

QuadMed provides employer-sponsored healthcare solutions on a national level to employers of all sizes, including the Company and other private and public-sector companies. These solutions include, but are not limited to, on-site and near-site healthcare clinics, occupational health services, telemedicine, and health and wellness programs. The healthcare industry is heavily regulated, constantly evolving and subject to significant change and fluctuation. The U.S. federal and state healthcare laws and regulations that impact the QuadMed subsidiary business include, among others:

the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Acts, which, in general and among other things, establish comprehensive federal standards with respect to privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information and impose requirements for the use of standardized electronic transactions with respect to transmission of such information;

the laws and regulations administered and enforced by the Food and Drug Administration, including the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act, Controlled Substances Act and other federal statutes and regulations;

the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which generally prohibits, among other things, soliciting, receiving or providing remuneration to induce the referral of an individual for an item or service or the purchasing or ordering of an item or service for which payment may be made under federal healthcare programs;

the federal false claims laws, which generally prohibit, among other things, knowingly presenting or causing to be presented claims for payment from third-party payors that are false or fraudulent;

state law equivalents of each of these federal laws, such as anti-kickback and false claims laws that may apply to items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including commercial insurers, and state laws governing the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, many of which differ from each other in significant ways and may not be preempted by applicable federal laws, thus complicating compliance efforts; and

state prohibitions on the Corporate Practice of Medicine (many of these state laws differ from one another in significant ways and are not preempted by federal law).

The Company has significant liabilities with respect to defined benefit pension plans that could grow in the future and cause the Company to incur additional costs.

As a result of the 2010 acquisition of World Color Press, the Company assumed frozen single employer defined benefit pension plans for certain of its employees in the United States. The majority of the plans’ assets are held in North American and global equity securities and debt securities. The asset allocation as of December 31, 2018, was approximately 30% equity securities and 70% debt securities.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had underfunded pension liabilities of $82.6 million for single employer defined benefit plans in the United States. Under current United States pension law, pension funding deficits are generally required to be funded over a seven-year period. These pension deficits may increase or decrease depending on changes in the levels of interest rates, pension plan investment performance, pension legislation and other factors. Declines in global debt and equity markets would increase the Company’s potential pension funding obligations. Any significant increase in the Company’s required contributions could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.



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In addition to the single employer defined benefit plans described above, the Company has previously participated in multiemployer pension plans (“MEPPs”) in the United States, including the Graphic Communications International Union - Employer Retirement Fund (“GCIU”) and the Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters National Pension Fund (“GCC”). Prior to the acquisition of World Color Press by Quad, World Color Press received notice that certain plans in which it participated were in critical status, as defined in Section 432 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). As a result, the Company could have been subject to increased contribution rates associated with these plans or other MEPPs suffering from declines in their funding levels. Due to the significantly underfunded status of the United States multiemployer plans and the potential increased contribution rates, the Company withdrew from participation in these multiemployer plans and has replaced these pension benefits with a Company-sponsored “pay as you go” defined contribution plan, which is historically the form of retirement benefit provided to the Company’s employees.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company estimates and has recorded in its financial statements a pre-tax withdrawal liability for all United States multiemployer plans of $50.9 million in the aggregate. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company and the GCC reached a settlement agreement for all claims, with scheduled payments until February 2024. The Company is currently in litigation with the GCIU trustees to determine the amount and duration of the withdrawal payments for the GCIU. Arbitration proceedings with the GCIU have been completed, both sides have appealed the arbitrator’s ruling, and litigation in Federal court has commenced. In April 2017, a Federal district court overturned the arbitration decision in one of the pending disputes in this matter. The Company appealed the district court’s ruling to a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in December 2018, the panel upheld the district court’s decision. The Company filed a motion for reconsideration with the panel, which was denied. Until litigation with the GCIU trustees is concluded, the exact amount of the withdrawal liability will not be known. As a result of these unfavorable rulings, the Company recorded a $32.1 million increase to the MEPPs withdrawal liability during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Holders of class A common stock are not able to independently elect directors of Quad/GraphicsQuad or control any of the Company'sCompany’s management policies or business decisions or its decisions to issue additional shares, declare and pay dividends or enter into corporate transactions because the holders of class A common stock have substantially less voting power than the holders of the Company'sCompany’s class B common stock, all of which is owned by certain members of the Quadracci family, trusts for their benefit or other affiliates of Quad/Graphics,Quad, whose interests may be different from the holders of class A common stock.

The Company'sCompany’s outstanding stock is divided into two classes of common stock: class A common stock ("(“class A stock"stock”) and class B common stock ("(“class B stock"stock”). The class B stock has ten votes per share on all matters and the class A stock is entitled to one vote per share. As of February 18, 2016,11, 2019, the class B stock constitutes approximately 80%78% of Quad/Graphics'Quad’s total voting power. As a result, holders of class B stock are able to exercise a controlling influence over the Company'sCompany’s business, have the power to elect its directors and indirectly control decisions such as whether to issue additional shares, declare and pay dividends or enter into corporate transactions. All of the class B stock is owned by certain members of the Quadracci family or trusts for their benefit, whose interests may differ from the interests of the holders of class A stock.


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Approximately 91%February 11, 2019, approximately 93% of the outstanding class B stock iswas held of record by the Quad/GraphicsQuad Voting Trust, and that constitutes approximately 72% of the Company'sCompany’s total voting power. The trustees of the Quad/GraphicsQuad Voting Trust have the authority to vote the stock held by the Quad/GraphicsQuad Voting Trust. Accordingly, the trustees of the Quad/GraphicsQuad Voting Trust are able to exercise a controlling influence over the Company'sCompany’s business, have the power to elect its directors and indirectly control decisions such as whether to issue additional shares, declare and pay dividends or enter into corporate transactions.

Quad/Graphics

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Quad is a controlled company within the meaning of the rules of the NYSEThe New York Stock Exchange, LLC (“NYSE”) and, as a result, it relies on exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements that provide protection to shareholders of other companies.

Since the Quad/GraphicsQuad Voting Trust owns more than 50% of the total voting power of the Company'sCompany’s stock, the Company is considered a controlled company under the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE. As a controlled company, an exception under the NYSE listing standards exempts the Company from the obligation to comply with certain of the NYSE'sNYSE’s corporate governance requirements, including the requirements:

that a majority of the Company's boardCompany’s Board of directorsDirectors consist of independent directors, as defined under the rules of the NYSE;

that the Company have a corporate governance and nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee'scommittee’s purpose and responsibilities; and

that the Company have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee'scommittee’s purpose and responsibilities.

Accordingly, for so long as Quad/GraphicsQuad is a controlled company, holders of class A stock will not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NYSE.

The CompanyCurrently, there is heavily dependent on its Chief Executive Officer, its management teama limited active market for Quad’s class A common stock and, skilled personnel and, if we areas a result, shareholders may be unable to retain or motivate such personnel or hire qualified personnel, the Company may not be able to compete effectively.sell their class A common stock without losing a significant portion of their investment.

The Company's future success dependsCompany’s class A stock has been traded on the NYSE under the symbol “QUAD” since July 6, 2010. However, there is currently a limited active market for the class A common shares. The Company cannot predict the extent to which investor interest in the Company will lead to the development of an active trading market for its class A common stock on the NYSE or how liquid that market will become. If a more active trading market does not develop, shareholders may have difficulty selling any class A stock without negatively affecting the stock price, and thereby, losing a significant portion of their investment.

Furthermore, in response to recent public focus on dual class capital structures, certain stock index providers are implementing limitations on the inclusion of dual class share structures in their indices. If these restrictions increase, they may impact who buys and holds the Company’s stock.

An other than temporary decline in operating results and enterprise value could lead to non-cash impairment charges due to the impairment of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.

The Company has a material amount of property, plant, equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets on its continuing abilitybalance sheet, due in part to identify, hire, develop, motivateacquisitions. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had the following long-lived assets on its consolidated balance sheet included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and retain its Chief Executive Officer,Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Property, plant and equipment of $1,257.4 million;

Goodwill of $54.6 million; and

Other intangible assets, primarily representing the management team and skilled personnel for all areasvalue of customer relationships acquired, of $112.6 million.



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As of December 31, 2018, these assets represented approximately 58% of the organization.Company’s total assets. The Company's continued abilityCompany assesses impairment of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets based upon the expected future cash flows of the respective assets. These valuations include management’s estimates of sales, profitability, cash flow generation, capital structure, cost of debt, interest rates, capital expenditures and other assumptions. A decline in expected profitability, significant negative industry or economic trends, inability to compete effectively dependsintegrate acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of the assets or in entity structure, and divestitures may adversely impact the assumptions used in the valuations. As a result, the recoverability of these assets could be called into question, and the Company could be required to write down or write off these assets. Such an occurrence could have a material adverse effect on its ability to attract new employeesthe Company’s results of operations and retain and motivate its existing employees.financial position.

The Company may not be able to utilize deferred tax assets to offset future taxable income.

As of December 31, 2015,2018, the Company had deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowances, of $274.7$158.8 million. The Company expects to utilize the deferred tax assets to reduce consolidated income tax liabilities in future taxable years. However, the Company may not be able to fully utilize the deferred tax assets if its future taxable income and related income tax liability is insufficient to permit their use. In addition, in the future, the Company may be required to record a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets if the Company believes it is unable to utilize them, which would have an adverse effect on the Company'sCompany’s results of operations and financial position.



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Quad/Graphics may be adversely affected by interest rates and foreign exchange rates.

As of December 31, 2015, 57% of the Company's borrowings were subject to variable interest rates. As a result, the Company is exposed to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates, and increases in interest rates could adversely affect the Company.

Because a portion of the Company's operations are outside of the United States, significant revenues and expenses are denominated in local currencies. Although operating in local currencies may limit the impact of currency rate fluctuations on the results of operations of the Company's non-United States subsidiaries and business units, fluctuations in such rates may affect the translation of these results into the Company's consolidated financial statements. To the extent revenues and expenses are not in the applicable local currency, the Company may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the currency risk. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company's efforts at hedging will be successful. There is always a possibility that attempts to hedge currency risks will lead to greater losses than predicted.

Quad/GraphicsQuad may be adversely affected by strikes and other labor protests.

As of December 31, 2015, Quad/Graphics2018, Quad had a total of approximately 22,50020,600 full-time equivalent employees, of which approximately 2,1001,600 were covered by an industry wide agreement, a collective bargaining agreement.agreement or through a works council or similar arrangement. As of December 31, 2015,2018, the Company had sevenfive collective bargaining agreements in the United States and eightnine agreements outside of the United States that are either industry-wide individual collective bargaining agreements or works councils or similar arrangements.

While the Company believes its employee relations are good and that the Company maintains an employee-centric culture, and there has not been any material disruption in operations resulting from labor disputes, the Company cannot be certain that it will be able to maintain a productive and efficient labor environment. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any future negotiations relating to the renewal of the collective bargaining agreements, nor can there be any assurance that work stoppages, strikes or other forms of labor protests pending the outcome of any future negotiations will not occur. A strike or other forms of labor protest affecting a series of major plants in the future could materially disrupt the Company'sCompany’s operations and result in a material adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, which could force the Company to reassess its strategic alternatives involving certain of its operations.

Risks Relating to the Proposed Acquisition of LSC

On October 30, 2018, the Company, LSC and QLC Merger Sub, Inc., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Quad (“Merger Sub”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions therein, Merger Sub will merge with and into LSC (the “Merger”), with LSC being the surviving company and becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

The Merger Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and the Merger may not be consummated.

The Merger Agreement is subject to a number of conditions that must be fulfilled in order to consummate the Merger. Those conditions include, among others: (i) the adoption of the Merger Agreement by LSC stockholders, (ii) the approval of the issuance of shares of the Company’s class A stock by Quad’s shareholders, (iii) the expiration of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), and other required regulatory approvals, (iv) the absence of any governmental order or law that precludes, restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits, the consummation of the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and (v) the Company’s shares of class A stock issuable in the Merger having been approved for listing on the


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NYSE. These conditions to the closing of the Merger may not be fulfilled in a timely manner or at all, and, accordingly the Merger may be delayed or may not be consummated.

In addition, the parties can mutually decide to terminate the Merger Agreement at any time, before or after obtaining shareholder approval, or, if the Merger is not consummated by October 30, 2019, either Quad or LSC may choose to terminate the Merger Agreement and not proceed with the Merger. Quad or LSC may also elect to terminate the Merger Agreement in certain other circumstances.

The regulatory approvals required for the consummationof the Merger may not be obtained or may take longer than expected to be received. In addition, an adverse outcome of any antitrust or similar review undertaken by a governmental authority could prevent the Merger from being consummatedor have an adverse effect on Quad following the Merger.

Consummation of the Merger is conditional upon receipt of certain regulatory approvals, including, without limitation, the expiration or termination of the waiting period under the HSR Act in the United States and Mexico antitrust approval. Although Quad and LSC have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals, there can be no assurance that these approvals will be obtained.

In addition, the regulatory authorities from which these approvals are required may impose conditions on the consummation of the Merger or require changes to the terms of the Merger. In attempting to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals, neither Quad nor any of its subsidiaries will be required to make any divestiture, sale or other disposition of its assets or businesses. However, although it is not required under the Merger Agreement to do so, if Quad agrees to such conditions in order to obtain any approvals required to consummate the Merger, then the business and results of operations of Quad following the Merger may be adversely affected.

Furthermore, if the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances due to failure to obtain regulatory approvals or the material breach of Quad of its obligations in respect of obtaining regulatory approvals, Quad will pay LSC a reverse termination fee of $45 million.

Failure to consummatethe Merger could negatively impact the stock price and the future business and financial results of the Company.

The Merger Agreement contains a number of conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the consummation of the Merger. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions to the consummation of the Merger will be so satisfied or waived. If the conditions to the Merger are not satisfied or waived, Quad and LSC will be unable to consummate the Merger and the Merger Agreement may be terminated.

If the Merger is not consummated for any reason, the ongoing businesses of Quad may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having consummated the Merger, the Company will be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

Quad may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on the market price of shares of the Company’s class A stock;

the manner in which customers, vendors, business partners and other third parties perceive Quad may be negatively impacted, which in turn could affect Quad’s marketing operations and its ability to compete for new business or obtain renewals in the marketplace more broadly;

customers, suppliers and other third parties who have business relationships with Quad may decide not to renew such relationships or seek to terminate, change and/or renegotiate their relationships with the Company as a result of the transaction, whether pursuant to the terms of their existing agreements with Quad or otherwise;

Quad may experience negative reactions from employees;


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Quad may be required to pay certain costs relating to the Merger, even if the Merger is not consummated;

under the Merger Agreement, Quad is subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of its business prior to consummating the Merger, which may affect its ability to execute certain of its business strategies; and

the attention of management may be directed towards the consummation of the Merger and Merger-related considerations and may be diverted from the day-to-day business operations of the Company, and matters related to the Merger may require commitments of time and resources that could otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that might have been beneficial to Quad.

If the Merger is not consummated, the price of the Company’s class A stock may decline to the extent that the current market price reflects a market assumption that the Merger will be consummated and that the related benefits will be realized, or to the extent there is a market perception that the Merger was not consummated due to an adverse change in the business of Quad.

The synergies expected to be produced may not be realized or may require Quad after the consummation of the Merger to incur additional costs that may adversely affect the value of the Company’s class A stock.

The success of the Merger will depend, in part, on the Company’s ability to realize the synergies expected to be produced from integrating LSC’s businesses with Quad’s existing business through capacity rationalization, the elimination of duplicative functions, greater operational efficiencies and greater efficiencies in supply chain management, among other areas. The Company has identified approximately $135 million of annualized net synergies that are expected to be achieved in less than 24 months after the consummation of the Merger.

The Company’s management estimates that the total cost to the Company of achieving the annualized net synergies will be approximately $135 million in integration costs. Quad’s estimates are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove incorrect.

Following the Merger, the Company may also incur additional and/or unexpected costs in order to realize the anticipated synergies. While management believes that the annualized net synergies are achievable, it may be unable to realize all of the synergies within the time frame expected or at all.

The integration of LSC into Quad may not be as successful as anticipated.

The Merger involves numerous operational, strategic, financial, accounting, legal, tax and other risks, potential liabilities associated with the acquired business, and uncertainties related to design, operation and integration of LSC’s internal control over financial reporting. Difficulties in integrating LSC into Quad may result in LSC performing differently than expected, in operational challenges or in the failure to realize anticipated expense-related efficiencies. The Company’s existing business could also be negatively impacted by the Merger. Potential difficulties that may be encountered in the integration process include, among other factors:

the inability to successfully integrate the businesses of LSC into Quad in a manner that permits Quad to achieve the full revenue and cost savings anticipated from the Merger;

complexities associated with managing the larger, more complex, integrated business;

not realizing anticipated operating synergies;

integrating personnel from the two companies and the loss of key employees;

potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen expenses, delays or regulatory conditions associated with the Merger;



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integrating relationships with customers, vendors and business partners;

performance shortfalls at one or both of the companies as a result of the diversion of management’s attention caused by consummating the Merger and integrating LSC’s operations into Quad; and

the disruption of, or the loss of momentum in, each company’s ongoing business or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies.

The Company may not accomplish the integration of LSC’s businesses smoothly, successfully or within the anticipated cost range or timeframe. The diversion of the attention of Quad’s management from current operations to the integration effort and any difficulties encountered in combining operations could prevent Quad from realizing the full benefits anticipated to result from the Merger and could adversely affect its business.

Quad will incur significant transaction and Merger-related costs in connection with the Merger, which may be in excess of those anticipated.

The Company has incurred and expects to continue to incur a number of non-recurring costs associated with consummating the Merger, combining the operations of the two companies and achieving desired synergies. These fees and costs have been, and will continue to be, substantial. The substantial majority of the non-recurring expenses will consist of transaction costs related to the Merger and include, among others, financing costs, employee retention costs, fees paid to financial, legal, and public relations advisors, severance and benefit costs and filing fees.

Quad will also incur transaction fees and costs related to formulating and implementing integration plans. Additional unanticipated costs also may be incurred while the Merger is pending and for a period thereafter for the integration of the two companies’ businesses. Although Quad expects that the elimination of duplicative costs, as well as the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, should allow the Company to offset integration-related costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near-term, or at all. Certain of these costs will be borne by Quad even if the Merger is not consummated.

Uncertainties associated with the Merger may cause a loss of management personnel and other key employees, which could adversely affect the future business and operations of Quad following the Merger.

The Company is dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of its officers and other key employees to execute its business plan. Quad’s success after the Merger will depend in part upon the ability of Quad to retain key management personnel and other key employees. Current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their roles within Quad following the Merger, which may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Company to attract or retain key management and other key personnel. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that following the Merger, Quad will be able to attract or retain key management personnel and other key employees to the same extent that it has previously been able to attract or retain its own employees.

The market price of the Company’s class A stock may decline in the future as a result of the issuance of shares of the Company’s class A stock in the Merger or the sale of shares held by former LSC or current Quad shareholders.

The Company expects to issue up to approximately 21.6 million shares of its class A stock to LSC stockholders in the Merger. Following their receipt of shares of stock as Merger consideration, former LSC stockholders may seek to sell the shares delivered to them, and the Merger Agreement contains no restriction on the ability of former LSC stockholders to sell such shares of the Company’s class A stock following consummation of the Merger. Other shareholders of the Company’s class A stock may also seek to sell shares of stock held by them following, or in anticipation of, consummation of the Merger. These sales (or the perception that these sales may occur), coupled with the increase in the outstanding number of shares of the Company’s class A stock, may affect the market for, and the market price of, Quad’s class A stock in an adverse manner.



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The Company’s debt following the Merger may limit its financial flexibility.

As of December 31, 2018, Quad had approximately $0.93 billion of outstanding indebtedness (including short-term debt and the current portion of long-term debt) and LSC had approximately $0.77 billion of outstanding indebtedness (including the current portion of long-term debt). The Company will use its amended credit facility to repay, refinance, repurchase, redeem, exchange or otherwise terminate LSC’s existing indebtedness prior to, in connection with or following the consummation of the Merger. In addition, under the Merger Agreement, all amounts outstanding under the LSC credit facility will be repaid upon the closing of the Merger and Quad is required to provide all necessary funds for such repayment. As a result, immediately following the consummation of the Merger, the Company is expected to have outstanding indebtedness of approximately $1.69 billion, based on the Company’s and LSC’s outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2018.

Lawsuits have been filed against Quad, Merger Sub, LSC and the LSC board of directors challenging the adequacy or completeness of the disclosures made in the initial version of Quad’s and LSC’s joint proxy statement/prospectus filed on December 11, 2018, and other lawsuits may be filed against Quad, LSC and/or their respective boards challenging the Merger. An adverse ruling in any such lawsuit may prevent the Merger from being consummated.

Three substantially similar actions were filed by an alleged LSC stockholder against some or all of Quad, Merger Sub, LSC and the directors of LSC in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware challenging the adequacy or completeness of the disclosures to LSC stockholders made in the initial version of Quad’s and LSC’s joint proxy statement/prospectus filed on December 11, 2018 regarding the Merger. Among other remedies, the plaintiffs seek to enjoin the Merger until additional information relating to the Merger is disclosed.

Additional lawsuits arising out of the Merger may be filed in the future. There can be no assurance that any of the defendants will be successful in the outcome of the pending or any potential future lawsuits. A preliminary injunction could delay or jeopardize the consummation of the Merger, and an adverse judgment granting permanent injunctive relief could indefinitely enjoin the consummation of the Merger.

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments

The Company has no unresolved staff comments to report pursuant to this item.



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Item 2.Properties

Quad/Graphics'Quad’s corporate office is located in Sussex, Wisconsin. The Company owned or leased 161145 facilities located in 1715 countries including manufacturing operations, warehouses and office space totaling approximately 33,910,00027,722,000 square feet, of which approximately 24,700,00020,653,000 is owned space and approximately 9,210,0007,069,000 is leased space as of December 31, 2015.2018. In addition to these owned and leased facilities, the Company has strategicmore than 60 client-based marketing on-site locations, as well as investments in printing operations located in Brazil and India.

Within the United States Print and Related Services segment, the Company operated 6552 owned or leased manufacturing facilities, encompassing approximately 23,705,00020,658,000 square feet as of December 31, 2015.2018. Within the International segment, the Company operated 7eight owned or leased manufacturing facilities, encompassing approximately 1,810,0001,829,000 square feet as of December 31, 2015.2018. The following table lists the Company'sCompany’s operating locations with manufacturing facilities totaling over 500,000 square feet as of December 31, 2015:

2018:
LocationsSquare FeetProperty TypeSegment
Lomira, Wisconsin, United States2,174,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Martinsburg, West Virginia, United States2,123,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Sussex, Wisconsin, United States1,970,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Hartford, Wisconsin, United States1,564,0001,682,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States1,128,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Versailles, Kentucky, United States1,065,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Saratoga Springs, New York, United States1,034,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
West Allis, Wisconsin, United States913,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Waseca, Minnesota, United States786,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
The Rock, Georgia, United States797,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Wyszkow, Poland709,000
OwnedInternational
Franklin, Kentucky, United States(1)
617,000
Owned/LeasedOwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Effingham, Illinois, United States564,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services
Merced, California, United States539,000
OwnedUnited States Print and Related Services

Taunton, Massachusetts, United States513,000
Owned/LeasedUnited States Print and Related Services
Pewaukee, Wisconsin, United States
(1)
504,000
OwnedUnited States PrintThe Franklin, Kentucky facility was announced for closure on December 7, 2018, and Related Servicesceased operations on February 2, 2019.

Item 3.Legal Proceedings

Quad/GraphicsQuad is subject to various legal actions, administrative proceedings and claims arising out of the ordinary course of business. Quad/GraphicsQuad believes that such unresolved legal actions, proceedings and claims will not materially adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. For additional information, see Note 10, “Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.



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PART II

Item 5.Market for the Registrant'sRegistrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Capital Stock and Dividends

Quad/Graphics'Quad’s authorized capital stock consists of 80.0 million shares of class A stock, 80.0 million shares of class B stock, 20.0 million shares of class C common stock and 0.5 million shares of preferred stock. The Company'sCompany’s outstanding capital stock as of December 31, 2015,2018, consisted of 35.438.1 million shares of class A stock, 14.213.5 million shares of class B stock and no shares of class C common stock or preferred stock. As of February 18, 2016,11, 2019, there were 2,3702,657 record holders of the class A stock and 2622 record holders of the class B stock.

The Company'sCompany’s class A stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "QUAD"“QUAD”. The class A stock is entitled to one vote per share. The Company'sCompany’s class B stock is held by certain members of the Quadracci family or trusts for their benefit (and can only be voluntarily transferred to the Company or to a member of the Quadracci "family group"“family group” as defined in the Company'sCompany’s amended and restated articles of incorporation; and any transfer in violation of the Company'sCompany’s amended and restated articles of incorporation results in the automatic conversion of such class B stock into class A stock). The class B stock is entitled to ten votes per share. Each share of class B stock may, at the option of the holder, be converted at any time into one share of class A stock. There is no public trading market for the class B stock. The Company has paid quarterly dividends of $0.30 per share for each class of common stock then outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Pursuant to the Company'sCompany’s amended and restated articles of incorporation, each outstanding class of common stock has equal rights with respect to cash dividends. Pursuant to the Company'sCompany’s debt facilities, the Company is subject to limitations on dividends and repurchases of capital stock. If the Company'sCompany’s total leverage ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 (as defined in the Company'sCompany’s Senior Secured Credit Facility), the Company is prohibited from making greater than $120.0 million of annual dividend payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other payments. If the total leverage ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s total leverage ratio was 2.892.19 to 1.00. Refer to Note 24, “Subsequent Events,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding changes to the Company’s limitations on dividends and repurchases of capital stock as a result of the completion of the third amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility.

The high and low closing sales prices of the Company's class A stock during each quarter and the quarterly dividends paid per share of each class of common stock then outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, are contained in the chart below:
     Class A Closing Stock Prices
 Dividends Paid 2015 2014
 2015 2014 High Low High Low
First Quarter$0.30
 $0.30
 $23.90
 $20.04
 $26.39
 $21.89
Second Quarter0.30
 0.30
 23.22
 18.40
 23.64
 19.30
Third Quarter0.30
 0.30
 18.05
 12.10
 22.71
 19.25
Fourth Quarter0.30
 0.30
 13.32
 8.73
 23.30
 18.26

Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

See Part III, Item 12, "Security“Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for certain information regarding the Company'sCompany’s equity compensation plans.



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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On September 6, 2011,Information about the Company's boardCompany’s repurchases of directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company's outstandingits class A stock. Understock during the authorization, share repurchases may be made at the Company's discretion, from time to time, in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactionsthree months ended December 31, 2018, were as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchase will depend on economic and market conditions, share price, trading volume, applicable legal requirements and other factors.follows:

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)
Average Price Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1)
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(2)
October 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018


100,000,000
November 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018


100,000,000
December 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018


100,000,000
Total

(1)
Represents shares of the Company’s class A stock.

(2)
On September 6, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s outstanding class A stock. On July 30, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors discontinued the remainder of the September 6, 2011 share repurchase program and authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s outstanding class A stock. Under the authorization, share repurchases may be made at the Company’s discretion, from time to time, in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchase will depend on economic and market conditions, share price, trading volume, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
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The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. There were no share repurchases made duringDuring the year ended December 31, 2015. As2018, the Company repurchased 1,871,631 shares of its class A stock at a weighted average price of $19.59 per share for a total purchase price of $36.7 million. During the year ended December 31, 2015, there were $91.8 million2017, the Company repurchased 200,605 shares of authorized repurchases remaining underits class A stock at a weighted average price of $18.89 per share for a total purchase price of $3.8 million. During the program. Subsequent toyear ended December 31, 2015, and through February 18, 2016, the Company repurchased 984,190 shares of its class A stock at a weighted average price of $8.96 per share for a total purchase price of $8.8 million. As of December 31, 2018, there were $100.0 million of authorized repurchases remaining under the program.



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Stock Performance Information

The following graph compares cumulative shareholder return on Quad/Graphics'Quad’s class A stock since December 31, 2010,2013, as compared to the Standard & Poor's ("Poor’s (“S&P"&P”) MidCap 400 Index and the S&P 1500 Commercial Printing Indexa selected peer group of companies over the same period. Due to the diversity of its product and service offerings, the Company does not believe that any single published industry index is appropriate for comparing stockholder return. As such, the Company has compiled a peer group to use in the below performance graph, incorporating companies from different industries, including commercial printing, marketing services and publishing.

The graph assumes a $100.00 investment and that all dividends are reinvested. The returns of each peer group company have been weighted to reflect their relative market capitalizations. The comparison in the graph below is based upon historical stock performance and should not be considered indicative of future stockholder returns.
stockperformancechart2018.jpg



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Indexed Returns
Base Period          Base Period          
12/31/2010 12/31/2011 12/31/2012 12/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/201512/31/2013 12/31/2014 12/31/2015 12/31/2016 12/31/2017 12/31/2018
Quad/Graphics, Inc.$100.00
 $35.70
 $59.49
 $83.15
 $74.03
 $32.66
$100.00
 $89.04
 $39.28
 $120.22
 $106.61
 $61.59
S&P MidCap 400 Index100.00
 98.27
 115.83
 154.64
 169.74
 166.05
100.00
 109.77
 107.38
 129.65
 150.71
 134.01
S&P 1500 Commercial Printing Index100.00
 92.60
 83.71
 170.19
 174.23
 157.59
Peer Group (1)
100.00
 101.76
 94.85
 91.88
 98.53
 68.77

(1)
The following companies were included in the Peer Group:
LiveRamp Holdings Inc. (formerly Acxiom Corp.)InnerWorkings, Inc.
Alliance Data Systems Corp.
LSC Communications, Inc. (d)
Cenveo, Inc. (a)
McClatchy Co.
Deluxe Corp.Meredith Corp.
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. (b)
Scholastic Corp.
Gannett Co., Inc. (c)
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Harte Hanks, Inc.

(a)
Included through September 7, 2018, when Cenveo ceased trading due to bankruptcy.
(b)
Adjusted for reverse split and spin offs of LSC Communications, Inc. and Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.
(c)
Included from June 23, 2015, when Gannett Co., Inc. spun off from its parent company
(d)
Included from October 1, 2016, when LSC Communications, Inc. spun off from R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.


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Item 6.Selected Financial Data

The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, and the selected consolidated balance sheets data at December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company included in Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected financial data includes the results of operations of acquired businesses prospectively from their respective acquisition dates. For additional information related to the Company'sCompany’s acquisition activity, see Note 2, "Acquisitions3, “Acquisitions and Strategic Investments," to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 20122015 and 2011,2014, and the consolidated balance sheets data at December 31, 2013, 20122016, 2015 and 2011,2014, are derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included herein.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In millions, except per share data)
 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:         
Net sales$4,677.7
 $4,862.4
 $4,795.9
 $4,094.0
 $4,324.6
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations(1)
(830.0) 141.3
 142.2
 106.5
 156.9
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders:         
From continuing operations(1)
(641.9) 18.6
 32.5
 56.6
 (8.3)
From discontinued operations(2)

 
 
 30.8
 (38.6)
Net earnings (loss)(1)
$(641.9) $18.6
 $32.5
 $87.4
 $(46.9)
Earnings (loss) per diluted share attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders:         
From continuing operations$(13.40) $0.38
 $0.65
 $1.13
 $(0.18)
From discontinued operations
 
 
 0.65
 (0.82)
Earnings (loss) per diluted share$(13.40) $0.38
 $0.65
 $1.78
 $(1.00)
          
Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:         
Total assets(3)
$2,847.5
 $4,008.8
 $4,103.6
 $4,025.3
 $4,628.3
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (excluding current portion)(3)
1,249.6
 1,309.4
 1,258.2
 1,209.1
 1,347.5
          
Other Financial Data:         
Dividends per share of common stock(4)
$1.20
 $1.20
 $1.20
 $3.00
 $0.60
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(In millions, except per share data)
 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:         
Net sales$4,193.7
 $4,131.4
 $4,329.5
 $4,597.1
 $4,777.6
Operating income (loss)(1) (2)
58.0
 155.3
 117.3
 (838.0) 125.3
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders(2)
8.5
 107.2
 44.9
 (641.9) 18.6
Earnings (loss) per diluted share attributable to Quad common shareholders(2)
0.16
 2.07
 0.90
 (13.40) 0.38
          
Consolidated Balance Sheets Data:         
Total assets$2,469.1
 $2,452.4
 $2,570.1
 $2,847.5
 $4,008.8
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (excluding current portion)892.9
 917.2
 1,038.7
 1,249.6
 1,309.4
          
Other Financial Data:         
Dividends per share of common stock$1.20
 $1.20
 $1.20
 $1.20
 $1.20

(1) 
Includes restructuring, impairmentExcludes pension and transaction-related chargesother postretirement benefits income. On January 1, 2018, Quad adopted Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 “Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of $164.9 million, $67.3 million, $95.3 million, $118.3 millionNet Periodic Pension Cost and $114.0 millionNet Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU 2017-07”), which provides revised guidance on how to present the components of net pension income in the statement of operations. Quad has adopted ASU 2017-07 retrospectively and has utilized the practical expedient that permits the use of the amounts disclosed in previous filings for net pension income as the estimation basis for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Includes goodwill impairment chargespresentation of $808.3 million ($542.4 million, net of tax) for the year ended December 31, 2015.prior comparative periods.
(2) 
The resultsIncludes restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of operations of the Company's Canadian operations have been reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, decreased $35.4$103.6 million, during the year ended December 31, 2012, to a $3.2$60.4 million, loss, which primarily reflects the sale of the Company's Canadian operations on March 1, 2012,$73.6 million, $164.9 million and the effect of reporting two months of activity as opposed to twelve months for the year ended December 31, 2011. This $3.2$72.2 million loss was offset by a gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, of $34.0 million, resulting in $30.8 million of earnings from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.
(3)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (excluding current portion) and total assets presented includes the retrospective adoption of new accounting guidance on the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs and deferred taxes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in April 2015 and November 2015, respectively, and accordingly, the amounts have been restated for all periods presented. See Note 25, "New Accounting Pronouncements," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for further information.
(4)
Dividends per share of common stock in 2012 includes a special dividend of $2.00 per share, which was declared and paid in December 2012. Excludes aggregate tax distributions declared to S corporation shareholders of $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. There were no tax distributions declared to S corporation shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012.respectively.
Includes goodwill impairment charges of $808.3 million ($542.4 million, net of tax) for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Includes a $28.8 million net income tax benefit recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017, as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). See Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Note 13, “Income Taxes,” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.



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Item 7.Management'sManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The followingFollowing discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of Quad/GraphicsQuad should be read together with the Quad/Graphics'Quad’s audited consolidated financial statements for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015,2018, including the notes thereto, included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company'sCompany’s plans, estimates and beliefs. The Company'sCompany’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in "Forward-Looking Statements"“Forward-Looking Statements” and Part I, Item 1A, "Risk“Risk Factors," included earlier within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management'sManagement’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided as a supplement to the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to help provide an understanding of the Company'sCompany’s financial condition, the changes in the Company'sCompany’s financial condition and the Company'sCompany’s results of operations. This discussion and analysis is organized as follows:

Overview. This section includes a general description of the Company'sCompany’s business and segments, an overview of key performance metrics the Company'sCompany’s management measures and utilizes to evaluate business performance, and an overview of trends affecting the Company, including management'smanagement’s actions related to the trends.

Results of Operations. This section contains an analysis of the Company'sCompany’s results of operations by comparing the results for (1) the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, to the year ended December 31, 2014;2017; and (2) the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, to the year ended December 31, 2013.2016. The comparability of the Company'sCompany’s results of operations between periods was impacted by acquisitions and strategic investments, including the 2013 acquisitions2018 acquisition of Vertis, Novia, Proteus and Transpak Corporation ("Transpak"); 2014 acquisitions of Brown Printing and UniGraphic, Inc. ("UniGraphic");Ivie and the 2015 acquisitions of Marin's, Copac and Specialty.strategic investment in Rise. The results of operations of all acquisitionsthe Ivie acquisition and the strategic investment of Rise are included in the Company'sCompany’s consolidated results prospectively from their respective acquisition dates.date for Ivie or the date Quad increased its equity position from 19% to 57% for Rise. Forward-looking statements providing a general description of recent and projected industry and Company developments that are important to understanding the Company'sCompany’s results of operations are included in this section. This section also provides a discussion of EBITDA and EBITDA margin, financial measures that the Company uses to assess the performance of its business that are not prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"(“GAAP”).

Liquidity and Capital Resources. This section provides an analysis of the Company'sCompany’s capitalization, cash flows, a statement about off-balance sheet arrangements and a discussion and table of outstanding debt and commitments. Forward-looking statements important to understanding the Company'sCompany’s financial condition are also included in this section. This section also provides a discussion of Free Cash Flow and Debt Leverage Ratio, non-GAAP financial measures that the Company uses to assess liquidity and capital allocation and deployment.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates. This section contains a discussion of the accounting policies that the Company'sCompany’s management believes are important to the Company'sCompany’s financial condition and results of operations, as well as allowances and reserves that require significant judgment and estimates on the part of the Company'sCompany’s management. In addition, all of the Company'sCompany’s significant accounting policies, including critical accounting policies, are summarized in Note 1, "Basis“Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

New Accounting Pronouncements.This section provides a discussion of new accounting pronouncements and the anticipated impact of those accounting pronouncements to the Company's consolidated financial statements.



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Overview

Business Overview

Quad/Graphics isAs a leading print andworldwide marketing services provider. Withsolutions partner dedicated to creating a consultative approach, worldwide capabilities, leading-edge technology and single-source simplicity, the Company believes it has the resources and knowledgebetter way, Quad uses its data-driven, integrated marketing solutions platform to help a wide variety of clients in vertical industries including, but not limited to, retail, publishing, healthcare, insurancereduce complexity, increase efficiency and financial. The Company uses a consultative approach to tailor the Company's wide range of print products and complementary services to the unique characteristics of each vertical industry it serves. These products and services include:enhance marketing spend effectiveness.

Print. Including retail inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, books, directories, in-store marketingFor a full description of the Company’s business overview, product offerings and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global paper procurement.
Quad 3.0 strategy, refer to Part I, Item 1, “Business,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Logistics. Including mailing solutions, postal consultation, delivery optimization and hygiene services, delivery monitoring and tracking, and distribution, logistics and transportation services.

Digital. Including email, social, mobile (activated print, apps, websites), digital publishing and beacon technology.

Strategy. Including brand, campaign, and media planning and placement.

Data. Including data insights, segmentation and response analysis.

Creative. Including concept and design, page layout and production, copywriting, photography, retouching, mobile, video production and optimization.

Workflow. Including content management, process management, production and facilities management services, color management, and digital file processing and proofing.

Quad/Graphics remains focused on its five primary strategic goals that support its objective to be the industry's high-quality, low-cost producer to fuel transformative growth opportunities and drive improved performance through innovation for its clients. The Company believes these goals, which are summarized below, will allow it to be successful despite ongoing industry challenges:

Strengthen the Core.Quad/Graphics core print categories—retail inserts, publications, catalogs, books and directories—have been under pressure in recent years, but remain foundational to most marketers' and publishers' business strategies and generate a significant amount of cash flow for the Company. Quad/Graphics utilizes a disciplined return on capital framework and historically has made significant investments in its print manufacturing platform and data management capabilities that have resulted in what it believes is one of the most integrated, automated, efficient and modern manufacturing platforms in the industry. The Company's ability to maintain the strength of its core product lines promotes sustainable cash flow and continued value creation to support future growth opportunities.

Grow the Business Profitably.The Company believes it is well positioned to grow the business profitably through ongoing innovation, organic growth and disciplined acquisitions that expand the business into new product categories and geographies, transform an existing product line, or create value-driven industry consolidation. Helping clients use print in combination with other media channels, including digital, mobile, social and signage, to increase response rates and deliver high levels of marketing ROI is of particular focus. The Company is adept at leveraging existing client relationships in key vertical industries to drive innovation and develop complementary products and services that help brand owners market their products, services and content more efficiently and effectively across media channels. The Company will look to grow through compelling, ongoing investments in its platform as well as through acquisitions that


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create value either through providing an enhanced range of products and services or through creating manufacturing and distribution efficiencies.

Walk in the Shoes of our Clients.The Companyis focused on creating a client experience that creates loyalty to the Quad/Graphics brand by partnering with our clients to fully understand their internal processes, marketing strategies and challenges so the Company can better deliver the solutions that will help them achieve their business objectives. Quad/Graphics examines everything from clients' marketing strategy—including how clients manage their customer data—to production and marketing workflow processes. Through a consultative approach, the Company's goal is to become an invaluable strategic partner to its clients—a partner who is focused on helping each client successfully navigate today's changing media landscape.

Engage Employees. Quad/Graphics looks to engage employees through the Company's distinct corporate culture, which encourages employees to take pride and ownership in their work; take advantage of continuous learning, apprentice and job-advancement opportunities; share knowledge by mentoring others; and innovate solutions. Quad/Graphics believes one of the most important ways it can drive employee engagement is by acting on a continuous employee feedback loop. Quad/Graphics believes in transparent and regular two-way communication with employees and provides the opportunity for all employees to have a voice or share an opinion through a number of different channels, including surveys and open forums at Company town hall and department meetings.

Enhance Financial Strength and Create Shareholder Value. Quad/Graphics follows a disciplined approach to maintaining and enhancing financial strength to create shareholder value, which is essential given ongoing industry challenges. This key strategic goal is centered on the Company's ability to maximize Free Cash Flow, net earnings and EBITDA; maintain consistent financial policies to ensure a strong balance sheet and liquidity level; and retain the financial flexibility needed to strategically allocate and deploy capital as circumstances change.

Quad/Graphics operates primarily in the commercial print portion of the printing industry, with related product and service offerings designed to offer clients complete solutions for communicating their message to target audiences. The Company'sCompany’s operating and reportable segments are aligned with how the chief operating decision maker of the Company currently manages the business. The Company'sCompany’s operating and reportable segments, including their product and operating segmentsservice offerings, and a “Corporate” category, are summarized below.

The United States Print and Related Services segment is predominantly comprised of the Company'sCompany’s United States printing operations and is managed as one integrated platform. This includes retail inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, books, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global paper procurement, together with marketing and other complementary service offerings,services, including marketing strategy,consumer insights, audience targeting, personalization, media planning and placement, data insights, segmentationprocess optimization, campaign planning and response analytics services, creative services,creation, pre-media production, videography, photography, workflow solutions, digital imaging, facilities management services, digital publishing, interactiveexecution, print solutions including image recognitionexecution and near field communication technology, mailing, distribution, logistics, and data optimization and hygiene services.logistics. This segment also includes the manufacture of ink. The United States Print and Related Services segment accounted for approximately 92%91% of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated net sales during the year ended December 31, 2015.2018.

The International segment consists of the Company'sCompany’s printing operations in Europe and Latin America, including operations in England, France, Germany, Poland, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, as well as strategic investments in printing operations in Brazil and India. This segment provides printed products and marketing and other complementary service offeringsservices consistent with the United States Print and Related Services segment. The International segment accounted for approximately 8%9% of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated net sales during the year ended December 31, 2015.2018.

Corporate consists of unallocated general and administrative activities and associated expenses including, in part, executive, legal and finance. In addition, in 2014 and 2015finance, as well as certain expenses and income from frozen employee retirement plans, such as pension and postretirement benefit plans, are included in Corporate and not allocated to the operating segment.plans.


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Key Performance Metrics Overview

The Company'sCompany’s management believes the ability to generate net sales growth, profit increases and positive cash flow, while maintaining the appropriate level of debt, are key indicators of the successful execution of the Company'sCompany’s business strategy and will increase shareholder value. The Company uses period over period net sales growth, EBITDA, EBITDA margin, net cash provided by operating activities, Free Cash Flow and Debt Leverage Ratio as metrics to measure operating performance, financial condition and liquidity. EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Free Cash Flow and Debt Leverage Ratio are non-GAAP financial measures (see the definitions of EBITDA, EBITDA margin and the reconciliation of net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders to EBITDA in the "Results“Results of Operations"Operations” section below, and see the definitions of Free Cash Flow and Debt Leverage Ratio, the reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Free Cash Flow, and the calculation of Debt Leverage Ratio in the "Liquidity“Liquidity and Capital Resources"Resources” section below).

Net sales growth. The Company uses period over period net sales growth as a key performance metric. The Company'sCompany’s management assesses net sales growth based on the ability to generate increased net sales through increased sales to existing clients, sales to new clients, sales of new or expanded solutions to existing and new clients and opportunities to expand sales through strategic investments, including acquisitions.



41


EBITDA and EBITDA margin. The Company uses EBITDA and EBITDA margin as metrics to assess operating performance. The Company'sCompany’s management assesses EBITDA and EBITDA margin based on the ability to increase revenues while controlling variable expense growth.

Net cash provided by operating activities. The Company uses net cash provided by operating activities as a metric to assess liquidity. The Company'sCompany’s management assesses net cash provided by operating activities based on the ability to meet recurring cash obligations while increasing available cash to fund integration andcash restructuring requirements including acquired operations and otherrelated to cost reduction activities, as well as to fund capital expenditures, debt service requirements, World Color Press single employer pension plan contributions, World Color Press MEPPs withdrawal liabilities, acquisitions and other investments in future growth, shareholder dividends and share repurchases. Net cash provided by operating activities can be significantly impacted by the timing of non-recurring or infrequent receipts or expenditures.

Free Cash Flow. The Company uses Free Cash Flow as a metric to assess liquidity and capital deployment. The Company'sCompany’s management assesses Free Cash Flow as a measure to quantify cash available for strengthening the balance sheet (debt and pension liability reduction), for strategic capital allocation and deployment through investments in the business (acquisitions and strategic investments), and for returning capital to the shareholders (dividends and share repurchases). The priorities for capital allocation and deployment will change as circumstances dictate for the business, and Free Cash Flow can be significantly impacted by the Company'sCompany’s restructuring activities and other unusual items.

Debt Leverage Ratio. The Company uses the Debt Leverage Ratio as a metric to assess liquidity and the flexibility of its balance sheet. Consistent with other liquidity metrics, the Company monitors the Debt Leverage Ratio as a measure to determine the appropriate level of debt the Company believes is optimal to operate its business, and accordingly, to quantify debt capacity available for strategic capital allocation and deployment through investments in the business (capital expenditures, acquisitions and acquisitions)strategic investments), for strengthening the balance sheet (debt and pension(pension liability reduction), and for returning capital to the shareholders (dividends and share repurchases). The Company’s priorities for capital allocation and deployment will change as circumstances dictate for the business, and the Debt Leverage Ratio can be significantly impacted by the amount and timing of large expenditures requiring debt financing, as well as changes in profitability.


The Company remains disciplined with its debt leverage. The Company’s consolidated debt and capital leases decreased by $24 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, despite investing $96 million in capital expenditures, $71 million in acquisitions and strategic investments (primarily the 2018 Ivie acquisition), $63 million in the payment of cash dividends and $37 million in share repurchases. Since the Company completed the World Color Press acquisition in July 2010, the Company has reduced debt and capital leases by $798 million and has reduced the obligations for pension, postretirement and MEPPs by $429 million, for a total obligation reduction since July of 2010 of over $1.2 billion.

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Overview of Trends Affecting Quad/GraphicsQuad

As consumer media consumption habits change, marketing services providers face increased demand to offer end-to-end marketing services, from strategy and creative through execution, across all media channels. As new marketing and advertising channels emerge, marketing services providers must expand their services beyond traditional channels such as for television, newspapers, print publications and radio, to digital channels such as mobile, internet search, internet display and video, to create effective multichannel campaigns for their clients. This trend greatly influences Quad’s ongoing efforts to redefine the future of integrated marketing and create greater value for its clients who are looking for less complexity, greater transparency and accountability from their business partners.

In Quad 3.0, the Company leverages its data-driven print expertise as part of an integrated marketing solutions platform that helps its clients not only plan and produce marketing programs, but also deploy, manage and measure them across all media channels. Competition in the highly fragmented printing industry remains highly fragmented and intense, and the Company believes that there are indicators of heightened competitive pressures. The industry has excess manufacturing capacity created by continued declines in industry volumes which, in turn, has created accelerated downward pricing pressures. In addition, digital delivery of documents and data, including the online distribution and hosting of media content and mobile technologies, offer alternatives to traditional delivery of printed documents. Increasing consumer


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acceptance of digital delivery of content has resulted in marketers and publishers allocating their marketing and advertising spend across the expanding selection of digital delivery options, which further reduces printing demand and contributes to industry overcapacity. The Company also faces competition from print management firms, which look to streamline processes and reduce the overall print spend of the Company'sCompany’s clients, as well as from strategic marketing firms focused on helping businesses integrate multiple channels into their marketing campaigns.

For a full description of the Company’s industry and competition overview, refer to Part I, Item 1, “Business,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company believes that a disciplined approach for capital management and a strong balance sheet are critical to be able to invest in profitable growth opportunities and technological advances, thereby providing the highest return for shareholders. Management balances the use of cash between compelling investment opportunities, deleveraging the Company'sCompany’s balance sheet (through reduction in debt and pension obligations), compelling investment opportunities (through capital expenditures, acquisitions and strategic investments) and returns to shareholders (through share repurchases and a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share).

The Company continues to remain disciplined withmake progress on integrating and streamlining all aspects of its debt leverage. The Company's consolidated debt and capital leases decreased by $56 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, despite investing $133 million in capital expenditures and $143 million in acquisitions (primarily the 2015 Marin's, Copac and Specialty acquisitions). Since the Company completed the World Color Press acquisition in July 2010, the Company has reduced debt and capital leases by $390 million and has reduced the obligations for pension, postretirement and MEPPs by $361 million.

The Company has been working diligently to integrate acquired companies,business, thereby lowering its cost structure by consolidating its manufacturing platform into its most efficient facilities, as well as realizing purchasing, mailing and logistics efficiencies by centralizing and consolidating print manufacturing volumes and eliminating redundancies in its administrative and corporate operations. These efforts includeThe Company has continued to evolve its manufacturing platform, equipping facilities to be product line agnostic, which enables the deploymentCompany to maximize equipment utilization. Quad believes that the large plant size of certain of its key printing facilities allows the Company to drive savings in certain product lines (such as publications and catalogs) due to economies of scale and from investments in automation and technology. The Company continues to focus on proactively aligning its cost structure to the realities of the Company's Smartools® platform to streamline workflowstop-line pressures it faces in the printing industry through Lean Manufacturing and improve data visibility across the consolidated platform. In addition, restructuringsustainable continuous improvement programs. Restructuring actions initiated by the Company beginning in 2010 have resulted in the announcement of 3143 plant closures and have reduced headcount by approximately 10,00013,000 employees through December 31, 2015.2018.

In additionThe Company believes it will continue to cost savings through acquisition-related synergies, the Company continues its focus on cost reductions through Lean Manufacturingdrive productivity improvements and Continuous Improvement initiatives, both on the production floor and with administrative support, in order to achieve improved efficiencies, reduce waste, lower overall operating costs, enhance quality and timeliness and create a safer work environment for the Company's employees. In January 2016, the Company announced that it had completed its previously announced $100 million sustainable cost reduction program aheadinitiatives into the future through an engaged workforce and ongoing adoption of schedule, intended to bring the Company's cost structure in line with revenues in light of heightened competitive pressures. The program included reducing excesslatest manufacturing capacity through plant closures; intensifying the Company's focus on productivity; reducing selling, generalautomation and administrative costs; and implementing a new streamlined organizational structure. The cost reduction program incrementally reduced the Company's cost structure by $100 million starting January 1, 2016, andtechnology. Through this strategy, the Company intendsbelieves it can maintain the strongest, most efficient print manufacturing platform to continue reducing costs during 2016 and the years beyond.remain a high-quality, low-cost producer.

Integrated distribution with the postal service is an important component of the Company'sCompany’s business. Any material change in the current service levels provided by the postal service could impact the demand that clients have for print services. The USPS has reported cumulative net losses totaling more than $56 billion since 2007.continues to experience financial problems. Without increased revenues or action by Congress to reform the USPS'USPS’ cost structure, these losses will continue into the future. As a resultBecause of these financial difficulties, the USPS has come under increased pressure to adjust its postal rates and service levels. In January 2014,Additional price increases may result in customers reducing mail volumes and exploring the use of alternative methods for delivering a larger portion of their products, such as continued diversion to the internet and other alternative media channels to ensure that they stay within their expected postage budgets.

Current federal law limits postal rate increases (outside of an “exigent circumstance”) to the increase in the CPI. This cap works to ensure funding stability and predictability for mailers. However, that same federal statute requires the PRC to conduct a review of the overall rate-making structure for the USPS. The results of that study found that the current rate structure has been partially successful in meeting the USPS’ goals. The current system does result in predictable and stable rate making. However, the PRC also concluded that the current rate structure does not meet USPS’ revenue needs and lacks pricing efficiency. As a result, the PRC proposed a new rate-making structure that would provide the USPS implementedwith additional pricing flexibility over the current CPI cap, and which may result in a temporary exigent postagesubstantially altered rate increasestructure for mailers. There is a great deal of 6.0% (includesuncertainty as to the normal and expected annual CPI increaseoutcome of 1.7% and an additional 4.3% temporary exigent increase). In January 2015, the USPS filed a proposal withthis review as the PRC forissued a CPI increaseNotice of 2.0%Proposed Rulemaking with comments due on April 26, 2015. After being rejected twiceMarch 1, 2018. An additional round of comments was due on March 30, 2018. Any newly revised rates that would be effective because of new rules issued by the PRC may include a higher rate cap, or potentially the third proposal was approved, and prices were implementedelimination of a rate cap altogether, which will result in no restrictions on May 31, 2015. Additionally, the 4.3%USPS’


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temporary exigentability to increase was extendedrates from year to year. This may lead to price spikes for mailers and is scheduled to end in April 2016. However,may also reduce the incentive for the USPS has filedto continue to take out costs and instead continue to rely on postage to cover the costs of an appealoutdated postal service that does not reflect the industry’s ability or willingness to pay. The result may be reduced demand for printed products as customers may move more aggressively into other delivery methods, such as the many digital and mobile options now available to consumers.

On April 12, 2018, an executive order was issued for a presidential task force to review the USPS with a provided time frame of 120 days. Other initiatives, such as postal reform legislation and PRC response, have been temporarily delayed, pending the outcome of this review. The recommendations stemming from the presidential task force were published on December 4, 2018, which were wide in federal court requestingscope and will require additional input from a variety of stakeholders, including the United States Congress. The Company expects that with the "surcharge" be continued and made partpublication of the permanent base postage rate. Additionally, there isreport, both postal reform legislation pending before Congress that would also make this surcharge a permanent part ofand the base postage rate. Because of allowancesPRC’s proposed rate structure changes will be further investigated within the law governing the CPI increase, the impact to clients varied greatly, from decreases to double digit increases. Quad/Graphicsnext year.

The Company has invested significantly in its mail preparation and distribution capabilities to mitigate the impact of increases in postage costs, and to help clients successfully navigate the ever-changing postal environment. Through its data analytics, unique software to merge mailstreamsmail streams on a large scale, advanced finishing capabilities and technology, and in-house transportation and logistics operations, the Company manages the mail preparation and distribution of most of its clients'clients’ products to maximize efficiency, to enable on-time and consistent delivery and to partially reduce these costs; however, the net impact of increasing postal costs may create a decrease in client demand for print and mail products.

When making capital investment decisions, management undertakes a thorough process aimed at driving the strongest contribution to long-term profitability, whether those are property, plant and equipment additions, organic growth opportunities, or acquisitions. Some recent examples of capital investments made byIn 2018, the Company include the following:continued to fuel its Quad 3.0 transformation through a series of strategic investments and acquisitions focused on building out its integrated marketing solutions platform:

The Company completed the acquisition of Specialtyacquired Ivie, a marketing services provider, on August 25, 2015,February 21, 2018, for a net purchase price of $62$92 million, excluding acquired cash. SpecialtyHeadquartered in Flower Mound, Texas, Ivie provides Quad with scale for on-site marketing services at more than 60 client locations; integrated execution, including sourcing and procurement; and expanded subject matter expertise in digital, media and creative. The companies’ capabilities are highly complementary. Ivie is a full-service paperboard folding carton manufacturerleader in customized marketing and logistics provider locatedbusiness process outsourcing, and Quad is a leader in Omaha, Nebraska.content production and workflow process optimization.

The Company completed the acquisition of Copac on April 14, 2015, for a net purchase price of $59 million, excluding acquired cash. Copac isincreased its equity position in Rise, a leading international provider of innovative packaging and supply chain solutions, including turnkey packaging design, production and fulfillment services across a range of end marketsdigital marketing agency headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Copac manufactures products such as folding cartons, labels, inserts, tags and specialty envelopes, and has production facilities in Spartanburg and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as well as strategically sourcing packaging product manufacturing over multiple end markets in Central America and Asia, giving it a global footprint.

The Company completed the acquisition of Marin'sChicago, Illinois, from 19% to 57% on February 3, 2015,March 14, 2018, for a net purchase price of $21$9 million excluding acquired cash. Marin's is a worldwide leader in the point of sale display industry and specializes in the research and design of display solutions headquartered in Paris, France. Marin's products are produced by a global network of licensees, including Quad/Graphics, as well as one wide-format digital print, kitting and fulfillment facility in Paris. Marin's uses its own European–based sales forcecash paid and the global licenseesconversion of previously provided loans to sell its patented product portfolio.equity ownership. Quad has long worked with Rise to orchestrate integrated, cross-media programs that give marketers improved predictability and control over the variables that drive consumer response. As part of Quad’s integrated marketing platform, Rise helps reduce the complexities of working with multiple agencies and improves clients’ process efficiencies and overall marketing spend effectiveness.

The Company announced its planplans to investacquire Minneapolis-based creative agency, Periscope, in multiple high-speed color digital web presses on January 14, 2015, as part of a three-year strategy to transform the Company's book platform to the widest, most productive digital web presses available in the marketplace today. As of December 31, 2015, seven digital web presses have been installed.

The CompanyNovember 2018, and completed the acquisition of Brown Printing on May 30, 2014,January 3, 2019, for a net preliminary purchase price of $98$121 million, excluding acquired cash. Brown Printing provides magazinePeriscope’s comprehensive offering includes media buying and catalog printing, distributionanalytics, creative and account management, as well as packaging design and premedia services that complement Quad’s print-production capabilities. With Periscope, the Company now has a highly efficient global platform for creating marketing campaigns and programs, from strategy and creative through execution, across all media channels. This integrated, media solutions to magazine publishersend-to-end marketing platform creates more value for clients than the traditional agency approach that operates in silos by reducing complexity and catalog marketers in the United States.improving process efficiencies and marketing spend effectiveness.

The Company completed the acquisition of UniGraphic on February 5, 2014, for a net purchase price of $11 million, excluding acquired cash. UniGraphic is a commercial and specialty printing company based in the Boston metro area, offers commercial and specialty printing, in-store marketing, digital and fulfillment solutions for a wide variety of industries including arts and entertainment, education, financial, food, healthcare, mass media, pharmaceutical and retail. The acquisition expands Quad/Graphics' capabilities in the commercial and specialty printing market and strengthens the Company's ability to service national retailers' large-format and in-store marketing needs, adding an East Coast presence to Quad/Graphics existing Midwest and West Coast locations.



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The Company completed the acquisition of Wisconsin-based Proteus, as well as its sister company Transpak, on December 18, 2013, for $49 million. Proteus is a designer and manufacturer of high-end paperboard packaging, offering packaging solutions for a wide variety of industries, including automotive, biotechnology, food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals, software and electronics. Transpak is a full-service industrial packaging company, offering crating, packaging, warehousing, distribution and logistics services to destinations worldwide. Through the acquisition of the two companies, Quad/Graphics expanded its capabilities to serve the packaging market.

On October 30, 2018, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Chicago-based LSC in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion, including the refinancing of LSC’s debt and assumption of other obligations. The Company completedacquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval and approval by the shareholders of both companies, is expected to close in mid-2019. The acquisition is expected to create more value for all stakeholders by leveraging a strong print foundation as part of Novia on November 7, 2013,a much larger, more robust integration marketing solutions offering, while broadening Quad’s client base and revenue-generating potential. The transaction presents a compelling opportunity for $13 million. Novia is a healthcare solutions company that developsachieving significant net synergies through the elimination of duplicative functions, capacity rationalization, greater operational efficiencies and manages onsite and shared primary care clinics for small to medium sized companies and the public sector, such as school districts and city and county governments, and is locatedgreater efficiencies in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Vertis on January 16, 2013, for $265 million, including $95 million for current assets that were in excess of normalized working capital requirements. Vertis is a provider of retail advertising inserts, direct marketing and in-store marketing solutions.supply chain management. The Company believes the acquisitionsignificant level of Vertis strengthenedsynergies will result in a more profitable combined company, and that the all-stock transaction structure is expected to allow Quad to maintain a strong balance sheet, which is expected to create future value for all shareholders.

Throughout 2018, the Company also continued to make strategic investments in its client offering with an enhanced rangemanufacturing platform as part of its ongoing commitment to maintaining the most efficient, automated and dependable manufacturing and distribution platform in the printing industry. These investments, which help fuel Quad’s 3.0 transformation and sustain its high-quality, low-cost producer position, include the following:

Direct Marketing Platform: The Company continued to make investments that help its clients gain a competitive edge with data-driven, hyper-personalized print marketing that is impactful, cost-effective and delivers improved return on marketing investment. The Company also debuted Accelerated InsightsTM, a groundbreaking predictive direct mail virtual technology that allows marketers to rapidly test direct mail creative and formats prior to mailing. The technology helps marketers predict what factors motivate someone to act on an offer prior to physical mailing.

Book Platform: The Company continued to invest in its book platform to match clients’ portfolios of products and services,redefine the book supply chain through increased customization and also increased manufacturing flexibilityversioning capabilities; faster time to market; reduced waste, inventories and distribution efficiencies fromobsolescence through innovative solutions, such as a proprietary demand-driven ordering system; and lower fixed costs. Investments throughout the book platform included, but not limited to, a new sheetfed press for printing paper covers, end sheets and cover mounts for hardcover books; a new perfect binder with automatic makeready features; and an extended geographic footprintoverhead storage and conveyor system that will help with work in the United States.process, especially for small digital orders.

Magazine, Catalog and Retail Platform: The Company is subjectcontinued to seasonalitystrengthen its Magazine, Catalog and Retail Platform and offering. To enhance productivity and offset labor shortages, the company continues to investment in its quarterly resultsautomation, such as net salesautomated guided vehicles (driverless fork trucks) and operating income are higher inautomated palletizers at the third and fourth quartersend of the calendar year as compared to the first and second quarters. The fourth quarter is the highest seasonal quarter for cash flows from operating activities and Free Cash Flow due to the reduction of working capital requirements that reach peak levels during the third quarter. Seasonality is driven by increased magazine advertising page counts, retail inserts, catalogs and books primarily due to back-to-school and holiday-related advertising and promotions. The Company expects this seasonality impact to continue in future years.finishing lines.



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Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 20152018, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 20142017

Summary Results

The Company'sCompany’s operating income, (loss), operating margin, net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad common shareholders (computed using a 40% normalized tax rate) and diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, changed from the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, as follows (dollars in millions, except per share data):

. The effects of the changes on net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders were computed using a 25% normalized tax rate as adjusted for the Tax Act that was enacted in 2017 for all items subject to tax for the year ended December 31, 2018, and were computed using a 40% normalized tax rate for all items subject to tax for the year ended December 31, 2017, which was the normalized rate used by the Company prior to the enactment of the Tax Act:
 Operating Income (Loss) Operating Margin Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Quad/Graphics Common Shareholders 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Attributable to
Quad/Graphics Common
Shareholders—Diluted
For the year ended December 31, 2014$141.3
 2.9 % $18.6
 $0.38
2015 restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges(1)
(164.9) (3.5)% (108.0) (2.25)
2014 restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges(2)
67.3
 1.4 % 40.4
 0.83
Goodwill impairment(3)
(808.3) (17.3)% (542.4) (11.32)
Decrease in interest expense(4)
N/A
 N/A
 2.7
 0.06
2014 loss on debt extinguishment(5)
N/A
 N/A
 4.3
 0.09
Impact of income taxes(6)
N/A
 N/A
 (14.4) (0.30)
Decrease attributable to investments in unconsolidated entities and noncontrolling interests, net of tax(7)
N/A
 N/A
 (3.9) (0.08)
Decrease in operating income(8)
(65.4) (1.2)% (39.2) (0.81)
For the year ended December 31, 2015$(830.0) (17.7)% $(641.9) $(13.40)
 Operating Income Operating Margin Net Earnings Attributable to Quad Common Shareholders Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Quad Common Shareholders
For the year ended December 31, 2017$155.3
 3.8 % $107.2
 $2.07
2018 restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges (1)
(103.6) (2.5)% (77.7) (1.51)
2017 restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges (2)
60.4
 1.5 % 36.2
 0.70
Interest expense (3)
N/A
 N/A
 (12.3) (0.24)
Net pension income (4)
N/A
 N/A
 3.5
 0.07
2017 loss on debt extinguishment (5)
N/A
 N/A
 1.6
 0.03
Income taxes (6)
N/A
 N/A
 (43.4) (0.84)
Investments in unconsolidated entity and noncontrolling interests, net of tax (7)
N/A
 N/A
 1.6
 0.03
Operating income (8)
(54.1) (1.4)% (8.2) (0.15)
For the year ended December 31, 2018$58.0
 1.4 % $8.5
 $0.16

(1) 
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $164.9$103.6 million ($77.7 million, net of tax) incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015, included:2018, included the following:

a.$42.123.0 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and voluntary and involuntary separation programs;

b.
$95.326.5 million of impairment charges, including: (1) $54.7including $16.9 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Augusta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville,Waseca, Minnesota; Hazleton, Pennsylvania; Loveland, Colorado; and Queretaro, Mexico,Franklin, Kentucky; as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives; (2) $18.6 million of investment-related impairment charges, primarily related to $16.7initiatives, including $5.0 million of impairment charges to reduce the book value of the Company's equity method investmentfor machinery and equipment in Quad/Graphics Chile S.A. ("Chile") to fair value (see Note 8, "Equity Method Investments in Unconsolidated Entities," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, "Financial StatementsPeru; and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for additional details related to the impairment of the Company's equity method investment in Chile); (3) $12.7$4.6 million of land and building impairment charges, primarily related to the Augusta, Georgia and East Greenville, PennsylvaniaFranklin, Kentucky plant closures; (4) $7.1 million of customer relationship intangible asset impairments; and (5) $2.2 million of impairment charges primarily related to the restructuring proceedings in Argentina for the Company's Argentina subsidiaries, Anselmo L. Morvillo S.A. ("Morvillo") and World Color Argentina, S.A. (the "Argentina Subsidiaries") for land, building, machinery and equipment and other intangible assets;
closure;

c.
$(6.7)8.2 million of transaction-related charges, (income) including a $10.0 million non-recurring gain as a result of Courier Corporation's ("Courier") termination of the agreement pursuant to which Quad/Graphics was to acquire Courier, partially offset by $3.3 millionconsisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, including fees for the terminated acquisition of Courier and the acquisitions of Marin's, Copac and Specialty;



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d.$5.1$6.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integrationproposed acquisition of the acquired companies; andLSC;

e.d.$29.144.6 million of various other restructuring charges, includingconsisting of$6.0$32.1 million non-cashincrease to the Company’s MEPPs withdrawal liability, $10.0 million in charges for certain legal matters and nondeductible expense to recognize accumulated foreign exchange losses on the sale of the Chile equity method investment, lease exit chargescustomer contract penalties related to closed facilities, as well as otherthe Company’s operations in Peru, and costs to maintain and exit closed facilities. These charges are presented net of $17.3 million in gains on the sale of facilities, including a $7.5 million gain from the sale of the Taunton, Massachusetts Book plant, a $7.0 million gain from the sale of the Dallas, Texas plant and a $2.2 million gain from the sale of the San Ixhuatepec, Mexico plant.

The Company expects to incur additional restructuring and integration costs in future reporting periods in connection with eliminating excess manufacturing capacity and properly aligning its cost structure in conjunction with the Company'sCompany’s acquisitions and strategic investments, and other cost reduction programs.


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(2) 
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $67.3$60.4 million ($36.2 million, net of tax) incurred during the year ended December 31, 2014, included:2017, included the following:

a.$30.626.9 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs;

b.$14.412.0 million of impairment charges, including: (1) $8.0including $6.7 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; Mexico City, Mexico; Pomona, California;Waseca, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; and St. Cloud, Minnesota,Taunton, Massachusetts, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiativesactivities; and (2) $6.4$5.3 million of impairment charges for land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Bristol, PennsylvaniaWaseca, Minnesota and Dickson, TennesseeTaunton, Massachusetts plant closures;

c.$2.63.1 million of transaction-related charges, consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Brown Printing and UniGraphic;activities;

d.$11.218.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and

e.$8.5 million ofvarious other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, presented net of $7.1 million in gains from the sale of the Atglen, Pennsylvania; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Lenexa, Kansas; and Marengo, Iowa plants, and a $4.9$1.2 million gain from the terminationCompany’s Argentina Subsidiaries’ settlements with vendors through bankruptcy proceedings. Other restructuring charges also included a $6.7 million loss on the sale of the postretirement medical benefit plan.a business.

(3) 
Pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $808.3Interest expense increased $2.2 million ($542.412.3 million, net of tax) were recordedtax impact due to the change in the normalized tax rate) during the year ended December 31, 2015, of which $778.3 million related2018, to $73.3 million. This change was due to a higher weighted average interest rate on borrowings and higher average debt levels during the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the United States Print and Related Services segment and $30.0 million related to the International segment.year ended December 31, 2017.

(4) 
Interest expense decreased $4.5Net pension income increased $2.8 million ($2.73.5 million, net of tax)tax impact due to the change in the normalized tax rate) during the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, to $88.4$12.4 million. This change was due to a lower weighted average$1.3 million decrease from the interest ratecost on borrowingspension plan liabilities, a $0.8 million decrease in settlement charges and lower average debt levels in 2015 as compared to 2014.a $0.7 million increase from the expected return on pension plan assets.

(5) 
A non-recurring $7.2$2.6 million loss on debt extinguishment ($4.31.6 million, net of tax) was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily related to2017, from the $1.9 billion debt financing arrangementsrefinancing of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, completed on April 28, 2014. The $7.2 million represents certain debt issuance costs that were expensed.February 10, 2017.



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(6) 
The $43.4 million decrease in income tax benefit of $14.4 million as calculated in the following table is primarily due to $10.4a $28.8 million in reduced tax benefits in 2015 from a reversal of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits in 2014 based on the expiration of statutes of limitations and $5.6 millionbenefit related to lossesthe reduced federal rate applied to net domestic deferred tax liabilities in accordance with the Tax Act and a $13.1 million decreased net tax benefit from the release of valuation allowances related to foreign jurisdictions in 2015 in excess of 2014 where the Company does not receive a tax benefit.operations. See Note 14, "Income13, “Income Taxes," to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on income taxes.
 Year Ended December 31,  
 2015 2014 $ Change
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated entities$(918.4) $41.2
 $(959.6)
Goodwill impairment charges808.3
 
 808.3
Nondeductible equity method investment impairment16.7
 
 16.7
Nondeductible foreign exchange losses on the sale of investment6.0
 
 6.0
Income (loss) subject to income taxes(87.4) 41.2
 (128.6)
40% normalized tax rate40.0% 40.0% 40.0%
Income tax expense (benefit) at 40% normalized tax rate(35.0) 16.5
 (51.5)
      
Plus: tax benefit related to goodwill impairment charges (Note 14)(265.9) 
 (265.9)
 (300.9) 16.5
 (317.4)
      
Income tax expense (benefit) from the consolidated statements of operations(282.8) 20.2
 303.0
Impact of income taxes$(18.1) $(3.7) $(14.4)
 Year Ended December 31,  
 2018 2017 $ Change
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated entity$(2.9) $91.2
 $(94.1)
Normalized tax rate in 201740.0% 40.0% 40.0%
Income tax (benefit) expense at normalized tax rate in 2017(1.2) 36.5
 (37.7)
      
Impact of change in normalized tax rate to 25% in 20180.5
 
 0.5
Income tax (benefit) expense at normalized tax rate of 25% in 2018 and 40% in 2017(0.7) 36.5
 (37.2)
      
Less: Income tax benefit from the consolidated statements of operations(9.8) (16.0) 6.2
      
Impact of income taxes$9.1
 $52.5
 $(43.4)



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(7) 
The decrease attributable toincrease from investments in unconsolidated entitiesentity and noncontrolling interests, net of tax, of $3.9$1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, was primarily due to a $2.8$1.0 million increase in losses from unconsolidated entitiesearnings at the Company'sCompany’s investment in Plural Industria Gráfica Ltda ("Ltda.Plural" (“Plural”), the Company'sCompany’s Brazilian joint venture, and a $0.9the favorable impact from the adjustment of the $0.6 million increasenet loss attributed to noncontrolling interests in losses at the Company's investment in Chile that was sold on July 31, 2015.Company’s consolidated statements of operations related to the Company’s 57% ownership of Rise.

(8) 
Operating income, (loss), excluding restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, and goodwill impairment charges, decreased $65.4$54.1 million ($39.28.2 million, net of tax)tax impact due to the change in the normalized tax rate) primarily due to:to the following: (1) a 3.8% reduction in net sales predominantly from ongoing industrylower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures; (2) higher labor costs associated with lower productivity;a $22.3 million non-cash expense related to a special employee retirement contribution in 2018 resulting from the benefit of tax reform; and (3) a $10.8$10.7 million charge to reduce a vendor receivable due to collectability concerns; and (4) $6.1 millionnet benefit in net gains2017 from changes in 2014 related to favorable legal and bankruptcy settlements.employee vacation policies. These declinesdecreases were partially offset by:by the following: (1) operating resultsa $13.3 million net benefit in 2018 in gain from the additionalproperty insurance claims; (2) earnings from the sales attributed to recent acquisitions; (2) a $4.5 million increaseIvie acquisition and the investment in net gains on the sale of property, plant and equipment;Rise; (3) a $4.5 million decrease in foreign currency losses; (4) $4.0 million in lower vacation expense due to a change in the vacation policy; (5) a $2.5$5.6 million gain on the sale offrom a sales tax litigation settlement in Peru; and (4) savings from cost method investment; and (6) a $1.1 million favorable impact from the resolution of certain acquisition related contingencies. The following discussion provides additional details.reduction initiatives.



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Operating Results

The following table sets forth certain information from the Company'sCompany’s consolidated statements of operations on an absolute dollar basis and as a relative percentage of total net sales for each noted period, together with the relative percentage change in such information between the periods set forth below:

Year Ended December 31,    Year Ended December 31,    
2015 2014    2018 2017    
(dollars in millions)  (dollars in millions)  
Amount 
% of
Sales
 Amount 
% of
Sales
 $ Change 
%
Change
Amount 
% of Net
Sales
 Amount 
% of Net
Sales
 $ Change 
%
Change
Net sales:                      
Products$4,030.3
 86.2 % $4,197.5
 86.3% $(167.2) (4.0)%$3,392.3
 80.9% $3,529.0
 85.4% $(136.7) (3.9)%
Services647.4
 13.8 % 664.9
 13.7% (17.5) (2.6)%801.4
 19.1% 602.4
 14.6% 199.0
 33.0 %
Total net sales4,677.7
 100.0 % 4,862.4
 100.0% (184.7) (3.8)%4,193.7
 100.0% 4,131.4
 100.0% 62.3
 1.5 %
Cost of sales:                      
Products3,294.1
 70.4 % 3,421.4
 70.3% (127.3) (3.7)%2,829.0
 67.5% 2,827.3
 68.4% 1.7
 0.1 %
Services466.8
 10.0 % 470.5
 9.7% (3.7) (0.8)%600.3
 14.3% 432.1
 10.5% 168.2
 38.9 %
Total cost of sales3,760.9
 80.4 % 3,891.9
 80.0% (131.0) (3.4)%3,429.3
 81.8% 3,259.4
 78.9% 169.9
 5.2 %
Selling, general & administrative expenses448.3
 9.5 % 425.5
 8.8% 22.8
 5.4 %372.1
 8.9% 423.8
 10.3% (51.7) (12.2)%
Depreciation and amortization325.3
 7.0 % 336.4
 6.9% (11.1) (3.3)%230.7
 5.5% 232.5
 5.6% (1.8) (0.8)%
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges164.9
 3.5 % 67.3
 1.4% 97.6
 145.0 %103.6
 2.4% 60.4
 1.4% 43.2
 71.5 %
Goodwill impairment808.3
 17.3 % 
 % 808.3
 nm
Total operating expenses5,507.7
 117.7 % 4,721.1
 97.1% 786.6
 16.7 %4,135.7
 98.6% 3,976.1
 96.2% 159.6
 4.0 %
Operating income (loss)$(830.0) (17.7)% $141.3
 2.9% $(971.3) nm
Operating income$58.0
 1.4% $155.3
 3.8% $(97.3) (62.7)%

Net Sales

Product sales decreased $167.2$136.7 million, or 4.0%3.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to a $260.5$181.2 million decrease in product sales in the Company's core print and specialtyCompany’s print product lines owned more than a year predominantly due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures and $53.3$14.7 million in negativeunfavorable foreign exchange impact. These decreases wereimpacts, primarily in Argentina; partially offset by a $146.6$59.2 million increase from acquisitions.pass-through paper sales.

Service sales, which primarily consist of logistics, distribution, marketing services, imaging logistics and distributionmedical services, decreased $17.5increased $199.0 million, or 2.6%33.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to a decrease$176.2 million increase in net sales from the Ivie acquisition and investment in Rise and a $29.5 million increase in logistics sales, resulting from ongoing volume pressures. This decrease was partially offset by $12.9a $5.7 million decrease in increased sales of QuadMed medical services and $9.0 million in increased logistics and imaging sales resulting from acquisitions.services.



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Cost of Sales

Cost of product sales decreased $127.3increased $1.7 million, or 3.7%0.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared with the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to lower print andan increase in paper volumes in product lines owned more than a yearcosts and a $4.0$14.0 million vacation reserve reduction duenon-cash expense related to a vacation policy change.special employee retirement contribution in 2018. These reductionsincreases were partially offset by increasedlower print volume and cost of product sales resulting from acquisitions, higher labor costs associated with lower productivity and a $10.8 million charge to reduce a vendor receivable due to collectability concerns.reduction initiatives.



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Cost of product sales as a percentage of net sales increaseddecreased to 70.4%67.5% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, from 70.3%68.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to the reasons provided above.

Cost of service sales decreased $3.7increased $168.2 million, or 0.8%38.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared with the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to lowerthe Ivie acquisition and investment in Rise, increased logistics volumes, partially offset by additionalfreight costs resulting from QuadMed medical services and increased sales generated by acquisitions.a $2.6 million non-cash expense related to a special employee retirement contribution in 2018.

Cost of service sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 10.0%14.3% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, from 9.7%10.5% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to increased costs of QuadMed medical services.the reasons provided above.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $22.8decreased $51.7 million, or 5.4%12.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared with the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to:to the following: (1) savings from cost reduction initiatives, including employee-related costs; (2) a $16.7$13.3 million increasenet benefit in employee-related costs due to acquisitions, net of a $9.8 million reduction2018 in compensation expense recognized related to equity incentive programs; (2) $6.1 million in net gains in 2014 related to favorable legalgain from property insurance claims; and bankruptcy settlements; (3) a $3.5 million increase in legal and professional fees; and (4) a $2.5 million increase in general administrative expenses. These increases were partially offset by: (1) a $4.5 million increase in net gains on the sale of property, plant and equipment; (2) a $4.5 million decrease in foreign currency losses; (3) a $2.5$5.6 million gain from a sales tax litigation settlement in Peru, partially offset by a $10.3 million benefit in 2017 from a change in the sale ofsalaried employee vacation policy that did not repeat in 2018 and a cost investment; and (4)$5.7 million non-cash expense related to a $1.1 million favorable impact from the resolution of certain acquisition related contingencies.special employee retirement contribution in 2018. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increaseddecreased from 8.8%10.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017, to 9.5% between years8.9% for the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to the same reasons.reasons stated above.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization decreased $11.1$1.8 million, or 3.3%0.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared with the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily2017, due to a $14.8$17.9 million decrease in depreciation expense. The decreased depreciation expense is a result offrom property, plant and equipment becoming fully depreciated over the past year. This was partially offset by depreciation of property, plant and equipment purchased in acquisitions. The decrease in depreciation expense wasyear, partially offset by a $3.7$16.1 million increase in amortization expense, primarily duerelated to amortization of customer relationshipexpense for intangible assets acquired in the Ivie acquisition and other intangible assets from the companies acquired during 2015.investment in Rise.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges increased $97.6$43.2 million, or 145.0%71.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared with the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to the following: (1) $80.9$14.5 million increase in impairment charges,charges; (2) a $20.6$5.1 million increase in transaction-related charges; (3) a $1.3 million increase in acquisition-related integration costs; and (4) a $26.2 million increase in other restructuring charges and a $11.5 million increase in employee termination charges,charges. These decreases were partially offset by a $9.3$3.9 million decrease in transaction-related charges and a $6.1 million decrease in acquisition-related integration costs.employee termination charges.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $164.9$103.6 million incurred in the year ended December 31, 2015, included:2018, included the following: (1) $42.1$23.0 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $95.3$26.5 million of impairment charges, including $54.7$16.9 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Augusta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville,Waseca, Minnesota; Hazleton, Pennsylvania; Loveland, Colorado; and Queretaro, Mexico,Franklin, Kentucky; as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives, $18.6 million of investment related impairment charges, primarily related to $16.7including $5.0 million of impairment charges to reduce the book value of the Company's equity method investmentfor machinery and equipment in Chile to fair value (see Note 8, "Equity Method Investments in Unconsolidated Entities," for additional details related to the impairment of the Company's equity method investment in Chile), $12.7Peru; and $4.6 million of land and building impairment charges, primarily related to the Augusta, Georgia and East Greenville, PennsylvaniaFranklin, Kentucky plant closures, $7.1closure; (3) $8.2 million of customer relationship intangible asset impairmentstransaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees related to business acquisition and $1.2divestiture activities, including $6.4 million related to the proposed acquisition of LSC; and (4) $44.6 million of impairmentvarious other restructuring charges, for land and building, $0.9consisting of a $32.1 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment and $0.1 million of impairment charges for other intangible assets as a result ofincrease to the Company's ArgentinaCompany’s MEPPs


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Subsidiaries restructuring proceedings; (3) $(6.7) million of transaction-related charges (income), which includes awithdrawal liability, $10.0 million non-recurring gain as a result of Courier's termination of the agreement pursuant to which Quad/Graphics was to acquire Courier, partially offset by $3.3 million of professional service feesin charges for the terminated acquisition of Couriercertain legal matters and the acquisitions of Marin's, Copac and Specialty; (4) $5.1 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costscustomer contract penalties related to the integration of the acquired companies;Company’s operations in Peru, and (5) $29.1 million of other restructuring charges, including a $6.0 million non-cash expense to recognize accumulated foreign exchange losses on the sale of the Chile equity method investment, as well as lease exit charges and other costs to maintain and exit closed facilities. These charges are presented net of $17.3 million in gains on the sale of facilities, including a $7.5 million gain from the sale of the Taunton, Massachusetts Book plant, a $7.0 million gain from the sale of the Dallas, Texas plant and a $2.2 million gain from the sale of the San Ixhuatepec, Mexico plant.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $67.3$60.4 million incurred in the year ended December 31, 2014, included:2017, included the following: (1) $30.6$26.9 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $14.4$12.0 million of impairment charges, including $8.0$6.7 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; Mexico City, Mexico; Pomona, California;Waseca, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; and St. Cloud, Minnesota,Taunton, Massachusetts, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiativesactivities; and $6.4$5.3 million of impairment charges for land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Bristol, PennsylvaniaWaseca, Minnesota and Dickson, TennesseeTaunton, Massachusetts plant closures; (3) $2.6$3.1 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees forrelated to business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Brown Printingactivities; and UniGraphic; (4) $11.2$18.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and (5) $8.5 million ofvarious other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, presented net of $7.1 million in gains from the sale of the Atglen, Pennsylvania; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Lenexa, Kansas; and Marengo, Iowa plants, and a $4.9$1.2 million gain from the terminationCompany’s Argentina Subsidiaries’ settlements with vendors through bankruptcy proceedings. Other restructuring charges also included a $6.7 million loss on the sale of the postretirement medical benefit plan.a business.

Goodwill Impairment

On March 25, 2015, due to deteriorating economic conditions, including inflation and currency devaluation, combined with uncertain political conditions, declining print volumes and labor challenges, the Company's Argentina Subsidiaries (included within the Latin America reporting unit) commenced bankruptcy restructuring proceedings with a goal of consolidating operations. The Company conducted an interim goodwill impairment assessment of the Latin America reporting unit, which included comparing the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, to its respective fair value as of March 31, 2015, the date of the interim assessment. As a result of the interim goodwill impairment assessment as well as the annual impairment test as of October 31, 2015, the Company's International segment recorded non-cash nondeductible goodwill impairment charges of $30.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily including a $23.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge for the Latin America reporting unit.

Due to the decline in the Company's stock price in the third quarter of 2015, an interim goodwill impairment test of the three reporting units in the United States Print and Related Services segment was performed as of July 31, 2015. As a result of the interim goodwill impairment assessment as well as the annual impairment test as of October 31, 2015, the Company's United States Print and Related Services segment recorded pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $778.3 million ($512.4 million after tax) in the year ended December 31, 2015, that included impairment charges of $640.8 million, $118.9 million and $18.6 million in the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit, the Specialty Print and Related Services reporting unit and the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit, respectively.

In total, the Company recorded pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $808.3 million ($542.4 million after tax) in the year ended December 31, 2015.



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EBITDA and EBITDA Margin—Consolidated

EBITDA and EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, wereis defined as follows:

 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014
 Amount % of Net Sales Amount % of Net Sales
 (dollars in millions)
EBITDA and EBITDA margin$(511.0) (10.9)% $468.1
 9.6%

EBITDA decreased $979.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to: (1) a $808.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in 2015; (2) $97.6 million of increased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges; (3) ongoing volume and pricing pressures from excess capacity in the printing industry; (4) higher labor costs associated with lower productivity; (5) a $10.8 million charge to reduce a vendor receivable due to collectability concerns; and (6) $6.1 million in net gains in 2014 related to favorable legal and bankruptcy settlements. These impacts were partially offset by: (1) the additional earnings on sales generated from acquisitions; (2) a $4.5 million increase in net gains on the sale of property, plant and equipment; (3) a $4.5 million decrease in foreign currency losses; (4) a $4.0 million vacation reserve reduction due to a vacation policy change; (5) a $2.5 million gain on the sale of a cost investment; and (6) a $1.1 million favorable impact from the resolution of certain acquisition related contingencies.

EBITDA represents net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad common shareholders, plus (i)excluding (1) interest expense, (ii)(2) income tax expense (if applicable)(benefit) and (iii)(3) depreciation and amortization, and less income tax benefit (if applicable).amortization. EBITDA margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are presented to provide additional information regarding Quad/Graphics' performance and because bothQuad’s performance. Both are important measures by which Quad/GraphicsQuad gauges the profitability and assesses the performance of its business. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are notnon-GAAP financial measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and EBITDA margin should not be considered alternatives to net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance, or to cash flows provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Quad/Graphics'Quad’s calculation of EBITDA and EBITDA margin may be different from the calculations used by other companies, and therefore, comparability may be limited.

EBITDA and EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, were as follows:
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017
 Amount % of Net Sales Amount % of Net Sales
 (dollars in millions)
EBITDA and EBITDA margin (non-GAAP)$302.7
 7.2% $394.8
 9.6%

EBITDA decreased $92.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to the following: (1) lower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures; (2) $43.2 million of increased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges; (3) a $22.3 million non-cash expense related to a special employee retirement contribution in 2018; and (4) a $10.7 million net benefit in 2017 from changes in employee vacation policies. These impacts were partially offset by the following: (1) a $13.3 million net benefit in 2018 in gain from property insurance claims; (2) earnings from the Ivie acquisition and investment in Rise; (3) a $5.6 million gain from a sales tax litigation settlement in Peru; and (4) savings from cost reduction initiatives, including employee-related costs.



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A reconciliation of EBITDA to net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, was as follows:

 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014
 (dollars in millions)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders(1)
$(641.9) $18.6
Interest expense88.4
 92.9
Income tax expense (benefit)(282.8) 20.2
Depreciation and amortization325.3
 336.4
EBITDA$(511.0) $468.1
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017
 (dollars in millions)
Net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders(1)
$8.5
 $107.2
Interest expense73.3
 71.1
Income tax benefit(9.8) (16.0)
Depreciation and amortization230.7
 232.5
EBITDA (non-GAAP)$302.7
 $394.8

(1) 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad common shareholders includesincluded the following effects:following:
a.Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $164.9$103.6 million and $67.3$60.4 million for the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, respectively;
b.Non-cash goodwill impairment chargeEmployee stock ownership plan non-cash expense related to a special employee retirement contribution of $808.3$22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015; and2018;
c.Net pension income of $12.4 million and $9.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively;
d.Loss on debt extinguishment of $7.2$2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.2017;
e.Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entity of $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018; and
f.Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.



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United States Print and Related Services

The following table summarizes net sales, operating income, (loss), operating margin and certain items impacting comparability within the United States Print and Related Services segment:

Year Ended December 31,    Year Ended December 31,    
2015 2014    2018 2017    
(dollars in millions)  (dollars in millions)  
Amount Amount $ Change % ChangeAmount Amount $ Change % Change
Net sales:              
Products$3,651.8
 $3,760.6
 $(108.8) (2.9)%$3,023.8
 $3,156.9
 $(133.1) (4.2)%
Services628.5
 645.2
 (16.7) (2.6)%782.8
 583.2
 199.6
 34.2 %
Operating income (loss) (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges and goodwill impairment)(706.1) 197.9
 (904.0) nm
Operating income (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)154.0
 194.3
 (40.3) (20.7)%
Operating margin(16.5)% 4.5% N/A
 N/A
4.0% 5.2% N/A
 N/A
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges$101.4
 $52.1
 $49.3
 94.6 %$37.8
 $53.6
 $(15.8) (29.5)%
Goodwill impairment778.3
 
 778.3
 nm

Net Sales

Product sales for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased $108.8$133.1 million, or 2.9%4.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to a $242.5$184.7 million decrease in product sales in the Company's core print and specialtyCompany’s print product lines owned more than a year predominantly(predominantly due to ongoing volume and pricing pressures from excess capacity in the printing industry,industry), partially offset by a $133.7$51.6 million increase from acquisitions.in pass-through paper sales.

Service sales for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased $16.7increased $199.6 million, or 2.6%34.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to a decrease$176.2 million increase in net sales from the Ivie acquisition and investment in Rise and a $30.1 million increase in logistics sales, resulting from ongoing volume pressures. This decrease was partially offset by $12.9a $5.7 million decrease in increased sales of QuadMed medical services and $9.0 million in logistics and imaging sales resulting from acquisitions.services.

Operating Income (Loss)

Operating income (loss) for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased $904.0$40.3 million, or 20.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to:to the following: (1) lower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures; (2) a $21.9 million non-cash expense related to a special employee retirement contribution in 2018; (3) a $10.7 million net benefit in 2017 from changes in employee vacation policies. These impacts were partially offset by the following: (1) a $778.3$15.8 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge; (2) $49.3 milliondecrease in increased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges; (3) ongoing volume and pricing pressures(2) a $13.3 million net benefit in 2018 in gain from excess capacity in the printing industry; (4) a $10.8 million charge to reduce a vendor receivable due to collectability concerns; and (5) $2.5 million in net gains in 2014 related to favorable legal and bankruptcy settlements. These decreases in operating income were partially offset by: (1) additionalproperty insurance claims; (3) earnings from the sales attributed to recent acquisitions; (2) a $4.5 million increaseIvie acquisition and the investment in net gains on the sale of property, plantRise; and equipment; (3) a $4.0 million vacation reserve(4) savings from cost reduction due to a vacation policy change; (4) a $2.5 million gain on the sale of a cost investment; and (5) a $1.1 million favorable impact from the resolution of certain acquisition related contingencies.initiatives, including employee-related costs.

OperatingThe operating margin for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased to (16.5)%4.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, from 4.5%5.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to the reasons provided above.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the United States Print and Related Services segment for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, were $101.4$37.8 million, consisting of:of the following: (1) $27.3$16.1 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $50.7$18.3 million of impairment charges, including $33.5$16.1 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Augusta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville,Waseca, Minnesota; Hazleton, Pennsylvania; and Loveland, Colorado,Franklin, Kentucky; as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives, $11.2initiatives; and $2.2 million of impairment charges for land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Augusta, GeorgiaFranklin, Kentucky plant closure; and East Greenville, Pennsylvania plant closures and $6.0(3) $2.0 million of customer relationship intangible asset impairments; (3) $4.6 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and (4) $18.8 million ofvarious other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges. These charges are presented net of gains on the sale of facilities, including a $7.5 million gain from the sale of the Taunton, Massachusetts Book plant and a $7.0 million gain from the sale of the Dallas, Texas plant.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the United States Print and Related Services segment for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, were $52.1$53.6 million, consisting of:of the following: (1) $19.9$21.7 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $12.7$11.5 million of impairment charges, including $7.0$6.2 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; Pomona, California;Waseca, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; and St. Cloud, Minnesota,Taunton, Massachusetts, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiativesactivities; and $5.7$5.3 million of impairment charges for land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Bristol, PennsylvaniaWaseca, Minnesota and Dickson, TennesseeTaunton, Massachusetts plant closures; and (3) $8.8$19.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and (4) $10.7 million ofvarious other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges.charges, net of $7.1 million in gains from the sale of the Atglen, Pennsylvania; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Lenexa, Kansas; and Marengo, Iowa plants. Other restructuring charges also included a $6.7 million loss on the sale of a business.

Goodwill Impairment

Due to the decline in the Company's stock price in the third quarter of 2015, an interim goodwill impairment test of the three reporting units in the United States Print and Related Services segment was performed as of July 31, 2015. As a result of the interim goodwill impairment assessment as well as the annual impairment test as of October 31, 2015, the Company's United States Print and Related Services segment recorded pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $778.3 million ($512.4 million after tax) in the year ended December 31, 2015, that included impairment charges of $640.8 million, $118.9 million and $18.6 million in the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit, the Specialty Print and Related Services reporting unit and the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit, respectively.



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International

The following table summarizes net sales, operating loss,income, operating margin, certain items impacting comparability and equity in loss of unconsolidated entities within the International segment:

Year Ended December 31,    Year Ended December 31,    
2015 2014    2018 2017    
(dollars in millions)  (dollars in millions)  
Amount Amount $ Change % ChangeAmount Amount $ Change % Change
Net sales:              
Products$378.5
 $436.9
 $(58.4) (13.4)%$368.5
 $372.1
 $(3.6) (1.0)%
Services18.9
 19.7
 (0.8) (4.1)%18.6
 19.2
 (0.6) (3.1)%
Operating loss (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges and goodwill impairment)(63.4) (11.2) (52.2) 466.1 %
Operating income (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)1.5
 19.6
 (18.1) (92.3)%
Operating margin(16.0)% (2.5)% N/A
 N/A
0.4% 5.0% N/A
 N/A
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges$38.8
 $9.2
 $29.6
 321.7 %$22.2
 $3.3
 $18.9
 nm
Goodwill impairment30.0
 
 30.0
 nm
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities(6.3) (2.7) (3.6) nm
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entity(1.0) 
 (1.0) 100.0 %

Net Sales

Product sales for the International segment decreased $58.4$3.6 million, or 13.4%1.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to $53.3$14.7 million in unfavorable foreign exchange losses primarily in Europe, Mexico, Colombia and Argentina and $28.6 million in lower volumes predominantly in Mexico and Colombia. These decreases wereimpacts, partially offset by $12.9 million in sales from the Marin's acquisition and a $10.6$7.6 million increase in Europe,pass-through paper sales and a $3.5 million increase in volume and pricing, primarily due to higher volumes.in Mexico.

Service sales for the International segment decreased $0.8$0.6 million, or 4.1%3.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to a decrease in logistics revenue in Europe.

Operating LossIncome

Operating lossincome for the International segment increased $52.2decreased $18.1 million, or 92.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to: (1) $30.0to a $18.9 million non-cash nondeductible goodwill impairment charges; (2) $29.6 million of higherincrease in restructuring and impairment expenses, including $16.7 million of impairment charges to reduce the book value of the Company's equity method investment in Chile and $6.0 million of non-deductible foreign exchange losses on the sale of the equity method investment in Chile; (3) $3.6 million in net gains in 2014 related to favorable legal settlements; and (4) a $3.6 million increase in equity loss of unconsolidated entities, as discussed below. These increases in operating loss were partially offset by a $4.0$5.6 million gain from a sales tax litigation settlement in Peru and a $4.8 million increase in operating income, primarily in Europe and increased operating income in Latin America despite lower product sales in Latin America.Mexico.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the International segment for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, were $38.8$22.2 million, consisting of:of the following: (1) $7.3$3.7 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $22.8$8.2 million of impairment charges, including $16.7$5.8 million of impairment charges to reduce the book value of the Company's equity method investment in Chile to fair value (see Note 8, "Equity Method Investments in Unconsolidated Entities," for additional details related to the impairment of the Company's equity method investment in Chile), $2.2 million of impairment charges primarily related to the restructuring proceedings in Argentina for the Company's Argentina Subsidiaries for land, building, machinery and equipment and other intangible assets, $1.5 million of land and building impairment charges, $1.3 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives, and $1.1including $5.0 million of customer relationship intangible asset impairments;impairment charges for machinery and (3) $8.7equipment in Peru; and $2.4 million of impairment charges for land and building; (3) $10.3 million of various other restructuring charges, primarilyincluding $10.0 million in charges for certain legal matters and customer contract penalties related to the $6.0 million non-cash expense to recognize accumulated foreign exchange losses on the sale of the Chile equity method investment.Company’s operations in Peru.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the International segment for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, were $9.2$3.3 million, consisting of:of the following: (1) $6.0$4.7 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and separation programs; (2) $0.5 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations; and (3) $1.9 million of various other restructuring income primarily related to the Company’s Argentina Subsidiaries’ gain from settlements with vendors through bankruptcy proceedings, partially offset by charges to maintain and exit closed facilities.

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in entities where Quad has the ability to exert significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company holds a 49% ownership interest in Plural, a commercial printer based in São Paulo, Brazil. The equity in earnings of unconsolidated entity in the International segment increased $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, due to an increase in earnings at the Company’s investment in Plural.

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

Unrestricted subsidiaries as defined in the Senior Unsecured Notes indenture represented less than 2.0% of total consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Corporate

The following table summarizes unallocated operating expenses presented as Corporate:
 Year Ended December 31,    
 2018 2017    
 (dollars in millions)  
 Amount Amount $ Change % Change
Operating expenses (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)$97.5
 $58.6
 $38.9
 66.4%
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges43.6
 3.5
 40.1
 1,145.7%

Operating Expenses

Corporate operating expenses increased $38.9 million, or 66.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared with the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to a $40.1 million increase in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges and a $0.4 million non-cash expense related to a special employee retirement contribution in 2018.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Corporate restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the year ended December 31, 2018, were $43.6 million, consisting of the following: (1) $3.2 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and separation programs; (2) $8.1 million of transaction-related charges, which primarily included professional service fees; and (3) $32.3 million of other restructuring charges, including a $32.1 million increase to its MEPPs withdrawal liability.

Corporate restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the year ended December 31, 2017, were $3.5 million, consisting of the following: (1) $0.5 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and separation programs; (2) $2.1 million of transaction-related charges which primarily included professional service fees; and (3) $0.9 million of other restructuring charges.



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Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2017, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2016

Summary Results

The Company’s operating income, operating margin, net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders (computed using a 40% normalized tax rate) and diluted earnings per share attributable to Quad common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2017, changed from the year ended December 31, 2016, as follows (dollars in millions, except per share data):
 Operating Income Operating Margin Net Earnings Attributable to Quad Common Shareholders Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Quad Common Shareholders
For the year ended December 31, 2016$117.3
 2.7 % $44.9
 $0.90
2017 restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges (1)
(60.4) (1.5)% (36.2) (0.70)
2016 restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges (2)
73.6
 1.7 % 44.2
 0.89
Interest expense (3)
N/A
 N/A
 3.6
 0.11
Net pension income (4)
N/A
 N/A
 2.7
 0.05
2017 loss on debt extinguishment (5)
N/A
 N/A
 (1.6) (0.03)
2016 gain on debt extinguishment (6)
N/A
 N/A
 (8.5) (0.17)
Income taxes (7)
N/A
 N/A
 41.8
 0.80
Investments in unconsolidated entity and noncontrolling interests, net of tax (8)
N/A
 N/A
 1.4
 0.03
Operating income (9)
24.8
 0.9 % 14.9
 0.19
For the year ended December 31, 2017$155.3
 3.8 % $107.2
 $2.07

(1)
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $60.4 million ($36.2 million, net of tax) incurred during the year ended December 31, 2017, included the following:
a.$26.9 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and separation programs;
b.$12.0 million of impairment charges, including $6.7 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Waseca, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; and Taunton, Massachusetts, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring activities; and $5.3 million of impairment charges for land and building related to the Waseca, Minnesota and Taunton, Massachusetts plant closures;
c.$3.1 million of transaction-related charges, consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities;
d.$18.4 million of various other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, net of $7.1 million in gains from the sale of the Atglen, Pennsylvania; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Lenexa, Kansas; and Marengo, Iowa plants, and a $1.2 million gain from the Company’s Argentina Subsidiaries’ settlements with vendors through bankruptcy proceedings. Other restructuring charges also included a $6.7 million loss on the sale of a business.

The Company expects to incur additional restructuring and integration costs in future reporting periods in connection with eliminating excess manufacturing capacity and properly aligning its cost structure in conjunction with the Company’s acquisitions and strategic investments, and other cost reduction programs.

(2)
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $73.6 million ($44.2 million, net of tax) incurred during the year ended December 31, 2016, included the following:


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a.$12.9 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs;

b.$26.8 million of impairment charges, including $14.7 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atglen, Pennsylvania; Augusta, Georgia; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Monroe, New Jersey; Woodstock, Illinois; and Queretaro, Mexico, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring activities; and $12.1 million of impairment charges for land and building related to the Atglen, Pennsylvania plant closure;

c.$2.2 million of transaction-related charges, consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities;

d.$0.1 million of acquisition-related integration costs; and

e.$31.6 million of various other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges. Other restructuring charges also included an $11.2 million increase to its MEPPs withdrawal liability.

(3)
Interest expense decreased $6.1 million ($3.7 million, net of tax) during the year ended December 31, 2017, to $71.1 million. This change was due to lower average debt levels in the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016.

(4)
Net pension income increased $4.5 million ($2.7 million, net of tax impact due to the change in the normalized tax rate) during the year ended December 31, 2017, to -$9.6 million. This change was due to a $0.8 million decrease from interest cost on pension plan liabilities and a $6.2 million decrease in settlement charges, offset by a $2.5 million decrease from the expected return on pension plan assets.

(5)
A $2.6 million loss on debt extinguishment ($1.6 million, net of tax) was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2017, from the refinancing of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, completed on February 10, 2017.

(6)
A $14.1 million gain on debt extinguishment ($8.5 million, net of tax) was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily from the repurchase of $56.5 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Unsecured Notes.

(7)
The $41.8 million decrease in income taxes as calculated in the following table is primarily due to a $28.8 million tax benefit related to the reduced federal rate applied to net domestic deferred tax liabilities in accordance with the Tax Act and a $21.0 million tax benefit from the release of valuation allowances primarily related to foreign credits, partially offset by a $7.1 million decreased tax benefit of domestic deductions. See Note 13, “Income Taxes,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on income taxes.
 Year Ended December 31,  
 2017 2016 $ Change
Earnings before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated entity$91.2
 $59.3
 $31.9
40% normalized tax rate40.0% 40.0% 40.0%
Income tax expense at 40% normalized tax rate36.5
 23.7
 12.8
      
Less: Income tax (benefit) expense from the consolidated statements of operations(16.0) 13.0
 (29.0)
      
Impact of income taxes$52.5
 $10.7
 $41.8

(7)
The decrease in investments in unconsolidated entity and noncontrolling interests, net of tax, of $1.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, was related to a decrease in losses at the Company’s Brazilian joint venture investment in Plural.



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(8)
Operating income, excluding restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, increased $24.8 million ($14.9 million, net of tax) primarily due to the following: (1) a $44.6 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense; (2) a $19.4 million vacation reserve reduction from an employee vacation policy change; (3) $6.8 million in lower legal expenses; (4) a $5.0 million gain from a property insurance claim; and (5) savings from cost reduction initiatives, including employee-related costs. These impacts were partially offset by lower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures and a $10.4 million benefit in 2016 that did not repeat in 2017 related to the collection of a previously written-off vendor receivable.

Operating Results

The following table sets forth certain information from the Company’s consolidated statements of operations on an absolute dollar basis and as a relative percentage of total net sales for each noted period, together with the relative percentage change in such information between the periods set forth below:
 Year Ended December 31,    
 2017 2016    
 (dollars in millions)  
 Amount 
% of Net
Sales
 Amount 
% of Net
Sales
 $ Change 
%
Change
Net sales:           
Products$3,529.0
 85.4% $3,717.1
 85.9% $(188.1) (5.1)%
Services602.4
 14.6% 612.4
 14.1% (10.0) (1.6)%
Total net sales4,131.4
 100.0% 4,329.5
 100.0% (198.1) (4.6)%
Cost of sales:           
Products2,827.3
 68.4% 2,971.0
 68.6% (143.7) (4.8)%
Services432.1
 10.5% 423.8
 9.8% 8.3
 2.0 %
Total cost of sales3,259.4
 78.9% 3,394.8
 78.4% (135.4) (4.0)%
Selling, general & administrative expenses423.8
 10.3% 466.7
 10.8% (42.9) (9.2)%
Depreciation and amortization232.5
 5.6% 277.1
 6.4% (44.6) (16.1)%
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges60.4
 1.4% 73.6
 1.7% (13.2) (17.9)%
Total operating expenses3,976.1
 96.2% 4,212.2
 97.3% (236.1) (5.6)%
Operating income$155.3
 3.8% $117.3
 2.7% $38.0
 nm

Net Sales

Product sales decreased $188.1 million, or 5.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $141.6 million decrease in product sales in the Company’s print product lines due to ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures and a $47.1 million decrease from pass-through paper sales, partially offset by $0.6 million in positive foreign exchange impacts.

Service sales, which primarily consist of imaging, logistics, distribution and medical services, decreased $10.0 million, or 1.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $9.7 million decrease in logistics sales resulting from lower print shipment volume.

Cost of Sales

Cost of product sales decreased $143.7 million, or 4.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the following: (1) lower print and paper volume; (2) an $8.5 million vacation reserve reduction from an employee vacation policy change; and (3) cost reduction initiatives. These reductions were partially offset by a $10.4 million benefit in 2016 that did not repeat in 2017 related to the collection of a previously written-off vendor receivable.


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Cost of product sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 68.4% for the year ended December 31, 2017, from 68.6% for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the reasons provided above.

Cost of service sales increased $8.3 million, or 2.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to increased shipment cost.

Cost of service sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 10.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017, from 9.8% for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the reasons provided above.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $42.9 million, or 9.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the following: (1) a $10.9 million vacation reserve reduction from an employee vacation policy change; (2) a $6.8 million decrease in legal expenses; (3) a $5.0 million gain from a property insurance claim; and (4) savings from cost reduction initiatives, including employee-related costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased from 10.8% for the year ended December 31, 2016, to 10.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to the reasons stated above.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization decreased $44.6 million, or 16.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with the year ended December 31, 2016, due to a $32.4 million decrease in amortization expense, primarily related to customer relationship intangibles becoming fully amortized in the second quarter of 2016; and a $12.2 million decrease in depreciation expense from property, plant and equipment becoming fully depreciated over the past year and a decrease in purchases of property, plant and equipment in 2017 compared to 2016.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges decreased $13.2 million, or 17.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the following: (1) a $14.8 million decrease in impairment charges; (2) a $0.1 million decrease in acquisition-related integration costs; and (3) a $13.2 million decrease in other restructuring charges. These decreases were partially offset by a $14.0 million increase in employee termination charges and a $0.9 million increase in transaction-related charges.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $60.4 million incurred in the year ended December 31, 2017, included the following: (1) $26.9 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and voluntary and involuntary separation programs; (2) $1.7$12.0 million of impairment charges, including $1.0$6.7 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Waseca, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; and Taunton, Massachusetts, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring activities; and $5.3 million of impairment charges for land and building related to the Waseca, Minnesota and Taunton, Massachusetts plant closures; (3) $3.1 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees related to business acquisition and divestiture activities; and (4) $18.4 million of various other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, net of $7.1 million in Mexico City,gains from the sale of the Atglen, Pennsylvania; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Lenexa, Kansas; and Marengo, Iowa plants, and a $1.2 million gain from the Company’s Argentina Subsidiaries’ settlements with vendors through bankruptcy proceedings. Other restructuring charges also included a $6.7 million loss on the sale of a business.



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Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $73.6 million incurred in the year ended December 31, 2016, included the following: (1) $12.9 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $26.8 million of impairment charges, including $14.7 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atglen, Pennsylvania; Augusta, Georgia; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Monroe, New Jersey; Woodstock, Illinois; and Queretaro, Mexico, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring activities; and $12.1 million of impairment charges for land and building related to the Atglen, Pennsylvania plant closure; (3) $2.2 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees related to business acquisition and divestiture activities; (4) $0.1 million of acquisition-related integration costs; and (5) $31.6 million of various other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, lease exit charges, and an $11.2 million increase to its MEPPs withdrawal liability.

EBITDA and EBITDA Margin—Consolidated

EBITDA is defined as net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders, excluding (1) interest expense, (2) income tax expense (benefit) and (3) depreciation and amortization. EBITDA margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are presented to provide additional information regarding Quad’s performance. Both are important measures by which Quad gauges the profitability and assesses the performance of its business. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered alternatives to net earnings (loss) as a measure of operating performance, or to cash flows provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Quad’s calculation of EBITDA and EBITDA margin may be different from the calculations used by other companies, and therefore, comparability may be limited.

EBITDA and EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, were as follows:
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016
 Amount % of Net Sales Amount % of Net Sales
 (dollars in millions)
EBITDA and EBITDA margin (non-GAAP)$394.8
 9.6% $412.2
 9.5%

EBITDA decreased $17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to lower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures and a $10.4 million benefit in 2016 that did not repeat in 2017 related to the collection of a previously written-off vendor receivable. These impacts were partially offset by the following: (1) $13.2 million of decreased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges; (2) a $19.4 million vacation reserve reduction from an employee vacation policy change; (3) $6.8 million in lower legal expenses; (4) a $5.0 million gain from a property insurance claim; and (5) savings from cost reduction initiatives, including employee-related costs.



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A reconciliation of EBITDA to net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2017 and $0.72016, was as follows:
 Year Ended December 31,
 2017 2016
 (dollars in millions)
Net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders (1)
$107.2
 $44.9
Interest expense71.1
 77.2
Income tax (benefit) expense(16.0) 13.0
Depreciation and amortization232.5
 277.1
EBITDA (non-GAAP)$394.8
 $412.2

(1)
Net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders included the following:
a.Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $60.4 million and $73.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively;
b.Net pension income of $9.6 million and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively;
c.Loss on debt extinguishment of $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017;
d.Gain on debt extinguishment of $14.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016; and
e.Equity in loss of unconsolidated entity of $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.

United States Print and Related Services

The following table summarizes net sales, operating income, operating margin and certain items impacting comparability within the United States Print and Related Services segment:
 Year Ended December 31,    
 2017 2016    
 (dollars in millions)  
 Amount Amount $ Change % Change
Net sales:       
Products$3,156.9
 $3,335.1
 $(178.2) (5.3)%
Services583.2
 591.9
 (8.7) (1.5)%
Operating income (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)194.3
 186.1
 8.2
 nm
Operating margin5.2% 4.7% N/A
 N/A
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges$53.6
 $59.3
 $(5.7) (9.6)%

Net Sales

Product sales for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased $178.2 million, or 5.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to a $137.6 million decrease in product sales in the Company’s print product lines (predominantly due to ongoing volume and pricing pressures from excess capacity in the printing industry) and a $40.6 million decrease in pass-through paper sales.

Service sales for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased $8.7 million, or 1.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to an $8.4 million decrease in logistic sales resulting from lower print shipment volume.



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Operating Income

Operating income for the United States Print and Related Services segment increased $8.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the following: (1) a $41.6 million decrease in depreciation and amortization; (2) a $19.4 million vacation reserve reduction due to an employee vacation policy change; (3) a $5.7 million in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges; (4) a $5.0 million gain from a property insurance claim; and (5) savings from cost reduction initiatives, including employee-related costs. These impacts were partially offset by lower print volume and pricing and a $10.4 million benefit in 2016 that did not repeat in 2017 related to the collection of a previously written-off vendor receivable.

The operating margin for the United States Print and Related Services segment increased to 5.2% for the year ended December 31, 2017, from 4.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to the reasons provided above.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the United States Print and Related Services segment for the year ended December 31, 2017, were $53.6 million, consisting of the following: (1) $21.7 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and separation programs; (2) $11.5 million of impairment charges, including $6.2 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Waseca, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; and Taunton, Massachusetts, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring activities; and $5.3 million of impairment charges for land and building related to the Waseca, Minnesota and Taunton, Massachusetts plant closures; and (3) $19.4 million of various other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, net of $7.1 million in gains from the sale of the Atglen, Pennsylvania; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Lenexa, Kansas; and Marengo, Iowa plants. Other restructuring charges also included a $6.7 million loss on the sale of a business.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the United States Print and Related Services segment for the year ended December 31, 2016, were $59.3 million, consisting of: (1) $10.5 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $25.9 million of impairment charges, including $13.8 million for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atglen, Pennsylvania; Augusta, Georgia; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Monroe, New Jersey; and Woodstock, Illinois, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring activities; and $12.1 million of land and building impairment related to the Atglen, Pennsylvania plant closure; (3) $0.1 million of acquisition-related integration costs; and (4) $22.8 million various other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges.



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International

The following table summarizes net sales, operating income (loss), operating margin, certain items impacting comparability and equity in loss of unconsolidated entities within the International segment:
 Year Ended December 31,    
 2017 2016    
 (dollars in millions)  
 Amount Amount $ Change % Change
Net sales:       
Products$372.1
 $382.0
 $(9.9) (2.6)%
Services19.2
 20.5
 (1.3) (6.3)%
Operating income (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)19.6
 13.5
 6.1
 45.2 %
Operating margin5.0% 3.4% N/A
 N/A
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges (income)$3.3
 $(1.1) $4.4
 nm
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entity
 1.4
 (1.4) (100.0)%

Net Sales

Product sales for the International segment decreased $9.9 million, or 2.6%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $6.5 million decrease in pass-through paper sales and a $4.0 million decrease in volume and pricing, primarily in Peru, partially offset by $0.6 million in favorable foreign exchange impacts, primarily in Europe.

Service sales for the International segment decreased $1.3 million, or 6.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a decrease in logistics revenue in Europe.

Operating Income

Operating income for the International segment increased $6.1 million, or 45.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a $7.4 million increase in operating income, primarily in Europe and Mexico, and a $3.1 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by a $4.4 million increase in restructuring and impairment expenses.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges (Income)

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the International segment for the year ended December 31, 2017, were $3.3 million, consisting of the following: (1) $4.7 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and separation programs; (2) $0.5 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations; and (3) $1.9 million of various other restructuring income primarily related to the Company’s Argentina Subsidiaries’ gain from settlements with vendors through bankruptcy proceedings, partially offset by charges to maintain and exit closed facilities.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related income for the International segment for the year ended December 31, 2016, was $1.1 million, consisting of the following: (1) $1.4 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $0.9 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, in Poland; andincluding Queretaro, Mexico; (3) $1.5$0.1 million of transaction-related charges; (4) $3.5 million of other restructuring charges.income primarily related to the Company’s Argentina Subsidiaries’ gain from settlements with vendors through bankruptcy proceedings and a gain on the sale of the Pilar, Argentina plant.

Goodwill Impairment

On March 25, 2015, due to deteriorating economic conditions, including inflation and currency devaluation, combined with uncertain political conditions, declining print volumes and labor challenges, the Company's Argentina Subsidiaries (included within the Latin America reporting unit) commenced bankruptcy restructuring proceedings with a goal60

Table of consolidating operations. The Company conducted an interim goodwill impairment assessment of the Latin America reporting unit, which included comparing the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, to its respective fair value as of March 31, 2015, the date of the interim assessment. As a result of the interim goodwill impairment assessment as well as the annual impairment test as of October 31, 2015, the Company's International segment recorded non-cash nondeductible goodwill impairment charges of $30.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily including a $23.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge for the Latin America reporting unit.Contents


Equity in Loss of Unconsolidated EntitiesEntity

Investments in entities where Quad/Graphics has the ability to exert significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company holds a 49% ownership interest in Plural, a commercial printer based in São Paulo, Brazil. The Company also held a 50% interest in a joint venture based in Chile that was acquired as part of the World Color Press Inc. acquisition until July 31, 2015, when the investment was sold. The equity in loss of unconsolidated entities in the International segment increased $3.6decreased $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily2016, due to a $2.8 million increasedecrease in equity losses from the Company’s investment in Plural and a $0.9 million increase in equity losses in Chile.Plural.

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

Unrestricted subsidiaries as defined in the Senior Unsecured Notes indenture represented less than 2.0% of total consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015.2017.



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Corporate

The following table summarizes unallocated operating expenses presented as Corporate:

Year Ended December 31,    Year Ended December 31,    
2015 2014    2017 2016    
(dollars in millions)  (dollars in millions)  
Amount Amount $ Change % ChangeAmount Amount $ Change % Change
Operating expenses (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)$60.5
 $45.4
 $15.1
 33.3%$58.6
 $82.3
 $(23.7) (28.8)%
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges24.7
 6.0
 18.7
 311.7%3.5
 15.4
 (11.9) (77.3)%

Operating Expenses

Corporate operating expenses increased $15.1decreased $23.7 million, or 33.3%28.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared with the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due to a $18.7an $11.9 million increasedecrease in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, partially offset by $7.3an $8.0 million decrease in lowerlegal expenses and a $4.6 million decrease in incentive compensation expense related to equity incentive programs.expense.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Corporate restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, were $24.7$3.5 million, consisting of:of the following: (1) $7.5$0.5 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $21.8 million of impairment charges, including $19.9 million of impairment charges for corporate equipment and $1.9 million of investment related impairment charges; (3) $(6.7)$2.1 million of transaction-related charges (income), which includes the $10.0 million non-recurring gain from Courier, partially offset by $3.3 million ofprimarily included professional service fees, including fees for the terminated acquisition of Courier and the acquisitions of Marin's, Copac and Specialty; (4) $0.3 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to professional fees; and (5) $1.8(3) $0.9 million of other restructuring charges.

Corporate restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, were $6.0$15.4 million, consisting of:of the following: (1) $4.7$1.0 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $2.6$2.1 million of transaction-related charges consisting ofwhich primarily included professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Brown Printing and UniGraphic; (3) $2.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to professional fees; and (4) $(3.7) million of other restructuring charges (income), which includes a $4.9 million gain from the termination of the postretirement medical benefit plan.


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Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2013

Summary Results

The Company's operating income from continuing operations, operating margin, net earnings attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders (computed using a 40% normalized tax rate) and diluted earnings per share attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014, changed from the year ended December 31, 2013, as follows (dollars in millions, except per share data):

 Operating Income from Continuing Operations Operating Margin Net Earnings Attributable to Quad/Graphics Common Shareholders 
Earnings Per Share
Attributable to
Quad/Graphics Common
Shareholders—Diluted
For the year ended December 31, 2013$142.2
 3.0 % $32.5
 $0.65
2014 restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges(1)
(67.3) (1.4)% (40.4) (0.83)
2013 restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges(2)
95.3
 2.0 % 57.2
 1.19
Increase in interest expense(3)
N/A
 N/A
 (4.4) (0.09)
Increase in loss on debt extinguishment(4)
N/A
 N/A
 (4.3) (0.09)
Impact of income taxes(5)
N/A
 N/A
 (3.1) (0.06)
Decrease attributable to investments in unconsolidated entities and noncontrolling interests, net of tax(6)
N/A
 N/A
 (1.5) (0.03)
Decrease in operating income(7)
(28.9) (0.7)% (17.4) (0.36)
For the year ended December 31, 2014$141.3
 2.9 % $18.6
 $0.38

(1)
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $67.3 million incurred during the year ended December 31, 2014, included:

a.$30.6 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs;

b.$14.4 million of impairment charges including: (1) $8.0 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations including Atlanta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; Mexico City, Mexico; Pomona, California; and St. Cloud, Minnesota, as well as other capacity reduction restructuring initiatives; and (2) $6.4 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Bristol, Pennsylvania and Dickson, Tennessee plant closures;

c.$2.6 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Brown Printing and UniGraphic;

d.$11.2 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and

e.$8.5 million of other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, presented net of a $4.9 million gain from the termination of the postretirement medical benefit plan.

The Company expects to incur additional restructuring and integration costs in future reporting periods in connection with eliminating excess manufacturing capacity and properly aligning its cost structure in conjunction with the Company's acquisitions and strategic investments, and other cost reduction programs.


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(2)
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $95.3 million incurred during the year ended December 31, 2013, included:

a.$15.7 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs;

b.$21.8 million of impairment charges including: (1) $11.7 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations including Dubuque, Iowa; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Pittsburg, California and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as well as other capacity reduction restructuring initiatives; and (2) $10.1 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Corinth, Mississippi; Marengo, Iowa and Mexico City, Mexico plant closures;

c.$4.0 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Vertis, Proteus and Transpak;

d.$25.2 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and

e.$28.6 million of other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, presented net of a $2.1 million pension plan settlement gain.

(3)
Interest expense increased $7.4 million ($4.4 million, net of tax) during the year ended December 31, 2014, to $92.9 million. This change was due to a higher weighted average interest rate on borrowings due to the debt financing arrangements completed on April 28, 2014, and increased debt levels in 2014 as compared to 2013, primarily related to acquisitions.

(4)
A non-recurring $7.2 million loss on debt extinguishment ($4.3 million, net of tax) was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily related to the $1.9 billion debt financing arrangements completed on April 28, 2014. The $7.2 million represents certain debt issuance costs that were expensed.

(5)
The incremental income tax expense of $3.1 million above the normalized amount as calculated in the following table is primarily due to the following: (1) $6.8 million of income tax expense recorded in 2014 to establish a valuation allowance for certain operations in Mexico; (2) a $5.2 million decrease in domestic deductions; and (3) $1.6 million of one-time foreign benefits in 2013, partially offset by (4) a $10.5 million tax benefit from reversal of reserves for unrecognized tax benefits related to audit settlements or the expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations.
 Year Ended December 31,  
 2014 2013 $ Change
Earnings before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated entities$41.2
 $56.7
 $(15.5)
40% normalized tax rate40.0% 40.0% 40.0%
Income tax expense at 40% normalized tax rate16.5
 22.7
 (6.2)
      
Income tax expense from the consolidated statements of operations20.2
 23.3
 3.1
      
Incremental income tax expense above normalized amount$(3.7) $(0.6) $(3.1)

(6)
The decrease attributable to investments in unconsolidated entities and noncontrolling interests, net of tax, of $1.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, was primarily due to a decrease of $1.3 million of excluded noncontrolling interest loss in the Company's consolidated statements of operations related to the Company's ownership in Argentina due to the Company increasing its ownership share from 85% to 100%.

(7)
Operating income, excluding restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, decreased $28.9 million ($17.4 million, net of tax) primarily due to a decline in earnings from ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures, as well as $9.5 million in net gains in 2013 that did not repeat in 2014 related to favorable legal, environmental and bankruptcy related settlements and a gain on the sale of Quad/Graphics' Brazilian operations in January 2013 to the Company's existing Brazilian joint venture with


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Plural. These declines were partially offset by the operating results from the acquisition of Brown Printing and lower employee related costs, including labor productivity improvements. The following discussion provides additional details.

Operating Results

The following table sets forth certain information from the Company's consolidated statements of operations on an absolute dollar basis and as a relative percentage of total net sales for each noted period, together with the relative percentage change in such information between the periods set forth below:

 Year Ended December 31,    
 2014 2013    
 (dollars in millions)  
 Amount 
% of
Sales
 Amount 
% of
Sales
 $ Change 
%
Change
Net sales:           
Products$4,197.5
 86.3% $4,186.6
 87.3% $10.9
 0.3 %
Services664.9
 13.7% 609.3
 12.7% 55.6
 9.1 %
Total net sales4,862.4
 100.0% 4,795.9
 100.0% 66.5
 1.4 %
Cost of sales:           
Products3,421.4
 70.3% 3,360.1
 70.1% 61.3
 1.8 %
Services470.5
 9.7% 441.8
 9.2% 28.7
 6.5 %
Total cost of sales3,891.9
 80.0% 3,801.9
 79.3% 90.0
 2.4 %
Selling, general & administrative expenses425.5
 8.8% 416.0
 8.6% 9.5
 2.3 %
Depreciation and amortization336.4
 6.9% 340.5
 7.1% (4.1) (1.2)%
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges67.3
 1.4% 95.3
 2.0% (28.0) (29.4)%
Total operating expenses4,721.1
 97.1% 4,653.7
 97.0% 67.4
 1.4 %
Operating income from continuing operations$141.3
 2.9% $142.2
 3.0% $(0.9) (0.6)%

Net Sales

Product sales increased $10.9 million, or 0.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a $253.7 million increase from acquisitions, primarily the Brown Printing acquisition completed on May 30, 2014. This increase was partially offset by a $181.2 million decrease in product sales in the Company's United States core print and specialty print product lines due to ongoing volume and pricing pressures, $33.9 million in lower paper sales and $22.5 million in foreign exchange losses.

Service sales, which primarily consist of imaging, logistics and distribution services, increased $55.6 million, or 9.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to $33.3 million in increased sales of QuadMed medical services and $22.3 million in increased logistics and imaging sales primarily resulting from acquisitions.

Cost of Sales

Cost of product sales increased $61.3 million, or 1.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a $217.7 million increase from cost of product sales resulting from acquisitions, partially offset by lower print and paper volumes and lower employee-related costs in product lines owned more than a year.



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Cost of product sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 70.3% for the year ended December 31, 2014, from 70.1% for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the Brown Printing acquisition, which operates with lower gross margins than the Company's historical gross margins.

Cost of service sales increased $28.7 million, or 6.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to $22.6 million in additional cost of service sales resulting from sales generated by the QuadMed medical services and a $9.5 million increase in freight costs, partially offset by a $5.1 million reduction in costs of service sales related to imaging.

Cost of service sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 9.7% for the year ended December 31, 2014, from 9.2% for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to increased costs of QuadMed medical services and increased freight costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9.5 million, or 2.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to an $8.8 million increase in employee-related costs attributable to acquisitions (predominantly from the Brown Printing acquisition) and $7.7 million of net gains recorded in 2013 that did not repeat in 2014 or at the same level in 2014, including legal, environmental and bankruptcy related expenses as well as a $2.8 million gain on the sale of Quad/Graphics' Brazilian operations in January 2013 to the Company's existing Brazilian joint venture with Plural. These increases were partially offset by a $3.4 million decrease in general administrative and professional fees and a $3.1 million reduction in sales promotion expense. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales increased from 8.6% to 8.8% between years due to the items discussed in the preceding sentence.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization decreased $4.1 million, or 1.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a $9.7 million decrease in depreciation expense. The decreased depreciation expense is a result of property, plant and equipment becoming fully depreciated over the past year, partially offset by depreciation of property, plant and equipment purchased in the Brown acquisition. The decrease in depreciation expense was partially offset by a $5.6 million increase in amortization expense, primarily due to amortization of customer relationship intangible assets from the companies acquired during 2013 and 2014.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges decreased $28.0 million, or 29.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a $20.1 million decrease in other restructuring charges, a $14.0 million decrease in acquisition-related integration costs, a $7.4 million decrease in impairment charges and a $1.4 million decrease in transaction-related charges, partially offset by a $14.9 million increase in employee termination charges.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $67.3 million incurred in the year ended December 31, 2014, included: (1) $30.6 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $14.4 million of impairment charges, including $8.0 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations including Atlanta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; Mexico City, Mexico; Pomona, California; and St. Cloud, Minnesota, as well as other capacity reduction restructuring initiatives; and $6.4 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Bristol, Pennsylvania and Dickson, Tennessee plant closures; (3) $2.6 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Brown Printing and UniGraphic; (4) $11.2 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and (5) $8.5$12.3 million of other restructuring charges, including costsan $11.2 million increase to maintainits MEPPs withdrawal liability.



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and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, presented net of a $4.9 million gain from the termination of the postretirement medical benefit plan.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $95.3 million incurred in the year ended December 31, 2013, included: (1) $15.7 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $21.8 million of impairment charges, including $11.7 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations including Dubuque, Iowa; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Pittsburg, California; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as well as other capacity reduction restructuring initiatives; and $10.1 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Corinth, Mississippi; Marengo, Iowa; and Mexico City, Mexico plant closures; (3) $4.0 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Vertis, Proteus and Transpak; (4) $25.2 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and (5) $28.6 million of other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, presented net of a $2.1 million pension plan settlement gain.



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EBITDA and EBITDA Margin—Consolidated

EBITDA and EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, were as follows:

 Year Ended December 31,
 2014 2013
 Amount % of Net Sales Amount % of Net Sales
 (dollars in millions)
EBITDA and EBITDA margin$468.1
 9.6% $481.8
 10.0%

EBITDA decreased $13.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to: (1) ongoing volume and pricing pressures from excess capacity in the printing industry; (2) $11.3 million in net favorable gains in 2013 that did not repeat at the same level in 2014; (3) $9.5 million of increased selling, general and administrative expenses primarily from the Brown Printing acquisition; and (4) the $7.2 million loss on debt extinguishment recorded in 2014. These impacts were partially offset by $28.0 million of decreased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges and the additional earnings on sales generated from acquisitions. The EBITDA margin decreased from 10.0% for the year ended December 31, 2013, to 9.6% for the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to the margin impact from lower print pricing in product lines owned more than a year and the acquired Brown Printing operations, which operate with lower margins than the Company's historical margins.

EBITDA represents net earnings attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders, plus (i) interest expense, (ii) income tax expense (if applicable) and (iii) depreciation and amortization, and less income tax benefit (if applicable). EBITDA margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of net sales. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are presented to provide additional information regarding Quad/Graphics' performance and because both are important measures by which Quad/Graphics gauges the profitability and assesses the performance of its business. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are not measures of financial performance in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and EBITDA margin should not be considered alternatives to net earnings as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Quad/Graphics' calculation of EBITDA and EBITDA margin may be different from the calculations used by other companies, and therefore, comparability may be limited. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net earnings attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders follows:

 Year Ended December 31,
 2014 2013
 (dollars in millions)
Net earnings attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders(1)
$18.6
 $32.5
Interest expense92.9
 85.5
Income tax expense20.2
 23.3
Depreciation and amortization336.4
 340.5
EBITDA$468.1
 $481.8

(1)
Net earnings attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders includes the following effects:
a.Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges of $67.3 million and $95.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively; and
b.Loss on debt extinguishment of $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.



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United States Print and Related Services

The following table summarizes net sales, operating income, operating margin and certain items impacting comparability within the United States Print and Related Services segment:

 Year Ended December 31,    
 2014 2013    
 (dollars in millions)  
 Amount Amount $ Change % Change
Net sales:       
Products$3,760.6
 $3,746.2
 $14.4
 0.4 %
Services645.2
 593.5
 51.7
 8.7 %
Operating income (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)197.9
 230.7
 (32.8) (14.2)%
Operating margin4.5% 5.3% N/A
 N/A
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges$52.1
 $52.3
 $(0.2) (0.4)%

Net Sales

Product sales for the United States Print and Related Services segment increased $14.4 million, or 0.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a $253.7 million increase from acquisitions. This increase was partially offset by a $181.2 million decrease in product sales in the Company's core print and specialty print product lines owned more than a year due to ongoing volume and pricing pressures and a $45.6 million decrease in paper sales.

Service sales for the United States Print and Related Services segment increased $51.7 million, or 8.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to $33.3 million in increased sales of QuadMed medical services and $18.4 million in increased logistics and imaging sales primarily resulting from acquisitions.

Operating Income

Operating income for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased $32.8 million, or 14.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the ongoing volume and pricing pressures from excess capacity in the printing industry. This decrease in operating income was partially offset by $30.1 million lower employee-related costs, including labor productivity improvements, and increased operating profit from acquisitions.

Operating margin for the United States Print and Related Services segment decreased to 4.5% for the year ended December 31, 2014, from 5.3% for the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to lower print volumes and pricing and the Brown Printing acquisition, which operates with lower margins than the Company's historical margins.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the United States Print and Related Services segment for the year ended December 31, 2014, were $52.1 million, consisting of: (1) $19.9 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $12.7 million of impairment charges, including $7.0 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations including Atlanta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; Pomona, California; and St. Cloud, Minnesota, as well as other capacity reduction restructuring initiatives and $5.7 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Bristol, Pennsylvania and Dickson, Tennessee plant closures; (3) $8.8 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing


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facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and (4) $10.7 million of other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the United States Print and Related Services segment for the year ended December 31, 2013, were $52.3 million, consisting of: (1) $10.0 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $15.6 million of impairment charges, including $10.3 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations including Dubuque, Iowa; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Pittsburg, California; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as well as other capacity reduction restructuring initiatives; and $5.3 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Corinth, Mississippi and Marengo, Iowa plant closures; and (3) $26.7 million of other restructuring charges, including costs to maintain and exit closed facilities, as well as lease exit charges, presented net of a $2.1 million pension plan settlement gain.

International

The following table summarizes net sales, operating loss, operating margin, certain items impacting comparability and equity in loss of unconsolidated entities within the International segment:

 Year Ended December 31,    
 2014 2013    
 (dollars in millions)  
 Amount Amount $ Change % Change
Net sales:       
Products$436.9
 $440.4
 $(3.5) (0.8)%
Services19.7
 15.8
 3.9
 24.7 %
Operating loss (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)(11.2) (7.7) (3.5) (45.5)%
Operating margin(2.5)% (1.7)% N/A
 N/A
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges$9.2
 $9.6
 $(0.4) (4.2)%
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities(2.7) (2.5) (0.2) 8.0 %

Net Sales

Product sales for the International segment decreased $3.5 million, or 0.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to $23.7 million of decreased product sales in Latin America as a result of $23.7 million of foreign exchange losses in Argentina. This decrease was partially offset by $20.2 million of increased sales in Europe driven by an increase in paper sales, higher volumes and a $1.2 million positive impact from foreign currency translation in Europe.

Service sales for the International segment increased $3.9 million, or 24.7%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to an increase in logistics revenue in Europe.

Operating Loss

Operating loss for the International segment increased $3.5 million, or 45.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the margin impact of lower product sales in Latin America, a $2.8 million gain on the sale of Quad/Graphics' Brazilian operations in January 2013 to the Company's existing Brazilian joint venture with Plural that did not recur in 2014 and a $0.2 million increase in equity loss of unconsolidated entities, as discussed below. These increases in operating loss were partially offset by improvement in operating income in Europe.


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Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the International segment for the year ended December 31, 2014, were $9.2 million, consisting of: (1) $6.0 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $1.7 million of impairment charges, including $1.0 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations in Mexico City, Mexico, as well as other capacity reduction restructuring initiatives; and $0.7 million of land and building impairment charges as a result of facility consolidations in Poland; and (3) $1.5 million of other restructuring charges.

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the International segment for the year ended December 31, 2013, were $9.6 million, consisting of: (1) $2.9 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $6.2 million of impairment charges, including $4.8 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Mexico City, Mexico plant closure and $1.4 million of impairment charges for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations in Pila, Poland, as well as other capacity reduction restructuring initiatives; (3) $(0.2) million of an adjustment for updated estimates related to employee related liabilities for the integration of Transcontinental's Mexican operations; and (4) $0.7 million of other restructuring charges.

Equity in Loss of Unconsolidated Entities

Investments in entities where Quad/Graphics has the ability to exert significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company holds a 49% ownership interest in Plural, a commercial printer based in São Paulo, Brazil. In January 2013, the Company sold 100% of its ownership interest in Quad/Graphics Nordeste Industria Gráfica LTDA. and Quad/Graphics São Paulo Industria Gráfica S.A. to Plural (see Note 8, "Equity Method Investments in Unconsolidated Entities," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion). The Company also holds a 50% interest in a joint venture based in Santiago, Chile, Quad/Graphics Chile S.A. ("Chile"), that was acquired as part of the World Color Press acquisition. The equity in loss of unconsolidated entities in the International segment increased $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a decrease in equity earnings at Chile.

Unrestricted Subsidiaries

Unrestricted subsidiaries as defined in the Senior Unsecured Notes indenture represented less than 2.0% of total consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2014.




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Corporate

The following table summarizes unallocated operating expenses presented as Corporate:

 Year Ended December 31,    
 2014 2013    
 (dollars in millions)  
 Amount Amount $ Change % Change
Operating expenses (including restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges)$45.4
 $80.8
 $(35.4) (43.8)%
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges6.0
 33.4
 (27.4) (82.0)%

Operating Expenses

Corporate operating expenses decreased $35.4 million, or 43.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared with the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to a $27.4 million decrease in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges and $11.1 million in pension and other postretirement income that is being allocated to Corporate in 2014, instead of to the United States Print and Related Services segment (as was done in 2013), partially offset by a $3.3 million increase in employee-related costs, including costs resulting from the Brown Printing acquisition.

Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

Corporate restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the year ended December 31, 2014, were $6.0 million, consisting of: (1) $4.7 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $2.6 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Brown Printing and UniGraphic; (3) $2.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to professional fees; and (4) $(3.7) million of other restructuring charges (income), which includes a $4.9 million gain from the termination of the postretirement medical benefit plan.

Corporate restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the year ended December 31, 2013, were $33.4 million, consisting of: (1) $2.8 million of employee termination charges related to workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs; (2) $4.0 million of transaction-related charges consisting of professional service fees for business acquisition and divestiture activities, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Vertis, Proteus and Transpak; (3) $25.4 million of acquisition-related integration costs primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of the acquired companies; and (4) $1.2 million of other restructuring charges.



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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company utilizes cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under its credit facilities to satisfy its liquidity and capital requirements. At December 31, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $69.5 million. In addition to cash and cash equivalents, the Company had $690.9 million of unused capacity under its revolving credit arrangement at December 31, 2018, which was net of $34.1 million of issued letters of credit. The Company believes its expected future cash flows from operating activities, and $730.9$690.9 million of unused capacity under the revolving credit facility, net of $48.3 million of issued letters of credit, as of December 31, 2015,arrangement and available cash on hand provide sufficient resources to fund ongoing operating requirements and the integration and restructuring requirements related to acquired operations, as well as future capital expenditures, debt and pension service requirements, World Color Press single employer pension plan contributions, World Color Press MEPPs withdrawal payments, investments in future growth to create value for its shareholders, shareholder dividends and share repurchases. BorrowingsThere were no borrowings under the $850.0$725.0 million revolving credit facility were $70.8 million as of December 31, 2015,2018, and peak borrowings were $288.1$246.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2015.2018.

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Year Ended December 31, 20152018, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 20142017

Net cash provided by operating activities was $348.1$260.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to $293.2$344.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, resulting in a $54.9 million increase in cash provided by operating activities. The increase was primarily due to a $163.4 million increase in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities predominantly from improvements in working capital and the $10.0 million non-recurring cash receipt from Courier's termination of the agreement pursuant to which Quad/Graphics was to acquire Courier, partially offset by a $118.5 million decrease in cash from earnings.

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Net cash provided by operating activities was $293.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $441.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, resulting in a $147.9an $83.4 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities. The decrease was primarily due to a $161.3$93.4 million decrease in cash from earnings, partially offset by a $10.0 million increase in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities.

Year Ended December 31, 2017, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

Net cash provided by operating activities was $344.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $353.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, resulting in a $9.6 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities. The decrease was primarily due to a $31.0 million decrease in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities, and a $5.0 million decrease in dividends from unconsolidated entities, partially offset by $18.4a $21.4 million of improved operating cash flows from earnings (excluding non-cash items). The $161.3 million decreaseincrease in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities was primarily related to an estimated $90 million one-time benefit realized during 2013 from the restoration of normalized working capital levels following the acquisition of Vertis, which was acquired without normalized levels of accounts payable and certain liabilities. The remaining change is due to an increase of $71 million in cash used for working capital primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable.earnings.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Year Ended December 31, 20152018, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 20142017

Net cash used in investing activities was $216.7$120.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to $224.2$47.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, resulting in a $7.5$73.3 million increase in cash used in investing activities. The increase was primarily due to the following: (1) a $71.4 million increase from the acquisition of businesses; (2) a $14.1 million decrease in proceeds from the sale of a business; and (3) a $10.4 million increase in purchases of property, plant and equipment. These increases were partially offset by the following: (1) an $8.8 million increase in proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment; (2) a $7.3 million loan to an unconsolidated entity in 2017 that did not repeat in 2018; and (3) a $6.5 million increase in proceeds from property insurance claims.

Year Ended December 31, 2017, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2016

Net cash used in investing activities was $47.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $88.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, resulting in a $41.6 million decrease in cash used in investing activities. The decrease was primarily due to $36.4 million of increased cash proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and investments in 2015, partially offset by $30.9 million of increased cash payments related to acquisitions.

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Net cash used in investing activities was $224.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $430.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, resulting in a $206.4 million decrease in cash used in investing activities. The decrease was primarily due to $179.4 million of reduced cash payments related to acquisitions and strategic investments, predominantly driven by the $235.4 million net cash paid for the Vertis acquisition on January 16, 2013, and the $43.1 million net cash paid for the Proteus and Transpak acquisitions on December 18, 2013, less the $96.4 million net cash paid for the Brown Printing acquisition on May 30, 2014. The decrease in cash used in investing


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activities is also attributable to the following: (1) a $20.3 million increase in receipts of restricted cash and (2) a $10.3$20.2 million decrease in purchases of property, plant and equipmentequipment; (2) a $14.1 million increase in 2014.proceeds from the sale of a business; (3) a $9.9 million decrease in cost method investments; and (4) an $8.0 million increase in proceeds from property insurance claims. These decreases were partially offset by a $7.3 million increase in a loan to an unconsolidated entity.



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Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Year Ended December 31, 20152018, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 20142017

Net cash used in financing activities was $127.9$133.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to $71.7$251.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, resulting in a $56.2$118.2 million increasedecrease in cash used in financing activities. The increasedecrease was primarily due to the following: (1) a $143.9 million decrease in net debt repayments of $68.9 milliondebt and lease obligations in 2015,2018 as compared to net debt borrowings of $11.52017; and (2) a $4.7 million decrease in 2014, representing an $80.4 million increase in net cash used in financing activities. This increase was partially offset by: (1) $16.5 millionpayments of debt issuance costs paidand financing fees. These decreases were partially offset by the following: (1) a $32.9 million increase in 2014 related to the April 28, 2014 $1.9 billion debt financing arrangements, the October 10, 2014 redemptionpurchases of $108.8 million of its senior notes under the Master Note and Security Agreement and the November 24, 2014 amendment to the master note and security agreement compared to no debt issuance cost payments in 2015treasury stock; and (2) $7.9a $3.0 million of reduced World Color Press bankruptcy claim payments.increase in equity awards redeemed to pay employees’ tax obligations.

Year Ended December 31, 20142017, Compared to Year Ended December 31, 20132016

Net cash used in financing activities was $71.7$251.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, compared to $10.2$269.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013,2016, resulting in a $61.5$17.6 million increasedecrease in cash used in financing activities. The increasedecrease was primarily due to: (1)to$29.8$54.9 million decrease in net repayments of debt borrowingsand lease obligations in 20142017 as compared to 2013;2016, and a $5.0 million decrease in treasury stock purchases. These decreases were partially offset by the following: (1) $27.7 million of decreased proceeds from stock options exercised; (2) $16.5$4.6 million of increased payments of debt issuance costs paid in 2014 related to the April 28, 2014 $1.9 billion debtand financing arrangements, the October 10, 2014 redemption of $108.8fees; and (3) $4.6 million of its senior notes under the master note and security agreement and the November 24, 2014 amendmentincreased equity awards redeemed to the master note and security agreement; (3) $6.9 million reduced net cash proceeds from equity incentive instruments; and (4) $4.8 million higher dividend payments in 2014.pay employees’ tax obligations.

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment.

The Company'sCompany’s management assesses Free Cash Flow as a measure to quantify cash available for (1) strengthening the balance sheet (debt reduction), (2) strategic capital allocation and deployment through investments in the business (acquisitions and strategic investments) and (3) returning capital to the shareholders (dividends and share repurchases). The priorities for capital allocation and deployment will change as circumstances dictate for the business, and Free Cash Flow can be significantly impacted by the Company'sCompany’s restructuring activities and other unusual items.

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP measure. Free Cash Flowfinancial measure and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Quad/Graphics'Quad’s calculation of Free Cash Flow may be different from similar calculations used by other companies, and therefore, comparability may be limited.



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Free Cash Flow for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, was as follows:

Year Ended December 31, Year Ended December 31,
2015 2014 2013 2018 2017 2016
(dollars in millions) (dollars in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities$348.1
 $293.2
 $441.1
 $260.6
 $344.0
 $353.6
Less: purchases of property, plant and equipment(133.0) (139.2) (149.5) (96.3) (85.9) (106.1)
Free Cash Flow$215.1
 $154.0
 $291.6
(1) 
Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP)$164.3
 $258.1
 $247.5

(1)
Free Cash Flow of $291.6 million in 2013 includes an estimated $90 million one-time benefit realized from the restoration of normalized working capital levels following the 2013 acquisition of Vertis. Excluding this $90 million one-time benefit, Free Cash Flow would have been $201.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Free Cash Flow increased $61.1decreased $93.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to the following: (1)an $83.4 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities primarily due to a $54.9decrease in cash from earnings and a $10.4 million increase in capital expenditures.

Free Cash Flow increased $10.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, due to a $20.2 million decrease in capital expenditures, offset by a $9.6 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities primarily attributable to improvements in working capital and the receipt of the $10.0 million Courier termination fee and (2) a $6.2 million decrease in capital expenditures.cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities.

Free Cash Flow decreased $137.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, due to a $147.9 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities, partially offset by a $10.3 million decrease in capital expenditures. The $147.9 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities includes an estimated $90 million one-time benefit realized during 2013 from the restoration

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Table of normalized working capital levels following the acquisition of Vertis and an increase of $71 million in cash used for working capital primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable.Contents


See the "Net“Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities"Activities” section above for further explanations of the changeschange in operating cash flows and the "Net“Net Cash Used in Investing Activities"Activities” section above for further explanations of the changes in purchases of property, plant and equipment.

Debt Leverage Ratio

The Debt Leverage Ratio is defined as total debt and capital lease obligations divided by the trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDA, comprised of the sum of:of the following: (1) the last twelve months of EBITDA (see the definition of EBITDA and the reconciliation of net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad common shareholders to EBITDA in the "Results“Results of Operations"Operations” section above); (2) restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges; (3) non-cash goodwill impairment charges;net pension income; (4) employee stock ownership plan contributions; (5) loss (gain) on debt extinguishment; (6) equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity; and (5) pro forma historical results related(7) net earnings (loss) attributable to the May 30, 2014, acquisition of Brown Printing.noncontrolling interests.

The Company uses the Debt Leverage Ratio as a metric to assess liquidity and the flexibility of its balance sheet. Consistent with other liquidity metrics, the Company monitors the Debt Leverage Ratio as a measure to determine the appropriate level of debt the Company believes is optimal to operate its business, and accordingly, to quantify debt capacity available for strategic capital allocation and deployment through investments in the business (capital expenditures, acquisitions and acquisitions)strategic investments), for strengthening the balance sheet (debt and pension(pension liability reduction), and for returning capital to the shareholders (dividends and share repurchases). The priorities for capital allocation and deployment will change as circumstances dictate for the business, and the Debt Leverage Ratio can be significantly impacted by the amount and timing of large expenditures requiring debt financing, as well as changes in profitability.

The Debt Leverage Ratio is a non-GAAP measure, and should not be considered an alternative to cash flows provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Quad/Graphics'Quad’s calculation of the Debt Leverage Ratio may be different from similar calculations used by other companies and, therefore, comparability may be limited.



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The Debt Leverage Ratio calculated below differs from both the total leverage ratio and senior secured leverage ratio included in the Company'sCompany’s debt covenant calculations (see Note 12, "Debt,"11, “Debt,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on debt covenants). The total leverage ratio included in the Company'sCompany’s debt covenants includes letters of credit and surety bonds as debt, excludes non-cash stock-based compensation expense from EBITDA and includes certain pro forma historical resultsthe equity in (earnings) loss of acquisitionsunconsolidated entity and divestituresnet income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in EBITDA. Similarly, the senior secured leverage ratio included in the Company'sCompany’s debt covenants includes and excludes the same adjustments as the total leverage ratio, in addition to the exclusion of the outstanding balance of the Senior Unsecured Notes.Notes and surety bonds.

In accordance with the adoption

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Table of accounting guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs as discussed in Note 25, "New Accounting Pronouncements," to the financial statements in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Debt Leverage Ratio calculation on December 31, 2015 and 2014, reflects a reduction in long-term debt of $16.1 million and $20.0 million, respectively, for debt issuance costs.Contents

The Debt Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, was as follows:

 December 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
 (dollars in millions)
Total debt and capital lease obligations on the consolidated balance sheets$1,349.3
 $1,405.6
    
Divided by:   
Quad/Graphics EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating Debt Leverage Ratio$462.2
 $542.6
January 1, 2014 to May 29, 2014 Brown Printing pro forma EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio(1)

 5.2
Pro forma EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio$462.2
 $547.8
    
Debt Leverage Ratio2.92x 2.57x
 December 31, 2018
December 31, 2017
 (dollars in millions)
Total debt and capital lease obligations on the consolidated balance sheets$940.9
 $964.8
    
Divided by:   
Adjusted EBITDA for Quad for the year ended (non-GAAP)414.6
 448.2
January 1, 2018 to February 20, 2018 pro forma Adjusted EBITDA for Ivie (non-GAAP) (1)
2.9
 
Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended (non-GAAP)417.5
 448.2
    
Debt Leverage Ratio (non-GAAP)2.25x 2.15x
    
Debt Leverage Ratio—net of excess cash (non-GAAP)(2)
2.11x 2.03x

(1) 
As permitted by the Senior Secured Credit Facility,Company’s senior secured credit facility, certain pro forma financial information related to the acquisition of Brown PrintingIvie was included whenin calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2014.2018. As the acquisition of Brown PrintingIvie was completed on May 30, 2014,February 21, 2018, the $5.2$2.9 million pro forma Adjusted EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio represents the period from January 1, 20142018, to May 29, 2014. Pro formaFebruary 20, 2018. Adjusted EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio for Brown PrintingIvie was calculated in a consistent manner with the calculation above for Quad/Graphics. Brown Printing'sQuad. Ivie’s financial information subsequent to the May 30, 2014 acquisition has been includedconsolidated within the Quad/Graphics EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio as the results of Brown Printing have been consolidated with Quad/Graphics'Quad’s financial results since that date.the date of acquisition. If the fivetwo months of pro forma Adjusted EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio for Brown PrintingIvie was not included in the calculation, the Company'sCompany’s Debt Leverage Ratio would have been 2.59x2.27x as of December 31, 2014.2018.

(2)
The Company had $70 million and $64 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Based on the Company’s typical year-end cash balance of approximately $10 million, Quad had $60 million and $54 million of excess cash at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. If the excess cash in each year was used to further pay down debt, the Debt Leverage Ratio would have been 2.11x and 2.03x as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, was as follows:
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017
 (dollars in millions)
Net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders$8.5
 $107.2
Interest expense73.3
 71.1
Income tax benefit(9.8) (16.0)
Depreciation and amortization230.7
 232.5
EBITDA (non-GAAP)$302.7
 $394.8
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges103.6
 60.4
Net pension income (1)
(12.4) (9.6)
Employee stock ownership plan contribution22.3
 
Loss on debt extinguishment
 2.6
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entity(1.0) 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(0.6) 
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)$414.6
 $448.2

(1)
As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-07, pension components other than service cost are required to be excluded from operating income. The Company has also excluded pension income from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, which is reflected in all periods presented.



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The calculation of Quad/Graphics EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, was as follows:

 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014
 (dollars in millions)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$(641.9) $18.6
Interest expense88.4
 92.9
Income tax expense (benefit)(282.8) 20.2
Depreciation and amortization325.3
 336.4
EBITDA$(511.0) $468.1
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges164.9
 67.3
Goodwill impairment808.3
 
Loss on debt extinguishment
 7.2
Quad/Graphics EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating Debt Leverage Ratio$462.2
 $542.6

The Debt Leverage Ratio increased 0.35x0.10x at December 31, 2015,2018, compared to December 31, 2014,2017, primarily due to a $33.6 million decrease in Quad/Graphics EBITDA as adjusted for purposes of calculating the Debt Leverage Ratio predominantly from ongoing industry volume and pricing pressures, partially offset by the impact of a $56.3 million reduction in debt and capital lease obligations on the consolidated balance sheets.Adjusted EBITDA. The Debt Leverage Ratio at December 31, 20152018, of 2.92x2.25x is above management'swithin management’s desired target Debt Leverage Ratio range of 2.0x to 2.5x; however, the Company operates at times above the Debt Leverage Ratio target range depending on the timing of compelling strategic investment opportunities like the Specialty, Copac, Marin's and Brown Printing acquisitions and seasonal working capital needs.

Description of Significant Outstanding Debt Obligations as of December 31, 20152018

As of December 31, 2015,2018, the Company utilized a combination of debt instruments to fund cash requirements, including the following:

$1.9 Billion Debt Financing Arrangements which includes the following:Senior Secured Credit Facility:

Senior Secured Credit Facility:

$850.0725.0 million revolving credit facility ($70.8 million(no outstanding balance as of December 31, 2015);

$450.0 million Term Loan A ($410.6 million outstanding as of December 31, 2015); and

$300.0 million Term Loan B ($293.2 million outstanding as of December 31, 2015)2018);

Senior Unsecured Notes$375.0 million Term Loan A ($300.0281.3 million outstanding as of December 31, 2015)2018); and

$300.0 million Term Loan B ($279.5 million outstanding as of December 31, 2018);

Senior Unsecured Notes ($243.5 million outstanding as of December 31, 2018); and

Master Note and Security Agreement ($260.496.2 million outstanding as of December 31, 2015)2018).



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$1.9 Billion Debt Financing Arrangements

The Company completed its $1.9 billion debt financing agreement on April 28, 2014, which included refinancing, extending and expanding its existing revolving credit facility, Term Loan A and Term Loan B with the $1.6 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility and the issuance of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its Senior Unsecured Notes. The Senior Secured Credit Facility and the Senior Unsecured Notes were entered into to extend and stagger the Company's debt maturity profile, further diversify its capital structure and provide more borrowing capacity to better position the Company to execute on its strategic goals. The proceeds from the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Senior Unsecured Notes were used to: (1) repay the Company's previous revolving credit facility, Term Loan A, Term Loan B and the international term loan; (2) fund the acquisition of Brown Printing; and (3) for general corporate purposes.

Senior Secured Credit Facility. The Senior Secured Credit Facility consists of three different loan facilities. The first facility is a revolving credit facility in the amount of $850.0$725.0 million with a term of fivejust under four years maturing on April 27, 2019.January 4, 2021. The second facility is a Term Loan A in the aggregate amount of $450.0$375.0 million with a term of fivejust under four years maturing on April 27, 2019,January 4, 2021, subject to certain required amortization. The third facility is a Term Loan B in the amount of $300.0 million with a term of seven years maturing on April 27, 2021, subject to certain required amortization.

The Company completed the second amendment to the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility on February 10, 2017. This second amendment was completed to reduce the size of the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A and to extend the Company’s debt maturity profile while maintaining the Company’s current cost of borrowing and covenant structure. The revolving credit facility was lowered to a maximum borrowing amount of $725.0 million from $850.0 million, and the Term Loan A was lowered to an aggregate amount of $375.0 million from $450.0 million. This amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility did not have an impact on the Company’s quarterly financial covenant requirements.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A loans made under the Senior Secured Credit Facility will initiallyat December 31, 2018, bear interest at 2.00% in excess of reserve adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"),LIBOR, or 1.00% in excess of an alternate base rate. The weighted-averageweighted average interest rate for the revolving credit facility was 2.37%3.91% and the weighted-averageweighted average interest rate for the Term Loan A loans was 2.36%3.78% at December 31, 2015,2018, and interest is payable monthly. Borrowings under the Term Loan B loans willat December 31, 2018, bear interest at 3.25% in excess of reserve adjusted LIBOR, with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, or 2.25% in excess of an alternative base rate at the Company'sCompany’s option. The weighted-averageweighted average interest rate for the Term Loan B loans was 4.25%5.24% at December 31, 2015,2018, and interest is payable monthly.

The Senior Secured Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the unencumbered assets of the Company. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also requires the Company to provide additional collateral to the lenders in certain limited circumstances.

The Company entered into anOn January 31, 2019, the company completed the third amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility on December 18, 2014, which eliminated the "net debt" concept from the calculation of the total leverage ratio and the senior secured leverage ratio and eliminatedFacility. See Note 24, “Subsequent Events,” to the consolidated net worth covenant.financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further detail.


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Senior Unsecured Notes. Notes

The Company received $294.8 million in net proceeds from the sale of the $300.0 million Senior Unsecured Notes, after deducting the initial purchasers'purchasers’ discounts and commissions. The Senior Unsecured Notes bear interest at 7.0%7.00%, and interest is payable semi-annually. The Senior Unsecured Notes are due May 1, 2022.

Subsequent to December 31, 2015, and through February 18, 2016, theThe Company repurchased $27.4$56.5 million of its Senior Unsecured Notes forin the open market, resulting in a total purchase pricenet gain on debt extinguishment of $18.5 million.$14.3 million, during the year ended December 31, 2016. All the repurchased notesSenior Unsecured Notes were canceled. The Company used cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to fund the repurchases. These repurchases were primarily completed to efficiently reduce debt balances and interest expense based on current LIBOR rates.

Each of the Company'sCompany’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries that is a borrower or guarantees indebtedness under the Company'sCompany’s Senior Secured Credit Facility or that guarantees certain of the Company'sCompany’s other indebtedness or indebtedness of the Company'sCompany’s restricted subsidiaries (other than intercompany indebtedness) fully and unconditionally guarantee or, in the case of future subsidiaries, will guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the Senior Unsecured Notes (the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"“Guarantor Subsidiaries”). All of the current Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Company. Guarantor Subsidiaries will be automatically released from these guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following: (1) the designation of any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries as an unrestricted subsidiary; (2) the release or discharge of any guarantee or indebtedness that resulted in the creation of the guarantee of the


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Senior Unsecured Notes by any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries; or (3) the sale or disposition, including the sale of substantially all the assets, of any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries.

Master Note and Security Agreement (sometimes referred to as senior notes)

On September 1, 1995, and as last amended on November 24, 2014, the Company entered into the Master Note and Security Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued over time senior notes in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion in various tranches, of which $260.4$96.2 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2015.2018. The weighted-averageweighted average interest rate for the senior notes was 7.53%7.36% at December 31, 2015,2018, which is fixed to maturity, and interest is payable semiannually. Principal payments commenced September 1997 and extend through April 2031 in various tranches. The notes are collateralized by certain United States land, buildings and press and finishing equipment under the terms of the Master Note and Security Agreement.

The Company redeemed $108.8$60.1 million of its senior notes under the Master Note and Security Agreement, for $109.6resulting in a net loss on debt extinguishment of $0.2 million, on October 10, 2014. The Company used its revolving credit facility to effectduring the redemption. This redemption was primarily completed to reduce interest expense based on then current LIBOR rates.

The Master Note and Security Agreement was amended on November 24, 2014. The amendment, among other things, amended the financial covenants by removing the consolidated net worth requirement and the fixed charge coverage ratio, as well as adding a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum total leverage ratio and a maximumyear ended December 31, 2016. All tendered senior secured leverage ratio. These amendments align the financial covenants innotes under the Master Note and Security Agreement more closely withwere canceled. The Company used cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to fund the financial covenants intender. The tender was primarily completed to reallocate debt to the Senior Secured Credit Facility.lower interest rate revolving credit facility and thereby reduce interest expense based on current LIBOR rates.

Covenants and Compliance

The Company'sCompany’s various lending arrangements include certain financial covenants (all financial terms, numbers and ratios are as defined in the Company'sCompany’s debt agreements). Among these covenants, the Company was required to maintain the following as of December 31, 2015:2018:

Total Leverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the total leverage ratio, defined as total consolidated debt to consolidated EBITDA, shall not exceed 3.75 to 1.00 (for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s total leverage ratio was 2.892.19 to 1.00).

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the senior secured leverage ratio, defined as senior secured debt to consolidated EBITDA, shall not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 (for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s senior secured leverage ratio was 2.261.63 to 1.00).


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Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the minimum interest coverage ratio, defined as consolidated EBITDA to consolidated cash interest expense, shall not be less than 3.50 to 1.00 (for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s minimum interest coverage ratio was 5.666.23 to 1.00).

The indenture underlying the Senior Unsecured Notes contains various covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, limit the Company'sCompany’s and its restricted subsidiaries'subsidiaries’ ability to:to incur and/or guarantee additional debt; pay dividends, repurchase stock or make certain other restricted payments; enter into agreements limiting dividends and certain other restricted payments; prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated debt; grant liens on assets; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; merge, consolidate, transfer or dispose of substantially all of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated assets; sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of property and assets; and engage in transactions with affiliates.



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The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in its debt agreements as of December 31, 2015.2018. While the Company currently expects to be in compliance in future periods with all of the financial covenants, there can be no assurance that these covenants will continue to be met. The Company'sCompany’s failure to maintain compliance with the covenants could prevent the Company from borrowing additional amounts and could result in a default under any of the debt agreements. Such default could cause the outstanding indebtedness to become immediately due and payable, by virtue of cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.

In addition to those covenants, the Senior Secured Credit Facility also includes certain limitations on acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividends and repurchases of capital stock, including the following:

If the Company'sCompany’s total leverage ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility), the Company is prohibited from making greater than $120.0 million of annual dividend payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other payments. If the total leverage ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions.

If the Company'sCompany’s senior secured leverage ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 or the Company'sCompany’s total leverage ratio is greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (these ratios as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility), the Company is prohibited from voluntarily prepaying any of the Senior Unsecured Notes and from voluntarily prepaying any other unsecured or subordinated indebtedness, with certain exceptions (including any mandatory prepayments on the Senior Unsecured Notes or any other unsecured or subordinated debt). If the senior secured leverage ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00 and the total leverage ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions.

Net Pension Obligations

The net underfunded pension and MEPPs obligations decreasedincreased by $36.3$21.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, from $221.7$112.3 million at December 31, 2014,2017, to $185.4$133.5 million at December 31, 2015. The decrease is2018. This increase in overall pension obligations was primarily due to a $32.1 million increase to the following: (1) $24.4 millionMEPPs withdrawal liability recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018, following an unfavorable ruling from a panel of combined single-employerthe Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in December 2018; and MEPP contributions, (2) $8.0 millionalso due to an actual return on plan assets of liability reduction as(5.4)% during the year ended December 31, 2018, which fell below the expected return on plan assets exceededassumption of 6.5%. The increase was partially offset by a 70 basis point increase in the interest cost ofpension discount rate from 3.52% at December 31, 2017, to 4.22% at December 31, 2018, and payments totaling $13.1 million made to the frozen plans and (3) a $3.7 million year-end actuarial valuation adjustment. MEPPs during the year ended December 31, 2018.

The Company continues to focus on reducing its net obligation for these underfunded planspension obligations through cash contributions to the plans, lump-sum settlements and plan design changes.



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Share Repurchase Program

On September 6, 2011, the Company's boardCompany’s Board of directorsDirectors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company'sCompany’s outstanding class A stock. On July 30, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors discontinued the remainder of the September 6, 2011 share repurchase program and authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s outstanding class A common stock. Under the authorization, share repurchases may be made at the Company'sCompany’s discretion, from time to time, in the open market and/or in privately negotiated transactions as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchase will depend on economic and market conditions, share price, trading volume, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. There were no stock repurchases made under this share repurchase program during

During the year ended December 31, 2015. As2018, the Company repurchased 1,871,631 shares of its class A common stock at a weighted average price of $19.59 per share for a total purchase price of $36.7 million. During the year ended December 31, 2015, there were $91.8 million2017, the Company repurchased 200,605 shares of authorized repurchases remaining underits class A common stock at a weighted average price of $18.89 per share for a total purchase price of $3.8 million. During the program. Subsequent toyear ended December 31, 2015, and through February 18, 2016, the Company repurchased 984,190 shares of its class A common stock at a weighted average price of $8.96 per share for a total purchase price of $8.8 million. As of December 31, 2018, there was $100.0 million of authorized repurchases remaining under the program.

Risk Management

For a discussion of the Company'sCompany’s exposure to market risks and management of those market risks, see Item 7A, "Quantitative“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Except as set forth below in the Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments table and in Note 13, "Lease12, “Lease Obligations," to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (including operating leases and future interest on debt and capital leases to be incurred), the Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements, financings or special purpose entities that the Company expects to have a material current or future effect on financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or significant components of sales or expenses.



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Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

The Company'sCompany’s contractual cash obligations at December 31, 2015,2018, were as follows (in millions):

 Payments Due by Period
 Total 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter
Debt obligations(1)
$1,674.5
 $159.6
 $142.4
 $146.7
 $439.0
 $76.3
 $710.5
Operating lease obligations237.0
 53.2
 46.7
 39.6
 32.2
 21.3
 44.0
Pension benefits(2)
63.1
 2.3
 1.1
 19.7
 18.4
 21.6
 
Capital lease obligations(3)
15.3
 5.3
 4.8
 2.6
 1.2
 0.7
 0.7
Purchase obligations(4)
16.5
 16.5
 
 
 
 
 
Total(5)(6)
$2,006.4
 $236.9
 $195.0
 $208.6
 $490.8
 $119.9
 $755.2
 Payments Due by Period
 Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter
Debt obligations(1)
$1,073.1
 $93.3
 $118.4
 $572.3
 $261.3
 $8.0
 $19.8
Operating lease obligations158.1
 38.2
 33.4
 23.9
 17.8
 13.7
 31.1
MEPPs withdrawal obligations(2)
73.0
 12.0
 9.8
 6.2
 6.2
 6.1
 32.7
Pension benefits(3)
65.4
 6.5
 13.6
 12.0
 17.6
 15.7
 
Capital lease obligations(4)
17.1
 5.9
 4.9
 4.1
 2.0
 0.2
 
Purchase obligations(5)
61.1
 61.1
 
 
 
 
 
Business acquisitions(6)
15.4
 5.3
 5.1
 5.0
 
 
 
Total(7)(8)
$1,463.2
 $222.3
 $185.2
 $623.5
 $304.9
 $43.7
 $83.6

(1) 
Debt obligations include $321.7$139.4 million for anticipated future interest payments, net of $4.3 million of estimated interest income from the interest rate swap, and exclude $16.1excludes $7.2 million and $2.2$1.0 million for future amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, respectively. With respect toDuring 2017, the variable interest rate portionsCompany paid in advance the full amount of required amortization payments on its Term Loan A, totaling $72.7 million for the debt, the interest amounts were calculated by applying theyears ended December 31, 2015, weighted-average interest rate to determine2018 and 2019, and through the valuefirst quarter ended March 31, 2020.  The Company also paid in advance the full amount of future interest payments. Forrequired amortization payments on its Term Loan B, totaling $9.0 million for the Master Noteyears ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and Security Agreement, the weighted-average interest rate of the notes was applied to the average principal balance outstanding for each time period.2020. Amounts included in "Thereafter"“Thereafter” include principal payments and estimated interest expense through April 2031. On January 31, 2019, the Company completed the third amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility. See Note 24, “Subsequent Events,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further detail.

(2)
MEPPs withdrawal obligations include $22.1 million for anticipated future interest payments. See Note 15, “Employee Retirement Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of the MEPPs withdrawal liability.

(3) 
For the pension benefits, contributions and benefit payments to be funded from Company assets included in the table have been actuarially estimated over a five year period. While benefit payments under these benefit plans are expected to continue beyond 2020,2023, the Company believes that an estimate beyond this period is unreasonable. The contractual obligations table above does not include a $47.6 million estimated withdrawal liability for the United States World Color Press MEPPs due to the uncertainty with the amount and timing of any potential withdrawal liability payment. During 2016, the Company is scheduled to make minimum payments of $11.1 million, pending no settlement or conclusion to the litigation with the MEPPs' trustees. See Note 17, "Employee Retirement Plans," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of the withdrawal from the MEPPs.

(3)(4) 
Capital lease obligations include $0.5$1.7 million for anticipated future interest payments.

(4)(5) 
Purchase obligations consist primarily of $14.9$53.2 million in firm commitments to purchase press and finishing equipment as well as $1.6and $7.9 million of other purchase obligations.

(5)(6)
Business acquisitions represents an estimated $15.4 million of future cash payments associated with the acquisition of Ivie. See Note 3, “Acquisitions and Strategic Investments,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.

(7) 
The contractual obligations table above does not include reserves for uncertain tax positions recorded in accordance with the accounting guidance on uncertainties in income taxes. The Company has taken tax positions for which the ultimate amount and the year(s) any necessary payments will be made that pertain to those tax positions is uncertain. The reserve for uncertain tax positions prior to interest and penalties is $29.8was $14.4 million as of December 31, 2015.2018, of which $7.9 million was included in other long-term liabilities, $6.2 million was included in deferred income taxes and $0.3 million was included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has also recorded accrualsreserves for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions of $4.8$0.5 million and $0.4$0.1 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.2018.

(6)(8) 
The contractual obligations table above does not include the share repurchase program as no repurchases are required under the program. See the "Share“Share Repurchase Program"Program” section above for further discussion, including the maximum potential cash payments under the program.



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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company'sCompany’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective estimates. Management is required to make judgments and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company'sCompany’s management believes that such judgments and estimates are made with consistent and appropriate methods based on information available at the time, and that any reasonable deviation from those judgments and estimates would not have a material impact on the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. To the extent that the estimates used differ from actual results, adjustments to the consolidated statements of operations and corresponding consolidated balance sheets would be necessary. These adjustments would be made in future statements.

The Company has identified the following as its critical accounting policies and estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Performance Obligations

At contract inception, the Company assesses the products and services promised in its contracts with customers and identifies performance obligations for each promise to transfer to the customer a product or service that is distinct. To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers the goods or services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices. The Company determined that the following distinct products and services represent separate performance obligations:

Pre-Press Services
Print
Other Services

For Pre-Press and Other Services, the Company recognizes revenue at point-in-time upon completion of the performed service and acceptance by the customer. The Company considers transfer of control to occur once the service is performed as the Company has right to payment and the customer has legal title and risk and reward of ownership.

The Company recognizes its printingPrint revenues upon transfer of title and the passage of risk of loss, which is generallypoint-in-time upon shipment to the customer, and when there is a reasonable assurance as to collectability. Under agreements with certain customers, products may be stored by the Company for future delivery. In these situations, the Company may receive warehouse management fees for the services it provides. Product returns are not significant because the majority of products are customized; however, the Company accrues for the estimated amount of customer allowances at the time of sale based on historical experience and known trends.

Revenue from services is recognized as services are performed. Revenues related to the Company'sCompany’s logistics operations, which includes the delivery of printed material, are included in the Print performance obligation and are also recognized at point-in-time as services are completed. Revenues related to the Company’s imaging operations, which include digital content management, photography, color services and page production, are recognized in accordance with the terms of the contract, typically upon completion of the performed service and acceptance by the customer. With respect to the Company's logistics operations, which include the delivery of printed material,Under agreements with certain customers, products may be stored by the Company recognizes revenue upon completion of services.

Services account for greater than 10% offuture delivery. In these situations, the Company's consolidated net sales; therefore, net sales and related costs of sales of products andCompany may receive warehouse management fees for the services have been included as separate line items in the consolidated statements of operations in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.it provides.

Certain revenues earned by the Company require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as a principal or net of related costs as an agent. Billings for third-party shipping and handling costs, primarily in the Company'sCompany’s logistics operations, and out-of-pocket expenses are recorded gross in net sales and cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations in Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Many of the Company'sCompany’s operations process materials, primarily paper, that may be supplied directly by customers or may be purchased by the Company and sold to customers. No revenue is recognized for customer-supplied paper. Revenues for the Company-supplied paper are recognized on a gross basis. In some instances, the Company will



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Impairment of Goodwilldeliver print work for a customer and bill the customer for postage. In these cases, the Company is acting as an agent and billings are recorded on a net basis in net sales.

Significant Payment Terms

Payment terms and conditions for contracts with customers vary. The allocationCompany typically offers standard terms of net 30 days.  It is not the Company’s standard business practice to offer extended payment terms longer than one year. The Company may offer cash discounts or prepayment and extended terms depending on certain facts and circumstances. As such, when the timing of the purchaseCompany’s delivery of products and services differs from the timing of payment, the Company will record either a contract asset or a contract liability.

Variable Consideration

When evaluating the transaction price, for business combinations requires management estimatesthe Company analyzes on a contract by contract basis all applicable variable considerations and judgment as to expectations for future cash flowsnon-cash consideration and also performs a constraint analysis. The nature of the acquired businessCompany’s contracts give rise to variable consideration, including, volume rebates, credits, discounts, and other similar items that generally decrease the allocationtransaction price. These variable amounts generally are credited to the customer, based on achieving certain levels of those cash flows to identifiable assets and liabilities assumed, including valuations performed by third-party appraiserssales activity, when appropriate, in determiningcontracts are signed, or making payments within specific terms.

Product returns are not significant because the products are customized; however, the Company accrues for the estimated fair value for purchaseamount of customer allowances at the time of sale based on historical experience and known trends.

When the transaction price requires allocation purposes. Goodwill representsto multiple performance obligations, the excessCompany uses the estimated stand-alone selling prices using the adjusted market assessment approach.

Costs to Obtain Contracts

The Company capitalizes certain sales incentives of the purchase pricesales compensation packages for costs that are directly attributed to being awarded a customer contract or renewal and would not have been incurred had the contract not been obtained. The Company also defers certain contract acquisition costs paid to the customer at contract inception. Costs to obtain contracts with a duration of less than one year are expensed as incurred. For all contract costs with contracts over one year, the Company amortizes the costs to obtain contracts on a straight-line basis over the fair valueestimated life of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Changes in management's estimates or judgments, including changes based on actual results differing from the estimatescontract andjudgments used in the purchase price allocation process, could result in an impairment charge, and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. Goodwill is assigned to specific reporting units, and in accordance with accounting guidance is tested annually reviews quarterly for impairment as of October 31 or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value.impairment.

United States PrintThe accounting policies and Related Services Segment

Dueestimates related to revenue recognition have been updated effective January 1, 2018 with the decline in the Company's stock price in the third quarter of 2015, an interim goodwill impairment testadoption of the three reporting units in the United States Print and Related Services segment was performed as of July 31, 2015. These reporting units include the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit, the Specialty Print and Related Services reporting unit and the Other United States Products and Services reporting unitrevised guidance on recognizing revenue from contracts with goodwill of $640.8 million, $115.6 million and $18.6 million, respectively, as of July 31, 2015.

In determining the fair value of each reporting unit, the Company used an equal weighting of both the income and market approaches, except for the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit for which only an income approach was used. Significant assumptions used under the income approach included: estimated future cash flows including expected future revenue growth, profit margins, capital expenditures, working capital levels, terminal value multiples and a 10.1% after-tax weighted average cost of capital for the Core Print and Related Services and the Specialty Print and Related Services reporting units and a 10.9% after-tax weighted average cost of capital for the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit. Estimated future cash flows were based on the Company's internal projection models, industry projections and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management. Significant assumptions used under the market approach included: a control premium based on similar transactions, selection of the guideline public companies and selected market multiples. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchycustomers (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments1, “Basis of Presentation and Fair Value Measurements,"Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” and Note 2, “Revenue Recognition,” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the definition of Level 3 inputs)more information).

After completing a step one evaluation, the estimated fair value of each of the three reporting units in the United States Print and Related Services segment was determined to be lower than the carrying value of each respective reporting unit. As such, each of the three reporting units failed step one of the goodwill impairment test.

Step two of the goodwill impairment test requires the Company to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation for each reporting unit to determine the implied fair value of goodwill and compare the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying amount of goodwill. The estimate of fair value is complex and requires significant judgment. A third-party valuation firm was engaged to assist in the step two valuation process.

As a result of the interim goodwill impairment assessment as well as the annual impairment test as of October 31, 2015, the Company's United States Print and Related Services segment recorded pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $778.3 million ($512.4 million after tax) in the year ended December 31, 2015, that included impairment charges of $640.8 million, $118.9 million and $18.6 million in the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit, the Specialty Print and Related Services reporting unit and the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit, respectively. The goodwill impairment charge resulted from a reduction in estimated fair value of the reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows primarily due to volume and pricing pressures as compared to expectations in the last annual goodwill impairment assessment performed as of October 31, 2014.



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As of December 31, 2015, there is no goodwill in the United States Print and Related Services segment on the consolidated balance sheets.

International Segment

On March 25, 2015, due to deteriorating economic conditions, including inflation and currency devaluation, combined with uncertain political conditions, declining print volumes and labor challenges, the Company's Argentina Subsidiaries (included within the Latin America reporting unit) commenced bankruptcy restructuring proceedings with a goal of consolidating operations. As a result, the Company conducted an interim goodwill impairment assessment of the Latin America reporting unit, which included comparing the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, to its respective fair value as of March 31, 2015, the date of the interim assessment.

In the first step, the Company compared the estimated fair value of the Latin America reporting unit to its carrying amount, including the goodwill. Fair value was determined using an equal weighting of both the income and market approaches. Under the income approach, the Company determined fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk and the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn. Under the market approach, the Company derived the fair value of the reporting unit based on market multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the definition of Level 3 inputs). If the carrying amount of such reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, step two is completed to determine the amount of the impairment charge.

Step two requires the allocation of the estimated fair value of the Latin America reporting unit to the assets, including any unrecognized intangible assets, and liabilities in a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Any remaining unallocated fair value represents the implied fair value of the goodwill, which is then compared to the corresponding carrying value of the goodwill to compute the goodwill impairment charge. The assumptions used in performing the March 31, 2015, interim goodwill impairment assessment were evaluated in light of market and business conditions. The Company continues to believe that the discounted cash flow model and market multiples model provides a reasonable and meaningful fair value estimate based upon the reporting unit's projections of future operating results and cash flows and replicates how market participants would value the Company's reporting unit.

Significant assumptions used under the income approach included: estimated future cash flows including expected future revenue growth, profit margins, capital expenditures, working capital levels, terminal value multiples and a 13.3% after-tax weighted average cost of capital. Estimated future cash flows were based on the Company's internal projection models, industry projections and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management. Significant assumptions used under the market approach included: a control premium based on similar transactions, selection of the guideline public companies and selected market multiples.

For the interim goodwill impairment assessment of the Latin America reporting unit as of March 31, 2015, the fair value of the reporting unit was below its carrying amount. The Company performed the step two additional fair value measurement calculation as described above to determine whether a Latin America reporting unit impairment charge should be recorded. As part of this calculation, the Company also estimated the fair values of significant tangible and intangible long-lived assets of the Latin America reporting unit.

As a result of the interim goodwill impairment assessment as well as the annual impairment test as of October 31, 2015, the Company's International segment recorded non-cash nondeductible goodwill impairment charges of $30.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily including a $23.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge for the Latin America reporting unit. The goodwill impairment charge resulted from a reduction in estimated fair value of the reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows primarily due to volume and pricing pressures as compared to expectations in the last annual goodwill impairment assessment performed as of October 31, 2014.



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As of December 31, 2015, there is no goodwill in the International segment on the consolidated balance sheets.

Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment and Finite-lived Intangible Assets

The Company performs impairment evaluations of its long-lived assets whenever business conditions, events or circumstances indicate that those assets may be impaired, including whether the estimated useful life of such long-lived assets may warrant revision or whether the remaining balance of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company'sCompany’s most significant long-lived assets are property, plant and equipment and customer relationship intangible assets recorded in conjunction with an acquisition. Assessing the impairment of long-lived assets requires the Company to make important estimates and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the expected future cash flows that the assets will generate, how the assets will be used based on the strategic direction of the Company, their remaining useful life and their residual value, if any. Considerable judgment is also applied in incorporating the potential impact of the current economic climate on customer demand and selling prices, the cost of production and the limited activity on secondary markets for the assets and on the cost of capital. When the estimated future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the assets are less than the carrying value of the long-lived assets, the assets are written down to fair value and a charge is recorded to current operations. The Company uses internal undiscounteddiscounted cash flow estimates, quoted market prices when available


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and independent appraisals, as appropriate, to determine fair value. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial14, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the definition of Level 3 inputs). Based on the assessments completed during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, the Company recognized property, plant and equipment impairment charges of $69.5$26.5 million, $14.4$12.0 million and $21.8$26.8 million, respectively, primarily related to facility consolidations, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives. The Company recorded finite-lived intangible asset impairment charges of $7.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. There were no finite-lived intangible assetsasset impairment charges recorded during the years ended December 31, 20142018, 2017 and 2013.2016.

The Company continues to monitor groups of assets to identify any new events or changes in circumstances that could indicate that their carrying values are not recoverable, particularly in light of potential declines in profitability that may result from the highly competitive industry landscape and continued uncertainty in the global economy. In the event that there are significant and unanticipated changes in circumstances, such as significant adverse changes in business climate, adverse actions by regulators, unanticipated competition, loss of key customers and/or changes in technology or markets, or that actual results differ from management'smanagement’s estimates, a provision for impairment could be required in a future period.

Impairment of Goodwill

In accordance with accounting guidance, the Company performs an annual impairment test for goodwill as of October 31 or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination and is assigned to specific reporting units. Changes in management’s estimates or judgments, including changes based on actual results differing from the estimates andjudgments used in the purchase price allocation process, could result in an impairment charge, and such a charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.

Within the United States Print and Related Services Segment, the Company has identified three reporting units: (1) Core Print and Related Services; (2) Specialty Print and Related Services; and (3) Other United States Products and Services. As of December 31, 2018, goodwill totaled $54.6 million and was allocated to the Core Print and Related Services. The Specialty Print and Related Services reporting unit and the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit have no goodwill allocated to them. Additionally, there is no goodwill in the International segment on the consolidated balance sheets.

In determining the fair value of the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit, the Company used an equal weighting of both the income and market approaches. Significant assumptions used under the income approach included: estimated future cash flows including expected future revenue growth, profit margins, capital expenditures, working capital levels, terminal value multiples and a 11.2% after-tax weighted average cost of capital for the Core Print and Related Services. Estimated future cash flows were based on the Company's internal projection models, industry projections and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management. Significant assumptions used under the market approach included: a control premium based on similar transactions, selection of the guideline public companies and selected market multiples. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 14, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the definition of Level 3 inputs).

After completing the evaluation, the estimated fair value of the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit in the United States Print and Related Services segment was determined to exceed the carrying value of the reporting unit. In addition, the Company performed a sensitivity analysis as of October 31, 2018, on the material assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation models. In performing the annual goodwill impairment assessment, the percentage by which estimated fair value exceeded carrying value in the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit was more than 50%. As such, management concluded that no impairment existed as of October 31, 2018. No additional indications of impairment were identified between October 31, 2018 and December 31, 2018.



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Pension Plans

As a result of the acquisition of World Color Press, the Company acquired multiple underfunded pension plans. Pension plan costs are determined using actuarial methods and are funded through contributions determined in accordance with the projected benefit method pro-rated based on service. The Company records amounts relating to its pension plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions. The Company believes that the two most critical assumptions are the discount rate and assumed rate of return on assets. Changes in these assumptions are primarily influenced by factors outside of the Company'sCompany’s control and can have a significant effect on the amounts reported in the financial statements. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and modifies the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the consolidated balance sheets, but are generally amortized into operating income over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets included in Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. When an event gives rise to both a curtailment and a settlement, the curtailment is accounted for prior to the settlement. The Company'sCompany’s measurement date to measure the defined benefit plan assets and the projected benefit obligation is December 31. For the purposes of calculating the expected return on plan assets, those assets are valued at fair value.



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The Company determines its assumption for the discount rate to be used for purposes of computing annual service and interest costs for each pension plan based on an index of high-quality corporate bond yields and matched-funding yield curve analysis as of that date. The weighted-averageCompany measures interest costs for pension benefits by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve to the plans’ liability cash flows.

The weighted average discount rate used to determine benefit obligations for the pension plans at December 31, 2015,2018, was 4.14%4.22%, a 2470 basis point increase from the December 31, 2014, discount rate of 3.90%.

3.52% at the December 31, 2017. A one-percentage point change in the discount rate would have the following impact on the projected benefit obligation as of December 31, 2015, projected benefit obligation:2018:
 
1%
Increase
 
1%
Decrease
 (in millions)
Projected benefit obligation$(60.8) $70.8
 
1.0%
Increase
 
1.0%
Decrease
 (in millions)
Projected benefit obligation$(39.4) $47.1

The Company employs a total return on investment approach for its pension plans whereby a diversified mix of equity securities and debt securities are used to maximize the long-term pension plan assets. The intent of this strategy is to outperform the growth in plan liabilities over the long run, such that plan contributions can be decreased, balanced with maintaining a lower degree of investment risk. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of plan liabilities, plan funded status, and corporate financial condition. Equity securities are diversified across geography and market capitalization through investments in United States large-capitalization stocks, United States small-capitalization stocks and international securities. Investment risk is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis through annual liability measurements, periodic asset/liability studies and quarterly investment portfolio reviews. The expected long-term rate of return for plan assets is based upon many factors including expected asset allocations, historical asset returns, current and expected future market conditions and risk. The current target asset allocation for plan assets on a weighted-averageweighted average basis are 55%30% equity securities and 45%70% debt securities. The actual asset allocation as of December 31, 2015,2018, was approximately 54%30% equity securities and 46%70% debt securities. The expected return on plan assets assumption at December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, was 6.5% for the Company'sCompany’s funded United States pension plans. Actual return on plan assets was (5.4%) and 14.3% for the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014, was (0.1)% and 8.2%,2017, respectively. Certain pension plans are unfunded (those plans do not hold plan assets).



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A 25 basis point change in the expected return on plan assets would have the following impact on 2016net pension income:income for the year ended December 31, 2018:
 
.25%
Increase
 .25% Decrease
 (in millions)
Pension income$1.2
 $(1.2)
 
0.25%
Increase
 
0.25%
Decrease
 (in millions)
Net pension income$0.9
 $(0.9)

The Company also participated in MEPPs as a result of the acquisition of World Color Press.  Due to the significant underfunded status of the MEPPs, theThe Company has withdrawn from all significant MEPPs and replaced these union sponsored "promise“promise to pay in the future"future” defined benefit plans with a Company sponsored "pay“pay as you go"go” defined contribution plan.  The two MEPPs, the GCIU and the GCC, are significantly underfunded, and require the Company to pay a withdrawal liability to fund its pro rata share of the underfunding as of the plan which is historicallyyear the form of retirement benefit provided to Quad/Graphics' employees.full withdrawal was completed.  As a result of the decision to withdraw, the Company recorded anaccrued the estimated withdrawal liability for the MEPPs as part of the World Color Press purchase price allocation process based on information provided by each plan’s trustee.

During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company and the GCC reached a settlement agreement for all claims, with scheduled payments until February 2024.

The Company has received a notice of withdrawal and demand for payment letter from the MEPPs' trustees.GCIU. The estimated withdrawal liability will be updated based on significant events, such as potential new information from the ongoingCompany is currently in litigation proceedings with both MEPPs, until the final withdrawal liability is determined. There are arbitration proceedings in process with the GCIU trustees to determine the amount and also bothduration of the Company and GCIU have filed lawsuits in Federal court.withdrawal payments for the GCIU. Arbitration proceedings with the GCCGCIU have been completed, both sides have appealed the arbitrator'sarbitrator’s ruling, and litigation in Federal court has commenced. During April 2017, a Federal district court overturned the arbitration decision in one of the pending disputes in this matter. The Company appealed the district court’s ruling to a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in December 2018, the panel upheld the district court’s decision. The Company filed a motion for reconsideration with the panel, which was denied. Until litigation with the GCIU trustees is concluded, the exact amount of the withdrawal liability couldwill not be higher or lower thanknown. As a result of these unfavorable rulings, the estimate depending on, among other things,Company recorded a $32.1 million increase to the natureMEPPs withdrawal liability during the year ended December 31, 2018, which was recorded in restructuring, impairment and timingtransaction-related charges in the consolidated statements of any triggering events, the funded status of the plans at that time and the final conclusion of the litigation with the MEPPs' trustees.operations.



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New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 25, "New23, “New Accounting Pronouncements," to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



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Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to a variety of market risks which may adversely impact the Company'sCompany’s results of operations and financial condition, including changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the economic environment that would impact credit positions and changes in the prices of certain commodities. The Company'sCompany’s management takes an active role in the risk management process and has developed policies and procedures that require specific administrative and business functions to assist in the identification, assessment and control of various risks. These risk management strategies may not fully insulate the Company from adverse impacts due to market risks.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on variable rate debt obligations and price risk on fixed rate debt and capital leases. The variable rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2018 is primarily comprised of $281.3 million outstanding on the Term Loan A and $279.5 million outstanding on the Term Loan B. As of December 31, 2015,2018, there was no outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility. In order to reduce the variability of cash flows from interest payments related to a portion of Quad’s variable-rate debt, the Company hadentered into a $250.0 million interest rate swap during February 2017, and has classified $250.0 million of the Company’s variable rate debt as fixed rate debt. Including the impact of the $250.0 million interest rate swap of variable rate to fixed rate debt, and capital leasesQuad had variable rate debt outstanding of $583.7$318.5 million at a current weighted average interest rate of 7.1%5.1% and variablefixed rate debt and capital leases outstanding of $765.6$622.4 million at a current weighted average interest rate of 3.1%. The variable rate debt outstanding5.6% at December 31, 2015, is primarily comprised of the $1.6 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility entered into on April 28, 2014, including $410.6 million outstanding on the $450.0 million Term Loan A, $293.2 million outstanding on the $300.0 million Term Loan B and $70.8 million outstanding on the $850.0 million revolving credit facility.2018. The Term Loan B bears interest primarily based on LIBOR; however, it is subject to a 1.0% LIBOR minimum rate, and thus the interest rate on the Term Loan B will not begin to fluctuate until LIBOR exceeds that percentage. At December 31, 2015,2018, LIBOR was significantly lower than theover 1.0% LIBOR minimum rate,, or at 2.5%, and as a result, the interest on the Term Loan B would not fluctuate with a 10% increase in the market interest rate. ExcludingIncluding the Term Loan B, a hypothetical change10% increase in the market interest rate of 10% fromrates impacting the Company'sCompany’s current weighted average interest rate on variable rate debt obligations of 2.4% would not have a material impact on the Company'sCompany’s interest expense. A hypothetical 10% change in market interest rates would change the fair value of fixed rate debt at December 31, 2015,2018, by approximately $23$8 million.

Foreign Currency Risk and Translation Exposure

The Company is exposed to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations in certain countries in which it operates. The exposure to foreign currency movements is limited in most countries because the operating revenues and expenses of its various subsidiaries and business units are substantially in the local currency of the country in which they operate. To the extent revenues and expenses are not in the applicable local currency, the Company may enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge the currency risk.

Although operating in local currencies may limit the impact of currency rate fluctuations on the results of operations of the Company'sCompany’s non-United States subsidiaries and business units, rate fluctuations may impact the consolidated financial position as the assets and liabilities of its foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars in preparing the Company'sCompany’s consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s foreign subsidiaries (excluding Argentina due to the economy’s status as highly inflationary) had net current assets (defined as current assets less current liabilities) subject to foreign currency translation risk of $56.5$24.5 million. The potential decrease in net current assets as of December 31, 2015,2018, from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted foreign currency exchange rates would be approximately $5.7$2.5 million. This sensitivity analysis assumes a parallel shift in all major foreign currency exchange rates versesversus the U.S. dollar. Exchange rates rarely move in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar due to positive and negative correlations of the various global currencies. This assumption may overstate or understate the impact of changing exchange rates on individual assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency.

The Company'sCompany’s hedging operations have historically not been material, and gains or losses from these operations have not been material to the Company'sCompany’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.



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These international operations are subject to risks typical of international operations, including, but not limited to, differing economic conditions, changes in political climate, potential restrictions on the movement of funds, differing tax structures, and other regulations and restrictions. Accordingly, future results could be adversely impacted by changes in these or other factors.

The Company has considered the economy in Argentina to be highly inflationary, effective June 30, 2018. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”, a highly inflationary economy is one that has experienced cumulative inflation of approximately 100 percent or more over a three-year period. An entity is required to apply the revised accounting guidance in the reporting period following when the economy was deemed to be highly inflationary. As a result of this classification, the functional currency of the Company's Argentina Subsidiaries was changed from the local currency to the U.S. Dollar, beginning July 1, 2018, and impacts from the change in the value of the local currency for monetary assets and liabilities is now reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. The total impact from foreign currency losses was $1.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, and was recorded in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s operations in Argentina represented less than 2.0% of total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2018, and less than 2.0% of total consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the possibility of loss from a customer'scustomer’s failure to make payments according to contract terms. Prior to granting credit, each customer is evaluated in an underwriting process, taking into consideration the prospective customer'scustomer’s financial condition, past payment experience, credit bureau information and other financial and qualitative factors that may affect the customer'scustomer’s ability to pay. Specific credit reviews and standard industry credit scoring models are used in performing this evaluation. Customers'Customers’ financial condition is continuously monitored as part of the normal course of business. Some of the Company'sCompany’s customers are highly leveraged or otherwise subject to their own operating and regulatory risks. Based on those customer account reviews and due to the continued uncertainty of the global economy, the Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts of $50.1$27.6 million as of December 31, 2015.2018.

The Company has a large, diverse customer base and does not have a high degree of concentration with any single customer account. During the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s largest customer accounted for less than 5% of the Company'sCompany’s net sales. Even if the Company'sCompany’s credit review and analysis mechanisms work properly, the Company may experience financial losses in its dealings with customers and other parties. Any increase in nonpayment or nonperformance by customers could adversely impact the Company'sCompany’s results of operations and financial condition. Economic disruptions could result in significant future charges.

Commodity Risk

The primary raw materials that Quad/GraphicsQuad uses in its print business are paper, ink and energy. At this time, the Company'sCompany’s supply of raw materials is readily available from numerous vendors; however, based on market conditions, that could change in the future. The Company generally buys these raw materials based upon market prices that are established with the vendor as part of the procurement process.

The majorityApproximately half of the paper used in the printing process is supplied directly by its clients. For those clients that do not directly supply their own paper, the Company makes use of its purchasing efficiencies to supply paper by negotiating with leading paper vendors, uses a wide variety of paper grades, weights and sizes, and does not rely on any one vendor. In addition, the Company generally includes price adjustment clauses in sales contracts for paper and other critical raw materials in the printing process. Although these clauses generally mitigate paper price risk, higher paper prices and tight paper supplies, as well as changes in the United States import or trade regulations may have an impact on client demand for printed products. The Company'sCompany’s working capital requirements, including the impact of seasonality, are partially mitigated through the direct purchasing of paper by its clients.

The Company produces the majority of ink used in its print production, allowing it to control the quality, cost and supply of key inputs. Raw materials for the ink manufacturing process are purchased externally from a variety of vendors.


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The Company generally cannot pass on to clients the impact of higher electric and natural gas energy prices on its manufacturing costs, and increases in energy prices result in higher manufacturing costs for certain of its operations. The Company mitigates its risk through natural gas hedges when appropriate. In its logistic operations, however, the Company is able to pass a substantial portion of any increase in fuel prices directly to its clients.

As a result, management believes a hypothetical 10% change in the price of paper and other raw materials would not have a significant direct impact on the Company'sCompany’s consolidated annual results of operations or cash flows; however, significant increases in commodity pricing or tight supply could influence future client demand for printed products. Inflation has not had a significant impact on the Company historically.



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Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table sets forth selected financial information for each of the eight quarters in the two-year period ended December 31, 2015.2018. This unaudited information has been prepared by the Company on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements and includes all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present this information fairly when read in conjunction with the Company'sCompany’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(In millions, except per share data)
 Year Ended December 31,
 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Full Year
2015         
Net sales(1)
$1,108.0
 $1,079.0
 $1,156.0
 $1,334.7
 $4,677.7
Goodwill impairment(2)
23.3
 
 775.0
 10.0
 808.3
Operating loss(1) (2)
(11.8) (25.8) (772.1) (20.3) (830.0)
          
Net loss attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders(1) (2)
(35.2) (45.1) (552.2) (9.4) (641.9)
Loss per diluted share attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders(0.74) (0.94) (11.50) (0.20) (13.40)
          
Closing stock price high23.90
 23.22
 18.05
 13.32
 23.90
Closing stock price low20.04
 18.40
 12.10
 8.73
 8.73
Closing stock price at quarter-end22.98
 18.51
 12.10
 9.30
 9.30
          
2014         
Net sales(1)
$1,102.8
 $1,099.0
 $1,236.4
 $1,424.2
 $4,862.4
Operating income (1)
11.0
 0.5
 53.6
 76.2
 141.3
          
Net earnings (loss)(1)
(9.1) (22.8) 24.4
 25.8
 18.3
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders(1)
(8.8) (22.8) 24.4
 25.8
 18.6
Earnings (loss) per diluted share attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders(0.19) (0.48) 0.50
 0.53
 0.38
          
Closing stock price high26.39
 23.64
 22.71
 23.30
 26.39
Closing stock price low21.89
 19.30
 19.25
 18.26
 18.26
Closing stock price at quarter-end23.45
 22.37
 19.25
 22.96
 22.96
UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(In millions, except per share data)
 Year Ended December 31,
 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Full Year
2018         
Net sales$967.5
 $1,015.5
 $1,029.1
 $1,181.6
 $4,193.7
Operating income (loss) (1)
7.1
 20.9
 40.6
 (10.6) 58.0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders(3.5) 9.4
 23.4
 (20.8) 8.5
Earnings (loss) per diluted share attributable to Quad common shareholders(0.07) 0.18
 0.46
 (0.42) 0.16
          
Closing stock price high30.89
 26.06
 24.82
 20.26
 30.89
Closing stock price low20.17
 18.40
 19.87
 11.84
 11.84
Closing stock price at quarter-end25.35
 20.83
 20.84
 12.32
 12.32
          
2017         
Net sales$998.6
 $963.2
 $1,005.4
 $1,164.2
 $4,131.4
Operating income51.0
 30.1
 46.8
 27.4
 155.3
Net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders25.4
 6.7
 19.8
 55.3
 107.2
Earnings per diluted share attributable to Quad common shareholders0.49
 0.13
 0.38
 1.06
 2.07
          
Closing stock price high27.66
 27.98
 23.27
 23.98
 27.98
Closing stock price low22.10
 21.91
 18.35
 20.92
 18.35
Closing stock price at quarter-end25.24
 22.92
 22.61
 22.60
 22.60

(1) 
Reflects resultsOperating income decreased $43.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily due to the following: (1) $15.7 million of acquired businessesincreased restructuring, impairment and transaction related charges; (2) lower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures; (3) a $22.3 million non-cash expense related to a special employee retirement contribution in 2018 resulting from the relevant acquisition dates, primarily related to acquisitionsbenefit of Brown Printing on May 30, 2014, Marin's on February 3, 2015, Copac on April 14, 2015,tax reform; and Specialty on August 25, 2015, (see Note 2, "Acquisitions and Strategic Investments," to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the acquisitions).
(2)
Reflects pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $808.3 million ($542.4(4) a $10.4 million net of tax) recorded during the year ended December 31, 2015.benefit in 2017 from changes in employee vacation policies. These impacts were partially offset by a $17.2 million gain from a property insurance claim in 2018 and savings from cost reduction initiatives, including employee-related costs.

Operating income decreased $9.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, primarily due to the following: (1) $5.1 million of increased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges; (2) lower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures; and (3) a $3.9 million net benefit in 2017 in gain from insurance claims. These impacts were partially offset by savings from cost reduction initiatives, earnings from the Ivie acquisition and the investment in Rise and a $0.2 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense.

Operating income decreased $6.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to lower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures and a $0.8 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by $2.7 million of decreased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges, savings from cost reduction initiatives and earnings from the Ivie acquisition and the investment in Rise.

Operating income decreased $38.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017, primarily due to $25.1 million of increased restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges and lower print volume and pricing due to ongoing industry pressures, partially offset by savings from cost reduction initiatives and earnings from the Ivie acquisition and the investment in Rise.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Quad/Graphics, Inc. and subsidiaries
Sussex, WI
Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company"“Company”) as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014, and2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders'shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are2018, and the responsibility ofrelated notes (collectively referred to as the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)“financial statements”). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidatedthe financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and subsidiaries atthe Company as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015,2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2018, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 23, 201620, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 23, 201620, 2019

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.



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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Quad/Graphics, Inc. and subsidiaries
Sussex, WI
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company"“Company”) as of December 31, 2015,2018, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Control – Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, of the Company and our report dated February 20, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Ivie & Associates, LLC (“Ivie”), which was acquired on February 21, 2018, and Rise Interactive and Analytics, LLC (“Rise”), in which the Company acquired a controlling financial interest on March 14, 2018. The Company'sfinancial statements of Ivie and Rise collectively constitute approximately 5% of consolidated total current assets, approximately 4% of consolidated net sales and approximately 4% of consolidated cost of sales as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Ivie or Rise.

Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management'sManagement’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company'scompany’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of theits inherent limitations, of internal control over financial reporting including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be preventedprevent or detected on a timely basis.detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 of the Company and our report dated February 23, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 23, 201620, 2019


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,Year Ended December 31,
2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Net sales          
Products$4,030.3
 $4,197.5
 $4,186.6
$3,392.3
 $3,529.0
 $3,717.1
Services647.4
 664.9
 609.3
801.4
 602.4
 612.4
Total net sales4,677.7
 4,862.4
 4,795.9
4,193.7
 4,131.4
 4,329.5
     
Cost of sales          
Products3,294.1
 3,421.4
 3,360.1
2,829.0
 2,827.3
 2,971.0
Services466.8
 470.5
 441.8
600.3
 432.1
 423.8
Total cost of sales3,760.9
 3,891.9
 3,801.9
3,429.3
 3,259.4
 3,394.8
     
Operating expenses          
Selling, general and administrative expenses448.3
 425.5
 416.0
372.1
 423.8
 466.7
Depreciation and amortization325.3
 336.4
 340.5
230.7
 232.5
 277.1
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges164.9
 67.3
 95.3
103.6
 60.4
 73.6
Goodwill impairment808.3
 
 
Total operating expenses5,507.7
 4,721.1
 4,653.7
4,135.7
 3,976.1
 4,212.2
Operating income58.0
 155.3
 117.3
Interest expense73.3
 71.1
 77.2
Net pension income(12.4) (9.6) (5.1)
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment
 2.6
 (14.1)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity(2.9) 91.2
 59.3
Income tax (benefit) expense(9.8) (16.0) 13.0
Earnings before equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity6.9
 107.2
 46.3
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity(1.0) 
 1.4
Net earnings7.9
 107.2
 44.9
Less: net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(0.6) 
 
Net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders$8.5
 $107.2
 $44.9
          
Operating income (loss)$(830.0) $141.3
 $142.2
     
Interest expense88.4
 92.9
 85.5
Loss on debt extinguishment
 7.2
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated entities(918.4) 41.2
 56.7
     
Income tax expense (benefit)(282.8) 20.2
 23.3
Earnings (loss) before equity in loss of unconsolidated entities(635.6) 21.0
 33.4
     
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities(6.3) (2.7) (2.5)
Net earnings (loss)$(641.9) $18.3
 $30.9
     
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 0.3
 1.6
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$(641.9) $18.6
 $32.5
     
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders     
Earnings per share attributable to Quad common shareholders     
Basic$(13.40) $0.39
 $0.67
$0.17
 $2.16
 $0.94
Diluted$(13.40) $0.38
 $0.65
$0.16
 $2.07
 $0.90
          
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding          
Basic47.9
 47.5
 47.0
49.8
 49.6
 47.9
Diluted47.9
 48.5
 48.0
51.6
 51.8
 49.8
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)
 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2013
Net earnings (loss)$(641.9) $18.3
 $30.9
Other comprehensive income (loss)     
      
Translation adjustments     
Foreign currency translation adjustments(63.4) (61.9) (21.0)
Translation of long-term loans to foreign subsidiaries17.5
 16.5
 0.8
Revaluation gain on sale of businesses
 
 (2.4)
Revaluation loss on sale of equity method investment7.7
 
 
Translation adjustments, net(38.2) (45.4) (22.6)
      
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans     
Net gain (loss) arising during period3.7
 (95.2) 133.6
Amortization of prior service credit included in net earnings (loss)
 (5.8) (5.7)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net earnings (loss)
 (0.3) 0.3
Plan curtailments/settlements included in net earnings (loss)
 
 (2.1)
Postretirement benefit plan termination included in net earnings (loss)
 (4.9) 
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net3.7
 (106.2) 126.1
      
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax(34.5) (151.6) 103.5
      
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)(1.4) 40.6
 (48.7)
      
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(35.9) (111.0) 54.8
      
Total comprehensive income (loss)(677.8) (92.7) 85.7
      
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 0.3
 1.6
      
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$(677.8) $(92.4) $87.3
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017 2016
Net earnings$7.9
 $107.2
 $44.9
      
Other comprehensive income (loss)     
Translation adjustments     
Foreign currency translation adjustments(13.3) 14.8
 (15.5)
Translation of long-term loans to foreign subsidiaries0.3
 (2.0) 11.6
Revaluation loss on the sale of a business
 2.1
 
Total translation adjustments(13.0) 14.9
 (3.9)
      
Interest rate swap adjustments2.2
 2.1
 
      
Pension benefit plan adjustments     
Net gain (loss) arising during period(18.1) 18.7
 (0.8)
Settlement charge on pension benefit plans included in net earnings (loss)
 0.8
 7.0
Total pension benefit plan adjustments(18.1) 19.5
 6.2
      
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax(28.9) 36.5
 2.3
      
Income tax impact related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)4.0
 (8.3) (2.4)
      
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(24.9) 28.2
 (0.1)
      
Total comprehensive income (loss)(17.0) 135.4
 44.8
      
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests(0.6) 
 
      
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders$(16.4) $135.4
 $44.8
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except per share data)
 December 31,
2015
 December 31,
2014
 December 31,
2018
 December 31,
2017
ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents $10.8
 $9.6
 $69.5
 $64.4
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts of $50.1 at December 31, 2015 and $57.8 at December 31, 2014 648.7
 766.2
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts of $27.6 million at December 31, 2018, and $28.9 million at December 31, 2017 528.7
 552.5
Inventories 280.1
 287.8
 300.6
 246.5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 38.2
 39.1
 47.8
 45.1
Restricted cash 13.5
 31.2
Total current assets 991.3
 1,133.9
 946.6
 908.5
        
Property, plant and equipment—net 1,675.8
 1,855.5
 1,257.4
 1,377.6
Goodwill 
 775.5
 54.6
 
Other intangible assets—net 110.5
 149.1
 112.6
 43.4
Equity method investments in unconsolidated entities 4.4
 42.0
Equity method investment in unconsolidated entity 4.0
 3.6
Other long-term assets 65.5
 52.8
 93.9
 119.3
Total assets $2,847.5
 $4,008.8
 $2,469.1
 $2,452.4
        
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Accounts payable $358.8
 $406.9
 $511.0
 $381.6
Amounts owing in satisfaction of bankruptcy claims 1.4
 1.4
Accrued liabilities 347.5
 358.1
 292.3
 316.7
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 94.6
 92.0
 42.9
 42.0
Current portion of capital lease obligations 5.1
 4.2
 5.1
 5.6
Total current liabilities 807.4
 862.6
 851.3
 745.9
        
Long-term debt 1,239.9
 1,299.7
 882.6
 903.5
Unsecured notes to be issued 7.1
 9.0
Capital lease obligations 9.7
 9.7
 10.3
 13.7
Deferred income taxes 59.0
 336.0
 32.1
 41.9
Other long-term liabilities 300.5
 339.3
 232.6
 225.0
Total liabilities 2,423.6
 2,856.3
 2,008.9
 1,930.0
        
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) 

 

 

 

        
Shareholders' equity (Note 20)    
Shareholders’ equity (Note 18)    
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; Authorized: 0.5 million shares; Issued: None 
 
 
 
Common stock, Class A, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 80.0 million shares; Issued: 40.0 million shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014 1.0
 1.0
Common stock, Class B, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 80.0 million shares; Issued: 15.0 million shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014 0.4
 0.4
Common stock, Class C, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 20.0 million shares; Issued: 0.5 million shares at December 31, 2015 and 2014 
 
Common stock, Class A, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 80.0 million shares; Issued: 40.3 million shares at December 31, 2018, and 40.0 million shares at December 31, 2017 1.0
 1.0
Common stock, Class B, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 80.0 million shares; Issued: 13.5 million shares at December 31, 2018, and 13.8 million shares at December 31, 2017 0.4
 0.4
Common stock, Class C, $0.025 par value; Authorized: 20.0 million shares; Issued: 0.5 million shares at December 31, 2018 and 2017 
 
Additional paid-in capital 956.7
 971.3
 861.3
 861.1
Treasury stock, at cost, 5.9 million shares at December 31, 2015 and 6.6 million shares at December 31, 2014 (193.6) (218.8)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (188.1) 515.2
Treasury stock, at cost, 2.7 million shares at December 31, 2018, and 2.3 million shares at December 31, 2017 (56.6) (52.8)
Accumulated deficit (211.4) (162.9)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (152.5) (116.6) (152.2) (124.4)
Total shareholders' equity 423.9
 1,152.5
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $2,847.5
 $4,008.8
Quad’s shareholders’ equity 442.5
 522.4
Noncontrolling interests 17.7
 
Total shareholders’ equity and noncontrolling interests 460.2
 522.4
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $2,469.1
 $2,452.4
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES     
Net earnings (loss)$(641.9) $18.3
 $30.9
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization325.3
 336.4
 340.5
Impairment charges95.3
 14.4
 21.8
Goodwill impairment808.3
 
 
Amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount4.4
 4.2
 4.1
Loss on debt extinguishment
 7.2
 
Stock-based compensation7.2
 17.3
 18.6
Foreign exchange losses on sale of investment6.0
 
 
Termination/curtailment/settlement gain on pension/postretirement benefit plans
 (4.9) (2.1)
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment(4.1) 0.4
 (0.8)
Deferred income taxes(292.5) 26.8
 (11.1)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated entities6.3
 2.7
 2.5
Dividends from unconsolidated entities
 
 5.0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities—net of acquisitions:     
Receivables109.6
 (20.4) 25.7
Inventories24.6
 (3.4) 0.5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets4.0
 (5.2) 15.2
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(60.5) (22.4) 63.0
Other(43.9) (78.2) (72.7)
Net cash provided by operating activities348.1
 293.2
 441.1
      
INVESTING ACTIVITIES     
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(133.0) (139.2) (149.5)
Cost investment in unconsolidated entities(1.2) (4.1) (2.5)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment29.2
 6.8
 8.8
Proceeds from the sale of investments14.0
 
 
Transfers from restricted cash17.7
 24.8
 4.5
Acquisition of businesses—net of cash acquired (Note 2)(143.4) (112.5) (291.9)
Net cash used in investing activities(216.7) (224.2) (430.6)
      
FINANCING ACTIVITIES     
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 1,047.0
 
Payments of long-term debt(90.9) (859.4) (102.7)
Payments of capital lease obligations(5.0) (8.4) (9.8)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities1,462.5
 1,409.9
 1,628.8
Payments on revolving credit facilities(1,435.5) (1,577.6) (1,475.0)
Payments of debt issuance costs
 (16.5) 
Bankruptcy claim payments on unsecured notes to be issued(0.1) (8.0) (4.5)
Sale of stock for options exercised2.2
 2.7
 7.2
Shares withheld from employees for the tax obligation on equity grants(1.6) (1.0) 
Tax benefit on equity award activity2.8
 0.8
 2.2
Payment of cash dividends(62.3) (61.2) (56.4)
Net cash used in financing activities(127.9) (71.7) (10.2)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents(2.3) (0.8) (4.1)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents1.2
 (3.5) (3.8)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year9.6
 13.1
 16.9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$10.8
 $9.6
 $13.1
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in millions)
  Common Stock 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 Treasury Stock 
Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Shareholders'
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
  Shares Amount  Shares Amount    
Balance at January 1, 2013 55.5
 $1.4
 $985.6
 (8.3) $(279.3) $588.1
 $(60.4) $1,235.4
 $0.3
Net earnings (loss) 
 
 
 
 
 32.5
 
 32.5
 (1.6)
Foreign currency translation adjustments 
 
 
 
 
 
 (22.6) (22.6) 
Cash dividends declared 
 
 
 
 
 (61.8) 
 (61.8) 
Stock-based compensation 
 
 18.6
 
 
 
 
 18.6
 
Sale of stock for options exercised 
 
 (8.3) 0.4
 15.5
 
 
 7.2
 
Issuance of restricted stock and deferred stock units 
 
 (15.0) 0.4
 15.0
 
 
 
 
Tax benefit on equity award activity 
 
 2.2
 
 
 
 
 2.2
 
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustments 
 
 
 
 
 
 77.4
 77.4
 
Balance at December 31, 2013 55.5
 $1.4
 $983.1
 (7.5) $(248.8) $558.8
 $(5.6) $1,288.9
 $(1.3)
Net earnings (loss) 
 
 
 
 
 18.6
 
 18.6
 (0.3)
Foreign currency translation adjustments 
 
 
 
 
 
 (45.4) (45.4) 
Cash dividends declared 
 
 
 
 
 (62.2) 
 (62.2) 
Stock-based compensation 
 
 17.3
 
 
 
 
 17.3
 
Sale of stock for options exercised 
 
 (3.6) 0.2
 6.3
 
 
 2.7
 
Issuance of restricted stock and deferred stock units 
 
 (24.6) 0.7
 24.6
 
 
 
 
Tax benefit on equity award activity 
 
 0.8
 
 
 
 
 0.8
 
Equity awards vested 
 
 (0.1) 
 0.1
 
 
 
 
Purchase of additional ownership of Morvillo 
 
 (1.6) 
 
 
 
 (1.6) 1.6
Shares withheld from employees for tax obligation on equity grants 
 
 
 
 (1.0) 
 
 (1.0) 
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustments 
 
 
 
 
 
 (65.6) (65.6) 
Balance at December 31, 2014 55.5
 $1.4
 $971.3
 (6.6) $(218.8) $515.2
 $(116.6) $1,152.5
 $
Net loss 
 
 
 
 
 (641.9) 
 (641.9) 
Foreign currency translation adjustments 
 
 
 
 
 
 (38.2) (38.2) 
Cash dividends declared 
 
 
 
 
 (61.4) 
 (61.4) 
Stock-based compensation 
 
 7.2
 
 
 
 
 7.2
 
Sale of stock for options exercised 
 
 (3.0) 0.2
 5.2
 
 
 2.2
 
Issuance of restricted stock and deferred stock units 
 
 (21.2) 0.6
 21.2
 
 
 
 
Tax benefit on equity award activity 
 
 2.8
 
 
 
 
 2.8
 
Equity awards vested 
 
 (0.4) 
 0.4
 
 
 
 
Shares withheld from employees for tax obligation on equity grants 
 
 
 (0.1) (1.6) 
 
 (1.6) 
Pension benefit liability adjustment 
 
 
 
 
 
 2.3
 2.3
 
Balance at December 31, 2015 55.5
 $1.4
 $956.7
 (5.9) $(193.6) $(188.1) $(152.5) $423.9
 $
 Year Ended December 31,
 2018 2017 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES     
Net earnings$7.9
 $107.2
 $44.9
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization230.7
 232.5
 277.1
Employee stock ownership plan contribution22.3
 
 
Impairment charges26.5
 12.0
 26.8
Amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount3.5
 3.5
 4.2
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment
 2.6
 (14.1)
Stock-based compensation15.6
 16.4
 15.2
Gain on the sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment(17.8) (6.9) (9.0)
Loss on the sale of a business
 7.7
 
Gain from property insurance claims(18.3) (5.0) 
Settlement loss on pension benefit plans
 0.8
 7.0
Deferred income taxes(14.5) (22.5) (26.6)
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity(1.0) 
 1.4
Changes in operating assets and liabilities—net of acquisitions:     
Receivables49.4
 8.7
 84.8
Inventories(54.3) 13.1
 12.7
Prepaid expenses and other current assets1.7
 3.8
 (18.0)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities23.2
 9.9
 (16.1)
Other(14.3) (39.8) (36.7)
Net cash provided by operating activities260.6
 344.0
 353.6
      
INVESTING ACTIVITIES     
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(96.3) (85.9) (106.1)
Cost investment in unconsolidated entities
 
 (9.9)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment32.7
 23.9
 25.9
Proceeds from the sale of a business
 14.1
 
Proceeds from property insurance claims14.5
 8.0
 
Proceeds from the sale of investments
 
 1.3
Loan to an unconsolidated entity
 (7.3) 
Acquisition of businesses—net of cash acquired (Note 3)(71.4) 
 
Net cash used in investing activities(120.5) (47.2) (88.8)
      
FINANCING ACTIVITIES     
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt7.8
 375.0
 19.7
Payments of long-term debt(33.2) (522.9) (192.0)
Payments of capital lease obligations(6.3) (7.6) (9.5)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities2,563.7
 718.5
 871.9
Payments on revolving credit facilities(2,561.1) (736.0) (918.0)
Payments of debt issuance costs and financing fees
 (4.7) (0.1)
Purchases of treasury stock(36.7) (3.8) (8.8)
Proceeds from stock options exercised4.2
 2.6
 30.3
Equity awards redeemed to pay employees' tax obligations(9.0) (6.0) (1.4)
Payment of cash dividends(62.9) (62.5) (61.1)
Other financing activities
 (4.3) (0.3)
Net cash used in financing activities(133.5) (251.7) (269.3)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents(1.5) 0.1
 (0.6)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents5.1
 45.2
 (5.1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year64.4
 19.2
 24.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$69.5
 $64.4
 $19.2
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in millions)
 Common Stock 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 Treasury Stock 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Quad’s Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 Shares Amount  Shares Amount    
Balance at January 1, 201655.5
 $1.4
 $956.7
 (5.9) $(193.6) $(188.1) $(152.5) $423.9
 $
Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 44.9
 
 44.9
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 (3.9) (3.9) 
Pension benefit plan liability adjustments, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 3.8
 3.8
 
Cash dividends declared ($1.20 per share)
 
 
 
 
 (63.2) 
 (63.2) 
Stock-based compensation
 
 15.2
 
 
 
 
 15.2
 
Purchases of treasury stock
 
 
 (1.1) (8.8) 
 
 (8.8) 
Stock options exercised
 
 (13.3) 1.6
 43.6
 
 
 30.3
 
Issuance of share-based awards, net of other activity
 
 (46.2) 1.4
 46.2
 
 
 
 
Issuance of shares for settlement of MEPPs liability
 
 
 
 0.7
 
 
 0.7
 
Equity awards redeemed to pay employees’ tax obligations
 
 
 (0.1) (1.4) 
 
 (1.4) 
Balance at December 31, 201655.5
 $1.4
 $912.4
 (4.1) $(113.3) $(206.4) $(152.6) $441.5
 $
Net earnings
 
 
 
 
 107.2
 
 107.2
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 14.9
 14.9
 
Pension benefit plan liability adjustments, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 12.0
 12.0
 
Interest rate swap adjustments, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 1.3
 1.3
 
Cash dividends declared ($1.20 per share)
 
 
 
 
 (63.7) 
 (63.7) 
Stock-based compensation
 
 16.4
 
 
 
 
 16.4
 
Purchases of treasury stock
 
 
 (0.2) (3.8) 
 
 (3.8) 
Stock options exercised
 
 (1.7) 0.2
 4.3
 
 
 2.6
 
Issuance of share-based awards, net of other activity
 
 (24.1) 0.9
 24.1
 
 
 
 
Cancellation of class B treasury shares (Note 18)(1.2) 
 (41.9) 1.2
 41.9
 
 
 
 
Equity awards redeemed to pay employees’ tax obligations
 
 
 (0.3) (6.0) 
 
 (6.0) 
Balance at December 31, 201754.3
 $1.4
 $861.1
 (2.3) $(52.8) $(162.9) $(124.4) $522.4
 $
Accumulated deficit transition adjustment for adoption of Topic 606 (Note 2)
 
 
 
 
 3.2
 
 3.2
 
Accumulated deficit transition adjustment for adoption of ASU 2018-02 (see Note 19)
 
 
 
 
 2.9
 (2.9) 
 
Balance at January 1, 201854.3
 $1.4
 $861.1
 (2.3) $(52.8) $(156.8) $(127.3) $525.6
 $
Net earnings (loss)
 
 
 
 
 8.5
 
 8.5
 (0.6)
Consolidation of Rise
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 18.3
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 (13.0) (13.0) 
Pension benefit plan liability adjustments, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 (13.6) (13.6) 
Interest rate swap adjustments, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 1.7
 1.7
 
Cash dividends declared ($1.20 per share)
 
 
 
 
 (63.1) 
 (63.1) 
Stock-based compensation
 
 15.6
 
 
 
 
 15.6
 
Employee stock ownership plan contribution
 
 
 1.0
 22.3
 
 
 22.3
 
Purchases of treasury stock
 
 
 (1.9) (36.7) 
 
 (36.7) 
Stock options exercised
 
 (3.3) 0.3
 7.5
 
 
 4.2
 
Issuance of share-based awards, net of other activity
 
 (12.1) 0.6
 12.1
 
 
 
 
Equity awards redeemed to pay employees’ tax obligations
 
 
 (0.4) (9.0) 
 
 (9.0) 
Balance at December 31, 201854.3
 $1.4
 $861.3
 (2.7) $(56.6) $(211.4) $(152.2) $442.5
 $17.7
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)



Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of OperationsQuad/GraphicsAs a worldwide marketing solutions partner dedicated to creating a better way, Quad uses its data-driven, integrated marketing platform to help clients reduce complexity, increase efficiency and enhance marketing spend effectiveness. Quad provides its clients with unmatched scale for client on-site services and expanded subject expertise in marketing strategy, creative solutions, media solutions and marketing management services. With a client-centric approach, that drives its expanded offering, combined with leading-edge technology and single-source simplicity, the Company believes it has the resources and knowledge to help a wide variety of clients in multiple vertical industries, including retail, publishing and healthcare.

The Company operates primarily in the commercial print portion of the printing industry as a printer of retail inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, books, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global paper procurement. The Company also provides complementary service offerings for its customers. The Company'sCompany’s products and services for a variety of industries are sold primarily throughout North America, South America and Europe. In addition, the Company strategically sources packaging product manufacturing over multiple end markets in Central America and Asia.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned controlled subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The results of operations and accounts of businesses acquired are included in the consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition (see Note 2, "Acquisitions3, “Acquisitions and Strategic Investments"Investments”). The consolidated financial statements include the retrospective adoption of new accounting guidance on the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs and deferred taxes issued by the FASB in April 2015 and November 2015, respectively, and accordingly, the consolidated balance sheets have been restated for all periods presented (see Note 25, "New Accounting Pronouncements," for further information). The impact of the retrospective adoption of accounting guidance on the financial statement line items within the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014, was as follows:

 December 31, 2014, as Originally Reported Impact of Debt Issuance Costs Impact of Deferred Taxes 
December 31, 2014,
as Presented
ASSETS       
Deferred income taxes$48.4
 $
 $(48.4) $
Total current assets1,182.3
 
 (48.4) 1,133.9
Other long-term assets72.8
 (20.0) 
 52.8
Total assets4,077.2
 (20.0) (48.4) 4,008.8
        
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY       
Long-term debt$1,319.7
 $(20.0) $
 $1,299.7
Deferred income taxes384.4
 
 (48.4) 336.0
Total liabilities2,924.7
 (20.0) (48.4) 2,856.3
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity4,077.2
 (20.0) (48.4) 4,008.8

Investments in entities where the Company has both the ability to exert significant influence but not control and an ownership interest of 50% or less but more than 20% are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in entities where the Company does not exert significant influence or control and has an ownership interest of less than 20% are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Foreign Operations—Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into United States dollars at the exchange rate existing at the respective balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at the average rates during the respective periods. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statements of shareholders'shareholders’ equity, while transaction gains and losses are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations. Foreign exchange transactions resulted in pre-tax realized and unrealized losses of $1.4$1.6 million $5.9 million and $5.7 million forduring the yearsyear ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, gains of $1.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, and 2013, respectively.losses of $6.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company ownshad a 49% of a company in Brazil and owned 50% of a company in Chile, until the Company sold its ownership interest in Chile on JulyPlural, a commercial printer based in São Paulo, Brazil, as of December 31, 2015.2018. The Company accounts for those entitiesthis entity using the equity method of accounting (see Note 8, "Equity Method Investmentsaccounting. The Company’s equity in Unconsolidated Entities," for further discussion). The Company's equitythe (earnings) loss of Plural's and Chile'sPlural’s operations was recorded in equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entitiesentity in the Company'sCompany’s consolidated statements of operations, and was included within the International segment. There areDistributions received from equity method investees follow the nature of the distribution approach, where each distribution is evaluated on the basis of the source of the payment and is classified as either operating cash inflows or investing cash inflows. The Company reviews its equity method investment regularly for indicators of other than temporary impairment. Quad had no other significant unconsolidated entities.entities as of December 31, 2018.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires the use of management'smanagement’s estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for items and matters including, but not limited to: allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, asset valuations and useful lives, goodwill, pension and postretirement benefits, self-insurance reserves, stock-based compensation, taxes, restructuring and other provisions and contingencies.

Revenue Recognition—The Company recognizes its printing revenues uponproducts and services revenue based on when the transfer of title and the passage of risk of loss, which is generally upon shipmentcontrol passes to the customer or when the service is completed and when there is a reasonable assurance as to collectability.accepted by the customer. Under agreements with certain customers, products may be stored by the Company for future delivery. In these situations, the Company may receive warehouse management fees for the services it provides. Product returns are not significant because the majority of products are customized; however, the Company accrues for the estimated amount of customer allowances at the time of sale based on historical experience and known trends.

Revenue from services is recognized as services are performed. Revenues related to the Company'sCompany’s imaging operations, which include digital content management, photography, color services and page production, are recognized in accordance with the terms of the contract, typically upon completion of the performed service and acceptance by the customer. Revenues related to the Company'sCompany’s logistics operations, which includes the delivery of printed material, are recognized upon completion of services.

Services account for greater than 10% of the Company's consolidated net sales; therefore, net sales and related costs of sales of products and services have been included as separate line items in the consolidated statements of operations.

Certain revenues earned by the Company require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as a principal or net of related costs as an agent. Billings for third-party shipping and handling costs, primarily in the Company'sCompany’s logistics operations, and out-of-pocket expenses are recorded gross in net sales and cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Many of the Company'sCompany’s operations process materials, primarily paper, that may be supplied directly by customers or may be purchased by the Company and sold to customers. No revenue is recognized for customer-supplied paper. Revenues for Company-supplied paper are recognized on a gross basis.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”), which provides revised guidance on recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective approach and applied the guidance to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. This means that Topic 606 has been applied to the 2018 financial statements and disclosures going forward, but that prior period financial statements and disclosures reflect the revenue recognition standard of Topic 605, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. See Note 2, “Revenue Recognition,” for additional accounting policy and transition disclosures.

Byproduct Recoveries—The Company records the salepresents byproduct recoveries as a reduction of byproducts as net product salescost of sales–products in the consolidated statements of operations. Classification of byproduct recoveries as a reduction of cost of sales aligns the proceeds from byproduct recoveries with the corresponding manufacturing costs.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)


Financial Instruments—The Company uses derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging interest rate, commodity and foreign exchange exposures that exist as part of ongoing business operations, including interest rate swap agreements, natural gas forward purchase contracts and foreign exchange contracts. As a policy, the Company does not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions, nor does the Company hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities measured at their fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the hedged item affects earnings.

The ineffective portions of the changes in the fair value of hedges are insignificant and recognized in earnings. Cash flows from derivatives that are accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges are included in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same category as the item being hedged.

Fair Value Measurement—The Company applies fair value accounting for all assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in its consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value represents the amount that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities that are required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. See Note 15, "Financial14, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for further discussion.

Research and Development—Research and development costs related to the development of new products or the adaptation of existing products are expensed as incurred, included in cost of sales and totaled $10.3$3.6 million, $11.3$9.0 million and $13.4$9.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Receivables—Receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts. No single customer comprised more than 5% of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated net sales in 2015, 20142018, 2017 or 20132016, or 5% of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated receivables as of December 31, 20152018 or 2014.2017. Specific customer provisions are made when a review of significant outstanding amounts, utilizing information about customer creditworthiness and current economic trends, indicates that collection is doubtful. In addition, provisions are made at differing rates, based upon the age of the receivable and the Company'sCompany’s historical collection experience. Accounts that are deemed uncollectible are written off when all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted. See Note 5, "Receivables,"6, “Receivables,” for further discussion on the transactions affecting the allowances for doubtful accounts.

Inventories—Inventories include material, labor, and plant overhead and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. At December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, all inventories were valued using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO"(“FIFO”) method. See Note 6, "Inventories,"7, “Inventories,” for a breakdown of the components of the Company'sCompany’s inventories.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, and are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. See Note 7, "Property,8, “Property, Plant and Equipment," for a breakdown of the components of the Company'sCompany’s property, plant and equipment. Major improvements that extend the useful lives of existing assets are capitalized and charged to the asset accounts. Repairs and maintenance, which do not significantly improve or extend the useful lives of the respective assets, are expensed as incurred. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective asset. When an asset is retired or disposed, the associated costs and accumulated depreciation are eliminated, and the resulting profitgain or loss is recognized in the Company'sCompany’s consolidated statements of operations.
Asset Category Range of Useful Lives
Buildings 10 to 40 Years
Machinery and equipment 53 to 15 Years
Other 3 to 10 Years

Other Intangible Assets—Identifiable intangible assets are recognized apart from goodwill and are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets—The Company evaluates long-lived assets and other intangible assets (of which the most significant are property, plant and equipment and customer relationship intangible assets) whenever events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Determining whether impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and assumptions, including determining which cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, their amount and the asset'sasset’s residual value, if any. In turn, measurement ofassessing whether there is an impairment loss requires a determination of recoverability, which is generally estimated by the ability to recover the balance of the assets from expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the difference in the fair value and carrying value of the asset.

GoodwillGoodwillWhen applicable, goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment as of October 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. In performing this analysis, the Company compares each reporting unit'sunit’s fair value to its carrying value. The fair value is estimated based on comparable company market valuations and/or expected future discounted cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit to its carrying value.unit. If the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit'sunit’s fair value, the Company performs a fair value measurement calculation to determine thean impairment loss which would be charged to operations in the period identified. See Note 4, "Goodwill5, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," for further discussion.

Income Taxes—The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of items reported in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the effective date of enactment.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. This determination is based upon all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and recent financial operations. If the Company determines that a deferred income tax asset will not be fully realized in the future, then a valuation allowance is established or increased to reflect the amount at which the asset will more likely than not be realized, which would increase the Company'sCompany’s provision for income taxes. In a period after a valuation allowance has been established, if the Company determines the related deferred income tax assets will be realized in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, then an adjustment to reduce the related valuation allowance will be made, which


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

would reduce the Company'sCompany’s provision for income taxes. The consolidated financial statements include the retrospective adoption of new accounting guidance on the balance sheet presentation of deferred taxes issued by the FASB in November 2015, and accordingly, the consolidated balance sheets have been restated for all periods presented. See Note 25, "New Accounting Pronouncements," for further information.

The Company is regularly audited by foreign and domestic tax authorities. These audits occasionally result in proposed assessments where the ultimate resolution might result in the Company owing additional taxes, including in some cases, penalties and interest. The Company recognizes a tax position in its consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. This recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greatermore likely than fifty-percent likelynot of being recognized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

The determination of the Company'sCompany’s worldwide tax provision and related tax assets and liabilities requires the use of significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of GAAP and the interpretation of complex tax laws. In the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the final tax outcome is uncertain. Where fair market value is required to measure a tax asset or liability for GAAP purposes, the Company periodically obtains independent, third party assistance to validate that such value is determined in conformity with Internal Revenue Service fair market value guidelines. While the Company believes it has the appropriate support for the positions taken, certain positions may be successfully challenged by taxing authorities. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management'smanagement’s expectations could have a material impact on the Company'sCompany’s financial condition and operating results. The Company applies the provisions of the authoritative guidance on accounting for uncertain tax positions to determine the appropriate amount of tax benefits to be recognized with respect to uncertain tax positions. The determination of the Company'sCompany’s worldwide tax provision includes the impact of any changes to the amount of tax benefits recognized with respect to uncertain tax positions. See Note 14, "Income13, “Income Taxes," for further discussion.

Pension Plans—The Company assumed certain frozen underfunded defined benefit pension plans as part of the 2010 World Color Press acquisition. Pension plan costs are determined using actuarial methods and are funded through contributions. The Company records amounts relating to its pension plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions including discount rates, assumed rates of return, mortality, compensation increases and turnover rates.mortality. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and modifies the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the consolidated balance sheets, but are generally amortized into operating income over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. For the purposes of calculating the expected return on plan assets, those assets are valued at fair value. When an event gives rise to both a curtailment and a settlement, the curtailment is accounted for prior to the settlement. The Company'sCompany’s measurement date to measure the defined benefit plan assets and the projected benefit obligation is December 31.

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-07, which provides revised guidance on how to present the components of net pension income in the statement of operations. The Company has adopted ASU 2017-07 retrospectively and has utilized the practical expedient that permits the use of the amounts disclosed in previous filings for net pension income as the estimation basis for the presentation of the prior comparative periods. There are no service costs associated with the Company's pension plans due to their frozen status.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)


The Company has previously participated in MEPPs as a result of the acquisition of World Color Press. Due to the significant underfunded status of the MEPPs, the Company has withdrawn from all significant MEPPs and replaced these union sponsored "promise“promise to pay in the future"future” defined benefit plans with a Company sponsored "pay“pay as you go"go” defined contribution plan, which is historically the form of retirement benefit provided to Quad/Graphics'Quad’s employees. As a result of the decision to withdraw, the Company recorded an estimated withdrawal liability for the MEPPs as part of the World Color Press purchase price allocation process based on information received from the MEPPs'MEPPs’ trustees. The estimated withdrawal liability will beis updated based on significant events, such as potential new information from the ongoing litigation proceedings with boththe MEPPs, until the final withdrawal liability is determined. The exact amount of the withdrawal liability could be higher or lower than the estimate depending on, among other things, the nature and


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

timing of any triggering events, the funded status of the plans at that time and the final conclusion of the litigation with the MEPPs' trustees. See Note 17, "Employee15, “Employee Retirement Plans," for further discussion.

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on the fair value of the instrument at the time of grant. See Note 19, "Equity17, “Equity Incentive Programs," for further discussion.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists primarily of unrecognized actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs for pension and postretirement plans, and foreign currency translation adjustments and interest rate swap adjustments, and is presented in the consolidated statements of shareholders'shareholders’ equity. See Note 21, "Accumulated19, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss," for further discussion.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information—The following table summarizes certain supplemental cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013:2016:

 2015 2014 2013
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized$76.5
 $80.8
 $74.2
Income taxes paid1.5
 3.5
 22.9
Non-cash investing and financing activities:     
Capital lease additions (see Note 13)5.9
 2.9
 
Leased equipment purchased through term loan (see Note 12)3.7
 
 12.8
Acquisitions of businesses (see Note 2):     
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash$137.0
 $171.1
 $389.9
Liabilities assumed(28.6) (66.6) (74.1)
Goodwill33.8
 5.1
 8.0
Deposit paid in 2012 related to Vertis acquisition (see Note 2)
 
 (25.9)
Deferred payment for Proteus and Transpak acquisition (see Note 2)0.6
 5.0
 (6.0)
Deferred payment for UniGraphic acquisition0.6
 (2.1) 
Acquisition of businesses—net of cash acquired$143.4
 $112.5
 $291.9
 2018 2017 2016
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized$60.5
 $57.8
 $65.9
Income taxes paid12.5
 6.5
 34.0
Non-cash capital lease additions (see Note 12)2.4
 0.5
 21.0
Acquisitions of businesses (see Note 3):     
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash124.9
 
 
Liabilities assumed(89.8) 
 
Goodwill54.6
 
 
Noncontrolling interests(18.3) 
 
Acquisition of businesses—net of cash acquired$71.4
 $
 $



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 2. Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes its products and services revenue based on when the transfer of control passes to the customer or when the service is completed and accepted by the customer.

The effects of the adjustments to the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017, for the modified retrospective adoption of Topic 606, were as follows:
 December 31, 2017
As Reported
 Topic 606 Adjustments 
Opening Balance at
January 1, 2018
Prepaid expenses and other current assets$45.1
 $2.3
 $47.4
Other long-term assets119.3
 2.0
 121.3
Deferred income taxes41.9
 1.1
 43.0
Accumulated deficit(162.9) 3.2
 (159.7)

The adoption of Topic 606 did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. In adopting Topic 606, the timing of recognition changed for certain variable consideration paid to customers and costs to obtain contracts with customers.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Revenue Disaggregation

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by the Company’s operating segments and major products and services offerings for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 United States Print
and Related Services
 International Total
Year ended December 31, 2018     
Catalog, publications, retail inserts, books and directories$2,391.1
 $337.6
 $2,728.7
Direct mail and other printed products605.3
 30.5
 635.8
Other27.4
 0.4
 27.8
Total Products3,023.8
 368.5
 3,392.3
Logistics services429.0
 18.6
 447.6
Imaging, marketing services and other services353.8
 
 353.8
Total Services782.8
 18.6
 801.4
Total Net Sales$3,806.6
 $387.1
 $4,193.7
      
Year ended December 31, 2017     
Catalog, publications, retail inserts, books and directories$2,485.9
 $338.8
 $2,824.7
Direct mail and other printed products614.4
 32.4
 646.8
Other56.6
 0.9
 57.5
Total Products3,156.9
 372.1
 3,529.0
Logistics services398.9
 19.2
 418.1
Imaging, marketing services and other services184.3
 
 184.3
Total Services583.2
 19.2
 602.4
Total Net Sales$3,740.1
 $391.3
 $4,131.4
      
Year ended December 31, 2016     
Catalog, publications, retail inserts, books and directories$2,662.6
 $351.7
 $3,014.3
Direct mail and other printed products616.6
 29.6
 646.2
Other55.9
 0.7
 56.6
Total Products3,335.1
 382.0
 3,717.1
Logistics services406.8
 20.5
 427.3
Imaging, marketing services and other services185.1
 
 185.1
Total Services591.9
 20.5
 612.4
Total Net Sales$3,927.0
 $402.5
 $4,329.5

Nature of Products and Services

The products offering is predominantly comprised of the Company’s print operations which includes retail inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, books, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global paper procurement.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The Company considers its logistic operations as services, which include the delivery of printed material. The Services offering also includes revenues related to the Company’s imaging operations, which include digital content management, photography, color services, page production, marketing services, media planning and placement, facilities management and medical services.

Performance Obligations

At contract inception, the Company assesses the products and services promised in its contracts with customers and identifies performance obligations for each promise to transfer to the customer a product or service that is distinct. To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers the goods or services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or are implied by customary business practices. The Company determined that the following distinct products and services represent separate performance obligations:

Pre-Press Services
Print
Other Services

For Pre-Press and Other Services, the Company recognizes revenue at point-in-time upon completion of the performed service and acceptance by the customer. The Company considers transfer of control to occur once the service is performed as the Company has right to payment and the customer has legal title and risk and reward of ownership.

The Company recognizes its Print revenues upon transfer of title and the passage of risk of loss, which is point-in-time upon shipment to the customer, and when there is a reasonable assurance as to collectability. Revenues related to the Company’s logistics operations, which includes the delivery of printed material, are included in the Print performance obligation and are also recognized at point-in-time as services are completed. Under agreements with certain customers, products may be stored by the Company for future delivery. In these situations, the Company may receive warehouse management fees for the services it provides. Revenue from warehouse management fees was immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

Certain revenues earned by the Company require judgment to determine if revenue should be recorded gross as principal or net of related costs as an agent. Billings for third-party shipping and handling costs, primarily in the Company’s logistics operations, and out-of-pocket expenses are recorded gross in net sales and cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Many of the Company’s operations process materials, primarily paper, that may be supplied directly by customers or may be purchased by the Company and sold to customers. No revenue is recognized for customer-supplied paper. Revenues for the Company-supplied paper are recognized on a gross basis. In some cases, the Company will print items that are mailed to consumers and bill the customer for postage. In these cases, the Company is acting as an agent and billings are recorded on a net basis in net sales.

Significant Payment Terms

Payment terms and conditions for contracts with customers vary. The Company typically offers standard terms of net 30 days.  It is not the Company’s standard business practice to offer extended payment terms longer than one year. The Company may offer cash discounts or prepayment and extended terms depending on certain facts and circumstances. As such, when the timing of the Company’s delivery of products and services differs from the timing of payment, the Company will record either a contract asset or a contract liability.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Variable Consideration

When evaluating the transaction price, the Company analyzes on a contract by contract basis all applicable variable considerations and non-cash consideration and also performs a constraint analysis. The nature of the Company’s contracts give rise to variable consideration, including, volume rebates, credits, discounts, and other similar items that generally decrease the transaction price. These variable amounts generally are credited to the customer, based on achieving certain levels of sales activity, when contracts are signed, or making payments within specific terms.

Product returns are not significant because the products are customized; however, the Company accrues for the estimated amount of customer allowances at the time of sale based on historical experience and known trends.

When the transaction price requires allocation to multiple performance obligations, the Company uses the estimated stand-alone selling prices using the adjusted market assessment approach.

Costs to Obtain Contracts

In accordance with Topic 606, the Company capitalizes certain sales incentives of the sales compensation packages for costs that are directly attributed to being awarded a customer contract or renewal and would not have been incurred had the contract not been obtained. The Company also defers certain contract acquisition costs paid to the customer at contract inception. Costs to obtain contracts with a duration of less than one year are expensed as incurred. For all contract costs with contracts over one year, the Company amortizes the costs to obtain contracts on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the contract and reviews quarterly for impairment. At January 1, 2018, the Company had $23.5 million in contract costs for contracts that were not completed as of that date. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company incurred additional contract costs of $7.5 million, amortized $9.3 million, and consequently, the balance of contract costs were $21.7 million as of December 31, 2018.

Practical Expedients

The Company has elected to apply the following practical expedients allowed under Topic 606:
For certain performance obligations related to print contracts, the Company has elected not to disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for the following: (1) contracts that have an original expected length of one year or less; (2) contracts where revenue is recognized as invoiced; or (3) contracts with variable consideration related to unsatisfied performance obligations. The Company had approximately $469.7 million in volume commitments in contracts that extend beyond one year as of December 31, 2018. The Company expects to recognize approximately 38% of these volume commitments in contracts as revenue by the end of 2019, an additional 32% by the end of 2021, and the balance thereafter.
The Company expenses costs to obtain contracts as incurred when the contract duration is less than one year.
The transaction amount is not adjusted for a significant financing component as the period between transfer of the products or services and payment is less than one year.
The Company accounts for shipping and handling activities, which includes postage, that occur after control of the related products or services transfers to the customer as fulfillment activities and are therefore recognized at time of shipping.
The Company excludes from its transaction price any amounts collected from customers for sales taxes.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 2.3. Acquisitions and Strategic Investments

2015 Specialty Finishing, Inc.2018 Ivie & Associates, LLC Acquisition

The Company completed the acquisition of SpecialtyIvie on August 25, 2015,February 21, 2018, for $61.8 million. Specialty$90.0 million cash paid, which is subject to a full-service paperboard folding carton manufacturerpotential earn-out of up to an additional $16.0 million, to the extent that certain financial metrics are achieved post-integration. Ivie is headquartered in Flower Mound, Texas and logistics provider located in Omaha, Nebraska.provides a full array of marketing services, including creative and production services, studio services, sourcing, procurement, staff enhancement, media services, public relations, digital services, technology solutions and project management for many leading brands throughout the world. The purchase price of $61.8$105.4 million includes $0.1$13.6 million of acquired cash for a net purchase priceand an estimated $15.4 million of $61.7 million.future cash payments related to the acquisition. Included in the preliminary purchase price allocation are $9.6$79.6 million of identifiable other intangible assets, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to sixeight years, and $3.5$28.3 million of goodwill. The preliminary purchase price allocationgoodwill, of which $26.4 million is based on valuations performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The purchase price, as well as the purchase price allocation, is subject to the final determination of acquired working capital and completion of the final valuation of the net assets acquired. The net assets acquired, excluding acquired cash, were classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,"deductible for the definition of Level 3 inputs). Specialty's operations are included in the United States Print and Related Services segment.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

2015 Copac Global Packaging, Inc. Acquisition

The Company completed the acquisition of Copac on April 14, 2015, for $59.4 million. Copac is a leading international provider of innovative packaging and supply chain solutions, including turnkey packaging design, production and fulfillment services across a range of end markets. Copac manufactures products such as folding cartons, labels, inserts, tags and specialty envelopes, and has production facilities in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, as well as strategically sourcing packaging product manufacturing over multiple end markets in Central America and Asia, giving it a global footprint. The purchase price of $59.4 million includes $0.9 million of acquired cash for a net purchase price of $58.5 million. Included in the purchase price allocation are $22.2 million of identifiable intangible assets, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives of six years, and $23.5 million of goodwill.tax purposes. The final allocation of the purchase price was based on valuations performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The net assets acquired, excluding acquired cash, were classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial14, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs). Copac'sIvie’s operations are included in the United States Print and Related Services segment.

2015 Marin's International Acquisition2018 Investment in Rise Interactive and Analytics, LLC

On March 14, 2018, the Company increased its equity position in Rise from 19% to 57% for the conversion of $9.3 million of loans to equity ownership and $8.7 million cash paid. The Company completed the acquisition of Marin's on February 3, 2015,had historically accounted for $31.1 million. Marin's,Rise as a cost method investment. Rise is a digital marketing agency headquartered in Paris, France, is a worldwide leaderChicago, Illinois, that specializes in digital media, analytics and customer experience, and helps enterprise marketers see, shape, and act on opportunities in digital media. The Company has consolidated the results of Rise as of the date the Company obtained controlling financial interest in Rise and accounts for the 43% portion of Rise’s results not owned by the Company as noncontrolling interest in the point-of-sale display industryconsolidated financial statements. The fair value of the assets and specializesliabilities of, and noncontrolling interest in, the research and design of display solutions. Marin's products are produced by a global network of licensees,Rise is estimated to be $48.5 million, including Quad/Graphics, as well as one wide-format digital print, kitting and fulfillment facility in Paris. Marin's uses its own European–based sales force and the global licensees to sell its patented product portfolio. The purchase price of $31.1 million includes $10.1$13.7 million of acquired cash for a net purchase price of $21.0 million. Includedcash. Also included in the purchase pricefair value allocation are $17.9$23.1 million of identifiable other intangible assets, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from threefive to eightsix years, and $6.8$26.3 million of goodwill.goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes. The final allocation of the purchase price was based on valuations performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The net assets acquired, excluding acquired cash, were classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial14, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs). Marin's operations are included in the International segment.

2014 Brown Printing Company Acquisition

The Company completed the acquisition of Brown Printing on May 30, 2014, for $101.1 million. Brown Printing provides magazine and catalog printing, distribution services and integrated media solutions to magazine publishers and catalog marketers in the United States. The Company used cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition.

Brown Printing's operations are included in the United States Print and Related Services segment. Disclosure of the financial results of Brown Printing since the acquisition date is not practicable, as it is not being operated as a standalone business and has been combined with the Company's existing operations.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The Company recorded the allocation of the purchase price to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including certain contingent liabilities, based on their fair values as of the May 30, 2014, acquisition date. Included in the purchase price allocation are identifiable customer relationship intangible assets, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives of six years. The final purchase price allocation was as follows:

 
Purchase
Price Allocation
Cash and cash equivalents$3.6
Accounts receivable46.1
Other current assets18.8
Property, plant and equipment72.1
Identifiable intangible assets4.7
Other long-term assets7.5
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(35.1)
Other long-term liabilities(16.6)
Purchase price$101.1

The final allocation of the purchase price and unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was based on valuations performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The valuation of the $97.5 million net assets acquired, excluding acquired cash, was classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs).

2014 Anselmo L. Morvillo S.A. Investment

The Company invested an additional $6.5 million in Morvillo in Argentina, which increased its ownership share in Morvillo from 85% to 100% during the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company historically consolidated the results of Morvillo into the Company's consolidated financial statements and presented the 15% portion of Morvillo's results not owned by the Company as noncontrolling interest. The Company no longer presents noncontrolling interest going forward as Morvillo's results are fully consolidated into the Company's consolidated financial statements.

2014 UniGraphic, Inc. Acquisition

The Company completed the acquisition of UniGraphic, a commercial and specialty printing company based in the Boston metro area, on February 5, 2014 for $11.2 million. UniGraphic offers commercial and specialty printing, in-store marketing, digital and fulfillment solutions for a wide variety of industries including arts and entertainment, education, financial, food, healthcare, mass media, pharmaceutical and retail. The purchase price of $11.2 million is net of cash acquired. Identifiable customer relationship intangible assets of $6.9 million have been recorded through the final purchase price allocation and are amortized over six years. The final purchase price allocation was based on valuations performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The net assets acquired, excluding acquired cash, were classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs). UniGraphic'sRise’s operations are included in the United States Print and Related Services segment.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

2013 Proteus Packaging and Transpak Corporation Acquisitions

The Company completed the acquisition of Wisconsin-based Proteus, as well as its sister company Transpak, on December 18, 2013, for $48.7 million. Payments of $43.1 million were made on December 18, 2013, upon the completion of the acquisition. The remaining payments of $5.0 million and $0.6 million were paid in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Proteus is a designer and manufacturer of high-end paperboard packaging, offering packaging solutions for a wide variety of industries, including automotive, biotechnology, food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals, software and electronics. Transpak is a full-service industrial packaging company, offering crating, packaging, warehousing, distribution and logistics services to destinations worldwide.

The Company recorded the allocation of the purchase price to the acquired tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed based on their fair values as of the December 18, 2013, acquisition date. Included in the purchase price allocation are identifiable customer relationship intangible assets, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives of six years. Goodwill resulting from this acquisition, which is deductible for tax purposes, has been recorded within the United States Print and Related Services segment based on the amount by which the purchase price exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. The final purchase price allocation was as follows:

 Purchase Price Allocation
Accounts receivable$4.4
Other current assets5.6
Property, plant and equipment16.5
Identifiable intangible assets14.7
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(3.9)
Other long-term liabilities(1.7)
Goodwill13.1
Purchase price$48.7

The final purchase price allocation was based on valuations performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The valuation of the net assets acquired of $48.7 million was classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs). Proteus' and Transpak's operations are included in the United States Print and Related Services segment.

2013 Novia CareClinics, LLC Acquisition

The Company completed the acquisition Novia, an Indianapolis, Indiana healthcare solutions company, on November 7, 2013, for $13.3 million. Novia develops and manages onsite and shared primary care clinics for small to medium sized companies and the public sector, such as school districts and city and county governments. Identifiable customer relationships of $13.5 million have been recorded through the final purchase price allocation. Identifiable customer relationship intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives of six years. The final purchase price allocation was based on valuations performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The valuations of the net assets acquired of $13.3 million was classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs). Novia's operations are included in the United States Print and Related Services segment.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

2013 Vertis Holdings, Inc. Acquisition

The Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Vertis on January 16, 2013, for $265.4 million, pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement ("Asset Agreement"). Vertis was a leading provider of retail inserts, direct marketing and in-store marketing solutions. The acquisition of Vertis enhanced the Company's position as a leader in the production of retail inserts, direct marketing and in-store marketing solutions that the Company can provide to its clients and enhanced its integrated offerings. The purchase of Vertis was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting under GAAP. The Company did not acquire certain assets and assume certain liabilities of Vertis and its subsidiaries in this asset acquisition, including, among other liabilities, their underfunded pension and postretirement obligations. The Company used cash on hand and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to finance the acquisition.

In October 2012, the Company made a $25.9 million deposit to be held in escrow, in accordance with the terms of the Asset Agreement. This deposit was applied to the purchase price upon the January 16, 2013, consummation of the acquisition.

Vertis' operations are included in the United States Print and Related Services segment. Disclosure of the financial results of Vertis since the acquisition date is not practicable as it is not being operated as a standalone business, and has been combined with the Company's existing operations.

The Company recorded the allocation of the purchase price to tangible and identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including certain contingent liabilities, based on their fair values as of the January 16, 2013, acquisition date. Included in the purchase price allocation are identifiable customer relationship intangible assets, which are amortized over their estimated useful lives of six years. The final purchase price allocation was as follows:

 Purchase Price Allocation
Cash and cash equivalents$4.1
Accounts receivable133.4
Other current assets40.5
Property, plant and equipment127.8
Identifiable intangible assets25.6
Current liabilities(54.0)
Other long-term liabilities(12.0)
Purchase price$265.4

The final purchase price allocation and unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial information was based on valuations performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The valuation of the net assets acquired of $265.4 million was classified as Level 3 in the valuation hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs).



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information presents the Company's results as if the Company had acquired Brown Printing on January 1, 2013, and Vertis on January 1, 2012. The unaudited pro forma information has been prepared with the following considerations:

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared using the acquisition method of accounting under existing GAAP. The Company is the acquirer for accounting purposes.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not reflect any operating cost synergy savings that the combined companies may achieve as a result of the acquisition, the costs necessary to achieve these operating synergy savings or additional charges necessary as a result of the integration.

 Year Ended December 31,
 2015 2014 2013
 (actual) (pro forma) (pro forma)
Net sales$4,677.7
 $5,007.6
 $5,233.2
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders(641.9) 17.8
 40.9
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share attributable to common shareholders(13.40) 0.36
 0.83

Note 3.4. Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges

The Company recorded restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, as follows:

2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Employee termination charges$42.1
 $30.6
 $15.7
$23.0
 $26.9
 $12.9
Impairment charges95.3
 14.4
 21.8
26.5
 12.0
 26.8
Transaction-related charges (income)(6.7) 2.6
 4.0
Transaction-related charges8.2
 3.1
 2.2
Integration costs5.1
 11.2
 25.2
1.3
 
 0.1
Other restructuring charges29.1
 8.5
 28.6
44.6
 18.4
 31.6
Total$164.9
 $67.3
 $95.3
$103.6
 $60.4
 $73.6

The costs related to these activities have been recorded on the consolidated statements of operations as restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges. See Note 22, "Segment Information," for restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges by segment.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The costs related to these activities have been recorded on the consolidated statements of operations as restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges. See Note 20, “Segment Information,” for restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges by segment.

Restructuring Charges

The Company began a restructuring program in 2010 related to eliminating excess manufacturing capacity and properly aligning its cost structure. The Company has announced a total of 3143 plant closures and has reduced headcount by approximately 10,00013,000 employees since 2010.

The Company announced the closures of the Augusta, Georgia; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Enfield, Connecticut; Loveland, Colorado; Pilar, Argentina;Hazleton, Pennsylvania and Queretaro, MexicoFranklin, Kentucky plants during the year ended December 31, 2015.2018. The Company recorded the following charges as a result of plant closures and other restructuring programs for the year ended December 31, 2015:2018:

Employee termination charges of $42.1$23.0 million were recorded by the Company as a result of workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs.

Integration costs of $5.1$1.3 million were recorded, byprimarily related to the integration of acquired companies.

Other restructuring charges of $44.6 million were recorded, which consisted of the following: (1) a $32.1 million increase to the Company’s MEPPs withdrawal liability; (2) $12.9 million of vacant facility carrying costs, (3) $10.0 million in charges for certain legal matters and customer contract penalties related to the Company’s operations in Peru; (4) $4.0 million of lease exit charges, (5) $1.5 million in charges from foreign currency losses as a result of the economy in Argentina being classified as highly inflationary; and (6) $1.4 million of equipment and infrastructure removal costs from closed plants. Other restructuring charges were presented net of $17.3 million in gains on the sale of facilities, including a $7.5 million gain from the sale of the Taunton, Massachusetts Book plant, a $7.0 million gain from the sale of the Dallas, Texas plant and a $2.2 million gain from the sale of the San Ixhuatepec, Mexico plant.

The Company announced the closures of the Waseca, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; Taunton, Massachusetts; and Dallas, Texas plants during the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company recorded the following charges as a result of plant closures and other restructuring programs for the year ended December 31, 2017:

Employee termination charges of $26.9 million were recorded as a result of workforce reductions through facility consolidations and separation programs.

Other restructuring charges of $18.4 million were recorded, which consisted of the following: (1) $14.2 million of vacant facility carrying costs, (2) a $6.7 million loss on the sale of a business; (3) $3.9 million of lease exit charges, including the lease termination of the Huntington Beach, California and Manassas, Virginia plants; and (4) $1.9 million of equipment and infrastructure removal costs from closed plants. Other restructuring charges were presented net of $7.1 million in gains from the sale of the Atglen, Pennsylvania; Dickson, Tennessee; Lenexa, Kansas; East Greenville, Pennsylvania and Marengo, Iowa facilities; and a $1.2 million gain from settlements with vendors through bankruptcy proceedings for the Company's Argentina Subsidiaries.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The Company announced the closures of the Atglen, Pennsylvania; Huntington Beach, California; Lenexa, Kansas; Manassas, Virginia; Monroe, New Jersey; and York, Pennsylvania plants during the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company recorded the following charges as a result of plant closures and other restructuring programs for the year ended December 31, 2016:

Employee termination charges of $12.9 million were recorded as a result of workforce reductions through facility consolidations and separation programs.

Integration costs of $0.1 million were recorded, primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of acquired companies.

Other restructuring charges of $29.1$31.6 million were recorded, by the Company, which consisted of:of the following: (1) $11.7$13.6 million of vacant facility carrying costs; (2) $2.8an $11.2 million of equipment and infrastructure removal costs from closed plants; and (3) $8.6 million of lease exit charges primarily relatedincrease to the closure of the Atlanta, Georgia and Loveland, Colorado facilities. The Company also recorded a $6.0 million non-cash expense to recognize accumulated foreign exchange losses on the sale of the Chile equity method investment (see Note 8, "Equity Method Investments in Unconsolidated Entities," for additional details).

The Company announced the closures of the Atlanta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; Marengo, Iowa; Pomona, California; St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Woodstock, Illinois plants during the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company recorded the following charges as a result of plant closures and other restructuring programs for the year ended December 31, 2014:

Employee termination charges of $30.6 million were recorded by the Company as a result of workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs.

Integration costs of $11.2 million were recorded by the Company primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of acquired companies.

Other restructuring charges of $8.5 million were recorded by the Company, which consisted of: (1) $7.7 million of vacant facility carrying costs; (2) $2.4 million of legal fees;Company’s MEPPs withdrawal liability; (3) $1.8$4.9 million of equipment and infrastructure removal costs from closed plants; and (4) $1.5$4.5 million of lease exit charges.charges, including the lease termination of the Pittsburg, California facility. Other restructuring charges were presented net of the following: (1) $4.9$1.3 million gain from settlements with vendors due to the terminationCompany's Argentina Subsidiaries emerging from bankruptcy during the fourth quarter of 2016 and (2) a $1.3 million gain on the sale of the postretirement medical benefit plan (see Note 17, "Employee Retirement Plans," for further details on the postretirement medical benefit plan termination).



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The Company announced the closures of the Bristol, Pennsylvania; Dubuque, Iowa; Pittsburg, California; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada plants during the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company recorded the following charges as a result of plant closures and other restructuring programs for the year ended December 31, 2013:

Employee termination charges of $15.7 million were recorded by the Company as a result of workforce reductions through facility consolidations and involuntary separation programs.

Integration costs of $25.2 million were recorded by the Company primarily related to preparing existing facilities to meet new production requirements resulting from work transferring from closed plants, as well as other costs related to the integration of acquired companies.

Other restructuring charges of $28.6 million were recorded by the Company, which consisted of: (1) $14.4 million of vacant facility carrying costs; (2) $6.2 million of equipment and infrastructure removal costs from closed plants; and (3) $10.1 million of lease exit charges. Other restructuring charges were presented net of a $2.1 million pension plan settlement gain (see Note 17, "Employee Retirement Plans," for further details on the pension plan settlement gain).Pilar, Argentina building.

The restructuring charges recorded were based on plans that have been committed to by management and were, in part, based upon management'smanagement’s best estimates of future events. Changes to the estimates may require future restructuring charges and adjustments to the restructuring liabilities. The Company expects to incur additional restructuring charges related to these and other initiatives.

Impairment Charges

The Company recognized impairment charges of $95.3$26.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, consisting of:of the following: (1) $54.7$16.9 million of impairment charges primarily for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Augusta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; East Greenville,Waseca, Minnesota; Hazleton, Pennsylvania; Loveland, Colorado; and Queretaro, Mexico,Franklin, Kentucky; as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives; (2) $18.6 million of investment-related impairment charges, primarily related to $16.7initiatives, including $5.0 million of impairment charges to reduce the book value of the Company's equity method investmentfor machinery and equipment in Chile to fair value (see Note 8, "Equity Method Investments in Unconsolidated Entities," for additional details related to the impairment of the Company's equity method investment in Chile); (3) $12.7Peru; and (2) $4.6 million of land and building impairment charges, primarily related to the Augusta, Georgia and East Greenville, PennsylvaniaFranklin, Kentucky plant closures; (4) $7.1 million of customer relationship intangible asset impairments; and (5) $2.2 million of impairment charges primarily related to the restructuring proceedings in Argentina for the Company's Argentina Subsidiaries for land, building, machinery and equipment and other intangible assets.closure.

The Company recognized impairment charges of $14.4$12.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2014,2017, consisting of:of the following: (1) $8.0$6.7 million of impairment charges primarily for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Atlanta, Georgia; Dickson, Tennessee; Mexico City, Mexico; Pomona, California;Waseca, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; and St. Cloud, Minnesota,Taunton, Massachusetts, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives; and (2) $6.4$5.3 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Bristol, PennsylvaniaWaseca, Minnesota and Dickson, TennesseeTaunton, Massachusetts plant closures.

The Company recognized impairment charges of $21.8$26.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013,2016, consisting of:of the following: (1) $11.7$12.1 million of land and building impairment charges related to the Atglen, Pennsylvania plant closure; and (2) $14.7 million of impairment charges primarily for machinery and equipment no longer being utilized in production as a result of facility consolidations, including Dubuque, Iowa; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Pittsburg, California;Atglen, Pennsylvania; Augusta, Georgia; East Greenville, Pennsylvania; Monroe, New Jersey; Woodstock, Illinois; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,Queretaro, Mexico, as well as other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives; and (2) $10.1 million of land and building impairment charges primarily related to the Corinth, Mississippi; Marengo, Iowa; and Mexico City, Mexico plant closures.activities.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The fair values of the impaired assets were determined by the Company to be Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial14, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs) and were estimated based on broker quotes, internal expertise related to current marketplace conditions and estimated future undiscounteddiscounted cash flows. These assets were adjusted to their estimated fair values at the time of impairment.

The non-cash goodwill impairment charges included in If estimated fair values subsequently decline, the line item entitled goodwill impairment oncarrying values of the Company's consolidated statements of operationsassets are discussed in Note 4, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets."adjusted accordingly.

Transaction-Related Charges (Income)

The Company incurs transaction-related charges (income) primarily consisting of professional service fees related to business acquisition and divestiture activities. The Company recognized transaction-related charges (income) of $(6.7)$8.2 million, $3.1 million and $2.2 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which includes $6.4 million related to the proposed acquisition of LSC during the year ended December 31, 2015, which includes2018, and $1.0 million related to the sale of a $10.0 million non-recurring gain as a result of Courier's termination of the agreement pursuant to which Quad/Graphics was to acquire Courier, partially offset by $3.3 million of professional service fees including fees for the terminated acquisition of Courier and the acquisitions of Marin's, Copac and Specialty. The Company recognized transaction-related charges of $2.6 millionbusiness during the year ended December 31, 2014, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Brown Printing and UniGraphic. The Company recognized transaction-related charges of $4.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2013, which primarily includes professional service fees for the acquisitions of Vertis, Proteus and Transpak.2017. The transaction-related charges were expensed as incurred in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance on business combinations.

Reserves for Restructuring Impairment and Transaction-Related ChargesReserves

Activity impacting the Company'sCompany’s restructuring reserves for restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, was as follows:

 
Employee
Termination
Charges
 
Impairment
Charges
 
Transaction-Related
Charges (Income)
 
Integration
Costs
 
Other
Restructuring
Charges
 Total
Balance at January 1, 2014$4.8
 $
 $0.2
 $3.7
 $19.3
 $28.0
Expense30.6
 14.4
 2.6
 11.2
 8.5
 67.3
Cash payments(25.1) 
 (2.3) (11.6) (19.9) (58.9)
Non-cash adjustments(0.3) (14.4) 
 (1.5) 5.7
 (10.5)
Balance at December 31, 2014$10.0
 $
 $0.5
 $1.8
 $13.6
 $25.9
Expense (income)42.1
 95.3
 (6.7) 5.1
 29.1
 164.9
Cash receipts (payments)(27.3) 
 6.3
 (5.1) (23.8) (49.9)
Non-cash adjustments(0.4) (95.3) 
 (0.4) (5.9) (102.0)
Balance at December 31, 2015$24.4
 $
 $0.1
 $1.4
 $13.0
 $38.9
 
Employee
Termination
Charges
 
Impairment
Charges
 
Transaction-Related
Charges (Income)
 
Integration
Costs
 
Other
Restructuring
Charges
 Total
Balance at January 1, 2017$7.6
 $
 $0.1
 $1.1
 $10.4
 $19.2
Expense, net26.9
 12.0
 3.1
 
 18.4
 60.4
Cash payments, net(19.0) 
 (2.8) (0.1) (14.5) (36.4)
Non-cash adjustments/reclassifications2.1
 (12.0) 
 (0.8) (3.0) (13.7)
Balance at December 31, 2017$17.6
 $
 $0.4
 $0.2
 $11.3
 $29.5
Expense, net23.0
 26.5
 8.2
 1.3
 44.6
 103.6
Cash payments, net(28.7) 
 (7.4) (1.1) (6.6) (43.8)
Non-cash adjustments/reclassifications(2.6) (26.5) 
 (0.2) (32.2) (61.5)
Balance at December 31, 2018$9.3
 $
 $1.2
 $0.2
 $17.1
 $27.8

The Company'sCompany’s restructuring impairment and transaction-related reserves at December 31, 2015,2018, included a short-term and a long-term component. The short-term portion included $31.0$23.1 million in accrued liabilities (see Note 9, "Accrued Liabilities"“Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities”) and $1.3$1.8 million in accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheets as the Company expects these reserves to be paid within the next twelve months. The long-term portion of $6.6$2.9 million iswas included in other long-term liabilities (see Note 16, "Other9, “Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities"Liabilities”) in the consolidated balance sheets.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 4.5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is assigned to specific reporting units and is tested annually for impairment as of October 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value.

United States Print and Related Services Segment

Due to the decline in the Company's stock price in the third quarter of 2015, an interim goodwill impairment test of the three reporting units in the United States Print and Related Services segment was performed as of July 31, 2015. These reporting units include the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit, the Specialty Print and Related Services reporting unit and the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit with goodwill of $640.8 million, $115.6 million and $18.6 million, respectively, as of July 31, 2015.

In determining the fair value of each reporting unit, the Company used an equal weighting of both the income and market approaches, except for the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit for which only an income approach was used. After completing a step one evaluation, the estimated fair value of each of the three reporting units in the United States Print and Related Services segment was determined to be lower than the carrying value of each respective reporting unit. As such, each of the three reporting units failed step one of the goodwill impairment test.

Step two of the goodwill impairment test requires the Company to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation for each reporting unit to determine the implied fair value of goodwill and compare the implied fair value of goodwill to the carrying amount of goodwill. The estimate of fair value is complex and requires significant judgment. A third-party valuation firm was engaged to assist in the step two valuation process. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs).

As a result of the interim goodwill impairment assessment as well as the annual impairment test as of October 31, 2015, the Company's United States Print and Related Services segment recorded pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $778.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, that included impairment charges of $640.8 million, $118.9 million and $18.6 million in the Core Print and Related Services reporting unit, the Specialty Print and Related Services reporting unit and the Other United States Products and Services reporting unit, respectively. The goodwill impairment charges resulted from a reduction in estimated fair value of each reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows due to volume and pricing pressures as compared to expectations in the last annual goodwill impairment assessment performed as of October 31, 2014.

International Segment

On March 25, 2015, due to deteriorating economic conditions, including inflation and currency devaluation, combined with uncertain political conditions, declining print volumes and labor challenges, the Company's Argentina Subsidiaries (included within the Latin America reporting unit) commenced bankruptcy restructuring proceedings with a goal of consolidating operations. As a result, the Company conducted an interim goodwill impairment assessment of the Latin America reporting unit, which included comparing the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, to its respective fair value as of March 31, 2015, the date of the interim assessment.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Fair value was determined using an equal weighting of both the income and market approaches. Under the income approach, the Company determined fair value based on estimated future cash flows discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk and the rate of return an outside investor would expect to earn. Under the market approach, the Company derived the fair value of the reporting units based on market multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies. The Company performed an additional fair value measurement calculation to determine whether a Latin America reporting unit impairment charge should be recorded because the fair value of the reporting unit was below its carrying amount. As part of this calculation, the Company also estimated the fair values of significant tangible and intangible long-lived assets in the Latin America reporting unit. This fair value determination was categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs).

As a result of the interim goodwill impairment assessment as well as the annual impairment test as of October 31, 2015, the Company's International segment recorded non-cash nondeductible goodwill impairment charges of $30.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily including a $23.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge for the Latin America reporting unit. The goodwill impairment charges resulted from a reduction in estimated fair value of the reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows due to volume and pricing pressures as compared to expectations in the last annual goodwill impairment assessment performed as of October 31, 2014.

Goodwill at December 31, 2015, included $808.3 million of accumulated impairment losses, of which $778.3 million relates to the United States Print and Related Services segment and $30.0 million relates to the International segment. Goodwill at December 31, 2014, did not include any accumulated impairment losses. Non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $808.3 million were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2015. No goodwill impairment charges were recorded during the years ended December 31, 20142018, 2017 or 2013.2016. The accumulated goodwill impairment losses and the carrying value of goodwill at December 31, 2018 and 2017, were as follows:
 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
 United States Print and Related Services International Total United States Print and Related Services International Total
Goodwill$832.9
 $30.0
 $862.9
 $778.3
 $30.0
 $808.3
Accumulated goodwill impairment loss(778.3) (30.0) (808.3) (778.3) (30.0) (808.3)
Goodwill, net of accumulated goodwill impairment loss$54.6
 $
 $54.6
 $
 $
 $

The Company recorded goodwill within the United States Print and Related Services segment related to acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2018. Activity impacting goodwill for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2015 and 2014,2018, was as follows:
 
United States Print and Related
Services
 International Total
Balance at January 1, 2018$
 $
 $
Ivie acquisition (see Note 3)28.3
 
 28.3
Investment in Rise (see Note 3)26.3
 
 26.3
Balance at December 31, 2018$54.6
 $
 $54.6

Other Intangible Assets

The components of other intangible assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017, were as follows:
 
United States Print and Related
Services
 International Total
Balance at January 1, 2014$746.2
 $26.9
 $773.1
Proteus and Transpak acquisitions (see Note 2)5.1
 
 5.1
Translation adjustment
 (2.7) (2.7)
Balance at December 31, 2014$751.3
 $24.2
 $775.5
Marin's acquisition (see Note 2)
 6.8
 6.8
Copac acquisition (see Note 2)23.5
 
 23.5
Specialty acquisition (see Note 2)3.5
 
 3.5
Impairment(778.3) (30.0) (808.3)
Translation adjustment
 (1.0) (1.0)
Balance at December 31, 2015$
 $
 $
 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
 
Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated Amortization 
Net Book
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Book
Value
Finite-lived intangible assets:              
Trademarks, patents, licenses and agreements7 $59.8
 $(22.4) $37.4
 7 $24.0
 $(13.5) $10.5
Capitalized software5 15.3
 (5.1) 10.2
 5 4.8
 (4.3) 0.5
Customer relationships6 514.7
 (449.7) 65.0
 6 460.8
 (428.4) 32.4
Total finite-lived intangible assets $589.8
 $(477.2) $112.6
   $489.6
 $(446.2) $43.4



106101




QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The components of other intangible assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:

 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014
 
Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 Accumulated Amortization 
Net Book
Value
 
Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Book
Value
Finite-lived intangible assets:              
Trademarks, patents, licenses and agreements7 $22.1
 $(5.5) $16.6
 5 $5.1
 $(3.8) $1.3
Capitalized software5 6.5
 (6.2) 0.3
 5 6.7
 (6.3) 0.4
Acquired technology5 6.2
 (5.9) 0.3
 5 6.7
 (5.9) 0.8
Customer relationships6 459.4
 (366.1) 93.3
 6 445.1
 (298.5) 146.6
Total finite-lived intangible assets $494.2
 $(383.7) $110.5
   $463.6
 $(314.5) $149.1

During the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, the gross carrying amount of other intangible assets increased primarily due to $49.7$102.7 million of acquired identifiable finite-lived intangible assets as discussed in Note 2, "Acquisitions3, “Acquisitions and Strategic Investments." The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization within other intangible assets—net in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 20152018, and 2014,December 31, 2017, differs from the value originally recorded at acquisition due to impairment charges recorded in prior years and the effects of currency fluctuations betweensince the purchase date and December 31, 2015 and 2014.

date. Other intangible assets are evaluated for potential impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company recorded finite-lived intangible asset impairment charges of $7.2 million, primarily related to customer relationships, during the year ended December 31, 2015, (see Note 3, "Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges" for further discussion on impairment charges). There were no impairment charges recorded on finite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 20142018, 2017 and 2013.2016.

Amortization expense for other intangible assets was $79.6$34.4 million, $75.9$18.3 million and $70.3$50.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively. The following table outlines the estimated future amortization expense related to other intangible assets as of December 31, 2015:2018:
 Amortization Expense
2019$32.5
202027.1
202118.8
202216.3
202312.1
2024 and thereafter5.8
Total$112.6

Note 6. Receivables

Activity impacting the allowances for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, was as follows:
 2018 2017 2016
Balance at beginning of year$28.9
 $53.5
 $50.1
Provisions3.1
 2.6
 8.0
Write-offs(1)
(4.7) (26.3) (4.0)
Translation and other0.3
 (0.9) (0.6)
Balance at end of year$27.6
 $28.9
 $53.5

(1)
Write-offs primarily consisted of fully reserved receivables for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.


 Amortization Expense
2016$49.4
201717.8
201817.5
201913.3
20208.2
2021 and thereafter4.3
Total$110.5



107102




QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 5. Receivables

Activity impacting the allowances for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:

 2015 2014 2013
Balance at beginning of year$57.8
 $58.9
 $70.8
Provisions4.2
 5.5
 10.4
Write-offs(12.0) (9.9) (15.4)
Divestitures
 
 (6.4)
Translation and other0.1
 3.3
 (0.5)
Balance at end of year$50.1
 $57.8
 $58.9

Note 6.7. Inventories

The components of inventories at December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, were as follows:

2015 20142018 2017
Raw materials and manufacturing supplies$154.8
 $185.4
$170.8
 $128.7
Work in process51.0
 53.9
48.9
 43.6
Finished goods74.3
 48.5
80.9
 74.2
Total$280.1
 $287.8
$300.6
 $246.5

Note 7.8. Property, Plant and Equipment

The components of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, were as follows:

2015 20142018 2017
Land$135.9
 $143.4
$115.3
 $122.5
Buildings952.6
 959.6
908.5
 924.5
Machinery and equipment3,603.9
 3,600.7
3,549.1
 3,617.1
Other(1)
194.1
 229.4
178.6
 197.5
Construction in progress24.2
 40.1
42.0
 33.0
Property, plant and equipment—gross$4,910.7
 $4,973.2
4,793.5
 4,894.6
Less: accumulated depreciation(3,234.9) (3,117.7)(3,536.1) (3,517.0)
Property, plant and equipment—net$1,675.8
 $1,855.5
$1,257.4
 $1,377.6

(1) 
Other consists of computer equipment, vehicles, furniture and fixtures, leasehold improvements and communication related equipment.

The Company recorded impairment charges of $69.5$26.5 million, $14.4$12.0 million and $21.8$26.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively, to reduce the carrying amounts of certain property, plant and equipment no longer utilized in production, or due to other capacity and strategic reduction restructuring initiatives, to fair value (see Note 4, “Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges,” for further discussion on impairment charges).

The Company recognized depreciation expense of $196.3 million, $214.2 million and $226.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Assets Held for Sale

The Company considered certain closed facilities for held for sale classification in the consolidated balance sheets. Assets held for sale are carried at the lesser of original cost or fair value, less the estimated costs to sell. There were no assets held for sale as of December 31, 2018, or as of December 31, 2017.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

equipment no longer utilized in production to fair value (see Note 3, "Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges" for further discussion on impairment charges).

The Company recognized depreciation expense of $245.7 million, $260.5 million and $270.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Assets Held for Sale

The Company considered certain closed facilities as held for sale classification on the consolidated balance sheets. The net book value of assets held for sale were $6.3 million and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These assets were carried at the lesser of original cost or fair value, less the estimated costs to sell. The fair values were determined by the Company to be Level 3 under the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs) and were estimated based on broker quotes and internal expertise related to current marketplace conditions. Assets held for sale were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

Note 8. Equity Method Investments in Unconsolidated Entities

The Company has a 49% ownership interest in Plural, a commercial printer based in São Paulo, Brazil. The Company had a 50% ownership interest in Chile, a commercial printer based in Santiago, Chile, until the Company sold its ownership interest in Chile on July 31, 2015. The Company's ownership interest in Plural and Chile was accounted for using the equity method of accounting for all periods presented. The Company's equity loss of Plural's and Chile's operations was recorded in equity in loss of unconsolidated entities in the Company's consolidated statements of operations, and was included within the International segment.

The Company reviews its equity method investments regularly for indicators of other than temporary impairment. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company recorded a $16.7 million impairment charge to reduce the book value of the 50% ownership interest in Chile to fair value based on the intent to sell the investment. The impairment is recorded in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges on the consolidated statement of operations, and is included within the International segment. The fair value measurement of the investment, which was classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 3 inputs), was determined using internal expertise of current marketplace conditions.

On July 31, 2015, the Company sold its 50% ownership interest in Chile for $10.5 million. The Company recorded a $6.0 million non-cash expense to recognize accumulated foreign exchange losses on the sale of the Chile equity method investment during the year ended December 31, 2015, which is recorded within restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges on the consolidated statements of operations.

On January 1, 2013, the Company sold 100% of its ownership interest in two wholly-owned Brazilian entities (Quad/Graphics Nordeste Industria Gráfica LTDA and Quad/Graphics São Paulo Industria Gráfica S.A.) to Plural for a purchase price of $5.5 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recorded a $2.8 million gain on the sale within selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. As a result of the sale to Plural, the Company no longer controls these entities (the Company now owns 49% of these entities through its ownership interest in Plural), and thus, the assets and liabilities of the entities sold have been deconsolidated in accordance with GAAP. Since the sale to Plural, the Company's ownership interest in the results of operations of these entities are included in equity in loss of unconsolidated entities in the consolidated statements of operations.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The condensed balance sheet for Plural at December 31, 2015, and the combined condensed balance sheets for Plural and Chile at December 31, 2014, were as follows:

 2015 2014
Current assets$28.9
 $77.9
Long-term assets26.4
 71.1
Total assets$55.3
 $149.0
    
Current liabilities$33.9
 $64.4
Long-term liabilities4.9
 10.9
Total liabilities$38.8
 $75.3

The combined condensed statements of operations for Plural and Chile for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, are presented below. Results from the Chile equity method investment are included in the following table through the July 31, 2015 sale date:

 2015 2014 2013
Net sales$110.7
 $195.8
 $221.2
Operating loss(10.6) (3.6) (0.7)
Net loss(12.8) (5.2) (3.9)

Note 9. Accrued Liabilities and Other Long-Term Liabilities

The components of accrued and other long-term liabilities at December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, were as follows:

2015 2014December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Employee-related liabilities$177.3
 $191.3
Accrued Liabilities 
Other
Long-Term Liabilities
 Total Accrued Liabilities 
Other
Long-Term Liabilities
 Total
Employee-related liabilities(1)
$126.4
 $62.8
 $189.2
 $152.1
 $67.4
 $219.5
Single employer pension plan obligations1.7
 80.9
 82.6
 1.7
 82.4
 84.1
Multiemployer pension plans – withdrawal liability8.4
 42.5
 50.9
 8.8
 19.4
 28.2
Tax-related liabilities29.6
 8.1
 37.7
 29.0
 18.2
 47.2
Restructuring liabilities31.0
 16.9
23.1
 2.9
 26.0
 24.6
 4.2
 28.8
Tax liabilities29.1
 40.1
Interest and rent liabilities11.0
 13.5
6.0
 1.4
 7.4
 6.7
 1.9
 8.6
Other99.1
 96.3
97.1
 34.0
 131.1
 93.8
 31.5
 125.3
Total$347.5
 $358.1
$292.3
 $232.6
 $524.9
 $316.7
 $225.0
 $541.7

(1)
Employee-related liabilities consist primarily of payroll, bonus, vacation, health and workers’ compensation.

Employee-related liabilities consist primarily of payroll, bonus, vacation, health, workers' compensation and pension obligations.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The Company had firm commitments of $14.9$53.2 million as of December 31, 2018, to purchase press and finishing equipment.

Litigation

The Company is named as a defendant in various lawsuits in which claims are asserted against the Company in the normal course of business. The liabilities, if any, which ultimately result from such lawsuits are not expected by management to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

In April 2016, the Company self-reported to the SEC and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) certain Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) issues, and a resulting internal investigation, related to its operations managed from Peru. These operations had approximate annual sales ranging from $95.0 million to $135.0 million from the date that the Company acquired those operations in July 2010 until the date the issues were discovered. The self-reported issues were identified by the Company’s financial internal controls. The Company, under the oversight of its Audit Committee and Board of Directors, proactively initiated an investigation into this matter with the assistance of external legal counsel and external forensic accountants. Additional compliance issues arising out of the Peru subsidiary have been identified during the course of the investigation and are known to the SEC and DOJ. During the course of its internal investigation, the Company has also identified, and self-reported to the DOJ and SEC, transactions raising similar issues involving certain sales made in its Quad/Tech China operations. For the period 2011 through 2015, the approximate annual sales of these China operations ranged from $2.0 million to $3.0 million. During the course of its internal investigation, the Company has also identified and informed the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the DOJ and the SEC, of certain transactions involving Cuba, and continues to investigate the propriety of such transactions under United States trade sanctions. The Peruvian antitrust authority (“INDECOPI”) currently is conducting an investigation into certain alleged past collusive activities among printers in Peru, including Quad/Graphics Peru. In connection with these matters,


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

the Company has made, and continues to evaluate, certain enhancements to its compliance program. The Company is fully cooperating with the OFAC, the SEC, the DOJ and INDECOPI. At this time, the Company does not anticipate any material adverse effect on its business or financial condition as a result of these matters.

Environmental Reserves

The Company is subject to various laws, regulations and government policies relating to health and safety, to the generation, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous substances, and to environment protection in general. The Company provides for expenses associated with environmental remediation obligations when such amounts are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such reserves are adjusted as new information develops or as circumstances change. The environmental reserves are not discounted. The Company believes it is in compliance with such laws, regulations and government policies in all material respects. Furthermore, the Company does not anticipate that maintaining compliance with such environmental statutes will have a material impact upon the Company's competitive orCompany’s consolidated financial position.

Note 11. World Color Press Insolvency Proceedings

The Company continues to manage the bankruptcy claim settlement process for the Quebecor World Inc. ("QWI") bankruptcy proceedings in the United States and Canada (QWI changed its name to World Color Press upon emerging from bankruptcy on July 21, 2009). To the extent claims are allowed, the holders of such claims are entitled to receive recovery, with the nature of such recovery dependent upon the type and classification of such claims. In this regard, with respect to certain types of claims, the holders thereof are entitled to receive cash and/or unsecured notes, while the holders of certain other types of claims are entitled to receive a combination of Quad/Graphics common stock and cash, in accordance with the terms of the World Color Press acquisition agreement.

With respect to claims asserted by the holders thereof as being entitled to a priority cash recovery, the Company has estimated that approximately $1.4 million of such recorded claims have yet to be paid as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and this obligation is classified as amounts owing in satisfaction of bankruptcy claims in the consolidated balance sheets.

With respect to unsecured claims held by creditors of the operating subsidiary debtors of Quebecor World (USA) Inc. (the "Class 3 Claims"), each allowed Class 3 Claim will be entitled to receive an unsecured note in an amount equaling 50% of such creditor's allowed Class 3 Claim, provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of all such unsecured notes cannot exceed $75.0 million. Each allowed Class 3 Claim will also receive accrued interest and a 5% prepayment redemption premium thereon (the total aggregate maximum principal, interest and prepayment redemption premium for all Class 3 Claims is $89.2 million). In connection with the World Color Press acquisition, the Company was required to deposit the maximum potential payout to the Class 3 Claim creditors of $89.2 million with a trustee, and that amount will remain with the trustee until either (1) it is paid to a creditor for an allowed Class 3 Claim or (2) excess amounts not required for Class 3 Claim payments will revert to the Company.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, $0.1 million and $8.0 million, respectively, of the restricted cash was paid to Class 3 Claim creditors. The Company also received refunds of $17.5 million and $18.9 million of restricted cash during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. At December 31, 2015, a $11.5 million maximum potential payout to the Class 3 Claim creditors remains and is classified as restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheets. Based on the Company's analysis of the outstanding claims, the Company has a liability of $7.1 million at December 31, 2015, classified as unsecured notes to be issued in the consolidated balance sheets. Activity impacting restricted cash and unsecured notes to be issued for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, was as follows:

 Restricted Cash Unsecured Notes to be Issued
Balance at January 1, 2014$56.0
 $18.0
Class 3 Claim payments(8.0) (8.0)
Restricted cash refunded to Quad/Graphics(18.9) 
Non-cash adjustments
 (1.0)
Balance at December 31, 2014$29.1
 $9.0
Class 3 Claim payments(0.1) (0.1)
Restricted cash refunded to Quad/Graphics(17.5) 
Non-cash adjustments
 (1.8)
Balance at December 31, 2015$11.5
 $7.1


The components of restricted cash at December 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:
 December 31,
2015
 December 31,
2014
Defeasance of unsecured notes to be issued$11.5
 $29.1
Other2.0
 2.1
Total restricted cash$13.5
 $31.2

While the liabilities recorded for any bankruptcy matters are based on management's current assessment of the amount likely to be paid, it is not possible to identify the final amount of priority cash claims or the amount of Class 3 Claims that will ultimately be allowed by the United States Bankruptcy Court. Therefore, payments for amounts owing in satisfaction of bankruptcy claims could be higher than the amounts accrued on the consolidated balance sheets, which would require additional cash payments to be made and expense to be recorded for the amount exceeding the Company's estimate. Amounts payable related to the unsecured notes could exceed current estimates, which would require additional expense to be recorded. The Company has resolved the majority of claims since acquiring World Color Press in 2010, but the ultimate timing for completion of the bankruptcy process depends on the resolution of the remaining claims.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 12. Debt

The components of long-term debt at December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, were as follows:

 Weighted Average Interest Rate 2015 2014
Master note and security agreement7.53% $260.4
 $316.6
Term loan A—$450.0 million due April 20192.36% 410.6
 438.8
Term loan B—$300.0 million due April 20214.25% 293.2
 295.8
Revolving credit facility—$850.0 million due April 20192.37% 70.8
 43.9
Senior unsecured notes—$300.0 million due May 20227.00% 300.0
 300.0
International term loan% 
 
International revolving credit facility—$12.7 million% 
 0.2
Equipment term loans4.18% 13.4
 13.3
Other20.37% 2.2
 3.1
Debt issuance costs  (16.1) (20.0)
Total debt  $1,334.5
 $1,391.7
Less: short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt  (94.6) (92.0)
Long-term debt  $1,239.9
 $1,299.7
 Weighted Average Interest Rate 2018 2017
Master note and security agreement7.36% $96.2
 $123.6
Term loan A—$375.0 million maturing January 20213.78% 281.3
 281.3
Term loan B—$300.0 million maturing April 20215.24% 279.5
 279.1
Revolving credit facility—$725.0 million maturing January 20213.91% 
 
Senior unsecured notes—$300.0 million maturing May 20227.00% 243.5
 243.5
International term loans—$28.0 million1.82% 17.8
 14.9
International revolving credit facilities—$16.0 million2.25% 11.8
 9.8
Other10.24% 2.6
 3.6
Debt issuance costs  (7.2) (10.3)
Total debt  $925.5
 $945.5
Less: short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt  (42.9) (42.0)
Long-term debt  $882.6
 $903.5

Description of Debt Obligations

Master Note and Security Agreement

On September 1, 1995, and as last amended on November 24, 2014, Quad/GraphicsQuad entered into its Master Note and Security Agreement. As of December 31, 2015,2018, the borrowings outstanding under the Master Note and Security Agreement were $260.4$96.2 million. The senior notes under the Master Note and Security Agreement havehad a weighted-averageweighted average interest rate of 7.53%7.36% at December 31, 2015,2018, which is fixed to maturity, with interest payable semiannually. Principal payments commenced September 1997 and extend through April 2031 in various tranches. The notes are collateralized by certain United States land, buildings and press and finishing equipment under the terms of the Master Note and Security Agreement.

The Company redeemed $108.8 million of its senior notes under the Master Note and Security Agreement for $109.6 million on October 10, 2014, resulting in a $0.8 million loss, plus applicable transaction fees of $0.2 million for a total of $1.0 million included in loss on debt extinguishment in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company used its revolving credit facility to effect the redemption. This redemption was primarily completed to reduce interest expense based on the then current LIBOR rates.

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a fourth amendment to the Master Note and Security Agreement on November 24, 2014. The amendment, among other things, amended the financial covenants by removing the consolidated net worth requirement (removed for all periods after December 31, 2014) and the fixed charge coverage ratio, as well as adding a minimum interest coverage ratio, a maximum total leverage ratio and a maximum senior secured leverage ratio. These amendments align the financial covenants in the Master Note and Security Agreement more closely with the financial covenants in the Senior Secured Credit Facility.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The Company redeemed $60.1 million of its senior notes under the Master Note and Security Agreement, resulting in a net loss on debt extinguishment of $0.2 million, during the year ended December 31, 2016. All tendered senior notes under the Master Note and Security Agreement were canceled. The Company used cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to fund the tender. The tender was primarily completed to reallocate debt to the lower interest rate revolving credit facility and thereby reduce interest expense based on current LIBOR rates.

Senior Secured Credit Facility and Senior Unsecured Notes

The Company completed its $1.9 billion debt financing arrangements onOn April 28, 2014 the Company entered into its Senior Secured Credit Facility, which included refinancing, extending and expanding its existingincludes a revolving credit facility, Term Loan A and Term Loan B with the $1.6 billion Senior Secured Credit Facility and the issuance of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.0% Senior Unsecured Notes due May 1, 2022.B. The Senior Secured Credit Facility and the Senior Unsecured Notes werewas originally entered into to extend and stagger the Company'sCompany’s debt maturity profile, to further diversify its capital structure and to provide more borrowing capacity to better position the Company to execute on its strategic goals. The proceeds from the Senior Secured Credit Facility and Senior Unsecured Notes were used to: (a)to repay the Company'sCompany’s previous debt financing arrangements and to fund acquisitions, as well as other general corporate purposes.

The Company completed the second amendment to the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility on February 10, 2017. This second amendment was completed to reduce the size of the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A and to extend the Company’s debt maturity profile while maintaining the Company’s current cost of borrowing and covenant structure. The revolving credit facility was lowered to a maximum borrowing amount of $725.0 million from $850.0 million, and the Term Loan BA was lowered to an aggregate amount of $375.0 million from $450.0 million. This amendment to the Senior Secured Credit Facility did not have an impact on the Company’s quarterly financial covenant requirements and resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of $2.6 million during the 2008 international term loan; (b) fund the acquisition of Brown Printing; and (c) for general corporate purposes.year ended December 31, 2017.

The Senior Secured Credit Facility consists of three different loan facilities. The first facility is a revolving credit facility in the amount of $850.0$725.0 million with a term of fivejust under four years, maturing on April 27, 2019.January 4, 2021. The second facility is a Term Loan A in the aggregate amount of $450.0$375.0 million with a term of fivejust under four years, maturing on April 27, 2019,January 4, 2021, subject to certain required amortization. The third facility is a Term Loan B in the amount of $300.0 million with a term of seven years, maturing on April 27, 2021, subject to certain required amortization. At December 31, 2015,2018, the Company had no outstanding borrowings of $70.8 million on the revolving credit facility, as well as $48.3and had $34.1 million of issued letters of credit, leaving $730.9$690.9 million available for future borrowings.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A loans made under the Senior Secured Credit Facility will initiallyat December 31, 2018, bear interest at 2.00% in excess of reserve adjusted LIBOR, or 1.00% in excess of an alternate base rate, and borrowings under the Term Loan B loans willat December 31, 2018, bear interest at 3.25% in excess of reserve adjusted LIBOR, with a LIBOR floor of 1.00%, or 2.25% in excess of an alternative base rate at the Company'sCompany’s option. The Senior Secured Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the unencumbered assets of the Company. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also requires the Company to provide additional collateral to the lenders in certain limited circumstances.

TheOn January 31, 2019, the Company entered into ancompleted the third amendment to the Senior Secured Credit FacilityFacility. See Note 24, “Subsequent Events,” for further detail on December 18, 2014, which eliminated the "net debt" concept from the calculation of the total leverage ratio and the senior secured leverage ratio and eliminated the consolidated net worth covenant.this item.

The Company received $294.8 million in net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Unsecured Notes, after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions. The Senior Unsecured Notes bear interest at 7.0% and interest is payable semi-annually. The Senior Unsecured Notes are due May 1, 2022. Each of the Company's existing and future domestic subsidiaries that is a borrower or guarantees indebtedness under the Company's Senior Secured Credit Facility or that guarantees certain of the Company's other indebtedness or indebtedness of the Company's restricted subsidiaries (other than intercompany indebtedness) fully and unconditionally guarantee or, in the case of future subsidiaries, will guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the Senior Unsecured Notes (the "Guarantor Subsidiaries"). All of the current Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Company. Guarantor Subsidiaries will be automatically released from these guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including (a) the designation of any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries as an unrestricted subsidiary; (b) the release or discharge of any guarantee or indebtedness that resulted in the creation of the guarantee of the Senior Unsecured Notes by any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries; or (c) the sale or disposition, including the sale of substantially all the assets, of any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Senior Unsecured Notes

The Company completed the issuance of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its Senior Unsecured Notes due May 1, 2022, on April 28, 2014. The Senior Unsecured Notes bear interest at 7.00%, and interest is payable semi-annually. The Senior Unsecured Notes were issued to extend and stagger the Company’s debt maturity profile, further diversify its capital structure and provide more borrowing capacity to better position the Company to execute on its strategic goals. The Company received $294.8 million in net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Unsecured Notes, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions. The proceeds from the Senior Unsecured Notes were used for the same purposes detailed in the April 28, 2014 Senior Secured Credit Facility above.

The Company repurchased $56.5 million of its Senior Unsecured Notes in the open market, resulting in a net gain on debt extinguishment of $14.3 million, during the year ended December 31, 2016. All repurchased Senior Unsecured Notes were canceled. The Company used cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to fund the repurchases. These repurchases were primarily completed to efficiently reduce debt balances and interest expense based on current LIBOR rates.

Each of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries that is a borrower or guarantees indebtedness under the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility or that guarantees certain of the Company’s other indebtedness or indebtedness of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries (other than intercompany indebtedness) fully and unconditionally guarantee or, in the case of future subsidiaries, will guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the Senior Unsecured Notes (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). All of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Company. Guarantor Subsidiaries will be automatically released from these guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events. See Note 22, “Separate Financial Information of Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness,” for further details on the Guarantor Subsidiaries.

International Debt Obligations

The Company entered into ahas two fixed rate, Euro denominated, international term loan on December 28, 2015,loans for purposes of financing certain capital expenditures and general business needs. The $19.6 millionfirst international term loan in the amount of $20.4 million was notentered into on December 28, 2015, was fully funded as of December 31, 2015, but must be funded within one year of the date of the agreement. As the term loan funds over the course ofduring 2016 each tranche will bear interest at a fixed rate of 1.7% plus the bank initiated interest rate swap equivalent of Euro Interbank Offered Rate ("EURIBOR") at the time the tranche is funded. The term loan requires monthly payments and has a term of six years, maturing on December 28, 2021. As of December 31, 2018, $10.2 million remained outstanding on the first international term loan at a weighted average interest rate of 1.72%. The second international term loan in the amount of $7.6 million was entered into on December 21, 2018, bears interest at 1.96% and has a term of five years, maturing on December 31, 2023.

The Company has two multicurrency international revolving credit facility isfacilities that are used for financing working capital and general business needs and will expire on October 31, 2016. At December 31, 2015, theneeds. The Company had no$11.8 million of borrowings outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 2.25% on the international revolving credit facility,facilities as of December 31, 2018, leaving $12.7$4.2 million available for future borrowing. The terms of the international revolving credit facilityfacilities includes certain financial covenants, a guarantee of the international revolving credit facilityfacilities by the Company and a security agreement that includes collateralizing substantially all of the Quad/GraphicsQuad Europe Sp. z.o.o. assets. The facilities bearfirst multicurrency international revolving credit facility expires on October 31, 2019, and bears interest at the aggregate of the Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate ("WIBOR"(“WIBOR”) plus 0.90% for any Polish Zloty denominated borrowings, the aggregate of Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) plus 0.95% for any Euro denominated borrowings or EURIBORthe aggregate of British pound sterling LIBOR plus 0.95% for any British pound sterling denominate borrowings. The second multicurrency international revolving credit facility expires on November 20, 2020, and margin.

Equipment Term Loans

The Company refinanced certain equipment leases during 2015 with a $3.7 million equipment term loan secured by the formerly leased equipment. The equipment term loan bears interest at a fixed ratethe aggregate of 2.53%, requires monthly payments and has a termWIBOR plus 0.70% for any Polish Zloty denominated borrowings or the aggregate of seven years expiring during 2022. The purchase of this equipment resulted in $3.7 million of non-cash investing and financing activities (see Note 1, "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies"EURIBOR plus 0.70% for the required supplemental cash flow information).any Euro denominated borrowings.

The Company refinanced certain equipment leases during 2013 with $17.1 million in equipment term loans secured by the formerly leased equipment. The equipment term loans bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.75%, require quarterly payments and have five year terms expiring during 2018. The purchase of these assets resulted in $12.8 million of non-cash investing and financing activities, which represents the $17.1 million in equipment term loans net of $4.3 million of eliminated capital lease obligations (see Note 1, "Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for the required supplemental cash flow information).

Fair Value of Debt

Based upon the interest rates available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of the Company's total debt was approximately $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The fair value determination of the Company's total debt was categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 15, "Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements," for the definition of Level 2 inputs). As of December 31, 2015, approximately $2.6 billion of the Company's assets were pledged as security under various loans and other agreements.

Debt Issuance Costs and Original Issue Discount

The Company incurred $14.3 million in debt issuance costs in conjunction with the $1.9 billion debt financing arrangement completed on April 28, 2014. In accordance with the accounting guidance for the treatment of debt issuance costs in a debt extinguishment, of the $14.3 million in new debt issuance costs, $11.0 million was capitalized and classified as a reduction of long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets as discussed in Note 25, "New Accounting Pronouncements," and $3.3 million was expensed and classified as loss on debt extinguishment in the consolidated statements of operations. In addition, original issue discount of $3.0 million related to Term Loan B of the Senior Secured Credit Facility was classified as a reduction of long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)


The Company incurred $1.0 million in debt issuance costs in conjunction with the redemptionFair Value of $108.8 million of its senior notes under the master note and security agreement on October 10, 2014. In accordance with the accounting guidance for the treatment of debt issuance costs in a debt extinguishment, the $1.0 million was expensed and classified as loss on debt extinguishment in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.Debt

The Company incurred $1.2 million in debt issuance costs in conjunction withBased upon the amendmentinterest rates available to the master noteCompany for borrowings with similar terms and security agreement on November 24, 2014. In accordance withmaturities, the accounting guidancefair value of the Company’s total debt was approximately $0.9 billion and $1.0 billion at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The fair value determination of the Company’s total debt was categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 14, “Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” for the treatmentdefinition of debt issuance costs in a debt extinguishment,Level 2 inputs). As of December 31, 2018, approximately $2.2 billion of the $1.2 million in new debt issuance costs, $1.0 million was capitalizedCompany’s assets were pledged as security under various loans and classified as a reduction of long term debt in the consolidated balance sheets and $0.2 million was expensed and classified as loss on debt extinguishment in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.other agreements.

The loss on debt extinguishment recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014, was comprised of the following:

 Loss on Debt Extinguishment
Debt issuance costs: 
Loss on debt extinguishment from July 26, 2011 $1.5 billion debt financing arrangement fees that were previously capitalized$2.1
Debt issuance costs from April 28, 2014 $1.9 billion debt financing arrangement3.3
Loss on debt extinguishment from October 10, 2014 partial redemption of senior notes under master note and security agreement1.0
Loss on debt extinguishment from November 24, 2014 amendment to master note and security agreement0.2
Original issue discount: 
Original issue discount from July 26, 2011 $1.5 billion debt financing arrangement0.6
Total$7.2
Debt Issuance Costs and Original Issue Discount

Activity impacting the Company'sCompany’s capitalized debt issuance costs for the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, was as follows:
 
Capitalized Debt
Issuance Costs
Balance at January 1, 2017$11.3
Debt issuance costs from February 10, 2017 debt financing amendment3.2
Write off of debt issuance costs from April 28, 2014 debt financing agreement(1.1)
Amortization of debt issuance costs(3.1)
Balance at December 31, 201710.3
Amortization of debt issuance costs(3.1)
Balance at December 31, 2018$7.2

Activity impacting the Company’s original issue discount for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, was as follows:
 
Capitalized Debt
Issuance Costs
Balance at January 1, 2014$13.9
Capitalized debt issuance costs from April 28, 2014, $1.9 billion debt financing arrangement11.0
Loss on debt extinguishment from July 26, 2011, $1.5 billion debt financing arrangement fees that were previously capitalized(2.1)
Capitalized debt issuance costs from November 24, 2014, amendment to master note and security agreement1.0
Amortization of debt issuance costs(3.8)
Balance at December 31, 2014$20.0
Amortization of debt issuance costs(3.9)
Balance at December 31, 2015$16.1
 Original Issue Discount
Balance at January 1, 2017$1.8
Amortization of original issue discount(0.4)
Balance at December 31, 20171.4
Amortization of original issue discount(0.4)
Balance at December 31, 2018$1.0

Amortization expense for debt issuance costs was $3.1 million, $3.1 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Amortization expense for original issue discount was $0.4 million for the each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The debt issuance costs and original issue discount are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the four, seven and eight year lives of the related debt instruments.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Activity impactingLoss (Gain) on Debt Extinguishment

2017 Loss on Debt Extinguishment

The Company incurred $4.7 million in debt issuance costs in conjunction with the Company's original issue discountsecond amendment to the Company’s Senior Secured Credit Facility. In accordance with the accounting guidance for the yearstreatment of debt issuance costs in a debt extinguishment, of the $4.7 million in new debt issuance costs, $3.2 million is classified as a reduction of long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets and $1.5 million was expensed and is classified as loss on debt extinguishment in the consolidated statements of operations.

The loss on debt extinguishment recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 20152017, was comprised of the following:
 Loss on Debt Extinguishment
Debt issuance costs from April 28, 2014 debt financing arrangement$1.1
Debt issuance costs from February 10, 2017 debt financing arrangement1.5
Total$2.6

2016 Gain on Debt Extinguishment

The Company recorded a net gain on debt extinguishment of $14.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2016. The $14.1 million was comprised of a $14.3 million gain incurred in conjunction with the repurchase of $56.5 million of the Company’s Senior Unsecured Notes, offset by a net loss on debt extinguishment of $0.2 million resulting from the redemption of $60.1 million of the Company’s senior notes under the Master Note and 2014,Security Agreement.

The gain on debt extinguishment recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016, was as follows:comprised of the following:
 Master Note and Security Agreement Senior Unsecured Notes Total
Principal amount repurchased$60.1
 $56.5
 $116.6
      
Repurchase price61.2
 42.5
 103.7
Less: accrued interest paid(1.2) (1.1) (2.3)
Net repurchase price60.0
 41.4
 101.4
      
Debt financing fees expensed(0.1) 
 (0.1)
Debt issuance costs expensed(0.2) (0.8) (1.0)
Gain (loss) on debt extinguishment$(0.2) $14.3
 $14.1



109

 Original Issue Discount
Balance at January 1, 2014$0.7
Original issue discount from April 28, 2014, $1.9 billion debt financing arrangement3.0
Loss on debt extinguishment from July 26, 2011, $1.5 billion debt financing arrangement(0.6)
Amortization of original issue discount(0.4)
Balance at December 31, 2014$2.7
Amortization of original issue discount(0.5)
Balance at December 31, 2015$2.2
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Amortization expense for debt issuance costs was $3.9 million, $3.8 million

QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and $4.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014per share data and 2013, respectively. Amortization expense for original issue discount was $0.5 million, $0.4 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The debt issuance costs and original issue discount are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the five, seven and eight year lives of the related debt instruments.unless otherwise indicated)

Covenants and Compliance

The Company'sCompany’s various lending arrangements include certain financial covenants (all financial terms, numbers and ratios are as defined in the Company'sCompany’s debt agreements). Among these covenants, the Company was required to maintain the following as of December 31, 2015:2018:

Total Leverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the total leverage ratio, defined as total consolidated debt to consolidated EBITDA, shall not exceed 3.75 to 1.00 (for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s total leverage ratio was 2.892.19 to 1.00).

Senior Secured Leverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the senior secured leverage ratio, defined as senior secured debt to consolidated EBITDA, shall not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 (for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s senior secured leverage ratio was 2.261.63 to 1.00).

Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. On a rolling twelve-month basis, the minimum interest coverage ratio, defined as consolidated EBITDA to consolidated cash interest expense, shall not be less than 3.50 to 1.00 (for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s minimum interest coverage ratio was 5.666.23 to 1.00).

The indenture underlying the Senior Unsecured Notes contains various covenants, including, but not limited to, covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, limit the Company'sCompany’s and its restricted subsidiaries'subsidiaries’ ability to:to incur and/or guarantee additional debt; pay dividends, repurchase stock or make certain other restricted payments; enter into agreements limiting dividends and certain other restricted payments; prepay, redeem or repurchase subordinated debt; grant liens on assets; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; merge, consolidate, transfer or dispose of substantially all of the Company'sCompany’s consolidated assets; sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of property and assets; and engage in transactions with affiliates.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

In addition to those covenants, the Senior Secured Credit Facility also includes certain limitations on acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividends and repurchases of capital stock, including the following:

If the Company'sCompany’s total leverage ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility), the Company is prohibited from making greater than $120.0 million of annual dividend payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other payments. If the total leverage ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions.

If the Company'sCompany’s senior secured leverage ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1.00 or the Company'sCompany’s total leverage ratio is greater than 3.50 to 1.00 (these ratios as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility), the Company is prohibited from voluntarily prepaying any of the Senior Unsecured Notes and from voluntarily prepaying any other unsecured or subordinated indebtedness, with certain exceptions (including any mandatory prepayments on the Senior Unsecured Notes or any other unsecured or subordinated debt). If the senior secured leverage ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00 and the total leverage ratio is less than 3.50 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Estimated Principal Payments

The approximate annual principal amounts due on long-term debt, excluding $16.1$7.2 million for future amortization of debt issuance costs and $2.2$1.0 million for future amortization of original issue discount, at December 31, 2015,2018, were as follows:

 Principle Payments
2016$95.5
201782.5
201890.4
2019392.7
202035.9
2021 – 2025636.0
2026 – 203018.8
20311.0
Total$1,352.8
 Principal Payments
2019$41.3
202069.2
2021548.2
2022251.4
20236.7
2024 – 202813.9
2029 – 20313.0
Total$933.7

Note 13.12. Lease Obligations

The Company enters into various master lease agreements for press, finishing and transportation equipment. These leases provide the Company with options to purchase the related equipment at the termination value, as defined, and at various early buyout dates during the term of the lease. These leases are accounted for as capital leases on the consolidated balance sheets.

The components of capital lease assets at December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, were as follows:
 2018 2017
Leased equipment—gross$33.4
 $38.0
Less: accumulated depreciation(18.9) (19.3)
Leased equipment—net$14.5
 $18.7

The future maturities of capitalized leases at December 31, 2018, were as follows:
 2015 2014
Leased equipment—gross$23.6
 $37.1
Less: accumulated depreciation(10.9) (26.2)
Leased equipment—net$12.7
 $10.9
 Future Maturities of Capitalized Leases
2019$5.9
20204.9
20214.1
20222.0
20230.2
2024 and thereafter
Total minimum payments17.1
Less: amounts representing interest(1.7)
Present value of minimum payments15.4
Less: current portion(5.1)
Long-term capital lease obligations$10.3



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)


The future maturities of capitalized leases at December 31, 2015, were as follows:

 Future Maturities of Capitalized Leases
2016$5.3
20174.8
20182.6
20191.2
20200.7
2021 and thereafter0.7
Total minimum payments$15.3
Less: amounts representing interest(0.5)
Present value of minimum payments$14.8
Less: current portion(5.1)
Long-term capital lease obligations$9.7

The Company has various operating lease agreements. Future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases at December 31, 2015,2018, were as follows:

 Future Minimum Rental Commitments
2016$53.2
201746.7
201839.6
201932.2
202021.3
2021 and thereafter44.0
Total$237.0
 Future Minimum Rental Commitments
2019$38.2
202033.4
202123.9
202217.8
202313.7
2024 and thereafter31.1
Total$158.1

Rent expense under these operating lease agreements totaled $44.8$38.5 million, $39.6$37.3 million and $36.9$43.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively.

Note 14.13. Income Taxes

Income taxes have been based on the following components of earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entitiesentity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013:2016:
 2018 2017 2016
United States$(5.8) $65.6
 $48.4
Foreign2.9
 25.6
 10.9
Total$(2.9) $91.2
 $59.3

The components of income tax (benefit) expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
 2018 2017 2016
Federal:     
Current$4.8
 $1.4
 $32.0
Deferred(7.3) (5.5) (20.0)
State:     
Current(2.1) 2.7
 3.9
Deferred0.4
 (0.5) (5.3)
Foreign:     
Current2.0
 2.4
 3.7
Deferred(7.6) (16.5) (1.3)
Total income tax (benefit) expense$(9.8) $(16.0) $13.0


 2015 2014 2013
United States$(855.1) $57.4
 $83.0
Foreign(63.3) (16.2) (26.3)
Total$(918.4) $41.2
 $56.7



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The components of income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:

 2015 2014 2013
Federal:     
Current$5.6
 $(11.6) $24.9
Deferred(281.4) 21.1
 (7.8)
State:     
Current0.5
 (0.9) 5.6
Deferred(13.9) 1.3
 (1.4)
Foreign:     
Current3.6
 5.9
 3.9
Deferred2.8
 4.4
 (1.9)
Total income tax expense (benefit)$(282.8) $20.2
 $23.3

The Company recorded $808.3 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2015, of which $743.0 million is nondeductible for income tax purposes. The total tax benefit of $265.9 million was composed of: (1) a $241.4 million deferred tax benefit associated with the reduction of the deferred tax liability related to the investments in United States subsidiaries due to the lower estimated fair value of the United States Print and Related Services segment and (2) a $24.5 million tax benefit on the $65.3 million of deductible goodwill. The deferred tax liability related to the investments in United States subsidiaries was originally established when the former World Color Press entities emerged from bankruptcy in 2009.

The following table outlines the reconciliation of differences between the Federal statutory tax rate and the Company's effectiveCompany’s income tax rate(benefit) expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013:2016:
 2018 2017 2016
Federal statutory rate$(0.6) $31.9
 $20.8
Adjustment to valuation allowances(6.9) (20.0) 1.0
Adjustment of uncertain tax positions(3.7) (2.6) 0.9
State taxes, net of federal benefit(2.0) 2.0
 (2.1)
Foreign rate differential(0.8) (2.9) (4.8)
Impact from foreign branches2.6
 7.1
 3.6
Adjustment of deferred tax liabilities1.4
 (1.7) 2.2
Federal rate change(0.8) (28.8) 
Domestic production activity deduction
 (0.9) (3.3)
Loss on foreign investment
 
 (4.7)
Other1.0
 (0.1) (0.6)
Income tax (benefit) expense$(9.8) $(16.0) $13.0

The $6.9 million adjustment to valuation allowance in 2018 primarily relates to net operating losses and deferred tax assets related to property, plant and equipment expected to be realized in the future by one of the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries based on current and projected future profitability. The $20.0 million adjustment to valuation allowance in 2017 primarily relates to an income tax credit utilized by the Company’s Polish subsidiaries due to sustainable profitability.  The Company determined the utilization of the credit is sufficient to record a reduction in the valuation allowance in order to reflect the current net realizable value of related deferred tax assets based on estimated credit utilization through 2026, the year the credit expires.


 2015 2014 2013
Federal statutory rate35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
Foreign rate differential0.2
 (4.5) 6.0
State taxes, net of federal benefit
 (0.2) 4.3
Investment in United States subsidiaries26.3
 
 
Nondeductible goodwill impairment(28.3) 
 
Nondeductible equity method investment impairment(0.6) 
 
Adjustment to valuation allowances(1.0) 26.1
 13.7
Impact from foreign branches(0.3) 0.6
 (5.8)
Adjustment of deferred tax liabilities(0.1) 10.1
 (1.8)
Adjustment of uncertain tax positions(0.1) (22.9) 1.9
Domestic production activity deduction
 (1.6) (6.0)
Nondeductible transaction costs
 0.6
 0.3
Other(0.3) 5.8
 (6.5)
Effective income tax rate30.8 % 49.0 % 41.1 %



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Deferred Income Taxes

The significant deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, were as follows:
2015 20142018 2017
Deferred tax assets:      
Net operating loss and other tax carryforwards$157.7
 $151.6
$125.1
 $129.6
Pension, postretirement and workers compensation benefits90.5
 98.2
Interest limitation81.3
 115.3
47.1
 43.7
Pension and workers compensation benefits46.0
 42.7
Accrued compensation42.4
 43.0
16.6
 20.2
Accrued liabilities28.8
 24.4
14.1
 19.3
Goodwill and intangible assets11.4
 7.5
Allowance for doubtful accounts16.6
 18.7
6.4
 7.3
Other21.8
 24.8
7.3
 9.4
Total deferred tax assets439.1
 476.0
274.0
 279.7
Valuation allowance(164.4) (156.1)(115.2) (126.9)
      
Net deferred tax assets$274.7
 $319.9
$158.8
 $152.8
      
Deferred tax liabilities:      
Property, plant and equipment$(317.1) $(359.0)$(153.8) $(165.0)
Goodwill and intangible assets(3.2) (41.2)
Investment in United States subsidiaries
 (240.9)
Other(13.4) (14.8)(9.7) (8.5)
Total deferred tax liabilities(333.7) (655.9)(163.5) (173.5)
      
Net deferred tax liabilities$(59.0) $(336.0)$(4.7) $(20.7)

The Company has recorded deferred income tax liabilities of $32.1 million and $41.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which were included in deferred income taxes in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has also recorded deferred income tax assets of $27.4 million and $21.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which were included in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

At December 31, 2015,2018, the Company had the following gross amounts of tax-related carryforwards:

Net operating loss carryforwards of $7.4 million, $142.0$99.1 million and $675.3$501.5 million for federal, foreign and state, respectively. The federal net operating loss carryforwards expire in 2035. Of the foreign net operating loss carryforwards, $48.7$30.2 million areis available without expiration, while the remainder expireexpires through 2034.2038. The state net operating loss carryforwards expire in varying amounts through 2035.2038.

Capital loss carryforwards of $155.6$24.6 million and $96.1$13.6 million for federal and state, respectively. Of the federal capital loss carryforwards, $149.4 million expires in 2017 and $6.2 million expires in 2019;2019, $1.1 million expires in 2021 and $17.3 million expires in 2022; and of the state capital loss carryforwards, $92.5$4.6 million expires in 2017 and $3.62019, $0.5 million expires in 2019.2021 and $8.5 million expires in 2022.

Various credit carryforwards of $1.7 million and $46.1 million for federal and state, respectively. The state credit carryforwards include $20.3 million that are available without expiration, while the remainder expire through 2035.

At December 31, 2015, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $164.4 million on its consolidated balance sheet primarily related to the tax-affected amounts of the above carryforwards. The valuation allowance includes $54.5 million, $49.4 million and $60.5 million of federal, foreign and state deferred tax assets, respectively, that are not expected to be realized.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)


Various credit carryforwards of $30.1 million and $44.1 million for foreign and state, respectively. The foreign credit carryforward expires in 2026. The state credit carryforwards include $32.0 million that is available without expiration, while the remainder expires through 2033.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company considershas recorded a valuation allowance of $115.2 million on its consolidated balance sheet primarily related to the tax-affected amounts of the above carryforwards. The valuation allowance includes $5.9 million, $53.6 million and $55.7 million of federal, foreign earningsand state deferred tax assets, respectively, that are not expected to be indefinitely invested. Accordingly, the Company does not provide for the additional United States and foreign income taxes which would become payable upon remission of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries at December 31, 2015, are not material.realized.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The following table summarizes the activity of the Company'sCompany’s liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013:

2016:
2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Balance at beginning of period$31.1
 $44.5
 $46.5
$21.6
 $29.6
 $29.8
Additions for tax positions of the current year0.7
 0.5
 0.1

 2.3
 0.3
Additions for tax positions of prior years1.4
 2.4
 0.7
0.5
 1.3
 1.0
Reductions for tax positions of prior years(0.9) (5.1) (0.5)(0.8) (11.3) (0.7)
Lapses of applicable statutes of limitations(6.1) (0.3) (0.8)
Settlements during the period(0.8) (0.3) (2.1)(0.8) 
 
Lapses of applicable statutes of limitations(1.6) (10.8) (0.2)
Foreign exchange and other(0.1) (0.1) 
Balance at end of period$29.8
 $31.1
 $44.5
$14.4
 $21.6
 $29.6

As of December 31, 2015, $29.82018, $14.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits would impact the Company'sCompany’s effective tax rate, if recognized. Of that amount, it is reasonably possible that $1.0$4.6 million of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease within 12the next twelve months due to resolution of income tax audits or statute expirations.

The Company classified interest (income) expense and any related penalties (refunds) related to income tax uncertainties as a component of income tax (benefit) expense. The following table summarizes the Company'sCompany’s interest (income) expense (income) related to tax uncertainties and penalties recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013:2016:
 2018 2017 2016
Interest (income) expense$(2.8) $(2.5) $1.0
Penalties (refunds)(0.4) 0.1
 

Accrued interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties are reported as components of other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the Company’s liabilities for accrued interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties at December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
 Accrued interest Accrued penalties Accrued interest Accrued penalties
Other current liabilities$0.2
 $0.1
 $0.1
 $0.2
Other long-term liabilities0.3
 
 3.2
 0.3
Total liabilities$0.5
 $0.1
 $3.3
 $0.5


 2015 2014 2013
Interest expense (income)$
 $0.8
 $(1.0)
Penalties recognized(0.1) 
 (0.2)



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Accrued interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties are reported as components of other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The following table summarizes the Company's liabilities for accrued interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 2015 2014
Accrued interest   
Other current liabilities$
 $0.1
Other long-term liabilities4.8
 4.8
Total accrued interest$4.8
 $4.9
    
Accrued penalties   
Other current liabilities$
 $
Other long-term liabilities0.4
 0.5
Total accrued penalties$0.4
 $0.5

The Company has tax years from 20122014 through 20152018 that remain open and subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Tax years from 20072013 through 20152018 remain open and subject to examination in the Company'sCompany’s various major state jurisdictions within the United States.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Act. The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent; (2) requiring companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries; (3) generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (4) requiring a current inclusion in U.S. federal taxable income of certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations; (5) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (6) creating the base erosion anti-abuse tax, a new minimum tax; (7) the repeal of the domestic production activity deduction; and (8) bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property.

The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete, but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act.

The Company applied the guidance in SAB 118 when accounting for the enactment-date effects of the Tax Act in 2017 and throughout 2018. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had not completed the accounting for all of the enactment-date income tax effects of the Tax Act for the following aspects: (1) remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the reduced U.S. federal corporate rate; (2) deemed repatriation transition tax; and (3) global intangible low-tax income (“GILTI”). As of December 31, 2018, the Company has completed the accounting for all the enactment-date income tax effects of the Tax Act. As discussed further below, during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized adjustments of $0.8 million to the preliminary provisional amount recorded at December 31, 2017, and included these adjustments as a component of income tax expense.

Reduction of U.S. federal corporate rate: The Tax Act reduced the corporate tax rate to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. The Company had recorded a provisional decrease of $23.7 million to its deferred tax liabilities, with a corresponding net adjustment to deferred income tax expense. Upon refinement of the calculation during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company increased the provisional adjustment by $0.8 million to $24.5 million, which was included as a component of income tax expense.

Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax: The Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax (“Transition Tax”) is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits (“E&P”) of certain foreign subsidiaries. To determine the amount of the Transition Tax, the Company must determine, in addition to other factors, the amount of post-1986 E&P of the relevant subsidiaries, as well as the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid on such earnings. After further analysis, the Company concluded that its Transition Tax was zero based on the aggregate post-1986 foreign earnings and profits deficit of the relevant subsidiaries. Therefore, there was no change from the initial estimate as of December 31, 2017.

Global intangible low taxed income: The Tax Act creates a new requirement that certain income (i.e. GILTI) earned by controlled foreign corporations (“CFCs”) must be included currently in the gross income of the CFCs’ U.S. shareholder. GILTI is the excess of the shareholder’s “net CFC tested income” over the net deemed tangible income return, which is currently defined as the excess of (1) ten percent of the aggregate of the U.S. shareholder’s pro rata share


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

of the qualified business asset investment of each CFC with respect to which it is a U.S. shareholder over (2) the amount of certain interest expense taken into account in the determination of net CFC-tested income.

Under GAAP, the Company is allowed to make an accounting policy choice of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as current-period expense when incurred (the “period cost method”) or (2) factoring such amounts into a company’s measurement of its deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). The Company has elected to account for GILTI as a period cost. Accordingly, this income has been included as a component of current income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018.

As a result of the Tax Act, historical earnings in certain foreign subsidiaries became subject to the U.S. Transition Tax, as described above. However, an actual repatriation from these subsidiaries could be subject to additional foreign and U.S. state income taxes. The Company considers its foreign earnings to be indefinitely invested. Accordingly, the Company does not provide for, nor expect to incur, any significant, additional taxes which could become payable upon repatriation of such amounts.

Note 15.14. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, while other assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally as a result of acquisitions or impairment charges. Fair value is determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. GAAP also classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

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

Level 2:Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability.

Level 3:Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. There arewere no Level 3 recurring measurements of assets or liabilities as of December 31, 2015.2018.

Interest Rate Swap

The Company recordsentered into a $250.0 million interest rate swap on February 7, 2017. The swap was designated as a cash flow hedge as its purpose is to reduce the fair value of its forward contracts and pension plan assets on a recurring basis. The fair valuevariability of cash flows from interest payments related to a portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt. The swap effectively converts $250.0 million of the Company’s variable-rate debt based on one-month LIBOR to a fixed rate of 3.89% (including a 2.00% spread on underlying debt at December 31, 2018). The variable interest rate resets monthly and cash equivalents, receivables, inventories, restricted cash, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and amounts owing in satisfaction of bankruptcy claims approximate their carrying valuesthe swap is a five year arrangement, maturing on February 28, 2022.

The Company classifies the interest rate swap as Level 2 because the inputs into the valuation model are observable or can be derived or corroborated utilizing observable market data at commonly quoted intervals. The interest rate swap was highly effective as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. See Note 12, "Debt," for further discussion on2018; therefore, the increase in fair value of $2.2 million during the Company's debtyear ended December 31, 2018 is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets and Note 17, "Employee Retirement Plans," foris shown as a change in other comprehensive income in the detailsconsolidated statements of Level 1 and Level 2 inputscomprehensive income (loss). No amount of ineffectiveness has been recorded into earnings related to Employee Retirement Plans.this cash flow hedge. The interest rate swap was classified as an asset, with fair values of $4.3 million and $2.1 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and was recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company is required to record certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally as a result of acquisitions or the remeasurement of assets resulting in impairment charges. See Note 2, "Acquisitions and Strategic Investments," for further discussion on acquisitions. See Note 3, "Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges," Note 4, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," Note 7, "Property, Plant and Equipment," and Note 8, "Equity Method


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

InvestmentsThe company received a net interest payment totaling $0.2 million of interest income during the year ended December 31, 2018, and made a net interest payment totaling $1.6 million of interest expense during the year ended December 31, 2017. The net interest payments have been recognized as an adjustment to interest expense in Unconsolidated Entities," for further discussion on impairment charges recorded as a resultthe consolidated statements of the remeasurement of certain long-lived assets.operations.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

The Company has operations in countries that have transactions outside their functional currencies and periodically enters into foreign exchange contracts. These contracts are used to hedge the net exposures of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and are designated as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. Gains or losses on net foreign currency hedges are intended to offset losses or gains on the underlying net exposures in an effort to reduce the earnings volatility resulting from fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. There were no open foreign currency exchange contracts as of December 31, 2015.2018.

Natural Gas Forward Contracts

The Company periodically enters into natural gas forward purchase contracts to hedge against increases in commodity costs. The Company'sCompany’s commodity contracts qualified for the exception related to normal purchases and sales during the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, as the Company takes delivery in the normal course of business.

Note 16. Other Long-Term LiabilitiesDebt

The componentsCompany measures fair value on its debt instruments using interest rates available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms and maturities and is categorized as Level 2. See Note 11, “Debt,” for the fair value of other long-termthe Company’s debt as of December 31, 2018.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company is required to record certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally as a result of acquisitions or the remeasurement of assets resulting in impairment charges. See Note 3, “Acquisitions and Strategic Investments,” for further discussion on acquisitions. See Note 4, “Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges,” and Note 8, “Property, Plant and Equipment,” for further discussion on impairment charges recorded as a result of the remeasurement of certain long-lived assets.

Other Estimated Fair Value Measurements

The Company records the fair value of its forward contracts and pension plan assets on a recurring basis. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, inventories, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014, were as follows:2017. See Note 15, “Employee Retirement Plans,” for the details of Level 1 and Level 2 inputs related to employee retirement plans.



118

 2015 2014
Single employer pension and postretirement obligations$136.0
 $161.5
Multiemployer pension plans – withdrawal liability31.0
 39.1
Tax-related liabilities22.2
 17.4
Employee-related liabilities64.6
 67.6
Restructuring reserve6.6
 6.1
Other40.1
 47.6
Total$300.5
 $339.3
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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 17.15. Employee Retirement Plans

Defined Contribution Plans

The Quad/Graphics, Inc. Diversified Plan is comprised of participant directedparticipant-directed 401(k) contributions, Company match and profit sharing contributions, with total participant assets of $1.9$1.8 billion as of December 31, 2015.2018. Company 401(k) matching contributions were $16.6$8.5 million, $14.6$7.2 million and $13.2$13.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively. The Quad/Graphics Employee Stock Ownership PlanESOP holds profit sharing contributions of Company stock, which are made at the discretion of the Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors. On February 16, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 1,006,061 shares of Company class A common stock from treasury to the Company’s ESOP, at a stock price of $22.18 per share for a total value of $22.3 million. There were no profit sharing contributions for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017 and 2013.2016.

Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The Company assumed various funded and unfunded frozen pension plans for a portion of its full-time employees in the United States as part of the acquisition of World Color Press in 2010. Benefits are generally based upon years of service and compensation. These plans are funded in conformity with the applicable government regulations. The Company funds at least the minimum amount required for all qualified plans using actuarial cost methods and assumptions acceptable under government regulations. In addition to pension benefits, the Company provided certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for some retired employees. In 2014, the Company eliminated the postretirement medical benefit coverage for all retirees.

The components of net pension income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
 Pension Benefits
 2018 2017 2016
Interest cost$(16.0) $(17.3) $(18.1)
Expected return on plan assets28.4
 27.7
 30.2
Net periodic benefit income12.4
 10.4
 12.1
Settlement charge
 (0.8) (7.0)
Net pension income$12.4
 $9.6
 $5.1



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The components of the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:

 Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013
Interest cost$(26.9) $(29.3) $(28.2) $
 $(0.1) $(0.1)
Expected return on plan assets34.9
 34.4
 30.2
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 
 
 
 5.8
 5.7
Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)
 
 (0.3) 
 0.3
 
Net periodic benefit income8.0
 5.1
 1.7
 
 6.0
 5.6
Curtailment/settlement gain
 
 2.1
 
 
 
Termination gain
 
 
 
 4.9
 
Total income$8.0
 $5.1
 $3.8
 $
 $10.9
 $5.6

The underfunded pension obligations are calculated using generally accepted actuarial methods and are measured annually as of December 31. The following table provides a reconciliation of the projected benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets and the funded status of the pension plans as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014:2017:
 Pension Benefits
 2018 2017
Changes in benefit obligation   
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year$(538.9) $(560.6)
Interest cost(16.0) (17.3)
Actuarial gain (loss)34.2
 (17.2)
Benefits paid44.3
 54.3
Liability benefit from lump-sum settlement
 1.9
Projected benefit obligation, end of year(476.4) (538.9)
    
Changes in plan assets   
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year454.8
 446.4
Actual return (loss) on plan assets(23.7) 61.7
Employer contributions7.0
 1.0
Benefits paid(44.3) (54.3)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year393.8
 454.8
    
Funded status$(82.6) $(84.1)

Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, were as follows:
 Pension Benefits
 2018 2017
Current liabilities$(1.7) $(1.7)
Noncurrent liabilities(80.9) (82.4)
Total amount recognized$(82.6) $(84.1)

The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss prior to any deferred tax effects at December 31, 2018 and 2017:
 Pension Benefits
 Actuarial Gain / (Loss), net
Balance at January 1, 2017$(34.7)
Amount arising during the period18.7
Impact of pension plan settlement charge included in net earnings (loss)0.8
Balance at December 31, 2017(15.2)
Amount arising during the period(18.1)
Balance at December 31, 2018$(33.3)


 Pension Benefits
 2015 2014
Changes in benefit obligation   
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year$(711.3) $(635.2)
Interest cost(26.9) (29.3)
Actuarial gain (loss)39.3
 (104.1)
Benefits paid53.0
 57.3
Projected benefit obligation, end of year$(645.9) $(711.3)
    
Changes in plan assets   
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year$548.6
 $525.2
Actual return on plan assets(0.5) 44.4
Employer contributions13.0
 36.3
Benefits paid(53.0) (57.3)
Fair value of plan assets, end of year$508.1
 $548.6
    
Funded status$(137.8) $(162.7)



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

AmountsOn July 1, 2017, the Company provided the option to receive a lump-sum pension payment to a select group of terminated vested participants. Total lump sum payments of $21.4 million were paid during 2017, of which $8.4 million was paid in October 2017 under the lump-sum program. During 2017, the Company settled $23.3 million of pension liabilities for $21.4 million of pension payments.

On April 1, 2016, the Company provided the option to receive a lump-sum pension payment to a select group of terminated vested participants. Total lump-sum payments of $74.8 million were paid during 2016, of which $56.4 million was paid in July 2016 under the lump-sum program. During 2016, the Company settled $92.6 million of pension liabilities for $74.8 million of pension payouts.

Payments to eligible participants who elected to receive a lump-sum pension payment were funded from existing pension plan assets and constituted a settlement of the Company’s pension liabilities with respect to these participants. As a result of the lump-sums paid to participants, non-cash settlement charges of $0.8 million and $7.0 million were recognized onduring the consolidated balance sheets as ofyears ended December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively. The settlement charges were classified as follows:

 Pension Benefits
 2015 2014
Current liabilities$(1.8) $(1.2)
Noncurrent liabilities(136.0) (161.5)
Total amount recognized$(137.8) $(162.7)

The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company's accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) prior to any deferred tax effects at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
 Actuarial Gain / (Loss), net Actuarial Gain / (Loss), net Prior Service Credit/(Cost) Total
Balance at January 1, 2014$50.6
 $(11.6) $22.6
 $11.0
Amount arising during the period(95.2) 
 
 
Amortization included in net earnings (loss)
 (0.3) (5.8) (6.1)
Impact of plan termination included in net earnings (loss)
 11.9
 (16.8) (4.9)
Balance at December 31, 2014$(44.6) $
 $
 $
Amount arising during the period3.7
 
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2015$(40.9) $
 $
 $

In 2014, the Company announced the elimination of postretirement medical benefit coverage for all retirees, which resulted in the reduction of plan obligations by $3.7 million and recognition of a termination gain of $4.9 million. The termination gain was recorded in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges in the consolidated statement of operations.

In 2013, These charges resulted from the Company paid out lump sums to participants that exceeded the threshold for settlement accounting, which resultedrecognition in an accelerationearnings of a portion of the recognition ofactuarial losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and a settlement gainloss based on the proportion of $2.1 million. The settlement gain was recorded in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges in the consolidated statement of operations.obligation settled.

Actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets are recognized as a component of net periodic benefit costs over the average remaining service period of a plan'splan’s active employees. Unrecognized prior service costs or credits are also recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost over the average remaining service period of a plan'splan’s active employees. No amortization of amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss is expected to be recognized as componentsa component of net periodic pension income in 2016.2019.

The weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
 Pension Benefits
 2018 2017 2016
Discount rate3.52% 3.91% 3.32%
Expected long-term return on plan assets6.50% 6.50% 6.50%

The weighted average assumptions used to determine pension benefit obligations at December 31, 2018 and 2017, were as follows:
 Pension Benefits
 2018 2017
Discount rate (end of year rate)4.22% 3.52%

The Company determines its assumed discount rate based on an index of high-quality corporate bond yields and matched-funding yield curve analysis as of the measurement date.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The weighted-average assumptions, separately for the pension and postretirement benefit plans, used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:

 Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits
 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013
Discount rate (beginning of year rate)3.90% 4.80% 3.90% N/A 3.60% 2.80%
Expected long-term return on plan assets6.50% 6.50% 6.50% N/A N/A
 N/A

The weighted-average assumptions used to determine pension benefit obligations at December 31, 2015 and 2014, were as follows:

 Pension Benefits
 2015 2014
Discount rate (end of year rate)4.14% 3.90%

The Company determines its assumed discount rate based on an index of high-quality corporate bond yields and matched-funding yield curve analysis as of the measurement date. For 2015, the Company measured interest costs utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the plan obligations. Beginning in 2016, the Company will change the approach used to measure interest costs for pension benefits. For 2016, the Company elected to measure interest costs by applying the specific spot rates along that yield curve to the plans' liability cash flows. The new method would also impact the calculation of service costs, but this is not applicable to the Company's pension plans due to their frozen status. The Company believes the new approach provides a more precise measurement of interest costs by aligning the timing of the plans' liability cash flows to the corresponding spot rates on the yield curve. This change does not affect the measurement of the plan obligations. The Company is reflecting this as a change in accounting estimate, and accordingly, is accounting for it on a prospective basis.

Estimated Company Contributions and Benefit Payments

In 2016,2019, the Company expects to make cash contributions of $0.4$4.7 million to its qualified defined benefit pension plans and expects to make estimated benefit payments of $1.9$1.8 million to its non-qualified defined benefit pension plans. The actual pension contributions may differ based on the funding calculations, and the Company may choose to make additional discretionary contributions. The estimated benefit payments may differ based on actual experience.


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)


Estimated Future Benefit Payments by the Plans to or on behalfBehalf of Plan Participants

An estimate of the Plans'Plans’ present value of future benefit payments to be made from funded qualified plans and unfunded non-qualified plans to plan participants at December 31, 2015,2018, were as follows:
Pension Benefits
Future Pension
Benefit Payments
2016$47.7
201746.4
201845.9
201945.1
$40.4
202044.7
38.8
2021 – 2025210.5
202138.0
202236.8
202335.3
2024 – 2028160.7
Thereafter205.6
126.4
Total$645.9
$476.4

Plan Assets and Investment Strategy

The Company follows a disciplined investment strategy, which provides diversification of investments by asset class, foreign currency, sector and company. The Pension Committee has an approved investment policy for the pension plan that establishes long-term asset mix targets based on several factors including the following: the funded status, historical returns achieved by worldwide investment markets, the time horizon of the pension plan'splan’s obligations, and the investment risk. An allocation range by asset class is developed whereby a mix of equity securities and debt securities are used to provide an appropriate risk-adjusted long-term return on plan assets. Third-party investment managers are employed to invest assets in both passively-indexed and actively-managed strategies and investment returns and risks are monitored on an ongoing basis. Derivatives are used at certain times to hedge foreign currency exposure. Gains or losses on the derivatives are offset by a corresponding change in the value of the hedged assets. Derivatives are strictly used for hedging purposes and not speculative purposes.

The current target allocations for plan assets on a weighted-averageweighted average basis are 55%30% equity securities and 45%70% debt securities, including cash and cash equivalents. The actual asset allocation as of December 31, 2015,2018, was approximately 54%30% equity securities and 46%70% debt securities. The actual asset allocation as of December 31, 2014,2017, was approximately 66%41% equity securities and 34%59% debt securities. Equity investments are diversified by country, issuer and industry sector. Debt securities primarily consist of government bonds and corporate bonds from diversified industries.

The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption is selected by first identifying the expected range of long-term rates of return for each major asset class. Expected long-term rates of return are developed based on long-term historical averages, current expectations of future returns and anticipated inflation rates. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is then calculated by weighting each asset class.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The fair values of the Company'sCompany’s pension plan assets at December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, by asset category were as follows:

 December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017
Asset Category Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents $3.7
 $3.7
 $
 $
 $1.5
 $1.5
 $
 $
 $2.7
 $2.7
 $
 $
 $2.6
 $2.6
 $
 $
Debt securities 228.4
 
 228.4
 
 187.6
 
 187.6
 
 113.9
 
 113.9
 
 118.4
 
 118.4
 
Equity securities 276.0
 22.9
 253.1
 
 359.5
 105.4
 254.1
 
 26.4
 
 26.4
 
 40.0
 
 40.0
 
Total $508.1
 $26.6
 $481.5
 $
 $548.6
 $106.9
 $441.7
 $
 143.0
 $2.7
 $140.3
 $
 161.0
 $2.6
 $158.4
 $
Investments measured at net asset value (“NAV”) (1)
 250.8
       293.8
      
 $393.8
       $454.8
      

(1)
These investments consist of privately placed funds that are valued based on NAV. NAV of the funds is based on the fair value of each fund’s underlying investments. In accordance with ASC Subtopic 820-10, certain investments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.

There are no Level 3 assets or liabilities as of December 31, 20152018 and 2014.2017. See Note 14, “ Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements,” for definitions of fair value levels.

The Company segregated its plan assets by the following major categories and levels for determining their fair value as of December 31, 2015:2018:

Cash and cash equivalents. Carrying value approximates fair value and these assets are classified as Level 1.

Debt Securities. This category consists of bonds, short-term fixed income securities and fixed income pooled funds fair valued based on a compilation of primarily observable market information or broker quotes in over-the-counter markets and are classified as Level 2.

Equity Securities. This category consists of equity investments and equity pooled funds and these assetsthat are classified as Level 1 and2 in the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 respectively. The fair value of equity investments is based onassets are valued using quoted prices in anmarkets that are not active, market. The fair value ofbroker dealer quotations, and other methods by which all significant input was observable at the equity pooled funds is based on the funds' Net Asset Value ("NAV") established by the funds' administrator.measurement date.

The valuation methodologies described above may generate a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or future fair values. While the Company believes the valuation methodologies used are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions in calculating fair value could result in different amounts. The Company invests in various assets in which valuation is determined by NAV. The Company believes that NAV is representative of fair value at the reporting date, as there are no significant restrictions on redemption on these investments or other reasons to indicate that the investment would be redeemed at an amount different than NAV.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The fair value measurements in common/collective trusts, calculated using a NAV and their redemption restrictions, for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, are as follows:
 Fair Value Redemption Frequency (If Currently Eligible) Redemption Notice Period
 2018 2017 
JP Morgan Chase Bank Strategic Property Fund$18.0
 $23.3
 Quarterly 30 days
Pyramis Long Corporate A or Better78.6
 73.9
 Daily 15 days
Pyramis Long Duration79.2
 73.5
 Daily 15 days
Russell 3000 Index NL75.0
 123.1
 Daily 1 day
Total value of investments measured at NAV$250.8
 $293.8
    

Risk Management

For all directly invested funds, the concentration risk is monitored through specific guidelines in the investment manager mandates. The investment manager mandates were developed by the Company'sCompany’s external investment advisor, and specify diversification standards such as the maximum exposure per issuer, and concentration limits per type of security, industry and country when applicable.

For the investments made through pooled funds, the investment mandates of the funds were again reviewed by the Company'sCompany’s external investment advisor, to determine that the investment objectives and guidelines were consistent with the Company'sCompany’s overall pension plan risk management objectives. In managing the plan assets, management reviews and manages risk associated with funded status risk, interest rate risk, market risk, counterparty risk, liquidity risk and operational risk. Liability management and asset class diversification are central to the Company'sCompany’s risk management approach and are integral to the overall investment strategy.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Given the process in place to ensure a proper diversification of the portfolio, management believes that the Company pension plan assets are not exposed to significant concentration risk.

Multiemployer Pension Plans

The Company has previously participated in a number of MEPPs under terms of collective bargaining agreements that cover a number of its employees. The risks of participating in these MEPPs are different from single employer plans in the following aspects:

Assets contributed to the MEPPs by one company may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating companies.

If a participating company stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating companies.

If the Company stops participating in some or all of its MEPPs, and continues in business, the Company would be required to pay an amount, referred to as a withdrawal liability, based on the unfunded status of the plan.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The Company has withdrawn from all significant MEPPs and replaced these union sponsored "promise“promise to pay in the future"future” defined benefit plans with a Company sponsored "pay“pay as you go"go” defined contribution plan. The two MEPPs, the GCIU and GCC, are significantly underfunded, and will require the Company to pay a withdrawal liability to fund its pro rata share of the underfunding as of the plan year the full withdrawal was completed. As a result of the decision to withdraw, the Company accrued a $98.6 millionthe estimated withdrawal liability based on information provided by each plan'splan’s trustee, as part of the purchase price allocation for World Color Press. The Company is making required interim payments to the MEPPs for the Company's withdrawal liability from the GCIU and the GCC plans.

The GCIU Plan is a defined benefit plan that provides retirement benefits, total and permanent disability benefits, and pre-retirement death benefits for the participating union employees of the Company. The funded status of the GCIU Plan is classified as critical and declining based on the GCIU Plan's 2015Plan’s 2018 certification to the United States Department of Labor, as the funded percentage for the plan is less than 65%, and the plan is projected to have an accumulated funding deficit over the next four plan years.become insolvent in 2030. As a result, the GCIU Plan implemented a rehabilitation plan to improve the plan'splan’s funded status.

The Company has received a notice of withdrawal and demand for payment letter from the GCIU and is currently in litigation with the GCIU trustees to determine the amount and duration of the withdrawal payments for the GCIU. Arbitration proceedings with the GCIU have been completed, both sides have appealed the arbitrator’s ruling, and litigation in Federal court has commenced. During April 2017, a Federal district court overturned the arbitration decision in one of the pending disputes in this matter. The Company appealed the district court’s ruling to a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and in December 2018, the panel upheld the district court’s decision. The Company filed a motion for reconsideration with the panel, which was denied. Until litigation with the GCIU trustees is concluded, the exact amount of the withdrawal liability will not be known. As a result of these unfavorable rulings, the Company recorded a $32.1 million increase to the MEPPs withdrawal liability during the year ended December 31, 2018, which was recorded in restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges in the consolidated statements of operations.

The GCC Plan is a defined benefit plan that provides retirement benefits, disability benefits, and early retirement benefits for the participating union employees of the Company. The funded status of the GCC Plan is classified as critical and declining based on the GCC Plan's 2015Plan’s 2018 certification to the United States Department of Labor, as the funded percentage for the plan is less than 65%, and the plan is projected to bebecome insolvent within the next fifteen years.by 2023. As a result, the GCC Plan implemented a rehabilitation plan to improve the plan'splan’s funded status.

The Company has received noticesDuring the fourth quarter of withdrawal and demand for payment letters for both the GCIU and GCC plans, which, in total are in excess of the $98.6 million in original reserves established by the Company for the withdrawals. The Company is in the process of determining the final withdrawal payments with both MEPPs' administrators, and is currently in litigation with the MEPPs' trustees to determine the amount and duration of payments. There are arbitration proceedings in process with the GCIU, and also both2016, the Company and GCIU have filed lawsuits in Federal court. Arbitration proceedings with the GCC have been completed, both sides have appealed the arbitrator's ruling, and litigation has commenced. The withdrawal liability reserved by the Company is within the range of the Company's estimated potential outcomes. reached a settlement agreement for all claims, with scheduled payments until February 2024.

The Company made monthly payments totaling $11.4$13.1 million, $13.9$24.0 million and $14.4$11.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013, respectively, as required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, although such payments do not waive the Company's rights to object to the withdrawal


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

liabilities submitted by the GCIU and GCC plan administrators.2016, respectively. The Company has reserved $47.6$50.9 million as its estimate of the total MEPPs withdrawal liability as of December 31, 2015,2018, of which $31.0$42.5 million iswas recorded in other long-term liabilities $11.1and $8.4 million iswas recorded in accrued liabilities and $5.5 million is recorded in unsecured notes to be issued in the consolidated balance sheets. This estimate may increase or decrease depending on the final conclusion of the litigation with the MEPPs' trustees.

Note 18.16. Earnings (Loss) Per Share Attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad Common Shareholders

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad common shareholders is computed as net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/GraphicsQuad common shareholders, less the allocation of participating securities, divided by the basic weighted average common shares outstanding of 47.9 million, 47.5 million and 47.0 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.outstanding. The calculation of diluted earnings per share attributable to Quad common shareholders includes the effect of any dilutive equity incentive instruments. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding dilutive equity incentive instruments, which requires the Company to compute total proceeds as the sum of (1) the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award; (2)award and the amount of unearned stock-based compensation costs attributed to future services;services.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and (3) the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the award. per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Equity incentive instruments for which the total employee proceeds from exercise exceed the average fair value of the same equity incentive instrument over the period have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share during periods with net earnings, and accordingly, the Company excludes them from the calculation. Due to the net loss attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders incurred during the year ended December 31, 2015, the assumed exercise of all equity incentive instruments was anti-dilutive, and therefore, not included in the diluted loss per share attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders calculation for that period. Anti-dilutive equity incentive instruments of 1.80.5 million, 0.7 million and 1.61.9 million of class A common shares were excluded from the computations of diluted net earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014,2018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively.

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are required to be treated as participating securities In periods of net loss, the assumed exercise of all equity incentive instruments is anti-dilutive and therefore, not included in the computation of earnings (loss)diluted loss per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company had no participating securities during 2015, as the stock options granted on November 18, 2011, became fully vested on November 18, 2014. The Company's participating securities reduced basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders by $0.01 and $0.02calculation for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.that period.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Reconciliations of the numerator and the denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company'sCompany’s common stock for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, are summarized as follows:

2015 2014 20132018 2017 2016
Numerator:          
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$(641.9) $18.6
 $32.5
Adjustments to net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders     
Allocation to participating securities
 (0.3) (1.1)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders - adjusted$(641.9) $18.3
 $31.4
Net earnings attributable to Quad common shareholders$8.5
 $107.2
 $44.9
          
Denominator:          
Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding for all classes of common shares47.9
 47.5
 47.0
49.8
 49.6
 47.9
Plus: effect of dilutive equity incentive instruments
 1.0
 1.0
1.8
 2.2
 1.9
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding for all classes of common shares47.9
 48.5
 48.0
51.6
 51.8
 49.8
          
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders:     
Earnings per share attributable to Quad common shareholders:     
Basic$(13.40) $0.39
 $0.67
$0.17
 $2.16
 $0.94
Diluted$(13.40) $0.38
 $0.65
$0.16
 $2.07
 $0.90
          
Cash dividends paid per common share for all classes of common shares$1.20
 $1.20
 $1.20
$1.20
 $1.20
 $1.20

Note 19.17. Equity Incentive Programs

The shareholders of the Company approved the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan ("(“Omnibus Plan"Plan”) for two complementary purposes: (1) to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as directors, officers and employeesemployees; and (2) to increase shareholder value. The Omnibus planPlan provides for an aggregate 7,871,65210,871,652 shares of class A common stock reserved for issuance under the Omnibus Plan. Awards under the Omnibus Plan may consist of incentive awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance share units, shares of class A stock, restricted stock (“RS”), restricted stock units (“RSU”), deferred stock units (“DSU”) or other stock-based awards as determined by the Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors. Each stock option granted has an exercise price of no less than 100% of the fair market value of the class A common stock on the date of grant. As of December 31, 2015,2018, there were 1,565,9961,571,841 shares available for issuance under the Omnibus Plan. Authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s class A stock or treasury shares may be used for issuance under the Company’s equity incentive programs.

The Company recognizes compensation expense based on estimated grant date fair values for all share-based awards issued to employees and non-employee directors, including stock options, performance shares, performance share units, restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock units. The Company recognizes these compensation costs for only those awards expected to vest, on a straight-line basis over the requisite three to four year service period of the awards, except deferred stock units,DSU awards, which are fully vested and expensed on the grant date. The Company estimated the number of awards expected to vest based, in part, on historical forfeiture rates and also based on management'smanagement’s expectations of employee turnover within the specific employee groups receiving each type of award. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods, if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Equity Incentive Compensation Expense

The total compensation expense recognized related to all equity incentive programs was $7.2$15.6 million, $17.3$16.4 million and $18.6$15.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively, and was recorded primarily in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Total future compensation expense related to all equity incentive programs granted as of December 31, 2015,2018, is estimated to be $15.4 million.$15.9 million, which consists entirely of expense for RS and RSU awards. Estimated future compensation expense is $9.6$10.0 million for 2016, $5.12019, $5.2 million for 20172020 and $0.7 million for 2018.

Net tax benefit on equity award activity, shown as tax benefit on equity award activity in the financing section of the consolidated statements of cash flows, was $2.8 million, $0.8 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.2021.

Stock Options

Options vest over four years, with no vesting in the first year and one-third vesting upon the second, third and fourth anniversary dates. As defined in the individual grant agreements, acceleration of vesting may occur under a change in control, death, disability or normal retirement of the grantee. Options expire no later than the tenth anniversary of the grant date, 24 months after termination for death, 36 months after termination for normal retirement or disability and 90 days after termination of employment for any other reason. Options are not credited with dividend declarations, except for the November 18, 2011 grants. Stock options are only to be granted to employees.

There were no stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013. Compensation2016. There was no compensation expense recognized related to stock options was $0.2 million, $7.2 million and $10.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013, respectively.2016. There is no future compensation expense for stock options granted as of December 31, 2015.

2018. The following table is a summary of the stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:

2018:
Shares Under
Option
 
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(millions)
Shares
Under
Option
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(millions)
Outstanding at December 31, 20143,477,980
 $21.05
 4.7 $15.6
Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 20171,532,033
 $23.60
 2.3 $6.8
Granted
 
 
 


 
 
 

Exercised(155,912) 14.03
 

(282,661) 14.78
 

Canceled/forfeited/expired(31,732) 23.14
 

(307,057) 29.54
 

Outstanding at December 31, 20153,290,336
 $21.37
 3.6 $
     
Exercisable at December 31, 20153,174,420
 $21.63
 3.5 $
Outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2018942,315
 $24.31
 1.8 $

The intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2015,2018 and the intrinsic value of options outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014, is2017, was based on the fair value of the stock price. All outstanding options were eitherare vested or expected to vest atas of December 31, 2015.2018. The following table is a summary of the stock option exercises and vesting activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
 2018 2017 2016
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised$3.7
 $1.7
 $12.4
Proceeds from stock options exercised4.2
 2.6
 30.3
Total grant date fair value of stock options vested
 
 0.3



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The following table is a summary of the stock option exercises and vesting activity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 2015 2014 2013
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised$1.3
 $1.5
 $6.3
Cash received from stock option exercises2.2
 2.7
 7.2
Total grant date fair value of stock options vested1.8
 3.4
 3.7

Performance Share and Performance Share Units

Performance share ("PS") and performance share unit ("PSU") awards consist of shares or the rights to shares of the Company's class A common stock which are awarded to employees of the Company. These shares are payable upon the determination that the Company achieved certain established performance targets and can range from 0% to 200% of the targeted payout based on the actual results. Shares awarded in 2013 have a performance period of three years ending December 31, 2015. As set forth in the individual grant agreements, acceleration of vesting may occur under a change in control, death, disability or normal retirement of the grantee. Grantees receiving PS or PSU grants receive full credit for dividends during the vesting period. All such dividends will be paid to the grantee within 45 days of full vesting. Upon vesting, PSUs will be settled either through cash payment equal to the fair market value of the PSUs on the vesting date or through issuance of Company class A common stock. There are no voting rights with these instruments until vesting occurs and a share of stock is issued.

The following table is a summary of PS and PSU award activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:
 Performance Shares Performance Share Units
 Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual Term (years)
 Units 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual Term (years)
Nonvested at December 31, 2014343,568
 $20.39
 1.2 16,208
 $20.50
 1.2
Granted
 
   
 
  
Vested
 
   
 
  
Canceled/forfeited(343,568) 20.39
   (16,208) 20.50
  
Nonvested at December 31, 2015
 $
 0.0 
 $
 0.0

There were no PS or PSU awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. During the year ended December 31, 2013, PS awards of 389,930 shares and PSU awards of 16,208 units were granted at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $20.39 and $20.50, respectively. On the grant dates, the target number of shares was granted. The Company did not achieve the established performance targets for the performance period ended December 31, 2015; therefore the PS and PSU awards were canceled.

Compensation expense for awards granted was recognized based on a best estimate of the anticipated payout, net of estimated forfeitures. Compensation expense (income) recognized related to PS and PSUs was income of $(4.5) million, expense of $2.2 million and expense of $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. There is no expected future compensation expense for PS and PSUs granted as of December 31, 2015.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)


Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock ("RS") and restricted stock unit ("RSU") awards consist of shares or the rights to shares of the Company'sCompany’s class A common stock which are awarded to employees of the Company. The awards are restricted such that they are subject to substantial risk of forfeiture and to restrictions on their sale or other transfer by the employee. RSU awards are typically granted to eligible employees outside of the United States. As defined in the individual grant agreements, acceleration of vesting may occur under a change in control, death, disability or normal retirement of the grantee. Grantees receiving RS grants are able to exercise full voting rights and receive full credit for dividends during the vesting period. All such dividends will be paid to the RS grantee within 45 days of full vesting. Grantees receiving RSUs granted prior to January 1, 2012 are not entitled to vote and do not earn dividends. Grantees receiving RSUs on or after January 1, 2012 are not entitled to vote but do earn dividends. Upon vesting, RSUs will be settled either through cash payment equal to the fair market value of the RSUs on the vesting date or through issuance of Company class A common stock.

The following table is a summary of RS and RSU award activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:

2018:
Restricted Stock Restricted Stock UnitsRestricted Stock Restricted Stock Units
Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
 Units 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
 Units 
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
Nonvested at December 31, 20141,311,544
 $20.80
 1.5 63,046
 $20.21
 1.2
Nonvested at December 31, 20172,470,158
 $16.95
 1.2 114,942
 $16.68
 1.3
Granted603,377
 22.87
 
 113,792
 17.78
 
668,359
 22.54
 
 18,586
 22.60
 
Vested(269,677) 14.56
 
 (12,608) 14.34
 
(650,320) 21.26
 
 (19,510) 23.11
 
Forfeited(95,620) 22.93
 
 (66,484) 22.52
 
(152,281) 16.84
 
 (6,926) 14.19
 
Nonvested at December 31, 20151,549,624
 $22.56
 1.3 97,746
 $16.58
 1.7
Nonvested at December 31, 20182,335,916
 $17.36
 1.0 107,092
 $16.70
 0.8

During the year ended December 31, 2015, RS awards of 603,377 shares and RSU awards of 113,792 units were granted at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $22.87 and $17.78, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2014, RS awards of 706,490 shares and RSU awards of 17,767 units were granted at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $23.44 and $23.45, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2013, RS awards of 408,146 shares and RSU awards of 32,671 units were granted at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $20.39 and $20.72, respectively. In general, RS and RSU awards will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, provided the holder of the share is continuously employed by the Company until the vesting date.

Compensation expense recognized for RS and RSUs was $10.7$14.7 million, $7.3$15.5 million and $4.8$14.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013,2016, respectively. Total future compensation expense

Deferred Stock Units

Deferred stock units are awards of rights to shares of the Company’s class A stock and are awarded to non-employee directors of the Company. The following table is a summary of DSU award activity for all RS and RSUs granted as ofthe year ended December 31, 2015, is approximately $15.4 million. Estimated future compensation expense is $9.6 million for 2016, $5.1 million for 2017 and $0.7 million for 2018.2018:

Deferred Stock Units

Units
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at December 31, 2017195,913

$18.18
Granted39,360

22.60
Dividend equivalents granted13,875

19.55
Settled(12,587)
10.56
Outstanding at December 31, 2018236,561

$19.40



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Deferred Stock Units

Deferred stock units ("DSU") are awards of rights to shares of the Company's class A common stock and are awarded to non-employee directors of the Company. The following table is a summary of DSU award activity for the year ended December 31, 2015:


Deferred Stock Units

Units
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Outstanding at December 31, 2014110,804

$20.40
Granted34,139

23.11
Dividend equivalents granted11,864

14.06
Settled


Forfeited


Outstanding at December 31, 2015156,807

$20.51

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, DSU awards of 34,139, 26,316 and 33,115 units were granted at a weighted-average grant date fair value of $23.11, $23.45 and $20.39, respectively. Each DSU award entitles the grantee to receive one share of class A common stock upon the earlier of the separation date of the grantee or the second anniversary of the grant date, but could be subject to acceleration for a change in control, death or disability as defined in the individual DSU grant agreement. Grantees of DSU awards may not exercise voting rights, but are credited with dividend equivalents and those dividend equivalents will be converted into additional DSU awards based on the closing price of the class A common stock. Dividend equivalents were granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, of 11,864, 5,392 and 3,529 units, respectively.

Compensation expense recognized for DSUs was $0.8 million, $0.6 million, and $0.7$0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018 and 2013, respectively.2017, and $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. As DSU awards are fully vested on the grant date, all compensation expense was recognized at the date of grant.

Other Information

Authorized unissued shares or treasury shares may be used for issuance under the Company's equity incentive programs. The Company intends to use treasury shares of its class A common stock to meet the stock requirements of its awards in the future.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 20. Shareholders'18. Shareholders’ Equity

The Company has three classes of common stock as follows (share data in millions):
   Issued Common Stock
 Authorized Shares Outstanding Treasury Total Issued Shares
Class A stock ($0.025 par value)80.0
      
December 31, 2015  35.4
 4.6
 40.0
December 31, 2014  34.7
 5.3
 40.0
December 31, 2013  33.8
 6.2
 40.0
        
Class B stock ($0.025 par value)80.0
      
December 31, 2015  14.2
 0.8
 15.0
December 31, 2014  14.2
 0.8
 15.0
December 31, 2013  14.2
 0.8
 15.0
        
Class C stock ($0.025 par value)20.0
      
December 31, 2015  
 0.5
 0.5
December 31, 2014  
 0.5
 0.5
December 31, 2013  
 0.5
 0.5
   Issued Common Stock
 Authorized Shares Outstanding Treasury Total Issued Shares
Class A stock ($0.025 par value)80.0
      
December 31, 2018  38.1
 2.2
 40.3
December 31, 2017  38.2
 1.8
 40.0
December 31, 2016  37.2
 2.8
 40.0
        
Class B stock ($0.025 par value)80.0
      
December 31, 2018  13.5
 
 13.5
December 31, 2017  13.8
 
 13.8
December 31, 2016  14.2
 0.8
 15.0
        
Class C stock ($0.025 par value)20.0
      
December 31, 2018  
 0.5
 0.5
December 31, 2017  
 0.5
 0.5
December 31, 2016  
 0.5
 0.5

In accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, each class A common share has one vote per share and each class B and class C common share has ten votes per share on all matters voted upon by the Company'sCompany’s shareholders. Liquidation rights are the same for all three classes of stock.

The Company also has 0.5 million shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock authorized, of which none were issued at December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013.2016. The Company has no present plans to issue any preferred stock.

On September 6, 2011, the Company's boardCompany’s Board of directorsDirectors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company'sCompany’s outstanding class A stock. On July 30, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors discontinued the remainder of the September 6, 2011 share repurchase program and authorized a new share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s outstanding class A common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 1,871,631 shares of its class A common stock at a weighted average price of which $91.8 million in authorized repurchases remain under$19.59 per share for a total purchase price of $36.7 million. During the program asyear ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 200,605 shares of its class A common stock at a weighted average price of $18.89 per share for a total purchase price of $3.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 984,190 shares of its class A common stock at a weighted average price of $8.96 per share for a total purchase price of $8.8 million. As of December 31, 2015. The Company repurchased no shares during2018, there were $100.0 million of authorized repurchases remaining under the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.program.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

On February 16, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the issuance of 1,006,061 shares of Company class A common stock from treasury to the Company’s ESOP, at a stock price of $22.18 per share for a total value of $22.3 million.

On October 13, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the cancellation of 1,027,907 shares of the Company’s class B common stock held in the Company’s treasury and returned the shares to the status of authorized, but unissued shares. In addition, all future acquired shares of the Company’s class B common stock will be immediately canceled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, 284,845 and 136,654 shares of class B common stock, respectively, were converted to class A common stock. The shares of class B common stock were canceled and returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares.

In accordance with the Articles of Incorporation, dividends are paid equally for all three classes of common shares. The following table details the dividend activity related to the then outstanding shares of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013:2016:
 Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Amount per Share
2018       
Q4 DividendOctober 30, 2018 November 19, 2018 December 7, 2018 $0.30
Q3 DividendJuly 31, 2018 August 20, 2018 September 7, 2018 0.30
Q2 DividendMay 1, 2018 May 21, 2018 June 8, 2018 0.30
Q1 DividendFebruary 21, 2018 March 19, 2018 March 30, 2018 0.30
2017       
Q4 DividendOctober 31, 2017 November 20, 2017 December 1, 2017 $0.30
Q3 DividendAugust 1, 2017 August 21, 2017 September 1, 2017 0.30
Q2 DividendMay 1, 2017 May 22, 2017 June 2, 2017 0.30
Q1 DividendFebruary 17, 2017 February 27, 2017 March 10, 2017 0.30
2016       
Q4 DividendOctober 31, 2016 November 28, 2016 December 9, 2016 $0.30
Q3 DividendAugust 1, 2016 August 29, 2016 September 9, 2016 0.30
Q2 DividendMay 3, 2016 June 6, 2016 June 17, 2016 0.30
Q1 DividendFebruary 19, 2016 March 7, 2016 March 18, 2016 0.30



130

 Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividend Amount per Share
2015       
Q4 DividendNovember 3, 2015 December 7, 2015 December 18, 2015 $0.30
Q3 DividendAugust 4, 2015 September 7, 2015 September 18, 2015 0.30
Q2 DividendMay 5, 2015 June 8, 2015 June 19, 2015 0.30
Q1 DividendFebruary 23, 2015 March 9, 2015 March 20, 2015 0.30
2014       
Q4 DividendNovember 5, 2014 December 8, 2014 December 19, 2014 $0.30
Q3 DividendAugust 5, 2014 September 8, 2014 September 19, 2014 0.30
Q2 DividendMay 19, 2014 June 9, 2014 June 20, 2014 0.30
Q1 DividendFebruary 26, 2014 March 12, 2014 March 21, 2014 0.30
2013       
Q4 DividendNovember 5, 2013 December 9, 2013 December 20, 2013 $0.30
Q3 DividendAugust 6, 2013 September 9, 2013 September 20, 2013 0.30
Q2 DividendMay 20, 2013 June 10, 2013 June 21, 2013 0.30
Q1 DividendMarch 4, 2013 March 18, 2013 March 29, 2013 0.30
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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 21.19. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 20152018 and 2014,2017, were as follows:
 Translation Adjustments Interest Rate Swap Adjustments Pension Benefit Plan Adjustments Total
Balance at January 1, 2017$(130.8) $
 $(21.8) $(152.6)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications12.8
 1.3
 11.5
 25.6
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings (loss)2.1
 
 0.5
 2.6
Net other comprehensive income14.9
 1.3
 12.0
 28.2
Balance at December 31, 2017(115.9) 1.3
 (9.8) (124.4)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to accumulated deficit (1)
(1.1) 0.3
 (2.1) (2.9)
Balance at January 1, 2018(117.0) 1.6
 (11.9) (127.3)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(13.0) 1.7
 (13.6) (24.9)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings (loss)
 
 
 
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(13.0) 1.7
 (13.6) (24.9)
Balance at December 31, 2018$(130.0) $3.3
 $(25.5) $(152.2)

(1)
Includes adjustments for the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”).

There were no reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2018. The details about the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
 Foreign Currency Translation Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Liability Total
Balance at January 1, 2014$(43.3) $37.7
 $(5.6)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications(45.4) (58.7) (104.1)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings (loss)
 (6.9) (6.9)
Net other comprehensive loss(45.4) (65.6) (111.0)
Balance at December 31, 2014$(88.7) $(27.9) $(116.6)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(45.9) 2.3
 (43.6)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net earnings (loss)7.7
 
 7.7
Net other comprehensive income (loss)(38.2) 2.3
 (35.9)
Balance at December 31, 2015$(126.9) $(25.6) $(152.5)
Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss Components
 Year Ended December 31, Consolidated Statements of Operations Presentation
 2017 2016 
Revaluation loss on the sale of a business $2.1
 $
 Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges
       
Settlement charge on pension benefit plans 0.8
 7.0
 Net pension income
Impact of income taxes (0.3) (2.7) Income tax (benefit) expense
Settlement charge on pension benefit plans, net of tax 0.5
 4.3
  
       
Total reclassifications for the period 2.9
 7.0
  
Impact of income taxes (0.3) (2.7)  
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax $2.6
 $4.3
  



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The details about the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net earnings (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, were as follows:

Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss Components
 Year Ended December 31, Consolidated Statements of Operations Presentation
 2015 2014 2013 
Revaluation gain on sale of businesses (see Note 8) $
 $
 $(2.4) Selling, general and administrative expenses
Revaluation loss on sale of equity method investment (see Note 8) 7.7
 
 
 Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges
         
Amortization of prior service credits on postretirement benefit plans 
 (5.8) (5.7) Selling, general and administrative expenses
Impact of income taxes 
 2.2
 2.2
 Income tax expense (benefit)
Amortization of prior service credits on postretirement benefit plans, net of tax 
 (3.6) (3.5) Net of tax
         
Amortization of net actuarial loss on pension and postretirement benefit plans 
 (0.3) 0.3
 Cost of sales
Impact of income taxes 
 0.1
 (0.1) Income tax expense (benefit)
Amortization of net actuarial loss on pension and postretirement benefit plans, net of tax 
 (0.2) 0.2
 Net of tax
         
Plan curtailments/settlements on pension and postretirement benefit plans 
 
 (2.1) Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges
Impact of income taxes 
 
 0.8
 Income tax expense (benefit)
Plan curtailment/settlements on pension and postretirement benefit plans, net of tax 
 
 (1.3) Net of tax
         
Postretirement benefit plan termination 
 (4.9) 
 Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges
Impact of income taxes 
 1.8
 
 Income tax expense (benefit)
Postretirement benefit plan termination, net of tax 
 (3.1) 
 Net of tax
         
Total reclassifications for the period 7.7
 (11.0) (9.9)  
Impact of income taxes 
 4.1
 2.9
  
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax $7.7
 $(6.9) $(7.0)  



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 22.20. Segment Information

The Company operates primarily inis a leading marketing solutions provider. The Company leverages its strong print foundation as part of a much larger, robust integrated marketing platform that helps marketers and content creators improve the commercial print portionefficiency and effectiveness of the printing industry, with related producttheir marketing spend across offline and service offerings designed to offer clients complete solutions for communicating their message to target audiences.online media channels. The Company'sCompany’s operating and reportable segments are aligned with how the chief operating decision maker of the Company currently manages the business. The Company'sCompany’s operating and reportable and operating segments, andincluding their product and service offerings, and a “Corporate” category are summarized below:as follows:

United States Print and Related Services
International
Corporate

United States Print and Related Services

The United States Print and Related Services segment is predominantly comprised of the Company'sCompany’s United States printing operations and is managed as one integrated platform. This includes retail inserts, publications, catalogs, special interest publications, journals, direct mail, books, directories, in-store marketing and promotion, packaging, newspapers, custom print products, other commercial and specialty printed products and global paper procurement, together with marketing and other complementary service offerings,services, including marketing strategy,consumer insights, audience targeting, personalization, media planning and placement, data insights, segmentationprocess optimization, campaign planning and response analytics services, creative services,creation, pre-media production, videography, photography, workflow solutions, digital imaging, facilities management services, digital publishing, interactiveexecution, print solutions including image recognitionexecution and near field communication technology, mailing, distribution, logistics, and data optimization and hygiene services.logistics. This segment also includes the manufacture of ink.

International

The International segment consists of the Company'sCompany’s printing operations in Europe and Latin America, including operations in England, France, Germany, Poland, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, as well as strategic investments in printing operations in Brazil and India. This segment provides printed products and marketing and other complementary service offeringsservices consistent with the United States Print and Related Services segment. Unrestricted subsidiaries as defined in the Senior Unsecured Notes indenture represent less than 2.0% of total consolidated assets as of December 31, 2015,2018, and less than 2.0% of total consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015.2018.

Corporate

Corporate consists of unallocated general and administrative activities and associated expenses including, in part, executive, legal and finance. In addition, in 2014 and 2015finance, as well as certain expenses and income from frozen employee retirement plans, such as pension and postretirement benefit plans, are included in Corporate and not allocated to the operating segment.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The following is a summary of segment information for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

           Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges  
 Net Sales Operating Income(Loss) Depreciation and Amortization Capital Expenditures  Goodwill Impairment
 Products Services     
Year ended December 31, 2015             
United States Print and Related Services$3,651.8
 $628.5
 $(706.1) $297.5
 $121.5
 $101.4
 $778.3
International378.5
 18.9
 (63.4) 26.1
 11.5
 38.8
 30.0
Total operating segments4,030.3
 647.4
 (769.5) 323.6
 133.0
 140.2
 808.3
Corporate
 
 (60.5) 1.7
 
 24.7
 
Total$4,030.3
 $647.4
 $(830.0) $325.3
 $133.0
 $164.9
 $808.3
              
Year ended December 31, 2014             
United States Print and Related Services$3,760.6
 $645.2
 $197.9
 $305.3
 $118.4
 $52.1
 $
International436.9
 19.7
 (11.2) 29.2
 20.8
 9.2
 
Total operating segments4,197.5
 664.9
 186.7
 334.5
 139.2
 61.3
 
Corporate
 
 (45.4) 1.9
 
 6.0
 
Total$4,197.5
 $664.9
 $141.3
 $336.4
 $139.2
 $67.3
 $
              
Year ended December 31, 2013             
United States Print and Related Services$3,746.2
 $593.5
 $230.7
 $310.2
 $136.3
 $52.3
 $
International440.4
 15.8
 (7.7) 28.6
 13.2
 9.6
 
Total operating segments4,186.6
 609.3
 223.0
 338.8
 149.5
 61.9
 
Corporate
 
 (80.8) 1.7
 
 33.4
 
Total$4,186.6
 $609.3
 $142.2
 $340.5
 $149.5
 $95.3
 $

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, are further described in Note 3, "Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges," and are included in the operating income (loss) results by segment above. Goodwill impairment for the year ended December 31, 2015, is further described in Note 4, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," and is included in the operating income (loss) results by segment above.

A reconciliation of operating income (loss) to earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated entities as reported in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, was as follows:

 2015 2014 2013
Operating income (loss)$(830.0) $141.3
 $142.2
Less: interest expense88.4
 92.9
 85.5
Less: loss on debt extinguishment
 7.2
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated entities$(918.4) $41.2
 $56.7



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Total assets by segment at December 31, 2015, and 2014, were as follows:

 December 31,
2015
 December 31,
2014
United States Print and Related Services$2,498.1
 $3,492.4
International327.2
 445.2
Total operating segments2,825.3
 3,937.6
Corporate22.2
 71.2
Total$2,847.5
 $4,008.8


Note 23. Geographic Area and Product Information

The table below presents the Company's net sales and long-lived assets for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, by geographic region. The amounts in this table differ from the segment data presented in Note 22, "Segment Information," because each operating segment includes operations in multiple geographic regions, based on the Company's management reporting structure.

 United States Europe Latin America Other Combined
2015         
Net sales         
Products$3,617.5
 $167.8
 $219.1
 $25.9
 $4,030.3
Services628.5
 18.9
 
 
 647.4
Property, plant and equipment—net1,512.2
 86.1
 73.1
 4.4
 1,675.8
Other intangible assets—net93.0
 16.6
 0.9
 
 110.5
Other long-term assets54.4
 0.3
 10.6
 0.2
 65.5
          
2014         
Net sales         
Products$3,742.0
 $176.6
 $269.1
 $9.8
 $4,197.5
Services645.2
 19.7
 
 
 664.9
Property, plant and equipment—net1,660.6
 95.2
 99.5
 0.2
 1,855.5
Other intangible assets—net141.6
 2.2
 5.3
 
 149.1
Other long-term assets52.2
 0.2
 0.4
 
 52.8
          
2013         
Net sales         
Products$3,725.3
 $158.4
 $292.8
 $10.1
 $4,186.6
Services593.5
 15.8
 
 
 609.3
Property, plant and equipment—net1,699.2
 113.1
 113.0
 0.2
 1,925.5
Other intangible assets—net209.3
 3.3
 9.2
 
 221.8
Other long-term assets47.6
 0.4
 0.5
 
 48.5



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

The table below presents the Company's consolidated net sales by products and servicesfollowing is a summary of segment information for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142018, 2017 and 2013.2016:
           Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges
 Net Sales Operating Income (Loss) Depreciation and Amortization Capital Expenditures 
 Products Services    
Year ended December 31, 2018           
United States Print and Related Services$3,023.8
 $782.8
 $154.0
 $209.0
 $69.3
 $37.8
International368.5
 18.6
 1.5
 20.8
 27.0
 22.2
Total operating segments3,392.3
 801.4
 155.5
 229.8
 96.3
 60.0
Corporate
 
 (97.5) 0.9
 
 43.6
Total$3,392.3
 $801.4
 $58.0
 $230.7
 $96.3
 $103.6
            
Year ended December 31, 2017           
United States Print and Related Services$3,156.9
 $583.2
 $194.3
 $210.8
 $73.3
 $53.6
International372.1
 19.2
 19.6
 21.0
 12.6
 3.3
Total operating segments3,529.0
 602.4
 213.9
 231.8
 85.9
 56.9
Corporate
 
 (58.6) 0.7
 
 3.5
Total$3,529.0
 $602.4
 $155.3
 $232.5
 $85.9
 $60.4
            
Year ended December 31, 2016           
United States Print and Related Services$3,335.1
 $591.9
 $186.1
 $252.4
 $88.1
 $59.3
International382.0
 20.5
 13.5
 24.1
 18.0
 (1.1)
Total operating segments3,717.1
 612.4
 199.6
 276.5
 106.1
 58.2
Corporate
 
 (82.3) 0.6
 
 15.4
Total$3,717.1
 $612.4
 $117.3
 $277.1
 $106.1
 $73.6

Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, are further described in Note 4, “Restructuring, Impairment and Transaction-Related Charges,” and are included in the operating income (loss) results by segment above.

A reconciliation of operating income (loss) to earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated entity as reported in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, was as follows:
 2018 2017 2016
Operating income$58.0
 $155.3
 $117.3
Less: interest expense73.3
 71.1
 77.2
Less: net pension income(12.4) (9.6) (5.1)
Less: loss (gain) on debt extinguishment
 2.6
 (14.1)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity$(2.9) $91.2
 $59.3



133

Products and Services 2015 2014 2013
Catalog, publications, retail inserts, books and directories $3,320.0
 $3,536.0
 $3,587.1
Direct mail and other printed products 650.4
 598.0
 531.6
Other 59.9
 63.5
 67.9
Total products $4,030.3
 $4,197.5
 $4,186.6
       
Logistics services $453.7
 $483.7
 $465.6
Imaging and other services 193.7
 181.2
 143.7
Total services 647.4
 664.9
 609.3
Total net sales $4,677.7
 $4,862.4
 $4,795.9
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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Total assets by segment at December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, were as follows:
 2018 2017 2016
United States Print and Related Services$2,057.8
 $2,060.9
 $2,241.3
International341.5
 329.5
 312.7
Total operating segments2,399.3
 2,390.4
 2,554.0
Corporate69.8
 62.0
 16.1
Total$2,469.1
 $2,452.4
 $2,570.1

Note 21. Geographic Area Information

The table below presents the Company’s net sales and long-lived assets as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, by geographic region. The amounts in this table differ from the segment data presented in Note 20, “Segment Information,” because each operating segment includes operations in multiple geographic regions, based on the Company’s management reporting structure.
 United States Europe Latin America Other Combined
2018         
Net sales         
Products$2,987.8
 $162.2
 $234.3
 $8.0
 $3,392.3
Services782.8
 18.6
 
 
 801.4
Property, plant and equipment—net1,099.7
 83.4
 66.6
 7.7
 1,257.4
Other intangible assets—net104.2
 8.2
 0.2
 
 112.6
Other long-term assets71.1
 11.8
 10.7
 0.3
 93.9
          
2017         
Net sales         
Products$3,121.2
 $167.6
 $209.3
 $30.9
 $3,529.0
Services583.2
 19.2
 
 
 602.4
Property, plant and equipment—net1,215.1
 85.5
 68.3
 8.7
 1,377.6
Other intangible assets—net32.3
 11.1
 
 
 43.4
Other long-term assets92.0
 16.2
 10.7
 0.4
 119.3
          
2016         
Net sales         
Products$3,299.1
 $169.8
 $217.4
 $30.8
 $3,717.1
Services591.9
 20.5
 
 
 612.4
Property, plant and equipment—net1,362.8
 79.7
 67.7
 9.7
 1,519.9
Other intangible assets—net47.6
 12.1
 
 
 59.7
Other long-term assets71.6
 0.3
 12.2
 0.2
 84.3



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 24.22. Separate Financial Information of Subsidiary Guarantors of Indebtedness

On April 28, 2014, Quad/GraphicsQuad completed an offering of the Senior Unsecured Notes (see Note 12, "Debt,"11, “Debt,” for further details on the Senior Unsecured Notes). Each of the Company'sCompany’s Guarantor Subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guarantee or, in the case of future subsidiaries, will guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the Senior Unsecured Notes. All of the current Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Company. Guarantor Subsidiaries will be automatically released from these guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following:

the designation of any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries as an unrestricted subsidiary;

the release or discharge of any guarantee or indebtedness that resulted in the creation of the guarantee of the Senior Unsecured Notes by any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries; or

the sale or disposition, including the sale of substantially all the assets, of any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries.

The following condensed consolidating financial information reflects the summarized financial information of Quad/Graphics,Quad, the Company'sCompany’s Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis and the Company'sCompany’s non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis. During the year ended December 31, 2015, a non-guarantor subsidiary of the Company became a Guarantor subsidiary. Accordingly, the supplemental financial information for all periods presented below has been recast to reflect subsidiaries per the Senior Unsecured Notes agreement that were Guarantor Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015.




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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 20152018
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
Net sales$1,918.0
 $2,755.0
 $437.8
 $(433.1) $4,677.7
$1,748.7
 $2,457.6
 $463.9
 $(476.5) $4,193.7
        
Cost of sales1,459.5
 2,378.6
 355.9
 (433.1) 3,760.9
1,378.2
 2,156.2
 361.2
 (466.3) 3,429.3
Selling, general and administrative expenses258.7
 148.4
 41.2
 
 448.3
232.3
 101.9
 48.1
 (10.2) 372.1
Depreciation and amortization179.3
 114.8
 31.2
 
 325.3
99.5
 104.7
 26.5
 
 230.7
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges56.6
 70.1
 38.2
 
 164.9
9.1
 72.3
 22.2
 
 103.6
Goodwill impairment
 754.7
 53.6
 
 808.3
Total operating expenses1,954.1
 3,466.6
 520.1
 (433.1) 5,507.7
1,719.1
 2,435.1
 458.0
 (476.5) 4,135.7
Operating income (loss)$(36.1) $(711.6) $(82.3) $
 $(830.0)29.6
 22.5
 5.9
 
 58.0
Interest expense (income)85.7
 (2.3) 5.0
 
 88.4
64.9
 3.1
 5.3
 
 73.3
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated and unconsolidated entities(121.8)
(709.3)
(87.3)

 (918.4)
Net pension income
 (12.4) 
 
 (12.4)
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated and unconsolidated entities(35.3)
31.8

0.6


 (2.9)
Income tax expense (benefit)(39.6) (249.1) 5.9
 
 (282.8)13.9
 (18.7) (5.0) 
 (9.8)
Earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated and unconsolidated entities(82.2)
(460.2)
(93.2)

 (635.6)
Equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated entities(559.7) (24.7) 
 584.4
 
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities
 
 (6.3) 
 (6.3)
Earnings (loss) before equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated and unconsolidated entities(49.2)
50.5

5.6


 6.9
Equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated entities(57.7) (5.7) 
 63.4
 
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity
 
 (1.0) 
 (1.0)
Net earnings (loss)$(641.9)
$(484.9)
$(99.5)
$584.4

$(641.9)8.5

56.2

6.6

(63.4)
7.9
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$(641.9)
$(484.9)
$(99.5)
$584.4

$(641.9)
Less: net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (0.6) 
 (0.6)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders$8.5

$56.2

$7.2

$(63.4)
$8.5

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Year Ended December 31, 20152018
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
Net earnings (loss)$(641.9) $(484.9) $(99.5) $584.4
 $(641.9)$8.5
 $56.2
 $6.6
 $(63.4) $7.9
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(35.9) (1.8) (33.6) 35.4
 (35.9)(24.9) (17.8) (12.7) 30.5
 (24.9)
Total comprehensive income (loss)(677.8) (486.7) (133.1) 619.8
 (677.8)(16.4) 38.4
 (6.1) (32.9) (17.0)
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$(677.8) $(486.7) $(133.1) $619.8
 $(677.8)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 (0.6) 
 (0.6)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders$(16.4) $38.4
 $(5.5) $(32.9) $(16.4)


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 20142017
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
Net sales$1,952.8
 $2,886.7
 $456.6
 $(433.7) $4,862.4
$1,759.7
 $2,342.5
 $424.2
 $(395.0) $4,131.4
         
Cost of sales1,505.3
 2,426.2
 394.1
 (433.7) 3,891.9
1,292.2
 2,018.9
 336.1
 (387.8) 3,259.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses191.2
 207.8
 26.5
 
 425.5
264.7
 127.0
 39.3
 (7.2) 423.8
Depreciation and amortization129.1
 178.1
 29.2
 
 336.4
107.0
 103.4
 22.1
 
 232.5
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges9.5
 47.6
 10.2
 
 67.3
44.3
 13.0
 3.1
 
 60.4
Total operating expenses1,835.1
 2,859.7
 460.0
 (433.7) 4,721.1
1,708.2
 2,262.3
 400.6
 (395.0) 3,976.1
Operating income (loss)$117.7
 $27.0
 $(3.4) $
 $141.3
51.5
 80.2
 23.6
 
 155.3
Interest expense (income)85.8
 (0.8) 7.9
 
 92.9
70.4
 (3.1) 3.8
 
 71.1
Loss on debt extinguishment7.2
 
 
 
 7.2
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated and unconsolidated entities24.7
 27.8
 (11.3) 
 41.2
Net pension income
 (9.6) 
 
 (9.6)
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment2.6
 
 
 
 2.6
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated and unconsolidated entities(21.5) 92.9
 19.8
 
 91.2
Income tax expense (benefit)20.6
 (9.8) 9.4
 
 20.2
(32.6) 30.7
 (14.1) 
 (16.0)
Earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated and unconsolidated entities4.1
 37.6
 (20.7) 
 21.0
Equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated entities14.5
 (2.4) 
 (12.1) 
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities
 
 (2.7) 
 (2.7)
Earnings (loss) before equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated and unconsolidated entities11.1
 62.2
 33.9
 
 107.2
Equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated entities(96.1) (2.9) 
 99.0
 
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)$18.6
 $35.2
 $(23.4) $(12.1) $18.3
107.2
 65.1
 33.9
 (99.0) 107.2
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 0.3
 
 0.3
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$18.6
 $35.2
 $(23.1) $(12.1) $18.6
Less: net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders$107.2
 $65.1
 $33.9
 $(99.0) $107.2

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Year Ended December 31, 20142017
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
Net earnings (loss)$18.6
 $35.2
 $(23.4) $(12.1) $18.3
$107.2
 $65.1
 $33.9
 $(99.0) $107.2
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(111.0) (91.5) (47.5) 139.0
 (111.0)28.2
 13.0
 12.0
 (25.0) 28.2
Total comprehensive income (loss)(92.4) (56.3) (70.9) 126.9
 (92.7)135.4
 78.1
 45.9
 (124.0) 135.4
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
 0.3
 
 0.3
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$(92.4) $(56.3) $(70.6) $126.9
 $(92.4)
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders$135.4
 $78.1
 $45.9
 $(124.0) $135.4



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 20132016
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
Net sales$1,923.8
 $2,813.7
 $457.6
 $(399.2) $4,795.9
$1,863.6
 $2,429.0
 $454.6
 $(417.7) $4,329.5
         
Cost of sales1,467.8
 2,342.3
 391.0
 (399.2) 3,801.9
1,381.1
 2,067.3
 364.1
 (417.7) 3,394.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses176.2
 205.5
 34.3
 
 416.0
257.8
 164.6
 44.3
 
 466.7
Depreciation and amortization136.5
 175.1
 28.9
 
 340.5
146.8
 100.1
 30.2
 
 277.1
Restructuring, impairment and transaction-related charges12.0
 67.4
 15.9
 
 95.3
56.8
 18.2
 (1.4) 
 73.6
Goodwill impairment
 
 
 
 
Total operating expenses1,792.5
 2,790.3
 470.1
 (399.2) 4,653.7
1,842.5
 2,350.2
 437.2
 (417.7) 4,212.2
Operating income (loss)$131.3
 $23.4
 $(12.5) $
 $142.2
21.1
 78.8
 17.4
 
 117.3
Interest expense (income)79.2
 (0.4) 6.7
 
 85.5
76.0
 (4.1) 5.3
 
 77.2
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated and unconsolidated entities52.1
 23.8
 (19.2) 
 56.7
Net pension income
 (5.1) 
 
 (5.1)
Loss (gain) on debt extinguishment(14.1) 
 
 
 (14.1)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated and unconsolidated entities(40.8) 88.0
 12.1
 
 59.3
Income tax expense (benefit)35.8
 (14.0) 1.5
 
 23.3
15.2
 (4.8) 2.6
 
 13.0
Earnings (loss) before equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated and unconsolidated entities16.3
 37.8
��(20.7) 
 33.4
Equity in earnings (loss) of consolidated entities16.2
 (9.3) 
 (6.9) 
Equity in earnings (loss) of unconsolidated entities
 
 (2.5) 
 (2.5)
Earnings (loss) before equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated and unconsolidated entities(56.0) 92.8
 9.5
 
 46.3
Equity in (earnings) loss of consolidated entities(100.9) (6.0) 
 106.9
 
Equity in (earnings) loss of unconsolidated entity
 
 1.4
 
 1.4
Net earnings (loss)$32.5
 $28.5
 $(23.2) $(6.9) $30.9
44.9
 98.8
 8.1
 (106.9) 44.9
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 1.6
 
 1.6
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$32.5
 $28.5
 $(21.6) $(6.9) $32.5
Less: net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders$44.9
 $98.8
 $8.1
 $(106.9) $44.9

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Year Ended December 31, 20132016
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
Net earnings (loss)$32.5
 $28.5
 $(23.2) $(6.9) $30.9
$44.9
 $98.8
 $8.1
 $(106.9) $44.9
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax54.8
 79.3
 (21.2) (58.1) 54.8
(0.1) 1.7
 (4.7) 3.0
 (0.1)
Total comprehensive income (loss)87.3
 107.8
 (44.4) (65.0) 85.7
44.8
 100.5
 3.4
 (103.9) 44.8
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
 1.6
 
 1.6
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Quad/Graphics common shareholders$87.3
 $107.8
 $(42.8) $(65.0) $87.3
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Quad common shareholders$44.8
 $100.5
 $3.4
 $(103.9) $44.8


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 20152018
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
ASSETS                  
Cash and cash equivalents$2.3
 $2.8
 $5.7
 $
 $10.8
$60.3
 $2.9
 $6.3
 $
 $69.5
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts507.5
 53.3
 87.9
 
 648.7
378.0
 63.3
 87.4
 
 528.7
Intercompany receivables
 1,007.7
 
 (1,007.7) 

 153.9
 28.8
 (182.7) 
Inventories95.8
 138.5
 45.8
 
 280.1
108.6
 121.0
 71.0
 
 300.6
Other current assets24.7
 20.0
 7.0
 
 51.7
34.3
 4.3
 9.2
 
 47.8
Total current assets630.3
 1,222.3
 146.4
 (1,007.7) 991.3
581.2
 345.4
 202.7
 (182.7) 946.6
                  
Property, plant and equipment—net849.6
 652.8
 173.4
 
 1,675.8
647.7
 451.6
 158.1
 
 1,257.4
Investment in consolidated entities1,676.6
 57.8
 
 (1,734.4) 
757.0
 16.7
 
 (773.7) 
Goodwill and intangible assets—net46.9
 27.1
 36.5
 
 110.5
1.7
 111.3
 54.2
 
 167.2
Intercompany loan receivable125.8
 
 
 (125.8) 
109.7
 
 
 (109.7) 
Other long-term assets27.8
 8.5
 33.6
 
 69.9
42.5
 10.4
 45.0
 
 97.9
         
Total assets$3,357.0
 $1,968.5
 $389.9
 $(2,867.9) $2,847.5
$2,139.8
 $935.4
 $460.0
 $(1,066.1) $2,469.1
                  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                  
Accounts payable$203.7
 $85.4
 $69.7
 $
 $358.8
$265.5
 $137.8
 $107.7
 $
 $511.0
Intercompany accounts payable997.4
 
 10.3
 (1,007.7) 
182.7
 
 
 (182.7) 
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations95.6
 3.5
 0.6
 
 99.7
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations29.7
 0.7
 17.6
 
 48.0
Other current liabilities223.4
 94.3
 31.2
 
 348.9
182.6
 64.7
 45.0
 
 292.3
Total current liabilities1,520.1
 183.2
 111.8
 (1,007.7) 807.4
660.5
 203.2
 170.3
 (182.7) 851.3
                  
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations1,242.5
 5.3
 1.8
 
 1,249.6
878.8
 1.0
 13.1
 
 892.9
Intercompany loan payable
 38.8
 87.0
 (125.8) 

 42.0
 67.7
 (109.7) 
Other long-term liabilities170.5
 175.9
 20.2
 
 366.6
140.3
 115.4
 9.0
 
 264.7
Total liabilities2,933.1
 403.2
 220.8
 (1,133.5) 2,423.6
1,679.6
 361.6
 260.1
 (292.4) 2,008.9
                  
Total shareholders' equity423.9
 1,565.3
 169.1
 (1,734.4) 423.9
         
Total shareholders' equity and noncontrolling interests460.2
 573.8
 199.9
 (773.7) 460.2
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$3,357.0
 $1,968.5
 $389.9
 $(2,867.9) $2,847.5
$2,139.8
 $935.4
 $460.0
 $(1,066.1) $2,469.1


147139

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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 20142017
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
ASSETS                  
Cash and cash equivalents$1.9
 $5.6
 $2.1
 $
 $9.6
$51.7
 $2.0
 $10.7
 $
 $64.4
Receivables, less allowances for doubtful accounts577.5
 65.6
 123.1
 
 766.2
427.9
 40.6
 84.0
 
 552.5
Intercompany receivables
 847.9
 
 (847.9) 

 85.3
 
 (85.3) 
Inventories111.9
 133.4
 42.5
 
 287.8
97.0
 108.6
 40.9
 
 246.5
Other current assets26.1
 35.2
 9.0
 
 70.3
35.2
 2.6
 7.3
 
 45.1
Total current assets717.4
 1,087.7
 176.7
 (847.9) 1,133.9
611.8
 239.1
 142.9
 (85.3) 908.5
                  
Property, plant and equipment—net959.5
 701.9
 194.1
 
 1,855.5
706.5
 508.6
 162.5
 
 1,377.6
Investment in consolidated entities1,939.9
 40.3
 
 (1,980.2) 
578.3
 12.1
 
 (590.4) 
Goodwill and intangible assets—net0.6
 892.2
 31.8
 
 924.6
6.9
 25.5
 11.0
 
 43.4
Intercompany loan receivable418.5
 
 
 (418.5) 
106.3
 
 1.7
 (108.0) 
Other long-term assets28.1
 6.1
 60.6
 
 94.8
60.5
 13.5
 48.9
 
 122.9
         
Total assets$4,064.0
 $2,728.2
 $463.2
 $(3,246.6) $4,008.8
$2,070.3
 $798.8
 $367.0
 $(783.7) $2,452.4
                  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                  
Accounts payable$251.1
 $82.8
 $73.0
 $
 $406.9
$201.6
 $115.9
 $64.1
 $
 $381.6
Intercompany accounts payable830.2
 
 17.7
 (847.9) 
75.1
 
 10.2
 (85.3) 
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations90.7
 3.7
 1.8
 
 96.2
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations31.9
 1.0
 14.7
 
 47.6
Other current liabilities205.1
 116.5
 37.9
 
 359.5
213.9
 74.9
 27.9
 
 316.7
Total current liabilities1,377.1
 203.0
 130.4
 (847.9) 862.6
522.5
 191.8
 116.9
 (85.3) 745.9
                  
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations1,298.4
 9.4
 1.6
 
 1,309.4
904.3
 1.4
 11.5
 
 917.2
Intercompany loan payable
 335.9
 82.6
 (418.5) 

 40.9
 67.1
 (108.0) 
Other long-term liabilities236.0
 442.1
 6.2
 
 684.3
121.1
 133.4
 12.4
 
 266.9
Total liabilities2,911.5
 990.4
 220.8
 (1,266.4) 2,856.3
1,547.9
 367.5
 207.9
 (193.3) 1,930.0
                  
Total shareholders' equity1,152.5
 1,737.8
 242.4
 (1,980.2) 1,152.5
         
Total shareholders' equity and noncontrolling interests522.4
 431.3
 159.1
 (590.4) 522.4
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$4,064.0
 $2,728.2
 $463.2
 $(3,246.6) $4,008.8
$2,070.3
 $798.8
 $367.0
 $(783.7) $2,452.4


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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 20152018
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
OPERATING ACTIVITIES                  
Net cash from operating activities$229.9
 $90.7
 $27.5
 $
 $348.1
Net cash from (used in) operating activities$145.1
 $65.6
 $49.9
 $
 $260.6
                  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES                  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(54.7) (63.9) (14.4) 
 (133.0)(23.7) (45.3) (27.3) 
 (96.3)
Acquisition related investing activities—net of cash acquired(0.6) (63.4) (79.4) 
 (143.4)
 (76.4) 5.0
 
 (71.4)
Intercompany investing activities(123.1) (159.6) (0.5) 283.2
 
(151.0) (81.2) (0.6) 232.8
 
Other investing activities13.9
 34.0
 11.8
 
 59.7
29.4
 13.3
 4.5
 
 47.2
Net cash from investing activities(164.5) (252.9) (82.5) 283.2
 (216.7)
Net cash from (used in) investing activities(145.3) (189.6) (18.4) 232.8
 (120.5)
                  
FINANCING ACTIVITIES                  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 
 7.8
 
 7.8
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations(92.5) (3.4) 
 
 (95.9)(31.7) (2.1) (5.7) 
 (39.5)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities1,413.7
 
 48.8
 
 1,462.5
2,536.3
 
 27.4
 
 2,563.7
Payments on revolving credit facilities(1,386.8) 
 (48.7) 
 (1,435.5)(2,536.3) 
 (24.8) 
 (2,561.1)
Payment of dividends(62.3) 
 
 
 (62.3)
Purchases of treasury stock(36.7) 
 
 
 (36.7)
Payment of cash dividends(62.9) 
 
 
 (62.9)
Intercompany financing activities59.5
 162.8
 60.9
 (283.2) 
144.9
 127.0
 (39.1) (232.8) 
Other financing activities3.4
 (0.1) 
 
 3.3
(4.8) 
 
 
 (4.8)
Net cash from financing activities(65.0) 159.3
 61.0
 (283.2) (127.9)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities8.8
 124.9
 (34.4) (232.8) (133.5)
                  
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
 0.1
 (2.4) 
 (2.3)
 
 (1.5) 
 (1.5)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents0.4
 (2.8) 3.6
 
 1.2
8.6
 0.9
 (4.4) 
 5.1
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year1.9
 5.6
 2.1
 
 9.6
51.7
 2.0
 10.7
 
 64.4
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$2.3
 $2.8
 $5.7
 $
 $10.8
$60.3
 $2.9
 $6.3
 $
 $69.5



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 20142017
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
OPERATING ACTIVITIES                  
Net cash from operating activities$100.8
 $194.0
 $(1.6) $
 $293.2
Net cash from (used in) operating activities$974.5
 $(647.3) $16.8
 $
 $344.0
                  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES                  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(48.7) (68.2) (22.3) 
 (139.2)(27.5) (43.9) (14.5) 
 (85.9)
Divestiture related investing activities8.4
 5.7
 
 
 14.1
Acquisition related investing activities—net of cash acquired(7.0) (105.5) 
 
 (112.5)
 
 
 
 
Intercompany investing activities(189.0) (157.6) (0.1) 346.7
 
(18.1) 632.7
 (0.3) (614.3) 
Other investing activities(0.4) 26.9
 1.0
 
 27.5
0.9
 21.6
 2.1
 
 24.6
Net cash from investing activities(245.1) (304.4) (21.4) 346.7
 (224.2)
Net cash from (used in) investing activities(36.3) 616.1
 (12.7) (614.3) (47.2)
                  
FINANCING ACTIVITIES                  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt1,047.0
 
 
 
 1,047.0
375.0
 
 
 
 375.0
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations(802.1) (7.6) (58.1) 
 (867.8)(523.3) (2.9) (4.3) 
 (530.5)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities1,285.2
 
 124.7
 
 1,409.9
706.7
 
 11.8
 
 718.5
Payments on revolving credit facilities(1,451.1) 
 (126.5) 
 (1,577.6)(725.7) 
 (10.3) 
 (736.0)
Payment of dividends(61.2) 
 
 
 (61.2)
Purchases of treasury stock(3.8) 
 
 
 (3.8)
Payment of cash dividends(62.5) 
 
 
 (62.5)
Intercompany financing activities137.6
 128.2
 80.9
 (346.7) 
(645.1) 30.2
 0.6
 614.3
 
Other financing activities(14.0) (8.0) 
 
 (22.0)(8.1) (4.3) 
 
 (12.4)
Net cash from financing activities141.4
 112.6
 21.0
 (346.7) (71.7)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities(886.8) 23.0
 (2.2) 614.3
 (251.7)
                  
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
 (0.1) (0.7) 
 (0.8)
 
 0.1
 
 0.1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(2.9) 2.1
 (2.7) 
 (3.5)51.4
 (8.2) 2.0
 
 45.2
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year4.8
 3.5
 4.8
 
 13.1
0.3
 10.2
 8.7
 
 19.2
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$1.9
 $5.6
 $2.1
 $
 $9.6
$51.7
 $2.0
 $10.7
 $
 $64.4



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended December 31, 20132016
Quad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations TotalQuad/Graphics,
Inc.
 Guarantor Subsidiaries Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Total
OPERATING ACTIVITIES                  
Net cash from operating activities$106.6
 $301.2
 $33.3
 $
 $441.1
Net cash from (used in) operating activities$676.2
 $(340.8) $18.2
 $
 $353.6
                  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES                  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(55.4) (81.0) (13.1) 
 (149.5)(35.9) (46.8) (23.4) 
 (106.1)
Acquisition related investing activities—net of cash acquired(41.6) (250.3) 
 
 (291.9)(0.9) 0.9
 
 
 
Intercompany investing activities(287.2) (212.9) 
 500.1
 
(62.4) 368.1
 3.8
 (309.5) 
Other investing activities6.2
 4.6
 
 
 10.8
(4.5) 18.1
 3.7
 
 17.3
Net cash from investing activities(378.0) (539.6) (13.1) 500.1
 (430.6)
Net cash from (used in) investing activities(103.7) 340.3
 (15.9) (309.5) (88.8)
                  
FINANCING ACTIVITIES                  
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 
 19.7
 
 19.7
Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations(95.3) (8.9) (8.3) 
 (112.5)(195.7) (3.5) (2.3) 
 (201.5)
Borrowings on revolving credit facilities1,504.9
 
 123.9
 
 1,628.8
806.1
 
 65.8
 
 871.9
Payments on revolving credit facilities(1,345.1) 
 (129.9) 
 (1,475.0)(857.9) 
 (60.1) 
 (918.0)
Payment of dividends(56.4) 
 
 
 (56.4)
Purchases of treasury stock(8.8) 
 
 
 (8.8)
Payment of cash dividends(61.1) 
 
 
 (61.1)
Intercompany financing activities255.6
 252.8
 (8.3) (500.1) 
(285.9) 0.2
 (23.8) 309.5
 
Other financing activities9.4
 (4.5) 
 
 4.9
28.8
 (0.3) 
 
 28.5
Net cash from financing activities273.1
 239.4
 (22.6) (500.1) (10.2)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities(574.5) (3.6) (0.7) 309.5
 (269.3)
                  
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
 
 (4.1) 
 (4.1)
 
 (0.6) 
 (0.6)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents1.7
 1.0
 (6.5) 
 (3.8)(2.0) (4.1) 1.0
 
 (5.1)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year3.1
 2.5
 11.3
 
 16.9
2.3
 14.3
 7.7
 
 24.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$4.8
 $3.5
 $4.8
 $
 $13.1
$0.3
 $10.2
 $8.7
 $
 $19.2



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Note 25.23. New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015,August 2018, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidanceAccounting Standards Update 2018-15 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract” (“ASU 2018-15”), which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that simplifiesis a service contract with the balance sheet presentation of deferred taxes. Under this guidance all deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any related allowances, should be classified as non-current. The classification changerequirements for all deferred taxes as non-current simplifies an entities’ processes as it eliminates the needcapitalizing implementation costs incurred to separately identify the net current and net non-current deferred tax assetdevelop or liability in each tax jurisdiction and allocate valuation allowances.obtain internal-use software. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016,2019, with early adoption permitted. Entities are allowed to apply either a retrospective or prospective transition approach to adopt the guidance. The Company retrospectively adopted this guidance effective December 31, 2015, and accordingly,is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2018-15 on the consolidated balance sheets conformfinancial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-14 “Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans” (“ASU 2018-14”), which adds, removes and clarifies year-end disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. This guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. This new guidance will require a retrospective adoption approach. The Company is evaluating the new standard for all periods presented. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2018-14 on the notes to the consolidated balance sheets was a reduction of current deferred income tax assets and non-current deferred income tax liabilities of $48.4 million as of December 31, 2014.financial statements.

In September 2015,August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that eliminatesAccounting Standards Update 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the requirementDisclosure Requirements for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer is required to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified duringFair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”), which changes the measurement period in the reporting period in which amounts are determined.requirements on fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015,2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance effective September 30, 2015,Entities electing to early adopt are permitted to early adopt the eliminated or modified disclosure requirements and delay the adoption of this guidance did not haveall the new disclosure requirements until their effective date. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 requires the application of a materialcombination of the prospective and retrospective methods of transition, depending on the topic of disclosure. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2018-13 on the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015,February 2018, the FASB issued newAccounting Standards Update 2018-02 “Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2018-02”), which will give entities the option to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a result of tax reform into accumulated deficit. The guidance requires the entity to disclose whether or not it has elected to reclassify the tax effects related to simplifying the measurement of inventory. Under this guidance, inventory that is accountedTax Act, as well as the entity's policy for using first-in, first-out or average cost method shall be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value, as opposed to the lower of cost or market measurement under current guidance. Thisreleasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive loss. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016,2018, with early adoption permitted. This new guidancepermitted in periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance, including in the period the Tax Act was enacted. Entities that choose to adopt ASU 2018-02 in an annual or interim period after the period of enactment will be able to choose whether to apply the amendments retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the Tax Act is requiredrecognized, or to be retrospectively applied to all prior periods.apply the amendments in the period of adoption. The Company has adopted this guidance effective December 31, 2015, andstandard as of January 1, 2018, applying the amendments in the period of adoption. The Company has elected to reclassify the stranded tax effects related to the change in federal tax rate due to enactment of the Tax Act for all items in accumulated other comprehensive loss. As a result of the adoption of this guidance did not have a materialASU 2018-02, the Company has reclassified $2.9 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to decrease accumulated deficit. See Note 19, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss,” for the breakout of the impact on the consolidated financial statements.by component.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for cloud computing arrangements that contain a software license. If the arrangement contains a software license, the customer would account for the fees related to the software license element in a manner consistent with current guidance on the accounting for software licenses. However, if the arrangement does not contain a software license, the customer would account for the arrangement as a service contract. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the financial statement presentation of debt issuance costs. Under this guidance, debt issuance costs shall be recorded in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related debt liability, as opposed to recording debt issuance costs on the balance sheet as an asset (i.e., as a deferred charge) under current guidance, and amortization of debt issuance costs shall be recorded as interest expense on the statement of operations. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. This new guidance is required to be retrospectively applied to all prior periods. The Company adopted this guidance effective June 30, 2015, and accordingly, the consolidated balance sheets conform with the new standard for all periods presented. The impact to the consolidated balance sheets was a reduction of other long-term assets and long-term debt by $20.0 million as of December 31, 2014. There was no impact to the consolidated statement of operations as the Company recorded amortization of debt issuance costs as interest expense.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

In January 2015,August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU 2017-12”), which simplifies and reduces the complexity of the hedge accounting requirements and better aligns an entity's financial reporting for hedging relationships with its risk management activities. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. This new guidance eliminatingwill require a modified retrospective adoption approach to existing hedging relationships as of the conceptadoption date. The Company has adopted this standard as of extraordinary items,January 1, 2018, and the adoption of ASU 2017-12 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, which requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from net benefit cost and provides guidance on how to present the service costs and other components of net benefit costs in the statement of operations. Under the new standard, an entity must report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the statement of operations separately from the service cost component and outside the subtotal of operating income. The guidance is an eventeffective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and requires a retrospective adoption approach for the classification of components of net periodic benefit cost in the statement of operations. The Company has adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, applying a retrospective adoption approach and utilizing the practical expedient that permits the use of the amounts disclosed in previous filings for net pension income as the estimation basis for the presentation of the prior comparative periods. See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for additional accounting policy and transition disclosures and Note 15, “Employee Retirement Plans,” for the components of net pension income.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which eliminates Step 2 as part of the goodwill impairment test. The amount of the impairment charge to be recognized would now be the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The loss to be recognized cannot exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The amendments in ASU 2017-04 are effective for annual or transaction thatinterim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is both unusual in naturepermitted for interim and infrequently occurring. Underannual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company elected to early adopt this standard and has applied this guidance an entity will no longer (1) segregate an extraordinary item fromto all goodwill impairment analyses performed after January 1, 2018.

In November 2016, the resultsFASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 “Statement of ordinary operations; (2) separately present an extraordinary itemCash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash” (“ASU 2016-18”), which clarifies guidance on itsthe classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and requires a retrospective adoption approach. The Company has adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018, and as a result, the Company has condensed the line items “cash and cash equivalents” and “restricted cash” into one line on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has also made adjustments to the consolidated statements of operations, netcash flows, which included removing certain line items related to the transfer of tax, after earnings from continuing operations; or (3) disclose income taxesrestricted cash, and earningsadjusting beginning and ending cash balances to reflect the newly condensed “cash and cash equivalents” line item within the consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data applicableand unless otherwise indicated)

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”), which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Under the new guidance, entities will be required to an extraordinary item.measure expected credit losses for financial instruments, including trade receivables, based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015,2019, with early adoption permitted.permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. This new guidance will require a modified retrospective transition approach, where the entity will need to apply a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings (accumulated deficit) as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The Company does not believeis evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance will have a material impactASU 2016-13 on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014,February 2016, the FASB issued new guidanceAccounting Standards Update 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”), which establishes a right-of-use model requiring a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on recognizing revenue from contractsthe balance sheet for all leases with customers. Under this guidance, an entityterms longer than twelve months. Leases will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goodsbe classified as either finance or services tooperating, with classification affecting the customer in the amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. Thispattern of expense recognition. The guidance also requires more detailedadditional disclosures to enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the revenue and cash flowflows arising from contracts with customers.leases. This guidance allows the option of either a full retrospective adoption, meaning the guidance is applied to all periods presented, or a modified retrospective adoption, meaning the guidance is applied only to the most current period. In July 2015, the FASB decided to defer for one year the effective date of the new revenue standard. The guidance under this deferral action makes the standard effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017.2018, with early adoption permitted. The FASB approved a proposal to allow a prospective transition approach, in which only the current year financial statements would need to be reported under the new accounting model. The Company elected that option and will present the current year financial statements in accordance with Topic 842, while prior year comparative periods will be presented under Topic 840.

The Company developed a comprehensive project plan and established a cross-functional implementation team to evaluate the impact of the standard. The project plan included evaluating the Company's lease portfolio, analyzing the standard’s impact on the Company’s various types of lease contracts and identifying the reporting requirements of the new standard. The Company completed the analysis and implementation of a system and performing data validation that will assist in meeting the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements. The Company elected the available practical expedients and implemented changes to its processes and internal controls to enable the preparation of financial information upon adoption.

The Company has adopted the standard as of January 1, 2019, applying the modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluatingin the final stages of calculating the transition adjustment, which requires companies to record a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all operating leases valued at the present value of the remaining leases payments, discounted using the discount rate for the lease at the transition date. The impact of this guidance onthe transition adjustment is estimated to be $130.0 million to $140.0 million to the consolidated financialbalance sheets, with no impact to the consolidated statements and determining which transition method to use.of operations.


Note 26.24. Subsequent Events

Acquisition of Periscope

On January 3, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Periscope, a creative agency headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for a net preliminary purchase price of $121.1 million, excluding acquired cash. Periscope provides a comprehensive service offering, including media buying and analytics, creative and account management. Periscope also has packaging design and premedia services that complement Quad’s print-production capabilities.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Senior Secured Credit Facility Amendment

The Company completed the third amendment to the April 28, 2014 Senior Secured Credit Facility on January 31, 2019. This third amendment was completed to provide Quad with the liquidity and structural flexibility to consummate the proposed acquisition of LSC and to extend existing maturities by (a) increasing the aggregate amount of the existing revolving credit facility from $725.0 million to $800.0 million in two tranches, with the first tranche of approximately $82.8 million maturing on January 4, 2021 and the second tranche of approximately $717.2 million with a delayed draw feature and term of five years, maturing on January 31, 2024; (b) increasing the aggregate amount of the existing Term Loan A from $375.0 million to $825.0 million in two tranches, with the first tranche of approximately $32.4 million maturing on January 4, 2021 and the second tranche of approximately $792.6 million with a term of five years, maturing on January 31, 2024; and (c) increasing the aggregate amount of the existing Term Loan B from $300.0 million to $500.0 million with a term of seven years, maturing on January 31, 2026. The Company intends that the loans available under the amended revolving credit facility will be used to repay, refinance, repurchase, redeem, exchange or otherwise terminate LSC’s existing indebtedness prior to, in connection with or following the consummation of the merger, and to pay transaction expenses.

Borrowings under the revolving credit facility and delayed draw Term Loan A made under the Senior Secured Credit Facility will initially bear interest at 2.50% in excess of reserve adjusted LIBOR, or 1.50% in excess of an alternate base rate, and borrowing under the Term Loan B will initially bear interest at 5.00% in excess of reserve adjusted LIBOR, or 4.00% in excess of an alternative base rate at the Company’s option.

The following amendments were made to the quarterly financial covenants to which the Company is subject (all
financial terms, numbers and ratios are as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, as amended by the third amendment):

On a rolling twelve-month basis, the minimum interest coverage ratio, defined as consolidated EBITDA to consolidated cash interest expense, cannot be less than 3.00 to 1.00.

A new financial covenant was added to the Senior Secured Credit Facility that requires the Company to maintain liquidity, defined as unrestricted cash and permitted investments of the Company and its subsidiaries (subject to certain conditions) plus the aggregate amount of the unused revolving credit facility commitments, of not less than $300.0 million at any time during the period from six months prior to the maturity date of the Company’s Senior Unsecured Notes until the earlier of the date on which (a) such Senior Unsecured Notes are repaid in full or (b) the maturity date of such Senior Unsecured Notes is extended to a date that is at least 91 days later than the latest maturity date under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The maturity date of the Company’s Senior Unsecured Notes is currently May 1, 2022.

In addition to those covenants, the following amendment was made to certain limitations on acquisitions, indebtedness, liens, dividends and repurchases of capital stock set forth in the Senior Secured Credit Facility:

If the Company’s total net leverage ratio is equal to or greater than 2.75 to 1.00 (as defined in the Senior Secured Credit Facility), the Company is prohibited from making greater than $120.0 million of annual dividend payments, capital stock repurchases and certain other payments. If the total net leverage ratio is less than 2.75 to 1.00, there are no such restrictions.

The Senior Secured Credit Facility remains secured by substantially all of the unencumbered assets of the Company. The Senior Secured Credit Facility also requires the Company to provide additional collateral to the lenders in certain limited circumstances. See Note 11, “Debt,” for the Company’s covenant requirements as of December 31, 2018.



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QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In millions, except share and per share data and unless otherwise indicated)

Definitive Agreement to Acquire LSC Communications, Inc. and Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus

As previously disclosed, on October 30, 2018, the Company and LSC entered into a definitive agreement, pursuant to which Quad will acquire LSC in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion, including the refinancing of LSC’s debt and assumption of other obligations. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approval and approval by the shareholders of both companies.

On December 13, 2018, Quad and LSC each received a request for additional information and documentary material (the “Second Request”) from the U. S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) in connection with the DOJ’s review of the transactions contemplated by the definitive agreement. Issuance of the Second Request extends the waiting period under the HSR Act until 30 days after both Quad and LSC have substantially complied with the Second Request or such later time as the parties may agree with the DOJ, unless the waiting period is terminated earlier by the DOJ.

The Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, including as a part thereof the joint proxy statement/prospectus of Quad and LSC, was effective on February 4, 2019. Quad shareholders as of the close of business on January 16, 2019, the record date, are entitled to vote on a proposal to approve the issuance of shares of Quad class A common stock in connection with the acquisition of LSC at the Quad special meeting on February 22, 2019. LSC stockholders as of the close of business on the record date are entitled to vote upon, among other things, a proposal to adopt the definitive agreement for Quad to acquire LSC at the LSC special meeting on February 22, 2019.

If the acquisition is consummated, LSC’s stockholders will be entitled to receive, for each issued and outstanding share of LSC common stock owned immediately prior to the effective time of the acquisition, 0.625 shares of Quad class A common stock.

Quad and LSC cannot consummate the acquisition unless, among other things, Quad shareholders approve the issuance of shares of Quad class A common stock in connection with the acquisition and LSC stockholders adopt the acquisition agreement, the expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act and other required regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction or waiver of the other closing conditions specified in the agreement.

Quad continues to expect the acquisition to be consummated in mid-2019.

Declaration of Quarterly Dividend

On February 19, 2016,2019, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share, which will be paid on March 18, 2016, to shareholders of record as of March 7, 2016.8, 2019.



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Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company'sCompany’s management, with the participation of the Company'sCompany’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company'sCompany’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report and has concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company'sCompany’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

ThereDuring the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company implemented new controls as part of its efforts to adopt the new leasing standard (ASU 2016-02). In particular, new controls were implemented related to monitoring the adoption process and evaluating the analysis used in the development of disclosures required before the standard’s effective date. The Company evaluated the design of these new controls before adoption during the year ended December 31, 2018. As the implementation process continues, the Company expects there will be additional changes in internal control over financial reporting. Other than the foregoing, there were no changes in the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2015,2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting.

Management'sManagement’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company'sCompany’s management, including the Company'sCompany’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of published financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company'sCompany’s management, including the Company'sCompany’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has assessed the effectiveness of the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As allowed by SEC guidance, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Ivie, which was acquired on February 21, 2018, and Rise, in which the Company acquired a controlling financial interest on March 14, 2018. The operations that were excluded from the assessment constitute approximately 5% of consolidated total current assets, approximately 4% of consolidated net sales and approximately 4% of consolidated cost of sales as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018. Based on this assessment, the Company'sCompany’s management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2015,2018, the Company'sCompany’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting werewas effective based on that framework.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company'sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm, issued an attestationaudit report on the effectiveness of the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2018, which is included herein.


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AttestationAudit Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The attestationaudit report required under this Item 9A, "Controls“Controls and Procedures," is contained in Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading "Report“Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm."



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Item 9B.
Other Information

On November 2, 2015, the Company filed a Voluntary Self-Disclosure with the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Control ("OFAC") regarding a distribution agreement ("Agreement") between Marin's, a foreign‑incorporated French subsidiary, and a third-party distributor located in the United Arab Emirates. Marin's entered into the Agreement prior to its acquisition by the Company in February 2015 and granted the Emirati a distribution territory that included Iran. Marin's actions were legal under French law at the time and the Company had no knowledge of this action. The Company discovered the Agreement during post-merger due diligence, investigated Marin's Iran-related activities, and subsequently verified that Marin's did not engage in any Iran-related transactions following the February 2015 acquisition. The Company also amended the Agreementhas no other information to exclude Iran from the Emirati distributor's territory. OFAC subsequently reviewed the Company's Voluntary Self-Disclosure and closed the matter with a cautionary letter and without any civil or criminal liability for the Company.report pursuant to this item.



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PART III

Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this Item with respect to directors and Section 16 compliance is included under the captions "Election“Election of Directors"Directors” and "Miscellaneous—“Miscellaneous—Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," respectively, in the Company'sCompany’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 20162019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders ("(“Proxy Statement"Statement”) and is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Information with respect to the executive officers of the Company appears in Part I, Item 1, "Business,"“Business,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The information required by this Item with respect to audit committees and audit committee financial experts is included under the caption "Corporate“Corporate Governance—Board Committees—Audit Committee"Committee” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of the Company'sCompany’s employees, including the Company'sCompany’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and other persons performing similar functions. The Company has posted a copy of the Code of Business Conduct on its website at www.QG.com,www.QUAD.com, and such Code of Business Conduct is available in print, without charge, to any shareholder who requests it from the Company'sCompany’s Secretary. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Business Conduct by posting such information on its website at www.QG.com.www.QUAD.com. The Company is not including the information contained on its website as part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 11.Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is included under the captions "Compensation“Compensation of Executive Officers," "Director” “Director Compensation," "Compensation” “Compensation Committee Report," "Corporate” “Corporate Governance—Board Committees—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and "Miscellaneous—Participation,” “Miscellaneous—Assessment of Compensation-Related Risk"Risk,” and “CEO Pay Ratio” in the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information required by this Item with respect to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is included under the caption "Stock“Stock Ownership of Management and Others"Others” in the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.



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Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance as of December 31, 2015.2018. The table does not include employee benefit plans intended to meet the qualification requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. All equity compensation plans are described more fully in Note 19, "Equity17, “Equity Incentive Programs," to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8, "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Plan Category Number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights(2)
 Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column) Number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights 
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights(2)
 Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in the first column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
 5,094,513
 $21.37
 1,565,996
 3,621,884
 $24.31
 1,571,841
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 
 
 
 
 
 
Total 5,094,513
 $21.37
 1,565,996
 3,621,884
 $24.31
 1,571,841

(1) 
Consists of the Company'sCompany’s 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Awards under the Omnibus Plan may consist of incentive awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance share units, shares of class A stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units or other stock-based awards as determined by the Company's boardCompany’s Board of directors.Directors.
(2) 
The weighted-averageweighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights only includes stock options.

Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is included under the caption "Corporate Governance"“Corporate Governance” in the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.

Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is included under the caption "Miscellaneous—“Miscellaneous—Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm"Firm” in the Proxy Statement and is hereby incorporated by reference.



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PART IV

Item 15.ExhibitsExhibit Index and Financial Statement Schedules

1.Consolidated financial statements—The consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index to consolidated financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2.Financial statement schedule—All financial statement schedules are omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedules, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

3.Exhibits—The exhibits listed in the accompanying "Exhibit Index"“Exhibit Index” are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  Page in this Form 10-K
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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EXHIBIT INDEX

The exhibits listed in the exhibit index below are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Exhibit NumberExhibit Description


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Exhibit NumberExhibit Description
Certain other instruments, which would otherwise be required to be listed above, have not been so listed as such instruments do not authorize long-term debt securities in an amount that exceeds 10% of the total assets of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Quad/Graphics, Inc. agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.


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Exhibit NumberExhibit Description


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Exhibit NumberExhibit Description
(99)Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. [To be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after December 31, 2018; except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference, the Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders shall not be deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.]
(101)Financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Quad/Graphics, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2018 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and (vii) document and entity information.

*The disclosure schedules and similar attachments to this agreement are not being filed herewith. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any such schedules or attachments to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
++A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Item 16.Form 10-K Summary

None.



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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 23rd20th day of February 2016.2019.
   QUAD/GRAPHICS, INC.
     
     
   By:/s/ J. Joel Quadracci
    J. Joel Quadracci
    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date
     
/s/ J. Joel Quadracci Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer February 23, 201620, 2019
J. Joel Quadracci (Principal Executive Officer)  
     
/s/ David J. Honan Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer February 23, 201620, 2019
David J. Honan (Principal Financial Officer)  
     
/s/ Anthony C. StaniakAnne M. Bauer Vice President, Corporate ControllerExecutive Director and Chief Accounting Officer February 23, 201620, 2019
Anthony C. StaniakAnne M. Bauer (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ William J. Abraham, Jr.DirectorFebruary 23, 2016
William J. Abraham, Jr.  
     
/s/ Mark A. Angelson Director February 23, 201620, 2019
Mark A. Angelson    
     
/s/ Douglas P. Buth Director February 23, 201620, 2019
Douglas P. Buth    
     
/s/ Kathryn Quadracci Flores Director February 23, 201620, 2019
Kathryn Quadracci Flores
/s/ John C. FowlerDirectorFebruary 20, 2019
John C. Fowler
/s/ Stephen M. FullerDirectorFebruary 20, 2019
Stephen M. Fuller    
     
/s/ Christopher B. Harned Director February 23, 201620, 2019
Christopher B. Harned    
     
/s/ ThomasJay O. RyderRothman Director February 23, 201620, 2019
ThomasJay O. RyderRothman    
     
/s/ John S. Shiely Director February 23, 201620, 2019
John S. Shiely    


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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit NumberExhibit Description
(3.1)Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Quad/Graphics, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(3.2)Amended Bylaws of Quad/Graphics, Inc., as amended through March 9, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated March 9, 2015 and filed on March 9, 2015).
(4.1)Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995, among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(4.2)First Amendment and Consent, dated June 1, 1996, to the Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995, among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(4.3)Second Amendment, dated as of March 24, 1998, to the Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995, among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(4.4)Third Amendment, dated as of January 26, 2006, to the Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995, among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(4.5)Fourth Amendment, dated as of November 24, 2014, to the Note Agreement, dated September 1, 1995, among Quad/Graphics, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated November 24, 2014 and filed on November 26, 2014).
(4.6)Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2014, by and among Quad/Graphics, Inc., as the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, PNC Bank, National Association and SunTrust Bank, as Co-Documentation Agents, and BMO Harris Bank N.A., Fifth Third Bank, TD Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Managing Agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated April 28, 2014 and filed on May 2, 2014).
(4.7)Amendment No. 1, dated as of December 18, 2014, to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2014, by and among Quad/Graphics, Inc., as the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association, as Co-Syndication Agents, PNC Bank, National Association and SunTrust Bank, as Co-Documentation Agents, and BMO Harris Bank N.A., Fifth Third Bank, TD Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Co-Managing Agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated December 18, 2014 and filed on December 23, 2014).


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Exhibit NumberExhibit Description
(4.8)Indenture, dated as of April 28, 2014, among Quad/Graphics, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors of Quad/Graphics, Inc. set forth therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated April 28, 2014 and filed on May 2, 2014).
Certain other instruments, which would otherwise be required to be listed above, have not been so listed as such instruments do not authorize long-term debt securities in an amount that exceeds 10% of the total assets of Quad/Graphics, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Quad/Graphics, Inc. agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
(9)Amended and Restated Voting Trust Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2010, by Betty E. Quadracci, J. Joel Quadracci, Elizabeth M. Quadracci-Harned and David A. Blais, as trustees as of the date of the agreement's execution (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated July 2, 2010 and filed on July 9, 2010).
(10.1)++Quad/Graphics, Inc. 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.2)++Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.3)++Form of Director Stock Option Agreement under the 1999 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.4)++Quad/Graphics, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.5)++Form of 2005 Amendment to Stock Option Agreements (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.6)++Form of 2008 Amendment to Stock Option Agreements (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.7)++Dividend/Discount Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.8)++Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2004, by and between Quad/Graphics, Inc. and James Joel Quadracci, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.9)++Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2004, by and between Quad/Graphics, Inc. and John C. Fowler (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.10)++Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2004, by and between Quad/Graphics, Inc. and David A. Blais (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).



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Exhibit NumberExhibit Description
(10.11)++Employment Agreement, effective as of January 1, 2004, by and between Quad/Graphics, Inc. and Thomas J. Frankowski (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.12)++Form of Executive Salary Continuation Plan for James Joel Quadracci, John C. Fowler, David A. Blais and Thomas J. Frankowski (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.13)++Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S‑4 (Reg. No. 333-165259)).
(10.14)++Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 15, 2013).
(10.15)++Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated December 16, 2010 and filed on December 17, 2010).
(10.16)++Form of Stock Option and Dividend Equivalent Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and filed on May 10, 2012).
(10.17)++Prior Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated December 16, 2010 and filed on December 17, 2010).
(10.18)++Prior Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and filed on May 10, 2012).
(10.19)++Form of Deferred Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated December 16, 2010 and filed on December 17, 2010).
(10.20)++Prior Form of Performance Share Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated December 13, 2012 and filed on December 19, 2012).
(10.21)++Prior Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8‑K dated December 13, 2012 and filed on December 19, 2012).
(10.22)++Quad/Graphics, Inc. Synergy Rewards Program and Bonus Pool Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and filed on November 15, 2010).



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Exhibit NumberExhibit Description
(10.23)++Current Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and filed on May 7, 2014).
(10.24)++Current Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and filed on May 7, 2014).
(10.25)++Current Form of Performance Share Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and filed on August 7, 2014).
(10.26)++Current Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and filed on August 7, 2014).
(10.27)++Current Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, with full retirement vesting, under the Quad/Graphics, Inc. 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 and filed on August 5, 2015).
(21)Subsidiaries of Quad/Graphics, Inc.
(23)Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
(31.1)Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(31.2)Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(32)Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
(99)Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. [To be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after December 31, 2015; except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference, the Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders shall not be deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.]
(101)
Financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Quad/Graphics, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2015 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and (vii) document and entity information.

++A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.



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