UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2016April 30, 2017
OR
o 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: 001-07982
RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
South Dakota
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
46-0246171
(IRSI.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
205 East 6th Street, P.O. Box 5107, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5107
(Address of principal executive offices)
(605) 336-2750
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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.                     oþ Yes þo No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site,Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).         oþ Yes þo No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large"large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and" "accelerated filer," “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    o Yes þ No
As of February 10,May 19, 2017 there were 36,076,25936,090,556 shares of common stock, $1 par value, of Raven Industries, Inc. outstanding. There were no other classes of stock outstanding.
 


RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
INDEX
 PAGE
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share data)October 31,
2016
 January 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
April 30,
2017
 January 31,
2017
 April 30,
2016
ASSETS          
Current assets          
Cash and cash equivalents$46,313
 $33,782
 $32,287
$50,477
 $50,648
 $32,790
Short-term investments
 
 250
Accounts receivable, net39,554
 38,069
 39,293
51,617
 43,143
 41,013
Inventories42,813
 45,839
 48,636
49,867
 42,336
 46,901
Deferred income taxes
 3,110
 3,296
Other current assets2,747
 4,429
 2,915
3,256
 2,689
 4,889
Total current assets131,427
 125,229
 126,677
155,217
 138,816
 125,593
          
Property, plant and equipment, net108,948
 115,704
 117,206
106,194
 106,324
 113,374
Goodwill40,703
 40,672
 40,712
40,686
 40,649
 40,816
Amortizable intangible assets, net12,511
 12,956
 13,327
11,455
 12,048
 13,142
Other assets3,746
 4,127
 3,859
3,442
 3,672
 4,245
TOTAL ASSETS$297,335
 $298,688
 $301,781
$316,994
 $301,509
 $297,170
          
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable$9,377
 $6,038
 $7,160
$13,909
 $8,467
 $9,356
Accrued liabilities14,708
 12,042
 11,597
21,864
 18,055
 12,703
Customer advances1,154
 739
 907
751
 1,860
 809
Total current liabilities25,239
 18,819
 19,664
36,524
 28,382
 22,868
          
Other liabilities12,134
 15,640
 14,511
12,726
 13,696
 14,439
          
Commitments and contingencies
 
 

 
 
          
Shareholders' equity          
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized shares 100,000; issued 67,060; 67,006; and 67,006, respectively67,060
 67,006
 67,006
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized shares 100,000; issued 67,072; 67,060; and 67,041, respectively67,072
 67,060
 67,041
Paid-in capital55,703
 53,907
 53,919
56,489
 55,795
 53,832
Retained earnings230,957
 229,443
 232,315
238,250
 230,649
 230,207
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(3,361) (3,501) (3,026)(3,670) (3,676) (2,891)
Treasury stock at cost, 30,984; 30,500; and 29,447 shares, respectively(90,402) (82,700) (82,700)
Treasury stock at cost, 30,984; 30,984; and 30,882 shares, respectively(90,402) (90,402) (88,402)
Total Raven Industries, Inc. shareholders' equity259,957
 264,155
 267,514
267,739
 259,426
 259,787
Noncontrolling interest5
 74
 92
5
 5
 76
Total shareholders' equity259,962
 264,229
 267,606
Total equity267,744
 259,431
 259,863
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY$297,335
 $298,688
 $301,781
$316,994
 $301,509
 $297,170

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

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share data)October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
Net sales$72,522
 $67,611
 $208,480
 $205,402
$93,535
 $68,360
Cost of sales52,683
 50,639
 149,609
 150,213
61,579
 48,243
Gross profit19,839
 16,972
 58,871
 55,189
31,956
 20,117
          
Research and development expenses4,151
 4,005
 12,475
 10,757
3,980
 4,409
Selling, general, and administrative expenses8,212
 7,480
 24,174
 25,302
9,498
 7,658
Goodwill impairment loss
 11,497
 
 11,497
Long-lived asset impairment loss87
 3,813
 87
 3,813
259
 
Operating income (loss)7,389
 (9,823) 22,135
 3,820
Operating income18,219
 8,050
          
Other (expense), net(273) (123) (579) (433)(230) (97)
Income before income taxes7,116
 (9,946) 21,556
 3,387
17,989
 7,953
          
Income taxes provision (benefit)1,375
 (3,780) 5,802
 471
Net income (loss)5,741
 (6,166) 15,754
 2,916
Income tax expense5,641
 2,434
Net income12,348
 5,519
          
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
 22
 1
 58

 2
          
Net income (loss) attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.$5,741
 $(6,188) $15,753
 $2,858
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.$12,348
 $5,517
          
Net income (loss) per common share:       
Net income per common share:   
─ Basic$0.16
 $(0.17) $0.43
 $0.08
$0.34
 $0.15
─ Diluted$0.16
 $(0.17) $0.43
 $0.08
$0.34
 $0.15
          
Cash dividends paid per common share$0.13
 $0.13
 $0.39
 $0.39
$0.13
 $0.13
          
Comprehensive income:          
Net income (loss)$5,741
 $(6,166) $15,754
 $2,916
Net income$12,348
 $5,519
          
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:       
Other comprehensive income (loss):   
Foreign currency translation(201) 2
 146
 (172)12
 612
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $2, ($1,606), $4 and ($1,572), respectively(2) 2,794
 (6) 2,995
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(203) 2,796
 140
 2,823
Postretirement benefits, net of income tax benefit (expense) of $4 and ($1), respectively(6) (2)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax6
 610
          
Comprehensive income (loss)5,538
 (3,370) 15,894
 5,739
Comprehensive income12,354
 6,129
          
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 22
 1
 58

 2
          
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.$5,538
 $(3,392) $15,893
 $5,681
Comprehensive income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.$12,354
 $6,127

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

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(unaudited)
      
td Par Common StockPaid-in CapitalTreasury StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Raven Industries, Inc. EquityNon- controlling InterestTotal Equitytd Par Common StockPaid-in CapitalTreasury StockRetained EarningsAccumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Raven Industries, Inc. EquityNon- controlling InterestTotal Equity
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)SharesCostSharesCost
Balance January 31, 2015$66,947
$53,237
28,897
$(53,362)$244,180
$(5,849)$305,153
$84
$305,237
Balance January 31, 2016$67,006
$53,907
30,500
$(82,700)$229,443
$(3,501)$264,155
$74
$264,229
Net income



2,858

2,858
58
2,916




5,517

5,517
2
5,519
Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment




(172)(172)
(172)




612
612

612
Change in Postretirement benefits due to plan amendments after tax (expense) of ($1,591)




2,770
2,770

2,770
Postretirement benefits reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax benefit of $19




225
225

225
Cash dividends ($0.39 per share)

125


(14,723)
(14,598)
(14,598)
Dividends of less than wholly-owned subsidiary attributable to non-controlling interest






(50)(50)
Share issuance costs related to fiscal 2015 business combination
(15)



(15)
(15)
Shares issued on stock options exercised, net of shares withheld for employee taxes7
(54)



(47)
(47)
Postretirement benefits reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax (expense) of ($1)




(2)(2)
(2)
Cash dividends ($0.13 per share)

52


(4,753)
(4,701)
(4,701)
Shares issued on vesting of stock units, net of shares withheld for employee taxes52
(510)



(458)
(458)35
(291)



(256)
(256)
Shares repurchased

1,603
(29,338)

(29,338)
(29,338)

382
(5,702)

(5,702)
(5,702)
Share-based compensation
1,826




1,826

1,826

456




456

456
Income tax impact related to share-based compensation


(690)



(690)
(690)
(292)



(292)
(292)
Balance October 31, 2015$67,006
$53,919
30,500
$(82,700)$232,315
$(3,026)$267,514
$92
$267,606
Balance April 30, 2016$67,041
$53,832
30,882
$(88,402)$230,207
$(2,891)$259,787
$76
$259,863
      
      
Balance January 31, 2016$67,006
$53,907
30,500
$(82,700)$229,443
$(3,501)$264,155
$74
$264,229
Balance January 31, 2017$67,060
$55,795
30,984
$(90,402)$230,649
$(3,676)$259,426
$5
$259,431
Net income



15,753

15,753
1
15,754




12,348

12,348

12,348
Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment




146
146

146





12
12

12
Postretirement benefits reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) after tax benefit of $4




(6)(6)
(6)




(6)(6)
(6)
Cash dividends ($0.39 per share)
161


(14,239)
(14,078)
(14,078)
Dividends of less than wholly-owned subsidiary paid to noncontrolling interest






(70)(70)
Cash dividends ($0.13 per share)
56


(4,747)
(4,691)
(4,691)
Shares issued on stock options exercised, net of shares withheld for employee taxes1
10




11

11
Shares issued on vesting of stock units, net of shares withheld for employee taxes35
(291)



(256)
(256)11
(163)



(152)
(152)
Director shares issued19
(19)






Shares repurchased

484
(7,702)

(7,702)
(7,702)
Share-based compensation
2,291




2,291

2,291

791




791

791
Income tax impact related to share-based compensation
(346)



(346)
(346)
Balance October 31, 2016$67,060
$55,703
30,984
$(90,402)$230,957
$(3,361)$259,957
$5
$259,962
Balance April 30, 2017$67,072
$56,489
30,984
$(90,402)$238,250
$(3,670)$267,739
$5
$267,744

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

                           


RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
Net income$15,754
 $2,916
$12,348
 $5,519
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization11,526
 13,201
3,614
 3,762
Change in fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration(41) (1,720)91
 63
Goodwill impairment loss
 11,497
Long-lived asset impairment loss87
 3,813
259
 
Loss from equity investment223
 126
110
 3
Deferred income taxes(290) (6,685)(783) 1,651
Share-based compensation expense2,291
 1,826
791
 456
Other operating activities, net174
 (78)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable(1,620) 16,144
(8,623) (2,648)
Inventories3,048
 4,820
(7,519) (980)
Other assets(135) 228
(1,041) (1,071)
Operating liabilities7,834
 (12,580)8,281
 4,427
Other operating activities, net8
 1,595
Net cash provided by operating activities38,685
 35,181
7,702
 11,104
      
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
Capital expenditures(3,901) (10,771)(2,790) (791)
Proceeds related to business acquisitions
 351
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments250
 
Purchases of investments(750) 

 (500)
Proceeds from sale of assets1,145
 1,960
14
 50
Other investing activities(498) (506)(60) (194)
Net cash used in investing activities(3,754) (8,966)(2,836) (1,435)
      
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
Dividends paid(14,148) (14,648)(4,691) (4,701)
Payments for common shares repurchased(7,702) (29,338)
 (5,702)
Payments of acquisition-related contingent liability(318) (773)(161) (138)
Debt issuance costs paid
 (548)
Restricted stock units vested and issued(256) (458)(152) (256)
Employee stock option exercises net of tax benefit
 (85)
Other financing activities
 (15)
Employee stock option exercises11
 
Net cash used in financing activities(22,424) (45,865)(4,993) (10,797)
      
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash24
 (12)(44) 136
      
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents12,531
 (19,662)
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(171) (992)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year33,782
 51,949
50,648
 33,782
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$46,313
 $32,287
$50,477
 $32,790

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
Raven Industries, Inc. (the Company or Raven) is a diversified technology company providing a variety of products to customers within the industrial, agricultural, energy,geomembrane, construction, and military/aerospaceaerospace/defense markets. The Company is comprised of three unique operating units, or divisions, classified into reportable segments: Applied Technology, Engineered Films, and Aerostar.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial information, which includes the accounts of Raven and its wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries, net of intercompany balances and transactions which have been eliminated, has been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, it does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. This financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 20162017.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of this financial information have been included. Financial results for the interim three- and nine-month periods-month period ended October 31, 2016April 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending January 31, 20172018. The January 31, 20162017 consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.in an annual report on Form 10-K. Preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Noncontrolling interests represent capital contributions, income and loss attributable to the owners of less than wholly-owned consolidated entities. The Company owns a 75% interest in an entity consolidated under the Aerostar business segment. Given the Company's majority ownership interest, the accounts of the business venture have been consolidated with the accounts of the Company, and a noncontrolling interest has been recorded for the noncontrolling investor interests in the net assets and operations of the business venture.

(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

As described in Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived and intangible assets using fair value measurement techniques if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset is below the estimated undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset group which contains the long-lived and intangible assets being assessed. The cash flows used for this analysis are similar to those used in the goodwill impairment assessment discussed further below. However, the cash flows are undiscounted and are projected over the life of the "primary asset" within the asset group being assessed.

As also described in Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, the Company recognizes goodwill as the excess cost of an acquired business over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Management assesses goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and between annual tests whenever a triggering event indicates there may be an impairment. Impairment tests of goodwill are done at the reporting unit level. When performing goodwill impairment testing, the fair values of reporting units are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information, primarily discounted cash flow projections. Such valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures).

Based on the Company’s review of its Engineered Films and Applied Technology Division reporting units, the Company identified no indicators of impairment for these reporting units or asset groups, and as such no further impairment analysis was required under the applicable accounting guidance for the three- or nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016.

Aerostar Reporting Unit (related to October 31, 2016)
In the fiscal 2017 third quarter the Company determined that a triggering event occurred for its Aerostar reporting unit and the aerostat and stratospheric programs (Lighter than Air) and radar product and radar services (Radar) asset groups. Financial expectations for net sales and operating income of the reporting unit and affected asset groups were lowered due to delays and
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


uncertainties regarding the reporting unit’s pursuits of certain opportunities, in particular aerostat orders, certain classified stratospheric balloon pursuits, and radar pursuits. Aerostar is still actively pursuing these opportunities and some are in active negotiations, but the timing of certain stratospheric balloon and aerostat opportunities are being delayed more than previously expected and the likelihood of radar sales is lower due to the Company's decision to no longer actively pursue certain radar product opportunities. As a result of these factors, the Company lowered its financial forecast for the business and performed a Step 1 impairment analysis using fair value techniques as of October 31, 2016 for both goodwill and long-lived assets.

As described in Note 6 Goodwill, Long-Lived Assets and Other Charges, the Company concluded that the Aerostar reporting unit goodwill balance was not impaired but certain long-lived assets associated with the previously impaired Radar asset group, including property, plant, and equipment and patents, were further impaired as of October 31, 2016.
Vista Reporting Unit (related to October 31, 2015)
As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, the Company determined that a triggering event occurred for its Vista reporting unit, a subsidiary of the Aerostar Division, during the fiscal 2016 third quarter. Accordingly, the Company performed a Step 1 impairment analysis using fair value techniques as of October 31, 2015 for both goodwill and long-lived assets.

As described in Note 6 Goodwill, Long-Lived Assets and Other Charges, the Company concluded that the Vista goodwill balance was fully impaired and that certain long-lived assets of the Vista reporting unit, including finite-lived intangible assets, were impaired as of October 31, 2015.
There have been no material changes to the Company's significant accounting policies as described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016.

(3) NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares and fully vested stock units outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding which includes the shares issuable upon exercise of employee stock options (net of shares assumed purchased with the option proceeds), stock units, and restricted stock units outstanding. Performance share awards are included2017 other than described below in the diluted calculation based upon what would be issued if the end of the most recent reporting period was the end of the term of the award. Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding are excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.
Certain outstanding options and restricted stock units were excluded from the diluted net income per-share calculations because their effect would have been anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.
The options and restricted stock units excluded from the diluted net income per-share share calculation were as follows:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
Anti-dilutive options and restricted stock units653,513 1,216,318 922,041 1,150,227
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)



The computation of earnings per share is presented below:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
Numerator:       
Net income (loss) attributable to Raven Industries, Inc.$5,741
 $(6,188) $15,753
 $2,858
        
Denominator:       
Weighted average common shares outstanding36,076,259
 36,785,140
 36,164,468
 37,481,675
Weighted average fully vested stock units outstanding97,716
 92,470
 100,595
 84,597
Denominator for basic calculation36,173,975
 36,877,610
 36,265,063
 37,566,272
        
Weighted average common shares outstanding36,076,259
 36,785,140
 36,164,468
 37,481,675
Weighted average fully vested stock units outstanding97,716
 92,470
 100,595
 84,597
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted stock units122,270
 
 70,102
 47,773
Denominator for diluted calculation36,296,245
 36,877,610
 36,335,165
 37,614,045
        
Net income (loss) per share - basic$0.16
 $(0.17) $0.43
 $0.08
Net income (loss) per share - diluted$0.16
 $(0.17) $0.43
 $0.08

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


(4) SELECTED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Following are the components of selected items from the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
  October 31, 2016 January 31, 2016 October 31, 2015
Accounts receivable, net:      
     Trade accounts $40,257
 $39,103
 $40,062
     Allowance for doubtful accounts (703) (1,034) (769)
  $39,554
 $38,069
 $39,293
Inventories:      
Finished goods $5,686
 $4,896
 $5,211
In process 2,325
 1,845
 2,157
Materials 34,802
 39,098
 41,268
 
$42,813

$45,839

$48,636
Other current assets:      
Insurance policy benefit $776
 $716
 $728
     Federal tax receivable 228
 1,721
 
Receivable from sale of business 71
 255
 420
     Prepaid expenses and other 1,672
 1,737
 1,767
  $2,747
 $4,429
 $2,915
Property, plant and equipment, net:      
Held for use:      
Land $3,054
 $3,054
 $2,974
Buildings and improvements 78,703
 77,827
 76,775
Machinery and equipment 143,533
 140,996
 138,921
     Accumulated depreciation (115,726) (106,419) (102,263)
Accumulated impairment losses (616) (554) (554)
  $108,948
 $114,904
 $115,853
Held for sale:      
Land $
 $244
 $324
Buildings and improvements 
 1,595
 2,597
Machinery and equipment 
 329
 639
     Accumulated depreciation 
 (1,368) (2,207)
  
 800
 1,353
  $108,948
 $115,704
 $117,206
Other assets:      
Equity investments $2,346
 $2,805
 $2,720
Deferred income taxes 65
 
 
Other 1,335
 1,322
 1,139
  $3,746
 $4,127
 $3,859
Accrued liabilities:      
Salaries and related $3,931
 $1,883
 $1,177
Benefits 3,720
 3,864
 3,925
Insurance obligations 2,022
 1,730
 1,852
Warranties 1,852
 1,835
 1,639
Income taxes 332
 475
 748
Other taxes 1,230
 1,117
 977
Acquisition-related contingent consideration 396
 407
 448
Other 1,225
 731
 831
  $14,708
 $12,042
 $11,597
Other liabilities:      
Postretirement benefits $7,714
 $7,662
 $7,898
Acquisition-related contingent consideration 1,385
 1,732
 1,483
Deferred income taxes 257
 3,247
 2,205
Uncertain tax positions 2,778
 2,999
 2,925
  $12,134
 $15,640
 $14,511

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


(5) ACQUISITIONS OF AND INVESTMENTS IN BUSINESSES AND TECHNOLOGIES

Ag-Eagle Aerial Systems, Inc.
In February 2016, the Applied Technology Division acquired an interest of approximately 5% in AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. (AgEagle). AgEagle is a privately held company that is a leading provider of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used for agricultural applications. Contemporaneously with the execution of this agreement, AgEagle and the Company entered into a distribution agreement whereby the Company was appointed as the sole and exclusive distributor worldwide of the existing AgEagle system as it pertains to the agriculture market. This investment and distribution agreement will allow the Company to expand into the UAS market for agriculture, enhancing its existing product offerings to provide actionable data that customers can use to make important input decisions.

AgEagle is considered a variable interest entity (VIE) and the Company’s equity ownership interest in AgEagle is considered a variable interest. The Company accounts for its investment in AgEagle under the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating policies of AgEagle through the Company's representation on AgEagle's Board of Directors and the distribution agreement. However, the Company is not the primary beneficiary as the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the entity.

At the acquisition date, the Company determined that the exclusivity of the distribution agreement resulted in an intangible asset. The purchase price was allocated between the equity ownership interest and this intangible asset which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the four-year life of the distribution agreement.

Acquisition-related Contingent Consideration
The Company has contingent liabilities related to prior year acquisitions of SBG Innovatie BV and its affiliate, Navtronics BVBA (collectively, SBG) in May 2014 and Vista Research, Inc. (Vista) in January 2012. The fair value of such contingent consideration is estimated as of the acquisition date, and subsequently at the end of each reporting period, using forecasted cash flows. Projecting future cash flows requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding future events, conditions, or revenues being achieved under the subject contingent agreement as well as the appropriate discount rate. Such valuations techniques include one or more significant inputs that are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures).

In connection with the acquisition of SBG, Raven is committed to making additional earn-out payments, not to exceed $2,500, calculated and paid quarterly for ten years after the purchase date contingent upon achieving certain revenues. At October 31, 2016, the fair value of this contingent consideration was $1,375, of which $219 was classified as "Accrued liabilities" and $1,156 was classified as "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At October 31, 2015, the fair value of this contingent consideration was $1,338, of which $329 was classified as "Accrued liabilities" and $1,009 as "Other liabilities." The Company paid $37 and $239 in earn-out payments in the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016, respectively. The Company paid $38 and $188 in earn-out payments in the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015, respectively. To date, the Company has paid a total of $548 of this potential earn-out liability.

Related to the acquisition of Vista in 2012, the Company is committed to making annual payments based upon earn-out percentages on specific revenue streams for seven years after the purchase date, not to exceed $15,000.

As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, in the fiscal 2016 third quarter the Company (based on a reassessment of its forecasted future revenue projections associated with Vista) determined that the estimated fair value of this contingent consideration should be reduced by $2,273. This adjustment was recognized as a benefit to "Cost of sales" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015.

At October 31, 2016, the fair value of this contingent consideration was $325, of which $96 was classified in "Accrued liabilities" and $229 as "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At October 31, 2015 the fair value of this contingent consideration was $550, of which $76 was classified as "Accrued liabilities" and $474 as "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company paid $79 and $585 in the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company made no payments in the three-month periods ended October 31, 2016 or 2015, respectively. To date, the Company has paid a total of $1,471 of this potential earn-out liability.

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


(6) GOODWILL, LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND OTHER CHARGES

Pre-contract Deferred Cost Write-offs
From time to time, the Company incurs costs before a contract is finalized and such pre-contract costs are deferred to the balance sheet to the extent they relate to a specific project and the Company has concluded that is probable that the contract will be awarded for more than the amount deferred. Pre-contract cost deferrals are common within the Aerostar Division, particularly with the aerostat and radar business pursuits. Aerostar had been pursuing international opportunities and was in the process of negotiating a large international contract that did not materialize in the fiscal 2016 third quarter as expected. Expectations were lowered as the timing and likelihood of completing other international pursuits became less certain. Corresponding to these lower expectations, the pre-contract costs associated with these pursuits were written off during the fiscal 2016 third quarter. The Aerostar Division recorded a charge of $2,933, (which is comprised of $2,075 of costs capitalized as of July 31, 2015 and additional costs of $858 capitalized during August and September 2015) for the write-off of these pre-contract costs. This charge is recorded in “Cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The pre-contract costs deferred to the balance sheet at October 31, 2016 were not material and there have been no write-offs in the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016, respectively.
Inventory write-downs
During the fiscal 2017 third quarter, the Company wrote-down radar inventory, purchased primarily during fiscal 2016, due to the Company's decision in the fiscal 2017 third quarter to no longer actively pursue certain radar opportunities. The decision to write-down for this inventory is consistent with the triggering event identified during the fiscal 2017 third quarter relating to the Aerostar reporting unit and the radar product and radar services (Radar) asset group. This radar specific inventory write-down increased "Cost of sales" by $2,278 for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016. There were no specific radar inventory write-downs for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015.

Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment Loss
The Company performs impairment reviews of goodwill by reporting unit. At the end of fiscal 2016, the Company determined it had four reporting units: Engineered Films Division; Applied Technology Division; and two separate reporting units in the Aerostar Division, one of which was Vista and one of which was all other Aerostar operations (Aerostar excluding Vista).

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, management implemented managerial and financial reporting changes within Vista and Aerostar to further integrate Vista into the Aerostar Division. Integration actions included leadership re-alignment, including selling and business development leadership functions, re-deployment of employees across the division, and consolidation of administrative functions, among other actions. Based on the changes made, the Company consolidated the two separate reporting units within the Aerostar Division into one reporting unit for the purposes of goodwill impairment review. As such, as of April 30, 2016, the Company has three reporting units: Engineered Films Division, Applied Technology Division, and Aerostar Division. The Company reviewed the quantitative and qualitative factors associated with the change in reporting unit and determined there were no indicators of impairment at the time of the reporting unit change.

In the fiscal 2017 third quarter the Company determined that a triggering event occurred for its Aerostar reporting unit, which had $789 of goodwill as of October 31, 2016. The triggering event was caused by lowering the financial expectations for net sales and operating income of the reporting unit and certain asset groups due to delays and uncertainties regarding the reporting unit’s pursuit of certain opportunities, including aerostat orders, certain classified stratospheric balloon pursuits, and radar pursuits. Aerostar is still actively pursuing these opportunities and some are in active negotiations, but the timing of certain aerostat and classified stratospheric balloon opportunities are being delayed more than previously expected and the likelihood of radar sales is lower due to the Company's decision to no longer actively pursue certain radar product opportunities. The Step 1 impairment analysis was completed using fair value techniques as of October 31, 2016. In determining the estimated fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit, the Company was required to estimate a number of factors, including projected revenue growth rates, projected operating results, terminal growth rates, economic conditions, anticipated future cash flows, and the discount rate. On the basis of these estimates, the October 31, 2016 analysis indicated that the estimated fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit exceeded the reporting unit carrying value by approximately $9,000, or approximately 30.0%.
As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, the Company determined that a triggering event occurred for its Vista reporting unit, a subsidiary of the Aerostar Division, during the fiscal 2016 third quarter. A Step 1 impairment analysis was completed using fair value techniques as of October 31, 2015 and it was determined that the estimated fair value of the Vista reporting unit was less than the carrying value.
Pursuant to the applicable accounting guidance, the Company performed a Step 2 impairment analysis. Based on this Step 2 impairment analysis the resulting implied fair value of the Vista goodwill was determined to have no value compared to the $11,497 carrying value recorded for the reporting unit. This $11,497 shortfall was recorded in the prior fiscal year third quarter as an
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


impairment charge to operating income reported as "Goodwill impairment loss" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.
The Company reported $11,497 in goodwill impairment losses for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015. Goodwill gross and net of accumulated impairment losses at October 31, 2015 was $52,209 and $40,712, respectively. The Company's cumulative impairment loss recorded as of October 31, 2015 was $11,497.
The Company reported no impairment losses for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016. Goodwill gross and net of accumulated impairment losses at October 31, 2016 was $52,200 and $40,703, respectively. The Company's cumulative impairment loss recorded as of October 31, 2016 was $11,497.
Long-Lived Asset Impairment Loss
Fiscal 2017 third quarter assessment
The Company evaluated the triggering events described in the goodwill impairment analysis and determined there were also triggering events with respect to the assets associated with the aerostat and stratospheric programs (Lighter than Air) and Radar asset groups in the Aerostar reporting unit in the third quarter, which resulted in an asset impairment test.

Using the sum of the undiscounted cash flows associated with each of the two asset groups, a Step 1 test was performed for each asset group. The undiscounted cash flows for the Lighter than Air asset group exceeded the carrying value of the long-lived assets by approximately $110,000, or 800%, and no Step 2 test was deemed to be necessary based on the recoverability of the long-lived assets. For the Radar asset group, however, the undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying value of the long-lived assets and the Company performed a Step 2 impairment analysis for the long-lived assets.

In the Step 2 impairment analysis, the fair value determined was allocated to the assets and liabilities of the Radar asset group. The resulting estimated fair value of the Radar asset group long-lived assets was $175 compared to the carrying value of $262 for the asset group. The shortfall of $87 was recorded in the fiscal 2017 third quarter as an impairment charge to operating income reported as "Long-lived asset impairment loss" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The total impairment loss related to property, plant, and equipment and patents was $62 and $25, respectively.

Fiscal 2016 third quarter assessment
As described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, the Company determined that the relevant cash flows for long-lived asset testing (the lowest level of cash flows that are largely independent of other assets) are one level below the Vista reporting unit. For Vista, these levels were determined to be asset groups identified for the client private business (CP) and Radar. Based on the assessment of the forecasts of cash flows and these asset groups, the Company concluded that certain long-lived assets of the Vista reporting unit, including finite-lived intangible assets, were impaired as of October 31, 2015.

Using the sum of the undiscounted cash flows associated with each of the two asset groups, a Step 1 test was performed for each asset group. The undiscounted cash flows for the CP asset group exceeded the carrying value of the long-lived assets and no Step 2 test was deemed to be necessary based on the recoverability of the long-lived assets. For the Radar asset group, however, the undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying value of the long-lived assets, resulting in an estimated fair value of the Radar asset group long-lived assets of $103 compared to the carrying value of $3,916 for the asset group. The shortfall of $3,813 was recorded in fiscal 2016 third quarter as an impairment charge to operating income reported as "Long-lived asset impairment loss" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Of the total long-lived asset impairment of $3,813, $3,154 was related to amortizable intangible assets related to radar technology and radar customers, $554 was related to property, plant, and equipment, and $105 was related to patents.

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


(7) EMPLOYEE POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company provides postretirement medical and other benefits to certain senior executive officers and senior managers. These plan obligations are unfunded. The components of the net periodic benefit cost for postretirement benefits are as follows:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
Service cost$20
 $49
 $60
 $265
Interest cost83
 92
 249
 302
Amortization of actuarial losses36
 38
 110
 206
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost (gains)(40) 
 (120) 
Net periodic benefit cost$99
 $179
 $299
 $773

Postretirement benefit cost components are reclassified in their entirety from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net periodic benefit cost.  Net periodic benefit costs are reported in net income as “Cost of sales” or “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in a manner consistent with the classification of direct labor and personnel costs of the eligible employees.

(8) WARRANTIES

Accruals necessary for product warranties are estimated based on historical warranty costs and average time elapsed between purchases and returns for each division. Additional accruals are made for any significant, discrete warranty issues. Changes in the warranty accrual were as follows:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
Beginning balance$2,076
 $1,752
 $1,835
 $3,120
Accrual for warranties202
 571
 1,288
 1,319
Settlements made(426) (684) (1,271) (2,800)
Ending balance$1,852
 $1,639
 $1,852
 $1,639

(9) FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

The Company entered into a credit facility on April 15, 2015 with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch as Canadian Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and each lender from time to time party thereto (the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement provides for a syndicated senior revolving credit facility up to $125,000 with a maturity date of April 15, 2020. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (Wells Fargo), a participating lender under the Credit Agreement, holds the majority of the Company's cash and cash equivalents. One member of the Company's Board of Directors, who served through May 2016, is also on the Board of Directors of Wells Fargo & Company, the parent company of Wells Fargo.

Unamortized debt issuance costs associated with this Credit Agreement were $379 and $489 at October 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively and are included in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Loans or borrowings defined under the Credit Agreement bear interest and fees at varying rates and terms defined in the Credit Agreement based on the type of borrowing as defined. The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including those relating to financial reporting and notification, limits on levels of indebtedness and liens, investments, mergers and acquisitions, affiliate transactions, sales of assets, restrictive agreements, and change in control as defined in the Credit Agreement. Financial covenants include an interest coverage ratio and funded indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization as defined in the Credit Agreement. The loan proceeds may be utilized by Raven for strategic business purposes and for working capital needs.

Simultaneous with execution of the Credit Agreement, Raven, Aerostar, Vista, and Integra entered into a guaranty agreement in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association in its capacity as administrator under the Credit Agreement for the benefit of JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., Toronto Branch and the lenders and their affiliates under the Credit Agreement.

Letters of credit (LOCs) totaling $850 issued under a previous line of credit with Wells Fargo were outstanding at October 31, 2015. These LOC primarily support self-insured workers' compensation bonding. All but one $50 LOC has been transferred and issued under the Credit Agreement as of October 31, 2016. At October 31, 2016, $464 of LOCs were outstanding under the Credit
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


Agreement and $50 issued by Wells Fargo was outstanding. Any draws required under the Wells Fargo LOC would be settled with available cash or borrowings under the Credit Agreement.
There were no borrowings under either credit agreement for any of the fiscal periods covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Availability under the Credit Agreement for borrowings as of October 31, 2016 was $124,536.

The Company has requested and received the necessary covenant waivers relating to its late filing of financial statement information.

(10) CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various claims and litigation. The Company has concluded that the ultimate outcome of these matters is not expected to be material to the Company’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

(11) INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the federal statutory rate primarily due to state and local taxes, research and development tax credit, tax benefits on qualified production activities, and tax-exempt insurance premiums. The Company’s year-to-date effective tax rates for the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 were 26.9% and 13.9%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the prior year effective tax rate being significantly lower due to the impact of the affects of the impairment and other charges which is partially offset by the inclusion of an R&D tax credit in the current period provision for income taxes. Congress permanently enacted this credit into law in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. No estimate of the R&D tax credit was included in the provision for income taxes for the three- or nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015.

As of October 31, 2016, undistributed earnings of approximately $2,365 of the Canadian and European subsidiaries were considered to have been reinvested indefinitely and, accordingly, the Company has not provided United States income taxes on such earnings. This estimated tax liability would be approximately $270 net of foreign tax credits.

(12) RESTRUCTURING COSTS

At October 31, 2016, there are no ongoing restructuring plans or unpaid restructuring costs. No restructuring costs were incurred in the three- or nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016.

In the fiscal 2015 fourth quarter, the Company announced and implemented a restructuring plan to lower Applied Technology’s cost structure. In the same period, Engineered Films implemented a preemptive restructuring plan to address the decline in demand in the energy sector as the result of falling oil prices. The Company also initiated the exit of Applied Technology’s non-strategic St. Louis, Missouri contract manufacturing facility.

Exit activities related to this sale and transfer of these contract manufacturing operations were substantially completed during the fiscal 2016 first quarter. Gains of $611 were recorded for the nine-month period ended October 31, 2015 as a result of the exit activity. There were no gains recorded in the three-month period ended October 31, 2015. Receivables for inventory and estimated future royalties pursuant to the sale agreements of $420 were included in "Other current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at October 31, 2015. At October 31, 2016, such receivables were $71.

In the fiscal 2017 second quarter, the land, building, and remaining equipment in St. Louis that was owned and held for sale was sold. The selling price, net of all selling expenses, exceeded the net book value of the assets held for sale. A gain of $161 was recorded on this sale.

In the fiscal 2016 first quarter, the Company announced and implemented a restructuring plan to further lower its cost structure. The cost reductions covered all divisions and included the corporate offices, but were weighted to Applied Technology as a result of the decline in this business and the expectation of continued end-market weakness for this division.

The Company incurred restructuring costs for severance benefits of $588 in the nine-month period ended October 31, 2015. This restructuring plan was completed during the fiscal 2016 second quarter so no costs were incurred related to this restructuring plan in the three-month period ended October 31, 2015. The Company reported $407 of these restructuring costs in "Cost of sales" and the remaining $181 were reported in "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. There were no unpaid costs at October 31, 2015. Substantially all of these restructuring costs related to the Applied Technology Division.

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


(13) DIVIDENDS AND TREASURY STOCK

Dividends paid to Raven shareholders for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2016 were $4,690 and $14,078 or 13.0 cents and 39.0 cents per share, respectively. Dividends paid to Raven shareholders for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2015 were $4,764 and $14,598, or 13.0 cents and 39.0 cents per share, respectively.

Effective March 21, 2016 the Board of Directors (Board) authorized an extension and increase of the authorized $40,000 stock buyback program in place.An additional $10,000 was authorized for share repurchases once the $40,000 authorization limit is reached.

Pursuant to these authorizations, the Company repurchased 484,252 shares , or $7,702, in the nine-month period ended October 31, 2016. None of these shares were repurchased in the three-month period ended October 31, 2016. The Company repurchased1,052,587 and 1,602,545 shares in the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015. These purchases totaled $18,513 and $29,338, respectively. All such share repurchases were paid at October 31, 2015. The remaining dollar value authorized for share repurchases at October 31, 2016 is $12,959. This authorization remains in place until such time as the authorized spending limit is reached or such authorization is revoked by the Board.

(14) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company reserves shares for issuance pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan effective March 23, 2012, administered by the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Two types of awards, stock options and restricted stock units, were granted during the nine months endedOctober 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015.

Stock Option Awards
The Company granted 274,200 and 289,600 non-qualified stock options during the nine-month period ended October 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, respectively. None of these options were granted in the three-month periods ended October 31, 2016 or October 31, 2015. Options are granted with exercise prices not less than the market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. The stock options vest over a four-year period and expire after five years. Options contain retirement and change-in-control provisions that may accelerate the vesting period. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within this valuation model.

The weighted average assumptions used for the Black-Scholes option pricing model by grant year are as follows:
  Nine Months Ended
  October 31, 2016 October 31, 2015
Risk-free interest rate 1.05% 1.33%
Expected dividend yield 3.33% 2.59%
Expected volatility factor 32.61% 36.81%
Expected option term (in years) 4.00
 3.75
     
Weighted average grant date fair value $3.05 $4.77

Restricted Stock Unit Awards (RSUs)
The Company granted 70,947 and 27,696 time-vested RSUs to employees in the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company granted 4,577 and 8,446 awards in the three-month periods ended October 31, 2016 and 2015. The grant date fair value of a time-vested RSU is measured based upon the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the day prior to the date of grant. The grant date fair value per share of the time-vested RSUs granted in the three months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015 was $15.94 and $19.90, respectively. Time-vested RSUs will vest if, at the end of the three-year period, the employee remains employed by the Company. RSUs contain retirement and change-in-control provisions that may accelerate the vesting period. Dividends are cumulatively earned on the time-vested RSUs over the vesting period.

The Company also granted performance-based RSUs in the nine-month period ended October 31, 2016. The exact number of performance shares to be issued will vary from 0% to 150% of the target award, depending on the Company's actual performance over the three-year period in comparison to the target award. The target award for the fiscal 2017 and 2016 grants are based on return on equity (ROE), which is defined as net income divided by the average of beginning and ending shareholders' equity. The performance-based RSUs will vest if, at the end of the three-year performance period, the Company has achieved certain
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


performance goals and the employee remains employed by the Company. RSUs contain retirement and change-in-control provisions that may accelerate the vesting period. Dividends are cumulatively earned on performance-based RSUs over the vesting period. The number of RSUs that will vest is determined by an estimated ROE target over the three-year performance period. The estimated ROE performance factors used to estimate the number of restricted stock units expected to vest are evaluated at least quarterly. The number of restricted stock units issued at the vesting date will be based on actual results.

The fair value of the performance-based restricted stock units is based upon the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the day prior to the grant date. The number of performance-based RSUs granted is based on 100% of the target award. During the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted 72,950 and 68,570 performance-based RSUs, respectively. None of the performance-based RSUs were granted in the three-month periods ended October 31, 2016 and 2015. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of the performance-based RSUs granted in the periods ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, was $15.61 and $20.10.

(15) SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company's reportable segments are defined by their product lines which have been grouped in these segments based on common technologies, production methods, and inventories. Raven's reportable segments are Applied Technology, Engineered Films, and Aerostar. The Company measures the performance of its segments based on their operating income excluding administrative and general expenses. Other expense and income taxes are not allocated to individual operating segments, and assets not identifiable to an individual segment are included as corporate assets. Segment information is reported consistent with the Company's management reporting structure.

Business segment net sales and operating income results are as follows:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
Net sales       
Applied Technology$25,203
 $21,344
 $79,327
 $74,165
Engineered Films38,551
 36,919
 104,307
 104,029
Aerostar9,003
 9,456
 25,313
 27,338
Intersegment eliminations (a)
(235) (108) (467) (130)
Consolidated net sales$72,522
 $67,611
 $208,480
 $205,402
        
Operating income (loss)       
Applied Technology (b) (c)
$6,415
 $3,299
 $20,280
 $16,081
Engineered Films7,129
 6,145
 17,666
 15,981
Aerostar (d) (e)
(1,375) (15,474) (1,804) (15,013)
Intersegment eliminations (a)
(16) 9
 (21) 93
Total reportable segment income (loss)12,153
 (6,021) 36,121
 17,142
Administrative and general expenses(4,764) (3,802) (13,986) (13,322)
Consolidated operating income (loss)$7,389
 $(9,823) $22,135
 $3,820
(a)Intersegment sales for both fiscal 2017 and 2016 were primarily sales from Engineered Films to Aerostar.
(b)Includes $161 gain for the nine-month period ended October 31, 2016 on the disposal of an idle manufacturing plant held for sale.
(c) Includes gains of $611 for the nine-month period ended October 31, 2015 on disposal of assets related to the exit of contract manufacturing operations.
(d) The three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015 include pre-contract cost write-offs of $2,933 (which is comprised of $2,075 of costs capitalized as of July 31, 2015 and additional costs of $858 capitalized during August and September 2015), a goodwill impairment loss of $11,497, a long-lived impairment loss of $3,813 and a reduction of $2,273 of an acquisition-related contingent liability for Vista as a result of changes in expected sales and cash flows.
(e) The three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016 include inventory write-downs of $2,278 as a result of changes in expected sales of a specific product line within radar business.

(16) NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Accounting Standards Adopted section.

Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Adopted
In November 2015January 2017 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" (ASU 2015-17). Currently GAAP requires the deferred

taxes for each jurisdiction (or tax-paying component of a jurisdiction) to be presented as a net current asset or liability and net noncurrentasset or liability. This requires a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction analysis based on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which the underlying temporary differences relate, or, in the case of loss or credit carryforwards, based on the period in which the attribute is expected to be realized. To simplify presentation, ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. As a result, each jurisdiction will now only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. The guidance does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting within a jurisdiction - that is, companies are still prohibited from offsetting deferred tax liabilities from one jurisdiction against deferred tax assets of another jurisdiction. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-17 in the fiscal 2017 first quarter using the prospective method. No current deferred tax assets or liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet. Since the Company adopted the guidance prospectively, the prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.

In September 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments" (ASU 2015-16). The amendments in ASU 2015-16 apply to all entities that have reported provisional amounts for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs and, during the measurement period, have an adjustment to provisional amounts recognized. ASU 2015-16 requires that an acquirer in a business combination recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. ASU 2015-16 requires that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in this update require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes, the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The Company adopted ASU 2015-16 when it became effective in the fiscal 2017 first quarter with no impact on its consolidated financial statements or results of operations.

In April 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05,2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement (CCA)" (ASU 2015-05). The amendments in ASU 2015-05 clarify existing GAAP guidance about a customer’s accounting for fees paid in a CCA with or without a software license. Examples of cloud computing arrangements include software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, and other similar hosting arrangements. Under ASU 2015-05, fees paid by a customer in a CCA for a software license are within the scope of the internal-use software guidance if certain criteria are met. If the criteria are not met the fees paid are accounted for as a prepaid service contract and expensed. The Company has historically accounted for all fees in a CCA as a prepaid service contract. The Company adopted ASU 2015-05 in first quarter fiscal 2017 when it became effective using the prospective method. The Company did not pay any fees in a CCA in the current period that met the criteria to be in scope of the internal-use software guidance and it had no impact on the consolidated financial statements, results of operations, or cash flows.

In February 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis" (ASU 2015-02). The amendments in ASU 2015-02 affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments: 1. Modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities; 2. Eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; 3. Affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and 4. Provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17 "Consolidation (Topic 810) - Interests Held through Related Parties that are under common Control" (ASU 2016-17) which amended ASU 2015-02. Under ASU 2016-17, the Company only needs to consider its proportionate indirect interest in the VIE held through a common control party when evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. ASU 2015-02 required that the common control party's interest be treated as if it was the Company's interest when evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-02 in first quarter fiscal 2017 and early adopted ASU 2016-17 in third quarter fiscal 2017. The Company reevaluated all of it legal entities and one investment accounted for using the equity method during the first quarter. In addition, this guidance was applied to the evaluation of the Company's investment in Ag Eagle in first quarter fiscal 2017 further discussed in Note 5 Acquisitions of and Investments in Businesses and Technologies of this Form 10-Q. The Company did not have an indirect interest in any of the entities through an unconsolidated related party. Under ASU 2015-02 and the amended guidance in ASU 2016-17 neither of these equity method investments qualified for consolidation. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the legal entities consolidated or the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. No prior period retrospective adjustments were required.


In January 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, "Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items" (ASU 2015-01). The amendments in ASU 2015-01 eliminate the GAAP concept of extraordinary items and no longer requires that transactions that met the criteria for classification as extraordinary items be separately classified and reported in the financial statements. ASU 2015-01 retains the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently and expands them to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. The Company adopted ASU 2015-01when it became effective in fiscal 2017 first quarter using the prospective method. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In August 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern" (ASU 2014-15). The amendments in ASU 2014-15 require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. ASU 2014-15 requires certain financial statement disclosures when there is "substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern" within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The Company adopted ASU 2014-15 in the fiscal 2017 first quarter when it became effective. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The UpdateImpairment" (ASU 2017-04). This ASU removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Under the new guidance, a goodwill impairment will be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The amount of any impairment may not exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company early adopted this guidance is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted2018 first quarter on a prospective basis. As discussed in Note 6 Goodwill, Long-lived Assets, and Other Intangibles, management performed an assessment in fiscal 2018 first quarter and determined no triggering events had occurred for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impactany of its three reporting units; therefore, the adoption of this guidance willdid not have any impact on itsthe consolidated financial statements or the results of operations as of and disclosures. for the three-month period ended April 30, 2017.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments provide a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amendments require further consideration of inputs, substantive processes and outputs to determine whether the transaction is an acquisition of a business. The new update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments in ASU 2017-01 will be implemented on a prospective basis.

In November 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory" (ASU 2016-16). Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. In addition, interpretations of this guidance have developed in practice over the years for transfers of certain intangible and tangible assets. This prohibition on recognition is an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in GAAP. The new guidance eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The amendments in ASU 2016-16 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company can early adopt ASU 2016-16, but earlier adoption must be in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The amendments in ASU 2016-16 will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and disclosures.

In August 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" (ASU 2016-15. The new guidance clarifies eight cash flow classification issues where current GAAP was either unclear or has no specific guidance. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may elect to early adopt ASU 2016-15 in any interim period. If an entity early adopts it must adopt all eight of the amendments in the same period and if early adopted in an interim period any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the year. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 will be applied using the modified retrospective transition method for each period presented. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the classification of certain items on its consolidated statements of cash flows.

In June 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" (ASU 2016-13). Current GAAP generally delays recognition of the full amount of credit losses until

the loss is probable of occurring. The amendments in this guidance eliminate the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. Previously, when credit losses were measured under GAAP, an entity generally only considered past events and current conditions in measuring the incurred loss. Under ASU 2016-13 the Company will need to create an economic forecast over the entire contractual life of long-dated financial assets. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. All entities may elect to early adopt ASU 2016-13 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 will be applied using the modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the first reporting period. The Company's trade accounts receivable are in-scope under ASU 2016-13. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and disclosures.

In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" (ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 amends the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions to require recognition of the tax effects resulting from the settlement of stock-based awards as discrete income tax expense or benefit in the income statement in the reporting period in which they occur. In addition, thisThis guidance also requires that all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments, including the excess tax benefits related to the settlement of stock-based awards be classifieddisclosed as operating cash flows from operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The guidance also requiresflows and that cash paid to taxing authorities on employeethe behalf of employees for withheld shares should be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. In addition, the guidance alsoFinally, this ASU allows companies to make an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest, consistent with current U.S. GAAP, or account for forfeitures when they occur. The Company adopted the new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-09 requires that the various amendments be adopted using different methods.guidance in fiscal 2018 first quarter when it became effective. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. The
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


Company is evaluatingprospectively recognizing excess tax benefits or deficits on vesting or settlement of awards, when they occur, as a discrete income tax benefit or expense instead of as additional paid-in capital as required under previous guidance. This change resulted in recognition of income tax expense of $479 for the impactthree months ended April 30, 2017. These tax-related cash flows are now classified within operating activities. The Company classifies tax payments made to taxing authorities on the employee's behalf for withheld shares as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows, as such the adoption of this guidance had no impact. Under the new guidance, excess tax benefits are no longer included in assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method of calculating earnings per share. The increase in incremental shares used in the weighted average diluted shares calculation was not material to the Company's diluted earnings per share calculation.

In July 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330) Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" (ASU 2015-11). The amendments in ASU 2015-11 clarify that an entity should measure inventory within the scope of this update at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Substantial and unusual losses that result from subsequent measurement of inventory should be disclosed in the financial statements. The Company adopted this guidance on a prospective basis in fiscal 2018 first quarter when it became effective. Previously the Company reported its inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market was defined as replacement cost with a ceiling of net realizable value and a floor of net realizable value less a normal profit margin. The Company evaluates its inventory in all three reporting segments quarterly to determine if cost exceeds net realizable value and records a write-down, if necessary. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on the consolidated financial statements or the results of operations as of and for the three-month period ended April 30, 2017.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost" (ASU 2017-07). The guidance clarifies where the cost components of the net benefit cost should be reported in the income statement and it allows only the service cost to be capitalized. Currently the Company reports all of the components of the net benefit cost in "Operating income" in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income. The net benefit cost for participants that are active employees is reported in the same manner as each participant's compensation cost is classified in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income. The net benefit cost attributable to retired (inactive) participants is reported in "Selling, general, and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income. Under the new guidance only the service cost component of the net benefit cost will be classified the same as the participant's compensation cost. The other components of the net benefit cost are required to be reported separately as a non-operating income (expense). The guidance is effective for annual periods, including interim periods, in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted and the amendments should be applied retrospectively. The Company does not expect this guidance will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations and disclosures. disclosures since it primarily will only change how the net benefit cost is classified in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" (ASU 2016-02). The primary difference between previous GAAP and ASU 2016-02 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The guidance requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. When measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, a lessee (and a lessor) should include payments to be made in optional periods only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease or not to exercise an option to terminate the lease. Similarly, optional payments to purchase the underlying asset should be included in the measurement of lease assets and lease liabilities only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that purchase option. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. An entity that elects to apply the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commence before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and disclosures.

In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue"Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 provides a comprehensive new recognition model that requires recognition of revenue when a company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue "Revenue
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


Recognition," and most industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. It also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date (ASU 2015-14) and the standard is now effective for the Company for fiscal 2019 and interim periods therein. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted as of the original effective date, which for the Company is fiscal 2018. The guidance may be applied using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). In addition, FASB has amended Topic 606 prior to it becoming effective. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments to Topic 606 are the same as ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluatingManagement has designated a team to assess the method and date of adoption and theCompany's revenue streams to determine what, if any, impact the adoptionnew standard will have on revenue recognition. The Company's evaluation of ASU 2014-09, and all subsequent amendments to Topic 606, is ongoing and no conclusions have been reached on the method and date of adoption or the impact the adoption will have on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and associated disclosures.

(3) NET INCOME PER SHARE

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares and fully vested stock units outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding which includes the shares issuable upon exercise of employee stock options (net of shares assumed purchased with the option proceeds), stock units, and restricted stock units outstanding. Performance share awards are included in the diluted calculation based upon what would be issued if the end of the most recent reporting period was the end of the term of the award. Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding are excluded from the diluted loss per share calculation if their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.
Certain outstanding options and restricted stock units were excluded from the diluted net income per-share calculations because their effect would have been anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method. The options and restricted stock units excluded from the diluted net income per-share share calculation were as follows:
  Three Months Ended
  April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
Anti-dilutive options and restricted stock units 470,265 1,005,163

The computation of earnings per share is presented below:
  Three Months Ended
  April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
Numerator:    
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc. $12,348
 $5,517
     
Denominator:    
Weighted average common shares outstanding 36,080,143
 36,319,918
Weighted average fully vested stock units outstanding 98,787
 93,986
Denominator for basic calculation 36,178,930
 36,413,904
     
Weighted average common shares outstanding 36,080,143
 36,319,918
Weighted average fully vested stock units outstanding 98,787
 93,986
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted stock units 359,795
 52,234
Denominator for diluted calculation 36,538,725
 36,466,138
     
Net income per share - basic $0.34
 $0.15
Net income per share - diluted $0.34
 $0.15

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


(4) SELECTED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

Following are the components of selected items from the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
  April 30, 2017 January 31, 2017 April 30, 2016
Accounts receivable, net:      
     Trade accounts $52,513
 $43,834
 $42,041
     Allowance for doubtful accounts (896) (691) (1,028)
  $51,617
 $43,143
 $41,013
Inventories:      
Finished goods $5,385
 $5,438
 $4,570
In process 1,673
 2,288
 1,751
Materials 42,809
 34,610
 40,580
 
$49,867

$42,336

$46,901
Other current assets:      
Insurance policy benefit $739
 $802
 $742
     Federal tax receivable 206
 604
 1,265
Receivable from sale of business 14
 28
 205
     Prepaid expenses and other 2,297
 1,255
 2,677
  $3,256
 $2,689
 $4,889
Property, plant and equipment, net:      
Held for use:      
Land $3,054
 $3,054
 $3,054
Buildings and improvements 79,676
 77,817
 77,871
Machinery and equipment 143,405
 142,471
 141,274
     Accumulated depreciation (119,941) (117,018) (109,625)
  $106,194
 $106,324
 $112,574
Held for sale:      
Land $
 $
 $244
Buildings and improvements 
 
 1,595
Machinery and equipment 
 
 329
     Accumulated depreciation 
 
 (1,368)
  
 
 800
  $106,194
 $106,324
 $113,374
Other assets:      
Equity investments $2,180
 $2,371
 $2,813
Deferred income taxes 17
 18
 25
Other 1,245
 1,283
 1,407
  $3,442
 $3,672
 $4,245
Accrued liabilities:      
Salaries and related $2,833
 $6,286
 $1,874
Benefits 4,090
 3,960
 3,945
Insurance obligations 2,532
 2,400
 1,893
Warranties 2,405
 1,547
 2,316
Income taxes 6,363
 498
 708
Other taxes 1,089
 1,540
 1,008
Acquisition-related contingent consideration 501
 445
 364
Other 2,051
 1,379
 595
  $21,864
 $18,055
 $12,703
Other liabilities:      
Postretirement benefits $8,076
 $8,054
 $7,678
Acquisition-related contingent consideration 1,238
 1,397
 1,642
Deferred income taxes 636
 1,421
 2,120
Uncertain tax positions 2,601
 2,610
 2,999
Other 175
 214
 
  $12,726
 $13,696
 $14,439

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


(5) ACQUISITIONS OF AND INVESTMENTS IN BUSINESSES AND TECHNOLOGIES

Ag-Eagle Aerial Systems, Inc.
In February 2016, the Applied Technology Division acquired an interest of approximately 5% in AgEagle Aerial Systems, Inc. (AgEagle). AgEagle is a privately held company that is a provider of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used for agricultural applications. Contemporaneously with the execution of this agreement, AgEagle and the Company entered into a distribution agreement whereby the Company was appointed as the exclusive distributor of the existing AgEagle system as it pertains to the agriculture market. The Company’s equity ownership interest is considered a variable interest and it accounts for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company is not the primary beneficiary as the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the entity. The purchase price was allocated between the equity ownership interest and an intangible asset for the exclusive distribution agreement. In April 2017, the Company determined that the investment in AgEagle, was fully impaired, further described in Note 6 Goodwill, Long-lived Assets and Other Intangibles, due to lower than expected cash flows. The Company has no commitments or guarantees related to this equity investment.
Acquisition-related Contingent Consideration
The Company has contingent liabilities related to prior year acquisitions of SBG Innovatie BV and its affiliate, Navtronics BVBA (collectively, SBG) in May 2014 and Vista Research, Inc. (Vista) in January 2012. The fair value of such contingent consideration is estimated as of the acquisition date, and subsequently at the end of each reporting period, using forecasted cash flows. Projecting future cash flows requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding future events, conditions, or revenues being achieved under the subject contingent agreement as well as the appropriate discount rate. Such valuations techniques include one or more significant inputs that are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures).

In connection with the acquisition of SBG, Raven is committed to making additional earn-out payments, not to exceed $2,500 calculated and paid quarterly for ten years after the purchase date contingent upon achieving certain revenues. At April 30, 2017, the fair value of this contingent consideration was $1,385, of which $270 was classified as "Accrued liabilities" and $1,115 was classified as "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At January 31, 2017, the fair value of this contingent consideration was $1,409, of which $247 was classified as "Accrued liabilities" and $1,162 was classified as "Other liabilities". At April 30, 2016, the fair value of this contingent consideration was $1,491, of which $237 was classified as "Accrued liabilities" and $1,254 as "Other liabilities." The Company paid $61, $36, and $59 in earn-out payments in the three-month periods ended April 30, 2017, January 31, 2017, and April 30, 2016, respectively. To date, the Company has paid a total of $643 of this potential earn-out liability.

Related to the acquisition of Vista in 2012, the Company is committed to making annual payments based upon earn-out percentages on specific revenue streams for seven years after the purchase date, not to exceed $15,000. At April 30, 2017, the fair value of this contingent consideration was $287, of which $164 was classified in "Accrued liabilities" and $123 as "Other liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At January 31, 2017, the fair value of this contingent consideration was $332, of which $98 was classified in "Accrued liabilities" and $234 as "Other liabilities." At April 30, 2016 the fair value of this contingent consideration was $493, of which $105 was classified as "Accrued liabilities" and $388 as "Other liabilities." The Company paid $100 and $79 in the three-month periods ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. There were no payments made in the three-month period ended January 31, 2017. To date, the Company has paid a total of $1,572 of this potential earn-out liability.

(6) GOODWILL, LONG-LIVED ASSETS, AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

Goodwill
Management assesses goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and between annual tests whenever a triggering event indicates there may be an impairment. Impairment tests of goodwill are done at the reporting unit level. Management performed an assessment in fiscal 2018 first quarter and determined that no triggering events had occurred for any of the Company's reporting units. There were no goodwill impairment losses reported in the three-month period ended April 30, 2017.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017 which ended April 30, 2016, management implemented managerial and financial operations and reporting changes within Vista and Aerostar to further integrate Vista into the Aerostar Division. Integration actions included leadership re-alignment, including selling and business development functions; re-deployment of employees across the division; and consolidation of administrative functions, among other actions. Based on the changes made, the Company consolidated the two separate reporting units within the Aerostar Division that were in existence at that time, into one reporting unit for purposes of goodwill impairment review. As such, as of April 30, 2016, the Company had three reporting units: Engineered Films Division, Applied Technology Division, and Aerostar Division. The Company reviewed the quantitative and qualitative factors associated
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


with the change in reporting units and determined there were no indicators of impairment at the time of the reporting unit change. There were no goodwill impairment losses reported in the three-month period ended April 30, 2016.

Long-lived Assets and Other Intangibles
The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangibles, equity investments, and property plant and equipment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. For long-lived and intangible assets, the Company performs impairment reviews by asset groups. When performing long-lived asset testing, the fair values of assets are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information. Such valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures). An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset is below the estimated undiscounted cash flows used in determining the fair value of the asset.

The Company determined that the investment in AgEagle, further described in Note 5 Acquisitions of and Investments in Businesses and Technologies, was impaired due to lower than expected cash flows. This impairment was determined to be other-than-temporary and an accelerated equity investment loss of $72 was reported in "Other (expense), net" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three-month period ended April 30, 2017. The Company also determined the customer relationship intangible asset related to the Ag Eagle exclusive distribution agreement was fully impaired. The total impairment loss related to this intangible asset was $259 and was reported in "Long-lived asset impairment loss" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three-month period ended April 30, 2017. There were no long-lived asset impairments or accelerated equity method losses reported in the three-month period ended April 30, 2016.
(7) EMPLOYEE POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company provides postretirement medical and other benefits to certain senior executive officers and senior managers. These plan obligations are unfunded. The components of the net periodic benefit cost for postretirement benefits are as follows:
  Three Months Ended
  April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
Service cost $22
 $20
Interest cost 82
 83
Amortization of actuarial losses 30
 37
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost (gains) (40) (40)
Net periodic benefit cost $94
 $100

Postretirement benefit cost components are reclassified in their entirety from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net periodic benefit cost.  Net periodic benefit costs are reported in net income as “Cost of sales” or “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in a manner consistent with the classification of direct labor and personnel costs of the eligible employees.

(8) WARRANTIES

Accruals necessary for product warranties are estimated based on historical warranty costs and average time elapsed between purchases and returns for each division. Additional accruals are made for any significant, discrete warranty issues. Changes in the warranty accrual were as follows:
  Three Months Ended
  April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
Beginning balance $1,547
 $1,835
Accrual for warranties 1,377
 824
Settlements made (519) (343)
Ending balance $2,405
 $2,316

(9) FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

The Company entered into a credit facility on April 15, 2015 with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch as Canadian Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and each lender from time to time
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


party thereto (the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement provides for a syndicated senior revolving credit facility up to $125,000 with a maturity date of April 15, 2020.

Simultaneous with execution of the Credit Agreement, Raven, Aerostar, Vista, and Integra entered into a guaranty agreement in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank National Association in its capacity as administrator under the Credit Agreement for the benefit of JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., Toronto Branch and the lenders and their affiliates under the Credit Agreement.

Unamortized debt issuance costs associated with this Credit Agreement were $324 and $434 at April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively and are included in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Loans or borrowings defined under the Credit Agreement bear interest and fees at varying rates and terms defined in the Credit Agreement based on the type of borrowing as defined. The Credit Agreement includes annual administrative and unborrowed capacity fees. The Credit Agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including those relating to financial reporting and notification, limits on levels of indebtedness and liens, investments, mergers and acquisitions, affiliate transactions, sales of assets, restrictive agreements, and change in control as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company requested and received the necessary covenant waivers relating to its late filing of financial information in fiscal 2017. Financial covenants include an interest coverage ratio and funded indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization as defined in the Credit Agreement. The loan proceeds may be utilized by Raven for strategic business purposes and for working capital needs.

Letters of credit (LOCs) totaling $1,114 issued under the Credit Agreement or the Company's previous line of credit with Wells Fargo were outstanding at April 30, 2016. These LOCs primarily support self-insured workers' compensation bonding. All but one $50 LOC has been transferred under the Credit Agreement. At April 30, 2017, $464 of LOCs were outstanding under the Credit Agreement and $50 issued by Wells Fargo was outstanding. Any draws required under the Wells Fargo LOC would be settled with available cash or borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

There were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement for any of the fiscal periods covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Availability under the Credit Agreement for borrowings as of April 30, 2017 was $124,536.

(10) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is involved as a party in lawsuits, claims, regulatory inquiries, or disputes arising in the normal course of its business, the potential costs and liability of which cannot be determined at this time.  Among these matters is a patent infringement lawsuit in the early stages of litigation.  In a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Kansas, Capstan Ag Systems, Inc. has made certain infringement claims against the Company and one of its customers, CNH Industrial America LLC, related to the Applied Technology Division’s HawkeyeTM nozzle control system. Management does not believe the ultimate outcomes of its legal proceedings are likely to be significant to its results of operations, financial position, or cash flows, except that, because of its preliminary stage, management cannot determine the potential impact, if any, of the patent infringement lawsuit described above.
The Company has insurance policies that provide coverage to various degrees for potential liabilities arising from legal proceedings.
In addition to commitments disclosed elsewhere in the Notes to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has other unconditional purchase obligations that arise in the normal course of business operations. The majority of these obligations are related to the purchase of raw material inventory for the Applied Technology and Engineered Films divisions.

(11) INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the federal statutory rate primarily due to state and local taxes, research and development tax credit, tax benefits on qualified production activities, and tax-exempt insurance premiums. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three-month periods ended April 30, 2017 and 2016 were 31.4% and 30.6%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate is primarily due to recognition of discrete tax expense related to the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the fiscal 2018 first quarter as further discussed in Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. This ASU requires that the tax effects resulting from the settlement of stock-based awards be recognized as a discrete income tax expense or benefit in the income statement in the reporting period in which they occur.

As of April 30, 2017, undistributed earnings of approximately $2,836 of the Canadian and European subsidiaries were considered to have been reinvested indefinitely and, accordingly, the Company has not provided United States income taxes on such earnings. This estimated tax liability would be approximately $346, net of foreign tax credits.

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


(12) DIVIDENDS AND TREASURY STOCK

Dividends paid to Raven shareholders were $4,691, or 13.0 cents per share, for the three months ended April 30, 2017 and $4,701, or 13.0 cents per share, during the three months ended April 30, 2016. There were no declared and unpaid shareholder dividends at April 30, 2017 or 2016, respectively.

Effective March 21, 2016 the Board of Directors (Board) authorized an extension and increase of the authorized $40,000 stock buyback program in place at that time.An additional $10,000 was authorized for share repurchases once the $40,000 authorization limit is reached.

Pursuant to these authorizations, the Company repurchased382,065 shares totaling $5,702 in the three-month period ended April 30, 2016. All such share repurchases were paid at April 30, 2016. No shares were repurchased in the three-month period ended April 30, 2017. The remaining dollar value authorized for share repurchases at April 30, 2017 is $12,959. This authorization remains in place until such time as the authorized spending limit is reached or such authorization is revoked by the Board.

(13) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company reserves shares for issuance pursuant to the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan effective March 23, 2012, administered by the Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Two types of awards, stock options and restricted stock units, were granted during the three months endedApril 30, 2017 and April 30, 2016.

Stock Option Awards
The Company granted 85,800 and 274,200 non-qualified stock options during the three-month periods ended April 30, 2017 and April 30, 2016, respectively. Options are granted with exercise prices based upon the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the day prior to the date of grant. The stock options vest over a four-year period and expire after five years. Options contain retirement and change-in-control provisions, as well as termination without cause provisions for certain executive officers, which may accelerate the vesting period. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within this valuation model.

The weighted average assumptions used for the Black-Scholes option pricing model by grant year are as follows:
  Three Months Ended
  April 30, 2017 April 30, 2016
Risk-free interest rate 1.68% 1.05%
Expected dividend yield 1.78% 3.33%
Expected volatility factor 33.87% 32.61%
Expected option term (in years) 4.25
 4.00
     
Weighted average grant date fair value $7.35 $3.05

Restricted Stock Unit Awards (RSUs)
The Company granted 53,325 and 66,370 time-vested RSUs to employees in the three-month periods ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The grant date fair value of a time-vested RSU is measured based upon the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the day prior to the date of grant. The grant date fair value per share of the time-vested RSUs granted in the three months ended April 30, 2017 and 2016 was $29.20 and $15.61, respectively. Time-vested RSUs will vest if, at the end of the three-year period, the employee remains employed by the Company. RSUs contain retirement and change-in-control provisions, as well as termination without cause provisions for certain executive officers, which may accelerate the vesting period. Dividends are cumulatively earned on the time-vested RSUs over the vesting period.

The Company also granted performance-based RSUs in the three-month periods ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The exact number of performance shares to be issued will vary from 0% to 150% of the target award, depending on the Company's actual performance over the three-year period in comparison to the target award. The target award for the fiscal 2017 and 2016 grants are based on return on equity (ROE), which is defined as net income divided by the average of beginning and ending shareholders' equity. The performance-based RSUs will vest if, at the end of the three-year performance period, the Company has achieved certain performance goals and the employee remains employed by the Company. RSUs contain retirement and change-in-control provisions, as well as termination without cause provisions for certain executive officers, which may accelerate the
(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


vesting period. Dividends are cumulatively earned on performance-based RSUs over the vesting period. The number of RSUs that will vest is determined by an estimated ROE target over the three-year performance period. The estimated ROE performance factors used to estimate the number of restricted stock units expected to vest are evaluated at least quarterly. The number of restricted stock units issued at the vesting date will be based on actual results.

The fair value of the performance-based restricted stock units is based upon the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the day prior to the grant date. The number of performance-based RSUs granted is based on 100% of the target award. During the three-month periods ended April 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company granted 22,745 and 72,950 performance-based RSUs, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of these performance-based RSUs was $29.20 and $15.61, respectively.

(14) SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company's reportable segments are defined by their product lines which have been grouped in these segments based on technology, manufacturing processes, and end-use application. Raven's reportable segments are Applied Technology, Engineered Films, and Aerostar. The Company measures the performance of its segments based on their operating income excluding general and administrative expenses. Other expense and income taxes are not allocated to individual operating segments, and assets not identifiable to an individual segment are included as corporate assets. Separate financial information is available and regularly evaluated by the Company's chief operating decision-maker, the President and Chief Executive Officer, in making resource allocation decisions for the Company's reportable segments. Segment information is reported consistent with the Company's management reporting structure.

Business segment net sales and operating income results are as follows:
  Three Months Ended
  April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
Net sales    
Applied Technology $40,490
 $31,456
Engineered Films 43,555
 29,100
Aerostar 9,606
 7,895
Intersegment eliminations (a)
 (116) (91)
Consolidated net sales $93,535
 $68,360
     
Operating income(b)
    
Applied Technology 
 $13,453
 $8,693
Engineered Films 8,720
 3,878
Aerostar 1,418
 (178)
Intersegment eliminations 
 (2) (5)
Total reportable segment income 23,589
 12,388
General and administrative expenses(c)
 (5,370) (4,338)
Consolidated operating income $18,219
 $8,050
(a)Intersegment sales for both fiscal 2018 and 2017 were primarily sales from Engineered Films to Aerostar.
(b)At the segment level, operating income does not include an allocation of general and administrative expenses.
(c) At the segment level, operating income does not include an allocation of general and administrative expenses and, as a result, "General and administrative expenses" are reported as a deduction from "Total reportable segment income" to reconcile to "Operating income" reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

(15) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated events up to the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition or disclosure in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


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

The following commentary on the operating results, liquidity, capital resources, and financial condition of Raven Industries, Inc. (the Company or Raven) should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of Part 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Form 10-Q) and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A10-K for the year ended January 31, 2016.2017.

The Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is organized as follows:

Executive Summary
Results of Operations - Segment Analysis
Outlook
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Accounting Pronouncements

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Raven is a diversified technology company providing a variety of products to customers within the industrial, agricultural, energy,geomembrane, construction, defense/aerospace,aerospace/defense, and situational awareness markets. The Company is comprised of three unique operating divisions, classified into reportable segments: Applied Technology Division (Applied Technology), Engineered Films Division (Engineered Films), and Aerostar.Aerostar Division (Aerostar).

Management uses a number of metrics to assess the Company's performance:

Consolidated net sales, gross margin, operating income, operating margin, net income, and diluted earnings per share
Cash flow from operations and shareholder returns
Return on sales, assets, and equity
Segment net sales, gross profit, gross margin, operating income, and operating marginmargin. At the segment level, operating income does not include an allocation of general and administrative expenses.

Vision and Strategy
At Raven, our purpose is to solve great challenges. Great challenges require great solutions. Raven’s three unique operating units share resources, ideas, and a passion to create technology that helps the world grow more food, produce more energy, protect the environment, and live safely.

The Raven business model is our platform for success. Our business model is defensible, sustainable, and gives us a consistent approach in the pursuit of quality financial results. This overall approach to creating value, which is employed across the three business segments, is summarized as follows:

Intentionally serve a set of diversified market segments with attractive near- and long-term growth prospects;
Consistently manage a pipeline of growth initiatives within our market segments;
Aggressively compete on quality, service, innovation, and peak performance;
Hold ourselves accountable for continuous improvement;
Value our balance sheet as a source of strength and stability with which to pursue strategic acquisitions; and
Make corporate responsibility a top priority.

As described in the Notes to the Financial Statements, four significant charges were recorded in the Aerostar Division in the fiscal 2016 third quarter. To allow evaluation of operating income and net income for the Company’s core business, the Company used two additional measures. The additional measurements are:
Segment operating income excluding Vista charges (Adjusted Operating Income)
Net income excluding Vista charges (Adjusted Net Income)

Information reported as Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted Net Income excluding Vista charges, on both a consolidated and segment basis, do not conform to GAAP and are non-GAAP measures.

Non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an alternative to the reported results determined in accordance with GAAP. Management has included this non-GAAP information to assist in understanding the operating performance of the Company and its operating segments as well as the comparability of results. This non-GAAP information provided may not be consistent with the methodologies used by other companies. All non-GAAP information is reconciled with reported GAAP results in the tables that follow.
The following discussion highlights the consolidated operating results for the three-three-months ended April 30, 2017 and nine-months ended October 31, 2016 and 2015.2016. Segment operating results are more fully explained in the Results of Operations - Segment Analysis section.

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per-share data) October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 % Change October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 % Change
Net sales $72,522
 $67,611
 7.3 % $208,480
 $205,402
 1.5 %
Gross profit 19,839
 16,972
 16.9 % 58,871
 55,189
 6.7 %
Gross margin (a)
 27.4% 25.1 %   28.2% 26.9%  
Operating income (loss) $7,389
 $(9,823) (175.2)% $22,135
 $3,820
 479.5 %
Operating margin (a)
 10.2% (14.5)%   10.6% 1.9%  
Net income (loss) attributable to Raven Industries, Inc. $5,741
 $(6,188) (192.8)% $15,753
 $2,858
 451.2 %
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.16
 $(0.17)   $0.43
 $0.08
  
             
Adjusted net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc. (b)
 $5,741
 $4,089
 40.4 % $15,753
 $13,135
 19.9 %
             
Operating cash flow       $38,685
 $35,181
 10.0 %
Capital expenditures       $(3,901) $(10,771) (63.8)%
Cash dividends       $(14,148) $(14,648) (3.4)%
Common share repurchases       $(7,702) $(29,338) (73.7)%
 
(a)The Company's gross and operating margins may not be comparable to industry peers due to the diversity of its operations and variability in the classification of expenses across industries in which the Company operates.
(b) Non-GAAP measure reconciled to GAAP in the following tables.

The following table reconciles the reported operating income (loss) to adjusted operating income (loss), a non-GAAP financial measure. On both a consolidated and segment basis, adjusted operating income excludes the goodwill impairment loss, long-lived asset impairment loss, pre-contract cost write-offs, and an acquisition-related contingent consideration benefit, all of which relate to the Vista Research, Inc. business within the Aerostar Division.
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands)October 31, 2016 October 31,
2015
 
%
Change
 October 31, 2016 October 31,
2015
 
%
Change
Aerostar           
Reported operating (loss) income$(1,375) $(15,474) (91.1)% $(1,804) $(15,013) (88.0)%
Plus:           
Goodwill impairment loss
 11,497
   
 11,497
  
Long-lived asset impairment loss
 3,813
     3,813
  
Pre-contract costs written off (a)

 2,933
   
 2,933
  
Less:           
Acquisition-related contingent liability benefit
 2,273
   
 2,273
  
Aerostar adjusted operating (loss) income$(1,375) $496
 (377.2)% $(1,804) $957
 (288.5)%
Aerostar adjusted operating income (loss) % of net sales(15.3)% 5.2%   (7.1)% 3.5%  
            
Consolidated Raven           
Reported operating income (loss)$7,389
 (9,823) (175.2)% $22,135
 3,820
 479.5 %
Plus:           
Goodwill impairment loss
 11,497
   
 11,497
  
Long-lived asset impairment loss
 3,813
   
 3,813
  
Pre-contract costs written off (a)

 2,933
   
 2,933
  
Less:           
Acquisition-related contingent liability benefit
 2,273
   
 2,273
  
Consolidated adjusted operating income$7,389
 $6,147
 20.2 % $22,135
 $19,790
 11.8 %
Consolidated adjusted operating income % of net sales

10.2 % 9.1%   10.6 % 9.6%  
 
(a)  The $2,933 pre-contract costs written off is comprised of $2,075 of costs capitalized as of July 31, 2015 and additional costs of $858 capitalized during August and September 2015.

The following table reconciles the reported net income (loss) to adjusted net income, a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted net income excludes the goodwill impairment loss, long-lived asset impairment loss, pre-contract cost write-offs, an acquisition-related contingent consideration benefit, and the income tax effect of these items, all of which relate to the Vista Research, Inc. business within the Aerostar Division.

  Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
(dollars in thousands) October 31, 2016 October 31,
2015
 
%
Change
 October 31, 2016 October 31,
2015
 
%
Change
Consolidated Raven            
Reported net income (loss) attributable to Raven
Industries
 $5,741
 $(6,188) (192.8)% $15,753
 $2,858
 451.2%
Plus:            
Goodwill impairment 
 11,497
   
 11,497
  
Long-lived asset impairment loss 
 3,813
   
 3,813
  
Deferred cost charge 
 2,933
   
 2,933
  
Less:            
Acquisition earn-out benefit 
 2,273
   
 2,273
  
Net tax benefit 
 5,693
   
 5,693
  
Adjusted net income attributable to Raven
Industries
 $5,741
 $4,089
 40.4 % $15,753
 $13,135
 19.9%
             
Adjusted net income per common share:            
   -basic $0.16
 $0.11
 45.5 % $0.43
 $0.35
 22.9%
   -diluted $0.16
 $0.11
 45.5 % $0.43
 $0.35
 22.9%
 
(a)  The $2,933 pre-contract costs written off is comprised of $2,075 of costs capitalized as of July 31, 2015 and additional costs of $858 capitalized during August and September 2015.
  Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands, except per-share data) April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
 % Change
Net sales $93,535
 $68,360
 36.8 %
Gross profit 31,956
 20,117
 58.9 %
Gross margin (a)
 34.2% 29.4%  
Operating income $18,219
 $8,050
 126.3 %
Operating margin (a)
 19.5% 11.8%  
Net income attributable to Raven Industries, Inc. $12,348
 $5,517
 123.8 %
Diluted earnings per share $0.34
 $0.15
  
       
Operating cash flow $7,702
 $11,104
 (30.6)%
Capital expenditures $(2,790) $(791) 252.7 %
Cash dividends $(4,691) $(4,701) (0.2)%
Common share repurchases $
 $(5,702) (100.0)%
 
(a) The Company's gross and operating margins may not be comparable to industry peers due to the diversity of its operations and variability in the classification of expenses across industries in which the Company operates.

For the fiscal 2017 third2018 first quarter, net sales were $72.5$93.5 million, up $4.9$25.1 million, or 7.3%36.8%, from $67.6$68.4 million in last year’s thirdfirst quarter. The Company's operating income for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 was $7.4$18.2 million, up $17.2$10.2 million, or 175.2% compared to third quarter fiscal 2016's operating loss. Last year’s third quarter results include a goodwill impairment charge of $11.5 million, long-lived asset impairment charge of $3.8 million, deferred pre-contract cost write-offs of $2.9 million (of which $2.1 million was related to amounts deferred in prior periods), and a benefit of $2.3 million as the result of a reduction of an acquisition-related contingent liability (earn-out liability), all of which are related to the Company’s Vista business. Excluding these specific Vista items, adjusted operating income for the third quarter fiscal 2017 was up $1.2 million or 20.2%126.3%, compared to $6.1 million adjusted operating income for the thirdfirst quarter of last year.fiscal 2017. The increase in adjusted operating income was principally due to improved operating leverage on higher sales volumes and lower manufacturing expenses in both Applied Technology and Engineered Films, partially offset by an increase in radar inventory write-downs in Aerostar.volume. Net income for the thirdfirst quarter of 20172018 was $5.7$12.3 million, or $0.16$0.34 per diluted share, compared to a net lossincome of ($6.2)$5.5 million, or ($0.17)$0.15 per diluted share, in last year's thirdfirst quarter. Excluding the goodwill impairment, long-lived asset impairment, pre-contract cost write-offs, and earn-out reduction benefit related to Vista, adjusted net income attributable to Raven Industries for the third quarter of 2016 was $4.1 million, or $0.11 per diluted share. The increase in earnings per share was driven primarily by higher sales volumes and lower manufacturing expenses.
For the nine-month period, net sales were $208.5 million compared to $205.4 million, up 1.5% from one year earlier. The Company's operating income was $22.1 million, up significantly from the prior year period. Like the third quarter results, the fiscal 2016 year-to-date results were impacted by the Vista goodwill and long-lived asset impairments and write-off of deferred pre-contract costs, partially offset by the reduction of the earn-out liability, all of which are related to the Company’s Vista business. Excluding these specific Vista items, adjusted operating income for the nine-month period was up $2.3 million, or 11.8%, compared to adjusted operating income of $19.8 million in the nine-month period of fiscal 2016. The increase in adjusted operating income was principally driven by lower manufacturing expenses in Applied Technology and Engineered Films, partially offset by an increase in radar inventory write-downs in Aerostar. For the same period, adjusted net income attributable to Raven Industries was $15.8 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, up from $13.1 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, in fiscal 2016.
Net sales for Applied Technology in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 were $25.2$40.5 million, up 18.1%28.7% compared to the thirdfiscal 2017 first quarter net sales of fiscal 2016.$31.5 million. Sales in the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) channel were up 42.7% while sales inand the aftermarket channel were down 0.4%up 68.7% and 7.4%, respectively, for the fiscal 2017 third2018 first quarter. Geographically, domestic sales were up 14.3 percent49.6% year-over-year andwhile international sales were up 33.0 percentdecreased 8.9% year-over-year. Operating income was $6.4$13.5 million, up 94.5%54.8% compared to $8.7 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016.2017. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by improved operating leverage on higher sales volume and lower manufacturing costs compared to the previous year.

Applied Technology's net sales for the nine-month period ended October 31, 2016 were $79.3 million, up 7.0% compared to the nine-month period of fiscal 2016. For the nine months ended October 31, 2016, sales in the OEM and aftermarket channels were up 11.7% and 4.6% respectively. Geographically, international sales were up 23.8% year-over-year while domestic sales were up

1.3% year-over-year. Operating income for the nine-month year-to-date period was $20.3 million, up 26.1% compared to the nine-month year-to-date period of fiscal 2016.volume.

Engineered Films’ fiscal 2017 third2018 first quarter net sales were $38.6$43.6 million, an increase of $1.6$14.5 million, or 4.4%49.7%, compared to the fiscal 2016 third quarter.2017 first quarter net sales of $29.1 million. Volume, measured in pounds sold, increased 5.9% while46.2% and average selling price declined 1.4%, in conjunction with lower resin costs year-over-year and competitive dynamics in certain markets.increased 2.4%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by higher sales into the geomembrane (which includes energy),and industrial markets, and also benefited from higher sales in the construction markets, partially offset by a decrease into theand agricultural market.markets. Operating income for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 increased 16.0%124.9% to $7.1$8.7 million as compared to $6.1$3.9 million for the prior year thirdfirst quarter. This increase in operating income was driven primarily by higher sales volumesvolume, improved capacity utilization, and lower manufacturing expenses.continued spending discipline.

For the nine-month period of fiscal 2017, Engineered Films' net sales were $104.3 million, an increase of $0.3 million, or 0.3%, compared to the nine-month period of fiscal 2016. The increase of sales into the industrial and construction markets was mostly offset by decreases in sales into agricultural and geomembrane (which includes energy) markets.

Net sales for Aerostar in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 were $9.0$9.6 million, a decreasean increase of $0.5$1.7 million, or 4.8%21.7%, compared to the thirdfiscal 2017 first quarter net sales of fiscal 2016.$7.9 million. The declineincrease in net sales was primarily driven by the commencement of a newly-awarded stratospheric balloon contract, increased sales to Google for Project Loon, and the timing of aerostatstratospheric balloon deliveries. Operating lossincome in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 was ($1.4)$1.4 million compared to an operating loss of ($15.5)0.2) million in the thirdfirst quarter of last year. Last year’s third quarter results include a goodwill impairment charge of $11.5 million, long-lived asset impairment charge of $3.8 million, deferred pre-contract cost write-offs of $2.9 million (of which $2.1 million was related to amounts deferred in prior periods), and a benefit of $2.3 million as the result of a reduction of an acquisition-related contingent liability (earn-out liability), all of which are related to the Company’s Vista business. Excluding these specific Vista items, adjusted operating loss for the third quarter fiscal 2017 decreased $1.9 million or 377.2%, compared to $0.5 million adjusted operating income for the third quarter of last year. This declineThe increase in operating income was primarily driven by higher sales to stratospheric balloon programs, and the $2.3 million radar inventory write-downs related to certain radar inventory, discussed in more detail in Note 6 Goodwill, Long-Lived Assets And Other Charges.benefit of cost reductions implemented over the previous twelve months.
Aerostar net sales for the nine-month period of fiscal 2017 were $25.3 million, a decrease of $2.0 million, or 7.4%, compared to the nine-month period of fiscal 2016. Operating loss for the nine-month period of fiscal 2017 was ($1.8) million compared to the operating loss of ($15.0) million in the nine-month period of fiscal 2016. Like the third quarter results, the fiscal 2016 year-to-date results were impacted by the Vista goodwill and long-lived asset impairments and write-off of deferred pre-contract costs, partially offset by the reduction of the earn-out liability, all of which are related to the Company’s Vista business. Excluding these specific Vista items, adjusted operating income for the nine-month period was down $2.7 million, or 288.5%, compared to adjusted operating income of $1.0 million in the nine-month period of fiscal 2016. Also consistent with the third quarter results, the decrease in year-to-date adjusted operating income was principally driven by the $2.3 million inventory write-downs related to certain radar inventory within the Aerostar Division.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SEGMENT ANALYSIS

Applied Technology
Applied Technology designs, manufactures, sells, and services innovative precision agriculture products and information management tools that help growers reduce costs, more precisely control inputs, and improve crop yields for the global agriculture market. Applied Technology’s operations include operations of SBG Innovatie BV and its affiliate, Navtronics BVBA (collectively, SBG), based in the Netherlands.

 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands) October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 $ Change % Change October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 $ Change % Change April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
 $ Change % Change
Net sales $25,203
 $21,344
 $3,859
 18.1% $79,327
 $74,165
 $5,162
 7.0% $40,490
 $31,456
 $9,034
 28.7%
Gross profit 10,636
 7,309
 3,327
 45.5% 32,911
 28,067
 4,844
 17.3% 18,522
 13,147
 5,375
 40.9%
Gross margin 42.2% 34.2%     41.5% 37.8%     45.7% 41.8%    
Operating expenses $4,221
 $4,010
 $211
 5.3% $12,631
 $11,986
 $645
 5.4% $4,810
 $4,454
 $356
 8.0%
Operating expenses as % of sales 16.7% 18.8%     15.9% 16.2%     11.9% 14.2%    
Long-lived asset impairment loss $259
 $
 

 

Operating income $6,415
 $3,299
 $3,116
 94.5% $20,280
 $16,081
 $4,199
 26.1% $13,453
 $8,693
 $4,760
 54.8%
Operating margin 25.5% 15.5%     25.6% 21.7%     33.2% 27.6%    

The following factors were the primary drivers of the three- and nine-monththree-month year-over-year changes:


Market conditions. ConditionsWhile conditions in the agriculture marketend-market remain subdued, howeverbut stable, compared to the prior year, Applied Technology's marketplace strategy has capitalized on new product introductions through the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017.2018. While OEM andthe aftermarket sales channel demand remains challenging, growth in the OEM sales channel has been strong. The Company does not model comparative market share position for its divisions but believes, based on first quarter growth of sales, that Applied Technology achieved third quarter and year-to-dateTechnology's sales growth was primarily through the result of market share gains rather than overall growth of the market. NewSuccessful new product introductions over the prior twelve months and expanded relationships with OEM partners are driving improved sales and market share gains versus the prior year.
Sales volume. ThirdFirst quarter fiscal 20172018 net sales increased 18.1%28.7% to $25.2$40.5 million compared to $21.3$31.5 million in the prior year thirdfirst quarter. For the third quarter, sales in the OEM channel were up 42.7% while sales in the aftermarket channel were down 0.4%. Year-to-date sales increased 7.0% to $79.3 million compared to $74.2 million in the prior year. For the nine month period ended October 31, 2016, salesSales in the OEM and aftermarket sales channels were up 11.7%68.7% and 4.6%7.4%, respectively.
International sales. For the three-month period, international sales totaled $5.7$10.2 million, up 33.0%down 8.9% from $11.2 million in the prior year comparative period. Lower sales volume in Canada was the primary driver of this decrease. International sales represented 22.8%25.3% of segment revenue compared to 20.2%35.7% of segment revenue in the prior year comparative period. Year-to-date, international sales totaled $23.1 million, an increase of $4.4 million from a year ago. Year-to-date international sales represented 29.1% of segment sales compared to 25.1% in the comparable prior year period. Higher sales in Europe and Canada were the main drivers of the increase in both the three- and nine- month periods.
Gross margin. Gross margin increased to 42.2%45.7% for the three months ended October 31, 2016April 30, 2017 from 34.2%41.8% for the three months ended October 31, 2015. Fiscal 2017 year-to-date gross margin increased to 41.5% from 37.8% in the comparativeApril 30, 2016. The three-month period in fiscal 2016. Both the three- and nine-month periods benefited from higher sales volumesvolume and lower manufacturing costs.
Restructuring expenses. The results for the nine-month period ended October 31, 2015 included severance and other restructuring-related charges totaling $0.6 million. These costs were offset by the completion of the St. Louis contract manufacturing exit activities which resulted in gains of $0.6 million in the same period. There were no impairments recorded as a result of the exit of this business. No restructuring or exit costs were incurred in the three month period ended October 31, 2015. At October 31, 2016, there are no ongoing restructuring plans or unpaid restructuring costs. No restructuring costs were incurred in the three- or nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016.improved operating leverage.
Operating expenses. Fiscal 2017 third2018 first quarter operating expense as a percentage of net sales was 16.7%11.9%, down from 18.8%14.2% in the prior year thirdfirst quarter. Year-to-date operating expenses as a percentage of net sales was 15.9% compared to 16.2% for fiscal 2016. Sales volumesvolume increased more than operating expenses which led to the decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of sales.
Long-lived asset impairment loss. As described in Note 6 Goodwill, Long-lived Assets, and Other Intangibles of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, the Company determined that the intangible asset related to the investment in AgEagle was fully impaired due to the decrease in expected future cash flows.

Engineered Films
Engineered Films manufactures high performance plastic films and sheeting for energy,geomembrane, agricultural, construction, geomembrane, and industrial applications. Engineered Films' ability to develop value-added innovative products is expanded by its fabrication and conversion capabilities.
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands) October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 $ Change % Change October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 $ Change % Change April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
 $ Change % Change
Net sales $38,551
 $36,919
 $1,632
 4.4% $104,307
 $104,029
 $278
 0.3 % $43,555
 $29,100
 $14,455
 49.7%
Gross profit 8,711
 7,705
 1,006
 13.1% 22,334
 21,266
 1,068
 5.0 % 10,747
 5,384
 5,363
 99.6%
Gross margin 22.6% 20.9%     21.4% 20.4%     24.7% 18.5%    
Operating expenses $1,582
 $1,560
 $22
 1.4% $4,668
 $5,285
 $(617) (11.7)% $2,027
 $1,506
 $521
 34.6%
Operating expenses as % of sales 4.1% 4.2%     4.5% 5.1%     4.7% 5.2%    
Operating income $7,129
 $6,145
 $984
 16.0% $17,666
 $15,981
 $1,685
 10.5 % $8,720
 $3,878
 $4,842
 124.9%
Operating margin 18.5% 16.6%     16.9% 15.4%     20.0% 13.3%    


The following factors were the primary drivers of the three- and nine-monththree-month year-over-year changes:

Market conditions. End-market conditions have improved in the geomembrane (which includes energy) market, which constituted approximately 30 percent of the division's sales in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017 for Engineered Films. While2018, have continued to improve from the market-bottom conditions reached last year. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2018, U.S. land-based rig counts have decreased approximately 30% from October 2015 to October 2016, they have increased approximately 20%115% versus the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 2017 and are trending favorably.approximately 25% sequentially from the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. For the nine-monththree-month period ended October 3, 2016,April 30, 2017, sales into the geomembrane (which includes energy) market are down 5.2%were up over 200% year-over-year. In April 2017, the Company expanded its production capabilities of geomembrane liner materials in south Texas by purchasing a new facility in Pleasanton, Texas and increased production at the Company's location in Midland, Texas by adding production team members to service the increased demand in the geomembrane market. The Company does not model comparative market share position for its divisions, but based on the first quarter growth, the Company believes Engineered Films achieved first quarter sales growth due to improved end-market demand conditions and increased market share.
Sales volume and selling prices. ThirdFirst quarter net sales were up 4.4%$14.5 million, or 49.7%, to $38.6$43.5 million compared to prior year thirdfirst quarter net sales of $36.9$29.1 million.  Higher construction,Net sales were up year-over-year in all of the markets served. The improvement was driven primarily by higher geomembrane (which includes energy), and industrial market sales primarily drovewhich increased $9.3 million, but higher sales into the improvement, increasing $4.8 million in aggregate. This increase was offset somewhat by

volume declines in the agricultural market. Sales in the nine-month period ended October 31, 2016 were up $0.3 million, or 0.3%, to $104.3 million compared to $104.0 million in the prior year comparative period. Sales volume, as measured by pounds sold, for the fiscal 2017 nine-month period was up 5.5%industrial and average selling prices for the same period were down 4.9% comparedconstruction markets also made significant contributions to the prior year period.division's overall growth year-over-year.
Gross margin. For the three- and nine-month periods,three-month period, gross margin was 22.6% and 21.4%24.7%, respectively.up 6.2 percentage points from 18.5% in first quarter of fiscal 2017. The improvement in gross margin forwas primarily due to higher sales volume and the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015 was 20.9% and 20.4%, respectively. These improvements reflect the impact of value engineering, favorable raw material cost comparisons, and pricingresulting improvement in capacity utilization, but also benefited from continued spending discipline.
Operating expenses. ThirdFirst quarter operating expense was flatexpenses were up $0.5 million compared to the prior year thirdfirst quarter. As a percentage of net sales, operating expense was 4.1%4.7% in the current three-month period as compared to 4.2%5.2% in the prior year comparative period. Year-to-dateThe increase in sales volume in the three-month period more than offset the additional costs to support sales growth and drove operating expenses were 4.5% as a percentage of sales as compared to 5.1% in the prior year comparative period. Expense reductions in both periods were due to continued focus on cost containment.down 0.5 percentage points year-over-year.

Aerostar
Aerostar serves the defense/aerospaceaerospace/defense and situational awareness markets. Aerostar had also provided significant contract manufacturing services in the past, but largely exited this business in fiscal 2016. Aerostar designs and manufactures proprietary products including stratospheric balloons,high-altitude (stratospheric) balloon systems, tethered aerostats, and radar processing systems for aerospace and situational awareness markets.systems. These products can be integrated with additional third-party sensors to provide research, communications, and situational awareness capabilities to governmental and commercial customers. Aerostar pursues potential product and support services contracts forwith agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. and foreign governments.government.
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands) October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 $ Change % Change October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 $ Change % Change April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
 $ Change % Change
Net sales $9,003
 $9,456
 $(453) (4.8)% $25,313
 $27,338
 $(2,025) (7.4)% $9,606
 $7,895
 $1,711
 21.7 %
Gross profit 508
 1,949
 (1,441) (73.9)% 3,647
 5,763
 (2,116) (36.7)% 2,689
 1,591
 1,098
 69.0 %
Gross margin 5.6 % 20.6 %     14.4 % 21.1 %     28.0% 20.2 %    
Operating expenses $1,796
 $2,113
 $(317) (15.0)% $5,364
 $5,466
 $(102) (1.9)% $1,271
 $1,769
 $(498) (28.2)%
Operating expenses as % of sales 19.9 % 22.3 %     21.2 % 20.0 %     13.2% 22.4 %    
Goodwill impairment loss $
 $11,497
 $(11,497) 

 $
 $11,497
 $(11,497) 

Long-lived asset impairment loss 87
 3,813
 (3,726)   87
 3,813
 $(3,726)  
Operating (loss) income $(1,375) $(15,474) $14,099
 (91.1)% $(1,804) $(15,013) $13,209
 (88.0)%
Operating income (loss) $1,418
 $(178) $1,596
 (896.6)%
Operating margin (15.3)% (163.6)%     (7.1)% (54.9)%     14.8% (2.3)%    
                
Aerostar adjusted operating income (loss) $(1,375) $496
 $(1,871) (377.2)% $(1,804) $957
 $(2,761) (288.5)%

The following factors were the primary drivers of the three-month year-over-year changes for the three- and nine-month periods:changes:

Market conditions. Aerostar is experiencing delays and uncertainties regarding certain opportunities important to the division's growth strategy, and certainSome of Aerostar's markets are subject to significant variability due to government spending.spending and the timing of awards. Such conditions result in delays and uncertainties in certain opportunities important to the division's growth strategy. Despite these uncertainties, Aerostar is pioneering new markets with leading-edge applications of its high-altitude balloons and remains in active collaboration with Google on Project Loon.stratospheric balloons.
Sales volumes.volume. Net sales decreased 4.8%increased 21.7% from $9.5$7.9 million for the three months ended October 31, 2015April 30, 2016 to $9.0$9.6 million for the three months ended October 31, 2016. Year-to-date sales were $25.3 million, down $2.0 million year-over-year, or 7.4%.April 30, 2017. The declineincrease was driven principally by the timingcommencement of aerostat deliveries with the U.S. government. However, these declines were partially offset by highernewly-awarded stratospheric balloon contract, increased sales of stratospheric balloons, including to Google for Project Loon.Loon, and the timing of stratospheric balloon deliveries.
Gross margin. For the three- and nine-month periods,three-month period, gross margin decreased 15.0 percentage pointsincreased from 20.2% to 28.0%. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by higher sales volume and 6.7 percentage points, respectively,the implementation of cost reductions as compared to the prior year period.  The $2.3 million of radar inventory write-downs primarily drove the margin decline year-over-year. The gross margin for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016 benefited from improvement in gross profit of $0.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively, from the reduction in depreciation and amortization expense due to $3.8 million of long-lived asset impairment charges recorded for Vista in the prior fiscal year third quarter.previous year.

Operating expenses. ThirdFirst quarter fiscal 2018 operating expense was $1.8$1.3 million, or 19.9%13.2% of net sales, a decrease from 22.3%22.4% of net sales in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016.2017. This decrease is primarily driven by lower selling expenses. Year-to-date operating expense as a percentage of net sales was 21.2%, up from 20.0% in the prior year. This increase is primarily driven by higher research and development spending partially offset by lower selling expenses.spending.

Corporate Expenses (administrative expenses; other (expense), net; and income taxes)
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands) October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 October 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
 April 30,
2017
 April 30,
2016
Administrative expenses $4,764
 $3,802
 $13,986
 $13,322
 $5,370
 $4,338
Administrative expenses as a % of sales 6.6% 5.6% 6.7% 6.5% 5.7% 6.3%
Other (expense), net $(273) $(123) $(579) $(433) $(230) $(97)
Effective tax rate 19.3% 38.0% 26.9% 13.9% 31.4% 30.6%

Administrative spending for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20172018 was up $1.0 million compared to the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016. Administrative spending for the nine-month period was up $0.7 million as compared to the fiscal 2016 comparable period.2017. The increase in both periods is primarily due to higher accruals for management incentives and equity compensation relative to the prior year, and higher costs incurred duerelated to amendeddelayed SEC filings. Prior year expense benefited from the reversal of equity compensation accruals and no short-term incentive payout.

Other income (expense), net consists primarily of activity related to the Company's equity investments, interest income and expense, and foreign currency transaction gains or losses.

The Company's year-to-date effective tax rate for the ninethree months ended October 31, 2016 increased to 26.9%April 30, 2017 was 31.4% compared to 13.9%30.6% in the prior year. The increase in the year-to-date effective tax rate wasis primarily due to a significantly higher pre-tax book income year-over-year offset by$0.5 million discrete tax item related to the inclusionCompany's adoption of an R&D tax creditASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" (ASU 2016-09) in the current period provision forfiscal 2018 first quarter. ASU 2016-09, more fully described in Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, requires the tax effects resulting from the settlement of stock-based awards be recognized as a discrete income taxes. Congress permanently enacted this credit into lawtax expense or benefit in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. No estimate income statement in the reporting period in which they occur.

Other items causing the Company's effective tax rate to differ from the statutory tax rate are more fully described in Note 11 Income Taxes of the R&D tax credit wasNotes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the provision for income taxes for the three- or nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015.Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

OUTLOOK

For Applied Technology, end-market conditions remain subdued, but stable, versus the division continues toprior year. The division's continued focus on new products and expanding OEM relationships is successfully expand market share in an environment of subdued end-market demand. New product introductions and changing industry needs are favorably impacting the sales development of the division. Although the end-market demand is not expected to improve in the near term given the lack of upward commodity grain price movement,driving additional market share gains areand enabling the division to outperform the market and increase profitability. This is expected to continue.continue, however, as the division progresses through the year, it is expected that the year-over-year comparisons will become more challenging as the division reaches the anniversary of the prior-year new product introductions.
For Engineered Films, the geomembrane market (which includes the energy market) appears to have stabilized and is showing signs of strengthening end-market demand. This marketdemand has continued to strengthenaccelerate from market-bottom conditions in the fourth quarterprior year. To capitalize on this demand, the Company increased the production at the Company's location in Midland, Texas by adding production team members, and it is expected to continue to do so into next fiscal year.expanded its production capabilities of geomembrane liner materials in south Texas by purchasing a new facility in February 2017 in Pleasanton, Texas. The remaining markets, in aggregate, are growing to a lesser extent and are expected to continue to exhibit growth. Improved volumes, together with cost controls, are expected to result in improved profitability for the division. However, as the division progresses through the year, it is expected that the year-over-year comparisons will become more challenging as the division reaches the anniversary of the beginning of the geomembrane market rebound.
For Aerostar, the division is expecting improved volumes in the stratospheric balloon market, driven by increased demand from Google for Project Loon and new stratospheric balloon contracts with new customers. Uncertainties remain related to the timing of certain opportunities. Success in growing sales in the fourth quarter andstratospheric balloon market combined with continued cost discipline, are important to delivering sustained into next fiscal year. The timing of a key aerostat contract win is not likely until the first half of next fiscal year. Cost discipline and attrition management are a key focus, but division profitability is likely to remain challenged until sales volumes improve.profitability.
Each quarter this year (including the fourth quarter),Management believes the Company has seen year-over-year growth rates improve sequentially for Applied Technology and Engineered Films, and each has shown relatively strong profit margins. Whileis on track to deliver meaningful growth in these two divisions has accelerated relative to the prior year, this has been offset somewhat by the performance of Aerostar. All things considered, the Company expects the trendsrevenues and operating profit in growth and profitability to strengthen further in the fourth quarter. At this time, we expect consolidated sales to be approximately $277 million, with Applied Technology, Engineered Films, and Aerostar achieving sales of approximately $105 million, $138 million, and $34 million, respectively. While we are not final with our financial results for fiscal year 2017, it is clear that both Applied Technology and Engineered Films will be finishing the year very strong and beginning fiscal year 2018 on a continued growth trajectory. Incremental profits for these two divisions has been very strong and we expect thiscontinues to invest in research and development activities to continue into drive new product momentum for the fourth quarter.intermediate and long term.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's balance sheet continues to reflect significant liquidity and a strong capital base. Management focuses on the current cash balance and operating cash flows in considering liquidity, as operating cash flows have historically been the Company's primary source of liquidity. Management expects that current cash, combined with the generation of positive operating cash flows, will be sufficient to fund the Company's normal operating, investing, and financing activities.

activities beyond the next twelve months.

The Company’s cash balances and cash flows were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)October 31,
2016
 January 31,
2016
 October 31,
2015
(dollars in thousands)April 30,
2017
 January 31,
2017
 April 30,
2016
Cash and cash equivalents$46,313
 $33,782
 $32,287
$50,477
 $50,648
 $32,790

 Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
(dollars in thousands) 
October 31,
2016
 
October 31,
2015
 
October 31,
2016
 
October 31,
2015
 April 30, 2017 April 30, 2016
Cash provided by operating activities $13,127
 $11,480
 $38,685
 $35,181
 $7,702
 $11,104
Cash used in investing activities (2,114) (3,135) (3,754) (8,966) (2,836) (1,435)
Cash used in financing activities (4,756) (23,365) (22,424) (45,865) (4,993) (10,797)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (67) 5
 24
 (12) (44) 136
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $6,190
 $(15,015) $12,531
 $(19,662)
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $(171) $(992)

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $46.3$50.5 million at October 31, 2016, an increaseApril 30, 2017, a decrease of $12.5$0.1 million from $33.8$50.6 million at January 31, 2016.2017. The comparable balance one year earlier was $32.3$32.8 million. The increasedecrease from fiscal 20162017 year-end was primarily driven by free cash flow generation driven by lowerincreases in net working capital requirements and reductionto support the significant increase in capital spending. This was offsetnet sales.

No shares were repurchased by cash outflows for shares repurchasedthe Company under the authorized $50.0 million share buyback plan. Inplan in the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2017, the2018. The Company repurchased approximately 0.50.4 million shares at an average price of $15.91$14.93 for a total of $7.7 million. There were no share repurchases$5.7 million in the third quarter ofprior fiscal 2017.

Cash and cash equivalents increased $6.2 million sequentially for the three-month period ended October 31, 2016 versus the prioryear first quarter. Cash and cash equivalents increased $14.0 million from the comparable balance one year earlier.

At October 31, 2016April 30, 2017, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of $3.5$3.0 million in accounts outside the United States. These balances included undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries we consider to be indefinitely reinvested. If repatriated, undistributed earnings of approximately $2.4$2.8 million would be subject to United States federal taxation. This estimated tax liability is approximately $0.3 million, net of foreign tax credits. Our liquidity is not materially impacted by the amount held in accounts outside of the United States.

Operating Activities
Operating cash flows result primarily from cash received from customers, which is offset by cash payments for inventories, services, employee compensation, and income taxes. Strong cash flow from operating activities was sustained year-over year. Cash provided by operating activities was $38.7$7.7 million for the first ninethree months of fiscal 20172018 compared with $35.2$11.1 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2016. Increased2017. The decrease in cash flow was primarily due to net income partially offset by greater working capital usage principally droverequirements to support the substantial increase of $3.5 million year-over-year.in net sales.

The Company's cash needs arehave minimal seasonal withtrends. Net working capital demands strongesttend to be highest in the first quarter. As a result, the discussion of trends in operating cash flows focuses on the primary drivers of year-over-year variability in net working capital.

Management evaluates Net working capital levels throughand net working capital percentage are ratios used by management as a guide in measuring the computationefficient use of inventory turnovercash resources to support business activities and average days sales outstanding.growth. The inventory turnover ratio is a metric used to evaluate the effectiveness of inventory management, with further consideration given to balancing the disadvantages of excess inventory with the risk of delayed customer deliveries. Average days sales outstanding (DSO) is a measure of the Company's efficiency in enforcing its credit policy and managing credit terms.

Inventory turnover and DSOnet working capital for the comparative periods werewas as follows:

 October 31, 2016 October 31, 2015
Inventory turnover (times/year) - trailing 12 months4.1 3.9
Accounts receivable DSO (in days) - trailing 12 months55
 58
(dollars in thousands) April 30, 2017 April 30, 2016
Accounts receivable, net $51,617
 $41,013
Plus: Inventories 49,867
 46,901
Less: Accounts payable 13,909
 9,356
Net working capital(a)
 $87,575
 $78,558
     
Annualized net sales(b)
 $374,140
 $273,440
Net working capital percentage(c)
 23.4% 28.7%
(a) Net working capital is defined as accounts receivable (net) plus inventories less accounts payable.
(b) Annualized net sales is defined as the most recent quarter net sales times four for each of the fiscal periods, respectively.
(c) Net working capital percentage is defined as Net working capital divided by Annualized net sales for each of the fiscal periods, respectively.

The net working capital percentage decreased from 28.7% at April 30, 2016 to 23.4% at April 30, 2017. The decrease was driven by an increase in accounts payable balances as well as managing inventory and receivables proactively with the substantial increase in sales versus the prior year. To manage levels of inventory during periods of significant change in sales volume, the Company assembled teams within each operating division to manage efficient inventory levels. Similar emphasis was placed on managing accounts payable and to a lesser extent, accounts receivable.

Inventory levels decreased $5.8increased $3.0 million, or 6.4%, year-over-year from $48.6$46.9 million at October 31, 2015April 30, 2016 to $42.8$49.9 million at October 31, 2016,April 30, 2017. In comparison, net sales increased $25.1 million, or 36.8%, year-over-year in the first quarter. The increase in inventory was primarily driven by focused inventory reduction actionsgrowth in net sales and backlog in the Applied Technology and Engineered Films divisions, and also the

inventory write-downs for certain radaroffset somewhat by actions to reduce inventory in the third quarter of fiscal 2017. Inventory turn improvements over the trailing twelve months is the result of the Company's focus to lower working capital levels, including inventory.all three divisions.

Accounts receivable levels increased $0.3$10.6 million, or 25.8%, year-over-year to $39.6$51.6 million at October 31, 2016April 30, 2017 from $39.3$41.0 million at October 31, 2015.April 30, 2016. In comparison, net sales increased $25.1 million, or 36.8%, year-over-year in the first quarter. The improvementincrease in accounts receivable DSO reflects a declinewas due primarily to increased sales volume, offset somewhat by improved management of customer terms.

Accounts payable increased $4.5 million, or 47.9%, year-over-year from $9.4 million at April 30, 2016 to $13.9 million at April 30, 2017. In comparison, net sales increased $25.1 million, or 36.8%, year-over-year in the DSO for both our Engineered Films and Applied Technology divisions.

Improvementfirst quarter. This increase in theaccounts payable was due to improved timing of payments to suppliers, increased accounts payable $2.2 million year-over-yearas well as additional purchases of raw materials to $9.4 million at October 31, 2016 from $7.2 million at October 31, 2015.support the increase in sales year-over-year.

Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities decreasedincreased from $9.0$1.4 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2016 to $3.8$2.8 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2017. The priorprimary driver of increase in current year cash outflows included awas higher level of capital expenditures. CapitalFiscal 2018 capital expenditures totaled $3.9included $1.7 million and $10.8 million infor the first nine months of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively. The fiscal 2016 spending primarily related toPleasanton, Texas facility purchased by Engineered Films capacity expansion. Films.

Management anticipates fiscal 20172018 capital spending to be approximately $6$10 to $12 million. There are no significant capacity expansions planned for Engineered Films and the other divisions are expectedThe Company continues to maintain a disciplined approach to capital spending. Maintaining Engineered Films' capacity and Applied Technology's capital spending to advance product development are expected to continue. In addition, management will evaluate strategic acquisitions that result in expanded capabilities and improved competitive advantages.

Cash provided by the proceeds from the sale of assets in both periods reflects the disposal of assets related to the exit of contract manufacturing by Applied Technology and Aerostar. TheFiscal 2017 first quarter cash inflows in fiscal 2017 were primarily from selling the idle manufacturing facility in St. Louis, Missouri. The cash inflows in fiscal 2016 were from selling the Company's St. Louis operations and related assets as well as the idle manufacturing facility in Huron, South Dakota.

Cash outflows related to investments and acquisitions in fiscal 2017 was $0.5 million compared towhile there were no cash inflowsoutflows for investments in the first quarter of $0.4 million in fiscal 2016. Current year activity represents equity investments activities by made by the Company while the prior year reflects settlement of a working capital adjustment to a prior year acquisition.2018.

Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $22.4$5.0 million for the ninethree months ended October 31, 2016April 30, 2017 compared to $45.9$10.8 million one year ago.

In the fiscal 20162017 first quarter, the Company began purchasingpurchased common shares as part of the $40.0$50.0 million share repurchase plan authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors. In fiscal 2017 first quarter, the Board of Directors authorized a $10.0 million increase, bringing the total authorized under the plan to $50.0 million. The Company repurchased $7.7 million and $29.3$5.7 million in shares in the nine-month periodsthree-month period ended October 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.April 30, 2016. No shares were repurchased in the fiscal 2018 first quarter.

Dividends per share were flat at 39.013.0 cents per share. Total cash outflows for dividends declined $0.5was $4.7 million in the nine-monththree-month period ended October 31, 2016 as compared to the prior year period due to the decrease in outstanding shares as a result of share repurchases made since the end of the prior year period.April 30, 2017 and 2016.


During the ninethree months ended October 31,April 30, 2017 and April 30, 2016, and October 31, 2015, the Company made payments of $0.3$0.2 million and $0.8$0.1 million, respectively, on acquisition-related contingent liabilities.

During the nine months ended October 31, 2015, the Company paid $0.5 million of debt issuance costs associated with the Credit Agreement previously discussed. No borrowing or repayment occurred on the Credit Agreement during the first ninethree months of fiscal 20172018 or fiscal 2016.2017.

Financing cash outflows in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20172018 and 20162017 included employee taxes paid in relation to net settlement of restricted stock units that vested during the year.first quarter.

Other Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company entered into a credit agreement dated April 15, 2015. This agreement (Credit Agreement), more fully described in Note 9 Financing Arrangements of this Form 10-Q, provides for a syndicated senior revolving credit facility up to $125 million with a maturity date of April 15, 2020. There were no borrowings under the Credit Agreement for any of the fiscal periods covered by this Form 10-Q. Availability under the Credit Agreement for borrowings as of October 31, 2016April 30, 2017 was $124.5 million.

The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including those relating to financial reporting and notification, limits on levels of indebtedness and liens, investments, mergers and acquisitions, affiliate transactions, sales of assets, restrictive agreements, and change in control as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company requested and received the necessary covenant waivers relating to its late filing of financial information in the prior fiscal year. Financial covenants include an interest coverage ratio and funded indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company is in compliance with all financial covenants set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Letters of credit (LOCs) totaling $0.9$1.1 million issued under a previous line of credit with Wells Fargo and $0.2 million were outstanding under the Credit Agreement at October 31, 2015.April 30, 2016. These LOCs primarily support self-insured workers' compensation bonding. All but one LOC has been transferred and issued under the Credit Agreement as of October 31, 2016.April 30, 2017. At October 31, 2016,April 30, 2017, $0.5 million of LOCs were outstanding under the Credit Agreement. OneAgreement and one $50 thousand LOC issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A was outstanding. Any draws required under this $50,000 LOC would be settled with available cash or borrowings under the Credit Agreement.

The Company has requested and received the necessary covenant waivers relating to its late filing of financial statement information.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Except as described above, thereThere have been no material changes in the Company’s known off-balance sheet debt and other unrecorded obligations since the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016.2017.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Critical accounting policies are those that require the application of judgment when valuing assets and liabilities on the Company's balance sheet. There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies as described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A10-K for the year ended January 31, 2016.2017.

Long-lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Long-lived and Intangible Assets
The Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets, including definite-lived intangibles, equity investments, and intangible assetsproperty plant and equipment, using fair value measurement techniques if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. For long-lived and intangible assets, the Company performs impairment reviews by asset groups. Such valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures). An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset is below the estimated undiscounted cash flows used in determining the fair value of the asset.

The Company determined that the investment in AgEagle, further described in Note 5 Acquisitions of and Investments in Businesses and Technologies of the Notes to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this form 10-Q, was impaired due to lower than expected cash flows and continued operating losses. This impairment was determined to be other-than-temporary and an accelerated equity investment loss of $72 was reported in "Other (expense), net" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three-month period ended April 30, 2017. The Company also determined the customer relationship intangible asset related to the Ag Eagle exclusive distribution agreement was fully impaired. The total impairment loss related to this intangible asset was $259 and was reported in "Long-lived asset impairment loss" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three-month period ended April 30, 2017. There were no long-lived asset impairments or accelerated equity method losses reported in the three-month period ended April 30, 2016.

Goodwill
The Company recognizes goodwill as the excess cost of an acquired business over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Management assesses goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate thatduring the fourth quarter and between annual tests whenever a triggering event indicates there may be an asset might be impaired, using fair value measurement techniques.impairment. The Company performs impairment reviews of goodwill by reporting unit. At the end of fiscal 2016, the Company determined it had four reporting units: Engineered Films Division; Applied Technology Division; and two separate reporting units in the Aerostar Division, one of which was Vista and one of which was all other Aerostar operations.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, management implemented managerial and financial reporting changes within Vista and Aerostar to further integrate Vista into the Aerostar Division. Integration actions included leadership re-alignment, including selling and business development functions, re-deployment of employees across the division, and consolidation of administrative functions, among other actions. Based on the changes made, the Company consolidated the two separate reporting units within the Aerostar Division into one reporting unit for the purposes of goodwill impairment review. As such as of April 30, 2017 and April 30, 2016, the Company has three reporting units: Engineered Films Division, Applied Technology Division, and Aerostar Division. The Company determined there was not a change in the long-lived asset groups as a result of the reporting unit changes.

The Company recognizes goodwill as the excess cost of an acquired business over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Management assesses goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and between annual tests whenever a triggering event indicates there may be an impairment. When performing goodwill impairment testing, the fair values of reporting units are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information, primarily discounted cash flow projections. Such valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures).

Goodwill
In step one of the goodwill impairment analysis (Step 1), the fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis. Projecting discounted future cash flows requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding future revenues and expenses, projected capital expenditures, changes in working capital, and the appropriate discount rate.
In developing the discounted cash flow analysis, assumptions about the revenue growth rate, operating profit margin percentage, capital expenditures, and changes in working capital reference our annual operating plan and long-term business plan for each of the Company’s reporting units, but also reflect the best available information at that time.
Discount rate assumptions for each reporting unit are the value-weighted average of the Company’s estimated cost of capital derived using both known and estimated customary market metrics and take into consideration management’s assessment of risks

inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. One of the metrics considered by the Company in its selection of a discount rate is the relevant small company size premium appropriate to the reporting unit for which the valuation is being assessed. Generally, the lower the revenues associated with a reporting unit, the higher the small company premium and the higher the discount rate for that reporting unit. With other factors such as the optimal capital structure assumed for the reporting unit, this may result in a different discount rate assumption for each reporting unit being evaluated.
The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is then compared with the book value of its net assets. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the book value of the net assets of the reporting unit, an impairment loss is possible and a more refined measurement of the impairment loss takes place. This is the second step of the goodwill impairment testing (Step 2), in which management may use market comparisons and recent transactions to assign the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit. The valuation methodologies in both steps of goodwill impairment testing use significant estimates and assumptions. Management evaluates the merits of each significant assumption and the overall basket of assumptions used to determine the fair value of the reporting unit.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2016, the Company determined that there were triggering events with respect to the Engineered Films reporting unit in the second quarter and the Vista reporting unit in the third quarter, each of which resulted in goodwill impairment tests. The goodwill impairment test with respect to Vista resulted in an impairment of goodwill.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2017, as discussed below, the Company determined that there were triggering events with respect to the Aerostar reporting unit in the third quarter, which resulted in a goodwill impairment test. Based on the Company's review, of the quantitative and qualitative factors as outlined above,management concluded there were no indicators of impairmenttriggering events for the Company’s Applied Technology or Engineered FilmsCompany's reporting units and as such no further impairment analysis was required underduring the applicable accounting guidance for the three- or nine-monththree-month periods ended October 31,April 30, 2017 and 2016, for these reporting units.
Long-lived and Intangible Assets
In step one of the long-lived and intangible asset impairment analysis (Step 1), the book value of the asset is compared to the undiscounted cash flows supporting the value of the asset. Projecting undiscounted future cash flows requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding future revenues and expenses, projected capital expenditures, changes in working capital and allocations of certain costs.

In developing the undiscounted cash flow analysis, assumptions about the revenue growth rate, operating profit margin percentage, capital expenditures, and changes in working capital reference our annual operating plan and long-term strategic plan, but also reflect the best available information at that time, and as appropriate, reflect market participant assumptions if such amounts might differ from the Company-specific assumptions for each of the Company’s reporting units. In addition, certain reporting unit costs which are not specific to an asset group are allocated between asset groups to estimate undiscounted cash flows at the asset group level.

If the estimated undiscounted cash flows for the asset group exceed the book value of the asset, there is no impairment. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows for the asset group are below the book value of the asset, an impairment loss is possible and a more refined measurement of the impairment loss would take place. This is the second step of the long-lived and intangible asset impairment testing (Step 2) in which management compares the discounted value of the cash flows of the asset group to the book value of the asset. The difference between the book value of the asset and the present value of the discounted cash flows supporting the asset group determines the amount of the asset impairment. The discount rate for the Step 2 analysis is derived in a similar manner as the discount rate used for goodwill impairment testing. The valuation methodologies in both steps of long-lived and intangible asset impairment testing use significant estimates and assumptions. Management evaluates the merits of each significant assumption and the overall basket of assumptions used to determine the fair value of the asset.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2016, the Company determined that there were triggering events with respect to the Engineered Films asset group in the second quarter and the client private business (CP) and radar products and radar services (Radar) groups in the Vista reporting unit in the third quarter, each of which resulted in asset impairment tests. The asset impairment test with respect to the Radar asset group resulted in a long-lived asset impairment.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2017, as discussed below, the Company determined that there were triggering events with respect to the assets associated with the aerostat and stratospheric balloon programs (Lighter than Air) and radar products and radar services (Radar) groups in the Aerostar reporting unit in the third quarter, which resulted in an asset impairment test. Based on the Company's review of the quantitative and qualitative factors as outlined above, there were no indicators of impairment for the Company’s Applied Technology or Engineered Films asset groups, and as such no further impairment analysis was required under the applicable accounting guidance for the three- or nine-month periods ended October 31, 2016.

Aerostar Reporting Unit (fiscal 2017 third quarter)
In the fiscal 2017 third quarter the Company determined that a triggering event occurred for its Aerostar reporting unit. The triggering event was caused by lowering the financial expectations for net sales and operating income of the reporting unit and asset groups due to delays and uncertainties regarding the reporting unit’s pursuit of multiple opportunities, including aerostat orders, certain stratospheric balloon pursuits, and radar pursuits. Aerostar is still actively pursuing these opportunities and some are in active negotiations, but the likelihood of radar sales was lowered and the timing of certain aerostat and classified stratospheric balloon opportunities is delayed more than previously expected. In determining the estimated fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit, the Company was required to estimate a number of factors, including projected revenue growth rates, projected operating results, terminal growth rates, economic conditions, anticipated future cash flows, and the discount rate.

In the assessment, management evaluated the asset groups for completion of Step 1 of the long-lived asset impairment analysis. Pursuant to the applicable accounting guidance, the Company determined that the relevant cash flows for long-lived asset testing (the lowest level of cash flows that are largely independent of other groups of assets) are one level below the Aerostar reporting unit.

Using the sum of the undiscounted cash flows associated with each of the two asset groups, a Step 1 test was performed for each asset group. The undiscounted cash flows for the Lighter than Air asset group exceeded the carrying value of the long-lived assets by approximately $110 million, or 800%,respectively, and no Step 2 test was deemedimpairments to be necessary based on the recoverability of the long-lived assets. For the Radar asset group, however, the undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying value of the long-lived assets and the Company performed a Step 2 impairment analysis for the long-lived assets.

In the Step 2 impairment analysis, the fair value determined was allocated to the assets and liabilities of the Radar asset group. The resulting estimated fair value of the Radar asset group long-lived assets was $0.1 million compared to the carrying value of $0.2 million for the asset group. The shortfall of $0.1 million was recorded in the current quarter as an impairment charge to operating income reported as "Long-lived asset impairment loss" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The total impairment loss related to property, plant, and equipment, and patents.

The most significant assumptions used to determine the undiscounted cash flows of the Aerostar assets groups include: revenue growth rate (particularly revenue related to the continued development of a classified stratospheric balloon pursuit and likelihood of success in being awarded the contract, and the timing thereof), and operating profit margin percentage. These assumptions are consistent with the assumptions used in determining the fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit, which is described below.
Subsequent to the impairment determination for long-lived assets, the Company compared the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill to its estimated fair value. In calculating the estimated fair value, the Company used the income approach. The income approach is a valuation technique under which the Company estimated future cash flows using the reporting unit's financial forecast from the perspective of an unrelated market participant. Using historical trending and internal forecasting techniques, the Company projected revenues and applied projected gross margins and operating expense ratios to the projected revenue to arrive at the future cash flows. A terminal value was then applied to the projected cash flow stream. Future estimated cash flows were discounted to their present value to calculate the estimated fair value. The discount rate used was the Company’s estimated weighted average cost of capital derived using both known and estimated customary market metrics. The estimated fair value was also compared to comparable market information for reasonableness.

The reporting unit's fair value was estimated based on discounted cash flows and that fair value amount was compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. This analysis indicated that the estimated fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit exceeded the net book value by approximately $9 million, or approximately 30%. Therefore, no Step 2 analysis was done.
The most significant assumptions used to determine the fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit include: revenue growth rate (particularly revenue related to the continued development of Project Loon and likelihood of contract based revenues, and the timing thereof), operating profit margin percentage, and the discount rate.
For the third quarter testing, ten-year revenue expectations were built using a bottom-up approach for each of Aerostar's markets that are contract based businesses to determine the project and timing of award status. Another key revenue growth driver for Aerostar relates to the growth of stratospheric balloons and new classified business related to stratospheric balloon projects. The resulting CAGR for net sales for the first 5 years (fiscal 2018-2022) of the forecast was approximately (10%) while the CAGR for net sales for years 6 through 10 (fiscal 2023-2027) of the forecast was approximately 4%. The historical CAGR was approximately 1% from fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2016 (excluding the impact of contract manufacturing). The forecasted growth is heavily influenced by the timing of aerostat contracts and new classified stratospheric balloon opportunities, both of which are in active negotiations. In addition, sales to Google for Project Loon are expected to increase over the first 5 years of the forecast period. Growth in radar based revenues are constant at 3% over the forecast period. The perpetual growth factor selected was

3%, in line with long-term average GDP growth. Using the revenue growth rate to illustrate the sensitivity on this estimated fair value, a one-half percentage decrease in the average revenue growth rate over the 10-year forecast period (and the terminal growth rate in perpetuity) would have reduced the estimated fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit by approximately $3 million.
Operating profit margin assumptions for the forecast period for fiscal years 2018 - 2027 averaged approximately 10% of sales. This compares to an average operating margin of approximately 4% of sales during fiscal years 2013-2017, excluding unusual items. The forecasted operating profit margin is higher than historical average referenced primarily due to the impairment of long-lived assets in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016. This impairment of amortizable intangibles and property, plant, and equipment significantly reduced depreciation and amortization expense in the forecast period. In addition, cost reductions executed during fiscal year 2017 are expected to benefit future period sand benefit operating margins in the forecast years. Using the operating profit margin to illustrate the sensitivity on this estimated fair value, a one-half percentage decrease in average operating profit margin over the forecast period would have reduced the estimated fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit by approximately $2 million.
The discount rate used in the determination of the fair value was 14.0%. Using the discount rate to illustrate the sensitivity on this estimated fair value, a one-half percentage point increase in the discount rate would have reduced the estimated fair value of the Aerostar reporting unit by approximately $1.5 million.recorded.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Standards Adopted Policies
In November 2015 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" (ASU 2015-17). Currently generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires the deferred taxes for each jurisdiction (or tax-paying component of a jurisdiction) to be presented as a net current asset or liability and net noncurrentasset or liability. This requires a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction analysis based on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which the underlying temporary differences relate, or, in the case of loss or credit carryforwards, based on the period in which the attribute is expected to be realized. To simplify presentation, ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. As a result, each jurisdiction will now only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. The guidance does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting within a jurisdiction - that is, companies are still prohibited from offsetting deferred tax liabilities from one jurisdiction against deferred tax assets of another jurisdiction. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-17 in the fiscal 2017 first quarter using the prospective method. No current deferred tax assets or liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet. Since the Company adopted the guidance prospectively, the prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.

In August 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" (ASU 2016-15. The new guidance clarifies eight cash flow classification issues where current GAAP was either unclear or has no specific guidance. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may elect to early adopt ASU 2016-15 in any interim period. If an entity early adopts it must adopt all eight of the amendments in the same period and if early adopted in an interim period any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the year. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 will be applied using the modified retrospective transition method for each period presented. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the classification of certain items on its consolidated statements of cash flows.

In April 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement (CCA)" (ASU 2015-05). The amendments in ASU 2015-05 clarify existing GAAP guidance about a customer’s accounting for fees paid in a CCA with or without a software license. Examples of cloud computing arrangements include software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, and other similar hosting arrangements. Under ASU 2015-05, fees paid by a customer in a CCA for a software license are within the scope of the internal-use software guidance if certain criteria are met. If the criteria are not met the fees paid are accounted for as a prepaid service contract and expensed. The Company has historically accounted for all fees in a CCA as a prepaid service contract. The Company adopted ASU 2015-05 in first quarter fiscal 2017 when it became effective using the prospective method. The Company did not pay any fees in a CCA in the current period that met the criteria to be in scope of the internal-use software guidance and it had no impact on the consolidated financial statements, results of operations, or cash flows.

In February 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810) AmendmentsNotes to the Consolidation Analysis" (ASU 2015-02). The amendmentsConsolidated Financial Statements included in ASU 2015-02 affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments: 1. Modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable

interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities; 2. Eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; 3. Affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and 4. Provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17 "Consolidation (Topic 810) - Interests Held through Related Parties that are under common Control" (ASU 2016-17) which amended ASU 2015-02. Under ASU 2016-17, the Company only needs to consider its proportionate indirect interest in the VIE held through a common control party when evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. ASU 2015-02 required that the common control party's interest be treated as if it was the Company's interest when evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-02 in first quarter fiscal 2017 and early adopted ASU 2016-17 in third quarter fiscal 2017. The Company reevaluated all of it legal entities and one investment accounted for using the equity method during the first quarter. In addition, this guidance was applied to the evaluation of the Company's investment in Ag Eagle in first quarter fiscal 2017 further discussed in Note 5 Acquisitions of and Investments in Businesses and Technologies Item 1 of this Form 10-Q. The Company did not have an indirect interest in any10-Q for a summary of the entities through an unconsolidated related party. Under ASU 2015-02 and the amended guidance in ASU 2016-17 neither of these equity method investments qualified for consolidation. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the legal entities consolidated or the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. No prior period retrospective adjustments were required.
In January 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, "Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20) Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items" (ASU 2015-01). The amendments in ASU 2015-01 eliminate the GAAP concept of extraordinary items and no longer requires that transactions that met the criteria for classification as extraordinary items be separately classified and reported in the financial statements. ASU 2015-01 retains the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently and expands them to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. The Company adopted ASU 2015-01when it became effective in fiscal 2017 first quarter using the prospective method. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In August 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern" (ASU 2014-15). The amendments in ASU 2014-15 require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. ASU 2014-15 requires certain financial statement disclosures when there is "substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern" within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). The Company adopted ASU 2014-15 in the fiscal 2017 first quarter when it became effective. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The Update removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Under the new guidance, a goodwill impairment will be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The amount of any impairment may not exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. The guidance is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations and disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments provide a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amendments require further consideration of inputs, substantive processes and outputs to determine whether the transaction is an acquisition of a business. The new update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments in ASU 2017-01 will be implemented on a prospective basis.

In November 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory" (ASU 2016-16). Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. In addition, interpretations of this guidance have developed in practice over the years for transfers of certain intangible and tangible assets. This prohibition on recognition is an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in GAAP. The new guidance eliminates the exception for an

intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The amendments in ASU 2016-16 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company can early adopt ASU 2016-16, but earlier adoption must be in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The amendments in ASU 2016-16 will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and disclosures.

In August 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" (ASU 2016-15. The new guidance clarifies eight cash flow classification issues where current GAAP was either unclear or has no specific guidance. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may elect to early adopt ASU 2016-15 in any interim period. If an entity early adopts it must adopt all eight of the amendments in the same period and if early adopted in an interim period any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the year. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 will be applied using the modified retrospective transition method for each period presented. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the classification of certain items on its consolidated statements of cash flows.

In June 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" (ASU 2016-13). Current GAAP generally delays recognition of the full amount of credit losses until the loss is probable of occurring. The amendments in this guidance eliminate the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. Previously, when credit losses were measured under GAAP, an entity generally only considered past events and current conditions in measuring the incurred loss. Under ASU 2016-13 the Company will need to create an economic forecast over the entire contractual life of long-dated financial assets. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. All entities may elect to early adopt ASU 2016-13 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 will be applied using the modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the first reporting period. The Company's trade accounts receivable are in-scope under ASU 2016-13. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and disclosures.

In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" (ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 amends therecent accounting for employee share-based payment transactions to require recognition of the tax effects resulting from the settlement of stock-based awards as discrete income tax expense or benefit in the income statement in the reporting period in which they occur. In addition, this guidance requires that all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments, including the excess tax benefits related to the settlement of stock-based awards, be classified as cash flows from operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The guidance also requires that cash paid to taxing authorities on employee behalf for withheld shares should be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. In addition, the guidance also allows companies to make an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest, consistent with current U.S. GAAP, or account for forfeitures when they occur. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-09 requires that the various amendments be adopted using different methods. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and disclosures. pronouncements.
In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" (ASU 2016-02). The primary difference between previous GAAP and ASU 2016-02 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The guidance requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. When measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, a lessee (and a lessor) should include payments to be made in optional periods only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease or not to exercise an option to terminate the lease. Similarly, optional payments to purchase the underlying asset should be included in the measurement of lease assets and lease liabilities only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that purchase option. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. An entity that elects to apply the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commence before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and disclosures.

In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 provides a comprehensive new recognition model that requires recognition of revenue when a company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. It also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date (ASU 2015-14) and the standard is now effective for the Company for fiscal 2019 and interim periods therein. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted as of the original effective date, which for the Company is fiscal 2018. The guidance may be applied using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). In addition, FASB has amended Topic 606 prior to it becoming effective. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments to Topic 606 are the same as ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the method and date of adoption and the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and all subsequent amendments to Topic 606, will have on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and disclosures.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Qreport are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future.future, not past or historical events. Without limiting the foregoing, the words "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "intends," "may," "plans""plans," "should," "estimate," "predict," "project," "would," "will," "potential," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The Company intends that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions when made, there is no assurance that such assumptions are correct or that these expectations will be achieved. Assumptions involve important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect results in the future. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to weather conditions and commodity prices, which could affect sales and profitability in some of the Company's primary markets, such as agriculture and construction and oil and gas drilling; or changes in competition, raw material availability, technology or relationships with the Company's largest customers, risks and uncertainties relating to development of new technologies to satisfy customer requirements, possible development of competitive technologies, risks of litigation, ability to scale production of new products without negatively impacting quality and cost, risks of operating in foreign markets, risks relating to acquisitions, including risks of integration or unanticipated liabilities or contingencies, and ability to finance investment and net working capital needs for new development projects, any of which could adversely impact any of the Company's product lines, as well as other risks described in Item 1A., Risk Factors, of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A.10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and the Company disclaims any obligation to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.


ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The exposure to market risks pertains mainly to changes in interest rates on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company has no debt outstanding as of October 31, 2016April 30, 2017. The Company does not expect operating results or cash flows to be significantly affected by changes in interest rates.

The Company's subsidiaries that operate outside the United States use their local currency as the functional currency. The functional currency is translated into U.S. dollars for balance sheet accounts using the period-end exchange rates, and average exchange rates for the statement of income. Cash and cash equivalents held in foreign currency (primarily Euros and Canadian dollars) totaled $3.0 million and $1.7 million at April 30, 2017 and April 30, 2016, respectively. Adjustments resulting from financial statement translations are included as cumulative translation adjustments in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" within shareholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are recognized in the period incurred and are included in "Other income (expense), net" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Foreign currency fluctuations had no material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
The Company does not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. However, the Company does utilize derivative financial instruments to manage the economic impact of fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates on those transactions that are denominated in currency other than its functional currency, which is the U.S. dollar. Such

transactions are principally Canadian dollar-denominated transactions. The use of these financial instruments had no material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of October 31, 2016.April 30, 2017. Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)), are our controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on their evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of October 31, 2016April 30, 2017 due to the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting which existed at that date, as described below.

Notwithstanding the existence of the material weaknesses described below, management has concluded that the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q present fairly, in all material respects, our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented herein in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Material Weaknesses
A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The Company has identified the following control deficiencies which existed as ofsince October 31, 2016 which constitute material weaknesses and resulted in ineffective disclosure controls and procedures as of that date:

The Company’s controls relating to the response to the risks of material misstatement were not effectively designed. This material weakness contributed to the following additional material weaknesses.

The Company’s controls over the accounting for goodwill and long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets, were not effectively designed and maintained, specifically, the controls related to the identification of the proper unit of account as well as the development and review of assumptions used in interim and annual impairment tests. This control deficiency resulted in the restatement of the Company’s financial statements for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015, the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, and the three-month period ended April 30, 2016.
The Company’s controls related to the accounting for income taxes were not effectively designed and maintained, specifically the controls to assess that the income tax provision and related tax assets and liabilities are complete and accurate. This control deficiency resulted in adjustments to the income tax provision and related tax asset and liability accounts and related disclosures for the three- and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2015, the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016, and the three-month period ended April 30, 2016.


The Company’s controls over the existence of inventories were not effectively designed and maintained. Specifically, the controls to monitor that inventory subject to the cycle count program was counted at the frequency levels and accuracy rates required under the Company’s policy, and the controls to verify the existence of inventory held at third-party locations were not effectively designed and maintained.

The Company’s controls over the completeness and accuracy of spreadsheets and system-generated reports used in internal control over financial reporting were not effectively designed and maintained.

Additionally, these control deficiencies could result in additional misstatements of account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, our management has determined that these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses.

Management’s Remediation Initiatives

The Company is actively engaged in the planning for, and implementation of, remediation efforts to address the underlying causes of the control deficiencies that gave rise to the material weaknesses. These remediation efforts summarized below are in the process of being implemented, are intended to address the identified material weaknesses and to enhance our overall financial control environment.

With the oversight of the Company’s Audit Committee, management is taking steps intended to address the underlying causes of the material weaknesses identified above, primarily through the following remediation activities:activities achieved during the first quarter of fiscal 2018:

Controls relating to the response to the risks of material misstatement
We have engaged third-party accounting resources to help management plan for remediation of the identified material weaknesses and evaluate and enhance of our risk assessment in our internal controls over financial reporting.
We are establishing an independent internal audit function and hiring additional accounting and internal audit staff to improve the management of risks to the enterprise.
We have begun adding or redesigning specific controls and procedures to proactively address opportunities to augment and enhance controls identified through this assessment.
Controls over accounting for goodwill and long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets
We have begun redesigning our specific procedures and controls associated with the identification of the proper unit of account as well as the development and review of assumptions used in interim and annual impairment tests.
We are developing an enhanced risk assessment evaluation for the reporting unit for which a goodwill impairment analysis is being conducted.
We are redesigning our controls associated with the development of a bottom-up forecast revenue analysis that supports management’s revenue estimates in interim and annual impairment tests. For Aerostar, this includes contract-based revenue assumptions.
We are redesigning our controls associated with all significant assumptions, model and data used in management's estimates relevant to assessing the valuation of goodwill and long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets.
We have engaged third-party valuation experts to evaluate and enhance the processes and procedures we are establishing or enhancing.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, management completed the following remediation efforts around the design deficiency:
We have redesigned our specific procedures and controls associated with the identification of the proper unit of account.
We have developed an enhanced risk assessment evaluation for the reporting unit for which a goodwill impairment analysis is being conducted.
We have redesigned our controls associated with the development of a more precise revenue forecast for use in interim and annual impairment tests. For Aerostar, this specifically includes more precise contract-based revenue assumptions.
We have redesigned our controls associated with all significant assumptions, model and data used in management's estimates relevant to assessing the valuation of goodwill and long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets.
Internal Audit has completed a design walkthrough of redesigned controls.
Controls over completeness and accuracy of accounting for income taxes
We have begun adding or redesigning specific processes and controls to augment the review of significant or unusual transactions by finance leadership to ensure that the relevant tax accounting implications are identified and considered.
We have engaged third-party tax accounting resources to assist in review and analysis of tax matters associated with significant or unusual transactions.
Our new Director of Taxation has begun re-evaluating our tax models and designing and implementing
During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, management completed the following remediation efforts around the design deficiency:
We have redesigned specific processes and controls to augment the review of significant or unusual transactions by finance leadership to ensure that the relevant tax accounting implications are identified and considered.
Our Director of Taxation has re-evaluated and enhanced our tax models and implemented multiple reconciliations to ensure the Company’s tax provision is properly reconciled and rolled-forward.
Internal Audit has completed a design walkthrough of redesigned controls.

Controls over the existence of inventories, specifically controls to monitor that inventory subject to the cycle count program was counted at the frequency levels and accuracy rates required under the Company’s policy, and the controls to verify existence of inventory held at third-party locations
We have begun redesigning and enhancing our cycle count procedure to monitor the completeness and accuracy of cycle count results and establish specific accountability for investigation and analysis of variances.
We have begun redesigning and enhancing controls, including those over the completeness and accuracy of underlying information, to monitor count dates for each item by location. This will be reviewed annually to ensure that each item was counted the appropriate number of times in accordance with the cycle count policy.
We are redesigning and implementing enhanced controls including those over the completeness and accuracy of underlying information to calculate and monitor the historical 12 month rolling accuracy of cycle counts.
We are going to complete a full physical inventory count annually for locations subject to the cycle count program until the completeness and accuracy of the cycle count program has been validated. Also inventory held at third-party locations will be subject to physical inventory counts each quarter until we have completed the transfer of the vast majority of inventory held at third-party locations to Company owned facilities.
Controls over the completeness and accuracy of spreadsheets and system-generated reports used in internal control over financial reporting
We have begun designing additional controls related to the completeness and accuracy of critical spreadsheets and system-generated reports used for the Company’s financial reporting.
We have begun adding or redesigning controls to require both an evaluation and evidence of that evaluation of the completeness and accuracy of all critical spreadsheets and system-generated reports used in internal controls over financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements and related footnote disclosures.

We will maintain evidence of a baseline evaluation of completeness and accuracy for relevant system-generated report determined to be a key report for which it is possible to maintain a baseline test.
We will periodically re-baseline system-generated reports whether they are changed or not in accordance with our redesigned procedures and controls over financial reporting.
We will establish a process for evaluating and documenting the completeness and accuracy of all relevant spreadsheets and system-generated reports that cannot be baselined, including spreadsheets prepared or reviewed by management.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we have completed the transfer of the vast majority of inventory held at third-party locations to Company-owned facilities.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we have redesigned and enhanced our controls over the completeness and accuracy of underlying information to monitor count dates for each item by location. This annual test was performed during the first quarter to ensure that each item was counted the appropriate number of times in accordance with the cycle count policy.

Although we have begun implementingimplemented several remediation actions, we have not yet been able to completeare still in the process of implementing certain actions and validating the impact of such actions. These remediation of these material weaknesses. These actions are subject to ongoing review by management, as well as oversight by the Internal Audit function, as well as the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. Although we plan to complete this remediation process as diligently as possible, we cannot, at this time, estimate when such remediation may occur, and our initiatives may not prove successful in remediating the material weaknesses. Management may determinedecide to enhance other existing controls and/or implement additional controls as the implementation progresses. It will take time to determine whether the additional controls we are implementing will be sufficient and functioning as designed to accomplish their intended purpose; accordingly, these material weaknesses may continue for a period of time. While the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and executiveExecutive management are closely monitoring this implementation, until the remediation efforts discussed herein, including any additional remediation efforts that management identifies as necessary, are complete, tested, and determined to be effective, we will not be able to conclude that the material weaknesses have been remediated. In addition, we may need to incur incremental costs associated with this remediation, primarily due to the engagement of external accounting and tax experts to validate and support remediation activities and the implementation and validation of improved accounting and financial reporting procedures.

We are committed to improving our internal control over financial reporting and processes and intend to proactively review and improve our financial reporting controls and procedures incorporating best practices and leveraging external resources to facilitate periodic evaluations of our internal controlscontrol over financial reporting. As we continue to evaluate and work to improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may take additional measures to address control deficiencies or modify certain of the remediation measures described above.measures.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
ThereAs described above under "Management's Remediation Initiatives," there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended October 31, 2016April 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings:

The Company is involved as a party in lawsuits, claims, regulatory inquiries, or disputes arising in the normal course of its business. Thebusiness, the potential costs and liability of such claimswhich cannot be determined at this time.  Management believes that any liability resulting fromAmong these matters will be substantially mitigated by insurance coverage or would be immaterial. Accordingly, managementis a patent infringement lawsuit in the early stages of litigation.  In a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Kansas, Capstan Ag Systems, Inc. has made certain infringement claims against the Company and one of its customers, CNH Industrial America LLC, related to the Applied Technology Division’s HawkeyeTM nozzle control system. Management does not believe the ultimate outcomeoutcomes of these matters willits legal proceedings are likely to be significant to its results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.flows, except that, because of its preliminary stage, management cannot determine the potential impact, if any, of the patent infringement lawsuit described above.

The Company has insurance policies that provide coverage to various degrees for potential liabilities arising from legal proceedings.

Item 1A. Risk Factors:

The Company’s business is subject to a number of risks, including those identified in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A10-K for the year ended January 31, 2016,2017, that could have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity and that could cause our operating results to vary significantly from fiscal period to fiscal period. The risks described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A10-K are not the onlyexhaustive. Additional risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem

to be immaterial or are unknown to us at this time also could have a materialmaterially effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and/or liquidity.

(Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts)


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

On November 3, 2014 the Company's Board of Directors (Board) authorized a $40,000,000 stock buyback program. Effective March 21, 2016 the Board authorized an extension and increase of this stock buyback program. An additional $10,000,000 was authorized for share repurchases once the $40,000,000 authorization limit is reached. This authorization remains in place until such time as the authorized spending limit is reached or is revoked by the Board.

The Company made no purchases (recorded on trade date basis) of its own equity securities during the thirdfirst quarter of 2017.fiscal 2018. The remaining dollar value authorized for share repurchases at October 31, 2016April 30, 2017 is $12,959,341.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities: None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures: None

Item 5. Other Information: None

Item 6. Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number
 Description
   
31.1
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2
 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1
 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.2
 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101.INS
 XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
   
101.CAL
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
   
101.DEF
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
   
101.LAB
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
   
101.PRE
 XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
   

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 RAVEN INDUSTRIES, INC. 
   
  /s/
/s/ Steven E. Brazones

 
 Steven E. Brazones 
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 
 
Date: February 15,May 23, 2017



#42#29