Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
ýQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017
¨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 000-20557
 
 
THE ANDERSONS, INC.
(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
OHIO 34-1562374
(State of incorporation
or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1947 Briarfield Boulevard, Maumee, Ohio 43537
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(419) 893-5050
(Telephone Number)
 (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.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filerýAccelerated Filer¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨

Smaller reporting company¨
Emerging growth company
¨

  
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
The registrant had approximately 28.4 million common shares outstanding, no par value, at July 28,October 27, 2017.

THE ANDERSONS, INC.
INDEX
 
 Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 


Part I. Financial Information


Item 1. Financial Statements

The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
June 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 June 30,
2016
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents$18,934
 $62,630
 $31,383
$24,478
 $62,630
 $78,158
Restricted cash1,033
 471
 987

 471
 190
Accounts receivable, net186,331
 194,698
 212,588
196,192
 194,698
 173,593
Inventories (Note 2)463,205
 682,747
 486,236
475,602
 682,747
 427,754
Commodity derivative assets – current (Note 5)11,619
 45,447
 115,924
45,202
 45,447
 59,837
Other current assets59,873
 72,133
 48,754
53,958
 72,133
 43,761
Assets held for sale (Note 16)10,028
 
 
8,383
 
 
Total current assets751,023
 1,058,126
 895,872
803,815
 1,058,126
 783,293
Other assets:          
Commodity derivative assets – noncurrent (Note 5)1,191
 100
 1,934
245
 100
 1,346
Goodwill (Note 17)23,105
 63,934
 63,934
23,105
 63,934
 63,934
Other intangible assets, net113,492
 106,100
 113,245
113,371
 106,100
 110,155
Other assets, net8,686
 10,411
 6,549
11,852
 10,411
 5,921
Equity method investments215,794
 216,931
 238,478
215,031
 216,931
 225,114
362,268
 397,476
 424,140
363,604
 397,476
 406,470
Rail Group assets leased to others, net (Note 3)375,092
 327,195
 340,136
377,393
 327,195
 334,401
Property, plant and equipment, net (Note 3)423,042
 450,052
 447,267
419,348
 450,052
 460,247
Total assets$1,911,425
 $2,232,849
 $2,107,415
$1,964,160
 $2,232,849
 $1,984,411

The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
June 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 June 30,
2016
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Liabilities and equity          
Current liabilities:          
Short-term debt (Note 4)$124,000
 $29,000
 $179,404
$19,000
 $29,000
 $
Trade and other payables267,194
 581,826
 302,413
381,359
 581,826
 356,931
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue15,113
 48,590
 18,252
29,520
 48,590
 15,725
Commodity derivative liabilities – current (Note 5)18,104
 23,167
 43,183
38,578
 23,167
 59,770
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities69,256
 69,648
 71,169
67,064
 69,648
 68,465
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 4)62,482
 47,545
 53,720
53,972
 47,545
 51,520
Total current liabilities556,149
 799,776
 668,141
589,493
 799,776
 552,411
Other long-term liabilities34,441
 27,833
 30,430
34,407
 27,833
 30,525
Commodity derivative liabilities – noncurrent (Note 5)334
 339
 2,182
902
 339
 1,954
Employee benefit plan obligations36,837
 35,026
 44,902
36,356
 35,026
 45,260
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 4)354,066
 397,065
 398,746
371,315
 397,065
 395,559
Deferred income taxes181,806
 182,113
 179,911
181,876
 182,113
 178,535
Total liabilities1,163,633
 1,442,152
 1,324,312
1,214,349
 1,442,152
 1,204,244
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
 
 

 
 
Shareholders’ equity:          
Common shares, without par value (63,000 shares authorized; 29,430 shares issued at 6/30/2017, 12/31/16 and 6/30/2016)96
 96
 96
Common shares, without par value (63,000 shares authorized; 29,430 shares issued at 9/30/2017, 12/31/16 and 9/30/2016)96
 96
 96
Preferred shares, without par value (1,000 shares authorized; none issued)
 
 

 
 
Additional paid-in-capital222,261
 222,910
 219,489
223,814
 222,910
 221,326
Treasury shares, at cost (1,080, 1,201 and 1,190 shares at 6/30/2017, 12/31/16 and 6/30/2016, respectively)(40,945) (45,383) (44,970)
Treasury shares, at cost (1,079, 1,201 and 1,195 shares at 9/30/2017, 12/31/16 and 9/30/2016, respectively)(40,905) (45,383) (45,130)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(11,993) (12,468) (17,094)(9,682) (12,468) (17,305)
Retained earnings570,406
 609,206
 606,177
568,438
 609,206
 603,556
Total shareholders’ equity of The Andersons, Inc.739,825
 774,361
 763,698
741,761
 774,361
 762,543
Noncontrolling interests7,967
 16,336
 19,405
8,050
 16,336
 17,624
Total equity747,792
 790,697
 783,103
749,811
 790,697
 780,167
Total liabilities and equity$1,911,425
 $2,232,849
 $2,107,415
$1,964,160
 $2,232,849
 $1,984,411
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$993,662
 $1,064,244
 $1,845,678
 $1,952,123
$836,595
 $859,612
 $2,682,273
 $2,811,735
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues905,828
 967,202
 1,681,386
 1,787,326
766,924
 782,597
 2,448,310
 2,569,923
Gross profit87,834
 97,042
 164,292
 164,797
69,671
 77,015
 233,963
 241,812
Operating, administrative and general expenses69,928
 75,405
 151,875
 155,286
68,456
 78,767
 220,331
 234,053
Goodwill impairment42,000
 
 42,000
 

 
 42,000
 
Interest expense5,988
 6,554
 12,088
 13,605
5,384
 4,441
 17,472
 18,046
Other income (loss):       
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net6,385
 2,344
 4,507
 (4,633)
Other income:       
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net3,586
 8,422
 8,093
 3,789
Other income, net4,632
 5,682
 12,529
 8,928
5,588
 2,216
 18,117
 11,144
Income (loss) before income taxes(19,065) 23,109
 (24,635) 201
5,005
 4,445
 (19,630) 4,646
Income tax provision (benefit)7,652
 7,668
 5,117
 382
Income tax provision2,389
 1,104
 7,505
 1,486
Net income (loss)(26,717) 15,441
 (29,752) (181)2,616
 3,341
 (27,135) 3,160
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests(64) 1,018
 (10) 92
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interests83
 1,619
 73
 1,711
Net income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.$(26,653) $14,423
 $(29,742) $(273)$2,533
 $1,722
 $(27,208) $1,449
Per common share:              
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders$(0.94) $0.51
 $(1.05) $(0.01)$0.09
 $0.06
 $(0.96) $0.05
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc. common shareholders$(0.94) $0.51
 $(1.05) $(0.01)$0.09
 $0.06
 $(0.96) $0.05
Dividends declared$0.160
 $0.155
 $0.320
 $0.310
$0.160
 $0.155
 $0.480
 $0.465
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
 
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Net income (loss)$(26,717) $15,441
 $(29,752) $(181)$2,616
 $3,341
 $(27,135) $3,160
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:              
Change in fair value of debt securities (net of income tax of $0, $0, $0 and $74)
 
 
 (126)
Change in unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service cost (net of income tax of $(628), $653, $(635) and $663 - Note 8)(988) 1,121
 (998) 1,294
Change in fair value of convertible preferred securities (net of income tax of $134, $0, $134 and $74)211
 
 211
 (126)
Change in unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service cost (net of income tax (benefit) of $(64), $53, $(699) and $716 - Note 8)(101) 87
 (1,099) 1,381
Foreign currency translation adjustments (net of income tax of $0, $0, $0 and $0)959
 52
 1,473
 2,557
2,201
 (298) 3,674
 2,259
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $0, $36, $0, and $72)
 60
 
 120
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $0, $0, $0, and $72)
 
 
 120
Other comprehensive income (loss)(29) 1,233
 475
 3,845
2,311
 (211) 2,786
 3,634
Comprehensive income (loss)(26,746) 16,674
 (29,277) 3,664
4,927
 3,130
 (24,349) 6,794
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests(64) 1,018
 (10) 92
83
 1,619
 73
 1,711
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.$(26,682) $15,656
 $(29,267) $3,572
$4,844
 $1,511
 $(24,422) $5,083
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)(In thousands)
Six months ended June 30,Nine months ended September 30,
2017 20162017 2016
Operating Activities      
Net income (loss)$(29,752) $(181)$(27,135) $3,160
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash used in operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization42,878
 41,379
64,546
 62,244
Bad debt expense839
 491
1,076
 789
Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliates, net of dividends(3,793) 7,181
(2,168) 12,804
Gains on sale of facilities and investments in affiliates(4,701) (685)
Gains on sale of Rail Group assets and related leases(4,984) (4,725)(7,642) (6,366)
Deferred income taxes(628) (1,601)
Gains on sale of assets(11,443) (826)
Stock-based compensation expense2,935
 3,696
4,550
 5,542
Goodwill impairment expense42,000
 
Goodwill impairment42,000
 
Other(2,339) 234
(610) (7)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable13,086
 (43,650)(334) (5,425)
Inventories213,064
 224,368
200,667
 283,158
Commodity derivatives27,670
 (60,443)16,073
 12,592
Other assets10,629
 35,612
10,422
 36,536
Payables and other accrued expenses(352,133) (396,037)(229,268) (362,855)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities(45,229) (194,361)60,734
 41,346
Investing Activities      
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired(3,507) 
(3,507) 
Purchases of Rail Group assets(66,506) (27,504)(77,513) (57,979)
Proceeds from sale of Rail Group assets9,390
 10,397
18,368
 44,061
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and capitalized software(15,976) (34,443)(26,705) (56,138)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment646
 173
Proceeds from sale of assets26,601
 69,673
Proceeds from returns of investments in affiliates
 15,013
1,339
 7,443
Proceeds from sale of facilities and investments13,788
 54,330
Purchase of investments(2,429) (2,523)(4,929) (2,523)
Other437
 (538)1,470
 260
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(64,157) 14,905
(64,876) 4,797
Financing Activities      
Net change in short-term borrowings93,941
 164,000
(11,059) (15,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt15,175
 77,564
35,175
 78,199
Proceeds from long-term financing arrangement10,396
 
12,195
 14,027
Payments of long-term debt(42,849) (85,177)(54,326) (91,393)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest owner
 (3,400)
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares to employees and directors473
 1,282
450
 1,159
Payments of debt issuance costs(2,024) (309)(2,024) (309)
Dividends paid(8,984) (8,679)(13,485) (13,020)
Other(438) (1,592)(936) (1,998)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities65,690
 147,089
(34,010) (31,735)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents(43,696) (32,367)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(38,152) 14,408
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period62,630
 63,750
62,630
 63,750
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$18,934
 $31,383
$24,478
 $78,158
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The Andersons, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity
(Unaudited)(In thousands, except per share data)
Common
Shares
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Treasury
Shares
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 Total
Common
Shares
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Treasury
Shares
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 Total
Balance at December 31, 2015$96
 $222,848
 $(52,902) $(20,939) $615,151
 $19,485
 $783,739
$96
 $222,848
 $(52,902) $(20,939) $615,151
 $19,485
 $783,739
Net income (loss)        (273) 92
 (181)        1,449
 1,711
 3,160
Other comprehensive income (loss)      3,845
     3,845
      3,634
     3,634
Cash distribution to noncontrolling interest          (3,400) (3,400)
Other change in noncontrolling interest          (172) (172)          (172) (172)
Stock awards, stock option exercises and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $424 (207 shares)  (3,379) 7,932
       4,553
Dividends declared ($0.31 per common share)        (8,681)   (8,681)
Stock awards, stock option exercises and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $471 (202 shares)  (1,542) 7,772
       6,230
Dividends declared ($0.465 per common share)        (13,024)   (13,024)
Restricted share award dividend equivalents  20
     (20)   
  20
     (20)   
Balance at June 30, 2016$96
 $219,489
 $(44,970) $(17,094) $606,177
 $19,405
 $783,103
Balance at September 30, 2016$96
 $221,326
 $(45,130) $(17,305) $603,556
 $17,624
 $780,167
                          
Balance at December 31, 2016$96
 $222,910
 $(45,383) $(12,468) $609,206
 $16,336
 $790,697
$96
 $222,910
 $(45,383) $(12,468) $609,206
 $16,336
 $790,697
Net income (loss)        (29,742) (10) (29,752)        (27,208) 73
 (27,135)
Other comprehensive income (loss)      475
     475
      2,786
     2,786
Other change in noncontrolling interest          (8,359) (8,359)          (8,359) (8,359)
Stock awards, stock option exercises and other shares issued to employees and directors, net of income tax of $(323) (122 shares)  (654) 4,386
       3,732
  899
 4,426
       5,325
Dividends declared ($0.32 per common share)        (9,001)   (9,001)
Dividends declared ($0.48 per common share)        (13,503)   (13,503)
Restricted share award dividend equivalents  5
 52
   (57)   
  5
 52
   (57)   
Balance at June 30, 2017$96
 $222,261
 $(40,945) $(11,993) $570,406
 $7,967
 $747,792
Balance at September 30, 2017$96
 $223,814
 $(40,905) $(9,682) $568,438
 $8,050
 $749,811
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


The Andersons, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)


1. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of The Andersons, Inc. and its wholly owned and controlled subsidiaries (the “Company”). All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Investments in unconsolidated entities in which the Company has significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal and recurring items considered necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the periods indicated have been made. The results in these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017. An unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of JuneSeptember 30, 2016 has been included as the Company operates in several seasonal industries. Certain prior year amounts within the operating and investing activities sections of the statements of cash flows have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data at December 31, 2016 was derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in The Andersons, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “2016 Form 10-K”).
New Accounting Standards
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers.Customers (Topic 606). The FASB issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016, and December 2016 within ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10 ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, respectively.  The core principle of the new revenue modelstandard is that an entity recognizes revenue from the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. These standards areThe new revenue standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company plans to adopt the standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective methodmethod. The adoption of adoptionthis new guidance will require expanded disclosures in the Company’s consolidated financial statements including separate quantitative disclosure of revenues within the scope of Topic 606 and does not plan to early adopt.revenues excluded from the scope of Topic 606.
Our evaluation of these standards, which includes reviewing representative samples of customer contracts, considers the amount and timing of revenues recognized, financial statement presentation, and required disclosures.
While we are still continuing to evaluate the potential future impact of these standards on our financial statements, we believe the following items maywill be impacted upon adoption:
- Methodology for recognizing certainMany of the Company's Grain and Ethanol sales contracts are considered derivatives under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and therefore are outside the scope of Topic 606;
- Certain fee-based arrangements within our Grain and Ethanol segments;segments will be classified as reductions to our cost of sales rather than revenue. However, we do not expect a material change to the timing of when these fees are recognized in our financial statements.
In addition, we are still evaluating the following areas to determine the potential changes, if any, upon adoption:
- Determination of whether we are the principal or agent for certain revenue streams within several of our segments;
- Methodology for recognizing gains on certain sale transactions within our Rail segment.
Our evaluation of these standards, which includes reviewing representative samples of customer contracts, considers the amount and timing of revenues recognized, financial statement presentation, and required disclosures.
Leasing
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 supersedes the current accounting for leases. The new standard, while retaining two distinct types of leases, finance and operating, (i) requires lessees to record a

right of use asset and a related liability for the rights and obligations associated with a lease, regardless of lease classification, and recognize lease expense in a manner similar to current accounting, (ii) eliminates current real estate specific lease provisions, (iii) modifies the lease classification criteria and (iv) aligns many of the underlying lessor model principles with those in the new revenue standard. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within. Early adoption is permitted, however the Company does not plan to early adopt. Entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach when transitioning to ASU 2016-02 for leases that exist as of or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements.
The Company expects this standard to have the effect of bringing substantially all of thecertain off balance-sheet rail assets currently in nonrecourse financing deals noted in Item 2 of Form 10-Q onto the balance sheet along with a corresponding liability for the

associated obligations. Additionally, we have other arrangements currently classified as operating leases which will be recorded as a right of use asset and corresponding liability on the balance sheet. The magnitude ofWe are currently evaluating the impact these items is substantially less than the rail assets thatchanges will be recordedhave on the balance sheet. We expect any impact to the statement of operations to be minimal post adoption.consolidated financial statements.
Other applicable standards
In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12 Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This standard simplifies the recognition and presentation of changes in the fair value of hedging instruments. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect the impact from adoption of this standard to be material to its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-09 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. This standard states that if the vesting conditions, fair value, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification an entity would not apply modification accounting. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, however the Company has not chosen to do so at this time. The Company does not expect the impact from adoption of this standard to be material.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07 Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This standard requires that the service cost component be reported in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the employees during the period. The other components of net benefit costs should be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of income from operations if that subtotal is presented. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluatingdoes not expect the impact from adoption of this standard will have onto be material to its Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This update removes the requirement to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. The ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted, and the Company elected to implement this standard in the current quarter.second quarter of 2017.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This standard clarifies how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. At adoption, the Company will elect to continue classifying distributions from equity method investments using the cumulative earnings approach which is consistent with current practice.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This update changes the accounting for credit losses on loans and held-to-maturity debt securities and requires a current expected credit loss (CECL) approach to determine the allowance for credit losses. This includes allowances for trade receivables. The Company has not historically incurred significant credit losses and does not currently anticipate circumstances that would lead to a CECL approach differing from the Company's existing allowance estimates in a material way. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, however the Company does not plan to do so.

In January, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This standard provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not expect the impact from adoption of this standard to be material to currently held financial assets and liabilities.



2. Inventories
Major classes of inventories are as follows:
(in thousands)June 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 June 30,
2016
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Grain$373,863
 $495,139
 $348,757
$342,837
 $495,139
 $262,165
Ethanol and co-products14,041
 10,887
 15,298
12,502
 10,887
 7,734
Plant nutrients and cob products69,365
 150,259
 91,227
114,131
 150,259
 126,922
Retail merchandise906
 20,678
 25,161
718
 20,678
 24,985
Railcar repair parts5,030
 5,784
 5,793
5,414
 5,784
 5,948
$463,205
 $682,747
 $486,236
$475,602
 $682,747
 $427,754

Inventories on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016 do not include 0.81.0 million, 0.9 million and 4.01.0 million bushels of grain, respectively, held in storage for others. The Company does not have title to the grain and is only liable for any deficiencies in grade or shortage of quantity that may arise during the storage period. Management has not experienced historical losses on any deficiencies and does not anticipate material losses in the future.

3. Property, Plant and Equipment
The components of Property, plant and equipment, net are as follows:
(in thousands)June 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 June 30,
2016
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Land$23,566
 $30,672
 $28,472
$23,342
 $30,672
 $28,473
Land improvements and leasehold improvements71,236
 79,631
 77,849
71,559
 79,631
 82,908
Buildings and storage facilities298,077
 322,856
 290,528
298,951
 322,856
 319,950
Machinery and equipment382,321
 392,418
 374,107
384,422
 392,418
 393,178
Construction in progress7,372
 12,784
 51,672
7,703
 12,784
 21,284
782,572
 838,361
 822,628
785,977
 838,361
 845,793
Less: accumulated depreciation359,530
 388,309
 375,361
366,629
 388,309
 385,546
$423,042
 $450,052
 $447,267
$419,348
 $450,052
 $460,247
Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment was $24.1$36.0 million and $23.8$35.7 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment was $12.0$11.9 million and $11.6$12.0 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
In December 2016, the Company recorded charges totaling $6.0 million for impairment of property, plant and equipment in the Retail business. This does not include $0.5 million of impairment charges related to software. The Company wrote down the value of these assets to the extent their carrying amounts exceeded fair value. The Company classified the significant assumptions used to determine fair value of the impaired assets as Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.
In December 2016, the Company also recorded charges totaling $2.3 million for impairment of property, plant and equipment in the Plant Nutrient segment due to the closing of a cob facility.
Rail Group Assets
The components of Rail Group assets leased to others are as follows:
(in thousands)June 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 June 30,
2016
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Rail Group assets leased to others$482,524
 $431,571
 $442,239
$484,214
 $431,571
 $438,211
Less: accumulated depreciation107,432
 104,376
 102,103
106,821
 104,376
 103,810
$375,092
 $327,195
 $340,136
$377,393
 $327,195
 $334,401

Depreciation expense on Rail Group assets leased to others amounted to $9.7$14.9 million and $9.3$14.0 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, depreciation expense on Rail Group assets leased to others amounted to $5.0$5.2 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

4. Debt
On April 13, 2017, the Company amended its line of credit agreement with a syndicate of banks. The amended agreement provides for a credit facility in the amount of $800 million. Total borrowing capacity for the Company under all lines of credit is currently at $820.0 million, including $20.0 million of debt of The Andersons Denison Ethanol LLC ("TADE"), which is non-recourse to the Company. At JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the Company had a total of $633.5$718.5 million available for borrowing under its lines of credit. The Company's borrowing capacity is reduced by a combination of outstanding borrowings and letters of credit. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of JuneSeptember 30, 2017.
The Company’s short-term and long-term debt at JuneSeptember 30, 2017December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016 consisted of the following:
(in thousands)June 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 June 30,
2016
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Short-term Debt – Non-Recourse$
 $
 $
$
 $
 $
Short-term Debt - Recourse$124,000
 $29,000
 $179,404
Short-term Debt – Recourse19,000
 29,000
 
Total Short-term Debt124,000
 29,000
 179,404
$19,000
 $29,000
 $
          
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt – Non-Recourse
 
 
$
 $
 $
Current Maturities of Long-term Debt – Recourse62,482
 47,545
 53,720
53,972
 47,545
 51,520
Total Current Maturities of Long-term Debt62,482
 47,545
 53,720
$53,972
 $47,545
 $51,520
          
Long-term Debt, Less: Current Maturities – Non-Recourse
 
 
$
 $
 $
Long-term Debt, Less: Current Maturities – Recourse354,066
 397,065
 398,746
371,315
 397,065
 395,559
Total Long-term Debt, Less: Current Maturities$354,066
 $397,065
 $398,746
$371,315
 $397,065
 $395,559

5. Derivatives
The Company’s operating results are affected by changes to commodity prices. The Grain and Ethanol businesses have established “unhedged” position limits (the amount of a commodity, either owned or contracted for, that does not have an offsetting derivative contract to lock in the price). To reduce the exposure to market price risk on commodities owned and forward grain and ethanol purchase and sale contracts, the Company enters into exchange traded commodity futures and options contracts and over-the-counter forward and option contracts with various counterparties. These contracts are primarily traded via the regulated Chicago Mercantile Exchange ("CME"). The Company’s forward purchase and sales contracts are for physical delivery of the commodity in a future period. Contracts to purchase commodities from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of commodities to processors or other commercial consumers generally do not extend beyond one year.

All of these contracts meet the definition of derivatives. While the Company considers its commodity contracts to be effective economic hedges, the Company does not designate or account for its commodity contracts as hedges as defined under current accounting standards. The Company accounts for its commodity derivatives at estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of the commodity derivative contracts that require the receipt or posting of cash collateral is recorded on a net basis (offset against cash collateral posted or received, also known as margin deposits) within commodity derivative assets or liabilities. Management determines fair value based on exchange-quoted prices and in the case of its forward purchase and sale contracts, estimated fair value is adjusted for differences in local markets and non-performance risk. For contracts for which physical delivery occurs, balance sheet classification is based on estimated delivery date. For futures, options and over-the-counter contracts in which physical delivery is not expected to occur but, rather, the contract is expected to be net settled, the Company classifies these contracts as current or noncurrent assets or liabilities, as appropriate, based on the Company’s expectations as to when such contracts will be settled.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses in the value of commodity contracts (whether due to changes in commodity prices, changes in performance or credit risk, or due to sale, maturity or extinguishment of the commodity contract) and grain inventories are included in cost of sales and merchandising revenues.


Generally accepted accounting principles permit a party to a master netting arrangement to offset fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments against the right to reclaim cash collateral or obligation to return cash collateral under the same master netting arrangement. The Company has master netting arrangements for its exchange traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter contracts. When the Company enters into a futures, option or an over-the-counter contract, an initial margin deposit may be required by the counterparty. The amount of the margin deposit varies by commodity. If the market price of a futures, option or an over-the-counter contract moves in a direction that is adverse to the Company’s position, an additional margin deposit, called a maintenance margin, is required. The margin deposit assets and liabilities are included in short-term commodity derivative assets or liabilities, as appropriate, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table presents at JuneSeptember 30, 2017December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, a summary of the estimated fair value of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments that require cash collateral and the associated cash posted/received as collateral. The net asset or liability positions of these derivatives (net of their cash collateral) are determined on a counterparty-by-counterparty basis and are included within current or noncurrent commodity derivative assets (or liabilities) on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016
(in thousands)
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
 
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
 
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
 
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
 
Net
derivative
asset
position
 
Net
derivative
liability
position
Collateral paid (received)$15,452
 $
 $28,273
 $
 $38,252
 $(480)$27,737
 $
 $28,273
 $
 $13,358
 $
Fair value of derivatives(12,835) 
 1,599
 
 13,491
 1,480
(999) 
 1,599
 
 16,258
 
Balance at end of period$2,617
 $
 $29,872
 $
 $51,743
 $1,000
$26,738
 $
 $29,872
 $
 $29,616
 $

The following table presents, on a gross basis, current and noncurrent commodity derivative assets and liabilities:
June 30, 2017September 30, 2017
(in thousands)Commodity Derivative Assets - Current Commodity Derivative Assets - Noncurrent Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Current Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Noncurrent TotalCommodity Derivative Assets - Current Commodity Derivative Assets - Noncurrent Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Current Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Noncurrent Total
Commodity derivative assets$26,101
 $1,201
 $4,404
 $2
 $31,708
$33,804
 $288
 $676
 $74
 $34,842
Commodity derivative liabilities(29,934) (10) (22,508) (336) (52,788)(16,339) (43) (39,254) (976) (56,612)
Cash collateral15,452
 
 
 
 15,452
27,737
 
 
 
 27,737
Balance sheet line item totals$11,619
 $1,191
 $(18,104) $(334) $(5,628)$45,202
 $245
 $(38,578) $(902) $5,967
 December 31, 2016
(in thousands)Commodity Derivative Assets - Current Commodity Derivative Assets - Noncurrent Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Current Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Noncurrent Total
Commodity derivative assets$36,146
 $140
 $1,447
 $6
 $37,739
Commodity derivative liabilities(18,972) (40) (24,614) (345) (43,971)
Cash collateral28,273
 
 
 
 28,273
Balance sheet line item totals$45,447
 $100
 $(23,167) $(339) $22,041
June 30, 2016September 30, 2016
(in thousands)Commodity Derivative Assets - Current Commodity Derivative Assets - Noncurrent Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Current Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Noncurrent TotalCommodity Derivative Assets - Current Commodity Derivative Assets - Noncurrent Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Current Commodity Derivative Liabilities - Noncurrent Total
Commodity derivative assets$134,504
 $2,095
 $5,925
 $84
 $142,608
$60,372
 $1,356
 $3,318
 $58
 $65,104
Commodity derivative liabilities(56,832) (161) (48,628) (2,266) (107,887)(13,893) (10) (63,088) (2,012) (79,003)
Cash collateral38,252
 
 (480) 
 37,772
13,358
 
 
 
 13,358
Balance sheet line item totals$115,924
 $1,934
 $(43,183) $(2,182) $72,493
$59,837
 $1,346
 $(59,770) $(1,954) $(541)


The gains and losses included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and the line items in which they are located are as follows:
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Gains (losses) on commodity derivatives included in cost of sales and merchandising revenues$(41,873) $34,800
 $(14,848) $25,941
$(690) $(48,620) $(15,538) $(22,679)
The Company had the following volume of commodity derivative contracts outstanding (on a gross basis) at JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016:
June 30, 2017September 30, 2017
Commodity (in thousands)
Number of Bushels Number of Gallons Number of Pounds Number of TonsNumber of Bushels Number of Gallons Number of Pounds Number of Tons
Non-exchange traded:              
Corn184,197
 
 
 
222,287
 
 
 
Soybeans31,532
 
 
 
44,463
 
 
 
Wheat7,340
 
 
 
8,598
 
 
 
Oats41,526
 
 
 
36,451
 
 
 
Ethanol
 256,518
 
 

 201,521
 

 
Corn oil
 
 4,658
 

 
 5,782
 
Other90
 500
 
 100
51
 
 

 110
Subtotal264,685
 257,018
 4,658
 100
311,850
 201,521
 5,782
 110
Exchange traded:              
Corn94,895
 
 
 
113,990
 
 
 
Soybeans27,470
 
 
 
45,220
 
 
 
Wheat43,925
 
 
 
61,795
 
 
 
Oats2,290
 
 
 
895
 
 
 
Ethanol
 3,990
 
 

 22,890
 
 
Other
 840
 
 60

 840
 
 
Subtotal168,580
 4,830
 
 60
221,900
 23,730
 
 
Total433,265
 261,848
 4,658
 160
533,750
 225,251
 5,782
 110

 December 31, 2016
Commodity (in thousands)
Number of Bushels Number of Gallons Number of Pounds Number of Tons
Non-exchange traded:       
Corn175,549
 
 
 
Soybeans20,592
 
 
 
Wheat7,177
 
 
 
Oats36,025
 
 
 
Ethanol
 215,081
 
 
Corn oil
 
 9,358
 
Other108
 1,144
 
 110
Subtotal239,451
 216,225
 9,358
 110
Exchange traded:       
Corn63,225
 
 
 
Soybeans39,005
 
 
 
Wheat45,360
 
 
 
Oats4,120
 
 
 
Ethanol
 78,120
 
 
Subtotal151,710
 78,120
 
 
Total391,161
 294,345
 9,358
 110
June 30, 2016September 30, 2016
Commodity (in thousands)
Number of Bushels Number of Gallons Number of Pounds Number of TonsNumber of Bushels Number of Gallons Number of Pounds Number of Tons
Non-exchange traded:              
Corn242,269
 
 
 
226,492
 
 
 
Soybeans52,599
 
 
 
60,614
 
 
 
Wheat13,100
 
 
 
7,933
 
 
 
Oats30,722
 
 
 
28,939
 
 
 
Ethanol
 130,464
 
 

 191,906
 
 
Corn oil
 
 13,800
 

 
 7,153
 
Other17
 
 
 128
129
 
 
 251
Subtotal338,707
 130,464
 13,800
 128
324,107
 191,906
 7,153
 251
Exchange traded:              
Corn148,665
 
 
 
105,395
 
 
 
Soybeans46,570
 
 
 
35,245
 
 
 
Wheat22,790
 
 
 
39,715
 
 
 
Oats2,820
 
 
 
2,800
 
 
 
Ethanol
 36,540
 
 

 74,046
 
 
Subtotal220,845
 36,540
 
 
183,155
 74,046
 
 
Total559,552
 167,004
 13,800
 128
507,262
 265,952
 7,153
 251

At JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, the Company had recorded the following amounts for the fair value of the Company's interest rate derivatives:
other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016
(in thousands)  
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments     
Interest rate contracts included in other long-term liabilities$(2,158) $(2,530) $(5,422)
Total fair value of interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments$(2,158) $(2,530) $(5,422)
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016
(in thousands)  
Interest rate contracts included in Other long-term liabilities$(1,929) $(2,530) $(4,774)
Foreign currency contracts included in Other current assets (Accrued expenses and other current liabilities)1,605
 (112) 1,130
The gains and losses included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and the line item in which they are located for interest rate derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:
 Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
Interest income (expense)$(17) $(694) $372
 $(2,294)
The Company also has foreign currency derivatives which are considered effective economic hedges of specified economic risks but which are not designated as accounting hedges. At June 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, the Company had recorded the following amounts for the fair value of the Company's foreign currency derivatives:
 June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016
(in thousands)  
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments     
Foreign currency contracts included in short-term assets (liabilities)$654
 $(112) $1,391
Total fair value of foreign currency contract derivatives not designated as hedging instruments$654
 $(112) $1,391
The gains and losses included in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations and the line item in which they are located for foreign currency contract derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Foreign currency derivative gains included in Other income, net$669
 $(87) $767
 $1,391
Interest rate derivative gains (losses) included in Interest income (expense)$229
 $652
 $601
 $(1,642)
Foreign currency derivative gains (losses) included in Other income, net950
 (261) 1,717
 (1,130)


6. Employee Benefit Plans

The following are components of the net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement benefit plans maintained by the Company for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016:
Pension BenefitsPension Benefits
(in thousands)Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Service cost$
 $
 $
 $
Interest cost39
 48
 78
 97
38
 49
 116
 145
Recognized net actuarial loss63
 37
 126
 73
63
 36
 189
 109
Benefit cost$102
 $85
 $204
 $170
$101
 $85
 $305
 $254

Postretirement BenefitsPostretirement Benefits
(in thousands)Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Service cost$106
 $167
 $229
 $380
$81
 $190
 $310
 $570
Interest cost282
 370
 582
 775
202
 387
 784
 1,162
Amortization of prior service cost
 (89) 
 (177)(228) (88) (228) (266)
Recognized net actuarial loss
 149
 
 384

 192
 
 576
Benefit cost$388
 $597
 $811
 $1,362
$55
 $681
 $866
 $2,042

7. Income Taxes

On a quarterly basis, the Company estimates the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year and makes changes if necessary based on new information or events. The estimated annual effective tax rate is forecast based on actual historical information and forward-looking estimates and is used to provide for income taxes in interim reporting periods. The Company also recognizes the tax impact of certain unusual or infrequently occurring items, such as the effects of changes in tax laws or rates and impacts from settlements with tax authorities, discretely in the quarter in which they occur. Additionally, the annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate of 35%primarily due to the impact of state income taxes, the tax benefit related to railroad track maintenance credit transactions,impact of foreign equity earnings and to benefits or costs related to various permanent book toversus tax differences and tax credits.

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the Company recorded income tax expense of $7.7$2.4 million at an effective tax rate of (40.1)%47.7%, which varied from the U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to a 6.7% increase in the recordingrate related to the reversal of a $42.0 million goodwill impairment charge which did not provide a correspondingpreviously recorded railroad track maintenance tax benefit.credit benefits and tax charges related to non-deductible

expenses. For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $7.7$1.1 million at an effective tax rate of 33.2%24.8%.

For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the Company recorded income tax expense of $5.1$7.5 million at an effective tax rate of (20.8)(38.2)%, which varied from the U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to the recording of the $42.0 million goodwill impairment charge noted above.which did not provide a corresponding tax benefit. For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2016, the Company recorded income tax expense of $0.4$1.5 million at an effective tax rate of 189.6% which varied from the U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to a 174.7% discrete tax charge related to state income taxes.32.0%.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the company agreed to a state income tax assessment that had been under appeal. The related $0.3 million reserve for unrecognized tax benefits has been reclassified as currently payable state income tax.


8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following tables summarize the after-tax components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016:

  Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (a)
  Three months ended September 30, 2017 Nine months ended September 30, 2017
(in thousands)Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Investment in Convertible Preferred Securities Defined Benefit Plan Items Total Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Investment in Convertible Preferred Securities Defined Benefit Plan Items Total
Beginning Balance$(9,529) $
 $(2,464) $(11,993) $(11,002) $
 $(1,466) $(12,468)
 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications2,201
 211
 41
 $2,453
 3,674
 211
 (957) 2,928
 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 (142) $(142) 
 
 (142) (142)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)2,201
 211
 (101) 2,311
 3,674
 211
 (1,099) 2,786
Ending balance$(7,328) $211
 $(2,565) $(9,682) $(7,328) $211
 $(2,565) $(9,682)
   Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (a)
   Three months ended June 30, 2017 Six months ended June 30, 2017
(in thousands) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Defined Benefit Plan Items Total Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Defined Benefit Plan Items Total
Beginning Balance $(10,488) $(1,476) $(11,964) $(11,002) $(1,466) $(12,468)
 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 959
 (988) (29) 1,473
 (998) 475
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 959
 (988) (29) 1,473
 (998) 475
Ending balance $(9,529) $(2,464) $(11,993) $(9,529) $(2,464) $(11,993)
 Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (a) Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (a)
 Three months ended June 30, 2016 Six months ended June 30, 2016 Three months ended September 30, 2016 Nine months ended September 30, 2016
(in thousands)(in thousands) Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Defined Benefit Plan Items Total Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Investment in Debt Securities Defined Benefit Plan Items Total(in thousands) Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Defined Benefit Plan Items Total Losses on Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Investment in Debt Securities Defined Benefit Plan Items Total
Beginning BalanceBeginning Balance $(51) $(9,536) $(8,740) $(18,327) $(111) $(12,041) $126
 $(8,913) $(20,939)Beginning Balance $9
 $(9,484) $(7,619) $(17,094) $(111) $(12,041) $126
 $(8,913) $(20,939)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 60
 52
 1,177
 1,289
 120
 2,557
 
 1,406
 4,083
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 
 (298) 143
 (155) 120
 2,259
 
 1,547
 3,926
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 
 
 (56) (56) 
 
 (126) (112) (238)Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 
 
 (56) (56) 
 
 (126) (166) (292)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 60
 52
 1,121
 1,233
 120
 2,557
 (126) 1,294
 3,845
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 
 (298) 87
 (211) 120
 2,259
 (126) 1,381
 3,634
Ending balanceEnding balance $9
 $(9,484) $(7,619) $(17,094) $9
 $(9,484) $
 $(7,619) $(17,094)Ending balance $9
 $(9,782) $(7,532) $(17,305) $9
 $(9,782) $
 $(7,532) $(17,305)
(a) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
There were no reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017.

The following table shows the reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016:
  Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)
(in thousands)Three months ended September 30, 2017 Nine months ended September 30, 2017
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented
Defined Benefit Plan Items        
     Amortization of prior-service cost (227) (b) (227) (b)
  (227) Total before tax (227) Total before tax
  85
 Income tax provision 85
 Income tax provision
  $(142) Net of tax $(142) Net of tax
         
Total reclassifications for the period $(142) Net of tax (142) Net of tax
 Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a) Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (a)
(in thousands)(in thousands)Three months ended June 30, 2016 Six months ended June 30, 2016(in thousands)Three months ended September 30, 2016 Nine months ended September 30, 2016
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Affected Line Item in the Statement Where Net Income Is Presented
Defined Benefit Plan Items          
Amortization of prior-service cost $(89) (b) $(177) (b) $(89) (b) $(266) (b)
 (89) Total before tax (177) Total before tax (89) Total before tax (266) Total before tax
 33
 Income tax provision 65
 Income tax provision 33
 Income tax provision 100
 Income tax provision
 $(56) Net of tax $(112) Net of tax $(56) Net of tax $(166) Net of tax
          
Other items          
Recognition of gain on sale of investment 
 (200) 
 
 Total before tax (200) Total before tax
�� Recognition of gain on sale of investment 
 (200) 
 
 Income tax provision 74
 Income tax provision 
 Total before tax (200) Total before tax
 
 Net of tax (126) Net of tax 
 Income tax provision 74
 Income tax provision
      
 Net of tax (126) Net of tax
          
Total reclassifications for the period $(56) Net of tax (238) Net of tax $(56) Net of tax (292) Net of tax
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate credits to profit/loss
(b) This accumulated other comprehensive loss component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 6).


9. Earnings Per Share
The Company’s non-vested restricted stock that was granted prior to March 2015 is considered a participating security since the share-based awards contain a non-forfeitable right to dividends irrespective of whether the awards ultimately vest. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for common stock and any participating securities according to dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and participation rights in undistributed earnings.
(in thousands, except per common share data)Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Net income (loss) attributable to The Andersons, Inc.$(26,653) $14,423
 $(29,742) $(273)$2,533
 $1,722
 $(27,208) $1,449
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stock
 8
 
 5

 2
 
 7
Earnings (losses) available to common shareholders$(26,653) $14,415
 $(29,742) $(278)$2,533
 $1,720
 $(27,208) $1,442
Earnings per share – basic:              
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic28,350
 28,227
 28,316
 28,164
28,350
 28,222
 28,327
 28,184
Earnings (losses) per common share – basic$(0.94) $0.51
 $(1.05) $(0.01)$0.09
 $0.06
 $(0.96) $0.05
Earnings per share – diluted:              
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic28,350
 28,227
 28,316
 28,164
28,350
 28,222
 28,327
 28,184
Effect of dilutive awards
 86
 
 
134
 140
 
 196
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted28,350
 28,313
 28,316
 28,164
28,484
 28,362
 28,327
 28,380
Earnings (losses) per common share – diluted$(0.94) $0.51
 $(1.05) $(0.01)$0.09
 $0.06
 $(0.96) $0.05
There were 43 thousand antidilutive stock-based awards outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2017. All outstanding share awards were antidilutive for the six and threenine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and for the six months ended June 30, 2016 as the Company experienced a net loss. There were no antidilutive stock-based awards outstanding for the three and nine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2016.

10. Fair Value Measurements
The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016:
(in thousands)June 30, 2017September 30, 2017
Assets (liabilities)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Restricted cash$1,033
 $
 $
 $1,033
Commodity derivatives, net (a)2,817
 (8,445) 
 (5,628)$26,738
 $(20,771) $
 $5,967
Provisionally priced contracts (b)(87,958) (30,779) 
 (118,737)(85,546) (33,944) 
 (119,490)
Convertible preferred securities (c)
 
 3,294
 3,294

 
 6,638
 6,638
Other assets and liabilities (d)10,155
 (2,158) 
 7,997
10,996
 (1,929) 
 9,067
Total$(73,953) $(41,382) $3,294
 $(112,041)$(47,812) $(56,644) $6,638
 $(97,818)
(in thousands)December 31, 2016
Assets (liabilities)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Restricted cash$471
 $
 $
 $471
Commodity derivatives, net (a)29,872
 (7,831) 
 22,041
Provisionally priced contracts (b)(105,321) (64,876) 
 (170,197)
Convertible preferred securities (c)
 
 3,294
 3,294
Other assets and liabilities (d)9,391
 (2,530) 
 6,861
Total$(65,587) $(75,237) $3,294
 $(137,530)
(in thousands)June 30, 2016September 30, 2016
Assets (liabilities)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 TotalLevel 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Cash equivalents$11,578
 $
 $
 $11,578
Restricted cash987
 
 
 987
$190
 $
 $
 $190
Commodity derivatives, net (a)48,412
 24,083
 
 72,495
34,620
 (35,161) 
 (541)
Provisionally priced contracts (b)(42,213) (18,495) 
 (60,708)(79,022) (20,500) 

 (99,522)
Convertible preferred securities (c)
 
 3,294
 3,294

 
 3,294
 3,294
Other assets and liabilities (d)6,080
 (5,426) 
 654
11,015
 (4,774) 
 6,241
Total$24,844
 $162
 $3,294
 $28,300
$(33,197) $(60,435) $3,294
 $(90,338)
 
(a)Includes associated cash posted/received as collateral
(b)Included in "Provisionally priced contracts" are those instruments based only on underlying futures values (Level 1) and delayed price contracts (Level 2)
(c)Recorded in “Other noncurrent assets” on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(d)Included in other assets and liabilities are deferred compensation assets, ethanol risk management contracts, and foreign exchange derivative contracts (Level 1), and interest rate derivatives (Level 2).

Level 1 commodity derivatives reflect the fair value of the exchange-traded futures and options contracts that the Company holds, net of the cash collateral that the Company has in its margin account.

The majority of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the market approach valuation technique. With the market approach, fair value is derived using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

The Company’s net commodity derivatives primarily consist of futures or options contracts via regulated exchanges and contracts with producers or customers under which the future settlement date and bushels (or gallons in the case of ethanol contracts) of commodities to be delivered (primarily wheat, corn, soybeans and ethanol) are fixed and under which the price may or may not be fixed. Depending on the specifics of the individual contracts, the fair value is derived from the futures or options prices on the CME or the New York Mercantile Exchange for similar commodities and delivery dates as well as observable quotes for local basis adjustments (the difference, which is attributable to local market conditions, between the quoted futures price and the local cash price). Because basis for a particular commodity and location typically has multiple quoted prices from other agribusinesses in the same geographical vicinity and is used as a common pricing mechanism in the

Agribusiness industry, we have concluded that basis is a Level 2 fair value input for purposes of the fair value disclosure requirements related to our commodity derivatives. Although nonperformance risk, both of the Company and the counterparty, is present in each of these commodity contracts and is a component of the estimated fair values, based on the Company’s historical experience with its producers and customers and the Company’s knowledge of their businesses, the Company does not view nonperformance risk to be a material input to fair value for these commodity contracts.

These fair value disclosures exclude physical grain inventories measured at net realizable value. The net realizable value used to measure the Company’s agricultural commodity inventories is the fair value (spot price of the commodity in an exchange), less cost of disposal and transportation based on the local market. This valuation would generally be considered Level 2. The amount is disclosed in Note 2. Changes in the net realizable value of commodity inventories are recognized as a component of cost of sales and merchandising revenues.

Provisionally priced contract liabilities are those for which the Company has taken ownership and possession of grain but the final purchase price has not been established. In the case of payables where the unpriced portion of the contract is limited to the futures price of the underlying commodity or the Company has delivered provisionally priced grain and a subsequent payable or receivable is set up for any futuresfuture changes in the grain price, quoted CBOT prices are used and the liability is deemed to be Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. For all other unpriced contracts which include variable futures and basis components, the amounts recorded for delayed price contracts are determined on the basis of local grain market prices at the balance sheet date and, as such, are deemed to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

The risk management contract liability allows related ethanol customers to effectively unprice the futures component of their inventory for a period of time, subjecting the bushels to market fluctuations. The Company records an asset or liability for the market value changes of the commodities over the life of the contracts based on quoted CBOT prices and as such, the balance is deemed to be Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

The Company’s stake in the Iowa Northern Railway Company ("IANR") was redeemed in the first quarter of 2016. The remaining convertible preferred securities are interests in twoseveral early-stage enterprises in the form of convertible debt securities with the possibility of conversion toand preferred equity under certain circumstances.securities.
A reconciliation of beginning and ending balances for the Company’s fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs is as follows:
Contingent Consideration Convertible SecuritiesContingent Consideration Convertible Preferred Securities
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Asset (liability) at January 1,$
 $(350) $3,294
 $13,550
$
 $(350) $3,294
 $13,550
Gains (losses) included in earnings
 190
 
 710

 190
 
 710
Sales proceeds
 
 
 (13,485)
 
 
 (13,485)
Asset (liability) at March 31,$
 $(160) $3,294
 $775
$
 $(160) $3,294
 $775
Gains (losses) included in earnings
 160
 
 19

 160
 
 19
New agreements
 
 
 2,500
New investments
 
 
 2,500
Asset (liability) at June 30,$

$

$3,294

$3,294
$

$

$3,294

$3,294
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income
 
 344
 
New investments
 
 3,000
 
Asset (liability) at September 30,$
 $
 $6,638
 $3,294

The following tables summarize quantitative information about the Company's Level 3 fair value measurements as of JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016:
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(in thousands)Fair Value as of June 30, 2017 Valuation Method Unobservable Input Weighted AverageFair Value as of September 30, 2017 Valuation Method Unobservable Input Weighted Average
Convertible Notes$3,294
 Cost Basis, Plus Interest N/A N/A
Convertible preferred securities (a)$6,638
 Implied based on market prices N/A N/A
(in thousands)Fair Value as of December 31, 2016 Valuation Method Unobservable Input Weighted AverageFair Value as of December 31, 2016 Valuation Method Unobservable Input Weighted Average
Convertible Notes$3,294
 Cost Basis, Plus Interest N/A N/A
  
Convertible preferred securities (a)$3,294
 Cost Basis, Plus Interest N/A N/A
Real Property$11,210
 Third-Party Appraisal N/A N/A$11,210
 Third-Party Appraisal N/A N/A

(in thousands)Fair Value as of June 30, 2016 Valuation Method Unobservable Input Weighted AverageFair Value as of September 30, 2016 Valuation Method Unobservable Input Weighted Average
Convertible Notes$3,294
 Cost Basis, Plus Interest N/A N/A
Convertible preferred securities (a)$3,294
 Cost Basis, Plus Interest N/A N/A
(a) Due to early stages of business and timing of investments, cost basis, plus interest was deemed to approximate fair value in prior periods. As the underlying enterprises have evolved additional market data is available to consider in order to estimate fair value.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated using quoted market prices or discounted future cash flows based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. As such, the Company has concluded that the fair value of long-term debt is considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
(in thousands)June 30,
2017

December 31,
2016
 June 30,
2016
September 30,
2017

December 31,
2016
 September 30,
2016
Fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities$423,316
 $450,940
 $472,714
$431,542
 $450,940
 $458,268
Fair value in excess of carrying value(a)2,612
 3,116
 16,498
2,389
 3,116
 7,714
(a) Carrying value used for this purpose excludes unamortized prepaid debt issuance costs
The fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying value as they are close to maturity.

11. Related Party Transactions
Equity Method Investments
The Company, directly or indirectly, holds investments in companies that are accounted for under the equity method. The Company’s equity in these entities is presented at cost plus its accumulated proportional share of income or loss, less any distributions it has received.
The following table presents the Company’s investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity:
(in thousands)June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC$40,829
 $38,972
 $34,133
$42,302
 $38,972
 $36,661
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC19,903
 19,739
 30,088
17,837
 19,739
 21,340
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC14,045
 22,069
 31,158
12,390
 22,069
 23,812
Lansing Trade Group, LLC89,235
 89,050
 90,884
89,541
 89,050
 91,573
Thompsons Limited (a)49,252
 46,184
 47,948
50,399
 46,184
 47,494
Other2,530
 917
 4,267
2,562
 917
 4,234
Total$215,794
 $216,931
 $238,478
$215,031
 $216,931
 $225,114
(a) Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures
On January 1, 2017, The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC (“TAEI”) was merged with and into The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC (“TAME”). The Company had owned (66%) of TAEI, which, in turn, had owned 50% of TAME. Pursuant to the merger, the Company’s ownership units in TAEI were canceled and converted into ownership units in TAME. As a result, the Company now directly owns 33% of the outstanding ownership units of TAME.
Prior to this transaction, the noncontrolling interest in TAEI was attributed 33% of the gains and losses of TAME recorded by the Company in its equity in earnings of affiliates.

The following table summarizes income (loss) earned from the Company’s equity method investments by entity:
 Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)% Ownership at June 30, 2017 2017 2016 2017 2016% Ownership at September 30, 2017 2017 2016 2017 2016
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC55% $2,135
 $1,650
 $1,858
 $1,328
55% $1,473
 $2,528
 $3,331
 $3,857
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC39% 569
 1,889
 776
 810
39% 1,822
 2,706
 2,597
 3,516
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC33% 779
 1,712
 316
 (97)33% 985
 2,655
 1,301
 2,557
Lansing Trade Group, LLC33% (a) 896
 (5,333) 185
 (8,101)33% (a) 305
 689
 491
 (7,412)
Thompsons Limited (b)50% 2,081
 2,426
 1,486
 1,427
50% (940) (156) 546
 1,271
Other5% - 50% (75) 
 (114) 
5% - 50% (59) 
 (173) 
Total $6,385
 $2,344
 $4,507
 $(4,633) $3,586
 $8,422
 $8,093
 $3,789
 (a) This does not consider restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 0.6%
 (b) Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures

Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates were $0.6$7.1 million and $2.7$24.1 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, respectively.

In the secondthird quarter of 2016, The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC, The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC, The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC, Lansing Trade Group, and Thompsons Limited qualified as significant equity investees of the Company under the income test. The following table presents combined summarized unaudited financial information of these investments for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016:
(in thousands)Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues$1,380,361
 $1,340,809
 $3,002,406
 $3,029,680
$1,601,778
 $1,646,697
 $4,603,808
 $4,676,583
Gross profit58,812
 52,204
 97,728
 77,782
58,826
 50,141
 155,568
 127,963
Income from continuing operations16,328
 556
 11,518
 (17,568)9,501
 18,965
 15,507
 1,428
Net income (loss)13,421
 (2,051) 7,248
 (20,164)7,918
 17,217
 14,878
 (2,924)
Net income (loss) attributable to companies13,714
 (1,410) 7,972
 (19,122)9,545
 17,752
 15,781
 (1,347)

Investment in Debt Securities
The Company previously owned 100% of the cumulative convertible preferred shares of Iowa Northern Railway Company (“IANR”), which operates a short-line railroad in Iowa. In the first quarter of 2016, these shares were redeemed and the Company no longer has an ownership stake in this entity. See Footnote 10 for additional information on the effects of this transaction.


Related Party Transactions
In the ordinary course of business, the Company will enter into related party transactions with each of the investments described above, along with other related parties. The following table sets forth the related party transactions entered into for the time periods presented:
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Sales revenues$241,896
 $176,865
 $439,964
 $371,702
$225,367
 $177,724
 $665,331
 $549,426
Service fee revenues (a)9,410
 9,490
 14,036
 14,126
14,397
 3,800
 28,433
 13,290
Purchases of product167,904
 116,556
 302,411
 218,509
165,084
 128,081
 467,495
 346,590
Lease income (b)1,422
 1,994
 2,709
 3,861
1,850
 1,300
 4,559
 4,662
Labor and benefits reimbursement (c)6,863
 6,841
 10,553
 10,738
3,208
 2,862
 10,071
 9,702
Other expenses (d)
 
 
 149

 
 
 149
 
(a)Service fee revenues include management fees, corn origination fees, ethanol and distillers dried grains (DDG) marketing fees, and other commissions.
(b)Lease income includes the lease of the Company’s Albion, Michigan and Clymers, Indiana grain facilities as well as certain railcars to the various ethanol LLCs and IANR.
(c)The Company provides all operational labor to the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs and charges them an amount equal to the Company’s costs of the related services.
(d)
Other expenses include payments to IANR for repair facility rent and use of their railroad reporting mark, payment to LTG for the lease of railcars and other various expenses.
(in thousands)June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016
Accounts receivable (e)$25,673
 $26,254
 $20,685
$18,694
 $26,254
 $18,028
Accounts payable (f)25,590
 23,961
 10,022
27,413
 23,961
 15,352
(e)Accounts receivable represents amounts due from related parties for sales of corn, leasing revenue and service fees.
(f)Accounts payable represents amounts due to related parties for purchases of ethanol and other various items.

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol and other co-products that the Company purchased from the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs were $161.3$160.8 million and $111.3$109.3 million, respectively. Additionally, for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol and other co-products that the Company purchased from the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs were $284.5$445.4 million and $198.9$220.6 million, respectively.

For the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, revenues recognized for the sale of corn to the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs were $125.5$119.1 million and $105.6$90.4 million, respectively. For the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, revenues recognized for the sale of corn to the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs were $243.0$362.2 million and $224.1$314.5 million, respectively.

From time to time, the Company enters into derivative contracts with certain of its related parties, including the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs, LTG, and the Thompsons Limited joint ventures, for the purchase and sale of grain and ethanol, for similar price risk mitigation purposes and on similar terms as the purchase and sale of derivative contracts it enters into with unrelated parties. The fair value of derivative contract assets with related parties as of JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016 was $0.6$1.9 million, $4.1 million and $5.2$5.0 million, respectively. The fair value of derivative contract liabilities with related parties as of JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and JuneSeptember 30, 2016 was $0.7$0.1 million, $0.1 million and $1.0$0.2 million, respectively.

12. Segment Information
The Company’s operations include five reportable business segments that are distinguished primarily on the basis of products and services offered. The Grain business includes grain merchandising, the operation of terminal grain elevator facilities and the investments in LTG and Thompsons Limited. The Ethanol business purchases and sells ethanol and also manages the ethanol production facilities organized as limited liability companies, one is consolidated and three are investments accounted for under the equity method. The Company performs services under various contracts for these investments. Rail operations include the leasing, marketing and fleet management of railcars and other assets, railcar repair and metal fabrication. The Plant Nutrient business manufactures and distributes agricultural inputs, primarily fertilizer, to dealers and farmers, along with turf care and corncob-based products. The Retail business operates large retail stores, a distribution center, and a lawn and garden

equipment sales and service facility. The Retail business closed during the second quarter of 2017, and liquidation efforts are substantially complete. Included in “Other” are the corporate level costs not attributed to an operating segment.

The segment information below includes the allocation of expenses shared by one or more operating segments. Although management believes such allocations are reasonable, the operating information does not necessarily reflect how such data might appear if the segments were operated as separate businesses. Inter-segment sales are made at prices comparable to normal, unaffiliated customer sales. The Company does not have any customers who represent 10 percent or more of total revenues.
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Revenues from external customers              
Grain$488,447
 $522,989
 $966,975
 $1,061,803
$497,613
 $550,189
 $1,464,588
 $1,611,992
Ethanol187,831
 142,520
 341,984
 257,213
191,531
 139,413
 533,515
 396,626
Plant Nutrient264,736
 320,036
 411,323
 487,027
103,620
 101,770
 514,943
 588,797
Rail38,149
 40,342
 78,539
 79,951
43,093
 38,201
 121,632
 118,152
Retail14,499
 38,357
 46,857
 66,129
738
 30,039
 47,595
 96,168
Total$993,662
 $1,064,244
 $1,845,678
 $1,952,123
$836,595
 $859,612
 $2,682,273
 $2,811,735
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Inter-segment sales              
Grain$141
 $174
 $207
 $1,625
$72
 $7
 $279
 $1,632
Plant Nutrient70
 114
 241
 361

 61
 241
 422
Rail275
 355
 566
 734
327
 328
 893
 1,062
Total$486
 $643
 $1,014
 $2,720
$399
 $396
 $1,413
 $3,116
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Income (loss) before income taxes              
Grain$6,929
 $(13,037) $1,856
 $(30,442)$2,641
 $1,879
 $4,497
 $(28,563)
Ethanol4,660
 6,187
 6,376
 3,507
6,098
 9,541
 12,474
 13,048
Plant Nutrient(25,825) 23,535
 (19,154) 25,239
(7,920) (7,231) (27,074) 18,008
Rail5,860
 6,569
 11,938
 15,944
6,127
 6,754
 18,065
 22,698
Retail(6,718) 1,010
 (13,564) (1,066)4,424
 (1,578) (9,140) (2,644)
Other(3,907) (2,173) (12,077) (13,073)(6,448) (6,539) (18,525) (19,612)
Noncontrolling interests(64) 1,018
 (10) 92
83
 1,619
 73
 1,711
Total$(19,065) $23,109
 $(24,635) $201
$5,005
 $4,445
 $(19,630) $4,646
(in thousands)June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016
Identifiable assets     
Grain$783,316
 $961,114
 $879,055
Ethanol170,730
 171,115
 192,470
Plant Nutrient351,871
 484,455
 448,225
Rail448,417
 398,446
 388,456
Retail11,830
 31,257
 43,878
Other145,261
 186,462
 155,331
Total$1,911,425
 $2,232,849
 $2,107,415



(in thousands)September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2016
Identifiable assets     
Grain$799,655
 $961,114
 $721,412
Ethanol173,545
 171,115
 174,822
Plant Nutrient389,396
 484,455
 462,328
Rail446,884
 398,446
 383,631
Retail9,138
 31,257
 42,880
Other145,542
 186,462
 199,338
Total$1,964,160
 $2,232,849
 $1,984,411

13. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is party to litigation, or threats thereof, both as defendant and plaintiff with some regularity, although individual cases that are material in size occur infrequently. As a defendant, the Company establishes reserves for claimed amounts that are considered probable and capable of estimation. If those cases are resolved for lesser amounts, the excess reserves are taken into income and, conversely, if those cases are resolved for larger than the amount the Company has accrued, the Company records additional expense. The Company believes it is unlikely that the results of its current legal proceedings for which it is the defendant, even if unfavorable, will be material. As a plaintiff, amounts that are collected can also result in sudden, non-recurring income.
Litigation results depend upon a variety of factors, including the availability of evidence, the credibility of witnesses, the performance of counsel, the state of the law, and the impressions of judges and jurors, any of which can be critical in importance, yet difficult, if not impossible, to predict. Consequently, cases currently pending, or future matters, may result in unexpected, and non-recurring losses, or income, from time to time. Finally, litigation results are often subject to judicial reconsideration, appeal and further negotiation by the parties, and as a result, the final impact of a particular judicial decision may be unknown for some time, or may result in continued reserves to account for the potential of such post-verdict actions.
In the third quarter of 2017, the Company’s Plant Nutrient business recorded a $2.2 million reserve for settlement of a 2015 legal claim. The case regarded allegations that the Plant Nutrient business had improperly acquired another company’s confidential and proprietary intellectual property in connection with hiring a former employee of the plaintiff. Information obtained through the course of discovery, and completed during the third quarter, and anticipated legal costs, in conjunction with the preparation for the planned mediation scheduled for October, 2017, led management to conclude that a loss was probable and reasonably estimable. In October, settlement was finalized at the reserve amount.
Prior to the settlement, substantially all the Company’s legal expenses were paid by a liability insurance carrier.
The estimated range of loss for all other outstanding claims that are considered reasonably possible is not material.
Build-to-Suit Lease
In August, 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement with an initial term of 15 years for a build-to-suit facility to be used as the new corporate headquarters which was completed in the third quarter of 2016. Since the Company is deemed to be the owner of this facility for accounting purposes during the construction period, it has recognized an asset and a corresponding financing obligation.
The Company has recorded a build-to-suit financing obligation in other long-term liabilities of $23.9$24.7 million, $14.0 million, and $13.0$13.7 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016, and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, respectively. The Company has recorded a build-to-suit financing obligation in other current liabilities of $0.8$1.4 million, $0.9 million, and $1.5$1.3 million at JuneSeptember 30, 2017, December 31, 2016, and JuneSeptember 30, 2016, respectively.

14. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Certain supplemental cash flow information, including noncash investing and financing activities for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:
Six months ended June 30,Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information      
Interest paid$12,430
 $9,567
$20,356
 $18,008
Noncash investing and financing activity      
Capital projects incurred but not yet paid$3,695
 $9,653
6,319
 13,104
Investment merger (decreasing equity method investments and non-controlling interest)8,360
 
8,360
 
Outstanding receivable for sale of assets4,356
 
Dividends declared not yet paid4,501
 4,341
4,501
 4,342

15. Sale of Assets

During the third quarter of 2017 the Company sold two of its retail properties for $7.6 million and recorded a $5.7 million gain in Other income, net.

On March 31, 2017 the Company sold four farm center locations in Florida for $17.4 million and recorded a $4.7 million gain, net of transaction costs in Other income, net. The sale price included a working capital adjustment of $3.6 million.

On May 2, 2016 the Company sold eight grain and agronomy locations in Iowa for $54.3 million and recorded a nominal gain.

16. Exit Costs and Assets Held for Sale

The Retail business closed during the second quarter of 2017, and inventory and fixtures liquidation efforts are substantially complete as of June 30, 2017.complete. The Company recorded $3.5 million ofincurred minimal additional exit charges during the secondthird quarter of 2017 forand a total of $11.3$11.5 million of exit charges recorded duringthrough the first six monthsthree quarters of 2017.2017, consisting primarily of employee severance and related benefits. As a result of the closure, the Company also classified $10.0$8.4 million of Property, plant and equipment, net as Assets held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.Sheet at September 30, 2017.


17. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are as follows:
As previously reported, the Company had monitored the performance of its wholesale nutrient business, within the Plant Nutrient segment, throughout 2016.  During the third quarter of 2016, the Company reported that the wholesale business was under pressure due to an uncertain outlook for future crop prices and decreased domestic demand for fertilizer.  
(in thousands)Grain Plant Nutrient Rail Total
Balance as of January 1, 2017$
 $59,767
 $4,167
 $63,934
Acquisitions1,171
 
 
 1,171
Impairments
 (42,000) 
 (42,000)
Balance as of September 30, 2017$1,171
 $17,767
 $4,167
 $23,105
The Company performed its annualrecorded a goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quartercharge of 2016, which resulted in an excess of fair value over carrying value of 8% for the wholesale nutrient reporting unit. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company's assessment of the business did not indicate the presence of any goodwill impairment triggering events.
During the second quarter of 2017, the Company identified certain factors that we considered important in assessing the requirement to perform an interim impairment evaluation for the wholesale nutrient reporting unit.  First, current year actual results were significantly below historical and expected operating results. Second, the nutrient industry's future outlook continued to reflect depressed margins and minimal growth, driven by an oversupply of base nutrients, low crop prices and low farmer income.  After considering these items, the Company determined that an interim goodwill impairment assessment was required, as well as an impairment assessment for our definite-lived intangible and other long-lived assets.  No impairment was recognized for definite-lived intangibles and other long-lived assets.
Upon early adoption of ASU No. 2017-04, the Company now uses a one-step quantitative approach that compares the business enterprise value ("BEV") of each reporting unit with its carrying value. The BEV was computed based on both an income approach (discounted cash flows) and a market approach. The income approach uses a reporting unit's estimated future cash flows, discounted at the weighted average cost of capital of a hypothetical third-party buyer. The market approach estimates fair value by applying cash flow multiples to the reporting unit's operating performance. The multiples are derived from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics to the reporting unit. Any excess of the carrying value of the goodwill over the BEV will be recorded as an impairment loss. The calculation of the BEV is based on significant unobservable inputs, such as price trends, customer demand, material costs and discount rates, and are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
The discounted cash flow model used for the income approach assumed discrete period revenue growth through 2021 that was reflective of market opportunities, changes in product mix, and cyclical trends within the wholesale nutrient business. In the terminal year, the Company assumed a long-term earnings growth rate of 2.0 percent that is believed to be appropriate given the current industry-specific expectations. As of the valuation date, the Company utilized a weighted-average cost of capital of 10.1 percent, which reflects the relative risk and time value of money. The testing resulted in a $42.0 million impairment charge for goodwill associated with the Wholesale reporting unit. 
unit in the second quarter of 2017. With the estimated fair value of the reporting unit now equaling its carrying value as of June 30, 2017, the Wholesale reporting unit has a greater risk of future impairment to the remaining goodwill balance of $17.8$17.1 million. A deteriorationThe Company will be completing its annual goodwill assessment as of October 1.
Any negative change in operatingassumptions, including decreased current performance significantly below current expectations, including changes in projected future revenue, profitability and cash flow,and/or forecasted performance, as well as higher working capital,increased interest rates and/or cost of capital could have a negative effect onwill negatively impact the fair value of the reporting unit. It is also possible the Company's performance meets current expectations but is still unable overcome the general trendsIncreases in the business and/or macro-economic factors in the time frame forecast, which could impact the long-term discount rate values used in estimating fair value, causing the estimated fairbook value of the reporting unit, such as additional capital investments or working capital increases will also negatively impact the goodwill assessment. Finally relative performance shortfalls, when compared to fall below its carrying value. This wouldpeer results, could also negatively impact the goodwill assessment. The magnitude of each of these changes may result in recording anotheradditional goodwill impairment to the goodwill of the wholesale business.
The changes in the carrying amountfourth quarter of goodwill by reportable segment for the six months ended June 30, 2017 are as follows:
(in thousands)Grain Plant Nutrient Rail Total
Balance as of January 1, 2017$
 $59,767
 $4,167
 $63,934
Acquisitions1,171
 
 
 1,171
Impairments
 (42,000) 
 (42,000)
Balance as of June 30, 2017$1,171
 $17,767
 $4,167
 $23,105
2017.




Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward Looking Statements
The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contains forward-looking statements which relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The reader is urged to carefully consider these risks and others, including those risk factors listed under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (“2016 Form 10-K”). In some cases, youthe reader can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially. These forward-looking statements relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation, other than any imposed by law, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our critical accounting policies and critical accounting estimates, as described in our 2016 Form 10-K, have not materially changed through the secondthird quarter of 2017.

Executive Overview

Our operations are organized, managed and classified into five reportable business segments: Grain, Ethanol, Plant Nutrient, Rail, and Retail. Each of these segments is based on the nature of products and services offered.

The agricultural commodity-based business is one in which changes in selling prices generally move in relationship to changes in purchase prices. Therefore, increases or decreases in prices of the agricultural commodities that the business deals in will have a relatively equal impact on sales and cost of sales and a much less significant impact on gross profit. As a result, changes in sales between periods may not necessarily be indicative of the overall performance of the business and more focus should be placed on changes in gross profit.

Grain Group

The Grain Group's performance in the secondthird quarter reflects significant improvement overcontinued recovery from the prior year, especially dueyear. Holding wheat has led to higher space income. The Group was able to purchase grain at more typical prices during the 2016 harvestOur risk management services and the market continued to reward the Group with basis appreciation in corn, beans and wheat. LTGtrading income has also saw significant improvements over the prior year.improved.

Grain inventories on hand at JuneSeptember 30, 2017 were 78.075.1 million bushels, of which 0.81.0 million bushels were stored for others. This comparesThese amounts compare to 75.767.0 million bushels on hand at JuneSeptember 30, 2016, of which 4.01.0 million bushels were stored for others. Total grain storage capacity was flat withof approximately 153 million bushels at both JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and Junewas unchanged from September 30, 2016.
Wheat
After a late start, harvest is complete in our southern footprint and underway in our remaining locations. Harvest resultscore markets and wet weather has caused it to date appear positivebe drawn out. We expect varying drying and we expect continuedmixing opportunities, for space incomedepending on our wheat position. Corncommodity and beans were planted through variable weather conditions across our footprint during the quarter, which could result in varied qualities and an opportunity for blending income during harvest. During the quarter, the Group also completed an acquisition of a small specialty grain handling and milling business that further expands our food ingredient capabilities.location.
















Ethanol Group

The Ethanol Group's secondthird quarter results reflect continued lower ethanol margins from record levels of industry production and stocksas supply exceeded demand during the quarter. While DDG margins have improved fromcontinued to be negatively impacted by the prior quarter, elevated levels of vomitoxin in eastern draw areas have continued to negatively impact margins.areas. The weak ethanol and DDG margins were partially offset by high ethanol export demand and strong E-85 and corn oil sales.




Looking forward, we expect margins to continue to be impacted by high industry production and inventory levels.
Ethanol and related coproducts volumes shipped for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
(in thousands)Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Ethanol (gallons shipped)109,504
 75,463
 198,927
 149,246
108,452
 73,990
 307,379
 223,236
E-85 (gallons shipped)10,646
 9,093
 19,903
 15,413
12,482
 11,309
 32,385
 26,722
Corn Oil (pounds shipped)4,078
 3,668
 8,338
 7,282
4,504
 3,639
 12,842
 10,921
DDG (tons shipped) *37
 40
 79
 80
42
 42
 121
 122
* DDG tons shipped converts wet tons to a dry ton equivalent amount

The above table shows only shipped volumes that flow through the Company's sales revenues. Total ethanol, corn oil and DDG production by the unconsolidated LLCs is higher. However, the portion of that volume that is sold directly to theirits customers is excluded here.

Plant Nutrient Group

The Plant Nutrient Group's secondthird quarter results reflect a continued depressed nutrient market. AnQuarterly wholesale nutrient volumes increased over the prior year, but the oversupply of base nutrients in the market has continued to put pressure on prices, which has putcompressed overall margins. The quarterly results were also negatively impacted by a settlement reserve for a 2015 legal claim, which was settled in October, 2017. As we moved into 2018, we expect low prices and oversupply conditions to persist, putting further pressure on overall margins. Volumes have also declined compared to the prior year as we lost a key portion of our application window due to inclement weather, as well as lower crop prices that continue to keep farm income low, preventing investment in high margin nutrients that yield better results. We expect this trend to continue during themargins into next year.

Storage capacity at our wholesale nutrient and farm center facilities, including leased storage, was approximately 486478 thousand tons for dry nutrients and approximately 527525 thousand tons for liquid nutrients at JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and approximately 497488 thousand tons for dry nutrients and approximately 550547 thousand tons for liquid nutrients at JuneSeptember 30, 2016. The decrease in our storage capacity is a result of the sales of Florida farm center assets in the first quarter of 2017.

Tons of product shipped (including sales and service tons) for the three and sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
(in thousands)Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Wholesale Nutrients - Base nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium545
 549
 735
 761
236
 219
 971
 980
Wholesale Nutrients - Value added products173
 208
 303
 327
84
 78
 387
 404
Other (includes Farm Centers, Turf, and Cob)147
 185
 276
 314
58
 73
 334
 398
Total tons865
 942
 1,314
 1,402
378
 370
 1,692
 1,782

Rail Group

The Rail Group sawperformed well in the third quarter despite soft market conditions. Utilization rates are recovering at a decline invery modest pace, however, lease rates are still under pressure from an over-supplied car market and we expect lease rates to continue to be pressured into next year.

The Group's average utilization rates declined from 88.686.2 percent in the secondthird quarter of 2016 to 84.485.8 percent in the secondthird quarter of 2017. Average lease rates remained relatively flat.also declined compared to the prior year. Rail Group assets under management (owned, leased or managed for financial institutions in non-recourse arrangements) at JuneSeptember 30, 2017 were 23,64922,986 compared to 23,22023,203 at JuneSeptember 30, 2016.
Utilization rates are recovering at a modest rate, however, lease rates are still under pressure from an over-supplied car market. We expect utilization to continue to rebound and lease rates to hold steady through the end of the year, with increased harvest demand in the fourth quarter.

The Group has purchased 774 carsover 1,500 railcars with leases attached inthrough the third quarter of 2017 and continues to focus on strategically growingpurchasing railcars and managing the railaverage age of the fleet, as well as looklooking for opportunities to open new repair facilities.

Retail Group

The Retail Group closed its remaining stores and substantiallyhas completed its liquidation efforts during the second quarter.and is focused on selling its remaining real estate assets. We have closed on the sale of onetwo of the four properties in July,the third quarter of 2017, recording a nominal$5.7 million gain.


Other
Our “Other” activities include corporate costs and functions that provide support and services to the operating segments. The results include expenses and benefits not allocated to the operating segments, including a portion of our ERP project.

Operating Results
The following discussion focuses on the operating results as shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations with a separate discussion by segment. Additional segment information is included in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements herein in Note 12. Segment Information.
Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 20162017 2016 2017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$993,662
 $1,064,244
 $1,845,678
 $1,952,123
$836,595
 $859,612
 $2,682,273
 $2,811,735
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues905,828
 967,202
 1,681,386
 1,787,326
766,924
 782,597
 2,448,310
 2,569,923
Gross profit87,834
 97,042
 164,292
 164,797
69,671
 77,015
 233,963
 241,812
Operating, administrative and general expenses69,928
 75,405
 151,875
 155,286
68,456
 78,767
 220,331
 234,053
Goodwill impairment42,000
 
 42,000
 

 
 42,000
 
Interest expense (income)5,988
 6,554
 12,088
 13,605
5,384
 4,441
 17,472
 18,046
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net6,385
 2,344
 4,507
 (4,633)3,586
 8,422
 8,093
 3,789
Other income (expense), net4,632
 5,682
 12,529
 8,928
5,588
 2,216
 18,117
 11,144
Income (loss) before income taxes(19,065) 23,109
 (24,635) 201
5,005
 4,445
 (19,630) 4,646
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(64) 1,018
 (10) 92
83
 1,619
 73
 1,711
Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc.$(19,001) $22,091
 $(24,625) $109
$4,922
 $2,826
 $(19,703) $2,935
Comparison of the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 with the three months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2016:
Grain Group
Three months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$488,447
 $522,989
$497,613
 $550,189
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues458,000
 505,438
465,297
 519,724
Gross profit30,447
 17,551
32,316
 30,465
Operating, administrative and general expenses25,955
 27,362
27,622
 27,743
Interest expense (income)2,327
 2,961
1,898
 1,737
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net2,903
 (2,907)(694) 533
Other income (expense), net1,861
 2,642
539
 361
Income (loss) before income taxes$6,929
 $(13,037)$2,641
 $1,879

Operating results for the Grain Group have improved by $20.0$0.8 million compared to the results of the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $34.5$52.6 million due to a 33%43% decrease in bushel salesbushels sold as more bushels are being strategically held for sale in the second half of the yearstored due to strong space income opportunities in the market.market and an intentional reduction in bushels sold directly from supplier to customer as the group continues to focus only on the most profitable markets to increase margins. Additionally, bushels received are down 27%13% compared to the same period in 2016 due to a later start to harvest, which is also a partial driver in the decline in sales. The decrease in volume was more than offset by a decrease in cost of sales and merchandising revenues

of $47.4$54.4 million for a net favorable gross profit impact of $12.9$1.9 million. The gross profit increase was driven by $15.6$2.8 million increase in space income relating primarily to corn, beans, and wheat as the value of storage capacity has significantly improved, as well as a $3.0 million increase from risk management fees, trading income and other items compared to the same period in 2016. These increases were partially offset by a $3.9 million decrease in drying and mixing income. The decrease is due to unusually high drying and mixing income in the prior year that did not recur in the current year.

Equity in earnings of affiliates improved $5.8declined $1.2 million primarily due to improvedlower operating results of Lansing Trade Group ("LTG") who also continues to recover from under performance in its core markets inour Canadian affiliate during the second quarter of 2016.

quarter.
Ethanol Group
Three months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$187,831
 $142,520
$191,531
 $139,413
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues184,511
 137,950
185,143
 133,112
Gross profit3,320
 4,570
6,388
 6,301
Operating, administrative and general expenses2,243
 2,607
4,526
 3,025
Interest expense (income)(22) 12
(27) 11
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net3,482
 5,251
4,280
 7,889
Other income (expense), net15
 3
12
 6
Income (loss) before income taxes4,596
 7,205
6,181
 11,160
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(64) 1,018
83
 1,619
Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc.$4,660
 $6,187
$6,098
 $9,541

Operating results for the Ethanol Group decreased $1.5$3.4 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues increased $45.3$52.1 million compared to the results of the same period last year. This was driven by a 47% increase in ethanol gallons sold, a portion of which is attributable to the Albion expansion which led to record ethanol production.plant expansion. Cost of sales and merchandising revenues increased at a similar rate. The $1.3 million decrease inhigher rate than revenues as the cost of corn increased 4% and the natural gas cost per gallon increased 5%. Despite higher volumes, higher input costs caused gross profit is driven by low margins due to record levels of industry production and stock.remain flat between periods.

Equity in earnings of affiliates decreased $1.8Operating, administrative and general expenses increased $1.5 million compared to the same period in 2016, primarily as a result of the write-off of a capital project. Equity in earnings of affiliates decreased $3.6 million due to declining results from the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs. This wasThese results were primarily driven by low ethanol margins as noted above as well as continued lowerand DDG margins asmargins. The decrease is also driven by our merging TAEI with and into TAME in the first quarter. Prior to this transaction, the noncontrolling interest in TAEI was attributed 33% of the gains and losses of TAME recorded by the Company in its equity in earnings of affiliates. With a result33% direct ownership in TAME now, our share of localized elevated vomitoxin levelsgains and losses recorded in eastern draw areas.equity in earnings of affiliates will decrease, with a corresponding decrease in income attributable to noncontrolling interests.
Plant Nutrient Group
Three months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$264,736
 $320,036
$103,620
 $101,770
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues224,802
 270,459
86,271
 82,383
Gross profit39,934
 49,577
17,349
 19,387
Operating, administrative and general expenses22,580
 25,186
22,086
 25,746
Goodwill impairment42,000
 
Interest expense (income)1,815
 2,078
1,561
 1,583
Other income (expense), net636
 1,222
(1,622) 711
Income (loss) before income taxes$(25,825) $23,535
$(7,920) $(7,231)

Operating results for the Plant Nutrient Group declined $49.4$0.7 million over the same period in the prior year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $55.3 million and costwere relatively unchanged, as the 7% increase in wholesale nutrient tons sold was mostly offset by a 21% decrease in other tons sold. Cost of sales and merchandising revenues have decreased $45.7 million. The decrease in sales and merchandising revenues is driven by a 30% decrease in farm centers volumeincreased $3.9 million, primarily due to a 2%

increase in overall tons sold, as well as higher cost of certain wholesale nutrient inventory carried over from the sale of farm center locations in Florida. Additionally, wholesale volume was down 5% due to lower movement base nutrients and value added products. Grossspring. As such, gross profit for the Plant Nutrient Group decreased $9.6$2.0 million from the same period last year. Margins remain tight due to competitive pressures and margin compression in the wholesale and farm center businesses due toresulting from lower base nutrient prices and lower farm income, and resulting lower demand.crop prices.

Operating, administrative and general expenses decreased $2.6$3.7 million due to $1.0$1.8 million of labor and benefit reductions relating to the sale of farm center locations in Florida and lower incentive compensation expense. Smaller reductions were also realized in a number of other categories as part of our overall cost control efforts. The Group also recognizedOther income (expense), net decreased $2.3 million, primarily as a goodwill impairment chargeresult of $42.0a $2.2 million after experiencing several periods of compressed margins and lower sales volumes, as well as anticipated unfavorable operating conditions inlegal settlement reserve recorded during the nutrient market for some time.


quarter.
Rail Group
Three months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$38,149
 $40,342
$43,093
 $38,201
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues25,450
 26,740
29,671
 25,674
Gross profit12,699
 13,602
13,422
 12,527
Operating, administrative and general expenses5,395
 4,997
6,246
 4,528
Interest expense (income)1,936
 2,221
1,742
 1,696
Other income (expense), net492
 185
693
 451
Income (loss) before income taxes$5,860
 $6,569
$6,127
 $6,754

Operating results declined $0.7$0.6 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $2.2increased $4.9 million. Revenue from car sales decreased $1.9increased by $5.2 million due to fewerhigher car sales while repair and other revenues increased by $0.6 million. These were partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in leasing revenues decreased $1.4 million due to lower average utilization and lease rates compared to the prior year. These decreases were partially offset by increased repair and other revenues as the repair shops continue to produce strong results. Cost of sales and merchandising revenues decreased $1.3increased $4.0 million primarilycompared to the prior year almost entirely due to lowerincreased car sales. GrossAs a result, gross profit decreasedincreased $0.9 million compared to last year. This decreaseincrease was driven by $0.9$1.2 million from fewer car salessale margins and $1.0 million from weaker utilization and offset by $1.0 million of increasedslight decreases in leasing, repair and other gross profitbusinesses.

Operating, administrative and general expenses increased $1.7 million primarily due to higher labor and benefit costs from greater efficiencies in theopening new repair shops.shops and reserves related to a fatality at a repair shop.
Retail Group
Three months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$14,499
 $38,357
$738
 $30,039
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues13,065
 26,615
542
 21,704
Gross profit1,434
 11,742
196
 8,335
Operating, administrative and general expenses9,373
 10,666
1,542
 9,858
Interest expense (income)82
 157
99
 138
Other income (expense), net1,303
 91
5,869
 83
Income (loss) before income taxes$(6,718) $1,010
$4,424
 $(1,578)

Operating results for the Retail Group declined $7.7improved $6.0 million fromprimarily due to the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $23.9 million and costgains recognized in other income on the sale of sales and merchandising revenues decreased $13.6 million leading to a decrease in gross profit of $10.3 million. These decreases reflect partial operationstwo store properties during the quarter due toquarter. The decreases in the remaining captions above reflect the impact of the closure of the retail business during the second quarter of 2017. Additionally, inventory was marked down forand additional liquidation causing a decrease in margins.

While operating, administrative and general expenses decreased by $1.3 million, the group incurred exit charges of $3.5 million in 2017, most of which was severance. The remaining operating, administrative and general expenses decrease was due to the group being operational for only a portion of the quarter. The increase in other income is due to a $1.2 million gain on the sale of fixtures.efforts.

Other
Three months ended June 30,Three months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$
 $
$
 $
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
 

 
Gross profit
 

 
Operating, administrative and general expenses4,382
 4,587
6,434
 7,867
Interest expense (income)(150) (875)111
 (724)
Other income (expense), net325
 1,539
97
 604
Income (loss) before income taxes$(3,907) $(2,173)$(6,448) $(6,539)

The other operating loss not allocated to business segments increased $1.7decreased $0.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year. Other incomeOperating, administrative and general expenses decreased by $1.2$1.4 million asdue to lower incentive compensation expense and a result of $1.3 million gain on final settlement of our pension planreduction in 2016.health care claims.

Income Taxes
In the secondthird quarter of 2017, income tax expense of $7.7$2.4 million was provided at (40.1)%an effective rate of 47.7%. In the secondthird quarter of 2016, income tax expense of $7.7$1.1 million was provided at 33.2%24.8%. The lowerhigher 2017 effective tax rate relative to the loss before income taxes is primarily due to decreased benefit related to federal railroad track maintenance tax credits and the absence of tax benefit recorded in 2016 related to a $42.0 million goodwill impairment charge which did not provide a corresponding tax benefit.previous business acquisition.

The Company anticipates that its 2017 annual effective tax rate will be 99.2%227.8%. The Company’s actual 2016 effective tax rate was 32.3%. The higher tax rate in 2017 is primarily due to a $42 million goodwill impairment charge which did not provide a corresponding tax benefit.benefit and the lack of current year benefit related to federal railroad track maintenance tax credits
Comparison of the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 with the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2016:
Grain Group
Six months ended June 30,Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$966,975
 $1,061,803
$1,464,588
 $1,611,992
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues912,879
 1,028,052
1,378,176
 1,547,776
Gross profit54,096
 33,751
86,412
 64,216
Operating, administrative and general expenses51,282
 55,384
78,904
 83,127
Interest expense (income)5,023
 5,448
6,921
 7,185
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net1,558
 (6,674)864
 (6,141)
Other income (expense), net2,507
 3,310
3,046
 3,671
Income (loss) before income taxes1,856
 (30,445)4,497
 (28,566)
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 (3)
 (3)
Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc.$1,856
 $(30,442)$4,497
 $(28,563)

Operating results for the Grain Group have improved by $32.3$33.1 million compared to the results of the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $94.8$147.4 million due to a 21%28% decrease in bushels sold as more bushels are being strategically held for sale in the second half of the yearstored due to strong carryspace income opportunities in the market. Additionally, direct shipmarket and an intentional reduction in bushels are down 21%sold directly from supplier to customer as the group continues to focus only on the most profitable markets to increase margins. Additionally, bushels received are down 18% compared to the same period in 2016 due to a later start to harvest, which is also a partial driver in the decline in sales. This decrease was more than offset by a decrease of cost of sales and merchandising revenues for a net favorable gross profit impact of $20.3$22.2 million. The gross profit increase was driven by a $24.5$27.5 million increase in space income relating to corn, beans, and wheat as the value of storage capacity has significantly improved, as well as a $4.0 million increase from risk management fees, trading income and other items compared to the same periodprior year. This increase was partially offset by decreases in 2016.drying and mixing income and the 2016 Iowa divestiture totaling $9.3 million. Of this

decrease, drying and mixing income accounted for $7.9 million due to unusually high drying and mixing income in the prior year that did not recur in the current year.

Operating, administrative and general expenses decreased by $4.1$4.2 million compared to the same period in 2016 due to a $3.5 million decrease in expenses relating to the Iowa divestiture and a $2.2$2.8 million decrease in labor and benefit costs as a result ofprimarily due to productivity efforts.

These decreases were partially offset by minor increases in depreciation, utilities and maintenance expenses.

Equity in lossesearnings of affiliates improved $8.2$7.0 million due to the improved operating results of LTG, whowhich also continues to recover from under performance in its core markets in 2016.
Ethanol Group
Six months ended June 30,Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$341,984
 $257,213
$533,515
 $396,626
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues333,124
 250,307
518,267
 383,419
Gross profit8,860
 6,906
15,248
 13,207
Operating, administrative and general expenses5,490
 5,355
10,016
 8,380
Interest expense (income)(25) 23
(52) 34
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates, net2,949
 2,041
7,229
 9,930
Other income (expense), net22
 33
34
 39
Income (loss) before income taxes6,366
 3,602
12,547
 14,762
Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(10) 95
73
 1,714
Income (loss) before income taxes attributable to The Andersons, Inc.$6,376
 $3,507
$12,474
 $13,048

Operating results for the Ethanol Group increased $2.9decreased $0.6 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues increased $84.8$136.9 million compared to the results of the same period last year. This was driven by a 38% increase in ethanol gallons sold, a portion of which is attributable to the Albion plant expansion, which led to recordand a 3% increase in ethanol production.prices. Cost of sales and merchandising revenues increased atdue to these higher volumes and a similar rate. The21% increase in natural gas costs. These factors led to a $2.0 million increase in gross profit, much of which was driven byfrom the Group's ability to enter 2017 with approximately half of its margins hedged.first quarter.

Operating, administrative and general expenses increased $1.6 million compared to the same period in 2016, primarily as a result of the write-off of a potential capital project. Equity in earnings of affiliates increased $0.9decreased $2.7 million due to betterdeclining results from the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs. These results were primarily driven by low ethanol and DDG margins. The facilities' productivitydecrease is also driven by our merging TAEI with and output remained strong and margins were better, primarilyinto TAME in the first quarter as noted above.quarter. Prior to this transaction, the noncontrolling interest in TAEI was attributed 33% of the gains and losses of TAME recorded by the Company in its equity in earnings of affiliates. With a 33% direct ownership in TAME now, our share of gains and losses recorded in equity in earnings of affiliates will decrease, with a correlated decrease in income attributable to noncontrolling interests.
Plant Nutrient Group
Six months ended June 30,Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$411,323
 $487,027
$514,943
 $588,797
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues345,581
 410,761
431,852
 493,144
Gross profit65,742
 76,266
83,091
 95,653
Operating, administrative and general expenses45,641
 49,068
67,727
 74,814
Goodwill impairment42,000
 
42,000
 
Interest expense (income)3,455
 3,976
5,016
 5,559
Other income (expense), net6,200
 2,017
4,578
 2,728
Income (loss) before income taxes$(19,154) $25,239
$(27,074) $18,008


Operating results for the Plant Nutrient Group declined $44.4$45.1 million from the same period in the prior year. GrossSales and merchandising revenues decreased $73.9 million. Approximately half of the decrease is due to a 2% decrease in wholesale tons sold and 8% decrease in average wholesale prices. The primary driver for the remaining decrease is a 16% decrease in other tons sold and a 7% decrease in average prices in our farm center business. The decrease in other tons sold is as a result of the sales of our farm center locations in Florida in the first quarter of 2017 and Iowa in the first quarter of 2016. Cost of sales and merchandising revenues decreased $61.3 million as a result of the same factors. As such, gross profit decreased $10.5$12.6 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $75.7 million due to a 21% decrease in farm center tons as a result of the sale of our farm center locations in Florida. Additionally, wholesale volume was down 5% due to lower movement base nutrients and value added products. Cost of sales and merchandising revenues decreased $65.2 million. Margins remain tight due to competitive pressures and margin compression in the wholesale and farm center businesses due toresulting from lower base nutrient prices and lower farm income, and resulting lower demand.crop prices.

Operating, administrative and general expenses decreased $3.4$7.1 million. The largest driver was a $2.3$4.1 million decrease in labor and benefits, much of it relating to the sale of farm center locations in Florida in the first quarter of 2017 and the sale of the farm center locations in Iowa in the first quarter of 2016. Smaller reductions were also realized in a number of other categories as part of our overall cost control efforts. The Group also recognized a second quarter goodwill impairment charge of $42.0 million after experiencing several periods of compressed margins and lower sales volumes, as well as anticipated unfavorable operating conditions in the nutrient market for some time.

Other income increased $1.9 million primarily as a result of a $4.7 million gain on the sale of farm center locations in Florida.Florida, offset by a $2.2 million legal settlement reserve.
Rail Group
Six months ended June 30,Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$78,539
 $79,951
$121,632
 $118,152
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues53,532
 51,789
83,203
 77,463
Gross profit25,007
 28,162
38,429
 40,689
Operating, administrative and general expenses10,895
 9,868
17,141
 14,396
Interest expense (income)3,745
 3,912
5,487
 5,608
Other income (expense), net1,571
 1,562
2,264
 2,013
Income (loss) before income taxes$11,938
 $15,944
$18,065
 $22,698

Operating results for the Rail Group declined $4.6 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues increased $3.5 million. Revenue from car sales increased by $4.6 million due to a higher volume of car sales while repair and other revenues increased by $2.9 million. These increases were partially offset by a $4.0 million decrease in leasing revenues due to average utilization of 84.6% in the current year and 88.8% in the prior year, as well as a 2% decrease in lease rates compared to the prior year. Cost of sales and merchandising revenues increased $5.7 million compared to the prior year due to increased car sales and higher storage costs because fewer cars were in service. Gross profit decreased $2.3 million compared to last year. This decrease was driven by a $5.6 million reduction in our leasing gross profit, offset by a $2.1 million increase in our repair and other business and slight increases in car sale margins.

Operating, administrative and general expenses increased $2.7 million primarily due to higher labor and benefit costs from opening new repair shops and reserves related to a fatality at a repair shop.
Retail Group
 Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$47,595
 $96,168
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues36,812
 68,121
Gross profit10,783
 28,047
Operating, administrative and general expenses26,956
 30,513
Interest expense (income)269
 441
Other income (expense), net7,302
 263
Income (loss) before income taxes$(9,140) $(2,644)

Operating results for the Retail Group declined $6.5 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $1.4 million. Leasing revenues decreased $3.4 million, partially offset by $2.4 million of increased repair and other revenues. The remaining change related to a slight decrease in car sale revenues. Cost of sales and merchandising revenues increased $1.7 million compared to the same period last year due to higher storage costs resulting from lower cars in service and increased repair sales, as noted above. Gross profit decreased $3.2 million compared to last year. This decrease was driven by almost $5.5 million in our leasing business, offset by a $1.9 million increase in our repair and other business and slight increases on car sale margins.
Retail Group
 Six months ended June 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$46,857
 $66,129
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues36,270
 46,417
Gross profit10,587
 19,712
Operating, administrative and general expenses25,414
 20,655
Interest expense (income)170
 303
Other income (expense), net1,433
 180
Income (loss) before income taxes$(13,564) $(1,066)

Operating results for the Retail Group declined $12.5 million from the same period last year. Sales and merchandising revenues decreased $19.3$48.6 million while cost of sales and merchandising revenues decreased $10.1$31.3 million. These decreases arewere due to lower volumes as a result of the closure of the retail business during the second quarter of 2017. Additionally, inventory was marked down for liquidation causingcaused a significant decrease in margins leading to a $9.1$17.3 million decrease in gross profit.

Operating, administrative and general expenses increaseddecreased by $4.8$3.6 million which includes one time exit chargesas a result of $11.3 million, most of which was severance. This decrease was partially offset bylower operating costs related to the group beingbe operational for only a portion of the year. The increase in otherThis decrease was partially offset by one time exit charges of $11.5 million, most of which was for severance costs. Other income wasincreased primarily due to $5.7 million gains on the sale of two store properties and a $1.2 million gain on the sale of fixtures.

Other
Six months ended June 30,Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 20162017 2016
Sales and merchandising revenues$
 $
$
 $
Cost of sales and merchandising revenues
 

 
Gross profit
 

 
Operating, administrative and general expenses13,153
 14,956
19,587
 22,823
Interest expense (income)(280) (57)(169) (781)
Other income (expense), net796
 1,826
893
 2,430
Income (loss) before income taxes$(12,077) $(13,073)$(18,525) $(19,612)

The other operating loss not allocated to business segments decreased $1.0$1.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year. Operating, administrative and general expenses decreased $1.8$3.2 million, which iswas due to higher severance costs in the prior year that did not occurand a reduction in 2017.health care claims. This lower expense was partially offset by a $1.3 million gain on final settlement of our pension plan in Otherother income in 2016.

Income Taxes

In 2017, income tax expense of $5.1$7.5 million was provided at (20.8)an effective tax rate of (38.2)%. In 2016, income tax expense of $0.4$1.5 million was provided at 189.6%32.0%. The lower 2017 effective tax rate relative to the loss before income taxes is primarily due to a $42.0$42 million goodwill impairment charge which did not provide a corresponding tax benefit.



Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital
At JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the Company had working capital of $194.9$214.3 million. The following table presents changes in the components of current assets and current liabilities:
(in thousands)June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 VarianceSeptember 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 Variance
Current Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents$18,934
 $31,383
 $(12,449)$24,478
 $78,158
 $(53,680)
Restricted cash1,033
 987
 46

 190
 (190)
Accounts receivable, net186,331
 212,588
 (26,257)196,192
 173,593
 22,599
Inventories463,205
 486,236
 (23,031)475,602
 427,754
 47,848
Commodity derivative assets – current11,619
 115,924
 (104,305)45,202
 59,837
 (14,635)
Other current assets59,873
 48,754
 11,119
53,958
 43,761
 10,197
Assets held for sale10,028
 
 10,028
8,383
 
 8,383
Total current assets751,023
 895,872
 (144,849)803,815
 783,293
 20,522
Current Liabilities:          
Short-term debt124,000
 179,404
 (55,404)19,000
 
 19,000
Trade and other payables267,194
 302,413
 (35,219)381,359
 356,931
 24,428
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue15,113
 18,252
 (3,139)29,520
 15,725
 13,795
Commodity derivative liabilities – current18,104
 43,183
 (25,079)38,578
 59,770
 (21,192)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities69,256
 71,169
 (1,913)67,064
 68,465
 (1,401)
Current maturities of long-term debt62,482
 53,720
 8,762
53,972
 51,520
 2,452
Total current liabilities556,149
 668,141
 (111,992)589,493
 552,411
 37,082
Working Capital$194,874
 $227,731
 $(32,857)$214,322
 $230,882
 $(16,560)
InSeptember 30, 2017 current assets increased $20.5 million in comparison to Junethose of September 30, 2016 current assets decreased significantly.2016. This increase was primarily due to a decreaseincreases in Commodity derivative assets.inventories and accounts receivable. The increase in inventory relates to higher grain inventories from higher wheat and bean prices and more bushels owned. This increase was partially offset by the liquidation of retail inventory in the current year. Accounts receivable increased due to the amount and timing of sales in the Grain and Ethanol businesses. Current commodity derivative assets and liabilities, have decreased which reflects the customer net asset or liability based on the value of forward contracts as compared to market prices at the end of the period, as well as a significant decrease inhave decreased. See the need for margin deposits compared to the prior year. Accounts receivable, net was also down due to a decrease in Grain receivables as a result of lower sales and shipment activity for the first half of 2017 compared to prior periods. Plant Nutrient Group also contributed to a decrease in accounts receivable as a result of the sale of Florida farm center locations and a decrease in sales. Additionally, inventories are down. Retail inventory is down due to the decision to close the retail stores. Liquidations efforts are substantially complete as of June 30, 2017. Plant Nutrient inventory is also down as a result of carrying fewer tons, including inventory in transit at the end of the period, and as a result of the sale of the Florida locations. These decreases are partially offset by an increase in Grain inventory as bushels are being held for sale in the second half of the year. See discussion below on additional sources and uses of cash for an understanding of the decrease in cash from prior year.
Current liabilities were downincreased $37.1 million compared to the prior year due to a decreasean increase in short-term debt, trade and other payables, and commodity derivative liabilities which are mentioned above.customer prepayments and deferred revenue. Short-term debt decreasedincreased as a result of higher borrowings on the revolvershort-term line of credit in 2016 that did not occur in 2017.the current year. Trade and other payables decreased primarilyincreased due to a decreasetiming of activity and processing payments within the Grain and Ethanol businesses. The increase in Plant Nutrient Group payables duecustomer prepayments and deferred revenues related to more timely processing of payments as well as decreased inventory levels and purchases at quarter end.an increase in wholesale nutrient tons that have been prepaid. Changes in the commodity derivative liabilities balance partially offset this increase, which is mentioned above.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Operating Activities
Our operating activities usedprovided cash of $45.2$60.7 million and $194.4$41.3 million in the first sixnine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decreaseincrease in cash used year to date is primarilyprovided was due to several factors. Net income excluding the non-cash impact of impairments increased by $11.6 million compared to the prior year and the impact of operating asset and liability fluctuations resulted in a $33.6 million increase in operating cash flows. This was partially offset by a $15.0 million decrease due to improved operating results at our equity affiliates which were not fully distributed in the form of cash, collateral relating to commodity derivatives.as well as other individually small fluctuations in operating activities.
Investing Activities
Investing activities used cash of $64.2$64.9 million through the first sixnine months of 2017 compared to cash provided of $14.9$4.8 million in the prior year. This change iswas due to three main factors. Proceeds from sale of facilities and investments in affiliatesassets decreased by $40.5$43.1 million. Proceeds

in 2016 were higher as a result of a $54.3 million sale of underperforming assets in Iowa as well as the redemption of our investment in the Iowa Northern Railway Corporation which provided proceeds offor $13.5

million. Additionally, 2017 reflects a $40.0 million increase in net spendspending on railcar acquisitions and sales.increased by $45.2 million. The variability in railcar purchases and sales is driven by timing of opportunities in the Rail GroupGroup's asset market. Finally, property,Property, plant, and equipment spend is downand capitalized software spending partially offset these uses of cash, decreasing $29.4 million compared to the same period in 2016.
In 2017, we expect to spend a total of $145.0$175 million for the purchase of railcars barges and related leases and capitalized modifications of railcars. We also expect these purchases to offset this amount by proceedsbe funded from sales and dispositions or non-recourse debt of approximately $120.0$150 million during the year.
Additionally, total capital spending for 2017 on property, plant and equipment in our base business excluding rail leasing activity, but inclusive of information technology spending is expected to be approximately $70$56 million.
Financing Activities
Financing activities providedused cash of $65.7$34.0 million and $147.1$31.7 million for the sixnine months ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Short term borrowings decreased $70.1 million. This change was driven primarily by declines in commodity prices and associated working capital requirements. In addition, the current year saw a decrease of $52.0 million in funds provided byWhile proceeds from long-term debt issuance and other long-term financing arrangements, butdecreased $43.0 million, this was largely offset by a $42.3 million decreasereduction in long-term debt payments.
We are party to borrowing arrangements with a syndicate of banks that provide a total of $820.0 million in borrowings, whichborrowings. This amount includes $20.0 million of debt of The Andersons Denison Ethanol LLC whichthat is non-recourse to the Company. Of that total, we had $633.5$718.5 million remaining available for borrowing at JuneSeptember 30, 2017. Peak short-term borrowings to date were $292.0$367.0 million on April 3,February 15, 2017. Typically, our highest borrowing occurs in the late winter and early spring due to seasonal inventory requirements in our fertilizer and grain businesses.

We paid $9.0$13.5 million in dividends in the first sixnine months of 2017 compared to $8.7$13.0 million in the prior year. We paid $0.16 per common share for the dividends paid in January, April and April,July, 2017 and $0.155 per common share for the dividends paid in January, April and April,July, 2016. On May 12,August 25, 2017, we declared a cash dividend of $0.16 per common share payable on July 24,October 23, 2017 to shareholders of record on July 3,October 2, 2017.
Certain of our long-term borrowings include covenants that, among other things, impose minimum levels of equity and limitations on additional debt. We are in compliance with all such covenants as of JuneSeptember 30, 2017. In addition, certain of our long-term borrowings are collateralized by first mortgages on various facilities or are collateralized by railcar assets. Our non-recourse long-term debt is collateralized by ethanol plant assets.
Because we are a significant consumer of short-term debt in peak seasons and the majority of this is variable rate debt, increases in interest rates could have a significant impact on our profitability. In addition, periods of high grain prices and/or unfavorable market conditions could require us to make additional margin deposits on our exchange traded futures contracts. Conversely, in periods of declining prices, we receive a return of cash.
We believe our sources of liquidity will be adequate to fund our operations, capital expenditures and payments of dividends in the foreseeable future.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

Our Rail Group utilizes leasing arrangements that provide off-balance sheet financing for its activities. We lease assets from financial intermediaries through sale-leaseback transactions, the majority of which involve operating leasebacks. Rail Group assets we own or lease from a financial intermediary are generally leased to a customer under an operating lease. We also arrange non-recourse lease transactions under which we sell assets to a financial intermediary, and assign the related operating lease to the financial intermediary on a non-recourse basis. In such arrangements, we generally provide ongoing maintenance and management services for the financial intermediary, and receive a fee for such services. On most of the assets, we hold an option to purchase the assets at the end of the lease.

The following table describes our Rail Group asset positions at JuneSeptember 30, 2017: 
Method of ControlFinancial Statement Units
Owned-railcarsOwned - railcars available for saleOn balance sheet – current 429290
Owned-railcarOwned - railcar assets leased to othersOn balance sheet – non-current 16,68516,650
Railcars leased from financial intermediariesOff balance sheet 3,6143,448
Railcars in non-recourse arrangementsOff balance sheet 2,8172,497
Total Railcars  23,54522,885
Locomotive assets leased to othersOn balance sheet – non-current 3532
Locomotives leased from financial intermediariesOff balance sheet 4
Total Locomotives  3936
Barge assets leased to othersOn balance sheet – non-current 
Barge assets leased from financial intermediariesOff balance sheet 65
Total Barges  65
In addition, we manage 415515 railcars for third party customers or owners for which we receive a fee.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
For further information, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. There were no material changes in market risk, specifically commodity and interest rate risk during the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer ("Certifying Officers"), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on the results of this evaluation, management concluded that, as of JuneSeptember 30, 2017, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management concluded that the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016.  As required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of any change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. The Company is undertaking the phased implementation of an ERP software system. The Company believes it is maintaining and monitoring appropriate internal controls during the implementation period and further believes that its internal control environment will be enhanced as a result of this implementation.  There have been no other changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.




Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are currently subject to various claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business, which include environmental issues, employment claims, contractual disputes, and defensive counter claims. We accrue liabilities where litigation losses are deemed probable and estimable. We believe it is unlikely that the results of our current legal proceedings, even if unfavorable, will be materially different from what we currently have accrued. There can be no assurance, however, that any claims or suits arising in the future, whether taken individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our operations are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this Form 10-Q and could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. These risks can be impacted by factors beyond our control as well as by errors and omissions on our part. The most significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results are described in our 2016 Form 10-K (Item 1A).

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

No sales or repurchases of shares have occurred in 2017.

Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
 
   
No.  Description
   
12  
  
31.1  
  
31.2  
  
32.1  
   
101 Financial Statements from the interim report on Form 10-Q of The Andersons, Inc. for the period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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.
 
   
  
THE ANDERSONS, INC.
(Registrant)
  
Date: AugustNovember 7, 2017 By /s/ Patrick E. Bowe
  Patrick E. Bowe
  Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
  
Date: AugustNovember 7, 2017 By /s/ John Granato
  John Granato
  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
  


Exhibit Index
The Andersons, Inc.
 
   
No.  Description
   
12  
  
31.1  
  
31.2  
  
32.1  
   
101 Financial Statements from the interim report on Form 10-Q of The Andersons, Inc. for the period ended JuneSeptember 30, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


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