Table of Contents

     
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 For the Quarterly Period Ended November 30, 2016February 28, 2017
Or
o
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 For the Transition Period from _______ to_______
 Commission File Number 0-22496
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
OREGON 93-0341923
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
299 SW Clay Street, Suite 350
Portland, Oregon
 97201
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 (503) 224-9900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (check one)
Large accelerated fileroAccelerated filerxNon-accelerated fileroSmaller Reporting companyo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes  o    No  x
The Registrant had 26,803,37526,841,827 shares of Class A common stock, par value of $1.00 per share, and 200,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value of $1.00 per share, outstanding as of January 3,April 4, 2017.

     


Table of Contents

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
INDEX
 
 PAGE
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  


Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements and information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q by Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except as noted herein or as the context may otherwise require, all references to “we,” “our,” “us”“us,” and “SSI” refer to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include statements regarding future events or our expectations, intentions, beliefs and strategies regarding the future, which may include statements regarding trends, cyclicality and changes in the markets we sell into; the Company's outlook or expected results, including pricing, margins, sales volumes and profitability; strategic direction;direction or goals; targets; changes to manufacturing and production processes; the cost of and the status of any agreements or actions related to our compliance with environmental and other laws; expected tax rates, deductions and credits; the realization of deferred tax assets; planned capital expenditures; liquidity positions; ability to generate cash from continuing operations; the potential impact of adopting new accounting pronouncements; obligations under our retirement plans; benefits, savings or additional costs from business realignment, cost containment and productivity improvement programs; and the adequacy of accruals.
Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, and often contain words such as “outlook,” “target,” “aim,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “evaluates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “opinions,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “plans,” “future,” “forward,” “potential,” “probable,” and similar expressions. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
We may make other forward-looking statements from time to time, including in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, presentations and on public conference calls. All forward-looking statements we make are based on information available to us at the time the statements are made, and we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law. Our business is subject to the effects of changes in domestic and global economic conditions and a number of other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K and Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Examples of these risks include: potential environmental cleanup costs related to the Portland Harbor Superfund site; the cyclicality and impact of general economic conditions; instability in international markets; volatile supply and demand conditions affecting prices and volumes in the markets for both our products and raw materials we purchase; imbalances in supply and demand conditions in the global steel industry; the impact of goodwill impairment charges; the impact of long-lived asset and joint venture investment impairment charges; the realization of expected benefits or cost reductions associated with productivity improvement and restructuring initiatives; difficulties associated with acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; customer fulfillment of their contractual obligations; changes in the relative value of the U.S. dollar; the impact of foreign currency fluctuations; potential limitations on our ability to access capital resources and existing credit facilities; restrictions on our business and financial covenants under our bank credit agreement; the impact of consolidation in the steel industry; inability to realize expected benefits from investments in technology; freight rates and the availability of transportation; the impact of equipment upgrades, equipment failures and facility damage on production; product liability claims; the impact of legal proceedings and legal compliance; the adverse impact of climate change; the impact of not realizing deferred tax assets; the impact of tax increases and changes in tax rules; the impact of a cybersecurity incident; costs associated with compliance with environmental regulations; inability to obtain or renew business licenses and permits; compliance with greenhouse gas emission regulations; reliance on employees subject to collective bargaining agreements; and the impact of the underfunded status of multiemployer plans in which we participate.


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
November 30, 2016 August 31, 2016February 28, 2017 August 31, 2016
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$8,100
 $26,819
$9,830
 $26,819
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,331
and $2,315
112,665
 113,952
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,365
and $2,315
132,790
 113,952
Inventories148,094
 132,972
168,889
 132,972
Refundable income taxes1,452
 1,254
1,442
 1,254
Prepaid expenses and other current assets23,967
 24,809
18,547
 24,809
Total current assets294,278
 299,806
331,498
 299,806
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $726,287 and $714,965385,750
 392,820
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $733,771 and $714,965384,883
 392,820
Investments in joint ventures13,766
 13,616
13,057
 13,616
Goodwill166,432
 166,847
166,534
 166,847
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $3,486 and $3,4574,775
 4,931
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $3,596 and $3,4574,779
 4,931
Other assets13,893
 13,409
19,699
 13,409
Total assets$878,894
 $891,429
$920,450
 $891,429
Liabilities and Equity      
Current liabilities:      
Short-term borrowings$701
 $8,374
$676
 $8,374
Accounts payable68,867
 58,439
72,641
 58,439
Accrued payroll and related liabilities19,017
 29,116
26,977
 29,116
Environmental liabilities2,038
 1,967
1,342
 1,967
Other accrued liabilities35,287
 35,758
33,387
 35,758
Total current liabilities125,910
 133,654
135,023
 133,654
Deferred income taxes16,856
 16,682
17,489
 16,682
Long-term debt, net of current maturities186,944
 184,144
208,801
 184,144
Environmental liabilities, net of current portion44,210
 44,383
46,228
 44,383
Other long-term liabilities10,907
 11,134
10,225
 11,134
Total liabilities384,827
 389,997
417,766
 389,997
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
 

 
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (“SSI”) shareholders’ equity:      
Preferred stock – 20,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, none issued
 

 
Class A common stock – 75,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, 26,803 and 26,482 shares issued and outstanding26,803
 26,482
Class A common stock – 75,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, 26,842 and 26,482 shares issued and outstanding26,842
 26,482
Class B common stock – 25,000 shares $1.00 par value authorized, 200 and 306 shares issued and outstanding200
 306
200
 306
Additional paid-in capital30,841
 30,948
32,965
 30,948
Retained earnings473,630
 480,100
479,432
 480,100
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(41,214) (40,115)(40,894) (40,115)
Total SSI shareholders’ equity490,260
 497,721
498,545
 497,721
Noncontrolling interests3,807
 3,711
4,139
 3,711
Total equity494,067
 501,432
502,684
 501,432
Total liabilities and equity$878,894
 $891,429
$920,450
 $891,429
The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Revenues$334,161
 $321,198
$382,084
 $289,077
 $716,245
 $610,275
Operating expense:          
Cost of goods sold295,892
 284,854
326,804
 259,670
 622,696
 544,524
Selling, general and administrative37,492
 38,418
43,823
 33,599
 81,315
 72,017
(Income) loss from joint ventures(412) 29
(2,220) 290
 (2,632) 319
Goodwill impairment charge
 8,845
 
 8,845
Other asset impairment charges401
 

 18,458
 401
 18,458
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities201
 1,925
(494) 5,291
 (293) 7,216
Operating income (loss)587
 (4,028)14,171
 (37,076) 14,758
 (41,104)
Interest expense(1,741) (1,859)(2,097) (2,015) (3,838) (3,874)
Other income, net437
 407
357
 438
 794
 845
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes(717) (5,480)
Income tax benefit62
 578
Loss from continuing operations(655) (4,902)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes12,431
 (38,653) 11,714
 (44,133)
Income tax expense(637) (1,293) (575) (715)
Income (loss) from continuing operations11,794
 (39,946) 11,139
 (44,848)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(53) (65)(95) (1,024) (148) (1,089)
Net loss(708) (4,967)
Net income (loss)11,699
 (40,970) 10,991
 (45,937)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(618) (329)(662) (275) (1,280) (604)
Net loss attributable to SSI$(1,326) $(5,296)
Net income (loss) attributable to SSI$11,037
 $(41,245) $9,711
 $(46,541)
          
Net loss per share attributable to SSI:   
Net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI:       
Basic:   

      
Loss per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI$(0.05) $(0.19)
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI$0.40
 $(1.48) $0.36
 $(1.67)
Loss per share from discontinued operations attributable to SSI
 

 (0.04) (0.01) (0.04)
Net loss per share attributable to SSI(1)
$(0.05) $(0.20)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI$0.40
 $(1.52) $0.35
 $(1.71)
Diluted:          
Loss per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI$(0.05) $(0.19)
Income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI$0.40
 $(1.48) $0.35
 $(1.67)
Loss per share from discontinued operations attributable to SSI
 

 (0.04) (0.01) (0.04)
Net loss per share attributable to SSI(1)
$(0.05) $(0.20)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI(1)
$0.40
 $(1.52) $0.35
 $(1.71)
Weighted average number of common shares:          
Basic27,372
 27,121
27,524
 27,201
 27,447
 27,178
Diluted27,372
 27,121
27,864
 27,201
 27,814
 27,178
Dividends declared per common share$0.1875
 $0.1875
$0.1875
 $0.1875
 $0.3750
 $0.3750
 ____________________________
(1)May not foot due to rounding.
The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSSINCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Net loss$(708) $(4,967)
Net income (loss)$11,699
 $(40,970) $10,991
 $(45,937)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:          
Foreign currency translation adjustments(1,034) (1,009)240
 (892) (794) (1,901)
Cash flow hedges, net
 240

 
 
 240
Pension obligations, net(65) 41
80
 64
 15
 105
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax(1,099) (728)
Comprehensive loss(1,807) (5,695)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax320
 (828) (779) (1,556)
Comprehensive income (loss)12,019
 (41,798) 10,212
 (47,493)
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(618) (329)(662) (275) (1,280) (604)
Comprehensive loss attributable to SSI$(2,425) $(6,024)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to SSI$11,357
 $(42,073) $8,932
 $(48,097)
The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.


SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited, in thousands)
Three Months Ended November 30,Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss$(708) $(4,967)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:   
Net income (loss)$10,991
 $(45,937)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization12,543
 14,828
25,141
 28,953
Exit-related asset impairment charges158
 
Exit-related (gains), asset impairments and accelerated depreciation, net(404) 3,008
Goodwill impairment charge
 8,845
Other asset impairment charges401
 
401
 18,458
Share-based compensation expense3,408
 2,937
5,570
 2,627
Deferred income taxes(60) (513)529
 521
Inventory write-down
 478

 478
Undistributed equity in earnings of joint ventures(412) 29
(2,632) 319
Loss on disposal of assets45
 21
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets74
 (118)
Unrealized foreign exchange gain, net(23) (57)(55) (5)
Bad debt expense, net17
 47
56
 140
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:   
Changes in assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable(1,546) 38,369
(24,506) 26,026
Inventories(12,586) 4,797
(30,423) 12,579
Income taxes(150) (219)(188) (4)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(614) 1,578
4,407
 2,761
Other long-term assets164
 202
18
 842
Accounts payable14,343
 (5,026)17,058
 423
Accrued payroll and related liabilities(10,080) (8,311)(2,122) (8,799)
Other accrued liabilities899
 (3,534)(1,021) (3,154)
Environmental liabilities(29) (514)1,274
 (916)
Other long-term liabilities(193) 381
(875) 86
Distributed equity in earnings of joint ventures350
 100
2,939
 200
Net cash provided by operating activities5,927
 40,626
6,232
 47,333
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Capital expenditures(10,603) (9,341)(21,542) (15,611)
Joint venture payments, net(55) (4)
Purchase of cost method investment(6,017) 
Joint venture receipts, net273
 28
Proceeds from sale of assets73
 730
1,577
 988
Net cash used in investing activities(10,585) (8,615)(25,709) (14,595)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Borrowings from long-term debt102,631
 11,439
245,633
 49,160
Repayment of long-term debt(107,491) (35,976)(228,673) (79,456)
Proceeds from line of credit
 53,500

 115,500
Repayment of line of credit
 (53,500)
 (115,500)
Payment of debt issuance costs(53) 
(109) 
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of share-based payment arrangements(3,301) (1,887)(3,301) (1,895)
Repurchase of Class A common stock
 (3,479)
 (3,479)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest(522) (827)(852) (971)
Dividends paid(5,185) (5,100)(10,122) (10,117)
Net cash used in financing activities(13,921) (35,830)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities2,576
 (46,758)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(140) (11)(88) 205
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(18,719) (3,830)(16,989) (13,815)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period26,819
 22,755
26,819
 22,755
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period$8,100
 $18,925
$9,830
 $8,940
The accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for Form 10-Q, including Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, all normal, recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement have been included. Management suggests that these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2016. The results for the three and six months ended November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and 2015February 29, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire fiscal year.
Discontinued Operations
The results of discontinued operations are presented separately, net of tax, from the results of ongoing operations for all periods presented. The expenses included in the results of discontinued operations are the direct operating expenses incurred by the disposed components that may be reasonably segregated from the costs of the ongoing operations of the Company. Asset impairments related to the disposed components are also included in the results of discontinued operations. See Note 10 - Discontinued Operations and the Asset Impairment Charges section of this Note for further detail.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include short-term securities that are not restricted by third parties and have an original maturity date of 90 days or less. Included in accounts payable are book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit of $19$13 million and $3 million as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively.
Assets Held for Sale
An asset is classified as held for sale upon meeting certain criteria specified in the accounting standards. An asset classified as held for sale is measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell with no further adjustments for depreciation. During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded an impairment charge for the initial and subsequent write-down of certain equipment assets held for sale of $2 million, which is reported within other asset impairment charges in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company determined fair value using Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy consisting of information provided by brokers and other external sources along with management's own assumptions. Assets held for sale were less than $1 million as of August 31, 2016. The Company did not have any assets held for sale as of February 28, 2017.
Long-Lived Assets
ChangesThe Company tests long-lived tangible and intangible assets for impairment at the asset group level, which is determined based on the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. For the Company's metals recycling operations, an asset group is generally comprised of the regional shredding and export operation along with surrounding feeder yards. For regions with no shredding and export operations, each metals recycling yard is an asset group. For the Company's auto parts operations, generally each auto parts store is an asset group. The Company's steel manufacturing business is a single asset group. The Company tests its asset groups for impairment when certain triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset group may be impaired. If the carrying value of the asset group is not recoverable because it exceeds the Company’s estimate of future undiscounted cash flows from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group, an impairment loss is recognized by the amount the carrying value exceeds its fair value, if any. The impairment loss is allocated to the long-lived assets of the group on a pro rata basis using the relative carrying amounts of those assets, except that the loss allocated to an individual long-lived asset of the group shall not reduce the carrying amount of that asset below its fair value. Fair value is determined primarily using the cost and market approaches.

8

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded an impairment charge on long-lived tangible and intangible assets associated with certain regional metals recycling operations and used auto parts store locations.
With respect to individual long-lived assets, changes in circumstances may merit a change in the estimated useful lives or salvage values of individual long-livedthe assets, which are accounted for prospectively in the period of change. For such assets, the useful life is shortened based on the Company's current plans to dispose of or abandon the asset before the end of its original useful life and depreciation is accelerated beginning when that determination is made. During the three months ended November 30, 2016,first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company recognized accelerated depreciation of less than $1 millionprimarily due to shortening the useful lives of decommissioned machinery and equipment assetsassets. During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recognized accelerated depreciation due to shortened useful lives in connection with site closures and idled equipment.
See the Asset Impairment Charges section of this Note for tabular presentation of long-lived asset impairment charges and accelerated depreciation. Long-lived asset impairment charges and accelerated depreciation are reported in the Steel Manufacturing Business reportable segment,Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations within (1) other asset impairment charges; (2) restructuring charges and other exit-related activities, if related to a site closure not qualifying for discontinued operations reporting; or (3) loss from discontinued operations, if related to a component of the Company qualifying for discontinued operations reporting.
Investments in Joint Ventures
A loss in value of an investment in a joint venture is recognized when the decline is other than a temporary. Management considers all available evidence to evaluate the realizable value of its investments including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the joint venture business, and the Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Once management determines that an other-than-temporary impairment exists, the investment is written down to its fair value, which establishes a new cost basis. The Company determines fair value using Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy using an income approach based on a discounted cash flow analysis. During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $2 million related to an investment in a joint venture, which is reported within other asset impairment charges in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, one of the Company's other joint venture interests sold real estate resulting in recognition of a $6 million gain by the joint venture, $3 million of which is attributable to the Company's investment. The Company's share of the gain is reported within (income) loss from joint ventures in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2017. Based on the Company's equity in the earnings of the joint venture for the six months ended February 28, 2017, the joint venture qualifies as a significant unconsolidated subsidiary within the criteria of SEC Regulation S-X, thereby requiring separate summarized income statement information for the joint venture. The joint venture's principal business activity is real estate holdings and the foregoing real estate sale was its only significant transaction during the periods presented. For the three and six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, the joint venture had substantially no revenues or gross profit. For the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, the joint venture had net income of $6 million, $3 million of which is attributable to the Company's investment. For the three and six months ended February 29, 2016, the joint venture had substantially no net income.
Cost Method Investment
During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company invested $6 million in a privately-held waste and recycling entity. The Company's influence over the operating and financial policies of the entity is not significant and, thus, the investment is accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, the investment is carried at cost and adjusted only for other-than-temporary impairments, certain distributions and additional investments. The investment is presented as part of the Auto and Metals Recycling ("AMR") reportable segment and reported within other assets in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company does not hold any other cost-method investments. As of February 28, 2017, the Company had not identified any events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment or indicators of other-than-temporary impairment.

9

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Asset Impairment Charges
The following asset impairment charges, excluding goodwill impairment charges discussed below in this Note, were recorded in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 2/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Reported within other asset impairment charges(1):
       
Long-lived assets$
 $7,336
 $
 $7,336
Accelerated depreciation(1)

 6,208
 401
 6,208
Investment in joint venture
 1,968
 
 1,968
Assets held for sale
 1,659
 
 1,659
Other assets(1)

 1,287
 
 1,287
 
 18,458
 401
 18,458
Reported within restructuring charges and other exit-related activities:       
Long-lived assets
 329
 
 329
Accelerated depreciation
 630
 96
 630
Other assets
 1,102
 62
 1,102
 
 2,061
 158
 2,061
Reported within discontinued operations:       
Long-lived assets
 673
 
 673
Accelerated depreciation
 274
 
 274
 
 947
 
 947
Total$
 $21,466
 $559
 $21,466
_____________________________
(1)Other asset impairment charges were incurred in AMR, except for $401 thousand of accelerated depreciation related to the Steel Manufacturing Business ("SMB") reportable segment for the six months ended February 28, 2017, and $79 thousand of impairment charges on Other assets related to Corporate for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the net amount of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination measured at fair value. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually on July 1 and upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or substantive changes in circumstances that indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be impaired. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). A component of an operating segment is required to be identified as a reporting unit if the component is a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews its operating results.
When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company elects to perform a qualitative assessment and determines that an impairment is more likely than not, the Company is then required to perform the two-step quantitative impairment test, otherwise no further analysis is required. The Company also may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment and, instead, proceed directly to the two-step quantitative impairment test.
In the first step of the two-step quantitative impairment test, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed for purposes of measuring the impairment. In the second step, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to determine an implied goodwill value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

10

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using an income approach based on the present value of expected future cash flows, including terminal value, utilizing a market-based weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) determined separately for each reporting unit. The determination of fair value involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates driven by future commodity prices and volume expectations, operating margins, capital expenditures, working capital requirements, tax rates, terminal growth rates, discount rates, benefits associated with a taxable transaction and synergistic benefits available to market participants. In addition, to corroborate the reporting units’ valuation, the Company uses a market approach based on earnings multiple data and a reconciliation of the Company’s estimate of the aggregate fair value of the reporting units to the Company’s market capitalization, including consideration of a control premium. 
During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, management identified the combination of sustained weak market conditions at such time, including the adverse effects of lower commodity selling prices and the constraining impact of the lower price environment on the supply of raw materials which negatively impacted volumes, the Company’s financial performance and a decline in the Company’s market capitalization at such time as a triggering event requiring an interim impairment test of goodwill allocated to its reporting units. In connection with the interim impairment test performed in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company used a measurement date of February 1, 2016. For a reporting unit within AMR with $9 million of goodwill as of February 1, 2016, the first step of the impairment test showed that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying amount, indicating a potential impairment. Based on the second step of the impairment test, the Company concluded that no implied fair value of goodwill remained for the reporting unit, resulting in an impairment of the entire carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill totaling $9 million. For the reporting unit within AMR carrying the remainder, or $166 million, of the Company's goodwill as of February 1, 2016, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 27% and, thus, the Company did not record a goodwill impairment charge.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and notes and other contractual receivables from suppliers. The majority of cash and cash equivalents is maintained with two major financial institutions. Balances with these and certain other institutions exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured amount of $250,000 as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up the Company’s customer base. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits, credit insurance, letters of credit or other collateral, cash deposits and monitoring procedures. The Company is exposed to a residual credit risk with respect to open letters of credit by virtue of the possibility of the failure of a bank providing a letter of credit. The Company had $46$43 million and $40 million of open letters of credit as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively.
Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. The Company uses the market approach to value its financial assets and liabilities, determined using available market information. The net carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. For long-term debt, which is primarily at variable interest rates, fair value is estimated using observable inputs (Level 2) and approximates its carrying value.
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. Classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are described as follows:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the determination of the fair value of the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are significant to the determination of the fair value of the asset or liability.
When developing the fair value measurements, the Company uses quoted market prices whenever available or seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when quoted market prices are not available.

11

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges consist of severance, contract termination and other restructuring-related costs. A liability for severance costs is typically recognized when the plan of termination has been communicated to the affected employees and is measured at its fair value at the communication date. Contract termination costs consist primarily of costs that will continue to be incurred under operating leases for their remaining terms without economic benefit to the Company. A liability for contract termination costs is recognized at the date the Company ceases using the rights conveyed by the lease contract and is measured at its fair value, which is determined based on the remaining contractual lease rentals reduced by estimated sublease rentals. A liability for other restructuring-related costs is measured at its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred. Restructuring charges that directly involve a discontinued operation are included in the results of discontinued operations in all periods presented. See Note 7 - Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Activities for further detail.

Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, an accounting standard update was issued that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The update will supersede the existing standard for recognizing revenue. Additional updates have been issued since May 2014 amending aspects of the initial update and providing implementation guidance. The guidance is applicable to all contracts with customers regardless of industry-specific or transaction-specific fact patterns. Further, the guidance requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Upon becoming effective, the Company will apply the amendments in the standard either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In February 2016, an accounting standard was issued that will supersede the existing lease standard and requiring a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a lease asset on its balance sheet for all leases, including those classified as operating leases under the existing lease standard. The update also expands the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures surrounding leases. This standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, including interim periods within that fiscal year. This standard will be applied using a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2016, an accounting standard update was issued that amends several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, and classification within the statement of cash flows. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period; however, if the Company elects early adoption, it must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The Company does not expect adoption to have an immediate material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


In June 2016, an accounting standard update was issued that amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, which include trade and other receivables, loans and other financial instruments, the update amends the initial recognition threshold to require a company to estimate expected credit losses rather than delaying the recognition of the full amount of credit losses until the loss is probable of occurring. For available for sale debt securities, credit losses should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP; however, the update requires that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. This standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, including interim periods within that fiscal year. The standard will be applied using a modified retrospective transition approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. Adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial position.
In August 2016, an accounting standard update was issued that addresses how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. Among the cash flow matters addressed in the update are payments for costs related to debt prepayments or extinguishments, payments related to settlement of certain types of debt instruments, payments of contingent consideration made after a business combination, proceeds from insurance claims and corporate-owned life insurance policies, and distributions received from equity method investees, among others. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period, and all of the amendments must be adopted together in the same period. The amendments will be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented, unless impracticable for specific cash flow matters, in which case the amendments would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated statement of cash flows.

12

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


In October 2016, an accounting standard update was issued that amends the existing guidance on the accounting for the income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. Current accounting standards prohibit the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The amendments in the update require that entities recognize the income tax effects of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments do not change accounting standards for the pre-tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer under accounting standards applicable to consolidation, or for an intra-entity transfer of inventory. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted in the first interim period of a fiscal year. The amendments will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In January 2017, an accounting standard update was issued clarifying the definition of a "business" and adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of businesses. The amendments in the update provide a screen to determine when an integrated set of assets and activities (a "set") is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. If the screen is not met, the amendments in the update (1) require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output and (2) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements in the set. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year, and is to be applied prospectively. Early application is permitted for transactions that have not, yet, been reported in the Company’s financial statements. The Company does not expect adoption to have an immediate material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In January 2017, an accounting standard update was issued that eliminates the second step ("Step 2") of the two-step goodwill impairment test. Under existing guidance, if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, as measured under the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, the entity performs Step 2. Under Step 2, an impairment charge equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of goodwill for the reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill is recorded, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Under the revised guidance, an entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. The Company will early-adopt the new requirement as of the beginning of the third quarter of fiscal 2017 and will apply the amendments to future goodwill impairment tests. The Company does not expect adoption to have an immediate material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In March 2017, an accounting standard update was issued that modifies the presentation requirements for net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost within an entity's income statement. The amendments in the update require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The amendments also require the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. Additionally, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization, when applicable. The standard is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Aspects of the update affecting income statement presentation must be applied retrospectively, while aspects affecting the capitalization of the service cost component in assets must be applied prospectively on and after the effective date. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Note 3 - Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
November 30, 2016 August 31, 2016February 28, 2017 August 31, 2016
Processed and unprocessed scrap metal$65,402
 $49,061
$75,188
 $49,061
Semi-finished goods (billets)9,785
 8,320
7,150
 8,320
Finished goods39,482
 40,646
53,024
 40,646
Supplies33,425
 34,945
33,527
 34,945
Inventories$148,094
 $132,972
$168,889
 $132,972

13

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Note 4 - Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually on July 1 and upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or substantive changes in circumstances that indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be impaired. There were no triggering events identified during the first or second quarter of fiscal 2017 requiring an interim goodwill impairment test.
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The gross changeschange in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the threesix months ended November 30, 2016 wereFebruary 28, 2017 was as follows (in thousands):
Auto and Metals RecyclingAMR
August 31, 2016$166,847
$166,847
Foreign currency translation adjustment(415)(313)
November 30, 2016$166,432
February 28, 2017$166,534
Accumulated goodwill impairment charges were $471 million as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016.

Note 5 - Debt

As of August 31, 2016, the Company had $8 million of tax-exempt economic development revenue bonds outstanding with the State of Oregon and scheduled to mature in January 2021. In August 2016, the Company exercised its option to redeem the bonds prior to maturity. The Company repaid the bonds in full in September 2016. The obligation is reported as a current liability within short-term borrowings as of August 31, 2016 on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the $8 million repayment is reported as a cash outflow from financing activities for the threesix months ended November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental Liabilities
The Company evaluates the adequacy of its environmental liabilities on a quarterly basis. Adjustments to the liabilities are made when additional information becomes available that affects the estimated costs to study or remediate any environmental issues or expenditures are made for which liabilities were established.

Changes in the Company’s environmental liabilities for the threesix months ended November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):
Reportable Segment Balance as of August 31, 2016 Liabilities Established (Released), Net Payments and Other Balance as of November 30, 2016 Short-Term Long-Term Balance as of August 31, 2016 Liabilities Established (Released), Net Payments and Other Balance as of February 28, 2017 Short-Term Long-Term
Auto and Metals Recycling $46,122
 $100
 $(184) $46,038
 $1,948
 $44,090
 $46,122
 $1,483
 $(162) $47,443
 $1,335
 $46,108
Corporate 228
 
 (18) 210
 90
 120
 228
 
 (101) 127
 7
 120
Total $46,350
 $100
 $(202) $46,248
 $2,038
 $44,210
 $46,350
 $1,483
 $(263) $47,570
 $1,342
 $46,228

Auto and Metals Recycling (“AMR”)AMR
As of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, AMR had environmental liabilities of $47 million and $46 million, respectively, for the potential remediation of locations where it has conducted business and has environmental liabilities from historical or recent activities.
Portland Harbor
In December 2000, the Company was notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) that it is one of the potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) that own or operate or formerly owned or operated sites which are part of or adjacent to the Portland Harbor Superfund site (the “Site”). The precise nature and extent of any cleanup of the Site, the parties to be involved, the process to be followed fortiming of any cleanupspecific remedial action and the allocation of the costs for any cleanup among responsible parties have not yet been determined, but thedetermined. The process of identifyingsite investigation, remedy selection, identification of additional PRPs and beginning allocation of costs is underway.has been underway for a number of years, but significant uncertainties remain. It is unclear to what extent the Company will be liable for environmental costs or natural resource damage claims or third party contribution or damage claims with respect to the Site.

14

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


While the Company participated in certain preliminary Site study efforts, it iswas not party to the consent order entered into by the EPA with certain other PRPs, referred to as the “Lower Willamette Group” (“LWG”), for a remedial investigation/feasibility study (“RI/FS”).
During fiscal 2007, the Company and certain other parties agreed to an interim settlement with the LWG under which the Company made a cash contribution to the LWG RI/FS. The Company has also joined with more than 80approximately 100 other PRPs, including the LWG members, in a voluntary process to establish an allocation of costs at the Site. These parties have selected an allocation team and have entered into an allocation process design agreement.Site, including costs incurred by the LWG in the RI/FS process. The LWG hasmembers have also commenced federal court litigation, which has been stayed, seeking to bring additional parties into the allocation process.
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


In January 2008, the Natural Resource Damages Trustee Council (“Trustees”) for Portland Harbor invited the Company and other PRPs to participate in funding and implementing the Natural Resource Injury Assessment for the Site. Following meetings among the Trustees and the PRPs, a funding and participation agreement was negotiated under which the participating PRPs agreed to fund the first phase of the natural resource damage assessment. The Company joined in that Phase I agreement and paid a portion of those costs. The Company did not participate in funding the second phase of the natural resource damage assessment.
A former Trustee, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, which withdrew from the council in 2009, filed a suit on January 30, 2017 against approximately 30 parties, including the Company, seeking reimbursement of certain past and future response costs in connection with remedial action at the Site and recovery of assessment costs related to natural resources damages from releases at and from the Site to the Multnomah Channel and the Lower Columbia River. The Company does not have sufficient information to determine the likelihood of a loss or to estimate the amount of damages being sought or the amount of such damages that could be allocated to the Company.
On March 30, 2012, the LWG submitted to the EPA and made available on its website a draft feasibility study (“FS”) for the Site based on approximately ten years of work and $100 million in costs classified by the LWG as investigation-related. The draft FS submitted by the LWG identified ten possible remedial alternatives which ranged in estimated cost from approximately $170 million to $250 million (net present value) for the least costly alternative to approximately $1.08 billion to $1.76 billion (net present value) for the most costly alternative and estimated a range of two to 28 years to implement the remedial work, depending on the selected alternative. However, the EPA largely rejected this draft FS, and took over the drafting process. The EPA provided their revised draft FS to the LWG and other key stakeholders in sections, with the final section being made available in August 2015. The revised draft FS2015 that identified five possible remedial alternatives which ranged in estimated cost from approximately $550 million to $1.19 billion (net present value) for the least costly alternative to approximately $1.71 billion to $3.67 billion (net present value) for the most costly alternative and estimated a range of four to 18 years to implement the remedial work, depending on the selected alternative.
In November 2015, EPA Region 10 presented its preferred alternative remedy to the National Remedy Review Board ("NRRB"), a peer review group that has been established to review proposed Superfund cleanup decisions for consistency with the Superfund statute, regulations, and guidance. EPA Region 10’s preferred alternative presented to the NRRB was a modified version of one of the alternatives (Alternative E) in the revised draft FS, and EPA Region 10 estimated that its preferred alternative would take seven years to implement, with an estimated cost of $1.4 billion (net present value).work.
In June 2016, the EPA issued its final FS and Proposed Plan for the cleanup of the in-river portion of the Site. In the Proposed Plan, the EPA identified its preferred alternative, which includesincluded a combination of dredging, capping, and enhanced natural recovery and which the EPA estimates willestimated would take approximately seven years to construct with additional time for monitored natural recovery to occur and cost an estimated $746 million (net present value). This is approximately half of the estimated $1.4 billion (net present value) cost of thea very similar preferred alternative that EPA Region 10 presented to a peer review group in November 2015. The Proposed Plan also describes other alternatives that were considered and the criteria the EPA used to compare the alternatives, including estimated costs and construction timelines. In conjunction with the Proposed Plan, the EPA issued its final FS in June 2016. The final FS identifiesidentified eight possible remedial alternatives (some of which contain two disposal alternatives, for a total of 13 possible alternative remedial scenarios) which ranged in estimated cost from approximately $316 million to $677 million (net present value) for the least costly alternative to approximately $1.21 billion to $2.67 billion (net present value) for the most costly alternative that the EPA did not screen out and estimatesestimated a range of four to 19 years to implement the remedial work, depending on the selected alternative. The final FS includes one alternative (Alternative H) which would involve capping/dredging the entire Site with an estimated cost range from approximately $6.61 billion to $14.29 billion and 62 years to implement. work.
The EPA screened out this Alternative H due to implementability and cost considerations. Each of the draft and final FS also contain a No Action alternative considered as a baseline for comparison with the other alternatives. The FS and thereceived input on its Proposed Plan do not determine or allocate the responsibility for remediation costs.
Issuance of the Proposed Plan is part of the continuing process for evaluation and remediation of the Site. There wasfrom over 5,300 commenters during a 90-day public comment period on the Proposed Plan that closed onin September 6, 2016. Approximately 5,300 commenters submitted comments. Following its review and consideration of theseIn their comments, the EPA will prepare a summary responding to the submitted comments and select a remedy for the Site in a Record of Decision (“ROD”). The EPA has indicated that it plans to issue the ROD in early January 2017. In the ROD, the EPA may modify the preferred alternative or select a different alternative than that presented in the Proposed Plan based on new information or public comments. It is uncertain whether the preferred alternative identified by the EPA in the Proposed Plan will be the selected remedy in the ROD or whether the EPA will be able to maintain its proposed schedule for issuing the ROD. Even when the ROD is issued, it is likely that there will continue to be significant uncertainty regarding the costs of the selected remedy.
The Company and certain other stakeholders have identified a number of serious concerns regarding the EPA's risk and remedial alternatives assessments and the EPA's cost estimates, scheduling assumptions and conclusions regarding the feasibility, effectiveness and assignment of remediation technologies. Thetechnologies, including that the EPA’s FS and Proposed Plan arewere based on data that are more than a decade old and may not accurately represent site or background conditions.
In its Proposed Plan,January 2017, the EPA acknowledgedissued a Record of Decision (“ROD”) that identified the selected remedy for the Site. The selected remedy is a modified version of one of the alternative remedies in the EPA’s FS that expands the scope of the cleanup and has an estimated cost which is significantly more than their Proposed Plan. The EPA has estimated the total cost of the selected remedy at $1.7 billion with a net present value cost of $1.05 billion (at a 7% discount rate) and an estimated construction period of 13 years following completion of the remedial designs. In the ROD, the EPA stated that the assumptions usedcost estimate is an order-of-magnitude engineering estimate that is expected to estimate costsbe within +50% to -30% of the actual project cost and that changes in the cost elements are likely to occur as a result of new information and data collected during the engineering design. The Company has identified a number of concerns regarding the EPA's estimated cost and time required for the remedial alternatives were developed based on the existingselected remedy. Because of questions regarding cost-effectiveness and other concerns, such as technical feasibility, use of stale data and the need for new baseline data, it is uncertain whether the ROD will be finalized during the remedial design, after design level data to refine the baseline conditions are obtained.implemented as issued. In addition, the FS and Proposed Plan provide only site-wide cost estimates and doROD does not provide sufficient detail regarding costsdetermine or allocate the responsibility for specific sediment management areas.remediation costs.

15

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


In the ROD, the EPA acknowledged that the assumptions used to estimate costs for the selected remedy were developed based on the existing data and will be finalized during the remedial design, after design level data to refine the baseline conditions are obtained. Moreover, the ROD provides only Site-wide cost estimates and does not provide sufficient detail or ranges of certainty and finality to estimate costs for specific sediment management areas. Accordingly, it is anticipatedthe EPA has indicated and the Company anticipates that additional pre-remedial design investigative work, such as new baseline sampling and monitoring, will need to occur after the ROD is issuedbe conducted in order to provide a re-baseline for costs and determinedelineate particular remedial actions for specific areas within the Site.
The This re-baselining will need to occur prior to proceeding with the next phase in the process following the RODwhich is the remedial design. The remedial design phase is an engineering phase during which additional technical information and data will be collected, identified and incorporated into technical drawings and specifications developed for the subsequent remedial action. The EPA is expected to seekseeking a new coalition of PRPs to perform the re-baselining and remedial design activities. Remediation activities are not expected to commence for a number of years and responsibility for implementing and funding the EPA’s selected remedy will be determined in a separate allocation process. While an allocation process is currently underway, the EPA's FS and its approach to the proposed alternative remedies haveROD has raised questions and uncertainty as to when and how that allocation process will proceed.
Because there has not been a determination of the total cost of the investigations, thespecific remediation actions that will be required, the amount of natural resource damages or how the costs of the ongoing investigations and any remedy and natural resource damages will be allocated among the PRPs, the Company believes it is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of costs which it is likely to or which it is reasonably possible that it will incur in connection with the Site, although such costs could be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Among the facts currently being developed are detailed information on the history of ownership of and the nature of the uses of and activities and operations performed on each property within the Site, which are factors that will play a substantial role in determining the allocation of investigation and remedy costs among the PRPs. The Company has insurance policies that it believes will provide reimbursement for costs it incurs for defense, remediation and mitigation for natural resource damages claims in connection with the Site, although there is no assurance that those policies will cover all of the costs which the Company may incur. The Company previously recorded a liability for its estimated share of the costs of the investigation of $1 million.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is separately providing oversight of voluntary investigations by the Company involving the Company’s sites adjacent to the Portland Harbor which are focused on controlling any current “uplands” releases of contaminants into the Willamette River. No liabilities have been established in connection with these investigations because the extent of contamination (if any) and the Company’s responsibility for the contamination (if any) have not yet been determined.

Other AMR Sites
As of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, the Company had environmental liabilities related to various AMR sites other than Portland Harbor of $47 million and $45 million.million, respectively. The liabilities relate to the potential future remediation of soil contamination, groundwater contamination and storm water runoff issues and were not individually material at any site.

Steel Manufacturing Business (“SMB”)
SMB’s electric arc furnace generates dust (“EAF dust”) that is classified as hazardous waste by the EPA because of its zinc and lead content. As a result, the Company captures the EAF dust and ships it in specialized rail cars to a firm that applies a treatment that allows the EAF dust to be delisted as hazardous waste.
SMB has an operating permit issued under Title V of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, which governs certain air quality standards. The permit is based on an annual production capacity of 950 thousand tons. The permit was first issued in 1998 and has since been renewed through February 1, 2018.
SMB had no environmental liabilities as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016.
Other than the Portland Harbor Superfund site, which is discussed above, management currently believes that adequate provision has been made for the potential impact of these issues and that the ultimate outcomes will not have a material adverse effect on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statementsconsolidated financial statements of the Company as a whole. Historically, the amounts the Company has ultimately paid for such remediation activities have not been material in any given period.
In addition, the
16

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Other Contingencies
The Company is a party to various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. ManagementThe Company recognizes a liability for such matters when the loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Legal proceedings include those arising from accidents involving Company-owned vehicles, including Company tractor trailers. In some instances, such accidents and the related litigation involve accidents that have resulted in third party fatalities. It is reasonably possible that the Company may recognize additional losses in connection with such lawsuits at the time such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Such losses may be material to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for these contingencies.such losses, if incurred, will be substantially covered by existing insurance coverage. The Company does not anticipate that the resolution of legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business, after taking into consideration expected insurance recoveries, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 7 - Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Activities

The Company has implemented a number of restructuring initiatives designed to reduce operating expenses and improve profitability and to achieve further integration and synergistic cost efficiencies in its operating platform. The restructuring charges incurred by the Company during the periods presented primarily pertain to the plan announced in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and expanded in subsequent periods (the "Q2'15 Plan").
At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company commenced additional restructuring and exit-related initiatives by undertaking strategic actions consisting of idling underutilized assets at AMR and initiating the closure of seven auto parts stores to align the Company's business to market conditions. The Company expanded these initiatives in April 2015 and also announced the integration of the former Metals Recycling Business and Auto Parts Business into the combined AMR platform in order to achieve operational synergies and reduce the Company's annual operating expenses, primarily selling, general and administrative expenses, through headcount reductions, reducing organizational layers, consolidating shared service functions and other non-headcount measures. Additional cost savings and productivity improvement initiatives, including reductions in personnel, savings from procurement activities, streamlining of administrative and supporting services functions, and adjustments to its operating capacity through facility closures, were identified and initiated in subsequent periods. Collectively, these initiatives are referred to as the Q2'15 Plan.
The Company incurred restructuring charges of less than $1 million during the three and $2six months ended February 28, 2017, and $3 million and $5 million during the three and six months ended November 30,February 29, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The remaining charges relating to these initiatives are expected to be substantially incurred by the end of fiscal 2017. The significant majority of the restructuring charges require the Company to make cash payments.
In addition to the restructuring charges recorded related to these initiatives, the Company recognized a net gain from other exit-related activities of $1 million and less than $1 million during the three and six months ended February 28, 2017, respectively, primarily related to a gain recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 in connection with the disposition of business assets related to the elimination of a metals recycling feeder yard operation. The Company incurred charges associated with other exit-related activities of less than $1$3 million during the three and six months ended November 30,February 29, 2016, consisting of asset impairments and accelerated depreciation of assets in connection with site closures and idled equipment. The Company did not incur charges associated with other exit-related activities during the three months ended November 30, 2015.closures.

17

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities were comprised of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30, 2016 Three Months Ended November 30, 2015Three Months Ended February 28, 2017
Three Months Ended February 29, 2016
All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total Charges All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total ChargesAll Other Plans
Q2’15 Plan
Total Charges
All Other Plans
Q2’15 Plan
Total Charges
Restructuring charges:           










Severance costs$
 $(62) $(62) $
 $1,161
 $1,161
$

$3

$3

$

$3,185

$3,185
Contract termination costs88
 (2) 86
 90
 645
 735
49

61

110

35

12

47
Other restructuring costs
 
 
 
 
 











Total restructuring charges88
 (64) 24
 90
 1,806
 1,896
49

64

113

35

3,197

3,232
Other exit-related activities:           










Asset impairments and accelerated depreciation
 158
 158
 
 
 








3,008

3,008
Gain on exit-related disposal

(562)
(562)





Total other exit-related activities
 158
 158
 
 
 


(562)
(562)


3,008

3,008
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related activities$88
 $94
 $182
 $90
 $1,806
 $1,896
$49

$(498)
$(449)
$35

$6,205

$6,240
           










Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in continuing operationsRestructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in continuing operations $201
     $1,925
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in continuing operations
$(494)




$5,291
Restructuring charges (recoveries) and other exit-related activities included in discontinued operations $(19)     $(29)
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in discontinued operationsRestructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in discontinued operations
$45





$949

 Q2'15 Plan
Total restructuring charges to date$14,270
Total expected restructuring charges$14,400
 Six Months Ended February 28, 2017 Six Months Ended February 29, 2016
 All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total Charges All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total Charges
Restructuring charges:           
Severance costs$
 $(59) $(59) $
 $4,346
 $4,346
Contract termination costs137
 59
 196
 125
 657
 782
Other restructuring costs
 
 
 
 
 
Total restructuring charges137
 
 137
 125
 5,003
 5,128
Other exit-related activities:           
Asset impairments and accelerated depreciation
 158
 158
 
 3,008
 3,008
Gain on exit-related disposal

(562)
(562)





Total other exit-related activities
 (404) (404) 
 3,008
 3,008
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related activities$137
 $(404) $(267) $125
 $8,011
 $8,136
            
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in continuing operations $(293)     $7,216
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in discontinued operations $26
     $920

 Q2'15 Plan
Total restructuring charges to date$14,334
Total expected restructuring charges$14,465


18

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The following illustrates the reconciliation of the restructuring liability by major type of costs for the threesix months ended November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 (in thousands):
Q2’15 Plan 
Total Charges to Date(1)
 
Total Expected Charges(1)
Q2’15 Plan 
Total Charges to Date(1)
 
Total Expected Charges(1)
Balance 8/31/2016 Charges Payments and Other Balance 11/30/2016 Balance 8/31/2016 Charges Payments and Other Balance 2/28/2017 
Severance costs$918
 $(62) $(427) $429
 $10,213
 $10,213
$918
 $(59) $(609) $250
 $10,216
 $10,246
Contract termination costs1,159
 (2) (159) 998
 2,008
 2,138
1,159
 59
 (252) 966
 2,069
 2,170
Other restructuring costs
 
 
 
 2,049
 2,049

 
 
 
 2,049
 2,049
Total$2,077
 $(64) $(586) $1,427
 $14,270
 $14,400
$2,077
 $
 $(861) $1,216
 $14,334
 $14,465
___________________________
(1)Total charges to date and total expected charges by major type of cost reflect amounts related to the Q2'15 Plan only. Remaining charges related to prior plans are not material.
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities by reportable segment and discontinued operations were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30, 
Total Charges to Date(1)
 
Total Expected Charges(1)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended 
Total Charges to Date(1)
 
Total Expected Charges(1)
2016 2015 2/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016 
Restructuring charges:                  
Auto and Metals Recycling$45
 $1,922
 $9,450
 $9,525
$68
 $2,421
 $113
 $4,343
 $9,469
 $9,534
Unallocated (Corporate)(2) 3
 3,176
 3,176

 809
 (2) 812
 3,176
 3,206
Discontinued operations(19) (29) 1,644
 1,699
45
 2
 26
 (27) 1,689
 1,725
Total restructuring charges24
 1,896
 14,270
 14,400
113
 3,232
 137
 5,128
 14,334
 14,465
Other exit-related activities:                  
Auto and Metals Recycling158
 
 4,837
  (562) 2,061
 (404) 2,061
 4,275
  
Discontinued operations
 
 3,613
  
 947
 
 947
 3,613
  
Total other exit-related activities158
 
 8,450
 

(562) 3,008
 (404) 3,008
 7,888
 

Total restructuring charges and other exit-related activities$182
 $1,896
 $22,720
 

$(449) $6,240
 $(267) $8,136
 $22,222
 

___________________________
(1)Total charges to date and total expected charges by reportable segment and discontinued operations reflect amounts related to the Q2'15 Plan only. Remaining charges related to prior plans are not material.
The Company does not allocate restructuring charges and other exit-related activities to the segments’ operating results because management does not include this information in its measurement of the performance of the operating segments.


19

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 8 - Changes in Equity
 
Changes in equity were comprised of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30, 2016 Three Months Ended November 30, 2015Six Months Ended February 28, 2017 Six Months Ended February 29, 2016
SSI Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
SSI Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
SSI Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
SSI Shareholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
Balance - September 1 (Beginning of period)$497,721
 $3,711
 $501,432
 $534,535
 $4,016
 $538,551
$497,721
 $3,711
 $501,432
 $534,535
 $4,016
 $538,551
Net income (loss)(1,326) 618
 (708) (5,296) 329
 (4,967)9,711
 1,280
 10,991
 (46,541) 604
 (45,937)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax(1,099) 
 (1,099) (728) 
 (728)(779) 
 (779) (1,556) 
 (1,556)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
 (522) (522) 
 (827) (827)
 (852) (852) 
 (971) (971)
Share repurchases
 
 
 (3,479) 
 (3,479)
 
 
 (3,479) 
 (3,479)
Restricted stock withheld for taxes(3,301) 
 (3,301) (1,887) 
 (1,887)(3,301) 
 (3,301) (1,895) 
 (1,895)
Share-based compensation3,408
 
 3,408
 2,937
 
 2,937
5,570
 
 5,570
 2,627
 
 2,627
Dividends(5,143) 
 (5,143) (5,152) 
 (5,152)(10,377) 
 (10,377) (10,268) 
 (10,268)
Balance - November 30 (End of period)$490,260
 $3,807
 $494,067
 $520,930
 $3,518
 $524,448
Balance - February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 (End of period)$498,545
 $4,139
 $502,684
 $473,423
 $3,649
 $477,072

Note 9 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, were comprised of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30, 2016 Three Months Ended November 30, 2015Three Months Ended February 28, 2017 Three Months Ended February 29, 2016
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension Obligations, net Total Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension Obligations, net Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges TotalForeign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension Obligations, net Total Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension Obligations, net Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges Total
Balances - September 1
(Beginning of period)
$(34,539) $(5,576) $(40,115) $(34,009) $(4,273) $(240) $(38,522)
Balances - December 1
(Beginning of period)
$(35,573) $(5,641) $(41,214) $(35,018) $(4,232) $
 $(39,250)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(1,034) 49
 (985) (1,009) 
 
 (1,009)240
 
 240
 (892) 
 
 (892)
Income tax expense
 (194) (194) 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax(1,034) (145) (1,179) (1,009) 
 
 (1,009)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax240
 
 240
 (892) 
 
 (892)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 125
 125
 
 64
 312
 376

 125
 125
 
 101
 
 101
Income tax benefit
 (45) (45) 
 (23) (72) (95)
 (45) (45) 
 (37) 
 (37)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 80
 80
 
 41
 240
 281

 80
 80
 
 64
 
 64
Net periodic other comprehensive income (loss)(1,034) (65) (1,099) (1,009) 41
 240
 (728)240
 80
 320
 (892) 64
 
 (828)
Balances - November 30
(End of period)
$(35,573) $(5,641) $(41,214) $(35,018) $(4,232) $
 $(39,250)
Balances - February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016
(End of period)
$(35,333) $(5,561) $(40,894) $(35,910) $(4,168) $
 $(40,078)

Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss, both individually and in the aggregate, were immaterial to the impacted captions in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

20

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


 Six Months Ended February 28, 2017 Six Months Ended February 29, 2016
 Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension Obligations, net Total Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Pension Obligations, net Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges Total
Balances - September 1
(Beginning of period)
$(34,539) $(5,576) $(40,115) $(34,009) $(4,273) $(240) $(38,522)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(794) 49
 (745) (1,901) 
 
 (1,901)
Income tax expense
 (194) (194) 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax(794) (145) (939) (1,901) 
 
 (1,901)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
 250
 250
 
 165
 312
 477
Income tax benefit
 (90) (90) 
 (60) (72) (132)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 160
 160
 
 105
 240
 345
Net periodic other comprehensive income (loss)(794) 15
 (779) (1,901) 105
 240
 (1,556)
Balances - February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016
(End of period)
$(35,333) $(5,561) $(40,894) $(35,910) $(4,168) $
 $(40,078)

Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss, both individually and in the aggregate, were immaterial to the impacted captions in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented.

Note 10 - Discontinued Operations

In fiscal 2015, the Company ceased operations at seven auto parts stores, six of which qualified for discontinued operations reporting. The operations of the six qualifying stores had previously been reported within the AMR reportable segment. During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company incurred charges totaling $1 million consisting of asset impairments and accelerated depreciation of assets related to discontinued auto parts stores. Impaired assets in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 consisted primarily of capital lease assets associated with the buildings on two leased properties.
Operating results of discontinued operations were comprised of the following (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 2/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Revenues$
 $
 $
 $
        
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes$(109) $(1,015) $(158) $(1,094)
Income tax (expense) benefit14
 (9) 10
 5
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax$(95) $(1,024) $(148) $(1,089)

Note 1011 - Share-Based Compensation

In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, as part of the annual awards under the Company's Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors ("Compensation Committee") granted 142,635 restricted stock units ("RSUs") and 134,899 performance share awards to the Company's key employees and officers under the Company's 1993 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan ("SIP"). The RSUs generally have a five-year term and vest 20% per year commencing October 31, 2017. The aggregate fair value of all of the RSUs granted was based on the market closing price of the underlying Class A common stock on the grant date and totaled $3 million. The compensation expense associated with the RSUs is recognized over the requisite service period of the awards, net of forfeitures.
The performance share awards are comprised of two separate and distinct awards with different vesting conditions.

21

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The Compensation Committee granted 65,506 performance share awards based on a relative Total Shareholder Return ("TSR") metric over a performance period spanning November 1, 2016 to August 31, 2019. Award share payouts range from a threshold of 50% to a maximum of 200% based on the relative ranking of the Company's TSR among a designated peer group of 16 companies. The TSR award stipulates certain limitations to the payout in the event the payout reaches a defined ceiling level or the Company's TSR is negative. The TSR awards contain a market condition and, therefore, once the award recipients complete the requisite service period, the related compensation expense based on the grant-date fair value is not changed, regardless of whether the market condition has been satisfied. The estimated fair value of the TSR awards at the date of grant was $2 million. The Company estimated the fair value of the TSR awards using a Monte-Carlo simulation model utilizing several key assumptions including expected Company and peer company share price volatility, correlation coefficients between peers, the risk-free rate of return, the expected dividend yield and other award design features.
The remaining 69,393 performance share awards have a three-year performance period consisting of the Company’s fiscal 2017, 2018 and 2019. The performance targets are based on the Company's cash flow return on investment ("CFROI") over the three-year performance period, with award payouts ranging from a threshold of 50% to a maximum of 200%. The fair value of the awards granted was based on the market closing price of the underlying Class A common stock on the grant date and totaled $2 million.
The compensation expense associated with performance share awards is recognized over the requisite service period, net of forfeitures. Performance share awards will be paid in Class A common stock as soon as practicable after the end of the requisite service period and vesting date of October 31, 2019.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company granted deferred stock units ("DSUs") to each of its non-employee directors under the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan. Each DSU gives the director the right to receive one share of Class A common stock at a future date. The grant included an aggregate of 30,312 shares that will vest on the day before the Company's 2018 annual meeting, subject to continued Board service. The total value of these awards at the grant date was $1 million.

Note 1112 - Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company’s continuing operations for the three and six months ended November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 was a benefitan expense of 8.6%5.1% and 4.9%, respectively, compared to a benefitan expense of 10.5%3.3% and 1.6% for the three and six months ended November 30, 2015.February 29, 2016, respectively.
A reconciliation of the difference between the federal statutory rate and the Company’s effective rate is as follows:
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Federal statutory rate35.0 % 35.0 %35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
State taxes, net of credits2.1
 0.8
2.1
 1.6
 2.0
 1.5
Foreign income taxed at different rates(3.4) (9.1)(2.0) (4.5) (1.9) (5.1)
Non-deductible officers’ compensation2.7
 1.5
1.6
 (1.1) 1.5
 (0.7)
Noncontrolling interests(4.4) (3.9)(3.8) 2.6
 (3.7) 1.8
Research and development credits(1.4) (0.2)(0.8) 0.8
 (0.8) 0.6
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets(25.0) (16.4)(28.8) (35.2) (29.1) (32.9)
Non-deductible goodwill
 (0.4) 
 (0.4)
Unrecognized tax benefits1.9
 1.2
1.1
 (0.9) 1.1
 (0.7)
Other non-deductible expenses1.3
 2.1
0.9
 
 0.8
 
Other(0.2) (0.5)(0.2) (1.2) 
 (0.7)
Effective tax rate8.6 % 10.5 %
Effective tax rate(1)
5.1 % (3.3)% 4.9 % (1.6)%

_____________________________
For periods with reported pre-tax losses, the effect of ContentsSCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTSreconciling items with positive signs is a tax benefit in excess of applying the federal statutory rate to the pre-tax loss.


The effective tax rate from continuing operations for the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 and 2016 was lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the low projected annual effective tax rate applied to the quarterly results. The low projected annual effective tax rate is the result of the Company’s full valuation allowance positions partially offset by increases in deferred tax liabilities from indefinite-lived assets in all jurisdictions.

22

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The Company files federal and state income tax returns in the U.S. and foreign tax returns in Puerto Rico and Canada. For U.S. federal income tax returns, fiscal years 2012 to 2016 remain subject to examination under the statute of limitations. The Company's U.S. federal income tax return for fiscal 2015 is currently under examination.

Note 1213 - Net LossIncome (Loss) Per Share

The following table sets forth the information used to compute basic and diluted net lossincome (loss) per share attributable to SSI (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Loss from continuing operations$(655) $(4,902)
Income (loss) from continuing operations$11,794
 $(39,946) $11,139
 $(44,848)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(618) (329)(662) (275) (1,280) (604)
Loss from continuing operations attributable to SSI(1,273) (5,231)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI11,132
 (40,221) 9,859
 (45,452)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(53) (65)(95) (1,024) (148) (1,089)
Net loss attributable to SSI$(1,326) $(5,296)
Net income (loss) attributable to SSI$11,037
 $(41,245) $9,711
 $(46,541)
Computation of shares:          
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic27,372
 27,121
27,524
 27,201
 27,447
 27,178
Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive stock options, performance share awards, DSUs, and RSUs
 
340
 
 367
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted27,372
 27,121
27,864
 27,201
 27,814
 27,178
 
Common stock equivalent shares of 1,086,335238,767 and 220,624 were considered antidilutive and were excluded from the calculation of diluted net lossincome (loss) per share for the three and six months ended November 30, 2016,February 28, 2017, respectively, compared to 794,579993,799 and 925,615 common stock equivalent shares for the three and six months ended November 30, 2015.February 29, 2016, respectively.

Note 1314 - Related Party Transactions

The Company purchases recycled metal from its joint venture operations at prices that approximate fair market value. These purchases totaled $3 million and $2 million for the three months ended November 30,February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, respectively, and 2015.$6 million for the six months ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016.

Note 1415 - Segment Information

The accounting standards for reporting information about operating segments define an operating segment as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses for which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
The Company has two reportable segments as follows:segments: AMR and SMB.
AMR buys and processes ferrous and nonferrous metal for sale to foreign and other domestic steel producers or their representatives and to SMB. AMR alsoSMB, purchases ferrous metal from other processors for shipment directly to SMB. AMR alsoSMB, and procures salvaged vehicles and sells serviceable used auto parts from these vehicles through a network of self-service auto parts stores. Additionally, the Company is aholds noncontrolling partnerownership interests in joint ventures, which are either in the metals recycling business or are suppliers of unprocessed metal. The Company's allocable portion of the results of these joint ventures is reported within the AMR reportable segment.
SMB operates a steel mini-mill that produces a wide range of finished steel long products using recycled metal and other raw materials.
Intersegment sales from AMR to SMB are made at rates that approximate market prices for shipments from the West Coast of the U.S. These intercompany sales tend to produce intercompany profits which are not recognized until the finished products are ultimately sold to third parties.

23

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The information provided below is obtained from internal information that is provided to the Company’s chief operating decision maker for the purpose of corporate management. The Company uses segment operating income to measure segment performance. The Company does not allocate corporate interest income and expense, income taxes and other income and expense to its reportable segments. Expenses related to shared services that support operational activities and transactions is allocated from Corporate to the segments. Unallocated Corporate expense consists primarily of expense for management and certain administrative services that benefit both reportable segments. In addition, the Company does not allocate restructuring charges and other exit-related activities to the segment operating income because management does not include this information in its measurement of the performance of the operating segments.
The table below illustrates the Company’s revenues from continuing operations by reportable segment (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Revenues:          
Auto and Metals Recycling:          
Revenues$304,938
 $272,965
$349,369
 $249,812
 $654,307
 $522,777
Less: Intersegment revenues(23,373) (23,668)(25,576) (19,126) (48,949) (42,794)
AMR external customer revenues281,565
 249,297
323,793
 230,686
 605,358
 479,983
Steel Manufacturing Business:          
Revenues52,596
 71,901
58,291
 58,391
 110,887
 130,292
Total revenues$334,161
 $321,198
$382,084
 $289,077
 $716,245
 $610,275

The table below illustrates the reconciliation of the Company’s segment operating income (loss) to lossincome (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Auto and Metals Recycling$12,419
 $2,036
$26,359
 $(26,350) $38,778
 $(24,314)
Steel Manufacturing Business(3,081) 2,754
(1,746) (1,202) (4,827) 1,552
Segment operating income9,338
 4,790
Segment operating income (loss)24,613
 (27,552) 33,951
 (22,762)
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities(201) (1,925)494
 (5,291) 293
 (7,216)
Corporate and eliminations(8,550) (6,893)(10,936) (4,233) (19,486) (11,126)
Operating income (loss)587
 (4,028)14,171
 (37,076) 14,758
 (41,104)
Interest expense(1,741) (1,859)(2,097) (2,015) (3,838) (3,874)
Other income, net437
 407
357
 438
 794
 845
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes$(717) $(5,480)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes$12,431
 $(38,653) $11,714
 $(44,133)

The following is a summary of the Company’s total assets by reportable segment (in thousands):
November 30, 2016 August 31, 2016February 28, 2017 August 31, 2016
Auto and Metals Recycling(1)
$1,520,912
 $1,510,688
$1,552,147
 $1,510,688
Steel Manufacturing Business359,112
 373,130
359,728
 373,130
Total segment assets1,880,024
 1,883,818
1,911,875
 1,883,818
Corporate and eliminations(2)
(1,001,130) (992,389)(991,425) (992,389)
Total assets$878,894
 $891,429
$920,450
 $891,429
_____________________________
(1)
AMR total assets include $14$13 million and $14 million as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively, for investments in joint ventures.
(2)The substantial majority of Corporate and eliminations total assets is comprised of Corporate intercompany payables to the Company's operating segments and intercompany eliminations.


24

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This section includes a discussion of our operations for the three and six months ended November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and November 30, 2015.February 29, 2016. The following discussion and analysis provides information which management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2016 and the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.

General
Founded in 1906, Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc., an Oregon corporation, is one of North America's largest recyclers of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal, including end-of-life vehicles, and a manufacturer of finished steel products.
Our internal organizational and reporting structure supports two operating and reportable segments: the Auto and Metals Recycling ("AMR") business and the Steel Manufacturing Business ("SMB").
AMR sells and brokers ferrous scrap metal (containing iron) to foreign and domestic steel producers, including SMB, and nonferrous scrap metal (not containing iron) to both foreign and domestic markets. AMR procures scrap supply from salvaged vehicles, rail cars, home appliances, industrial machinery, manufacturing scrap and construction and demolition scrap. Our largest source of autobodies is our own network of auto parts stores, which operate under the commercial brand-name Pick-n-Pull. AMR procures salvaged vehicles and sells serviceable used auto parts from these vehicles through 52 self-service auto parts stores. The remaining portions of the vehicles, primarily autobodies and major parts containing ferrous and nonferrous materials, are shipped to our metal recycling facilities, or sold to wholesalers where geographically more economical. AMR then processes mixed and large pieces of scrap metal into smaller pieces by crushing, torching, shearing, shredding and sorting, resulting in scrap metal pieces of a size, density and metal content required by customers to meet their production needs. Processed recycled metals are shipped to our own domestic steel mill and to other metal producers globally.
SMB operates a steel mini-mill that produces a wide range of finished steel products. SMB’s scrap metal raw material requirements are sourced almost entirely through AMR. SMB uses its mini-mill in McMinnville, Oregon to melt recycled metal and other raw materials to produce finished steel products. SMB also maintains a mill depot in Southern California.
The results of discontinued operations are excluded from segment operating results and are presented separately, net of tax, from the results of ongoing operations for all periods presented.
For further information regarding our reportable segments, see Note 1415 - Segment Information in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
Our results of operations depend in large part on the demand and prices for recycled metal in foreign and domestic markets and on the supply of raw materials, including end-of-life vehicles, available to be processed at our facilities. Our deep water port facilities on both the East and West Coasts of the U.S. (in Everett, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Oakland, California; Portland, Oregon; and Tacoma, Washington) and access to public deep water port facilities (in Kapolei, Hawaii; and Salinas, Puerto Rico) allow us to efficiently meet the global demand for recycled ferrous metal by shipping bulk cargoes to steel manufacturers located in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and North, Central and South America. Our exports of nonferrous recycled metal are shipped in containers through various public docks to specialty steelmakers, foundries, aluminum sheet and ingot manufacturers, copper refineries and smelters, brass and bronze ingot manufacturers and wire and cable producers globally. We also transport both ferrous and nonferrous metals by truck, rail and barge in order to transfer scrap metal between our facilities for further processing, to load shipments at our export facilities and to meet regional domestic demand.
Our quarterly operating results fluctuate based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, changes in market conditions for ferrous and nonferrous recycled metal and finished steel products, the supply of scrap metal in our domestic markets, and varying demand for used auto parts from our self-service retail stores. These factors are influenced, to a degree, by the impact of seasonal changes including severe weather conditions in winter and summer months, which can impact the timing of shipments and inhibit construction activity utilizing our products, scrap metal collection at our facilities, and retail admissions at our auto parts stores.


25

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

Executive Overview of Financial Results for the FirstSecond Quarter of Fiscal 2017

We generated consolidated revenues of $334$382 million in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017, an increase of 4%32% from the $321$289 million of consolidated revenues in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2016, primarily due to stronger demand in ourthe export and domestic markets, resulting in significantly higher average net selling prices for ferrous scrap metal and increased export sales volumes compared to the prior year period. The effects of these increases compared to the prior year period were partially offset by decreases in finished steel average net selling prices and sales volumes primarily due to competition from lower-priced imports. While overall demand for recycled metals in our end-markets improved compared to the prior year period, including an upward trend in ferrous prices near the end of the first quarter, low global economic growth and the relative strength of the U.S. dollar continued to adversely impact overall market conditions.
Consolidated operating income was $1$14 million in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017, compared to consolidated operating loss of $4$37 million in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted consolidated operating income in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 was $1$13 million, compared to adjusted consolidated operating loss of $2$4 million in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted results in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 and 2016 exclude the impact of restructuring charges and other exit-related activities and alsobenefits from contract settlements, and in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 exclude the impact of a goodwill impairment charge, other asset impairment charges, and benefits from contract settlements recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.restructuring charges and other exit-related activities. See the reconciliation of adjusted operating income (loss) in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2.
Operating results in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 benefited from relatively stablesignificantly higher ferrous average net selling prices on shipped volumes during the quarter compared to the prior year period driven by sharp increases in export and domestic ferrous prices leading into the quarter. This compares to the significantly lower and sharply declining price environment experienced during the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2016 which had adversely impacted operating margins and overall results at AMR during the prior year period. While ferrous prices decreased leading intoThe higher price environment during the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 before increasing nearpositively impacted the endspread between direct purchase costs and selling prices of recycled metal and led to an increase in the period,supply of scrap metal including end-of-life vehicles, which resulted in increased processed volumes and improved operating margins at AMR. Further, average inventory costs did not increase as quickly as purchase costs for scrap metal during the second quarter of fiscal 2017 resulting in a benefit to cost of goods sold and additional benefit to operating margins. This compares to an adverse impact from average inventory accounting was significantly less thanin the adverse impact during the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2016. The improvedSMB reported an operating results at AMR were partially offset by a decrease in SMB's operating resultsloss for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 of $2 million, compared to $1 million for the prior year period. The decrease in SMB'sSMB operating results was due to a combinationfor both periods were adversely impacted by low sales volumes reflecting the effects of a declinecompetition from steel imports, with operating results in the second quarter of fiscal 2017 also adversely impacted by steel-making raw material costs increasing faster than finished steel selling prices and sales volumes driven by competition from lower-priced imports, and lower rolling mill utilization caused by downtimehigher beginning inventory costs associated with increasing production after completing major equipment upgrades commissioningin the prior quarter.
Operating results in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 were also adversely impacted by a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $9 million in a reporting unit within AMR and maintenance having a combined $2non-cash impairment charges and accelerated depreciation of $21 million adverse impact on SMB's first quarter operating results. certain long-lived and other assets primarily at AMR. See Results of Operations, Asset Impairment Charges in this Item 2 for further details on asset impairment charges.
Consolidated selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense decreasedin the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased by $1$10 million, or 2%30%, compared to the prior year period primarily due to an increase in incentive compensation accruals resulting from improved financial performance and, to a lesser extent, increased environmental liabilities. These increases were partially offset by incremental benefits from cost saving and productivity improvement measures initiated in fiscal 2015 and further expanded in subsequent periods. These measures also reduced direct costs of production primarily at AMR contributing to its improved operating results in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the prior year period.measures.
In recent years, we implemented a number of cost reduction and productivity improvement measures to more closely align our business to market conditions. The combined benefit of the measures initiated since the beginning of fiscal 2015 represents a targeted annual improvement to operating performance of approximately $95 million, of which $78 million had been achieved in total by the end of fiscal 2016. In the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017, we achieved approximately $22$23 million in combined benefits related to these measures, reflectingincluding approximately $7$6 million in incremental benefits compared to the prior year quarter. We expect to achieve substantially all of the remainder of the annual improvement target of $95 million associated with these measures inby the end of fiscal 2017. Charges incurred in connection with the foregoing initiatives are discussed in Results of Operations, Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Activities in this Item 2.
Net lossincome from continuing operations attributable to SSI in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 was $1$11 million, or $(0.05)$0.40 per diluted share, compared to $5net loss of $40 million, or $(0.19)$(1.48) per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted net lossincome from continuing operations attributable to SSI in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 was $1$10 million,, or $(0.03)$0.37 per diluted share,, compared to $4adjusted net loss of $7 million, or $(0.13)$(0.25) per diluted share, in the prior year period. See the reconciliation of adjusted net lossincome (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2.

26

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

The following items further highlight selected liquidity and capital structure metrics formetrics:
For the first quartersix months of fiscal 2017:
Net2017, net cash provided by operating activities of $6 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $41$47 million in the prior year period;
Debt of $188$209 million as of November 30, 2016,February 28, 2017, compared to $193 million as of August 31, 2016; and
Debt, net of cash, of $180$200 million as of February 28, 2017, compared to $166 million as of August 31, 2016 (see the reconciliation of debt, net of cash, in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2).



27

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

Results of Operations
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
($ in thousands)2/28/2017 2/29/2016 % Change 2/28/2017 2/29/2016 % Change
Revenues:           
Auto and Metals Recycling$349,369
 $249,812
 40 % $654,307
 $522,777
 25 %
Steel Manufacturing Business58,291
 58,391
  % 110,887
 130,292
 (15)%
Intercompany revenue eliminations(1)
(25,576) (19,126) 34 % (48,949) (42,794) 14 %
Total revenues382,084
 289,077
 32 % 716,245
 610,275
 17 %
Cost of goods sold:           
Auto and Metals Recycling293,403
 222,728
 32 % 559,414
 465,120
 20 %
Steel Manufacturing Business58,458
 58,195
  % 112,167
 125,674
 (11)%
Intercompany cost of goods sold eliminations(1)
(25,057) (21,253) 18 % (48,885) (46,270) 6 %
Total cost of goods sold326,804
 259,670
 26 % 622,696
 544,524
 14 %
Selling, general and administrative expense:           
Auto and Metals Recycling31,814
 25,886
 23 % 58,757
 54,335
 8 %
Steel Manufacturing Business1,579
 1,398
 13 % 3,146
 3,066
 3 %
Corporate(2)
10,430
 6,315
 65 % 19,412
 14,616
 33 %
Total selling, general and administrative expense43,823
 33,599
 30 % 81,315
 72,017
 13 %
(Income) loss from joint ventures:           
Auto and Metals Recycling(2,207) 324
 NM
 (2,642) 412
 NM
Change in intercompany profit elimination(3)
(13) (34) (62)% 10
 (93) NM
Total (income) loss from joint ventures(2,220) 290
 NM
 (2,632) 319
 NM
Goodwill impairment charge:           
Auto and Metals Recycling
 8,845
 NM
 
 8,845
 NM
Other asset impairment charges:           
Auto and Metals Recycling
 18,379
 NM
 
 18,379
 NM
Steel Manufacturing Business
 
 NM
 401
 
 NM
Corporate
 79
 NM
 
 79
 NM
Total other asset impairment charges
 18,458
 NM
 401
 18,458
 (98)%
Operating income (loss):           
Auto and Metals Recycling26,359
 (26,350) NM
 38,778
 (24,314) NM
Steel Manufacturing Business(1,746) (1,202) 45 % (4,827) 1,552
 NM
Segment operating income (loss)24,613
 (27,552) NM
 33,951
 (22,762) NM
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities(4)
494
 (5,291) NM
 293
 (7,216) NM
Corporate expense(2)
(10,430) (6,394) 63 % (19,412) (14,695) 32 %
Change in intercompany profit elimination(5)
(506) 2,161
 NM
 (74) 3,569
 NM
Total operating income (loss)$14,171
 $(37,076) NM
 $14,758
 $(41,104) NM
 Three Months Ended November 30,
($ in thousands)2016 2015 % Change
Revenues:     
Auto and Metals Recycling$304,938
 $272,965
 12 %
Steel Manufacturing Business52,596
 71,901
 (27)%
Intercompany revenue eliminations(1)
(23,373) (23,668) (1)%
Total revenues334,161
 321,198
 4 %
Cost of goods sold:     
Auto and Metals Recycling266,011
 242,393
 10 %
Steel Manufacturing Business53,709
 67,478
 (20)%
Intercompany cost of goods sold eliminations(1)
(23,828) (25,017) (5)%
Total cost of goods sold295,892
 284,854
 4 %
Selling, general and administrative expense:     
Auto and Metals Recycling26,943
 28,450
 (5)%
Steel Manufacturing Business1,567
 1,669
 (6)%
Corporate(2)
8,982
 8,299
 8 %
Total selling, general and administrative expense37,492
 38,418
 (2)%
(Income) loss from joint ventures:     
Auto and Metals Recycling(435) 86
 NM
Change in intercompany profit elimination(3)
23
 (57) NM
Total (income) loss from joint ventures(412) 29
 NM
Other asset impairment charges:     
Steel Manufacturing Business401
 
 NM
Total other asset impairment charges401
 
 NM
Operating income (loss):     
Auto and Metals Recycling12,419
 2,036
 510 %
Steel Manufacturing Business(3,081) 2,754
 NM
Segment operating income9,338
 4,790
 95 %
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities(4)
(201) (1,925) (90)%
Corporate expense(2)
(8,982) (8,299) 8 %
Change in intercompany profit elimination(5)
432
 1,406
 (69)%
Total operating income (loss)$587
 $(4,028) NM
_____________________________
NM = Not Meaningful
(1)AMR sells recycled ferrous metal to SMB at rates per ton that approximate West Coast U.S. market prices. These intercompany revenues and cost of goods sold are eliminated in consolidation.
(2)Corporate expense consists primarily of unallocated expenses for management and certain administrative services that benefit both reportable segments.
(3)The joint ventures sell recycled metal to AMR and to SMB at prices that approximate local market rates, which produces intercompany profit. This intercompany profit is eliminated while the products remain in inventory and is not recognized until the finished products are sold to third parties.
(4)Restructuring charges consist of expense for severance, contract termination and other restructuring costs that management does not include in its measurement of the performance of the reportable segments. Other exit-related activities consist of asset impairments and accelerated depreciation, net of gains on exit-related disposals, related to site closures and idled equipment.closures.

28

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

(5)Intercompany profits are not recognized until the finished products are sold to third parties; therefore, intercompany profit is eliminated while the products remain in inventory.
We operate our business across two reportable segments: AMR and SMB. Additional financial information relating to these reportable segments is contained in Note 1415 - Segment Information in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

Auto and Metals Recycling
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
($ in thousands, except for prices)2016 2015 % Change2/28/2017 2/29/2016 % Change 2/28/2017 2/29/2016 % Change
Ferrous revenues$183,754
 $163,413
 12 %$230,177
 $140,126
 64 % $413,931
 $303,539
 36 %
Nonferrous revenues(1)
90,936
 77,590
 17 %91,512
 80,068
 14 % 182,448
 157,658
 16 %
Retail and other revenues(1)
30,248
 31,962
 (5)%27,680
 29,618
 (7)% 57,928
 61,580
 (6)%
Total segment revenues$304,938
 $272,965
 12 %349,369
 249,812
 40 % $654,307
 522,777
 25 %
                
Segment operating income$12,419
 $2,036
 510 %
Segment operating income (loss)$26,359
 $(26,350) NM
 $38,778
 $(24,314) NM
                
Average ferrous recycled metal sales prices ($/LT):(2)
                
Domestic$184
 $180
 2 %$241
 $161
 50 % $213
 $170
 25 %
Foreign$202
 $179
 13 %$252
 $174
 45 % $227
 $177
 28 %
Average$196
 $179
 9 %$248
 $169
 47 % $222
 $175
 27 %
Ferrous sales volume (LT, in thousands):                
Domestic288
 290
 (1)%310
 282
 10 % 598
 572
 5 %
Foreign546
 515
 6 %542
 455
 19 % 1,088
 970
 12 %
Total ferrous sales volume (LT, in thousands)834
 805
 4 %852
 737
 16 % 1,686
 1,542
 9 %
Average nonferrous sales price ($/pound)(2)(3)
$0.58
 $0.63
 (8)%$0.65
 $0.59
 10 % $0.61
 $0.61
  %
Nonferrous sales volumes (pounds, in thousands)(3)
136,057
 111,077
 22 %122,554
 123,675
 (1)% 258,611
 234,753
 10 %
Cars purchased (in thousands)(4)
94
 77
 22 %96
 70
 37 % 190
 147
 29 %
Number of auto parts stores at period end52
 55
 (5)%52
 55
 (5)% 52
 55
 (5)%
Outbound freight in cost of goods sold$24,336
 $22,156
 10 %$22,501
 $19,196
 17 % $46,837
 $41,353
 13 %
_____________________________
NM = Not Meaningful
LT = Long Ton equivalent to 2,240 pounds
(1)An adjustment of certain intrasegment items was made between nonferrous revenues and retail and other revenues for the three and six months ended November 30, 2015February 29, 2016 to conform to the presentation for the three and six months ended November 30, 2016.February 28, 2017. The adjustment had no impact on previously reported total revenues or earnings.
(2)Price information is shown after netting the cost of freight incurred to deliver the product to the customer.
(3)Average sales price and volume information excludes platinum group metals ("PGMs") in catalytic converters.
(4)Cars purchased by auto parts stores only.
AMR Segment Revenues
Revenues in the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 increased by 12%40% and 25%, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year period primarily due to stronger demand in ourthe export and domestic markets, resulting in significantly higher average net selling prices for ferrous scrap metal and increased export sales volumes for both ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal compared to the prior year period.periods. Average net selling prices for shipments of ferrous scrap metal in the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 increased by 9%47% and 27%, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year perioddriven primarily by sharp increases in export and domestic ferrous prices leading into the second quarter reflecting overall stronger export demandmarket conditions for recycled ferrous metals and higher market prices for other steel-making raw materials generally than experienced during the first quarter of fiscal 2016.materials. Ferrous export sales volumes in the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 also increased by 6%16% and 9%, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year period. Nonferrousprimarily due to improved market conditions. Additionally, nonferrous revenues in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 increased by 17%14% compared to the prior year period primarily due to a 22% increase in nonferrous sales volumes partially offset by lowerhigher nonferrous average net selling prices. While overall demandprices, and for recycled metals in our end-markets improvedthe first six months of fiscal 2017 increased by 16% compared to the prior year period including an upward trend in ferrous prices near the end of the first quarter, low global economic growthprimarily due to higher sales volumes and the relative strength of the U.S. dollar continued to adversely impact overall market conditions.improved product mix.
AMR Segment Operating Income
Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was $12 million, compared to $2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Adjusted operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was also $12 million, compared to $2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. See the reconciliation of AMR adjusted operating income in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2.
29

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

AMR Segment Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2017 was $26 million and $39 million, respectively, compared to operating loss of $26 million and $24 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2016. Adjusted operating income for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2017 was $26 million and $38 million, respectively, compared to adjusted operating income of $1 million and $3 million, respectively, in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2016. See the reconciliation of AMR adjusted operating income in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2.
Operating results in the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 benefited from relatively stablesignificantly higher ferrous average net selling prices on shipped volumes during the quarter compared to the prior year periods driven by sharp increases in export and domestic ferrous prices leading into the second quarter. This compares to the significantly lower and sharply declining price environment experienced during the first quartercomparable periods of fiscal 2016 which had adversely impacted operating margins and overall results at AMR during the prior year period. While ferrous prices decreased leading intoperiods. The higher price environment during the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 before increasing nearpositively impacted the endspread between direct purchase costs and selling prices of recycled metal and led to an increase in the period,supply of scrap metal including end-of-life vehicles, which resulted in increased processed volumes and improved operating margins at AMR. Further, primarily during the second quarter, average inventory costs did not increase as quickly as purchase costs for scrap metal resulting in a benefit to cost of goods sold for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2017 and an additional improvement to operating margins. This compares to an adverse impact from average inventory accounting was significantly less thanin the adverse impactprior year periods. Generally, in periods of sharply rising prices such as reflected in AMR's operating results during the first quarter of fiscal 2016. AMR operating results in the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017, average inventory costs do not adjust as quickly as selling prices, causing a positive impact to operating margins. When selling prices decline, AMR's operating margins typically compress.
Operating results in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2016 were also positivelyadversely impacted by $5a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $9 million in a reporting unit within AMR and non-cash impairment charges and accelerated depreciation of $18 million on certain long-lived and other assets at AMR. See Results of Operations, Asset Impairment Charges in this Item 2 for further details on asset impairment charges. The second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2017 also benefited from improved joint venture income compared to the prior year periods driven primarily by a real estate sale at one joint venture during the second quarter resulting in recognition of a gain of $3 million at AMR.
AMR selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2017 increased by $6 million and $4 million, or 23% and 8%, respectively, compared to the prior year periods primarily due to an increase in incentive compensation accruals in the second quarter resulting from improved financial performance and, to a lesser extent, increased environmental liabilities. These increases were partially offset by incremental benefits from cost saving and productivity improvement measures initiated in fiscal 2015, and further expanded in subsequent periods, to reduce direct costs of production and SG&A expense. SG&A expense within AMR decreased $2 million, or 5%,operating results in the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 compared to the prior year quarter primarily resultingwere positively impacted by $4 million and $9 million, respectively, of incremental benefits from reduced employee-related expense.these measures.
Steel Manufacturing Business
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
($ in thousands, except for price)2016 2015 % Change2/28/2017 2/29/2016 % Change 2/28/2017 2/29/2016 % Change
Revenues(1)
$52,596
 $71,901
 (27)%$58,291
 $58,391
  % $110,887
 $130,292
 (15)%
                
Segment operating income (loss)$(3,081) $2,754
 NM
$(1,746) $(1,202) 45 % $(4,827) $1,552
 NM
                
Finished steel average sales price ($/ST)(2)
$492
 $554
 (11)%$517
 $504
 3 % $505
 $530
 (5)%
Finished steel products sold (tons, in thousands)101
 123
 (18)%106
 110
 (4)% 207
 233
 (11)%
Rolling mill utilization(3)
65% 68%  89% 61% 46 % 77% 64% 20 %
_____________________________
ST = Short Ton, which is 2,000 pounds
NM = Not Meaningful
(1)Revenues include sales of semi-finished goods (billets) and finished steel products.
(2)Price information is shown after netting the cost of freight incurred to deliver the product to the customer.
(3)Rolling mill utilization for the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 is based on effective annual production capacity under current conditions of 580 thousand tons of finished steel products, reflecting a decrease in the effective finished steel production capacity resulting from the decommissioning of the older rolling mill during the quarter.first quarter of fiscal 2017.


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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

SMB Segment Revenues
Revenues forin the first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 decreased by 27%15% compared to the same period in the prior year and were relatively consistent quarter-over-quarter. Both periods of fiscal 2017 were adversely impacted by lower sales volumes compared to the prior year periods reflecting the effects of competition from lower-priced steel imports. In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the impact of lower sales volumes was partially offset by higher selling prices for finished steel products compared to the prior year period driven primarily due to reduced selling prices for finished steel products and lower sales volumes reflecting competition from lower-priced steel imports and customer de-stocking.by increased steel-making raw material costs during the quarter.
SMB Segment Operating Income (Loss)
Operating loss for the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 was $3$2 million, compared to $1 million in the prior year period. Operating results for both periods were adversely impacted by low sales volumes reflecting competition from imported steel products. The decrease in operating results quarter-over-quarter was primarily due to the combination of lower sales volumes, steel-making raw material costs increasing faster than finished steel selling prices, and higher beginning inventory costs associated with increasing production after completing major equipment upgrades in the prior quarter.
Operating loss for the first six months of fiscal 2017 was $5 million, compared to operating income of $3$2 million in the prior year period. Adjusted operating loss for the first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 was $3$4 million, compared to adjusted operating income of $3$2 million in the prior year period. See the reconciliation of SMB adjusted operating income (loss) in Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2.
The decrease in operating results was primarily due to the adverse impact of lower sales volumes and the downtime and costs associated with major equipment upgrades during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Operating results for both periods were adversely impacted by periods of selling prices for finished steel products falling faster than cost of goods sold, on the first quarterresulting in compressed operating margins and lower overall operating results. Additionally, downtime associated with major equipment upgrades, commissioning and maintenance led to lower rolling mill utilization that reduced overall profitability in the first quarter by $2 million.
Through the end of fiscal 2016, SMB operated two computerized rolling mills. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we implemented thea plan to whichthat we committed to in August 2016 to shut down and decommission the older and less technologically advanced rolling mill, which was entered into service over 40 years ago, and which in recent years hashad been producing a small proportion of SMB's finished steel products. This plan was implemented in conjunction with an initiative to enhance the operating efficiency of the newer and more technologically advanced rolling mill, improve product quality, and expand its overall effective annual production capacity. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we recognized accelerated depreciation of less than $1 million due to shortening the useful lives of decommissioned machinery and equipment assets, which is reported within other asset impairment charges in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

Asset Impairment Charges
During the periods presented, we recorded non-cash impairment charges and accelerated depreciation on certain long-lived and other assets. Impairment charges and accelerated depreciation, excluding goodwill impairment charges, were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 2/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Reported within other asset impairment charges(1):
       
Long-lived assets$
 $7,336
 $
 $7,336
Accelerated depreciation(1)

 6,208
 401
 6,208
Investment in joint venture
 1,968
 
 1,968
Assets held for sale
 1,659
 
 1,659
Other assets(1)

 1,287
 
 1,287
 
 18,458
 401
 18,458
Reported within restructuring charges and other exit-related activities:       
Long-lived assets
 329
 
 329
Accelerated depreciation
 630
 96
 630
Other assets
 1,102
 62
 1,102
 
 2,061
 158
 2,061
Reported within discontinued operations:       
Long-lived assets
 673
 
 673
Accelerated depreciation
 274
 
 274
 
 947
 
 947
Total$
 $21,466
 $559
 $21,466
_____________________________
(1)Other asset impairment charges were incurred in AMR, except for $401 thousand of accelerated depreciation related to SMB for the six months ended February 28, 2017, and $79 thousand of impairment charges on Other assets related to Corporate for the three and six months ended February 29, 2016.
Corporate
Corporate expense is comprised almost entirely of unallocated SG&A expense for management and certain administrative services that benefit both reportable segments. Corporate SG&A expense for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2017 was $10 million and $19 million, respectively, compared to $6 million and $15 million, respectively, for the comparable periods of fiscal 2016. The higher levels of expense are primarily due to an increase in incentive compensation accruals in the second quarter resulting from improved financial performance and, to a lesser extent, increased professional services expense.
Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Activities
Consolidated operating results for the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 and 2016 also included a net benefit from restructuring charges and other exit-related activities of less than $1 million, compared to net charges of $5 million and $2$7 million, respectively.respectively, in the same periods in the prior year. Restructuring charges consisted of severance, contract termination and other restructuring costs. Other exit-related activities in the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 consisted primarily of a gain recorded in connection with the disposition of business assets related to the elimination of a metals recycling feeder yard operation. Other exit-related activities in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2016 consisted of asset impairment chargesimpairments and accelerated depreciation in connection withrelated to site closures and idled equipment.closures. The charges incurred during the periods presented primarily pertain to restructuring initiatives announced in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and expanded in subsequent periods (the "Q2'15 Plan"). Consolidated operating results for the periods presented also reflect benefits from cost reduction and productivity improvement measures initiated prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and an immaterial amount of associated costs.
Since the beginning of fiscal 2015, we have initiated and implemented a number of cost reduction and productivity improvement measures with a targeted annual benefit of $95 million. These initiatives included those announced in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 (the "Q1'15 Plan") followed by further cost-saving and exit-related measures as part of the Q2'15 Plan targeting a combined benefit to annual operating performance of approximately $60 million, subsequently increased by $5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. In the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we expanded the Q2'15 Plan initiatives by an additional $30 million.

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

The cost reduction and productivity improvements associated with the Q1'15 Plan are driven by a combination of revenue drivers and production and SG&A cost reduction initiatives with a targeted aggregate annual improvement of $14 million, which was achieved in fiscal 2016. The improvements to performance associated with the Q2'15 Plan include two components. The first component reflects strategic actions initiated in the second quarter of fiscal 2015 consisting of idling shredding equipment and closing seven auto parts stores at AMR to align our business to market conditions, targeting a benefit to annual operating performance of approximately $18 million, of which approximately one-third is from reduced depreciation expense. As part of the second component of the Q2'15 Plan, in April 2015, we initiated measures, and also announced the integration of the former Metals Recycling Business and Auto Parts Business into the combined AMR platform, in order to achieve operational synergies and further reduce our annual operating expenses, primarily SG&A expense, by approximately $28 million through personnel reductions, eliminating organizational layers, consolidating shared service functions and reducing other administrative costs. We expanded the Q2'15 Plan and target by initiating measures primarily in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2016 with an additional $35 million in expected benefits primarily through further reductions in personnel, savings from procurement activities, streamlining of administrative and supporting services functions, and adjustments to our operating capacity through additional facility closures, with approximately two-thirds of the target coming from a reduction in SG&A expense and the rest from a reduction in production costs, primarily at AMR.
In the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017, we achieved approximately $22$23 million and $45 million, respectively, in combined benefits related to the Q1'15 and Q2'15 Plans, reflectingincluding approximately $7$6 million and $13 million, respectively, in incremental benefits compared to the prior year quarter.periods. We expect to achieve substantially all of the combined annual improvement target of $95 million associated with these measures inby the end of fiscal 2017.
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities incurred in connection with cost reduction and productivity improvement plans were comprised of the following (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended February 28, 2017 Three Months Ended February 29, 2016
 All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total Charges All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total Charges
Restructuring charges:
 
 
 
 
 
Severance costs$
 $3
 $3
 $
 $3,185
 $3,185
Contract termination costs49
 61
 110
 35
 12
 47
Other restructuring costs
 
 
 
 
 
Total restructuring charges49
 64
 113
 35
 3,197
 3,232
Other exit-related activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Asset impairments and accelerated depreciation
 
 
 
 3,008
 3,008
Gain on exit-related disposal
 (562) (562) 
 
 
Total other exit-related activities
 (562) (562) 
 3,008
 3,008
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related activities$49
 $(498) $(449) $35
 $6,205
 $6,240
            
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in continuing operations $(494) 
 
 $5,291
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in discontinued operations $45
 
 
 $949

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities incurred in connection with cost reduction and productivity improvement plans were comprised of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30, 2016 Three Months Ended November 30, 2015Six Months Ended February 28, 2017 Six Months Ended February 29, 2016
All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total Charges All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total ChargesAll Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total Charges All Other Plans Q2’15 Plan Total Charges
Restructuring charges:                      
Severance costs$
 $(62) $(62) $
 $1,161
 $1,161
$
 $(59) $(59) $
 $4,346
 $4,346
Contract termination costs88
 (2) 86
 90
 645
 735
137
 59
 196
 125
 657
 782
Other restructuring costs
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Total restructuring charges88
 (64) 24
 90
 1,806
 1,896
137
 
 137
 125
 5,003
 5,128
Other exit-related activities:                      
Asset impairments and accelerated depreciation
 158
 158
 
 
 

 158
 158
 
 3,008
 3,008
Gain on exit-related disposal
 (562) (562) 
 
 
Total other exit-related activities
 158
 158
 
 
 

 (404) (404) 
 3,008
 3,008
Total restructuring charges and other exit-related activities$88
 $94
 $182
 $90
 $1,806
 $1,896
$137
 $(404) $(267) $125
 $8,011
 $8,136
                      
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in continuing operationsRestructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in continuing operations $201
     $1,925
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in continuing operations $(293)     $7,216
Restructuring charges (recoveries) and other exit-related activities included in discontinued operations $(19)     $(29)
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in discontinued operationsRestructuring charges and other exit-related activities included in discontinued operations $26
     $920

See Note 7 - Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Activities in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional details on restructuring charges.
Income Tax
Our effective tax rate from continuing operations for the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 was a benefitan expense of 8.6%5.1% and 4.9%, respectively, compared to a benefitan expense of 10.5%3.3% and 1.6% for the comparable prior year period.periods.
The effective tax rate from continuing operations for the second quarter and first quartersix months of fiscal 2017 and 2016 was lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the low projected annual effective tax rate applied to the quarterly results. The low projected annual effective tax rate was the result of our full valuation allowance positions partially offset by increases in deferred tax liabilities from indefinite-lived assets in all jurisdictions.
The valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets are the result of negative objective evidence, including the effects of historical losses in our tax jurisdictions, outweighing positive objective and subjective evidence, indicating that it is more likely than not that the associated tax benefit will not be realized. Realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income in the associated tax jurisdictions in future years to benefit from the reversal of net deductible temporary differences and from the utilization of net operating losses. We will continue to regularly assess the realizability of deferred tax assets. Changes in historical earnings performance and future earnings projections, among other factors, may cause us to adjust our valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, which would impact our results of operations in the period we determine that these factors have changed.
The effective tax rate from continuing operations for fiscal 2017 is expected to be approximately 9%5%, subject to financial performance for the remainder of the year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We rely on cash provided by operating activities as a primary source of liquidity, supplemented by current cash on hand and borrowings under our existing credit facilities.

Sources and Uses of Cash
We had cash balances of $8$10 million and $27 million as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively. Cash balances are intended to be used primarily for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, investments and acquisitions. We use excess cash on hand to reduce amounts outstanding under our credit facilities. As of November 30, 2016,February 28, 2017, debt was $188$209 million, compared to $193 million as of August 31, 2016, and debt, net of cash, was $180$200 million, compared to $166 million as of August 31, 2016 (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures below), an increase of $14 million primarily resulting from reduced cash on hand due to working capital spending. Our cash balances as of November 30, 2016 and August 31, 2016 include $6 million and $7 million, respectively, that are indefinitely reinvested in Puerto Rico and Canada.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first three months of fiscal 2017 was $6 million, compared to $41 million in the first three months of fiscal 2016.
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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

Sourcesmillion as of August 31, 2016 (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures below). Debt, net of cash, increased by $34 million primarily due to higher working capital levels.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of fiscal 2017 was $6 million, compared to $47 million in the first six months of fiscal 2016.
Uses of cash in the first threesix months of fiscal 2017 included a $14 million increase in accounts payable due to the timing of payments. Uses of cash in the first three months of fiscal 2017 included a $13$30 million increase in inventory due to higher raw material purchase prices, higher volumes on hand and the impact of timing of purchases and sales, and a $10$25 million decreaseincrease in accrued payroll and related liabilitiesaccounts receivable primarily due to incentive compensationincreases in recycled metal selling prices and sales volumes and the timing of sales and collections. Sources of cash in the first six months of fiscal 2017 included a $17 million increase in accounts payable primarily due to higher raw material purchase prices and the timing of payments.
Sources of cash in the first threesix months of fiscal 2016 included a $38$26 million decrease in accounts receivable primarily due to reductions in recycled metal and finished steel selling prices and the timing of sales and collections, and a $5$13 million decrease in inventory due to the impacts of declining scrap metal purchase prices and timing of purchases and sales. Uses of cash in the first threesix months of fiscal 2016 included a $5 million decrease in accounts payable and an $8$9 million decrease in accrued payroll and related liabilities due to the timing of payments.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $11$26 million in the first threesix months of fiscal 2017, compared to $9$15 million in the first threesix months of fiscal 2016.
Cash used in investing activities in the first threesix months of fiscal 2017 included capital expenditures of $11$22 million to upgrade our equipment and infrastructure and for additional investments in environmental and safety-related assets, compared to $9$16 million in the prior year period. Cash used in investing activities in the first six months of fiscal 2017 also included the purchase of a cost-method investment for $6 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash used inprovided by financing activities in the first threesix months of fiscal 2017 was $14$3 million, compared to $36net cash used in financing activities of $47 million in the first threesix months of fiscal 2016.
Cash flows from financing activities in the first six months of fiscal 2017 included $17 million in net borrowings from debt, compared to $30 million in net repayments of debt in the prior year period (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Item 2). Uses of cash in the first six months of fiscal 2017 and 2016 also included $10 million for dividends. Cash used in financing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2017 included $5 million in net repayments of debt (refer to Non-GAAP Financial Measures below) and $5 million for dividends, compared to $25 million and $5 million, respectively, in the prior year period. Cash used in financing activities in the first threesix months of fiscal 2016 also included $3 million for share repurchases.

Debt
Our senior secured revolving credit facilities, which provide for revolving loans of $335 million and C$15 million, mature in April 2021 pursuant to a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and other lenders party thereto. Interest rates on outstanding indebtedness under the agreement are based, at our option, on either the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), or the Canadian equivalent, plus a spread of between 1.75% and 2.75%, with the amount of the spread based on a pricing grid tied to the Company’s leverage ratio but no less than 2.50% for the fiscal quarters ended May 31, 2016, August 31, 2016 and November 30, 2016, or the greater of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or (c) the daily rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 1.75%, in each case plus a spread of between zero and 1.00% based on a pricing grid tied to the Company's leverage ratio. In addition, commitment fees are payable on the unused portion of the credit facilities at rates between 0.20% and 0.40% based on a pricing grid tied to our leverage ratio.
We had borrowings outstanding under the credit facilities of $183$205 million as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and $180 million as of August 31, 2016. The weighted average interest rate on amounts outstanding was 3.07%3.02% and 3.01% as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, respectively.
We use the credit facilities to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, investments and acquisitions. The credit agreement contains various representations and warranties, events of default and financial and other customary covenants which limit (subject to certain exceptions) our ability to, among other things, incur or suffer to exist certain liens, make investments, incur or guaranty additional indebtedness, enter into consolidations, mergers, acquisitions, and sales of assets, make distributions and other restricted payments, change the nature of our business, engage in transactions with affiliates and enter into restrictive agreements, including agreements that restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions. The financial covenants under the credit agreement include (a) a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, defined as the four-quarter rolling sum of consolidated adjusted EBITDA less defined maintenance capital expenditures divided by consolidated fixed charges; (b) a consolidated leverage ratio, defined as consolidated funded indebtedness divided by the sum of consolidated net worth and consolidated funded

35

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

indebtedness; and (c) a consolidated asset coverage ratio, defined as the consolidated asset value of eligible assets divided by the consolidated funded indebtedness. The financial covenants require maintenance of a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2016, and 1.50 to 1.00 thereafter, a maximum leverage ratio of 0.55 to 1.00, and a minimum asset coverage ratio of 0.90 to 1.00 for fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2016, and 1.00 to 1.00 thereafter.
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

As of November 30, 2016,February 28, 2017, we were in compliance with the financial covenants under the credit agreement. The consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio was required to be no less than 1.251.50 to 1.00 and was 2.423.09 to 1.00 as of November 30, 2016.February 28, 2017. The consolidated leverage ratio was required to be no more than 0.55 to 1.00 and was 0.280.30 to 1.00 as of November 30, 2016.February 28, 2017. The asset coverage ratio was required to be no less than 0.901.00 to 1.00 and was 1.281.25 to 1.00 as of November 30, 2016.February 28, 2017.
The Company's obligations under the credit agreement are guaranteed by substantially all of our subsidiaries. The credit facilities and the related guarantees are secured by senior first priority liens on certain of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, including equipment, inventory and accounts receivable.
While we expect to remain in compliance with the financial covenants under the credit agreement, there can be no assurances that we will be able to do so in the event market conditions or other negative factors which adversely impact our results of operations and financial position lead to a trend of consolidated net losses. If we do not maintain compliance with our financial covenants and are unable to obtain an amendment or waiver from our lenders, a breach of a financial covenant would constitute an event of default and allow the lenders to exercise remedies under the agreements, the most severe of which is the termination of the credit facilities under our committed bank credit agreement and acceleration of the amounts owed under the agreement. In such case, we would be required to evaluate available alternatives and take appropriate steps to obtain alternative funds. There can be no assurances that any such alternative funds, if sought, could be obtained or, if obtained, would be adequate or on acceptable terms.
As of August 31, 2016, we had $8 million of tax-exempt economic development revenue bonds outstanding with the State of Oregon and scheduled to mature in January 2021. In August 2016, we exercised our option to redeem the bonds prior to maturity. We repaid the bonds in full in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The obligation is reported as a current liability within short-term borrowings as of August 31, 2016 on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and the $8 million repayment is reported as a cash outflow from financing activities for the threesix months ended November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures totaled $11$22 million for the first threesix months of fiscal 2017, compared to $9$16 million for the prior year period. We currently plan to invest in the range of $45 million in capital expenditures on maintenance and environmental compliance and safety-related projects in fiscal 2017 using cash generated from operations and available credit facilities.
Dividends
On October 27, 2016,January 26, 2017, our Board of Directors declared a dividend for the firstsecond quarter of fiscal 2017 of $0.1875 per common share, which equates to an annual cash dividend of $0.75 per common share. The dividend was paid on NovemberFebruary 21, 2016.2017.
Environmental Compliance
Our commitment to recycling and operating our business in an environmentally responsible manner requires us to continue to invest in facilities that improve our environmental presence in the communities in which we operate. As part of our capital expenditures, we invested $3$7 million in capital expenditures for environmental projects in the first threesix months of fiscal 2017, and plan to invest in the range of $20 million for such projects in fiscal 2017. These projects include investments in storm water systems and equipment to ensure ongoing compliance with air quality and other environmental regulations.
We have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) as one of the potentially responsible parties that own or operate or formerly owned or operated sites which are part of or adjacent to the Portland Harbor Superfund site (“the Site”). See Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a discussion of this matter. We believe it is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of costs which we are likely to or which it is reasonably possible that we will incur in connection with the Site, although such costs could be material to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. We have insurance policies that we believe will provide reimbursement for costs we incur for defense, remediation and mitigation for natural resource damages claims in connection with the Site, although there are no assurances that those policies will cover all of the costs which we may incur. Significant cash outflows in the future related to the Site could reduce the amounts available for borrowing that could otherwise be used for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, investments and acquisitions and could result in our failure to maintain compliance with certain covenants in our debt agreements, and could adversely impact our liquidity.

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

Share Repurchase Program
Pursuant to our amended share repurchase program, we have existing authorization to repurchase up to approximately 1.8 million shares of our Class A common stock when we deem such repurchases to be appropriate. We evaluate long- and short-range forecasts as well as anticipated sources and uses of cash before determining the course of action in our share repurchase program.
SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

Assessment of Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, our available cash resources, internally generated funds, credit facilities and equity offerings have financed our acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital and other financing needs.
We generally believe our current cash resources, internally generated funds, existing credit facilities and access to the capital markets will provide adequate short-term and long-term liquidity needs for working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases, dividends, joint ventures, debt service requirements, environmental obligations and acquisitions. However, in the event of a sustained market deterioration, we may need additional liquidity, which would require us to evaluate available alternatives and take appropriate steps to obtain sufficient additional funds. There can be no assurances that any such supplemental funding, if sought, could be obtained or, if obtained, would be adequate or on acceptable terms.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
None.

Contractual Obligations
There were no material changes related to contractual obligations and commitments from the information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016.
We maintain stand-by letters of credit to provide support for certain obligations, including workers’ compensation and performance bonds. AtAs of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017, we had $8 million outstanding under these arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We reaffirm our critical accounting policies and estimates as described in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2016.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements that may have an impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, see Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.


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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Debt, net of cash
Debt, net of cash is the difference between (i) the sum of long-term debt and short-term borrowings (i.e., total debt) and (ii) cash and cash equivalents. We believe that debt, net of cash is a useful measure for investors because, as cash and cash equivalents can be used, among other things, to repay indebtedness, netting this against total debt is a useful measure of our leverage.
The following is a reconciliation of debt, net of cash (in thousands):
November 30, 2016 August 31, 2016February 28, 2017 August 31, 2016
Short-term borrowings$701
 $8,374
$676
 $8,374
Long-term debt, net of current maturities186,944
 184,144
208,801
 184,144
Total debt187,645
 192,518
209,477
 192,518
Less: cash and cash equivalents8,100
 26,819
9,830
 26,819
Total debt, net of cash$179,545
 $165,699
$199,647
 $165,699
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt is the sum of borrowings from long-term debt, repayments of long-term debt, proceeds from line of credit, and repayment of line of credit. We present this amount as the net change in borrowings (repayments) for the period because we believe it is useful to investors as a meaningful presentation of the change in debt.
The following is a reconciliation of net borrowings (repayments) of debt (in thousands):
Three Months Ended November 30,Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016
Borrowings from long-term debt$102,631
 $11,439
$245,633
 $49,160
Repayment of long-term debt(107,491) (35,976)(228,673) (79,456)
Proceeds from line of credit
 53,500

 115,500
Repayment of line of credit
 (53,500)
 (115,500)
Net repayments of debt$(4,860) $(24,537)
Net borrowings (repayments) of debt$16,960
 $(30,296)
Adjusted consolidated operating income (loss), adjusted AMR operating income, adjusted SMB operating income (loss), adjusted net lossincome (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI, and adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI
Management believes that providing these non-GAAP financial measures provides a meaningful presentation of our results from business operations excluding adjustments for a goodwill impairment charge, other asset impairment charges, restructuring charges and other exit-related activities, recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments, and income tax expense (benefit) associated with these adjustments, items which are not related to underlying business operational performance, and improves the period-to-period comparability of our results from business operations. These non-GAAP financial measures also exclude the impact onAdjusted operating results in fiscal 2015 excluded the impact from the resale or modification of the terms, each at significantly lower prices due to sharp declines in selling prices, of certain previously-contracted bulk shipments for delivery during fiscal 2015. Recoveries resulting from settlements with the original contract parties, which began in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, are reported within SG&A expense in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and are also excluded from the measures.

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

The following is a reconciliation of the adjusted consolidated operating income (loss), adjusted AMR operating income, adjusted SMB operating income (loss), adjusted net lossincome (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI, and adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI (in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended November 30,Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
2016 20152/28/2017 2/29/2016 2/28/2017 2/29/2016
Consolidated operating income (loss):   Consolidated operating income (loss):    
As reported$587
 $(4,028)$14,171
 $(37,076) $14,758
 $(41,104)
Goodwill impairment charge
 8,845
 
 8,845
Other asset impairment charges401
 

 18,458
 401
 18,458
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities201
 1,925
(494) 5,291
 (293) 7,216
Recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments(139) 
(417) 
 (556) 
Adjusted$1,050
 $(2,103)$13,260
 $(4,482) $14,310
 $(6,585)
          
AMR operating income:   AMR operating income:    
As reported$12,419
 $2,036
$26,359
 $(26,350) $38,778
 $(24,314)
Goodwill impairment charge
 8,845
 
 8,845
Other asset impairment charges
 18,379
 
 18,379
Recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments(139) 
(417) 
 (556) 
Adjusted$12,280
 $2,036
$25,942
 $874
 $38,222
 $2,910
          
SMB operating income (loss):   SMB operating income (loss):    
As reported$(3,081) $2,754
$(1,746) $(1,202) $(4,827) $1,552
Other asset impairment charges401
 

 
 401
 
Adjusted$(2,680) $2,754
$(1,746) $(1,202) $(4,426) $1,552
          
Net loss from continuing operations attributable to SSI:   
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI:Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI:    
As reported$(1,273) $(5,231)$11,132
 $(40,221) $9,859
 $(45,452)
Goodwill impairment charge
 8,845
 
 8,845
Other asset impairment charges401
 

 18,458
 401
 18,458
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities201
 1,925
(494) 5,291
 (293) 7,216
Recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments(139) 
(417) 
 (556) 
Income tax expense (benefit) allocated to adjustments(1)
(40) (311)46
 866
 6
 554
Adjusted$(850) $(3,617)$10,267
 $(6,761) $9,417
 $(10,379)
          
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI:   Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI:    
As reported$(0.05) $(0.19)$0.40
 $(1.48) $0.35
 $(1.67)
Goodwill impairment charge, per share
 0.33
 
 0.33
Other asset impairment charges, per share0.01
 

 0.68
 0.01
 0.68
Restructuring charges and other exit-related activities, per share0.01
 0.07
(0.02) 0.19
 (0.01) 0.27
Recoveries related to the resale or modification of previously contracted shipments, per share(0.01) 
(0.01) 
 (0.02) 
Income tax expense (benefit) allocated to adjustments, per share(1)

 (0.01)
 0.03
 
 0.02
Adjusted(2)
$(0.03) $(0.13)$0.37
 $(0.25) $0.34
 $(0.38)
____________________________
(1)Income tax allocated to the aggregate adjustments reconciling reported and adjusted net lossincome (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI and diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI is determined based on a tax provision calculated with and without the adjustments.
(2)May not foot due to rounding.

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We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures allow for a better understanding of our operating and financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures. Although we find these non-GAAP financial measures useful in evaluating the performance of our business, our reliance on these measures is limited because the adjustments often have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP. Therefore, we typically use these adjusted amounts in conjunction with our GAAP results to address these limitations.


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ITEM 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to commodity price risk, mainly associated with variations in the market price for finished steel products and ferrous and nonferrous metals including scrap metal, end-of-life vehicles and other commodities. The timing and magnitude of industry cycles are difficult to predict and are impacted by general economic conditions. We respond to increases and decreases in forward selling prices by adjusting purchase prices on a timely basis. We actively manage our exposure to commodity price risk and monitor the actual and expected spread between forward selling prices and purchase costs and processing and shipping expense. Sales contracts are based on prices negotiated with our customers, and generally orders are placed 30 to 60 days ahead of the shipment date. However, financial results may be negatively impacted when forward selling prices fall more quickly than we can adjust purchase prices or when customers fail to meet their contractual obligations. We assess the net realizable value of inventory (“NRV”) each quarter based upon contracted sales orders and estimated future selling prices. Based on contracted sales and estimates of future selling prices at November 30, 2016,February 28, 2017, a 10% decrease in the selling price per ton of finished steel products would have caused an NRV inventory write-down of $5$4 million at SMB. A 10% decrease in the selling price of inventory would not have had a material NRV impact on AMR as of November 30, 2016.February 28, 2017.
Interest Rate Risk
There have been no material changes to our disclosure regarding interest rate risk set forth in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2016.
Credit Risk
As of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, 39%31% and 34%, respectively, of our trade accounts receivable balance was covered by letters of credit. Of the remaining balance, 88%92% and 94%, respectively, was less than 60 days past due as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk, mainly associated with sales transactions and related accounts receivable denominated in the U.S. Dollar by our Canadian subsidiary with a functional currency of the Canadian Dollar. In certain instances, we may use derivatives to manage some portion of this risk. Our derivatives are agreements with independent counterparties that provide for payments based on a notional amount. As of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, we did not have any derivative contracts.


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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Our management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of November 30, 2016February 28, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information regarding reportable legal proceedings is contained in Part I, "Item 3. Legal Proceedings" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2016. Also see Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item I, incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes to our risk factors reported or new factors identified since the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2016,, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 25, 2016, except for the following:
Potential costs related to the environmental cleanup of Portland Harbor may be material to our financial position and liquidity
In December 2000, we were notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) that we are one of the potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) that own or operate or formerly owned or operated sites which are part of or adjacent to the Portland Harbor Superfund site (the “Site”). The precise nature and extent of any cleanup of the Site, the parties to be involved, the timing of any specific remedial action and the allocation of the costs for any cleanup among responsible parties have not yet been determined. The process of site investigation, remedy selection, identification of additional PRPs and allocation of costs has been underway for a number of years, but significant uncertainties remain. It is unclear to what extent we will be liable for environmental costs or natural resource damage claims or third party contribution or damage claims with respect to the Site.
While we participated in certain preliminary Site study efforts, we were not party to the consent order entered into by the EPA with certain other PRPs, referred to as the “Lower Willamette Group” (“LWG”), for a remedial investigation/feasibility study (“RI/FS”). During fiscal 2007, we and certain other parties agreed to an interim settlement with the LWG under which we made a cash contribution to the LWG RI/FS. We have also joined with approximately 100 other PRPs, including the LWG members, in a voluntary process to establish an allocation of costs at the Site, including costs incurred by the LWG in the RI/FS process. The LWG members have also commenced federal court litigation, which has been stayed, seeking to bring additional parties into the allocation process.
In January 2008, the Natural Resource Damages Trustee Council (“Trustees”) for Portland Harbor invited us and other PRPs to participate in funding and implementing the Natural Resource Injury Assessment for the Site. Following meetings among the Trustees and the PRPs, a funding and participation agreement was negotiated under which the participating PRPs agreed to fund the first phase of the natural resource damage assessment. We joined in that Phase I agreement and paid a portion of those costs. We did not participate in funding the second phase of the natural resource damage assessment.
A former Trustee, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, which withdrew from the council in 2009, filed a suit on January 30, 2017 against approximately 30 parties, including us, seeking reimbursement of certain past and future response costs in connection with remedial action at the Site and recovery of assessment costs related to natural resources damages from
releases at and from the Site to the Multnomah Channel and the Lower Columbia River. We do not have sufficient information to determine the likelihood of a loss or to estimate the amount of damages being sought or the amount of such damages that could be allocated to us.
On March 30, 2012, the LWG submitted to the EPA and made available on its website a draft feasibility study (“FS”) for the Site based on approximately ten years of work and $100 million in costs classified by the LWG as investigation-related. The draft FS submitted by the LWG identified ten possible remedial alternatives which ranged in estimated cost from approximately $170 million to $250 million (net present value) for the least costly alternative to approximately $1.08 billion to $1.76 billion (net present value) for the most costly alternative and estimated a range of two to 28 years to implement the remedial work, depending on the selected alternative. However, the EPA largely rejected this draft FS, and took over the drafting process. The EPA provided their revised draft FS in August 2015 that identified five possible remedial alternatives which ranged in estimated cost from approximately $550 million to $1.19 billion (net present value) for the least costly alternative to approximately $1.71 billion to $3.67 billion (net present value) for the most costly alternative and estimated a range of four to 18 years to implement the remedial work.
In June 2016, the EPA issued its final FS and Proposed Plan for the cleanup of the in-river portion of the Site. In the Proposed Plan, the EPA identified its preferred alternative, which included a combination of dredging, capping, and enhanced natural recovery and which the EPA estimated would take approximately seven years to construct with additional time for monitored natural recovery to occur and cost an estimated $746 million (net present value). This is approximately half of the estimated $1.4 billion (net present value) cost of a very similar preferred alternative that EPA Region 10 presented to a peer review group in November 2015. The final FS identified eight possible remedial alternatives (some of which contain two disposal alternatives, for a total of 13 possible alternative remedial scenarios) which ranged in estimated cost from approximately $316 million to $677 million (net present value) for the least costly alternative to approximately $1.21 billion to $2.67 billion (net present value) for the most costly alternative that the EPA did not screen out and estimated a range of four to 19 years to implement the remedial work.
The EPA received input on its Proposed Plan from over 5,300 commenters during a 90-day public comment period that closed in September 2016. In their comments, we and certain other stakeholders identified a number of serious concerns regarding the EPA's risk and remedial alternatives assessments and the EPA's cost estimates, scheduling assumptions and conclusions regarding the feasibility, effectiveness and assignment of remediation technologies, including that the EPA’s FS and Proposed Plan were based on data that are more than a decade old and may not accurately represent site or background conditions.
In January 2017, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (“ROD”) that identified the selected remedy for the Site. The selected remedy is a modified version of one of the alternative remedies in the EPA’s FS that expands the scope of the cleanup and has an estimated cost which is significantly more than their Proposed Plan. The EPA has estimated the total cost of the selected remedy at $1.7 billion with a net present value cost of $1.05 billion (at a 7% discount rate) and an estimated construction period of 13 years following completion of the remedial designs. In the ROD, the EPA stated that the cost estimate is an order-of-magnitude engineering estimate that is expected to be within +50% to -30% of the actual project cost and that changes in the cost elements are likely to occur as a result of new information and data collected during the engineering design. We have identified a number of concerns regarding the EPA's estimated cost and time required for the selected remedy. Because of questions regarding cost-effectiveness and other concerns, such as technical feasibility, use of stale data and the need for new baseline data, it is uncertain whether the ROD will be implemented as issued. In addition, the ROD does not determine or allocate the responsibility for remediation costs.
In the ROD, the EPA acknowledged that the assumptions used to estimate costs for the selected remedy were developed based on the existing data and will be finalized during the remedial design, after design level data to refine the baseline conditions are obtained. Moreover, the ROD provides only Site-wide cost estimates and does not provide sufficient detail or ranges of certainty and finality to estimate costs for specific sediment management areas. Accordingly, the EPA has indicated and we anticipate that additional pre-remedial design investigative work, such as new baseline sampling and monitoring, will be conducted in order to provide a re-baseline and delineate particular remedial actions for specific areas within the Site. This re-baselining will need to occur prior to proceeding with the next phase in the process which is the remedial design. The remedial design phase is an engineering phase during which additional technical information and data will be collected, identified and incorporated into technical drawings and specifications developed for the subsequent remedial action. The EPA is seeking a new coalition of PRPs to perform the re-baselining and remedial design activities. Remediation activities are not expected to commence for a number of years and responsibility for implementing and funding the EPA’s selected remedy will be determined in a separate allocation process. While an allocation process is currently underway, the EPA's ROD has raised questions and uncertainty as to when and how that allocation process will proceed.
Because there has not been a determination of the specific remediation actions that will be required, the amount of natural resource damages or how the costs of the investigations and any remedy and natural resource damages will be allocated among the PRPs, we believe it is not possible to reasonably estimate the amount or range of costs which we are likely to or which it is reasonably

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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

possible that we will incur in connection with the Site, although such costs could be material to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Among the facts currently being developed are detailed information on the history of ownership of and the nature of the uses of and activities and operations performed on each property within the Site, which are factors that will play a substantial role in determining the allocation of investigation and remedy costs among the PRPs. We have insurance policies that we believe will provide reimbursement for costs we incur for defense, remediation and mitigation for natural resource damages claims in connection with the Site, although there is no assurance that those policies will cover all of the costs which we may incur. Significant cash outflows in the future related to the Site could reduce the amount of our borrowing capacity that could otherwise be used for investment in capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends and share repurchases. Any material liabilities incurred in the future related to the Site could result in our failure to maintain compliance with certain covenants in our debt agreements. See Note 6 - Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report.


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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description
   
10.1* Form of Long-Term Incentive Award Agreement under the 1993 Stock Incentive Plan used
10.2*Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement used for award to certain employees on November 1, 2016 under the 1993 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.3*Fiscal 2017 Annual Performance Bonus Program for the Chief Executive Officer.Non-Employee Director Compensation
   
31.1 
   
31.2 
   
32.1 
   
32.2 
   
101 The following financial information from Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2016,February 28, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended November 30,February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, and 2015, (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of November 30, 2016,February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2016, (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive LossIncome (Loss) for the three and six months ended November 30,February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, and 2015, (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the threesix months ended November 30,February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016, and 2015, and (v) the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


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SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. 

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.
  SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC.
  (Registrant)
    
Date:January 5,April 6, 2017By:/s/ Tamara L. Lundgren
   Tamara L. Lundgren
   President and Chief Executive Officer
    
Date:January 5,April 6, 2017By:/s/ Richard D. Peach
   Richard D. Peach
   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief of Corporate Operations

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