UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  20549

FORM 10‑Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended:September 30, 2016
For the quarterly period ended:                                                                          March 31, 2017

OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period fromFor the transition period from                                                                                    to

Commission file number: 1‑7626

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin  39‑0561070 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202-5304
777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202-5304
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:           (414) 271‑6755

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 at least the past 90 days.YesNo ☐No☐         

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes☒ NNo ☐
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 or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filerAccelerated filer ☐Non-accelerated filer ☐(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company ☐Emerging growth company ☐ 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

YesNo

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class Outstanding at October 31, 2016April 30, 2017
Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share 44,542,81644,258,871
 


SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
INDEX

  
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION: 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements: 
 1
   
 2
  
 
 3
   
 4
   
 5
    
Item 2.1413
   
Item 3.2119
   
Item 4.2119
   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION: 
   
Item 1.2220
   
Item 1A.2320
   
Item 2.2321
 
Item 6.23
   
 Item 6.2421
   
 22
2523
 

PART I.FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
  
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
                
Three Months
Ended March 31,
    
 2016  2015  2016  2015 2017    2016
                  
Revenue $349,662  $344,533  $1,052,966  $1,036,768  $341,397  $342,468 
                        
Cost of products sold  227,099   231,761   690,126   688,408   220,452   226,625 
                        
Selling and administrative expenses  71,412   69,552   220,505   213,627   96,908   68,324 
                        
Operating income  51,151   43,220   142,335   134,733   24,037   47,519 
                        
Interest expense  4,584   4,295   14,021   12,316   4,811   4,800 
                        
Earnings before income taxes  46,567   38,925   128,314   122,417   19,226   42,719 
                        
Income taxes  10,948   11,287   36,751   34,502   6,034   11,526 
                        
Earnings from continuing operations  35,619   27,638   91,563   87,915   13,192   31,193 
                        
Gain (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax  -   (47)  3,343   (348)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax  -   (22)
        
Net earnings $35,619  $27,591  $94,906  $87,567  $13,192  $31,171 
                        
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:                        
Basic  44,532   45,392   44,604   46,239   44,202   44,718 
                        
Diluted  44,816   45,675   44,873   46,543   44,479   44,981 
                        
Earnings per common share:                        
                        
Basic:                        
Continuing operations $0.80  $0.61  $2.05  $1.90  $0.30  $0.70 
Discontinued operations  -   -   0.07   (0.01)  -   - 
Earnings per common share $0.80  $0.61  $2.13  $1.89  $0.30  $0.70 
                        
Diluted:                        
Continuing operations $0.79  $0.61  $2.04  $1.89  $0. 30  $0.69 
Discontinued operations  -   -   0.07   (0.01)  -   - 
Earnings per common share $0.79  $0.60  $2.11  $1.88  $ 0.30  $ 0.69 
                        
Dividends declared per common share $0.27  $0.27  $0.81  $0.77  $0.30  $0.27 

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
 
1

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

  
Three Months
Ended September 30,
  
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
             
  2016  2015  2016  2015 
             
Comprehensive Income $32,784  $7,077  $86,708  $24,922 

  
Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
  2017  2016 
       
Comprehensive Income $37,271  $46,750 
See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
 
2

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

 
September 30,
2016
(Unaudited)
  
December 31,
2015
 
ASSETS
       
March 31,
2017
(Unaudited)
       
December 31,
2016
   
      
CURRENT ASSETS:            
Cash and cash equivalents $23,505  $11,997  $29,109  $25,865 
Trade accounts receivable, net  244,157   232,047   202,343   194,509 
Inventories  406,957   409,159   410,067   404,320 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  37,792   44,673   51,422   50,974 
Assets held for sale  48,796   31,029   6,788   41,393 
                
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS  761,207   728,905   699,729   717,061 
                
OTHER ASSETS  72,416   71,117   70,298   70,462 
DEFERRED TAX ASSETS  17,323   25,177   6,787   12,120 
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET  8,480   9,209   7,900   8,126 
GOODWILL  397,764   399,646   387,906   383,568 
                
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:                
Land  35,118   33,975   32,925   33,015 
Buildings  271,566   274,318   283,677   265,157 
Machinery and equipment  651,446   664,917   686,858   643,869 
Construction in progress  85,251   62,515   35,218   79,981 
  1,043,381   1,035,725   1,038,678   1,022,022 
Less accumulated depreciation  (564,952)  (566,047)  (560,096)  (545,499)
  478,429   469,678   478,582   476,523 
                
TOTAL ASSETS $1,735,619  $1,703,732  $1,651,202  $1,667,860 
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                
                
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                
Trade accounts payable $99,468  $95,442  $81,260  $92,450 
Accrued salaries, wages and withholdings from employees  25,766   23,530   19,606   26,502 
Other accrued expenses  68,756   61,701   55,774   54,752 
Income taxes  2,848   7,504   14,163   14,080 
Short-term borrowings  21,417   20,655   20,281   20,578 
Liabilities held for sale  6,192   4,090   -   5,313 
                
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES  224,447   212,922   191,084   213,675 
                
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES  7,225   5,640   11,375   9,650 
OTHER LIABILITIES  7,792   7,534   6,278   6,103 
ACCRUED EMPLOYEE AND RETIREE BENEFITS  20,919   19,007   20,430   19,911 
LONG‑TERM DEBT  596,840   613,502   572,200   582,780 
                
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:                
Common stock  5,396   5,396   5,396   5,396 
Additional paid‑in capital  114,642   109,974   108,593   107,686 
Earnings reinvested in the business  1,360,851   1,302,302   1,378,809   1,378,923 
Treasury stock, at cost  (424,233)  (402,483)  (453,577)  (442,799)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (178,260)  (170,062)  (189,386)  (213,465)
                
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  878,396   845,127   849,835   835,741 
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $1,735,619  $1,703,732  $1,651,202  $1,667,860 

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
 
3

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 
      
 2016  2015  
Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
      2017    2016
Cash flows from operating activities:            
Net earnings $94,906  $87,567  $13,192  $31,171 
Adjustments to arrive at net cash provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization  35,176   36,374   12,141   11,612 
Share-based compensation  6,743   14   1,930   2,018 
Loss on assets  7,893   8,725 
Net loss on assets  386   458 
Loss on divestiture of businesses  31,882   - 
Deferred income taxes  8,454   4,466   2,202   (1,349)
Liquidation of foreign entity  (3,257)  - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities  679   (43,672)  (24,167)  2,263 
                
Net cash provided by operating activities  150,594   93,474   37,566   46,173 
                
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment  (58,004)  (55,508)  (10,069)  (14,120)
Proceeds from sale of assets  3,597   12,826   105   37 
Acquisition of new business  -   (8,393)
Proceeds from divestiture of businesses  12,457   - 
Other investing activity  (82)  (168)  (63)  (18)
                
Net cash used in investing activities  (54,489)  (51,243)  2,430   (14,101)
                
Cash flows from financing activities:                
Proceeds from additional borrowings  163,370   198,857   5,657   95,562 
Debt payments  (185,697)  (31,850)  (19,350)  (87,284)
Purchase of treasury stock  (27,728)  (160,990)  (12,365)  (17,920)
Dividends paid  (36,357)  (35,901)  (13,306)  (12,163)
Proceeds from options exercised and other equity transactions  409   554 
Other financing activity  (477)  161 
                
Net cash used in financing activities  (86,003)  (29,330)  (39,841)  (21,644)
                
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  1,406   (9,050)  3,089   2,278 
                
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  11,508   3,851   3,244   12,706 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  11,997   20,329   25,865   11,997 
                
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $23,505  $24,180  $29,109  $24,703 

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.
4

SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.Accounting Policies

In the opinion of Sensient Technologies Corporation (the “Company”), the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2016;March 31, 2017, and the results of operations, and comprehensive income, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015; and cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015.2016.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Expenses are charged to operations in the period incurred.

In NovemberJuly 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU simplifies current guidance, which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The guidance can be applied retrospectively or prospectively. The Company retrospectively applied this guidance to all prior periods. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2016. As a result, the Company reclassified $17.1 million of current deferred tax assets to Deferred Tax Asset Noncurrent as of December 31, 2015. The Company also reclassified $7.3 million of current deferred tax assets to Deferred Tax Liability Noncurrent as of December 31, 2015.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liability. Also in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements, to clarify that the Securities and Exchange Commission staff would not object to deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing deferred debt issuance costs ratably over a term of the line-of-credit arrangement. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance is required to be retrospectively applied to all prior periods. The Company adopted these ASUs in the first quarter of 2016. As a result, the Company reclassified $0.4 million of debt fees from Other Assets to Long Term Debt as of December 31, 2015.  The Company’s debt fees associated with the Company’s revolving loan agreement remain classified in Other Assets.

In July 2015, the FASB(FASB) affirmed its proposed one-year deferral of the effective date for ASUAccounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under this proposal, the requirements of the new standard are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The proposal also permits entities to adopt the standard for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluatinghas been reviewing the expected impact of this standard.standard on the Company’s financial statements. The Company currently recognizes revenue (net of estimated discounts, allowances and returns) when title to goods passes, the customer is obliged to pay the Company, and the Company has no remaining obligations.  Such recognition typically corresponds with the shipment of goods. The Company created a project team within its Corporate Finance Department, in 2016, to review the potential impact that this ASU may have on the Company. The Company's revenue recognition project team has been gathering data, including issuing a detailed revenue recognition questionnaire designed to highlight instances of variable consideration, and reviewing existing contracts and other relevant documents across all of the Company's segments. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company finalized a detailed project plan and distributed a second revenue recognition questionnaire designed to examine potential instances of variable consideration in greater detail, and will review and document the results of this questionnaire by the end of the third quarter of 2017. The Company plans to incorporate this new standard using the Full Retrospective transition method. Based on procedures to-date, the Company has not identified any areas that will result in significant changes to the timing of recognition or measurement of revenue, but the Company will continue to evaluate the effects of this standard on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under this guidance, inventory that is accounted for using first-in-first-out, or average cost method, shall be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value, as opposed to the lower of cost or market measurement under current guidance. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. This new guidance is required to be retrospectively applied to all prior periods. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impactadopted this standard in first quarter of this standard.2017 and it did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize the lease assets and lease liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet and to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about lease transactions. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of this standard.

In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory. Under current GAAP, the tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers are deferred until the transferred asset is sold to a third party or otherwise recovered through use. The new guidance eliminates the exception for all intra-entity sales of assets other than inventory. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This ASU requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as the other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are to be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluation the expected impact of this standard.
 
5

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, primarily the accounting for the associated income taxes. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Please refer to the notes in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015,2016, for additional details of the Company’s financial condition and a description of the Company’s accounting policies, which have been continued without change.

2.Fair Value

Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value for financial assets and liabilities, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, the Company’s assets and liabilities subject to this standard are forward exchange contracts and investments in a money market fund and municipal investments. The fair value of the forward exchange contracts based on current pricing obtained for comparable derivative products (Level 2 inputs) was an asset of $0.2 million as of March 31, 2017, and a liability of $0.2 million as of September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015.2016. The fair value of the investments based on September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, market quotes (Level 1 inputs) was an asset of $4.2$1.5 million and $1.5$1.8 million, respectively, and is reported in Other Assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

The carrying values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and short-term borrowings approximated fair values as of September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, is estimated using discounted cash flows based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements (Level 2 inputs). The carrying value of the long-term debt at September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, was $596.8$572.2 million. The fair value of the long-term debt at September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, was $619.4$587.0 million.

3.Segment Information

Operating results by segment for the periods presented are as follows:

(In thousands) 
Flavors &
Fragrances
  Color  
Asia
Pacific
  
Corporate
 & Other
  Consolidated 
Three months ended September 30, 2016:
               
Revenue from external customers $194,845  $121,424  $33,393  $-  $349,662 
Intersegment revenue  5,818   4,021   51   -   9,890 
Total revenue $200,663  $125,445  $33,444  $-  $359,552 
                     
Operating income (loss) $32,280  $26,295  $6,584  $(14,008) $51,151 
Interest expense  -   -   -   4,584   4,584 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes $32,280  $26,295  $6,584  $(18,592) $46,567 
                     
Three months ended September 30, 2015:
                    
Revenue from external customers $201,049  $115,146  $28,338  $-  $344,533 
Intersegment revenue  6,324   3,322   35   -   9,681 
Total revenue $207,373  $118,468  $28,373  $-  $354,214 
                     
Operating income (loss) $31,369  $23,181  $5,703  $(17,033) $43,220 
Interest expense  -   -   -   4,295   4,295 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes $31,369  $23,181  $5,703  $(21,328) $38,925 
6

(In thousands) 
Flavors &
Fragrances
  Color  
Asia
Pacific
  
Corporate
& Other
  Consolidated  
Flavors &
Fragrances
  
Color
  
Asia
Pacific
  
Corporate &
Other
  
Consolidated
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016:
               
Three months ended March 31, 2017:
               
Revenue from external customers $586,955  $371,166  $94,845  $-  $1,052,966  $181,075  $130,840  $29,482  $-  $341,397 
Intersegment revenue  21,374   11,909   129   -   33,412   5,800   3,226   154   -   9,180 
Total revenue $608,329  $383,075  $94,974  $-  $1,086,378  $186,875  $134,066  $29,636  $-  $350,577 
                                        
Operating income (loss) $95,097  $82,143  $18,701  $(53,606) $142,335  $28,770  $30,217  $5,150  $(40,100) $24,037 
Interest expense  -   -   -   14,021   14,021   -   -   -   4,811   4,811 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes $95,097  $82,143  $18,701  $(67,627) $128,314  $28,770  $30,217  $5,150  $(44,911) $19,226 
                                        
Nine months ended September 30, 2015:
                    
Three months ended March 31, 2016:
                    
Revenue from external customers $598,226  $351,737  $86,805  $-  $1,036,768  $191,137  $123,164  $28,167  $-  $342,468 
Intersegment revenue  19,757   10,779   120   -   30,656   7,347   3,318   40   -   10,705 
Total revenue $617,983  $362,516  $86,925  $-  $1,067,424  $198,484  $126,482  $28,207  $-  $353,173 
                                        
Operating income (loss) $94,354  $74,972  $17,448  $(52,041) $134,733  $27,647  $28,116  $5,596  $(13,840) $47,519 
Interest expense  -   -   -   12,316   12,316   -   -   -   4,800   4,800 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes $94,354  $74,972  $17,448  $(64,357) $122,417  $27,647  $28,116  $5,596  $(18,640) $42,719 
 
Beginning in the first quarter of 2016,2017, the results of operations for certain of the Company’s color business in China, South Koreacosmetic and Japan, previously reportedfragrance businesses in the Asia Pacific segment are now reported in the Color segment.segment and Flavors & Fragrances segment, respectively. The results for 20152016 have been restated to reflect these changes.

The Company evaluates performance based on operating income of the respective segments before restructuring and other costs, interest expense and income taxes. The 20162017 and 20152016 restructuring and other costs related to continuing operations are reported in the Corporate & Other segment.Other. See Note 10,11, Restructuring, for more information on the Company’s restructuring activities. The 2017 other costs in 2016 pertain to the costs associated with the Company’s anticipated divestiture of a facility and certain related business lines within the Flavors & Fragrances business in Strasbourg, France; see Note 12,13, Anticipated Divestiture, and the other costs in 2015 are acquisition related costs..

6

4.Inventories

At September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, inventories included finished and in-process products totaling $277.1$273.1 million and $291.9$273.8 million, respectively, and raw materials and supplies of $129.8$137.0 million and $117.3$130.5 million, respectively.

5.Retirement Plans

The Company’s components of annual benefit cost for the defined benefit plans for the periods presented are as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  
2017
  
2016
 
                  
Service cost $502  $654  $1,508  $1,977  $461  $503 
Interest cost  414   467   1,259   1,412   355   420 
Expected return on plan assets  (286)  (321)  (883)  (967)  (255)  (297)
Amortization of actuarial loss  54   72   162   219 
Settlement expense  -   506   -   506 
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss  (21)  53 
        
Total defined benefit expense $684  $1,378  $2,046  $3,147  $540  $679 
 
7

6.Shareholders’ Equity

The Company repurchased 89,251 and 400,477155,849 shares of its common stock for an aggregate cost of $6.7$12.4 million and $25.2 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and 0.6 million and 2.5 million263,770 shares of its common stock for an aggregate cost of $38.2$15.4 million and $165.4 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2016. The amount of treasury stock purchases reported in the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flow represent purchases that have settled within each respective nine-monththree-month period.

7.Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activity

The Company may use forward exchange contracts and foreign currency denominated debt to manage its exposure to foreign exchange risk by reducing the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies on short-term foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions, non-functional currency raw material purchases, non-functional currency sales, and other known foreign currency exposures. These forward exchange contracts generally have maturities of less than 18 months. The Company’s primary hedging activities and their accounting treatment are summarized below:

Forward exchange contracts – Certain forward exchange contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. The Company had $16.4$19.5 million and $35.2$25.4 million of forward exchange contracts, designated as hedges, outstanding as of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, respectively. For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017, the losses reclassified were not material. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, and 2015, losses of $0.2 million and $0.5 million respectively, were reclassified into net earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings that offset the earnings impact of the related non-functional asset or liability hedged in the same period. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, losses of $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, were reclassified into net earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings that offset the earnings impact of the related non-functional asset or liability hedged in the same period. In addition, the Company utilizes forward exchange contracts that are not designated as cash flow hedges, the results of these transactions are not material to the financial statements.

Net investment hedges – The Company has certain debt denominated in Euros and Swiss Francs. These debt instruments have been designated as partial hedges of the Company’s Euro and Swiss Franc net asset positions. Changes in the fair value of this debt attributable to changes in the spot foreign exchange rate are recorded in foreign currency translation in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and December 31, 2015,2016, the total value of the Company’s Euro and Swiss Franc debt was $208.5$198.2 million and $162.5$195.6 million, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the impact of foreign exchange rates on these debt instruments increased debt by $2.2$2.6 million, and  $5.8 million, respectively, which has been recorded as foreign currency translation in OCI.

7

8.Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for continuing operations for the quarters ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, were 31.4% and 2015, were 23.5% and 29.0%, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the effective income tax rates for continuing operations were 28.6% and 28.2%27.0%, respectively. The effective tax rates in both 20162017 and 20152016 were impacted by restructuring activities, changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign and domestic tax items, audit settlements, adjustments to valuation allowances, and mix of foreign earnings. The tax rate in 20162017 was also impacted by the deferredlimited tax adjustmentsdeductibility of losses related to the anticipated divestituredivestitures discussed in Note 12,11, Anticipated Restructuring and Note 13, Divestiture.
 
8

9.Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the changes in OCI during the three- and nine-month periodsthree-month period ended September 30, 2016:March 31, 2017:

(In thousands) 
Cash Flow
Hedges (a)
  
Pension
Items (a)
  
Foreign
Currency
Items
  Total 
Balance as of June 30, 2016 $(30) $(4,320) $(171,075) $(175,425)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications  (322)  -   (2,691)  (3,013)
Amounts reclassified from OCI  142   36   -   178 
Balance as of September 30, 2016 $(210) $(4,284) $(173,766) $(178,260)

(In thousands) 
Cash Flow
Hedges (a)
  
Pension
Items (a)
  
Foreign
Currency
Items
  Total  
Cash Flow
Hedges (a)
  
Pension
Items (a)
  
Foreign
Currency
Items
  Total 
Balance as of December 31, 2015 $164  $(4,393) $(165,833) $(170,062)
Balance as of December 31, 2016 $(85) $(2,537) $(210,843) $(213,465)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications  (1,065)  -   (4,676)  (5,741)  327   -   17,276   17,603 
Amounts reclassified from OCI  691   109   (3,257)  (2,457)  (20)  (28)  6,524   6,476 
Balance as of September 30, 2016 $(210) $(4,284) $(173,766) $(178,260)
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $222  $(2,565) $(187,043) $(189,386)

(a)Cash Flow Hedges and Pension Items are net of tax.

During the three months ended June 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company completed the liquidationdivestiture of a facility and certain related business unit withinlines in the ColorFlavors & Fragrances segment (see Note 13, Divestiture, for additional information), resulting in the reclassification of the cumulative translation adjustmentloss of $2.8 million into net earnings. SeeIn addition, the Company completed the sale of its European Natural Ingredient business (see Note 11, Discontinued OperationsRestructuring, for additional information.information), resulting in the reclassification of the cumulative translation loss of $3.7 million into net earnings.

10.Accounts Receivable Securitization

During October 2016, the Company entered into an accounts receivable securitization program with a commitment size of $40 million, whereby transactions under the program are accounted for as sales of trade receivables in accordance with ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing. Sales of trade receivables under the program are recorded as a reduction of accounts receivable in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. Proceeds received, including collections on the deferred purchase price receivable, are included in cash flows from operating activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The initial trade receivables sold to the third-party financial institution, Wells Fargo, in October 2016, totaled $60.6 million, for which $40 million in proceeds was received. The fair value of the receivables sold equaled the carrying cost at the time of sale and no gain or loss was recorded as a result of the sale. The sale also resulted in the recording of a deferred purchase price amount, which represents the retained interest in the sold receivables. This amount is adjusted each month based on collections and other activity. The fair value of the deferred purchase price receivable recorded on the initial sale in October 2016 was $20.6 million. The Company estimates the fair value of the deferred purchase price receivable based on historical performance of similar receivables including an allowance for doubtful accounts, as well as estimated cash discounts to be taken by customers and potential credits issued to customers. The Company deems the interest rate risk related to the deferred purchase price receivable to be de minimis primarily due to the short average collection cycle of the related receivables. As of March 31, 2017, the trade receivables sold to Wells Fargo totaled $57.1 million. The fair value of the deferred purchase price receivable was $17.1 million which is recorded in Trade Accounts Receivable in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
8

11.Restructuring

The Company incurred restructuring costs in both continuing and discontinued operations. The discussion in this note relates to the combination of both continuing and discontinued operations unless otherwise noted. Restructuring costs related to discontinued operations are recorded in discontinued operations within the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings and are discussed in Note 11,12, Discontinued Operations, in more detail.

In March 2014, the Company announced that it was initiating a restructuring plan (“2014 Restructuring Plan” or “Plan”) to eliminate underperforming operations, consolidate manufacturing facilities, and improve efficiencies within the Company. The Company determined that it had redundant manufacturing capabilities in both North America and Europe and that it could lower costs and operate more efficiently by consolidating into fewer facilities. Eight facilities were identified for consolidation in the Flavors & Fragrances segment, four in North America and four in Europe. To date, closuresClosures have been announced in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States; Cornwall, Mississauga and Halton Hills, Canada; Bremen, Germany; and Milan, Italy. The Company also plans to sellidentified its two European Natural Ingredients facilities to be sold as part of the Plan, as discussed below. In addition, the Company discontinued one of the businesses in the Color segment, located near Leipzig, Germany, because it did not fit with the Company’s long-term strategic plan and it had generated losses for several years. In 2015, the Company identified additional opportunities to consolidate manufacturing operations at one of the Color segment’s facilities in Europe and eliminate additional positions in the European Flavors & Fragrances businesses. The Company has operationally completed all of the above mentioned activities and closures with the exception of the closure of the Indianapolis facility, which is anticipated to be closed in the second quarter of 2017.
9


Based on this Plan, the Company determined that certain long-lived assets associated with the underperforming operations were impaired. The Company reduced the carrying amounts of these assets to their aggregate respective fair values, which were determined based on independent market valuations. The fair values of the remaining long-lived assets are estimated to be approximately $19$14 million, which includes certain of the land, buildings, and equipment in the assets held for sale, as noted below. Also, certain machinery and equipment has been identified to be disposed of at the time of the facility closures and the associated depreciation for these assets has been accelerated. The Company recorded long-lived asset impairments, including the impairment charges and accelerated depreciation of $0.2$0.5 million and $2.6 million, during each of the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015, respectively, and $0.9 million and $10.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.2016. Since initiating the Plan, the Company has recorded $85.6$87.2 million of long-lived asset impairments, including the impairment charges and accelerated depreciation. In addition, certain intangible assets, inventory and other current assets were also determined to be impaired and were written down.

The Company has also incurred employee separation and other restructuring costs as a result of this Plan. The Company anticipates that it will reduce headcount by approximately 400 positions at the affected facilities, primarily in the Flavors & Fragrances segment, related to direct and indirect labor at manufacturing sites. As of September 30, 2016, 256March 31, 2017, 355 positions had been eliminated as a result of this Plan.

As mentioned above,During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company plans to sellsold its European Natural Ingredients business (also known as the European Dehydrated Vegetable business), a business in the Flavors & Fragrances segment. This business hashad two facilities, located in Marchais, France, and Elburg, the Netherlands. The European Natural Ingredients business hashad not generated significant profits for several years and it doesdid not fit with the Company’s long-term strategic plan. The Company is currently working to sell this business and anticipates sellingcompleted the business within the next year. Upon the completion of a sale of this business the Company anticipates recognizing an additionalon March 27, 2017, for a de minimis amount and recognized a non-cash loss of approximately $15$21 million.

As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company has recorded assets held for sale of land, buildings, and equipment of $9.7$6.8 million related to the 2014 Restructuring Plan.  In addition, $20 million of inventory, receivables and other assets are included in assets held for sale related to the anticipated sale of the European Natural Ingredients business. The Company also has $4.6 million of liabilities held for sale related to the anticipated sale of the European Natural Ingredients business.

The Company recorded total restructuring costs of $2.8$20.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and $10.9$3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, in accordance with GAAP and based on an internal review of the affected facilities and consultation with legal and other advisors, and restructuring costs of $5.9 million and $27.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.GAAP.  Since initiating the 2014 Restructuring Plan, the Company has incurred $147.3$172.7 million of restructuring costs through September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. The Company expects to incur approximately $4$7 million of additional restructuring costs by the end of 2016 and approximately $16 million2017.  The increase in the 2017 expected costs are primarily due to the delay in closing the Indianapolis facility, which is now anticipated to be closed in the second quarter of restructuring costs in 2017.

9

The Company expects that the closure and sale of these operations willhave significantly lowerlowered the Company’s operating costs over the nextlast few years.years and anticipates additional savings in 2018. Upon initiating the Plan, the Company estimated the annual cost reductions to be approximately $30 million, when fully implemented. The U.S. dollar has strengthened considerably since the initiation of the Plan, and as a result the dollar value of the cost savings has been reduced. In 2015, the Company identified additional cost savings opportunities, and as a result of these actions, the current estimate of annual cost savings is approximately $27 million. The Company has also implemented price increases to further mitigate the impact of foreign currency movements. Since initiating the Plan, the Company has realized total savings of approximately $22 million as of September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. During the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company realized approximately $3 milliona de minimis amount of savings and expects to realize approximately $1 million of additional savings by the end of 2016. The remaining2017 and approximately $3 to $4 million in 2018. Expected savings are expectedhave shifted from 2017 to be realized2018 primarily due to the delay in 2017.closing the Indianapolis facility. The Company intends to continue to optimize production at the consolidating sites after the completion of the restructuring activities.

In connection with the 2014 Restructuring Plan, the Company approved a plan to dispose of a certain business, located near Leipzig, Germany, within the Color segment. Production ceased in 2014 and the business met the criteria to be reported as a discontinued operation. During the three months ended June 30,In 2016, the facility and remaining assets were sold for a gain of $0.2 million. In addition,and the entity was liquidated resulting in a reclassification of the cumulative translation adjustment related to that entity of $3.3 million into net earnings.liquidated.
10


The Company evaluates performance based on operating income of each segment before restructuring and other costs. All restructuring and other costs related to continuing operations are recorded in the Corporate & Other segment.Other. The following table summarizes the restructuring expense by segment and discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively:

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015  
2017
  
2016
 
                  
Flavors & Fragrances $2,763  $10,035  $8,630  $23,055  $20,153  $2,942 
Color  (67)  245   65   1,828   -   39 
Asia Pacific  -   -   -   58   -   - 
Corporate & Other  85   672   703   2,748   59   361 
                        
Total Continuing Operations  2,781   10,952   9,398   27,689   20,212   3,342 
                        
Discontinued Operations  -   (71)  (3,485)  43   -   - 
                        
Total Restructuring $2,781  $10,881  $5,913  $27,732  $20,212  $3,342 

The Company recorded restructuring costs in continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017
(In thousands) 
Selling &
Administrative
  
Cost of
Products Sold
  Total   
Selling &
Administrative
    
Cost of
Products Sold
     Total  
Employee separation(1) $288  $-  $288  $(4,485) $-  $(4,485)
Long-lived asset impairment (gain)  (231)  -   (231)
Long-lived asset impairment  456   -   456 
Loss on sale of business  20,909   -   20,909 
Write-down of inventory  -   -   -   -   342   342 
Other restructuring costs(1)
  2,724   -   2,724 
Other restructuring costs(2)
  2,990   -   2,990 
                        
Total $2,781  $-  $2,781  $19,870  $342  $20,212 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
(In thousands) 
Selling &
Administrative
  
Cost of
Products Sold
  Total 
Employee separation $738  $-  $738 
Long-lived asset impairment  502   -   502 
Write-down of inventory  -   810   810 
Other restructuring costs(1)
  7,348   -   7,348 
             
Total $8,588  $810  $9,398 

(1)Employee separation costs include a reversal of the employee separation accrual for the European Natural Ingredients business, which is no longer expected to be paid due to the sale of this business.
(2)Other costs include decommissioning costs, professional services, temporary labor, moving costs and other related costs.
 
1110

The Company recorded restructuring costs in continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015March 31, 2016
(In thousands) 
Selling &
Administrative
  
Cost of
Products Sold
  Total 
Employee separation $745  $-  $745 
Long-lived asset impairment  2,610   -   2,610 
Write-down of inventory  -   2,814   2,814 
Other restructuring costs(1)
  4,783   -   4,783 
             
Total $8,138  $2,814  $10,952 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(In thousands) 
Selling &
Administrative
  
Cost of
Products Sold
  Total  
Selling &
 Administrative
  
Cost of
Products Sold
  Total 
Employee separation $4,449  $-  $4,449  $131  $-  $131 
Long-lived asset impairment  10,090   -   10,090   471   -   471 
Gain on asset sales  (1,301)  -   (1,301)
Write-down of inventory  -   3,095   3,095   -   644   644 
Other restructuring costs(1)
  11,356   -   11,356   2,096   -   2,096 
                        
Total $24,594  $3,095  $27,689  $2,698  $644  $3,342 

(1)Other costs include decommissioning costs, professional services, temporary labor, moving costs, and other related costs.

The following table summarizes the accrual activities for the restructuring activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016:March 31, 2017:

(In thousands) 
Employee
Separations
  Other  Total  
Employee
Separations
  Other  Total 
Balance as of December 31, 2015 $10,260  $912  $11,172 
Balance as of December 31, 2016 $6,959  $570  $7,529 
Expense activity(1)  738   7,348   8,086   (4,485)  2,990   (1,495)
Cash spent  (3,216)  (7,620)  (10,836)  (1,252)  (3,327)  (4,579)
Translation adjustment  209   -   209   77   -   77 
Balance as of September 30, 2016 $7,991  $640  $8,631 
Balance as of March 31, 2017 $1,299  $233  $1,532 

11.(1)Employee separation costs include a reversal of the employee separation accrual for the European Natural Ingredients business, which is no longer expected to be paid due to the sale of this business.

12.Discontinued Operations

In connection with the 2014 Restructuring Plan, the Company approved a plan to dispose of a business unit within the Color segment, located near Leipzig, Germany. Since 2014, the business has met the criteria to be presented as a discontinued operation as established in ASC Subtopic 205-20, Discontinued Operations. The results of this business have been reported as a discontinued operation in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings for all periods presented. During the three months ended June 30,In 2016, the facility and remaining assets were sold for a gain of $0.2 million. In addition,and the entity was liquidated resulting in a reclassification of the cumulative translation adjustment of $3.3 million into net earnings.liquidated.
12


The following table summarizes the discontinued operation’s results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015:2016:

  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(In thousands) 2016  2015  2016  2015 
             
Revenue $-  $-  $-  $187 
Gain (Loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes  -   (11)  3,410   (439)
Income tax (expense) benefit  -   (36)  (67)  91 
Gain (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax $-  $(47) $3,343  $(348)
  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(In thousands) 
2017
  
2016
 
       
Revenue $-  $- 
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes  -   (31)
Income tax benefit  -   9 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax $-  $(22)

11

12.13.Anticipated Divestiture

DuringIn 2016, the three months ended June 30, 2016, theCompany’s Board of Directors authorized management to explore strategic alternatives for a facility and certain related business lines within the Flavors & Fragrances segment in Europe. The Company anticipates a sale within the next year and has recorded assets held for sale of inventory and other assets of $19.1 million and $1.6 million of liabilities held for sale related to the anticipated sale as of September 30, 2016.Strasbourg, France. In addition,2016, the Company recorded ana non-cash impairment charge of $10.3$10.8 million, during the second quarter of 2016, in selling and administrative expense, reducing the carrying value of the long-lived assets for this facility to zero. An estimate of the fair value of this business less cost to sell was determined to be lower than its carrying value. The difference between the fair value and its carrying value exceeded the existing net book value of the long-lived assets. IfIn addition, the Company incurred $0.7 million of outside professional fees and other related costs in 2016, as a sale isresult of the then anticipated divestiture.

On January 6, 2017, the Company completed the sale of this facility and certain related business lines for approximately $12.5 million. The Company expects to recognizerecognized an additional non-cash loss of approximately $7 million. During$11 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017. The additional non-cash loss is primarily due to changes in the estimates related to the amount of the cumulative translation loss, deferred tax assets, and updating working capital balances and other estimates upon closing the transaction. The Company also incurred $0.2approximately $0.1 million of outside professional fees and other related to the anticipated divestiture.costs.

13.14.Subsequent Events

On OctoberMay 3, 2016,2017, the Company entered into an accounts receivable securitization program withissued three new fixed-rate notes consisting of a commitment size7-year note of $40€50 million whereby transactions under(approximately $53 million) at a fixed rate of 1.27%; a 10-year note of €40 million (approximately $43 million) at a fixed rate of 1.71%; and a 7-year note of $27 million at a fixed rate of 3.65%. Also, on May 3, 2017, the program are accounted for as salesCompany extended the maturity date of trade receivables in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 860, Transfersits revolver from November 2020 to May 2022, and Servicing. Trade receivablesincreased its credit facility term loan from $115 million to $145 million. Proceeds were soldused to the third-party financial institution, Wells Fargo, for which $40 million in proceeds was received.refinance existing debt.

14.15.Commitments and Contingencies

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Civil Complaint
On September 21, 2015, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a civil complaint against Sensient Natural Ingredients LLC (SNI) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. SNI is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The EEOC’s complaint alleges that SNI failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, when it terminated five employees in 2011. The EEOC seeks to enjoin SNI from engaging in employment practices that discriminate on the basis of disability;disability; asks the Court to order SNI to implement policies, practices, and programs to ensure it does not violate the ADA;ADA; and requests back pay with prejudgment interest, reinstatement, front pay, compensation for past and future pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses, and punitive damages on behalf of the five named former employees and any similarly aggrieved individuals. Recoverable compensatory and punitive damages are subject to statutory caps. The complaint does not request a specific damages amount. To date, the EEOC has provided the Company with a list of 13 additional potentially aggrieved former employees not listed in the complaint who may have been terminated in violation of the ADA during the relevant time period. In its discovery responses, the EEOC has identified 3 of those 13 former employees as additional claimants for whom the Agency seeks relief.  The Parties are currently engaged in the discovery process.

On September 20, 2016, the Company and the EEOC engaged in a mediation session in whichAs of May 1, 2017, the parties worked to settle this matter.  The parties are still negotiating and attempting to finalize the terms offinalized a settlement, agreement, but thewhich is pending Court approval. The Company previously accrued $0.6 million for the settlement of this matter, duringwhich it will pay to claimants after the three months ended September 30, 2016.settlement is approved by the Court.

Other Claims and Litigation
The Company is subject to various claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company establishes reserves for claims and proceedings when it is probable that liabilities exist and reasonable estimates of loss can be made. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of these matters, based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances now known, we do not believe that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position. However, actual outcomes may be different from those expected and could have a material effect on our results of operations or cash flows in a particular period.
 
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ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

The following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations excludes the results of discontinued operations unless otherwise indicated.

Revenue
Revenue was $349.7$341.4 million and $344.5$342.5 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, an increasea decrease of 1.5%. Revenue was $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of 1.6%0.3%. The impact of foreign exchange rates decreased consolidated revenue by approximately 1.0% and 2.1%1.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.March 31, 2017.

Gross Profit
The Company’s gross margin was 35.1%35.4% and 32.7%33.8% for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. Included in the cost of sales are $2.8$0.3 million and $0.6 million of restructuring costs for the three months ended September 30, 2015.March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017 is primarily a result of higher selling prices, higher volumes mainly inand the Color segment, and savings associated withfavorable impact of the 2014 Restructuring Plan ($2.5 million)divestiture (see the discussion below under Divestiture). Restructuring costs did not have an impact on gross margin for the three months ended September 30, 2016, and restructuring costs reduced gross margin by 8010 basis points and 20 basis points for the three months ended September 30, 2015.

Gross margin was 34.5%March 31, 2017 and 33.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and 2015, respectively, an increase of 90 basis points. Included in the cost of sales are $0.8 million and $3.1 million of restructuring costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, is primarily a result of higher selling prices and higher volumes, mainly in the Color segment, and savings associated with the 2014 Restructuring Plan ($8.1 million). Restructuring costs did not have a significant impact on gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and restructuring costs reduced gross margin by 30 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Selling and Administrative Expense
Selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue were 20.4%28.4% and 20.2%20.0% for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. Restructuring and other costs (see the discussions below regarding Restructuring, Anticipated Divestiture, and Non-GAAP Financial Measures) of $3.0$30.9 million and $8.2$2.7 million were included in selling and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, theThe increase in selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue is primarily due to an increase in performance based executive compensation of $3.9 million and outside professional fees of $1.8 million. Restructuringthe restructuring and other costs which increased selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue by 80910 basis points and 24080 basis points for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Selling and administrative expense as a percent of revenue were 20.9% and 20.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Restructuring and other costs of $19.1 million and $25.5 million were included in selling and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the increase in selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue is primarily due to an increase in performance based executive compensation of $7.1 million and outside professional fees of $5.6 million partially offset by a sale of an import right in the Flavors & Fragrances segment of $2.2 million. Restructuring and other costs increased selling and administrative expenses as a percent of revenue by 180 basis points and 250 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Operating Income
Operating income was $51.2$24.0 million and $43.2$47.5 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. Operating margins were 14.6%7.0% and 12.5%13.9% for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. Restructuring and other costs reduced operating margins by 90920 basis points and 320100 basis points during the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively.
14

Operating income was $142.3 million and $134.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Operating margins were 13.5% and 13.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Restructuring and other costs reduced operating margins by 190 basis points and 280 basis points during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Interest Expense
Interest expense was $4.6 million and $4.3$4.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015, respectively, and $14.0 million and $12.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in the expense in both the three- and nine-month periods is primarily due to the increase in the average debt outstanding which is partially offset by the lower average interest rates.2016.

Income Taxes
The effective income tax rates for continuing operations for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, were 31.4% and 2015, were 23.5% and 29.0%, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the effective income tax rates were 28.6% and 28.2%27.0%, respectively. The effective tax rates in both 20162017 and 20152016 were impacted by restructuring activities, changes in estimates associated with the finalization of prior year foreign and domestic tax items, audit settlements, adjustments to valuation allowances, and mix of foreign earnings. The tax rate in 20162017 was also impacted by the deferred tax adjustmentsdeductibility of losses related to the anticipated divestituredivestitures discussed below.in Note 11, Restructuring and Note 13, Divestiture.

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Restructuring
The Company incurred restructuring costs in both continuing and discontinued operations. The discussion in this note relates to the combination of both continuing and discontinued operations unless otherwise noted. Restructuring costs related to discontinued operations are recorded in discontinued operations within the Company’s Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings and are discussed in Note 11,12, Discontinued Operations, in more detail.

In March 2014, the Company announced that it was initiating a restructuring plan (“2014 Restructuring Plan” or “Plan”) to eliminate underperforming operations, consolidate manufacturing facilities, and improve efficiencies within the Company. The Company determined that it had redundant manufacturing capabilities in both North America and Europe and that it could lower costs and operate more efficiently by consolidating into fewer facilities. Eight facilities were identified for consolidation in the Flavors & Fragrances segment, four in North America and four in Europe. To date, closuresClosures have been announced in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States; Cornwall, Mississauga and Halton Hills, Canada; Bremen, Germany; and Milan, Italy. The Company also plans to sellidentified its two European Natural Ingredients facilities to be sold as part of the Plan, as discussed below. In addition, the Company discontinued one of the businesses in the Color segment, located near Leipzig, Germany, because it did not fit with the Company’s long-term strategic plan and it had generated losses for several years. In 2015, the Company identified additional opportunities to consolidate manufacturing operations at one of the Color segment’s facilities in Europe and eliminate additional positions in the European Flavors & Fragrances businesses. The Company has operationally completed all of the above mentioned activities and closures with the exception of the closure of the Indianapolis facility, which is anticipated to be closed in the second quarter of 2017.

Based on this Plan, the Company determined that certain long-lived assets associated with the underperforming operations were impaired. The Company reduced the carrying amounts of these assets to their aggregate respective fair values, which were determined based on independent market valuations. The fair values of the remaining long-lived assets are estimated to be approximately $19$14 million, which includes certain of the land, buildings, and equipment in the assets held for sale, as noted below. Also, certain machinery and equipment has been identified to be disposed of at the time of the facility closures and the associated depreciation for these assets has been accelerated. The Company recorded long-lived asset impairments, including the impairment charges and accelerated depreciation of $0.2$0.5 million and $2.6 million, during each of the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2017 and 2015, respectively, and $0.9 million and $10.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.2016. Since initiating the Plan, the Company has recorded $85.6$87.2 million of long-lived asset impairments, including the impairment charges and accelerated depreciation. In addition, certain intangible assets, inventory and other current assets were also determined to be impaired and were written down.

The Company has also incurred employee separation and other restructuring costs as a result of this Plan. The Company anticipates that it will reduce headcount by approximately 400 positions at the affected facilities, primarily in the Flavors & Fragrances segment, related to direct and indirect labor at manufacturing sites. As of September 30, 2016, 256March 31, 2017, 355 positions had been eliminated as a result of this Plan.

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As mentioned above,During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company plans to sellsold its European Natural Ingredients business (also known as the European Dehydrated Vegetable business), a business in the Flavors & Fragrances segment. This business hashad two facilities, located in Marchais, France, and Elburg, the Netherlands. The European Natural Ingredients business hashad not generated significant profits for several years and it doesdid not fit with the Company’s long-term strategic plan. The Company is currently working to sell this business and anticipates sellingcompleted the business within the next year. Upon the completion of a sale of this business the Company anticipates recognizing an additionalon March 27, 2017, for a de minimis amount and recognized a non-cash loss of approximately $15$21 million.

As of September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company has recorded assets held for sale of land, buildings, and equipment of $9.7$6.8 million related to the 2014 Restructuring Plan.  In addition, $20 million of inventory, receivables and other assets are included in assets held for sale related to the anticipated sale of the European Natural Ingredients business. The Company also has $4.6 million of liabilities held for sale related to the anticipated sale of the European Natural Ingredients business.

The Company recorded total restructuring costs of $2.8$20.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and $10.9$3.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015,March 31, 2016, in accordance with GAAP and based on an internal review of the affected facilities and consultation with legal and other advisors, and restructuring costs of $5.9 million and $27.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.GAAP.  Since initiating the 2014 Restructuring Plan, the Company has incurred $147.3$172.7 million of restructuring costs through September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. The Company expects to incur approximately $4$7 million of additional restructuring costs by the end of 2016 and approximately $16 million2017.  The increase in the 2017 expected costs are primarily due to the delay in closing the Indianapolis facility, which is now anticipated to be closed in the second quarter of restructuring costs in 2017.

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The Company expects that the closure and sale of these operations willhave significantly lowerlowered the Company’s operating costs over the nextlast few years.years and anticipates additional savings in 2018. Upon initiating the Plan, the Company estimated the annual cost reductions to be approximately $30 million, when fully implemented. The U.S. dollar has strengthened considerably since the initiation of the Plan, and as a result the dollar value of the cost savings has been reduced. In 2015, the Company identified additional cost savings opportunities, and as a result of these actions, the current estimate of annual cost savings is approximately $27 million. The Company has also implemented price increases to further mitigate the impact of foreign currency movements. Since initiating the Plan, the Company has realized total savings of approximately $22 million as of September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. During the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, the Company realized approximately $3 milliona de minimis amount of savings and expects to realize approximately $1 million of additional savings by the end of 2016. The remaining2017 and approximately $3 to $4 million in 2018. Expected savings are expectedhave shifted from 2017 to be realized2018 primarily due to the delay in 2017.closing the Indianapolis facility. The Company intends to continue to optimize production at the consolidating sites after the completion of the restructuring activities.

In connection with the 2014 Restructuring Plan, the Company approved a plan to dispose of a certain business, located near Leipzig, Germany, within the Color segment. Production ceased in 2014 and the business met the criteria to be reported as a discontinued operation. During the three months ended June 30,In 2016, the facility and remaining assets were sold for a gain of $0.2 million. In addition,and the entity was liquidated resulting in a reclassification of the cumulative translation adjustment related to that entity of $3.3 million into net earnings.liquidated.

Anticipated Divestiture
DuringIn 2016, the three months ended June 30, 2016, theCompany’s Board of Directors authorized management to explore strategic alternatives for a facility and certain related business lines within the Flavors & Fragrances segment in Europe. The Company anticipates a sale within the next year and has recorded assets held for sale of inventory and other assets of $19.1 million and $1.6 million of liabilities held for sale related to the anticipated sale as of September 30, 2016.Strasbourg, France. In addition,2016, the Company recorded ana non-cash impairment charge of $10.3$10.8 million, during the second quarter of 2016, in selling and administrative expense, reducing the carrying value of the long-lived assets for this facility to zero. An estimate of the fair value of this business less cost to sell was determined to be lower than its carrying value. The difference between the fair value and its carrying value exceeded the existing net book value of the long-lived assets. IfIn addition, the Company incurred $0.7 million of outside professional fees and other related costs in 2016, as a sale isresult of the then anticipated divestiture.

On January 6, 2017, the Company completed the sale of this facility and certain related business lines for approximately $12.5 million. The Company expects to recognizerecognized an additional non-cash loss of approximately $7 million. During$11 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017. The additional non-cash loss is primarily due to changes in the estimates related to the amount of the cumulative translation loss, deferred tax assets, and updating working capital balances and the other estimates upon closing the transaction. The Company also incurred $0.2approximately $0.1 million of outside professional fees and other related to the anticipated divestiture.costs.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Within the following tables, the Company reports certain non-GAAP financial measures, including: (1) adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings, and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations (which exclude restructuring and other costs) and (2) percentage changes in revenue, operating income, diluted EPS, adjusted operating income, and adjusted diluted EPS on a local currency basis (which eliminate the effects that result from translating its international operations into U.S. dollars). The other costs in 20162017 are for the anticipated divestiture related costs discussed under Anticipated Divestiture” above, and the other costs in 2015 are acquisition related costs. above.

The Company has included each of these non-GAAP measures in order to provide additional information regarding our underlying operating results and comparable year-over-year performance. Such information is supplemental to information presented in accordance with GAAP and is not intended to represent a presentation in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation. Rather, they should be considered together with GAAP measures and the rest of the information included in this report. Management internally reviews each of these non-GAAP measures to evaluate performance on a comparative period-to-period basis and to gain additional insight into underlying operating and performance trends, and the Company believes the information can be beneficial to investors for the same purposes. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
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 Three Months Ended March 31, 
  2017  2016  
%
Change
 
Operating income from continuing operations (GAAP) $24,037  $47,519   -49.4%
Restructuring - Cost of products sold  342   644     
Restructuring - Selling and administrative  19,870   2,698     
Other  - Selling and administrative (1)
  11,047   -     
Adjusted operating income $55,296  $50,861   8.7%
             
Net earnings from continuing operations (GAAP) $13,192  $31,193   -57.7%
Restructuring and other, before tax  31,259   3,342     
Tax impact of restructuring and other  (7,827)  (862)    
Adjusted net earnings $36,624  $33,673   8.8%
             
Diluted EPS from continuing operations (GAAP) $0.30  $0.69   -56.5%
Restructuring and other, net of tax  0.53   0.06     
Adjusted diluted EPS $0.82  $0.75   9.3%

  Three Months Ended September 30,  Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2016  2015  
%
Change
  2016  2015  
%
Change
 
Operating income from continuing operations (GAAP) $51,151  $43,220   18.4% $142,335  $134,733   5.6%
Restructuring - Cost of products sold  -   2,814       810   3,095     
Restructuring - Selling and administrative  2,781   8,138       8,588   24,594     
Other  - Selling and administrative  191   18       10,483   873     
Adjusted operating income $54,123  $54,190   -0.1% $162,216  $163,295   -0.7%
                         
Net earnings from continuing operations (GAAP) $35,619  $27,638   28.9% $91,563  $87,915   4.1%
Restructuring and other, before tax  2,972   10,970       19,881   28,562     
Tax impact of restructuring and other  (1,399)  (3,396)      (2,999)  (7,759)    
Adjusted net earnings $37,192  $35,212   5.6% $108,445  $108,718   -0.3%
                         
Diluted EPS from continuing operations (GAAP) $0.79  $0.61   29.5% $2.04  $1.89   7.9%
Restructuring and other, net of tax  0.04   0.17       0.38   0.45     
Adjusted diluted EPS $0.83  $0.77   7.8% $2.42  $2.34   3.4%
(1)
The other costs in 2017 are for the divestiture related costs discussed under Divestiture above.

The following table summarizes the percentage change for the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, resultsMarch 31, 2017, compared to the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, resultsMarch 31, 2016, in the respective financial measures.measures:

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 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016  Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016  Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 
Revenue
 Total  
Foreign
Exchange
Rates
  
Local
Currency
  Total  
Foreign
Exchange
Rates
  
Local
Currency
  Total  
Foreign
Exchange
 Rates
  
Local
Currency
 
Flavors & Fragrances  (3.2%)  (1.5%)  (1.8%)  (1.6%)  (1.7%)  0.1%  (5.8%)  (2.0%)  (3.9%)
Color  5.9%  (1.5%)  7.4%  5.7%  (2.9%)  8.6%  6.0%  (0.8%)  6.8%
Asia Pacific  17.9%  2.6%  15.2%  9.3%  (2.2%)  11.5%  5.1%  1.0%  4.1%
Total Revenue  1.5%  (1.0%)  2.5%  1.6%  (2.1%)  3.7%  (0.3%)  (1.2%)  0.9%
            
                                    
Operating Income from Continuing Operations                                    
Flavors & Fragrances  2.9%  (1.4%)  4.3%  0.8%  (1.6%)  2.3%  4.1%  (1.1%)  5.2%
Color  13.4%  (1.2%)  14.6%  9.6%  (2.1%)  11.7%  7.5%  (1.5%)  9.0%
Asia Pacific  15.4%  2.1%  13.3%  7.2%  (2.8%)  10.0%  (8.0%)  0.8%  (8.8%)
Corporate & Other  (17.8%)  (0.8%)  (17.0%)  3.0%  (1.5%)  4.5%  189.7%  (0.3%)  190.0%
Operating Income from Continuing Operations  18.4%  (1.0%)  19.4%  5.6%  (2.0%)  7.7%  (49.4%)  (1.4%)  (48.0%)
                                    
Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations  29.5%  (1.6%)  31.1%  7.9%  (2.1%)  10.1%  (56.5%)  (1.4%)  (55.1%)
                                    
Adjusted Operating Income (1)
  (0.1%)  (1.1%)  0.9%  (0.7%)  (2.2%)  1.5%  8.7%  (1.4%)  10.1%
Adjusted Diluted EPS (1)
  7.8%  (1.3%)  9.1%  3.4%  (2.6%)  6.0%  9.3%  (1.3%)  10.7%

(1)
Refer to the table above for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures.

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SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company determines its operating segments based on information utilized by the chief operating decision maker to allocate resources and assess performance. Segment performance is evaluated on operating income of the respective business units before restructuring and other costs, which are reported in the Corporate & Other, segment, interest expense, and income taxes.

Beginning in the first quarter of 2016,2017, the results of operations for certain of the Company’s color business in China, South Koreacosmetic and Japan, previously reportedfragrance businesses in the Asia Pacific segment, are now reported in the Color segment.segment and Flavors & Fragrances segment, respectively. The results for 20152016 have been restated to reflect these changes.

Flavors & Fragrances
Flavors & Fragrances segment revenue was $200.7$186.9 million and $207.4$198.5 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, a decrease of 3.2%5.8%. Foreign exchange rates reduced segment revenue by 1.5%2.0%. The decrease in segment revenue was primarily due to lower revenue in EuropeNorth America ($4.47.0 million) and lower revenue in North AmericaEurope ($2.75.4 million) partially offset by higher revenue in Latin America ($0.4 million). The lower revenue in Europe was primarily due to lower volumes ($2.4 million) and the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($2.00.8 million). The lower revenue in North America was primarily due to lower volumes ($8.211.4 million) partially offset by higher selling prices ($5.43.9 million) and the favorable impact of exchange rates ($0.5 million). The lower revenue in Europe was primarily due to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates ($3.5 million), the divestitures ($2.1 million), and lower volumes ($0.7 million) partially offset by higher selling prices ($0.8 million). The higher revenue in Latin America was primarily due to higher volumes ($0.91.1 million) and higher selling prices ($0.60.7 million) partially offset by the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($1.11.0 million).

Flavors & Fragrances segment operating income was $32.3$28.8 million and $31.4$27.6 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, an increase of 2.9%4.1%. Foreign exchange rates reduced segment operating income by 1.4%1.1%. The higher segment operating income was due to higher operating income in North America ($1.4 million) partially offset by lower operating income in Latin America ($0.4). Operating income in Europe was consistent with the same period of 2015. The higher operating income in North America was primarily due to higher selling prices ($5.4 million), and savings associated with the 2014 Restructuring Plan ($1.5 million) partially offset by unfavorable volume and mix ($3.70.4 million) and higher raw material costs ($1.5 million). The lower operating income in Latin America was primarily due to higher raw material costs ($0.9 million) and higher manufacturing and other costs ($0.8 million) and the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($0.3 million) partially offset by higher volume and mix ($0.9 million) and favorable selling prices ($0.6 million). Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 16.1% in the current quarter and 15.1% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.
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Flavors & Fragrances segment revenue was $608.3 million and $618.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, a decrease of 1.6%. Foreign exchange rates reduced segment revenue by 1.7%. The decrease in segment revenue was primarily due to lower revenue in North America ($6.7 million) and lower revenue in Europe ($3.4 million) partially offset by higher revenue in Latin America ($0.4 million). The lower revenue in North America was primarily a result of lower volumes ($19.0 million), and the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($2.2 million) partially offset by higher selling prices ($14.6 million). The lower revenue in Europe was primarily a result of the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($4.1 million) and lower volumes ($1.4 million) partially offset by higher selling prices ($2.0 million). The higher revenue in Latin America was primarily a result of higher volumes ($2.4 million) and higher selling prices ($2.0 million) partially offset by the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($4.0 million).

Flavors & Fragrances segment operating income was $95.1 million and $94.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of 0.8%. Foreign exchange rates reduced segment operating income by 1.6%. The higher segment operating income was due to higher operating income in North America ($2.1 million) partially offset by lower operating income in Europe ($0.9 million) and Latin America ($0.50.8 million). The higher operating income in North America was primarily due to higher selling prices ($14.6 million), savings associated with the 2014 Restructuring Program ($5.13.9 million), lower manufacturing and other costs ($2.80.7 million), and profit on the sale of an import rightlower raw material costs ($2.20.5 million) partially offset by unfavorable volume and mix ($11.3 million) and higher raw material costs ($11.14.2 million). The lowerhigher operating income in Europe was primarily a result ofdue to the divestiture ($1.2 million) higher selling prices ($0.8 million), and lower raw material costs ($0.4 million) partially offset by higher manufacturing and other costs ($7.51.3 million) partially offset by savings associated with the 2014 Restructuring Plan ($3.2 million), higher selling prices ($2.0 million), volumes and product mix ($0.9 million) and lower raw material costs ($0.6 million). The lower operating income in Latin America was primarily a result of higher raw material costs ($1.9 million), higher manufacturing and other costs ($1.8 million) and the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($0.9 million) partially offset by volume and mix ($2.1 million) and higher selling prices ($2.00.3 million). Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 15.6%15.4% in the current periodquarter and 15.3%13.9% in the prior year’s comparable period.quarter.

Color
Segment revenue for the Color segment was $125.4$134.1 million and $118.5$126.5 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, an increase of 5.9%6.0%. Foreign exchange rates reduced segment revenue by 1.5%0.8%. The higher segment revenue was due to higher sales of non-food colors ($4.76.1 million) and food and beverage colors ($2.31.4 million). The higher sales of non-food colors were primarily due to higher volumes ($5.36.4 million), primarily in cosmetic colors, and specialty inks, partially offset by lower selling prices ($0.2 million) and the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($0.40.1 million). The higher sales of food and beverage colors was primarily a result of higher volumes ($2.61.3 million) and higher selling prices ($1.01.2 million) partially offset by the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($1.31.0 million).

Segment operating income for the Color segment was $26.3$30.2 million and $23.2$28.1 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, an increase of 13.4%7.5%. Foreign exchange rates reduced segment operating income by 1.2%. The higher segment operating income was primarily due to higher profit for food and beverage colors ($1.8 million) and non-food colors ($1.3 million). The higher operating income in food and beverage colors is primarily a result of higher selling prices ($1.0 million), lower raw material costs ($0.8 million) and volume and product mix ($0.7 million) partially offset by higher manufacturing and other costs ($0.5 million). The higher operating income for non-food colors is primarily due to volumes and product mix ($2.3 million) partially offset by higher manufacturing and other costs ($0.7 million). Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 21.0% in the current quarter and 19.6% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

Segment revenue for the Color segment was $383.1 million and $362.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of 5.7%. Foreign exchange rates reduced segment revenue by 2.9%. The higher segment revenue was due to higher sales of non-food colors ($18.0 million) and food and beverage colors ($2.6 million). The higher sales of non-food colors were primarily due to higher volumes ($20.4 million), primarily in cosmetic colors and specialty inks, and higher selling prices ($0.7 million) offset by the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($3.1 million). The higher sales of food and beverage colors was primarily a result of higher volumes ($4.1 million) and higher selling prices ($6.0 million) offset by the impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($7.5 million).

Segment operating income for the Color segment was $82.1 million and $75.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of 9.6%. Foreign exchange rates reduced segment operating income by 2.1%1.5%. The higher segment operating income was primarily due to higher profit for non-food colors ($5.11.5 million) and food and beverage colors ($2.10.6 million). The higher operating income for non-food colors wasis primarily due toa result of volume and product mix ($9.5 million) and higher selling prices ($0.73.4 million) partially offset by higher manufacturing and other costs ($4.11.1 million), higher raw material costs ($0.50.6 million), lower selling prices ($0.2 million), and the unfavorable impact of unfavorableforeign exchange rates ($0.50.2 million). The higher operating income for food and beverage colors wasis primarily due toa result of higher selling prices ($6.01.2 million) and volumes and product mix ($1.2 million) partially offset by higher raw material costs ($2.4 million), higherlower manufacturing and other costs ($1.60.6 million) partially offset by product mix ($0.9 million) and the unfavorable impact of unfavorable exchange rates ($1.10.3 million). Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 21.4%22.5% in the current periodquarter and 20.7%22.2% in the prior year’s comparable period.quarter.
 
1917

Asia Pacific
Segment revenue for the Asia Pacific segment was $33.4$29.6 million and $28.4$28.2 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, an increase of 17.9%5.1%. Foreign exchange rates increased segment revenue by 2.6%1.0%. The higher revenue was due to higher volumes ($3.40.8 million), selling prices ($1.00.3 million) and the impact of favorable foreign exchange rates ($0.70.3 million).

Segment operating income for the Asia Pacific segment was $6.6$5.2 million and $5.7$5.6 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively, an increasea decrease of 15.4%8.0%.  Foreign exchange rates increased segment operating income by 2.1%0.8%. The increasedecrease in segment operating income was primarily a result of volumeshigher manufacturing and productother costs ($1.2 million), which was a result of order timing, partially offset by volume and mix ($2.40.4 million) and higher selling prices ($1.0 million) partially offset by higher manufacturing and other costs ($2.5 million) and higher raw material costs ($0.20.3 million). Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 19.7%17.4% in the current quarter and 20.1%19.8% in the prior year’s comparable quarter.

Segment revenue for the Asia Pacific segment was $95.0 million and $86.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of 9.3%. Foreign exchange rates decreased segment revenue by 2.2%. The higher revenue was due to higher volumes ($7.4 million) and higher selling prices ($2.6 million) partially offset by the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates ($1.9 million).

Segment operating income for the Asia Pacific segment was $18.7 million and $17.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Foreign exchange rates reduced segment operating income by 2.8%. The higher segment operating income was primarily a result of volumes and product mix ($5.1 million) and higher selling prices ($2.6 million) offset by higher manufacturing and other costs ($5.5 million), higher raw material costs ($0.4 million) and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates ($0.5 million).  Segment operating income as a percent of revenue was 19.7% and 20.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Corporate & Other
The Corporate & Other operating loss was $14.0$40.1 million and $17.0$13.8 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2017and 2016, and 2015, respectively, a decrease of 17.8%. The lower operating loss was primarily a result of lower restructuring and other costs ($8.0 million) offset by higher performance based compensation ($3.9 million) and higher professional services ($1.6 million). Restructuring and other costs were $3.0 million and $11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Corporate & Other operating loss was $53.6 million and $52.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of 3.0%. The higher operating loss was primarily a result of higher performance based compensationrestructuring and other costs ($7.1 million) and higher professional services ($3.927.9 million) partially offset by lower outside services ($1.1 million). The higher restructuring and other costs ($8.7 million).principally relate to the non-cash losses from the divestitures of a European savory ingredient facility and the Company's European Natural Ingredients business. Restructuring and other costs were $19.9$31.3 million and $28.6$3.3 million for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Financial Condition
The Company’s financial position remains strong. The Company entered into agreements on May 3, 2017, to issue new fixed rate notes as well as to increase its existing credit facility term loan and extend the maturity date of its existing revolver (refer to Note 14, Subsequent Events included in Part I, Item I of this report). Proceeds were used to refinance existing debt. The Company is in compliance with its loan covenants calculated in accordance with applicable agreements as of September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017. The Company expects its cash flow from operations and its available debt capacity can be used to meet future cash requirements for operations, capital expenditures, dividend payments, acquisitions, and stock repurchases.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $150.6$37.6 million and $93.5$46.2 million for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. The higherlower cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to increased cash earnings and favorable changesa higher use of working capital in working capital.the current period.
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Net cash provided from investing activities was $2.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to net cash used in investing activities was $54.5 million and $51.2of $14.1 million for the ninethree months ended September 30 2016 and 2015, respectively.March 31, 2016. Capital expenditures were $58.0$10.1 million and $55.5$14.1 million for the ninethree months ended September 30March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. During the second quarter of 2016,three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company sold one facility as a result of the Company’s 2014 Restructuring Plantwo different businesses for $0.8$12.5 million and during the first quarter of 2015, two facilities were sold as a result of the Company’s 2014 Restructuring Plan for combined net proceeds of $12.6 million. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of Xennia for $8.4 million.in proceeds.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $86.0$39.8 million and $29.3$21.6 million for the ninethree months ended September 30March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. The Company repurchased $27.7$12.4 million and $161.0$17.9 million of Company stock for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. Net debt decreased in the first ninethree months of 20162017 by $22.3$13.7 million and increased by $167.0$8.3 million in 2015. The increase in net debt in 2015 was primarily to fund the repurchasefirst quarter of Company stock.2016. For purposes of the cash flow statement, net changes in debt exclude the impact of foreign exchange rates. Dividends of $36.4$13.3 million and $35.9$12.2 million were paid during the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. Dividends paid were 8130 cents per share and 7727 cents per share in the first ninethree months of 2017 and 2016, and 2015, respectively. Subsequent to September 30, 2016, the Company announced that its quarterly dividend would increase to 30 cents per share, starting with its dividend payable on December 1, 2016.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

There have been no material changes in the Company’s contractual obligations during the quarter ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017.  For additional information about contractual obligations, refer to “Contractual Obligations” under Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2016. As discussed in Note 13, Subsequent Events, above, on October 3,In 2016, the Company entered into an accounts receivable securitization program with a commitment size of $40 million, whereby transactions under the program are accounted for as sales of trade receivables in accordance with ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing, and removed from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.sheet (refer to Note 10, Accounts Receivable Securitization, included in Part I, Item I of this report).

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

There have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies during the quarter ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017.  For additional information about critical accounting policies, refer to “Critical Accounting Policies” under Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016.

ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in the Company’s exposure to market risk during the quarter ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2017.  For additional information about market risk refer to Item 7A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:  The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness, as of the end of the period covered by this report, of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act.  Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the Company’s most recent quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current assumptions and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, Company performance, and financial results.  Forward-looking statements include statements in the future tense, statements referring to any period after September 30, 2016,March 31, 2017, and statements including the terms “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate”, and other similar terms that express expectations as to future events or conditions.  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for such forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those expressed in those statements.  A variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results.  These factors and assumptions include the pace and nature of new product introductions by the Company and the Company’s customers; the Company’s ability to successfully implement its growth strategies and restructuring plan; the outcome of the Company’s various productivity-improvement and cost-reduction efforts; changes in costs and availability of raw materials and energy; industry and economic factors related to the Company’s domestic and international business; competition from other suppliers of colors, flavors, and fragrances; growth or contraction in markets for products in which the Company competes; terminations and other changes in customer relationships; the costs of compliance, or failure to comply, with laws and regulations applicable to our industries and markets; changing consumer preferences and changing technologies; industry and customer acceptance of price increases; currency exchange rate fluctuations; cost and availability of credit; results of litigation, environmental investigations or other proceedings; complications as a result of existing or future information technology system applications and hardware; the matters discussed under Item 1A of Part II of this report and Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015;2016; and the matters discussed above under Item 2 including the critical accounting policies referenced therein.  Except to the extent required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

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PART II.OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Civil Complaint
On September 21, 2015, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a civil complaint against Sensient Natural Ingredients LLC (SNI) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. SNI is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The EEOC’s complaint alleges that SNI failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, when it terminated five employees in 2011. The EEOC seeks to enjoin SNI from engaging in employment practices that discriminate on the basis of disability;disability; asks the Court to order SNI to implement policies, practices, and programs to ensure it does not violate the ADA;ADA; and requests back pay with prejudgment interest, reinstatement, front pay, compensation for past and future pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses, and punitive damages on behalf of the five named former employees and any similarly aggrieved individuals. Recoverable compensatory and punitive damages are subject to statutory caps. The complaint does not request a specific damages amount. To date, the EEOC has provided the Company with a list of 13 additional potentially aggrieved former employees not listed in the complaint who may have been terminated in violation of the ADA during the relevant time period. In its discovery responses, the EEOC has identified 3 of those 13 former employees as additional claimants for whom the Agency seeks relief.  The Parties are currently engaged in the discovery process.

On September 20, 2016, the Company and the EEOC engaged in a mediation session in whichAs of May 1, 2017, the parties worked to settle this matter.  The parties are still negotiating and attempting to finalize the terms offinalized a settlement, agreement, but thewhich is pending Court approval. The Company previously accrued $0.6 million for the settlement of this matter, duringwhich it will pay to claimants after the three months ended September 30, 2016.settlement is approved by the Court.
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Other Claims and Litigation
The Company is subject to various claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company establishes reserves for claims and proceedings when it is probable that liabilities exist and reasonable estimates of loss can be made. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of these matters, based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances now known, we do not believe that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position. However, actual outcomes may be different from those expected and could have a material effect on our results of operations or cash flows in a particular period.

SEC Inquiry
On October 22, 2015, the Company received an informal inquiry from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement requesting the voluntary provision of documents and information generally related to the Company’s disclosures of its restructuring activities, its treatment of long-lived assets, and its use of non-GAAP financial measures in its SEC filings and 2014 Annual Report to Shareholders. The Company is fully cooperating with the inquiry and is unable to predict the outcome of the inquiry or its potential impact.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

Except as otherwise described below, there were no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.2016.

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom (U.K.) held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the European Union, commonly referred to as “Brexit”. As a result of the referendum, it is expected that the British government will begin negotiating the terms of the U.K.’s future relationship with the European Union. Although it is unknown what the terms will be, it is possible that there will be greater restrictions on imports and exports between the U.K. and European Union countries, increased regulatory complexities, and economic uncertainties in the region. These changes may adversely affect our operations and financial results.
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ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides the specified information about the repurchases of its common shares by the Company during the thirdfirst quarter of 20162017:

   Period     
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
     
Average
price paid
per share
    
Total number of
shares purchased as
part of a publicly
announced plan (1)
    
Maximum number of
shares that may be
purchased under
publicly announced plans
         
July 1 to July 31, 2016  - $-  -  1,816,232
August 1 to August 31, 2016  -  -  -  1,816,232
September 1 to September 30, 2016  89,251  74.77  89,251  1,726,981
Total  89,251 $74.77  89,251   
Period 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
  
Average
price paid
per share
  
Total number of
shares purchased as
part of a publicly
announced plan (1)
  
Maximum number of
shares that may be
purchased under
publicly announced plans
 
             
January 1 to January 31, 2017  -  $-   -   1,424,760 
February 1 to February 28, 2017  69,700   79.30   69,700   1,355,060 
March 1 to March 31, 2017  86,149   79.38   86,149   1,268,911 
                 
Total  155,849  $79.34   155,849     

(1)Shares were repurchased pursuant to the Board of Directors’ August 21, 2014, authorization to repurchase up to five million shares. Repurchases under this authorization do not have an expiration date. This authorization may be modified, suspended, or discontinued by the Board of Directors at any time.

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS

See Exhibit Index following this report.
 
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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.

  SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
     
Date:November 7, 2016May 8, 2017By: /s/  John J. Manning 
   John J. Manning, Vice President,
   General Counsel & Secretary
 
Date:November 7, 2016May 8, 2017By: /s/  Stephen J. Rolfs 
   Stephen J. Rolfs, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
 
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SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
EXHIBIT INDEX
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016MARCH 31, 2017

Exhibit
Description
 
Incorporated by Reference From
 
Filed Herewith
      
10.1
4.1
Receivables Sale
Note Purchase Agreement dated as of OctoberMay 3, 2016, among Sensient Natural Ingredients LLC, Sensient Colors LLC and Sensient Receivables LLC2017
 Exhibit 10.110.2 to current reportCurrent Report on Form 8-K dated October 3, 2016May 5, 2017 (Commission File No. 1-7626)  
      
10.2
4.2
Receivables
Second Amendment dated as of May 3, 2017 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 3, 2016, among Sensient Receivables LLC, Sensient Technologies Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National AssociationMarch 22, 2011
 Exhibit 10.110.5 to current reportCurrent Report on Form 8-K dated October 3, 2016May 5, 2017 (Commission File No. 1-7626)  
      
10.3
4.3
Performance Undertaking, madeSecond Amendment dated as of OctoberMay 3, 2016, by Sensient Technologies Corporation in favor2017 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of Sensient Receivables LLCApril 5, 2013 Exhibit 10.110.4 to current reportCurrent Report on Form 8-K dated October 3, 2016May 5, 2017 (Commission File No. 1-7626)  
      
4.4
First Amendment dated as of May 3, 2017 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of November 6, 2015Exhibit 10.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 5, 2017 (Commission File No. 1-7626)
10.1
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 3, 2017Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 5, 2017 (Commission File No. 1-7626)
 
Certifications of the Company’s Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act   X
      
Certifications of the Company’s Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 United States Code § 1350
   X
      
101Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T   X
 
 
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