Table of Contents


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017
OR
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to _____

Commission File Number: 1-35305
Post Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Missouri
 
45-3355106
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2503 S. Hanley Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63144
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(314) 644-7600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate 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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Common stock, $0.01 Par Value – 66,156,938 shares as of July 31, 2017
 


Table of Contents


POST HOLDINGS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents


PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
POST HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net Sales
$
1,272.1

 
$
1,246.1

 
$
3,777.3

 
$
3,766.0

Cost of goods sold
878.4

 
847.9

 
2,640.3

 
2,596.0

Gross Profit
393.7

 
398.2

 
1,137.0

 
1,170.0

Selling, general and administrative expenses
164.2

 
216.0

 
615.6

 
608.6

Amortization of intangible assets
38.9

 
38.2

 
116.8

 
114.4

Other operating expenses, net
0.1

 
2.0

 
0.4

 
9.6

Operating Profit
190.5

 
142.0

 
404.2

 
437.4

Interest expense, net
76.5

 
77.3

 
229.6

 
232.3

Loss on extinguishment of debt
160.4

 

 
222.9

 

Other expense (income), net
45.2

 
62.6

 
(100.3
)
 
169.4

(Loss) Earnings before Income Taxes
(91.6
)
 
2.1

 
52.0

 
35.7

Income tax (benefit) expense
(32.1
)
 
(1.2
)
 
17.9

 
2.0

Net (Loss) Earnings
(59.5
)
 
3.3

 
34.1

 
33.7

Preferred stock dividends
(3.4
)
 
(3.3
)
 
(10.2
)
 
(21.7
)
Net (Loss) Earnings Available to Common Shareholders
$
(62.9
)
 
$

 
$
23.9

 
$
12.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) Earnings per Common Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.93
)
 
$

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.17

Diluted
$
(0.93
)
 
$

 
$
0.34

 
$
0.17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
67.5

 
69.2

 
68.3

 
68.6

Diluted
67.5

 
69.2

 
69.8

 
70.1

 
See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).
 



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POST HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Unaudited)
(in millions)


 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net (Loss) Earnings
$
(59.5
)
 
$
3.3

 
$
34.1

 
$
33.7

Pension and postretirement benefits adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

 
1.6

Reclassifications to net (loss) earnings
(0.5
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(1.7
)
 
(0.2
)
Unrealized gain on plan amendment

 

 

 
36.1

Cash flow hedge adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized net (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
(2.7
)
 

 
(2.7
)
 

Reclassifications to net (loss) earnings
0.3

 

 
0.3

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments
2.1

 
(0.2
)
 
0.8

 
9.7

Reclassifications to net (loss) earnings

 

 

 
(1.3
)
Tax benefit (expense) on other comprehensive (loss) income
1.2

 
0.3

 
1.7

 
(14.3
)
Total Comprehensive (Loss) Income
$
(59.1
)
 
$
2.7

 
$
32.5

 
$
65.3



See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).



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POST HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(in millions)  
 
June 30, 2017
 
September 30, 2016
ASSETS
Current Assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,472.7

 
$
1,143.6

Restricted cash
5.9

 
8.4

Receivables, net
480.3

 
385.0

Inventories
526.6

 
503.1

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
34.7

 
36.8

Total Current Assets
3,520.2

 
2,076.9

Property, net
1,366.9

 
1,354.4

Goodwill
3,126.0

 
3,079.7

Other intangible assets, net
2,768.3

 
2,833.7

Other assets
22.8

 
15.9

Total Assets
$
10,804.2

 
$
9,360.6

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$
22.7

 
$
12.3

Accounts payable
214.8

 
264.4

Other current liabilities
309.8

 
357.3

Total Current Liabilities
547.3

 
634.0

Long-term debt
6,368.5

 
4,551.2

Deferred income taxes
793.1

 
726.5

Other liabilities
344.2

 
440.3

Total Liabilities
8,053.1

 
6,352.0

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock

 

Common stock
0.7

 
0.7

Additional paid-in capital
3,569.8

 
3,546.0

Accumulated deficit
(390.2
)
 
(424.3
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(62.0
)
 
(60.4
)
Treasury stock, at cost
(367.2
)
 
(53.4
)
Total Shareholders’ Equity
2,751.1

 
3,008.6

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
10,804.2

 
$
9,360.6


 See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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POST HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(in millions)
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net Earnings
$
34.1

 
$
33.7

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flow provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
232.9

 
226.9

Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate and cross-currency swaps
(101.8
)
 
169.4

Loss on extinguishment of debt
222.9

 

Gain on foreign currency
(34.9
)
 
(0.3
)
Assets held for sale
(0.2
)
 
9.5

Non-cash stock-based compensation expense
17.4

 
12.9

Deferred income taxes
49.6

 
(61.9
)
Other, net
1.3

 
1.2

Other changes in current assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions:
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in receivables, net
(87.0
)
 
14.3

Increase in inventories
(21.0
)
 
(41.4
)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
(0.1
)
 
(8.4
)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities
(106.1
)
 
6.6

Increase in non-current liabilities
1.1

 
5.0

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
208.2

 
367.5

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(90.2
)
 
(94.4
)
Additions to property
(125.0
)
 
(81.1
)
Restricted cash
2.5

 
16.1

Proceeds from sale of property and assets held for sale
10.5

 
1.8

Proceeds from sale of businesses

 
6.7

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(202.2
)
 
(150.9
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
3,950.0

 

Repayments of long-term debt
(2,082.2
)
 
(11.6
)
Purchases of treasury stock
(313.8
)
 

Payments of preferred stock dividends
(10.2
)
 
(11.0
)
Preferred stock conversion

 
(10.9
)
Payments of debt issuance costs and deferred financing costs
(52.4
)
 

Payments of tender premiums on debt extinguishment
(219.8
)
 

Proceeds from exercise of stock awards
13.4

 
6.6

Net cash received from stock repurchase contracts

 
1.1

Other, net
3.2

 
0.2

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
1,288.2

 
(25.6
)
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
34.9

 
0.8

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
1,329.1

 
191.8

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year
1,143.6

 
841.4

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
$
2,472.7

 
$
1,033.2

    
 See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) .  

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POST HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share information and where indicated otherwise)
NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), under the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and on a basis substantially consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements of Post Holdings, Inc. (herein referred to as “Post,” “the Company,” “us,” “our” or “we”) as of and for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with such audited consolidated financial statements which are included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on November 18, 2016.
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals) that management considers necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s results of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim period or for the entire fiscal year. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2017 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net (loss) earnings or shareholders’ equity, as previously reported.
NOTE 2 - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
The Company has considered all new accounting pronouncements, and has concluded there are no new recently issued pronouncements (other than the ones described below) that had or will have an impact on the results of operations, financial condition or cash flows based on current information.
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” ASU 2017-07 requires an entity to report the service cost component of periodic net benefit cost in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. Other components of net benefit cost are to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component. The amendments in the ASU also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein (i.e., Post’s financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2019) with early adoption permitted. Additionally, the ASU requires a retrospective method of adoption. The adoption of this guidance will impact the presentation and classification of the components of net periodic benefit cost (gain) for the plans presented in Note 15, however, the impact is not expected to be material.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” ASU 2017-04 eliminates step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires the calculation of the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Under this ASU, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value with the loss not exceeding the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods therein (i.e., Post’s financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2021) with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. Additionally, the ASU requires a prospective method of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the timing of adopting this ASU. The adoption of this new guidance would affect those reporting units that fail step 1 of the annual goodwill impairment test. At September 30, 2016, the Dymatize reporting unit failed step 1 and subsequently passed step 2, resulting in no impairment charge being recorded. All other reporting units passed step 1 of the goodwill impairment test at September 30, 2016,  the last goodwill impairment evaluation date.  The impact of this ASU may result in an impairment charge which could be material to the Company.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” ASU 2017-01 adds guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses by providing a more specific definition of a business. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein (i.e., Post’s financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2019) with early adoption permitted. This ASU currently has no impact on the Company, however, Post will evaluate the impact of this ASU on future business acquisitions and disposals.
In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” ASU 2016-20 is intended to clarify and suggest improvements to the application of current standards under Topic 606 and other Topics amended by ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The effective

5



date of this ASU is the same as the effective date for ASU 2014-09 (i.e., Post’s financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2019).The Company is in the initial stages of assessing the impact that these standards will have on its accounting policies, processes, system requirements, internal controls, and disclosures. Internal resources have been assigned to this assessment, and the Company has engaged a third party to assist in the assessment and implementation. The Company has begun to assess the impact that these standards will have on the financial statements. It has not yet been determined if the full retrospective or the modified retrospective method will be applied.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.” ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents, and therefore, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of year cash balance to the end of year cash balance as shown on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein (i.e., Post’s financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2019) with early adoption permitted. The Company currently classifies changes in restricted cash as an investing activity in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, not as a component of cash and cash equivalents as required by this ASU.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The updated guidance changes the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification of certain items in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein (i.e., Post’s financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2018) with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt and implement this ASU in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 and does not expect the impact to be material.
NOTE 3 — RESTRUCTURING
In September 2015, the Company announced its plan to close its Dymatize manufacturing facility located in Farmers Branch, Texas and permanently transfer production to third party facilities under co-manufacturing agreements. Plant production ceased in the fourth quarter of 2015, and the facility was sold in December 2016. No additional restructuring costs have been incurred or are expected to be incurred in fiscal 2017.
In May 2015, the Company announced its plan to consolidate its cereal business administrative offices into its Lakeville, Minnesota location. In connection with the consolidation, the Company closed its office located in Parsippany, New Jersey and relocated those functions as well as certain functions located in Battle Creek, Michigan to the Lakeville office. The Parsippany office closure was completed in fiscal 2016. No additional restructuring costs have been incurred or are expected to be incurred in fiscal 2017.
Restructuring charges and the related liabilities are shown in the following table.
 
Employee-Related Costs
 
Accelerated Depreciation
 
Total
Balance at September 30, 2015
$
10.5

 
$

 
$
10.5

Charge to expense
2.1

 
0.4

 
2.5

Cash payments
(9.0
)
 

 
(9.0
)
Non-cash charges
(0.9
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(1.3
)
Balance at June 30, 2016
$
2.7

 
$

 
$
2.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2016
$
1.1

 
$

 
$
1.1

Charge to expense

 

 

Cash payments
(1.0
)
 

 
(1.0
)
Non-cash charges

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2017
$
0.1

 
$

 
$
0.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total expected restructuring charge
$
12.6

 
$
2.5

 
$
15.1

Cumulative restructuring charges incurred to date
12.6

 
2.5

 
15.1

Remaining expected restructuring charge
$

 
$

 
$


6



In the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016, the Company incurred total restructuring charges of $0.8 and $2.5 , respectively, which were reported in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. No restructuring expenses have been incurred in fiscal 2017. These expenses are not included in the measure of segment performance (see Note 17).
Assets Held for Sale
Related to the closure of its Modesto, California facility in September 2014, the Company had land, building and equipment classified as assets held for sale at September 30, 2016. The carrying value of the assets included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $4.3 as of September 30, 2016. The land, building and equipment were sold in March 2017. Related to the manufacturing shutdown of its Farmers Branch, Texas facility, the Company had land and buildings classified as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2016. The carrying value of the assets included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $5.8 as of September 30, 2016. The land and buildings were sold in December 2016. Net gains of $0.2 were recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2017, to adjust the carrying value of the assets to their fair value less estimated selling costs. Held for sale losses of $1.1 and $9.5 were recorded in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, to adjust the carrying value of the assets to their fair value less estimated selling costs. These gains and losses are reported as “Other operating expenses, net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. This income and expense is not included in the measure of segment performance (see Note 17). There were no assets held for sale at June 30, 2017.
NOTE 4 — BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
On October 3, 2016, the Company completed its acquisition of National Pasteurized Eggs, Inc. (“NPE”) for $93.5 , subject to net working capital and other adjustments, resulting in a payment of $97.0 . In February 2017, a final settlement of net working capital was reached, resulting in an amount back to the Company of $1.2 . In addition, the Company acquired an income tax receivable of $0.7 that is due back to the sellers. NPE is a producer of pasteurized shell eggs, including cage-free and hard boiled eggs. NPE is reported in Post’s Michael Foods Group segment (see Note 17). Based upon the preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded $43.9 of customer relationships to be amortized over a weighted-average period of 16 years and $7.5 of trademarks and brands to be amortized over a weighted-average period of 20 years. NPE operations have been integrated into the Michael Foods business, and due to the level of integration, discrete sales and operating profit data for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017 is not available for NPE.
On October 3, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Willamette Egg Farms (“WEF”) for  $90.0 , subject to working capital and other adjustments, resulting in a payment at closing of $109.0 . In December 2015, a final settlement of net working capital and other adjustments was reached, resulting in an additional amount paid by the Company of $4.6 . WEF is a producer, processor and wholesale distributor of eggs and egg products and is also reported in Post’s Michael Foods Group segment (see Note 17).
Each of the acquisitions was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, whereby the results of operations are included in the financial statements from the date of acquisition. The respective purchase prices were allocated to acquired assets and assumed liabilities based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition, and any excess was allocated to goodwill, as shown in the table below. Goodwill represents the value the Company expects to achieve through the implementation of operational synergies and the expansion of the business into new or growing segments of the industry. The Company does not expect the final fair value of goodwill related to the acquisition of NPE to be deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.
Certain estimated values for the NPE acquisition, including property, goodwill, other intangible assets and deferred taxes, are not yet finalized pending the final purchase price allocation and are subject to change once additional information is obtained. The following table provides the preliminary allocation of the purchase price related to the acquisition of NPE based upon the fair value of assets and liabilities assumed. Measurement period adjustments have been made to the allocation of purchase price for the acquisition of NPE since the date of acquisition related to working capital settlements, updated valuations of property and intangibles, income tax receivable and deferred taxes.

7



Cash and cash equivalents
$
5.6

Receivables
8.5

Inventories
2.1

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
0.4

Property
10.4

Goodwill
46.3

Other intangible assets
51.4

Current portion of capital lease
(0.1
)
Accounts payable
(6.3
)
Other current liabilities
(2.9
)
Long-term capital lease
(0.2
)
Deferred tax liability - long-term
(18.7
)
Total acquisition cost
$
96.5

Acquisition Subsequent to Period End
On July 3, 2017, subsequent to the periods presented in these statements, the Company completed its acquisition of Latimer Newco 2 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (“Latimer”), and all of Latimer’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Weetabix Limited (collectively “Weetabix”). For additional information, see Note 18. This transaction will be accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. The Company will record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Due to the limited time since closing of the acquisition, the valuation efforts and related acquisition accounting are incomplete at the time of filing of the condensed consolidated financial statements. As a result, the Company is unable to provide amounts recognized as of the acquisition date for major classes of assets and liabilities acquired, including property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill. In addition, because the acquisition accounting is incomplete, the Company is unable to provide the supplemental pro forma revenue and earnings for the combined entity, as the pro forma adjustments are expected to primarily consist of estimates for the depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortization of identifiable intangible assets acquired and related income tax effects which will result from the purchase price allocation and determination of the fair values for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded net foreign currency gains of $33.5 related to cash held in pounds sterling (GBP) to fund the acquisition of Weetabix, which were recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Transaction related costs
The Company incurred acquisition and divestiture related expenses of  $3.3 and $6.8 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and $5.1 and $7.3 during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. The costs are recorded as “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” and include amounts for transactions that were signed, spending for due diligence on potential acquisitions that were not signed or announced at the time of the Company’s reporting, and spending for divestiture transactions.
Pro Forma Information
The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of the results of operations of the Company combined with the aggregate results of NPE and WEF for the periods presented as if the fiscal 2017 acquisition of NPE had occurred on October 1, 2015 and the fiscal 2016 acquisition of WEF had occurred on October 1, 2014, along with certain pro forma adjustments. These pro forma adjustments give effect to the amortization of certain definite-lived intangible assets, adjusted depreciation based upon fair value of assets acquired, interest expense related to the financing of the business combinations, inventory revaluation adjustments on acquired businesses and related income taxes. The following unaudited pro forma information has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations as they would have been had the acquisitions occurred on the assumed dates, nor is it necessarily an indication of future operating results.  
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Pro forma net sales
$
1,272.1

 
$
1,275.0

 
$
3,777.3

 
$
3,859.9

Pro forma net (loss) earnings available to common shareholders
$
(62.8
)
 
$
1.7

 
$
24.1

 
$
18.5

Pro forma basic (loss) earnings per common share
$
(0.93
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.27

Pro forma diluted (loss) earnings per common share
$
(0.93
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.26


8



NOTE 5 — GOODWILL
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment are noted in the following table.
 
Post Consumer Brands
 
Michael Foods Group
 
Active Nutrition
 
Private Brands
 
Total
Balance, September 30, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill (gross)
$
1,994.0

 
$
1,345.8

 
$
180.7

 
$
256.6

 
$
3,777.1

Accumulated impairment losses
(609.1
)
 

 
(88.3
)
 

 
(697.4
)
Goodwill (net)
$
1,384.9

 
$
1,345.8

 
$
92.4

 
$
256.6

 
$
3,079.7

Goodwill acquired

 
46.3

 

 

 
46.3

Balance, June 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill (gross)
$
1,994.0

 
$
1,392.1

 
$
180.7

 
$
256.6

 
$
3,823.4

Accumulated impairment losses
(609.1
)
 

 
(88.3
)
 

 
(697.4
)
Goodwill (net)
$
1,384.9

 
$
1,392.1

 
$
92.4

 
$
256.6

 
$
3,126.0

NOTE 6 — INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rate was 35.0% and 34.4% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and (57.1)% and 5.6% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, the Company records income tax (benefit) expense for the interim periods using the estimated annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year adjusted for the impact of discrete items occurring during the three and nine month periods. In the fiscal 2016 periods, the effective tax rate differed significantly from the statutory rate as a result of discrete items occurring in the nine months ended June 30, 2016 primarily relating to the Company’s decision to exit its Canadian egg business reported in the Michael Foods Group segment and the expectation that the domestic production activities deduction would have a favorable impact on the effective income tax rate.
NOTE 7 — INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Total intangible assets are as follows:
 
June 30, 2017
 
September 30, 2016
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Amount
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Amount
Subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
$
2,056.6

 
$
(385.9
)
 
$
1,670.7

 
$
2,012.7

 
$
(302.0
)
 
$
1,710.7

Trademarks/brands
802.6

 
(151.9
)
 
650.7

 
795.1

 
(120.6
)
 
674.5

Other intangible assets
21.7

 
(9.3
)
 
12.4

 
21.7

 
(7.7
)
 
14.0

 
2,880.9

 
(547.1
)
 
2,333.8

 
2,829.5

 
(430.3
)
 
2,399.2

Not subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trademarks/brands
434.5

 

 
434.5

 
434.5

 

 
434.5

 
$
3,315.4

 
$
(547.1
)
 
$
2,768.3

 
$
3,264.0

 
$
(430.3
)
 
$
2,833.7

NOTE 8 (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic (loss) earnings per share is based on the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted (loss) earnings per share is based on the average number of shares used for the basic (loss) earnings per share calculation, adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock equivalents using the “treasury stock” method. The impact of potentially dilutive convertible preferred stock is calculated using the “if-converted” method. The purchase contract component of the Company’s tangible equity units (“TEUs”) are assumed to be settled at the minimum settlement amount of 1.7114 shares per TEU for weighted-average shares for basic (loss) earnings per share. For diluted (loss) earnings per share, the shares, to the extent dilutive, are assumed to be settled at a conversion factor based on the Company’s daily volume-weighted-average price per share of the Company’s common stock not to exceed 2.0964 shares per TEU. All TEU purchase contracts were settled as of June 30, 2017 (see Note 16).
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

9



 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net (loss) earnings for basic (loss) earnings per share
$
(62.9
)
 
$

 
$
23.9

 
$
12.0

Net (loss) earnings for diluted (loss) earnings per share
$
(62.9
)
 
$

 
$
23.9

 
$
12.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding
65.9

 
64.3

 
64.9

 
63.7

Effect of TEUs on weighted-average shares for basic (loss) earnings per share
1.6

 
4.9

 
3.4

 
4.9

Weighted-average shares for basic (loss) earnings per share
67.5

 
69.2

 
68.3

 
68.6

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options

 

 
1.2

 
1.1

Stock appreciation rights

 

 
0.1

 
0.1

Restricted stock awards

 

 
0.2

 
0.3

Total dilutive securities

 

 
1.5

 
1.5

Weighted-average shares for diluted (loss) earnings per share
67.5

 
69.2

 
69.8

 
70.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (loss) earnings per common share
$
(0.93
)
 
$

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.17

Diluted (loss) earnings per common share
$
(0.93
)
 
$

 
$
0.34

 
$
0.17

The following table details the securities that have been excluded from the calculation of weighted-average shares for diluted (loss) earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive.
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Stock options
4.2

 
4.2

 
0.3

 
0.3

Stock appreciation rights
0.1

 
0.2

 

 

Restricted stock awards
0.7

 
0.9

 

 
0.2

Preferred shares conversion to common
9.1

 
9.1

 
9.1

 
9.1

NOTE 9 — INVENTORIES
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
Raw materials and supplies
$
120.2

 
$
112.4

Work in process
17.3

 
17.4

Finished products
358.4

 
339.3

Flocks
30.7

 
34.0

 
$
526.6

 
$
503.1

NOTE 10 — PROPERTY, NET
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
Property, at cost
$
2,024.0

 
$
1,900.3

Accumulated depreciation
(657.1
)
 
(545.9
)
 
$
1,366.9

 
$
1,354.4

NOTE 11 — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to commodity price risks relating to the acquisition of raw materials and supplies, interest rate risks relating to floating rate debt, and foreign currency exchange rate risks. The Company utilizes derivative financial instruments, including (but not limited to) futures contracts, option contracts, forward contracts and swaps, to

10



manage certain of these exposures by hedging when it is practical to do so. Certain derivatives do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting or simply are not designated as hedging instruments; nonetheless, they are used to manage the future cost of raw materials and other risks. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
At June 30, 2017 , the Company’s derivative instruments consisted of:
Not designated as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815
Commodity and energy futures and option contracts which relate to inputs that generally will be utilized within the next 15 months;
foreign currency exchange option contracts that mature in July 2017 and act as a hedge of a portion of the GBP denominated purchase price of Weetabix;
cross-currency swap maturing in July 2022 that requires quarterly cash settlements and will be used as hedges of the Company’s net investment in Weetabix, which is denominated in GBP;
a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap maturing in May 2021 that requires monthly settlements and effectively hedges interest payments on debt expected to be issued but not yet priced; and
rate-lock interest rate swaps that require lump sum settlements in July 2018 and December 2019 and effectively hedge interest payments on debt expected to be issued but not yet priced.
Designated as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815
Foreign currency forward contracts used as a cash flow hedge of forecasted Euro denominated capital purchases occurring within the next 20 months against currency fluctuations between Euro and U.S. dollar and
a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap maturing in May 2024 that requires monthly settlements and is used as a cash flow hedge of forecasted interest payments on our variable rate term loan (see Note 14).
The following table shows the notional amounts of derivative instruments held.
 
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
Not designated as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815:
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
77.1

 
49.8

Energy contracts
 
32.6

 
23.6

Foreign exchange contracts - Option contracts, net (a)
 

 

Foreign exchange contracts - Cross-currency swaps
 
448.7

 

Interest rate swap
 
76.4

 
77.6

Interest rate swaps - Rate-lock swaps
 
1,649.3

 
1,649.3

Designated as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815:
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts - Forward contracts
 
24.0

 

Interest rate swap
 
1,000.0

 

a.
The foreign exchange option contracts consisted of offsetting put and call options resulting in a net zero notional amount at June 30, 2017.
The following table presents the balance sheet location and fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments as of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , along with the portion designated as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815. The Company does not offset derivative assets and liabilities within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

11



 
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
Portion Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
Asset Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
4.6

 
$
0.6

 
$

 
$

Energy contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
1.6

 
2.4

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
1.8

 

 
0.5

 

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other assets
 
0.3

 

 
0.3

 

 
 
 
 
$
8.3

 
$
3.0

 
$
0.8

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liability Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
Other current liabilities
 
$
0.6

 
$
3.3

 
$

 
$

Energy contracts
 
Other current liabilities
 
0.4

 
0.2

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other current liabilities
 
2.0

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other liabilities
 
14.0

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps
 
Other current liabilities
 
2.4

 
2.0

 
0.5

 

Interest rate swaps
 
Other liabilities
 
199.6

 
313.2

 
2.8

 

 
 
 
 
$
219.0

 
$
318.7

 
$
3.3

 
$

The following tables present the effects of the Company’s derivative instruments on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (“OCI”) for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Statement of Operations Location
 
(Gain) Loss Recognized in Statement of Operations
 
 
2017
 
2016
Commodity contracts
 
Cost of goods sold
 
$
(6.9
)
 
$
(1.0
)
Energy contracts
 
Cost of goods sold
 
1.5

 
(4.1
)
Foreign exchange contracts
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
0.8

 

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other expense (income), net
 
14.7

 

Interest rate swaps
 
Other expense (income), net
 
30.5

 
62.6


12



Cash Flow Hedges
 
(Gain) Loss Recognized in OCI [Effective Portion]
 
Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings [Effective Portion]
 
(Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings [Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing]
 
Statement of Operations Location
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(0.9
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Interest rate swaps
 
3.6

 

 
0.3

 

 

 

 
Interest expense, net
The following tables present the effects of the Company’s derivative instruments on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Statement of Operations Location
 
(Gain) Loss Recognized in Statement of Operations
 
 
2017
 
2016
Commodity contracts
 
Cost of goods sold
 
$
(3.5
)
 
$
3.2

Energy contracts
 
Cost of goods sold
 
1.8

 
0.8

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
0.9

 

Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other expense (income), net
 
14.7

 

Interest rate swaps
 
Other expense (income), net
 
(115.0
)
 
169.4

Cash Flow Hedges
 
(Gain) Loss Recognized in OCI [Effective Portion]
 
Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings [Effective Portion]
 
(Gain) Loss Recognized in Earnings [Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing]
 
Statement of Operations Location
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
$
(0.9
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Interest rate swaps
 
3.6

 

 
0.3

 

 

 

 
Interest expense, net
Approximately $0.5 of the net cash flow hedge losses reported in accumulated OCI at June 30, 2017 is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months. For gains or losses associated with foreign exchange forward contracts, the reclassification will occur on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the related capital assets. For gains or losses associated with interest rate swaps, the reclassification will occur on a straight-line basis over the term of the related debt.
At June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 , the Company had pledged collateral of $4.2 and $6.1 , respectively, related to its commodity and energy contracts. These amounts are classified as “Restricted cash” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
NOTE 12 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the basis for that measurement according to the levels in the fair value hierarchy in ASC Topic 820.
 
June 30, 2017
 
September 30, 2016
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation investment
$
13.8

 
$
13.8

 
$

 
$
11.5

 
$
11.5

 
$

Derivative assets
8.3

 

 
8.3

 
3.0

 

 
3.0

 
$
22.1

 
$
13.8

 
$
8.3

 
$
14.5

 
$
11.5

 
$
3.0

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation liabilities
$
19.9

 
$

 
$
19.9

 
$
17.3

 
$

 
$
17.3

Derivative liabilities
219.0

 

 
219.0

 
318.7

 

 
318.7

 
$
238.9

 
$

 
$
238.9

 
$
336.0

 
$

 
$
336.0


13



The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt which is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy per ASC Topic 820. The senior notes and term loan are valued utilizing an interest rate derived from an estimated yield curve obtained from independent pricing sources for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying value of the remaining debt approximates fair value because of the short maturities of these financial instruments.
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
Senior notes
$
4,374.7

 
$
4,835.9

Term loan
2,201.7

 

TEUs

 
15.0

4.57% 2012 Series Bond maturing September 2017
0.7

 
1.3

Capital leases
0.2

 

 
$
6,577.3

 
$
4,852.2

The deferred compensation investment is invested primarily in mutual funds and its fair value is measured using the market approach. This investment is in the same funds and purchased in substantially the same amounts as the participants’ selected investment options (excluding Post common stock equivalents), which represent the underlying liabilities to participants in the Company’s deferred compensation plans. Deferred compensation liabilities are recorded at amounts due to participants in cash, based on the fair value of participants’ selected investment options (excluding certain Post common stock equivalents to be distributed in shares) using the market approach. Changes in the deferred compensation investment and related liability are recorded as “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Commodity and energy derivatives are valued using an income approach based on index prices less the contract rate multiplied by the notional amount. Foreign exchange contracts are valued using the spot rate less the forward rate multiplied by the notional amount. The Company’s calculation of the fair value of interest rate swaps is derived from a discounted cash flow analysis based on the terms of the contract and the interest rate curve.
Refer to Note 11 for the classification of changes in fair value of derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As stated previously (see Note 3), the Company had land, buildings and equipment classified as assets held for sale related to the closure of its Modesto, California facility as of September 30, 2016. At September 30, 2016 , the carrying value, as determined by estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell, of the assets held for sale was $4.3 and was included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Related to its Farmers Branch, Texas facility, the Company had land and buildings classified as assets held for sale as of September 30, 2016. The carrying value of the assets included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $5.8 as of September 30, 2016. The fair value of the assets held for sale were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis based on third-party offers to purchase the assets. The fair value measurement was categorized as Level 3, as the fair values utilize significant unobservable inputs. The following table summarizes the Level 3 activity.
Balance, September 30, 2016
$
10.1

Gain on assets held for sale
0.2

Cash received from sale of assets
(10.3
)
Balance, June 30, 2017
$

The carrying amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturities (less than 12 months) of these financial instruments.
NOTE 13 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In late 2008 and early 2009, some 22 class action lawsuits were filed in various federal courts against Michael Foods, Inc. and some 20 other defendants (producers of shell eggs and egg products, and egg industry organizations), alleging violations of federal and state antitrust laws in connection with the production and sale of shell eggs and egg products, and seeking unspecified damages. All cases were transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for coordinated and/or consolidated pretrial proceedings.
The case involves three plaintiff groups: (1) direct purchasers of eggs and egg products; (2) companies (primarily large grocery chains and food companies that purchase considerable quantities of eggs) that opted out of any eventual class and brought their own separate actions against the defendants (“opt-out plaintiffs”); and (3) indirect purchasers of shell eggs.

14



Motions related to class certification: In September 2015, the court granted the motion of the direct purchaser plaintiffs to certify a shell-egg subclass, but denied their motion to certify an egg-products subclass. Also in September 2015, the court denied the motion of the indirect purchaser plaintiffs for class certification. The indirect purchaser plaintiffs subsequently filed an alternative motion for certification of an injunctive class, and that motion was denied on June 27, 2017.
Motions for summary judgment: In September 2016, the court granted the defendants’ motion for summary judgment based on purchases of egg products, thereby limiting all claims to shell eggs. Also in September 2016, the court denied individual motions for summary judgment made by Michael Foods and three other defendants that had sought the dismissal of all claims against them.
Settlements by Michael Foods: On December 8, 2016, Michael Foods reached an agreement to settle all class claims asserted against it by the direct purchaser plaintiffs for a payment of $75.0 . The Company has paid such amount into escrow. This settlement is subject to approval by the court following notice to all class members. While the Company expects the settlement will receive the needed approval, there can be no assurance that the court will approve the agreement as proposed by the parties.
On January 19, 2017, Michael Foods entered into a settlement, the details of which are confidential, with the opt-out plaintiffs (excluding those opt-out plaintiffs whose claims relate primarily or exclusively to egg products; several of those plaintiffs are now appealing the dismissal of the egg products claims). This settlement was paid by the Company as of June 30, 2017. Michael Foods has at all times denied liability in this matter, and neither settlement contains any admission of liability by Michael Foods.
During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company expensed $74.5 , included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, related to these settlements. Expense of $10.0 was recorded related to these settlements in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016. At September 30, 2016, the Company had accruals related to these settlements of $28.5 that were included in “Other current liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Under current law, any settlement paid, including the settlement with the direct purchaser plaintiffs and the settlement with the opt-out plaintiffs, is deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Remaining portions of the case: The indirect purchaser plaintiffs are seeking to immediately appeal the court’s denial of their motions for class certification. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet ruled on whether it will accept these matters for review. Additionally, the elimination of egg products from the case is being appealed by the opt-out plaintiffs who purchased egg products. The appeal is fully submitted to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
While the likelihood of a material adverse outcome in the egg antitrust litigation has been significantly reduced as a result of the Michael Foods settlements described above, there is still a possibility of an adverse outcome following appellate review of the remaining portions of the case. At this time, however, we do not believe it is possible to estimate any loss in connection with these remaining portions of the egg antitrust litigation. Accordingly, we cannot predict what impact, if any, these remaining matters and any results from such matters could have on our future results of operations.

15



NOTE 14 — LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt as of the dates indicated consists of the following:
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30, 2016
5.50% Senior Notes maturing March 2025
$
1,000.0

 
$

5.75% Senior Notes maturing March 2027
750.0

 

5.00% Senior Notes maturing August 2026
1,750.0

 
1,750.0

7.75% Senior Notes maturing March 2024

 
800.0

8.00% Senior Notes maturing July 2025
137.5

 
400.0

6.00% Senior Notes maturing December 2022
630.0

 
630.0

6.75% Senior Notes maturing December 2021


 
875.0

7.375% Senior Notes maturing February 2022


 
133.0

Term Loan
2,200.0

 

TEUs

 
11.0

4.57% 2012 Series Bond maturing September 2017
0.7

 
1.3

Capital leases
0.2

 

 
$
6,468.4

 
$
4,600.3

Less: Current portion of long-term debt
(22.7
)
 
(12.3
)
Debt issuance costs, net
(77.2
)
 
(53.5
)
Plus: Unamortized premium

 
16.7

Total long-term debt
$
6,368.5

 
$
4,551.2

On February 14, 2017, the Company issued $1,000.0 principal value of 5.50% senior notes due in March 2025 and $750.0 principal value of 5.75% senior notes due in March 2027. The 5.50% and 5.75% senior notes were issued at par and the Company received $1,725.4 after paying investment banking and other fees of $24.6 , which will be deferred and amortized to interest expense over the term of the notes. Interest payments on the 5.50% and 5.75% senior notes are due semi-annually each March 1 and September 1.
With the net proceeds received from the February 14, 2017 issuance of the 5.50% and 5.75% senior notes (described above), the Company repaid the remaining $133.0 principal value of the 7.375% senior notes as well as the $875.0 principal value of the 6.75% senior notes. In connection with the early repayment of these notes, the Company recorded expense of $62.5 in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, which is reported as “Loss on extinguishment of debt” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. This loss included a tender premium of $67.9 and deferred financing fee write-offs of $10.1 , partially offset by the write-off of unamortized debt premium of $15.5 .
On May 24, 2017, the Company entered into a Joinder Agreement No. 1 (“Joinder No. 1”). Joinder No.1 provided for an incremental term loan of $1,200.0 (the “ Joinder No. 1 Term Loan”) under the Company’s existing credit agreement amended and restated on March 28, 2017 and further amended on April 28, 2017 (as amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”), which is discussed in further detail below. Pursuant to Joinder No. 1, the Company borrowed $1,200.0 , the net proceeds of which were used to repay the $800.0 principal value of the 7.75% senior notes as well as $262.5 principal value of the 8.00% senior notes along with related tender premiums and other fees and expenses. In connection with the early repayment of these notes, the Company recorded expense of $160.4 in the three months ended June 30, 2017, which is reported as “Loss on extinguishment of debt” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. This loss included a tender premium of $151.9 and deferred financing fee write-offs of $8.5 . In connection with the early repayment of these notes and the 7.375% and 6.75% notes, the Company recorded expense of $222.9 in the nine months ended June 30, 2017, which is reported as “Loss on extinguishment of debt” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. These losses included tender premiums of $219.8 and deferred financing fee write-offs of $18.6 partially offset by the write-off of unamortized debt premium of $15.5 .
On June 29, 2017, the Company entered into a Joinder Agreement No. 2 (“Joinder No. 2”). Joinder No. 2 provided for an incremental term loan of $1,000.0 (the “ Joinder No. 2 Term Loan”) under the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Joinder No.2, the Company borrowed $1,000.0 and used the proceeds, together with cash on hand, to finance its acquisition of Weetabix (see Note 4 and Note 18).
The Joinder No. 2 Term Loan was combined with the outstanding amounts under the Joinder No.1 Term Loan (collectively the “Term Loan”). The outstanding amounts under the Term Loan bear interest at the Eurodollar Rate plus 2.25% or the Base Rate

16



(as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 1.25% . The Term Loan must be repaid in quarterly principal installments of $5.5 beginning on September 30, 2017 and must be repaid in full on May 24, 2024. The Company must make certain prepayments of principal of the Term Loan under circumstances specified in Joinder No. 1. The Company incurred $23.5 of issuance costs in connection with the Term Loan as of June 30, 2017.
On March 28, 2017, the Company amended and restated its prior credit agreement. The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $800.0 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), with the commitments thereunder to be made available to the Company in US Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros and Pounds Sterling. Letters of credit will be available under the Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount of up to $50.0 . The Credit Agreement also provides for potential incremental revolving and term facilities at the request of the Company and at the discretion of the lenders, in each case on terms to be determined, and also permits the Company, subject to certain conditions, to incur incremental equivalent debt, in an aggregate maximum amount (for incremental revolving and term facilities and incremental equivalent debt combined) not to exceed the greater of (1) $700.0 and (2) the maximum amount at which (A) the Company’s pro forma consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) would not exceed 6.50 to 1.00 and (B) the Company’s pro forma senior secured leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00 as of the date such indebtedness is incurred. The outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility must be repaid on or before March 28, 2022. The Company incurred $4.3 of issuance costs in connection with the Credit Agreement. The revolving credit facility has outstanding letters of credit of  $10.0  which reduced the available borrowing capacity to $790.0 at June 30, 2017 . The Credit Agreement also permits the Company to incur additional unsecured debt if, among other conditions, its consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) would be greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 after giving effect to such new debt.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest, at the option of the Company, at an annual rate equal to either the Base Rate, Eurodollar Rate or CDOR Rate (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% for Eurodollar Rate-based loans and CDOR Rate-based loans and from 0.75% to 1.25% for Base Rate-based loans, depending in each case on the Company’s senior secured leverage ratio. Commitment fees on the daily unused amount of commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility will accrue at rates ranging from 0.250% to 0.375% , also depending on the Company’s senior secured leverage ratio.
The Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant requiring the Company to maintain a senior secured leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) not to exceed  4.25  to 1.00, measured as of the last day of any fiscal quarter if, as of the last day of such fiscal quarter, the aggregate outstanding amount of all revolving credit loans, swing line loans and letter of credit obligations (subject to certain exceptions specified in the Credit Agreement) exceeds 30% of the Company’s revolving credit commitments.
The Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default, including material breach of representations and warranties, failure to make required payments, failure to comply with certain agreements or covenants, failure to pay, or default under, certain other material indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, inability to pay debts, the occurrence of one or more unstayed or undischarged judgments in excess of $75.0 , attachments issued against all or any material part of the Company’s property, change in control, the invalidity of any loan document, the failure of the collateral documents to create a valid and perfected first priority lien and certain ERISA events. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the maturity of the loans under the Credit Agreement may accelerate and the agent and lenders under the Credit Agreement may exercise other rights and remedies available at law or under the loan documents, including with respect to the collateral and guarantees for the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement.
Debt Covenants
Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company is required to comply with a financial covenant consisting of a ratio for quarterly maximum senior secured leverage if all outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility exceed 30% of the Company’s revolving credit commitments. As of June 30, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with such financial covenant.
NOTE 15 — PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The Company maintains qualified defined benefit plans in the United States and Canada for certain employees primarily within its Post Consumer Brands segment. Certain of the Company’s employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s qualified and supplemental noncontributory defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans (partially subsidized retiree health and life insurance) or separate plans for Post Foods Canada Inc. Amounts for the Canadian plans are included in these disclosures and are not disclosed separately because they do not constitute a significant portion of the combined amounts. Effective January 1, 2011, benefit accruals for defined pension plans were frozen for all administrative employees and certain production employees.
The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost (gain) for the plans.

17



 
Pension Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
1.0

 
$
1.0

 
$
3.0

 
$
3.0

Interest cost
0.6

 
0.7

 
1.7

 
1.9

Expected return on plan assets
(0.8
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(1.9
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
0.4

 
0.3

 
1.2

 
0.8

Recognized prior service cost
0.1

 

 
0.2

 
0.2

Net periodic benefit cost
$
1.3

 
$
1.4

 
$
3.8

 
$
4.0


 
Other Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
0.2

 
$
0.1

 
$
0.5

 
$
0.9

Interest cost
0.5

 
0.8

 
1.5

 
3.2

Recognized net actuarial loss
0.2

 
0.5

 
0.5

 
1.2

Recognized prior service credit
(1.2
)
 
(1.5
)
 
(3.6
)
 
(2.4
)
Net periodic benefit (gain) cost
$
(0.3
)
 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
(1.1
)
 
$
2.9

NOTE 16 — SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
In the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company repurchased 2.2 shares of its common stock at an average share price of $81.92 per share for a total cost of $180.7 , including brokers’ commissions. In the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company repurchased 3.9 shares of its common stock at an average share price of $79.45 per share for a total cost of $313.8 , including brokers’ commissions. These share repurchases were recorded as “Treasury stock, at cost” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company did not repurchase shares of its common stock in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016.
Holders of TEUs, or their separated purchase contract components, settled 1.9 and 2.8 purchase contracts during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, for which the Company issued 3.2 and 4.7 shares of common stock during the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. No purchase contracts were settled and no shares of common stock were issued relating to the TEUs during the three or nine months ended June 30, 2016. All outstanding purchase contracts were settled as of June 30, 2017.
NOTE 17 — SEGMENTS
The Company’s reportable segments are as follows:
Post Consumer Brands: primarily ready-to-eat (“RTE”) cereals;
Michael Foods Group: eggs, potatoes, cheese and pasta;
Active Nutrition: protein shakes, bars and powders and nutritional supplements; and
Private Brands: primarily peanut and other nut butters, dried fruit and nuts, and granola.
Management evaluates each segment’s performance based on its segment profit, which is its operating profit before impairment of property and intangible assets, facility closure related costs, restructuring expenses, losses on assets held for sale, gain on sale of business and other unallocated corporate income and expenses. The following tables present information about the Company’s reportable segments, including corresponding amounts for the prior year.

18



 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Post Consumer Brands
$
427.3

 
$
434.5

 
$
1,279.0

 
$
1,286.2

 
Michael Foods Group
524.2

 
518.0

 
1,579.0

 
1,662.1

 
Active Nutrition
188.7

 
156.1

 
519.9

 
415.7

 
Private Brands
132.0

 
137.9

 
399.7

 
403.2

 
Eliminations
(0.1
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(1.2
)
 
Total
$
1,272.1

 
$
1,246.1

 
$
3,777.3

 
$
3,766.0

Segment Profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Post Consumer Brands
$
96.9

 
$
75.2

 
$
268.6

 
$
212.8

 
Michael Foods Group
46.4

 
65.6

 
72.1

 
236.0

 
Active Nutrition
28.0

 
17.7

 
74.1

 
42.0

 
Private Brands
8.0

 
9.0

 
24.5

 
29.6

 
Total segment profit
179.3

 
167.5

 
439.3

 
520.4

General corporate (income) expenses and other
(11.2
)
 
25.5

 
35.1

 
83.0

Interest expense, net
76.5

 
77.3

 
229.6

 
232.3

Loss on extinguishment of debt
160.4

 

 
222.9

 

Other expense (income), net
45.2

 
62.6

 
(100.3
)
 
169.4

(Loss) earnings before income taxes
$
(91.6
)
 
$
2.1

 
$
52.0

 
$
35.7

Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Post Consumer Brands
$
27.4

 
$
26.1

 
$
81.5

 
$
78.6

 
Michael Foods Group
36.5

 
35.5

 
110.0

 
106.0

 
Active Nutrition
6.3

 
6.4

 
18.8

 
18.8

 
Private Brands
6.7

 
6.2

 
19.9

 
18.6

 
 
Total segment depreciation and amortization
76.9

 
74.2

 
230.2

 
222.0

 
Corporate and accelerated depreciation
0.9

 
1.5

 
2.7

 
4.9

 
Total
$
77.8

 
$
75.7

 
$
232.9

 
$
226.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Assets
 
 
 
 
June 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2016
 
Post Consumer Brands
 
 
 
 
$
3,338.7

 
$
3,387.0

 
Michael Foods Group
 
 
 
 
3,570.0

 
3,498.1

 
Active Nutrition
 
 
 
 
614.1

 
624.8

 
Private Brands
 
 
 
 
661.2

 
655.9

 
Corporate
 
 
 
 
2,620.2

 
1,194.8

 
Total
 
 
 
 
$
10,804.2

 
$
9,360.6


19



NOTE 18 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On July 3, 2017, the Company completed its acquisition of Weetabix, a United Kingdom based packaged food company that primarily produces branded and private label RTE cereal products. The purchase price of the transaction was approximately £1,400.0 , net of cash acquired, subject to certain adjustments as described in the purchase agreement, resulting in a payment of £1,422.3 , net of cash acquired, which was paid from cash on hand, including  $1,000.0  in proceeds from the Joinder No. 2 Term Loan (see Note 14).




20


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS .

The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of Post Holdings, Inc. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein and our audited Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. The terms “our,” “we,” “us,” “Company” and “Post” as used herein refer to Post Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Please note these discussions are subject to discussion under “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” included below.
OVERVIEW
We are a consumer packaged goods holding company operating in four reportable segments: Post Consumer Brands, Michael Foods Group, Active Nutrition and Private Brands. Our products are sold through a variety of channels such as grocery, club and drug stores, mass merchandisers, foodservice, ingredient and via the internet.
Acquisitions & Divestitures
We completed the following acquisitions in fiscal 2017 and 2016:
National Pasteurized Eggs, Inc. (“NPE”), acquired October 3, 2016; and
Willamette Egg Farms (“WEF”), acquired October 3, 2015.
We completed the following divestiture in fiscal 2016:
Certain assets of our Michael Foods Canadian egg business, sold March 1, 2016.
On July 3, 2017, subsequent to the end of the period covered by this report, we acquired Latimer Newco 2 Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (“Latimer”), and all of Latimer’s direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Weetabix Limited (collectively “Weetabix”).
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Net Sales
$
1,272.1

 
$
1,246.1

 
$
26.0

 
2
 %
 
$
3,777.3

 
$
3,766.0

 
$
11.3

 
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Profit
$
190.5

 
$
142.0

 
$
48.5

 
34
 %
 
$
404.2

 
$
437.4

 
$
(33.2
)
 
(8
)%
Interest expense, net
76.5

 
77.3

 
0.8

 
1
 %
 
229.6

 
232.3

 
2.7

 
1
 %
Loss on extinguishment of debt
160.4

 

 
(160.4
)
 
n/a

 
222.9

 

 
(222.9
)
 
n/a

Other expense (income), net
45.2

 
62.6

 
17.4

 
28
 %
 
(100.3
)
 
169.4

 
269.7

 
159
 %
Income tax (benefit) expense
(32.1
)
 
(1.2
)
 
30.9

 
2,575
 %
 
17.9

 
2.0

 
(15.9
)
 
(795
)%
Net (Loss) Earnings
$
(59.5
)
 
$
3.3

 
$
(62.8
)
 
(1,903
)%
 
$
34.1

 
$
33.7

 
$
0.4

 
1
 %
Net Sales
Net sales increased $26.0 million , or 2% , during the three months ended June 30, 2017, and increased $11.3 million , or less than 1%, during the nine months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. These increases were primarily driven by net sales growth in our egg business, including net sales from the current year acquisition of NPE, and net sales growth in our Premier Protein ready-to-drink (“RTD”) shakes, our Pebbles and Malt-O-Meal ready-to-eat (“RTE”) cereal, our potato business and our traditional and organic peanut butter. These increases were partially offset by reduced net sales in our other RTE cereal brands, cheese, pasta, protein powder and bar and dried fruit and nut products. Net sales in our egg business were down in the nine months ended June 30, 2017. For further discussion, refer to “Segment Results” within this section.
Operating Profit
Operating profit increased $48.5 million , or 34% , during the three months ended June 30, 2017, and decreased $33.2 million , or 8% , during the nine months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in the three month period was primarily due to net foreign currency gains of $33.5 million related to cash held in pounds sterling (GBP) to fund the acquisition of Weetabix. In addition, we had higher segment profit within our Post Consumer Brands and Active Nutrition segments partially offset by segment profit declines within

21



our Michael Foods Group and Private Brands segments. The decrease in the nine month period was primarily due to reduced segment profit within our Michael Foods Group and Private Brands segments, partially offset by increases in our Post Consumer Brands and Active Nutrition segments. Operating profit was significantly impacted in the nine months ended June 30, 2017 by a provision for legal settlement of $74.5 million (and by $10.0 million in the three and nine month ended June 30, 2016) in the Michael Foods Group, recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, which was partially offset by net foreign currency gains of $33.5 million related to cash held in GBP to fund the acquisition of Weetabix. In addition, general corporate expenses (income) and other, excluding foreign currency gains, were lower in both the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017. For further discussion, refer to “Segment Results” within this section.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense decreased $0.8 million , or 1% , during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $2.7 million , or 1% , during the nine months ended June 30, 2017, compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. These decreases were primarily due to a decrease in our weighted-average interest rate. Our weighted-average interest rate on our total outstanding debt was 4.8% and 6.9% at June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, partially offset by an increase in the outstanding amount of debt principal. For additional information on our debt, refer to Note 14 within the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk within Item 3.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized losses of $160.4 million and $222.9 million , respectively, related to the extinguishment of the entire remaining principal balances of our 7.75%, 7.375% and 6.75% senior notes and a portion of the principal balance of our 8.00% senior notes. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the expense included tender premiums of $151.9 million and deferred financing fee write-offs of $8.5 million. The nine month period included tender premiums of $219.8 million and deferred financing fee write-offs of $18.6 million, partially offset by the write-off of unamortized debt premium of $15.5 million. No such losses were incurred in the prior year periods. For additional information on our debt, refer to Note 14 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
Other (Income) Expense, net
During the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, we recognized net losses (gains) of $45.2 million and $(100.3) million , respectively, on our interest rate swaps and cross-currency foreign exchange contracts, compared to losses of $62.6 million and $169.4 million in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, on our interest rate swaps. The total net losses (gains) were comprised of non-cash mark-to-market adjustments of $44.8 million and $(101.8) million recognized in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, along with $0.4 million and $1.5 million paid for cash settlements of our interest rate swaps in the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016, all losses were related to non-cash mark-to-market adjustments on our interest rate swaps. For additional information on our interest rate swaps, refer to Note 11 within the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk within Item 3.
Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate was 35% and 34% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and (57)% and 6% for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, we record income tax (benefit) expense for the interim periods using the estimated annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year adjusted for the impact of discrete items occurring during the three and nine month periods. In the fiscal 2016 periods, the effective tax rate differed significantly from the statutory rate as a result of discrete items occurring in the nine months ended June 30, 2016 primarily relating to our decision to exit our Canadian egg business reported in the Michael Foods Group segment and the expectation that the domestic production activities deduction would have a favorable impact on the effective income tax rate.
  SEGMENT RESULTS
Our reportable segments are as follows:
Post Consumer Brands: primarily RTE cereals;
Michael Foods Group: eggs, potatoes, cheese and pasta;
Active Nutrition: protein shakes, bars and powders and nutritional supplements; and
Private Brands: primarily peanut and other nut butters, dried fruit and nuts, and granola.
We evaluate each segment’s performance based on its segment profit, which is its operating profit before impairment of property and intangible assets, facility closure related costs, restructuring expenses, (gains)/losses on assets held for sale, gain on sale of plant and other unallocated corporate income and expenses.

22



Post Consumer Brands
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Net Sales
$
427.3

 
$
434.5

 
$
(7.2
)
 
(2
)%
 
$
1,279.0

 
$
1,286.2

 
$
(7.2
)
 
(1
)%
Segment Profit
$
96.9

 
$
75.2

 
$
21.7

 
29
 %
 
$
268.6

 
$
212.8

 
$
55.8

 
26
 %
Segment Profit Margin
23
%
 
17
%
 
 
 
 
 
21
%
 
17
%
 
 
 
 
Net sales for the Post Consumer Brands segment decreased $7.2 million , or 2% , for the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year period resulting from reduced volumes and lower average net selling prices. Overall volumes decreased 1%, primarily due to reductions in Great Grains , governmental bid business, adult and kid classic brands and co-manufacturing, partially offset by increases in Honey Bunches of Oats , Pebbles, Malt-O-Meal and newly launched products. Average net selling prices decreased 1% during the three months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to higher trade spending predominately due to a shift in timing of a national promotion on Honey Bunches of Oats . These pricing declines were partially offset by a favorable sales mix as branded volumes increased and lower margin co-manufacturing and government bid business volumes decreased.
Net sales for the Post Consumer Brands segment decreased $7.2 million , or 1% , for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year period. Volumes declines of 1% were primarily due to reductions in government bid business, co-manufacturing, and adult classic brands, partially offset by increases in Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles and Malt-O-Meal branded products. Average net selling prices increased slightly driven by a favorable sales mix as branded volumes increased and lower margin co-manufacturing and governmental bid business volumes decreased. This increase was partially offset by higher trade spending.
Segment profit for the three months ended June 30, 2017 increased $21.7 million , or 29% , when compared to the prior year. The increase in segment profit was primarily due to a 537 basis point improvement in segment profit margin. This improvement was driven by lower material and manufacturing costs of $12.1 million, reduced advertising and promotional spending of $9.3 million, and $2.3 million lower integration costs in the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year. These improvements were partially offset by lower net sales, as previously discussed.
Segment profit for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 increased $55.8 million , or 26% , when compared to the prior year. The increase in segment profit was primarily due to a 446 basis point improvement in segment profit margin. This improvement was driven by reduced advertising and promotional spending of $25.2 million, lower material and manufacturing costs of $16.0 million and $11.2 million lower integration costs in the nine months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year.
Michael Foods Group
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Net Sales
$
524.2

 
$
518.0

 
$
6.2

 
1
 %
 
$
1,579.0

 
$
1,662.1

 
$
(83.1
)
 
(5
)%
Segment Profit
$
46.4

 
$
65.6

 
$
(19.2
)
 
(29
)%
 
$
72.1

 
$
236.0

 
$
(163.9
)
 
(69
)%
Segment Profit Margin
9
%
 
13
%
 
 
 
 
 
5
%
 
14
%
 
 
 
 
Net sales for the Michael Foods Group segment increased $6.2 million , or 1% , for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Egg product sales, including the impact of the current year acquisition of NPE, were up 6%, with volume up 11%. Volumes increased in the three months ended June 30, 2017 due to incremental volume from NPE, as well as the impact of egg supply returning to levels consistent with those prior to the spring 2015 outbreak of avian influenza (“AI”) which reduced our egg supply available for sale in the prior year. This positive impact to net sales was partially offset by lower selling prices resulting from the reversal of price increases taken in the prior year to offset higher costs incurred as a result of AI. Refrigerated potato products sales were up 15%, with volume up 15%, primarily due to volume gains in the foodservice channel. Pasta sales were down 10% on 9% lower volumes, primarily due to lower co-packaging volumes and government bid business combined with the pass through of lower wheat ingredient costs to customers. Cheese and other dairy case products sales were down 20%, with volume down 21%, primarily due to branded cheese distribution losses and losses within the low-margin private label cheese business.
Net sales for the Michael Foods Group segment decreased $83.1 million , or 5% , for the nine months ended June 30, 2017. Egg product sales, including the impact of the current year acquisition of NPE, were down 2%, with volume up 10%. Volumes increased due to incremental volume from NPE, as well as the impact of egg supply returning to levels consistent with those prior to the outbreak of AI. Revenues decreased due to lower selling prices resulting from the reversal of price increases taken in the prior year

23



to offset higher costs incurred as a result of AI, as well as significantly lower market-based egg prices, partially offset by incremental sales from NPE. Refrigerated potato products sales were up 6%, with volume up 7%, primarily due to volume gains in the foodservice channel. Pasta sales were down 9% on 5% lower volumes, primarily due to lower co-packaging volumes and government bid business combined with the pass through of lower wheat ingredient costs to customers. Cheese and other dairy case products sales were down 21% on 21% lower volumes, primarily due to branded cheese distribution losses and losses within the low-margin private label cheese business. Net sales for the Michael Foods Group were also impacted in the nine months ended June 30, 2017 by the absence of sales from our Michael Foods Canadian egg business ($9.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016) which was sold in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.
Segment profit decreased $19.2 million , or 29% , for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Egg results decreased as a result of lower net selling prices, as previously discussed. Cheese and dairy results decreased $3.2 million as a result of lost volume, as previously discussed. Pasta results were down year over year driven by lower volumes and higher manufacturing costs. These decreases were partially offset by favorable potato results compared to the prior year.
Segment profit decreased $163.9 million , or 69% , for the nine months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease in segment profit is primarily due to provisions for legal settlements of $74.5 million in the first quarter of 2017, compared to $10.0 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2016. In addition, egg results decreased compared to fiscal 2016, due to lower net selling prices, as previously discussed. Cheese and dairy results decreased $8.9 million as a result of lost volume, as previously discussed. Pasta results were down year over year driven by lower volumes and higher manufacturing costs. These decreases were partially offset by favorable potato results compared to the prior year.
Active Nutrition
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Net Sales
$
188.7

 
$
156.1

 
$
32.6

 
21
%
 
$
519.9

 
$
415.7

 
$
104.2

 
25
%
Segment Profit
$
28.0

 
$
17.7

 
$
10.3

 
58
%
 
$
74.1

 
$
42.0

 
$
32.1

 
76
%
Segment Profit Margin
15
%
 
11
%
 
 
 
 
 
14
%
 
10
%
 
 
 
 
Net sales for the Active Nutrition segment increased $32.6 million , or 21% , for the three months ended June 30, 2017, primarily attributable to protein shake and other RTD volumes, which were up 61%, fueled by increased consumption and distribution of shakes. Volumes for bars and powders were down 20% and 16%, respectively. Average net selling prices for the Active Nutrition segment were down primarily due to price reductions and higher trade spending in the three months ended June 30, 2017.
Net sales for the Active Nutrition segment increased $104.2 million , or 25% , for the nine months ended June 30, 2017, primarily attributable to protein shake and other RTD volumes, which were up 57%, fueled by increased consumption and distribution of shakes, as well as new product introductions. Volumes for bars were down 4% and flat for powders. Average net selling prices for the Active Nutrition segment were down primarily due to price reductions and higher trade spending in the nine months ended June 30, 2017.
Segment profit increased $10.3 million , or 58% , for the three months ended June 30, 2017. This increase was driven by higher volumes, as previously described, and favorable input costs of $8.1 million, partially offset by $2.3 million higher advertising and promotion spending and increased employee-related expenses resulting from increased headcount to support the growing segment.
Segment profit increased $32.1 million , or 76% , for the nine months ended June 30, 2017. This increase was driven by higher volumes, as previously described, and favorable input costs of $22.6 million, partially offset by $10.8 million higher advertising and promotion spending and increased employee-related expenses resulting from increased headcount to support the growing segment.

24



Private Brands
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Net Sales
$
132.0

 
$
137.9

 
$
(5.9
)
 
(4
)%
 
$
399.7

 
$
403.2

 
$
(3.5
)
 
(1
)%
Segment Profit
$
8.0

 
$
9.0

 
$
(1.0
)
 
(11
)%
 
$
24.5

 
$
29.6

 
$
(5.1
)
 
(17
)%
Segment Profit Margin
6
%
 
7
%
 
 
 
 
 
6
%
 
7
%
 
 
 
 
Net sales for the Private Brands segment decreased $5.9 million , or 4% , for the three months ended June 30, 2017 (including reduced intercompany sales of $0.3 million to the Post Consumer Brands segment), due to 3% lower volumes and decreased net selling prices. The decrease in volume was driven by declines in dried fruit and nut and granola, partially offset by increases in peanut and other nut butters. Average net selling prices were lower in the three months ended June 30, 2017, as raw material cost savings were passed through to customers and trade spending related to branded products increased.
Net sales for the Private Brands segment decreased $3.5 million , or 1% , for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 (including reduced intercompany sales of $0.9 million to the Post Consumer Brands segment), due to 1% lower volumes and decreased net selling prices.Volume declines are primarily attributable to lower dried fruit and nut, traditional peanut butter and granola volumes, partially offset by higher organic peanut butter, tree-nut butters and cereal volumes. Average net selling prices were lower in the nine months ended June 30, 2017 resulting from raw material cost savings being passed through to customers as well as higher trade spending on branded products. Net sales were positively impacted by a favorable sales mix with a shift towards higher-margin organic peanut butter and away from lower-margin traditional peanut butter sales.
Segment profit decreased $1.0 million , or 11% , for the three months ended June 30, 2017 due to lower net sales, as previously discussed, and increased expenses related to co-manufacturing agreements and higher manufacturing costs and lost revenue related to constrained granola capacity and an inventory write-off related to a small oven fire which occurred in the the third quarter of 2017. These decreases were partially offset by lower raw material costs.
Segment profit decreased $5.1 million , or 17% , for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to lower net sales, as previously discussed, increased expenses related to co-manufacturing agreements and higher manufacturing costs and lost revenue related to constrained granola capacity and an inventory write-off related to a small oven fire which occurred in the the third quarter of 2017. These decreases were partially offset by a favorable sales mix, as previously discussed, and favorable foreign exchange conversion rates.
General Corporate (Income) Expenses and Other
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
 
 
 
 
 
favorable/(unfavorable)
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
% Change
General corporate (income)expenses and other
$
(11.2
)
 
$
25.5

 
$
36.7

 
144
%
 
$
35.1

 
$
83.0

 
$
47.9

 
58
%
General corporate (income) expenses and other decreased $36.7 million , or 144% , during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to net foreign currency gains of $33.5 million related to cash held in GBP to fund the purchase of Weetabix, lower third party acquisition and divestiture related costs of $1.8 million, lower restructuring and plant closure costs of $0.7 million and lower stock-based compensation of $0.6 million. In addition, losses on assets held for sale of $1.1 million were recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2016 to adjust the carrying value of the assets to their final fair value less estimated selling costs. These decreases were partially offset by reduced gains related to mark-to-market adjustments on commodity hedges of $3.4 million.
General corporate (income) expenses and other decreased $47.9 million , or 58% , during the nine months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to net foreign currency gains of $33.5 million related to cash held in GBP to fund the purchase of Weetabix, lower restructuring and plant closure costs of $5.8 million, lower outside professional services costs of $3.1 million and decreased third party acquisition and divestiture related costs of $0.5 million. In addition, a gain on assets held for sale of $0.2 million was recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2017 to adjust the carrying value of the assets to their final fair value less estimated selling costs compared to losses on assets held for sale of $9.5 million in the prior year. These decreases were partially offset by higher stock-based compensation of $3.1 million and decreased gains related to mark-to-market adjustments on commodity hedges of $2.2 million.

25



Restructuring and Plant Closure
The table below shows the amount of restructuring and plant closure costs attributable to each segment. These amounts are excluded from the measure of segment profit but are included in “General corporate (income) expenses and other.” For additional information on our restructuring and plant closure costs, refer to Note 3 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
Post Consumer Brands
$

 
$
0.6

 
$
0.6

 
$

 
$
1.4

 
$
1.4

Active Nutrition

 
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.2

 
4.6

 
4.4

 
$

 
$
0.7

 
$
0.7

 
$
0.2

 
$
6.0

 
$
5.8

Assets Held for Sale
The table below shows the amount of loss (gain) on assets held for sale attributable to each segment. These amounts are excluded from the measure of segment profit but are included in “General corporate (income) expenses and other.” For additional information on our assets held for sale, refer to Note 3 and Note 12 in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended June 30,
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
$ Change
Post Consumer Brands
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5.0

 
$
5.0

Active Nutrition

 
1.1

 
1.1

 
(0.2
)
 
4.5

 
4.7

 
$

 
$
1.1

 
$
1.1

 
$
(0.2
)
 
$
9.5

 
$
9.7

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we repurchased 1.7 million shares of our common stock at an average share price of$76.32 per share for a total cost of $133.1 million including brokers’ commissions. In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we repurchased an additional 2.2 million shares of our common stock at an average share price of $81.92 per share for a total cost of $180.7 million, including brokers’ commissions.
In February 2017, we issued 5.50% and 5.75% senior notes due in March 2025 and March 2027, respectively, in an aggregate principal amount of $1,750.0 million. The majority of the net proceeds were used to repay the 7.375% and the 6.75% senior notes maturing February 2022 and December 2021, respectively, with a total principal value of approximately $1,008.0 million.
In March 2017, we amended and restated our existing credit agreement (as amended and restated and further amended in April 2017, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $800.0 million.
In May 2017, we entered into a Joinder Agreement No. 1 (“Joinder No. 1”) to our Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Joinder No. 1, we borrowed $1,200.0 million (the “Joinder No. 1 Term Loan”), the proceeds of which were used to repay the $800.0 million principal value of the 7.75% senior notes as well as $262.5 million principal value of the 8.00% senior notes.
In June 2017, we entered into a Joinder Agreement No. 2 (“Joinder No. 2”) to our Credit Agreement. Pursuant to Joinder No.2, we borrowed $1,000.0 million (the “Joinder No. 2 Term Loan” and together with the Joinder No. 1 Term Loan, the “Term Loan”) and used the net proceeds, together with cash on hand, to finance our acquisition of Weetabix.
The following table shows select cash flow data, which is discussed below.
 
Nine months ended June 30,
dollars in millions
2017
 
2016
Cash provided by operating activities
$
208.2

 
$
367.5

Cash used in investing activities
(202.2
)
 
(150.9
)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
1,288.2

 
(25.6
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
34.9

 
0.8

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
1,329.1

 
$
191.8

Historically, we have generated and expect to continue to generate positive cash flows from operations. We believe our cash on hand, cash flows from operations and our current and possible future credit facilities will be sufficient to satisfy our future

26



working capital requirements, interest payments, research and development activities, capital expenditures, pension contributions and other financing requirements for the foreseeable future. Our ability to generate positive cash flows from operations is dependent on general economic conditions, competitive pressures and other business risk factors. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flows from operations, or otherwise to comply with the terms of our credit facilities, we may be required to seek additional financing alternatives, which may require waivers under our Credit Agreement and indentures governing our senior notes in order to generate additional cash. There can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain additional financing or any such waivers on terms acceptable to us or at all. For additional information on our debt, refer to Note 14 within the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Short-term financing needs primarily consist of working capital requirements, principal and interest payments on our long-term debt and dividend payments on our cumulative preferred stock. Long-term financing needs will depend largely on potential growth opportunities, including acquisition activity and repayment or refinancing of our long-term debt obligations.
Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 decreased by $159.3 million to $208.2 million compared to the prior year period. The year over year change was primarily driven by $103.0 million of legal settlements paid in the current year period, increased payments of advertising and promotional expenses in the current year and increased incentive payments paid in the current year on above target fiscal 2016 performance, partially offset by lower interest payments of $4.3 million. Working capital was also impacted in the nine months ended June 30, 2017 by an increase in income taxes receivable of $63.0 million which included lower payments for income taxes of $46.0 million in the current year as compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2016. Working capital was also impacted by higher inventory levels at June 30, 2017 and 2016. Inventory in the current year was primarily impacted by an increase in inventory at Dakota Growers, compared to a reduction in 2016, as inventory was built to improve customer service levels. The prior year increase is primarily due to an increase in inventory at Michael Foods, as supply returned to pre-AI levels.
Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 increased $51.3 million compared to the prior year period, driven by an increase in capital expenditures of $43.9 million and net proceeds received from the sale of businesses of $6.7 million in the prior year partially offset by a reduction in cash paid for acquisitions of $4.2 million and $10.5 million of proceeds received from the sale of our Modesto and Farmers Branch facilities and other property.
Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 was $1,288.2 million compared to cash used in financing activities of $25.6 million in the prior year period. In fiscal 2017, we received proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of $3,950.0 million related to the issuance of $1,750.0 million principal of 5.50% and 5.75% senior notes and $2,200.0 million under our Term Loan. A portion of the proceeds from the issuances were used to repay the outstanding principal balances of our 7.375%, 6.75% and 7.75% senior notes and a portion of our 8.00% senior notes, which resulted in a total principal payment of $2,070.5 million. Related to the repayments of long-term debt, we paid tender premiums of $219.8 million for the early extinguishment of the senior notes. For the issuance of the new senior notes, the amendment and restatement of our prior credit agreement and the borrowings under our Term Loan, we paid $52.4 million in debt issuance costs and deferred financing fees. We also repurchased 3.9 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $313.8 million , including brokers’ commissions, during the nine months ended June 30, 2017. The prior year outflow was driven by a $10.9 million payment related to the December 2015 conversion of 0.9 million shares of our 3.75% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock, repayments of long-term debt of $11.6 million and preferred stock dividend payments of $11.0 million, partially offset by proceeds from exercise of stock awards of $6.6 million and $1.1 million net cash received from stock repurchase contracts.
Debt Covenants
Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, we are required to comply with a financial covenant consisting of a ratio for quarterly maximum senior secured leverage if all outstanding amounts under the revolving credit facility exceed 30% of the Company’s revolving credit commitments. As of June 30, 2017, we were in compliance with such financial covenant. We do not believe non-compliance is reasonably likely in the foreseeable future.
Our Credit Agreement permits us to incur additional unsecured debt if, among other conditions, our pro forma consolidated interest coverage ratio, calculated as provided in the Credit Agreement, would be greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 after giving effect to such new debt. As of June 30, 2017, our pro forma consolidated interest coverage ratio exceeded this threshold.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The following discussion is presented pursuant to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Financial Reporting Release No. 60, “Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies.” The policies below are both important to the presentation of Post’s financial condition and results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.
Under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, we make estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses as well as the disclosure of contingent liabilities. We base estimates

27



on past experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Those estimates form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Our critical accounting policies and estimates are more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016 as filed with the SEC on November 18, 2016. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates since September 30, 2016.
As discussed in greater detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016, our Dymatize reporting unit, which is included in our Active Nutrition segment, failed the first step of the goodwill impairment test but was ultimately not impaired in fiscal 2016. During the first nine months of fiscal 2017, the specialty sports nutrition channel, in which Dymatize sells the majority of its products, has continued to experience weaker than anticipated sales. If the specialty channel declines continue or accelerate and we are unsuccessful in moving into alternative channels, management will have to reassess its long-term expectations for the Dymatize reporting unit. This reassessment could ultimately result in impairments within our Active Nutrition segment, which could be material to our financial statements. We will continue to monitor our actual performance and overall category trends against our long-range estimates.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 2 of “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” for a discussion regarding recently issued accounting standards.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are made throughout this report. These forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “should,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “can,” “may,” or similar expressions elsewhere in this report. Our results of operations and financial condition may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management’s current views and assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties that could affect expected results. Those risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the following:
our ability to promptly and effectively integrate the Weetabix business and obtain expected cost savings and synergies within the expected timeframe;
our ability to continue to compete in our product markets and our ability to retain our market position;
our ability to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer preferences and trends and introduce new products;
our ability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions and manage our growth;
changes in our management, financing and business operations;
significant volatility in the costs of certain raw materials, commodities, packaging or energy used to manufacture our products;
impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other intangibles;
our ability to successfully implement business strategies to reduce costs;
our ability to comply with increased regulatory scrutiny related to certain of our products and/or international sales;
allegations that our products cause injury or illness, product recalls and product liability claims and other litigation;
legal and regulatory factors, including advertising and labeling laws, changes in food safety and laws and regulations governing animal feeding and housing operations;
our high leverage, our ability to obtain additional financing (including both secured and unsecured debt), and our ability to service our outstanding debt (including covenants that restrict the operation of our business);
the ultimate impact litigation may have on us;
the loss or bankruptcy of a significant customer;
consolidations in the retail grocery and foodservice industries;
the ability of our private label products to compete with nationally branded products;
disruptions or inefficiencies in supply chain;

28



our reliance on third party manufacturers for certain of our products;
changes in economic conditions, disruptions in the U.S. and global capital and credit markets, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments and changes to or new laws and regulations affecting our business;
the impact of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (commonly known as “Brexit”) on us and our operations;
changes in weather conditions, natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other events beyond our control;
loss of key employees, labor strikes, work stoppages or unionization efforts;
losses or increased funding and expenses related to our qualified pension and other post-retirement plans;
business disruptions caused by information technology failures and/or technology hacking; 
our ability to protect our intellectual property and other assets;
our ability to successfully operate our international operations in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
significant differences in our actual operating results from our guidance regarding our future performance;
our ability to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including with respect to acquired businesses; and
other risks and uncertainties included under “Risk Factors” in this document, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, filed with the SEC on November 18, 2016, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016, filed with the SEC on February 3, 2017, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2017.
You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this document to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations.
ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
As of June 30, 2017, we had outstanding principal value of indebtedness of $6,468.4 million related to our various senior notes issuances, our Term Loan, remaining principal balance for debt assumed in the acquisition of Michael Foods and National Pasteurized Eggs, Inc. and a revolving credit facility with a $800.0 million borrowing capacity. The revolving credit facility has outstanding letters of credit of $10.0 million which reduced the available borrowing capacity to $790.0 million at June 30, 2017. Of the total $6,468.4 million outstanding indebtedness, approximately $4,268.4 million bears interest at fixed rates with a weighted-average interest rate of 5.5% and is not subject to change based on changes in market interest rates.
As of June 30, 2017, we had interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $76.4 million that obligate us to pay a fixed rate of 3.1% and receive one-month LIBOR. Cash settlements on these swaps began in July 2016 and will end in May 2021. In addition, we have interest rate swaps with a  $750.0  million notional amount that obligate us to pay a weighted-average fixed rate of approximately  4.0%  and receive three-month LIBOR and will result in a lump sum net settlement in July 2018, as well as interest rate swaps with a  $899.3  million notional amount that obligate us to pay a weighted-average fixed rate of approximately  3.7%  and receive three-month LIBOR and will result in a lump sum net settlement in December 2019. We also had a step-up interest rate swap with a notional amount of $1,000.0 million that obligates Post to pay a fixed rate and receive one-month LIBOR, and requires monthly cash settlements that began in June 2017 and end in May 2024. The fixed rate increases each year until the termination date with an average rate over the life of the swap of 4.3% .
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility will bear interest, at our option, at an annual rate equal to either the Base Rate, Eurodollar Rate or Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR Rate”) plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% for Eurodollar Rate-based loans and CDOR Rate-based loans and from 0.75% to 1.25% for Base Rate-based loans, depending in each case on our senior secured leverage ratio.

29

Table of Contents


Foreign Currency Risk
The Company has foreign currency exchange rate risk related to its foreign subsidiaries. The Company uses foreign exchange contracts to hedge some of the risk of fluctuations in future cash flows and earnings related to changes in exchange rates. As of June 30, 2017, the Company held foreign exchange contracts, consisting of options, forwards and cross-currency swaps with a total notional amount of $472.7 million. The fair value of foreign exchange contracts consists of assets of $2.1 million and liabilities of $16.0 million. For additional information, refer to Note 11 within the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
There have been no material changes in our assessment of market risk sensitivity since our presentation of “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on November 18, 2016.

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In connection with the Company’s acquisitions in fiscal 2016 and 2017, management is in the process of analyzing, evaluating and, where necessary, implementing changes in controls and procedures. This process may result in additions or changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s fiscal 2017 acquisitions of National Pasteurized Eggs, Inc. and Weetabix will be excluded from management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017.
Except as noted above, there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 that may have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


30

Table of Contents


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Antitrust claims : In late 2008 and early 2009, some 22 class action lawsuits were filed in various federal courts against Michael Foods, Inc. and some 20 other defendants (producers of shell eggs and egg products, and egg industry organizations), alleging violations of federal and state antitrust laws in connection with the production and sale of shell eggs and egg products, and seeking unspecified damages. All cases were transferred to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for coordinated and/or consolidated pretrial proceedings.
The case involves three plaintiff groups: (1) direct purchasers of eggs and egg products; (2) companies (primarily large grocery chains and food companies that purchase considerable quantities of eggs) that opted out of any eventual class and brought their own separate actions against the defendants (“opt-out plaintiffs”); and (3) indirect purchasers of shell eggs.
Motions related to class certification: In September 2015, the court granted the motion of the direct purchaser plaintiffs to certify a shell-egg subclass, but denied their motion to certify an egg-products subclass. Also in September 2015, the court denied the motion of the indirect purchaser plaintiffs for class certification. The indirect purchaser plaintiffs subsequently filed an alternative motion for certification of an injunctive class, and that motion was denied on June 27, 2017.
Motions for summary judgment: In September 2016, the court granted the defendants’ motion for summary judgment based on purchases of egg products, thereby limiting all claims to shell eggs. Also in September 2016, the court denied individual motions for summary judgment made by Michael Foods and three other defendants that had sought the dismissal of all claims against them.
Settlements by Michael Foods: On December 8, 2016, Michael Foods reached an agreement to settle all class claims asserted against it by the direct purchaser plaintiffs for a payment of $75 million. The Company has paid such amount into escrow. This settlement is subject to approval by the court following notice to all class members. While the Company expects the settlement will receive the needed approval, there can be no assurance that the court will approve the agreement as proposed by the parties.
On January 19, 2017, Michael Foods entered into a settlement, the details of which are confidential, with the opt-out plaintiffs (excluding those opt-out plaintiffs whose claims relate primarily or exclusively to egg products; several of those plaintiffs are now appealing the dismissal of the egg products claims). This settlement was paid by the Company as of June 30, 2017. Michael Foods has at all times denied liability in this matter, and neither settlement contains any admission of liability by Michael Foods.
Under current law, any settlement paid, including the settlement with the direct purchaser plaintiffs and the settlement with the opt-out plaintiffs, is deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Remaining portions of the case: The indirect purchaser plaintiffs are seeking to immediately appeal the court’s denial of their motions for class certification. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet ruled on whether it will accept these matters for review. Additionally, the elimination of egg products from the case is being appealed by the opt-out plaintiffs who purchased egg products. The appeal is fully submitted to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
While the likelihood of a material adverse outcome in the egg antitrust litigation has been significantly reduced as a result of the Michael Foods settlements described above, there is still a possibility of an adverse outcome following appellate review of the remaining portions of the case. At this time, however, we do not believe it is possible to estimate any loss in connection with these remaining portions of the egg antitrust litigation. Accordingly, we cannot predict what impact, if any, these remaining matters and any results from such matters could have on our future results of operations.
Other : The Company is subject to various other legal proceedings and actions arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, based upon the information presently known, the ultimate liability, if any, arising from such pending legal proceedings, as well as from asserted legal claims and known potential legal claims which are likely to be asserted, taking into account established accruals for estimated liabilities (if any), are not expected to be material individually or in the aggregate to the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. In addition, while it is difficult to estimate the potential financial impact of actions regarding expenditures for compliance with regulatory matters, in the opinion of management, based upon the information currently available, the ultimate liability arising from such compliance matters is not expected to be material to the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
In addition to the information set forth below and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the risk factors we previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on November 18, 2016, as of and for the year ended September 30, 2016, and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on February 3, 2017 and May 9, 2017, in addition to the risk factor set forth below. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition

31

Table of Contents


and results of operations. These enumerated risks are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations, financial condition or results.
Weetabix operates in a similar mature ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal market as our Post Consumer Brands cereal operations, and the failure or weakening of this market could materially adversely affect our financial results.
Weetabix produces and distributes branded and private label RTE, hot cereals, other cereal-based food products, breakfast drinks and muesli, selling products to grocery stores, discounters, wholesalers and convenience stores across the United Kingdom, Ireland, North America and the rest of the world. Our Post Consumer Brands segment manufactures, markets and sells branded, licensed and private label RTE and hot cereal products to grocery stores, big box retailers, and food service distributors, primarily in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and the rest of the world. The RTE cereal category has experienced weakness in recent years, and we expect this trend may continue. Although we expect to achieve synergies in connection with our acquisition of Weetabix, continuing weaknesses in the RTE cereal category, or the weakening of our major products competing in this category, could have a material adverse impact on our business.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of our common stock that we purchased during the quarter ended June 30, 2017:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)
Average Price Paid per Share (b)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that may yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (b) (c)
April 1, 2017 - April 30, 2017



 
May 1, 2017 - May 31, 2017
1,459,277
$
81.16

1,459,277
$
48,473,871

June 1, 2017 - June 30, 2017
745,751
$
83.41

745,751
$
236,271,225

Total
2,205,028
$
81.92

2,205,028
$
236,271,225


(a)
The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased on the open market and (ii) shares purchased pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 plan.
(b)
Does not include brokers’ commissions.
(c)
On February 2, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $300,000,000 of shares of our common stock. The authorization expires on February 2, 2018, and the Company has repurchased all $300,000,000 of shares under such authorization. On June 6, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional $250,000,000 of shares of our common stock. The authorization expires on June 6, 2019.


32

Table of Contents



ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.

The following exhibits are either provided with this Form 10-Q or are incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
 
 
* 2.1
 
Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of the Entire Issued Share Capital of Latimer Newco 2 Limited, dated as of April 18, 2017, by and among the Investor Sellers and Management Sellers named therein, Westminster Acquisition Limited, and Post Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2017)
 
 
 
* 2.2
 
Management Warranty Deed, dated as of April 18, 2017, by and among the Warrantors named therein and Westminster Acquisition Limited (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on April 18, 2017)
 
 
 
*3.1
 
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Post Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 2, 2012)
 
 
 
*3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Post Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 4, 2016)
 
 
 
*4.1
 
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of 3.75% Series B Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 26, 2013)
 
 
 
*4.2
 
Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of 2.5% Series C Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2013)
 
 
 
*4.3
 
Indenture (2022 Notes), dated as of June 2, 2014, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2014)
 
 
 
*4.4
 
Indenture (2025 Notes), dated as of August 18, 2015, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K/A filed on August 21, 2015)

 
 
 
*4.5
 
Indenture (2026 Notes), dated as of August 3, 2016, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2016)
 
 
 
*4.6
 
Indenture (2025 Notes), dated as of February 14, 2017, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2017)
 
 
 
*4.7
 
Indenture (2027 Notes), dated as of February 14, 2017, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2017)
 
 
 
*4.8
 
Third Supplemental Indenture (2025 Notes), dated as of May 19, 2017, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., the Guarantors (as defined therein), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 22, 2017)
 
 
 
*10.60
 
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2017, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC as administrative agent, the Required Lenders (as defined therein) and the Guarantors (as defined therein) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.60 to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2017)
 
 
 
*10.61
 
Joinder Agreement No. 1, dated as of May 24, 2017, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Barclays Bank PLC as administrative agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2017)
 
 
 
*10.62
 
Joinder Agreement No. 2, dated as of June 29, 2017, by and among Post Holdings, Inc., Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, the Guarantors (as defined therein) and Barclays Bank PLC as administrative agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on June 29, 2017)
 
 
 
**†10.63
 
Post Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors, as amended and restated, effective as of August 1, 2017
 
 
 

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Table of Contents


Exhibit No.
 
Description
*†10.64
 
Post Holdings, Inc. Executive Severance Plan, as Amended and Restated, effective as of August 1, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2017)
 
 
 
*†10.65
 
Post Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated Executive Savings Investment Plan, effective as of  August 1, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2017)
 
 
 
*†10.66
 
Post Holdings, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees, effective as of August 1, 2017 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2017)
 
 
 
**31.1
 
Certification of Robert V. Vitale pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated August 4, 2017
 
 
 
**31.2
 
Certification of Jeff A. Zadoks pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated August 4, 2017
 
 
 
**32.1
 
Certification of Robert V. Vitale and Jeff A. Zadoks, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, dated August 4, 2017
 
 
 
**101
 
Interactive Data File (Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017 filed in XBRL). The financial information contained in the XBRL-related documents is “unaudited” and “unreviewed.”
*
Incorporated by reference.
**
Furnished with this Form 10-Q.
These exhibits constitute management contracts, compensatory plans and arrangements.
Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish copies of any of the omitted schedules and exhibits upon request by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

34

Table of Contents


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Post Holdings, Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
POST HOLDINGS, INC.
Date:
August 4, 2017
By:
/s/ Jeff A. Zadoks
 
 
 
Jeff A. Zadoks
 
 
 
SVP and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



35

Exhibit 10.63
POST HOLDINGS, INC .
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
FOR NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS
(as amended and restated effective August 1, 2017)






POST HOLDINGS, INC .
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
FOR NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS
(as amended and restated effective August 1, 2017)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
PREAMBLE
1
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS
2
1.1
“Account”
2
1.2
“Acquiring Person”
2
1.3
“Affiliate” or “Associate”
2
1.4
“Allocation Date”
2
1.5
“Beneficiary”
2
1.6
“Board”
2
1.7
“Change in Control”
2
1.8
“Code”
2
1.9
“Committee”
2
1.10
“Company”
2
1.11
“Company Matching Contributions”
2
1.12
“Compensation”
3
1.13
“Continuing Director”
3
1.14
“Deferral Account”
3
1.15
“Deferral Election”
3
1.16
“Effective Date”
3
1.17
“Fund”
3
1.18
“Matching Contributions Account”
3
1.19
“Non-Management Director”
3
1.20
“Participant”
3
1.21
“Plan”
3
1.22
“Plan Year”
3
1.23
“Ralcorp Amounts”
4
1.24
“Separation from Service”
4
1.25
“SIP”
4
1.26
“Stock”
4
1.27
“Unforeseeable Emergency”
4
ARTICLE II PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN
4
2.1
Eligibility
4
2.2
Commencement of Participation
4
ARTICLE III ACCOUNTS
4
3.1
Deferral Election
4
3.2
Account Reflecting Deferred Compensation
5
3.3
Credits or Charges.
5

i



3.4
Company Matching Deferral.
5
3.5
Investment, Management and Use
6
3.6
Valuation of Stock
6
ARTICLE IV FUNDS
6
4.1
Fund Selection
6
4.2
Exchange
7
ARTICLE V DISTRIBUTION OF ACCOUNT
7
5.1
Time of Distribution.
7
5.2
Amount Distributed
8
5.3
Method of Distribution
8
5.4
Form of Payment
9
5.5
Distribution Upon Death
9
5.6
Designation of Beneficiary
9
5.7
Shares Available
9
ARTICLE VI NON-ASSIGNABILITY
10
6.1
Non-Assignability
10
ARTICLE VII VESTING
10
7.1
Vesting
15
ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
10
8.1
Power to Amend Plan
10
8.2
Distribution of Plan Benefits Upon Termination
11
8.3
When Amendments Take Effect
11
8.4
Restriction on Retroactive Amendments
11
ARTICLE IX PLAN ADMINISTRATION
11
9.1
Powers of the Committee
11
9.2
Indemnification
11
9.3
Claims Procedure
12
9.4
Expenses
13
9.5
Conclusiveness of Action
14
9.6
Release of Liability
14
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS
14
10.1
Plan Not a Contract of Employment
14
10.2
No Rights Under Plan Except as Set Forth Herein; Unsecured General Creditor Status
14
10.3
Rules
15
10.4
Withholding of Taxes
15
10.5
Severability
15
10.6
409A Compliance
15
10.7
Participant Responsibility
15
10.8
Rules of Construction
15



ii


POST HOLDINGS, INC .
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
FOR NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS
(as amended and restated effective as of August 1, 2017)
PREAMBLE
Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. (“Ralcorp”) adopted the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non‑Management Directors (“Ralcorp Plan”) effective December 15, 1999. The Ralcorp Plan was subsequently amended several times, including amendments intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A for deferrals after December 31, 2004.
Ralcorp distributed on a pro rata basis to the holders of Ralcorp’s common stock at least 80% of the outstanding shares of Post Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) common stock owned by Ralcorp (“Spin-Off”). The Company adopted the Post Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors effective January 1, 2012 (“Effective Date”), subject to the completion of the Spin-Off. The Plan was subsequently amended. The Company hereby amends and restates the Plan effective as of August 1, 2017, to clarify certain provisions hereof.
As of the Spin-Off, account balances of the Company’s non-management directors and any other individuals listed on Appendix I hereto under the Ralcorp Plan were converted into account balances under this Plan upon terms and conditions approved by the Committee, and the Company is responsible under this Plan for the payment of all liabilities and obligations for benefits unpaid with respect to all such transferred accounts. This Plan, including this amendment and restatement, is intended not to be a material modification of the applicable plan terms in effect under the Ralcorp Plan with respect to deferrals prior to January 1, 2005, and the applicable terms of the Ralcorp Plan are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply with respect to such deferrals to the extent necessary to preserve their grandfathered status for purposes of Code Section 409A.
The purpose of the Plan is to enhance the profitability and value of the Company for the benefit of its shareholders by providing a supplemental retirement program to attract and retain qualified Non-Management Directors who have made or will make important contributions to the success of the Company.



1


ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Plan, the following capitalized words and phrases have the meanings indicated, unless the context requires a different meaning:
1.1    “ Account ” means the bookkeeping account established for each Participant to reflect amounts credited to such Participant under the Plan. A separate bookkeeping account will be maintained with respect to deferrals attributable to periods ending on or before December 31, 2004 and related hypothetical investment earnings.
1.2    “ Acquiring Person ” means any person or group of Affiliates or Associates who is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the outstanding Stock.
1.3    “ Affiliate or Associate ” shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
1.4    “ Allocation Date ” means each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business.
1.5    “ Beneficiary ” means the person or persons designated by a Participant, or otherwise entitled, to receive any amount credited to his Account that remains undistributed at his death.
1.6    “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.7    “ Change in Control ” means the time when (a) any person, either individually or together with such person’s Affiliates or Associates, shall become the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the outstanding Stock or (b) during any twelve (12) month period individuals who shall qualify as Continuing Directors shall have ceased for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that in the case of clause (b), a Change in Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if the event shall have been approved prior to the occurrence thereof by a majority of the Continuing Directors who shall then be members of the Board. Notwithstanding anything to the contract, an event shall not be a Change in Control if it is also not a “change in the ownership of a corporation” or a “change in effective control of a corporation” as such terms are defined in Section 409A of the Code.
1.8    “ Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time.
1.9    “ Committee ” means the Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee of the Board or its delegee.
1.10    “ Company ” means Post Holdings, Inc., a Missouri corporation, and any successor thereto.
1.11    “ Company Matching Contributions ” means the Company contributions described in Section 3.4.

2


1.12    “ Compensation ” means a Participant’s annual retainer and fees from the Company for service on the board.
1.13    “ Continuing Director ” means any member of the Board, while such person is a member of the Board, who is not an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or of any such Acquiring Person’s Affiliate or Associate and was a member of the Board prior to the time when such Acquiring Person became an Acquiring Person, and any successor of a Continuing Director, while such successor is a member of the Board, who is not an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or a representative or nominee of an Acquiring Person or of any Affiliate or Associate of such Acquiring Person and is recommended or elected to succeed the Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors.
1.14    “ Deferral Account ” means the Account established pursuant to Section 3.2.
1.15    “ Deferral Election ” means an agreement between a Participant and the Company under which the Participant agrees to a deferral of his Compensation in accordance with Section 3.1 as follows:
(a)    a specified percentage (from 0% to 100%) of a Participant’s Compensation;
(b)    all of a Participant’s Compensation to up to a specified dollar amount; or
(c)    all of a Participant’s Compensation in excess of a specified dollar amount.
1.16    “ Effective Date ” means January 1, 2012.
1.17    “ Fund ” means one or more of the measurement investment funds available under the Plan for purposes of crediting or debiting hypothetical investment gains and losses to the Accounts of Participants. The investment funds available under the Plan shall be identical to the extent possible to those approved by the Employee Benefit Trustees Committee under the SIP. Each Fund shall be subject to all terms, conditions and fees established from time to time by the Fund sponsor.
1.18    “ Matching Contributions Account ” means the Account established pursuant to Section 3.4(a).
1.19    “ Non-Management Director ” means a member of the Board who is not an officer or an employee of the Company, or a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.
1.20    “ Participant ” means any Non-Management Director who participates in the Plan. In addition, Participant means any individual whose name is listed on Appendix I hereto to the extent an Account is credited with Ralcorp Amounts on behalf of such individual under this Plan.
1.21    “ Plan ” means the Post Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors, as originally adopted and as from time to time amended.
1.22    “ Plan Year ” means the accounting year of the Plan, which ends on December 31.

3


1.23    “ Ralcorp Amounts ” means amounts credited to the Plan in accordance with Section 3.2.
1.24    “ Separation from Service ” means a separation from service with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. For the avoidance of doubt, no Participant shall be treated as incurring a Separation from Service or other similar event for purposes of determining the right to distribution, vesting, benefits, or any other purpose under the Plan as a result of the Spin-Off (as defined in the Preamble).
1.25    “ SIP ” means the Post Holdings, Inc. Savings Investment Plan.
1.26    “ Stock ” means the Company’s $.01 par value common stock or any such other security outstanding upon the reclassification of the Company’s common stock, including, without limitation, any Stock, split-up, Stock dividend, or other distributions of stock in respect of Stock, or any reverse Stock split-up, or recapitalization of the Company or any merger or consolidation of the Company with any Affiliate, or any other transaction, whether or not with or into or otherwise involving an Acquiring Person.
1.27    “ Unforeseeable Emergency ” means a severe financial hardship to a Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, or a dependent (as defined in section 152 of the Code (without regard to 152(b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B)) of the Participant, loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant. The Committee will determine the existence of an Unforeseeable Emergency, based on the supporting facts, circumstances, and documentation provided by the Participant.
ARTICLE II
PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN
2.1     Eligibility . Participation in the Plan shall be limited to Non-Management Directors.
2.2     Commencement of Participation . To participate in the Plan, a Non-Management Director shall defer Compensation earned during a Plan Year by making a Deferral Election with respect to such Compensation, in the manner set forth in Section 3.1.
ARTICLE III
ACCOUNTS
3.1     Deferral Election . Each Plan Year, a Participant may execute a Deferral Election under which he may elect to defer all or a portion of his Compensation earned during such Plan Year until his Separation from Service. A Deferral Election is irrevocable upon the beginning of the Plan Year to which it applies. Any Deferral Election shall be made prior to the commencement of the Plan Year in which the Compensation that is the subject of the Deferral Election will be earned. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an individual who first becomes a Non-Management Director subsequent to the first day of any Plan Year (and was not previously eligible to participate in a plan which is treated with this Plan as one plan under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(c)(2)) may make a Deferral Election, applicable to the period from the Non-Management Director’s initial entry date to the end of the Plan Year, provided the Deferral Election is made within 30 days of becoming a Non-Management Director and prior to the performance of services by a Participant for the period covered by the election. Each Deferral Election shall be in a form designated by the Committee. On the date of the Spin-Off, each deferral election in effect under the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors with respect to Participants listed on Appendix I hereto shall transfer to, be recognized as a Deferral Election by, and remain in effect for the year or other applicable period to which it relates under this Plan.

4


3.2     Account Reflecting Deferred Compensation . The Committee shall establish and maintain a separate Account for each Participant which shall reflect the amount of the Participant’s total contributions under this Plan and all credits or charges under Section 3.3 from time to time. All amounts credited or charged to a Participant’s Account hereunder shall be in a manner and form determined within the sole discretion of the Committee. The amount of a Participant’s Compensation deferred by a Deferral Election and all earnings thereon shall be credited to the Participant’s Deferral Account as soon as administratively practicable. The amount credited to an account under the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors as of the Spin-Off with respect to a Participant listed on Appendix I shall be credited to such Participant’s Account as Ralcorp Amounts under this Plan in a separate bookkeeping sub-account and shall include earnings and losses credited pursuant to Section 3.3. Ralcorp Amounts shall be invested in accordance with Section 3.5 and Article IV and distributed in accordance with Article V. On and after the Spin-Off, the Company shall assume all liabilities relating to the Ralcorp Amounts, and Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates shall have no liability therefor.
3.3     Credits or Charges .
(a)     Earnings or Losses . As of each Allocation Date during a Plan Year, a Participant’s Account shall be credited or debited with earnings or losses approximately equal to the earnings, gain or loss on the Funds indicated as preferred by a Participant for the Plan Year or for the portion of such Plan Year in which the Account is deemed to be invested.
(b)     Balance of Account . As of each Allocation Date, the amount credited to a Participant’s Account shall be the amount credited to his Account as of the immediately preceding Allocation Date, plus the Participant’s contribution credits since the immediately preceding Allocation Date, minus any amount that is paid to or on behalf of a Participant pursuant to this Plan subsequent to the immediately preceding Allocation Date, plus or minus any hypothetical investment gains or losses determined pursuant to Section 3.3(a) above.
(c)     Change in Control . Upon a Change in Control, all amounts deemed to be invested in the Post Holdings, Inc. Common Stock Fund shall be immediately converted to a Fund that is a money market fund.
3.4     Company Matching Deferral .
(a)     Company Matching Deferral . Upon a Participant’s deferral credited to the Post Holdings, Inc. Common Stock Fund, the Company shall credit the Participant’s Account with an additional amount credited to the Post Holdings, Inc. Common Stock Fund equal to 33 1/3% of the Participant’s deferral. Such Company matching contributions and all earnings thereon are hereinafter referred to as “Company Matching Contributions.” Company Matching Contributions for a Participant shall be credited to the Participant’s Matching Contributions Account at the same time as the related Participant’s Deferral Election amounts are credited pursuant to Section 3.2. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall a Company matching contribution be made with respect to a deferral that was initially credited to a Fund other than the Post Holdings, Inc. Common Stock Fund.

5


(b)     Investment of Company Matching Contributions . All Company Matching Contributions credited to a Participant shall be deemed to be invested in the Post Holdings, Inc. Common Stock Fund.
3.5     Investment, Management and Use . The Company shall have sole control and discretion over the investment, management and use of all amounts credited to a Participant’s Account until such amounts are distributed pursuant to Article V. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or any notice, statement, summary or other communication provided to a Participant that may be interpreted to the contrary, the Funds are to be used for measurement purposes only, and a Participant’s election of any such Fund, the determination of credits and debits to his Account based on such Funds, the Company’s actual ownership of such Funds, and any authority granted under this Plan to a Participant to change the investment of the Company’s assets, if any, may not be considered or construed in any manner as an actual investment of the Account in any such Fund or to constitute a funding of this Plan.
3.6     Valuation of Stock . In any situation in which it is necessary to value Stock, the value of the Stock shall be the closing price as reported by the New York Stock Exchange — Composite Transactions on the date in question, or, if the Stock is not quoted on such composite tape or if the Stock is not listed on such exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which the Stock is listed, or if the Stock is not listed on any such exchange, the average of the closing bid quotations with respect to a share of the Stock during the ten (10) days immediately preceding the date in question on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Market Data Center, or if no such quotations are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of the Stock as determined by a majority of the Continuing Directors in good faith.
ARTICLE IV
FUNDS
4.1     Fund Selection . Except for Company Matching Contributions described in Section 3.4, the rate at which earnings and losses shall be credited to a Participant’s Account shall be determined in accordance with one or more Funds selected by the Participant; if a Participant does not select a Fund the Fund applicable for that Participant shall be the Fund that is a money market fund. Fund selections recognized under the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors immediately prior to the Spin-Off shall be recognized under this Plan until superseded or otherwise changed in accordance with this Plan; provided however, that Ralcorp Amounts deemed invested in the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. stock fund immediately prior to the Spin-Off shall be deemed invested in a Fund selected by the Committee until the Participant elects a replacement Fund (if and to the extent permitted by the Committee). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. stock fund is removed, a Fund selected by the Employee Benefits Trustees Committee as a target date retirement fund shall apply in its place until the Participant elects a replacement Fund in accordance with such procedures as may be required under the terms of the Plan and as otherwise may be determined by the Committee.

6


If a Fund elected by a Participant is removed, a Fund selected by the Employee Benefit Trustees Committee under the SIP shall apply in its place until the Participant elects a replacement Fund. For purposes of calculating earnings and losses attributable to a Fund, any amount shall be deemed to be invested in the Fund as of the date determined appropriate by the Committee.
4.2     Exchange . Subject to the next sentence and any limitations established by the Committee, including the timeliness of a request, a Participant may exchange Funds as of the close of each business day. An amount attributable to an investment in the Common Stock Fund may not be exchanged for another Fund until the earlier of (a) the beginning of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of such investment occurs, or (b) the Participant’s Separation from Service.
ARTICLE V
DISTRIBUTION OF ACCOUNT
5.1     Time of Distribution .
(a)     General . Payment of the amount credited to a Participant’s Account shall be made or commence as soon as administratively practicable following the earlier of the following:
(i)    the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency; provided that a withdrawal with respect to an Unforeseeable Emergency may not exceed the amount necessary to satisfy the emergency need, plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution, after taking into account the extent to which such hardship is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets itself would not cause severe financial hardship); or
(ii)    the Participant’s Separation from Service.
(b)     Specified Employee . Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, no portion of his or her Account shall be distributed on account of a Separation of Service before the earlier of (a) the date which is six (6) months following the date of the Participant’s Separation of Service, or (b) the date of death of the Participant. Amounts that would have been paid during the delay will be paid on the first business day following the end of the six-month delay. The Company’s specified employees shall be determined in accordance with the special rules for spin-offs under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(i)(6)(iii), or any successor thereto, for the period indicated in such regulation.

7


(c)     Deferred Time of Payment . In the discretion of the Committee, a Participant may elect to modify the form and time at which payment of his benefit shall be paid, in accordance with the following:
(i)    For deferrals not subject to Section 409A of the Code (i.e., Compensation with respect to services performed prior to January 1, 2005) and related hypothetical earnings, at any time at least six months prior to the start of the calendar year in which the Participant’s scheduled payment date otherwise would have occurred;
(ii)    For deferrals that are subject to Section 409A of the Code and related hypothetical earnings:
(1)    any such election must be received by the Committee or its designee no less than twelve (12) months prior to the Participant’s scheduled payment date (or, in the case of annual installments pursuant to Section 5.3(b) or 5.3(c) twelve (12) months prior to the date the first amount was scheduled to be paid), if applicable;
(2)    The election shall not take effect until twelve (12) months after the date on which the new election is made; and
(3)    the payment with respect to which such election is made is deferred for a period of not less than 5 years from the date the payment otherwise would have been made (or, in the case of annual installments pursuant to Section 5.3(b) or 5.3(c), 5 years from the date the first amount was schedule to be paid).
(d)     Ralcorp Elections . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, but subject to Section 5.1(b), Ralcorp Amounts shall be distributed at the time determined in accordance with the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors as of the Spin-Off. Distribution elections effective under such plan as of the Spin-Off with respect to Participants listed on Appendix I shall be recognized under this Plan, subject to permitted modifications as described herein.
The Committee, in its discretion, may limit the number of times a Participant may modify his elected time of payment and establish such other limitations as it deems advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. With respect to deferrals attributable to periods after December 31, 2004, and related hypothetical earnings, the time or schedule of any payment under the Plan may not be accelerated except as permitted pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.
5.2     Amount Distributed . The amount distributed to a Participant shall be determined as of the Allocation Date as of which distribution is made, or as of the most recent Allocation Date preceding the date as of which distribution is made, pursuant to the Committee’s practice for different methods of distributions, with actual payment occurring as soon as practicable thereafter.
5.3     Method of Distribution . Distribution under this Plan may be made in any of the following forms elected by the Participant on his Deferral Election, subject to change pursuant to Section 5.1:

8


(a)    Single payment in the form(s) determined pursuant to Section 5.4;
(b)    Annual installments over five years; or
(c)    Annual installments over ten years.
If a Participant does not make a timely election for the method of distribution, his method of distribution shall be a single payment in the form(s) determined pursuant to Section 5.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, a Participant’s Account shall be paid in a lump sum if the balance does not exceed the dollar amount under Code section 402(g)(1)(B) ($18,000 for 2017), and if the payment results in the termination and liquidation of the Participant’s entire interest under the Plan, and any other plans that are treated with this Plan as one plan under Treasury Regulation section 1.409A-1(c)(2). Distribution election forms in effect under the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors immediately prior to the Spin-Off for Participants listed on Appendix I shall be recognized under this Plan, subject to permitted modifications as described herein.
5.4     Form of Payment . All payments made pursuant to this Plan shall be in cash, subject to the committee’s discretion to make payment with respect to any Participant in whole or in part in Stock. The amount payable with respect to the Post Holdings, Inc. Common Stock Fund shall be the amount of Post Holdings, Inc. Common Stock Fund units credited to the Participant’s Account multiplied by the per unit fair market value, as determined by the Committee, on the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service or Unforeseeable Emergency, with interest accruing at the rate of the Fund that is a money market fund from such date of Separation from Service or Unforeseeable Emergency until the time of distribution, unless otherwise later selected by a Participant and as permitted by the Committee.
5.5     Distribution Upon Death . If a Participant dies before commencing the payment of his Account, the unpaid Account balance shall be paid to a Participant’s designated Beneficiary in a single payment in the forms determined pursuant to Section 5.4 within sixty (60) days following the Participant’s date of death.
5.6     Designation of Beneficiary . A Participant shall designate a Beneficiary on a form to be supplied by the Committee. The Beneficiary designation may be changed by the Participant at any time, but any such change shall not be effective until the Beneficiary designation form completed by the Participant is delivered to and received by the Committee. In the event that the Committee receives more than one Beneficiary designation form from the Participant, the form bearing the most recent date shall be controlling. If the Committee does not have a valid Beneficiary designation of a Participant at the time of the Participant’s death, then the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be the Participant’s surviving spouse, or if none, the Participant’s estate. The beneficiary designation, if any, in effect under the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors immediately prior to the Spin-Off with respect to Participants listed on Appendix I shall be recognized under this Plan and shall be deemed the Participant’s valid Beneficiary designation hereunder, subject to permitted changes as described herein.
5.7     Shares Available . Subject to the provisions of this section, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered to Participants and beneficiaries under the Plan shall be 1,000,000. The shares of Stock with respect to which distributions may be made under the Plan shall be shares of Stock currently authorized but unissued or currently held or subsequently acquired by the Company as treasury shares of Stock, including shares of Stock purchased in the open market or in private transactions. The Company shall make automatic and appropriate adjustments in the aggregate number and type of securities that may be issued, represented, and available for delivery to Participants and beneficiaries under the Plan to give effect to adjustments made in the number or type of shares through a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, a sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation, regardless of whether the Company is the surviving corporation, a statutory share exchange involving capital stock of the Company, a divestiture, distribution of assets to shareholders (other than ordinary cash dividends), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, stock compensation or exchange, rights offering, spin-off or other relevant change, provided that fractional shares of Stock shall be rounded to the nearest whole share of Stock, for which purpose one-half share shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.

9


ARTICLE VI
NON-ASSIGNABILITY
6.1     Non-Assignability . Neither a Participant nor any Beneficiary of a Participant shall have any right to commute, sell, assign, pledge, transfer or otherwise convey the right to receive his Account until his Account is actually distributed to a Participant or his Beneficiary. The portion of the Account which has not been distributed shall not be subject to attachment, garnishment or execution for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance and shall not be transferable by operation of law in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a Participant or a Participant’s Beneficiary.
ARTICLE VII
VESTING
7.1     Vesting . Each Participant shall be fully (100%) vested in his entire Account balance at all times.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
8.1     Power to Amend Plan . The power to amend, modify or terminate this Plan at any time is reserved to the Committee, except that the Chief Executive Officer of the Company may make amendments to resolve ambiguities, supply omissions and cure defects, any amendments deemed necessary or desirable to comply with federal tax law or regulations to avoid adverse tax consequences, and any other amendments deemed necessary or desirable, which shall be reported to the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification or termination which would reasonably be considered to be adverse to a Participant or Beneficiary may apply to or affect the terms of any deferral of Compensation prior to the effective date of such amendment, modification or termination, without the consent of the Participant or Beneficiary affected thereby. Any amendment made to this Plan shall be in accordance with Code section 409A and the regulations thereunder, and may not materially modify the Plan with respect to deferrals made prior to January 1, 2005. Any amendment made in accordance with this Section 8.1 is binding upon all Participants and their Beneficiaries, the Committee and all other parties in interest.

10


8.2     Distribution of Plan Benefits Upon Termination . Upon the full termination of the Plan, the Committee shall direct the distribution of the benefits of the Plan to the Participants in a manner that is consistent with and satisfies the provisions of Article V and Section 409A of the Code to the extent applicable.
8.3     When Amendments Take Effect . A resolution amending or terminating the Plan becomes effective as of the date specified therein.
8.4     Restriction on Retroactive Amendments . No amendment may be made that retroactively deprives a Participant of any benefit accrued before the date of the amendment.
ARTICLE IX
PLAN ADMINISTRATION
9.1     Powers of the Committee . In carrying out its duties with respect to the general administration of the Plan, the Committee has, in addition to any other powers conferred by the Plan or by law, the following powers:
(a)    to determine all questions relating to eligibility to participate in the Plan;
(b)    to compute and certify to an appropriate party the amount and kind of distributions payable to Participants and their Beneficiaries;
(c)    to maintain all records necessary for the administration of the Plan that are not maintained by any record keeper;
(d)    to interpret the provisions of the Plan and to make and publish such rules for the administration of the Plan as are not inconsistent with the terms thereof;
(e)    to establish and modify the method of accounting for the Plan;
(f)    to employ counsel, accountants and other consultants to aid in exercising its powers and carrying out its duties hereunder; and
(g)    to perform any other acts necessary and proper for the administration of the Plan.
9.2     Indemnification .
(a)     Indemnification of Members of the Committee by the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Committee against any and all expenses and liabilities arising out of his action or failure to act in such capacity, excepting only expenses and liabilities arising out of his own willful misconduct or gross negligence. This right of indemnification is in addition to any other rights to which any member of the Committee may be entitled.
(b)     Liabilities for Which Members of the Committee are Indemnified . Liabilities and expenses against which a member of the Committee is indemnified hereunder include, without limitation, the amount of any settlement or judgment, costs, counsel fees and related charges reasonably incurred in connection with a claim asserted or a proceeding brought against him or the settlement thereof.

11


(c)     Company’s Right to Settle Claims . The Company may, at its own expense, settle any claim asserted or proceeding brought against any member of the Committee when such settlement appears to be in the best interests of the Company. provided under the Plan (hereinafter referred to as “Claimant”) may make a claim, i.e., a request for benefits under this Plan, pursuant to the Committee’s procedures.
9.3     Claims Procedure . A Participant or Beneficiary or other person who feels he is entitled to a benefit or right provided under the Plan (hereinafter referred to as “Claimant”) may make a claim, i.e., a request for benefits under this Plan, pursuant to the Committee’s procedures.
(a)     Company Action . The Company shall, within 90 days after its receipt of such claim, make its determination. However, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, the Company shall furnish the Claimant, within 90 days after its receipt of such claim, written notification of the extension explaining the circumstances requiring such extension and the date that it is anticipated that such written statement will be furnished, and shall provide such Claimant with its determination not later than 180 days after receipt of the Claimant’s claim.
In the event the claim is denied, the Company shall provide such Claimant a written statement of the Adverse Benefit Determination, as defined in Subsection (d) below. The notice of Adverse Benefit Determination shall be delivered or mailed to the Claimant by certified or registered mail to his last known address, which statement shall contain the following:
(i)    the specific reason or reasons for Adverse Benefit Determination;
(ii)    a reference to the specific provisions of the Plan upon which the Adverse Benefit Determination is based;
(iii)    a description of any additional material or information that is necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim;
(iv)    an explanation of why that material or information is necessary; and
(v)    an explanation of the review procedure provided below.
(b)     Procedures for Appealing an Adverse Benefit Determination . Within 60 days after receipt of a notice of an Adverse Benefit Determination as provided above, if the Claimant disagrees with the Adverse Benefit Determination, the Claimant, or his authorized representative, may request, in writing, that the Committee review his claim and may request to appear before the Committee for such review. If the Claimant does not request a review of the Adverse Benefit Determination within such 60-day period, he shall be barred and estopped from appealing the Company’s Adverse Benefit Determination. Any appeal shall be filed with the Committee at the address prescribed by the Committee, and it shall be considered filed on the date it is received by the addressee. In deciding any appeal, the Committee shall act in its capacity as a named Fiduciary.

12


The Claimant shall have the rights to:
(i)    submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits; other information relevant to his claim for benefits.
(ii)    request, free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to his claim or benefits.
(c)     Response on Appeal . Within 60 days after receipt by the Committee of a written application for review of a Claimant’s claim, the Committee shall notify the Claimant of its decision by delivery or by certified or registered mail to his last known address; provided, however, in the event that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing such application, the Committee shall so notify the Claimant of its decision not later than 120 days after receipt of such application.
In the event the Committee’s decision on appeal is adverse to the Claimant, the Committee shall issue a written notice of an Adverse Benefit Determination on Appeal that will contain all of the following information, in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant:
(i)    the specific reason(s) for the Adverse Benefit Determination on Appeal;
(ii)    reference to specific plan provisions on which the benefit determination is based;
(iii)    a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits.
(d)     Definition . As used herein, the term “Adverse Benefit Determination” shall mean a determination that results in any of the following: the denial, reduction, or termination of, or a failure to provide or make payment (in whole or in part) for, a benefit, including any such denial, reduction, termination, or failure to provide or make payment that is based on a determination of the Claimant’s eligibility to participate in the Plan.
(e)    A Claimant may bring a legal action with respect to a claim only if (i) all procedures described above have been exhausted, and (ii) the action is commenced within ninety (90) days after a decision on review is furnished. In light of the Company’s substantial contacts with the State of Missouri, the fact that the Company is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Company’s establishment of, and the Committee’s maintenance of, this Plan in Missouri, any legal action brought by a Claimant shall be filed and conducted exclusively in the federal courts in the Eastern District of Missouri.
9.4     Expenses . All expenses of the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be paid by the Company.

13


9.5     Conclusiveness of Action . Any action on matters within the discretion of the Committee will be conclusive, final and binding upon all Participants and upon all persons claiming any rights under the Plan, including Beneficiaries.
9.6     Release of Liability . By participating in the Plan, each Participant and Beneficiary automatically releases the Company, its employees, the Committee, the Board and each member of the Board from any liability due to any failure to follow the requirements of Code section 409A, unless such failure was the result of an action or failure to act that was undertaking by the Company in bad faith. Further by participating in the Plan, each Participant and Beneficiary automatically (1) releases Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., its employees, the Corporate Governance and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., the Board of Directors of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. and each member of such Board of Directors, and each of their affiliates, successors, predecessors, assigns, transferees, agents, counsel, plans, and insurers, from any and all liabilities in connection with the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors and this Plan, (2) agrees to the assignment and transfer of the rights, benefits, obligations, and other liabilities pursuant to the Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors to the Company and this Plan, and (3) agrees that Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. shall not guarantee the payment of such transferred rights, benefits, obligations, and other liabilities in the event that the Plan and the Company fail to pay them or otherwise.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1     Plan Not a Contract of Employment . The adoption and maintenance of the Plan does not constitute a contract between the Company and any Participant or to be a consideration for the employment or retention as a member of the Board of any person. Nothing herein contained gives any Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or derogates from the right of the Company to discharge any Participant at any time without regard to the effect of such discharge upon his rights as a Participant in the Plan.
10.2     No Rights Under Plan Except as Set Forth Herein; Unsecured General Creditor Status . Nothing in this Plan, express or implied, is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon or give to any person, firm, association, or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors in interest, any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Plan or any covenant, condition, or stipulation hereof, and all covenants, conditions and stipulations in this Plan, by or on behalf of any party, are for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto. The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future. The benefits paid under the Plan shall be paid from the general assets of the Company, and the Participants and any Beneficiary or their heirs or successors shall be unsecured general creditors of the Company with no special or prior right to any assets of the Company for payment of any obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section shall preclude the Company, in its sole discretion, from establishing a “rabbi trust” or other vehicle in connection with the operation of this Plan, provided that no such action shall cause the Plan to fail to be an unfunded plan.
10.3     Rules . The Committee shall have full and complete discretionary authority to construe and interpret provisions of the Plan and to determine a Participant’s eligibility for benefits on a uniform, nondiscriminatory basis in similar fact situations. The Committee may adopt such rules as it deems necessary, desirable or appropriate. All rules and decisions shall be uniformly applied to all Participants in similar circumstances.

14


10.4     Withholding of Taxes . The Committee shall cause taxes to be withheld from an Account distributed hereunder as required by law, and shall comply with all reporting requirements applicable to amounts deferred and distributed under this Plan.
10.5     Severability . If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or illegal, the remaining provisions shall be effective and shall be interpreted as if the invalid or illegal provision did not exist, unless the illegal or invalid provision is of such materiality that its omission defeats the purposes of the parties in entering into this Agreement.
10.6     409A Compliance . If any provision of the Plan is determined not to comply with Code section 409A, the non-compliant provisions shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that complies with Code section 409A and implements the intent of the Plan as closely as possible. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Plan, including this amendment and restatement, is intended not to be a material modification of the applicable plan terms in effect under the Ralcorp Plan with respect to deferrals prior to January 1, 2005, and the applicable terms of the Ralcorp Plan, including that portion of such plan considered to be grandfathered for purposes of Code section 409A, are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply with respect to such deferrals to the extent necessary to preserve their grandfathered status for purposes of Code section 409A.
10.7     Participant Responsibility . Each Participant is responsible for reviewing the accuracy of the Company’s implementation of Deferral Elections and investment allocations. If a Participant fails to notify the Company of an improper implementation of a Deferral Election or investment allocation within thirty-one (31) days after receiving the first statement or other communications implementing the election or allocation, the Participant is deemed to have elected the implemented Deferral Election or investment allocation.
10.8     Rules of Construction
(a)     Governing law . The construction and operation of this Plan are governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
(b)     Headings . The headings of Articles, Sections and Subsections are for reference only and are not to be utilized in construing the Plan.
(c)     Gender . Unless clearly inappropriate, all pronouns of whatever gender refer indifferently to persons or objects of any gender.
(d)     Singular and plural . Unless clearly inappropriate, singular items refer also to the plural and vice versa.
(e)     Severability . If any provision of this Plan is held illegal or invalid for any reason, the remaining provisions are to remain in full force and effect and to be construed and enforced in accordance with the purposes of the Plan as if the illegal or invalid provision did not exist.

15


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this amendment has been executed this 31 st day of July 2017.
 
POST HOLDINGS, INC.
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Robert V. Vitale
 
Name:
Robert V. Vitale
 
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer


16


EXHIBIT 31.1

Certification pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


I, Robert V. Vitale, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Post Holdings, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
 
August 4, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Robert V. Vitale
 
 
 
 
 
Robert V. Vitale
 
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer







EXHIBIT 31.2

Certification pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


I, Jeff A. Zadoks, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Post Holdings, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:
 
August 4, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Jeff A. Zadoks
 
 
 
 
 
Jeff A. Zadoks
 
 
 
 
 
SVP and Chief Financial Officer





EXHIBIT 32.1



Certification Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


The undersigned, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Post Holdings, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certifies that, to his knowledge on the date hereof:

(a)
the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017 , filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(b)
information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date:
 
August 4, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Robert V. Vitale
 
 
 
 
 
Robert V. Vitale
 
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Post Holdings, Inc. and will be retained by Post Holdings, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.








Certification Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


The undersigned, the Chief Financial Officer of Post Holdings, Inc. (the "Company"), hereby certifies that, to his knowledge on the date hereof:

(a)
the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017 , filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(b)
information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date:
 
August 4, 2017
 
By:
/s/ Jeff A. Zadoks
 
 
 
 
 
Jeff A. Zadoks
 
 
 
 
 
SVP and Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Post Holdings, Inc. and will be retained by Post Holdings, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.