UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to _________
Commission file number 001-36479

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

			
Delaware	 	46-3234977	
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	 	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)	
 	 	 	
1000 Abernathy Road NE	 	 	
Building 400, Suite 1700	 	 	
Atlanta, Georgia	 	30328	
(Address of principal executive offices)	 	(Zip code)	
(770) 391-8200
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

				
Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒	
Non-accelerated filer	☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	☐	

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No    ☒

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of November 4, 2016 was 16,001,132 .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	
			
 	 	Page	
Part I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION	 	
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)  	1	
 	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015	1	
 	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015	2	
 	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015	3	
 	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015	4	
 	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5	
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16	
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	28	
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	28	
 	 	 	
Part II: OTHER INFORMATION	 	
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	29	
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	29	
Item 6.	Exhibits	29	
SIGNATURES	30	
EXHIBIT INDEX	31	

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

VERITIV CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except per share data, unaudited)

	
																
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,		Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
 	2016		2015		2016		2015	
Net sales (including sales to related party of $8.5, $8.0, $26.6 and $25.0, respectively)	$	2,126.6			$	2,219.8			$	6,207.2			$	6,517.0		
Cost of products sold (including purchases from related party of $71.4, $67.0, $174.3 and $205.0, respectively) (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	1,743.8			1,825.8			5,086.2			5,356.0		
Distribution expenses	126.0			129.8			375.2			390.0		
Selling and administrative expenses	207.3			207.1			615.9			635.7		
Depreciation and amortization	13.4			13.7			40.5			42.5		
Integration expenses	7.3			8.3			19.6			28.6		
Restructuring charges	5.8			3.0			7.2			8.6		
Operating income	23.0		 	32.1		 	62.6		 	55.6		
Interest expense, net	8.2			7.0			21.1			19.8		
Other expense (income), net	1.2			1.7			6.3			3.7		
Income before income taxes	13.6		 	23.4		 	35.2		 	32.1		
Income tax expense	8.0			8.9			18.4			15.5		
Net income	$	5.6		 	$	14.5		 	$	16.8		 	$	16.6		
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     Basic earnings per share	$	0.35		 	$	0.91		 	$	1.05		 	$	1.04		
     Diluted earnings per share	$	0.34		 	$	0.91		 	$	1.04		 	$	1.04		
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average shares outstanding:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Basic	16.00			16.00			16.00			16.00		
Diluted	16.27		 	16.00		 	16.05		 	16.00		

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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VERITIV CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions, unaudited)

	
																
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
 	2016	 	2015	 	2016	 	2015	
Net income	$	5.6		 	$	14.5		 	$	16.8		 	$	16.6		
Other comprehensive income (loss):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1.6	)	 	(3.7	)	 	0.6		 	(10.2	)	
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge, net of $0.0, $0.2, $0.2 and $0.2 tax, respectively	0.0		 	(0.4	)	 	(0.3	)	 	(0.4	)	
Pension liability adjustments, net of $0.0 and $0.1 tax for 2016	—		 	—		 	0.2		 	—		
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1.6	)	 	(4.1	)	 	0.5		 	(10.6	)	
Total comprehensive income	$	4.0		 	$	10.4		 	$	17.3		 	$	6.0		

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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VERITIV CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions, except par value, unaudited)

								
 	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015	
Assets	 	 	 	
Current assets:	 	 	 	
Cash	$	59.2			$	54.4		
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $33.9 and $33.3, respectively	1,088.1			1,037.5		
Related party receivable	3.5			3.9		
Inventories	703.7			720.6		
Other current assets	116.0			108.8		
Total current assets	1,970.5		 	1,925.2		
Property and equipment (net of depreciation and amortization of $289.8 and $263.0, respectively)	365.9			363.7		
Goodwill	50.2			50.2		
Other intangibles, net	24.5			30.2		
Deferred income tax assets	65.4			73.3		
Other non-current assets	30.9			34.3		
Total assets	$	2,507.4		 	$	2,476.9		
Liabilities and shareholders' equity	 	 	 	
Current liabilities:	 	 	 	
Accounts payable	$	641.8			$	565.1		
Related party payable	6.4			10.7		
Accrued payroll and benefits	85.5			120.5		
Other accrued liabilities	106.7			100.4		
Current maturities of long-term debt	3.0			2.8		
Financing obligations to related party, current portion	15.1			14.7		
Total current liabilities	858.5		 	814.2		
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	768.2			800.5		
Financing obligations to related party, less current portion	183.4			197.8		
Defined benefit pension obligations	26.7			28.7		
Other non-current liabilities	116.0			105.6		
Total liabilities	1,952.8		 	1,946.8		
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)			 			
Shareholders' equity:	 	 	 	
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10.0 million shares authorized, none issued	—			—		
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100.0 million shares authorized, 16.0 million shares issued and outstanding	0.2			0.2		
Additional paid-in capital	573.4			566.2		
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	15.5			(1.3	)	
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(34.5	)		(35.0	)	
Total shareholders' equity	554.6		 	530.1		
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	2,507.4		 	$	2,476.9		

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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VERITIV CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions, unaudited)

								
 	Nine Months Ended September 30,	
Operating Activities	2016		2015	
Net income	$	16.8			$	16.6		
Depreciation and amortization	40.5			42.5		
Amortization of deferred financing fees	4.9			3.3		
Long-lived asset impairment charges	4.0			2.6		
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	0.4			6.8		
Deferred income tax provision	8.1			13.7		
Stock-based compensation	7.2			3.0		
Other non-cash items, net	2.0			0.5		
Changes in operating assets and liabilities						
Accounts receivable and related party receivable	(48.6	)		20.0		
Inventories	19.9			(43.6	)	
Accounts payable and related party payable	38.5			81.5		
Accrued payroll and benefits	(39.9	)		0.1		
Other	6.1			(16.5	)	
Net cash provided by operating activities	59.9			130.5		
Investing Activities	 	 	 	
Property and equipment additions	(29.8	)		(34.2	)	
Proceeds from asset sales	5.1			0.2		
Net cash used for investing activities	(24.7	)		(34.0	)	
Financing Activities	 	 	 	
Change in book overdrafts	32.9			(15.1	)	
Borrowings of long-term debt	3,394.4			3,458.9		
Repayments of long-term debt	(3,439.0	)		(3,529.9	)	
Payments under equipment capital lease obligations	(2.3	)		(2.8	)	
Payments under financing obligations to related party	(14.4	)		(10.3	)	
Deferred financing fees	(2.0	)	 	—		
Net cash used for financing activities	(30.4	)		(99.2	)	
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			(1.4	)	
Net change in cash	4.8			(4.1	)	
Cash at beginning of period	54.4			57.6		
Cash at end of period	$	59.2			$	53.5		
Supplemental Cash Flow Information						
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$	3.1			$	1.4		
Cash paid for interest	15.5			16.0		
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities						
Non-cash additions to property and equipment	$	12.3			$	3.1		

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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VERITIV CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

Veritiv Corporation ("Veritiv" or the "Company") is a North American business-to-business distributor of print, publishing, packaging and facility solutions. Additionally, Veritiv provides logistics and supply chain management solutions to its customers. Veritiv was established in 2014, following the merger of International Paper Company's xpedx distribution solutions business ("xpedx") and UWW Holdings, Inc. ("UWWH"), the parent company of Unisource Worldwide, Inc. ("Unisource") (the "Merger"). The Company operates from approximately 180 distribution centers primarily throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for a complete set of annual audited financial statements.

The accompanying unaudited financial information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements and Notes contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, including normal recurring accruals and other adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The operating results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

All significant intercompany transactions between Veritiv's businesses have been eliminated.

Following the Merger, certain corporate and other related functions continued to be provided by International Paper under a transition services agreement. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recognized $0.8 million and $9.6 million , respectively, in selling and administrative expenses related to this agreement. As of December 31, 2015, all of the functions originally provided by International Paper under this agreement have been fully transitioned to the Company.
    
Use of Estimates

The preparation of unaudited financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and certain financial statement disclosures. Estimates and assumptions are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition, accounts receivable valuation, inventory valuation, employee benefit plans, income tax contingency accruals and valuation allowances and goodwill and other intangible asset valuations. Although these estimates are based on management's knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may ultimately differ from these estimates and assumptions. Estimates are revised as additional information becomes available.

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

							
Standard	 	Description	 	Effective Date	 	Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters	
Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers	 	The standard will replace existing revenue recognition standards and significantly expand the disclosure requirements for revenue arrangements. It may be adopted either retrospectively or on a modified retrospective basis to new contracts and existing contracts with remaining performance obligations as of the effective date.	 	January 1, 2018; early adoption date is no earlier than the annual period beginning after December 15, 2016	 	The Company is currently evaluating the alternative methods of adoption (full retrospective or modified retrospective), and the effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The Company plans to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018.	
ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory	 	The standard requires companies to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. This ASU will not apply to inventories measured by either the last-in first-out (LIFO) method or retail inventory method.	 	January 1, 2017	 	The Company plans to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2017. Given that the majority (approximately 87% of the September 30, 2016 inventory balance) of the Company's inventory is measured using LIFO, it is not expected that the adoption of these provisions will have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements.	
ASU 2016-02,  Leases (Topic 842)	 	The standard requires lessees to put most leases on their balance sheet but recognize expenses in their statement of operations in a manner similar to current accounting guidance. The new standard also eliminates the current guidance related to real estate specific provisions.	 	January 1, 2019; early adoption is permitted	 	The Company is currently evaluating the impact the ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The Company plans to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2019.	
ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718)	 	The standard was issued as part of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's simplification initiative. The areas for simplification involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including income tax consequences, award classification as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows.	 	January 1, 2017; early adoption is permitted	 	The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2016. The adoption did not materially impact the financial statements or related disclosures.	
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)	 	The standard will replace the currently required incurred loss impairment methodology with guidance that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to be considered in making credit loss estimates.	 	January 1, 2020; early adoption for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018	 	The Company is currently evaluating the impact the ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The Company plans to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2020.	
ASU 2016-15,
Statement of Cash
Flows (Topic 230)
	 	The standard addresses eight specific cash flow
issues and is intended to reduce diversity in
practice in how certain cash receipts and cash
payments are presented and classified in the
statement of cash flows.
	 	January 1,
2018; early
adoption is
permitted
	 	The Company is currently evaluating the impact the ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The Company plans to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018.	

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2. INTEGRATION AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

Integration Charges

The Company initially expected integration and restructuring charges (associated with achieving anticipated cost savings and other synergies from the Merger) to be approximately $225 million through 2017, including approximately $55 million for capital expenditures primarily consisting of information technology infrastructure, systems integration and planning. Approximately $27 million of transaction-related expenses incurred at the time of the Merger and the $5.0 million restructuring charge in the third quarter of 2016 for a partial withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan discussed below are excluded from the $225 million estimate of integration and restructuring charges. Through September 30, 2016 , the Company has incurred approximately $176 million in charges, including approximately $57 million for capital expenditures.
    
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , Veritiv incurred costs to integrate the combined businesses of xpedx and Unisource. Integration expenses include professional services and project management fees, internally dedicated integration management resources, retention compensation, information technology conversion costs, rebranding costs and other costs to integrate the combined businesses of xpedx and Unisource.

The following table summarizes the components of integration expenses:

																
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	 	2016	 	2015	
Integration management	$	2.2		 	$	—		 	$	6.0		 	$	—		
Retention compensation	0.4		 	2.3		 	2.4		 	8.9		
Information technology conversion costs	1.9		 	2.1		 	4.3		 	6.4		
Rebranding	0.9		 	1.7		 	2.1		 	4.2		
Legal, consulting and other professional fees	0.8		 	1.4		 	1.8		 	6.8		
Other	1.1		 	0.8		 	3.0		 	2.3		
Total integration expenses	$	7.3		 	$	8.3		 	$	19.6		 	$	28.6		

Veritiv Restructuring Plan
As part of the Merger, the Company is executing on a multi-year restructuring program of its North American operations intended to integrate the legacy xpedx and Unisource operations, generate cost savings and capture synergies across the combined company. The restructuring plan includes initiatives to: (i) consolidate warehouse facilities in overlapping markets, (ii) improve efficiency of the delivery network, (iii) consolidate customer service centers, (iv) reorganize the field sales and operations functions and (v) restructure the corporate general and administrative functions. As part of its restructuring efforts, the Company also continues to evaluate its operations outside of North America to identify additional cost saving opportunities. The Company has elected to restructure certain of its operations in specific countries, which included staff reductions, lease terminations, and facility closures.

Related to these company-wide initiatives, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $5.8 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company recorded restructuring charges of $7.2 million and $8.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The restructuring charge recorded in the third quarter of 2016 consisted primarily of an estimated charge of $5.0 million related to the partial withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan. The Company has also withdrawn from a multi-employer pension plan unrelated to the restructuring program and included the estimated charge of $2.3 million in distribution expenses. See Note 11, Segment Information, for the impact these charges had on the Company's reportable segments. Other direct costs reported in the table below include facility closing costs and other incidental costs associated with the development, communication, administration and implementation of these initiatives.

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The following is a summary of the Company's restructuring activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 :

																
(in millions)	Severance and Related Costs	 	Other Direct Costs	 	Non-Cash Items	 	Total	
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	1.7		 	$	0.4		 	$	—		 	$	2.1		
Costs incurred	0.7		 	0.3		 	0.7		 	1.7		
Payments	(0.9	)	 	(0.4	)	 	—		 	(1.3	)	
Other adjustments	—		 	—		 	(0.7	)	 	(0.7	)	
Balance at March 31, 2016	1.5		 	0.3		 	—		 	1.8		
Costs incurred	0.9		 	1.5		 	(2.7	)	 	(0.3	)	
Payments	(0.6	)	 	(1.0	)	 	—		 	(1.6	)	
Other adjustments	—		 	—		 	2.7		 	2.7		
Balance at June 30, 2016	1.8		 	0.8		 	—		 	2.6		
Costs incurred	0.3		 	5.4		 	0.1		 	5.8		
Payments	(1.0	)	 	(0.7	)	 	—		 	(1.7	)	
Other adjustments	—		 	—		 	(0.1	)	 	(0.1	)	
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	1.1		 	$	5.5		 	$	—		 	$	6.6		

The following is a summary of the Company's restructuring activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 :

																
(in millions)	Severance and Related Costs	 	Other Direct Costs	 	Non-Cash Items	 	Total	
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	3.7		 	$	0.2		 	$	—		 	$	3.9		
Costs incurred	1.9		 	1.5		 	—		 	3.4		
Payments	(2.7	)	 	(0.4	)	 	—		 	(3.1	)	
Balance at March 31, 2015	2.9		 	1.3		 	—		 	4.2		
Costs incurred	1.0		 	1.2		 	—		 	2.2		
Payments	(1.1	)	 	(0.7	)	 	—		 	(1.8	)	
Balance at June 30, 2015	2.8		 	1.8		 	—		 	4.6		
Costs incurred	0.8		 	0.2		 	2.0		 	3.0		
Payments	(1.3	)	 	(1.1	)	 	—		 	(2.4	)	
Other adjustments	—		 	—		 	(2.0	)	 	(2.0	)	
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	2.3		 	$	0.9		 	$	—		 	$	3.2		

3. DEBT

The Company's long-term debt obligations were as follows:

								
(in millions)	September 30, 2016	 	December 31, 2015	
Asset-Based Lending Facility (the "ABL Facility")	$	753.4		 	$	795.5		
Equipment capital lease obligations (1)	17.8		 	7.8		
Total debt	771.2		 	803.3		
Less: current portion of long-term debt	(3.0	)	 	(2.8	)	
Long-term debt, net of current maturities	$	768.2		 	$	800.5		
(1) Equipment capital lease obligations include $10.7 million and $0.7 million related to the Toronto build-to-suit arrangement for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2015 , respectively.          

On August 11, 2016, the Company amended its ABL Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity date to August 11, 2021. All other significant terms remained consistent. The Company recognized a charge of $1.9 million to interest expense, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, for the write-off of a portion of the previously

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deferred financing costs associated with lenders in the original ABL Facility that exited the amended ABL Facility. In addition, the Company incurred and deferred $2.0 million of new financing costs associated with this transaction, reflected in other non-current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, which will be amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the amended term of the ABL Facility.

Availability under the ABL Facility is determined based upon a monthly borrowing base calculation which includes eligible customer receivables and inventory, less outstanding borrowings, letters of credit and certain designated reserves. As of September 30, 2016 , the available additional borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility was approximately $442.1 million .

4. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 is based on the estimated annual effective tax rate, plus any discrete items.

The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 :

																
 	Three Months Ended September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended September 30,	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	 	2016	 	2015	
Income before income taxes	$	13.6		 	$	23.4		 	$	35.2		 	$	32.1		
Income tax expense	$	8.0		 	$	8.9		 	$	18.4		 	$	15.5		
Effective tax rate	58.8	%	 	38.0	%	 	52.3	%	 	48.3	%	

The difference between the Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35.0% primarily relates to the inability to recognize tax benefits on certain losses in the current year, non-deductible expenses, state income taxes (net of federal income tax benefit) and adjustments to uncertain tax positions. Additionally, the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 includes the recognition of U.S. tax benefit with respect to foreign exchange loss on the capitalization of an intercompany loan with the Company's Canadian subsidiary. The effective tax rate may vary significantly due to potential fluctuations in the amount and source, including both foreign and domestic, of pre-tax income and changes in amounts of non-deductible expenses and other items that could impact the effective tax rate.

5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions with Georgia-Pacific

Veritiv purchases certain inventory items from, and sells certain inventory items to, Georgia-Pacific in the normal course of business. As a result of the Merger and related private placement, Georgia-Pacific, as joint owner of the sole stockholder of UWWH, is a related party. The following tables summarize the financial impact of these related party transactions with Georgia-Pacific:

																	
 	 	Three Months Ended September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended September 30,	
(in millions)	 	2016	 	2015	 	2016	 	2015	
Sales to Georgia-Pacific, reflected in net sales	 	$	8.5		 	$	8.0		 	$	26.6		 	$	25.0		
Purchases of inventory from Georgia-Pacific, recognized in cost of products sold	 	$	71.4		 	$	67.0		 	$	174.3		 	$	205.0		

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(in millions)	 	September 30, 2016	 	December 31, 2015	
Inventories purchased from Georgia-Pacific that remained on Veritiv's balance sheet	 	$	24.6		 	$	25.2		
Related party payable to Georgia-Pacific	 	$	6.4		 	$	10.7		
Related party receivable from Georgia-Pacific	 	$	3.5		 	$	3.9		

In April 2016, Veritiv assumed ownership of a warehouse and distribution facility located in Austin, Texas that was subleased from Georgia-Pacific. The Company exercised its right of first refusal and matched a $5.4 million offer from an unrelated third party to purchase the facility directly from the owner. This transaction was accounted for as a settlement of the financing obligation related to the facility. Accordingly, Veritiv recognized a $1.3 million loss on the transaction, which is reflected in other expense (income), net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

6. DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

In conjunction with the Merger, Veritiv assumed responsibility for Unisource’s defined benefit plans and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans in the U.S. and Canada. Net periodic benefit cost (credit) associated with these plans is summarized below:

																
 	Three Months Ended September 30, 2016	 	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015	
(in millions)	U.S.	 	Canada	 	U.S.	 	Canada	
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Service cost	$	0.4		 	$	0.1		 	$	0.4		 	$	0.1		
Interest cost	0.7		 	0.8		 	0.8		 	0.7		
Expected return on plan assets	(1.2	)	 	(0.9	)	 	(1.4	)	 	(0.8	)	
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	(0.1	)	 	$	0.0		 	$	(0.2	)	 	$	0.0		

	
																
 	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016	 	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015	
(in millions)	U.S.	 	Canada	 	U.S.	 	Canada	
Components of net periodic benefit cost (credit):	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Service cost	$	1.3		 	$	0.2		 	$	1.3		 	$	0.2		
Interest cost	2.5		 	2.4		 	2.5		 	2.4		
Expected return on plan assets	(3.8	)	 	(2.7	)	 	(4.1	)	 	(2.6	)	
Amortization of net loss	0.1		 	0.1		 	—		 	—		
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)	$	0.1		 	$	0.0		 	$	(0.3	)	 	$	0.0		

7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , the carrying amounts of cash, receivables, payables and other components of other current assets and other current liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short maturity of these items.

Certain of the Company's assets and liabilities are also subject to nonrecurring fair value measurements. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. For the three months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company recognized $3.0 million in asset impairment charges related to its Publishing segment's customer relationship intangible asset, included in selling and administrative expenses, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The impairment was determined after review of the segment's trended revenues and estimated cash flows (Level 3) for the specific customers included in the original asset valuation. As a result, the entire carrying value was

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deemed impaired. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company recognized $2.0 million in asset impairment charges related to property, plant and equipment disposed of as part of its restructuring efforts. The charge is included in restructuring charges on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company has on occasion recognized other minor impairments when warranted as part of its normal review of long-lived assets. Total asset impairments for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $4.0 million and $2.6 million , respectively.

The Company's liabilities disclosed at fair value at September 30, 2016 were as follows:

															
(in millions)	 	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3	
ABL Facility	 	$	753.4				 	$	753.4		 		
Tax Receivable Agreement	 	$	67.8				 		 	$	67.8		

The Company's liabilities disclosed at fair value at December 31, 2015 were as follows:

															
(in millions)	 	Total	 	Level 1	 	Level 2	 	Level 3	
ABL Facility	 	$	795.5		 		 	$	795.5		 		
Tax Receivable Agreement	 	$	63.0		 		 		 	$	63.0		

Borrowings under the ABL Facility are at variable market interest rates and, accordingly, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

At the time of the Merger, the Company recorded a $59.4 million contingent liability associated with the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA") at fair value using a discounted cash flow model that reflected management's expectations about probability of payment. The fair value of the TRA is a Level 3 measurement which relied upon both Level 2 data (publicly observable data such as market interest rates) and Level 3 data (internal data such as the Company’s projected revenues, taxable income and assumptions about the utilization of Unisource’s net operating losses, attributable to taxable periods prior to the Merger, by the Company). The contingent liability is remeasured at fair value at each reporting period with the change in fair value recognized in other expense (income), net in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. At September 30, 2016 , the Company remeasured the contingent liability using a discount rate of 4.3% .

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the contingent liability for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 :    

					
(in millions)	 	Contingent Liability	
Balance at December 31, 2015	 	$	63.0		
Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other expense (income), net	 	1.8		
Balance at March 31, 2016	 	64.8		
Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other expense (income), net	 	2.0		
Balance at June 30, 2016	 	66.8		
Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other expense (income), net	 	1.0		
Balance at September 30, 2016	 	$	67.8		

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The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the contingent liability for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 :    

					
(in millions)	 	Contingent Liability	
Balance at December 31, 2014	 	$	60.5		
Purchase accounting adjustment	 	0.6		
Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other expense (income), net	 	1.3		
Balance at March 31, 2015	 	62.4		
Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other expense (income), net	 	(1.7	)	
Balance at June 30, 2015	 	60.7		
Change in fair value adjustment recorded in other expense (income), net	 	0.3		
Balance at September 30, 2015	 	$	61.0		

There have been no transfers between the fair value measurement levels for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 . The Company recognizes transfers between the fair value measurement levels at the end of the reporting period.

8. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") for Veritiv common stock is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is similarly calculated, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued, except where the inclusion of such common shares would have an antidilutive impact.

A summary of the numerators and denominators used in the basic and diluted EPS calculation is as follows:

																
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
(in millions, except per share data)	2016	 	2015	 	2016	 	2015	
Numerator:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net income	$	5.6		 	$	14.5		 	$	16.8		 	$	16.6		
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Denominator:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic	16.00		 	16.00		 	16.00		 	16.00		
Dilutive effect of stock-based awards	0.27		 	—		 	0.05		 	—		
Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted	16.27		 	16.00		 	16.05		 	16.00		
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Earnings per share:	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
     Basic earnings per share	$	0.35		 	$	0.91		 	$	1.05		 	$	1.04		
     Diluted earnings per share	$	0.34		 	$	0.91		 	$	1.04		 	$	1.04		
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Antidilutive stock-based awards excluded from computation of diluted EPS	0.00		 	0.06		 	0.20		 	0.06		
Performance stock-based awards excluded from computation of diluted EPS because performance conditions had not been met	0.33		 	0.24		 	0.33		 	0.24		

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9. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

The following table provides the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") at September 30, 2016 (amounts are shown net of their related income tax effect, if any):

																	
(in millions)	 	Foreign currency translation adjustments	 	Retirement liabilities	 	Interest rate swap	 	AOCL	
Balance at December 31, 2015	 	$	(27.1	)	 	$	(7.4	)	 	$	(0.5	)	 	$	(35.0	)	
     Unrealized net gains (losses) arising during the period	 	3.8		 	—		 	(0.3	)	 	3.5		
     Amounts reclassified from AOCL	 	—		 	0.1		 	—		 	0.1		
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	 	3.8		 	0.1		 	(0.3	)	 	3.6		
Balance at March 31, 2016	 	(23.3	)	 	(7.3	)	 	(0.8	)	 	(31.4	)	
     Unrealized net losses arising during the period	 	(1.6	)	 	—		 	0.0		 	(1.6	)	
     Amounts reclassified from AOCL	 	—		 	0.1		 	—		 	0.1		
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	 	(1.6	)	 	0.1		 	—		 	(1.5	)	
Balance at June 30, 2016	 	(24.9	)	 	(7.2	)	 	(0.8	)	 	(32.9	)	
     Unrealized net losses arising during the period	 	(1.6	)	 	—		 	0.0		 	(1.6	)	
Net current period other comprehensive loss	 	(1.6	)	 	—		 	—		 	(1.6	)	
Balance at September 30, 2016	 	$	(26.5	)	 	$	(7.2	)	 	$	(0.8	)	 	$	(34.5	)	
    
The following table provides the components of AOCL at September 30, 2015 (amounts are shown net of their related income tax effect, if any):

																	
(in millions)	 	Foreign currency translation adjustments	 	Retirement liabilities	 	Interest rate swap	 	AOCL	
Balance at December 31, 2014	 	$	(14.7	)	 	$	(7.4	)	 	$	—		 	$	(22.1	)	
     Unrealized net losses arising during the period	 	(6.6	)	 	—		 	—		 	(6.6	)	
Net current period other comprehensive loss	 	(6.6	)	 	—		 	—		 	(6.6	)	
Balance at March 31, 2015	 	(21.3	)	 	(7.4	)	 	—		 	(28.7	)	
     Unrealized net gains arising during the period	 	0.1		 	—		 	—		 	0.1		
Net current period other comprehensive income	 	0.1		 	—		 	—		 	0.1		
Balance at June 30, 2015	 	(21.2	)	 	(7.4	)	 	—		 	(28.6	)	
     Unrealized net losses arising during the period	 	(3.7	)	 	—		 	(0.4	)	 	(4.1	)	
Net current period other comprehensive loss	 	(3.7	)	 	—		 	(0.4	)	 	(4.1	)	
Balance at September 30, 2015	 	$	(24.9	)	 	$	(7.4	)	 	$	(0.4	)	 	$	(32.7	)	

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company is involved in various lawsuits, claims, and regulatory and administrative proceedings arising out of its business relating to general commercial and contractual matters, governmental regulations, intellectual property rights, labor and employment matters, tax and other actions.

Although the ultimate outcome of any legal proceeding or investigation cannot be predicted with certainty, based on present information, including the Company's assessment of the merits of the particular claim, the Company does not expect that any asserted or unasserted legal claims or proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its cash flow, results of operations or financial condition.

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Escheat Audit

During 2013, Unisource was notified by the State of Delaware that it intended to examine the books and records of Unisource to determine compliance with Delaware escheat laws. Since that date, seven other states have joined with Delaware in the audit process, which is conducted by an outside firm on behalf of the states. While the original time period for the audit was from 1981 to present, recent legal developments have resulted in Delaware narrowing the time period to July 1, 1992 to present. The Company has been informed that similar audits have generally taken four years or more to complete. The Company has determined that the ultimate outcome of this audit cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Any claims or liabilities resulting from these audits could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

11. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following tables present net sales, Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, restructuring charges, stock-based compensation expense, LIFO (income) expense, non-restructuring asset impairment charges, non-restructuring severance charges, non-restructuring pension charges, integration expenses, fair value adjustments on the contingent liability associated with the TRA and certain other adjustments) and certain other measures for each of the reportable segments and total operations for the periods presented:

																								
(in millions)	Print	 	Publishing	 	Packaging	 	Facility Solutions	 	Corporate & Other	 	Total	
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	$	788.2		 	$	248.4		 	$	730.1		 	$	328.7		 	$	31.2		 	$	2,126.6		
Adjusted EBITDA	20.0		 	6.6		 	59.5		 	13.0		 	(42.0	)	 	57.1		
Depreciation and amortization	3.1		 	0.8		 	3.1		 	1.5		 	4.9		 	13.4		
Restructuring charges	2.6		 	—		 	2.2		 	1.0		 	—		 	5.8		
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	832.4		 	303.0		 	722.3		 	331.4		 	30.7		 	2,219.8		
Adjusted EBITDA	23.2		 	9.3		 	59.0		 	12.7		 	(43.6	)	 	60.6		
Depreciation and amortization	3.4		 	0.8		 	3.3		 	1.6		 	4.6		 	13.7		
Restructuring charges	0.3		 	—		 	2.6		 	0.1		 	—		 	3.0		
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	2,299.0		 	763.2		 	2,106.4		 	951.6		 	87.0		 	6,207.2		
Adjusted EBITDA	55.7		 	16.4		 	165.4		 	34.3		 	(129.7	)	 	142.1		
Depreciation and amortization	9.5		 	2.5		 	9.3		 	4.5		 	14.7		 	40.5		
Restructuring charges	2.9		 	—		 	2.6		 	1.5		 	0.2		 	7.2		
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	2,465.6		 	906.9		 	2,097.1		 	965.0		 	82.4		 	6,517.0		
Adjusted EBITDA	57.1		 	23.1		 	156.5		 	30.2		 	(137.2	)	 	129.7		
Depreciation and amortization	10.2		 	2.3		 	11.1		 	5.5		 	13.4		 	42.5		
Restructuring charges	1.9		 	—		 	4.0		 	1.4		 	1.3		 	8.6		

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The table below presents a reconciliation of income before income taxes as reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income to total Adjusted EBITDA:

																
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	 	2016	 	2015	
Income before income taxes	$	13.6		 	$	23.4		 	$	35.2		 	$	32.1		
Interest expense, net	8.2		 	7.0		 	21.1		 	19.8		
Depreciation and amortization	13.4		 	13.7		 	40.5		 	42.5		
Restructuring charges	5.8		 	3.0		 	7.2		 	8.6		
Stock-based compensation	2.1		 	1.0		 	7.2		 	3.0		
LIFO (income) expense	0.4		 	2.2		 	(2.7	)	 	(7.8	)	
Non-restructuring asset impairment charges	3.1		 	—		 	4.0		 	—		
Non-restructuring severance charges	0.2		 	0.5		 	2.4		 	1.9		
Non-restructuring pension charges	2.3		 	—		 	2.3		 	—		
Integration expenses	7.3		 	8.3		 	19.6		 	28.6		
Fair value adjustments on TRA contingent liability	1.0		 	0.3		 	4.8		 	(0.1	)	
Other	(0.3	)	 	1.2		 	0.5		 	1.1		
Adjusted EBITDA	$	57.1		 	$	60.6		 	$	142.1		 	$	129.7		

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

Certain statements contained in this report regarding the Company’s future operating results, performance, business plans, prospects, guidance and any other statements not constituting historical fact are "forward-looking statements" subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Where possible, the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "should," "will," "would," "planned," "estimated," "potential," "goal," "outlook," "may," "predicts," "could," or the negative of such terms, or other comparable expressions, as they relate to the Company or its business, have been used to identify such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements reflect only the Company’s current beliefs and assumptions with respect to future operating results, performance, business plans, prospects, guidance and other matters, and are based on information currently available to the Company. Accordingly, the statements are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and contingencies, which could cause the Company’s actual operating results, performance, business plans or prospects to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include risks and other factors described under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in the Company’s publicly available reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which contain a discussion of various factors that may affect the Company’s business or financial results. Such risks and other factors, which in some instances are beyond the Company’s control, include: the industry-wide decline in demand for paper and related products; increased competition from existing and non-traditional sources; adverse developments in general business and economic conditions as well as conditions in the global capital and credit markets; foreign currency fluctuations; our ability to collect trade receivables from customers to whom we extend credit; our ability to attract, train and retain highly qualified employees; the effects of work stoppages, union negotiations and union disputes; loss of significant customers; changes in business conditions in our international operations; procurement and other risks in obtaining packaging, paper and facility products from suppliers for resale to our customers; changes in prices for raw materials; fuel cost increases; inclement weather, anti-terrorism measures and other disruptions to the transportation network; our dependence on a variety of IT and telecommunications systems and the Internet; reliance on third-party vendors for various services; cyber-security risks; costs to comply with laws, rules and regulations, including environmental, health and safety laws, and to satisfy any liability or obligation imposed under such laws; regulatory changes and judicial rulings impacting our business; adverse results from litigation, governmental investigations or audits, or tax-related proceedings or audits; our inability to renew existing leases on acceptable terms, negotiate rent decreases or concessions and identify affordable real estate; our ability to adequately protect material intellectual property and other proprietary rights, or to defend successfully against intellectual property infringement claims by third parties; our pension and health care costs and participation in multi-employer plans; increasing interest rates; our ability to generate sufficient cash to service debt; our ability to comply with the covenants contained in our debt agreements; our ability to refinance or restructure our debt on reasonable terms and conditions as might be necessary from time to time; changes in accounting standards and methodologies; our ability to realize the anticipated synergies, cost savings and growth opportunities from the merger transaction, our ability to integrate the xpedx business with the Unisource business, and the possibility of incurring expenditures in excess of those currently budgeted in connection with the integration; and other events of which we are presently unaware or currently deem immaterial that may result in unexpected adverse operating results.

For a more detailed discussion of these factors, see the information under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other filings made with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, historical information should not be considered as an indicator of future performance.
    
The following discussion of the Company’s results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this report.

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Executive Overview

Business Overview

Veritiv Corporation ("Veritiv" or the "Company") is a leading North American business-to-business distributor of print, publishing, packaging and facility solutions. Additionally, Veritiv provides logistics and supply chain management solutions to its customers. Veritiv was established in 2014, following the merger of International Paper Company's xpedx distribution solutions business and UWW Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Unisource Worldwide, Inc. The Company operates from approximately 180 distribution centers primarily throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Veritiv's business is organized under four reportable segments: Print, Publishing, Packaging and Facility Solutions. This segment structure is consistent with the way the Chief Operating Decision Maker, who is Veritiv's Chief Executive Officer, makes operating decisions and manages the growth and profitability of the Company’s business. The Company also has a Corporate & Other category, which includes certain assets and costs not primarily attributable to any of the reportable segments, as well as the Veritiv logistics solutions business, which provides transportation and warehousing solutions. The following summary describes the products and services offered in each of the reportable segments:

•	Print – The Print segment sells and distributes commercial printing, writing, copying, digital, wide format and specialty paper products, graphics consumables and graphics equipment primarily in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. This segment also includes customized paper conversion services of commercial printing paper for distribution to document centers and form printers. Veritiv's broad geographic platform of operations coupled with the breadth of paper and graphics products, including exclusive private brand offerings, provides a foundation to service national, regional and local customers across North America.	

•	Publishing – The Publishing segment sells and distributes coated and uncoated commercial printing papers to publishers, retailers, converters, printers and specialty businesses for use in magazines, catalogs, books, directories, gaming, couponing, retail inserts and direct mail. This segment also provides print management, procurement and supply chain management solutions to simplify paper and print procurement processes for Veritiv's customers.	

•	Packaging – The Packaging segment provides standard as well as custom and comprehensive packaging solutions for customers based in North America and in key global markets. The business is strategically focused on higher growth industries including light industrial/general manufacturing, food production, fulfillment and internet retail, as well as niche verticals based on geographical and functional expertise. Veritiv’s packaging professionals create customer value through supply chain solutions, structural and graphic packaging design and engineering, automation, workflow and equipment services, contract packaging, and kitting and fulfillment.	

•	Facility Solutions – The Facility Solutions segment sources and sells cleaning, break-room and other supplies such as towels, tissues, wipers and dispensers, can liners, commercial cleaning chemicals, soaps and sanitizers, sanitary maintenance supplies and equipment, safety and hazard supplies, and shampoos and amenities primarily in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Through this segment, Veritiv manages a world class network of leading suppliers in most facilities solutions categories. Additionally, the Company offers total cost of ownership solutions with re-merchandising, budgeting and compliance reporting, inventory management, and a sales-force trained to bring leading vertical expertise to the major North American geographies.	

Seasonality

The Company’s operating results are subject to seasonal influences.  Historically, the highest consolidated net sales, net income and consequently Adjusted EBITDA, as defined below, occur during the third quarter while the lowest consolidated net sales, net income and consequently Adjusted EBITDA occur during the first quarter. Within the Print and Publishing segments, seasonality is driven by increased magazine advertising page counts, retail inserts, catalogs and direct mail primarily due to back-to-school, political election and holiday-related advertising and promotions in the second half of the year.  The Packaging segment net sales tend to increase each quarter throughout the year, and net sales for the first quarter are typically less than net sales for the fourth quarter of the preceding year.  Production schedules for non-durable goods that buildup to the holidays and peak in the fourth quarter drive this seasonal net sales pattern.  Net sales for the Facility Solutions segment tend to be highest during the third quarter due to increased summer demand in the away-from-home resort, cruise and hospitality markets and activities related to back-to-school.

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Results of Operations, Including Business Segments

The following discussion compares the consolidated operating results of Veritiv for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 :

																														
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Increase (Decrease)	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Increase (Decrease)	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	 	$	 	%	 	2016	 	2015	 	$	 	%	
Net sales	$	2,126.6		 	$	2,219.8		 	$	(93.2	)	 	(4.2	)%	 	$	6,207.2		 	$	6,517.0		 	$	(309.8	)	 	(4.8	)%	
Cost of products sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	1,743.8		 	1,825.8		 	(82.0	)	 	(4.5	)%	 	5,086.2		 	5,356.0		 	(269.8	)	 	(5.0	)%	
Distribution expenses	126.0		 	129.8		 	(3.8	)	 	(2.9	)%	 	375.2		 	390.0		 	(14.8	)	 	(3.8	)%	
Selling and administrative expenses	207.3		 	207.1		 	0.2		 	0.1	 %	 	615.9		 	635.7		 	(19.8	)	 	(3.1	)%	
Depreciation and amortization	13.4		 	13.7		 	(0.3	)	 	(2.2	)%	 	40.5		 	42.5		 	(2.0	)	 	(4.7	)%	
Integration expenses	7.3		 	8.3		 	(1.0	)	 	(12.0	)%	 	19.6		 	28.6		 	(9.0	)	 	(31.5	)%	
Restructuring charges	5.8		 	3.0		 	2.8		 	93.3	 %	 	7.2		 	8.6		 	(1.4	)	 	(16.3	)%	
Operating income	23.0		 	32.1		 	(9.1	)	 	(28.3	)%	 	62.6		 	55.6		 	7.0		 	12.6	 %	
Interest expense, net	8.2		 	7.0		 	1.2		 	17.1	 %	 	21.1		 	19.8		 	1.3		 	6.6	 %	
Other expense (income), net	1.2		 	1.7		 	(0.5	)	 	(29.4	)%	 	6.3		 	3.7		 	2.6		 	70.3	 %	
Income before income taxes	13.6		 	23.4		 	(9.8	)	 	(41.9	)%	 	35.2		 	32.1		 	3.1		 	9.7	 %	
Income tax expense	8.0		 	8.9		 	(0.9	)	 	(10.1	)%	 	18.4		 	15.5		 	2.9		 	18.7	 %	
Net income	$	5.6		 	$	14.5		 	$	(8.9	)	 	(61.4	)%	 	$	16.8		 	$	16.6		 	$	0.2		 	1.2	 %	

Net Sales
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, net sales declined primarily due to declines in the Print and Publishing segments. See the “Segment Results” section for additional discussion.
Cost of Products Sold
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the decrease in cost of products sold was primarily due to the decline in sales as previously discussed. See the “Segment Results” section for additional discussion.
 
Distribution Expenses
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, distribution expenses declined due to (i) a $2.3 million decrease in third-party freight expense primarily due to lower diesel prices and lower sales volume, (ii) a $1.8 million decrease in temporary employee expenses and (iii) a $1.6 million decrease in rent and lease expense primarily attributable to warehouse consolidations. These improvements were partially offset by a $2.3 million increase in pension expense attributable to the withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan. The withdrawal was unrelated to the Company's restructuring activities. As discussed below, the Company also incurred charges to withdraw from a multi-employer pension plan related to restructuring activities.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, distribution expenses declined due to (i) a $7.6 million decrease in labor costs primarily attributable to a decrease in temporary employees, (ii) a $5.2 million decrease in transportation expenses primarily due to lower diesel prices and lower sales volume and (iii) a $5.0 million decrease in facilities expenses primarily due to warehouse consolidations. These improvements were partially offset by a $2.3 million increase in pension expense as previously discussed.

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Selling and Administrative Expenses
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, selling and administrative expenses increased primarily due to (i) a $5.5 million increase in personnel expenses driven by the addition of new sales representatives, merit increases, and higher medical and workers' compensation insurance expense and (ii) a $3.0 million impairment charge attributable to the Publishing segment's customer relationship intangible asset. These increases were partially offset by (i) a $1.4 million decrease in commissions expense due to lower sales volume and (ii) a $1.3 million decrease in travel and entertainment expenses. In 2013, xpedx advanced funds to commissionable sales representatives to compensate them for a change in the timing of commission payments. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recovered a portion of those advances, which further reduced commission expense by $4.9 million. The Company expects to recover an additional $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, selling and administrative expenses declined primarily due to (i) a $8.1 million decrease in commission expense primarily due to lower sales volume and the previously mentioned advance recovery, (ii) a $6.3 million decrease in bad debt expense primarily due to favorable collections experience, (iii) a $3.2 million rebate from a pharmaceutical benefits management provider covering the years 2014 and 2015, (iv) a $3.0 million decrease in incentive compensation expense, (v) a $2.4 million reduction in facilities expense driven by lower rent and utilities cost, (vi) a $2.0 million decrease in ongoing health and welfare expense due to favorable claims experience and (vii) a $1.9 million reduction in travel and entertainment expense. These decreases were partially offset by (i) a $7.6 million increase in wages due to annual merit increases and the addition of new sales representatives and (ii) the $3.0 million impairment charge previously discussed.

Depreciation and Amortization
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, depreciation and amortization expense declined by $0.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The decline for the nine month period was primarily due to $2.2 million of amortization for intangible assets acquired in the Merger that were fully amortized as of June 30, 2015.

Integration Expenses
See Note 2, Integration and Restructuring Charges, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the Company's integration efforts.
Restructuring Charges
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, restructuring expenses increased primarily due to a $5.0 million charge attributable to the partial withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan. The charge was recognized in connection with the announced consolidation of warehouse facilities as part of the Company's overall restructuring plan. The Company expects to incur similar charges in future periods in connection with its ongoing restructuring activities.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, restructuring expenses declined primarily due to (i) a $2.7 million gain on the sale of a closed facility, (ii) a $2.2 million decrease in relocation expenses and (iii) a $1.7 million decrease in severance expenses. These declines were partially offset by the $5.0 million charge attributable to the partial withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan as previously discussed.

See Note 2, Integration and Restructuring Charges, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the Company's restructuring efforts. The Company may continue to record restructuring charges in the future as restructuring activities progress.

Interest Expense, Net
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, interest expense increased due to a $1.9 million write-off of deferred financing fees resulting from an amendment to the Company's Asset-Based Lending Facility (the "ABL Facility"). See Note 3, Debt, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information related to the Company's ABL Facility.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, interest expense increased due to the previously mentioned write-off of deferred financing fees.

Other expense (income), net
For the three months ended September 30, 2016, the decrease in other expense (income), net resulted from a $1.1 million decline in foreign exchange losses that was partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in the fair value of the Tax Receivable Agreement ("TRA").

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the increase in other expense (income), net was driven by (i) a $4.9 million increase in the fair value of the TRA and (ii) a $1.3 million charge for the settlement of a financing obligation related to a leased facility the Company purchased. These increases were partially offset by a $3.4 million reduction in foreign exchange losses.
Effective Tax Rate
Veritiv's effective tax rate was 58.8% and 38.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Veritiv's effective tax rate was 52.3% and 48.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35.0% is principally related to the non-recognition of tax benefits on certain losses, non-deductible expenses, state income taxes (net of federal benefit), and adjustments to uncertain tax positions. Additionally, the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 includes the recognition of U.S. tax benefit with respect to foreign exchange loss on the capitalization of an intercompany loan with the Company's Canadian subsidiary.
The historic volatility of the Company's effective tax rate has been primarily due to both the low level of pre-tax income as well as variations in the Company's income (loss) by jurisdiction. Over time and with higher pre-tax income, the Company estimates its effective tax rate will trend toward approximately 40%. However, the effective tax rate may vary significantly due to potential fluctuations in the amount and source, including both foreign and domestic, of pre-tax income and changes in amounts of non-deductible expenses and other items that could impact the effective tax rate.
Segment Results
Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, restructuring charges, stock-based compensation expense, LIFO (income) expense, non-restructuring asset impairment charges, non-restructuring severance charges, non-restructuring pension charges, integration expenses, fair value adjustments on the contingent liability associated with the TRA and certain other adjustments) is the primary financial performance measure Veritiv uses to manage its segments, monitor its results of operations, measure its compliance with the covenants under the ABL Facility and incentivize its management. This common metric is intended to align shareholders, debt holders and management.
    
Veritiv uses Adjusted EBITDA because Veritiv believes investors commonly use Adjusted EBITDA as a key financial metric for valuing companies. In addition, the credit agreement governing the ABL Facility permits the Company to exclude these and other charges in calculating Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the ABL Facility.

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of Veritiv’s results as reported under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). For example, Adjusted EBITDA:

•	does not reflect the Company’s income tax expenses or the cash requirements to pay its taxes; and	
		
•	although depreciation and amortization charges are non-cash charges, it does not reflect that the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and the foregoing metrics do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.	

Other companies in the industry may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than Veritiv does, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. Veritiv compensates for these limitations by relying both on the Company's U.S. GAAP results and by using Adjusted EBITDA for supplemental purposes. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is not an alternative measure of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and therefore should be considered in conjunction with net income and other performance measures such as operating income and not as an alternative to such U.S. GAAP measures.

Due to the shared nature of the distribution network, distribution expenses are not a specific charge to each segment, but are instead allocated to each segment based primarily on operational metrics that correlate with changes in volume. Accordingly, distribution expenses allocated to each segment are highly interdependent on the results of other segments. Lower volume in any segment that is not offset by a reduction in distribution expenses can result in the other segments absorbing a larger share of distribution expenses. Conversely, higher volume in any segment can result in the other segments absorbing a smaller share of distribution expenses. The impact of this at the segment level is that the changes in distribution expense trends may not correspond with volume trends within a particular segment.

The Company sells thousands of products. In the Print, Packaging and Facility Solutions segments, Veritiv is unable to compute the impact of changes in sales volume based on changes in sales of each individual product. Rather, the Company assumes that the margin stays constant and estimates the volume impact based on changes in cost of products sold as a proxy for

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the change in sales volume. After any other significant sales variances are identified, the remaining sales variance is attributed to price/mix.

The Company approximates foreign currency effects by applying the foreign currency exchange rate for the prior period to the local currency results for the current period.

The Company believes that the decline in demand for paper and related products is due to the widespread use of electronic media and permanent product substitution, more e-commerce, less print advertising, fewer catalogs and a reduced volume of direct mail, among other factors. This trend is expected to continue and will place continued pressure on the Company’s revenues and profit margins and make it more difficult to maintain or grow Adjusted EBITDA within the Print and Publishing segments.

Included in the following table are net sales and Adjusted EBITDA for each of the reportable segments reconciled to the combined totals: 

																								
(in millions)	Print	 	Publishing	 	Packaging	 	Facility Solutions	 	Corporate & Other	 	Total	
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	$	788.2		 	$	248.4		 	$	730.1		 	$	328.7		 	$	31.2		 	$	2,126.6		
Adjusted EBITDA	$	20.0		 	$	6.6		 	$	59.5		 	$	13.0		 	$	(42.0	)	 	$	57.1		
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	2.5	%	 	2.7	%	 	8.1	%	 	4.0	%	 	*		 	2.7	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	$	832.4		 	$	303.0		 	$	722.3		 	$	331.4		 	$	30.7		 	$	2,219.8		
Adjusted EBITDA	$	23.2		 	$	9.3		 	$	59.0		 	$	12.7		 	$	(43.6	)	 	$	60.6		
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	2.8	%	 	3.1	%	 	8.2	%	 	3.8	%	 	*		 	2.7	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	$	2,299.0		 	$	763.2		 	$	2,106.4		 	$	951.6		 	$	87.0		 	$	6,207.2		
Adjusted EBITDA	$	55.7		 	$	16.4		 	$	165.4		 	$	34.3		 	$	(129.7	)	 	$	142.1		
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	2.4	%	 	2.1	%	 	7.9	%	 	3.6	%	 	*		 	2.3	%	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	$	2,465.6		 	$	906.9		 	$	2,097.1		 	$	965.0		 	$	82.4		 	$	6,517.0		
Adjusted EBITDA	$	57.1		 	$	23.1		 	$	156.5		 	$	30.2		 	$	(137.2	)	 	$	129.7		
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	2.3	%	 	2.5	%	 	7.5	%	 	3.1	%	 	*		 	2.0	%	
* - not meaningful

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The table below provides a reconciliation of Veritiv’s net income determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 :

																	
 	 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
(in millions)	 	2016	 	2015	 	2016	 	2015	
Net income	 	$	5.6		 	$	14.5		 	$	16.8		 	$	16.6		
Interest expense, net	 	8.2		 	7.0		 	21.1		 	19.8		
Income tax expense	 	8.0		 	8.9		 	18.4		 	15.5		
Depreciation and amortization	 	13.4		 	13.7		 	40.5		 	42.5		
EBITDA	 	35.2		 	44.1		 	96.8		 	94.4		
Restructuring charges	 	5.8		 	3.0		 	7.2		 	8.6		
Stock-based compensation	 	2.1		 	1.0		 	7.2		 	3.0		
LIFO (income) expense	 	0.4		 	2.2		 	(2.7	)	 	(7.8	)	
Non-restructuring asset impairment charges	 	3.1		 	—		 	4.0		 	—		
Non-restructuring severance charges	 	0.2		 	0.5		 	2.4		 	1.9		
Non-restructuring pension charges	 	2.3		 	—		 	2.3		 	—		
Integration expenses	 	7.3		 	8.3		 	19.6		 	28.6		
Fair value adjustments on TRA contingent liability	 	1.0		 	0.3		 	4.8		 	(0.1	)	
Other	 	(0.3	)	 	1.2		 	0.5		 	1.1		
Adjusted EBITDA	 	$	57.1		 	$	60.6		 	$	142.1		 	$	129.7		
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net sales	 	$	2,126.6		 	$	2,219.8		 	$	6,207.2		 	$	6,517.0		
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	 	2.7	%	 	2.7	%	 	2.3	%	 	2.0	%	

Print

The table below presents selected data for the Print segment:

																						
 	Three Months Ended September 30,	 	2016 vs. 2015	 	Nine Months Ended September 30,	 	2016 vs. 2015	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	 	Increase (Decrease) %	 	2016	 	2015	 	Increase (Decrease) %	
Net sales	$	788.2		 	$	832.4		 	(5.3	)%	 	$	2,299.0		 	$	2,465.6		 	(6.8	)%	
Adjusted EBITDA	$	20.0		 	$	23.2		 	(13.8	)%	 	$	55.7		 	$	57.1		 	(2.5	)%	
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	2.5	%	 	2.8	%	 	 	 	2.4	%	 	2.3	%	 	 	

The table below presents the components of the net sales change compared to the prior year:

								
 	Increase (Decrease)	
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
(in millions)	2016 vs. 2015	 	2016 vs. 2015	
Volume	$	(43.7	)	 	$	(162.8	)	
Foreign currency	(0.2	)	 	(8.7	)	
Price/Mix	(0.3	)	 	4.9		
Total change	$	(44.2	)	 	$	(166.6	)	

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Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015

The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to the continued erosion in sales volume from the secular decline in the paper industry.
    
The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was primarily due to (i) a $6.3 million reduction from the decline in sales volume and (ii) a $1.8 million decrease attributed to cost of products sold decreasing less than net sales. These decreases were partially offset by (i) a $3.3 million reduction in distribution expenses resulting from lower utilization of the Veritiv distribution network due to lower sales volume and (ii) a $1.6 million reduction in selling and general administrative personnel expenses.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015
    
The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to the continued erosion in sales volume from the secular decline in the paper industry as well as strategic customer choices made in the prior year.
    
The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was primarily due to a $23.4 million reduction from the decline in sales volume. This decrease was partially offset by (i) a $11.6 million decrease in distribution expenses resulting from lower utilization of the Veritiv distribution network because of lower sales volume, (ii) a $4.1 million decrease in bad debt expense resulting from favorable collection experience, (iii) a $3.9 million reduction in selling and general administrative personnel expenses resulting from lower incentive compensation, (iv) a $1.3 million increase attributed to cost of products sold decreasing faster than net sales primarily due to improved sourcing and (v) a $1.0 million decrease in commission expense primarily attributable to lower sales volume.

Publishing

The table below presents selected data for the Publishing segment:

																						
 	Three Months Ended September 30,	 	2016 vs. 2015	 	Nine Months Ended September 30,	 	2016 vs. 2015	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	 	Increase (Decrease) %	 	2016	 	2015	 	Increase (Decrease) %	
Net sales	$	248.4		 	$	303.0		 	(18.0	)%	 	$	763.2		 	$	906.9		 	(15.8	)%	
Adjusted EBITDA	$	6.6		 	$	9.3		 	(29.0	)%	 	$	16.4		 	$	23.1		 	(29.0	)%	
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	2.7	%	 	3.1	%	 	 	 	2.1	%	 	2.5	%	 	 	

The table below presents the components of the net sales change compared to the prior year:

								
 	Increase (Decrease)	
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
(in millions)	2016 vs. 2015	 	2016 vs. 2015	
Volume	$	(45.8	)	 	$	(123.4	)	
Foreign currency	—		 	(0.1	)	
Price/Mix	(8.8	)	 	(20.2	)	
Total change	$	(54.6	)	 	$	(143.7	)	

Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015

Approximately $21.7 million of the decrease in net sales was attributable to the loss of three customers. The remaining decrease was primarily attributable to the continued erosion in sales volume from the secular decline in the paper industry and unfavorable changes in price/mix.

The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was primarily due to a $3.2 million decrease due to lower sales volume. This decrease was partially offset by a $0.5 million decline in commissions expense due to lower sales volume.

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Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015

Approximately $65.4 million of the decrease in net sales was attributable to the loss of six customers. The remaining decrease was primarily attributable to the continued erosion in sales volume from the secular decline in the paper industry and unfavorable changes in price/mix.

The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was primarily due to (i) a $8.0 million decrease due to lower sales volume and (ii) a $2.3 million decrease attributed to cost of products sold decreasing less than net sales. These declines were partially offset by (i) a $2.2 million decrease in commission expense due to lower sales volume, (ii) a $0.8 million decrease in bad debt expense because of favorable collections experience and (iii) a $0.4 million decrease in incentive compensation expense.

Packaging

The table below presents selected data for the Packaging segment:

																						
 	Three Months Ended September 30,	 	2016 vs. 2015	 	Nine Months Ended September 30,	 	2016 vs. 2015	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	 	Increase (Decrease) %	 	2016	 	2015	 	Increase (Decrease) %	
Net sales	$	730.1		 	$	722.3		 	1.1	%	 	$	2,106.4		 	$	2,097.1		 	0.4	%	
Adjusted EBITDA	$	59.5		 	$	59.0		 	0.8	%	 	$	165.4		 	$	156.5		 	5.7	%	
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	8.1	%	 	8.2	%	 	 	 	7.9	%	 	7.5	%	 	 	

The table below presents the components of the net sales change compared to the prior year:

								
 	Increase (Decrease)	
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,	 	Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
(in millions)	2016 vs. 2015	 	2016 vs. 2015	
Volume	$	11.2		 	$	23.7		
Foreign currency	(3.3	)	 	(17.3	)	
Price/Mix	(0.1	)	 	2.9		
Total change	$	7.8		 	$	9.3		
    
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015
    
The net sales increase was primarily attributable to growth in our international operations.

The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a $2.7 million improvement from increased sales volume that was partially offset by (i) a $1.4 million increase in personnel expenses primarily attributable to the addition of new sales representatives and (ii) a $1.0 million increase in distribution expenses resulting from increased utilization of the Veritiv distribution network.
    
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015
    
The net sales increase was primarily attributable to growth in our international operations.
    
The Adjusted EBITDA increase was primarily due to (i) a $7.2 million improvement attributed to cost of products sold increasing at a slower rate than net sales due to improved sourcing and (ii) a $5.6 million improvement from increased sales volume. These improvements were partially offset by (i) a $2.6 million increase in distribution expenses resulting from increased utilization of the Veritiv distribution network and (ii) a $1.5 million increase in personnel expenses primarily attributable to the addition of new sales representatives.

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Facility Solutions
    
The table below presents selected data for the Facility Solutions segment:    

																						
 	Three Months Ended September 30,	2016 vs. 2015		Nine Months Ended September 30,		2016 vs. 2015	
(in millions)	2016		2015		Increase (Decrease) %		2016		2015		Increase (Decrease) %	
Net sales	$	328.7		 	$	331.4		 	(0.8	)%	 	$	951.6		 	$	965.0		 	(1.4	)%	
Adjusted EBITDA	$	13.0		 	$	12.7		 	2.4	 %	 	$	34.3		 	$	30.2		 	13.6	 %	
Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales	4.0	%	 	3.8	%	 	 	 	3.6	%	 	3.1	%	 	 	

The table below presents the components of the net sales change compared to the prior year:

								
 	Increase (Decrease)	
 	Three Months Ended 
 September 30,		Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,	
(in millions)	2016 vs. 2015		2016 vs. 2015	
Volume	$	(5.8	)	 	$	(3.2	)	
Foreign currency	0.1		 	(9.0	)	
Price/Mix	3.0		 	(1.2	)	
Total change	$	(2.7	)	 	$	(13.4	)	
    
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015
    
The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to an overall decline in the U.S. operations of $6.6 million that was partially offset by a $4.1 million increase in Canadian operations.

The Adjusted EBITDA improvement was primarily due to (i) a $1.3 million improvement attributed to cost of products sold decreasing at a faster rate than net sales due to improved sourcing and (ii) a $0.3 million decrease in commissions due to lower net sales. This improvement was partially offset by a $1.3 million decrease in sales volume.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015
    
The net sales decrease was primarily attributable to a $14.7 million decline in the U.S. operations and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates which reduced net sales by $9.0 million. These factors were partially offset by an $11.0 million increase in the Canadian operations.
    
The Adjusted EBITDA improvement was primarily due to (i) a $1.2 million improvement attributable to cost of products sold decreasing at a faster rate than net sales due to improved sourcing, (ii) a $0.8 million decrease in bad debt expense due to favorable collections experience, (iii) a $0.8 million decrease in commissions due to lower sales volume, (iv) a $0.8 million decrease in distribution expenses due to a reduction in personnel expenses and (v) a $0.5 million reduction in selling and administrative personnel costs.

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Corporate & Other

The table below presents selected data for Corporate & Other:

																						
 	Three Months Ended September 30,	2016 vs. 2015	 	Nine Months Ended September 30,	 	2016 vs. 2015	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	 	Increase (Decrease) %	 	2016	 	2015	 	Increase (Decrease) %	
Net sales	$	31.2		 	$	30.7		 	1.6	 %	 	$	87.0		 	$	82.4		 	5.6	 %	
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(42.0	)	 	$	(43.6	)	 	(3.7	)%	 	$	(129.7	)	 	$	(137.2	)	 	(5.5	)%	

	
 	
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015

Net sales increased $0.5 million, or 1.6%, due to continued growth in freight brokerage services.
    
The Adjusted EBITDA improvement was due to a $4.9 million recovery of commission advances as previously discussed, which was partially offset by a $3.7 million increase in personnel expenses due to less favorable health and welfare claims experience as compared to the experience in the prior year quarter.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015

Net sales increased $4.6 million, or 5.6%, due to continued growth in freight brokerage services.
    
The Adjusted EBITDA improvement was primarily due to (i) the $4.9 million commissions advance recovery and (ii) a $3.2 million rebate from a pharmaceutical benefits management provider covering the years 2014 and 2015. The rebate had been deferred until the contract with the provider was finalized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The cash requirements of the Company are provided by cash flows from operations and borrowings under the ABL Facility. The following table sets forth a summary of cash flows:

								
 	Nine Months Ended September 30,	
(in millions)	2016	 	2015	
Net cash provided by (used for):	 	 	 	
Operating activities	$	59.9		 	$	130.5		
Investing activities	(24.7	)	 	(34.0	)	
Financing activities	(30.4	)	 	(99.2	)	
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $70.6 million compared to the prior year. Accounts receivable and related party receivable increased due to a September increase in Print segment net sales as a result of election cycle spending and an increase in days sales outstanding in the Packaging segment. The decline in inventories is the result of a focused initiative to reduce inventory levels in our warehouses. The change in accounts payable and related party payable is due to the timing of payments. The increase in accrued payroll and benefits is due to the timing of commission payments and lower incentive compensation accruals. A large portion of the change in other is related to higher income tax payment accruals.

Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities decreased by $9.3 million compared to the prior year due to lower capital expenditures and increased proceeds from asset sales.

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Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities decreased by $68.8 million compared to the prior year primarily due to lower net repayments on the ABL Facility and a favorable change in book overdrafts. In the third quarter of 2016, the Company incurred and deferred $2.0 million of new financing fees associated with an amendment to the ABL Facility, reflected in other non-current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, which will be amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the amended term of the ABL facility.

Funding and Liquidity Strategy

On August 11, 2016, the Company amended its ABL Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity date to August 11, 2021. All other significant terms remained consistent. See Note 3, Debt, for additional information regarding the Company's debt position.
    
Availability under the ABL Facility is determined based upon a monthly borrowing base calculation which includes eligible customer receivables and inventory, less outstanding borrowings, letters of credit and certain designated reserves. As of September 30, 2016 , the available additional borrowing capacity under the ABL Facility was approximately $442.1 million .

Veritiv's ability to fund its capital needs will depend on its ongoing ability to generate cash from operations, borrowings under the ABL Facility and funds received from capital market offerings. If Veritiv's cash flows from operating activities are lower than expected, the Company may need to borrow under the ABL Facility, incur additional debt or issue additional equity. Although management believes that the arrangements currently in place will permit Veritiv to finance its operations on acceptable terms and conditions, the Company’s access to, and the availability of, financing on acceptable terms and conditions in the future will be impacted by many factors, including (i) the liquidity of the overall capital markets and (ii) the current state of the economy.

The ABL Facility has a springing minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 on a trailing four-quarter basis, which will be tested only when specified availability is less than the limits outlined under the ABL Facility. At September 30, 2016 , the above test was not applicable and is not expected to be applicable in the next 12 months.

Veritiv's management expects that the Company's primary future cash needs will be for working capital, capital expenditures, contractual commitments and strategic investments. Additionally, management expects that cash provided by operating activities and available capacity under the ABL Facility will provide sufficient funds to operate the business and meet other liquidity needs.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Veritiv does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2016 , other than operating lease obligations and the letters of credit under the ABL Facility. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Contractual Obligations
    
As mentioned above, the Company amended the terms of its ABL Facility. See Note 3, Debt, for additional information regarding this amendment.
    
During the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded charges related to the complete withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan and the partial withdrawal from another multi-employer pension plan. A $5.0 million charge was recorded as part of the Company's restructuring efforts and an additional $2.3 million charge was recorded as distribution expense as it was unrelated to restructuring efforts. See Note 2, Integration and Restructuring Charges, for additional information regarding these transactions. Final charges for both withdrawals will not be known until the plans issue their respective determinations. Currently, the Company expects payments will occur over an approximate 20 year period. The Company expects to incur similar charges in future periods in connection with its ongoing restructuring activities.

There have been no other material changes to the Company's contractual obligations from those disclosed in Veritiv's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 .

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
    
There have been no material changes to the Company's critical accounting policies and estimates from those disclosed in Veritiv's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 .
    
Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 1, Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding recently issued accounting standards.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Item 7A "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 .

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management has carried out an evaluation, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based upon such evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2016 .

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016 that has materially affected, or is likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Refer to Note 10, Commitments and Contingencies, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 .

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

See Exhibit Index.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

				
 	 	 	VERITIV CORPORATION	
 	 	 	(Registrant)	
 	 	 	 	
Date:	November 9, 2016	 	By: /s/ Stephen J. Smith	
 	 	 	Name: Stephen J. Smith	
 	 	 	Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	
 	 	 	(Principal Financial Officer)	
 	 	 	 	
Date:	November 9, 2016	 	By: /s/ W. Forrest Bell	
 	 	 	Name: W. Forrest Bell	
 	 	 	Title: Chief Accounting Officer	
 	 	 	(Principal Accounting Officer)	

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EXHIBIT INDEX

			
Exhibit No.	 	Description	
 	 	 	
10.1	 	First Amendment to ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of August 11, 2016, among Veritiv Operating Company (f/k/a Unisource Worldwide, Inc.) and Unisource Canada, Inc., as borrowers, Veritiv Corporation and certain subsidiaries of Veritiv Operating Company, as loan parties, the several lenders and financial institutions from time to time parties thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders party thereto, and the other parties thereto, incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2016.	
 	 	 	
31.1*	 	Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.	
 	 	 	
31.2*	 	Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.	
 	 	 	
32.1*	 	Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.	
 	 	 	
32.2*	 	Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.	
 	 	 	
101.INS*	 	XBRL Instance Document.	
 	 	 	
101.SCH*	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.	
 	 	 	
101.CAL*	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.	
 	 	 	
101.DEF*	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.	
 	 	 	
101.LAB*	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.	
 	 	 	
101.PRE*	 	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.	
 	 	 	
* Filed herewith	

31

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Mary A. Laschinger, certify that:

			
1.  	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Veritiv Corporation;	
 	 	 	
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(s) 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(s) 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:	November 9, 2016	

	
	
/s/ Mary A. Laschinger	
Mary A. Laschinger	
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
I, Stephen J. Smith, certify that:

			
1.  	I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Veritiv Corporation;	
 	 	 	
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(s) 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(s) 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:	November 9, 2016	

	
	
/s/ Stephen J. Smith	
Stephen J. Smith	
Senior Vice President 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
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Veritiv Corporation (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Mary A. Laschinger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:

	
		
(1) 	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and	
 	 	
(2) 	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.	

	
	
/s/ Mary A. Laschinger	
Mary A. Laschinger	
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	
November 9, 2016	

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Veritiv Corporation (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Stephen J. Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, that:

	
		
(1) 	The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and	
 	 	
(2) 	The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.	

	
	
/s/ Stephen J. Smith	
Stephen J. Smith	
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer	
November 9, 2016