COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO - FORM 10-Q

Attached files

file	filename
EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO	ctb-03312017xex32.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO	ctb-03312017xex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO	ctb-03312017xex311.htm
EX-10 - EXHIBIT 10 - COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO	ctb03312017ex10.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

_______________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

_______________________________________________



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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017



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

Commission File No. 1-4329

_______________________________________________

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

_______________________________________________



DELAWARE		34-4297750
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

701 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio 45840

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

(419) 423-1321

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

_______________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x 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 x 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. (Check One):



Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	¨
Emerging growth company	¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ¨

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

Number of shares of common stock of registrant outstanding as of April 24, 2017: 52,933,139

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per-share amounts)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Net sales	$	643,025		$	649,775
Cost of products sold	533,107			499,346
Gross profit	109,918			150,429
Selling, general and administrative expense	61,248			59,325
Operating profit	48,670			91,104
Interest expense	(7,827		)	(6,636		)
Interest income	1,802			940
Other non-operating (expense) income	(235		)	1,462
Income before income taxes	42,410			86,870
Provision for income taxes	13,029			28,098
Net income	29,381			58,772
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests	(1,180		)	(233		)
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company	$	30,561		$	59,005
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders	$	0.58		$	1.06
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders	$	0.57		$	1.05
Dividends per share	$	0.105		$	0.105

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

(Dollar amounts in thousands)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Net income	$	29,381		$	58,772
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation adjustments	15,388			(2,952		)
Financial instruments
Change in the fair value of derivatives	(399		)	(5,456		)
Income tax benefit on derivative instruments	153			2,073
Financial instruments, net of tax	(246		)	(3,383		)
Postretirement benefit plans
Amortization of actuarial loss	10,591			10,932
Amortization of prior service credit	(141		)	(141		)
Income tax provision on postretirement benefit plans	(3,719		)	(3,853		)
Foreign currency translation effect	(865		)	2,029
Postretirement benefit plans, net of tax	5,866			8,967
Other comprehensive income	21,008			2,632
Comprehensive income	50,389			61,404
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests	1,691			(431		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company	$	48,698		$	61,835

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per-share amounts)



	March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)			December 31, 2016
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	365,046		$	504,423
Notes receivable	14,593			7,485
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $6,576 at 2017 and $7,290 at 2016	428,069			409,913
Inventories:
Finished goods	415,002			338,887
Work in process	31,531			29,922
Raw materials and supplies	119,287			101,342
	565,820			470,151
Other current assets	30,868			28,546
Total current assets	1,404,396			1,420,518
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and land improvements	49,004			47,767
Buildings	300,763			282,960
Machinery and equipment	1,762,704			1,742,449
Molds, cores and rings	224,706			224,662
	2,337,177			2,297,838
Less: accumulated depreciation	1,460,378			1,433,611
Net property, plant and equipment	876,799			864,227
Goodwill	53,154			52,705
Intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $79,862 at 2017 and $77,321 at 2016	139,739			140,751
Restricted cash	1,068			1,327
Deferred income tax assets	130,842			133,879
Other assets	6,778			5,988
Total assets	$	2,612,776		$	2,619,395

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	$	14,581		$	26,286
Accounts payable	272,475			282,416
Accrued liabilities	187,141			183,804
Income taxes payable	17,342			5,887
Current portion of long-term debt	1,370			2,421
Total current liabilities	492,909			500,814
Long-term debt	296,516			297,094
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	247,305			247,227
Pension benefits	283,620			285,852
Other long-term liabilities	135,396			156,924
Deferred income tax liabilities	967			1,248
Equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued	—			—
Common stock, $1 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 87,850,292 shares issued	87,850			87,850
Capital in excess of par value	18,657			25,876
Retained earnings	2,345,928			2,321,424
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(527,014		)	(545,151		)
	1,925,421			1,889,999
Less: common shares in treasury at cost (34,920,055 at 2017 and 34,850,512 at 2016)	(825,271		)	(813,985		)
Total parent stockholders’ equity	1,100,150			1,076,014
Noncontrolling shareholders' interests in consolidated subsidiary	55,913			54,222
Total equity	1,156,063			1,130,236
Total liabilities and equity	$	2,612,776		$	2,619,395

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

(Dollar amounts in thousands)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Operating activities:
Net income	$	29,381		$	58,772
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	34,749			31,792
Stock-based compensation	1,283			4,752
Change in LIFO inventory reserve	14,438			(29,899		)
Amortization of unrecognized postretirement benefits	10,450			10,791
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and notes receivable	(22,047		)	(44,148		)
Inventories	(104,851		)	(32,536		)
Other current assets	(2,069		)	(274		)
Accounts payable	(6,342		)	(8,369		)
Accrued liabilities	8,807			(9,635		)
Other items	(17,730		)	22,465
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(53,931		)	3,711
Investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment and capitalized software	(44,602		)	(36,166		)
Proceeds from the sale of assets	11			20
Net cash used in investing activities	(44,591		)	(36,146		)
Financing activities:
Net payments on short-term debt	(16,608		)	(7,586		)
Repayments of long-term debt	(792		)	(600		)
Repurchase of common stock	(17,799		)	(24,826		)
Payments of employee taxes withheld from shared-based awards	(6,429		)	(2,070		)
Payment of dividends to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company stockholders	(5,543		)	(5,817		)
Issuance of common shares related to stock-based compensation	3,596			3,330
Excess tax benefits on stock options	—			139
Net cash used in financing activities	(43,575		)	(37,430		)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash	2,720			(1,296		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(139,377		)	(71,161		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	504,423			505,157
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	365,046		$	433,996

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollar amounts in thousands except per-share amounts)


1.	Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature, necessary for fair financial statement presentation.

There is a year-round demand for the Company’s passenger and truck replacement tires, but sales of light vehicle replacement tires are generally strongest during the third and fourth quarters of the year. Winter tires are sold principally during the months of June through November. Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The Company consolidates into its financial statements the accounts of the Company, all wholly-owned subsidiaries, and any partially-owned subsidiary that the Company has the ability to control. Control generally equates to ownership percentage, whereby investments that are more than 50 percent owned are consolidated, investments in affiliates of 50 percent or less but greater than 20 percent are accounted for using the equity method, and investments in affiliates of 20 percent or less are accounted for using the cost method. The Company does not consolidate any entity for which it has a variable interest based solely on power to direct the activities and significant participation in the entity’s expected results that would not otherwise be consolidated based on control through voting interests. Further, the Company’s joint ventures are businesses established and maintained in connection with the Company’s operating strategy. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Truck and Bus Tire Tariffs

Antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into certain truck and bus tires imported from the People's Republic of China ("PRC") into the United States were initiated on January 29, 2016. The preliminary determinations announced in both investigations were affirmative and resulted in the imposition of significant additional duties from each. The Company incurred expense of $22,042 over the final seven months of the year-ended December 31, 2016 related to these additional duties. On February 22, 2017, the United States ("U.S.") International Trade Commission determined the U.S. market had not suffered material injury because of imports of truck and bus tires from China. As a result of this decision, preliminary antidumping and countervailing duties from Chinese truck and bus tires imported subsequent to the preliminary determination are not to be collected and any amounts previously paid will be refunded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Further, prospective imports of truck and bus tires from the PRC are not subject to these additional duties. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company reversed the previously expensed preliminary duties of $22,042 due to the decision by the U.S. International Trade Commission. This amount was recorded as a reduction of cost of products sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the period ended March 31, 2017.

North American Distribution Center

On January 22, 2017, a tornado hit the Company’s leased Albany, Georgia distribution center, causing damage to the Company's assets and disrupting certain operations. Insurance, less applicable deductibles, covers the repair or replacement of the Company's assets that suffered loss or damage, and the Company is working closely with its insurance carriers and claims adjusters to ascertain the full amount of insurance proceeds due to the Company as a result of the damages and the loss the Company suffered. The Company's insurance policies also provide coverage for interruption to its business, including lost profits, and reimbursement for other expenses and costs that have been incurred relating to the damages and losses suffered. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company incurred expenses of $6,806 related to damages caused by the tornado, which included the write-off of damaged inventory, freight to move product to other warehouses and professional fees to secure and maintain the site. This amount was recorded as a component of cost of products sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the period ended March 31, 2017. At this time, the full amount of combined property damage and business interruption costs and recoveries cannot be estimated, and accordingly, no additional amounts, including amounts for insurance recoveries, have been recorded as of March 31, 2017.

Accounting Pronouncements

Each change to U.S. GAAP is established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of an accounting standards update (“ASU”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standards updates. Accounting standards updates not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements – Recently Adopted

Stock Compensation

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory withholding requirements, as well as classification in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Application of the standard is required for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2017. As a result of the adoption, on a prospective basis, we recognized $1,909 of excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation as a discrete item in our provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Additionally, the cash flow benefit of the excess tax benefits is included as an operating activity in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the period ended March 31, 2017. In accordance with the standard, the prior year Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows presentation of the Company's excess tax benefits have not been restated. The new standard also requires that employee taxes paid when an employer withholds shares for tax-withholding purposes be reported as financing activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows on a retrospective basis. Previously, this activity was included in operating activities. The impact of this change in the first quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2016 was $6,429 and $2,070, respectively. Finally, as permitted by the standard, we will account for forfeitures of share-based payments when they occur.

Inventory

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the current lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost or net realizable value test. The guidance applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in, first-out and the retail inventory method. Application of the standard, which should be applied prospectively, is required for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted the new standard in the first quarter of 2017. The new standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements – To Be Adopted

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard provides a five-step model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions of the standard include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The standard also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. In July 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the new standard's effective date by one year. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. In 2016, the FASB issued several amendments to the standard, which provide clarification, additional guidance, practical expedients, technical corrections and other improvements to ASU 2014-09.

The guidance permits two methods of adoption: the full retrospective method, in which case the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented and the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective transition method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application.

The Company has substantially completed its evaluation of significant contracts and the review of its current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to the Company’s revenue contracts. In addition, the Company has identified, and is in the process of implementing, appropriate changes to business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard.

The Company expects to adopt the new revenue standard in the first quarter of 2018 applying the modified retrospective transition method. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new revenue standard to have a material impact on the amount and timing of revenue recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which requires balance sheet recognition of lease liabilities and right-of-use assets for most leases having terms of twelve months or longer. Application of the standard, which should be applied using a modified retrospective approach, is required for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the new standard will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment," which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The standard requires goodwill impairment to be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of its goodwill. Application of the standard, which should be applied prospectively, is required for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the new standard will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Pensions and Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which requires changes to the income statement presentation of net periodic benefit cost. The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost will continue to be classified in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of operating profit. In addition, the new standard will allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. Application of the standard, which should be applied retrospectively for the income statement presentation changes and prospectively for the capitalization changes, is required for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted if adopted in the first interim period of the fiscal year. As reported in the Company's 2016 Form 10-K, 2016 and 2015 net periodic benefit costs were $64,842 and $58,384, respectively. The service cost component of these amounts in 2016 and 2015, which will remain as a component of operating profit, were $11,771 and $13,559, respectively. Net income will not change as a result of the adoption of this standard. The Company is currently evaluating the remaining impacts the new standard will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.


2.	GRT Acquisition

On January 4, 2016, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement to purchase a majority of China-based Qingdao Ge Rui Da Rubber Co., Ltd. ("GRT"). In the first quarter of 2016, the Company made a down payment in the amount of $5,929 for this transaction in accordance with the purchase agreement. The down payment was fully refundable in the event that the transaction did not close and did not provide the Company with any power to direct the activities of the existing GRT entity prior to the transaction closing. After the transaction closed on December 1, 2016, the Company owns 65 percent of GRT. Based on the Company's ownership percentage and corresponding control of voting rights, the results of GRT and 100 percent of its assets and liabilities are consolidated from the date of the transaction. GRT is expected to serve as a global source of truck and bus radial tire production for the Company. Passenger car radial tires may also be manufactured at the facility in the future.

The down payment of $5,929, as well as an additional $8,090 at the time of closing, were paid to the non-controlling shareholder of GRT, resulting in the Company attaining 56.2 percent ownership interest of GRT. In December 2016, the Company contributed an additional $35,842 to GRT to purchase additional shares issued by GRT, as well as to fund working capital requirements. The Company contributed $14,570 in the first quarter of 2017, and will contribute an additional $21,791 to GRT in 2017, to fund working capital requirements. In total, the Company will have invested $86,222 related to GRT, with $14,019 paid directly to a third party and the remainder invested in GRT.

The GRT acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase transaction. The total consideration has been allocated to the preliminary assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling shareholder interest based on their estimated fair values at December 1, 2016. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired has been allocated to goodwill. Goodwill consists of anticipated growth opportunities for GRT and is recorded in the Asia Operations segment. Goodwill is not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The amounts are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed on December 1, 2016, translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on that date. The preliminary allocations of the fair value of the GRT acquisition will be finalized when the valuation is completed.



	December 1, 2016
Assets
Cash	$	8,091
Accounts receivable	2,844
Notes receivable	3,050
Inventory	7,983
Other current assets	981
Property, plant & equipment	46,712
Intangible assets	7,412
Other long-term assets	289
Goodwill	33,861

Liabilities
Accounts payable	(61,570		)
Notes payable	(10,122		)
Accrued liabilities	(2,866		)
Long-term debt	(3,383		)
Other long-term liabilities	(940		)
	32,342
Noncontrolling shareholder interest	(18,323		)

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company consideration	$	14,019

The Company has determined that the nonrecurring fair value measurements related to each of these assets and liabilities rely primarily on Company-specific inputs and the Company’s assumptions about the use of the assets and settlement of liabilities, as observable inputs are not available and, as such, reside within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as defined in Footnote 5. The Company utilized a third party to assist in the fair value determination of certain components of the preliminary purchase price allocation, namely property, plant and equipment and the noncontrolling shareholder interest. Changes to these allocations may occur as additional information becomes available. The valuation of Property, plant and equipment was developed using primarily the cost approach. The fair value of the noncontrolling shareholder interest was determined based upon internal and external inputs considering various relevant market transactions and discounted cash flow valuation methods, among other factors.


3.	Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of stock options and other stock units. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016
Numerator
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders	$	30,561	$	59,005
Denominator
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average shares outstanding	52,835		55,535
Effect of dilutive securities - stock options and other stock units	587		597
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted average shares outstanding	53,422		56,132
Basic earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders	$	0.58	$	1.06
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company common stockholders	$	0.57	$	1.05

All options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as the options’ exercise prices were less than the average market price of the common shares at both March 31, 2017 and 2016.


4.	Inventories

Inventory costs are determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for substantially all U.S. inventories. The current cost of the U.S. inventories under the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method was $495,088 and $409,034 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. These FIFO values have been reduced by approximately $99,551 and $85,113 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, to arrive at the LIFO value reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining inventories have been valued under the FIFO or average cost methods. All LIFO inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value as a result of adopting ASU 2015-11, "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory."


5.	Fair Value Measurements

Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Company to reduce foreign currency exchange risks. The Company has established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative financial instrument activities. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The derivative financial instruments include fair value and cash flow hedges of foreign currency exposures. The change in values of the fair value foreign currency hedges offsets exchange rate fluctuations on the foreign currency-denominated intercompany loans and obligations. The Company presently hedges exposures in the Euro, Canadian dollar, British pound sterling, Swiss franc, Swedish krona, Norwegian krone, Mexican peso, Chinese yuan and Serbian dinar generally for transactions expected to occur within the next 12 months. The notional amount of these foreign currency derivative instruments at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $84,254 and $89,414, respectively. The counterparties to each of these agreements are major commercial banks.

The Company uses non-designated foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its net foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities primarily resulting from non-functional currency denominated receivables and payables of certain U.S. and foreign entities.

Foreign currency forward contracts are also used to hedge variable cash flows associated with forecasted sales and purchases denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency of certain entities. The forward contracts have maturities of less than twelve months pursuant to the Company’s policies and hedging practices. These forward contracts meet the criteria for and have been designated as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the change in fair value of such forward contracts (approximately $630 and $1,029 as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively) are recorded as a

separate component of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified into earnings as the hedged transactions occur.

The Company assesses hedge effectiveness, prospectively and retrospectively, based on regression of the change in foreign currency exchange rates. Time value of money is included in effectiveness testing. The Company measures ineffectiveness on a trade by trade basis, using the hypothetical derivative method. Any hedge ineffectiveness is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income in the period in which the ineffectiveness occurs.

The derivative instruments are subject to master netting arrangements with the counterparties to the contracts. The following table presents the location and amounts of derivative instrument fair values in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:



	March 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Assets/(liabilities)
Designated as hedging instruments:
Gross amounts recognized	$	681		$	1,029
Gross amounts offset	(51		)	—
Net amounts	$	630		$	1,029
Not designated as hedging instruments:
Gross amounts recognized	37			109
Gross amounts offset	(154		)	(76		)
Net amounts	$	(117	)	$	33
Net amounts presented:
Other current assets	$	513		$	1,062

The following table presents the location and amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges	2017			2016
Amount of Loss Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$	(389	)	$	(4,044	)
Amount of Gain Reclassified from Cumulative Other Comprehensive Loss into Income (Effective Portion)	10			1,412



	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	Amount of Loss
		Recognized in Income on Derivatives
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
Derivatives not Designated as Hedging Instruments		2017			2016
Foreign exchange contracts	Other non-operating (expense) income	$	(646	)	$	(900	)

For foreign exchange hedges of forecasted sales and purchases designated as effective, the Company reclassifies the gain (loss) from Other comprehensive income into Net sales and the ineffective portion is recorded directly into Other non-operating income (expense).

The Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into the three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the financial instruments fall within the different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based on the inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:

Level 1. Financial asset and liability values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for an identical asset or liability in an active market that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 2. Financial asset and liability values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs include the following:


a.	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;


b.	Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets;


c.	Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and


d.	Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3. Financial asset and liability values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The valuation of foreign exchange forward contracts was determined using widely accepted valuation techniques. This analysis reflected the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and used observable market-based inputs, including forward points. The Company incorporated credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. Although the Company determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as current credit ratings, to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and determined that the credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety were classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The valuation of stock-based liabilities was determined using the Company’s stock price, and as a result, these liabilities are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:



	March 31, 2017
	Total Assets (Liabilities)			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level (1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs Level (2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs Level (3)
Foreign Exchange Contracts	$	513		$	—		$	513	$	—
Stock-based Liabilities	$	(21,125	)	$	(21,125	)	$	—	$	—



	December 31, 2016
	Total Assets (Liabilities)			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level (1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs Level (2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs Level (3)
Foreign Exchange Contracts	$	1,062		$	—		$	1,062	$	—
Stock-based Liabilities	$	(20,336	)	$	(20,336	)	$	—	$	—

The fair market value of Cash and cash equivalents, Notes receivable, Restricted cash, Notes payable and Current portion of long-term debt at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are equal to their corresponding carrying values as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Each of these classes of assets and liabilities is classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.

The fair market value of Long-term debt is $329,221 and $331,941 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value of Long-term debt is $296,516 and $297,094 as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.


6.	Income Taxes

For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $13,029 (effective rate of 30.7 percent) compared with $28,098 (effective rate of 32.3 percent) for the comparable period in 2016. The 2017 three-month period income tax expense is calculated using the forecasted multi-jurisdictional annual effective tax rates to determine a blended annual effective tax rate. This rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35 percent primarily due to a discrete tax benefit recognized as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Accounting," which requires all excess tax benefits or deficiencies from share-based payments to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized income tax benefit of $1,909 related to excess tax benefits as a reduction of income tax expense. The rate was also impacted by the projected mix of earnings in international jurisdictions with lower tax rates, partially offset by losses in jurisdictions with no tax benefit due to valuation allowances.

Income tax expense for the current quarter is less than the same period from the prior year generally due to decreased earnings, primarily in the U.S.

The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance pursuant to ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” against a portion of its U.S. and non-U.S. deferred tax asset position at March 31, 2017, as it cannot assure the utilization of these assets before they expire. In the U.S., the Company has offset a portion of its deferred tax asset relating primarily to a loss carryforward by a valuation allowance of $2,350. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances of $17,891 relating to non-U.S. net operating losses and other deferred tax assets for a total valuation allowance of $20,241. In conjunction with the Company’s ongoing review of its actual results and anticipated future earnings, the Company will continue to reassess the possibility of releasing all or part of the valuation allowances currently in place when they are deemed to be realizable.

The Company maintains an ASC 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” liability for unrecognized tax benefits for permanent and temporary differences. At March 31, 2017, the Company’s liability, exclusive of interest, totals approximately $3,197. The Company accrued an immaterial amount of interest expense related to these unrecognized tax benefits during the quarter. Based upon the outcome of tax examinations, judicial proceedings, or expiration of statutes of limitations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these unrecognized tax benefits may result in a payment that is materially different from the current estimate of the tax liabilities.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to income tax examination in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has effectively settled U.S. federal tax examinations for years before 2013 and state and local examinations for years before 2012, with limited exceptions. Non-U.S. subsidiaries of the Company are no longer subject to income tax examinations in major foreign taxing jurisdictions for years prior to 2008. The income tax returns of various subsidiaries in various jurisdictions are currently under examination and it is possible that these examinations will conclude within the next twelve months. However, it is not possible to estimate net increases or decreases to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.


7.	Pensions and Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions

The following tables disclose the amount of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 for the Company’s defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits:



	Pension Benefits - Domestic
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	2,465		$	2,403
Interest cost	9,813			10,617
Expected return on plan assets	(13,515		)	(13,391		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	9,281			9,576
Net periodic benefit cost	$	8,044		$	9,205



	Pension Benefits - International
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	—		$	2
Interest cost	2,770			3,724
Expected return on plan assets	(2,707		)	(2,991		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,310			1,356
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,373		$	2,091



	Other Postretirement Benefits
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$	501		$	537
Interest cost	2,515			2,705
Amortization of prior service credit	(141		)	(141		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,875		$	3,101


8.	Product Warranty Liabilities

The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized based primarily on historical return rates, estimates of the eligible tire population and the value of tires to be replaced. The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s product warranty liabilities:



	2017			2016
Reserve at beginning of year	$	10,634		$	12,339
Additions	2,324			2,709
Payments	(2,030		)	(2,683		)
Reserve at March 31	$	10,928		$	12,365


9.	Stockholders’ Equity

The following table reconciles the beginning and end of the period equity accounts attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company and to the noncontrolling shareholders' interests:



	Total Equity
	Total Parent Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Shareholders' Interests in Consolidated Subsidiary			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	1,076,014		$	54,222		$	1,130,236
Net income (loss)	30,561			(1,180		)	29,381
Other comprehensive income	18,137			2,871			21,008
Share repurchase program	(17,799		)	—			(17,799		)
Stock compensation plans	(1,220		)	—			(1,220		)
Cash dividends - $0.105 per share	(5,543		)	—			(5,543		)
Balance at March 31, 2017	$	1,100,150		$	55,913		$	1,156,063


10.	Share Repurchase Programs

On August 6, 2014, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $200,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock pursuant to an accelerated share repurchase program, and the Company entered into a $200,000 accelerated share repurchase program (the “2014 ASR Program”) with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank (the “ASR Counterparty”). The Company paid $200,000 to the ASR Counterparty in August 2014 and received 5,567,154 shares of its common stock, which represented approximately 80 percent of the shares expected to be purchased pursuant to the 2014 ASR Program, based on the closing price on August 6, 2014. Under the terms of the 2014 ASR Program, the ASR Counterparty was permitted, in accordance with the applicable requirements of the federal securities laws, to separately trade in the Company’s shares in connection with the hedging activities related to the 2014 ASR Program and as part of other aspects of the ASR Counterparty’s business.

On February 13, 2015, the Company completed the 2014 ASR Program. Based on the terms of the 2014 ASR Program, the total number of shares repurchased under the 2014 ASR Program was based on the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock, less a discount, during the repurchase period, which resulted in the Company receiving an additional 784,694 shares of its common stock from the ASR Counterparty at maturity. As a result, under the 2014 ASR Program, the Company paid a total of $200,000 to the ASR Counterparty and received a total of 6,351,848 shares (5,567,154 shares initially received, plus 784,694 shares received at maturity) of its common stock, which represents a volume weighted average price, as adjusted pursuant to the terms of the 2014 ASR Program, of $31.49 over the duration of the 2014 ASR Program.

On February 20, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to $200,000, excluding commissions, of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2016 (the “2015 Repurchase Program”). The 2015 Repurchase Program did not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and could have been suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. Under the 2015 Repurchase Program, shares could have been repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

During 2015, subsequent to the Board of Directors’ February 20, 2015 authorization, the Company repurchased 2,751,454 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2015 Repurchase Program for $108,821, including applicable commissions, which represented an average price of $39.55 per share. As of December 31, 2015, approximately $91,261 remained of the $200,000 2015 Repurchase Program.

For the period January 1, 2016 through February 19, 2016, the Company repurchased an additional 497,094 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2015 Repurchase Program for $17,622, including applicable commissions, which represented an average price of $35.45 per share. All repurchases under the 2015 Repurchase Program were made using cash resources.

On February 19, 2016, the Board of Directors increased the amount under and expanded the duration of the 2015 Repurchase Program (as amended, the “2016 Repurchase Program”). The 2016 Repurchase Program amended and superseded the 2015 Repurchase Program and allowed the Company to repurchase up to $200,000, excluding commissions, of the Company’s common stock from February 22, 2016 through December 31, 2017. The approximately $73,654 remaining under the 2015 Repurchase Program as of February 19, 2016 was included in the $200,000 maximum amount authorized by the 2016

Repurchase Program. No other changes were made. The 2016 Repurchase Program did not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and could have been suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. Under the 2016 Repurchase Program, shares could have been repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

For the period February 22, 2016 through December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased 2,630,433 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2016 Repurchase Program for $90,377, including applicable commissions, which represented an average price of $34.36 per share. As of December 31, 2016, approximately $109,702 remained of the $200,000 2016 Repurchase Program.

For the period January 1, 2017 through February 16, 2017, the Company repurchased an additional 383,690 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2016 Repurchase Program for $14,080, including applicable commissions, which represented an average price of $36.70 per share. All repurchases under the 2016 Repurchase Program were made using cash resources.

On February 16, 2017, the Board of Directors increased the amount under and expanded the duration of the 2016 Repurchase Program (as amended, the "2017 Repurchase Program"). The 2017 Repurchase Program amended and superseded the 2016 Repurchase Program and allows the Company to repurchase up to $300,000, excluding commissions, of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2019. The approximately $95,634 remaining authorization under the 2016 Repurchase Program as of February 16, 2017 is included in the $300,000 maximum amount authorized by the 2017 Repurchase Program. No other changes were made. The 2017 Repurchase Program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and can be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. Under the 2017 Repurchase Program, shares can be repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

For the period February 17, 2017 through March 31, 2017, the Company repurchased an additional 89,277 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2017 Repurchase Program for $3,719, including applicable commissions, which represented an average price of $41.66 per share. All repurchases under the 2017 Repurchase Program were made using cash resources.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company repurchased 472,967 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2016 Repurchase Program and the 2017 Repurchase Program for $17,799, including applicable commissions, which represented an average price of $37.63 per share.

Since the share repurchases began in August 2014 through March 31, 2017, the Company has repurchased 12,703,796 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average cost of $34.21 per share.


11.	Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s incentive compensation plans allow the Company to grant awards to employees in the form of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance stock units, dividend equivalents and other awards. Compensation related to these awards is determined based on the grant-date fair value and is amortized to expense over the vesting period. The Company recognizes compensation expense based on the earlier of the vesting date or the date when the employee becomes eligible to retire without forfeiture of the award. If awards can be settled in cash, these awards are recorded as liabilities and marked to market.

The following table discloses the amount of stock-based compensation expense:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017		2016
Stock options	$	14	$	431
Restricted stock units	700		1,823
Performance stock units	569		2,498
Total stock-based compensation	$	1,283	$	4,752

Stock Options

No stock options were granted in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In February 2014, employees participating in the 2014-2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 380,064 stock options which vested one-third each year through February 2017. In February 2013, employees participating in the 2013-2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 330,639 stock options which vested one-third each year through February 2016.

The following table provides details of the stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:



	Number of Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	495,704
Exercised	(175,779	)
Expired	—
Canceled	—
Outstanding at March 31, 2017	319,925
Exercisable	319,925

Restricted Stock Units

Under the Company's Incentive Compensation Plans, restricted stock units may be granted to officers and certain other employees as awards for exceptional performance, as a hiring or retention incentive or as part of the Long-Term Incentive Plan. In February 2017, employees participating in the 2017-2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 82,563 restricted stock units which vest one-third each year through February 2020. In February 2016, employees participating in the 2016-2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 106,287 restricted stock units which vest one-third each year through February 2019. In February 2015, employees participating in the 2015-2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan were granted 105,102 restricted stock units which vest one-third each year through February 2018. Compensation related to the restricted stock units granted is determined based on the fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes compensation expense based on the earlier of the vesting date or the date when the employee becomes eligible to retire. Employees must remain employed for at least six months to vest in the restricted stock units, even if retirement eligible. The weighted average fair values of restricted stock units granted in the first quarter of 2017 and for the full year 2016 were $38.74 and $36.02, respectively.

The following table provides details of the nonvested restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:



	Number of Restricted Stock Units
Nonvested at December 31, 2016	240,574
Granted	94,207
Vested	(117,198	)
Canceled	(1,218	)
Accrued dividend equivalents	573
Nonvested at March 31, 2017	216,938

Performance Stock Units

Employees participating in the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan earn performance stock units. Under the Company’s 2017 – 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan, any units earned during 2017 will vest at December 31, 2019. Under the Company’s 2016 – 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan, any units earned during 2016 and 2017 will vest at December 31, 2018. Under the Company’s 2015 – 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan, any units earned during 2015, 2016 and 2017 will vest at December 31, 2017.

The following table provides details of the nonvested performance stock units under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan:



	Number of Performance Stock Units
Performance stock units outstanding at December 31, 2016	163,967
Granted	64,208
Canceled	(1,745	)
Accrued dividend equivalents	433
Performance stock units outstanding at March 31, 2017	226,863

The Company’s restricted stock units and performance stock units are not participating securities. These units will be converted into shares of Company common stock in accordance with the distribution date indicated in the agreements. Restricted stock units earn dividend equivalents from the time of the award until distribution is made in common shares. Performance stock units earn dividend equivalents from the time the units have been notionally earned based upon Company performance metrics, until distribution is made in common shares. Dividend equivalents are only earned subject to vesting of the underlying restricted stock units and performance stock units. Accordingly, such units do not represent participating securities.


12.	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component

The following tables present the changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.



	Cumulative Translation Adjustment		Derivative Instruments		Post-retirement Benefits		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2016	(75,415	)	1,967		(471,703	)	(545,151	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	12,517		(389	)	—		12,128
Foreign currency translation effect	—		—		(865	)	(865	)
Income tax effect	—		149		—		149
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Cash flow hedges	—		(10	)	—		(10	)
Amortization of prior service credit	—		—		(141	)	(141	)
Amortization of actuarial losses	—		—		10,591		10,591
Income tax effect	—		4		(3,719	)	(3,715	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	12,517		(246	)	5,866		18,137
Ending balance, March 31, 2017	(62,898	)	1,721		(465,837	)	(527,014	)



	Cumulative Translation Adjustment		Derivative Instruments		Post-retirement Benefits		Total
Beginning balance, December 31, 2015	(22,034	)	3,454		(491,187	)	(509,767	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	(2,754	)	(4,044	)	—		(6,798	)
Foreign currency translation effect	—		—		2,029		2,029
Income tax effect	—		1,557		—		1,557
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Cash flow hedges	—		(1,412	)	—		(1,412	)
Amortization of prior service credit	—		—		(141	)	(141	)
Amortization of actuarial losses	—		—		10,932		10,932
Income tax effect	—		516		(3,853	)	(3,337	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,754	)	(3,383	)	8,967		2,830
Ending balance, March 31, 2016	(24,788	)	71		(482,220	)	(506,937	)


13.	Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Shareholders' Interests

The following table provides the details of the comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests	$	(1,180	)	$	(233	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Currency translation adjustments	2,871			(198		)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests	$	1,691		$	(431	)


14.	Contingent Liabilities

Product Liability Claims

The Company is a defendant in various product liability claims brought in numerous jurisdictions in which individuals seek damages resulting from motor vehicle accidents allegedly caused by defective tires manufactured by the Company. Each of the product liability claims faced by the Company generally involves different types of tires and circumstances surrounding the accident such as different applications, vehicles, speeds, road conditions, weather conditions, driver error, tire repair and maintenance practices, service life conditions, as well as different jurisdictions and different injuries. In addition, in many of the Company’s product liability lawsuits the plaintiff alleges that his or her harm was caused by one or more co-defendants who acted independently of the Company. Accordingly, both the claims asserted and the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The aggregate amount of damages asserted at any point in time is not determinable since often times when claims are filed, the plaintiffs do not specify the amount of damages. Even when there is an amount alleged, at times the amount is wildly inflated and has no rational basis.

The fact that the Company is a defendant in product liability lawsuits is not surprising given the current litigation climate, which is largely confined to the United States. However, the fact that the Company is subject to claims does not indicate that there is a quality issue with the Company’s tires. The Company sells approximately 30 to 35 million passenger car, light truck, SUV, radial medium truck and motorcycle tires per year in North America. The Company estimates that approximately 300 million Company-produced tires – made up of thousands of different specifications – are still on the road in North America. While tire disablements do occur, it is the Company’s and the tire industry’s experience that the vast majority of tire failures relate to service-related conditions, which are entirely out of the Company’s control – such as failure to maintain proper tire pressure, improper maintenance, improper repairs, road hazard and excessive speed.

The Company accrues costs for product liability at the time a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be estimated. The Company believes the probability of loss can be established and the amount of loss can be estimated only after certain minimum information is available, including verification that Company-produced product were involved in the incident giving rise to the claim, the condition of the product purported to be involved in the claim, the nature of the incident giving rise to the claim and the extent of the purported injury or damages. In cases where such information is known, each product liability claim is evaluated based on its specific facts and circumstances. A judgment is then made to determine the requirement for establishment or revision of an accrual for any potential liability. The liability often cannot be determined with precision until the claim is resolved.

Pursuant to ASU 450 "Contingencies", the Company accrues the minimum liability for each known claim when the estimated outcome is a range of possible loss and no one amount within that range is more likely than another. The Company uses a range of losses because an average cost would not be meaningful since the product liability claims faced by the Company are unique and widely variable, and accordingly, the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The costs have ranged from zero dollars to $33 million in one case with no “average” that is meaningful. No specific accrual is made for individual unasserted claims or for premature claims, asserted claims where the minimum information needed to evaluate the probability of a liability is not yet known. However, an accrual for such claims based, in part, on management’s expectations for future litigation activity and the settled claims history is maintained. Because of the speculative nature of litigation in the U.S., the Company does not believe a meaningful aggregate range of potential loss for asserted and unasserted claims can be determined. The Company’s experience has demonstrated that its estimates have been reasonably accurate and, on average, cases are settled at amounts close to the reserves established. However, it is possible an individual claim from time to time may result in an aberration from the norm and could have a material impact.

The Company determines its reserves using the number of incidents expected during a year. During the first three months of 2017, the Company increased its product liability reserve by $12,459. The addition of another year of self-insured incidents accounted for $12,339 of this increase. Settlements and changes in the amount of reserves for cases where sufficient information is known to estimate a liability increased by $120.

The time frame for the payment of a product liability claim is too variable to be meaningful. From the time a claim is filed to its ultimate disposition depends on the unique nature of the case, how it is resolved – claim dismissed, negotiated settlement, trial verdict or appeals process – and is highly dependent on jurisdiction, specific facts, the plaintiff’s attorney, the court’s docket and other factors. Given that some claims may be resolved in weeks and others may take five years or more, it is impossible to predict with any reasonable reliability the time frame over which the accrued amounts may be paid.

The Company paid $28,593 during the first quarter of 2017 to resolve cases and claims. The Company’s product liability reserve balance at March 31, 2017 totaled $160,956 (the current portion of $58,148 is included in Accrued liabilities and the long-term portion is included in Other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets), and the balance at December 31, 2016 totaled $176,995 (current portion of $58,054).

The product liability expense reported by the Company includes amortization of insurance premium costs, adjustments to settlement reserves and legal costs incurred in defending claims against the Company. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and product liability insurance premiums are amortized over coverage periods.

For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, product liability expenses totaled $16,268 and $16,094, respectively. Product liability expenses are included in Cost of products sold in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company regularly reviews the probable outcome of outstanding legal proceedings, the expenses expected to be incurred, the availability and limits of the insurance coverage, and accrues for such legal proceedings at the time a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be estimated.


15.	Business Segments

The Company has four segments under ASC 280, “Segments”:


•	North America, composed of the Company’s operations in the United States and Canada;


•	Latin America, composed of the Company’s operations in Mexico, Central America and South America;


•	Europe; and


•	Asia.

North America and Latin America meet the criteria for aggregation in accordance with ASC 280, as they are similar in their production and distribution processes and exhibit similar economic characteristics. The aggregated North America and Latin America segments are presented as “Americas Tire Operations” in the segment disclosure. The Americas Tire Operations segment manufactures and markets passenger car and light truck tires, primarily for sale in the U.S. replacement market. The segment also has a joint venture manufacturing operation in Mexico, Corporacion de Occidente SA de CV ("COOCSA"), which supplies passenger car tires to the U.S., Mexican, Central American and South American markets. The segment also distributes tires for racing, medium trucks and motorcycles. The racing and motorcycle tires are manufactured in the Company’s European Operations segment and by others. The medium truck tires are sourced predominantly through an off-take agreement with Prinx Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company Ltd. ("PCT"), the Company’s former joint venture. Major distribution channels and customers include independent tire dealers, wholesale distributors, regional and national retail tire chains, and large retail chains that sell tires as well as other automotive products. The segment does not currently sell its products directly to end users, except through three Company-owned retail stores. The segment sells a limited number of tires to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs").

Both the Asia and Europe segments have been determined to be individually immaterial, as they do not meet the quantitative requirements for segment disclosure under ASC 280. In accordance with ASC 280, information about operating segments that are not reportable shall be combined and disclosed in an all other category separate from other reconciling items. As a result, these two segments have been combined in the segment operating results discussion. The results of the combined Asia and Europe segments are presented as “International Tire Operations”. The European operations have operations in the United Kingdom ("U.K.") and Serbia. The U.K. entity manufactures and markets passenger car, light truck, motorcycle and racing tires and tire retread material for domestic and global markets. The Serbian entity manufactures light vehicle tires primarily for the European markets and for export to the U.S. The Asian operations are located in the PRC. In the PRC, Cooper Kunshan Tire manufactures light vehicle tires both for the Chinese domestic market and for export to markets outside of the PRC. On December 1, 2016, the Company acquired 65 percent ownership of GRT, a joint venture manufacturing facility located in the PRC. GRT is expected to serve as a global source of truck and bus radial tire production for the Company. The segment also had another joint venture in the PRC, PCT, which manufactured and marketed radial and bias medium truck tires, as well as passenger car and light truck tires for domestic and global markets. The Company sold its ownership interest in this joint venture in November 2014, and the Company now procures these tires under off-take agreements through mid-2018 from this entity. The majority of the tires manufactured by the segments are sold in the replacement market, with a portion also sold to OEMs.

The following table details information on the Company’s operating segments.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			2016
Net sales
Americas Tire
External customers	$	522,369		$	567,163
Intercompany	8,991			12,175
	531,360			579,338
International Tire
External customers	120,656			82,612
Intercompany	21,308			20,614
	141,964			103,226
Eliminations	(30,299		)	(32,789		)
Consolidated net sales	$	643,025		$	649,775
Operating profit (loss):
Americas Tire	$	63,193		$	106,052
International Tire	1,653			(1,772		)
Unallocated corporate charges	(15,824		)	(13,019		)
Eliminations	(352		)	(157		)
Operating profit	48,670			91,104
Interest expense	(7,827		)	(6,636		)
Interest income	1,802			940
Other non-operating (expense) income	(235		)	1,462
Income before income taxes	$	42,410		$	86,870


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

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) presents information related to the consolidated results of the operations of the Company, a discussion of past results of the Company’s segments, future outlook for the Company and information concerning the liquidity and capital resources of the Company. The Company’s future results may differ materially from those indicated herein, for reasons including those indicated under the forward-looking statements heading below.

Consolidated Results of Operations



	Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollar amounts in thousands except per share amounts)	2017			% Change		2016
Net sales
Americas Tire
External customers	$	522,369		(7.9	)	$	567,163
Intercompany	8,991			(26.2	)	12,175
	531,360			(8.3	)	579,338
International Tire
External customers	120,656			46.1		82,612
Intercompany	21,308			3.4		20,614
	141,964			37.5		103,226
Eliminations	(30,299		)	7.6		(32,789		)
Consolidated net sales	$	643,025		(1.0	)	$	649,775
Operating profit (loss):
Americas Tire	$	63,193		(40.4	)	$	106,052
International Tire	1,653			193.3		(1,772		)
Unallocated corporate charges	(15,824		)	(21.5	)	(13,019		)
Eliminations	(352		)	n/m		(157		)
Operating profit	48,670			(46.6	)	91,104
Interest expense	(7,827		)	17.9		(6,636		)
Interest income	1,802			91.7		940
Other non-operating (expense) income	(235		)	(116.1	)	1,462
Income before income taxes	42,410			(51.2	)	86,870
Provision for income taxes	13,029			(53.6	)	28,098
Net income	29,381			(50.0	)	58,772
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling shareholders' interests	(1,180		)	406.4		(233		)
Net income attributable to Cooper Tire & Rubber Company	$	30,561		(48.2	)	$	59,005
Basic earnings per share:	$	0.58		(45.3	)	$	1.06
Diluted earnings per share:	$	0.57		(45.6	)	$	1.05

n/m – not meaningful

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter of 2017 were $643 million, a decrease of $7 million from the comparable period one year ago. In the first quarter of 2017, the company experienced lower unit volumes ($11 million) and unfavorable currency impacts ($9 million), partially offset by favorable pricing and mix ($13 million), primarily due to net price increases related to higher raw material costs. The negative impact to net sales from lower unit volumes was related to unit volumes in North America, as all other segments saw unit volume increases. North American unit volumes decreased in the quarter as a result of promotional and pricing protection activities by competitors that drove customer buying to competitor's products ahead of future price increases.

The Company recorded operating profit in the first quarter of 2017 of $49 million, a decrease of $42 million compared with the first quarter of 2016. Raw material costs net of price and mix were unfavorable ($42 million) compared with the first quarter of 2016. The higher raw material costs of $50 million were partially offset by $8 million of favorable price and mix impact, as the implementation of product pricing lagged raw material cost increases. The Company also experienced increased manufacturing costs ($10 million), primarily in the Americas, as a result of lower production volumes in North America. Unit volumes ($5 million) and selling, general and administrative costs ($2 million) were unfavorable compared with the first quarter of 2016. Other operating costs increased ($3 million), including $7 million of direct expenses related to tornado damage incurred at a North American distribution center in the first quarter of 2017. At this time, the full amount of combined property damage and business interruption costs and recoveries cannot be estimated, and accordingly, no additional amounts, including amounts for insurance recoveries, have been recorded as of March 31, 2017. Currency impacts were unfavorable ($2 million) compared with the first quarter of 2016. These higher costs were partially offset by the reversal of $22 million related to preliminary truck and bus tire duties expensed in 2016. The preliminary truck and bus tire duties were reversed in the first quarter of 2017 as a result of the International Trade Commission's vote overturning the preliminary duties.

The Company experienced increases in the costs of certain of its principal raw materials in the first three months of 2017 compared with the first three months of 2016. The Company's internally calculated raw material index increased 26.5 percent from the first quarter of 2016. The principal raw materials for the Company include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black, chemicals and steel reinforcement components. Approximately 65 percent of the Company’s raw materials are petroleum-based. Substantially all U.S. inventories have been valued using the LIFO method of inventory costing which accelerates the impact to cost of products sold from changes to raw material prices.

The Company strives to assure raw material and energy supply and to obtain the most favorable pricing possible. For natural rubber and natural gas, procurement is managed through a combination of buying forward of production requirements and utilizing the spot market. For other principal materials, procurement arrangements include supply agreements that may contain formula-based pricing based on commodity indices, multi-year agreements or spot purchase contracts. While the Company uses these arrangements to satisfy normal manufacturing demands, the pricing volatility in these commodities contributes to the difficulty in managing the costs of raw materials.

Product liability expenses totaled $16 million in the first quarter of 2017, which was consistent with the first quarter of 2016. The quarterly expense includes claim settlements and adjustments to existing reserves based on the Company’s quarterly comprehensive review of outstanding claims. Additional information related to the Company’s accounting for product liability costs appears in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $61 million in the first quarter of 2017 (9.5 percent of net sales) and $59 million in the first quarter of 2016 (9.1 percent of net sales). The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was driven primarily by an increase in professional fees, the write-off of assets related to the Company's global ERP system implementation and the mark to market costs of stock based liabilities, partially offset by decreased incentive compensation.

Interest expense increased $1 million in the first quarter of 2017 when compared to the comparable period of 2016 as a result of increased borrowings and higher interest rates, primarily in Asia. Interest income increased $1 million in the first quarter of 2017 when compared to the first quarter of 2016.

Other income decreased $2 million in the first quarter of 2017 when compared to the first quarter of 2016, due primarily to the impact of foreign currency forward contracts.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company recorded income tax expense of $13 million (effective rate of 30.7 percent) compared with $28 million (effective rate of 32.3 percent) for the comparable period in 2016. The 2017 three-month period income tax expense is calculated using the forecasted multi-jurisdictional annual effective tax rates to determine a blended annual effective tax rate. This rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35 percent primarily due to a discrete tax benefit recognized as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09, which requires all excess tax benefits or deficiencies from share-based payments to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. For the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company recognized income tax benefit of $2 million related to excess tax benefits as a reduction of income tax expense. The rate was also impacted by the projected mix of earnings in international jurisdictions with lower tax rates, partially offset by losses in jurisdictions with no tax benefit due to valuation allowances.

operating losses for a total valuation allowance of $20 million. In conjunction with the Company’s ongoing review of its actual results and anticipated future earnings, the Company will continue to reassess the possibility of releasing all or part of the valuation allowances currently in place when they are deemed to be realizable.

Segment Operating Results

The Company has four segments under ASC 280:


•	North America, composed of the Company’s operations in the United States and Canada;


•	Latin America, composed of the Company’s operations in Mexico, Central America and South America;


•	Europe; and


•	Asia.

Americas Tire Operations Segment



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			Change		2016
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Net sales	$	531,360		(8.3	)%	$	579,338
Operating profit	$	63,193		(40.4	)%	$	106,052
Operating margin	11.9		%	6.4 points		18.3		%
Total unit sales change				(7.4	)%
United States replacement market unit shipment changes:
Total light vehicle tires
Segment				(11.3	)%
RMA members				1.4	%
Total Industry				1.1	%

Overview

The Americas Tire Operations segment is the aggregation of the Company’s North America and Latin America operating segments. The Americas Tire Operations segment manufactures and markets passenger car and light truck tires, primarily for sale in the U.S. replacement market. The segment also has a joint venture manufacturing operation in Mexico, which supplies passenger car tires to the U.S., Mexican, Central American and South American markets. The segment also distributes tires for racing, medium trucks and motorcycles. The racing and motorcycle tires are manufactured in the Company’s European Operations segment and by others. The medium truck tires are sourced predominantly through an off-take agreement that was entered into with PCT, the Company's former joint venture, which is now known as Prinx Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Company Ltd. Major distribution channels and customers include independent tire dealers, wholesale distributors, regional and national retail tire chains, and large retail chains that sell tires as well as other automotive products. The segment does not currently sell its products directly to end users, except through three Company-owned retail stores. The segment sells a limited number of tires to OEMs.

Sales

Net sales of the Americas Tire Operations segment for the first quarter of 2017 decreased $48 million, or 8.3 percent, from the first quarter of 2016. The decrease in sales was a result of lower unit volume ($43 million), unfavorable exchange rates ($4 million) and unfavorable pricing and mix ($1 million). Unit shipments for the segment decreased 7.4 percent compared with the first quarter of 2016. In the U.S., the segment’s unit shipments of total light vehicle tires decreased 11.3 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016. This decrease compares with a 1.4 percent increase in total light vehicle tire shipments experienced by the members of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (“RMA”), and a 1.1 percent increase in total light vehicle tire shipments experienced for the total industry (which includes an estimate for non-RMA members). The unit volume decrease in the U.S. was largely due to the competitive pricing and promotions environment as companies adjusted their prices to address rising raw material costs. The segment’s commercial truck tire unit shipments for the U.S. increased 32.4 percent in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016, outperforming both the industry and the RMA.

Operating Profit

Operating profit for the segment decreased $43 million to $63 million in the first quarter of 2017. The segment experienced unfavorable raw material costs net of price and mix ($37 million), as the implementation of product pricing lagged raw material cost increases. The segment also experienced increased manufacturing costs ($12 million) as a result of curtailed production levels in order to manage inventory based on lower unit volume in the U.S., which more than offset improved manufacturing cost efficiencies achieved during the period. Unit volumes ($11 million) were unfavorable compared with the first quarter of 2016. Other operating costs increased ($6 million), including $7 million of direct expenses related to tornado damage incurred at a North American distribution center in the first quarter of 2017. Currency impacts were unfavorable ($1 million) compared with the first quarter of 2016. These higher costs were partially offset by the reversal of $22 million related to preliminary truck and bus tire duties expensed in 2016. The preliminary truck and bus tire duties were reversed in the first quarter of 2017 as a result of the International Trade Commission's vote overturning the preliminary duties. Selling, general and administrative costs ($2 million) were lower compared with the prior year.

The segment’s internally calculated raw material index of 166.3 during the quarter was an increase of 26.5 percent from the first quarter of 2016. The raw material index increased 13.1 percent from the quarter ended December 31, 2016.

International Tire Operations Segment



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2017			Change		2016
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Net sales	$	141,964		37.5	%	$	103,226
Operating profit	$	1,653		—	%	$	(1,772	)
Operating margin	1.2		%	2.9 points		(1.7		)%
Total unit sales change				31.4	%

Overview

The International Tire Operations segment is the combination of the Asia and Europe operating segments. The European segment has operations in the U.K. and Serbia. The U.K. entity manufactures and markets passenger car, light truck, motorcycle and racing tires and tire retread material for domestic and global markets. The Serbian entity manufactures light vehicle tires primarily for the European markets and for export. The Asian operations are located in the PRC. In the PRC, Cooper Kunshan Tire manufactures light vehicle tires both for the Chinese domestic market and for export to markets outside of the PRC. On December 1, 2016, the Company acquired 65 percent ownership of GRT, a joint venture manufacturing facility located in the PRC. GRT is expected to serve as a global source of truck and bus radial tire production for the Company. The segment also had another joint venture in the PRC, PCT, which manufactured and marketed radial and bias medium truck tires as well as passenger car and light truck tires for domestic and global markets. The Company sold its ownership interest in this joint venture in November 2014, and the Company now procures these tires under off-take agreements through mid-2018 from this entity. The majority of the tires manufactured by the segments are sold in the replacement market, with a growing portion also sold to OEMs.

Sales

Net sales of the International Tire Operations segment for the first quarter of 2017 increased $39 million, or 37.5 percent, from the first quarter of 2016. The segment experienced increased unit volumes ($28 million) and favorable price and mix ($16 million), which were partially offset by unfavorable exchange rates ($5 million) compared with the first quarter of 2016. Unit volume in Asia increased, driven by an increase in sales in the domestic China market for original equipment tires. Unit volumes in the European market also increased compared to the first quarter of 2016. Net segment exports to the U.S. decreased compared with the first quarter of 2016.

Operating Profit

Operating profit for the segment improved $4 million from the first quarter of 2016 to an operating profit of $2 million in the first quarter of 2017. The segment experienced increased unit volumes ($5 million), lower manufacturing costs ($3 million) and decreased other costs ($1 million), which were partially offset by unfavorable raw material costs net of price and mix ($3 million) and increased selling, general and administrative expenses ($1 million). Currency impacts ($1 million) were unfavorable compared with the first quarter of 2016.

Outlook for Company

The Company anticipates raw material costs will be up modestly in the second quarter of 2017, and then will stabilize throughout the balance of the year.

For the full year, the Company expects unit volume growth in all segments except North America. Unit volume in the U.S. is expected to improve relative to the industry for the second quarter and be in line with the industry in the second half of the year.

Full year 2017 total Company operating margin is expected to be at the high end of the Company's previously announced mid-term target of 8 to 10 percent. This is based on operating margin around the low end of the range in the first half of the year, but exceeding 10 percent in the second half of the year.

The International segment is expected to continue to improve relative to 2016, inclusive of the recently acquired majority interest in GRT.

The Company expects capital expenditures to range between $220 and $250 million for the full year. The Company projects its effective tax rate for 2017 to be between 30 percent and 33 percent.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and uses of cash in operating activities - Net cash consumed by operating activities was $54 million in the first quarter of 2017. Net income provided $29 million and other non-cash charges contributed $61 million, more than offset by changes in working capital accounts, which consumed $144 million. Inventory consumed $90 million of operating cash flows, driven by increased units on hand and higher raw material prices. Net cash provided by operating activities was $4 million in the first quarter of 2016. Net income provided $59 million and other non-cash charges contributed $17 million, partially offset by changes in work capital accounts, which consumed $72 million.

Use of cash in investing activities - Net cash used in investing activities during 2017 and 2016 reflect capital expenditures of $45 million and $36 million, respectively.

Sources and uses of cash in financing activities -The Company repurchased $18 million and $25 million of its common stock in the first quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company repaid $17 million on short-term debt compared with $8 million in the first quarter of 2016. Dividends paid on the Company’s common shares were $6 million in the first quarter of both 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the first quarter of 2017, stock options were exercised to acquire 175,779 shares of common stock with a cash impact of $4 million. During the first quarter of 2016, stock options were exercised to acquire 138,486 shares of common stock with a cash impact of $3 million.

Available cash, credit facilities and contractual commitments - At March 31, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $365 million.

Domestically, the Company has a revolving credit facility with a consortium of banks that provides up to $400 million based on available collateral, including a $110 million letter of credit subfacility, and expires in May 2020. The Company also has an accounts receivable securitization facility with a borrowing limit of up to $150 million, based on available collateral, which expires in May 2018.

These credit facilities are undrawn, other than to secure letters of credit, at March 31, 2017. The Company’s additional borrowing capacity, net of amounts used to back letters of credit and based on available collateral at March 31, 2017, was $502 million.

The Company’s operations in Asia have annual renewable unsecured credit lines that provide up to $83 million of borrowings and do not contain significant financial covenants. The additional borrowing capacity on the Asian credit lines totaled $69 million at March 31, 2017.

The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalent balances along with available cash from operating cash flows and credit facilities will be adequate to fund its typical needs, including working capital requirements, projected capital expenditures, including its portion of capital expenditures in its partially-owned subsidiaries, and dividend and share repurchase goals. The Company also believes it has access to additional funds from capital markets to fund potential strategic initiatives. The entire amount of short-term notes payable outstanding at March 31, 2017 is debt of consolidated subsidiaries. The Company expects its subsidiaries to refinance or pay these amounts within the next twelve months.

The following table summarizes long-term debt at March 31, 2017:



Parent company
8% unsecured notes due December 2019	$	173,578
7.625% unsecured notes due March 2027	116,880
Capitalized leases and other	8,233
	298,691
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	805
	297,886
Less: current maturities	1,370
	$	296,516

Contingencies

The Company is a defendant in various product liability claims brought in numerous jurisdictions in which individuals seek damages resulting from motor vehicle accidents allegedly caused by defective tires manufactured by the Company. Each of the product liability claims faced by the Company generally involve different types of tires and circumstances surrounding the accident such as different applications, vehicles, speeds, road conditions, weather conditions, driver error, tire repair and maintenance practices, service life conditions, as well as different jurisdictions and different injuries. In addition, in many of the Company’s product liability lawsuits the plaintiff alleges that his or her harm was caused by one or more co-defendants who acted independently of the Company. Accordingly, both the claims asserted and the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The aggregate amount of damages asserted at any point in time is not determinable since often times when claims are filed, the plaintiffs do not specify the amount of damages. Even when there is an amount alleged, at times the amount is wildly inflated and has no rational basis.

Pursuant to ASC 450, the Company accrues the minimum liability for each known claim when the estimated outcome is a range of possible loss and no one amount within that range is more likely than another. The Company uses a range of losses because an average cost would not be meaningful since the product liability claims faced by the Company are unique and widely variable, and accordingly, the resolutions of those claims have an enormous amount of variability. The costs have ranged from zero dollars to $33 million in one case with no “average” that is meaningful. No specific accrual is made for individual unasserted claims or for premature claims, asserted claims where the minimum information needed to evaluate the probability of a liability is not yet known.

However, an accrual for such claims based, in part, on management’s expectations for future litigation activity and the settled claims history is maintained. Because of the speculative nature of litigation in the U.S., the Company does not believe a meaningful aggregate range of potential loss for asserted and unasserted claims can be determined. The Company’s experience

has demonstrated that its estimates have been reasonably accurate and, on average, cases are settled at amounts close to the reserves established. However, it is possible an individual claim from time to time may result in an aberration from the norm and could have a material impact.

In addition to the product liability cases described above, the Company is involved in various other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company regularly reviews the probable outcome of these proceedings, the expenses expected to be incurred, the availability and limits of the insurance coverage, and accrues for these proceedings at the time a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be estimated. Although the outcome of these pending proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and an estimate of any such loss cannot be made, the Company believes that any liabilities that may result from these proceedings are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity, financial condition or results of operations. Additional information regarding the Company’s legal proceedings is included in Item 1 of Part II of this Form 10-Q titled, “Legal Proceedings.”

Forward Looking Statements

This report contains what the Company believes are “forward-looking statements,” as that term is defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding projections, expectations or matters that the Company anticipates may happen with respect to the future performance of the industries in which the Company operates, the economies of the United States and other countries, or the performance of the Company itself, which involve uncertainty and risk. Such “forward-looking statements” are generally, though not always, preceded by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” and similar terms that connote a view to the future and are not merely recitations of historical fact. Such statements are made solely on the basis of the Company’s current views and perceptions of future events, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be true.

It is possible that actual results may differ materially from projections or expectations due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to:


•	volatility in raw material and energy prices, including those of rubber, steel, petroleum-based products and natural gas or the unavailability of such raw materials or energy sources;


•	the failure of the Company’s suppliers to timely deliver products or services in accordance with contract specifications;


•	changes to tariffs or the imposition of new tariffs or trade restrictions, including changes related to tariffs on tires imported into the U.S. from China, as well as tariffs imposed on raw materials which the Company uses;


•	changes in economic and business conditions in the world, including changes related to the U.K.'s decision to withdraw from the European Union;


•	increased competitive activity including actions by larger competitors or lower-cost producers;


•	the failure to achieve expected sales levels;


•	changes in the Company’s customer relationships, including loss of particular business for competitive or other reasons;


•	the ultimate outcome of litigation brought against the Company, including product liability claims, which could result in commitment of significant resources and time to defend and possible material damages against the Company or other unfavorable outcomes;


•	a disruption in, or failure of, the Company’s information technology systems, including those related to cyber security, could adversely affect the Company’s business operations and financial performance;


•	changes in pension expense and/or funding resulting from the Company’s pension strategy, investment performance of the Company’s pension plan assets and changes in discount rate, salary increase rate, and expected return on plan assets assumptions, or changes to related accounting regulations;


•	government regulatory and legislative initiatives including environmental, healthcare, and tax matters;


•	volatility in the capital and financial markets or changes to the credit markets and/or access to those markets;


•	A variety of factors, including market conditions, may affect the actual amount expended on stock repurchases; the company’s ability to consummate stock repurchases; changes in the company’s results of operations or

financial conditions or strategic priorities may lead to a modification, suspension or cancellation of stock repurchases, which may occur at any time;


•	changes in interest or foreign exchange rates;


•	an adverse change in the Company’s credit ratings, which could increase borrowing costs and/or hamper access to the credit markets;


•	failure to implement information technologies or related systems, including failure by the Company to successfully implement an ERP system;


•	the risks associated with doing business outside of the U.S.;


•	the failure to develop technologies, processes or products needed to support consumer demand;


•	technology advancements;


•	the inability to recover the costs to develop and test new products or processes;


•	the impact of labor problems, including labor disruptions at the Company, its joint ventures, or at one or more of its large customers or suppliers;


•	failure to attract or retain key personnel;


•	consolidation among the Company’s competitors or customers;


•	inaccurate assumptions used in developing the Company’s strategic plan or operating plans or the inability or failure to successfully implement such plans;


•	risks relating to acquisitions including the failure to successfully integrate them into operations or their related financings may impact liquidity and capital resources;


•	changes in the company’s relationship with its joint-venture partners or suppliers, including any changes with respect to its former PCT joint venture’s production of Cooper-branded products;


•	the ability to find alternative sources for products supplied by PCT;


•	the inability to obtain and maintain price increases to offset higher production or material costs;


•	inability to adequately protect the Company’s intellectual property rights; and


•	inability to use deferred tax assets.

It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. Any forward-looking statements in this report are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected.

The Company makes no commitment to update any forward-looking statement included herein or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement. Further information covering issues that could materially affect financial performance is contained under Risk Factors below and in the Company’s other filings with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).


Item 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in market risk at March 31, 2017, from those detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2016.


Item 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the CEO and CFO, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of March 31, 2017 (“Evaluation Date”)). Based on its initial evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the Evaluation Date.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.


Part II.	OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is a defendant in various judicial proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. A significant portion of these proceedings are product liability cases in which individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents seek damages resulting from allegedly defective tires manufactured by the Company. After reviewing all of these proceedings, and taking into account all relevant factors concerning them, the Company does not believe that any liabilities resulting from these proceedings are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on its liquidity, financial condition or results of operations in excess of amounts recorded at March 31, 2017. In the future, such costs could have a materially greater impact on the consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company than in the past.


Item 1A.	RISK FACTORS

Some of the more significant risk factors related to the Company follow:

Pricing volatility for raw materials or commodities or an inadequate supply of key raw materials could result in increased costs and may significantly affect the Company’s profitability.

The pricing volatility for natural rubber, petroleum-based materials and other raw materials contributes to the difficulty in managing the costs of raw materials. Costs for certain raw materials used in the Company’s operations, including natural rubber, chemicals, carbon black, steel reinforcements and synthetic rubber remain highly volatile. Increasing costs for raw material supplies will increase the Company’s production costs and affect its margins if the Company is unable to pass the higher production costs on to its customers in the form of price increases. Even if the Company is able to pass along these higher costs, its profitability may be adversely affected until it is able to do so. Decreasing costs for raw materials could also affect margins if the Company is unable to maintain its pricing structure due to the need to offer price reductions to remain competitive. Further, if the Company is unable to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner for any reason, its operations could be interrupted or otherwise adversely affected.

The Company is facing heightened risks due to the current business environment.

Current global economic conditions may affect demand for the Company’s products, create volatility in raw material costs and affect the availability and cost of credit. These conditions also affect the Company’s customers and suppliers as well as the ultimate consumer.

Deterioration in the global macroeconomic environment or in specific regions could impact the Company and, depending upon the severity and duration of these factors, the Company’s profitability and liquidity position could be negatively impacted.

The Company’s competitors may also change their actions as a result of changes to the business environment, which could result in increased price competition and discounts, resulting in lower margins or reduced sales volumes for the business.

In addition, the bankruptcy, restructuring or consolidation of one or more of the Company’s major customers or suppliers due to current global economic conditions could result in the write-off of accounts receivable, a reduction in purchases of the Company’s products or a supply disruption to its facilities, which could harm the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

The Company’s results could be impacted by changes in tariffs or other trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments on imported tires or raw materials.

The Company’s ability to competitively source and sell tires can be significantly impacted by changes in tariffs or other trade restrictions imposed by various governments. Other effects, including impacts on the price of tires, responsive actions from other governments and the opportunity for competitors to establish a presence in markets where the Company participates, could also have significant impacts on the Company’s results.

For example, antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into certain passenger car and light truck tires imported from the PRC into the United States were initiated on July 14, 2014. The determinations announced in both investigations were affirmative and resulted in the imposition of significant additional duties from each. The countervailing duty determination is undergoing an Administrative Review with the preliminary results being expected in the third quarter of 2017.

In addition, antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into certain truck and bus tires imported from the PRC into the U.S. were initiated on January 29, 2016. The preliminary determinations announced in both investigations were affirmative and resulted in the imposition of significant additional duties from each. On February 22, 2017, the International Trade Commission ("ITC") made a final determination that the U.S. market had not suffered material injury because of imports of truck and bus

tires from China. As a result of this decision, preliminary antidumping and countervailing duties from Chinese truck and bus tires imported subsequent to the preliminary determination are not to be collected and any amounts previously paid will be refunded. On April 14, 2017, the United Steelworkers Union filed a civil action challenging the ITC's decision not to impose duties on truck and bus tires from China imported into the U.S. Currently, the Company sources its truck and bus tires exclusively from the PRC.

The imposition of additional duties or other trade restrictions in the U.S. on certain tires imported from the PRC or other countries will result in higher costs and potentially lower margins, or in those tires being diverted to other regions of the world, such as Europe, Latin America or elsewhere in Asia, which could materially harm the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

The Company is facing supply risks related to certain tires it purchases from PCT.

In 2014, the Company sold its ownership interest in PCT and entered into off-take agreements with PCT to provide the continuous supply of certain tires for the Company. The off-take agreements expire in mid-2018. If there are any disruptions in or quality issues with the supply of Cooper-branded products from PCT, it could have a material negative impact on the Company’s business. In addition, the Company could be required to find an alternative source for PCT-produced tires and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to do so in a timely manner. PCT is currently the predominant supplier of medium truck tires for the Company.

The Company’s industry is highly competitive, and the Company may not be able to compete effectively with lower-cost producers and larger competitors.

The tire industry is a highly competitive, global industry. Some of the Company’s competitors are larger companies with greater financial resources. Intense competitive activity in the replacement tire industry has caused, and will continue to cause, pressures on the Company’s business. As the Company increases its presence in the original equipment market, the demand for products by the OEM's will be impacted by automotive vehicle production. The Company’s ability to compete successfully will depend in part on its ability to balance capacity with demand, leverage global purchasing of raw materials, make required investments to improve productivity, eliminate redundancies and increase production at low-cost, high-quality supply sources. If the Company is unable to offset continued pressures with improved operating efficiencies, its sales, margins, operating results and market share would decline and the impact could become material on the Company’s earnings.

The Company may not be successful in executing and integrating acquisitions into its operations, which could harm its results of operations and financial condition.

The Company routinely evaluates potential acquisitions, such as the recent purchase of a majority interest in GRT, and may pursue additional acquisition opportunities, some of which could be material to its business. The Company cannot provide assurance whether it will be successful in pursuing and integrating any acquisition opportunities or what the consequences of any acquisition would be. The Company may encounter various risks in any acquisitions, including:


•	the possible inability to integrate an acquired business into its operations;


•	diversion of management’s attention;


•	loss of key management personnel;


•	unanticipated problems or liabilities; and


•	increased labor and regulatory compliance costs of acquired businesses.

Some or all of those risks could impair the Company’s results of operations and impact its financial condition. The Company may finance any future acquisitions from internally generated funds, bank borrowings, public offerings or private placements of equity or debt securities, or a combination of the foregoing. Acquisitions may involve the expenditure of significant funds and management time.

Acquisitions may also require the Company to increase its borrowings under its bank credit facilities or other debt instruments, or to seek new sources of liquidity. Increased borrowings would correspondingly increase the Company’s financial leverage, and could result in lower credit ratings and increased future borrowing costs. These risks could also reduce the Company’s flexibility to respond to changes in its industry or in general economic conditions.

In addition, the Company’s business plans call for growth. If the Company is unable to identify or execute on appropriate opportunities for acquisition, investment or growth, its business could be materially adversely affected.

The Company may be adversely affected by legal actions, including product liability claims which, if successful, could have a negative impact on its financial position, cash flows and results of operations.

The Company’s operations expose it to legal actions, including potential liability for personal injury or death as an alleged result of the failure of or conditions in the products that it designs, manufactures and sells. Specifically, the Company is a party to a number of product liability cases in which individuals involved in motor vehicle accidents seek damages resulting from allegedly defective tires that it manufactured. Product liability claims and lawsuits, including possible class action, may result in material losses in the future and cause the Company to incur significant litigation defense costs. The Company is largely self-insured against these claims. These claims could have a negative effect on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations.

From time to time, the Company is also subject to litigation or other commercial disputes and other legal proceedings relating to its business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of any litigation, commercial disputes or other legal proceedings, the Company cannot accurately predict their ultimate outcome, including the outcome of any related appeals. An unfavorable outcome could materially adversely impact the Company’s financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

The Company conducts its manufacturing, sales and distribution operations on a worldwide basis and is subject to risks associated with doing business outside the U.S.

The Company has affiliate, subsidiary and joint venture operations worldwide, including in the U.S., Europe, Mexico and the PRC. The Company has a wholly-owned manufacturing entity, Cooper Kunshan, and is the majority owner of GRT, both in the PRC. The Company also is the majority owner of COOCSA, a manufacturing entity in Mexico, and has established an operation in Serbia. In 2014, the Company entered into off-take agreements with PCT, subsequent to the Company’s sale of its ownership interest in this former joint venture, to continue supplying tires to the Company. PCT is currently the predominant supplier of medium truck tires for the Company. There are a number of risks in doing business abroad, including political and economic uncertainty, social unrest, sudden changes in laws and regulations, ability to enforce existing or future contracts, shortages of trained labor and the uncertainties associated with entering into joint ventures or similar arrangements in foreign countries. These risks may impact the Company’s ability to expand its operations in different regions and otherwise achieve its objectives relating to its foreign operations, including utilizing these locations as suppliers to other markets. In addition, compliance with multiple and potentially conflicting foreign laws and regulations, import and export limitations and exchange controls is burdensome and expensive. For example, the Company could be adversely affected by violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws as well as export controls and economic sanction laws. The FCPA and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials and, in some cases, other persons, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in civil and criminal fines, penalties and sanctions against the Company, its officers or its employees, prohibitions on the conduct of the Company’s business and on its ability to offer products and services in one or more countries, and could also harm the Company’s reputation, business and results of operations. The Company’s foreign operations also subject it to the risks of international terrorism and hostilities and to foreign currency risks, including exchange rate fluctuations and limits on the repatriation of funds. See also related comments under "The Company's results could be impacted by changes in tariffs or other trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. or other governments on imported tires or raw materials."

A disruption in, or failure of, the Company’s information technology systems, including those related to cybersecurity, could adversely affect the Company’s business operations and financial performance.

The Company relies on the accuracy, capacity and security of its information technology systems across all of its major business functions, including its research and development, manufacturing, sales, financial and administrative functions. While the Company maintains some of its critical information technology systems, it is also dependent on third parties to provide important information technology services relating to, among other things, human resources, electronic communications and certain finance functions. Despite the security measures that the Company has implemented, including those related to cybersecurity, its systems could be breached or damaged by computer viruses, natural or man-made incidents or disasters or unauthorized physical or electronic access. Furthermore, the Company may have little or no oversight with respect to security measures employed by third-party service providers, which may ultimately prove to be ineffective at countering threats. A system failure, accident or security breach could result in business disruption, theft of its intellectual property, trade secrets or customer information and unauthorized access to personnel information. To the extent that any system failure, accident or security breach results in disruptions to its operations or the theft, loss or disclosure of, or damage to, its data or confidential information, the Company’s reputation, business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, the Company may be required to incur significant costs to protect against and, if required, remediate the damage caused by such disruptions or system failures in the future.

The results of the United Kingdom’s referendum on withdrawal from the European Union may have a negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets or the Company’s business.

In June 2016, a majority of voters in the United Kingdom elected to withdraw from the European Union in a national referendum. The United Kingdom has formally initiated a withdrawal process and is scheduled to leave the European Union by the end of March 2019. Nevertheless, the referendum has created significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union, including with respect to the laws and regulations that will apply as the United Kingdom determines which European Union laws to replace or replicate in the event of a withdrawal. The referendum has also given rise to calls for the governments of other European Union member states to consider withdrawal.

These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, have had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, including volatility in the value of the British pound sterling and Euro. These developments may also significantly reduce global market liquidity or restrict the ability of key market participants to operate in certain financial markets. The effects of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union will also depend on terms of new trade agreements between the United Kingdom and other countries, as well as any other agreements the United Kingdom makes to retain access to European Union markets either during a transitional period or more permanently. Any of these factors could depress economic activity and restrict the Company’s access to capital, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. These developments may also have other direct or indirect effects which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s expenditures for pension and other postretirement obligations could be materially higher than it has predicted if its underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect.

The Company provides defined benefit and hybrid pension plan coverage to union and non-union U.S. employees and a contributory defined benefit plan in the U.K. The Company’s pension expense and its required contributions to its pension plans are directly affected by the value of plan assets, the projected and actual rates of return on plan assets and the actuarial assumptions the Company uses to measure its defined benefit pension plan obligations, including the discount rate at which future projected and accumulated pension obligations are discounted to a present value and the inflation rate. The Company could experience increased pension expense due to a combination of factors, including the decreased investment performance of its pension plan assets, decreases in the discount rate, changes in its assumptions relating to the expected return on plan assets, updates to mortality tables and the impact of changes to the Company’s pension strategy. The Company could also experience increased other postretirement expense due to decreases in the discount rate, increases in the health care trend rate and changes in the health care environment.

In the event of declines in the market value of the Company’s pension assets or lower discount rates to measure the present value of pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, the Company could experience changes to its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet or significant cash requirements.

Compliance with legal and regulatory initiatives could increase the cost of operating the Company’s business.

The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations. Compliance with those laws now in effect, or that may be enacted, could require significant capital expenditures, increase the Company’s production costs and affect its earnings and results of operations. Changes as the result of elections in the U.S. and worldwide make it difficult to predict the legislative and regulatory changes that may occur.

Several countries have or may implement labeling requirements for tires. This legislation could cause the Company’s products to be at a disadvantage in the marketplace resulting in a loss of market share or could otherwise impact the Company’s ability to distribute and sell its tires.

In addition, while the Company believes that its tires are free from design and manufacturing defects and comply with all applicable regulations and standards, it is possible that a recall of the Company’s tires could occur in the future. A recall could harm the Company’s reputation, operating results and financial position.

The Company is also subject to legislation governing labor, occupational safety and health both in the U.S. and other countries. The related legislation can change over time making it more expensive for the Company to produce its products.

The Company could also, despite its best efforts to comply with these laws and regulations, be found liable and be subject to additional costs because of these laws and regulations.

The Company has a risk due to volatility of the capital and financial markets.

The Company periodically requires access to the capital and financial markets as a significant source of liquidity for maturing debt payments or working capital needs that it cannot satisfy by cash on hand or operating cash flows. Substantial volatility in

world capital markets and the banking industry may make it difficult for the Company to access credit markets and to obtain financing or refinancing, as the case may be, on satisfactory terms or at all. In addition, various additional factors, including a deterioration of the Company’s credit ratings or its business or financial condition, could further impair its access to the capital markets and bank financings. Additionally, any inability to access the capital markets or bank financings, including the ability to refinance existing debt when due, could require the Company to defer critical capital expenditures, reduce or not pay dividends, reduce spending in areas of strategic importance, sell important assets or, in extreme cases, seek protection from creditors. See also related comments under “There are risks associated with the Company’s global strategy, which includes using joint ventures and partially-owned subsidiaries.”

The Company’s operations in the PRC have been financed in part using multiple loans from several lenders to finance working capital needs. These loans are generally for terms of one year or less. Therefore, debt maturities occur frequently and access to the capital markets and bank financings is crucial to the Company’s ability to maintain sufficient liquidity to support its operations in the PRC.

If the Company fails to develop technologies, processes or products needed to support consumer demand or, consumer demand shifts, it may lose significant market share or be unable to recover associated costs.

The Company’s ability to sell tires may be significantly impacted if it does not develop or have available technologies, processes, or products that competitors may be developing and consumers demanding. This includes, but is not limited to, changes in the design of and materials used to manufacture tires or changes in the types of tires consumers desire.

Technologies may also be developed by competitors that better distribute tires to consumers, which could affect the Company’s customers.

Additionally, developing new products and technologies requires significant investment and capital expenditures, is technologically challenging and requires extensive testing and accurate anticipation of technological and market trends. If the Company fails to develop new products that are appealing to its customers, or fails to develop products on time and within budgeted amounts, the Company may be unable to recover its product development and testing costs. If the Company cannot successfully use new production or equipment methodologies it invests in, it may also not be able to recover those costs.

The Company may fail to successfully develop or implement information technologies or related systems, resulting in a significant competitive disadvantage.

Successfully competing in the highly competitive tire industry can be impacted by the successful development of information technology. If the Company fails to successfully develop or implement information technology systems, it may be at a disadvantage to its competitors resulting in lost sales and negative impacts on the Company’s earnings.

The Company has implemented an Enterprise Resource Planning system in the United States. The Company is evaluating its available options for information technology solutions outside of the United States, which will require significant amounts of capital and human resources to deploy. These requirements may exceed the Company’s projections. If for any reason these implementations are not successful, the Company could be required to expense rather than capitalize related amounts. Throughout implementation of the system there are also risks created to the Company’s ability to successfully and efficiently operate.

Any interruption in the Company’s skilled workforce, or that of its suppliers or customers, including labor disruptions, could impair its operations and harm its earnings and results of operations.

The Company’s operations depend on maintaining a skilled workforce and any interruption of its workforce due to shortages of skilled technical, production or professional workers, work disruptions, or other events could interrupt the Company’s operations and affect its operating results. Further, a significant number of the Company’s employees are currently represented by unions. If the Company is unable to resolve any labor disputes or if there are work stoppages or other work disruptions at the Company or any of its suppliers or customers, the Company’s business and operating results could suffer. See also related comments under “The Company is facing supply risks related to certain tires it purchases from PCT.”

If the Company is unable to attract and retain key personnel, its business could be materially adversely affected.

The Company’s business depends on the continued service of key members of its management. The loss of the services of a significant number of members of its management team could have a material adverse effect on its business. The Company’s future success will also depend on its ability to attract, retain and develop highly skilled personnel, such as engineering, marketing and senior management professionals. Competition for these employees is intense, especially in the PRC, and the Company could experience difficulty in hiring and retaining the personnel necessary to support its business. If the Company does not succeed in retaining its current employees and attracting new high-quality employees, its business could be materially adversely affected.

If assumptions used in developing the Company’s strategic plan are inaccurate or the Company is unable to execute its strategic plan effectively, its profitability and financial position could be negatively impacted.

The Company faces both general industry and company-specific challenges. These include volatile raw material costs, increasing product complexity and pressure from competitors with greater resources or manufacturing in lower-cost regions. To address these challenges and position the Company for future success, the Company continues to execute towards strategic imperatives outlined in its Strategic Plan. The three strategic imperatives are building a sustainable cost competitive position, driving top-line profitable growth and building organizational capabilities and enablers to support strategic goals.

The Company continually reviews and updates its business plans to achieve these imperatives. If the assumptions used in developing the Company’s business plans vary significantly from actual conditions, the Company’s sales, margins and profitability could be harmed. If the Company is unsuccessful in implementing the tactics necessary to execute its business plans, it may not be able to achieve or sustain future profitability, which could impair its ability to meet debt and other obligations and could otherwise negatively affect its operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

There are risks associated with the Company’s global strategy, which includes using joint ventures and partially-owned subsidiaries.

The Company’s strategy includes the use of joint ventures and other partially-owned subsidiaries. These entities operate in countries outside of the U.S., are generally less well capitalized than the Company and bear risks similar to the risks of the Company. In addition, there are specific risks applicable to these subsidiaries and these risks, in turn, add potential risks to the Company. Such risks include greater risk of joint venture partners or other investors failing to meet their obligations under related stockholders’ agreements; conflicts with joint venture partners; the possibility of a joint venture partner taking valuable knowledge from the Company; and risk of being denied access to the capital markets, which could lead to resource demands on the Company in order to maintain or advance its strategy. The Company’s outstanding notes and primary credit facility contain cross default provisions in the event of certain defaults by the Company under other agreements with third parties. For further discussion of access to the capital markets, see also related comments under “The Company has a risk due to volatility of the capital and financial markets.”

If the price of energy sources increases, the Company’s operating expenses could increase significantly or the demand for the Company’s products could be affected.

The Company’s manufacturing facilities rely principally on natural gas, as well as electrical power and other energy sources. High demand and limited availability of natural gas and other energy sources can result in significant increases in energy costs increasing the Company’s operating expenses and transportation costs. Higher energy costs would increase the Company’s production costs and adversely affect its margins and results of operations. If the Company is unable to obtain adequate sources of energy, its operations could be interrupted.

In addition, if the price of gasoline increases significantly for consumers, it can affect driving and purchasing habits and impact demand for tires.

The Company could incur restructuring charges as it continues to execute actions in an effort to improve future profitability and competitiveness and may not achieve the anticipated savings and benefits from these actions.

The Company may initiate restructuring actions designed to improve future profitability and competitiveness, and enhance the Company’s flexibility. The Company may not realize anticipated savings or benefits from future actions in full or in part or within the time periods it expects. The Company is also subject to the risks of labor unrest, negative publicity and business disruption in connection with these actions. Failure to realize anticipated savings or benefits from the Company’s actions could have an adverse effect on the business. Such restructuring actions could have a significant negative impact on the Company’s earnings or cash flows in the short-term.

The realizability of deferred tax assets may affect the Company’s profitability and cash flows.

The Company has significant net deferred tax assets recorded on the balance sheet and determines at each reporting period whether or not a valuation allowance is necessary based upon the expected realizability of such deferred tax assets. In the U.S., the Company has recorded deferred tax assets, the largest of which relate to product liability, pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, partially offset by deferred tax liabilities, the most significant of which relates to accelerated depreciation. The Company’s non-U.S. deferred tax assets relate to pension, accrued expenses and net operating losses, and are partially offset by deferred tax liabilities related to accelerated depreciation. Based upon the Company’s assessment of the realizability of its net deferred tax assets, the Company maintains a small valuation allowance for the portion of its U.S. deferred tax assets primarily associated with a loss carryforward. In addition, the Company has recorded valuation allowances for deferred tax assets primarily associated with non-U.S. net operating losses.

The Company’s assessment of the realizability of deferred tax assets is based on certain assumptions regarding future profitability, and potentially adverse business conditions could have a negative impact on the future realizability of the deferred tax assets and therefore impact the Company’s future operating results or financial position.

The Company may incur additional tax expense or become subject to additional tax exposure.

The Company’s provision for income taxes and the cash outlays required to satisfy its income tax obligations in the future could be adversely affected by numerous factors. These factors include changes in the level of earnings in the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates, changes in plans to repatriate the earnings of the Company’s foreign operations to the U.S. and changes in tax laws and regulations. The Company’s income tax returns are subject to examination by federal, state and local tax authorities in the U.S. and tax authorities outside the U.S. Based upon the outcome of tax examinations, judicial proceedings, or expiration of statutes of limitations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these unrecognized tax benefits may result in a payment that is materially different from the current estimate of the tax liabilities. Such an outcome could have an adverse effect on the Company’s provision for income taxes and the cash outlays required to satisfy income tax obligations.

The Company is required to comply with environmental laws and regulations that could cause it to incur significant costs.

The Company’s manufacturing facilities are subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations designed to protect the environment, and the Company expects that additional requirements with respect to environmental matters will be imposed on it in the future. In addition, the Company has contractual indemnification obligations for environmental remediation costs and liabilities that may arise relating to certain divested operations. Material future expenditures may be necessary if compliance standards change, if material unknown conditions that require remediation are discovered, or if required remediation of known conditions becomes more extensive than expected. If the Company fails to comply with present and future environmental laws and regulations, it could be subject to future liabilities or the suspension of production, which could harm its business or results of operations. Environmental laws could also restrict the Company’s ability to expand its facilities or could require it to acquire costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses in connection with its manufacturing processes.

The Company has been and may continue to be impacted by currency fluctuations, which may reduce reported results for the Company’s international operations and otherwise adversely affect the business.

Because the Company conducts transactions in various non-U.S. currencies, including the Euro, Canadian dollar, British pound sterling, Swiss franc, Swedish kronar, Norwegian krone, Mexican peso, Chinese yuan, Serbian dinar and Brazilian real, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may impact the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, despite currency hedging actions by the Company. The Company’s operating results are subject to the effects of fluctuations in the value of these currencies and fluctuations in the related currency exchange rates. As a result, the Company’s sales have historically been affected by, and may continue to be affected by, these fluctuations. Exchange rate movements between currencies in which the Company sells its products have been affected by and may continue to result in exchange losses that could materially affect results. During times of strength of the U.S. dollar, the reported revenues of the Company’s international operations will be reduced because local currencies will translate into fewer dollars. In addition, a strong U.S. dollar may increase the competitiveness of competitors based outside of the United States. As a result, continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company may not be able to protect its intellectual property rights adequately.

The Company’s success depends in part upon its ability to use and protect its proprietary technology and other intellectual property, which generally covers various aspects in the design and manufacture of its products and processes. The Company owns and uses tradenames and trademarks worldwide. The Company relies upon a combination of trade secrets, confidentiality policies, nondisclosure and other contractual arrangements and patent, copyright and trademark laws to protect its intellectual property rights. The steps the Company takes in this regard may not be adequate to prevent or deter challenges, reverse engineering or infringement or other violations of its intellectual property, and the Company may not be able to detect unauthorized use or take appropriate and timely steps to enforce its intellectual property rights.

In addition, the laws of some countries may not protect and enforce the Company’s intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the U.S. Further, while the Company believes it has rights to use all intellectual property in the Company’s use, if the Company is found to infringe on the rights of others it could be adversely impacted.

The impact of proposed new accounting standards may have a negative impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board is considering or has issued for future adoption several projects which may result in the modification of accounting standards affecting the Company, including standards relating to revenue recognition, financial instruments, leasing and others. Any such changes could have a negative impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The Company is facing risks relating to enactment of healthcare legislation.

The Company is facing risks emanating from the enactment of legislation by the U.S. government, including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related Healthcare and Education Reconciliation Act, which are collectively referred to as healthcare legislation. The future of this major legislation and any replacement is now in question and the ultimate cost and the potentially adverse impact to the Company and its employees cannot be quantified at this time.


Item 2.	ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s purchases during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 of equity securities registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts):



Period ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1, 2017 through January 31, 2017	214,707	$	37.09	214,707	$	101,744
February 1, 2017 through February 28, 2017	203,422	$	37.01	203,422	$	298,588
March 1, 2017 through March 31, 2017	54,838	$	42.06	54,838	$	296,284
Total	472,967			472,967

(1)

On February 20, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $200,000, excluding commissions, of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2016 (the “2015 Repurchase Program”). On February 19, 2016, the Board of Directors increased the amount under and expanded the duration of the 2015 Repurchase Program (as amended, the “2016 Repurchase Program”). The 2016 Repurchase Program amended and superseded the 2015 Repurchase Program and allowed the Company to repurchase up to $200,000, excluding commissions, of the Company’s common stock from February 22, 2016 through December 31, 2017. The approximately $73,654 remaining under the 2015 Repurchase Program as of February 19, 2016 was included in the $200,000 maximum amount authorized by the 2016 Repurchase Program. No other changes were made. The 2016 Repurchase Program did not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and could have been suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. Under the 2016 Repurchase Program, shares could have been repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(2)


Item 6.	EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits



(10)	Ninth Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2017, among the Company, Cooper Receivables LLC and PNC Bank, National Association
(31.1)	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(31.2)	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(32)	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(101.INS)	XBRL Instance Document
(101.SCH)	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
(101.DEF)	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
(101.CAL)	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
(101.LAB)	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
(101.PRE)	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

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.

COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY

/s/ Ginger M. Jones

Ginger M. Jones

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Mark A. Young

Mark A. Young

Director of External Reporting

(Principal Accounting Officer)

April 27, 2017

(Date)

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