UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form

10-Q

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


For the Quarterly Period Ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021

2022

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

For the transition period from to .

Commission File Number 001-08454

ACCO Brands Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

36-2704017

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

Four Corporate Drive

Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047

(Address of Registrant’s Principal Executive Office, Including Zip Code)

(847)

(847) 541-9500

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

ACCO

NYSE


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


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o


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

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

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


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


As of October 21, 2021,August 1, 2022, the registrant had outstanding 95,730,86394,260,926 shares of Common Stock.




Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements


Certain statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q other than statements of historical fact, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, operating strategies and similar matters, including without limitation, statements concerning the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, operations, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words "will," "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "plan," and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Because actual results may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on them when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company's securities.


Our outlook is based on certain assumptions, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These include, without limitation, assumptions regarding both the near-term and long-term impact

Some of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and our business, our customers and the end-users of our products, and other changes in the macro environment; changes in the competitive landscape, including ongoing uncertainties in the traditional office products channels; as well as the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency and acquisitions and the other factors described below.


Factors that could affect our results or cause our plans, actions and results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are detailed in "Part I, Item 1. Business" and "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, in "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors" of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, as well as the financial statement line item discussions set forth in "Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and from time to time in our other Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") filings.


Website Access to Securities and Exchange Commission Reports


The Company’s Internet website can be found at www.accobrands.com. The Company makes available free of charge on or through its website its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as practicable after the Company files them with, or furnishes them to, the SEC.



2

2



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Consolidated Statements of OperationsIncome

3328

4439

4439

4640

4640

4640

4640

4741

4741

4741

4741

4842



3

3



PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
(in millions)(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$58.1 $36.6 
Accounts receivable, net362.6 356.0 
Inventories413.9 305.1 
Other current assets52.0 30.5 
Total current assets886.6 728.2 
Total property, plant and equipment656.3 657.8 
Less: accumulated depreciation(436.8)(416.4)
Property, plant and equipment, net219.5 241.4 
Right of use asset, leases84.0 89.2 
Deferred income taxes126.6 136.5 
Goodwill804.2 827.4 
Identifiable intangibles, net919.4 977.0 
Other non-current assets31.7 49.0 
Total assets$3,072.0 $3,048.7 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Notes payable$8.1 $5.7 
Current portion of long-term debt28.1 70.8 
Accounts payable233.5 180.2 
Accrued compensation53.5 41.0 
Accrued customer program liabilities91.6 91.4 
Lease liabilities21.8 22.6 
Current portion of contingent consideration22.8 10.4 
Other current liabilities126.7 134.8 
Total current liabilities586.1 556.9 
Long-term debt, net1,083.9 1,054.6 
Long-term lease liabilities70.4 76.5 
Deferred income taxes156.6 170.6 
Pension and post-retirement benefit obligations275.9 317.1 
Contingent consideration11.9 7.8 
Other non-current liabilities102.2 122.5 
Total liabilities2,287.0 2,306.0 
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock1.0 1.0 
Treasury stock(40.8)(39.9)
Paid-in capital1,898.4 1,883.1 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(565.4)(564.2)
Accumulated deficit(508.2)(537.3)
Total stockholders' equity785.0 742.7 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$3,072.0 $3,048.7 

 

 

June 30,
2022

 

 

December 31,
2021

 

(in millions)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

 

91.7

 

$

 

41.2

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

423.9

 

 

 

416.1

 

Inventories

 

 

471.5

 

 

 

428.0

 

Other current assets

 

 

56.2

 

 

 

39.6

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,043.3

 

 

 

924.9

 

Total property, plant and equipment

 

 

594.7

 

 

 

656.4

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

 

(398.7

)

 

 

(441.8

)

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

196.0

 

 

 

214.6

 

Right of use asset, leases

 

 

96.8

 

 

 

105.2

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

105.0

 

 

 

115.9

 

Goodwill

 

 

779.2

 

 

 

802.5

 

Identifiable intangibles, net

 

 

864.6

 

 

 

902.2

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

26.0

 

Total assets

$

 

3,090.9

 

$

 

3,091.3

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

$

 

20.2

 

$

 

9.4

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

33.9

 

 

 

33.6

 

Accounts payable

 

 

254.4

 

 

 

308.2

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

36.1

 

 

 

56.9

 

Accrued customer program liabilities

 

 

98.0

 

 

 

101.4

 

Lease liabilities

 

 

22.4

 

 

 

24.4

 

Current portion of contingent consideration

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

24.8

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

122.8

 

 

 

149.9

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

590.5

 

 

 

708.6

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

1,124.5

 

 

 

954.1

 

Long-term lease liabilities

 

 

81.9

 

 

 

89.0

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

147.7

 

 

 

145.2

 

Pension and post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

194.2

 

 

 

222.3

 

Contingent consideration

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

12.0

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

78.9

 

 

 

95.3

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,218.0

 

 

 

2,226.5

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1.0

 

Treasury stock

 

 

(43.4

)

 

 

(40.9

)

Paid-in capital

 

 

1,894.7

 

 

 

1,902.2

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(539.3

)

 

 

(535.5

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(440.1

)

 

 

(462.0

)

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

872.9

 

 

 

864.8

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

 

3,090.9

 

$

 

3,091.3

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

4



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions, except per share data)2021202020212020
Net sales$526.7 $444.1 $1,455.0 $1,195.1 
Cost of products sold369.5 317.0 1,018.2 845.8 
Gross profit157.2 127.1 436.8 349.3 
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses101.8 84.4 293.5 247.7 
Amortization of intangibles11.6 7.9 35.2 24.1 
Restructuring charges0.3 0.5 4.2 7.3 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration4.9 — 16.5 — 
Total operating costs and expenses118.6 92.8 349.4 279.1 
Operating income38.6 34.3 87.4 70.2 
Non-operating expense (income):
Interest expense11.2 10.2 36.0 28.7 
Interest income(0.6)(0.2)(1.2)(0.8)
Non-operating pension income(2.3)(1.4)(5.6)(4.4)
Other expense, net0.1 0.1 4.0 0.8 
Income before income tax30.2 25.6 54.2 45.9 
Income tax expense10.0 6.8 5.8 13.7 
Net income$20.2 $18.8 $48.4 $32.2 
Per share:
Basic income per share$0.21 $0.20 $0.51 $0.34 
Diluted income per share$0.21 $0.20 $0.50 $0.34 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic95.6 94.5 95.4 95.0 
Diluted97.3 95.6 97.0 96.2 


 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Net sales

$

 

521.0

 

$

 

517.8

 

$

 

962.6

 

$

 

928.3

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

371.0

 

 

 

353.7

 

 

 

693.0

 

 

 

648.7

 

Gross profit

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

164.1

 

 

 

269.6

 

 

 

279.6

 

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

91.6

 

 

 

97.7

 

 

 

190.4

 

 

 

191.7

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

23.6

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

3.9

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

(9.4

)

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

11.6

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

94.6

 

 

 

114.2

 

 

 

207.4

 

 

 

230.8

 

Operating income

 

 

55.4

 

 

 

49.9

 

 

 

62.2

 

 

 

48.8

 

Non-operating expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

20.5

 

 

 

24.8

 

Interest income

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(0.6

)

Non-operating pension income

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(3.3

)

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

3.9

 

Income before income tax

 

 

51.8

 

 

 

50.3

 

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

24.0

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

(4.2

)

Net income

$

 

39.4

 

$

 

48.6

 

$

 

36.7

 

$

 

28.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per share

$

 

0.41

 

$

 

0.51

 

$

 

0.38

 

$

 

0.30

 

Diluted income per share

$

 

0.40

 

$

 

0.50

 

$

 

0.37

 

$

 

0.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

96.2

 

 

 

95.5

 

 

 

96.2

 

 

 

95.3

 

Diluted

 

 

97.4

 

 

 

97.2

 

 

 

98.0

 

 

 

96.9

 


















See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

5




ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Net income$20.2 $18.8 $48.4 $32.2 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized income (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax (expense) benefit of $(1.0) and $0.2 and $(2.9) and $0.3, respectively2.4 (0.6)6.7 (0.6)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit (expense) of $0.2 and $0.1 and $(1.1) and $1.1, respectively(22.3)3.6 (18.6)(53.7)
Recognition of deferred pension and other post-retirement items, net of tax (expense) benefit of $(2.1) and $1.2 and $(3.4) and $(1.7), respectively6.6 (4.0)10.7 5.8 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax(13.3)(1.0)(1.2)(48.5)
Comprehensive income (loss)$6.9 $17.8 $47.2 $(16.3)


 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Net income

$

 

39.4

 

$

 

48.6

 

$

 

36.7

 

$

 

28.2

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized income on derivative instruments, net of tax expense of $(1.6) and $(0.1) and $(0.9) and $(1.9), respectively

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

4.3

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit (expense) of $1.5 and $0.2 and $2.1 and $(1.3), respectively

 

 

(37.2

)

 

 

24.4

 

 

 

(21.9

)

 

 

3.7

 

Recognition of deferred pension and other post-retirement items, net of tax expense of $(3.5) and $(0.1) and $(4.9) and $(1.3), respectively

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

15.6

 

 

 

4.1

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

 

 

(22.5

)

 

 

25.1

 

 

 

(3.8

)

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

$

 

16.9

 

$

 

73.7

 

$

 

32.9

 

$

 

40.3

 


































See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

6



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)20212020
Operating activities
Net income$48.4 $32.2 
Amortization of inventory step-up3.0 — 
Change in fair value of contingent liability16.5 — 
Depreciation29.4 28.2 
Other non-cash items— 0.5 
Amortization of debt issuance costs2.1 1.7 
Amortization of intangibles35.2 24.1 
Stock-based compensation12.2 5.2 
Loss on debt extinguishment3.7 — 
Changes in balance sheet items:
Accounts receivable(18.3)78.7 
Inventories(116.2)(28.4)
Other assets(14.4)(1.0)
Accounts payable55.1 (67.1)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities3.2 (47.3)
Accrued income taxes(15.9)(5.0)
Net cash provided by operating activities44.0 21.8 
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment(13.9)(11.8)
Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired15.4 0.6 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities1.5 (11.2)
Financing activities
Proceeds from long-term borrowings651.4 231.5 
Repayments of long-term debt(638.8)(146.4)
Proceeds of notes payable, net2.3 2.5 
Payment for debt premium(9.8)— 
Payments for debt issuance costs(10.5)(1.6)
Dividends paid(18.6)(18.4)
Repurchases of common stock— (18.9)
Payments related to tax withholding for stock-based compensation(0.9)(1.8)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options2.4 1.7 
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities(22.5)48.6 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(1.5)(1.2)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents21.5 58.0 
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of the period36.6 27.8 
End of the period$58.1 $85.8 
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest$33.7 $21.4 
Income taxes$21.2 $20.1 


 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

 

36.7

 

$

 

28.2

 

Amortization of inventory step-up

 

 

0

 

 

 

2.4

 

Payments of contingent consideration

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

0

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0

 

Change in fair value of contingent liability

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

11.6

 

Depreciation

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

19.6

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.5

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

23.6

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

9.0

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 

0

 

 

 

3.7

 

Changes in balance sheet items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(12.4

)

 

 

(54.5

)

Inventories

 

 

(51.4

)

 

 

(77.9

)

Other assets

 

 

(18.7

)

 

 

(32.2

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(47.2

)

 

 

42.3

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

(34.8

)

 

 

(12.3

)

Accrued income taxes

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(20.1

)

Net cash used by operating activities

 

 

(97.9

)

 

 

(55.1

)

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

(9.3

)

Proceeds from the disposition of assets

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0

 

Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

0

 

 

 

15.4

 

Net cash (used) provided by investing activities

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

6.1

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 

 

218.0

 

 

 

648.8

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 

(25.6

)

 

 

(529.2

)

Proceeds of notes payable, net

 

 

11.3

 

 

 

2.2

 

Payment for debt premium

 

 

0

 

 

 

(9.8

)

Payments for debt issuance costs

 

 

0

 

 

 

(10.5

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(14.4

)

 

 

(12.4

)

Payments of contingent consideration

 

 

(17.8

)

 

 

0

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(19.4

)

 

 

0

 

Payments related to tax withholding for stock-based compensation

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(0.9

)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

2.0

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

153.9

 

 

 

90.2

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

50.5

 

 

 

41.3

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of the period

 

 

41.2

 

 

 

36.6

 

End of the period

$

 

91.7

 

$

 

77.9

 

Cash paid during the year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

$

 

18.9

 

$

 

16.8

 

Income taxes

$

 

17.9

 

$

 

15.3

 



See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

7



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity

(Unaudited)

(in millions)Common
Stock
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Treasury
Stock
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
Balance at December 31, 2020$1.0 $1,883.1 $(564.2)$(39.9)$(537.3)$742.7 
Net loss— — — — (20.4)(20.4)
Gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax— — 4.1 — — 4.1 
Translation impact, net of tax— — (20.7)— — (20.7)
Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax— — 3.6 — — 3.6 
Stock-based compensation— 5.0 — — (0.2)4.8 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes— 1.9 — (0.9)— 1.0 
Dividends declared, $.065 per share— — — — (6.2)(6.2)
Other— (0.1)— — — (0.1)
Balance at March 31, 20211.0 1,889.9 (577.2)(40.8)(564.1)708.8 
Net income— — — — 48.6 48.6 
Gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax— — 0.2 — — 0.2 
Translation impact, net of tax— — 24.4 — — 24.4 
Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax— — 0.5 — — 0.5 
Stock-based compensation— 4.4 — — (0.2)4.2 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes— 0.1 — — — 0.1 
Dividends declared, $.065 per share— — — — (6.2)(6.2)
Other— 0.2 — — (0.1)0.1 
Balance at June 30, 20211.0 1,894.6 (552.1)(40.8)(522.0)780.7 
Net income— — — — 20.2 20.2 
Gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax— — 2.4 — — 2.4 
Translation impact— — (22.3)— — (22.3)
Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax— — 6.6 — — 6.6 
Stock-based compensation— 3.4 — — (0.2)3.2 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes— 0.4 — — — 0.4 
Dividends declared, $.0.065 per share— — — — (6.2)(6.2)
Balance at September 30, 2021$1.0 $1,898.4 $(565.4)$(40.8)$(508.2)785.0 


(in millions)

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in Capital

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

$

 

1.0

 

$

 

1,902.2

 

$

 

(535.5

)

$

 

(40.9

)

$

 

(462.0

)

$

 

864.8

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(2.7

)

Loss on derivative financial instruments, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.4

)

Translation impact, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.3

 

Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.8

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

4.8

 

Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes

 

 

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

Dividends declared, $0.075 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.3

)

 

 

(7.3

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Balance at March 31, 2022

$

 

1.0

 

$

 

1,911.5

 

$

 

(516.8

)

$

 

(42.1

)

$

 

(472.1

)

$

 

881.5

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39.4

 

 

 

39.4

 

Gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.9

 

Translation impact, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37.2

)

Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.8

 

Common stock repurchases

 

 

 

 

 

(19.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19.4

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

2.4

 

Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.3

)

Dividends declared, $0.075 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.1

)

 

 

(7.1

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

Balance at June 30, 2022

$

 

1.0

 

$

 

1,894.7

 

$

 

(539.3

)

$

 

(43.4

)

$

 

(440.1

)

$

 

872.9

 

Shares of Capital Stock

Common
Stock
Treasury
Stock
Net
Shares
Shares at December 31, 202099,129,455 4,186,890 94,942,565 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes652,755 109,599 543,156 
Shares at March 31, 202199,782,210 4,296,489 95,485,721 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes97,160 — 97,160 
Shares at June 30, 202199,879,370 4,296,489 95,582,881 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes84,954 5,766 79,188 
Shares at September 30, 202199,964,324 4,302,255 95,662,069 


 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

Net Shares

 

Shares at December 31, 2021

 

 

100,118,494

 

 

 

4,300,548

 

 

 

95,817,946

 

Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes

 

 

1,128,030

 

 

 

106,598

 

 

 

1,021,432

 

Shares at March 31, 2022

 

 

101,246,524

 

 

 

4,407,146

 

 

 

96,839,378

 

Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes

 

 

330,408

 

 

 

183,509

 

 

 

146,899

 

Common stock repurchases

 

 

(2,742,589

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,742,589

)

Shares at June 30, 2022

 

 

98,834,343

 

 

 

4,590,655

 

 

 

94,243,688

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

8



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity

Continued (Unaudited)

(in millions)Common
Stock
Paid-in
Capital
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Treasury
Stock
Accumulated
Deficit
Total
December 31, 2019$1.0 $1,890.8 $(505.7)$(38.2)$(574.2)$773.7 
Net income— — — — 8.0 8.0 
Gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax— — 2.4 — — 2.4 
Translation impact, net of tax— — (49.7)— — (49.7)
Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax— — 7.9 — — 7.9 
Common stock repurchases— (18.9)— — — (18.9)
Stock-based compensation— 0.9 — — — 0.9 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes— 1.5 — (1.7)— (0.2)
Dividends declared, $.065 per share— — — — (6.2)(6.2)
Balance at March 31, 20201.0 1,874.3 (545.1)(39.9)(572.4)717.9 
Net income— — — — 5.4 5.4 
Loss on derivative financial instruments, net of tax— — (2.4)— — (2.4)
Translation impact, net of tax— — (7.6)— — (7.6)
Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax— — 1.9 — — 1.9 
Stock-based compensation— 2.6 — — (0.1)2.5 
Dividends declared, $.065 per share— — — — (6.1)(6.1)
Balance at June 30, 20201.0 1,876.9 (553.2)(39.9)(573.2)711.6 
Net income— — — — 18.8 18.8 
Loss on derivative financial instruments, net of tax— — (0.6)— — (0.6)
Translation impact— — 3.6 — — 3.6 
Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax— — (4.0)— — (4.0)
Stock-based compensation— 1.9 — — (0.1)1.8 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes— 0.1 — — — 0.1 
Dividends declared, $.065 per share— — — — (6.1)(6.1)
Balance at September 30, 2020$1.0 $1,878.9 $(554.2)$(39.9)$(560.6)$725.2 


(in millions)

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-in Capital

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

Accumulated Deficit

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

$

 

1.0

 

$

 

1,883.1

 

$

 

(564.2

)

$

 

(39.9

)

$

 

(537.3

)

$

 

742.7

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20.4

)

 

 

(20.4

)

Gain on derivative financial instruments, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1

 

Translation impact, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20.7

)

Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.6

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

4.8

 

Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

Dividends declared, $.065 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.2

)

 

 

(6.2

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Balance at March 31, 2021

$

 

1.0

 

$

 

1,889.9

 

$

 

(577.2

)

$

 

(40.8

)

$

 

(564.1

)

$

 

708.8

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48.6

 

 

 

48.6

 

Gain on derivative financial instruments, net
   of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

Translation impact, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24.4

 

Pension and post-retirement adjustment, net
   of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

4.2

 

Common stock issued, net of shares withheld
   for employee taxes

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Dividends declared, $.065 per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.2

)

 

 

(6.2

)

Other

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

0.1

 

Balance at June 30, 2021

$

 

1.0

 

$

 

1,894.6

 

$

 

(552.1

)

$

 

(40.8

)

$

 

(522.0

)

$

 

780.7

 

Shares of Capital Stock

Common
Stock
Treasury
Stock
Net
Shares
Shares at December 31, 2019100,412,933 3,967,445 96,445,488 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes898,664 206,243 692,421 
Common stock repurchases(2,690,292)— (2,690,292)
Shares at March 31, 202098,621,305 4,173,688 94,447,617 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes26,957 12,427 14,530 
Shares at June 30, 202098,648,262 4,186,115 94,462,147 
Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes35,465 775 34,690 
Shares at September 30, 202098,683,727 4,186,890 94,496,837 


 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

Net Shares

 

Shares at December 31, 2020

 

 

99,129,455

 

 

 

4,186,890

 

 

 

94,942,565

 

Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes

 

 

652,755

 

 

 

109,599

 

 

 

543,156

 

Shares at March 31, 2021

 

 

99,782,210

 

 

 

4,296,489

 

 

 

95,485,721

 

Common stock issued, net of shares withheld for employee taxes

 

 

97,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

97,160

 

Shares at June 30, 2021

 

 

99,879,370

 

 

 

4,296,489

 

 

 

95,582,881

 

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

9



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)



1. Basis of Presentation


As used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, the terms "ACCO Brands," "ACCO," the "Company," "we," "us," and "our" refer to ACCO Brands Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.


The management of ACCO Brands Corporation is responsible for the accuracy and internal consistency of the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Although the Company believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

2021.


The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022 and the related Consolidated Statements of Income, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), theand Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2022 and 2021, and 2020 andthe Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 20202021 are unaudited. The December 31, 20202021 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all annual disclosures required by GAAP. The financial statements included herein were prepared by management and reflect all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring items unless otherwise noted) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for the fair presentation of results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, and the financial position of the Company as of SeptemberJune 30, 2021.2022. Interim results may not be indicative of results for a full year.


Effective December 17, 2020, we completed the acquisition of PowerA (the "PowerA Acquisition"), a leading provider of third-party video gaming console accessories primarily in North America. The results of PowerA are included in all three of the Company's operating business segments effective December 17, 2020. The purchase price was $321.8 million, plus an additional earnout of up to $55.0 million in cash, which is contingent upon PowerA achieving one- and two- year sales and profit growth objectives and has a fair value of $34.7 million as of September 30, 2021. The PowerA Acquisition and related expenses were funded by cash on hand, as well as borrowings from our revolving credit facility. See "Note 3. Acquisitions" for details on the PowerA Acquisition.


On April 1, 2021, we completed the acquisition of Franken Planungs-und Organisationsmittel GmbH (“Franken”), for a purchase price of €2.4 million (US$2.8 million, based on April 1, 2021 exchange rates), net of cash acquired of $1.1 million. Franken is a provider of visual communication products, including boards, markers, planning tools, as well as creative and training products. Franken is a German company that is included in the Company’s EMEA reporting segment.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Adopted Accounting Standards


Recent Accounting Pronouncements


In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying current GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the transition from the use of LIBOR to an alternative reference rate. We are currently evaluating our contracts and hedging relationships that reference LIBOR and the potential effects of adopting this new guidance. However, we do not expect the changes related to the LIBOR successor rate procedures to have a material effect on the Company. The guidance can be adopted immediately and is applicable to contracts entered into on or before December 31, 2022.


There are no other recently issued accounting standards that are expected to have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.


10


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which removes certain exceptions for investments, intraperiod allocations and interim calculations, and adds guidance to

10


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

reduce complexity in accounting for income taxes. Effective January 1, 2021, the Company adopted this standard. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.


There were no other accounting standards that were adopted in the first ninesix months of 20212022 that had a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.


3. Acquisitions


Acquisition of Franken


On April 1, 2021, we completed the acquisition of Franken, for a purchase price of €2.42.4 million (US$2.8 million, based on April 1, 2021 exchange rates), net of cash acquired of $1.1$1.1 million. Franken is a provider of visual communication products, including boards, markers, planning tools, as well as creative and training products. Franken is a German company that is included in the Company’s EMEA reporting segment.


Pro forma financial information is not presented due to immateriality.


Acquisition of PowerA

Effective December 17, 2020, we completed the acquisition of PowerA, a leading provider of third-party video gaming console accessories primarily in North America. The results of PowerA are included in all 3 of the Company's reporting units effective December 17, 2020.

The purchase price was $321.8 million, net of a working capital adjustment received of $18.2 million, plus an additional earnout of up to $55.0 million in cash. The earnout is contingent upon PowerA achieving one- and two- year sales and profit growth objectives. The fair value of the contingent earnout liability was $34.7 million as of September 30, 2021. The PowerA Acquisition and related expenses were funded by cash on hand, as well as borrowings from our revolving credit facility.

For accounting purposes, the Company was the acquiring enterprise. The PowerA Acquisition is being accounted for as a purchase business combination and PowerA's results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020. The additional net sales from PowerA during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 were $56.8 million and $170.2 million, respectively.

11


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

During the third quarter of 2021 we finalized our fair value estimate of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. The following table presents the allocation of the consideration given to the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the PowerA Acquisition:
(in millions)At December 17, 2020
Calculation of Goodwill:
Purchase price, net of working capital adjustment$321.8 
Fair value of contingent consideration$18.2 
Plus fair value of liabilities assumed:
Accrued liabilities9.2 
  Fair value of liabilities assumed$9.2 
Less fair value of assets acquired:
Inventory29.3 
Property and equipment0.2 
Identifiable intangibles235.4 
Other assets13.2 
  Fair value of assets acquired$278.1 
Goodwill$71.1 


During the year ended December 31, 2020, transaction costs related to the PowerA Acquisition were $3.7 million, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, they were $0.1 million. These costs were reported as SG&A expenses in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.

Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Results

The unaudited pro forma information presented below is not intended to represent, nor do we believe it is indicative of, the consolidated results of operations of the Company that would have been reported had the PowerA Acquisition been completed on January 1, 2019. Furthermore, the unaudited pro forma information does not give effect to the anticipated synergies or other anticipated benefits of the PowerA Acquisition.

Had the PowerA Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2019, unaudited pro forma consolidated results of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 would have been as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Net sales$526.7 $501.4 $1,455.0 $1,325.5 
Net income20.2 24.9 48.4 41.6 
Net income per diluted common share$0.21 $0.26 $0.50 $0.43 

The pro forma amounts are based on the Company's historical results and the historical results for the acquired PowerA business. The pro forma results of operations have been adjusted to include amortization of finite-lived intangibles, and other charges related to the accounting by the Company for the PowerA Acquisition.


12


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

4. Long-term Debt and Short-term Borrowings


Notes payable and long-term debt, listed in order of the priority of security interests in assets of the Company, consisted of the following as of SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020:2021:

(in millions)

 

June 30,
2022

 

 

December 31,
2021

 

Euro Senior Secured Term Loan A, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 2.00% at June 30, 2022 and 2.00% at December 31, 2021)

$

 

228.8

 

$

 

254.8

 

USD Senior Secured Term Loan A, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 4.25% at June 30, 2022 and 2.22% at December 31, 2021)

 

 

86.7

 

 

 

89.0

 

Australian Dollar Senior Secured Term Loan A, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 3.86% at June 30, 2022 and 2.11% at December 31, 2021)

 

 

36.4

 

 

 

39.4

 

U.S. Dollar Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 3.45% at June 30, 2022 and 2.10% at December 31, 2021)

 

 

214.8

 

 

 

13.7

 

Australian Dollar Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 3.18% at June 30, 2022 and 2.06% at December 31, 2021)

 

 

25.5

 

 

 

25.4

 

Senior Unsecured Notes, due March 2029 (fixed interest rate of 4.25%)

 

 

575.0

 

 

 

575.0

 

Other borrowings

 

 

20.2

 

 

 

9.4

 

Total debt

 

 

1,187.4

 

 

 

1,006.7

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion

 

 

54.1

 

 

 

43.0

 

Debt issuance costs, unamortized

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

9.6

 

Long-term debt, net

$

 

1,124.5

 

$

 

954.1

 

(in millions)September 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Euro Senior Secured Term Loan A, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 2.25% at September 30, 2021)$264.3 $— 
Euro Senior Secured Term Loan A, due May 2024 (floating interest rate of 2.50% at December 31, 2020)— 287.4 
USD Senior Secured Term Loan A, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 2.38% at September 30, 2021)90.2 — 
USD Senior Secured Term Loan A, due May 2024 (floating interest rate of 3.50% at December 31, 2020)— 92.5 
Australian Dollar Senior Secured Term Loan A, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 2.32% at September 30, 2021)39.5 — 
Australian Dollar Senior Secured Term Loan A, due May 2024 (floating interest rate of 2.57% at December 31, 2020)— 43.4 
U.S. Dollar Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 2.33% at September 30, 2021)120.4 — 
U.S. Dollar Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due May 2024 (floating interest rate of 3.50% at December 31, 2020)— 307.2 
Australian Dollar Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due March 2026 (floating interest rate of 2.31% at September 30, 2021)32.6 — 
Australian Dollar Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, due May 2024 (floating interest rate of 2.57% at December 31, 2020)— 25.4 
Senior Unsecured Notes, due March 2029 (fixed interest rate of 4.25%)575.0 — 
Senior Unsecured Notes, due December 2024 (fixed interest rate of 5.25%)— 375.0 
Other borrowings8.1 5.7 
Total debt1,130.1 1,136.6 
Less:
 Current portion36.2 76.5 
 Debt issuance costs, unamortized10.0 5.5 
Long-term debt, net$1,083.9 $1,054.6 


Credit Agreement

The Company entered intois party to a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), dated as of January 27, 2017, among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other agents and various lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement, providedas amended, provides for a five-year senior secured credit facility, which consistedconsists of a €300.0300.0 million (US$320.8 million based on January 27, 2017, exchange rates) term loan facility, (the "Euro Term Loan"), an A$80.0 million (US$60.4 million based on January 27, 2017, exchange rates) term loan facility, (the "Australian Term Loan"),a US$100.0 million term loan facility, and a US$400.0600.0 million multi-currency revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility").


11

Effective


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

From July 26, 2018 to March 2021, the Company entered into the First Amendmentfive amendments (the "First Amendment""Amendments") to the Credit Agreement. The First Amendment increasedfollowing are the aggregate revolving credit commitments under the Revolving Facility by $100.0 million such that, after giving effect to such increase, the aggregate amount of revolving credit available under the Revolving Facility was $500.0 million. In addition, the First Amendment also affected certain technical amendmentskey changes, among other things, to the Credit Agreement includingas a result of the addition ofAmendments:

added provisions relating to LIBOR successor rate procedures if LIBOR becomes unascertainable or is discontinued in the future and to expressly permit certain intercompany asset transfers. The changes related to the LIBOR successor rate procedures are not expected to have a material effect on the Company.

Effective May 23, 2019, the Company entered into a Second Amendment (the "Second Amendment") to the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, the Credit Agreement was amended to, among other things:

13


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Company;
extend the maturity date to May 23, 2024;

further increase the aggregate revolving credit commitments under the Revolving Facility from $500.0 million to $600.0 million;

establish a new term loan facility denominated in U.S. Dollars in an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million (the "USD Term Loan");

replacereplaced the minimum fixed coverage ratio of 1.25:1.25:1.00 with a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 3.00:3.00:1.00; and

reflect a more favorable restricted payment covenant, with the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) hurdle for unlimited restricted payments (including share repurchases and dividends) as calculated under the Credit Agreement increasing from 2.50:1.00 to 3.25:1.00.

Effective May 1, 2020, the Company entered into a Third Amendment (the "Third Amendment") to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the Credit Agreement was amended to, among other things:

increase the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio from 3.75:1.00 to 4.75:1.00, stepping back down to 3.75:1.00 for the first fiscal quarter ending after June 30, 2021;

amend the pricing based on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, with a scaled increase in interest rates and fees, effective May 1, 2020;

reduce the Company’s capacity to incur certain other indebtedness, and impose additional limitations on certain restricted payments (other than dividends) and permitted acquisitions; and

requirerequired that the Company pay down any amounts on the Revolving Facility when cash and cash equivalents of the loan parties exceed $100.0 million.$100.0 million; and

In connection with the PowerA Acquisition, effective November 10, 2020, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment (the "Fourth Amendment") to the Credit Agreement pursuant to which the Credit Agreement was amended to, among other things:

provide flexibility under the permitted acquisition provisions to accommodate the acquisition of PowerA;

further amendamended the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio financial covenant for each of the six fiscal quarters beginning March 31, 2021, and ending June 30, 2022, as follows:


Quarter Ended

Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio

March 2021

5.25:

5.25:1.00

June 2021

5.25:

5.25:1.00

September 2021

4.75:

4.75:1.00

December 2021

4.25:

4.25:1.00

March 2022

4.25:

4.25:1.00

June 2022

4.25:

4.25:1.00

September 2022 and thereafter

3.75:

4.00:1.00


exempt the borrowings made underThe current maturity of the Credit Agreement as amended, to fund the PowerA Acquisition from the Credit Agreement’s anti-cash hoarding clause.


We incurred and capitalized approximatelyis $3.2 million in bank, legal and other fees associated with the Third and Fourth Amendments.
14


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)


Effective March 31, 2021,2026 and the Company entered into a Fifth Amendment (the “Fifth Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Fifth Amendment, the Credit Agreement was amended to, among other things:current pricing is as follows:

Consolidated Leverage Ratio

 

Applicable Rate on Euro/AUD/CDN Dollar Loans

 

Applicable Rate on Base Rate Loans

 

Undrawn Fee

> 4.50 to 1.00

 

2.50 %

 

1.50 %

 

0.500 %

≤ 4.50 to 1.00 and > 4.00 to 1.00

 

2.25 %

 

1.25 %

 

0.375 %

≤ 4.00 to 1.00 and > 3.50 to 1.00

 

2.00 %

 

1.00 %

 

0.350 %

≤ 3.50 to 1.00 and > 3.00 to 1.00

 

1.75 %

 

0.75 %

 

0.300 %

≤ 3.00 to 1.00 and > 2.00 to 1.00

 

1.50 %

 

0.50 %

 

0.250 %

≤ 2.00 to 1.00

 

1.25 %

 

0.25 %

 

0.200 %


further extend the maturity date from May 23, 2024 to March 31, 2026;


further modify the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio financial covenant such that for the fiscal quarter ending SeptemberAs of June 30, 2022, and thereafter,there was $240.3 million in borrowings outstanding under the maximum leverage ratio is set at 4.00:1.00;

Revolving Facility. The remaining amount available for borrowings was $reflect more favorable pricing at higher Consolidated Leverage Ratio levels along with lower fees348.7 million (allowing for $11.0 million of letters of credit outstanding on undrawn amounts, that date).

as follows:


Consolidated Leverage RatioApplicable Rate on Euro/AUD/CDN Dollar LoansApplicable Rate on Base Rate LoansUndrawn Fee
> 4.50 to 1.002.50%1.50%0.500%
≤ 4.50 to 1.00 and > 4.00 to 1.002.25%1.25%0.375%
≤ 4.00 to 1.00 and > 3.50 to 1.002.00%1.00%0.350%
≤ 3.50 to 1.00 and > 3.00 to 1.001.75%0.75%0.300%
≤ 3.00 to 1.00 and > 2.00 to 1.001.50%0.50%0.250%
≤ 2.00 to 1.001.25%0.25%0.200%

eliminate the LIBOR rate floor for U.S. dollar loans.

Under the Fifth Amendment, pricing was locked at LIBOR plus 2.25 percent until the Company published its financial results for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021, and it became subject to the above leverage-based pricing grid thereafter.

Senior Unsecured Notes


On March 15, 2021, the Company completed a private offering of $575.0$575.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.25%4.25 percent Senior Unsecured Notes (the "Notes") due March 2029 (the "New Notes"), which were issued under an indenture, dated as of March 15, 2021 (the "New Indenture"), among the Company, as issuer, the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee.2029. Interest on the New Notes is payable semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2021.

year. The New Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’sCompany's existing and future U.S. subsidiaries, other than certain excluded subsidiaries.

The New Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness or issue disqualified stock or, in the case of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries, preferred stock; (ii) create liens; (iii) pay dividends, make certain investments or make other restricted payments; (iv) sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies; (v) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vi) in the case of a restricted subsidiary, pay dividends, loans, or assets to the Company or other restricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. The New Indenture also provides for events of default, which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the then outstanding New Notes to be immediately due and payable.

In addition, effective March 15, 2021, the Company irrevocably deposited with the trustee of its 5.25% Senior Notes due 2024 (the "Prior Notes") an amount necessary to pay the aggregate redemption price for the Prior Notes, and satisfied and discharged all its obligations related to the Prior Notes indenture. Proceeds from the offering of the New Notes were applied toward the payment of the aggregate redemption price for the Prior Notes, the repayment of approximately $178.0 million of the Company’s outstanding borrowings under its Revolving Facility and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering of the New Notes. The Prior Notes were redeemed on March 31, 2021 at an aggregate redemption price of $390.6 million, consisting
15


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

of $375 million of the principal due and payable on the Prior Notes, a call premium of $9.8 million (included in "Other expense, net

"), and accrued and unpaid interest of $5.8 million (included in "Interest expense").


Also included in "Other expense, net" is a $3.7 million charge for the write-off of debt issuance costs. Additionally, we incurred and capitalized approximately $8.2 million in bank, legal and other fees associated with the issuance of the New Notes.

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2021, there were $153.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Facility. The remaining amount available for borrowings was $434.5 million (allowing for $12.5 million of letters of credit outstanding on that date).

As of September 30, 2021,2022, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was approximately 3.83.97 to 1.00 versus our maximum covenant of 4.754.25 to 1.00.

12


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Guarantees and Security

Generally, obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries, and are secured by substantially all of the Company’s and certain guarantor subsidiaries’ assets, subject to certain exclusions and limitations.


5. Leases


The Company leases its corporate headquarters, various other facilities for distribution, manufacturing, and offices, as well as vehicles, forklifts and other equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Leases are included in "Right of use asset, leases" ("ROU Assets"), and the current portion of the lease liability is included in "Lease liabilities" and the non-current portion is included in "Long-term lease liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company currently has an immaterial amount of financing leases and leases with terms of more than one month and less than 12 months. ROU Assets and leaseLease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Because most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate of return, the Company uses its incremental collateralized borrowing rate, on a regional basis, in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is dependent upon the duration of the lease and has been segmented into three groups of time. All leases within the same region and the same group of time share the same incremental borrowing rate. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are combined for accounting purposes for all classes of assets except information technology equipment.


The components of lease expense were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Operating lease cost$8.1 $6.7 $22.3 $21.0 
Sublease income(0.9)(0.2)(1.5)(0.9)
Total lease cost$7.2 $6.5 $20.8 $20.1 


16

 

 

Three months ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Operating lease cost

$

 

7.8

 

$

 

7.0

 

$

 

15.5

 

$

 

14.2

 

Sublease income

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 Total lease cost

$

 

7.2

 

$

 

6.7

 

$

 

14.3

 

$

 

13.6

 


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)


Other information related to leases was as follows:

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions, except lease term and discount rate)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

$

 

16.5

 

$

 

15.1

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

$

 

6.9

 

$

 

3.7

 

As of June 30, 2022

Weighted average remaining lease term:

Operating leases

6.5 years

Weighted average discount rate:

Operating leases

4.6

%

13


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions, except lease term and discount rate)20212020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$23.8 $21.5 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases15.0 3.3 
As of
September 30, 2021
Weighted average remaining lease term:
Operating leases6.15 years
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases5.1 %


Future minimum lease payments, net of sub-lease income, for all non-cancelable leases as of SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, were as follows:
(in millions)
2021$6.9 
202224.1 
202318.3 
202414.8 
202512.0 
20269.4 
Thereafter24.2 
Total minimum lease payments109.7 
Less imputed interest17.4 
Future minimum payments for leases, net of sublease rental income and imputed interest$92.3 


17

(in millions)

 

Operating
Leases

 

2022

$

 

13.9

 

2023

 

 

22.7

 

2024

 

 

18.9

 

2025

 

 

15.8

 

2026

 

 

12.8

 

2027

 

 

8.6

 

Thereafter

 

 

29.1

 

Total minimum lease payments

 

 

121.8

 

Less imputed interest

 

 

17.5

 

Future minimum payments for leases, net of sublease rental income and imputed interest

$

 

104.3

 



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

6. Pension and Other Retiree Benefits


The components of net periodic benefit (income) cost for pension and post-retirement plans for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 20202021 were as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30,
PensionPost-retirement
U.S.International
(in millions)202120202021202020212020
Service cost$— $0.4 $0.4 $0.4 $— $— 
Interest cost1.2 1.5 1.5 2.4 — — 
Expected return on plan assets(2.9)(2.8)(4.7)(4.7)— — 
Amortization of net loss (gain)0.9 0.8 1.7 1.3 (0.1)(0.1)
Amortization of prior service cost— 0.1 0.1 0.1 — — 
Net periodic benefit cost (income) (1)
$(0.8)$— $(1.0)$(0.5)$(0.1)$(0.1)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
PensionPost-retirement
U.S.International
(in millions)202120202021202020212020
Service cost$0.5 $1.2 $1.2 $1.1 $— $— 
Interest cost3.4 4.4 4.7 7.2 — 0.1 
Expected return on plan assets(8.5)(8.5)(14.5)(13.8)— — 
Amortization of net loss (gain)2.7 2.4 5.3 3.7 (0.3)(0.4)
Amortization of prior service cost0.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 — — 
Curtailment loss(2)
1.4 — — — — — 
Net periodic benefit cost (income) (1)
$(0.4)$(0.2)$(3.1)$(1.6)$(0.3)$(0.3)

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

Pension

 

 

Post-retirement

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Service cost

$

 

0

 

$

 

0.1

 

$

 

0.2

 

$

 

0.4

 

$

 

0

 

$

 

0

 

Interest cost

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

(4.5

)

 

 

(5.0

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Amortization of net loss (gain)

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.1

)

Net periodic benefit income(2)

$

 

(0.6

)

$

 

(0.7

)

$

 

(0.5

)

$

 

(1.2

)

$

 

(0.1

)

$

 

(0.1

)


 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

Pension

 

 

Post-retirement

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Service cost

$

 

0

 

$

 

0.5

 

$

 

0.5

 

$

 

0.8

 

$

 

0

 

$

 

0

 

Interest cost

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(5.4

)

 

 

(5.6

)

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

(9.8

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Amortization of net loss (gain)

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.2

)

Curtailment loss(1)

 

 

0

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Net periodic benefit (income) cost (2)

$

 

(1.2

)

$

 

0.4

 

$

 

(0.9

)

$

 

(2.1

)

$

 

(0.2

)

$

 

(0.2

)

(1)The components of net periodic benefit cost (income), other than service cost, are included in the line "Non-operating pension income" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)Curtailment loss of $1.4$1.4 million due to the pension benefit freeze for the Sidney group under the ACCO Brands Corporation Pension Plan.

(2)
The components of net periodic benefit (income) cost, other than service cost, are included in the line "Non-operating pension income" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

We expect to contribute approximately $22.8$17.6 million to our defined benefit plans in 2021.2022. For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, we have contributed $16.4$6.6 million to these plans.

14


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


7. Stock-Based Compensation


The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation expense (including stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs") and performance stock units ("PSUs")) for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020:2021:

 

 

Three months ended
June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Stock option compensation expense

$

 

0.6

 

$

 

0.6

 

$

 

2.7

 

$

 

2.3

 

RSU compensation expense

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

3.4

 

PSU compensation expense

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

3.3

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

$

 

2.3

 

$

 

4.2

 

$

 

7.2

 

$

 

9.0

 

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Stock option compensation expense$0.6 $0.5 $2.9 $2.1 
RSU compensation expense0.9 1.3 4.3 4.3 
PSU compensation expense1.7 — 5.0 (1.2)
Total stock-based compensation expense$3.2 $1.8 $12.2 $5.2 


We generally recognize compensation expense for stock-based awards ratably over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 includes $0.2 million and $0.4 million of expense related to stock awards granted to eligible non-employee directors, respectively. For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, stock-based compensation expense includes $1.0 million of expense related to stock awards granted to non-employee directors.

18


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)



During the thirdsecond quarter of 2021,2022, stock compensation grants were made consisting of 4,773127,174 stock options, 22,28838,153 RSUs and 2,864703,379 PSUs.
Also the Company's Board of Directors approved the annual stock compensation grant to eligible non-employee directors, which consisted of 132,632 RSUs.


The following table summarizes our unrecognized compensation expense and the weighted-average period over which the expense will be recognized as of SeptemberJune 30, 2021:2022:

 

 

June 30, 2022

(in millions, except weighted average years)

 

Unrecognized Compensation Expense

 

Weighted Average Years Expense To Be Recognized Over

Stock options

 

$4.9

 

2.3

RSUs

 

$5.7

 

2.2

PSUs

 

$11.0

 

2.1

September 30, 2021
UnrecognizedWeighted Average
CompensationYears Expense To Be
(in millions, except weighted average years)ExpenseRecognized Over
Stock options$3.91.9
RSUs$4.31.7
PSUs$10.71.8


8. Inventories


The components of inventories were as follows:

(in millions)

 

June 30,
2022

 

 

December 31,
2021

 

Raw materials

$

 

71.8

 

$

 

67.5

 

Work in process

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

4.1

 

Finished goods

 

 

395.4

 

 

 

356.4

 

Total inventories

$

 

471.5

 

$

 

428.0

 

(in millions)September 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Raw materials$44.7 $36.8 
Work in process4.3 3.5 
Finished goods364.9 264.8 
Total inventories$413.9 $305.1 


9. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets


Goodwill


We test goodwill for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred. Historically, we performed this annual test using June 30th as the measurement date. During the second quarter of 2021, we elected to change the measurement date of our annual impairment test from June 30th to May 31st. A measurement date of May 31st is preferable as it better aligns with the timing of our forecasting process.


During the second quarter of 2021,2022, we completed the annual goodwill impairment assessment, on a quantitative basis, for goodwill for each of our 3 reporting units. The result of our annual assessment was that the fair value of the North America, International and EMEA reporting units exceeded their carrying values as of our measurement date of May 31, 20212022 and we concluded that no0 impairment existed.


Estimating the fair value of each reporting unit requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future. We utilized a combination of both a discounted cash flows and market approach. The financial projections used in the valuation

15


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

models reflected management's assumptions regarding revenue growth rates, economic and market trends, cost structure, and other expectations about the anticipated short-term and long-term operating results for each of our 3 reporting units.


In management’s opinion, the goodwill balance for theour ACCO Brands North America and ACCO Brands International reporting unitunits could be at risk for impairment if operating performance does not recoverimprove as expected from the current impacts of COVID-19, if we experienceexpected. This includes negative changes to theour long-term outlook for theour business or changes in factors and other assumptions which impact the fair value of the reporting unit such asincluding low or declining revenue growth rates, depressed operating margins, or adverse changes to the discount rates impacting thisrates. The excess fair value over carrying value for both our North America and International reporting unit.

units were less than 10 percent as of our measurement date of May 31, 2022.


19


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill by segment were as follows:

(in millions)

 

ACCO Brands North America

 

 

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

ACCO Brands International

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

$

 

446.7

 

$

 

178.6

 

$

 

177.2

 

$

 

802.5

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

0

 

 

 

(24.0

)

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(23.3

)

Balance at June 30, 2022

$

 

446.7

 

$

 

154.6

 

$

 

177.9

 

$

 

779.2

 

(in millions)ACCO
Brands
North America
ACCO
Brands
EMEA
ACCO
Brands
International
Total
Balance at December 31, 2020$461.2 $188.2 $178.0 $827.4 
Acquisitions(1)
(14.5)2.0 — (12.5)
Foreign currency translation— (10.2)(0.5)(10.7)
Balance at September 30, 2021$446.7 $180.0 $177.5 $804.2 


(1)Goodwill has been recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet related to the Franken acquisition, which is part of our EMEA segment, and represents the excess of the cost of the Franken acquisition when compared to the fair value estimate of the net assets acquired on April 1, 2021 (the date of the Franken acquisition). Goodwill has been recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet related to the PowerA Acquisition and represents the excess of the cost of the PowerA Acquisition when compared to the fair value estimate of the net assets acquired on December 17, 2020 (the date of the PowerA Acquisition) and includes a working capital adjustment of $18.2 million recorded in the first quarter of 2021 as a reduction to the purchase price, partially offset by purchase accounting adjustments of $3.7 million. See "Note 3. Acquisitions" for details on the calculation of the goodwill acquired in the PowerA Acquisition.


The goodwill balance includes $215.1$215.1 million of accumulated impairment losses, which occurred prior to December 31, 2016.


Identifiable Intangible Assets


PowerA Acquisition

The valuation of identifiable intangible assets of $235.4 million acquired in the PowerA Acquisition includes amortizable customer relationships, vendor relationships, trade names and developed technology, which have been recorded at their estimated fair values. The fair value of the customer relationships was determined using the multi-period excess earnings method which is based on the present value of the projected after-tax cash flows. The fair value of the vendor relationships was determined using the lost income method. The fair value of the trade name and the developed technology was determined using the relief from royalty method, which is based on the present value of royalty fees derived from projected revenues. The determination of the acquisition date fair value of the intangible assets required the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding future revenue growth rates, future cost of sales, operating expenses and earnings before income tax, attrition rate, future cash flows without vendor relationships and discount rates.

20


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

The amortizable trade name, customer and vendor relationships will be amortized over 15 years while the developed technology will be amortized over 5 years on a straight-line basis. The allocation of the identifiable intangibles acquired in the PowerA Acquisition was as follows:

(in millions)Fair ValueRemaining Useful Life
Trade name$21.6 15 years
Customer relationships128.6 15 years
Vendor relationships82.4 15 years
Developed technology2.8 5 years
Total identifiable intangibles acquired$235.4 

Intangible Assets

The gross carrying value and accumulated amortization by class of identifiable intangible assets as of SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, were as follows:
September 30, 2021December 31, 2020
(in millions)Gross
Carrying
Amounts
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Book
Value
Gross
Carrying
Amounts
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Book
Value
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trade names$420.5 $(44.5)(1)$376.0 $467.5 $(44.5)(1)$423.0 
Amortizable intangible assets:
Trade names375.7 (107.2)268.5 343.5 (97.7)245.8 
Customer and contractual relationships368.7 (177.4)191.3 376.8 (162.9)213.9 
Vendor relationships82.4 (4.6)77.8 87.7 (0.2)87.5 
Patents8.6 (2.8)5.8 8.9 (2.1)6.8 
Subtotal835.4 (292.0)543.4 816.9 (262.9)554.0 
Total identifiable intangibles$1,255.9 $(336.5)$919.4 $1,284.4 $(307.4)$977.0 


 

 

June 30, 2022

 

 

December 31, 2021

 

(in millions)

 

Gross Carrying Amounts

 

 

Accumulated Amortization

 

 

Net Book Value

 

 

Gross Carrying Amounts

 

 

Accumulated Amortization

 

 

Net Book Value

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade names(1)

$

 

408.2

 

$

 

(44.5

)

$

 

363.7

 

$

 

417.6

 

$

 

(44.5

)

$

 

373.1

 

Amortizable intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade names

 

 

370.5

 

 

 

(116.3

)

 

 

254.2

 

 

 

373.2

 

 

 

(110.5

)

 

 

262.7

 

Customer and contractual relationships

 

 

355.5

 

 

 

(187.5

)

 

 

168.0

 

 

 

366.5

 

 

 

(182.4

)

 

 

184.1

 

Vendor relationships

 

 

82.4

 

 

 

(8.5

)

 

 

73.9

 

 

 

82.4

 

 

 

(5.7

)

 

 

76.7

 

Patents

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

5.6

 

Subtotal

 

 

816.4

 

 

 

(315.5

)

 

 

500.9

 

 

 

830.7

 

 

 

(301.6

)

 

 

529.1

 

Total identifiable intangibles

$

 

1,224.6

 

$

 

(360.0

)

$

 

864.6

 

$

 

1,248.3

 

$

 

(346.1

)

$

 

902.2

 

(1)
Accumulated amortization prior to the adoption of authoritative guidance on goodwill and other intangible assets, at which time further amortization ceased.


The Company's intangible amortization expense for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 was $11.6$10.5 million and $35.2$21.6 million, respectively, and $7.9$11.6 million and $24.1$23.6 million for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2020,2021, respectively.

16


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Estimated amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets, as of SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, for the current year and the next five years is as follows:

(in millions)202120222023202420252026
Estimated amortization expense(2)
$47.1 $43.9 $41.5 $39.8 $38.1 $35.8 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2025

 

 

2026

 

 

2027

 

Estimated amortization expense(2)

$

 

42.4

 

$

 

40.1

 

$

 

38.5

 

$

 

36.9

 

$

 

34.7

 

$

 

32.2

 


(2)
(2)    Actual amounts of amortization expense may differ from estimated amounts due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, additional intangible asset acquisitions, impairment of intangible assets, accelerated amortization of intangible assets and other events.


We test indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment at least annually and on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred. We performed this annual assessment, on a quantitativequalitative basis, for our indefinite-lived trade names and concluded that no0 impairment existed as of our measurement date of May 31, 2021.

21


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)


The result of our impairment testing of our indefinite-lived intangible assets determined the fair value of our five indefinite-lived trade names ACCO Brands2022.®

, Five Star

®, Swingline®, Leitz® and Tilibra® exceeded their carrying values. The fair value of these trade names are considered Level 3 measurements which utilize a relief-from-royalty discounted cash flows approach. Key inputs and assumptions involved include the estimated near-term revenue growth, long-term growth rate, royalty rate, and discount rate.


As of May 31, 2021, we changed the indefinite-lived Tilibra® trade name to an amortizable intangible asset. The change was made as a result of decisions regarding the Company's future use of the trade name. The Company began amortizing the Tilibra® trade name on a straight-line basis over a life of 30 years effective June 1, 2021.

10. Restructuring


The Company recorded $4.2$2.2 million and $7.3$3.9 million of restructuring expense for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2022 and 2021, and 2020, respectively, and recorded $0.3 million and $0.5 millionrespectively. Restructuring expense for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 was $1.9 million and net restructuring provision was 2020, respectively0. The restructuring for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Restructuring expenses were primarily for severance costs and termination of lease agreements related to cost reduction initiatives in our North America and InternationalEMEA segments.


The summary of the activity in the restructuring liability for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, was as follows:
(in millions)Balance at December 31, 2020ProvisionCash
Expenditures
Non-cash
Items/
Currency Change
Balance at September 30, 2021
Employee termination costs(1)
$8.1 $3.8 $(8.0)$(0.1)$3.8 
Termination of lease agreements(2)
1.0 0.3 (0.9)0.6 1.0 
Other0.2 0.1 (0.2)(0.1)— 
Total restructuring liability$9.3 $4.2 $(9.1)$0.4 $4.8 

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash Items /

 

 

Balance at

 

(in millions)

 

December 31, 2021

 

 

Provision

 

 

Cash
Expenditures

 

 

Currency
Change

 

 

June 30, 2022

 

Employee termination costs(1)

$

 

3.4

 

$

 

1.8

 

$

 

(2.0

)

$

 

(0.1

)

$

 

3.1

 

Termination of lease agreements(2)

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total restructuring liability

$

 

4.5

 

$

 

2.2

 

$

 

(3.2

)

$

 

(0.1

)

$

 

3.4

 


(1)
(1) We expect the remaining $3.8$3.1 million employee termination costs to be substantially paid in the next nine months. twelve months.
(2)
We expect the remaining $1.0$0.3 million lease termination costs to be substantially paid in the next nine months.

six months
.

The summary of the activity in the restructuring liability for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2020,2021, was as follows:

(in millions)Balance at December 31, 2019ProvisionCash
Expenditures
Non-cash
Items/
Currency Change
Balance at September 30, 2020
Employee termination costs$10.7 $6.7 $(8.4)$(0.1)$8.9 
Termination of lease agreements0.6 0.1 (0.5)— 0.2 
Other0.5 0.5 (0.5)(0.4)0.1 
Total restructuring liability$11.8 $7.3 $(9.4)$(0.5)$9.2 


22

 

 

Balance at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash Items /

 

 

Balance at

 

(in millions)

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

Provision

 

 

Cash
Expenditures

 

 

Currency
Change

 

 

June 30, 2021

 

Employee termination costs

$

 

8.1

 

$

 

3.4

 

$

 

(5.1

)

$

 

(0.1

)

$

 

6.3

 

Termination of lease agreements

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

1.9

 

Other

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

0.1

 

Total restructuring liability

$

 

9.3

 

$

 

3.9

 

$

 

(6.0

)

$

 

1.1

 

$

 

8.3

 

17



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)


11. Income Taxes


For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2022, we recorded income tax expense of $12.4 million on income before taxes of $51.8 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded income tax expense of $1.7 million on income before taxes of $50.3 million. The $10.7 million increase in tax expense compared to the prior year period was driven by the tax benefit associated with the revaluation of deferred tax assets due to changes in the enacted statutory rates which was recorded in the prior year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded income tax expense of $14.1 million on income before taxes of $50.8 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded an income tax expensebenefit of $10.0$4.2 million on income before taxes of $$30.2 million,24.0 for an effective rate of million. The $33.1 percent18.3. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded an income million increase in tax expense of $6.8 million on income before taxes of $25.6 million, for an effective rate of 26.6 percent. The increase incompared to the effective rate versus the three months ended September 30, 2020prior year period was primarily driven by an increase in the global intangible low-taxed income tax.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recorded an income tax expense of $5.8 million on income before taxes of $54.2 million, for an effective rate of 10.7 percent. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded an income tax expense of $13.7 million on income before taxes of $45.9 million, for an effective rate of 29.8 percent. The decrease in the effective rate versus the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily driven by the tax benefit associated with the revaluation of the deferred tax assets due to changes in the enacted statutory tax rate changesrates which was recorded in the prior year, and the releaseincrease in income before taxes during the first half of non-U.S. reserves for unrecognized tax benefits for which2022 compared to the time to assess has lapsed.first half of 2021.


The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for the years 20172018 and forward. Foreign and U.S. state jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from 2 to 5 years. Years still open to examination by foreign tax authorities in major jurisdictions include Australia (2017(2017 forward), Brazil (2015(2015 forward), Canada (2017(2017 forward), Germany (2016(2016 forward), Sweden (2016(2016 forward) and the U.K. (2019(2019 forward). We are currently under examination in certain foreign jurisdictions.


Brazil Tax Assessments


In connection with our May 1, 2012, acquisition of the Mead Consumer and Office Products business ("Mead C&OP"), we assumed all of the tax liabilities for the acquired foreign operations including Tilibra Produtos de Papelaria Ltda. ("Tilibra"). In December of 2012, the Federal Revenue Department of the Ministry of Finance of Brazil ("FRD") issued a tax assessment against Tilibra, challenging the tax deduction of goodwill from Tilibra's taxable income for the year 2007 (the "First Assessment"). A second assessment challenging the deduction of goodwill from Tilibra's taxable income for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010 was issued by FRD in October 2013 (the "Second Assessment" and together with the First Assessment, the "Brazil Tax Assessments"). Tilibra is disputing both of the Brazil Tax Assessments.


The final administrative appeal of the Second Assessment was decided against the Company in 2017. In 2018, we appealed this decision to the judicial level. In the event we do not prevail at the judicial level, we will be required to pay an additional penalty representing attorneys' costs and fees; accordingly, in the first quarter of 2019, the Company recorded an additional reserve in the amount of $5.6$5.6 million. In connection with the judicial challenge, we were required to provide security to guarantee payment of the Second Assessment should we not prevail.


In the third quarter of 2020, the final administrative appeal of the First Assessment was decided against the Company. We decided toCompany and we determined that we would challenge this decision. In 2022, we challenged this adverse decision in the tax authority's lawsuit at the judicial level seeking to collect the tax when the collection action is filed.tax. We recorded an additional expense in the third quarter of 2020 of $$1.2 million million representing additional attorneys' costs and fees, which we will be required to pay if we do not prevail at the judicial level. In anticipation ofconnection with the judicial challenge, we were required to provide security to guarantee payment of the First Assessment should we not prevail.


We believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to vigorously contest both of the Brazil Tax Assessments; however, there can be no assurances that we will ultimately prevail. The ultimate outcome will not be determined until the Brazilian judicial process is complete, which is expected to take a number of years. If the FRD's initial position is ultimately sustained, payment of the amount assessed would materially and adversely affect our cash flow in the year of settlement.


Because there is no settled legal precedent on which to base a definitive opinion as to whether we will ultimately prevail, we consider the outcome of these disputes to be uncertain. Since it is not more likely than not that we will prevail, in 2012, we

18


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

recorded a reserve in the amount of $44.5$44.5 million (at December 31, 2012 exchange rates) in consideration of this contingency, of which $43.3$43.3 million was recorded as an adjustment to the purchase price and which included the 2007-2012 tax years plus penalties and interest through December 2012. Included in this reserve isBecause the Brazilian courts have determined that we will have to pay the standard penalty of 75 percent if we do not prevail on our challenges of the Brazil Tax Assessments instead of the 150 percent that could be imposed, we have included an assumption of penalties at 75 percent which is the standard penalty. While there is a possibility that a penalty of 150 percent could be imposed in connection with the First Assessment, based on the facts in our case and existing precedent, we believe the likelihood of a 150 percent penalty is not more likely than not as of September 30, 2021.this reserve. We will continue to actively monitor administrative and judicial court decisions and evaluate their impact, if any, on our legal assessment of the ultimate outcome of our disputes. In addition, we will continue

23


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

to accrue interest related to this contingency until such time as the outcome is known or until evidence is presented that we are more likely than not to prevail. The time limit for issuing an assessment for 2011 and 2012 expired in January 2018 and January 2019, respectively. Since we did not receive an assessment for either of these periods, wehave reversed the amounts previously accrued for them. During the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, we accrued additional interest as a charge to current income tax expense of $0.3$0.7 million and $0.3$0.2 million, respectively. At current exchange rates, our accrual through SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, including tax, penalties and interest is $27.3$30.0 million (reported in "Other non-current liabilities").


12. Earnings per Share


Total outstanding shares as of SeptemberJune 30, 2022 and 2021, and 2020, were 95.794.2 million and 94.595.6 million, respectively. Under our stock repurchase program, forduring each of the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021 and for the three months ended September 30, 2020, no shares were repurchased, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020,2022, we repurchased and retired 2.7 million shares, and during each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we repurchased and retired 0 shares. For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, we acquired 0.10.3 million and 0.20.1 million shares, respectively, related to tax withholding for share-based compensation.


The calculation of basic earnings per share of common stock is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding in the year, or period, over which they were outstanding. Our calculation of diluted earnings per share of common stock assumes that any shares of common stock outstanding were increased by shares that would be issued upon exercise of those stock awards for which the average market price for the period exceeds the exercise price less the shares that could have been purchased by the Company with the related proceeds, including compensation expense measured but not yet recognized.


The number of our weighted-average shares outstanding for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 20202021 was as follows:

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding - basic

 

 

96.2

 

 

 

95.5

 

 

 

96.2

 

 

 

95.3

 

Stock options

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.1

 

Restricted stock units

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

1.5

 

Weighted-average shares and assumed conversions - diluted

 

 

97.4

 

 

 

97.2

 

 

 

98.0

 

 

 

96.9

 

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding - basic95.6 94.5 95.4 95.0 
Stock options0.2 — 0.1 0.1 
Restricted stock units1.5 1.1 1.5 1.1 
Weighted-average shares and assumed conversions - diluted97.3 95.6 97.0 96.2 


Awards of potentially dilutive shares of common stock, which have exercise prices that were higher than the average market price during the period, are not included in the computation of dilutive earnings per share as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For each of the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2022, the number of anti-dilutive shares was approximately 10.2 million and 9.0 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the number of anti-dilutive shares was approximately 8.0 million. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the number of anti-dilutive shares was approximately 8.08.1 million and 7.57.7 million, respectively.

19


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


13. Derivative Financial Instruments


We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rate changes. We enter into financial instruments to manage and reduce the impact of these risks, not for trading or speculative purposes. The counterparties to these financial instruments are major financial institutions. We continually monitor our foreign currency exposures in order to maximize the overall effectiveness of our foreign currency hedge positions. Principal currencies hedged against the U.S. dollar include the Euro, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona, British pound and Japanese yen. We are subject to credit risk, which relates to the ability of counterparties to meet their contractual payment obligations or the potential non-performance by counterparties to financial instrument contracts. Management continues to monitor the status of our counterparties and will take action, as appropriate, to further manage our counterparty credit risk. There are no credit contingency features in our derivative financial instruments.


When hedge accounting is applicable, on the date we enter into a derivative, the derivative is designated as a hedge of the identified exposure. We measure the effectiveness of our hedging relationships both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis.


24


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

Forward Currency Contracts


We enter into forward foreign currency contracts with third parties to reduce the effect of fluctuating foreign currencies, primarily on foreign denominated inventory purchases and intercompany loans. The majority of the Company’sOur primary exposure to local currency movements is in Europe (thethe Euro, the Swedish krona, the British pound, the Brazilian real, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, and the British pound), Brazil, Australia, Canada, and Mexico.
Mexican peso.


Forward currency contracts are used to hedge foreign denominated inventory purchases for Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand, and are designated as cash flow hedges. Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are deferred in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") until the contracts are settled and the underlying hedged transactions relating to inventory purchases are recognized, at which time the deferred gains or losses will be reported in the "Cost of products sold" line in the "ConsolidatedConsolidated Statements of Income."Operations. As of SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, we had cash flow foreign exchange contracts outstanding with a U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of $133.8$138.3 million and $134.3$130.6 million, respectively, which were designated as hedges.


Forward currency contracts used to hedge foreign denominated intercompany loans are not designated as hedging instruments. Gains and losses on these derivative instruments are recognized within "Other expense (income), net" in the "ConsolidatedConsolidated Statements of Income"Operations and are largely offset by the change in the current translated value of the hedged item. The periods of the forward foreign exchange contracts correspond to the periods of the hedged transactions, with some relating to intercompany loans which extend beyond September 2022.March 2023. As of SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, we had foreign exchange contracts outstanding with a U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of $93.1$114.9 million and $164.7$84.2 million, respectively, which were not designated as hedges.

20


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The following table summarizes the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as of SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020:2021:

 

 

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

 

 

 

Derivative Assets

 

 

Derivative Liabilities

 

(in millions)

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

June 30,
2022

 

 

December 31,
2021

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

June 30,
2022

 

 

December 31,
2021

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Other current assets

$

 

8.9

 

$

 

5.6

 

 

Other current liabilities

$

 

0

 

$

 

0.1

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Other current assets

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

0.6

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

10.2

 

Total derivatives

 

 

$

 

19.3

 

$

 

16.5

 

 

 

$

 

10.1

 

$

 

10.9

 

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Derivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
(in millions)Balance Sheet
Location
September 30, 2021December 31,
2020
Balance Sheet
Location
September 30, 2021December 31,
2020
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contractsOther current assets$5.1 $0.1 Other current liabilities$0.1 $5.0 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange contractsOther current assets0.4 1.6 Other current liabilities0.7 1.2 
Foreign exchange contractsOther non-current assets16.3 32.1 Other non-current liabilities16.3 32.1 
Total derivatives$21.8 $33.8 $17.1 $38.3 
25


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

The following tables summarize the pre-tax effect of our derivative financial instruments on the condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020:2021:

 

 

 

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion)

 

 

Location of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI to Income

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI to Income (Effective Portion)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Cash flow hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

$

 

9.3

 

$

 

(1.0

)

 

Cost of products sold

$

 

(3.4

)

$

 

1.3

 

 

 

 

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships on the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion)

 

 

Location of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI to Income

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI to Income (Effective Portion)

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Cash flow hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

 

$

 

9.1

 

$

 

3.4

 

 

Cost of products sold

$

 

(5.8

)

$

 

2.8

 

 

 

The Effect of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

 

Location of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Income on Derivatives

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss
Recognized in Income

 

 

Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized in Income

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Other expense, net

$

 

(3.1

)

$

 

(1.2

)

$

 

(3.7

)

$

 

 

21


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The Effect of Derivative Instruments in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships on the Consolidated Financial Statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion)Location of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI to IncomeAmount of (Gain) Loss
Reclassified from AOCI to Income (Effective Portion)
Three Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange contracts$3.9 $(2.1)Cost of products sold$(0.5)$1.3 
The Effect of Derivative Instruments in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships on the Consolidated Financial Statements
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion)Location of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI to IncomeAmount of (Gain) Loss
Reclassified from AOCI to Income (Effective Portion)
Nine Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange contracts$7.3 $0.3 Cost of products sold$2.3 $(1.2)
The Effect of Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Location of (Gain) Loss Recognized in
Income on Derivatives
Amount of (Gain) Loss
Recognized in Income
Amount of (Gain) Loss
Recognized in Income
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Foreign exchange contractsOther expense, net$0.3 $2.8 $0.3 $(2.4)


14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments


In establishing a fair value, there is a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The basis of the fair value measurement is categorized in three levels, in order of priority, as described below:

Level 1

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or

Unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability

Level 3

Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability


We utilize the best available information in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.


26


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

We have determined that our financial assets and liabilities described in "Note 13. Derivative Financial Instruments" are Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The following table sets forth our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020:2021:

(in millions)

 

June 30,
2022

 

 

December 31,
2021

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward currency contracts

$

 

19.3

 

$

 

16.5

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward currency contracts

$

 

10.1

 

$

 

10.9

 

(in millions)September 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Assets:
Forward currency contracts$21.8 $33.8 
Liabilities:
Forward currency contracts$17.1 $38.3 


Our forward currency contracts are included in "Other current assets," "Other current liabilities," "Other non-current assets," or "Other non-current liabilities." The forward foreign currency exchange contracts are primarily valued based on the foreign currency spot and forward rates quoted by banks or foreign currency dealers. As such, these derivative instruments are classified within Level 2.


The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, notes payable to banks, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate carrying amounts due principally to their short maturities. The carrying amount of total debt was $1,130.1$1,187.4 million and $1,136.6$1,006.7 million and the estimated fair value of total debt was $1,173.2$1,083.2 million and $1,146.9$1,002.3 million at SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and December 31, 2020,2021, respectively. The fair values are determined from quoted market prices, where available, and from investment bankers using current interest rates consideringbased on credit ratings and the remaining time toterms of maturity.


Contingent consideration: The PowerA Acquisitionacquisition included an additional earnout of up to $55.0$55.0 million in cash, contingent upon PowerA achieving one- and two- year sales and profit growth objectives. Liabilities for contingent consideration are measured at fair value each reporting period, with the acquisition-date fair value included as part of the consideration transferred in the related business combination and subsequent changes in fair value recorded in operating income on the condensed consolidated statements of income.


We use a Monte Carlo simulation model for contingent earnout payments, which are then discounted to present value. We classify the contingent consideration liabilities as Level 3 due to the lack of relevant observable market data over fair value inputs such as probability-weighting of payment outcomes. There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities into or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

22


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the contingent consideration for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021:
2022:


(in millions)

Contingent Consideration

Balance at December 31, 20202021

$

18.2 

36.8

Change in fair value

16.5 

(6.8

)

Payments

(27.0

)

Balance at SeptemberJune 30, 20212022

$

34.7 

3.0


27


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


AOCI is defined as net income (loss) and other changes in stockholders’ equity from transactions and other events from sources other than stockholders. The components of, and changes in, AOCI were as follows:

(in millions)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

Foreign Currency Adjustments

 

 

Unrecognized Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefit Costs

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

$

 

4.0

 

$

 

(342.2

)

$

 

(197.3

)

$

 

(535.5

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

(21.9

)

 

 

12.2

 

 

 

(3.2

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

(0.6

)

Balance at June 30, 2022

$

 

6.5

 

$

 

(364.1

)

$

 

(181.7

)

$

 

(539.3

)

(in millions)
Derivative
Financial
Instruments
 
Foreign
Currency
Adjustments
Unrecognized
Pension and Other
Post-retirement
Benefit Costs
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2020$(3.1)$(318.8)$(242.3)$(564.2)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax5.0 (18.6)3.6 (10.0)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax1.7 — 7.1 8.8 
Balance at September 30, 2021$3.6 $(337.4)$(231.6)$(565.4)


The reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 20202021 were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2021202020212020
(in millions)Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)Location on Income Statement
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange contracts$0.5 $(1.3)$(2.3)$1.2 Cost of products sold
Tax (expense) benefit(0.2)0.5 0.6 (0.3)Income tax expense
Net of tax$0.3 $(0.8)$(1.7)$0.9 
Defined benefit plan items:
Amortization of actuarial loss$(2.5)$(2.0)$(7.7)$(5.7)(1)
Amortization of prior service cost(0.1)(0.2)(1.7)(0.5)(1)
Total before tax(2.6)(2.2)(9.4)(6.2)
Tax benefit0.7 0.6 2.3 1.3 Income tax expense
Net of tax$(1.9)$(1.6)$(7.1)$(4.9)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax$(1.6)$(2.4)$(8.8)$(4.0)


 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

 

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Components

 

Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

Location on Income Statement

Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange contracts

$

 

3.4

 

$

 

(1.3

)

$

 

5.8

 

$

 

(2.8

)

 

Cost of products sold

Tax (expense) benefit

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

0.8

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

Net of tax

$

 

2.3

 

$

 

(0.9

)

$

 

4.0

 

$

 

(2.0

)

 

 

Defined benefit plan items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of actuarial loss

$

 

(2.1

)

$

 

(2.5

)

$

 

(4.3

)

$

 

(5.2

)

 

(1)

Amortization of prior service cost

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

(1)

Total before tax

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(4.4

)

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

Tax benefit

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

Net of tax

$

 

(1.7

)

$

 

(1.9

)

$

 

(3.4

)

$

 

(5.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

$

 

0.6

 

$

 

(2.8

)

$

 

0.6

 

$

 

(7.2

)

 

 

(1) These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit (income) cost for pension and post-retirement plans. See "Note 6. Pension and Other Retiree Benefits" for additional details.

23


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)


16. Revenue Recognition


Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers in an amount reflective of the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Taxes we collect concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Incidental items incurred that are immaterial in the context of the contract are expensed.


28


ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)

At the inception of each contract, the Company assesses the products and services promised and identifies each distinct performance obligation. To identify the performance obligations, the Company considers all products and services promised regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or implied within the contract or by standard business practices.


Freight and distribution activities performed before the customer obtains control of the goods are not considered promised services under customer contracts and therefore are not distinct performance obligations. The Company has chosen to account for shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment activity, and therefore accrues the expense of freight and distribution in "Cost of products sold" when products are shipped.


Service or Extended Maintenance Agreements ("EMAs"). As of December 31, 2020,2021, there was $3.0$2.4 million of unearned revenue associated with outstanding EMAs, primarily reported in "Other current liabilities." During the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, $0.42022, $0.2 million and $2.1$0.4 million of the unearned revenue was earned and recognized, respectively. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, the amount of unearned revenue from EMAs was $2.5$2.7 million. We expect to earn and recognize approximately $2.1$2.3 million of the unearned amount in the next 12 months and $0.4$0.4 million in periods beyond the next 12 months.


The following tables present our net sales disaggregated by regional geography(1), by reporting business segments and our net sales disaggregated by the timing of revenue recognition for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020:2021:

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
United States$253.9 $203.5 $685.5 $562.5 
Canada33.6 35.0 85.9 75.5 
ACCO Brands North America287.5 238.5 771.4 638.0 
ACCO Brands EMEA(2)
161.1 136.4 475.0 352.2 
Australia/N.Z.35.3 31.7 96.8 83.6 
Latin America30.8 27.5 72.2 90.8 
Asia-Pacific12.0 10.0 39.6 30.5 
ACCO Brands International78.1 69.2 208.6 204.9 
Net sales$526.7 $444.1 $1,455.0 $1,195.1 


 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

United States

$

 

274.4

 

$

 

261.3

 

$

 

462.9

 

$

 

431.6

 

Canada

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

33.8

 

 

 

52.2

 

 

 

52.3

 

ACCO Brands North America

 

 

306.6

 

 

 

295.1

 

 

 

515.1

 

 

 

483.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands EMEA(2)

 

 

137.9

 

 

 

157.0

 

 

 

294.0

 

 

 

313.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia/N.Z.

 

 

26.2

 

 

 

29.4

 

 

 

56.2

 

 

 

61.5

 

Latin America

 

 

36.4

 

 

 

21.9

 

 

 

70.8

 

 

 

41.4

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

13.9

 

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

27.6

 

ACCO Brands International

 

 

76.5

 

 

 

65.7

 

 

 

153.5

 

 

 

130.5

 

Net sales

$

 

521.0

 

$

 

517.8

 

$

 

962.6

 

$

 

928.3

 

(1) Net sales are attributed to geographic areas based on the location of the selling subsidiaries.

(2) ACCO Brands EMEA is comprised largely of Europe, but also includes export sales to the Middle East and Africa.

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
Product and services transferred at a point in time$515.4 $431.1 $1,416.0 $1,148.5 
Product and services transferred over time11.3 13.0 39.0 46.6 
Net sales$526.7 $444.1 $1,455.0 $1,195.1 


29

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Product and services transferred at a point in time

$

 

508.4

 

$

 

504.9

 

$

 

937.7

 

$

 

900.6

 

Product and services transferred over time

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

24.9

 

 

 

27.7

 

Net sales

$

 

521.0

 

$

 

517.8

 

$

 

962.6

 

$

 

928.3

 

24



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)


17. Information on Business Segments


The Company has 3 operating business segments, each of which is comprised of different geographic regions. The Company's 3 segments are as follows:

Operating Segment

Geography

Primary Brands

Primary Products

ACCO Brands North America

United States and Canada

PowerA®, Five Star®, Kensington®, AT-A-GLANCE®, Quartet®, Kensington®, Swingline®, GBC®, Mead®, Hilroy®

GamingComputer and computergaming accessories, school products, planners, storage and organization, (3-ring binders), dry erase boards and accessories, laminating, binding, stapling and punching productsproducts.

ACCO Brands EMEA

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Leitz®, Rapid®, EsselteKensington®, KensingtonEsselte®, Rexel® GBC, PowerA®, PowerAGBC®, NOBO®, Derwent®

Storage and organization products (lever-arch binders, sheet protectors, indexes), computer and gaming accessories, laminating,stapling, punching, shredding, stapling, punching,laminating, do-it-yourself tools, dry erase boards and writing instrumentsand art products.

ACCO Brands International

Australia/N.Z., Latin America and Asia-Pacific

Tilibra®, GBC®, Kensington®, Marbig®, Foroni®, GBC®, Barrilito®, Marbig®, Kensington®, Artline®*, PowerA®, Spirax®

, Quartet®, Wilson Jones®, Rexel®

*Australia/N.Z. only

School notebooks, laminating, shredding, storage and organization products (binders, sheet protectors and indexes), computer and gaming accessories, laminating, shredding, writing and arts products, janitorial supplies, dry erase boards, and stapling and punching products


Customers


We distribute our products through a wide variety of retail and commercial channels to ensure that our products are readily and conveniently available for purchase by consumers and other end-users, wherever they prefer to shop. These channels include mass retailers, e-tailers, discount, drug/grocery and variety chains, warehouse clubs, hardware and specialty stores, independent office product dealers, office superstores, wholesalers, contract stationers, and specialist technology businesses. We also sell directly to commercial and consumer end-users through e-commerce sites and our direct sales organization.


Net sales by reportable business segment for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 20202021 were as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
ACCO Brands North America$287.5 $238.5 $771.4 $638.0 
ACCO Brands EMEA161.1 136.4 475.0 352.2 
ACCO Brands International78.1 69.2 208.6 204.9 
Net sales$526.7 $444.1 $1,455.0 $1,195.1 


30
��

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

ACCO Brands North America

$

 

306.6

 

$

 

295.1

 

 $

 

515.1

 

 $

 

483.9

 

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

137.9

 

 

 

157.0

 

 

 

294.0

 

 

 

313.9

 

ACCO Brands International

 

 

76.5

 

 

 

65.7

 

 

 

153.5

 

 

 

130.5

 

Net sales

$

 

521.0

 

$

 

517.8

 

 $

 

962.6

 

 $

 

928.3

 

25



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)


Operating income (loss) by business segment for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 20202021 was as follows:
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)2021202020212020
ACCO Brands North America$34.6 $22.9 $87.7 $67.9 
ACCO Brands EMEA13.4 16.7 40.1 26.9 
ACCO Brands International7.3 3.7 10.7 5.2 
Segment operating income55.3 43.3 138.5 100.0 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration(4.9)— (16.5)— 
Corporate(11.8)(9.0)(34.6)(29.8)
Operating income(1)
38.6 34.3 87.4 70.2 
Interest expense11.2 10.2 36.0 28.7 
Interest income(0.6)(0.2)(1.2)(0.8)
Non-operating pension income(2.3)(1.4)(5.6)(4.4)
Other expense, net0.1 0.1 4.0 0.8 
Income before income tax$30.2 $25.6 $54.2 $45.9 


 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

ACCO Brands North America

$

 

50.7

 

$

 

53.8

 

$

 

64.6

 

$

 

53.1

 

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

26.7

 

ACCO Brands International

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

3.4

 

Segment Operating income

 

 

55.5

 

 

 

66.5

 

 

 

79.2

 

 

 

83.2

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

(4.9

)

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

(11.6

)

Corporate

 

 

(9.5

)

 

 

(11.7

)

 

 

(23.8

)

 

 

(22.8

)

Operating income⁽¹⁾

 

 

55.4

 

 

 

49.9

 

 

 

62.2

 

 

 

48.8

 

Interest expense

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

20.5

 

 

 

24.8

 

Interest income

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(0.6

)

Non-operating pension income

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(3.3

)

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

3.9

 

Income before income tax

$

 

51.8

 

$

 

50.3

 

$

 

50.8

 

$

 

24.0

 

(1)
Operating income (loss) is defined as i) net sales; ii) less cost of products sold; iii) less selling, general and administrative expenses; iv) less amortization of intangibles; v) less restructuring charges; and vi) less change in the fair value of contingent consideration.


18. Commitments and Contingencies


Pending Litigation - Brazil Tax Assessments


In connection with our May 1, 2012, acquisition of the Mead C&OP business, we assumed all of the tax liabilities for the acquired foreign operations including Tilibra. For further information, see "Note 11. Income Taxes - Brazil Tax Assessments" for details on tax assessments issued by the FRD against Tilibra challenging the tax deduction of goodwill from Tilibra's taxable income for the years 2007 through 2010. If the FRD's initial position is ultimately sustained, payment of the amount assessed would materially and adversely affect our cash flow in the year of settlement.


Brazil Tax Credits


In May 2021, the Supreme Court of Brazil issued its final ruling in a leading case related to the computation of certain indirect taxes which provides that the indirect tax base should not include the gross amount of the value-added tax known as “ICMS.” The Supreme Court further ruled that taxpayers can recognize future operating credits ("Tax Credits") for excess indirect tax payments from past periods due to the inclusion of ICMS in the indirect tax base to the extent the taxpayer had filed judicial challenges seeking to recover excess tax payments prior to March 15, 2017 and for any excess tax payments made after March 15, 2017.


Tilibra, one of our Brazilian subsidiaries, filed legal actions requesting recovery of these excess tax payments by way of future Tax Credits covering various time periods prior to March 15, 2017. Some of these cases have been finally decided in a court of law in favor of Tilibra, while others are still pending a final decision which we expect to issue in the future based on the Supreme Court decision.


In the second quarter, the Company recorded Tax Credits in the amountpending. Finalization of $9.1 million with respect to the finally decided cases as Other income, net. In addition, the recording of the Tax Credits resulted in additional income tax expense of $3.1 million.

Final decisions in the remaining legal actions Tilibra has filed will result in additional Tax Credits,Credits.

Foroni, in years prior to its acquisition, also filed a legal action in Brazil to recover these excess indirect tax payments and this legal action has been finalized. We are required under the amountquota purchase agreement to remit any recovered tax credits, less the applicable tax, to the former owners of these Tax Credits, inForoni to the aggregate, may be material.

extent they relate to a tax period prior to the acquisition date.


31

26



ACCO Brands Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)


For the six months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded Tax Credits of $

3.8 million, which is included in “Other (income) expense, net", on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Finalizing the remaining legal actions Tilibra has filed will likely result in additional Tax Credits of approximately $10.2 million at some time in the future. The Tax Credits will be utilized against future tax obligations.

Other Pending Litigation


We are party to various lawsuits and regulatory proceedings, primarily related to alleged patent infringement, as well as other claims incidental to our business. In addition, we may be unaware of third-party claims of intellectual property infringement relating to our technology, brands, or products, and we may face other claims related to business operations. Any litigation regarding patents or other intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming and might require us to pay monetary damages or enter into costly license agreements. We also may be subject to injunctions against development and sale of certain of our products.


It is the opinion of management that (other than the Brazil Tax Assessments) the ultimate resolution of currently outstanding matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. However, there is no assurance that we will ultimately be successful in our defense of any of these matters or that an adverse outcome in any matter will not affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow. Further, future claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings could materially and adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations and financial condition.

32

27



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


Introduction

Introduction


Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 20202021 should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of ACCO Brands Corporation and the accompanying notes contained therein.


Overview of the Company

ACCO Brands designs, markets,manufactures, and manufacturesmarkets well-recognized consumer, school, technology and office products. Our widely known brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Barrilito®, Derwent®, Esselte®, Five Star®, Foroni®, GBC®, Hilroy®, Kensington®,Leitz®, Marbig®, Mead®, NOBO®, PowerA®, Quartet®, Rapid®, Rexel®, Swingline®, Tilibra®, TruSens®and Wilson JonesTruSens®. Approximately 75 70 percent of our sales come from brands that occupy the No. 1 or No. 2 position in the product categories in which we compete. Our top 12 brands represented $1.3$1.5 billion of our 20202021 net sales. We distribute our products through a wide variety of retail and commercial channels to ensure that our products are readily and conveniently available for purchase by consumers and other end-users, wherever they prefer to shop. These channels include mass retailers, e-tailers,retailers; e-tailers; discount, drug/grocery and variety chains; warehouse clubs; hardware and specialty stores; independent office product dealers; office superstores; wholesalers; contract stationers,stationers; technology specialty businesses,businesses; and our direct-to-consumer channel. Our products are sold primarily in the U.S., Europe, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Brazil and Mexico. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 44 percent of

We have transformed our net sales werebusiness by investing in the U.S.


ACCO Brands is in the midst of a substantial transformation of its business. Today we are a global enterprise focused on developing innovative branded consumer and technology products for use in businesses, schools, and homes. We have refocusedhomes, both organically and through acquisitions. This change should enable us to continue to organically grow sales and increase profitability by focusing our business to sell more in the mass merchant, e-commerce and technologyselling efforts on growing channels, to increase growth and profitability and to reduce reliance onas well as strategically managing declining customers and commoditized product categories. In particular,categories, which remain important profit and cash generators. Our top five customers represented 36 percent of our sales in the commercial channels have been declining for several years, and customers within the channel have been consolidating. The commercial channel and school customers also were impacted significantly by COVID-19.
2021.


We have been strategically transforming ourOur business to be moreis consumer- and brand-centric, product differentiated, and geographically diverse. We are successfully achieving this transformation through both organic initiatives and acquisitions. Organically, we have organically grown our Kensington® PowerA® video gaming accessories, Kensington® computer accessories offerings and entered the wellness category with TruSens® branded air purifiers, which we plan to expand over the next few years.Leitz® and Rexel® European range of shredders and organization product offerings. ACCO Brands remains a leading supplier of school products, including our top-selling Five Star®Star® line of school notebooks in North America, laminating machines, and stapling and punching products, among others. We have refreshed most of our line of shredders in EMEA over the past three years, improving consumer designs. This refresh includes a new line of personal shredders to capitalize on the work-from-home environment. Shredder sales have remained strong, and we plan to leverage our platforms more globally. During 2020, our EMEA business also launched organization and storage products for home offices under the Leitz® WOW and Leitz® Cosy brands.


Our approach to acquisitions has been focused on consolidation, geographic expansion, and adjacency opportunities that meet our strategic and financial criteria. Strategically, we are focusing on categories or geographies that provide opportunities for growth, leading brands, and channel diversity. We have made five major acquisitions over the past fivesix years. These acquisitions have meaningfully expanded our portfolio of well-known brands, enhanced our competitive position from both a product and channel perspective, and added scale to our operations. As a result,We believe that these acquisitions have cumulatively set us up to achieve organic growth in the long-term. Historically, our foreign businesses contributed over half ofapproach to acquisitions has focused on consolidation and geographic expansion opportunities that met our sales in 2020, up from 43 percent in 2016.
strategic and financial criteria. Strategically, we have targeted categories or geographies that provided opportunities for growth, leading brands, and channel diversity. More recently we have prioritized debt reduction, but will still consider opportunistic acquisitions that focus on growing product categories, including adjacencies.


Our most recent acquisition of PowerA (the "PowerA Acquisition") in late 2020 was about accelerating growth and entering into anallowed us to enter the attractive consumer product adjacencycategory of third-party video gamegaming accessories, including controllers, power charging stations, and headsets. The addition of PowerA has already meaningfully improved ourACCO Brands' potential for organic sales growth and profitability and increasedreinforced our presence in the faster growing mass and e-commerce channels. PowerA has and is expectedThe Company plans to continue to experience strong double-digit sales growth in the U.S., as well as opportunities for expansionexpand this business internationally, particularly in Europe. It greatly advancesEurope and Asia, adding to organic growth over the longer term. PowerA® and Kensington® are our strategic shift toward consumer, schoollargest and technology products as more than halffastest growing brands but they continue to be constrained by the lack of our sales will now come from these faster growing product categories. On a pro forma basis for 2020, including full year PowerA salesworldwide semiconductor chip availability, which we expect to gradually improve throughout the remainder of $210 million, gaming and computer products would represent approximately 22 percent of our sales.
33
2022.

28




Our leading product category positions provide the scale to invest in marketing and product innovation to drive profitable growth. We now expect to grow in mature markets in consumer,the gaming, technology, and adjacent categories driven by new product development.branded school and office categories. We will also continue to growanticipate continuing recovery in emerging markets onceareas depressed from COVID-19 as the impactlevel of COVID-19 subsidesoffice use and in person education increases globally, particularly in Latin America and parts of Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. In all of our markets, we see opportunities for sales growth through share gains, channel and geographic expansion, and product enhancements.
America.


We generate strong operating cash flow and will continue to leverage our cost structure through acquisitions, synergies and productivity savings to drive long-term profit and operating cash flow improvement.



Overview of Performance


Our thirdDuring the second quarter our net sales increased 18.6$3.2 million, or 0.6 percent, to $526.7 million, primarilyincluding 4.6 percent from the acquisition of PowerA, whichadverse foreign exchange. Comparable net sales increased 5.2 percent. Price increases added $56.8 million. Excluding PowerA,8.1 percent while volume declined 2.9 percent. Our International segment reported 16.4 percent sales increased 5.8 percentgrowth as a result of higher demand as offices and schoolsfor school products continued to reopen,increase in Brazil and we had some benefit from price increases. EMEA continuesMexico following a return to exhibit growth above pre-pandemic sales levels. Bothin-person education. Our North America and International were above 2020 levelssegment’s sales increased 3.9 percent due to higher demand related to increased in-person educationprices and use of offices, despite some of our customers having excess inventory on hand. The prior-year period for North America included a largevolume increases in school products, computer accessory sale that did not repeat inaccessories, and business products.

In the current year. Favorable foreign exchange was $6.6 million, or 1.5 percent. Demand growth varied by channel as depicted insecond quarter, the table below, which includes the benefit of PowerA (mainly in the Mass/Retail and Etail channels):


Channel Change vs. Q3 2020
Commercial/B2B20 %
Mass/Retail34 %
E-tail/D2C28 %
Tech specialist(32)%
Total sales (including PowerA)*
19 %
*Numbers may not add due to rounding



The Company recordedreported operating income of $38.6$55.4 million, a $5.5 million increase, compared with operating income of $49.9 million for the prior year's second quarter. Operating income increased due to a favorable change to the contingent earnout, partially offset by higher restructuring expense of $1.9 million. PowerA's underlying performance was impacted by a chargeOperating income included contingent earnout income of $9.4 million compared with earnout expense of $4.9 million relatedin the prior year. Operating income was negatively affected by higher inflation that was not fully mitigated with price increases, lower volume, and adverse foreign exchange of $1.0 million. Gross margin declined 290 basis points reflecting the margin erosion from higher costs despite multiple price increases. This is particularly acute in EMEA.

We have been experiencing substantial levels of inflation in the cost of our products, including freight. We have responded, and will continue to respond, by increasing selling prices more frequently than we have historically, but these increases continue to lag the change in fair valuecumulative impact of inflation. We expect moderating inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions to continue for the remainder of the contingent considerationyear. We have seen most foreign currencies weaken against the U.S. dollar which has also adversely affected our financial results and we also expect that was part of the purchase price ("PowerA Earnout"), and $4.1 million of additional amortization resulting from the acquisition. Gross margin rose 120 basis points as improvements in North America and International offset a decline in EMEA. SG&A expenditures increased due to the PowerA acquisition and because the prior-year quarter contained many short-term cost reductions related to COVID-19 impacts, including lower management incentive expenses and $3.1 million in higher government assistance. Foreign exchange benefitedcontinue.

Our operating income $0.8 million, or 2.3 percent, and added $0.7 million to net income.


Operating cash flow for the ninefirst six months ended September 30, 2021, was $44.0a use of cash of $97.9 million, compared withto a use of cash of $55.1 million in the prior year. Our operating cash flow is seasonal with a historic pattern of $21.8 million foroutflow in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The $22.2 million year-over-year improvement was after $4.5 million for funding PowerA's adverse operating cash flow.

Higher logistics expense, commodity cost increases, international shipping delays and overall supply chain disruptions continue to adversely affect 2021 results. Our logistics and commodity costs and those usedfirst half followed by our suppliers remain high. Instrong inflows in both quarters of the third quarter, we raised prices to partly offset these higher costs and also benefited from smaller price increases we had taken earlier in 2021. Throughout 2022, wesecond half. We anticipate that we will experience continuing higher logistics and commodity costs, as well as additional cost increases fromseasonal flow pattern to be repeated again this year.

In management’s opinion, the goodwill balance for our suppliers, necessitating additional increases in our selling prices. Overall, pricing still lags the cost increases we are experiencing, particularly in EMEA where price increases were not effective until October 1.


In 2020, to address the financial impact of the pandemic on our results of operations, we took a series of cost reductions, both temporary and then more long term, that will continue to impact our results and prior-period comparisons throughout 2021. In addition, during the first quarter of 2021, we recorded $3.9 million in restructuring charges to further reduce long-term expenses. The temporary cost reductions were gradually rescinded in late 2020 and early 2021, so the current period reflected, and the fourth quarter will continue to reflect, these operating expenses at more normalized levels.

While our business is benefiting from the gradual reopening of offices and the return of mostly in-person education in many of our regions this fall, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is not yet fully behind us. We expect the impact of the
34


pandemic will continue to vary by geographic region and country depending upon a range of factors, including how seriously COVID-19 is affecting public health in the country, the progress of mass vaccinations, whether and to what degree businesses and schools are open, and the general seasonality and channel structure of our business in that country. Levels of vaccination improved in all markets during the third quarter, most notably in Canada, EMEA and most of our International markets.

Compared with the third quarter 2021, we expect improving operating margin in the fourth quarter, mainly due to the seasonal product mix and more benefit of price increases as we catch up further with cost inflation. We expect a stronger overall 2021-2022 back-to-school season for the International segment, but we expect some demand may be pushed into the first quarter of 2022 due to inventory, supply chain and customer credit constraints. We also anticipate additional benefit from higher levels of offices reopening in most markets, including North America, as the delays related to the Delta variant wane. In bothACCO Brands North America and ACCO Brands International we continuereporting units could be at risk for impairment if operating performance does not improve as expected. This includes negative changes to be impacted by lower demand than the respective pre-pandemic periodsour long-term outlook for some of our officebusiness and school products. Overall, we are expecting continuing economic improvement in all regions in the fourth quarter and into 2022. We believe that environment will leadother assumptions which impact fair value including low or declining revenue growth rates, depressed operating margins, or adverse changes to continued organic sales growth, with inflation muting some of the gross profit gain from the volume growth.discount rates.


29


Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three and NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020

2021

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Amount of Change

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

Amount of Change

 

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

$

 

 

%/pts

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

$

 

 

%/pts

 

 

Net sales

$

 

521.0

 

$

 

517.8

 

$

 

3.2

 

 

 

0.6

%

 

$

 

962.6

 

$

 

928.3

 

$

 

34.3

 

 

 

3.7

%

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

371.0

 

 

 

353.7

 

 

 

17.3

 

 

 

4.9

%

 

 

 

693.0

 

 

 

648.7

 

 

 

44.3

 

 

 

6.8

%

 

Gross profit

 

 

150.0

 

 

 

164.1

 

 

 

(14.1

)

 

 

(8.6

)%

 

 

 

269.6

 

 

 

279.6

 

 

 

(10.0

)

 

 

(3.6

)%

 

Gross profit margin

 

 

28.8

%

 

 

31.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

(2.9

)

pts

 

 

28.0

%

 

 

30.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

(2.1

)

pts

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

91.6

 

 

 

97.7

 

 

 

(6.1

)

 

 

(6.2

)%

 

 

 

190.4

 

 

 

191.7

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(0.7

)%

 

SG&A% to net sales

 

 

17.6

%

 

 

18.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

(1.3

)

pts

 

 

19.8

%

 

 

20.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

(0.9

)

pts

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(9.5

)%

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(8.5

)%

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(43.6

)%

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

 

(9.4

)

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

(14.3

)

 

NM

 

 

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

(18.4

)

 

NM

 

 

Operating income

 

 

55.4

 

 

 

49.9

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

 

11.0

%

 

 

 

62.2

 

 

 

48.8

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

27.5

%

 

Operating income margin

 

 

10.6

%

 

 

9.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

pts

 

 

6.5

%

 

 

5.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

pts

Interest expense

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(6.9

)%

 

 

 

20.5

 

 

 

24.8

 

 

 

(4.3

)

 

 

(17.3

)%

 

Interest income

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(1.7

)

 

NM

 

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(3.0

)

 

NM

 

 

Non-operating pension income

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

(48.0

)%

 

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

(18.2

)%

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

(58.9

)%

 

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

(6.7

)

 

NM

 

 

Income before income tax

 

 

51.8

 

 

 

50.3

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

3.0

%

 

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

24.0

 

 

 

26.8

 

 

 

111.7

%

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

18.3

 

 

NM

 

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

23.9

%

 

 

3.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

20.5

 

pts

 

 

27.8

%

 

 

(17.5

)%

 

 

 

 

 

45.3

 

pts

Net income

 

 

39.4

 

 

 

48.6

 

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

(18.9

)%

 

 

 

36.7

 

 

 

28.2

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

30.1

%

 

Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding:

 

 

97.4

 

 

 

97.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

 

98.0

 

 

 

96.9

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

1.1

%

 

Diluted income per share

$

 

0.40

 

$

 

0.50

 

$

 

(0.10

)

 

 

(20.0

)%

 

$

 

0.37

 

$

 

0.29

 

$

 

0.08

 

 

 

27.6

%

 

Comparable net sales (Non-GAAP)⁽¹⁾

$

 

544.6

 

$

 

517.8

 

$

 

26.8

 

 

 

5.2

%

 

$

 

1,001.1

 

$

 

928.3

 

$

 

72.8

 

 

 

7.8

%

 

Three Months Ended September 30,Amount of ChangeNine Months Ended September 30,Amount of Change
(in millions, except per share data)2021
2020(1)
$%/pts2021
2020(1)
$%/pts
Net sales$526.7 $444.1 $82.6 18.6 %$1,455.0 $1,195.1 $259.9 21.7 %
Cost of products sold369.5 317.0 52.5 16.6 %1,018.2 845.8 172.4 20.4 %
Gross profit157.2 127.1 30.1 23.7 %436.8 349.3 87.5 25.1 %
Gross profit margin29.8 %28.6 %1.2pts30.0 %29.2 %0.8pts
Selling, general and administrative expenses101.8 84.4 17.4 20.6 %293.5 247.7 45.8 18.5 %
SG&A % to net sales19.3 %19.0 %0.3pts20.2 %20.7 %(0.5)pts
Amortization of intangibles11.6 7.9 3.7 46.8 %35.2 24.1 11.1 46.1 %
Restructuring charges0.3 0.5 (0.2)(40.0)%4.2 7.3 (3.1)(42.5)%
Change in fair value of contingent consideration4.9 — 4.9 NM16.5 — 16.5 NM
Operating income38.6 34.3 4.3 12.5 %87.4 70.2 17.2 24.5 %
Operating income margin7.3 %7.7 %(0.4)pts6.0 %5.9 %0.1pts
Interest expense11.2 10.2 1.0 9.8 %36.0 28.7 7.3 25.4 %
Interest income(0.6)(0.2)0.4 200.0 %(1.2)(0.8)0.4 50.0 %
Non-operating pension income(2.3)(1.4)0.9 64.3 %(5.6)(4.4)1.2 27.3 %
Other expense, net0.1 0.1 — -4.0 0.8 3.2 400.0 %
Income before income tax30.2 25.6 4.6 18.0 %54.2 45.9 8.3 18.1 %
Income tax expense10.0 6.8 3.2 47.1 %5.8 13.7 (7.9)(57.7)%
Effective tax rate33.1 %26.6 %6.5pts10.7 %29.8 %(19.1)pts
Net income20.2 18.8 1.4 7.4 %48.4 32.2 16.2 50.3 %
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding:97.3 95.6 1.7 1.8 %97.0 96.2 0.8 0.8 %
Diluted income per share$0.21 $0.20 $0.01 5.0 %$0.50 $0.34 $0.16 47.1 %
Comparable net sales$463.3 $444.1 $19.2 4.3 %$1,238.8 $1,195.1 $43.7 3.7 %
(1)
(1)    The Company acquired PowerA effective December 17, 2020.
35See reconciliation to GAAP, contained in Part I, Item 2. "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measure."



Foreign Exchange Rates

Approximately 52.952 percent of our net sales for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, were transacted in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. Additionally, we source approximately 60 percent of our products mainly from China, Vietnam and other Far Eastern countries using U.S. dollars. As a result, the sales, profitability and cash flow of our foreign operations which transact business in their local currency are affected by the fluctuationfluctuations in foreign currency rates relative to the U.S. dollar.


Net Sales


For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, our net sales increased $3.2 million, or 0.6 percent, including 4.6 percent from adverse foreign exchange. Comparable net sales increased 5.2 percent. Price increases added 8.1 percent and volume decreased 2.9 percent. The lower volume was primarily due to reduced sales of gaming accessories. The lack of semiconductor chips limits the PowerA Acquisition, whichproduction of gaming consoles affecting demand for gaming accessories. We are also seeing decreased demand this year compared to 2021 where we had significant increased demand due to COVID-19. We expect sales of gaming accessories for 2022 to be less than the prior year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net sales increased $34.3 million. Higher prices added $56.8 million, as well as greater demand related to office7.4 percent and school reopenings,volume increased 0.5 percent mainly for back-to-school and the benefit of sales price increases,business products, partially offset by the absencelower sales of a large computergaming accessories sale in North America. Favorableand unfavorable foreign exchange was $6.6 millionof 4.1 percent.

, or 1.5 percent.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net sales increased due to the PowerA Acquisition, which added $170.2 million, and higher demand related to office and school reopenings. Favorable foreign exchange was $46.0 million, or 3.8 percent.

Cost of Products Sold


Cost of products sold includes all manufacturing, product sourcing and distribution costs, including depreciation related to assets used in manufacturing; procurement and distribution processes; allocation of certain information technology costs supporting those processes; inbound and outbound freight; shipping and handling costs; purchasing costs associated with materials and packaging used in the production processes; and inventory valuation adjustments.


30


For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, PowerA added $41.62022, cost of products sold increased $17.3 million, or 13.1 percent. Foreign4.9 percent, primarily due to inflation related to commodities, logistics and labor partially offset by lower volume. Foreign exchange reduced cost of products sold $4.4$17.7 million, or 1.45.0 percent. Excluding PowerA and foreign exchange,

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, cost of products sold increased $44.3 million, or 6.8 percent, primarily due to higher comparable sales and inflationary cost increasesinflation related to commodities, logistics commodities, and wages.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, PowerA added $124.2 million, or 14.7 percent. Foreignlabor. Foreign exchange reduced cost of products sold $31.0$28.7 million, or 3.74.4 percent. Excluding PowerA and foreign exchange, cost of products sold increased, primarily for the same reasons noted above for three months.

Gross Profit


For the three months ended September 30, 2021, PowerA contributed $15.2 million, or 12.0 percent, to gross profit and foreign exchange increased gross profit $2.2 million, or 1.7 percent. Excluding PowerA and foreign exchange, gross profit increased primarily due to higher comparable sales.

For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, gross profit asdecreased $14.1 million, or 8.6 percent, primarily due to cost inflation and to a percent of netlesser extent lower sales increased 120 basis points. volume. Foreign exchange reduced gross profit $5.9 million, or 3.6 percent. Gross profit margin improved,decreased 290 basis points, primarily from a betterbecause the benefit of our sales mix andprice increases only partly offset our cumulative incremental inflation.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, gross profit decreased $10.0 million, or 3.6 percent, primarily due to cost savings,inflation exceeding the benefit of higher prices, which was partially offset by higher logistics and commodity costs,a $2.4 million step-up charge related to the acquisition of PowerA which weredid not fully offset by price increases.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, PowerA contributed $46.0repeat. Foreign exchange reduced gross profit $9.8 million, or 13.2 percent and foreign exchange increased gross profit $15.0 million, or 4.33.5 percent. Excluding PowerA and foreign exchange, gross profit rose primarily due to higher comparable sales.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, gross profit as a percent of net sales increased 80 basis points. Gross profit margin rosedecreased 210 basis points primarily from cost savings, lower inventory reserves, and an improved product mix, partlybecause the benefit of our sales price increases did not offset by higher logistics and commodity costs.our cumulative incremental inflation.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") include advertising, marketing, selling (including commissions), research and development, customer service, depreciation related to assets outside the manufacturing and distribution processes, and all other general and administrative expenses outside the manufacturing and distribution functions (e.g., finance, human resources, information technology).
36



For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, PowerA increased2022, SG&A $5.8decreased $6.1 million, or 6.96.2 percent, primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange added $1.2which reduced SG&A by $4.4 million, or 1.4 percent, and integration and transaction costs were $1.0 million.4.5 percent. Excluding PowerA, integration and transaction costs, and foreign exchange, SG&Aexpenses were slightly down with increased $9.4 million as the prior period benefited from many pandemic-related, short-term cost reductions,sales and marketing expense more than offset by lower administrative expense, including low management incentives and an additional $1.6 million of higher government

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, excluding PowerA and foreign exchange, SG&A as a percentage of net sales increased primarily from more normalized expenditures as the prior period benefited from pandemic-related, short-term cost reductions.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, PowerA increased SG&A $16.1 million, or 6.5 percent, foreign exchange added $8.0 million, or 3.2 percent, and integration and transaction costs were $2.5 million. The prior-year period included $3.3 million in higher government assistance and $0.8 million in integration costs related to prior acquisitions. Excluding PowerA, integration and transaction costs, and foreign exchange, SG&A increased $20.0 million as the prior period benefited from many pandemic-related, short-term cost reductions, including the government assistance noted above.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, excluding PowerA and foreign exchange,lower incentive compensation costs. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased 50 basis pointsprimarily from the comparable prior year period as expenses have normalized but sales have increased more.
higher sales.
Restructuring Charges

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, the net restructuring provision was $0.3 million.

For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, restructuring charges2022, SG&A decreased $1.3 million, or 0.7 percent, primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange which reduced SG&A by $6.8 million, or 3.5 percent. Excluding foreign exchange, expenses were $4.2 million. Costs associated with severance were $3.8slightly up due to increased sales and marketing expense and $1.5 million primarily in North America, but also in Brazil and the U.K. Lease abandonment charges were $0.3 millionof additional operating expenses related to facilities in North America and Mexico.our Russian business. SG&A as a percentage of net sales decreased primarily from higher sales.


Operating Income


Restructuring Charges

For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, operating income increased to $38.62022, restructuring expense was $1.9 million, primarily duerelated to higher sales and improved gross margin. PowerA did not contribute to operating income as its underlying performanceour cost reduction programs, compared with net restructuring expense of zero in the prior year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, restructuring expense was impacted by$2.2 million, a chargedecrease of $4.9$1.7 million related tofrom the prior year.

Change in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the change in fair value of the contingent consideration related to the earnout for the PowerA acquisition was income of $9.4 million, a favorable change of $14.3 million, due to the reversal of prior period

31


accruals. The PowerA operations has been adversely impacted by a combination of factors that was part ofhave reduced the purchase price, as well as $3.7 million of higher amortization primarily from PowerA. Restructuring costs were $0.2 millionexpected financial results for the current year such that the anticipated earnout is now lower than prior year. Foreign exchange benefited operating income $0.8 million, or 2.3 percent.previously expected.


For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, 2022, the change in fair value of contingent consideration related to the earnout for the PowerA acquisition was income of $6.8 million, a favorable change of $18.4 million for the reasons noted above.

Operating Income

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, operating income roseincreased to $87.4$55.4 million, compared to $49.9 million in the prior year. The increase of $5.5 million included a favorable change in our contingent earnout of $14.3 million, a decrease of SG&A expense of $6.1 million primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange and lower incentive compensation, and lower amortization of $1.1 million. Gross profit decreased by $14.1 million due to higher salesinflation that was not fully mitigated with price increases and improved gross margin. PowerA contributedrestructuring expense increased by $1.9 million. Adverse foreign exchange reduced operating income by $1.0 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, operating income increased to $62.2 million, compared to $48.8 million in the prior year. The increase of $0.5$13.4 million which includes $16.5included a favorable change in our contingent earnout of $18.4 million, relateda decrease in amortization of $2.0 million, a decrease in restructuring expense of $1.7 million, and a decrease of SG&A expense of $1.3 million primarily due to the contingent consideration expensefavorable impact of foreign exchange and $11.1lower incentive compensation. Gross profit decreased by $10.0 million ofdue to higher amortization primarily related to the PowerA acquisition. Restructuring costs were $3.1 million lower than prior year. Foreigninflation that was not fully mitigated with price increases. Adverse foreign exchange benefitedreduced operating income $5.9 million, or 8.4 percent.by $2.2 million.


Interest Expense


For the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, the increasedecrease in interest expense was primarily due to higher averagelower outstanding debt outstanding due to the PowerA Acquisition.

Other Expense, Net

The nine months ended September 30, 2021, included $9.1 million of Brazilian operating tax credits as a result of favorable judicial court rulings as well as charges associated withand lower interest rates versus the first quarter refinancinghalf of the senior unsecured notes due 2024 and our bank debt. These charges consisted of a call premium of $9.8 million and a $3.7 million charge for the write-off of debt issuance costs.
2021.


Other (Income) Expense, Net

Income Tax Expense


The increase in the effective tax rate versusFor the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2020,2022, other (income) expense, net was primarily driven by an increaseincome of $3.7 million, compared to income of $9.0 million in the global intangible low-taxed income tax.

37


second quarter of the prior year. The change was due to a decrease in the effective rate versusBrazilian tax credits of $5.3 million in the ninecurrent year compared to the prior year.

For the six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2020,2022, other (income) expense, net was income of $2.8 million, compared to expense of $3.9 million in the prior year. The change was primarily driven by the revaluation of the deferred tax assets due to enacted statutorycharges of $13.5 million related to the refinancing of our debt in the prior year's first six months that did not recur. This was partially offset by a decrease in the Brazilian tax rate changes andcredits of $5.3 million in the releasecurrent year compared to the prior year.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded income tax expense of non-U.S. reserves$12.4 million on income before taxes of $51.8 million. This compared with an income tax expense of $1.7 million on income before taxes of $50.3 million for unrecognizedthe three months ended June 30, 2021.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded income tax benefitsexpense of $14.1 million on income before taxes of $50.8 million. This compared with an income tax benefit of $4.2 million on income before taxes of $24.0 million for which the time to assess has lapsed.

six months ended June 30, 2021.


See "Note 11. Income Taxes" for more information.


32


Net Income/Loss/Diluted IncomeLoss per Share


For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, net income decreased $9.2 million, compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower discrete tax benefits as well as reduced operating tax credits related to Brazil, partially offset by higher operating income.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net income increased $8.5 million, compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher operating income, partly offset by higher taxes. Foreign exchange increased net income $0.7the non-repeat of prior year debt refinancing expenses of $13.5 million, or 3.7 percent.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net income increased primarily duelower discrete tax benefits, and reduced operating tax credits related to higher operating income, partly offset by the increase in interest expense of $7.3 million. Foreign exchange increased net income $4.4 million, or 13.7 percent.Brazil.



Segment Net Sales and Operating Income (Loss) for the Three and NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020
2021


ACCO Brands North America

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Amount of Change

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Amount of Change

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

2021

 

$

 

%/pts

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

$

 

%/pts

 

Net sales

$

306.6

$

295.1

$

11.5

 

3.9 %

 

$

515.1

$

483.9

$

31.2

 

6.4 %

 

Segment Operating income⁽¹⁾

 

50.7

 

53.8

 

(3.1)

 

(5.8)%

 

 

64.6

 

53.1

 

11.5

 

21.7 %

 

Segment operating income margin

 

16.5%

 

18.2 %

 

 

 

-1.7

pts

 

12.5%

 

11.0 %

 

 

 

1.5

pts

Comparable net sales (Non-GAAP)⁽²⁾

$

308.0

$

295.1

$

12.9

 

4.4 %

 

$

516.5

$

483.9

$

32.6

 

6.7 %

 

(1)
Segment operating income excludes corporate costs. See "Part I, Item 1.Note 17. Information on Business Segments," for a reconciliation of total "Segment operating income" to "Income before income tax."

(2)
See reconciliation to GAAP, contained in Part I, Item 2. "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measure."

FX Impact vs US$

 

2022 2nd QTR Avg vs. 2021 2nd QTR Avg

 

2022 YTD Avg vs. 2021 YTD Avg

Currency

 

Increase/(Decline)

 

Increase/(Decline)

Canadian dollar

 

(4)%

 

(2)%

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, sales and comparable net sales increased, primarily due to sales price increases which added $19.5 million, or 6.6 percent. Overall volume decreased by $6.6 million, or 2.3 percent, primarily due to lower sales of video gaming products, reflecting the semiconductor chip shortage and lower industry-wide demand, which more than offset the volume increases in business and school products and computer accessories. The increase in volume of school products was primarily due to a higher back-to-school sell-in versus the prior year.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, sales and comparable net sales increased, primarily due to sales price increases which added $33.4 million, or 6.9 percent. Overall volume decreased $0.8 million, or 0.2 percent, primarily due to lower sales of video gaming products, reflecting the semiconductor chip shortage and lower industry-wide demand, partially offset by increases in business and school products and computer accessories. The increase in volume of school products was primarily due to a higher back-to-school sell-in versus the prior year.

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, operating income and operating margin decreased, primarily due to higher prices of commodity materials, including paper, increased freight costs and lower sales volume from gaming accessories. In addition, our back-to-school sell-in did not reflect the full impact of our increased pricing given the early placement of orders for the season. These factors were only partly offset by the benefit of price increases and lower SG&A. The current period also included $0.8 million of higher restructuring charges.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, operating income and operating margin increased, primarily due to higher sales. Restructuring charges were $1.9 million lower and the prior period included $2.4 million of inventory step-up related to PowerA.

33


ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Amount of Change

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Amount of Change

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

2021

 

$

 

%/pts

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

$

 

%/pts

 

Net sales

$

137.9

$

157.0

$

(19.1)

 

(12.2)%

 

$

294.0

$

313.9

$

(19.9)

 

(6.3)%

 

Segment Operating (loss) income⁽¹⁾

 

(1.5)

 

9.9

 

(11.4)

 

NM

 

 

4.1

 

26.7

 

(22.6)

 

(84.6)%

 

Segment operating (loss) income margin

 

(1.1)%

 

6.3%

 

 

 

-7.4

pts

 

1.4%

 

8.5%

 

 

 

-7.1

pts

Comparable net sales (Non-GAAP)⁽²⁾

$

157.7

$

157.0

$

0.7

 

0.4 %

 

$

326.2

$

313.9

$

12.3

 

4.0 %

 

(1)
Segment operating income excludes corporate costs. See "Part I, Item 1.Note 17. Information on Business Segments," for a reconciliation of total "Segment operating income" to "Income before income tax."
Three Months Ended September 30,Amount of ChangeNine Months Ended September 30,Amount of Change
(in millions)20212020$%/pts20212020$%/pts
Net sales$287.5 $238.5 $49.0 20.5 %$771.4 $638.0 $133.4 20.9 %
Segment operating income(1)
34.6 22.9 11.7 51.1 %87.7 67.9 19.8 29.2 %
Segment operating income margin12.0 %9.6 %2.4pts 11.4 %10.6 %0.8pts
Comparable net sales (Non-GAAP)(2)
$240.4 $238.5 $1.9 0.8 %$627.4 $638.0 $(10.6)(1.7)%

(2)
See reconciliation to GAAP, contained in Part I, Item 2. "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measure."

FX Impact vs US$



2022 2nd QTR Avg vs. 2021 2nd QTR Avg



2022 YTD Avg vs. 2021 YTD Avg

Currency



Increase/(Decline)



Increase/(Decline)

Euro



(12)%



(9)%

Swedish krona



(14)%



(12)%

British pound



(10)%



(6)%

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, net sales decreased due to adverse foreign exchange of $19.8 million, or 12.6 percent. Comparable net sales increased slightly due to price increases which added $15.5 million, or 9.9 percent, but were largely offset by lower volume of $14.9 million, or 9.5 percent, primarily from business products in a difficult economic environment which included accelerated inflation.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net sales decreased due to adverse foreign exchange of $32.2 million, or 10.3 percent. Comparable net sales increased mainly due to price increases which added $23.5 million, or 7.5 percent, but were partly offset by lower volume of $11.2 million, or 3.6 percent, primarily from business products in a difficult economic environment which included accelerated inflation.

For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the segment had a small operating loss due to lower sales volume and cost inflation that exceeded the benefit of price increases. Cost increases in EMEA have been higher than in our other segments primarily due to significant inflation in locally sourced raw materials related to the war in Ukraine, and high energy costs. The segment continues to experience both higher inflation and a weakening of local currencies versus the U.S. dollar which further magnifies the inflation impact of Asian-sourced products. We expect moderating inflationary pressures and unfavorable foreign currency impacts to continue for the remainder of the year. Consequently additional price increases have been and will continue to be taken as necessary.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, operating income and operating margin decreased substantially due to cost inflation that exceeded the benefit of price increases, and lower volume as well as $1.2 million from unfavorable foreign exchange.

34


ACCO Brands International

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Amount of Change

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Amount of Change

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

2021

 

$

 

%/pts

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

$

 

%/pts

 

Net sales

$

76.5

$

65.7

$

10.8

 

16.4 %

 

$

153.5

$

130.5

$

23.0

 

17.6 %

 

Segment Operating income⁽¹⁾

 

6.3

 

2.8

 

3.5

 

125.0 %

 

 

10.5

 

3.4

 

7.1

 

208.8 %

 

Segment operating income margin

 

8.2%

 

4.3%

 

 

 

3.9

pts

 

6.8%

 

2.6%

 

 

 

4.2

pts

Comparable net sales (Non-GAAP)⁽²⁾

$

78.9

$

65.7

$

13.2

 

20.1 %

 

$

158.4

$

130.5

$

27.9

 

21.4 %

 

(1) Segment operating income excludes corporate costs. See "Part I, Item 1. Note 17. Information on Business Segments," for a reconciliation of total "Segment operating income" to "Income before income tax."

(2) See reconciliation to GAAP, contained in Part I, Item 2. "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measure."


FX Impact vs US$
2021 3rd QTR Avg vs. 2020 3rd QTR Avg
2021 YTD Avg vs. 2020 YTD Avg
CurrencyIncrease/(Decline)Increase/(Decline)
Canadian dollar6%8%

FX Impact vs US$



2022 2nd QTR Avg vs. 2021 2nd QTR Avg



2022 YTD Avg vs. 2021 YTD Avg

Currency



Increase/(Decline)



Increase/(Decline)

Brazilian real



8 %



6 %

Australian dollar



(7)%



(7)%

Mexican peso



- %



(1)%

Japanese yen



(15)%



(12)%


For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, net2022, net sales and comparable net sales rose as a result of increased volume of $6.2 million, or 9.4 percent, particularly in Brazil and Mexico primarily due to the PowerA acquisition, whicha return to in-person education. Price increases added $45.1 million.Favorable$7.0 million or 10.7 percent, but were partly offset by adverse foreign exchange increasedof $2.4 million or 3.7 percent.

For the six months ended June 30, 2022, net sales $2.0and comparable net sales rose as a result of increased volume of $16.5 million, or 0.8 percent. The comparable sales increase was driven by higher back-to-school sales, which as expected, were partially reduced by our customers selling inventory remaining from last year12.6 percent, particularly in Brazil and therefore ordering less product this year in order to conclude the back-to-school season without excess inventory, and by a pull forward of sales into the second quarter in Canada. Commercial sales improved but were affected by delayed returns to offices due to the Delta variant. Last year we benefited from a very large order of Kensington computer accessories that did not repeat this year. The absence of this order impacted sales more than $22 million. Excluding this large order, computer accessory sales continued to show double-digit growth, and Kensington overall had an improved gross margin.


We raised sales prices, which were effective towards the middle of the quarter, and therefore should provide more margin recovery in the fourth quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net sales increased due to PowerA, which added $137.1 million, mainly in the mass and e-tail channels. Favorable foreign exchange increased net sales $6.9 million, or 1.1 percent. Comparable sales decreasedMexico due to a decline in the first quarter from COVID-19 impacts, although we have experienced improving demand since.
return to in-person education. Price increases added $11.4 million, or 8.8 percent, but were partly offset by adverse foreign exchange of $4.9 million or 3.8 percent.


For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, operating income and2022, operating margin increased, primarily due to higher sales and a favorable product mix, $0.5 million of lower restructuring costs, and a $2.5 million contribution from PowerA, which included $3.3 million of increased amortization related to the acquisition. Favorable foreign exchange contributed $0.4 million. The benefit from the higher comparable sales increase (which included increased sales prices) and

38


long-term cost reduction efforts was partly offset by higher logistics and commodity inflation and increased SG&A expenses. The increased SG&A expenses result from the current period including PowerA and the 2020 period benefiting from many pandemic-related, short-term cost reduction measures. The change in the fair value of the contingent consideration is not allocated against the segment results.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating income and operating margin increased primarily due to a $10.1 million contribution from PowerA, which included $9.9 million of increased amortization related to the acquisition, and $3.0 million of inventory step-up charges. Restructuring charges were $2.6 million lower, and favorable foreign exchange added $1.2 million. Excluding the items noted above, operating income increased $11.1 million due to higher sales. Long-term cost reduction benefits and price increases were partially offset by cost increases related to international logistics, commodities and more normalized SG&A expense levels.

ACCO Brands EMEA

Three Months Ended September 30,Amount of ChangeNine Months Ended September 30,Amount of Change
(in millions)20212020$%/pts20212020$%/pts
Net sales$161.1 $136.4 $24.7 18.1 %$475.0 $352.2 $122.8 34.9 %
Segment operating income(1)
13.4 16.7 (3.3)(19.8)%40.1 26.9 13.2 49.1 %
Segment operating income margin8.3 %12.2 %(3.9)pts 8.4 %7.6 %0.8pts
Comparable net sales (Non-GAAP)(2)
$150.5 136.4 $14.1 10.3 %$422.8 $352.2 $70.6 20.1 %

(1) Segment operating income excludes corporate costs. See "Part I, Item 1.Note 17. Information on Business Segments," for a reconciliation of total "Segment operating income" to "Income before income tax."
(2) See reconciliation to GAAP, contained in Part I, Item 2. "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measure."

FX Impact vs US$
2021 3rd QTR Avg vs. 2020 3rd QTR Avg
2021 YTD Avg vs. 2020 YTD Avg
CurrencyIncrease/(Decline)Increase/(Decline)
Euro1%6%
Swedish krona3%11%
British pound7%9%

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, net sales increased primarily because of improved demand due to economic recovery and market share gains that included higher sales of new products, including those from the acquisition of the Franken product range. Favorable foreign exchange contributed $2.3 million, and PowerA added $8.3 million. Comparable sales exceededthird quarter 2019 levels. Even though the pandemic continues to adversely impact demand, EMEA is benefiting from higher vaccination rates and less adverse impacts from the Delta variant.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net sales increased primarily because of the same drivers cited above, with strong comparable sales growth coming from computer accessories, do-it-yourself tools, home-use filing items, shredders, air purifiers, and art supplies, along with an increase for many commercial product categories. Favorable foreign exchange added $28.1 million, and PowerA added $24.1 million.

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, operating income and operating margin decreased primarily due to a lower gross margin from higher logistics and commodity costs, as well as increased SG&A expenses as the prior period benefited from many pandemic-related, short-term cost reduction measures, including $1.1 million of higher government assistance. These factors were partially offset by higher sales. Foreign exchange benefited operating income $0.2 million, and PowerA contributed $1.8 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, operating income and operating margin increased primarily due to increases in the first half, which were partially offset by declines in the third quarter from the reasons cited above for the three-month period, including $2.0 million of higher government assistance in 2020. Foreign exchange benefited operating income $3.0 million, and PowerA contributed $4.8 million.


39


ACCO Brands International
Three Months Ended September 30,Amount of ChangeNine Months Ended September 30,Amount of Change
(in millions)20212020$%/pts20212020$%/pts
Net sales$78.1 $69.2 $8.9 12.9 %$208.6 $204.9 $3.7 1.8 %
Segment operating income(1)
7.3 3.7 3.6 97.3 %10.7 5.2 5.5 105.8 %
Segment operating income margin9.3 %5.3 %4.0pts 5.1 %2.5 %2.6pts
Comparable net sales (Non-GAAP)(2)
$72.4 69.2 $3.2 4.7 %$188.6 204.9 $(16.3)(8.0)%

(1) Segment operating income excludes corporate costs. See "Part I, Item 1.Note 17. Information on Business Segments," for a reconciliation of total "Segment operating income" to "Income before income tax."
(2) See reconciliation to GAAP, contained in Part I, Item 2. "Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measure."

FX Impact vs US$
2021 3rd QTR Avg vs. 2020 3rd QTR Avg
2021 YTD Avg vs. 2020 YTD Avg
CurrencyIncrease/(Decline)Increase/(Decline)
Brazilian real3%(6)%
Australian dollar3%12%
Mexican peso10%8%
Japanese yen(3)%(1)%

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, net sales rose due to price increases, the acquisition of Power A, which added $3.4 million, and favorable foreign exchange of $2.3 million. Comparable sales rose mainly due to price increases and some recovering demand. Our International markets have the lowest vaccination rates of our segments, and the consequence of these low rates was reflected in very poor back-to-school sales in Mexico and lockdowns in Australia throughout the entire third quarter due to outbreaks of the Delta variant.

There was a substantial pick up in vaccination rates towards the end of the quarter that bodes well for the seasonally important Southern Hemisphere back-to-school season in Australia and Brazil, which spans the fourth and first quarters. Children in Brazil, particularly in the highly populated state of Sao Paulo, started to return to in-person education in the third quarter. We expect the back-to-school season in Brazil to be larger than prior year; however, we anticipate that some sales are likely to move into the first quarter of 2022.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, net sales increased, as a result of favorable foreign exchange, which added $11.0 million, PowerA, which contributed $9.0 million, and higher pricing. Comparable sales declined due to lower demand related to the continuing impact of COVID-19, particularly in the first quarter.

For the three months ended September 30, 2021, operating income and operating margin improved primarily as a result of long-termhigher sales, strong cost reductions, some benefit from higher pricing,controls, and PowerA, which added $0.9 million. These factors were partially offset by higher SG&A expenses as the prior year benefited from many pandemic-related, short-term costa reduction measures, including $1.7 million of higher government assistance.in operating tax reserves. Foreign exchange increaseddecreased operating income $0.2 $0.4 million.


For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, operating income and operating margin improved due toprimarily as a result of higher sales, the benefit of long-term cost reductions and a $2.6 million benefit from lower reserves for operating taxes, bad debts, and inventory, and PowerA, which contributed $2.1 million. These factors were partially offset by higher SG&A expense as the prior year benefited from many pandemic-related, short-term cost reduction measures, including $3.1 million of higher government assistance. Restructuring costs were $0.3 million lower and foreignobsolete inventory. Foreign exchange increasedreduced operating income $0.8 million.

$1.7 million. Excluding PowerA and foreign exchange, operating income increased slightly.

40



Liquidity and Capital Resources


Our primary liquidity needs are to support our working capital requirements, service indebtedness and fund capital expenditures, dividends and acquisitions. Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows from operating activities, cash and cash equivalents held and seasonal borrowings under our $600 million multi-currency revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Facility"). As of SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, there was $153.0$240.3 million in borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Facility ($7.912.8 million reported in "Current portion of long-term debt" and $145.1$227.5 million reported in "Long-term debt, net"), we had $58.1$91.7 million in cash on hand, and the amount available for borrowings was $434.5$348.7 million (allowing for $12.5$11.0 million of letters of credit outstanding on that date). We maintain adequate financing arrangements at market rates.

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was approximately 3.83.97 to 1.00 versus our maximum covenant of 5.254.25 to 1.00.1.00. We have no debt maturities before March 2026.


Given the debt incurred in connection with our acquisition of PowerA, ourOur near-term use of cash will be to fund our dividend and reduce debt. Our long-term strategy remains to deploy cash to fund dividends, reduce debt, make acquisitions and repurchase stock.


35


During the second quarter of 2022, we made a contingent purchase price payment of $27.0 million related to the acquisition of PowerA.

The $547.0$612.4 million of debt currently outstanding under our senior secured credit facilities has a weighted average interest rate of 2.303.02 percent as of SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, and the $575.0 million outstanding principal amount of our senior unsecured notes due 20262029 have a fixed interest rate of 4.25 percent.


Adequacy of Liquidity Sources


We believe that cash flow from operations, our current cash balance and other sources of liquidity, including borrowings available under our Revolving Facility, will be adequate to support our requirements for working capital, capital and restructuring expenditures and to service indebtedness for the foreseeable future.


Restructuring and Integration Activities


From time to time the Company may implement restructuring, realignment or cost-reduction plans and activities, including those related to integrating acquired businesses.


The restructuring provision was $0.3$1.9 million and $4.2$2.2 million for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, respectively, primarily related to the Company's cost reduction programs representing expected severance costs mainly in North America. Additional charges were also taken in Brazil, EMEA and Mexico.EMEA. For additional details, see "Note 10. Restructuring" to the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in "Part I, Item 1. Financial Information" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


In addition, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded an aggregate $1.0 million and $2.5 million in non-restructuring integration expenses related to the integration of PowerA with ACCO Brands' operations, respectively.

Cash Flow for the NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020
2021


Cash Flow from Operating Activities


Cash providedused by operating activities during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 was $44.0$97.9 million, an increase in cash used of $22.2$42.8 million compared to cash providedused by operating activities of $21.8$55.1 million during the prior year's first ninesix months. The improvementincrease in cash providedused by operating activities was primarily due to a decreasehigher investments in net working capital of $20.9 million, an increase in cash used for accrued expensescustomer programs of approximately $15.4 million, and other liabilities$9.2 million of $50.5cash used for contingent earnout during the second quarter, partially offset by increased net income of $8.5 million. The $9.2 million an increase inrepresents the fair valueportion of the contingent earnout of $16.5 million, higher depreciation and amortization costs of $12.3 million, and higher stock-based compensation of $7.0 million, partially offset by more cash used for investmentsliability that was not included in our working capitalpurchase accounting at the time of $62.6 million, which is primarily due to the PowerA Acquisition.
41

acquisition of PowerA.


The table below shows our cash flow used or provided by the components of net working capital for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020:
Nine Months EndedAmount of Change
(in millions)September 30,
2021
September 30,
2020
Accounts receivable$(18.3)$78.7 $(97.0)
Inventories(116.2)(28.4)(87.8)
Accounts payable55.1 (67.1)122.2 
Cash flow (used) provided by net working capital$(79.4)$(16.8)$(62.6)
2021:


 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

June 30,
2022

 

 

June 30,
2021

 

 

Amount of Change

 

Accounts receivable

$

 

(12.4

)

$

 

(54.5

)

$

 

42.1

 

Inventories

 

 

(51.4

)

 

 

(77.9

)

 

 

26.5

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(47.2

)

 

 

42.3

 

 

 

(89.5

)

Cash flow used by net working capital

$

 

(111.0

)

$

 

(90.1

)

$

 

(20.9

)

36


Accounts receivable was a use of cash of $18.3$12.4 million during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, a favorable change of $42.1 million compared to a use of cash of $54.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The $42.1 million favorable change was due to increased recovery of past due accounts and increased collections on a higher level of accounts receivable, primarily because the prior year included minimal collections related to gaming accessories as we did not purchase the outstanding accounts receivable at the closing of the acquisition of PowerA.
Inventories was a use of cash of $51.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022, a favorable change of $26.5 million when compared with the $77.9 million cash used during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The favorable change was primarily driven by the Company having increased inventory exiting the prior year to mitigate supply chain issues.
Accounts payable was a use of cash of $47.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2022, an unfavorable change of $97.0$89.5 million when compared to a source of cash of $78.7$42.3 million during the first ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2020.2021. The $97.0$89.5 million unfavorable change was due to strong sales (including $25.7 million in receivables from PowerA) duringincreased payments on a higher level of accounts payable, partly because the nine months ended September 30, 2021,prior year included minimal payments related to gaming accessories as compared to lower sales duringwe did not acquire the nine months ended September 30, 2020, driven by COVID-19 impacts.
Inventories was a useoutstanding accounts payable at the closing of cashthe acquisition of $116.2 million duringPowerA. In addition, high levels of accounts payable at the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an unfavorable changeend of $87.8 million when comparedthe prior year associated with the $28.4 million cash used duringtiming of inventory purchases noted above also drove higher vendor payments in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The use of cash for inventory was higher during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as a resultfirst half of the Company increasing inventory to secure supply for the back-to-school season, and to support the growth in PowerA ($47.8 million) as well as increased purchases due to supply chain disruptions related to international shipping.current year.

Accounts payable was a source of cash of $55.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a favorable change of $122.2 million when compared to a use of cash of $67.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The source of cash for accounts payable was a result of the Company purchasing more inventory due to higher sales, including for back-to-school, and PowerA ($26.9 million).


Cash Flow from Investing Activities


Cash used by investing activities was $6.8 million and cash provided by investing activities was $1.5 million and cash used by investing activities was $11.2$6.1 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 and 2020,2021, respectively. Cash used for capital expenditures was up $2.1 million primarily for the integration of PowerA into SAP.down by $2.3 million. Cash provided by acquisitions increaseddecreased by $14.8$15.4 million primarily frombecause the prior year period included a working capital adjustment received from the seller of PowerA due to having delivered less working capital than required in the acquisition agreement, partly offset by cash paid for the Franken acquisition.
that did not recur.


Cash Flow from Financing Activities


Cash usedprovided by financing activities was $22.5$153.9 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021, a decrease2022, an increase of $71.1$63.7 million, compared with cash provided of $48.6$90.2 million by financing activities during the first ninesix months of the prior year. The decreaseincrease of $71.1$63.7 million primarily relates to a reduction of cash used for share repurchases of $18.9 million in 2020 and a decreasean increase in cash provided by our incremental net borrowings of $72.7$81.9 million during the first ninesix months of 2021,2022, compared to the prior year’syear's first ninesix months. In addition, there were cash outflows of $9.8$20.3 million related to the call premium on early redemption of our Prior Notes and $8.9 million increase in cash outflows for payments of debt issuance costs associated with our bond and bank debt refinancing during the first six months of 2021. Partly offsetting the cash provided by financing activities was uses of cash for share repurchases of $19.4 million and a $17.8 million payment representing the amount of contingent earnout which was recorded in our purchase accounting at the 2021 first quarter.
time of the acquisition of PowerA.


Credit Facilities and Notes Covenants


As of SeptemberJune 30, 2021,2022, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio was approximately 3.83.97 to 1.00 versus our maximum covenant of 4.754.25 to 1.00.


Guarantees and Security


Generally, obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries, and are secured by substantially all of the Company’s and certain guarantor subsidiaries’ assets, subject to certain exclusions and limitations.


42


Supplemental Non-GAAP Financial Measure


To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"), we provide investors with certain non-GAAP financial measures, including comparable net sales. Comparable net sales represent net sales excluding the impact of material acquisitions and with

37


current-period foreign operation sales translated at prior-year currency rates. We sometimes refer to comparable net sales as comparable sales.


We use comparable net sales both to explain our results to stockholders and the investment community and in the internal evaluation and management of our business. We believe comparable net sales provide management and investors with a more complete understanding of our underlying operational results and trends, facilitate meaningful period-to-period comparisons and enhance an overall understanding of our past and future financial performance. Comparable net sales should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the directly comparable GAAP financial measurenet sales and should be read in connection with the Company's financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.


The following tables provide a reconciliation of GAAP net sales change as reported to non-GAAP comparable net sales change:
Comparable Net Sales - Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
Non-GAAP
GAAPCurrencyComparable
(in millions)Net SalesTranslationAcquisitionNet Sales
ACCO Brands North America$287.5$2.0$45.1$240.4
ACCO Brands EMEA161.12.38.3150.5
ACCO Brands International78.12.33.472.4
Total$526.7$6.6$56.8$463.3
Amount of Change - Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
$ Change - Net Sales
Non-GAAP
GAAPComparable
Net SalesCurrencyNet Sales
(in millions)ChangeTranslationAcquisitionChange
ACCO Brands North America$49.0$2.0$45.1$1.9
ACCO Brands EMEA24.72.38.314.1
ACCO Brands International8.92.33.43.2
    Total$82.6$6.6$56.8$19.2
% Change - Net Sales
Non-GAAP
GAAPComparable
Net SalesCurrencyNet Sales
ChangeTranslationAcquisitionChange
ACCO Brands North America20.5%0.8%18.9%0.8%
ACCO Brands EMEA18.1%1.7%6.1%10.3%
ACCO Brands International12.9%3.3%4.9%4.7%
    Total18.6%1.5%12.8%4.3%
43



Comparable Net Sales - Three Months Ended June 30, 2022



 



 

Non-GAAP



 

GAAP



Currency



Comparable

(in millions)

 

Net Sales



Translation



Net Sales

ACCO Brands North America

$

306.6

$

(1.4)

$

308.0

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

137.9



(19.8)



157.7

ACCO Brands International

 

76.5



(2.4)



78.9

Total

$

521.0

$

(23.6)

$

544.6



Amount of Change - Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021



$ Change - Net Sales



 



 

Non-GAAP



 

GAAP







Comparable



 

Net Sales



Currency



Net Sales

(in millions)

 

Change



Translation



Change

ACCO Brands North America

$

11.5

$

(1.4)

$

12.9

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

(19.1)



(19.8)



0.7

ACCO Brands International

 

10.8



(2.4)



13.2

Total

$

3.2

$

(23.6)

$

26.8



% Change - Net Sales



 



 

Non-GAAP



 

GAAP







Comparable



 

Net Sales



Currency



Net Sales



 

Change



Translation



Change

ACCO Brands North America

 

3.9%



(0.5)%



4.4%

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

(12.2)%



(12.6)%



0.4%

ACCO Brands International

 

16.4%



(3.7)%



20.1%

Total

 

0.6%



(4.6)%



5.2%



Comparable Net Sales - Six Months Ended June 30, 2022



 



 

Non-GAAP



 

GAAP



Currency



Comparable

(in millions)

 

Net Sales



Translation



Net Sales

ACCO Brands North America

$

515.1

$

(1.4)

$

516.5

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

294.0



(32.2)



326.2

ACCO Brands International

 

153.5



(4.9)



158.4

Total

$

962.6

$

(38.5)

$

1,001.1

38



Comparable Net Sales - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Non-GAAP
GAAPCurrencyComparable
(in millions)Net SalesTranslationAcquisitionNet Sales
ACCO Brands North America$771.4$6.9$137.1$627.4
ACCO Brands EMEA475.028.124.1422.8
ACCO Brands International208.611.09.0188.6
    Total$1,455.0$46.0$170.2$1,238.8
Amount of Change - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
$ Change - Net Sales
Non-GAAP
GAAPComparable
Net SalesCurrencyNet Sales
(in millions)ChangeTranslationAcquisitionChange
ACCO Brands North America$133.4$6.9$137.1$(10.6)
ACCO Brands EMEA122.828.124.170.6
ACCO Brands International3.711.09.0(16.3)
Total$259.9$46.0$170.2$43.7
% Change - Net Sales
Non-GAAP
GAAPComparable
Net SalesCurrencyNet Sales
ChangeTranslationAcquisitionChange
ACCO Brands North America20.9%1.1%21.5%(1.7)%
ACCO Brands EMEA34.9%8.0%6.8%20.1%
ACCO Brands International1.8%5.4%4.4%(8.0)%
    Total21.7%3.8%14.2%3.7%



Amount of Change - Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021



$ Change - Net Sales



 



 

Non-GAAP



 

GAAP







Comparable



 

Net Sales



Currency



Net Sales

(in millions)

 

Change



Translation



Change

ACCO Brands North America

$

31.2

$

(1.4)

$

32.6

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

(19.9)



(32.2)



12.3

ACCO Brands International

 

23.0



(4.9)



27.9

Total

$

34.3

$

(38.5)

$

72.8




% Change - Net Sales



 



 

Non-GAAP



 

GAAP







Comparable



 

Net Sales



Currency



Net Sales



 

Change



Translation



Change

ACCO Brands North America

 

6.4%



(0.3)%



6.7%

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

(6.3)%



(10.3)%



4.0%

ACCO Brands International

 

17.6%



(3.8)%



21.4%

Total

 

3.7%



(4.1)%



7.8%

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


See "Part II, Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.2021. There have been no material changes to Foreign Exchange Risk Management or Interest Rate Risk Management in the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 or through the date of this report.


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.


As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, and with the participation of our Disclosure Committee, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of SeptemberJune 30, 2021.

44

2022.



(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.


There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 20212022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


45

39



PART II — OTHER INFORMATION



There are various claims, lawsuits and pending actions against us incidental to our operations, including the income tax assessments against our Brazilian subsidiary, Tilibra Produtos de Papelaria Ltda (the "Brazil Tax Assessments"), which is more fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in "Part I, Item 1. Note 11. Income Taxes, Brazil Tax Assessments to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


It is the opinion of management that (other than the Brazil Tax Assessments) the ultimate resolution of currently outstanding matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. However, there is no assurance that we will ultimately be successful in our defense of any of these matters or that an adverse outcome in any matter will not affect our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow. Further, future claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings could materially and adversely affect our business, reputation, results of operations, and financial condition.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS


There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and those disclosed in "Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


(a) Not applicable.


(b) Not applicable.


(c) Common Stock Purchases


The following table provides information about our purchases of equity securities during the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 2021:

2022:

Period

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

 

 

Average Price
Paid per Share

 

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plan or
Program
(1)

 

 

Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Program
(1)

 

April 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022

 

 

92,879

 

$

 

7.45

 

 

 

92,879

 

$

 

124,353,291

 

May 1, 2022 to May 31, 2022

 

 

1,329,287

 

 

 

7.22

 

 

 

1,329,287

 

 

 

114,751,946

 

June 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022

 

 

1,320,423

 

 

 

6.90

 

 

 

1,320,423

 

 

 

105,645,579

 

Total

 

 

2,742,589

 

$

 

7.07

 

 

 

2,742,589

 

$

 

105,645,579

 

Period

Total Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Program(1)
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program(1)
July 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021— $— — $125,045,248 
August 1, 2021 to August 31, 2021— — — 125,045,248 
September 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021— — — 125,045,248 
Total— $— — $125,045,248 

(1) On February 14, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved an authorization to repurchase up to $100 million in shares of its common stock. On August 7, 2019, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved an authorization to repurchase up to an additional $100 million in shares of its common stock.

The number of shares to be purchased, if any, and the timing of purchases will be based on the Company's stock price, leverage ratios, cash balances, general business and market conditions, and other factors, including alternative investment opportunities and working capital needs. The Company may repurchase its shares, from time to time, through a variety of methods, including open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and block trades or pursuant to repurchase plans designed to comply with the Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any stock repurchases will be subject to market conditions, SEC regulations and other considerations and may be commenced or suspended at any time or from

40


time to time, without prior notice. Accordingly, there is no guarantee as to the number of shares, if any, that will be repurchased or the timing of such repurchases.


46


ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


None.


ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES


Not applicable.


ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION


None.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number    Description of Exhibit





101.INS    Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH    Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL    Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF    Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB    Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE        Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

Exhibit

Number

Description of Exhibit

10.1

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement under the 2022 ACCO Brands Corporation Incentive Plan*

Filed herewith.

10.2

Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2022 ACCO Brands Corporation Incentive Plan *

10.3

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2022 ACCO Brands Corporation Incentive Plan *

10.4

Form of Directors Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2022 ACCO Brands Corporation Incentive Plan *

31.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 *

31.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 *

32.1

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 **

32.2

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 **

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

*

Filed herewith.

**

Furnished herewith.


47

41



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.

REGISTRANT:

REGISTRANT:

ACCO BRANDS CORPORATION

By:

/s/ Boris Elisman

Boris Elisman

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

By:

/s/ Neal V. FenwickDeborah A. O'Connor

Neal V. FenwickDeborah A. O'Connor

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial officer)

By:

/s/ James M. Dudek, Jr.

James M. Dudek, Jr.

Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

(principal accounting officer)

Date: October 28, 2021

August 9, 2022



42

48