Celestica Announces Second Quarter 2017 Financial

TORONTO, ON --(Marketwired - July 25, 2017) - Celestica Inc. ( NYSE : CLS ) ( TSX : CLS ), a global leader in the delivery of end-to-end product lifecycle solutions, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Second Quarter 2017 Highlights

• Revenue: $1.56 billion, at the mid-point of our previously provided guidance range of $1.5 to $1.6 billion, increased 5% compared to the second quarter of 2016
• Revenue dollars from our Communications end market increased 14% compared to the second quarter of 2016, and represented 44% of total revenue, compared to 41% of total revenue for the second quarter of 2016
• Revenue dollars from our Advanced Technology Solutions* end market decreased 3% compared to the second quarter of 2016, and represented 31% of total revenue, compared to 33% of total revenue for the second quarter of 2016
• IFRS EPS: $0.24 per share, compared to $0.25 per share for the second quarter of 2016
• Adjusted EPS (non-IFRS): $0.32 per share, at the mid-point of our previously provided guidance range of $0.29 to $0.35 per share, compared to $0.29 per share for the second quarter of 2016
• Operating margin (non-IFRS): 3.7%, at the mid-point of our expectations, compared to 3.8% for the second quarter of 2016
• Adjusted ROIC (non-IFRS): 21.0%, compared to 20.9% for the second quarter of 2016
• Free cash flow (non-IFRS): $32.8 million, compared to negative $23.8 million for the second quarter of 2016

"Celestica delivered strong revenue in the second quarter representing another consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue growth," said Rob Mionis, Celestica's President and Chief Executive Officer.

"I am pleased with the progress we are making against our strategy to create long-term value. We continue to evolve and diversify our customer and product portfolios across our business. As we enter the second half of the year, we intend to continue to invest in ramping new programs and in higher margin services such as our Joint Design and Manufacturing offering to help deliver strategic value to our customers."

End Markets by Quarter as a Percentage of Total Revenue

As noted in the prior quarter, as part of our recent organizational initiatives, we have aligned our end markets into two customer focused areas: Advanced Technology Solutions (ATS) and Connectivity & Cloud Solutions (CCS). ATS consists of our former Diversified and Consumer end markets, and CCS consists of our Communications and Enterprise end markets. Due to the decreasing size of our Consumer end market, we combined it with our previously-reported Diversified end market to form our ATS end market commencing in the first quarter of 2017. As a result, ATS consists of our aerospace and defense, industrial, smart energy, healthcare, semiconductor equipment and consumer. Also commencing in the first quarter of 2017, due to the converging technologies of our Storage and Servers end markets, we combined them into a single "Enterprise" end market for reporting purposes. All period percentages herein reflect these changes.

Third Quarter 2017 Outlook

For the quarter ending September 30, 2017, we anticipate revenue to be in the range of $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion, non-IFRS operating margin to be 3.7% at the mid-point of our expectations, and non-IFRS adjusted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.28 to $0.34. We expect a negative $0.06 to $0.12 per share (pre-tax) aggregate impact on net earnings on an IFRS basis for employee stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets (excluding computer software) and restructuring charges. We cannot predict changes in currency exchange rates, the impact of such changes on our operating results, or the degree to which we will be able to manage such impacts.

We do not provide reconciliations for forward-looking non-IFRS financial measures, as we are unable to provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting the timing or amount of various events that have not yet occurred, are out of our control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, and that would impact the most directly comparable forward-looking IFRS financial measure. For these same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information. Forward-looking non-IFRS financial measures provided without the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures may vary materially from the corresponding IFRS financial measures.

Second Quarter 2017 Webcast

Management will host its second quarter 2017 results conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The webcast can be accessed at www.celestica.com .

Board Member Resignation

Joseph M. Natale, who was recently appointed as President and CEO of Rogers Communications, has resigned from Celestica's Board effective July 26, 2017.

Non-IFRS Supplementary Information

In addition to disclosing detailed operating results in accordance with IFRS, Celestica provides supplementary non-IFRS measures to consider in evaluating the company's operating performance. Management uses adjusted net earnings and other non-IFRS measures to assess operating performance and the effective use and allocation of resources; to provide more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of operating results; to enhance investors' understanding of the core operating results of Celestica's business; and to set management incentive targets. We believe investors use both IFRS and non-IFRS measures to assess management's past, current and future decisions associated with our priorities and our allocation of capital, as well as to analyze how our business operates in, or responds to, swings in economic cycles or to other events that impact our core operations. See Schedule 1 - Supplementary Non-IFRS Measures for, among other items, non-IFRS measures provided herein, non-IFRS definitions, and a reconciliation of non-IFRS to IFRS measures.

About Celestica

Celestica is dedicated to delivering end-to-end product lifecycle solutions to drive our customers' success. Through our simplified global operations network and information technology platform, we are solid partners who deliver informed, flexible solutions that enable our customers to succeed in the markets they serve. Committed to providing a truly differentiated customer experience, our agile and adaptive employees share a proud history of demonstrated expertise and creativity that provides our customers with the ability to overcome complex challenges. For further information about Celestica, visit our website at www.celestica.com . Our securities filings can also be accessed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those related to our future growth; trends in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry; our anticipated financial and/or operational results, including our quarterly revenue, non-IFRS operating margin and earnings guidance; the impact of acquisitions and program wins or losses on our financial results and working capital requirements; anticipated expenses, restructuring actions and charges, and capital expenditures, including the anticipated timing thereof, and our ability to fund, and the method of funding these costs, capital expenditures and other anticipated working capital requirements; the impact of tax and litigation outcomes; our cash flows, financial targets and priorities; intended investments in our business; changes in our mix of revenue by end market; our ability to diversify and grow our customer base and develop new capabilities; the impact of increased competition and pricing pressures on our financial results; the timing and extent of the expected recoveries from the sale of inventory and manufacturing equipment related to our exit from the solar panel manufacturing business; the anticipated termination and settlement of our solar equipment leases; our intention to settle outstanding equity awards with subordinate voting shares; the potential impact of new accounting standards on our consolidated financial statements; and our intentions with respect to our U.K. Supplementary pension plan. Such forward-looking statements may, without limitation, be preceded by, followed by, or include words such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "estimates", "intends", "plans", "continues", "project " , "potential " , " possible " , " contemplate " , " seek ", or similar expressions, or may employ such future or conditional verbs as "may", "might", "will", "could", "should" or "would", or may otherwise be indicated as forward-looking statements by grammatical construction, phrasing or context. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, where applicable, and applicable Canadian securities laws.

Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from conclusions, forecasts or projections expressed in such forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks related to: our customers' ability to compete and succeed in the marketplace with the services we provide and the products we manufacture; changes in our mix of customers and/or the types of products or services we provide; the seasonality in the quarterly revenue of some of our businesses; price and other competitive factors generally affecting, and the highly competitive nature of, the EMS industry; price and other competitive factors affecting our Communications and Enterprise end markets; managing our operations and our working capital performance during uncertain market and economic conditions; responding to changes in demand, rapidly evolving and changing technologies, and changes in our customers' business and outsourcing strategies, including the insourcing of programs; customer concentration and the challenges of diversifying our customer base and replacing revenue from completed or lost programs, or customer disengagements; customer, competitor and/or supplier consolidation; changing commodity, material and component costs, as well as labor costs and conditions; disruptions to our operations, or those of our customers, component suppliers and/or logistics partners, including as a result of global or local events outside our control, including as a result of Britain's intention to leave the European Union (Brexit) and/or significant developments stemming from the new administration in the U.S.; retaining or expanding our business due to execution issues relating to the ramping of new or existing programs or new offerings; the incurrence of future impairment charges or other write-downs of assets; recruiting or retaining skilled talent; transitions associated with our Global Business Services (GBS) initiative, our Organizational Design (OD) initiative, and/or other changes to our company's operating model; current or future litigation, governmental actions and/or changes in legislation; the timing and extent of recoveries from the sale of inventory and manufacturing equipment relating to our exit from the solar panel manufacturing business, and our ability to recover accounts receivable outstanding from our solar customers, including a former solar supplier; delays in the delivery and availability of components, services and materials, including from suppliers upon which we are dependent for certain components; non-performance by counterparties; our financial exposure to foreign currency volatility, including fluctuations that may result from Brexit and/or the new administration in the U.S.; our dependence on industries affected by rapid technological change; the variability of revenue and operating results; managing our global operations and supply chain; increasing income taxes, tax audits, and challenges of defending our tax positions, and obtaining, renewing or meeting the conditions of tax incentives and credits; completing restructuring actions, including achieving the anticipated benefits therefrom, and integrating any acquisitions; defects or deficiencies in our products, services or designs; computer viruses, malware, hacking attempts or outages that may disrupt our operations; any failure to adequately protect our intellectual property or the intellectual property of others; compliance with applicable laws, regulations and social responsibility initiatives; any U.S. government shutdown; our having sufficient financial resources and working capital to fund currently anticipated financial obligations and to pursue desirable business opportunities; the potential that conditions to closing the sale of our real property in Toronto and related transactions (collectively, the "Toronto Real Property Transactions") may not be satisfied on a timely basis or at all; and if the Toronto Real Property Transactions are completed, our ability to secure on commercially acceptable terms an alternate site for our existing Toronto manufacturing operations, and the costs, timing and/or execution of such relocation proving to be other than anticipated. The foregoing and other material risks and uncertainties are discussed in our public filings at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, including in our most recent MD&A, our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with, and subsequent reports on Form 6-K furnished to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and as applicable, the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Our revenue, earnings and other financial guidance, as contained in this press release, is based on various assumptions, many of which involve factors that are beyond our control. Our material assumptions include those related to the following: production schedules from our customers, which generally range from 30 days to 90 days and can fluctuate significantly in terms of volume and mix of products or services; the timing and execution of, and investments associated with, ramping new business; the success in the marketplace of our customers' products; the pace of change in our traditional end markets and our ability to retain programs and customers; the stability of general economic and market conditions, currency exchange rates, and interest rates; our pricing, the competitive environment and contract terms and conditions; supplier performance, pricing and terms; compliance by third parties with their contractual obligations, the accuracy of their representations and warranties, and the performance of their covenants; the costs and availability of components, materials, services, plant and capital equipment, labor, energy and transportation; operational and financial matters including the extent, timing and costs of replacing revenue from completed or lost programs, or customer disengagements; technological developments; the timing and extent of recoveries from the sale of inventory and manufacturing equipment related to our exit from the solar panel manufacturing business and our ability to recover accounts receivable outstanding from our solar customers, including a former solar supplier; the timing, execution and effect of restructuring actions; our having sufficient financial resources and working capital to fund currently anticipated financial obligations and to pursue desirable business opportunities; and our ability to diversify our customer base and develop new capabilities. While management believes these assumptions to be reasonable under the current circumstances, they may prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

Schedule 1

Supplementary Non-IFRS Measures

Our non-IFRS measures herein include adjusted gross profit, adjusted gross margin (adjusted gross profit as a percentage of revenue), adjusted selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A), adjusted SG&A as a percentage of revenue, operating earnings (adjusted EBIAT), operating margin (adjusted EBIAT as a percentage of revenue), adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share, adjusted return on invested capital (adjusted ROIC), free cash flow and adjusted effective tax rate. Adjusted EBIAT, adjusted ROIC, free cash flow and adjusted effective tax rate are further described in the tables below. In calculating these non-IFRS financial measures, management excludes the following items, where applicable: employee stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets (excluding computer software), restructuring and other charges, net of recoveries, other solar charges (described below), the write-down of goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, all net of the associated tax adjustments (which are set forth in the table below), and deferred tax write-offs/costs or recoveries associated with restructuring actions or restructured sites.

We believe the non-IFRS measures we present herein are useful, as they enable investors to evaluate and compare our results from operations and cash resources generated from our business in a more consistent manner (by excluding specific items that we do not consider to be reflective of our ongoing operating results) and provide an analysis of operating results using the same measures our chief operating decision makers use to measure performance. In addition, management believes that the use of a non-IFRS adjusted effective tax rate provides improved insight into the tax effects of our ongoing business operations, and is useful to management and investors for historical comparisons and forecasting. These non-IFRS financial measures result largely from management's determination that the facts and circumstances surrounding the excluded charges or recoveries are not indicative of the ordinary course of the ongoing operation of our business.

Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other public companies that use IFRS, or who report under U.S. GAAP and use non-U.S. GAAP measures to describe similar operating metrics. Non-IFRS measures are not measures of performance under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any standardized measure under IFRS. The most significant limitation to management's use of non-IFRS financial measures is that the charges or credits excluded from the non-IFRS measures are nonetheless charges or credits that are recognized under IFRS and that have an economic impact on the company. Management compensates for these limitations primarily by issuing IFRS results to show a complete picture of the company's performance, and reconciling non-IFRS results back to IFRS results.

The economic substance of these exclusions and management's rationale for excluding them from non-IFRS financial measures is provided below:

Employee stock-based compensation expense, which represents the estimated fair value of stock options, restricted share units and performance share units granted to employees, is excluded because grant activities vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter in both quantity and fair value. In addition, excluding this expense allows us to better compare core operating results with those of our competitors who also generally exclude employee stock-based compensation expense in assessing operating performance, who may have different granting patterns and types of equity awards, and who may use different valuation assumptions than we do, including those competitors who report under U.S. GAAP and use non-U.S. GAAP measures to present similar metrics.

Amortization charges(excluding computer software) consist of non-cash charges against intangible assets that are impacted by the timing and magnitude of acquired businesses. Amortization of intangible assets varies among our competitors, and we believe that excluding these charges permits a better comparison of core operating results with those of our competitors who also generally exclude amortization charges in assessing operating performance.

Restructuring and other charges, net of recoveries, include costs relating to employee severance, lease terminations, site closings and consolidations, write-downs of owned property and equipment which are no longer used and are available for sale, reductions in infrastructure, acquisition-related transaction costs, and legal settlements (recoveries). We exclude restructuring and other charges, net of recoveries, because we believe that they are not directly related to ongoing core operating results and do not reflect expected future operating expenses after completion of these activities. We believe these exclusions permit a better comparison of our core operating results with those of our competitors who also generally exclude these charges, net of recoveries, in assessing operating performance.

Other solar charges consist of non-cash charges to further write down our remaining solar related assets. These additional charges were identified after our decision to exit the solar panel manufacturing business, and consist of the further write down of the carrying value of our remaining solar panel inventory and the write-down of solar accounts receivable (A/R) (primarily as a result of a solar customer's bankruptcy) to estimated recoverable amounts, recorded through cost of sales and SG&A expenses, respectively. Both of these impairment charges, which were identified during the wind down phase of our solar operations, are excluded as they pertain to a business we are exiting, and we therefore believe they are no longer directly related to our ongoing core operating results. Although we recorded significant impairment charges to write down our solar panel inventory in the third quarter of 2016, those charges were not excluded in the determination of our non-IFRS financial measures for such period, as we were then still engaged in the solar panel manufacturing business. In connection with this wind down, we also recorded non-cash impairment charges to further write down the carrying value of our solar panel manufacturing equipment currently held for sale to its estimated fair value (at period-end) less costs to sell, which we recorded through other charges. See note 11 of our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Impairment charges, which consist of non-cash charges against goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, result primarily when the carrying value of these assets exceeds their recoverable amount. Our competitors may record impairment charges at different times, and we believe that excluding these charges permits a better comparison of our core operating results with those of our competitors who also generally exclude these charges in assessing operating performance.

Deferred tax write-offs/costs or recoveries associated with restructuring actions or restructured sites are excluded, as we believe that these write-offs/costs or recoveries do not reflect core operating performance and vary significantly among those of our competitors who also generally exclude these charges or recoveries in assessing operating performance.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the various non-IFRS measures discussed above, and a reconciliation of IFRS to non-IFRS measures (in millions, except percentages and per share amounts):

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our calculation of IFRS ROIC % and non-IFRS adjusted ROIC % (in millions, except IFRS ROIC % and non-IFRS adjusted ROIC %):

Contingencies (note 14)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements .

CELESTICA INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in millions of U.S. dollars, except percentages and per share amounts) (unaudited)

1. REPORTING ENTITY

Celestica Inc. (Celestica) is incorporated in Ontario with its corporate headquarters located at 844 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1V7. Celestica's subordinate voting shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Celestica delivers innovative supply chain solutions globally to customers in the following end markets: Communications (comprised of enterprise communications and telecommunications), Advanced Technology Solutions (comprised of our former Diversified and Consumer end markets, and consisting of aerospace and defense, industrial, healthcare, smart energy, semiconductor equipment, and consumer), and Enterprise (comprised of Servers and Storage). Our product lifecycle offerings include a range of services to our customers including design and development, engineering services, supply chain management, new product introduction, component sourcing, electronics manufacturing, assembly and test, complex mechanical assembly, systems integration, precision machining, order fulfillment, logistics and after-market repair and return services.

2. BASIS OF PREPARATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Statement of compliance:

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, Interim Financial Reporting , as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the accounting policies we have adopted in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our 2016 annual audited consolidated financial statements and reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present fairly our financial position as at June 30, 2017 and our financial performance, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, which is also our functional currency. Unless otherwise noted, all financial information is presented in millions of U.S. dollars (except percentages and per share amounts).

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements were authorized for issuance by our board of directors on July 25, 2017.

Use of estimates and judgments:

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are based upon estimates consistent with those used and described in note 2 of our 2016 annual audited consolidated financial statements. We base these estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and assumptions. We review our estimates and underlying assumptions on an ongoing basis and make revisions as determined necessary by management. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting estimates and assumptions or the judgments affecting the application of such estimates and assumptions during the second quarter and first half of 2017 from those described in the notes to our 2016 annual audited consolidated financial statements, except for changes in the estimates and assumptions related to the recoverability of our remaining solar assets (see note 4).

Accounting policies:

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are based upon accounting policies consistent with those used and described in note 2 of our 2016 annual audited consolidated financial statements.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements:

IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers:

In May 2014, the IASB issued this standard, which provides a single, principles-based five-step model for revenue recognition to be applied to all customer contracts, and requires enhanced disclosures. The new standard is effective January 1, 2018, and allows for early adoption. We have elected to adopt this standard in our consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2018 using the retrospective approach. Under this approach, we will restate each comparative reporting period presented and recognize the transitional adjustments through equity at the start of the first comparative reporting period presented (January 1, 2016). We have determined that the new standard will change the timing of revenue recognition for a significant portion of our business. Under the new standard, revenue for certain customer contracts will be recognized earlier than under the current recognition rules (which is generally upon delivery). We believe the adoption of the new standard will materially impact our consolidated financial statements. However, the extent of the financial impacts cannot be reasonably estimated until we complete our detailed analysis during the remainder of 2017. We are also currently assessing the changes to our business processes, systems and controls that will be necessary to support the recognition and disclosures required by the new standard.

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments:

In July 2014, the IASB issued a final version of this standard, which replaces IAS 39, Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, with earlier adoption permitted. The standard introduces a new model for the classification and measurement of financial assets, a single expected credit loss model for the measurement of the impairment of financial assets, and a new model for hedge accounting that is aligned with a company's risk management activities. We do not intend to adopt this standard early and are currently evaluating the anticipated impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 16, Leases:

In January 2016, the IASB issued this standard, which brings most leases on-balance sheet for lessees under a single model, eliminating the distinction between operating and finance leases. IFRS 16 supersedes IAS 17, Leases , and related interpretations and is effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with earlier adoption permitted. We do not intend to adopt this standard early and are currently evaluating the anticipated impact of adopting this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

3. SEGMENT AND CUSTOMER REPORTING

End markets:

The following table indicates revenue by end market as a percentage of total revenue for the periods indicated.

For reporting purposes, commencing in the first quarter of 2017, we combined our previously-reported Diversified and Consumer end markets to form our ATS end market, and combined our Servers and Storage end markets into a single "Enterprise" end market. All period percentages herein reflect these changes.

Customers:

For each of the second quarter and first half of 2017, we had two customers that individually represented more than 10% of total revenue (second quarter and first half of 2016 --two customers).

Seasonality:

From time to time, we experience some level of seasonality in our quarterly revenue patterns across some of our businesses. However, numerous factors affecting our period-to-period results make it difficult to isolate the impact of seasonality and other external factors on our business. In the past, revenue from our storage business has increased in the fourth quarter of the year compared to the third quarter, and then decreased in the first quarter of the following year, reflecting the increase in customer demand we typically experience in this business in the fourth quarter. In addition, we typically experience our lowest overall revenue levels during the first quarter of each year. There is no assurance that these patterns will continue.

4. SOLAR INVESTMENTS

During the fourth quarter of 2016, we made a decision to exit the solar panel manufacturing business, and terminated (prior to its scheduled expiration) a supply agreement pursuant to which we had previously made certain cash advances to an Asia-based solar cell supplier. During the second quarter of 2017, we received $5.7 from this solar supplier representing the final repayment of the cash we advanced to them. Under this supply agreement, we also manufactured and sold completed solar panels to this supplier as a customer. As of June 30, 2017, accounts receivable of $6.4 remain due from this solar supplier.

In connection with our exit from the solar panel manufacturing business, we wrote down the carrying values of our solar panel manufacturing equipment and inventories during 2016 to then-recoverable amounts, and completed production of the final solar panels in the first quarter of 2017. We continue to be actively engaged in the disposition of our solar panel manufacturing equipment and remaining solar panel inventory, and in the recovery of amounts owed to us. However, during the second quarter of 2017, we recorded additional provisions of $0.9 in cost of sales, to further write down the carrying value of our remaining solar panel inventory to reflect lower prices obtained in recent purchase orders. We also recorded provisions of $0.5 in SG&A expenses in our consolidated statement of operations, to write down the carrying value of solar accounts receivable, primarily as a result of a solar customer's bankruptcy. We also recorded impairment charges of $5.2 in other charges, to further write down the carrying value of our solar panel manufacturing equipment to its estimated fair value (at period-end) less costs to sell, based on recent broker estimates (see note 11). As of June 30, 2017, and after reflecting such write-downs, we have $9.0 of remaining solar panel inventory, all of which we intend to ship to customers during the third quarter of 2017, $0.8 of outstanding accounts receivable from solar customers other than the former solar supplier described above, and $1.2 of solar panel manufacturing equipment which remains available for sale. See notes 6 and 7. A substantial portion of our solar panel manufacturing equipment is subject to finance lease agreements. As of June 30, 2017, our remaining lease obligations for this solar equipment totaled $13.2, which we have recorded as current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet as we currently intend to terminate and settle these lease obligations in 2017. See note 9.

5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

We have an agreement to sell accounts receivable on an uncommitted basis (subject to pre-determined limits by customer) to two third-party banks. In March 2017, based on a review of our requirements, we amended this agreement to reduce its overall capacity from $250.0 to $200.0. The other provisions of the agreement remained unchanged. At June 30, 2017, $50.0 of accounts receivable were sold under this facility (December 31, 2016 -- $50.0).

At June 30, 2017, we also sold $65.4 of accounts receivable under a customer's supplier financing program (December 31, 2016 -- $51.4), pursuant to which participating suppliers may sell accounts receivable from such customer to a third party bank on an uncommitted basis in order to receive earlier payment. We utilized this program to substantially offset the effect of extended payment terms required by such customer on our working capital for the period.

The accounts receivable sold under both of these arrangements are de-recognized from our accounts receivable balance and removed from our consolidated balance sheet, and the proceeds are reflected as cash provided by operating activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows. Upon sale, we assign the rights to the accounts receivable to the banks. We pay interest which we record in finance costs in our consolidated statement of operations.

6. INVENTORIES

We record our inventory provisions, net of valuation recoveries in cost of sales. We recorded net inventory provisions of $0.9 and $3.2, respectively, for the second quarter and first half of 2017 (second quarter and first half of 2016 -- net inventory recoveries of $0.4, and net inventory provisions of $0.2, respectively). We regularly review our estimates and assumptions used to value our inventory through analysis of historical performance. As a result of prices obtained in recent purchase orders for solar panels, we recorded an inventory provision of $0.9 during the second quarter of 2017 to write down the carrying amount of our remaining solar panel inventory to recoverable amounts. We intend to ship these solar panels to customers during the third quarter of 2017.

7. ASSETS CLASSIFIED AS HELD-FOR-SALE

As a result of previously announced restructuring actions, we have reclassified certain assets as held for sale. These assets were reclassified at the lower of their carrying value and estimated fair value less costs to sell at the time of reclassification. We have programs underway to sell these assets. As a result of recent broker estimates, we recorded impairment charges of $5.2 in other charges during the second quarter of 2017, to further write down the carrying value of our solar panel manufacturing equipment to its estimated fair value (at period end) less costs to sell. At June 30, 2017, and reflecting such write-downs, we had $28.6 (December 31, 2016 -- $28.9) of assets classified as held for sale, which consisted primarily of land and buildings in Europe and North America and $1.2 of solar panel manufacturing equipment in Asia and North America.

8. PENSION AND NON-PENSION POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS

We provide pension and non-pension post-employment defined benefit plans for our employees. Such plans include defined benefit pension plans for our employees in the United Kingdom (U.K.) that generally provide them with stated benefits on retirement based on their pensionable service, either in annuities and/or lump sum payments. The U.K. defined benefit pension plans are comprised of a Main pension plan and a Supplementary pension plan, both of which are closed to new members. The Main pension plan is our largest defined benefit pension plan. The Supplementary pension plan does not have any active members.

In March 2017, the Trustees of our U.K. Main pension plan entered into an agreement with a third party insurance company to purchase an annuity for participants in such plan who have retired. The cost of the annuity was £123.7 million (approximately $154.3 at the exchange rate at the time of recording) and was funded with existing plan assets. The annuity is held as an asset of the Main plan. Although we retain ultimate responsibility for the payment of benefits to plan participants, the annuity substantially hedges the financial risk component of the associated pension obligations for such retired participants. The purchase of the annuity resulted in a non-cash loss of $17.0 which we recorded in other comprehensive income and simultaneously re-classified to deficit during the first quarter of 2017. We also reduced the value of our pension assets by $17.0 which is recorded in other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheet.

In April 2017, the Trustees of our U.K. Supplementary pension plan entered into an agreement with a third party insurance company to purchase an annuity for all participants of this plan. The cost of the annuity was £9.1 million (approximately $11.7 at the exchange rate at the time of recording) and was funded with existing plan assets. The annuity is held as an asset of such plan. For the Supplementary pension plan, we anticipate transferring the pension annuity to individual plan members and winding up the plan in the forthcoming year. Although we will retain responsibility for the payment of benefits to plan participants until such wind-up is complete, the annuity substantially hedges the financial risk component of the associated pension obligations for such participants. The purchase of the annuity resulted in a non-cash loss of $1.9 which we recorded in other charges (see note 11) in our consolidated statement of operations, with a corresponding reduction in the value of our pension assets which is recorded in other non-current assets on our consolidated balance sheet.

9. CREDIT FACILITIES AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Our credit facility consists of a $250.0 term loan (Term Loan) and a $300.0 revolving credit facility (Revolving Facility), each maturing in May 2020. See note 12 of our 2016 annual audited consolidated financial statements for further details regarding the terms of our credit facility.

During the first quarter of 2016, we borrowed $40.0 under the Revolving Facility to fund the repurchase of shares under a normal course issuer bid (NCIB). During the second quarter of 2016, we made a scheduled quarterly principal repayment of $6.25 (first half of 2016 -- $12.5) under the Term Loan, and a repayment of $10.0 under the Revolving Facility. During each of the first and second quarters of 2017, we made a scheduled quarterly principal repayment of $6.25 under the Term Loan, and made a $15.0 repayment under the Revolving Facility in the first quarter of 2017. As of June 30, 2017, there was $200.0 outstanding under the Term Loan and there were no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Facility.

The following table sets forth our borrowings under the Revolving Facility and Term Loan, and our finance lease obligations as of the period-ends indicated:

10. CAPITAL STOCK

Share repurchase plans:

We have repurchased subordinate voting shares in the open market and otherwise for cancellation in recent years pursuant to NCIBs and substantial issuer bids, which allow us to repurchase a limited number of subordinate voting shares during a specified period. The maximum number of subordinate voting shares we are permitted to repurchase for cancellation under each NCIB is reduced by the number of subordinate voting shares purchased in the open market under such NCIB to satisfy obligations under our stock-based compensation plans. In February 2016, we launched an NCIB (2016 NCIB), which allowed us to repurchase, at our discretion, up to approximately 10.5 million subordinate voting shares in the open market. During the first quarter of 2016, we paid $34.3 (including transaction fees) to repurchase and cancel 3.2 million subordinate voting shares under the 2016 NCIB at a weighted average price of $10.69 per share, including 2.8 million subordinate voting shares repurchased under a $30.0 program share repurchase (PSR) we funded in March 2016 (and completed in May 2016) at a weighted average price of $10.69 per share. We did not repurchase any additional shares for cancellation during the second quarter of 2016 or the first half of 2017. The 2016 NCIB expired in February 2017. Prior to its expiry, we repurchased an aggregate of 1.6 million subordinate voting shares under the 2016 NCIB to satisfy obligations under our stock-based compensation plans (see below).

Stock-based compensation:

We grant share unit awards to employees under our stock-based compensation plans. From time-to-time, we pay cash for the purchase by a broker of subordinate voting shares in the open market to satisfy the delivery of shares upon vesting of such awards. For accounting purposes, we classify these shares as treasury stock until they are delivered pursuant to the stock-based compensation plans. During the second quarter and first half of 2017, we paid $5.2 and $6.5, respectively, (including transaction fees) for a broker's purchase of 0.37 million and 0.46 million subordinate voting shares in the open market for awards under our stock-based compensation plans. We did not repurchase any shares in the open market for our stock-based compensation plans during the first half of 2016. At June 30, 2017, the broker held 0.4 million subordinate voting shares with a value of $4.9 (December 31, 2016 -- 1.4 million subordinate voting shares with a value of $15.3).

The following table outlines the activities for stock-based awards granted to employees (activities for deferred share units (DSUs) issued to directors are excluded) for the six months ended June 30, 2017:

For the second quarter and first half of 2017, we recorded aggregate employee stock-based compensation expense (excluding DSU expense) through cost of sales and SG&A of $5.7 and $16.7, respectively (second quarter and first half of 2016 -- $6.8 and $16.2, respectively), and DSU expense (recorded through SG&A) of $0.6 and $1.2, respectively (second quarter and first half of 2016 -- $0.5 and $1.0, respectively). Employee stock-based compensation expense varies from period-to-period.

11. OTHER CHARGES (RECOVERIES)

(a) Restructuring:

We perform ongoing evaluations of our business, operational efficiency and cost structure, and implement restructuring actions as we deem necessary. In connection therewith, we recorded restructuring charges of $5.8 and $11.6 during the second quarter and first half of 2017, respectively, consisting primarily of cash charges of $0.6 and $6.4, respectively, for employee termination costs resulting from our Organizational Design and Global Business Services initiatives, and non-cash charges of $5.2 for the second quarter and first half of 2017, to further write down the carrying value of our solar panel manufacturing equipment (see below). We recorded restructuring charges of $4.5 and $6.5 during the second quarter and first half of 2016, respectively, consisting of cash charges of $2.3 and $4.3, respectively, primarily for employee termination costs and contractual lease obligations related to exited operations, and non-cash charges of $2.2 for the second quarter and first half of 2016, primarily to write down certain plant assets and equipment to recoverable amounts. Our restructuring provision at June 30, 2017 was $3.2 (December 31, 2016 -- $6.6).

During the fourth quarter of 2016, we made a decision to exit the solar panel manufacturing business, and recorded restructuring charges during that period related to, among other items, the closure of our solar panel manufacturing operations, including the write down of our solar panel manufacturing equipment at our two locations. We completed the production of the final solar panels during the first quarter of 2017, and are actively engaged in the disposition of our solar panel manufacturing equipment and remaining solar panel inventory, and in the recovery of amounts owed by customers, including a former solar supplier (see note 4). As a result of recent broker estimates, we recorded impairment charges of $5.2 during the second quarter of 2017, to further write down the carrying value of our solar panel manufacturing equipment to its estimated fair value (at period end) less costs to sell. A substantial portion of our solar panel equipment is subject to finance leases, pursuant to which we had outstanding obligations of $13.2 as of June 30, 2017. We currently intend to terminate and settle these lease obligations in 2017. We had reclassified our solar panel manufacturing equipment as assets held for sale during the first quarter of 2017. See note 7.

(b) Other:

During the second quarter and first half of 2017, we recorded $0.3 and $0.9, respectively, in integration and transaction costs related to an acquisition we completed in the fourth quarter of 2016. In the first quarter of 2017, we also recorded costs related to a prior legal matter.

In the second quarter of 2016, we recorded recoveries of damages of $12.0 in connection with the settlement of class action lawsuits in which we were a plaintiff, related to certain purchases we made in prior periods. We also recorded a provision in the second quarter of 2016 with respect to the settlement of an unrelated legal matter.

12. INCOME TAXES

Our effective income tax rate can vary significantly from quarter-to-quarter for various reasons, including as a result of the mix and volume of business in various tax jurisdictions within the Americas, Europe and Asia, in jurisdictions with tax holidays and tax incentives, and in jurisdictions for which no net deferred income tax assets have been recognized because management believed it was not probable that future taxable profit would be available against which tax losses and deductible temporary differences could be utilized. Our effective income tax rate can also vary due to the impact of restructuring charges, foreign exchange fluctuations, operating losses, cash repatriations, and changes in our provisions related to tax uncertainties.

Our income tax expense for the second quarter of 2017 was favorably impacted by the recognition of a $5.0 deferred income tax benefit related to the write-downs and impairments of our solar assets recorded in the current and prior quarters. In connection with our exit from the solar panel manufacturing business, we withdrew one of our tax incentives in Thailand (which related solely to such operations) during the second quarter of 2017. The withdrawal of this incentive allows us to apply future tax losses arising from the ultimate disposition of our solar assets against other fully taxable profits in Thailand, resulting in the recognition of the deferred income tax benefit.

We are subject to tax audits of historical information by tax authorities in various jurisdictions, which could result in additional tax expense in future periods relating to prior results. Reviews by tax authorities generally focus on, but are not limited to, the validity of our inter-company transactions, including financing and transfer pricing policies which generally involve subjective areas of taxation and a significant degree of judgment. If any of these tax authorities are successful with their challenges, our income tax expense may be adversely affected and we could also be subject to interest and penalty charges.

As a result of the resolution of certain previously disputed tax matters, we received $6 million Canadian dollars (approximately $4 at settlement date exchange rates) in January 2017, representing the return of all remaining deposits and related refund interest with respect to such matters. See note 24 to our 2016 annual audited consolidated financial statements.

The successful pursuit of assertions made by any taxing authority could result in our owing significant amounts of tax, interest and possibly penalties. We believe we adequately accrue for any probable potential adverse tax ruling. However, there can be no assurance as to the final resolution of any claims and any resulting proceedings. If any claims and any ensuing proceedings are determined adversely to us, the amounts we may be required to pay could be material, and could be in excess of amounts accrued.

13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Our financial assets are comprised primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, outstanding cash advances receivable and derivatives used for hedging purposes. Our financial liabilities are comprised primarily of accounts payable, certain accrued and other liabilities and provisions, the Term Loan, borrowings under the Revolving Facility, and derivatives. There have been no significant changes to the classification or to the source of the inputs used to measure our financial assets or liabilities since December 31, 2016.

Currency risk:

The majority of our currency risk is driven by operational costs, including income tax expense, incurred in local currencies by our subsidiaries. As part of our risk management program, we attempt to mitigate currency risk through a hedging program using forecasts of our anticipated future cash flows and balance sheet exposures denominated in foreign currencies. We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to lock in the exchange rates for future foreign currency transactions, which is intended to reduce the variability of our operating costs and future cash flows denominated in local currencies. While these contracts are intended to reduce the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, our hedging strategy does not mitigate the longer-term impacts of changes to foreign exchange rates. Our major currency exposures at June 30, 2017 are summarized in U.S. dollar equivalents in the following table. In the table below, in addition to our financial instruments, we have included certain monetary assets and liabilities, including pension and non-pension post-employment benefits and income taxes that were denominated in non-functional currencies, in order to better reflect our currency exposures. The local currency amounts have been converted to U.S. dollar equivalents using spot rates at June 30, 2017.

We enter into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge our cash flow exposures and foreign currency swaps to hedge our balance sheet exposures. At June 30, 2017, we had foreign exchange forwards and swaps to trade U.S. dollars in exchange for the following currencies:

At June 30, 2017, the fair value of our outstanding contracts was a net unrealized gain of $7.0 (December 31, 2016 -- net unrealized loss of $9.6). At June 30, 2017, we recorded $11.9 of derivative assets in other current assets, and $4.9 of derivative liabilities in accrued and other current liabilities (December 31, 2016 -- $5.9 of derivative assets in other current assets and $15.5 of derivative liabilities in accrued and other current, and other non-current, liabilities). The unrealized gains or losses are a result of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates between the date the currency forward or swap contracts were entered into and the valuation date at period end.

14. CONTINGENCIES

Litigation

In the normal course of our operations, we may be subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims, including environmental, labor, product, customer disputes and other matters. Management believes that adequate provisions have been recorded where required. Although it is not always possible to estimate the extent of potential costs, if any, management believes that the ultimate resolution of all such pending matters will not have a material impact on our financial performance, financial position or liquidity.

In 2007, securities class action proceedings were initiated against us and our former Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. The proceedings were dismissed on January 16, 2017 with no payments by the defendants.