HAIN CELESTIAL GROUP INC 10-K

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with Item 1A and the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto for the period ended June 30, 2020 included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K are qualified by the cautionary statement included in this review under the sub-heading, “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information,” at the beginning of this Form 10-K. Overview The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively, along with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” and herein referred to as “Hain Celestial,” “we,” “us” and “our”), was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Lake Success, New York. The Company’s mission has continued to evolve since its founding, with health and wellness being the core tenet — To Create and Inspire a Healthier Way of Life ™ and be a leading marketer, manufa cturer and seller of organic and natural, “better-for-you” products by anticipating and exceeding consumer expectations in providing quality, innovation, value and convenience. The Company is committed to growing sustainably while continuing to implement environmentally sound business practices and manufacturing processes. Hain Celestial sells its products through specialty and natural food distributors, supermarkets, natural food stores, mass-market and e-commerce retailers, food service channels and club, drug and convenience stores in over 75 countries worldwide. The Company manufactures, markets, distributes and sells organic and natural products under brand names that are sold as “better-for-you” products, providing consumers with the opportunity to lead A Healthier Way of Life ® . Hain Celestial is a leader in many organic and natural product categories, with many recognized brands in the various market categories it serves, including Celestial Seasonings ® , Clarks™, Cully & Sully ® , Dream ® , Earth’s Best ® , Ella’s Kitchen ® , Farmhouse Fare™, Frank Cooper’s ® , GG UniqueFiber ® , Gale’s ® , Garden of Eatin’ ® , Hain Pure Foods ® , Hartley’s ® , Health Valley ® , Imagine ® , Joya ® , Lima ® , Linda McCartney ® (under license), MaraNatha ® , Natumi ® , New Covent Garden Soup Co. ® , Orchard House ® , Robertson’s ® , Sensible Portions ® , Spectrum ® , Sun-Pat ® , Sunripe ® , Terra ® , The Greek Gods ® , William’s™, Yorkshire Provender ® and Yves Veggie Cuisi ne ® . The Company’s personal care products are marketed under the Alba Botanica ® , Avalon Organics ® , Earth’s Best ® , JASON ® , Live Clean ® , One Step ® and Queen Helene ® brands. The Company continues to execute the four key pillars of its strategy to: (1) simplify its portfolio; (2) strengthen its capabilities; (3) expand profit margins and cash flow; and (4) reinvigorate profitable topline growth. The Company has executed this strategy, with a focus on discontinuing uneconomic investment, realigning resources to coincide with brand importance, reducing unproductive stock-keeping units (“SKUs”) and brands and reassessing current pricing architecture. As part of this initiative, the Company reviewed its product portfolio within North America and d ivided it into “Get Bigger” and “Get Better” brand categories. The Company’s “Get Bigger” brands represent its strongest brands with higher margins, which compete in categories with strong growth potential. The Company has concentrated its investment in marketing, innovation and other resources to prioritize spending for these brands, in an effort to reinvigorate profitable topline growth, optimize assortment and increase share of distribution. The Company’s “Get Better” brands are the brands in which the Company is primarily focused on simplification and expansion of profit margin. Some of these brands have historically been low margin, non-strategic brands that added complexity with minimal benefit to the Company’s operations. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company initiated a SKU rationalization that included the elimination of approximately 350 low velocity and low profitability SKUs. These SKU rationalizations are expected to result in expanded future profits and a remaining set of core SKUs that will maintain their shelf space in the store. In addition, as part of the Company’s overall strategy, the Company may seek to dispose of businesses and brands that are less profitable or are otherwise less of a strategic fit within our core portfolio. During fiscal 2019, for example, the Company divested its Hain Pure Protein reportable segment and its WestSoy® tofu, seitan and tempeh businesses. In fiscal 2020, the Company divested its Tilda business and its Arrowhead Mills®, SunSpire®, Europe's Best®, Casbah®, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery™, Rudi’s Organic Bakery® and Fountain of Truth™ brands. More recently, the Company divested its Danival® business in July 2020. See Note 25, Subsequent Events , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further discussion. 32 Table of Contents COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenging and unprecedented conditions, and we are committed to supporting the global response to the crisis. We are proud of our employees who are giving extraordinary effort under difficult circumstances to ensure we can supply the products our consumers depend on. We are pleased with our preparation and efforts through the early stages of the pandemic, and we believe we are well positioned for the future as we continue to navigate the crisis and prepare for an eventual return to a more normal operating environment. To date, we have successfully implemented contingency plans overseen by crisis management teams to monitor the evolving needs of our business. While we have managed the pandemic well with minimal disruption to our business thus far, the impact of the pandemic on our future consolidated results of operations is uncertain. We discuss below the actual and potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business as well as in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors of this Form 10-K. Employee and Consumer Health and Safety Precautions From the outset of the pandemic, our first priority has been the well-being of our employees and consumers. We were early adopters of guidance from global health authorities for preventing the spread of COVID-19, and we have consistently met or exceeded government guidelines for addressing the health and safety of our employees, including global travel restrictions, prohibitions against visitors, social distancing requirements, the use of thermal temperature scanners, and the provision of personal protective equipment to our employees. We have also enabled the use of new technology to allow many of our office-based employees to work from home effectively. While these important actions and initiatives have led to some increased costs, the overall costs have not been material to our financial results and have been more than offset by the overall increase in our net sales due to increased consumer demand. Manufacturing Facilities and Supply Chain Challenges We have experienced temporary disruptions at certain of our manufacturing facilities due to an abundance of caution and our early adoption of best practices for addressing instances of an employee contracting COVID-19. We are proud of our efforts to ensure the health and safety of our employees and consumers, and these temporary disruptions have not had a material impact on our operations to date. We continue to monitor and comply with all applicable government orders, as many of the jurisdictions in which we do business begin to transition to the next phase of re-opening and a more normal operating environment. We are facing, and will continue to face, operational challenges in manufacturing our products and making them available to customers and consumers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shelter-in-place and social distancing behaviors, which are being mandated or encouraged by governments and practiced by businesses and individuals, create challenges for our manufacturing employees as well as for third parties on which we rely to make our products available to consumers. These third parties include our suppliers, contract manufacturers, distributors, logistics providers and other business partners, as well as the retailers that ultimately sell our products to consumers. We have experienced some increased volatility in the cost of ingredients and increased logistics-related costs to manage our supply chain through the pandemic. To date, these increased costs have not had a material impact on our financial results. We believe our planning has us well positioned to continue to manage these supply chain challenges. When certain European countries were among the first regions impacted by COVID-19, we learned the nature and scope of the resulting supply disruptions and how to prepare for them. We made the decision to identify our most important products and secondary sources of supply and manufacturing capabilities for those key products. We acquired extra raw materials, supplemented our inventory levels and added temporary labor to support our extra manufacturing and health and safety initiatives. We also consolidated product shipping orders to more efficiently meet the increased customer and consumer demand. The framework for these supply chain measures remains in place to continue to meet any further surges in demand. Consumer Demand To date, shelter-in-place and social distancing behaviors have resulted in increased overall demand for our products, most notably in our grocery, snacks, tea and certain personal care product categories. Other product offerings, such as sun care products and the food service component of our business in the United Kingdom, have been adversely impacted due to changed consumer behavior and priorities. 33 Table of Contents While we have experienced a net increase in the overall demand for our products during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, the duration of that increased demand environment is uncertain. Additionally, deteriorating economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect future demand for our products. Factors such as increased unemployment, decreases in disposable income and declines in consumer confidence could cause a decrease in demand for our overall product set, particularly higher priced products. Our Financial Position The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a net increase in overall demand for our products. Accordingly, to date, our financial position has benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit to a limited extent. We finance our operations primarily with the cash flows we generate from our operations and from borrowings available to us under our Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). As of June 30, 2020, we had $710.3 million available under the Amended Credit Agreement. Business Priorities While the current environment has caused us to delay certain planned innovation and productivity initiatives, our business strategy of simplifying our portfolio and reinvigorating profitable sales growth remains unchanged. Financial Impact on Third Parties and Equity Investments Deteriorating economic conditions could jeopardize the viability of some third parties and our business relationships with them and could cause us to incur losses or increased costs in our dealings with those third parties. We have taken measures to minimize the impact of hardships faced by individual business partners, including by identifying secondary sources of supply and manufacturing capabilities. Productivity and Transformation Costs As part of the Company’s historical strategic review, it focused on a productivity initiative, which it called “Project Terra.” A key component of this project was the identification of global cost savings and the removal of complexity from the business. In fiscal 2019, the Company announced a strategy that includes as one of its key pillars identifying areas of cost savings and operating efficiencies to expand profit margins and cash flow. As part of this overall strategy and the key pillar of realizing savings and efficiencies, during fiscal 2020, the Company began the integration of its United States and Canada operations in alignment with the North America reportable segment structure. The Company will carry out additional productivity initiatives under this strategy in fiscal 2021. Productivity and transformation costs include costs, such as consulting and severance costs, relating to streamlining the Company’s manufacturing plants, co-packers and supply chain, eliminating served categories or brands within those categories, and product rationalization initiatives which are aimed at eliminating slow moving SKUs. Discontinued Operations On August 27, 2019, the Company and Ebro Foods S.A. (the “Purchaser”) entered into, and consummated the transactions contemplated by, an agreement relating to the sale and purchase of the Tilda Group Entities and certain other assets. The Company sold the entities comprising its Tilda operating segment and certain other assets of the Tilda business to the Purchaser for an aggregate price of $341.8 million. On February 15, 2019, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets used primarily for the Plainville Farms business, a component of the Company’s Hain Pure Protein Corporation (“HPPC”) operating segment. On June 28, 2019, the Company completed the sale of the remainder of HPPC and Empire Kosher which included the FreeBird and Empire Kosher businesses. These dispositions were undertaken to reduce complexity in the Company’s operations and simplify the Company’s brand portfolio, in addition to allowing additional flexibility to focus on opportunities for growth and innovation in the Company’s more profitable and faster growing core businesses. Collectively, these dispositions were reported in the aggregate as the Hain Pure Protein reportable segment. These dispositions represented strategic shifts that had a major impact on the Company’s operations and financial results and therefore, the Company is presenting the operating results and cash flows of the Tilda operating segment and the Hain Pure Protein reportable segment within discontinued operations in the current and prior periods. The assets and liabilities of the Tilda 34 Table of Contents operating segment are presented as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2019. See Not e 5, D iscontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information. Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan On June 24, 2018, the Company entered into a succession plan, whereby the Company’s form er CEO , Irwin D. Simon, agreed to terminate his employment with the Company upon the hiring of a new CEO. On October 26, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Mark L. Schiller as President and CEO, succeeding Mr. Simon. In connection with the appointment, on October 26, 2018, the Company and Mr. Schiller entered into an employment agreement, which was approved by the Board, with Mr. Schiller’s employment commencing on November 5, 2018. Accordingly, Mr. Simon’s employment with the Company terminated on November 4, 2018. See Note 3, Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information. 35 Table of Contents Results of Operations Comparison of Fiscal Yea r E nded June 30, 2020 to Fiscal Ye ar En ded June 30, 2019 Consolidated Results The following table compares our results of operations, including as a percentage of net sales, on a consolidated basis, for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 (amounts in thousands, other than percentages which may not add due to rounding): Fiscal Year Ended June 30, Change in 2020 2019 Dollars Percentage Net sales $ 2,053,903 100.0 % $ 2,104,606 100.0 % $ (50,703) (2.4) % Cost of sales 1,588,133 77.3 % 1,706,109 81.1 % (117,976) (6.9) % Gross profit 465,770 22.7 % 398,497 18.9 % 67,273 16.9 % Selling, general and administrative expenses 324,376 15.8 % 314,000 14.9 % 10,376 3.3 % Amortization of acquired intangibles 11,638 0.6 % 13,134 0.6 % (1,496) (11.4) % Productivity and transformation costs 48,789 2.4 % 40,107 1.9 % 8,682 21.6 % Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan expense, net — — % 30,156 1.4 % (30,156) * Proceeds from insurance claims (2,962) (0.1) % (4,460) (0.2) % 1,498 (33.6) % Accounting review and remediation costs, net of insurance proceeds — — % 4,334 0.2 % (4,334) * Goodwill impairment 394 — % — — % 394 * Long-lived asset and intangibles impairment 27,493 1.3 % 33,719 1.6 % (6,226) (18.5) % Operating income (loss) 56,042 2.7 % (32,493) (1.5) % 88,535 (272.5) % Interest and other financing expense, net 18,258 0.9 % 22,517 1.1 % (4,259) (18.9) % Other expense, net 3,956 0.2 % 994 — % 2,962 298.0 % Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net loss of equity-method investees 33,828 1.6 % (56,004) (2.7) % 89,832 (160.4) % Provision (benefit) for income taxes 6,205 0.3 % (3,232) (0.2) % 9,437 (292.0) % Equity in net loss of equity-method investees 1,989 0.1 % 655 — % 1,334 203.7 % Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 25,634 1.2 % $ (53,427) (2.5) % $ 79,061 (148.0) % Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (106,041) (5.2) % (129,887) (6.2) % 23,846 (18.4) % Net loss $ (80,407) (3.9) % $ (183,314) (8.7) % $ 102,907 (56.1)% Adjusted EBITDA $ 199,993 9.7 % $ 165,112 7.8 % $ 34,881 21.1 % * Percentage is not meaningful Net Sales Net sales in fiscal 2020 were $2.05 billion, a decrease of $50.7 million, or 2.4%, from net sales of $2.10 billion in fiscal 2019. Foreign currency exchange rates negatively impacted net sales by $27.5 million as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, net sales decreased approximately 1.1% from the prior year. Net sales decreased across both our North America and International reportable segments, primarily driven by the strategic decision to no longer support certain lower margin and unprofitable SKUs, a reduction in net sales in relation to divested brands and a decline in our fruit business as a result of impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Further details of changes in net sales by segment are provided below. 36 Table of Contents Gross Profit Gross profit in fiscal 2020 was $465.8 million, an increase of $67.3 million, or 16.9%, from gross profit of $398.5 million in fiscal 2019. Gross profit margin was 22.7%, an increase of 380 basis points from the prior year. This increase was driven by a favorable product mix as well as cost savings from the Company’s productivity and transformation initiatives. The year-over-year increase was further due to an inventory write-down of $12.4 million in fiscal 2019, which did not recur in fiscal 2020, in connection with the discontinuance of slow moving SKUs primarily in the United States as part of a product rationalization initiative and increased freight and commodity costs primarily in the United States operating segment. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses were $324.4 million in fiscal 2020, an increase of $10.4 million, or 3.3%, from $314.0 million in fiscal 2019. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to higher marketing and advertising spend as well as higher variable compensation costs in the current year period. Variable compensation costs include stock-based compensation expense, which was higher in the current year period primarily due to the reversal in the prior year period of previously accrued amounts under certain performance-based incentive plans of which achievement was no longer probable. See Note 15, Stock-based Compensation and Incentive Performance Plans , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further discussion. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was 15.8% in fiscal 2020 and 14.9% in the prior year, an increase of 90 basis points, primarily attributable to the aforementioned items. Amortization of Acquired Intangibles Amortization of acquired intangibles was $11.6 million in fiscal 2020, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 11.4%, from $13.1 million in fiscal 2019. The decrease was due to finite-lived intangibles from certain historical acquisitions becoming fully amortized subsequent to June 30, 2019 as well as impairment of certain finite-lived intangibles taken during the fiscal 2020 year. Productivity and Transformation Costs Productivity and transformation costs were $48.8 million in fiscal 2020, an increase of $8.7 million from $40.1 million in fiscal 2019. The increase was primarily due to increased North America integration costs incurred in connection with the Company’s productivity and transformation initiative as well as increased severance costs in fiscal 2020 as compared to the prior year period. Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan Expense, Net On June 24, 2018, the Company entered into a succession plan, whereby the Company’s former CEO, Irwin D. Simon, agreed to terminate his employment with the Company upon the hiring of a new CEO. Net costs and expenses associated with the Company ’s former Chief Executive Officer succession plan were $30.2 million in fiscal 2019 with no expense incurred in fiscal 2020. See Note 3, Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Proceeds from Insurance Claims In July of 2019, the Company received $7.0 million as partial payment from an insurance claim relating to business disruption costs associated with a co-packer. Of this amount, $4.5 million was recognized in fiscal 2019 as it related to reimbursement of costs already incurred, with the remaining $2.5 million recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company recorded an additional $0.5 million of proceeds in fiscal year 2020. Accounting Review and Remediation Costs, Net of Insurance Proceeds Costs and expenses associated with the internal accounting review, remediation and other related matters were $4.3 million in fiscal 2019 with no expense incurred in fiscal 2020. Included in accounting review and remediation costs for fiscal 2019 were insurance proceeds of $0.2 million related to the reimbursement of costs incurred as part of the internal accounting review and the independent review by the Audit Committee and other related matters. 37 Table of Contents Goodwill Impairment In fiscal 2020, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $0.4 million related to the European reporting unit within the International segment. There were no goodwill impairment charges recorded during fiscal 2019. See Not e 10, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Long-Lived Asset and Intangibles Impairment During fiscal 2020, the Company recorded $27.5 million of long-lived asset and intangibles impairment charges. This included a pre-tax impairment charge of $9.5 million ($4.0 million related to the North America segment and $5.5 million related to the International segment) related to certain trade names of the Company. The Company also recorded $4.5 million of pre-tax impairment charges relating to customer relationships of certain brand divestitures within the North America segment. Additionally, during fiscal 2020, the Company recorded a $12.3 million non-cash impairment charge primarily related to a write-down of certain machinery and equipment in the United States and Europe used to manufacture certain slow moving or low margin SKUs and the write-down of buildings, machinery and equipment related to the sale of our Danival business. During fiscal 2019, the Company recorded $33.7 million of long-lived asset and intangibles impairment charges. This included a pre-tax impairment charge of $17.9 million ($15.1 million related to the North America segment and $2.8 million related to the International segment) related to certain trade names of the Company. Additionally, the Company recorded $6.1 million of non-cash impairment charges primarily related to the Company’s decision to consolidate manufacturing of certain fruit-based products in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the Company recorded a $9.7 million non-cash impairment charge to write down the value of certain machinery and equipment no longer in use in the United States and United Kingdom, some of which was used to manufacture certain slow moving SKUs that were discontinued. See Not e 8, Property, Plant and Equipment, Net and Note 10, G oodwill and Other Intangible Assets , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for details regarding the aforementioned impairment charges. Operating Income (Loss) Operating income in fiscal 2020 was $56.0 million compared to an operating loss of $32.5 million in fiscal 2019. The increase in operating income resulted from the items described above. Interest and Other Financing Expense, Net Interest and other financing expense, net totaled $18.3 million in fiscal 2020, a decrease of $4.3 million, or 18.9%, from $22.5 million in the prior year. The decrease in Interest and other financing expense, net resulted primarily from lower interest expense related to our revolving credit facility as a result of lower variable interest rates and a lower balance of borrowings outstanding during fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019. See N ote 12, Deb t and Borrowings , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Other Expense, Net Other expense, net totaled $4.0 million in fiscal 2020, an increase of $3.0 million from $1.0 million in the prior year. The increase in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 resulted from losses related to the sale of the Arrowhead, SunSpire and Rudi’s businesses, partially offset by higher net unrealized foreign currency gains due to the effect of foreign currency movements on the remeasurement of foreign currency denominated loans. Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity in Net Loss of Equity-Method Investees Income before income taxes and equity in the net loss of our equity-method investees for fiscal 2020 was $33.8 million compared to a loss of $56.0 million in fiscal 2019. The increase was due to the items discussed above. Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes The provision (benefit) for income taxes includes federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. Our income tax from continuing operations was an expense of $6.2 million and a benefit of $3.2 million for fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively. 38 Table of Contents On March 27, 2020, H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into legislation which includes business tax provisions that will impact taxes related to 2018, 2019 and 2020. Some of the significant tax law changes in accordance with the CARES Act are to increase the limitation on deductible business interest expense for 2019 and 2020, allow for the five-year carryback of net operating losses for 2018-2020, suspend the 80% limitation of taxable income for net operating loss carryforwards for 2018-2020, provide for the acceleration of depreciation expense from 2018 and forward on qualified improvement property, and accelerate the ability to claim refunds of Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards. The Company carried back net operating losses generated in the June 30, 2019 tax year for five years, resulting in a net income tax benefit of $11.2 million. The $11.2 million income tax benefit represents the federal rate differential between 35% and 21%, net of a reserve under ASC 740-10 and excludes the indirect tax benefit of $6.7 million related to discontinued operations. The Company recorded a tax refund receivable of $52.5 million which is included as a component of Prepaid expenses and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which significantly revised the ongoing U.S. corporate income tax law by lowering the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system, imposing a one-time tax on foreign unremitted earnings and setting limitations on deductibility of certain costs (e.g., interest expense and executive compensation), among other things. In accordance with SAB No. 118, the SEC's staff accounting bulletin issued to address complexities involved in accounting for the Tax Act, the Company finalized the tax effects of the Tax Act during fiscal 2019. The Company recorded additional tax expense of $6.8 million related to its transition tax liability due to finalizing the Company’s foreign earnings and profits study. The net increase reflected newly issued tax laws, regulations, and notices from the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service tax authorities. The adjustment of the Company’s provisional tax expense was recorded as a change in estimate in accordance with SAB No. 118. The Tax Act also includes a provision to tax global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) of foreign subsidiaries. The FASB Staff Q&A Topic No. 5, Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income, states that an entity can make an accounting policy election either to recognize deferred taxes for temporary differences that are expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or provide for the tax expense related to GILTI resulting from those items in the year the tax is incurred. The Company has elected to recognize the resulting tax on GILTI as a period expense in the period the tax is incurred. The Company has computed the impact on our effective tax rate on a discrete basis. The effective income tax rate from continuing operations was expense of 18.3% and a benefit of 5.8% of pre-tax income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the twelve months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily impacted by the geographical mix of earnings, state taxes, provisions in the CARES Act, GILTI and limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation. The effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019 was primarily impacted by the Tax Act’s lowering of the corporate tax rate, the geographical mix of earnings, state taxes, GILTI, finalization of the transition tax liability, and limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation. The effective income tax rate was also impacted by a net increase in the Company’s valuation allowance primarily related to the Company’s state deferred tax assets and state net operating loss carryforwards. Our effective tax rate may change from period-to-period based on recurring and non-recurring factors including the geographical mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state and local income taxes and tax audit settlements. See Note 13, Income Taxes, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information. Equity in Net Loss of Equity-Method Investees Our equity in the net loss from our equity method investments for fiscal 2020 was $2.0 million compared to equity in net loss of $0.7 million for fiscal 2019. See Note 16, Investments , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. 39 Table of Contents Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Net income from continuing operations for fiscal 2020 was $25.6 million compared to net loss of $53.4 million for fiscal 2019. Net income per diluted share was $0.25 in fiscal 2020 compared to net loss per diluted share of $0.51 in fiscal 2019. The increase was attributable to the factors noted above. Net Loss from Discontinued Operations Net loss from discontinued operations for fiscal 2020 and 2019 was $106.0 million and $129.9 million, respectively, or $1.02 and $1.25 per diluted share, respectively. The net loss from discontinued operations for fiscal 2020 included a reclassification of $95.1 million of cum ulative translation losses from Accumulated comprehensive loss related to the Tilda business to discontinued operations, while in fiscal 2019 net loss from discontinued operations was primarily attributable to asset impairment charges of $109.3 million and losses on sale in connection with the disposition of the Plainville Farms and HPPC businesses of $40.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. See Not e 5, Disc ontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Net Loss Net loss for fiscal 2020 was $80.4 million compared to net loss of $183.3 million for fiscal 2019. Net loss per diluted share was $0.77 in fiscal 2020 compared to net loss per diluted share of $1.76 in 2019. The change was attributable to the factors noted above. Adjusted EBITDA Our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $200.0 million and $165.1 million for fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively, as a result of the factors discussed above. See Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Measures following the discussion of our results of operations for definitions and a reconciliation of our net loss to Adjusted EBITDA. Segment Results The following table provides a summary of net sales and operating income (loss) by reportable segment for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019: (dollars in thousands) North America International Corporate and Other Consolidated Fiscal 2020 net sales $ 1,171,478 $ 882,425 $ — $ 2,053,903 Fiscal 2019 net sales $ 1,195,979 $ 908,627 $ — $ 2,104,606 $ change $ (24,501) $ (26,202) n/a $ (50,703) % change (2.0) % (2.9) % n/a (2.4) % Fiscal 2020 operating income (loss) $ 95,934 $ 55,333 $ (95,225) $ 56,042 Fiscal 2019 operating income (loss) $ 32,682 $ 58,808 $ (123,983) $ (32,493) $ change $ 63,252 $ (3,475) $ 28,758 $ 88,535 % change 193.5 % (5.9) % 23.2 % * Fiscal 2020 operating income margin 8.2 % 6.3 % n/a 2.7 % Fiscal 2019 operating income (loss) margin 2.7 % 6.5 % n/a (1.5) % * Percentage is not meaningful North America Our net sales in the North America reportable segment for fiscal 2020 were $1.17 billion, a decrease of $24.5 million, or 2.0%, from net sales of $1.20 billion in fiscal 2019. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by the strategic decision to no longer support certain lower margin SKUs in order to reduce complexity and increase gross margins as well as a reduction in net sales in relation to divested brands such as our Rudi’s business, Arrowhead Mills ® , Europe’s Best ® and WestSoy ® , partially offset by increased overall demand for our products in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic during the second half of fiscal 40 Table of Contents 2020. Operating income in North America in fiscal 2020 was $95.9 million, an increase of $63.3 million, or 193.5%, from $32.7 million in fiscal 2019. The increase in operating income was the result of increased gross profit in the United States driven by a favorable product mix due to our efforts under the “Get Bigger” and “Get Better” strategy for our brands, efficient trade spending and supply chain cost reductions in the United States as well as other productivity savings, offset in part by increased marketing and advertising expense and variable compensation. International Our net sales in the International reportable segment for fiscal 2020 were $882.4 million, a decrease of $26.2 million, or 2.9%, from net sales of $908.6 million in fiscal 2019. On a constant currency basis, net sales decreased 0.1% from the prior year primarily due to a decline in our fruit business as a result of impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and discontinued sales of unprofitable SKUs, partially offset by growth in our plant-based food and beverage products. Operating income in our International reportable segment for fiscal 2020 was $55.3 million, a decrease of $3.5 million, or 5.9%, from $58.8 million in fiscal 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency movements of $1.8 million, operating income decreased 2.8% for fiscal 2020, compared to the prior year period, due to reductions in sales of certain fruit-based products and non-cash impairment charges primarily related to a write-down of certain machinery and equipment in Europe, offset in part by increased gross profit driven by a favorable product mix and increased overall demand for our products in reaction to COVID-19 in Europe. Corporate and Other Our Corporate and Other category consists of expenses related to the Company’s centralized administrative functions, which do not specifically relate to an operating segment. Corporate and Other expenses are comprised mainly of the compensation and related expenses of certain of the Company’s senior executive officers and other employees who perform duties related to our entire enterprise, as well as expenses for certain professional fees, facilities and other items which benefit the Company as a whole. Additionally, productivity and transformation costs, trade name impairment charges, and proceeds from insurance claim included within Corporate and Other expenses were $32.7 million, $9.5 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan expense, net, Productivity and transformation costs and Accounting review and remediation costs, net of insurance proceeds included within Corporate and Other expenses were $30.2 million, $28.4 million and $4.3 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. Refer to Note 22, Segm ent Information , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional details. 41 Table of Contents Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2019 to Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2018 Consolidated Results The following table compares our results of operations, including as a percentage of net sales, on a consolidated basis, for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 (amounts in thousands, other than percentages which may not add due to rounding): Fiscal Year Ended June 30, Change in 2019 2018 Dollars Percentage Net sales $ 2,104,606 100.0 % $ 2,265,670 100.0 % $ (161,064) (7.1) % Cost of sales 1,706,109 81.1 % 1,798,413 79.4 % (92,304) (5.1) % Gross profit 398,497 18.9 % 467,257 20.6 % (68,760) (14.7) % Selling, general and administrative expenses 314,000 14.9 % 316,285 14.0 % (2,285) (0.7) % Amortization of acquired intangibles 13,134 0.6 % 15,934 0.7 % (2,800) (17.6) % Productivity and transformation costs 40,107 1.9 % 16,822 0.7 % 23,285 138.4 % Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan expense, net 30,156 1.4 % 520 — % 29,636 * Proceeds from insurance claim (4,460) (0.2) % — — % (4,460) * Accounting review and remediation costs, net of insurance proceeds 4,334 0.2 % 9,293 0.4 % (4,959) (53.4) % Goodwill impairment — — % 7,700 0.3 % (7,700) (100.0) % Long-lived asset and intangibles impairment 33,719 1.6 % 14,033 0.6 % 19,686 140.3 % Operating (loss) income (32,493) (1.5) % 86,670 3.8 % (119,163) (137.5) % Interest and other financing expense, net 22,517 1.1 % 16,387 0.7 % 6,130 37.4 % Other expense (income), net 994 — % (2,151) (0.1) % 3,145 (146.2) % (Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net loss (income) of equity-method investees (56,004) (2.7) % 72,434 3.2 % (128,438) (177.3) % Benefit for income taxes (3,232) (0.2) % (1,971) (0.1) % (1,261) 64.0 % Equity in net loss (income) of equity-method investees 655 — % (339) — % 994 (293.2) % Net (loss) income from continuing operations $ (53,427) (2.5) % $ 74,744 3.3 % $ (128,171) (171.5) % Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (129,887) (6.2) % (65,050) (2.9) % (64,837) 99.7 % Net (loss) income $ (183,314) (8.7) % $ 9,694 0.4 % $ (193,008) * Adjusted EBITDA $165,112 7.8 % $228,893 10.1 % $ (63,781) (27.9) % * Percentage is not meaningful Net Sales Net sales in fiscal 2019 were $2.10 billion, a decrease of $161.1 million, or 7.1%, from net sales of $2.27 billion in fiscal 2018. Foreign currency exchange rates negatively impacted net sales by $44.5 million as compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, net sales decreased approximately 5.1% from the prior year. Net sales decreased across both our North America and International reportable segments. Further details of changes in net sales by segment are provided below. Gross Profit Gross profit in fiscal 2019 was $398.5 million, a decrease of $68.8 million, or 14.7%, from gross profit of $467.3 million in fiscal 2018. Gross profit margin was 18.9%, a decrease of 170 basis points from the prior year. Gross profit was unfavorably impacted by an inventory write-down of $12.4 million in connection with the discontinuance of slow moving SKUs primarily in North America as part of a product rationalization initiative, higher trade and promotional investments and increased freight and commodity costs primarily in the United States operating segment. These increased costs were partially offset by productivity and transformation initiative cost savings. 42 Table of Contents Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses were $314.0 million, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 0.7%, in fiscal 2019 from $316.3 million in fiscal 2018. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to lower marketing investment costs in the United States and lower stock-based compensation expense due to the reversal of previously accrued amounts under certain performance-based incentive plans of which achievement was no longer deemed probable. See Note 15, Stock-based Compensation and Incentive Performance Plans , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further discussion. This decrease was offset in part by increased consulting costs in the United States, as well as increased variable compensation costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales was 14.9% in fiscal 2019 and 14.0% in the prior year, an increase of 90 basis points, primarily attributable to the aforementioned items. Amortization of Acquired Intangibles Amortization of acquired intangibles was $13.1 million in fiscal 2019, a decrease of $2.8 million, or 17.6%, from $15.9 million in fiscal 2018. The decrease was due to finite-lived intangibles from certain historical acquisitions becoming fully amortized subsequent to June 30, 2018. Productivity and Transformation Costs We incurred Productivity and transformation costs of $40.1 million in fiscal 2019, an increase of $23.3 million from $16.8 million in fiscal 2018. The increase was primarily due to increased consulting fees incurred in connection with the Company’s productivity and transformation initiative as well as increased severance costs in fiscal 2019 as compared to the prior year period. Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan Expense, Net On June 24, 2018, the Company entered into a succession plan, whereby the Company’s former CEO, Irwin D. Simon, agreed to terminate his employment with the Company upon the hiring of a new CEO. Net costs and expenses associated with the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer succession plan were $30.2 million in fiscal 2019 compared to $0.5 million in fiscal 2018. See Note 3, Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Proceeds from Insurance Claims In July of 2019, the Company received $7.0 million as partial payment from an insurance claim relating to business disruption costs associated with a co-packer. Of this amount $4.5 million was recognized in fiscal 2019 as it related to reimbursement of costs already incurred. The Company recorded an additional $2.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Accounting Review and Remediation Costs, Net of Insurance Proceeds Costs and expenses associated with the internal accounting review, remediation and other related matters were $4.3 million in fiscal 2019, compared to $9.3 million in fiscal 2018. Included in accounting review and remediation costs for fiscal 2019 and 2018 were insurance proceeds of $0.2 million and $5.7 million, respectively, related to the reimbursement of costs incurred as part of the internal accounting review and the independent review by the Audit Committee and other related matters. Goodwill Impairment In fiscal 2018, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $7.7 million related to our former Hain Ventures reporting unit, whose goodwill and accumulated impairment charges were reallocated within the North America reportable segment to the United States and Canada operating segments on a relative fair value basis as of July 1, 2019. There were no goodwill impairment charges recorded during fiscal 2019. See Note 10, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Long-lived Asset and Intangibles Impairment During fiscal 2019, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $17.9 million ($15.1 million in the North America segment and $2.8 million in the International segment) related to certain trade names of the Company. See Note 10, Goodwill 43 Table of Contents and Other Intangible Assets , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Additionally, the Company recorded $6.2 million of non-cash impairment charges primarily related to the Company’s decision to consolidate manufacturing of certain fruit-based products in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the Company recorded a $9.7 million non-cash impairment charge to write down the value of certain machinery and equipment no longer in use in the United States and United Kingdom, some of which was used to manufacture certain slow moving SKUs that were discontinued. During fiscal 2018, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $5.6 million ($5.1 million in the North America segment and $0.5 million in the International segment) related to certain trade names of the Company. Also during fiscal 2018, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that certain fixed assets at three of its manufacturing facilities would be sold or otherwise disposed of before the end of their estimated useful lives due to the Company’s decision to utilize third-party manufacturers for two facilities in the United States and to the closure of one facility to consolidate manufacturing of certain soup products in the United Kingdom. As such, the Company recorded a $6.3 million non-cash impairment charge primarily related to the closures of these facilities. Additionally, the Company discontinued additional slow moving SKUs in the United States as part of a product rationalization initiative. As a result, expected future cash flows are not expected to support the carrying value of certain machinery and equipment used to manufacture these products. As such, the Company recorded a $2.1 million non-cash impairment charge to write down the value of these assets to fair value. Operating (Loss) Income Operating loss in fiscal 2019 was $32.5 million compared to operating income of $86.7 million in fiscal 2018. The decrease in operating income resulted from the items described above. Interest and Other Financing Expense, Net Interest and other financing expense, net totaled $22.5 million in fiscal 2019, an increase of $6.1 million, or 37.4%, from $16.4 million in the prior year. The increase in interest and other financing expense, net resulted primarily from higher interest expense related to our revolving credit facility as a result of higher variable interest rates. See Note 12, Debt and Borrowings , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Other Expense (Income), Net Other expense (income), net totaled $1.0 million of expense in fiscal 2019, a decrease of $3.1 million from $2.2 million of income in the prior year. Included in other expense (income), net for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 were net unrealized foreign currency losses, which were higher than the prior year period principally due to the effect of foreign currency movements on the remeasurement of foreign currency denominated loans. (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Equity in Net Loss (Income) of Equity-Method Investees Loss before income taxes and equity in the net loss of our equity-method investees for fiscal 2019 was $56.0 million compared to income of $72.4 million in fiscal 2018. The decrease was due to the items discussed above. Benefit for Income Taxes The provision for income taxes includes federal, foreign, state and local income taxes. Our income tax benefit from continuing operations was $3.2 million and $2.0 million for fiscal 2019 and 2018 , respectively. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation pursuant to the Tax Act, which significantly revised the ongoing U.S. corporate income tax law by lowering the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system, imposing a one-time tax on foreign unremitted earnings and setting limitations on deductibility of certain costs (e.g., interest expense and executive compensation), among other things. In accordance with SAB No. 118, the SEC's staff accounting bulletin issued to address complexities involved in accounting for the Tax Act, the Company finalized the tax effects of the Tax Act during fiscal 2019. The Company recorded additional tax expense of $6.8 million related to its transition tax liability due to finalizing the Company’s foreign earnings and profits study. The net increase reflected newly issued tax laws, regulations, and notices from the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service tax authorities. The adjustment of the Company’s provisional tax expense was recorded as a change in estimate in accordance with SAB No. 118. 44 Table of Contents The effective income tax rate from continuing operations was a benefit of 5.8% and a benefit of 2.7% of pre-tax income for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019 was primarily impacted by the Tax Act’s lowering of the corporate tax rate, the geographical mix of earnings, state taxes, GILTI, finalization of the transition tax liability, and limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation. The effective income tax rate was also impacted by a net increase in the Company’s valuation allowance primarily related to the Company’s state deferred tax assets and state net operating loss carryforwards. The effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018 was primarily impacted by the enactment of the Tax Act on December 22, 2017. Our effective tax rate may change from period-to-period based on recurring and non-recurring factors including the geographical mix of earnings, enacted tax legislation, state and local income taxes and tax audit settlements. See Note 13, Income Taxes , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional information. Equity in Net Loss (Income) of Equity-Method Investees Our equity in the net loss from our equity method investments for fiscal 2019 was $0.7 million compared to equity in net income of $0.3 million for fiscal 2018. See Note 16, Investments , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Net (Loss) Income from Continuing Operations Net loss from continuing operations for fiscal 2019 was $53.4 million compared to net income of $74.7 million for fiscal 2018. Net loss per diluted share was $0.51 in fiscal 2019 compared to net income per diluted share of $0.72 in fiscal 2018. The decrease was attributable to the factors noted above. Net Loss from Discontinued Operations Net loss from discontinued operations for fiscal 2019 and 2018 was $129.9 million and $65.1 million, respectively, or $1.25 and $0.63 per diluted share, respectively. The increase in net loss from discontinued operations was primarily attributable to asset impairment charges of $109.3 million and losses on sale in connection with the disposition of the Plainville Farms and HPPC businesses of $40.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in each case recorded in fiscal 2019 and discussed in Note 5, Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Net (Loss) Income Net loss for fiscal 2019 was $183.3 million compared to net income of $9.7 million for fiscal 2018. Net loss per diluted share was $1.76 in fiscal 2019 compared to net income per diluted share of $0.09 in 2018. The change was attributable to the factors noted above. Adjusted EBITDA Our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA was $165.1 million and $228.9 million for fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively, as a result of the factors discussed above. See Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Measures following the discussion of our results of operations for definitions and a reconciliation of our net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA. 45 Table of Contents Segment Results The following table provides a summary of net sales and operating income by reportable segment for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018: (dollars in thousands) North America International Corporate and Other Consolidated Fiscal 2019 net sales $ 1,195,979 $ 908,627 $ — $ 2,104,606 Fiscal 2018 net sales $ 1,295,413 $ 970,257 $ — $ 2,265,670 $ change $ (99,434) $ (61,630) n/a $ (161,064) % change (7.7) % (6.4) % n/a (7.1) % Fiscal 2019 operating income (loss) $ 32,682 $ 58,808 $ (123,983) $ (32,493) Fiscal 2018 operating income (loss) $ 104,025 $ 57,630 $ (74,985) $ 86,670 $ change $ (71,343) $ 1,178 $ (48,998) $ (119,163) % change (68.6) % 2.0 % (65.3) % (137.5) % Fiscal 2019 operating income (loss) margin 2.7 % 6.5 % n/a (1.5) % Fiscal 2018 operating income margin 8.0 % 5.9 % n/a 3.8 % North America Our net sales in the North America reportable segment in fiscal 2019 were $1.20 billion, a decrease of $99.4 million, or 7.7%, from net sales of $1.30 billion in fiscal 2018. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by declines in our Pantry, Better-For-You-Baby, Fresh Living and Personal Care platforms. In addition, the declines were also driven by the strategic decision to no longer support certain lower margin SKUs in order to reduce complexity and increase gross margins. Operating income in the North America reportable segment in fiscal 2019 was $32.7 million, a decrease of $71.3 million, or 68.6%, from $104.0 million in fiscal 2018. The decrease in operating income was the result of the aforementioned decrease in net sales, higher trade investments to drive future period growth, increased freight and logistics costs, start-up costs incurred in connection with a new manufacturing facility, inventory write-downs of $12.1 million in connection with the discontinuance of slow moving SKUs as part of a product rationalization initiative and a $7.1 million non-cash impairment charge to write down the value of certain machinery and equipment no longer in use in fiscal 2019, offset in part by productivity and transformation initiative cost savings. International Our net sales in the International reportable segment in fiscal 2019 were $908.6 million, an decrease of $61.6 million, or 6.4%, from net sales of $970.3 million in fiscal 2018. On a constant currency basis, net sales decreased 2.4% from the prior year primarily due to discontinued sales of unprofitable SKUs, partially offset by growth in our beverage products. Operating income in the International reportable segment for fiscal 2019 was $58.8 million, an increase of $1.2 million, or 2.0%, from $57.6 million in fiscal 2018. Excluding the impact of foreign currency movements of $3.0 million, operating income increased 7.2% for fiscal 2019. The increase in operating income was primarily due to increased gross profit driven by a favorable product mix, offset in part by the aforementioned decrease in sales and non-cash impairment charges associated with the consolidation of manufacturing of certain fruit-based products in the United Kingdom in fiscal 2019. Corporate and Other Our Corporate and Other category consists of expenses related to the Company’s centralized administrative functions, which do not specifically relate to an operating segment. Corporate and Other expenses are comprised mainly of the compensation and related expenses of certain of the Company’s senior executive officers and other employees who perform duties related to our entire enterprise, as well as expenses for certain professional fees, facilities, and other items which benefit the Company as a whole. Additionally, Productivity and transformation costs included in Corporate and Other totaled $28.4 million and $10.1 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Corporate and Other category also included accounting review and remediation costs, net of $4.3 million and $9.3 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan expense, net of $30.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. 46 Table of Contents Refer to Note 22, Segment Information , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for additional details. Liquidity and Capital Resources We finance our operations and growth primarily with the cash flows we generate from our operations and from borrowings available to us under our Amended Credit Agreement. See Note 12 , Debt and Borrowings , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Our cash and cash equivalents balance increased $6.8 million at June 30, 2020 to $37.8 million compared to $31.0 million at June 30, 2019. Our working capital was $260.7 million at June 30, 2020, an increase of $20.4 million from $240.3 million at the end of fiscal 2019 , which excludes current assets and current liabilities of discontinued operations. Liquidity is affected by many factors, some of which are based on normal ongoing operations of the Company’s business and some of which arise from fluctuations related to global economics and markets. Our cash balances are held in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Europe and India. As of June 30, 2020 , all of t he Company’s total cash balance was held outside of the United States. The Company historically considered the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested. To achieve its cash management objectives, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company reversed its reinvestment assertion for certain international locations representing $93.4 million of foreign earnings. The Company continues to reinvest $641.8 million of undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and may be subject to additional foreign withholding taxes and U.S. state income taxes if it reverses its indefinite reinvestment assertion on these foreign earnings in the future. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents primarily in money market funds or their equivalent. As of June 30, 2020, all of our investments were expected to mature in less than three months. Accordingly, we do not believe that our investments have significant exposure to interest rate risk. Cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities is summarized below. Fiscal Year Ended June 30, (amounts in thousands) 2020 2019 2018 Cash flows provided by (used in): Operating activities from continuing operations $ 156,914 $ 39,333 $ 114,396 Investing activities from continuing operations (45,128) (68,647) (81,086) Financing activities from continuing operations (104,466) (22,846) (75,421) Increase (decrease) in cash from continuing operations 7,320 (52,160) (42,111) (Decrease) increase in cash from discontinued operations (8,509) (19,809) 7,919 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (566) (1,522) 217 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $ (1,755) $ (73,491) $ (33,975) Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $156.9 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, compared to $39.3 million in fiscal 2019 and $114.4 million in fiscal 2018. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2020 resulted primarily from an improvement of $141.5 million in net income adjusted for non-cash charges, offset in part by an increase of $23.9 million of cash used in working capital accounts. The increase in working capital in fiscal 2020 is mainly due to a tax refund receivable of $52.5 million (included as a component of Other current assets in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows) resulting from carryback of NOLs under the CARES Act. C ash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $39.3 million for the fiscal year ended 2019, compared to $114.4 million in fiscal 2018. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2019 resulted primarily from a decrease of $120.1 million in net income adjusted for non-cash charges, offset in part by a decrease of $45.1 million of cash used in working capital accounts. Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $45.1 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, a decrease of $23.5 million from $68.6 million in fiscal 2019 primarily due to proceeds of $15.8 million from brand divestitures and other investing activities and decreased capital expenditures. Cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $68.6 million for fiscal 2019, a decrease of $12.4 million from $81.1 million in fiscal 2018 primarily due to cash used in connection with our Clarks UK Limited acquisition in fiscal 2018. 47 Table of Contents Cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $104.5 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 and included $345.9 million of net repayments of our term loan and revolving credit facility funded primarily with the proceeds received from the sale of Tilda and $60.2 million of share repurchases, offset in part by $305.6 million primarily related to the proceeds from the sale of Tilda. Cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $22.8 million for fiscal 2019 and primarily included $73.8 million of net repayments of our term loan and revolving credit facility funded primarily through proceeds received from the sale of HPPC and EK Holdings, Inc, offset in part by $56.6 million of proceeds received from operations of discontinued operations. Cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $75.4 million for fiscal 2018 and primarily included $39.7 million of net repayments of our term loan and revolving credit facility funded primarily through cash flows from operations and $26.8 million to fund the operations of discontinued operations. Operating Free Cash Flow from Continuing Operations Our operating free cash flow was $96.0 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, an increase of $132.5 million from the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. The increase in operating free cash flow primarily resulted from an improvement in net income adjusted for non-cash items of $141.5 million and a decrease in our capital expenditures of $14.9 million, offset in part by cash provided within working capital accounts of $23.9 million. We refer the reader to the Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Measures following the discussion of our results of operations for definitions and a reconciliation from our net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations to operating free cash flow from continuing operations. Share Repurchase Program On June 21, 2017, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $250.0 million of the Company’s issued and outstanding common stock. Repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market, pursuant to pre-set trading plans, in private transactions or otherwise. The authorization does not have a stated expiration date. The extent to which the Company repurchases its shares and the timing of such repurchases will depend upon market conditions and other corporate considerations, including the Company’s historical strategy of pursuing accretive acquisitions. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 2.6 million shares under the repurchase program for a total of $60.2 million, excluding commissions, at an average price of $23.59 per share. As of June 30, 2020, the Company had $189.8 million of remaining authorization under the share repurchase program. The Company did not repurchase any shares under this program in fiscal 2019 or 2018. Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Measures We have included in this report measures of financial performance that are not defined by U.S. GAAP. We believe that these measures provide useful information to investors and include these measures in other communications to investors. For each of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, we are providing below a reconciliation of the differences between the non-U.S. GAAP measure and the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure, an explanation of why our management and Board of Directors believes the non-U.S. GAAP measure provides useful information to investors and any additional purposes for which our management and Board of Directors uses the non-U.S. GAAP measure. These non-U.S. GAAP measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, the comparable U.S. GAAP measure. Constant Currency Presentation We believe that this measure provides useful information to investors because it provides transparency to underlying performance in our consolidated net sales by excluding the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations have on year-to-year comparability given the volatility in foreign currency exchange markets. To present this information for historical periods, current period net sales for entities reporting in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar are translated into U.S. Dollars at the average monthly exchange rates in effect during the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year, rather than at the actual average monthly exchange rate in effect during the current period of the current fiscal year. As a result, the foreign currency impact is equal to the current year results in local currencies multiplied by the change in average foreign currency exchange rate between the current fiscal period and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year. 48 Table of Contents A reconciliation between reported and constant currency net sales decrease in fiscal 2020 is as follows: (amounts in thousands) North America International Hain Consolidated Net sales - Fiscal 2020 $ 1,171,478 $ 882,425 $ 2,053,903 Impact of foreign currency exchange $ 2,227 $ 25,244 $ 27,471 Net sales on a constant currency basis - Fiscal 2020 $ 1,173,705 $ 907,669 $ 2,081,374 Net sales - Fiscal 2019 $ 1,195,979 $ 908,627 $ 2,104,606 Net sales decrease on a constant currency basis (1.9) % (0.1) % (1.1) % A reconciliation between reported and constant currency net sales decrease in fiscal 2019 is as follows: (amounts in thousands) North America International Hain Consolidated Net sales - Fiscal 2019 $ 1,195,979 $ 908,627 $ 2,104,606 Impact of foreign currency exchange $ 6,047 $ 38,477 $ 44,524 Net sales on a constant currency basis - Fiscal 2019 $ 1,202,026 $ 947,104 $ 2,149,130 Net sales - Fiscal 2018 $ 1,295,413 $ 970,257 $ 2,265,670 Net sales decrease on a constant currency basis (7.2) % (2.4) % (5.1) % Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net (loss) income before income taxes, net interest expense, depreciation and amortization, impairment of long-lived and intangible assets, equity in the earnings of equity-method investees, stock-based compensation, Productivity and transformation costs, and other non-recurring items. The Company’s management believes that this presentation provides useful information to management, analysts and investors regarding certain additional financial and business trends relating to its results of operations and financial condition. In addition, management uses this measure for reviewing the financial results of the Company and as a component of performance-based executive compensation. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-U.S. GAAP measure and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. We do not consider Adjusted EBITDA in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The principal limitation of Adjusted EBITDA is that it excludes certain expenses and income that are required by U.S. GAAP to be recorded in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is subject to inherent limitations as this metric reflects the exercise of judgment by management about which expenses and income are excluded or included in determining Adjusted EBITDA. In order to compensate for these limitations, management presents Adjusted EBITDA in connection with U.S. GAAP results. 49 Table of Contents A reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended June 30, (amounts in thousands) 2020 2019 2018 Net (loss) income $ (80,407) $ (183,314) $ 9,694 Net loss from discontinued operations (106,041) (129,887) (65,050) Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 25,634 $ (53,427) $ 74,744 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 6,205 (3,232) (1,971) Interest expense, net 14,351 19,450 13,910 Depreciation and amortization 52,088 50,898 54,277 Equity in net loss (income) of equity-method investees 1,989 655 (339) Stock-based compensation, net 13,078 9,471 13,380 Stock-based compensation expense in connection with Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan — 429 (2,203) Goodwill impairment 394 — 7,700 Long-lived asset and intangibles impairment 27,493 33,719 14,033 Unrealized currency losses (gains) 543 (850) (2,027) Productivity and transformation costs 47,596 39,958 16,833 Former Chief Executive Officer Succession Plan expense, net — 29,727 2,723 Proceeds from insurance claims (2,962) (4,460) — Accounting review and remediation costs, net of insurance proceeds — 4,334 9,293 SKU rationalization and inventory write-down 4,175 12,381 4,913 Loss (gain) on sale of business 3,564 (534) — Warehouse/manufacturing facility start-up costs 3,440 17,636 4,179 Plant closure related costs 2,357 4,734 5,513 Litigation and related expenses 48 1,517 1,015 Realized currency loss on repayment of international loans — 2,706 — Losses on terminated chilled desserts contract — — 6,553 Co-packer disruption — — 3,566 Regulated packaging change — — 1,007 Toys “R” Us bad debt — — 897 Recall and other related costs — — 580 Machine break-down costs — — 317 Adjusted EBITDA $ 199,993 $ 165,112 $ 228,893 Operating Free Cash Flow from Continuing Operations In our internal evaluations, we use the non-U.S. GAAP financial measure “operating free cash flow from continuing operations.” The difference between operating free cash flow from continuing operations and cash flow provided by or used in operating activities from continuing operations, which is the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, is that operating free cash flow from continuing operations reflects the impact of capital expenditures. Since capital spending is essential to maintaining our operational capabilities, we believe that it is a recurring and necessary use of cash. As such, we believe investors should also consider capital spending when evaluating our cash provided by or used in operating activities. We view operating free cash flow from continuing operations as an important measure because it is one factor in evaluating the amount of cash available for discretionary investments. We do not consider operating free cash flow from continuing operations in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 50 Table of Contents A reconciliation from cash flow provided by operating activities to Operating free cash flow is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended June 30, (amounts in thousands) 2020 2019 2018 Cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations $ 156,914 $ 39,333 $ 114,396 Purchase of property, plant and equipment (60,893) (75,792) (69,456) Operating free cash flow continuing operations $ 96,021 $ (36,459) $ 44,940 Contractual Obligations Obligations for all debt instruments, capital and operating leases and other contractual obligations as of June 30, 2020 are as follows: Payments Due by Period (amounts in thousands) Total Less than 1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years 5+ years Long-term debt obligations (1) $ 301,601 $ 8,809 $ 292,786 $ — $ 6 Operating lease obligations (1) 113,419 14,781 26,631 20,462 51,545 Operating leases not yet commenced 9,797 576 1,778 1,839 5,604 Finance lease obligations (1) 632 308 300 24 — Purchase obligations (2) 212,649 171,380 41,269 — — Total contractual obligations $ 638,098 $ 195,854 $ 362,764 $ 22,325 $ 57,155 (1) Including principal and interest. (2) Excludes amounts that may be payable upon termination to co-packers as we are not able to reasonably estimate such amounts. As of June 30, 2020, we had non-current unrecognized tax benefits of $20.9 million for which we are not able to reasonably estimate the timing of future cash flows. As a result, this amount has not been included in the table above. We believe that our cash on hand of $37.8 million at June 30, 2020 as well as projected cash flows from operations and availability under our Amended Credit Agreement are sufficient to fund our working capital needs in the ordinary course of business, anticipated fiscal 2021 capital expenditures and other expected cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. Off Balance Sheet Arrangements At June 30, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K that have had or are likely to have a material current or future effect on our consolidated financial statements. Critical Accounting Estimates The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The policies below have been identified as the critical accounting policies we use which require us to make estimates and assumptions and exercise judgment that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and amounts of income and expenses during the reporting periods presented. We believe in the quality and reasonableness of our critical accounting estimates; however, materially different amounts might be reported under different conditions or using assumptions, estimates or making judgments different from those that we have applied. Our critical accounting policies, including our methodology for estimates made and assumptions used, are as follows: Revenue Recognition The Company sells its products through specialty and natural food distributors, supermarkets, natural foods stores, mass-market and e-commerce retailers, food service channels and club, drug and convenience stores in over 75 countries worldwide. T he majority of our revenue contracts represent a single performance obligation related to the fulfillment of customer orders for the 51 Table of Contents purchase of our products. We recognize revenue as performance obligations are fulfilled when control passes to our customers. Our customer contracts typically contain standard terms and conditions. In instances where formal written contracts are not in place we consider the customer purchase orders to be contracts based on the criteria outlined in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers . Payment terms and conditions vary by customer and are based on the billing schedule established in our contracts or purchase orders with customers, but we generally provide credit terms to customers ranging from 15-60 days; therefore, we have determined that our contracts do not include a significant financing component. Sales to customers generally do not include more than one performance obligation. When a contract does contain more than one performance obligation, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The standalone selling price for each distinct good is generally determined by directly observable data. We have determined that we satisfy our performance obligations related to our customer contracts at a point in time, as opposed to over time, and, accordingly, revenue is recognized at a point in time. Therefore, we do not have any contract balances with our customers recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Sales includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer and are reported net of discounts, trade promotions and sales incentives, consumer coupon programs and other costs, including estimated allowances for returns, allowances and discounts associated with aged or potentially unsalable product, and prompt pay discounts. Shipping and handling costs are accounted for as a fulfillment activity of our promise to transfer products to our customers and are included in cost of sales line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Variable Consideration In addition to fixed contract consideration, many of our contracts include some form of variable consideration. We offer various trade promotions and sales incentive programs to customers and consumers, such as price discounts, slotting fees, in-store display incentives, cooperative advertising programs, new product introduction fees and coupons. The expenses associated with these programs are accounted for as reductions to the transaction price of our products and are therefore deducted from our sales to determine reported net sales. Trade promotions and sales incentive accruals are subject to significant management estimates and assumptions. The critical assumptions used in estimating the accruals for trade promotions and sales incentives include management’s estimate of expected levels of performance and redemption rates. Management exercises judgment in developing these assumptions. These assumptions are based upon historical performance of the retailer or distributor customers with similar types of promotions adjusted for current trends. The Company regularly reviews and revises, when deemed necessary, estimates of costs to the Company for these promotions and incentives based on what has been incurred by the customers. The terms of most of our promotion and incentive arrangements do not exceed a year and therefore do not require highly uncertain long-term estimates. Settlement of these liabilities typically occurs in subsequent periods primarily through an authorization process for deductions taken by a customer from amounts otherwise due to the Company. Differences between estimated expense and actual promotion and incentive costs are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Actual expenses may differ if the level of redemption rates and performance were to vary from estimates. Costs to Obtain or Fulfill a Contract As our contracts are generally shorter than one year, the Company has elected a practical expedient under ASU 2014-09 that allows the Company to expense as incurred the incremental costs of obtaining a contract if the contract period is for one year or less. These costs are included in the selling, general and administrative expense line item on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Disaggregation of Net Sales The Company does not disaggregate revenue below the segment revenues level disclosed in Note 22, Segment Information , as all revenues are recognized at a point in time and the Company’s segment revenues depict how the economic factors affect the nature, amount, and timing and uncertainty of cash flows. Valuation of Accounts and Chargeback Receivable We perform routine credit evaluations on existing and new customers. We apply reserves for delinquent or uncollectible trade receivables based on a specific identification methodology and also apply an additional reserve based on the experience we have with our trade receivables aging categories. Credit losses have been within our expectations in recent years. While Walmart Inc. and its affiliates, Sam’s Club and ASDA, together represented approximately 13% of accounts receivable, net at June 30, 2020, we believe there is no significant or unusual credit exposure at this time. 52 Table of Contents Based on cash collection history and other statistical analysis, we estimate the amount of unauthorized deductions that our customers have taken that we expect will be collectible and repaid in the near future and record a chargeback receivable. Differences between estimated collectible receivables and actual collections are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. We may not have the same experience with our receivables during different economic conditions, or with changes in business conditions, such as consolidation within the food industry and/or a change in the way we market and sell our products. Valuation of Long-lived Assets Fixed assets and amortizable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment as events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Undiscounted cash flow analyses are used to determine if impairment exists. If impairment is determined to exist, the loss is calculated based on estimated fair value. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but rather are tested at least annually for impairment, or more often if events or changes in circumstances indicate that more likely than not the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit represents an operating segment or a component of an operating segment. Goodwill is tested for impairment by either performing a qualitative evaluation or a two-step quantitative test. The qualitative evaluation is an assessment of factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. We may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment for some or all reporting units and perform a two-step quantitative impairment test. The estimate of the fair values of our reporting units are based on the best information available as of the date of the assessment. We generally use a blended analysis of the present value of discounted cash flows and the market valuation approach. The discounted cash flow model uses the present values of estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating and external economic factors in estimating our future cash flows. The assumptions we use in our evaluations include projections of growth rates and profitability, our estimated working capital needs, as well as our weighted average cost of capital. The market valuation approach indicates the fair value of a reporting unit based on a comparison to comparable publicly traded firms in similar businesses. Estimates used in the market value approach include the identification of similar companies with comparable business factors. Changes in economic and operating conditions impacting the assumptions we made could result in additional goodwill impairment in future periods. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds fair value, goodwill is considered impaired. The amount of the impairment is the difference between the carrying value of the goodwill and the “implied” fair value, which is calculated as if the reporting unit had just been acquired and accounted for as a business combination. Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of acquired trade names and trademarks. We first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. We measure the fair value of these assets using the relief from royalty method. This method assumes that the trade names and trademarks have value to the extent their owner is relieved from paying royalties for the benefits received. We estimate the future revenues for the associated brands, the appropriate royalty rate and the weighted average cost of capital. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, in conjunction with its budgeting and forecasting process for fiscal year 2021, and concluded that no indicators of impairment existed at any of its reporting units. As of June 30, 2020, the carrying value of goodwill was $862.0 million. For the fiscal 2020 impairment analysis, the Company performed the qualitative assessment for all of its reporting units with the exception of the Hain Daniels reporting unit where a two-step quantitative assessment was performed. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value based on the analysis performed. For the Hain Daniels reporting unit, the first step of the two-step analysis was performed, and it was found that the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by at least 20%. Holding all other assumptions used in the 2020 fair value measurement constant, a 100-basis-point increase in the weighted average cost of capital would not result in the carrying value of the reporting units to be in excess of the fair value. The fair values were based on significant management assumptions including an estimate of future cash flows. If assumptions are not achieved or market conditions decline, potential impairment charges could result. The Company will continue to monitor impairment indicators and financial results in future periods. 53 Table of Contents For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, the Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $7.7 million primarily as a result of lowered projected long-term revenue growth rates and profitability levels in its former Hain Ventures reporting unit, whose goodwill and accumulated impairment charges were reallocated within the North America reportable segment to the United States and Canada operating segments on a relative fair value basis. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated on an annual basis in conjunction with the Company’s evaluation of goodwill, or on an interim basis if and when events or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of any of its indefinite-life intangible assets below their carrying value. In assessing fair value, the Company utilizes a “relief from royalty payments” methodology. This approach involves two steps: (i) estimating the royalty rates for each trademark and (ii) applying these royalty rates to a projected net sales stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine fair value. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeds the fair value of the asset, the carrying value is written down to fair value in the period identified. During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2020, the Company determined that indicators of impairment existed in certain of the Company’s indefinite-lived trade names in association with the sale or discontinuation of certain businesses and brands. The Company performed interim impairment analyses during the year, and determined that the fair value of certain of the Company’s trade names was below their carrying value, and therefore an impairment charge of $9.5 million was recognized ( $4.0 million in the North America segment and $5.5 million in the International segment ). The result of the annual assessment for the year ended June 30, 2020 indicated that the fair value of the Company’s trade names exceeded their carrying values and no indicators of impairment were present. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, a trade name impairment charge of $17.9 million was recognized ( $15.1 million in the North America segment and $2.8 million in the International segment). For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, a trade name impairment charge of $5.6 million ( $5.1 million in the North America segment and $0.5 million in the International segment) was recorded. See also Note 10, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets , in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, for additional information. Stock-based Compensation The Company uses the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date to measure fair value for service-based and performance-based awards and a Monte Carlo simulation model to determine the fair value of market-based awards. The use of the Monte Carlo simulation model requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions, such as expected volatility, expected term and risk-free interest rate. The fair value of stock-based compensation awards is recognized as an expense over the vesting period using the straight-line method. For awards that contain a market condition, expense is recognized over the defined or derived service period using a Monte Carlo simulation model. For restricted stock awards which include performance criteria, compensation expense is recorded when the achievement of the performance criteria is probable and is recognized over the performance and vesting service periods. Compensation expense is recognized for only that portion of stock-based awards that are expected to vest. Therefore, estimated forfeiture rates that are derived from historical employee termination activity are applied to reduce the amount of compensation expense recognized. If the actual forfeitures differ from the estimate, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required in future periods. Valuation Allowances for Deferred Tax Assets Deferred tax assets arise when we recognize expenses in our financial statements that will be allowed as income tax deductions in future periods. Deferred tax assets also include unused tax net operating losses and tax credits that we are allowed to carry forward to future years. Accounting rules permit us to carry deferred tax assets on the balance sheet at full value as long as it is “more likely than not” that the deductions, losses or credits will be used in the future. A valuation allowance must be recorded against a deferred tax asset if this test cannot be met. Our determination of our valuation allowances is based upon a number of assumptions, judgments and estimates, including forecasted earnings, future taxable income and the relative proportions of revenue and income before taxes in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Concluding that a valuation allowance is not required is difficult when there is significant negative evidence that is objective and verifiable, such as cumulative losses in recent years. We have deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating losses, primarily in the United Kingdom and to a lesser extent in Belgium, against which we have recorded valuation allowances. The losses in the United Kingdom were recorded prior to the acquisition of Daniels. Under current tax law in these jurisdictions, our carryforward losses have no expiration. During fiscal 2019, the Company released the valuation allowance on a majority of its U.K. net operating loss carryforwards as it is more likely than not that the losses are realizable. 54 Table of Contents During fiscal 2020, we recorded a partial valuation allowance against our state deferred tax assets and state net operating loss carryforwards as it is not more likely than not that the state tax attributes will be realized. Recent Accounting Pronouncements See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices , in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements. Seasonality Certain of our product lines have seasonal fluctuations. Hot tea, baking products, hot cereal, hot-eating desserts and soup sales are stronger in colder months, while sales of snack foods, sunscreen and certain of our prepared food and personal care products are stronger in the warmer months. As such, our results of operations and our cash flows for any particular quarter are not indicative of the results we expect for the full year, and our historical seasonality may not be indicative of future quarterly results of operations. In recent years, net sales and diluted earnings per share in the first fiscal quarter have typically been the lowest of our four quarters.