10-Q 1 brc-20160430x10q.htm 10-Q
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended April 30, 2016
OR

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

For the Transition Period from to
Commission File Number 1-14959

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

Wisconsin |  | 39-0178960
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6555 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin |  | 53223
(Address of principal executive offices) |  | (Zip Code)

(414) 358-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer |  | þ |  | Accelerated filer |  | ¨
Non-accelerated filer |  | ¨ |  | Smaller reporting company |  | ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
As of May 18, 2016, there were 46,723,746 outstanding shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and 3,538,628 shares of Class B Voting Common Stock. The Class B Voting Common Stock, all of which is held by affiliates of the Registrant, is the only voting stock.

Table of Contents
FORM 10-Q
BRADY CORPORATION
INDEX

| Page
PART I. Financial Information | 3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) | 3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | 3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings | 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) | 5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | 6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition | 18
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 26
Item 4. Controls and Procedures | 26
PART II. Other Information | 27
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 27
Item 6. Exhibits | 27
Signatures | 28

2

Table of Contents
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)

| April 30, 2016 |  | July 31, 2015
| (Unaudited) |  |
ASSETS |  |  |
Current assets: |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 141,596 |  |  | $ | 114,492 |
Accounts receivable—net | 153,289 |  |  | 157,386 |
Inventories: |  |  |
Finished products | 63,105 |  |  | 66,700 |
Work-in-process | 17,145 |  |  | 16,958 |
Raw materials and supplies | 20,317 |  |  | 20,849 |
Total inventories | 100,567 |  |  | 104,507 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 33,981 |  |  | 32,197 |
Total current assets | 429,433 |  |  | 408,582 |
Other assets: |  |  |
Goodwill | 436,191 |  |  | 433,199 |
Other intangible assets | 62,260 |  |  | 68,888 |
Deferred income taxes | 16,465 |  |  | 22,310 |
Other | 17,157 |  |  | 18,704 |
Property, plant and equipment: |  |  |
Cost: |  |  |
Land | 5,258 |  |  | 5,284 |
Buildings and improvements | 94,155 |  |  | 94,423 |
Machinery and equipment | 262,992 |  |  | 270,086 |
Construction in progress | 2,025 |  |  | 2,164 |
| 364,430 |  |  | 371,957 |
Less accumulated depreciation | 264,661 |  |  | 260,743 |
Property, plant and equipment—net | 99,769 |  |  | 111,214 |
Total | $ | 1,061,275 |  |  | $ | 1,062,897 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT |  |  |
Current liabilities: |  |  |
Notes payable | $ | 6,230 |  |  | $ | 10,411 |
Accounts payable | 64,428 |  |  | 73,020 |
Wages and amounts withheld from employees | 40,987 |  |  | 30,282 |
Taxes, other than income taxes | 7,817 |  |  | 7,250 |
Accrued income taxes | 4,991 |  |  | 7,576 |
Other current liabilities | 39,329 |  |  | 38,194 |
Current maturities on long-term debt | — |  |  | 42,514 |
Total current liabilities | 163,782 |  |  | 209,247 |
Long-term obligations, less current maturities | 236,310 |  |  | 200,774 |
Other liabilities | 65,843 |  |  | 65,188 |
Total liabilities | 465,935 |  |  | 475,209 |
Stockholders’ investment: |  |  |
Class A nonvoting common stock—Issued 51,261,487 and 51,261,487 shares, respectively and outstanding 46,723,474 and 47,781,184 shares, respectively | 513 |  |  | 513 |
Class B voting common stock—Issued and outstanding, 3,538,628 shares | 35 |  |  | 35 |
Additional paid-in capital | 316,373 |  |  | 314,403 |
Earnings retained in the business | 438,441 |  |  | 414,069 |
Treasury stock—4,538,013 and 3,480,303 shares, respectively of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost | (114,012 | ) |  | (93,234 | )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (42,396 | ) |  | (45,034 | )
Other | (3,614 | ) |  | (3,064 | )
Total stockholders’ investment | 595,340 |  |  | 587,688 |
Total | $ | 1,061,275 |  |  | $ | 1,062,897 |

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3

Table of Contents
BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
| (Unaudited) |  | (Unaudited)
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Net sales | $ | 286,816 |  |  | $ | 290,227 |  |  | $ | 838,519 |  |  | $ | 883,095 |
Cost of products sold | 141,373 |  |  | 149,228 |  |  | 420,835 |  |  | 453,732 |
Gross margin | 145,443 |  |  | 140,999 |  |  | 417,684 |  |  | 429,363 |
Operating expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Research and development | 8,865 |  |  | 8,928 |  |  | 26,531 |  |  | 27,507 |
Selling, general and administrative | 105,794 |  |  | 102,952 |  |  | 306,678 |  |  | 319,796 |
Restructuring charges | — |  |  | 4,834 |  |  | — |  |  | 13,991 |
Total operating expenses | 114,659 |  |  | 116,714 |  |  | 333,209 |  |  | 361,294 |
Operating income | 30,784 |  |  | 24,285 |  |  | 84,475 |  |  | 68,069 |
Other income (expense): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment and other income (expense) | 721 |  |  | 434 |  |  | (1,030 | ) |  | 968 |
Interest expense | (1,838 | ) |  | (2,503 | ) |  | (6,119 | ) |  | (8,394 | )
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | 29,667 |  |  | 22,216 |  |  | 77,326 |  |  | 60,643 |
Income tax expense | 8,686 |  |  | 5,003 |  |  | 22,352 |  |  | 16,347 |
Earnings from continuing operations | $ | 20,981 |  |  | $ | 17,213 |  |  | $ | 54,974 |  |  | $ | 44,296 |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1,915 | )
Net earnings | $ | 20,981 |  |  | $ | 17,213 |  |  | $ | 54,974 |  |  | $ | 42,381 |
Earnings from continuing operations per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 1.09 |  |  | $ | 0.86 |
Diluted | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | 1.08 |  |  | $ | 0.86 |
Earnings from continuing operations per Class B Voting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 1.07 |  |  | $ | 0.85 |
Diluted | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | 1.07 |  |  | $ | 0.85 |
Loss from discontinued operations per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.03 | )
Diluted | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.03 | )
Loss from discontinued operations per Class B Voting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.04 | )
Diluted | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.04 | )
Net earnings per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 1.09 |  |  | $ | 0.83 |
Diluted | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | 1.08 |  |  | $ | 0.83 |
Dividends | $ | 0.20 |  |  | $ | 0.20 |  |  | $ | 0.61 |  |  | $ | 0.60 |
Net earnings per Class B Voting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 1.07 |  |  | $ | 0.81 |
Diluted | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | 1.07 |  |  | $ | 0.81 |
Dividends | $ | 0.20 |  |  | $ | 0.20 |  |  | $ | 0.59 |  |  | $ | 0.58 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | 50,251 |  |  | 51,301 |  |  | 50,602 |  |  | 51,275 |
Diluted | 50,505 |  |  | 51,450 |  |  | 50,747 |  |  | 51,370 |

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4

Table of Contents
BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in Thousands)

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
| (Unaudited) |  | (Unaudited)
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Net earnings | $ | 20,981 |  |  | $ | 17,213 |  |  | $ | 54,974 |  |  | $ | 42,381 |
Other comprehensive income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency translation adjustments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive loss | 24,889 |  |  | 930 |  |  | 10,943 |  |  | (70,191 | )
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (34,697 | )
| 24,889 |  |  | 930 |  |  | 10,943 |  |  | (104,888 | )
Net investment hedge translation adjustments | (3,733 | ) |  | 406 |  |  | (191 | ) |  | 20,833 |
Long-term intercompany loan translation adjustments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive loss | (2,321 | ) |  | (801 | ) |  | (6,141 | ) |  | 82 |
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (393 | )
| (2,321 | ) |  | (801 | ) |  | (6,141 | ) |  | (311 | )
Cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive loss | (167 | ) |  | (455 | ) |  | (729 | ) |  | 1,386 |
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net earnings | 169 |  |  | (457 | ) |  | (174 | ) |  | (552 | )
| 2 |  |  | (912 | ) |  | (903 | ) |  | 834 |
Pension and other post-retirement benefits: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive income | (2 | ) |  | 1,644 |  |  | (2 | ) |  | 1,498 |
Reclassification adjustment for plan curtailment gain included in net earnings | — |  |  | (1,741 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,741 | )
Actuarial gain amortization | (161 | ) |  | (106 | ) |  | (484 | ) |  | (428 | )
Prior service credit amortization | — |  |  | (40 | ) |  | (1,035 | ) |  | (162 | )
| (163 | ) |  | (243 | ) |  | (1,521 | ) |  | (833 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax | 18,674 |  |  | (620 | ) |  | 2,187 |  |  | (84,365 | )
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) | 1,313 |  |  | 250 |  |  | 478 |  |  | (7,730 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 19,987 |  |  | (370 | ) |  | 2,665 |  |  | (92,095 | )
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 40,968 |  |  | $ | 16,843 |  |  | $ | 57,639 |  |  | $ | (49,714 | )

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5

Table of Contents
BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)

| Nine months ended April 30,
| (Unaudited)
| 2016 |  | 2015
Operating activities: |  |  |
Net earnings | $ | 54,974 |  |  | $ | 42,381 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 24,896 |  |  | 28,511 |
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense | 6,247 |  |  | 3,556 |
Non-cash portion of restructuring charges | — |  |  | 3,545 |
Loss on sale of business, net | — |  |  | 426 |
Deferred income taxes | 3,169 |  |  | (4,533 | )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions/divestitures): |  |  |
Accounts receivable | 4,679 |  |  | (797 | )
Inventories | 4,556 |  |  | (8,385 | )
Prepaid expenses and other assets | (734 | ) |  | 201 |
Accounts payable and other liabilities | 3,432 |  |  | (8,399 | )
Income taxes | (2,669 | ) |  | (3,766 | )
Net cash provided by operating activities | 98,550 |  |  | 52,740 |
Investing activities: |  |  |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (7,468 | ) |  | (23,545 | )
Sale of business, net of cash retained | — |  |  | 6,111 |
Other | 1,987 |  |  | 3,927 |
Net cash used in investing activities | (5,481 | ) |  | (13,507 | )
Financing activities: |  |  |
Payment of dividends | (30,603 | ) |  | (30,712 | )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 663 |  |  | 1,591 |
Purchases of treasury stock | (23,552 | ) |  | — |
Proceeds from borrowing on credit facilities | 28,819 |  |  | 64,638 |
Principal payments on debt | (42,514 | ) |  | (42,514 | )
Debt issuance costs | (803 | ) |  | — |
Income tax on equity-based compensation, and other | (1,238 | ) |  | (3,832 | )
Net cash used in financing activities | (69,228 | ) |  | (10,829 | )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 3,263 |  |  | (9,770 | )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 27,104 |  |  | 18,634 |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 114,492 |  |  | 81,834 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 141,596 |  |  | $ | 100,468 |

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6

Table of Contents
BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Nine Months Ended April 30, 2016
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
NOTE A — Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Brady Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company," "Brady," "we," or "our") without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of the Company, the foregoing statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, its results of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, and cash flows for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015. The consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2015 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of that date. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods may differ from the estimates.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentation. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2015.
The results of operations of the Company's Die-Cut business have been reported as discontinued operations within the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the nine months ended April 30, 2015. A portion of the Die-Cut business was divested in fiscal 2014 and the remainder was divested in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. In accordance with the authoritative literature, the Company has elected to not separately disclose the cash flows or other comprehensive income related to discontinued operations. Refer to Note J, "Discontinued Operations" for further discussion regarding the business.
NOTE B — Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, were as follows:

| IDS |  | WPS |  | Total
Balance as of July 31, 2015 | $ | 382,786 |  |  | $ | 50,413 |  |  | $ | 433,199 |
Translation adjustments | 4,128 |  |  | (1,136 | ) |  | $ | 2,992 |
Balance as of April 30, 2016 | $ | 386,914 |  |  | $ | 49,277 |  |  | $ | 436,191 |

Goodwill at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015 included $118,637 and $209,392 of accumulated impairment losses within the Identification Solutions ("IDS") and Workplace Safety ("WPS") segments, respectively, for a total of $328,029. There were no impairment charges recorded during the nine months ended April 30, 2016. The increase in the carrying amount of Goodwill as of April 30, 2016 compared to July 31, 2015 was due to the effect of currency fluctuations during the nine-month period.
7

Table of Contents
Other intangible assets include patents, trademarks, customer relationships, non-compete agreements and other intangible assets with finite lives being amortized in accordance with the accounting guidance for other intangible assets. The Company also has unamortized indefinite-lived trademarks that are classified as other intangible assets. The net book value of these assets was as follows:

| April 30, 2016 |  | July 31, 2015
| Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years) |  | Gross Carrying Amount |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Net Book Value |  | Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years) |  | Gross Carrying Amount |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Net Book Value
Amortized other intangible assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Patents | 5 |  | $ | 12,218 |  |  | $ | (10,989 | ) |  | $ | 1,229 |  |  | 5 |  | $ | 12,073 |  |  | $ | (10,641 | ) |  | $ | 1,432 |
Trademarks and other | 5 |  | 14,459 |  |  | (13,713 | ) |  | 746 |  |  | 5 |  | 14,375 |  |  | (12,471 | ) |  | 1,904 |
Customer relationships | 7 |  | 137,520 |  |  | (100,621 | ) |  | 36,899 |  |  | 7 |  | 136,693 |  |  | (94,537 | ) |  | 42,156 |
Non-compete agreements and other | 4 |  | 9,184 |  |  | (9,168 | ) |  | 16 |  |  | 4 |  | 9,076 |  |  | (9,032 | ) |  | 44 |
Unamortized other intangible assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Trademarks | N/A |  | 23,370 |  |  | — |  |  | 23,370 |  |  | N/A |  | 23,352 |  |  | — |  |  | 23,352 |
Total |  |  | $ | 196,751 |  |  | $ | (134,491 | ) |  | $ | 62,260 |  |  |  |  | $ | 195,569 |  |  | $ | (126,681 | ) |  | $ | 68,888 |

The increase in the gross carrying amount of other intangible assets as of April 30, 2016 compared to July 31, 2015 was primarily due to the effect of currency fluctuations during the nine-month period.
Amortization expense on intangible assets was $1,838 and $2,900 for the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $7,066 and $9,251 for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amortization expense over each of the next five fiscal years is projected to be $8,881, $7,175, $6,471, $6,181 and $5,628 for the fiscal years ending July 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
NOTE C — Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI") consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges and net investment hedges, and the unamortized gain on post-retirement plans, net of their related tax effects.
The following table illustrates the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the nine months ended April 30, 2016:

| Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges |  | Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans |  | Foreign currency translation adjustments |  | Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, July 31, 2015 | $ | 9 |  |  | $ | 3,438 |  |  | $ | (48,481 | ) |  | $ | (45,034 | )
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassification | (368 | ) |  | (2 | ) |  | 4,634 |  |  | 4,264 |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss | (106 | ) |  | (1,520 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,626 | )
Ending balance, April 30, 2016 | $ | (465 | ) |  | $ | 1,916 |  |  | $ | (43,847 | ) |  | $ | (42,396 | )

The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of April 30, 2016 compared to July 31, 2015 was primarily due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against certain other currencies during the nine-month period. The foreign currency translation adjustments column in the table above includes the impact of foreign currency translation, foreign currency translation on intercompany notes, and the settlements of net investment hedges, net of tax. Of the total $1,626 in amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, the $106 gain on cash flow hedges was reclassified into cost of products sold, and the $1,520 gain on post-retirement plans was reclassified into selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") on the condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the nine months ended April 30, 2016.
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, for the nine months ended April 30, 2015 were as follows:
8

Table of Contents

| Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges |  | Unamortized gain on post-retirement plans |  | Foreign currency translation adjustments |  | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Beginning balance, July 31, 2014 | $ | (12 | ) |  | $ | 4,854 |  |  | $ | 59,314 |  |  | $ | 64,156 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification | 927 |  |  | 1,639 |  |  | (57,296 | ) |  | (54,730 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (337 | ) |  | (2,331 | ) |  | (34,697 | ) |  | (37,365 | )
Ending balance, April 30, 2015 | $ | 578 |  |  | $ | 4,162 |  |  | $ | (32,679 | ) |  | $ | (27,939 | )

The decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of April 30, 2015 compared to July 31, 2014 was primarily due the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against other currencies, most of which was realized during the six month period ended January 31, 2015. The decrease was also attributable to the accumulated foreign currency translation gains in the China Die-Cut businesses, which were reclassified into net earnings upon the completion of the second phase of the Die-Cut divestiture during the three months ended October 31, 2014. The foreign currency translation adjustments column in the table above includes the impact of foreign currency translation, foreign currency translation on intercompany notes, and the settlements of net investment hedges, net of tax. Of the total $37,365 in amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), the $34,697 gain was reclassified to the net loss on the sale of the Die-Cut business, the $337 gain on cash flow hedges was reclassified into cost of products sold, and the $2,331 gain due to curtailment of the post-retirement medical benefit plan was reclassified into SG&A on the condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the nine months ended April 30, 2015.
The following table illustrates the income tax expense on the components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015:

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment hedge translation adjustments | $ | 1,456 |  |  | $ | (158 | ) |  | $ | 75 |  |  | $ | (8,125 | )
Long-term intercompany loan settlements | — |  |  | (61 | ) |  | — |  |  | 489 |
Cash flow hedges | (126 | ) |  | 352 |  |  | 428 |  |  | (245 | )
Pension and other post-retirement benefits | 25 |  |  | — |  |  | 27 |  |  | — |
Other income tax adjustments and currency translation | (42 | ) |  | 117 |  |  | (52 | ) |  | 151 |
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 1,313 |  |  | $ | 250 |  |  | $ | 478 |  |  | $ | (7,730 | )

9

Table of Contents
NOTE D — Net Earnings per Common Share
Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows:

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Numerator: (in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Earnings from continuing operations | $ | 20,981 |  |  | $ | 17,213 |  |  | $ | 54,974 |  |  | $ | 44,296 |
Less: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Preferential dividends | — |  |  | — |  |  | (783 | ) |  | (794 | )
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options | — |  |  | — |  |  | (1 | ) |  | (1 | )
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings from continuing operations per Class B Voting Common Share | $ | 20,981 |  |  | $ | 17,213 |  |  | $ | 54,190 |  |  | $ | 43,501 |
Denominator: (in thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Denominator for basic earnings from continuing operations per share for both Class A and Class B | 50,251 |  |  | 51,301 |  |  | 50,602 |  |  | 51,275 |
Plus: Effect of dilutive stock options | 254 |  |  | 149 |  |  | 145 |  |  | 95 |
Denominator for diluted earnings from continuing operations per share for both Class A and Class B | 50,505 |  |  | 51,450 |  |  | 50,747 |  |  | 51,370 |
Earnings from continuing operations per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 1.09 |  |  | $ | 0.86 |
Diluted | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | 1.08 |  |  | $ | 0.86 |
Earnings from continuing operations per Class B Voting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 1.07 |  |  | $ | 0.85 |
Diluted | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | 1.07 |  |  | $ | 0.85 |
Loss from discontinued operations per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.03 | )
Diluted | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.03 | )
Loss from discontinued operations per Class B Voting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.04 | )
Diluted | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (0.04 | )
Net earnings per Class A Nonvoting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 1.09 |  |  | $ | 0.83 |
Diluted | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | 1.08 |  |  | $ | 0.83 |
Net earnings per Class B Voting Common Share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 1.07 |  |  | $ | 0.81 |
Diluted | $ | 0.42 |  |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | 1.07 |  |  | $ | 0.81 |

Options to purchase approximately 2,480,000 and 2,836,000 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and 3,525,000 and 3,531,000 shares for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted net earnings or loss per share because the option exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
NOTE E — Segment Information
The Company is organized and managed on a global basis within three business platforms, ID Solutions, Workplace Safety, and People Identification ("PeopleID"), which aggregate into two reportable segments: IDS and WPS.
The Company evaluates short-term segment performance based on segment profit or loss and customer sales. Segment profit or loss does not include certain administrative costs, such as the cost of finance, information technology, human resources, legal, and executive leadership, which are managed as global functions. Restructuring charges, impairment charges, equity compensation costs, interest expense, investment and other income (expense) and income taxes are also excluded when evaluating segment performance.
10

Table of Contents
Each business platform has a President or Vice-President that reports directly to the Company's chief operating decision maker, its Chief Executive Officer. Each platform has its own distinct operations, which are managed locally by its own management team, maintains its own financial reports and is evaluated based on global segment profit. The Company has determined that these business platforms comprise its three operating segments, which aggregate into two reportable segments based on the information used by the Chief Executive Officer to allocate resources and assess performance.
The segment results have been adjusted to reflect continuing operations in all periods presented. The following is a summary of segment information for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015:

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Sales to External Customers |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions | $ | 196,953 |  |  | $ | 200,786 |  |  | $ | 578,160 |  |  | $ | 604,948 |
Workplace Safety | 89,863 |  |  | 89,441 |  |  | 260,359 |  |  | 278,147 |
Total Company | $ | 286,816 |  |  | $ | 290,227 |  |  | $ | 838,519 |  |  | $ | 883,095 |
Segment Profit |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions | $ | 46,445 |  |  | $ | 41,614 |  |  | $ | 123,451 |  |  | $ | 120,800 |
Workplace Safety | 13,759 |  |  | 12,292 |  |  | 43,818 |  |  | 40,607 |
Total Company | $ | 60,204 |  |  | $ | 53,906 |  |  | $ | 167,269 |  |  | $ | 161,407 |

The following is a reconciliation of segment profit to earnings from continuing operations before income taxes for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015:

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Total profit from reportable segments | $ | 60,204 |  |  | $ | 53,906 |  |  | $ | 167,269 |  |  | $ | 161,407 |
Unallocated amounts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Administrative costs | (29,420 | ) |  | (24,787 | ) |  | (82,794 | ) |  | (79,347 | )
Restructuring charges | — |  |  | (4,834 | ) |  | — |  |  | (13,991 | )
Investment and other income (expense) | 721 |  |  | 434 |  |  | (1,030 | ) |  | 968 |
Interest expense | (1,838 | ) |  | (2,503 | ) |  | (6,119 | ) |  | (8,394 | )
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 29,667 |  |  | $ | 22,216 |  |  | $ | 77,326 |  |  | $ | 60,643 |

NOTE F – Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), or restricted and unrestricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees and non-employee directors.
The options issued under the plan have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest over a three-year service period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Options issued under the plan, referred to herein as “service-based” stock options, generally expire 10 years from the date of grant.
RSUs issued under the plan have an issuance price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. The RSUs granted under the plan generally vest over a three-year service period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Shares issued under the plan are referred to herein as "service-based" RSUs.
As of April 30, 2016, the Company has reserved 4,630,354 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for outstanding stock options, RSUs, and restricted shares and 2,368,731 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock remain for future issuance of stock options, RSUs, and restricted and unrestricted shares under the active plan. The Company uses treasury stock or will issue new Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to deliver shares under the plan.
11

Table of Contents
The Company recognizes the compensation cost of all share-based awards at the time it is deemed probable the award will vest. This cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. If it is determined that it is unlikely the award will vest, the expense recognized to date for the award is reversed in the period in which this is evident and the remaining expense is not recorded. Total stock-based compensation expense recognized by the Company during the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, was $1,678 ($1,040 net of taxes) and $1,085 ($673 net of taxes), respectively. Expense recognized during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, was $6,247 ($3,873 net of taxes) and $3,556 ($2,205 net of taxes), respectively.
As of April 30, 2016, total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock-based compensation awards was $17,206 pre-tax, net of estimated forfeitures, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years.
The Company has estimated the fair value of its service-based stock option awards granted during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are reflected in the following table:

|  | Nine months ended April 30,
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Expected term (in years) |  | 6.11 |  |  | 6.06 |
Expected volatility |  | 29.95 | % |  | 34.05 | %
Expected dividend yield |  | 2.59 | % |  | 2.48 | %
Risk-free interest rate |  | 1.64 | % |  | 1.91 | %
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date |  | $ | 20.02 |  |  | $ | 22.73 |
Weighted-average exercise price |  | $ | 20.02 |  |  | $ | 22.73 |
Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the period |  | $ | 4.58 |  |  | $ | 6.12 |

The Company uses historical data regarding stock option exercise behaviors to estimate the expected term of options granted based on the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s historical dividend payments and historical yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the grant date for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the option. The market value is calculated as the average of the high and the low stock price on the date of the grant.
A summary of stock option activity under the Company’s share-based compensation plans for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 is presented below:

Options |  | Shares |  | Weighted Average Exercise Price |  | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term |  | Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at July 31, 2015 |  | 3,500,951 |  | $ | 29.64 |  |  |  |  |
New grants |  | 881,744 |  | 20.02 |  |  |  |  |
Exercised |  | (28,782) |  | 23.04 |  |  |  |  |
Forfeited or expired |  | (449,029) |  | 30.90 |  |  |  |  |
Outstanding at April 30, 2016 |  | 3,904,884 |  | $ | 27.37 |  |  | 5.7 |  | $ | 7,963,025 |
Exercisable at April 30, 2016 |  | 2,679,527 |  | $ | 30.09 |  |  | 4.2 |  | $ | 1,483,578 |

There were 2,679,527 and 2,706,566 options exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $30.09 and $30.84 at April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The cash received from the exercise of options during the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 was $610 and $744, respectively. The cash received from the exercise of options during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 was $663 and $1,591, respectively. The tax benefit on options exercised during the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 was $37 and $35, respectively. The tax benefit on options exercised during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 was $40 and $79, respectively.
12

Table of Contents
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, based upon the average market price at the time of exercise during the period, was $105 and $202, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, was $3,193 and $3,909, respectively.
The following table summarizes the RSU activity under the Company's share-based compensation plans for the nine months ended April 30, 2016:

Service-Based RSUs |  | Shares |  | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at July 31, 2015 |  | 677,454 |  |  | $ | 24.72 |
New grants |  | 173,394 |  |  | 20.07 |
Vested |  | (72,164 | ) |  | 25.12 |
Forfeited |  | (53,214 | ) |  | 23.77 |
Outstanding at April 30, 2016 |  | 725,470 |  |  | $ | 23.64 |

The service-based RSUs granted during the nine months ended April 30, 2015 had a weighted-average grant date fair value of $23.59.
The aggregate intrinsic value of unvested RSUs expected to vest at April 30, 2016 was $19,218. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, was $1,471 and $805, respectively.
NOTE G – Employee Benefit Plans
The components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost | $ | 2 |  |  | $ | 40 |  |  | $ | 6 |  |  | $ | 203 |
Interest cost | 29 |  |  | 35 |  |  | 86 |  |  | 177 |
Amortization of prior service credit | — |  |  | (40 | ) |  | (1,035 | ) |  | (202 | )
Amortization of net actuarial gain | (161 | ) |  | (106 | ) |  | (484 | ) |  | (540 | )
Curtailment gain | — |  |  | (4,296 | ) |  | — |  |  | (4,296 | )
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost | $ | (130 | ) |  | $ | (4,367 | ) |  | $ | (1,427 | ) |  | $ | (4,658 | )

In March 2015, the Company announced the elimination of postretirement medical benefits for eligible domestic employees retiring on or after January 1, 2016. This amendment resulted in a decrease in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation liability of $4,490 and a curtailment gain of $4,296. The curtailment gain was recognized in SG&A on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings, during the three months ended April 30, 2015.
13

Table of Contents
NOTE H — Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with fair value accounting guidance, the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair market value are classified in one of the following categories:
Level 1 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that are accessible as of the reporting date.
Level 2 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on other significant pricing inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable.
Level 3 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on significant unobservable pricing inputs to the extent little or no market data is available, which result in the use of management's own assumptions.
The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, according to the valuation techniques the Company used to determine their fair values.

| Inputs Considered As |  |  |  |
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Fair Values |  | Balance Sheet Classifications
April 30, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Trading securities | $ | 13,567 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 13,567 |  |  | Other assets
Foreign exchange contracts | — |  |  | 855 |  |  | 855 |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total Assets | $ | 13,567 |  |  | $ | 855 |  |  | $ | 14,422 |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts | $ | — |  |  | $ | 802 |  |  | $ | 802 |  |  | Other current liabilities
Total Liabilities | $ | — |  |  | $ | 802 |  |  | $ | 802 |  |  |
July 31, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Trading securities | $ | 15,356 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 15,356 |  |  | Other assets
Foreign exchange contracts | — |  |  | 685 |  |  | 685 |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total Assets | $ | 15,356 |  |  | $ | 685 |  |  | $ | 16,041 |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,280 |  |  | $ | 1,280 |  |  | Other current liabilities
Total Liabilities | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,280 |  |  | $ | 1,280 |  |  |

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
Trading securities: The Company’s deferred compensation investments consist of investments in mutual funds. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these investments trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Foreign exchange contracts: The Company’s foreign exchange contracts were classified as Level 2 as the fair value was based on the present value of the future cash flows using external models with observable inputs, such as interest rates, yield curves and foreign exchange rates. See Note I, “Derivatives and Hedging Activities,” for additional information.
There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value hierarchy levels outlined above during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015. In addition, the Company had no significant measurements of assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition during the nine months ended April 30, 2016.
During fiscal 2015, goodwill with carrying amounts of $26,246 and $10,866 in the WPS APAC and WPS Americas reporting units, respectively, was written off entirely, resulting in impairment charges of $37,112. In order to arrive at the implied fair value of goodwill, the Company calculated the fair value of all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if it had been acquired in a business combination. After assigning fair value to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, it was determined there was no excess fair value of the reporting units over the implied fair value of goodwill and thus, the remaining goodwill balances were impaired in fiscal 2015. The goodwill balances represented a Level 3 asset measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their original recognition.
14

Table of Contents
During fiscal 2015, management evaluated other indefinite-lived intangible assets for recoverability using the income approach. The valuation was based upon current sales projections and profitability for each asset group, and the relief from royalty method was applied. Management evaluated other finite-lived intangible assets for recoverability using an undiscounted cash flow analysis based upon current sales projections and profitability for each asset group. This analysis resulted in an amount that was less than the carrying value of certain finite-lived intangible assets. Management measured the impairment loss of both indefinite and finite-lived intangible assets as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeded their fair value. As a result, other intangible assets with a carrying amount of $26,194 were written down to their estimated fair value of $19,543. These represented Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to their original recognition. These items resulted in a total impairment charge of $6,651 in fiscal 2015.
The Company’s financial instruments, other than those presented in the disclosures above, include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes payable, accounts payable, and other liabilities. The fair values of these financial instruments approximated carrying values because of their short-term nature.
The estimated fair value of the Company’s short-term and long-term debt obligations, excluding notes payable, based on the quoted market prices for similar issues and on the current rates offered for debt of similar maturities was $243,800 and $252,254 at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively, as compared to the carrying value of $236,310 and $243,288 at April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, respectively.
NOTE I — Derivatives and Hedging Activities
The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate at a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management program is to minimize the impact of currency movements due to transactions in other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currency and to minimize the impact of currency movements on the Company’s net investment denominated in a currency other than the U.S. Dollar. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange currency contracts. As of April 30, 2016 and July 31, 2015, the notional amount of outstanding forward exchange contracts was $127,105 and $139,300, respectively.
The Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward exchange contracts. Main exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, the Euro, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Mexican Peso, and Singapore Dollar. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions.
Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis. Gains or losses on the derivative related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has designated a portion of its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. As of April 30, 2016 and 2015, unrealized losses of $605 and unrealized gains of $813 have been included in OCI, respectively. Balances are reclassified from OCI to earnings when the hedged transactions impact earnings. For the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company reclassified losses of $169 and gains of $457 from OCI into earnings, respectively. For the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company reclassified gains of $174 and $552 from OCI into earnings, respectively. At April 30, 2016, the U.S. dollar equivalent of these outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts totaled $42,850, including contracts to sell Euros, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, and U.S. Dollars.
Net Investment Hedges
The Company has also designated intercompany and third party foreign currency denominated debt instruments as net investment hedges. At April 30, 2016, the Company designated £25,036 of intercompany loans as net investment hedges to hedge portions of its net investment in British foreign operations. On May 13, 2010, the Company completed the private placement of €75 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to accredited institutional investors. This Euro-denominated debt obligation was designated as a net investment hedge to selectively hedge portions of its net investment in European operations. The Company’s foreign denominated debt obligations are valued under a market approach using publicized spot prices.
15

Table of Contents
Non-Designated Hedges
For the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, the Company recognized gains of $1,410 and $897 respectively, in “Investment and other income” on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings related to non-designated hedges. For the three and nine months ended April 30, 2015, the Company recognized losses of $667 and gains of $1,287, respectively.
Fair values of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows:

| Asset Derivatives |  | Liability Derivatives
| April 30, 2016 |  | July 31, 2015 |  | April 30, 2016 |  | July 31, 2015
| Balance Sheet Location |  | Fair Value |  | Balance Sheet Location |  | Fair Value |  | Balance Sheet Location |  | Fair Value |  | Balance Sheet Location |  | Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash flow hedges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 327 |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 518 |  |  | Other current liabilities |  | $ | 668 |  |  | Other current liabilities |  | $ | 737 |
Net investment hedges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency denominated debt | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | — |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | — |  |  | Long term obligations, less current maturities |  | 121,705 |  |  | Long term obligations, less current maturities |  | 121,514 |
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  | $ | 327 |  |  |  |  | $ | 518 |  |  |  |  | $ | 122,373 |  |  |  |  | $ | 122,251 |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 528 |  |  | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 168 |  |  | Other current liabilities |  | $ | 134 |  |  | Other current liabilities |  | $ | 543 |
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  | $ | 528 |  |  |  |  | $ | 168 |  |  |  |  | $ | 134 |  |  |  |  | $ | 543 |

NOTE J — Discontinued Operations
The Company entered into an agreement with LTI Flexible Products, Inc. (d/b/a Boyd Corporation) on February 24, 2014, for the sale of the Die-Cut business. The first phase of this divestiture closed on May 1, 2014 and included the Die-Cut businesses in Korea, Thailand and Malaysia, and the Balkhausen business in Europe. The remainder of the Die-Cut business was located in China and it was divested on August 1, 2014. The operating results have been reported as discontinued operations for the three and nine month periods ended April 30, 2015.
The following table summarizes the operating results of discontinued operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2015:

|  | Nine months ended April 30, 2015
Net sales |  | $ | — |
Loss from operations of discontinued businesses |  | (1,201 | )
Income tax expense |  | (288 | )
Loss on sale of discontinued operations |  | (487 | )
Income tax benefit on sale of discontinued operations |  | 61 |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax |  | $ | (1,915 | )

There were no assets or liabilities held for sale as of April 30, 2016 or July 31, 2015. In accordance with authoritative literature, accumulated other comprehensive income of $34,697 was reclassified to the condensed consolidated statements of earnings upon the closing of the second phase of the Die-Cut divestiture during the three months ended October 31, 2014.
16

Table of Contents
NOTE K — New Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," which will simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions. The update will require, among other items, that all excess tax deficiencies or benefits be recorded as income tax expense or benefit in the statement of earnings, and not in additional paid-in capital (APIC). This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption of the ASU is permitted and the prospective transition method should be applied. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," which replaces the current lease accounting standard. The update will require, among other items, lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from most leases on the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The ASU must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes," which requires companies to classify deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current on the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The ASU may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect this update to have a meaningful impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which eliminates the transaction-and industry-specific revenue recognition guidance under current GAAP and replaces it with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition. The new guidance requires revenue recognition when control of the goods or services transfers to the customer, replacing the existing guidance which requires revenue recognition when the risks and rewards transfer to the customer. Under the new guidance, companies should recognize revenues in amounts that reflect the payment to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)", which amends the principal-versus-agent implementation guidance in ASU 2014-09. ASU 2016-08 clarifies the principal-versus-agent guidance in ASU 2014-09 and requires an entity to determine whether the nature of its promise to provide goods or services to a customer is performed in a principal or agent capacity and to recognize revenue in a gross or net manner based on that designation.
In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients", which amends the transition, collectibility, and non-cash consideration guidance in ASU 2014-09. ASU 2016-08 clarifies clarify that, for a contract to be considered completed at transition, substantially all of the revenue must have been recognized under legacy GAAP. The amendments also clarify how an entity should evaluate the collectibility threshold and when an entity can recognize nonrefundable consideration received as revenue if an arrangement does not meet the standard’s contract criteria.
ASU 2014-09 (and related updates) is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the standard. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this update on its consolidated financial statements.
NOTE L — Subsequent Events
On May 18, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock of $0.2025 per share payable on July 29, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 8, 2016.
17

Table of Contents
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Overview
Brady Corporation is a global manufacturer and supplier of identification solutions and workplace safety products that identify and protect premises, products and people. The IDS segment is primarily involved in the design, manufacture, and distribution of high-performance and innovative identification and healthcare products. The WPS segment provides workplace safety and compliance products, half of which are internally manufactured and half are externally sourced. Approximately 45% of our total sales are derived outside of the United States. Foreign sales within the IDS and WPS segments are approximately 40% and 70%, respectively.
The ability to provide customers with a vast array of proprietary, customized and diverse products for use in various applications across multiple customers and geographies, along with a commitment to quality and service, have made Brady a leader in many of its markets. The long-term sales growth and profitability of our segments will depend not only on improved demand in end markets and the overall economic environment, but also on our ability to continuously improve operational excellence, focus on the customer, develop and market innovative new products, and to advance our digital capabilities. In our IDS business, our strategy for growth includes an increased focus on key customers, industries and products and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the research and development ("R&D") function. In our WPS business, our strategy for growth includes a focus on workplace safety critical industries, innovative new product offerings, and increased investment in digital capabilities.
The Company is targeting the following key initiatives in fiscal 2016:

• | Driving operational efficiency within our manufacturing facilities and throughout the organization to improve profitability.

• | Focusing on operational excellence and providing the Company's customers with the highest level of customer service.

• | Enhancing our innovation development process to deliver high-value, innovative products that align with the Company's target markets.

• | Performing comprehensive product reviews to optimize the Company's product offerings.

• | Expanding our digital presence with a heightened focus on mobile technologies.

• | Growing through focused sales and marketing efforts in selected vertical markets and strategic accounts.

• | Enhancing our global employee development process to attract and retain key talent.

Results of Operations
A comparison of results of Operating Income for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands) | 2016 |  | % Sales |  | 2015 |  | % Sales |  | 2016 |  | % Sales |  | 2015 |  | % Sales
Net Sales | $ | 286,816 |  |  |  |  | $ | 290,227 |  |  |  |  | $ | 838,519 |  |  |  |  | $ | 883,095 |  |  |
Gross Margin | 145,443 |  |  | 50.7 | % |  | 140,999 |  |  | 48.6 | % |  | 417,684 |  |  | 49.8 | % |  | 429,363 |  |  | 48.6 | %
Operating Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Research and Development | 8,865 |  |  | 3.1 | % |  | 8,928 |  |  | 3.1 | % |  | 26,531 |  |  | 3.2 | % |  | 27,507 |  |  | 3.1 | %
Selling, General and Administrative | 105,794 |  |  | 36.9 | % |  | 102,952 |  |  | 35.5 | % |  | 306,678 |  |  | 36.6 | % |  | 319,796 |  |  | 36.2 | %
Restructuring charges | — |  |  | — | % |  | 4,834 |  |  | 1.7 | % |  | — |  |  | — | % |  | 13,991 |  |  | 1.6 | %
Total operating expenses | 114,659 |  |  | 40.0 | % |  | 116,714 |  |  | 40.2 | % |  | 333,209 |  |  | 39.7 | % |  | 361,294 |  |  | 40.9 | %
Operating Income | $ | 30,784 |  |  | 10.7 | % |  | $ | 24,285 |  |  | 8.4 | % |  | $ | 84,475 |  |  | 10.1 | % |  | $ | 68,069 |  |  | 7.7 | %

Sales for the three months ended April 30, 2016, decreased 1.2% to $286.8 million, compared to $290.2 million in the same period of the prior year, which consisted of an organic sales decline of 0.1% and a negative currency impact of 1.1% due to the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar against other major currencies when compared against the prior year. Organic sales declined 0.8% in the IDS segment and grew 1.2% in the WPS segment.
Sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, decreased 5.0% to $838.5 million, compared to $883.1 million in the same period of the prior year, which consisted of an organic sales decline of 0.7% and a negative currency impact of 4.3%. Organic sales declined 0.9% in the IDS segment and 0.2% in the WPS segment.
18

Table of Contents
Gross margin as a percentage of sales continued its trend from the preceding quarters and increased to 50.7% for the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to 48.6% in the same period of the prior year, and increased to 49.8% for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, from 48.6% in the same period of the prior year. The increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to an improvement in operational efficiencies in our recently consolidated facilities in the Americas and EMEA, as we incurred reduced supplies and labor costs compared to the same periods in the prior year.
R&D expenses for the three months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 were $8.9 million or 3.1% of sales. R&D expenses decreased 3.6% to $26.5 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $27.5 million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in R&D expenses for the nine-month period was primarily due to efficiency gains within the R&D function and the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, which were partially offset by an increase in our investment in new products within the IDS segment to drive top line growth. R&D expenses as a percentage of sales for the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015 were consistent at 3.2% and 3.1%, respectively.
SG&A increased 2.8% to $105.8 million from $103.0 million for the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same period in the prior year. During the three months ended April 30, 2015, the Company recognized a curtailment gain of $4.3 million due to the discontinuation of a postretirement medical plan. Excluding the curtailment gain recognized in the prior year, SG&A expense would have been $107.3 million. As a percentage of sales, SG&A was 36.9% for the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to 35.5% for the same period in the prior year. Excluding the curtailment gain recognized in the prior year, SG&A as a percentage of sales would have been 37.0%. The decrease in SG&A excluding the curtailment gain from the prior period was due to efficiencies achieved in selling costs and reduced amortization expense.
SG&A decreased 4.1% to $306.7 million from $319.8 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same period in the prior year. As a percentage of sales, SG&A was 36.6% for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to 36.2% for the same period in the prior year. Excluding the curtailment gain of $4.3 million recognized in the prior year, SG&A as a percentage of sales would have been 36.7%. The decrease in SG&A expense in the nine-month period is primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar as well as efficiencies in selling costs, reduced amortization expenses and our continued efforts to control general and administrative costs.
In fiscal 2014, the Company announced a restructuring plan to consolidate facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. The Company implemented this restructuring plan to enhance customer service, improve efficiency of operations and reduce operating expenses. Restructuring activities related to the facility consolidation plan were complete at the end of fiscal 2015. The Company expects to realize operational savings from these actions over the longer-term.
No restructuring charges were incurred by the Company during the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016. Restructuring charges were $4.8 million and $14.0 million during the three and nine months ended April 30, 2015, respectively, which consisted primarily of employee separation costs, facility closure costs, and contract termination costs. Of the $4.8 million of restructuring charges recognized during the three-month period ended April 30, 2015, $3.5 million was incurred within the IDS segment and $1.3 million was incurred within the WPS segment. Of the $14.0 million of restructuring charges recognized during the nine-month period ended April 30, 2015, $9.9 million was incurred within IDS and $4.1 million was incurred within WPS.
Operating income was $30.8 million for the three months ended April 30, 2016, and $84.5 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $24.3 million and $68.1 million, respectively, in the same periods of the prior year. Excluding restructuring charges of $4.8 million and $14.0 million from the same periods in the prior year, operating income was $29.1 million and $82.1 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2015, respectively. The increase in operating income in the current three and nine month periods was due to the improvement in gross profit margin primarily in the IDS segment as well as reduced SG&A primarily in the WPS segment. The increase in the three and nine month periods was partially offset by the negative impact of currency fluctuations.
19

Table of Contents
OPERATING INCOME TO NET EARNINGS

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands) | 2016 |  | % Sales |  | 2015 |  | % Sales |  | 2016 |  | % Sales |  | 2015 |  | % Sales
Operating income | $ | 30,784 |  |  | 10.7 | % |  | $ | 24,285 |  |  | 8.4 | % |  | $ | 84,475 |  |  | 10.1 | % |  | $ | 68,069 |  |  | 7.7 | %
Other income and (expense): |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment and other (expense) income | 721 |  |  | 0.3 | % |  | 434 |  |  | 0.1 | % |  | (1,030 | ) |  | (0.1 | )% |  | 968 |  |  | 0.1 | %
Interest expense | (1,838 | ) |  | (0.6 | )% |  | (2,503 | ) |  | (0.9 | )% |  | (6,119 | ) |  | (0.7 | )% |  | (8,394 | ) |  | (1.0 | )%
Earnings from continuing operations before income tax | 29,667 |  |  | 10.3 | % |  | 22,216 |  |  | 7.7 | % |  | 77,326 |  |  | 9.2 | % |  | 60,643 |  |  | 6.9 | %
Income tax expense | 8,686 |  |  | 3.0 | % |  | 5,003 |  |  | 1.7 | % |  | 22,352 |  |  | 2.7 | % |  | 16,347 |  |  | 1.9 | %
Earnings from continuing operations | $ | 20,981 |  |  | 7.3 | % |  | $ | 17,213 |  |  | 5.9 | % |  | $ | 54,974 |  |  | 6.6 | % |  | $ | 44,296 |  |  | 5.0 | %
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | — |  |  | — | % |  | — |  |  | — | % |  | — |  |  | — | % |  | (1,915 | ) |  | (0.2 | )%
Net earnings | $ | 20,981 |  |  | 7.3 | % |  | $ | 17,213 |  |  | 5.9 | % |  | $ | 54,974 |  |  | 6.6 | % |  | $ | 42,381 |  |  | 4.8 | %

Investment and other income was $0.7 million for the three months, and expense of $1.0 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to other income of $0.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively, in the same periods of the prior year. The change during the three-month period was primarily due to foreign currency gains and increased interest income. The change during the nine-month period was primarily due to foreign currency losses and a decline in market value of securities held in executive deferred compensation plans.
Interest expense decreased to $1.8 million from $2.5 million for the three months, and decreased to $6.1 million from $8.4 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. For both the three and nine month periods, the decrease was due to the Company’s declining total debt balance and a reduction in the weighted average interest rate.
The Company’s income tax rate on continuing operations was 29.3% for the three months and 28.9% for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to 22.5% and 27.0% for the same periods of the prior year. The increase to the income tax rates for the three and nine month periods was due to fluctuations in geographic profit mix and adjustments to tax accruals and reserves. The tax rate for both the three and nine month periods are consistent with the Company's anticipated annual income tax rate, which is expected to be in the upper 20% range for fiscal year 2016.
20

Table of Contents
Business Segment Operating Results
The Company is organized and managed on a global basis within two business platforms: ID Solutions and Workplace Safety. The segment results have been adjusted to reflect continuing operations in all periods presented.
The following is a summary of segment information for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, and 2015:

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands) | 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions | $ | 196,953 |  |  | $ | 200,786 |  |  | $ | 578,160 |  |  | $ | 604,948 |
Workplace Safety | 89,863 |  |  | 89,441 |  |  | 260,359 |  |  | 278,147 |
Total | $ | 286,816 |  |  | $ | 290,227 |  |  | $ | 838,519 |  |  | $ | 883,095 |
SALES GROWTH INFORMATION |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Organic | (0.8 | )% |  | 3.0 | % |  | (0.9 | )% |  | 2.4 | %
Currency | (1.1 | )% |  | (5.7 | )% |  | (3.5 | )% |  | (3.3 | )%
Total | (1.9 | )% |  | (2.7 | )% |  | (4.4 | )% |  | (0.9 | )%
Workplace Safety |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Organic | 1.2 | % |  | (1.1 | )% |  | (0.2 | )% |  | 0.6 | %
Currency | (0.7 | )% |  | (12.2 | )% |  | (6.2 | )% |  | (7.1 | )%
Total | 0.5 | % |  | (13.3 | )% |  | (6.4 | )% |  | (6.5 | )%
Total Company |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Organic | (0.1 | )% |  | 1.7 | % |  | (0.7 | )% |  | 1.8 | %
Currency | (1.1 | )% |  | (8.0 | )% |  | (4.3 | )% |  | (4.6 | )%
Total | (1.2 | )% |  | (6.3 | )% |  | (5.0 | )% |  | (2.8 | )%
SEGMENT PROFIT |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions | $ | 46,445 |  |  | $ | 41,614 |  |  | $ | 123,451 |  |  | $ | 120,800 |
Workplace Safety | 13,759 |  |  | 12,292 |  |  | 43,818 |  |  | 40,607 |
Total | $ | 60,204 |  |  | $ | 53,906 |  |  | $ | 167,269 |  |  | $ | 161,407 |
SEGMENT PROFIT AS A PERCENT OF SALES |  |  |  |  |  |  |
ID Solutions | 23.6 | % |  | 20.7 | % |  | 21.4 | % |  | 20.0 | %
Workplace Safety | 15.3 | % |  | 13.7 | % |  | 16.8 | % |  | 14.6 | %
Total | 21.0 | % |  | 18.6 | % |  | 19.9 | % |  | 18.3 | %

The following is a reconciliation of segment profit to earnings from continuing operations before income taxes for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015:

| Three months ended April 30, |  | Nine months ended April 30,
| 2016 |  | 2015 |  | 2016 |  | 2015
Total profit from reportable segments | $ | 60,204 |  |  | $ | 53,906 |  |  | $ | 167,269 |  |  | $ | 161,407 |
Unallocated amounts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Administrative costs | (29,420 | ) |  | (24,787 | ) |  | (82,794 | ) |  | (79,347 | )
Restructuring charges | — |  |  | (4,834 | ) |  | — |  |  | (13,991 | )
Investment and other income (expense) | 721 |  |  | 434 |  |  | (1,030 | ) |  | 968 |
Interest expense | (1,838 | ) |  | (2,503 | ) |  | (6,119 | ) |  | (8,394 | )
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 29,667 |  |  | $ | 22,216 |  |  | $ | 77,326 |  |  | $ | 60,643 |

21

Table of Contents
ID Solutions
Approximately 70% of net sales in the IDS segment were generated in the Americas region, 20% in Europe and 10% in Asia. IDS sales decreased 1.9% to $197.0 million for the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $200.8 million for the same period in the prior year, which consisted of a decline in organic sales of 0.8% and a negative currency impact of 1.1%. IDS sales decreased 4.4% to $578.2 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $604.9 million for the same period in the prior year. Organic sales declined 0.9% and currency fluctuations decreased sales by 3.5% during the nine months ended April 30, 2016.
Organic sales in the Americas declined in the low-single digits for both the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decline in sales for both the three and nine month periods was primarily due to a slowdown in order patterns with certain of our customers in the United States and Canada which is reflective of a general slowdown in the industrial sector. In addition, we realized double-digit declines in OEM sales in Brazil for both the three and nine month periods due to weak economic conditions and increased competitive pressure.
The IDS business in Europe realized low-single digit organic sales growth for both the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase for both the three and nine month periods was primarily driven by our core IDS businesses in Western and Central Europe where we have increased our salesforce and expanded in focused geographies and accounts.
Organic sales in Asia declined in the mid-single digits for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decline in sales for both the three and nine month periods was primarily due to reduced demand in the electronics industry in China as well as other regions within Asia, which we are addressing through focused additions to our sales organization within the region.
Segment profit increased to $46.4 million from $41.6 million for the three months, and increased to $123.5 million from $120.8 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. As a percentage of sales, segment profit increased to 23.6% from 20.7% for the three months, and increased to 21.4% from 20.0% for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods of the prior year. The increases in segment profit were primarily driven by an improvement in operational efficiencies in our manufacturing processes in the Americas and Europe.
WPS
Approximately 50% of net sales in the WPS segment were generated in Europe, 35% in the Americas and 15% in Australia. WPS sales increased 0.5% to $89.9 million for the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $89.4 million for the same period in the prior year, which consisted of organic sales growth of 1.2%, and a negative currency impact of 0.7%. WPS sales decreased 6.4% to $260.4 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $278.1 million for the same period in the prior year. Organic sales declined 0.2% and currency fluctuations decreased sales by 6.2% during the nine months ended April 30, 2016. Since half of the WPS business is in Europe, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro had a larger impact on the WPS segment than it did on the IDS segment during the nine months ended April 30, 2016.
The WPS business in Europe realized mid-single digit organic sales growth for the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same period in the prior year. Organic sales grew in the low-single digits for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase for both the three and nine month periods was primarily driven by Germany, France, and Belgium due to improvements in website functionality and key account management. Both traditional catalog and digital sales increased, with digital sales improving by double-digits in both the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, as compared to the same periods in the prior year.
Organic sales in the Americas declined in the low-single digits for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. This decrease was primarily in North America due to reduced demand in the industrial end markets and a decrease in sales through traditional catalog channels. The decrease was partially offset by high single-digit growth in digital sales for the three months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same period in the prior year.
Organic sales in Australia realized a low-single digit decline for the three months and a mid-single digit decline for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decrease in the Australian business was due to its higher concentration in industries that are experiencing economic challenges which include manufacturing and mining production. We continue to focus on enhancing our expertise in these industries to drive sales growth as well as addressing our cost structure to improve profitability.
22

Table of Contents
Segment profit increased to $13.8 million from $12.3 million for the three months, and increased to $43.8 million from $40.6 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. As a percentage of sales, segment profit increased to 15.3% from 13.7% for the three months, and increased to 16.8% from 14.6% for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in segment profit margin in both the three and nine month periods was mainly driven by a reduction in selling expenses and catalog advertising.
Financial Condition
Cash and cash equivalents increased by $27.1 million and $18.6 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The significant changes were as follows:

| Nine months ended April 30,
(Dollars in thousands) | 2016 |  | 2015
Net cash flow provided by (used in): |  |  |
Operating activities | $ | 98,550 |  |  | $ | 52,740 |
Investing activities | (5,481 | ) |  | (13,507 | )
Financing activities | (69,228 | ) |  | (10,829 | )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 3,263 |  |  | (9,770 | )
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 27,104 |  |  | $ | 18,634 |

Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $98.6 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $52.7 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash provided by operating activities of $45.8 million was primarily due to an improvement in working capital of $30.4 million. Inventory was reduced from elevated levels in the prior year due to the facility consolidation, which generated $12.9 million in cash from operations in the current nine-month period. Accounts payable and other liabilities increased by $11.8 million in the current nine-month period due to higher accrued incentive compensation, which was partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable in the Americas and APAC regions compared to the prior nine-month period. The remainder of the increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to an increase in net earnings.
Net cash used in investing activities was $5.5 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $13.5 million in the same period of the prior year. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was due primarily to a decrease in capital expenditures of $16.1 million due to the completion of facility consolidation activities, partially offset by $6.1 million of cash received from the Die-Cut divestiture during the nine months ended April 30, 2015.
Net cash used in financing activities was $69.2 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to net cash used in financing activities of $10.8 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to $23.6 million in share repurchases and $28.8 million in net borrowings on the revolving loan agreements during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, compared to $64.6 million in net borrowings on the revolving loan agreements in the same period of the prior year. The Company paid dividends of $30.6 million in both the nine months ended April 30, 2016 and 2015.
Currency had a positive impact on cash of $3.3 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016, due to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against certain other major currencies.
During fiscal 2007, the Company completed a private placement note issuance totaling $150 million in ten-year fixed rate notes to institutional investors at an interest rate of 5.33%. The notes must be repaid equally over seven years, with the final payments due in 2017, with interest payable on the notes due semiannually on various dates throughout the year. The notes have certain prepayment penalties for repaying them prior to the maturity date.
On May 13, 2010, the Company completed a private placement of €75 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to accredited institutional investors. The €75 million of senior notes consists of €30 million aggregate principal amount of 3.71% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, due May 13, 2017 and €45 million aggregate principal amount of 4.24% Series 2010-A Senior Notes, due May 13, 2020, with interest payable on the notes semiannually. The notes have certain prepayment penalties for repaying them prior to maturity.
23

Table of Contents
On September 25, 2015, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an unsecured $300 million multi-currency revolving loan agreement with a group of six banks that replaced and terminated the Company’s previous loan agreement that had been entered into on February 1, 2012. Under the new revolving loan agreement, which has a final maturity date of September 25, 2020, the Company has the option to select either a base interest rate (based upon the higher of the federal funds rate plus one-half of 1%, the prime rate of Bank of America plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, or the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1%) or a Eurocurrency interest rate (at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio). At the Company's option, and subject to certain conditions, the available amount under the revolving loan agreement may be increased from $300 million to $450 million. During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, the Company drew down an additional $33.0 million in order to fund general corporate needs. As of April 30, 2016, the outstanding balance on the credit facility was $135.0 million, which was also the maximum amount outstanding during the nine months ended April 30, 2016. The Company also had letters of credit outstanding under the loan agreement of $4.0 million as of April 30, 2016, and there was $161.0 million available for future borrowing, which can be increased to $311.0 million at the Company's option, subject to certain conditions.
In fiscal 2015, the Company entered into two unsecured $10.0 million multi-currency lines of credit in China. These lines of credit support USD-denominated or CNY-denominated borrowing to fund working capital and operations for the Company's Chinese entities and are due on demand. The borrowings under these facilities may be made for a period of up to one year with interest incurred equal to U.S. dollar LIBOR on the date of borrowing plus a margin based upon duration. The facilities are subject to periodic review and repricing. The Company is not required to comply with any financial covenants as part of this agreement. During the nine months ended April 30, 2016, the Company repaid $4.2 million of these borrowings. As of April 30, 2016, the aggregate outstanding balance was $6.2 million and there was $13.8 million available for future borrowing under these credit facilities. The maximum amount outstanding on these lines was $10.4 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2016.
The Company’s debt agreements require it to maintain certain financial covenants, including a ratio of debt to the trailing 12 months EBITDA, as defined in the debt agreements, of not more than a 3.25 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio) and the trailing 12 months EBITDA to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). As of April 30, 2016, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants, with the ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined by the agreements, equal to 1.8 to 1.0 and the interest expense coverage ratio equal to 16.1 to 1.0.
The Company's cash balances are generated and held in numerous locations throughout the world. At April 30, 2016, approximately 99% of the Company's cash and cash equivalents were held outside the United States. The Company's growth has historically been funded by a combination of cash provided by operating activities and debt financing. The Company believes that its cash flow from operating activities, in addition to its borrowing capacity, are sufficient to fund its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, common stock repurchases, scheduled debt repayments, and dividend payments for the next 12 months.
Subsequent Events
On May 18, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A and Class B Common Stock of $0.2025 per share payable on July 29, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 8, 2016.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have material off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company is not aware of factors that are reasonably likely to adversely affect liquidity trends, other than the risk factors described in this and other Company filings. However, the following additional information is provided to assist those reviewing the Company’s financial statements.
Operating Leases - The leases generally are entered into for investments in facilities such as manufacturing facilities, warehouses and office space, computer equipment and Company vehicles.
Purchase Commitments - The Company has purchase commitments for materials, supplies, services, and property, plant and equipment as part of the ordinary conduct of its business. In the aggregate, such commitments are not in excess of current market prices and are not material to the financial position of the Company. Due to the proprietary nature of many of the Company’s materials and processes, certain supply contracts contain penalty provisions for early termination. The Company does not believe a material amount of penalties will be incurred under these contracts based upon historical experience and current expectations.
Other Contractual Obligations - The Company does not have material financial guarantees or other contractual commitments that are reasonably likely to adversely affect liquidity.
Forward-Looking Statements
24

Table of Contents
In this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, statements that are not reported financial results or other historic information may be “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations.
The use of words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions, and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from:

• | Implementation of the Workplace Safety strategy;

• | Brady's ability to develop and successfully market technologically advanced new products;

• | Technology changes and potential security violations to Brady's information technology systems;

• | Future competition;

• | Future financial performance of major markets Brady serves, which include, without limitation, telecommunications, hard disk drive, manufacturing, electrical, construction, laboratory, education, governmental, public utility, computer, healthcare and transportation;

• | Fluctuations in currency rates versus the U.S. dollar;

• | Risks associated with international operations;

• | Difficulties associated with exports;

• | Changes in the supply of, or price for, parts and components;

• | Increased price pressure from suppliers and customers;

• | Brady's ability to retain significant contracts and customers;

• | Risk associated with loss of key talent;

• | Risks associated with obtaining governmental approvals and maintaining regulatory compliance;

• | Risk associated with product liability claims;

• | Environmental, health and safety compliance costs and liabilities;

• | Potential write-offs of Brady's substantial intangible assets;

• | Unforeseen tax consequences;

• | Risks associated with restructuring plans and maintaining acceptable operational service metrics;

• | Risks associated with divestitures;

• | Risks associated with identifying, completing, and integrating acquisitions;

• | Risks associated with our ownership structure;

• | Brady's ability to maintain compliance with its debt covenants;

• | Increase in our level of debt; and

• | Numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive, and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section within Item 1A of Part I of the Form 10-K filed with the SEC on September 21, 2015.

These uncertainties may cause Brady’s actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law.
25

Table of Contents
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Refer to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2015. There has been no material change in this information since July 31, 2015.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Brady Corporation maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its President and Chief Executive Officer and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
There were no significant changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the Company's most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
26

Table of Contents
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
As of January 31, 2016, the Company had a share repurchase program with 1,661,421 shares of the Company's Class A Nonvoting Common Stock remaining to be purchased. On February 16, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an increase in the Company's share repurchase program to two million shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock available for repurchase as of that date, inclusive of the shares in the existing share buyback program. During the three months ended April 30, 2016, the Company purchased 7,418 shares of its Class A Nonvoting Common Stock under its share repurchase plan for $0.2 million. As of April 30, 2016, there remained 2,000,000 shares to purchase in connection with this plan.
The following table provides information with respect to the purchase of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock during the three months ended April 30, 2016:

Period |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased |  | Average Price paid per share |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans |  | Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans
February 1, 2016 - February 29, 2016 |  | 7,418 |  |  | $ | 20.97 |  |  | 7,418 |  |  | 2,000,000 |
March 1, 2016 - March 31, 2016 |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,000,000 |
April 1, 2016 - April 30, 2016 |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,000,000 |
Total |  | 7,418 |  |  | $ | 20.97 |  |  | 7,418 |  |  | 2,000,000 |

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) | Exhibits

10.1 | Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2016, with Harold L. Sirkin
10.2 | Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2016, with Harold L. Sirkin
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of J. Michael Nauman
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Aaron J. Pearce
32.1 | Section 1350 Certification of J. Michael Nauman
32.2 | Section 1350 Certification of Aaron J. Pearce
101 | Interactive Data File

27

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

|  |  |  |  |  | BRADY CORPORATION
Date: May 19, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  | /s/ J. MICHAEL NAUMAN
|  |  |  |  |  | J. Michael Nauman
|  |  |  |  |  | President and Chief Executive Officer
|  |  |  |  |  | (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: May 19, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  | /s/ AARON J. PEARCE
|  |  |  |  |  | Aaron J. Pearce
|  |  |  |  |  | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
|  |  |  |  |  | (Principal Financial Officer)

28