Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Results

Fourth Quarter 2017 Highlights

• Total net revenue from continuing operations decreased 0.8%; core branded growth of 1.1%
• GAAP earnings per share of $1.92 from continuing operations
• EPS from continuing operations excluding special items* increased 22.2% to $0.33
• GAAP net income from continuing operations of $188.8 million
• Net income from continuing operations excluding special items* increased 23.8% to $32.7 million
• Adjusted EBITDA* increased 1.8% to $78.5 million

Full-Year 2017 Highlights

• Total net revenue from continuing operations increased 5.6%; core branded growth of 9.1%
• GAAP net income per share of $1.50 from continuing operations
• EPS from continuing operations excluding special items* decreased 2.7% to $1.08
• GAAP net income from continuing operations of $146.6 million
• Net income from continuing operations excluding special items* increased 1.9% to $105.5 million
• Adjusted EBITDA* increased 3.2% to $293.3 million

^*Descriptions of measures excluding special items are provided in “Use and Definition of Non-GAAP Measures” and reconciliations are provided in the tables at the end of this release.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 28, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS:LNCE) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 30, 2017.

Recent Merger Announcement
On December 18, 2017, Snyder’s-Lance and Campbell Soup Company announced a definitive merger agreement under which Campbell Soup Company will acquire Snyder’s-Lance for $50 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $6.0 billion, including Snyder’s-Lance’s net debt. As such, the Company will not be providing its outlook for fiscal 2018 or longer-term targets and will not be holding a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 30, 2017. Completion of the transaction is subject to approval by the Company’s shareholders and other customary closing conditions. The parties expect to close the transaction late in the first quarter of 2018.

Summary of Financial Results

Fourth Quarter 2017 Results

Total net revenue in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $551.6 million, a decrease of 0.8% compared to $556.2 million from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2016. Branded net revenue increased 0.6% as a result of a 1.1% increase in the Company’s Core Brands partially offset by a 3.7% decrease in Allied Brands.  The Core Brand net revenue increase was led by growth in Late July^®, Cape Cod^®, KETTLE^® Chips, Lance^®, Snyder’s of Hanover^®, and Snack Factory^® Pretzel Crisps^®, partially offset by a decline in Pop Secret^®, Emerald^®, and Kettle Brand^®.  In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2017, net revenue from the Partner Brand category decreased 2.2% while net revenue from the Other category declined 13.7%, each compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. 

GAAP operating income in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $46.0 million, as compared to GAAP operating income of $44.3 million from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2016.  Operating income from continuing operations and excluding special items affecting comparability, in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $54.8 million, or 9.9% as a percentage of net revenue, as compared to $52.1 million from continuing operations, or 9.4% as a percentage of net revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2016.  The operating margin expansion was the result of lower general and administrative expenses, and supply chain productivity and cost initiatives. These were partially offset by higher promotional trade spend, higher service and distribution costs primarily related to trucking capacity, as well as continued higher than normal manufacturing costs due to the ramping up of Emerald^® production capacity in Charlotte, NC that was previously located in the Stockton, CA manufacturing facility. 

Net interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $10.2 million compared to $9.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2016.  Excluding special items, the effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 26.5% in the fourth quarter of 2017 as compared to 37.8% in the fourth quarter of 2016. The decrease in the effective income tax rate, excluding special items, was primarily due to the impact of adopting new accounting guidance, which resulted in excess tax benefits for certain share-based payments, which were previously included in equity. 

GAAP net income attributable to Snyder’s-Lance from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $188.8 million, or $1.92 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $18.7 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2016.  The significant increase in GAAP net income was primarily due to a non-recurring, non-cash gain of $162.4 million as the result of the impact of the Income Tax Reform Act enacted in December 2017 (the “Tax Act”). Net income attributable to Snyder’s-Lance from continuing operations, excluding special items, for the fourth quarter of 2017, was $32.7 million, as compared to $26.4 million, in the fourth quarter of 2016.  Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations, excluding special items, was $0.33 in the fourth quarter of 2017 compared to $0.27, in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2017 was $78.5 million, or 14.2% of net revenue, as compared to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $77.1 million, or 13.9% of net revenue, in the fourth quarter of 2016.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure defined herein under “Use and Definition of Non-GAAP Measures,” and is reconciled to net income in the tables that accompany this release.

Full-Year 2017 Results

Total net revenue for the full-year 2017 was 2,226.8 million, an increase of 5.6% compared to $2,109.2 million from continuing operations in 2016. Branded net revenue increased 8.5% as a result of a 2.3% increase in the Company’s Allied Brands revenue and a 9.1% increase in Core Brands revenue.  In addition, during the full-year 2017, net revenue from the Partner Brand category decreased 2.9% while net revenue from the Other category declined 7.2%, each compared to the full-year of 2016. 

GAAP operating income from continuing operations for the full-year 2017 was $38.5 million, as compared to GAAP operating income of $104.6 million from continuing operations in 2016.  GAAP operating income was negatively impacted by $157.1 million in pre-tax expenses which affected comparability.  These expenses were primarily related to $104.7 million in non-cash impairment charges reflecting the write-downs of the Company’s European reporting unit goodwill, and the Company’s KETTLE^® Chips trademark in the United Kingdom and Pop Secret^® trademark.  Operating income from continuing operations and excluding special items affecting comparability, for the full-year 2017 was $195.7 million, or 8.8% as a percentage of net revenue, as compared to $189.5 million from continuing operations, or 9.0% as a percentage of net revenue, in 2016. 

Net interest expense for the full-year 2017 was $38.8 million compared to $32.6 million in 2016.  Excluding special items, the effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 32.5% in 2017 as compared to 34.1% in 2016.

GAAP net income attributable to Snyder’s-Lance from continuing operations for the full-year 2017 was $146.6 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $42.0 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, in 2016.  The significant increase in GAAP net income was primarily due to a non-recurring, non-cash gain of $162.4 million as the result of the impact of the Tax Act. Net income attributable to Snyder’s-Lance from continuing operations, excluding special items, for the full-year 2017, was $105.5 million, as compared to $103.5 million, in 2016.  Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations, excluding special items, was $1.08 for the full-year 2017 compared to $1.11, in 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the full-year 2017 was $293.3 million, or 13.2% of net revenue, as compared to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $284.1 million, or 13.5% of net revenue, in 2016.  Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure defined herein under “Use and Definition of Non-GAAP Measures,” and is reconciled to net income in the tables that accompany this release.

About Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.
Snyder's-Lance, Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, NC, manufactures and markets snack foods throughout the United States and internationally. Snyder's-Lance's products include pretzels, sandwich crackers, pretzel crackers, potato chips, cookies, tortilla chips, restaurant style crackers, popcorn, nuts and other snacks. Products are sold under the Snyder's of Hanover^®, Lance^®, Kettle Brand^®, KETTLE^® Chips, Cape Cod^®, Snack Factory^® Pretzel Crisps^®, Pop Secret^®, Emerald^®, Late July^®, Krunchers!^®, Tom's^®, Archway^®, Jays^®, Stella D'oro^®, Eatsmart Snacks™, O-Ke-Doke^®, Metcalfe’s skinny^®, and other brand names along with a number of third-party brands. Products are distributed nationally through grocery and mass merchandisers, convenience stores, club stores, food service outlets and other channels. For more information, visit the Company's corporate web site: www.snyderslance.com.
LNCE-E

Use and Definition of Non-GAAP Measures
Snyder’s-Lance’s management uses non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our operating performance and to facilitate a comparison of the Company’s operating performance on a consistent basis and to provide measures that, when viewed in combination with its results prepared in accordance with GAAP, allow for a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting the Company’s business than GAAP measures alone.  The non-GAAP measures and related comparisons should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, our GAAP disclosure, as well as other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Our management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful for providing increased transparency and assisting investors in understanding our ongoing operating performance.

Operating Income and Gross Profit, Excluding Special Items
Operating income and gross profit, excluding special items, are provided because Snyder’s-Lance believes it is useful information for understanding our results by improving the comparability of our results. Additionally, operating income and gross profit, excluding special items, provide transparent and useful information to management, investors, analysts and other parties in evaluating and assessing the Company’s primary operating results after removing the impact of unusual, non-operational or restructuring or transaction related activities that affect comparability. Operating income and gross profit, excluding special items, are two measures management uses for planning and budgeting, monitoring and evaluating financial and operating results, and in the analysis of ongoing operating trends.

Net Income, Earnings per Share and Effective Income Tax Rate, Excluding Special Items
Net income, earnings per share, and the effective income tax rate, excluding special items, are metrics provided to present the reader with the after-tax impact of operating income, excluding special items, in order to improve the comparability and understanding of the related GAAP measures. Net income, earnings per share, and the effective income tax rate, excluding special items, provide transparent and useful information to management, investors, analysts and other parties in evaluating and assessing our primary operating results after removing the impact of unusual, non-operational or restructuring or transaction related activities that affect comparability. Net income, earnings per share, and the effective income tax rate, excluding special items, are measures management uses for planning and budgeting, monitoring and evaluating financial and operating results.

Adjusted EBITDA
Snyder’s-Lance defines adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), further adjusted to exclude restructuring or transaction related expenses, and other non-cash or non-operating items as well as any other unusual items that impact the comparability of our financial information.

Management uses adjusted EBITDA as a key metric in the evaluation of underlying Company performance, in making financial, operating and planning decisions.  The Company believes this measure is useful to investors because it increases transparency and assists investors in understanding the underlying performance of the Company and in the analysis of ongoing operating trends. Additionally, Snyder’s-Lance believes adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies, many of which present an adjusted EBITDA measure when reporting their results. The Company has historically reported adjusted EBITDA to analysts and investors and believes that its continued inclusion provides consistency in financial reporting and enables analysts and investors to perform meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance, as an indicator of cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. While EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA and similar measures are frequently used as measures of operations and the ability to meet debt service requirements, they are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation.

Cautionary Information about Forward Looking Statements

In this press release, we make statements which may be forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which represent our current judgment about possible future events. The statements include projections regarding future revenues, earnings and other results.  In making these statements we rely on current expectations, assumptions and analyses based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we consider appropriate under the circumstances. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors, both positive and negative. These factors include among others:  changes in general economic conditions; price or availability of raw materials, packaging, energy and labor; food industry competition; changes in top customer relationships; consolidation of the retail environment; decision by British voters to exit the European Union; failure to realize anticipated benefits of acquisitions and divestitures; loss of key personnel; failure to execute strategic initiatives; safety and quality of food products; adulterated or misbranded products; disruption of our supply chain or information technology systems; improper use or misuse of social media; ability to anticipate changes in consumer preferences and trends; distribution through independent operators; protection of trademarks and intellectual property; impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other intangible assets; new regulations or legislation; interest and foreign currency exchange rate volatility; concentration of capital stock ownership; increasing legal complexity and potential litigation; the inability to successfully execute international expansion strategies; additional risks from foreign operations; our substantial debt; and the restrictions and limitations on our business operations in the agreements and instruments governing our debt.

In addition, this press release contains certain statements with respect to a transaction involving the Company and Campbell Soup Company that are also forward-looking within the meaning of applicable securities laws.  Certain risks and uncertainties related to the transaction include, but are not limited to: failure to obtain the required vote of the Company’s shareholders; the timing to consummate the proposed transaction; the risk that a condition to closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied or that the closing of the proposed transaction might otherwise not occur; the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues; and risk that the transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel.

Additional information concerning these and other risk factors can be found in the Company’s filings with the SEC and available through the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval system at http://www.sec.gov, including the Company’s most recent Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and the Definitive Proxy Statement. The foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. The Company’s forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable but that may not prove to be accurate. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This communication does not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. This communication relates to a proposed acquisition of Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. (the “Company”) by Campbell Soup Company. In connection with this transaction, the Company has filed a definitive proxy statement (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 20, 2018, and has filed other relevant materials regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC.  INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

The Company first mailed the Definitive Proxy Statement to shareholders of the Company on February 20, 2018. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the Definitive Proxy Statement and other documents filed with the SEC by the Company through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by the Company are available free of charge on the Company’s internet website at http://ir.snyderslance.com/sec.cfm or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations Department by email at kpowers@snyderslance.com or by phone at 704-557-8279.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the Definitive Proxy Statement and other relevant materials filed with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of the Company is set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017, its proxy statement for its 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on March 27, 2017, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017, which was filed with the SEC on November 9, 2017, and in other documents filed with the SEC by the Company and its officers and directors.

These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitations and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement and other relevant materials in connection with the transaction filed with the SEC.

Investor Contact
Kevin Powers, Senior Director, Investor Relations and Communications
kpowers@snyderslance.com, (704) 557-8279

Media Contact
Joey Shevlin, Director, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs
JShevlin@snyderslance.com, (704) 557-8850

(Tables to Follow)

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
As of December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
Gross profit, excluding special items

(1)  Transaction and integration related expenses primarily consist of severance and relocation benefits for Diamond Foods personnel and the inventory step-up for the additional cost of sales as a result of stepping up Diamond Food's inventory to fair value at the acquisition date.
(2)  Expenses primarily associated with the relocation of Emerald production from Stockton, CA to Charlotte, NC, including packaging write-offs due to required packaging changes as a result of the transaction.
(3)  Transformation initiative costs primarily consist of write off of certain materials and packaging associated with our elimination of certain SKU items, expenses associated with the closure of our Perry, FL manufacturing facility as well as severance benefits related to our performance transformation plan.
(4)  Other items primarily consist of an inventory step-up related to the Metcalfe transaction, other Metcalfe-related integration expenses and non-Diamond related severance and retention benefits.

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
Operating income, excluding special items

(1)  For 2017, transaction and integration related expenses primarily consist of idle facility lease costs and severance for Diamond Foods personnel.
(2)  For 2016, transaction and integration related expenses primarily consist of professional fees, accelerated stock-based compensation, relocation, severance, and retention costs associated with the acquisition of Diamond Foods and the inventory step-up for the additional cost of sales as a result of stepping up Diamond Food's inventory to fair value at the acquisition date.
(3)  Expenses associated primarily with the relocation of Emerald production from Stockton, CA to Charlotte, NC, including the packaging write-offs due to required packaging changes as a result of the transaction.
(4)  Transformation initiative costs primarily consist of write off of certain materials and packaging associated with our elimination of certain SKU items, expenses associated with the closure of our Perry, FL manufacturing facility as well as severance benefits and professional fees related to our performance transformation plan.
(5)  For 2017, impairment charges recorded for certain trademarks and our European reporting unit goodwill. For 2016, impairment changes recorded for certain unused fixed assets.
(6)  For 2017, other items primarily relate to expenses incurred in relation to the pending acquisition of the Company by Campbell Soup Company, partially offset by reductions of accruals associated with certain litigation.
(7)  For 2016, other items primarily consist of Metcalfe's transaction-related expenses, including severance benefits, as well as an inventory step-up related to this acquisition, partially offset by proceeds from a business interruption claim.

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items

(1)  For 2017, transaction and integration related expenses primarily consist of idle facility lease costs and severance for Diamond Foods personnel.
(2)  For 2016, transaction and integration related expenses primarily consist of professional fees, accelerated stock-based compensation, relocation, severance, and retention costs associated with the acquisition of Diamond Foods and the inventory step-up for the additional cost of sales as a result of stepping up Diamond Food's inventory to fair value at the acquisition date.
(3)  Expenses primarily associated with the relocation of Emerald production from Stockton, CA to Charlotte, NC, including the packaging write-offs due to required packaging changes as a result of the transaction.
(4)  Transformation initiative costs primarily consist of write off of certain materials and packaging associated with our elimination of certain SKU items, expenses associated with the closure of our Perry, FL manufacturing facility as well as severance benefits and professional fees related to our performance transformation plan.
(5)  Loss on early extinguishment of debt as a result of the early repayment of our private placement loan due to the financing obtained for the acquisition of Diamond Foods.
(6)  For 2017, impairment charges recorded for certain trademarks and our European reporting unit goodwill. For 2016, impairment changes recorded for certain unused fixed assets.
(7)  The enactment of the Tax Act in December 2017, which included numerous changes to many aspects of U.S. corporate income taxation by, among other things, lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system and imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earning of foreign subsidiaries, resulted in a tax benefit.
(8)  For 2017, other items primarily relate to expenses incurred in relation to the pending acquisition of the Company by Campbell Soup Company partially offset by reductions of accruals associated with certain litigation.
(9)  For 2016, other items primarily consist of Metcalfe's transaction-related expenses, including severance benefits, as well as an inventory step-up related to this acquisition, partially offset by proceeds from a business interruption claim.

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
EBITIDA and Adjusted EBITDA

(1)  For 2017, transaction and integration related expenses primarily consist of idle facility lease costs and severance for Diamond Foods personnel.
(2)  For 2016, transaction and integration related expenses primarily consist of professional fees, accelerated stock-based compensation, relocation, severance, and retention costs associated with the acquisition of Diamond Foods and the inventory step-up for the additional cost of sales as a result of stepping up of inventory to fair value at the acquisition date.
(3)  Expenses primarily associated with the relocation of Emerald production from Stockton, CA to Charlotte, NC, including the packaging write-offs due to required packaging changes as a result of the transaction.
(4)  Transformation initiative costs primarily consist of write off of certain materials and packaging associated with our elimination of certain SKU items, expenses associated with the closure of our Perry, FL manufacturing facility as well as severance benefits and professional fees related to our performance transformation plan.
(5)  For 2017, impairment charges recorded for certain trademarks and our European reporting unit goodwill. For 2016, impairment changes recorded for certain unused fixed assets.
(6)  For 2017, other items primarily relate to expenses incurred in relation to the pending acquisition of the Company by Campbell Soup Company and reductions of accruals associated with certain litigation.
(7)  For 2016, other items primarily consist of Metcalfe's transaction-related expenses, including severance benefits, as well as an inventory step-up related to this acquisition, partially offset by proceeds from a business interruption claim.

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
Net income attributable to Snyder's-Lance, Inc., excluding special items

(1)  For 2017, transaction and integration related expenses consist of idle facility lease costs and severance for Diamond Foods personnel.
(2)  For 2016, transaction and integration related expenses primarily consist of professional fees, accelerated stock-based compensation, relocation, severance, and retention costs associated with the acquisition of Diamond Foods and the inventory step-up for the additional cost of sales as a result of stepping up inventory to fair value at the acquisition date.
(3)  Expenses associated with the relocation of Emerald production from Stockton, CA to Charlotte, NC, including the packaging write-offs due to required packaging changes as a result of the transaction.
(4)  Transformation initiative costs primarily consist of write off of certain materials and packaging associated with our elimination of certain SKU items, expenses associated with the closure of our Perry, FL manufacturing facility as well as severance benefits and professional fees related to our performance transformation plan.
(5)  For 2017, impairment charges recorded for certain trademarks and our European reporting unit goodwill. For 2016, impairment changes recorded for certain unused fixed assets.
(6)  Loss on early extinguishment of debt as a result of the early repayment of our private placement loan due to the financing obtained for the acquisition of Diamond Foods.
(7)  The enactment of the Tax Act in December 2017, which included numerous changes to many aspects of U.S. corporate income taxation by, among other things, lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system and imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earning of foreign subsidiaries, resulted in a tax benefit in 2017.
(8)  For 2017, other items primarily relate to expenses incurred in relation to the pending acquisition of the Company by Campbell Soup Company partially offset by reductions of accruals associated with certain litigation.
(9)  For 2016, other items primarily consist of Metcalfe's transaction-related expenses, including severance benefits, as well as an inventory step-up related to this acquisition, partially offset by proceeds from a business interruption claim.

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
Adjusted effective income tax rate

(1)  The tax rate on adjusted income varies from the tax rate on GAAP income primarily due to the enactment of the Tax Act in December 2017, which included numerous changes to many aspects of U.S. corporate income taxation by, among other things, lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system and imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earning of foreign subsidiaries and to a lesser extent the favorable impact of tax benefits on share-based tax payments, which previously had been included in equity.

(2)  The tax rate on adjusted income varies from the tax rate on GAAP income for the fourth quarter of 2016 primarily due to the $1.4 million of discrete tax expense associate with our tax restructuring in the quarter, as well as non-deductible transaction related costs related to the acquisition of Diamond Foods.

SNYDER’S-LANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures (Unaudited)
Adjusted effective income tax rate

(1)  The tax rate on adjusted income varies from the tax rate on GAAP income primarily due to the enactment of the Tax Act in December 2017, which included numerous changes to many aspects of U.S. corporate income taxation by, among other things, lowering the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, implementing a territorial tax system and imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earning of foreign subsidiaries and to a lesser extent the favorable impact of tax benefits on share-based tax payments, which previously had been included in equity.
(2)  The tax rate on adjusted income varies from the tax rate on GAAP income primarily due to non-deductible transaction costs related to the acquisition of Diamond Foods.