DEBT

Amounts related to early debt extinguishment during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
In millions	2014		2013		2014		2013
Early debt reductions (a)	$	262	$	442	$	1,301	$	500
Pre-tax early debt extinguishment costs (b)	13		15		275		24

(a)

Reductions related to notes with interest rates ranging from 4.75% to 9.38% with original maturities from 2015 to 2027 and from 5.45% to 7.40% with original maturities from 2014 to 2033 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and from 4.75% to 9.38% with original maturities from 2018 to 2029 and from 5.20% to 7.95% with original maturities from 2014 to 2033 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


(b)	Amounts are included in Restructuring and other charges in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

During the second quarter of 2014, International Paper issued $800 million of 3.65% senior unsecured notes with a maturity date in 2024 and $800 million of 4.80% senior unsecured notes with a maturity date in 2044. The proceeds from this borrowing were used to repay approximately $957 million of notes with interest rates ranging from 7.95% to 9.38% and original maturities from 2018 to 2019. Pre-tax early debt retirement costs of $262 million related to these debt repayments, including $257 million of cash premiums, are included in Restructuring and other charges in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

During the second quarter of 2014, International Paper borrowed $225 million under a receivable securitization facility at a rate of 0.90%. Prior to June 30, 2014, International Paper fully repaid the $225 million borrowed.

Subsequent to September 30, 2014, the Company repaid approximately $160 million of variable rate debt with an original maturity of February 2017.

During the first quarter of 2013, International Paper borrowed $260 million under a receivable securitization facility at a rate of 0.95% payable monthly. Prior to June 30, 2013, International Paper fully repaid the $260 million borrowed.

At September 30, 2014, the fair value of International Paper’s $9.7 billion of debt was approximately $10.7 billion. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. International Paper’s long-term debt is classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, which is further defined in Note 14 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Maintaining an investment-grade credit rating is an important element of International Paper’s financing strategy. At September 30, 2014, the Company held long-term credit ratings of BBB (stable outlook) and Baa2 (stable outlook) by S&P and Moody’s, respectively.