Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These statements include the accounts of Rayonier Inc. and its subsidiaries, in which it has a majority ownership or controlling interest. As of April 2013, the Company held a controlling interest (65%) in its New Zealand JV, and, as such, consolidates its results of operations and Balance Sheet. In March 2016, the Company made a capital contribution into the New Zealand JV and as a result, the Company’s ownership interest increased to 77%. The Company also records a noncontrolling interest in its consolidated financial statements representing the minority ownership interest (23%) of the New Zealand JV’s results of operations and equity. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and to disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. There are risks inherent in estimating and therefore actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include time deposits with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are primarily amounts due to the Company for the sale of timber and are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventory

HBU real estate properties that are expected to be sold within one year are included in inventory at lower of cost or market value. HBU properties that are expected to be sold after one year are included in a separate balance sheet line, entitled “Higher and Better Use Timberlands and Real Estate Development Investments.” See below for additional information.

Inventory also includes logs available to be sold by the Trading segment. Log inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market and expensed to cost of goods sold when sold to third-party buyers.

Prepaid Logging Roads

Costs for roads built in the Pacific Northwest and New Zealand to access particular tracts to be harvested in the upcoming 24 months to 60 months are recorded as prepaid logging roads. The Company charges such costs to expense as timber is harvested using an amortization rate determined annually as the total cost of prepaid roads divided by the estimated tons of timber to be accessed by those roads. The prepaid balance is classified as short-term or long-term based on the upcoming harvest schedule.

Timber and Timberlands

Timber is stated at the lower of cost or market value. Costs relating to acquiring, planting and growing timber including real estate taxes, site preparation and direct support costs relating to facilities, vehicles and supplies are capitalized. Annual lease payments are capitalized or expensed based on the proportion of acres that the Company will be able to harvest prior to lease expiration. Lease payments made within one year of expiration is expensed as incurred. Payroll costs are capitalized for time spent on timber growing activities, while interest or any other intangible costs are not capitalized. An annual depletion rate is established for each particular region by dividing merchantable inventory cost by standing merchantable inventory volume, which is estimated annually. The Company charges accumulated costs attributed to merchantable timber to depletion expense (cost of sales), at the time the timber is harvested or when the underlying timberland is sold based on the relationship of timber sold to the estimated volume of currently merchantable timber.

Upon the acquisition of timberland, the Company makes a determination on whether to combine the newly acquired merchantable timber with an existing depletion pool or to create a new, separate pool. This determination is based on the geographic location of the new timber, the customers/markets that will be served and the species mix. If the acquisition is similar, the cost of the acquired timber is combined into an existing depletion pool and a new depletion rate is calculated for the pool. This determination and depletion rate adjustment normally occurs in the quarter following the acquisition.

Higher and Better Use Timberlands and Real Estate Development Investments

HBU timberland is recorded at the lower of cost or market value. These properties are managed as timberlands until sold or developed with sales and depletion expense related to the harvesting of timber accounted for within the respective timber segment. At the time of sale, the cost basis of any unharvested timber is recorded as depletion expense, a component of cost of goods sold, within the Real Estate segment.

Real estate development investments include capitalized costs for targeted infrastructure improvements, such as roadways and utilities. HBU timberland and real estate development investments expected to be sold within twelve months are recorded as inventory. See Note 6 — Higher and Better Use Timberlands and Real Estate Development Investments for additional information.

Property, Plant, Equipment and Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment additions are recorded at cost, including applicable freight, interest, construction and installation costs. The Company depreciates its assets, including office and transportation equipment, using the straight-line depreciation method over 3 to 25 years. Buildings and land improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over 15 to 35 years and 5 to 30 years, respectively.

Gains and losses on the retirement of assets are included in operating income. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets that are held and used is measured by net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets, which is based on a discounted cash flow model. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value was established as follows:

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

The fair value of foreign currency exchange contracts is determined by a mark-to-market valuation which estimates fair value by discounting the difference between the contracted forward price and the current forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using a risk-free interest rate. The fair value of foreign currency option contracts is based on a mark-to-market calculation using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

A three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value was established in the Accounting Standards Codification as follows:

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1.

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Rayonier uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents and Restricted cash — The carrying amount is equal to fair market value.

Debt — The fair value of fixed rate debt is based upon quoted market prices for debt with similar terms and maturities. The variable rate debt adjusts with changes in the market rate, therefore the carrying value approximates fair value.

Interest rate swap agreements — The fair value of interest rate contracts is determined by discounting the expected future cash flows, for each instrument, at prevailing interest rates.

Foreign currency exchange contracts — The fair value of foreign currency exchange contracts is determined by a mark-to-market valuation which estimates fair value by discounting the difference between the contracted forward price and the current forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using a risk-free interest rate.

Foreign currency option contracts — The fair value of foreign currency option contracts is based on a mark-to-market calculation using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

The valuation methodology used for measuring the fair value of these asset categories was as follows:

Mutual funds are valued at the daily closing price as reported by the fund. Mutual funds held by the plan are open-end mutual funds that are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These funds are required to publish their daily net asset value and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the plan are deemed to be actively traded and to be Level 1 investments.

Collective trust funds are measured using the unit value calculated based on the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) of the underlying assets. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by each fund less liabilities divided by the units outstanding as of the valuation date. These funds are not publicly traded; however, the unit price calculation is based on observable market inputs of the funds’ underlying assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition cost of the New Zealand Timber segment over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is periodically reviewed for impairment. An impairment test for this reporting unit’s goodwill is performed annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill may be impaired. The Company compares the fair value of the New Zealand Timber segment, using an independent valuation for the New Zealand forest assets, to its carrying value including goodwill . The independent valuation of the New Zealand forest assets is based on discounted cash flow models where the fair value is calculated using cash flows from sustainable forest management plans. The fair value of the forest assets is measured as the present value of cash flows from one growth cycle based on the productive forest land, taking into consideration environmental, operational, and market restrictions. These cash flow valuations involve a number of estimates that require broad assumptions and significant judgment regarding future performance. The annual impairment test was performed as of October 1, 2016; the estimated fair value of the New Zealand Timber segment exceeded its carrying value and no impairment was recorded.

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the Company’s New Zealand-based operations is the New Zealand dollar. All assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the respective balance sheet dates. Translation gains and losses are recorded as a separate component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss), (“AOCI”), within Shareholders’ Equity.

U.S. denominated transactions of the New Zealand JV are translated into New Zealand dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the date of the transaction and recognized in earnings, net of related cash flow hedges. All income statement items of the New Zealand JV are translated into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes using monthly average exchange rates with translation gains and losses being recorded as a separate component of AOCI, within Shareholders’ Equity.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally recognizes revenues when the following criteria are met: (i) persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services rendered, (iii) the Company’s price to the buyer is fixed and determinable, and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured.

Timber Sales

Revenue from the sale of timber is recognized when title passes to the buyer. The Company utilizes two primary methods or sales channels for the sale of timber, a stumpage or standing timber model and delivered logs. Under the stumpage model, standing timber is sold primarily under pay-as-cut contracts, with specified duration (typically one year or less) and fixed prices, whereby revenue is recognized as timber is severed and the sales volume is determined. The Company also sells stumpage under lump-sum contracts for specified parcels where the Company receives cash for the full agreed value of the timber prior to harvest and title and risk of loss pass to the buyer upon signing the contract. The Company retains interest in the land, slash products, and the use of the land for recreational and other purposes. Any uncut timber remaining at the end of the contract period reverts to the Company. Revenue is recognized for lump-sum timber sales when payment is received, the contract is signed and title and risk of loss pass to the buyer. A third type of stumpage sale the Company utilizes is an agreed-volume sale, whereby revenue is recognized as periodic physical observations are made of the percentage of acreage harvested.

In delivered log sales, the Company hires third-party loggers and haulers to harvest timber and deliver it to a buyer. Revenue is recognized when the logs are delivered and title and risk of loss transfer to the buyer. Sales of delivered logs generally do not require an initial payment and are made to third-party customers on open credit terms. The sales method the Company employs for a given tract of timber depends upon local market conditions and which method is expected to provide the best overall margin.

Non-timber income included in “Other Operating Income, Net” is primarily comprised of hunting and recreational licenses. Such income is recognized ratably over the term of the agreement.

Log Trading

Domestic log trading revenue for sales within New Zealand is recorded when the goods are received by the customer and title passes. Export log trading revenue is recorded when the ship leaves the port, at which time title passes to the customer.

Real Estate

The Company recognizes revenue on sales of real estate when the sale is consummated, generally when payment is received and title and risk of loss have passed to the buyer. Cost of sales associated with real estate sold comprises the cost of the land, the cost of any timber on the property that was conveyed to the buyer, and any closing costs including sales commissions that may be borne by the Company. Costs incurred to obtain land use entitlements or for infrastructure such as utilities, roads or other improvements are charged to cost of sales for a project as a percentage of revenue earned to total anticipated revenue and costs for each project.

Employee Benefit Plans

The determination of expense and funding requirements for Rayonier’s defined benefit pension plan, its unfunded excess pension plan and its postretirement life insurance plan are largely based on a number of actuarial assumptions. The key assumptions include discount rate, return on assets, salary increases, mortality rates and longevity of employees. See Note 15 — Employee Benefit Plans for assumptions used to determine benefit obligations, and the net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Periodic pension and other postretirement expense is included in “Cost of sales,” “Selling and general expenses” and “Income from discontinued operations, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s pension plans were in a net liability position (underfunded) of $30.6 million and $33.0 million, respectively. The estimated amount to be paid in the next 12 months is recorded in “Accrued payroll and benefits” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the remainder recorded as a long-term liability in “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits.” Changes in the funded status of the Company’s plans are recorded through comprehensive income (loss) in the year in which the changes occur. The Company measures plan assets and benefit obligations as of the fiscal year-end. See Note 15 — Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured pursuant to tax laws using rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes the effect of a change in income tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income in the period that includes the enactment date of the rate change. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets if it is more-likely-than-not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized.

In determining the provision for income taxes, the Company computes an annual effective income tax rate based on annual income by legal entity, permanent differences between book and tax, and statutory income tax rates by jurisdiction. Inherent in the effective tax rate is an assessment of the ultimate outcome of current period uncertain tax positions. The Company adjusts its annual effective tax rate as additional information on outcomes or events becomes available. Discrete items such as taxing authority examination findings or legislative changes are recognized in the period in which they occur.

The Company’s income tax returns are subject to audit by U.S. federal, state and foreign taxing authorities. In evaluating the tax benefits associated with various tax filing positions, the Company records a tax benefit for an uncertain tax position if it is more-likely-than-not to be realized upon ultimate settlement of the issue. The Company records a liability for an uncertain tax position that does not meet this criterion. The Company adjusts its liabilities for uncertain tax benefits in the period in which it is determined the issue is settled with the taxing authorities, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing authority to examine the tax position or when new facts or information becomes available. Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits are included in “Other Non-Current Liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 9 — Income Taxes for additional information.

Reclassifications

Certain 2015 and 2014 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation, including the Consolidated Balance Sheet and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows to better reflect the intended use of the assets and funds. These reclassifications did not affect revenue, total costs and expenses, operating income, or net income.

New or Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. Rayonier intends to adopt ASU No. 2016-18 in the Company’s first quarter 2018 Form 10-Q. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, stating entities should recognize income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory in the period in which they occur. As such, the Company will be required to apply the changes on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. ASU 2016-16 is effective for public business entities in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted at the beginning of an annual period for which financial statements have not been issued. The Company intends to adopt ASU 2016-16 in the first quarter of 2017 and does not expect adoption to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and other Topics. This Update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. ASU No. 2016-15 is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented beginning in the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This update simplifies the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Rayonier intends to adopt ASU No. 2016-09 in the Company’s first quarter 2017 Form 10-Q. Upon adoption, additional excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies will be recorded to Income tax (expense) benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The Company does not expect adoption to have any other material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effective of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships, which clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. ASU No. 2016-05 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Rayonier intends to adopt ASU No. 2016-05 in the Company’s first quarter 2017 Form 10-Q and does not expect it to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets related to the rights and obligations created by those leases. ASU No. 2016-02 also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures related to the nature, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. ASU No. 2016-02 is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented beginning in the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. ASU No. 2015-16 requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The acquirer must record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change in the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. ASU No. 2015-16 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. ASU No. 2015-16 should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. Rayonier adopted ASU No. 2015-16 during the year ended December 31, 2016. See Note 3 — Timberland Acquisitions for additional information.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). ASU No. 2015-07 requires that investments for which the fair value is measured at NAV using the practical expedient (investments in funds measured at NAV) under “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (Topic 820) be excluded from the fair value hierarchy. ASU No. 2015-07 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. ASU No. 2015-07 is required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented beginning in the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. Rayonier adopted ASU No. 2015-07 as of December 31, 2016 in this annual report on Form 10-K. See Note 15 — Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) – Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU No. 2014-15 requires management of all entities to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued. Management is required to make certain disclosures if it concludes that substantial doubt exists or when its plans alleviate substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU No. 2014-15 is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016 and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Rayonier adopted ASU No. 2014-15 as of December 31, 2016 and the implementation of the new standard did not result in additional disclosure in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) jointly issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede current revenue recognition guidance. The guidance provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized and will require enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Deferral of the Effective Date. ASU No. 2015-14 provides a one-year deferral of the effective date of the new standard, with an option for organizations to adopt early based on the original effective date. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. The update clarifies the guidance for identifying performance obligations. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. The update clarifies the guidance for assessing collectibility, presenting sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers, noncash consideration, contract modifications at transition, completed contracts at transition and disclosing the accounting change in the period of adoption. This standard will be effective for Rayonier beginning January 1, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on the consolidated financial statements and has completed a preliminary analysis of the specific impacts to our Southern Timber, Pacific Northwest Timber, New Zealand Timber and Real Estate segments.

Segment Reporting

Sales between operating segments are made based on estimated fair market value, and intercompany sales, purchases and profits (losses) are eliminated in consolidation. The Company evaluates financial performance based on segment operating income and Adjusted EBITDA. Asset information is not reported by segment, as the company does not produce asset information by segment internally.

Operating income as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income is equal to segment income. Certain income (loss) items in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income are not allocated to segments. These items, which include interest income (expense), miscellaneous income (expense) and income tax (expense) benefit, are not considered by management to be part of segment operations and are included under “Corporate and other.”

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Rayonier by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Rayonier by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted to include the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, performance shares, restricted shares and convertible debt.

Derivatives

Accounting for derivative financial instruments is governed by Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, (“ASC 815”). In accordance with ASC 815, the Company records its derivative instruments at fair value as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the instruments’ fair value are accounted for based on their intended use. Gains and losses on derivatives that are designated and qualify for cash flow hedge accounting are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) and reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction materializes. Gains and losses on derivatives that are designated and qualify for net investment hedge accounting are recorded as a component of AOCI and will not be reclassified into earnings until the Company’s investment in its New Zealand operations is partially or completely liquidated. The ineffective portion of any hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and those which are no longer effective as hedging instruments, are recognized immediately in earnings. The Company's hedge ineffectiveness was de minimis for all periods presented.

Derivatives, Offsetting Fair Value Amounts

Derivative financial instruments are presented at their gross fair values in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are not subject to master netting arrangements which would allow the right of offset.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans

Expected volatility was estimated using daily returns on the Company’s common stock for the three-year period ending on the grant date. The risk-free rate was based on the 3-year U.S. treasury rate on the date of the award. The dividend yield was not used to calculate fair value as awards granted receive dividend equivalents.

Performance Share Units

The Company’s performance share units generally vest upon completion of a three-year period. The number of shares, if any, that are ultimately awarded is contingent upon Rayonier’s total shareholder return versus selected peer group companies. The performance share payout is based on a market condition and as such, the awards are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The model generates the fair value of the award at the grant date, which is then recognized as expense over the vesting period.

Performance share awards outstanding as of the spin-off were treated as follows:

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Performance share awards granted in 2012 (with a 2012-2014 performance period) remained subject to the same performance criteria as applied immediately prior to the spin-off, except that total shareholder return at the end of the performance period was based on the combined stock prices of Rayonier and Rayonier Advanced Materials and any payment earned was to be in shares of Rayonier common stock and shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials common stock.


•	Performance share awards granted in 2013 (with a 2013-2015 performance period) were cancelled as of the distribution date and were replaced with time-vested restricted stock of the post-separation employer of each holder, as discussed in the Restricted Stock section above.

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Performance share awards granted in 2014 (with a 2014-2016 performance period) were cancelled and replaced with performance share awards of the post-separation employer of each holder (Rayonier or Rayonier Advanced Materials, as the case may be), and were subject to the achievement of performance criteria that related to the post-separation business of the applicable employer during a performance period that ended December 31, 2016. The number of shares underlying each such performance share award were determined in a manner intended to preserve the original value of the award.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock granted to employees under the Stock Plan generally vests in thirds on the third, fourth, and fifth anniversary of the grant date. Periodically, other one-time restricted stock grants are issued to employees for special purposes, such as new hire, promotion or retention, and can vest ratably over, or upon completion of, a defined period of time. Restricted stock granted to members of the board of directors generally vests immediately upon issuance and is subject to certain holding requirements. The fair value of each share granted is equal to the share price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Rayonier has elected to value each grant in total and recognize the expense on a straight-line basis from the grant date of the award to the latest vesting date.

Restricted stock was impacted by the spin-off as follows:

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Holders of Rayonier restricted stock, including Rayonier non-employee directors, retained those awards and also received restricted stock of Rayonier Advanced Materials, in an amount that reflects the distribution to Rayonier stockholders, by applying the distribution ratio (one share of Rayonier Advanced Materials for every three shares of Rayonier stock held) to Rayonier restricted stock awards as though they were unrestricted Rayonier common shares.

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Performance share awards granted in 2013 (with a 2013-2015 performance period) were cancelled as of the distribution date and were replaced with time-vested restricted stock of the post-separation employer of each holder (Rayonier or Rayonier Advanced Materials, as the case may be). The restricted shares vested 24 months after the distribution date, generally subject to the holder’s continued employment. The number of shares of restricted stock granted was determined in a manner intended to preserve the original value of the performance share award.

Non-Qualified Employee Stock Options

The exercise price of each non-qualified stock option granted under the Stock Plan is equal to the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the grant date. Under the Stock Plan, the maximum term is ten years from the grant date. Awards vest ratably over three years. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility for each grant and is calculated using the historical change in the daily market price of the Company’s common stock over the expected life of the award. The expected life is based on prior exercise behavior. The Company has elected to value each grant in total and recognize the expense for stock options on a straight-line basis over three years.

Discontinued Operations

As Rayonier does not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of the Performance Fibers business, the operating results of the Performance Fibers business, formerly disclosed as a separate reportable segment, are classified as discontinued operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014. Certain administrative and general costs historically allocated to the Performance Fibers segment are reported in continuing operations, as required.

Interest Expense Allocated to Discontinued Operations

In accordance with ASC 205-20-S99-3, Allocation of Interest to Discontinued Operations, the Company elected to allocate interest expense to discontinued operations where the debt is not directly attributed to the Performance Fibers business. Interest expense was allocated based on a ratio of net assets discontinued to the sum of consolidated net assets plus consolidated debt (other than debt directly attributable to the Timber and Real Estate operations).