SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

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 March 2016, the Company maintains a 77% ownership interest in the New Zealand subsidiary, and, as such, consolidates its results of operations and Balance Sheet. The Company records a noncontrolling interest in its consolidated financial statements representing the minority ownership interest (23%) of the New Zealand subsidiary’s results of operations and equity. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.

Reclassifications

RECLASSIFICATIONS

During 2019, management reclassified Real Estate segment sales related to marketing fees and deferred revenue adjustments from Improved Development to Other. All prior period amounts previously reported have been reclassified.

Use of Estimates

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

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and other highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

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

INVENTORY

HBU real estate properties that are expected to be sold within one year are included in inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable 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 net realizable value and expensed to cost of sales when sold to third-party buyers.

Prepaid Logging Roads

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.

Deferred Financing Costs

DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS

Deferred financing costs related to revolving debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the term of the revolving debt using a method that approximates the effective interest method.

Capitalized Software Costs

CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE COSTS

Software costs are capitalized and amortized over a period not exceeding five years using the straight-line method.

Timber and Timberlands

TIMBER AND TIMBERLANDS

Timber is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable 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. A portion of timberland lease payments are capitalized based on the proportion of acres with merchantable timber volume remaining to be harvested under the lease term and the residual portion of the lease payments are 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.

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

HIGHER AND BETTER USE TIMBERLANDS AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENTS

HBU timberland is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable 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 sales, 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.

Property, Plant, Equipment and Depreciation

PROPERTY, PLANT, EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION

Property, plant and equipment additions are recorded at cost, including applicable freight, interest, construction and installation costs. The Company generally 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 sale or 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.

Leases and Right-of-Use Assets Impairment

LEASES

At inception, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease and whether that lease meets the classification criteria of a finance or operating lease. Operating leases are included in right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, other current liabilities, and long-term lease liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company generally uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowing over a similar term. Lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

RIGHT-OF-USE ASSETS IMPAIRMENT

Operating lease right-of-use assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset group to which the operating lease is assigned may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the asset group is evaluated based on forecasted undiscounted cash flows. If the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable, the fair value of the asset group is compared to its carrying amount and an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. A discounted cash flow approach using market participant assumptions of the expected cash flows and discount rate are used to estimate the fair value of the asset group.

Investments

INVESTMENTS

Investments at December 31, 2019 consisted of marketable equity securities. Investments are carried at fair value based on quoted prices in their active market with both the realized and unrealized gains and losses as well as interest and dividends reported in “Interest and other miscellaneous income, net.”

Fair Value Measurements

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.

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.

Carbon option contracts — The fair value of carbon option contracts is determined by a mark-to-market valuation using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, 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.

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.

Goodwill

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.

Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND REMEASUREMENT

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 (“AOCI”), within Shareholders’ Equity.

U.S. denominated transactions of the New Zealand subsidiary are remeasured 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 subsidiary 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

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The Company recognizes revenues when control of promised goods or services (“performance obligations”) is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration expected in exchange for those goods or services (“transaction price”). The Company generally satisfies performance obligations within a year of entering into a contract and therefore has applied the disclosure exemption found under ASC 606-10-50-14. Unsatisfied performance obligations as of December 31, 2019 are primarily due to advances on stumpage contracts and unearned hunt license revenue. These performance obligations are expected to be satisfied within the next twelve months. The Company generally collects payment within a year of satisfying performance obligations and therefore has elected not to adjust revenues for a financing component.

TIMBER SALES

Revenue from the sale of timber is recognized when control passes to the buyer. The Company utilizes two primary methods or sales channels for the sale of timber – a stumpage/standing timber model and a delivered log model. The sales method the Company employs depends upon local market conditions and which method management believes will provide the best overall margins.

Under the stumpage model, standing timber is sold primarily under pay-as-cut contracts, with a 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 control passes 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 control passes to the buyer. A third type of stumpage sale the Company utilizes is an agreed-volume sale, whereby revenue is recognized using the output method, as periodic physical observations are made of the percentage of acreage harvested.

Under the delivered log model, the Company hires third-party loggers and haulers to harvest timber and deliver it to a buyer. Sales of domestic logs generally do not require an initial payment and are made to third-party customers on open credit terms. Sales of export logs generally require a letter of credit from an approved bank. Revenue is recognized when the logs are delivered and control has passed to the buyer. For domestic log sales, control is considered passed to the buyer as the logs are delivered to the customer’s facility. For export log sales (primarily in New Zealand), control is considered passed to the buyer upon delivery onto the export vessel.

The following table summarizes revenue recognition and general payment terms for timber sales:

Contract Type	Performance Obligation	Timing of Revenue Recognition	General Payment Terms
Stumpage Pay-as-Cut	Right to harvest a unit (i.e. ton, MBF, JAS m3) of standing timber	As timber is severed (point-in-time)	Initial payment between 5% and 20% of estimated contract value; collection generally within 10 days of severance
Stumpage Lump Sum	Right to harvest an agreed upon acreage of standing timber	Contract execution (point-in-time)	Full payment due upon contract execution
Stumpage Agreed Volume	Right to harvest an agreed upon volume of standing timber	As timber is severed  (over-time)	Payments made throughout contract term at the earlier of a specified harvest percentage or time elapsed
Delivered Wood (Domestic)	Delivery of a unit (i.e. ton, MBF, JAS m3) of timber to customer’s facility	Upon delivery to customer’s facility  (point-in-time)	No initial payment and on open credit terms; collection generally within 30 days of invoice
Delivered Wood (Export)	Delivery of a unit (i.e. ton, MBF, JAS m3) onto export vessel	Upon delivery onto export vessel  (point-in-time)	Letter of credit from an approved bank; collection generally within 30 days of delivery

NON-TIMBER SALES

Non-timber sales are primarily comprised of hunting and recreational licenses. Such sales and any related costs are recognized ratably over the term of the agreement and included in “Sales” and “Cost of sales”, respectively. Payment is generally due upon contract execution.

LOG TRADING

Log trading revenue is generally recognized when procured logs are delivered to the buyer and control has passed. For domestic log trading, control is considered passed to the buyer as the logs are delivered to the customer’s facility. For export log trading, control is considered passed to the buyer upon delivery onto the export vessel. The Trading segment also includes sales from log agency contracts, whereby the Company acts as an agent managing export services on behalf of third parties. Revenue for log agency fees are recognized net of related costs.

Real Estate and Cost of Sales

REAL ESTATE

The Company recognizes revenue on sales of real estate generally at the point in time when cash has been received, the sale has closed and control has passed to the buyer. A deposit of 5% is generally required at the time a purchase and sale agreement is executed, with the balance due at closing. On sales of real estate containing future performance obligations, revenue is recognized using the input method based on costs incurred to date relative to the total costs expected to fulfill the performance obligations in the contract with the customer.

COST OF SALES

Cost of sales associated with timber operations primarily include the cost basis of timber sold (depletion) and logging and transportation costs (cut and haul). Depletion includes the amortization of capitalized costs (site preparation, planting and fertilization, real estate taxes, timberland lease payments and certain payroll costs). Other costs include amortization of capitalized costs related to road and bridge construction and software, depreciation of fixed assets and equipment, road maintenance, severance and excise taxes and fire prevention.

Cost of sales associated with real estate sold includes the cost of the land, the cost of any timber on the property that was conveyed to the buyer, any real estate development costs and any closing costs including sales commissions that may be borne by the Company. The Company expenses closing costs, including sales commissions, when incurred for all real estate sales with future performance obligations expected to be satisfied within one year.

When developed residential or commercial land is sold, the cost of sales includes actual costs incurred and estimates of future development costs benefiting the property sold through completion. Costs are allocated to each sold unit or lot based upon the relative sales value. For purposes of allocating development costs, estimates of future revenues and development costs are re-evaluated periodically throughout the year, with adjustments being allocated prospectively to the remaining units available for sale.

Employee Benefit Plans

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 16 — Employee Benefit Plans for assumptions used to determine benefit obligations, and the net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Periodic pension and other postretirement expense is included in “Cost of sales,” “Selling and general expenses” and “Interest and other miscellaneous income, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The service cost component of net periodic benefit cost is included in “Cost of sales” and “Selling and general expenses” while the other components of net periodic benefit cost (interest cost, expected return on plan assets and amortization of losses or gains) are presented outside of income from operations in “Interest and other miscellaneous income, net.” At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s pension plans were in a net liability position (underfunded) of $23.8 million and $28.6 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 other comprehensive (loss) income in the year in which the changes occur. The Company measures plan assets and benefit obligations as of the fiscal year-end.

Income Taxes

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 become available.

Recently Adopted and New Accounting Pronouncements

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), on January 1, 2019 and elected to apply the standard as of that day.

The Company applied the following practical expedients in the transition to the new standard as allowed under ASC 842-10-65-1:

Practical Expedient	Description
Reassessment of expired or existing contracts	The Company elected not to reassess, at the application date, whether any expired or existing contracts contained leases, the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and the accounting for initial direct costs for any existing leases.
Use of hindsight	The Company elected to use hindsight in determining the lease term (that is, when considering options to extend or terminate the lease and to purchase the underlying asset) and in assessing impairment of right-of-use assets.
Reassessment of existing or expired land easements	The Company elected not to evaluate existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC 840, as allowed under the transition practical expedient. Going forward, new or modified land easements will be evaluated under ASU No. 2016-02.

The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities in the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 with no material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Non-employee Share-Based Payment Accounting in the first quarter ended March 31, 2019 with no impact on the consolidated financial statements.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), which requires companies to utilize a new impairment model known as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model to estimate the lifetime "expected credit loss" and record an allowance that, when deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, presents the net amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The CECL model applies to all financial assets, including trade receivables. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company does not expect a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Subsequent Events

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Pope Resources Acquisition

On January 15, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Rayonier will acquire all of the outstanding limited partnership units of Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership for consideration consisting of equity and cash. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, elections of cash versus equity will be subject to proration to ensure that the ratio of cash and equity would be equal to the amounts issued as if every Pope Resources unit received 2.751 Rayonier common shares or Rayonier operating partnership units and $37.50 in cash. The merger agreement also provides for Rayonier to acquire the general partner entities of Pope Resources, Pope MGP, Inc. and Pope EGP, Inc., for consideration consisting of $10 million of cash. This transaction is expected to close in mid-2020.

Segment and Geographical Information

Rayonier operates in five reportable segments: Southern Timber, Pacific Northwest Timber, New Zealand Timber, Real Estate and Trading.

See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of the current year reclassification of Real Estate segment sales related to marketing fees and deferred revenue adjustments from Improved Development to Other.

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 (loss) 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, are not considered by management to be part of segment operations and are included under “Corporate and other.”

Earnings Per Common 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, restricted stock units and convertible debt.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

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 (loss) 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.

The Company is exposed to cash flow interest rate risk on its variable-rate Term Credit Agreement and Incremental Term Loan (as discussed below), and uses variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps to hedge this exposure. For these derivative instruments, the Company reports the gains/losses from the fluctuations in the fair market value of the hedges in AOCI and reclassifies them to earnings as interest expense in the same period in which the hedged interest payments affect earnings.

Offsetting Derivatives

OFFSETTING DERIVATIVES

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.

Incentive Stock Plans

Expected volatility was estimated using daily returns on the Company’s common shares 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.

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 10 years from the grant date.

RESTRICTED STOCK

Restricted stock granted to employees under the Stock Plan generally vests in fourths on the first, second, third and fourth anniversary of the grant date. Restricted stock granted to senior management 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. Generally, holders of restricted stock receive dividend equivalent payments on outstanding restricted shares. 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.

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 on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.