EPS as reported of $0.34 includes a $0.12 per share charge related to asset impairments and restructuring activities; a $0.02 per share net gain on the sale of assets and businesses; and a $0.01 per share loss on debt extinguishment. Adjusted EPS, which excludes these items, was $0.45.

Trailing four-quarter-average adjusted ROIC was 6.4%,1 40 basis points above annual WACC of 6.0%.

During the first nine months of 2017, the company returned $1.2 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Ag Services results were down compared with a strong prior-year period. 

In Merchandising and Handling, results decreased in both North America Grain and Global Trade, largely due to the lack of competitiveness of U.S. corn and soybeans in global markets.

Transportation results decreased from the prior-year period, due to low U.S. exports of grain and a slower start to the North American harvest.

Milling and Other earnings were down due to decreased volumes, mainly in the U.S, while product margins remained steady.

Corn Processing was up year-over-year, delivering another strong quarter. North America Sweeteners and Starches experienced good margins. Bioproducts results increased, with better ethanol margins over the prior-year period. 

Oilseeds Processing results were down compared to the third quarter of last year. Crushing and Origination results were impacted by compressed global crush margins and weak South America origination margins. 

Refining, Packaging, Biodiesel and Other experienced lower earnings versus the third quarter of 2016, due primarily to weaker biodiesel results caused by lower margins and negative mark-to-market impacts.

WFSI results were down versus the prior-year quarter. WILD Flavors delivered double-digit operating profit growth with strong sales in Asia and EMEA. Specialty Ingredients was down for the quarter, due in part to higher costs caused by operational start-ups in certain businesses.

Segment operating profit of $485 million for the quarter includes charges of $63 million ($0.07 per share) related to asset impairment and restructuring charges, primarily related to the Peoria ethanol complex reconfiguration, and a net gain of $12 million ($0.02 per share) on the sale of assets and businesses. 

In Corporate results, Minority Interest and Other charges include restructuring charges of $44 million ($0.05 per share) related to the reduction of certain positions within the company’s global workforce and a debt extinguishment charge of $11 million ($0.01 per share). 

The 13% effective tax rate reflects a decrease from our forecasted annual tax rate range of 27% to 29%, due primarily to the effect of certain favorable discrete items, including return to provision and a favorable outcome of a prior-year tax position related to an acquisition, partially offset by changes in the forecasted geographic mix of pre-tax earnings. These discrete items are included in both reported and adjusted earnings per share.