(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

or

For the transition period from                     to                    

Commission file number 000-04065

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   ý     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   ý     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   ý

As of April 20, 2017 , there were 27,443,091 shares of Common Stock, without par value, outstanding.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lancaster Colony Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to as "we," "us," "our," "registrant" or the "Company" and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and SEC Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations and financial position for such periods. All such adjustments reflected in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are considered to be of a normal recurring nature. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless otherwise noted, the term "year" and references to a particular year pertain to our fiscal year, which begins on July 1 and ends on June 30; for example, 2017 refers to fiscal 2017 , which is the period from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 .

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, except for those acquired as part of a business combination, which are stated at fair value at the time of purchase. Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in Accounts Payable and excluded from the property additions and the change in accounts payable in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows were as follows:

Accrued Distribution

Accrued distribution costs included in Accrued Liabilities were $6.6 million and $4.5 million at March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 , respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share ("EPS") is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents (restricted stock and stock-settled stock appreciation rights) outstanding during each period. Unvested shares of restricted stock granted to employees are considered participating securities since employees receive nonforfeitable dividends prior to vesting and, therefore, are included in the earnings allocation in computing EPS under the two-class method. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, which includes the dilutive potential common shares associated with nonparticipating restricted stock and stock-settled stock appreciation rights.

Basic and diluted net income per common share were calculated as follows:

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component:

Significant Accounting Policies

There were no changes to our Significant Accounting Policies from those disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for stock-based compensation. The amendments include changes to the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including: the inclusion of the tax consequences related to stock-based compensation within the computation of income tax expense versus equity; the classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and the classification of share-based activity on the statement of cash flows. We will adopt the new guidance on July 1, 2017 and will elect to continue to estimate forfeitures. The adoption may result in increased volatility to our income tax expense in future periods dependent upon, among other variables, the price of our common stock and the timing and volume of share-based payment award activity such as employee exercises of stock-settled stock appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock awards. The transition method that will be applied on adoption varies for each of the amendments.

In March 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost by disaggregating the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit cost. The amendments require an employer to present service cost in the same line item(s) as compensation costs for the pertinent employees whereas the other components of net periodic benefit cost must be reported separately from service cost and outside of income from operations. The amendments also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization. The amendments require retrospective application for the income statement presentation provisions and prospective application for the capitalization of the service cost component. However, as a result of prior years' restructuring activities, we no longer have any active employees continuing to accrue service cost. Therefore, the service cost provisions are not applicable to us, and we expect only changes in classification on the income statement. The guidance will be effective for us in fiscal 2019 including interim periods.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the recognition of revenue and issued subsequent clarifications of this new guidance in 2016 and 2017. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This model is based on a control approach rather than the current risks and rewards model. The new guidance would also require expanded disclosures. Since we do not plan to early adopt this standard, the guidance will be effective for us in fiscal 2019 including interim periods and will require either retrospective application to each prior period presented or modified retrospective application with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for leases with terms of more than 12 months. The updated guidance retains the two classifications of a lease as either an operating or finance lease (previously referred to as a capital lease). Both lease classifications require the lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability based upon the present value of the lease payments. Finance leases will reflect the financial arrangement by recognizing interest expense on the lease liability separately from the amortization expense of the right-of-use asset. Operating leases will recognize lease expense (with no separate recognition of interest expense) on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The updated guidance requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures, including additional information about the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements. The guidance will be effective for us in fiscal 2020 including interim periods using a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In July 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires entities to measure most inventory "at the lower of cost or net realizable value," thereby simplifying current guidance. Under current guidance an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market, where market is defined as one of three different measures, one of which is net realizable value. We adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2016 on a prospective basis, and it did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the statement of cash flows. Current guidance is either unclear or does not include specific requirements for the classification of these transactions. The majority of the new provisions are not currently applicable to us, and those that are applicable are consistent with our current practice. The guidance will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017 using a retrospective transition method for all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted provided that all amendments are adopted in the same period. We adopted this guidance effective July 1, 2016, and it did not have an impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Note 2 – Acquisition

On November 17, 2016, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Angelic Bakehouse, Inc. ("Angelic"). Angelic, a privately owned manufacturer and marketer of premium sprouted grain bakery products, is based near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The initial purchase price of $35.0 million was funded by cash on hand and excludes contingent consideration relating to an additional earn-out payment which is tied to performance-based conditions. In general, the terms of the acquisition specify that the sellers will receive an earn-out based upon a pre-determined multiple of the defined adjusted EBITDA of Angelic in fiscal 2021. We are unable to provide a range for the amount of this earn-out because it is based on the future adjusted EBITDA of Angelic, and the earn-out does not contain a minimum or maximum value. See further discussion of the earn-out in Note 3.

Angelic is reported in our Specialty Foods segment, and its results of operations have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Such results were not material.

The following table summarizes the consideration related to the acquisition and the preliminary purchase price allocation based on the fair value of the net assets acquired, as adjusted for the preliminary net working capital adjustment recorded as of March 31, 2017 . The initial fair value of the contingent consideration is a noncash investing activity.

Further adjustments may occur to the allocation above as certain aspects of the transaction are finalized during the measurement period.

The goodwill recognized above arose because the purchase price for Angelic reflects a number of factors including the future earnings and cash flow potential of Angelic, as well as the impact of the inclusion of the initial fair value of the earn-out associated with the acquisition. Angelic is a fast growing, on-trend business with placement in the specialty deli/bakery section of the grocery store and provides innovation opportunities within and beyond our present product lines. Goodwill also resulted from the workforce acquired with Angelic.

We have determined preliminary values and lives of the other intangible assets listed in the allocation above as: $18.6 million for the tradename with a 20 -year life; $0.3 million for the customer relationships with a 10 -year life; $2.4 million for the technology / know-how with a 10 -year life and $0.2 million for the non-compete agreements with a 5 -year life.

Pro forma results of operations have not been presented herein as the acquisition was not material to our results of operations.

Note 3 – Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. GAAP sets forth a three-level fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The three levels are as follows:

Level 1 – defined as observable inputs, such as quoted market prices in active markets.

Level 2 – defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable.

Level 3 – defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Our financial assets and liabilities consist principally of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and contingent consideration payable. The estimated fair value of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates their carrying value. Contingent consideration payable is recorded at fair value.

Our contingent consideration, which is measured at fair value on a recurring basis and did not have a balance at June 30, 2016, is included in Other Noncurrent Liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes our contingent consideration as of March 31, 2017 :

The contingent consideration resulted from the earn-out associated with our November 17, 2016 acquisition of Angelic. The initial purchase price of $35.0 million did not include the future earn-out payment which is tied to performance-based conditions. In general, the terms of the acquisition specify that the sellers will receive an earn-out based upon a pre-determined multiple of the defined adjusted EBITDA of Angelic in fiscal 2021. The fair value of the contingent consideration was estimated using a present value approach, which incorporates factors such as business risks and projections, to estimate an expected value. This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. Using this valuation technique, the fair value of the contingent consideration was determined to be $13.9 million at November 17, 2016.

The following table represents our Level 3 fair value measurements using significant other unobservable inputs for acquisition-related contingent consideration:

Note 4 – Long-Term Debt

At March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 , we had an unsecured credit facility ("Facility") under which we could borrow, on a revolving credit basis, up to a maximum of $150 million at any one time, with potential to expand the total credit availability to $225 million subject to us obtaining consent of the issuing banks and certain other conditions. The Facility expires on April 8, 2021 , and all outstanding amounts are then due and payable. Interest is variable based upon formulas tied to LIBOR or an alternative base rate defined in the Facility, at our option. We must also pay facility fees that are tied to our then-applicable consolidated leverage ratio. Loans may be used for general corporate purposes. Due to the nature of its terms, when we have outstanding borrowings under the Facility, they will be classified as long-term debt.

At March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 , we had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility. At March 31, 2017 , we had $5.1 million of standby letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amount available for borrowing on the Facility. We paid no interest for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 .

The Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, asset sales and acquisitions. There are two principal financial covenants: an interest expense test that requires us to maintain an interest coverage ratio not less than 2.5 to 1 at the end of each fiscal quarter; and an indebtedness test that requires us to maintain a consolidated leverage ratio not greater than 3 to 1 at all times. The interest coverage ratio is calculated by dividing Consolidated EBIT by Consolidated Interest Expense, and the leverage ratio is calculated by dividing Consolidated Debt by Consolidated EBITDA. All financial terms used in the covenant calculations are defined more specifically in the Facility.

Note 5 – Commitments and Contingencies

At March 31, 2017 , we were a party to various claims and litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Such matters did not have a material effect on the current-year results of operations and, in our opinion, their ultimate disposition will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

With our recent acquisition of Angelic, we have a contingent liability recorded for the earn-out associated with the transaction. See further discussion in Note 3.

Note 6 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill attributable to the Specialty Foods segment was $164.9 million and $143.8 million at March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 , respectively. The increase in goodwill is the result of the acquisition of Angelic in November 2016. See further discussion in Note 2.

The following table is a rollforward of goodwill from June 30, 2016 to March 31, 2017 :

The following table summarizes our identifiable other intangible assets, all included in the Specialty Foods segment. The intangible asset values and lives related to the Angelic acquisition, which are included in the table below, are preliminary and subject to further review over the measurement period. See further discussion in Note 2.

Amortization expense for our other intangible assets, which is reflected in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses, was as follows:

Total annual amortization expense for each of the next five years is estimated to be as follows:

Note 7 – Income Taxes

Prepaid federal income taxes of $10.2 million and $4.3 million were included in Other Current Assets at March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 , respectively. Prepaid state and local income taxes of $1.0 million and $0.5 million were included in Other Current Assets at March 31, 2017 and June 30, 2016 , respectively.

Note 8 – Business Segment Information

The March 31, 2017 identifiable assets by reportable segment are generally consistent with that of June 30, 2016 . However, due to the acquisition of Angelic in November 2016, the amount of Specialty Foods assets increased as compared to June 30, 2016 . The following summary of financial information is consistent with the basis of segmentation and measurement of segment profit or loss presented in our June 30, 2016 consolidated financial statements:

Note 9 – Stock-Based Compensation

There have been no changes to our stock-based compensation plans from those disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our stock-settled stock appreciation rights ("SSSARs") compensation expense was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . Year-to-date SSSARs compensation expense was $1.3 million for the current-year period compared to $0.9 million for the prior-year period. At March 31, 2017 , there was $4.3 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to SSSARs that we will recognize over a weighted-average period of 2 years .

Our restricted stock compensation expense was $0.6 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Year-to-date restricted stock compensation expense was $1.8 million for the current-year period compared to $1.3 million for the prior-year period. At March 31, 2017 , there was $3.8 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock that we will recognize over a weighted-average period of 2 years .

Note 10 – Defined Contribution and Other Employee Plans

Multiemployer Plans

In the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we recorded a one-time charge of $17.6 million for our complete withdrawal from the underfunded multiemployer Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund and to initially fund a new union-sponsored 401(k) plan for the current union employees at our Bedford Heights, Ohio plant. This event was detailed in our Form 8-K filing, which was issued on January 24, 2017. The liability related to this charge was included in Accrued Liabilities at March 31, 2017.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Unless otherwise noted, references to "year" pertain to our fiscal year; for example, 2017 refers to fiscal 2017 , which is the period from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 .

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, all included elsewhere in this report. The forward-looking statements in this section and other parts of this report involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, including statements regarding our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and financial performance. Our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to these factors. For more information, see the section below entitled "Forward-Looking Statements."

OVERVIEW

Business Overview

Lancaster Colony Corporation is a manufacturer and marketer of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice channels.

Part of our future growth may result from acquisitions. We continue to review potential acquisitions that we believe will complement our existing product lines, enhance our profitability and/or offer good expansion opportunities in a manner that fits our overall strategic goals.

Our operations are organized into one reportable segment: "Specialty Foods." Our sales are predominately domestic.

Our business has the potential to achieve future growth in sales and profitability due to attributes such as:

Our goal is to grow both retail and foodservice sales over time by:

Consistent with our current acquisition strategy, in November 2016 we acquired substantially all of the assets of Angelic Bakehouse, Inc. ("Angelic"), a manufacturer and marketer of premium sprouted grain bakery products based near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This transaction is discussed in further detail in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

We have made substantial capital investments to support our existing food operations and future growth opportunities. For example, in 2015 we completed a significant processing capacity expansion at our Horse Cave, Kentucky dressing facility to help meet demand for our dressing products. Based on our current plans and expectations, we believe our capital expenditures for 2017 could total approximately $25 million . We will fund our remaining capital needs in 2017 with cash generated from operations.

RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS

Net Sales and Gross Profit

In November 2016, we acquired Angelic and its results of operations have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Such results were not material.

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased 2% due to higher retail and foodservice net sales. Net sales for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 increased 1% as an increase in retail net sales was partially offset by a decline

in foodservice net sales. Excluding Angelic, our overall sales volume, as measured by pounds shipped, increased by 2% and 1% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017 , respectively. Pricing had a net deflationary impact of 1% of net sales for the quarter and year-to-date periods.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , retail net sales increased 3% due to higher sales of certain product lines led by New York BRAND ® Bakery frozen garlic bread products and Reames ® frozen noodles and the benefit of lower coupon expense. Notable offsets to these increases included the shift of some Easter holiday sales into our fiscal fourth quarter and ongoing heightened competition in the refrigerated dressings category. For the year-to-date period, retail net sales increased 3% with New York BRAND ® Bakery frozen garlic bread products and Reames ® frozen noodles again among the contributing product lines along with Olive Garden ® retail dressings and Sister Schubert's ® frozen dinner rolls. Higher trade promotions and increased new product placement costs combined to limit year-to-date retail sales growth. Incremental sales from Angelic also contributed to higher retail net sales in both the quarter and year-to-date periods. Foodservice net sales increased 1% for the quarter and declined 2% for the year-to-date period as influenced by our targeted customer rationalization efforts that began in the third quarter of last year and deflationary pricing, primarily from lower egg costs. Despite these challenges, third quarter net sales improved on higher sales volumes to certain national chain restaurant customers.

Gross margin declined for the three months ended March 31, 2017 due to the net impact of deflationary foodservice pricing as raw-material costs were generally flat for the quarter. Coupon expense was lower for the quarter, due in part to the timing of the Easter promotions, while trade spending and product placement costs were similar to the prior year period.

Gross margin improved for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 due to the influence of overall lower raw-material costs, primarily for eggs, but also for flour, honey, soybean oil and resin packaging. Margins also benefited from a more favorable sales mix, partially offset by higher retail trade spending and increased new product placement costs. Excluding any pricing actions, total raw-material costs were estimated to have positively affected our gross margins by 3% of net sales for the year-to-date period.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses increased 11% and 12% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017 , respectively, and were higher as a percentage of net sales for the comparative third quarter and year-to-date periods. The increase in these costs reflects recent investments in additional personnel and business initiatives to support future growth. Transaction costs, amortization expense and other recurring non-cash charges attributed to the Angelic business also impacted SG&A expenses in both periods. The quarter benefited from lower levels of consumer spending while the year-to-date period included higher levels of investment in marketing and promotions for our key retail product lines and new product introductions.

Multiemployer Pension Settlement and Related Costs

In January 2017 the employees at our Bedford Heights, Ohio plant voted to ratify a new collective bargaining agreement. Among other terms, the new agreement provided for our complete withdrawal from the underfunded multiemployer Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund. In lieu of contributions to the pension fund, we will make non-elective contributions for the union employees at the Bedford Heights, Ohio plant into a union-sponsored 401(k) plan. We have agreed to initially fund the new 401(k) plan for current union employees and pay a withdrawal liability as settlement of our portion of underfunded pension benefits of the multiemployer plan. We recorded a one-time charge of $17.6 million for the multiemployer pension settlement and other benefit-related costs in the quarter ended March 31, 2017. This event was detailed in our Form 8-K filing, which was issued on January 24, 2017.

Operating Income

The foregoing factors contributed to consolidated operating income totaling $22.0 million and $132.1 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017 , respectively. Our operating income can be summarized as follows:

Looking ahead, given this year's later Easter holiday, our fiscal fourth quarter will reflect the impact of a shift in some of our retail net sales and related consumer activities from the third quarter. We expect volume-driven growth in our retail sales channel for the balance of 2017 with continued support from recent new product introductions and the incremental sales contribution from Angelic. In our foodservice channel, we anticipate modest volume-driven growth to be largely offset by a diminishing influence from both deflationary pricing and the impact of our customer rationalization initiative that was implemented beginning in the third quarter of 2016. Some ongoing softness in the foodservice industry is expected to remain a headwind for foodservice sales volumes. Based on current market conditions, we anticipate the cost environment for ingredients to turn slightly unfavorable in the fourth quarter. Continued investment in personnel and business initiatives to support future growth are projected to impact SG&A expenses in the fourth quarter.

Income Before Income Taxes

As impacted by the factors discussed above, most notably the one-time charge of $17.6 million for the multiemployer pension settlement and related costs, income before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased by $21.9 million to $22.2 million from the prior-year total of $44.1 million . Income before income taxes for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $132.6 million and $138.0 million , respectively.

Taxes Based on Income

Our effective tax rate was 34.5% and 33.9% for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Given the nature of our operations (predominately U.S. based for both sales and manufacturing), our effective tax rates typically stay within a fairly narrow range.

Net Income

Third quarter net income for 2017 of $14.5 million decreased from the preceding year's net income for the quarter of $29.0 million , as influenced by the factors noted above. Year-to-date net income of $86.8 million was lower than the prior year-to-date total of $91.1 million. Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding have remained relatively stable. As a result, and due to the change in net income for each year, net income per share for the third quarter of 2017 totaled $0.53 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $1.06 per diluted share in the prior year. Year-to-date net income per share was $3.16 per diluted share, as compared to $3.32 per diluted share for the prior-year period. For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017, the estimated impact of the multiemployer pension charge was $0.42 per diluted share.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

For the nine months ended March 31, 2017 , net cash provided by operating activities totaled $105.4 million , as compared to $100.6 million in the prior-year period. The increase was due to the accrual for multiemployer pension settlement and related costs of $17.6 million at March 31, 2017, and was largely offset by lower net income and higher working capital requirements, primarily in other current assets and inventories.

Cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 was $55.0 million , as compared to $12.1 million in the prior year. This increase primarily reflects cash paid for the acquisition of Angelic in November 2016, as well as a higher level of capital expenditures in 2017 , with the largest amounts spent on packaging equipment to accommodate growth and build-out costs related to our corporate office relocation.

Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 of $43.8 million decreased from the prior-year total of $176.3 million . This decrease was primarily due to lower dividend payments in the current year. Prior-year

dividend payments included a $5.00 per share special dividend that was paid in December 2015. The special dividend payment totaled $136.7 million. The share repurchases in the nine months ended March 31, 2017 were for shares repurchased in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of restricted stock granted to employees. At March 31, 2017 , 1,411,680 shares remained authorized for future buyback under the existing share repurchase program.

Under our unsecured revolving credit facility ("Facility"), we may borrow up to a maximum of $150 million at any one time. We had no borrowings outstanding under the Facility at March 31, 2017 . At March 31, 2017 , we had $5.1 million of standby letters of credit outstanding, which reduced the amount available for borrowing on the Facility. The Facility expires in April 2021, and all outstanding amounts are then due and payable. Interest is variable based upon formulas tied to LIBOR or an alternative base rate defined in the Facility, at our option. We must also pay facility fees that are tied to our then-applicable consolidated leverage ratio. Loans may be used for general corporate purposes. Due to the nature of its terms, when we have outstanding borrowings under the Facility, they will be classified as long-term debt.

The Facility contains certain restrictive covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, asset sales and acquisitions, and financial covenants relating to interest coverage and leverage. At March 31, 2017 , we were in compliance with all applicable provisions and covenants of this facility, and we exceeded the requirements of the financial covenants by substantial margins. At March 31, 2017 , we were not aware of any event that would constitute a default under this facility.

We currently expect to remain in compliance with the Facility's covenants for the foreseeable future. However, a default under the Facility could accelerate the repayment of any then outstanding indebtedness and limit our access to $75 million of additional credit available under the Facility. Such an event could require a reduction in or curtailment of cash dividends or share repurchases, reduce or delay beneficial expansion or investment plans, or otherwise impact our ability to meet our obligations when due.

We believe that cash provided by operating activities and our existing balances in cash and equivalents, in addition to that available under the Facility, should be adequate to meet our cash requirements through 2017 and 2018 . If we were to borrow outside of the Facility under current market terms, our average interest rate may increase significantly and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

We have various contractual obligations that are appropriately recorded as liabilities in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain other contractual obligations are not recognized as liabilities in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Examples of such items are commitments to purchase raw materials or packaging inventory that has not yet been received as of March 31, 2017 and future minimum lease payments for the use of property and equipment under operating lease agreements. Aside from expected changes in raw-material costs associated with changes in product demand or pricing and the acquisition-related contingent consideration discussed in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements, there have been no significant changes to the contractual obligations disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

There have been no changes in critical accounting policies from those policies disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Recent accounting pronouncements and their impact on our consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

We desire to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "PSLRA"). This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains various "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the PSLRA and other applicable securities laws. Such statements can be identified by the use of the forward-looking words "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend," "plan," "expect," "hope" or similar words. These statements discuss future expectations; contain projections regarding future developments, operations or financial conditions; or state other forward-looking information. Such statements are based upon assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements involve various important risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ as a result of factors over which we have no, or limited, control including, without limitation, the specific influences outlined below. Management believes these forward-looking statements to be reasonable; however, one should not place undue reliance

on such statements that are based on current expectations. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update such forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Items which could impact these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our market risks have not changed materially from those disclosed in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). Based upon this evaluation, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is 1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and 2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed under Item 1A in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K except as updated in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2016.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(c) In November 2010, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of 2,000,000 shares, of which 1,411,680 shares remained authorized for future repurchases at March 31, 2017 . This share repurchase authorization does not have a stated expiration date. In the third quarter, we made the following repurchases of our common stock:

(1) Represents shares that were repurchased in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of restricted stock granted to employees under the Lancaster Colony Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Plan.

Item 6. Exhibits

See Index to Exhibits following Signatures.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

LANCASTER COLONY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

MARCH 31, 2017

INDEX TO EXHIBITS