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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



FORM 10-Q


ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For The Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2010

or

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from                to              

Commission file number-001-32638

TAL International Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  20-1796526
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

100 Manhattanville Road, Purchase, New York
(Address of principal executive office)

 

10577-2135
(Zip Code)

(914) 251-9000
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)

        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 requirement for the past 90 days. Yes ý    No o

        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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o    No o

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

Large Accelerated Filer o   Accelerated Filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o    NO ý

        As of November 1, 2010, there were 30,708,223 shares of the Registrant's common stock, $.001 par value outstanding.


Table of Contents


TAL International Group, Inc.

Index

 
   
  Page No.  

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

       

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

    3  

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

    4  

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009

    5  

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009

    6  

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    7  

Item 2.

 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    19  

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    41  

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

    42  

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

       

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

    43  

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

    43  

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

    43  

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

    43  

Signature

    44  

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In addition, we, or our executive officers on our behalf, may from time to time make forward-looking statements in reports and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, or in connection with oral statements made to the press, potential investors or others. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding our strategy, future operations, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. The words "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "predict," "believe," "think," "plan," "will," "should," "intend," "seek," "potential" and similar expressions and variations are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.

        Forward-looking statements in this report are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2010, in this report as well as in the other documents we file with the SEC from time to time, and such risks and uncertainties are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

        Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws and rules and regulations of the SEC, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information. We caution you not to unduly rely on the forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this report.


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        The consolidated financial statements of TAL International Group, Inc. ("TAL" or the "Company") as of September 30, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 (unaudited) and September 30, 2009 (unaudited) included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the SEC. In addition, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, on March 1, 2010, from which the accompanying December 31, 2009 Balance Sheet information was derived, and all of our other filings filed with the SEC from October 11, 2005 through the current date pursuant to the Exchange Act.

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in thousands, except share data)

 
  September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 
 
  (Unaudited)
   
 

ASSETS:

             

Leasing equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and allowances of $488,077 and $420,517

  $ 1,863,963   $ 1,357,539  

Net investment in finance leases, net of allowances of $1,204 and $1,618

    176,594     199,989  

Equipment held for sale

    22,372     46,291  
           
 

Revenue earning assets

    2,062,929     1,603,819  

Cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash of $21,065 and $13,714)

    72,826     73,604  

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $489 and $757

    41,943     33,086  

Leasehold improvements and other fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $5,312 and $5,142

    874     972  

Goodwill

    71,898     71,898  

Deferred financing costs

    15,394     8,882  

Other assets

    9,064     6,043  

Fair value of derivative instruments

    849     2,674  
           
   

Total assets

  $ 2,275,777   $ 1,800,978  
           

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

             

Equipment purchases payable

  $ 164,507   $ 3,312  

Fair value of derivative instruments

    103,809     61,799  

Accounts payable and other accrued expenses

    43,580     42,845  

Net deferred income tax liability

    121,057     112,895  

Debt

    1,436,558     1,161,298  
           
   

Total liabilities

    1,869,511     1,382,149  

Stockholders' equity:

             

Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued

         

Common stock, $.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 33,720,066 and 33,592,066 shares issued respectively

    34     33  

Treasury stock, at cost, 3,011,843 and 3,009,171 shares, respectively

    (37,535 )   (37,489 )

Additional paid-in capital

    399,399     398,016  

Accumulated earnings

    52,941     58,253  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

    (8,573 )   16  
           
 

Total stockholders' equity

    406,266     418,829  
           
   

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 2,275,777   $ 1,800,978  
           

The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements are
an integral part of these statements.

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars and shares in thousands, except earnings per share)

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (Unaudited)
  (Unaudited)
 

Revenues:

                         

Leasing revenues:

                         
 

Operating leases

  $ 81,250   $ 69,088   $ 220,094   $ 221,112  
 

Finance leases

    4,448     5,096     13,962     15,524  
                   
 

Total leasing revenues

    85,698     74,184     234,056     236,636  

Equipment trading revenue

    9,273     7,869     25,967     33,704  

Management fee income

    786     675     2,279     2,013  

Other revenues

    45     188     462     777  
                   
   

Total revenues

    95,802     82,916     262,764     273,130  
                   

Operating expenses (income):

                         

Equipment trading expenses

    7,575     7,578     22,428     31,935  

Direct operating expenses

    5,032     9,134     19,849     28,600  

Administrative expenses

    9,979     9,192     31,077     30,577  

Depreciation and amortization

    31,489     29,380     86,742     87,843  

(Reversal) provision for doubtful accounts

    (162 )   (15 )   (760 )   383  

Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment

    (8,547 )   (1,243 )   (20,250 )   (7,287 )
                   
   

Total operating expenses

    45,366     54,026     139,086     172,051  
                   
     

Operating income

    50,436     28,890     123,678     101,079  

Other expenses (income):

                         

Interest and debt expense

    21,793     17,024     56,608     51,505  

Write-off of deferred financing costs

    675         675      

(Gain) on debt extinguishment

                (14,130 )

Unrealized loss (gain) on interest rate swaps

    9,709     6,935     31,495     (22,583 )
                   
   

Total other expenses (income)

    32,177     23,959     88,778     14,792  
                   

Income before income taxes

    18,259     4,931     34,900     86,287  

Income tax expense

    6,482     1,755     12,572     30,718  
                   

Net income

  $ 11,777   $ 3,176   $ 22,328   $ 55,569  
                   

Net income per common share—Basic

  $ 0.39   $ 0.10   $ 0.73   $ 1.78  
                   

Net income per common share—Diluted

  $ 0.38   $ 0.10   $ 0.73   $ 1.78  
                   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—Basic

    30,443     30,621     30,436     31,226  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—Diluted

    30,750     30,700     30,656     31,263  

Cash dividends paid per common share

  $ 0.35   $ 0.01   $ 0.90   $ 0.03  

The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements are
an integral part of these statements.

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (Unaudited)
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

             

Net income

  $ 22,328   $ 55,569  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

             
 

Depreciation and amortization

    86,742     87,843  
 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    1,478     851  
 

Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment

    (20,250 )   (7,287 )
 

Unrealized loss (gain) on interest rate swaps

    31,495     (22,583 )
 

Write-off of deferred financing costs

    675      
 

(Gain) on debt extinguishment

        (14,130 )
 

Deferred income taxes

    12,684     30,957  
 

Stock compensation charge

    1,384     1,162  
 

Equipment purchased for resale

    (2,556 )   2,674  
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

    (16,762 )   (505 )
           
   

Net cash provided by operating activities

    117,218     134,551  
           

Cash flows from investing activities:

             

Purchases of leasing equipment

    (454,517 )   (28,002 )

Investments in finance leases

    (433 )   (27,098 )

Proceeds from sale of equipment, net of selling costs

    72,725     62,282  

Cash collections on finance lease receivables, net of income earned

    24,648     22,931  

Other

    (180 )   (77 )
           
   

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

    (357,757 )   30,036  
           

Cash flows from financing activities:

             

Common stock dividends paid

    (27,394 )   (953 )

Purchases of treasury stock

        (16,107 )

Financing fees paid under debt facilities

    (8,665 )    

Borrowings under debt facilities

    476,000     19,125  

Payments under debt facilities

    (232,639 )   (142,627 )

Payment to extinguish debt

        (20,650 )

Proceeds received from sale-leaseback transactions

    40,013     10,000  

Payments under capital lease obligations

    (7,554 )   (7,329 )

Other

        (1,761 )

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

    (7,351 )   1,989  
           
   

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    232,410     (158,313 )
           

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (8,129 )   6,274  

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    59,890     40,798  
           

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 51,761   $ 47,072  
           

Supplemental non-cash investing activities:

             

Accrued and unpaid purchases of equipment

  $ 164,507   $ 2,212  

The accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements are
an integral part of these statements.

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Description of the Business, Basis of Presentation, Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

A.    Description of the Business

        TAL International Group, Inc. ("TAL" or the "Company") leases intermodal transportation equipment, primarily maritime containers, and provides maritime container management services, through a worldwide network of offices, third party depots and other facilities. The Company operates in both international and domestic markets. The majority of the Company's business is derived from leasing its containers to shipping line customers through a variety of long-term and short-term contractual lease arrangements. The Company also sells its own containers and containers purchased from third parties for resale. TAL also enters into management agreements with third party container owners under which the Company manages the leasing and selling of containers on behalf of the third party owners.

B.    Basis of Presentation

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

        The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the accompanying prior period financial statements and notes to conform with the current year's presentation.

C.    Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

        The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 ("ASU 2010-06"), Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009. This ASU requires some new disclosures and clarifies some existing disclosure requirements about fair value measurement as set forth in Codification Subtopic 820-10. The FASB's objective is to improve these disclosures and, thus, increase the transparency in financial reporting. A reporting entity should provide disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements.

        The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2010-06 effective January 1, 2010, and it did not impact the consolidated financial results as it is disclosure-only in nature. Refer to Note 6 for more information.

        In July 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-20 ("ASU 2010-20"), Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses. This topic requires the disclosures of financing receivables and allowances for credit losses on a disaggregated basis. The balance sheet related disclosures are required beginning December 31, 2010 and the statements of operations disclosures are required beginning for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 1—Description of the Business, Basis of Presentation, Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Continued)

        The Company does not expect its adoption of ASU 2010-20 to impact the consolidated financial results as it is disclosure-only in nature.

Note 2—Fair Value of Financial Instruments

        The Company believes the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, finance receivables and other financial assets approximated fair value at September 30, 2010.

        The Company estimates that at September 30, 2010 the carrying value of the Company's debt instruments was approximately $28.7 million higher than its fair value. The Company estimated the fair value of its debt instruments based on the net present value of its future debt payments, using a discount rate which reflected the Company's estimate of market interest rates at September 30, 2010.

Note 3—Dividends

        The Company paid the following quarterly dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 on its issued and outstanding common stock:

Record Date
  Payment Date   Aggregate
Payment
  Per Share
Payment
 

September 2, 2010

  September 23, 2010   $ 10.7 million   $ 0.35  

June 3, 2010

  June 24, 2010   $ 9.1 million   $ 0.30  

March 11, 2010

  March 25, 2010   $ 7.6 million   $ 0.25  

September 3, 2009

  September 24, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

June 2, 2009

  June 23, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

March 12, 2009

  March 26, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

Note 4—Stock-Based Compensation Plans

        The Company records compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification No. 718 (ASC 718) Compensation—Stock Compensation. The cost is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee's requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity award).

        The following compensation costs were reported in administrative expenses in the Company's statements of operations related to the Company's stock-based compensation plans as a result of stock

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 4—Stock-Based Compensation Plans (Continued)


options granted in 2006 and restricted shares granted during the years 2007, 2009 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 
  Three Months
Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  

Stock options

  $ 128   $ 5   $ 140   $ 119  

Restricted stock

    456     317     1,244     1,043  
                   
 

Total

  $ 584   $ 322   $ 1,384   $ 1,162  
                   

        Total unrecognized compensation cost of approximately $1.8 million as of September 30, 2010 related to restricted shares granted during 2007, 2009 and 2010 will be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of approximately 1.50 years.

Note 5—Debt

        Debt consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

 
  September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Asset backed securitizations (ABS)

             
 

Term notes—Series 2006-1

  $ 315,459   $ 357,833  
 

Term notes—Series 2005-1

    306,944     342,361  
 

Term notes—Series 2010-1

    193,717      

2008 Asset backed credit facility

    217,969     209,500  

2009 Asset backed credit facility

    50,000     50,000  

Revolving credit facility

    85,000      

Finance lease facility

    32,436     38,505  

2007 Term loan facility

    21,803     26,688  

2009 Term loan facilities

    29,985     32,175  

2010 Term loan facilities

    48,554      

Port equipment facility

    8,543     10,547  

Capital lease obligations

    126,148     93,689  
           
 

Total

  $ 1,436,558   $ 1,161,298  
           

2009 Asset Backed Credit Facility

        In February 2010, TAL Advantage III, LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of TAL International Group, Inc., increased the size of its asset backed credit facility from $100 million to $150 million. This facility was further increased by $145 million in April 2010 and by $75 million in June 2010, but was decreased by $45 million in July 2010 to bring the size of the facility to $325 million as of September 30, 2010.

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 5—Debt (Continued)

2010 Asset Backed Securitization

        In June 2010, TAL Advantage IV LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of TAL International Group, Inc., issued $197 million of Series 2010-1 Fixed Rate Secured Notes ("Series 2010-1 Notes"). The Series 2010-1 Notes, which were rated "A" by Standard & Poor's, were issued at par with an annual interest rate of 5.5% and have a scheduled maturity date of July 20, 2020.

Note 6—Derivative Instruments

Interest Rate Swaps

        The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage interest rate risk exposure. The interest rate swap agreements utilized by the Company effectively modify the Company's exposure to interest rate risk by converting a portion of its floating rate debt to a fixed rate basis, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense. These agreements involve the receipt of floating rate amounts in exchange for fixed rate interest payments over the lives of the agreements without an exchange of the underlying principal amounts. The counterparties to these agreements are highly rated financial institutions. In the unlikely event that the counterparties fail to meet the terms of the interest rate swap agreements, the Company's exposure is limited to the interest rate differential on the notional amount at each monthly settlement period over the life of the agreements. The Company does not anticipate any non-performance by the counterparties. Substantially all of the assets of TAL Advantage I LLC, TAL Advantage II LLC, and TAL Advantage III LLC are pledged as collateral for the underlying indebtedness and the amounts payable under the interest rate swap agreements for each of these entities. In addition, certain assets of TAL International Container Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of TAL International Group, Inc. are pledged as collateral for the Revolving Credit Facility and the amounts payable under certain interest rate swap agreements.

        As of September 30, 2010, the Company had in place total interest rate swap contracts to fix the floating interest rates on a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its debt facilities as summarized below:

  Total Notional
Amount at
September 30, 2010
  Weighted Average Fixed Leg
Interest Rate at
September 30, 2010
  Weighted Average
Remaining Term
  $1,204 million     4.1 % 2.7 years

        Most of the interest rate swap contracts entered into since April 12, 2006 are not accounted for as hedging instruments under FASB Accounting Standards Codification No. 815 (ASC 815) Derivatives and Hedging, and changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts are reflected in the statements of operations as unrealized loss / gain on interest rate swaps. Prior to April 12, 2006, the Company had designated all existing swap contracts as cash flow hedges and then de-designated these contracts on April 12, 2006. As of September 30, 2010, the unamortized pre-tax balance reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss/income of these previously designated swap contracts was approximately $0.6 million, substantially all of which will be amortized to income over the next 12 months.

        The Company entered into a forward starting $200 million notional value interest rate swap contract in June 2010 that has been designated as a cash flow hedging instrument, and the effective portion of the change in fair value of a pre-tax loss of $12.2 million is reflected in accumulated other

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 6—Derivative Instruments (Continued)


comprehensive loss/income on the Company's balance sheet as of September 30, 2010. Any ineffective portion of the cash flow hedges is recorded as unrealized loss / gains on interest rate swaps in the statements of operations and such amounts were immaterial for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss/income will be amortized into earnings as the hedged forecasted transactions impact earnings; the amounts would also be recognized into earnings upon termination of these interest rate swap contracts in conjunction with the termination of the related debt agreements.

        Under the criteria established by FASB Accounting Standards Codification No. 820 (ASC 820) Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, the fair value measurements of the interest rate swap contracts are based on significant other observable inputs other than quoted prices, either on a direct or indirect basis (Level 2), using valuation techniques the Company believes are appropriate.

        The Company has elected to use the income approach to value the interest rate swap contracts, using observable Level 2 market expectations at the measurement date and standard valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount (discounted) assuming that participants are motivated, but not compelled to transact. Level 2 inputs for the swap valuations are limited to quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (specifically futures contracts through three years) and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (specifically LIBOR cash rates in the very short term, LIBOR swap rates from four years and beyond, basis swap adjustments, and credit risk at commonly quoted intervals).

Foreign Currency Rate Swaps

        In April 2008, the Company entered into foreign currency rate swap agreements to manage foreign currency rate risk exposure by exchanging Euros for U.S. Dollars based on expected payments under its Euro denominated finance lease receivables. The Company will pay a total of approximately 5.1 million Euros and receive approximately $7.8 million over the remaining term of foreign currency rate swap agreements which expire in April 2015. The Company does not account for the foreign currency rate swap agreements as hedging instruments under ASC 815, and therefore changes in the fair value of the foreign currency rate swap agreements are reflected in the statements of operations in administrative expenses.

        Under the criteria established by ASC 820, the fair value measurement of the foreign currency rate swap contracts are based on significant other observable inputs other than quoted prices, either on a direct or indirect basis (Level 2), using valuation techniques the Company believes are appropriate.

        The Company has elected to use the income approach to value the foreign currency rate swap contracts, using observable Level 2 market expectations at the measurement date and standard valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount (discounted) assuming that participants are motivated, but not compelled to transact. Level 2 inputs for the forward valuations are limited to quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets (specifically spot currency rates) and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (specifically forward currency points, LIBOR cash and swap rates, and credit risk at commonly quoted intervals).

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 6—Derivative Instruments (Continued)

Location of Derivative Instruments in Financial Statements

Effect of Derivative Instruments on Balance Sheets
(Dollars in Millions)

 
  Asset Derivatives   Liability Derivatives  
 
  September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009   September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009  
Derivative
Instrument
  Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
  Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
  Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
  Balance Sheet
Location
  Fair
Value
 

Interest rate contracts designated

  Fair Value of Derivative Instruments   $   Fair Value of Derivative Instruments   $   Fair Value of Derivative Instruments   $ 12.2   Fair Value of Derivative Instruments   $  

Interest rate contracts not designated

  Fair Value of Derivative Instruments       Fair Value of Derivative Instruments     2.2   Fair Value of Derivative Instruments     91.6   Fair Value of Derivative Instruments     61.8  

Foreign exchange contracts

  Fair Value of Derivative Instruments     0.8   Fair Value of Derivative Instruments     0.5   Fair Value of Derivative Instruments       Fair Value of Derivative Instruments      
                                   

Total derivatives

      $ 0.8       $ 2.7       $ 103.8       $ 61.8  
                                   


Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statements of Operations
(Dollars in Millions)

 
   
  Amount of (Gain) Loss Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
 
 
   
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  Location of
(Gain) Loss
Recognized in
Income on Derivatives
 
Derivative Instrument
  2010   2009   2010   2009  

Interest rate contracts not designated as hedging instruments

  Unrealized loss (gain) on interest rate swaps   $ 9.7   $ 6.9   $ 31.5   $ (22.6 )

Foreign exchange contracts

  Administrative Expenses     0.7     0.3     (0.4 )   0.6  
                       

Total

      $ 10.4   $ 7.2   $ 31.1   $ (22.0 )
                       

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 7—Earnings Per Share

        The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands, except earnings per share):

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  

Numerator:

                         

Net income applicable to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings per share

  $ 11,777   $ 3,176   $ 22,328   $ 55,569  
                   

Denominator:

                         

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share

    30,443     30,621     30,436     31,226  

Dilutive stock options and restricted stock

    307     79     220     37  
                   

Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share

    30,750     30,700     30,656     31,263  
                   

Earnings per share:

                         
 

Basic

  $ 0.39   $ 0.10   $ 0.73   $ 1.78  
                   
 

Diluted

  $ 0.38   $ 0.10   $ 0.73   $ 1.78  
                   

        For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, 1,500 and 13,000 options to purchase shares of common stock, respectively, were not included in the calculation of weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, 598,691 options to purchase shares of common stock and 61,500 shares of restricted stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were not included in the calculation of weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive.

Note 8—Segment and Geographic Information

Industry Segment Information

        The Company conducts its business activities in one industry, intermodal transportation equipment, and has two segments:

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 8—Segment and Geographic Information (Continued)

        The following tables present certain segment information and the consolidated totals reported (dollars in thousands):

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
 
  Equipment
Leasing
  Equipment
Trading
  Totals   Equipment
Leasing
  Equipment
Trading
  Totals  

Total revenues

  $ 85,566   $ 10,236   $ 95,802   $ 74,747   $ 8,169   $ 82,916  

Equipment trading expenses

        7,575     7,575         7,578     7,578  

Depreciation and amortization expense

    31,302     187     31,489     29,308     72     29,380  

Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment

    (8,547 )       (8,547 )   (1,243 )       (1,243 )

Interest and debt expense

    21,261     532     21,793     16,830     194     17,024  

Income before income taxes(1)

    26,891     1,752     28,643     11,725     141     11,866  

(1)
Segment income before income taxes excludes unrealized losses on interest rate swaps of $9,709 and $6,935 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and excludes the write-off of deferred financing fees of $675 for the three months ended September 30, 2010.


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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 8—Segment and Geographic Information (Continued)

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
 
  Equipment
Leasing
  Equipment
Trading
  Totals   Equipment
Leasing
  Equipment
Trading
  Totals  

Total revenues

  $ 234,192   $ 28,572   $ 262,764   $ 238,803   $ 34,327   $ 273,130  

Equipment trading expenses

        22,428     22,428         31,935     31,935  

Depreciation and amortization expense

    86,249     493     86,742     87,693     150     87,843  

Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment

    (20,206 )   (44 )   (20,250 )   (7,287 )       (7,287 )

Interest and debt expense

    55,213     1,395     56,608     50,928     577     51,505  

Income before income taxes(2)

    63,405     3,665     67,070     48,904     670     49,574  

Goodwill at September 30

    70,898     1,000     71,898     70,898     1,000     71,898  

Total assets at September 30

    2,237,216     38,561     2,275,777     1,803,858     13,791     1,817,649  

Purchases of leasing equipment(3)

    438,749     15,768     454,517     28,002         28,002  

Investments in finance leases(3)

    433         433     27,098         27,098  

(2)
Segment income before income taxes excludes unrealized losses on interest rate swaps of $31,495 and write-off of deferred financing fees of $675 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, and unrealized gains on interest rate swaps of $22,583 and gain on debt extinguishment of $14,130 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

(3)
Represents cash disbursements for purchases of leasing equipment as reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the period indicated.

        There are no intercompany revenues or expenses between segments. Additionally, certain administrative expenses have been allocated between segments based on an estimate of services provided to each segment. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009, certain equipment purchased for resale was purchased through sale leaseback transactions with our shipping line customers, and the containers are being returned exceptionally slowly primarily due to the current worldwide shortage of containers. Due to the expected longer term nature of these transactions, these purchases are reflected as leasing equipment as opposed to assets held for sale and the cash flows associated with these transactions are and will be reflected as purchases of leasing equipment and proceeds from sale of equipment in investing activities.

Geographic Segment Information

        The Company's customers use TAL's containers across their many worldwide trade routes. Substantially all of the Company's leasing related revenues are denominated in U.S. dollars. The

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 8—Segment and Geographic Information (Continued)


following table allocates international leasing revenue based on the customers' primary domicile and allocates equipment trading revenue based on the location of sale (dollars in thousands):

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  

Total revenues:

                         

United States of America

  $ 8,156   $ 7,348   $ 22,096   $ 26,342  

Asia

    37,573     33,900     104,494     109,880  

Europe

    44,240     36,444     120,015     117,636  

Other International

    5,833     5,224     16,159     19,272  
                   
 

Total

  $ 95,802   $ 82,916   $ 262,764   $ 273,130  
                   

        As all of the Company's containers are used internationally, where no one container is domiciled in one particular place for a prolonged period of time, substantially all of the Company's long-lived assets are considered to be international.

Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies

Residual Value Guarantees

        During 2008, the Company entered into commitments for equipment residual value guarantees in connection with certain finance leases that were sold or brokered to financial institutions. The guarantees represent the Company's commitment that these assets will be worth a specified amount at the end of lease terms (if the lessee does not default on the lease) which expire in 2016. At September 30, 2010, the maximum potential amount of the guarantees under which the Company could be required to perform was approximately $27.1 million. The carrying values of the guarantees of $1.1 million have been deferred and are included in accounts payable and other accrued expenses. The Company accounts for the residual value guarantees under FASB Accounting Standards Codification No. 450 Contingencies, and expects the market value of the equipment covered by the guarantees will equal or exceed the value of the guarantees. Under the criteria established by ASC 820, the Company performed fair value measurements of the guarantees at origination, using Level 2 inputs, which were based on significant other observable inputs other than quoted prices, either on a direct or indirect basis.

Purchase Commitments

        At September 30, 2010, commitments for capital expenditures totaled approximately $140.4 million.

Note 10—Income Taxes

        The consolidated income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was determined based upon estimates of the Company's consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ending December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The difference between the consolidated effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate is primarily attributable to state income taxes, foreign income taxes and the effect of certain permanent differences.

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 11—Comprehensive Income and Other

        The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company's net income to comprehensive income (in thousands):

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  

Net income

  $ 11,777   $ 3,176   $ 22,328   $ 55,569  

Other comprehensive income:

                         
 

Unrealized loss on derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge (net of tax benefit of $2,394 and $4,342)

    (4,322 )       (7,838 )    
 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    294     (12 )   (385 )   548  
 

Amortization of net unrealized gains on derivative instruments previously designated as cash flow hedges (net of tax expense of $69, $87, $203 and $248, respectively)

    (124 )   (157 )   (366 )   (446 )
                   
 

Total

  $ 7,625   $ 3,007   $ 13,739   $ 55,671  
                   

        The balance included in accumulated other comprehensive loss/income for cumulative translation adjustments as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $(1,131) and $(746), respectively.

        The Company recorded $0.2 million of unrealized foreign currency exchange gains in the third quarter of 2010, and $0.2 million of unrealized foreign currency exchange losses in the third quarter of 2009, which are reported in administrative expenses in the Company's statement of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, of unrealized foreign currency exchange losses. These losses/gains resulted primarily from fluctuations in exchange rates related to its Euro and Pound Sterling transactions and related assets.

Note 12—Subsequent Events

Quarterly Dividend

        On October 26, 2010 the Company's Board of Directors approved and declared a $0.40 per share quarterly cash dividend on its issued and outstanding common stock, payable on December 23, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 2, 2010.

Asset Backed Securitization

        On October 19, 2010, TAL Advantage IV LLC, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of TAL International Group, Inc., issued $203 million of Series 2010-2 Fixed Rate Secured Notes ("Series 2010-2 Notes"). The Series 2010-2 Notes, which were rated "A" by Standard & Poor's, were issued at par with an annual interest rate of 4.3% and have a scheduled maturity date of October 20, 2020.

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TAL INTERNATIONAL GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Note 12—Subsequent Events (Continued)

Termination of Interest Rate Swaps

        In June 2010, the Company entered into a forward starting $200 million notional value interest rate swap contract to fix interest rates on future borrowings for containers committed to lease prior to delivery and payment. This swap was intended to be canceled upon the closing of a fixed rate debt transaction. Therefore, on October 19, 2010, in connection with the closing of the Series 2010-2 Notes, the Company terminated this swap contract and paid $14.9 million to its counterparty. Since this swap was designated as a cash flow hedge, the loss was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be amortized to interest expense over the original term of the swap contract.

        The Company also terminated various non-designated interest rate swap contracts with a notional value of $250 million that were set to expire in 2011, and partially replaced them with a longer dated swap at current market rates. The Company paid $8.6 million to the swap counterparties to terminate these contracts. Since these swaps were non-designated, the loss was previously recognized in the Company's statements of operations as unrealized loss on interest rate swaps.

Shelf Registration

        On October 27, 2010, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering various debt and equity securities to be offered from time to time up to an aggregate offering price of $300 million for all securities. The Company has no immediate plans to make any offer of any securities, but filed the registration statement in order to be able to access the capital markets more quickly and opportunistically when desired. The Company also registered 5,000,000 shares of common stock to be sold by certain stockholders of the Company from time to time. The registration statement has not yet become effective and no securities may be offered or sold pursuant to the registration statement until it becomes effective. Any offering of securities by the Company or any selling stockholder will be made solely by means of a prospectus.

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ITEM 2:    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following discussion and analysis of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of TAL International Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries should be read in conjunction with related consolidated financial data and our annual audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2010. The statements in this discussion regarding industry outlook, our expectations regarding our future performance, liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described under "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in our Form 10-K. Our actual results may differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statements.

Our Company

        We are one of the world's largest and oldest lessors of intermodal containers and chassis. Intermodal containers are large, standardized steel boxes used to transport freight by ship, rail or truck. Because of the handling efficiencies they provide, intermodal containers are the primary means by which many goods and materials are shipped internationally. Chassis are used for the transportation of containers domestically.

        We operate our business in one industry, intermodal transportation equipment, and have two business segments:

Operations

        Our operations include the acquisition, leasing, re-leasing and subsequent sale of multiple types of intermodal containers and chassis. As of September 30, 2010, our total fleet consisted of 806,965 containers and chassis, including containers under management for third parties, representing 1,319,655 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). We have an extensive global presence, offering leasing services through 18 offices in 11 countries and 193 third party container depot facilities in 37 countries as of September 30, 2010. Our customers are among the largest shipping lines in the world. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our twenty largest customers accounted for 76% of our leasing revenues, our five largest customers accounted for 49% of our leasing revenues, and our largest customer accounted for 17% of our leasing revenues.

        We primarily lease three principal types of equipment: (1) dry freight containers, which are used for general cargo such as manufactured component parts, consumer staples, electronics and apparel, (2) refrigerated containers, which are used for perishable items such as fresh and frozen foods, and (3) special containers, which are used for heavy and oversized cargo such as marble slabs, building products and machinery. We also lease chassis, which are generally used for the transportation of containers domestically, and tank containers, which are used to transport bulk liquid products such as chemicals. We also finance port equipment, which includes container cranes, reach stackers and other related equipment. Our in-house equipment sales group manages the disposal process for our used containers and chassis from our equipment leasing fleet and buys and sells used and new containers and chassis acquired from third parties.

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        As of September 30, 2010, the percentages of our equipment fleet and leasing revenues by equipment type are as follows:

Equipment Type
  Percent of total
fleet units
  Percent of
leasing revenue
 

Dry

    84 %   58 %

Refrigerated

    5     23  

Special

    6     11  

Chassis

    1     3  

Tank

        1  
           
 

Equipment leasing fleet

    96     96  

Equipment trading fleet

    4     4  
           
   

Total

    100 %   100 %
           

        The following tables provide the composition of our equipment fleet as of the dates indicated below (in both units and TEUs):

 
  Equipment Fleet in Units  
 
  September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009   September 30, 2009  
 
  Owned   Managed   Total   Owned   Managed   Total   Owned   Managed   Total  

Dry

    648,665     25,893     674,558     564,885     28,068     592,953     570,320     28,624     598,944  

Refrigerated

    42,143     299     42,442     35,611     450     36,061     36,795     491     37,286  

Special

    43,109     2,216     45,325     45,238     2,619     47,857     45,940     2,659     48,599  

Tank

    2,349         2,349     1,350         1,350     1,350         1,350  

Chassis

    8,760         8,760     8,778         8,778     8,782         8,782  
                                       
 

Equipment leasing fleet

    745,026     28,408     773,434     655,862     31,137     686,999     663,187     31,774     694,961  

Equipment trading fleet

    33,531         33,531     14,947         14,947     9,878         9,878  
                                       
   

Total

    778,557     28,408     806,965     670,809     31,137     701,946     673,065     31,774     704,839  
                                       
   

Percentage

    96.5 %   3.5 %   100 %   95.6 %   4.4 %   100.0 %   95.5 %   4.5 %   100.0 %
                                       

 

 
  Equipment Fleet in TEUs  
 
  September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009   September 30, 2009  
 
  Owned   Managed   Total   Owned   Managed   Total   Owned   Managed   Total  

Dry

    1,043,852     46,851     1,090,703     899,599     50,426     950,025     908,768     51,352     960,120  

Refrigerated

    79,565     531     80,096     65,971     758     66,729     67,856     812     68,668  

Special

    74,219     3,700     77,919     77,617     4,255     81,872     78,743     4,321     83,064  

Tank

    2,399         2,399     1,400         1,400     1,400         1,400  

Chassis

    15,577         15,577     15,612         15,612     15,619         15,619  
                                       
 

Equipment leasing fleet

    1,215,612     51,082     1,266,694     1,060,199     55,439     1,115,638     1,072,386     56,485     1,128,871  

Equipment trading fleet

    52,961         52,961     23,885         23,885     16,590         16,590  
                                       
   

Total

    1,268,573     51,082     1,319,655     1,084,084     55,439     1,139,523     1,088,976     56,485     1,145,461  
                                       
   

Percentage

    96.1 %   3.9 %   100.0 %   95.1 %   4.9 %   100.0 %   95.1 %   4.9 %   100.0 %
                                       

        We generally lease our equipment on a per diem basis to our customers under three types of leases: long-term leases, finance leases and service leases. Long-term leases, typically with initial contractual terms of three to eight years, provide us with stable cash flow and low transaction costs by requiring customers to maintain specific units on-hire for the duration of the lease. Finance leases, which are typically structured as full payout leases, provide for a predictable recurring revenue stream with the lowest daily cost to the customer because customers are generally required to retain the equipment for the duration of its useful life. Service leases command a premium per diem rate in

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exchange for providing customers with a greater level of operational flexibility by allowing the pick-up and drop-off of units during the lease term. We also have expired long-term leases whose fixed terms have ended but for which the related units remain on-hire and for which we continue to receive rental payments pursuant to the terms of the initial contract. Some leases have contractual terms that have features reflective of both long-term and service leases and we classify such leases as either long-term or service leases, depending upon which features we believe are more predominant.

        The following table provides a summary of our equipment leasing fleet portfolio by lease type, based on total on-hire units as of the dates indicated below:

Lease Portfolio
  September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
  September 30,
2009
 

Long-term leases

    66.0 %   68.7 %   70.1 %

Finance leases

    9.4     11.7     11.7  

Service leases

    14.4     15.2     12.7  

Expired long-term leases (units on hire)

    10.2     4.4     5.5  
               

Total

    100.0 %   100.0 %   100.0 %
               

        During 2009, we reached agreements with several of our customers that limit the total number of containers that could be returned from expired leases. During the redelivery limitation periods we have included the maximum number of containers that can be returned as expired term leases, while the balance of the affected units are included in current term leases. During the first half of 2010 several of these agreements expired.

        As of September 30, 2010, our long term leases had an average remaining contract term of approximately 52 months, assuming no leases are renewed.

Operating Performance

        Our profitability is primarily determined by the extent to which our leasing revenue exceeds our ownership, operating and administrative expenses. Our profitability is also impacted by the gain or loss that we realize on the sale of our used equipment and the net sales margins on our equipment trading activities.

        Our leasing revenue is primarily driven by our owned fleet size, utilization and average rental rates. Our leasing revenue also includes ancillary fees generally driven by the volume of containers returned off-hire.

        As of September 30, 2010, our owned fleet included 1,268,573 TEUs, an increase of 17.0% from December 31, 2009, and an increase of approximately 16.5% from September 30, 2009. The increase in fleet size during the first nine months of 2010 was due to several factors, including large purchases of new containers and the completion of several sale-leaseback transactions for trading containers.

        TAL has increased new container purchases in 2010 due to a strong recovery in demand for leased containers. Trade volumes were exceptionally weak from the end of 2008 through the middle of 2009, leading to a decrease in demand for containers and a build-up of excess container inventories. In response to this, leasing companies and shipping lines effectively ceased purchasing containers in 2009, and we estimate that global container capacity decreased five percent or more from September 2008 through the end of 2009 as containers aged out of service and were not replaced. However, trade volumes began to recover in the second half of 2009, and by the summer of 2010 had reached or surpassed 2008 peak levels on most trades. In 2010, this combination of decreased container capacity and recovering trade volumes has led to a global shortage of containers, strong leasing demand and rapidly increasing utilization for TAL.

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        TAL's purchases of new containers in 2010 have also been supported by a shift in the mix of shipping-line owned vs. leased containers. Historically, shipping lines have purchased and owned 55% to 60% of the containers they operate, and leased 40% to 45% of their operated containers from leasing companies like TAL. However, most shipping lines have been cautious about committing to large purchases of new containers this year despite the global container shortage. Many shipping lines continue to face financial constraints from reduced profitability and increased capital outlays associated with their aggressive ship building programs, and they are relying more heavily on the leasing market for access to additional container capacity. As of the end of October 2010, TAL has ordered over $875 million of new equipment, including 303,000 TEU of new dry containers and 24,500 TEU of new refrigerated containers. Approximately 69% of the ordered units were delivered by September 30, 2010, with the balance of existing orders generally scheduled for delivery during the fourth quarter of 2010.

        In the first nine months of 2010, we sold 60,861 TEUs of our owned containers, or 5.7% of our equipment leasing fleet as of the beginning of 2010. This annualized disposal rate of approximately 7.7% is similar to the 6 to 8% annual disposal rate we have been experiencing for the last few years, and is generally consistent with our expected long-term average disposal rate given the 12 - 14 year expected useful life of our containers. For much of 2009, our disposal rate did not keep pace with the rate at which older containers were being returned to us and our inventory of disposal containers increased throughout the year. However, drop-off volumes have decreased sharply in 2010 due to the global shortage of containers, and our disposal rate in the first nine months of 2010 was much higher than the rate at which older containers were returned to us. As a result, our inventory of disposal containers has been decreasing this year. If container drop off volumes remain exceptionally low during the fourth quarter of 2010, our disposal rate will decrease.

        Our average utilization was 98.1% in the third quarter of 2010, an increase of 11.9% from the third quarter of 2009, and an increase of 2.7% from the second quarter of 2010. Ending utilization increased 1.4% from 97.1% as of June 30, 2010 to 98.5% as of September 30, 2010. The increase in our utilization in the third quarter of 2010 was mainly the result of continued strong leasing demand for our dry containers due to the combination of strong containerized trade volumes and a reduced global container sales inventory driven by the 2009 decrease in global container capacity. We expect utilization for our dry containers to remain strong for the remainder of 2010.

        Utilization and leasing demand for our refrigerated containers remained strong in the third quarter of 2010. The utilization of our refrigerated containers does not heavily influence our overall utilization since they represent only 5% of the units in our fleet. However, these container types are significantly more expensive than dry containers, generate higher per diem lease rates and currently represent approximately 23% of our leasing revenue. Leasing demand for special containers remained solid while utilization for our chassis product line improved in the third quarter due to increased leasing demand driven by a rebound in the container volumes coming into the United States. The following tables set forth our equipment fleet utilization (1) for the periods indicated below:

 
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
2010
  Quarter Ended
June 30,
2010
  Quarter Ended
March 31,
2010
  Quarter Ended
December 31,
2009
  Quarter Ended
September 30,
2009
  Quarter Ended
June 30,
2009
 

Average Utilization

    98.1 %   95.4 %   91.8 %   88.7 %   86.2 %   87.0 %

 

 
  September 30,
2010
  June 30,
2010
  March 31,
2010
  December 31,
2009
  September 30,
2009
  June 30,
2009
 

Ending Utilization

    98.5 %   97.1 %   93.4 %   90.3 %   87.6 %   85.9 %

(1)
Utilization is computed by dividing our total units on lease by the total units in our fleet excluding new units not yet leased.

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        Average lease rates for our dry container product line in the third quarter of 2010 were 7.8% higher than the average level in the third quarter of 2009 and 6.3% higher than the average level in the second quarter of 2010. The increase in average dry container lease rates from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the large number of new containers placed on-hire in the second and third quarters of 2010 at lease rates significantly above our portfolio average lease rates. New dry container prices have been at a historically high level this year and market lease rates reflect the high cost of the new containers. The gradual expiration of lease incentives provided in 2009 also has contributed to the increase in our average lease rates. We expect our average lease rates for dry containers to continue to increase as containers are supplied to leases with above-average lease rates.

        Average lease rates for refrigerated containers in the third quarter of 2010 were 1.3% lower compared to the third quarter of 2009, and 0.7% lower than the second quarter of 2010, while average rental rates for our special containers were 0.5% higher during the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009 and the second quarter of 2010. The decrease in average lease rates for our refrigerated containers from the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to lease rate concessions provided to certain customers in 2009 for lease extension transactions. In addition, market leasing rates for new refrigerated containers remain slightly below our portfolio average rates due to a decrease in the price of new refrigerated containers over the last several years. The increase in average leasing rates for special containers from the third quarter of 2009 to the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the expiration of discounts associated with lease extension transactions completed in 2009.

        Fee and ancillary revenue decreased 32% in the third quarter of 2010 compared to the third quarter of 2009. Most of our fee and ancillary revenue, including repair charges, handling fees and logistical and early termination fees, are related to container drop-offs. Due to the global shortage of containers, the volume of container drop-offs was exceptionally low in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009.

        During the third quarter of 2010, we recognized an $8.5 million gain on the sale of our used containers compared to gains of $1.2 million and $7.2 million in the third quarter of 2009 and second quarter 2010, respectively. The increase compared to the third quarter of 2009 and second quarter of 2010 mainly resulted from higher selling prices. Selling prices for used dry containers in 2010 have increased 40% or more from the beginning of the year due to the shortage of global container capacity, which has led to a significant decrease in the numbers of containers being made available for disposal, and an increase in demand for used containers for one-way shipments due to the increase in global containerized trade volumes. Looking forward, we expect used container selling prices to remain high for the rest of this year, though the size of our gains could start to be constrained by lower selling volumes if drop-off volumes remain exceptionally low.

        During the third quarter of 2010, we recognized a net equipment trading margin of $1.7 million on the sale of equipment purchased for resale, compared to a $0.3 million margin in the third quarter of 2009 and a $1.3 million margin in the second quarter 2010. In 2009, our trading margins decreased from the high levels achieved in previous years as we decreased our purchase volumes due to concerns about future selling prices, and as we experienced low per-unit margins from selling containers that had been purchased in prior years at relatively high prices. In 2010, our per unit trading margins have improved due to an increase in used container selling prices, though we expect overall trading margins to remain low due to low trading volumes. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009, we started to significantly increase our purchases of trading containers, and our equipment trading inventory increased to 52,961 TEU as of September 30, 2010 compared to 16,590 TEU as of September 30, 2009. However, most of these trading containers were purchased through sale-leaseback transactions with our shipping line customers, and are not expected to be returned to us in the near future due to the current worldwide shortage of containers.

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        Our ownership expenses, principally depreciation and interest expense, increased by $6.9 million, or 14.8% in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the third quarter of 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, TAL accepted a large volume of new containers and as a result, our average owned fleet size in the third quarter of 2010 was approximately 10.8% larger than the average size of our owned fleet in the third quarter of 2009. Our ownership expenses should continue to increase throughout the remainder of the year as more equipment is delivered, paid for and placed on-hire.

        Our credit performance remained strong during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The profitability in the shipping industry has improved significantly in 2010 with most shipping lines projecting solid profitability for this year compared to the large losses most of them recorded in 2009. However, shipping lines continue to face excess vessel capacity and recent improvements in freight rates and shipping line profitability may be pressured if trade volumes drop from their current level. In addition, several major shipping lines, including our largest customer, are currently involved in comprehensive financial restructuring negotiations with their major creditors. As a result, the potential for credit losses remains and we will continue to be vigilant with our credit and collection processes.

        Our direct operating expenses were $5.0 million in the third quarter of 2010, compared to $9.1 million in the third quarter of 2009, and $6.6 million in the second quarter of 2010. We incurred significantly less repair and storage costs in the third quarter of 2010 due to less redeliveries and fewer units off-hire during the period.

Treasury Stock

        There were no material Treasury Stock repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to such purchases during the equivalent periods in 2009. The following amounts of Treasury Stock were purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

Quarter ended
  Shares Purchased   Amount Paid  

March 31, 2009

    1,021,918   $ 8.2 million  

June 30, 2009

    355,915   $ 3.1 million  

September 30, 2009

    472,069   $ 4.8 million  
           
 

Total

    1,849,902   $ 16.1 million  
           

Dividends

        We paid the following quarterly dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 on our issued and outstanding common stock:

Record Date
  Payment Date   Aggregate Payment   Per Share Payment  

September 2, 2010

  September 23, 2010   $ 10.7 million   $ 0.35  

June 3, 2010

  June 24,2010   $ 9.1 million   $ 0.30  

March 11, 2010

  March 25, 2010   $ 7.6 million   $ 0.25  

September 3, 2009

  September 24, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

June 2, 2009

  June 23, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

March 12, 2009

  March 26, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

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Results of Operations

        The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 in thousands of dollars and as a percentage of total revenues:

 
  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  Dollars   Percent   Dollars   Percent   Dollars   Percent   Dollars   Percent  

Leasing revenues

  $ 85,698     89.5 % $ 74,184     89.5 % $ 234,056     89.1 % $ 236,636     86.7 %

Equipment trading revenue

    9,273     9.7     7,869     9.5     25,967     9.9     33,704     12.3  

Management fee income

    786     0.8     675     0.8     2,279     0.8     2,013     0.7  

Other revenues

    45     0.0     188     0.2     462     0.2     777     0.3  
                                   
 

Total revenues

    95,802     100.0     82,916     100.0     262,764     100.0     273,130     100.0  

Operating expenses (income):

                                                 

Equipment trading expenses

    7,575     7.9     7,578     9.2     22,428     8.5     31,935     11.7  

Direct operating expenses

    5,032     5.3     9,134     11.0     19,849     7.6     28,600     10.5  

Administrative expenses

    9,979     10.4     9,192     11.1     31,077     11.8     30,577     11.2  

Depreciation and amortization

    31,489     32.9     29,380     35.4     86,742     33.0     87,843     32.2  

(Reversal) provision for doubtful accounts

    (162 )   (0.2 )   (15 )       (760 )   (0.3 )   383     0.1  

Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment

    (8,547 )   (8.9 )   (1,243 )   (1.5 )   (20,250 )   (7.7 )   (7,287 )   (2.7 )
                                   
   

Total operating expenses

    45,366     47.4     54,026     65.2     139,086     52.9     172,051     63.0  
                                   
     

Operating income

    50,436     52.6     28,890     34.8     123,678     47.1     101,079     37.0  

Other expenses (income):

                                                 

Interest and debt expense

    21,793     22.7     17,024     20.5     56,608     21.5     51,505     18.9  

Write-off of deferred financing costs

    675     0.7             675     0.3          

(Gain) on debt extinguishment

                            (14,130 )   (5.2 )

Unrealized loss (gain) on interest rate swaps

    9,709     10.1     6,935     8.4     31,495     12.0     (22,583 )   (8.3 )
                                   
   

Total other expenses (income)

    32,177     33.5     23,959     28.9     88,778     33.8     14,792     5.4  
                                   

Income before income taxes

    18,259     19.1     4,931     5.9     34,900     13.3     86,287     31.6  

Income tax expense

    6,482     6.8     1,755     2.0     12,572     4.8     30,718     11.3  
                                   

Net income

  $ 11,777     12.3 % $ 3,176     3.9 % $ 22,328     8.5 % $ 55,569     20.3 %
                                   

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 to Three Months Ended September 30, 2009.

        Leasing revenues.    The principal components of our leasing revenues are presented in the following table. Per diem revenue represents revenue earned under operating lease contracts; fee and ancillary lease revenue represent fees billed for the pick-up and drop-off of containers in certain geographic

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locations and billings of certain reimbursable operating costs such as repair and handling expenses; and finance lease revenue represents interest income earned under finance lease contracts.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Leasing revenues:

             
 

Operating lease revenues:

             
   

Per diem revenue

  $ 76,065   $ 61,427  
   

Fee and ancillary lease revenue

    5,185     7,661  
           
   

Total operating lease revenue

    81,250     69,088  
 

Finance lease revenue

    4,448     5,096  
           
   

Total leasing revenues

  $ 85,698   $ 74,184  
           

        Total leasing revenues were $85.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $74.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $11.5 million, or 15.5%.

        Per diem revenue increased by $14.6 million, or 23.8%, compared to 2009. The primary reasons for the increase are as follows:

        Fee and ancillary lease revenue decreased by $2.5 million as compared to the prior year primarily due to a decrease in repair and handling revenue resulting from a significant decrease in drop off volume.

        Finance lease revenue decreased by $0.7 million in 2010, primarily due to a decrease in the average size of our finance lease portfolio.

        Equipment Trading Activities.    Equipment trading revenue represents the proceeds on the sale of equipment purchased for resale. Equipment trading expenses represent the cost of equipment sold, including costs associated with the acquisition, maintenance and selling of trading inventory, such as positioning, repairs, handling and storage costs, and estimated direct selling and administrative costs.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Equipment trading revenues

  $ 9,273   $ 7,869  

Equipment trading expenses

    (7,575 )   (7,578 )
           
 

Equipment trading margin

  $ 1,698   $ 291  
           

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        The equipment trading margin increased $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The trading margin primarily increased due to an increase in selling prices.

        Direct operating expenses.    Direct operating expenses primarily consist of our costs to repair equipment returned off lease, to store the equipment when it is not on lease, and to reposition equipment that has been returned to locations with weak leasing demand.

        Direct operating expenses were $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $9.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $4.1 million. The primary reasons for the decrease are as follows:

        Administrative expenses.    Administrative expenses were $10.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $9.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of approximately $0.8 million or 8.7%. The increase was primarily due to increased incentive accruals related to TAL's improved operational and financial performance in 2010, partially offset by foreign currency gains on our Euro and GBP denominated assets, as compared to foreign currency losses during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

        Depreciation and amortization.    Depreciation and amortization was $31.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $29.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $2.1 million or 7.1%. Depreciation increased by approximately $4.0 million due to a net increase in the size of the depreciable fleet, partially offset by a decrease of $1.9 million due to another vintage year of older equipment becoming fully depreciated in the fourth quarter of 2009.

        (Reversal) provision for doubtful accounts.    There was a net reversal for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to fifteen thousand dollars for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts in the third quarter of 2010 was due to the reversal of certain provisions recorded in 2009 due to better than expected container recoveries.

        Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment.    Gain on sale of equipment was $8.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a gain of $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $7.3 million. Gain on sale increased primarily due to higher selling prices.

        Interest and debt expense.    Interest and debt expense was $21.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $17.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $4.8 million. The increase was primarily due to higher debt outstanding during the quarter, as well as an increase in our average effective interest rate.

        Unrealized loss (gain) on interest rate swaps.    Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps was $9.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a loss of $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The fair value of interest rate swap contracts not designated as hedges was a net liability of $91.6 million at September 30, 2010, compared to a net liability of $59.6 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in the liability resulted from a decrease in long-term interest rates in 2010.

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        Income tax expense.    Income tax expense was $6.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.The effective tax rates were 35.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 35.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

        While we record income tax expense we do not pay any significant federal, state or foreign income taxes due to the availability of net operating loss carryovers and accelerated tax depreciation for our equipment. The majority of the expense recorded for income taxes is recorded as a deferred tax liability on the balance sheet. We anticipate that the deferred income tax liability will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009.

        Leasing revenues.    The principal components of our leasing revenues are presented in the following table. Per diem revenue represents revenue earned under operating lease contracts; fee and ancillary lease revenue represent fees billed for the pick-up and drop-off of containers in certain geographic locations and billings of certain reimbursable operating costs such as repair and handling expenses; and finance lease revenue represents interest income earned under finance lease contracts.

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Leasing revenues:

             
 

Operating lease revenues:

             
   

Per diem revenue

  $ 205,330   $ 195,460  
   

Fee and ancillary lease revenue

    14,764     25,652  
           
   

Total operating lease revenue

    220,094     221,112  
 

Finance lease revenue

    13,962     15,524  
           
   

Total leasing revenues

  $ 234,056   $ 236,636  
           

        Total leasing revenues were $234.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $236.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 1.1%.

        Per diem revenue increased by $9.9 million, or 5.0%, compared to 2009. The primary reasons for the increase are as follows:

        Fee and ancillary lease revenue decreased by $10.9 million as compared to the prior year primarily due to a decrease in repair and handling revenue resulting from a significant decrease in drop off volume.

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        Finance lease revenue decreased by $1.6 million in 2010, primarily due to a decrease in the average size of our finance lease portfolio.

        Equipment Trading Activities.    Equipment trading revenue represents the proceeds on the sale of equipment purchased for resale. Equipment trading expenses represent the cost of equipment sold, including costs associated with the acquisition, maintenance and selling of trading inventory, such as positioning, repairs, handling and storage costs, and estimated direct selling and administrative costs.

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Equipment trading revenues

  $ 25,967   $ 33,704  

Equipment trading expenses

    (22,428 )   (31,935 )
           
 

Equipment trading margin

  $ 3,539   $ 1,769  
           

        The equipment trading margin increased $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The trading margin increased due to an increase in selling prices, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume.

        Direct operating expenses.    Direct operating expenses primarily consist of our costs to repair equipment returned off lease, to store the equipment when it is not on lease, and to reposition equipment that has been returned to locations with weak leasing demand.

        Direct operating expenses were $19.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $28.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $8.8 million. The primary reasons for the decrease are as follows:

        Administrative expenses.    Administrative expenses were $31.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $30.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $0.5 million or 1.6%. The increase was primarily due to higher incentive accruals related to TAL's improved operating and financial performance in 2010.

        Depreciation and amortization.    Depreciation and amortization was $86.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $87.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $1.1 million or 1.3%. Depreciation increased by approximately $4.5 million due to a net increase in the size of the depreciable fleet, offset by a decrease of $5.6 million due to another vintage year of older equipment becoming fully depreciated in the fourth quarter of 2009.

        (Reversal) provision for doubtful accounts.    There was a net reversal for doubtful accounts of $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a provision for doubtful accounts of $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts was due to the reversal of certain provisions recorded in 2009 due to better than expected container recoveries.

        Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment.    Gain on sale of equipment was $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a gain of $7.3 million for the nine months ended

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September 30, 2009, an increase of $13.0 million. Gain on sale increased by $11.8 million due primarily to higher selling prices and increased $1.1 million due to higher upfront gains on units placed on finance leases.

        Interest and debt expense.    Interest and debt expense was $56.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $51.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $5.1 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in our average effective interest rate.

        (Gain) on debt extinguishment.    There were no gains on debt extinguishment for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Gain on debt extinguishment of $14.1 million (net of the write-off of deferred financing costs of approximately $0.2 million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was due to the repurchase of a portion of the Series 2006-1 Term Notes.

        Unrealized loss (gain) on interest rate swaps.    Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps was $31.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to an unrealized gain of $22.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The fair value of interest rate swap contracts not designated as hedges was a net liability of $91.6 million at September 30, 2010, compared to a net liability of $59.6 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in the liability resulted from a decrease in long-term interest rates in 2010.

        Income tax expense.    Income tax expense was $12.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $30.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The effective tax rates were 36.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 35.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

        While we record income tax expense we do not pay any significant federal, state or foreign income taxes due to the availability of net operating loss carryovers and accelerated tax depreciation for our equipment. The majority of the expense recorded for income taxes is recorded as a deferred tax liability on the balance sheet. We anticipate that the deferred income tax liability will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.

Business Segments

        We operate our business in one industry, intermodal transportation equipment, and in two business segments, Equipment leasing and Equipment trading.

Equipment leasing

        We own, lease and ultimately dispose of containers and chassis from our lease fleet, as well as manage leasing activities for containers owned by third parties. Equipment leasing segment revenues represent leasing revenues from operating and finance leases, fees earned on managed container leasing activities, as well as other revenues. Expenses related to equipment leasing include direct operating expenses, administrative expenses, depreciation expense, and interest expense. The Equipment leasing segment also includes gains and losses on the sale of owned leasing equipment.

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Segment Comparison of Quarter Ended September 30, 2010 to Quarter Ended September 30, 2009

        The following table lists selected revenue and expense items for our Equipment leasing segment for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Total revenues

  $ 85,566   $ 74,747  

Depreciation and amortization expense

    31,302     29,308  

Interest and debt expense

    21,261     16,830  

Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment

    (8,547 )   (1,243 )

Income before income taxes(1)

    26,891     11,725  

(1)
Income before income taxes excludes unrealized losses on interest rate swaps of $9,709 and write-off of deferred financing fees of $675 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, and unrealized losses of $6,935 on interest rate swaps for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

        Equipment leasing revenue.    Total revenue for the Equipment leasing segment was $85.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $74.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $10.9 million, or 14.6%. The primary reasons for the decrease are as follows:

        Equipment leasing income before income taxes.    Income before income taxes for the Equipment leasing segment was $26.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $11.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $15.2 million. The primary reasons for the increase in income before income taxes are as follows:

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Segment Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

        The following table lists selected revenue and expense items for our Equipment leasing segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (in thousands)
 

Total revenues

  $ 234,192   $ 238,803  

Depreciation and amortization expense

    86,249     87,693  

Interest and debt expense

    55,213     50,928  

Net (gain) on sale of leasing equipment

    (20,206 )   (7,287 )

Income before income taxes(1)

    63,405     48,904  

(1)
Income before income taxes excludes unrealized losses on interest rate swaps of $31,495 and write-off of deferred financing fees of $675 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, and gains on interest rate swaps of $22,583 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Income before income taxes also excludes gains on debt extinguishment of $14,130 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

        Equipment leasing revenue.    Total revenue for the Equipment leasing segment was $234.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $238.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $4.6 million, or 1.9%. The primary reasons for the decrease are as follows:

        Equipment leasing income before income taxes.    Income before income taxes for the Equipment leasing segment was $63.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $48.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of $14.5 million, or 29.7%. The primary reasons for the increase in income before income taxes are as follows:

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Equipment trading

        We purchase containers from shipping line customers and other sellers of containers, and resell these containers to container traders and users of containers for storage or one-way shipment. Equipment trading segment revenues primarily represent the proceeds on the sale of containers purchased for resale. Also included in Equipment trading segment revenues are leasing revenues from equipment purchased for resale that is currently on lease. Equipment trading expenses represent the cost of equipment sold, including costs associated with the acquisition, maintenance and selling of trading inventory, such as positioning, repairs, handling and storage costs, and estimated direct selling and administrative costs. Other expenses in this segment include administrative overhead expenses, depreciation expense, provision for doubtful accounts and interest expense.

Segment Comparison of Quarter Ended September 30, 2010 to Quarter Ended September 30, 2009

        The following table lists selected revenue and expense items for our Equipment trading segment for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 
  Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (in thousands)
 
 

Total leasing revenues

  $ 963   $ 300  
 

Equipment trading revenues

    9,273     7,869  
 

Equipment trading expense

    (7,575 )   (7,578 )
           
   

Equipment trading margin

    1,698     291  

Interest and debt expense

    532     194  

Income before income taxes(1)

    1,752     141  

(1)
Income before income taxes excludes unrealized losses of $9,709 and unrealized losses of $6,935 on interest rate swaps for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

        Equipment trading margin.    The equipment trading margin, the difference between Equipment trading revenue and expenses, increased $1.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to higher selling prices.

        Equipment trading income before income taxes.    Income before income taxes for the Equipment trading segment was $1.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Income before income taxes increased due to an increase in the equipment trading margin, as well as an increase of leasing revenues due to several purchase leaseback transactions completed in 2010.

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Segment Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

        The following table lists selected revenue and expense items for our Equipment trading segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (in thousands)
 
 

Total leasing revenues

  $ 2,605   $ 623  
 

Equipment trading revenues

    25,967     33,704  
 

Equipment trading expense

    (22,428 )   (31,935 )
           
   

Equipment trading margin

    3,539     1,769  

Interest and debt expense

    1,395     577  

Income before income taxes(1)

    3,665     670  

(1)
Income before income taxes excludes unrealized losses of $31,495 and unrealized gains of $22,583 on interest rate swaps for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Income before income taxes also excludes gains on debt extinguishment of $14,130 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

        Equipment trading margin.    The equipment trading margin, the difference between Equipment trading revenue and expenses, increased $1.8 million in 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to higher selling prices and sales volume.

        Equipment trading income before income taxes.    Income before income taxes for the Equipment trading segment was $3.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Income before income taxes increased mainly due to an increase in the equipment trading margin and an increase of leasing revenues due to several purchase leaseback transactions completed in 2010, as well as a decrease in administrative expenses due to lower allocated corporate expenses. Corporate expenses are allocated to the equipment trading segment primarily based on the number of units sold in the equipment trading fleet relative to total units sold from both the equipment trading and equipment leasing fleets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows provided by operating activities, proceeds from the sale of our leasing equipment, principal payments on finance lease receivables and borrowings under our debt facilities. Our cash in-flows and borrowings are used to finance capital expenditures, meet debt service requirements and pay dividends.

        We continue to have sizable cash in-flows. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, cash provided by operating activities, together with the proceeds from the sale of our leasing equipment and principal payments on our finance leases, was $214.6 million. In addition, as of September 30, 2010 we had $51.8 million of unrestricted cash, $340.0 million of additional borrowing capacity under our current debt facilities, and in October 2010 we issued $203.0 million of fixed rate notes.

        As of September 30, 2010, major committed cash outflows in the next 12 months include $304.9 million of committed but unpaid capital expenditures and $204.6 million of scheduled principal payments on our existing debt facilities.

        We believe that cash provided by operating activities and existing cash, proceeds from the sale of our leasing equipment, principal payments on our finance lease receivables and available additional

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borrowing capacity under our current debt facilities will be sufficient to meet our committed obligations over the next 12 months.

        At September 30, 2010, our outstanding indebtedness was comprised of the following (amounts in millions):

 
  Current
Amount
Outstanding
  Current
Maximum
Borrowing
Level
 

Asset backed securitizations (ABS)

             
 

Term notes—Series 2006-1

  $ 315.5   $ 315.5  
 

Term notes—Series 2005-1

    306.9     306.9  
 

Term notes—Series 2010-1

    193.7     193.7  

2008 Asset backed credit facility

    217.9     217.9  

2009 Asset backed credit facility

    50.0     325.0  

Revolving credit facility

    85.0     100.0  

Finance lease facility

    32.4     32.4  

2007 Term loan facility

    21.8     21.8  

2009 Term loan facilities

    30.0     30.0  

2010 Term loan facilities

    48.6     98.6  

Port equipment facility

    8.5     8.5  

Capital lease obligations

    126.2     126.2  
           
 

Total debt

  $ 1,436.5   $ 1,776.5  
           

        The maximum commitment levels depicted in the chart above may not reflect the actual availability under all of the credit facilities. Certain of these facilities are governed by borrowing bases that limit borrowing capacity to an established percentage of relevant assets.

        Interest rates on the majority of our debt obligations are based on floating rate indices (such as LIBOR). We economically hedge the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates on our long-term borrowings by entering into interest rate swap contracts.

        We are subject to certain financial covenants under our debt facilities. At September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all such covenants. Below are the primary financial covenants to which we are subject:

        We rely primarily on our results measured in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in evaluating our business. EBIT, Cash Interest, TNW, and Indebtedness are non-GAAP financial measures used to determine our compliance with certain covenants contained in our debt agreements and should not be used as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. However, we believe that the inclusion of this non-GAAP information provides additional information to investors regarding our debt covenant compliance.

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        For the purpose of this covenant, EBIT is calculated based on the cumulative sum of our earnings for the last four quarters (excluding income taxes, interest expense, amortization / write-off of deferred financing charges, unrealized gain or loss on interest rate swaps and certain non-cash charges). Cash Interest Expense is calculated based on interest expense adjusted to exclude interest income, amortization of deferred financing costs, and the difference between current and prior period interest expense accruals.

        Minimum EBIT to Cash Interest Expense is calculated at the consolidated level and for TAL Advantage I LLC, TAL Advantage II LLC and TAL Advantage III LLC, wholly owned special purpose entities whose primary activity is to issue asset backed notes. The Consolidated Minimum EBIT to Cash Interest Expense ratio is fixed at 1.10 to 1.00 for our Asset backed securitizations (ABS), 2008 and 2009 Asset backed facilities and Revolving credit facility and at 1.05 to 1.00 for the Finance lease facility. The TAL Advantage I LLC and the TAL Advantage II LLC Minimum EBIT to Cash Interest Expense ratio is fixed at 1.10 to 1.00 for the Asset backed securitization and the Asset backed credit facilities. The TAL Advantage III LLC Minimum EBIT to Cash Interest Expense ratio is fixed at 1.30 to 1.00 for the 2009 Asset Backed Credit Facility.

        TAL Advantage IV LLC is a wholly owned special purpose entity whose primary activity is to issue asset backed notes. TAL Advantage IV LLC must maintain a Minimum EBIT to Cash Interest Expense ratio of 1.10 to 1.00. The first compliance date for this covenant is December 31, 2010.

        Below is the calculation of EBIT to Cash Interest Expense (based on the last four quarters) as of September 30, 2010 (in thousands):

EBIT to Cash Interest Expense:
  Consolidated(1)   TAL Adv I   TAL Adv II   TAL Adv III(2)  

Net income (loss)

  $ 38,345   $ 29,130   $ (2,300 ) $ (1,367 )

Plus: Income tax expense (benefit)

    21,122     16,048     (1,264 )   (753 )

Interest expense including write-off of deferred financing costs

    74,585     35,090     13,478     4,975  

Unrealized losses (gains) on interest rate swaps

    18,926     3,786     10,161     2,711  

All other non-cash expenses

    1,724     134     11     62  
                   

EBIT

  $ 154,702   $ 84,188   $ 20,086   $ 5,628  
                   

Interest expense (excluding interest income of $50, $0, $0 and $0 respectively)

  $ 74,636   $ 35,091   $ 13,477   $ 4,975  

Amortization and write-off of deferred financing costs

    (2,472 )   (598 )   (293 )   (1,125 )

Accrued interest (represents 2010 interest expense not paid)

    (3,878 )   (959 )   (452 )   (220 )

Cash payments of prior period accrued interest

    3,050     1,014     374      
                   

Cash Interest Expense

  $ 71,336   $ 34,548   $ 13,106   $ 3,630  
                   

EBIT to Cash Interest Expense Ratio

    2.17     2.44     1.53     1.55  

Required Minimum EBIT to Cash Interest Expense Ratio

    1.10 / 1.05     1.10     1.10     1.30  

(1)
The consolidated amounts shown above include all consolidated subsidiaries of TAL International Group, Inc., including TAL Advantage I, LLC, TAL Advantage II, LLC and TAL Advantage III, LLC.

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(2)
TAL Advantage III, LLC commenced operations effective November 1, 2009, therefore the calculation of EBIT to Cash Interest Expense represents the period from November 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010.

        We are required to meet consolidated Minimum TNW and Maximum Indebtedness to TNW covenants. For the purposes of calculating these covenants, all amounts are based on the consolidated balance sheet of TAL International Group, Inc.

        For the ABS and Asset backed credit facilities, the required minimum TNW is calculated as $321.4 million plus 50% of cumulative net income or loss since January 1, 2006. At September 30, 2010, the required minimum TNW for the ABS facilities was $426.7 million. For the Finance lease facility the required minimum TNW is fixed at $300 million.

        The Maximum Indebtedness to TNW ratio is fixed at 4.75 to 1.00 for the ABS, 2008 and 2009 Asset backed credit facilities, 2007 Term loan and Revolving credit facility and 5.00 to 1.00 for the Finance lease and Port equipment facilities.

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        Below is the calculation of the covenant compliance for the consolidated Minimum TNW and consolidated Maximum Indebtedness to TNW as of September 30, 2010 for the ABS, Asset backed credit facilities and other facilities (in thousands):

 
  Other Facilities*   Series 2005 &
2006 ABS Notes
  Series 2010
ABS Notes**
 

Minimum TNW:

                   

Tangible Assets

                   
 

Total Assets

  $ 2,275,776   $ 2,275,776   $ 2,275,776  
   

Deferred Financing Costs

    (15,394 )   (15,394 )   (15,394 )
   

Goodwill

    (71,898 )   (71,898 )   (71,898 )
   

Intangibles

    (1,001 )   (1,001 )   (1,001 )
   

Fair value of derivative instruments (asset)

    (849 )   (849 )   (849 )
               

Total Tangible Assets

  $ 2,186,634   $ 2,186,634   $ 2,186,634  
               

All indebtedness:

                   

Total debt

  $ 1,436,558   $ 1,436,558   $ 1,436,558  

Accrued interest

    3,878     3,878     3,878  

Fair value of derivative instruments (liability)

    103,809     N/A     N/A  

Equipment purchases payable

    164,507     164,507     164,507  
               

Total Indebtedness

  $ 1,708,752   $ 1,604,943   $ 1,604,943  
               

TNW (Total Tangible Assets less Total Indebtedness)

  $ 477,882   $ 581,691   $ 581,691  
               

Required Minimum TNW

  $ 300,000   $ 426,668   $ 426,668  
               

Maximum Indebtedness to TNW:

                   

Total Indebtedness

  $ 1,708,752   $ 1,604,943   $ 1,604,943  

Fair value of derivative instruments (liability)

    N/A     103,809     N/A  
               

Total Indebtedness for Maximum Indebtedness to TNW

  $ 1,708,752   $ 1,708,752   $ 1,604,943  
               

TNW

  $ 477,882   $ 581,691   $ 581,691  
               

Total Indebtedness / TNW

    3.58     2.94     2.76  

Maximum Allowable Indebtedness to TNW

    4.75 / 5.00     4.75     4.75  

*
The Minimum TNW covenant only applies to the Finance lease facility. The Maximum Indebtedness to TNW covenant applies to the Finance lease facility, Revolving credit facility, 2007 Term loan facility and Port equipment facility.

**
Also applies to the 2008 and 2009 Asset backed credit facilities and the 2009 and 2010 term loan facilities.

        Failure to comply with these covenants would result in a default under the related credit agreements and could result in the acceleration of our outstanding debt if we were unable to obtain a waiver from the creditors.

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Treasury Stock

        There were no material Treasury Stock repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to such purchases during the equivalent periods in 2009. The following amounts of Treasury Stock were purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

Quarter ended
  Shares Purchased   Amount Paid  

March 31, 2009

    1,021,918   $ 8.2 million  

June 30, 2009

    355,915   $ 3.1 million  

September 30, 2009

    472,069   $ 4.8 million  
           

    1,849,902   $ 16.1 million  
           

Dividends

        We paid the following quarterly dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 on our issued and outstanding common stock:

Record Date
  Payment Date   Aggregate Payment   Per Share Payment  

September 2, 2010

  September 23, 2010   $ 10.7 million   $ 0.35  

June 3, 2010

  June 24, 2010   $ 9.1 million   $ 0.30  

March 11, 2010

  March 25, 2010   $ 7.6 million   $ 0.25  

September 3, 2009

  September 24, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

June 2, 2009

  June 23, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

March 12, 2009

  March 26, 2009   $ 0.3 million   $ 0.01  

Cash Flow

        The following table sets forth certain cash flow information for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 117,218   $ 134,551  
           

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities:

             
 

Purchases of leasing equipment

  $ (454,517 ) $ (28,002 )
 

Investment in finance leases

    (433 )   (27,098 )
 

Proceeds from sale of equipment, net of selling costs

    72,725     62,282  
 

Cash collections on finance lease receivables, net of income earned

    24,648     22,931  
 

Other

    (180 )   (77 )
           

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

  $ (357,757 ) $ 30,036  
           

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  $ 232,410   $ (158,313 )
           

Operating Activities

        Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by approximately $17.4 million to $117.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $134.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to the timing of cash collections on our accounts

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receivables and an increase in net purchases of trading containers, partially offset by an increase in the level of cash generated by operating income of $3.4 million.

        In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we experienced billings in excess of our collections of $9.3 million, versus the nine months ended September 30, 2009, when collections exceeded billings by $9.0 million. In addition, during the first nine months of 2010, we had net purchases of trading equipment of $2.6 million, while we had net disposals of trading equipment of $2.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Investing Activities

        Net cash used in investing activities was $357.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $30.0 million in 2009. Major reasons for the increase in cash used were as follows:

Financing Activities

        Net cash provided by financing activities was $232.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $158.3 million for the same period in 2009.

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we had net borrowings of $275.8 million under our various debt facilities, primarily used to finance the purchase of new equipment, as compared to net payments of $120.8 million under our various debt facilities and capital lease obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As a result of the net borrowings of our wholly owned subsidiaries during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, restricted cash increased by $7.4 million, substantially all of which was funded by proceeds upon closing of the Series 2010-1 Notes.

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we paid $27.4 million in dividends as compared to $0.9 million in dividends paid during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

        In 2009, we repurchased treasury stock for $16.1 million and paid $20.7 million for the repurchase of debt prior to maturity.

Contractual Obligations

        We are party to various operating and capital leases and are obligated to make payments related to our long term borrowings. We are also obligated under various commercial commitments, including obligations to our equipment manufacturers. Our equipment manufacturer obligations are in the form of conventional accounts payable, and are satisfied by cash flows from operating and long term financing activities.

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        The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of September 30, 2010:

 
  Contractual Obligations by Period  
 
  (dollars in millions)  
 
  Total   Remaining
2010
  2011   2012   2013   2014 and
thereafter
 

Contractual Obligations:

                                     

Total debt obligations(1)

  $ 1,585.5   $ 98.4   $ 238.2   $ 313.3   $ 212.1   $ 723.5  

Capital lease obligations(2)

    150.9     4.2     17.7     17.9     16.0     95.1  

Operating leases (mainly facilities)

    4.1     0.7     2.2     1.0     0.2      

Purchase obligations:

                                     
 

Equipment purchases payable

    164.5     164.5                  
 

Equipment purchase commitments

    140.4     127.0     13.4              
                           

Total contractual obligations

  $ 2,045.4   $ 394.8   $ 271.5   $ 332.2   $ 228.3   $ 818.6  
                           

(1)
Amounts include actual and estimated interest for floating-rate debt based on September 30, 2010 rates and the net effect of the interest rate swaps, and exclude payments made subsequent to September 30, 2010 to terminate certain interest rate swap contracts.

(2)
Amounts include interest.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        At September 30, 2010, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such entities which are often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which were established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements. We are, therefore, not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles, which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our estimates are based on historical experience and currently available information. Actual results could differ from such estimates. Our critical accounting policies are discussed in our 2009 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 1, 2010.

ITEM 3:    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        Market risk represents the risk of changes in value of a financial instrument, derivative or non-derivative, caused by fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in results of our operations and cash flows. In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risks.

Interest Rate Risk

        We enter into interest rate swap contracts to fix the interest rates on a portion of our debt. We assess and manage the external and internal risk associated with these derivative instruments in accordance with the overall operating goals. External risk is defined as those risks outside of our direct control, including counterparty credit risk, liquidity risk, systemic risk and legal risk. Internal risk relates

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to those operational risks within the management oversight structure and includes actions taken in contravention of our policy.

        The primary external risk of our interest rate swap contracts is in derivative asset positions counterparty credit exposure, which is defined as the ability of a counterparty to perform its financial obligations under a derivative contract. All derivative agreements are with highly rated financial institutions. Credit exposures are measured based on the market value of outstanding derivative instruments. Both current exposures and potential exposures are calculated for each derivative contract to monitor counterparty credit exposure.

        As of September 30, 2010, we had in place total interest rate swap contracts to fix the floating interest rates on a portion of the borrowings under our debt facilities as summarized below:

Total Notional Amount at
September 30, 2010
  Weighted Average Fixed Leg
Interest Rate
at September 30, 2010
  Weighted Average
Remaining Term
 
$1,204 million     4.1 %   2.7 years  

        Most of the changes in the fair value on these interest rate swap contracts will be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as unrealized gains or losses on interest rate swaps.

        Since approximately 84% of our debt is hedged using interest rate swaps, our interest expense is not significantly affected by changes in interest rates. However, our earnings are impacted by certain changes in interest rate swap valuations which cause gains or losses to be recorded. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, unrealized losses on interest rate swaps totaled $9.7 million compared to unrealized losses of $6.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, unrealized losses on interest rate swaps totaled $31.5 million, compared to unrealized gains of $22.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

        Although we have significant foreign based operations, the U.S. dollar is the operating currency for the large majority of our leases and company obligations, and most of our revenues and expenses in 2010 and 2009 were denominated in U.S. dollars. However we pay our non-U.S. staff in local currencies, and certain of our direct operating expenses and disposal transactions for our older containers are structured in foreign currencies. We recorded $0.2 million of unrealized foreign currency exchange gains in the third quarter of 2010, and $0.2 million of unrealized foreign currency exchange losses in the third quarter of 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, we recorded $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively of unrealized foreign currency exchange losses. These losses/gains resulted primarily from fluctuations in exchange rates related to its Euro and Pound Sterling transactions and related assets.

        In April 2008, we entered into a foreign currency rate swap agreement to exchange Euros for U.S. Dollars based on expected payments under our Euro denominated finance lease receivables. The foreign currency rate swap agreement expires in April 2015. The fair value of this derivative contract was approximately $0.8 million at September 30, 2010, and is reported as an asset in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on the consolidated balance sheet.

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

        Based upon the required evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2010 our disclosure controls and procedures were adequate and effective to ensure that information was gathered, analyzed and disclosed on a timely basis.

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        There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

        From time to time, we are a party to litigation matters arising in connection with the normal course of our business. While we cannot predict the outcome of these matters, in the opinion of our management, based on information presently available to us, we believe that we have adequate legal defenses, reserves or insurance coverage and any liability arising from these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business. Nevertheless, unexpected adverse future events, such as an unforeseen development in our existing proceedings, a significant increase in the number of new cases or changes in our current insurance arrangements could result in liabilities that have a material adverse impact on our business.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS.

        For a complete listing of our risk factors, refer to our 2009 Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2010.

ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

        On March 13, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for the repurchase of our common stock. The stock repurchase program, as amended, authorizes us to repurchase up to 4.0 million shares of our common stock. There were no shares repurchased by the Company during the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS.

Exhibit
Number
  Exhibit Description
  4.57 * Series 2010-2 Supplement dated as of October 19, 2010, by and between TAL Advantage IV, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Indenture Trustee.
        
  4.58 * Series 2010-2 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of October 19, 2010 by and between TAL Advantage IV LLC, TAL International Container Corporation and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.
        
  31.1 * Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
        
  31.2 * Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
        
  32.1 * Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
        
  32.2 * Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

*
Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURE

        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.

    TAL International Group, Inc.

Date: November 1, 2010

 

By:

 

/s/ JOHN BURNS

John Burns
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

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