Background
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Background
Background
Post Holdings, Inc. ("Post" or the "Company") is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded ready-to-eat cereals in the United States and Canada. Post’s products are generally sold to supermarket chains, wholesalers, supercenters, club stores, mass merchandisers, distributors, convenience stores and the foodservice channel in North America. The Company's products are manufactured at four facilities located in Battle Creek, Michigan; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Modesto, California; and Niagara Falls, Ontario.
On February 3, 2012, Post completed its legal separation from Ralcorp Holdings, Inc. ("Ralcorp") via a tax free spin-off (the "Spin-Off"). In the Spin-Off, Ralcorp shareholders of record on January 30, 2012, the record date for the distribution, received one share of Post common stock for every two shares of Ralcorp common stock held; additionally Ralcorp retained approximately 6.8 million unregistered shares of Post common stock. At the time of distribution Ralcorp entered into a series of third party financing arrangements that effectively resulted in the contribution of its net investment in Post in exchange for the aforementioned 6.8 million shares of Post common stock and a $900.0 cash distribution which was funded through the incurrence of long-term debt by Post, see Note 13. Prior to Ralcorp's contribution of its net investment, the net investment balance decreased due to separation related adjustments in the net amount of $182.8 primarily due to differences between the $900.0 cash distribution to Ralcorp compared to the settlement of intercompany debt of $784.5 and equity investment in partnership of $60.2, see Note 19, that did not transfer to Post in connection with the Spin-Off.
On February 6, 2012, Post began regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “POST” as an independent, public company.
On September 28, 2012, the Company repurchased 1.75 million shares of its common stock, at a price of $30.50 per share for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $53.4. These shares are a portion of the Post shares that were retained by Ralcorp in connection with the Spin-Off, which Ralcorp disposed of in a debt-for-equity exchange. As such, Ralcorp no longer holds any Post shares.
Post has a single operating segment and manufactures and markets products under several brand names, including Honey Bunches of Oats®, Pebbles™, Post Selects®, Great Grains®, Spoon Size® Shredded Wheat, Post® Raisin Bran, Grape-Nuts® and Honeycomb®.
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise indicates, all references in this Form 10-K to "Post," "the Company," "us," "our" or "we" mean Post Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and for periods prior to the Spin-Off from Ralcorp, the Branded Cereal Business of Ralcorp.