HIGGINBOTHAM, Circuit Judge:

This litigation has a long history in the Eleventh Circuit. In this latest chapter Cox Enterprises and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) do battle for what remains of the now-defunct newspaper publisher News-Journal Corporation (NJC). This case arises at the intersection of Florida's election-to-purchase statute1 and its distributions-to-shareholders statute.2 The election-to-purchase statute affords a corporation faced with a derivative suit the option to purchase the shares of the complaining shareholder in order to cause dismissal of the suit. The distributions-to-shareholders statute generally forbids a corporation from reacquiring shares by distribution if such distribution would render the corporation insolvent. Cox brought a derivative suit against NJC. NJC, in turn, elected to purchase Cox's shares. But at no time could NJC reacquire Cox's shares without rendering itself insolvent. As a consequence, NJC never made a distribution to Cox and Cox never relinquished its shares. Although at all times a shareholder, Cox attempts to prosecute its claim as a creditor of the now-defunct company.

A prior panel of this court instructed the district court to determine whether distribution of NJC corporate assets to Cox, a shareholder, would render NJC insolvent and, if so, to direct NJC to pay PBGC, a creditor, before distributing any assets to Cox. On remand, the district court heeded this court's instruction. We are now asked to reconsider the prior panel's holding and the district court's application of it.

I.

We relate facts aptly stated in this court's 20073 and 20124 decisions, supplementing as necessary. Eugene C. Pulliam organized NJC in 1925 when he acquired and consolidated two small Daytona Beach newspapers into a single newspaper, the Daytona Beach News-Journal. Pulliam paid cash for one of the acquired newspapers and granted a 40% interest in NJC for the other, owned by T.E. Fitzgerald. NJC had one class of common stock with 4,000 shares issued and outstanding. In 1927, Pulliam sold his 60% interest to Julius and Herbert Davidson, giving the Davidson family a majority of NJC's shares. Over the ensuing decades, Fitzgerald's minority 40% interest changed hands until, in 1963, the minority interest holder, John H. Perry, Jr., purchased an additional 7.5% interest in NJC from a member of the Davidson family, leaving him with 47.5% of NJC's outstanding shares. In 1969, Perry sold his minority interest to Cox, a privately held media conglomerate. Cox has maintained the 47.5% interest comprising 1,900 shares in NJC. The remaining 2,100 shares, which comprise a controlling 52.5% interest in NJC, are now owned by a closely held corporation controlled by the Davidson family.

Cox I set out the more recent history of NJC's corporate activities:

In response to Cox's suit, NJC elected to purchase all shares owned by Cox at fair value pursuant to Florida's election-to-purchase statute, which allows a corporation or one or more of its shareholders to purchase the shares of a petitioning shareholder at fair value in order to cause dismissal of the suit.7

Because the parties could not agree on the fair value of Cox's shares, the statute required the district court to determine their fair value "as of the day before the date on which [Cox's suit] was filed."8 Along with the News-Journal newspaper, NJC had one wholly-owned subsidiary, Volusia Pennysaver, Inc. The district court held an eight-day bench trial during which both sides presented expert testimony regarding value and valuation methodology as to both entities. The district court accepted the valuation for Pennysaver proffered by Cox's valuation expert and valued Pennysaver at $36 million.9 The district court also adopted the cash-flow analysis for the News-Journal proffered by Cox's valuation expert with minor modifications, premised on several conclusions: first, that NJC was a marketable corporation — that its shares would command an attractive price on the open market; second, that the News-Journal had experienced "abnormally poor performance relative to comparably situated newspapers" as a result of mismanagement; and third, that proper valuation of NJC as a going concern required normalization of "the financial data of a poorly operated corporation before determining what the corporation would sell for in an arm's-length transaction."10 To this third point, related to normalization, although the News-Journal at that time had an actual EBITDA margin11 of 9.3%, the district court applied a normalized EBITDA margin of 24.8% according to the EBITDA margins of similarly situated newspaper corporations not subject to mismanagement.12 Based on the News-Journal's 2004 gross revenue of approximately $66 million, the cash-flow analysis yielded a value of $236 million for the News-Journal13 which, when combined with the $36 million valuation for Pennysaver, resulted in an overall valuation of $272 million for NJC. Correspondingly, the district court valued Cox's 47.5% interest in NJC at $129.2 million.14

At the end of its thorough memorandum and order setting the fair value of Cox's shares, the district court requested memoranda from the parties regarding "what would constitute reasonable terms of purchase"15 given the valuation.16 Both NJC and Cox abided the court's request. In its memorandum to the court, NJC indicated that "the amount necessary to complete the purchase [was] approximately twice the amount that NJC [could] finance and pay while continuing to operate its newspaper business [rather than liquidating]."17 NJC urged that equity required the court to allow payment of the purchase price in installments — a possibility expressed in the statute.18 In an earlier motion submitted in anticipation of the court's determination of value, NJC had also requested that the court "frame [the eventual purchase order] in such a way that NJC [would] not have to pay the valuation amount until Cox's ownership rights [over the shares were] fully terminated."19 NJC sought unrestricted right to Cox's shares upon payment of the purchase price to "relieve [itself] of the risk of watching those shares lose value during an appeal."20 NJC suggested that "Cox face[d] no similar risk [because] it [would be] entitled to `fair value' unaffected by post-judgment fluctuations in share price."21

In response, Cox requested "full and complete payment ... immediately," with interest accruing on the purchase price from the valuation date until the date of payment, and the imposition of "conditions... by way of security in the interim."22 Cox argued that based on its own valuation expert's forecast, NJC could finance immediate purchase consistent with newspaper industry lending standards.23 Cox attached a sworn statement from the valuation expert that, in turn, included as exhibits excerpts from NJC's consolidated financial statements.24 Finally, Cox asserted that "requiring [it] to accept payment in installments would plainly and unfairly subject [it] to considerable risk,"25 presumably the risk of loss in share value pending payment of future installments. Characterizing itself as a creditor, Cox requested that, in the event the court were to order installment payments, the order include a number of security provisions, most notably a first priority security interest in all of NJC's assets.26 Cox submitted a proposed order to this effect.27

Following a hearing on the terms of the transfer of Cox's interest and a second round of briefing, the court issued a purchase order in compliance with section 607.1436(5) and dismissed Cox's suit under section 607.1436(6).28 Despite Cox's request for upfront payment of the purchase price in full, the district court determined that "[e]ven absent wasteful conduct, NJC would likely not have the means to be able to pay $129.2 million in one lump sum."29 The district court found that based on industry lending standards NJC did "not have ready assets to finance a purchase of [Cox's] shares" to allow for immediate payment.30 Counsel for NJC framed the issue well during the hearing:

In light of these limitations the purchase order directed NJC to pay the $129.2 million purchase price in installments. A first installment payment of $29.2 million was to be made within ten days of either the issuance of the Eleventh Circuit's mandate, in the event of an appeal, or the expiration of the time for the filing of a notice of appeal, in the event no appeal was taken. The remainder of the purchase price was to be paid in five annual installments of $20 million, plus accrued interest, each due on the one-year anniversary of the prior payment.

To safeguard Cox's position during the repayment period, the court ordered that Cox, upon receipt of the first installment payment, tender all of its shares of NJC common stock to NJC in exchange for $100 million in face value preferred stock with first priority dividends.32 Thereafter, each payment by NJC of an installment, with accrued interest, was to constitute a redemption of that portion of Cox's preferred stock with a face value equal to the principal amount of the payment. The purchase order also included several affirmative and negative covenants curbing certain NJC corporate activities during the repayment period. The purchase order did not grant Cox a security interest in any of NJC's assets. In short, despite its repeated requests, the district court did not afford Cox treatment as a first-priority secured creditor rather than as a shareholder.33

Although the district court did not refer to NJC's consolidated financial statements in the text of the purchase order, those documents were part of the record before the district court when it issued the purchase order on September 27, 2006. At that time the most recent available financial statements were those pertaining to NJC's fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. According to the 2005 balance sheet, NJC had approximately $57.9 million in total assets, $54.6 million in total liabilities, and $3.3 million in total shareholders' equity.34 An accompanying note to the consolidated financial statements explains that NJC had at that time recorded as a liability its own "estimated cost to settle [the Cox] lawsuit through purchasing the common stock of Cox at $29,410,000"35 — well short of the district court's later $129.2 million valuation of Cox's interest. Replacing NJC's $29.4 million estimate with the eventual $129.2 million purchase price would yield approximately $57.9 million in total assets, $154.4 million in total liabilities, and negative $96.4 million in shareholders' deficit — rather than equity — on NJC's 2005 balance sheet. The record also contains NJC's consolidated financial statements from 2006 through 2008,36 which reflect an increased estimated liability of $129.2 million for NJC's potential repurchase of Cox's shares following the issuance of the purchase order,37 along with a shareholders' deficit figure of between negative $80 million and negative $100 million in each year.38

Both Cox and NJC appealed the purchase order to this court in Cox I. Cox's arguments at that stage focused on defending the district court's valuation methodology, which favored Cox, and challenging the district court's exclusion of compensation for past director and officer misconduct, as well as its denial of prejudgment interest.39 Cox did not challenge the district court's refusal to grant it a security interest in NJC assets. This court affirmed the purchase order as entered.40 Notably, in rejecting Cox's request for prejudgment interest this court highlighted that "[d]uring the period in question, Cox continued actively to exercise its rights as a shareholder, including the receipt of $2.8 million in dividends, the receipt of annual audit reports, internal profit and loss reports, and participation in shareholder meetings."41

The mandate from Cox I issued on April 9, 2008,42 triggering the ten-day period within which the first payment was due under the purchase order. Nevertheless, NJC was unable to make the first payment, and "at the [joint] request of the parties [the district court] repeatedly extended that deadline so that the parties could attempt to settle and to possibly sell NJC so that the liability to Cox could be satisfied."43 During this period of repeated deadline extensions — spanning from April 2008 through January 2010 — the going-concern value of NJC plummeted.

This period of deadline extensions merits explanation in more detail. In anticipation of the Cox I mandate Cox had filed an emergency motion to appoint a receiver to oversee NJC's assets because it "believe[d] that NJC [would] exercise its right under [Florida Statutes § 607.1436(7)] to file notice of its intent to adopt articles of dissolution so as to avoid payment to Cox of the `fair value' of Cox's shares as determined by the [district court]."44 In support of its belief, Cox noted that NJC had unilaterally terminated what appears to have been the only financing agreement with the potential to support payment according to the terms of the purchase order.45 The district court denied Cox's motion as premature, reasoning that if NJC were to elect dissolution, appointment of a receiver might be appropriate — in light of NJC's track record of corporate waste and mismanagement — but that NJC could only file notice of its intent to adopt articles of dissolution after the issuance of the Eleventh Circuit's mandate, subsequent to which Cox could renew its motion.46 The parties then filed a joint motion to set April 21, 2008, as the deadline for NJC to file any notice of intent to adopt articles of dissolution,47 which the district court granted.48

On April 21 — the deadline — the parties filed an emergency joint motion to extend the deadline "so as to permit the parties to attempt to resolve [the] case by settlement."49 In their joint motion the parties indicated they had entered into a joint sale agreement on April 18 granting Cox exclusive management and control over a potential sale intended to satisfy, or partially satisfy, NJC's liability to Cox due under the purchase order.50 The joint sale agreement provided for the terms, conditions, and covenants of the purchase order to remain in effect and for consideration to be paid to Cox along the following lines in the event of a successfully consummated sale:

The joint sale agreement also gave Cox exclusive power and authority to terminate the joint sale process at any time and reinstate the statutory ten-day deadline within which NJC would have to either make the first installment payment due under the purchase order or file notice of its intent to adopt articles of dissolution.52 In their emergency joint motion to extend the deadline the parties represented to the district court that they had:

The district court granted the motion, extending the deadline to October 21, 2008, to permit the parties to proceed with their joint sale agreement.54 At the parties' request, the district court instructed the parties to provide a joint report every thirty days as to the status of the anticipated sale of NJC.55

The joint status reports filed over the ensuing months reflect that a formal sale process for NJC was commenced on August 11, 2008, but was not completed by the October 21 deadline.56 On October 15 the parties filed a joint status report to this effect and requested a further extension to March 10, 2009,57 which the district court granted.58 Cox persisted in its role at the helm of the sale process. Although management presentations and site visits with potential purchasers apparently resulted in the submission of some bids,59 no sale was consummated, and on February 24, 2009, Cox (alone) requested another extension of the deadline "to permit additional time for negotiation with prospective purchasers."60 The district court extended the deadline until May 29, 2009.61

This carried on until March 18, 2009, when Cox moved to terminate the joint sale process and to appoint a receiver to oversee NJC's assets.62 Following a hearing,63 the district court granted Cox's motion on April 17, 2009,64 again commencing the statutory ten-day period within which NJC was to either make the first installment payment due under the purchase order or file notice of its intent to adopt articles of dissolution. The district court appointed a receiver to manage NJC's business, safeguard its assets, and prepare it for sale. Despite the statutory ten-day deadline, "[a]fter entry of this order, [NJC] neither made a payment to Cox nor adopted articles of dissolution."65

Nor did Cox tender any shares. It remained a shareholder in possession of NJC common stock. In addition to referring to itself as a shareholder in the joint sale agreement,66 Cox continued to receive dividends after the purchase order issued in 2006.67 And in parallel sanction proceedings regarding charitable payments and dividends made by NJC in violation of the purchase order, Cox requested that the court order NJC to declare a constructive proportionate dividend payable to Cox as a shareholder of NJC68 — a request the district court granted in part in April 2009.69

The sale process continued, now under the direction of the receiver, who provided the court with monthly status reports from May 2009 through November 2009.70 The receiver's status reports reflect that the receiver engaged a broker and that bids from potential purchasers were submitted and considered. The receiver's efforts culminated in a joint motion of the receiver and Cox in January 2010 requesting permission to sell the publishing operations of NJC for just over $20 million.71 Following another round of briefing and a hearing, the district court granted the joint motion in March 2010 and directed the receiver to execute the sale.72 The sale proceeds combined with all other remaining NJC assets totaled approximately $36 million.73 In short, following the 2010 sale NJC was worth roughly one-eighth its estimated value per the district court's 2006 purchase order.

Relevant to this appeal, the purchaser did not assume liability for NJC's pension obligations and PBGC became the statutory trustee for NJC's terminated pension plans and guarantor of its unfunded pension obligations.74 Cox filed a claim in the receivership for the $129.2 million due under the 2006 purchase order and PBGC filed a claim for unfunded pension obligations. The district court characterized Cox as a first-priority, quasi-secured creditor and ordered the receiver to distribute all of NJC's assets to Cox in partial satisfaction of Cox's claim.75 PBGC, along with other smaller creditors, appealed.

In Cox II, we rejected the conclusion that Cox had an equitable first priority claim to NJC's assets, vacated the district court's order, and remanded the case with specific instructions. We held, in accordance with section 607.1436(8), that the election-to-purchase statute "require[s] that any payment made as a result of a corporation's share repurchase decision [must] comply with the distribution requirements of [Florida Statutes § 607.06401], which prohibits the distribution of corporate assets to a shareholder if it would render the corporation insolvent."76 We further held "that Cox qualifies as a shareholder for purposes of the distributions-to-shareholders statute," and mandated that the district court "must consider whether a payment to Cox would comply with the insolvency test [provided for at section 607.06401(3)] at the time of payment to Cox."77 We directed that "[i]f on remand the district court finds a distribution to Cox would violate [the insolvency test]," as assessed at the time of payment, "[NJC's] other creditors should receive payment before any distribution is made to Cox."78

On remand, in an effort to allow the parties to fully develop the record, the district court referred the case to a magistrate judge to hold an evidentiary hearing regarding the value of PBGC's claim. The district court adopted the magistrate judge's report and recommendation and valued PBGC's claim at $13,887,822.00.79 The district court also found that "payment to Cox would violate the insolvency test" as assessed at the time of payment and, concluding that this court's mandate so required, ordered that PBGC's claim be paid in full first, before any distribution to Cox.80

Cox appeals.

II.

The law of the case doctrine dictates that "an appellate decision is binding in all subsequent proceedings in the same case unless the presentation of new evidence or an intervening change in the controlling law dictates a different result, or the appellate decision is clearly erroneous and, if implemented, would work a manifest injustice."81 The mandate rule is "a specific application of the law of the case doctrine."82 Subject to the three "narrow"83 exceptions mentioned above, "when an appellate court issues a specific mandate it is not subject to interpretation; the district court has an obligation to carry out the order."84 "The trial court must implement both the letter and the spirit of the mandate ... taking into account the appellate court's opinion ... and the circumstances it embraces."85 "Although the trial court is free to address, as a matter of first impression, those issues not disposed of on appeal, it is bound to follow the appellate court's holdings, both expressed and implied."86 Because "[a] mandate may be vague or precise" depending on the issues presented, where a mandate's scope is contested we must "determine the scope of the issues considered in [the prior] appeal."87 We review de novo the district court's interpretation and application of this court's mandate in Cox II.88

A.

Cox first argues that the district court was relieved of its obligation to assess the insolvency test as of the time of payment because the Cox II panel clearly erred in so mandating. Cox claims that the purchase order constituted a distribution of indebtedness from NJC to Cox, the effect of which must be assessed as of the time the purchase order issued. Cox also claims, as it must, that such a distribution would not have been prohibited under the insolvency test and therefore later repayment of the debt must be allowed, even if it would render NJC insolvent as of the time of payment. Cox also claims that the purchase order transformed it into a creditor of NJC, even though Cox at all times retained its shares.

The record before the Cox II panel — specifically, NJC's balance sheets — belies Cox's claims. At no point in time could NJC have reacquired Cox's shares by distribution without rendering itself insolvent. The record demonstrates conclusively that a distribution of indebtedness to Cox in the amount of $129.2 million would have rendered NJC insolvent in 2006. Cox's position is premised on construing the purchase order to have directed NJC to make a distribution prohibited by the statute in the first instance; it is therefore untenable. We cannot conclude that the district court's order required this untoward result.89 Nor can we conclude that Cox became a creditor when it never relinquished its shares.

1.

Turning to our holding in Cox II, we have emphasized that the "clear error" exception must be rarely invoked.90 Accordingly, "in a close case, a court must defer to the legal conclusion of a coordinate court in the same case; only when the legal error is beyond the scope of reasonable debate should the court disregard the prior ruling."91 Needless to say, this is a high bar.92 We emphasize that our inquiry is focused on whether the prior panel's decision was so clearly erroneous that we cannot construe it as a reasoned outcome. We cannot hold under this exacting standard that the Cox II panel clearly erred in requiring assessment of the insolvency test as of the time of payment.

2.

The Florida Business Corporation Act, codified at Florida Statutes § 607 et seq., largely tracks the language of the Model Business Corporation Act. Florida's election-to-purchase statute requires that "[a]ny payment by the corporation pursuant to an order under subsection (3) or subsection (5) ... is subject to the provisions of [section] 607.06401," the distributions-to-shareholders statute.93 It is undisputed that the purchase order in this case was issued under subsection (5) of the election-to-purchase statute. Correspondingly, "any payment" made pursuant to the purchase order is subject to the provisions of the distributions-to-shareholders statute.

As the Cox II panel identified, "the [distributions-to-shareholders] statute essentially provides that corporate assets may not be distributed to shareholders if the distribution would render the corporation insolvent."94 The insolvency test contained in the distributions-to-shareholders statute generally forbids a distribution of indebtedness to a shareholder if such distribution: (a) would render the corporation unable to pay its debts as they become due in the usual course of business (so-called "equity insolvency"), or (b) would, when added as a debt to the liabilities column of the corporation's balance sheet, cause the corporation's total liabilities to exceed the corporation's total assets (so-called "balance sheet insolvency").95

The distributions-to-shareholders statute also contains default timing provisions for when the insolvency test must be assessed with regard to a particular distribution.96 "In the case of distribution by purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of the corporation's shares," the default rule requires assessment of the insolvency test as of the earlier of:

In short, where the default timing provisions apply a corporation cannot purchase shares by making a distribution of indebtedness to a shareholder if such distribution would cause the corporation's total liabilities to exceed its total assets as of the time the debt is incurred.

Under the statutory scheme subsection (8) offers a workaround for corporations seeking to overcome this default rule. Subsection (8) provides that:

A corporation can escape the statute's general prohibition by distributing indebtedness to a shareholder on the condition that any future payment of principal and interest is treated as a distribution that must comply with the distributions-to-shareholders statute. In essence, the statutory structure affords an alternative to a corporation, allowing it to make an otherwise forbidden distribution of indebtedness by kicking down the road assessment of the insolvency test, which operates as to each future payment on the debt.99 The exception provides that "each payment of principal or interest is treated as a distribution, the effect of which is measured on the date the payment is actually made."100 This plain language reading of the statute controls our decision. It is also faithful to the purpose claimed for the statute by the drafters of the Model Business Corporation Act adopted by Florida.

At issue here, the Cox II panel concluded that upon issuance of the purchase order NJC "had a debt of $129.2 million owed Cox to be paid in regular installments," that "[t]his indebtedness of [NJC] triggered the timing provision of [subsection (8)]," and that the insolvency test must be assessed "at the time of payment to Cox."101

3.

The circumstances of this case fit imperfectly with our plain language reading of the statutory scheme. This for several reasons. First, although the election-to-purchase statute provides that "[t]he purchase ordered ... shall be made within 10 days after the date the order becomes final unless, before that time, the corporation files with the court a notice of its intention to adopt articles of dissolution,"102 the parties in this case repeatedly — and jointly — requested and received extensions of that deadline. By all accounts it appears that Cox initiated and sustained these requests in its effort to stave off the dissolution of NJC. After NJC terminated what appears to have been the only financing agreement with the potential to support payment according to the terms of the purchase order,103 it became apparent that dissolution was imminent. At this juncture Cox faced two alternatives. On one hand, if NJC were to adopt articles of dissolution, Cox would revert to its position as a minority shareholder with a 47.5% equity interest in the actual value of the dissolved corporation and the right to "continue to pursue any claims previously asserted."104 In this scenario Cox's reversionary position would have been much less valuable than its position as valued under the purchase order and the joint sale agreement — a position premised on normalized EBITDA figures per the district court's valuation methodology and the joint sale agreement's provision for ample consideration to Cox in the event of a consummated sale. The disparity between these two alternatives increased over time as the value of NJC declined precipitously. Seeking to avoid the reversionary fate it faced under dissolution, Cox endeavored alongside NJC to confect a joint sale of the corporation that would allow NJC to satisfy, or partially satisfy, its liability due Cox as a shareholder as set out in the purchase order.105 Cox in essence made a business judgment to bet on the prospect of a sale that could provide a greater return than dissolution.

Second, and as a result of the parties' joint requests to extend the deadline, Cox never relinquished its shares. Cox's theory of the case — that under the default timing rule insolvency must be assessed as of the time the purchase order issued — is in tension with the plain language of the distributions-to-shareholders statute, which provides that the default timing provisions apply "[i]n the case of distribution by purchase, redemption, or other acquisition of the corporation's shares."106 This language appears to presuppose that the recipient of such a distribution relinquishes its shares when the corporation purchases, redeems, or otherwise acquires them.107 That did not happen here. Cox retained its shares and, indeed, continued to receive dividends and constructive dividends as a shareholder long after the purchase order issued.

Third, and admittedly cutting somewhat against this court's reasoning in Cox II, the purchase order did not contain on its face terms explicitly invoking the subsection (8) exception. As Cox and amici point out, the plain language of the statutory scheme appears to allow a corporation to invoke the subsection (8) exception as to a distribution of indebtedness only if "its terms provide that payment of principal and interest are made only if and to the extent that payment of a distribution to shareholders could then be made under this section."108

Finally, and key to this case, the record makes clear that, were the $129.2 million debt to have hit NJC's books as a liability at the time the purchase order issued, it would have caused NJC's total liabilities to exceed its total assets, resulting in a shareholders' deficit of nearly $100 million.109 We cannot conclude that such a distribution would have been allowed under the distributions-to-shareholders statute if its effect were measured as of the time the purchase order issued. To the extent that the relevant distribution in this case constitutes a distribution of indebtedness from NJC to Cox at the time the purchase order issued, such a distribution would have been forbidden unless analyzed under the subsection (8) exception.

4.

Given the unique circumstances of this case, the scope of reasonable debate allows for two constructions of the district court's purchase order. First, the purchase order can reasonably be construed to direct NJC to, in the future, make a series of payments to Cox in exchange for Cox's common-stock shares — distributions that have yet to occur, as it remains undisputed that NJC has made no payment and Cox has tendered no shares. Under this construction the relevant initial distribution for purposes of assessing the insolvency test is the inchoate first installment payment from NJC to Cox in the amount of $29.2 million. Along these lines it matters not whether the purchase order invoked the subsection (8) exception, because the purchase order would not have constituted a distribution of indebtedness at the time it was issued. It would not at that time have constituted a distribution at all. Although it traverses a different route than that taken in Cox II, this construction converges on the same result reached there: insolvency must be assessed as of the time of payment to Cox.

Second, the purchase order can reasonably be construed to have constituted a distribution of indebtedness from Cox to NJC at the time it was issued that invoked the subsection (8) exception. This second construction resists the conclusion that the district court directed NJC to make a distribution prohibited under the statute. Under this construction the relevant distribution for purposes of assessing the insolvency test is any future payment made in satisfaction of the $129.2 million distribution of indebtedness from NJC to Cox incurred upon issuance of the purchase order. And again, under this construction insolvency must be assessed as of the time of repayment of the debt to Cox under the provisions of subsection (8). The Cox II panel adopted this second construction.

Cox cries foul at the Cox II panel's apparent reliance on subsection (8) viewed in isolation because the terms of the purchase order itself do not expressly invoke the subsection (8) exception. What Cox looks past is the prior panel's simultaneous emphasis on the "overall scheme" set forth in sections 607.1436 and 607.06401 and that scheme's interaction with the unique circumstances of this case.110 Again, to our eyes, to the extent that the relevant distribution in this case constitutes a distribution of indebtedness from NJC to Cox at the time the purchase order issued, such a distribution would have been forbidden unless analyzed under the subsection (8) exception. We construe the holding of Cox II to be consistent with this reasoning.

As to whether the "terms" of the indebtedness at issue invoked the subsection (8) exception, Cox also steps past the prior panel's express focus on the "plain language" of the election-to-purchase statute,111 which provides that "[a]ny payment by the corporation pursuant to [a purchase] order" under that section is subject to the provisions of the distributions-to-shareholders statute.112 In discussing whether each installment payment under the purchase order would constitute a payment to a shareholder for purposes of invoking the distributions-to-shareholder statute, the panel identified an "arguable conflict" among the provisions of the election-to-purchase statute.113 We understand that in its effort to resolve that conflict the prior panel sought to "give effect to the Florida legislature's intent and accord meaning to all parts of the statute" by interpreting a "payment" made pursuant to a purchase order under section 607.1436(5) to qualify as a "payment" under section 607.06401(8) that must undergo the insolvency test as assessed at the time of "payment."114

Acknowledging the purchase of alternative interpretations, in light of the imperfect fit between the unique circumstances of this case and our plain language reading of the statutory scheme we cannot hold that the panel clearly erred in charting the reasonable course it chose. The district court was obligated to obey the mandate of Cox II and did so.

B.

Cox next argues that even if distribution according to the terms of the purchase order is barred by the insolvency test, its resulting claim in the assets of NJC held by the receiver must be treated "at parity" with that of PBGC. Cox relies on section 607.06401(7), which provides that "[a] corporation's indebtedness to a shareholder incurred by reason of a distribution made in accordance with this section is at parity with the corporation's indebtedness to its general, unsecured creditors except to the extent subordinated by agreement." The district court held that this argument was foreclosed by this court's clear mandate. We agree.

The matter of relative claim priority between Cox and PBGC was within the scope of issues considered and decided in Cox II115 — indeed, it can be fairly said that relative claim priority comprised the essence of PBGC's appeal. Among the stated "issues on appeal" in Cox II was the following: "[W]hether the district court erred by granting Cox an equitable first priority claim to [NJC's] assets to the exclusion of other creditors."116 Although the Cox II panel did not address section 607.06401(7) by name, it explicitly resolved the matter of relative claim priority when it directed that "[i]f on remand the district court finds a distribution to Cox would violate [the insolvency test], [NJC's] other creditors should receive payment before any distribution is made to Cox."117 The district court fully heeded this instruction and properly held that this court's plain command foreclosed Cox's contrary argument.

III.

As a final matter, Cox mounts an equitable challenge to the district court's order directing NJC to pay PBGC's claim in full. As Cox's challenge pertains to the district court's distribution of assets in a receivership, we review for an abuse of discretion.118 We, like the magistrate judge and district court below, reject this argument quickly. The magistrate judge issued a thorough report and recommendation as to the value of PBGC's claim.119 This included an express finding that PBGC's proffered valuation was calculated in accordance with Title IV of ERISA120 and PBGC's own regulations.121 The district court adopted the magistrate's report and recommendation122 and Cox does not now dispute its validity. Rather, Cox asserts that we should overturn the district court's order because "it would have been equally permissible" for the district court to have exercised its equitable discretion to reduce the amount awarded on PBGC's claim once valued. Even assuming, without deciding, that such an approach would have been permissible, Cox does not persuade that the district court abused its wide discretion in rejecting that approach in light of this court's mandate in Cox II.123

IV.

We AFFIRM the district court's order and judgment. In doing so we remind that finality and justness of result are not warring principles. There are limits to the ability of able counsel to rescue a client from a soured investment. Today we reach those limits.