20230930-DK-Butterfly-1, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2014 November (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended November 29, 2014

Commission File Number 0-20214

BED BATH & BEYOND INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 908/688-0888

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

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).

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s Common Stock:

BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in thousands, unaudited) 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands, unaudited)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

BED BATH & BEYOND INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring accruals and elimination of intercompany balances and transactions) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014 and the results of its operations and comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively, and its cash flows for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements for Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures normally required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Reference should be made to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014 for additional disclosures, including a summary of the Company's significant accounting policies, and to subsequently filed Forms 8-K.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 2013 consolidated balance sheet to conform to the fiscal 2014 consolidated balance sheet presentation.

The Company accounts for its operations as two operating segments: North American Retail and Institutional Sales. The Institutional Sales operating segment, which is comprised of Linen Holdings, does not meet the quantitative thresholds under GAAP and therefore is not a reportable segment.

2) Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., “the exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches, including quoted market prices and discounted cash flows. The hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect a company’s judgment concerning the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available under the circumstances. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an asset or liability must be classified in its entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement of fair value. The fair value hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

• Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments that the Company is able to access. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

• Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for instruments that are similar, or quoted prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar instruments, and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

• Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

As of November 29, 2014, the Company’s financial assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include long term trading investment securities traded on active securities exchanges. The Company did not have any financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs. Financial assets utilizing Level 3 inputs included long term investments in auction rate securities consisting of preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds (See “Investment Securities,” Note 4). 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts payable, long term debt and certain other liabilities. The Company’s investment securities consist primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, which are stated at amortized cost, and auction rate securities, which are stated at their approximate fair value. The book value of the financial instruments, excluding the Company’s long term debt, is representative of their fair values. The fair value of the Company’s long term debt is approximately $1.525 billion, which is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments (i.e., Level 1 valuation), compared to the carrying value of approximately $1.500 billion.

3) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Included in cash and cash equivalents are credit and debit card receivables from banks, which typically settle within five business days, of $199.0 million and $87.4 million as of November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014, respectively.

4) Investment Securities

The Company’s investment securities as of November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014 are as follows:

Auction Rate Securities

As of November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014, the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities represented approximately $51.0 million par value of auction rate securities, consisting of preferred shares of closed end municipal bond funds, less temporary valuation adjustments of approximately $3.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Since these valuation adjustments are deemed to be temporary, they are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of a related tax benefit, and did not affect the Company’s net earnings.

U.S. Treasury Securities

As of November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014, the Company’s short term held-to-maturity securities included approximately $135.0 million and approximately $489.3 million, respectively, of U.S. Treasury Bills with remaining maturities of less than one year. These securities are stated at their amortized cost which approximates fair value, which is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments (i.e., Level 1 valuation).

Long Term Trading Investment Securities

The Company’s long term trading investment securities, which are provided as investment options to the participants of the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, are stated at fair market value. The values of these trading investment securities included in the table above are approximately $47.0 million and $39.7 million as of November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014, respectively.

5) Property and Equipment

As of November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014, included in property and equipment, net is accumulated depreciation of approximately $2.2 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively.

6) Long Term Debt

Senior Unsecured Notes

On July 17, 2014, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 3.749% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”), $300 million aggregate principal amount of 4.915% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2034 (the “2034 Notes”) and $900 million aggregate principal amount of 5.165% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2044 (the “2044 Notes” and, together with the 2024 Notes and the 2034 Notes, the “Notes”). The aggregate net proceeds from the Notes were approximately $1.5 billion, which was used for share repurchases of the Company’s common stock and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2015.

The Notes were issued under an indenture (the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture (together, with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), which contains various restrictive covenants, which are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the Indenture.

The Notes are unsecured, senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The Company may redeem the Notes at any time, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices described in the Indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. If a change in control triggering event, as defined by the Indenture governing the Notes, occurs unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes, the Company will be required to make an offer to the holders of the Notes to purchase the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Revolving Credit Agreement

On August 6, 2014, the Company entered into a $250 million five year senior unsecured revolving credit facility agreement (“Revolver”) with various lenders. During the period from August 6, 2014 through November 29, 2014, the Company did not have any borrowings under the Revolver.

Borrowings under the Revolver accrue interest at either (1) a fluctuating rate equal to the greater of the prime rate, as defined in the Revolver, the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, or one-month LIBOR plus 1.0% and, in each case, plus an applicable margin based upon the Company’s leverage ratio which is calculated quarterly, (2) a periodic fixed rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin based upon the Company’s leverage ratio which is calculated quarterly or (3) an agreed upon fixed rate. In addition, a commitment fee is assessed, which is included in interest (expense) income, net in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. The Revolver contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and also requires the Company to maintain a minimum leverage ratio. The Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the Revolver as of November 29, 2014.

Deferred financing costs associated with the Notes and the Revolver of approximately $10.1 million were capitalized and are included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. These deferred financing costs are being amortized over the term of each of the Notes and the term of the Revolver and such amortization is included in interest (expense) income, net in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Interest expense related to the Notes and the Revolver, including the commitment fee and the amortization of the deferred financing costs, was approximately $18.1 million for the three months ended November 29, 2014 and $26.8 million for the period from July 17, 2014 through November 29, 2014.

Lines of Credit

At November 29, 2014, the Company maintained two uncommitted lines of credit of $100 million each, with expiration dates of February 28, 2015 and September 1, 2015, respectively. These uncommitted lines of credit are currently and are expected to be used for letters of credit in the ordinary course of business. During the first nine months of fiscal 2014, the Company did not have any direct borrowings under the uncommitted lines of credit. Although no assurances can be provided, the Company intends to renew both uncommitted lines of credit before the respective expiration dates.

7) Shareholders’ Equity

Between December 2004 and July 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized, through several share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $9.450 billion of its shares of common stock. On July 17, 2014, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR”) with an investment bank to repurchase an aggregate $1.1 billion of the Company’s common stock. As part of the ASR, the Company received an initial delivery of approximately 15.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of approximately $935 million, which is included in treasury stock in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 29, 2014. The initial delivery of 15.4 million shares reduced the outstanding shares used to determine the Company’s weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share. The remaining $165 million of the aggregate repurchase amount was accounted for as a reduction in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 29, 2014. In December 2014, subsequent to the end of the fiscal third quarter, the ASR was completed and the final number of shares repurchased under the ASR was based on the Company’s volume weighted average price per its common share over the ASR period less a discount.

The Company has authorization to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations. The Company also purchases shares of its common stock to cover employee related taxes withheld on vested restricted stock awards. In the first nine months of fiscal 2014, including the initial delivery of approximately 15.4 million shares under the ASR, the Company repurchased approximately 21.1 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of approximately $1.3 billion, bringing the aggregate total of common stock repurchased to approximately 150.7 million shares for a total cost of approximately $7.6 billion since the initial authorization in December 2004. The Company has approximately $1.8 billion remaining of authorized share repurchases as of November 29, 2014.

8) Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and records such expense, net of estimated forfeitures, in its consolidated financial statements. Currently, the Company’s stock-based compensation relates to restricted stock awards, stock options and performance share units. The Company’s restricted stock awards are considered nonvested share awards.

Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 was approximately $15.5 million ($10.5 million after tax or $0.06 per diluted share) and approximately $49.3 million ($31.7 million after tax or $0.16 per diluted share), respectively. Stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2013 was approximately $13.6 million ($8.6 million after tax or $0.04 per diluted share) and approximately $42.1 million ($26.7 million after tax or $0.12 per diluted share), respectively. In addition, the amount of stock-based compensation cost capitalized for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 was approximately $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Incentive Compensation Plans

The Company currently grants awards under the Bed Bath & Beyond 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2012 Plan”), which amended and restated the Bed Bath & Beyond 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2004 Plan”). The 2012 Plan includes an aggregate of 43.2 million common shares authorized for issuance and the ability to grant incentive stock options. Outstanding awards that were covered by the 2004 Plan continue to be in effect under the 2012 Plan.

The 2012 Plan is a flexible compensation plan that enables the Company to offer incentive compensation through stock options (whether nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options), restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other stock based awards, including cash awards. Under the 2012 Plan, grants are determined by the Compensation Committee for those awards granted to executive officers and by an appropriate committee for all other awards granted. Awards of stock options and restricted stock generally vest in five equal annual installments beginning one to three years from the date of grant. Awards of performance share units generally vest over a period of four years from the date of grant dependent on the Company’s achievement of performance-based tests and subject, in general, to the executive remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates.

The Company generally issues new shares for stock option exercises, restricted stock awards and vesting of performance share units. As of November 29, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Company’s stock options, restricted stock awards and performance share units was $27.7 million, $138.6 million and $17.4 million, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.9 years, 3.7 years and 2.7 years, respectively.

Stock Options

Stock option grants are issued at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become exercisable in either three or five equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant for options issued since May 10, 2010, and beginning one to three years from the date of grant for options issued prior to May 10, 2010, in each case, subject, in general to the recipient remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. Option grants expire eight years after the date of grant for stock options issued since May 10, 2004, and expire ten years after the date of grant for stock options issued prior to May 10, 2004. All option grants are nonqualified.

The fair value of the stock options granted is estimated on the date of the grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.

(1) Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience.

(2) The expected life of stock options is estimated based on historical experience.

(3) Expected volatility is based on the average of historical and implied volatility. The historical volatility is determined by observing actual prices of the Company’s stock over a period commensurate with the expected life of the awards. The implied volatility represents the implied volatility of the Company’s call options, which are actively traded on multiple exchanges, had remaining maturities in excess of twelve months, had market prices close to the exercise prices of the employee stock options and were measured on the stock option grant date. 

(4) Based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturity interest rate whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options.

Changes in the Company’s stock options for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 were as follows:

The weighted average fair value for the stock options granted during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $20.96 and $22.28, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregate intrinsic value for options outstanding as of November 29, 2014 was 4.1 years and $94.7 million, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual term and the aggregate intrinsic value for options exercisable as of November 29, 2014 was 2.9 years and $73.3 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value for stock options exercised during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $19.4 million and $44.4 million, respectively.

Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 were $24.8 million and the net associated income tax benefit was $10.5 million.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant and generally become vested in five equal annual installments beginning one to three years from the date of grant, subject, in general, to the recipient remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. Vesting of restricted stock awarded to certain of the Company’s executives is dependent on the Company’s achievement of a performance-based test for the fiscal year of grant and, assuming achievement of the performance-based test, time vesting, subject, in general, to the executive remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. The Company recognizes compensation expense related to these awards based on the assumption that the performance-based test will be achieved. Vesting of restricted stock awarded to the Company’s other employees is based solely on time vesting.

Changes in the Company’s restricted stock for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 were as follows:

Performance Share Units

Performance share units (“PSUs”) are issued and measured at fair market value on the date of grant. Vesting of PSUs awarded to certain of the Company’s executives is dependent on the Company’s achievement of a performance-based test during a one-year period from the date of grant and during a three-year period from the date of grant and, assuming achievement of the performance-based test, time vesting, subject, in general, to the executive remaining in the Company’s service on specified vesting dates. Performance during the one-year period will be based on Earnings Before Income Tax (“EBIT”) margin relative to a peer group of the Company comprising 50 companies selected within the first 90 days of the performance period. Upon achievement of the one-year performance-based test, the corresponding PSUs will vest annually in substantially equal installments over a three year period starting one year from the date of grant. Performance during the three-year period will be based on Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) relative to such peer group. Upon achievement of the three-year performance-based test, the corresponding PSUs will vest on the fourth anniversary date of grant. The awards based on EBIT margin and ROIC are capped at 150% of target achievement, with a floor of zero. PSUs are converted into shares of common stock upon payment following vesting. Upon grant of the PSUs, the Company recognizes compensation expense related to these awards based on the assumption that 100% of the target award will be achieved. The Company evaluates the target assumption on a quarterly basis and adjusts compensation expense related to these awards, as appropriate. Prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company had not granted any PSUs. For the nine months ended November 29, 2014, the Company granted 390,803 PSUs with a weighted average grant date fair value of $62.34.

9) Earnings Per Share

The Company presents earnings per share on a basic and diluted basis. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, including the dilutive effect of stock-based awards as calculated under the treasury stock method.

Stock-based awards for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 of approximately 1.6 million and 1.9 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2013 of approximately 1.0 million and 1.2 million, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

10) Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The Company paid income taxes of $432.2 million and $435.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, the Company had interest payments of approximately $6.8 million and $6.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company recorded an accrual for capital expenditures of $18.5 million and $24.1 million as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively.

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

Overview

Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a retailer which operates under the names Bed Bath & Beyond (“BBB”), Christmas Tree Shops, Christmas Tree Shops andThat! or andThat! (collectively, “CTS”), Harmon or Harmon Face Values (collectively, “Harmon”), buybuy BABY (“Baby”) and World Market, Cost Plus World Market or Cost Plus (collectively, “Cost Plus World Market”). Customers can purchase products from the Company either in store, online or through a mobile device. The Company has the developing ability to have customer purchases picked up in store or shipped direct to the customer from the Company’s distribution facilities, stores or vendors. The Company also operates Linen Holdings, a provider of a variety of textile products, amenities and other goods to institutional customers in the hospitality, cruise line, food service, healthcare and other industries. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which operates five retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

The Company accounts for its operations as two operating segments: North American Retail and Institutional Sales. The Institutional Sales operating segment, which is comprised of Linen Holdings, does not meet the quantitative thresholds under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and therefore is not a reportable segment.

The Company sells a wide assortment of domestics merchandise and home furnishings. Domestics merchandise includes categories such as bed linens and related items, bath items and kitchen textiles. Home furnishings include categories such as kitchen and tabletop items, fine tabletop, basic housewares, general home furnishings, consumables and certain juvenile products.

The Company’s objective is to be a customer’s first choice for products and services in the categories offered, in the markets, channels and countries in which the Company operates. This objective includes servicing customers, as they express their lifestyles and throughout their various life stages, wherever and whenever a customer wants to interact with the Company whether in-store, online, through a mobile device, or any combination of these channels to provide a seamless customer experience. The Company’s strategy is to achieve this objective through excellent customer service, an extensive breadth, depth and differentiated assortment in an omnichannel retail environment and the introduction of new merchandising offerings, supported by the continuous development and improvement of its infrastructure.

Operating in the highly competitive retail industry, the Company, along with other retail companies, is influenced by a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions including the housing market, unemployment levels and commodity prices; the overall macroeconomic environment and related changes in the retailing environment; consumer preferences and spending habits; unusual weather patterns and natural disasters; competition from existing and potential competitors; evolving technology; and the ability to find suitable locations at acceptable occupancy costs and other terms to support the Company’s expansion program. The Company cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which these factors could affect the Company’s operating results.

The following represents an overview of the Company’s financial performance for the periods indicated:

Comparable sales include sales consummated through all retail channels which have been operating for twelve full months following the opening period (typically four to six weeks). The Company is an omnichannel retailer with capabilities that allow a customer to use more than one channel when making a purchase, including in-store, online and mobile channels, and have it fulfilled, in most cases, either through in-store customer pickup or by direct shipment to the customer from one of the Company’s distribution facilities, stores or vendors.

Sales consummated on a mobile device while physically in a store location are recorded as customer facing online websites and mobile applications sales. Customer orders reserved online and picked up in a store are recorded as an in-store sale. In-store sales are reduced by sales originally consummated from customer facing online websites and mobile applications and subsequently returned in-store.

Stores relocated or expanded are excluded from comparable sales if the change in square footage would cause meaningful disparity in sales over the prior period. In the case of a store to be closed, such store’s sales are not considered comparable once the store closing process has commenced. Linen Holdings is excluded from the comparable sales calculations and will continue to be excluded on an ongoing basis as it represents non-retail activity. Cost Plus World Market was excluded from the comparable sales calculations through the end of the fiscal first half of 2013, and is included beginning with the fiscal third quarter of 2013.

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 were $231.0 million and $228.9 million, respectively. Slightly more than half of the current year capital expenditures were for technology enhancements with the remaining balance being used primarily for new stores, existing store improvements and other projects important to the Company’s future. The Company remains committed to making the required investments in its infrastructure to help position the Company for continued growth and success. The Company continues to review and prioritize its capital needs while continuing to make investments, principally for information technology enhancements, new stores, existing store improvements, and other projects whose impact is considered important to its future.

Several of the Company’s key initiatives include: continuing to add new functionality and assortment to its selling websites, mobile sites and applications; continuing the deployment of systems, equipment and increased bandwidth in the Company’s stores, which enable store associates to optimize the Company’s shipping costs for home deliveries as well as improve inventory ordering and work force management and will enable customer Wi-Fi and new multi-function devices for store associates; improving customer data integration and customer relations management capabilities; continuing to strengthen and deepen its information technology, analytics, marketing and e-commerce groups; furthering the development work necessary for a new and more robust point of sale system; and opening an additional distribution facility to support the growing direct to customer shipments and store fulfillment for health and beauty care offerings. These investments are expected to, among others, provide a seamless and compelling customer experience across the Company’s in-store, online and mobile shopping environments.

During the nine months ended November 29, 2014, the Company opened a total of 17 new stores and closed three stores. During fiscal 2014, including the stores opened through November 29, 2014, the Company expects to open approximately 22 new stores company-wide. In addition, the Company plans to continue to optimize its store operations and market coverage by expanding, downsizing, renovating, opening, closing and relocating stores. During fiscal 2014, the Company expects to continue to enhance its omnichannel capabilities, through, among other things, continuing to add new functionality and assortment to its selling websites, mobile sites and applications and continuing its deployment of systems, equipment and increased bandwidth to the Company’s stores.

On July 17, 2014, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 3.749% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”), $300 million aggregate principal amount of 4.915% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2034 (the “2034 Notes”) and $900 million aggregate principal amount of 5.165% senior unsecured notes due August 1, 2044 (the “2044 Notes” and, together with the 2024 Notes and the 2034 Notes, the “Notes”). The aggregate net proceeds from the Notes were approximately $1.5 billion, which was used for share repurchases of the Company’s common stock and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2015.

On August 6, 2014, the Company entered into a $250 million five year senior unsecured revolving credit facility agreement (“Revolver”) with various lenders. During the period from August 6, 2014 through November 29, 2014, the Company did not have any borrowings under the Revolver.

On July 17, 2014, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (“ASR”) with an investment bank to repurchase an aggregate $1.1 billion of the Company’s common stock. As part of the ASR, the Company received an initial delivery of approximately 15.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of approximately $935 million. The initial delivery of 15.4 million shares reduced the outstanding shares used to determine the Company’s weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share. In December 2014, subsequent to the end of the fiscal third quarter, the ASR was completed and the final number of shares repurchased under the ASR was based on the Company’s volume weighted average price per its common share over the ASR period less a discount.

During the three months ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 10,000 and 2.3 million shares, respectively, of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $0.7 million and $171.0 million, respectively. During the nine months ended November 29, 2014, including the initial delivery of approximately 15.4 million shares under the ASR, the Company repurchased approximately 21.1 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $1.3 billion. During the nine months ended November 30, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 10.8 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of approximately $752.2 million. The Company’s share repurchase program could change, and would be influenced by several factors, including business and market conditions. In addition, the Company reviews its alternatives with respect to its capital structure on an ongoing basis.

Results of Operations

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended November 29, 2014 were $2.943 billion, an increase of $78.1 million or approximately 2.7% over net sales of $2.865 billion for the corresponding quarter last year. For the three months ended November 29, 2014, approximately 60% of the increase was attributable to an increase in comparable sales and the remainder was primarily attributable to an increase in the Company’s new store sales. For the nine months ended November 29, 2014, net sales were $8.545 billion, an increase of $243.9 million or approximately 2.9% over net sales of $8.301 billion for the corresponding nine months last year. For the nine months ended November 29, 2014, approximately 62% of the increase was attributable to an increase in comparable sales and the remainder was primarily attributable to an increase in the Company’s new store sales.

The increase in comparable sales for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 was approximately 1.7% and 1.9%, respectively, as compared with an increase of approximately 1.3% and 2.7% for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2013, respectively. The increases in comparable sales for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 were due to increases in both the average transaction amount and the number of transactions.

The Company’s comparable sales metric considers sales consummated through all retail channels – in-store, online and through a mobile device. Customers today may take advantage of the Company’s omnichannel environment by using more than one channel when making a purchase. The Company believes an integrated experience must exist among these channels to provide a seamless customer experience. A few examples are: a customer may be assisted by an in-store associate to create a wedding or baby registry, while the guests may ultimately purchase a gift from the Company’s websites; or, a customer may research a particular item, and read other customer reviews on the Company’s websites before visiting a store to consummate the actual purchase; or a customer may reserve an item online for in store pick up; or while in a store, a customer may make the purchase on a mobile device for in home delivery from either a distribution facility, a store or directly from a vendor. In addition, the Company accepts returns in store without regard to the channel in which the purchase was consummated, therefore resulting in reducing store sales by sales originally consummated through customer facing online websites and mobile applications. As the Company’s retail operations are integrated and it cannot reasonably track the channel in which the ultimate sale is initiated, the Company can however provide directional information on where the sale was consummated.

For the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014, comparable sales consummated through customer facing online websites and mobile applications increased in excess of 40% and 50%, respectively, over the corresponding three and nine month periods last year, while comparable sales consummated in-store were relatively flat over the corresponding three and nine month periods last year.

For the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014, comparable sales represented $2.868 billion and $8.290 billion, respectively, of net sales and for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2013, comparable sales represented $2.785 billion and $7.578 billion, respectively, of net sales.

Sales of domestics merchandise and home furnishings for the Company accounted for approximately 36% and 64% of net sales, respectively, for the three months ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013. Sales of domestics merchandise and home furnishings for the Company accounted for approximately 37% and 63% of net sales, respectively, for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 and approximately 38% and 62% of net sales, respectively, for the nine months ended November 30, 2013.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended November 29, 2014 was $1.129 billion, or 38.4% of net sales, compared with $1.122 billion, or 39.2% of net sales, for the three months ended November 30, 2013. The decrease in the gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended November 29, 2014 was primarily attributed to, in order of magnitude, first, an increase in coupon expense resulting from an increase in redemptions, partially offset by a slight decrease in the average coupon amount, and second, an increase in net direct to customer shipping expense, which was impacted by a reduction in the bedbathandbeyond.com free shipping threshold, which will anniversary in February 2015.

Gross profit for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 was $3.294 billion, or 38.5% of net sales, compared with $3.268 billion, or 39.4% of net sales, for the nine months ended November 30, 2013. The decrease in the gross profit margin as a percentage of net sales for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 was primarily attributed to, in order of magnitude, first, an increase in coupon expense resulting from an increase in redemptions and a slight increase in the average coupon amount, and second, an increase in net direct to customer shipping expense, which was impacted by a reduction in the bedbathandbeyond.com free shipping threshold, which will anniversary in February 2015. Additionally, a shift in the mix of merchandise sold to lower margin categories also contributed to the decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A for the three months ended November 29, 2014 was $776.3 million, or 26.4% of net sales, compared with $747.0 million, or 26.1% of net sales, for the three months ended November 30, 2013. SG&A for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 was $2.272 billion, or 26.6% of net sales, compared with $2.181 billion, or 26.3% of net sales, for the nine months ended November 30, 2013. The percentage of net sales increases in SG&A for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 were primarily due to increased technology expenses and related depreciation and increased advertising expenses, partially offset by the year over year net benefits of certain non-recurring items, primarily relating to credit card fee litigation in the fiscal third quarter of 2014. The increase in technology expenses and related depreciation, as a percentage of net sales, represented approximately 40 basis points for both the fiscal third quarter and nine months ended November 29, 2014 as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The year over year favorable net benefits of certain non-recurring items, as a percentage of net sales, represented approximately 30 basis points and 10 basis points for the fiscal third quarter and nine months ended November 29, 2014, respectively, over the same periods in the prior year.

Operating Profit

Operating profit for the three months ended November 29, 2014 was $352.7 million, or 12.0% of net sales, compared with $374.6 million, or 13.1% of net sales, during the comparable period last year. For the nine months ended November 29, 2014, operating profit was $1.022 billion, or 12.0% of net sales, compared with $1.088 billion, or 13.1% of net sales, during the comparable period last year. The changes in operating profit as a percentage of net sales were the result of the changes in gross profit margin and SG&A as a percentage of net sales as described above.

The Company believes operating margin compression is likely to continue in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2014 including increases in, as a percentage of net sales, coupon expense, net direct to customer shipping expense and technology expense and depreciation related to the Company’s ongoing investments.

Interest (Expense) Income, net

Interest expense for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 was $19.6 million and $31.2 million, respectively, compared to interest income of $1.3 million and interest expense of $0.6 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2013. The increases in interest expense, net for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 were primarily a result of the interest related to the Notes issued in July 2014.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended November 29, 2014 was 32.3% compared with 36.9% for the three months ended November 30, 2013. The tax rate for the three months ended November 29, 2014 included net benefits of approximately $16.7 million, primarily due to the recognition of favorable discrete state tax items and the favorable resolution in the quarter of certain discrete tax items from ongoing income tax examinations. The tax rate for the three months ended November 30, 2013 included net benefits of approximately $4.9 million, primarily due to the recognition of favorable discrete tax items.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 was 35.8% compared with 36.6% for the nine months ended November 30, 2013. The tax rate for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 included net benefits of approximately $19.3 million, primarily due to the recognition of favorable discrete federal and state tax items and the favorable resolution in the quarter of certain discrete tax items from ongoing income tax examinations. The tax rate for the nine months ended November 2013 included net benefits of approximately $17.2 million primarily due to the recognition of favorable discrete tax items.

The Company expects continued volatility in the effective tax rate from quarter to quarter because the Company is required each quarter to determine whether new information changes the assessment of both the probability that a tax position will effectively be sustained and the appropriateness of the amount of recognized benefit.

Net Earnings

As a result of the factors described above, net earnings for the three and nine months ended November 29, 2014 were $225.4 million and $636.4 million, respectively, compared with $237.2 million and $689.0 million for the corresponding period in fiscal 2013.

Expansion Program

The Company is engaged in an ongoing expansion program involving the evolution of its omnichannel shopping environment, the optimization of its store operations and market coverage by expanding, downsizing, renovating, opening, closing and relocating stores and the continuous review of strategic acquisitions.

As of November 29, 2014, the Company operated 1,510 stores plus its various websites, other interactive platforms and distribution facilities. The Company’s 1,510 stores operate in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada, including: 1,019 BBB stores, 270 Cost Plus World Market stores, 93 Baby stores, 78 CTS stores and 50 Harmon stores. During the nine months ended November 29, 2014, the Company opened a total of 17 new stores and closed three stores. At the end of the third quarter of 2014, Company-wide total store square footage, net of openings and closings for all of its concepts, was approximately 43.0 million square feet. The Company also operates websites at bedbathandbeyond.com, christmastreeshops.com, harmondiscount.com, buybuybaby.com and worldmarket.com. Additionally, the Company is a partner in a joint venture which opened one store in the first nine months of fiscal 2014 and as of November 29, 2014, operated a total of five retail stores in Mexico under the name Bed Bath & Beyond.

The Company plans to continue to expand its operations and invest in its infrastructure to reach its long term objectives. During fiscal 2014, including the stores opened through November 29, 2014, the Company expects to open approximately 22 new stores company-wide. Additionally, in connection with leveraging its merchandise offerings and optimizing its operations, the Company continues to expand, across selected stores, the number of specialty departments such as, health and beauty care, baby, specialty food and beverage. The continued growth of the Company is dependent, in part, upon the Company’s ability to execute its expansion program successfully. Additionally, during fiscal 2014, the Company plans to continue to add new functionality and assortment to its selling websites, mobile sites and applications; continue the deployment of systems, equipment and increased bandwidth in the Company’s stores, which enable store associates to optimize the Company’s shipping costs for home deliveries, improve inventory ordering and work force management and will enable customer Wi-Fi and new multi-function devices for store associates; improve customer data integration and customer relations management capabilities; continue to strengthen and deepen its information technology, analytics, marketing and e-commerce groups; further the development work necessary for a new and more robust point of sale system; and open an additional distribution facility to support the growing direct to customer shipments and store fulfillment for health and beauty care offerings.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company has been able to finance its operations, including its expansion program, through internally generated funds and supplemented by borrowings through the Notes. For fiscal 2014, the Company believes that it can continue to finance its operations, including its expansion program, share repurchases, planned capital expenditures and debt service obligations, through existing and internally generated funds, the Notes and potential borrowings under the Revolver. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2014 are planned to be approximately $330 million, with slightly more than half for information technology enhancements, including omnichannel capabilities, and the remainder for new stores, existing store improvements, and other projects. These planned capital expenditures are subject to the timing and composition of the projects. In addition, the Company reviews its alternatives with respect to its capital structure on an ongoing basis.

On July 17, 2014, the Company issued the Notes. The aggregate net proceeds from the Notes were approximately $1.5 billion, which was used for share repurchases of the Company’s common stock and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, beginning on February 1, 2015.

On August 6, 2014, the Company entered into the Revolver with various lenders. During the period from August 6, 2014 through November 29, 2014, the Company did not have any borrowings under the Revolver.

On July 17, 2014, the Company entered into an ASR with an investment bank to repurchase an aggregate $1.1 billion of the Company’s common stock. As part of the ASR, the Company received an initial delivery of approximately 15.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of approximately $935 million. In December 2014, subsequent to the end of the fiscal third quarter, the ASR was completed and the final number of shares repurchased under the ASR was based on the Company’s volume weighted average price per its common share over the ASR period less a discount.

Fiscal 2014 compared to Fiscal 2013

Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 was $504.2 million, compared with $601.9 million in the corresponding period in fiscal 2013. Year over year, the Company experienced a decrease in net earnings and an increase in cash used by the net components of working capital (primarily merchandise inventories, partially offset by accrued expenses and other current liabilities).

Retail inventory at cost per square foot was $70.43 as of November 29, 2014, compared to $66.89 as of November 30, 2013.

Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 was $123.4 million, compared with net cash used in investing activities of $5.3 million in the corresponding period of fiscal 2013. For the nine months ended November 29, 2014, net cash provided by investing activities was primarily due to $354.4 million of redemptions of investment securities, net of purchases, partially offset by $231.0 million of capital expenditures. For the nine months ended November 30, 2013, net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to $228.9 million of capital expenditures, partially offset by $227.0 million of redemptions of investment securities, net of purchases.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended November 29, 2014 was $49.7 million, compared with net cash used in financing activities of $690.5 million in the corresponding period of fiscal 2013. The increase in net cash provided was primarily due to proceeds from the issuance of the Notes of $1.5 billion, partially offset by an increase in common stock repurchases of $551.7 million, which includes the initial delivery of shares under the ASR, a $165.0 million prepayment under the ASR and a $29.6 million decrease in cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Seasonality

The Company’s sales exhibit seasonality with sales levels generally higher in the calendar months of August, November and December, and generally lower in February.

Critical Accounting Policies

See “Critical Accounting Policies” under Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 1, 2014 (“2013 Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and incorporated by reference herein. There were no changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the first nine months of fiscal 2014.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements. Many of these forward-looking statements can be identified by use of words such as may, will, expect, anticipate, approximate, estimate, assume, continue, model, project, plan, and similar words and phrases. The Company’s actual results and future financial condition may differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Such factors include, without limitation: general economic conditions including the housing market, a challenging overall macroeconomic environment and related changes in the retailing environment; consumer preferences and spending habits; demographics and other macroeconomic factors that may impact the level of spending for the types of merchandise sold by the Company; civil disturbances and terrorist acts; unusual weather patterns and natural disasters; competition from existing and potential competitors; competition from other channels of distribution; pricing pressures; liquidity; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees in all areas of the organization; the cost of labor, merchandise and other costs and expenses; the ability to find suitable locations at acceptable occupancy costs and other terms to support the Company’s expansion program; the ability to assess and implement technologies in support of the Company’s development of its omnichannel capabilities; uncertainty in financial markets; disruptions to the Company’s information technology systems including but not limited to security breaches of systems protecting consumer and employee information; reputational risk arising from challenges to the Company’s or a third party supplier’s compliance with various laws, regulations or standards, including those related to labor, health, safety, privacy or the environment; changes to statutory, regulatory and legal requirements; new, or developments in existing, litigation, claims or assessments; changes to, or new, tax laws or interpretation of existing tax laws; changes to, or new, accounting standards including, without limitation, changes to lease accounting standards; and the integration of acquired businesses. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update its forward-looking statements.

Available Information

The Company makes available as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC, free of charge, through its website, www.bedbathandbeyond.com, the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, electronically filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s investment securities. The Company’s market risks at November 29, 2014 are similar to those disclosed in Item 7A of the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 240.13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of November 29, 2014 (the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q). Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by our management in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The Company is party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, which the Company does not believe to be material to the Company’s business or financial condition.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this Form 10-Q, carefully consider the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These risks could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks are not the only risks the Company faces. The Company’s operations could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to the Company or by factors that the Company currently considers immaterial to its business.

The following risk factor has been added to address the Company’s incurrence of indebtedness under senior unsecured notes and its entering into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility, and is a supplement to the risk factors previously disclosed  under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s 2013 Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company’s business would be adversely affected if the Company is unable to service its debt obligations.

The Company has incurred indebtedness under senior unsecured notes and has entered into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility. The Company’s ability to pay interest and principal when due, comply with debt covenants or repurchase the senior unsecured notes if a change of control occurs, will depend upon, among other things, sales and cash flow levels and other factors that affect its future financial and operating performance, including prevailing economic conditions and financial and business factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control.

If the Company becomes unable in the future to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its debt service requirements, it may be forced to take remedial actions such as restructuring or refinancing its debt; seeking additional debt or equity capital; reducing or delaying its business activities, or selling assets. There can be no assurance that any such measures would be successful.

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

The Company’s purchases of its common stock during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 were as follows:

(1) Between December 2004 and July 2014, the Company's Board of Directors authorized, through several share repurchase programs, the repurchase of $9.450 billion of its shares of common stock. The Company has authorization to make repurchases from time to time in the open market or through other parameters approved by the Board of Directors pursuant to existing rules and regulations. Shares purchased indicated in this table also include the withholding of a portion of restricted shares to cover taxes on vested restricted shares.

(2) Excludes brokerage commissions paid by the Company.

(3) In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company paid $1.1 billion under an accelerated share repurchase agreement ("ASR") and received an initial delivery of approximately 15.4 million shares.  The initial delivery of shares was reflected in the activity shown in the second quarter of fiscal 2014.  In December 2014, subsequent to the end of the fiscal third quarter, the ASR was completed and the remaining shares received will be reflected in the activity for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014.

Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits to this Report are listed in the Exhibit Index included elsewhere herein.

SIGNATURES

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

EXHIBIT INDEX

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