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ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO /DE/ - Quarter Report: 2010 July (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2010
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     .
Commission File Number 1-12107
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   31-1469076
     
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)    
6301 Fitch Path, New Albany, Ohio 43054
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (614) 283-6500
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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. þ Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).) þ Yes o No
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.
             
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes þ No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
     
Class A Common Stock   Outstanding at September 3, 2010
$.01 Par Value   88,276,729 Shares
 
 

 

 


 

ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
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 Exhibit 4.7
 Exhibit 4.12
 Exhibit 4.14
 Exhibit 10.48
 Exhibit 15
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    July 31,     August 1,     July 31,     August 1,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
NET SALES
  $ 745,798     $ 637,221     $ 1,433,602     $ 1,238,951  
Cost of Goods Sold
    260,450       212,705       516,838       432,982  
 
                       
GROSS PROFIT
    485,348       424,516       916,764       805,969  
Stores and Distribution Expense
    364,482       332,296       718,892       662,606  
Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    95,206       86,666       191,838       173,011  
Other Operating Income, Net
    (1,900 )     (3,333 )     (2,814 )     (4,657 )
 
                       
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    27,560       8,887       8,848       (24,991 )
Interest Expense (Income), Net
    807       (1,779 )     1,632       (3,153 )
 
                       
INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE TAXES
    26,753       10,666       7,216       (21,838 )
Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations
    7,274       18,856       (435 )     9,456  
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
  $ 19,479     $ (8,190 )   $ 7,651     $ (31,294 )
 
                       
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, Net of Tax
  $     $ (18,557 )   $     $ (54,692 )
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 19,479     $ (26,747 )   $ 7,651     $ (85,986 )
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
                               
BASIC
  $ 0.22     $ (0.09 )   $ 0.09     $ (0.36 )
 
                       
DILUTED
  $ 0.22     $ (0.09 )   $ 0.09     $ (0.36 )
 
                       
NET LOSS PER SHARE FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
                               
BASIC
  $     $ (0.21 )   $     $ (0.62 )
 
                       
DILUTED
  $     $ (0.21 )   $     $ (0.62 )
 
                       
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:
                               
BASIC
  $ 0.22     $ (0.30 )   $ 0.09     $ (0.98 )
 
                       
DILUTED
  $ 0.22     $ (0.30 )   $ 0.09     $ (0.98 )
 
                       
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
                               
BASIC
    88,220       87,878       88,157       87,788  
DILUTED
    89,386       87,878       89,561       87,788  
 
                       
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE
  $ 0.175     $ 0.175     $ 0.35     $ 0.35  
 
                       
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
                               
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
  $ 2,448     $ 7,813     $ (2,235 )   $ 8,001  
Unrealized gain (loss) on Marketable Securities, net of taxes of $(2,128) and $1,118 for the thirteen week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively, and $(1,965) and $1,595 for the twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively
    3,624       (1,905 )     3,346       (2,715 )
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative financial instruments, net of taxes of $397 and $1,908 for the thirteen week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively, and $(324) and $2,666 for the twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively
    (676 )     (3,249 )     553       (4,539 )
 
                       
Other Comprehensive Income
  $ 5,396     $ 2,659     $ 1,664     $ 747  
 
                       
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 24,875     $ (24,088 )   $ 9,315     $ (85,239 )
 
                       
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    July 31, 2010     January 30, 2010  
ASSETS
               
 
               
CURRENT ASSETS:
               
Cash and Equivalents
  $ 613,633     $ 680,113  
Marketable Securities
          32,356  
Receivables
    83,777       90,865  
Inventories
    480,128       310,645  
Deferred Income Taxes
    56,025       44,570  
Other Current Assets
    85,083       77,297  
 
           
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    1,318,646       1,235,846  
 
               
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
    1,204,349       1,244,019  
 
               
NON-CURRENT MARKETABLE SECURITIES
    127,536       141,794  
 
               
OTHER ASSETS
    206,332       200,207  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 2,856,863     $ 2,821,866  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accounts Payable
  $ 205,025     $ 150,134  
Accrued Expenses
    238,425       246,289  
Deferred Lease Credits
    43,361       43,597  
Income Taxes Payable
    31,229       9,352  
 
           
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    518,040       449,372  
 
               
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
               
Deferred Income Taxes
    47,649       47,142  
Deferred Lease Credits
    202,949       212,052  
Long-Term Debt
    75,967       71,213  
Other Liabilities
    192,561       214,170  
 
           
TOTAL LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
    519,126       544,577  
 
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
               
Class A Common Stock — $0.01 par value: 150,000 shares authorized and 103,300 shares issued at each of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010
    1,033       1,033  
Paid-In Capital
    340,752       339,453  
Retained Earnings
    2,160,506       2,183,690  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net of tax
    (7,309 )     (8,973 )
Treasury Stock, at Average Cost — 15,054 and 15,314 shares at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively
    (675,285 )     (687,286 )
 
           
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    1,819,697       1,827,917  
 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 2,856,863     $ 2,821,866  
 
           
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009  
 
               
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net Income (Loss)
  $ 7,651     $ (85,986 )
 
               
Impact of Other Operating Activities on Cash Flows:
               
Depreciation and Amortization
    112,403       118,391  
Non-Cash Charge for Asset Impairment
    2,247       51,536  
Amortization of Deferred Lease Credits
    (23,173 )     (21,796 )
Share-Based Compensation
    19,919       17,280  
Tax Deficiency from Share-Based Compensation
    (2,236 )     (4,937 )
Deferred Taxes
    (12,784 )     (28,829 )
Loss on Disposal / Write-off of Assets
    1,835       6,171  
Lessor Construction Allowances
    18,227       18,763  
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
               
Inventories
    (169,453 )     47,850  
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
    33,628       (370 )
Income Taxes
    22,233       (15,391 )
Other Assets and Liabilities
    (32,219 )     (55,690 )
 
           
NET CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    (21,722 )     46,992  
 
               
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Capital Expenditures
    (59,754 )     (106,726 )
Purchase of Trust-Owned Life Insurance Policies
    (11,583 )     (6,526 )
Proceeds from Sales of Marketable Securities
    63,567       18,201  
 
           
NET CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (7,770 )     (95,051 )
 
               
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from Share-Based Compensation
    494       1,508  
Repayment of Borrowings under Credit Agreement
          (100,000 )
Proceeds from Borrowings under Credit Agreement
          36,446  
Change in Outstanding Checks and Other
    (6,302 )     (17,238 )
Dividends Paid
    (30,836 )     (30,712 )
 
           
NET CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    (36,644 )     (109,996 )
 
               
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH
    (344 )     2,417  
 
           
 
               
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND EQUIVALENTS:
    (66,480 )     (155,638 )
Cash and Equivalents, Beginning of Period
    680,113       522,122  
 
           
 
               
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
  $ 613,633     $ 366,484  
 
           
 
               
SIGNIFICANT NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Change in Accrual for Construction in Progress
  $ 13,512     $ (1,528 )
 
           
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (“A&F”), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, A&F and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are referred to as the “Company”), is a specialty retailer of high-quality, casual apparel for men, women and kids with an active, youthful lifestyle.
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the historical financial statements of, and transactions applicable to, the Company and reflect its assets, liabilities, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal years are designated in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes by the calendar year in which the fiscal year commences. All references herein to “Fiscal 2010” represent the 52-week fiscal year that will end on January 29, 2011, and to “Fiscal 2009” represent the 52-week fiscal year that ended January 30, 2010.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of July 31, 2010 and for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto contained in A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2009 filed on March 29, 2010. The January 30, 2010 condensed consolidated balance sheet data were derived from audited consolidated financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (which are of a normal recurring nature) necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be anticipated for Fiscal 2010.
On June 16, 2009, A&F’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s 29 RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations. The Company completed the closure of the RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2009. Accordingly, the results of operations of RUEHL are reflected in Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009. Results from discontinued operations were immaterial for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010.
The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of July 31, 2010 and for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 included herein have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and the report of such firm follows the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) for their report on the condensed consolidated financial statements because their report is not a “report” or a “part” of a registration statement prepared or certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

 

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2. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company determines its operating segments on the same basis that it uses to evaluate performance internally. The operating segments identified by the Company are Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister and Gilly Hicks. The operating segments have been aggregated and are reported as one reportable segment because they have similar economic characteristics and meet the required aggregation criteria. The Company believes its operating segments may be aggregated for financial reporting purposes because they are similar in each of the following areas: class of consumer, economic characteristics, nature of products, nature of production processes, and distribution methods.
Geographic Information
Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by geographic area follows:
Net Sales:
Net sales includes net merchandise sales through stores and direct-to-consumer operations, including shipping and handling revenue. Net sales are reported by geographic area based on the location of the customer.
                                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
(in thousands):   July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009     July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009  
United States
  $ 612,586     $ 565,054     $ 1,181,376     $ 1,107,963  
International
    133,212       72,167       252,226       130,988  
 
                       
Total
  $ 745,798     $ 637,221     $ 1,433,602     $ 1,238,951  
 
                       
Long-Lived Assets:
                 
(in thousands):   July 31, 2010     January 30, 2010  
United States
  $ 1,082,033     $ 1,137,844  
International
    222,936       194,461  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,304,969     $ 1,332,305  
 
           
Long-lived assets included in the table above include primarily property and equipment (net), store supplies and lease deposits.

 

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3. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Financial Statement Impact
The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $10.4 million and $19.9 million for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010, respectively, and $8.3 million and $17.3 million for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 1, 2009, respectively. The Company also recognized $3.8 million and $7.1 million in tax benefits related to share-based compensation for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010, respectively, and $3.0 million and $6.4 million in tax benefits related to share-based compensation for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 1, 2009, respectively.
For share-based compensation that is expected to result in a tax deduction, a deferred tax asset is established at the time the Company recognizes share-based compensation expense. The actual tax deduction for share-based compensation generally occurs after an equity award vests or is exercised and is principally measured at the equity award’s intrinsic value at the time of vesting or exercise. If the tax deduction exceeds the recorded deferred tax asset, an excess tax benefit is recorded to a “pool of windfall tax benefits” account, as a component of additional paid-in capital. If the tax deduction is less than the recorded deferred tax asset, a “shortfall” is recorded against the “pool of windfall tax benefits” account to the extent of prior recognized aggregate “windfalls” with any remaining amount charged to tax expense. As of July 31, 2010, the “pool of windfall tax benefits” account had a balance of $83.7 million, which is sufficient to fully absorb any “shortfall” associated with existing outstanding equity awards.
The Company adjusts share-based compensation expense on a quarterly basis for actual forfeitures and for changes to the estimate of expected award forfeitures based on historical forfeiture experience. The effects of adjustments for forfeitures was $3.2 million and $1.3 million during the twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively.
A&F issues shares of Class A Common Stock (“Common Stock”) for stock option and stock appreciation right exercises and restricted stock unit vestings from treasury stock. As of July 31, 2010, A&F had sufficient treasury stock available to settle stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units outstanding without having to repurchase additional shares of Common Stock. Settlement of stock awards in Common Stock also requires that the Company has sufficient shares available in stockholder-approved plans at the applicable time.
For stock appreciation rights where the Company has the option to settle in stock or cash, the Company uses the equity method to account for awards for which it has the intent and ability to settle in shares of Common Stock.
Fair Value Estimates
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options and stock appreciation rights granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires the Company to estimate the expected term of the stock options and stock appreciation rights and expected future stock price volatility over the expected term. Estimates of expected terms, which represent the expected periods of time the Company believes stock options and stock appreciation rights will be outstanding, are based on historical experience. Estimates of expected future stock price volatility are based on the volatility of A&F’s Common Stock price for the most recent historical period equal to the expected term of the stock option or stock appreciation right, as appropriate. The Company calculates the volatility as the annualized standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the weekly stock closing price, adjusted for stock splits and dividends.
In the case of restricted stock units, the Company calculates the fair value of the restricted stock units granted as the market price of the underlying Common Stock on the date of grant adjusted for anticipated dividend payments during the vesting period.

 

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Stock Options
The Company did not grant any stock options during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010. The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted during the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009, and the weighted-average assumptions used in calculating such fair value, on the date of grant, were as follows:
         
    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    August 1, 2009  
 
Grant date market price
  $ 22.87  
Exercise price
  $ 22.87  
Fair value
  $ 8.26  
 
       
Assumptions:
       
Price volatility
    50 %
Expected term (Years)
    4.1  
Risk-free interest rate
    1.6 %
Dividend yield
    1.7 %
Below is a summary of stock option activity for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010:
                                 
                            Weighted-Average  
    Number of     Weighted-Average     Aggregate Intrinsic     Remaining  
Stock Options   Shares     Exercise Price     Value     Contractual Life  
Outstanding at January 30, 2010
    2,969,861     $ 38.36                  
Granted
                           
Exercised
    (17,556 )     29.34                  
Forfeited or cancelled
    (23,500 )     72.83                  
 
                           
Outstanding at July 31, 2010
    2,928,805     $ 38.14     $ 22,075,266       2.9  
 
                       
 
                               
Stock options exercisable at July 31, 2010
    2,681,017     $ 35.91     $ 20,967,456       2.5  
 
                       
 
                               
Stock options expected to become exercisable at July 31, 2010
    228,976     $ 62.36     $ 1,011,962       7.4  
 
                       
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 was immaterial.
The grant date fair value of stock options vested during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 was $3.7 million and $5.0 million, respectively.
As of July 31, 2010, there was $3.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock options. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.8 years.

 

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Stock Appreciation Rights
The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock appreciation rights granted during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, and the weighted-average assumptions used in calculating such fair value, on the date of grant, were as follows:
                                                 
    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    Chairman and Chief     Executive Officers        
    Executive     (excluding Chairman and        
    Officer     Chief Executive Officer)     All Other Associates  
    July 31,     August 1,     July 31,     August 1,     July 31,     August 1,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  
Grant date market price
  $ 44.86     $ 20.75     $ 44.86     $ 25.77     $ 44.86     $ 25.68  
Exercise price
  $ 44.86     $ 25.94     $ 44.86     $ 25.77     $ 44.86     $ 25.68  
Fair value
  $ 16.96     $ 7.13     $ 16.99     $ 10.06     $ 16.68     $ 9.82  
Assumptions:
                                               
Price volatility
    50 %     45 %     51 %     52 %     52 %     53 %
Expected term (Years)
    4.7       6.2       4.5       4.5       4.1       4.1  
Risk-free interest rate
    2.3 %     2.3 %     2.3 %     1.6 %     2.1 %     1.6 %
Dividend yield
    2.1 %     1.7 %     2.1 %     1.7 %     2.1 %     1.7 %
Below is a summary of stock appreciation rights activity for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010:
                                 
                            Weighted-Average  
    Number of     Weighted-Average     Aggregate     Remaining  
Stock Appreciation Rights   Shares     Exercise Price     Intrinsic Value     Contractual Life  
Outstanding at January 30, 2010
    5,788,867     $ 30.88                  
Granted:
                               
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    829,697       44.86                  
Other Executive Officers
    435,000       44.86                  
All Other Associates
    282,700       44.86                  
Exercised
    (5,175 )     25.49                  
Forfeited or cancelled
    (106,500 )     25.73                  
 
                           
Outstanding at July 31, 2010
    7,224,589     $ 33.94     $ 41,180,917       6.3  
 
                       
 
                               
Stock appreciation rights exercisable at July 31, 2010
    176,450     $ 25.73     $ 1,977,447       7.0  
 
                       
 
                               
Stock appreciation rights expected to become exercisable at July 31, 2010
    6,892,857     $ 34.05     $ 38,614,527       6.2  
 
                       
As of July 31, 2010, there was $62.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock appreciation rights. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

 

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Restricted Stock Units
Below is a summary of restricted stock unit activity for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010:
                 
            Weighted-Average  
Restricted Stock Units   Number of Shares     Grant Date Fair Value  
Non-vested at January 30, 2010
    1,331,048     $ 55.45  
Granted
    397,486       41.85  
Vested
    (359,039 )     58.69  
Forfeited
    (129,577 )     53.95  
 
           
Non-vested at July 31, 2010
    1,239,918     $ 50.29  
 
           
The total fair value of restricted stock units granted during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 was $16.6 million and $10.8 million, respectively.
The total grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 was $21.1 million and $21.2 million, respectively.
As of July 31, 2010, there was $41.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested restricted stock units. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.
4. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Net income (loss) per basic share is computed based on the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of Common Stock. Net income (loss) per diluted share includes the weighted-average effect of dilutive stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units.
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding and Anti-dilutive Shares (in thousands):
                                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    July 31,     August 1,     July 31,     August 1,  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Shares of Common Stock issued
    103,300       103,300       103,300       103,300  
Treasury shares
    (15,080 )     (15,422 )     15,143       (15,512 )
 
                       
Weighted-Average — basic shares
    88,220       87,878       88,157       87,788  
 
                               
Dilutive effect of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units
    1,166             1,404        
 
                       
Weighted-Average — diluted shares
    89,386       87,878       89,561       87,788  
 
                       
 
                               
Anti-dilutive shares
    5,871 (1)     8,131 (2)     4,812 (1)     8,131 (2)
 
                       
     
(1)   Reflects the number of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units outstanding, but excluded from the computation of net income per diluted share because the impact would be anti-dilutive.
 
(2)   Reflects the number of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units outstanding, but excluded from the computation of net loss per diluted share because the Company was in a net loss position and the impact would be anti-dilutive.

 

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5. CASH AND EQUIVALENTS
Cash and equivalents consisted of (in thousands):
                 
    July 31, 2010     January 30, 2010  
Cash and equivalents:
               
Cash
  $ 216,009     $ 196,496  
Money market funds
    397,624       483,617  
 
           
Total cash and equivalents
  $ 613,633     $ 680,113  
 
           
6. INVESTMENTS
Investments consisted of (in thousands):
                 
    July 31, 2010     January 30, 2010  
Marketable securities — Current:
               
Trading securities:
               
Auction rate securities — UBS — student loan backed
  $     $ 20,049  
Auction rate securities — UBS — municipal authority bonds
          12,307  
 
           
Total trading securities
          32,356  
 
               
Marketable securities — Non-Current:
               
 
Available-for-sale securities:
               
Auction rate securities — student loan backed
    103,300       118,390  
Auction rate securities — municipal authority bonds
    24,236       23,404  
 
           
Total available-for-sale securities
    127,536       141,794  
 
               
Rabbi Trust assets: (1)
               
Money market funds
    302       1,316  
Municipal notes and bonds
    12,142       18,537  
Trust-owned life insurance policies (at cash surrender value)
    64,076       51,391  
 
           
Total Rabbi Trust assets
    76,520       71,244  
 
           
Total investments
  $ 204,056     $ 245,394  
 
           
     
(1)   Rabbi Trust assets are included in Other Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are restricted as to their use.
At July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, the Company’s marketable securities consisted of investment grade auction rate securities (“ARS”) invested in insured student loan backed securities and insured municipal authority bonds, with maturities ranging from 17 to 33 years. Each investment in student loans is insured by (1) the U.S. government under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, (2) a private insurer or (3) a combination of both. The percentage of insurance coverage of the outstanding principal and interest of the ARS varies by security.

 

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The par and carrying values, and related cumulative impairment charges for the Company’s marketable securities as of July 31, 2010 were as follows:
                         
            Temporary     Carrying  
(in thousands)   Par Value     Impairment     Value  
Available-for-sale securities:
                       
Auction rate securities — student loan backed
  $ 107,999     $ (4,699 )   $ 103,300  
Auction rate securities — municipal authority bonds
    28,575       (4,339 )     24,236  
 
                 
Total available-for-sale securities
  $ 136,574     $ (9,038 )   $ 127,536  
 
                 
See Note 7, “Fair Value,” for further discussion on the valuation of the ARS.
An impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary if an entity (i) intends to sell the security, (ii) more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovering its amortized cost basis, or (iii) does not expect to recover the security’s entire amortized cost basis, even if there is no intent to sell the security. As of July 31, 2010, the Company had not incurred any credit-related losses on available-for-sale ARS. Furthermore, as of July 31, 2010, the issuers continued to perform under the obligations, including making scheduled interest payments, and the Company expects that this will continue going forward.
On November 13, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement (the “UBS Agreement”) with UBS AG (“UBS”), a Swiss corporation, relating to ARS with a par value of $76.5 million. Pursuant to the UBS Agreement, the remaining ARS covered by the agreement, $37.1 million at par, were acquired by UBS, at par, during the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010.
The irrevocable rabbi trust (the “Rabbi Trust”) is intended to be used as a source of funds to match respective funding obligations to participants in the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan I, the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan II and the Chief Executive Officer Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. The Rabbi Trust assets are consolidated and recorded at fair value, with the exception of the trust-owned life insurance policies which are recorded at cash surrender value. The Rabbi Trust assets are included in Other Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are restricted as to their use as noted above. Net unrealized gains and losses related to the municipal notes and bonds held in the Rabbi Trust were not material for the thirteen or twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009. The change in cash surrender value of the trust-owned life insurance policies held in the Rabbi Trust resulted in realized gains of $0.6 million and $3.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively, and realized gains of $1.1 million and $4.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively, recorded in Interest Expense (Income), Net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

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7. FAIR VALUE
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized based on a three-level hierarchy. The three levels of inputs to measure fair value are as follows:
    Level 1 — inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities that are available in active markets.
    Level 2 — inputs are other than quoted market prices included within Level 1 that are observable for assets or liabilities, directly or indirectly.
    Level 3 — inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable.
The lowest level of significant input determines the placement of the entire fair value measurement in the hierarchy. The three levels of the hierarchy and the distribution of the Company’s assets and liabilities, measured at fair value, within it were as follows:
                                 
    Assets at Fair Value as of July 31, 2010  
    (in thousands)  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
ASSETS:
                               
Money market funds (1)
  $ 397,926     $     $     $ 397,926  
ARS — available-for-sale — student loan backed
                103,300       103,300  
ARS — available-for-sale — municipal authority bonds
                24,236       24,236  
Municipal notes and bonds held in the Rabbi Trust
    12,142                   12,142  
Derivative financial instruments
          15             15  
 
                       
Total assets measured at fair value
  $ 410,068     $ 15     $ 127,536     $ 537,619  
 
                       
     
(1)   Includes $397.6 million in money market funds included in Cash and Equivalents and $0.3 million of money market funds held in the Rabbi Trust included in Other Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The level 2 assets consist of derivative financial instruments, primarily forward foreign exchange contracts. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is determined by using quoted market prices of the same or similar instruments, adjusted for counterparty risk.
The level 3 assets include investments in insured student loan backed ARS and insured municipal authority bonds ARS which are available-for-sale.
As a result of a lack of liquidity in the current ARS market, the Company measured the fair value of its ARS primarily using a discounted cash flow model as of July 31, 2010. Certain significant inputs into the model are unobservable in the market including the periodic coupon rate adjusted for the marketability discount, market required rate of return and expected term. The coupon rate is estimated using the results of a regression analysis factoring in historical data on the par swap rate and the maximum coupon rate paid in the event of an auction failure. In making the assumption of the market required rate of return, the Company considered the risk-free interest rate and an appropriate credit spread, depending on the type of security and the credit rating of the issuer. The expected term is identified as the time the Company believes the principal will become available to the investor. The Company utilized a term of five years to value its securities. The Company also included a marketability discount which takes into account the lack of activity in the current ARS market.
As of July 31, 2010, approximately 76% of the Company’s ARS were “AAA” rated, approximately 11% of the Company’s ARS were “AA” rated, and approximately 13% were “A-” rated, in each case as rated by one or more of the major credit rating agencies.

 

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The table below includes a roll-forward of the Company’s level 3 assets and liabilities from January 30, 2010 to July 31, 2010. When a determination is made to classify an asset or liability within level 3, the determination is based upon the lack of significance of the observable parameters to the overall fair value measurement. However, the fair value determination for level 3 financial assets and liabilities may include observable components.
                                                 
                    Available-for-     Available-for-              
    Trading ARS -     Trading ARS -     sale ARS -     sale ARS -              
(in thousands)   Student Loans     Muni Bonds     Student Loans     Muni Bonds     Put Option     Total  
Fair value, January 30, 2010
  $ 20,049     $ 12,307     $ 118,390     $ 23,404     $ 4,640     $ 178,790  
Redemptions
    (22,100 )     (15,000 )     (20,100 )           (4,640 )     (61,840 )
Tranfers (out)/in
                                   
Gains and losses, net:
                                               
Reported in Net Income
                                     
Reported in Other Comprehensive Income
    2,051       2,693       5,010       832             10,586  
 
                                   
Fair value, July 31, 2010
  $     $     $ 103,300     $ 24,236     $     $ 127,536  
 
                                   
8. INVENTORIES
Inventories are principally valued at the lower of average cost or market utilizing the retail method. The Company determines market value as the anticipated future selling price of the merchandise less a normal margin. An initial markup is applied to inventory at cost in order to establish a cost-to-retail ratio. Permanent markdowns, when taken, reduce both the retail and cost components of inventory on-hand so as to maintain the already established cost-to-retail relationship. At first and third fiscal quarter end, the Company reduces inventory value by recording a valuation reserve that represents the future permanent markdowns necessary to sell-through the current season inventory. At second and fourth fiscal quarter end, the Company reduces inventory value by recording a valuation reserve that represents the future permanent markdowns necessary to sell-through any remaining carryover inventory from the season then ending. The valuation reserve was $20.6 million, $11.4 million and $7.2 million at July 31, 2010, January 30, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively.
Additionally, as part of inventory valuation, inventory shrinkage estimates based on historical trends from actual physical inventories, are made that reduce the inventory value for lost or stolen items. The Company performs physical inventories on a periodic basis and adjusts the shrink reserve accordingly. The shrink reserve was $7.9 million, $8.1 million and $12.4 million at July 31, 2010, January 30, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively.
The inventory balance, net of the above mentioned reserves, was $480.1 million, $310.6 million and $325.6 million at July 31, 2010, January 30, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively.

 

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9. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment, net, consisted of (in thousands):
                 
    July 31, 2010     January 30, 2010  
Property and equipment, at cost
  $ 2,423,128     $ 2,362,492  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,218,779 )     (1,118,473 )
 
           
 
Property and equipment, net
  $ 1,204,349     $ 1,244,019  
 
           
Long-lived assets, primarily comprised of property and equipment, are reviewed periodically for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that full recoverability of net asset balances through future cash flows is in question. Factors used in the evaluation include, but are not limited to, management’s plans for future operations, recent operating results and projected cash flows.
In the second quarter of Fiscal 2010, as a result of a strategic review the Company conducted of under-performing stores, the Company determined that a number of stores are expected to be closed prior to lease expiration, which caused a triggering event requiring the Company to evaluate the related long-lived assets for impairment. Associated with these expected closures, the Company incurred a non-cash, pre-tax asset impairment charge of $2.2 million, included in stores and distribution expense, for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010.
Store related assets are considered Level 3 assets in the fair value hierarchy and the fair values were determined at the store level, primarily using a discounted cash flow model. The estimation of future cash flows from operating activities requires significant estimates of factors that include future sales, gross margin performance and operating expenses. In instances where the discounted cash flow analysis indicated a negative value at the store level, the market exit price based on historical experience was used to determine the fair value by asset type. The Company has store related assets measured at fair value of $16.7 million and $19.3 million on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively.
10. DEFERRED LEASE CREDITS
Deferred lease credits are derived from payments received from landlords to wholly or partially offset store construction costs and are classified between current and long-term liabilities. The amounts, which are amortized over the life of the related leases, consisted of the following (in thousands):
                 
    July 31, 2010     January 30, 2010  
Deferred lease credits
  $ 556,839     $ 546,191  
Amortized deferred lease credits
    (310,529 )     (290,542 )
 
           
Total deferred lease credits, net
  $ 246,310     $ 255,649  
 
           
11. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes is based on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate adjusted to reflect the impact of discrete items. The effective tax rate from continuing operations for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010 was 27.2% expense as compared to a 176.8% expense for the Fiscal 2009 comparable period. The effective tax rate from continuing operations from the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 was a 6.0% benefit compared to 43.3% expense for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009. The second quarter Fiscal 2010 rate was favorably impacted by provision-to-return adjustments for certain jurisdictions and the resolution of open tax matters, including the Company’s Advanced Pricing Agreement negotiation that was before the U.S. Competent Authority. The second quarter Fiscal 2009 rate was adversely impacted by a true-up of the estimated annual effective tax rate.

 

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Cash payments of income taxes made during the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 were approximately $14.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Cash payments of income taxes made during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 were approximately $17.9 million and $18.8 million, respectively.
The Company recorded a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets arising from net operating losses of certain foreign subsidiaries and from realized and unrealized U.S. operations’ investment losses. A portion of net operating loss carryovers begin expiring in Fiscal 2011, some of which have an indefinite carry forward period. As of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, the valuation allowance totaled $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively. No other valuation allowances have been provided for deferred tax assets because management believes that it is more likely than not that the full amount of the net deferred tax assets will be realized in the future.
12. LONG-TERM DEBT
On April 15, 2008, the Company entered into a syndicated unsecured credit agreement (as previously amended by Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement made as of December 29, 2008, the “Credit Agreement”) under which up to $450 million was available. On June 16, 2009, the Company amended the Credit Agreement and, as a result, revised the ratio requirements, as further discussed below, and also reduced the amount available from $450 million to $350 million (as amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). As stated in the Amended Credit Agreement, the primary purposes of the agreement are for trade and stand-by letters of credit in the ordinary course of business, as well as to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments, and other general corporate purposes.
The Amended Credit Agreement has several borrowing options, including interest rates that are based on: (i) a Base Rate, plus a margin based on the Leverage Ratio, payable quarterly; (ii) an Adjusted Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) plus a margin based on the Leverage Ratio, payable at the end of the applicable interest period for the borrowing and, for interest periods in excess of three months, on the date that is three months after the commencement of the interest period; or (iii) an Adjusted Foreign Currency Rate (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) plus a margin based on the Leverage Ratio, payable at the end of the applicable interest period for the borrowing and, for interest periods in excess of three months, on the date that is three months after the commencement of the interest period. The Base Rate represents a rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) PNC Bank’s then publicly announced prime rate or (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) as then in effect plus 1/2 of 1.0%. The facility fees payable under the Amended Credit Agreement are based on the Company’s Leverage Ratio (i.e., the ratio, on a consolidated basis, of (a) the sum of total debt (excluding trade letters of credit) plus 600% of forward minimum rent commitments to (b) consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent with the further adjustments to be discussed in the following paragraphs (“Consolidated EBITDAR”) for the trailing four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter periods. The facility fees accrue at a rate of 0.25% to 0.625% per annum based on the Leverage Ratio for the most recent determination date. The Amended Credit Agreement did not have a utilization fee as of July 31, 2010. The Amended Credit Agreement requires that the Leverage Ratio not be greater than 3.75 to 1.00 at the end of each testing period. The Amended Credit Agreement also required that the Coverage Ratio for A&F and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of (i) Consolidated EBITDAR for the trailing four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter period to (ii) the sum of, without duplication, (x) net interest expense for such period, (y) scheduled payments of long-term debt due within twelve months of the date of determination and (z) the sum of minimum rent and contingent store rent, not be less than 1.65 to 1.00 at July 31, 2010. The minimum Coverage Ratio varies over time based on the terms set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement. The Amended Credit Agreement amended the definition of Consolidated EBITDAR to add back the following items, among others: (a) recognized losses arising from investments in certain ARS to the extent such losses do not exceed a defined level of impairments for those investments; (b) non-cash charges in an amount not to exceed $50 million related to the closure of RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations; (c) non-recurring cash charges in an aggregate amount not to exceed $61 million related to the closure of RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations; (d) additional non-recurring non-cash charges in an amount not to exceed $20 million in the aggregate over the trailing four fiscal quarter period; and (e) other non-recurring cash charges in an amount not to exceed $10 million in the aggregate over the trailing four fiscal quarter period. The Amended Credit Agreement also limits the Company’s consolidated capital expenditures to $325 million in Fiscal 2010, plus $99.5 million representing the unused portion of the allowable capital expenditures from Fiscal 2009. The Company was in compliance with the applicable ratio requirements and other covenants at July 31, 2010.

 

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The terms of the Amended Credit Agreement include customary events of default such as payment defaults, cross-defaults to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency, the occurrence of a defined change in control, or the failure to observe the negative covenants and other covenants related to the operation and conduct of the business of A&F and its subsidiaries. Upon an event of default, the lenders will not be obligated to make loans or other extensions of credit and may, among other things, terminate their commitments to the Company, and declare any then outstanding loans due and payable immediately.
The Amended Credit Agreement will mature on April 12, 2013. Trade letters of credit totaling approximately $10.4 million and $35.9 million were outstanding on July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively. Stand-by letters of credit totaling approximately $14.0 million and $14.1 million were outstanding on July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively. The stand-by letters of credit are set to expire primarily during the first quarter of Fiscal 2011. To date, no beneficiary has drawn upon the stand-by letters of credit.
The Company had $53.2 million and $50.9 million outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement as of July 31, 2010, and January 30, 2010, respectively. The amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010 were denominated in Japanese Yen. As of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, the Company also had $22.8 million and $20.3 million, respectively, of long-term debt related to the landlord financing obligation for certain leases where the Company is deemed the owner of the project for accounting purposes, as substantially all of the risk of ownership during construction of a leased property is held by the Company. The landlord financing obligation is amortized over the life of the related lease.
As of July 31, 2010, the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximated fair value. Total interest expense was $1.9 million and $2.0 million for the thirteen week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively, and $3.8 million and $2.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively. The average interest rate for the long-term debt recorded under the Amended Credit Agreement was 2.7% for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010.
On March 6, 2009, the Company entered a secured, uncommitted demand line of credit (the “UBS Credit Line”). The amount available under the UBS Credit Line was subject to adjustment from time-to-time based on the market value of the Company’s UBS ARS as determined by UBS. As a result of UBS acquiring the remaining UBS ARS originally purchased by the Company through UBS and described further in Note 6, “Investments”, the Company terminated the secured, uncommitted demand line of credit with UBS, during the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010.

 

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13. DERIVATIVES
The Company is exposed to risks associated with the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and uses derivatives, primarily forward contracts, to manage the financial impacts of these exposures. As of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, all outstanding derivative instruments were designated as hedges and qualified for hedge accounting treatment. The Company does not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation and does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
In order to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, a derivative must be considered highly effective at offsetting changes in either the hedged item’s cash flows or fair value. Additionally, the hedge relationship must be documented to include the risk management objective and strategy, the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the risk exposure, and how hedge effectiveness will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively. The extent to which a hedging instrument has been and is expected to continue to be effective at achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows is assessed and documented at least quarterly. Any hedge ineffectiveness is reported in current period earnings and hedge accounting is discontinued if it is determined that the derivative is not highly effective.
For derivatives that either do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges, all changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings. For qualifying cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) and recognized in earnings when the hedged cash flows affect earnings. The ineffective portion of the derivative gain or loss, as well as changes in the fair value of the derivative’s time value are recognized in current period earnings. The effectiveness of the hedge is assessed based on changes in fair value attributable to changes in spot prices. The changes in the fair value of the derivative contract related to the changes in the difference between the spot price and the forward price are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are also recognized in current period earnings. If the cash flow hedge relationship is terminated, the derivative gains or losses that are deferred in OCI will be recognized in earnings when the hedged cash flows occur. However, for cash flow hedges that are terminated because the forecasted transaction is not expected to occur in the original specified time period, or a two-month period thereafter, the derivative gains or losses are immediately recognized in earnings. The Company recognized a gain of $0.7 million reclassified into earnings as a result of the de-designation cash flow hedges during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010. There was no gain or loss reclassified into earnings during the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010.
The Company uses derivative instruments, primarily forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges, to hedge the foreign currency exposure associated with forecasted foreign-currency-denominated intercompany inventory sales to foreign subsidiaries and the related settlement of the foreign-currency-denominated inter-company receivable. Fluctuations in exchange rates will either increase or decrease the Company’s U.S. dollar equivalent cash flows and affect the Company’s U.S. dollar earnings. Gains or losses on the foreign exchange forward contracts that are used to hedge these exposures are expected to partially offset this variability. Foreign exchange forward contracts represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon settlement date. As of July 31, 2010, the maximum length of time over which forecasted foreign-currency-denominated inter-company inventory sales were hedged was twelve months. The sale of the inventory to the Company’s customers will result in the reclassification of related derivative gains and losses that are reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Substantially all of the remaining unrealized gains or losses related to foreign-currency-denominated inter-company inventory sales that have occurred as of July 31, 2010 will be recognized in costs of goods sold over the following two months at the values at the date the inventory was sold to the respective subsidiary.
The Company nets derivative assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet to the extent that master netting arrangements meet the specific accounting requirements set forth by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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As of July 31, 2010, the Company had the following outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted foreign-currency-denominated inter-company inventory sales and the resulting settlement of the foreign-currency-denominated inter-company accounts receivable:
         
    Notional Amount(1)  
Canadian Dollar
  $ 13,072  
British Pound
  $ 30,829  
Euro
  $ 11,029  
Japanese Yen
  $ 8,379  
     
(1)   Amounts are reported in thousands and in U.S. Dollars.
The location and amounts of derivative fair values on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010 were as follows:
                                         
        Asset Derivatives         Liability Derivatives  
    Balance Sheet   July 31,     January 30,     Balance Sheet   July 31,     January 30,  
(in thousands)   Location   2010     2010     Location   2010     2010  
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
                                       
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
  Other Current Assets   $ 15     $ 1,348     Accrued Expenses   $     $  
 
                               
Refer to Note 7, “Fair Value” for further discussion of the determination of the fair value of derivatives.
The location and amounts of derivative gains and losses for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) are as follows:
                                                         
                    Location of Gain                   Location of (Loss)      
                    (Loss)   Amount of     Gain   Amount of (Loss) Gain  
                    Reclassified from   Gain (Loss)     Recognized in   Recognized in Earnings on  
    Amount of Gain (Loss)     Accumulated   Reclassified from     Earnings   Derivative (Ineffective  
    Recognized in OCI on     OCI into   Accumulated OCI into     on Derivative   Portion and Amount  
    Derivative Contracts     Earnings   Earnings (Effective     (Ineffective Portion and   Excluded from  
    (Effective Portion)     (Effective   Portion)     Amount Excluded from   Effectiveness Testing)  
    (a)     Portion)   (b)     Effectiveness Testing)   (c)  
    Thirteen Weeks Ended  
(in thousands)   July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
        July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
        July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
                                                       
 
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
  $ 386     $ (5,550 )   Cost of Goods Sold   $ 1,459     $ (393 )   Other Operating Income, Net   $ (7 )   $ 236  
                                             
                                                         
    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
(in thousands)   July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
        July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
        July 31,
2010
    August 1,
2009
 
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
                                                       
 
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
  $ 1,480     $ (6,162 )   Cost of Goods Sold   $ 603     $ 1,043     Other Operating Income, Net   $ 128     $ 2  
                                             
     
(a)   The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in spot rates.
 
(b)   The amount represents reclassification from OCI into earnings that occurs when the hedged item affects earnings, which is when merchandise is sold to the Company’s customers.
 
(c)   The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in the difference between the spot price and forward price that is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and, therefore, recognized in earnings. There were no ineffective portions recorded in earnings for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009.

 

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14. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On June 16, 2009, A&F’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s 29 RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations. The Company completed the closure of the RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2009. Accordingly, the results of operations of RUEHL are reflected in Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009. Results from discontinued operations were immaterial for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010.
Costs associated with exit or disposal activities are recorded when the liability is incurred. Below is a roll forward of the liabilities recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2010 related to the closure of RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations (in millions):
         
    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    July 31, 2010  
Beginning Balance
  $ 46.1  
Interest Accretion / Other, Net
    (0.3 )
Cash Payments
    (20.5 )
 
     
Ending Balance(1)
  $ 25.3  
 
     
(1)  
Ending balance primarily reflects the net present value of obligations due under signed lease termination agreements and obligations due under a lease, for which no agreement exists, less estimated sublease income. As of July 31, 2010, there were $19.5 million of lease termination charges recorded as a current liability in Accrued Expenses and $5.8 million of lease termination charges recorded as a long-term liability in Other Liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
15. SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
Effective February 2, 2003, the Company established a Chief Executive Officer Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) to provide additional retirement income to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Subject to service requirements, the CEO will receive a monthly benefit equal to 50% of his final average compensation (as defined in the SERP) for life. The final average compensation used for the calculation is based on actual compensation, base salary and cash incentive compensation, averaged over the last 36 consecutive full calendar months ending before the CEO’s retirement. The Company recorded expense of $2.0 million and $1.9 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010, respectively, associated to the SERP. The Company recorded expense of $0.6 million and income of $0.1 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009, respectively, associated to the SERP.
The expense for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010, included an expense of $2.1 million to correct a cumulative under accrual of the SERP relating to prior periods, primarily Fiscal 2008. The Company does not believe this correction was material to the periods affected.

 

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16. CONTINGENCIES
A&F is a defendant in lawsuits and other adversary proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Legal costs incurred in connection with the resolution of claims and lawsuits are generally expensed as incurred, and the Company establishes reserves for the outcome of litigation where it deems appropriate to do so under applicable accounting rules. Actual liabilities may exceed the amounts reserved, and there can be no assurance that final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company’s identified contingencies include the following matters:
On June 23, 2006, Lisa Hashimoto, et al. v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. In that action, plaintiffs alleged, on behalf of a putative class of California store managers employed in Hollister and abercrombie kids stores, that they were entitled to receive overtime pay as “non-exempt” employees under California wage and hour laws. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, equitable relief, unpaid overtime compensation, unpaid benefits, penalties, interest and attorneys’ fees and costs. The defendants answered the complaint on August 21, 2006, denying liability. On June 23, 2008, the defendants settled all claims of Hollister and abercrombie kids store managers who served in stores from June 23, 2002 through April 30, 2004, but continued to oppose the plaintiffs’ remaining claims. On January 29, 2009, the Court certified a class consisting of all store managers who served at Hollister and abercrombie kids stores in California from May 1, 2004 through the future date upon which the action concludes. The parties then continued to litigate the claims of that putative class. On May 24, 2010, plaintiffs filed a notice that they did not intend to continue to pursue their claim that members of the class did not exercise independent managerial judgment and discretion. They also asked the Court to vacate the August 9, 2010 trial date previously set by the Court. On July 20, 2010, the trial court vacated the trial date and defendants then moved to decertify the putative class.
On September 2, 2005, a purported class action, styled Robert Ross v. Abercrombie & Fitch Company, et al., was filed against A&F and certain of its officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of a purported class of all persons who purchased or acquired shares of A&F’s Common Stock between June 2, 2005 and August 16, 2005. In September and October of 2005, five other purported class actions were subsequently filed against A&F and other defendants in the same Court. All six securities cases allege claims under the federal securities laws related to sales of Common Stock by certain defendants and to a decline in the price of A&F’s Common Stock during the summer of 2005, allegedly as a result of misstatements attributable to A&F. Plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages. On November 1, 2005, a motion to consolidate all of these purported class actions into the first-filed case was filed by some of the plaintiffs. A&F joined in that motion. On March 22, 2006, the motions to consolidate were granted, and these actions (together with the federal court derivative cases described in the following paragraph) were consolidated for purposes of motion practice, discovery and pretrial proceedings. A consolidated amended securities class action complaint (the “Complaint”) was filed on August 14, 2006. On October 13, 2006, all defendants moved to dismiss that Complaint. On August 9, 2007, the Court denied the motions to dismiss. On September 14, 2007, defendants filed answers denying the material allegations of the Complaint and asserting affirmative defenses. On October 26, 2007, plaintiffs moved to certify their purported class. After briefing and argument, the motion was submitted on March 24, 2009, and granted on May 21, 2009. On June 5, 2009, defendants petitioned the Sixth Circuit for permission to appeal the class certification order and on August 24, 2009, the Sixth Circuit granted leave to appeal. On May 26, 2010, after mediation which commenced on May 17, 2010, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the consolidated cases as a class action, subject to Court approval. Under the agreement in principal, the entire settlement payment of $12 million will be paid by A&F’s insurers. A hearing will be held on September 24, 2010 to enable the District Court to determine whether the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate and should be approved and effected and whether the class action should therefore be dismissed.

 

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On September 16, 2005, a derivative action, styled The Booth Family Trust v. Michael S. Jeffries, et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, naming A&F as a nominal defendant and seeking to assert claims for unspecified damages against nine of A&F’s present and former directors, alleging various breaches of the directors’ fiduciary duty and seeking equitable and monetary relief. In the following three months, four similar derivative actions were filed (three in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and one in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio) against present and former directors of A&F alleging various breaches of the directors’ fiduciary duty allegedly arising out of the same matters alleged in the Ross case and seeking equitable and monetary relief on behalf of A&F. In March of 2006, the federal court derivative actions were consolidated with the Ross actions for purposes of motion practice, discovery and pretrial proceedings. A consolidated amended derivative complaint was filed in the federal proceeding on July 10, 2006. On February 16, 2007, A&F announced that its Board of Directors had received a report of the Special Litigation Committee established by the Board to investigate and act with respect to claims asserted in the derivative lawsuit, which concluded that there was no evidence to support the asserted claims and directed the Company to seek dismissal of the derivative cases. On September 10, 2007, the Company moved to dismiss the federal derivative cases on the authority of the Special Litigation Committee report. On March 12, 2009, the Company’s motion was granted and, on April 10, 2009, plaintiffs filed an appeal from the order of dismissal. Plaintiffs’ appeal has been fully briefed and argued and is awaiting decision. The state court has stayed further proceedings in the state-court derivative action until resolution of the consolidated federal derivative cases.
The Company intends to defend the aforesaid matters vigorously, as appropriate. The Company is unable to quantify the potential exposure of the aforesaid matters. However, the Company’s assessment of the current exposure could change in the event of the discovery of additional facts with respect to legal matters pending against the Company or determinations by judges, juries, administrative agencies or other finders of fact that are not in accordance with the Company’s evaluation of the claims.

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of Abercrombie & Fitch Co.:
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and its subsidiaries as of July 31, 2010 and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for each of the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of January 30, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, of shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein), and in our report dated March 29, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 30, 2010, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Columbus, Ohio
September 8, 2010

 

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ITEM 2.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. Fiscal years are designated in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes by the calendar year in which the fiscal year commences. All references herein to “Fiscal 2010” represent the 52-week fiscal year that will end on January 29, 2011, and to “Fiscal 2009” represent the 52-week fiscal year that ended January 30, 2010.
The Company is a specialty retailer that operates stores and direct-to-consumer operations selling casual sportswear apparel, including knit and woven shirts, graphic t-shirts, fleece, jeans and woven pants, shorts, sweaters, outerwear, personal care products and accessories for men, women and kids under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids and Hollister brands. In addition, the Company operates stores and direct-to-consumer operations under the Gilly Hicks brand offering bras, underwear, personal care products, sleepwear and at-home products for women.
Abercrombie & Fitch is rooted in East Coast traditions and Ivy League heritage, the essence of privilege and casual luxury. Abercrombie & Fitch is a combination of classic and sexy creating an atmosphere that is confident and just a bit provocative. abercrombie kids directly follows in the footsteps of its older sibling, Abercrombie & Fitch. abercrombie kids has an energetic attitude and is popular, wholesome and athletic — the signature of All-American cool. Hollister is young, spirited, with a sense of humor and brings Southern California to the world. Gilly Hicks is the cheeky cousin of Abercrombie & Fitch, inspired by the free spirit of Sydney, Australia. Gilly Hicks is classic and vibrant, always confident and is the All-American brand with a Sydney sensibility.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
During the second quarter of Fiscal 2010, net sales increased 17% to $745.8 million from $637.2 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2009. Operating income was $27.6 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2010, compared to $8.9 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2009. The Company had net income of $19.5 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 compared to a net loss of $26.7 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2009. Net income per diluted share was $0.22 in the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 compared to net loss per basic and diluted share of $0.30 in the second quarter of Fiscal 2009. Fiscal 2010 second quarter net income per diluted share included a non-cash asset impairment charge associated with expected store closures of $0.02 per diluted share. Fiscal 2009 second quarter net loss per basic and diluted share included a net loss of $0.21 per basic and diluted share from discontinued operations. Results from discontinued operations were immaterial for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010.

 

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During the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period, net sales increased 16% to $1.434 billion from $1.239 billion in Fiscal 2009. Operating income was $8.8 million in the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period, compared to an operating loss of $25.0 million in Fiscal 2009. The Company had net income of $7.7 million in the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period compared to a net loss of $86.0 million in Fiscal 2009. Net income per diluted share was $0.09 in the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period compared to net loss per basic and diluted share of $0.98 in Fiscal 2009. Fiscal 2010 year-to-date net income per diluted share included a non-cash asset impairment charge associated with expected store closures of $0.02 per diluted share. Fiscal 2009 year-to-date net loss per basic and diluted share included a net loss of $0.62 per basic and diluted share from discontinued operations. Results from discontinued operations were immaterial for the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period.
Net cash used for operating activities was $21.7 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010. In addition, the Company used $59.8 million of cash for capital expenditures and paid dividends totaling $30.8 million during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010. As of July 31, 2010, the Company had $613.6 million in cash and equivalents and outstanding debt and letters of credit of $77.6 million, compared to $366.5 million in cash and equivalents and outstanding debt and letters of credit of $79.6 million as of August 1, 2009.
Due to seasonal variations in the retail industry, the results of operations for any current period are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year. The seasonality of the Company’s operations may also lead to significant fluctuations in certain asset and liability accounts.

 

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The following data represents the amounts shown in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, expressed as a percentage of net sales:
                                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009     July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009  
NET SALES
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
                               
Cost of Goods Sold
    34.9 %     33.4 %     36.1 %     34.9 %
 
                       
 
                               
GROSS PROFIT
    65.1 %     66.6 %     63.9 %     65.1 %
 
                               
Stores and Distribution Expense
    48.9 %     52.1 %     50.1 %     53.5 %
 
                               
Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
    12.8 %     13.6 %     13.4 %     14.0 %
 
                               
Other Operating Income, Net
    (0.3 )%     (0.5 )%     (0.2 )%     (0.4 )%
 
                       
 
                               
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    3.7 %     1.4 %     0.6 %     (2.0 )%
 
                               
Interest Expense (Income), Net
    0.1 %     (0.3 )%     0.1 %     (0.3 )%
 
                       
 
                               
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Taxes
    3.6 %     1.7 %     0.5 %     (1.8 )%
 
                               
Tax Expense from Continuing Operations
    1.0 %     3.0 %     0.0 %     0.8 %
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    2.6 %     (1.3 )%     0.5 %     (2.5 )%
 
                       
 
                               
Net Loss from Discontinued Operations (net of taxes)
          (2.9 )%           (4.4 )%
 
                       
 
                               
NET INCOME (LOSS)
    2.6 %     (4.2 )%     0.5 %     (6.9 )%
 
                       

 

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Financial Summary
The following summarized financial and statistical data compare the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 to the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended August 1, 2009:
                                 
    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009     July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009  
 
                               
Net sales by brand (in millions)
  $ 745.8     $ 637.2     $ 1,433.6     $ 1,239.0  
Abercrombie & Fitch
  $ 335.6     $ 285.3     $ 639.3     $ 550.0  
abercrombie
  $ 79.1     $ 71.4     $ 157.8     $ 140.6  
Hollister
  $ 322.2     $ 274.3     $ 620.4     $ 536.7  
Gilly Hicks
  $ 8.9     $ 6.2     $ 16.1     $ 11.7  
 
                               
Increase (decrease) in net sales from prior year
    17 %     (24 )%     16 %     (24 )%
Abercrombie & Fitch
    18 %     (26 )%     16 %     (26 )%
abercrombie
    11 %     (25 )%     12 %     (26 )%
Hollister
    17 %     (22 )%     16 %     (21 )%
Gilly Hicks
    44 %     48 %     38 %     61 %
 
                               
Increase (decrease) in comparable store sales*
    5 %     (30 )%     3 %     (30 )%
Abercrombie & Fitch
    8 %     (27 )%     6 %     (26 )%
abercrombie
    3 %     (29 )%     4 %     (31 )%
Hollister
    2 %     (33 )%     0 %     (32 )%
 
                               
Net store sales per average store (in thousands)
  $ 610     $ 532     $ 1,165     $ 1,029  
Abercrombie & Fitch
  $ 858     $ 718     $ 1,621     $ 1,376  
abercrombie
  $ 340     $ 306     $ 673     $ 600  
Hollister
  $ 557     $ 502     $ 1,067     $ 976  
 
                               
Net store sales per average gross square foot
  $ 85     $ 75     $ 163     $ 145  
Abercrombie & Fitch
  $ 96     $ 81     $ 181     $ 155  
abercrombie
  $ 72     $ 66     $ 143     $ 130  
Hollister
  $ 81     $ 74     $ 156     $ 144  
 
                               
Change in transactions per average store
    19 %     (22 )%     18 %     (24 )%
Abercrombie & Fitch
    17 %     (22 )%     16 %     (22 )%
abercrombie
    16 %     (20 )%     16 %     (23 )%
Hollister
    20 %     (23 )%     18 %     (26 )%
 
                               
Change in average store transaction value
    (4 )%     (9 )%     (4 )%     (6 )%
Abercrombie & Fitch
    2 %     (7 )%     2 %     (6 )%
abercrombie
    (4 )%     (9 )%     (3 )%     (8 )%
Hollister
    (8 )%     (7 )%     (7 )%     (5 )%

 

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    Thirteen Weeks Ended     Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009     July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009  
 
                               
Change in average units per store transaction
    11 %     (3 )%     9 %     (4 )%
Abercrombie & Fitch
    7 %     (5 )%     5 %     (5 )%
abercrombie
    13 %     (2 )%     10 %     (1 )%
Hollister
    13 %     (3 )%     11 %     (4 )%
 
                               
Change in average unit retail sold, including DTC
    (15 )%     (6 )%     (12 )%     (3 )%
Abercrombie & Fitch
    (5 )%     (2 )%     (3 )%     (2 )%
abercrombie
    (15 )%     (8 )%     (12 )%     (7 )%
Hollister
    (18 )%     (4 )%     (16 )%     (1 )%
     
*   A store is included in comparable store sales when it has been open as the same brand 12 months or more and its square footage has not been expanded or reduced by more than 20% within the past year.

 

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CURRENT TRENDS AND OUTLOOK
In the second quarter of Fiscal 2010, the Company continued to focus on the key long-term drivers of the business, while being pleased with the year over year progress made in improving its current operating results. The Company’s objective in Fiscal 2010 and subsequent years is to increase its operating margin back toward historical levels, which the Company believes will require a combination of the following factors.
First, returning gross margin toward historic levels. During the second quarter, the gross margin rate decreased 150 basis points primarily due to the 15% decrease in average unit retail, and the Company expects the near-term environment to remain challenging with regard to the gross margin rate. Over time, the Company believes the conditions necessary for achieving improvements in gross margin toward historical levels include optimizing its average unit retail, maintaining tight control over average unit cost, and benefiting from international operations with higher gross margins.
Second, improving average domestic store productivity levels, both through same store sales growth and as a result of the closure of underperforming stores. The Company expects to close approximately 60 domestic stores over the course of Fiscal 2010, predominantly at the end of the year. The majority of the closures will be by way of natural lease expirations in the Abercrombie & Fitch and abercrombie kids brands. The Company also currently expects approximately 50 additional store closures during Fiscal 2011, also predominantly by way of natural lease expirations.
Third, the Company continues with its plans for international store openings in Fiscal 2010 and is seeking to accelerate its international growth beyond that. In Fiscal 2010, the Company remains on track to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Fukuoka, Japan and Copenhagen, Denmark and a Hollister Epic store on Fifth Avenue in New York. The Company currently plans to open approximately 20 international mall-based Hollister stores in Fiscal 2010 as well as one Abercrombie & Fitch store in Canada. In addition, the Company plans to open its first Gilly Hicks store in the United Kingdom in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2010. In Fiscal 2011, the Company plans to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Paris, France and Madrid, Spain, and continues to work on further flagship opportunities in 2011 and beyond.
Fourth, the Company continues to focus on sustaining strong growth rates in its direct-to-consumer business, and regards growth in this business as an important factor in achieving its long-term goals.
Fifth, the Company is also focusing significant attention on improving the productivity of its Gilly Hicks brand, which the Company believes is a necessary precursor to expanding the store count for the brand and having a path to profitability.
Finally, the Company will continue to maintain tight control over expenses and to seek greater efficiencies in its operations.
In regard to the balance sheet, the Company ended the second quarter with inventory at cost up 47%, as compared to last year. The increase was due to higher on-hand Spring inventory carryover, higher on-hand Basic and Fall inventory and higher in-transit inventory. The increase in Fall and Basic inventory includes a significant change in the timing of inventory receipts compared to last year. The Company expects inventory levels to remain significantly elevated on a year over year basis at the end of the third quarter, before moderating at the end of Fiscal 2010.
During Fiscal 2010, based on new store opening plans and other capital expenditures, the Company now expects total capital expenditures to be approximately $200 million, including approximately $160 million related to new stores, store refreshes and remodels, and approximately $40 million related to information technology, distribution center and other home office projects.
In Fiscal 2010, the Company will seek to sustain improvements in its operating results while continuing to focus on its long-term strategic objectives.

 

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SECOND QUARTER AND YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS
Net Sales
Net sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 were $745.8 million, an increase of 17% from net sales of $637.2 million during the second quarter of Fiscal 2009. The net sales increase was attributable to a 5% increase in comparable store sales, a 47% increase in the direct-to-consumer business, including shipping and handling revenue, and new stores, primarily international.
Year-to-date net sales in Fiscal 2010 were $1.434 billion, an increase of 16% from net sales of $1.239 billion during the comparable period of Fiscal 2009. The net sales increase was attributable to a 3% increase in comparable store sales, a 44% increase in the direct-to-consumer business, including shipping and handling revenue, and new stores, primarily international.
Comparable store sales by brand for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 were as follows: Abercrombie & Fitch increased 8%, with women’s increasing by a mid single digit and men’s increasing by a low double digit. abercrombie kids increased 3%, with girls and guys increasing by a low single digit. Hollister increased 2%, with bettys decreasing by a low single digit and dudes increasing by a high single digit.
Year-to-date comparable store sales by brand were as follows: Abercrombie & Fitch increased 6%; abercrombie increased 4%; and Hollister was flat.
On a comparable store sales basis, the United Kingdom was the strongest performing region while Canada and the Midwest U.S. regions were the weakest. Within the U.S., flagship and tourist stores outperformed the non-tourist stores.
For the second quarter of Fiscal 2010, across all brands, the masculine categories continued to out-pace the feminine categories. From a merchandise classification standpoint, for the male business, woven shirts, graphics and fragrance were stronger performing categories while jeans and knit tops were the weaker performing categories. In the female business, dresses, woven shirts and fleece were stronger performing categories while knit tops and jeans were weaker performing categories.
Direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 were $69.0 million, an increase of 50% from Fiscal 2009 second quarter direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales of $46.1 million. Shipping and handling revenue for the corresponding periods was $11.0 million in Fiscal 2010 and $8.2 million in Fiscal 2009. The direct-to-consumer business, including shipping and handling revenue, accounted for 10.7% of total net sales in the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 compared to 8.5% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2009.
Direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales for the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period were $137.7 million, an increase of 46% from Fiscal 2009 year-to-date direct-to-consumer net merchandise sales of $94.5 million. Shipping and handling revenue for the corresponding periods was $22.3 million in Fiscal 2010 and $16.6 million in Fiscal 2009. The direct-to-consumer business, including shipping and handling revenue, accounted for 11.2% of total net sales in the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period compared to 9.0% in the Fiscal 2009 year-to-date period.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was $485.3 million compared to $424.5 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2009. The gross profit rate (gross profit divided by net sales) for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was 65.1%, down 150 basis points from the second quarter of Fiscal 2009 rate of 66.6%.

 

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The decrease in the gross profit rate for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was primarily driven by a 15% decrease in average unit retail, which was partially offset by a reduction in average unit cost.
Year-to-date gross profit for Fiscal 2010 was $916.8 million compared to $806.0 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2009. The gross profit rate for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2010 was 63.9%, down 120 basis points from the year-to-date Fiscal 2009 rate of 65.1%.
The decrease in the gross profit rate for the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period was primarily driven by a 12% decrease in average unit retail, which was partially offset by a reduction in average unit cost.
Stores and Distribution Expense
Stores and distribution expense for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was $364.5 million compared to $332.3 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2009. The stores and distribution expense rate (stores and distribution expense divided by net sales) for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was 48.9% compared to 52.1% in the second quarter of Fiscal 2009.
Stores and distribution expense for the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period was $718.9 million compared to $662.6 million for the comparable period in Fiscal 2009. The stores and distribution expense rate for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2010 was 50.1% compared to 53.5% for the Fiscal 2009 year-to-date period.
The decrease in stores and distribution expense rate for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 and the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period was primarily driven by lower store occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales.
Total direct-to-consumer expenses included in stores and distribution expense was $12.9 million and $25.7 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010, respectively. Total direct-to-consumer expenses included in stores and distribution expense was $9.7 million and $21.4 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009, respectively.
Stores and distribution expense for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 included a non-cash, pre-tax asset impairment charge associated with expected store closures of $2.2 million, or 0.3% and 0.2% of net sales, respectively.
Marketing, General and Administrative Expense
Marketing, general and administrative expense during the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was $95.2 million compared to $86.7 million during the same period in Fiscal 2009, a 10% increase. For the second quarter of Fiscal 2010, the marketing, general and administrative expense rate (marketing, general and administrative expense divided by net sales) was 12.8% compared to 13.6% for the second quarter of Fiscal 2009.
The increase in marketing, general and administrative expense for the second quarter was primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits, including incentive and equity compensation, partially offset by a reduction in net legal and outside services expense. Marketing, general and administrative expense included a $3.5 million benefit related to recoveries arising from the outcome of legal proceedings and settlements, offset by expense of $2.1 million to correct an under accrual of the supplemental retirement plan primarily related to Fiscal 2008.

 

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Marketing, general and administrative expense during the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period was $191.8 million compared to $173.0 million during the same period in Fiscal 2009, an 11% increase. For the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2010, the marketing, general and administrative expense rate was 13.4% compared to 14.0% for the Fiscal 2009 year-to-date period.
The increase in marketing, general and administrative expense for the Fiscal 2010 year-to-date period was primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits, including incentive and equity compensation, and increases in net outside service expense.
Other Operating Income, Net
Second quarter other operating income, net for Fiscal 2010 was $1.9 million compared to $3.3 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2009.
Year-to-date other operating income, net for Fiscal 2010 was $2.8 million compared to $4.7 million for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2009.
The decreases for the second quarter and year-to-date period of Fiscal 2010 were driven by net losses from foreign currency denominated transactions in the current periods compared to net gains from foreign currency denominated transactions in the comparable prior year periods.
Interest Expense (Income), Net and Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations
Second quarter interest expense was $1.9 million in Fiscal 2010, offset by interest income of $1.1 million, compared to interest income of $3.8 million, offset by interest expense of $2.0 million in the second quarter of Fiscal 2009. The decrease in interest income was primarily the result of a lower average rate of return on investments.
Year-to-date interest expense was $3.8 million in Fiscal 2010, offset by interest income of $2.2 million, compared to interest income of $6.0 million, offset by interest expense of $2.8 million in the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2009. The decrease in interest income was primarily the result of a lower average rate of return on investments. The increase in interest expense was due primarily to imputed interest expense related to certain store lease transactions, additional borrowings under the unsecured credit agreement and higher fees associated with the unsecured amended credit agreement.
The effective tax rate for continuing operations for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was a 27.2% expense, compared to a 176.8% expense for the second quarter of Fiscal 2009. The tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010 was favorably impacted by provision-to-return adjustments for certain jurisdictions and the resolution of open tax matters. The tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended August 1, 2009 was adversely impacted by a true up of the estimated annual effective tax rate as calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The effective tax rate for continuing operations for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2010 was a 6.0% benefit, compared to a 43.3% expense for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2009.
On a full year basis, the Company expects the effective tax rate to be approximately 37%. The rate remains sensitive to the domestic/international profit mix.

 

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Net Loss from Discontinued Operations
The Company completed the closure of its RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2009. Accordingly, the after-tax operating results appear in Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009. Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $18.6 million and $54.7 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009, respectively. Results from discontinued operations were immaterial for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010.
Refer to Note 14, “Discontinued Operations” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Net Income (Loss) and Net Income (Loss) per Share
Net income for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was $19.5 million compared to a net loss of $26.7 million for the second quarter of Fiscal 2009. Net income per diluted share for the second quarter of Fiscal 2010 was $0.22 compared to net loss per basic and diluted share of $0.30 for the same period of Fiscal 2009. Net loss per basic and diluted share for the second quarter of Fiscal 2009 included a net loss of $0.21 per basic and diluted share from discontinued operations.
Net income for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2010 was $7.7 million compared to a net loss of $86.0 million for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2009. Net income per diluted share for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2010 was $0.09 compared to net loss per basic and diluted share of $0.98 for the same period of Fiscal 2009. Net loss per basic and diluted share for the year-to-date period of Fiscal 2009 included a net loss of $0.62 per basic and diluted share from discontinued operations.
Net income for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 included a non-cash asset impairment charge associated with the expected store closures of $0.02 per share.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company had $613.6 million in cash and equivalents available as of July 31, 2010, as well as an additional $296.8 million available (less outstanding letters of credit of $24.4 million) under its unsecured Amended Credit Agreement (as amended in June 2009), as described in Note 12, “Long-Term Debt” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The unsecured Amended Credit Agreement contains financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio and also limits the Company’s consolidated capital expenditures to $325 million in Fiscal 2010, plus the $99.5 million representing the unused portion of the allowable expenditures from Fiscal 2009, all defined in the Amended Credit Agreement. The Company was in compliance with the applicable ratio requirements and other covenants at July 31, 2010. If circumstances occur that would lead to the Company failing to meet the covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement and the Company is unable to obtain a waiver or amendment, an event of default would result and the lenders could declare outstanding borrowings immediately due and payable. The Company believes it is likely that it would either obtain a waiver or amendment in advance of a default, or would have sufficient cash available to repay borrowings in the event a waiver was not obtained.
A summary of the Company’s working capital position and capitalization follows (in thousands):
                 
    July 31, 2010     January 30, 2010  
 
Working capital
  $ 800,606     $ 786,474  
 
           
 
               
Capitalization:
               
Shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,819,697     $ 1,827,917  
 
           

 

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Operating Activities
Net cash used for operating activities was $21.7 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $47.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009. The net use of cash when comparing the two years was driven by increases in inventory, partially offset by increased net income.
Investing Activities
Cash outflows for investing activities for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 were primarily for capital expenditures related to new store construction and information technology investments (see the discussion in “Capital Expenditures and Lessor Construction Allowances”). The decrease in capital expenditures compared to Fiscal 2009 primarily related to the timing of new flagship and domestic mall-based store openings. For the twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, the Company also had cash outflows for investing activities related to the purchase of rabbi trust assets and cash inflows for investing activities related to the sale of marketable securities.
Financing Activities
Financing activities for the twenty-six week period ended July 31, 2010 consisted of cash outflows of $30.8 million related to the payment of the $0.175 per share quarterly dividends on March 16, 2010 and June 15, 2010.
As of July 31, 2010, approximately 11.3 million shares were available for repurchase as part of the August 15, 2005 and November 20, 2007 A&F Board of Directors’ authorizations to repurchase 6.0 million shares and 10.0 million shares, respectively, of A&F’s Common Stock. A&F did not repurchase any shares of A&F’s Common Stock during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010.
The Company had $53.2 million and $50.9 million of debt outstanding under its unsecured Amended Credit Agreement on July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively. The debt outstanding as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010 was denominated in Japanese Yen. The average interest rate for the twenty-six weeks ended was 2.7%. As of July 31, 2010, the Company had an additional $296.8 million available (less outstanding letters of credit) under its unsecured Amended Credit Agreement.
The Amended Credit Agreement requires that the Leverage Ratio not be greater than 3.75 to 1.00 at the end of each testing period. The Amended Credit Agreement also required that the Coverage Ratio for A&F and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of (i) Consolidated EBITDAR for the trailing four-consecutive-fiscal-quarter period to (ii) the sum of, without duplication, (x) net interest expense for such period, (y) scheduled payments of long-term debt due within twelve months of the date of determination and (z) the sum of minimum rent and contingent store rent, not be less than 1.65 to 1.00 at July 31, 2010. The minimum Coverage Ratio varies over time based on the terms set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement. On June 16, 2009, the definition of Consolidated EBITDAR was amended for the purpose of the Amended Credit Agreement, to add back the following items, among others, (a) recognized losses arising from investments in certain auction rate securities to the extent such losses do not exceed a defined level of impairments for those investments, (b) non-cash charges in an amount not to exceed $50 million related to the closure of RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations, (c) non-recurring cash charges in an aggregate amount not to exceed $61 million related to the closure of RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations, (d) additional non-recurring non-cash charges in an amount not to exceed $20 million in the aggregate over the trailing four fiscal quarter period and (e) other non-recurring cash charges in an amount not to exceed $10 million in the aggregate over the trailing four fiscal quarter period. The Amended Credit Agreement also limits the Company’s consolidated capital expenditures to $325 million in Fiscal 2010, plus $99.5 million representing the unused portion of the allowable capital expenditures from Fiscal 2009. The Company was in compliance with the applicable ratio requirements and other covenants at July 31, 2010.

 

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The unsecured Amended Credit Agreement is more fully described in Note 12, “Long-Term Debt” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Trade letters of credit totaling approximately $10.4 million and $35.9 million were outstanding on July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively. Stand-by letters of credit totaling approximately $14.0 million and $14.1 million were outstanding on July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively. The stand-by letters of credit are set to expire primarily during the first quarter of Fiscal 2011. To date, no beneficiary has drawn upon the stand-by letters of credit.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of July 31, 2010, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual Obligations
The Company’s contractual obligations consist primarily of letters of credit outstanding, operating leases, purchase orders for merchandise inventory, unrecognized tax benefits, certain retirement obligations, lease deposits and other agreements to purchase goods and services that are legally binding and that require minimum quantities to be purchased. These contractual obligations impact the Company’s short- and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. During the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010, changes to the contractual obligations from those as of January 30, 2010 included the payment of $20.5 million in previously accrued charges related to the closure of RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations. There were no other material changes in contractual obligations as of July 31, 2010, with the exception of those obligations which occurred in the normal course of business (primarily changes in the Company’s merchandise inventory-related purchases and lease obligations, which fluctuate throughout the year as a result of the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations).

 

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Second Quarter Store Count and Gross Square Feet
Store count and gross square footage by brand for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively, were as follows:
                                         
Store Activity   Abercrombie & Fitch     abercrombie     Hollister     Gilly Hicks     Total  
 
May 1, 2010
    347       209       528       16       1,100  
New
    1       1       2       1       5  
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)
    1                         1  
Closed
    (4 )     (4 )                 (8 )
 
                             
 
                                       
July 31, 2010
    345       206       530       17       1,098  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross Square Feet (thousands)
                                       
 
                                       
May 1, 2010
    3,111       988       3,615       161       7,875  
New
    12       6       14       5       37  
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)
    8                         8  
Closed
    (34 )     (18 )                 (52 )
 
                             
 
                                       
July 31, 2010
    3,097       976       3,629       166       7,868  
 
                             
 
                                       
Average Store Size
    8,977       4,738       6,847       9,765       7,166  
                                         
Store Activity   Abercrombie & Fitch     abercrombie     Hollister     Gilly Hicks     Total  
 
                                       
May 2, 2009
    354       212       515       16       1,097  
New
          1       5             6  
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)
                             
Closed
                             
 
                             
 
August 1, 2009
    354       213       520       16       1,103  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross Square Feet (thousands)
                                       
 
May 2, 2009
    3,144       981       3,475       161       7,761  
New
          5       80             85  
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)
                (3 )           (3 )
Closed
                             
 
                             
 
August 1, 2009
    3,144       986       3,552       161       7,843  
 
                             
 
                                       
Average Store Size
    8,881       4,629       6,831       10,063       7,111  

 

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Year-To-Date Store Count and Gross Square Feet
Store count and gross square footage by brand for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively, were as follows:
                                         
Store Activity   Abercrombie & Fitch     abercrombie     Hollister     Gilly Hicks     Total  
 
                                       
January 30, 2010
    346       209       525       16       1,096  
New
    3       2       6       1       12  
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)
    1                         1  
Closed
    (5 )     (5 )     (1 )           (11 )
 
                             
 
                                       
July 31, 2010
    345       206       530       17       1,098  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross Square Feet (thousands)
                                       
 
                                       
January 30, 2010
    3,110       979       3,597       161       7,847  
New
    25       19       43       5       92  
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)
    4             (4 )            
Closed
    (42 )     (22 )     (7 )           (71 )
 
                             
 
                                       
July 31, 2010
    3,097       976       3,629       166       7,868  
 
                             
 
                                       
Average Store Size
    8,977       4,738       6,847       9,765       7,166  
                                         
Store Activity   Abercrombie & Fitch     abercrombie     Hollister     Gilly Hicks     Total  
 
                                       
January 31, 2009
    356       212       515       14       1,097  
New
          3       6       2       11  
Closed
    (2 )     (2 )     (1 )           (5 )
 
                             
 
                                       
August 1, 2009
    354       213       520       16       1,103  
 
                             
 
                                       
Gross Square Feet (thousands)
                                       
 
                                       
January 31, 2009
    3,164       976       3,474       146       7,760  
New
          19       87       15       121  
Remodels/Conversions (net activity)
                (3 )           (3 )
Closed
    (20 )     (9 )     (6 )           (35 )
 
                             
 
                                       
August 1, 2009
    3,144       986       3,552       161       7,843  
 
                             
 
                                       
Average Store Size
    8,881       4,629       6,831       10,063       7,111  

 

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
In Fiscal 2010, the Company continues to expect to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Copenhagen, Denmark and Fukuoka, Japan and a Hollister Epic store on Fifth Avenue in New York. In Fiscal 2011, the Company continues to expect to open Abercrombie & Fitch flagship stores in Paris, France and Madrid, Spain.
The Company now expects to open approximately 20 international mall-based Hollister stores in Fiscal 2010, a reduction from the prior estimate of approximately 25 stores. The Company has confirmed plans to open one Abercrombie & Fitch store in Canada and its first international Gilly Hicks store in the United Kingdom in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2010.
Domestically, the Company expects to open three Abercrombie & Fitch stores, including its first store in Puerto Rico, three abercrombie kids stores, three Hollister stores, two Gilly Hicks stores and four outlet stores.
Capital expenditures totaled $59.8 million and $106.7 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively. A summary of capital expenditures is as follows:
                 
Capital Expenditures (in millions)   July 31, 2010     August 1, 2009  
New Store Construction, Store Refreshes and Remodels
  $ 45.3     $ 80.4  
Home Office, Distribution Centers and Information Technology
    14.5       26.3  
 
           
Total Capital Expenditures
  $ 59.8     $ 106.7  
 
           
During Fiscal 2010, based on new store opening plans and other capital expenditures, the Company now expects total capital expenditures to be approximately $200 million, including approximately $160 million related to new stores, store refreshes and remodels, and approximately $40 million related to information technology, distribution center and other home office projects.
CLOSURE OF RUEHL BRANDED STORES AND RELATED DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER OPERATIONS
On June 16, 2009, A&F’s Board of Directors approved the closure of the Company’s 29 RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations. The Company completed the closure of the RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2009. Accordingly, the results of operations of RUEHL are reflected in Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 1, 2009. Results from discontinued operations were immaterial for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010.
Costs associated with exit or disposal activities are recorded when the liability is incurred. The Company expects to make gross cash payments of approximately $29.5 million in Fiscal 2010, of which $20.5 million was paid during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010, and an aggregate of $19.2 million in fiscal years thereafter, related primarily to lease termination agreements associated with the closure of RUEHL branded stores.

 

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Below is a roll forward of the present value of liabilities recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2010 related to the closure of the RUEHL branded stores and related direct-to-consumer operations (in millions):
         
    Twenty-Six Weeks Ended  
    July 31, 2010  
Beginning Balance
  $ 46.1  
Interest Accretion / Other, Net
    (0.3 )
Cash Payments
    (20.5 )
 
     
Ending Balance(1)
  $ 25.3  
 
     
     
(1)   Ending balance primarily reflects the net present value of obligations due under signed lease termination agreements and obligations due under a lease, for which no agreement exists, less estimated sublease income. As of July 31, 2010, there were $19.5 million of lease termination charges recorded as a current liability in Accrued Expenses and $5.8 million of lease termination charges recorded as a long-term liability in Other Liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Since actual results may differ from those estimates, the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.
The Company’s significant accounting policies can be found in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2009 filed on March 29, 2010. The Company believes the following policies are the most critical to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
     
Policy   Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions
 
Revenue Recognition
   
 
The Company recognizes retail sales at the time the customer takes possession of the merchandise. The Company reserves for sales returns through estimates based on historical experience and various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable. The value of point of sale coupons that result in a reduction of the price paid by the customer are recorded as a reduction of sales.

The Company sells gift cards in its stores and through direct-to-consumer operations. The Company accounts for gift cards sold to customers by recognizing a liability at the time of sale. The liability remains on the Company’s books until the earlier of redemption (recognized as revenue) or when the Company determines the likelihood of redemption is remote, known as breakage (recognized as other operating income), based on historical redemption patterns.
  The Company has not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to determine the sales return reserve and revenue recognition for gift cards over the past three fiscal years.

The Company does not expect material changes in the near term to the underlying assumptions used to measure the sales return reserve or to measure the timing and amount of future gift card redemptions as of July 31, 2010. However, changes in these assumptions do occur, and, should those changes be significant, the Company may be exposed to gains or losses that could be material.

A 10% change in the sales return rate as of July 31, 2010 would have affected pre-tax income by approximately $0.6 million for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010.

A 10% change in the assumption of the redemption pattern for gift cards as of July 31, 2010 would have been immaterial to pre-tax income for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010.

 

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Policy   Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions
 
Auction Rate Securities (“ARS”)
   
 
As a result of the market failure and lack of liquidity in the current ARS market, the Company measured the fair value of its ARS primarily using a discounted cash flow model. Certain significant inputs into the model are unobservable in the market including the periodic coupon rate adjusted for the marketability discount, market required rate of return and expected term.
  The Company has not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to determine the fair value of the ARS.

The Company does not expect material changes in the near term to the underlying assumptions used to determine the unobservable inputs used to calculate the fair value of the ARS as of July 31, 2010. However, changes in these assumptions do occur, and, should those changes be significant, the Company may be exposed to gains or losses that could be material.

Assuming all other assumptions disclosed in Note 7, “Fair Value” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, being equal, a 50 basis point increase in the market required rate of return will yield a 29% increase in impairment and a 50 basis point decrease in the market required rate of return will yield a 30% decrease in impairment.
 
   
Inventory Valuation
   
 
   
Inventories are principally valued at the lower of average cost or market utilizing the retail method.

The Company reduces inventory value by recording a valuation reserve that represents estimated future permanent markdowns necessary to sell-through the inventory.

Additionally, as part of inventory valuation, an inventory shrink estimate is made each period that reduces the value of inventory for lost or stolen items.
  The Company has not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to determine the shrink reserve or valuation reserve over the past three fiscal years.

The Company does not expect material changes in the near term to the underlying assumptions used to determine the shrink reserve or valuation reserve as of July 31, 2010. However, changes in these assumptions do occur, and, should those changes be significant, they could significantly impact the ending inventory valuation at cost, as well as the resulting gross margin(s).

An increase or decrease in the valuation reserve of 10% would have affected pre-tax income by approximately $2.1 million for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010.

An increase or decrease in the inventory shrink accrual of 10% would have affected pre-tax income by approximately $0.8 million for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010.
 
   

 

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Policy   Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions
 
Property and Equipment
   
 
   
Long-lived assets, primarily comprised of property and equipment, are reviewed periodically for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that full recoverability of net asset balances through future cash flows is in question.

The Company’s impairment calculation requires management to make assumptions and judgments related to factors used in the evaluation for impairment, including, but not limited to, management’s expectations for future operations and projected cash flows.
  The Company has not made any material changes in the accounting methodology used to determine impairment loss over the past three fiscal years.

The Company does not expect material changes in the near term to the assumptions underlying its impairment calculations as of July 31, 2010. However, changes in these assumptions do occur, and, should those changes be significant, they could have a material impact on the Company’s determination of whether or not there has been an impairment.
 
   
Income Taxes
   
 
   
Income taxes are calculated using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using current enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Inherent in the measurement of deferred balances are certain judgments and interpretations of enacted tax law and published guidance with respect to applicability to the Company’s operations.

The provision for income taxes is based on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate adjusted to reflect the tax impact of items discrete to the quarter. The effective tax rate is affected by changes in law, the tax jurisdiction of new stores, the level of earnings, provision-to-return adjustments, tax-exempt income, the results of tax audits, etc.
  The Company does not expect material changes in the judgments and interpretations used to calculate deferred tax assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2010. However, changes may occur and actual results could differ materially.

The Company does not expect material changes in the near term to underlying assumptions used to calculate the tax provisions for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010. However, changes in these assumptions may occur and should those changes be significant, they could have a material impact on the Company’s income tax expense.
 
   
Equity Compensation Expense
   
 
   
The Company’s equity compensation expense related to stock options and stock appreciation rights is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock option and stock appreciation right grants, which requires the Company to estimate the expected term of the stock option and stock appreciation right grants and expected future stock price volatility over the expected term.
  The Company does not expect material changes in the near term to the underlying assumptions used to calculate equity compensation expense for the twenty-six week period ended July 31, 2010. However, changes in these assumptions do occur, and, should those changes be significant, they could have a material impact on the Company’s equity compensation expense.

A 10% increase in term would yield a 3% increase in the Black-Scholes valuation for stock appreciation rights, while a 10% increase in volatility would yield a 9% increase in the Black-Scholes valuation for stock appreciation rights.

 

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Policy   Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions
 
   
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
   
 
   
Effective February 2, 2003, the Company established a Chief Executive Officer Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”) to provide additional retirement income to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). Subject to service requirements, the CEO will receive a monthly benefit equal to 50% of his final average compensation (as defined in the SERP) for life. The final average compensation used for the calculation is based on actual compensation (base salary and cash incentive compensation) averaged over the last 36 consecutive full calendar months ending before the CEO’s retirement.

The Company’s accrual for the SERP requires management to make assumptions and judgments related to the CEO’s final average compensation, life expectancy and discount rate.
  The Company does not expect material changes in the near term to the underlying assumptions used to determine the accrual for the SERP as of July 31, 2010. However, changes in these assumptions do occur, and, should those changes be significant, the Company may be exposed to gains or losses that could be material.

A 10% increase in final average compensation as of July 31, 2010 would increase the SERP accrual by approximately $1.2 million. A 50 basis point increase in the discount rate as of July 31, 2010 would decrease the SERP accrual by approximately $0.4 million.

 

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Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or made by the Company, its management or spokespeople involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements.
The following factors, included in the disclosure under the heading “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS” in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2009 filed on March 29, 2010, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the Company’s financial performance and could cause actual results for Fiscal 2010 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or otherwise made by management:
    general economic and financial conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and liquidity;
    loss of the services of skilled senior executive officers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
    ability to hire, train and retain qualified associates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
    equity-based compensation awarded under the employment agreement with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer could adversely impact the Company’s cash flows, financial position or results of operations and could have a dilutive effect on the Company’s outstanding Common Stock;
    failure to anticipate, identify and respond to changing consumer preferences and fashion trends in a timely manner could cause the Company’s profitability to decline;
    unseasonable weather conditions affecting consumer preferences could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
    disruptive weather conditions affecting the consumers’ ability to shop could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
    the Company’s market share may be adversely impacted at any time by a significant number of competitors;
    the Company’s international expansion plan is dependent on many factors, any of which could delay or prevent successful penetration into new markets and strain its resources;
    the Company’s growth strategy relies on the addition of new stores, which may strain the Company’s resources and adversely impact current store performance;
    the Company may incur costs related to store closures;
    availability and market prices of key raw materials and labor costs could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations;
    the interruption of the flow of merchandise from key vendors and international manufacturers could disrupt the Company’s supply chain;

 

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    the Company does not own or operate any manufacturing facilities and therefore depends upon independent third parties for the manufacture of all its merchandise;
    the Company’s reliance on two distribution centers domestically located in the same vicinity, and one distribution center internationally, makes it susceptible to disruptions or adverse conditions affecting its distribution centers;
    the Company’s reliance on third parties to deliver merchandise from its distribution centers to its stores and direct-to-consumer customers could result in disruptions to its business;
    the Company’s development of new brand concepts could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations;
    fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely impact financial results;
    the Company’s net sales and inventory levels fluctuate on a seasonal basis, causing its results of operations to be particularly susceptible to changes to back-to-school and holiday shopping patterns;
    the Company’s ability to attract customers to its stores depends heavily on the success of the shopping centers in which they are located;
    comparable store sales will continue to fluctuate on a regular basis;
    the Company’s net sales are affected by direct-to-consumer sales;
    the Company may be exposed to risks and costs associated with credit card fraud and identity theft;
    the Company’s litigation exposure could exceed expectations, having a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations;
    the Company’s failure to adequately protect its trademarks could have a negative impact on its brand image and limit its ability to penetrate new markets;
    the Company’s unsecured credit agreement includes financial and other covenants that impose restrictions on its financial and business operations;
    changes in taxation requirements could adversely impact financial results;
    the Company’s inability to obtain commercial insurance at acceptable prices or failure to adequately reserve for self-insured exposures might increase expense and adversely impact financial results;
    modifications and/or upgrades to information technology systems may disrupt operations;
    the Company could suffer if the Company’s computer systems are disrupted or cease to operate effectively;

 

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    effects of political and economic events and conditions domestically, and in foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including, but not limited to, acts of terrorism or war could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
    potential disruption of the Company’s business due to the occurrence of, or fear of, a health pandemic could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business;
    changes in the regulatory or compliance landscape could adversely effect the Company’s business or results of operations; and
 
    the Company’s operations may be effected by greenhouse emissions and climate change.
Future economic and industry trends that could potentially impact revenue and profitability are difficult to predict. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that the objectives of the Company will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included herein are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

 

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ITEM 3.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Investment Securities
The Company maintains its cash equivalents in financial instruments, primarily money market funds, with original maturities of three months or less. The Company also holds investments in investment grade auction rate securities (“ARS”) that have maturities ranging from 17 to 33 years. The par and carrying values, and related cumulative impairment charges for the Company’s marketable securities as of July 31, 2010 were as follows:
                         
            Temporary     Carrying  
(in thousands)   Par Value     Impairment     Value  
 
                       
Available-for-sale securities:
                       
Auction rate securities — student loan backed
  $ 107,999     $ (4,699 )   $ 103,300  
Auction rate securities — municipal authority bonds
    28,575       (4,339 )     24,236  
 
                 
Total available-for-sale securities
  $ 136,574     $ (9,038 )   $ 127,536  
 
                 
As of July 31, 2010, approximately 76% of the Company’s ARS were “AAA” rated, approximately 11% of the Company’s ARS were “AA” rated, and approximately 13% were “A-” rated, in each case as rated by one or more of the major credit rating agencies. The ratings take into account insurance policies guaranteeing both the principal and accrued interest. Each investment in student loans is insured by (1) the U.S. government under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, (2) a private insurer or (3) a combination of both. The percentage coverage of the outstanding principal and interest of the ARS varies by security. The credit ratings may change over time and would be an indicator of the default risk associated with the ARS and could have a material effect on the value of the ARS. If the Company expects that it will not recover the entire cost basis of the available-for-sale ARS, intends to sell the available-for-sale ARS or it becomes more than likely that the Company will be required to sell the available-for-sale ARS before recovery of their cost basis, which may be at maturity, the Company may be required to record an other-than-temporary impairment or additional temporary impairment to write down the assets’ fair value. As of July 31, 2010, the Company did not incur any credit losses on available-for-sale ARS. Furthermore, as of July 31, 2010, the issuers continued to perform under the obligations, including making scheduled interest payments, and the Company expects that this will continue going forward.
The irrevocable rabbi trust (the “Rabbi Trust”) is intended to be used as a source of funds to match respective funding obligations to participants in the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan I, the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Nonqualified Savings and Supplemental Retirement Plan II and the Chief Executive Officer Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. As of July 31, 2010, total assets held in the Rabbi Trust were $76.5 million, which included $12.1 million of municipal notes and bonds with maturities that ranged from three to four years, trust-owned life insurance policies with a cash surrender value of $64.1 million and $0.3 million held in money market funds. The Rabbi Trust assets are consolidated and recorded at fair value, with the exception of the trust-owned life insurance policies which are recorded at cash surrender value in Other Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and are restricted as to their use as noted above. Net unrealized gains or losses related to the municipal notes and bonds held in the Rabbi Trust were not material for the thirteen and twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively. The change in cash surrender value of the trust-owned life insurance policies held in the Rabbi Trust resulted in realized gains of $0.6 million and $3.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively. The change in cash surrender value of the trust-owned life insurance policies held in the Rabbi Trust resulted in realized gains of $1.1 million and $4.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively.

 

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Interest Rate Risks
As of July 31, 2010, the Company had $53.2 million in long-term debt outstanding under the unsecured Amended Credit Agreement. This borrowing and any future borrowings will bear interest at negotiated rates and would be subject to interest rate risk. The unsecured Amended Credit Agreement has several borrowing options, including interest rates that are based on: (i) a Base Rate, plus a margin based on a Leverage Ratio, payable quarterly; (ii) an Adjusted Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the unsecured Amended Credit Agreement) plus a margin based on a Leverage Ratio, payable at the end of the applicable interest period for the borrowing and, for interest periods in excess of three months, on the date that is three months after the commencement of the interest period; or (iii) an Adjusted Foreign Currency Rate (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) plus a margin based on the Leverage Ratio, payable at the end of the applicable interest period for the borrowing and, for interest periods in excess of three months, on the date that is three months after the commencement of the interest period. The Base Rate represents a rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) PNC Bank’s then publicly announced prime rate or (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate (as defined in the unsecured Amended Credit Agreement) as then in effect plus 1/2 of 1.0%. The average interest rate was 2.7% for the thirteen and twenty-six week period ended July 31, 2010. Additionally, as of July 31, 2010, the Company had $296.8 million available, less outstanding letters of credit, under its unsecured Amended Credit Agreement. Assuming no changes in the Company’s financial structure as it stood at July 31, 2010, if market interest rates average an increase of 100 basis points over the final twenty-six week period for Fiscal 2010 compared to the interest rates incurred for the twenty-six week period ended July 31, 2010, there would be an immaterial change in interest expense. This amount was determined by calculating the effect of the average hypothetical interest rate increase on the Company’s variable rate unsecured Amended Credit Agreement. This hypothetical increase in interest rate for the fifty-two week period ended January 29, 2011 may be different from the actual increase in interest expense due to varying interest rate reset dates under the Company’s unsecured Amended Credit Agreement.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
The Company’s international subsidiaries generally operate with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in U.S. dollars. Therefore, the Company must translate revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities from functional currencies into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect during, or at the end of, the reporting period. The fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar against other currencies affects the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities.
The Company and its subsidiaries have exposure to changes in currency exchange rates associated with foreign currency transactions and forecasted foreign currency transactions, including the sale of inventory between subsidiaries and foreign denominated assets and liabilities. Such transactions are denominated primarily in U.S. dollars, Euros, Canadian Dollars, Japanese Yen and British Pounds. The Company has established a program that primarily utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to partially offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency transactions and forecasted transactions. Under this program, increases or decreases in foreign currency exposures are partially offset by gains or losses on forward contracts, to mitigate the impact of foreign currency gains or losses. The Company does not use forward contracts to engage in currency speculation. All outstanding foreign currency forward contracts are recorded at fair value at the end of each fiscal period.

 

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ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
A&F maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that A&F files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to A&F’s management, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A&F (the principal executive officer) and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of A&F (the principal financial officer), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Because of inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of disclosure controls and procedures are met.
A&F’s management, including the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A&F and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of A&F, evaluated the effectiveness of A&F’s design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2010. Based upon that evaluation, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of A&F and the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of A&F concluded that A&F’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable level of assurance as of July 31, 2010, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in A&F’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during A&F’s fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2010 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, A&F’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
A&F is a defendant in lawsuits and other adversary proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Legal costs incurred in connection with the resolution of claims and lawsuits are generally expensed as incurred, and the Company establishes reserves for the outcome of litigation where it deems appropriate to do so under applicable accounting rules. Actual liabilities may exceed the amounts reserved, and there can be no assurance that final resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company’s identified contingencies include the following matters:
On June 23, 2006, Lisa Hashimoto, et al. v. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. and Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc., was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles. In that action, plaintiffs alleged, on behalf of a putative class of California store managers employed in Hollister and abercrombie kids stores, that they were entitled to receive overtime pay as “non-exempt” employees under California wage and hour laws. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, equitable relief, unpaid overtime compensation, unpaid benefits, penalties, interest and attorneys’ fees and costs. The defendants answered the complaint on August 21, 2006, denying liability. On June 23, 2008, the defendants settled all claims of Hollister and abercrombie kids store managers who served in stores from June 23, 2002 through April 30, 2004, but continued to oppose the plaintiffs’ remaining claims. On January 29, 2009, the Court certified a class consisting of all store managers who served at Hollister and abercrombie kids stores in California from May 1, 2004 through the future date upon which the action concludes. The parties then continued to litigate the claims of that putative class. On May 24, 2010, plaintiffs filed a notice that they did not intend to continue to pursue their claim that members of the class did not exercise independent managerial judgment and discretion. They also asked the Court to vacate the August 9, 2010 trial date previously set by the Court. On July 20, 2010, the trial court vacated the trial date and defendants then moved to decertify the putative class.
On September 2, 2005, a purported class action, styled Robert Ross v. Abercrombie & Fitch Company, et al., was filed against A&F and certain of its officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of a purported class of all persons who purchased or acquired shares of A&F’s Common Stock between June 2, 2005 and August 16, 2005. In September and October of 2005, five other purported class actions were subsequently filed against A&F and other defendants in the same Court. All six securities cases allege claims under the federal securities laws related to sales of Common Stock by certain defendants and to a decline in the price of A&F’s Common Stock during the summer of 2005, allegedly as a result of misstatements attributable to A&F. Plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages. On November 1, 2005, a motion to consolidate all of these purported class actions into the first-filed case was filed by some of the plaintiffs. A&F joined in that motion. On March 22, 2006, the motions to consolidate were granted, and these actions (together with the federal court derivative cases described in the following paragraph) were consolidated for purposes of motion practice, discovery and pretrial proceedings. A consolidated amended securities class action complaint (the “Complaint”) was filed on August 14, 2006. On October 13, 2006, all defendants moved to dismiss that Complaint. On August 9, 2007, the Court denied the motions to dismiss. On September 14, 2007, defendants filed answers denying the material allegations of the Complaint and asserting affirmative defenses. On October 26, 2007, plaintiffs moved to certify their purported class. After briefing and argument, the motion was submitted on March 24, 2009, and granted on May 21, 2009. On June 5, 2009, defendants petitioned the Sixth Circuit for permission to appeal the class certification order and on August 24, 2009, the Sixth Circuit granted leave to appeal. On May 26, 2010, after mediation which commenced on May 17, 2010, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the consolidated cases as a class action, subject to Court approval. Under the agreement in principal, the entire settlement payment of $12 million will be paid by A&F’s insurers. A hearing will be held on September 24, 2010 to enable the District Court to determine whether the proposed settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate and should be approved and effected and whether the class action should therefore be dismissed.

 

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On September 16, 2005, a derivative action, styled The Booth Family Trust v. Michael S. Jeffries, et al., was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, naming A&F as a nominal defendant and seeking to assert claims for unspecified damages against nine of A&F’s present and former directors, alleging various breaches of the directors’ fiduciary duty and seeking equitable and monetary relief. In the following three months, four similar derivative actions were filed (three in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and one in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio) against present and former directors of A&F alleging various breaches of the directors’ fiduciary duty allegedly arising out of the same matters alleged in the Ross case and seeking equitable and monetary relief on behalf of A&F. In March of 2006, the federal court derivative actions were consolidated with the Ross actions for purposes of motion practice, discovery and pretrial proceedings. A consolidated amended derivative complaint was filed in the federal proceeding on July 10, 2006. On February 16, 2007, A&F announced that its Board of Directors had received a report of the Special Litigation Committee established by the Board to investigate and act with respect to claims asserted in the derivative lawsuit, which concluded that there was no evidence to support the asserted claims and directed the Company to seek dismissal of the derivative cases. On September 10, 2007, the Company moved to dismiss the federal derivative cases on the authority of the Special Litigation Committee report. On March 12, 2009, the Company’s motion was granted and, on April 10, 2009, plaintiffs filed an appeal from the order of dismissal. Plaintiffs’ appeal has been fully briefed and argued and is awaiting decision. The state court has stayed further proceedings in the state-court derivative action until resolution of the consolidated federal derivative cases.
The Company intends to defend the aforesaid matters vigorously, as appropriate. The Company is unable to quantify the potential exposure of the aforesaid matters. However, the Company’s assessment of the current exposure could change in the event of the discovery of additional facts with respect to legal matters pending against the Company or determinations by judges, juries, administrative agencies or other finders of fact that are not in accordance with the Company’s evaluation of the claims.

 

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ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS
The Company’s risk factors as of July 31, 2010 have not changed materially from those disclosed in Part I, “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of A&F’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 2009 filed on March 29, 2010.

 

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ITEM 2.   UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table provides information regarding A&F’s purchases of its Common Stock during the thirteen-week period ended July 31, 2010:
                                 
                    Total Number of        
    Total             Shares Purchased     Maximum Number of  
    Number of     Average     as Part of Publicly     Shares that May Yet be  
    Shares     Price Paid     Announced Plans     Purchased under the  
    Purchased     per Share     or Programs     Plans or Programs  
Period (Fiscal Month)   (1)     (2)     (3)     (4)  
May 2, 2010 through May 29, 2010
    6,005     $ 36.33             11,346,900  
 
                               
May 30, 2010 through July 3, 2010
    716     $ 36.45             11,346,900  
 
                               
July 4, 2010 through July 31, 2010
    511     $ 35.38             11,346,900  
 
                       
 
                               
Total
    7,232     $ 36.28             11,346,900  
 
                       
     
(1)   The shares of A&F’s Common Stock purchased during the quarterly period (thirteen-week period) ended July 31, 2010 represented an aggregate of 7,232 shares which were withheld for tax payments due upon the vesting of employee restricted stock unit and restricted stock awards.
 
(2)   The average price paid per share includes broker commissions, as applicable.
 
(3)   There were no shares purchased pursuant to A&F’s publicly announced stock repurchase authorizations during the quarterly period (thirteen-week period) ended July 31, 2010. On August 16, 2005, A&F announced the August 15, 2005 authorization by A&F’s Board of Directors to repurchase 6.0 million shares of A&F’s Common Stock. On November 21, 2007, A&F announced the November 20, 2007 authorization by A&F’s Board of Directors to repurchase 10.0 million shares of A&F’s Common Stock, in addition to the approximately 2.0 million shares of A&F’s Common Stock which remained available under the August 2005 authorization as of November 20, 2007.
 
(4)   The number shown represents, as of the end of each period, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may yet be purchased under A&F’s publicly announced stock repurchase authorizations described in footnote 3 above. The shares may be purchased, from time to time, depending on market conditions.

 

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ITEM 6.   EXHIBITS
(a)   Exhibits
         
  4.1    
Supplement No. 1 dated as of May 26, 2010, executed by AFH Puerto Rico LLC And PNC Bank, National Association (as successor by merger to National City Bank), as Global Agent, to the Guaranty of Payment (Domestic Credit Parties), dated as of April 15, 2008, among Abercrombie & Fitch Co.; each direct and indirect Domestic Subsidiary (as defined in the Guaranty of Payment) of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. other than Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.; and PNC Bank, National Association (as successor by merger to National City Bank), as Global Agent, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 1, 2010 (File No. 001-12107).
       
 
  4.7    
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2008 (the “Credit Agreement”), among Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.; the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers (as defined in the Credit Agreement) from time-to-time party to the Credit Agreement; A&F; the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) from time to time party to the Credit Agreement; National City Bank, as a co-lead arranger, a co-bookrunner and Global Administrative Agent, as the Swing Line Lender and an LC Issuer; J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., as a co-leader arranger, a co-bookrunner and as syndication agent; and each of Fifth Third Bank and Huntington National Bank, as a documentation agent. NOTE: The number of this exhibit (4.7) reflects numbering system used when this exhibit was identified in Item 15(a)(3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. As filed herewith, Exhibit 4.7 includes all schedules, attachments and exhibits to the Credit Agreement, in their entirety.*
       
 
  4.12    
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, made as of December 29, 2008, among Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co., the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers (as defined in the Credit Agreement), A&F, the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and National City Bank, as the Swing Line Lender, an LC Issuer and Global Administrative Agent. NOTE: The number of this exhibit (4.12) reflects numbering system used when this exhibit was identified in Item 15(a)(3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. As filed herewith, Exhibit 4.12 includes all schedules, attachments and exhibits to Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, in their entirety.*
       
 
  4.14    
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, made as of June 16, 2009, by and among Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co., as a borrower; Abercrombie & Fitch Europe SA, Abercrombie & Fitch (UK) Limited, AFH Canada Stores Co. and AFH Japan, G.K., as foreign subsidiary borrowers; Abercrombie & Fitch Co., as a guarantor; National City Bank, as a Co-Lead Arranger, Global Agent, Swing Line Lender, an LC Issuer and a Lender; JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as a Co-Lead Arranger, Syndication Agent and a Lender; The Huntington National Bank, as a Lender; National City Bank, Canada Branch, as a Canadian Lender; J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Canada Branch), as a Lender; J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as a Lender; Fifth Third Bank, as a Lender; Bank of America N.A., as a Lender; Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, as a Lender; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as a Lender; U.S. Bank National Association, as a Lender; and PNC Bank, National Association, as a Lender. NOTE: The number of this exhibit (4.14) reflects numbering system used when this exhibit was identified in Item 15(a)(3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. As filed herewith, Exhibit 4.14 includes all schedules, attachments and exhibits to Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement, in their entirety.*

 

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  10.1    
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement, made and entered into to be effective as of June 1, 2010, by and between Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co., as Lessor, and Michael S. Jeffries, as Lessee, and consented to by DFZ, LLC, as Owner, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 1, 2010 (File No. 001-12107).
       
 
  10.48    
Credit Line Agreement — Borrower Agreement, effective March 6, 2009, signed on behalf of Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co. NOTE: The number of this exhibit (10.48) reflects numbering system used when this exhibit was identified in Item 15(a)(3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. As filed herewith, Exhibit 10.48 includes all schedules, attachments and exhibits to the Credit Line — Borrower Agreement, in their entirety.*
       
 
  15    
Letter re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information to Securities and Exchange Commission re:
       
Inclusion of Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.*
       
 
  31.1    
Certifications by Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
       
 
  31.2    
Certifications by Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
       
 
  32    
Certifications by Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
       
 
  101    
The following materials from Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2010, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009; and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements***
 
     
*   Filed herewith.
 
**   Furnished herewith.
 
***   Pursuant to Rule 406T of SEC Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these Sections.

 

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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.
         
  ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.
 
 
Date: September 8, 2010  By   /s/ JONATHAN E. RAMSDEN  
      Jonathan E. Ramsden   
      Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Authorized Officer) 
 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit No.   Document
       
 
  4.7    
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2008 (the “Credit Agreement”), among Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co.; the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers (as defined in the Credit Agreement) from time-to-time party to the Credit Agreement; A&F; the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) from time to time party to the Credit Agreement; National City Bank, as a co-lead arranger, a co-bookrunner and Global Administrative Agent, as the Swing Line Lender and an LC Issuer; J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., as a co-leader arranger, a co-bookrunner and as syndication agent; and each of Fifth Third Bank and Huntington National Bank, as a documentation agent. NOTE: The number of this exhibit (4.7) reflects numbering system used when this exhibit was identified in Item 15(a)(3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. As filed herewith, Exhibit 4.7 includes all schedules, attachments and exhibits to the Credit Agreement, in their entirety.
       
 
  4.12    
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, made as of December 29, 2008, among Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co., the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers (as defined in the Credit Agreement), A&F, the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and National City Bank, as the Swing Line Lender, an LC Issuer and Global Administrative Agent. NOTE: The number of this exhibit (4.12) reflects numbering system used when this exhibit was identified in Item 15(a)(3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. As filed herewith, Exhibit 4.12 includes all schedules, attachments and exhibits to Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, in their entirety.
       
 
  4.14    
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement, made as of June 16, 2009, by and among Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co., as a borrower; Abercrombie & Fitch Europe SA, Abercrombie & Fitch (UK) Limited, AFH Canada Stores Co. and AFH Japan, G.K., as foreign subsidiary borrowers; Abercrombie & Fitch Co., as a guarantor; National City Bank, as a Co-Lead Arranger, Global Agent, Swing Line Lender, an LC Issuer and a Lender; JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as a Co-Lead Arranger, Syndication Agent and a Lender; The Huntington National Bank, as a Lender; National City Bank, Canada Branch, as a Canadian Lender; J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Canada Branch), as a Lender; J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as a Lender; Fifth Third Bank, as a Lender; Bank of America N.A., as a Lender; Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, as a Lender; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as a Lender; U.S. Bank National Association, as a Lender; and PNC Bank, National Association, as a Lender. NOTE: The number of this exhibit (4.14) reflects numbering system used when this exhibit was identified in Item 15(a)(3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. As filed herewith, Exhibit 4.14 includes all schedules, attachments and exhibits to Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement, in their entirety.
       
 
  10.48    
Credit Line Agreement — Borrower Agreement, effective March 6, 2009, signed on behalf of Abercrombie & Fitch Management Co. NOTE: The number of this exhibit (10.48) reflects numbering system used when this exhibit was identified in Item 15(a)(3) of the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010. As filed herewith, Exhibit 10.48 includes all schedules, attachments and exhibits to the Credit Line — Borrower Agreement, in their entirety.

 

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Exhibit No.   Document
       
 
  15    
Letter re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information to Securities and Exchange Commission re: Inclusion of Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
       
 
  31.1    
Certifications by Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  31.2    
Certifications by Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  32    
Certifications by Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  101    
The following materials from Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 31, 2010, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009; and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.*
 
     
*   Pursuant to Rule 406T of SEC Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these Sections.

 

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