GARMIN LTD - Quarter Report: 2017 July (Form 10-Q)

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended July 1, 2017

or

For the transition period from                to              

Commission file number 0-31983

GARMIN LTD.

(Exact name of Company as specified in its charter)

Company's telephone number, including area code: +41 52 630 1600

Indicate by check mark whether the Company (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 Company was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES þ 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). YES þ NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large Accelerated Filer þ Accelerated Filer ¨ Non-accelerated Filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ¨ Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. YES ¨ NO ¨

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

Number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common shares as of July 31, 2017

CHF 0.10 par value:  198,077,418 (including treasury shares)

Garmin Ltd.

Form 10-Q

Quarter Ended July 1, 2017

Table of Contents

Part I - Financial Information

Item I - Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share information)

See accompanying notes.

Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share information)

See accompanying notes.

Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See accompanying notes.

Garmin Ltd. And Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

See accompanying notes.

Garmin Ltd. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

July 1, 2017

(In thousands, except per share information)

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Additionally, the condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Item 2 of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in this Form 10-Q. Operating results for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 30, 2017.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company’s fiscal year is based on a 52-53 week period ending on the last Saturday of the calendar year. Therefore, the financial results of certain 53-week fiscal years, and the associated 14-week quarters, will not be exactly comparable to the prior and subsequent 52-week fiscal years and the associated 13-week quarters. The quarters ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016 both contain operating results for 13 weeks.

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”), which is intended to simplify the accounting for share-based payment awards. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on a prospective basis during the quarter ended April 1, 2017. ASU 2016-09 requires excess tax benefits or deficiencies from stock-based compensation to be recognized in the income tax provision. We previously recorded these amounts to additional paid-in capital. Additionally, under ASU 2016-09, excess tax benefits and deficiencies are not estimated in the effective tax rate, rather, are recorded as discrete tax items in the period they occur. Excess income tax benefits from stock-based compensation arrangements are classified as a cash flow from operations under ASU 2016-09, rather than as a cash flow from financing activities. Most significantly, the Company recognized income tax expense of $7,275 resulting from stock options and stock appreciation rights expiring unexercised during the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017. The impact of these discrete tax items on diluted earnings per share was $0.04 for both the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017. The Company believes ASU 2016-09 may have a material effect on forthcoming quarters during fiscal 2017. However, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the impact due to the dependency of these items on the underlying share price of the Company.

The components of inventories consist of the following:

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share:

There were 1,057 and 3,873 anti-dilutive stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units (collectively “equity awards”) outstanding during the 13-week periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016, respectively.

There were 1,825 and 4,231 anti-dilutive equity awards outstanding during the 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016, respectively.

There were 9 and 11 net shares issued as a result of exercises and releases of equity awards for the 13-week periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016, respectively.

There were 159 and 13 shares issued as a result of exercises and releases of equity awards for the 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016, respectively.

There were 248 employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) shares issued from outstanding Treasury stock during the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017.

There were 285 ESPP shares issued from outstanding Treasury stock during the 13-week and 26-week periods ended June 25, 2016.

The Company has identified five reportable segments – auto, aviation, marine, outdoor and fitness. The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) assesses segment performance and allocates resources to each segment individually.

Net sales (“revenue”), gross profit, and operating income for each of the Company’s reportable segments are presented below.

Allocation of certain research and development expenses, and selling, general, and administrative expenses are made to each segment on a percent of revenue basis.

Net sales and property and equipment, net by geographic area are as follows as of and for the 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016. Note that APAC includes Asia Pacific and Australian Continent and EMEA includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa:

The Company’s products sold are generally covered by a standard warranty for periods ranging from one to three years. The Company’s estimate of costs to service its warranty obligations are based on historical experience and expectation of future conditions and are recorded as a liability on the balance sheet. The following reconciliation provides an illustration of changes in the aggregate warranty reserve.

The Company is party to certain commitments, which include purchases of raw materials, advertising expenditures, investments in certain low income housing tax credit projects, and other indirect purchases in connection with conducting our business. The aggregate amount of purchase orders and other commitments open as of July 1, 2017 was approximately $378,000. We cannot determine the aggregate amount of such purchase orders that represent contractual obligations because purchase orders may represent authorizations to purchase rather than binding agreements. Our purchase orders are based on our current needs and are typically fulfilled within short periods of time.

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various legal claims, investigations and complaints, including matters alleging patent infringement and other intellectual property claims. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings, investigations or claims that could affect the amount of any accrual or disclosure. The assessment regarding whether a loss is probable or a reasonable possibility, and whether the loss or a range of loss is estimable, often involves a series of complex judgments about future events.

Management of the Company currently does not believe there is at least a reasonable possibility the Company may have incurred a material loss, or a material loss in excess of recorded accruals, with respect to loss contingencies individually and in the aggregate, for the fiscal quarter ended July 1, 2017. The results of legal proceedings, investigations and claims, however, cannot be predicted with certainty. Although management considers the likelihood to be remote, an adverse resolution of one or more of such matters in excess of management’s expectations could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

The Company settled or resolved certain matters during the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017 that did not individually or in the aggregate have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $57,105 in the 13-week period ended July 1, 2017, compared to income tax expense of $42,737 in the 13-week period ended June 25, 2016. The effective tax rate was 25.0% in the second quarter of 2017, compared to 21.0% in the second quarter of 2016. Excluding tax expense of $7,275 associated with the expiration of share-based awards (see Note 1 regarding the impacts of ASU 2016-09), the second quarter of 2017 effective tax rate increased 90 basis points compared to the effective tax rate in the prior year quarter. This remaining 90 basis point increase in effective tax rate was primarily due to the Company’s election in February 2017 to align certain Switzerland corporate tax positions with evolving international tax initiatives, partially offset by shifts in the projected income mix by jurisdiction during the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $93,015 for the first half of 2017, compared to income tax expense of $62,192 in the first half of 2016. The effective tax rate was (29.5%) in the first half of 2017, compared to 20.0% in the first half of 2016. Excluding an income tax benefit of $168,755 due to revaluation of deferred tax assets, and the $7,275 expense due to the expiration of share-based awards, the effective tax rate for the first half of 2017 increased 170 basis points compared to the effective tax rate in the first half of 2016. This remaining 170 basis point increase in effective tax rate was primarily due to the Company’s election in February 2017 to align certain Switzerland corporate tax positions with evolving international tax initiatives, partially offset by shifts in the projected income mix by jurisdiction for 2017 compared to the projection at second quarter of 2016.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASC topic entitled Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures defines fair value as 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 (exit price). The accounting guidance classifies the inputs used to measure fair value into the following hierarchy:

The Company endeavors to utilize the best available information in measuring fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation is based on prices obtained from an independent pricing vendor using both market and income approaches. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, and credit spreads.

The method described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

Available-for-sale securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

Marketable securities classified as available-for-sale securities are summarized below:

The Company’s investment policy targets low risk investments with the objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. The fair value of our securities varies from period to period due to changes in interest rates, in the performance of the underlying collateral and in the credit performance of the underlying issuer, among other factors. The Company does not intend to sell the securities that have an unrealized loss shown in the table above, and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be maturity.

The Company recognizes the credit component of other-than-temporary impairments of debt securities in "Other Income" and the noncredit component in "Other comprehensive income (loss)" for those securities that we do not intend to sell and for which it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell before recovery. During 2016 and the 26-week period ending July 1, 2017, the Company did not record any material impairment charges on its outstanding securities.

The amortized cost and fair value of the securities at an unrealized loss position at July 1, 2017 were $1,085,289 and $1,066,225 respectively. Approximately 57.4% of securities in our portfolio were at an unrealized loss position at July 1, 2017. We have the ability to hold these securities until maturity or their value is recovered. We do not consider these unrealized losses to be other than temporary credit losses because there has been no material deterioration in credit quality and no change in the cash flows of the underlying securities. We do not intend to sell the securities and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the securities; therefore, no material impairment has been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of income.

The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.

The following tables display additional information regarding gross unrealized losses and fair value by major security type for available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position as of July 1, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

The amortized cost and fair value of marketable securities at July 1, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.

On February 13, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $300,000 of the common shares of Garmin Ltd. The repurchases may be made from time to time as market and business conditions warrant on the open market or in negotiated transactions in compliance with the SEC’s Rule 10b-18. The timing and amounts of any repurchases will be determined by the Company’s management depending on market conditions and other factors including price, regulatory requirements and capital availability. The program does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. In December 2016, the Board of Directors authorized an extension through December 31, 2017 to purchase remaining common shares. As of July 1, 2017, the Company had repurchased 6,571 shares using cash of $288,603. There remains approximately $11,397 available to repurchase additional shares under this authorization.

The following provides required disclosure of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) balances by component for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017:

The following provides required disclosure of reporting reclassifications out of AOCI for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended July 1, 2017:

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance. Subsequently, the FASB has issued several standards amending or relating to ASU 2014-09 (collectively, the “new revenue standards”). Under Topic 606, a company is required to recognize revenue at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. The new revenue standards also require enhanced disclosures around contract assets and liabilities, increased disaggregation of revenues, among other enhanced disclosure requirements. The effective date of ASU 2014-09 is for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The Company does not intend to early adopt, and adoption will therefore occur in the Company’s fiscal year ending December 29, 2018.

The new revenue standards may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or in a modified retrospective approach in which the cumulative effect will be recognized as of the date of adoption. We currently anticipate we will adopt the new revenue standards using the full retrospective method to restate each prior reporting period presented. Our decision to adopt using the full retrospective method is dependent on the finalization of our analysis of information necessary to restate prior period financial statements.

We expect the new revenue standards will impact a portion of the Company’s auto segment, which are currently accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 985-605 Software-Revenue Recognition (Topic 985-605). Under Topic 985-605, the Company defers all elements of multiple-element software arrangements if vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (VSOE) cannot be established for an undelivered element (e.g. map updates). However, in applying the new revenue standards to certain contracts that include both software licenses and map updates, we expect to recognize the portion of revenue related to the software license at the time of delivery rather than ratably over the map update period.

Additionally, for certain multiple-element arrangements within the Company’s auto segment, the Company’s current policy is to allocate consideration to traffic services and recognize it ratably over the estimated life of the underlying product. Under the new revenue standards, we expect to recognize revenue related to certain traffic services at the time of hardware and/or software delivery. Specifically, the new revenue standards emphasize the timing of the Company’s performance, and upon delivery of the navigation device and/or software, the Company has performed its obligation with respect to the design and production of the product to receive and interpret the broadcast traffic signal for the benefit of the end user.

We continue to finalize our analysis of the impacts of the new revenue standards, and the materiality of which is not yet known. We are also in the process of quantifying the impacts of the changes in accounting policy, retrospectively adjusting financial information for 2016 and 2017 fiscal periods, and implementing changes to processes and internal controls for the new revenue standards. We will continue to monitor the work of standard setters, including any impacts from the recently issued amendments, and consider the interpretive efforts of non-authoritative groups.

Financial Instruments – Recognition, Measurement, Presentation, and Disclosure

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). The standard addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to present a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability on the balance sheet. Lessor accounting is substantially unchanged compared to the current accounting guidance. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”), which adds or clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The standard addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes

In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory (“ASU 2016-16”), which requires recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Topic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU 2017-08”), which shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium, requiring the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. Callable debt securities held at a discount continue to be amortized to maturity. ASU 2017-08 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

On July 20, 2017, the Company acquired the shares of Alphamantis Technologies Inc., a privately held designer of aerodynamics testing and measurement technology for the cycling industry. This acquisition was not material.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The discussion set forth below, as well as other portions of this Quarterly Report, contains statements concerning potential future events. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions by management, as of the date of this Quarterly Report, including assumptions about risks and uncertainties faced by the Company. Readers can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of such verbs as expects, anticipates, believes or similar verbs or conjugations of such verbs. If any of the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect or should unanticipated circumstances arise, actual results could materially differ from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The differences could be caused by a number of factors or combination of factors including, but not limited to, those factors identified in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. This report has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" or the "Commission") in Washington, D.C. and can be obtained by contacting the SEC's public reference operations or obtaining it through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Readers are strongly encouraged to consider those factors when evaluating any forward-looking statement concerning the Company. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report to reflect future events or developments.

The information contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in this Form 10-Q and the audited financial statements and notes thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The Company is a leading worldwide provider of navigation, communications and information devices, most of which are enabled by Global Positioning System, or GPS, technology. We operate in five business segments, the outdoor, fitness, marine, auto and aviation markets. The Company’s segments offer products through its network of independent dealers and distributors. However, the nature of products and types of customers for the five segments may vary significantly. As such, the segments are managed separately.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the Company’s results of operations as a percent of net sales during the periods shown (the table may not foot due to rounding):

Allocation of certain research and development expenses, and selling, general, and administrative expenses are made to each segment on a percent of revenue basis. The segment table located in Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements sets forth the Company’s results of operations (in thousands) including net sales, gross profit, and operating income for each of the Company’s five segments during the periods shown. For each line item in the table, the total of the outdoor, fitness, marine, auto, and aviation segments' amounts equals the amount in the condensed consolidated statements of income included in Item 1.

Comparison of 13-weeks ended July 1, 2017 and June 25, 2016

(Amounts included in the following discussion are stated in thousands unless otherwise indicated)

Net Sales

Net sales increased 1% for the 13-week period ended July 1, 2017 when compared to the year-ago quarter. The outdoor, aviation, marine, and fitness segments collectively increased by 8%, contributing 74% of total revenue. Auto was the largest portion of our revenue mix at 26% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to 30% in the second quarter of 2016.

Total unit sales decreased to 3,904 in the second quarter of 2017 from 4,209 in the same period of 2016.

Auto segment revenue decreased 15% from the year-ago quarter, primarily due to the ongoing PND market contraction. Revenues in the fitness segment decreased 15% from the year-ago quarter driven by the general decline of the basic activity tracker market and the timing of product introductions. The marine decline of 3% is primarily due to volume declines when compared to the year-ago quarter. Revenues in the outdoor segment increased 46% from the year-ago quarter primarily driven by significant growth in the wearable category. Aviation revenues increased 15% when compared to the year-ago quarter, primarily due to growth in aftermarket sales.

Cost of Goods Sold

Second quarter 2017 cost of goods sold was $9.6 million or 3% lower than the prior year quarter.

In the fitness, auto, and marine segments, the decline in cost of goods sold was largely consistent with the segment revenue declines. In the outdoor segment, the decrease in cost of goods sold as a percent of revenue resulted from a shift in product mix toward higher margin products.  In the aviation segment, the increase in cost of goods sold was largely consistent with the segment revenue growth.

Gross Profit

Gross profit dollars in the second quarter of 2017 increased 3% while gross margin increased 150 basis points compared to the second quarter of 2016. Gross margin remained relatively flat across all segments, except for outdoor, which increased to 66% due to product mix.

Advertising Expense

Advertising expense decreased 5% in absolute dollars and was relatively flat as a percent of revenues compared to the year-ago quarter. The decrease in absolute dollars was primarily in fitness and auto, partially offset by an increase in outdoor to support new product introductions.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

Selling, general and administrative expense increased 2% in absolute dollars and was relatively flat as a percent of revenues compared to the year-ago quarter. The absolute dollar increase was primarily attributable to information technology costs. Variances by segment were primarily due to the allocation of certain selling, general and administrative expenses based on percent of total revenues.

Research and Development Expense

Research and development expense increased 11% primarily due to engineering personnel costs related to our wearable product offerings and aviation. In absolute dollars, research and development costs increased $12.9 million when compared with the year-ago quarter and increased 150 basis points as a percent of revenue. Our research and development spending is focused on product development, improving existing software capabilities, and exploring new categories.

Operating Income

Operating income increased 1% in absolute dollars and increased 20 basis points as a percent of revenue when compared to the second quarter of 2016. The growth in operating income on an absolute dollar, and percent of revenue basis, resulted from revenue growth with an increase in gross margin percent, partially offset by increased operating expenses as a percent of revenue, as discussed above.

Other Income (Expense)

The average return on cash and investments during the second quarter of 2017 was 1.6% compared to 1.4% during the same quarter of 2016. Interest income increased primarily due to slightly higher yields on fixed-income securities.

Foreign currency gains and losses for the Company are typically driven by movements in the Taiwan Dollar, Euro, and British Pound Sterling in relation to the U.S. Dollar. The Taiwan Dollar is the functional currency of Garmin Corporation, the U.S. Dollar is the functional currency of Garmin (Europe) Ltd., and the Euro is the functional currency of most of our other European subsidiaries, although some transactions and balances are denominated in British Pounds. The majority of the Company’s consolidated foreign currency gain or loss is typically driven by the significant cash and marketable securities, receivables and payables held in a currency other than the functional currency at a given legal entity. Due to the relative size of the entities using a functional currency other than the Taiwan Dollar, Euro, and British Pound Sterling, currency fluctuations related to these entities are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

The $15.1 million currency gain recognized in the second quarter of 2017 was primarily due to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro and the British Pound Sterling and slight strengthening against the Taiwan Dollar within the 13-weeks ended July 1, 2017. During this period, the U.S. Dollar weakened 7.3% against the Euro and 3.8% against the British Pound Sterling, resulting in gains of $11.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively, while the U.S. Dollar strengthened 0.3% against the Taiwan Dollar, resulting in a gain of $1.3 million. The remaining net currency loss of $0.4 million was related to other currencies and timing of transactions.

The $5.7 million currency loss recognized in the second quarter of 2016 was primarily due to the weakening of the U.S. Dollar against the Taiwan Dollar within the 13-weeks ended June 25, 2016. During this period, the U.S. Dollar weakened 0.6% against the Taiwan Dollar, resulting in a loss of $4.6 million, while the U.S. Dollar strengthened 0.5% against the Euro, resulting in an additional loss of $0.4 million. The remaining net currency loss of $0.7 million was related to other currencies and timing of transactions.

Income Tax (Benefit) Provision

The Company recorded income tax expense of $57.1 million in the 13-week period ended July 1, 2017, compared to income tax expense of $42.7 million in the 13-week period ended June 25, 2016. The effective tax rate was 25.0% in the second quarter of 2017, compared to 21.0% in the second quarter of 2016. In the second quarter of 2017, the Company recognized tax expense of $7.3 million associated with the expiration of share-based awards. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in fiscal 2017, the tax effect of such expirations would have been recorded to additional paid-in capital, rather than as a discrete tax item. Excluding this $7.3 million discrete tax item, the second quarter of 2017 effective tax rate increased 90 basis points compared to the effective tax rate in the prior year quarter. This remaining 90 basis point increase in effective tax rate was primarily due to the Company’s election in February 2017 to align certain Switzerland corporate tax positions with evolving international tax initiatives, partially offset by shifts in the projected income mix by jurisdiction during the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

Net Income

As a result of the above, net income for the 13-weeks ended July 1, 2017 was $171.0 million compared to $161.1 million for the 13-week period ended June 25, 2016, an increase of $9.9 million.

Comparison of 26-Weeks Ended July 1, 2017 and 26-Weeks Ended June 25, 2016

Net Sales

Net sales increased 1% for the 26-week period ended July 1, 2017 when compared to the year-ago period. All segments had an increase in revenue except for auto and fitness. Auto was the largest portion of our revenue mix at 25% in the first half of 2017 compared to 31% in the first half of 2016.

Total unit sales decreased to 7,003 in the first half of 2017 from 7,516 in the same period of 2016.

Auto segment revenue decreased 17% from the year-ago period, primarily due to the ongoing PND market contraction. Revenues in the fitness segment decreased 10% from the year-ago period driven by the general decline of the basic activity tracker market and the timing of product introductions. Outdoor, marine, and aviation revenues increased 35%, 10%, and 15%, respectively, when compared to the year-ago period. Growth in outdoor was driven by the significant growth in the wearable category. Our marine segment growth was distributed broadly across most product categories. Aviation revenues increased primarily due to growth in aftermarket sales.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold decreased 4% in absolute dollars for the 26-weeks ended July 1, 2017 when compared to the year-ago period.

In the auto segment, the cost of goods decline was largely consistent with the segment revenue decline. In the outdoor and fitness segments, the decreases in cost of goods sold as a percent of revenues were a result of shifts in product mix toward higher margin products. The marine and aviation segment increases in cost of goods sold were largely consistent with the segment revenue increases.

Gross Profit

Gross profit dollars in the 26-weeks ended July 1, 2017 increased 6% while gross profit margin increased 250 basis points compared to the year-ago period. Growth in sales of higher margin segments contributed to the increase in gross profit dollars and gross margin percentage. Fitness and outdoor gross margins increased to 56% and 65%, respectively, due to product mix. All other segment gross margin rates are relatively consistent between fiscal periods.

Advertising Expenses