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GUESS INC - Quarter Report: 2009 October (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2009

 

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:  1-11893

 

GUESS?, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

95-3679695

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

1444 South Alameda Street

 

 

Los Angeles, California

 

90021

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(213) 765-3100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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.  Yes  x  No  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  o  No  o

 

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 x

 

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).  Yes  o  No  x

 

As of December 4, 2009, the registrant had 92,376,131 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

GUESS?, INC.
FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009

1

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income — Three and Nine Months Ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Three and Nine Months Ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Nine Months Ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008

4

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

17

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

29

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

30

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

31

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

31

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

31

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

32

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

32

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

32

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

32

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements.

 

GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Jan. 31,
2009

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

344,862

 

$

294,118

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

318,472

 

262,349

 

Inventories

 

261,880

 

239,675

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

51,964

 

70,769

 

Deferred tax assets

 

30,012

 

27,278

 

Total current assets

 

1,007,190

 

894,189

 

Property and equipment, net

 

254,259

 

221,416

 

Goodwill

 

32,273

 

27,102

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

15,509

 

16,145

 

Long-term deferred tax assets

 

51,847

 

49,689

 

Other assets

 

48,240

 

38,025

 

 

 

$

1,409,318

 

$

1,246,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of borrowings and capital lease obligations

 

$

2,577

 

$

24,018

 

Accounts payable

 

170,186

 

192,168

 

Accrued expenses

 

130,514

 

119,698

 

Total current liabilities

 

303,277

 

335,884

 

Borrowings and capital lease obligations

 

15,457

 

14,586

 

Deferred rent and lease incentives

 

60,131

 

52,563

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

59,289

 

58,029

 

 

 

438,154

 

461,062

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

14,486

 

10,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued 136,206,843 and 135,826,959 shares, outstanding 92,368,395 and 92,329,419 shares, at October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, respectively

 

924

 

923

 

Paid-in capital

 

305,379

 

282,220

 

Retained earnings

 

844,117

 

718,368

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

18,603

 

(16,421

)

Treasury stock, 43,838,448 and 43,497,540 shares at October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, respectively

 

(217,068

)

(212,089

)

Guess?, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

951,955

 

773,001

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

4,723

 

2,453

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

956,678

 

775,454

 

 

 

$

1,409,318

 

$

1,246,566

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Net revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

494,998

 

$

499,994

 

$

1,414,489

 

$

1,454,685

 

Net royalties

 

27,814

 

27,934

 

71,947

 

77,635

 

 

 

522,812

 

527,928

 

1,486,436

 

1,532,320

 

Cost of product sales

 

285,921

 

286,116

 

840,265

 

837,114

 

Gross profit

 

236,891

 

241,812

 

646,171

 

695,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

137,917

 

142,432

 

408,049

 

434,891

 

Earnings from operations

 

98,974

 

99,380

 

238,122

 

260,315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(778

)

(1,706

)

(1,723

)

(3,530

)

Interest income

 

277

 

2,000

 

1,461

 

5,086

 

Other income (expense), net

 

(1,340

)

(3,717

)

(1,413

)

(5,349

)

 

 

(1,841

)

(3,423

)

(1,675

)

(3,793

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income tax expense

 

97,133

 

95,957

 

236,447

 

256,522

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

32,054

 

31,721

 

78,028

 

89,526

 

Net earnings

 

65,079

 

64,236

 

158,419

 

166,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

1,009

 

219

 

2,247

 

1,346

 

Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc.

 

$

64,070

 

$

64,017

 

$

156,172

 

$

165,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders (Note 2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.69

 

$

0.68

 

$

1.70

 

$

1.75

 

Diluted

 

$

0.69

 

$

0.67

 

$

1.68

 

$

1.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders (Note 2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

90,941

 

92,438

 

90,765

 

92,799

 

Diluted

 

91,778

 

93,140

 

91,416

 

93,533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.125

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.325

 

$

0.26

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Net earnings

 

$

65,079

 

$

64,236

 

$

158,419

 

$

166,996

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

10,154

 

(49,946

)

44,852

 

(43,270

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized (loss) gain on hedges, net of tax effect

 

(1,282

)

8,071

 

(10,219

)

10,256

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized (loss) gain on investments, net of tax effect

 

38

 

(121

)

98

 

(230

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERP prior service cost and actuarial valuation loss amortization, net of tax effect

 

292

 

449

 

868

 

1,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

74,281

 

22,689

 

194,018

 

135,055

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(515

)

1,780

 

(2,822

)

200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Guess?, Inc.

 

$

73,766

 

$

24,469

 

$

191,196

 

$

135,255

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

158,419

 

$

166,996

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

 

41,380

 

38,828

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

5,713

 

6,187

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

19,447

 

17,053

 

Unrealized forward contract losses (gains)

 

4,614

 

(18,668

)

Net loss on disposition of long-term assets and property and equipment

 

1,289

 

2,891

 

Other items, net

 

(2,884

)

16,310

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(22,522

)

(87,275

)

Inventories

 

(3,658

)

(36,806

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(62

)

1,584

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(42,436

)

(18,511

)

Deferred rent and lease incentives

 

7,568

 

5,899

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

(1,467

)

(1,041

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

165,401

 

93,447

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(61,913

)

(69,391

)

Proceeds from dispositions of long-term assets and property and equipment

 

474

 

 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

549

 

 

Net cash settlement of forward contracts

 

429

 

(3,526

)

Purchases of long-term investments

 

(5,597

)

(9,518

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(66,058

)

(82,435

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Certain short-term borrowings, net

 

(22,628

)

11,301

 

Proceeds from borrowings

 

40,000

 

 

Repayment of borrowings and capital lease obligation

 

(41,266

)

(2,317

)

Dividends paid

 

(30,008

)

(24,594

)

Noncontrolling interest capital contributions

 

650

 

1,408

 

Noncontrolling interest capital distributions

 

(1,311

)

 

Issuance of common stock, net of nonvested award repurchases

 

2,865

 

690

 

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 

2,651

 

5,328

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(5,309

)

(33,051

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(54,356

)

(41,235

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

5,757

 

(8,771

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

50,744

 

(38,994

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

294,118

 

275,595

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

344,862

 

$

236,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow data:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

1,538

 

$

3,090

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

75,482

 

$

77,905

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

October 31, 2009

(unaudited)

 

(1)           Basis of Presentation

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Guess?, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, and the condensed consolidated statements of income and condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they have been condensed and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009.

 

The Company has made certain reclassifications to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to classifications in the current year. These reclassifications, none of which are material, had no impact on previously reported results of operations or net cash provided by operating activities. The Company adopted authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the first quarter ended May 2, 2009, which requires that redeemable noncontrolling interests be reclassified outside of permanent equity as a component of mezzanine instruments. The Company has restated the opening balance sheet as of January 31, 2009 to reflect the reclassification of $10.1 million to redeemable noncontrolling interests.

 

The three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2009 had the same number of days as the three and nine-month periods ended November 1, 2008.

 

Recent Accounting Guidance Adopted

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. The guidance also modifies the recognition for preacquisition contingencies, such as environmental or legal issues, restructuring plans and acquired research and development value in purchase accounting. The guidance requires the acquirer to recognize changes in the amount of its deferred tax benefits that are recognizable because of a business combination either in income from continuing operations in the period of the combination or directly in contributed capital, depending on the circumstances. The guidance also establishes disclosure requirements which will enable users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The Company adopted the guidance on February 1, 2009 and has applied the provisions of the statement to all acquisitions from such date.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which clarifies the classification of noncontrolling interests in consolidated statements of financial position and the accounting for and reporting of transactions between the reporting entity and holders of such noncontrolling interests. The Company adopted the guidance on February 1, 2009. Refer to Note 3 for further information. The guidance has been applied prospectively with the exception of reclassifying nonredeemable noncontrolling interests to equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and recasting consolidated net earnings to include net earnings prior to fiscal 2010 attributable to both the controlling and noncontrolling interests, which are required to be adopted retrospectively.

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that relates to the measurement of fair value for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The Company adopted the guidance effective February 1, 2009 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities as required. Refer to Note 13 for additional information. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that expands disclosures to include information about the fair value of derivatives, related credit risks and a company’s strategies and objectives for using derivatives. The Company adopted the guidance on February 1, 2009 and has included the expanded disclosures in Note 14.

 

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Table of Contents

 

In June 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance, which requires unvested share-payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents to be included in the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The guidance also requires retrospective application to all periods presented. The Company adopted the guidance on February 1, 2009 and applied it retrospectively to all periods presented. Refer to Note 2. The adoption resulted in a reduction in diluted earnings per common share of approximately $0.03 per share for both the nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairment on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. The guidance does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairment of equity securities. The guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and was adopted by the Company during the second quarter of fiscal 2010.  The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.  See additional disclosure in Note 13.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to require disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments in interim reporting periods. Such disclosures were previously required only in annual financial statements. The guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and was adopted by the Company during the second quarter of fiscal 2010.  The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.  See additional disclosure in Note 13.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.  The guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted the guidance during the second quarter of fiscal 2010 and, accordingly, evaluates subsequent events through the date its financial statements are issued.  See Note 15 for additional information.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance, which establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.  This has become the source of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and superseded all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards but does not change U.S. GAAP. The Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, and was adopted by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal 2010.  Accordingly, references to standards issued prior to the codification have been replaced with a description of the applicable accounting guidance.

 

(2)           Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share represents net earnings attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share represent net earnings attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, inclusive of the dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. However, nonvested restricted stock awards (referred to as participating securities) are excluded from the dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding in accordance with FASB issued authoritative guidance under the two-class method since the nonvested restricted stockholders are entitled to participate in dividends declared on common stock as if the shares were fully vested and hence are deemed to be participating securities.  Under the two-class method, earnings attributable to nonvested restricted stockholders are excluded from net earnings attributable to common stockholders for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share.

 

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The computation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc.

 

$

64,070

 

$

64,017

 

$

156,172

 

$

165,650

 

Net earnings attributable to nonvested restricted stockholders

 

886

 

1,159

 

2,302

 

3,164

 

Net earnings attributable to common stockholders

 

$

63,184

 

$

62,858

 

$

153,870

 

$

162,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in basic computations

 

90,941

 

92,438

 

90,765

 

92,799

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options and restricted stock units

 

837

 

702

 

651

 

734

 

Weighted average shares used in diluted computations

 

91,778

 

93,140

 

91,416

 

93,533

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.69

 

$

0.68

 

$

1.70

 

$

1.75

 

Diluted

 

$

0.69

 

$

0.67

 

$

1.68

 

$

1.74

 

 

For the three months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, equity awards granted for 650,361 and 763,050, respectively, of the Company’s common shares and for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, equity awards granted for 1,365,817 and 573,319, respectively, of the Company’s common shares were outstanding but were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

In addition to the participating securities discussed above, the Company also excluded 563,400 nonvested stock options granted to certain employees from the computation of diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, because they are subject to certain performance-based annual vesting conditions which had not been achieved by October 31, 2009.  Assuming the current fiscal year’s annual performance criteria had been achieved as of October 31, 2009, the incremental dilutive impact would have been approximately 29,189 shares for the three-month period then ended.

 

In March 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors terminated the previously authorized 2001 share repurchase program and authorized a new program to repurchase, from time-to-time and as market and business conditions warrant, up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock (the “2008 Share Repurchase Program”). Repurchases may be made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans or other available means. There is no minimum or maximum number of shares to be repurchased under the program and the program may be discontinued at any time, without prior notice. During the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company repurchased 407,600 shares under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program at an aggregate cost of $5.3 million.  All such share repurchases were made during the three months ended May 2, 2009.

 

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(3)           Stockholders’ Equity

 

A reconciliation of the total carrying amount of total stockholders’ equity, Guess?, Inc. stockholders’ equity and stockholders’ equity attributable to noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Guess?, Inc.
Stockholders’
Equity

 

Nonredeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests

 

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

 

Balances at January 31, 2009

 

 

 

$

773,001

 

$

2,453

 

$

775,454

 

Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans, net of tax effect

 

 

 

3,126

 

 

3,126

 

Issuance of stock under ESPP

 

 

 

1,026

 

 

1,026

 

Stock based compensation

 

 

 

19,447

 

 

19,447

 

Dividends

 

 

 

(30,008

)

 

(30,008

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

(5,309

)

 

(5,309

)

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

(415

)

 

(415

)

Noncontrolling interest capital contribution

 

 

 

 

650

 

650

 

Noncontrolling interest capital distribution

 

 

 

(109

)

(1,202

)

(1,311

)

Comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

158,419

 

156,172

 

2,247

 

158,419

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment (a)

 

44,852

 

44,277

 

575

 

44,852

 

Unrealized loss on hedges, net of income tax of $2,734 (b)

 

(10,219

)

(10,219

)

 

(10,219

)

Unrealized gain on investments, net of income tax of $49 (b)

 

98

 

98

 

 

98

 

SERP prior service cost, net of income tax of $439 (b)

 

868

 

868

 

 

868

 

Total comprehensive income (c)

 

$

194,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at October 31, 2009

 

 

 

$

951,955

 

$

4,723

 

$

956,678

 

 


(a) The gain of $44.9 million related to foreign currency translation adjustments for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 reflects the impact of the strengthening of certain foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar during that period.  As of October 31, 2009, approximately 51% of the Company’s assets were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

 

(b) The consolidated statement of comprehensive income is presented net of taxes.  The income tax expense on unrealized gain on hedges, unrealized loss on investments and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) prior service cost and actuarial valuation loss amortization were $3.5 million, $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, for the nine months ended November 1, 2008.

 

(c) Total comprehensive income consists of net earnings, SERP related prior service cost, unrealized gains or losses on investments available for sale, foreign currency translation adjustments and the effective portion of the change in the fair value of cash flow hedges.

 

(4)           Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable consists of trade receivables primarily relating to the Company’s wholesale businesses in Europe, North America and Asia. The Company provided for allowances relating to these receivables of $26.9 million and $21.3 million at October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, respectively. In addition, accounts receivable includes royalty receivables relating to licensing operations of $23.4 million and $20.7 million at October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, respectively, for which the Company recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.6 million and $0.5 million at October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, respectively.  The accounts receivable allowance includes allowances for doubtful accounts, wholesale sales returns and wholesale markdowns. Retail sales returns allowances are included in accrued expenses.

 

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(5)           Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Jan. 31,
2009

 

Raw materials

 

$

9,464

 

$

8,615

 

Work in progress

 

2,760

 

2,286

 

Finished goods

 

249,656

 

228,774

 

 

 

$

261,880

 

$

239,675

 

 

As of October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, inventories had been written down to the lower of cost or market by $20.1 million and $20.0 million, respectively.

 

(6)           Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense for the interim periods was computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year.  The Company’s effective income tax rate decreased to 33.0% for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 from 34.9% in the nine months ended November 1, 2008 primarily due to a higher estimated proportion of annual earnings in lower tax jurisdictions.

 

(7)           Segment Information

 

The business segments of the Company are retail, wholesale, European and licensing. Management evaluates segment performance based primarily on revenues and earnings from operations.  Corporate overhead, interest income and interest expense and other income and expense are evaluated on a consolidated basis and are not allocated to the Company’s business segments.

 

Net revenue and earnings from operations are summarized as follows for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Net revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail operations

 

$

239,518

 

$

235,074

 

$

674,538

 

$

689,371

 

Wholesale operations

 

86,651

 

78,760

 

215,265

 

226,257

 

European operations

 

168,829

 

186,160

 

524,686

 

539,057

 

Licensing operations

 

27,814

 

27,934

 

71,947

 

77,635

 

 

 

$

522,812

 

$

527,928

 

$

1,486,436

 

$

1,532,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail operations

 

$

33,110

 

$

27,378

 

$

81,325

 

$

80,358

 

Wholesale operations

 

17,717

 

13,839

 

35,031

 

37,184

 

European operations

 

40,801

 

49,541

 

116,233

 

129,628

 

Licensing operations

 

24,176

 

24,075

 

61,863

 

66,852

 

Corporate overhead

 

(16,830

)

(15,453

)

(56,330

)

(53,707

)

 

 

$

98,974

 

$

99,380

 

$

238,122

 

$

260,315

 

 

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business segments, the above net revenue and operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.

 

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(8)           Borrowings and Capital Lease Obligations

 

Borrowings and capital lease obligations are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Jan. 31,
2009

 

Short-term borrowings with European banks

 

$

13

 

$

22,304

 

European capital lease, maturing quarterly through 2016

 

17,174

 

16,300

 

Other

 

847

 

 

 

 

18,034

 

38,604

 

Less current installments

 

2,577

 

24,018

 

Long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations

 

$

15,457

 

$

14,586

 

 

On September 19, 2006, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit facility led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for an $85 million revolving multicurrency line of credit and is available for direct borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit, subject to certain letters of credit sublimits. The Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2011. At October 31, 2009, the Company had $12.7 million in outstanding standby letters of credit, no outstanding documentary letters of credit and no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

 

The Company, through its European subsidiaries, maintains short-term borrowing agreements, primarily for working capital purposes, with various banks in Europe. Under these agreements, which are generally secured by specific accounts receivable balances, the Company can borrow up to $239.7 million, limited primarily by accounts receivable balances at the time of borrowing. Based on the applicable accounts receivable balances at October 31, 2009, the Company could have borrowed up to approximately $232.0 million under these agreements. However, the Company’s ability to borrow through foreign subsidiaries is generally limited to $185.0 million under the terms of the Credit Facility. At October 31, 2009, the Company had negligible outstanding borrowings and $13.3 million in outstanding documentary letters of credit under these agreements. The agreements are primarily denominated in Euros and provide for annual interest rates ranging from 0.7% to 3.5%. The maturities of the short-term borrowings are generally linked to the credit terms of the underlying accounts receivable that secure the borrowings. With the exception of one facility for $22.1 million that has a minimum net equity requirement, there are no other financial ratio covenants.

 

The Company entered into a capital lease in December 2005 for a new building in Florence, Italy. At October 31, 2009, the capital lease obligation was $17.2 million. The Company entered into a separate interest rate swap agreement designated as a non-hedging instrument that results in a swap fixed rate of 3.55%. This interest rate swap agreement matures in 2016 and converts the nature of the capital lease obligation from Euribor floating rate debt to fixed rate debt. The fair value of the interest rate swap liability as of October 31, 2009 was approximately $0.8 million.

 

From time-to-time the Company will obtain other short term financing in foreign countries for working capital to finance its local operations.

 

(9)           Share-Based Compensation

 

The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense recognized under all of the Company’s stock plans during the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Stock options

 

$

2,140

 

$

1,456

 

$

5,763

 

$

4,202

 

Nonvested stock awards/units

 

4,214

 

4,575

 

13,377

 

12,381

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

57

 

95

 

307

 

470

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

$

6,411

 

$

6,126

 

$

19,447

 

$

17,053

 

 

Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options and nonvested stock awards/units totaled approximately $16.7 million and $38.8 million, respectively, as of October 31, 2009.  This unrecognized expense assumes the performance-based equity awards vest in the future. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.  The weighted average fair values of stock options granted during the nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 were $8.94 and $16.35, respectively.

 

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On April 14, 2009, the Company made an annual grant of 1,105,400 stock options and 106,400 nonvested stock awards/units to its employees.

 

On May 1, 2008, the Company granted an aggregate of 167,000 nonvested stock awards to certain employees which are subject to certain annual performance-based vesting conditions over a five-year period.  On October 30, 2008, the Company granted an aggregate of 563,400 nonvested stock options to certain employees which are scheduled to vest over a four-year period, subject to the achievement of performance-based vesting conditions for fiscal 2010.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Compensation Committee determined that the performance goals established in the prior year were no longer set at an appropriate level to incentivize and help retain employees given the greater than previously anticipated deterioration of the economy that had occurred since the goals were established. In April 2009, the Compensation Committee modified the performance goals of the outstanding performance-based stock awards and options to address the challenges associated with the current economic environment. The modifications did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

(10)         Related Party Transactions

 

The Company and its subsidiaries periodically enter into transactions with other entities or individuals that are considered related parties, including certain transactions with entities affiliated with trusts for the respective benefit of Maurice and Paul Marciano, who are executives of the Company, Armand Marciano, their brother and former executive of the Company, and certain of their children (the “Marciano Trusts”).

 

Leases

 

The Company leases warehouse and administrative facilities, including the Company’s corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California, from partnerships affiliated with the Marciano Trusts and certain of their affiliates. There were three of these leases in effect at October 31, 2009 with expiration dates in February 2010, December 2014 and July 2018.

 

Aggregate rent expense under these related party leases for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 was $2.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively. The Company believes the related party lease terms have not been significantly affected by the fact that the Company and the lessors are related.

 

Aircraft Arrangements

 

The Company periodically charters aircraft owned by MPM Financial, LLC (“MPM Financial”), an entity affiliated with the Marciano Trusts, through an independent third party management company contracted by MPM Financial to manage its aircraft. Under an informal arrangement with MPM Financial and the third party management company, the Company has chartered and may from time-to-time continue to charter aircraft owned by MPM Financial at a discount from the third party management company’s preferred customer hourly charter rates. The total fees paid under these arrangements for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 were approximately $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

 

These related party disclosures should be read in conjunction with the disclosure concerning related party transactions in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009.

 

(11)         Commitments and Contingencies

 

Leases

 

The Company leases its showrooms and retail store locations under operating lease agreements expiring on various dates through September 2027. Some of these leases require the Company to make periodic payments for property taxes, utilities and common area operating expenses. Certain retail store leases provide for rents based upon the minimum annual rental amount and a percentage of annual sales volume, generally ranging from 3% to 6%, when specific sales volumes are exceeded. Some leases include lease incentives, rent abatements and fixed rent escalations, which are amortized and recorded over the initial lease term on a straight-line basis. The Company also leases some of its equipment under operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through August 2013.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Incentive Bonuses

 

Certain officers and key employees of the Company are eligible to receive annual cash incentive bonuses based on the achievement of certain performance criteria. These bonuses are based on performance measures such as earnings per share and earnings from operations of the Company or particular segments thereof, as well as other objective and subjective criteria as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In addition to such annual incentive opportunities, Paul Marciano, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Company, is entitled to receive a $3.5 million special cash bonus in December 2012, subject to the receipt by the Company of a fixed cash rights payment of $35.0 million that is due in January 2012 from one of its licensees. In connection with this special bonus, the Company will accrue an expense of $3.5 million, plus applicable payroll taxes, through December 2012.

 

Litigation

 

In 2006, the Officers of the Florence Customs Authorities (“Customs Authorities”) began an import customs audit with respect to the Company’s Italian subsidiary, Maco Apparel S.p.A. (“Maco”), which the Company acquired in 2005. Prior to the acquisition, Maco was the Italian licensee of GUESS? jeanswear for men and women in Europe. The Customs Authorities contended that the Italian subsidiary should have included the royalty expense payable to Guess?, Inc., the parent company, as part of the cost of the product subject to customs duties. The Company disagreed with this position and disputed the assessment in a series of hearings on the matter with the Florence Provincial Tax Commission beginning in October 2007. At the request of a judge from the Tax Commission, the Company and the Customs Authorities entered into settlement discussions in 2009. These discussions ultimately led to the execution of a full out-of-court settlement agreement in October 2009, which should be final by December 31, 2009. The settlement was consistent in amount with the Company’s previous accrual recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009 and did not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the Company. The resolution of this matter did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial results or financial position.

 

On May 6, 2009, Gucci America, Inc. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Guess?, Inc. and Guess Italia, S.r.l. asserting, among other things, trademark and trade dress law violations and unfair competition. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, unspecified compensatory damages, including treble damages, and certain other relief. A similar complaint has also been filed in the Court of Milan, Italy. The Company plans to defend the allegations vigorously.  The Company believes that it is too early to predict the outcome of this action or whether the outcome will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Company is also involved in various other claims and other matters incidental to the Company’s business, the resolution of which is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position. No material amounts were accrued as of October 31, 2009 related to any of the Company’s legal proceedings.

 

(12)         Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

 

The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Oct. 31,
2009

 

Nov. 1,
2008

 

Service cost

 

$

53

 

$

61

 

$

159

 

$

183

 

Interest cost

 

513

 

579

 

1,539

 

1,737

 

Net amortization of unrecognized prior service cost

 

436

 

436

 

1,308

 

1,308

 

Net amortization of actuarial losses

 

 

232

 

 

696

 

Net periodic defined benefit pension cost

 

$

1,002

 

$

1,308

 

$

3,006

 

$

3,924

 

 

As a non-qualified pension plan, no funding of the SERP is required. However, the Company expects to make periodic payments into insurance policies held in a rabbi trust to fund the expected obligations arising under the non-qualified SERP. The cash surrender value of the insurance policies was $20.7 million as of October 31, 2009 and is included in other assets. The amount of future payments may vary, depending on the future years of service, future annual compensation of the participants and investment performance of the trust. As a result of the change in value of the insurance policy investments, the Company recorded in other income and expenses the mark-to-market gain of $0.7 million and $2.9 million during the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009, respectively, and the mark-to market loss of $2.0 million and $2.5 million during the three and nine months ended November 1, 2008, respectively.

 

(13)         Fair Value Measurements

 

Authoritative guidance 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. The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three broad levels as follows:

 

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Table of Contents

 

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e. interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs would be based on the best information available, including the Company’s own data.

 

The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements
at Oct. 31, 2009

 

Fair Value Measurements
at Jan. 31, 2009

 

Recurring Fair Value Measures

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

 

$

970

 

$

 

$

970

 

$

 

$

21,737

 

$

 

$

21,737

 

Securities available for sale

 

391

 

 

 

391

 

712

 

 

 

712

 

Total

 

$

391

 

$

970

 

$

 

$

1,361

 

$

712

 

$

21,737

 

$

 

$

22,449

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

 

$

7,421

 

$

 

$

7,421

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

1,222

 

 

1,222

 

 

574

 

 

574

 

Deferred compensation obligations

 

 

11,184

 

 

11,184

 

 

7,287

 

 

7,287

 

Total

 

$

 

$

19,827

 

$

 

$

19,827

 

$

 

$

7,861

 

$

 

$

7,861

 

 

The fair values of the Company’s available-for-sale securities are based on quoted prices. Fair value of the interest rate swaps are based upon inputs corroborated by observable market data. The foreign exchange forward contracts are entered into by the Company principally to hedge the future payment of inventory and intercompany transactions by non-U.S. subsidiaries. The fair values of the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts are based on quoted forward foreign exchange prices at the reporting date. Deferred compensation obligations to employees are adjusted based on changes in the fair value of the underlying employee-directed investments. Fair value of these obligations is based upon inputs corroborated by observable market data.

 

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which principally include cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximates fair value due to the relatively short maturity of such instruments. The fair values of the Company’s debt instruments (see Note 8) are based on the amount of future cash flows associated with each instrument discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. At October 31, 2009, the carrying value of all financial instruments was not materially different from fair value, as the interest rates on variable rate debt including the capital lease obligation approximated rates currently available to the Company.

 

Investments are recorded at fair value and consist of certain marketable equity securities of $0.4 million and $0.7 million at October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, respectively, and are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes, are included as a component of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. The accumulated unrealized losses, net of taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to marketable equity securities owned by the Company at October 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009 were $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles that are subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets that are to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by such asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of such asset exceeds its fair value. The fair value calculation requires management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and the discount rates that reflect the risk inherent in the future cash flows. The estimated cash flows used for this nonrecurring fair value measurement is considered a Level 3 input as defined above.

 

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Table of Contents

 

(14)         Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company operates in foreign countries, which exposes it to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Company has entered into certain forward contracts to hedge the risk of foreign currency rate fluctuations. The Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting rules as required by authoritative guidance for certain of these hedges.

 

In March 2008, the FASB expanded required disclosures to include information about the fair value of derivatives, related credit risks and a company’s strategies and objectives for using derivatives.  The Company adopted the provisions of the new guidance on February 1, 2009 and the required disclosures are provided below.

 

The Company’s objective is to hedge the variability in forecasted cash flow due to the foreign currency risk. Various transactions that occur in Canada, Europe and South Korea are denominated in U.S. dollars, British Pounds or Swiss Francs and thus are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to their local functional currencies. These types of transactions include U.S. dollar denominated purchases of merchandise and U.S. dollar and British Pound intercompany liabilities. In addition, certain operating expenses are denominated in Swiss Francs and are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to the functional currency. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments, including forward exchange contracts to manage exchange risk on certain anticipated foreign currency transactions. The Company does not hedge all transactions denominated in foreign currency.

 

The impact of the credit risk of the counterparties to the derivative contracts is considered in determining the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts. As of October 31, 2009, credit risk has not had a significant effect on the fair value of the Company’s foreign currency contracts.

 

The Company also has interest rate swap agreements which are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, to effectively convert a portion of its floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. The principal objective of these contracts is to eliminate or reduce the variability of the cash flows in interest payments associated with the Company’s variable rate debt, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest cash flows. Refer to Note 8 for further information.

 

The fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of October 31, 2009 was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

Balance Sheet
Location

 

Fair Value

 

Balance Sheet
Location

 

Fair Value

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

Other current assets

 

$

492

 

Current liabilities

 

$

2,441

 

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

492

 

 

 

2,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

Other current assets

 

478

 

Current liabilities

 

4,980

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

1,222

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

478

 

 

 

6,202

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total derivatives

 

 

 

$

970

 

 

 

$

8,643

 

 

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The following table summarizes the gains (losses) recognized on the derivative instruments in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and net earnings for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
OCI

 

Location of
Gain/(Loss)

 

Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Nine Months
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
into Income (1)

 

Three Months
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Nine Months
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

120

 

$

(5,501

)

Cost of sales

 

$

1,394

 

$

6,748

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

58

 

$

(198

)

SG&A expenses

 

$

75

 

$

284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

(206

)

$

(301

)

Other expense

 

$

(66

)

$

(80

)

 


(1) The ineffective portion was immaterial during the three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 and was recorded in net earnings and included in interest income/expense.

 

 

 

Location of

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income

 

Three Months
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Nine Months
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

Other expense

 

$

(3,059

)

$

(16,015

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

Other expense/interest expense

 

$

(144

)

$

(515

)

 

Forward Contracts Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company purchased U.S. dollar forward contracts in Europe and Canada totaling US$81.9 million and US$40.0 million, respectively, to hedge forecasted intercompany royalties and merchandise purchases that were designated as cash flow hedges.  As of October 31, 2009, the Company had forward contracts outstanding for its European and Canadian operations of US$76.9 million and US$38.7 million, respectively, that are expected to mature over the next 14 months and Swiss Franc-Euro forward contracts outstanding for its European operations of CHF4.5 million that are expected to mature over the next two months. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded in its consolidated balance sheet at fair value based on quoted market rates. U.S. dollar forward contracts are used to hedge forecasted merchandise purchases over specific months. Changes in the fair value of these U.S. dollar forward contracts, designated as cash flow hedges, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in cost of product sales in the period which approximates the time the hedged merchandise inventory is sold.  The Company also hedges forecasted intercompany royalties over specific months. Changes in the fair value of these U.S. dollar forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in other income/expense in the period in which the royalty expense is incurred.

 

The Swiss Franc forward contracts are used to hedge certain anticipated Swiss operating expenses over specific months. Changes in the fair value of the Swiss Franc forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in SG&A in the period which approximates the time the expenses are incurred.

 

As of October 31, 2009, accumulated other comprehensive income included an unrealized loss of approximately US$1.5 million, net of tax, that will be recognized as a net increase to cost of goods sold, other income/expense or SG&A over the following 12 months at the then current values on a pre-tax basis, which can be different than the current quarter-end values. At October 31, 2009, the net unrealized loss of the remaining open forward contracts recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet was approximately US$1.9 million.

 

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At January 31, 2009, the Company had forward contracts outstanding for its European and Canadian operations of US$21.0 million and US$38.5 million, respectively, and Swiss Franc-Euro forward contracts outstanding for its European operations of CHF18.0 million. At January 31, 2009, the unrealized net gain of these open forward contracts recorded in current assets in the consolidated balance sheet was approximately US$8.1 million.

 

The following table summarizes net after-tax derivative activity recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Nine Months
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Beginning balance gain (loss)

 

$

(174

)

$

8,763

 

Net loss from changes in cash flow hedges

 

(140

)

(4,813

)

Net gains reclassified to income

 

(1,142

)

(5,406

)

Ending balance gain (loss)

 

$

(1,456

)

$

(1,456

)

 

Foreign Currency Contracts Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

 

The Company also has foreign currency contracts that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.  Changes in fair value of foreign currency contracts not qualifying as cash flow hedges are reported in net earnings as part of other income and expense.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded a net loss of US$16.0 million for the Canadian dollar, Euro, British Pound and Swiss Franc foreign currency contracts, which has been included in other income and expense.  At October 31, 2009, the Company had Canadian dollar foreign currency contracts to purchase US$41.3 million expected to mature over the next 11 months, Euro foreign currency contracts to purchase US$122.3 million expected to mature over the next 15 months, Euro foreign currency contracts to purchase CHF2.2 million expected to mature over the next two months and Euro foreign currency contracts to purchase GBP6.0 million expected to mature over the next five months.  At October 31, 2009, the net unrealized losses of these Canadian dollar, Euro, Swiss Franc and British Pound forward contracts recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet were approximately US$4.5 million.

 

At January 31, 2009, the Company had Canadian dollar foreign currency contracts to purchase US$36.5 million, Euro foreign currency contracts to purchase US$104.0 million and Swiss Franc foreign currency contracts to purchase CHF5.3 million. At January 31, 2009, the net unrealized gains of these Canadian dollar, Euro and Swiss Franc forward contracts recorded in current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet were approximately US$13.7 million.

 

(15)         Subsequent Events

 

On November 30, 2009, the Company announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share on the Company’s common stock. The cash dividend will be paid on December 31, 2009 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 16, 2009.

 

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through December 9, 2009, the date of issuance of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, when we refer to “we,” “us” or the “Company” in this Form 10-Q, we are referring to Guess?, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including documents incorporated by reference herein, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements may also be contained in the Company’s other reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in its press releases and in other documents.  In addition, from time-to-time, the Company through its management may make oral forward-looking statements.  These statements relate to analyses and other information based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our future prospects and proposed new products, services, developments or business strategies. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “predict”, “project”, “will”, “continue”, and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed. These forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to the Company’s expected results of operations, the accuracy of data relating to, and anticipated levels of, future inventory and gross margins, anticipated cash requirements and sources, cost containment efforts, estimated charges, plans regarding store openings and closings, plans regarding business growth, e-commerce, business seasonality, results of litigation, industry trends, consumer demands and preferences, competition, currency fluctuations and general economic conditions. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update our forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such difference include those discussed under “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 and in our other filings made from time to time with the SEC after the date of this report.

 

General

 

The business segments of the Company are retail, wholesale, European and licensing operations. Information relating to these segments is summarized in Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company believes this segment reporting reflects how its four business segments are managed and each segment’s performance is evaluated. The retail segment includes the Company’s retail operations in North America. The wholesale segment includes the wholesale operations in North America and our Asian operations. The European segment includes both wholesale and retail operations in Europe and the Middle East. The licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. The business segment operating results exclude corporate overhead costs, which consist of shared costs of the organization. These costs are presented separately and generally include, among other things, the following unallocated corporate costs: information technology, human resources, global advertising and marketing, accounting and finance, executive compensation, facilities and legal.

 

We derive our net revenue from the sale of GUESS?, GUESS by MARCIANO and G by GUESS men’s and women’s apparel, and our licensees’ products through our worldwide network of retail stores, wholesale customers and distributors, as well as our on-line sites. We also derive royalty revenues from worldwide licensing activities.

 

We acquired Focus Europe S.r.l. (“Focus”), our former licensee for GUESS by MARCIANO products in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, in December 2006, and its subsidiary, Focus Spain S.A. (“Focus Spain”), in October 2007.  We also acquired BARN S.r.l. (“Barn”), our former kids licensee in Europe, in January 2008. Each of these entities is reported in our European segment. G by GUESS, our newest retail brand concept that was launched in early fiscal 2008, is included in our retail segment. Our South Korea business, which we have operated directly since January 2007, and our Greater China business, launched in April 2007, are also relatively new businesses for us and are reported in our wholesale segment.

 

The three and nine months ended October 31, 2009 had the same number of days as the three and nine months ended November 1, 2008.

 

The Company reports National Retail Federation (“NRF”) calendar comparable store sales on a quarterly basis for our full-price retail and factory outlet stores in the U.S. and Canada.  A store is considered comparable after it has been open for 13 full months. If a store remodel results in a square footage change of more than 15%, or involves a relocation or a change in store concept, the store is removed from the comparable store base until it has been opened at its new size, in its new location or under its new concept for 13 full months.

 

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Executive Summary

 

Global Economic Developments

 

The state of the global economy continued to negatively impact our results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010. While we have seen some signs of stabilization, these unfavorable macroeconomic conditions may continue to have a negative effect on our business for at least the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

The deterioration in the global economic environment has also resulted in significant volatility in the global currency markets.  Since the majority of our international operations are conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (primarily the Canadian dollar, the Euro and the Korean Won), currency fluctuations can have a significant impact on the translation of our international revenues and earnings into U.S. dollar amounts. During the first half of fiscal 2010, the U.S. dollar strengthened significantly against these currencies versus the comparable prior year period, negatively impacting the translation of our international revenues and earnings during that period. However, during the third quarter of fiscal 2010, the average exchange rates for these currencies were relatively comparable to the prior year third quarter. As a result, the impact of foreign currency translation to our third quarter results was generally insignificant.

 

In addition, some of our transactions that occur in Canada, Europe and South Korea are denominated in U.S. dollars, exposing them to exchange rate fluctuations when converted to their local currencies. These transactions include U.S. dollar denominated purchases of merchandise and intercompany liabilities. Fluctuations in exchange rates can impact the profitability of our foreign operations and reported earnings and are largely dependent on the transaction timing and magnitude during the period that the currency fluctuates. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments, including forward exchange contracts and currency swaps, to manage exchange risk on certain foreign currency transactions. The Company does not hedge all transactions denominated in foreign currency.

 

The Company

 

Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. was $64.1 million, or diluted earnings of $0.69 per common share, for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. of $64.0 million, or diluted earnings of $0.67 per common share, for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The adoption of the FASB issued authoritative guidance during the first quarter ended May 2, 2009, which requires unvested share-payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents to be included in the two-class method of computing earnings per share, negatively impacted diluted earnings per common share by $0.01 and $0.02 for the quarters ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008, respectively. Refer to Note 2 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

Total net revenues decreased 1.0% to $522.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $527.9 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008.  The slight decrease in total net revenues was primarily driven by lower revenues in Europe, as a result of a shift in wholesale shipments into the second quarter of the current fiscal year that would have been delivered in the third quarter if shipments had been consistent with the prior fiscal year. The impact of this shift was mostly offset by revenue growth in our European retail operations and increased revenues in our North American retail segment and our wholesale segment, which includes our Asian business.

 

Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of total net revenues) declined 50 basis points to 45.3% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 compared to the same prior year period. The decline was primarily attributable to occupancy deleverage in our European segment as a result of a larger mix of European retail stores, partially offset by higher product margins in all segments. In addition, the change in sales mix among our segments compared to the prior year period also contributed to the overall gross margin decline.

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses decreased 3.2% to $137.9 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $142.4 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was driven by both lower marketing expenses and lower wholesale variable selling expenses in Europe as a result of the lower European wholesale sales. The decrease was partially offset by higher European retail selling expenses due to more retail stores in operation in Europe, as well as higher compensation related expenses. SG&A expense as a percentage of revenues (“SG&A rate”) improved by 60 basis points to 26.4% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to the prior year quarter.

 

Earnings from operations decreased 0.4% to $99.0 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $99.4 million for the same period a year ago. Operating margin increased slightly to 18.9% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 compared to 18.8% in the prior year quarter.

 

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Other expense, net, (including interest income and expense) totaled $1.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $3.4 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The net charge for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 includes mark-to-market losses related to the revaluation of foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency transactions, partially offset by mark-to-market gains related to our insurance policy investments.

 

Our effective income tax rate of 33% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 was consistent with the prior year quarter’s effective tax rate.

 

The Company had $344.9 million in cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2009, up $108.3 million, compared to $236.6 million as of November 1, 2008. Total debt, including capital lease obligations, as of October 31, 2009, was $18.0 million, down $42.0 million from $60.0 million as of November 1, 2008. Accounts receivable increased by $18.8 million, or 6.3%, to $318.5 million at October 31, 2009, compared to $299.7 million at November 1, 2008. The accounts receivable balance at October 31, 2009 included a positive translation impact of approximately $33.7 million due to currency fluctuations compared to the prior year quarter end. Inventory increased by $8.9 million, or 3.5%, to $261.9 million as of October 31, 2009, compared to $253.0 million as of November 1, 2008.

 

Retail

 

Our retail segment, comprising North American full-priced retail stores, factory outlet stores and e-commerce, generated net sales of $239.5 million during the quarter ended October 31, 2009, an increase of $4.4 million, or 1.9%, from $235.1 million in the same prior year period. The increase was driven by a larger store base, which represented a net 3.6% increase in average square footage compared to the prior year quarter. The increase was partially offset by a decline in comparable stores sales of 3.4% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to the prior year quarter. Retail earnings from operations increased by $5.7 million, or 20.9%, to $33.1 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $27.4 million in the same prior year period. The increase in earnings from operations was primarily due to higher gross profit due to the higher sales, improved product margins and operating expense reductions. Operating margin increased by 220 basis points to 13.8% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to 11.6% for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The increase in operating margin was driven by lower operating expenses and improved product margins.

 

In the quarter, we opened two new stores in the U.S. and Canada. At October 31, 2009, we operated 433 stores in the U.S. and Canada, comprised of 193 full-priced GUESS? retail stores, 107 GUESS? factory outlet stores, 52 GUESS by MARCIANO stores, 43 G by GUESS stores and 38 GUESS? Accessories stores. This compares to 422 stores as of November 1, 2008.

 

Wholesale

 

Wholesale segment revenues increased by $7.9 million, or 10.0%, to $86.7 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $78.8 million in the same prior year period. This increase was driven by higher sales in our Asian business, partially offset by lower sales in our North American wholesale business. Wholesale earnings from operations increased by $3.9 million, or 28.0%, to $17.7 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $13.8 million in the same prior year period. Operating margin increased by 280 basis points to 20.4% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to 17.6% for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The operating margin expansion was primarily driven by SG&A expense leverage in both North America and Asia and occupancy leverage in Asia. The higher mix of our Asian business partially offset some of this margin expansion, as that business operates with a lower operating margin than the rest of the wholesale segment.

 

Europe

 

In Europe, revenues decreased by $17.4 million, or 9.3%, to $168.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $186.2 million in the same prior year period. The decrease was primarily driven by lower sales in the wholesale business as a result of a shift in wholesale shipments into the second quarter of the current fiscal year that would have been delivered in the third quarter if shipments had been consistent with the prior fiscal year. The shift resulted from the planned launch of a pre-collection to our fall/winter season in our wholesale business. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenues in our owned retail business in the region. At October 31, 2009, we directly operated 77 stores in Europe compared to 54 stores at November 1, 2008. Earnings from operations from our European segment decreased by $8.7 million, or 17.6%, to $40.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $49.5 million in the prior year period. Operating margin decreased 240 basis points to 24.2% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to 26.6% for the prior year period. The decline resulted from an increase in the SG&A rate due to the lower sales and a higher occupancy rate, given our retail expansion in the region, partially offset by higher product margins.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Licensing

 

Our licensing royalty revenues and earnings from operations for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, were essentially flat at $27.8 million and $24.2 million, respectively, compared to $27.9 million and $24.1 million, respectively, for the same prior year period.

 

Corporate Overhead

 

Corporate overhead expenses increased by $1.3 million, or 8.9%, to $16.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $15.5 million in the same prior year period. The increase was driven by higher compensation related expenses, partially offset by lower professional fees and lower brand marketing expenses.

 

Global Store Count

 

In the quarter, together with our partners, we opened 49 new stores worldwide, including 30 stores in Europe and the Middle East, 15 stores in Asia, two stores in the U.S. and Canada and two stores in Central and South America.

 

We ended the third quarter of fiscal 2010 with 1,186 stores worldwide, comprised as follows:

 

Region

 

Total Stores

 

Directly
Operated Stores

 

United States and Canada

 

433

 

433

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe and the Middle East

 

373

 

77

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia

 

327

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

53

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

1,186

 

548

 

 

This store count does not include 203 concessions located primarily in South Korea and Greater China because of their smaller store size in relation to our standard international store size. Of the 753 stores located outside of the U.S. and Canada, 535 were GUESS? stores, 174 were GUESS? Accessories stores, and 44 were GUESS by MARCIANO stores.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008

 

NET REVENUE. Net revenue for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 decreased by $5.1 million, or 1.0%, to $522.8 million, from $527.9 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. Revenues increased in our retail and wholesale segments, were essentially flat in our licensing segment, and declined in our European segment. The impact of currency translation on net revenues was not material.

 

Net revenue from retail operations increased by $4.4 million, or 1.9%, to $239.5 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $235.1 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The increase was driven by an average of 17 net additional stores during the quarter ended October 31, 2009 resulting in a net 3.6% increase in average square footage compared to the prior year quarter. This was partially offset by a decline in comparable stores sales of 3.4%.

 

Net revenue from wholesale operations increased by $7.9 million, or 10.0%, to $86.7 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $78.8 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The increase was driven by higher sales in our Asian business, partially offset by lower sales in our North American wholesale business. We continued to grow our Asian business, where we, along with our partners, opened 15 stores and 30 concessions during the quarter. Our U.S. wholesale business continued to be impacted by the economic downturn as department stores continued to anticipate lower consumer demand and managed their inventories tightly. Our products were sold in the U.S. in approximately 952 doors at the end of the quarter compared to approximately 1,057 doors at the end of the prior year quarter.

 

Net revenue from European operations decreased by $17.4 million, or 9.3%, to $168.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $186.2 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was primarily driven by lower sales in the wholesale business as a result of a shift in wholesale shipments into the second quarter of the current fiscal year that would have been delivered in the third quarter if shipments had been consistent with the prior fiscal year. The shift resulted from the planned launch of a pre-collection to our fall/winter season in our wholesale business. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in our owned retail business in the region. At October 31, 2009, we directly operated 77 stores in Europe compared to 54 stores at the prior year quarter end.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Net royalty revenue from licensing operations was essentially flat at $27.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $27.9 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008.

 

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit decreased by $4.9 million, or 2.0%, to $236.9 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $241.8 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The decrease in gross profit primarily resulted from the following:

 

·                 Gross profit for the retail segment increased by $2.7 million, or 3.2%, to $87.1 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $84.4 million in the prior year period. The increase in gross profit was driven by the overall increase in sales and the favorable impact of higher product margins, partially offset by higher occupancy costs as a result of the higher store count.

 

·                 Gross profit for the wholesale segment increased by $4.2 million, or 15.1%, to $31.5 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $27.3 million in the prior year period. The increase in gross profit was driven by higher sales in Asia, partially offset by lower sales in North America and higher occupancy expenses in Asia.

 

·                 Gross profit for the European segment decreased by $11.7 million, or 11.4%, to $90.5 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $102.2 million in the prior year period. The decrease in gross profit resulted from the lower sales due to the shift of wholesale shipments into the second quarter from the third quarter, partially offset by higher gross profit arising from expansion of the retail business and improved overall product margins.

 

·                 Gross profit for the licensing segment was essentially flat at $27.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $27.9 million in the prior year period.

 

Gross margin decreased 50 basis points to 45.3% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from 45.8% for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The decline was primarily attributable to higher occupancy costs in our European segment as a result of a larger mix of European retail stores, partially offset by higher product margins in all segments. In addition, the change in sales mix among our segments compared to the prior year period also contributed to the overall gross margin decline.

 

The Company’s gross margin may not be comparable to other entities since some entities include all of the costs related to their distribution in cost of product sales and others, like the Company, exclude the wholesale related distribution costs from gross margin, including them instead in SG&A expenses.

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. SG&A expenses decreased by $4.5 million, or 3.2%, to $137.9 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $142.4 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was driven by both lower marketing expenses and lower wholesale variable selling expenses in Europe as a result of the shift in European wholesale sales. The decrease was partially offset by higher European retail selling expenses due to retail expansion in Europe, as well as higher compensation related expenses. The Company improved its SG&A rate by 60 basis points to 26.4% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to 27.0% for the quarter ended November 1, 2008.

 

EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS.  Earnings from operations decreased by $0.4 million, or 0.4%, to $99.0 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared with earnings from operations of $99.4 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008.  The decrease in earnings from operations primarily resulted from the following:

 

·                  Earnings from operations for the retail segment increased by $5.7 million to $33.1 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $27.4 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The increase in revenues, higher product margins and lower operating and overhead expenses drove the increase in earnings from operations.

 

·                 Earnings from operations for the wholesale segment increased by $3.9 million to $17.7 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $13.8 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The increase in earnings from operations was mainly driven by revenue growth in Asia and lower operating and marketing expenses in North America.

 

·                  Earnings from operations for the European segment decreased $8.7 million to $40.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $49.5 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the lower sales arising from the shift in deliveries discussed above, partially offset by growth in the retail business and higher overall product margins.

 

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·                 Earnings from operations for the licensing segment was essentially flat at $24.2 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $24.1 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008.

 

·                  Unallocated corporate overhead increased by $1.3 million to $16.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $15.5 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The increase was driven by higher compensation related expenses, partially offset by lower professional fees and lower brand marketing expenses.

 

Operating margin increased 10 basis points to 18.9% for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 compared to 18.8% for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The operating margin increase was due to the lower SG&A rate, mostly offset by the lower gross margin.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST INCOME. Interest expense decreased to $0.8 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $1.7 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was due to a combination of lower average debt balances in Europe and lower average interest rates on the debt. Total debt at October 31, 2009 was $18.0 million, compared to $60.0 million at November 1, 2008, and was comprised of $0.9 million of short-term bank debt from our European operations and $17.1 million of capital lease obligations relating to our Italian building.  The average debt balance for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 was $22.1 million, versus an average debt balance of $79.2 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. Interest income decreased to $0.3 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to $2.0 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008, due to lower interest rates on invested cash, partially offset by higher average invested cash balances.

 

OTHER EXPENSE, NET. Other expense, net, was $1.3 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, compared to other expense, net, of $3.7 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008.  Other expense, net, in the quarter ended October 31, 2009 primarily consisted of expenses related to net mark-to-market losses on the revaluation of foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency transactions, partially offset by mark-to-market gains on insurance policy investments.

 

INCOME TAXES.  Income tax expense for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 was $32.1 million, or a 33.0% effective tax rate, compared to income tax expense of $31.7 million, or a 33.1% effective tax rate, for the quarter ended November 1, 2008.  Generally, income taxes for the interim periods are computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year, which is subject to ongoing review and evaluation by management.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES. Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 was $1.0 million, net of taxes, compared to $0.2 million, net of taxes, for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. The increase was due to higher earnings from our Mexico and Focus operations.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO GUESS?, INC. Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. increased slightly to $64.1 million for the quarter ended October 31, 2009, from $64.0 million for the quarter ended November 1, 2008. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.69 per share for the quarter ended October 31, 2009 compared to $0.67 per share for the quarter ended November 1, 2008.

 

Nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008

 

NET REVENUE. Net revenue for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 decreased by $45.9 million, or 3.0%, to $1,486.4 million, from $1,532.3 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. All of our segments reported lower revenues in the nine months ended October 31, 2009 compared to the same prior year period. Currency translation fluctuations relating to all our foreign operations unfavorably impacted net revenue by $81.6 million.

 

Net revenue from retail operations decreased by $14.9 million, or 2.2%, to $674.5 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $689.4 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The decline in comparable stores sales of 8.6%, which included an unfavorable translation impact of currency fluctuations, was partially offset by an average of 32 net additional stores during the nine months ended October 31, 2009, resulting in a net 6.9% increase in average square footage compared to the same prior year period. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our Canadian retail stores unfavorably impacted net revenue in our retail segment by $14.0 million.

 

Net revenue from wholesale operations decreased by $11.0 million, or 4.9%, to $215.3 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $226.3 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was driven by lower North American wholesale sales. Our U.S. wholesale business continued to be impacted by the economic downturn as department stores continued to anticipate lower consumer demand and managed their inventories tightly. The decline in North America was partially offset by growth in our Asian business, with revenue increases in both South Korea and Greater China. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our South Korean and Canadian operations unfavorably impacted net revenue in our wholesale segment by $15.6 million.

 

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Net revenue from European operations decreased by $14.4 million, or 2.7%, to $524.7 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $539.1 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. Our European wholesale business was negatively impacted by a shift of deliveries into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 that would normally have occurred in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The impact of the shift was partially mitigated by the expansion of our European retail operations as we opened new stores. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar compared to the prior year unfavorably impacted net revenues in our European segment by $48.2 million for the nine-month period.

 

Net royalty revenue from licensing operations decreased by $5.7 million, or 7.3%, to $71.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $77.6 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. This decrease was driven primarily by lower royalties from watch product sales.

 

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit decreased by $49.0 million, or 7.1%, to $646.2 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $695.2 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The decrease in gross profit primarily resulted from the following:

 

·                 Gross profit for the retail segment decreased by $10.4 million, or 4.2%, to $238.4 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $248.8 million in the prior year period. The overall decline in sales, the higher occupancy costs associated with the increased store count, and the unfavorable translation impact of currency fluctuations were the main drivers of the decrease in gross profit. These were partially offset by the benefit of higher product margins.

 

·                 Gross profit for the wholesale segment decreased by $5.1 million, or 6.6%, to $71.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $77.0 million in the prior year period. The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to a decline in sales and product margins in our North American wholesale business and an unfavorable currency translation impact due to the stronger U.S. dollar compared to the Korean Won.  These were partially offset by higher sales and improved product margins in our Asian business.

 

·                 Gross profit for the European segment decreased by $27.9 million, or 9.6%, to $263.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $291.8 million in the prior year period. The lower gross profit resulted from the unfavorable impact of the stronger U.S. dollar compared to the Euro on both the translation of the segment gross profit into U.S. dollars and on product margins for those products purchased in U.S. dollars. In addition, the impact of the shift of deliveries described above also contributed to the lower gross profit, partially offset by higher gross profit resulting from the expansion of our owned retail business.

 

·                 Gross profit for the licensing segment decreased by $5.7 million, or 7.3%, to $71.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $77.6 million in the prior year period.

 

Gross margin decreased 190 basis points to 43.5% for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from 45.4% for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The decline was attributable to lower product margins in our European segment and occupancy deleverage in our retail and European segments.

 

The Company’s gross margin may not be comparable to other entities since some entities include all of the costs related to their distribution in cost of product sales and others, like the Company, exclude the wholesale related distribution costs from gross margin, including them instead in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. SG&A expenses decreased by $26.9 million, or 6.2%, to $408.0 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $434.9 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted SG&A by $19.6 million. The decrease was also driven by both lower marketing expenses and volume related expenses. The decrease was partially offset by higher European retail selling expenses due to retail expansion in Europe, as well as higher compensation related expenses. The Company reduced the SG&A rate by 90 basis points to 27.5% for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to 28.4% for the nine months ended November 1, 2008.

 

EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS.  Earnings from operations decreased by $22.2 million, or 8.5%, to $238.1 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $260.3 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008.  The decrease in earnings from operations primarily resulted from the following:

 

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·                 Earnings from operations for the retail segment increased by $0.9 million to $81.3 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $80.4 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The increase in earnings from operations was driven by lower operating and marketing expenses partially offset by lower gross profit. Currency translation fluctuations unfavorably impacted earnings from operations in our retail segment by $2.4 million relating to our Canadian retail stores.

 

·                 Earnings from operations for the wholesale segment decreased by $2.2 million to $35.0 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $37.2 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The decrease in earnings from operations was mainly driven by lower sales volume and gross margin in the North American wholesale business and the unfavorable translation impact of the stronger U.S. dollar on the South Korean business. This was partially offset by sales growth in Asia and lower operating and marketing expenses in North America. The currency translation fluctuations, related to both our South Korean and Canadian operations, unfavorably impacted earnings from operations in our wholesale segment by $1.9 million.

 

·                 Earnings from operations for the European segment decreased $13.4 million to $116.2 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $129.6 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to the unfavorable impact of currency fluctuations on both the translation of earnings from operations as well as on product margins and the shift of deliveries described above. Currency translation fluctuations unfavorably impacted earnings from operations in our European segment by $9.9 million.

 

·                 Earnings from operations for the licensing segment decreased by $5.0 million to $61.9 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $66.9 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was the result of the lower royalty revenues discussed above.

 

·                  Unallocated corporate overhead increased by $2.6 million to $56.3 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $53.7 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The increase was primarily due to higher compensation related costs, partially offset by lower brand marketing expenses.

 

Operating margin declined 100 basis points to 16.0% for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to 17.0% for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The lower gross margin, partially offset by the lower SG&A rate, resulted in the operating margin decline.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST INCOME. Interest expense decreased to $1.7 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $3.5 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The decrease was due to a combination of lower average debt balances in Europe and lower average interest rates on the debt. Total debt at October 31, 2009 was $18.0 million, and was comprised of $0.9 million of short-term bank debt from our European operations and $17.1 million of capital lease obligations relating to our Italian building.  The average debt balance for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 was $49.4 million, versus an average debt balance of $65.2 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. Interest income decreased to $1.5 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $5.1 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008, due to lower interest rates on invested cash, partially offset by higher average invested cash balances.

 

OTHER EXPENSE, NET. Other expense, net, was $1.4 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to other expense, net, of $5.3 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008.  Other expense, net, in the nine months ended October 31, 2009 primarily consisted of expenses related to net mark-to-market losses on the revaluation of foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency transactions, partially offset by mark-to-market gains on insurance policy investments.

 

INCOME TAXES.  Income tax expense for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 was $78.0 million, or a 33.0% effective tax rate, compared to income tax expense of $89.5 million, or a 34.9% effective tax rate, for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. Generally, income taxes for the interim periods are computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year, which is subject to ongoing review and evaluation by management.  The lower tax rate in the current nine-month period was due to a higher proportion of earnings in lower tax jurisdictions.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES. Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 was $2.2 million, net of taxes, as compared to $1.3 million, net of taxes, for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The increase was due to higher earnings from our Mexico and Focus operations.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO GUESS?, INC. Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. decreased by $9.5 million, or 5.7%, to $156.2 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, from $165.7 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. Diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.68 per share for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 compared to $1.74 per share for the nine months ended November 1, 2008.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We need liquidity primarily to fund our working capital, the expansion and remodeling of our retail stores, shop-in-shop programs, systems, infrastructure, other existing operations, international growth, potential acquisitions, potential share repurchases and payment of dividends to our stockholders. During the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company relied on trade credit, available cash, short-term borrowings from our European bank facilities, real estate leases, and internally generated funds to finance our operations and expansion. The Company anticipates that it will be able to satisfy our ongoing cash requirements during the next twelve months for working capital, capital expenditures, interest and principal payments on our debt, potential acquisitions, potential share repurchases and dividend payments to stockholders, primarily with cash flow from operations supplemented by borrowings, if necessary, under the Credit Facility and bank facilities in Europe, as described below under “— Credit Facilities.” As of October 31, 2009, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $344.9 million. Excess cash and cash equivalents, which represent the majority of our outstanding cash and cash equivalents balance, are held primarily in four diversified money market funds. The funds are all AAA rated by national credit rating agencies and are generally comprised of high-quality, liquid investments. As of October 31, 2009, we do not have any exposure to auction-rate security investments in these funds. Please see “— Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of risk factors which could reasonably be likely to result in a decrease of internally generated funds available to finance capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

 

The Company has presented below the cash flow performance comparison of the nine months ended October 31, 2009 versus the nine months ended November 1, 2008.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $165.4 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $93.4 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008, or an improvement of $72.0 million. The increase was primarily due to the favorable impact of working capital changes on operating cash flows as a result of the lower growth in accounts receivable and inventory during the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to the growth in the comparable prior year period. These favorable changes were partially offset by a larger decrease in accrued liabilities during the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to the decline in the comparable prior year period. In addition, net earnings decreased by $8.6 million when comparing the nine months ended October 31, 2009 to the prior year period.

 

At October 31, 2009, the Company had working capital (including cash and cash equivalents) of $703.9 million compared to $558.3 million at January 31, 2009 and $511.0 million at November 1, 2008. The Company’s primary working capital needs are for inventory and accounts receivable. Accounts receivable at October 31, 2009 amounted to $318.5 million, up $18.8 million, compared to $299.7 million at November 1, 2008.  The accounts receivable balance at October 31, 2009 included a positive translation impact of approximately $33.7 million due to currency fluctuations compared to November 1, 2008. Approximately $174.5 million of our European, Canadian and U.S. receivables, or 54.8% of the $318.5 million in accounts receivable at October 31, 2009 were insured for collection purposes or subject to certain bank guarantees or letters of credit. Inventory at October 31, 2009 amounted to $261.9 million compared to $253.0 million at November 1, 2008.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $66.1 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $82.4 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. Cash used in investing activities related primarily to capital expenditures incurred on new store openings and existing store remodeling programs in the U.S. and Canada, expansion of our European retail business and infrastructure, expansion of our Asian business, improvements to headquarter buildings, investments in information systems and other enhancements.

 

The lower level of spending on new stores and remodeling of existing stores in the U.S. and Canada during the nine months ended October 31, 2009 was the main driver of the lower cash used in investing activities compared to the prior year period, partially offset by improvements to headquarter buildings in the current year period. During the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company opened 13 new stores in the U.S. and Canada, 12 owned stores in Europe, two owned stores in Mexico and three owned stores in Asia compared to 50 new stores in the U.S. and Canada, 14 owned stores in Europe, three owned stores in Mexico and five owned stores in Asia that were opened in the comparable prior year period.

 

The lower cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to the prior year period can also be attributed to the unfavorable net cash settlement of forward contracts during the prior year period.

 

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Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $54.4 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2009, compared to $41.2 million for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The increase in net cash used in financing activities in the current period compared to the prior year period was primarily due to repayments of borrowings and increased dividends during the current year, partially offset by higher repurchases of shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program during the prior year period.

 

Dividend Policy

 

On March 17, 2009, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company’s common stock. The cash dividend was paid on April 17, 2009 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 2009.

 

On June 4, 2009, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company’s common stock. The cash dividend was paid on July 2, 2009 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 17, 2009.

 

On August 26, 2009, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share on the Company’s common stock. The cash dividend was paid on September 25, 2009 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 9, 2009.

 

On November 30, 2009, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.125 per share on the Company’s common stock. The cash dividend will be paid on December 31, 2009 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 16, 2009.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Gross capital expenditures totaled $61.9 million, before deducting lease incentives of $4.8 million, for the nine months ended October 31, 2009. This compares to gross capital expenditures of $69.4 million, before deducting lease incentives of $6.8 million, for the nine months ended November 1, 2008. The Company’s capital expenditures for the full fiscal year 2010 could reach up to $87.0 million (before deducting estimated lease incentives of approximately $7.0 million), primarily for retail store expansion of approximately 17 stores in the U.S. and Canada, store remodeling programs, expansion of our European retail business and infrastructure, expansion of our Asian business, investments in information systems, improvements to headquarter buildings and other infrastructure improvements.

 

In addition, we periodically evaluate strategic acquisitions and alliances and pursue those that we believe will support and contribute to our overall growth initiatives.

 

Credit Facilities

 

On September 19, 2006, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit facility led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for an $85 million revolving multicurrency line of credit and is available for direct borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit, subject to certain letters of credit sublimits. The Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2011. At October 31, 2009, the Company had $12.7 million in outstanding standby letters of credit, no outstanding documentary letters of credit and no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

 

The Company, through its European subsidiaries, maintains short-term borrowing agreements, primarily for working capital purposes, with various banks in Europe. Under these agreements, which are generally secured by specific accounts receivable balances, the Company can borrow up to $239.7 million, limited primarily by accounts receivable balances at the time of borrowing. Based on the applicable accounts receivable balances at October 31, 2009, the Company could have borrowed up to approximately $232.0 million under these agreements. However, the Company’s ability to borrow through foreign subsidiaries is generally limited to $185.0 million under the terms of the Credit Facility. At October 31, 2009, the Company had negligible outstanding borrowings and $13.3 million in outstanding documentary letters of credit under these agreements. The agreements are primarily denominated in Euros and provide for annual interest rates ranging from 0.7% to 3.5%. The maturities of the short-term borrowings are generally linked to the credit terms of the underlying accounts receivable that secure the borrowings.  With the exception of one facility for $22.1 million that has a minimum net equity requirement, there are no other financial ratio covenants.

 

The Company entered into a capital lease in December 2005 for a new building in Florence, Italy. At October 31, 2009, the capital lease obligation was $17.2 million. The Company entered into a separate interest rate swap agreement designated as a non-hedging instrument that results in a swap fixed rate of 3.55%. This interest rate swap agreement matures in 2016 and converts the nature of the capital lease obligation from Euribor floating rate debt to fixed rate debt. The fair value of the interest rate swap liability as of October 31, 2009 was approximately $0.8 million.

 

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From time-to-time the Company will obtain other short term financing in foreign countries for working capital to finance its local operations.

 

Share Repurchases

 

In March 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors terminated the previously authorized 2001 share repurchase program and authorized a new program to repurchase, from time-to-time and as market and business conditions warrant, up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock (the “2008 Share Repurchase Program”). Repurchases may be made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans or other available means. There is no minimum or maximum number of shares to be repurchased under the program and the program may be discontinued at any time, without prior notice. During the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company repurchased 407,600 shares under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program at an aggregate cost of approximately $5.3 million, all of which occurred in the first quarter ended May 2, 2009.

 

INFLATION

 

The Company does not believe that inflation trends in the U.S. and internationally over the last three years have had a significant effect on net revenue or profitability.

 

SEASONALITY

 

The Company’s business is impacted by the general seasonal trends characteristic of the apparel and retail industries. Due to the seasonality of the business, the results for any particular quarter may not be indicative of results for the full year. U.S. retail operations are generally stronger from July through December, and U.S. wholesale operations generally experience stronger performance from July through November. The European operations are largely wholesale driven and have historically operated with two primary selling seasons. The Spring/Summer season primarily ships in January, February and March and the Fall/Winter season primarily ships in July, August and September. The remaining months of the year are relatively smaller shipping months in Europe. The Company’s goal is to reduce these seasonal effects in Europe by offering a pre-collection assortment for apparel and also shipping product to customers more evenly throughout the year which would also allow the Company to benefit from reorders later in each season.

 

WHOLESALE BACKLOG

 

The backlog of wholesale orders at any given time is affected by various factors, including the seasonal effects discussed above and management’s initiatives to reduce these seasonal effects, cancellations of orders, the scheduling of market weeks and manufacturing and shipment of products. Accordingly, a comparison of backlogs of wholesale orders from period to period is not necessarily meaningful and may not be indicative of eventual actual shipments.

 

U.S. Backlog

 

The Company maintains a model stock program in its basic denim products which generally allows replenishment of a customer’s inventory within 72 hours. The Company generally receives orders for fashion apparel 90 to 120 days prior to the time the products are delivered to our customers’ stores. Our U.S. wholesale backlog as of November 30, 2009, consisting primarily of orders for fashion apparel, was approximately $44.2 million, compared to $46.9 million for such orders at December 1, 2008, or down 5.6%.

 

Europe Backlog

 

As of December 4, 2009, the European operations backlog was approximately €224.9 million, compared to €221.0 million at December 4, 2008, an increase of 1.8%. The backlog as of December 4, 2009, comprised sales orders primarily for our Spring/Summer 2010 and Fall/Winter 2010 seasons and excludes our international jewelry business that we will begin operating directly on January 1, 2010. As discussed above, these orders are subject to cancellation and may not be indicative of eventual actual shipments. In addition, the timing of receipt of orders from our customers and shipment of orders to customers may impact the amount of orders booked in the backlog at a particular point in time.

 

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our critical accounting policies reflecting our estimates and judgments are described in “Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2009. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the nine months ended October 31, 2009.

 

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IMPACT OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Recent Accounting Guidance Adopted

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. The guidance also modifies the recognition for preacquisition contingencies, such as environmental or legal issues, restructuring plans and acquired research and development value in purchase accounting. The guidance requires the acquirer to recognize changes in the amount of its deferred tax benefits that are recognizable because of a business combination either in income from continuing operations in the period of the combination or directly in contributed capital, depending on the circumstances. The guidance also establishes disclosure requirements which will enable users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The Company adopted the guidance on February 1, 2009 and has applied the provisions of the statement to all acquisitions from such date.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which clarifies the classification of noncontrolling interests in consolidated statements of financial position and the accounting for and reporting of transactions between the reporting entity and holders of such noncontrolling interests. The Company adopted the guidance on February 1, 2009. Refer to Note 3 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The guidance has been applied prospectively with the exception of reclassifying nonredeemable noncontrolling interests to equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and recasting consolidated net earnings to include net earnings prior to fiscal 2010 attributable to both the controlling and noncontrolling interests, which are required to be adopted retrospectively.

 

In February 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that relates to the measurement of fair value for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The Company adopted the guidance effective February 1, 2009 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities as required. Refer to Note 13 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that expands disclosures to include information about the fair value of derivatives, related credit risks and a company’s strategies and objectives for using derivatives. The Company adopted the guidance on February 1, 2009 and has included the expanded disclosures in Note 14 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In June 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance, which requires unvested share-payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents to be included in the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The guidance also requires retrospective application to all periods presented. The Company adopted the guidance on February 1, 2009 and applied it retrospectively to all periods presented. Refer to Note 2 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The adoption resulted in a reduction in diluted earnings per common share of approximately $0.03 per share for both the nine months ended October 31, 2009 and November 1, 2008.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairment on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. The guidance does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairment of equity securities. The guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and was adopted by the Company during the second quarter of fiscal 2010.  The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.  See additional disclosure in Note 13 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to require disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments in interim reporting periods. Such disclosures were previously required only in annual financial statements. The guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 and was adopted by the Company during the second quarter of fiscal 2010.  The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.  See additional disclosure in Note 13 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance, which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.  The guidance is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted the guidance during the second quarter of fiscal 2010 and, accordingly, evaluates subsequent events through the date its financial statements are issued.  See Note 15 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

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In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance, which establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.  This has become the source of authoritative generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and superseded all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards but does not change U.S. GAAP. The Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009, and was adopted by the Company during the third quarter of fiscal 2010.  Accordingly, references to standards issued prior to the codification have been replaced with a description of the applicable accounting guidance.

 

ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

EXCHANGE RATE RISK

 

Approximately half of the product sales and licensing revenue recorded for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 were denominated in U.S. dollars. The Company’s primary exchange rate fluctuation risk relates to its operations in Canada, Europe and South Korea. Changes in currencies affect our earnings in various ways.  For further discussion on currency related risk, please refer to our risk factors under “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009.

 

Various transactions that occur in Canada, Europe and South Korea are denominated in U.S. dollars, British Pounds or Swiss Francs and thus are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to their local functional currencies. These types of transactions include U.S. dollar denominated purchases of merchandise and U.S. dollar and British Pound intercompany liabilities.  In addition, certain operating expenses are denominated in Swiss Francs and are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to the functional currency.  Fluctuations in exchange rates can result in an impact to earnings and are largely dependent on the transaction timing and magnitude during the period that the currency fluctuates.  The Company enters into derivative financial instruments, including forward exchange contracts and currency swaps, to manage exchange risk on certain foreign currency transactions. The Company does not hedge all transactions denominated in foreign currency.

 

Forward Contracts Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company purchased U.S. dollar forward contracts in Europe and Canada totaling US$81.9 million and US$40.0 million, respectively, to hedge forecasted intercompany royalties and merchandise purchases that were designated as cash flow hedges.  As of October 31, 2009, the Company had forward contracts outstanding for its European and Canadian operations of US$76.9 million and US$38.7 million, respectively, that are expected to mature over the next 14 months and Swiss Franc-Euro forward contracts outstanding for its European operations of CHF4.5 million that are expected to mature over the next two months. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded in its consolidated balance sheet at fair value based on quoted market rates. U.S. dollar forward contracts are used to hedge forecasted merchandise purchases over specific months. Changes in the fair value of these U.S. dollar forward contracts, designated as cash flow hedges, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in cost of product sales in the period which approximates the time the hedged merchandise inventory is sold.  The Company also hedges forecasted intercompany royalties over specific months. Changes in the fair value of these U.S. dollar forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in other income/expense in the period in which the royalty expense is incurred.

 

The Swiss Franc forward contracts are used to hedge certain anticipated Swiss operating expenses over specific months. Changes in the fair value of the Swiss Franc forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in SG&A in the period which approximates the time the expenses are incurred.

 

As of October 31, 2009, accumulated other comprehensive income included an unrealized loss of approximately US$1.5 million, net of tax, that will be recognized as a net increase to cost of goods sold, other income/expense or SG&A over the following 12 months at the then current values on a pre-tax basis, which can be different than the current quarter-end values. At October 31, 2009, the net unrealized loss of the remaining open forward contracts recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet was approximately US$1.9 million.

 

At January 31, 2009, the Company had forward contracts outstanding for its European and Canadian operations of US$21.0 million and US$38.5 million, respectively, and Swiss Franc-Euro forward contracts outstanding for its European operations of CHF18.0 million. At January 31, 2009, the unrealized net gain of these open forward contracts recorded in current assets in the consolidated balance sheet was approximately US$8.1 million.

 

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Foreign Currency Contracts Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

 

The Company also has foreign currency contracts that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.  Changes in fair value of foreign currency contracts not qualifying as cash flow hedges are reported in net earnings as part of other income and expense.  For the nine months ended October 31, 2009, the Company recorded a net loss of US$16.0 million for the Canadian dollar, Euro, British Pound and Swiss Franc foreign currency contracts, which has been included in other income and expense.  At October 31, 2009, the Company had Canadian dollar foreign currency contracts to purchase US$41.3 million expected to mature over the next 11 months, Euro foreign currency contracts to purchase US$122.3 million expected to mature over the next 15 months, Euro foreign currency contracts to purchase CHF2.2 million expected to mature over the next two months and Euro foreign currency contracts to purchase GBP6.0 million expected to mature over the next five months.  At October 31, 2009, the net unrealized losses of these Canadian dollar, Euro, Swiss Franc and British Pound forward contracts recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheet were approximately US$4.5 million.

 

At January 31, 2009, the Company had Canadian dollar foreign currency contracts to purchase US$36.5 million, Euro foreign currency contracts to purchase US$104.0 million and Swiss Franc foreign currency contracts to purchase CHF5.3 million. At January 31, 2009, the net unrealized gains of these Canadian dollar, Euro and Swiss Franc forward contracts recorded in current assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet were approximately US$13.7 million.

 

Foreign Currency Sensitivity Analysis

 

At October 31, 2009, a sensitivity analysis of changes in our foreign currencies when measured against the U.S. dollar indicates that, if the U.S. dollar had uniformly weakened by 10% against all of the U.S. dollar denominated foreign exchange derivatives totaling US$279.2 million, the fair value of the instruments would have decreased by US$31.0 million. Conversely, if the U.S. dollar uniformly strengthened by 10% against all of the U.S. dollar denominated foreign exchange derivatives, the fair value of these instruments would have increased by US$25.4 million. Any resulting changes in the fair value of the hedged instruments would have been partially offset by changes in the fair value of certain balance sheet positions impacted by the change in the foreign currency rate.

 

INTEREST RATE RISK

 

At October 31, 2009, approximately 95.2% of the Company’s indebtedness related to a capital lease obligation covered by an interest rate swap agreement that results in a swap fixed interest rate of 3.55% over the life of the lease obligation. Changes in the related interest rate that result in an unrealized gain or loss on the fair value of the swap are reported in other income or expenses. The change in the unrealized fair value of the interest rate swap increased other expense and interest expense, net by $0.4 million during the nine months ended October 31, 2009. Substantially all of the Company’s remaining indebtedness, principally consisting of short-term borrowings under the short-term European borrowing agreements, are at variable rates of interest. Accordingly, changes in interest rates would impact the Company’s results of operations in future periods. A 100 basis point increase in applicable interest rates would have increased interest expense for the nine months ended October 31, 2009 by approximately $0.2 million.

 

At October 31, 2009, the carrying value of all financial instruments was not materially different from fair value, as the interest rate on the Company’s debt approximates rates currently available to the Company.

 

ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the quarterly period covered by this report.

 

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of the fiscal year ending January 30, 2010, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  Legal Proceedings.

 

Litigation

 

In 2006, the Officers of the Florence Customs Authorities (“Customs Authorities”) began an import customs audit with respect to the Company’s Italian subsidiary, Maco Apparel S.p.A. (“Maco”), which the Company acquired in 2005. Prior to the acquisition, Maco was the Italian licensee of GUESS? jeanswear for men and women in Europe. The Customs Authorities contended that the Italian subsidiary should have included the royalty expense payable to Guess?, Inc., the parent company, as part of the cost of the product subject to customs duties. The Company disagreed with this position and disputed the assessment in a series of hearings on the matter with the Florence Provincial Tax Commission beginning in October 2007. At the request of a judge from the Tax Commission, the Company and the Customs Authorities entered into settlement discussions in 2009. These discussions ultimately led to the execution of a full out-of-court settlement agreement in October 2009, which should be final by December 31, 2009. The settlement was consistent in amount with the Company’s previous accrual recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009 and did not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the Company. The resolution of this matter did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial results or financial position.

 

On May 6, 2009, Gucci America, Inc. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Guess?, Inc. and Guess Italia, S.r.l. asserting, among other things, trademark and trade dress law violations and unfair competition. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, unspecified compensatory damages, including treble damages, and certain other relief. A similar complaint has also been filed in the Court of Milan, Italy. The Company plans to defend the allegations vigorously.  The Company believes that it is too early to predict the outcome of this action or whether the outcome will have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Company is also involved in various other claims and other matters incidental to the Company’s business, the resolution of which is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position. No material amounts were accrued as of October 31, 2009 related to any of the Company’s legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors.

 

There have not been any material changes from the Risk Factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2009.

 

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

 

Items (a) and (b) are not applicable.

 

Item (c).  Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased

 

Average Price
Paid
per Share

 

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs

 

Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value)
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs

 

August 2, 2009 to August 29, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase program(1)

 

 

 

 

$

134,241,107

 

Employee transactions(2)

 

1,787

 

$

30.58

 

 

 

August 30, 2009 to October 3, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase program(1)

 

 

 

 

$

134,241,107

 

Employee transactions(2)

 

7,128

 

$

36.61

 

 

 

October 4, 2009 to October 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase program(1)

 

 

 

 

$

134,241,107

 

Employee transactions(2)

 

839

 

$

39.19

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase program(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee transactions(2)

 

9,754

 

$

35.73

 

 

 

 

 


(1) On March 19, 2008, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the new 2008 Share Repurchase Program to repurchase, from time-to-time and as market and business conditions warrant, up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock. Repurchases may be made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans or other available means. There is no minimum or maximum number of shares to be repurchased under the program and the program may be discontinued at any time, without prior notice.

 

(2) Consists of shares surrendered to, or withheld by, the Company in satisfaction of employee tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting of restricted stock awards granted under the Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

 

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ITEM 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

None.

 

ITEM 5.  Other Information.

 

None.

 

ITEM 6.  Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

3.1.

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-4419) filed on July 30, 1996).

 

 

 

3.2.

 

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 4, 2007).

 

 

 

4.1.

 

Specimen Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-4419) filed on July 30, 1996).

 

 

 

†31.1.

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

†31.2.

 

Certification of President and Chief Operating Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

†31.3.

 

Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

†32.1.

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

†32.2.

 

Certification of President and Chief Operating Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

†32.3.

 

Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


†           Filed herewith

 

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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.

 

 

Guess?, Inc.

 

 

 

Date:    December 9, 2009

By:

/s/ CARLOS ALBERINI

 

 

Carlos Alberini

 

 

President and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:    December 9, 2009

By:

/s/ DENNIS R. SECOR

 

 

Dennis R. Secor

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)