GUESS INC - Quarter Report: 2017 July (Form 10-Q)

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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 July 29, 2017

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

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



Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company o

	Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

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 August 29, 2017, the registrant had 83,267,240 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding.

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GUESS?, INC.

FORM 10-Q

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)	1

	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017	1

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) — Three and Six Months Ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016	2

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Three and Six Months Ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016	3

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Six Months Ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016	4

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	29

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	53

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	56
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	56

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	57

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	58

Item 6.	Exhibits	59

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Financial Statements.

GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share data)

	Jul 29, 2017			Jan 28, 2017
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	316,543		$	396,129
Accounts receivable, net	233,635			225,537
Inventories	436,044			367,381
Other current assets	61,208			54,965
Total current assets	1,047,430			1,044,012
Property and equipment, net	275,417			243,005
Goodwill	36,415			34,100
Other intangible assets, net	6,330			6,504
Deferred tax assets	85,138			82,793
Restricted cash	1,258			1,521
Other assets	125,219			122,550
	$	1,577,207		$	1,534,485
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of capital lease obligations and borrowings	$	2,033		$	566
Accounts payable	229,527			209,616
Accrued expenses	145,101			135,271
Total current liabilities	376,661			345,453
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	39,214			23,482
Deferred rent and lease incentives	83,556			80,209
Other long-term liabilities	101,697			99,895
	601,128			549,039
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	5,433			4,452

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

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 141,165,634 and 140,509,974 shares, outstanding 83,270,997 and 84,069,492 shares, as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively	833			841
Paid-in capital	488,334			480,435
Retained earnings	1,170,816			1,215,079
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(120,909		)	(161,389		)
Treasury stock, 57,894,637 and 56,440,482 shares as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively	(583,259		)	(565,744		)
Guess?, Inc. stockholders’ equity	955,815			969,222
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests	14,831			11,772
Total stockholders’ equity	970,646			980,994
	$	1,577,207		$	1,534,485

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) (in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016			Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Product sales	$	551,794		$	523,008		$	990,114		$	949,476
Net royalties	21,898			21,951			42,159			44,298
Net revenue	573,692			544,959			1,032,273			993,774
Cost of product sales	375,665			359,327			689,604			665,383
Gross profit	198,027			185,632			342,669			328,391
Selling, general and administrative expenses	173,546			169,553			340,945			335,054
Asset impairment charges	1,233			502			3,995			655
Restructuring charges	—			—			—			6,083
Earnings (loss) from operations	23,248			15,577			(2,271		)	(13,401		)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(544		)	(458		)	(958		)	(978		)
Interest income	1,260			251			2,131			902
Other income (expense), net	(1,630		)	27,390			802			26,292
	(914		)	27,183			1,975			26,216

Earnings (loss) before income tax expense	22,334			42,760			(296		)	12,815
Income tax expense	6,453			10,593			5,050			5,802
Net earnings (loss)	15,881			32,167			(5,346		)	7,013
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	662			(102		)	728			(78		)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Guess?, Inc.	$	15,219		$	32,269		$	(6,074	)	$	7,091

Net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders (Note 2):
Basic	$	0.18		$	0.38		$	(0.08	)	$	0.08
Diluted	$	0.18		$	0.38		$	(0.08	)	$	0.08

Weighted average common shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders (Note 2):
Basic	82,396			83,621			82,703			83,567
Diluted	82,763			83,863			82,703			83,809

Dividends declared per common share	$	0.225		$	0.225		$	0.450		$	0.450

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (in thousands) (unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016			Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Net earnings (loss)	$	15,881		$	32,167		$	(5,346	)	$	7,013
Other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”):
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Gains (losses) arising during the period	44,037			(15,722		)	56,872			27,430
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Gains (losses) arising during the period	(15,535		)	5,420			(15,089		)	(6,823		)
Less income tax effect	2,442			(803		)	2,120			1,560
Reclassification to net earnings (loss) for gains realized	(649		)	(1,131		)	(1,310		)	(2,547		)
Less income tax effect	43			250			128			521
Marketable securities
Losses arising during the period	—			(5		)	—			(4		)
Less income tax effect	—			3			—			3
Defined benefit plans
Foreign currency and other adjustments	(90		)	28			(104		)	(136		)
Less income tax effect	8			(2		)	9			13
Net actuarial loss amortization	111			85			228			171
Prior service credit amortization	(6		)	(7		)	(13		)	(14		)
Less income tax effect	(20		)	(19		)	(41		)	(38		)
Total comprehensive income	46,222			20,264			37,454			27,149
Less comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Net earnings (loss)	662			(102		)	728			(78		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	958			(1,225		)	2,320			(704		)
Amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,620			(1,327		)	3,048			(782		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Guess?, Inc.	$	44,602		$	21,591		$	34,406		$	27,931

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (unaudited)

	Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$	(5,346	)	$	7,013
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment	29,802			33,105
Amortization of intangible assets	783			944
Share-based compensation expense	8,150			9,049
Unrealized forward contract losses	5,063			1,181
Net (gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment and long-term assets	3,717			(21,374		)
Other items, net	(5,734		)	(1,082		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	4,246			18,873
Inventories	(47,419		)	(61,357		)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,606		)	(6,516		)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	3,158			2,281
Deferred rent and lease incentives	1,657			1,183
Other long-term liabilities	(5,136		)	(706		)
Net cash used in operating activities	(9,665		)	(17,406		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(39,591		)	(44,223		)
Proceeds from sale of long-term assets	—			43,399
Changes in other assets	(553		)	—
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(175		)	(372		)
Net cash settlement of forward contracts	1,279			357
Purchases of investments	(497		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities	(39,537		)	(839		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of debt issuance costs	—			(111		)
Proceeds from borrowings	166			21,500
Repayment of borrowings and capital lease obligations	(453		)	(4,468		)
Dividends paid	(37,790		)	(38,383		)
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest	—			(4,445		)
Noncontrolling interest capital contribution	962			2,157
Issuance of common stock, net of tax withholdings on vesting of stock awards	(149		)	346
Purchase of treasury stock	(17,827		)	—
Net cash used in financing activities	(55,091		)	(23,404		)
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	24,444			11,684
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(79,849		)	(29,965		)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning of the year	397,650			445,999
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the period	$	317,801		$	416,034

Supplemental cash flow data:
Interest paid	$	536		$	607
Income taxes paid	$	13,222		$	9,132

Non-cash investing and financing activity:
Assets acquired under capital lease obligations	$	17,522		$	—

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 29, 2017

(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 July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss) and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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 six months ended July 29, 2017 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 28, 2017.

The three and six months ended July 29, 2017 had the same number of days as the three and six months ended July 30, 2016. All references herein to “fiscal 2018,” “fiscal 2017” and “fiscal 2016” represent the results of the 53-week fiscal year ending February 3, 2018 and the 52-week fiscal years ended January 28, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively.

Reclassifications

The Company has made certain reclassifications to prior year amounts to conform to the current period presentation within the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Sale of Other Assets

During the three months ended July 30, 2016, the Company sold its minority interest equity holding in a privately-held boutique apparel company for net proceeds of approximately $34.8 million, which resulted in a gain of approximately $22.3 million which was recorded in other income during the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

New Accounting Guidance

Changes in Accounting Policies

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost or net realizable value test. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to simplify the accounting for certain aspects of share-based compensation. This guidance addresses the accounting for income tax effects at award settlement, the use of an expected forfeiture rate to estimate award cancellations prior to the vesting date and the presentation of excess tax benefits and shares surrendered for tax withholdings on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017. This guidance requires all income tax effects of awards (resulting from an increase or decrease in the fair value of an award from grant date to the vesting date) to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. This is a change from previous guidance that required such activity to be recorded in paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity. The Company adopted this provision prospectively and accordingly recorded tax shortfalls of approximately $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, as an increase to the Company’s income tax expense in its condensed consolidated statement of income (loss) during the three and six months ended July 29, 2017. This resulted in a negative impact on net earnings attributable

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to Guess?, Inc. of approximately $0.1 million, or a minimal per share impact during the three months ended July 29, 2017 and a negative impact on net loss attributable to Guess?, Inc. of approximately $0.7 million, or an unfavorable $0.01 per share impact during the six months ended July 29, 2017. Under this guidance, excess tax benefits are also excluded from the assumed proceeds available to repurchase shares in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share. This was adopted prospectively and did not have a material impact on the Company’s diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three or six months ended July 29, 2017. This guidance also eliminates the requirement to estimate forfeitures, but rather provides for an election that would allow entities to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted this election beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 using the modified retrospective method and recorded a cumulative adjustment to reduce retained earnings by approximately $0.3 million. This guidance also changes the presentation of excess tax benefits from a financing activity to an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. This presentation was adopted on a retrospective basis and, as a result, net cash used in operating activities improved by $0.2 million with a corresponding offset to net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended July 30, 2016.

In August 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017 on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires an entity to include indirect interests held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis when evaluating if a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In November 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. This guidance requires that the statement of cash flows reconcile the change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. The Company’s restricted cash is generally held as collateral for certain transactions. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 29, 2017 on a retrospective basis. As a result, the Company updated its condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 to include restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances and to eliminate changes in restricted cash that have historically been included within operating and investing activities.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard which will supersede previous existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard is intended to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. During fiscal 2017, the FASB issued additional clarification guidance on the new revenue recognition standard which also included certain scope improvements and practical expedients. The standard (including clarification guidance issued) is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance using the modified retrospective method beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company’s assessment efforts to date have included reviewing current revenue processes, arrangements and accounting policies to identify potential differences that could arise from the application of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Based on its current review, the more significant changes that the Company has identified relate to the classification and timing of when revenue is recognized from its licensing business, loyalty programs and gift card breakage. The Company also expects a change in the timing of revenue recognized when merchandise is shipped directly to a customer, as it is expected to be based on when control is transferred to the customer upon shipment, rather than at the time the risk of loss is transferred. The Company is continuing to evaluate the financial impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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In January 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires equity investments not accounted for under the equity method of accounting or consolidation accounting to be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income. This guidance also addresses other recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures unless the Company acquires new equity investments.

In February 2016, the FASB issued a comprehensive new lease standard which will supersede previous lease guidance. The standard requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities related to long-term leases that were classified as operating leases under previous guidance in its balance sheet. An asset would be recognized related to the right to use the underlying asset and a liability would be recognized related to the obligation to make lease payments over the term of the lease. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding leases. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020, and requires modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, but expects there will be a material increase in its long-term assets and liabilities resulting from the adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which amends the accounting for income taxes on intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This guidance requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. The income tax consequences on intra-entity transfers of inventory will continue to be deferred until the inventory has been sold to a third party. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of a fiscal year. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to simplify the testing for goodwill impairment by removing step two from the goodwill testing. Under current guidance, if the fair value of a reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount (step one), an entity would calculate an impairment charge by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount (step two). The implied fair value of goodwill was calculated by deducting the fair value of the assets and liabilities of the respective reporting unit from the reporting unit’s fair value as determined under step one. This guidance instead provides that an impairment charge should be recognized based on the difference between a reporting unit’s fair value and its carrying value. This guidance also does not require a qualitative test to be performed on reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. However, entities need to disclose any reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts that have goodwill and the amount of goodwill allocated to each. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

In March 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance related to the presentation of net periodic pension cost in the income statement. This guidance requires that the service cost component of net periodic pension cost is presented in the same line as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the employees during the period. The other components of net periodic pension cost are required to be presented in the income statement

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separately from the service cost component and outside of earnings from operations. This guidance also allows for the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and requires retrospective adoption for the presentation of the service cost component and other components of net periodic pension cost in the income statement and prospective adoption for capitalization of the service cost component. Early adoption is permitted at the beginning of a fiscal year. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that provides clarification on accounting for modifications in share-based payment awards. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or related disclosures unless there are modifications to the Company’s share-based payment awards.

In August 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to better align the results of hedge accounting with an entity’s risk management activities. This guidance updates the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results in the financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2020, and requires a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with early adoption permitted. The updated presentation and disclosure guidance is required only on a prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.


(2)	Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share represents net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The Company considers any restricted stock units with forfeitable dividend rights that are issued and outstanding, but considered contingently returnable if certain service conditions are not met, as common equivalent shares outstanding. These restricted stock units are excluded from the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and basic earnings (loss) per share calculation until the respective service conditions have been met. Diluted earnings per share represents 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. The potentially dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding are not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share as the impact of the shares would be antidilutive due to the net loss incurred for the period. Nonvested restricted stock awards (referred to as participating securities) are excluded from the dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding in accordance with 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, distributed and undistributed earnings attributable to nonvested restricted stockholders are excluded from net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders for purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share. However, net losses are not allocated to nonvested restricted stockholders because they are not contractually obligated to share in the losses of the Company.

In addition, the Company has granted certain nonvested stock units that are subject to certain performance-based or market-based vesting conditions as well as continued service requirements through the respective vesting periods. These nonvested stock units are included in the computation of diluted net earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders only to the extent that the underlying performance-based or market-based vesting conditions are satisfied as of the end of the reporting period, or would be considered satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related contingency period, and the results would be dilutive under the treasury stock method.

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



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017		Jul 30, 2016		Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Guess?, Inc.	$	15,219	$	32,269	$	(6,074	)	$	7,091
Less net earnings attributable to nonvested restricted stockholders	196		240		395			286
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	15,023	$	32,029	$	(6,469	)	$	6,805

Weighted average common shares used in basic computations	82,396		83,621		82,703			83,567
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and restricted stock units (1)	367		242		—			242
Weighted average common shares used in diluted computations	82,763		83,863		82,703			83,809

Net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	0.18	$	0.38	$	(0.08	)	$	0.08
Diluted	$	0.18	$	0.38	$	(0.08	)	$	0.08

__________________________________


(1)	For the six months ended July 29, 2017, there were 192,438 potentially dilutive shares that were not included in the computation of diluted weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding because their effect would have been antidilutive given the Company’s net loss.

For the three months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016, equity awards granted for 4,522,618 and 3,426,266, respectively, of the Company’s common shares and for the six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016, equity awards granted for 4,310,197 and 3,185,000, respectively, of the Company’s common shares were outstanding but were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding because the assumed proceeds, as calculated under the treasury stock method, resulted in these awards being antidilutive. For the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company also excluded 1,145,080 nonvested stock units which are subject to the achievement of performance-based conditions from the computation of diluted weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding because these conditions were not achieved as of July 29, 2017. For the three and six months ended July 30, 2016, the Company excluded 602,816 nonvested stock units which were subject to the achievement of performance-based or market-based vesting conditions from the computation of diluted weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding because these conditions were not achieved as of July 30, 2016.

Share Repurchase Program

On June 26, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase, from time-to-time and as market and business conditions warrant, up to $500 million of the Company’s common stock. Repurchases under the program 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, which may be discontinued at any time, without prior notice. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company repurchased 1,485,195 shares under the program at an aggregate cost of $17.8 million. The shares were repurchased during the three months ended April 29, 2017. There were no share repurchases during the three and six months ended July 30, 2016. As of July 29, 2017, the Company had remaining authority under the program to purchase $430.5 million of its common stock.

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(3)	Stockholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

A reconciliation of common stock outstanding, treasury stock and the total carrying amount of total stockholders’ equity, Guess?, Inc. stockholders’ equity and stockholders’ equity attributable to nonredeemable and redeemable noncontrolling interests for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 and six months ended July 29, 2017 is as follows (in thousands, except share data):



	Shares				Stockholders’ Equity
	Common Stock		Treasury Stock		Guess?, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity			Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interests			Total			Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
Balance at January 30, 2016	83,833,937		56,195,000		$	1,018,475		$	12,818		$	1,031,293		$	5,252
Net earnings	—		—		22,761			2,637			25,398			—
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—		—		(575		)	(2,057		)	(2,632		)	818
Loss on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of income tax of $864	—		—		(1,852		)	—			(1,852		)	—
Other-than-temporary-impairment and unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of income tax of ($6)	—		—		15			—			15			—
Actuarial valuation loss and related amortization, prior service credit amortization and foreign currency and other adjustments on defined benefit plans, net of income tax of $21	—		—		(923		)	—			(923		)	—
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans, net of tax effect	481,037		—		(3,813		)	—			(3,813		)	—
Issuance of stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	44,486		(44,486	)	558			—			558			—
Share-based compensation	—		—		16,908			—			16,908			—
Dividends	—		—		(76,997		)	—			(76,997		)	—
Share repurchases	(289,968	)	289,968		(3,532		)	—			(3,532		)	—
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest	—		—		(1,133		)	1,133			—			(4,445		)
Noncontrolling interest capital contribution	—		—		—			—			—			2,157
Noncontrolling interest capital distribution	—		—		—			(2,759		)	(2,759		)	—
Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment	—		—		(670		)	—			(670		)	670
Balance at January 28, 2017	84,069,492		56,440,482		$	969,222		$	11,772		$	980,994		$	4,452
Net earnings (loss)	—		—		(6,074		)	728			(5,346		)	—
Foreign currency translation adjustment	—		—		54,552			2,320			56,872			30
Loss on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges, net of income tax of $2,248	—		—		(14,151		)	—			(14,151		)	—
Actuarial valuation and prior service credit amortization and foreign currency and other adjustments on defined benefit plans, net of income tax of ($32)	—		—		79			—			79			—
Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans, net of tax effect	655,660		—		(434		)	—			(434		)	—
Issuance of stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	31,040		(31,040	)	285			—			285			—
Share-based compensation	—		—		8,150			—			8,150			—
Dividends	—		—		(37,987		)	—			(37,987		)	—
Share repurchases	(1,485,195	)	1,485,195		(17,827		)	—			(17,827		)	—
Noncontrolling interest capital contribution	—		—		—			11			11			951
Balance at July 29, 2017	83,270,997		57,894,637		$	955,815		$	14,831		$	970,646		$	5,433

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of related income taxes, for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended Jul 29, 2017
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges			Defined Benefit Plans			Total
Balance at April 29, 2017	$	(146,754	)	$	4,948		$	(8,486	)	$	(150,292	)
Gains (losses) arising during the period	43,079			(13,093		)	(82		)	29,904
Reclassification to net earnings for (gains) losses realized	—			(606		)	85			(521		)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	43,079			(13,699		)	3			29,383
Balance at July 29, 2017	$	(103,675	)	$	(8,751	)	$	(8,483	)	$	(120,909	)



	Six Months Ended Jul 29, 2017
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges			Defined Benefit Plans			Total
Balance at January 28, 2017	$	(158,227	)	$	5,400		$	(8,562	)	$	(161,389	)
Gains (losses) arising during the period	54,552			(12,969		)	(95		)	41,488
Reclassification to net loss for (gains) losses realized	—			(1,182		)	174			(1,008		)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	54,552			(14,151		)	79			40,480
Balance at July 29, 2017	$	(103,675	)	$	(8,751	)	$	(8,483	)	$	(120,909	)



	Three Months Ended Jul 30, 2016
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges			Marketable Securities			Defined Benefit Plans			Total
Balance at April 30, 2016	$	(115,021	)	$	(3,773	)	$	(14	)	$	(7,728	)	$	(126,536	)
Gains (losses) arising during the period	(14,497		)	4,617			(2		)	26			(9,856		)
Reclassification to net earnings for (gains) losses realized	—			(881		)	—			59			(822		)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(14,497		)	3,736			(2		)	85			(10,678		)
Balance at July 30, 2016	$	(129,518	)	$	(37	)	$	(16	)	$	(7,643	)	$	(137,214	)



	Six Months Ended Jul 30, 2016
	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges			Marketable Securities			Defined Benefit Plans			Total
Balance at January 30, 2016	$	(157,652	)	$	7,252		$	(15	)	$	(7,639	)	$	(158,054	)
Gains (losses) arising during the period	28,134			(5,263		)	(1		)	(123		)	22,747
Reclassification to net earnings for (gains) losses realized	—			(2,026		)	—			119			(1,907		)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	28,134			(7,289		)	(1		)	(4		)	20,840
Balance at July 30, 2016	$	(129,518	)	$	(37	)	$	(16	)	$	(7,643	)	$	(137,214	)

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Details on reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net earnings (loss) during the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended						Location of (Gain) Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Loss)
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016			Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	$	(661	)	$	(1,141	)	$	(1,279	)	$	(2,576	)	Cost of product sales
Foreign exchange currency contracts	(14		)	(49		)	(93		)	(81		)	Other income/expense
Interest rate swap	26			59			62			110			Interest expense
Less income tax effect	43			250			128			521			Income tax expense
	(606		)	(881		)	(1,182		)	(2,026		)
Defined benefit plans:
Actuarial loss amortization	111			85			228			171			₍₁₎
Prior service credit amortization	(6		)	(7		)	(13		)	(14		)	₍₁₎
Less income tax effect	(20		)	(19		)	(41		)	(38		)	Income tax expense
	85			59			174			119
Total reclassifications during the period	$	(521	)	$	(822	)	$	(1,008	)	$	(1,907	)

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(1)	These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic defined benefit pension cost. Refer to Note 13 for further information.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The Company is party to a put arrangement with respect to the common securities that represent the remaining noncontrolling interest for its majority-owned subsidiary, Guess Brasil Comércio e Distribuição S.A. (“Guess Brazil”), which was established through a majority-owned joint venture during fiscal 2014. The put arrangement for Guess Brazil, representing 40% of the total outstanding equity interest of that subsidiary, may be exercised at the discretion of the noncontrolling interest holder by providing written notice to the Company beginning in the sixth year of the agreement, or sooner in certain limited circumstances, and every third anniversary from the end of the sixth year thereafter subject to certain time restrictions. The redemption value of the Guess Brazil put arrangement is based on a multiple of Guess Brazil’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization subject to certain adjustments and is classified as a redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of permanent equity in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. During fiscal 2017, the Company and the noncontrolling interest holder increased their capital contributions by $1.7 million, of which $1.0 million was paid by the Company and the remaining amount was paid by the noncontrolling interest holder to retain the same pro-rata interest in Guess Brazil. The carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest related to Guess Brazil was $1.6 million and $1.7 million as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively.

The Company is party to a put arrangement with respect to the common securities that represent the remaining noncontrolling interest for its majority-owned subsidiary, Guess? CIS, LLC (“Guess CIS”), which was established through a majority-owned joint venture during fiscal 2016. The put arrangement for Guess CIS, representing 30% of the total outstanding equity interest of that subsidiary, may be exercised at the discretion of the noncontrolling interest holder by providing written notice to the Company during the period beginning after the fifth anniversary of the agreement through December 31, 2025, or sooner in certain limited circumstances. The redemption value of the Guess CIS put arrangement is based on a multiple of Guess CIS’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization subject to certain adjustments and is classified as a redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of permanent equity in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. During fiscal 2017, the Company and the noncontrolling interest holder increased their capital contributions by $5.0 million, of which $3.5 million was paid by the Company and the remaining amount was paid by the noncontrolling interest holder to retain the same pro-rata interest in Guess CIS. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company and the noncontrolling interest holder made an additional capital contribution totaling $3.2 million, of which $2.2 million was paid by the Company and the remaining amount was paid by the noncontrolling interest holder to retain the

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same pro-rata interest in Guess CIS. The carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest related to Guess CIS was $3.8 million and $2.8 million as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively.

The Company was previously party to a put arrangement in connection with its now wholly-owned subsidiary, Guess Sud SAS (“Guess Sud”). Under the terms of this put arrangement, which represented 40% of the total outstanding interest of that subsidiary, the noncontrolling interest holder had the option to exercise the put arrangement at its discretion by providing written notice to the Company any time after January 30, 2012. The redemption value of the put arrangement was determined based on a method which approximated fair value. During fiscal 2017, the Company acquired the remaining 40% interest in Guess Sud for $4.4 million.


(4)	Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable is summarized as follows (in thousands):



	Jul 29, 2017		Jan 28, 2017
Trade	$	244,300	$	234,690
Royalty	19,842		19,881
Other	7,681		5,888
	271,823		260,459
Less allowances	38,188		34,922
	$	233,635	$	225,537

Accounts receivable consists of trade receivables relating primarily to the Company’s wholesale business in Europe and, to a lesser extent, to its wholesale businesses in the Americas and Asia, royalty receivables relating to its licensing operations, credit card and retail concession receivables related to its retail businesses and certain other receivables. Other receivables generally relate to amounts due to the Company that result from activities that are not related to the direct sale of the Company’s products or collection of royalties. The accounts receivable allowance includes allowances for doubtful accounts, wholesale sales returns and wholesale markdowns. Retail sales returns allowances are included in accrued expenses.


(5)	Inventories

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):



	Jul 29, 2017		Jan 28, 2017
Raw materials	$	631	$	799
Work in progress	79		78
Finished goods	435,334		366,504
	$	436,044	$	367,381

The above balances include an allowance to write down inventories to the lower of cost or net realizable value of $24.8 million and $19.4 million as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively.


(6)	Restructuring Charges

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company implemented a global cost reduction and restructuring plan to better align its global cost and organizational structure with its current strategic initiatives. This plan included the consolidation and streamlining of the Company’s business processes and a reduction in its global workforce and other expenses. These actions resulted in restructuring charges related primarily to cash-based severance costs of $6.1 million during the six months ended July 30, 2016. The restructuring charges were incurred during the three months ended April 30, 2016. There were no restructuring charges incurred during the three or six months ended July 29, 2017 related to this plan. The Company does not expect significant future cash-based severance charges to be incurred under this plan as the actions were completed during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. As of July 29, 2017, there were no amounts included in accrued expenses related to these restructuring activities as the Company completed payments for the remaining anticipated costs during the six months ended July 29, 2017. At January 28, 2017, the Company had a balance of approximately $0.2 million in accrued expenses related to these restructuring activities.

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The following table summarizes restructuring activities related primarily to severance during the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 and six months ended July 29, 2017 (in thousands):



	Total
Balance at January 30, 2016	$	—
Charges to operations	6,083
Cash payments	(6,003		)
Foreign currency and other adjustments	100
Balance at January 28, 2017	$	180
Cash payments	(124		)
Foreign currency and other adjustments	(56		)
Balance at July 29, 2017	$	—

During the six months ended July 30, 2016, the Company also incurred an estimated exit tax charge of approximately $1.9 million related to its reorganization in Europe as a result of the global cost reduction and restructuring plan. The estimated exit tax charge was recorded during the three months ended April 30, 2016. The exit tax charge has not been finalized with the local authorities and actual amounts could differ significantly from these estimates as negotiations are completed.


(7)	Income Taxes

Income tax expense for the interim periods was computed using the tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year, adjusted for discrete items. The Company’s effective income tax rate was negative 1,706.1% for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to 45.3% for the six months ended July 30, 2016. The deterioration in the effective income tax rate during the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period was due primarily to more losses incurred in certain foreign jurisdictions where the Company has valuation allowances, a shift in the distribution of earnings among the Company’s tax jurisdictions within the quarters of the current fiscal year and a lower tax rate on the gain from the sale of a minority interest investment during the same prior-year period.

During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company adopted authoritative guidance which requires all income tax effects of stock awards (resulting from an increase or decrease in the fair value of an award from grant date to the vesting date) to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. This is a change from previous guidance that required such activity to be recorded in paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity. As a result, the Company recorded tax shortfalls of approximately $0.7 million as an increase to the Company’s income tax expense in its condensed consolidated statement of income (loss) during the six months ended July 29, 2017.

From time-to-time, the Company is subject to routine income tax audits on various tax matters around the world in the ordinary course of business. As of July 29, 2017, several income tax audits were underway for various periods in multiple jurisdictions. The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of additional income tax liability which the Company, more likely than not, will incur as a result of the ultimate resolution of income tax audits (“uncertain tax positions”). The Company reviews and updates the estimates used in the accrual for uncertain tax positions as more definitive information becomes available from taxing authorities, upon completion of tax audits, upon expiration of statutes of limitation, or upon occurrence of other events.

The Company had aggregate accruals for uncertain tax positions, including penalties and interest, of $15.3 million and $14.6 million as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively. The change in the accrual balance from January 28, 2017 to July 29, 2017 resulted from additional accruals and interest and penalties during the six months ended July 29, 2017.


(8)	Segment Information

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Retail, Europe, Americas Wholesale and Licensing reportable segments are the same as their respective operating segments. Certain components of the Company’s Asia operating segment are separate operating segments based on region which have been aggregated into the Asia reportable segment for disclosure purposes. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, net revenue and related costs and expenses for certain globally serviced customers were reclassified into the segment primarily responsible for the relationship. Accordingly, segment results for Europe, Asia and Americas Wholesale have been adjusted for the three and six months ended July 30, 2016 to conform to the current year presentation. Management evaluates segment performance based primarily on revenues and earnings (loss) from operations before restructuring charges, if any. The Company believes this segment reporting reflects how its business segments are managed and how each segment’s performance is evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to assess performance and make resource allocation decisions. The Americas Retail segment includes the Company’s retail and e-commerce operations in North and Central America and its retail operations in South America. The Europe segment includes the Company’s retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Europe and the Middle East. The Asia segment includes the Company’s retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Asia. The Americas Wholesale segment includes the Company’s wholesale operations in the Americas. 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, and restructuring charges. These costs are presented separately and generally include, among other things, the following unallocated corporate costs: accounting and finance, executive compensation, facilities, global advertising and marketing, human resources, information technology and legal.

Net revenue and earnings (loss) from operations are summarized as follows for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016			Jul 29, 2017			July 30, 2016
Net revenue:
Americas Retail	$	201,188		$	226,550		$	374,882		$	430,711
Europe (1)	255,215			212,416			420,603			346,558
Asia (1)	62,733			53,410			126,114			107,638
Americas Wholesale (1)	32,658			30,632			68,515			64,569
Licensing	21,898			21,951			42,159			44,298
Total net revenue	$	573,692		$	544,959		$	1,032,273		$	993,774
Earnings (loss) from operations:
Americas Retail (2)	$	(7,160	)	$	(1,614	)	$	(33,926	)	$	(14,215	)
Europe (1) (2)	26,188			18,571			23,093			4,016
Asia (1) (2)	1,530			(3,378		)	692			(3,927		)
Americas Wholesale (1)	4,859			3,633			11,504			9,594
Licensing	19,422			19,733			36,753			40,148
	44,839			36,945			38,116			35,616
Corporate Overhead	(21,591		)	(21,368		)	(40,387		)	(42,934		)
Restructuring Charges	—			—			—			(6,083		)
Total earnings (loss) from operations	$	23,248		$	15,577		$	(2,271	)	$	(13,401	)

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(1)	During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, net revenue and related costs and expenses for certain globally serviced customers were reclassified into the segment primarily responsible for the relationship. Accordingly, segment results for Europe, Asia and Americas Wholesale have been adjusted for the three and six months ended July 30, 2016 to conform to the current year presentation.

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(2)

During each of the periods presented, the Company recognized asset impairment charges for certain retail locations resulting from under-performance and expected store closures. During the three months ended July 29, 2017, the Company recorded asset impairment charges related to its Americas Retail and Asia segments of $0.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company recorded asset impairment charges related to its Americas Retail and Asia segments of $3.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Asset impairment charges related to its Europe segment were minimal during the three and six months ended July 29, 2017. During the three months ended July 30, 2016, the Company recorded asset impairment charges related to its Americas Retail and Europe segments of $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Asset impairment charges related to its Asia segment were minimal during the three months ended July 30, 2016. During the six months ended July 30, 2016, the Company recorded asset impairment charges related to its Americas Retail, Europe and Asia segments of $0.4 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

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. Restructuring charges incurred during the six months ended July 30, 2016 related to plans to better align the Company’s global cost and organizational structure with its current strategic initiatives. Refer to Note 6 for more information regarding these restructuring charges.


(9)	Borrowings and Capital Lease Obligations

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



	Jul 29, 2017		Jan 28, 2017
Mortgage debt, maturing monthly through January 2026	$	20,607	$	20,889
Capital lease obligations	17,371		—
Other	3,269		3,159
	41,247		24,048
Less current installments	2,033		566
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	39,214	$	23,482

Mortgage Debt

On February 16, 2016, the Company entered into a ten-year $21.5 million real estate secured loan (the “Mortgage Debt”). The Mortgage Debt is secured by the Company’s U.S. distribution center based in Louisville, Kentucky and provides for monthly principal and interest payments based on a 25-year amortization schedule, with the remaining principal balance and any accrued and unpaid interest due at maturity. Outstanding principal balances under the Mortgage Debt bear interest at the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.5%. As of July 29, 2017, outstanding borrowings under the Mortgage Debt, net of debt issuance costs of $0.1 million, were $20.6 million. At January 28, 2017, outstanding borrowings under the Mortgage Debt, net of debt issuance costs of $0.1 million, were $20.9 million.

The Mortgage Debt requires the Company to comply with a fixed charge coverage ratio on a trailing four-quarter basis if consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short term investment balances fall below certain levels. In addition, the Mortgage Debt contains customary covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the Company’s ability to incur liens on the mortgaged property and enter into certain contractual obligations. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Mortgage Debt, the lender may terminate the Mortgage Debt and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. The Mortgage Debt specifies a number of events of default (some of which are subject to applicable grace or cure periods), including, among other things, non-payment defaults, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency defaults and material judgment defaults.

On February 16, 2016, the Company also entered into a separate interest rate swap agreement, designated as a cash flow hedge, that resulted in a swap fixed rate of approximately 3.06%. This interest rate swap agreement matures in January 2026 and converts the nature of the Mortgage Debt from LIBOR floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. The fair value of the interest rate swap asset as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017 was approximately $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

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Capital Lease Obligations

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company began the relocation of its European distribution center to the Netherlands. As a result, the Company entered into a capital lease for equipment used in the new facility. The capital lease provides for monthly minimum lease payments through May 2027 and has an effective interest rate of approximately 6%. As of July 29, 2017, the capital lease obligation was $15.9 million.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company also entered into a capital lease related primarily to computer hardware and software. As of July 29, 2017, this capital lease obligation was $1.5 million.

The Company previously leased a building in Florence, Italy under a capital lease which provided for minimum lease payments through May 1, 2016. Upon termination of the capital lease, the title of the building was transferred to the Company. The Company had a separate interest rate swap agreement designated as a non-hedging instrument that converted the nature of the capital lease obligation from Euribor floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt and resulted in a swap fixed rate of 3.55%. This interest rate swap agreement matured on February 1, 2016.

Credit Facilities

On June 23, 2015, the Company entered into a five-year senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with Bank of America, N.A. and the other lenders party thereto (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for a borrowing capacity in an amount up to $150 million, including a Canadian sub-facility up to $50 million, subject to a borrowing base. Based on applicable accounts receivable, inventory, eligible cash balances and relevant covenant restrictions as of July 29, 2017, the Company could have borrowed up to $112 million under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility has an option to expand the borrowing capacity by up to $150 million subject to certain terms and conditions, including the willingness of existing or new lenders to assume such increased amount. The Credit Facility is available for direct borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit, subject to certain letters of credit sublimits, and may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

All obligations under the Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and the Company’s existing and future domestic and Canadian subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions, and are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of the Company and such domestic and Canadian subsidiaries, as applicable.

Direct borrowings under the Credit Facility made by the Company and its domestic subsidiaries shall bear interest at the U.S. base rate plus an applicable margin (varying from 0.25% to 0.75%) or at LIBOR plus an applicable margin (varying from 1.25% to 1.75%). The U.S. base rate is based on the greater of (i) the U.S. prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate, plus 0.5%, and (iii) LIBOR for a 30 day interest period, plus 1.0%. Direct borrowings under the Credit Facility made by the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries shall bear interest at the Canadian prime rate plus an applicable margin (varying from 0.25% to 0.75%) or at the Canadian BA rate plus an applicable margin (varying from 1.25% to 1.75%). The Canadian prime rate is based on the greater of (i) the Canadian prime rate, (ii) the Bank of Canada overnight rate, plus 0.5%, and (iii) the Canadian BA rate for a one month interest period, plus 1.0%. The applicable margins are calculated quarterly and vary based on the average daily availability of the aggregate borrowing base. The Company is also obligated to pay certain commitment, letter of credit and other fees customary for a credit facility of this size and type. As of July 29, 2017, the Company had $1.0 million in outstanding standby letters of credit, no outstanding documentary letters of credit and no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility requires the Company to comply with a fixed charge coverage ratio on a trailing four-quarter basis if a default or an event of default occurs under the Credit Facility or generally if borrowings exceed 80% of the borrowing base. In addition, the Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the Company and certain of its subsidiaries’ ability to: incur liens, incur indebtedness, make investments, dispose of assets, make certain restricted payments, merge or consolidate and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Facility, the lenders may cease making loans, terminate the Credit Facility and declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable. The Credit Facility specifies a number of events of default (some of which are subject to applicable

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grace or cure periods), including, among other things, non-payment defaults, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other material indebtedness, bankruptcy and insolvency defaults and material judgment defaults. The Credit Facility allows for both secured and unsecured borrowings outside of the Credit Facility up to specified amounts.

The Company, through its European subsidiaries, maintains short-term uncommitted borrowing agreements, primarily for working capital purposes, with various banks in Europe. The majority of the borrowings under these agreements are secured by specific accounts receivable balances. Based on the applicable accounts receivable balances as of July 29, 2017, the Company could have borrowed up to $76.3 million under these agreements. As of July 29, 2017, the Company had no outstanding borrowings or outstanding documentary letters of credit under these agreements. The agreements are denominated primarily in euros and provide for annual interest rates ranging from 0.5% to 5.0%. The maturities of any short-term borrowings under these arrangements are generally linked to the credit terms of the underlying accounts receivable that secure the borrowings. With the exception of one facility for up to $41.1 million that has a minimum net equity requirement, there are no other financial ratio covenants.

Other

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


(10)	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 six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017		Jul 30, 2016		Jul 29, 2017		Jul 30, 2016
Stock options	$	581	$	622	$	1,190	$	1,134
Stock awards/units	3,563		4,146		6,881		7,824
Employee Stock Purchase Plan	43		49		79		91
Total share-based compensation expense	$	4,187	$	4,817	$	8,150	$	9,049

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted authoritative guidance which eliminates the requirement to estimate forfeitures, but rather provides for an election that would allow entities to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted this election using the modified retrospective method and recorded a cumulative adjustment to reduce retained earnings by approximately $0.3 million as of the beginning of the period of adoption.

Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options and nonvested stock awards/units totaled approximately $4.9 million and $37.2 million, respectively, as of July 29, 2017. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted was $1.57 and $3.55 during the six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016, respectively.

Grants

On April 28, 2017, the Company granted select key management 1,056,042 nonvested stock units which are subject to certain performance-based vesting or market-based vesting conditions. On April 29, 2016, the Company granted select key management 602,816 nonvested stock units which are subject to certain performance-based vesting or market-based vesting conditions.

Annual Grants

On March 29, 2017, the Company made an annual grant of 1,283,175 stock options and 707,675 nonvested stock awards/units to its employees. On March 30, 2016, the Company made an annual grant of 616,450 stock options and 442,000 nonvested stock awards/units to its employees.

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Performance-Based Awards

The Company has granted certain nonvested stock units subject to performance-based vesting conditions to select executive officers. Each award of nonvested stock units generally has an initial vesting period from the date of the grant through either (i) the end of the first fiscal year or (ii) the first anniversary of the date of grant, followed by annual vesting periods which may range from two-to-three years. The nonvested stock units are subject to the achievement of certain performance-based vesting conditions.

The Company has also granted a target number of nonvested stock units to select key management, including certain executive officers. The number of shares that may ultimately vest with respect to each award may range from 0% up to 200% of the target number of shares, subject to the achievement of certain performance-based vesting conditions. Any shares that are ultimately issued are scheduled to vest at the end of the third fiscal year following the grant date.

The following table summarizes the activity for nonvested performance-based units during the six months ended July 29, 2017:



	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 28, 2017	787,849		$	19.17
Granted	818,416		11.17
Vested	(193,240	)	20.57
Forfeited	(6,757	)	18.35
Nonvested at July 29, 2017	1,406,268		$	14.32

Market-Based Awards

The Company has granted certain nonvested stock units subject to market-based vesting conditions to select executive officers. The number of shares that may ultimately vest will equal 0% to 150% of the target number of shares, subject to the performance of the Company’s total stockholder return (“TSR”) relative to the TSR of a select group of peer companies over a three-year period. Vesting is also subject to continued service requirements through the vesting date.

The following table summarizes the activity for nonvested market-based units during the six months ended July 29, 2017:



	Number of Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at January 28, 2017	323,825	$	16.63
Granted	248,020	10.62
Vested	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Nonvested at July 29, 2017	571,845	$	14.02


(11)	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 Paul Marciano, who is an executive and member of the Board of the Company, and Maurice Marciano, Chairman Emeritus and member of the Board, 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

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affiliates. There were four of these leases in effect as of July 29, 2017 with expiration or option exercise dates ranging from calendar years 2017 to 2020.

In January 2016, the Company sold an approximately 140,000 square foot parking lot located adjacent to the Company’s corporate headquarters to a partnership affiliated with the Marciano Trusts for a sales price of $7.5 million, which was subsequently collected during the six months ended July 30, 2016. Concurrent with the sale, the Company entered into a lease agreement to lease back the parking lot from the purchaser.

Aggregate rent, common area maintenance charges and property tax expense recorded under these four related party leases were approximately $2.5 million for each of the six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016. The Company believes that the terms of the related party leases and parking lot sale 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 informal arrangements with MPM Financial and independent third party management companies contracted by MPM Financial to manage its aircraft. The total fees paid under these arrangements for the six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 were approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 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 28, 2017.


(12)	Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company leases its showrooms, advertising, licensing, sales and merchandising offices, remote distribution and warehousing facilities and retail and factory outlet store locations under operating lease agreements expiring on various dates through November 2036. 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 4% to 20%, when specific sales volumes are exceeded. The Company’s concession leases also provide for rents primarily based upon a percentage of annual sales volume which average approximately 27% of annual sales volume. 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 July 2022.

As discussed in further detail in Note 9, the Company leases equipment as well as computer hardware and software under capital lease obligations.

Investment Commitments

As of July 29, 2017, the Company had an unfunded commitment to invest €4.5 million ($5.3 million) in a private equity fund. Refer to Note 14 for further information.

Legal Proceedings

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court also granted narrow injunctions in favor of the plaintiff for certain of the claimed infringements. On August 20, 2012, the appeal period expired without any party having filed an appeal, rendering the judgment final. On May 2, 2013, the Court of Milan ruled in favor of the Company in the Milan, Italy matter. In the ruling, the Court rejected all of the plaintiff’s claims and ordered the cancellation of three of the plaintiff’s Italian and four of the plaintiff’s European Community trademark registrations. On June 10, 2013, the plaintiff appealed the Court’s ruling in the Milan matter. On September 15, 2014, the Court of Appeal of Milan affirmed the majority of the lower Court’s ruling in favor of the Company, but overturned the lower Court’s finding with respect to an unfair competition claim. That portion of the matter is now in a damages phase based on the ruling. On October 16, 2015, the plaintiff appealed the remainder of the Court of Appeal of Milan’s ruling in favor of the Company to the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation. In the China matter, the Intermediate People’s Court of Nanjing, China issued a ruling on November 8, 2013 granting an injunction in favor of the plaintiff for certain of the claimed infringements on handbags and small leather goods and awarding the plaintiff statutory damages in the amount of approximately $80,000. The Company strongly disagreed with the Court’s decision and appealed the ruling. On August 31, 2016, the Court of Appeal for the China matter issued a decision in favor of the Company, rejecting all of the plaintiff’s claims. In March 2017, the plaintiff petitioned the China Supreme Court for a retrial of the matter. On January 30, 2015, the Court of Paris ruled in favor of the Company in the France matter, rejecting all of the plaintiff’s claims and partially canceling two of the plaintiff’s community trademark registrations and one of the plaintiff’s international trademark registrations. On February 17, 2015, the plaintiff appealed the Court of Paris’ ruling. Although the Company believes that it has a strong position and will continue to vigorously defend each of the remaining matters, it is unable to predict with certainty whether or not these efforts will ultimately be successful or whether the outcomes will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

The Company has received customs tax assessment notices from the Italian Customs Agency regarding its customs tax audit of one of the Company’s European subsidiaries for the period from July 2010 through December 2012. Such assessments totaled €9.8 million ($11.5 million), including potential penalties and interest. The Company strongly disagrees with the positions that the Italian Customs Agency has taken and therefore filed appeals with the Milan First Degree Tax Court (“MFDTC”). In May 2015, the MFDTC issued a judgment in favor of the Company in relation to the first set of appeals (covering the period through September 2010) and canceled the related assessments totaling €1.7 million ($1.9 million). In November 2015, the Italian Customs Agency notified the Company of its intent to appeal this first MFDTC judgment. During fiscal 2017, the Appeals Court ruled in favor of the Company and rejected the appeal by the Italian Customs Agency on the first MFDTC judgment. During fiscal 2017, the MFDTC also issued judgments in favor of the Company in relation to the second through seventh set of appeals (covering the period from October 2010 through December 2012) and canceled the related assessments totaling €8.1 million ($9.6 million). Subsequently, the Italian Customs Agency has appealed the majority of these favorable MFDTC judgments, as well as certain of the Appeals Court judgments. While these MFDTC judgments have been favorable to the Company, there can be no assurances that the Italian Customs Agency will not be successful in its remaining appeals. It also continues to be possible that the Company will receive similar or even larger assessments for periods subsequent to December 2012 or other claims or charges related to the matter in the future. Although the Company believes that it has a strong position and will continue to vigorously defend this matter, it is unable to predict with certainty whether or not these efforts will ultimately be successful or whether the outcome will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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Commission, including imposing a fine and/or injunctive relief prohibiting or restricting certain business practices. At this preliminary stage, we are unable to predict the timing or outcome of these proceedings, including the magnitude of a potential fine, if any. However, we do not currently believe that any changes to our business practices or agreements made in connection with this proceeding will have a material impact on our ongoing business operations within the European Union.

The Company is also involved in various other claims and other matters incidental to the Company’s business, the resolutions of which are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


(13)	Defined Benefit Plans

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

On August 23, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) which became effective January 1, 2006. The SERP provides select employees who satisfy certain eligibility requirements with certain benefits upon retirement, termination of employment, death, disability or a change in control of the Company, in certain prescribed circumstances.

As a non-qualified pension plan, no dedicated funding of the SERP is required; however, the Company has made periodic payments into insurance policies held in a rabbi trust to fund the expected obligations arising under the non-qualified SERP. The amount of any future payments into the insurance policies, if any, may vary depending on investment performance of the trust. The cash surrender values of the insurance policies were $61.6 million and $58.6 million as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively, and were included in other assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. As a result of changes in the value of the insurance policy investments, the Company recorded unrealized gains of $1.9 million and $3.8 million in other income during the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, respectively, and unrealized gains of $1.9 million and $5.1 million in other income during the three and six months ended July 30, 2016, respectively. The projected benefit obligation was $53.6 million and $53.5 million as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively, and was included in accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets depending on the expected timing of payments. SERP benefit payments of $0.4 million and $0.8 million were made during the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, respectively. SERP benefit payments of $0.4 million and $0.8 million were made during the three and six months ended July 30, 2016, respectively.

Swiss Pension Plan

In accordance with local regulations, the Company also maintains a pension plan in Switzerland for certain of its employees. The plan is a government-mandated defined contribution plan that provides employees with a minimum investment return determined annually by the Swiss government, and as such, is treated under pension accounting in accordance with authoritative guidance. Under the plan, both the Company and certain of its employees with annual earnings in excess of government determined amounts are required to make contributions into a fund managed by an independent investment fiduciary. The Company’s contributions must be made in an amount at least equal to the employee’s contribution. Minimum employee contributions are based on the respective employee’s age, salary and gender.

As of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, the plan had a projected benefit obligation of $19.0 million and $17.6 million, respectively, and plan assets held at the independent investment fiduciary of $15.4 million and $14.1 million, respectively. The net liability of $3.6 million and $3.5 million was included in other long-term liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, respectively.

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The components of net periodic defined benefit pension cost for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 related to the Company’s defined benefit plans are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended July 29, 2017
	SERP		Swiss Pension Plan			Total
Service cost	$	—	$	469		$	469
Interest cost	460		20			480
Expected return on plan assets	—		(46		)	(46		)
Net amortization of unrecognized prior service credit	—		(6		)	(6		)
Net amortization of actuarial losses	38		73			111
Net periodic defined benefit pension cost	$	498	$	510		$	1,008



	Six Months Ended July 29, 2017
	SERP		Swiss Pension Plan			Total
Service cost	$	—	$	960		$	960
Interest cost	921		42			963
Expected return on plan assets	—		(95		)	(95		)
Net amortization of unrecognized prior service credit	—		(13		)	(13		)
Net amortization of actuarial losses	76		152			228
Net periodic defined benefit pension cost	$	997	$	1,046		$	2,043



	Three Months Ended July 30, 2016
	SERP		Swiss Pension Plan			Total
Service cost	$	—	$	392		$	392
Interest cost	460		22			482
Expected return on plan assets	—		(47		)	(47		)
Net amortization of unrecognized prior service credit	—		(7		)	(7		)
Net amortization of actuarial losses	38		47			85
Net periodic defined benefit pension cost	$	498	$	407		$	905



	Six Months Ended July 30, 2016
	SERP		Swiss Pension Plan			Total
Service cost	$	—	$	771		$	771
Interest cost	920		44			964
Expected return on plan assets	—		(93		)	(93		)
Net amortization of unrecognized prior service credit	—		(14		)	(14		)
Net amortization of actuarial losses	77		94			171
Net periodic defined benefit pension cost	$	997	$	802		$	1,799


(14)	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:

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).

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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 July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017 (in thousands):



	Fair Value Measurements at Jul 29, 2017								Fair Value Measurements at Jan 28, 2017
Recurring Fair Value Measures	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	$	—	$	44	$	—	$	44	$	—	$	9,868	$	—	$	9,868
Interest rate swap	—		643		—		643		—		876		—		876
Total	$	—	$	687	$	—	$	687	$	—	$	10,744	$	—	$	10,744
Liabilities:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	$	—	$	14,043	$	—	$	14,043	$	—	$	1,424	$	—	$	1,424
Deferred compensation obligations	—		12,377		—		12,377		—		11,184		—		11,184
Total	$	—	$	26,420	$	—	$	26,420	$	—	$	12,608	$	—	$	12,608

There were no transfers of financial instruments between the three levels of fair value hierarchy during the six months ended July 29, 2017 or during the year ended January 28, 2017.

Foreign exchange currency contracts are entered into by the Company principally to hedge the future payment of inventory and intercompany transactions by non-U.S. subsidiaries. Periodically, the Company may also use foreign exchange currency contracts to hedge the translation and economic exposures related to its net investments in certain of its international subsidiaries. The fair values of the Company’s foreign exchange currency contracts are based on quoted foreign exchange forward rates at the reporting date. Fair values of the Company’s interest rate swaps are based upon inputs corroborated by observable market data. 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.

During the three months ended July 29, 2017, the Company invested €0.5 million ($0.5 million) in a private equity fund, which was included in other assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 29, 2017. As permitted in accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company uses net asset value per share as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of this investment and has not included this investment in the fair value hierarchy as disclosed above. As of July 29, 2017, the Company had an unfunded commitment to invest an additional €4.5 million ($5.3 million) in the private equity fund.

The carrying amount of the Company’s remaining 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 9) are based on the amount of future cash flows associated with each instrument discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. As of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, the carrying value of all financial instruments was not materially different from fair value, as the interest rates on the Company’s debt approximated rates currently available to the Company.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment quarterly or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The majority of the Company’s long-lived assets relate to its retail operations which consist primarily of regular retail and flagship locations. The Company considers each individual regular retail location as an asset group for impairment testing, which is the lowest level at which individual cash flows can be identified. The asset group includes leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, computer hardware and software and certain long-term security deposits and lease acquisition costs. The Company reviews regular retail locations in penetrated markets for impairment risk once the locations have been opened for at least one year in their current condition, or sooner as changes in circumstances require. The Company

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believes that waiting at least one year allows a location to reach a maturity level where a more comprehensive analysis of financial performance can be performed. The Company evaluates impairment risk for regular retail locations in new markets, where the Company is in the early stages of establishing its presence, once brand awareness has been established. The Company also evaluates impairment risk for retail locations that are expected to be closed in the foreseeable future. The Company has flagship locations which are used as a regional marketing tool to build brand awareness and promote the Company’s current product. Impairment for these locations is tested at a reporting unit level similar to goodwill since they do not have separately identifiable cash flows.

An asset is considered to be impaired if the Company determines that the carrying value may not be recoverable based upon its assessment of the asset’s ability to continue to generate earnings from operations and positive cash flow in future periods or if significant changes in the Company’s strategic business objectives and utilization of the assets occurred. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value, which is determined based on discounted future cash flows. The impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and the discount rates that reflect the risk inherent in future cash flows. Future expected cash flows for assets in regular retail locations are based on management’s estimates of future cash flows over the remaining lease period or expected life, if shorter. For expected location closures, the Company will evaluate whether it is necessary to shorten the useful life for any of the assets within the respective asset group. The Company will use this revised useful life when estimating the asset group’s future cash flows. The Company considers historical trends, expected future business trends and other factors when estimating the future cash flow for each regular retail location. The Company also considers factors such as: the local environment for each regular retail location, including mall traffic and competition; the Company’s ability to successfully implement strategic initiatives; and the ability to control variable costs such as cost of sales and payroll and, in some cases, renegotiate lease costs. The estimated cash flows used for this nonrecurring fair value measurement are considered a Level 3 input as defined above. If actual results are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, there may be additional exposure to future impairment losses that could be material to the Company’s results of operations.

The Company recorded asset impairment charges of $1.2 million and $4.0 million during the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, respectively, and $0.5 million and $0.7 million during the three and six months ended July 30, 2016, respectively. The asset impairment charges related primarily to the impairment of certain retail locations in North America resulting from under-performance and expected store closures during each of the respective periods. Refer to Note 8 for more information regarding asset impairment charges by segment.


(15)	Derivative Financial Instruments

Hedging Strategy

Foreign Exchange Currency Contracts

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 in accordance with authoritative guidance for certain of these hedges.

The Company’s primary objective is to hedge the variability in forecasted cash flows due to the foreign currency risk. Various transactions that occur primarily in Europe, Canada, South Korea, China and Mexico are denominated in U.S. dollars, British pounds and Russian roubles and thus are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to their functional currencies. These types of transactions include U.S. dollar denominated purchases of merchandise and U.S. dollar and British pound denominated intercompany liabilities. In addition, certain operating expenses, tax liabilities and pension-related liabilities 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

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currency contracts, to offset some but not all of the exchange risk on certain of these anticipated foreign currency transactions.

Periodically, the Company may also use foreign exchange currency contracts to hedge the translation and economic exposures related to its net investments in certain of its international subsidiaries.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its floating-rate debt. The Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert 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 floating-rate debt, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest payment cash flows. The Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting rules in accordance with authoritative guidance for certain of these contracts. Refer to Note 9 for further information.

The impact of the credit risk of the counterparties to the derivative contracts is considered in determining the fair value of the foreign exchange currency contracts and interest rate swap agreements. As of July 29, 2017, credit risk has not had a significant effect on the fair value of the Company’s foreign exchange currency contracts and interest rate swap agreements.

Hedge Accounting Policy

Foreign Exchange Currency Contracts

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 (loss) 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 (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are recognized in other income and expense in the period in which the royalty expense is incurred.

The Company has also used U.S. dollar forward contracts to hedge the net investments of certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries over specific months. Changes in the fair value of these U.S. dollar forward contracts, designated as net investment hedges, are recorded in foreign currency translation adjustment as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are not recognized in earnings (loss) until the sale or liquidation of the hedged net investment.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Interest rate swap agreements are used to hedge the variability of the cash flows in interest payments associated with the Company’s floating-rate debt. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt.

Periodically, the Company may also enter into interest rate swap agreements that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements not designated as hedging instruments are reported in net earnings (loss) as part of other income and expense.

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Summary of Derivative Instruments

The fair value of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017 is as follows (in thousands):



	Derivative Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value at Jul 29, 2017		Fair Value at Jan 28, 2017
ASSETS:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other assets	$	31	$	6,072
Interest rate swap	Other assets	643		876
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		674		6,948
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	Other current assets/ Other assets	13		3,796
Total		$	687	$	10,744
LIABILITIES:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	Accrued expenses/ Other long-term liabilities	$	9,620	$	1,250
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	Accrued expenses	4,423		174
Total		$	14,043	$	1,424

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments

Foreign Exchange Currency Contracts Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

Interest Rate Swap Agreement Designated as Cash Flow Hedge

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The following table summarizes the gains (losses) before taxes recognized on the derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges in OCI and net earnings (loss) for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 (in thousands):



	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI						Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (1)	Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings
	Three Months Ended							Three Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016				Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	$	(14,673	)	$	5,762		Cost of product sales	$	661		$	1,141
Foreign exchange currency contracts	$	(785	)	$	343		Other income/expense	$	14		$	49
Interest rate swap	$	(77	)	$	(685	)	Interest expense	$	(26	)	$	(59	)



	Loss Recognized in OCI						Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Loss) (1)	Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Loss)
	Six Months Ended							Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016				Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	$	(13,816	)	$	(5,650	)	Cost of product sales	$	1,279		$	2,576
Foreign exchange currency contracts	$	(996	)	$	(356	)	Other income/expense	$	93		$	81
Interest rate swap	$	(277	)	$	(817	)	Interest expense	$	(62	)	$	(110	)

__________________________________

(1)

The Company recognized gains of $0.9 million and $1.5 million resulting from the ineffective portion related to foreign exchange currency contracts in interest income during the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, respectively. The Company recognized gains of $0.1 million and $0.5 million resulting from the ineffective portion related to foreign exchange currency contracts in interest income during the three and six months ended July 30, 2016, respectively. There was no ineffectiveness recognized related to the interest rate swap during the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016.

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



	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016			Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Beginning balance gain (loss)	$	4,948		$	(3,773	)	$	5,400		$	7,252
Net gains (losses) from changes in cash flow hedges	(13,093		)	4,617			(12,969		)	(5,263		)
Net gains reclassified to earnings (loss)	(606		)	(881		)	(1,182		)	(2,026		)
Ending balance loss	$	(8,751	)	$	(37	)	$	(8,751	)	$	(37	)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

As of July 29, 2017, the Company had euro foreign exchange currency contracts to purchase US$69.7 million expected to mature over the next 11 months and Canadian dollar foreign exchange currency contracts to purchase US$11.3 million expected to mature over the next eight months.

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The following table summarizes the gains (losses) before taxes recognized on the derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments in other income and expense for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 (in thousands):



	Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Loss)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings					Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Loss)
		Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
		Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016		Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign exchange currency contracts	Other income/expense	$	(6,540	)	$	2,885	$	(7,333	)	$	(3,144	)
Interest rate swap	Other income/expense	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	38

At January 28, 2017, the Company had euro foreign exchange currency contracts to purchase US$81.4 million and Canadian dollar foreign exchange currency contracts to purchase US$13.9 million.


(16)	Subsequent Events

Dividends

On August 23, 2017, the Company announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share on the Company’s common stock. The cash dividend will be paid on September 22, 2017 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 6, 2017.

Other

Subsequent to quarter end, the Company modified certain of its leases held with a common landlord in North America. Under the terms of the agreements, 26 leases with original lease end dates from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2026 will now end in fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2020. In connection with this agreement, in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company will make up-front payments of roughly $22 million, of which $12 million will be recorded as a lease termination charge and $10 million will be recorded as advance rent payments.


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

General

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

Important Factors 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 expectations, analyses and other information based on current plans, forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our goals, future prospects, global cost reduction and profitability efforts, capital allocation plans, cash needs and current business strategies and strategic initiatives. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “outlook,” “pending,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “strategy,” “will,” “would,” 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 or assumptions relating to: our expected results of operations; the accuracy of data relating to, and anticipated levels of, future inventory and gross margins; anticipated cash requirements

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and sources; cost containment efforts; estimated charges; plans regarding store openings, closings, remodels and lease negotiations; plans regarding the relocation of the Company’s European distribution center to a new facility in the Netherlands; plans regarding business growth, international expansion and capital allocation; plans regarding supply chain efficiencies and global planning and allocation; e-commerce, digital and omni-channel initiatives; business seasonality; results and risks of current and future legal proceedings, including the investigation by the European Commission regarding the potential breach of certain European Union competition rules by the Company; industry trends; consumer demands and preferences; competition; currency fluctuations and related impacts; estimated tax rates, results of tax audits and other regulatory proceedings; raw material and other inflationary cost pressures; consumer confidence; 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 differences 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 28, 2017 and in our other filings made from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) after the date of this report.

Business Segments

The Company’s businesses are grouped into five reportable segments for management and internal financial reporting purposes: Americas Retail, Europe, Asia, Americas Wholesale and Licensing. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, net revenue and related costs and expenses for certain globally serviced customers were reclassified into the segment primarily responsible for the relationship. Accordingly, segment results for Europe, Asia and Americas Wholesale have been adjusted for the three and six months ended July 30, 2016 to conform to the current year presentation. Management evaluates segment performance based primarily on revenues and earnings (loss) from operations before restructuring charges, if any. The Americas Retail segment includes the Company’s retail and e-commerce operations in North and Central America and its retail operations in South America. The Europe segment includes the Company’s retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Europe and the Middle East. The Asia segment includes the Company’s retail, e-commerce and wholesale operations in Asia. The Americas Wholesale segment includes the Company’s wholesale operations in the Americas. 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, and restructuring charges. These costs are presented separately and generally include, among other things, the following unallocated corporate costs: accounting and finance, executive compensation, facilities, global advertising and marketing, human resources, information technology and legal. Information regarding these segments is summarized in Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Products

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

Foreign Currency Volatility

Since the majority of our international operations are conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (primarily the euro, Canadian dollar, Korean won, Chinese yuan and Mexican peso), currency fluctuations can have a significant impact on the translation of our international revenues and earnings (loss) into U.S. dollar amounts.

In addition, some of our transactions that occur primarily in Europe, Canada, South Korea, China and Mexico are denominated in U.S. dollars, Swiss francs, British pounds and Russian roubles, exposing them to exchange rate fluctuations when these transactions (such as inventory purchases) are converted to their functional currencies. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates can impact the operating margins of our foreign operations and reported earnings (loss), largely dependent on the transaction timing and magnitude during the period that the currency fluctuates. When these foreign exchange rates weaken versus the U.S. dollar at the time U.S. dollar denominated

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inventory is purchased relative to the purchases of the comparable period, our product margins could be unfavorably impacted if the relative sales prices do not change. Such exchange rate fluctuations had a negative impact on our product margins in Canada and Europe during the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period.

During the first half of fiscal 2018, the average U.S. dollar rate was stronger against the Canadian dollar, the euro and the Mexican peso and weaker against the Korean won and the Russian rouble compared to the average rate in the same prior-year period. This had an overall negative impact on the translation of our international revenues and an overall positive impact on loss from operations for the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period.

If the U.S. dollar remains strong or further strengthens relative to the respective fiscal 2017 foreign exchange rates, foreign exchange could negatively impact our revenues and operating results as well as our international cash and other balance sheet items during the remainder of fiscal 2018, particularly in Canada, Europe and Mexico.

The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to offset some but not all of the exchange risk on foreign currency transactions. For additional discussion regarding our exposure to foreign currency risk, forward contracts designated as hedging instruments and forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments, refer to “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

Strategy

The Company continues to remain focused on its five top strategic initiatives aimed at driving shareholder value, including: (i) elevating the quality of our sales organization and merchandising strategy to match the quality of our product and marketing; (ii) building a major business in Asia by unlocking the potential of the GUESS? brand in the region; (iii) creating a culture of purpose and accountability throughout the entire Company by implementing a more centralized organizational structure that reinforces our focus on sales and profitability; (iv) improving our cost structure (including supply chain and overhead); and (v) stabilizing and revitalizing our wholesale business. The following provides further details on the progress of these initiatives:

Sales Organization and Merchandising Strategy. We are executing on our plan to elevate the quality of our sales organization and merchandising strategy which includes: (1) elevating the product knowledge of our sales force; (2) building a more strategic and operational online organization in order to increase millennials’ engagement with our brand through digital marketing and social media; (3) taking steps such as investing in key stores and developing stronger replenishment, visual, stockroom and cost-control standards in order to improve our overall field and store structure; (4) implementing a more effective yearly retail calendar to better enable each store to fully capture local opportunities; (5) using feedback from our sales force to improve our collections and increase the number and effectiveness of our SKU’s; and (6) implementing a global pricing system with greater clarity and simplicity.

Building our Asia Business. We believe there continues to be significant potential in this region, particularly in mainland China, and plan to continue to allocate sufficient resources to fuel future growth.

Transforming our Company’s Culture. In order to generate global synergies, major decisions (including supply chain, technology, finance, stock allocation and communications) are becoming more centralized in the Company’s management team in Los Angeles. This centralized approach reinforces our focus on sales and profitability and fosters an environment of accountability and execution measured through key performance metrics.

Improving our Cost Structure. We plan to continue improving our cost structure by identifying synergies among departments and strengthening our supply chain. We are executing on the following supply chain initiatives to drive improvements in product costs: (i) developing a sourcing network in new territories that can offer better costs; (ii) consolidating and building strategic partnerships with high-quality suppliers to gain scale efficiencies; and (iii) implementing a fabric platforming process to develop and utilize common fabrics across multiple styles. We are also working to shorten our lead times through partnering with our suppliers, exercising agility in the production process and continuously searching for new suppliers and sourcing opportunities in reaction to the latest trends.

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We are also focused on improving the profitability of our retail business in the Americas. As more than half of our leases in Americas Retail are up for renewal or have lease exit options over the next three years, we continue to have the flexibility to further optimize our retail footprint, as appropriate, in the coming years. However, we are not restricting ourselves to waiting for these dates to close stores or renegotiate rents. For example, subsequent to the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we modified certain of our leases held with a common landlord that had original lease end dates from fiscal 2018 to fiscal 2026 to now end in fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2020, in order to accelerate the reduction of our retail store footprint in North America.

Stabilizing our Wholesale Business. We are partnering with our wholesale customers to emphasize a retail-oriented mindset and encourage the adoption of best practices, including high quality visual merchandising, frequent rotation of products and maximization of inventory turns.

Capital Allocation

The Company plans to allocate capital, including capital expenditures and working capital investments, to fund the growth of its retail and e-commerce businesses in Europe and Asia, while reducing its allocation of capital to its retail business in the Americas. In the U.S. and Canada, we plan to close 70 stores and limit future store openings during fiscal 2018. Additionally, we plan to continue to invest capital in technology to improve our global structure and support our long-term growth plans. The Company’s investments in capital for the full fiscal year 2018 are planned between $85 million and $95 million. During fiscal 2018, we also expect that working capital will grow in Europe and Asia, while contracting in the Americas.

Comparable Sales

The Company reports National Retail Federation calendar comparable sales on a quarterly basis for our retail businesses which include the combined results from our brick-and-mortar retail stores and our e-commerce sites. We also separately report the impact of e-commerce sales on our comparable sales metric. As a result of our omni-channel strategy, our e-commerce business has become strongly intertwined with our brick-and-mortar retail store business. Therefore, we believe that the inclusion of e-commerce sales in our comparable sales metric provides a more meaningful representation of our retail results.

Sales from our brick-and-mortar retail stores include purchases that are initiated, paid for and fulfilled at our retail stores and directly operated concessions as well as merchandise that is reserved online but paid for and picked-up at our retail stores. Sales from our e-commerce sites include purchases that are initiated and paid for online and shipped from either our distribution centers or our retail stores as well as purchases that are initiated in a retail store, but due to inventory availability at the retail store, are ordered and paid for online and shipped from our distribution centers or picked-up from a different retail store.

Store sales are considered comparable after the store 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 sales are removed from the comparable store base until the store has been opened at its new size, in its new location or under its new concept for 13 full months. E-commerce sales are considered comparable after the online site has been operational in a country for 13 full months and exclude any related revenue from shipping fees.

Definitions and calculations of comparable sales used by the Company may differ from similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Other

The Company operates on a 52/53-week fiscal year calendar, which ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31 of each year. The three and six months ended July 29, 2017 had the same number of days as the three and six months ended July 30, 2016.

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Executive Summary

Overview

Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. decreased 52.8% to $15.2 million, or diluted earnings of $0.18 per common share, for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. of $32.3 million, or diluted earnings of $0.38 per common share, for the quarter ended July 30, 2016.

During the quarter ended July 29, 2017, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of $1.2 million (or $0.8 million after considering the related tax benefit of $0.4 million), or an unfavorable $0.01 per share impact. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges and the related tax impact, adjusted net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $16.1 million and adjusted diluted earnings were $0.19 per common share for the quarter ended July 29, 2017. During the quarter ended July 30, 2016, the Company recognized a gain related to the sale of a minority interest investment of approximately $22.3 million, partially offset by asset impairment charges of $0.5 million (or a combined $20.0 million after considering the net $1.8 million related tax expense resulting from the sale of the minority interest investment and asset impairment charges), or a favorable $0.23 per share impact. Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $12.3 million and adjusted diluted earnings were $0.15 per common share for the quarter ended July 30, 2016. References to financial results excluding the impact of these items are non-GAAP measures and are addressed below under “Non-GAAP Measures.”

Highlights of the Company’s performance for the quarter ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period are presented below, followed by a more comprehensive discussion under “Results of Operations”:

Operations


•	Total net revenue increased 5.3% to $573.7 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $545.0 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 4.9%.


•	Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of total net revenue) increased 40 basis points to 34.5% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to 34.1% in the same prior-year period.


•	Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses as a percentage of total net revenue (“SG&A rate”) decreased 90 basis points to 30.2% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from 31.1% in the same prior-year period. SG&A expenses increased 2.4% to $173.5 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $169.6 million in the same prior-year period.


•	During the quarter ended July 29, 2017, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of $1.2 million, compared to $0.5 million in the same prior-year period.

•

Operating margin increased 120 basis points to 4.1% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to 2.9% in the same prior-year period. Higher asset impairment charges recorded during the quarter ended July 29, 2017 unfavorably impacted operating margin by 10 basis points compared to the same prior-year period. Earnings from operations increased 49.2% to $23.2 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $15.6 million in the same prior-year period.


•	Other expense, net (including interest income and expense) totaled $0.9 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to other income, net of $27.2 million in the same prior-year period. During the quarter ended July 30, 2016, the Company recorded a gain of $22.3 million in other income, net related to the sale of a minority interest investment.


•	The effective income tax rate increased by 410 basis points to 28.9% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to 24.8% in the same prior-year period.

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Key Balance Sheet Accounts


•	The Company had $316.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.3 million in restricted cash as of July 29, 2017, compared to $415.5 million in cash and cash equivalents and $0.5 million in restricted cash at July 30, 2016.


◦	The Company invested $17.8 million to repurchase 1,485,195 of its common shares during the six months ended July 29, 2017. The shares were repurchased during the three months ended April 29, 2017.

•

Accounts receivable, which consists of trade receivables relating primarily to the Company’s wholesale business in Europe and, to a lesser extent, to its wholesale businesses in the Americas and Asia, royalty receivables relating to its licensing operations, credit card and retail concession receivables related to its retail businesses and certain other receivables, increased by $32.3 million, or 16.1%, to $233.6 million as of July 29, 2017, compared to $201.3 million at July 30, 2016. On a constant currency basis, accounts receivable increased by $24.3 million, or 12.1%, when compared to July 30, 2016.


•	Inventory increased by $56.3 million, or 14.8%, to $436.0 million as of July 29, 2017, compared to $379.7 million at July 30, 2016. On a constant currency basis, inventory increased by $43.3 million, or 11.4%, compared to the same prior-year period.


•	During the quarter ended July 29, 2017, the Company entered into capital lease obligations totaling $17.5 million related primarily to equipment used in its new European third party distribution center.

Global Store Count

In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, together with our partners, we opened 30 new stores worldwide, consisting of 14 stores in Europe and the Middle East, 14 stores in Asia, one store in the U.S. and one store in Canada. Together with our partners, we closed 56 stores worldwide, consisting of 23 stores in Asia, 15 stores in Europe and the Middle East, 13 stores in the U.S. and five stores in Canada.

We ended the second quarter of fiscal 2018 with 1,644 stores worldwide, comprised as follows:



Region	Total Stores	Directly Operated Stores	Licensee Stores
United States	320	318	2
Canada	104	104	—
Central and South America	94	51	43
Total Americas	518	473	45
Europe and the Middle East	646	363	283
Asia	480	109	371
Total	1,644	945	699

This store count does not include 432 concessions located primarily in South Korea and Greater China, which have been excluded because of their smaller store size in relation to our standard international store size. Of the total 1,644 stores, 1,120 were full-priced GUESS? retail stores, 388 were GUESS? factory outlet stores, 72 were G by GUESS stores and 64 were MARCIANO stores.

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016

Consolidated Results

Net Revenue. Net revenue increased by $28.7 million, or 5.3%, to $573.7 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $545.0 million for the quarter ended July 30, 2016. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 4.9% as currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted net revenue by $2.1 million compared to the same prior-year period. The increase was driven primarily by retail expansion in our international markets and, to a lesser extent, from higher European wholesale shipments, partially offset by negative comparable sales in Americas Retail.

Gross Margin. Gross margin increased 40 basis points to 34.5% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to 34.1% in the same prior-year period, of which 70 basis points was due to a lower occupancy rate, partially offset by 30 basis points due to lower overall product margins. The lower occupancy rate was driven primarily by the favorable impact from mix and, to a lesser extent, overall leveraging of expenses, partially offset by the negative impact on the fixed cost structure resulting from negative comparable sales in Americas Retail. The lower product margins resulted from the cumulative impact of various individual negative drivers that were only partially offset by higher initial mark-ups primarily in Europe.

Gross Profit. Gross profit increased by $12.4 million, or 6.7%, to $198.0 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $185.6 million in the same prior-year period. The increase in gross profit, which included the favorable impact of currency translation, was due primarily to the favorable impact on gross profit from higher revenue. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted gross profit by $0.9 million.

The Company includes inbound freight charges, purchasing costs and related overhead, retail store occupancy costs, including rent and depreciation, and a portion of the Company’s distribution costs related to its retail business in cost of product sales. The Company’s gross margin may not be comparable to that of other entities since some entities include all of the costs related to their distribution in cost of product sales and others, like the Company, generally exclude wholesale-related distribution costs from gross margin, including them instead in SG&A expenses. Additionally, some entities include retail store occupancy costs in SG&A expenses and others, like the Company, include retail store occupancy costs in cost of product sales.

SG&A Rate. The Company’s SG&A rate decreased 90 basis points to 30.2% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from 31.1% in the same prior-year period, due primarily to overall leveraging of expenses.

SG&A Expenses. SG&A expenses increased by $3.9 million, or 2.4%, to $173.5 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $169.6 million in the same prior-year period. The increase, which included the unfavorable impact of currency translation, was driven by higher expenses related primarily to retail expansion in our international markets. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations unfavorably impacted SG&A expenses by $0.1 million.

Asset Impairment Charges. During the quarter ended July 29, 2017, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of $1.2 million, compared to $0.5 million in the same prior-year period. The higher asset impairment charges during the quarter ended July 29, 2017 related primarily to the impairment of certain retail locations in North America resulting from under-performance and expected store closures.

Operating Margin. Operating margin increased 120 basis points to 4.1% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to 2.9% in the same prior-year period. Currency exchange rate fluctuations negatively impacted operating margin by approximately 20 basis points. Higher asset impairment charges recorded during the quarter ended July 29, 2017 unfavorably impacted operating margin by 10 basis points compared to the same prior-year period.

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Earnings from Operations. Earnings from operations increased by $7.7 million, or 49.2%, to $23.2 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $15.6 million in the same prior-year period. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.8 million.

Interest Income (Expense), Net. Interest income, net was $0.7 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to interest expense, net of $0.2 million for the quarter ended July 30, 2016 and includes the impact of hedge ineffectiveness of foreign exchange currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges.

Other Income (Expense), Net. Other expense, net was $1.6 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to other income, net of $27.4 million in the same prior-year period. Other expense, net in the quarter ended July 29, 2017 consisted primarily of net unrealized and realized mark-to-market revaluation losses on foreign exchange currency contracts, partially offset by net unrealized mark-to-market revaluation gains on foreign currency balances and, to a lesser extent, unrealized gains on non-operating assets. Other income, net in the quarter ended July 30, 2016 consisted primarily of a realized gain of $22.3 million from the sale of a minority interest investment.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the quarter ended July 29, 2017 was $6.5 million, or a 28.9% effective tax rate, compared to $10.6 million, or a 24.8% effective tax rate, in the same prior-year period. Generally, income taxes for the interim periods are computed using the tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year, adjusted for discrete items, which is subject to ongoing review and evaluation by management. The deterioration in the effective income tax rate during the quarter ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period was due primarily to a lower tax rate on the gain from the sale of a minority interest investment during the same prior-year period.

Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests were $0.7 million, net of taxes, for the quarter ended July 29, 2017. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was $0.1 million, net of taxes, for the quarter ended July 30, 2016.

Net Earnings Attributable to Guess?, Inc. Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. decreased by $17.1 million, or 52.8%, to $15.2 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from $32.3 million in the same prior-year period. Diluted earnings per share decreased to $0.18 for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from $0.38 for the quarter ended July 30, 2016. During the quarter ended July 29, 2017, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of $1.2 million (or $0.8 million after considering the related tax benefit of $0.4 million), or an unfavorable $0.01 per share impact. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges and the related tax impact, adjusted net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $16.1 million and adjusted diluted earnings were $0.19 per common share for the quarter ended July 29, 2017. We estimate that the negative impact of currency on diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended July 29, 2017 was approximately $0.05 per share. During the quarter ended July 30, 2016, the Company recognized a gain related to the sale of a minority interest investment of approximately $22.3 million, partially offset by asset impairment charges of $0.5 million (or a combined $20.0 million after considering the net $1.8 million related tax expense resulting from the sale of the minority interest investment and asset impairment charges), or a favorable $0.23 per share impact. Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $12.3 million and adjusted diluted earnings were $0.15 per common share for the quarter ended July 30, 2016. References to financial results excluding the impact of these items are non-GAAP measures and are addressed below under “Non-GAAP Measures.”

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Information by Business Segment

The following table presents our net revenue and earnings (loss) from operations by segment for the three months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands):



	Three Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			July 30, 2016			Change			% Change
Net revenue:
Americas Retail	$	201,188		$	226,550		$	(25,362	)	(11.2	%)
Europe (1)	255,215			212,416			42,799			20.1
Asia (1)	62,733			53,410			9,323			17.5
Americas Wholesale (1)	32,658			30,632			2,026			6.6
Licensing	21,898			21,951			(53		)	(0.2	)
Total net revenue	$	573,692		$	544,959		$	28,733		5.3	%
Earnings (loss) from operations:
Americas Retail (2)	$	(7,160	)	$	(1,614	)	$	(5,546	)	(343.6	%)
Europe (1) (2)	26,188			18,571			7,617			41.0
Asia (1) (2)	1,530			(3,378		)	4,908			145.3
Americas Wholesale (1)	4,859			3,633			1,226			33.7
Licensing	19,422			19,733			(311		)	(1.6	)
	44,839			36,945			7,894			21.4
Corporate Overhead	(21,591		)	(21,368		)	(223		)	1.0
Total earnings from operations	$	23,248		$	15,577		$	7,671		49.2	%
Operating margins:
Americas Retail (2)	(3.6		%)	(0.7		%)
Europe (1) (2)	10.3		%	8.7		%
Asia (1) (2)	2.4		%	(6.3		%)
Americas Wholesale (1)	14.9		%	11.9		%
Licensing	88.7		%	89.9		%
Total Company	4.1		%	2.9		%

__________________________________


(1)	During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, net revenue and related costs and expenses for certain globally serviced customers were reclassified into the segment primarily responsible for the relationship. Accordingly, segment results for Europe, Asia and Americas Wholesale have been adjusted for the three months ended July 30, 2016 to conform to the current year presentation.

(2)

Americas Retail

Net revenue from our Americas Retail segment decreased by $25.4 million, or 11.2%, to $201.2 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from $226.6 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue decreased by 10.8%, driven primarily by the unfavorable impact from negative comparable sales and, to a lesser extent, store closures. Comparable sales (including e-commerce) decreased 10% in U.S. dollars and constant currency. The inclusion of our e-commerce sales increased the comparable sales percentage by 1% in U.S. dollars and constant currency. The store base for the U.S. and Canada decreased by an average of 21 net stores during the quarter ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period, resulting in a 4.2% net decrease in average square footage. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. retail stores and e-commerce sites unfavorably impacted net revenue by $0.8 million.

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Operating margin decreased 290 basis points to negative 3.6% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from negative 0.7% in the same prior-year period. Higher asset impairment charges recorded during the quarter ended July 29, 2017 negatively impacted the operating margin for the Company’s Americas Retail segment by 30 basis points compared to the same prior-year period. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges, operating margin for the Company’s Americas Retail segment decreased by 260 basis points compared to the same prior-year quarter, due to lower gross margins driven primarily by the negative impact on the fixed cost structure resulting from negative comparable sales.

Loss from operations from our Americas Retail segment deteriorated by $5.5 million, or 343.6%, to $7.2 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from $1.6 million in the same prior-year period. The deterioration reflects the unfavorable impact on earnings from negative comparable sales.

As of July 29, 2017, we directly operated 422 stores in the U.S. and Canada, of which 318 stores were in the U.S. and 104 stores were in Canada. As of July 29, 2017, the total 422 directly operated stores were comprised of 187 GUESS? factory outlet stores, 134 full-priced GUESS? retail stores, 71 G by GUESS stores and 30 MARCIANO stores. As of July 30, 2016, we directly operated 450 stores in the U.S. and Canada, of which 341 stores were in the U.S. and 109 stores were in Canada.

Europe

Net revenue from our Europe segment increased by $42.8 million, or 20.1%, to $255.2 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $212.4 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 18.8%, driven primarily by the favorable impact from retail expansion and, to a lesser extent, higher shipments in our European wholesale business and positive comparable sales. As of July 29, 2017, we directly operated 363 stores in Europe compared to 295 stores at July 30, 2016, excluding concessions, which represents a 23.1% increase over the prior-year second quarter end. Comparable sales (including e-commerce) increased 5% in U.S. dollars and constant currency compared to the same prior-year period. The inclusion of our e-commerce sales increased the comparable sales percentage by 4% in U.S. dollars and constant currency. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our European operations favorably impacted net revenue by $2.8 million.

Operating margin increased 160 basis points to 10.3% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to 8.7% in the same prior-year period. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges, operating margin for the Company’s Europe segment improved by 150 basis points compared to the same prior-year quarter, due to higher gross margins and, to a lesser extent, a lower SG&A rate. The higher gross margins were driven primarily by higher initial mark-ups. The lower SG&A rate was driven primarily by the favorable impact on the fixed cost structure resulting from overall leveraging of expenses.

Earnings from operations from our Europe segment increased by $7.6 million, or 41.0%, to $26.2 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $18.6 million in the same prior-year period, driven primarily by the favorable impact on earnings from higher revenue, partially offset by higher occupancy costs due to retail expansion. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our European operations favorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.7 million.

Asia

Net revenue from our Asia segment increased by $9.3 million, or 17.5%, to $62.7 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $53.4 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 17.1%, driven primarily by retail expansion and, to a lesser extent, from an increase in comparable sales (including e-commerce) of 7% in U.S. dollars and 6% in constant currency. The inclusion of our e-commerce sales increased the comparable sales percentage by 3% in U.S. dollars and constant currency. As of July 29, 2017, we and our partners operated 480 stores and 374 concessions in Asia, compared to 495 stores and 416 concessions at July 30, 2016. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our Asian operations favorably impacted net revenue by $0.2 million.

Operating margin increased 870 basis points to 2.4% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to negative 6.3% in the same prior-year period. Higher asset impairment charges recorded during the quarter ended July 29, 2017 negatively impacted the operating margin for the Company’s Asia segment by 50 basis points

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compared to the same prior-year period. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges, operating margin for the Company’s Asia segment improved by 920 basis points compared to the same prior-year quarter, due to higher gross margins and, to a lesser extent, a lower SG&A rate driven primarily by overall leveraging of expenses.

Earnings from operations from our Asia segment improved by $4.9 million, or 145.3%, to $1.5 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to loss from operations of $3.4 million in the same prior-year period, driven primarily by the favorable impact on earnings from higher revenue. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our Asian operations favorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.1 million.

Americas Wholesale

Net revenue from our Americas Wholesale segment increased by $2.0 million, or 6.6%, to $32.7 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $30.6 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 6.8%, driven primarily by higher shipments in our U.S. and Mexico wholesale businesses which benefited from a shift in orders during the quarter ended July 29, 2017. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. wholesale businesses unfavorably impacted net revenue by $0.1 million.

Operating margin increased 300 basis points to 14.9% for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to 11.9% in the same prior-year period, due to a lower SG&A rate driven primarily by overall leveraging of expenses and, to a lesser extent, higher gross margins.

Earnings from operations from our Americas Wholesale segment increased by $1.2 million, or 33.7%, to $4.9 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $3.6 million in the same prior-year period, driven primarily by the favorable impact on earnings from higher revenue.

Licensing

Net royalty revenue from our Licensing segment decreased by $0.1 million, or 0.2%, to $21.9 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from $22.0 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease was driven primarily by lower sales in our footwear category, partially offset by higher sales in our handbag category.

Earnings from operations from our Licensing segment decreased by $0.3 million, or 1.6%, to $19.4 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, from $19.7 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease was driven primarily by the unfavorable impact to earnings from higher expenses.

Corporate Overhead

Unallocated corporate overhead increased by $0.2 million to $21.6 million for the quarter ended July 29, 2017, compared to $21.4 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was driven primarily by higher professional fees, partially offset by lower performance-based compensation costs.

Six Months Ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016

Consolidated Results

Net Revenue. Net revenue increased by $38.5 million, or 3.9%, to $1.03 billion for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $993.8 million for the six months ended July 30, 2016. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 4.5% as currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations unfavorably impacted net revenue by $6.0 million compared to the same prior-year period. The increase was driven primarily by retail expansion in our international markets and, to a lesser extent, from higher European wholesale shipments, partially offset by negative comparable sales in Americas Retail.

Gross Margin. Gross margin increased 20 basis points to 33.2% for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to 33.0% in the same prior-year period, of which 40 basis points was due to a lower occupancy rate, partially offset by 20 basis points due to lower overall product margins. The lower occupancy rate was driven primarily by the favorable impact from mix and, to a lesser extent, overall leveraging of expenses, partially offset by the negative impact on the fixed cost structure resulting from negative comparable sales in Americas Retail. The

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lower product margins resulted from the cumulative impact of various individual negative drivers that were only partially offset by higher initial mark-ups primarily in Europe.

Gross Profit. Gross profit increased by $14.3 million, or 4.3%, to $342.7 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $328.4 million in the same prior-year period. The increase in gross profit, which included the unfavorable impact of currency translation, was due primarily to the favorable impact on gross profit from higher revenue. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations unfavorably impacted gross profit by $2.2 million.

SG&A Rate. The Company’s SG&A rate decreased 70 basis points to 33.0% for the six months ended July 29, 2017, from 33.7% in the same prior-year period, due primarily to overall leveraging of expenses.

SG&A Expenses. SG&A expenses increased by $5.8 million, or 1.8%, to $340.9 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $335.1 million in the same prior-year period. The increase, which included the favorable impact of currency translation, was driven by higher expenses related primarily to retail expansion in our international markets. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted SG&A expenses by $3.0 million.

Asset Impairment Charges. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of $4.0 million, compared to $0.7 million in the same prior-year period. The higher asset impairment charges during the six months ended July 29, 2017 related primarily to the impairment of certain retail locations in North America resulting from under-performance and expected store closures. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted asset impairment charges by $0.1 million.

Restructuring Charges. There were no restructuring charges incurred during the six months ended July 29, 2017. During the six months ended July 30, 2016, the Company incurred restructuring charges of $6.1 million.

Operating Margin. Operating margin increased 110 basis points to negative 0.2% for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to negative 1.3% in the same prior-year period. Higher asset impairment charges recorded during the six months ended July 29, 2017 unfavorably impacted operating margin by 40 basis points compared to the same prior-year period. Restructuring charges incurred during the prior year negatively impacted operating margin by 60 basis points during the six months ended July 30, 2016. Excluding the impact of these items, operating margin increased by 90 basis points compared to the same prior-year period. Currency exchange rate fluctuations negatively impacted operating margin by approximately 20 basis points.

Loss from Operations. Loss from operations improved by $11.1 million, or 83.1%, to $2.3 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $13.4 million in the same prior-year period. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted loss from operations by $0.8 million.

Interest Income (Expense), Net. Interest income, net was $1.2 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to interest expense, net of $0.1 million for the six months ended July 30, 2016 and includes the impact of hedge ineffectiveness of foreign exchange currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges.

Other Income, Net. Other income, net was $0.8 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $26.3 million in the same prior-year period. Other income, net in the six months ended July 29, 2017 consisted primarily of unrealized gains on non-operating assets and, to a lesser extent, net unrealized mark-to-market revaluation gains on foreign currency balances, partially offset by net unrealized and realized mark-to-market revaluation losses on foreign exchange currency contracts. Other income, net in the six months ended July 30, 2016 consisted primarily of a realized gain of $22.3 million from the sale of a minority interest investment.

Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the six months ended July 29, 2017 was $5.1 million, or a negative 1,706.1% effective tax rate, compared to $5.8 million, or a 45.3% effective tax rate, in the same prior-year period. Generally, income taxes for the interim periods are computed using the tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year, adjusted for discrete items, which is subject to ongoing review and evaluation by

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management. The deterioration in the effective income tax rate during the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period was due primarily to more losses incurred in certain foreign jurisdictions where the Company has valuation allowances, a shift in the distribution of earnings among the Company’s tax jurisdictions within the quarters of the current fiscal year and a lower tax rate on the gain from the sale of a minority interest investment during the same prior-year period. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company adopted authoritative guidance which requires all income tax effects of stock awards (resulting from an increase or decrease in the fair value of an award from grant date to the vesting date) to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. This is a change from previous guidance that required such activity to be recorded in paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity. As a result, the Company recorded tax shortfalls of approximately $0.7 million as an increase to the Company’s income tax expense during the six months ended July 29, 2017.

Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests were $0.7 million, net of taxes, for the six months ended July 29, 2017. Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was $0.1 million, net of taxes, for the six months ended July 30, 2016.

Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Guess?, Inc. Net loss attributable to Guess?, Inc. was $6.1 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. of $7.1 million in the same prior-year period. Diluted loss per share was $0.08 for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.08 for the six months ended July 30, 2016. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company recognized asset impairment charges of $4.0 million (or $2.8 million after considering the related tax benefit of $1.2 million), or an unfavorable $0.04 per share impact. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges and the related tax impact, adjusted net loss attributable to Guess?, Inc. was $3.3 million and adjusted diluted loss was $0.04 per common share for the six months ended July 29, 2017. We estimate that the negative impact of currency on diluted loss per share for the six months ended July 29, 2017 was approximately $0.02 per share. During the six months ended July 30, 2016, the Company recognized a gain related to the sale of a minority interest investment of approximately $22.3 million, partially offset by restructuring charges of $6.1 million, a restructuring related estimated exit tax charge of $1.9 million and asset impairment charges of $0.7 million (or a combined $14.0 million after considering the net $0.4 million related tax benefit resulting from the restructuring charges, asset impairment charges and sale of the minority interest investment), or a favorable $0.17 per share impact. Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted net loss attributable to Guess?, Inc. was $7.0 million and adjusted diluted loss was $0.09 per common share for the six months ended July 30, 2016. References to financial results excluding the impact of these items are non-GAAP measures and are addressed below under “Non-GAAP Measures.”

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Information by Business Segment

The following table presents our net revenue and earnings (loss) from operations by segment for the six months ended July 29, 2017 and July 30, 2016 (dollars in thousands):



	Six Months Ended
	Jul 29, 2017			Jul 30, 2016			Change			% Change
Net revenue:
Americas Retail	$	374,882		$	430,711		$	(55,829	)	(13.0	%)
Europe (1)	420,603			346,558			74,045			21.4
Asia (1)	126,114			107,638			18,476			17.2
Americas Wholesale (1)	68,515			64,569			3,946			6.1
Licensing	42,159			44,298			(2,139		)	(4.8	)
Total net revenue	$	1,032,273		$	993,774		$	38,499		3.9	%
Earnings (loss) from operations:
Americas Retail (2)	$	(33,926	)	$	(14,215	)	$	(19,711	)	(138.7	%)
Europe (1) (2)	23,093			4,016			19,077			475.0
Asia (1) (2)	692			(3,927		)	4,619			117.6
Americas Wholesale (1)	11,504			9,594			1,910			19.9
Licensing	36,753			40,148			(3,395		)	(8.5	)
	38,116			35,616			2,500			7.0
Corporate Overhead	(40,387		)	(42,934		)	2,547			(5.9	)
Restructuring Charges	—			(6,083		)	6,083
Total loss from operations	$	(2,271	)	$	(13,401	)	$	11,130		83.1	%
Operating margins:
Americas Retail (2)	(9.0		%)	(3.3		%)
Europe (1) (2)	5.5		%	1.2		%
Asia (1) (2)	0.5		%	(3.6		%)
Americas Wholesale (1)	16.8		%	14.9		%
Licensing	87.2		%	90.6		%
Total Company	(0.2		%)	(1.3		%)

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(1)	During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, net revenue and related costs and expenses for certain globally serviced customers were reclassified into the segment primarily responsible for the relationship. Accordingly, segment results for Europe, Asia and Americas Wholesale have been adjusted for the six months ended July 30, 2016 to conform to the current year presentation.

(2)

Americas Retail

Net revenue from our Americas Retail segment decreased by $55.8 million, or 13.0%, to $374.9 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, from $430.7 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue decreased by 12.7%, driven primarily by the unfavorable impact from negative comparable sales and, to a lesser extent, store closures. Comparable sales (including e-commerce) decreased 12% in U.S. dollars and constant currency. The inclusion of our e-commerce sales had a minimal impact on the comparable sales percentage in U.S. dollars and constant currency. The store base for the U.S. and Canada decreased by an average of 15 net stores during the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period, resulting in a 2.8% net decrease in average square footage. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. retail stores and e-commerce sites unfavorably impacted net revenue by $1.2 million.

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Operating margin decreased 570 basis points to negative 9.0% for the six months ended July 29, 2017, from negative 3.3% in the same prior-year period. Higher asset impairment charges recorded during the six months ended July 29, 2017 negatively impacted the operating margin for the Company’s Americas Retail segment by 70 basis points compared to the same prior-year period. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges, operating margin for the Company’s Americas Retail segment decreased by 500 basis points from the same prior-year period. This decrease was due to lower gross margins and, to a lesser extent, a higher SG&A rate driven primarily by the negative impact on the fixed cost structure resulting from negative comparable sales.

Loss from operations from our Americas Retail segment deteriorated by $19.7 million, or 138.7%, to $33.9 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, from $14.2 million in the same prior-year period. The deterioration reflects the unfavorable impact on earnings from negative comparable sales.

Europe

Net revenue from our Europe segment increased by $74.0 million, or 21.4%, to $420.6 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $346.6 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 22.8%, driven primarily by the favorable impact from retail expansion and, to a lesser extent, from higher shipments in our European wholesale business and positive comparable sales. Comparable sales (including e-commerce) increased 5% in U.S. dollars and 7% in constant currency compared to the same prior-year period. The inclusion of our e-commerce sales increased the comparable sales percentage by 4% in U.S. dollars and constant currency. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our European operations unfavorably impacted net revenue by $5.0 million.

Operating margin increased 430 basis points to 5.5% for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to 1.2% in the same prior-year period. This improvement was driven primarily by a lower SG&A rate and, to a lesser extent, higher gross margins. The lower SG&A rate was driven primarily by the favorable impact on the fixed cost structure resulting from overall leveraging of expenses. The higher gross margins were driven primarily by higher initial mark-ups.

Earnings from operations from our Europe segment increased by $19.1 million, or 475.0%, to $23.1 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $4.0 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was driven primarily by the favorable impact on earnings from higher revenue, partially offset by higher occupancy costs due to retail expansion. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our European operations favorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.8 million.

Asia

Net revenue from our Asia segment increased by $18.5 million, or 17.2%, to $126.1 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $107.6 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 16.3%, driven primarily by retail expansion and, to a lesser extent, from an increase in comparable sales (including e-commerce) of 5% in U.S. dollars and 4% in constant currency compared to the same prior-year period. The inclusion of our e-commerce sales increased the comparable sales percentage by 2% in U.S. dollars and constant currency. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our Asian operations favorably impacted net revenue by $0.9 million.

Operating margin increased 410 basis points to 0.5% for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to negative 3.6% in the same prior-year period. Higher asset impairment charges recorded during the six months ended July 29, 2017 negatively impacted the operating margin for the Company’s Asia segment by 80 basis points compared to the same prior-year period. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges, operating margin for the Company’s Asia segment improved by 490 basis points compared to the same prior-year period. The improvement in operating margin was driven primarily by higher gross margins and, to a lesser extent, a lower SG&A rate driven primarily by overall leveraging of expenses.

Earnings from operations from our Asia segment were $0.7 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to loss from operations of $3.9 million in the same prior-year period, driven primarily by the favorable impact on earnings from higher revenue. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our Asian operations favorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.3 million.

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Americas Wholesale

Net revenue from our Americas Wholesale segment increased by $3.9 million, or 6.1%, to $68.5 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $64.6 million in the same prior-year period. In constant currency, net revenue increased by 7.3%, driven primarily by higher shipments in our U.S. and Mexico wholesale businesses which benefited from a shift in orders during the six months ended July 29, 2017. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. wholesale businesses unfavorably impacted net revenue by $0.8 million.

Operating margin increased 190 basis points to 16.8% for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to 14.9% in the same prior-year period, due to higher gross margins.

Earnings from operations from our Americas Wholesale segment increased by $1.9 million, or 19.9%, to $11.5 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $9.6 million in the same prior-year period, driven primarily by the favorable impact on earnings from higher revenue. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. wholesale businesses unfavorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.4 million.

Licensing

Net royalty revenue from our Licensing segment decreased by $2.1 million, or 4.8%, to $42.2 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, from $44.3 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease was driven primarily by lower sales in our footwear category.

Earnings from operations from our Licensing segment decreased by $3.4 million, or 8.5%, to $36.8 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, from $40.1 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease was driven primarily by the unfavorable impact to earnings from lower revenue and, to a lesser extent, higher expenses.

Corporate Overhead

Unallocated corporate overhead decreased by $2.5 million to $40.4 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, from $42.9 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease relates primarily to lower current-year performance-based compensation costs.

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company’s reported financial results are presented in accordance with GAAP. The reported net earnings (loss) attributable to Guess?, Inc. and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 reflect the impact of asset impairment charges and the related tax effect. The reported net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended July 30, 2016 reflect the impact of a gain related to the sale of a minority interest investment, restructuring charges, a related estimated exit tax charge, asset impairment charges and the tax effects of these adjustments. These items affect the comparability of the Company’s reported results. The financial results are also presented on a non-GAAP basis, as defined in Section 10(e) of Regulation S-K of the SEC, to exclude the effect of these items. The Company believes that these “non-GAAP” or “adjusted” financial measures are useful for investors to evaluate the comparability of the Company’s operating results and its future outlook when reviewed in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial statements. The non-GAAP measures are provided in addition to, and not as alternatives for, the Company’s reported GAAP results.

The adjusted measures for the three and six months ended July 29, 2017 exclude the impact of asset impairment charges of $1.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively, related primarily to the impairment of certain retail locations in North America resulting from under-performance and expected store closures. During the three months ended July 29, 2017, asset impairment charges resulted in a $0.8 million impact (after considering the related tax benefit of $0.4 million), or an unfavorable $0.01 per share impact. Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $15.2 million and diluted earnings were $0.18 per common share for the three months ended July 29, 2017. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges and the related tax impact, adjusted net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $16.1 million and adjusted diluted earnings were $0.19 per common share for the three months ended July 29, 2017. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, asset impairment charges resulted in a $2.8 million impact (after considering the related tax benefit of $1.2 million), or an unfavorable $0.04 per share impact. Net loss attributable to Guess?, Inc. was $6.1 million and diluted loss was $0.08 per common share for the six months

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ended July 29, 2017. Excluding the impact of the asset impairment charges and the related tax impact, adjusted net loss attributable to Guess?, Inc. was $3.3 million and adjusted diluted loss was $0.04 per common share for the six months ended July 29, 2017.

The adjusted measures for the three months ended July 30, 2016 exclude the impact of a gain related to the sale of a minority interest investment of $22.3 million and asset impairment charges of $0.5 million. During the three months ended July 30, 2016, the Company recognized impairment charges related primarily to the impairment of certain retail locations in North America resulting from under-performance and expected store closures. These items resulted in a combined $20.0 million impact (after considering the net $1.8 million related tax expense resulting from the sale of the minority interest investment and asset impairment charges), or a favorable $0.23 per share impact during the three months ended July 30, 2016. Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $32.3 million and diluted earnings were $0.38 per share for the three months ended July 30, 2016. Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $12.3 million and adjusted diluted earnings were $0.15 per common share for the three months ended July 30, 2016.

The adjusted measures for the six months ended July 30, 2016 exclude the impact of a gain related to the sale of a minority interest investment of $22.3 million, restructuring charges of $6.1 million, a restructuring related estimated exit tax charge of $1.9 million and asset impairment charges of $0.7 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company implemented a global cost reduction and restructuring plan to better align its global cost and organizational structure with its current strategic initiatives. This plan included the consolidation and streamlining of the Company’s business processes and a reduction in its global workforce and other expenses. During the six months ended July 30, 2016, the Company also recognized impairment charges related primarily to the impairment of certain retail locations in North America resulting from under-performance and expected store closures. These items resulted in a combined $14.0 million impact (after considering the net $0.4 million tax benefit resulting from the restructuring charges, asset impairment charges and sale of the minority interest investment), or a favorable $0.17 per share impact during the six months ended July 30, 2016. Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. were $7.1 million and diluted earnings were $0.08 per common share for the six months ended July 30, 2016. Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted net loss attributable to Guess?, Inc. was $7.0 million and adjusted diluted loss was $0.09 per common share for the six months ended July 30, 2016.

Our discussion and analysis herein also includes certain constant currency financial information. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations affect the amount reported from translating the Company’s foreign revenue, expenses and balance sheet amounts into U.S. dollars. These rate fluctuations can have a significant effect on reported operating results under GAAP. The Company provides constant currency information to enhance the visibility of underlying business trends, excluding the effects of changes in foreign currency translation rates. To calculate net revenue, comparable sales and earnings (loss) from operations on a constant currency basis, operating results for the current-year period are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in effect during the comparable period of the prior year. To calculate balance sheet amounts on a constant currency basis, the current period balance sheet amount is translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the comparable prior-year period end. The constant currency calculations do not adjust for the impact of revaluing specific transactions denominated in a currency that is different to the functional currency of that entity when exchange rates fluctuate. The constant currency information presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

In calculating the estimated impact of currency fluctuations (including translational and transactional impacts) on other measures such as earnings (loss) per share, the Company estimates gross margin (including the impact of foreign exchange currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges for anticipated merchandise purchases) and expenses using the appropriate prior-year rates, translates the estimated foreign earnings (loss) at the comparable prior-year rates and excludes the year-over-year earnings impact of gains or losses arising from balance sheet remeasurement and foreign exchange currency contracts not designated as cash flow hedges for merchandise purchases.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

We need liquidity globally primarily to fund our working capital, occupancy costs, the expansion, remodeling and rationalization of our retail stores, shop-in-shop programs, concessions, systems, infrastructure, other existing operations, international growth, and potential acquisitions and investments. In addition, in the U.S. we need liquidity to fund share repurchases and payment of dividends to our stockholders. Generally, our working capital needs are highest during the late summer and fall as our inventories increase before the holiday selling period. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company relied primarily on trade credit, available cash, real estate and other operating leases, capital leases, proceeds from short-term lines of credit and internally generated funds to finance our operations, payment of dividends, share repurchases and expansion. The Company anticipates that we will be able to satisfy our ongoing cash requirements during the next twelve months for working capital, capital expenditures, payments on our debt, capital leases and operating leases as well as lease termination payments, potential acquisitions and investments, share repurchases and dividend payments to stockholders, primarily with cash flow from operations and existing cash balances supplemented by borrowings under our existing Credit Facility in the U.S. and Canada as well as bank facilities in Europe, as described below under “—Borrowings and Capital Lease Obligations.”

As of July 29, 2017, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $316.5 million, of which approximately $48.7 million was held in the U.S. As of July 29, 2017, we have not provided for U.S. federal and state income taxes on the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries, since such earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. If in the future we decide to repatriate such earnings, we would incur incremental U.S. federal and state income taxes, reduced by allowable foreign tax credits. However, our intent is to keep these funds indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. and our current plans do not indicate a need to repatriate them to fund our U.S. cash requirements. Due to the complexities associated with the hypothetical calculation, including the availability of foreign tax credits, it is not practicable to determine the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to the undistributed earnings.

Excess cash and cash equivalents, which represent the majority of our outstanding cash and cash equivalents balance, are held primarily in overnight deposit and short-term time deposit accounts. Please see “—Important Factors Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “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 28, 2017 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 six months ended July 29, 2017, versus the six months ended July 30, 2016. As a result of the adoption of new authoritative guidance during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, which impacted the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows, the amounts related to cash flows from operating and financing activities as well as the effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash have been updated for the six months ended July 30, 2016 to conform to the current period presentation. Refer to Note 1 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further description of these changes.

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Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $9.7 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $17.4 million for the six months ended July 30, 2016, or an improvement of $7.7 million. The improvement was driven primarily by higher cash flows generated from net earnings for the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $39.5 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $0.8 million for the six months ended July 30, 2016. Net cash used in investing activities related primarily to capital expenditures incurred on retail expansion, investments in technology infrastructure and existing store remodeling programs. In addition, purchases of other assets and investments, the cost of any business acquisitions, settlement of forward exchange currency contracts and proceeds from disposition of long-term assets are also included in cash flows used in investing activities.

The increase in cash used in investing activities was driven primarily by prior-year proceeds from the sale of long-term assets. During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company opened 49 directly operated stores compared to 52 directly operated stores that were opened in the comparable prior-year period.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $55.1 million for the six months ended July 29, 2017, compared to $23.4 million for the six months ended July 30, 2016. Net cash used in financing activities related primarily to the payment of dividends and repurchases of shares of the Company’s common stock during the six months ended July 29, 2017. In addition, payments related to borrowings, capital lease obligations, issuance of common stock under our equity plan and debt issuance costs, purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest and proceeds from borrowings and capital contributions from noncontrolling interests are also included in cash flows used in financing activities.

The increase in cash used in financing activities was driven primarily by prior-year proceeds from the Company’s ten-year $21.5 million real estate secured loan entered into during the six months ended July 30, 2016 and repurchases of shares of the Company’s common stock during the six months ended July 29, 2017.

Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

During the six months ended July 29, 2017, changes in foreign currency translation rates increased our reported cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balance by $24.4 million. This compares to an increase of $11.7 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash driven by changes in foreign currency translation rates during the six months ended July 30, 2016.

Working Capital

As of July 29, 2017, the Company had net working capital (including cash and cash equivalents) of $670.8 million, compared to $698.6 million at January 28, 2017 and $713.9 million at July 30, 2016. The Company’s primary working capital needs are for accounts receivable and inventory. Accounts receivable increased by $32.3 million, or 16.1%, to $233.6 million as of July 29, 2017, compared to $201.3 million at July 30, 2016. The accounts receivable balance consists of trade receivables relating primarily to the Company’s wholesale business in Europe and, to a lesser extent, to its wholesale businesses in the Americas and Asia, royalty receivables relating to its licensing operations, credit card and retail concession receivables related to its retail businesses and certain other receivables. On a constant currency basis, accounts receivable increased by $24.3 million, or 12.1%, when compared to July 30, 2016. The increase was driven primarily by higher European wholesale shipments during the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to the same prior-year period. As of July 29, 2017, approximately 57% of our total net trade receivables and 72% of our European net trade receivables were subject to credit insurance coverage, certain bank guarantees or letters of credit for collection purposes. Our credit insurance coverage contains certain terms and conditions specifying deductibles and annual claim limits. Inventory increased by $56.3 million, or 14.8%, to $436.0 million as of July 29, 2017, compared to $379.7 million at July 30, 2016.

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On a constant currency basis, inventory increased by $43.3 million, or 11.4%, when compared to July 30, 2016, driven primarily by retail expansion in our international markets.

Dividends

During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company announced the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share of the Company’s common stock. Since that time, the Company has continued to pay a quarterly cash dividend, which has subsequently increased to $0.225 per common share.

The payment of cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be based upon a number of business, legal and other considerations, including our cash flow from operations, capital expenditures, debt service and covenant requirements, cash paid for income taxes, earnings, share repurchases, economic conditions and U.S. and global liquidity.

Share Repurchases

Capital Expenditures

Gross capital expenditures totaled $39.6 million, before deducting lease incentives of $4.1 million, for the six months ended July 29, 2017. The Company also acquired assets under capital leases totaling $17.5 million during the six months ended July 29, 2017. For the six months ended July 30, 2016, gross capital expenditures totaled $44.2 million, before deducting lease incentives of $3.3 million.

The Company plans to allocate capital, including capital expenditures and working capital investments, to fund the growth of its retail and e-commerce businesses in Europe and Asia, while reducing its allocation of capital to its retail business in the Americas. Additionally, we plan to continue to invest capital in technology to improve our global structure and support our long-term growth plans. The Company’s investments in capital for the full fiscal year 2018 are planned between $85 million and $95 million. During fiscal 2018, we also expect that working capital will grow in Europe and Asia, while contracting in the Americas.

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

Borrowings and Capital Lease Obligations

Credit Facilities

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of credit sublimits, and may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Mortgage Debt

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Capital Lease Obligations

Other

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

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

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.

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Seasonality

The Company’s business is impacted by the general seasonal trends characteristic of the apparel and retail industries. The retail operations in the Americas and Europe are generally stronger during the second half of the fiscal year, and the wholesale operations in the Americas generally experience stronger performance from July through November. The European wholesale businesses operate with two primary selling seasons: the Spring/Summer season, which ships from November to April and the Fall/Winter season, which ships from May to October. The Company may take advantage of early-season demand and potential reorders in its European wholesale business by offering a pre-collection assortment which ships at the beginning of each season. Customers retain the ability to request early shipment of backlog orders or delay shipment of orders depending on their needs.

Wholesale Backlog

We generally receive orders for fashion apparel three to six months prior to the time the products are delivered to our customers’ stores. The backlog of wholesale orders at any given time is affected by various factors, including seasonality, cancellations, the scheduling of market weeks, the timing of the receipt of orders and the timing of the shipment of orders and may include orders for multiple seasons. 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. and Canada Backlog. Our U.S. and Canadian wholesale backlog as of August 28, 2017, consisting primarily of orders for fashion apparel, was $39.6 million in constant currency, compared to $46.1 million at August 29, 2016, a decrease of 14.0%.

Europe Backlog. As of August 27, 2017, the European wholesale backlog was €216.4 million, compared to €178.9 million at August 29, 2016, an increase of 21.0%. The backlog as of August 27, 2017 is comprised of sales orders for the Fall/Winter 2017 and Spring/Summer 2018 seasons.

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 28, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 27, 2017. There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the six months ended July 29, 2017.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard which will supersede previous existing revenue recognition guidance. The standard is intended to clarify the principles of recognizing revenue and create common revenue recognition guidance between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. During fiscal 2017, the FASB issued additional clarification guidance on the new revenue recognition standard which also included certain scope improvements and practical expedients. The standard (including clarification guidance issued) is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2019, and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt this guidance using the modified retrospective method beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company’s assessment efforts to date have included reviewing current revenue processes, arrangements and accounting policies to identify potential differences that could arise from the application of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Based on its current review, the more significant changes that the Company has identified relate to the classification and timing of when revenue is recognized from its licensing business, loyalty programs and gift card breakage. The Company also expects a change in the timing of revenue recognized when merchandise is shipped directly to a customer, as it is expected to be based on when control is transferred to the customer upon shipment, rather than at the time the risk of loss is transferred. The Company is continuing to evaluate the financial impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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ITEM 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Exchange Rate Risk

More than half of product sales and licensing revenue recorded for the six months ended July 29, 2017 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company’s primary exchange rate risk relates to operations in Europe, Canada, South Korea, China and Mexico. 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 28, 2017.

Various transactions that occur primarily in Europe, Canada, South Korea, China and Mexico are denominated in U.S. dollars, British pounds and Russian roubles and thus are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to their functional currencies. These types of transactions include U.S. dollar denominated purchases of merchandise and U.S. dollar and British pound denominated intercompany liabilities. In addition, certain operating expenses, tax liabilities and pension-related liabilities 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 is also subject to certain translation and economic exposures related to its net investment in certain of its international subsidiaries. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to offset some but not all of its exchange risk. In addition, some of the derivative contracts in place will create volatility during the fiscal year as they are marked-to-market according to the accounting rules and may result in revaluation gains or losses in different periods from when the currency impact on the underlying transactions are realized.

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Foreign Exchange Currency Contracts Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

During the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company purchased U.S. dollar forward contracts in Europe and Canada totaling US$82.0 million and US$12.3 million, respectively, that were designated as cash flow hedges. As of July 29, 2017, the Company had forward contracts outstanding for its European and Canadian operations of US$142.3 million and US$52.0 million, respectively, to hedge forecasted merchandise purchases and intercompany royalties, which are expected to mature over the next 17 months. The Company’s foreign exchange currency contracts are recorded in its condensed consolidated balance sheet at fair value based on quoted market rates. Changes in the fair value of the U.S. dollar forward contracts, designated as cash flow hedges for forecasted merchandise purchases, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are recognized in cost of product sales in the period which approximates the time the hedged merchandise inventory is sold. Changes in the fair value of the U.S. dollar forward contracts, designated as cash flow hedges for forecasted intercompany royalties, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are recognized in other income and expense in the period in which the royalty expense is incurred.

As of July 29, 2017, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to foreign exchange currency contracts included a net unrealized loss of approximately $9.2 million, net of tax, of which $4.2 million will be recognized in cost of product sales or other expense 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. As of July 29, 2017, the net unrealized loss of the remaining open forward contracts recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet was approximately $9.6 million.

At January 28, 2017, the Company had forward contracts outstanding for its European and Canadian operations of US$104.2 million and US$66.9 million, respectively, that were designated as cash flow hedges. At January 28, 2017, the net unrealized gain of these open forward contracts recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet was approximately $4.8 million.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The Company also has foreign exchange currency contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Changes in fair value of foreign exchange currency contracts not designated as hedging instruments are reported in net earnings (loss) as part of other income and expense. For the six months ended July 29, 2017, the Company recorded a net loss of $7.3 million for its euro and Canadian dollar foreign exchange currency contracts not designated as hedges, which has been included in other expense. As of July 29, 2017, the Company had euro foreign exchange currency contracts to purchase US$69.7 million expected to mature over the next 11 months and Canadian dollar foreign exchange currency contracts to purchase US$11.3 million expected to mature over the next eight months. As of July 29, 2017, the net unrealized loss of these open forward contracts recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet was approximately $4.4 million.

At January 28, 2017, the Company had euro foreign exchange currency contracts to purchase US$81.4 million and Canadian dollar foreign exchange currency contracts to purchase US$13.9 million. At January 28, 2017, the net unrealized gain of these open forward contracts recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet was approximately $3.6 million.

Sensitivity Analysis

As of July 29, 2017, a sensitivity analysis of changes in 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$275.3 million, the fair value of the instruments would have decreased by $30.6 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 $25.0 million. Any resulting changes in the fair value of the hedged instruments may be partially offset by changes in the fair value of certain balance sheet positions (primarily U.S. dollar denominated liabilities in our foreign operations) impacted by the change in the foreign currency rate. The ability to reduce the exposure of currencies

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on earnings depends on the magnitude of the derivatives compared to the balance sheet positions during each reporting cycle.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest Rate Swap Agreement Designated as Cash Flow Hedge

During fiscal 2017, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $21.5 million, designated as a cash flow hedge, to hedge the variability of cash flows in interest payments associated with the Company’s floating-rate debt. This interest rate swap agreement matures in January 2026 and converts the nature of the Company’s real estate secured term loan from LIBOR floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt, resulting in a swap fixed rate of approximately 3.06%. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement is based upon inputs corroborated by observable market data. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreement, designated as a cash flow hedge to hedge the variability of cash flows in interest payments associated with the Company’s floating-rate debt, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt.

As of July 29, 2017, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the interest rate swap agreement included a net unrealized gain of approximately $0.4 million, net of tax, which will be recognized in interest expense after the following 12 months, at the then current values on a pre-tax basis, which can be different than the current quarter-end values. As of July 29, 2017, the net unrealized gain of the interest rate swap recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet was approximately $0.6 million.

At January 28, 2017, the net unrealized gain of the interest rate swap recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet was approximately $0.9 million.

Sensitivity Analysis

As of July 29, 2017, approximately 92% of the Company’s total indebtedness related to a real estate secured term loan and capital lease obligations. The real estate secured term loan is covered by a separate interest rate swap agreement with a swap fixed interest rate of approximately 3.06% that matures in January 2026. The interest rate swap agreement is designated as a cash flow hedge and converts the nature of the Company’s real estate secured term loan from LIBOR floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. The capital lease obligations are based on fixed interest rates derived from the respective agreements.

The Company’s remaining indebtedness is 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 interest rates would have had an insignificant effect on interest expense for the six months ended July 29, 2017.

The fair value of the Company’s debt instruments are based on the amount of future cash flows associated with each instrument discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. As of July 29, 2017 and January 28, 2017, the carrying value of all financial instruments was not materially different from fair value, as the interest rates on the Company’s debt approximated rates currently available to the Company.

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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 second quarter of fiscal 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.	Legal Proceedings.

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 certain third party licensees for the Company asserting, among other things, trademark and trade dress law violations and unfair competition. The complaint sought injunctive relief, compensatory damages, including treble damages, and certain other relief. Complaints similar to those in the above action have also been filed by Gucci entities against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries in the Court of Milan, Italy, the Intermediate People’s Court of Nanjing, China and the Court of Paris, France. The three-week bench trial in the U.S. matter concluded on April 19, 2012, with the court issuing a preliminary ruling on May 21, 2012 and a final ruling on July 19, 2012. Although the plaintiff was seeking compensation in the U.S. matter in the form of damages of $26 million and an accounting of profits of $99 million, the final ruling provided for monetary damages of $2.3 million against the Company and $2.3 million against certain of its licensees. The court also granted narrow injunctions in favor of the plaintiff for certain of the claimed infringements. On August 20, 2012, the appeal period expired without any party having filed an appeal, rendering the judgment final. On May 2, 2013, the Court of Milan ruled in favor of the Company in the Milan, Italy matter. In the ruling, the Court rejected all of the plaintiff’s claims and ordered the cancellation of three of the plaintiff’s Italian and four of the plaintiff’s European Community trademark registrations. On June 10, 2013, the plaintiff appealed the Court’s ruling in the Milan matter. On September 15, 2014, the Court of Appeal of Milan affirmed the majority of the lower Court’s ruling in favor of the Company, but overturned the lower Court’s finding with respect to an unfair competition claim. That portion of the matter is now in a damages phase based on the ruling. On October 16, 2015, the plaintiff appealed the remainder of the Court of Appeal of Milan’s ruling in favor of the Company to the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation. In the China matter, the Intermediate People’s Court of Nanjing, China issued a ruling on November 8, 2013 granting an injunction in favor of the plaintiff for certain of the claimed infringements on handbags and small leather goods and awarding the plaintiff statutory damages in the amount of approximately $80,000. The Company strongly disagreed with the Court’s decision and appealed the ruling. On August 31, 2016, the Court of Appeal for the China matter issued a decision in favor of the Company, rejecting all of the plaintiff’s claims. In March 2017, the plaintiff petitioned the China Supreme Court for a retrial of the matter. On January 30, 2015, the Court of Paris ruled in favor of the Company in the France matter, rejecting all of the plaintiff’s claims and partially canceling two of the plaintiff’s community trademark registrations and one of the plaintiff’s international trademark registrations. On February 17, 2015, the plaintiff appealed the Court of Paris’ ruling. Although the Company believes that it has a strong position and will continue to vigorously defend each of the remaining matters, it is unable to predict with certainty whether or not these efforts will ultimately be successful or whether the outcomes will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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canceled the related assessments totaling €1.7 million ($1.9 million). In November 2015, the Italian Customs Agency notified the Company of its intent to appeal this first MFDTC judgment. During fiscal 2017, the Appeals Court ruled in favor of the Company and rejected the appeal by the Italian Customs Agency on the first MFDTC judgment. During fiscal 2017, the MFDTC also issued judgments in favor of the Company in relation to the second through seventh set of appeals (covering the period from October 2010 through December 2012) and canceled the related assessments totaling €8.1 million ($9.6 million). Subsequently, the Italian Customs Agency has appealed the majority of these favorable MFDTC judgments, as well as certain of the Appeals Court judgments. While these MFDTC judgments have been favorable to the Company, there can be no assurances that the Italian Customs Agency will not be successful in its remaining appeals. It also continues to be possible that the Company will receive similar or even larger assessments for periods subsequent to December 2012 or other claims or charges related to the matter in the future. Although the Company believes that it has a strong position and will continue to vigorously defend this matter, it is unable to predict with certainty whether or not these efforts will ultimately be successful or whether the outcome will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

On June 6, 2017, the European Commission notified the Company that it has initiated proceedings to investigate whether certain of the Company’s practices and agreements concerning the distribution of apparel and accessories within the European Union breach European Union competition rules related to cross-border transactions, internet sales limitations and resale price restrictions. The initiation of the proceedings does not mean that the European Commission has made a definitive conclusion regarding whether the Company breached any rules. We have cooperated and plan to continue to cooperate with the European Commission, including through responses to requests for information and through changes to certain business practices and agreements, as appropriate. If a violation is ultimately found, a broad range of remedies is potentially available to the European Commission, including imposing a fine and/or injunctive relief prohibiting or restricting certain business practices. At this preliminary stage, we are unable to predict the timing or outcome of these proceedings, including the magnitude of a potential fine, if any. However, we do not currently believe that any changes to our business practices or agreements made in connection with this proceeding will have a material impact on our ongoing business operations within the European Union.

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 28, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 27, 2017.

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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
April 30, 2017 to May 27, 2017
Repurchase program (1)	—	—		—	$	430,468,702
Employee transactions (2)	—	—		—
May 28, 2017 to July 1, 2017
Repurchase program (1)	—	—		—	$	430,468,702
Employee transactions (2)	560	$	12.11	—
July 2, 2017 to July 29, 2017
Repurchase program (1)	—	—		—	$	430,468,702
Employee transactions (2)	23,175	$	12.48	—
Total
Repurchase program (1)	—	—		—
Employee transactions (2)	23,735	$	12.47	—

________________________________

(1)


(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/units granted under the Company’s 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

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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 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 July 30, 1996).
*10.1.		2004 Equity Incentive Plan (amended and restated as of May 19, 2017) (incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 5, 2017).
*†10.2.		Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement.
*†10.3.		Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
†31.1.		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
†31.2.		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
†32.1.		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
†32.2.		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
†101.INS		XBRL Instance Document
†101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
†101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
†101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
†101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
†101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

_______________________________________________________________________________



*	Management Contract or Compensatory Plan
†	Filed herewith

Table of Contents

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:	September 1, 2017	By:	/s/ VICTOR HERRERO
			Victor Herrero
			Chief Executive Officer

Date:	September 1, 2017	By:	/s/ SANDEEP REDDY
			Sandeep Reddy
			Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer)