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HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES INC - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
OR
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:  1-1445

HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC.

Maryland
58-0281900
(State of Incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
   
780 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 800, Atlanta, Georgia 30342
(Address of principal executive offices)
   
(404) 443-2900
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
HVT
NYSE
Class A Common Stock
HVTA
NYSE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  ◻  No ⌧
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ◻  No ⌧
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  ⌧  No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).     Yes  ⌧  No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or 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  □
Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer □
Smaller reporting company □
 
Emerging growth company □

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ◻ No ⌧
As of June 30, 2019, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $313,485,685 (based on the closing sale prices of the registrant’s two classes of common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange).
There were 17,461,695 shares of common stock and 1,531,505 shares of Class A common stock, each with a par value of $1.00 per share outstanding at February 28, 2020.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 15, 2020 are incorporated by reference in Part III.

HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC.
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019

       
PART I
 
       
Item 1.
 
Business
2
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
5
Item 1B.
 
Unresolved Staff Comments
9
Item 2.
 
Properties
9
Item 3.
 
Legal Proceedings
9
Item 4.
 
Mine Safety Disclosures
9
       
PART II
       
Item 5.
 
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
12
Item 6.
 
Selected Financial Data
14
Item 7.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
15
Item 7A.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
22
Item 8.
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
22
Item 9.
 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
23
Item 9A.
 
Controls and Procedures
23
Item 9B.
 
Other Information
25
       
PART III
       
Item 10.
 
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
25
Item 11.
 
Executive Compensation
25
Item 12.
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
25
Item 13.
 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
25
Item 14.
 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
25
       
PART IV
       
Item 15.
 
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
26
Item 16.
 
Form 10-K Summary
29
       


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains “forward-looking statements” – that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition. These statements are within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

projections of sales or comparable store sales, gross profit, SG&A expenses, capital expenditures or other financial measures;
descriptions of anticipated plans or objectives of our management for operations or products;
forecasts of performance; and
assumptions regarding any of the foregoing.

Because these statements involve anticipated events or conditions, forward-looking statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions.

These forward-looking statements are based upon assessments and assumptions of management in light of historical results and trends, current conditions and potential future developments that often involve judgment, estimates, assumptions and projections. Forward-looking statements reflect current views about our plans, strategies and prospects, which are based on information currently available.

Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations as reflected in or suggested by any forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are not guarantees. Actual results may differ materially from our anticipated results described or implied in our forward-looking statements, and such differences may be due to a variety of factors. Our business could also be affected by additional factors that are presently unknown to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial to our business.

Discussed elsewhere in further detail in this report are some important risks, uncertainties and
contingencies which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any forward-looking statements made or implied in this report.

Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made and they might not be updated to reflect changes as they occur after the forward-looking statements are made. We assume no obligations to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In evaluating forward-looking statements, you should consider these risks and uncertainties, together with the other risks described from time to time in our other reports and documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and you should not place undue reliance on those statements.

We intend for any forward-looking statements to be covered by, and we claim the protection under, the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

1


ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

Unless otherwise indicated by the context, we use the terms “Havertys," "we," "our," or "us" when referring to the consolidated operations of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.

Overview

Havertys is a specialty retailer of residential furniture and accessories. Our founder, J.J. Haverty began the business in 1885 in Atlanta, Georgia with one store and made deliveries using horse-drawn wagons. The Company grew to 18 stores and was incorporated in September 1929. Anticipating further growth, the Company accessed additional capital through its initial public offering in October 1929.

Havertys has grown to 121 stores in 16 states in the Southern and Midwest regions. All of our retail locations are operated using the Havertys name and we do not franchise our stores. Our customers are generally college educated women in middle to upper-middle income households. Our brand recognition is very high in the markets we serve, and consumer surveys indicate Havertys is associated with a high level of quality, fashion, value and service.

Merchandise and Revenues

We develop our merchandise selection with the tastes of the diverse “on trend” consumer in mind. A wide range of styles from traditional to contemporary are in our core assortment and most of the furniture merchandise we carry bears the Havertys brand. We also tailor our product offerings to the needs and tastes of the local markets we serve emphasizing more “coastal,” “western” or “urban” looks as appropriate. Our custom upholstery programs and eclectic looks are an important part of our product mix and allow the on-trend consumer more self-expression.

We have avoided offering lower quality, promotional price-driven merchandise favored by many regional and national chains, which we believe would devalue the Havertys brand with the consumer. We carry nationally well-known mattress product lines such as Sealy®, Tempur-Pedic®, Serta®, Stearns & Foster®,  Beautyrest Black® and Scott LivingTM in addition to our private label SkyeTM.

Our customers use varying methods to purchase or finance their sales. As an added convenience to our customers, we offer financing by third-party finance companies or through an internal revolving charge credit plan. Sales financed by the third-party providers are not Havertys’ receivables; accordingly, we do not have any credit risk or servicing responsibility for these accounts, and there is no credit or collection recourse to Havertys. The most popular programs offered through the third-party providers for 2019 were no interest offers requiring monthly payments over periods of 18 to 36 months. The fees we pay to the third-party are included in SG&A as a selling expense. We also maintain a small in-house financing program for our customers with the offer most frequently chosen carrying no interest for 12 months and requiring equal monthly payments. This program generates very minor credit revenue and is for credit worthy customers who prefer financing with the retailer directly or who are not able to quickly establish sufficient credit with other providers on comparable terms.

The following summarizes the different purchasing methods used as a percent of amount due from customers including sales tax:

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Cash or check
   
6.8
%
   
8.1
%
   
8.8
%
Credit or debit cards
   
60.3
     
59.8
     
59.8
 
Third-party financed
   
32.5
     
31.6
     
30.8
 
Havertys financed
   
0.4
     
0.5
     
0.6
 
     
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%


2

Stores

As of December 31, 2019, we operated 121 stores serving 84 cities in 16 states with approximately 4.4 million retail square feet. Our stores range in size from 19,000 to 66,000 selling square feet with the average being approximately 35,000 square feet. We strive to have our stores reflect the distinctive style and comfort consumers expect to find when purchasing their home furnishings. The store’s curb appeal is important to the type of middle to upper-middle income consumer that we target, and our use of classical facades and attractive landscaping complements the quality and style of our merchandise. Interior details are also important for a pleasant and inviting shopping experience. We are very intentional in having open shopping spaces and our disciplined merchandise display ensures uniformity of presentations in-store, online and in our advertising.

We currently have no plans to expand outside our distribution footprint and there are a limited number of markets that we do not currently serve that are expansion candidates.  We are evaluating certain existing stores for relocation or closure. We do not expect an increase in our retail square footage in 2020.

Internet

We consider our website an extension of our brick-and-mortar locations and not a separate segment of our business. Most customers will use the internet for inspiration and as a start to their shopping process to view products and prices. Our website features a variety of helpful tools including a design center with 3D room planners, upholstery customization, and inspired accessories to create shareable “Idea Boards.” A large number of product reviews written by our customers is also provided which some consumers find important in the decision-making process.

The next stop in the purchase journey for most consumers is a visit to a store to touch, sit, and see merchandise in person. Our sales consultants also use havertys.com as a tool to further engage our customers while they are in the store. They may make their purchase in the store or opt to return home and finalize their decisions, place their orders online and set delivery. We limit online sales of our furniture to within our delivery network, and accessories to the continental United States. Our online sales for 2019 were approximately 2.4% of our total sales and the level of online sales increased 13.5% over 2018.

We believe that a direct-to-customer business complements our retail store operations by building brand awareness.

Suppliers

We buy our merchandise from numerous foreign and domestic manufacturers and importers, the largest ten of which accounted for approximately 58% of our product purchases during 2019. Most of our wood products, or “case goods,” are imported from Asia. Upholstered items are largely produced domestically, with the exception of our leather products which are primarily imported from Asia or Mexico.

We purchase our furniture merchandise produced in Asia through sourcing companies and also buy direct from manufacturers. Our direct import team works with industry designers and manufacturers in some of the best factories throughout Asia. We have dedicated quality control specialists on-site during production to ensure the items meet our specifications. Approximately 25% of our case goods sales and 10% of our upholstery sales in 2019 were generated by our direct imports.

Supply Chain and Distribution

The longer lead times required for deliveries from overseas factories and the production of merchandise exclusively for Havertys makes it imperative for us to have both warehousing capabilities and end-to-end supply chain visibility. Our merchandising team provides input to the automated procurement process in an effort to maintain overall inventory levels within an appropriate range and reduce the amount of written sales awaiting product delivery. We use real-time information to closely follow our import orders from the manufacturing plant through each stage of transit and using this data can more accurately set customer delivery dates prior to receipt of product.


3

Our distribution system uses a combination of three distribution centers (DCs) and four home delivery centers (HDCs). The DCs receive both domestic product and containers of imported merchandise. A warehousing management system using radio frequency scanners tracks each piece of inventory in real time and allows for random storage in the warehouse and efficient scheduling and changing of the workflow. The DCs are also designed to shuttle prepped merchandise up to 250 miles for next day home deliveries and serve HDCs within a 500-mile radius. The HDCs provide service to markets within an additional 200 miles. We use a third-party to handle over-the-road delivery of product from the DCs to the HDCs and market areas. We use Havertys employees for executing home delivery, and branded this service “Top Drawer Delivery,” an important function serving as the last contact with our customers in the purchase process. Operating standards in our warehouse and delivery functions provide measurements for determining staffing needs and increasing productivity. We believe that our distribution and delivery system is one of the best in the retail furniture industry and provides us with a significant competitive advantage.
Competition

The retail sale of home furnishings is a highly fragmented and competitive business. There has been growth in the e‑commerce channel both from internet only retailers and those with a brick-and-mortar presence. The degree and sources of brick-and-mortar retail competition varies by geographic area. We compete with numerous individual retail furniture stores as well as chains. Retail stores opened or operated by furniture manufacturers in an effort to control and protect the distribution prospects of their branded merchandise compete with us in certain markets.  Mass merchants, certain department stores, and some electronics and appliance retailers also have limited furniture product offerings.

We believe Havertys is uniquely positioned in the marketplace, with a targeted mix of merchandise that appeals to customers who are somewhat more affluent than those of promotional price-oriented furniture stores. Our online presence provides most elements of a seamless omni-channel approach that many of our competitors do not have or cannot replicate. We consider the expansion of our custom order capabilities, free in-home design service, the tailoring of merchandise on a local market basis, and the ability to make prompt delivery of orders through maintenance of inventory, significant competitive advantages.

Employees

Our employees are among our best investments and are critical for our success. As of December 31, 2019, we had 3,425 employees: 2,146 in individual retail store operations, 212 in our corporate and credit operations, 68 in our customer-service call centers, and 999 in our warehouse and delivery points. None of our employees is a party to any union contract.

4

Seasonality

Our business is affected by traditional retail seasonality, advertising and promotion programs, and general economic trends.  We typically achieve our smallest quarter by revenues in the second quarter and the largest in the fourth quarter.  In 2018, our fourth quarter sales did not match historical patterns as business surrounding the traditional holiday shopping periods around Thanksgiving and Christmas was significantly lower than in the prior years.

Trademarks and Domain Names

We have registered our various logos, trademarks and service marks. We believe that our trademark position is adequately protected in all markets in which we do business. In addition, we have registered and maintain numerous internet domain names including “havertys.com.” Collectively, the logos, trademarks, service marks and domain names that we hold are of material importance to us.

Available Information
Filings with the SEC

As a public company, we regularly file proxy statements, reports and amendments thereto with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These documents are available on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our website is www.havertys.com and contains, among other things, our annual report on Form 10-K, annual meeting proxy statement, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, which may be accessed free of charge. These reports are accessible by clicking on the “Investors” tab on our home page and then click on “SEC filings.”  This annual report on Form 10-K and other SEC filings made by Havertys are also accessible through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The information on our website listed above is not and should not be considered part of this annual report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference in this document.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following discussion of risk factors contains forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be important to understanding any statement in this annual report on Form 10-K or elsewhere. The following information should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (MD&A), and the consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this annual report on Form 10-K.

We routinely encounter and address risks, some of which may cause our future results to be different – sometimes materially different – than we presently anticipate. The following factors, as well as others described elsewhere in this report or in our other filings with the SEC, that could materially affect our business, financial condition or operating results should be carefully considered. Below, we describe certain important operational and strategic risks and uncertainties, but they are not the only risks we face. Our reactions to material future developments, as well as our competitors’ reactions to those developments, may also impact our business operations or financial results. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results may be adversely affected.

Changes in economic conditions could adversely affect demand for our products.

A large portion of our sales represent discretionary spending by our customers. Demand for our products is generally affected by a number of economic factors including, but not limited to: interest rates, housing starts, sales of new and existing homes, housing values, the level of mortgage refinancing, consumer confidence, debt levels and retail trends. Declining stock market values, rising food and energy costs, and higher personal taxes adversely affect demand. A decline in economic activity and conditions in the markets in which we operate would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

5


We face significant competition from national, regional and local retailers of home furnishings.

The retail market for home furnishings is highly fragmented and intensely competitive. We currently compete against a diverse group of retailers, including internet only retailers, regional or independent specialty stores, dedicated franchises of furniture manufacturers and national department stores. National mass merchants and electronics and appliance retailers also have limited product offerings. In addition, there are few barriers to entry into our current and contemplated markets, and new competitors may enter our current or future markets at any time. Our existing competitors or new entrants into our industry may use a number of different strategies to compete against us, including aggressive advertising, pricing and marketing, and extension of credit to customers on terms more favorable than we offer.

Competition from any of these sources could cause us to lose market share, revenues and customers, increase expenditures or reduce prices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

If we fail to anticipate changes in consumer preferences, our sales may decline.

Our products must appeal to our target consumers whose preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and are subject to change. Our success depends upon our ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to fashion trends relating to home furnishings. If we fail to identify and respond to these changes, our sales may decline.

We import a substantial portion of our merchandise from foreign sources. This exposes us to certain risks that include political and economic conditions. In an effort to discourage U.S. corporations from outsourcing manufacturing and production activities to foreign jurisdictions and curb what are considered to be unfair trade practices, the United States imposed tariffs on goods manufactured in China. The tariffs began in September 2018 at 10% of product costs and increased to 25% on March 4, 2019. If the tariffs are increased further or new tariffs on goods produced in other countries were enacted this could adversely affect our results of operations or profitability.

Based on product costs, approximately 59% of our total furniture purchases (which exclude accessories and mattresses) in 2019 were for goods not produced domestically, of which approximately 15% were for goods produced in China. All our purchases are denominated in U.S. dollars. As exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and certain other currencies become unfavorable, the likelihood of price increases from our vendors increases. Some of the products we purchase are also subject to tariffs. If tariffs are imposed on additional products or the tariff rates are increased our vendors may increase their prices. Such changes, if they occur, could have one or more of the following impacts:

we could be forced to raise retail prices so high that we are unable to sell the products at current unit volumes;
if we are unable to raise retail prices commensurately with the cost increases, gross profit as recognized under our LIFO inventory accounting method could be negatively impacted; or
we may be forced to find alternative sources of comparable product, which may be more expensive than the current product, of lower quality, or the vendor may be unable to meet our requirements for quality, quantities, delivery schedules or other key terms.

Significant fluctuations and volatility in the cost of raw materials and components could adversely affect our profits.

The primary materials our vendors use to produce and manufacture our products are various woods and wood products, resin, steel, leather, cotton, and certain oil-based products. On a global and regional basis, the sources and prices of those materials and components are susceptible to significant price fluctuations due to supply/demand trends, transportation costs, government regulations and tariffs, changes in currency exchange rates, price controls, the economic and political climate, and other unforeseen circumstances. Significant increases in these and other costs in the future could materially affect our vendors’ costs and our profits as discussed above.
6


We are dependent upon the ability of our third-party producers, many of whom are located in foreign countries, to meet our requirements; any failures by these producers to meet our requirements, or the unavailability of suitable producers at reasonable prices or limitations on our ability to source from certain third-party producers may negatively impact our ability to deliver quality products to our customers on a timely basis or result in higher costs or reduced net sales.

We source substantially all of our products from non-exclusive, third-party producers, many of which are located in foreign countries. Although we have long-term relationships with many of our suppliers, we must compete with other companies for the production capacity of these independent manufacturers. We regularly depend upon the ability of third-party producers to secure a sufficient supply of raw materials, a skilled workforce, adequately finance the production of goods ordered and maintain sufficient manufacturing and shipping capacity. Although we monitor production and quality in many third-party manufacturing locations, we cannot be certain that we will not experience operational difficulties with our manufacturers, such as the reduction of availability of production capacity, errors in complying with product specifications, insufficient quality control, failures to meet production deadlines or increases in manufacturing costs. Such difficulties may negatively impact our ability to deliver quality products to our customers on a timely basis, which may, in turn, have a negative impact on our customer relationships and result in lower net sales.

We also require third-party producers to meet certain standards in terms of working conditions, environmental protection and other matters before placing business with them. As a result of costs relating to compliance with these standards, we may pay higher prices than some of our competitors for products. In addition, failure by our independent manufacturers to adhere to labor or other laws or business practices accepted as ethical, and the potential litigation, negative publicity and political pressure relating to any of these events, could disrupt our operations or harm our reputation.

Our vendors might fail in meeting our quality control standards or reacting to changes to the legislative or regulatory framework regarding product safety.

All of our vendors must comply with applicable product safety laws and regulations, and we are dependent on them to ensure that the products we buy comply with all safety standards. Any actual, potential or perceived product safety concerns could expose us to government enforcement action or private litigation and result in recalls and other liabilities. These could harm our brand's image and negatively affect our business and operating results.

Our revenue could be adversely affected by risks in our supply chain.

Optimal product flow is dependent on demand planning and forecasting, production to plan by suppliers, and timely transportation. We often make commitments to purchase products from our vendors in advance of proposed production dates. Significant deviation from the projected demand for products that we sell may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, either from lost sales or lower margins due to the need to reduce prices to dispose of excess inventory. Disruptions to our supply chain could result in late arrivals of product. This could negatively affect sales due to increased levels of out-of-stock merchandise and loss of confidence by customers in our ability to deliver goods as promised.

We face risks associated with our overseas suppliers including, but not limited to, political or economic instability, geopolitical events, environmental events, widespread health emergencies, such as the novel coronavirus, natural disasters, or social and labor unrest.

In addition, there is a risk that compliance lapses by our foreign manufacturers could occur which could lead to investigations by U.S. government agencies responsible for international trade compliance. Resulting penalties or enforcement actions could delay future imports or otherwise negatively impact our business. There also remains a risk that one or more of our foreign manufacturers will not adhere to applicable legal requirements or our compliance standards such as fair labor standards, the prohibition on child labor and other product safety or manufacturing safety standards. The violation of applicable legal requirements, including labor, manufacturing and safety laws, by any of our manufacturers, the failure of any of our manufacturers to adhere to our global compliance standards or the divergence of the labor practices followed by any of our manufacturers from those generally accepted in the U.S., could disrupt our supply of products from our manufacturers, result in potential liability to us and harm our reputation and brand, any of which could negatively affect our business and operating results.

7

The rise of oil and gasoline prices could affect our profitability.

A significant increase in oil and gasoline prices could adversely affect our profitability. In addition, governmental efforts to combat climate change through reduction of greenhouse gases may result in higher fuel costs through taxation or other means. We deliver substantially all of our customers’ purchases to their homes. Our distribution system, which utilizes three DCs and multiple home delivery centers is very transportation dependent to reach the 22 states we deliver to from our stores across 16 Southern and Midwestern states.

If transportation costs exceed amounts we are able to effectively pass on to the consumer, either by higher prices and/or higher delivery charges, then our profitability will suffer.

Because of our limited number of distribution centers, should one become damaged, our operating results could suffer.

We utilize three large distribution centers to flow our merchandise from the vendor to the consumer. This system is very efficient for reducing inventory requirements but makes us operationally vulnerable should one of these facilities become damaged.

Our information technology infrastructure is vulnerable to damage that could harm our business.

Our ability to operate our business from day to day, in particular our ability to manage our point-of-sale, distribution system and credit operations, largely depends on the efficient operation of our computer hardware and software systems. We use management information systems to communicate customer information, provide real-time inventory information, manage our credit portfolio and to handle all facets of our distribution system from receipt of goods in the DCs to delivery to our customers’ homes.

The failure of these systems to operate effectively, problems with integrating various data sources, challenges in transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems, difficulty in integrating new systems, or a breach in security of these systems could adversely impact the operations of our business.

Cyber threats are rapidly evolving and those threats and the means for obtaining access to information in digital and other storage media are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Cyber threats and cyber-attackers can be sponsored by countries or sophisticated criminal organizations or be the work of single "hackers" or small groups of "hackers."

We invest in industry standard security technology to protect the Company’s data and business processes against risk of data security breach and cyber-attack. Our data security management program includes identity, trust, vulnerability and threat management business processes as well as adoption of standard data protection policies. We measure our data security effectiveness through industry accepted methods.  We are continuously installing new and upgrading existing information technology systems. We use employee awareness training around phishing, malware, and other cyber risks to ensure that the Company is protected, to the greatest extent possible, against cyber risks and security breaches. We are regularly the target of attempted cyber and other security threats and must continuously monitor and develop our information technology networks and infrastructure to prevent, detect, address and mitigate the risk of unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses and other events that could have a security impact. Insider or employee cyber and security threats are increasingly a concern for all companies, including ours. Additionally, we certify our major technology suppliers and any outsourced services through accepted security certification standards.

Nevertheless, as cyber threats evolve, change and become more difficult to detect and successfully defend against, one or more cyber-attacks might defeat our or a third-party service provider's security measures in the future and obtain the personal information of customers or employees. Employee error or other irregularities may also result in a failure of security measures and a breach of information systems. Moreover, hardware, software or applications we use may have inherent defects of design, manufacture or operations or could be inadvertently or intentionally implemented or used in a manner that could compromise information security.

8


A security breach and loss of information may not be discovered for a significant period of time after it occurs. While we have no knowledge of a material security breach to date, any compromise of data security could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws or standards, the loss of valuable business data, or a disruption of our business. A security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential information could give rise to unwanted media attention, materially damage our customer relationships and reputation, and result in fines, fees, or liabilities, which may not be covered by our insurance policies.


ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES
Stores
Our retail store space at December 31, 2019 totaled approximately 4.4 million square feet for 121 stores.  The following table sets forth the number of stores we operated at December 31, 2019 by state:

State
Number of Stores
 
State
Number of Stores
Florida
29
 
Maryland
4
Texas
22
 
Arkansas
3
Georgia
18
 
Louisiana
3
North Carolina
8
 
Kentucky
2
Virginia
8
 
Missouri
2
South Carolina
6
 
Ohio
2
Alabama
6
 
Indiana
1
Tennessee
6
 
Kansas
1

The 39 retail locations which we owned at December 31, 2019 had a net book value for land and buildings of $74.7 million. The remaining 82 locations are leased by us with various termination dates through 2032 plus renewal options.

Distribution Facilities
We lease or own regional distribution facilities in the following locations:
 Location
 Owned or Leased
Approximate Square Footage
Braselton, Georgia
Leased
808,000
Coppell, Texas
Owned
394,000
Lakeland, Florida
Owned
335,000
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Owned
129,000
Fairfield, Ohio
Leased
50,000
Theodore, Alabama
Leased
42,000
Memphis, Tennessee
Leased
30,000

Corporate Facilities
We lease approximately 48,000 square feet on two floors of a suburban mid-rise office building located at 780 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 800, Atlanta, Georgia.
For additional information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this report under Item 7 of Part II.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or of which any of our properties is the subject.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
9

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The following are the names, ages and current positions of our executive officers and, if they have not held those positions for the past five years, their former positions during that period with Havertys or other companies.

 
Name, age and office (at December 31, 2019) and year elected to office
 
Principal occupation during last five years other than office of the Company currently held
Clarence H. Smith
69
Chairman of the Board
President and Chief Executive
  Officer
Director
2012
2002
 
1989
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
Steven G. Burdette
58
Executive Vice President,
  Operations
2017
 
Executive Vice President, Stores, 2008-2017
J. Edward Clary
59
Executive Vice President,
  and Chief Information Officer
2015
 
Senior Vice President, Distribution and Chief Information Officer
2008-2015
John L. Gill
56
Executive Vice President, Merchandising
2019
 
Senior Vice President, Merchandising 2018-2019;
Vice President, Merchandising 2017-2018; Eastern Regional Manager 2016-2018; Vice President, Operations 2015-2017;
Western Regional Manager 2005-2015
Richard B. Hare
53
Executive Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer
2017
 
Senior Vice President,
Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Carmike Cinemas, Inc., 2006-2016
Kelley A. Fladger
50
Senior Vice President and
  Chief Human Resources Officer
2019
 
Vice President, Human Resource Services, 2016-2019 and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, 2017-2019 for Perdue Farms, Inc.;
Vice President, People Strategy and Corporate Human Resources 2014-2016 for Belk, Inc.
Rawson Haverty, Jr.
63
Senior Vice President, Real
  Estate and Development
Director
1988
 
1992
 
Has held this position for the last five years


10

 
Name, age and office (at December 31, 2019) and year elected to office
 
Principal occupation during last five years other than office of the Company currently held
Jenny Hill Parker
61
Senior Vice President, Finance,
  and Corporate Secretary
2010
 
Has held this position for the last five years
Janet E. Taylor
58
Senior Vice President,
  General Counsel
2010
 
Has held this position for the last five years
Helen B. Bautista
53
Vice President, Marketing
2019
 
Senior Vice President Group Account Director, 2018-2019, Vice President Group Account Director 2016-2018, Group Account Director, 2013-2016 all for Fitzco, a McCann World Group Agency.
Rawson Haverty, Jr. and Clarence H. Smith are first cousins.

Our executive officers are elected or appointed annually by the Board of Directors for terms of one year or until their successors are elected and qualified, subject to removal by the Board at any time.
11

PART II

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our two classes of common stock trade on The New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The trading symbol for the common stock is HVT and for Class A common stock is HVT.A.

Stockholders

Based on the number of individual participants represented by security position listings, there are approximately 4,405 holders of our common stock and 161 holders of our Class A common stock as of February 26, 2020.

Dividends

We have historically paid and expect to continue to pay for the foreseeable future, quarterly cash dividends on our Common Stock and Class A Common Stock. The payment of dividends and the amount are determined by the Board of Directors and depend upon, among other factors, our earnings, operations, financial condition, capital requirements and general business outlook at the time such dividend is considered. We have paid a cash dividend in each year since 1935. Our credit agreement includes covenants that may restrict our ability to pay dividends. For more information, see Note 6, “Credit Arrangements,” and Note 11, “Stockholders Equity,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Equity Compensation Plans

For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, see Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”

Stock Repurchase Program
The board of directors has authorized management, at its discretion, to purchase and retire limited amounts of our common stock and Class A common stock. A program was initially approved by the board on November 3, 1986 with subsequent authorizations made as to the number of shares to be purchased or amount to be purchased in total dollars. On August 9, 2019, the board authorized the Company to purchase up to $10.0 million of its common and Class A common stock after the balance of approximately $7.0 million from a previous authorization is utilized. In addition to using cash flow for profitable growth and the payment of dividends, opportunistic repurchases during periods of favorable market conditions is another way to enhance stockholder value.
The following table presents information with respect to our repurchase of Havertys’ common stock during the fourth quarter of 2019.

   
(a)
Total Number of Shares Purchased
   
(b)
Average Price Paid Per Share
   
(c)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
(d)
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That
May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
October 1 – October 31
   
     
     
   
$
16,963,000
 
November 1 – November 30
   
269,429
   
$
19.69
     
269,429
   
$
11,659,000
 
December 1 – December 31
   
247,333
   
$
20.76
     
247,333
   
$
6,523,000
 
Total
   
516,762
             
516,762
         

12

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the performance of Havertys’ common stock and Class A common stock against the cumulative return of the NYSE/AMEX/Nasdaq Home Furnishings & Equipment Stores Index (SIC Codes 5700 – 5799) and the S&P Smallcap 600 Index for the period of five years commencing December 31, 2014 and ended December 31, 2019. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100 on January 1, 2014 and reinvestment of dividends.




   
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
2017
   
2018
   
2019
 
                                     
HVT
 
$
100.00
   
$
98.97
   
$
117.03
   
$
113.73
   
$
102.35
   
$
114.21
 
HVT-A
 
$
100.00
   
$
99.56
   
$
116.19
   
$
117.48
   
$
99.68
   
$
113.46
 
S&P SmallCap 600 Index
 
$
100.00
   
$
98.03
   
$
124.06
   
$
140.48
   
$
128.56
   
$
157.85
 
SIC Codes 5700-5799
 
$
100.00
   
$
78.43
   
$
77.96
   
$
97.26
   
$
77.21
   
$
113.51
 


13

 ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data and non-GAAP financial measures should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 below and the “Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 below.

   
Year ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
   
2016
   
2015
 
Results of Operations
                             
Net sales
 
$
802,291
   
$
817,733
   
$
819,866
   
$
821,571
   
$
804,870
 
Net sales change over prior year
   
(1.9
)%
   
(0.3
)%
   
(0.2
)%
   
2.1
%
   
4.7
%
Comp-store sales change over prior year
   
(1.4
)%
   
0.3
%
   
(1.3
)%
   
2.1
%
   
2.5
%
Gross profit
   
434,488
     
446,542
     
444,923
     
443,337
     
430,776
 
Percent of net sales
   
54.2
%
   
54.6
%
   
54.3
%
   
54.0
%
   
53.5
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses(1)
   
407,456
     
404,856
     
402,884
     
399,236
     
384,801
 
Percent of net sales
   
50.8
%
   
49.5
%
   
49.1
%
   
48.6
%
   
47.8
%
Income before income taxes(1)
   
28,724
     
40,408
     
43,223
     
45,821
     
45,275
 
Net income(1)
   
21,865
     
30,307
     
21,075
     
28,356
     
27,789
 
Share Data
                                       
Diluted earnings per share
                                       
Common Stock(1)
 
$
1.08
   
$
1.42
   
$
0.98
   
$
1.30
   
$
1.22
 
Class A Common Stock
   
1.03
     
1.39
     
0.94
     
1.27
     
1.17
 
Cash dividends – amount per share:
                                       
Common Stock(2)
 
$
0.76
   
$
1.720
   
$
0.540
   
$
1.440
   
$
0.360
 
Class A Common Stock(2)
 
$
0.72
   
$
1.630
   
$
0.510
   
$
1.365
   
$
0.340
 
Shares outstanding (in thousands):
                                       
Common Stock
   
17,581
     
18,780
     
19,452
     
19,287
     
20,124
 
Class A Common Stock
   
1,531
     
1,757
     
1,767
     
1,818
     
2,032
 
       Total shares
   
19,112
     
20,537
     
21,219
     
21,104
     
22,156
 
Financial Position
                                       
Inventories
 
$
104,817
   
$
105,840
   
$
103,437
   
$
102,020
   
$
108,896
 
Capital expenditures
 
$
16,841
   
$
21,473
   
$
24,465
   
$
29,838
   
$
27,143
 
Depreciation/amortization expense
   
20,596
     
29,806
     
30,516
     
29,045
     
25,756
 
Total assets
 
$
560,072
   
$
440,179
   
$
461,329
   
$
454,505
   
$
471,251
 
Total debt(3)
   
     
50,803
     
54,591
     
55,474
     
53,125
 
Stockholders’ equity
   
260,503
     
274,629
     
294,142
     
281,871
     
301,739
 
Debt to total capital
   
N/A
     
15.6
%
   
15.7
%
   
16.4
%
   
15.0
%
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
63,419
     
70,392
     
52,457
     
60,054
     
52,232
 
Other Supplemental Data:
                                       
Employees
   
3,425
     
3,418
     
3,551
     
3,656
     
3,596
 
Retail sq. ft. (in thousands) at year end
   
4,426
     
4,417
     
4,517
     
4,494
     
4,380
 
Annual sales per weighted average sq. ft.
 
$
183
   
$
185
   
$
185
   
$
188
   
$
185
 
Average sale per written ticket
 
$
2,323
   
$
2,184
   
$
2,091
   
$
2,048
   
$
2,002
 
Due to rounding amounts may not add to totals.
(1)  Includes impairment loss of $2.4 million, or $1.8 million after tax, on a retail store in the fourth quarter of 2019 which impacted diluted earnings per share $0.09.
(2)  Includes special dividends of $1.00 for Common Stock and $0.95 for Class A Common Stock paid in the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2018.
(3)  Debt is comprised completely of lease obligations accounted for under ASC 840, prior to adoption of ASU 2016-02. See Note 1, Recently Adopted Accounting Standards in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


14

ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

Industry
The retail residential furniture industry's results are influenced by the overall strength of the economy, new and existing housing sales, consumer confidence, spending on large ticket items, interest rates, and availability of credit. These factors remain tempered by rising consumer debt, home inventory constraints, and tight access to home mortgage credit, all of which provide impediments to industry growth.

Our Business
We sell home furnishings in our retail stores and via our website and record revenue when the products are delivered to our customer. Our products are selected to appeal to a middle to upper-middle income consumer across a variety of styles. Our commissioned sales associates receive a high level of product training and are provided a number of tools with which to serve our customers. We also have over 120 in‑home designers serving most of our stores. These individuals work with our sales associates to provide customers additional confidence and inspiration in their furniture purchase journey. We do not outsource the delivery function, something common in the industry, but instead ensure that the “last contact” is handled by a customer-oriented Havertys delivery team. We are recognized as a provider of high-quality fashionable products and exceptional service in the markets we serve.

2019
Sales were slightly lower in 2019 than in 2018, falling 1.9% or $15.4 million. Our average ticket increased 6.4% but store traffic was down mid-single digits. Gross profit as a percent of net sales decreased 40 basis points to 54.2%. SG&A costs, excluding a $2.4 million impairment charge, were relatively flat but with less leverage increased 98 basis points as a percent of sales. Our pre-tax income was $28.7 million, a decrease of 29.0% or $11.7 million. Our fourth quarter results were pre-tax income of $7.6 million, down from $12.3 million in the prior year period. We made $16.8 million in important capital expenditure investments in our business and returned $44.8 million to shareholders with $15.0 million in dividends and $29.8 million in repurchases of common stock.

Management Objectives
Management is focused on capturing more market share and increasing sales per square foot of showroom space. This organic growth will be driven by concentrating our efforts on our customers with improved interactions highlighted by new products, services, enhanced stores and better technology. The Company’s strategies for profitability include targeted marketing initiatives, productivity and process improvements, and efficiency and cost-saving measures. Our focus is to serve our customers better and distinguish ourselves in the marketplace.

Key Performance Indicators
We evaluate our performance based on several key metrics which include net sales, comparable store sales, sales per square foot, gross profit, operating costs as a percentage of sales, EBITDA, cash flow, total debt to total capital, and earnings per share. The goal of utilizing these measurements is to provide tools in economic decision-making such as store growth, capital allocation and product pricing. We also employ metrics that are customer focused (customer satisfaction score, on-time-delivery and quality), and internal effectiveness and efficiency metrics (sales per employee, average sale per ticket, closing ratios per customer store visit, inventory out-of-stock, exceptions per deliveries, and lost time incident rate).  These measurements aid us in determining areas of our operations that are in need of additional attention but are not evaluated in isolation from others, so as not to conflict with our company goals.

Net Sales

Comparable-store or “comp-store” sales is a measure which indicates the performance of our existing stores and website by comparing the growth in sales in store and online for a particular period over the corresponding period in the prior year. Stores are considered non-comparable if open for less than 12 full calendar months or if the selling square footage has been changed significantly during the past 12 full calendar months. Large clearance sales events from warehouses or temporary locations are also excluded from comparable store sales, as are periods when stores are closed or being remodeled. As a retailer, comp‑store sales is an indicator of relative customer spending and store performance.

15

Total sales decreased $15.4 million or 1.9% in 2019 and $2.2 million or 0.3% in 2018. Comparable store sales, which includes online sales, decreased 1.4% or $11.6 million in 2019 and increased 0.3% or $2.2 million in 2018. The remaining $3.8 million in 2019 and $4.4 million in 2018 of the changes were from closed, new and otherwise non-comparable stores.

The following outlines our sales and comp-store sales increases and decreases for the periods indicated. (Amounts and percentages may not always add to totals due to rounding.)
   
December 31,
 
   
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
   
Net Sales
   
Comp-Store Sales
 
Net Sales
   
Comp-Store Sales
 
Net Sales
   
Comp-Store Sales
 
Period
Ended
 
Dollars
in millions
   
%
Increase
(decrease)
over prior
period
   
% Increase
(decrease)
over prior
period
 
Dollars
in millions
   
% Increase
(decrease)
over prior
period
   
% Increase
(decrease)
over prior
period
 
Dollars
in millions
   
% Increase
(decrease)
over prior
period
   
%
Increase
(decrease)
over prior
period
 
 
Q1
   
$
187.2
     
(6.1
)%
   
(4.7
)%
 
$
199.4
     
(0.5
)%
   
(1.1
)%
 
$
200.4
     
3.0
%
   
1.6
%
 
Q2
     
191.9
     
(3.5
)
   
(2.3
)
   
198.8
     
1.0
     
1.3
     
196.8
     
1.1
     
(0.2
)
 
Q3
     
209.3
     
(0.6
)
   
(0.4
)
   
210.5
     
1.4
     
2.6
     
207.6
     
(1.9
)
   
(2.9
)
 
Q4
     
213.8
     
2.3
     
1.4
     
209.0
     
(2.8
)
   
(1.6
)
   
215.0
     
(2.6
)
   
(3.5
)
Year
   
$
802.3
     
(1.9
)%
   
(1.4
)%
 
$
817.7
     
(0.3
)%
   
0.3
%
 
$
819.9
     
(0.2
)%
   
(1.3
)%

Sales in 2019 declined for the year due to severe supply-chain disruptions as we moved several product lines out of China due to the increased tariffs. Although these changes will not be fully resolved until the first quarter of 2020, we did see improvement late in the third quarter of 2019.  Revenues by product category reflected the supply-chain disruption with a drop in case goods sales. Our mattress business saw an increase of 6.5% over 2018 due to customer purchases of new higher price point offerings. We offer a number of custom upholstery items and sales in this category rose 6.8% in 2019 over 2018. Our average ticket increased 6.4% to $2,323. The average ticket for our in-home designers was $4,666 and were part of 25.3% of our sales.

Sales in 2018 declined for the year as business slowed markedly in the last half of the fourth quarter.  Our revenues by category remained relatively consistent with prior years with increases in our accessories sales and delivery revenue. Our average ticket increased 4.4% to $2,184 which helped offset the decline in the number of transactions. Our in-home designers were part of 21.5% of our sales and their average ticket was $4,466.

Sales in 2017 declined slightly as the level of our store traffic weakened throughout the year. Our average ticket increased 2.1% allowing our sales results to not moderate at the same pace as traffic. Our in-home designers were part of 20.6% of our sales, with their average ticket twice the overall average.

2020 Outlook
We believe as the general economic outlook continues to improve, and consumer spending and the housing market strengthens, our business will benefit. We have an appealing online presence and upgraded stores, and we offer on-trend merchandise, knowledgeable salespeople, free in-home design service, and special order capabilities which will be important drivers for our 2020 sales results. We do not expect our retail square footage to increase in 2020.

Gross Profit

Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of the purchase price of the merchandise together with inbound freight, handling within our distribution centers and transportation costs to the local markets we serve.  Our gross profit is primarily dependent upon vendor pricing, the mix of products sold and promotional pricing activity. Substantially all of our occupancy and home delivery costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as is a portion of our warehousing expenses. Accordingly, our gross profit may not be comparable to those entities that include some of these expenses in cost of goods sold.

16


Year-to-Year Comparisons
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 54.2% in 2019 compared to 54.6% in 2018. This decrease was driven by higher product and freight costs. Tariffs on products imported from China began in September 2018 and increased to 25% in March 2019. The use of the LIFO method generated a $1.8 million charge in 2019 versus $0.8 million in 2018. These negative impacts were partly offset by the increasing sales generated by our in‑home designers. These sales generally have a higher margin driven  by custom upholstery and accessories sales.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 54.6% in 2018 compared to  54.3% in 2017. This improvement was predominately driven by our execution on product mix and pricing. The imposition of tariffs of 10.0% on products imported from China began in late September 2018. We raised the selling prices on some impacted products and worked with our suppliers to minimize cost increases.

2020 Outlook
Our expectations for 2020 are for annual gross profit margins of approximately 54.6%. This assumes no changes in tariffs for imported goods.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses are comprised of five categories: selling, occupancy, delivery and certain warehousing costs, advertising, and administrative. Selling expenses primarily are comprised of compensation of sales associates and sales support staff, and fees paid to credit card and third-party finance companies.  Occupancy costs include rents, depreciation charges, insurance and property taxes, repairs and maintenance expense and utility costs. Delivery costs include personnel, fuel costs, and depreciation and rental charges for rolling stock. Warehouse costs include supplies, depreciation, and rental charges for equipment. Advertising expenses are primarily media production and space, direct mail costs, market research expenses and agency fees. Administrative expenses are comprised of compensation costs for store personnel exclusive of sales associates, information systems, executive, accounting, merchandising, advertising, supply chain, real estate and human resource departments.

We classify our SG&A expenses as either variable or fixed and discretionary. Our variable expenses include the costs in the selling and delivery categories and certain warehouse expenses as these amounts will generally move in tandem with our level of sales. The remaining categories and expenses are classified as fixed and discretionary because these costs do not fluctuate with sales. The following table outlines our SG&A expenses by classification:

 
2019
 
2018
   
2017
 
(In thousands)
     
% of
Net Sales
       
% of
Net Sales
       
% of
Net Sales
 
Variable
 
$
147,415
     
18.4
%
 
$
149,973
     
18.3
%
 
$
149,694
     
18.2
%
Fixed and discretionary
   
260,041
     
32.4
     
254,883
     
31.2
     
253,190
     
30.9
 
   
$
407,456
     
50.8
%
 
$
404,856
     
49.5
%
 
$
402,884
     
49.1
%

Year-to-Year Comparisons
Our SG&A as a percent of sales increased 130 basis points to 50.8% in 2019 from 49.5% in 2018. Our fixed and discretionary expenses increased $5.2 million or 2.0% in 2019 over 2018. This change was primarily due to an impairment loss of $2.4 million for a retail store and increases in our advertising and marketing expenses of $1.5 million. Our administrative costs rose $1.4 million driven primarily by increases in benefit costs including group medical expenses partly offset by lower incentive compensation. Our variable expenses increased slightly as a percent of sales due to higher selling costs.

Our SG&A costs as a percent of sales increased 40 basis points to 49.5% in 2018 from 49.1% in 2017. Our fixed and discretionary expenses increased $1.7 million or 0.7% in 2018 over 2017. This change was primarily due to increases in administrative costs of $1.5 million which included a $2.0 million increase in group medical expenses.  We also had increases in our advertising and marketing expenses, warehouse costs and other occupancy costs totaling $1.4 million.  These increases were partly offset by $0.7 million in lower depreciation expense and rent expense.  Our variable expenses increased slightly due to higher transportation and delivery costs.

17

2020 Outlook
Fixed and discretionary type expenses within SG&A are expected to be in the $265.0 to $267.0 million range for 2020. We anticipate higher advertising and marketing costs in 2020, increased compensation and incentive expense, and additional costs associated with new stores. Fixed and discretionary type expenses are expected to be at similar quarterly levels in 2020 as in 2019, as adjusted for the overall increases.

Variable costs within SG&A for 2020 are expected to be between 18.4% and 18.6% as a percent of sales.

Interest Expense

Our interest expense for the years 2018 and 2017 is primarily driven by amounts related to our lease obligations. For leases accounted for as capital and financing lease obligations under prior lease guidance, we recorded straight‑line rent expense for the land portion in occupancy costs in SG&A along with amortization on the additional asset recorded. Rental payments were recognized as a reduction of the obligations and as interest expense during 2017 and 2018. Refer to Note 1, “Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, Leases” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the impact of the changes in lease accounting.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act significantly revised the U.S. corporate income tax by lowering the statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. It also eliminated certain deductions and enhanced and extended through 2026 the option to claim accelerated depreciation deductions on qualified property. We estimated the effects of the Tax Act and recorded in our financial statements as of December 31, 2017 approximately $5.9 million in additional tax expense for the remeasurement of net deferred tax assets and liabilities. We completed our analysis in 2018 and no additional adjustments were made for the impact of the Tax Act.

Our effective tax rate was 23.9% in 2019, 25.0% in 2018 and 51.2% in 2017. The 2019 and 2018 rates vary from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes. The 2017 rate is impacted by the negative effect of $5.9 million from the Tax Act. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview of Liquidity
Our primary cash requirements include working capital needs, contractual obligations, benefit plan contributions, income tax obligations and capital expenditures. We have funded these requirements exclusively through cash generated from operations and have not used our credit facility since 2008. We believe funds generated from our expected results of operations and available cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to fund our primary obligations and complete projects that we have underway or currently contemplate for the next fiscal and foreseeable future years.

At December 31, 2019, our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents balance was $82.4 million, an increase of $2.6 million compared to December 31, 2018. This change primarily resulted from solid operating results offset by purchases of property and equipment and dividends paid to stockholders and repurchases of common stock. Additional discussion of our cash flow results, including the comparison of 2019 activity to 2018, is set forth in the Analysis of Cash Flows section.

At December 31, 2019, we had no amounts outstanding and $54.3 million available under our revolving credit facility.

Capital Expenditures
Our primary capital requirements have been focused on our stores, distribution centers, and the development of both proprietary and purchased information systems. We have successfully concluded our store remodeling program and in 2018 we completed the expansion of our Western Distribution Center.  Our capital expenditures were $16.8 million in 2019, $4.6 million less than in 2018.

18

Our future capital requirements will depend in large part on the number of and timing for new stores we open within a given year, the investments we make for the maintenance of our existing stores, and our investment in new information systems to support our key strategies. In 2020, we anticipate that our capital expenditures will be approximately $17.0 million, refer to our Store Expansion and Capital Expenditures discussion below.

Analysis of Cash Flows
The following table illustrates the main components of our cash flows (in thousands):

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
63,419
   
$
70,392
   
$
52,457
 
Capital expenditures
   
(16,841
)
   
(21,473
)
   
(24,465
)
Free cash flow
 
$
46,578
   
$
48,919
   
$
27,992
 
Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(14,571
)
 
$
(18,972
)
 
$
(21,527
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
$
(46,255
)
 
$
(59,217
)
 
$
(14,839
)
Cash flows from operating activities. During 2019, net cash provided by operating activities was $63.4 million.  The primary components of the changes in operating assets and liabilities are listed below:
Decrease in inventories of $1.0 million as we returned operating inventory to a more normalized level.
Increase in customer deposits of $5.7 million.
Increase in accounts payable of $8.0 million
Decrease in other liabilities of $7.6 million primarily due to a transition adjustment of $9.5 million to comply with ASU 2016-02.

During 2018, net cash provided by operating activities was $70.4 million.  The primary components of the changes in operating assets and liabilities are listed below:
Increase in inventories of $2.4 million as we increased stock in advance of Chinese New Year when suppliers are closed and before the imposition of tariffs on goods imported from China.
Decrease in prepaid expenses of $3.2 million primarily associated with income taxes.
Decrease in customer deposits of $3.3 million.
Increase in other liabilities of $3.8 million primarily due to receipt of incentives that will amortize over six years.
During 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was $52.5 million. The primary components of the changes in operating assets and liabilities are listed below:
Increase in inventories of $2.1 million as we increased stocking levels in the distribution centers in advance of Chinese New Year and added a new store.
Increase in prepaid expenses of $2.5 million primarily from the timing of the payment of taxes and computer maintenance agreements.
Increase in customer deposits of $2.9 million.
Decrease in accounts payable of $5.2 million.
Decrease in accrued liabilities of $4.3 million primarily from the timing of payments for compensation and real estate and property taxes.
Cash flows used in investing activities.  Net cash used in investing activities was $14.6 million, $19.0 million, and $21.5 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In each of these years, the amounts of cash used in investing activities consisted principally of capital expenditures related to store construction and improvements, distribution, and information technology projects, refer to our Store Expansion and Capital Expenditures discussion below. During 2019 and 2018, we received $2.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, in proceeds from sales of property and equipment.  During 2017, we received approximately $2.0 million in insurance proceeds to offset costs of rebuilding and repairing two stores.
19


Cash flows used in financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $46.3 million for 2019, $59.2 million for 2018 and $14.8 million for 2017. During 2019, we spent $29.8 million for treasury stock purchases and paid $15.1 million in dividends.  During 2018, we purchased $18.7 million in treasury stock, paid $15.0 million in dividends, and paid $20.4 million as a special dividend. During 2017, we paid $11.4 million in dividends.

Long-Term Debt

In September 2019, we entered into the Second Amendment to our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with a bank.  The Credit Agreement amends our credit facility to extend the maturity date to September 27, 2024 from March 31, 2021 and changes certain collateral reporting requirements. The Credit Agreement provides for a $60.0 million revolving credit facility. Refer to Note 6,  “Credit Arrangement” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about our Credit Agreement.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into agreements which meet the SEC’s definition of an off-balance sheet arrangement other than operating leases and have made no financial commitments to or guarantees with respect to any unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships or special purpose entities.

Contractual Obligations

The following summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of
December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

 
Payments Due or Expected by Period
 
 
Total
 
Less than
1 Year
 
1-3
Years
 
3-5
Years
 
After 5
Years
 
Operating leases(1)
 
$
236,695
   
$
40,228
   
$
71,562
   
$
46,881
   
$
78,024
 
Purchase orders
   
98,586
     
98,586
     
     
     
 
Total contractual obligations (2)
 
$
335,281
   
$
138,814
   
$
71,562
   
$
46,881
   
$
78,024
 

(1)  These amounts are for our undiscounted lease obligations recorded in our consolidated balance sheets, as lease liabilities. For additional information about our leases, refer to Note 9, “Leases” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) The contractual obligations do not include any amounts related to retirement benefits. For additional information about our plans, refer to Note 12, “Benefit Plans” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Store Expansion and Capital Expenditures

We have entered new markets and made continued improvements and relocations of our store base. The following outlines the change in our selling square footage for each of the three years ended December 31 (square footage in thousands):

   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Store Activity:
 
#
of Stores
   
Square
Footage
   
#
of Stores
   
Square
Footage
   
#
of Stores
   
Square
Footage
 
Opened
   
3
     
98
     
1
     
29
     
3
     
100
 
Closed
   
2
     
88
     
5
     
143
     
3
     
85
 
Year end balances
   
121
     
4,426
     
120
     
4,418
     
124
     
4,517
 

20


The following table summarizes our store activity in 2019 and plans for 2020.

Location
Opening (Closing) Quarter
Actual or Planned

Category
Atlanta, GA
Q-3-19
Open
St. Louis, MO
Q-3-19
Open – New Market
Baton Rouge, LA
Q-4-19
Relocation
Atlanta, GA
Q-4-19
Closure – Clearance Center
Atlanta, GA
Q-1-20
Closure
Myrtle Beach, FL
Q-2-20
Open – New Market
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
Q-3-20
Open
To be named
Q-3-20
Open – New Market
To be named
Q-3-20
Closure

These plans and other changes should keep net selling space in 2020 the same as in 2019 assuming the new stores open and existing stores close as planned.

Our investing activities in stores and operations in 2019, 2018 and 2017 and planned outlays for 2020 are categorized in the table below. Capital expenditures for stores in the years noted do not necessarily coincide with the years in which the stores open.
(Approximate in thousands)
 
Proposed 2020
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Stores:
                       
New or replacement stores
 
$
3,700
   
$
5,700
   
$
600
   
$
6,300
 
Remodels/expansions
   
2,500
     
500
     
2,300
     
5,300
 
Other improvements
   
3,500
     
4,100
     
3,300
     
3,600
 
Total stores
   
9,700
     
10,300
     
6,200
     
15,200
 
Distribution
   
3,300
     
2,700
     
12,800
     
6,500
 
Information technology
   
4,000
     
3,800
     
2,500
     
2,800
 
Total
 
$
17,000
   
$
16,800
   
$
21,500
   
$
24,500
 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions

Our discussion and analysis is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to self-insurance. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur could materially change the financial statements.

We believe the following critical accounting policy reflects our more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

Self-Insurance. We are self-insured for certain losses related to worker’s compensation, general liability and vehicle claims for amounts up to a deductible per occurrence. Our reserve is developed based on historical claims data and contains an actuarially developed incurred but not reported component. The resulting estimate is discounted and recorded as a liability. Our actuarial assumptions and discount rates are reviewed periodically and compared with actual claims experience and external benchmarks to ensure appropriateness. A one-percentage-point change in the actuarial assumption for the discount rate would impact 2019 expense for insurance by approximately $72,000, a 1.0% change.

21

We are primarily self-insured for employee group health care claims. We have purchased insurance coverage in order to establish certain limits to our exposure on a per claim basis. We record an accrual for the estimated amount of self-insured health care claims incurred by all participants but not yet reported (IBNR) using an actuarial method of applying a development factor to the reported monthly claims amounts. The Company's risk management and accounting management utilize a consistent methodology which involves various assumptions, judgment and other factors. The most significant factors which impact the determination of a required accrual are the historical pattern of the timeliness of claims processing, any changes in the nature or types of benefit plans, changes in the plan benefit designs, and medical trends and inflation. Historical experience is continually monitored, and accruals are adjusted when warranted by changes in facts and circumstances. The Company believes that the total health care cost accruals are reasonable and adequate to cover future payments on incurred claims.

ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in the value of financial instruments.  The risk of loss is assessed based on the likelihood of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows or future earnings.

In the ordinary course of business, we are exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates. To manage the exposure related to this risk, we may use various derivative transactions. As a matter of policy, we do not engage in derivatives trading or other speculative activities. Moreover, we enter into financial instruments transactions with either major financial institutions or high credit-rated counterparties, thereby limiting exposure to credit and performance-related risks.

We have never had any borrowings under our Credit Agreement. We have exposure to floating interest rates through our Credit Agreement since interest expense related to any borrowings will fluctuate with changes in LIBOR and other benchmark rates. We do not believe a 100-basis point change in interest rates would have a significant adverse impact on our operating results or financial position.

LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms and other pressure may cause LIBOR to disappear entirely or to perform differently than in the past. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted but, as noted above, could impact the interest earned on our investments and our interest expense. If LIBOR is no longer widely available, or otherwise at our option, we will pursue alternative interest rate calculations in our Credit Agreement and other financial instruments.

ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, the Consolidated Financial Statements of Havertys and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and the supplementary financial information called for by this Item 8, are set forth on pages F-1 to F-23 of this report.  Specific financial statements and supplementary data can be found at the pages listed in the following index:

Index
Page
Financial Statements
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Consolidated
 Financial Statements
 
F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets
F-2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-6
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
F-23

22

ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not Applicable.


ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of providing reasonable assurance that the information we must disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
(b) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2019.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K and, as part of their audit, has issued their report, included herein, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.
(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  During the fourth quarter of 2019, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

23

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.

Opinion on internal control over financial reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (a Maryland corporation) and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, and our report dated March 5, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
March 5, 2020
24


ITEM 9B.   OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We have adopted a Code of Conduct (the “Code”) for our directors, officers (including our principal executive officer, and principal financial and accounting officer) and employees. The Code is available on our website at www.havertys.com. In the event we amend or waive any provisions of the Code applicable to our principal executive officer or principal financial and accounting officer, we will disclose the same by filing a Form 8-K. The information contained on or connected to our Internet website is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report that we file or furnish to the SEC.

We provide some information about our executive officers in Part I of this report under the heading “Executive Officers and Certain Significant Employees of the Registrant.” The remaining information called for by this item is incorporated by reference to “Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance,” “Board and Committees” and “Other Information – Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our 2020 Proxy Statement.

ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information contained in our 2020 Proxy Statement with respect to executive compensation and transactions under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information contained in our 2020 Proxy Statement with respect to the ownership of common stock and Class A common stock by certain beneficial owners and management, and with respect to our compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance under the headings “Ownership of Company Stock by Directors and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information,” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

For purposes of determining the aggregate market value of our common stock and Class A common stock held by non-affiliates, shares held by all directors and executive officers have been excluded. The exclusion of such shares is not intended to, and shall not, constitute a determination as to which persons or entities may be “affiliates” as defined under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information contained in our 2020 Proxy Statement with respect to certain relationships, related party transactions and director independence under the headings “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance – Director Independence” is incorporated herein by reference in response to this item.

ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information under the heading “Audit Fees and Related Matters” in our 2020 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference to this item.

25

PART IV

ITEM 15.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)   (1)  Financial Statements. The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity – Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2)  Financial Statement Schedule.

The following financial statement schedule of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. is filed as part of this Report and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements:

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules have been omitted because they are inapplicable, or the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

      (3)  Exhibits:

Reference is made to Item 15(b) of this Report.

Each exhibit identified below is filed as part of this report.  Exhibits not incorporated by reference to a prior filing are designated by an “*” all exhibits not so designated are incorporated herein by reference to a prior filing as indicated.  Exhibits designated with a “+” constitute a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.  Our SEC File Number is 1-14445 for all exhibits filed with the Securities Exchange Act reports.

Exhibit No.
Exhibit
 
3.1
 
3.2
 
*4.1
 
10.1
 

26

Exhibit No.
Exhibit
10.2
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., Class A Shareholders Agreement (the “Agreement”), made as of June 5, 2012, by and among, Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., Villa Clare Partners, L.P., Clarence H. Smith, H5, L.P., Rawson Haverty, Jr., Ridge Partners, L.P. and Frank S. McGaughey (Exhibit 10.1 to our Form 8-K filed June 8, 2012); Parties added to the Agreement and Revised Annex I as of November 1, 2012 – Marital Trust FOB Margaret M. Haverty and Marital Trust B FOB Margaret M. Haverty;  Parties added to the Agreement as of December 11, 2012 – Margaret Munnerlyn Haverty Revocable Trust (Exhibit 10.1 to our First Quarter 2013 Form 10-Q); Parties added to the Agreement as of July 5, 2013 – Richard McGaughey (Exhibit 10.1 to our Second Quarter 2013 Form 10-Q); Amendment to Class A Shareholders Agreement, as of December 30, 2016 (Exhibit 10.2.1 to our 2016 Form 10-K).
 
+10.3  
+10.4
 
+10.5
 
+10.6
 
+10.7
 
+10.8
 
+10.8.1
 
+10.9
 
+10.10
 
+10.11
 
+10.12
Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Notice, Form of Performance Restricted Stock Units (EBITDA) Award Notice and Form of Performance Restricted Units (Sales) Award Notice in connection with the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan. (Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28, 2016).
 
+10.13
Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Notice, Form of Performance Restricted Stock Units (EBITDA) Award Notice and Form of Performance Restricted Units (Sales) Award Notice in connection with the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan. (Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 3, 2017).
 


27

Exhibit No.
Exhibit
+10.14
Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Notice, Form of Performance Restricted Stock Units (EBITDA) Award Notice and Form of Performance Restricted Units (Sales) Award Notice in connection with the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan. (Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 2, 2018).
 
+10.15
 
+10.16
 
+10.17
Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Notice, Form of Performance Restricted Stock Units (EBITDA) Award Notice and Form of Performance Restricted Units (Sales) Award Notice in connection with the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan. (Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 29, 2020).
 
+10.18
 
  10.19
Lease Agreement dated July 26, 2001; Amendment No. 1 dated November 2001 and Amendment No. 2 dated July 29, 2002 between Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. as Tenant and John W. Rooker, LLC as Landlord (Exhibit 10.1 to our 2002 Third Quarter Form 10-Q).  Amendment No. 3 dated July 29, 2005 and Amendment No. 4 dated January 22, 2006 between Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. as Tenant and ELFP Jackson, LLC as successor in interest to John W. Rooker, LLC as Landlord (Exhibit 10.15.1 to our 2006 Form 10-K). Fifth Amendment entered into as of December 3, 2018 to Lease Agreement dated July 26, 2001, as amended by and between 1090 Broadway Avenue Distribution Investors, LLC, as successor in interest to ELFP Jackson, LLC as Landlord and Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc., as Tenant. (Exhibit 10.21.1 to our 2018 Form 10-K).
 
  10.20
 
  10.21
 
  10.22
   *21
*23.1
*31.1
*31.2
*32.1

28


Exhibit No.
Exhibit
 *101
The following financial information from our Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31 2019, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended  December 31, 2019 and 2018, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary
Not Applicable.
29

SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on March 5, 2020.

 
HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC.
 
 
By:
/s/ CLARENCE H. SMITH
   
Clarence H. Smith
   
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated, on March 5, 2020.

/s/ CLARENCE H. SMITH
     
/s/ RICHARD B. HARE
Clarence H. Smith
Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer
 (principal executive officer)
     
Richard B. Hare
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
         

/s/ L. ALLISON DUKES
     
/s/ MYLLE H. MANGUM
L. Allison Dukes
Director
     
Mylle H. Mangum
Director
         
         
/s/ JOHN T. GLOVER
     
/s/ VICKI R. PALMER
John T. Glover
Lead Director
     
Vicki R. Palmer
Director
         
         
/s/ RAWSON HAVERTY, JR.
     
/s/ G. THOMAS HOUGH
Rawson Haverty, Jr.
Director
     
G. Thomas Hough
Director
         
         
/s/ AL TRUJILLO
       
Al Trujillo
Director
       


30


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


Board of Directors and Stockholders
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.

Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (a Maryland corporation) and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule included under Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated March 5, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Change in accounting principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases.

Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2016.

Atlanta, Georgia
March 5, 2020
F-1


HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
December 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2019
   
2018
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
75,739
   
$
71,537
 
Restricted cash equivalents
   
6,663
     
8,272
 
Accounts receivable, net
   
1,527
     
1,833
 
Inventories
   
104,817
     
105,840
 
Prepaid expenses
   
7,652
     
8,106
 
Other current assets
   
8,125
     
6,262
 
Total current assets
   
204,523
     
201,850
 
Accounts receivable, long-term, net
   
195
     
226
 
Property and equipment, net
   
156,534
     
216,852
 
Right-of-use lease assets
   
175,474
     
 
Deferred income taxes
   
13,198
     
12,544
 
Other assets
   
10,148
     
8,707
 
Total assets
 
$
560,072
   
$
440,179
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
 
$
27,830
   
$
19,840
 
Customer deposits
   
30,121
     
24,465
 
Accrued liabilities
   
39,654
     
39,903
 
Current lease liabilities
   
29,411
     
 
Current portion of lease obligations
   
     
4,018
 
Total current liabilities
   
127,016
     
88,226
 
Noncurrent lease liabilities
   
149,594
     
 
Lease obligations, less current portion
   
     
46,785
 
Other liabilities
   
22,959
     
30,539
 
Total liabilities
   
299,569
     
165,550
 
Stockholders’ equity
               
Capital Stock, par value $1 per share
               
Preferred Stock, Authorized – 1,000 shares; Issued:  None
               
Common Stock, Authorized – 50,000 shares; Issued: 2019 – 29,431; 2018 – 29,079
   
29,431
     
29,079
 
Convertible Class A Common Stock, Authorized – 15,000 shares; Issued: 2019 – 2,054; 2018 – 2,280
   
2,054
     
2,280
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
93,208
     
91,394
 
Retained earnings
   
295,999
     
282,366
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(2,087
)
   
(1,465
)
Less treasury stock at cost – Common Stock (2019 – 11,850; 2018 – 10,300) and Convertible Class A Common Stock (2019 and 2018 – 522)
   
(158,102
)
   
(129,025
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
260,503
     
274,629
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
560,072
   
$
440,179
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-2

HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Net sales
 
$
802,291
   
$
817,733
   
$
819,866
 
Cost of goods sold
   
367,803
     
371,191
     
374,943
 
Gross profit
   
434,488
     
446,542
     
444,923
 
Credit service charges
   
79
     
103
     
161
 
Gross profit and other revenue
   
434,567
     
446,645
     
445,084
 
                         
Expenses:
                       
Selling, general and administrative
   
407,456
     
404,856
     
402,884
 
Provision for doubtful accounts
   
90
     
68
     
224
 
Other income, net
   
(416
)
   
(110
)
   
(3,358
)
Total expenses
   
407,130
     
404,814
     
399,750
 
                         
Income before interest and income taxes
   
27,437
     
41,831
     
45,334
 
Interest (income) expense, net
   
(1,287
)
   
1,423
     
2,111
 
Income before income taxes
   
28,724
     
40,408
     
43,223
 
Income tax expense
   
6,859
     
10,101
     
22,148
 
Net income
 
$
21,865
   
$
30,307
   
$
21,075
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
                       
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments; net of tax expense (benefit) of $(238), $226 and $(105)
 
$
(622
)
 
$
679
   
$
(314
)
                         
Comprehensive income
 
$
21,243
   
$
30,986
   
$
20,761
 
                         
Basic earnings per share:
                       
Common Stock
 
$
1.10
   
$
1.45
   
$
1.00
 
Class A Common Stock
 
$
1.04
   
$
1.39
   
$
0.95
 
                         
Diluted earnings per share:
                       
Common Stock
 
$
1.08
   
$
1.42
   
$
0.98
 
Class A Common Stock
 
$
1.03
   
$
1.39
   
$
0.94
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3


HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
   
Shares
   
Dollars
   
Shares
   
Dollars
   
Shares
   
Dollars
 
COMMON STOCK:
                                   
Beginning balance
   
29,079
   
$
29,079
     
28,950
   
$
28,950
     
28,793
   
$
28,793
 
Conversion of Class A Common Stock
   
226
     
226
     
10
     
10
     
50
     
50
 
Stock compensation transactions, net
   
126
     
126
     
119
     
119
     
107
     
107
 
Ending balance
   
29,431
     
29,431
     
29,079
     
29,079
     
28,950
     
28,950
 
CLASS A COMMON STOCK:
                                               
Beginning balance
   
2,280
     
2,280
     
2,290
     
2,290
     
2,340
     
2,340
 
Conversion to Common Stock
   
(226
)
   
(226
)
   
(10
)
   
(10
)
   
(50
)
   
(50
)
Ending balance
   
2,054
     
2,054
     
2,280
     
2,280
     
2,290
     
2,290
 
TREASURY STOCK:
                                               
Beginning balance (includes 522,410 shares Class A Stock for each of the years presented; remainder are Common Stock)
   
(10,822
)
   
(129,025
)
   
(10,020
)
   
(111,322
)
   
(10,028
)
   
(111,412
)
Directors’ Compensation Plan
   
55
     
680
     
88
     
1,029
     
8
     
90
 
Purchases
   
(1,605
)
   
(29,757
)
   
(890
)
   
(18,732
)
   
     
 
Ending balance
   
12,372
     
(158,102
)
   
(10,822
)
   
(129,025
)
   
(10,020
)
   
(111,322
)
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL:
                                               
Beginning balance
           
91,394
             
88,978
             
86,273
 
Stock option and restricted stock issuances
           
(1,568
)
           
(1,352
)
           
(1,662
)
Directors’ Compensation Plan
           
(53
)
           
(590
)
           
549
 
Stock-based compensation
           
3,435
             
4,358
             
3,818
 
Ending balance
           
93,208
             
91,394
             
88,978
 
RETAINED EARNINGS:
                                               
Beginning balance
           
282,366
             
287,390
             
277,707
 
Impact of adoption of new accounting pronouncement
           
6,824
             
133
             
 
Net income
           
21,865
             
30,307
             
21,075
 
Cash dividends
(Common Stock: 2019 - $0.76; 2018 – $1.72; and 2017 – $ 0.54; per share Class A Common Stock: 2019 - $0.72; 2018 – $1.63 and 2017- $0.51 per share)
           
(15,056
)
           
(35,464
)
           
(11,392
)
Ending balance
           
295,999
             
282,366
             
287,390
 
                                                 
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
                                               
Beginning balance
           
(1,465
)
           
(2,144
)
           
(1,830
)
Pension liabilities adjustment,
  net of taxes
           
(622
)
           
679
             
(314
)
Ending balance
           
(2,087
)
           
(1,465
)
           
(2,144
)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
         
$
260,503
           
$
274,629
           
$
294,142
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-4

HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

   
Year ended December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                 
Net income
 
$
21,865
   
$
30,307
   
$
21,075
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
   
20,596
     
29,806
     
30,516
 
Net loss on asset impairment
   
2,415
     
     
 
Stock-based compensation
   
3,435
     
4,358
     
3,818
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(2,691
)
   
(439
)
   
5,559
 
Provision for doubtful accounts
   
90
     
68
     
224
 
Gain on insurance recovery
   
     
(307
)
   
(2,848
)
Proceeds from insurance recovery received for business interruption and destroyed inventory
   
     
266
     
2,867
 
Other
   
616
     
863
     
82
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
   
247
     
535
     
1,820
 
Inventories
   
1,023
     
(2,403
)
   
(2,112
)
Customer deposits
   
5,656
     
(3,348
)
   
2,890
 
Other assets and liabilities
   
1,586
     
9,196
     
(932
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
8,581
     
1,490
     
(10,502
)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
   
63,419
     
70,392
     
52,457
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Capital expenditures
   
(16,841
)
   
(21,473
)
   
(24,465
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
   
2,270
     
2,446
     
951
 
Proceeds from insurance for destroyed property and equipment
   
     
55
     
1,987
 
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
   
(14,571
)
   
(18,972
)
   
(21,527
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facilities
   
     
     
 
Payments of borrowings under revolving credit facilities
   
     
     
 
Net change in borrowings under revolving credit facilities
   
     
     
 
Construction allowance receipts
   
     
     
1,590
 
Payments on lease obligations
   
     
(3,788
)
   
(3,482
)
Dividends paid
   
(15,056
)
   
(35,464
)
   
(11,392
)
Common stock repurchased
   
(29,757
)
   
(18,732
)
   
 
Taxes on vested restricted shares
   
(1,442
)
   
(1,233
)
   
(1,555
)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities
   
(46,255
)
   
(59,217
)
   
(14,839
)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Equivalents
   
2,593
     
(7,797
)
   
16,091
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
   
79,809
     
87,606
     
71,515
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Equivalents at End of Year
 
$
82,402
   
$
79,809
   
$
87,606
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1, Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

Business:
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (“Havertys,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a retailer of a broad line of residential furniture in the middle to upper-middle price ranges. We have 121 showrooms in 16 states at December 31, 2019. All of our stores are operated using the Havertys name and we do not franchise our stores.  We offer financing through third-party finance companies as well as an internal revolving charge credit plan.

Basis of Presentation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Havertys and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States of America generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Leases. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02 which amended various aspects of existing guidance for leases including FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 840, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising from a lease for both financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The main difference between ASU 2016-02 and previous U.S. GAAP is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous U.S. GAAP. As a result, we have recognized a liability representing our lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing our right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. We adopted the requirements of the new lease standard effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method and have not restated comparative periods.

We elected the transition package of three practical expedients permitted within the standard, which eliminates the requirements to reassess prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining lease term and impairment of right-of-use assets. Further, we elected a short-term lease exception policy, permitting us to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less). For our real property leases, we did not elect the accounting policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component.  
The cumulative effect of the significant changes made to our consolidated January 1, 2019 balance sheet for the adoption of the new standard were as follows:
(in thousands)
 
Balance at
December 31, 2018
   
Adjustments for New Standard
   
Balance at
January 1, 2019
 
Property and income, net
 
$
216,852
   
$
(53,519
)
 
$
163,333
 
Right-of-use lease assets
   
     
177,868
     
177,868
 
Deferred income taxes - asset
   
12,544
     
(2,275
)
   
10,269
 
Lease liabilities
   
     
175,377
     
175,377
 
Lease obligations
   
50,803
     
(50,803
)
   
 
Other liabilities
   
30,539
     
(9,470
)
   
21,069
 
Retained earnings
   
282,366
     
6,824
     
289,190
 

Since we are not restating prior periods as part of adopting this guidance, our results in 2019 are not directly comparable to our results for periods before 2019. Specifically, for those leases that were previously recognized on our balance sheet prior to 2019, their associated depreciation and interest expense will be characterized as rent expense. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 had an immaterial impact on our consolidated statement of income and our consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2019.

F-6

Cash and Cash Equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents includes all liquid investments with a maturity date of less than three months when purchased. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for credit and debit card transactions which typically settle within five days.

Restricted Cash Equivalents:
Our insurance carrier requires us to collateralize a portion of our workers’ compensation obligations.  These funds are investments in money market funds held by an agent. The agreement with our carrier governing these funds is on an annual basis expiring on December 31.

Inventories:
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.

Property and Equipment:
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Leasehold improvements and buildings under lease are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term of the related asset. Amortization of buildings under lease is included in depreciation expense. See Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, Leases above.

Estimated useful lives for financial reporting purposes are as follows:

Buildings
25 – 33 years
Improvements
5 – 15 years
Furniture and Fixtures
3 – 15 years
Equipment
3 – 15 years
Buildings under lease
15 years

Customer Deposits:
Customer deposits consist of cash collections on sales of undelivered merchandise, customer advance payments, and deposits on credit sales for undelivered merchandise.

Revenue Recognition:
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606).

Fiscal 2018 and Subsequent Periods. We recognize revenue from merchandise sales and related service fees, net of expected returns and sales tax, at the time the merchandise is delivered to the customer. The liability for sales returns, including the impact on gross profit, is estimated based on historical return levels and recognized at the transaction price. We also recognize a return asset, and corresponding adjustment to cost of sales, for our right to recover the goods returned by the customer, measured at the former carrying amount of the goods, less any expected recovery cost. At each financial reporting date, we assess our estimates of expected returns, refund liabilities, and return assets.  When we receive payment from customers before delivery of merchandise, the amount received is recorded as a customer deposit.

Net sales also includes amounts generated by product protection plans. We act as an agent for these sales and the service is provided by a third-party. Revenue, net of related costs, is recognized at the time the covered merchandise is delivered to the customer. We do not sell gift cards or have a loyalty program.

We finance less than 1% of sales.  We do not adjust the promised consideration for the effects of a significant financing component since receivables from financed sales are typically paid within one year of delivery.

F-7

We expense sales commissions within SG&A at the time revenue is recognized because the amortization period would be one year or less.  We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations because delivery is made within one year of the customer purchase.

Fiscal 2017. We recognize revenue from merchandise sales and related service fees, net of estimated returns and sales tax, at the time the merchandise is delivered to the customer. The liability for sales returns, including the impact to gross profit, is estimated based on historical return levels. Net sales also includes revenue generated by sales of product protection plans. We act as an agent for these sales and the service is provided by a third-party. Revenue is recognized at the time the covered merchandise is delivered to the customer. When we receive payment from customers before delivery of merchandise, the amount received is recorded as a customer deposit.

Cost of Goods Sold:
Our cost of goods sold includes the direct costs of products sold, warehouse handling and transportation costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
Our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses are comprised of advertising, selling, occupancy, delivery and administrative costs as well as certain warehouse expenses. The costs associated with our purchasing, warehousing, delivery and other distribution costs included in SG&A expense were approximately $77,668,000, $80,383,000 and $77,368,000 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Leases:
Fiscal 2019. We determine if an arrangement contains a lease in whole or in part at the inception of the contract. Right-of-use (ROU) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term while lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. All leases greater than 12 months result in the recognition of a ROU asset and a liability at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide the information required to determine the implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. We use the implicit rate when readily determinable.

Our lease terms include all non-cancelable periods and may include options to extend (or to not terminate) the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Leases that have a term of 12 months or less at the commencement date are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term and do not result in the recognition of an asset or a liability.

Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, primarily related to real estate and we account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.  See Note 9, "Leases," for additional information.

Fiscal 2018 and 2017. In the case of certain leased stores, we may be deemed the “owner” for accounting purposes during the construction period and are required to capitalize the total fair market value of the portion of the leased property we use, excluding land, on our consolidated balance sheet. Following construction completion, we perform an analysis under ASC 840, Leases, to determine if we can apply sale-leaseback accounting. We have determined that each of the leases remaining on our consolidated balance sheet did not qualify for such accounting treatment.  In conjunction with these leases, we also record financing obligations equal to the landlord reimbursements and fair market value of the assets. We do not report rent expense for the properties which are owned for accounting purposes. Rather, rental payments under the lease are recognized as a reduction of the financing obligation and interest expense. Depreciation expense is also recognized on the leased asset.

Certain of our operating leases contain predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rentals during the term of the lease. For these leases, we recognize the related rental expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, beginning with the point at which we obtain control and possession of the leased properties, and record the difference between the amounts charged to operations and amounts paid as accrued liabilities. The liability for deferred escalating minimum rent approximated $7,608,000 at December 31, 2018. Any operating lease incentives we receive are deferred and subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as a reduction of rent expense. The liability for lease incentives approximated $1,209,000 at December 31, 2018.

F-8

Advertising Expense:
Advertising costs, which include television, radio, newspaper, digital, and other media advertising, are expensed upon first showing. The total amount of prepaid advertising costs included in other current assets was approximately $181,000 and $746,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We incurred approximately $49,724,000, $48,315,000 and $47,921,000 in advertising expense during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Interest (Income) Expense, net:
Interest income is generated by our cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents. Interest expense is comprised of amounts incurred related to our debt and lease obligations recorded on our balance sheet. The total amount of interest expense was approximately $152,000, $2,451,000 and $2,512,000 during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Other Income, net:
Other income, net includes any gains or losses on sales of property and equipment and miscellaneous income or expense items outside of core operations. The sale of former retail locations and other operating assets generated losses of $425,000 in 2018 and gains of $525,000 in 2017. During 2017 we also recorded $2,851,000 in gains from insured losses related to store damage, including property losses from Hurricane Irma.

Self-Insurance:
We are self-insured, for amounts up to a deductible per occurrence, for losses related to general liability, workers’ compensation and vehicle claims. We are primarily self-insured for employee group health care claims. We have purchased insurance coverage in order to establish certain limits to our exposure on a per claim basis. We maintain an accrual for these costs based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported or paid, based on historical data and actuarial estimates. The current portion of these self-insurance reserves is included in accrued liabilities and the non-current portion is included in other liabilities. These reserves totaled $7,802,000 and $8,933,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments:
The fair values of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and customer deposits approximate their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature. The assets that are related to our self-directed, non-qualified deferred compensation plans for certain executives and employees are valued using quoted market prices, a Level 1 valuation technique.  The assets totaled approximately $7,540,000 and $5,995,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and are included in other assets. The related liability of the same amount is included in other liabilities.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:
We review long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment is identified, we evaluate the long-lived assets at the individual property or store level, which is the lowest level at which individual cash flows can be identified. We evaluate right-of-use assets at the same level and exclude operating lease liabilities when evaluating for impairment. When evaluating assets for potential impairment, we first compare the carrying amount of the asset to the store’s estimated future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges).  If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss calculation is prepared. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying amount of the asset to the store’s assets’ estimated fair value, which is determined on the basis of fair value for similar assets or discounted future cash flows. If required, an impairment loss is recorded in SG&A expense for the difference in the asset’s carrying value and the asset’s estimated fair value. An impairment loss of $2,415,000 for a retail store was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2019 and no impairment losses were recorded in 2018 or 2017.

F-9

Earnings Per Share:
We report our earnings per share using the two-class method. The income per share for each class of common stock is calculated assuming 100% of our earnings are distributed as dividends to each class of common stock based on their contractual rights. See Note 15 for the computational components of basic and diluted earnings per share.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”), net of income taxes, was comprised of unrecognized retirement liabilities totaling approximately $2,087,000 and $1,465,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. See Note 13 for the amounts reclassified out of AOCI to SG&A expense related to our supplemental executive retirement plan.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:
Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the FASB in the form of ASUs to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. We considered the applicability and impact of all ASUs. We assessed and determined none were either applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Note 2, Revenues and Segment Reporting

The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by each major product category and service for each of the last three years (dollars in thousands, amounts and percentages may not always add due to rounding):

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
   
Net Sales
   
% of
Net Sales
   
Net Sales
   
% of
Net Sales
   
Net Sales
   
% of Net Sales
 
Merchandise:
                                   
Case Goods
                                   
Bedroom Furniture
 
$
127,500
     
15.9
%
 
$
131,673
     
16.1
%
 
$
132,484
     
16.2
%
Dining Room Furniture
   
88,877
     
11.1
     
92,865
     
11.4
     
92,921
     
11.3
 
Occasional
   
65,565
     
8.2
     
72,193
     
8.8
     
75,909
     
9.2
 
     
281,942
     
35.1
     
296,731
     
36.3
     
301,314
     
36.7
 
Upholstery
   
321,024
     
40.0
     
326,114
     
39.9
     
330,340
     
40.3
 
Mattresses
   
90,583
     
11.3
     
85,055
     
10.4
     
88,311
     
10.8
 
Accessories and Other (1)
   
108,742
     
13.6
     
109,833
     
13.4
     
99,901
     
12.2
 
   
$
802,291
     
100.0
%
 
$
817,733
     
100.0
%
 
$
819,866
     
100.0
%

(1)  Includes delivery charges and product protection.

Estimated refunds for returns and allowances are recorded based on estimated margin using our historical return patterns. We record estimated refunds for sales returns on a gross basis and the carrying value of the return asset is presented separately from inventory. Estimated return inventory of $765,000 and $730,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is included in the line item “Other current assets” and the estimated refund liability of $2,023,000 and $1,950,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is included in the line item “Accrued liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We record customer deposits when payments are received in advance of the delivery of merchandise, which totaled $30,121,000 and $24,465,000 at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Of the customer deposit liabilities at December 31, 2018, approximately $24,389,000 has been recognized through net sales in the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

F-10

We typically offer our customers an opportunity for us to deliver their purchases and most choose this service. Delivery fees of approximately $34,580,000, $34,405,000 and $25,728,000 were charged to customers in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are included in net sales. The costs associated with deliveries are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and were approximately $39,796,000, $40,236,000 and $39,582,000 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Credit service charges are recognized as revenue as assessed to customers according to contract terms. The costs associated with credit approval, account servicing and collections are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

We operate within a single reportable segment. We use a market area approach for both financial and operational decision making. Each of these market areas are considered individual operating segments.  The individual operating segments all have similar economic characteristics. The retail stores within the market areas are similar in size and carry substantially identical products selected for the same target customer.  We also use the same distribution methods chain-wide.

Note 3, Accounts Receivable:

Amounts financed under our in-house credit programs, as a percent of net sales including sales tax, were approximately 0.4% in 2019, 0.5% in 2018 and 0.6% in 2017. The credit program selected most often by our customers is “12 months no interest with equal monthly payments.”  The terms of the other programs vary as to payment terms (30 days to three years) and interest rates (0% to 21%). The receivables are collateralized by the merchandise sold.

Accounts receivable balances resulting from certain credit promotions have scheduled payment amounts which extend beyond one year. These receivable balances have been historically collected earlier than the scheduled dates. The amounts due per the scheduled payment dates approximate as follows: $1,641,000 in 2020, $184,000 in 2021, $37,000 in 2022 and $20,000 in 2023 for receivables outstanding at December 31, 2019.

Accounts receivable are shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately $160,000 and $175,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We provide an allowance utilizing a methodology which considers the balances in problem and delinquent categories of accounts, historical write-offs, existing economic conditions and management judgment. We assess the adequacy of the allowance account at the end of each quarter.  Interest assessments are continued on past-due accounts but no “interest on interest” is recorded. Delinquent accounts are generally written off automatically after the passage of nine months without receiving a full scheduled monthly payment. Accounts are written off sooner in the event of a discharged bankruptcy or other circumstances that make further collections unlikely.

We believe that the carrying value of existing customer receivables, net of allowances, approximates fair value because of their short average maturity. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to customer receivables are limited due to the large number of customers comprising our account base and their dispersion across 16 states.

Note 4, Inventories:

Inventories are measured using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuation because it results in a better matching of current costs and revenues. The excess of current costs over our carrying value of inventories was approximately $21,758,000 and $19,947,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The use of the LIFO valuation method as compared to the FIFO method had a negative impact on our cost of goods sold of approximately $1,811,000 in 2019, $770,000 in 2018, and $1,231,000 in 2017.  During 2019 and 2018, there were liquidations of LIFO inventory layers. The effect of the liquidations (included in the preceding LIFO impact amounts) decreased cost of goods sold by immaterial amounts.  We believe this information is meaningful to the users of these consolidated financial statements for analyzing the effects of price changes, for better understanding our financial position and for comparing such effects with other companies.

F-11

Note 5, Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment are summarized as follows:
(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
 
Land and improvements
 
$
44,044
   
$
44,541
 
Buildings and improvements
   
243,386
     
273,633
 
Furniture and fixtures
   
83,801
     
86,235
 
Equipment
   
52,687
     
51,833
 
Buildings under lease
   
     
56,902
 
Construction in progress
   
497
     
404
 
     
424,415
     
513,548
 
Less accumulated depreciation
   
(267,881
)
   
(274,078
)
Less accumulated lease amortization
   
     
(22,618
)
Property and equipment, net
 
$
156,534
   
$
216,852
 

See Note 1, Recently Adopted Accounting Principles, Leases.

Note 6, Credit Arrangement:

In September 2019 we entered into the Second Amendment to our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with a bank.  The Credit Agreement amends our credit facility to extend the maturity date to September 27, 2024 from March 31, 2021 and change certain collateral reporting requirements.  We have not had any borrowings under the facility since its origination in 2008.

The Credit Agreement is a $60.0 million revolving credit facility secured by our inventory, accounts receivable, cash, and certain other personal property. Availability fluctuates based on a borrowing base calculation reduced by outstanding letters of credit. Amounts available to borrow are based on the lesser of the borrowing base or the $60.0 million-line amount. The credit facility contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur certain types of debt or liens, enter into mergers and consolidations or use proceeds of borrowing for other than permitted uses. The covenants also limit our ability to pay dividends if unused availability is less than $12.5 million.

The borrowing base was $54.3 million at December 31, 2019 and there were no outstanding letters of credit, accordingly, the net availability was $54.3 million. 

F-12


Note 7, Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities:
Accrued liabilities and other liabilities consist of the following:

(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
 
Accrued liabilities:
           
Employee compensation, related taxes and benefits
 
$
12,405
   
$
12,628
 
Taxes other than income and withholding
   
8,483
     
8,700
 
Self-insurance reserves
   
5,346
     
6,143
 
Other
   
13,420
     
12,432
 
   
$
39,654
   
$
39,903
 
Other liabilities:
               
Straight-line lease liability
 
$
   
$
7,608
 
Self-insurance reserves
   
2,456
     
2,790
 
Other
   
20,503
     
20,141
 
   
$
22,959
   
$
30,539
 

Note 8, Income Taxes:

On December 22, 2017, the President signed into Public Law No. 115-97, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act contains significant changes to corporate taxes, including a permanent reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Act’s other major changes applicable to Havertys include the elimination of certain deductions and an enhanced and extended option to claim accelerated depreciation deductions on qualified property.

We remeasured deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 25%. At December 31, 2017, we recorded an additional expense of $5,868,000 for the effects on our existing deferred tax balances related to the remeasurement of our deferred tax balance.

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:
(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Current
                 
Federal
 
$
7,701
   
$
8,422
   
$
14,239
 
State
   
1,849
     
2,118
     
2,350
 
     
9,550
     
10,540
     
16,589
 
Deferred
                       
Federal
   
(2,217
)
   
(232
)
   
5,829
 
State
   
(474
)
   
(207
)
   
(270
)
     
(2,691
)
   
(439
)
   
5,559
 
   
$
6,859
   
$
10,101
   
$
22,148
 

F-13


The differences between income tax expense in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the amount computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate are as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Statutory rates applied to income before income taxes
 
$
6,032
   
$
8,486
   
$
15,129
 
State income taxes, net of Federal tax benefit
   
1,149
     
1,616
     
1,306
 
Net permanent differences
   
228
     
220
     
95
 
Other
   
(132
)
   
(221
)
   
(250
)
Leases
   
(418
)
   
     
 
Tax Act, net impact
   
     
     
5,868
 
                         
   
$
6,859
   
$
10,101
   
$
22,148
 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The amounts in the following table are grouped based on broad categories of items that generate the deferred tax assets and liabilities.

(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Accounts receivable
 
$
545
   
$
530
 
Property and equipment
   
10,517
     
7,584
 
Lease Liabilities
   
44,751
     
 
Leases
   
     
4,135
 
Accrued liabilities
   
9,386
     
8,172
 
Retirement benefits
   
504
     
266
 
Other
   
50
     
56
 
Total deferred tax assets
   
65,753
     
20,743
 
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Inventory related
   
7,912
     
7,649
 
Right-of-use lease assets
   
44,152
     
 
Other
   
491
     
550
 
Total deferred tax liabilities
   
52,555
     
8,199
 
Net deferred tax assets
 
$
13,198
   
$
12,544
 

We review our deferred tax assets to determine the need for a valuation allowance. Based on evidence, we conclude that it is more-likely-than-not that our deferred tax assets will be realized and therefore a valuation allowance is not required.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and local jurisdictions. With respect to U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions, with limited exceptions, we are no longer subject to income tax audits for years before 2015.

Uncertain Tax Positions
Interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions, if any, are recognized as components of income tax expense.  No amounts for uncertain tax positions were recorded for the years currently open under statute of limitations.


F-14


Note 9 – Leases

We have operating leases for offices, warehouses, and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of between 1 year and 14 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 20 years. We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at lease inception. Our leases do not have any residual value guarantees or any restrictions or covenants imposed by lessors. We have lease agreements for real estate with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for separately.
As of December 31, 2019, we have entered into two leases for additional retail locations which have not yet commenced.  Neither of these locations are under construction.
The table below presents the operating lease assets and liabilities recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):


   
December 31, 2019
 
Operating Lease Assets:
     
Right-of use lease assets
 
$
175,474
 
Operating Lease Liabilities:
       
Current lease liabilities
 
$
29,411
 
Non-current lease liabilities
   
149,594
 
 Total operating lease liabilities
   
179,005
 

Our leases generally do not provide an implicit rate, and therefore we use our incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate when measuring operating lease liabilities. The incremental borrowing rate represents an estimate of the interest rate we would incur at lease commencement to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over the term of the lease. We used incremental borrowing rates as of January 1, 2019 for operating leases that commenced prior to that date.
The weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for operating leases as of December 31, 2019 are:

   
December 31, 2019
 
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
     
Operating leases
 
7.2 years
 
Weighted Average Discount Rate
     
Operating leases
   
6.61
%

The table below reconciles the undiscounted future minimum lease payments (displayed by year and in the aggregate) under noncancelable leases with terms of more than one year to the total lease liabilities recognized on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 (in thousands):

   
Operating Leases
 
2020
 
$
40,228
 
2021
   
38,479
 
2022
   
33,083
 
2023
   
26,532
 
2024
   
20,349
 
Thereafter
   
78,024
 
   Total undiscounted future minimum lease payments
   
236,695
 
Less: difference between undiscounted lease payments and discounted operating lease liabilities
   
(57,690
)
  Total operating lease liabilities
 
$
179,005
 
F-15


Certain of our lease agreements for retail stores include variable lease payments, generally based on sales volume.  The variable portion of payments are not included in the initial measurement of the right‑of-use asset or lease liability due to uncertainty of the payment amount and are recorded as lease expense in the period incurred. Certain of our equipment lease agreements include variable lease costs, generally based on usage of the underlying asset (mileage, fuel, etc.). The variable portion of payments are not included in the initial measurement of the right-of-use asset or lease liability due to uncertainty of the payment amount and are recorded as lease expense in the period incurred.
Components of lease expense for the year ended December 31 were as follows:
(in thousands)
 
2019
 
Operating lease cost
 
$
41,681
 
Short-term lease cost
   
90
 
Variable lease cost
   
5,653
 
    Total lease expense
 
$
47,424
 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the year ended December 31 is as follows:
(In thousands)
 
2019
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
     
Operating cash flows from operating leases
 
$
40,403
 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
       
Operating leases
 
$
31,888
 

Future minimum lease payments for operating leases accounted for under ASC 840 “Leases,” with remaining non-cancelable terms in excess of one year were as follows at December 31, 2018:

(In thousands)
 
Operating Leases
 
2019
 
$
29,912
 
2020
   
28,123
 
2021
   
25,923
 
2022
   
20,484
 
2023
   
14,740
 
Subsequent to 2024
   
48,941
 
Total minimum lease payments
 
$
168,123
 

For leases accounted for under ASC 840, step rent and other lease concessions (free rent periods) are taken into account in computing lease expense on a straight-line basis. Landlord allowances for capital improvements have not been significant but are recorded as a reduction of expense over the term of the lease. Net rental expense applicable to operating leases consisted of the following for the years ended December 31:

(In thousands)
 
2018
   
2017
 
Property
           
Minimum
 
$
27,124
   
$
27,543
 
Additional rentals based on sales
   
22
     
21
 
Sublease income
   
(130
)
   
(90
)
     
27,016
     
27,474
 
Equipment
   
3,029
     
3,084
 
   
$
30,045
   
$
30,558
 


F-16



Note 10, Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligations:

Long-term debt and lease obligations are summarized as follows:

(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
 
Revolving credit notes (a)
 
$
   
$
 
Lease obligations (b)
   
     
50,803
 
     
     
50,803
 
Less portion classified as current
   
     
(4,018
)
   
$
   
$
46,785
 

(a)  We have a revolving credit agreement as described in Note 6.
(b)  These obligations are related to properties under lease with aggregate net book values of approximately $34,284,000 at December 31, 2018.

Note 11, Stockholders’ Equity:

Common Stock has a preferential dividend rate of at least 105% of the dividend paid on Class A Common Stock. Class A Common Stock has greater voting rights which include:  voting as a separate class for the election of 75% of the total number of directors and on all other matters subject to shareholder vote, each share of Class A Common Stock has ten votes and votes with the Common Stock as a single class. Class A Common Stock is convertible at the holder’s option at any time into Common Stock on a 1-for-1 basis; Common Stock is not convertible into Class A Common Stock.

      A special cash dividend of $1.00 for Common Stock and $0.95 for Class A Common Stock was paid in the fourth quarter of 2018. Total dividends paid on Common Stock were $13,913,000, $32,595,000 and $10,473,000 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Total dividends paid on Class A Common Stock were $1,143,000, $2,869,000 and $919,000 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Note 12, Benefit Plans:

We have a non-qualified, non-contributory supplemental executive retirement plan (the “SERP”) for employees whose retirement benefits are reduced due to their annual compensation levels. The SERP provides annual benefits amounting to 55% of final average earnings less benefits payable from Social Security benefits and our former pension plan which was settled in 2014. The SERP limits the total amount of annual retirement benefits that may be paid to a participant from all sources (former pension plan, Social Security and the SERP) to $125,000. The SERP is not funded so we pay benefits directly to participants. The SERP was frozen as of December 31, 2015 and no additional benefits have been accrued after that date.

The following table summarizes information about our SERP.
(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
 
Change in benefit obligation:
           
Benefit obligation at beginning of the year
 
$
7,394
   
$
8,199
 
Interest cost
   
315
     
290
 
Actuarial losses (gains)
   
906
     
(769
)
Benefits paid
   
(316
)
   
(326
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
   
8,299
     
7,394
 
Change in plan assets:
               
Employer contribution
   
316
     
326
 
Benefits paid
   
(316
)
   
(326
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
   
     
 
Funded status of the plan – (underfunded)
 
$
(8,299
)
 
$
(7,394
)
Accumulated benefit obligations
 
$
8,299
   
$
7,394
 
F-17

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets consist of:

(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
 
Current liabilities
 
$
(406
)
 
$
(366
)
Noncurrent liabilities
   
(7,893
)
   
(7,028
)
   
$
(8,299
)
 
$
(7,394
)

The net actuarial loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) before the effect of income taxes was $1,923,000 in 2019 and $1,063,000 in 2018.

Net pension cost included the following components:

 
SERP
 
(In thousands)
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
 
$
315
   
$
290
   
$
321
 
Amortization of actuarial loss
   
46
     
136
     
90
 
Net pension costs
 
$
361
   
$
426
   
$
411
 

Assumptions
We use a measurement date of December 31 for our SERP plan. Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31 are as follows:

 
SERP
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
Discount rate
   
4.36
%
   
3.68
%
   
4.30
%
Rate of compensation increase
   
n/a
     
n/a
     
n/a
 

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 for the SERP are as follows:

   
2019
   
2018
 
Discount rate
   
3.29
%
   
4.36
%
Rate of compensation increase
   
n/a
     
n/a
 


Cash Flows
The following schedule outlines the expected benefit payments related to the SERP in future years.  These expected benefits were estimated based on the same actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31, 2019.

(In thousands)
 
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2023
   
2024
     
2025-2029
 
Benefit Payments
 
$
406
   
$
435
   
$
434
   
$
427
   
$
434
   
$
2,668
 

Other Plans
We have an employee savings/retirement (401(k)) plan to which substantially all our employees may contribute. We match employee contributions 100% of the first 4% contributed by participants and in 2018 made an additional discretionary contribution. We expensed employer contributions of approximately $5,173,000, $4,770,000 and $3,932,000 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

We offer no post-retirement benefits other than the plans discussed above and no significant post-employment benefits.

F-18


Note  13, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss):

The following summarizes the changes in the balance and the reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Beginning balance
 
$
(1,465
)
 
$
(2,144
)
 
$
(1,830
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
                       
Defined benefit pension plan:
                       
Net gain (loss) during year
   
(906
)
   
769
     
(509
)
Amortization of net loss(1)
   
46
     
136
     
90
 
     
(860
)
   
905
     
(419
)
Tax expense (benefit)
   
(238
)
   
226
     
(105
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
   
(622
)
   
679
     
(314
)
Ending balance
 
$
(2,087
)
 
$
(1,465
)
 
$
(2,144
)

(1)  These amounts are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs and were reclassified to selling, general and administrative costs.

Note 14, Stock-Based Compensation Plans:

We have issued and outstanding awards under two employee compensation plans, the 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2014 LTIP Plan”) and the 2004 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2004 LTIP Plan”). No new awards may be granted under the 2004 LTIP Plan. Grants of stock-settled appreciation rights, restricted units, and performance units have been made to certain officers and key employees. All equity awards are settled in shares of Common Stock. As of December 31, 2019, approximately 560,000 shares were available for awards and options under the 2014 LTIP Plan.

The following table summarizes our equity award activity during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017:
   
Service-Based
Restricted Stock Awards
   
Performance-Based
Restricted Stock Awards
   
Stock-Settled
Appreciation Rights
 
 
 
Shares or Units (#)
   
Weighted-Average
Award Price($)
   
Shares or Units(#)
   
Weighted-Average
Award Price ($)
   
Rights(#)
   
Weighted-Average
Award Price($)
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
   
249,706
     
21.22
     
147,614
     
22.35
     
100,875
     
18.14
 
Granted/Issued
   
135,986
     
21.99
     
63,396
     
22.04
     
         
Awards vested or rights exercised
   
(128,691
)
   
20.73
     
(28,715
)
   
27.81
     
(43,875
)
   
18.14
 
Forfeited
   
(2,511
)
   
21.38
     
(2,521
)
   
20.60
     
         
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
   
254,490
     
21.88
     
179,774
     
21.42
     
57,000
     
18.14
 
Granted/Issued
   
141,722
     
22.73
     
103,940
     
22.95
     
     
 
Awards vested or rights exercised
   
(132,872
)
   
22.45
     
(48,661
)
   
24.10
     
     
 
Forfeited
   
(14,198
)
   
21.94
     
(25,299
)
   
21.40
     
     
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
   
249,142
     
22.05
     
209,754
     
21.56
     
57,000
     
18.14
 
Granted/Issued
   
137,768
     
20.24
     
113,522
     
20.29
     
     
 
Awards vested or rights exercised
   
(133,364
)
   
22.27
     
(57,351
)
   
18.93
     
(49,500
)
   
18.14
 
Forfeited
   
(18,736
)
   
21.25
     
(51,116
)
   
22.45
     
     
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2019
   
234,810
     
20.93
     
214,809
     
21.38
     
7,500
     
18.14
 
Exercisable at December 31, 2019
   
     
     
     
     
7,500
     
18.14
 
Restricted units expected to vest
   
234,810
     
20.93
     
136,668
     
21.99
     
     
 
Exercisable at December 31, 2018
   
     
     
     
     
57,000
     
18.14
 
Exercisable at December 31, 2017
   
     
     
     
     
57,000
     
18.14
 


F-19

The total fair value of service-based restricted stock awards that vested in 2019, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $2,491,000, $2,594,000 and $3,294,000, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding restricted stock awards was $4,734,000 at December 31, 2019. The restrictions on the service-based awards generally lapse or vest annually, primarily over four-year periods.

The total fair value of performance-based restricted stock awards that vested in 2019, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $1,389,000, $988,000 and $678,000, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding performance awards at December 31, 2019 expected to vest was $2,755,000. The performance awards are based on one-year performance periods but cliff vest in approximately three years from grant date.

The fair value for stock-settled appreciation rights were estimated at the date of grant using a Black‑Scholes pricing model. The aggregate intrinsic value of vested and outstanding stock-settled appreciation rights at December 31, 2019 was approximately $15,000. The total intrinsic value of stock-settled appreciation rights exercised was approximately $107,000 in 2019 and $284,000 in 2017.

The compensation for all awards is being charged to selling, general and administrative expense over the respective grants’ vesting periods, primarily on a straight-line basis, and was approximately $3,435,000, $4,358,000 and $3,818,000 in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur. The tax expense (benefit) recognized related to all awards was approximately $98,000, $143,000 and $(192,000) in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the total compensation cost related to unvested equity awards was approximately $3,747,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of two years.

Note 15, Earnings Per Share:

The following is a reconciliation of the income (loss) and number of shares used in calculating the diluted earnings per share for Common Stock and Class A Common Stock (amounts in thousands except per share data):

Numerator:
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Common:
                 
Distributed earnings
 
$
13,913
   
$
32,595
   
$
10,473
 
Undistributed earnings
   
6,284
     
(4,741
)
   
8,896
 
Basic
   
20,197
     
27,854
     
19,369
 
Class A Common earnings
   
1,668
     
2,453
     
1,706
 
Diluted
 
$
21,865
   
$
30,307
   
$
21,075
 
Class A Common:
                       
Distributed earnings
 
$
1,143
   
$
2,869
   
$
919
 
Undistributed earnings
   
525
     
(416
)
   
787
 
   
$
1,668
   
$
2,453
   
$
1,706
 

F-20



Denominator:
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Common:
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
   
18,360
     
19,182
     
19,381
 
Assumed conversion of Class A Common Stock
   
1,611
     
1,765
     
1,801
 
Dilutive options, awards and common stock equivalents
   
290
     
348
     
417
 
Total weighted average diluted Common Stock
   
20,261
     
21,295
     
21,599
 
Class A Common:
                       
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
1,611
     
1,765
     
1,801
 
                         
Basic net earnings per share
                       
Common Stock
 
$
1.10
   
$
1.45
   
$
1.00
 
Class A Common Stock
 
$
1.04
   
$
1.39
   
$
0.95
 
Diluted net earnings per share
                       
Common Stock
 
$
1.08
   
$
1.42
   
$
0.98
 
Class A Common Stock
 
$
1.03
   
$
1.39
   
$
0.94
 


Note 16, Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

(In thousands)
 
2019
   
2018
   
2017
 
Cash paid for income taxes
 
$
9,068
   
$
8,426
   
$
18,763
 
Income tax refunds received
   
     
17
     
9
 
Cash paid for interest
   
126
     
2,425
     
2,486
 
Noncash financing and investing activity:
                       
Fixed assets acquired (adjusted) related to capital lease and financing obligations
   
     
     
1,009
 
Increase in financing obligations
   
     
     
2,598
 

Note 17, Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited):

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands, except per share data):

   
2019 Quarter Ended
 
   
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
Net sales
 
$
187,242
   
$
191,893
   
$
209,320
   
$
213,837
 
Gross profit
   
103,083
     
103,557
     
112,019
     
115,830
 
Income before taxes
   
4,725
     
8,237
     
8,169
     
7,592
 
Net income
   
3,621
     
6,046
     
6,097
     
6,100
 
Basic net earnings per share:
                               
Common
   
0.18
     
0.30
     
0.31
     
0.32
 
Class A Common
   
0.17
     
0.28
     
0.30
     
0.30
 
Diluted net earnings per share:
                               
Common
   
0.17
     
0.29
     
0.31
     
0.31
 
Class A Common
   
0.17
     
0.27
     
0.30
     
0.30
 

During the quarter ended December 31, 2019, an impairment loss of $2.4 million related to a retail store was recorded. We recognized a deferred tax benefit related to leases that reduced income tax expense by $0.4 million in the quarter ended December 31, 2019.


F-21

   
2018 Quarter Ended
 
   
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
Net sales
 
$
199,442
   
$
198,775
   
$
210,547
   
$
208,968
 
Gross profit
   
108,907
     
107,797
     
115,372
     
114,466
 
Income before taxes
   
8,457
     
8,410
     
11,204
     
12,338
 
Net income
   
6,313
     
6,214
     
8,352
     
9,429
 
Basic net earnings per share:
                               
Common
   
0.30
     
0.30
     
0.40
     
0.46
 
Class A Common
   
0.28
     
0.28
     
0.38
     
0.44
 
Diluted net earnings per share:
                               
Common
   
0.29
     
0.29
     
0.39
     
0.45
 
Class A Common
   
0.28
     
0.28
     
0.38
     
0.45
 

Because of rounding the amounts will not necessarily add to the totals computed for the year. Also because of rounding and the use of the two-class method in calculating per share data, the quarterly per share data will not necessarily add to the annual totals.


F-22

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.


Column A
 
Column B
   
Column C
   
Column D
   
Column E
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Balance at
beginning of
period
   
Additions
charged to costs
and expenses
   
Deductions
Describe (1)(2)(3)
   
Balance at
end of period
 
Year ended December 31, 2019:
                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
175
   
$
105
   
$
120
   
$
160
 
Refund on estimated returns and allowances
 
$
1,950
   
$
18,748
   
$
18,675
   
$
2,023
 
                                 
Year ended December 31, 2018:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
270
   
$
163
   
$
258
   
$
175
 
Refund on estimated returns and allowances
 
$
2,072
   
$
19,252
   
$
19,374
   
$
1,950
 
                                 
Year ended December 31, 2017:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
360
   
$
314
   
$
404
   
$
270
 
Reserve for cancelled sales and allowances
 
$
1,772
   
$
11,601
   
$
11,909
   
$
1,464
 

(1)  Allowance for doubtful accounts: uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
(2)  Reserve for cancelled sales and allowances: impact of sales cancelled after delivery plus amount of allowance given to customers.
(3)  Refund on estimated returns and allowances: impact of sales cancelled after delivery plus amount of allowance given to customers.


F-23