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KOHLS Corp - Quarter Report: 2016 April (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2016

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 1-11084
 
KOHL’S CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin
 
39-1630919
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive,
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
 
53051
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (262) 703-7000
 
 
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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
 
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨¬ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ¨    No  ý
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: May 28, 2016 Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per Share, 183,709,242 shares outstanding.

Table of Contents

KOHL’S CORPORATION
INDEX
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 6.
 


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

KOHL’S CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Millions)
 
 
April 30,
2016
January 30,
2016
May 2,
2015
Assets
(Unaudited)
(Audited)
(Unaudited)
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
423

$
707

$
1,195

Merchandise inventories
4,084

4,038

4,165

Other
348

331

338

Total current assets
4,855

5,076

5,698

Property and equipment, net
8,230

8,308

8,518

Other assets
219

222

237

Total assets
$
13,304

$
13,606

$
14,453

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
1,346

$
1,251

$
1,645

Accrued liabilities
1,126

1,206

1,140

Income taxes payable
48

130

87

Current portion of capital lease and financing obligations
127

127

113

Total current liabilities
2,647

2,714

2,985

Long-term debt
2,793

2,792

2,780

Capital lease and financing obligations
1,770

1,789

1,840

Deferred income taxes
239

257

275

Other long-term liabilities
558

563

556

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock
4

4

4

Paid-in capital
2,961

2,944

2,897

Treasury stock, at cost
(9,906
)
(9,769
)
(8,909
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(16
)
(17
)
(19
)
Retained earnings
12,254

12,329

12,044

Total shareholders’ equity
5,297

5,491

6,017

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
13,304

$
13,606

$
14,453

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


3
Table of Contents

KOHL’S CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Millions, Except per Share Data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
April 30,
2016
May 2,
2015
Net sales
$
3,972

$
4,123

Cost of merchandise sold
2,560

2,600

Gross margin
1,412

1,523

Operating expenses:
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
1,008

1,016

Depreciation and amortization
234

227

Impairments, store closing and other costs
64

—

Operating income
106

280

Interest expense, net
79

84

Income before income taxes
27

196

Provision for income taxes
10

69

Net income
$
17

$
127

 
 
 
Net income per share:
 
 
Basic
$
0.09

$
0.64

Diluted
$
0.09

$
0.63

 
 
 
Dividends declared and paid per share
$
0.50

$
0.45

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


4
Table of Contents

KOHL’S CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and Shares in Millions, Except per Share Data)
 
 
Common Stock
Paid-In Capital
Treasury Stock
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Retained Earnings
 
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Total
Balance at January 30, 2016
370

$
4

$
2,944

(184
)
$
(9,769
)
$
(17
)
$
12,329

$
5,491

Comprehensive income
—

—

—

—

—

1

17

18

Stock options and awards, net of tax
2

—

17

—

(12
)
—

—

5

Dividends paid ($0.50 per common share)
—

—

—

—

1

—

(92
)
(91
)
Treasury stock purchases
—

—

—

(3
)
(126
)
—

—

(126
)
Balance at April 30, 2016
372

$
4

$
2,961

(187
)
$
(9,906
)
$
(16
)
$
12,254

$
5,297

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


5
Table of Contents

KOHL’S CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Three Months Ended
April 30,
2016
May 2,
2015
Operating activities
 
 
Net income
$
17

$
127

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
234

227

Share-based compensation
12

14

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
—

(9
)
Deferred income taxes
(18
)
(23
)
Other non-cash revenues and expenses
7

10

Impairments, store closing and other costs
64

—

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
Merchandise inventories
(44
)
(349
)
Other current and long-term assets
(15
)
28

Accounts payable
95

134

Accrued and other long-term liabilities
(125
)
(69
)
Income taxes
(87
)
12

Net cash provided by operating activities
140

102

Investing activities
 
 
Acquisition of property and equipment
(177
)
(176
)
Other
3

1

Net cash used in investing activities
(174
)
(175
)
Financing activities
 
 
Treasury stock purchases
(126
)
(147
)
Shares withheld for taxes on vested restricted shares
(12
)
(18
)
Dividends paid
(91
)
(90
)
Capital lease and financing obligation payments
(31
)
(27
)
Proceeds from stock option exercises
6

134

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
—

9

Proceeds from financing obligations
4

—

Net cash used in financing activities
(250
)
(139
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(284
)
(212
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
707

1,407

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
423

$
1,195

Supplemental information
 
 
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest
$
50

$
63

Income taxes paid
126

84

Non-cash investing and financing activities
 
 
Property and equipment acquired through additional liabilities
$
9

$
10

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6
Table of Contents
KOHL’S CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for fiscal year end consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 (Commission File No. 1-11084) as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 2016.
Due to the seasonality of our business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.
We operate as a single business unit.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)", which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") No. 605, "Revenue Recognition". In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date", which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year. The original ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU is effective in the first quarter of 2018. It will change the way we account for sales returns, our loyalty program and certain promotional programs. Based on current estimates, we do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on our financial statements and, therefore, we expect to use the modified retrospective method to adopt the standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)". The core principle of the standard is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. A lessee should recognize in its statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. We will be required to adopt the new standard in the first quarter of 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact this new standard will have on our financial statements.

During 2015, we adopted ASU No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (Subtopic 835-30)" which requires us to present debt issuance costs on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. We also adopted ASU No. 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740)" which requires us to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as non-current in our balance sheet and corrected the presentation of certain other tax assets and liabilities.

The following table summarizes changes to our May 2, 2015 balance sheet:
(Dollars in Millions)
Prior Classification
Current Classification
 
Debt issuance costs
Other current and long-term assets
Long-term debt
$
13

Deferred taxes
Current deferred tax asset
Long-term deferred tax liability
129

Deferred taxes
Long-term deferred tax liability
Other long-term assets
32

Deferred taxes
Other long-term liabilities
Long-term deferred tax liability
14

    

7
Table of Contents
KOHL’S CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


2. Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following unsecured senior debt:
 
April 30, 2016
Outstanding
Maturity
Effective
Rate
Coupon Rate
Outstanding
January 30, 2016
May 2, 2015
 
 
 
(Dollars in Millions)
2021
4.81
%
4.00
%
$
650

$
650

$
650

2023
3.25
%
3.25
%
350

350

350

2023
4.78
%
4.75
%
300

300

300

2025
4.25
%
4.25
%
650

650

—

2029
7.36
%
7.25
%
99

99

200

2033
6.05
%
6.00
%
166

166

300

2037
6.89
%
6.88
%
150

150

350

2045
5.57
%
5.55
%
450

450

—

2017
—

—

—

—

650

 
4.88
%
 
2,815

2,815

2,800

Unamortized debt discount
 
 
(5
)
(5
)
(7
)
Deferred financing costs
 
 
(17
)
(18
)
(13
)
Long-term debt
 
 
$
2,793

$
2,792

$
2,780


ASC No. 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures", requires fair value measurements be classified in various pricing categories. Our long-term debt is classified as Level 1, financial instruments with unadjusted, quoted prices listed on active market exchanges. The estimated fair value of our long-term debt was $2.8 billion at both April 30, 2016 and January 30, 2016 and $3.1 billion at May 2, 2015.

3. Stock-Based Compensation
The following table summarizes our stock-based compensation activity for the three months ended April 30, 2016:
 
Stock Options
Nonvested Stock Awards
Performance Share Units
 (Shares and Units in Thousands)
Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Shares
Weighted
Average Grant Date Fair Value
Units
Weighted
Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance at beginning of period
3,076

$
52.65

2,211

$
57.37

347

$
67.53

Granted
—

—

1,132

46.97

4

67.47

Exercised/vested
(145
)
41.82

(646
)
56.61

—

—

Forfeited/expired
(127
)
58.47

(113
)
55.95

(32
)
67.98

Balance at end of period
2,804

$
52.94

2,584

$
53.06

319

$
67.49


4. Contingencies

We are subject to certain legal proceedings and claims arising out of the conduct of our business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these proceedings and litigation will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial statements.


8
Table of Contents
KOHL’S CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)


5. Net Income Per Share
The following table summarizes our basic and diluted net income per share calculations:
 
Three Months Ended
(Dollar and Shares in Millions)
April 30,
2016
May 2,
2015
Numerator—Net income
$
17

$
127

Denominator—Weighted average shares:
 
 
Basic
183

200

Impact of dilutive stock-based awards
1

2

Diluted
184

202

Antidilutive shares
4

—


6. Impairments, Store Closing and Other Costs

On February 25, 2016, we announced plans to close 18 underperforming stores in fiscal 2016. The specific locations were announced in March 2016. We intend to close all but one of the stores in June 2016. Employees impacted by the closures were offered the opportunity to work at nearby Kohl’s locations or a severance package.

During the quarter ended April 30, 2016, we incurred the following costs related to the store closures and the organizational realignment at our corporate office:
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Impairment of stores and other store assets
$
53

Severance and other
11

Total
$
64


We expect to incur an additional $105 - $110 million in related charges in the second quarter of 2016. This is slightly higher than our prior estimate as more employees than expected chose severance packages over relocation.

9
Table of Contents

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

For purposes of the following discussion, all references to "the quarter" and "the first quarter" are for the 13-week fiscal periods ended April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015. References to "2016" are for the quarter ended April 30, 2016. References to "2015" are for the quarter ended May 2, 2015.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report, as well as the financial and other information included in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K (our "2015 Form 10-K"). The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could materially differ from those discussed in these forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to those differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed elsewhere in this report and in our 2015 Form 10-K (particularly in "Risk Factors").

Executive Summary

As of April 30, 2016, we operated 1,167 family-focused, value-oriented department stores and a website (www.Kohls.com) that sell moderately-priced private label, exclusive and national brand apparel, footwear, accessories, beauty and home products. Our stores generally carry a consistent merchandise assortment with some differences attributable to regional preferences. Our website includes merchandise which is available in our stores, as well as merchandise which is available only on-line.
In the first quarter of 2016, we opened three new stores, including our first two 35,000 square foot stores. We also opened two additional clearance centers, which are operated as Off-Aisle stores. We opened 12 FILA outlet stores in May and plan to open six additional smaller format stores in the Fall.

Sales were $4.0 billion for the quarter, 3.7% lower than the first quarter of last year. On a comparable store basis, sales were 3.9% lower. The decreases were primarily driven by fewer transactions in our stores.
 
Inventory, gross margin and expenses were well-managed in a challenging sales environment.

•
Inventory per store decreased 2%, which was consistent with our expectations.
•
Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased 139 bp to 35.5%.  The decrease was consistent with our expectations as we reduced selling prices to clear excess inventory.
•
Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased $8 million, or 1%, as every area of our business was able to reduce its planned expenses in response to the decrease in sales. 
During the quarter, we recorded $64 million in expenses, $41 million net of tax, associated with our corporate restructuring and 18 stores that will close later this year. We expect to record an additional $105 - $110 million in related costs in the second quarter of 2016.
 
Net income for the quarter was $17 million, or $0.09 per diluted share.  Excluding the store closure and corporate restructuring charges, net income was $58 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, approximately 50% lower than the first quarter of last year.

See "Results of Operations" and "Financial Condition and Liquidity" for additional details about our financial results.
Results of Operations

Net sales.

Net sales decreased $151 million, or 3.7%, to $4.0 billion for the first quarter of 2016. Comparable sales decreased 3.9% for the quarter. Comparable sales include sales for stores (including relocated or remodeled stores) which were open during both the current and prior year periods. We also include omni-channel sales in our comparable sales. Adjustments for omni-channel sales that have been shipped, but not yet been received by the customer are included in net sales, but are not included in our comparable sales.

10
Table of Contents


Drivers of the changes in comparable sales during the first quarter were as follows:
Change in Comparable Sales
 
Selling price per unit
(1.0
)%
Units per transaction
1.9

Average transaction value
0.9

Number of transactions
(4.8
)
Comparable sales
(3.9
)%

The decrease in selling price per unit was primarily due to clearance sales during the first quarter. The changes in units per transaction reflect customer reaction to the price changes. Generally, customers purchase more items as prices decrease and fewer items as prices increase. Transactions reflect fewer store transactions, partially offset by an increase in on-line transactions.

From a regional perspective, including on-line originated sales, the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast outperformed the Company average for the quarter. The Midwest was consistent with the Company. The South Central and West underperformed the Company average.
By line of business, Men's and Women's outperformed the Company average for the quarter. Children's was consistent with the Company. Accessories, Footwear, and Home underperformed the Company average for the quarter.
Gross margin.
 
2016
2015
(Decrease)
(Dollars in Millions)
$
%
Gross margin
$1,412
$1,523
$
(111
)
(7
)%
As a percent of net sales
35.5
%
36.9
%
 
(1.39
)%

Gross margin includes the total cost of products sold, including product development costs, net of vendor payments other than reimbursement of specific, incremental and identifiable costs; inventory shrink; markdowns; freight expenses associated with moving merchandise from our vendors to our distribution centers; shipping and handling expenses of omni-channel sales; and terms cash discount. Our gross margin may not be comparable with that of other retailers because we include distribution center and buying costs in selling, general and administrative expenses while other retailers may include these expenses in cost of merchandise sold.

Gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased 139 basis points for the quarter primarily due to clearance markdowns taken to clear excess inventory.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
2016
2015
Increase/(Decrease)
(Dollars in Millions)

$
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
1,008

$
1,016

$
(8
)
(1
)%
As a percent of net sales
25.4
%
24.6
%
 
0.75
 %
SG&A expenses include compensation and benefit costs (including stores, headquarters, buying and merchandising, and distribution centers); occupancy and operating costs of our retail, distribution and corporate facilities; freight expenses associated with moving merchandise from our distribution centers to our retail stores and among distribution and retail facilities; marketing expenses, offset by vendor payments for reimbursement of specific, incremental and identifiable costs; net revenues from our Kohl’s credit card operations; and other administrative revenues and expenses. We do not include depreciation and amortization in SG&A. The classification of these expenses varies across the retail industry.


11
Table of Contents

The following table summarizes the changes in SG&A by expense type for the quarter:
(Dollars In Millions)
 
Marketing costs, excluding credit card operations
$
23

Distribution costs
(2
)
Increase in net revenues from credit card operations
(8
)
Store expenses
(9
)
Corporate expenses
(12
)
Total decrease
$
(8
)

Many of our expenses, including store payroll and distribution costs, are variable in nature. These costs generally increase as sales increase and decrease as sales decrease. We measure both the change in these variable expenses and the expense as a percent of sales. If the expense as a percent of sales decreased from the prior year, the expense "leveraged" and indicates that the expense was well-managed or effectively generated additional sales. If the expense as a percent of sales increased over the prior year, the expense "deleveraged" and indicates that sales growth was less than expense growth. SG&A as a percent of sales increased, or "deleveraged," by 75 basis points for the quarter.

Marketing costs increased due to our Academy Awards sponsorship and higher digital spending. The increase in net revenues from credit card operations is the result of higher finance charge revenues and late fees due to growth in the portfolio, as well as lower marketing costs for our credit card. The decrease in store expenses is due to decreases in our variable store operating expenses, partially offset by higher store payroll due to on-going wage pressure and omni-channel support of ship-from-store and buy on-line, pick-up in store operations. The decrease in corporate expenses reflect lower incentive compensation and corporate store support, partially offset by increased Information Technology ("IT") spending to support our omni-channel strategy.
 
Other Expenses.
 
2016
2015
Increase/ (Decrease)
(Dollars in Millions)
$
%
Depreciation and amortization
$
234

$
227

$
7

3
 %
Interest expense, net
79

84

(5
)
(6
)%
Impairments, store closing and other costs
64

—

64

100
 %
Provision for income taxes
10

69

(59
)
(86
)%
Effective tax rate
37.6
%
35.3
%
 
 
Depreciation and amortization increased as a result of higher IT amortization. Interest expense decreased due to the debt refinancing completed in the second quarter of 2015.
During the first quarter of 2016, we recorded $53 million in store impairment charges and $11 million of severance and other costs related to the previously announced store closures and corporate re-alignment.
The provision for income taxes decreased due to lower pretax income in the first quarter of 2016, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate. The change in the effective tax rate was primarily due to favorable state audit settlements during 2015.
Excluding impairments, store closing and other costs, our net income and diluted earnings per share were as follows:


2016
2015
Decrease
(Dollars in Millions)
$
%
Net income
$
58

$
127

$
(69
)
(55
)%
Diluted earnings per share
$
0.31

$
0.63

$
(0.32
)
(50
)%

12
Table of Contents

Seasonality and Inflation
Our business, like that of most retailers, is subject to seasonal influences, with the major portion of sales and income typically realized during the second half of each fiscal year, which includes the back-to-school and holiday seasons. Approximately 15% of annual sales typically occur during the back-to-school season and 30% during the holiday season. Because of the seasonality of our business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.
Although we expect that our operations will be influenced by general economic conditions, including food, fuel and energy prices, and by costs to source our merchandise, we do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our results of operations. However, there can be no assurance that our business will not be impacted by such factors in the future.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table presents our primary cash requirements and sources of funds.
Cash Requirements
Sources of Funds
•   Operational needs, including
     salaries, rent, taxes and other
     costs of running our business
•   Capital expenditures
•   Inventory (seasonal and new store)
•   Share repurchases
•   Dividend payments
•   Cash flow from operations
•   Short-term trade credit, in the form of extended payment terms
•   Line of credit under our revolving credit facility
Our working capital and inventory levels typically build throughout the fall, peaking during the November and December holiday selling season.
 
 
Increase/(Decrease)
 in Cash
(Dollars in Millions)
2016
2015
$
%
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
140

$
102

$
38

37
 %
Investing activities
(174
)
(175
)
1

1
 %
Financing activities
(250
)
(139
)
(111
)
(80
)%
Operating Activities. Operating activities generated $140 million of cash in the first quarter of 2016, compared to $102 million in the first quarter of 2015. The increase reflects lower inventory levels, partially offset by decreases in net income and the timing of tax payments.
Merchandise inventories decreased $81 million from May 2, 2015 to $4.1 billion at April 30, 2016. Inventory per store decreased 2% from the first quarter of 2015, as increases in national brands were more than offset by decreases in both private and exclusive brands. Accounts payable as a percent of inventory was 32.9% at April 30, 2016, compared to 39.5% at May 2, 2015. The decrease is primarily due to lower merchandise receipts in March and April 2016. Receipts in 2015 were also impacted by conservative planning after the port disruptions in fall 2014 and spring 2015, increasing last year's accounts payable due to early receipts.
Investing Activities. Investing activities used cash of $174 million in the first quarter of 2016 and $175 million in the first quarter of 2015. Capital expenditures were $177 million in the first quarter of 2016, consistent with the the first quarter of 2015, as higher IT and base capital spending in 2016 were offset by lower beauty remodel and corporate campus spending.
Financing Activities. Financing activities used cash of $250 million in the first quarter of 2016 and $139 million in the first quarter of 2015.
We paid cash for treasury stock purchases of $126 million in the first quarter of 2016 and $147 million in the first quarter of 2015. Share repurchases are discretionary in nature. The timing and amount of repurchases is based upon available cash balances, our stock price and other factors.

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We received proceeds from stock option exercises of $6 million in the first quarter of 2016 and $134 million in the first quarter of 2015. The decrease is due to high stock prices in the first quarter of 2015, which led to a large number of exercised options.
We paid cash dividends of $91 million ($0.50 per share) in the first quarter of 2016 and $90 million ($0.45 per share) in the first quarter of 2015. On May 23, 2016, our board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.50 per common share. The dividend is payable on June 22, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 8, 2016.
As of April 30, 2016, our credit ratings were as follows:
 
Moody’s
Standard & Poor’s
Fitch
Long-term debt
Baa2
BBB
BBB

Free Cash Flow. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which we define as net cash provided by operating activities and proceeds from financing obligation payments (which generally represent landlord reimbursements of construction costs) less capital expenditures and capital lease and financing obligations. Free cash flow should be evaluated in addition to, and not considered a substitute for, other financial measures such as net income and cash flow provided by operations. We believe that free cash flow represents our ability to generate additional cash flow from our business operations.

The following table reconciles net cash provided by operating activities (a GAAP measure) to free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure).
(Dollars in Millions)
2016
2015
Increase/(Decrease) in Free Cash Flow
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
140

$
102

$
38

Acquisition of property and equipment
(177
)
(176
)
(1
)
Capital lease and financing obligation payments
(31
)
(27
)
(4
)
Proceeds from financing obligations
4

—

4

Free cash flow
$
(64
)
$
(101
)
$
37


Key financial ratios. Key financial ratios that provide certain measures of our liquidity are as follows:
(Dollars in Millions)
April 30, 2016
May 2, 2015
Working capital
$
2,208

$
2,713

Current ratio
1.83

1.91

Debt/capitalization
47.0
%
44.0
%

The decreases in working capital and the current ratio are primarily due to lower cash balances, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable. The debt/capitalization ratio increased primarily due to lower shareholders' equity, which was primarily due to share repurchases.


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Debt Covenant Compliance. As of April 30, 2016, we were in compliance with all debt covenants and expect to remain in compliance during the remainder of fiscal 2016.
(Dollars in Millions)
 
Included Indebtedness
 
Total debt
$
4,712

Permitted exclusions
(5
)
Subtotal
4,707

Rent x 8
2,224

Included Indebtedness
$
6,931

 
 
Rolling 12-month Adjusted Debt Compliance EBITDAR
 
Net income
$
563

Loss on extinguishment of debt
169

Impairments, store closing and other costs
64

Rent expense
278

Depreciation and amortization
941

Net interest
322

Provision for income taxes
325

EBITDAR
2,662

Stock based compensation
48

Other non-cash revenues and expenses
6

Rolling 12-month Adjusted Debt Compliance EBITDAR
$
2,716

 
 
Debt Ratio (a)
2.55

Maximum permitted Debt Ratio
3.75

     (a) Included Indebtedness divided by Adjusted Debt Compliance EBITDAR
 

Contractual Obligations
There have been no significant changes in the contractual obligations disclosed in our 2015 Form 10-K.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not provided any financial guarantees as of April 30, 2016. We have not created, and are not party to, any special-purpose or off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our business. We do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into our financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect our liquidity or the availability of capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts. Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of its estimates and assumptions with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. There have been no significant changes in the critical accounting policies and estimates discussed in our 2015 Form 10-K.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no significant changes in the market risks described in our 2015 Form 10-K.


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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (the “Evaluation”) at a reasonable assurance level as of the last day of the period covered by this report.
Based upon the Evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined by Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving our stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended April 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no significant changes in the risk factors described in our 2015 Form 10-K.
Forward-looking Statements
This Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" made within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believes," “anticipates,” “plans,” "may," "intends," "will," "should," “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include comments about our future sales or financial performance and our plans, performance, and other objectives, expectations or intentions, such as statements regarding our liquidity, debt service requirements, planned capital expenditures, future store initiatives, adequacy of capital resources and reserves. Forward-looking statements are based on our management’s then current views and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Any such forward-looking statements are qualified by the important risk factors described in Item 1A of our 2015 Form 10-K or disclosed from time to time in our filings with the SEC, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the date initially made, and we undertake no obligation to update them.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
We did not sell any securities during the quarter ended April 30, 2016, which were not registered under the Securities Act.

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Table of Contents

The following table contains information for shares of common stock repurchased and shares acquired from employees in lieu of amounts required to satisfy minimum tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of the employees’ restricted stock during the three fiscal months ended April 30, 2016:
(Dollars in Millions)
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 31 – February 27, 2016
1,584,657

$
43.94

1,575,855

$
574

February 28 – April 2, 2016
783,256

46.95

541,157

548

April 3 – April 30, 2016
721,510

44.36

702,757

517

Total
3,089,423

$
44.80

2,819,769

$
517



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Item 6. Exhibits
 
 
 
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
10.1
 
Form of Chief Executive Officer Restricted Stock Agreement pursuant to the Kohl's Corporation 2010 Long Term Compensation Plan.
 
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101.INS
  
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
 
 
101.CAL
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
101.DEF
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
 
 
101.LAB
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
101.PRE
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Kohl’s Corporation
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date:
June 3, 2016
/s/ Wesley S. McDonald
 
 
Wesley S. McDonald
On behalf of the Registrant and as Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


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