Annual Statements Open main menu

PRICESMART INC - Quarter Report: 2013 May (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
  
FORM 10-Q
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2013
 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 0-22793
  PriceSmart, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
33-0628530
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
9740 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA 92121
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(858) 404-8800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   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   ¨
Smaller Reporting Company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   ¨
No   ý
 The registrant had 30,233,138 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding at June 30, 2013.



PRICESMART, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


i


 PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart” or the “Company”) unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2013 and the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2012, the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013 and 2012, the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended ended May 31, 2013 and 2012, the unaudited consolidated statements of equity for the nine months ended May 31, 2013 and 2012, and the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2013 and 2012, are included herein. Also included herein are the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

1


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
May 31,
2013
 
August 31,
2012
 
(Unaudited)
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
92,408

 
$
91,248

Short-term restricted cash
4,386

 
1,241

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5 and $1 as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively
3,352

 
3,361

Merchandise inventories
220,923

 
201,043

Deferred tax assets – current
6,265

 
5,619

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
22,853

 
19,067

Total current assets
350,187

 
321,579

Long-term restricted cash
34,576

 
36,505

Property and equipment, net
329,914

 
299,567

Goodwill
36,622

 
36,886

Deferred tax assets – long term
13,657

 
14,835

Other non-current assets (includes $987 as of May 31, 2013 for the fair value of derivative instruments)
19,431

 
18,781

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
8,107

 
7,559

Total Assets
$
792,494

 
$
735,712

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
175,037

 
$
173,198

Accrued salaries and benefits
16,267

 
14,729

Deferred membership income
16,568

 
13,747

Income taxes payable
7,208

 
8,193

Other accrued expenses
18,877

 
17,515

Dividends payable
9,065

 

Long-term debt, current portion
7,784

 
7,237

Deferred tax liability – current
188

 
122

Total current liabilities
250,994

 
234,741

Deferred tax liability – long-term
2,465

 
2,191

Long-term portion of deferred rent
4,423

 
4,336

Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion
2,166

 
2,512

Long-term debt, net of current portion
68,068

 
71,422

Other long-term liabilities (includes $212 and $1,200 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $466 and $396 for the defined benefit plans as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively)
678

 
1,596

Total liabilities
328,794

 
316,798

Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 30,920,998 and 30,855,651 shares issued and 30,233,138 and 30,210,255 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively
3

 
3

Additional paid-in capital
389,133

 
384,154

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
7,951

 
6,680

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(36,656
)
 
(33,182
)
Retained earnings
123,035

 
77,739

Less: treasury stock at cost; 687,860 and 645,426 as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively
(19,766
)
 
(16,480
)
Total equity
463,700

 
418,914

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
792,494

 
$
735,712

See accompanying notes.  

2


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net warehouse club sales
$
555,815

 
$
494,747

 
$
1,671,269

 
$
1,500,558

Export sales
6,224

 
2,768

 
15,620

 
8,476

Membership income
8,774

 
6,944

 
24,773

 
19,668

Other income
909

 
869

 
2,756

 
2,483

Total revenues
571,722

 
505,328

 
1,714,418

 
1,531,185

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net warehouse club
475,727

 
420,724

 
1,425,396

 
1,279,097

Export
5,907

 
2,622

 
14,728

 
8,075

Selling, general and administrative:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warehouse club operations
49,421

 
45,540

 
143,476

 
133,193

General and administrative
11,404

 
10,940

 
34,450

 
30,559

Pre-opening expenses
525

 
94

 
1,409

 
255

Total operating expenses
542,984

 
479,920

 
1,619,459

 
1,451,179

Operating income
28,738

 
25,408

 
94,959

 
80,006

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
338

 
279

 
1,078

 
668

Interest expense
(427
)
 
(1,344
)
 
(2,951
)
 
(3,915
)
Other income (expense), net
(1,034
)
 
(538
)
 
(1,404
)
 
(975
)
Total other expense
(1,123
)
 
(1,603
)
 
(3,277
)
 
(4,222
)
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates
27,615

 
23,805

 
91,682

 
75,784

Provision for income taxes
(9,082
)
 
(8,078
)
 
(28,254
)
 
(25,854
)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates
6

 
(19
)
 
(2
)
 
(9
)
Income from continuing operations
18,539

 
15,708

 
63,426

 
49,921

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
(2
)
 

 
(6
)
Net income
$
18,539

 
$
15,706

 
$
63,426

 
$
49,915

Net income per share available for distribution:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per share from continuing operations
$
0.61

 
$
0.52

 
$
2.09

 
$
1.66

Basic net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations, net of tax
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Basic net income per share
$
0.61

 
$
0.52

 
$
2.09

 
$
1.66

Diluted net income per share from continuing operations
$
0.61

 
$
0.52

 
$
2.09

 
$
1.66

Diluted net income (loss) per share from discontinued operations, net of tax
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Diluted net income per share
$
0.61

 
$
0.52

 
$
2.09

 
$
1.66

Shares used in per share computations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
29,683

 
29,584

 
29,634

 
29,543

Diluted
29,692

 
29,595

 
29,644

 
29,555

Dividends per share
$

 
$

 
$
0.60

 
$
0.60

See accompanying notes.

3


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net income
$
18,539

 
$
15,706

 
$
63,426

 
$
49,915

Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
$
(2,073
)
 
$
385

 
$
(5,083
)
 
$
(304
)
     Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gain (loss) arising during period
(2
)
 

 
1

 
12

     Total defined pension plans
(2
)
 

 
1

 
12

Unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps(1)
2,223

 
1,322

 
1,608

 
(33
)
Foreign currency translation differences for merger of foreign operations(2)(3)

 

 

 
(5,604
)
Correction of foreign currency translations for prior years related to foreign operations affecting property and equipment (2) (3)

 

 

 
(3,277
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
148

 
1,707

 
(3,474
)
 
(9,206
)
Comprehensive income
$
18,687

 
$
17,413

 
$
59,952

 
$
40,709


(1)
See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
(2)
See Note 1 - Company Overview and Basis of Presentation.
(3)
Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to unremitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.



4


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)  

 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Tax Benefit
From
Stock Based Compen-sation
 
Accumu-lated
Other
Compre-hensive
Income(Loss)
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Equity
Balance at August 31, 2011
30,696

 
$
3

 
$
383,549

 
$
5,242

 
$
(22,915
)
 
$
28,238

 
796

 
$
(18,279
)
 
$
375,838

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 
44

 
(3,013
)
(1) 
(3,013
)
Issuance of treasury stock
(197
)
 

 
(4,953
)
 

 

 

 
(197
)
 
4,953

 

Issuance of restricted stock award
345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options
6

 

 
89

 

 

 

 

 

 
89

Stock-based compensation

 

 
3,885

 
737

 

 

 

 

 
4,622

Dividend paid to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(9,060
)
 

 

 
(9,060
)
Dividend payable to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(9,063
)
 

 

 
(9,063
)
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
49,915

 

 

 
49,915

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
(9,206
)
 

 

 

 
(9,206
)
Balance at May 31, 2012
30,848

 
$
3

 
$
382,570

 
$
5,979

 
$
(32,121
)
 
$
60,030

 
643

 
$
(16,339
)
 
$
400,122

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at August 31, 2012
30,856

 
$
3

 
$
384,154

 
$
6,680

 
$
(33,182
)
 
$
77,739

 
645

 
$
(16,480
)
 
$
418,914

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 
42

 
(3,286
)
 
(3,286
)
Issuance of restricted stock award
61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options
6

 

 
125

 

 

 

 

 

 
125

Stock-based compensation

 

 
4,854

 
1,271

 

 

 

 

 
6,125

Dividend paid to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(9,065
)
 

 

 
(9,065
)
Dividend payable to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(9,065
)
 

 

 
(9,065
)
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
63,426

 

 

 
63,426

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
(3,474
)
 

 

 

 
(3,474
)
Balance at May 31, 2013
30,921

 
$
3

 
$
389,133

 
$
7,951

 
$
(36,656
)
 
$
123,035

 
687

 
$
(19,766
)
 
$
463,700

 
(1) Includes a $3 adjustment for an over billing recorded in fiscal year 2011, adjusted in fiscal year 2012.


See accompanying notes.

5


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
63,426

 
$
49,915

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
17,943

 
17,610

Allowance for doubtful accounts
4

 
(1
)
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment
356

 
239

Deferred income taxes
2,143

 
1,728

Discontinued operations

 
6

Excess tax deficiency (benefit) on stock-based compensation
(1,271
)
 
(737
)
Equity in gains/(losses) of unconsolidated affiliates
2

 
9

Stock-based compensation
4,854

 
3,885

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Change in receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accrued salaries and benefits, deferred membership income and other accruals
667

 
4,625

Merchandise inventories
(19,880
)
 
(3,031
)
Accounts payable
(1,308
)
 
1,326

Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operating activities
66,936

 
75,574

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operating activities

 
407

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
66,936

 
75,981

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
(49,235
)
 
(35,769
)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
70

 
86

Capital contribution to joint ventures
(550
)
 

Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
(49,715
)
 
(35,683
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from bank borrowings
3,980

 
75,924

Repayment of bank borrowings
(5,817
)
 
(63,397
)
Cash dividend payments
(9,065
)
 
(9,060
)
Release of (addition to) restricted cash
(1,148
)
 
(14,000
)
Excess tax (deficiency) benefit on stock-based compensation
1,271

 
737

Purchase of treasury stock
(3,286
)
 
(3,013
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
125

 
89

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(13,940
)
 
(12,720
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(2,121
)
 
548

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
1,160

 
28,126

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
91,248

 
76,817

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
92,408

 
$
104,943

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
2,012

 
$
3,775

Income taxes
$
27,733

 
$
22,193

Supplemental non-cash item:
 
 
 
Cancellation of joint ventures Prico Enterprise loan
$

 
$
(473
)
Dividends declared but not paid
$
9,065

 
$
9,063


6


PRICESMART, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
May 31, 2013
 
NOTE 1 – COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart” or the “Company”) business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States.  As of May 31, 2013, the Company had 31 consolidated warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (five in Costa Rica, four each in Panama and Trinidad, three each in Colombia, Guatemala and in the Dominican Republic, two each in El Salvador and Honduras and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Nicaragua and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns 100% of the corresponding legal entities (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). During fiscal 2013, the Company opened its second and third clubs in Colombia. These clubs are in south and north Cali and opened in October 2012 and May 2013, respectively. Additionally, in February 2013, the Company acquired property located in La Union, Cartago, Costa Rica, upon which it anticipates opening its sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in the fall of 2013. Finally, in February 2013, the Company acquired land in Tegucigalpa, Honduras upon which it anticipates opening its third warehouse club in Honduras in the spring of 2014. The Company continues to explore other potential sites for future warehouse clubs in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. The warehouse club sales and membership sign-ups experienced with the opening of the Barranquilla and Cali warehouse clubs have reinforced the Company's belief that Colombia could be a market for additional PriceSmart warehouse clubs in other Colombian cities.

Basis of Presentation - The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”).  The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.  Inter-company transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) revised guidance establishing general accounting standards and disclosure of subsequent events, the Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date and time these financial statements were issued. 

Reclassifications to consolidated balance sheet recorded during fiscal year 2013 for fiscal year 2012 - Certain reclassifications to the consolidated balance sheet have been made to prior fiscal year amounts to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. These reclassifications did not impact consolidated total assets, total current liabilities or total liabilities. Included within these reclassifications were reclassifications of Value Added Tax from Prepaid expenses and other current assets to Other non-current assets of approximately $13.3 million (see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Polices for further details).





7


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


Reclassifications to consolidated statement of income recorded during fiscal year 2013 for fiscal year 2012 - The Company receives cash consideration from its vendors for product demonstrations. Prior to fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded this consideration as Other income. However, cash or equity consideration received from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction of cost of sales when it is recognized in the income statement. Additionally, reimbursements of costs incurred by the customer to sell the vendor's products are treated as a reduction of the related cost when recognized in the income statement. Therefore, the Company has accordingly recorded such consideration as a reduction to cost of sales and a reduction to related costs incurred to sell the vendor's products starting in fiscal year 2013. The Company has made reclassifications to the consolidated statement of income for fiscal year 2012 to conform to the presentation in fiscal year 2013. These reclassifications did not impact consolidated operating income or net income. The following table summarizes the impact of these reclassifications (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
November 30, 2011
 
February 29, 2012
 
May 31, 2012
 
August 31, 2012
 
Total Fiscal Year 2012
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net warehouse club sales-as previously reported
$
468,329

 
$
537,816

 
$
494,898

 
$
499,003

 
$
2,000,046

Reclassifications
(137
)
 
(197
)
 
(151
)
 
(197
)
 
(682
)
Net warehouse club sales-as currently reported
$
468,192

 
$
537,619

 
$
494,747

 
$
498,806

 
$
1,999,364

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income-as previously reported
$
1,776

 
$
2,165

 
$
2,163

 
$
2,318

 
$
8,422

Reclassifications
(1,097
)
 
(1,230
)
 
(1,294
)
 
(1,279
)
 
(4,900
)
Other income-as currently reported
$
679

 
$
935

 
$
869

 
$
1,039

 
$
3,522

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net warehouse club-as previously reported
$
400,481

 
$
459,313

 
$
421,512

 
$
422,825

 
$
1,704,131

Reclassifications
(616
)
 
(805
)
 
(788
)
 
(590
)
 
(2,799
)
Net warehouse club-as currently reported
$
399,865

 
$
458,508

 
$
420,724

 
$
422,235

 
$
1,701,332

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warehouse club operations-as previously reported
$
42,509

 
$
46,384

 
$
46,197

 
$
47,311

 
$
182,401

Reclassifications
(618
)
 
(622
)
 
(657
)
 
(886
)
 
(2,783
)
Warehouse club operations-as currently reported
$
41,891

 
$
45,762

 
$
45,540

 
$
46,425

 
$
179,618

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net effect on operating income
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$



8


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


 Reclassifications and prior period adjustments recorded during fiscal year 2012 - During fiscal year 2007 and during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company merged in each period a wholly owned subsidiary formed to purchase, develop and serve as a holding company for the land and buildings used by certain operating warehouse clubs (each, a “Landco”) with one of the wholly owned subsidiaries formed to operate these warehouse clubs (each, an “Opco”).  Each of the Landco entities involved in these mergers had a functional and reporting currency in U.S. dollars, and each of the related Opco entities that they were merged into had a foreign currency as a functional currency and U.S. dollars as a reporting currency.  In each of these mergers, the Opco was the surviving entity, with the assets, liabilities and equity accounts of the Landco being transferred to the Opco and the Landco subsidiary ceasing to exist.  Since the Landco entity ceased to exist, and all relevant economic activities previously performed by the Landco no longer existed, a significant change in economic facts and circumstances was determined to have taken place, indicating that the functional currency had changed as the assets were transferred to the Opco. Upon this transfer, the Company was required to remeasure the non-monetary balance sheet items at historical exchange rates in order to produce the same result in terms of the functional currency that would have occurred if those items had been initially recorded in the foreign functional currency.  As a result of the 2012 merger, and the resulting translation adjustments, the Company recorded in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 a charge to comprehensive income for approximately $5.6 million relating to the fiscal year 2012 merger, with a corresponding reduction to Property and equipment, net for the same amount.
 
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company identified errors in the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2011 and for fiscal years previous to 2009.  The errors related to incorrect (i) accounting for the 2007 merger described above which impacted the translation of Property and equipment, net from foreign currencies to U.S. dollars and the related offset to Accumulated other comprehensive loss; and (ii) the translation of Property and equipment, net from foreign currencies to U.S. dollars and the related offset to Accumulated other comprehensive loss.  The correction of these errors would have decreased comprehensive income by $6.4 million in fiscal year 2007 and increased comprehensive income by $3.1 million in fiscal year 2011.  The total of these corrections, which was recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 as a charge to comprehensive income was approximately $3.3 million. The Company decreased Property and equipment, net and increased Accumulated other comprehensive loss by the same amount.
 
The Company analyzed the impact of these items and concluded that neither error would be material to any individual period, taking into account the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements in the Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”).  In accordance with the relevant guidance, management evaluated the materiality of errors from a quantitative and qualitative perspective.  Based on such evaluation, the Company concluded that correcting the cumulative errors, which decreased comprehensive income by approximately $3.3 million for the three month period ended November 30, 2011, was immaterial to the expected full year results for fiscal 2012 and financial position as presented on the consolidated balance sheet.  Correcting the error would not have had a material impact on any individual prior period presented in the 2011 Form 10-K nor would it have affected the trend of financial results.  As provided by SAB 108, the error correction did not require the restatement of the consolidated financial statements for prior periods.

As a result of recording (i) the fiscal year 2012 merger and the resulting translation adjustment, (ii) the correction of the accounting for the 2007 merger, and (iii) the correction of an error in translation of Property and equipment, net from foreign currencies to U.S. dollars, the Company recorded an increase to Accumulated other comprehensive loss for $8.9 million within the first quarter of fiscal year 2012.


NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation - The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries.  All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate

9


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


to make the information presented not misleading. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.
 
Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.  
 
Variable Interest Entities –  The Company reviews and determines at the start of each arrangement, or subsequently if a reconsideration event occurs, whether any of its investments in joint ventures are a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) and whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement in a VIE. The Company has determined that the joint ventures for GolfPark Plaza (Panama) and Price Plaza Alajuela (Costa Rica) are VIEs.  The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and, therefore, has accounted for these entities under the equity method.  

Restricted Cash –   The changes in restricted cash are disclosed within the consolidated statement of cash flows based on the nature of the restriction. The following table summarizes the restricted cash reported by the Company (in thousands):

 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Short-term restricted cash:
 
 
 
Restricted cash in Honduras (1)
$
4,347

 
$
1,200

Other short-term restricted cash (2)
39

 
41

Total short-term restricted cash
4,386

 
1,241

 
 
 
 
Long-term restricted cash:
 
 
 
Restricted cash for Honduras loan
1,720

 
3,720

Restricted cash for Colombia bank loans
32,000

 
32,000

Other long-term restricted cash (2)
856

 
785

Total long-term restricted cash
34,576

 
36,505

 
 
 
 
Total restricted cash
$
38,962

 
$
37,746


(1)
Restricted cash in Honduras consists mainly of $3.1 million in funds held in escrow related to the purchase of land and $1.2 million related to loans.

(2)
The other restricted cash consist mainly of cash deposits held within banking institutions in compliance with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama and funds deposited in Panama, in an escrow account related to a legal settlement.

Merchandise Inventories –  Merchandise inventories, which include merchandise for resale, are valued at the lower of cost (average cost) or market. The Company provides for estimated inventory losses and obsolescence between physical inventory counts on the basis of a percentage of sales. The provision is adjusted periodically to reflect the trend of actual physical inventory count results, with physical inventories occurring primarily in the second and fourth fiscal quarters. The Company may be required to take markdowns below the carrying cost of certain inventory to expedite the sale of such merchandise.

Value Added Tax Receivable - The Company within the course of its normal business pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes (“input VAT”) in most of the countries it operates in on merchandise and/or services it acquires. The Company also collects VAT or similar taxes on behalf of the government (“output taxes”) for merchandise and/or services it sells. If the output VAT exceeds the input VAT, then the difference is remitted to the government, usually on a monthly basis. If the input VAT exceeds the output VAT, this creates a VAT receivable. The Company either requests a refund of this VAT receivable or applies the balance to expected future VAT payables. In some countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, whereby some or all of the VAT collected through sales paid for by credit card are remitted by the credit card processor directly to the government, thereby altering the natural offset of input and output VAT and forcing the Company to process significant refund claims. The refund process can take anywhere from several months to several years to

10


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


complete. In most countries where the Company operates, the VAT refund process is defined and structured with regular refunds or offsets; however, in one country the government has alleged that there is no defined process in the law to allow them to refund this VAT receivable. The Company together with its tax and legal advisers is currently appealing this interpretation in court and expects to prevail; therefore, it has not placed any type of allowance on the amounts of VAT receivable. The balance of the VAT receivable in this country was $4.2 million and $3.7 million as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.

The Company's policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT receivables, recorded as Other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company's subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to use the VAT receivable within one year. The Company also classifies as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that the Company expects to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company's subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to process refund requests within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT balances in dispute when the Company does not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery.

The following table summarizes the VAT receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Other current assets
$
8,359

 
$
5,591

Other non-current assets
$
12,824

 
$
13,313


Fair Value Measurements – The Company measures the fair value for all financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.  The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated, knowledgeable and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

The Company has established a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring and revaluing fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company was not required to revalue any assets or liabilities utilizing Level 1 or Level 3 inputs at the balance sheet dates.  The Company's Level 2 assets and liabilities revalued at the balance sheet dates, on a recurring basis, primarily included cash flow hedges (interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps) and forward foreign exchange contracts.  In addition, the Company utilizes Level 2 inputs in determining the fair value of long-term debt.  The Company has elected not to revalue long-term debt because this debt will be settled at the carrying value and not at the fair market value.  The Company did not make any significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value tiers during the periods reported on herein.
 
Nonfinancial assets and liabilities are revalued and recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when there is evidence of impairment.   For the periods reported, no impairment of such nonfinancial assets was recorded.

The disclosure of fair value of certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at cost is as follows:
 
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Short-term restricted cash: The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Long-term restricted cash: Long-term restricted cash primarily consists of auto renewable 3-12 month certificates of deposit, which are held as collateral on our long-term debt. The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of the underlying certificates of deposit.

11


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



Accounts receivable:  The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these accounts.
 
Short-term debt: The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.
 
Long-term debt: The fair value of debt is generally measured using a discounted cash flow analysis based on current market interest rates for similar types of financial instruments.  These inputs are not quoted prices in active markets but they are either directly or indirectly observable; therefore, they are classified as Level 2 inputs. The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion
$
75,852

 
$
76,191

 
$
78,659

 
$
80,830


Derivatives -   The Company uses derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure to changes in interest and currency exchange rates.  In using derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the Company’s exposure to interest and currency exchange rate risks, the contractual terms of a hedged instrument closely mirror those of the hedged item, providing a high degree of risk reduction and correlation. Contracts that are effective at meeting the risk reduction and correlation criteria (effective hedge) are recorded using hedge accounting.   If a derivative financial instrument is an effective hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument will be offset in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item completes its contractual term.  If any portion of the hedge is deemed ineffective, the change in fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities will be immediately recognized in earnings during the period.   Instruments that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, or contracts for which the Company has not elected hedge accounting, are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change.  Valuation techniques utilized in the fair value measurement of assets and liabilities presented on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets were not changed from previous practice during the reporting period. 

Cash Flow Instruments. The Company is a party to receive floating interest rate, pay fixed-rate interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk of certain U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense risk.  These instruments are considered effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting.   The Company is also a party to receive variable interest rate, pay fixed interest rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate and currency exposure associated with the expected payments of principal and interest of U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk related to payments on the U.S. denominated debt.  These instruments are also considered to be effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting.  Under cash flow hedging, the effective portion of the fair value of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is deferred on the consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss. If any portion of an interest rate swap is determined to be an ineffective hedge, the gains or losses from changes in fair value would be recorded directly in the consolidated statements of income. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts consolidated earnings. See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for information on the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012.

Fair Value Instruments. The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. The Company is also exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.  The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value instruments and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. As a result, these contracts are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of

12


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.
 
The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk. The contracts are limited to less than one year in duration. See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for information on the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012.

The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012 (in thousands) for derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting: 
 
Assets and Liabilities as of May 31, 2013
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Other non-current assets - (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 
$

 
$
987

 
$

 
$
987

Other long-term liabilities – (Interest rate swaps)
 
$

 
$
(53
)
 
$

 
$
(53
)
Other long-term liabilities – (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 

 
(159
)
 

 
(159
)
Total 
 
$

 
$
775

 
$

 
$
775


Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2012
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Other long-term liabilities – (Interest rate swaps)
 
$

 
$
(216
)
 
$

 
$
(216
)
Other long-term liabilities – (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 

 
(983
)
 

 
(983
)
Total 
 
$

 
$
(1,199
)
 
$

 
$
(1,199
)

The following table summarizes financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012 (in thousands) for derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting: 
Assets and Liabilities as of May 31, 2013
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 
$

 
$
393

 
$

 
$
393

Other accrued expenses (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 

 
(53
)
 

 
(53
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
$

 
$
340

 
$

 
$
340


13


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



 
Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2012
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 
$

 
$
27

 
$

 
$
27

Other accrued expenses (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
$

 
$
24

 
$

 
$
24


As of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, the Company had no significant measurements of financial assets or liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Goodwill – The table below presents goodwill resulting from certain business combinations as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012 (in thousands).  The change in goodwill is a result of foreign exchange translation losses.

 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
 
Change
Goodwill
$
36,622

 
$
36,886

 
$
(264
)

The Company reviews goodwill at the entity level for impairment. The Company first reviews qualitative factors for each reporting unit, in determining if an annual goodwill test is required. If the Company's review of qualitative factors indicates a requirement for a test of goodwill impairment, the Company then will assess whether the carrying amount of a reporting unit is greater than zero and exceeds its fair value established during the Company's prior test of goodwill impairment ("established fair value"). If the carrying amount of a reporting unit at the entity level is greater than zero and its established fair value exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If either the carrying amount of the reporting unit is not greater than zero or if the carrying amount of the entity exceeds its established fair value, the Company performs a second test to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and to calculate the amount of that impairment.

14


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 




Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes merchandise sales revenue when title passes to the customer. Membership income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company’s warehouse club members, which are recognized ratably over the 12-month term of the membership.  Membership refunds are prorated over the remaining term of the membership; accordingly, no refund reserve is required to be established for the periods presented.  The Company recognizes and presents revenue-producing transactions on a net of tax basis.  

The Company began offering Platinum memberships in Costa Rica during fiscal year 2013, which provides members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500.00. Platinum members can apply this rebate to future purchases at the warehouse club at the end of the annual membership period.  The Company records this 2% rebate as a reduction of revenue at the time of the sales transaction. Accordingly, the Company has reduced warehouse sales and has accrued a liability within other accrued expenses. The rebate expires within six months of the membership renewal date. However, the Company has determined that in the absence of relevant historical experience, the Company is not able to make a reasonable estimate of rebate redemptions and accordingly has assumed a 100% redemption rate. The Company will periodically review expired unused rebates outstanding, and the expired unused rebates will be recognized as Revenues: Other income on the consolidated statements of income.
The Company recognizes gift certificate sales revenue when the certificates are redeemed. The outstanding gift certificates are reflected as other accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. These gift certificates generally have a one-year stated expiration date from the date of issuance. However, the absence of a large volume of transactions for gift certificates impairs the Company's ability to make a reasonable estimate of the redemption levels for gift certificates; therefore, the Company assumes a 100% redemption rate prior to expiration of the gift certificate. The Company periodically reviews unredeemed outstanding gift certificates, and the gift certificates that have expired are recognized as Revenues: Other income on the consolidated statements of income.
Operating leases, where the Company is the lessor, with lease payments that have fixed and determinable rent increases are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company also accounts in its straight-line computation for the effect of any "rental holidays." Contingent rental revenue is recognized as the contingent rent becomes due per the individual lease agreements.

Cost of Goods Sold – The Company includes the cost of merchandise, food service and bakery raw materials, and one hour photo supplies in cost of goods sold. The Company also includes in cost of goods sold the external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise, raw materials and supplies to the warehouse clubs. External costs include inbound freight, duties, drayage, fees, insurance, and non-recoverable value-added tax related to inventory shrink, spoilage and damage. Internal costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation at its distribution facilities and payroll and other direct costs for in store demonstrations.
  
Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates, time-limited product promotions, slotting fees, demonstration reimbursements and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates that are not threshold based are incorporated into the unit cost of merchandise reducing the inventory cost and cost of goods sold. Volume rebates that are threshold based are recorded as a reduction to cost of good sold when the Company achieves established purchase levels that are confirmed by the vendor in writing or upon receipt of funds. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand and this amount is reclassified as a reduction to inventory, if significant. Product promotions are generally linked to coupons that provide for reimbursement to the Company from vendor rebates for the product being promoted.  Slotting fees are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for preferential "end cap" placement of the vendor's products within the warehouse club. Demonstration reimbursements are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for the in store promotion of the vendors' products. The Company records the reduction in cost of goods sold on a transactional basis for these programs. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases, and therefore, are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting effect recorded to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.
 

15


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


Selling, General and Administrative – Selling, general and administrative costs are comprised primarily of expenses associated with warehouse operations. Warehouse operations include the operating costs of the Company's warehouse clubs, including all payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation, and bank and credit card processing fees. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses are the payroll and related costs for the Company's U.S. and regional purchasing and management centers. 

Pre-Opening Costs – The Company expenses pre-opening costs (the costs of start-up activities, including organization costs and rent) as incurred.

Asset Impairment Costs –  The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. Management's judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include management's best estimate of future business activity. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, requiring an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair value. Future business conditions and/or activity could differ materially from the projections made by management causing the need for additional impairment charges.
 
Contingencies and Litigation –  The Company accounts for and reports loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  
 
Foreign Currency – The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated to U.S. dollars when the functional currency in the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.  These adjustments will affect net income upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment.
 
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity, (primarily U.S. Dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including repatriation of funds, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income. The following table summarizes the amounts recorded for the three and nine month periods ending May 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
Currency gain (loss)
$
(785
)
 
$
(450
)
 
(1,049
)
 
(736
)

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributed to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carry-forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized.

The Company and its subsidiaries are required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various federal, state and foreign taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company or one of its subsidiaries file tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the income tax positions taken by the Company (“uncertain tax positions”) and, therefore, require the Company or one of its subsidiaries to pay additional taxes.


16


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability.  In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. This requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. When facts and circumstances change, the Company reassesses these probabilities and records any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate.   There were no material changes in the Company's uncertain income tax positions for the periods ended May 31, 2013 and 2012.
     
The following tables presents a reconciliation of the effective tax rate for the periods presented:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
Federal tax provision at statutory rates
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit
0.3

 
0.5

 
0.3

 
0.7

Differences in foreign tax rates
(2.6
)
 
(6.7
)
 
(3.9
)
 
(4.1
)
Permanent items and other adjustments

 
4.6

 
(1.1
)
 
1.8

Increase (decrease) in foreign valuation allowance
0.2

 
0.5

 
0.5

 
0.7

Provision for income taxes
32.9
 %
 
33.9
 %
 
30.8
 %
 
34.1
 %
 
For the three-month period ended on May 31, 2013, the decrease in the effective tax rate versus the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) 0.2% of decrease results from adoption of California single sales factor apportionment; (ii) 0.5% of decrease relates to the Company's Colombia affiliate; (iii) 1% of decrease results from prior period credit card processing fees, recorded in the third quarter of fiscal year 2012, for which the Company did not recognize a tax benefit; and (iv) 1% of increase results from reversals of income tax liability for uncertain tax positions in the third quarter of fiscal year 2012.
 
 
 
For the first nine months of fiscal year 2013, the decrease in the effective tax rate versus the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) 1.4% relates to the Company's Colombia affiliate; (ii) 0.5% results from adoption of California single sales factor apportionment; (iii) 0.3% results from prior period credit card processing fees, recorded in fiscal year 2012, for which the Company did not recognize a tax benefit; and (iv) 0.4% results from changes in income tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions. 
 
 
 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

FASB ASC 405

In February 2013, the FASB issued amendments providing guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this update is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. The guidance requires an entity to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendment will be retrospectively effective for the Company as of September 1, 2013. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


17


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


FASB ASC 220

In February 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance for the presentation requirements for reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment requires the Company to provide additional information about reclassifications of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment was effective as of March 1, 2013.  The Company adopted this guidance on March 1, 2013. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 220

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend the presentation of comprehensive income to allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity.  The amended guidance was effective for annual and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011 and was to be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted this guidance on September 1, 2012.  Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 350

In December 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning testing for impairment of goodwill where an entity has one or more reporting units whose carrying value is zero or negative.  The amended guidance requires the entity to perform a test to measure the amount, if any, of impairment to goodwill by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The Company was required to adopt this amended guidance for fiscal years or interim periods within those years after December 15, 2011.  The Company adopted this guidance on September 1, 2012.  The adoption of the amended guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures to those financial statements.

 
NOTE 3 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost. The historical cost of acquiring an asset includes the costs necessarily incurred to bring it to the condition and location necessary for its intended use. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful life of fixtures and equipment ranges from three to 15 years and that of certain components of building improvements and buildings from 10 to 25 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the improvement or the expected term of the lease. In some locations, leasehold improvements are amortized over a period longer than the initial lease term where management believes it is reasonably assured that the renewal option in the underlying lease will be exercised as an economic penalty may be incurred if the option is not exercised. The sale or purchase of property and equipment is recognized upon legal transfer of property. For property and equipment sales, if any long-term notes are carried by the Company as part of the sales terms, the sale is reflected at the net present value of current and future cash streams.

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Land
$
94,072

 
$
89,878

Building and improvements
230,363

 
198,967

Fixtures and equipment
117,751

 
103,250

Construction in progress
16,888

 
22,409

Total property and equipment, historical cost
459,074

 
414,504

Less: accumulated depreciation
(129,160
)
 
(114,937
)
Property and equipment, net
$
329,914

 
$
299,567


18


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



During fiscal year 2012, as a result of the merger of wholly owned subsidiaries under the common control of the Company and the correction of currency translation errors, the Company recorded during the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 a decrease in Property and equipment, net of approximately $8.9 million (see Note 1 - Company Overview and Basis of Presentation).

Depreciation and amortization expense (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Depreciation and amortization expense
$
6,228

 
$
6,061

 
$
17,943

 
$
17,610

    
The Company capitalizes interest on expenditures for qualifying assets over a period that covers the duration of the activities required to get the asset ready for its intended use, provided that expenditures for the asset have been made and interest cost is being incurred. Interest capitalization continues as long as those activities and the incurrence of interest cost continue. The amount capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying the capitalization rate (average interest rate) to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the qualifying asset during the period. The capitalization rates are based on the interest rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period.
Total interest capitalized (in thousands):
 
As of May 31, 2013

 
As of August 31, 2012
Total interest capitalized
$
4,528

 
$
4,675

    
Total interest capitalized (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Interest capitalized
$
1,008

 
$
69

 
$
1,289

 
$
101



NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The Company presents basic and diluted income per share using the two class method.   The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders and that determines basic income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in earnings that would have been available to common stockholders.   A participating security is defined as a security that is eligible to participate in earnings with common stock.  The Company’s capital structure includes restricted stock awards issued under the Company's equity incentive award plans that participate in the distribution of dividends on a one for one basis for distribution of dividends.  In addition, the Company determines diluted income per share by using the more dilutive of the two class-method or the treasury stock method that includes all potential common shares assumed issued in the calculation of diluted net income per share.


19


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net income from continuing operations
$
18,539

 
$
15,708

 
$
63,426

 
$
49,921

Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders
372

 
354

 
1,344

 
941

Net earnings available to common stockholders from continuing operations
$
18,167

 
$
15,354

 
$
62,082

 
$
48,980

Net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders from discontinued operations
$

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$
(6
)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
29,683

 
29,584

 
29,634

 
29,543

Add dilutive effect of stock options (two-class method)
9

 
11

 
10

 
12

Diluted average shares outstanding
29,692

 
29,595

 
29,644

 
29,555

Basic income per share from continuing operations
$
0.61

 
$
0.52

 
$
2.09

 
$
1.66

Diluted income per share from continuing operations
$
0.61

 
$
0.52

 
$
2.09

 
$
1.66

Basic income (loss) per share from discontinued operations
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

Diluted income (loss) per share from discontinued operations
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.00

Net income attributable to PriceSmart:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations
$
18,539

 
$
15,708

 
$
63,426

 
$
49,921

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
(2
)
 

 
(6
)
Net Income
$
18,539

 
$
15,706

 
$
63,426

 
$
49,915


NOTE 5 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Dividends

Dividends

The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal years 2013 and 2012.
 
 
 
 
First Payment
 
Second Payment
Declared
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
11/27/12
 
$
0.60

 
12/10/12
 
12/21/12
 
N/A
 
$
0.30

 
8/15/13
 
N/A
 
8/30/13
 
$
0.30

1/25/12
 
$
0.60

 
2/15/12
 
2/29/12
 
N/A
 
$
0.30

 
8/15/12
 
8/31/12
 
N/A
 
$
0.30


The Company anticipates the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of the Company’s financial performance and anticipated capital requirements. 

20


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 




Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
The following tables disclose the tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss) (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
 
Net-of-Tax Amount
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
 
Net-of-Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)
 
$
(2,073
)
 
$

 
$
(2,073
)
 
$
385

 
$

 
$
385

Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gain (loss) arising during period
 
1

 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
4

 
(4
)
 

Total defined pension plans
 
1

 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
4

 
(4
)
 

Unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps(2)
 
2,558

 
(335
)
 
2,223

 
1,363

 
(41
)
 
1,322

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
486

 
$
(338
)
 
$
148

 
$
1,752

 
$
(45
)
 
$
1,707


 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
 
Net-of-Tax Amount
 
Before-Tax Amount
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
 
Net-of-Tax Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)
 
$
(5,083
)
 
$

 
$
(5,083
)
 
$
(304
)
 
$

 
$
(304
)
Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gain (loss) arising during period
 
2

 
(1
)
 
1

 
16

 
(4
)
 
12

Total defined pension plans
 
2

 
(1
)
 
1

 
16

 
(4
)
 
12

Unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps(2)
 
1,974

 
(366
)
 
1,608

 
48

 
(81
)
 
(33
)
Foreign currency translations differences for merger of foreign operations(1)(3)
 

 

 

 
(5,604
)
 

 
(5,604
)
Correction of foreign currency translations for prior years related to foreign operations affecting property and equipment (1) (3)
 

 

 

 
(3,277
)
 

 
(3,277
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(3,107
)
 
$
(367
)
 
$
(3,474
)
 
$
(9,121
)
 
$
(85
)
 
$
(9,206
)

(1)
Translation adjustments arising in translating the financial statements of a foreign entity have no effect on the income taxes of that foreign entity. They may, however, affect: (a) the amount, measured in the parent entity's reporting currency, of withholding taxes assessed on dividends paid to the parent entity and (b) the amount of taxes assessed on the parent entity by the government of its country. The Company has determined that the reinvestment of earnings of its foreign subsidiaries are indefinite because of the long-term nature of the Company's foreign investment plans. Therefore, deferred taxes are not provided for on translation adjustments related to unremitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.
(2)
See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
(3) 
See Note 1 - Company Overview and Basis of Presentation.
   


21


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The following tables disclose the changes in the balances of each component of other comprehensive loss included as a separate component of equity within the balance sheet and for each component of other comprehensive income, the current period reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands):
 
Nine Month Period Ended May 31, 2013
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps (1)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, September 1, 2012
$
(31,962
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
(1,146
)
 
$
(33,182
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
(5,083
)
 

 

 
(5,083
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 
1

 
1,608

(1) 
1,609

Net current-period other comprehensive income
(5,083
)
 
1

 
1,608

 
(3,474
)
Ending balance, May 31, 2013
$
(37,045
)
 
$
(73
)
 
$
462

 
$
(36,656
)
 
Nine Month Period Ended May 31, 2012
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps (1)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, September 1, 2011
$
(21,894
)
 
$
(273
)
 
$
(748
)
 
$
(22,915
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
(9,185
)
(2) 

 

 
(9,185
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 
12

 
(33
)
(1) 
(21
)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
(9,185
)
 
12

 
(33
)
 
(9,206
)
Ending balance, May 31, 2012
$
(31,079
)
 
$
(261
)
 
$
(781
)
 
$
(32,121
)



22


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



 
Twelve Month Period Ended August 31, 2012
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps (1)
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Beginning balance, September 1, 2011
$
(21,894
)
 
$
(273
)
 
$
(748
)
 
$
(22,915
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
(10,068
)
(2) 

 

 
(10,068
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

 
199

 
(398
)
(1) 
(199
)
Net current-period other comprehensive income
(10,068
)
 
199

 
(398
)
 
(10,267
)
Ending balance, August 31, 2012
$
(31,962
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
(1,146
)
 
$
(33,182
)
(1) See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
(2) Includes $5.6 million to record foreign currency translation differences for merger of operations, $3.3 million to correct foreign currency translations for prior years related to foreign operations affecting property and equipment and $1.2 million in foreign currency translation adjustments. See Note 1- Company Overview and Basis of Presentation for details.



23


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The following tables disclose the effects on net income of significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (in thousands):
 
 
Nine Month Period Ended
 
Twelve Month Period Ended
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
August 31, 2012

 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
Financial statement line item where effect is presented
 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
Financial statement line item where effect is presented
 
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
 
Financial statement line item where effect is presented
Amortization of Defined benefit pension plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service costs
 

 
(1) 
 

 
(1) 
 

 
(1) 
Actuarial gains (losses)
 
2

 
(1) 
 
16

 
(1) 
 
265

 
(1) 
Total before tax
 
2

 
 
 
16

 
 
 
265

 
 
Tax benefit
 
(1
)
 
Statement of Income- Provision for income taxes
 
(4
)
 
Statement of Income- Provision for income taxes
 
(66
)
 
Statement of Income- Provision for income taxes
Net of tax
 
1

 
(1) 
 
12

 
(1) 
 
199

 
(1) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps
 
 
 
 
 
Cross currency interest rate cash flow hedges
 
987

 
Balance sheet- other non-current assets
 
78

 
Balance sheet- other non-current assets
 

 
Balance sheet-other non-current assets
Interest rate cash flow hedges
 
163

 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
258

 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
328

 
Balance sheet-other long-term liabilities
Cross currency interest rate cash flow hedges
 
824

 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
(288
)
 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
(644
)
 
Balance sheet-other long-term liabilities
Total before tax
 
1,974

 
 
 
48

 
 
 
(316
)
 
 
Tax expense
 
(41
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax assets
 
(55
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax assets
 
(82
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax assets
Tax expense
 
(325
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax liabilities
 
(26
)
 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax liabilities
 

 
Balance sheet- Deferred tax liabilities
Net of tax
 
1,608

 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
(33
)
 
Balance sheet- other long-term liabilities
 
(398
)
 
Balance sheet-other long-term liabilities
(1) These amounts are included as part of salaries reported within the statement of income; warehouse club operations.

24


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution
 
The following table summarizes retained earnings designated as legal reserves of various subsidiaries which cannot be distributed as dividends to PriceSmart, Inc. according to applicable statutory regulations (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Retained earnings not available for distribution
$
6,268

 
$
5,490



NOTE 6 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
 
The three types of equity awards offered by the Company are stock options (“options”), restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”).  Compensation related to options is accounted for by applying the valuation technique based on the Black-Scholes model. Compensation related to RSAs and RSUs is based on the fair market value at the time of grant with the application of an estimated forfeiture rate.  The Company recognizes the compensation cost related to these awards over the requisite service period as determined by the grant, amortized ratably or on a straight line basis over the life of the grant.  The Company utilizes “modified grant-date accounting” for true-ups due to actual forfeitures at the vesting dates.  The Company records the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense for stock-based compensation as additional paid-in capital and the tax deficiency resulting from stock-based compensation in excess of the related tax deduction as a reduction in paid-in capital, based on the Tax Law Ordering method.  In addition, the Company reflects the tax savings (deficiency) resulting from the taxation of stock-based compensation as a financing cash flow in its consolidated statement of cash flows, rather than as operating cash flows.

RSAs have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other common stock and are considered to be currently issued and outstanding shares of common stock.  RSUs are not issued nor outstanding until vested and do not have the cash dividend and voting rights of common stock.  However, the Company has paid dividend equivalents to the employees and directors with unvested RSUs equal to the dividend they would have received had the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs been actually issued and outstanding.  The providing of dividend equivalents on RSUs is subject to the annual review and final determination by the board of directors at their discretion.  Payments of dividend equivalents to employees are recorded as compensation expense.

The Company adopted the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan for the benefit of its eligible employees, consultants and non-employee directors on January 22, 2013 and transferred 233,830 shares available under the three prior equity participation plans into this new plan. This plan allows restricted stock awards and restricted stock units which typically vest between five to ten years. The following table summarizes the shares authorized and shares available for future grants:

 
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
 
Shares authorized
 
Shares available to grant
 
Shares available to grant
Prior Plans
2,350,000

 
N/A

 
194,925

2013 Plan
600,000

 
784,065

 
N/A

    
The following table summarizes the components of the stock-based compensation expense (in thousands), which are included in general and administrative expense and warehouse club operations in the consolidated statements of income:
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Options granted to directors
$
29

 
$
33

 
$
83

 
$
74

Restricted stock awards
1,120

 
1,365

 
4,104

 
3,494

Restricted stock units
213

 
135

 
667

 
317

Stock-based compensation expense
$
1,362

 
$
1,533

 
$
4,854

 
$
3,885

    
    

25


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The following table summarizes other information related to stock-based compensation:
 
As of May 31, 2013
 
As of May 31, 2012
Remaining unrecognized compensation cost (in thousands)
$
26,552

 
$
26,367

Weighted average period of time over which this cost will be recognized (years)
7.13

 
8.06

Excess tax benefit (deficiency) on stock-based compensation (in thousands)
$
1,271

 
$
737


The Company began issuing restricted stock awards in fiscal year 2006 and restricted stock units in fiscal year 2008. The restricted stock awards and units vest over a five to ten year period and the unvested portion of the award is forfeited if the employee or non-employee director leaves the Company before the vesting period is completed. Restricted stock awards and units activity for the period was as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
Fiscal Year Ended August 31,
 
2013
 
2012
Grants outstanding at beginning of period
700,893

 
436,611

Granted
57,866

 
399,041

Forfeited
(2,547
)
 
(5,230
)
Vested
(130,108
)
 
(129,529
)
Grants outstanding at end of period
626,104

 
700,893


    
The following table summarizes the weighted average per share grant date fair value for restricted stock awards and units for the period:
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
2013
 
2012
Restricted stock awards and units granted
 
$
80.44

 
$
68.35

Restricted stock awards and units vested
 
39.06

 
23.25

Restricted stock awards and units forfeited
 
30.88

 
29.30


    
The following table summarizes the total fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested for the period (in thousands):
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Total fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested
 
$
10,102

 
$
8,302


    

26


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


At the vesting dates of restricted stock awards, the Company repurchases shares at the prior day's closing price per share, with the funds used to pay the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. The Company expects to continue this practice going forward. The following table summarizes this activity during the period:
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Shares repurchased
 
42,434

 
44,328

Cost of repurchase of shares (in thousands)
 
$
3,286

 
$
3,016

    
The Company reissues treasury shares as part of its stock-based compensation programs.  The following table summarizes the treasury shares reissued during the period:
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Reissued treasury shares
 

 
196,850

    
The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding and the stock-based compensation related to stock options as a percentage to the total stock-based compensation: 
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Stock Options Outstanding
28,000

 
36,000


Due to the substantial shift from the use of stock options to restricted stock awards and units, the Company believes stock option activity is no longer significant and that any further disclosure on options is not necessary. 


NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, the outcome of which, in the opinion of management, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company evaluates such matters on a case by case basis, and vigorously contests any such legal proceedings or claims which the Company believes are without merit.

The Company is required to file federal and state tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company files its returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the interpretations the Company used to calculate its tax liability and therefore require the Company to pay additional taxes.



27


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability.  In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. 

In evaluating the exposure associated with various non-income tax filing positions, the Company accrues for probable and estimable exposures for non-income tax related tax contingencies.  As of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, the Company had recorded within other accrued expenses a total of $2.9 million and $3.3 million, respectively, for various non-income tax related tax contingencies. 

While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in projecting the outcome of litigation, in estimating probable additional income tax liability taking into account uncertain tax positions and in evaluating the probable additional tax associated with various non-income tax filing positions.  As such, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the sensitivity to change of estimates affecting its recorded liabilities.  As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability and revises its estimates as appropriate.

See Note 10 - Unconsolidated Affiliates for a description of additional capital contributions that may be required in connection with joint ventures to develop commercial centers adjacent to PriceSmart warehouse clubs in Panama and Costa Rica.

The Company contracts for distribution center services in Mexico.  The contract for this distribution center's services was renewed on December 31, 2011 for an additional three years, with the applicable fees and rates to be reviewed at the beginning of each calendar year.  Future minimum service commitments related to this contract for the period less than one year and for one to four years are approximately $125,000 and $73,000, respectively.

During fiscal year 2010, the Company was made aware of a potential permitting issue involving the Alajuela warehouse club, located in Costa Rica with regard to the construction and design of a water retention basin (“WRB”) located on property owned by Hacienda Santa Anita(1) ("HSA"). This WRB is used to slow the flow of water runoff from property owned by the Company (the Alajuela warehouse club), property owned by the joint venture Plaza Price Alajuela ("PPA"), and property owned by HSA, as it is discharged into the municipal drainage system. The Company performed a set of complementary improvements to the WRB.  These improvements consisted of digging a network of dirt canals on HSA property to capture and conduct surface waters from these properties to the WRB.  Prior to the Company beginning this work, HSA required the Company to sign an indemnification agreement pursuant to which the Company agreed that it would purchase at fair market value the land held by HSA in the event HSA was not allowed to develop that land due to the construction of the canals.  The Company has estimated the current fair value of the land to be approximately $4.1 million. The Company has not recorded a liability for any of these matters as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012.

(1)
Hacienda Santa Anita is a locally based business related to J.B. Enterprises (a Panamanian business entity). On September 29, 2008, the Company entered into a joint venture, known as Plaza Price Alajuela with J.B. Enterprises, to jointly own and operate a commercial retail center adjacent to the Alajuela warehouse club and the HSA property, with each owning a 50% interest in the joint venture.

    


28


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


NOTE 8 – DEBT

Short-term borrowings consist of lines of credit which are secured by certain assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and in some cases are guaranteed by the Company as summarized below (in thousands):

 
 
 
Facilities Used
 
 
 
 
 
Total Amount of Facilities
 
Short-term Borrowings
 
Letters of Credit
 
Facilities Available
 
Weighted average interest rate
May 31, 2013
$
35,975

 
$

 
$
858

 
$
35,117

 
N/A
August 31, 2012
$
36,967

 
$

 
$
774

 
$
36,193

 
N/A
 
Each of the facilities expires annually and is normally renewed.
  
Annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):


 
Amount
2014
 
$
7,784

2015
 
18,114

2016
 
32,638

2017
 
10,354

2018
 
2,591

Thereafter
 
4,371

Total
 
$
75,852



NOTE 9 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. One risk managed by the Company using derivative instruments is interest rate risk.  To manage interest rate exposure, the Company enters into hedge transactions (interest rate swaps) using derivative financial instruments.  The objective of entering into interest rate swaps is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the LIBOR interest payments associated with variable-rate loans over the life of the loans.  As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges provide a synthetic offset to interest rate movements.

In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure related to a non-functional currency long-term debt of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage this foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, the Company’s subsidiary entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap that converts its foreign currency denominated floating interest payments to functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements.

These derivative instruments (cash flow hedging instruments) are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, with the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction is determined to be ineffective.  There were no such amounts recorded for ineffectiveness for the periods reported herein related to the interest rate or cross-currency interest rate swaps of long-term debt.


29


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations in the normal course of business, particularly in the case of U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.  The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  These contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company formally documents the hedging relationships for its derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting. As of May 31, 2013, all of the Company’s interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges.  The cross-currency interest rate swap agreements convert the Company's subsidiary's foreign currency United States dollar denominated floating interest payments on long-term debt to the functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign currency exchange movements.  Various subsidiaries entered into interest rate swap agreements that fix the interest rate over the life of the underlying loans.
    
The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting transactions during the nine months ended May 31, 2013:
Subsidiary
 
Date entered into
 
Derivative Financial Counter-party
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Initial
US Notional Amount
 
Bank US loan Held with
 
Floating Leg (swap counter-party)
 
Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary
 
Settlement Reset Date
 
Effective Period of Swap
Colombia
 
11-Dec-12
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
4.79
%
 
March, June, September and December, beginning on March 5, 2013
 
December 5, 2012 - December 5, 2014
Colombia
 
21-Feb-12
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.6%
 
6.02
%
 
February, May, August and November beginning on May 22, 2012
 
February 21, 2012 - February 21, 2017
Colombia
 
17-Nov-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 6-month Eurodollar Libor plus 2.4%
 
5.85
%
 
May 3, 2012 and semi-annually thereafter
 
November 3, 2011 - November 3, 2013
Colombia
 
21-Oct-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
2,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
5.30
%
 
January, April, July and October, beginning on October 29, 2011
 
July 29, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Colombia
 
21-Oct-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
6,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
5.45
%
 
March, June, September and December, beginning on October 29, 2011
 
September 29, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Colombia
 
5-May-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
6.09
%
 
January, April, July and October, beginning on July 5, 2011
 
April 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Trinidad
 
20-Nov-08
 
Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
8,900,000

 
Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago
 
Variable rate 1-year Libor plus 2.75%
 
7.05
%
 
Annually on August 26
 
September 25, 2008 - September 26, 2013
Barbados
 
13-Feb-08
 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
4,500,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 9-month Libor plus 1.5%
 
5.22
%
 
Semi-annually on November 15 and May 15
 
November 15, 2007 - November 14, 2012



30


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


For the three and nine-month period ended May 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company included the gain or loss on the hedged items (that is, variable-rate borrowings) in the same line item—interest expense—as the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps as follows (in thousands):
Income Statement Classification
 
Interest expense
on Borrowings
 
Cost of Swaps
 
Interest expense
Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2013
 
$
182

 
$
482

 
$
664

Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2012
 
216

 
401

 
617

Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2013
 
559

 
1,341

 
1,900

Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2012
 
555

 
957

 
1,512


The total notional balance of the Company’s pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps was as follows (in thousands):
 Floating Rate Payer (Swap Counterparty)
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
RBTT
 
$
4,725

 
$
5,400

Scotiabank
 
40,000

 
32,000

Citibank N.A.
 

 
2,475

Total
 
$
44,725

 
$
39,875


The following table summarizes the fair value of interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative instruments that qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands, except footnote data):
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
Cross currency interest rate swaps(1)(2)
 
Other non-current assets
 
$
987

 
Other non-current assets
 
$

Interest rate swaps(3)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(53
)
 
Other long-term  liabilities
 
(216
)
Cross currency interest rate swaps(1)(4)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(159
)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(983
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments - assets (liability)(5)
 
 
 
$
775

 
 
 
$
(1,199
)

(1) 
The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/ loss for $(502,000) and $983,000 as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.  
(2) 
The Company has recorded a deferred tax liability amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $(326,000) as of May 31, 2013 related to Other non-current assets for the cross-currency interest rate swap.
(3) 
The effective portion of the interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss for $40,000 and $162,000 net of tax as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.  The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $13,000 and $54,000 as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.
(4) 
The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to the tax valuation allowance of $53,000 and $117,000 as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively, related to Other long-term liabilities for the cross currency interest rate swaps.
(5) 
Derivatives listed on the above table were designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

31


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


Fair Value Instruments

The Company has entered into non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts.  These contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value contracts and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting.  The use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts is intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  These contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company has entered into the forward foreign exchange contracts summarized below as of May 31, 2013:

Subsidiary
 
Date entered into
 
Derivative Financial Counter-party
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Notional Amount
(in thousands)
 
Settlement Date
 
Effective Period
Colombia
 
April 2013 through May 2013
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
$
17,500

 
May 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013
 
April through June 2013
Colombia
 
April 2013 through May 2013
 
 Citibank N.A.
 
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
$
1,000

 
May 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013
 
April through June 2013
Costa Rica
 
April 2013 through May 2013
 
 Citibank N.A.
 
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
$
4,000

 
May 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013
 
April through June 2013

For the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company included in its consolidated statements of income the forward derivative (gain) or loss on the non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
Income Statement Classification
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
Other income (expense), net
 
$
168

 
$

 
$
300

 
$


The following table summarizes the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts that do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands):
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
393

 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
27

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Other accrued expenses
 
(53
)
 
Other accrued expenses
 
(3
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
 
 
$
340

 
 
 
$
24





32


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


NOTE 10 – UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
 
The Company determines whether any of the joint ventures in which it has made investments is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”) at the start of each new venture and if a reconsideration event has occurred.  At this time, the Company also considers whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement in a VIE.  A reporting entity must consolidate a VIE if that reporting entity has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests) that will absorb a majority of the VIE's expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE's expected residual returns, or both. A reporting entity must consider the rights and obligations conveyed by its variable interests and the relationship of its variable interests with variable interests held by other parties to determine whether its variable interests will absorb a majority of a VIE's expected losses, receive a majority of the VIE's expected residual returns, or both.  The reporting entity that consolidates a VIE is called the primary beneficiary of that VIE.  

In 2008, the Company entered into real estate joint ventures to jointly own and operate separate commercial retail centers adjacent to warehouse clubs in Panama (Golf Park Plaza, S.A.) and Costa Rica (Plaza Alajuela, S.A.). Due to the initial nature of the joint ventures and the continued commitments for additional financing, the Company determined these joint ventures are VIEs.  Since all rights and obligations are equally absorbed by both parties within each joint venture, the Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs and, therefore, has accounted for these entities under the equity method. Under the equity method, the Company's investments in unconsolidated affiliates are initially recorded as an investment in the stock of an investee at cost and are adjusted for the carrying amount of the investment to recognize the investor's share of the earnings or losses of the investee after the date of the initial investment. 

The table below summarizes the Company’s interest in these VIEs and the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these VIEs as of May 31, 2013 (in thousands):
Entity
 
% Ownership
 
Initial Investment
 
Additional Contributions
 
 
 
Net Loss Inception to Date
 
Company’s Variable
Interest in Entity
 
Commitment to Future Additional Contributions(1)
 
Company’s
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss in Entity(2)
 
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.
 
50
%
 
$
4,616

 
$
733

 
$
(65
)
 
$
5,284

 
$
1,767

 
$
7,051

 
Price Plaza Alajuela, S.A.
 
50
%
 
2,193

 
676

 
(46
)
 
2,823

 
1,346

 
4,169

 
Total
 
 
 
$
6,809

 
$
1,409

 
$
(111
)
 
$
8,107

 
$
3,113

 
$
11,220

 

(1) 
The parties intend to seek alternate financing for the project, which could reduce the amount of contributions each party would be required to provide.  The parties may mutually agree on changes to the project, which could increase or decrease the amount of contributions each party is required to provide.
(2) 
The maximum exposure is determined by adding the Company’s variable interest in the entity and any explicit or implicit arrangements that could require the Company to provide additional financial support.


33


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


The summarized financial information of the unconsolidated affiliates is as follows (in thousands): 
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Current assets
 
$
662

 
$
943

Noncurrent assets
 
7,371

 
6,056

Current liabilities
 
990

 
1,052

Noncurrent liabilities
 
5

 


 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Net income (loss)
 
$
12

 
$
(38
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$
(18
)

NOTE 11 – SEGMENTS
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the operation of membership shopping warehouse clubs in 13 countries/territories that are located in Latin America and the Caribbean.  In addition, the Company operates distribution centers and corporate offices in the United States.  The Company’s reportable segments are based on management’s organization of these locations into operating segments by general geographic location, which are used by management in setting up management lines of responsibility, providing support services, and making operational decisions and assessments of financial performance.  The Company’s operating segments are the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.  Segment amounts are presented after converting to U.S. dollars and consolidating eliminations.  Certain revenues and operating costs included in the United States segment have not been allocated, as it is impractical to do so.  

The Company has made reclassifications to the consolidated balance sheet and to the consolidated statements of income of recorded during fiscal year 2013 and for fiscal year 2012 (see Note 1 - Company Overview and Basis of Presentation). These reclassifications have been made to prior fiscal year amounts to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. The following table summarizes the impact of these reclassifications to the amounts reported for each segment (in thousands):
    
Nine Month Period Ended May 31, 2012
 
United
States
Operations
 
Latin
American
Operations
 
Caribbean
Operations
 
Total
Revenue from external customers-as previously reported
 
$
8,476

 
$
1,003,517

 
$
523,298

 
$
1,535,291

Reclassifications - front end sales
 

 
(277
)
 
(209
)
 
(486
)
Reclassifications - demonstration income
 

 
(2,844
)
 
(776
)
 
(3,620
)
Revenue from external customers-as currently reported
 
$
8,476

 
$
1,000,396

 
$
522,313

 
$
1,531,185

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)-as previously reported
 
$
38,494

 
$
223,065

 
$
114,967

 
$
376,526

Reclassifications
 
(22,165
)
(1) 
20,436

(2) 
2,683

 
954

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)-as currently reported
 
$
16,329

 
$
243,501

 
$
117,650

 
$
377,480


(1) 
The Company reclassified approximately $22.2 million of long-lived assets incorrectly allocated to United States operations within the segment reporting at the end of the second quarter to Latin American Operations and Caribbean Operations for approximately $19.5 million and $2.7 million, respectively.

(2) 
The Company reclassified prepaid expenses to long-lived assets within the Latin America Operations segment for approximately $954,000.

34


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 


As of August 31, 2012
 
United
States
Operations
 
Latin
American
Operations
 
Caribbean
Operations
 
Total
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)-as previously reported
 
$
17,781

 
$
249,925

 
$
116,557

 
$
384,263

Reclassifications
 

 
1,722

(3) 

 
1,722

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)-as currently reported
 
$
17,781

 
$
251,647

 
$
116,557

 
$
385,985


(3) 
The Company reclassified prepaid expenses to long-lived assets within the Latin America Operations segment for approximately $1.7 million.

The following table summarizes by segment certain revenues, operating costs and balance sheet items (in thousands):  
 
 
United
States
Operations
 
Latin
American
Operations
 
Caribbean
Operations
 
Reconciling Items(1)
 
Total
Nine Month Period Ended May 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
 
$
15,620

 
$
1,147,275

 
$
551,523

 
$

 
$
1,714,418

Intersegment revenues
 
659,166

 

 
3,565

 
(662,731
)
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,552

 
9,737

 
6,654

 

 
17,943

Operating income
 
25,103

 
53,151

 
16,705

 

 
94,959

Net income
 
17,628

 
34,404

 
11,394

 

 
63,426

Capital expenditures, net
 
322

 
46,517

 
5,544

 

 
52,383

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)
 
16,559

 
295,967

 
116,124

 

 
428,650

Goodwill
 

 
31,683

 
4,939

 

 
36,622

Identifiable assets
 
76,730

 
508,798

 
206,966

 

 
792,494

Nine Month Period Ended May 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
 
$
8,476

 
$
1,000,396

 
$
522,313

 
$

 
$
1,531,185

Intersegment revenues
 
564,713

 
40

 
3,546

 
(568,299
)
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,299

 
8,677

 
7,634

 

 
17,610

Operating income
 
19,940

 
46,718

 
13,348

 

 
80,006

Net income
 
14,308

 
28,173

 
7,434

 

 
49,915

Capital expenditures, net
 
1,200

 
27,610

 
6,959

 

 
35,769

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)
 
16,329

 
243,501

 
117,650

 

 
377,480

Goodwill
 

 
31,939

 
5,165

 

 
37,104

Identifiable assets
 
64,580

 
446,624

 
204,736

 

 
715,940

As of August 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)
 
$
17,781

 
$
262,969

 
$
118,548

 
$

 
$
399,298

Goodwill
 

 
31,760

 
5,126

 

 
36,886

Identifiable assets
 
87,467

 
441,857

 
206,388

 

 
735,712


(1) 
The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions.



35


PRICESMART, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
 



NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


The Company has evaluated all events subsequent to the balance sheet date of May 31, 2013 through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements and have determined that, except as set forth below, there are no subsequent events that require disclosure.
     
Forward foreign exchange contracts entered into after May 31, 2013
 
The Company's Colombia subsidiary has entered into forward exchange contracts for approximately $23.0 million with settlement dates from July 2013 through August 2013.










36


PRICESMART, INC.

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q  contains forward-looking statements concerning the Company's anticipated future revenues and earnings, adequacy of future cash flow and related matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements containing the words “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipated,” “scheduled,” and like expressions, and the negative thereof. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the following risks: the Company's financial performance is dependent on international operations which exposes the Company to various risks; any failure by the Company to manage its widely dispersed operations could adversely affect its business; the Company faces significant competition; future sales growth could be dependent upon the Company acquiring suitable sites for additional warehouse clubs; the Company faces difficulties in the shipment of, and risks inherent in the acquisition and importation of, merchandise to its warehouse clubs; the Company is exposed to weather and other natural disaster risks; general economic conditions could adversely impact the Company's business in various respects; the Company is subject to changes in relationships and agreements with third parties with which the Company does business; a few of the Company's stockholders own nearly 29.7% of the Company's voting stock, which may make it difficult to complete some corporate transactions without their support and may impede a change in control; the loss of key personnel could harm the Company's business; the Company is subject to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates; the Company faces the risk of exposure to product liability claims, a product recall and adverse publicity; a determination that the Company's long-lived or intangible assets have been impaired could adversely affect the Company's future results of operations and financial position; although the Company takes steps to continuously review, enhance, and implement improvements to its internal controls, there may be material weaknesses or significant deficiencies that the Company has not yet identified; as well as the other risks detailed in the Company's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012 filed on October 30, 2012 pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  See “Part II – Item 1A – Risk Factors.”

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three and nine month period ended May 31, 2013 and 2012 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included therein.
      
PriceSmart's business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. The Company's ownership in all operating subsidiaries as of May 31, 2013 is 100%, and they are presented on a consolidated basis. The number of warehouse clubs in operation as of May 31, 2013 and 2012  for each country or territory are as follows:
 
 
Number of
Warehouse Clubs
in Operation as of
 
Number of
Warehouse Clubs
in Operation as of
 
Anticipated warehouse
club openings
in
Country/Territory
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
Fiscal year 2014
Colombia
 
3

 
1

 

Panama
 
4

 
4

 

Costa Rica
 
5

 
5

 
1

Dominican Republic
 
3

 
3

 

Guatemala
 
3

 
3

 

El Salvador
 
2

 
2

 

Honduras
 
2

 
2

 
1

Trinidad
 
4

 
4

 

Aruba
 
1

 
1

 

Barbados
 
1

 
1

 

U.S. Virgin Islands
 
1

 
1

 

Jamaica
 
1

 
1

 

Nicaragua
 
1

 
1

 

Totals
 
31

 
29

 
2


37



During fiscal 2013, the Company opened its second and third clubs in Colombia. These clubs are in south and north Cali and opened in October 2012 and May 2013, respectively. Additionally, in February 2013, the Company acquired property located in La Union, Cartago, Costa Rica, upon which it anticipates opening its sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in the fall of 2013. Finally, in February 2013, the Company acquired land in Tegucigalpa, Honduras upon which it anticipates opening its third warehouse club in Honduras in the spring of 2014.

The Company's warehouse clubs are located in Latin America and the Caribbean, and its corporate, U.S. buying operations and distribution centers are primarily located in the United States. The Company's reportable segments are based on management's organization of these locations into operating segments by general geographic location. The Company's operating segments are the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.

General Economic Factors

The economies in the major PriceSmart markets continue to experience moderate year-over-year growth. Specific events in some of the smaller countries in which the Company has warehouse clubs, such as increases in value-added taxes, reduced economic activity and other factors are contributing to a more challenging retail environment in those markets, adversely impacting sales growth.

The Company does not currently face direct competition from U.S. branded membership warehouse club operators. However, it does face competition from various retail formats such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, cash and carry, home improvement centers, electronic retailers and specialty stores, including those within Central America that are owned and operated by a large U.S. based retailer. The Company has competed effectively in these markets in the past and expects to continue to do so in the future due to the unique nature of the membership warehouse club format. The Company has noted that certain retailers are making investments in upgrading their stores and adding new locations within the Company's markets resulting in increased competition. For example, Cost-U-Less, a cash and carry, low price operator with whom the Company competes in St. Thomas recently opened a location in Barbados. Further, it is possible that U.S. warehouse club operators may decide to enter the Company's markets and compete more directly with PriceSmart in a similar warehouse club format.
 
Many PriceSmart markets are susceptible to foreign currency exchange rate volatility. Approximately 52% of the Company's net warehouse sales are comprised of products purchased in U.S. dollars and imported into the markets where PriceSmart warehouse clubs are located, but approximately 79% of the Company's net warehouse sales are in foreign currencies. Currency exchange rate changes either increase or decrease the cost to the Company's subsidiaries of imported products purchased in U.S. dollars and priced in local currency. Although the Company adjusts prices on U.S. dollar goods on a periodic basis to maintain its target margins after taking into account changes in exchange rates, price changes can impact the demand for those products in the market. 

Currency exchange rates also affect the reported sales of the consolidated company when local currency-denominated sales are translated to U.S. dollars.  In addition, the Company revalues all U.S. dollar-denominated monetary assets and liabilities within those markets that do not use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. These monetary assets and liabilities include, but are not limited to, excess cash permanently reinvested offshore, U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt used to finance land acquisition and the construction of warehouse clubs, and U.S. dollar-denominated accounts payable related to the purchase of merchandise.  

In addition to adjusting prices, the Company seeks to manage its foreign exchange risk by (1) obtaining local currency loans from banks within certain markets where it is economical to do so and where management believes the risk of devaluation and the level of U.S. dollar denominated liabilities warrants this action; (2) reducing the time between the acquisition of product in U.S. dollars and the settlement of that purchase in local currency; and (3) by entering into cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward currency derivatives. The Company has local currency-denominated long-term loans in Honduras and Guatemala; has cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward currency derivatives in Colombia and has forward currency derivatives in Costa Rica. Turbulence in the currency markets can have a significant impact on the value of the foreign currencies within the countries in which the Company operates. For example, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, concerns related to European sovereign debt contributed to the Colombian peso devaluation of 9.3% against the U.S. dollar, resulting in the Company's Colombian subsidiary recording approximately $1.5 million in currency losses upon the translation of U.S. dollar denominated liabilities.  Future volatility and uncertainties regarding the currencies in the Company's countries could have a material impact on the Company's operations in future periods.  However, there is no way to accurately forecast how currencies may trade in the future and, as a result, the Company cannot accurately project the impact of the change in rates on the Company's future demand for imported products, reported sales, or financial results.


38


Business Strategy

The Company's business strategy is to offer for sale to businesses and families a limited number of stock keeping units (SKU's) covering a wide range of products at the lowest possible prices.   The Company charges an annual membership fee to its customers.  These fees combined with warehouse and distribution operating efficiencies and volume purchasing enable PriceSmart to operate its business on lower merchandise margins than conventional retail stores.  The combination of annual membership fees, operating efficiencies and low margins enable PriceSmart to offer its members high quality merchandise at very competitive prices which, in turn, enhances the value of the PriceSmart membership.

Current and Future Management Actions

Generally, the Company's earnings and cash flow from operations improve as sales increase.  Higher sales provide greater purchasing power and often result in lower product prices from the Company's suppliers.   As the Company's and individual PriceSmart locations' sales volumes increase, operating efficiencies are often realized through the leveraging of fixed costs and by the introduction of more efficient operating processes.  Further, increased sales permit the Company to leverage its selling, general and administrative expenses. Sales growth in our existing locations (comparable warehouse club sales) creates the highest degree of cost leverage due to the operating efficiencies within our warehouse club format. Therefore, the Company prioritizes initiatives that it expects will have the greatest impact on increasing sales.  Looking forward to the next several quarters, the following items are likely to have an impact on the Company's business and the results of operations.


 The Company seeks to increase sales by attracting new members and growing sales with existing members in its warehouse clubs and by adding new PriceSmart warehouse clubs.  During fiscal 2013, the Company opened its second and third clubs in Colombia. These clubs are in south and north Cali and opened in October 2012 and May 2013, respectively. Additionally, in February 2013, the Company acquired property located in La Union, Cartago, Costa Rica, upon which it anticipates opening its sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in the fall of 2013. Finally, in February 2013, the Company acquired land in Tegucigalpa, Honduras upon which it anticipates opening its third warehouse club in Honduras in the spring of 2014. The Company continues to explore other potential sites for future warehouse clubs in its markets.

Effective June 1, 2012, the Company raised the annual membership fee by approximately $5.00 in most markets. The annual fee for a Diamond membership in these markets is now approximately $35.00 (entitling members to two cards). A membership fee helps PriceSmart offer high quality merchandise at low prices providing value to its members. In November, the Company introduced Platinum Membership in Costa Rica for $75 with a corresponding 2% rebate that can be applied against future purchases up to an annual maximum of $500.

The Company believes that its logistics and distribution operations are an important part of what allows PriceSmart to deliver high quality merchandise at low prices to our members. The Company continues to explore areas to improve efficiency, lower costs and ensure a good flow of merchandise to our warehouse clubs. The Company is adding regional distribution centers in some of its larger markets (currently Costa Rica and Panama) to improve merchandise flow and lower costs, the benefit of which can be passed on to our members in the form of lower merchandise prices.
    
Although the Company has leased sites in the past and will likely do so again in the future, generally the Company seeks to enhance its long-term business performance by buying rather than leasing real estate.  Real estate ownership provides a number of advantages as compared to leasing, including lower operating expenses, flexibility to expand or otherwise enhance PriceSmart buildings, long-term control over the use of the property and the residual value that the real estate may have in future years.  In the course of acquiring sites, the Company sometimes has to purchase more land than is actually needed for the warehouse club operation.  As an example, when the Company acquired the Alajuela site in Costa Rica, it purchased land for the PriceSmart warehouse club and entered into a joint venture with the seller on the balance of the property.  PriceSmart entered into a similar real estate transaction with respect to its Brisas site in Panama City.  To the extent that the Company acquires property in excess of what is needed for a particular warehouse club, the Company generally plans to either sell or develop the excess property.  The excess land at Alajuela and Brisas is being held for development by the joint ventures, which commenced in fiscal year 2011.  A similar development strategy is being employed for the Company's excess land at the new San Fernando, Trinidad and Arroyo Hondo, Dominican Republic locations where the properties are fully owned by PriceSmart. The profitable sale or development of real estate is highly dependent on real estate market conditions.
 
 


39


Financial highlights for the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 included:
 
Net warehouse club sales increased 12.3% over the comparable prior year period. The Company had two additional warehouse clubs in the quarter (both in Cali, Colombia) compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Comparable warehouse club sales (that is, sales in the warehouse clubs that have been open for greater than 13 1/2 calendar months) for the 13 weeks ended June 2, 2013 grew 9.2%.
Membership income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 increased 26.4% to $8.8 million.
Warehouse sales gross profits (net warehouse club sales less associated cost of goods sold) in the quarter increased 8.2% over the prior year period and warehouse sales gross profits as a percent of net warehouse sales were 14.4%, a reduction of 55 basis points from the same period last year.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (not including pre-opening expenses) decreased 47 basis points as a percentage of sales compared to the third quarter of last year.
Operating income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 was $28.7 million, an increase of $3.3 million over the third quarter of fiscal year 2012.
The Company had a $785,000 net loss from currency exchange transactions in the current quarter compared to a $449,000 net loss from currency exchange transactions in the same period last year.
Net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 was $18.5 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, compared to $15.7 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in the comparable prior year period.



40


Reclassifications to consolidated statement of income recorded during fiscal year 2013 for fiscal year 2012 - The Company receives cash consideration from its vendors for product demonstrations. Prior to fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded this consideration as other income. However, cash or equity consideration received from a vendor is presumed to be a reduction of cost of sales when it is recognized in the income statement. Additionally, reimbursements of costs incurred by the customer to sell the vendor's products are treated as a reduction of the related cost when recognized in the income statement. Therefore, the Company has recorded such consideration as a reduction to cost of sales and a reduction to related costs incurred to sell the vendor's products starting in fiscal year 2013. The Company has made reclassifications to the consolidated statement of income for fiscal year 2012 to conform to the presentation in fiscal year 2013. These reclassifications did not impact consolidated operating income or net income. The following table summarizes the impact of these reclassifications (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
November 30, 2011
 
February 29, 2012
 
May 31, 2012
 
August 31, 2012
 
Total Fiscal Year 2012
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net warehouse club sales-as previously reported
$
468,329

 
$
537,816

 
$
494,898

 
$
499,003

 
$
2,000,046

Reclassifications
(137
)
 
(197
)
 
(151
)
 
(197
)
 
(682
)
Net warehouse club sales-as currently reported
$
468,192

 
$
537,619

 
$
494,747

 
$
498,806

 
$
1,999,364

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income-as previously reported
$
1,776

 
$
2,165

 
$
2,163

 
$
2,318

 
$
8,422

Reclassifications
(1,097
)
 
(1,230
)
 
(1,294
)
 
(1,279
)
 
(4,900
)
Other income-as currently reported
$
679

 
$
935

 
$
869

 
$
1,039

 
$
3,522

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net warehouse club-as previously reported
$
400,481

 
$
459,313

 
$
421,512

 
$
422,825

 
$
1,704,131

Reclassifications
(616
)
 
(805
)
 
(788
)
 
(590
)
 
(2,799
)
Net warehouse club-as currently reported
$
399,865

 
$
458,508

 
$
420,724

 
$
422,235

 
$
1,701,332

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warehouse club operations-as previously reported
$
42,509

 
$
46,384

 
$
46,197

 
$
47,311

 
$
182,401

Reclassifications
(618
)
 
(622
)
 
(657
)
 
(886
)
 
(2,783
)
Warehouse club operations-as currently reported
$
41,891

 
$
45,762

 
$
45,540

 
$
46,425

 
$
179,618

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net effect on operating income
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$





 

41


COMPARISON OF THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2013 AND 2012

The Company’s fiscal third quarter ended on May 31, 2013.  Unless otherwise noted, all tables present U.S. dollar amounts in thousands. Certain percentages presented are calculated using actual results prior to rounding.

Net Warehouse Club Sales

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
% Change
 
Amount
Net Warehouse club sales
$
555,815

 
12.3
%
 
$
494,747

 
$
1,671,269

 
11.4
%
 
$
1,500,558



Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

The Company recorded positive sales growth in nearly all countries. Colombia, in particular, experienced strong sales growth with the addition of two new warehouse clubs compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2012. Total net warehouse sales growth of 12.3% during the three months ended May 31, 2013 resulted from an 8.8% growth in transactions and a 3.3% growth in average ticket. All merchandise categories experienced growth during the quarter, with hardline and softline merchandise growing a little faster than total sales at 16% and 15%, respectively. In addition, bakery continued to perform well, with growth in the period of 18%.

For the first three quarters of fiscal year 2013, net warehouse sales growth of 11.4% resulted from a 7.7% increase in transactions coupled with a 3.4% increase in average ticket.

Comparable Sales

The Company reports comparable warehouse club sales on a “same week” basis with 13 weeks in each quarter beginning on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. The periods are established at the beginning of the fiscal year to provide as close a match as possible to the calendar month and quarter that is used for financial reporting purposes. This approach equalizes the number of weekend days and weekdays in each period for improved sales comparison, as the Company experiences higher warehouse club sales on the weekends. Further, each of the warehouse clubs used in the calculations was open for at least 13 1/2 calendar months before its results for the current period were compared with its results for the prior period. For example, the sales related to the warehouse club opened in Cali, Colombia ("Canas Gordas") on October 19, 2012 will not be used in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales until January 2014.  In addition, sales related to the warehouse club opened in Cali, Colombia ("Menga") on May 3, 2013 will not be used in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales until July 2014.

Comparable warehouse club sales, which are for warehouse clubs open at least 13 1/2 full months, increased 9.2% for the 13-week period ended June 2, 2013, compared to the same 13-week period last year.


42


Net Warehouse Club Sales by Segments

The following tables indicate the net warehouse club sales and the percentage growth in net warehouse club sales during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013 and 2012 in the segments in which the Company operates.

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
Change
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
Latin America
$
377,685

 
68.0
%
 
$
50,304

 
15.4
%
 
$
327,381

 
66.2
%
Caribbean
178,130

 
32.0
%
 
10,764

 
6.4
%
 
167,366

 
33.8
%
Net warehouse club sales
$
555,815

 
100.0
%
 
$
61,068

 
12.3
%
 
$
494,747

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
Change
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
Latin America
$
1,127,369

 
67.5
%
 
$
142,595

 
14.5
%
 
$
984,774

 
65.6
%
Caribbean
543,900

 
32.5
%
 
28,116

 
5.5
%
 
515,784

 
34.4
%
Net warehouse Club Sales
$
1,671,269

 
100.0
%
 
$
170,711

 
11.4
%
 
$
1,500,558

 
100.0
%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013 and 2012, the higher net warehouse club sales growth in Latin America compared to the Caribbean reflects improved economic conditions in those more diversified and larger markets, plus the sales associated with the additional two warehouse club sales in Cali, Colombia in the current periods compared to prior periods. We expect Latin America sales growth to continue to outpace Caribbean sales growth as the next two warehouse clubs we expect to open are located in Costa Rica and Honduras.

Export Sales 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
Change
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
Export sales
$
6,224


1.1
%

$
3,456


124.9
%

$
2,768


0.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
Change
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
Export sales
$
15,620


0.9
%

$
7,144


84.3
%

$
8,476


0.6
%

The increase in export sales was due to direct sales to a single institutional customer (retailer) in the Philippines for which the Company achieves a gross profit margin of approximately 5%, which is below the Company's warehouse club gross profit margin.



43


Membership Income
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Membership income
$
8,774

 
$
1,830

 
26.4
%
 
$
6,944

Membership income % to net warehouse club sales
1.6
%
 

 

 
1.4
%
Number of total accounts
1,061,189

 
111,614

 
11.8
%
 
949,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Membership Income
$
24,773

 
$
5,105

 
26.0
%
 
$
19,668

Membership income % to net warehouse club sales
1.5
%
 

 

 
1.3
%
Number of total accounts
1,061,189

 
111,614

 
11.8
%
 
949,575

  
Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

For the three months ended May 31, 2013, the increase in membership income reflects a growth in membership accounts and an increase in the average fee collected for new and renewing members.  Total member accounts grew 11.8% from the year ago period. The increase in the annual fee in most markets which took effect in June 2012 along with the Platinum membership introduced in Costa Rica in November 2012 contributed 11.4% to the increased membership income recognized in the quarter compared to the same period a year ago.  The membership renewal rate for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2013 was 84%. The 12-month renewal rate as of May 31, 2012 was 89% which was positively impacted at that time by early renewals in advance of the June 2012 membership fee increase. Similarly, the membership income growth for the nine months ending May 31, 2013 reflects the 11.8% growth in accounts and an increased average annual fee.
  

Other Income

Other income consists of rental income and other miscellaneous income.
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Other income
$
909


$
40


4.6
%

$
869

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Other income
$
2,756


$
273


11.0
%

$
2,483

    


44


Gross Margin

Warehouse Sales Gross Profit Margin
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% to sales
 
Amount
 
% to sales
Warehouse club sales
$
555,815


$
61,068


100.0
%

$
494,747


100.0
%
Less associated cost of goods
475,727


55,003


85.6
%

420,724


85.0
%
Warehouse gross profit margin
$
80,088


$
6,065


14.4
%

$
74,023


15.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% to sales
 
Amount
 
% to sales
Warehouse club sales
$
1,671,269


$
170,711


100.0
%

$
1,500,558


100.0
%
Less associated cost of goods
1,425,396


146,299


85.3
%

1,279,097


85.2
%
Warehouse gross profit margin
$
245,873


$
24,412


14.7
%

$
221,461


14.8
%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

For the three months ended May 31, 2013, warehouse gross profit margin as a percent of sales was 55 basis points lower than the third quarter of fiscal 2012. This margin reduction resulted from broad-based price reductions across nearly all merchandise categories and countries implemented during the period, reflecting the Company's effort of providing value to our members through price reductions. Merchandise mix had a small positive impact on warehouse profit margins as a percent of sales.

For the nine month period, warehouse gross profit margin as a percent of sales decreased approximately 5 basis points, as the most recent pricing actions offset what had been a 20 basis point higher gross profit margin through the first nine months of 2013 compared to the same nine-month period in fiscal year 2012.
 
Export Sales Gross Profit Margin
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% to sales
 
Amount
 
% to sales
Export sales
$
6,224


$
3,456


100.0
%

$
2,768


100.0
%
Less associated cost of goods sold
5,907


3,285


94.9
%

2,622


94.7
%
Export sales gross profit margin
$
317


$
171


5.1
%

$
146


5.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount

 
Increase from prior year
 
% to sales

 
Amount

 
% to sales

Export sales
$
15,620


$
7,144


100.0
%

$
8,476


100.0
%
Less associated cost of goods sold
14,728


6,653


94.3
%

8,075


95.3
%
Export sales gross profit margin
$
892


$
491


5.7
%

$
401


4.7
%
 

45


Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012
 
For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013 and 2012, the increase in export sales gross margin dollars in fiscal year 2013 was due to an increase in direct sales to an institutional customer (retailer) in the Philippines for which the Company generally earns lower margins than those obtained through its warehouse club sales.
    
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Warehouse Club Operations
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
Warehouse club operations expense
$
49,421


8.9
%

$
3,881


8.5
%

$
45,540


9.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
Warehouse club operations expense
$
143,476


8.6
%

$
10,283


7.7
%

$
133,193


8.9
%
 
Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

Warehouse club operations expense decreased 31 basis points as a percent of net warehouse sales in the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2012, despite the additional expenses associated with the Canas Gordas (Cali South) Colombia warehouse club for the entire quarter and the Menga (Cali North) Colombia for the month of May. The Company experienced positive expense leverage in nearly all its major operating cost categories. In addition, the year-over-year comparison benefited from a $777,000 charge taken in the third quarter last year associated with past debit card fees.

On a nine month basis, warehouse club operations expense decreased 30 basis points as a percent of net warehouse sales.
    
General and Administrative Expenses
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
General and Administrative Expenses
$
11,404


2.1
%

$
464


4.2
%

$
10,940


2.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
General and administrative expenses
$
34,450


2.1
%

$
3,891


12.7
%

$
30,559


2.0
%
 

46


Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

The expenses associated with the Company's corporate and U.S. buying operations grew 4.2% in the third quarter compared to the year earlier period. However, this increase was less than growth in sales during the period, resulting in a 16 basis point reduction as a percent of sales. For the nine-month period, increased salaries and benefits including stock compensation expense resulting from restricted stock granted in January 2012 resulted in a 12.7% increase in general and administrative expense.

Pre-Opening Expenses

Expenses incurred before a warehouse club is in operation are captured in pre-opening expenses. 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase/ (decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Pre-opening expenses
$
525


$
431


458.5
%

$
94

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase/ (decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Pre-opening expenses
$
1,409


$
1,154


452.5
%

$
255

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

The Company recorded pre-opening expenses during the third quarter of fiscal year 2013 related to the Menga (Cali North), Colombia warehouse club which opened on May 3, 2013. On a nine month basis, the pre-opening expenses also included those costs incurred for the Canas Gordas (Cali South) Colombia warehouse club which opened in October 2012.


Operating Income

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
Operating income
$
28,738


5.2
%

$
3,330


13.1
%

$
25,408


5.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
Operating income
$
94,959


5.7
%

$
14,953


18.7
%

$
80,006


5.3
%


47


Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

For the three months ended May 31, 2013, operating income improved $3.3 million compared to the prior year period, due primarily to higher sales and membership income. As a percentage of sales, operating income increased 3 basis points as membership income and warehouse operating expenses improved slightly as a percentage of sales when compared with the prior year period which more than offset the reduction in net warehouse margins. On a nine month basis, those same factors contributed to a $15.0 million increase in operating income.


Interest Income
 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Interest income
$
338


$
59


21.1
%

$
279

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Interest income
$
1,078


$
410


61.4
%

$
668

 
Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

Interest income reflects earnings on cash and cash equivalent balances and restricted cash deposits.   

Interest income increased in the three-month period ended May 31, 2013 compared to the same period last year due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries in relation to overall cash and cash equivalents held by the Company; the Company earns higher rates of interest for cash held within its subsidiaries.

Interest income increased in the nine-month period ended May 31, 2013 compared to the same period last year due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries in relation to overall cash and cash equivalents held by the Company; the Company earns higher rates of interest for cash held within its subsidiaries. These average balances were $102.0 million and $87.0 million for the nine-month periods ended May 31, 2013 and May 31, 2012, respectively. The average aggregate balance of restricted cash deposits for the nine-month period ended May 31, 2013 was approximately $38.2 million compared with approximately $33.4 million for the prior year nine months ended May 31, 2012.


48


Interest Expense
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
Amount
Interest expense on loans
$
953

 
$
(59
)
 
$
1,012

Interest expense related to hedging activity
482

 
81

 
401

Capitalized interest
(1,008
)
 
(939
)
 
(69
)
Net interest expense
$
427

 
$
(917
)
 
$
1,344

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
Amount
Interest expense on loans
$
2,899

 
$
(160
)
 
$
3,059

Interest expense related to hedging activity
1,341


384


957

Capitalized interest
(1,289
)
 
(1,188
)
 
(101
)
Net interest expense
$
2,951


$
(964
)

$
3,915



Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

Interest expense reflects borrowings by the Company's wholly owned foreign subsidiaries to finance new warehouse club construction and land acquisition, the capital requirements of warehouse club operations, and ongoing working capital requirements.
    
The decrease in net interest expense for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2013 is primarily due to higher level of capitalized interest associated with the construction of warehouse clubs in Colombia and Costa Rica. Additionally, there is a slight decrease in net interest expense incurred related to third-party loans and hedging activity.


Other Income (Expense), net

Other income consists of gain or loss on sale of assets and currency gain or loss.
 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Gain or (Loss) on sale of assets
$
(249
)
 
$
(160
)
 
179.8
%
 
$
(89
)
Foreign Currency Gain or (Loss)
(785
)
 
(336
)
 
74.8
%
 
(449
)
Total other income (expense)
$
(1,034
)
 
$
(496
)
 
92.2
%
 
$
(538
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Gain or (Loss) on sale of assets
$
(355
)
 
$
(115
)
 
47.9
%
 
$
(240
)
Currency Gain or (Loss)
(1,049
)
 
(314
)
 
42.7
%
 
(735
)
Total other income (expense)
$
(1,404
)
 
$
(429
)
 
44.0
%
 
$
(975
)

49



Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012

For the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded a net currency loss of $785,000 resulting from the revaluation of non-functional currency monetary assets and liabilities of the Company's various subsidiaries and the cost associated with non-deliverable forwards in Colombia and Costa Rica to manage currency risk. Currency devaluations versus the U.S. dollar in Colombia, Honduras and Jamaica contributed most of the net currency loss in the period. In the year ago period, the Company incurred a $449,000 loss. For the nine-month period, the Company recorded a net currency loss in fiscal year 2013 and fiscal year 2012 of $1,049,000 and $735,000, respectively.

Provision for Income Taxes
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Change from prior year
 
Amount
Current tax expense
$
8,429

 
$
22

 
$
8,407

Net deferred tax provision (benefit)
653

 
982

 
(329
)
Provision for income taxes
$
9,082

 
$
1,004

 
$
8,078

Effective tax rate
32.9
%
 
 
 
33.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Change from prior year
 
Amount
Current tax expense
$
26,498

 
1,587

 
$
24,911

Net deferred tax provision (benefit)
1,756

 
813

 
943

Provision for income taxes
$
28,254

 
$
2,400

 
$
25,854

Effective tax rate
30.8
%
 
 
 
34.1
%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013 and 2012
 
For the three-month period ended on May 31, 2013, the decrease in the effective tax rate versus the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) 0.2% of decrease results from adoption of California single sales factor apportionment; (ii) 0.5% of decrease relates to the Company's Colombia affiliate; (iii) 1% of decrease results from prior period credit card processing fees, recorded in the third quarter of fiscal year 2012, for which the Company did not recognize a tax benefit; and (iv) 1% of increase results from reversals of income tax liability for uncertain tax positions in the third quarter of fiscal year 2012.
 
 
 
For the first nine months of fiscal year 2013, the decrease in the effective tax rate versus the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) 1.4% relates to the Company's Colombia affiliate; (ii) 0.5% results from adoption of California single sales factor apportionment; (iii) 0.3% results from prior period credit card processing fees, recorded in fiscal year 2012, for which the Company did not recognize a tax benefit; and (iv) 0.4% results from changes in income tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions. 
 
 
 



50


Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to PriceSmart
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Income from Continuing Operations
$
18,539


$
2,831


18.0
%

$
15,708

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Income from Continuing Operations
$
63,426


$
13,505


27.1
%

$
49,921


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Financial Position and Cash Flow
 
The Company requires cash to fund its operating expenses and working capital requirements, including the investment in merchandise inventories, acquisition of land and construction of new warehouse clubs, expansion of existing warehouse clubs and distribution centers, acquisitions of fixtures and equipment, routine upgrades and maintenance of fixtures and equipment within existing warehouse clubs, investments in joint ventures in Panama and Costa Rica to own and operate commercial retail centers located adjacent to the new warehouse clubs, the purchase of treasury stock upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and payment of dividends to stockholders. The Company’s primary sources for funding these requirements are cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash generated from operations.  The Company evaluates on a regular basis whether it may need to borrow additional funds to cover any shortfall in the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet its operating and capital requirements. As such, the Company may enter into or obtain additional loans and/or credit facilities to provide additional liquidity when necessary.

The following table summarizes the cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries of the Company (in thousands). Repatriation of such cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries may require the Company to accrue and pay taxes. The Company has no plans at this time to repatriate cash through the payment of cash dividends by the foreign subsidiaries to the Company and, therefore, has not accrued taxes that would be due from repatriation.
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
Cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries
$
66,286

 
$
48,345

Cash and cash equivalents held domestically
26,122

 
42,903

Total cash and cash equivalents
$
92,408

 
$
91,248

 
The Company’s cash flows are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
Net cash provided by (used in) continuing operating activities
$
66,936

 
$
75,574

Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations

 
407

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(49,715
)
 
(35,683
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(13,940
)
 
(12,720
)
Effect of exchange rates
(2,121
)
 
548

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
1,160

 
$
28,126



51


The Company’s net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2013 and May 31, 2012 is summarized below:  

 
Nine Months Ended
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
2013 to 2012
Net income
$
63,426

 
49,915

 
$
13,511

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
17,943

 
17,610

 
333

(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment
356

 
239

 
117

Deferred income taxes
2,143

 
1,728

 
415

Stock-based compensation expenses
3,583

 
3,148

 
435

Other non-cash operating activities
6

 
14

 
(8
)
Net non-cash related expenses
24,031

 
22,739

 
1,292

Net income from operating activities reconciled for non-cash operating activities
87,457

 
72,654


14,803

Changes in operating assets and liabilities not including merchandise inventories and accounts payable
667

 
4,625

 
(3,958
)
Changes in merchandise inventories
(19,880
)
 
(3,031
)
 
(16,849
)
Changes in accounts payable
(1,308
)
 
1,326

 
(2,634
)
Net cash provided by discontinued operating activities

 
407

 
(407
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
66,936

 
75,981


$
(9,045
)

Net cash provided by higher merchandise inventory levels to support sales growth and the addition of a warehouse club offset by operating activities in the current nine month period decreased over the same period in fiscal year 2012 primarily as a result of higher sales, improved margins and membership income growth.  Net non-cash related expenses increased year-over-year due to increases in depreciation and amortization of assets acquired in investing activities, the amortization of stock-based compensation and the increase of deferred income taxes attributed to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The changes in inventory and accounts payable resulted in a year-over-year increase in cash used in operating activities during the current nine-month period of $19.5 million.   

The Company's use of cash in investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2013 and May 31, 2012 is summarized below:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
2013 to 2012
Cash used for additions of property and equipment:
 

 
 

 
 

Land acquisitions
$
(8,264
)
 
$
(10,942
)
 
$
2,678

Warehouse club expansion, construction, and land improvements
(25,671
)
 
(5,706
)
 
(19,965
)
Acquisition of fixtures and equipment
(15,300
)
 
(19,121
)
 
3,821

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
70

 
86

 
(16
)
Capital contribution to Costa Rica joint venture
(300
)
 

 
(300
)
Capital contribution to Panama joint venture
(250
)
 

 
(250
)
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
$
(49,715
)
 
$
(35,683
)
 
$
(14,032
)
 
    

52


Net cash used in investing activities increased in the first nine months of fiscal year 2013 compared to the first nine months of fiscal year 2012 by approximately $14.0 million primarily due to an increase in cash expended for the construction and completion of two warehouse clubs in Cali, Colombia, the start up of construction of a warehouse club in Costa Rica, the continued acquisition of fixtures and equipment for the two warehouse clubs in Cali, Colombia and the purchase of land for the purpose of building and operating warehouse clubs in Costa Rica and Honduras. The addition of fixtures and equipment for existing warehouse clubs and capital contributions by the Company for the joint ventures during the first nine months of fiscal year 2013 was approximately $13.0 million.

Cash used in investing activities for the first nine months of fiscal year 2012 consisted primarily of expenditures for land acquisitions, building construction and the acquisition of fixtures and equipment for new warehouse clubs.

Net cash used by financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2013 and May 31, 2012 is summarized below:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Increase/ (Decrease)
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
 
2013 to 2012
New bank loans offset by establishment of certificates of deposit held against loans and payments on existing bank loans (loan activities)
$
(2,985
)
 
$
(1,473
)
 
$
(1,512
)
Cash dividend payments
(9,065
)
 
(9,060
)
 
(5
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and the tax benefit related to stock options
1,396

 
826

 
570

Purchase of treasury stock related to vesting of restricted stock
(3,286
)
 
(3,013
)
 
(273
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing  activities
$
(13,940
)
 
$
(12,720
)
 
$
(1,220
)

Net cash used in financing activities from loan activities increased approximately $1.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2013 over the same period in fiscal year 2012 as the Company made regularly scheduled loan payments during the period for approximately $5.8 million and increased restricted cash for approximately $3.1 million related to the purchase of property in Honduras. This was partially offset as the Company's Barbados subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Citicorp Merchant Bank Limited.  The agreement establishes a credit facility for BDS$8.0 million (Barbados Dollars), which is the equivalent to approximately USD $4.0 million. In addition, the release of restricted cash for approximately $2.0 million related to loans in Honduras also contributed to net cash provided by financing activities from loan activities.

Net cash used by financing activities from loan activities during the first nine months of fiscal year 2012 were due to the normally scheduled loan payments for approximately $10.4 million offset by increases in loans for approximately $9.0 million

The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal years 2013 and 2012.
 
 
 
 
First Payment
 
Second Payment
Declared
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
11/27/12
 
$
0.60

 
12/10/12
 
12/21/12
 
N/A
 
$
0.30

 
8/15/13
 
N/A
 
8/30/13
 
$
0.30

1/25/12
 
$
0.60

 
2/15/12
 
2/29/12
 
N/A
 
$
0.30

 
8/15/12
 
8/31/12
 
N/A
 
$
0.30


The Company anticipates the ongoing payment of semi-annual dividends in subsequent periods, although the actual declaration of future dividends, the amount of such dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors at its discretion after its review of the Company’s financial performance and anticipated capital requirements. 

53



Financing Activities

On August 30, 2012 the Company's Barbados subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Citicorp Merchant Bank Limited.  The agreement establishes a credit facility for BDS$8.0 million (Barbados Dollars), equivalent to approximately USD $4.0 million. The interest rate is set at the Barbados Prime Lending Rate less 2.0%.  The loan term is seven years with interest and principal payments due quarterly.  This loan is secured by assets of the Company's Barbados subsidiary. On October 3, 2012, the Company obtained the proceeds from the BDS$8.0 million loan.

On January 13, 2012, the Company's Guatemala subsidiary paid off its local currency-loan to Banco Industrial, S.A. for approximately $5.2 million.

On December 22, 2011, the Company’s Guatemala subsidiary entered into a loan agreement based in Quetzales with Banco Industrial, S.A., for the equivalent amount of $8.9 million to be paid over ten years.  A portion of the proceeds of this loan was used to pay off the $5.2 million local-currency loan described above. The loan has a variable interest rate, which will be fixed for the first three years to an interest rate of 8% per year.  Thereafter, the interest rate will be negotiable according to market conditions.

On March 14, 2011, the Company’s Colombia subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Scotiabank & Trust (Cayman) Ltd.  The agreement establishes a credit facility for $16.0 million to be disbursed in several tranches.  The interest rate is set at the three-month LIBOR rate plus 0.7%.  The loan term is five years with interest only payments and a balloon payment at maturity.  This loan is secured by a time deposit of $16.0 million pledged by the Company’s Costa Rican subsidiary.  The deposit will earn an interest rate of three-month LIBOR.  The first tranche of $8.0 million was funded on April 1, 2011, and the Company secured this portion of the loan with an $8.0 million secured time deposit.  The second tranche of $2.0 million was funded on July 28, 2011, and the Company secured this portion of the loan with a $2.0 million secured time deposit.  The Company drew down the third and final tranche of $6.0 million on September 30, 2011, and the Company secured this portion of the loan with a $6.0 million secured time deposit.  On January 31, 2012, the Company’s Colombia subsidiary and Scotiabank & Trust (Cayman) Ltd., amended and restated the March 14, 2011 loan agreement.  The amendment increased the credit facility by $16.0 million; as a result the total credit facility with Scotiabank & Trust (Cayman) Ltd. is for $32.0 million.  The interest rate on the incremental amount of the facility as the tranches are drawn is three-month LIBOR rate plus 0.6%.  The loan term continues to be five years with interest only payments and a balloon payment at maturity.  The deposit will earn an interest rate of three-month LIBOR.  The first tranche of $8.0 million from the incremental amount of the facility was funded on February 21, 2012, and the Company secured this portion of the loan with an $8.0 million secured time deposit pledged by the Company's Costa Rica subsidiary.
 
Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. One risk managed by the Company using derivative instruments is interest rate risk.  To manage interest rate exposure, the Company enters into hedge transactions (interest rate swaps) using derivative financial instruments.  The objective of entering into interest rate swaps is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the interest payments associated with variable-rate LIBOR loans over the life of the loans.  As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges provide a synthetic offset to interest rate movements.

In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure related to a non-functional currency long-term debt of one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage this foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, this subsidiary enters into cross-currency interest rate swaps that convert its U.S. dollar denominated floating interest payments to functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedges are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements.
 

54


The Company is also exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.  The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features.  The forward currency hedges are not effective cash flow hedges because the notional amount and maturity date of the forward contract does not coincide with the accounts payable balance and due dates.  The hedge ineffectiveness is measured by use of the “hypothetical derivative method,” and the Company records the changes in the fair value of the forward contract related to the re-measurement of the payable at spot exchange rates as exchange rate gains or losses.  The implied interest rate included within the forward contract is reflected in earnings as interest expense.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction is determined to be ineffective.  There were no such amounts for the periods reported herein.

The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting transactions during the nine months ended May 31, 2013:

Subsidiary
 
Date entered into
 
Derivative Financial Counter-party
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Initial
US Notional Amount
 
Bank US loan Held with
 
Floating Leg (swap counter-party)
 
Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary
 
Settlement Reset Date
 
Effective Period of Swap
Colombia
 
11-Dec-12
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
4.79
%
 
March, June, September and December, beginning on March 5, 2013
 
December 5, 2012 - December 5, 2014
Colombia
 
21-Feb-12
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.6%
 
6.02
%
 
February, May, August and November beginning on May 22, 2012
 
February 21, 2012 - February 21, 2017
Colombia
 
17-Nov-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
8,000,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 6-month Eurodollar Libor plus 2.4%
 
5.85
%
 
May 3, 2012 and semi-annually thereafter
 
November 3, 2011 - November 3, 2013
Colombia
 
21-Oct-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
2,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
5.30
%
 
January, April, July and October, beginning on October 29, 2011
 
July 29, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Colombia
 
21-Oct-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
6,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
5.45
%
 
March, June, September and December, beginning on October 29, 2011
 
September 29, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Colombia
 
5-May-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
8,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
6.09
%
 
January, April, July and October, beginning on July 5, 2011
 
April 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016
Trinidad
 
20-Nov-08
 
Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago
 
Interest rate swaps
 
8,900,000

 
Royal Bank of Trinidad & Tobago
 
Variable rate 1-year Libor plus 2.75%
 
7.05
%
 
Annually on August 26
 
September 25, 2008 - September 26, 2013
Barbados
 
13-Feb-08
 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Interest rate swaps
 
4,500,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 9-month Libor plus 1.5%
 
5.22
%
 
Semi-annually on November 15 and May 15
 
November 15, 2007 - November 14, 2012



55


The Company measures the fair value for all financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis or on a nonrecurring basis during the reporting period.  The Company has designated the interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swap agreements as hedging instruments and has accounted for them under hedge accounting rules.  The following table summarizes the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps that qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands, except footnote data):

Derivative designated as cash flow
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
Cross currency interest rate swaps(1)(2)
 
Other non-current assets
 
$
987

 
Other non-current assets
 
$

Interest rate swaps(3)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
$
(53
)
 
Other long-term  liabilities
 
$
(216
)
Cross currency interest rate swaps(1)(4)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(159
)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(983
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments - assets (liability)(5)
 
 
 
$
775

 
 
 
$
(1,199
)

(1) 
The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/ loss for $(502,000) and $983,000 as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.  
(2) 
The Company has recorded a deferred tax liability amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $(326,000) as of May 31, 2013 related to Other non-current assets for the cross-currency interest rate swap.
(3) 
The effective portion of the interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss for $40,000 and $162,000 net of tax as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.  The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $13,000 and $54,000 as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.
(4) 
The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to the tax valuation allowance of $53,000 and $117,000 as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively, related to Other long-term liabilities for the cross currency interest rate swaps.
(5) 
Derivatives listed on the above table were designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

The Company’s non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts as of May 31, 2013 are summarized below:

Subsidiary
 
Date entered into
 
Derivative Financial Counter-party
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Notional Amount
(in thousands)
 
Settlement Date
 
Effective Period
Colombia
 
April 2013 through May 2013
 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
$17,500
 
May 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013
 
April through June 2013
Colombia
 
April 2013 through May 2013
 
 Citibank N.A.
 
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
$1,000
 
May 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013
 
April through June 2013
Costa Rica
 
April 2013 through May 2013
 
 Citibank N.A.
 
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
$4,000
 
May 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013
 
April through June 2013

The following table summarizes the fair value of non-deliverable forward foreign currency contracts, which do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands):
Derivatives designated as fair value
 
May 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
393

 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$
27

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Other accrued expenses
 
(53
)
 
Other accrued expenses
 
(3
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
 
 
$
340

 
 
 
$
24



56


Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
 
Short-term borrowings consist of lines of credit which are secured by certain assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and are guaranteed by the Company as summarized below (in thousands):
 
 
Total
 
Facilities Used
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Facilities
 
Short-term Borrowings
 
Letters of Credit
 
Facilities Available
 
Weighted average interest rate
May 31, 2013
 
$
35,975

 
$

 
$
858

 
$
35,117

 
N/A
August 31, 2012
 
$
36,967

 
$

 
$
774

 
$
36,193

 
N/A

As of May 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $25.0 million of short-term facilities available in the U.S. that require the Company to comply with certain quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with respect to these covenants.

As of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, the Company, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, had $75.9 million and $78.7 million, respectively, outstanding in long-term borrowings.  The decrease during the current period primarily relates to normally scheduled payments of principal of approximately $5.8 million offset by the addition of long-term loans of approximately $4.0 million. Translation adjustment losses also increased long-term debt, primarily due to cross-currency hedging of U.S. dollar denominated debt of a subsidiary whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar for approximately $970,000. The carrying amount of the non-cash assets assigned as collateral for long-term debt was $57.4 million and $59.6 million as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively. The carrying amount of the cash assets assigned as collateral for long-term debt was $34.0 million and $36.9 million as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.

As of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $57.7 million and $58.0 million, respectively, of long-term loans in Trinidad, Barbados, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and Colombia that require these subsidiaries to comply with certain annual or quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios.  As of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with respect to these covenants.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have had, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on its financial condition or consolidated financial statements.

Repurchase of Equity Securities and Reissuance of Treasury Shares
At the vesting dates of restricted stock awards, the Company repurchases shares at the prior day's closing price per share, with the funds used to pay the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. The Company expects to continue this practice going forward. The following table summarizes this activity during the period:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
Shares repurchased
 
42,434

 
44,328

Cost of repurchase of shares (in thousands)
 
$
3,286

 
$
3,016

    
The Company has reissued treasury shares as part of its stock-based compensation programs.  The following table summarizes the treasury shares reissued:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
May 31, 2013
 
May 31, 2012
Reissued treasury shares
 

 
196,850




57


Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Some of the Company’s accounting policies require management to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. Management continues to review its accounting policies and evaluate its estimates, including those related to contingencies and litigation, deferred taxes, merchandise inventories, and long-lived assets.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the present circumstances. Using different estimates could have a material impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.

Contingencies and Litigation: In the ordinary course of business, the Company is periodically named as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and pending actions and is exposed to tax risks (other than income tax). The principal risks that the Company insures against are workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability, property damage, employment practices, errors and omissions, fiduciary liability and fidelity losses. If a potential loss arising from these lawsuits, claims, actions and non-income tax issues is probable and reasonably estimable, the Company records the estimated liability based on circumstances and assumptions existing at the time.  The estimates affecting the Company’s litigation reserves can be affected by new claims filed after the balance sheet date with respect to events occurring prior to the balance sheet date and developments in pending litigation that may affect the outcome of the litigation.  While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in projecting the outcome of litigation and in evaluating the probable additional tax associated with various non-income tax filing positions.  As such, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the sensitivity to change of estimates affecting its recorded liabilities.  As additional information becomes available, the Company assesses the potential liability and revises its estimates as appropriate. 

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carry-forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized. As of May 31, 2013, the Company evaluated its deferred tax assets and liabilities and determined that a valuation allowance is necessary for certain foreign deferred tax asset balances, primarily because of the existence of significant negative objective evidence, such as the fact that certain subsidiaries are in a cumulative loss position for the past three years, indicating that certain net operating loss carry-forward periods are not sufficient to realize the related deferred tax assets.  

The Company had U.S. federal and state tax net operating loss carry-forwards, or NOLs, at May 31, 2013 of approximately $26.3 million and $8.0 million, respectively. In calculating the tax provision, and assessing the likelihood that the Company will be able to utilize the federal deferred tax assets, the Company considered and weighed all of the evidence, both positive and negative, and both objective and subjective. The Company factored into its analysis the inherent risk of forecasting revenue and expenses over an extended period of time and also considered the potential risks associated with its business. Because of the Company's U.S. income from continuing operations and based on projections of future taxable income in the United States, the Company was able to determine that there was sufficient positive evidence to support the conclusion that it was more likely than not that the Company would be able to realize all of its U.S. federal NOLs by generating taxable income during the carry-forward period. However, if the Company does not achieve its projections of future taxable income in the United States, the Company could be required to take a charge to earnings related to the recoverability of these deferred tax assets. Due to the deemed change of ownership (as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code) in October 2004, there are annual limitations in the amount of U.S. income that may be offset by NOLs. The NOLs generated prior to the deemed ownership change date are limited on an annual basis. The Company does not believe this will impact the recoverability of these NOLs. During fiscal year 2012, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $697,000 against its California net operating loss (NOL), because it does not anticipate being able to utilize the NOL. The Company made a single sales factor election on its California tax return for fiscal year 2012 and intends to do the same for fiscal year 2013, after which time application is mandatory. Application of the single sales factor will significantly reduce the California apportionment factor and, therefore, California taxable income. The Company had net foreign deferred tax assets of $9.5 million and $8.7 million as of May 31, 2013 and August 31, 2012, respectively.
 

58


The Company and its subsidiaries are required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various federal, state and foreign taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company or one of its subsidiaries file tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the income tax positions taken by the Company (“uncertain tax positions”) and, therefore, require the Company or one of its subsidiaries to pay additional taxes.
    
The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability.  In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. This requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. When facts and circumstances change, the Company reassesses these probabilities and records any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate.   There were no material changes in the Company's uncertain income tax positions for the periods ending on May 31, 2013 and 2012. The Company does not provide for income taxes which would be payable if undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries were remitted, because the Company considers these earnings to be permanently reinvested.

Value-Added Tax Receivable – The Company within the course of its normal business pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes (“input VAT”) in most of the countries it operates in on merchandise and/or services it acquires. The Company also collects VAT or similar taxes on behalf of the government (“output taxes”) for merchandise and/or services it sells. If the output VAT exceeds the input VAT, then the difference is remitted to the government, usually on a monthly basis. If the input VAT exceeds the output VAT, this creates a VAT receivable. The Company either requests a refund of this VAT receivable or applies the balance to expected future VAT payables. In some countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, whereby some or all of the VAT collected through sales paid for by credit card are remitted by the credit card processor directly to the government, thereby altering the natural offset of input and output VAT and forcing the Company to process significant refund claims. The refund process can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete. In most countries where the Company operates, the VAT refund process is defined and structured with regular refunds or offsets. The Company's policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables is as follows:

Short-term VAT receivables, recorded as Other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company's subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to use the VAT receivable within one year. The Company also classifies as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that the Company expects to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

Long-term VAT receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company's subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to process refund requests within one year and/or for amounts or countries which are subject to outstanding disputes.

Long-lived Assets: The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for indicators of impairment.  Indicators that an asset may be impaired are:

the asset's inability to continue to generate income from operations and positive cash flow in future periods;
loss of legal ownership or title to the asset;
significant changes in its strategic business objectives and utilization of the asset(s); and
the impact of significant negative industry or economic trends.

Management's judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include management's best estimate of future business activity, which in turn drives estimates of future cash flows from these assets. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, requiring an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair market value. Future business conditions and/or activity could differ materially from the projections made by management causing the need for additional impairment charges.  No impairment charges have been recorded during fiscal year 2013.


59


Recent Accounting Pronouncements

FASB ASC 405

In February 2013, the FASB issued amendments providing guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this update is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. The guidance requires an entity to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendment will be retrospectively effective for the Company as of September 1, 2013. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 220

In February 2013, the FASB issued amended guidance for the presentation requirements for reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment requires the Company to provide additional information about reclassifications of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendment was effective as of March 1, 2013.  The Company adopted this guidance on March 1, 2013. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 220

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to amend the presentation of comprehensive income to allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity.  The amended guidance was effective for annual and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2011 and was to be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted this guidance on September 1, 2012.  Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

FASB ASC 350

In December 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance concerning testing for impairment of goodwill where an entity has one or more reporting units whose carrying value is zero or negative.  The amended guidance requires the entity to perform a test to measure the amount, if any, of impairment to goodwill by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The Company was required to adopt this amended guidance for fiscal years or interim periods within those years after December 15, 2011.  The Company adopted this guidance on September 1, 2012.  The adoption of the amended guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures to those financial statements.


Seasonality
 
Historically, the Company's merchandising businesses have experienced holiday retail seasonality in their markets. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, the Company's operating results fluctuate quarter-to-quarter as a result of economic and political events in markets served by the Company, the timing of holidays, weather, the timing of shipments, product mix, and currency effects on the cost of U.S.-sourced products which may make these products more or less expensive in local currencies and therefore more or less affordable. Because of such fluctuations, the results of operations of any quarter are not indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year or any future quarter. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company's future results will be consistent with past results or the projections of securities analysts.

60



ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity price risk. These market risks arise in the normal course of business, and the Company does not engage in speculative trading activities. To manage the risk arising from these exposures, the Company utilizes interest rate swaps, cross-currency interest rate swaps, non-deliverable foreign currency forward contracts and loans denominated in foreign currencies. For a discussion of the Company's accounting policies for derivative instruments and further disclosures, please see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of its short-term borrowings and long-term debt borrowings. The Company has mitigated a portion of its interest rate risk by managing the mix of fixed and variable rate debt and by entering into interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate risk. The notional amount, interest payment and maturity dates of the swap match the terms of the associated debt.

The table below provides information about the Company's financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For debt obligations, the table represents the principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates. For interest rate swaps, including cross-currency interest rate swaps, the table represents the contractual cash flows and weighted-average interest rates by the contractual maturity date, unless otherwise noted. The notional amounts are used to calculate contractual cash flows to be exchanged under the contracts. The weighted-average variable rates are based upon prevailing market interest rates and the outstanding balances as of May 31, 2013.

61


 
Expected Fiscal Year Maturity
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt with fixed interest rate
5,865

 
16,196

 
7,086

 
898

 
898

 
3,293

 
34,236

 
Weighted-average interest rate
6.77
%
 
6.77
%
 
7.51
%
 
9
%
 
9.00
%
 
9.00
%
 
7.37
%
 
Long-term debt with variable interest rate
1,918

 
1,918

 
25,553

 
9,456

 
1,693

 
1,078

 
41,616

 
Weighted-average interest rate
2.13
%
 
2.13
%
 
2.13
%
 
2.8
%
 
4.16
%
 
4.69
%
 
2.47
%
 
Total Long-Term Debt
7,784

 
18,114

 
32,638

 
10,354

 
2,591

 
4,371

 
75,852

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Rate Swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable to fixed interest
4,725

 

 

 

 

 

 
4,725

 
Weighted-average pay rate
7.05
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
7.05
%
 
Weighted-average receive rate
3.79
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
3.79
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-Currency Interest Rate Swaps:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Variable to fixed interest
8,000

 
8,000

 
16,000

 
8,000

 

 

 
40,000

 
Weighted-average pay rate
5.85
%
 
4.79
%
 
5.75
%
 
6.02
%
 
%
 
%
 
4.67
%
 
Weighted-average receive rate
2.83
%
 
0.98
%
 
0.98
%
 
0.87
%
 
%
 
%
 
1.13
%

The Company carries investments in cash-equivalent debt instruments, which accrue income at variable rates of interest. The following table provides information about these cash-equivalent debt instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates.
 
Expected Fiscal Year Maturity
 
(Amount in thousands)
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificates of Deposit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Certificates of Deposit with variable interest rate

 



 
24,000

 
8,000

 

 
32,000

Weighted-average interest rate
%
 
%

%
 
0.33
%
 
0.27
%
 
%
 
0.32
%


62


Foreign Currency Risk

The Company has foreign currency risks related to its sales, operating expenses and financing transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As of May 31, 2013, the Company had a total of 31 consolidated warehouse clubs operating in 12 foreign countries and one U.S. territory, 24 of which operate under currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Approximately 52% of the Company's net warehouse sales are comprised of products purchased in U.S. dollars and imported into the markets where PriceSmart warehouse clubs are located, but approximately 79% of the Company's net warehouse sales are in foreign currencies. The Company may enter into additional foreign countries in the future or open additional locations in existing countries, which may increase the percentage of net warehouse sales denominated in foreign currencies.

Currency exchange rate changes either increase or decrease the cost of imported products that the Company purchases in U.S. dollars and prices in local currency. Price changes can impact the demand for those products in the market. Currency exchange rates also affect the reported sales of the consolidated company when local currency-denominated sales are translated to U.S. dollars. In addition, the Company revalues all U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities within those markets that do not use the U.S. dollar as its functional currency. These assets and liabilities include, but are not limited to, excess cash permanently reinvested offshore and the value of items shipped from the U.S. to the Company's foreign markets. The gain or loss associated with this revaluation, net of reserves, is recorded in net warehouse sales cost of goods sold.

Foreign currencies in most of the countries where the Company operates have historically devalued against the U.S. dollar and are expected to continue to devalue.  The following tables summarize by country, for those countries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the weakening of the countries' currency against the U.S. dollar (devaluation) or the strengthening of their currencies (revaluation):
 
 
Revaluation/(Devaluation)
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Country
 
% Change
 
% Change
 
 
 
 
 
Colombia
 
(3.33
)%
 
(2.48
)%
Costa Rica
 
0.01
 %
 
1.88
 %
Dominican Republic
 
(5.32
)%
 
(2.42
)%
Guatemala
 
1.89
 %
 
0.05
 %
Honduras
 
(3.49
)%
 
(2.80
)%
Jamaica
 
(10.54
)%
 
(2.25
)%
Nicaragua
 
(3.71
)%
 
(3.72
)%
Trinidad
 
(0.36
)%
 
(0.02
)%

The Company seeks to manage its foreign exchange risk by (1) adjusting prices on U.S. dollar goods on a periodic basis to maintain its target margins after taking into account changes in exchange rates; (2) obtaining local currency loans from banks within certain markets where it is economical to do so and where management believes the risk of devaluation and the level of U.S. dollar denominated liabilities warrants this action; (3) reducing the time between the acquisition of product in U.S. dollars and the settlement of that purchase in local currency; and (4) by entering into cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward currency derivatives. The Company has local currency-denominated long-term loans in Honduras and Guatemala and has cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward currency derivatives in Colombia.


63


The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risks related to local currency denominated cash and cash equivalents held within entities whose functional currency is non-U.S. dollar, to local currency denominated debt obligations within entities whose functional currency is non-U.S. dollar, to U.S. dollar denominated intercompany debt balances within entities whose functional currency is non-U.S. dollar and to non-U.S. dollar denominated debt within entities whose functional currency is U.S. dollar. The following table discloses the effect on local currency denominated cash and cash equivalents, foreign currency denominated debt, and U.S. dollar denominated intercompany debt due to negative currency movement in the countries listed in the table above, based on balances as of May 31, 2013:
Overall weighted negative currency movement(1)
 
Decline in Local currency denominated cash and cash equivalents (in thousands)(2)
 
Decline in local currency denominated debt obligations (in thousands)(2)
 
Losses based on change in U.S. dollar denominated inter-company debt balances (in thousands)(3)
5
%
 
1,561

 
676

 
3,575

10
%
 
3,121

 
1,353

 
7,150

20
%
 
6,243

 
2,705

 
14,299

    
(1) Negative currency movement is assumed to be a negative movement of all currencies in all locations.
 
(2) Fluctuations in the value of these accounts are recorded in accumulated comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity, and disclosed within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as Other comprehensive income, net tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments.
 
(3) These losses would be recorded to other income (expense).

In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations associated with its U.S. dollar denominated debt obligations. The Company hedges a portion of the currency risk inherent in the interest and principal payments associated with this debt through the use of cross-currency interest rate swaps. The terms of these swap agreements are commensurate with the underlying debt obligations. The aggregate fair value of these swaps was in a net asset position of approximately $462,000 at May 31, 2013 and a net liability position of approximately $1.1 million at August 31, 2012. A hypothetical 10% increase in the currency exchange rates underlying these swaps from the market rates at May 31, 2013 would have resulted in a further increase in the value of the swaps of approximately $3.7 million. Conversely, a hypothetical 10% decrease in the currency exchange rates underlying these swaps from the market rates at May 31, 2013 would have resulted in a change from asset to liability position for a net decrease in the value of the swaps of approximately of $4.5 million.

The Company uses non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts to address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company's international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. The market risk related to foreign currency forward contracts is measured by estimating the potential impact of a 10% change in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currency exchange rates. The rates used to perform this analysis were based on the market rates in effect on May 31, 2013. A 10% appreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currency exchange rates would result in approximately a $823,000 net increase in the fair value of the contracts. Conversely, a 10% depreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currency exchange rates would result in approximately a $1.0 million net decrease in the fair value of the contracts. However, gains or losses on these derivative instruments are economically offset by the gains or losses on the underlying transactions.

There are certain limitations inherent in the sensitivity analysis presented, primarily due to the assumptions that exchange rates change in a parallel fashion. In addition, the analysis is unable to reflect the complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled. Moreover, changes in the fair value of foreign currency derivatives are offset by changes in the cash flows of the underlying hedged foreign currency transactions.

Commodity Price Risk

The increasing price of oil and certain commodities could have a negative effect on the Company's operating costs and sales. Higher oil prices can negatively impact the economic growth of the countries in which the Company operates, thereby reducing the buying power of our members. Higher oil prices can also increase the Company's operating costs, particularly utilities and distribution expenses. Inflationary pressures on various commodities also may impact consumer spending. The Company does not currently seek to hedge commodity price risk.


64



ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the timelines specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.  Also, we have investments in certain unconsolidated entities.  Because we do not control or manage those entities, our control procedures with respect to those entities were substantially more limited than those we maintain with respect to our consolidated subsidiaries.
 
As required by SEC Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e), we carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon their evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
  
In the ordinary course of business, we review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our systems and processes to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems and automating manual processes. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
The certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed as Exhibit 31.1 and 31.2 to this report.

65




PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
None.
 
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
 
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the reader should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2012. There have been no material changes in the Company's risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.

 Available Information

The PriceSmart, Inc. website or internet address is www.pricesmart.com. On this website the Company makes available, free of charge, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, and the annual report to the security holders as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with or furnishing it to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company’s SEC reports can be accessed through the investor relations section of its website under “SEC Filings.” All of the Company’s filings with the SEC may also be obtained at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at Room 1580, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. For information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room, please contact the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Additionally, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.  The Company made available its annual report on Form 10-K and its annual Proxy Statement for the fiscal year 2012 at the internet address http://materials.proxyvote.com/741511.

66

PRICESMART, INC.







ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
(a)           None.
  
(b)           None.
  
(c)           Purchase of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.

The Company granted shares of restricted common stock that allow statutory tax withholding obligations incurred upon vesting of those shares to be satisfied by selling a portion of those shares to the Company.  The following table shows the shares acquired by the Company upon purchase of restricted shares during the quarter ended May 31, 2013.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
ER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
  Period
 
Total Number of Shares
(or Units) Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) That May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Program
March 1, 2013 - March 31, 2013
 
660

 
$
77.83

 

 
N/A

April 1, 2013 - April 31, 2013
 

 

 

 
N/A

May 1, 2013 - May 31, 2013
 

 

 

 
N/A

Total
 
660

 
$
77.83

 

 
$



ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not applicable.

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.


67


ITEM 6.                      EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits:
3.1(1)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
 
 
3.2(2)
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
 
 
3.3(3)
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
 
 
3.4(1)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
 
 
10.1
Twenty-Third Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and John Hildebrandt, dated March 1, 2013.
 
 
10.2
Twenty-Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Brud Drachman, dated March 1, 2013.
 
 
10.3
Twenty-Sixth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Thomas Martin, dated March 1, 2013.
 
 
31.1 
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2  
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1**
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2**
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*
Identifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**
These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of PriceSmart, Inc., whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
 
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997 filed with the Commission on November 26, 1997.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004 filed with the Commission on April 14, 2004.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on November 24, 2004.

68


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.
 
 
 
 
PRICESMART, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
July 10, 2013
 
By:
/s/ JOSE LUIS LAPARTE
 
 
 
 
Jose Luis Laparte
 
 
 
 
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
July 10, 2013
 
By:
/s/ JOHN M. HEFFNER
 
 
 
 
John M. Heffner
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and
 
 
 
 
Principal Accounting Officer)


69