PRICESMART INC - Quarter Report: 2015 February (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 February 28, 2015



¨	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 30,183,492 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding at March 31, 2015.

PRICESMART, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q



		Page
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	1

	CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2015 (UNAUDITED) AND AUGUST 31, 2014	2

	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2015 AND 2014 - UNAUDITED	3

	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2015 AND 2014 - UNAUDITED	4

	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2015 AND 2014 - UNAUDITED	5

	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2015 AND 2014 - UNAUDITED	6

	NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED	7

ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	36

ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	64

ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	64

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	66

ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	66

ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	66

ITEM 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES	67

ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	67

ITEM 5.	OTHER INFORMATION	67

ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS	68

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart,” "we" or the “Company”) unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of February 28, 2015 and the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2014, the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, the unaudited consolidated statements of equity for the six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, and the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, are included herein. Also included herein are the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)



	February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	119,243		$	137,098
Short-term restricted cash	1,500			2,353
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5 and $0 as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively	7,078			7,910
Merchandise inventories	281,256			226,383
Deferred tax assets – current	6,839			6,177
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (includes $0 and $495 as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments and $1,064 and $0 as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, for the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts)	27,068			17,260
Total current assets	442,984			397,181
Long-term restricted cash	25,428			27,013
Property and equipment, net	424,360			426,325
Goodwill	36,069			36,108
Deferred tax assets – long term	9,013			11,825
Other non-current assets (includes $6,996 and $1,095 as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)	38,267			30,755
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates	10,245			8,863
Total Assets	$	986,366		$	938,070
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	$	4,470		$	—
Accounts payable	233,266			223,559
Accrued salaries and benefits	15,288			17,799
Deferred membership income	21,992			17,932
Income taxes payable	8,359			7,718
Other accrued expenses (includes $0 and $14 as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, for the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts)	22,193			21,030
Dividends payable	10,564			—
Long-term debt, current portion	14,792			11,848
Deferred tax liability – current	137			157
Total current liabilities	331,061			300,043
Deferred tax liability – long-term	2,432			2,290
Long-term portion of deferred rent	6,107			5,591
Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion	1,562			1,918
Long-term debt, net of current portion	90,328			79,591
Other long-term liabilities (includes $586 and $0 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $379 and $372 for the defined benefit plan as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively)	965			372
Total liabilities	432,455			389,805
Equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 30,973,256 and 30,950,701 shares issued and 30,182,541 and 30,209,917 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively	3			3
Preferred stock $0.0001 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014	—			—
Additional paid-in capital	400,539			397,150
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation	10,962			9,505
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(68,399		)	(49,286		)
Retained earnings	239,967			215,613
Less: treasury stock at cost; 790,715 and 740,784 shares as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively	(29,161		)	(24,720		)
Total equity	553,911			548,265
Total Liabilities and Equity	$	986,366		$	938,070

See accompanying notes.

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)



	Three Months Ended February 28,						Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Revenues:
Net warehouse club sales	$	732,120		$	657,167		$	1,368,535		$	1,246,861
Export sales	6,229			6,764			14,660			12,485
Membership income	10,898			9,481			21,013			18,749
Other income	1,049			962			2,109			1,880
Total revenues	750,296			674,374			1,406,317			1,279,975
Operating expenses:
Cost of goods sold:
Net warehouse club	625,876			561,652			1,164,904			1,065,939
Export	5,934			6,423			13,961			11,864
Selling, general and administrative:
Warehouse club operations	62,041			53,203			118,251			104,975
General and administrative	14,117			13,277			27,467			24,461
Pre-opening expenses	229			340			3,378			814
Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets	391			104			363			188
Total operating expenses	708,588			634,999			1,328,324			1,208,241
Operating income	41,708			39,375			77,993			71,734
Other income (expense):
Interest income	266			193			530			374
Interest expense	(1,970		)	(886		)	(3,144		)	(1,924		)
Other income (expense), net	(1,659		)	712			(4,291		)	1,023
Total other income (expense)	(3,363		)	19			(6,905		)	(527		)
Income before provision for income taxes and income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	38,345			39,394			71,088			71,207
Provision for income taxes	(13,526		)	(11,116		)	(25,628		)	(21,501		)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	16			—			22			4
Net income	24,835			$	28,278		$	45,482		49,710
Net income per share available for distribution:
Basic net income per share	$	0.82		$	0.93		$	1.50		$	1.64
Diluted net income per share	$	0.82		$	0.93		$	1.50		$	1.64
Shares used in per share computations:
Basic	29,827			29,724			29,809			29,707
Diluted	29,833			29,736			29,816			29,719
Dividends per share	$	0.70		$	0.70		$	0.70		$	0.70

See accompanying notes.

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)



	Three Months Ended February 28,						Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income	$	24,835		$	28,278		$	45,482		$	49,710
Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments ⁽¹⁾	$	(10,906	)	$	(13,661	)	$	(22,557	)	$	(12,372	)
Defined benefit pension plan:
Net gain (loss) arising during period	(13		)	8			(24		)	11
Total defined benefit pension plan	(13		)	8			(24		)	11
Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps⁽²⁾	1,225			1,065			3,468			922
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(9,694		)	(12,588		)	(19,113		)	(11,439		)
Comprehensive income	$	15,141		$	15,690		$	26,369		$	38,271

⁽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 non-remitted earnings of the Company's foreign subsidiaries.

⁽²⁾ See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

See accompanying notes.

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)



	Common Stock				Additional Paid-in Capital		Tax Benefit From Stock Based Compen-sation		Accumulated Other Compre-hensive Income(Loss)			Retained Earnings			Treasury Stock				Total
	Shares		Amount		Additional Paid-in Capital		Tax Benefit From Stock Based Compen-sation		Accumulated Other Compre-hensive Income(Loss)			Retained Earnings			Shares	Amount			Equity
Balance at August 31, 2013	30,924		$	3	$	390,581	$	8,016	$	(41,475	)	$	143,871		690	$	(19,947	)	$	481,049
Purchase of treasury stock	—		—		—		—		—			—			48	(4,548		)	(4,548		)
Issuance of restricted stock award	16		—		—		—		—			—			—	—			—
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards	(1	)	—		—		—		—			—			—	—			—
Exercise of stock options	5		—		118		—		—			—			—	—			118
Stock-based compensation	—		—		3,321		1,345		—			—			—	—			4,666
Dividend paid to stockholders	—		—		—		—		—			(10,570		)	—	—			(10,570		)
Dividend payable to stockholders	—		—		—		—		—			(10,593		)	—	—			(10,593		)
Net income	—		—		—		—		—			49,710			—	—			49,710
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		—		(11,439		)	—			—	—			(11,439		)
Balance at February 28, 2014	30,944		$	3	$	394,020	$	9,361	$	(52,914	)	$	172,418		738	$	(24,495	)	$	498,393

Balance at August 31, 2014	30,951		$	3	$	397,150	$	9,505	$	(49,286	)	$	215,613		741	$	(24,720	)	$	548,265
Purchase of treasury stock	—		—		—		—		—			—			50	(4,441		)	(4,441		)
Issuance of restricted stock award	20		—		—		—		—			—			—	—			—
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards	—		—		—		—		—			—			—	—			—
Exercise of stock options	3		—		49		—		—			—			—	—			49
Stock-based compensation	—		—		3,340		1,457		—			—			—	—			4,797
Dividend paid to stockholders	—		—		—		—		—			(10,564		)	—	—			(10,564		)
Dividend payable to stockholders	—		—		—		—		—			(10,564		)	—	—			(10,564		)
Net income	—		—		—		—		—			45,482			—	—			45,482
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—		—		—		—		(19,113		)	—			—	—			(19,113		)
Balance at February 28, 2015	30,974		$	3	$	400,539	$	10,962	$	(68,399	)	$	239,967		791	$	(29,161	)	$	553,911

See accompanying notes.

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)



	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015			2014
Operating Activities:
Net income	$	45,482		$	49,710
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,433			13,793
Allowance for doubtful accounts	5			6
(Gain)/loss on sale of property and equipment	363			188
Deferred income taxes	2,478			1,857
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation	(1,457		)	(1,345		)
Equity in (gains) of unconsolidated affiliates	(22		)	(4		)
Stock-based compensation	3,340			3,321
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	(7,836		)	(12,839		)
Merchandise inventories	(54,873		)	(19,058		)
Accounts payable	8,031			81
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	11,944			35,710
Investing Activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(42,160		)	(58,096		)
Deposits for land purchase option agreements	(348		)	(850		)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	40			42
Investment in joint ventures	(1,360		)	(750		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(43,828		)	(59,654		)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from bank borrowings	41,447			—
Repayment of bank borrowings	(16,658		)	(12,012		)
Cash dividend payments	(10,564		)	(10,570		)
Release of restricted cash	2,920			8,000
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation	1,457			1,345
Purchase of treasury stock	(4,441		)	(4,548		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	49			118
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	14,210			(17,667		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(181		)	(4,926		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(17,855		)	(46,537		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	137,098			121,874
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	119,243		$	75,337

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	2,755		$	1,893
Income taxes	$	22,212		$	22,326
Supplemental non-cash item:
Dividends declared but not paid	$	10,564		$	10,593

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

February 28, 2015

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 February 28, 2015, the Company had 36 consolidated warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (six in Costa Rica and Colombia; four in Panama and Trinidad; three in Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic; two in El Salvador; 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 October 2013, the Company opened its sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in La Union, Cartago, and in May 2014, the Company opened its third warehouse club in Honduras in Tegucigalpa, the Company's second in the capital city. In January 2014, the Company acquired land in Pereira, Colombia and in the city of Medellin, Colombia and leased land in the city of Bogota, Colombia. The Company built new warehouse clubs at these three sites, and opened the Bogota location in October 2014 and opened the other two sites in November 2014. Together with the three warehouse clubs that were operating prior to these openings in Colombia (one in Barranquilla and two in Cali), these three new clubs brought the number of PriceSmart warehouse clubs operating in Colombia to six. In September 2014, the Company acquired land in La Chorrera ("Costa Verde"), west of Panama City, Panama, on which the Company's fifth PriceSmart warehouse club in Panama is scheduled to open in the summer of 2015. 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 warehouse clubs in Colombia have reinforced the Company's belief that there 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, 2014 (the “2014 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.

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 2015 for fiscal year 2014 - 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 relate to the presentation of certain income tax receivables (see note 2). The table below summarizes these reclassifications.




	August 31, 2014 balance sheet line item as previously reported		Amount reclassified Dr/(Cr)			August 31, 2014 balance sheet line item as currently reported
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,570		$	(5,310	)	17,260
Other non-current assets	27,593		3,162			30,755
Accounts payable	(225,761	)	2,202			(223,559	)
Income taxes payable	(7,664	)	(54		)	(7,718	)
Net amount of reclassifications			$	—

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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 and the Company's investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company 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 periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. As of February 28, 2015, all of the Company's subsidiaries were wholly owned. Additionally, the Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures as of February 28, 2015 is listed below:



Real Estate Development Joint Ventures	Countries	Ownership		Basis of Presentation
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	Panama	50.0	%	Equity⁽¹⁾
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.	Costa Rica	50.0	%	Equity⁽¹⁾


⁽¹⁾	Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and short-term investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased and proceeds due from credit and debit card transactions, which are generally settled within a few days of the underlying transaction.

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):

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)



	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014
Short-term restricted cash:
Restricted cash for Honduras loan	$	—	$	1,200
Restricted cash for land purchase option agreements	1,443		1,095
Other short-term restricted cash ⁽¹⁾	57		58
Total short-term restricted cash	$	1,500	$	2,353

Long-term restricted cash:
Restricted cash for Honduras loan	$	—	$	1,720
Restricted cash for Colombia bank loans	24,000		24,000
Other long-term restricted cash ⁽¹⁾	1,428		1,293
Total long-term restricted cash	$	25,428	$	27,013

Total restricted cash	$	26,928	$	29,366


⁽¹⁾	Other short-term and long-term restricted cash consists mainly of cash deposits held within banking institutions in compliance with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama.

Tax Receivables - The Company pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes (“input VAT”), income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of its business in most of the countries in which it operates related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services it acquires and/or on estimated sales and taxable income. The Company also collects VAT or similar taxes on behalf of the government (“output VAT”) 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. In some countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit card directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. In the case of VAT these procedures alter the natural offset of input and output VAT and generally leave the Company with a net VAT receivable, forcing the Company to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due this creates an income tax receivable. The Company either requests a refund of these tax receivables or applies the balance to expected future tax payments. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.

In most countries where the Company operates, the tax refund process is defined and structured with regular refunds or offsets. However, in two countries the respective governments have alleged that there is no defined process in the law to allow them to refund VAT receivables. The Company together with its tax and legal advisers is currently appealing these interpretations in court and expects to prevail. In some of these countries, where there is recent favorable jurisprudence, the government has recently begun an audit to verify the amount of the respective VAT receivables as a required precursor to any refund. The balance of the VAT receivable in these countries was $6.3 million and $5.7 million as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. In another country in which we have warehouse clubs, beginning in fiscal year 2015, a new minimum income tax mechanism took effect, which requires the Company to pay taxes based on a factor of sales rather than income. This will likely result in the Company having to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those due based on taxable income. The current rules (which the Company has appealed) do not allow the Company to obtain a refund or offset this excess income tax against other taxes. Due to the timing of these rules, as of February 28, 2015, the Company currently has an outstanding income tax receivable of $178,000 in this country; and there were deferred tax assets of approximately $1.1 million outstanding as of that date. The Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred income taxes because the Company believes that it has a more likely than not chance to succeed in its appeal on the matter.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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

•Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where the Company's subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax 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 and Income tax 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 obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable 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):



	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	8,013	$	3,565
Other non-current assets	19,035		17,115
Total amount of VAT receivable reported	$	27,048	$	20,680

The following table summarizes the Income tax receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):



	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	2,803	$	1,916
Other non-current assets	7,633		7,218
Total amount of income tax receivable reported	$	10,436	$	9,134

Lease Accounting – Certain of the Company's operating leases where the Company is the lessee (see Revenue Recognition Policy for lessor accounting) provide for minimum annual payments that increase over the expected life of the lease. The aggregate minimum annual payments are expensed on the straight-line basis beginning when the Company takes possession of the property and extending over the expected term of the related lease including renewal options when the exercise of the option is reasonably assured as an economic penalty may be incurred if the option is not exercised. The amount by which straight-line rent exceeds actual lease payment requirements in the early years of the leases is accrued as deferred rent and reduced in later years when the actual cash payment requirements exceed the straight-line expense. The Company also accounts in its straight-line computation for the effect of any “rental holidays” and lessor-paid tenant improvements. In addition to the minimum annual payments, in certain locations, the Company pays additional contingent rent based on a contractually stipulated percentage of sales.

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. In addition, the Company may be required to take markdowns below the carrying cost of certain inventory to expedite the sale of such merchandise.

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

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

liability to a new obliger 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.

Non-financial 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 non-financial 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.

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 February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):



	February 28, 2015				August 31, 2014
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion	$	105,120	$	105,600	$	91,439	$	92,893

Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities - 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. The Company seeks to manage counterparty risk associated

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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.

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. dollar denominated debt within its international subsidiaries. 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 February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014.

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, and as such the Company does not apply derivative hedge accounting to record these transactions. 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 these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features and 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 February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014.

The following tables summarize financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014 (in thousands) for derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting:



Assets and Liabilities as of February 28, 2015	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)	—		6,996			—		6,996
Other long-term liabilities – (Interest rate swaps)	—		(340		)	—		(340		)
Other long-term liabilities – (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)	—		(246		)	—		(246		)
Total	$	—	$	6,410		$	—	$	6,410

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)



Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2014	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 (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)	$	—	$	495	$	—	$	495
Other non-current assets - (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)	—		970		—		970
Other non-current assets - (Interest rate swaps)	—		125		—		125
Total	$	—	$	1,590	$	—	$	1,590



Assets and Liabilities as of February 28, 2015	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)	$	—	$	1,064	$	—	$	1,064
Other accrued expenses (Foreign currency forward contracts)	—		—		—		—
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting	$	—	$	1,064	$	—	$	1,064



Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2014	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)	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Other accrued expenses (Foreign currency forward contracts)	—		(14		)	—		(14		)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting	$	—	$	(14	)	$	—	$	(14	)

Goodwill – The table below presents goodwill resulting from certain business combinations as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014 (in thousands). The change in goodwill is a result of foreign exchange translation losses.



	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014		Change
Goodwill	$	36,069	$	36,108	$	(39	)

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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.

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 based on 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 value added/sales 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 periodically reviews expired unused rebates outstanding, and the expired unused rebates are 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 that is the equivalent of no breakage 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 expected 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. 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

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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.

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 records and reserves for 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. If one or both criteria for accrual are not met, but there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss will occur, the Company does not record and reserve for a loss contingency but describes the contingency within a note and provides detail, when possible, of the estimated potential loss or range of loss. If an estimate cannot be made, a statement to that effect is made.

Foreign Currency Translation – 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 transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income. The following table summarizes the amounts recorded for the three and six month period ending February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	February 28, 2015			February 28, 2014		February 28, 2015			February 28, 2014
Currency gain (loss)	$	(1,659	)	$	712	$	(4,291	)	$	1,023

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 files tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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 ended on February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014. However, during the fiscal year 2014, the Company was required to make payments of $4.2 million to the governments in two countries with respect to various income tax cases that it is currently appealing, but in which the Company believes it will eventually prevail. These amounts have been recorded in the balance sheet as Other non-current assets, as the Company considers this a payment on account and expects to get a refund thereof upon eventually prevailing on these cases, but is unsure of the timing thereof. Furthermore, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, one of the Company’s subsidiaries received provisional assessments claiming $2.6 million of taxes, penalties and interest related to withholding taxes on certain charges for services rendered by the Company. In addition, this subsidiary received provisional assessments totaling $5.2 million for lack of deductibility of the underlying service charges due to the lack of withholding. Based on the Company's interpretation of local law, rulings and jurisprudence (including Supreme Court precedents with respect to the deductibility assessment), the Company expects to prevail in both instances and has not recorded a provision for these assessments.

The Company has not provided for U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative non-U.S. undistributed earnings as such earnings are deemed by the Company to be indefinitely reinvested. It is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability that would be associated with such earnings because of the complexity of the computation.

The following tables present a reconciliation of the effective tax rate for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	February 28, 2015		February 28, 2014		February 28, 2015		February 28, 2014
Federal tax provision at statutory rates	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State taxes, net of federal benefit	0.3		0.2		0.4		0.3
Differences in foreign tax rates	(5.0	)	(5.3	)	(4.8	)	(4.8	)
Permanent items and other adjustments	3.8		(1.7	)	3.5		(0.2	)
Increase (decrease) in foreign valuation allowance	1.2		—		2.0		(0.1	)
Provision for income taxes	35.3	%	28.2	%	36.1	%	30.2	%

The variance in the effective tax rate for the three-month period ended on February 28, 2015 compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the unfavorable impact of 4.2% resulting from an increased taxable loss incurred in the Company’s Colombia subsidiary for which no tax benefit was recognized net of adjustment to valuation allowance and the non-recurrence of a favorable impact of 2.0% in the prior period from the tax effect of changes in foreign currency value.

The variance in the effective tax rate for the six month period ended February 28, 2015 compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to the unfavorable impact of 4.7% resulting from an increased taxable loss incurred in the Company’s Colombia subsidiary for which no tax benefit was recognized net of adjustment to valuation allowance and the non-recurrence of a favorable impact of 1.1% in the prior period from the tax effect of changes in foreign currency value.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

FASB ASC 606 ASU 2014-09 - Revenue from contracts with customers.

In May 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance on contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). The guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue on contracts with customers relating to the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance requires that an entity depict the consideration by applying the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 3: Determine the transaction price.
Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.
Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. This amendment is to be either retrospectively adopted to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this ASU recognized at the date of initial application. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

NOTE 3 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost. The historical cost of acquiring an asset includes the costs 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):



	February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
Land	$	126,658		$	124,082
Building and improvements	274,401			244,485
Fixtures and equipment	156,857			148,143
Construction in progress	24,068			55,664
Total property and equipment, historical cost	581,984			572,374
Less: accumulated depreciation	(157,624		)	(146,049		)
Property and equipment, net	$	424,360		$	426,325

Depreciation and amortization expense (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Depreciation and amortization expense	$	8,636	$	7,139	$	16,433	$	13,793

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 continues. 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 February 28, 2015		As of August 31, 2014
Total interest capitalized	$	7,106	$	6,542

Total interest capitalized (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Interest capitalized	$	147	$	194	$	763	$	493

The Company recorded within accounts payable and other accrued expenses approximately $100,000 and $1.6 million, respectively, as of February 28, 2015 and $2.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively, as of August 31, 2014 of liabilities related to the acquisition and/or construction of property and equipment.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company presents basic and diluted net 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 net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings that would have been available to common stockholders. A participating security is defined as a security that may participate in undistributed earnings with common stock. The Company’s capital structure includes securities that participate with common stock on a one-for-one basis for distribution of dividends. These are the restricted stock awards authorized within the 2002 and 2013 Equity Participation Plans/Equity Incentive Awards Plan of the Company and restricted stock units authorized within the 2001, 2002 and 2013 Equity Participation Plans/Equity Incentive Awards Plan. The Company determines the diluted net income per share by using the more dilutive of the two class-method or the treasury stock method and by including the basic weighted average of outstanding stock options in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the two-class method and including all potential common shares assumed issued in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share for the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	Three Months Ended February 28,						Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income	$	24,835		$	28,278		$	45,482		$	49,710
Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders	(259		)	(504		)	(580		)	(932		)
Net earnings available to common stockholders	$	24,576		$	27,774		$	44,902		$	48,778
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	29,827			29,724			29,809			29,707
Add dilutive effect of stock options (two-class method)	6			12			7			12
Diluted average shares outstanding	29,833			29,736			29,816			29,719
Basic net income per share	$	0.82		$	0.93		$	1.50		$	1.64
Diluted net income per share	$	0.82		$	0.93		$	1.50		$	1.64

NOTE 5 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Dividends

The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2015 and 2014.

First Payment

Second Payment

Declared

Amount

Record Date

Date Paid

Date Payable

Amount

Record Date

Date Paid

Date Payable

Amount

2/4/15

0.70

2/13/15

2/27/15

N/A

0.35

8/14/15

N/A

8/31/15

0.35

1/23/14

0.70

2/14/14

2/28/14

N/A

0.35

8/15/14

8/29/14

N/A

0.35

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.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following tables disclose the effects of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (in thousands):



	Six Months Ended February 28, 2015
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Defined benefit pension plans			Derivative Instruments		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2014	$	(50,410	)	$	113		$	1,011	$	(49,286	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(22,557		)	(24		)	3,468		(19,113		)
Ending balance, February 28, 2015	$	(72,967	)	$	89		$	4,479	$	(68,399	)



	Six Months Ended February 28, 2014
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Defined benefit pension plans			Derivative Instruments		Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2013	$	(42,321	)	$	(152	)	$	998	$	(41,475	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(12,372		)	11			922		(11,439		)
Ending balance, February 28, 2014	$	(54,693	)	$	(141	)	$	1,920	$	(52,914	)



	Twelve Months Ended August 31, 2014
	Foreign currency translation adjustments			Defined benefit pension plans				Derivative Instruments				Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2013	$	(42,321	)	$	(152	)		$	998			$	(41,475	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(8,089		)	260				101				(7,728		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	—			5			⁽²⁾	(88		)	^{(1) (3)}	(83		)
Ending balance, August 31, 2014	$	(50,410	)	$	113			$	1,011			$	(49,286	)


⁽¹⁾	See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.


⁽²⁾	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.


⁽³⁾	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for settlement of derivative instruments are included in other income (expense), net in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.

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):



	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014
Retained earnings not available for distribution	$	4,916	$	4,556

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

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 an operating cash flow.

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. Shares of common stock underlying RSUs are not issued nor outstanding until the RSUs vest and RSUs do not have the same dividend and voting rights as common stock. However, all outstanding RSUs have accompanying dividend equivalents, requiring payment to the employees and directors with unvested RSUs of amounts equal to the dividend they would have received had the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs been actually issued and outstanding. Payments of dividend equivalents to employees are recorded as compensation expense.

The Company adopted the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the "2013 Plan") for the benefit of its eligible employees, consultants and non-employee directors on January 22, 2013. The 2013 Plan provides for awards covering up to (1) 600,000 shares of common stock plus (2) the number of shares that remained available for issuance as of January 22, 2013 under three equity participation plans previously maintained by the Company. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan increases during the term of the plan by the number of shares relating to awards outstanding under the 2013 Plan or any of the prior plans that expire, or are forfeited, terminated, canceled or repurchased, or are settled in cash in lieu of shares and decreases due to award releases or option exercises. As of October 31, 2014, no more than an aggregate of 1,332,540 shares of the Company’s common stock will be issued under the 2013 Plan. The following table summarizes the shares authorized and shares available for future grants:



		Shares available to grant
	Shares authorized for issuance as of October 31, 2014 (including shares originally authorized for issuance under the prior plans)	February 28, 2015	August 31, 2014
2013 Plan	888,353	854,864	821,124

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 February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Options granted to directors	$	9	$	7	$	37	$	37
Restricted stock awards	1,454		1,634		2,703		2,783
Restricted stock units	321		250		600		501
Stock-based compensation expense	$	1,784	$	1,891	$	3,340	$	3,321

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table summarizes other information related to stock-based compensation:



	February 28,
	2015		2014
Remaining unrecognized compensation cost (in thousands)	$	18,045	$	23,520
Weighted average period of time over which this cost will be recognized (years)	6		6
Excess tax benefit (deficiency) on stock-based compensation (in thousands)	$	1,457	$	1,345

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:



	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015		2014
Grants outstanding at beginning of period	488,416		623,424
Granted	16,911		8,316
Forfeited	(720	)	(1,732	)
Vested	(136,779	)	(135,371	)
Grants outstanding at end of period	367,828		494,637

The following table summarizes the weighted average per share grant date fair value for restricted stock awards and units for the period:



	Six Months Ended February 28,
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	2015		2014
Restricted stock awards and units granted	$	89.85	$	112.37
Restricted stock awards and units vested	$	44.21	$	39.71
Restricted stock awards and units forfeited	$	40.40	$	49.37

The following table summarizes the total fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested for the period (in thousands):



	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015		2013
Total fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested	$	12,166	$	12,749

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:



	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015		2014
Shares repurchased	49,931		48,291
Cost of repurchase of shares (in thousands)	$	4,441	$	4,548

The Company reissues treasury shares as part of its stock-based compensation programs. The following table summarizes the treasury shares reissued:



	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015	2014
Reissued treasury shares	—	—

The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding:



	February 28, 2015	August 31, 2014
Stock options outstanding	20,000	23,000

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.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business and property ownership. 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 establishes an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters reach a stage where they present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual, but will continue to monitor the matter for developments that will make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If it is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company will provide disclosure regarding the contingency. The Company believes that the final disposition of the pending legal proceedings, claims and litigation will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that the Company's future results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to such matters.

Taxes

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.

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 February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, the Company had recorded within other accrued expenses a total of $3.0 million and $3.1 million 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.

During fiscal year 2014, the Company was required to make tax payments with respect to various income tax cases that it is currently appealing, and during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company received provisional tax assessments with respect to deductibility and withholdings. These payments and assessments are discussed in further detail within Note 2, Income Taxes.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Other Commitments

The Company is committed under non-cancelable operating leases for the rental of facilities and land. Future minimum lease commitments for facilities under these leases with an initial term in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):



Years ended February 28,	Open Locations⁽¹⁾
2016	$	7,309
2017	9,785
2018	10,355
2019	10,326
2020	10,260
Thereafter	81,442
Total	$	129,477


⁽¹⁾	Operating lease obligations have been reduced by approximately $372,000 to reflect sub-lease income. Certain obligations under leasing arrangements are collateralized by the underlying asset being leased.

The Company is also committed to non-cancelable construction services obligations for various warehouse club developments and expansions. As of February 28, 2015 the Company has approximately $4.5 million in contractual obligations for construction services not yet rendered.

The Company has entered into land purchase option agreements that have not been recorded as commitments, for which the Company has recorded within the balance sheet approximately $1.6 million in restricted cash deposits and prepaid expenses. The land purchase option agreements can be canceled at the sole option of the Company. The Company does not have a time table of when or if it will exercise these land purchase options, due to the uncertainty related to the completion of the Company's due diligence review. The Company's due diligence review includes evaluations of the legal status of the property, the zoning and permitting issues related to acquiring approval for the construction and operation of a warehouse club and any other issues related to the property itself that could render the property unsuitable or limit the property's economic viability as a warehouse club site. If the purchase option agreements are all exercised, the cash use would be approximately $21.4 million.

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, 2015 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 through the end of the contract term is approximately $414,000.

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
February 28, 2015	$	59,387	$	4,470	$	380	$	54,537	5.86	%
August 31, 2014	$	61,869	$	—	$	436	$	61,433	N/A

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

As of February 28, 2015, we had approximately $40.0 million of short-term facilities in the U.S. that require us to comply with certain quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, we were in compliance with respect to these covenants. Each of the facilities expires annually and is normally renewed.

The following table provides the changes in our long-term debt for the six months ended February 28, 2015:



(Amounts in millions)	Current Portion of Long-term debt			Long-term debt			Total
Balances as of August 31, 2014	$	11,848		$	79,591		$	91,439		⁽¹⁾
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period:
Panama subsidiary	1,000			9,000			10,000
Honduras subsidiary	1,600			6,750			8,350
Colombia subsidiary	1,500			13,500			15,000
Trinidad subsidiary	907			2,720			3,627
Repayments of long-term debt:
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on January 12, 2012 with Scotiabank El Salvador, S.A.	(3,200		)	—			(3,200		)
Partial repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 7, 2014 with Banco de America Central Honduras, S.A.	—			(5,000		)	(5,000		)
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 6, 2010 with Banco del Pais, S.A.	(87		)	—			(87		)
Repayment of loan by Trinidad subsidiary, originally entered into on August 26, 2008 with Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Ltd.	(900		)	(2,325		)	(3,225		)
Regularly scheduled loan payments	(579		)	(4,567		)	(5,146		)
Reclassifications of long-term debt	2,850			(2,850		)	—
Translation adjustments on foreign-currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar ⁽²⁾	(147		)	(6,491		)	(6,638		)
Balances as of February 28, 2015	$	14,792		$	90,328		$	105,120		⁽³⁾


⁽¹⁾	The carrying amount cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $24.6 million and the carrying amount on non-cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $84.2 million.


⁽²⁾	These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive income.


⁽³⁾	The carrying amount cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $24.0 million and the carrying amount on non-cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $103.5 million.

As of February 28, 2015, the Company had approximately $78.3 million of long-term loans in Trinidad, 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 February 28, 2015, we were in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants.

As of August 31, 2014, we had approximately $62.5 million of long-term loans in Trinidad, 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 August 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):



Twelve months ended February 28,	Amount
2016	$	14,792
2017	29,679
2018	12,626
2019	12,176
2020	32,021
Thereafter	3,826
Total	$	105,120

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 non-functional currency long-term debt of two of our wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, these subsidiaries enter into cross-currency interest rate swaps that convert their 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.

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.

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 February 28, 2015, 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. These derivative financial instruments were also designated and qualified as cash flow hedges.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting transactions during the six months ended February 28, 2015:

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 Dates

Effective Period of swap

El Salvador

16-Dec-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

4,000,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

4.78

29th day of each month beginning on December 29, 2014

December 01, 2014 - August 29, 2019

Colombia

10-Dec-14

Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")

Cross currency interest rate swap

15,000,000

Citibank, N.A.

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.8%

8.25

4th day of March, June, Sept, Dec. beginning on March 4, 2015

December 4, 2014 - December 3, 2019

Panama

9-Dec-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

10,000,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

5.159

28th day of each month beginning December 29, 2014

November 28, 2014 - November 29, 2019

Honduras

23-Oct-14

Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")

Cross currency interest rate swap

5,000,000

Citibank, N.A.

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.5%

11.6

22nd day of January, April, July, and October beginning on January 22, 2015

October 22, 2014 - October 22, 2017

Panama

1-Aug-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

5,000,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

4.89

21st day of each month beginning on September 22, 2014

August 21, 2014 - August 21, 2019

Panama

22-May-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

19,800,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

4.98

4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014

May 5, 2014 - April 4, 2019

Panama

22-May-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

3,970,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

4.98

4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014

May 5, 2014 - April 4, 2019

Colombia

11-Dec-12

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

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 ("Scotiabank")

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

21-Oct-11

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

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 ("Scotiabank")

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 December 29, 2011

September 29, 2011 - April 1, 2016

Colombia

5-May-11

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

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

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the three and six-month period ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, 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⁽¹⁾		Cost of swaps ⁽²⁾		Total
Interest expense for the three months ended February 28, 2015	$	584	$	714	$	1,298
Interest expense for the three months ended February 28, 2014	$	113	$	334	$	447
Interest expense for the six months ended February 28, 2015	$	933	$	1,226	$	2,159
Interest expense for the six months ended February 28, 2014	$	240	$	764	$	1,004


⁽¹⁾	This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the underlying hedged transactions.


⁽²⁾	This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

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)	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014
Scotiabank	$	64,058	$	60,200
Citibank N.A.	19,750		—
Total	$	83,808	$	60,200

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):



	February 28, 2015				August 31, 2014
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments	Balance Sheet Account	Fair Value			Balance Sheet Account	Fair Value
Cross-currency interest rate swaps⁽¹⁾	Prepaid expenses and current assets	$	—		Prepaid expenses and current assets	$	495
Cross-currency interest rate swaps⁽¹⁾	Other non-current assets	6,996			Other non-current assets	970
Interest rate swaps⁽²⁾	Other non-current assets	—			Other non-current assets	125
Interest rate swaps⁽²⁾	Other long-term liabilities	(340		)	Other long-term liabilities	—
Cross-currency interest rate swaps⁽³⁾	Other long-term liabilities	(246		)	Other long-term liabilities	—
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments - assets (liability)⁽⁴⁾		$	6,410			$	1,590

⁽¹⁾

The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps for this subsidiary was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss for $(4.9) million and $(917,000) net of tax as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has recorded a deferred tax liability amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $(2.1) million and $(548,000) as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, related to asset positions of cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the equity effect of this deferred tax liability is offset by the full valuation allowance provided for the net deferred tax asset recorded for this subsidiary.


⁽²⁾	The effective portion of the interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss / (income) for $254,000 and $(94,000) net of tax as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has recorded a deferred

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

tax asset / (liability) amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $86,000 and $(31,000) as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.

⁽³⁾

The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps for this subsidiary was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss for $172,000 and $0 net of tax as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $74,000 and $0 as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.


⁽⁴⁾	Derivatives listed on the above table were designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

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 entered into non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts during the six months ended February 28, 2015. The open contracts as of February 28, 2015 are summarized below:

Subsidiary

Dates entered into

Derivative Financial Counter-party

Derivative Financial Instrument

Notional Amount

(in thousands)

Settlement Date

Effective Period of Forward

Colombia

January - February 2015

Bank of Nova Scotia

Forward foreign exchange contracts

27,000

March - April 2015

January - April 2015

For the three and six-month periods ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, 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				Six Months Ended
Income Statement Classification	February 28, 2015		February 28, 2014		February 28, 2015		February 28, 2014
Other income (expense), net	$	3,521	$	62	$	6,134	$	185

The following table summarizes the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts that do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands):



	February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
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	$	1,064	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts	Other accrued expenses	—		Other accrued expenses	(14		)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting		$	1,064		$	(14	)

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.

On December 12, 2013, the Company entered into a lease agreement for approximately 17,976 square feet (1,670 square meters) of land with Golf Park Plaza, S.A. upon which the Company constructed its central offices in Panama. Construction of the offices was completed in October 2014. The lease term is for 15 years with three options to renew for five years each at the Company's discretion. The monthly lease expense is approximately $8,800. For the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, the Company recognized rent expense of $26,400 and $52,800, respectively, for this lease.

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 February 28, 2015 (in thousands):



Entity	% Ownership		Initial Investment		Additional Investments		Net Loss Inception to Date			Company’s Variable Interest in Entity		Commitment to Future Additional Investments ⁽¹⁾		Company’s Maximum Exposure to Loss in Entity⁽²⁾
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.	50	%	$	4,616	$	2,283	$	(81	)	$	6,818	$	217	$	7,035
Price Plaza Alajuela, S.A.	50	%	2,193		1,236		(2		)	3,427		785		4,212
Total			$	6,809	$	3,519	$	(83	)	$	10,245	$	1,002	$	11,247


⁽¹⁾	The parties intend to seek alternate financing for the project, which could reduce the amount of investments 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.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The summarized financial information of the unconsolidated affiliates is as follows (in thousands):



	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014
Current assets	$	1,246	$	803
Noncurrent assets	$	11,499	$	8,900
Current liabilities	$	1,418	$	1,126
Noncurrent liabilities	$	13	$	13



	Three Months Ended February 28,				Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income (loss)	$	15	$	—	$	27	$	8

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.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company added to its operating segments, the Colombia Operations, and desegregated the Colombia Operations from the Latin America Operations, renaming that segment Central America Operations. The Company has made this change as a result of the information that the Company's chief operating decision maker regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance and the growing level of investment and sales activity in Colombia. Therefore, beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company has reported its financial performance based on these new segments and has retrospectively adopted this change for the disclosure of financial information presented by segment. The Company’s operating segments are the United States, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. Additionally, certain inter-company charges are no longer allocated to the segments within this presentation and now appear as reconciling items to reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions. This presentation more closely reflects the information reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. 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, in order to reflect the information reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker or it is impractical to do so.

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The Company has made reclassifications to the consolidated balance sheet recorded during fiscal year 2015 (see Note 1 - Company Overview and Basis of Presentation) to the consolidated balance sheet for fiscal year 2014 to conform to the presentation in fiscal year 2015. These reclassifications did not impact net income. The following tables summarize the impact of these reclassifications to the amounts reported for each segment (in thousands):



	United States Operations			Central American Operations		Caribbean Operations		Colombia Operations			Total

Six Month Period Ended February 28, 2014
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) as previously reported	$	13,087		$	257,053	$	115,316	$	87,295		$	472,751
Reclassifications to long-lived assets	65			965		—		767			1,797
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) as currently reported	$	13,152		$	258,018	$	115,316	$	88,062		$	474,548

Total assets as previously reported	$	57,377		$	436,252	$	218,513	$	122,174		$	834,316
Reclassifications to total assets	—			72		—		—			72
Total assets as currently reported	$	57,377		$	436,324	$	218,513	$	122,174		$	834,388

As of August 31, 2014
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) as previously reported	$	16,488		$	265,950	$	113,134	$	130,330		$	525,902
Reclassifications to long-lived assets	96			2,096		—		970			3,162
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) as currently reported	$	16,584		$	268,046	$	113,134	$	131,300		$	529,064

Total assets as previously reported	$	91,190		$	457,325	$	223,251	$	168,452		$	940,218
Reclassifications to total assets	(15		)	70		—		(2,203		)	(2,148		)
Total assets as currently reported	$	91,175		$	457,395	$	223,251	$	166,249		$	938,070

PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The following tables summarize by segment certain revenues, operating costs and balance sheet items (in thousands):



	United States Operations				Central American Operations		Caribbean Operations		Colombia Operations			Reconciling Items⁽¹⁾			Total
Three Month Period Ended February 28, 2015
Revenue from external customers	$	6,235			$	426,226	$	220,225	97,610						$	750,296
Intersegment revenues	259,611				—		1,507		—			(261,118		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	545				3,698		2,451		1,942						8,636
Operating income	7,811				37,122		13,408		(844		)	(15,789		)	41,708
Net income	3,619				28,846		11,579		(3,420		)	(15,789		)	24,835
Capital expenditures, net	1,332				8,425		1,666		2,827						14,250

Six Month Period Ended February 28, 2015
Revenue from external customers	$	14,666			$	809,390	$	418,616	$	163,645		$	—		$	1,406,317
Intersegment revenues	597,939				—		2,890		—			(600,829		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	1,087				7,342		4,739		3,265			—			16,433
Operating income	15,714				68,254		25,577		(1,781		)	(29,771		)	77,993
Net income	6,981				53,174		21,833		(6,735		)	(29,771		)	45,482
Capital expenditures, net	(1,441		)	⁽²⁾	23,231		4,862		17,218			—			43,870
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)	14,045				284,661		112,877		122,786			—			534,369
Goodwill	—				31,381		4,688		—			—			36,069
Total assets	62,021				492,395		241,096		190,854			—			986,366

Three Month Period Ended February 28, 2014
Revenue from external customers	$	6,764			$	403,087	$	212,366	52,157			$	—		$	674,374
Intersegment revenues	209,102				—		1,143		—			(210,245		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	583				3,279		2,264		1,013			—			7,139
Operating income	5,904				34,076		12,939		1,973			(15,517		)	39,375
Net income	2,451				28,919		11,040		1,385			(15,517		)	28,278
Capital expenditures, net	3,565				9,269		1,710		25,264			—			39,808

Six Month Period Ended February 28, 2014
Revenue from external customers	$	12,485			$	762,622	$	404,426	$	100,442		$	—		$	1,279,975
Intersegment revenues	514,694				—		2,619		—			(517,313		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	1,155				6,107		4,483		2,048			—			13,793
Operating income	12,853				61,163		22,397		3,473			(28,152		)	71,734
Net income	5,517				50,810		19,340		2,195			(28,152		)	49,710
Capital expenditures, net	3,139				22,922		5,663		26,372			—			58,096
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)	13,152				258,018		115,316		88,062			—			474,548
Goodwill	—				31,530		4,791		—			—			36,321
Total assets	57,377				436,324		218,513		122,174			—			834,388

As of August 31, 2014
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)	$	16,584			$	268,046	$	113,134	$	131,300		$	—		$	529,064
Goodwill	—				31,383		4,725		—			—			36,108
Total assets	91,175				457,395		223,251		166,249			—			938,070


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


⁽²⁾	The decrease in capital expenditures is a result of the transfers of capital assets from this segment to other segments.

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 February 28, 2015 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.

Financing Transactions

On March 26, 2015, the Company's Honduras subsidiary paid down the outstanding principal balance of 179.3 million Lempiras, approximately US $8.2 million of the loan agreement entered into by the subsidiary on March 7, 2014 with Banco de America Central Honduras, S.A. The original agreement established a loan facility of 286.0 million Lempiras, approximately US$13.7 million. The interest rate was variable set a a minimum of 12.5% (12.75% at the time of pay-off). The loan term was for ten years with quarterly interest and principal payments, subject to a 24-month grace period on principal payments. The subsidiary has paid down this loan, and this loan facility has terminated.

On March 24, 2015, the Company's Honduras subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Citibank, N.A. The agreement establishes a credit facility for $8.5 million with a variable interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%. The loan term is for five years with quarterly interest and principal payments. This loan is secured by assets of the Company's Honduras subsidiary. The loan was funded at execution.

Cross-currency interest rate swap derivative transactions that qualify for derivative hedge accounting

On March 23, 2015, the Company's Honduras subsidiary entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap agreement with Citibank, N.A. for a notional amount of $8.5 million. The cross-currency interest rate swap agreement converts the Honduras subsidiary foreign currency United States dollar denominated principal and floating interest payments on the $8.5 million long-term quarterly amortizing debt with Citibank to functional currency principal and fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of principal and interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements. The hedged loan has a variable interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%. Under the cross-currency interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable U.S. dollar principal and interest based on the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.25% on a quarterly amortizing notional amount of US $8.5 million and pay fixed interest of 10.75% on a quarterly amortizing notional amount of 185.6 million Honduran Lempiras for a term of approximately five years (effective date of March 24,2015 through March 20, 2020). The LIBOR reset dates for the hedged long-term debt and the cross-currency interest rate swap occur on the twenty fourth day of March, June, September, and December beginning on June 24, 2015.

Non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts

The Company's Colombia subsidiary has entered into forward exchange contracts for approximately $8.0 million with settlement dates of April 2015.

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 PriceSmart Inc.'s ("PriceSmart", the "Company" or "we") anticipated future revenues and earnings, adequacy of future cash flow, proposed warehouse club openings, the Company's performance relative to competitors, the outcome of tax proceedings 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: our financial performance is dependent on international operations, which exposes us to various risks; any failure by us to manage our widely dispersed operations could adversely affect our business; we face significant competition; future sales growth depends, in part, on our ability to successfully open new warehouse clubs; we might not identify in a timely manner or effectively respond to changes in consumer preferences for merchandise, which could adversely affect our relationship with members, demand for our products and market share; although we have begun to offer limited online shopping to our members, our sales could be adversely affected if one or more major international online retailers were to enter our markets or if other competitors were to offer a superior online experience; we face difficulties in the shipment of, and inherent risks in the importation of, merchandise to our warehouse clubs; we are exposed to weather and other natural disaster risks; general economic conditions could adversely impact our business in various respects; we are subject to risks associated with possible changes in our relationships with third parties with which we do business, as well as the performance of such third parties; we rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions, summarize results and manage our business, and failure to adequately maintain our systems or disruptions in our systems could harm our business and adversely affect our results of operations; we could be subject to additional tax liabilities; a few of our stockholders own approximately 28.1% of our voting stock as of February 28, 2015, which may make it difficult to complete some corporate transactions without their support and may impede a change in control; our inability to develop and retain existing key personnel or to attract highly qualified employees could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations; we are subject to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates; we face the risk of exposure to product liability claims, a product recall and adverse publicity; if we do not maintain the privacy and security of confidential information, we could damage our reputation, incur substantial additional costs and become subject to litigation; we are subject to payment related risks; changes in accounting standards and assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial condition and results of operations; we face increased public company compliance risks and compliance risks related to our international operations; we face increased compliance risks associated with compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and if remediation costs or hazardous substance contamination levels at certain properties for which we maintain financial responsibility exceed management's current expectations, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted. The risks described above 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 filed for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014 on October 30, 2014 pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks are not the only risks that the Company faces. The Company could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating globally and in the U.S., as well as other risks that are not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently considers to be immaterial.

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included therein.

Our business consists primarily of operating international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. We operate in 13 countries/territories that are located in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our ownership in all operating subsidiaries as of February 28, 2015 is 100%, and they are presented on a consolidated basis. The number of warehouse clubs in operation as of February 28, 2015 for each country or territory are as follows:



Country/Territory	Number of Warehouse Clubs in Operation as of February 28, 2015	Number of Warehouse Clubs in Operation as of February 28, 2014	Anticipated warehouse club openings within the next 12 months
Colombia	6	3	—
Costa Rica	6	6	—
Panama	4	4	1
Trinidad	4	4	—
Dominican Republic	3	3	—
Guatemala	3	3	—
El Salvador	2	2	—
Honduras	3	2	—
Aruba	1	1	—
Barbados	1	1	—
U.S. Virgin Islands	1	1	—
Jamaica	1	1	—
Nicaragua	1	1	—
Totals	36	32	1

In addition, we operate distribution centers and corporate offices in the United States. Our 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.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, we added to our operating segments, the Colombia Operations, and desegregated the Colombia Operations from the Latin America Operations, renaming that segment Central America Operations. We made this change as a result of the information that our chief operating decision maker regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance and the growing level of investment and sales activity in Colombia. Therefore, beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, we have reported our financial performance based on these new segments and have retrospectively adopted this change for the disclosure of financial information presented by segment. Our operating segments are the United States, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia.

During October 2013, we opened our sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in La Union, Cartago, and in May 2014, we opened our third warehouse club in Honduras in Tegucigalpa, our second in the capital city. In January 2014, we acquired land in Pereira, Colombia and in the city of Medellin, Colombia and leased land in the city of Bogota, Colombia. We built new warehouse clubs at these three sites, and opened the Bogota location in October 2014 and opened the other two Colombian sites in November 2014. Together with the three warehouse clubs that were operating prior to these openings in Colombia (one in Barranquilla and two in Cali), these three new clubs brought the number of PriceSmart warehouse clubs operating in Colombia to six. In September 2014, we acquired land in La Chorrera ("Costa Verde"), west of Panama City, Panama, on which our fifth PriceSmart warehouse club in Panama is scheduled to open in the summer of 2015.

Our warehouse clubs and local distribution centers are located in Latin America and the Caribbean, and our corporate headquarters, U.S. buying operations and regional distribution centers are located primarily in the United States. Our reportable segments are based on management's organization of these locations into operating segments by general geographic location. Our operating segments are the United States, Central America, the Caribbean, and Colombia.

General Economic Factors

Market conditions in the second fiscal quarter made for a challenging environment in some of our markets and could continue to have a dampening effect on overall sales growth in the next several fiscal quarters. In some PriceSmart markets, sales were negatively affected by various economic and social factors including lower prices for exported oil, crime and violence and generally weaker economies. Especially significant, the Colombian peso (COP) has devalued versus the U.S. dollar by approximately 29% from the beginning of the fiscal year (August 2014) until the end of the second fiscal quarter (February 2015). In the second fiscal quarter alone, the value of the peso versus the U.S. dollar declined 13%. This devaluation results in U.S. imports, which account for over 60% of PriceSmart sales in Colombia, becoming more expensive, thereby reducing demand for those imported products. In addition, the decline in the value of the Colombia Peso ("COP") negatively impacts warehouse sales and membership income priced in COP when converted to and reported in U.S. dollars. On the other hand, operating expenses within Colombia are lower when converted to U.S. dollars. Costa Rica also experienced an approximate 10% devaluation of the Costa Rican colon during January and February 2014, which had a negative effect on consumer activity for some period of time and impacted the year on year sales comparisons in the first fiscal quarter and for December and January in the current quarter. The Costa Rican currency has strengthened somewhat from that initial devaluation and is now at a level consistent with a year ago. Costa Rica and Colombia are two of our largest markets and therefore these macro-economic issues can have a measurable impact on our consolidated financial performance.

Managing Currency Fluctuations

Currency exchange rate fluctuations can impact net income as we revalue all U.S. dollar-denominated monetary assets and liabilities within our 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 acquisitions and the construction of warehouse clubs, and U.S. dollar-denominated accounts payable related to the purchase of merchandise. Approximately 42% of our net warehouse sales are derived from merchandise purchased in U.S. dollars and sold in non-U.S. dollar currencies.

We seek to minimize the impact of negative foreign exchange fluctuations on the Company's results by utilizing from time to time one or more of the following strategies: (1) adjusting prices on goods acquired in U.S. dollars on a periodic basis to maintain our target margins after taking into account changes in exchange rates and our competition; (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; (4) maintaining a balance between assets held in local currency and in U.S. dollars; and (5) by entering into cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward currency derivatives. We have local-currency-denominated long-term loans in Honduras and Guatemala and have cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward currency derivatives in Colombia. We report the gains or losses associated with the revaluation of these monetary assets and liabilities on our Consolidated Statements of Income under the heading “Other income (expense), net.” Future volatility regarding currencies could have a material impact on our operations in future periods, however, there is no way to accurately forecast the impact of the change in rates on our future demand for imported products, reported sales, or financial results.

Competition

We do not currently face direct competition from U.S. branded membership warehouse club operators. However, we do 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. We have competed effectively in these markets in the past and expect to continue to do so in the future due to the unique nature of the membership warehouse club format product offering and overall value provided to the member. However, new retail competitors may enter our markets, existing retailers continue to invest and expand, and it is possible that U.S. warehouse club operators could enter our markets and compete more directly with us in a similar warehouse club format, although we have no current indication that such an event is imminent.

Business Strategy

Our 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. We charge an annual membership fee to our customers. These fees combined with warehouse and distribution operating efficiencies and volume purchasing enable us to operate our business on lower merchandise margins than conventional retail stores. The combination of annual membership fees, operating efficiencies and low margins enable us to offer our members high quality merchandise at very competitive prices which, in turn, enhances the value of the PriceSmart membership.

Current and Future Management Actions

Generally, our operating efficiencies, earnings and cash flow from operations improve as sales increase. Higher sales provide greater purchasing power and often result in lower product prices from our suppliers. Further, increased sales permit us to leverage our selling, general and administrative expenses. It is our business strategy to pass along to our members the savings we receive from better purchasing and more efficient operations through lower merchandise prices, increasing the value our members receive which then further drives sales and increases volume. Therefore, we prioritize initiatives that we expect will have the greatest impact on increasing sales, particularly within our existing locations. Looking forward to the next several quarters, the following actions are likely to have an impact on our business and the results of operations.

We seek to increase sales by increasing transaction size and frequency with existing members in our warehouse clubs, by attracting new members to our clubs and by adding new warehouse clubs. Our continued focus on initiatives to increase comparable warehouse club sales within existing warehouse clubs locations resulted in a 1.4% increase in comparable warehouse club sales for the 13-week period ended February 28, 2015 compared to the same 13-week period the prior year. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we opened our sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in La Union, Cartago, and in the third quarter opened our third warehouse club in Honduras. In both cases, these new clubs negatively impacted reported comparable warehouse club sales during the quarter as warehouse sales transferred to these new clubs from existing clubs. This comparable warehouse club sales growth combined with the addition of two new warehouse clubs in fiscal year 2014 and the opening of our three new Colombia warehouse clubs during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 resulted in an 11.4% increase in warehouse club sales compared to a year ago. In addition, the Company increased the number of member accounts 20.1% over the prior year at quarter end.

Membership is a unique and critical feature of the warehouse club business model. The annual fee for a Diamond membership in most of our markets is approximately $35.00 (entitling members to two cards). A membership fee helps us offer high quality merchandise at low prices, providing value to our members. In October 2012, we launched the Platinum membership account in Costa Rica. Platinum members pay an annual membership fee of approximately $75.00 for a primary membership card for which they receive an annual 2% rebate of their purchases on most items, up to a maximum annual rebate of $500.00. Platinum members can apply this rebate to future purchases at the warehouse club at the end of the annual membership period. We continue to evaluate the Platinum membership program to determine if Platinum memberships should be offered in any of our other markets.

Logistics and distribution operations are an important part of what allows us to deliver high quality merchandise at low prices to our members. We continue to explore areas to improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure a good flow of merchandise to our warehouse clubs. We have added local and regional distribution centers in several of our markets to improve merchandise flow and in-stock conditions and reduce operating costs, the benefit of which can be passed on to our members in the form of lower merchandise prices, and we expect to add more in fiscal year 2015 as merchandise volumes increase.

We offer on-line shopping options to our members. Members have the ability to purchase merchandise that is not stocked in their local warehouse clubs through our e-commerce website. These purchases are shipped from the U.S. distribution warehouse for pick-up at the member's local warehouse club location. In Colombia, members can purchase in-club merchandise on-line from warehouse clubs located within Colombia and have it delivered to their home or office via a third-party delivery service. We have been expanding our offerings in these alternative shopping methods, and while the percentage of sales through these channels relative to our overall sales is small, we believe it is an important and growing way to serve our current members and attract new members.

Purchasing land and constructing warehouse clubs is our single largest capital investment. Securing land for warehouse club locations is challenging within our markets, especially in Colombia, because suitable sites at economically feasible prices are difficult to find. In September 2014, we acquired land in La Chorrera ("Costa Verde"), west of Panama City, Panama, on which our fifth PriceSmart warehouse club in Panama is scheduled to open in the summer of 2015. While our preference is to own rather than lease real estate, we have entered into real estate leases in certain cases (most recently our Bogota, Colombia site) and will likely do so in the future. Real estate ownership provides a number of advantages as compared to leasing, including lower operating expenses, flexibility to expand or otherwise enhance our buildings, long-term control over the use of the property and the residual value that the real estate may have in future years. In order to secure warehouse club locations, we occasionally have purchased more land than is actually needed for the warehouse club facility. To the extent that we acquire property in excess of what is needed for a particular warehouse club, we generally have looked to either sell or develop the excess property. Excess land at Alajuela and Brisas is being developed by joint ventures formed by us and the sellers of the property, which commenced in fiscal year 2011. We are employing a similar development strategy for the excess land at the San Fernando, Trinidad and Arroyo Hondo, Dominican Republic locations where the properties are fully owned by us. The recent land purchases in Pereira and Medellin, Colombia, and La Chorrera, Panama do not contain excess property beyond that which will be needed for warehouse clubs. The profitable sale or development of real estate is highly dependent on real estate market conditions.

The rapid devaluation of the Colombia peso during the past four months, especially compared to the US dollar, increases the cost of imported merchandise purchased by Pricesmart Colombia. These higher costs result in higher prices for our Colombia members and a lower rate of sales for imported products. We are taking steps to minimize the price increases and resulting impact on demand on imported items by (1) seeking ways to further reduce costs throughout the supply chain; (2) reducing our mark-ups (margins) for these items; and (3) continuing to offer value and merchandise differentiation to our members. Keeping the long term growth of Pricesmart in Colombia as our highest priority, we are prepared to accept lower merchandise margins and profits in Colombia in order to solidify our market position for the future. We are encouraged by the fact that membership sign ups at our Colombia clubs continue to be strong and by the good growth in transactions and local currency denominated sales.

Financial highlights for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 included:


•	Net warehouse club sales increased 11.4% over the comparable prior year period. We ended the quarter with 36 warehouse clubs compared to 32 warehouse clubs at the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. 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 February 28, 2015 grew 1.4%.


•	Membership income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 increased 14.9% to $10.9 million.


•	Warehouse gross profits (net warehouse club sales less associated cost of goods sold) in the quarter increased 11.2% over the prior year period and warehouse gross profits as a percent of net warehouse club sales were 14.5%, a decrease of 2 basis points (0.02%) from the same period last year.


•	Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 was $41.7 million, an increase of $2.3 million over the second quarter of fiscal year 2014.


•	We had a $(1.7) million net loss from currency exchange transactions in the current quarter compared to a $712,000 net gain from currency exchange transactions in the same period last year.


•	Net income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 was $24.8 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, compared to $28.3 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, in the comparable prior year period.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 was $0.82 per share, a decline of $0.11 per share from the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. While many of our markets performed well in the quarter, the reduction in net income can be attributed to Colombia where various factors, most notably the devaluation of the Colombian peso, led to a year on year reduction of net income and negatively impacted the consolidated results of the Company by approximately $0.16 per share. The rest of the Company performed well in the quarter with growth in sales and membership income, and higher operating profit; contributing additional net income of approximately $0.05 per share to the consolidated results compared to the second quarter of last year.

In Colombia, the effect of the currency devaluation of the Colombian peso compared to the U.S. dollar impacted sales when reported in U.S. dollars and caused prices of imported products to increase in local currency terms thereby impacting consumer demand for those products. We reduced our merchandise margins by 258 basis points (2.58%) compared to last year largely in response to the cost increase on imported merchandise in order to pass on further value to our members during this time of currency volatility. Also related to the peso devaluation, we incurred an approximately $1.8 million second quarter currency loss in Colombia compared to approximately a $139,000 loss last year. Finally, a newly instituted corporate tax on equity affecting all Colombian companies resulted in a full calendar year’s expense of approximately $846,000 being recognized in the current quarter. We view these current challenging and unfavorable conditions to not be reflective of the long term prospects for PriceSmart in Colombia. Colombia has the highest growth opportunities of any of our current markets. We intend to continue to look for opportunities and expand our business over the coming months and years in Colombia.

COMPARISON OF THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2015 AND 2014

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three-month and six-month periods ended on February 28, 2015 with the three-month and six-month periods ended on February 28, 2014 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report. 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 February 28,						Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015				2014		2015				2014
	Amount		% Change		Amount		Amount		% Change		Amount
Net warehouse club sales	$	732,120	11.4	%	$	657,167	$	1,368,535	9.8	%	$	1,246,861

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

Growth in net warehouse club sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 was positively impacted by the addition of three new warehouse clubs in Colombia and one in Honduras. Overall, Colombia accounted for nearly 60% of the dollar growth in net warehouse sales of the Company despite the negative impact of the year on year Colombian peso devaluation of approximately 22%. Honduras, with the additional warehouse club, and Panama each recorded growth in excess of 10% in the quarter compared to last year. Other strong growth countries included Guatemala, Trinidad, and Nicaragua. Year on year warehouse sales growth in Costa Rica continued to be impacted by unfavorable currency comparisons to last year when measured in U.S. dollars. Net warehouse sales growth in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 resulted from an 11.5% increase in transactions and a 0.1% decrease in average ticket, which was impacted by local currency sales converted back to fewer U.S. dollars in Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

Net warehouse sales for the six months ended February 28, 2015 increased 9.8%. The higher growth in sales in the three month period compared to the six month period reflects the full quarter effect of the new Colombian warehouse clubs which opened in October and November 2014. For the six month period, transactions grew 8.5% and the average ticket grew 1.2%.

Comparable Sales

We report 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 we experience 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 La Union, Cartago, Costa Rica ("Tres Rios") on October 18, 2013 were not included in the calculation of comparable warehouse sales until January 2015. Sales related to the warehouse club opened in Tegucigalpa, Honduras ("El Sauce") on May 1, 2014 will not be used in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales until July 2015. Sales related to the warehouse club opened in Bogota, Colombia on October 29, 2014 will not be used in the calculation of comparable sales until January 2016. Sales related to the warehouse clubs opened in Pereira and Medellin, Colombia on November 13, 2014 and November 26, 2014, respectively, will not be used in the calculation of comparable sales until January and February 2016, respectively.

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

Comparable warehouse club sales increased 1.4% for the 13-week period ended February 28, 2015, compared to the same 13-week period last year. We opened a new warehouse club in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in May 2014. This new warehouse club is attracting new members from areas of the city not previously served by us. However, it is also creating the opportunity for some existing members, particularly those who shopped at our first Tegucigalpa, Honduras warehouse club, to shop at the new location. This transfer of sales from an existing warehouse club that is included in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales to a new warehouse club that is not included in the calculation has an adverse impact on comparable warehouse club sales. We have not made a specific determination of what the comparable warehouse club sales would have been had we not opened this new warehouse club. However, if we exclude in its entirety the net warehouse sales of the pre-existing Tegucigalpa warehouse club (which is in the comparable warehouse club calculation, but was negatively impacted by the opening of the new warehouse club in Tegucigalpa), the comparable warehouse club sales for the quarter would have been approximately 84 basis points (0.84%) higher. Although there is some impact to our first three warehouse clubs in Colombia from the opening of the three new clubs in Colombia, particularly Bogota, it is too soon to accurately determine that specific impact given other factors affecting the year on year comparisons of the first three warehouse clubs, most notably the currency devaluation.

Comparable warehouse club sales increased 1.7% for the 26-week period ended February 28, 2015, compared to the same 26-week period last year.

Net Warehouse Club Sales by Segments

The following tables indicate the net warehouse club sales by segment in the segments which we operate, and the percentage growth in net warehouse club sales by segment during the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we opened our sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in La Union, Cartago, and in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, we opened our third warehouse club in Honduras. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we opened three additional warehouse clubs in Colombia (Bogota, Pereira and Medellin) bringing the total warehouse clubs in Colombia to six.



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount		% of net sales		Increase from prior year		Change		Amount		% of net sales
Central America	$	418,952	57.2	%	$	22,616	5.7	%	$	396,336	60.3	%
Caribbean	217,293		29.7	%	7,713		3.7	%	209,580		31.9	%
Colombia	$	95,875	13.1	%	$	44,623	87.1	%	$	51,252	7.8	%
Net warehouse club sales	$	732,120	100.0	%	$	74,952	11.4	%	$	657,168	100.0	%


	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount		% of net sales		Increase from prior year		Change		Amount		% of net sales
Central America	$	795,005	58.1	%	$	45,713	6.1	%	$	749,292	60.1	%
Caribbean	412,865		30.2	%	13,957		3.5	%	398,908		32.0	%
Colombia	$	160,665	11.7	%	$	62,004	62.8	%	$	98,661	7.9	%
Net warehouse club sales	$	1,368,535	100.0	%	$	121,674	9.8	%	$	1,246,861	100.0	%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, sales growth in Central America compared to the Caribbean primarily reflects the sales associated with the additional warehouse club sales in La Union, Costa Rica and Tegucigalpa, Honduras and the higher net warehouse club sales growth in Colombia reflects the sales associated with the three Colombia warehouse clubs opened during the quarter. We expect Colombia and Central America sales growth to continue to outpace Caribbean sales growth because of the opening of the three new warehouse clubs in Colombia and because the next warehouse club we expect to open is in Panama.

Export Sales



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015									2014
	Amount		% of net sales		(Decrease) from prior year			Change		Amount		% of net sales
Export sales	6,229		0.9	%	$	(535	)	(7.9	)%	6,764		1.0	%

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015									2014
	Amount		% of net sales		Increase from prior year			Change		Amount		% of net sales
Export sales	$	14,660	1.1	%	$	2,175		17.4	%	$	12,485	1.0	%

Export sales are direct sales to a single institutional customer (retailer) in the Philippines for which we earn an approximate 5% margin. Changes in the activity in the current quarter and the six months ended February 28, 2015 compared to the prior year periods reflects changes in the merchandise needs of that retailer’s business.

Membership Income



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015							2014
	Amount			Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount
Membership income	$	10,898		$	1,417	14.9	%	$	9,481
Membership income % to net warehouse club sales	1.5		%					1.4		%
Number of total accounts	1,380,182			231,243		20.1	%	1,148,939

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015							2014
	Amount			Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount
Membership income	$	21,013		$	2,264	12.1	%	$	18,749
Membership income % to net warehouse club sales	1.5		%					1.5		%
Number of total accounts	1,380,182			231,243		20.1	%	1,148,939

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

Membership income is recognized ratably over the one year life of the membership. The increase in membership income primarily reflects a growth in membership accounts during the last twelve months. The opening of the new warehouse clubs in Colombia accounted for over 60% of the total increase in member accounts from a year ago. The average number of member accounts during the quarter increased 18.9% compared to the average number of membership accounts in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. The income recognized per average member account decreased 3.2%, which reflects the effect of the impact of devaluation in Colombia on the translation of membership fees in local currency to U.S. dollars. In Colombia, the membership is priced in Colombian pesos. We have not raised the fee despite the recent devaluation given that we just opened three new warehouse clubs. We ended the fiscal quarter with a renewal rate of 85% for the twelve-month period ended February 28, 2015.

For the six months ended February 28, 2015, the increase in membership income reflects a growth in membership accounts offset somewhat by a decrease in the average fee collected for new and renewing members, primarily associated with the significant growth of members in Colombia who pay a lower membership fee in U.S. dollar equivalents due to the peso devaluation.

Other Income



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount		Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount
Other income	$	1,049	$	87	9.0	%	$	962

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount		Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount
Other income	$	2,109	$	229	12.2	%	$	1,880

Other income consists of rental income, advertising revenue and other miscellaneous revenue, with the year-over-year increase coming largely from higher rental income.

Gross Margin

Warehouse Gross Profit Margin



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount		Increase from prior year		% to sales		Amount		% to sales
Warehouse club sales	$	732,120	$	74,953	100.0	%	$	657,167	100.0	%
Less associated cost of goods	625,876		64,224		85.5	%	561,652		85.5	%
Warehouse gross profit margin	$	106,244	$	10,729	14.5	%	$	95,515	14.5	%

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount		Increase from prior year		% to sales		Amount		% to sales
Warehouse club sales	$	1,368,535	$	121,674	100.0	%	$	1,246,861	100.0	%
Less associated cost of goods	1,164,904		98,965		85.1	%	1,065,939		85.5	%
Warehouse gross profit margin	$	203,631	$	22,709	14.9	%	$	180,922	14.5	%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

For the three months ended February 28, 2015, warehouse gross profit margin as a percent of sales was 2 basis points (0.02%) lower than the three months ended February 28, 2014. Warehouse gross profit margin as a percent of sales decreased 258 basis points (2.58%) in Colombia from the year ago period largely as a result of actions we took to reduce the impact of higher prices on imported goods to our members. Overall, this negatively impacted the Company’s margin by 33 basis points (0.33%). We will continue to lower prices and set aggressive margins to provide our members in Colombia with value on imported merchandise during this period of currency volatility. Warehouse gross profit margins as a percent of sales in the non-Colombia markets were in aggregate 46 basis points (0.46%) higher than the same quarter a year ago on a higher level of product demonstration activity and vendor rebates.

For the six months ended February 28, 2015, warehouse gross profit margin as a percent of sales was 37 basis points (0.37%) higher than the six months ended February 28, 2014. In the first fiscal quarter we benefited from lower costs as a percent of sales in a number of areas, including lower merchandise distribution costs and reduced shrink. Vendor rebates and a higher

level of product demonstration activity also contributed to the higher gross margin in the current period compared to a year ago. This was partially offset the second fiscal quarter with lower margins in Colombia.

Export Sales Gross Profit Margin



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015							2014
	Amount		(Decrease) from prior year			% to sales		Amount		% to sales
Export sales	$	6,229	$	(535	)	100.0	%	$	6,764	100.0	%
Less associated cost of goods sold	5,934		(489		)	95.3	%	6,423		95.0	%
Export sales gross profit margin	$	295	$	(46	)	4.7	%	$	341	5.0	%

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015							2014
	Amount		Increase from prior year			% to sales		Amount		% to sales
Export sales	$	14,660	$	2,175		100.0	%	$	12,485	100.0	%
Less associated cost of goods sold	13,961		2,097			95.2	%	11,864		95.0	%
Export sales gross profit margin	$	699	$	78		4.8	%	$	621	5.0	%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, the changes in the activity in the current quarter and the six months ended February 28, 2015 compared to the prior year periods reflects changes in the merchandise needs and sales to a single institutional customer (retailer) in the Philippines for which we earn an approximate 5% margin.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Warehouse Club Operations



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount		% to warehouse club sales		Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount		% to warehouse club sales
Warehouse club operations expense	$	62,041	8.5	%	$	8,838	16.6	%	$	53,203	8.1	%

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount		% to warehouse club sales		Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount		% to warehouse club sales
Warehouse club operations expense	$	118,251	8.6	%	$	13,276	12.6	%	$	104,975	8.4	%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

Warehouse club operations expense as a percent of net warehouse sales for the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 increased 36 basis points (0.36%) compared to the same period in fiscal 2014. Warehouse club operations expense as a percent of sales in Colombia is higher than in the rest of the countries in which we operate, and it is becoming a larger portion of the overall Company’s sales and cost structure. In addition, the implementation of an “Equity Tax” affecting all Colombian companies resulted in an additional expense of approximately $850,000 in the quarter. This is an annual expense to be recognized in the first calendar quarter based on equity values. Warehouse club operations expense in the non-Colombia countries as a percent of warehouse sales improved 11 basis points (0.11%).

Warehouse club operations expense as a percent of net warehouse sales for the first six months of fiscal year 2015 increased 21 basis points (0.21%) compared to the same period in fiscal 2014. Higher costs in Colombia, including costs associated with the registration of capital, and higher depreciation expenses contributed to the increase.

General and Administrative Expenses



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount		% to warehouse club sales		Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount		% to warehouse club sales
General and administrative expenses	$	14,117	1.9	%	$	840	6.3	%	$	13,277	2.0	%

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount		% to warehouse club sales		Increase from prior year		% Change		Amount		% to warehouse club sales
General and administrative expenses	$	27,467	2.0	%	$	3,006	12.3	%	$	24,461	2.0	%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

The expenses associated with our corporate and U.S. buying operations grew 6.3% in the quarter compared to last year and 12.3% for the six-month period. Spending investments in the IT and buying departments accounted for the majority of the growth.

Pre-Opening Expenses

Expenses incurred before a warehouse club is in operation are captured in pre-opening expenses.



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015							2014
	Amount		Increase/ (decrease) from prior year			% Change		Amount
Pre-opening expenses	$	229	$	(111	)	(32.6	)%	$	340

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015							2014
	Amount		Increase/ (decrease) from prior year			% Change		Amount
Pre-opening expenses	$	3,378	$	2,564		315.0	%	$	814

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

The pre-opening expenses in the quarter related to the new Panama warehouse club currently under construction with a planned opening this summer. For the six month period, and except for the small amount in the current quarter related to Panama, pre-opening expenses were for the three Colombia warehouse clubs opened in the first fiscal quarter. During the same three-month period last year, the pre-opening expenses were associated with the leased land for the now opened Bogota club, the El Sauce, Honduras warehouse club opened May 2014, and, for the six-month period, the La Union, Cartago, Costa Rica (“Tres Rios”) warehouse club opened in October 2013.

Loss/(Gain) on Disposal of Assets

Asset disposal activity consisted mainly of normally scheduled asset replacement and upgrades.



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount		Increase/ (decrease) from prior year		% Change		Amount
Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets	$	391	$	287	276.0	%	$	104


	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount		Increase/ (decrease) from prior year		% Change		Amount
Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets	$	363	$	175	93.1	%	$	188

Operating Income



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount		% to warehouse club sales		Increase/(decrease) from prior year		% Change		Amount		% to warehouse club sales
Operating income	41,708		5.7	%	$	2,333	5.9	%	39,375		6.0	%

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount		% to warehouse club sales		Increase/(decrease) from prior year		% Change		Amount		% to warehouse club sales
Operating income	$	77,993	5.7	%	$	6,259	8.7	%	$	71,734	5.8	%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

For the three months ended February 28, 2015, operating income improved $2.3 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher sales and membership income. As a percentage of sales, operating income decreased 29 basis points (0.29%), resulting from reduced merchandise margins and higher operating expenses in Colombia.

For the six months ended February 28, 2015, operating income improved $6.3 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher sales and related merchandise margins and higher membership income. As a percentage of sales, operating income decreased 5 basis points (.05%), resulting from higher merchandise margins.

Interest Expense



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount			Increase/(decrease) from prior year			Amount
Interest expense on loans	$	1,403		$	657		$	746
Interest expense related to hedging activity	714			380			334
Capitalized interest	(147		)	47			(194		)
Net interest expense	$	1,970		$	1,084		$	886

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount			Increase/(decrease) from prior year			Amount
Interest expense on loans	$	2,681		$	1,028		$	1,653
Interest expense related to hedging activity	1,226			462			764
Capitalized interest	(763		)	(270		)	(493		)
Net interest expense	$	3,144		$	1,220		$	1,924

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

Interest expense reflects borrowings by our 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.

Net interest expense for the three months ended February 28, 2015 increased from a year ago, with an increase in interest expense on loans and on interest expenses related to hedging activity, partially offset by an increase in the amount of capitalized interest compared with the same period in the prior year. These changes were mainly due to the net increases in loans outstanding and hedging activities related to new loan activity.

Net interest expense for the six months ended February 28, 2015 increased from a year ago, with an increase in interest expense on loans and on interest expenses related to hedging activity, partially offset by an increase in the amount of capitalized interest compared with the same period in the prior year. These changes were mainly due to the net increases in loans outstanding, hedging activities related to new loan activity to support the increase in construction activities related to the three new warehouse clubs in Colombia.

Other Income (Expense), net

Other income consists of currency gain or loss.



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount			Increase from prior year			Amount
Other income (expense), net	$	(1,659	)	$	(2,371	)	$	712

	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015						2014
	Amount			Increase from prior year			Amount
Other income (expense), net	$	(4,291	)	$	(5,314	)	$	1,023

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 gain (losses), including repatriation of funds, are recorded as currency gain or losses.

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

For the three and six months ended February 28, 2015, we recorded a net currency loss of $1.7 million and $4.3 million, respectively, resulting from activity associated with monetary assets and liabilities, and the associated non-deliverable forwards that were in place to manage the impact of currency fluctuations. Of the total loss, $1.8 million in the current quarter and $4.1 million for the six-month period was recognized in Colombia, resulting from the devaluation of the Colombian peso relative to the U.S. dollar of 13.2% and 29.0%, respectively. The impact of this depreciation had a material impact on our consolidated results due to the high level of U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities held by our Colombian subsidiary. These U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities were greater than what we would expect from normal operations because of the impact of the subsidiary’s initial acquisition of merchandise to stock the three new warehouse clubs opened in October and November 2014 and the investment in fixed assets for these same warehouse clubs that extended into the current quarter. As the Colombian peso continued to devalue throughout the period, settlements of these liabilities resulted in realized currency losses. Further, any remaining liabilities at the end of the period were subject to revaluation at a higher exchange rate relative to the U.S. dollar. While a significant portion of this exposure was covered by non-deliverable forward contracts, there was a net negative impact to income related to the devaluation in Colombia in the period. Other subsidiaries that had greater U.S. dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) than their U.S. dollar denominated liabilities did not experience similar depreciation in their markets and therefore did not counterbalance the impact of the depreciation in Colombia. Although we cannot predict future changes in exchange rates, we believe that we will be less susceptible to such fluctuations in future periods because the Colombia subsidiary’s U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities have been paid down to a normalized level.

In the prior three- and six-month periods, we recorded a net currency gain of $712,000 and $1.0 million, respectively. While Colombia incurred a net currency loss of $127,000 in the six month period last year, currency gains were recorded in several countries, most notably Costa Rica, relating to a net U.S. dollar asset position held at a time when the colon devalued thereby resulting in a revaluation gain.

Provision for Income Taxes



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015					2014
	Amount			Change from prior year		Amount
Current tax expense	$	13,654		$	1,294	$	12,360
Net deferred tax provision (benefit)	(128		)	1,116		(1,244		)
Provision for income taxes	$	13,526		$	2,410	$	11,116
Effective tax rate	35.3		%			28.2		%


	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015					2014
	Amount			Change from prior year		Amount
Current tax expense	$	23,150		1,013		$	22,137
Net deferred tax provision (benefit)	2,478			3,114		(636		)
Provision for income taxes	$	25,628		$	4,127	$	21,501
Effective tax rate	36.1		%			30.2		%

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)



	Three Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount			Increase/(decrease) from prior year			% Change		Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(9,694	)	$	2,894		(23.0	)%	$	(12,588	)


	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015								2014
	Amount			Increase/(decrease) from prior year			% Change		Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(19,113	)	$	(7,674	)	67.1	%	$	(11,439	)

Comparison of Three and Six Months Ended February 28, 2015 and 2014

Other comprehensive income/loss for the three- and six-month periods ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 resulted primarily from foreign currency translation adjustments of the balance sheet, related to the assets, liabilities and the translation of the statement of income related to revenue, costs and expenses of our subsidiaries who's functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. When the functional currency in our international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars, the assets and liabilities of such 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 not affect net income until the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment. The reported other comprehensive income or loss reflects the unrealized increase or decrease in the value in U.S. dollars of the net assets of the subsidiaries as of the date of the balance sheet, which will vary from period to period as exchange rates fluctuate. During the periods reported, the largest translation adjustments were related to the translation of the Colombia subsidiary's balance sheet and statement of income. Additionally, the recording of the unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps also generated adjustments.

For the three months ended February 28, 2015, the Company recorded approximately $10.9 million in other comprehensive losses due to foreign currency translations and approximately $1.2 million, net of tax, of other comprehensive gains related to the change in fair value of interest rate swaps. For the six months ended February 28, 2015, the Company recorded approximately $22.6 million in other comprehensive losses due to foreign currency translations and approximately $3.5 million, net of tax, of other comprehensive gains related to the change in fair value of interest rate swaps.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Financial Position and Cash Flow

We require cash to fund our 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. Our primary sources for funding these requirements are cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash generated from operations and bank borrowings. We evaluate on a regular basis whether we may need to borrow additional funds to cover any shortfall in our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to meet our operating and capital requirements. As such, we 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 our foreign subsidiaries and domestically (in thousands). Repatriation of cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries may require us to accrue and pay taxes. We have no plans at this time to repatriate cash through the payment of cash dividends by our foreign subsidiaries to our domestic operations and, therefore, have not accrued taxes that would be due from repatriation.



	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries	$	106,492	$	110,447
Cash and cash equivalents held domestically	12,751		26,651
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	119,243	$	137,098

Our cash flows are summarized as follows (in thousands):



	Six Months Ended
	February 28, 2015			February 28, 2014
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	11,944		$	35,710
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(43,828		)	(59,654		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	14,210			(17,667		)
Effect of exchange rates	(181		)	(4,926		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(17,855	)	$	(46,537	)

Our net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below:



	Six Months Ended						Increase/ (Decrease)
	February 28, 2015			February 28, 2014			2015 to 2014
Net income	$	45,482		$	49,710		$	(4,228	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	16,433			13,793			2,640
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	363			188			175
Deferred income taxes	2,478			1,857			621
Stock-based compensation expenses	1,883			1,976			(93		)
Other non-cash operating activities	(17		)	2			(19		)
Net non-cash related expenses	21,140			17,816			3,324
Net income from operating activities reconciled for non-cash operating activities	66,622			67,526			(904		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities not including merchandise inventories and accounts payable	(7,836		)	(12,839		)	5,003
Changes in merchandise inventories	(54,873		)	(19,058		)	(35,815		)
Changes in accounts payable	8,031			81			7,950
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	11,944		$	35,710		$	(23,766	)

Net income from operating activities reconciled for non-cash operating activities decreased $(904,000) for the six months ended February 28, 2015 over the same period last year. This was primarily a result of a a year-on-year decrease in net income of approximately $4.2 million, as explained within the comparison of the six months ended February 28, 2015, offset by increases in non-cash adjustments of approximately $3.3 million. Increase in non-cash adjustments were primarily driven by increases in depreciation expense for approximately $2.6 million due to the recent increase in the number of warehouse clubs and the continued ongoing capital improvements to existing warehouse clubs and increases in deferred tax assets during the period for approximately $621,000 resulting from temporary tax timing differences. Changes in operating assets and liabilities not including merchandise generated additional cash from operating activities for approximately $13.0 million. This was primarily a result of the year-on-year increase in trade accounts payable for approximately $8.0 million. As we increased inventory purchases related to the addition of three warehouse clubs opened during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, and the addition of one warehouse club opened in May of fiscal year 2014, we also increased our leveraging of vendor payment terms, increasing trade accounts receivable. Additionally, we decreased year on year operating assets and liabilities not including accounts payable for approximately $5.0 million. This was a result of our decreases in the growth rate of prepaid expenses and the increase in the growth rate of other current liabilities and deferred membership income. Inventories increased year-on-year by approximately $35.8 million as we added year-on-year four additional warehouse clubs and have increased sales within our existing warehouse clubs.

Our use of cash in investing activities for the six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below:



	Six Months Ended						Increase/ (Decrease)
	February 28, 2015			February 28, 2014			2015 to 2014
Cash used for additions of property and equipment:
Land acquisitions	$	5,599		$	17,415		$	(11,816	)
Deposits for land purchase option agreements	348			850			(502		)
Warehouse club expansion, construction, and land improvements	21,264			19,263			2,001
Acquisition of fixtures and equipment	15,297			21,418			(6,121		)
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment	(40		)	(42		)	2
Capital contribution to joint ventures	1,360			750			610
Net cash flows used by (provided in) investing activities	$	43,828		$	59,654		$	(15,826	)

Net cash used in investing activities decreased in the first six months of fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 by approximately $(15.8) million primarily due to a decrease in cash expended for the purchase of land compared to a year ago. During fiscal year 2014, we purchased land for the construction of warehouse clubs in Pereira, Colombia and in the city of Medellin, Colombia. During the first six months of fiscal year 2015, we acquired one new site in Panama City, Panama ("La Chorrera", Costa Verde).

Expenditures for warehouse club expansions and for fixtures and equipment were associated with the construction of the three completed warehouse clubs in Colombia and the warehouse club currently under construction in Panama as well as normal ongoing capital expenditures for ongoing replacement of equipment and building and leasehold improvements. We incur approximately $30.0 million annually in normal capital expenditures for ongoing replacement of equipment and building and leasehold improvements. We have either commitments or plans for capital spending during the remainder of fiscal year 2015 for a previously announced new warehouse club construction of approximately $4.5 million. Future additional capital expenditures will be dependent on the timing of future land purchases and/or warehouse club construction activity.

We have entered into land purchase option agreements that have not been recorded as commitments as of February 28, 2015 for which we have recorded within the balance sheet approximately $1.6 million in restricted cash deposits and prepaid expenses. The land purchase option agreements can be canceled at our sole option with the amounts deposited subject to forfeiture. We do not have a timetable of when or if we will exercise these land purchase options because they remain subject to our due diligence review. Our due diligence review includes evaluations of the legal status of the property, the zoning and permitting issues related to acquiring approval for the construction and operation of a warehouse club and any other issues related to the property itself that could render the property unsuitable or limit the property's economic viability as a warehouse club site. If the purchase option agreements are all exercised, the cash use would be approximately $21.4 million.

Net cash provided, (used in) financing activities for the six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below:



	Six Months Ended						Increase/ (Decrease)
	February 28, 2015			February 28, 2014			2015 to 2014
New bank loans offset by establishment of certificates of deposit held against loans and payments on existing bank loans (loan activities)	$	27,709		$	(4,012	)	$	31,721
Cash dividend payments	(10,564		)	(10,570		)	6
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and the tax benefit related to stock options	1,506			1,463			43
Purchase of treasury stock related to vesting of restricted stock	(4,441		)	(4,548		)	107
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	$	14,210		$	(17,667	)	$	31,877

Net cash provided by loan activities increased approximately $31.7 million over the same period in fiscal year 2014 as we received cash from four additional loans entered into by our Panama, Honduras, Trinidad and Colombia subsidiaries for approximately $10.0 million, $8.3 million, $3.6 million and $15.0 million respectively. We received additional cash from increases in short term borrowings within our Colombia subsidiary for approximately $4.5 million. Additionally, $2.9 million in restricted cash was released back to us due to the repayment of one of the loans within our Honduras subsidiary. These increases were offset by repayments of long-term loans of approximately $3.3 million and $5.0 million by our Honduras subsidiary and $3.2 million by our Trinidad subsidiary, and regularly scheduled loan payments of $5.1 million. For the same period last year, we decreased borrowings by the repayment of a long-term loan of approximately $8.1 million under the loan agreement entered into by our Colombia subsidiary on November 1, 2010 with Citibank, N.A. in New York and regularly scheduled loan payments during the period of approximately $3.9 million. These uses of cash in financing activities were offset by the addition of cash provided by financing activities from the release of approximately $8.0 million in restricted cash upon repayment of the long-term loan in Colombia.

Dividends were declared by the Company's Board of Directors during the first six months of fiscal year 2015. The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2015 and 2014.

First Payment

Second Payment

Declared

Amount

Record Date

Date Paid

Date Payable

Amount

Record Date

Date Paid

Date Payable

Amount

2/4/15

0.70

2/13/15

2/27/15

N/A

0.35

8/14/15

N/A

8/31/15

0.35

1/23/14

0.70

2/14/14

2/28/14

N/A

0.35

8/15/14

8/29/14

N/A

0.35

We anticipate 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.

Financing Activities

On February 18, 2015 the Company's Honduras subsidiary paid down a loan entered into in March 2010. The loan agreement was with Banco Del Pais, S.A. for a loan based in Honduran Lempiras that was equivalent to approximately U.S. $6.0 million, which was scheduled to be paid over five years. The Company’s Honduras subsidiary also had an agreement with Banco Del Pais to open and maintain a certificate of deposit as collateral for this loan. The certificate of deposit was automatically renewable by Banco Del Pais on an annual basis for the net amortized outstanding balance. The net amortized outstanding balance for the loan on the date of the loan pay down was approximately $87,000. The certificate of deposit released at the date of payment was approximately $2.9 million.

On January 29, 2015, the Company's Trinidad subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Citibank, Limited. The agreement establishes a credit facility for $23.0 million Trinidad and Tobago Dollars (approximately $3.6 million U.S. dollars) with a fixed interest rate of 4.45%. The loan term is for four years with monthly interest and quarterly principal payments. The loan was funded on February 18, 2015.

On December 4, 2014, the Company's Colombia subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Citibank, N.A. The agreement establishes a credit facility for $15.0 million with a variable interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 2.8%. The loan term is for five years with quarterly interest and principal payments. The loan was funded on December 4, 2014. On December 10, 2014, the Company's Colombia subsidiary entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap agreement with Citibank, N.A for a notional amount of $15.0 million related to this loan. The cross-currency interest rate swap agreement converts the Colombian subsidiary's U.S. dollar denominated principal and floating interest payments on the first $7.9 million of the total $15.0 million long-term quarterly amortizing debt with Citibank to functional currency principal and fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of principal and interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements. Under the cross-currency interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable U.S. dollar principal and interest based on the three-month LIBOR rate plus 2.8% on a quarterly amortizing notional amount of $15.0 million and pay fixed interest of 8.25% on a quarterly amortizing notional amount of 34,350,000,000 Colombian Pesos for a term of approximately five years (effective date of December 4, 2014 through December 3, 2019). The LIBOR reset dates for the hedged long-term debt and the cross-currency interest rate swap occur on the fourth day of March, June, September, and December beginning on March 4, 2015.

On November 28, 2014, our Panama subsidiary drew down the final $10.0 million available against the credit facility established on March 31, 2014 under a loan agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia. That agreement established a credit facility of $34.0 million at a variable interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 3.5% for a five year term, monthly principal and interest payments, and a $17.0 million principal payment due at maturity. The facility provides a five year renewal option upon approval of the Bank of Nova Scotia. The loan is secured by assets of our Panama subsidiary. During April 2014, we drew down $24.0 million of the $34.0 million facility and repaid borrowings due to MetroBank, S.A. of $3.2 million. On December 9, 2014, the Company's Panama subsidiary entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia for a notional amount of $10.0 million related to this loan. The interest rate swap agreement converts the Panama subsidiary's floating interest payments on the first $5.0 million of the total $10.0 million long-term monthly amortizing debt with the Bank of Nova Scotia to fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flows of loan interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to variable interest rate movements. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable interest based on the 30-day LIBOR rate plus 3.5% on a monthly amortizing notional amount of $10.0 million and pay fixed interest of 5.159% for a term of approximately five years (effective date of November 28, 2014 through November 29, 2019). The LIBOR reset dates for the hedged long-term debt and the interest rate swap occur on the 28th day of each month beginning on December 29, 2014.

On October 22, 2014, our Honduras subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Citibank, N.A. The agreement establishes a credit facility for $5.0 million with a variable interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.5%. The loan term is for five years with quarterly interest and principal payments. This loan is secured by assets of the Company's Honduras subsidiary. On October 23, 2014, the Company's Honduras subsidiary entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap agreement with Citibank, N.A for a notional amount of $5.0 million. The cross-currency interest rate swap agreement converts the Honduras subsidiary foreign currency United States dollar denominated principal and floating interest payments on the first $3.0 million of the total $5.0 million long-term quarterly amortizing debt with Citibank to functional currency principal and fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of principal and interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign exchange movements. Under the cross-currency interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable U.S. dollar principal and interest based on the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.5% on a quarterly amortizing notional amount of USD $5.0 million and pay fixed interest of 11.6% on a quarterly amortizing notional amount of 106,576,000 Honduran Lempiras for a term of approximately three years (effective date of October 22, 2014 through October 22, 2017). The LIBOR reset dates for the hedged long-term debt and the cross-currency interest rate swap occur on the twenty second day of January, April, July, and October, beginning on January 22, 2015. The loan was funded at execution.

On October 3, 2014, our Honduras subsidiary paid down $3.2 million of the loan agreement entered into by the subsidiary on January 12, 2010 with Scotiabank El Salvador, S.A. The original agreement established a loan facility for $6.0 million. The interest rate was fixed at 5.5%. The loan term was for five years with monthly interest and principal payment. The loan facility was renewable for an additional five-year period upon approval of Scotiabank El Salvador, S.A. The subsidiary has paid down this loan, and this loan facility has terminated.

On October 1, 2014, our Honduras subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia. The agreement establishes a credit facility for $3.4 million with a variable interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 3.5%. The loan term is for five years with monthly interest and principal payments. The purpose of the loan was to refinance the previously existing loan with ScotiaBank El Salvador, S.A. This loan is secured by assets of the Company's Honduras subsidiary.

On August 30, 2014, PriceSmart, Inc. entered into an agreement with MUFG Union Bank N.A. to increase our short-term borrowing facilities by approximately $15.0 million. The interest rate for day to day draw down of the facility is the prime rate.

On August 29, 2014, our El Salvador subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia. The agreement establishes a credit facility for $4.2 million with a variable interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 3.5%. The loan term is for five years with monthly interest and principal payments. This loan is secured by assets of our El Salvador subsidiary. On December 16, 2014, the Company's El Salvador subsidiary entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia for a notional amount of $4.0 million related to this loan. The interest rate swap agreement converts the El Salvador subsidiary's floating interest payments of the $4.0 million long-term monthly amortizing debt with the Bank of Nova Scotia to fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flows of loan interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to variable interest rate movements. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable interest based on the 1-month LIBOR rate plus 3.5% on a monthly amortizing notional amount of $4.0 million and pay fixed interest of 4.78% for a term of approximately five years (effective date of December 1, 2014 through August 29, 2019). The LIBOR reset dates for the hedged long-term debt and the interest rate

swap occur on the 29th day of each month beginning on December 29, 2014. The hedged loan was funded on August 29, 2014.

On August 29, 2014, our El Salvador subsidiary repaid the remaining balance of $4.1 million on the loan agreement entered into by the subsidiary on September 1, 2009 with Scotiabank El Salvador, S.A. The original agreement established a loan facility for $8.0 million. The interest rate was fixed at 5.5%. The loan term was for five years with monthly interest and principal payments. The loan facility was renewable for an additional five-year period upon approval of Scotiabank El Salvador, S.A.

On August 25, 2014, our Colombia subsidiary entered into a agreement to establish short-term borrowing facilities with Citibank-Colombia S.A. for approximately $10.9 million. The interest rate is the Inter Bank Rate plus 180 basis points set at the date of the funds draw down.

On March 31, 2014, our Panama subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia. The agreement establishes a credit facility of $34.0 million at a variable interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 3.5% for a five year term, monthly principal and interest payments, and a $17.0 million principal payment due at maturity. The facility provides a five year renewal option upon approval of the Bank of Nova Scotia. The loan is secured by assets of our Panama subsidiary. The purpose of the loan is to repay borrowings due to MetroBank, S.A. of $3.2 million and to fund our warehouse club expansion plans. During April 2014, we drew down $24.0 million of the $34.0 million facility and repaid the borrowings due to MetroBank, S.A. of $3.2 million. On May 22, 2014, the Company's Panama subsidiary entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia for a notional amount of approximately $19.8 million. The interest rate swap agreement converts the Panama subsidiary's floating interest payments on the first $10.0 million of our initial $20.0 million borrowing under the long-term monthly amortizing debt with the Bank of Nova Scotia to fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable interest based on the 1-month LIBOR rate plus 3.5% on a monthly amortizing notional amount of approximately $19.8 million. Additionally, on May 22, 2014, the Company's Panama subsidiary entered into another interest rate swap agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia for a notional amount of approximately $4.0 million. The interest rate swap agreement converts the Panama subsidiary's floating interest payments on the first $2.0 million of the next $4.0 million borrowing under the long-term monthly amortizing debt with the Bank of Nova Scotia to fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable interest based on the 1-month LIBOR rate plus 3.5% on a monthly amortizing notional amount of approximately $4.0 million. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flows of the interest payments on the loans, the hedges are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to variable interest rate movements. The Panama Subsidiary pays fixed interest of 4.98% for a term of approximately five years (effective date of May 5, 2014 through April 4, 2019) on both interest rate swap agreements. The LIBOR reset dates for the hedged long-term debt and the interest rate swap agreements occur on the 4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014.

On March 31, 2014, our Panama subsidiary entered into a loan renewal agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia renewing for an additional five years a 5.5% fixed rate loan originally entered into on August 21, 2009. The balance on the loan as of August 21, 2014 was $5.0 million. The renewal agreement became effective on August 21, 2014. The renewal agreement establishes a credit facility of $5.0 million at a variable interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 3.5%, for a five year term, with monthly principal and interest payments. The facility provides a five year renewal option upon approval of the Bank of Nova Scotia. On August 1, 2014, the Company's Panama subsidiary entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia for a notional amount of $5.0 million. The interest rate swap agreement converts the Panama subsidiary's floating interest payments on the long-term monthly amortizing debt with the Bank of Nova Scotia to fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flows of loan interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to variable interest rate movements. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable interest based on the 1-month LIBOR rate plus 3.5% on a monthly amortizing notional amount of $5.0 million and pay fixed interest of 4.89% for a term of approximately five years (effective date of August 21, 2014 through August 21, 2019). The LIBOR reset dates for the hedged long-term debt and the interest rate swap occur on the 21st day of each month beginning on September 22, 2014.

On March 7, 2014, our Honduras subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Banco de America Central Honduras, S.A. The agreement establishes a credit facility for 286.0 million Lempiras, approximately USD $13.7 million. The loan has a variable interest rate of 12.75%, which will be reviewed semiannually. The interest rate may not be less than 12.5%. The loan is for 10 years with interest and principal payments due quarterly, subject to a 24-month grace period on principal payments. This loan is secured by assets of our Honduras subsidiary. On March 10, 2014, we drew down the full amount of the LPS 286.0 million loan.

On November 3, 2013, we paid down $8.0 million of the loan agreement entered into by our Colombia subsidiary on November 1, 2010 with Citibank, N.A. in New York. The original agreement established a loan facility for $16.0 million to be disbursed in two tranches of $8.0 million each; however, we did not draw down the second tranche. The interest rate was set at the six-month LIBOR rate plus 2.4%. The loan term was for five years with interest only payments and a balloon payment at

maturity. The loan facility was renewable for an additional five-year period at the option of our Colombia subsidiary, but if we did not draw on the facility or pay off the loan, the facility would terminate. We have repaid this loan, and this loan facility has terminated. This loan was secured by a time deposit pledged by us equal to the amount outstanding on the loan. The secured time deposit of $8.0 million pledged by us was released on November 3, 2013.

Derivatives

We are exposed to certain risks relating to our ongoing business operations. One risk managed by us using derivative instruments is interest rate risk. To manage interest rate exposure, we enter into hedging 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, we are exposed to foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure related to non-functional currency long-term debt of two of our wholly owned subsidiaries. To manage foreign currency and interest rate cash flow exposure, these subsidiaries enter into cross-currency interest rate swaps that convert their 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.

We are also exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within our international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. We manage 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 our international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. We seek to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and do not intend to engage in speculative transactions. Currently, these contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features. These contracts do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting. 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 we record 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 we recorded cash flow hedge accounting transactions during the six months ended February 28, 2015:

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 Dates

Effective Period of swap

El Salvador

16-Dec-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

4,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

4.78

29th day of each month beginning on December 29, 2014

December 01, 2014 - August 29, 2019

Colombia

10-Dec-14

Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")

Cross currency interest rate swap

15,000

Citibank, N.A.

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.8%

8.25

4th day of March, June, Sept, Dec. beginning on March 4, 2015

December 4, 2014 - December 3, 2019

Panama

9-Dec-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

10,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

5.159

28th day of each month beginning December 29, 2014

November 28, 2014 - November 29, 2019

Honduras

23-Oct-14

Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")

Cross currency interest rate swap

5,000,000

Citibank, N.A.

Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.5%

11.6

22nd day of January, April, July, and October beginning on January 22, 2015

October 22, 2014 - October 22, 2017

Panama

1-Aug-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

5,000,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

4.89

21st day of each month beginning on September 22, 2014

August 21, 2014 - August 21, 2019

Panama

22-May-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

19,800,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

4.98

4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014

May 5, 2014 - April 4, 2019

Panama

22-May-14

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

Interest rate swap

3,970,000

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%

4.98

4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014

May 5, 2014 - April 4, 2019

Colombia

11-Dec-12

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

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 ("Scotiabank")

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

21-Oct-11

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

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 ("Scotiabank")

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 December 29, 2011

September 29, 2011 - April 1, 2016

Colombia

5-May-11

Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")

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

We measure 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 during the reporting period. We have designated the interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swap agreements as hedging instruments and have 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	February 28, 2015				August 31, 2014
hedging instruments	Balance Sheet Account	Fair Value			Balance Sheet Account	Fair Value
Cross currency interest rate swaps⁽¹⁾	Prepaid expenses and current assets	$	—		Prepaid expenses and current assets	$	495
Cross currency interest rate swaps⁽¹⁾	Other non-current assets	6,996			Other non-current assets	970
Interest rate swaps⁽²⁾	Other non-current assets	—			Other non-current assets	125
Interest rate swaps⁽²⁾	Other long-term liabilities	(340		)	Other long-term liabilities	—
Cross currency interest rate swaps⁽³⁾	Other long-term liabilities	(246		)	Other long-term liabilities	—
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments - assets (liability)⁽⁴⁾		$	6,410			$	1,590

⁽¹⁾

⁽²⁾

The effective portion of the interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss / (income) for $254,000 and $(94,000) net of tax as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset / (liability) amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $86,000 and $(31,000) as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.

⁽³⁾


⁽⁴⁾	Derivatives listed on the above table were designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

From time to time, we enter into non-deliverable forward exchange contracts. These contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value contracts and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting.

The following table summarizes the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts that do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands):



	February 28, 2015			August 31, 2014
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	$	1,064	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts	Other accrued expenses	—		Other accrued expenses	(14		)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting		$	1,064		$	(14	)

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

Short-term borrowings consist of lines of credit which are secured by certain assets of our domestic company and by our those of our subsidiaries. The short-term borrowing facilities are summarized below (in thousands):



	Total		Facilities Used
	Amount of Facilities		Short-term Borrowings		Letters of Credit		Facilities Available		Weighted average interest rate
February 28, 2015	$	59,387	$	4,470	$	380	$	54,537	5.86	%
August 31, 2014	$	61,869	$	—	$	436	$	61,433	N/A

As of February 28, 2015 we had approximately $40.0 million of short-term facilities in the U.S. that require us to comply with certain quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, we were in compliance with respect to these covenants.

The following table provides the changes in our long-term debt for the six months ended February 28, 2015:



(Amounts in millions)	Current Portion of Long-term debt			Long-term debt			Total
Balances as of August 31, 2014	$	11,848		$	79,591		$	91,439		⁽¹⁾
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period:
Panama subsidiary	1,000			9,000			10,000
Honduras subsidiary	1,600			6,750			8,350
Colombia subsidiary	1,500			13,500			15,000
Trinidad subsidiary	907			2,720			3,627
Repayments of long-term debt:
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on January 12, 2012 with Scotiabank El Salvador, S.A.	(3,200		)	—			(3,200		)
Partial repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 7, 2014 with Banco de America Central Honduras, S.A.	—			(5,000		)	(5,000		)
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 6, 2010 with Banco del Pais, S.A.	(87		)	—			(87		)
Repayment of loan by Trinidad subsidiary, originally entered into on August 26, 2008 with Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Ltd.	(900		)	(2,325		)	(3,225		)
Regularly scheduled loan payments	(579		)	(4,567		)	(5,146		)
Reclassifications of long-term debt	2,850			(2,850		)	—
Translation adjustments on foreign-currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar ⁽²⁾	(147		)	(6,491		)	(6,638		)
Balances as of February 28, 2015	$	14,792		$	90,328		$	105,120		⁽³⁾


⁽¹⁾	The carrying amount cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $24.6 million and the carrying amount on non-cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $84.2 million.


⁽²⁾	These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive income.


⁽³⁾	The carrying amount cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $24.0 million and the carrying amount on non-cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $103.5 million.

As of February 28, 2015, we had approximately $78.3 million of long-term loans in Trinidad, 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 February 28, 2015 the Company was in compliance with all covenants, amended 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 for restricted stock awards to our employees, we repurchase a portion of the shares that have vested at the prior day's closing price per share, with the funds used to pay the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock awards. We do not have a stock repurchase program.

Shares of common stock repurchased by us are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We may reissue these treasury shares. When treasury shares are reissued, we use the first in/first out (“FIFO”) cost method for determining cost of the reissued shares. If the issuance price is higher than the cost, the excess of the issuance price over the cost is credited to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”). If the issuance price is lower than the cost, the difference is first charged against any credit balance in APIC from treasury stock and the balance is charged to retained earnings.

The following table summarizes the shares repurchased during fiscal years 2015 and 2014:



	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015		2014
Shares repurchased	49,931		48,291
Cost of repurchase of shares (in thousands)	$	4,441	$	4,548

We have reissued treasury shares as part of our stock-based compensation programs. However, as summarized below, no treasury shares were reissued during the periods presented as of August 31:



	Six Months Ended February 28,
	2015	2014
Reissued treasury shares	—	—

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires that management 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 our 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, income taxes, tax receivables, and long-lived assets. We base our 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 our financial condition and results of operations.

Contingencies and Litigation: In the ordinary course of business, we are periodically named as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and pending actions and are exposed to tax risks (other than income tax). The principal risks that we insure 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, we record the estimated liability based on circumstances and assumptions existing at the time. The estimates affecting our 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 we believe 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, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the sensitivity to change of estimates affecting our recorded liabilities. As additional information becomes available, we assess the potential liability and revise our estimates as appropriate.

Income Taxes: We account 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 February 28, 2015, we evaluated our deferred tax assets and liabilities and determined that a valuation allowance was 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.

We and our 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 us to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax we pay. In consultation with our tax advisors, we base our tax returns on interpretations that we 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 we or one of our subsidiaries file tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the income tax positions we have taken (“uncertain tax positions”) and, therefore, require us or one of our subsidiaries to pay additional taxes.

We accrue an amount for our 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, we reassess these probabilities and record any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate. There were no material changes in our uncertain income tax positions for the periods ended on February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014. However, during the fiscal year 2014, we were required to make payments of $4.2 million to the governments in two countries with respect to various income tax cases that we are currently appealing, but we believe we will eventually prevail. These amounts have been recorded in the balance sheet as other non-current assets, as we consider these a payment on account and expect to get a refund thereof upon eventually prevailing on these cases, but we are unsure of the timing thereof. Furthermore, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, one of the Company’s subsidiaries received provisional assessments claiming $2.6 million of taxes, penalties and interest related to withholding taxes on certain charges for services rendered by the Company. In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, this subsidiary received provisional assessments totaling $5.2 million for lack of deductibility of the underlying service charges due to the lack of withholding. Based on the Company's interpretation of local law, rulings and jurisprudence (including Supreme Court precedents with respect to the deductibility assessment), the Company expects to prevail in both instances and has not recorded a provision for these assessments.

We have not provided for U.S. deferred taxes on cumulative non-U.S. undistributed earnings as we deem such earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. It is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability that would be associated with the repatriation earnings because of the complexity of the computation.

Tax Receivables: We pay Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes (“input VAT”), income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of our business in most of the countries in which we operate related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services we acquires and/or on estimated sales and taxable income. We also collect VAT or similar taxes on behalf of the government (“output VAT”) for merchandise and/or services we sell. 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. In some countries where we operate, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit card directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. In the case of VAT, these procedures alter the natural offset of input and output VAT and generally leave us with a net VAT receivable, forcing us to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due this creates an income tax receivable. We either request a refund of these tax receivables or apply the balance to expected future tax payments. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.

In most countries where we operate, the tax refund process is defined and structured with regular refunds or offsets. However, in two countries the respective governments have alleged that there is no defined process in the law to allow them to refund VAT receivables. We together with our tax and legal advisers are currently appealing these interpretations in court and expect to prevail. In one of these countries, where there is recent favorable jurisprudence, the government has recently begun an audit to verify the amount of the respective VAT receivables as a required precursor to any refund. The balance of the VAT receivable in these countries was $6.3 million and $5.7 million as of February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. In another country, beginning in fiscal year 2015, a new minimum income tax mechanism took effect, which requires us to pay taxes based on factor of sales rather than income. This will likely result in our having to make income tax payments substantially in excess of those due based on taxable income. The current rules (which we have appealed) do not allow us to obtain a refund or offset this excess income tax against other taxes. Due to the timing of these rules, as of February 28, 2015, the Company currently has an outstanding income tax receivable of $178,000 in this country; and there were deferred tax assets of approximately $1.1 million outstanding as of that date. We have not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred income taxes.

Our policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:

•Short-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other current assets: This classification is used for any countries where our subsidiary has generally demonstrated the ability to recover the VAT or income tax receivable within one year. We also classify as short-term any approved refunds or credit notes to the extent that we expect to receive the refund or use the credit notes within one year.

•Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where our subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when we do not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery.

Long-lived Assets: We periodically evaluate our 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 2015.

Seasonality

Historically, our merchandising businesses have experienced holiday retail seasonality in their markets. In addition to seasonal fluctuations, our operating results fluctuate quarter-to-quarter as a result of economic and political events in markets that we serve, 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 our future results will be consistent with past results or the projections of securities analysts.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in currency exchange rates. There have been no material changes in our market risk factors at February 28, 2015 compared to those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014. At February 28, 2015, the fair value of our derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges have increased approximately $3.5 million, net of tax since August 31, 2014, primarily due to a devaluation of the currencies that are being hedged and the scheduled maturities of the underlying instruments during the six months ended February 28, 2015. Movements in currency exchange rates and the related impact on the translation of the balance sheets of the Company's subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar were the primary cause of the $(22.6) million net loss for the six months ended February 28, 2015 in the foreign currency translation adjustments category of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

In addition, the Company's subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar carry 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 transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as currency gain (loss) within Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income.

During the six months ended February 28, 2015, the Colombian peso depreciated 29.0% relative to the U.S. dollar. The impact of this depreciation had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results due to the high level of U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities held by its Colombian subsidiary. These U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities were greater than what we would expect from normal operations because of the impact of the subsidiary’s initial acquisition of merchandise to stock the three new warehouse clubs opened in October and November 2014. Other subsidiaries that had greater U.S. dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) than their U.S. dollar denominated liabilities did not experience similar depreciation in their markets and therefore did not counterbalance the impact of the depreciation in Colombia. Although we cannot predict future changes in exchange rates, we believe that we will be less susceptible to such fluctuations in future periods because the Colombia subsidiary’s U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities have been paid down to a normalized level.

The following table summarizes the amounts recorded for the three and six month period ending February 28, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	February 28, 2015			February 28, 2014		February 28, 2015			February 28, 2014
Currency gain (loss)	$	(1,659	)	$	712	$	(4,291	)	$	1,023

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.

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, 2014. 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, 2014.

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 2014 at the internet address http://materials.proxyvote.com/741511.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a) None.

(b) None.

Upon vesting of restricted stock awarded by the Company to employees, the Company repurchases shares and withholds the amount of the repurchase payment to cover employees’ tax withholding obligations. As set forth in the table below, during the quarter ended February 28, 2015, the Company repurchased a total of 49,931 shares in the indicated months. These were the only repurchases of equity securities made by the Company during fiscal year 2015. The Company does not have a stock repurchase program.



Period	(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased	(b) Average Price Paid Per Share		(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	(d) Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
December 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014	—	$	—	—	N/A
January 1, 2015 - January 31, 2015	49,931	88.95		—	N/A
February 1, 2015 - February 28, 2015	—	—		—	N/A
Total	49,931	$	88.95	—	—


ITEM 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.


ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.


ITEM 5.	OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PRICESMART, INC.

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	Fifth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and John Heffner, dated January 1, 2015.

10.2	Sixteenth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and William Naylon, dated January 1, 2015.

10.3	Twenty-Fifth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and John Hildebrandt, dated January 1, 2015.

10.4	Twenty-Fifth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Jose Luis Laparte, dated January 1, 2015.

10.5	Twenty-Seventh Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Brud Drachman, dated January 1, 2015.

10.6	Twenty-Ninth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Thomas Martin, dated January 1, 2015.

10.7	Thirty-Fifth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Robert M. Gans, Dated January 1, 2015.

10.8	Fourth Amendment to Lease (Expansion) between the Company and CREA Centrewest LP, dated January 29, 2015.

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.

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:	April 9, 2015	By:	/s/ JOSE LUIS LAPARTE
			Jose Luis Laparte
			Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
			(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:	April 9, 2015	By:	/s/ JOHN M. HEFFNER
			John M. Heffner
			Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
			(Principal Financial Officer and
			Principal Accounting Officer)