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SKECHERS USA INC - Quarter Report: 2017 March (Form 10-Q)

 

0

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____ to____

Commission File Number 001-14429

 

SKECHERS U.S.A., INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

95-4376145

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

228 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Manhattan Beach, California

 

90266

(Address of Principal Executive Office)

 

(Zip Code)

(310) 318-3100

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes 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 No

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

 

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

 

(Do not check if a small reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING AS OF MAY 1, 2017: 133,787,930.

THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF CLASS B COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING AS OF MAY 1, 2017: 24,545,188.

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

SKECHERS U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

3

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

5

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

6

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

19

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

28

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

28

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

29

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

31

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

33

 

 

Signatures

34

 

 

 

 

2


 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

SKECHERS U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except par values)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

607,813

 

 

$

718,536

 

Trade accounts receivable, less allowances of $51,457 in 2017 and $41,647 in 2016

 

 

551,598

 

 

 

326,844

 

Other receivables

 

 

20,504

 

 

 

19,191

 

Total receivables

 

 

572,102

 

 

 

346,035

 

Inventories

 

 

585,814

 

 

 

700,515

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

60,568

 

 

 

62,680

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,826,297

 

 

 

1,827,766

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

502,658

 

 

 

494,473

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

26,059

 

 

 

26,043

 

Other assets, net

 

 

50,697

 

 

 

45,388

 

Total non-current assets

 

 

579,414

 

 

 

565,904

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,405,711

 

 

$

2,393,670

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current installments of long-term borrowings

 

$

1,788

 

 

$

1,783

 

Short-term borrowings

 

 

6,303

 

 

 

6,086

 

Accounts payable

 

 

423,902

 

 

 

520,437

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

81,590

 

 

 

93,424

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

513,583

 

 

 

621,730

 

Long-term borrowings, excluding current installments

 

 

68,775

 

 

 

67,159

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

431

 

 

 

412

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

20,408

 

 

 

18,855

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

 

89,614

 

 

 

86,426

 

Total liabilities

 

 

603,197

 

 

 

708,156

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; none issued

   and outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value; 500,000 shares authorized;

   130,835 and 130,386 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017

   and December 31, 2016, respectively

 

 

131

 

 

 

130

 

Class B convertible common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000 shares

   authorized; 24,545 shares issued and outstanding at

   March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016

 

 

24

 

 

 

24

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

425,665

 

 

 

419,038

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(23,704

)

 

 

(26,604

)

Retained earnings

 

 

1,305,040

 

 

 

1,211,045

 

Skechers U.S.A., Inc. equity

 

 

1,707,156

 

 

 

1,603,633

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

95,358

 

 

 

81,881

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

1,802,514

 

 

 

1,685,514

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

$

2,405,711

 

 

$

2,393,670

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


 

SKECHERS U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net sales

 

$

1,072,808

 

 

$

978,794

 

Cost of sales

 

 

596,310

 

 

 

546,642

 

Gross profit

 

 

476,498

 

 

 

432,152

 

Royalty income

 

 

4,230

 

 

 

2,625

 

 

 

 

480,728

 

 

 

434,777

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

 

73,809

 

 

 

53,878

 

General and administrative

 

 

282,496

 

 

 

242,349

 

 

 

 

356,305

 

 

 

296,227

 

Earnings from operations

 

 

124,423

 

 

 

138,550

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

413

 

 

 

266

 

Interest expense

 

 

(1,490

)

 

 

(1,388

)

Other, net

 

 

696

 

 

 

2,779

 

Total other income (expense)

 

 

(381

)

 

 

1,657

 

Earnings before income tax expense

 

 

124,042

 

 

 

140,207

 

Income tax expense

 

 

17,407

 

 

 

30,568

 

Net earnings

 

 

106,635

 

 

 

109,639

 

Less: Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

12,640

 

 

 

12,027

 

Net earnings attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

 

$

93,995

 

 

$

97,612

 

Net earnings per share attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.61

 

 

$

0.63

 

Diluted

 

$

0.60

 

 

$

0.63

 

Weighted average shares used in calculating net earnings per

   share attributable to Skechers U.S.A, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

155,097

 

 

 

153,745

 

Diluted

 

 

155,927

 

 

 

154,818

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


 

SKECHERS U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net earnings

 

$

106,635

 

 

$

109,639

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

4,583

 

 

 

5,998

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

111,218

 

 

 

115,637

 

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling

   interests

 

 

14,323

 

 

 

12,973

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

 

$

96,895

 

 

$

102,664

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5


 

SKECHERS U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

106,635

 

 

$

109,639

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment

 

 

18,879

 

 

 

14,872

 

Amortization of other assets

 

 

3,454

 

 

 

2,621

 

Provision for bad debts and returns

 

 

11,988

 

 

 

7,330

 

Non-cash share-based compensation

 

 

6,628

 

 

 

4,656

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

1,911

 

Loss (gain) on non-current assets

 

 

(585

)

 

 

154

 

Net foreign currency adjustments

 

 

(492

)

 

 

(2,430

)

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 

 

(1,374

)

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

 

(233,676

)

 

 

(201,312

)

Inventories

 

 

117,963

 

 

 

122,178

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(180

)

 

 

11,727

 

Other assets

 

 

(4,087

)

 

 

(2,639

)

Decrease in liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(98,279

)

 

 

(72,830

)

Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities

 

 

(11,279

)

 

 

(27,244

)

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(84,405

)

 

 

(31,367

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(28,882

)

 

 

(35,197

)

Purchases of investments

 

 

(684

)

 

 

(1,214

)

Proceeds from sales of investments

 

 

240

 

 

 

131

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(29,326

)

 

 

(36,280

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments on long-term debt

 

 

(444

)

 

 

(1,679

)

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

2,065

 

 

 

 

Payments on short-term borrowings

 

 

(219

)

 

 

 

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

3,879

 

Distributions to non-controlling interests of consolidated entity

 

 

(892

)

 

 

(3,988

)

Contributions from non-controlling interests of consolidated entity

 

 

46

 

 

 

2,905

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

556

 

 

 

1,117

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(113,175

)

 

 

(66,530

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

2,452

 

 

 

2,367

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

 

 

718,536

 

 

 

507,991

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

 

$

607,813

 

 

$

443,828

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

1,455

 

 

$

1,370

 

Income taxes, net

 

 

10,538

 

 

 

8,281

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

6


 

SKECHERS U.S.A., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2017 and 2016

(Unaudited)

(1)

GENERAL

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S‑X. Accordingly, they do not include certain notes and financial presentations normally required under U.S. GAAP for complete financial reporting. The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal adjustments and accruals which are, in the opinion of management, considered necessary to provide a fair presentation for the interim periods presented. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

Inventories

Inventories, principally finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost (based on the first-in, first-out method) or market (net realizable value). Cost includes shipping and handling fees and costs, which are subsequently expensed to cost of sales. The Company provides for estimated losses from obsolete or slow-moving inventories, and writes down the cost of inventory at the time such determinations are made. Reserves are estimated based on inventory on hand, historical sales activity, industry trends, the retail environment, and the expected net realizable value. The net realizable value is determined using estimated sales prices of similar inventory through off-price or discount store channels.

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 requires that inventory within the scope of this standard be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The amendments apply to inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out or average cost.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2015-11. The adoption of ASU 2015-11 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which principally include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value because of the relatively short maturity of such instruments.

The carrying amount of the Company’s short-term and long-term borrowings, which are considered Level 2 liabilities, approximates fair value based upon current rates and terms available to the Company for similar debt.

 

7


 

 

As of August 12, 2015, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement concurrent with refinancing its domestic distribution center construction loan (see Note 2). The fair value of the interest rate swap was determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipt was based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. To comply with U.S. GAAP, credit valuation adjustments were incorporated to appropriately reflect both the Company’s nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. The majority of the inputs used to value the interest rate swap were within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the interest rate swap was a Level 2 derivative and was classified as other long-term liabilities on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements, in conformity with U.S. GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue on wholesale sales when products are shipped and the customer takes title and assumes risk of loss, collection of the relevant receivable is reasonably assured, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the sales price is fixed or determinable. This generally occurs at time of shipment. Related costs paid to third-party shipping companies are recorded as a cost of sales. The Company recognizes revenue from retail sales at the point of sale. Sales and value added taxes collected from retail customers are excluded from reported revenues. Generally, wholesale customers do not have the right to return goods, the Company periodically decides to accept returns or provide customers with credits. Allowances for estimated returns, discounts, doubtful accounts and chargebacks are provided for when related revenue is recorded.

Royalty income is earned from licensing arrangements. Upon signing a new licensing agreement, the Company receives up-front fees, which are generally characterized as prepaid royalties. These fees are initially deferred and recognized as revenue when earned. The first calculated royalty payment is based on actual sales of the licensed product or, in some cases, minimum royalty payments. Typically, at each quarter-end, the Company receives correspondence from licensees indicating actual sales for the period, which is used to calculate and accrue the related royalties currently receivable based on the terms of the agreement.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” (“ASU 2016-16”). The standard requires that the income tax impact of intra-entity sales and transfers of property, except for inventory, be recognized when the transfer occurs. The standard will become effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018 and will require any deferred taxes not yet recognized on intra-entity transfers to be recorded to retained earnings under a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-16; however at the current time the Company does not know what impact the adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”), which eliminates the diversity in practice related to the classification of certain cash receipts and payments. ASU 2016-15 designates the appropriate cash flow classification, including requirements to allocate certain components of these cash receipts and payments among operating, investing and financing activities. The retrospective transition method, requiring adjustment to all comparative periods presented, is required unless it is impracticable for some of the amendments, in which case those amendments would be prospectively adopted as of the earliest date practicable. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-15; however at the current time the Company does not know what impact the adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

8


 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for financial assets held. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted on January 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-13; however at the current time the Company does expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The new standard requires lessees to recognize most leases on the balance sheet, which will increase lessees’ reported assets and liabilities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2019. ASU 2016-02 mandates a modified retrospective transition method. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements, but anticipates an increase in assets and liabilities due to the recognition of the required right-of-use asset and corresponding liability for all lease obligations that are currently classified as operating leases, such as real estate leases for corporate headquarters, administrative offices, retail stores, showrooms, and distribution facilities, as well as additional disclosure on all of the Company’s lease obligations. The earnings statement recognition of lease expense is not expected to change materially from the current methodology.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The updated guidance enhances the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The update to the standard should be applied prospectively and is effective for the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-01; however at the current time the Company does not expect that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, Accounting Standards Codification 606 (“ASC 606”). This amendment prescribes that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The amendment supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. For the Company’s annual and interim reporting periods the mandatory adoption date of ASC 606 is January 1, 2018, and there will be two methods of adoption allowed, either a full retrospective adoption or a modified retrospective adoption. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to the first quarter of 2018. In March 2016, April 2016, May 2016, and December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12, and ASU 2016-20, respectively, as clarifications to ASU 2014-09. ASU 2016-08 clarifies how to identify the unit of accounting for the principal versus agent evaluation, how to apply the control principle to certain types of arrangements, such as service transactions, and reframed the indicators in the guidance to focus on evidence that an entity is acting as a principal rather than as an agent. ASU 2016-10 clarifies the existing guidance on identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation. ASU 2016-12 adds practical expedients related to the transition for contract modifications and further defines a completed contract, clarifies the objective of the collectability assessment and how revenue is recognized if collectability is not probable, and when non-cash considerations should be measured. ASU 2016-20 corrects or improves guidance in 13 narrow focus aspects of the guidance. The effective dates for these ASUs are the same as the effective date for ASU No. 2014-09, for the Company’s annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2018. These ASU’s also require enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows.  The Company will adopt the new revenue standards in the first quarter of 2018. The Company has not selected a transition method. The Company is still completing the assessment of the impact of these ASUs on its consolidated financial statements; however at the current time the Company does not expect that the adoption of these ASUs will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 

(2)

LINE OF CREDIT, SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

The Company had $4.5 million and $2.0 million of outstanding letters of credit as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and approximately $6.3 million and $6.1 million in short-term borrowings as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

 

9


 

Long-term borrowings at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Note payable to banks, due in monthly installments of $121.3

   (includes principal and interest), variable-rate interest at

    2.98% per annum, secured by property, balloon payment of

   $62,843 due August 2020

 

$

67,695

 

 

$

68,059

 

Note payable to Luen Thai Enterprise, Ltd., balloon payment

   of $2,065 due January 2021

 

 

2,065

 

 

 

 

Note payable to TCF Equipment Finance, Inc., due in monthly

   installments of $30.5 (includes principal and interest), fixed-

   rate interest at 5.24% per annum due July 2019

 

 

803

 

 

 

883

 

Subtotal

 

 

70,563

 

 

 

68,942

 

Less current installments

 

 

1,788

 

 

 

1,783

 

Total long-term borrowings

 

$

68,775

 

 

$

67,159

 

 

The Company’s long-term debt obligations contain both financial and non-financial covenants, including cross-default provisions. The Company is in compliance with its non-financial covenants, including any cross-default provisions, and financial covenants of its long-term borrowings as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

On June 30, 2015, the Company entered into a $250.0 million loan and security agreement, subject to increase by up to $100.0 million, (the “Credit Agreement”), with the following lenders: Bank of America, N.A., MUFG Union Bank, N.A. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association. The Credit Agreement matures on June 30, 2020. The Credit Agreement replaces the credit agreement dated June 30, 2009, which expired on June 30, 2015. The Credit Agreement permits the Company and certain of its subsidiaries to borrow based on a percentage of eligible accounts receivable plus the sum of (a) the lesser of (i) a percentage of eligible inventory to be sold at wholesale and (ii) a percentage of net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory to be sold at wholesale, plus (b) the lesser of (i) a percentage of the value of eligible inventory to be sold at retail and (ii) a percentage of net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory to be sold at retail, plus (c) the lesser of (i) a percentage of the value of eligible in-transit inventory and (ii) a percentage of the net orderly liquidation value of eligible in-transit inventory. Borrowings bear interest at the Company’s election based on (a) LIBOR or (b) the greater of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (iii) LIBOR for a 30-day period plus 1.0%, in each case, plus an applicable margin based on the average daily principal balance of revolving loans available under the Credit Agreement. The Company pays a monthly unused line of credit fee of 0.25%, payable on the first day of each month in arrears, which is based on the average daily principal balance of outstanding revolving loans and undrawn amounts of letters of credit outstanding during such month. The Credit Agreement further provides for a limit on the issuance of letters of credit to a maximum of $100.0 million. The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for secured credit facilities of this type, including covenants that will limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur debt, grant liens, make certain acquisitions, dispose of assets, effect a change of control of the Company, make certain restricted payments including certain dividends and stock redemptions, make certain investments or loans, enter into certain transactions with affiliates and certain prohibited uses of proceeds. The Credit Agreement also requires compliance with a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio if Availability drops below 10% of the Revolver Commitments (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement) until the date when no event of default has existed and Availability has been over 10% for 30 consecutive days. The Company paid closing and arrangement fees of $1.1 million on this facility which are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and are being amortized to interest expense over the five-year life of the facility. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there was $0.1 million outstanding under the Company’s credit facilities, classified as short-term borrowings in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The remaining balance in short-term borrowings, as of March 31, 2017, is related to the Company’s international operations.

On April 30, 2010, HF Logistics-SKX, LLC (the “JV”), through its subsidiary HF-T1, entered into a construction loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and as a lender, and Raymond James Bank, FSB, as a lender (collectively, the "Construction Loan Agreement"), pursuant to which the JV obtained a loan of up to $55.0 million used for construction of the project on certain property (the "Original Loan"). On November 16, 2012, HF-T1 executed a modification to the Construction Loan Agreement (the "Modification"), which added OneWest Bank, FSB as a lender, and increased the borrowings under the Original Loan to $80.0 million and extended the maturity date of the Original Loan to October 30, 2015. On August 11, 2015, the JV, through HF-T1, entered into an amended and restated loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and as a lender, and CIT Bank, N.A. (formerly known as OneWest Bank, FSB) and Raymond James Bank, N.A., as lenders (collectively, the "Amended Loan Agreement"), which amends and restates in its entirety the Construction Loan Agreement and the Modification.

 

10


 

As of the date of the Amended Loan Agreement, the outstanding principal balance of the Original Loan was $77.3 million. In connection with this refinancing of the Original Loan, the JV, the Company and its joint-venture partner HF Logistics (“HF”) agreed that the Company would make an additional capital contribution of $38.7 million to the JV, through HF-T1, to make a prepayment on the Original Loan based on the Company’s 50% equity interest in the JV. The prepayment equaled the Company’s 50% share of the outstanding principal balance of the Original Loan. Under the Amended Loan Agreement, the parties agreed that the lenders would loan $70.0 million to HF-T1 (the "New Loan"). The New Loan was used by the JV, through HF-T1, to (i) refinance all amounts owed on the Original Loan after taking into account the prepayment described above, (ii) pay $0.9 million in accrued interest, loan fees and other closing costs associated with the New Loan and (iii) make a distribution of $31.3 million less the amounts described in clause (ii) to HF. Pursuant to the Amended Loan Agreement, the interest rate on the New Loan is the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate (as defined in the Amended Loan Agreement) plus a margin of 2%. The maturity date of the New Loan is August 12, 2020, which HF-T1 has one option to extend by an additional 24 months, or until August 12, 2022, upon payment of a fee and satisfaction of certain customary conditions. On August 11, 2015, HF-T1 and Bank of America, N.A. entered into an ISDA Master Agreement (together with the schedule related thereto, the "Swap Agreement") to govern derivative and/or hedging transactions that HF-T1 concurrently entered into with Bank of America, N.A. Pursuant to the Swap Agreement, on August 14, 2015, HF-T1 entered into a confirmation of swap transactions (the "Interest Rate Swap") with Bank of America, N.A. The Interest Rate Swap has an effective date of August 12, 2015 and a maturity date of August 12, 2022, subject to early termination at the option of HF-T1, commencing on August 1, 2020. The Interest Rate Swap fixes the effective interest rate of the New Loan at 4.08% per annum. Pursuant to the terms of the JV, HF is responsible for the related interest expense payments on the New Loan, and any amounts related to the Swap Agreement. The full amount of interest expense paid related to the New Loan has been included in the Company’s consolidated statement of equity within non-controlling interests. The Amended Loan Agreement and the Swap Agreement are subject to customary covenants and events of default. Bank of America, N.A. also acts as a lender and syndication agent under the Credit Agreement dated June 30, 2015.

(3)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, no shares of Class B common stock were converted into shares of Class A common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, 1,050,862 shares of Class B common stock, were converted into shares of Class A common stock.

The following table reconciles equity attributable to noncontrolling interests (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Non-controlling interests, beginning of period

 

$

81,881

 

 

$

48,178

 

Net earnings

 

 

12,640

 

 

 

12,027

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

1,683

 

 

 

945

 

Capital contributions

 

 

46

 

 

 

2,905

 

Capital distributions

 

 

(892

)

 

 

(3,988

)

Non-controlling interests, end of period

 

$

95,358

 

 

$

60,067

 

 

 

(4)

NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

The Company has equity interests in several joint ventures that were established either to exclusively distribute the Company’s products primarily throughout Asia or to construct the Company’s domestic distribution facility. These joint ventures are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) under ASC 810-10-15-14. The Company’s determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE considers all relationships between the Company and the VIE, including management agreements, governance documents and other contractual arrangements. The Company has determined for its VIEs that the Company is the primary beneficiary because it has both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Accordingly, the Company includes the assets and liabilities and results of operations of these entities in its condensed consolidated financial statements, even though the Company may not hold a majority equity interest. There have been no changes during 2017 in the accounting treatment or characterization of any previously identified VIE. The Company continues to reassess these relationships quarterly. The assets of these joint ventures are restricted in that they are not available for general business use outside the context of such joint ventures. The holders of the liabilities of each joint venture have no recourse to the Company. The Company does not have a variable interest in any unconsolidated VIEs.

 

11


 

The following VIEs are consolidated into the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and the carrying amounts and classification of assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

 

HF Logistics-SKX, LLC

 

March 31,

2017

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

Current assets

 

$

2,684

 

 

$

2,006

 

Non-current assets

 

 

107,352

 

 

 

108,668

 

Total assets

 

$

110,036

 

 

$

110,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

2,930

 

 

$

2,469

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

67,720

 

 

 

68,168

 

Total liabilities

 

$

70,650

 

 

$

70,637

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution joint ventures (1)

 

March 31,

2017

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

Current assets

 

$

313,339

 

 

$

289,227

 

Non-current assets

 

 

54,533

 

 

 

49,229

 

Total assets

 

$

367,872

 

 

$

338,456

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

134,709

 

 

$

132,518

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

4,297

 

 

 

2,214

 

Total liabilities

 

$

139,006

 

 

$

134,732

 

 

(1)

Distribution joint ventures include Skechers Footwear Ltd. (Israel), Skechers China Limited, Skechers Korea Limited, Skechers Southeast Asia Limited, Skechers (Thailand) Limited, Skechers Retail India Private Limited, and Skechers South Asia Private Limited.

The following is a summary of net earnings attributable to, distributions to and contributions from non-controlling interests (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net earnings attributable to non-controlling

   interests

 

$

12,640

 

 

$

12,027

 

Distributions to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HF Logistics-SKX, LLC

 

 

(892

)

 

 

(905

)

Skechers China Limited

 

 

 

 

 

(3,083

)

Contributions from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India distribution joint ventures

 

 

 

 

 

2,905

 

Skechers Footwear Ltd. (Israel)

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

(5)

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share represent net earnings divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share, in addition to the weighted average determined for basic earnings per share, includes potential dilutive common shares using the treasury stock method.

The Company has two classes of issued and outstanding common stock; Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. Holders of Class A Common Stock and holders of Class B Common Stock have substantially identical rights, including rights with respect to any declared dividends or distributions of cash or property and the right to receive proceeds on liquidation or dissolution of the Company after payment of the Company’s indebtedness. The two classes have different voting rights, with holders of Class A Common Stock entitled to one vote per share while holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. The Company uses the two-class method for calculating net earnings per share. Basic and diluted net earnings per share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are identical. The shares of Class B Common Stock are convertible at any time at the option of the holder into shares of Class A Common Stock on a share-for-share basis. In addition, shares of Class B Common Stock will be automatically converted into a like number of shares of Class A Common Stock upon transfer to any person or entity who is not a permitted transferee.

 

12


 

The following is a reconciliation of net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Basic earnings per share

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net earnings attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

 

$

93,995

 

 

$

97,612

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

155,097

 

 

 

153,745

 

Basic earnings per share attributable to

   Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

 

$

0.61

 

 

$

0.63

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net earnings attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

 

$

93,995

 

 

$

97,612

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

155,097

 

 

 

153,745

 

Dilutive effect of nonvested shares

 

 

830

 

 

 

1,073

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

155,927

 

 

 

154,818

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to

   Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

 

$

0.60

 

 

$

0.63

 

 

There were 126,636 shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017. There were no shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2016. 

(6)

STOCK COMPENSATION

For stock-based awards, the Company recognized compensation expense based on the grant date fair value. Share-based compensation expense was $6.6 million and $4.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

A summary of the status and changes of the Company’s nonvested shares related to the 2007 Incentive Award Plan (the “2007 Plan”), as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is presented below:

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Weighted Average

Grant-Date Fair Value

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2016

 

 

3,043,164

 

 

$

24.57

 

Granted

 

 

352,000

 

 

 

22.65

 

Vested

 

 

(448,500

)

 

 

18.21

 

Cancelled

 

 

(3,000

)

 

 

31.29

 

Nonvested at March 31, 2017

 

 

2,943,664

 

 

 

25.30

 

 

As of March 31, 2017, there was $58.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested common shares. The cost is expected to be amortized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.

 

13


 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). The updated guidance changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. As of January 1, 2017, the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding was changed prospectively to no longer include excess tax benefits as assumed proceeds. This change did not have a material impact on the Company’s calculation of diluted earnings per share. Additionally, this ASU requires the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies as income tax benefits or expenses in the income statement rather than to additional paid-in capital, which has been applied on a prospective basis to settlements of share-based payment awards occurring on or after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and recorded a $1.4 million tax benefit in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings. ASU 2016-09 also requires that excess tax benefits be presented as operating activities on the statement of cash flows, which the Company has elected to apply on a prospective basis.

(7)

INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense and the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands, except the effective tax rate):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Income tax expense

 

$

17,407

 

 

$

30,568

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

14.0

%

 

 

21.8

%

 

The tax provisions for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were computed using the estimated effective tax rates applicable to each of the domestic and international taxable jurisdictions for the full year. The Company estimates its ongoing effective annual tax rate for the remainder of 2017 to be between 14% and 19%, which is subject to management’s quarterly review and revision, as necessary.

The Company’s provision for income tax expense and effective income tax rate are significantly impacted by the mix of the Company’s domestic and foreign earnings (loss) before income taxes. In the foreign jurisdictions in which the Company has operations, the applicable statutory rates range from 0% to 34%, which is generally significantly lower than the U.S. federal and state combined statutory rate of approximately 39%. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in the amount of projected foreign earnings relative to projected domestic earnings as compared to the same period in the previous years as well as $1.4 million in excess tax benefits recorded due to implementing ASU 2016-09.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $607.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which $368.1 million, or 60.6%, was held outside the U.S. Of the $368.1 million held by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, approximately $33.3 million is available for repatriation to the U.S. without incurring further U.S. income taxes and applicable foreign income and withholding taxes in excess of the amounts accrued in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Under current applicable tax laws, if the Company chooses to repatriate some or all of the funds designated as indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S., the amount repatriated would be subject to U.S. income taxes and applicable foreign income and withholding taxes. The Company does not expect to repatriate any of the funds presently designated as indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. As such, the Company did not provide for deferred income taxes on its accumulated undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

(8)

BUSINESS AND CREDIT CONCENTRATIONS

The Company generates sales in the United States; however, several of its products are sold into various foreign countries, which subjects the Company to the risks of doing business abroad. In addition, the Company operates in the footwear industry, and its business depends on the general economic environment and levels of consumer spending. Changes in the marketplace may significantly affect management’s estimates and the Company’s performance. Management performs regular evaluations concerning the ability of customers to satisfy their obligations and provides for estimated doubtful accounts. Domestic accounts receivable, which generally do not require collateral from customers, were $274.1 million and $169.4 million before allowances for bad debts, sales returns and chargebacks at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Foreign accounts receivable, which in some cases are collateralized by letters of credit, were $328.9 million and $199.1 million before allowance for bad debts, sales returns and chargebacks at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Company’s credit losses attributable to write-offs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $0.1 million and $4.8 million, respectively.

 

14


 

Assets located outside the U.S. consist primarily of cash, accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and other assets. Net assets held outside the United States were $1.14 billion and $1.06 billion at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

The Company’s net sales to its five largest customers accounted for approximately 13.2% and 13.8% of total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. No customer accounted for more than 10.0% of the Company’s net sales during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. No customer accounted for more than 10.0% of trade receivables at March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

The Company’s top five manufacturers produced the following, as a percentage of total production, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Manufacturer #1

 

 

22.8

%

 

 

26.4

%

Manufacturer #2

 

 

10.9

%

 

 

11.1

%

Manufacturer #3

 

 

9.4

%

 

 

10.5

%

Manufacturer #4

 

 

5.6

%

 

 

4.4

%

Manufacturer #5

 

 

4.6

%

 

 

3.5

%

 

 

 

53.3

%

 

 

55.9

%

 

The majority of the Company’s products are produced in China and Vietnam. The Company’s operations are subject to the customary risks of doing business abroad, including, but not limited to, currency fluctuations and revaluations, custom duties and related fees, various import controls and other monetary barriers, restrictions on the transfer of funds, labor unrest and strikes, and, in certain parts of the world, political instability. The Company believes it has acted to reduce these risks by diversifying manufacturing among various factories. To date, these business risks have not had a material adverse impact on the Company’s operations.

(9)

SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC REPORTING

The Company has three reportable segments – domestic wholesale sales, international wholesale sales, and retail sales, which includes e-commerce sales. Management evaluates segment performance based primarily on net sales and gross profit. All other costs and expenses of the Company are analyzed on an aggregate basis, and these costs are not allocated to the Company’s segments. Net sales, gross margins, identifiable assets and additions to property and equipment for the domestic wholesale, international wholesale, retail sales segments on a combined basis were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic wholesale

 

$

358,432

 

 

$

360,270

 

International wholesale

 

 

490,452

 

 

 

420,035

 

Retail

 

 

223,924

 

 

 

198,489

 

Total

 

$

1,072,808

 

 

$

978,794

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic wholesale

 

$

139,808

 

 

$

140,516

 

International wholesale

 

 

210,314

 

 

 

176,020

 

Retail

 

 

126,376

 

 

 

115,616

 

Total

 

$

476,498

 

 

$

432,152

 

 

 

 

March 31,

2017

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

Identifiable assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic wholesale

 

$

1,090,121

 

 

$

1,161,719

 

International wholesale

 

 

1,034,232

 

 

 

954,874

 

Retail

 

 

281,358

 

 

 

277,077

 

Total

 

$

2,405,711

 

 

$

2,393,670

 

 

15


 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic wholesale

 

$

1,533

 

 

$

10,136

 

International wholesale

 

 

11,793

 

 

 

15,979

 

Retail

 

 

15,556

 

 

 

9,082

 

Total

 

$

28,882

 

 

$

35,197

 

 

Geographic Information:

The following summarizes the Company’s operations in different geographic areas for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net Sales (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

522,796

 

 

$

512,237

 

Canada

 

 

48,228

 

 

 

37,069

 

Other international (2)

 

 

501,784

 

 

 

429,488

 

Total

 

$

1,072,808

 

 

$

978,794

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2017

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

Property, plant and equipment, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

376,496

 

 

$

374,459

 

Canada

 

 

10,611

 

 

 

10,410

 

Other international (2)

 

 

115,551

 

 

 

109,604

 

Total

 

$

502,658

 

 

$

494,473

 

 

(1)

The Company has subsidiaries in Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America that generate net sales within those respective regions and in some cases the neighboring regions. The Company has joint ventures in Asia that generate net sales from those regions. The Company also has a subsidiary in Switzerland that generates net sales from that country in addition to net sales to distributors located in numerous non-European countries. External net sales are attributable to geographic regions based on the location of each of the Company’s subsidiaries. A subsidiary may earn revenue from external net sales and external royalties, or from inter-subsidiary net sales, royalties, fees and commissions provided in accordance with certain inter-subsidiary agreements. The resulting earnings of each subsidiary in its respective country are recognized under each respective country’s tax code. Inter-subsidiary revenues and expenses subsequently are eliminated in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and are not included as part of the external net sales reported in different geographic areas.

(2)

Other international includes Asia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America.

In response to the State Department’s trade restrictions with Sudan and Syria, we do not authorize or permit any distribution or sales of our product in these countries, and we are not aware of any current or past distribution or sales of our product in Sudan or Syria.

(10)

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On July 29, 2010, the Company formed the Skechers Foundation (the “Foundation”), which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity that does not have any shareholders or members. The Foundation is not a subsidiary of, and is not otherwise affiliated with the Company, and the Company does not have a financial interest in the Foundation. However, two officers and directors of the Company, Michael Greenberg, the Company’s President, and David Weinberg, the Company’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, are also officers and directors of the Foundation. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company made contributions to the Foundation of $250,000 in each period.

 

16


 

(11)

LITIGATION

The Company recognizes legal expense in connection with loss contingencies as incurred.

Personal Injury Lawsuits Involving Shape-ups — As previously reported, on February 20, 2011, Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II and Skechers Fitness Group were named as defendants in a lawsuit that alleged, among other things, that Shape-ups are defective and unreasonably dangerous, negligently designed and/or manufactured, and do not conform to representations made by the Company, and that the Company failed to provide adequate warnings of alleged risks associated with Shape-ups. In total, the Company is named as a defendant in 50 currently pending cases (some on behalf of multiple plaintiffs) filed in various courts that assert further varying injuries but employ similar legal theories and assert similar claims to the first case, as well as claims for breach of express and implied warranties, loss of consortium, and fraud. Although there are some variations in the relief sought, the plaintiffs generally seek compensatory and/or economic damages, exemplary and/or punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.

On December 19, 2011, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued an order establishing a multidistrict litigation (“MDL”) proceeding in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky entitled In re Skechers Toning Shoe Products Liability Litigation, case no. 11-md-02308-TBR. Since 2011, a total of 1,235 personal injury cases have been filed in or transferred to the MDL proceeding. The Company has resolved 1,743 personal injury claims in the MDL proceedings, comprised of 1,141 that were filed as formal actions and 602 that were submitted by plaintiff fact sheets. The Company has also settled 34 claims in principle—17 filed cases and 17 claims submitted by plaintiff fact sheets—either directly or pursuant to a global settlement program that has been approved by the claimants’ attorneys (described in greater detail below). Further, 42 cases in the MDL proceeding have been dismissed either voluntarily or on motions by the Company and 38 unfiled claims submitted by plaintiff fact sheet have been abandoned. Between the consummated settlements and cases subject to the settlement program, all but 35 personal injury cases pending in the MDL have been or are expected to be resolved. On August 6, 2015, the Court entered an order staying all deadlines, including trial, pending further order of the Court. On March 30 and 31, 2017, the Court entered orders permitting limited fact discovery in two cases. No trial dates have been set.  All other MDL actions remain stayed.

Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II and Skechers Fitness Group also have been named as defendants in a total of 72 personal injury actions filed in various Superior Courts of the State of California that were brought on behalf of 920 individual plaintiffs (360 of whom also submitted MDL court-approved questionnaires for mediation purposes in the MDL proceeding). Of those cases, 68 were originally filed in the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles (the “LASC cases”). On August 20, 2014, the Judicial Council of California granted a petition by the Company to coordinate all personal injury actions filed in California that relate to Shape-ups with the LASC cases (collectively, the “LASC Coordinated Cases”). On October 6, 2014, three cases that had been pending in other counties were transferred to and coordinated with the LASC Coordinated Cases. On April 17, 2015, an additional case was transferred to and coordinated with the LASC Coordinated Cases. Fifty-three actions brought on behalf of a total of 620 plaintiffs have been settled and fully dismissed. Eleven actions have been partially dismissed, with the claims of 221 plaintiffs in those actions having been fully resolved and dismissed. The Company has also settled in principle the claims of 26 plaintiffs from 4 actions either directly or pursuant to a global settlement program that has been approved by the plaintiffs’ attorneys (described in greater detail below). One single-plaintiff lawsuit and the claims of 28 additional plaintiffs in multi-plaintiff lawsuits have been dismissed entirely, either voluntarily or on motion by the Company. The claims of 21 additional persons have been dismissed in part, either voluntarily or on motions by the Company. Thus, taking into account both consummated settlements and cases subject to the settlement program, only 14 lawsuits on behalf of a total of 24 plaintiffs are expected to remain in the LASC Coordinated Cases. Discovery is continuing in those fourteen remaining cases. No trial dates have been set.

In other state courts, a total of 12 personal injury actions (some on behalf of numerous plaintiffs) have been filed that have not been removed to federal court and transferred to the MDL. Eleven of those actions have been resolved and dismissed. The last remaining action in a state court other than California was filed in Missouri on January 4, 2016 on behalf of a single plaintiff. The complaint was served on November 14, 2016. We have answered the complaint and denied all material allegations asserted therein. The parties are now engaged in discovery. No trial date has been set.

 

17


 

With respect to the global settlement programs referenced above, the personal injury cases in the MDL and LASC Coordinated Cases and in other state courts were largely solicited and handled by the same plaintiffs law firms. Accordingly, mediations to discuss potential resolution of the various lawsuits brought by these firms were held on May 18, June 18, and July 24, 2015. At the conclusion of those mediations, the parties reached an agreement in principle on a global settlement program that is expected to resolve all or substantially all of the claims by persons represented by those firms. A master settlement agreement was executed as of March 24, 2016 and the parties are in the process of completing individual settlements. To the extent that the settlements with individual claimants are not finalized or otherwise consummated such that the litigation proceeds, it is too early to predict the outcome of any case, whether adverse results in any single case or in the aggregate would have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, and whether insurance coverage will be adequate to cover any losses. The settlements have been reached for business purposes in order to end the distraction of litigation, and the Company continues to believe it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend any remaining cases vigorously. In addition, it is too early to predict whether there will be future personal injury cases filed which are not covered by the global settlement program, whether adverse results in any single case or in the aggregate would have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, and whether insurance coverage will be available and/or adequate to cover any losses.

Converse, Inc. v. Skechers U.S.A., Inc. — On October 14, 2014, Converse filed an action against the Company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn Division, Case 1:14-cv-05977-DLI-MDG, alleging trademark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition, trademark dilution and deceptive practices arising out of the Company’s alleged use of certain design elements on footwear. The complaint seeks, among other things, injunctive relief, profits, actual damages, enhanced damages, punitive damages, costs and attorneys’ fees. On October 14, 2014, Converse also filed a complaint naming 27 respondents including the Company with the U.S. International Trade Commission (the “ITC” or “Commission”), Federal Register Doc. 2014-24890, alleging violations of federal law in the importation into and the sale within the United States of certain footwear. Converse has requested that the Commission issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders. On December 8, 2014, the District Court stayed the proceedings before it. On December 19, 2014, the Company responded to the ITC complaint, denying the material allegations and asserting affirmative defenses. A trial before an administrative law judge of the ITC was held in August 2015. On November 15, 2015, the ITC judge issued his interim decision finding that certain discontinued products (Daddy’$ Money and HyDee HyTops) infringed on Converse’s intellectual property, but that other, still active product lines (Twinkle Toes and BOBS Utopia) did not. On February 3, 2016, the ITC decided that it would review in part certain matters that were decided by the ITC judge. On June 28, 2016, the full ITC issued a ruling affirming that Skechers Twinkle Toe’s and Bob’s canvas shoes do not infringe Converse’s Chuck Taylor Midsole Trademark and affirming that Converse’s common law trademark was invalid.  The full ITC also invalidated Converse’s registered trademark.  Converse appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On January 27, 2017, Converse filed its appellate brief but did not contest the portion of the decision that held that Skechers Twinkle Toes and Bob’s canvas shoes do not infringe. While it is too early to predict the outcome of these legal proceedings or whether an adverse result in either or both of them would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operations or financial position, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses and intend to defend these legal matters vigorously.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company records a liability in its condensed consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded. Estimates of probable losses resulting from litigation and governmental proceedings are inherently difficult to predict, particularly when the matters are in the procedural stages or with unspecified or indeterminate claims for damages, potential penalties, or fines. Accordingly, the Company cannot determine the final amount, if any, of its liability beyond the amount accrued in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2017, nor is it possible to estimate what litigation-related costs will be in the future.

 

18


 

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and Notes thereto in Item 1 of this report and our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

We intend for this discussion to provide the reader with information that will assist in understanding our condensed consolidated financial statements, the changes in certain key items in those financial statements from period to period, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, as well as how certain accounting principles affect our condensed consolidated financial statements. The discussion also provides information about the financial results of the various segments of our business to provide a better understanding of how those segments and their results affect the financial condition and results of operations of our Company as a whole.

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking language such as “intend,” “may,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements, and reported results shall not be considered an indication of our future performance. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include:

 

global economic, political and market conditions including the difficult consumer retail market in the United States and the uncertainty of the European and Asian markets;

 

our ability to maintain our brand image and to anticipate, forecast, identify, and respond to changes in fashion trends, consumer demand for the products and other market factors;

 

our ability to remain competitive among sellers of footwear for consumers, including in the highly competitive performance footwear market;

 

our ability to sustain, manage and forecast our costs and proper inventory levels;

 

the loss of any significant customers, decreased demand by industry retailers and the cancellation of order commitments;

 

our ability to continue to manufacture and ship our products that are sourced in China and Vietnam, which could be adversely affected by various economic, political or trade conditions, or a natural disaster in China or Vietnam;

 

our ability to predict our revenues, which have varied significantly in the past and can be expected to fluctuate in the future due to a number of reasons, many of which are beyond our control;

 

sales levels during the spring, back-to-school and holiday selling seasons; and

 

other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 under the captions “Item 1A: Risk Factors” and “Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

The risks included here are not exhaustive. Other sections of this report may include additional factors that could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and we cannot predict all such risk factors, nor can we assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our opinions only as of the date of this quarterly report, as a prediction of actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to the forward-looking statements after the date of this document, except as otherwise required by reporting requirements of applicable federal and states securities laws.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

Our net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $1.07 billion, an increase of $94.0 million, or 9.6%, as compared to net sales of $978.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, which was primarily attributable to increased sales across our international wholesale and retail businesses, which were offset by slightly reduced domestic wholesale sales. Gross margins increased slightly to 44.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from 44.2% for the same period in the prior year. Net earnings attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc. were $94.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a decrease of $3.6 million, or 3.7%, compared to net earnings of $97.6 million in the prior-year period. Diluted net earnings per share attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $0.60, which reflected a 4.8% decrease from the $0.63 diluted earnings

 

19


 

per share reported in the same prior-year period. The decrease in net earnings and diluted net earnings per share attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was primarily due to increased selling expenses of $19.9 million, increased general and administrative expenses of $40.2 million, of which $13.3 million was used to open and operate 59 new domestic and international retail stores and $9.3 million was to support our growth in China, and which were offset by decreased income tax expense of $13.2 million, and $44.3 million in increased gross profit due to improved gross margins. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.

We have three reportable segments – domestic wholesale sales, international wholesale sales, and retail sales, which includes e-commerce sales. We evaluate segment performance based primarily on net sales and gross margins.

Revenue by segment as a percentage of net sales was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Percentage of revenues by segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic wholesale

 

 

33.4

%

 

 

36.8

%

International wholesale

 

 

45.7

%

 

 

42.9

%

Retail

 

 

20.9

%

 

 

20.3

%

Total

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

As of March 31, 2017, we owned and operated 584 stores, which included 422 domestic retail stores and 162 international retail stores. We have established our presence in what we believe to be most of the major domestic retail markets. During the first three months of 2017, we opened three domestic outlet stores, six domestic warehouse stores, two international concept stores, two international outlet stores, and one international warehouse store. We review all of our stores for impairment annually, or more frequently if events occur that may be an indicator of impairment, and we carefully review our under-performing stores and consider the potential for non-renewal of leases upon completion of the current term of the applicable lease.

During the remainder of 2017, we intend to focus on: (i) continuing to develop new lifestyle and performance product at affordable prices to increase product count for all customers, (ii) continuing to manage our inventory and expenses to be in line with expected sales levels, (iii) growing our international business, (iv) strategically expanding our retail distribution channel by opening another 50 to 75 stores during the remainder of the year.

 

20


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected information from our results of operations (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

2016

 

 

Net sales

 

$

1,072,808

 

 

 

100.0

 

%

 

$

978,794

 

 

 

100.0

 

%

Cost of sales

 

 

596,310

 

 

 

55.6

 

 

 

 

546,642

 

 

 

55.8

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

476,498

 

 

 

44.4

 

 

 

 

432,152

 

 

 

44.2

 

 

Royalty income

 

 

4,230

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

2,625

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

480,728

 

 

 

44.8

 

 

 

 

434,777

 

 

 

44.5

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

 

73,809

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

 

53,878

 

 

 

5.5

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

282,496

 

 

 

26.3

 

 

 

 

242,349

 

 

 

24.8

 

 

 

 

 

356,305

 

 

 

33.2

 

 

 

 

296,227

 

 

 

30.3

 

 

Earnings from operations

 

 

124,423

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

138,550

 

 

 

14.2

 

 

Interest income

 

 

413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

266

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(1,490

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

(1,388

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

Other, net

 

 

696

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

2,779

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

Earnings before income tax expense

 

 

124,042

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

140,207

 

 

 

14.3

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

17,407

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

 

30,568

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

Net earnings

 

 

106,635

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

 

109,639

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

Less: Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests

 

 

12,640

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

12,027

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

Net earnings attributable to Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

 

$

93,995

 

 

 

8.8

 

%

 

$

97,612

 

 

 

10.0

 

%

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED March 31, 2017 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED March 31, 2016

Net sales

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were $1.07 billion, an increase of $94.0 million, or 9.6%, as compared to net sales of $978.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to increased sales in our international wholesale and retail businesses from our Women’s Sport, Men’s Sport, Men’s USA and Kids’ divisions.

Our domestic wholesale net sales decreased $1.9 million, or 0.5%, to $358.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $360.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in our domestic wholesale segment was attributable to lower average selling prices due to stronger sales in our lower priced lines including BOBS from Skechers and our sandal business. The average selling price per pair within the domestic wholesale decreased to $21.77 per pair for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $22.87 per pair for the same period last year, which was primarily attributable to lower average selling prices for our BOBS and sandals products. The decrease in the domestic wholesale segment’s net sales came on a 4.5% unit sales volume increase to 16.5 million pairs for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from 15.8 million pairs for the same period in 2016.

Our international wholesale segment sales increased $70.5 million, or 16.8%, to $490.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to sales of $420.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our international wholesale sales consist of direct sales – those we make to department stores and specialty retailers – and sales to our distributors, who in turn sell to retailers in various international regions where we do not sell directly. Direct subsidiary sales increased $61.5 million, or 17.6%, to $410.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to net sales of $348.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The largest sales increases during the quarter came from our subsidiaries in Canada and Chile and our joint ventures in China and South Korea, primarily due to increased sales of product from our Men’s USA, Men’s Sport and Kids’ divisions. Our distributor sales increased $8.9 million to $80.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a 12.5% increase from sales of $71.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to increased sales to our distributors in Turkey, Indonesia, and Australia and New Zealand.

 

21


 

Our retail segment sales increased $25.4 million to $223.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, a 12.8% increase over sales of $198.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The increase in retail sales was primarily attributable to operating an additional net 59 stores and increased comparable store sales of 2.9% resulting from increased sales across several key divisions, including Women’s and Men’s Sport and Kids’ divisions. During the first quarter of 2017, we opened three domestic outlet stores, six domestic warehouse stores, two international concept stores, two international outlet stores, and one international warehouse store. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, our domestic retail sales increased 8.2% compared to the same period in 2016, which was primarily attributable to positive comparable domestic store sales of 1.5% and a net increase of 27 domestic stores. Our international retail store sales increased 28.0% compared to the same period in 2016, which was primarily attributable to positive comparable international store sales of 8.2% and a net increase of 32 international stores compared to the prior period.

Gross profit

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $44.3 million, or 10.3%, to $476.5 million as compared to $432.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales, or gross margins, slightly increased to 44.4% for three-month period ended March 31, 2017 from 44.2% for the same period in the prior year, primarily due to slightly higher gross margins from our international subsidiaries. Our domestic wholesale segment gross profit decreased $0.7 million to $139.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $140.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to stronger sales in our lower priced lines including BOBS from Skechers and our sandal business. Domestic wholesale margins were 39.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Gross profit for our international wholesale segment increased $34.3 million, or 19.5%, to $210.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $176.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. International wholesale gross margins were 42.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 41.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Gross margins for our direct subsidiary sales increased to 46.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 45.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Gross margins for our distributor sales were 26.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.

Gross profit for our retail segment increased $10.8 million, or 9.3%, to $126.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $115.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Gross margins for all our company-owned domestic and international stores and our e-commerce business were 56.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to 58.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Gross margins for our domestic stores, which include e-commerce, were 58.4% and 60.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in gross margins in our domestic retail stores primarily resulted from increased sales of a product mix with slightly lower margins. Gross margins for our international stores were 51.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to 50.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Our cost of sales includes the cost of footwear purchased from our manufacturers, duties, quota costs, inbound freight (including ocean, air and freight from the dock to our distribution centers), broker fees and storage costs. Because we include expenses related to our distribution network in general and administrative expenses while some of our competitors may include expenses of this type in cost of sales, our gross margins may not be comparable, and we may report higher gross margins than some of our competitors in part for this reason.

Selling expenses

Selling expenses increased by $19.9 million, or 37.0%, to $73.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $53.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses were 6.9% and 5.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in selling expenses was primarily attributable to higher advertising and promotional expenses of $13.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.

Selling expenses consist primarily of the following: sales representative sample costs, sales commissions, trade shows, advertising and promotional costs, which may include television, print ads, ad production costs and point-of-purchase (POP) costs.

 

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General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $40.2 million, or 16.6%, to $282.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $242.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. As a percentage of sales, general and administrative expenses were 26.3% and 24.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The $40.2 million increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to approximately $18.3 million related to supporting our international operations due to increased sales volumes, and $4.5 million and $8.7 million of additional operating expenses attributable to opening and operating 32 new international and 27 new domestic retail stores, respectively, since March 31, 2016. In addition, the expenses related to our distribution network, including purchasing, receiving, inspecting, allocating, warehousing and packaging of our products, increased $3.2 million to $56.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $53.7 million for the same period in the prior year. The increase in warehousing costs was primarily due to increased international sales volume.

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of the following: salaries, wages, related taxes and various overhead costs associated with our corporate staff, stock-based compensation, domestic and international retail operations, non-selling related costs of our international operations, costs associated with our distribution centers, professional fees related to legal, consulting and accounting, insurance, depreciation and amortization, and expenses related to our distribution network, which includes the functions of purchasing, receiving, inspecting, allocating, warehousing and packaging our products. These general and administrative expenses and are not allocated to segments.

Other income (expense)

Interest income was $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Interest expense increased by $0.1 million to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2016. The increase was primarily attributable to increased interest paid by our joint ventures. Interest expense was also incurred on amounts owed to our foreign manufacturers. Other income decreased $2.1 million to $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $2.8 million for the same period in 2016. The decrease in other income was primarily attributable to foreign currency exchange gain of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. This decreased foreign currency exchange gain was primarily attributable to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar on our intercompany investments in our foreign subsidiaries.

Income taxes

Income tax expense and the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands, except the effective tax rate):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Income tax expense

 

$

17,407

 

 

$

30,568

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

14.0

%

 

 

21.8

%

 

The tax provisions for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were computed using the estimated effective tax rates applicable to each of the domestic and international taxable jurisdictions for the full year. We estimate our ongoing effective annual tax rate for the remainder of 2017 to be between 14% and 19%, which is subject to management’s quarterly review and revision, as necessary.

Our provision for income tax expense and effective income tax rate are significantly impacted by the mix of our domestic and foreign earnings (loss) before income taxes. In the foreign jurisdictions in which we have operations, the applicable statutory rates range from 0% to 34%, which is generally significantly lower than the U.S. federal and state combined statutory rate of approximately 39%. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in the amount of projected foreign earnings (loss) relative to projected domestic earnings as compared to the same period in the prior year as well as $1.4 million in excess tax benefits recorded due to implementing ASU 2016-09.

 

23


 

As of March 31, 2017, we had approximately $607.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which $368.1 million, or 60.6%, was held outside the U.S. Of the $368.1 million held by our foreign subsidiaries, approximately $33.3 million is available for repatriation to the U.S. without incurring further U.S. income taxes and applicable foreign income and withholding taxes in excess of the amounts accrued in our condensed consolidated financial statements. We do not expect to repatriate any of the funds presently designated as indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. Under current applicable tax laws, if we choose to repatriate some or all of the funds designated as indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S., the amount repatriated would be subject to U.S. income taxes and applicable foreign income and withholding taxes. As such, we did not provide for deferred income taxes on accumulated undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries.

Non-controlling interests in net income and loss of consolidated subsidiaries

Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2017 increased $0.6 million to $12.6 million as compared to $12.0 million for the same period in 2016 primarily attributable to increased profitability by our joint ventures. Non-controlling interests represents the share of net earnings that is attributable to our joint venture partners.

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows

Our working capital at March 31, 2017 was $1.31 billion, an increase of $106.7 million from working capital of $1.21 billion at December 31, 2016. Our cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2017 was $607.8 million, compared to $718.5 million at December 31, 2016. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $110.7 million, after consideration of the effect of exchange rates, was the result of increased accounts receivable of $233.7 million due to increased revenues, reductions in accounts payable of $98.3 million offset by reduced inventories of $118.0 million and our net earnings of $106.6 million. Our primary sources of operating cash are collections from customers on wholesale and retail sales. Our primary uses of cash are inventory purchases, selling, general and administrative expenses, and capital expenditures.

Operating Activities

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, net cash used in operating activities was $84.4 million as compared to $31.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The $53.0 million increase in cash flows used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily resulted from a larger increase in accounts receivable of $32.4 million, a larger decrease in accounts payable of $25.4 million, and a smaller decrease in cash flows from inventory of $4.2 million, which were partially offset by a smaller decrease in cash flows from accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities of $16.0 million and an increase in cash flows from prepaid expenses and other current assets of $11.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $29.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $36.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily the result of lower capital expenditures of $6.3 million. Capital expenditures primarily consisted of $17.9 million for new store openings and remodels, and $2.0 million paid for equipment costs for increased automation at our European Distribution Center. This was compared to capital expenditures of $35.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, of which $11.4 million consisted of new store openings and remodels, $7.0 million paid for a corporate property purchase for future development, and $5.5 million paid for equipment costs for increased automation at our European Distribution Center. We expect our capital expenditures for the remainder of 2017 to be approximately $40 million to $45 million, which includes opening an additional 50 to 75 retail stores and several store remodels, as well as an additional $25 million for infrastructure primarily in our China joint venture. We expect to fund all our capital expenditures through existing cash balances and cash from operations.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to net cash used by financing activities of $1.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in the prior year is primarily attributable to decreased contributions from non-controlling interests of $2.9 million offset by proceeds from long-term debt of $2.1 million.

 

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Sources of Liquidity

On June 30, 2015, we entered into a $250.0 million loan and security agreement, subject to increase by up to $100.0 million, (the “Credit Agreement”), with the following lenders: Bank of America, N.A., MUFG Union Bank, N.A. and HSBC Bank USA, National Association. The Credit Agreement matures on June 30, 2020. The Credit Agreement replaces the credit agreement dated June 30, 2009, which expired on June 30, 2015. The Credit Agreement permits us and certain of our subsidiaries to borrow based on a percentage of eligible accounts receivable plus the sum of (a) the lesser of (i) a percentage of eligible inventory to be sold at wholesale and (ii) a percentage of net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory to be sold at wholesale, plus (b) the lesser of (i) a percentage of the value of eligible inventory to be sold at retail and (ii) a percentage of net orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory to be sold at retail, plus (c) the lesser of (i) a percentage of the value of eligible in-transit inventory and (ii) a percentage of the net orderly liquidation value of eligible in-transit inventory. Borrowings bear interest at our election based on (a) LIBOR or (b) the greater of (i) the Prime Rate, (ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (iii) LIBOR for a 30-day period plus 1.0%, in each case, plus an applicable margin based on the average daily principal balance of revolving loans available under the Credit Agreement. We pay a monthly unused line of credit fee of 0.25%, payable on the first day of each month in arrears, which is based on the average daily principal balance of outstanding revolving loans and undrawn amounts of letters of credit outstanding during such month. The Credit Agreement further provides for a limit on the issuance of letters of credit to a maximum of $100.0 million. The Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants for secured credit facilities of this type, including covenants that will limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur debt, grant liens, make certain acquisitions, dispose of assets, effect a change of control of the Company, make certain restricted payments including certain dividends and stock redemptions, make certain investments or loans, enter into certain transactions with affiliates and certain prohibited uses of proceeds. The Credit Agreement also requires compliance with a minimum fixed-charge coverage ratio if Availability drops below 10% of the Revolver Commitments (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement) until the date when no event of default has existed and Availability has been over 10% for 30 consecutive days. We paid closing and arrangement fees of $1.1 million on this facility, which are being amortized to interest expense over the five-year life of the facility. As of March 31, 2017, there was $0.1 million outstanding under this credit facility, which is classified as short-term borrowings in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The remaining balance in short-term borrowings, as of March 31, 2017, is related to our international operations.

On April 30, 2010, HF Logistics-SKX,LLC (the “JV”), through HF Logistics-SKX T1, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the JV ("HF-T1"), entered into a construction loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and as a lender, and Raymond James Bank, FSB, as a lender (collectively, the "Construction Loan Agreement"), pursuant to which the JV obtained a loan of up to $55.0 million used for construction of the Project on the Property (the "Original Loan"). On November 16, 2012, HF-T1 executed a modification to the Construction Loan Agreement (the "Modification"), which added OneWest Bank, FSB as a lender, increased the borrowings under the Original Loan to $80.0 million and extended the maturity date of the Original Loan to October 30, 2015.  On August 11, 2015, the JV through HF-T1 entered into an amended and restated loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and as a lender, and CIT Bank, N.A. (formerly known as OneWest Bank, FSB) and Raymond James Bank, N.A., as lenders (collectively, the "Amended Loan Agreement"), which amends and restates in its entirety the Construction Loan Agreement and the Modification.

 

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As of the date of the Amended Loan Agreement, the outstanding principal balance of the Original Loan was $77.3 million. In connection with this refinancing of the Original Loan, the JV, the Company and HF agreed that we would make an additional capital contribution of $38.7 million to the JV for the JV through HF-T1 to use to make a payment on the Original Loan. The payment equaled our 50% share of the outstanding principal balance of the Original Loan. Under the Amended Loan Agreement, the parties agreed that the lenders would loan $70.0 million to HF-T1 (the "New Loan"). The New Loan was used by the JV through HF-T1 to (i) refinance all amounts owed on the Original Loan after taking into account the payment described above, (ii) pay $0.9 million in accrued interest, loan fees and other closing costs associated with the New Loan and (iii) make a distribution of $31.3 million less the amounts described in clause (ii) to HF. Pursuant to the Amended Loan Agreement, the interest rate on the New Loan is the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate (as defined in the Amended Loan Agreement) plus a margin of 2%. The maturity date of the New Loan is August 12, 2020, which HF-T1 has one option to extend by an additional 24 months, or until August 12, 2022, upon payment of a fee and satisfaction of certain customary conditions. On August 11, 2015, HF-T1 and Bank of America, N.A. entered into an ISDA Master Agreement (together with the schedule related thereto, the "Swap Agreement") to govern derivative and/or hedging transactions that HF-T1 concurrently entered into with Bank of America, N.A. Pursuant to the Swap Agreement, on August 14, 2015, HF-T1 entered into a confirmation of swap transactions (the "Interest Rate Swap") with Bank of America, N.A. The Interest Rate Swap has an effective date of August 12, 2015 and a maturity date of August 12, 2022, subject to early termination at the option of HF-T1, commencing on August 1, 2020. The Interest Rate Swap fixes the effective interest rate on the New Loan at 4.08% per annum. Pursuant to the terms of the JV, HF Logistics is responsible for the related interest expense on the New Loan, and any amounts related to the Swap Agreement. The full amount of interest expense related to the New Loan has been included in our condensed consolidated statements of equity within non-controlling interests. The Amended Loan Agreement and the Swap Agreement are subject to customary covenants and events of default. Bank of America, N.A. also acts as a lender and syndication agent under our credit agreement dated June 30, 2015. We had $67.7 million outstanding under the Amended Loan Agreement, of which $1.5 million and $66.2 million is included in current installments of long-term borrowings and long-term borrowings, respectively, as of March 31, 2017.

As of March 31, 2017, outstanding short-term and long-term borrowings were $76.9 million, of which $68.5 million relates to loans for our domestic distribution center. Our long-term debt obligations contain both financial and non-financial covenants, including cross-default provisions. We were in compliance with all debt covenants under the Amended Loan Agreement and the Credit Agreement as of the date of this quarterly report.

We believe that anticipated cash flows from operations, available borrowings under our credit agreement, existing cash balances and current financing arrangements will be sufficient to provide us with the liquidity necessary to fund our anticipated working capital and capital requirements at least through May 31, 2018. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the global economy and the outlook for and pace of sustainable growth in our markets, the levels at which we maintain inventory, sale of excess inventory at discounted prices, the market acceptance of our footwear, the success of our international operations, the levels of advertising and marketing required to promote our footwear, the extent to which we invest in new product design and improvements to our existing product design, any potential acquisitions of other brands or companies, and the number and timing of new store openings. To the extent that available funds are insufficient to fund our future activities, we may need to raise additional funds through public or private financing of debt or equity. We have been successful in the past in raising additional funds through financing activities; however, we cannot be assured that additional financing will be available to us or that, if available, it can be obtained on past terms which have been favorable to our stockholders and us. Failure to obtain such financing could delay or prevent our current business plans, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if additional capital is raised through the sale of additional equity or convertible securities, dilution to our stockholders could occur.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND USE OF ESTIMATES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. For a detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies, please refer to our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2017. Our critical accounting policies and estimates did not change materially during the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to the accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for recently adopted and recently issued accounting standards.

QUARTERLY RESULTS AND SEASONALITY

While sales of footwear products have historically been seasonal in nature with the strongest domestic sales generally occurring in the second and third quarters, we believe that changes in our product offerings and growth in our international sales and retail sales segments have partially mitigated the effect of this seasonality.

We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, variability in our net sales and operating results on a quarterly basis. Our domestic customers generally assume responsibility for scheduling pickup and delivery of purchased products. Any delay in scheduling or pickup which is beyond our control could materially negatively impact our net sales and results of operations for any given quarter. We believe the factors which influence this variability include (i) the timing of our introduction of new footwear products, (ii) the level of consumer acceptance of new and existing products, (iii) general economic and industry conditions that affect consumer spending and retail purchasing, (iv) the timing of the placement, cancellation or pickup of customer orders, (v) increases in the number of employees and overhead to support growth, (vi) the timing of expenditures in anticipation of increased sales and customer delivery requirements, (vii) the number and timing of our new retail store openings and (viii) actions by competitors. Because of these and other factors including those referenced or incorporated by reference in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 under the captions “Item 1A: Risk Factors” and “Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the operating results for any particular quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

INFLATION

We do not believe that the rates of inflation experienced in the United States over the last three years have had a significant effect on our sales or profitability. However, we cannot accurately predict the effect of inflation on future operating results. Although higher rates of inflation have been experienced in a number of foreign countries in which our products are manufactured, we do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our sales or profitability. While we have been able to offset our foreign product cost increases by increasing prices or changing suppliers in the past, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to make such increases or changes in the future.

EXCHANGE RATES

Although we currently invoice most of our customers in U.S. dollars, changes in the value of the U.S. dollar versus the local currency in which our products are sold, along with economic and political conditions of such foreign countries, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Purchase prices for our products may be impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies of the contract manufacturers, which may have the effect of increasing our cost of goods in the future. In addition, the weakening of an international customer’s local currency and banking market may negatively impact such customer’s ability to meet their payment obligations to us. We regularly monitor the creditworthiness of our international customers and make credit decisions based on both prior sales experience with such customers and their current financial performance, as well as overall economic conditions. While we currently believe that our international customers have the ability to meet all of their obligations to us, there can be no assurance that they will continue to be able to meet such obligations. During 2016 and the first three months of 2017, exchange rate fluctuations did not have a material impact on our net sales or inventory costs. We do not engage in hedging activities with respect to such exchange rate risk.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the potential loss arising from the adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates have and will have an impact on our results of operations.

Interest rate fluctuations. As of March 31, 2017, we have $6.3 million and $67.7 million of outstanding short-term and long-term borrowings, respectively, subject to changes in interest rates. A 200 basis point increase in interest rates would have increased interest expense by less than $0.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. We do not expect any changes in interest rates to have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations during the remainder of 2017. The interest rate charged on our domestic secured line of credit facility is based on the prime rate of interest and our domestic distribution center loan is based on the one month LIBOR. Changes in the prime rate of interest or the LIBOR interest rate will have an effect on the interest charged on outstanding balances.

We have entered into derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps in order to mitigate our interest rate risk on our long-term debt. We will not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes. We had one derivative instrument in place as of March 31, 2017 to hedge the cash flows on our $67.7 million variable rate debt on our domestic distribution center. This instrument was a variable to fixed derivative with a notional amount of $67.7 million at March 31, 2017. Our average receive rate was one month LIBOR and the average pay rate was 2.08%. The rate swap agreement utilized by us effectively modifies our exposure to interest rate risk by converting our floating-rate debt to a fixed rate basis over the life of the loan, thus reducing the impact of interest-rate changes on future interest expense.

Foreign exchange rate fluctuations. We face market risk to the extent that changes in foreign currency exchange rates affect our non-U.S. dollar functional currency foreign subsidiaries’ revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities. In addition, changes in foreign exchange rates may affect the value of our inventory commitments. Also, inventory purchases of our products may be impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies of the contract manufacturers, which could have the effect of increasing the cost of goods sold in the future. We manage these risks by primarily denominating these purchases and commitments in U.S. dollars. We do not engage in hedging activities with respect to such exchange rate risks.

Assets and liabilities outside the United States are located in regions where we have subsidiaries or joint ventures: Asia, Central America, Europe, Middle East, North America, and South America. Our investments in foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are generally considered long-term. Accordingly, we do not hedge these net investments. The fluctuation of foreign currencies resulted in a cumulative foreign currency translation gain of $2.9 million and $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, that are deferred and recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. A 200 basis point reduction in each of these exchange rates at March 31, 2017 would have reduced the values of our net investments by approximately $22.3 million.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Attached as exhibits to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are certifications of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), which are required in accordance with Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This Controls and Procedures section includes information concerning the controls and controls evaluation referred to in the certifications.

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We have established “disclosure controls and procedures” that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the officers who certify our financial reports as well as other members of senior management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we evaluated under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, at the reasonable assurance level, as of such time.

 

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CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

INHERENT LIMITATIONS ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLS

Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements attributable to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Assessments of any evaluation of controls’ effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements as a result of error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Personal Injury Lawsuits Involving Shape-ups — As previously reported, on February 20, 2011, Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II and Skechers Fitness Group were named as defendants in a lawsuit that alleged, among other things, that Shape-ups are defective and unreasonably dangerous, negligently designed and/or manufactured, and do not conform to representations made by our company, and that we failed to provide adequate warnings of alleged risks associated with Shape-ups. In total, we are named as a defendant in 50 currently pending cases (some on behalf of multiple plaintiffs) filed in various courts that assert further varying injuries but employ similar legal theories and assert similar claims to the first case, as well as claims for breach of express and implied warranties, loss of consortium, and fraud. Although there are some variations in the relief sought, the plaintiffs generally seek compensatory and/or economic damages, exemplary and/or punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees and costs.

On December 19, 2011, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued an order establishing a multidistrict litigation (“MDL”) proceeding in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky entitled In re Skechers Toning Shoe Products Liability Litigation, case no. 11-md-02308-TBR. Since 2011, a total of 1,235 personal injury cases have been filed in or transferred to the MDL proceeding. Skechers has resolved 1,743 personal injury claims in the MDL proceedings, comprised of 1,141 that were filed as formal actions and 602 that were submitted by plaintiff fact sheets. Skechers has also settled 34 claims in principle—17 filed cases and 17 claims submitted by plaintiff fact sheets—either directly or pursuant to a global settlement program that has been approved by the claimants’ attorneys (described in greater detail below). Further, 42 cases in the MDL proceeding have been dismissed either voluntarily or on motions by Skechers and 38 unfiled claims submitted by plaintiff fact sheet have been abandoned. Between the consummated settlements and cases subject to the settlement program, all but 35 personal injury cases pending in the MDL have been or are expected to be resolved. On August 6, 2015, the Court entered an order staying all deadlines, including trial, pending further order of the Court. On March 30 and 31, 2017, the Court entered orders permitting limited fact discovery in two cases.  No trial dates have been set.  All other MDL actions remain stayed.

 

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Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Skechers U.S.A., Inc. II and Skechers Fitness Group also have been named as defendants in a total of 72 personal injury actions filed in various Superior Courts of the State of California that were brought on behalf of 920 individual plaintiffs (360 of whom also submitted MDL court-approved questionnaires for mediation purposes in the MDL proceeding). Of those cases, 68 were originally filed in the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles (the “LASC cases”). On August 20, 2014, the Judicial Council of California granted a petition by our company to coordinate all personal injury actions filed in California that relate to Shape-ups with the LASC cases (collectively, the “LASC Coordinated Cases”). On October 6, 2014, three cases that had been pending in other counties were transferred to and coordinated with the LASC Coordinated Cases. On April 17, 2015, an additional case was transferred to and coordinated with the LASC Coordinated Cases. Fifty-three actions brought on behalf of a total of 620 plaintiffs have been settled and dismissed. Eleven actions have been partially dismissed, with the claims of 221 plaintiffs being fully resolved. We have also settled in principle the claims of 26 plaintiffs from 4 actions pursuant to a global settlement program that has been approved by the plaintiffs’ attorneys (described in greater detail below). One single-plaintiff lawsuit and the claims of 28 additional plaintiffs in multi-plaintiff lawsuits have been dismissed entirely, either voluntarily or on motion by us. The claims of 21 additional persons have been dismissed in part, either voluntarily or on motions by us. Thus, taking into account both consummated settlements and cases subject to the settlement program, only 14 lawsuits on behalf of a total of 24 plaintiffs are expected to remain in the LASC Coordinated Cases. Discovery is continuing in those fourteen remaining cases. No trial dates have been set.

In other state courts, a total of 12 personal injury actions (some on behalf of numerous plaintiffs) have been filed that have not been removed to federal court and transferred to the MDL. Eleven of those actions have been resolved and dismissed. The last remaining action in a state court other than California was filed in Missouri on January 4, 2016 on behalf of a single plaintiff. The complaint was served on November 14, 2016. We have answered the complaint and denied all material allegations asserted therein. The parties are now engaged in discovery. No trial date has been set.

With respect to the global settlement programs referenced above, the personal injury cases in the MDL and LASC Coordinated Cases and in other state courts were largely solicited and handled by the same plaintiffs law firms. Accordingly, mediations to discuss potential resolution of the various lawsuits brought by these firms were held on May 18, June 18, and July 24, 2015. At the conclusion of those mediations, the parties reached an agreement in principle on a global settlement program that is expected to resolve all or substantially all of the claims by persons represented by those firms. A master settlement agreement was executed as of March 24, 2016 and the parties are in the process of completing individual settlements.  To the extent that the settlements with individual claimants are not finalized or otherwise consummated such that the litigation proceeds, it is too early to predict the outcome of any case, whether adverse results in any single case or in the aggregate would have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, and whether insurance coverage will be adequate to cover any losses. The settlements have been reached for business purposes in order to end the distraction of litigation, and we continue to believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend any remaining cases vigorously. In addition, it is too early to predict whether there will be future personal injury cases filed which are not covered by the global settlement program, whether adverse results in any single case or in the aggregate would have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, and whether insurance coverage will be available and/or adequate to cover any losses.

Converse, Inc. v. Skechers U.S.A., Inc. — On October 14, 2014, Converse filed an action against our company in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Brooklyn Division, Case 1:14-cv-05977-DLI-MDG, alleging trademark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition, trademark dilution and deceptive practices arising out of our alleged use of certain design elements on footwear. The complaint seeks, among other things, injunctive relief, profits, actual damages, enhanced damages, punitive damages, costs and attorneys’ fees. On October 14, 2014, Converse also filed a complaint naming 27 respondents including our company with the U.S. International Trade Commission (the “ITC” or “Commission”), Federal Register Doc. 2014-24890, alleging violations of federal law in the importation into and the sale within the United States of certain footwear. Converse has requested that the Commission issue a general exclusion order, or in the alternative a limited exclusion order, and cease and desist orders. On December 8, 2014, the District Court stayed the proceedings before it. On December 19, 2014, Skechers responded to the ITC complaint, denying the material allegations and asserting affirmative defenses. A trial before an administrative law judge of the ITC was held in August 2015. On November 15, 2015, the ITC judge issued his interim decision finding that certain discontinued products (Daddy’$ Money and HyDee HyTops) infringed on Converse’s intellectual property, but that other, still active product lines (Twinkle Toes and BOBS Utopia) did not. On February 3, 2016, the ITC decided that it would review in part certain matters that were decided by the ITC judge. On June 28, 2016, the full ITC issued a ruling affirming that Skechers Twinkle Toe’s and Bob’s canvas shoes do not infringe Converse’s Chuck Taylor Midsole Trademark and affirming that Converse’s common law trademark was invalid.  The full ITC also invalidated Converse’s registered trademark. Converse appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On January 27, 2017, Converse filed its appellate brief but did not contest the portion of the decision that held that Skechers Twinkle Toes and Bob’s canvas shoes do not infringe. While it is too early to predict the outcome of these legal proceedings or whether an adverse result in either or both of them would have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, we believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend these legal matters vigorously.

 

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adidas America, Inc., et. al v. Skechers USA, Inc. — On September 14, 2015, adidas filed an action against our company in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Case No. 3:15-cv-1741, alleging that three Skechers shoe styles (Skechers Onix, Skechers Relaxed Fit Cross Court TR, and Skechers Relaxed Fit – Supernova Style) infringe adidas’ trademarks and/or trade dress rights. adidas asserts claims under federal and state law for trademark and trade dress infringement, unfair competition, trademark and trade dress dilution, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and breach of a settlement agreement entered into between the parties in 1995. adidas seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement of Skechers’ profits, damages (including treble, enhanced and punitive damages), and attorneys’ fees. On September 14, 2015, adidas filed a motion for preliminary injunction in which it sought to preliminarily restrain us from manufacturing, distributing, advertising, selling, or offering for sale any footwear (a) that is confusingly similar to adidas’ STAN SMITH Trade Dress, (b) bearing stripes in a manner that is confusingly similar to adidas’ Three-Stripe Mark, or (c) under adidas’ SUPERNOVA Mark. We opposed adidas’ motion. A hearing on adidas’ motion was held on December 15, 2015. On February 12, 2016, the Court issued a preliminary injunction prohibiting us from selling two styles from our vast footwear collection and from using the word “Supernova” in connection with a third style.  We have appealed the Court’s order granting the injunction to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  Trial is set to begin August 8, 2017.  While it is too early to predict the outcome of this legal proceeding or whether an adverse result in this case would have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, we believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend this legal matter vigorously.

Nike, Inc., v. Skechers USA, Inc. — On January 4, 2016, Nike filed an action against our company in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Case No. 3:16-cv-0007, alleging that certain Skechers shoe designs (Men’s Burst, Women’s Burst, Women’s Flex Appeal, Men’s Flex Advantage, Girls’ Skech Appeal, and Boys’ Flex Advantage) infringe the claims of eight design patents. Nike seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement of Skechers’ profits, damages (including treble damages), pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs. In April and May, 2016, we filed petitions with the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Patent Trial and Appeal Board for inter partes review of all eight design patents, seeking to invalidate those patents. In September and November 2016, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board denied each of our petitions. On January 6, 2017, we filed several additional petitions for inter partes review with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, seeking to invalidate seven of the eight designs patents that Nike is asserting. Those petitions are currently pending.  While it is too early to predict the outcome of this legal proceeding or whether an adverse result in this case would have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, we believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend this legal matter vigorously.

adidas America, Inc. and adidas AG v. Skechers USA, Inc. – On July 11, 2016, adidas filed an action against our company in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Case No. 3:16-cv-01400-AC, alleging that certain of our children’s styles (Boys’ Mega Blade 2.0 and 2.5)  infringe two of adidas’ patents.  The complaint seeks, among other things, injunctive relief and damages (including treble damages).  On July 28, 2016, adidas filed a motion for a preliminary injunction, asking the Court to preliminarily restrain Skechers from importing, manufacturing, distributing, advertising, selling, or offering for sale any of the accused styles.  As of April 26, 2017, the Court had not granted adidas’ requested preliminary injunction.  No trial date has been set, but under the current schedule set by the Court trial will not take place before the first quarter of 2018.  In related activity, on April 26, 2017, the United States Patent and Trial Appeal Board (“PTAB”) granted petitions by Skechers and instituted inter partes review (“IPR”) proceedings as to certain claims under the two patents at issue in this litigation, finding that Skechers had “establishe[d] a reasonable likelihood that [it] will prevail in showing the unpatentability of at least one of the claims” in each patent.  Trial on these issues before the PTAB has been set for January 8, 2018.  Skechers has three additional petitions to institute IPR on additional claims asserted by adidas under the same two patents, all of which petitions remain under submission with the PTAB and for which institution decisions should be forthcoming in June and August 2017.  While it is too early to predict the outcome of either the District Court or PTAB proceedings or whether an adverse result in the District Court case would have a material adverse impact on our operations or financial position, we believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend this legal matter vigorously.

In addition to the matters included in its reserve for loss contingencies, we occasionally become involved in litigation arising from the normal course of business, and we are unable to determine the extent of any liability that may arise from any such unanticipated future litigation. We have no reason to believe that there is a reasonable possibility or a probability that we may incur a material loss, or a material loss in excess of a recorded accrual, with respect to any other such loss contingencies. However, the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain and assessments and decisions on defense and settlement can change significantly in a short period of time. Therefore, although we consider the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote with respect to those matters for which we have not reserved an amount for loss contingencies, if one or more of these legal matters were resolved against our company in the same reporting period for amounts in excess of our expectations, our consolidated financial statements of a particular reporting period could be materially adversely affected.

 

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The information presented below updates the risk factors disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and other information disclosed in our 2016 annual report on Form 10-K that could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We Depend Upon A Relatively Small Group Of Customers For A Large Portion Of Our Sales.

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, our net sales to our five largest customers accounted for approximately 13.2% and 13.8% of total net sales, respectively. No customer accounted for more than 10.0% of our net sales during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. No customer accounted for more than 10.0% of outstanding accounts receivable balance at March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016. Although we have long-term relationships with many of our customers, our customers do not have a contractual obligation to purchase our products and we cannot be certain that we will be able to retain our existing major customers. Furthermore, the retail industry regularly experiences consolidation, contractions and closings which may result in our loss of customers or our inability to collect accounts receivable of major customers. If we lose a major customer, experience a significant decrease in sales to a major customer or are unable to collect the accounts receivable of a major customer, our business could be harmed.

We Rely On Independent Contract Manufacturers And, As A Result, Are Exposed To Potential Disruptions In Product Supply.

Our footwear products are currently manufactured by independent contract manufacturers. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the top five manufacturers of our manufactured products produced approximately 53.3% and 55.9% of our total purchases, respectively. One manufacturer accounted for 22.8% of total purchases for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and the same manufacturer accounted for 26.4% of total purchases for the same period in 2016. We do not have long-term contracts with manufacturers and we compete with other footwear companies for production facilities. We could experience difficulties with these manufacturers, including reductions in the availability of production capacity, failure to meet our quality control standards, failure to meet production deadlines or increased manufacturing costs. This could result in our customers canceling orders, refusing to accept deliveries or demanding reductions in purchase prices, any of which could have a negative impact on our cash flow and harm our business.

If our current manufacturers cease doing business with us, we could experience an interruption in the manufacture of our products. Although we believe that we could find alternative manufacturers, we may be unable to establish relationships with alternative manufacturers that will be as favorable as the relationships we have now. For example, new manufacturers may have higher prices, less favorable payment terms, lower manufacturing capacity, lower quality standards or higher lead times for delivery. If we are unable to provide products consistent with our standards or the manufacture of our footwear is delayed or becomes more expensive, our business would be harmed.

One Principal Stockholder Is Able To Substantially Control All Matters Requiring Approval By Our Stockholders And Another Stockholder Is Able To Exert Significant Influence Over All Matters Requiring A Vote Of Our Stockholders, And Their Interests May Differ From The Interests Of Our Other Stockholders.

As of March 31, 2017, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Greenberg, beneficially owned 75.2% of our outstanding Class B common shares, members of Mr. Greenberg’s immediate family beneficially owned an additional 10.9% of our outstanding Class B common shares, and Gil Schwartzberg, trustee of several trusts formed by Mr. Greenberg and his wife for estate planning purposes, beneficially owned 34.3% of our outstanding Class B common shares. The holders of Class A common shares and Class B common shares have identical rights except that holders of Class A common shares are entitled to one vote per share while holders of Class B common shares are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. As a result, as of March 31, 2017, Mr. Greenberg beneficially owned 48.9% of the aggregate number of votes eligible to be cast by our stockholders, and together with shares beneficially owned by other members of his immediate family, Mr. Greenberg and his immediate family beneficially owned 56.7% of the aggregate number of votes eligible to be cast by our stockholders, and Mr. Schwartzberg beneficially owned 22.2% of the aggregate number of votes eligible to be cast by our stockholders. Therefore, Mr. Greenberg is able to substantially control, and Mr. Schwartzberg is able to exert significant influence over, all matters requiring approval by our stockholders. Matters that require the approval of our stockholders include the election of directors and the approval of mergers or other business combination transactions. Mr. Greenberg also has significant influence over, our management and operations. As a result of such influence, certain transactions are not likely without the approval of Messrs. Greenberg and Schwartzberg, including proxy contests, tender offers, open market purchase programs or other transactions that can give our stockholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market prices for their shares of our Class A common shares. Because Messrs. Greenberg’s and Schwartzberg’s interests may differ from the interests of the other stockholders, their ability to substantially control or significantly influence, respectively, actions requiring stockholder approval, which may result in our company taking action that is not in the interests of all stockholders. The differential in the voting rights may also adversely affect the value of our Class A common shares to the extent that investors or any potential future purchaser view the superior voting rights of our Class B common shares to have value.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.1*

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document.

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

*

In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K, this exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

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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.

 

Date: May 5, 2017

SKECHERS U.S.A., INC.

 

 

 

By:

/S/ DAVID WEINBERG

 

 

David Weinberg

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

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