Annual Statements Open main menu

TORO CO - Quarter Report: 2020 May (Form 10-Q)


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

      Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended May 1, 2020

         Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Transition Period from           to          
 
Commission File Number: 1-8649

THE TORO COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware

41-0580470
State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization
 
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.

 8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420-1196
Telephone Number: (952) 888-8801
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
  
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
TTC
New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes    No 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes    No 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or 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
 
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 the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of May 28, 2020 was 107,173,815.
 



THE TORO COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Description
 
Page Number
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Net sales
 
$
929,398

 
$
962,036

 
$
1,696,881

 
$
1,564,992

Cost of sales
 
622,681

 
640,738

 
1,102,076

 
1,028,077

Gross profit
 
306,717

 
321,298

 
594,805

 
536,915

Selling, general and administrative expense
 
180,922

 
183,573

 
377,881

 
329,136

Operating earnings
 
125,795

 
137,725

 
216,924

 
207,779

Interest expense
 
(8,659
)
 
(6,694
)
 
(16,815
)
 
(11,436
)
Other income, net
 
4,235

 
6,149

 
7,401

 
10,857

Earnings before income taxes
 
121,371

 
137,180

 
207,510

 
207,200

Provision for income taxes
 
22,925

 
21,610

 
38,973

 
32,090

Net earnings
 
$
98,446

 
$
115,570

 
$
168,537

 
$
175,110

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net earnings per share of common stock
 
$
0.92

 
$
1.08

 
$
1.57

 
$
1.64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net earnings per share of common stock
 
$
0.91

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.55

 
$
1.62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding — Basic
 
107,552

 
106,679

 
107,487

 
106,466

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding — Diluted
 
108,500

 
108,007

 
108,581

 
107,909


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands) 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Net earnings
 
$
98,446

 
$
115,570

 
$
168,537

 
$
175,110

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(5,167
)
 
(3,767
)
 
(5,891
)
 
(336
)
Derivative instruments, net of tax of $843; $998; $1,032; and $(354), respectively
 
2,674

 
3,166

 
3,326

 
(843
)
Pension and retiree medical benefits
 
912

 

 
912

 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
(1,581
)
 
(601
)
 
(1,653
)
 
(1,179
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
96,865

 
$
114,969

 
$
166,884

 
$
173,931


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
October 31, 2019
ASSETS
 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
200,004

 
$
180,078

 
$
151,828

Receivables, net
 
400,444

 
428,567

 
268,768

Inventories, net
 
714,167

 
611,331

 
651,663

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
59,938

 
50,298

 
50,632

Total current assets
 
1,374,553

 
1,270,274

 
1,122,891

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant, and equipment, net
 
453,761

 
425,381

 
437,317

Goodwill
 
426,175

 
372,343

 
362,253

Other intangible assets, net
 
417,886

 
333,177

 
352,374

Right-of-use assets
 
84,091

 

 

Investment in finance affiliate
 
27,836

 
30,110

 
24,147

Deferred income taxes
 
4,597

 
4,484

 
6,251

Other assets
 
22,576

 
30,231

 
25,314

Total assets
 
$
2,811,475

 
$
2,466,000

 
$
2,330,547

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current portion of long-term debt
 
$
99,868

 
$
90,000

 
$
79,914

Accounts payable
 
327,354

 
391,692

 
319,230

Accrued liabilities
 
414,499

 
360,082

 
357,826

Short-term lease liabilities
 
14,012

 

 

Total current liabilities
 
855,733

 
841,774

 
756,970

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
 
790,908

 
721,079

 
620,899

Long-term lease liabilities
 
72,228

 

 

Deferred income taxes
 
70,755

 
50,665

 
50,579

Other long-term liabilities
 
36,901

 
47,205

 
42,521

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 1,000,000 voting and 850,000 non-voting shares, none issued and outstanding
 

 

 

Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 175,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 107,110,815 shares as of May 1, 2020, 106,433,714 shares as of May 3, 2019, and 106,742,082 shares as of October 31, 2019
 
107,111

 
106,434

 
106,742

Retained earnings
 
911,541

 
723,959

 
784,885

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(33,702
)
 
(25,116
)
 
(32,049
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
984,950

 
805,277

 
859,578

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
2,811,475

 
$
2,466,000

 
$
2,330,547


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Net earnings
 
$
168,537

 
$
175,110

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Non-cash income from finance affiliate
 
(4,010
)
 
(5,825
)
Distributions from (contributions to) finance affiliate, net
 
322

 
(1,743
)
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
 
35,951

 
29,090

Amortization of other intangible assets
 
9,618

 
5,940

Fair value step-up adjustment to acquired inventory
 
2,864

 
8,422

Stock-based compensation expense
 
5,367

 
7,025

Deferred income taxes
 
860

 
(193
)
Other
 
374

 
42

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions:
 
 

 
 

Receivables, net
 
(126,639
)
 
(169,820
)
Inventories, net
 
(43,095
)
 
(4,683
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
(2,870
)
 
534

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue and other liabilities
 
23,606

 
120,091

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
70,885

 
163,990

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 

 
 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment
 
(27,167
)
 
(33,421
)
Proceeds from asset disposals
 
46

 
105

Investment in unconsolidated entities
 

 
(150
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
(136,431
)
 
(692,077
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(163,552
)
 
(725,543
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 

 
 

Borrowings under debt arrangements
 
636,025

 
700,000

Repayments under debt arrangements
 
(446,025
)
 
(201,004
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
8,347

 
24,408

Payments of withholding taxes for stock awards
 
(1,482
)
 
(1,894
)
Purchases of Toro common stock
 

 
(20,043
)
Dividends paid on Toro common stock
 
(53,744
)
 
(47,930
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
143,121

 
453,537

 
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
 
(2,278
)
 
(1,030
)
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
48,176

 
(109,046
)
Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the fiscal period
 
151,828

 
289,124

Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the fiscal period
 
$
200,004

 
$
180,078


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Loss
 
Total Stockholders'
Equity
Balance as of January 31, 2020
 
$
106,977

 
$
837,194

 
$
(32,121
)
 
$
912,050

Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.25 per share
 

 
(26,888
)
 

 
(26,888
)
Issuance of 135,414 shares for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units and performance share awards
 
136

 
1,501

 

 
1,637

Stock-based compensation expense
 

 
1,407

 

 
1,407

Purchase of 1,872 shares of common stock
 
(2
)
 
(119
)
 

 
(121
)
Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
(1,581
)
 
(1,581
)
Net earnings
 

 
98,446

 

 
98,446

Balance as of May 1, 2020
 
$
107,111

 
$
911,541

 
$
(33,702
)
 
$
984,950

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of October 31, 2019
 
$
106,742

 
$
784,885

 
$
(32,049
)
 
$
859,578

Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.50 per share
 

 
(53,744
)
 

 
(53,744
)
Issuance of 388,347 shares for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units and performance share awards
 
389

 
5,390

 

 
5,779

Stock-based compensation expense
 

 
5,367

 

 
5,367

Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust
 

 
2,568

 

 
2,568

Purchase of 19,612 shares of common stock
 
(20
)
 
(1,462
)
 

 
(1,482
)
Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
(1,653
)
 
(1,653
)
Net earnings
 

 
168,537

 

 
168,537

Balance as of May 1, 2020
 
$
107,111

 
$
911,541

 
$
(33,702
)
 
$
984,950

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of February 1, 2019
 
$
105,747

 
$
613,165

 
$
(24,515
)
 
$
694,397

Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.225 per share
 

 
(24,007
)
 

 
(24,007
)
Issuance of 687,522 shares for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units and performance share awards
 
687

 
16,152

 

 
16,839

Stock-based compensation expense
 

 
3,101

 

 
3,101

Purchase of 345 shares of common stock
 

 
(22
)
 

 
(22
)
Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
(601
)
 
(601
)
Net earnings
 

 
115,570

 

 
115,570

Balance as of May 3, 2019
 
$
106,434

 
$
723,959

 
$
(25,116
)
 
$
805,277

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of October 31, 2018
 
$
105,601

 
$
587,252

 
$
(23,937
)
 
$
668,916

Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.45 per share
 

 
(47,930
)
 

 
(47,930
)
Issuance of 1,225,308 shares for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units and performance share awards
 
1,225

 
21,779

 

 
23,004

Stock-based compensation expense
 

 
7,025

 

 
7,025

Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust
 

 
1,404

 

 
1,404

Purchase of 392,245 shares of common stock
 
(392
)
 
(21,545
)
 

 
(21,937
)
Cumulative transition adjustment due to the adoption of ASU 2014-09
 

 
864

 

 
864

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 
(1,179
)
 
(1,179
)
Net earnings
 

 
175,110

 

 
175,110

Balance as of May 3, 2019
 
$
106,434

 
$
723,959

 
$
(25,116
)
 
$
805,277


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

6


THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
May 1, 2020
 
1
Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and do not include all the information and notes required by United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "company," "TTC," "we," "our," or "us" refer to The Toro Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
In the opinion of management, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting primarily of recurring accruals, considered necessary for the fair presentation of the company's Consolidated Financial Position, Results of Operations, and Cash Flows for the periods presented. Since the company’s business is seasonal, operating results for the six months ended May 1, 2020 cannot be annualized to determine the expected results for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2020.
The company’s fiscal year ends on October 31, and quarterly results are reported based on three-month periods that generally end on the Friday closest to the quarter end. For comparative purposes, however, the company’s second and third quarters always include exactly 13 weeks of results so that the quarter end date for these two quarters is not necessarily the Friday closest to the calendar month end.
The company completed its acquisition of The Charles Machine Works, Inc. ("CMW") on April 1, 2019. CMW's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows were historically reported based on a calendar month end. The company aligned the quarterly periods of CMW with the company's quarterly fiscal periods during fiscal 2020. For the second quarter of fiscal 2019, April 30, 2019 was the period end closest to the company's fiscal second quarter ended May 3, 2019. This reporting period difference did not have a significant impact on the Consolidated Financial Position, Results of Operations, and Cash Flows of the company as of and for the three and six month periods ended May 3, 2019. Refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, for additional information regarding the company's acquisition of CMW.
For further information regarding the company's basis of presentation, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. The policies described in that report are used for preparing the company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") outbreak a global pandemic. The global outbreak of COVID-19 has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets, and has resulted in an economic slowdown. COVID-19 has had a material impact on the company and the future broader implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company remain uncertain and will depend on certain future developments, including the duration, scope, and severity of the pandemic; its impact on the company's employees, customers, and suppliers; and the range of government mandated restrictions and other measures. This uncertainty could have an impact on accounting estimates and assumptions utilized to prepare the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in future reporting periods, which could result in a material adverse impact to the company's Consolidated Financial Position, Results of Operations, and Cash Flows.
Accounting Policies and Estimates
In preparing the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, management must make decisions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures, including disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. Estimates are used in determining, among other items, sales promotion and incentive accruals, incentive compensation accruals, income tax accruals, legal accruals, inventory valuation and reserves, warranty reserves, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and post-retirement accruals, self-insurance accruals, useful lives for tangible and finite-lived intangible assets, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets, and valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, when applicable. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgments at the time they are made and are generally derived from management's understanding and analysis of the relevant and current circumstances, historical experience, and actuarial and other independent external third-party specialist valuations, when applicable. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors that management believes to be

7


reasonable under the circumstances, including the economic environment. Management adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, including those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, actual amounts could differ significantly from those estimated at the time the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared.
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"), which, among other things, requires lessees to recognize most leases on-balance sheet. The standard requires the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under legacy accounting guidance at Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 840, Leases. The standard also requires a greater level of quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding the nature of the entity’s leasing activities than were previously required under U.S. GAAP. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which provides an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements under the amended lease guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842 (Leases), which provides narrow amendments to clarify how to apply certain aspects of the new lease standard. Additionally, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides an alternative transition method that permits an entity to use the effective date of ASU No. 2016-02 as the date of initial application through the recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings upon adoption. Consequently, an entity's reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which it adopts the new lease standard will continue to be in accordance with previous U.S. GAAP under ASC Topic 840, Leases.
ASU No. 2016-02, as augmented by ASU No. 2018-01, ASU No. 2018-10, and ASU No. 2018-11 (the "amended guidance"), was adopted by the company on November 1, 2019, the first quarter of fiscal 2020, under the modified retrospective transition method with no cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of such date. Under such transition method, the company elected the following practical expedients:
The transition package of practical expedients, which among other things, allows the company to carryforward the historical lease classification determined under previous U.S. GAAP.
The transition practical expedient to not reassess the company's accounting for land easements that exist as of the adoption of the amended guidance.
The short-term lease exemption to not record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet for leases with an initial lease term of 12 months or less, which has resulted in recognizing the lease payments related to such leases within the company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The company did not elect the transition practical expedient to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing the impairment of right-of-use assets.
Upon adoption of the amended guidance, the company recorded $78.1 million of right-of-use assets and $77.1 million of corresponding lease liabilities within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 1, 2019. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, business processes, internal controls, and information systems. As permitted under the amended guidance, prior period amounts were not restated, but are and will continue to be reported under the legacy accounting guidance that was in effect for the respective prior periods.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends ASC 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The standard requires that most of the guidance related to stock compensation granted to employees be followed for nonemployees, including the measurement date, valuation approach, and performance conditions. The amended guidance was adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and did not have a material impact on the company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
Business Combinations
Venture Products, Inc. ("Venture Products")
On March 2, 2020 ("Venture Products closing date"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger ("Venture Products merger agreement") and an agreement to purchase the real property used by Venture Products ("Venture Products purchase agreement") both dated January 20, 2020, the company completed its acquisition of Venture Products, a privately held Ohio corporation and

8


the manufacturer of Ventrac-branded products. Venture Products designs, manufactures, and markets articulating turf, landscape, and snow and ice management equipment for grounds, landscape contractor, golf, municipal, and rural acreage customers and provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened the company's Professional segment and expanded its dealer network.
The Venture Products transaction was structured as a merger, pursuant to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company merged with and into Venture Products, with Venture Products continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. As a result of the merger, all of the outstanding equity securities of Venture Products were canceled and now only represent the right to receive the applicable consideration as described in the Venture Products merger agreement. The Venture Products purchase agreement was with an affiliate of Venture Products and was for the real estate used by Venture Products. The aggregate preliminary consideration was $165.9 million ("Venture Products purchase price"), which consisted of a cash payment of $136.4 million and a $29.5 million holdback to satisfy any indemnification or certain other obligations of Venture Products to TTC. The aggregate preliminary consideration remains subject to certain customary adjustments based on, among other things, the amount of actual cash, debt, and working capital in the business of Venture Products at the Venture Products closing date. Such customary adjustments are expected to be completed during fiscal 2020. The holdback is expected to expire during the company's fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The company funded the cash payment with borrowings under its existing unsecured senior revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the company's unsecured senior revolving credit facility utilized to fund the Venture Products purchase price, refer to Note 6, Indebtedness. As a result of the acquisition, the company incurred approximately $0.3 million and $0.6 million of acquisition-related transaction costs during the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, respectively. These acquisition-related transaction costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expense within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Preliminary Venture Products Purchase Price Allocation
The company accounted for the acquisition in accordance with the accounting standards codification guidance for business combinations, whereby the aggregate preliminary Venture Products purchase price was allocated to the acquired net tangible and intangible assets of Venture Products based on their fair values as of the Venture Products closing date. As of May 1, 2020, the company has substantially completed its process for measuring the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on information available as of the Venture Products closing date, with the exception of the company's valuation of income taxes as the company requires additional information to finalize its valuation of income taxes. Thus, the preliminary measurements of fair value reflected for income taxes are subject to change as additional information becomes available and as additional analysis is performed. The company expects to finalize its preliminary valuation of income taxes and complete the allocation of the preliminary Venture Products purchase price as soon as practicable, but no later than one year from the closing date of the acquisition, as required.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the preliminary Venture Products purchase price to the fair values assigned to the Venture Products assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These fair values are based on internal company and independent external third-party valuations and are subject to change as certain asset and liability valuations are finalized:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 2, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
3,476

Receivables
 
6,342

Inventories
 
23,000

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
239

Property, plant and equipment
 
26,976

Goodwill
 
65,185

Other intangible assets
 
75,300

Accounts payable
 
(4,075
)
Accrued liabilities
 
(6,186
)
Deferred income tax liabilities
 
(20,850
)
Total fair value of net assets acquired
 
169,407

Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired
 
(3,476
)
Total preliminary Venture Products purchase price
 
$
165,931


The goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to the value of the workforce, the reputation of Venture Products, expected future cash flows, and expected synergies, including customer and dealer growth opportunities and integrating and expanding existing product lines. Key areas of expected cost synergies include increased purchasing power for commodities, components, parts, and accessories, and supply chain consolidation. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition of Venture Products was recognized

9


within the company's Professional segment and is the primary driver for the increase in the company's Professional segment goodwill to $414.3 million as of May 1, 2020 from $350.3 million as of October 31, 2019. Goodwill is non-deductible for tax purposes.
Other Intangible Assets Acquired
The allocation of the preliminary Venture Products purchase price to the net assets acquired resulted in the recognition of $75.3 million of other intangible assets as of the Venture Products closing date. The fair values of the acquired trade name and customer-related intangible assets were determined using the income approach. Under the income approach, an intangible asset's fair value is equal to the present value of future economic benefits to be derived from ownership of the asset. The fair value of the trade name was determined using the relief from royalty method, which is based on the hypothetical royalty stream that would be received if the company were to license the trade name and was based on expected future revenues. The fair value of the customer-related intangible asset was determined using the excess earnings method and was based on the expected operating cash flows attributable to the customer-related intangible asset, which were determined by deducting expected economic costs, including operating expenses and contributory asset charges, from revenue expected to be generated from the customer-related intangible asset. The useful lives of the trade name and customer-related intangible assets were determined based on the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the respective intangible assets adjusted as appropriate for entity-specific factors including legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, and/or other factors that may limit the useful life of the respective intangible asset.
The fair values of the other intangible assets acquired on the Venture Products closing date, related accumulated amortization from the Venture Products closing date through May 1, 2020, and weighted-average useful lives were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average Useful Life
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Finite-lived - customer-related
 
16.0
 
$
19,100

 
$
(199
)
 
$
18,901

Indefinite-lived - trade name
 
 
 
56,200

 

 
56,200

Total other intangible assets, net
 
 
 
$
75,300

 
$
(199
)
 
$
75,101

Amortization expense for the finite-lived intangible assets resulting from the acquisition of Venture Products for the three and six months periods ended May 1, 2020 was $0.2 million. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2020 and succeeding fiscal years is as follows: fiscal 2020 (remainder), $0.6 million; fiscal 2021, $1.2 million; fiscal 2022, $1.2 million; fiscal 2023, $1.2 million; fiscal 2024, $1.2 million; fiscal 2025, $1.2 million; and after fiscal 2025, $12.3 million.
Results of Operations
Venture Product's results of operations are included within the company's Professional reportable segment in the company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from the Venture Products closing date. During the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, the company recognized $11.2 million of net sales from Venture Product's operations. Venture Product's operations had an immaterial impact on Professional segment earnings for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020. Unaudited pro forma financial information is not disclosed as the Venture Products acquisition was not considered material to the company's Consolidated Results of Operations.
The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
On April 1, 2019 ("CMW closing date"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 14, 2019 ("CMW merger agreement"), the company completed the acquisition of CMW, a privately held Oklahoma corporation. CMW designs, manufactures, and markets a range of professional products to serve the underground construction market, including horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, compact utility loaders/skid steers, vacuum excavators, asset locators, pipe rehabilitation solutions, and after-market tools. CMW provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened the company's Professional segment product portfolio and expanded its dealer network, while also providing a complementary geographic manufacturing footprint.
The transaction was structured as a merger, pursuant to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company merged with and into CMW, with CMW continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. As a result of the merger, all of the outstanding equity securities of CMW were canceled and now only represent the right to receive the applicable consideration as described in the CMW merger agreement. At the CMW closing date, the company paid preliminary merger consideration of $679.3 million that was subject to customary adjustments based on, among other things, the amount of actual cash, debt and working capital in the business of CMW at the CMW closing date. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the company finalized such cash, debt and working capital adjustments and these adjustments resulted in an aggregate merger consideration of $685.0 million ("CMW purchase price"). The company funded the CMW purchase price by using a combination of cash proceeds from the issuance of borrowings under the company's unsecured senior term loan credit agreement and borrowings

10


under the company's unsecured senior revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the financing agreements utilized to fund the CMW purchase price, refer to Note 6, Indebtedness. As a result of the acquisition, the company incurred approximately $10.2 million of acquisition-related transaction costs, all of which were incurred during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and recorded within selling, general and administrative expense within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for such fiscal period. During the three and six month periods ended May 3, 2019, the company recorded acquisition-related transaction costs of $8.0 million and $9.7 million, respectively.
CMW Purchase Price Allocation
The company accounted for the acquisition in accordance with the accounting standards codification guidance for business combinations, whereby the total CMW purchase price was allocated to the acquired net tangible and intangible assets of CMW based on their fair values as of the CMW closing date. As of May 1, 2020, the company had completed its process for measuring the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on information available as of the CMW closing date.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the CMW purchase price to the fair values assigned to the CMW assets acquired and liabilities assumed. These fair values are based on internal company and independent external third-party valuations:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
April 1, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
16,341

Receivables
 
65,674

Inventories
 
241,429

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
8,050

Property, plant and equipment
 
142,779

Goodwill
 
134,657

Other intangible assets
 
264,190

Other long-term assets
 
7,971

Accounts payable
 
(35,892
)
Accrued liabilities
 
(51,943
)
Deferred income tax liabilities
 
(85,277
)
Other long-term liabilities
 
(6,665
)
Total fair value of net assets acquired
 
701,314

Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired
 
(16,341
)
Total CMW purchase price
 
$
684,973


The goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to the value of the workforce, the reputation of CMW and its family of brands, customer and dealer growth opportunities, and expected synergies. Key areas of expected cost synergies include increased purchasing power for commodities, components, parts, and accessories, supply chain consolidation, and administrative efficiencies. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition of CMW was recognized within the company's Professional segment. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the company completed its valuation of income taxes to finalize the CMW purchase price allocation, which resulted in a decrease to the carrying amount of goodwill of $0.9 million from the amounts reported within the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. Goodwill is mostly non-deductible for tax purposes.
Other Intangible Assets Acquired
The allocation of the CMW purchase price to the net assets acquired resulted in the recognition of $264.2 million of other intangible assets as of the CMW closing date. The fair values of the acquired trade name, customer-related, developed technology and backlog intangible assets were determined using the income approach. Under the income approach, an intangible asset's fair value is equal to the present value of future economic benefits to be derived from ownership of the asset. The fair values of the trade names were determined using the relief from royalty method, which is based on the hypothetical royalty stream that would be received if the company were to license the respective trade name and was based on expected future revenues. The fair values of the customer-related, developed technology, and backlog intangible assets were determined using the excess earnings method and were based on the expected operating cash flows attributable to the respective other intangible asset, which were determined by deducting expected economic costs, including operating expenses and contributory asset charges, from revenue expected to be generated from the respective other intangible assets. The useful lives of the other intangible assets were determined based on the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the intangible assets adjusted as appropriate for entity-specific factors including legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, and/or other factors that may limit the useful life of the respective intangible asset.

11


The fair values of the other intangible assets acquired on the CMW closing date, related accumulated amortization from the CMW closing date through May 1, 2020, and weighted-average useful lives were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average Useful Life
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Customer-related
 
18.3
 
$
130,800

 
$
(9,405
)
 
$
121,395

Developed technology
 
7.8
 
20,900

 
(3,750
)
 
17,150

Trade names
 
20.0
 
5,200

 
(282
)
 
4,918

Backlog
 
0.5
 
3,590

 
(3,590
)
 

Total finite-lived
 
16.6
 
160,490

 
(17,027
)
 
143,463

Indefinite-lived - trade names
 
 
 
103,700

 

 
103,700

Total other intangible assets, net
 
 
 
$
264,190

 
$
(17,027
)
 
$
247,163


Amortization expense for the finite-lived intangible assets resulting from the acquisition of CMW for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 was $3.1 million and $6.3 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2020 and succeeding fiscal years is as follows: fiscal 2020 (remainder), $6.3 million; fiscal 2021, $12.6 million; fiscal 2022, $11.5 million; fiscal 2023, $10.1 million; fiscal 2024, $9.4 million; fiscal 2025, $7.7 million; and after fiscal 2025, $85.9 million.
Results of Operations
CMW's results of operations are included within the company's Professional reportable segment in the company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the net sales and segment loss amounts for the three and six month periods ended May 3, 2019 reflect one month of CMW's results subsequent to the April 1, 2019 acquisition date. During the three month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, the company recognized $177.6 million and $70.9 million of net sales from CMW's operations, respectively. During the three month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, the company recognized $18.6 million of segment earnings and $4.1 million of segment loss from CMW's operations, respectively. During the six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, the company recognized $338.5 million and $70.9 million of net sales from CMW's operations. During the six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, the company recognized $28.0 million of segment earnings and $4.1 million of segment loss from CMW's operations, respectively.
3
Segment Data
The company's businesses are organized, managed, and internally grouped into segments based on similarities in products and services. Segment selection is based on the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating and investment decisions and assessing performance. The company has identified ten operating segments and has aggregated certain of those segments into two reportable segments: Professional and Residential. The aggregation of the company's segments is based on the segments having the following similarities: economic characteristics, types of products and services, types of production processes, type or class of customers, and method of distribution. The company's remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. These Other activities consist of the company's wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, the company's corporate activities, and the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses.
The following tables present summarized financial information concerning the company’s reportable segments and Other activities:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended May 1, 2020
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Net sales
 
$
661,087

 
$
261,998

 
$
6,313

 
$
929,398

Intersegment gross sales (eliminations)
 
16,642

 
34

 
(16,676
)
 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes
 
$
106,259

 
$
37,122

 
$
(22,010
)
 
$
121,371

(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended May 1, 2020
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Net sales
 
$
1,255,808

 
$
427,846

 
$
13,227

 
$
1,696,881

Intersegment gross sales (eliminations)
 
25,413

 
61

 
(25,474
)
 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes
 
208,733

 
58,688

 
(59,911
)
 
207,510

Total assets
 
$
2,052,529

 
$
328,068

 
$
430,878

 
$
2,811,475


12


(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended May 3, 2019
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Net sales
 
$
723,506

 
$
232,147

 
$
6,383

 
$
962,036

Intersegment gross sales (eliminations)
 
23,716

 
80

 
(23,796
)
 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes
 
$
150,119

 
$
22,030

 
$
(34,969
)
 
$
137,180

(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Six Months Ended May 3, 2019
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Net sales
 
$
1,178,512

 
$
377,305

 
$
9,175

 
$
1,564,992

Intersegment gross sales (eliminations)
 
37,325

 
179

 
(37,504
)
 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes
 
238,097

 
35,102

 
(65,999
)
 
207,200

Total assets
 
$
1,848,351

 
$
271,224

 
$
346,425

 
$
2,466,000


The following table presents the details of operating loss before income taxes for the company's Other activities:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Corporate expenses
 
$
(15,441
)
 
$
(34,357
)
 
$
(47,883
)
 
$
(62,671
)
Interest expense
 
(8,659
)
 
(6,694
)
 
(16,815
)
 
(11,436
)
Earnings from wholly-owned domestic distribution companies and other income, net
 
2,090

 
6,082

 
4,787

 
8,108

Total operating loss
 
$
(22,010
)
 
$
(34,969
)
 
$
(59,911
)
 
$
(65,999
)

4
Revenue
The company enters into contracts with its customers for the sale of products or rendering of services in the ordinary course of business. A contract with commercial substance exists at the time the company receives and accepts a purchase order under a sales contract with a customer. The company recognizes revenue when, or as, performance obligations under the terms of a contract with its customer are satisfied, which occurs with the transfer of control of product or services. Control is typically transferred to the customer at the time a product is shipped, or in the case of certain agreements, when a product is delivered or as services are rendered. Revenue is recognized based on the transaction price, which is measured as the amount of consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for transferring product or rendering services pursuant to the terms of the contract with a customer. The amount of consideration the company receives and the revenue the company recognizes varies with changes in sales promotions and incentives offered to customers, as well as anticipated product returns. A provision is made at the time revenue is recognized as a reduction of the transaction price for expected product returns, rebates, floor plan costs, and other sales promotion and incentive expenses. If a contract contains more than one performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price of the respective promised good or service. The company does not recognize revenue in situations where collectability from the customer is not probable, and defers the recognition of revenue until collection is probable or payment is received and performance obligations are satisfied.
Freight and shipping revenue billed to customers concurrent with revenue producing activities is included within revenue and the cost for freight and shipping is recognized as an expense within cost of sales when control has transferred to the customer. Shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related products is transferred are treated as a fulfillment activity rather than a promised service, and therefore, are not considered a performance obligation. Sales, use, value-added, and other excise taxes the company collects concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Incremental costs of obtaining a contract for which the performance obligations will be satisfied within the next twelve months are expensed as incurred. Incidental items, including goods or services, that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense when incurred. Additionally, the company has elected not to disclose the balance of unfulfilled performance obligations for contracts with a contractual term of twelve months or less.

13


The following tables disaggregate the company's reportable segment net sales by major product type and geographic market (in thousands):
Three Months Ended May 1, 2020
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue by product type:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equipment
 
$
569,143

 
$
257,400

 
$
3,835

 
$
830,378

Irrigation
 
91,944

 
4,598

 
2,478

 
99,020

Total net sales
 
$
661,087

 
$
261,998

 
$
6,313

 
$
929,398

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue by geographic market:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

United States
 
$
509,277

 
$
231,764

 
$
6,313

 
$
747,354

Foreign Countries
 
151,810

 
30,234

 

 
182,044

Total net sales
 
$
661,087

 
$
261,998

 
$
6,313

 
$
929,398

Six Months Ended May 1, 2020
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue by product type:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equipment
 
$
1,093,052

 
$
409,858

 
$
9,360

 
$
1,512,270

Irrigation
 
162,756

 
17,988

 
3,867

 
184,611

Total net sales
 
$
1,255,808

 
$
427,846

 
$
13,227

 
$
1,696,881

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue by geographic market:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

United States
 
$
963,565

 
$
362,102

 
$
13,227

 
$
1,338,894

Foreign Countries
 
292,243

 
65,744

 

 
357,987

Total net sales
 
$
1,255,808

 
$
427,846

 
$
13,227

 
$
1,696,881

Three Months Ended May 3, 2019
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue by product type:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equipment
 
$
618,099

 
$
225,456

 
$
2,661

 
$
846,216

Irrigation
 
105,407

 
6,691

 
3,722

 
115,820

Total net sales
 
$
723,506

 
$
232,147

 
$
6,383

 
$
962,036

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue by geographic market:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

United States
 
$
546,413

 
$
190,163

 
$
6,383

 
$
742,959

Foreign Countries
 
177,093

 
41,984

 

 
219,077

Total net sales
 
$
723,506

 
$
232,147

 
$
6,383

 
$
962,036

Six Months Ended May 3, 2019
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Revenue by product type:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equipment
 
$
1,005,649

 
$
358,966

 
$
4,630

 
$
1,369,245

Irrigation
 
172,863

 
18,339

 
4,545

 
195,747

Total net sales
 
$
1,178,512

 
$
377,305

 
$
9,175

 
$
1,564,992

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue by geographic market:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

United States
 
$
894,517

 
$
300,678

 
$
9,175

 
$
1,204,370

Foreign Countries
 
283,995

 
76,627

 

 
360,622

Total net sales
 
$
1,178,512

 
$
377,305

 
$
9,175

 
$
1,564,992

Contract Liabilities
Contract liabilities relate to deferred revenue recognized for cash consideration received at contract inception in advance of the company's performance under the respective contract and generally relate to the sale of separately priced extended warranty contracts, service contracts, and non-refundable customer deposits. The company recognizes revenue over the term of the contract in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the performance obligations under the separately priced extended warranty and service contracts. For non-refundable customer deposits, the company recognizes revenue as of the point in time in which the performance obligation has been satisfied under the contract with the customer, which typically occurs upon change in

14


control at the time a product is shipped. As of May 1, 2020 and October 31, 2019, $21.6 million and $22.0 million, respectively, of deferred revenue associated with outstanding separately priced extended warranty contracts, service contracts, and non-refundable customer deposits was reported within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the three and six months ended May 1, 2020, the company recognized $2.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of the October 31, 2019 deferred revenue balance within net sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The company expects to recognize approximately $4.2 million of the October 31, 2019 deferred revenue amount within net sales throughout the remainder of fiscal 2020, $6.4 million in fiscal 2021, and $5.0 million thereafter.
5
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net
The company's acquisition of Venture Products on March 2, 2020 resulted in the recognition of $65.2 million and $75.3 million of preliminary goodwill and other intangible assets, respectively. For additional information on the company's acquisition of Venture Products, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations.
Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the first six months of fiscal 2020 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Professional
 
Residential
 
Other
 
Total
Balance as of October 31, 2019
 
$
350,250

 
$
10,469

 
$
1,534

 
$
362,253

Goodwill acquired
 
65,185

 

 

 
65,185

Purchase price allocation adjustment
 
(866
)
 

 

 
(866
)
Translation adjustments
 
(318
)
 
(79
)
 

 
(397
)
Balance as of May 1, 2020
 
$
414,251

 
$
10,390

 
$
1,534

 
$
426,175


Other Intangible Assets, Net
The components of other intangible assets, net as of May 1, 2020 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average Useful Life
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Patents
 
9.9
 
$
18,227

 
$
(13,494
)
 
$
4,733

Non-compete agreements
 
5.5
 
6,865

 
(6,794
)
 
71

Customer-related
 
18.2
 
239,383

 
(40,555
)
 
198,828

Developed technology
 
7.6
 
51,854

 
(33,199
)
 
18,655

Trade names
 
15.4
 
7,476

 
(2,304
)
 
5,172

Backlog and other
 
0.6
 
4,390

 
(4,390
)
 

Total finite-lived
 
15.5
 
328,195

 
(100,736
)
 
227,459

Indefinite-lived - trade names
 
 
 
190,427

 

 
190,427

Total other intangible assets, net
 
 
 
$
518,622

 
$
(100,736
)
 
$
417,886

The components of other intangible assets, net as of May 3, 2019 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average Useful Life
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Patents
 
9.9
 
$
18,254

 
$
(12,728
)
 
$
5,526

Non-compete agreements
 
5.5
 
6,889

 
(6,797
)
 
92

Customer-related
 
18.3
 
201,022

 
(26,719
)
 
174,303

Developed technology
 
7.6
 
50,338

 
(29,292
)
 
21,046

Trade names
 
15.5
 
7,599

 
(1,903
)
 
5,696

Other
 
0.6
 
7,380

 
(1,897
)
 
5,483

Total finite-lived
 
15.1
 
291,482

 
(79,336
)
 
212,146

Indefinite-lived - trade names
 
 
 
121,031

 

 
121,031

Total other intangible assets, net
 
 
 
$
412,513

 
$
(79,336
)
 
$
333,177


15


The components of other intangible assets, net as of October 31, 2019 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Weighted-Average Useful Life
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Patents
 
9.9
 
$
18,230

 
$
(13,102
)
 
$
5,128

Non-compete agreements
 
5.5
 
6,868

 
(6,786
)
 
82

Customer-related
 
18.4
 
220,390

 
(33,547
)
 
186,843

Developed technology
 
7.6
 
51,911

 
(31,289
)
 
20,622

Trade names
 
15.4
 
7,496

 
(2,109
)
 
5,387

Other
 
0.6
 
4,390

 
(4,390
)
 

Total finite-lived
 
15.5
 
309,285

 
(91,223
)
 
218,062

Indefinite-lived - trade names
 
 
 
134,312

 

 
134,312

Total other intangible assets, net
 
 
 
$
443,597

 
$
(91,223
)
 
$
352,374


Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 was $4.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets during the first six months of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was $9.6 million and $5.5 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2020 and succeeding fiscal years is as follows: fiscal 2020 (remainder), $9.9 million; fiscal 2021, $19.5 million; fiscal 2022, $18.2 million; fiscal 2023, $16.5 million; fiscal 2024, $15.4 million; fiscal 2025, $13.8 million; and after fiscal 2025, $134.2 million.
6
Indebtedness
The following is a summary of the company's indebtedness:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
October 31, 2019
Revolving credit facility
 
$

 
$
90,000

 
$

$200 million term loan
 
100,000

 
200,000

 
100,000

$300 million term loan
 
180,000

 
300,000

 
180,000

$190 million term loan
 
190,000

 

 

3.81% series A senior notes
 
100,000

 

 
100,000

3.91% series B senior notes
 
100,000

 

 
100,000

7.800% debentures
 
100,000

 
100,000

 
100,000

6.625% senior notes
 
123,947

 
123,885

 
123,916

Less: unamortized discounts, debt issuance costs, and deferred charges
 
(3,171
)
 
(2,806
)
 
(3,103
)
Total long-term debt
 
890,776

 
811,079

 
700,813

Less: current portion of long-term debt
 
99,868

 
90,000

 
79,914

Long-term debt, less current portion
 
$
790,908

 
$
721,079

 
$
620,899


Principal payments required on the company's outstanding indebtedness, based on the maturity dates defined within the company's debt arrangements, for the remainder of fiscal 2020 and succeeding five fiscal years are as follows: fiscal 2020 (remainder), $0.0 million; fiscal 2021, $28.5 million; fiscal 2022, $161.3 million; fiscal 2023, $127.2 million; fiscal 2024, $153.0 million; fiscal 2025, $0.0 million; and after fiscal 2025, $425.0 million.
Revolving Credit Facility
The company has an unsecured senior five-year revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $600.0 million that expires in June 2023. Included in the company's $600.0 million revolving credit facility is a $10.0 million sublimit for standby letters of credit and a $30.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. At the company's election, and with the approval of the named borrowers on the revolving credit facility and the election of the lenders to fund such increase, the aggregate maximum principal amount available under the facility may be increased by an amount up to $300.0 million. Funds are available under the revolving credit facility for working capital, capital expenditures, and other lawful corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions and common stock repurchases, subject in each case to compliance with certain financial covenants described below. In connection with the entry into the revolving credit facility during June 2018, the company incurred approximately $1.9 million of debt issuance costs, which are being amortized over the life of the revolving credit facility under the straight-line method as the results obtained

16


are not materially different from those that would result from the use of the effective interest method. The company classifies the debt issuance costs related to its revolving credit facility within other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, regardless of whether the company has any outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility.
As of May 1, 2020, the company had no borrowings under the revolving credit facility, but did have $1.9 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, which resulted in $598.1 million of unutilized availability under the revolving credit facility. As of May 3, 2019, the company had $90.0 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility, $1.9 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, and $508.1 million of unutilized availability under the revolving credit facility. As of October 31, 2019, the company had no borrowings under the revolving credit facility but did have $1.9 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, which resulted in $598.1 million of unutilized availability under the revolving credit facility. Typically, the company's revolving credit facility is classified as long-term debt within the company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as the company has the ability to extend the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility for the full-term of the facility. However, if the company intends to repay a portion of the outstanding balance under the revolving credit facility within the next twelve months, the company reclassifies that portion of outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility to current portion of long-term debt within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of May 1, 2020 and October 31, 2019, no outstanding borrowings under the company's revolving credit facility were classified as current portion of long-term debt within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of May 3, 2019, the $90.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the company's revolving credit facility was classified as long-term debt within the company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The company's revolving credit facility contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. The company was in compliance with all covenants related to the credit agreement for the company's revolving credit facility as of May 1, 2020, May 3, 2019, and October 31, 2019.
Outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility, if applicable, other than swingline loans, bear interest at a variable rate generally based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate based on the highest of the Bank of America prime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the credit agreement. Swingline loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate determined by the swingline lender or an alternative variable rate based on the highest of the Bank of America prime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the credit agreement. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, the company incurred interest expense of approximately $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, under the revolving credit facility. For the three and six month periods ended May 3, 2019, the company incurred interest expense of approximately $1.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, under the revolving credit facility.
$500.0 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement
In March 2019, the company entered into a term loan credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions for the purpose of partially funding the purchase price of the company's acquisition of CMW and the related fees and expenses incurred in connection with such acquisition. The term loan credit agreement provided for a $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on April 1, 2022 and a $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on April 1, 2024 (collectively, the "$500.0 million term loan"). The funds under the $500.0 million term loan were received on April 1, 2019 in connection with the closing of the company's acquisition of CMW. There are no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to maturity on the $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility. For the $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility, the company is required to make quarterly principal amortization payments of 2.5 percent of the original aggregate principal balance reduced by any applicable prepayments beginning with the last business day of the thirteenth calendar quarter ending after April 1, 2019, with the remainder of the unpaid principal balance due at maturity. No principal payments are required during the first three and one-quarter (3.25) years of the $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility. The term loan facilities may be prepaid and terminated at the company's election at any time without penalty or premium.
As of May 1, 2020, the company had prepaid $100.0 million and $120.0 million against the outstanding principal balances of the $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility and $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively. Thus, as of May 1, 2020, there were $100.0 million and $180.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan for the $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility and the $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively.
In connection with the company's entry into the $500.0 million term loan in March 2019, the company incurred approximately $0.6 million of debt issuance costs, which are being amortized over the life of the respective term loans under the straight-line method as the results obtained are not materially different from those that would result from the use of the effective interest method.

17


Unamortized deferred debt issuance costs are netted against the outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan on the company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The $500.0 million term loan contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants generally consistent with those applicable under the company's revolving credit facility, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. The company was in compliance with all covenants related to the company's $500.0 million term loan as of May 1, 2020. Outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan bear interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate, subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the $500.0 million loan credit agreement. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, the company incurred interest expense of approximately $1.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively, on the outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan. For the three and six month periods ended May 3, 2019, the company incurred interest expense of approximately $1.6 million on the outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan.
$190.0 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement
On March 30, 2020, the company entered into a term loan credit agreement ("$190.0 million term loan") with certain financial institutions for the purpose of refinancing certain of its outstanding borrowings incurred in connection with the company's acquisition of Venture Products on March 2, 2020, as well as a precautionary measure to increase the company's liquidity and preserve financial flexibility in light of the current uncertainty in the global financial and commercial markets as a result of COVID-19. The $190.0 million term loan provided for a $190.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on June 19, 2023. In connection with the company's entry into the $190.0 million term loan, the company incurred immaterial debt issuance costs, which are being deferred and amortized over the life of the $190.0 million term loan and are netted against the outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan on the company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Beginning with the last business day of March 2021, the company is required to make quarterly amortization payments on the $190.0 million term loan equal to 5.0% for the first four payments and 7.5% thereafter of the original aggregate principal amount reduced by any applicable prepayments. The $190.0 million term loan may be prepaid and terminated at the company's election at any time without penalty or premium. Amounts repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. As of May 1, 2020, there was $190.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan and the company has reclassified $99.9 million of the remaining outstanding principal balance under the $190.0 million term loan, net of the related proportionate share of deferred debt issuance costs, to current portion of long-term debt within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as the company intends to prepay such amount utilizing anticipated cash flows from operations within the next twelve months.
The $190.0 million term loan contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants generally consistent with those applicable under the company's revolving credit facility, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. The company was in compliance with all covenants related to the $190.0 million term loan as of May 1, 2020. Outstanding borrowings under the$190.0 million term loan bear interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate with a minimum rate of 0.75 percent, subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the term credit loan agreement. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, the company incurred interest expense of approximately $0.4 million on the outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan.
3.81% Series A and 3.91% Series B Senior Notes
On April 30, 2019, the company entered into a private placement note purchase agreement with certain purchasers ("holders") pursuant to which the company agreed to issue and sell an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million of 3.81% Series A Senior Notes due June 15, 2029 ("Series A Senior Notes") and $100.0 million of 3.91% Series B Senior Notes due June 15, 2031 ("Series B Senior Notes" and together with the Series A Senior Notes, the "Senior Notes"). On June 27, 2019, the company issued $100.0 million of the Series A Senior Notes and $100.0 million of the Series B Senior Notes pursuant to the private placement note purchase agreement. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the company.
The company has the right to prepay all or a portion of either series of the Senior Notes in an amount equal to not less than 10.0 percent of the principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding upon notice to the holders of the series of Senior Notes being prepaid for 100.0 percent of the principal amount prepaid, plus a make-whole premium, as set forth in the private placement note purchase agreement, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment. In addition, at any time on or after the date that is 90 days prior to the maturity date of the respective series, the company has the right to prepay all of the outstanding Senior Notes of such series for 100.0 percent of the principal amount so prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment. Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, the company is required to prepay all of the Senior Notes for the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment.

18


The private placement note purchase agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the company, as well as certain customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios, and other covenants, which, among other things, provide limitations on transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, liens and priority debt. The company was in compliance with all representations, warranties, and covenants related to the private placement note purchase agreement as of May 1, 2020.
In connection with the company's issuance of the Senior Notes in June 2019, the company incurred approximately $0.7 million of debt issuance costs, which are being amortized over the life of the respective Senior Notes under the straight-line method as the results obtained are not materially different from those that would result from the use of the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred debt issuance costs are netted against the outstanding borrowings under the respective Senior Notes on the company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semiannually on the 15th day of June and December in each year. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, the company incurred interest expense of approximately $1.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively, on the outstanding borrowings under the private placement note purchase agreement relating to the Senior Notes.
7.8% Debentures
In June 1997, the company issued $175.0 million of debt securities consisting of $75.0 million of 7.125 percent coupon 10-year notes and $100.0 million of 7.8 percent coupon 30-year debentures. The $75.0 million of 7.125 percent coupon 10-year notes were repaid at maturity during fiscal 2007. In connection with the issuance of $175.0 million in long-term debt securities, the company paid $23.7 million to terminate three forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $125.0 million. These swap agreements had been entered into to reduce exposure to interest rate risk prior to the issuance of the new long-term debt securities. As of the inception of one of the swap agreements, the company had received payments that were recorded as deferred income to be recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the term of the new debt securities. As of the date the swaps were terminated, this deferred income totaled $18.7 million. The excess termination fees over the deferred income recorded was deferred and is being recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the term of the debt securities issued. Interest on the debentures is payable semiannually on the 15th day of June and December in each year. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, the company incurred interest expense of approximately $2.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively.
6.625% Senior Notes
On April 26, 2007, the company issued $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037 and priced at 98.513 percent of par value. The resulting discount of $1.9 million and the underwriting fee and direct debt issuance costs of $1.5 million associated with the issuance of these senior notes are being amortized over the term of the notes using the straight-line method as the results obtained are not materially different from those that would result from the use of the effective interest method. Although the coupon rate of the senior notes is 6.625 percent, the effective interest rate is 6.741 percent after taking into account the issuance discount. The senior notes are unsecured senior obligations of the company and rank equally with the company's other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The indentures under which the senior notes were issued contain customary covenants and event of default provisions. The company may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time at the greater of the full principal amount of the senior notes being redeemed or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus 30 basis points, plus, in both cases, accrued and unpaid interest. In the event of the occurrence of both (i) a change of control of the company, and (ii) a downgrade of the notes below an investment grade rating by both Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services within a specified period, the company would be required to make an offer to purchase the senior notes at a price equal to 101 percent of the principal amount of the senior notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. Interest on the senior notes is payable semiannually on the 1st day of May and November in each year. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, the company incurred interest expense of approximately $2.1 million and $4.2 million, respectively.
7
Management Actions

On August 1, 2019, during the company's fiscal 2019 third quarter, the company announced a plan to wind down its Toro-branded large directional drill and riding trencher product categories within its Professional segment product portfolio ("Toro underground wind down"). As of May 1, 2020, the company continues to expect to incur total pretax charges of approximately $10.0 million to $11.0 million related to the Toro underground wind down. The majority of such charges have already been incurred and substantially all remaining anticipated costs are expected to be incurred by the end of fiscal 2020. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, the company incurred $0.9 million of pre-tax charges related to inventory write-downs to net realizable value. During fiscal 2019, the company recorded pre-tax charges of $10.0 million as a result of the Toro underground wind down related to inventory write-downs to net realizable value, accelerated depreciation on fixed assets that will no longer be used, and

19


anticipated inventory retail support activities. As of May 1, 2020, the company had a remaining accrual balance of $0.9 million related to the anticipated inventory retail support activities within accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The remainder of the estimated pre-tax charges are anticipated to be primarily comprised of costs related to the write-down of future component parts inventory purchases to finalize assembly of the company's remaining Toro-branded large directional drill and riding trencher inventory.
8
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method for a majority of the company's inventories and the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") and average cost methods for all other inventories. The company establishes a reserve for excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory that is equal to the difference between the cost and estimated net realizable value for that inventory. These reserves are based on a review and comparison of current inventory levels to planned production, as well as planned and historical sales of the inventory.
On March 2, 2020, with the acquisition of Venture Products, the company acquired $23.0 million of inventory, based on preliminary fair value purchase accounting adjustments. For additional information on the company's acquisition of Venture Products, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations.
Inventories were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
October 31, 2019
Raw materials and work in process
 
$
198,807

 
$
186,065

 
$
179,967

Finished goods and service parts
 
597,431

 
497,467

 
553,767

Total FIFO value
 
796,238

 
683,532

 
733,734

Less: adjustment to LIFO value
 
82,071

 
72,201

 
82,071

Total inventories, net
 
$
714,167

 
$
611,331

 
$
651,663


9
Property and Depreciation
Property, plant, and equipment assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. The company provides for depreciation of property, plant, and equipment utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings, land improvements, and leasehold improvements are generally depreciated over 10 to 40 years, machinery and equipment are generally depreciated over two to 15 years, tooling is generally depreciated over three to five years, and computer hardware and software and website development costs are generally depreciated over two to five years. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements, which substantially increase the useful lives of existing assets, are capitalized, and expenditures for general maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Interest is capitalized during the construction period for significant capital projects.
On March 2, 2020, with the acquisition of Venture Products, the company acquired $27.0 million of property, plant, and equipment, based on preliminary fair value purchase accounting adjustments. For additional information on the company's acquisition of Venture Products, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations.
Property, plant and equipment was as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
October 31, 2019
Land and land improvements
 
$
55,298

 
$
53,123

 
$
55,613

Buildings and leasehold improvements
 
287,303

 
263,103

 
276,556

Machinery and equipment
 
466,388

 
421,927

 
453,314

Tooling
 
216,177

 
223,621

 
226,870

Computer hardware and software
 
94,026

 
91,353

 
94,409

Construction in process
 
71,309

 
55,851

 
34,937

Property, plant, and equipment, gross
 
1,190,501

 
1,108,978

 
1,141,699

Less: accumulated depreciation
 
736,740

 
683,597

 
704,382

Property, plant, and equipment, net
 
$
453,761

 
$
425,381

 
$
437,317



20


10
Warranty Guarantees
The company’s products are warranted to provide assurance that the product will function as expected and to ensure customer confidence in design, workmanship, and overall quality. Warranty coverage is generally provided for specified periods of time and on select products’ hours of usage, and generally covers parts, labor, and other expenses for non-maintenance repairs. Warranty coverage generally does not cover operator abuse or improper use. An authorized company distributor or dealer must perform warranty work. Distributors and dealers submit claims for warranty reimbursement and are credited for the cost of repairs, labor, and other expenses as long as the repairs meet the company's prescribed standards. Service support outside of the warranty period is provided by authorized distributors and dealers at the customer's expense. In addition to the standard warranties offered by the company on its products, the company also sells separately priced extended warranty coverage on select products for a prescribed period after the original warranty period expires.
The company recognizes expense and provides an accrual for estimated future warranty costs at the time of sale and also establishes accruals for major rework campaigns. Warranty accruals are based primarily on the estimated number of products under warranty, historical average costs incurred to service warranty claims, the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales, and the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim. The company periodically assesses the adequacy of its warranty accruals based on changes in these factors and records any necessary adjustments if actual claims experience indicates that adjustments are necessary. For additional information on the contract liabilities associated with the company's separately priced extended warranties, refer to Note 4, Revenue.
The changes in accrued warranties were as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Beginning balance
 
$
96,623

 
$
76,745

 
$
96,604

 
$
76,214

Provisions
 
17,072

 
17,946

 
31,103

 
28,502

Acquisitions
 
2,557

 
14,272

 
2,557

 
14,272

Claims
 
(16,927
)
 
(11,356
)
 
(31,630
)
 
(22,171
)
Changes in estimates
 
3,559

 
(1,855
)
 
4,250

 
(1,065
)
Ending balance
 
$
102,884

 
$
95,752

 
$
102,884

 
$
95,752


11
Investment in Finance Affiliate
In fiscal 2009, the company and TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. ("TCFIF"), a subsidiary of TCF National Bank, established the Red Iron joint venture to primarily provide inventory financing to certain distributors and dealers of certain of the company’s products in the U.S. Under such joint venture, the company owns 45 percent of Red Iron and TCFIF owns 55 percent of Red Iron. Under a separate agreement, TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc. ("TCFCFC") provides inventory financing to dealers of the company's products in Canada. On December 20, 2019, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the company amended certain agreements pertaining to the Red Iron joint venture. The purpose of these amendments was, among other things, to: (i) adjust certain rates under the floor plan financing rate structure charged to the company’s distributors and dealers participating in financing arrangements through the Red Iron joint venture; (ii) extend the term of the Red Iron joint venture from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026, subject to two-year extensions thereafter unless either the company or TCFIF provides written notice to the other party of non-renewal at least one year prior to the end of the then-current term; (iii) amend certain exclusivity-related provisions, including the definition of the company's products that are subject to exclusivity, inclusion of a two-year review period by the company for products acquired in future acquisitions to assess, without a commitment to exclusivity, the potential benefits and detriments of including such acquired products under the Red Iron financing arrangement, and the pro-rata payback over a five-year period of the exclusivity incentive payment the company received from TCFIF in 2016; (iv) extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility used by Red Iron primarily to finance the acquisition of inventory from the company by its distributors and dealers from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026 and to increase the amount available under such revolving credit facility from $550 million to $625 million; and (v) memorialize certain other non-material amendments.
The company accounts for its investment in Red Iron under the equity method of accounting. The company and TCFIF each contributed a specified amount of the estimated cash required to enable Red Iron to purchase the company’s inventory financing receivables and to provide financial support for Red Iron’s inventory financing programs. Red Iron borrows the remaining requisite estimated cash utilizing a $625.0 million secured revolving credit facility established under a credit agreement between Red Iron

21


and TCFIF. The company’s total investment in Red Iron as of May 1, 2020, May 3, 2019, and October 31, 2019 was $27.8 million, $30.1 million, and $24.1 million, respectively. The company has not guaranteed the outstanding indebtedness of Red Iron.
Under the financing agreement between Red Iron and the company, Red Iron provides financing for certain dealers and distributors. These transactions are structured as an advance in the form of a payment by Red Iron to the company on behalf of a distributor or dealer with respect to invoices financed by Red Iron. These payments extinguish the obligation of the dealer or distributor to make payment to the company under the terms of the applicable invoice. The company has also entered into a limited inventory repurchase agreement with Red Iron and TCFCFC. Under such limited inventory repurchase agreement, the company has agreed to repurchase products repossessed by Red Iron and TCFCFC, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $7.5 million in a calendar year. The company's financial exposure under this limited inventory repurchase agreement is limited to the difference between the amount paid to Red Iron and TCFCFC for repurchases of repossessed product and the amount received upon the subsequent resale of the repossessed product. The company has repurchased immaterial amounts of inventory under this limited inventory repurchase agreement for the six months ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019.
Under separate agreements between Red Iron and the dealers and distributors, Red Iron provides loans to the dealers and distributors for the advances paid by Red Iron to the company. The net amount of receivables financed for dealers and distributors under this arrangement for the six months ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019 were $886.4 million and $1,031.3 million, respectively. As of May 1, 2020, Red Iron’s total assets were $555.0 million and total liabilities were $493.1 million. The total amount of receivables due from Red Iron to the company as of May 1, 2020, May 3, 2019, and October 31, 2019 were $23.3 million, $38.7 million and $21.7 million, respectively.
12
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation costs related to stock-based awards were as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Unrestricted common stock awards
 
$

 
$

 
$
693

 
$
592

Stock option awards
 
2,316

 
1,328

 
4,094

 
3,163

Performance share awards
 
(1,885
)
 
1,014

 
(1,338
)
 
1,818

Restricted stock unit awards
 
976

 
759

 
1,918

 
1,452

Total compensation cost for stock-based awards
 
$
1,407

 
$
3,101

 
$
5,367

 
$
7,025


During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, in response to COVID-19 and its impact on the company's Consolidated Financial Position, Results of Operations, and Cash Flows, the probability of achieving the company's performance goals was revised. Such revision impacted the company's performance share awards, which resulted in a reduction in the cumulative expense recorded for such awards within selling, general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020.
Unrestricted Common Stock Awards
During the first six months of fiscal years 2020 and 2019, 8,920 and 10,090 shares, respectively, of fully vested unrestricted common stock awards were granted to certain members of the company's Board of Directors as a component of their compensation for their service on the Board of Directors and are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. No shares of fully vested unrestricted common stock awards were granted during the second quarter of fiscal years 2020 and 2019.
Stock Option Awards
Under The Toro Company Amended and Restated 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the "2010 plan"), stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange. Options are generally granted to executive officers, other employees, and non-employee members of the company’s Board of Directors on an annual basis in the first quarter of the company’s fiscal year. Options generally vest one-third each year over a three-year period and have a ten-year term. Other options granted to certain employees vest in full on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant and have a ten-year term. Compensation cost equal to the grant date fair value is generally recognized for these awards over the vesting period. Stock options granted to executive officers and other employees are subject to accelerated vesting if the option holder meets the retirement definition set forth in the 2010 plan. In that case, the fair value of the options is expensed in the fiscal year of grant because generally, if the option holder is employed as of the end of the fiscal year in which the options are granted, such options will not be forfeited but continue to vest according to their schedule following retirement. Similarly, if a non-employee director has served on the company’s Board of Directors for ten full

22


fiscal years or more, the awards vest immediately upon retirement, and therefore, the fair value of the options granted is fully expensed on the date of the grant.
The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation method. The expected life is a significant assumption as it determines the period for which the risk-free interest rate, stock price volatility, and dividend yield must be applied. The expected life is the average length of time in which executive officers, other employees, and non-employee directors are expected to exercise their stock options, which is primarily based on historical exercise experience. The company groups executive officers and non-employee directors for valuation purposes based on similar historical exercise behavior. Expected stock price volatilities are based on the daily movement of the company’s common stock over the most recent historical period equivalent to the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury rate over the expected life at the time of grant. Dividend yield is estimated over the expected life based on the company’s historical cash dividends paid, expected future cash dividends and dividend yield, and expected changes in the company’s stock price.
The table below illustrates the weighted-average valuation assumptions for options granted in the first six months of the following fiscal periods:
 
 
Fiscal 2020
 
Fiscal 2019
Expected life of option in years
 
6.31
 
6.31
Expected stock price volatility
 
19.38%
 
19.84%
Risk-free interest rate
 
1.79%
 
2.77%
Expected dividend yield
 
0.98%
 
1.18%
Per share weighted-average fair value at date of grant
 
$15.36
 
$12.82

Performance Share Awards
Under the 2010 plan, the company grants performance share awards to executive officers and other employees under which they are entitled to receive shares of the company’s common stock contingent on the achievement of performance goals of the company and businesses of the company, which are generally measured over a three-year period. The number of shares of common stock a participant receives can be increased (up to 200 percent of target levels) or reduced (down to zero) based on the level of achievement of performance goals and will vest at the end of a three-year period. Performance share awards are generally granted on an annual basis in the first quarter of the company’s fiscal year. Compensation cost is recognized for these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the per share fair value as of the date of grant and the probability of achieving each performance goal. The per share weighted-average fair value of performance share awards granted during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was $77.33 and $59.58, respectively. No performance share awards were granted during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Under the 2010 plan, restricted stock unit awards are generally granted to certain employees that are not executive officers. Occasionally, restricted stock unit awards may be granted, including to executive officers, in connection with hiring, mid-year promotions, leadership transition, or retention. Restricted stock unit awards generally vest one-third each year over a three-year period, or vest in full on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant. Such awards may have performance-based rather than time-based vesting requirements. Compensation cost equal to the grant date fair value, which is equal to the closing price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares subject to the restricted stock unit awards, is recognized for these awards over the vesting period. The per share weighted-average fair value of restricted stock unit awards granted during the first six months of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was $76.12 and $64.75, respectively.

23


13
Stockholders' Equity
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL"), net of tax, within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
October 31, 2019
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
36,916

 
$
30,047

 
$
31,025

Pension and post-retirement benefits
 
3,949

 
561

 
4,861

Cash flow derivative instruments
 
(7,163
)
 
(5,492
)
 
(3,837
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
$
33,702

 
$
25,116

 
$
32,049


The components and activity of AOCL, net of tax, for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Foreign 
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Pension and
Post-Retirement
Benefits
 
Cash Flow Hedging Derivative Instruments
 
Total
Balance as of January 31, 2020
 
$
31,749

 
$
4,861

 
$
(4,489
)
 
$
32,121

Other comprehensive (income) loss before reclassifications
 
5,167

 

 
(194
)
 
4,973

Amounts reclassified from AOCL
 

 
(912
)
 
(2,480
)
 
(3,392
)
Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss
 
5,167

 
(912
)
 
(2,674
)
 
1,581

Balance as of May 1, 2020
 
$
36,916

 
$
3,949

 
$
(7,163
)
 
$
33,702

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Foreign 
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Pension and
Post-Retirement
Benefits
 
Cash Flow Hedging Derivative Instruments
 
Total
Balance as of October 31, 2019
 
$
31,025

 
$
4,861

 
$
(3,837
)
 
$
32,049

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
5,891

 

 
691

 
6,582

Amounts reclassified from AOCL
 

 
(912
)
 
(4,017
)
 
(4,929
)
Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss
 
5,891

 
(912
)
 
(3,326
)
 
1,653

Balance as of May 1, 2020
 
$
36,916

 
$
3,949

 
$
(7,163
)
 
$
33,702

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Foreign 
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Pension and
Post-Retirement
Benefits
 
Cash Flow Hedging Derivative Instruments
 
Total
Balance as of February 1, 2019
 
$
26,280

 
$
561

 
$
(2,326
)
 
$
24,515

Other comprehensive (income) loss before reclassifications
 
3,767

 

 
(1,812
)
 
1,955

Amounts reclassified from AOCL
 

 

 
(1,354
)
 
(1,354
)
Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss
 
3,767

 

 
(3,166
)
 
601

Balance as of May 3, 2019
 
$
30,047

 
$
561

 
$
(5,492
)
 
$
25,116



24


(Dollars in thousands)
 
Foreign 
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
 
Pension and
Post-Retirement
Benefits
 
Cash Flow Hedging Derivative Instruments
 
Total
Balance as of October 31, 2018
 
$
29,711

 
$
561

 
$
(6,335
)
 
$
23,937

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications
 
336

 

 
3,678

 
4,014

Amounts reclassified from AOCL
 

 

 
(2,835
)
 
(2,835
)
Net current period other comprehensive loss
 
336

 

 
843

 
1,179

Balance as of May 3, 2019
 
$
30,047

 
$
561

 
$
(5,492
)
 
$
25,116


For additional information on the components reclassified from AOCL to the respective line items within net earnings for the company's cash flow hedging derivative instruments, refer to Note 17, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
14
Per Share Data
Reconciliations of basic and diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding were as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Shares in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Basic
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock
 
107,552

 
106,679

 
107,466

 
106,445

Assumed issuance of contingent shares
 

 

 
21

 
21

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares
 
107,552

 
106,679

 
107,487

 
106,466

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares
 
107,552

 
106,679

 
107,487

 
106,466

Effect of dilutive securities
 
948

 
1,328

 
1,094

 
1,443

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock, assumed issuance of contingent shares, and effect of dilutive securities
 
108,500

 
108,007

 
108,581

 
107,909


Incremental shares from options and restricted stock units are computed under the treasury stock method. Options to purchase 615,344 and 757,083 shares of common stock during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively, were excluded from diluted net earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive. Options to purchase 442,321 and 837,936 shares of common stock during the first six months of fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively, were excluded from diluted net earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.
15
Contingencies
Litigation
The company is party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Such matters are generally subject to uncertainties and to outcomes that are not predictable with assurance and that may not be known for extended periods of time. Litigation occasionally involves claims for punitive, as well as compensatory damages arising out of the use of the company’s products. Although the company is self-insured to some extent, the company maintains insurance against certain product liability losses. The company is also subject to litigation and administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to claims involving asbestos and the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these claims assert damages and liability for personal injury, remedial investigations or clean up and other costs and damages. The company is also typically involved in commercial disputes, employment disputes, and patent litigation cases in which it is asserting or defending against patent infringement claims. To prevent possible infringement of the company’s patents by others, the company periodically reviews competitors’ products. To avoid potential liability with respect to others’ patents, the company regularly reviews certain patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices. Management believes these activities help minimize its risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation. The company is currently involved in patent litigation cases, including cases by or against competitors, where it is asserting and defending against claims of patent infringement. Such cases are at varying stages in the litigation process.

25


The company records a liability in its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for costs related to claims, including future legal costs, settlements and judgments, where the company has assessed that a loss is probable and an amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred. In the opinion of management, the amount of liability, if any, with respect to these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not materially affect its Consolidated Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows.
16
Leases
The company enters into contracts that are, or contain, operating lease agreements for certain property, plant, or equipment assets in the normal course of business, such as buildings for manufacturing facilities, office space, distribution centers, and warehouse facilities; land for product testing sites; machinery and equipment for research and development activities, manufacturing and assembly processes, and administrative tasks; and vehicles for sales, service, marketing, and distribution activities. Contracts that explicitly or implicitly relate to property, plant, and equipment are assessed at inception to determine if the contract is, or contains, a lease. Such contracts for operating lease agreements convey the company's right to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from, an identified asset for a defined period of time in exchange for consideration.
The lease term begins and is determined upon lease commencement, which is the point in time when the company takes possession of the identified asset, and includes all non-cancelable periods. Additionally, the lease term may also include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that such options will be exercised after considering all relevant economic and financial factors. Options to extend or terminate a lease are generally exercisable at the company's sole discretion, subject to any required minimum notification period and/or other contractual terms as defined within the respective lease agreement, as applicable. The company's renewal options generally range from extended terms of two to ten years. Certain leases also include options to purchase the identified asset. Lease expense for the company's operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded within cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expense within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings as dictated by the nature and use of the underlying asset. The company does not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, but does recognize expense on a straight-line basis, for short-term operating leases which have a lease term of 12 months or less and do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset.
Lease payments are determined at lease commencement and represent fixed lease payments as defined within the respective lease agreement or, in the case of certain lease agreements, variable lease payments that are measured as of the lease commencement date based on the prevailing index or market rate. Future adjustments to variable lease payments are defined and scheduled within the respective lease agreement and are determined based upon the prevailing market or index rate at the time of the adjustment relative to the market or index rate determined at lease commencement. Certain other lease agreements contain variable lease payments that are determined based upon actual utilization of the identified asset. Such future adjustments to variable lease payments and variable lease payments based upon actual utilization of the identified asset are not included within the determination of lease payments at commencement but rather, are recorded as variable lease expense in the period in which the variable lease cost is incurred. Additionally, the company's operating leases generally do not include material residual value guarantees. The company has operating leases with both lease components and non-lease components. For all underlying asset classes, the company accounts for lease components separately from non-lease components based on the relative market value of each component. Non-lease components typically consist of common area maintenance, utilities, and/or other repairs and maintenance services. The costs related to non-lease components are not included within the determination of lease payments at commencement.
Right-of-use assets represent the company's right to use an underlying asset throughout the lease term and lease liabilities represent the company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease agreement. The company accounts for operating lease liabilities at lease commencement and on an ongoing basis as the present value of the minimum remaining lease payments under the respective lease term. Minimum remaining lease payments are discounted to present value based on the rate implicit in the operating lease agreement or the estimated incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement if the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. Generally, the estimated incremental borrowing rate is used as the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. The estimated incremental borrowing rate represents the rate of interest that the company would have to pay to borrow on a general and unsecured collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The company determines the estimated incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement based on available information at such time, including lease term, lease currency, and geographical market. Right-of-use assets are measured as the amount of the corresponding operating lease liability for the respective operating lease agreement, adjusted for prepaid or accrued lease payments, the remaining balance of any lease incentives received, unamortized initial direct costs, and impairment of the operating lease right-of-use asset, as applicable.

26


The following table presents the lease expense incurred on the company’s operating, short-term, and variable leases:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 1, 2020
Operating lease expense
 
$
5,383

 
$
10,217

Short-term lease expense
 
646

 
1,328

Variable lease expense
 
59

 
96

Total lease expense
 
$
6,088

 
$
11,641

The following table presents supplemental cash flow information related to the company's operating leases:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 1, 2020
Operating cash flows for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
 
$
5,525

 
$
10,266

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations
 
$
10,909

 
$
17,042


The following table presents other lease information related to the company's operating leases as of May 1, 2020:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term of operating leases in years
 
7.4

Weighted-average discount rate of operating leases
 
2.81
%

The following table reconciles the total undiscounted future cash flows based on the anticipated future minimum operating lease payments by fiscal year for the company's operating leases to the present value of operating lease liabilities recorded within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 1, 2020:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
2020 (remaining)
 
$
24,263

2021
 
17,253

2022
 
14,698

2023
 
11,761

2024
 
10,569

Thereafter
 
33,394

Total future minimum operating lease payments
 
111,938

Less: imputed interest
 
25,698

Present value of operating lease liabilities
 
$
86,240


The following table presents future minimum operating lease payments by respective fiscal year for non-cancelable operating leases under the legacy lease accounting guidance at ASC Topic 840, Leases, as of October 31, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
October 31, 2019
2020
 
$
17,135

2021
 
15,764

2022
 
12,806

2023
 
9,772

2024
 
8,863

Thereafter
 
18,732

Total future minimum lease payments
 
$
83,072



27


17
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business, such as sales to third-party customers, sales and loans to wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries, foreign plant operations, and purchases from suppliers. The company’s primary currency exchange rate exposures are with the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the Chinese Renminbi, and the Romanian New Leu against the U.S. dollar, as well as the Romanian New Leu against the Euro.
To reduce its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, the company actively manages the exposure of its foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into various derivative instruments to hedge against such risk, authorized under company policies that place controls on these hedging activities, with counterparties that are highly rated financial institutions. The company’s policy does not allow the use of derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The company has also made an accounting policy election to use the portfolio exception with respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for derivative instruments, and to measure the fair value of a portfolio of financial assets and financial liabilities on the basis of the net open risk position with each counterparty.
The company’s hedging activities primarily involve the use of forward currency contracts to hedge most foreign currency transactions, including forecasted sales and purchases denominated in foreign currencies. The company uses derivative instruments only in an attempt to limit underlying exposure from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and to minimize earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Decisions on whether to use such derivative instruments are primarily based on the amount of exposure to the currency involved and an assessment of the near-term market value for each currency.
The company recognizes all derivative instruments at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedging instrument.
Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
The company formally documents relationships between cash flow hedging instruments and the related hedged transactions, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking cash flow hedging instruments. This process includes linking all cash flow hedging instruments to the forecasted transactions, such as sales to third parties, foreign plant operations, and purchases from suppliers. At the cash flow hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, the company formally assesses whether the cash flow hedging instruments have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged transactions and whether those cash flow hedging instruments may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods.
Changes in the fair values of the spot rate component of outstanding, highly effective cash flow hedging instruments included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness are recorded in other comprehensive income within AOCL on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are subsequently reclassified to net earnings within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings during the same period in which the cash flows of the underlying hedged transaction affect net earnings. Changes in the fair values of hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized immediately in net earnings under the mark-to-market approach. The classification of gains or losses recognized on cash flow hedging instruments and excluded components within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings is the same as that of the underlying exposure. Results of cash flow hedging instruments, and the related excluded components, of sales and foreign plant operations are recorded in net sales and cost of sales, respectively. The maximum amount of time the company hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted trade sales and purchases is two years. Results of cash flow hedges of intercompany loans are recorded in other income, net as an offset to the remeasurement of the foreign loan balance.
When it is determined that a derivative instrument is not, or has ceased to be, highly effective as a cash flow hedge, the company discontinues cash flow hedge accounting prospectively. The gain or loss on the dedesignated derivative instrument remains in AOCL and is reclassified to net earnings within the same Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings line item as the underlying exposure when the forecasted transaction affects net earnings. When the company discontinues cash flow hedge accounting because it is no longer probable, but it is still reasonably possible that the forecasted transaction will occur by the end of the originally expected period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument remains in AOCL and is reclassified to net earnings within the same Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings line item as the underlying exposure when the forecasted transaction affects net earnings. However, if it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter, the gains and losses that were in AOCL are immediately recognized in net earnings within other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. In all situations in which cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative

28


instrument remains outstanding, the company carries the derivative instrument at its fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, recognizing future changes in the fair value within other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
As of May 1, 2020, the notional amount outstanding of forward contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $248.6 million.
Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
The company also enters into foreign currency contracts that include forward currency contracts to mitigate the remeasurement of specific assets and liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contracts are not designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of hedges of recorded balance sheet positions, such as cash, receivables, payables, intercompany notes, and other various contractual claims to pay or receive foreign currencies other than the functional currency, are recognized immediately in other income, net, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position.
The following table presents the fair value and location of the company’s derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
October 31, 2019
Derivative assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
 

 
 

 
 

Forward currency contracts
 
$
13,303

 
$
8,980

 
$
8,642

Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts
 
7,270

 
3,881

 
2,256

Total assets
 
$
20,573

 
$
12,861

 
$
10,898

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts
 
$

 
$

 
$

Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts
 
259

 
3

 
9

Total liabilities
 
$
259

 
$
3

 
$
9


The company entered into an International Swap Dealers Association ("ISDA") Master Agreement with each counterparty that permits the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective contracts. The ISDA Master Agreement is an industry standardized contract that governs all derivative contracts entered into between the company and the respective counterparty. Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits the company or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable or receivable for contracts due on the same date or in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions. The company records the fair value of its derivative instruments at the net amount in its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

29


The following table presents the effects of the master netting arrangements on the fair value of the company’s derivative instruments that are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
October 31, 2019
Derivative assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross amounts of recognized assets
 
$
20,662

 
$
12,861

 
$
11,056

Gross liabilities offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(89
)
 

 
(158
)
Net amounts of assets presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
$
20,573

 
$
12,861

 
$
10,898

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities
 
$
(259
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(9
)
Gross assets offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 

 

 

Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
$
(259
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(9
)

The following tables present the impact and location of the amounts reclassified from AOCL into net earnings on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the impact of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the company's derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments for the three and six months ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
Gain Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings
 
Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
2,272

 
$
1,240

 
$
2,521

 
$
2,766

Cost of sales
 
208

 
114

 
153

 
400

Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
 
$
2,480

 
$
1,354

 
$
2,674

 
$
3,166

 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
Gain Reclassified from AOCL into Earnings
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
3,477

 
$
2,478

 
$
3,105

 
$
(715
)
Cost of sales
 
540

 
357

 
221

 
(128
)
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
 
$
4,017

 
$
2,835

 
$
3,326

 
$
(843
)

For the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2020, the company recognized approximately $0.5 million of gains within other income, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings due to the discontinuance of cash flow hedge accounting on certain forward currency contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact to the probability of realizing hedged forecasted transactions. For the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2019, the company did not discontinue cash flow hedge accounting on any forward currency contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments. As of May 1, 2020, the company expects to reclassify approximately $6.8 million of gains from AOCL to earnings during the next twelve months.

30


The following tables present the impact and location of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the company’s derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments and the related components excluded from effectiveness testing:
 
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Three Months Ended
 
Net Sales
 
Cost of Sales
 
Net Sales
 
Cost of Sales
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings income (expense) amounts in which the effects of cash flow hedging instruments are recorded
 
$
929,398

 
$
(622,681
)
 
$
962,036

 
$
(640,738
)
Gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gain reclassified from AOCL into earnings
 
2,272

 
208

 
1,240

 
114

Gain (loss) on components excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings based on changes in fair value
 
$
2,332

 
$
134

 
$
1,094

 
$
(46
)
 
 
Gain Recognized in Earnings on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Six Months Ended
 
Net Sales
 
Cost of Sales
 
Net Sales
 
Cost of Sales
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings income (expense) amounts in which the effects of cash flow hedging instruments are recorded
 
$
1,696,881

 
$
(1,102,076
)
 
$
1,564,992

 
$
(1,028,077
)
Gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gain reclassified from AOCL into earnings
 
3,477

 
540

 
2,478

 
357

Gain on components excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings based on changes in fair value
 
$
2,992

 
$
145

 
$
2,317

 
$
16


The following table presents the impact and location of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the company’s derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Gain on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income, net
 
$
1,557

 
$
1,790

 
$
1,777

 
$
727

Total gain on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments
 
$
1,557

 
$
1,790

 
$
1,777

 
$
727



31


18
Fair Value Measurements
The company categorizes its assets and liabilities into one of three levels based on the assumptions (inputs) used in valuing the asset or liability. Estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the accounting guidance for fair value measurements. The framework defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures. The framework discusses valuation techniques such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flows), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The framework utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The company's derivative instruments consist of forward currency contracts that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of such forward currency contracts is determined based on observable market transactions of forward currency prices and spot currency rates as of the reporting date. There were no transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy during the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, or the twelve months ended October 31, 2019.
The following tables present, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of May 1, 2020, May 3, 2019, and October 31, 2019, according to the valuation technique utilized to determine their fair values:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:
May 1, 2020
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Forward currency contracts
 
$
20,573

 
$

 
$
20,573

 
$

Total assets
 
$
20,573

 
$

 
$
20,573

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Forward currency contracts
 
$
259

 
$

 
$
259

 
$

Total liabilities
 
$
259

 
$

 
$
259

 
$

(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:
May 3, 2019
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Forward currency contracts
 
$
12,861

 
$

 
$
12,861

 
$

Total assets
 
$
12,861

 
$

 
$
12,861

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward currency contracts
 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

 
$

Total liabilities
 
$
3

 
$

 
$
3

 
$


32


(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as:
October 31, 2019
 
Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Forward currency contracts
 
$
10,898

 
$

 
$
10,898

 
$

Total assets
 
$
10,898

 
$

 
$
10,898

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Forward currency contracts
 
$
9

 
$

 
$
9

 
$

Total liabilities
 
$
9

 
$

 
$
9

 
$


Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
The company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets, goodwill, and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which would generally be recorded at fair value as a result of an impairment charge. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of business combinations are measured at fair value. For additional information on the company's business combinations and the related nonrecurring fair value measurement of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
The carrying amounts of the company's short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt, when applicable, approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.
As of May 1, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the company's long-term debt included $423.9 million of fixed-rate debt that is not subject to variable interest rate fluctuations. The fair value of such long-term debt is determined using Level 2 inputs by discounting the projected cash flows based on quoted market rates at which similar amounts of debt could currently be borrowed. As of May 1, 2020, the estimated fair value of long-term debt with fixed interest rates was $476.3 million compared to its carrying amount of $423.9 million. As of October 31, 2019, the estimated fair value of long-term debt with fixed interest rates was $493.8 million compared to its carrying amount of $423.9 million.
19
Subsequent Events
The company has evaluated all subsequent events and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

33


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the comparisons presented in this MD&A refer to the same period in the prior fiscal year. Our MD&A is presented as follows:
Company Overview
Results of Operations
Business Segments
Financial Position
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Forward-Looking Information
This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the MD&A included in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. This discussion contains various "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and we refer readers to the section titled "Forward-Looking Information" located at the end of Part I, Item 2 of this report for more information.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Throughout this MD&A, we have provided non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), as information supplemental and in addition to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in this report that are calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures in making operating decisions because we believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our core operational performance and provide us with a better understanding of how to allocate resources to both ongoing and prospective business initiatives. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate our internal comparisons to both our historical operating results and to our competitors' operating results by factoring out potential differences caused by charges not related to our regular, ongoing business, including, without limitation, non-cash charges, certain large and unpredictable charges, acquisitions and dispositions, legal settlements, and tax positions.
We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, provide investors with useful supplemental financial information to better understand our core operational performance. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A. These non-GAAP financial measures, however, should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures and metrics. Further, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Toro Company is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and marketing professional turf maintenance equipment and services; turf irrigation systems; landscaping equipment and lighting products; snow and ice management products; agricultural irrigation systems; rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment; and residential yard and snow thrower products. We sell our products worldwide through a network of distributors, dealers, mass retailers, hardware retailers, equipment rental centers, home centers, as well as online (direct to end-users). We strive to provide innovative, well-built, and dependable products supported by an extensive service network. A significant portion of our net sales has historically been, and we expect will continue to be, attributable to new and enhanced products. We define new products as those introduced in the current and previous two fiscal years.
We classify our operations into two reportable business segments: Professional and Residential. Our remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. Such Other activities consist of earnings (loss) from our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, corporate activities, and the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "company," "TTC," "we," "our," or "us" refer to The Toro Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Business Combinations
Acquisition of Venture Products, Inc. ("Venture Products")
On March 2, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Venture Products. Venture Products designs, manufactures, and markets articulating turf, landscape, and snow and ice management equipment for grounds, landscape contractor, golf, municipal, and rural

34


acreage customers and provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened our Professional segment and expanded our dealer network.
The acquisition of Venture Products was structured as a merger, pursuant to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of TTC merged with and into Venture Products, with Venture Products continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of TTC. As a result of the merger, all of the outstanding equity securities of Venture Products were canceled and now only represent the right to receive the applicable cash consideration as described in the merger agreement. We also acquired from an affiliate of Venture Products the real estate used by Venture Products. The aggregate preliminary consideration for Venture Products and the real estate was $165.9 million, which consisted of a cash payment of $136.4 million and a $29.5 million holdback to satisfy any indemnification or certain other obligations of Venture Products to TTC. The aggregate preliminary consideration remains subject to certain customary adjustments based on, among other things, the amount of actual cash, debt, and working capital in the business of Venture Products as of closing date. These adjustments are expected to be completed during fiscal 2020. The holdback is expected to expire by the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. We funded the cash payment with borrowings under our existing unsecured senior revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the Venture Products acquisition and our unsecured senior revolving credit facility utilized to fund the aggregate preliminary consideration, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, and Note 6, Indebtedness, respectively, in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I. Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Acquisition of The Charles Machine Works, Inc. ("CMW")
On April 1, 2019, we completed our acquisition of CMW, a privately held Oklahoma corporation. CMW designs, manufactures, and markets a range of professional products to serve the underground construction market, including horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, compact utility loaders/skid steers, vacuum excavators, asset locators, pipe rehabilitation solutions, and after-market tools. CMW provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened our Professional segment product portfolio and expanded our dealer network, while also providing a complementary geographic manufacturing footprint. As of the closing date of the transaction, we paid preliminary merger consideration of $679.3 million that was subject to customary adjustments based on, among other things, the amount of actual cash, debt, and working capital in the business of CMW as of the closing date. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we finalized the adjustments, which resulted in an aggregate merger consideration of $685.0 million. We funded the purchase price for the acquisition by using a combination of cash proceeds from the issuance of borrowings under our unsecured senior term loan credit agreement and borrowings under our unsecured senior revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the CMW acquisition and the financing agreements utilized to fund the purchase price, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, and Note 6, Indebtedness, respectively, in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I. Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19" or "the virus") outbreak a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets, and has resulted in a global economic slowdown. COVID-19 has resulted in government authorities around the world implementing stringent measures to attempt to help control the spread of the virus, including business shutdowns and curtailments, travel restrictions, prohibitions on group events and gatherings, quarantines, "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders, curfews, social distancing, and other measures. The global economic impact of this pandemic has had a material impact on our business, customers, and suppliers and has caused many challenges, which began in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and steadily increased as the second quarter progressed.
As the events surrounding COVID-19 continued to unfold during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, our main focus was, and will continue to be, the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees, customers, suppliers and communities around the world. In support of continuing our global manufacturing operations, we have adopted rigorous and meaningful safety measures recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and federal, state, local, and foreign authorities to protect our employees, customers, suppliers, and communities. These important safety measures enacted at our facilities and other sites include, but are not limited to, implementing social distancing protocols such as the reconfiguration of manufacturing processes and other workspaces, instituting working from home arrangements for those employees that do not need to be physically present at our facilities and sites to perform their job responsibilities, suspending non-essential travel, extensively and frequently disinfecting our facilities and workspaces, suspending all non-essential visitors, and providing or accommodating the wearing of face coverings and other sanitary measures to those employees who must be physically present at our facilities and sites to perform their job responsibilities. We also adopted a special COVID-19 employee leave policy that provides two weeks of pay for employees who have contracted the virus, are involuntarily quarantined because of the virus, or are without work due to changes in our production schedules as a result of the virus. We expect to continue such safety measures until we determine that COVID-19 is adequately contained for purposes of our operations and we may take further actions as government authorities require or recommend or as we determine to be in the best interests of our employees, customers, suppliers, and communities.

35


We have been balancing our safety-focused approach with our responsibility to meet the needs of our customers as we supply them with products that are critical to maintaining essential infrastructure globally, agricultural food production, and the enablement of safe areas for outdoor spaces. Government mandated measures providing for business shutdowns or curtailments generally exclude certain essential businesses and services, including businesses that manufacture and sell products that are considered essential to daily lives or otherwise operate in essential or critical sectors. Substantially all of our operations are considered essential under applicable government mandated orders relating to COVID-19 allowing us to continue our global manufacturing and other operations. While we have been able to continue manufacturing substantially all of our products and our facilities have remained operational, we have experienced intermittent partial or full facility closures, reduced levels of production at certain facilities, and manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of these government mandated measures, reduced demand for products in certain of our businesses, and the reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities. We have not yet experienced any significant impacts to our global manufacturing operations due to disruptions in our global supply chain as a result of COVID-19. Although we regularly monitor the financial health of the companies in our supply chain, financial hardship or government mandated restrictions on our suppliers caused by COVID-19 could cause a disruption in our ability to procure the commodities, components, and parts required to manufacture our products. Ongoing communications continue with our suppliers in an attempt to identify and mitigate such risks and to proactively manage inventory levels of commodities, components, and parts to align with anticipated reduced levels of production as a result of softened demand for our products and other government actions. While domestic and/or international governmental measures may be modified or extended, we currently expect that our global manufacturing facilities will remain operational, although operating at reduced production capacity at certain of our facilities, during the remainder of fiscal 2020. However, such expectation is dependent upon, among other things, future governmental actions and demand for our products, the stability of our global supply chain, and the ability of carriers to transport procured commodities, components, and parts to our facilities and transport our products to our customers.
As a result of the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, in mid-March 2020, we began experiencing softened demand in certain of our businesses. Within our Professional segment, the majority of our businesses were adversely impacted during our fiscal 2020 second quarter due to reduced demand from channel partners and end-customers. Most notably, our golf and grounds; irrigation; landscape contractor; and rental, specialty, and underground construction businesses were particularly affected by COVID-19. Demand for our golf and grounds and irrigation products decreased as a result of the curtailment and closure of certain business activities for golf courses and municipalities across the globe resulting in lower overall revenues and budget constraints and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new equipment purchases. The decrease in demand for our landscape contractor business was primarily due to channel partners aligning field inventory levels with reduced retail demand from end-customers. Our rental, specialty, and underground construction business experienced reduced demand as a result of curtailed investments by end-customers in the oil and gas and construction industries. We currently expect this reduced demand in our Professional segment business to continue, particularly if adverse economic and recessionary conditions continue or worsen. Contrary to the impact experienced in the majority of our Professional segment businesses, our Residential segment experienced strong retail demand during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 for zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers partially due to the impacts of COVID-19 as, among other reasons, end-customers were subject to government mandated "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders and experienced favorable spring weather conditions for property enhancement and maintenance activities in key regions of the globe. While the strong retail demand experienced in our Residential segment is a positive event in light of COVID-19, the shift to a greater percentage of Residential segment net sales as a percentage of consolidated net sales adversely impacted our gross margins for the for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and we expect will continue to adversely impact our gross margins.
In an effort to partially mitigate the anticipated adverse impacts of COVID-19 on our fiscal 2020 Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows as a result of lower demand we have experienced in certain of our businesses, we have taken and continue to take meaningful cost reduction measures across our organization to align our costs with anticipated lower sales volumes. These cost reduction measures include reducing production levels within our manufacturing facilities to align with anticipated reduced sales volumes; enacting tiered salary reductions and suspending merit-based salary increases and discretionary retirement fund contributions for the remainder of fiscal 2020; reducing discretionary spending; freezing the hiring of new employees; and delaying, reducing, or eliminating purchased services and travel. Additionally, we have proactively managed our working capital through various measures, and we expect to continue to do so, including, but not limited to, refinancing outstanding borrowings on our unsecured senior revolving credit facility with the net proceeds from a new three year term loan for $190.0 million, which also added incremental liquidity; reducing capital expenditures; continuing the curtailment of share repurchases under our Board authorized repurchase plan; reducing production levels within our manufacturing facilities to manage finished goods inventory levels to align with lower sales volumes; deferring receipts of commodities, components, and parts inventory to align with reduced production levels; and monitoring and participating in government economic stabilization efforts and certain legislative provisions, such as deferring certain tax payments, as applicable. We currently expect to continue paying our quarterly cash dividend to shareholders for the remainder of fiscal 2020. As a result of proactively managing our working capital and monitoring government economic stabilization efforts, our balance sheet and liquidity profile remains strong with available liquidity of approximately $798.1 million as of May 1, 2020, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of approximately $200.0 million and availability under our unsecured senior revolving credit facility of $598.1 million.

36


Significant uncertainty still exists concerning the anticipated future magnitude of the impact and duration of COVID-19. We intend to continue to monitor the rapidly evolving situation and the guidance from global government authorities, as well as federal, state, local and foreign public health authorities, and may take additional meaningful actions based on their requirements and recommendations to attempt to protect the health and wellbeing of our employees, customers, suppliers, and communities. In these circumstances, there may be developments outside our control requiring us to adjust our operating plan and cost reduction measures and such developments could occur rapidly. Given the many evolving COVID-19 related factors, risks, and challenges that could negatively impact our business, we withdrew our fiscal 2020 detailed financial guidance on March 30, 2020. Many of these uncertainties still remain and as a result, we are not in a position to provide detailed financial guidance for our third quarter or full year of fiscal 2020 at this time nor do we have the ability to predict the level of impact of COVID-19 on our business and related Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows. We currently believe that the current market trends will continue throughout the remainder of our fiscal year, including customer budget constraints and cash preservation and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new equipment purchases in our Professional segment, as well as higher demand in our Residential segment. We expect that the third quarter of fiscal 2020 will be the most challenging quarter for our business with the most significant year-over-year net sales and diluted earnings per share declines experienced and we currently expect negative year-over-year fourth quarter net sales and diluted earnings per share growth. However, if adverse impacts from COVID-19 continue for an extended period of time or worsen, our business and related Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows could continue to be adversely impacted. Sustained adverse impacts to our business and certain suppliers or customers may also affect the future valuation of certain of our assets and therefore, may increase the likelihood of a charge related to an impairment, write-off, or reserve associated with such assets, including, but not limited to, goodwill, indefinite and finite-lived intangible assets, inventories, accounts receivable, deferred income taxes, and property, plant and equipment. Such a charge could be material to our future Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows.
For additional information regarding risks associated with COVID-19, refer to the section titled "Forward-Looking Information" located at the end of Part I, Item 2 and the section titled "Risk Factors" located within Part II, Item 1A, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Worldwide consolidated net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were $929.4 million, down 3.4 percent compared to $962.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. For the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020, worldwide consolidated net sales were $1,696.9 million, up 8.4 percent compared to $1,565.0 million from the same period in the prior fiscal year.
Professional segment net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were $661.1 million, a decrease of 8.6 percent compared to $723.5 million in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. This decrease was primarily due to the unfavorable impact of COVID-19 on our Professional businesses, partially offset by incremental net sales as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products. For the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020, Professional segment net sales were $1,255.8 million, an increase of 6.6 percent compared to $1,178.5 million in the prior fiscal year comparable period. This increase was driven by incremental net sales as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of COVID-19 on our Professional businesses.
Residential segment net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were $262.0 million, an increase of 12.9 percent compared to $232.1 million in the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. For the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020, Residential segment net sales were $427.8 million, an increase of 13.4 percent compared to $377.3 million in the prior fiscal year comparable period. These increases were mainly driven by incremental sales to our expanded mass retail channel and strong retail demand driven by favorable weather conditions in key regions, new and enhanced products, and government mandated "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders.
Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were $98.4 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared to $115.6 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2019. Net earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2020 were $168.5 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $175.1 million, or $1.62 per diluted share in the comparable fiscal 2019 period.
Non-GAAP net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were $100.2 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $126.0 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, for the prior fiscal year comparative period, a decrease of 21.4 percent per diluted share. Non-GAAP net earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2020 were $169.8 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, compared to $182.7 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, in the comparable fiscal 2019 period, a decrease of 7.7 percent per diluted share. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.
We increased our cash dividend for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 by 11.1 percent to $0.25 per share compared to the $0.225 per share cash dividend paid in the second quarter of fiscal 2019.

37


Field inventory levels were slightly higher as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily as a result of higher Residential segment field inventory due to shipments into our expanded mass retail channel and incremental field inventories within our Professional segment as a result of the acquisition of Venture Products, partially offset by reduced field inventories in our golf and grounds and landscape contractor businesses as our channel partners aligned field inventory levels with anticipated retail demand for our products.
Three-Year Employee Initiative - "Vision 2020"
Our current multi-year employee initiative, "Vision 2020", which began with our 2018 fiscal year, focuses on driving profitable growth with an emphasis on innovation and serving our customers, which we believe will generate further momentum for the organization. Through the first two fiscal years of our Vision 2020 initiative, we set specific financial goals, which included organic revenue and operating earnings growth. After our transformational acquisition of CMW, we changed the focus of our third and final fiscal year of our Vision 2020 initiative to a revised enterprise-wide performance goal of achieving non-GAAP operating earnings of $485.0 million. However, as a result of COVID-19 and its impact on our fiscal 2020 Results of Operations experienced to date, we do not expect to meet this enterprise-wide performance goal for fiscal 2020.
Net Sales
Worldwide consolidated net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were $929.4 million, down 3.4 percent compared to $962.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. This decrease was primarily the result of reduced net sales in the majority of our Professional segment businesses due to reduced demand from channel partners and end-customers as a result of COVID-19. Within our Professional segment businesses, the decrease was primarily due to fewer shipments of golf and grounds equipment and irrigation products as a result of the curtailment and closure of certain business activities for golf courses and municipalities across the globe resulting in lower overall revenues and budget constraints and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new equipment purchases; fewer shipments of our landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers as our channel partners aligned field inventory levels with reduced retail demand for our products; and reduced sales of our rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment as a result of the global economic slowdown experienced during our fiscal 2020 second quarter that unfavorably impacted the oil and gas and construction industries. These net sales decreases were partially offset by incremental sales in our Professional segment as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products, as well as an increase in net sales in our Residential segment driven by incremental shipments of zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers as a result of our expanded mass retail channel and strong retail demand driven by favorable spring weather conditions in key regions, new and enhanced products, and government mandated "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders.
For the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020, worldwide consolidated net sales were $1,696.9 million, up 8.4 percent compared to $1,565.0 million from the same period in the prior fiscal year. This increase was primarily driven by incremental sales in our Professional segment as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products, as well as an increase in net sales in our Residential segment driven by incremental shipments of zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers as a result of our expanded mass retail channel and strong retail demand driven by favorable spring weather conditions in key regions, new and enhanced products, and government mandated "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders. These increases were partially offset by reductions in net sales for the majority of our Professional segment businesses due to reduced demand from channel partners and end-customers as a result of COVID-19. Within our Professional segment businesses, the decrease was primarily due to fewer shipments of golf and grounds equipment and irrigation products as a result of the curtailment and closure of certain business activities for golf courses and municipalities across the globe resulting in lower overall revenues and budget constraints and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new equipment purchases; fewer shipments of our landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers as our channel partners aligned field inventory levels with reduced retail demand for our products; and reduced sales volumes for our rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment as a result of the global economic slowdown experienced during our fiscal 2020 second quarter that unfavorably impacted the oil and gas and construction industries.
Net sales in international markets decreased by 16.9 percent and 0.7 percent for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2020, respectively. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates resulted in a decrease in our net sales of approximately $5.4 million and $4.9 million for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2020, respectively. The net sales decrease for the quarter comparison was mainly due to decreased sales of golf and grounds and irrigation equipment, walk-power mowers, zero-turn riding mowers, and Pope-branded irrigation products as a result of COVID-19 related government mandated business curtailment measures in key global regions, partially offset by incremental sales as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products and higher shipments of our ag-irrigation products due to favorable weather conditions in key regions. The net sales decrease for the year-to-date comparison was mainly due to decreased sales of golf and grounds and irrigation equipment, zero-turn riding mowers, and walk power mowers as a result of COVID-19 related government mandated business curtailment measures in key global regions, partially offset by incremental sales as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products and higher shipments of our ag-irrigation products due to favorable weather conditions in key regions.

38


The following table summarizes the major operating costs and other income as a percentage of net sales:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Net sales
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Cost of sales
 
(67.0
)
 
(66.6
)
 
(64.9
)
 
(65.7
)
Gross profit
 
33.0

 
33.4

 
35.1

 
34.3

Selling, general and administrative expense
 
(19.5
)
 
(19.1
)
 
(22.3
)
 
(21.0
)
Operating earnings
 
13.5

 
14.3

 
12.8

 
13.3

Interest expense
 
(0.9
)
 
(0.7
)
 
(1.0
)
 
(0.7
)
Other income, net
 
0.5

 
0.7

 
0.4

 
0.6

Earnings before income taxes
 
13.1

 
14.3

 
12.2

 
13.2

Provision for income taxes
 
(2.5
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(2.3
)
 
(2.0
)
Net earnings
 
10.6
%
 
12.0
%
 
9.9
%
 
11.2
%
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 was $306.7 million, down 4.5 percent compared to $321.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. Gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 was 33.0 percent, a decrease of 40 basis points when compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019. The decrease in gross margin for the second quarter comparison was primarily due to unfavorable manufacturing variance due to production downtime and manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19-related facilities closures and the reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities and unfavorable product mix primarily due to higher sales of Residential segment products as a percentage of total consolidated net sales, partially offset by the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives, favorable net price realization within our Professional segment due to fewer sales promotion activities as a result of reduced demand and a revised floor plan financing rate structure as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to our Red Iron joint venture, and lower costs of commodities and tariffs. Non-GAAP gross profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 was $310.0 million, down 6.3 percent compared to $330.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. Non-GAAP gross margin was 33.4 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to 34.4 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2019, a decrease of 100 basis points. The decrease in non-GAAP gross margin is a result of the same factors noted above for the decrease to gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2020, as well as decreased acquisition-related costs for the fiscal 2020 acquisition of Venture Products as compared to the fiscal 2019 acquisition of CMW, partially offset by the incremental adjustment for management actions related to inventory write-down charges for the wind down of our Toro-branded large horizontal directional drill and riding trencher product line ("Toro underground wind down").
Gross profit for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020 was $594.8 million, up 10.8 percent compared to $536.9 million in the same period of fiscal 2019. Gross margin for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020 was 35.1 percent, an increase of 80 basis points when compared to the same period of fiscal 2019. The increase in gross margin for the year-to-date comparison was primarily due to the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives, favorable net price realization within our Professional segment due to fewer sales promotion activities as a result of reduced demand and a revised floor plan financing rate structure as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to our Red Iron joint venture, and lower costs of commodities and tariffs. The gross margin increase was partially offset by unfavorable manufacturing variance due to production downtime and manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19-related facilities closures and the reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities and unfavorable product mix primarily due to higher sales of Residential segment products as a percentage of total consolidated net sales. Non-GAAP gross profit for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020 was $598.5 million, up 9.5 percent compared to $546.4 million in the same period of fiscal 2019. Non-GAAP gross margin was 35.3 percent for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020 compared to 34.9 percent for the same year-to-date period of fiscal 2019, an increase of 40 basis points. The increase in non-GAAP gross margin is a result of the same factors noted above for the increase to gross margin for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020, as well as the adjustment for management actions related to inventory write-down charges for the Toro underground wind down, partially offset by a decrease in acquisition-related costs for the fiscal 2020 acquisition of Venture Products as compared to the fiscal 2019 acquisition of CMW.
Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin exclude the impact of acquisition-related costs related to our acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW, including charges incurred for the take-down of the inventory fair value step up amounts resulting from purchase accounting adjustments in both acquisitions and the amortization of the backlog intangible asset resulting from purchase accounting adjustments for the CMW acquisition, and the impact of management actions, including charges incurred for inventory write-downs related to the Toro underground wind down. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial

39


Measures" within this MD&A.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expense
SG&A expense decreased $2.7 million, or 1.4 percent, for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and increased $48.7 million, or 14.8 percent, for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expense increased 40 basis points for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and increased 130 basis points for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020. The increase in SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales for the second quarter comparison was primarily due to incremental engineering, marketing, and service costs as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products and higher warranty expense, partially offset by decreased incentive compensation costs as a result of diminished company performance due to COVID-19 and reduced transaction and integration costs incurred for the Venture Products acquisition in fiscal 2020 as compared to the transaction and integration costs incurred for the CMW acquisition in fiscal 2019. The increase in SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales for the year-to-date comparison was primarily due to incremental administrative, marketing, engineering, and service costs as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products and higher warranty expense, partially offset by decreased incentive compensation costs as a result of diminished company performance due to COVID-19 and reduced transaction and integration costs incurred for the Venture Products acquisition in fiscal 2020 as compared to the transaction and integration costs incurred for the CMW acquisition in fiscal 2019.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $2.0 million and $5.4 million for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2020 compared to the comparable periods of fiscal 2019. These increases were due to increased interest expense incurred on higher average outstanding borrowings under our financing arrangements as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2020 decreased $1.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in fiscal 2019. The decrease for the second quarter comparison was primarily due to a settlement charge incurred for the termination of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan, lower income from our Red Iron joint venture as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to the joint venture and lower sales volume, and lower interest income on marketable securities, partially offset the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates. The decrease for the year-to-date comparison was primarily due to lower income from our Red Iron joint venture as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to the joint venture and lower sales volume, lower interest income on marketable securities, and a settlement charge incurred for the termination of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates.
Provision for Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2020 was 18.9 percent and 18.8 percent, respectively, compared to 15.8 percent and 15.5 percent in the same periods in fiscal 2019. These increases were due to a lower discrete tax benefit for the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation.
The non-GAAP effective tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 was 20.0 percent, compared to a non-GAAP effective tax rate of 19.9 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2019. The non-GAAP effective tax rate for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020 was 20.4 percent, compared to a non-GAAP effective tax rate of 20.2 percent in the same period of fiscal 2019. The non-GAAP effective tax rate excludes the impact of acquisition-related costs related to our acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW, including transaction and integration costs and charges incurred related to certain purchase accounting adjustments; the impact of discrete tax benefits recorded as excess tax deductions for share-based compensation; and the impact of management actions, including charges incurred for inventory write-downs related to the Toro underground wind down. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
Net Earnings
Net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were $98.4 million, or $0.91 per diluted share, compared to $115.6 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2019. This decrease was primarily due to reduced gross margins largely as a result of unfavorable manufacturing variance due to production downtime and manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19-related facilities closures and the reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities, a lower discrete tax benefit for the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation, and increased interest expense due to higher average outstanding borrowings under our financing arrangements. The net earnings decrease was partially offset by the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives on gross margins, decreased incentive compensation costs, and reduced transaction and integration costs incurred for the Venture Products acquisition in fiscal 2020 as compared to the transaction and integration costs incurred for the CMW acquisition in fiscal 2019. Non-GAAP net earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 were $100.2 million, or $0.92 per diluted share, compared to $126.0

40


million, or $1.17 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2019, a decrease of 21.4 percent per diluted share. This decrease was primarily due to decreased gross margins largely as a result of unfavorable manufacturing variance due to production downtime and manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19-related facilities closures and the reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities, and increased interest expense due to higher average outstanding borrowings under our financing arrangements, partially offset by the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives on gross margins and decreased incentive compensation costs.
Net earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2020 were $168.5 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, compared to $175.1 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, for the same period of fiscal 2019. This decrease was primarily due to incremental administrative, marketing, engineering, and service costs as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products, higher warranty expense, a lower discrete tax benefit for the excess tax deduction for share-based compensation, and increased interest expense due to higher average outstanding borrowings under our financing arrangements, partially offset by the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives, decreased incentive compensation costs, and reduced transaction and integration costs incurred for the Venture Products acquisition in fiscal 2020 as compared to the transaction and integration costs incurred for the CMW acquisition in fiscal 2019. Non-GAAP net earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2020 were $169.8 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, compared to $182.7 million, or $1.69 per diluted share for the same year-to-date period of fiscal 2019, a decrease of 7.7 percent per diluted share. This decrease was primarily due to incremental administrative, marketing, engineering, and service costs as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products, higher warranty expense, and increased interest expense due to higher average outstanding borrowings under our financing arrangements, partially offset by the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives and decreased incentive compensation costs.
Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share exclude the impact of acquisition-related costs related to our acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW, including transaction and integration costs and charges incurred related to certain purchase accounting adjustments; the impact of discrete tax benefits recorded as excess tax deductions for share-based compensation; and the impact of management actions, including charges incurred for inventory write-downs related to the Toro underground wind down. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
We operate in two reportable business segments: Professional and Residential. Segment earnings for our Professional and Residential segments are defined as earnings from operations plus other income, net. Our remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. Operating loss for our Other activities includes earnings (loss) from our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, Red Iron joint venture, corporate activities, other income, and interest expense. Corporate activities include general corporate expenditures (finance, human resources, legal, information services, public relations, and similar activities) and other unallocated corporate assets and liabilities, such as corporate facilities and deferred tax assets and liabilities.
The following tables summarize net sales for our reportable business segments and Other activities:
 
 
Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Professional
 
$
661,087

 
$
723,506

 
$
(62,419
)
 
(8.6
)%
Residential
 
261,998

 
232,147

 
29,851

 
12.9

Other
 
6,313

 
6,383

 
(70
)
 
(1.1
)
Total net sales*
 
$
929,398

 
$
962,036

 
$
(32,638
)
 
(3.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Includes international net sales of:
 
$
182,044

 
$
219,077

 
$
(37,033
)
 
(16.9
)%
 
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Professional
 
$
1,255,808

 
$
1,178,512

 
$
77,296

 
6.6
 %
Residential
 
427,846

 
377,305

 
50,541

 
13.4

Other
 
13,227

 
9,175

 
4,052

 
44.2

Total net sales*
 
$
1,696,881

 
$
1,564,992

 
$
131,889

 
8.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Includes international net sales of:
 
$
357,987

 
$
360,622

 
$
(2,635
)
 
(0.7
)%

41


The following tables summarize segment earnings for our reportable business segments and operating (loss) for our Other activities:
 
 
Three Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Professional
 
$
106,259

 
$
150,119

 
$
(43,860
)
 
(29.2
)%
Residential
 
37,122

 
22,030

 
15,092

 
68.5

Other
 
(22,010
)
 
(34,969
)
 
12,959

 
37.1

Total segment earnings
 
$
121,371

 
$
137,180

 
$
(15,809
)
 
(11.5
)%
 
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
$ Change
 
% Change
Professional
 
$
208,733

 
$
238,097

 
$
(29,364
)
 
(12.3
)%
Residential
 
58,688

 
35,102

 
23,586

 
67.2

Other
 
(59,911
)
 
(65,999
)
 
6,088

 
9.2

Total segment earnings
 
$
207,510

 
$
207,200

 
$
310

 
0.1
 %
Professional Segment
Segment Net Sales
Worldwide net sales for our Professional segment for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 decreased 8.6 percent compared to the same period of fiscal 2019. The net sales decrease for the second quarter comparison was primarily the result of COVID-19 and its impact on retail demand for our Professional segment products. The proliferation of COVID-19 throughout the second quarter of fiscal 2020 resulted in fewer shipments of golf and grounds equipment and irrigation products as a result of the curtailment and closure of certain business activities for golf courses and municipalities across the globe resulting in lower overall revenues and budget constraints and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new equipment purchases; fewer shipments of our landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers as our channel partners aligned field inventory levels with reduced retail demand for our products; and reduced sales volumes for our rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment as a result of the global economic slowdown experienced during our fiscal 2020 second quarter that unfavorably impacted the oil and gas and construction industries. The net sales decrease was partially offset by incremental sales as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products.
Worldwide net sales for our Professional segment for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020 increased 6.6 percent compared to the same period of fiscal 2019. The net sales increase for the year-to-date comparison was driven by incremental sales as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products. The net sales increase was largely offset by COVID-19 and its impact on retail demand for our Professional segment products, which resulted in fewer shipment of our landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers as our channel partners aligned field inventory levels with reduced retail demand for our products; fewer shipments of golf and grounds equipment and irrigation products as a result of the curtailment and closure of certain business activities for golf courses and municipalities across the globe resulting in lower overall revenues and budget constraints and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new equipment purchases; and reduced sales volumes for our rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment as a result of the global economic slowdown experienced during our fiscal 2020 second quarter that unfavorably impacted the oil and gas and construction industries.
Segment Earnings
Professional segment earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 decreased 29.2 percent compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019, and when expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 16.1 percent from 20.7 percent. As a percentage of net sales, the Professional segment earnings decrease was primarily due to unfavorable manufacturing variance due to production downtime and manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19-related facilities closures and the reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities; incremental marketing, engineering, administrative and service costs as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products; higher warranty expense; unfavorable product mix due to incremental sales of lower margin product, and additional inventory write-down charges incurred related to the Toro underground wind down. The segment earnings decrease was partially offset by favorable net price realization due to fewer sales promotion activities as a result of reduced demand attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and a revised floor plan financing rate structure as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to our Red Iron joint venture, the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives, lower costs of commodities and tariffs, and decreased incentive compensation costs due to diminished performance as a result of COVID-19.
For the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020, Professional segment earnings decreased by 12.3 percent compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, and when expressed as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 16.6 percent from 20.2 percent. As a percentage

42


of net sales, the Professional segment earnings decrease was primarily due to unfavorable manufacturing variance due to production downtime and manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19-related facilities closures and the reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities; incremental administrative, marketing, engineering, and service costs as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products; and unfavorable product mix due to incremental sales of lower margin product as a result of our CMW acquisition. The segment earnings decrease was partially offset by the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives, favorable net price realization due to fewer sales promotion activities as a result of reduced demand attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and a revised floor plan financing rate structure as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to our Red Iron joint venture, and lower commodity and tariff costs.
Residential Segment
Segment Net Sales
Worldwide net sales for our Residential segment for the second quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2020 increased 12.9 percent and 13.4 percent, respectively, compared to the same periods of fiscal 2019. The Residential segment net sales increases for the second quarter and year-to-date comparisons were mainly driven by incremental shipments of zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers as a result of our expanded mass retail channel and strong retail demand driven by favorable spring weather conditions in key regions, new and enhanced products, and government mandated "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders.
Segment Earnings
Residential segment earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 increased 68.5 percent compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019, and when expressed as a percentage of net sales, increased to 14.2 percent from 9.5 percent. For the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020, Residential segment net earnings increased 67.2 percent compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year, and when expressed as a percentage of net sales, increased to 13.7 percent from 9.3 percent. As a percentage of net sales, the Residential segment net earnings increases for the second quarter and year-to-date comparisons were driven by the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives, lower commodity and tariff costs, reductions in freight costs as a result of cost reduction initiatives and lower fuel prices, and reduced SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales due to leveraging expense over higher sales volumes. The segment earnings increases for both comparisons were partially offset by unfavorable manufacturing variance due to production downtime and manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19-related facilities closures and the reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities, as well as higher warranty expense.
Other Activities
Other Net Sales
Net sales for our Other activities include sales from our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies less sales from the Professional and Residential segments to the distribution companies. Net sales for our Other activities in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 decreased by $0.1 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2019. The net sales decrease for the second quarter comparison was the result of COVID-19, which led to reduced sales of our Professional and Residential segment products by our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies due to reduced retail demand. This decrease was largely offset by reduced intercompany sales eliminations for sales from our Professional and Residential segments to our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies as a result of reduced retail demand. Net sales for our Other activities for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020 increased $4.1 million compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year. The net sales increase for the year-to-date comparison was also the result of COVID-19, which led to reduced intercompany sales eliminations for sales from our Professional and Residential segments to our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies as a result of reduced retail demand. This increase was partially offset by reduced sales by our wholly-owned distribution companies due to reduced retail demand.
Other Operating Loss
The operating loss for our Other activities decreased $13.0 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2020. The operating loss decrease was primarily driven by reduced transaction and integration costs incurred for the acquisition of Venture Products in fiscal 2020 as compared to the acquisition of CMW in fiscal 2019 and decreased incentive compensation costs as a result of diminished company performance due to COVID-19. The operating loss decrease was partially offset by increased interest expense due to higher average outstanding borrowings under our financing arrangements, a settlement charge incurred for the termination of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan, lower income from our Red Iron joint venture as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to the joint venture, and lower interest income on marketable securities.
The operating loss for our Other activities decreased $6.1 million for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2020. The operating loss decrease was primarily driven by reduced transaction and integration costs incurred for the acquisition of Venture Products in fiscal 2020 as compared to the acquisition of CMW in fiscal 2019, decreased incentive compensation costs as a result of diminished

43


company performance due to COVID-19, and reduced intercompany sales eliminations for sales from our Professional and Residential segments to our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies as a result of reduced retail demand. The operating loss decrease was partially offset by increased interest expense due to higher average outstanding borrowings under our financing arrangements, lower income from our Red Iron joint venture as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to the joint venture, lower interest income on marketable securities, and a settlement charge incurred for the termination of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan.
FINANCIAL POSITION
Working Capital
Our working capital strategy continues to place emphasis on improving asset utilization with a focus on reducing the amount of working capital in the supply chain, adjusting production plans, and maintaining or improving order replenishment and service levels to end-users. Accounts receivable as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 decreased $28.1 million, or 6.6 percent, compared to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily due to lower sales near quarter-end driven by reduced demand as a result of COVID-19 and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by higher sales within the expanded mass retail channel of our Residential segment and incremental receivables as a result of our acquisition of Venture Products. Inventory levels were up $102.8 million, or 16.8 percent, as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2019, primarily due to COVID-19 resulting in elevated finished goods inventories in our Professional segment due to reduced sales as a result of decreased demand for our products, higher raw materials and work in process inventories as a result of production downtime due to facilities closures and production inefficiencies as a result of social distancing protocols, and incremental inventories as a result of our acquisition of Venture Products. The inventory increase was partially offset by reduced CMW inventories in fiscal 2020 as a result of the fiscal 2019 purchase accounting adjustments to record CMW's inventories at fair value and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. Accounts payable decreased $64.3 million, or 16.4 percent, as of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2019, mainly due to decreased purchases of commodities, components, parts, and accessories due to the reduction in our production levels within our manufacturing facilities to align with reduced sales volumes as a result of COVID-19, partially offset by incremental payables as a result of our acquisition of Venture Products.
Cash Flow
Cash provided by operating activities for the first six months of fiscal 2020 was $70.9 million compared to $164.0 million for the first six months of fiscal 2019. This decrease was primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19, including a lower cash benefit from accounts payable than was experienced during fiscal 2019 within our historically working capital intensive second quarter as a result of lower purchases of raw materials inventory, as well as higher amounts of cash used for finished goods inventories as a result of reduced demand for our products. The decrease was partially offset by the cash benefit of lower accounts receivable as a result of reduced demand for our products as a result of COVID-19. Cash used in investing activities decreased $562.0 million during the first six months of fiscal 2020 compared to the first six months of fiscal 2019. This decrease was primarily due to less cash utilized for the acquisition of Venture Products in fiscal 2020 than was used for the acquisitions of CMW and a Northeastern U.S. distribution company in fiscal 2019, as well as reduced cash investments in property, plant, and equipment as a result of the actions taken to improve our liquidity position in light of COVID-19 during fiscal 2020. Cash provided by financing activities for the first six months of fiscal 2020 decreased $310.4 million compared to the first six months of fiscal 2019, mainly due to lower net borrowings under our debt arrangements, and lower cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options in the first six months of fiscal 2020. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities was partially offset by reduced cash utilized for purchases of TTC common stock in the first six months of fiscal 2020.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our businesses are seasonally working capital intensive and require funding for purchases of raw materials used in production, replacement parts inventory, payroll and other administrative costs, capital expenditures, establishment of new facilities, expansion and renovation of existing facilities, as well as for financing receivables from customers that are not financed with Red Iron or other third-party financial institutions. Our accounts receivable balances historically increase between January and April as a result of typically higher sales volumes and extended payment terms made available to our customers, and typically decrease between May and December when payments are received.
We generally fund cash requirements for working capital needs, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, debt repayments, interest payments, quarterly cash dividend payments, and common stock repurchases, all as applicable, through cash provided by operating activities, availability under our existing senior unsecured revolving credit facility, and in certain instances, other forms of financing arrangements. Our senior unsecured revolving credit facility has been adequate for these purposes, although we have negotiated and completed additional financing arrangements as needed to allow us to complete acquisitions. Although there is uncertainty of the scope, duration, and severity of COVID-19 and its impact to our future results, we believe we are well-positioned to manage our business and have taken the appropriate actions to maintain and improve our liquidity position, including refinancing outstanding borrowings on our unsecured senior revolving credit facility with a new three year term loan agreement for $190.0

44


million, which also added incremental liquidity; reducing capital expenditures; continuing the curtailment of share repurchases under our Board authorized repurchase program; and monitoring and participating in government economic stabilization efforts and certain legislative provisions, such as deferring certain tax payments, as applicable. As a result, we believe that our existing liquidity position, including the funds available through existing, and potential future, financing arrangements and forecasted cash flows will be sufficient to provide the necessary capital resources for our anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures, investments, debt repayments, interest payments, quarterly cash dividend payments, and common stock repurchases, all as applicable, for at least the next twelve months. As of May 1, 2020, we had available liquidity of approximately $798.1 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of approximately $200.0 million, of which approximately $83.8 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries, and availability under our unsecured senior revolving credit facility of $598.1 million.
Indebtedness
As of May 1, 2020, we had $890.8 million of outstanding indebtedness that included $100.0 million of 7.8 percent debentures due June 15, 2027, $123.9 million of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037, $100.0 million outstanding under our $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility, $180.0 million outstanding under our $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility, $190.0 million outstanding under our $190.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility, $100.0 million outstanding under our Series A Senior Notes, $100.0 million outstanding under our Series B Senior Notes, and no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The May 1, 2020 outstanding indebtedness amounts were partially offset by debt issuance costs and deferred charges of $3.1 million related to our outstanding indebtedness. As of May 1, 2020, we have reclassified $99.9 million of the remaining outstanding principal balance under the $190.0 million term loan, net of the related proportionate share of debt issuance costs, to current portion of long-term debt within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of such date as we intend to prepay such amounts utilizing cash flows from operations within the next twelve months.
As of May 3, 2019, we had $811.1 million of outstanding indebtedness that was classified as long-term debt within our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of such date and included $100.0 million of 7.8 percent debentures due June 15, 2027, $123.9 million of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037, $200.0 million outstanding under our $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility, $300.0 million outstanding under our $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility, and $90.0 million of outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The May 3, 2019 outstanding indebtedness amounts were partially offset by debt issuance costs and deferred charges of $2.8 million related to our outstanding indebtedness.
Our domestic and non-U.S. operations maintained credit lines for import letters of credit in the aggregate amount of approximately $10.2 million and $13.4 million as of May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, respectively. We had $2.2 million and $2.0 million outstanding on such import letters of credit as of May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, respectively.
Revolving Credit Facility
Seasonal cash requirements are financed from operations, cash on hand, and with borrowings under our $600.0 million unsecured senior five-year revolving credit facility that expires in June 2023, as applicable. Included in our $600.0 million revolving credit facility is a $10.0 million sublimit for standby letters of credit and a $30.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. At our election, and with the approval of the named borrowers on the revolving credit facility and the election of the lenders to fund such increase, the aggregate maximum principal amount available under the facility may be increased by an amount up to $300.0 million. Funds are available under the revolving credit facility for working capital, capital expenditures, and other lawful corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions and common stock repurchases, subject in each case to compliance with certain financial covenants described below.
Outstanding loans under the revolving credit facility (other than swingline loans), if applicable, bear interest at a variable rate generally based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate based on the highest of the Bank of America prime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread that is calculated based on the better of the leverage ratio (as measured quarterly and defined as the ratio of total indebtedness to consolidated earnings before interest and taxes plus depreciation and amortization expense) and debt rating of TTC. Swingline loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate determined by the swingline lender or an alternative variable rate based on the highest of the Bank of America prime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread that is calculated based on the better of the leverage ratio and debt rating of TTC. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. Our debt rating for long-term unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced debt was unchanged during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group at BBB and by Moody's Investors Service at Baa3. If our debt rating falls below investment grade and/or our leverage ratio rises above 1.50, the basis point spread we currently pay on outstanding debt under the revolving credit facility would increase. However, the credit commitment could not be canceled by the banks based solely on a ratings downgrade. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, we incurred interest expense of approximately $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, on the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. For the three and six month periods ended May 3, 2019, we incurred interest expense of approximately $1.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively, on the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

45


Our revolving credit facility contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. Under the revolving credit facility, we are not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases as long as, both before and after giving pro forma effect to such payments, our leverage ratio from the previous quarter compliance certificate is less than or equal to 3.5 (or, at our option (which we may exercise twice during the term of the facility) after certain acquisitions with aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, for the first four quarters following the exercise of such option, is less than or equal to 4.0), provided that immediately after giving effect of any such proposed action, no default or event of default would exist. As of May 1, 2020, we were not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases. We were in compliance with all covenants related to the credit agreement for our revolving credit facility as of May 1, 2020, and we expect to be in compliance with all covenants during the remainder of fiscal 2020. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by this credit agreement following the applicable cure period, the banks could terminate their commitments unless we could negotiate a covenant waiver from the banks. In addition, our long-term senior notes, debentures, term loan facilities, and any amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility could become due and payable if we were unable to obtain a covenant waiver or refinance our borrowings under our credit agreement.
As of May 1, 2020, we had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and $1.9 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, resulting in $598.1 million of unutilized availability under our revolving credit facility. As of May 3, 2019, we had $90.0 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility and $1.9 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, resulting in $508.1 million of unutilized availability under the revolving credit facility.
$500.0 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement
In March 2019, we entered into a term loan credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions for the purpose of partially funding the purchase price of our acquisition of CMW and the related fees and expenses incurred in connection with such acquisition. The term loan credit agreement provided for a $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on April 1, 2022 and a $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on April 1, 2024 (collectively, the "$500.0 million term loan"). The funds under the $500.0 million term loan were received on April 1, 2019 in connection with the closing of the acquisition of CMW. There are no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to maturity on the $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility. For the $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility, we are required to make quarterly principal amortization payments of 2.5 percent of the original aggregate principal balance reduced by any applicable prepayments beginning with the last business day of the thirteenth calendar quarter ending after April 1, 2019, with the remainder of the unpaid principal balance due at maturity. No principal payments are required during the first three and one-quarter (3.25) years of the $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility. The term loan facilities may be prepaid and terminated at our election at any time without penalty or premium. As of May 1, 2020, we have prepaid $100.0 million and $120.0 million against the outstanding principal balances of the $200.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility and $300.0 million five year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively.
Outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan bear interest at a variable rate generally based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate, based on the highest of the Bank of America prime rate, the federal funds rate, or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the $500.0 million term loan. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, we incurred interest expense of approximately $1.5 million and $3.4 million on the outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan, respectively. For the three and six month periods ended May 3, 2019, we incurred interest expense of approximately $1.6 million on the outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan.
The $500.0 million term loan contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, generally consistent with those applicable under our revolving credit facility, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. Under the $500.0 million term loan, we are not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases as long as, both before and after giving pro forma effect to such payments, our leverage ratio from the previous quarter compliance certificate is less than or equal to 3.5 (or, at our option (which we may exercise twice during the term of the facility) after certain acquisitions with aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, for the first four quarters following the exercise of such option, is less than or equal to 4.0), provided that immediately after giving effect of any such proposed action, no default or event of default would exist. As of May 1, 2020, we were in compliance with all covenants related to our $500.0 million term loan and were not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases. Additionally, we expect to be in compliance with all covenants related to our $500.0 million term loan during the remainder of fiscal 2020. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by the $500.0 million term loan credit agreement following the applicable cure period, our term loan facilities, long-term senior notes, debentures, and any amounts outstanding

46


under the revolving credit facility could become due and payable if we were unable to obtain a covenant waiver or refinance our borrowings under our $500.0 million term loan credit agreement.
$190.0 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement
On March 30, 2020, we entered into the $190.0 million term loan ("$190.0 million term loan") with certain financial institutions for the purpose of refinancing certain of our outstanding borrowings incurred in connection with the acquisition of Venture Products on March 2, 2020, as well as a precautionary measure to increase our liquidity and preserve financial flexibility in light of the current uncertainty in the global financial and commercial markets as a result of COVID-19. The $190.0 million term loan provided for a $190.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on June 19, 2023.
Beginning with the last business day of March 2021, we are required to make quarterly amortization payments on the $190.0 million term loan equal to 5.0% for the first four payments and 7.5% thereafter of the original aggregate principal amount reduced by any applicable prepayments. The $190.0 million term loan may be prepaid and terminated at our election at any time without penalty or premium. Amounts repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. As of May 1, 2020, there was $190.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan and we have reclassified $99.9 million of the remaining outstanding principal balance under the $190.0 million term loan, net of the related proportionate share of deferred debt issuance costs, to current portion of long-term debt within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as we intend to prepay such amount utilizing anticipated cash flows from operations within the next twelve months.
The $190.0 million term loan contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants generally consistent with those applicable under the our revolving credit facility, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. We were in compliance with all covenants related to the $190.0 million term loan as of May 1, 2020. Outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan bear interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate with a minimum rate of 0.75 percent, subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the term credit loan agreement. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, we incurred interest expense of approximately $0.4 million on the outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan.
3.81% Series A and 3.91% Series B Senior Notes
On April 30, 2019, we entered into a private placement note purchase agreement with certain purchasers pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million of 3.81% Series A Senior Notes due June 15, 2029 ("Series A Senior Notes") and $100.0 million of 3.91% Series B Senior Notes due June 15, 2031 ("Series B Senior Notes" and together with the Series A Senior Notes, the "Senior Notes"). On June 27, 2019, we issued $100.0 million of the Series A Senior Notes and $100.0 million of the Series B Senior Notes pursuant to the private placement note purchase agreement. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of TTC. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semiannually on the 15th day of June and December in each year. For the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020, we incurred interest expense of approximately $1.9 million and $3.9 million on the outstanding borrowings under the private placement note purchase agreement.
No principal is due on the Senior Notes prior to their stated due dates. We have the right to prepay all or a portion of either series of the Senior Notes in amounts equal to not less than 10.0 percent of the principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding upon notice to the holders of the series of Senior Notes being prepaid for 100.0 percent of the principal amount prepaid, plus a make-whole premium, as set forth in the private placement note purchase agreement, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment. In addition, at any time on or after the date that is 90 days prior to the maturity date of the respective series, we have the right to prepay all of the outstanding Senior Note of such series for 100.0 percent of the principal amount so prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment. Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, we are required to offer to prepay all Senior Notes for the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment.
The private placement note purchase agreement contains customary representations and warranties of TTC, as well as certain customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios, and other covenants, which, among other things, provide limitations on transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, liens and priority debt. Under the private placement note purchase agreement, we are not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases as long as, both before and after giving pro forma effect to such payments, our leverage ratio from the previous quarter compliance certificate is less than or equal to 3.5 (or, at our option (which we may exercise twice during the term of the facility) after certain acquisitions with aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, for the first four quarters following the exercise of such option, is less than or equal to 4.0), provided that immediately after giving effect of any such proposed action, no default or event of default would exist. As of May 1, 2020, we were not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and stock repurchases. We were in compliance with all covenants related to the private placement note purchase agreement as of May 1, 2020 and we expect to be in compliance with all covenants during the remainder of fiscal 2020. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by this private placement note

47


purchase agreement following the applicable cure period, our term loan facilities, long-term senior notes, debentures, and any amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility would become due and payable if we were unable to obtain a covenant waiver or refinance our borrowings under our private placement note purchase agreement.
Cash Dividends
Our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.25 per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 that was paid on April 9, 2020. This was an increase of 11.1 percent over our cash dividend of $0.225 per share for the second quarter of fiscal 2019. We currently expect to continue paying our quarterly cash dividend to shareholders for the remainder of fiscal 2020.
Share Repurchases
During the first six months of fiscal 2020, we curtailed repurchasing shares of our common stock in the open market under our Board authorized repurchase program. In March 2020, we announced our intention to continue the curtailment of share repurchases as a prudent measure to enhance our liquidity position in response to COVID-19. As of May 1, 2020, we expect to continue curtailing repurchasing shares of our common stock for the remainder of fiscal 2020. The existing repurchase program remains authorized by our Board and has no expiration date. We may resume repurchasing shares of our common stock under the program in the future at any time, depending on our cash balance, debt repayments, market conditions, our working capital needs, and/or other factors.
Customer Financing Arrangements
Our customer financing arrangements are described in further detail within our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to our customer financing arrangements with the exception of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to our Red Iron joint venture described in further detail within the section titled "Wholesale Financing" below.
Wholesale Financing
Our Red Iron joint venture with TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. ("TCFIF"), a subsidiary of TCF National Bank, provides inventory financing to certain distributors and dealers of certain of our products in the U.S. that enables them to carry representative inventories of certain of our products. On December 20, 2019, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we amended certain agreements pertaining to the Red Iron joint venture. The purpose of these amendments was, among other things, to: (i) adjust certain rates under the floor plan financing rate structure charged to our distributors and dealers participating in financing arrangements through the Red Iron joint venture; (ii) extend the term of the Red Iron joint venture from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026, subject to two-year extensions thereafter unless either we or TCFIF provides written notice to the other party of non-renewal at least one year prior to the end of the then-current term; (iii) amend certain exclusivity-related provisions, including the definition of our products that are subject to exclusivity, inclusion of a two-year review period by us for products acquired in future acquisitions to assess, without a commitment to exclusivity, the potential benefits and detriments of including such acquired products under the Red Iron financing arrangement, and the pro-rata payback over a five-year period of the exclusivity incentive payment we received from TCFIF in 2016; (iv) extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility used by Red Iron primarily to finance the acquisition of inventory from us by our distributors and dealers from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026 and to increase the amount available under such revolving credit facility from $550 million to $625 million; and (v) memorialize certain other non-material amendments. Under separate agreements between Red Iron and the dealers and distributors, Red Iron provides loans to the dealers and distributors for the advances paid by Red Iron to us. The net amount of receivables financed for dealers and distributors under this arrangement for the six month period ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019 was $886.4 million and $1,031.3 million, respectively.
We also have floor plan financing agreements with other third-party financial institutions to provide floor plan financing to certain dealers and distributors not financed through Red Iron, which include agreements with third-party financial institutions in the U.S. and internationally in Australia. These third-party financial institutions financed $173.9 million and $46.3 million of receivables for such dealers and distributors during the six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, respectively. As of May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, $203.6 million and $159.1 million of receivables financed by the third-party financing companies, excluding Red Iron, respectively, were outstanding.
We entered into a limited inventory repurchase agreement with Red Iron. Under the limited inventory repurchase agreement, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by Red Iron and TCFCFC, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $7.5 million in a calendar year. Additionally, as a result of our floor plan financing agreements with the separate third-party financial institutions, we have also entered into inventory repurchase agreements with the separate third-party financial institutions, for which we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by the separate third-party financial institutions. As of May 1, 2020, we were contingently liable to repurchase up to a maximum amount of $145.6 million of inventory related to receivables under these inventory repurchase agreements. Our financial exposure under these inventory repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amount paid to Red Iron or other third-party financing institutions for repurchases of inventory and the amount received upon any subsequent resale of the repossessed product. We have repurchased immaterial amounts of inventory pursuant to such arrangements during the six month period ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019. However, a decline in retail sales or financial difficulties of our

48


distributors or dealers could cause this situation to change and thereby require us to repurchase financed product, which could have an adverse effect on our Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows.
Contractual Obligations
We are obligated to make future payments under various existing contracts, such as debt agreements, operating lease agreements, unconditional purchase obligations, and other long-term obligations. Our contractual obligations are described in further detail within our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to such contractual obligations, with the exception of the new $190.0 million term loan described in further detail in the section titled "Liquidity and Capital Resources" within this MD&A and the holdback associated with the Venture Products merger agreement described in further detail in the section titled "Company Overview" within this MD&A.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have off-balance sheet arrangements with Red Iron, our joint venture with TCFIF, and other third-party financial institutions in which inventory receivables for certain dealers and distributors are financed by Red Iron or other third-party financial institutions. Additionally, we use standby letters of credit under our revolving credit facility, import letters of credit, and surety bonds in the ordinary course of business to ensure the performance of contractual obligations, as required under certain contracts. Our off-balance sheet arrangements are described in further detail within our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to such off-balance sheet arrangements, with the exception of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to our Red Iron joint venture described in further detail within the section titled "Wholesale Financing" above.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We have provided non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the most directly comparable financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures in making operating decisions because we believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our core operational performance and provide us with a better understanding of how to allocate resources to both ongoing and prospective business initiatives. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate our internal comparisons to both our historical operating results and to our competitors' operating results by factoring out potential differences caused by charges not related to our regular, ongoing business, including, without limitation, non-cash charges, certain large and unpredictable charges, acquisitions and dispositions, legal settlements, and tax positions.We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, provide investors with useful supplemental financial information to better understand our core operational performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies.
The following table provides a reconciliation of financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP to the most directly comparable non-GAAP financial measures for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Gross profit
 
$
306,717

 
$
321,298

 
$
594,805

 
$
536,915

Acquisition-related costs1
 
2,393

 
9,519

 
2,863

 
9,519

Management actions2
 
857

 

 
857

 

Non-GAAP gross profit
 
$
309,967

 
$
330,817

 
$
598,525

 
$
546,434

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin
 
33.0
%
 
33.4
%
 
35.1
%
 
34.3
%
Acquisition-related costs1
 
0.3
%
 
1.0
%
 
0.1
%
 
0.6
%
Management actions2
 
0.1
%
 
%
 
0.1
%
 
%
Non-GAAP gross margin
 
33.4
%
 
34.4
%
 
35.3
%
 
34.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating earnings
 
$
125,795

 
$
137,725

 
$
216,924

 
$
207,779

Acquisition-related costs1
 
3,004

 
20,107

 
5,022

 
21,754

Management actions2
 
857

 

 
857

 

Non-GAAP operating earnings
 
$
129,656

 
$
157,832

 
$
222,803

 
$
229,533


49


 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
 
May 1, 2020
 
May 3, 2019
Earnings before income taxes
 
$
121,371

 
$
137,180

 
$
207,510

 
$
207,200

Acquisition-related costs1
 
3,004

 
20,107

 
5,022

 
21,754

Management actions2
 
857

 

 
857

 

Non-GAAP earnings before income taxes
 
$
125,232

 
$
157,287

 
$
213,389

 
$
228,954

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
98,446

 
$
115,570

 
$
168,537

 
$
175,110

Acquisition-related costs1
 
2,365

 
16,352

 
3,998

 
17,862

Management actions2
 
682

 

 
682

 

Tax impact of share-based compensation3
 
(1,342
)
 
(5,957
)
 
(3,377
)
 
(10,318
)
Non-GAAP net earnings
 
$
100,151

 
$
125,965

 
$
169,840

 
$
182,654

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted EPS
 
$
0.91

 
$
1.07

 
$
1.55

 
$
1.62

Acquisition-related costs1
 
0.02

 
0.15

 
0.04

 
0.17

Tax impact of share-based compensation3
 
(0.01
)
 
(0.05
)
 
(0.03
)
 
(0.10
)
Non-GAAP diluted EPS
 
$
0.92

 
$
1.17

 
$
1.56

 
$
1.69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective tax rate
 
18.9
%
 
15.8
 %
 
18.8
%
 
15.5
 %
Acquisition-related costs1
 
%
 
(0.2
)%
 
%
 
(0.3
)%
Tax impact of share-based compensation3
 
1.1
%
 
4.3
 %
 
1.6
%
 
5.0
 %
Non-GAAP effective tax rate
 
20.0
%
 
19.9
 %
 
20.4
%
 
20.2
 %
1 
On March 2, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Venture Products and on April 1, 2019, we completed the acquisition of CMW. For additional information regarding these acquisitions, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, within the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within Part I, Item 1, "Financial Statements" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Acquisition-related costs for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 represent transaction costs incurred for our acquisition of Venture Products, as well as integration costs and charges incurred for the take-down of the inventory fair value step-up amounts resulting from purchase accounting adjustments related to the acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW. Acquisition-related costs for the three and six month periods ended May 3, 2019 represent transaction and integration costs, as well as charges incurred for the take-down of the inventory fair value step-up amount and amortization of the backlog intangible asset resulting from purchase accounting adjustments related to our acquisition of CMW.
2 
During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we announced the wind down of our Toro-branded large horizontal directional drill and riding trencher product line ("Toro underground wind down"). Management actions represent inventory write-down charges incurred during the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 for the Toro underground wind down. For additional information regarding the Toro underground wind down, refer to Note 7, Management Actions, within the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included within Part 1, Item 1, "Financial Statements" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
3 
In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Stock-based Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting, which requires that any excess tax deduction for share-based compensation be immediately recorded within income tax expense. These amounts represent the discrete tax benefits recorded as excess tax deductions for share-based compensation during the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019.

50


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates since our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. Refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", and Part II, Item 8, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data, within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 for a discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-03, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which modifies the measurement approach for credit losses on financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis from an 'incurred loss' method to an 'expected loss' method. Such modification of the measurement approach for credit losses eliminates the requirement that a credit loss be considered probable, or incurred, to impact the valuation of a financial asset measured on an amortized cost basis. The amended guidance requires the measurement of expected credit losses to be based on relevant information, including historical experience, current conditions, and a reasonable and supportable forecast that affects the collectability of the related financial asset. This amendment will affect trade receivables, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope of this amendment that have the contractual right to receive cash. The amended guidance will become effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which makes a number of changes to add, modify or remove certain disclosure requirements of fair value measurements. The amended guidance will become effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted for any removed or modified disclosures. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans (Topic 715), which modifies the disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans. The amended guidance will become effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The amended guidance also clarifies and simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes. The amended guidance will become effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-01, Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), which clarified that before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method of accounting for an investment in equity securities, an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the fair value measurement alternative. The amended guidance will become effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden of accounting for reference rate reform due to the cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate, commonly referred to as "LIBOR." The temporary guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, relationships, and transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The provisions of the temporary optional guidance are only available until December 31, 2022, when the reference rate reform activity is expected to be substantially complete. When adopted, entities may apply the provisions as of the beginning of the reporting period when the election is made. We are currently evaluating the impact of this standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements and have yet to elect an adoption date.
We believe that all other recently issued accounting pronouncements from the FASB that we have not noted above, will not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements or do not apply to our operations.

51


FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), and Section 21E under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and that are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. In addition, we or others on our behalf may make forward-looking statements from time to time in oral presentations, including telephone conferences and/or web casts open to the public, in press releases or reports, on our web sites or otherwise. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and reflect expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations of future events, and often can be identified in this report and elsewhere by using words such as "expect," "strive," "looking ahead," "outlook," "guidance," "forecast," "goal," "optimistic," "anticipate," "continue," "plan," "estimate," "project," "believe," "should," "could," "will," "would," "possible," "may," "likely," "intend," "can," "seek," "potential," "pro forma," or the negative thereof and similar expressions or future dates. Our forward-looking statements generally relate to our future performance, including our anticipated operating results, liquidity requirements, financial condition, and anticipated impacts as a result of COVID-19; our business strategies and goals; the integration of each of the CMW and Venture Products acquisitions; and the effect of laws, rules, policies, regulations, tax reform, new accounting pronouncements, and outstanding litigation on our business and future performance.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. The following are some of the factors known to us that could cause our actual results to differ materially from what we have anticipated in our forward-looking statements:
Adverse economic conditions and outlook in the United States and in other countries in which we conduct business, including as a result of COVID-19, have adversely affected our net sales and earnings and could continue to adversely affect our net sales and earnings, which include but are not limited to business closures; slowdowns, suspensions or delays of production and commercial activity; recessionary conditions; slow or negative economic growth rates; slow down or reductions in levels of golf course development, renovation, and improvement; golf course closures; reduced governmental or municipal spending; reduced levels of home ownership, construction, and sales; home foreclosures; negative consumer confidence; reduced consumer spending levels; increased unemployment rates; prolonged high unemployment rates; higher costs of commodities, components, parts, and accessories and/or transportation-related costs, including as a result of inflation, changing prices, tariffs, and/or duties; inflationary or deflationary pressures; reduced infrastructure spending; the impact of U.S. federal debt, state debt and sovereign debt defaults and austerity measures by certain European countries; reduced credit availability or unfavorable credit terms for our distributors, dealers, and end-user customers; higher short-term, mortgage, and other interest rates; and general economic and political conditions and expectations.
COVID-19 has directly and indirectly adversely impacted our business, financial condition and operating results and such adverse impact will likely continue, is highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, but has been and could continue to be material and is based on numerous factors, which include but are not limited to, the duration, scope, and severity of COVID-19; governmental, business and individual actions that have been, and continue to be, taken in response to COVID-19; the effect of COVID-19 on our dealers, distributors, mass retailers and other channel partners and customers, including reduced or constrained budgets and cash preservation efforts; our ability during COVID-19 to continue operations and/or adjust our production schedules; significant reductions or volatility in demand for one or more of our products or services and/or higher demand for moderately-priced products; the effect of COVID-19 on our suppliers and our ability to obtain commodities, components, parts, and accessories on a timely basis through our supply chain and at anticipated costs; logistics costs and challenges; costs incurred as a result of necessary actions and preparedness plans to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and continued operations; potential future restructuring, impairment or other charges; availability of employees, their ability to conduct work away from normal working locations and/or under revised work environment protocols, as well as the general willingness of employees to come to and perform work; the impact of COVID-19 on the financial and credit markets and economic activity generally; our ability to access lending, capital markets, and other sources of liquidity when needed on reasonable terms or at all; our ability to comply with the financial covenants in our debt agreements if the material economic downturn as a result of COVID-19 results in substantially increased indebtedness and/or lower EBITDA for us; and the exasperation of negative impacts as a result of the occurrence of a global or national recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event as a result of COVID-19.
Our Professional segment net sales are dependent upon certain factors, many of which have been adversely impacted by COVID-19, including golf course revenues and the amount of investment in golf course renovations and improvements; the level of new golf course development and golf course closures; infrastructure improvements; demand for our products in the rental, specialty and underground construction markets, including those related to oil and gas construction activities; the extent to which property owners outsource their lawn care and snow and ice removal activities; residential and/or municipal commercial construction activity; continued acceptance of, and demand for, ag-irrigation solutions; the timing and occurrence of winter weather conditions; availability of cash or credit to Professional segment customers on acceptable

52


terms to finance new product purchases; and the amount of government and other customer revenues, budget, and spending levels for grounds maintenance or construction equipment.
Increases in the cost, or disruption and/or shortages in the availability, of commodities, components, parts and accessories containing various materials that we purchase for use in our manufacturing process and end-products or to be sold as stand-alone end-products, such as steel, aluminum, petroleum and natural gas-based resins, linerboard, copper, lead, rubber, engines, transmissions, transaxles, hydraulics, electric motors, and other commodities, components, parts and accessories, including as a result of COVID-19, increased costs, increased tariffs, duties or other charges as a result of changes to U.S. or international trade policies or trade agreements, trade regulation and/or industry activity, or antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, or inability of suppliers to continue operations or otherwise remain in business as a result of COVID-19, financial difficulties, or otherwise, have affected our profit margins, operating results and businesses and could continue to result in declines in our profit margins, operating results and businesses.
Our ability to manage our inventory levels to meet our customers' demand for our products is important for our business. Managing inventory levels in the current COVID-19 commercial environment is particularly difficult as a result of changes to production operations, locations and schedules as well as demand volatility. If we underestimate or overestimate both channel and retail demand for our products, are not able to manufacture product to fulfill customer demand, and/or do not produce or maintain appropriate inventory levels, our net sales, profit margins, net earnings, and/or working capital could be negatively impacted.
Changes in the composition of, financial viability of, and/or the relationships with, our distribution channel customers could negatively impact our business and operating results.
Our business and operating results are subject to the inventory management decisions of our distribution channel customers. Any adjustments in the carrying amount of inventories by our distribution channel customers may impact our inventory management and working capital goals as well as operating results.
Weather conditions, including unfavorable weather conditions exacerbated by global climate changes or otherwise, may reduce demand for some of our products and/or cause disruptions in our operations, including as a result of disruption in our supply chain, and adversely affect our net sales and operating results, or may affect the timing of demand for some of our products and/or our ability to manufacture product to fulfill customer demand, which may adversely affect net sales and operating results in subsequent periods.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have in the past affected our operating results and could continue to result in declines in our net sales and net earnings.
Our Residential segment net sales are dependent upon continued operations of mass retailers, dealers, and home centers; consumers buying our products at mass retailers, dealers, and home centers; the amount of product placement at mass retailers and home centers; consumer confidence and spending levels; changing buying patterns of customers; and the impact of significant sales or promotional events.
Our financial performance, including our profit margins and net earnings, can be impacted depending on the mix of products we sell during a given period, as our Professional segment products generally have higher profit margins than our Residential segment products. Similarly, within each segment, if we experience lower sales of products that generally carry higher profit margins, our financial performance, including profit margins and net earnings, could be negatively impacted.
We intend to grow our business in part through acquisitions and alliances, strong customer relations, and new joint ventures, investments, and partnerships, which could be risky and harm our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results, particularly if we are not able to successfully integrate such acquisitions and alliances, joint ventures, investments, and partnerships, such transactions result in disruption to our operations, we experience loss of key employees, customers, or channel partners, significant amounts of goodwill, other intangible assets, and/or long-lived assets incurred as a result of a transaction are subsequently written off, and other factors. If previous or future acquisitions do not produce the expected results or integration into our operations takes more time than expected, our business could be harmed.
As of May 1, 2020, we had goodwill of $426.2 million and other intangible assets of $417.9 million, which together comprise 30.0 percent of our total assets as of May 1, 2020. These amounts are maintained in various reporting units, including goodwill and other intangible assets from the CMW and Venture Products acquisitions. If we determine that our goodwill or other intangible assets recorded have become impaired, we will be required to record a charge resulting from the impairment. Impairment charges, including such charges that could arise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could be significant and could adversely affect our consolidated results of operations and financial position.
We face intense competition in all of our product lines with numerous manufacturers, including some that have larger operations and greater financial resources than us. We may not be able to compete effectively against competitors’ actions, which could harm our business and operating results.
A significant percentage of our consolidated net sales is generated outside of the United States, and we intend to continue to expand our international operations. Our international operations also require significant management attention and financial resources; expose us to difficulties presented by international economic, political, legal, regulatory, accounting,

53


and business factors, including implications of withdrawal by the U.S. from, or revision to, international trade agreements, foreign trade or other policy changes between the U.S. and other countries, trade regulation and/or industry activity that favors domestic companies, including antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, pandemics and/or epidemics, including COVID-19, or weakened international economic conditions; and may not be successful or produce desired levels of net sales. In addition, a portion of our international net sales are financed by third parties. The termination of our agreements with these third parties, any material change to the terms of our agreements with these third parties or in the availability or terms of credit offered to our international customers by these third parties, or any delay in securing replacement credit sources, could adversely affect our sales and operating results.
If we are unable to continue to enhance existing products, as well as develop and market new products, that respond to customer needs and preferences and achieve market acceptance, including by incorporating new, emerging and/or disruptive technologies that may become preferred by our customers, we may experience a decrease in demand for our products, and our net sales could be adversely affected.
Any disruption, including as a result of natural or man-made disasters, inclement weather, including as a result of climate change-related events, work slowdowns, strikes, pandemics and/or epidemics, including COVID-19, protests and/or social unrest, or other events, at or in proximity to any of our facilities or in our manufacturing or other operations, or those of our distribution channel customers, mass retailers or home centers where our products are sold, or suppliers, or our inability to cost-effectively expand existing facilities, open and manage new facilities, and/or move production between manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Our labor needs fluctuate throughout the year and any failure by us to hire and/or retain a labor force to adequately staff manufacturing operations, perform service or warranty work, or other necessary activities or by such labor force to adequately and safely perform their jobs could adversely affect our business, operating results, and reputation.
Our labor force has been impacted by COVID-19 and such impact will likely continue, including as a result of governmental, business and individual actions that have been, and continue to be, taken in response to COVID-19. Furthermore, we have incurred additional costs as a result of necessary actions and preparedness plans to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and continued operations, including remote working accommodations, enhanced cleaning processes, protocols designed to implement appropriate social distancing practices, and/or adoption of additional wage and benefit programs to assist employees.
Management information systems are critical to our business. If our information systems or information security practices, or those of our business partners or third-party service providers, fail to adequately perform and/or protect sensitive or confidential information, or if we, our business partners, or third-party service providers experience an interruption in, or breach of, the operation of such systems or practices, including by theft, loss or damage from unauthorized access, security breaches, natural or man-made disasters, cyber attacks, computer viruses, malware, phishing, denial of service attacks, power loss or other disruptive events, our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected.
Our reliance upon patents, trademark laws, and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient to protect our intellectual property from others who may sell similar products. Our products may infringe the proprietary rights of others.
Our business, properties, and products are subject to governmental policies and regulations with which compliance may require us to incur expenses or modify our products or operations and non-compliance may result in harm to our reputation and/or expose us to penalties. Governmental policies and regulations may also adversely affect the demand for some of our products and our operating results. In addition, changes in laws, policies, and regulations in the U.S. or other countries in which we conduct business also may adversely affect our financial results, including as a result of, (i) adoption of laws and regulations to address COVID-19, (ii) taxation and tax policy changes, tax rate changes, new tax laws, new or revised tax law interpretations or guidance, including as a result of the Tax Act, (iii) changes to, or adoption of new, healthcare laws or regulations, or (iv) changes to U.S. or international policies or trade agreements or trade regulation and/or industry activity, including antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, that could result in additional duties or other charges on commodities, components, parts or accessories we import.
Changes in accounting or tax standards, policies, or assumptions in applying accounting or tax policies could adversely affect our financial statements, including our financial results and financial condition.
Climate change legislation, regulations, or accords may adversely impact our operations.
Costs of complying with the various environmental laws related to our ownership and/or lease of real property, such as clean-up costs and liabilities that may be associated with certain hazardous waste disposal activities, could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Legislative enactments could impact the competitive landscape within our markets and affect demand for our products.
We operate in many different jurisdictions and we could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-corruption laws. The continued expansion of our international operations could increase the risk of violations of these laws in the future.

54


We are subject to product quality issues, product liability claims, and other litigation from time to time that could adversely affect our business, reputation, operating results, or financial condition.
If we are unable to retain our executive officers or other key employees, attract and retain other qualified personnel, or successfully implement executive officer, key employee or other qualified personnel transitions, we may not be able to meet strategic objectives and our business could suffer.
We are dependent upon various floor planning programs to provide competitive inventory financing programs to certain distributors and dealers of our products. Any material change in the availability or terms of credit offered to our customers by such programs, challenges or delays in transferring new distributors and dealers from any business we might acquire or otherwise to such programs, or any termination or disruption of our various floor planning programs or any delay in securing replacement credit sources, could adversely affect our net sales and operating results.
The terms of our credit arrangements and the indentures and other terms governing our senior notes and debentures could limit our ability to conduct our business, take advantage of business opportunities, and respond to changing business, market, and economic conditions. Additionally, we are subject to counterparty risk in our credit arrangements. If we are unable to comply with such terms, especially the financial covenants, our credit arrangements could be terminated and our senior notes, debentures, term loan facilities, and any amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility could become due and payable.
The addition of further leverage to our capital structure could result in a downgrade to our credit ratings in the future and the failure to maintain investment grade credit ratings could adversely affect our cost of funding and our liquidity by limiting the access to capital markets or the availability of funding from a variety of lenders.
We are expanding and renovating our corporate and other facilities and could experience disruptions to our operations in connection with such efforts.
We may not achieve our projected financial information or other business initiatives in the time periods that we anticipate, or at all, which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
For more information regarding these and other uncertainties and factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from what we have anticipated in our forward-looking statements or otherwise could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results, see our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this report.
All forward-looking statements included in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement which speaks only as of the date made and to recognize that forward-looking statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties described above, the risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this report, as well as others that we may consider immaterial or do not anticipate at this time. The foregoing risks and uncertainties are not exclusive and further information concerning the company and our businesses, including factors that potentially could materially affect our financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time. We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect actual results, events or circumstances occurring or existing after the date any forward-looking statement is made, or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements. We advise you, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our future Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk stemming from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity costs. We are also exposed to equity market risk pertaining to the trading price of our common stock. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in our earnings and cash flows. There have been no material changes to the market risk information regarding equity market risk included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. Refer to Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk", within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 for a complete discussion of our market risk. Refer below for further discussion on foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, and commodity cost risk.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business, such as sales to third-party customers, sales and loans to wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries, foreign plant operations, and purchases from suppliers. Our primary foreign currency exchange rate exposures are with the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the Chinese Renminbi, and the Romanian New Leu against the U.S. dollar, as well as the Romanian New Leu against the Euro. Because our products are manufactured or sourced primarily from the U.S. and Mexico, a stronger U.S. dollar and Mexican peso generally have a negative impact on our results from operations, while a weaker U.S. dollar and Mexican peso generally have a positive effect.

55


To reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, we actively manage the exposure of our foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into various derivative instruments to hedge against such risk, authorized under company policies that place controls on these hedging activities, with counterparties that are highly rated financial institutions. Decisions on whether to use such derivative instruments are primarily based on the amount of exposure to the currency involved and an assessment of the near-term market value for each currency. Our worldwide foreign currency exchange rate exposures are reviewed monthly. The gains and losses on our derivative instruments offset the changes in values of the related underlying exposures. Therefore, changes in the values of our derivative instruments are highly correlated with changes in the market values of underlying hedged items both at inception and over the life of the derivative instrument.
Changes in the fair values of the spot rate component of outstanding, highly effective cash flow hedging instruments included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness are recorded in other comprehensive income within accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL") on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are subsequently reclassified to net earnings within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings during the same period in which the cash flows of the underlying hedged transaction affect net earnings. Certain derivative instruments we hold do not meet the cash flow hedge accounting criteria or have components that are excluded from cash flow hedge accounting; therefore, changes in their fair value are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings within the same line item as that of the underlying exposure. For additional information regarding our derivative instruments, see Note 17, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, in our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The foreign currency exchange contracts in the table below have maturity dates in fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2022. All items are non-trading and stated in U.S. dollars. As of May 1, 2020, the average contracted rate, notional amount, fair value, and the gain (loss) at fair value of outstanding derivative instruments were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands, except average contracted rate)
 
Average Contracted Rate
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Gain (Loss) at Fair Value
Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Australian dollar
 
0.6994

 
$
97,693

 
$
103,841

 
$
6,148

Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Canadian dollar
 
1.3310

 
31,833

 
33,129

 
1,296

Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Euro
 
1.1801

 
150,386

 
160,916

 
10,530

Buy U.S. dollar/Sell British pound
 
1.3142

 
51,279

 
53,863

 
2,584

Buy Mexican peso/Sell U.S. dollar
 
21.4522

 
$
2,144

 
$
1,901

 
$
(243
)
Our net investment in foreign subsidiaries translated into U.S. dollars is not hedged. Any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of AOCL in stockholders’ equity on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, and would not impact net earnings.
Interest Rate Risk
Our market risk on interest rates relates primarily to fluctuations in LIBOR-based interest rates on our revolving credit facility and term loan credit agreements, as well as the potential increase in the fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt resulting from a potential decrease in interest rates. We generally do not use interest rate swaps to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates. Our indebtedness as of May 1, 2020 includes $423.9 million of fixed rate debt that is not subject to variable interest rate fluctuations and $470.0 million of LIBOR-based borrowings under our term loan credit agreements. We have no earnings or cash flow exposure due to market risks on our fixed-rate long-term debt obligations.
Commodity Cost Risk
Most of the commodities, components, parts, and accessories used in our manufacturing process and end-products, or to be sold as standalone end-products, are exposed to commodity cost changes, including, for example, as a result of inflation, deflation, changing prices, tariffs, and/or duties. Our primary commodity cost exposures are with steel, aluminum, petroleum and natural gas-based resins, copper, lead, rubber, linerboard, and other materials, as well as components, such as engines, transmissions, transaxles, hydraulics, and electric motors, for use in our products. Our largest spend for commodities, components, parts, and accessories are generally for steel, engines, hydraulic components, transmissions, resin, aluminum, and electric motors, all of which we purchase from several suppliers around the world. We generally purchase commodities, components, parts, and accessories based upon market prices that are established with suppliers as part of the purchase process and generally attempt to obtain firm pricing from most of our suppliers for volumes consistent with planned production and estimates of wholesale and retail demand for our products.
We strategically work to mitigate any unfavorable impact as a result of changes to the cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories that affect our product lines. Historically, we have mitigated, and we currently expect that we would mitigate, any commodity, components, parts, and accessories cost increases, in part, by collaborating with suppliers, reviewing alternative sourcing options, substituting materials, utilizing Lean methods, engaging in internal cost reduction efforts, utilizing tariff

56


exclusions and duty drawback mechanisms, and increasing prices on some of our products, all as appropriate. Additionally, we enter into fixed-price contracts for future purchases of natural gas in the normal course of operations as a means to manage natural gas price risks. However, to the extent that commodity, components, parts, and accessories costs increase, as a result of inflation, tariffs, duties, trade regulatory actions, industry actions or otherwise, and we do not have firm pricing from our suppliers, or our suppliers are not able to honor such prices, we may experience a decline in our gross margins to the extent we are not able to increase selling prices of our products or obtain manufacturing efficiencies to offset increases in commodity, components, parts, and accessories costs. In the first six months of fiscal 2020, the average cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories, including the impact of tariff costs, was lower compared to the first six months of fiscal 2019. We anticipate that the average cost for commodities, components, parts, and accessories, including the impact of tariff costs, for the remainder of fiscal 2020 will be less than the average costs experienced during the comparable period of fiscal 2019.
ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, we recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and we are required to apply our judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible internal controls.
Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
On March 2, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Venture Products and on April 1, 2019, during the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we completed the acquisition of CMW. Prior to these acquisitions, both Venture Products and CMW were privately-held companies not subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules and regulations of the SEC, or other corporate governance requirements to which public companies may be subject. In accordance with guidance issued by the SEC, companies are permitted to exclude acquisitions from their final assessment of internal control over financial reporting during the year of acquisition. As part of our ongoing integration activities, we are in the process of incorporating internal controls over significant processes specific to Venture Products and CMW that we believe are appropriate and necessary to account for the acquisitions and to consolidate and report our financial results. We expect to complete our integration activities related to internal control over financial reporting for Venture Products during fiscal 2021. As of the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we have substantially completed our integration activities related to internal control over financial reporting for CMW. Accordingly, we expect to include CMW within our assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020 but do not expect to include Venture Products within such assessment.
With the exception of integration activities in connection with the company's acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three month period ended May 1, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

57


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are a party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Litigation occasionally involves claims for punitive, as well as compensatory, damages arising out of the use of our products. Although we are self-insured to some extent, we maintain insurance against certain product liability losses. We are also subject to litigation and administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to claims involving asbestos and the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these claims assert damages and liability for personal injury, remedial investigations or clean-up, and other costs and damages. We are also typically involved in commercial disputes, employment disputes, and patent litigation cases in the ordinary course of business. To prevent possible infringement of our patents by others, we periodically review competitors’ products. To avoid potential liability with respect to others’ patents, we regularly review certain patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices. We believe these activities help us minimize our risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation. We are currently involved in patent litigation cases, including cases by or against competitors, where we are asserting and defending against claims of patent infringement. Such cases are at varying stages in the litigation process. For a description of our material legal proceedings, see Note 15, Contingencies, in our Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements under the heading "Litigation" included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated into this Part II. Item 1 by reference.
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
We are affected by risks specific to us as well as factors that affect all businesses operating in a global market. The significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results or could cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results or other expectations, including those expressed in any forward-looking statement made in this report, are described in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors". There has been no material change in those risk factors, with the exception of the addition of the following two new risk factors:
COVID-19 has materially adversely impacted our business, financial condition and operating results and will likely continue to adversely impact our business, financial condition and operating results and such impact could continue to be material.
COVID-19 has created significant worldwide volatility, uncertainty and disruption. In particular, COVID-19 has resulted in a substantial curtailment of business activities, a significant number of business closures, slowdowns, suspensions or delays of production and commercial activity, and weakened economic conditions, both in the United States and many foreign countries. As such, COVID-19 has materially directly and indirectly adversely impacted us and such adverse impact will likely continue. However, the extent to which COVID-19 will continue to adversely impact our business, financial condition and operating results, which could continue to be material, will depend on numerous evolving factors, including:
the duration, scope, and severity of COVID-19;
governmental, business and individual actions that have been, and continue to be, taken in response to COVID-19, including business and travel restrictions, "stay-at-home" and "shelter-in-place" directives, quarantines, and slowdowns, suspensions or delays of commercial activity;
the effect of COVID-19 on our dealers, distributors, mass retailers and other channel partners and customers, including their ability to remain open, continue to sell and service our products, pay for the products purchased from us, collect payment from their customers, adoption of reduced or experiecencing constrained budgets, or enacting cash preservation efforts;
our ability during COVID-19 to continue operations and/or adjust our production schedules, including by the temporary suspension of production activity mandated or otherwise made necessary by governmental authorities, as a result of current and anticipated weakened demand and/or production delays at certain of our facilities;
continued reductions or volatility in demand for one or more of our products or services and/or higher demand for moderately-priced products;
the effect of COVID-19 on our suppliers and our ability to continue to obtain commodities, components, parts, and accessories on a timely basis through our supply chain and at anticipated costs;
logistics costs and challenges, including availability of transportation and at previously anticipated costs;
costs incurred as a result of necessary actions and preparedness plans to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and continued operations, including remote working accommodations, enhanced cleaning processes, protocols designed to implement appropriate social distancing practices, and/or adoption of additional wage and benefit programs to assist employees;
potential future restructuring, impairment or other charges;
availability of employees, their ability to continue to conduct work away from normal working locations and/or under revised work environment protocols, as well as the general willingness of employees to come to and perform work;
our ability to establish and maintain appropriate estimates and assumptions used to prepare the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements;

58


the continued impact of COVID-19 on the financial and credit markets and economic activity generally;
our ability to access lending, capital markets, and other sources of liquidity when needed on reasonable terms or at all;
our ability to comply with the financial covenants in our debt agreements if the material economic downturn as a result of COVID-19 results in substantially increased indebtedness and/or lower EBITDA for us; and
the continued exasperation of negative impacts as a result of the continuance of a global or national recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event as a result of COVID-19, including without limitation substantially reduced demand for our products.
In addition, the impacts from COVID-19 and efforts to contain it have heightened the risks in certain of the other risk factors described in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors".
Our recent acquisition of Venture Products, Inc. involves a number of risks, the occurrence of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
On March 2, 2020, we completed our acquisition of Venture Products. The acquisition involves certain risks, the occurrence of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results, including:
diversion of management's attention to integrate Venture Products' operations;
disruption to our existing operations and plans or inability to effectively manage our expanded operations;
failure, difficulties, or delays in securing, integrating, and assimilating information, financial systems, internal controls, operations, manufacturing processes, products, or the distribution channel for Venture Products' businesses and product lines;
potential loss of key Venture Products employees, suppliers, customers, distributors, or dealers or other adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers, customers, distributors, and dealers;
adverse impact on overall profitability if our expanded operations do not achieve the growth prospects, net sales, earnings, cost or revenue synergies, or other financial results projected in our valuation models, or delays in the realization thereof;
reallocation of amounts of capital from our other strategic initiatives;
because we financed the acquisition and related transaction expenses with additional borrowings under our existing credit facility, our ability to access additional capital thereunder may be limited and the increase in our leverage and debt service requirements could restrict our ability to access additional capital when needed or to pursue other important elements of our business strategy;
inaccurate assessment of undisclosed, contingent, or other liabilities, unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition, and despite the existence of representations, warranties, and indemnities in the merger agreement, an inability to recover or manage such liabilities and costs;
incorrect estimates made in the accounting for the acquisition or the potential write-off of significant amounts of goodwill, intangible assets, and/or other tangible assets if the Venture Products business does not perform in the future as expected; and
other factors mentioned in our recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part 1, Item 1A, "Risk Factors".

59


ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of the company's common stock purchased by the company during each of the three fiscal months in our second quarter ended May 1, 2020:
Period
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased1,2
 
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
 
Total Number of Shares (or Units) 
Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1
 
Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs1
February 1, 2020 through February 28, 2020
 

 
$

 

 
7,042,256

February 29, 2020 through April 3, 2020
 

 

 

 
7,042,256

April 4, 2020 through May 1, 2020
 
1,477

 
64.24

 

 
7,042,256

Total
 
1,477

 
$
64.24

 

 
 

1  
On December 3, 2015, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 8,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock in open-market or privately negotiated transactions. On December 4, 2018, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 5,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock in open-market or privately negotiated transactions. This authorized stock repurchase program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the company’s Board of Directors at any time. No shares were repurchased under this authorized stock repurchase program during the company's fiscal second quarter of 2020 and 7,042,256 shares remained available to repurchase under this authorized stock repurchase program as of May 1, 2020.
2 
Includes 1,477 units (shares) of the company’s common stock purchased in open-market transactions at an average price of $64.24 per share on behalf of a rabbi trust formed to pay benefit obligations of the company to participants in deferred compensation plans. These 1,477 shares were not repurchased under the company’s authorized stock repurchase program described in footnote 1 above.

60


ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
(a)
Exhibit No.
Description
 
2.1
 
 
 
 
3.1 and 4.1
 
 
 
 
3.2 and 4.2
 
 
 
 
3.3 and 4.3
 
 
 
 
4.4
Indenture dated as of January 31, 1997, between The Toro Company and First National Trust Association, as Trustee, relating to The Toro Company’s 7.80% Debentures due June 15, 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 1997, Commission File No. 1-8649). (Filed on paper - hyperlink is not required pursuant to Rule 105 of Regulation S-T).
 
 
 
 
4.5
 
 
 
 
4.6
 
 
 
 
4.7
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
 
 
101
The following financial information from The Toro Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 1, 2020, filed with the SEC on June 4, 2020, formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (Inline XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 1, 2020, May 3, 2019, and October 31, 2019, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the three and six month periods ended May 1, 2020 and May 3, 2019, and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (filed herewith).
 
 
 
 
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

61


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 hereunto duly authorized.

THE TORO COMPANY
(Registrant)

Date: June 4, 2020
By:
/s/ Renee J. Peterson
 
 
Renee J. Peterson
 
 
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(duly authorized officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer)


62