PSMT-10Q Master Document Q3 FY2015

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
  
FORM 10-Q
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended May 31, 2015
 OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                to              
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-22793
  PriceSmart, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
33-0628530
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
9740 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA 92121
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(858) 404-8800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   ý
No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ý
No   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ý
Accelerated filer   ¨ 
Non-accelerated filer   ¨
Smaller Reporting Company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   ¨
No   ý
 The registrant had 30,182,249 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding at June 30, 2015.



PRICESMART, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


i


 PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

1

PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)



 
May 31,
2015
 
August 31, 2014
 
(Unaudited)
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
145,593

 
$
137,098

Short-term restricted cash
16,249

 
2,353

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2 and $0 as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively
8,261

 
7,910

Merchandise inventories
266,184

 
226,383

Deferred tax assets – current
7,520

 
6,177

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (includes $4,425 and $495 as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)
31,055

 
17,260

Total current assets
474,862

 
397,181

Long-term restricted cash
9,489

 
27,013

Property and equipment, net
442,723

 
426,325

Goodwill
35,965

 
36,108

Deferred tax assets – long term
7,178

 
11,825

Other non-current assets (includes $3,736 and $1,095 as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, for the fair value of derivative instruments)
35,651

 
30,755

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
10,315

 
8,863

Total Assets
$
1,016,183

 
$
938,070

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
240,426

 
223,559

Accrued salaries and benefits
18,767

 
17,799

Deferred membership income
21,244

 
17,932

Income taxes payable
8,769

 
7,718

Other accrued expenses (includes $0 and $14 as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, for the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts)
27,916

 
21,030

Dividends payable
10,564

 

Long-term debt, current portion
26,956

 
11,848

Deferred tax liability – current
130

 
157

Total current liabilities
354,772

 
300,043

Deferred tax liability – long-term
2,458

 
2,290

Long-term portion of deferred rent
6,374

 
5,591

Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion
1,406

 
1,918

Long-term debt, net of current portion
74,852

 
79,591

Other long-term liabilities (includes $1,497 and $0 for the fair value of derivative instruments and $389 and $372 for the defined benefit plan as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively)
1,886

 
372

Total liabilities
441,748

 
389,805

Equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 30,969,402 and 30,950,701 shares issued and 30,177,979 and 30,209,917 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares) as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively
3

 
3

Preferred stock $0.0001 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014

 

Additional paid-in capital
401,821

 
397,150

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation
10,725

 
9,505

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(70,056
)
 
(49,286
)
Retained earnings
261,162

 
215,613

Less: treasury stock at cost; 791,423 and 740,784 shares as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively
(29,220
)
 
(24,720
)
Total equity
574,435

 
548,265

Total Liabilities and Equity
$
1,016,183

 
$
938,070

See accompanying notes.

2


PRICESMART, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net warehouse club sales
$
675,314

 
$
597,885

 
$
2,043,849

 
$
1,844,746

Export sales
9,465

 
6,577

 
24,126

 
19,062

Membership income
11,189

 
9,552

 
32,202

 
28,301

Other income
1,135

 
1,023

 
3,244

 
2,903

Total revenues
697,103

 
615,037

 
2,103,421

 
1,895,012

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of goods sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net warehouse club
578,868

 
509,684

 
1,743,772

 
1,575,623

Export
8,992

 
6,246

 
22,953

 
18,110

Selling, general and administrative:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Warehouse club operations
60,754

 
53,617

 
179,006

 
158,592

General and administrative
14,214

 
12,604

 
41,681

 
37,065

Pre-opening expenses
33

 
1,125

 
3,411

 
1,939

Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets
724

 
558

 
1,087

 
746

Total operating expenses
663,585

 
583,834

 
1,991,910

 
1,792,075

Operating income
33,518

 
31,203

 
111,511

 
102,937

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
283

 
202

 
813

 
576

Interest expense
(1,615
)
 
(1,043
)
 
(4,759
)
 
(2,967
)
Other income (expense), net
(311
)
 
489

 
(4,602
)
 
1,512

Total other income (expense)
(1,643
)
 
(352
)
 
(8,548
)
 
(879
)
Income before provision for income taxes and income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates
31,875

 
30,851

 
102,963

 
102,058

Provision for income taxes
(10,750
)
 
(9,534
)
 
(36,378
)
 
(31,035
)
Income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates
70

 
3

 
92

 
7

Net income
21,195

 
$
21,320

 
$
66,677

 
71,030

Net income per share available for distribution:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per share
$
0.70

 
$
0.70

 
$
2.20

 
$
2.35

Diluted net income per share
$
0.70

 
$
0.70

 
$
2.20

 
$
2.34

Shares used in per share computations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
29,883

 
29,784

 
29,834

 
29,733

Diluted
29,888

 
29,792

 
29,841

 
29,743

Dividends per share
$

 
$

 
$
0.70

 
$
0.70



See accompanying notes.

3


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

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
21,195

 
$
21,320

 
$
66,677

 
$
71,030

Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)
$
(1,684
)
 
$
3,929

 
$
(24,241
)
 
$
(8,443
)
     Defined benefit pension plan:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net gain (loss) arising during period
(11
)
 
5

 
(35
)
 
16

     Total defined benefit pension plan
(11
)
 
5

 
(35
)
 
16

Unrealized gains/(losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps(2)
38

 
(1,343
)
 
3,506

 
(421
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,657
)
 
2,591

 
(20,770
)
 
(8,848
)
Comprehensive income
$
19,538

 
$
23,911

 
$
45,907

 
$
62,182


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


See accompanying notes.


4


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

 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Tax Benefit
From
Stock Based Compen-sation
 
Accumulated
Other
Compre-hensive
Income(Loss)
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Equity
Balance at August 31, 2013
30,924

 
$
3

 
$
390,581

 
$
8,016

 
$
(41,475
)
 
$
143,871

 
690

 
$
(19,947
)
 
$
481,049

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 
49

 
(4,601
)
 
(4,601
)
Issuance of restricted stock award
20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options
5

 

 
118

 

 

 

 

 

 
118

Stock-based compensation

 

 
4,870

 
1,473

 

 

 

 

 
6,343

Dividend paid to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(10,570
)
 

 

 
(10,570
)
Dividend payable to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(10,593
)
 

 

 
(10,593
)
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
71,030

 

 

 
71,030

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
(8,848
)
 

 

 

 
(8,848
)
Balance at May 31, 2014
30,948

 
$
3

 
$
395,569

 
$
9,489

 
$
(50,323
)
 
$
193,738

 
739

 
$
(24,548
)
 
$
523,928

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at August 31, 2014
30,951

 
$
3

 
$
397,150

 
$
9,505

 
$
(49,286
)
 
$
215,613

 
741

 
$
(24,720
)
 
$
548,265

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 
50

 
(4,500
)
 
(4,500
)
Issuance of restricted stock award
25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards
(9
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options
3

 

 
49

 

 

 

 

 

 
49

Stock-based compensation

 

 
4,622

 
1,220

 

 

 

 

 
5,842

Dividend paid to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(10,564
)
 

 

 
(10,564
)
Dividend payable to stockholders

 

 

 

 

 
(10,564
)
 

 

 
(10,564
)
Net income

 

 

 

 

 
66,677

 

 

 
66,677

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 
(20,770
)
 

 

 

 
(20,770
)
Balance at May 31, 2015
30,970

 
$
3

 
$
401,821

 
$
10,725

 
$
(70,056
)
 
$
261,162

 
791

 
$
(29,220
)
 
$
574,435

 


See accompanying notes.

5


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

 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
66,677

 
$
71,030

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
25,173

 
20,932

Allowance for doubtful accounts
2

 
6

(Gain)/loss on sale of property and equipment
1,087

 
746

Deferred income taxes
3,388

 
1,869

Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation
(1,220
)
 
(1,473
)
Equity in (gains) of unconsolidated affiliates
(92
)
 
(7
)
Stock-based compensation
4,622

 
4,870

Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Change in receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accrued salaries and benefits, deferred membership income and other accruals
(9,101
)
 
(11,246
)
Merchandise inventories
(39,801
)
 
(13,280
)
Accounts payable
15,003

 
2,746

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
65,738

 
76,193

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
(63,041
)
 
(82,774
)
Deposits for land purchase option agreements
903

 
(850
)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
67

 
78

Investment in joint ventures
(1,360
)
 
(750
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(63,431
)
 
(84,296
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from bank borrowings
45,477

 
37,734

Repayment of bank borrowings
(27,783
)
 
(17,390
)
Cash dividend payments
(10,564
)
 
(10,570
)
Release of restricted cash
2,920

 
8,000

Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation
1,220

 
1,473

Purchase of treasury stock
(4,500
)
 
(4,601
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
49

 
118

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
6,819

 
14,764

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(631
)
 
(4,776
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
8,495

 
1,885

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
137,098

 
121,874

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
145,593

 
$
123,759

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
4,391

 
$
2,508

Income taxes
$
33,583

 
$
33,308

Supplemental non-cash item:
 
 
 
Dividends declared but not paid
$
10,564

 
$
10,593


6


PRICESMART, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
May 31, 2015
 
NOTE 1 – COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart” or the “Company”) business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States.  As of May 31, 2015, the Company had 36 consolidated warehouse clubs in operation in 12 countries and one U.S. territory (six in Costa Rica and Colombia; four in Panama and Trinidad; three in Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic; two in El Salvador; and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Nicaragua and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns 100% of the corresponding legal entities (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). During October 2013, the Company opened its sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in La Union, Cartago, and in May 2014, the Company opened its third warehouse club in Honduras in Tegucigalpa, the Company's second in the capital city. In January 2014, the Company acquired land in Pereira, Colombia and in the city of Medellin, Colombia and leased land in the city of Bogota, Colombia. The Company built new warehouse clubs at these three sites, and opened the Bogota location in October 2014 and opened the other two sites in November 2014. Together with the three warehouse clubs that were operating prior to these openings in Colombia (one in Barranquilla and two in Cali), these three new clubs brought the number of PriceSmart warehouse clubs operating in Colombia to six. In September 2014, the Company acquired land in La Chorrera ("Costa Verde"), west of Panama City, Panama, on which the Company opened its fifth PriceSmart warehouse club in Panama in June 2015. In April 2015, the Company acquired land in Managua, Nicaragua on which the Company's second warehouse club in Nicaragua is scheduled to open late in 2015. The Company continues to explore other potential sites for future warehouse clubs in Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia. The warehouse club sales and membership sign-ups experienced with the opening of the warehouse clubs in Colombia have reinforced the Company's belief that there could be a market for additional PriceSmart warehouse clubs in other Colombian cities.

Basis of Presentation - The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q for interim financial reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”).  The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PriceSmart, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries.  Inter-company transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date and time these financial statements were issued. 

Reclassifications to consolidated balance sheet recorded during fiscal year 2015 for fiscal year 2014 - Certain reclassifications to the consolidated balance sheet have been made to prior fiscal year amounts to conform to the presentation in the current fiscal year. These reclassifications relate to the presentation of certain income tax receivables (see note 2). The table below summarizes these reclassifications.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 31, 2014 balance sheet line item as previously reported
 
Amount reclassified Dr/(Cr)
 
August 31, 2014 balance sheet line item as currently reported
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
22,570

 
$
(5,310
)
 
17,260

Other non-current assets
27,593

 
3,162

 
30,755

Accounts payable
(225,761
)
 
2,202

 
(223,559
)
Income taxes payable
(7,664
)
 
(54
)
 
(7,718
)
Net amount of reclassifications
 
 
$

 
 




7


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


NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation – The interim consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries and the Company's investment in, and the Company's share of the income (loss) of, joint ventures recorded under the equity method.  All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. As of May 31, 2015, all of the Company's subsidiaries were wholly owned. Additionally, the Company's ownership interest in real estate development joint ventures as of May 31, 2015 is listed below:
Real Estate Development Joint Ventures
 
Countries
 
Ownership
 
Basis of Presentation
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.
 
Panama
 
50.0
%
 
Equity(1)
Price Plaza Alajuela PPA, S.A.
 
Costa Rica
 
50.0
%
 
Equity(1)
 
(1)
Joint venture interests are recorded as investment in unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated balance sheets.

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

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

8


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



Restricted Cash –   The changes in restricted cash are disclosed within the consolidated statement of cash flows based on the nature of the restriction. The following table summarizes the restricted cash reported by the Company (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Short-term restricted cash:
 
 
 
Restricted cash for Honduras loan
$

 
$
1,200

Restricted cash for land purchase option agreements
192

 
1,095

Restricted cash for Colombia bank loans
16,000

 

Other short-term restricted cash (1)
57

 
58

Total short-term restricted cash
$
16,249

 
$
2,353

 
 
 
 
Long-term restricted cash:
 
 
 
Restricted cash for Honduras loan
$

 
$
1,720

Restricted cash for Colombia bank loans
8,000

 
24,000

Other long-term restricted cash (1)
1,489

 
1,293

Total long-term restricted cash
$
9,489

 
$
27,013

 
 
 
 
Total restricted cash
$
25,738

 
$
29,366


(1)
Other short-term and long-term restricted cash consists mainly of cash deposits held within banking institutions in compliance with federal regulatory requirements in Costa Rica and Panama.
    
Tax Receivables - The Company pays Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes (“input VAT”), income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of its business in most of the countries in which it operates related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services it acquires and/or on estimated sales and taxable income. The Company also collects VAT or similar taxes on behalf of the government (“output VAT”) for merchandise and/or services it sells. If the output VAT exceeds the input VAT, then the difference is remitted to the government, usually on a monthly basis. If the input VAT exceeds the output VAT, this creates a VAT receivable. In some countries where the Company operates, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit card directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. In the case of VAT, these procedures alter the natural offset of input and output VAT and generally leave the Company with a net VAT receivable, forcing the Company to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due this creates an income tax receivable. The Company either requests a refund of these tax receivables or applies the balance to expected future tax payments. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.
    
In most countries where the Company operates, the tax refund process is defined and structured with regular refunds or offsets. However, in two countries the governments have alleged that there is no defined process in the law to allow them to refund VAT receivables. The Company, together with its tax and legal advisers, is currently appealing these interpretations in court and expects to prevail. In one of these countries, where there is recent favorable jurisprudence, the government recently performed an audit to verify the amount of the respective VAT receivables as a required precursor to any refund. The balance of the VAT receivable in these countries was $6.3 million and $5.7 million as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. In another country in which we have warehouse clubs, beginning in fiscal year 2015, a new minimum income tax mechanism took effect, which requires the Company to pay taxes based on a factor of sales rather than income. As a result, the Company is making income tax payments substantially in excess of those it would expect to pay based on taxable income. The current rules (which the Company has appealed) do not allow the Company to obtain a refund or offset this excess income tax against other taxes. As of May 31, 2015, the Company currently has an outstanding income tax receivable of $509,000 in this country; and there were deferred tax assets of approximately $1.4 million outstanding as of that date. The Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred income taxes, because the Company believes that it has a more likely than not chance to succeed in its appeal on the matter.
    

9


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



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

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

Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where the Company's subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when the Company does not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery.
    
The following table summarizes the VAT receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
5,632

 
$
3,565

Other non-current assets
18,494

 
17,115

Total amount of VAT receivable reported
$
24,126

 
$
20,680


The following table summarizes the Income tax receivables reported by the Company (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
3,339

 
$
1,916

Other non-current assets
8,819

 
7,218

Total amount of income tax receivable reported
$
12,158


$
9,134


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

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

Fair Value Measurements – The Company measures the fair value for all financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis.  The fair value of an asset is the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated, knowledgeable and willing parties able to engage in the transaction. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the

10


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


liability to a new obliger in a transaction between such parties, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor.

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

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

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

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

Accounts receivable:  The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these accounts.
 
Short-term debt: The carrying value approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.
 
Long-term debt: The fair value of debt is generally measured using a discounted cash flow analysis based on current market interest rates for similar types of financial instruments.  These inputs are not quoted prices in active markets but they are either directly or indirectly observable; therefore, they are classified as Level 2 inputs. The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
 
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Long-term debt, including current portion
$
101,808

 
$
103,047

 
$
91,439

 
$
92,893


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

11


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


with these contracts by limiting transactions to counterparties with which the Company has an established banking relationship. There can be no assurance, however, that this practice effectively mitigates counterparty risk.
    
Cash Flow Instruments. The Company is a party to receive floating interest rate, pay fixed-rate interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate risk of certain U.S. dollar denominated debt within its international subsidiaries. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of interest expense risk.  These instruments are considered effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting.  The Company is also a party to receive variable interest rate, pay fixed interest rate cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate and currency exposure associated with the expected payments of principal and interest of U.S. denominated debt within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S dollar. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of the currency risk related to payments on the U.S. denominated debt.  These instruments are also considered to be effective hedges and are recorded using hedge accounting.  Under cash flow hedging, the effective portion of the fair value of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is deferred on the consolidated balance sheets in accumulated other comprehensive loss. If any portion of an interest rate swap is determined to be an ineffective hedge, the gains or losses from changes in fair value would be recorded directly in the consolidated statements of income. Amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts consolidated earnings. See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for information on the fair value of interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014.

Fair Value Instruments. The Company is exposed to foreign-currency exchange rate fluctuations in the normal course of business. The Company is also exposed to foreign-currency exchange rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within its international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.  The Company manages these fluctuations, in part, through the use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts that are intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  The contracts are intended primarily to economically address exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. Currently, these contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value instruments and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting, and as such the Company does not apply derivative hedge accounting to record these transactions. As a result, these contracts are valued at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported in earnings during the period of the change. The Company seeks to mitigate foreign-currency exchange-rate risk with the use of these contracts and does not intend to engage in speculative transactions. These contracts do not contain any credit-risk-related contingent features and are limited to less than one year in duration. See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for information on the fair value of open, unsettled forward foreign-exchange contracts as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014.

The following tables summarize financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 (in thousands) for derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting: 
 
Assets and Liabilities as of May 31, 2015
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 
$

 
$
4,425

 
$

 
$
4,425

Other non-current assets - (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 

 
3,736

 

 
3,736

Other long-term liabilities – (Interest rate swaps)
 

 
(419
)
 

 
(419
)
Other long-term liabilities – (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 

 
(1,078
)
 

 
(1,078
)
Total 
 
$

 
$
6,664

 
$

 
$
6,664







12


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


Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2014
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 
$

 
$
495

 
$

 
$
495

Other non-current assets - (Cross-currency interest rate swaps)
 

 
970

 

 
970

Other non-current assets - (Interest rate swaps)
 

 
125

 

 
125

Other long-term liabilities – (Interest rate swaps)
 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Total 
 
$

 
$
1,590

 
$

 
$
1,590


The following tables summarize financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 (in thousands) for derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting: 
Assets and Liabilities as of May 31, 2015
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other accrued expenses (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 

 

 

 

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

 
$

 
$

 
$


Assets and Liabilities as of August 31, 2014
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other accrued expenses (Foreign currency forward contracts)
 

 
(14
)
 

 
(14
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
$

 
$
(14
)
 
$

 
$
(14
)

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


13


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


 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
 
Change
Goodwill
$
35,965

 
$
36,108

 
$
(143
)


The Company reviews goodwill at the entity level for impairment. The Company first reviews qualitative factors for each reporting unit, in determining if an annual goodwill test is required. If the Company's review of qualitative factors indicates a requirement for a test of goodwill impairment, the Company then will assess whether the carrying amount of a reporting unit is greater than zero and exceeds its fair value established during the Company's prior test of goodwill impairment ("established fair value"). If the carrying amount of a reporting unit at the entity level is greater than zero and its established fair value exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If either the carrying amount of the reporting unit is not greater than zero or if the carrying amount of the entity exceeds its established fair value, the Company performs a second test to determine whether goodwill has been impaired and to calculate the amount of that impairment.
 
Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes merchandise sales revenue when title passes to the customer. Membership income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company’s warehouse club members, which are recognized ratably over the 12-month term of the membership.  Membership refunds are prorated based on the remaining term of the membership; accordingly, no refund reserve is required to be established for the periods presented.  The Company recognizes and presents revenue-producing transactions on a net of value added/sales tax basis.  

The Company began offering Platinum memberships in Costa Rica during fiscal year 2013, which provides members with a 2% rebate on most items, up to an annual maximum of $500.00. Platinum members can apply this rebate to future purchases at the warehouse club at the end of the annual membership period.  The Company records this 2% rebate as a reduction of revenue at the time of the sales transaction. Accordingly, the Company has reduced warehouse sales and has accrued a liability within other accrued expenses. The rebate expires within six months of the membership renewal date. However, the Company has determined that in the absence of relevant historical experience, the Company is not able to make a reasonable estimate of rebate redemptions and accordingly has assumed a 100% redemption rate. The Company periodically reviews expired unused rebates outstanding, and the expired unused rebates are recognized as Revenues: Other income on the consolidated statements of income.
The Company recognizes gift certificate sales revenue when the certificates are redeemed. The outstanding gift certificates are reflected as other accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets. These gift certificates generally have a one-year stated expiration date from the date of issuance. However, the absence of a large volume of transactions for gift certificates impairs the Company's ability to make a reasonable estimate of the redemption levels for gift certificates. Therefore, the Company assumes a 100% redemption rate that is the equivalent of no breakage prior to expiration of the gift certificate. The Company periodically reviews unredeemed outstanding gift certificates, and the gift certificates that have expired are recognized as Revenues: Other income on the consolidated statements of income.
Operating leases, where the Company is the lessor, with lease payments that have fixed and determinable rent increases are recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. The Company also accounts in its straight-line computation for the effect of any "rental holidays." Contingent rental revenue is recognized as the contingent rent becomes due per the individual lease agreements.

Insurance Reimbursements- Receipts from insurance reimbursements up to the amount of the losses recognized are considered recoveries. These recoveries are accounted for when they are probable of receipt. Insurance recoveries are not recognized prior to the recognition of the related cost.  Anticipated proceeds in excess of the amount of loss recognized are considered a gains and are subject to gain contingency guidance. Anticipated proceeds in excess of a loss recognized in the financial statements are not be recognized until all contingencies related to the insurance claim are resolved.

Cost of Goods Sold – The Company includes the cost of merchandise, food service and bakery raw materials, and one hour photo supplies in cost of goods sold. The Company also includes in cost of goods sold the external and internal distribution and handling costs for supplying merchandise, raw materials and supplies to the warehouse clubs. External costs include inbound freight, duties, drayage, fees, insurance, and non-recoverable value-added tax related to inventory shrink, spoilage and damage. Internal costs include payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation at its distribution facilities and payroll and other direct costs for in-store demonstrations.
  

14


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


Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates, time-limited product promotions, slotting fees, demonstration reimbursements and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates that are not threshold-based are incorporated into the unit cost of merchandise reducing the inventory cost and cost of goods sold. Volume rebates that are threshold-based are recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold when the Company achieves established purchase levels that are confirmed by the vendor in writing or upon receipt of funds. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand and this amount is reclassified as a reduction to inventory. Product promotions are generally linked to coupons that provide for reimbursement to the Company from vendor rebates for the product being promoted.  Slotting fees are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for preferential "end cap" placement of the vendor's products within the warehouse club. Demonstration reimbursements are related to consideration received by the Company from vendors for the in-store promotion of the vendors' products. The Company records the reduction in cost of goods sold on a transactional basis for these programs. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases, and therefore, are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting effect recorded to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.
 
Selling, General and Administrative – Selling, general and administrative costs are comprised primarily of expenses associated with warehouse club operations. Warehouse club operations include the operating costs of the Company's warehouse clubs, including all payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation, and bank and credit card processing fees. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses are the payroll and related costs for the Company's U.S. and regional purchasing and management centers. 

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

Asset Impairment Costs – The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. Management's judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include management's best estimate of future business activity. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, requiring an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair value. Future business conditions and/or activity could differ materially from the projections made by management causing the need for additional impairment charges.
 
Contingencies and Litigation –  The Company records and reserves for loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  If one or both criteria for accrual are not met, but there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss will occur, the Company does not record and reserve for a loss contingency but describes the contingency within a note and provides detail, when possible, of the estimated potential loss or range of loss. If an estimate cannot be made, a statement to that effect is made.
 
Foreign Currency Translation – The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are translated to U.S. dollars when the functional currency in the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.  These adjustments will affect net income upon the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income.

The following table summarizes the amounts recorded for the three and nine month periods ending May 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
Currency gain (loss)
$
(311
)
 
$
489

 
$
(4,602
)
 
$
1,512


Income Taxes –The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributed to differences between the

15


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


financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carry-forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized.

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

The Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability.  In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. This requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. When facts and circumstances change, the Company reassesses these probabilities and records any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate.   There were no material changes in the Company's uncertain income tax positions for the periods ended on May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014. However, during the fiscal year 2014, the Company was required to make payments of $4.2 million to the governments in two countries with respect to income tax cases that it is currently appealing and believes it will eventually prevail. These amounts have been recorded in the balance sheet as Other non-current assets, as the Company considers this a payment on account and expects to get a refund thereof upon eventually prevailing on these cases, but is unsure of the timing thereof. Furthermore, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, one of the Company’s subsidiaries received provisional assessments claiming $2.5 million of taxes, penalties and interest related to withholding taxes on certain charges for services rendered by the Company.  In addition, this subsidiary received provisional assessments totaling $5.2 million for lack of deductibility of the underlying service charges due to the lack of withholding.  Based on the Company's interpretation of local law, rulings and jurisprudence (including Supreme Court precedents with respect to the deductibility assessment), the Company expects to prevail in both instances and has not recorded a provision for these assessments. Also, in another country, beginning in fiscal year 2015, a new minimum income tax mechanism took effect, which requires the Company to pay taxes based on a factor of sales rather than income. As a result, the Company is making income tax payments substantially in excess of those we would expect to pay based on taxable income. The current rules (which the Company has appealed) do not allow the Company to obtain a refund or offset this excess income tax against other taxes. As of May 31, 2015, the Company currently has an outstanding income tax receivable of $509,000 in this country; and there were deferred tax assets of approximately $1.4 million outstanding as of that date. The Company has not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred income taxes, because the Company believes that it has a more likely than not chance to succeed in its appeal on the matter.

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

16


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


The following tables present a reconciliation of the effective tax rate for the periods presented:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
Federal tax provision at statutory rates
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
State taxes, net of federal benefit
0.3

 
0.3

 
0.4

 
0.3

Differences in foreign tax rates
(5.3
)
 
(7.1
)
 
(5.0
)
 
(5.5
)
Permanent items and other adjustments
2.2

 
4.5

 
3.1

 
1.2

Increase (decrease) in foreign valuation allowance
1.5

 
(1.8
)
 
1.8

 
(0.6
)
Provision for income taxes
33.7
 %
 
30.9
 %
 
35.3
 %
 
30.4
 %

The variance in the effective tax rate for the three-month period ended on May 31, 2015 compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) the unfavorable impact of 3.8% resulting from an increased taxable loss incurred in the Company’s Colombia subsidiary for which no tax benefit was recognized, net of adjustment to valuation allowance; (ii) the unfavorable impact of 1.0% due to the relative increase in U.S. taxable income at a higher statutory tax rate compared to tax rates in foreign jurisdictions; (iii) the favorable impact of 1.2% resulting from reversals of income tax liability for uncertain tax positions; and (iv) the non-recurrence of the favorable impact of 0.6% in the prior period from the tax effect of changes in foreign currency value.

The variance in the effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended May 31, 2015 compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to the unfavorable impact of 4.2% resulting from an increased taxable loss incurred in the Company’s Colombia subsidiary for which no tax benefit was recognized, net of adjustment to valuation allowance, and the non-recurrence of a favorable impact of 0.6% in the prior period from the tax effect of changes in foreign currency value.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

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

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

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

FASB ASC 350 ASU 2015-05 - Customers accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement

In April 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance on about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license

17


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


element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The amendments do not change the accounting for a customer’s accounting for service contracts.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for public entities for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. An entity can elect to adopt the amendments either: (1) prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date; or (2) retrospectively. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 3 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

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

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Land
$
135,044

 
$
124,082

Building and improvements
279,245

 
244,485

Fixtures and equipment
163,629

 
148,143

Construction in progress
29,055

 
55,664

Total property and equipment, historical cost
606,973

 
572,374

Less: accumulated depreciation
(164,250
)
 
(146,049
)
Property and equipment, net
$
442,723

 
$
426,325


Depreciation and amortization expense (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Depreciation and amortization expense
$
8,740

 
$
7,139

 
$
25,173

 
$
20,932

    
The Company capitalizes interest on expenditures for qualifying assets over a period that covers the duration of the activities required to get the asset ready for its intended use, provided that expenditures for the asset have been made and interest cost is being incurred. Interest capitalization continues as long as those activities and the incurrence of interest cost continues. The amount capitalized in an accounting period is determined by applying the capitalization rate (average interest rate) to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the qualifying asset during the period. The capitalization rates are based on the interest rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period.
Total interest capitalized (in thousands):
 
As of May 31, 2015
 
As of August 31, 2014
Total interest capitalized
$
7,064

 
$
6,542


18


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


    
Total interest capitalized (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Interest capitalized
$
148

 
$
452

 
$
911

 
$
945


The Company also purchased land in Chia, a city north of Bogota, Colombia for which it recorded other accrued expenses of approximately $8.6 million in May 2015. Payment for this land purchase was made on June 2, 2015. The Company made this land acquisition per the terms of an expiring purchase agreement. The Company has not yet received all permits necessary to begin construction and to operate a warehouse club. As such, the Company does not have a definitive date for when it could construct or open a warehouse club on that site.

The Company also recorded within accounts payable and other accrued expenses approximately $700,000 and $9.8 million, respectively, as of May 31, 2015 and $2.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively, as of August 31, 2014 of liabilities related to the acquisition and/or construction of property and equipment.


NOTE 4 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The Company presents basic and diluted net income per share using the two-class method.   The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that treats a participating security as having rights to earnings that otherwise would have been available to common stockholders and that determines basic net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings that would have been available to common stockholders.   A participating security is defined as a security that may participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.  The Company’s capital structure includes securities that participate with common stock on a one-for-one basis for distribution of dividends.  These are the restricted stock awards authorized within the 2002 and 2013 Equity Participation Plans/Equity Incentive Awards Plan of the Company and restricted stock units authorized within the 2001, 2002 and 2013 Equity Participation Plans/Equity Incentive Awards Plan.  The Company determines the diluted net income per share by using the more dilutive of the two class-method or the treasury stock method and by including the basic weighted average of outstanding stock options in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the two-class method and including all potential common shares assumed issued in the calculation of diluted net income per share under the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of net income per share for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
21,195

 
$
21,320

 
$
66,677

 
$
71,030

Less: Allocation of income to unvested stockholders
(257
)
 
(348
)
 
(856
)
 
(1,296
)
Net earnings available to common stockholders
$
20,938

 
$
20,972

 
$
65,821

 
$
69,734

Basic weighted average shares outstanding
29,883

 
29,784

 
29,834

 
29,733

Add dilutive effect of stock options (two-class method)
5

 
8

 
7

 
10

Diluted average shares outstanding
29,888

 
29,792

 
29,841

 
29,743

Basic net income per share
$
0.70

 
$
0.70

 
$
2.20

 
$
2.35

Diluted net income per share
$
0.70

 
$
0.70

 
$
2.20

 
$
2.34




19


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



NOTE 5 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
Dividends

  
The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2015 and 2014.
 
 
 
 
First Payment
 
Second Payment
Declared
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
2/4/15
 
$
0.70

 
2/13/15
 
2/27/15
 
N/A
 
$
0.35

 
8/14/15
 
N/A
 
8/31/15
 
$
0.35

1/23/14
 
$
0.70

 
2/14/14
 
2/28/14
 
N/A
 
$
0.35

 
8/15/14
 
8/29/14
 
N/A
 
$
0.35


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

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
The following tables disclose the effects of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (in thousands):

 
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Derivative Instruments
 
Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2014
$
(50,410
)
 
$
113

 
$
1,011

 
$
(49,286
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(24,241
)
 
(35
)
 
3,506

 
(20,770
)
Ending balance, May 31, 2015
$
(74,651
)
 
$
78

 
$
4,517

 
$
(70,056
)
 
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2014
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Derivative Instruments
 
Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2013
$
(42,321
)
 
$
(152
)
 
$
998

 
$
(41,475
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(8,443
)

16

 
(421
)
 
(8,848
)
Ending balance, May 31, 2014
$
(50,764
)
 
$
(136
)
 
$
577

 
$
(50,323
)

20


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


 
Twelve Months Ended August 31, 2014
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
Defined benefit pension plans
 
Derivative Instruments
 
Total
Beginning balance, September 1, 2013
$
(42,321
)
 
$
(152
)
 
$
998

 
$
(41,475
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(8,089
)

260

 
101

 
(7,728
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 
5

(2) 
(88
)
(1) (3) 
(83
)
Ending balance, August 31, 2014
$
(50,410
)
 
$
113

 
$
1,011

 
$
(49,286
)
(1)
See Note 9 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
(2)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to the minimum pension liability are included in warehouse club operations in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
(3)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for settlement of derivative instruments are included in other income (expense), net in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
        
Retained Earnings Not Available for Distribution
 
The following table summarizes retained earnings designated as legal reserves of various subsidiaries which cannot be distributed as dividends to PriceSmart, Inc. according to applicable statutory regulations (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Retained earnings not available for distribution
$
4,917

 
$
4,556




21


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


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

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

The Company adopted the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the "2013 Plan") for the benefit of its eligible employees, consultants and non-employee directors on January 22, 2013. The 2013 Plan provides for awards covering up to (1) 600,000 shares of common stock plus (2) the number of shares that remained available for issuance as of January 22, 2013 under three equity participation plans previously maintained by the Company. The number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan increases during the term of the plan by the number of shares relating to awards outstanding under the 2013 Plan or any of the prior plans that expire, or are forfeited, terminated, canceled or repurchased, or are settled in cash in lieu of shares and decreases due to award releases or option exercises. No more than an aggregate of 1,332,540 shares of the Company’s common stock will be issued under the 2013 Plan. The following table summarizes the shares authorized and shares available for future grants:
 
 
 
Shares available to grant
 
Shares authorized for issuance as of October 31, 2014 (including shares originally authorized for issuance under the prior plans)
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
2013 Plan
888,353

 
853,774

 
821,124

    
The following table summarizes the components of the stock-based compensation expense (in thousands), which are included in general and administrative expense and warehouse club operations in the consolidated statements of income:
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Options granted to directors
$
25

 
$
27

 
$
61

 
$
64

Restricted stock awards
929

 
1,276

 
3,633

 
4,059

Restricted stock units
328

 
246

 
928

 
747

Stock-based compensation expense
$
1,282

 
$
1,549

 
$
4,622

 
$
4,870

    
    

22


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


    
The following tables summarize other information related to stock-based compensation:
 
As of May 31
 
2015
 
2014
Remaining unrecognized compensation cost (in thousands)
$
19,005

 
$
26,199

Weighted average period of time over which this cost will be recognized (years)
5

 
6


 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Excess tax benefit (deficiency) on stock-based compensation (in thousands)
1,220

 
1,473


    
The Company began issuing restricted stock awards in fiscal year 2006 and restricted stock units in fiscal year 2008. The restricted stock awards and units vest over a five to ten year period, and the unvested portion of the award is forfeited if the employee or non-employee director leaves the Company before the vesting period is completed. Restricted stock awards and units activity for the period was as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Grants outstanding at beginning of period
488,416

 
623,424

Granted
27,607

 
12,325

Forfeited
(9,618
)
 
(2,048
)
Vested
(142,370
)
 
(140,182
)
Grants outstanding at end of period
364,035

 
493,519


    
The following table summarizes the weighted average per share grant date fair value for restricted stock awards and units for the period:
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
2015
 
2014
Restricted stock awards and units granted
 
$
89.64

 
$
109.18

Restricted stock awards and units vested
 
$
44.42

 
$
39.47

Restricted stock awards and units forfeited
 
$
64.13

 
$
49.37


The following table summarizes the total fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested for the period (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Total fair market value of restricted stock awards and units vested
$
12,624

 
$
13,222

    
    

23


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


At the vesting dates of restricted stock awards, the Company repurchases shares at the prior day's closing price per share, with the funds used to pay the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. The Company expects to continue this practice going forward. The following table summarizes this activity during the period:
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Shares repurchased
 
50,639

 
48,808

Cost of repurchase of shares (in thousands)
 
$
4,500

 
$
4,601

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

 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Reissued treasury shares

 


The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding: 
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Stock options outstanding
20,000

 
23,000


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


NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business and property ownership.  The Company evaluates such matters on a case by case basis, and vigorously contests any such legal proceedings or claims which the Company believes are without merit.  The Company establishes an accrual for legal proceedings if and when those matters reach a stage where they present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be a possible exposure to loss in excess of any amounts accrued. The Company monitors those matters for developments that would affect the likelihood of a loss and the accrued amount, if any, thereof, and adjusts the amount as appropriate. If the loss contingency at issue is not both probable and reasonably estimable, the Company does not establish an accrual, but will continue to monitor the matter for developments that will make the loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If it is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss will occur, the Company will provide disclosure regarding the contingency.  The Company believes that the final disposition of the pending legal proceedings, claims and litigation will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity. It is possible, however, that the Company's future results of operations for a particular quarter or fiscal year could be impacted by changes in circumstances relating to such matters.


24


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


Taxes

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

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

In evaluating the exposure associated with various non-income tax filing positions, the Company accrues for probable and estimable exposures for non-income tax related tax contingencies.  As of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, the Company had recorded within other accrued expenses a total of $3.1 million for various non-income tax related tax contingencies. 

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

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

The Company is committed under non-cancelable operating leases for the rental of facilities and land. Future minimum lease commitments for facilities under these leases with an initial term in excess of one year are as follows (in thousands):
Years ended May 31,
 
 
Open
Locations(1)
 
2016
 
$
7,175

 
2017
 
10,296

 
2018
 
10,333

 
2019
 
10,234

 
2020
 
10,117

 
Thereafter
 
100,902

 
Total
 
$
149,057

 

(1)
Operating lease obligations have been reduced by approximately $340,000 to reflect sub-lease income. Certain obligations under leasing arrangements are collateralized by the underlying asset being leased.

The Company is also committed to non-cancelable construction services obligations for various warehouse club developments and expansions. As of May 31, 2015 the Company has approximately $14.4 million in contractual obligations for construction services not yet rendered.


25


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


The Company has entered into a land purchase option agreement that has not been recorded as a commitment, for which the Company has recorded within the balance sheet approximately $200,000 in restricted cash deposits and prepaid expenses.  The land purchase option agreement can be canceled at the sole option of the Company.  The Company does not have a time table of when or if it will exercise this land purchase option, due to the uncertainty related to the completion of the Company's due diligence review. The Company's due diligence review includes evaluations of the legal status of the property, the zoning and permitting issues related to acquiring approval for the construction and operation of a warehouse club and any other issues related to the property itself that could render the property unsuitable or limit the property's economic viability as a warehouse club site. If the purchase option agreement is exercised, the cash use would be approximately $8.1 million.

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

The Company contracts for distribution center services in Mexico.  The contract for this distribution center's services was renewed on December 31, 2014 for an additional three years, with the applicable fees and rates to be reviewed at the beginning of each calendar year. Future minimum service commitments related to this contract through the end of the contract term is approximately $373,000.
    
NOTE 8 – DEBT

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

 
 
 
Facilities Used
 
 
 
 
 
Total Amount of Facilities
 
Short-term Borrowings
 
Letters of Credit
 
Facilities Available
 
Weighted average interest rate
May 31, 2015
$
59,237

 
$

 
$
363

 
$
58,874

 
N/A
August 31, 2014
$
61,869

 
$

 
$
436

 
$
61,433

 
N/A
     
    
As of May 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $40.0 million of short-term facilities in the U.S. that require compliance with certain quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with respect to these covenants. Each of the facilities expires annually and is normally renewed.


26


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


The following table provides the changes in long-term debt for the nine months ended May 31, 2015:
(Amounts in millions)
 
Current Portion of Long-term debt
 
Long-term debt
 
Total
 
Balances as of August 31, 2014
 
$
11,848

 
$
79,591

 
$
91,439

(1) 
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Panama subsidiary
 
1,000

 
9,000

 
10,000

 
Honduras subsidiary
 
2,450

 
14,400

 
16,850

(2) 
Colombia subsidiary
 
1,500

 
13,500

 
15,000

 
Trinidad subsidiary
 
907

 
2,720

 
3,627

 
Repayments of long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on January 12, 2012 with Scotiabank El Salvador, S.A.
 
(3,200
)
 

 
(3,200
)
 
Partial repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 7, 2014 with Banco de America Central Honduras, S.A.
 

 
(5,000
)
 
(5,000
)
 
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 7, 2014 with Banco de America Central Honduras, S.A.
 

 
(8,195
)
 
(8,195
)
 
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 6, 2010 with Banco del Pais, S.A.

(87
)



(87
)
 
Repayment of loan by Trinidad subsidiary, originally entered into on August 26, 2008 with Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Ltd.
 
(900
)
 
(2,325
)
 
(3,225
)
 
Regularly scheduled loan payments
 
(816
)
 
(7,260
)
 
(8,076
)
 
Reclassifications of long-term debt
 
15,135

 
(15,135
)
 

 
Translation adjustments on foreign-currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar (3)
 
(881
)
 
(6,444
)
 
(7,325
)
 
Balances as of May 31, 2015
 
$
26,956

 
$
74,852

 
$
101,808

(4) 

(1) 
The carrying amount cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $24.6 million and the carrying amount on non-cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $84.2 million.
(2) 
Proceeds from the loans consist of three loans for approximately $3.4 million, $5.0 million and $8.5 million.
(3) 
These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive income.
(4) 
The carrying amount cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $24.0 million and the carrying amount on non-cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $100.6 million.

As of May 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $75.8 million of long-term loans in Trinidad, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and Colombia that require these subsidiaries to comply with certain annual or quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of May 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants.

As of August 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $62.5 million of long-term loans in Trinidad, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and Colombia that require these subsidiaries to comply with certain annual or quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of August 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants.


27


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


  Annual maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):
Twelve months ended May 31,
 
Amount
2016
 
$
26,956

2017
 
17,439

2018
 
11,587

2019
 
22,936

2020
 
21,368

Thereafter
 
1,522

Total
 
$
101,808


NOTE 9 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

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

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

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

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

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company formally documents the hedging relationships for its derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting. As of May 31, 2015, all of the Company’s interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges.  The cross-currency interest rate swap agreements convert the Company's subsidiary's foreign currency United States dollar denominated floating interest payments on long-term debt to the functional currency fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument.  As changes in foreign exchange and interest rates impact the future cash flow of interest payments, the hedge is intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate and foreign currency exchange movements.  Various subsidiaries entered into interest rate swap agreements that fix the interest rate over the life of the underlying loans. These derivative financial instruments were also designated and qualified as cash flow hedges.

28


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



The following table summarizes agreements for which the Company has recorded cash flow hedge accounting transactions during the nine months ended May 31, 2015:
Subsidiary
 
Date Entered into
 
Derivative Financial Counter-party
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Initial
US$ Notional Amount
 
Bank US$ loan Held with
 
Floating Leg (swap counter-party)
 
Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary
 
Settlement Dates
 
Effective Period of swap
Honduras
 
24-Mar-15
 
Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,500,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.25%
 
10.75
%
 
24th day of March, June, September, and December beginning on June 24, 2015
 
March 24,2015 - March 20, 2020
El Salvador
 
16-Dec-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
4,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
4.78
%
 
29th day of each month beginning on December 29, 2014
 
December 01, 2014 - August 29, 2019
Colombia
 
10-Dec-14
 
Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
15,000,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.8%
 
8.25
%
 
4th day of March, June, Sept, Dec. beginning on March 4, 2015
 
December 4, 2014 - December 3, 2019
Panama
 
9-Dec-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
10,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
5.159
%
 
28th day of each month beginning December 29, 2014
 
November 28, 2014 - November 29, 2019
Honduras
 
23-Oct-14
 
Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
5,000,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.5%
 
11.6
%
 
22nd day of January, April, July, and October beginning on January 22, 2015
 
October 22, 2014 - October 22, 2017
Panama
 
1-Aug-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
5,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
4.89
%
 
21st day of each month beginning on September 22, 2014
 
August 21, 2014 - August 21, 2019
Panama
 
22-May-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
19,800,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
4.98
%
 
4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014
 
May 5, 2014 - April 4, 2019
Panama
 
22-May-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
3,970,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
4.98
%
 
4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014
 
May 5, 2014 - April 4, 2019
Colombia
 
11-Dec-12
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

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

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.6%
 
6.02
%
 
February, May, August and November beginning on May 22, 2012
 
February 21, 2012 - February 21, 2017
Colombia
 
21-Oct-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
2,000,000

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

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

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
6.09
%
 
January, April, July and October, beginning on July 5, 2011
 
April 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016



29


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


For the three and nine-month period ended May 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company included the gain or loss on the hedged items (that is, variable-rate borrowings) in the same line item—interest expense—as the offsetting gain or loss on the related interest rate swaps as follows (in thousands):
Income Statement Classification
 
Interest expense
on borrowings
(1)
 
Cost of swaps (2)
 
Total
Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2015
 
$
644

 
$
837

 
$
1,481

Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2014
 
$
137

 
$
405

 
$
542

Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2015
 
$
1,577

 
$
2,063

 
$
3,640

Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2014
 
$
377

 
$
1,169

 
$
1,546


(1) 
This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the underlying hedged transactions.
(2) 
This amount is representative of the interest expense recognized on the cross-currency interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

The total notional balance of the Company’s pay-fixed/receive-variable interest rate swaps and cross-currency interest rate swaps was as follows (in thousands):
 Floating Rate Payer (Swap Counterparty)
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Scotiabank
 
$
62,758

 
$
60,200

Citibank N.A.
 
27,625

 

Total
 
$
90,383

 
$
60,200


The following table summarizes the fair value of interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap derivative instruments that qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands, except footnote data):
 
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
 
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps(1)
 
Prepaid expenses and current assets
 
$
4,425

 
Prepaid expenses and current assets
 
$
495

 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps(1)
 
Other non-current assets
 
3,736

 
Other non-current assets
 
970

 
Interest rate swaps(2)

 
Other non-current assets

 

 
Other non-current assets

 
125

 
Interest rate swaps(2)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(419
)
 
Other long-term  liabilities
 

 
Cross-currency interest rate swaps(3)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(1,078
)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 

 
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments - assets (liability)(4)
 
 
 
$
6,664

 
 
 
$
1,590

 

(1) 
The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps for this subsidiary was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss for $(5.6) million and $(917,000) net of tax as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has recorded a deferred tax liability amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $(2.6) million and $(548,000) as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, related to asset positions of cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the equity effect of this deferred tax liability is offset by the full valuation allowance provided for the net deferred tax asset recorded for this subsidiary.
(2) 
The effective portion of the interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss / (income) for $313,000 and $(94,000) net of tax as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.  The Company has recorded a deferred tax

30


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


asset / (liability) amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $106,000 and $(31,000) as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.
(3) 
The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps for this subsidiary was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss for $753,000 and $0 net of tax as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.  The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $325,000 and $0 as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.  
(4) 
Derivatives listed on the above table were designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

Fair Value Instruments

The Company has entered into non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts.  These contracts are treated for accounting purposes as fair value contracts and do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting.  The use of non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts is intended to offset changes in cash flow attributable to currency exchange movements.  These contracts are intended primarily to economically hedge exposure to U.S. dollar merchandise inventory expenditures made by the Company’s international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar. The Company entered into non-deliverable forward foreign exchange contracts during the nine months ended May 31, 2015. However, there are no open contracts as of May 31, 2015.

For the three and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company included in its consolidated statements of income the forward derivative gain or (loss) on the non-deliverable forward foreign-exchange contracts as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
Income Statement Classification
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
Other income (expense), net
 
$
465

 
$
(632
)
 
$
6,599

 
$
(447
)

The following table summarizes the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts that do not qualify for derivative hedge accounting (in thousands):
 
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
 
 
Derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Other accrued expenses
 

 
Other accrued expenses
 
(14
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
(14
)



31


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



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

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

On December 12, 2013, the Company entered into a lease agreement for approximately 17,976 square feet (1,670 square meters) of land with Golf Park Plaza, S.A. upon which the Company constructed its central offices in Panama. Construction of the offices was completed in October 2014. The lease term is for 15 years with three options to renew for five years each at the Company's discretion. For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015, the Company recognized rent expense of $26,400 and $79,200, respectively, for this lease.

The table below summarizes the Company’s interest in these VIEs and the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these VIEs as of May 31, 2015 (in thousands):
Entity
 
% Ownership
 
Initial Investment
 
Additional Investments
 
 
 
Net Loss Inception to Date
 
Company’s Variable
Interest in Entity
 
Commitment to Future Additional Investments (1)
 
Company’s
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss in Entity(2)
GolfPark Plaza, S.A.
 
50
%
 
$
4,616

 
$
2,283

 
$
(16
)
 
$
6,883

 
$
217

 
$
7,100

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

 
1,236

 
3

 
3,432

 
785

 
4,217

Total
 
 
 
$
6,809

 
$
3,519

 
$
(13
)
 
$
10,315

 
$
1,002

 
$
11,317


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


32


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



The summarized financial information of the unconsolidated affiliates is as follows (in thousands): 
 
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Current assets
 
$
665

 
$
803

Noncurrent assets
 
$
12,005

 
$
8,900

Current liabilities
 
$
1,207

 
$
1,126

Noncurrent liabilities
 
$
11

 
$
13


 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
 
$
63

 
$
6

 
$
90

 
$
14


NOTE 11 – SEGMENTS
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are principally engaged in the operation of membership shopping warehouse clubs in 13 countries/territories that are located in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, the Company operates distribution centers and corporate offices in the United States.  The Company’s reportable segments are based on management’s organization of these locations into operating segments by general geographic location, which are used by management in setting up management lines of responsibility, providing support services, and making operational decisions and assessments of financial performance.  

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company created a new operating segment comprised of its Colombia Operations and separated the Colombia Operations from the Latin America Operations, renaming that segment Central America Operations. The Company has made this change as a result of the information that the Company's senior operating management regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance and the growing level of investment and sales activity in Colombia. Therefore, beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company has reported its financial performance based on these new segments and has retrospectively adopted this change for the disclosure of financial information presented by segment. The Company’s operating segments are the United States, Central America, the Caribbean and Colombia.  Additionally, certain inter-company charges are no longer allocated to the segments within this presentation and now appear as reconciling items to reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions. This presentation more closely reflects the information reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker. Segment amounts are presented after converting to U.S. dollars and consolidating eliminations.  Certain revenues and operating costs included in the United States segment have not been allocated, in order to reflect the information reviewed by the Company's chief operating decision maker or it is impractical to do so.  

33


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



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

 
 
United
States
Operations
 
Central
American
Operations
 
Caribbean
Operations
 
Colombia Operations
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of May 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) as previously reported
 
$
14,272

 
$
260,362

 
$
114,268

 
$
105,541

 
$
494,443

Reclassifications to long-lived assets
 
96

 
1,441

 

 
760

 
2,297

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) as currently reported
 
$
14,368

 
$
261,803

 
$
114,268

 
$
106,301

 
$
496,740

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets as previously reported
 
$
77,648

 
$
449,575

 
$
218,438

 
$
152,790

 
$
898,451

Reclassifications to total assets
 

 
71

 

 

 
71

Total assets as currently reported
 
$
77,648

 
$
449,646

 
$
218,438

 
$
152,790

 
$
898,522

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of August 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) as previously reported
 
$
16,488

 
$
265,950

 
$
113,134

 
$
130,330

 
$
525,902

Reclassifications to long-lived assets
 
96

 
2,096

 

 
970

 
3,162

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets) as currently reported
 
$
16,584

 
$
268,046

 
$
113,134

 
$
131,300

 
$
529,064

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets as previously reported
 
$
91,190

 
$
457,325

 
$
223,251

 
$
168,452

 
$
940,218

Reclassifications to total assets
 
(15
)
 
70

 

 
(2,203
)
 
(2,148
)
Total assets as currently reported
 
$
91,175

 
$
457,395

 
$
223,251

 
$
166,249

 
$
938,070


    
    

34


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


The following tables summarize by segment certain revenues, operating costs and balance sheet items (in thousands):  
 
 
United
States
Operations
 
Central
American
Operations
 
Caribbean
Operations
 
Colombia Operations
 
Reconciling Items(1)
 
Total
Three Months Ended May 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
 
$
9,483

 
$
403,070

 
$
201,101

 
$
83,449

 
$

 
$
697,103

Intersegment revenues
 
248,634

 

 
1,516

 

 
(250,150
)
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
527

 
3,791

 
2,407

 
2,015

 

 
8,740

Operating income
 
4,257

 
31,931

 
11,929

 
18

 
(14,617
)
 
33,518

Net income
 
1,013

 
25,403

 
9,975

 
(579
)
 
(14,617
)
 
21,195

Capital expenditures, net
 
701

 
16,613

 
2,503

 
9,865

 
 
 
29,682

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
 
$
24,149

 
$
1,212,461

 
$
619,717

 
$
247,094

 
$

 
$
2,103,421

Intersegment revenues
 
846,574

 

 
4,406

 

 
(850,980
)
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,614

 
11,133

 
7,146

 
5,280

 

 
25,173

Operating income
 
19,971

 
100,185

 
37,506

 
(1,763
)
 
(44,388
)
 
111,511

Net income
 
7,994

 
78,577

 
31,808

 
(7,314
)
 
(44,388
)
 
66,677

Capital expenditures, net
 
(740
)
(2) 
39,844

 
7,365

 
27,083

 

 
73,552

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)
 
14,166

 
281,667

 
112,110

 
126,200

 

 
534,143

Goodwill
 

 
31,284

 
4,681

 

 

 
35,965

Total assets
 
86,224

 
501,021

 
222,928

 
206,010

 

 
1,016,183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended May 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
 
$
6,577

 
$
369,773

 
$
191,213

 
47,474

 
$

 
$
615,037

Intersegment revenues
 
223,885

 

 
1,411

 

 
(225,296
)
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
546

 
3,283

 
2,282

 
1,028

 

 
7,139

Operating income
 
3,475

 
28,102

 
11,269

 
1,030

 
(12,673
)
 
31,203

Net income
 
782

 
22,404

 
9,367

 
1,440

 
(12,673
)
 
21,320

Capital expenditures, net
 
1,730

 
7,165

 
1,560

 
14,223

 

 
24,678

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from external customers
 
$
19,062

 
$
1,132,395

 
$
595,639

 
$
147,916

 
$

 
$
1,895,012

Intersegment revenues
 
738,579

 

 
4,030

 

 
(742,609
)
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,701

 
9,390

 
6,765

 
3,076

 

 
20,932

Operating income
 
16,328

 
89,265

 
33,666

 
4,503

 
(40,825
)
 
102,937

Net income
 
6,299

 
73,214

 
28,707

 
3,635

 
(40,825
)
 
71,030

Capital expenditures, net
 
4,869

 
30,087

 
7,223

 
40,595

 

 
82,774

Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)
 
14,368

 
261,803

 
114,268

 
106,301

 

 
496,740

Goodwill
 

 
31,430

 
4,749

 

 

 
36,179

Total assets
 
77,648

 
449,646

 
218,438

 
152,790

 

 
898,522

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of August 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-lived assets (other than deferred tax assets)
 
$
16,584

 
$
268,046

 
$
113,134

 
$
131,300

 
$

 
$
529,064

Goodwill
 

 
31,383

 
4,725

 

 

 
36,108

Total assets
 
91,175

 
457,395

 
223,251

 
166,249

 

 
938,070


(1) 
The reconciling items reflect the amount eliminated on consolidation of intersegment transactions.
(2) 
The decrease in capital expenditures is a result of the transfers of capital assets from this segment to other segments.

35


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



NOTE 12 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated all events subsequent to the balance sheet date of May 31, 2015 through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements and have determined that, except as set forth below, there are no subsequent events that require disclosure.

Guatemala, Pradera warehouse club fire

                The Company’s Guatemala Pradera warehouse club experienced a fire located within its merchandise receiving department during the early morning hours of Thursday, June 4, 2015.  No members or employees were in the warehouse club at the time. The fire was extinguished but caused considerable smoke and some fire damage. The warehouse club was closed for 16 days and reopened on June 20, 2015.  As of July 9, 2015, the Company has estimated it will record between $3.0 million and $3.3 million in expenses associated with the write off of inventory, equipment disposal, building repairs and other associated costs recognized related to the fire during the quarter ending August 31, 2015.  The Company is insured for these costs and is reviewing whether insurance reimbursement for these costs is probable.  If reimbursement is determined to be probable, the Company will recognize proceeds from insurance up to the amount of the losses recognized within the period that determination is made. The Company’s insurance policy also addresses coverage for the current replacement costs for assets lost in the fire and for business interruption losses related to the fire.  Insurance proceeds in excess of net book value for assets and reimbursements related to business interruptions are considered gain contingencies and will not be recognized in the financial statements until the period in which all contingencies are resolved and the gain is realized.


36


PRICESMART, INC.


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

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements concerning PriceSmart Inc.'s ("PriceSmart", the "Company" or "we") anticipated future revenues and earnings, adequacy of future cash flow, proposed warehouse club openings, the Company's performance relative to competitors, the outcome of tax proceedings and related matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements containing the words “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “may,” “should,” “project,” “estimate,” “anticipated,” “scheduled,” and like expressions, and the negative thereof. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the following risks: our financial performance is dependent on international operations, which exposes us to various risks; any failure by us to manage our widely dispersed operations could adversely affect our business; we face significant competition; future sales growth depends, in part, on our ability to successfully open new warehouse clubs; we might not identify in a timely manner or effectively respond to changes in consumer preferences for merchandise, which could adversely affect our relationship with members, demand for our products and market share; although we have begun to offer limited online shopping to our members, our sales could be adversely affected if one or more major international online retailers were to enter our markets or if other competitors were to offer a superior online experience; we face difficulties in the shipment of, and inherent risks in the importation of, merchandise to our warehouse clubs; we are exposed to weather and other natural disaster risks; general economic conditions could adversely impact our business in various respects; we are subject to risks associated with possible changes in our relationships with third parties with which we do business, as well as the performance of such third parties; we rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions, summarize results and manage our business, and failure to adequately maintain our systems or disruptions in our systems could harm our business and adversely affect our results of operations; we could be subject to additional tax liabilities; a few of our stockholders own approximately 28.1% of our voting stock as of May 31, 2015, which may make it difficult to complete some corporate transactions without their support and may impede a change in control; our inability to develop and retain existing key personnel or to attract highly qualified employees could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations; we are subject to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates; we face the risk of exposure to product liability claims, a product recall and adverse publicity; if we do not maintain the privacy and security of confidential information, we could damage our reputation, incur substantial additional costs and become subject to litigation; we are subject to payment related risks; changes in accounting standards and assumptions, estimates and judgments by management related to complex accounting matters could significantly affect our financial condition and results of operations; we face increased public company compliance risks and compliance risks related to our international operations; we face increased compliance risks associated with compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and if remediation costs or hazardous substance contamination levels at certain properties for which we maintain financial responsibility exceed management's current expectations, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted. The risks described above as well as the other risks detailed in the Company's U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014 on October 30, 2014 pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These risks are not the only risks that the Company faces. The Company could also be affected by additional factors that apply to all companies operating globally and in the U.S., as well as other risks that are not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently considers to be immaterial.

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included therein.
      

37


Our business consists primarily of operating international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. We operate in 13 countries/territories that are located in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our ownership in all operating subsidiaries as of May 31, 2015 is 100%, and they are presented on a consolidated basis. The number of warehouse clubs in operation as of May 31, 2015 for each country or territory are as follows:
Country/Territory
 
Number of
Warehouse Clubs
in Operation as of
May 31, 2015
 
Number of
Warehouse Clubs
in Operation as of
May 31, 2014
 
Anticipated warehouse
club openings
within the next 12 months
Colombia
 
6

 
3

 

Costa Rica
 
6

 
6

 

Panama
 
4

 
4

 
1

Trinidad
 
4

 
4

 

Dominican Republic
 
3

 
3

 

Guatemala
 
3

 
3

 

El Salvador
 
2

 
2

 

Honduras
 
3

 
3

 

Aruba
 
1

 
1

 

Barbados
 
1

 
1

 

U.S. Virgin Islands
 
1

 
1

 

Jamaica
 
1

 
1

 

Nicaragua
 
1

 
1

 
1

Totals
 
36

 
33

 
2


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

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

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


General Economic Factors

Market conditions in the third fiscal quarter continued to be challenging in some of our markets and may have a dampening effect on overall sales growth in the next several fiscal quarters. In some PriceSmart markets, sales were negatively affected by various economic and social factors including lower prices for exported oil, crime and violence and generally weaker economies. Especially significant, the Colombian peso ("COP") has devalued versus the U.S. dollar by approximately 31% from the beginning of the fiscal year (September 2014) until the end of the third fiscal quarter (May 31, 2015), although it has stabilized over the past few months. This devaluation required us to raise prices in COP on U.S. imports, which account for approximately 57% of

38


PriceSmart sales in Colombia, thereby reducing demand for those imported products.  In addition, the decline in the value of the COP negatively impacts warehouse sales and membership income priced in COP when converted to and reported in U.S. dollars.  On the other hand, operating expenses within Colombia are lower when converted to U.S. dollars. Costa Rica also experienced an approximate 10% devaluation of the Costa Rican colon ("CRC") during January and February 2014, which had a negative effect on consumer activity and impacted the year-on-year sales comparisons in the first fiscal quarter and first two months of the second fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2014. The CRC has strengthened somewhat from that initial devaluation and is now at a level consistent with a year ago, which has improved the economic conditions in that market and consumer purchasing behavior.  Costa Rica and Colombia are two of our largest markets and therefore macro-economic issues in these countries can have a measurable impact on our consolidated financial performance.

Managing Currency Fluctuations
    
Currency exchange rate fluctuations can impact net income as we revalue all U.S. dollar-denominated monetary assets and liabilities within our markets that do not use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. These monetary assets and liabilities include, but are not limited to, excess cash permanently reinvested offshore, U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt used to finance land acquisitions and the construction of warehouse clubs, and U.S. dollar-denominated accounts payable related to the purchase of merchandise. Approximately 42% of our net warehouse sales are derived from merchandise purchased in U.S. dollars and sold in non-U.S. dollar currencies.
    
We seek to minimize the impact of negative foreign exchange fluctuations on the Company's results by utilizing from time to time one or more of the following strategies: (1) adjusting prices on goods acquired in U.S. dollars on a periodic basis to maintain our target margins after taking into account changes in exchange rates and our competition; (2) obtaining local currency loans from banks within certain markets where it is economical to do so and where management believes the risk of devaluation and the level of U.S. dollar denominated liabilities warrants this action; (3) reducing the time between the acquisition of product in U.S. dollars and the settlement of that purchase in local currency; (4) maintaining a balance between assets held in local currency and in U.S. dollars; and (5) entering into cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward currency derivatives. We have local-currency-denominated long-term loans in Honduras and Guatemala and have cross-currency interest rate swaps and forward currency derivatives in Colombia. We report the gains or losses associated with the revaluation of these monetary assets and liabilities on our Consolidated Statements of Income under the heading “Other income (expense), net.” Future volatility regarding currencies could have a material impact on our operations in future periods; however, there is no way to accurately forecast the impact of the change in rates on our future demand for imported products, reported sales or financial results.

Competition
    
We do not currently face direct competition from U.S. branded membership warehouse club operators. However, we do face competition from various retail formats such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, cash and carry, home improvement centers, electronic retailers and specialty stores, including those within Central America that are owned and operated by a large U.S.-based retailer. We have competed effectively in these markets in the past and expect to continue to do so in the future due to the unique nature of the membership warehouse club format and overall value provided to the member. However, new retail competitors may enter our markets, existing retailers continue to invest and expand, and it is possible that U.S. warehouse club operators could enter our markets and compete more directly with us in a similar warehouse club format, although we have no current indication that such an event is imminent.

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


39


Current and Future Management Actions

Generally, our operating efficiencies, earnings and cash flow from operations improve as sales increase. Higher sales provide greater purchasing power and often result in lower product prices from our suppliers and cost efficiencies in our distribution operation. Further, increased sales permit us to leverage our selling, general and administrative expenses. It is our business strategy to pass along to our members the savings we receive from better purchasing and more efficient operations through lower merchandise prices, increasing the value our members receive, which then further drives sales and increases volume. Therefore, we prioritize initiatives that we expect will have the greatest impact on increasing sales, particularly within our existing locations. Looking forward to the next several quarters, the following actions are likely to have an impact on our business and the results of operations.
    
 We seek to increase sales by increasing transaction size and frequency with existing members in our warehouse clubs, by attracting new members to our clubs, by improving our buildings and equipment to more effectively serve our members, and by adding new warehouse clubs.  Our continued focus on initiatives to increase comparable warehouse club sales within existing warehouse clubs locations resulted in a 4.1% increase in comparable warehouse club sales for the 13-week period ended May 31, 2015 compared to the same 13-week period the prior year. In addition, we have added four new warehouse clubs over the past year, one in Honduras and three in Colombia. While these new clubs have negatively impacted reported comparable warehouse sales somewhat as warehouse sales transferred from existing clubs to these new clubs in the short run, the addition of these clubs had an overall positive impact on warehouse sales and membership.

Membership is a unique and critical feature of the warehouse club business model. The annual fee for a Diamond membership in most of our markets is approximately $35.00 (entitling members to two cards). A membership fee helps us offer high quality merchandise at low prices, providing value to our members. In October 2012, we launched the Platinum membership account in Costa Rica. Platinum members pay an annual membership fee of approximately $75.00 for a primary membership card for which they receive an annual 2% rebate of their purchases on most items, up to a maximum annual rebate of $500.00. Platinum members can apply this rebate to future purchases at the warehouse club at the end of the annual membership period. We have not made a decision whether to offer the Platinum membership in any of our other markets at this time.

Logistics and distribution operations are an important part of what allows us to deliver high quality merchandise at low prices to our members. We continue to explore ways to improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure a good flow of merchandise to our warehouse clubs. We have added local and regional distribution centers in several of our markets to improve merchandise flow and in-stock conditions and reduce operating costs, the benefit of which can be passed on to our members in the form of lower merchandise prices, and we expect to add more in the future as merchandise volumes increase. These locations are generally leased, and the addition of new locations or expansion of current capacity will not require significant investment.
    
We offer on-line shopping options to our members. Members have the ability to purchase merchandise that is not stocked in their local warehouse clubs through our e-commerce website. These purchases are shipped from the U.S. distribution warehouse for pick-up at the member's local warehouse club location. In some of our markets, members can purchase in-club merchandise on-line from warehouse clubs located within the market and have it delivered to their home or office via a third-party delivery service. We have been expanding our offerings in these alternative shopping methods, and while the percentage of sales through these channels relative to our overall sales is small, we believe it is an important and growing way to serve our current members and attract new members.

Purchasing land and constructing warehouse clubs is our single largest capital investment.  Securing land for warehouse club locations is challenging within our markets, especially in Colombia, because suitable sites at economically feasible prices are difficult to find. In April 2015, the Company acquired land in Managua, Nicaragua on which the Company's second warehouse club in Nicaragua is scheduled to open in late 2015. While our preference is to own rather than lease real estate, we have entered into real estate leases in certain cases (most recently our Bogota, Colombia site) and will likely do so in the future. Real estate ownership provides a number of advantages as compared to leasing, including lower operating expenses, flexibility to expand or otherwise enhance our buildings, long-term control over the use of the property and the residual value that the real estate may have in future years.  In order to secure warehouse club locations, we occasionally have purchased more land than is actually needed for the warehouse club facility.  To the extent that we acquire property in excess of what is needed for a particular warehouse club, we generally have looked to either sell or develop the excess property. Excess land at Alajuela and Brisas is being developed by joint ventures formed by us and the sellers of the property, which commenced in fiscal year 2011. We are employing a similar development strategy for the excess land at the San Fernando, Trinidad and Arroyo Hondo, Dominican Republic locations where the properties are fully owned by us. The profitable sale or development of real estate is highly dependent on real estate market conditions.

    

40


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


Financial highlights for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 included:
 
Net warehouse club sales increased 13.0% over the comparable prior year period. We ended the quarter with 36 warehouse clubs compared to 33 warehouse clubs at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2014. Comparable warehouse club sales (that is, sales in the warehouse clubs that have been open for greater than 13 1/2 calendar months) for the 13 weeks ended May 31, 2015 grew 4.1%.
Membership income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 increased 17.1% to $11.2 million.
Warehouse gross profits (net warehouse club sales less associated cost of goods sold) in the quarter increased 9.3% over the prior year period and warehouse gross profits as a percent of net warehouse club sales were 14.3%, a decrease of 47 basis points (0.47%) from the same period last year.
Operating income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 was $33.5 million, an increase of $2.3 million over the third quarter of fiscal year 2014.
We had a $(311,000) net loss from currency exchange transactions in the current quarter compared to a $489,000 net gain from currency exchange transactions in the same period last year.
Net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 was $21.2 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, compared to $21.3 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, in the comparable prior year period.    

The devaluation of the Colombian peso continued to have a negative effect on the overall consolidated results of the Company, although less than in prior quarters, despite good sales growth. The impact on the consolidated net income of the Company related to Colombia was approximately $0.07 per share, offsetting the year-on-year improvement of the rest of the Company by a similar amount.
    
 

41


COMPARISON OF THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2015 AND 2014

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended on May 31, 2015 with the three-month and nine-month periods ended on May 31, 2014 and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this report. Unless otherwise noted, all tables present U.S. dollar amounts in thousands. Certain percentages presented are calculated using actual results prior to rounding.


Net Warehouse Club Sales

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
% Change
 
Amount
Net warehouse club sales
$
675,314

 
13.0
%
 
$
597,885

 
$
2,043,849

 
10.8
%
 
$
1,844,746


Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

Net warehouse club sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 were positively impacted by the addition of three new warehouse clubs in Colombia and one in Honduras (Honduras opened in the final month of the third quarter of fiscal year 2014). Overall, Colombia accounted for approximately 45% of the dollar growth in net warehouse sales of the Company despite the negative impact of the year-on-year Colombian peso devaluation of approximately 24%. In local currency, Colombia sales grew 124% from the comparable period a year ago. Honduras, with the additional warehouse club, Panama and Trinidad each recorded growth in excess of 10% in the quarter compared to last year. Sales growth was recorded in all Central American countries including Costa Rica where the effects of the colón devaluation in early calendar year 2014 appeared to no longer have any negative impact. Net warehouse sales growth in the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 resulted from a 12.5% increase in transactions and a 0.4% increase in average ticket, which was impacted by local currency sales converted back to fewer U.S. dollars in Colombia, Honduras, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.

Net warehouse sales for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 increased 10.8%. The higher growth in sales in the three- month period compared to the nine-month period reflects the full quarter effect of the new Colombia warehouse clubs which opened in October and November 2014. For the nine-month period, transactions grew 9.8% and the average ticket grew 0.9%.

Comparable Sales

We report comparable warehouse club sales on a “same week” basis with 13 weeks in each quarter beginning on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. The periods are established at the beginning of the fiscal year to provide as close a match as possible to the calendar month and quarter that is used for financial reporting purposes. This approach equalizes the number of weekend days and weekdays in each period for improved sales comparison, as we experience higher warehouse club sales on the weekends. Further, each of the warehouse clubs used in the calculations was open for at least 13 1/2 calendar months before its results for the current period were compared with its results for the prior period. For example, the sales related to the warehouse club opened in Tegucigalpa, Honduras ("El Sauce") on May 1, 2014 will not be used in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales until July 2015. Sales related to the warehouse club opened in Bogota, Colombia on October 29, 2014 will not be used in the calculation of comparable sales until January 2016. Sales related to the warehouse clubs opened in Pereira and Medellin, Colombia on November 13, 2014 and November 26, 2014, respectively, will not be used in the calculation of comparable sales until January and February 2016, respectively.

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

Comparable warehouse club sales increased 4.1% for the 13-week period ended May 31, 2015, compared to the same 13-week period last year. We opened a new warehouse club in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in May 2014. This new warehouse club is attracting new members from areas of the city not previously served by us. However, it is also creating the opportunity for some existing members, particularly those who shopped at our first Tegucigalpa, Honduras warehouse club, to shop at the new location. This transfer of sales from an existing warehouse club that is included in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales to a new warehouse club that is not included in the calculation has an adverse impact on comparable warehouse club sales. We have not made a specific determination of what the comparable warehouse club sales would have been had we not opened this new

42


warehouse club. However, if we exclude in its entirety the net warehouse sales of the pre-existing Tegucigalpa warehouse club (which is in the comparable warehouse club calculation, but was negatively impacted by the opening of the new warehouse club in Tegucigalpa), the comparable warehouse club sales for the quarter would have been approximately 62 basis points (0.62%) higher. In addition, we believe that there has been some impact to our first three warehouse clubs in Colombia from the opening of the three new clubs in Colombia, particularly Bogota. However, given the far more significant impact of the currency devaluation on U.S. dollar reported sales in Colombia, it would be difficult to accurately determine the effect of the transfer of sales from the existing warehouse clubs to the new clubs.

Comparable warehouse club sales increased 2.5% for the 39-week period ended May 31, 2015, compared to the same 39-week period last year.

Net Warehouse Club Sales by Segments

The following tables indicate the net warehouse club sales in the segments in which we operate, and the percentage growth in net warehouse club sales by segment during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014.

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
Change
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
Central America
$
395,623

 
58.6
%
 
$
32,565

 
9.0
%
 
$
363,058

 
60.7
%
Caribbean
198,131

 
29.3
%
 
9,795

 
5.2
%
 
188,336

 
31.5
%
Colombia
$
81,560

 
12.1
%
 
$
35,069

 
75.4
%
 
$
46,491

 
7.8
%
Net warehouse club sales
$
675,314

 
100.0
%
 
$
77,429

 
13.0
%
 
$
597,885

 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
Change
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
Central America
$
1,190,629

 
58.2
%
 
$
78,279

 
7.0
%
 
$
1,112,350

 
60.3
%
Caribbean
610,995

 
29.9
%
 
23,751

 
4.0
%
 
587,244

 
31.8
%
Colombia
$
242,225

 
11.9
%
 
$
97,073

 
66.9
%
 
$
145,152

 
7.9
%
Net warehouse club sales
$
2,043,849

 
100.0
%
 
$
199,103

 
10.8
%
 
$
1,844,746

 
100.0
%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we opened our sixth membership warehouse club in Costa Rica in La Union, Cartago, and in the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, we opened our third warehouse club in Honduras which positively impacted sales in the Central America segment in the nine-month and three-month comparisons, respectively. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, we opened three additional warehouse clubs in Colombia (Bogota, Pereira and Medellin) bringing the total warehouse clubs in Colombia to six, which increased sales in the Colombia segment. The effect of the devaluation of the Colombian peso on U.S. dollar warehouse sales in that segment was significant. For the third fiscal quarter, net warehouse sales in local currency in Colombia grew 124%. The Caribbean segment had no new warehouse clubs in the comparable periods, and while currency devaluations in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica occurred, 10% sales growth in Trinidad resulted in 5.2% overall sales growth in the quarter for the Caribbean segment.



43


Export Sales 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
Change
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
Export sales
9,465

 
1.4
%
 
$
2,888

 
43.9
%
 
6,577

 
1.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
Change
 
Amount
 
% of net sales
Export sales
$
24,126

 
1.2
%
 
$
5,064

 
26.6
%
 
$
19,062

 
1.0
%
    
Export sales are direct sales to a single institutional customer (retailer) in the Philippines for which we earn an approximate 5% margin. Changes in the activity in the three months and the nine months ended May 31, 2015 compared to the prior year periods reflects changes in the merchandise needs of that retailer’s business.


Membership Income
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Membership income
$
11,189

 
$
1,637

 
17.1
%
 
$
9,552

Membership income % to net warehouse club sales
1.7
%
 

 

 
1.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Membership income
$
32,202

 
$
3,901

 
13.8
%
 
$
28,301

Membership income % to net warehouse club sales
1.6
%
 

 

 
1.5
%
Number of total accounts
1,429,846

 
262,444

 
22.5
%
 
1,167,402

  
Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

Membership income is recognized ratably over the one-year life of the membership. The increase in membership income primarily reflects a growth in membership accounts during the last twelve months. The opening of the new warehouse clubs in Colombia accounted for over 75% of the total increase in member accounts from a year ago. We continue to experience good membership growth in the three new warehouse clubs since they opened in October and November 2014. The average number of member accounts during the quarter increased 21.8% compared to the same quarter last year. The income recognized per average member account decreased 3.9%, which reflects the effect of the impact of devaluation in Colombia on the translation of membership fees in local currency to U.S. dollars. In Colombia, the membership is priced in Colombian pesos. We have not raised the fee despite the recent devaluation given that we just opened three new warehouse clubs. We ended the fiscal quarter with a renewal rate of 85% for the twelve-month period ended May 31, 2015.

For the nine months ended May 31, 2015, the increase in membership income reflects a growth in membership accounts offset somewhat by a decrease in the average fee collected for new and renewing members, primarily associated with the significant growth of members in Colombia who pay a lower membership fee in U.S. dollar equivalents due to the peso devaluation.


44


Other Income
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Other income
$
1,135

 
$
112

 
10.9
%
 
$
1,023

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Other income
$
3,244

 
$
341

 
11.7
%
 
$
2,903




Gross Margin

Warehouse Gross Profit Margin
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% to sales
 
Amount
 
% to sales
Warehouse club sales
$
675,314

 
$
77,429

 
100.0
%
 
$
597,885

 
100.0
%
Less associated cost of goods
578,868

 
69,184

 
85.7
%
 
509,684

 
85.2
%
Warehouse gross profit margin
$
96,446

 
$
8,245

 
14.3
%
 
$
88,201

 
14.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
% to sales
 
Amount
 
% to sales
Warehouse club sales
$
2,043,849

 
$
199,103

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,844,746

 
100.0
%
Less associated cost of goods
1,743,772

 
168,149

 
85.3
%
 
1,575,623

 
85.4
%
Warehouse gross profit margin
$
300,077

 
$
30,954

 
14.7
%
 
$
269,123

 
14.6
%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

For the three months ended May 31, 2015, warehouse gross profit margin as a percent of sales was 47 basis points (0.47%) lower than the three months ended May 31, 2014. Warehouse gross profit margin as a percent of sales decreased 305 basis points (3.05%) in Colombia from the year ago period largely as a result of actions we continue to take to reduce the impact of higher prices on imported goods to our members. Overall, this negatively impacted the Company’s margin by 43 basis points (0.43%). We will continue to lower prices and set aggressive margins to provide our members in Colombia with value on imported merchandise during this period of currency volatility. Warehouse gross profit margins as a percent of sales in the non-Colombia markets were in aggregate 4 basis points (0.04%) lower than the same quarter a year ago.

For the nine months ended May 31, 2015, warehouse gross profit margin as a percent of sales was 9 basis points (0.09%) higher than the nine months ended May 31, 2014. In the first fiscal quarter we benefited from lower costs as a percent of sales in a number of areas, including lower merchandise distribution costs and reduced shrink. Vendor rebates and a higher level of product demonstration activity also contributed to the higher gross margin in the current period compared to a year ago. This was partially offset the second and third fiscal quarters with lower margins in Colombia.


45



Export Sales Gross Profit Margin
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
(Decrease) from prior year
 
% to sales
 
Amount
 
% to sales
Export sales
$
9,465

 
$
2,888

 
100.0
%
 
$
6,577

 
100.0
%
Less associated cost of goods sold
8,992

 
2,746

 
95.0
%
 
6,246

 
95.0
%
Export sales gross profit margin
$
473

 
$
142

 
5.0
%
 
$
331

 
5.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount

 
Increase from prior year
 
% to sales

 
Amount

 
% to sales

Export sales
$
24,126

 
$
5,064

 
100.0
%
 
$
19,062

 
100.0
%
Less associated cost of goods sold
22,953

 
4,843

 
95.1
%
 
18,110

 
95.0
%
Export sales gross profit margin
$
1,173

 
$
221

 
4.9
%
 
$
952

 
5.0
%
 
Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014
 
For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014, the changes in the activity in the current quarter and the nine months ended May 31, 2015 compared to the prior year periods reflects changes in the merchandise needs and sales to a single institutional customer (retailer) in the Philippines for which we earn an approximate 5% margin.


Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Warehouse Club Operations
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
 
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
Warehouse club operations expense
$
60,754

 
9.0
%
 
$
7,137

 
13.3
%
 
$
53,617

 
9.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
 
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
Warehouse club operations expense
$
179,006

 
8.8
%
 
$
20,414

 
12.9
%
 
$
158,592

 
8.6
%
 
Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

Warehouse club operations expense as a percent of net warehouse sales for the third quarter of fiscal year 2015 increased 5 basis points (0.05%) compared to the same period in fiscal 2014. Warehouse club operations expense as a percent of sales in Colombia is higher than in the rest of the countries in which we operate, and it is becoming a larger portion of the overall Company’s sales and cost structure. Warehouse club operations expense in the non-Colombia countries as a percent of warehouse sales improved (decreased) 24 basis points (0.24%) with cost efficiencies in a number of areas, most notably a reduction in utility costs.
    
Warehouse club operations expense as a percent of net warehouse sales for the first nine months of fiscal year 2015 increased 16 basis points (0.16%) compared to the same period in fiscal 2014. In addition to the effect the higher cost of operations in Colombia, the implementation of an “Equity Tax” affecting all Colombian companies resulted in an additional expense of

46


approximately $850,000 during the first nine months of fiscal year 2015. This is an annual expense to be recognized in the first calendar quarter based on equity values of our Colombia subsidiary.
 
General and Administrative Expenses
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
General and administrative expenses
$
14,214

 
2.1
%
 
$
1,610

 
12.8
%
 
$
12,604

 
2.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
General and administrative expenses
$
41,681

 
2.0
%
 
$
4,616

 
12.5
%
 
$
37,065

 
2.0
%
 
Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

The expenses associated with our corporate and U.S. buying operations grew 12.8% in the quarter compared to last year and 12.5% for the nine-month period. Spending investments in the IT and buying departments accounted for the majority of the growth in spending year over year.

Pre-Opening Expenses

Expenses incurred before a warehouse club is in operation are captured in pre-opening expenses. 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase/ (decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Pre-opening expenses
$
33

 
$
(1,092
)
 
(97.1
)%
 
$
1,125

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase/ (decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Pre-opening expenses
$
3,411

 
$
1,472

 
75.9
 %
 
$
1,939

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


47


Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

The pre-opening expenses in the quarter related to the new Panama warehouse club that opened on June 23, 2015. For the nine-month period, and except for the small amount in the current quarter related to Panama, pre-opening expenses were for the three Colombia warehouse clubs opened in the first fiscal quarter. During the same three-month period last year, the pre-opening expenses were associated with the leased land for the now opened Bogota club, the El Sauce, Honduras warehouse club opened May 2014, and, for the six-month period, the La Union, Cartago, Costa Rica (“Tres Rios”) warehouse club opened in October 2013.

Loss/(Gain) on Disposal of Assets

Asset disposal activity consisted mainly of normally scheduled asset replacement and upgrades.
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase/ (decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets
$
724

 
$
166

 
29.7
%
 
$
558

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase/ (decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Loss/(gain) on disposal of assets
$
1,087

 
$
341

 
45.7
%
 
$
746


Operating Income

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
Operating income
$
33,518

 
5.0
%
 
$
2,315

 
7.4
%
 
$
31,203

 
5.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
 
% to warehouse club sales
Operating income
$
111,511

 
5.5
%
 
$
8,574

 
8.3
%
 
$
102,937

 
5.6
%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

For the three months ended May 31, 2015, operating income improved $2.3 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher sales and membership income. As a percentage of sales, operating income decreased 26 basis points (0.26%), primarily due to the reduced merchandise margins in Colombia but also from higher operating expenses in Colombia compared to the rest of the Company.


48


For the nine months ended May 31, 2015, operating income improved $8.6 million compared to the prior year period, primarily due to higher sales and related merchandise margins and higher membership income. As a percentage of sales, operating income decreased 12 basis points (0.12%), resulting from lower merchandise margins, higher operating costs in Colombia and pre-opening expenses.


Interest Expense
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
Amount
Interest expense on loans
$
926

 
$
(164
)
 
$
1,090

Interest expense related to hedging activity
837

 
432

 
405

Capitalized interest
(148
)
 
304

 
(452
)
Net interest expense
$
1,615

 
$
572

 
$
1,043

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
Amount
Interest expense on loans
$
3,607

 
$
864

 
$
2,743

Interest expense related to hedging activity
2,063


894


1,169

Capitalized interest
(911
)
 
34

 
(945
)
Net interest expense
$
4,759


$
1,792


$
2,967


Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

Interest expense reflects borrowings by our wholly owned foreign subsidiaries to finance new warehouse club construction and land acquisition, the capital requirements of warehouse club operations and ongoing working capital requirements.
    
Net interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2015 increased from a year ago, with an increase in interest expense on hedged loans and a decrease in capitalized interest. These changes were mainly due to the net increases in loans outstanding and hedging activities related to new loan activity and a decreased amount of construction activity when compared to the third quarter in the prior year.

Net interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 increased from a year ago, with an increase in interest expense on loans and on interest expenses related to hedging activity and a decrease in the amount of capitalized interest compared with the same period in the prior year. These changes were mainly due to the net increases in loans outstanding, hedging activities related to new loan activity to support the increase in construction activities related to the three new warehouse clubs in Colombia, and a new warehouse club in Panama and Nicaragua.


49


Other Income (Expense), net

Other income consists of currency gain or loss.
 
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
 
Amount
Other income (expense), net
$
(311
)
 
$
(800
)
 
 
$
489

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase from prior year
 
 
Amount
Other income (expense), net
$
(4,602
)
 
$
(6,114
)
 
 
$
1,512


Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gain (losses), including repatriation of funds, are recorded as currency gain or losses.

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

For the third fiscal quarter the Company incurred $311,000 in currency losses in various countries due to changes in exchange rates in the period. Financing actions taken during the quarter resulted in nearly no net foreign exchange losses in Colombia in the quarter. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company recognized a net gain of $489,000, the majority of which was due to favorable currency movement in Colombia at that time.

For the nine months ended May 31, 2015, we recorded a net currency loss of $4.6 million resulting from activity associated with monetary assets and liabilities, and the associated non-deliverable forwards that were in place to manage the impact of currency fluctuations, $4.1 million of which related to Colombia during the first two quarters of the fiscal year.  The impact of the 29% devaluation of the Colombian peso during that six-month period had a material impact on our consolidated results due to the high level of U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities held by our Colombian subsidiary. These U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities were greater than normal because of the impact of the subsidiary’s initial acquisition of merchandise to stock the three new warehouse clubs opened in October and November 2014 and the investment in fixed assets for these same warehouse clubs that extended into the current quarter.  As the Colombian peso continued to devalue throughout the period, settlements of these liabilities resulted in realized currency losses.  Further, any remaining liabilities at the end of the period were subject to revaluation at a higher exchange rate relative to the U.S. dollar.  While a significant portion of this exposure was covered by non-deliverable forward contracts, there was a net negative impact to income related to the devaluation in Colombia in the period.  Other subsidiaries that had greater U.S. dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) than their U.S. dollar denominated liabilities did not experience similar depreciation in their markets and therefore did not counterbalance the impact of the depreciation in Colombia.  Although we cannot predict future changes in exchange rates, we believe that we will be less susceptible to such fluctuations in future periods because the Colombia subsidiary’s U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities have been paid down to a normalized level.
  
For the nine months ended May 31, 2014, we recorded a net currency gain of $1.5 million. Colombia incurred a net currency gain of $344,000 in the nine month period last year, and we recorded currency gains in several other countries, most notably Costa Rica, relating to a net U.S. dollar asset position held at a time when the colon devalued, thereby resulting in a revaluation gain.



50


Provision for Income Taxes
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Change from prior year
 
Amount
Current tax expense
$
9,841

 
$
384

 
$
9,457

Net deferred tax provision (benefit)
909

 
832

 
77

Provision for income taxes
$
10,750

 
$
1,216

 
$
9,534

Effective tax rate
33.7
%
 
 
 
30.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Change from prior year
 
Amount
Current tax expense
$
32,990

 
1,395

 
$
31,595

Net deferred tax provision (benefit)
3,388

 
3,948

 
(560
)
Provision for income taxes
$
36,378

 
$
5,343

 
$
31,035

Effective tax rate
35.3
%
 
 
 
30.4
%

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

The variance in the effective tax rate for the three-month period ended on May 31, 2015 compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily attributable to the following factors: (i) the unfavorable impact of 3.8% resulting from an increased taxable loss incurred in the Company’s Colombia subsidiary for which no tax benefit was recognized, net of adjustment to valuation allowance; (ii) the unfavorable impact of 1.0% due to the relative increase in U.S. taxable income at a higher statutory tax rate compared to tax rates in foreign jurisdictions; (iii) the favorable impact of 1.2% resulting from reversals of income tax liability for uncertain tax positions; and (iv) the non-recurrence of the favorable impact of 0.6% in the prior period from the tax effect of changes in foreign currency value.

The variance in the effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended May 31, 2015 compared to the prior year was primarily attributable to the unfavorable impact of 4.2% resulting from an increased taxable loss incurred in the Company’s Colombia subsidiary for which no tax benefit was recognized, net of adjustment to valuation allowance, and the non-recurrence of a favorable impact of 0.6% in the prior period from the tax effect of changes in foreign currency value.

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(1,657
)
 
$
(4,248
)
 
(164.0
)%
 
$
2,591

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Increase/(decrease) from prior year
 
% Change
 
Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss)
$
(20,770
)
 
$
(11,922
)
 
134.7
 %
 
$
(8,848
)


51


Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 and 2014

Other comprehensive income/loss for the three- and nine-month periods ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 resulted primarily from foreign currency translation adjustments of the balance sheet, related to the assets, liabilities and the translation of the statement of income related to revenue, costs and expenses of our subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. When the functional currency in our international subsidiaries is the local currency and not U.S. dollars, the assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. These adjustments will not affect net income until the sale or liquidation of the underlying investment. The reported other comprehensive income or loss reflects the unrealized increase or decrease in the value in U.S. dollars of the net assets of the subsidiaries as of the date of the balance sheet, which will vary from period to period as exchange rates fluctuate. During the periods reported, the largest translation adjustments were related to the translation of the Colombia subsidiary's balance sheet and statement of income. Additionally, the recording of the unrealized gains (losses) on change in fair value of interest rate swaps also generated adjustments.

For the three months ended May 31, 2015, the Company recorded approximately $1.7 million in other comprehensive losses due to foreign currency translations and approximately $38,000, net of tax, of other comprehensive gains related to the change in fair value of interest rate swaps. For the nine months ended May 31, 2015, the Company recorded approximately $24.2 million in other comprehensive losses due to foreign currency translations and approximately $3.5 million, net of tax, of other comprehensive gains related to the change in fair value of interest rate swaps.


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

The following table summarizes the cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries and domestically (in thousands). Repatriation of cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries may require us to accrue and pay taxes. We have no plans at this time to repatriate cash through the payment of cash dividends by our foreign subsidiaries to our domestic operations and, therefore, have not accrued taxes that would be due from repatriation.

 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries
$
107,146

 
$
110,447

Cash and cash equivalents held domestically
38,447

 
26,651

Total cash and cash equivalents
$
145,593

 
$
137,098

     
    

52



Our cash flows are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
65,738

 
$
76,193

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(63,431
)
 
(84,296
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
6,819

 
14,764

Effect of exchange rates
(631
)
 
(4,776
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
8,495

 
$
1,885

 
Our net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below: 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
 
2015 to 2014
Net income
$
66,677

 
$
71,030

 
$
(4,353
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
25,173

 
20,932

 
4,241

(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment
1,087

 
746

 
341

Deferred income taxes
3,388

 
1,869

 
1,519

Stock-based compensation expenses
3,402

 
3,397

 
5

Other non-cash operating activities
(90
)
 
(1
)
 
(89
)
Net non-cash related expenses
32,960

 
26,943

 
6,017

Net income from operating activities reconciled for non-cash operating activities
99,637

 
97,973


1,664

Changes in operating assets and liabilities not including merchandise inventories and accounts payable
(9,101
)
 
(11,246
)
 
2,145

Changes in merchandise inventories
(39,801
)
 
(13,280
)
 
(26,521
)
Changes in accounts payable
15,003

 
2,746

 
12,257

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
65,738

 
$
76,193


$
(10,455
)

Net income from operating activities reconciled for non-cash operating activities increased $1.7 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 over the same period last year. This was primarily a result of a year-on-year decrease in net income of approximately $4.4 million, offset by increases in non-cash adjustments of approximately $6.0 million.  Increase in non-cash adjustments were primarily driven by increases in depreciation expense for approximately $4.2 million due to new warehouse club investment and the continued ongoing capital improvements to existing warehouse clubs. The investment in merchandise inventories net of vendor accounts payable of $14.8 million reflects the additional merchandise associated with overall sales growth and the addition of three new warehouse clubs in Colombia and initial merchandise inventory flowing to the new Costa Verde, Panama club.


53


Our use of cash in investing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below:  
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
 
2015 to 2014
Cash used for additions of property and equipment:
 

 
 

 
 

Land acquisitions
$
9,543

 
$
21,243

 
$
(11,700
)
Deposits for land purchase option agreements
(903
)
 
850

 
(1,753
)
Warehouse club expansion, construction, and land improvements
32,838

 
33,349

 
(511
)
Acquisition of fixtures and equipment
20,660

 
28,182

 
(7,522
)
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
(67
)
 
(78
)
 
11

Capital contribution to joint ventures
1,360

 
750

 
610

Net cash flows used by (provided in) investing activities
$
63,431

 
$
84,296

 
$
(20,865
)
 
    
Net cash used in investing activities decreased in the first nine months of fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 by approximately $20.9 million primarily due to a decrease in cash expended for the purchase of land compared to a year ago. During fiscal year 2014, we purchased land for the construction of warehouse clubs in Pereira, Colombia and in the city of Medellin, Colombia. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2015, we acquired one new site in Panama City, Panama ("La Chorrera", Costa Verde) and one new site in Managua, Nicaragua.

We also purchased land in Chia, a city north of Bogota, Colombia for which we recorded other accrued expenses of approximately $8.6 million in May 2015. We made the payment for this land purchase on June 2, 2015 per the terms of an expiring purchase agreement. We have not yet received all permits necessary to begin construction and to operate a warehouse club. As such, we do not have a definitive date for when we can construct or open a warehouse club on that site.
 
Expenditures for warehouse club expansions and for fixtures and equipment were associated with the construction of the three completed warehouse clubs in Colombia and the warehouse club currently under construction in Panama, the start of construction activities for the warehouse club in Nicaragua as well as normal ongoing capital expenditures for ongoing replacement of equipment and building and leasehold improvements.  We incur approximately $30.0 million annually in normal capital expenditures for ongoing replacement of equipment and building and leasehold improvements. We have either commitments or plans for capital spending during the remainder of fiscal year 2015 for a previously announced new warehouse club construction of approximately $14.4 million.  Future additional capital expenditures will be dependent on the timing of future land purchases and/or warehouse club construction activity.

We have entered into a land purchase option agreement in a non-Colombia market that has not been recorded as a commitment as of May 31, 2015 for which we have recorded within the balance sheet approximately $200,000 in restricted cash deposits and prepaid expenses. The land purchase option agreement can be canceled at our sole option with the amount deposited subject to forfeiture.  We do not have a timetable of when or if we will exercise this land purchase option because it remains subject to our due diligence review. Our due diligence review includes evaluations of the legal status of the property, the zoning and permitting issues related to acquiring approval for the construction and operation of a warehouse club and any other issues related to the property itself that could render the property unsuitable or limit the property's economic viability as a warehouse club site. If the purchase option agreement is exercised, the cash use would be approximately $8.1 million.


54


Net cash provided by, (used in) financing activities for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized below:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Increase/ (Decrease)
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
 
2015 to 2014
New bank loans offset by establishment of certificates of deposit held against loans and payments on existing bank loans (loan activities)
$
20,614

 
$
28,344

 
$
(7,730
)
Cash dividend payments
(10,564
)
 
(10,570
)
 
6

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and the tax benefit related to stock options
1,269

 
1,591

 
(322
)
Purchase of treasury stock related to vesting of restricted stock
(4,500
)
 
(4,601
)
 
101

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
6,819

 
$
14,764

 
$
(7,945
)

Net cash provided by loan activities increased approximately $7.7 million over the same period in fiscal year 2014 as we received cash from six additional loans entered into by our Panama, Honduras (three loans in Honduras), Trinidad and Colombia subsidiaries for approximately $10.0 million, $16.9 million, $3.6 million and $15.0 million, respectively. Additionally, $2.9 million in restricted cash was released back to us due to the repayment of one of the loans borrowed by our Honduras subsidiary. These increases were offset by repayments of long-term loans of approximately $3.3 million and $13.2 million by our Honduras subsidiary and $3.2 million by our Trinidad subsidiary and regularly scheduled loan payments of $8.1 million. For the same period last year, we increased borrowings approximately $37.7 million for loans entered into by our Panama and Honduras subsidiaries and the release of $8.0 million in restricted cash related to the repayment of a long-term loan in Colombia. We decreased borrowings by the repayment of a long-term loan of approximately $8.1 million under the loan agreement entered into by our Colombia subsidiary on November 1, 2010 with Citibank, N.A. in New York, a $3.5 million loan entered into by our Panama subsidiary and regularly scheduled loan payments during the period of approximately $5.4 million.
 
    The Company's Board of Directors declared dividends during the first nine months of fiscal year 2015. The following table summarizes the dividends declared and paid during fiscal year 2015 and 2014.
 
 
 
 
First Payment
 
Second Payment
Declared
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
 
Date Payable
 
Amount
2/4/15
 
$
0.70

 
2/13/15
 
2/27/15
 
N/A
 
$
0.35

 
8/14/15
 
N/A
 
8/31/15
 
$
0.35

1/23/14
 
$
0.70

 
2/14/14
 
2/28/14
 
N/A
 
$
0.35

 
8/15/14
 
8/29/14
 
N/A
 
$
0.35


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

Financing Activities

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

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

55


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

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

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

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

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

On October 22, 2014, our Honduras subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with Citibank, N.A. The agreement establishes a credit facility for $5.0 million with a variable interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 3.5%. The loan term is for five years with quarterly interest and principal payments. This loan is secured by assets of the Company's Honduras subsidiary. On October 23, 2014, the Company's Honduras subsidiary entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap agreement with Citibank, N.A for a notional amount of $5.0 million. The cross-currency interest rate swap agreement converts the Honduras subsidiary U.S.

56


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On March 31, 2014, our Panama subsidiary entered into a loan agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia. The agreement establishes a credit facility of $34.0 million at a variable interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus 3.5% for a five year term, monthly principal and interest payments, and a $17.0 million principal payment due at maturity. The facility provides a five year renewal option upon approval of the Bank of Nova Scotia. The loan is secured by assets of our Panama subsidiary. The purpose of the loan is to repay borrowings due to MetroBank, S.A. of $3.2 million and to fund our warehouse club expansion plans. During April 2014, we drew down $24.0 million of the $34.0 million facility and repaid the borrowings due to MetroBank, S.A. of $3.2 million. On May 22, 2014, the Company's Panama subsidiary entered into an interest rate swap agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia for a notional amount of approximately $19.8 million. The interest rate swap agreement converts the Panama subsidiary's floating interest payments on the first $10.0 million of our initial $20.0 million borrowing under the long-term monthly amortizing debt with the Bank of Nova Scotia to fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable interest based on the 1-month LIBOR rate plus 3.5% on a monthly amortizing notional amount of approximately $19.8 million. Additionally, on May 22, 2014, the Company's Panama subsidiary entered into

57


another interest rate swap agreement with the Bank of Nova Scotia for a notional amount of approximately $4.0 million. The interest rate swap agreement converts the Panama subsidiary's floating interest payments on the first $2.0 million of the next $4.0 million borrowing under the long-term monthly amortizing debt with the Bank of Nova Scotia to fixed interest payments during the life of the hedging instrument. Under the interest rate swap agreement, the Company will receive variable interest based on the 1-month LIBOR rate plus 3.5% on a monthly amortizing notional amount of approximately $4.0 million. As changes in interest rates impact the future cash flows of the interest payments on the loans, the hedges are intended to offset changes in cash flows attributable to variable interest rate movements. The Panama subsidiary pays fixed interest of 4.98% for a term of approximately five years (effective date of May 5, 2014 through April 4, 2019) on both interest rate swap agreements. The LIBOR reset dates for the hedged long-term debt and the interest rate swap agreements occur on the 4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014.

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

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

On November 3, 2013, we paid down $8.0 million of the loan agreement entered into by our Colombia subsidiary on November 1, 2010 with Citibank, N.A. in New York. The original agreement established a loan facility for $16.0 million to be disbursed in two tranches of $8.0 million each; however, we did not draw down the second tranche.  The interest rate was set at the six-month LIBOR rate plus 2.4%.  The loan term was for five years with interest only payments and a balloon payment at maturity.  The loan facility was renewable for an additional five-year period at the option of our Colombia subsidiary, but if we did not draw on the facility or pay off the loan, the facility would terminate. We have repaid this loan, and this loan facility has terminated.  This loan was secured by a time deposit pledged by us equal to the amount outstanding on the loan.  The secured time deposit of $8.0 million pledged by us was released on November 3, 2013.

Derivatives

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

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

We are also exposed to foreign-currency exchange-rate fluctuations on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities within our international subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar.  We manage these fluctuations, in part, through

58


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

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


59


The following table summarizes agreements for which we recorded cash flow hedge accounting transactions during the nine months ended May 31, 2015:

Subsidiary
 
Date Entered into
 
Derivative Financial Counter-party
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Initial
US$ Notional Amount
 
Bank US$ loan Held with
 
Floating Leg (swap counter-party)
 
Fixed Rate for PSMT Subsidiary
 
Settlement Dates
 
Effective Period of swap
Honduras
 
24-Mar-15
 
Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,500,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.25%
 
10.75
%
 
24th day of March, June, September, and December beginning on June 24, 2015
 
March 24,2015 - March 20, 2020
El Salvador
 
16-Dec-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
4,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
4.78
%
 
29th day of each month beginning on December 29, 2014
 
December 01, 2014 - August 29, 2019
Colombia
 
10-Dec-14
 
Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
15,000,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 2.8%
 
8.25
%
 
4th day of March, June, Sept, Dec. beginning on March 4, 2015
 
December 4, 2014 - December 3, 2019
Panama
 
9-Dec-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
10,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
5.159
%
 
28th day of each month beginning December 29, 2014
 
November 28, 2014 - November 29, 2019
Honduras
 
23-Oct-14
 
Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
5,000,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.5%
 
11.6
%
 
22nd day of January, April, July, and October beginning on January 22, 2015
 
October 22, 2014 - October 22, 2017
Honduras
 
24-Mar-15
 
Citibank, N.A. ("Citi")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,500,000

 
Citibank, N.A.
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 3.25%
 
10.75
%
 
24th day of March, June, September, and December beginning on June 24, 2015
 
March 24,2015 - March 20, 2020
Panama
 
1-Aug-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
5,000,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
4.89
%
 
21st day of each month beginning on September 22, 2014
 
August 21, 2014 - August 21, 2019
Panama
 
22-May-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
19,800,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
4.98
%
 
4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014
 
May 5, 2014 - April 4, 2019
Panama
 
22-May-14
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Interest rate swap
 
$
3,970,000

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 30-day Libor plus 3.5%
 
4.98
%
 
4th day of each month beginning on June 4, 2014
 
May 5, 2014 - April 4, 2019
Colombia
 
11-Dec-12
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
8,000,000

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

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.6%
 
6.02
%
 
February, May, August and November beginning on May 22, 2012
 
February 21, 2012 - February 21, 2017
Colombia
 
21-Oct-11
 
Bank of Nova Scotia ("Scotiabank")
 
Cross currency interest rate swap
 
$
2,000,000

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

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

 
Bank of Nova Scotia
 
Variable rate 3-month Libor plus 0.7%
 
6.09
%
 
January, April, July and October, beginning on July 5, 2011
 
April 1, 2011 - April 1, 2016



60



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

Derivative designated as cash flow
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Account
 
Fair Value
Cross currency interest rate swaps(1)
 
Prepaid expenses and current assets
 
$
4,425

 
Prepaid expenses and current assets
 
$
495

Cross currency interest rate swaps(1)
 
Other non-current assets
 
3,736

 
Other non-current assets
 
970

Interest rate swaps(2)
 
Other non-current assets
 

 
Other non-current assets
 
125

Interest rate swaps(2)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(419
)
 
Other long-term  liabilities
 

Cross currency interest rate swaps(3)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
(1,078
)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 

Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments - assets (liability)(4)
 
 
 
$
6,664

 
 
 
$
1,590


(1) 
The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps for this subsidiary was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss for $(5.6) million and $(917,000) net of tax as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. The Company has recorded a deferred tax liability amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $(2.6) million and $(548,000) as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively, related to asset positions of cross-currency interest rate swaps. However, the equity effect of this deferred tax liability is offset by the full valuation allowance provided for the net deferred tax asset recorded for this subsidiary.
(2) 
The effective portion of the interest rate swaps was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss / (income) for $313,000 and $(94,000) net of tax as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.  The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset / (liability) amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $106,000 and $(31,000) as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.
(3) 
The effective portion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps for this subsidiary was recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss for $753,000 and $0 net of tax as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.  The Company has recorded a deferred tax asset amount with an offset to other comprehensive income - tax of $325,000 and $0 as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively.  
(4) 
Derivatives listed on the above table were designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

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

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

 
 
May 31, 2015
 
August 31, 2014
 
 
Derivatives designated as fair value hedging instruments
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$

 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
$

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Other accrued expenses
 

 
Other accrued expenses
 
(14
)
Net fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting
 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
(14
)





61



Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt
 
Short-term borrowings consist of lines of credit which are secured by certain assets of our domestic company and by those of our subsidiaries. The short-term borrowing facilities are summarized below (in thousands):
 
 
Total
 
Facilities Used
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of Facilities
 
Short-term Borrowings
 
Letters of Credit
 
Facilities Available
 
Weighted average interest rate
May 31, 2015
 
$
59,237

 
$

 
$
363

 
$
58,874

 
N/A
August 31, 2014
 
$
61,869

 
$

 
$
436

 
$
61,433

 
N/A

As of May 31, 2015 we had approximately $40.0 million of short-term facilities in the U.S. that require us to comply with certain quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, we were in compliance with respect to these covenants.
The following table provides the changes in our long-term debt for the nine months ended May 31, 2015:
(Amounts in millions)
 
Current Portion of Long-term debt
 
Long-term debt
 
Total
 
Balances as of August 31, 2014
 
$
11,848

 
$
79,591

 
$
91,439

(1) 
Proceeds from long-term debt incurred during the period:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Panama subsidiary
 
1,000

 
9,000

 
10,000

 
Honduras subsidiary
 
2,450

 
14,400

 
16,850

(2) 
Colombia subsidiary
 
1,500

 
13,500

 
15,000

 
Trinidad subsidiary
 
907

 
2,720

 
3,627

 
Repayments of long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on January 12, 2012 with Scotiabank El Salvador, S.A.
 
(3,200
)
 

 
(3,200
)
 
Partial repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 7, 2014 with Banco de America Central Honduras, S.A.
 

 
(5,000
)
 
(5,000
)
 
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 7, 2014 with Banco de America Central Honduras, S.A.
 

 
(8,195
)
 
(8,195
)
 
Repayment of loan by Honduras subsidiary, originally entered into on March 6, 2010 with Banco del Pais, S.A.

(87
)



(87
)
 
Repayment of loan by Trinidad subsidiary, originally entered into on August 26, 2008 with Royal Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Ltd.
 
(900
)
 
(2,325
)
 
(3,225
)
 
Regularly scheduled loan payments
 
(816
)
 
(7,260
)
 
(8,076
)
 
Reclassifications of long-term debt
 
15,135

 
(15,135
)
 

 
Translation adjustments on foreign-currency debt of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar (3)
 
(881
)
 
(6,444
)
 
(7,325
)
 
Balances as of May 31, 2015
 
$
26,956

 
$
74,852

 
$
101,808

(4) 

(1) 
The carrying amount cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $24.6 million and the carrying amount on non-cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $84.2 million.
(2) 
Proceeds from the loans consist of three loans for approximately $3.4 million, $5.0 million and $8.5 million.
(3) 
These foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded within Other comprehensive income.
(4) 
The carrying amount cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $24.0 million and the carrying amount on non-cash assets assigned as collateral for this total was $100.6 million.

62



As of May 31, 2015, we had approximately $75.8 million of long-term loans in Trinidad, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and Colombia that require these subsidiaries to comply with certain annual or quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of May 31, 2015 the Company was in compliance with all covenants.
 
As of August 31, 2014, we had approximately $62.5 million of long-term loans in Trinidad, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and Colombia that require these subsidiaries to comply with certain annual or quarterly financial covenants, which include debt service and leverage ratios. As of August 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants or amended covenants.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

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

Repurchase of Equity Securities and Reissuance of Treasury Shares
At the vesting dates for restricted stock awards to our employees, we repurchase a portion of the shares that have vested at the prior day's closing price per share, with the funds used to pay the employees' minimum statutory tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock awards. We do not have a stock repurchase program. 
Shares of common stock repurchased by us are recorded at cost as treasury stock and result in the reduction of stockholders’ equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We may reissue these treasury shares.  When treasury shares are reissued, we use the first in/first out (“FIFO”) cost method for determining cost of the reissued shares.  If the issuance price is higher than the cost, the excess of the issuance price over the cost is credited to additional paid-in capital (“APIC”).  If the issuance price is lower than the cost, the difference is first charged against any credit balance in APIC from treasury stock and the balance is charged to retained earnings.
    
The following table summarizes the shares repurchased during fiscal years 2015 and 2014:

 
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Shares repurchased
 
50,639

 
48,808

Cost of repurchase of shares (in thousands)
 
$
4,500

 
$
4,601


We have reissued treasury shares as part of our stock-based compensation programs.  However, as summarized below, no treasury shares were reissued during the periods presented as of August 31:
 
Nine Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Reissued treasury shares

 

        

Critical Accounting Estimates

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


63


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

Income Taxes: We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carry-forwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts expected to be realized. As of May 31, 2015, we evaluated our deferred tax assets and liabilities and determined that a valuation allowance was necessary for certain foreign deferred tax asset balances, primarily because of the existence of significant negative objective evidence, such as the fact that certain subsidiaries are in a cumulative loss position for the past three years, indicating that certain net operating loss carry-forward periods are not sufficient to realize the related deferred tax assets.
    
We and our subsidiaries are required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires us to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax we pay. In consultation with our tax advisors, we base our tax returns on interpretations that we believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various federal, state and foreign taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which we or one of our subsidiaries file tax returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the income tax positions we have taken (“uncertain tax positions”) and, therefore, require us or one of our subsidiaries to pay additional taxes.
    
We accrue an amount for our estimate of probable additional income tax liability.  In certain cases, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. This requires significant judgment, the use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. When facts and circumstances change, we reassess these probabilities and record any changes in the consolidated financial statements as appropriate. There were no material changes in our uncertain income tax positions for the periods ended on May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014. However, during the fiscal year 2014, we were required to make payments of $4.2 million to the governments in two countries with respect to income tax cases that we are currently appealing and believe that we will eventually prevail. These amounts have been recorded in the balance sheet as other non-current assets, as we consider these a payment on account and expect to get a refund thereof upon eventually prevailing on these cases, but we are unsure of the timing thereof. Furthermore, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, one of the Company’s subsidiaries received provisional assessments claiming $2.5 million of taxes, penalties and interest related to withholding taxes on certain charges for services rendered by the Company.  In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, this subsidiary received provisional assessments totaling $5.2 million for lack of deductibility of the underlying service charges due to the lack of withholding.  Based on the Company's interpretation of local law, rulings and jurisprudence (including Supreme Court precedents with respect to the deductibility assessment), the Company expects to prevail in both instances and has not recorded a provision for these assessments.

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

64



Tax Receivables: We pay Value Added Tax (“VAT”) or similar taxes (“input VAT”), income taxes, and other taxes within the normal course of our business in most of the countries in which we operate related to the procurement of merchandise and/or services we acquires and/or on estimated sales and taxable income. We also collect VAT or similar taxes on behalf of the government (“output VAT”) for merchandise and/or services we sell. If the output VAT exceeds the input VAT, then the difference is remitted to the government, usually on a monthly basis. If the input VAT exceeds the output VAT, this creates a VAT receivable. In some countries where we operate, the governments have implemented additional collection procedures, such as requiring credit card processors to remit a portion of sales processed via credit card directly to the government as advance payments of VAT and/or income tax. In the case of VAT, these procedures alter the natural offset of input and output VAT and generally leave us with a net VAT receivable, forcing us to process significant refund claims on a recurring basis. With respect to income taxes paid, if the estimated income taxes paid or withheld exceed the actual income tax due this creates an income tax receivable. We either request a refund of these tax receivables or apply the balance to expected future tax payments. These refund or offset processes can take anywhere from several months to several years to complete.
    
In most countries where we operate, the tax refund process is defined and structured with regular refunds or offsets. However, in two countries the governments have alleged that there is no defined process in the law to allow them to refund VAT receivables. We, together with our tax and legal advisers, are currently appealing these interpretations in court and expect to prevail. In one of these countries, where there is recent favorable jurisprudence, the government has recently performed an audit to verify the amount of the respective VAT receivables as a required precursor to any refund. We, together with our tax and legal advisers, are currently appealing these interpretations in court and expect to prevail. The balance of the VAT receivable in these countries was $6.3 million and $5.7 million as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014, respectively. In another country, beginning in fiscal year 2015, a new minimum income tax mechanism took effect, which requires us to pay taxes based on factor of sales rather than income. As a result, we are making income tax payments substantially in excess of those we would expect to pay based on taxable income. The current rules (which we have appealed) do not allow us to obtain a refund or offset this excess income tax against other taxes. As of May 31, 2015, the Company currently has an outstanding income tax receivable of $509,000 in this country; and there were deferred tax assets of approximately $1.4 million outstanding as of that date. We have not placed any type of allowance on the recoverability of these tax receivables or deferred income taxes.
    
Our policy for classification and presentation of VAT receivables, income tax receivables and other tax receivables is as follows:

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

Long-term VAT and Income tax receivables, recorded as Other non-current assets: This classification is used for amounts not approved for refund or credit in countries where our subsidiary has not demonstrated the ability to obtain refunds within one year and/or for amounts which are subject to outstanding disputes. An allowance is provided against VAT and income tax receivable balances in dispute when we do not expect to eventually prevail in its recovery.
 
Long-lived Assets: We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets for indicators of impairment.  Indicators that an asset may be impaired are:

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

Management's judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include management's best estimate of future business activity, which in turn drives estimates of future cash flows from these assets. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, requiring an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair market value. Future business conditions and/or activity could differ materially from the projections made by management causing the need for additional impairment charges.  No impairment charges have been recorded during fiscal year 2015.



65


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


ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in currency exchange rates. There have been no material changes in our market risk factors at May 31, 2015 compared to those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014. At May 31, 2015, the fair value of our derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges have increased approximately $3.5 million, net of tax since August 31, 2014, primarily due to a devaluation of the currencies that are being hedged and the scheduled maturities of the underlying instruments during the six months ended May 31, 2015. Movements in currency exchange rates and the related impact on the translation of the balance sheets of the Company's subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar were the primary cause of the $24.2 million net loss for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 in the foreign currency translation adjustments category of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
In addition, the Company's subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar carry monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity (primarily U.S. dollars) are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction gains (losses), including transactions recorded involving these monetary assets and liabilities, are recorded as currency gain (loss) within Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of income.
During the nine months ended May 31, 2015, the Colombian peso depreciated 30.9% relative to the U.S. dollar.  The impact of this depreciation had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results due to the high level of U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities held by its Colombian subsidiary. These U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities were greater than what we would expect from normal operations because of the impact of the subsidiary’s initial acquisition of merchandise to stock the three new warehouse clubs opened in October and November 2014.  Other subsidiaries that had greater U.S. dollar denominated cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) than their U.S. dollar denominated liabilities did not experience similar depreciation in their markets and therefore did not counterbalance the impact of the depreciation in Colombia.  Although we cannot predict future changes in exchange rates, we believe that we will be less susceptible to such fluctuations in future periods because the Colombia subsidiary’s U.S. dollar denominated inter-company liabilities have been paid down to a normalized level.
The following table summarizes the amounts recorded for the three and nine month period ending May 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
 
May 31, 2015
 
May 31, 2014
Currency gain (loss)
$
(311
)
 
$
489

 
$
(4,602
)
 
$
1,512

    


66


ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

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

67




PART II—OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
None.
 
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
 
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the reader should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2014. There have been no material changes in the Company's risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014.
 Available Information

The PriceSmart, Inc. website or internet address is www.pricesmart.com. On this website the Company makes available, free of charge, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, and the annual report to the security holders as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with or furnishing it to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Company’s SEC reports can be accessed through the investor relations section of its website under “SEC Filings.” All of the Company’s filings with the SEC may also be obtained at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at Room 1580, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. For information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room, please contact the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Additionally, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.  The Company made available its annual report on Form 10-K and its annual Proxy Statement for the fiscal year 2014 at the internet address http://materials.proxyvote.com/741511.

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

Upon vesting of restricted stock awarded by the Company to employees, the Company repurchases shares and withholds the amount of the repurchase payment to cover employees’ tax withholding obligations. As set forth in the table below, during the quarter ended May 31, 2015, the Company repurchased a total of 708 shares in the indicated months. These were the only repurchases of equity securities made by the Company during fiscal year 2015. The Company does not have a stock repurchase program.
  
 
 
 
 
Period
 
(a)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
(b)
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
(c)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 
(d)
Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the
Plans or Programs
March 1, 2015 - March 31, 2015
 
708

 
$
83.33

 

 
N/A
April 1, 2015 - April 30, 2015
 

 

 

 
N/A
May 1, 2015 - May 31, 2015
 

 

 

 
N/A
Total
 
708

 
$
83.33

 

 



68





 

ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not applicable.

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.



69


PRICESMART, INC.






ITEM 6.                      EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits:
3.1(1)
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
 
 
3.2(2)
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
 
 
3.3(3)
Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.
 
 
3.4(1)
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.
 
 
10.1
Twenty-Sixth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and John Hildebrandt, dated March 1, 2015.
 
 
10.2
Twenty-Eighth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Brud Drachman, dated March 1, 2015.
 
 
10.3
Thirtieth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Thomas Martin, dated March 1, 2015.
 
 
10.4
Loan between PriceSmart Honduras, S.A. de C.V. and Citibank, N.A. dated March 24, 2015.
 
 
31.1 
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2  
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1**
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2**
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
*
Identifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**
These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of PriceSmart, Inc., whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
 
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997 filed with the Commission on November 26, 1997.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004 filed with the Commission on April 14, 2004.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on November 24, 2004.


70


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
PRICESMART, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
July 9, 2015
 
By:
/s/ JOSE LUIS LAPARTE
 
 
 
 
Jose Luis Laparte
 
 
 
 
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
July 9, 2015
 
By:
/s/ JOHN M. HEFFNER
 
 
 
 
John M. Heffner
 
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer and
 
 
 
 
Principal Accounting Officer)


71