Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2010

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from          to         

 

Commission file number:  1-11893

 

GUESS?, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

95-3679695

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

1444 South Alameda Street

 

 

Los Angeles, California

 

90021

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(213) 765-3100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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  x No  o

 

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.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a 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  o  No  x

 

As of September 2, 2010, the registrant had 91,799,365 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, outstanding.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

GUESS?, INC.
FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income — Three and Six Months Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — Three and Six Months Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — Six Months Ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

33

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements.

 

GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Jan. 30,
2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

478,625

 

$

502,063

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

301,522

 

283,747

 

Inventories

 

307,056

 

253,162

 

Deferred tax assets

 

30,245

 

30,570

 

Other current assets

 

57,534

 

54,621

 

Total current assets

 

1,174,982

 

1,124,163

 

Property and equipment, net

 

272,938

 

255,308

 

Goodwill

 

28,817

 

29,877

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

13,343

 

15,974

 

Long-term deferred tax assets

 

52,388

 

55,504

 

Other assets

 

85,065

 

50,423

 

 

 

$

1,627,533

 

$

1,531,249

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations and borrowings

 

$

2,123

 

$

2,357

 

Accounts payable

 

229,451

 

195,075

 

Accrued expenses

 

149,999

 

145,321

 

Total current liabilities

 

381,573

 

342,753

 

Capital lease obligations

 

12,519

 

14,137

 

Deferred rent and lease incentives

 

68,617

 

60,642

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

75,305

 

73,561

 

 

 

538,014

 

491,093

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

14,467

 

13,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 10,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued 137,096,878 and 136,568,091 shares, outstanding 91,790,540 and 92,736,761 shares, at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively

 

918

 

927

 

Paid-in capital

 

343,871

 

319,737

 

Retained earnings

 

1,006,230

 

919,531

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

 

(16,628

)

(2,952

)

Treasury stock, 45,306,338 and 43,831,330 shares at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively

 

(266,258

)

(217,032

)

Guess?, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

1,068,133

 

1,020,211

 

Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests

 

6,919

 

6,132

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

1,075,052

 

1,026,343

 

 

 

$

1,627,533

 

$

1,531,249

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

Net revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

$

550,576

 

$

500,364

 

$

1,064,631

 

$

919,491

 

Net royalties

 

26,559

 

22,059

 

51,845

 

44,133

 

 

 

577,135

 

522,423

 

1,116,476

 

963,624

 

Cost of product sales

 

324,899

 

290,646

 

628,989

 

554,344

 

Gross profit

 

252,236

 

231,777

 

487,487

 

409,280

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

155,935

 

140,663

 

314,040

 

270,132

 

Pension curtailment expense

 

 

 

5,819

 

 

Earnings from operations

 

96,301

 

91,114

 

167,628

 

139,148

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(283

)

(339

)

(513

)

(945

)

Interest income

 

647

 

447

 

983

 

1,184

 

Other income (expense), net

 

(256

)

(1,339

)

3,172

 

(73

)

 

 

108

 

(1,231

)

3,642

 

166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income tax expense

 

96,409

 

89,883

 

171,270

 

139,314

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

29,030

 

29,662

 

52,237

 

45,974

 

Net earnings

 

67,379

 

60,221

 

119,033

 

93,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

621

 

661

 

1,940

 

1,238

 

Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc.

 

$

66,758

 

$

59,560

 

$

117,093

 

$

92,102

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders (Note 2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.65

 

$

1.26

 

$

1.00

 

Diluted

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.64

 

$

1.25

 

$

0.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding attributable to common stockholders (Note 2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

91,610

 

90,724

 

91,756

 

90,678

 

Diluted

 

92,153

 

91,381

 

92,471

 

91,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.32

 

$

0.20

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

Net earnings

 

$

67,379

 

$

60,221

 

$

119,033

 

$

93,340

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(7,605

)

23,725

 

(19,878

)

34,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized (loss) gain on hedges, net of tax effect

 

(371

)

(5,637

)

1,057

 

(8,937

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized (loss) gain on investments, net of tax effect

 

20

 

(120

)

195

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERP prior service cost and actuarial valuation loss amortization, including curtailment expense, net of tax effect

 

257

 

292

 

4,675

 

576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

 

59,680

 

78,481

 

105,082

 

119,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

436

 

1,366

 

1,665

 

2,307

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Guess?, Inc.

 

$

59,244

 

$

77,115

 

$

103,417

 

$

117,430

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

119,033

 

$

93,340

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment

 

29,534

 

26,820

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

1,954

 

3,715

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

15,025

 

13,036

 

Unrealized forward contract (gains) losses

 

(154

)

9,553

 

Net loss on disposition of property and equipment

 

321

 

810

 

Pension curtailment expense

 

5,819

 

 

Other items, net

 

(1,442

)

(807

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(29,978

)

(11,711

)

Inventories

 

(57,366

)

(7,390

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(33,789

)

(1,700

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

44,004

 

(7,149

)

Deferred rent and lease incentives

 

8,135

 

6,008

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

2,780

 

(680

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

103,876

 

123,845

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(48,814

)

(42,028

)

Proceeds from dispositions of long-term assets

 

600

 

474

 

Acquisition of lease interest

 

(2,249

)

 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

 

549

 

Net cash settlement of forward contracts

 

4,904

 

3,313

 

Purchases of long-term investments

 

(6,679

)

(5,639

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(52,238

)

(43,331

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Certain short-term borrowings, net

 

511

 

(24,914

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

40,000

 

Repayment of borrowings and capital lease obligations

 

(766

)

(40,815

)

Dividends paid

 

(29,810

)

(18,453

)

Noncontrolling interest capital contributions

 

 

650

 

Noncontrolling interest capital distributions

 

 

(1,202

)

Issuance of common stock, net of nonvested award repurchases

 

4,105

 

825

 

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 

5,728

 

57

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(49,361

)

(5,309

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(69,593

)

(49,161

)

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 

(5,483

)

4,236

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(23,438

)

35,589

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

502,063

 

294,118

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

478,625

 

$

329,707

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow data:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

356

 

$

1,184

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

41,233

 

$

45,586

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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GUESS?, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2010

(unaudited)

 

(1)           Basis of Presentation

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Guess?, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, and the condensed consolidated statements of income and condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they have been condensed and do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The results of operations for the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2010. The Company has made certain reclassifications to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to classifications in the current year. These reclassifications, none of which are material, had no impact on previously reported statements of income.

 

The three and six months ended July 31, 2010 had the same number of days as the three and six months ended August 1, 2009. All references herein to “fiscal 2011” and “fiscal 2010” represent the results of the 52-week fiscal years ended January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, respectively.

 

New Accounting Guidance

 

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance that requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity as the enterprise that has both of the following characteristics, among others: (a) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance, and (b) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the entity, that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. Under this guidance, ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity are required. The Company adopted the relevant provisions of the guidance on January 31, 2010 and will apply the requirements prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that expands the required disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance provides for new disclosures requiring the Company to (a) disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and describe the reasons for the transfers and (b) present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance also provides clarification of existing disclosures requiring the Company to (i) determine each class of assets and liabilities based on the nature and risks of the investments rather than by major security type and (ii) for each class of assets and liabilities, disclose the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company adopted the guidance effective January 31, 2010, except for the presentation of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of the first phase of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

(2)           Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share represents net earnings attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share represent net earnings attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, inclusive of the dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. However, nonvested restricted stock awards (referred to as participating securities) are excluded from the dilutive impact of common equivalent shares outstanding in accordance with FASB issued authoritative guidance under the two-class method since the nonvested restricted stockholders are entitled to participate in dividends declared on common stock as if the shares were fully vested and hence are deemed to be participating securities.  Under the two-class method, earnings attributable to nonvested restricted stockholders are excluded from net earnings attributable to common stockholders for purposes of calculating

 

5



Table of Contents

 

basic and diluted earnings per common share.

 

The computation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc.

 

$

66,758

 

$

59,560

 

$

117,093

 

$

92,102

 

Net earnings attributable to nonvested restricted stockholders

 

668

 

840

 

1,228

 

1,402

 

Net earnings attributable to common stockholders

 

$

66,090

 

$

58,720

 

$

115,865

 

$

90,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in basic computations

 

91,610

 

90,724

 

91,756

 

90,678

 

Effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options and restricted stock units

 

543

 

657

 

715

 

575

 

Weighted average shares used in diluted computations

 

92,153

 

91,381

 

92,471

 

91,253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings per common share attributable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.65

 

$

1.26

 

$

1.00

 

Diluted

 

$

0.72

 

$

0.64

 

$

1.25

 

$

0.99

 

 

For the three months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, equity awards granted for 959,691 and 2,068,038, respectively, of the Company’s common shares and for the six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, equity awards granted for 745,585 and 1,815,770, respectively, of the Company’s common shares were outstanding but were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

 

In addition to the participating securities discussed above, the Company also excluded 563,400 nonvested stock options granted to certain employees from the computation of diluted weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding for the three and six months ended August 1, 2009, because they were subject to a performance-based annual vesting condition.

 

In March 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors terminated the previously authorized 2001 share repurchase program and authorized a new program to repurchase, from time to time and as market and business conditions warrant, up to $200.0 million of the Company’s common stock (the “2008 Share Repurchase Program”). Repurchases may be made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans or other available means. There is no minimum or maximum number of shares to be repurchased under the program and the program may be discontinued at any time, without prior notice. During the six months ended July 31, 2010, the Company repurchased 1,500,000 shares under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program at an aggregate cost of $49.3 million. All such share repurchases were made during the three months ended July 31, 2010.  During the six months ended August 1, 2009, the Company repurchased 407,600 shares under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program at an aggregate cost of $5.3 million. All such share repurchases were made during the three months ended May 2, 2009.  At July 31, 2010, the Company had remaining authority under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program to purchase an additional $84.9 million of its common stock.

 

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(3)           Stockholders’ Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

 

A reconciliation of the total carrying amount of total stockholders’ equity, Guess?, Inc. stockholders’ equity and stockholders’ equity attributable to nonredeemable and redeemable noncontrolling interests for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 and six months ended July 31, 2010 is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Guess?, Inc.
Stockholders’
Equity

 

Nonredeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests

 

Total

 

Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests

 

Balances at January 31, 2009

 

$

773,001

 

$

2,453

 

$

775,454

 

$

10,050

 

Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans, net of tax effect

 

9,408

 

 

9,408

 

 

Issuance of stock under ESPP

 

1,249

 

 

1,249

 

 

Share-based compensation

 

27,339

 

 

27,339

 

 

Dividends

 

(41,598

)

 

(41,598

)

 

Share repurchases

 

(5,309

)

 

(5,309

)

 

Acquisition of subsidiary with redeemable put feature

 

 

 

 

2,815

 

Noncontrolling interest capital contribution

 

 

1,001

 

1,001

 

 

Noncontrolling interest capital distribution

 

(109

)

(1,202

)

(1,311

)

 

Comprehensive income (loss) (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

242,761

 

3,569

 

246,330

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

22,684

 

311

 

22,995

 

948

 

Unrealized loss on hedges, net of income tax of $2,690

 

(6,918

)

 

(6,918

)

 

Unrealized gain on investments, net of income tax of $58

 

94

 

 

94

 

 

SERP prior service cost and actuarial valuation loss amortization, net of income tax of $1,435

 

(2,391

)

 

(2,391

)

 

Balances at January 30, 2010

 

$

1,020,211

 

$

6,132

 

$

1,026,343

 

$

13,813

 

Issuance of common stock under stock compensation plans, net of tax effect

 

8,457

 

 

8,457

 

 

Issuance of stock under ESPP

 

778

 

 

778

 

 

Share-based compensation

 

15,025

 

 

15,025

 

 

Dividends

 

(29,810

)

 

(29,810

)

 

Share repurchases

 

(49,361

)

 

(49,361

)

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests redemption value adjustment

 

(584

)

(878

)

(1,462

)

1,462

 

Comprehensive income (loss) (a):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

117,093

 

1,940

 

119,033

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(19,603

)

(275

)

(19,878

)

(808

)

Unrealized gain on hedges, net of income tax of $325

 

1,057

 

 

1,057

 

 

Unrealized gain on investments, net of income tax of $137

 

195

 

 

195

 

 

SERP prior service cost and actuarial valuation loss amortization, including curtailment expense, net of income tax of $3,151

 

4,675

 

 

4,675

 

 

Balances at July 31, 2010

 

$

1,068,133

 

$

6,919

 

$

1,075,052

 

$

14,467

 

 


(a) Total comprehensive income consists of net earnings, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) related prior service cost and actuarial valuation loss amortization, unrealized gains or losses on investments available for sale, foreign currency translation adjustments and the effective portion of the change in the fair value of cash flow hedges.

 

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

 

In connection with the acquisition of two majority-owned subsidiaries, the Company is party to put arrangements with respect to the common securities that represent the remaining noncontrolling interests of the acquired companies. Each put arrangement is

 

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exercisable by the counter-party outside the control of the Company by requiring the Company to redeem the counterparty’s entire equity stake in the subsidiary at a put price based on a multiple of earnings formula. Each put arrangement is recorded on the balance sheet at its redemption value and classified as a redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of permanent equity. As of July 31, 2010, the redeemable noncontrolling interests of $14.5 million was composed of redemption values related to the Focus Europe S.r.l. (“Focus”) and Guess Sud SAS (“Guess Sud”) put arrangements of $11.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. As of January 30, 2010, the redeemable noncontrolling interests of $13.8 million was composed of redemption values related to the Focus and Guess Sud put arrangements of $10.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively.

 

The put arrangement for Focus, representing 25% of the total outstanding equity interest of that subsidiary, may be exercised at the discretion of the minority owner by providing written notice to the Company no later than June 27, 2012. The redemption value of the Focus put arrangement is based on a multiple of Focus’s net earnings.

 

The put arrangement for Guess Sud, representing 40% of the total outstanding equity interest of that subsidiary, may be exercised at the discretion of the minority owners by providing written notice to the Company anytime after January 30, 2012 or sooner in certain limited circumstances. The redemption value of the Guess Sud put arrangement is based on a multiple of Guess Sud’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

 

(4)           Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable consists of trade receivables primarily relating to the Company’s wholesale businesses in Europe, North America and Asia. The Company provided for allowances relating to these receivables of $30.4 million and $29.9 million at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively. In addition, accounts receivable includes royalty receivables relating to licensing operations of $19.3 million and $23.0 million at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively, for which the Company recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.6 and $0.7 million at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively.  The accounts receivable allowance includes allowances for doubtful accounts, wholesale sales returns and wholesale markdowns. Retail sales returns allowances are included in accrued expenses.

 

(5)           Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Jan. 30,
2010

 

Raw materials

 

$

13,517

 

$

9,405

 

Work in progress

 

2,737

 

2,689

 

Finished goods

 

290,802

 

241,068

 

 

 

$

307,056

 

$

253,162

 

 

As of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, inventories had been written down to the lower of cost or market by $17.6 million and $16.8 million, respectively.

 

(6)           Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense for the interim periods was computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year.  The Company’s effective income tax rate decreased to 30.5% for the six months ended July 31, 2010 from 33.0% in the six months ended August 1, 2009 primarily due to a higher estimated proportion of annual earnings in lower tax jurisdictions and certain state tax refund claims submitted during the current year quarter.

 

(7)           Segment Information

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company revised its segment reporting whereby the North American wholesale and Asia segments are now separate segments for reporting purposes. The Company’s businesses are now grouped into five reportable segments for management and internal financial reporting purposes:  North American retail, North American wholesale, Europe, Asia and licensing. Management evaluates segment performance based primarily on revenues and earnings from operations. The Company believes this segment reporting better reflects how its five business segments are managed and each segment’s performance is evaluated. The North American retail segment includes the Company’s retail operations in North America. The North American wholesale segment includes the Company’s wholesale operations in North America. The Europe segment includes both wholesale and retail operations in Europe and the Middle East. The Asia segment includes the Company’s wholesale and retail operations in Asia. The licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. Corporate overhead, interest income, interest

 

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expense and other income and expense are evaluated on a consolidated basis and not allocated to the Company’s business segments.

 

Net revenue and earnings from operations are summarized as follows for the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

Net revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North American retail

 

$

241,802

 

$

227,460

 

$

477,575

 

$

435,020

 

North American wholesale

 

44,270

 

33,213

 

86,998

 

66,786

 

Europe

 

222,331

 

210,159

 

409,299

 

355,857

 

Asia

 

42,173

 

29,532

 

90,759

 

61,828

 

Licensing

 

26,559

 

22,059

 

51,845

 

44,133

 

 

 

$

577,135

 

$

522,423

 

$

1,116,476

 

$

963,624

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North American retail

 

$

26,310

 

$

30,208

 

$

50,682

 

$

48,215

 

North American wholesale

 

10,711

 

8,328

 

20,922

 

13,254

 

Europe

 

50,349

 

52,293

 

84,831

 

75,432

 

Asia

 

5,701

 

1,564

 

12,838

 

4,060

 

Licensing

 

23,690

 

18,672

 

45,550

 

37,687

 

Corporate overhead

 

(20,460

)

(19,951

)

(47,195

)

(39,500

)

 

 

$

96,301

 

$

91,114

 

$

167,628

 

$

139,148

 

 

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business segments, the above net revenue and operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year.

 

All amounts for the years ended January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009 have been revised as follows to conform to the new segment reporting described above (in thousands):

 

 

 

First
Quarter
Ended
May 2, 2009

 

Second
Quarter
Ended
Aug. 1, 2009

 

Third
Quarter
Ended
Oct. 31, 2009

 

Fourth
Quarter
Ended
Jan. 30, 2010

 

Year
Ended
Jan. 30, 2010

 

Year
Ended
Jan. 31, 2009

 

Net revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North American retail

 

$

207,560

 

$

227,460

 

$

239,518

 

$

309,365

 

$

983,903

 

$

977,980

 

North American wholesale

 

33,573

 

33,213

 

46,124

 

39,772

 

152,682

 

176,303

 

Europe

 

145,698

 

210,159

 

168,829

 

222,556

 

747,242

 

718,964

 

Asia

 

32,296

 

29,532

 

40,527

 

44,932

 

147,287

 

119,878

 

Licensing

 

22,074

 

22,059

 

27,814

 

25,405

 

97,352

 

100,265

 

 

 

$

441,201

 

$

522,423

 

$

522,812

 

$

642,030

 

$

2,128,466

 

$

2,093,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North American retail

 

$

18,007

 

$

30,208

 

$

33,110

 

$

50,962

 

$

132,287

 

$

93,156

 

North American wholesale

 

4,926

 

8,328

 

12,245

 

9,667

 

35,166

 

39,786

 

Europe

 

23,139

 

52,293

 

40,801

 

57,002

 

173,235

 

168,630

 

Asia

 

2,496

 

1,564

 

5,472

 

6,293

 

15,825

 

5,715

 

Licensing

 

19,015

 

18,672

 

24,176

 

24,777

 

86,640

 

86,422

 

Corporate overhead

 

(19,549

)

(19,951

)

(16,830

)

(28,007

)

(84,337

)

(64,922

)

 

 

$

48,034

 

$

91,114

 

$

98,974

 

$

120,694

 

$

358,816

 

$

328,787

 

 

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(8)           Borrowings and Capital Lease Obligations

 

Borrowings and capital lease obligations are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Jan. 30,
2010

 

European capital lease, maturing quarterly through 2016

 

$

14,042

 

$

15,756

 

Other

 

600

 

738

 

 

 

14,642

 

16,494

 

Less current installments

 

2,123

 

2,357

 

Long-term capital lease obligations

 

$

12,519

 

$

14,137

 

 

The Company entered into a capital lease in December 2005 for a new building in Florence, Italy. At July 31, 2010, the capital lease obligation was $14.0 million. The Company has entered into a separate interest rate swap agreement designated as a non-hedging instrument that resulted in a swap fixed rate of 3.55%. This interest rate swap agreement matures in 2016 and converts the nature of the capital lease obligation from Euribor floating rate debt to fixed rate debt. The fair value of the interest rate swap liability as of July 31, 2010 was approximately $1.0 million.

 

On September 19, 2006, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit facility led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for an $85 million revolving multicurrency line of credit and is available for direct borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit, subject to certain letters of credit sublimits. The Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2011. At July 31, 2010, the Company had $11.5 million in outstanding standby letters of credit, no outstanding documentary letters of credit and no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

 

The Company, through its European subsidiaries, maintains short-term borrowing agreements, primarily for working capital purposes, with various banks in Europe. Under these agreements, which are generally secured by specific accounts receivable balances, the Company can borrow up to $207.6 million, limited primarily by accounts receivable balances at the time of borrowing. Based on the applicable accounts receivable balances at July 31, 2010, the Company could have borrowed up to approximately $186.2 million under these agreements. However, the Company’s ability to borrow through foreign subsidiaries is generally limited to $185.0 million under the terms of the Credit Facility. At July 31, 2010, the Company had no outstanding borrowings and $13.2 million in outstanding documentary letters of credit under these credit agreements. The agreements are primarily denominated in euros and provide for annual interest rates ranging from 0.8% to 3.5%. The maturities of the short-term borrowings are generally linked to the credit terms of the underlying accounts receivable that secure the borrowings. With the exception of one facility for up to $19.6 million that has a minimum net equity requirement, there are no other financial ratio covenants.

 

From time to time the Company will obtain other short term financing in foreign countries for working capital to finance its local operations.

 

(9)           Share-Based Compensation

 

The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense recognized under all of the Company’s stock plans during the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug. 1,
2009

 

Stock options

 

$

1,951

 

$

2,076

 

$

3,810

 

$

3,623

 

Nonvested stock awards/units

 

4,867

 

4,101

 

10,982

 

9,163

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

139

 

95

 

233

 

250

 

Total share-based compensation expense

 

$

6,957

 

$

6,272

 

$

15,025

 

$

13,036

 

 

Unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options and nonvested stock awards/units totaled approximately $14.6 million and $33.5 million, respectively, as of July 31, 2010.  This unrecognized expense assumes the performance-based equity awards vest in the future. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.  The weighted average fair values of stock options granted during the six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 were $14.55 and $8.89, respectively.

 

On April 29, 2010, the Company made an annual grant of 237,400 stock options and 230,300 nonvested stock awards/units to its employees.  On April 14, 2009, the Company made an annual grant of 1,105,400 stock options and 106,400 nonvested stock

 

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awards/units to its employees.

 

On May 1, 2008, the Company granted an aggregate of 167,000 nonvested stock awards to certain employees which are subject to certain annual performance-based vesting conditions over a five-year period.  On October 30, 2008, the Company granted an aggregate of 563,400 nonvested stock options to certain employees scheduled to vest over a four-year period, subject to the achievement of performance-based vesting conditions for fiscal 2010.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Compensation Committee determined that the performance goals established in the prior year were no longer set at an appropriate level to incentivize and help retain employees given the greater than previously anticipated deterioration of the economy that had occurred since the goals were established. Therefore, in April 2009, the Compensation Committee modified the performance goals of that year’s tranche of the outstanding performance-based stock awards and options to address the challenges associated with the economic environment. During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Compensation Committee modified the performance goals of the current year tranche of the outstanding performance based stock awards to address the continuing challenges associated with the economic environment. None of the modifications had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

 

(10)         Related Party Transactions

 

The Company and its subsidiaries periodically enter into transactions with other entities or individuals that are considered related parties, including certain transactions with entities affiliated with trusts for the respective benefit of Maurice and Paul Marciano, who are executives of the Company, Armand Marciano, their brother and former executive of the Company, and certain of their children (the “Marciano Trusts”).

 

Leases

 

The Company leases warehouse and administrative facilities, including the Company’s corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California, from partnerships affiliated with the Marciano Trusts and certain of their affiliates. There were three of these leases in effect at July 31, 2010 with expiration dates in February 2011, December 2015 and July 2018. The lease which was scheduled to expire in July 2018, with respect to the Company’s corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California, was subsequently amended on August 12, 2010 to extend the current term for an additional two years, to July 2020. All other terms of the existing corporate headquarters lease remain in full force and effect. In addition to these three leases, in September 2010 the Company, through a French subsidiary, entered into a lease for a new showroom and office space located in Paris, France with an entity that is owned in part by an affiliate of the Marciano Trusts. The new lease will allow the Company, which currently occupies two separate corporate locations in Paris, to consolidate its locations into a single improved and larger space. The Company expects to take possession of the new Paris facility during the first half of fiscal 2012, at which time lease payments and a nine year lease term will commence. The lease provides for annual rent in the amount of $0.9 million for the first year (with subsequent annual rent adjustments based on a specified price index) and includes a Company option for early termination at the end of year six.

 

Aggregate rent expense under these related party leases for each of the six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 was $1.9 million. The Company believes the related party lease terms have not been significantly affected by the fact that the Company and the lessors are related.

 

Aircraft Arrangements

 

The Company periodically charters aircraft owned by MPM Financial, LLC (“MPM Financial”), an entity affiliated with the Marciano Trusts, through independent third party management companies contracted by MPM Financial to manage its aircraft. Under an informal arrangement with MPM Financial and the third party management companies, the Company has chartered and may from time to time continue to charter aircraft owned by MPM Financial at a discount from the third party management companies’ preferred customer hourly charter rates. The total fees paid under these arrangements for the six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 were approximately $0.6 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

These related party disclosures should be read in conjunction with the disclosure concerning related party transactions in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2010.

 

(11)         Commitments and Contingencies

 

Leases

 

The Company leases its showrooms and retail store locations under operating lease agreements expiring on various dates through September 2027. Some of these leases require the Company to make periodic payments for property taxes, utilities and common area operating expenses. Certain retail store leases provide for rents based upon the minimum annual rental amount and a percentage of annual sales volume, generally ranging from 3% to 6%, when specific sales volumes are exceeded. Some leases include lease incentives, rent abatements and fixed rent escalations, which are amortized and recorded over the initial lease term on a straight-line basis. The Company also leases some of its equipment under operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through January 2016.

 

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Incentive Bonuses

 

Certain officers and key employees of the Company are eligible to receive annual cash incentive bonuses based on the achievement of specified performance criteria. These bonuses are based on performance measures such as earnings per share and earnings from operations of the Company or particular segments thereof, as well as other objective and subjective criteria as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. In addition to such annual incentive opportunities, Paul Marciano, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Company, is entitled to receive a $3.5 million special cash bonus in December 2012, subject to the receipt by the Company of a fixed cash rights payment of $35.0 million that is due in January 2012 from one of its licensees. In connection with this special bonus, the Company will accrue an expense of $3.5 million, plus applicable payroll taxes, through December 2012.

 

Litigation

 

On May 6, 2009, Gucci America, Inc. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Guess?, Inc. and Guess Italia, S.r.l. asserting, among other things, trademark and trade dress law violations and unfair competition. The complaint seeks injunctive relief, unspecified compensatory damages, including treble damages, and certain other relief. A similar complaint has also been filed in the Court of Milan, Italy. The Company plans to defend the allegations vigorously.  The Company believes that it is too early to predict the outcome of this action or whether the outcome will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

The Company is also involved in various other claims and other matters incidental to the Company’s business, the resolution of which is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. No material amounts were accrued as of July 31, 2010 related to any of the Company’s legal proceedings.

 

(12)         Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

 

The components of net periodic pension cost for the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug.1,
2009

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug.1,
2009

 

Service cost

 

$

69

 

$

53

 

$

138

 

$

106

 

Interest cost

 

558

 

513

 

1,116

 

1,026

 

Net amortization of unrecognized prior service cost

 

186

 

436

 

622

 

872

 

Net amortization of actuarial losses

 

140

 

 

280

 

 

Curtailment expense

 

 

 

5,819

 

 

Net periodic defined benefit pension cost

 

$

953

 

$

1,002

 

$

7,975

 

$

2,004

 

 

As a non-qualified pension plan, no funding of the SERP is required; however, the Company has and expects to continue to make periodic payments into insurance policies held in a rabbi trust to fund the expected obligations arising under the non-qualified SERP. The cash surrender values of the insurance policies were $27.2 million and $22.1 million as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively, and were included in other assets. The amount of future payments may vary, depending on the future years of service, future annual compensation of the participants and investment performance of the trust. As a result of the change in value of the insurance policy investments, the Company recorded a gain (loss) of ($0.6) million and $0.6 million in other income and expense during the three and six months ended July 31, 2010, respectively, and gains of $1.1 million and $2.2 million during the three and six months ended August 1, 2009, respectively.

 

During the six months ended July 31, 2010, the Company recorded a pension plan curtailment expense of $5.8 million before taxes related to the accelerated amortization of prior service cost resulting from the departure of Carlos Alberini, the Company’s former President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Alberini’s departure resulted in a significant reduction in the total expected remaining years of future service of all participants combined, triggering the pension curtailment.

 

(13)         Fair Value Measurements

 

Authoritative guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into three broad levels as follows:

 

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that can be accessed at the

 

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measurement date.

 

Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e. interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

 

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions about what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs would be based on the best information available, including the Company’s own data.

 

The following table presents the fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements
at July 31, 2010

 

Fair Value Measurements
at Jan. 30, 2010

 

Recurring Fair Value Measures

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange forward contracts

 

$

 

$

8,995

 

$

 

$

8,995

 

$

 

$

8,075

 

$

 

$

8,075

 

Securities available for sale

 

3,059

 

 

 

3,059

 

399

 

 

 

399

 

Total

 

$

3,059

 

$

8,995

 

$

 

$

12,054

 

$

399

 

$

8,075

 

$

 

$

8,474

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange forward contracts

 

$

 

$

4,751

 

$

 

$

4,751

 

$

 

$

922

 

$

 

$

922

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

1,318

 

 

1,318

 

 

1,231

 

 

1,231

 

Deferred compensation obligations

 

 

8,055

 

 

8,055

 

 

6,677

 

 

6,677

 

Total

 

$

 

$

14,124

 

$

 

$

14,124

 

$

 

$

8,830

 

$

 

$

8,830

 

 

The fair values of the Company’s available-for-sale securities are based on quoted prices. Fair value of the interest rate swaps are based upon inputs corroborated by observable market data. The foreign exchange forward contracts are entered into by the Company principally to hedge the future payment of inventory and intercompany transactions by non-U.S. subsidiaries. The fair values of the Company’s foreign exchange forward contracts are based on quoted foreign exchange forward rates at the reporting date. Deferred compensation obligations to employees are adjusted based on changes in the fair value of the underlying employee-directed investments. Fair value of these obligations is based upon inputs corroborated by observable market data.

 

Long-term investments are recorded at fair value and consist of certain marketable equity securities of $3.1 million and $0.4 million at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively, and are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes, are included as a component of stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income. The accumulated unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive income relating to marketable equity securities owned by the Company at July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, were $0.1 million and ($0.1) million, respectively.

 

The carrying amount of the Company’s remaining financial instruments, which principally include cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximates fair value due to the relatively short maturity of such instruments. The fair values of the Company’s debt instruments (see Note 8) are based on the amount of future cash flows associated with each instrument discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. At July 31, 2010, the carrying value of all financial instruments was not materially different from fair value, as the interest rates on variable rate debt including the capital lease obligation approximated rates currently available to the Company.

 

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles that are subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The recoverability of assets that are to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by such asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of such asset exceeds the estimated discounted future cash flows. The impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and the discount rates that reflect the risk inherent in the future cash flows. The estimated cash flows used for this nonrecurring fair value measurement is considered a Level 3 input as defined above.

 

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Table of Contents

 

(14)         Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Hedging Strategy

 

The Company operates in foreign countries, which exposes it to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Company has entered into certain forward contracts to hedge the risk of foreign currency rate fluctuations. The Company has elected to apply the hedge accounting rules in accordance with authoritative guidance for certain of these hedges.

 

The Company’s objective is to hedge the variability in forecasted cash flows due to the foreign currency risk. Various transactions that occur in Canada, Europe and South Korea are denominated in U.S. dollars, British pounds or Swiss francs and thus are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to their local functional currencies. These types of transactions include U.S. dollar denominated purchases of merchandise and U.S. dollar and British pound intercompany liabilities. In addition, certain sales and operating expenses are denominated in Swiss francs and are exposed to earnings risk as a result of exchange rate fluctuations when converted to the functional currency. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments, including forward exchange contracts to manage exchange risk on certain of these anticipated foreign currency transactions. The Company does not hedge all transactions denominated in foreign currency.

 

The impact of the credit risk of the counterparties to the derivative contracts is considered in determining the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts. As of July 31, 2010, credit risk has not had a significant effect on the fair value of the Company’s foreign currency contracts.

 

The Company also has interest rate swap agreements, which are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, to effectively convert its floating-rate capital lease obligation to a fixed-rate basis. The principal objective of these contracts is to eliminate or reduce the variability of the cash flows in interest payments associated with the Company’s variable rate capital lease obligation, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest cash flows. Refer to Note 8 for further information.

 

Hedge Accounting Policy

 

U.S. dollar forward contracts are used to hedge forecasted merchandise purchases over specific months. Changes in the fair value of these U.S. dollar forward contracts, designated as cash flow hedges, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in cost of product sales in the period which approximates the time the hedged merchandise inventory is sold.  The Company also hedges forecasted intercompany royalties over specific months. Changes in the fair value of these U.S. dollar forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in other income and expense in the period in which the royalty expense is incurred.

 

From time to time, Swiss franc forward contracts are used to hedge certain anticipated Swiss operating expenses over specific months. Changes in the fair value of Swiss franc forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity, and are recognized in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the period which approximates the time the expenses are incurred.

 

The Company also has foreign currency contracts that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.  Changes in fair value of foreign currency contracts not qualifying as cash flow hedges are reported in net earnings as part of other income and expense.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Summary of Derivative Instruments

 

The fair value of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010 was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Derivative
Balance Sheet
Location

 

Fair Value at
July 31,
2010

 

Fair Value at
January 30,
2010

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

Other current assets

 

$

2,115

 

$

3,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

Other current assets

 

6,880

 

4,724

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

8,995

 

$

8,075

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

Current liabilities

 

$

1,834

 

$

116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

Current liabilities

 

2,917

 

806

 

Interest rate swaps

 

Long-term liabilities

 

1,318

 

1,231

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

 

 

 

4,235

 

2,037

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

6,069

 

$

2,153

 

 

Forward Contracts Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

 

During the six months ended July 31, 2010, the Company purchased U.S. dollar forward contracts in Canada and Europe totaling US$32.7 million and US$27.5 million, respectively, to hedge forecasted merchandise purchases that were designated as cash flow hedges.  As of July 31, 2010, the Company had forward contracts outstanding for its Canadian and European operations of US$36.0 million and US$41.3 million, respectively, which are expected to mature over the next eleven months.

 

The following table summarizes the gains (losses) before taxes recognized on the derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and net earnings for the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
OCI

 

Location of
Gain/(Loss)

 

Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income/(Loss)

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
July 31, 2010

 

Three Months
Ended
August 1, 2009

 

Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
into Income (1)

 

Three Months
Ended
July 31, 2010

 

Three Months
Ended
August 1, 2009

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

759

 

$

(4,455

)

Cost of product sales

 

$

422

 

$

2,659

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

 

$

69

 

SG&A expenses

 

$

 

$

181

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

212

 

$

(95

)

Other income/expense

 

$

725

 

$

(14

)

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
OCI

 

Location of
Gain/(Loss)

 

Gain/(Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income/(Loss)

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
July 31, 2010

 

Six Months Ended August 1, 2009

 

Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
into Income (1)

 

Six Months
Ended
 July 31, 2010

 

Six Months
Ended
August 1, 2009

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

1,007

 

$

(5,621

)

Cost of product sales

 

$

(680

)

$

5,354

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

 

$

(256

)

SG&A expenses

 

$

 

$

209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

$

677

 

$

(95

)

Other income/expense

 

$

982

 

$

(14

)

 


(1) The ineffective portion was immaterial during the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 and was recorded in net earnings and included in other income/expense.

 

As of July 31, 2010, accumulated other comprehensive income included an unrealized gain of approximately US$2.9 million, net of tax, of which US$2.7 million will be recognized in other income or as a reduction to cost of product sales over the following 12 months at the then current values on a pre-tax basis, which can be different than the current quarter-end values.

 

The following table summarizes net after-tax derivative activity recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug.1,
2009

 

July 31,
2010

 

Aug.1,
2009

 

Beginning balance gain (loss)

 

$

3,273

 

$

5,463

 

$

1,845

 

$

8,763

 

Net gains (losses) from changes in cash flow hedges

 

719

 

(3,486

)

1,555

 

(4,673

)

Net losses (gains) reclassified to income

 

(1,090

)

(2,151

)

(498

)

(4,264

)

Ending balance gain (loss)

 

$

2,902

 

$

(174

)

$

2,902

 

$

(174

)

 

At January 30, 2010, the Company had forward contracts outstanding for its European and Canadian operations of US$62.4 million and US$27.7 million, respectively.

 

Forward Contracts Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

 

At July 31, 2010, the Company had Canadian dollar foreign currency contracts to purchase US$40.3 million expected to mature over the next six months, euro foreign currency contracts to purchase US$85.7 million expected to mature over the next seven months, Swiss franc foreign currency contracts to purchase US$10.4 million expected to mature over the next five months and GBP13.8 million of foreign currency contracts to purchase euros expected to mature over the next five months.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table summarizes the gains (losses) before taxes recognized on the derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedges in other income and expense for the three and six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Location of

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in Income

 

 

 

Gain/(Loss)
Recognized in
Income

 

Three Months
Ended
July 31, 2010

 

Three Months
Ended
Aug. 1, 2009

 

Six Months
Ended
July 31, 2010

 

Six Months
Ended
Aug. 1, 2009

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange currency contracts

 

Other income/expense

 

$

391

 

$

(9,314

)

$

3,836

 

$

(12,957

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

Other income/expense

 

$

6

 

$

22

 

$

(167

)

$

(371

)

 

At January 30, 2010, the Company had Canadian dollar foreign currency contracts to purchase US$22.3 million, euro foreign currency contracts to purchase US$117.6 million and GBP14.0 million of foreign currency contracts to purchase euros.

 

(15)         Subsequent Events

 

On August 25, 2010, the Company announced a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share on the Company’s common stock. The cash dividend will be paid on September 24, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on September 8, 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ITEM 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

General

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, when we refer to “we,” “us” or the “Company” in this Form 10-Q, we are referring to Guess?, Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including documents incorporated by reference herein, contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements may also be contained in the Company’s other reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in its press releases and in other documents.  In addition, from time to time, the Company through its management may make oral forward-looking statements.  These statements relate to analyses and other information based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our future prospects and proposed new products, services, developments or business strategies. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” “continue,” and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.

 

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in any of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed. These forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to our expected results of operations, the accuracy of data relating to, and anticipated levels of, future inventory and gross margins, anticipated cash requirements and sources, cost containment efforts, estimated charges, plans regarding store openings and closings, plans regarding business growth and international expansion, e-commerce, business seasonality, results of litigation, industry trends, consumer demands and preferences, competition, currency fluctuations, consumer confidence and general economic conditions. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update our forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such difference include those discussed under “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 and in our other filings made from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) after the date of this report.

 

Business Segments

 

In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company revised its segment reporting whereby the North American wholesale and Asia segments are now separate segments for reporting purposes. The Company’s businesses are now grouped into five reportable segments for management and internal financial reporting purposes:  North American retail, North American wholesale, Europe, Asia and licensing. Management evaluates segment performance based primarily on revenues and earnings from operations. The Company believes this segment reporting better reflects how its five business segments are managed and each segment’s performance is evaluated.  The North American retail segment includes the Company’s retail operations in North America. The North American wholesale segment includes the Company’s wholesale operations in North America. The Europe segment includes the Company’s wholesale and retail operations in Europe and the Middle East. The Asia segment includes the Company’s wholesale and retail operations in Asia. The licensing segment includes the worldwide licensing operations of the Company. The business segment operating results exclude corporate overhead costs which consist of shared costs of the organization. These costs are presented separately and generally include, among other things, the following unallocated corporate costs: information technology, human resources, global advertising and marketing, accounting and finance, executive compensation, facilities and legal.

 

We acquired Focus Europe S.r.l. (“Focus”), our former licensee for GUESS by MARCIANO products in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, in December 2006.  We also acquired BARN S.r.l. (“Barn”), our former kids licensee in Europe, in January 2008. Each of these entities is reported in our European segment. G by GUESS is a relatively new retail brand concept that was launched in early fiscal 2008 and is included in our North American retail segment. Our South Korea and China businesses, which we have operated directly since January 2007 and April 2007, respectively, are reported in our Asia segment. Our international jewelry license agreement, which expired in December 2009, was not renewed as the Company decided to directly operate this business going forward. Beginning in January 2010, the operating results of our international jewelry business are included in our Europe segment. Prior to that date, we recorded the related royalty income in our licensing segment.

 

Products

 

We derive our net revenue from the sale of GUESS?, GUESS by MARCIANO and G by GUESS men’s and women’s apparel, and our licensees’ products through our worldwide network of retail stores, wholesale customers and distributors, as well as our on-line sites. We also derive royalty revenues from worldwide licensing activities.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Recent Global Economic Developments

 

Economic conditions remain uncertain in many markets around the world and consumer behavior remains cautious. In North America in particular, the renewed fall-off in consumer confidence and the highly promotional conditions among retailers may persist for some time. These conditions could affect both our growth and our profitability.

 

We also continue to experience significant volatility in the global currency markets. Since the majority of our international operations are conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar (primarily the euro, Canadian dollar and Korean won), currency fluctuations can have a significant impact on the translation of our international revenues and earnings into U.S. dollar amounts. During the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the average U.S. dollar rate weakened against these currencies versus the average rate in the comparable prior-year period. However, during the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro while continuing to weaken against the Canadian dollar and Korean won versus the comparable prior-year period. This had an overall negative impact on the translation of our international revenues and earnings for the quarter ended July 31, 2010 but an overall positive impact for the six months ended July 31, 2010.

 

In addition, some of our transactions that occur in Europe, Canada and South Korea are denominated in U.S. dollars, Swiss francs and British pounds exposing them to exchange rate fluctuations when converted to their local currencies. These transactions include U.S. dollar denominated purchases of merchandise, U.S. dollar and British pound intercompany liabilities and certain sales and operating expenses denominated in Swiss francs. Fluctuations in exchange rates can impact the profitability of our foreign operations and reported earnings and are largely dependent on the transaction timing and magnitude during the period that the currency fluctuates. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exchange risk on certain foreign currency transactions. However, the Company does not hedge all transactions denominated in foreign currency.

 

Long-Term Growth Strategy

 

Despite the economic conditions described above, our key long-term strategies remain unchanged. Global expansion continues to be the cornerstone of our growth strategy. Our combined revenues outside of the U.S. and Canada represented approximately 49% of the total Company’s revenues for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to 21% at the end of 2005. We expect this trend to continue as we expand in both Europe and Asia. Expanding our retail business across the globe is another important part of our growth strategy. We see opportunities to increase the number of GUESS? branded retail stores in Europe, as we expand outside of Italy, and also in North America, where we see opportunities particularly with our newer store concepts. We will continue to regularly evaluate and implement initiatives that we believe will build brand equity, grow our business and enhance profitability.

 

Our North American retail growth strategy is to increase retail sales and profitability by expanding our network of retail stores and improving the productivity and performance of existing stores. We will continue to emphasize our new G by GUESS store concept and our accessories business. This includes greater focus on our accessories line in our existing stores and the expansion of our GUESS? Accessories store concept. We currently plan to open a total of 58 retail stores across all concepts in the U.S. and Canada during fiscal 2011.

 

In Europe, we will continue to focus on growing our business in the countries where our brand is well known but under-penetrated. The Company is planning to increase the number of directly operated GUESS? retail stores in Europe. Together with our licensee partners, we plan to continue our international expansion in Europe by opening a total of 97 retail stores in fiscal 2011.

 

We see significant market opportunities in Asia and we are dedicating capital and human resources to support the region’s growth and development. We have opened flagship stores in key cities such as Seoul, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Macau and Beijing and have partnered with licensees to develop our business in the second tier cities in this region. We and our partners plan to open a total of 42 retail stores across all concepts in Asia during fiscal 2011.

 

The Company’s capital expenditures for the full fiscal year 2011 are planned at approximately $165 million (before deducting estimated lease incentives of approximately $10 million), which includes key money investments for new European stores. The planned capital expenditures are primarily for expansion of our retail businesses in Europe and North America, store remodeling programs, investments in information systems, expansion of our Asia business and other infrastructure improvements.

 

Other

 

The Company operates on a 52/53-week fiscal year calendar, which ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31 of each year. The three and six months ended July 31, 2010 had the same number of days as the three and six months ended August 1, 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The Company reports National Retail Federation (“NRF”) calendar comparable store sales on a quarterly basis for our full-price retail and factory outlet stores in the U.S. and Canada.  A store is considered comparable after it has been open for 13 full months. If a store remodel results in a square footage change of more than 15%, or involves a relocation or a change in store concept, the store is removed from the comparable store base until it has been opened at its new size, in its new location or under its new concept for 13 full months.

 

Executive Summary

 

The Company

 

Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. was $66.8 million, or diluted earnings of $0.72 per common share, for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. of $59.6 million, or diluted earnings of $0.64 per common share, for the quarter ended August 1, 2009.

 

Total net revenue increased 10.5% to $577.1 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $522.4 million in the same prior-year period. Revenues increased in all our segments, with the largest growth rate coming from our Asia and North American wholesale segments. In constant U.S. dollars, revenues increased by 13.9% as currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations unfavorably impacted net revenue for the quarter ended July 31, 2010 by $17.7 million.

 

Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of total net revenues) declined 70 basis points to 43.7% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to 44.4% in the same prior-year period driven by lower overall product margins. Higher markdowns drove the decline in our North American retail segment while the strengthening U.S. dollar negatively impacted product margins in Europe. These were partially offset by higher product margins in Asia as a result of lower markdowns. In addition, our occupancy rate increased modestly due to a larger mix of our global retail businesses.

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased 10.9% to $155.9 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $140.7 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was driven by higher store selling and other expenses in North America and Europe to support our retail expansion in both regions, investments in infrastructure and increased marketing expenses to enhance our brand’s awareness around the world. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted SG&A compared to the same prior-year period. SG&A expense as a percentage of revenues (“SG&A rate”) remained flat at 27.0% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to the same prior-year period.

 

Earnings from operations increased 5.7% to $96.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $91.1 million in the same prior-year period. Operating margin declined 70 basis points to 16.7% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to 17.4% for the same prior-year period as a result of the lower gross margin. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations unfavorably impacted earnings from operations by $4.0 million.

 

Other income, net, (including interest income and expense) totaled $0.1 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to other expense, net, of $1.2 million in the same prior-year period. Non-operating items, including interest and mark-to-market activity on our foreign currency forward contracts and insurance policy investments were not significant during the quarter ended July 31, 2010. Other expense, net, for the quarter ended August 1, 2009 primarily consisted of charges related to net mark-to-market losses from the revaluation of foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency transactions, partially offset by mark-to-market gains on our insurance policy investments.

 

Our effective income tax rate decreased to 30.1% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to 33.0% for the same prior-year period primarily due to a higher estimated proportion of annual earnings in lower tax jurisdictions and certain state tax refund claims submitted during the current year quarter.

 

The Company had $478.6 million in cash and cash equivalents as of July 31, 2010, up $148.9 million, compared to $329.7 million as of August 1, 2009. Total debt as of July 31, 2010, primarily related to our capital lease in Europe, was $14.6 million, down $3.8 million from $18.4 million as of August 1, 2009. Accounts receivable increased by $10.6 million, or 3.7%, to $301.5 million at July 31, 2010, compared to $290.9 million at August 1, 2009. The accounts receivable balance at July 31, 2010 included a negative translation impact of approximately $19.8 million due to currency fluctuations compared to the prior-year quarter end. Inventory increased by $41.6 million, or 15.6%, to $307.1 million as of July 31, 2010, compared to $265.5 million as of August 1, 2009. The increase in inventory supports the expansion of our global business, including the growth of new stores, as well as strategic investments in certain product categories.

 

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Table of Contents

 

North American Retail

 

Our North American retail segment, comprising North American full-priced retail stores, factory outlet stores and e-commerce, generated net sales of $241.8 million during the quarter ended July 31, 2010, an increase of $14.3 million, or 6.3%, from $227.5 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to positive comparable store sales of 3.5% (1.7% in local currency, which excludes the favorable translation impact of currency fluctuations relating to our Canadian retail stores) and a larger store base. North American retail earnings from operations decreased by $3.9 million, or 12.9%, to $26.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $30.2 million in the same prior-year period. Operating margin declined by 240 basis points to 10.9% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to 13.3% for the same prior-year period, driven by higher markdowns resulting from a more promotional retail environment compared to the prior year, higher store selling and other costs to support our retail store expansion and investments in both infrastructure and marketing. These declines more than offset the occupancy leverage resulting from the positive comparable store sales.

 

In the quarter, we opened 17 new stores in the U.S. and Canada and closed 2 stores. At July 31, 2010, we operated 448 stores in the U.S. and Canada, comprised of 192 full-priced GUESS? retail stores, 110 GUESS? factory outlet stores, 52 GUESS by MARCIANO stores, 47 G by GUESS stores and 47 GUESS? Accessories stores. This compares to 431 stores as of August 1, 2009.

 

North American Wholesale

 

Our North American wholesale segment revenue increased by $11.1 million, or 33.3%, to $44.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $33.2 million in the same prior-year period. Revenues increased in all our businesses, led by the U.S. wholesale business, which included a favorable shift of orders delivered in the second quarter that normally would have occurred during the third quarter. North American wholesale earnings from operations increased by $2.4 million, or 28.6%, to $10.7 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $8.3 million in the same prior-year period. Operating margin declined by 90 basis points to 24.2% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to 25.1% for same prior-year period, driven by a decrease in product margins in both our U.S. and Canadian businesses, partially offset by the leveraging of SG&A expenses.

 

Europe

 

In Europe, revenue increased by $12.1 million, or 5.8%, to $222.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $210.2 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily driven by store growth and higher comparable store sales in our expanding directly operated retail business and sales from our new international jewelry business, partially offset by the unfavorable translation impact on revenues caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At July 31, 2010, we directly operated 109 stores in Europe compared to 68 stores at August 1, 2009, excluding concessions. Earnings from operations from our Europe segment decreased by $2.0 million, or 3.7%, to $50.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $52.3 million in the same prior-year period. Operating margin declined 230 basis points to 22.6% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to 24.9% for the same prior-year period due to lower product margins and a higher SG&A rate. Product margins were adversely affected by the higher cost of products purchased in U.S. dollars due to the stronger average U.S. dollar rate versus the euro while the higher SG&A rate resulted from investments in retail expansion and increased marketing expenses.

 

Asia

 

In Asia, revenue increased by $12.7 million, or 42.8%, to $42.2 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $29.5 million in the same prior-year period. Our South Korea business continued to drive the growth in this region with a greater number of doors compared to the same prior-year period and stronger performance in existing doors. Our Greater China business also increased revenues as we continue to develop our business in this region. Earnings from operations from our Asia segment increased by $4.1 million, or 264.5%, to $5.7 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $1.6 million in the same prior-year period. Operating margin increased 820 basis points to 13.5% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to 5.3% for the same prior-year period. The increase resulted from product margin improvements in both South Korea and Greater China and the leveraging of occupancy and SG&A expenses as we continue to grow sales in the region.

 

Licensing

 

Our licensing royalty revenue increased by $4.5 million, or 20.4%, to $26.6 million compared to $22.1 million in the same prior-year period, driven by royalties from higher sales in our watches, handbags, footwear and eyewear categories, partially offset by the loss of royalties as a result of the direct operation of our international jewelry business since January 2010. Earnings from operations increased by $5.0 million, or 26.9%, to $23.7 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $18.7 million in the same prior-year period.

 

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Corporate Overhead

 

Corporate overhead expenses remained relatively flat compared with the prior-year period, increasing slightly by $0.5 million, or 2.6%, to $20.5 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $20.0 million in the same prior-year period.

 

Global Store Count

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2011, together with our partners, we opened 52 new stores worldwide, consisting of 28 stores in Europe and the Middle East, 17 stores in the U.S. and Canada, and 7 stores in Asia. Together with our partners, we closed 10 stores worldwide, consisting of 4 stores in Europe and the Middle East, 4 stores in Asia and 2 stores in the U.S. and Canada.

 

We ended the second quarter of fiscal 2011 with 1,292 stores worldwide, comprised as follows:

 

Region

 

Total Stores

 

Directly
Operated Stores

 

Licensee Stores

 

United States and Canada

 

448

 

448

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe and the Middle East

 

441

 

109

 

332

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia

 

347

 

30

 

317

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

56

 

14

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

1,292

 

601

 

691

 

 

This store count does not include 262 concessions located primarily in South Korea and Greater China because of their smaller store size in relation to our standard international store size. Of the total 1,292 stores, 906 were GUESS? stores, 239 were GUESS? Accessories stores, 100 were GUESS by MARCIANO stores and 47 were G by GUESS stores.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

NET REVENUE. Net revenue increased by $54.7 million, or 10.5%, to $577.1 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $522.4 million for the quarter ended August 1, 2009.  All of our segments contributed to this growth. In constant U.S. dollars, revenues increased by 13.9% as currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations unfavorably impacted net revenue by $17.7 million compared to the same prior-year period.

 

Net revenue from our North American retail operations increased by $14.3 million, or 6.3%, to $241.8 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $227.5 million in the same prior-year period. This increase was primarily due to positive comparable store sales of 3.5% (1.7% in local currency, which excludes the favorable translation impact of currency fluctuations relating to our Canadian retail stores) and a larger store base. Overall, currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. retail stores favorably impacted net revenue in our retail segment by $4.5 million.  The store base increased by an average of 11 net additional stores during the quarter ended July 31, 2010 compared to the prior-year quarter, resulting in a net 2.7% increase in average square footage.

 

Net revenue from our North American wholesale operations increased by $11.1 million, or 33.3%, to $44.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $33.2 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was driven by higher sales in all our wholesale businesses, led by the U.S. wholesale business, which included a favorable shift of orders delivered in the second quarter that normally would have occurred during the third quarter. At July 31, 2010, our products were sold in approximately 1,067 major doors in the U.S. and Canada compared to approximately 1,135 major doors at August 1, 2009. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. wholesale businesses favorably impacted net revenue in our North American wholesale segment by $0.9 million.

 

Net revenue from our Europe operations increased by $12.1 million, or 5.8%, to $222.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $210.2 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily driven by store growth and higher comparable store sales in our expanding directly operated retail business and sales from our new international jewelry business, partially offset by the unfavorable translation impact on revenues caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. At July 31, 2010, we directly operated 109 stores in Europe compared to 68 stores at August 1, 2009, excluding concessions. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our European operations unfavorably impacted net revenue in our Europe segment by $24.5 million.

 

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Net revenue from our Asia operations increased by $12.7 million, or 42.8%, to $42.2 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $29.5 million in the same prior-year period. Our South Korea business continued to drive the growth in this region with a greater number of doors compared to the same prior-year period and stronger performance in existing doors. Our Greater China business also increased revenues as we continue to develop our business in this region. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our South Korea operations favorably impacted net revenue in our Asia segment by $1.4 million.

 

Net royalty revenue from licensing operations increased by $4.5 million, or 20.4%, to $26.6 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $22.1 million in the same prior-year period, driven by royalties on higher sales in the watches, handbag, footwear and eyewear categories, partially offset by the loss of royalties as a result of the direct operation of our international jewelry business since January 2010.

 

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased by $20.4 million, or 8.8%, to $252.2 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $231.8 million in the same prior-year period. While all the segments contributed to the growth, the largest increase in gross profit came from our Asia segment where we grew both sales and product margins.

 

Gross margin declined 70 basis points to 43.7% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from 44.4% for the same prior-year period, driven by lower overall product margins. Higher markdowns drove the decline in our North American retail segment while the strengthening U.S. dollar negatively impacted product margins in Europe. These were partially offset by higher product margins in Asia as a result of lower markdowns. In addition, our occupancy rate increased modestly due to a larger mix of our global retail businesses.

 

The Company’s gross margin may not be comparable to other entities since some entities include all of the costs related to their distribution in cost of product sales and others, like the Company, exclude the wholesale related distribution costs from gross margin, including them instead in SG&A expenses.

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. SG&A expenses increased by $15.2 million, or 10.9%, to $155.9 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $140.7 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was driven primarily by higher store selling and other expenses in North America and Europe to support our retail expansion in both regions, investments in infrastructure and increased marketing expenses to enhance our brand’s awareness around the world. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted SG&A compared to the same prior-year period. The Company’s SG&A rate remained flat at 27.0% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to the same prior-year period.

 

EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS.  Earnings from operations increased by $5.2 million, or 5.7%, to $96.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $91.1 million in the same prior-year period.  The increase in earnings from operations primarily resulted from the following:

 

·                  Earnings from operations for the North American retail segment decreased by $3.9 million to $26.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $30.2 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease in earnings from operations was primarily driven by the higher occupancy, store selling and other costs to support our retail store expansion, lower product margins due to higher markdowns and investments in both infrastructure and marketing which more than offset the benefit from the growth in sales. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. retail stores favorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.8 million.

 

·                 Earnings from operations for the North American wholesale segment increased by $2.4 million to $10.7 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $8.3 million in the same prior-year period. The increase in earnings was driven by the higher sales partially offset by the impact of lower product margins on those sales and higher SG&A expenses. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. wholesale businesses favorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.2 million.

 

·                  Earnings from operations for the Europe segment decreased by $2.0 million to $50.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $52.3 million in the same prior-year period. This decrease was primarily due to the unfavorable impact of currency fluctuations on both product margins and the translation of earnings from operations, as well as higher occupancy, store selling and additional infrastructure expenses to support our retail expansion in the region. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our Europe segment unfavorably impacted earnings from operations by $5.3 million.

 

·                  Earnings from operations for the Asia segment increased by $4.1 million to $5.7 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $1.6 million in the same prior-year period. The increase resulted from higher gross profit in South Korea and Greater China due to sales growth in these regions and improved product margins, partially offset by higher occupancy and SG&A expenses to support the sales growth.  Currency translation fluctuations relating to our South Korea business favorably impacted earnings from operations by $0.3 million.

 

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·                  Earnings from operations for the licensing segment increased by $5.0 million to $23.7 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $18.7 million in the same prior-year period, driven by increased royalties due to higher licensed product sales, partially offset by the loss of royalties as a result of the direct operation of our international jewelry business since January 2010.

 

·                  Unallocated corporate overhead remained relatively flat compared with the prior-year period, increasing slightly by $0.5 million to $20.5 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $20.0 million for the quarter ended August 1, 2009.

 

Operating margin declined 70 basis points to 16.7% for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to 17.4% for the same prior-year period as a result of the lower gross margin.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST INCOME. Interest expense remained relatively flat at $0.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to the same prior-year period. At July 31, 2010, total debt, primarily related to our capital lease in Europe was $14.6 million, compared to $18.4 million at August 1, 2009. The average debt balance for the quarter ended July 31, 2010 was $14.1 million, versus an average debt balance of $27.3 million for the quarter ended August 1, 2009. Interest income increased slightly to $0.6 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $0.4 million for the quarter ended August 1, 2009.

 

OTHER EXPENSE, NET. Other expense, net, was $0.3 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to other expense, net, of $1.3 million in the same prior-year period. Mark-to-market activity on our foreign currency forward contracts and insurance policy investments and other non-operating transactions were not significant during the quarter ended July 31, 2010. Other expense, net, for the quarter ended August 1, 2009, primarily consisted of charges related to net mark-to-market losses on the revaluation of foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency transactions, partially offset by mark-to-market gains on our insurance policy investments.

 

INCOME TAXES.  Income tax expense for the quarter ended July 31, 2010 was $29.0 million, or a 30.1% effective tax rate, compared to income tax expense of $29.7 million, or a 33.0% effective tax rate, for the same prior-year period.  Generally, income taxes for the interim periods are computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year, which is subject to ongoing review and evaluation by management. The lower tax rate in the current quarter was due to a higher estimated proportion of annual earnings in lower tax jurisdictions and certain state tax refund claims submitted during the current year quarter.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES. Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries for the quarter ended July 31, 2010 was $0.6 million, net of taxes, compared to $0.7 million, net of taxes, in the same prior-year period.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO GUESS?, INC. Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. increased to $66.8 million for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, from $59.6 million in the same prior-year period. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.72 per share for the quarter ended July 31, 2010, compared to $0.64 per share for the quarter ended August 1, 2009.

 

Six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009

 

NET REVENUE. Net revenue for the six months ended July 31, 2010 increased by $152.9 million, or 15.9%, to $1,116.5 million, from $963.6 million in the same prior-year period. All of our segments contributed to this growth with our Europe and Asia segments delivering more than half of the total revenue growth as we continue to expand our international operations. Excluding the slightly positive impact of currency translation on revenues for the six months ended July 31, 2010 compared to the same prior-year period, U.S. dollar revenues grew by 15.0%.

 

Net revenue from our North American retail operations increased by $42.6 million, or 9.8%, to $477.6 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $435.0 million in the same prior-year period. This increase was primarily due to positive comparable store sales of 6.5% (3.7% in local currency, which excludes the favorable translation impact of currency fluctuations relating to our Canadian retail stores). Overall, currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. retail stores favorably impacted net revenue in our retail segment by $13.3 million.  In addition, the expansion of our store base also contributed to the growth in revenues with an average of eight net additional stores during the six months ended July 31, 2010 compared to the same prior-year period, resulting in a net 2.1% increase in average square footage.

 

Net revenue from our North American wholesale operations increased by $20.2 million, or 30.3%, to $87.0 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $66.8 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was driven by higher sales in all our businesses with the largest dollar increase coming from our U.S. wholesale business, which included a favorable shift of orders delivered in the second quarter that normally would have occurred during the third quarter. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S.

 

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wholesale businesses favorably impacted net revenue in our North American wholesale segment by $3.4 million.

 

Net revenue from our Europe operations increased by $53.4 million, or 15.0%, to $409.3 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $355.9 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily driven by store growth and higher comparable store sales in our expanding directly operated retail business and sales from our new international jewelry business. At July 31, 2010, we directly operated 109 stores in Europe compared to 68 stores at August 1, 2009, excluding concessions. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our European operations unfavorably impacted net revenue in our Europe segment by $15.7 million.

 

Net revenue from our Asia operations increased by $29.0 million, or 46.8%, to $90.8 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $61.8 million in the same prior-year period. We continued to grow our Asia business, where we, along with our partners, opened 19 stores and 39 concessions during the six months ended July 31, 2010. Our South Korea business continued to drive the growth in this region with a greater number of doors compared to the same prior-year period and stronger existing door performance. Our Greater China business also increased revenues as we continue to develop our business in this region in both the first and second tier cities. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our South Korea operations favorably impacted net revenue in our Asia segment by $7.6 million.

 

Net royalty revenue from licensing operations increased by $7.7 million, or 17.5%, to $51.8 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $44.1 million in the same prior-year period, driven by royalties on higher sales in the handbag, watches, footwear and eyewear categories, partially offset by the loss of royalties as a result of the direct operation of our international jewelry business since January 2010.

 

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased by $78.2 million, or 19.1%, to $487.5 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $409.3 million in the same prior-year period. Gross profit increased in all our segments, with the majority of the increase coming from higher sales in our Europe and North American retail segments, partially offset by higher occupancy costs from new store openings.

 

Gross margin increased 120 basis points to 43.7% for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from 42.5% for the same prior-year period, driven by higher product margins in Europe and Asia.

 

The Company’s gross margin may not be comparable to other entities since some entities include all of the costs related to their distribution in cost of product sales and others, like the Company, exclude the wholesale related distribution costs from gross margin, including them instead in SG&A expenses.

 

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. SG&A expenses increased by $43.9 million, or 16.3%, to $314.0 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $270.1 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was driven by higher store selling and other expenses in North America and Europe to support our retail expansion in both regions, investments in infrastructure and increased marketing expenses to enhance our brand’s awareness around the world. The Company’s SG&A rate remained flat at 28.1% for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to the same prior-year period.

 

PENSION CURTAILMENT EXPENSE. During the six months ended July 31, 2010, the Company recorded a pension plan curtailment expense of $5.8 million before taxes related to the accelerated amortization of prior service cost resulting from the departure of Carlos Alberini, the Company’s former President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Alberini’s departure resulted in a significant reduction in the total expected remaining years of future service of all participants combined, triggering the pension curtailment.

 

EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS. Earnings from operations increased by $28.5 million, or 20.5%, to $167.6 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $139.1 million in the same prior-year period. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our foreign operations favorably impacted earnings from operations by $1.0 million compared to the same prior-year period.  The increase in earnings from operations primarily resulted from the following:

 

·                  Earnings from operations for the North American retail segment increased by $2.5 million to $50.7 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $48.2 million in the same prior-year period. The increase in earnings from operations was primarily due to higher sales mostly offset by higher occupancy, store selling and other costs to support our retail store expansion and investments in both infrastructure and marketing. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. retail stores favorably impacted earnings from operations by $2.1 million.

 

·                 Earnings from operations for the North American wholesale segment increased by $7.6 million to $20.9 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $13.3 million in the same prior-year period. The increase in earnings from operations was mainly due to sales growth and higher product margins in all of our businesses. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our non-U.S. wholesale businesses favorably impacted earnings from operations by $1.0 million.

 

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·                  Earnings from operations for the Europe segment increased by $9.4 million to $84.8 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $75.4 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily driven by store growth and higher comparable store sales in our expanding directly operated retail business and sales from our new international jewelry business, partially offset by higher occupancy costs and SG&A spending relating to the investment in infrastructure to support our retail expansion. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our Europe segment unfavorably impacted earnings from operations by $3.4 million.

 

·                  Earnings from operations for the Asia segment increased by $8.7 million to $12.8 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $4.1 million in the same prior-year period. The increase resulted from higher gross profit in South Korea and Greater China due to sales growth in these regions and improved product margins.  This increase was partially offset by higher occupancy and SG&A expenses to support our growth in the regions. Currency translation fluctuations relating to our South Korea business favorably impacted earnings from operations by $1.3 million.

 

·                  Earnings from operations for the licensing segment increased by $7.9 million to $45.6 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $37.7 million in the same prior-year period, driven by increased royalties due to higher licensed product sales, partially offset by the loss of royalties as a result of the direct operation of our international jewelry business since January 2010.

 

·                  Unallocated corporate overhead increased by $7.7 million to $47.2 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $39.5 million in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily driven by the pension curtailment expense.

 

Operating margin increased 60 basis points to 15.0% for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to 14.4% for the same prior-year period. The operating margin increase was primarily due to the higher gross margin, partially offset by the impact of the pension curtailment expense.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST INCOME. Interest expense decreased to $0.5 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $0.9 million in the same prior-year period. At July 31, 2010, total debt, primarily related to our capital lease in Europe was $14.6 million, compared to $18.4 million at August 1, 2009.  The average debt balance for the six months ended July 31, 2010 was $15.0 million, versus an average debt balance of $44.1 million for the six months ended August 1, 2009. Interest income decreased to $1.0 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $1.2 million for the six months ended August 1, 2009, due to lower interest rates on invested cash, partially offset by higher average invested cash balances.

 

OTHER INCOME, NET. Other income, net, was $3.2 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to other expense, net, of $0.1 million in the same prior-year period.  Other income, net, in the six months ended July 31, 2010, primarily consisted of net mark-to-market gains related to the revaluation of foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency transactions and net mark-to-market gains related to our insurance policy investments. Other expense, net, in the six months ended August 1, 2009, primarily consisted of charges related to net mark-to-market losses on the revaluation of foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency transactions, offset by net mark-to-market gains on our insurance policy investments.

 

INCOME TAXES.  Income tax expense for the six months ended July 31, 2010 was $52.2 million, or a 30.5% effective tax rate, compared to income tax expense of $46.0 million, or a 33.0% effective tax rate, for the same prior-year period.  Generally, income taxes for the interim periods are computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year, which is subject to ongoing review and evaluation by management. The lower tax rate in the current six-month period was due to a higher proportion of earnings in lower tax jurisdictions and certain state tax refund claims submitted during the current period.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES. Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries for the six months ended July 31, 2010 was $1.9 million, net of taxes, compared to $1.2 million, net of taxes, in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily due to higher earnings from our Mexico operations.

 

NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO GUESS?, INC. Net earnings attributable to Guess?, Inc. increased to $117.1 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, from $92.1 million in the same prior-year period. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.25 per share for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $0.99 per share for the six months ended August 1, 2009.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

We need liquidity primarily to fund our working capital, the expansion and remodeling of our retail stores, shop-in-shop programs, concessions, systems, infrastructure, other existing operations, international growth, potential acquisitions, potential share repurchases and payment of dividends to our stockholders. During the six months ended July 31, 2010, the Company relied on trade credit, available cash, real estate leases, and internally generated funds to finance our operations and expansion. The Company anticipates

 

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that we will be able to satisfy our ongoing cash requirements during the next twelve months for working capital, capital expenditures, interest and principal payments on our debt, potential acquisitions, potential share repurchases and dividend payments to stockholders, primarily with cash flow from operations supplemented by borrowings, if necessary, under the Credit Facility and bank facilities in Europe, as described below under “—Credit Facilities.” As of July 31, 2010, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $478.6 million. Excess cash and cash equivalents, which represent the majority of our outstanding cash and cash equivalents balance, are held primarily in four diversified money market funds. The funds are AAA rated by national credit rating agencies and are generally comprised of high-quality, liquid investments. As of July 31, 2010, we do not have any exposure to auction-rate security investments in these funds. Please see “—Important Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 for a discussion of risk factors which could reasonably be likely to result in a decrease of internally generated funds available to finance capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

 

The Company has presented below the cash flow performance comparison of the six months ended July 31, 2010 versus the six months ended August 1, 2009.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $103.9 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $123.8 million for the six months ended August 1, 2009, or a decrease of $19.9 million. The decrease was driven by the unfavorable impact of changes in working capital for the six month period ended July 31, 2010 versus the same prior-year period, partially offset by higher net earnings of $25.7 million. Working capital used in operations included the impact of higher growth in accounts receivable, inventory, and prepaid and other assets, partially offset by growth in accounts payable relative to the comparable prior-year period.

 

At July 31, 2010, the Company had working capital (including cash and cash equivalents) of $793.4 million compared to $781.4 million at January 30, 2010 and $635.8 million at August 1, 2009. The Company’s primary working capital needs are for inventory and accounts receivable. Accounts receivable at July 31, 2010 amounted to $301.5 million, up $10.6 million, compared to $290.9 million at August 1, 2009.  The accounts receivable balance at July 31, 2010 included a negative translation impact of approximately $19.8 million due to currency fluctuations compared to August 1, 2009. Approximately $138.8 million of our receivables, or 46.0% of the $301.5 million in accounts receivable at July 31, 2010, was insured for collection purposes or subject to certain bank guarantees or letters of credit. Inventory at July 31, 2010 amounted to $307.1 million compared to $265.5 million at August 1, 2009. The increase in inventory supports the expansion of our global business, including the growth of new stores, as well as strategic investments in certain product categories.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $52.2 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $43.3 million for the six months ended August 1, 2009. Cash used in investing activities related primarily to the expansion of our North American and European retail businesses, capital expenditures incurred on existing store remodeling programs in North America and Europe, investments in information systems, expansion of our Asia business, improvements to headquarter buildings and other enhancements.

 

The increase in cash used in investing activities related primarily to the higher level of spending on new stores and remodeling of existing stores during the six months ended July 31, 2010 compared to the same prior-year period, partially offset by higher spending on improvements to headquarters in the prior-year period. During the six months ended July 31, 2010, the Company opened 49 owned stores compared to 16 owned stores that were opened in the comparable prior-year period.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $69.6 million for the six months ended July 31, 2010, compared to $49.2 million for the six months ended August 1, 2009. The increase in net cash used in financing activities in the current period compared to the prior-year period was primarily due to higher repurchases of shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program and higher dividends during the current period, partially offset by repayments of borrowings in the prior-year period and higher employee stock award exercise proceeds and related excess tax benefits during the current period.

 

Dividends

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share of the Company’s common stock. Since that time, the Company has continued to pay a quarterly cash dividend, which has subsequently increased to $0.16 per common share.

 

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On August 25, 2010, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per share of the Company’s common stock. The dividend will be payable on September 24, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 8, 2010.

 

The payment of cash dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will be based on a number of business, legal and other considerations, including our cash flow from operations, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, cash paid for income taxes, earnings, share repurchases and liquidity.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Gross capital expenditures totaled $48.8 million, before deducting lease incentives of $6.3 million, for the six months ended July 31, 2010. This compares to gross capital expenditures of $42.0 million, before deducting lease incentives of $2.6 million, for the six months ended August 1, 2009. The Company’s capital expenditures for the full fiscal year 2011 are planned at approximately $165 million (before deducting estimated lease incentives of approximately $10 million), which includes key money investments for new European stores. The planned capital expenditures are primarily for the expansion of our retail businesses in Europe and North America, store remodeling programs, investments in information systems, expansion of our Asia business and other infrastructure improvements.

 

In addition, we periodically evaluate strategic acquisitions and alliances and pursue those that we believe will support and contribute to our overall growth initiatives.

 

Credit Facilities

 

On September 19, 2006, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit facility led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for an $85 million revolving multicurrency line of credit and is available for direct borrowings and the issuance of letters of credit, subject to certain letters of credit sublimits. The Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on September 30, 2011. At July 31, 2010, the Company had $11.5 million in outstanding standby letters of credit, no outstanding documentary letters of credit and no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

 

The Company, through its European subsidiaries, maintains short-term borrowing agreements, primarily for working capital purposes, with various banks in Europe. Under these agreements, which are generally secured by specific accounts receivable balances, the Company can borrow up to $207.6 million, limited primarily by accounts receivable balances at the time of borrowing. Based on the applicable accounts receivable balances at July 31, 2010, the Company could have borrowed up to approximately $186.2 million under these agreements. However, the Company’s ability to borrow through foreign subsidiaries is generally limited to $185.0 million under the terms of the Credit Facility. At July 31, 2010, the Company had no outstanding borrowings and $13.2 million in outstanding documentary letters of credit under these credit agreements. The agreements are primarily denominated in euros and provide for annual interest rates ranging from 0.8% to 3.5%. The maturities of the short-term borrowings are generally linked to the credit terms of the underlying accounts receivable that secure the borrowings. With the exception of one facility for up to $19.6 million that has a minimum net equity requirement, there are no other financial ratio covenants.

 

The Company entered into a capital lease in December 2005 for a new building in Florence, Italy. At July 31, 2010, the capital lease obligation was $14.0 million. The Company entered into a separate interest rate swap agreement designated as a non-hedging instrument that resulted in a swap fixed rate of 3.55%. This interest rate swap agreement matures in 2016 and converts the nature of the capital lease obligation from Euribor floating rate debt to fixed rate debt. The fair value of the interest rate swap liability as of July 31, 2010 was approximately $1.0 million.

 

From time to time the Company will obtain other short term financing in foreign countries for working capital to finance its local operations.

 

Share Repurchases

 

In March 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors terminated the previously authorized 2001 share repurchase program and authorized a new program to repurchase, from time to time and as market and business conditions warrant, up to $200 million of the Company’s common stock (the “2008 Share Repurchase Program”). Repurchases may be made on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans or other available means. There is no minimum or maximum number of shares to be repurchased under the program and the program may be discontinued at any time, without prior notice. During the six months ended July 31, 2010, the Company repurchased 1.5 million shares under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program at an aggregate cost of $49.3 million. At July 31, 2010, the Company had remaining authority under the 2008 Share Repurchase Program to purchase an additional $84.9 million of its common stock.

 

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Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

 

On August 23, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) which became effective January 1, 2006. The SERP provides select employees who satisfy certain eligibility requirements with certain benefits upon retirement, termination of employment, death, disability or a change in control of the Company, in certain prescribed circumstances. The participants in the SERP were Maurice Marciano, Chairman of the Board, Paul Marciano, Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairman of the Board, and Carlos Alberini, the Company’s former President and Chief Operating Officer. In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company recorded a $5.8 million charge, or $0.04 per share, related to the accelerated amortization of prior service cost resulting from the departure of Mr. Alberini from the Company. As a non-qualified pension plan, no funding of the SERP is required; however, the Company has and expects to continue to make periodic payments into insurance policies held in a rabbi trust to fund the expected obligations arising under the non-qualified SERP. The amount of future payments may vary, depending on the future years of service, future annual compensation of the participants and investment performance of the trust. The cash surrender values of the insurance policies were $27.2 million and $22.1 million as of July 31, 2010 and January 30, 2010, respectively, and were included in other assets. As a result of an increase in value of the insurance policy investments, the Company recorded gains of $0.6 million and $2.2 million in other income and expense during the six months ended July 31, 2010 and August 1, 2009, respectively.

 

INFLATION

 

The Company does not believe that inflation trends in the U.S. and internationally over the last three years have had a significant effect on net revenue or profitability. However, the Company anticipates that potential inflationary pressures on raw materials and freight costs could begin to negatively impact the cost of product purchases during the latter part of this fiscal year. The Company is presently working on several initiatives in its supply c