Form 10-Q
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 May 31, 2008

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-22793

 

 

PriceSmart, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   33-0628530

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

9740 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA 92121

(Address of principal executive offices)

(858) 404-8800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

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

Large accelerated filer  ¨    Accelerated filer  x    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

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

The registrant had 29,694,461 shares of its common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding at July 2, 2008.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PRICESMART, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

          Page

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  
ITEM 1.   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   3
  

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF AUGUST 31, 2007 AND MAY 31, 2008 (UNAUDITED)

   4
  

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2007 AND MAY 31, 2008

   5
  

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2007 AND MAY 31, 2008

   6
  

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2007 AND MAY 31, 2008

   7
  

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   8
ITEM 2.   

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   25
ITEM 3.   

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   35
ITEM 4.   

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   37
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION   
ITEM 1.   

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   38
ITEM 1A.   

RISK FACTORS

   38
ITEM 2.   

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

   38
ITEM 3.   

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

   38
ITEM 4.   

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   38
ITEM 5.   

OTHER INFORMATION

   38
ITEM 6.   

EXHIBITS

   39

 

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Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart” or the “Company”) unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 2008, the consolidated balance sheet as of August 31, 2007, the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and unaudited stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007 are included elsewhere herein. Also included herein are notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

 

     May 31,
2008
    August 31,
2007
 

ASSETS

    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 26,107     $ 32,065  

Short-term restricted cash

     654       8,046  

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13 and $3 in 2008 and 2007, respectively

     2,326       2,705  

Merchandise inventories

     112,162       95,979  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     18,299       15,777  

Notes receivable – short term

     2,137       —    

Assets of discontinued operations

     1,542       1,380  
                

Total current assets

     163,227       155,952  

Long-term restricted cash

     620       477  

Notes receivable – long term

     —         2,086  

Property and equipment, net

     199,910       179,985  

Goodwill

     38,953       31,652  

Deferred tax assets

     20,516       19,535  

Other assets

     3,450       3,732  

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate

     —         2,000  
                

Total Assets

   $ 426,676     $ 395,419  
                

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Short-term borrowings

   $ 5,245     $ 3,301  

Accounts payable

     90,300       80,633  

Accrued salaries and benefits

     7,787       6,962  

Deferred membership income

     7,739       6,634  

Income taxes payable

     2,544       4,593  

Accrued reserve for settlement of litigation, including fair value of put agreement

     194       5,500  

Common stock subject to put agreement

     1,693       —    

Other accrued expenses

     11,299       18,564  

Dividend payable

     4,751       4,678  

Long-term debt, current portion

     1,838       1,411  

Liabilities of discontinued operations

     95       151  
                

Total current liabilities

     133,485       132,427  

Deferred tax liability

     3,305       1,474  

Deferred rent

     2,094       1,977  

Accrued closure costs

     3,552       3,072  

Long-term income taxes payable, net of current portion

     5,842       —    

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     15,174       8,008  
                

Total liabilities

     163,452       146,958  

Minority interest

     345       3,145  

Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized; 30,215,700 and 29,815,435 shares issued and 29,694,461 and 29,339,211 shares outstanding (net of treasury shares), as of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, respectively

     3       3  

Additional paid-in capital

     370,850       369,848  

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     4,732       3,970  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (12,418 )     (12,343 )

Accumulated deficit

     (88,808 )     (106,087 )

Less: treasury stock at cost; 521,239 shares and 476,224 shares as of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, respectively

     (11,480 )     (10,075 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     262,879       245,316  
                

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 426,676     $ 395,419  
                

See accompanying notes.

 

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PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

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

 

     Three Months Ended
May 31,
    Nine Months Ended
May 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Revenues:

        

Sales:

        

Net warehouse club

   $ 277,979     $ 219,515     $ 811,382     $ 644,337  

Export

     385       190       1,092       456  

Membership income

     4,094       3,559       11,811       10,221  

Other income

     1,207       1,048       3,628       3,652  
                                

Total revenues

     283,665       224,312       827,913       658,666  
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Cost of goods sold:

        

Net warehouse club

     236,074       185,762       689,918       547,220  

Export

     364       172       1,034       432  

Selling, general and administrative:

        

Warehouse club operations

     26,495       22,252       75,749       64,294  

General and administrative

     7,455       7,024       22,625       19,869  

Preopening expenses

     9       1       996       256  

Asset impairment and closure costs

     670       68       703       731  

Provision (income) for settlement of litigation, including changes in fair value of put agreement

     (2,042 )     —         1,344       —    
                                

Total operating expenses

     269,025       215,279       792,369       632,802  
                                

Operating income

     14,640       9,033       35,544       25,864  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

     254       395       1,013       1,238  

Interest expense

     (437 )     (129 )     (950 )     (574 )

Other income (expense), net

     (131 )     (100 )     (209 )     (122 )
                                

Total other income (expense)

     (314 )     166       (146 )     542  
                                

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes, loss of unconsolidated affiliate and minority interest

     14,326       9,199       35,398       26,406  

Provision for income taxes

     (3,675 )     (3,819 )     (8,286 )     (10,011 )

Loss of unconsolidated affiliate

     —         (99 )     —         (282 )

Minority interest

     (76 )     (75 )     (368 )     (337 )
                                

Income from continuing operations

     10,575       5,206       26,744       15,776  

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     26       25       71       71  
                                

Net income

   $ 10,601     $ 5,231     $ 26,815     $ 15,847  
                                

Basic income per share:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.37     $ 0.18     $ 0.93     $ 0.55  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         —    
                                

Net income

   $ 0.37     $ 0.18     $ 0.93     $ 0.55  
                                

Diluted income per share:

        

Continuing operations

   $ 0.36     $ 0.18     $ 0.91     $ 0.54  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     —         —         —         —    
                                

Net income

   $ 0.36     $ 0.18     $ 0.91     $ 0.54  
                                

Shares used in per share computations:

        

Basic

     28,914       28,549       28,848       28,485  
                                

Diluted

     29,224       29,250       29,316       29,206  
                                

Dividends per share

   $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 0.32     $ 0.32  
                                

See accompanying notes.

 

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PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

 

     Nine Months Ended
May 31,
 
     2008     2007  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 26,744     $ 15,776  

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     8,365       7,232  

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     10       14  

Closure costs

     525       731  

Loss on sale of property and equipment

     197       (7 )

Deposit to escrow account due to settlement of litigation

     (100 )     —    

Provision for settlement of litigation

     648       —    

Deferred income taxes

     851       841  

Minority interest

     368       337  

Loss of unconsolidated affiliate

     —         282  

Stock-based compensation

     1,774       1,376  

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Change in accounts receivable, prepaids, other current assets, accrued salaries, deferred membership and other accruals

     (9,344 )     (1,019 )

Merchandise inventory

     (16,183 )     (12,778 )

Accounts payable

     9,663       1,835  
                

Net cash provided by continuing activities

     23,518       14,620  

Net cash used in discontinued activities

     (139 )     (110 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     23,379       14,510  
                

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Additions to property and equipment

     (20,453 )     (22,337 )

Deposits to escrow account for land acquisitions (including settlement of litigation)

     (656 )     —    

Sale of property and equipment

     2,897       49  

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

     (11,913 )     —    

Proceeds from sale of unconsolidated affiliate

     2,000       —    

Purchase of Nicaragua minority interest

     (10,200 )     —    
                

Net cash used in continuing activities

     (38,325 )     (22,288 )

Net cash (used in) provided by discontinued activities

     (8 )     114  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (38,333 )     (22,174 )
                

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from bank borrowings

     15,813       4,893  

Repayment of bank borrowings

     (5,608 )     (19,871 )

Release of (addition to) restricted cash

     8,005       (170 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     921       496  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     762       451  

Dividends paid

     (9,463 )     (4,663 )

Purchase of treasury stock

     (1,405 )     (609 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     9,025       (19,473 )
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (29 )     (1,304 )
                

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (5,958 )     (28,441 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     32,065       39,995  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 26,107     $ 11,554  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest, net of amounts capitalized

   $ 420     $ 758  

Income taxes

   $ 7,487     $ 7,631  

PSC Settlement expenses

   $ 6,050     $ —    

Acquisition of land and permanent easement related to PSC Settlement

   $ 1,125     $ —    

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:

    

Dividends declared but not paid

   $ 4,751     $ 4,665  

See accompanying notes.

 

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PRICESMART, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2007 AND MAY 31, 2008

(UNAUDITED—AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)

 

    

 

Common Stock

   Additional
Paid-in

Capital
    Tax Benefit from
Stock-Based

Compensation
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Loss
    Accumulated
Deficit
   

 

Less: Treasury Stock

    Total
Stockholders’

Equity
 
     Shares     Amount             Shares    Amount    

Balance at August 31, 2006

   29,404     $ 3    $ 364,132     $ 3,509    $ (13,883 )   $ (109,676 )   438    $ (9,466 )   $ 234,619  

Purchase of treasury stock

   —         —        —         —        —         —       38      (609 )     (609 )

Issuance of restricted stock awards

   164       —        —         —        —         —       —        —         —    

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards

   (12 )     —        —         —        —         —       —        —         496  

Exercise of stock options

   82       —        496       —        —         —       —        —         426  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

   —         —        —         426      —         —       —        —         1,376  

Stock-based compensation

   —         —        1,376       —        —         —       —        —         —    

Dividend payable to stockholders

   —         —        —         —        —         (4,665 )   —        —         (4,665 )

Dividend paid to stockholders

   —         —        —         —        —         (4,663 )   —        —         (4,663 )

Net income

   —         —        —         —        —         15,847     —        —         15,847  

Translation adjustment

   —         —        —         —        73       —       —        —         73  
                           

Comprehensive income

   —         —        —         —        —         —       —        —         15,920  
                                                                 

Balance at May 31, 2007

   29,638     $ 3    $ 366,004     $ 3,935    $ (13,810 )   $ (103,157 )   476    $ (10,075 )   $ 242,900  
                                                                 

Balance at August 31, 2007

   29,815     $ 3    $ 369,848     $ 3,970    $ (12,343 )   $ (106,087 )   476    $ (10,075 )   $ 245,316  

Purchase of treasury stock

   —         —        —         —        —         —       45      (1,405 )     (1,405 )

Issuance of restricted stock awards

   350       —        —         —        —         —       —        —         —    

Forfeiture of restricted stock awards

   (11 )     —        —         —        —         —       —        —         —    

Exercise of stock options

   62       —        921       —        —         —       —        —         921  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

   —         —        —         762      —         —       —        —         762  

Stock-based compensation

   —         —        1,774       —        —         —       —        —         1,774  

Common stock subject to put agreement

   —         —        (1,693 )     —        —         —       —        —         (1,693 )

Dividend payable to stockholders

   —         —        —         —        —         (4,751 )   —        —         (4,751 )

Dividend paid to stockholders

   —         —        —         —        —         (4,785 )   —        —         (4,785 )

Mark-to-market of interest rate swap

   —         —        —         —        32       —       —        —         32  

Net income

   —         —        —         —        —         26,815     —        —         26,815  

Translation adjustment

   —         —        —         —        (107 )     —       —        —         (107 )
                           

Comprehensive income

   —         —        —         —        —         —       —        —         26,740  
                                                                 

Balance at May 31, 2008

   30,216     $ 3    $ 370,850     $ 4,732    $ (12,418 )   $ (88,808 )   521    $ (11,480 )   $ 262,879  
                                                                 

See accompanying notes.

 

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PRICESMART, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

May 31, 2008

NOTE 1—COMPANY OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

PriceSmart, Inc.’s (“PriceSmart” or the “Company”) business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. As of May 31, 2008, the Company had 25 consolidated warehouse clubs in operation in 11 countries and one U.S. territory (four each in Panama and Costa Rica, three each in Guatemala and Trinidad, two each in Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and Honduras and one each in Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, Nicaragua and the United States Virgin Islands), of which the Company owns at least a majority interest. There was one warehouse club in operation in Saipan, Micronesia licensed to and operated by local business people as of May 31, 2008. The Company principally operates in three segments based on geographic area.

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated interim financial statements of the Company included herein include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company’s majority and wholly owned subsidiaries as listed below. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007.

The table below indicates the Company’s percentage ownership of and basis of presentation for each subsidiary as of May 31, 2008:

 

     Ownership     Basis of
Presentation
 

PriceSmart Aruba

   90.0 %   Consolidated  

PriceSmart Barbados

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

PSMT Caribe, Inc.:

    

Costa Rica

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

Dominican Republic

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

El Salvador

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

Honduras

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

PriceSmart Guam

   100.0 %   Consolidated (1)

PriceSmart Guatemala

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

PriceSmart Jamaica

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

PriceSmart Nicaragua

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

PriceSmart Panama

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

PriceSmart Trinidad

   95.0 %   Consolidated  

PriceSmart U.S. Virgin Islands

   100.0 %   Consolidated  

 

(1) Entity is treated as discontinued operations in the consolidated interim financial statements.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated interim financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and short-term investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

Restricted Cash – Short-term restricted cash primarily consisted of deposits into escrow accounts for use in the settlement of the lawsuit filed by the PSC Parties (see Note 12—PSC Settlement). Long-term restricted cash represents deposits with federal regulatory agencies in Costa Rica and Panama for approximately $495,000 and a $125,000 deposit into an escrow account for use in the settlement of the lawsuit filed by the PSC Parties.

 

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Restricted cash of approximately $8.0 million previously pledged as collateral for the Company’s revolving line of credit was released during the second quarter of fiscal year 2008.

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

Allowance for Bad Debt – The Company generally does not extend credit to its members, but may do so for specific wholesale, government or other large volume members. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based on assessments as to the probability of collection of specific customer accounts, the aging of accounts receivable, and general economic conditions.

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful life of fixtures and equipment ranges from three to 15 years and that of buildings from ten to 25 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the improvement or the expected term of the lease. In some locations, leasehold improvements are amortized over a period longer than the initial lease term as management believes it is reasonably assured that the renewal option in the underlying lease will be exercised.

The sale or purchase of property and equipment is recognized upon legal transfer of property. For property and equipment sales, if any long term notes are carried by the Company as part of the sales terms, the sale is reflected at the net present value of current and future cash streams.

Lease Accounting – Certain of the Company’s operating leases provide for minimum annual payments that increase over the life of the lease. The aggregate minimum annual payments are expensed on a straight-line basis beginning when the Company takes possession of the property and extending over the term of the related lease including renewal options in some locations when the Company believes it is reasonably assured that the renewal option in the underlying lease will be exercised. The amount by which straight-line rent exceeds actual lease payment requirements in the early years of the leases is accrued as deferred rent and reduced in later years when the actual cash payment requirements exceed the straight-line expense. In addition to the minimum annual payments, in certain locations, the Company pays additional rent based on a contractually stipulated percentage of sales. These certain rent amounts are not included in the minimum annual payments and are expensed when incurred.

Fair Value Measurements – In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, the Company measures the fair value of assets and liabilities on a non recurring basis. The Company measures fair value assets when impairment issues arise in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, for business units (for goodwill impairment), cash derivatives utilized for interest rate swaps, and put contracts of stock utilized. The Company uses fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) or significant other observable (Level 2) inputs, depending on the nature of the item being valued. The Company discloses on a yearly basis the valuation techniques and discloses any change in method of such within the body of each footnote.

Goodwill – Goodwill, resulting from certain business combinations, totaled $39.0 million at May 31, 2008 and $31.7 million at August 31, 2007. The increase in goodwill was due to the addition of approximately $7.1 million of goodwill upon the acquisition of the remaining 49% minority interest in PSMT Nicaragua as part of the PSC Settlement (see Note 12—PSC Settlement), and $166,000 from the translation changes due to exchange rate changes for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008. The Company reviews previously reported goodwill at the individual business unit reporting level for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances dictate. No impairment of goodwill has been recorded to date.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – Derivative instruments and hedging activities are accounted for under SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Interest rate swaps are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Under cash flow hedging, the effective portion of the fair value of the derivative, calculated as the net present value of the future cash flows, is deferred on the consolidated balance sheet in accumulated comprehensive income. If any portion of an interest rate swap were determined to be an ineffective hedge, the gains or losses from changes in market value would be recorded directly in the consolidated statement of income. Amounts recorded in accumulated comprehensive income are released to earnings in the same period that the hedged transaction impacts consolidated earnings. See Note 10—Interest Rate Swap.

Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes merchandise sales revenue when title passes to the customer. Membership income represents annual membership fees paid by the Company’s warehouse club members, which are recognized ratably over the 12-month term of the membership. The historical membership fee refunds have been minimal and, accordingly, no reserve has been established for membership refunds for the periods presented. The Company recognizes and presents revenue-producing transactions on a net basis, as defined within Emerging Issues Task Force EITF Issue No. 06-03 (“EITF 06-03”), “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That is, Gross versus Net

 

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Presentation).” The Company recognizes gift certificates sales revenue when the certificates are redeemed. The outstanding gift certificates are reflected as other accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet. The gift certificate activity continues to remain immaterial, as the activity represents less than one hundredth of a percent of the quarterly net warehouse club sales; therefore, no allowance for breakage has been accrued.

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

Vendor consideration consists primarily of volume rebates and prompt payment discounts. Volume rebates are generally linked to pre-established purchase levels and are recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold when the achievement of these levels is confirmed by the vendor in writing or upon receipt of funds. On a quarterly basis, the Company calculates the amount of rebates recorded in cost of goods sold that relates to inventory on hand, and this amount is recorded as a reduction to inventory, if significant. Prompt payment discounts are taken in substantially all cases and, therefore, are applied directly to reduce the acquisition cost of the related inventory, with the resulting impact to cost of goods sold when the inventory is sold.

Selling, General and Administrative – Selling, general and administrative costs are comprised primarily of expenses associated with warehouse club operations. Warehouse club operations include the operating costs of the Company’s warehouse clubs, including all payroll and related costs, utilities, consumable supplies, repair and maintenance, rent expense, building and equipment depreciation, and bank and credit card processing fees. Also included in selling, general and administrative expenses are the payroll and related costs for the Company’s U.S. and regional purchasing and management centers.

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

Closure Costs – The Company records the costs of closing warehouse clubs as follows: severance costs are accrued in accordance with SFAS 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,”; lease obligations are accrued at the cease use date by calculating the net present value of the minimum lease payments net of the fair market value of rental income that is expected to be received for these properties from third parties; gain or loss on the sale of property, buildings and equipment is recognized based on the net present value of cash or future cash received as compensation for such upon consummation of the sale; all other costs are expensed as incurred. In fiscal year 2003, the Company closed two warehouse clubs, one each in the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. During fiscal year 2007, the Company’s original San Pedro Sula, Honduras, location was vacated and the operation was relocated to a new site, which was acquired in fiscal year 2006 in another section of the city. The closure costs recorded in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 relate to these warehouse clubs.

Contingencies and Litigation – In accordance with SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” the Company accounts and reports for loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

Common Stock Put Agreement – The Company has recorded in the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2008 a liability for common stock put agreement (see Note 12—PSC Settlement). The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes method to determine the fair value of the put agreement, taking the fair market value of the common stock, time to expiration of the put agreement, volatility of the common stock and the risk-free interest rate over the term of the Put agreement as part of the fair market valuation. The Company has recorded as a period expense the fair value of the put agreement granted as part of the legal settlement with the PSC Parties (see Note 12—PSC Settlement), determined as of May 31, 2008.

Foreign Currency Translation – In accordance with SFAS 52 “Foreign Currency Translation,” the assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign operations are primarily translated to U.S. dollars when the functional currency in our international subsidiaries is the local currency, which in many cases is not U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date and revenue, costs and expenses are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange in effect during the period. The corresponding translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

Monetary assets and liabilities in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity are revalued to the functional currency using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. These foreign exchange transaction losses, including repatriation of funds, which are included as a part of the costs of goods sold in the consolidated statement of operations, for the first nine months of the fiscal years 2008 and 2007 were approximately $515,000 and $1.5 million, respectively.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation – As of May 31, 2008, the Company had four stock-based employee compensation plans. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, the Company adopted SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” The Company had adopted the fair value based method of recording stock options consistent with SFAS 123 for all employee stock options granted subsequent to fiscal year 2002. Under SFAS 123R, the Company is required to select a valuation technique or option-pricing model that meets the criteria as stated in the standard, which includes a binomial model and the Black-Scholes model. At the present time, the Company is continuing to use the Black-Scholes model. The adoption of SFAS 123R, applying the “modified prospective method,” as elected by the Company, requires the Company to value stock options granted prior to its adoption of SFAS 123 under the fair value method and expense these amounts over the stock options remaining vesting period. This resulted in the Company expensing approximately $6,000 and $287,000 for the three and nine month periods ended of May 31, 2007, respectively. As there were no unvested stock options outstanding that had been granted prior to the Company’s adoption of SFAS 123, no such expenses are recorded in fiscal year 2008. SFAS 123R also requires the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense relating to stock-based compensation, as opposed to only recognizing these forfeitures and the corresponding reduction in expense as they occur. In addition, SFAS 123R requires the Company to reflect the tax savings resulting from tax deductions in excess of expense reflected as a financing cash flow in its statement of cash flows, rather than as an operating cash flow as in prior periods.

In the third quarter of fiscal years 2008 and 2007, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expenses of $811,000 and $377,000, respectively. The stock-based compensation expense for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 consists of $1.66 million for restricted stock grants, $13,000 for restricted stock units, and $98,000 for stock options. The stock-based compensation expense for the first nine months of fiscal year 2007 consists of $847,000 for restricted stock grants and $529,000 for stock options. The remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested awards at May 31, 2008 was approximately $11.6 million and the weighted-average period of time over which this cost will be recognized is 3.3 years.

Cash proceeds, tax benefits and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised during the first nine months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007 are provided in the following table (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
May 31,
     2008     2007

Proceeds from stock options exercised

   $ 921     $ 496

Tax benefit (expense) related to stock options exercised

   $ (65 )   $ 165

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised

   $ 854     $ 881

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants issued in the first nine months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007:

 

     Nine Months Ended
May 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Risk free interest rate

   3.25 %   4.85 %

Expected life

   5 years     5 years  

Expected volatility

   47.74 %   45.88 %

Expected dividend yield

   1.2 %   0 %

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of May 31, 2008, as well as activity during the nine months then ended:

 

     Shares     Weighted-
Average

Exercise
Price

Outstanding at August 31, 2007

   374,815     $ 12.35

Options granted

   8,000       23.61

Exercised

   (61,685 )     14.93

Forfeited or expired

   (41,000 )     32.03
            

Outstanding at May 31, 2008 (a)

   280,130     $ 9.23
            

Exercisable at May 31, 2008

   238,730     $ 8.84
            

 

(a) At May 31, 2008, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding was 1.32 years.

 

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At May 31, 2008, and May 31, 2007 the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding and exercisable was $3.7 million and $883,000, respectively. (The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price).

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the first nine months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007 was $10.76 and $6.75 respectively.

Total restricted stock grant activity, relating to the Corporation’s 2002 Equity Participation Plan (the “2002 Plan”), was as follows for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008:

 

     Grants  

Outstanding at August 31, 2007

   566,250  

Granted

   349,850  

Cancelled

   (11,270 )

Vested/Exercised

   (131,810 )
      

Outstanding at May 31, 2008

   773,020  
      

On April 17, 2008 the Board of Directors authorized management to prepare an amendment to the Company’s 2001 Equity Participation Plan (the “2001 Plan”) to authorize the award of restricted stock units to Independent Directors, subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

The Board granted 20,000 shares of the restricted stock units on April 17, 2008. These restricted stock units will vest at the rate of 20% per year commencing on March 29, 2008, subject to the above approval.

The Company has accounted for the restricted stock units (“RSU”) within its stock-based compensation calculation. The Company has not included outstanding RSUs for determining the balance of shares issued, average common shares outstanding and the dilutive average of common stock outstanding.

Total restricted stock units activity, relating to the 2001 Plan, was as follows for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008:

 

     RSU

Outstanding at August 31, 2007

   —  

Granted*

   20,000
    

Outstanding at May 31, 2008

   20,000
    

 

* Pending approval of amendment to 2001 Plan by the Company’s stockholders.

The Company repurchased from employees 45,015 shares of common stock for approximately $1.4 million based on the stock price at that date of repurchase to cover the employees’ minimum statutory tax withholding requirements related to the vesting of restricted stock grants.

Income Taxes – The Company is required to file federal and state income tax returns in the United States and various other tax returns in foreign jurisdictions. The preparation of these tax returns requires the Company to interpret the applicable tax laws and regulations in effect in such jurisdictions, which could affect the amount of tax paid by the Company. The Company, in consultation with its tax advisors, bases its tax returns on interpretations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The tax returns, however, are subject to routine reviews by the various federal, state and international taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which the Company files its returns. As part of these reviews, a taxing authority may disagree with respect to the income tax positions taken by the Company (“uncertain tax positions”) and therefore require the Company to pay additional taxes. As required under applicable accounting rules, the Company therefore accrues an amount for its estimate of additional income tax liability, including interest and penalties, which the Company could incur as a result of the ultimate or effective resolution of the uncertain tax positions. The Company reviews and updates the accrual for uncertain tax positions as more definitive information becomes available from taxing authorities, completion of tax audits, expiration of statutes of limitations, or upon occurrence of other events.

As required, through August 31, 2007, the Company recorded its accrual for uncertain tax positions based upon SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” which required the Company to accrue for the estimated additional amount of taxes for the uncertain tax positions if it were probable the Company would be required to pay such additional taxes. Effective September 1, 2007, the Company was required to adopt and implement the provisions of FASB Interpretation 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), which requires the Company to accrue for the estimated additional amount of taxes for the uncertain tax positions when the uncertain tax position does not meet the more likely than not standard for sustaining the position.

 

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As of February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2008, the Company had $15.7 million and $16.0 million, respectively, of aggregate accruals for uncertain tax positions (“gross unrecognized tax benefits”). Of these totals, $7.0 million and $7.5 million, respectively, represent the amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective income tax rate in any future period.

The Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings related to the implementation of FIN 48. While adoption of FIN 48 did not impact the amount of the Company’s accrual for uncertain tax positions, it did impact the manner in which such accrual is classified in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In connection with the implementation of FIN 48, the Company now records the aggregate accrual for uncertain tax positions as a component of current or long-term income taxes payable and the offsetting amounts as a component of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and liabilities. These liabilities are generally classified as long-term, even if the underlying statute of limitations will expire in the following 12 months. The Company classifies these liabilities as current if it expects to settle them in cash in the next 12 months. As of May 31, 2008, the Company has classified uncertain income tax positions as $5.8 million in long-term income taxes payable and $1.8 million in long-term deferred tax liabilities.

The Company expects changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months as the result of a lapse in various statutes of limitations. As of May 31, 2008, the company reduced the long-term income taxes payable by $300,000 as the result of a lapse in the underlying statute of limitations. The lapse of statutes of limitations in the 12-month period ending May 31, 2009 is expected to result in a reduction to long-term income taxes payable totaling $2.9 million.

The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense in the long-term income taxes payable caption on the consolidated balance sheet. As of February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2008, the Company had accrued $2.7 million and $3.3 million respectively, for the payment of interest and penalties. Primarily as the result of quarterly increases to the estimates of penalties and interest, interest expense accrued primarily as a result of income tax matters, before income tax benefit, for the quarter ended May 31, 2008, was a net increase of (i.e., increase of expense) of $600,000.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax return for tax year 2006 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. The audit closed in March 2008 with no changes to the tax return as filed. The Company also has various audits and appeals pending in foreign jurisdictions. The Company does not anticipate that any adjustments from these audits and appeals would result in a significant change to the consolidated results of operations, financial conditions or liquidity.

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. As the result of tax net operating loss carry forwards, the Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examination by tax authorities for tax periods subsequent to and including fiscal year 1995. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to non-U.S. income tax examination by tax authorities for tax years before fiscal year 2002. A lapse in these statutes will result in a beneficial impact on the effective tax rate.

Accounting Pronouncements – In May 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 162”). This Statement identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (the GAAP hierarchy). This Statement is effective for financial statements issued 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company will adopt SFAS 162 within 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the interpretation will have on its consolidated financial statements however, the Company does not expect that this Statement will result in a change in current practice.

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“SFAS 161”). This Statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged, but does not require comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption. The Company will adopt SFAS 161 beginning December 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the interpretation will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statement- an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” establishing accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company will adopt SFAS 160 beginning on September 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption will have on future consolidations. No impact on current consolidated financial statements will occur since the standard will impact future consolidated financial statements only.

 

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In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” retaining the fundamental requirements of SFAS 141 and expanding the scope to apply the same method of accounting to all transactions or events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. This statement applies prospectively to business combinations or acquisitions after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply this standard before this date. The Company will adopt SFAS 141(R) as of September 1, 2009.

In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-11 (“EITF 06-11”), “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Award.” EITF 06-11 requires companies to recognize the tax benefits of dividends on unvested share-based payments in equity (increasing the Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R) “APIC Pool” of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies) and reclassify those tax benefits from additional paid-in capital to the income statement when the related award is forfeited (or is no longer expected to vest). The Company is required to adopt EITF 06-11 for dividends declared after September 1, 2008. The Company has opted for earlier application starting on September 1, 2007 for the income tax benefits of dividends on equity-classified employee share-based compensation that are declared in periods for which consolidated financial statements have not yet been issued. The adoption of EITF 06-11 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and operating results.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits companies to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specific election dates. The Company will adopt SFAS 159 beginning September 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the interpretation will have on its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the results of operations and financial position of the Company’s activities in the Philippines and Guam as discontinued operations.

The assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations are presented in the consolidated balance sheets under the captions “Assets of discontinued operations” and “Liabilities of discontinued operations.” The underlying assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations for the periods presented are as follows (in thousands):

 

     May 31,
2008
   August 31,
2007

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 162    $ 45

Accounts receivable, net

     483      441

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1      6

Other assets

     896      888
             

Assets of discontinued operations

   $ 1,542    $ 1,380
             

Accrued expenses

   $ 95    $ 151
             

Liabilities of discontinued operations

   $ 95    $ 151
             

The Company’s former Guam operation has a deferred tax asset of $2.6 million, primarily generated from NOLs. This deferred tax asset has a 100% valuation allowance, as the Company currently has no plans that would allow it to utilize these losses. Additionally, a significant portion of these losses are limited as to future use due to the Company’s Section 382 change of ownership in October 2004.

 

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The following table sets forth key components of income from the discontinued operations of the closed warehouse clubs in Guam and the Philippines, (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
May 31,
   Nine Months Ended
May 31,
     2008    2007    2008    2007

Net warehouse club sales

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

Pre-tax income from discontinued operations

     26      25      71      71

Income tax (provision) benefit

     —        —        —        —  
                           

Income from discontinued operations

   $ 26    $ 25    $ 71    $ 71
                           

The pre-tax income from discontinued operations of $71,000, for both the nine months ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007 is the net result of the subleasing activity in Guam.

NOTE 4—PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     May 31,
2008
    August 31,
2007
 

Land

   $ 63,667     $ 58,924  

Building and improvements

     130,290       109,706  

Fixtures and equipment

     73,668       66,275  

Construction in progress

     3,819       10,790  
                
     271,444       245,695  

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (71,534 )     (65,710 )
                

Property and equipment, net

   $ 199,910     $ 179,985  
                

Building and improvements includes net capitalized interest of $1.3 million as of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007.

In October 2007 (fiscal year 2008), the Company acquired the company that had leased to it the real estate and building upon which the Barbados warehouse club is located for approximately $12.0 million. This acquisition contributed the following property and equipment (in thousands):

 

Land

   $ 4,965

Building and improvements

     6,948

Fixtures and equipment

     85
      

Total property and equipment

   $ 11,998
      

In the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, the Company also capitalized approximately $20.5 million in building and improvements, fixtures and equipment and construction in progress, primarily related to the new warehouse club openings in Guatemala (November 2007) and Trinidad (December 2007) and continued improvements in the Company’s other warehouse club locations.

 

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NOTE 5—EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic income per share is computed based on the weighted average common shares outstanding in the period. Diluted income per share is computed based on the weighted average common shares outstanding in the period and the effect of dilutive securities (options, warrants and rights) except where the inclusion is anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended    Nine Months ended
     May 31,
2008
   May 31,
2007
   May 31,
2008
   May 31,
2007

Net income

   $ 10,601    $ 5,231    $ 26,815    $ 15,847

Determination of shares:

           

Average common shares outstanding

     28,914      28,549      28,848      28,485

Assumed conversion of:

           

Stock options

     129      129      138      135

Put option(1)

     —        —        —        —  

Restricted stock grant(2)

     181      572      330      586
                           

Diluted average common shares outstanding

     29,224      29,250      29,316      29,206

Net income:

           

Basic income per share

   $ 0.37    $ 0.18    $ 0.93    $ 0.55

Diluted income per share

   $ 0.36    $ 0.18    $ 0.91    $ 0.54

 

(1) The effect of the put agreement entered into as part of the settlement with the PSC Parties (see Note 12) was anti-dilutive during the period. Therefore, no values were reflected in the computation of diluted earnings per share.
(2) Restricted stock was issued to certain employees in the first nine months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007, and in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. The dilutive effect of the restricted stock issued for the first nine months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007 is 3,706 and 976, respectively. The dilutive effect of the restricted stock issued in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 is 1,696.

NOTE 6—DIVIDENDS

On January 24, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend in the total amount of $0.32 per share, of which $0.16 per share was paid on April 30, 2008 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2008 and $0.16 per share is payable on October 31, 2008 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 15, 2008.

On February 7, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend, in the total amount of $0.32 per share, of which $0.16 per share was paid on April 30, 2007 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on April 15, 2007 and $0.16 per share was paid on October 31, 2007 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 15, 2007.

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

 

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NOTE 7—ASSET IMPAIRMENT AND CLOSURE COSTS

During fiscal year 2003, the Company closed two warehouse clubs, one each in the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. The decision to close these warehouse clubs resulted from the determination that the locations were not conducive to the successful operation of a PriceSmart warehouse club. In fiscal year 2007, the Company closed its San Pedro Sula, Honduras location and relocated to a new site which was acquired in fiscal year 2006 in another section of the city.

A reconciliation of the changes and related liabilities derived from the closed warehouse clubs as of May 31, 2008 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Liability as of
August 31, 2007
    Charged to
Expense
    Cash paid     Liability as of
May 31, 2008
 

Lease obligations

   $ 3,226 (1)   640 (3)   (115 )   $ 3,751 (2)

Other associated costs

     —       63     (63 )     —    
                            

Total

   $ 3,226     703     (178 )   $ 3,751  
                            

 

(1) Amount includes approximately $3.1 million of Accrued closure costs and $154,000 of short-term lease obligations (included within Other accrued expenses) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2007.
(2) Amount includes approximately $3.6 million of Accrued closure costs and $199,000 of short-term lease obligations (included within Other accrued expenses) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of May 31, 2008.
(3) The Company received a rental increase on March 1, 2008, for the property sub-leased in Guatemala. The effect of this rental increase was an increase to the closure cost expense and lease obligation of $640,000.

NOTE 8—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In accordance with SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” the Company accounts and reports for loss contingencies if (a) information available prior to issuance of the consolidated financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset had been impaired or a liability had been incurred at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is periodically named as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and pending actions and is exposed to tax risks (other than income tax). The principal risks that the Company insures against are workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability, property damage, employment practices, errors and omissions, fiduciary liability and fidelity losses. If a potential loss arising from these lawsuits, claims, actions and non-income tax issues is probable and reasonably estimable, the Company records the estimated liability based on circumstances and assumptions existing at the time in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in the estimation process whereby future actual losses may exceed projected losses, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

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

In evaluating the exposure associated with various tax filing positions, exclusive of accounting for income taxes, the Company accrues charges for probable and estimable exposures. As of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, the Company had recorded within other accrued expenses a total of $2.8 million and $3.4 million, respectively, for various tax contingencies unrelated to income tax.

Beginning on September 1, 2007, the Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional income tax liability in accordance with the new provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). Under FIN 48, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. As of May 31, 2008, the Company has classified uncertain income tax positions as $5.8 million in long-term income taxes payable and $1.8 million in long-term deferred tax liabilities. The classification of this liability as current, as opposed to long-term, occurs when the Company expects to make a cash payment in the following 12 months.

 

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Except where indicated otherwise above, a reasonable estimate of the possible loss or range of loss cannot be made at this time for the matters described. It is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters, however unlikely, could result in a charge that might be material.

NOTE 9—SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT

As of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, the Company, together with its majority or wholly-owned subsidiaries, had $5.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively, outstanding in short-term borrowings, at weighted-average interest rates of 8.8% and 8.0%, respectively, which are secured by certain assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and are guaranteed by the Company. Each of the facilities expires during the year and is typically renewed. As of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, the Company had approximately $2.1 million and $3.9 million available on these facilities, respectively.

Additionally, the Company has a bank credit agreement for up to $10.0 million, which can be used as a line of credit or to issue letters of credit. As of May 31, 2008, letters of credit totaling $900,000 were outstanding under this facility, leaving availability under this facility of $9.1 million.

As of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, the Company, together with its majority or wholly owned subsidiaries, had approximately $17.0 million and $9.4 million, respectively, outstanding in long-term borrowings. The increase during the nine month period primarily relates to a long-term debt arrangement for $9.0 million to finance the acquisition of the company that had leased to the Company the real estate upon which the Barbados PriceSmart warehouse club is located. This arrangement consists of two underlying loans, one for $4.5 million U.S. dollars and the other for $9.0 million Barbados dollars (equivalent to $4.5 million U.S. dollars). On February 13, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Citibank N.A. for a notional amount of $4.5 million as disclosed in Note 10. The carrying amount of the non-cash assets (land, building, fixtures, and equipment) assigned as collateral for long-term debt was $18.7 million and $9.7 million as of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, respectively. Certain obligations under leasing arrangements are collateralized by the underlying asset being leased.

NOTE 10—INTEREST RATE SWAP

On February 13, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Citibank N.A. for a notional amount of $4.5 million. This swap agreement was entered into in order to fix the interest rate of the $4.5 million loan for the loan obtained in Barbados dollars, as disclosed in Note 9. The loan has a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.5%. Under the swap agreement, the Company will pay a fixed rate of 5.22% for a term of approximately five years (February 18, 2008 through May 15, 2013). The notional amount of $4.5 million is scheduled to amortize to $2.25 million over the term of the swap. The LIBOR reset dates for the $4.5 million of term loan debt and the notional amount of $4.5 million on the interest rate swap are effective semi-annually on November 15 and May 15. Since the interest rate swap is fixed at 5.22%, the difference between the actual floating rate (six month LIBOR plus margin of 1.5%) and the fixed rate of 5.22% applied against the notional amount of the swap each semester is paid to or received from Citibank NA.

As of May 31, 2008, the total notional amount of the Company’s receive-variable/pay-fixed interest rate swap, which was designated as an effective hedge, was $4.3 million. The fair market value recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive income was approximately $32,000.

NOTE 11—ACQUISITION OF BUSINESS

The Company’s business combinations are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and include the results of operations of the acquired business from the date of acquisition. Net assets of the acquired business are recorded at their fair value at the date of the acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible net assets acquired is included in goodwill in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

In October 2007, the Company acquired all of the common shares of Regan Lodge, the company that had leased to it the real estate and building upon which the Barbados warehouse club is located. The Company acquired this company for approximately $12.0 million. The fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition were estimated in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” The Company used a third-party valuation firm to assist management in estimating these fair values. No goodwill was recorded for this acquisition and no other intangible assets were acquired that would require fair value estimates under SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”

 

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The purchase price was allocated as follows to the fair values of the net tangible assets acquired (in thousands):

 

Land

   $ 4,965  

Building and improvements

     6,948  

Fixtures and equipment

     85  

Other Assets

     14  

Liabilities

     (170 )
        

Total Purchase Price, Net of Cash

     11,842  
        

Cash Acquired

     156  
        

Total Purchase Price

   $ 11,998  
        

The primary operations of the company acquired was the leasing of the real estate and building upon which the Barbados warehouse club is located. Upon acquisition, these operations will cease; therefore, no pro-forma financial statement of operations are required to be presented.

NOTE 12—PSC SETTLEMENT

On February 11, 2008 the Company announced that it had entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release with PSC, S.A. (“PSC”), Tecnicard, Inc. and Banco de la Produccion, and their affiliates (collectively “PSC Parties”), which resolves the previously disclosed disputes that had been pending between the Company and the PSC Parties. The terms of the Settlement Agreement and Release include: (i) a dismissal of all pending litigation and a mutual release of all claims; (ii) the Company’s acquisition of PSC’s 49% interest in PSMT Nicaragua (BVI), Inc. resulting in the Company being the sole owner of the PriceSmart Nicaragua business; (iii) termination of other agreements between the Company and the PSC Parties resulting in, among other things, banks affiliated with the PSC parties vacating the PriceSmart warehouses by mid-April 2008; (iv) certain real estate conveyances between the parties relating to properties adjacent to the PriceSmart warehouse clubs in Managua, Nicaragua and Zapote, San Jose, Costa Rica, including the Company’s acquisition from PSC of a land parcel at the Zapote site and the Company’s conveyance to PSC of two land parcels at the Managua site; and (v) an agreement that, subject to PSC’s commercially reasonable efforts to sell, during a 60 day period commencing February 8, 2008, 679,500 shares of the Company’s common stock held by PSC at a price at or above $25 per share, the Company and PSC would enter into a Put Agreement covering any of the 679,500 shares that PSC owned at the end of such period. The Put Agreement, in turn, would require PSC to use commercially reasonable efforts to sell the shares subject to the Put Agreement during a period of 60 days from the date of the Put Agreement. At the end of such period, PSC could require the Company to purchase at $25 per share any of those shares which may remain unsold at the conclusion of that period. Edgar A. Zurcher, who had been a director of the Company since November 2000, is President and a director of PSC, S.A. As required by the terms of the Settlement Agreement and Release, Mr. Zurcher resigned from the Company’s board of directors on February 8, 2008.

As of April 9, 2008, the date of the Put Agreement, PSC held 330,708 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Put Agreement required PSC to use commercially reasonable efforts to sell these remaining shares during a 60 day period commencing as of the date of the Put Agreement. At the conclusion of such period, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Put Agreement, PSC could require the Company to purchase at $25.00 per share any of those shares that PSC had not successfully sold. On June 11, 2008, PSC notified the Company that 64,739 shares remained unsold and it intended to exercise its right under the Put Agreement with respect to those remaining shares.

Payments made by the Company pursuant to the settlement agreement for items (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) were $17.85 million from available operating funds. Of this amount, $350,000 was deposited into escrow and was recorded as restricted cash, as final release of these funds is subject to performance by the PSC Parties of certain actions. Additional non-cash expenses pursuant to this agreement included the write-off of PSC related accounts receivable that total approximately $528,000.

In accordance with SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007, the Company established a reserve of $5.5 million related to the potential settlement of this pending litigation. The amount of the reserve was equal to management’s estimate of the potential impact of a global settlement on the Company’s consolidated net income.

As a result of the executed legal settlement with PSC, S.A. and related entities, the following items were recorded:

 

   

For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2008, additional reserves of approximately $50,000 and $1.25 million were recorded for costs associated with the settlement respectively, for costs incurred in excess of the initial $5.5 million reserve established in fiscal year 2007, for both the cash and non-cash settlement costs pursuant to the elements of the settlement agreement described at clauses (i) and (iii) of the description of the settlement agreement and release with PSC, S.A. and related entities.

 

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For the three months ended May 31, 2008, the Company recorded a $2.1 million reversal of a reserve previously established in connection with the put arrangement, and for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 the Company recorded $94,000 in costs to record the fair value of the put arrangement.

 

   

As of May 31, 2008, in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy, the Company recorded the re-classification of approximately $1.7 million from additional paid in capital to a liability account, common stock subject to put agreement, pursuant to item (v) of the description of the settlement agreement and release with PSC, S.A. and related entities.

 

   

In the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $1.7 million as a result of the $6.75 million recorded for settlement costs pursuant to item (i) and (iii) of the settlement agreement and release with PSC, S.A. and related entities. In fiscal year 2007, when the Company originally accrued for the settlement cost, the Company was not able to estimate the tax benefit component of the settlement cost with an adequate level of certainty.

Pursuant to the elements of the agreement described at items (ii) and (iv) above, the Company has recorded the following transactions:

 

   

The Company’s acquisition of PSC’s 49% interest in PSMT Nicaragua (BVI), Inc., resulted in the Company being the sole owner of the PriceSmart Nicaragua business. The Company’s business combinations are accounted for under SFAS 141, “Business Combinations.” An acquisition of a minority interest in a subsidiary is considered a step acquisition. As of the date of the step acquisition, the historical basis of the minority interest balance of the selling minority shareholder is reduced to the extent of the percentage interest sold. Net assets of the acquired business are recorded at their fair value at the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible net assets acquired is included in goodwill in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company recorded the purchase of the remaining 49% minority interest of its Nicaragua subsidiary in February 2008. The consideration provided in connection with this acquisition consisted of $10.2 million. The purchase price of $10.2 million was allocated to minority interest for approximately $3.1 million and to goodwill for approximately $7.1 million, in accordance with SFAS 141.

 

   

The Company recorded the purchase of the acquisition of a land parcel at the Zapote, Costa Rica warehouse club site from PSC for $1.0 million. The Company also recorded the purchase of easement rights relating to properties adjacent to the PriceSmart warehouse club in Managua, Nicaragua for $250,000.

 

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NOTE 13—UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE

On October 31, 2007, Grupo Gigante S.A. de C.V. acquired all of PriceSmart, Inc.’s 50% interest in PSMT Mexico (a joint venture that had previously operated three PriceSmart warehouse clubs) for $2.0 million, thereby assuming 100% control and ownership of PSMT Mexico. Consequently the Company recorded a $2.6 million impairment charge in fiscal year 2007, related to the write down of the Company’s interest in its Mexico joint venture to its revised net realizable value. The impairment charge included $1.7 million in accumulated unrealized loss associated with currency changes recorded as “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” on the consolidated balance sheet and $892,000 related to the amounts carried as “Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries.” While the Company believes that the value of the investment previously indicated on the consolidated balance sheet would over time have been realized, there were concerns about the Company’s control of the actions necessary to achieve those outcomes given that a substantial portion of the realizable assets related to refunds from the Mexican tax authorities for pre-paid taxes. The Company, therefore, concluded that it was in the Company’s best interest to complete the divestment of its Mexico holdings and reduce its involvement in activities not related to the future growth of the membership warehouse business in its targeted markets. The Company was relieved of all its obligations under letters of credit granted in favor of Mexican tax authorities totaling $1.9 million in connection with this disposal. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company recorded a loss on disposal of $111,000 to write off the equity income of $111,000 recognized for the first two months of the quarter. The income included foreign currency translation gain of $129,000 and a net loss of $18,000.

 

     As of
May 31, 2008
    As of
August 31, 2007
 

Current assets

   $ —       $ 5,776  

Noncurrent assets

   $ —       $ 5,788  

Current liabilities

   $ —       $ 907  

Noncurrent liabilities

   $ —       $ 129  
     Nine Months Ended  
     May 31, 2008     May 31, 2007  

Revenues

   $ —       $ —    

Cost of Goods Sold

   $ —       $ —    

Net loss

   $ (35 )   $ (564 )

NOTE 14—RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Use of Private Plane: From time to time members of the Company’s management has had access to use private planes covered within an “original use agreement” and a secondary “Citation XLS aircraft agreement”. The planes used with respect to these agreements are owned in part by PFD Ivanhoe, Inc. (“PFD Ivanhoe”) and are used by the Company to travel to business meetings in Central America and the Caribbean. The Price Group owns 100% of the stock of PFD Ivanhoe, and Sol Price is an officer of PFD Ivanhoe. The Price Group’s members include Sol Price, Robert E. Price, Murray Galinson and Jack McGrory (Board member and employee of the Company). The “original use agreement” was in place through February 23, 2007 and covered the use of all planes. After February 23, 2007 this agreement continued in place for all planes with the exception of the Citation XLS Aircraft which is now covered under a separate “Citation XLS aircraft agreement” Under the “original use agreement” if the passengers are solely PriceSmart, Inc. personnel, then the Company reimburses PFD Ivanhoe for a portion of the fixed management fee and additional expenses incurred by PFD Ivanhoe incurred as a result of the hours flown including direct charges associated with the use of the plane, landing fees, catering and international fees. If the passengers are not solely PriceSmart, Inc. personnel, the Company has an agreement to reimburse PFD Ivanhoe for use of other aircraft based on the amounts the passengers would have paid if they had flown a commercial airline if one or more of the passengers is a member of the Price Group (including Robert E. Price). The Company paid approximately $77,000 and $145,000 for the nine months ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007, respectively, for these services. On February 23, 2007, the Company entered into the “Citation XLS aircraft agreement” with PFD Ivanhoe to purchase its six and one quarter percent (6.25%) undivided interest in a Citation XLS Aircraft for approximately $658,000. This entitles the Company to 50 hours of flight time per year.

Relationships with Edgar Zurcher: Edgar Zurcher was a director of the Company from November 2000 until February 2008. As required by the Settlement Agreement and Release, Mr. Zurcher resigned from the Company’s board of directors on February 8, 2008 (see Note 12 – PSC Settlement). The Company has accordingly recorded and disclosed related-party expense or income related to the relationships with Edgar Zurcher for the first six months of fiscal year 2008 and the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. Mr. Zucher is a partner in a law firm that the Company utilizes in certain legal matters. The Company incurred legal expenses with this entity of approximately $1,000 and $67,000 during the first six months of fiscal year 2008 and the first nine months of fiscal year 2007, respectively. Mr. Zurcher is also a director of a company that owns 40% of Payless ShoeSource Holdings, Ltd., which rents retail space from the Company. The Company has recorded approximately $398,000 and $564,000 in rental income for this space during the first six months of fiscal year 2008 and the first nine months of fiscal year 2007, respectively. Mr. Zurcher is also a director of Banco Promerica, from which the Company has recorded approximately $148,000 and $208,000 of rental income during the first six months

 

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of fiscal year 2008 and the first nine months of fiscal year 2007, respectively, for space leased to it by the Company. The Company also received approximately $595,000 in incentive fees on a co-branded credit card the Company had with Banco Promerica during the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. No incentive fees were recorded in fiscal year 2008. In addition, the Company also received approximately $811,000 in Smart Credit fees during the first nine months of fiscal year 2007 related to the co-branded credit card with Banco Promerica. No Smart Credit fees were received in fiscal year 2008. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2007, the Company received a one-time refund of approximately $483,000 for an accumulated marketing fund related to the co-branded credit card with Banco Promerica. On March 22, 2007, the Company informed certain entities with which Mr. Zurcher is affiliated, that the Company was not renewing the Company’s credit card relationship with those entities because the Company had determined that another credit card provider was more suitable for the future needs and expectations of its members. In response, PSC, S.A. and related entities disputed the Company’s right to terminate and not renew the credit card services relationships between the parties notwithstanding expiration of the credit card services agreements by their terms, and threatened to take legal action if the Company proceeded with the terminations. Legal proceedings then commenced, by and against the Company. The parties subsequently agreed to settle their disputes in accordance with the terms of a Settlement Agreement and Release dated February 8, 2008 (See Note 12- PSC Settlement).

Relationships with Price Charities: During the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, the Company sold approximately $38,000 of supplies to Price Charities a charitable group affiliated with Robert E. Price and Sol Price. The Company did not sell any supplies to the charitable group in fiscal year 2007.

The Company believes that each of the related-party transactions described above were on terms that the Company could have obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

 

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NOTE 15—SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company is principally engaged in international membership shopping warehouse clubs operating primarily in Central America and the Caribbean. The Company operates in three segments based on geographic area and measures performance based on operating income. Segment amounts are presented after converting to U.S. dollars and consolidating eliminations. Certain revenues and operating costs included in the United States segment have not been allocated, as it is impractical to do so. The Mexico joint venture is not segmented for the periods presented and is included in the United States segment. The Company’s reportable segments are based on management responsibility. For the nine month period ended May 31, 2008, the United States, Central American and Caribbean Operations operating income includes $94,000, $1.1 million, and $110,000 charge related to the settlement litigation and the Put agreement pursuant to the PSC Settlement, respectively (see Note 12 – PSC Settlement).

 

     United
States
Operations
    Central
American
Operations
    Caribbean
Operations
    Total  

Nine Months Ended May 31, 2008

        

Total revenue

   $ 1,140     $ 498,073     $ 328,700     $ 827,913  

Asset impairment and closure cost

     —         (799 )     96       (703 )

Operating income

     2,396       21,700       11,448       35,544  

Interest income

     752       193       68       1,013  

Interest expense

     —         (496 )     (454 )     (950 )

Income tax benefit (expense)

     366       (5,574 )     (3,078 )     (8,286 )

Income from continuing operations

     3,514       15,414       7,816       26,744  

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     71       —         —         71  

Depreciation and amortization

     555       4,636       3,174       8,365  

Goodwill

     —         33,639       5,314       38,953  

Assets of discontinued operations

     1,542       —         —         1,542  

Identifiable assets

     43,595       245,990       137,091       426,676  

Nine Months Ended May 31, 2007

        

Total revenue

   $ 768     $ 402,946     $ 254,952     $ 658,666  

Asset impairment and closure cost

     —         (352 )     (379 )     (731 )

Operating income

     5,113       14,297       6,454       25,864  

Interest income

     1,004       134       100       1,238  

Interest expense

     (237 )     (185 )     (152 )     (574 )

Income tax expense

     (4,401 )     (4,489 )     (1,121 )     (10,011 )

Income from continuing operations

     1,196       9,344       5,236       15,776  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     71       —         —         71  

Depreciation and amortization

     484       4,196       2,552       7,232  

Goodwill

     —         26,295       5,432       31,727  

Assets of discontinued operations

     1,661       —         —         1,661  

Identifiable assets

     40,988       215,209       105,812       362,009  

Year Ended August 31, 2007

        

Total revenue

   $ 1,342     $ 541,866     $ 345,593     $ 888,801  

Asset impairment and closure cost

     —         (1,235 )     (315 )     (1,550 )

Operating income

     6,231       13,281       8,464       27,976  

Interest income

     1,292       221       115       1,628  

Interest expense

     (261 )     (354 )     (173 )     (788 )

Income tax expense

     (3,930 )     (6,905 )     (1,502 )     (12,337 )

Income from continuing operations

     428       5,666       6,689       12,783  

Discontinued operations, net of tax

     143       —         —         143  

Depreciation and amortization

     (684 )     (5,408 )     (3,357 )     (9,449 )

Goodwill

     —         26,279       5,373       31,652  

Assets of discontinued operations

     1,380       —         —         1,380  

Identifiable assets

     60,753       225,263       109,403       395,419  

 

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NOTE 16—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

PSC Settlement

The PSC Parties informed the Company on June 11, 2008 that as of June 9, 2008 64,739 shares remain unsold and that it intended to exercise its right under the Put Agreement with respect to those remaining shares. The aggregate purchase price for the 64,739 shares subject to the put will be approximately $1.6 million. As of June 9, 2008, the potential put rights with respect to the remaining balance of 64,739 shares have a fair market value of approximately $120,000. The change in fair value, as of this date, would result in an increase of approximately $26,000 to the amounts expensed in the provision for settlement of pending litigation, including subsequent changes in the fair value of the put agreement as of May 31, 2008. Additionally, this would result in a decrease in the liability recorded as Common stock subject to put agreement by approximately $75,000.

 

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

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements concerning PriceSmart’s anticipated future revenues and earnings, adequacy of future cash flow and related matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements or phrases such as “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” and “would” and similar expressions, and the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements, including foreign exchange risks, political or economic instability of host countries and competition, as well as those risks described in the Company’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) from time to time, including the risk factors referenced in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on November 29, 2007 for the fiscal year ended 2007. See “Part II – Item 1A – Risk Factors.”

The following discussion and analysis compares the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended May 31, 2008 (fiscal year 2008) and May 31, 2007 (fiscal year 2007), and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included therein.

PriceSmart’s business consists primarily of international membership shopping warehouse clubs similar to, but smaller in size than, warehouse clubs in the United States. The number of warehouse clubs in operation as of May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007, the Company’s ownership percentages and basis of presentation for financial reporting purposes by each country or territory were as follows:

 

Country/Territory

   Number of
Warehouse Clubs
in Operation (as of
May 31, 2008)
   Number of
Warehouse Clubs
in Operation (as of
May 31, 2007)
   Ownership     Basis of
Presentation

Panama

   4    4    100 %   Consolidated

Costa Rica

   4    4    100 %   Consolidated

Dominican Republic

   2    2    100 %   Consolidated

Guatemala

   3    2    100 %   Consolidated

Trinidad

   3    2    95 %   Consolidated

El Salvador

   2    2    100 %   Consolidated

Honduras

   2    2    100 %   Consolidated

Aruba

   1    1    90 %   Consolidated

Barbados

   1    1    100 %   Consolidated

U.S. Virgin Islands

   1    1    100 %   Consolidated

Jamaica

   1    1    100 %   Consolidated

Nicaragua

   1    1    100 %   Consolidated
              

Totals

   25    23     
              

In November and December 2007, the Company opened its third warehouse club in each of Guatemala and Trinidad.

At the end of May 2008, the total number of the Company’s consolidated warehouse clubs in operation was 25, operating in 11 countries and one U.S. territory, compared to 23 operating in 11 countries and one U.S. territory at the end of May 2007. The average age of the 25 warehouse clubs in operation as of May 31, 2008 was 84 months and was 75 months for the 23 warehouse clubs included in operation as of May 31, 2007. The Company does not anticipate any additional warehouse club openings during fiscal year 2008.

In addition to the warehouse clubs operated directly by the Company or through joint ventures, there is one warehouse club in operation in Saipan, Micronesia licensed to and operated by local business people, from which the Company earns a royalty fee.

In general, the Company’s earnings improve and cash flows from operations increase as sales increase. Although the Company’s cost of goods sold is largely variable with sales, a portion of the Company’s selling, general and administrative expenses rise relatively slowly in relation to sales increases. Therefore, the Company prioritizes initiatives that it expects will have the greatest impact on increasing sales. Looking forward to the next several quarters, the following items are likely to have an impact on business and the results of operations:

General Economic Factors

 

   

Global increases in fuel and food prices may reduce PriceSmart members’ discretionary purchasing power. This would result in lower sales for the Company, particularly in high ticket or discretionary items.

 

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Many PriceSmart markets are susceptible to foreign exchange rate volatility. Exchange rate changes either increase or decrease the cost of imported products. Approximately 49% of the Company’s net warehouse sales are comprised of products imported into the markets where PriceSmart warehouse clubs are located. The Company purchases these goods in dollar-denominated transactions. In general, local currencies in PriceSmart markets have gradually declined relative to the dollar. Declines in local currencies relative to the dollar effectively increase the cost to the Company’s members of imported products, and appreciation in local currencies make imported products more affordable. There is no way to accurately forecast how currencies may trade in the future. PriceSmart monitors movements in currency rates and makes adjustments to pricing of U.S. merchandise from time to time.

 

   

Inflation rates have been increasing in certain markets, with the highest annual rate being in Nicaragua at a reported 16% per year. Inflation has had and may continue to have a positive impact on Company sales, particularly basic food commodities. However, inflation also increases the Company’s cost of goods sold and operating expenses, particularly wages and utilities.

Current and Future Management Actions

 

   

The Company’s strategy is to continually seek ways to reduce prices for its members. This involves improving purchasing and lowering operating expenses. The strong growth in sales that the Company has experienced during the last three years has improved the Company’s buying power and has resulted in leveraging of costs. This allows for reduced prices, thereby providing better value to PriceSmart members.

 

   

The Company recently signed a lease for and taken possession of a larger dry distribution center in Miami, Florida. The additional space will permit the Company to more efficiently service the PriceSmart locations and to realize efficiencies in distribution operating expenses. The Company is evaluating the requirements for its frozen and refrigerated distribution center, which may result in relocation to a larger facility.

 

   

The Company continues to introduce its co-branded credit card to PriceSmart members in Central America. The Company anticipates that as more members obtain and use the card, there will be additional reductions in banking fee expenses. Also, the Company is working on an agreement to introduce a co-branded credit card to the PriceSmart locations in the Caribbean to reduce warehouse expenses and to provide a benefit to PriceSmart members.

 

   

Based on the success of previously expanding the size of certain PriceSmart warehouse clubs, four additional PriceSmart warehouse clubs, in Aruba, Barbados, Nicaragua and Trinidad, are planned to be expanded by an average of 7,500 square feet each. These expansions will result in larger sales and storage areas to support additional sales.

 

   

The Company continues to evaluate sites for additional PriceSmart locations. Although a specific target for new warehouse club openings in fiscal year 2008 and beyond has not been set, management believes that there are opportunities to add locations in certain PriceSmart markets. The Company will announce plans to open new warehouse clubs if and when suitable sites are identified.

 

   

The Company’s policy is to own its real estate wherever possible because of the lower operating expenses associated with ownership and because PriceSmart’s successful business enhances real estate values. In that regard, the Company considers purchasing additional land adjacent to new PriceSmart locations for commercial real estate development both as a profit center and to complement the PriceSmart business format.

COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2008 AND MAY 31, 2007

Net warehouse club sales increased 26.6% to $278.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, from $219.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. In general, the Company’s sales continue to be positively impacted by a generally strong economic environment in the markets in which its warehouse clubs operate (in contrast to the U.S. retail market), a growing membership base, and ongoing improvements in the selection and value of merchandise carried in the clubs. Approximately 70% of the sales growth experienced from the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 to the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 resulted from increased transactions. The other portion of sales growth is attributable to growth in the value of the average transaction by our members. Sales growth in the quarter as compared to the prior year was also a result from having two additional clubs in operation – one, in Guatemala, which opened on November 14, 2007 and the other, in Trinidad, which opened on December 13, 2007. These two clubs accounted for approximately 680 basis points of the overall sales growth in the quarter. The Company experienced year-over-year growth in every one of its 12 markets in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008.

 

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The following table indicates the percent growth in net warehouse club sales in the segments in which the Company operates:

 

     Three Months Ended             
     May 31, 2008     May 31, 2007             
     (Amounts in thousands)             
     Amount    % of Net
Revenue
    Amount    % of Net
Revenue
    Increase    Change  

Central America

   $ 165,940    59.7 %   $ 133,839    61.0 %   $ 32,101    24.0 %

Caribbean

     112,039    40.3 %     85,676    39.0 %     26,363    30.8 %
                                       
   $ 277,979    100.0 %   $ 219,515    100.0 %   $ 58,464    26.6 %
                                       

Comparable warehouse club sales, which are for warehouse clubs open at least 13  1/2 full months, increased 19.0% for the 13-week period ended June 1, 2008, compared to the same period last year. The Company reports comparable warehouse club sales on a “same week” basis with 13 weeks in each quarter beginning on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. The periods are established at the beginning of the fiscal year to provide as close a match as possible to the calendar month that is used for financial reporting purposes. This approach equalizes the number of weekend days and week days in each period for improved sales comparison, as the Company experiences higher warehouse club sales on the weekends. Further, each of the warehouse clubs used in the calculations was open for at least 13  1/2 calendar months before its results for the current period were compared with its results for the prior period. For example, the sales related to the new warehouse club opened in Guatemala on November 14, 2007 will not be used in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales until the month of January 2009. Similarly, the new warehouse club opened in Trinidad on December 13, 2007 will not be used in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales until the month of February 2009.

The Company’s warehouse club gross profit margin (defined as net warehouse club sales, less associated cost of goods sold) in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 increased $8.2 million to $41.9 million, or 15.1% of net warehouse club sales, from $33.8 million, or 15.4% of net warehouse club sales. The increase in warehouse club gross profit margin dollars was primarily due to higher sales. As a percentage of sales, warehouse club gross profit margin in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 was 30 basis points lower than, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. Targeted reductions in merchandise margins to provide greater value to PriceSmart members through lower prices were partially offset by year-on-year improvements in foreign currency exchange effects and cost improvements in merchandise distribution and shrink results.

Membership income, which is recognized into income ratably over the one-year life of the membership, increased 15.0% to $4.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 compared to $3.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. As a percent of net warehouse club sales, membership income was 1.5% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 compared to 1.6% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. The increase in membership income reflects both a 12% increase in the number of membership accounts and a 3% increase in the average membership fee collected as compared to a year ago. Total membership accounts at the end of May 2008 were approximately 586,000, an increase of approximately 63,000 accounts compared to the end of May 2007. The membership renewal rate for the 12 months ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007 was 83%.

Export sales of $385,000 in the current quarter, compared to export sales of $190,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007, resulted from direct sales to institutional customers (primarily retailers) in the Philippines for which the company receives a margin of 5-6%.

Other income consists of commission revenue, rental income, advertising revenue, construction management revenue, fees for in-store product demonstrations, and fees earned from licensees. Other income in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $1.2 million compared to $1.0 million in the same period a year ago.

Warehouse club operating expenses increased to $26.5 million, or 9.5% of net warehouse club sales, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, from $22.3 million, or 10.1% of net warehouse club sales, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. The additional two clubs operating in the quarter, compared to the same period last year, accounted for approximately $1.4 million in total warehouse club operating expense growth. For the remaining comparable warehouse clubs, higher payroll costs, primarily due to wage and benefit increases in the warehouse clubs, added $1.3 million in expenses in the period compared to the prior year. Higher costs for credit card fees ($407,000) and supplies expense ($130,000) were primarily due to higher sales volumes. Utilities costs increased $552,000 from the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 as utility rates in many of our markets rise with the increasing cost of oil. Depreciation expense also increased $311,000, primarily due to the capital investments made in the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo), Panama (Via Brasil), and the acquisition of the company that had leased to the Company the real estate upon which the Barbados PriceSmart warehouse club is located.

 

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General and administrative expenses were $7.5 million, or 2.7% of net warehouse club sales, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 compared to $7.0 million, or 3.2% of net warehouse club sales, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. The Company incurred increased costs related to salaries and related benefits for its corporate and U.S. buying operation totaling $302,000. In addition, stock-based compensation expense related to stock grants increased $224,000 to $601,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 compared to $370,000 in the same period last year.

Asset impairment and closure costs for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 were $670,000, compared to $68,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. The increase in expense from the prior to the current year relates to a $640,000 non-cash charge to recognize a decrease in net present value of future cash flows over the remaining lease life for the closed but subleased Plaza Guatemala location as a result of a rent increase to the Company from the landlord.

The Company recorded a credit of $2.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 based on the re-measured fair value of the put rights granted to PSC, S.A. and related entities as of May 31, 2008 and costs incurred as part of the PSC legal settlement. A total of 64,739 shares of PriceSmart, Inc. common stock from the original 679,500 shares that were subject to the put right were not sold during the period from February 8, 2008 to May 31, 2008. Applying the Black-Scholes method of valuation to the remaining shares at the May 31, 2008 closing stock price of $23.45, the fair value of the put right at the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $94,000. The Company had recorded a charge of $2.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 to reflect the fair value of the put rights at the end of that quarter. The put right expired on June 9, 2008, and the Company agreed to acquire the remaining 64,739 shares at a price of $25.00. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company will recognize a charge of $26,000 to account for fair value of the put as of its exercise date.

Operating income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $14.6 million, or 5.3% of warehouse sales, compared to $9.0 million, or 4.1% of warehouse club sales in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007.

Interest income reflects earnings on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash deposits. Interest income was $254,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, compared to $395,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. The decrease reflects generally lower interest rates associated with cash on deposit in the current period compared to a year ago.

Interest expense reflects borrowings by the Company’s majority or wholly owned foreign subsidiaries to finance the capital requirements of warehouse club operations and ongoing working capital requirements. Interest expense increased to $437,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 from $129,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. The Company ended the current quarter with approximately $22.2 million in short-term and long-term debt. In the same period last year, the Company had $3.8 million in short-term and long- term debt. The increased debt over the past year was to finance the land acquisition and construction of the Fraijanes, Guatemala warehouse club and the acquisition of the company that had leased to PriceSmart the real estate upon which the Barbados PriceSmart warehouse club is located.

Tax expense for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $3.7 million on pre-tax income of $14.3 million, as compared to $3.8 million of tax expense on pre-tax income of $9.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal year 2007. The decrease in the effective tax rate to 25.7% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 from 41.5% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2007 is the result of $2.1 million of pre-tax income arising from a non-taxable gain recorded upon reversal of a reserve previously established in connection with the put arrangement due to the PSC settlement. In addition, the decrease is the result of certain subsidiaries generating pre-tax income but utilizing net operating losses with a full valuation allowance. The Company is assessing the need for certain valuation allowances on a country–by-country basis based on profitability history and other factors, which may result in a reversal of such valuation allowances and a resulting credit to income in a future period.

Minority interest is the allocation of the joint venture income or loss to the minority stockholders’ respective interest. Minority interest stockholders’ respective share of net income was $76,000 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008. In the same period last year, the joint ventures for which there was a minority stockholder interest generated income, of which $75,000 was allocated to the minority stockholders’ interest. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company acquired the 49% ownership interest of the minority shareholder in its Nicaragua subsidiary. As a result, the Company now records 100% of that subsidiary’s income or loss.

Income from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal year 2008 was $10.6 million, compared to $5.2 million in the same quarter last year.

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax represents consolidated income and expenses associated with those operations within the Company that were closed or disposed of and which meet the criteria for such a treatment. Discontinued operations includes the costs associated with the Company’s previously closed warehouse club location in Guam. In the third quarters of fiscal year 2008 and 2007, the Company recognized income of $26,000 and $25,000, respectively, resulting from the closed Guam location, which is leased to a subtenant, net of expenses.

 

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COMPARISON OF THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2008 AND MAY 31, 2007

Net warehouse club sales increased 25.9% to $811.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, from $644.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. In general, the Company’s sales continue to be positively impacted by a generally strong economic environment in the markets in which its warehouse clubs operate, a growing membership base, and ongoing improvements in the selection and value of merchandise carried in the warehouse clubs. Each of the Company’s warehouse clubs recorded increased sales for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 compared to the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. The Company opened two new warehouse clubs in the period: one in Guatemala which opened on November 14, 2007 and one in Trinidad which opened on December 13, 2007. Together they accounted for approximately 460 basis points of growth in net warehouse club sales. The following table indicates the percent growth in net warehouse club sales in the Company’s Central America and Caribbean segments:

 

     Nine Months Ended             
     May 31, 2008     May 31, 2007             
     (Amounts in thousands)             
     Amount    % of Net
Revenue
    Amount    % of Net
Revenue
    Increase    Change  

Central America

   $ 487,507    60.1 %   $ 393,509    61.1 %   $ 93,998    23.9 %

Caribbean

     323,875    39.9 %     250,828    38.9 %     73,047    29.1 %
                                       
   $ 811,382    100.0 %   $ 644,337    100.0 %   $ 167,045    25.9 %
                                       

Same-warehouse club sales, which include warehouse clubs open at least 13  1/2 full months, increased 20.3% for the 39 weeks ended June 1, 2008 compared to the same period a year ago. The Company reports comparable warehouse club sales on a “same week” basis with 13 weeks in each quarter beginning on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. The periods are established at the beginning of the fiscal year to provide as close a match as possible to the calendar month that is used for financial reporting purposes. This approach equalizes the number of weekend days and week days in each period for improved sales comparison, as the Company experiences higher warehouse club sales on the weekends. Further, each of the warehouse clubs used in the calculation was open at least 13 1/2 calendar months before its results for the current period were compared to its results for the prior period. For example, the sales related to the new warehouse club opened in Guatemala on November 14, 2007 will not be used in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales until the month of January 2009. Similarly, the new warehouse club opened in Trinidad on December 13, 2007 will not be used in the calculation of comparable warehouse club sales until the month of February 2009.

The Company’s warehouse club gross profit margin (defined as net warehouse club sales, less associated cost of goods sold) in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 increased $24.4 million to $121.5 million, or 15.0% of net warehouse club sales, from $97.1 million, or 15.1% of net warehouse club sales in the prior period. The increase in warehouse club gross profit margin dollars was primarily due to higher sales in the current period as compared to the prior period. As a percentage of sales, warehouse club gross profit margin in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 was nearly equivalent to that in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007 as reduced foreign currency exchange losses, and improvements in merchandise distribution and shrink results were offset by improvements in merchandise distribution and shrink results were offset by targeted reductions in merchandise margins to provide greater value to PriceSmart members through lower prices.

Membership income, which is recognized into income ratably over the one-year life of the membership, increased 15.6% to $11.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, compared to $10.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. As a percent of net warehouse club sales, membership income was 1.5% of sales in the current nine month period, compared to 1.6% in the same nine month period last fiscal year. Total membership accounts at the end of May 2008 were approximately 586,000, an increase of approximately 63,000 accounts compared to the end of May 2007. The membership renewal rate for the 12 months ended May 2008 and May 2007 was 83%.

Export sales were $1.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, compared to export sales of $456,000 for the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. The increase resulted primarily from the increase in direct sales to institutional customers (primarily retailers) in the Philippines in the current period for which the Company receives a margin of 5-6%.

Other income consists of commission revenue, rental income, advertising revenue, construction revenue, fees for in-store product demonstrations, and fees earned from licensees. Other income in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 was $3.6 million, compared to $3.7 million in the same period a year ago. Included in the results for the nine month period of fiscal year 2007 was $500,000 in non-recurring income recognized in the second quarter of fiscal year 2007 related to the marketing fees earned on the Company’s co-branded credit card agreement with Banco Promerica, that was partially offset by increases in rental income in fiscal year 2008.

Warehouse club operating expenses increased to $75.7 million, or 9.3% of net warehouse club sales, in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 from $64.3 million, or 10.0% of net warehouse club sales, in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. The addition of

 

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the two new warehouse clubs added a total of $2.8 million to warehouse club operating costs during the nine month period compared to the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. The increase in warehouse club operating expenses excluding the two new warehouse clubs resulted from increased payroll related expenses ($3.5 million), higher bank and credit card fees primarily related to higher sales ($1.5 million), and increased operating costs for utilities, repair and maintenance, and supplies ($1.9 million). The Company also incurred increased marketing costs ($348,000) largely associated with the introduction of its new co-branded credit card in Central America and higher depreciation expense ($723,000) as a result of capital expenditures over the year, including the acquisition of the company that had leased to the Company the real estate upon which the Barbados PriceSmart is located.

General and administrative expenses were $22.6 million, or 2.8% of net warehouse club sales, in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, compared to $19.9 million, or 3.1% of net warehouse club sales, in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. The Company incurred increased costs ($903,000) for salaries and related benefits, including ex-pat costs, for the Company’s corporate headquarters and U.S. buying operation. Professional fees, primarily related to the pending litigation and ultimate settlement with the Promerica entities (see “Part II. Item 1. Legal Proceedings”) and tax consulting services resulted in increased costs of $1.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, compared to the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. In addition, the first nine months of fiscal year 2007 released a $200,000 reserve in excess of estimated claims.

Expenses incurred before a warehouse club is in operation are captured in pre-opening expenses. Pre-opening expenses in the current nine month period of $996,000 were related to the opening of the two new warehouse clubs, Guatemala and Trinidad. Pre-opening expense of $256,000 in the prior nine month period was primarily associated with the opening of the relocated San Pedro Sula, Honduras location.

Asset impairment and closure costs for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 were $703,000, compared to $731,000 in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. The expense in the current nine month period is largely attributable to a $640,000 non-cash charge to recognize a decrease in the net present value of future cash flows over the remaining lease life for the closed but subleased Plaza Guatemala location as a result of a rent increase to the Company from the landlord. The expense in the prior nine month period related to the loss on the sale of the closed warehouse club location in Eastside Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and the original San Pedro Sula, Honduras club which was relocated to a new site. The original building was subsequently sold.

Included in the results for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 are pre-tax charges and income tax benefits related to the Company’s settlement of previously announced disputes pursuant to a Settlement Agreement and Release with PSC, S.A. (PSC) and related entities dated February 8, 2008, net of a $5.5 million reserve established in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007. The amount of the reserve was equal to management’s estimate at that time of the potential impact of a global settlement on PriceSmart’s net income. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company recorded an additional pre-tax charge of $3.4 million, offset by a benefit to provision for income tax of $1.7 million, resulting in a net reduction in net income in the quarter of $1.7 million. Included in the pre-tax charge of $3.4 million, and not affecting the income tax benefit, was a charge of $2.2 million related specifically to the fair market value of put rights granted by the Company to PSC as part of the overall settlement. The Settlement Agreement and Release provided that, subject to PSC’s commercially reasonable efforts to sell, during a 60 day period commencing February 8, 2008, 679,500 shares of the Company’s common stock held by PSC at a price at or above $25 per share, the Company and PSC would enter into a Put Agreement covering any of the 679,500 shares that PSC owned at the end of such period. The Put Agreement, in turn, would require PSC to use commercially reasonable efforts to sell the shares subject to the Put Agreement during a period of 60 days from the date of the Put Agreement. At the end of such period, PSC may require the Company to purchase at $25.00 per share any of those shares which may remain unsold at the conclusion of that period. The value of the put rights was initially measured on February 8, 2008 (the date of the settlement) and adjusted as of May 31, 2008 (the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2008) based on the closing price of PriceSmart’s common stock on that date applying the Black-Scholes method of valuation to the 67,439 shares that were subject to the put rights and remained unsold. This resulted in a credit to the $2.2 million charge recognized in the second quarter of fiscal year 2008 of $2.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2008, resulting in a net nine month charge associated with the provision for settlement of litigation and changes in fair market value of put agreement of $1.3 million. The put right expired on June 9, 2008 and the Company agreed to acquire the remaining 67,439 shares at a price of $25.00. In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company will recognize a charge of $26,000 to account for that subsequent acquisition of these shares.

Operating income for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 was $35.5 million, or 4.4% of warehouse sales, compared to $25.9 million, or 4.0% of warehouse sales, in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007.

Interest income reflects earnings on cash and cash equivalent balances and restricted cash deposits securing working capital lines of credit. Interest income was $1.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, compared to $1.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. The decrease reflects generally lower interest rates associated with cash on deposit in the current period compared to the period last year.

Interest expense reflects borrowings by the Company’s majority or wholly owned foreign subsidiaries to finance the capital requirements of warehouse club operations and on-going working capital requirements. Interest expense increased to $950,000 in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 from $574,000 in the first nine months fiscal year 2007, resulting from an increase in debt held by the Company to finance the land purchase and subsequent construction of the new warehouse club in Guatemala and to finance the purchase of the company that had leased to the Company the real estate upon which the Barbados PriceSmart is located.

 

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Tax expense for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 was $8.3 million on pre-tax income from continuing operations of $35.4 million, compared to $10.0 million of tax expense recorded in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007 on a pre-tax income from continuing operations of $26.4 million. The decrease in the effective tax rate to 23.4% in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 from 37.9% in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007 was the result of a net tax benefit of $1.7 million recorded due to the PSC settlement. In addition, the decrease was the result of certain subsidiaries generating pre-tax income but utilizing net operating losses with a full valuation allowance. The Company is assessing the need for certain valuation allowances on a country–by-country basis based on profitability history and other factors, which may result in a reversal of such valuation allowances and a resulting credit to income in a future period.

Minority interest is the allocation of the joint venture income or loss to the minority stockholders’ respective interest. Minority interest stockholders’ respective share of net income was $368,000 in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008. In the same period last year, the joint ventures for which there was a minority stockholder interest generated income, of which $337,000 was allocated to the minority stockholders’ interest. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2008, the Company acquired the 49% ownership interest of the minority shareholder in its Nicaragua subsidiary. As a result, the Company now records 100% of that subsidiary’s income or loss.

Income from continuing operations for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 was $26.7 million, compared to $15.8 million in the same period last year.

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax are the consolidated income and expenses associated with those operations within the Company that were closed or disposed of and which meet the criteria for such a treatment. Discontinued operations includes the costs associated with the Company’s previously closed warehouse location in Guam. The Company recognized income of $71,000 in both periods of fiscal years 2008 and 2007, resulting from the closed Guam location, which is leased to a subtenant, net of expenses.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Financial Position and Cash Flow

The Company had $26.1 million in consolidated cash and cash equivalents as of May 31, 2008 compared to $32.1 million in consolidated cash and cash equivalents as of August 31, 2007.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $23.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, compared to $14.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. The increase was primarily driven by the increased net income from continuing operations of approximately $11.0 million for the current nine month period compared to the first nine months of fiscal year 2007. Changes in operating assets and liabilities, most notably additions to merchandise inventory to support higher sales and the opening of two new warehouse club locations, resulted in the use of $15.9 million of cash, were substantially offset by non-cash adjustments to income from continuing operations.

Net cash used in investing activities was $38.3 million and $22.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007, respectively. In the first nine months of the current period, the additions to property and equipment totaled $20.5 million, primarily associated with the completion of the warehouse clubs in Guatemala and Trinidad and $4.1 million associated with building and lease improvements and the acquisition of fixtures at various warehouse locations. The Company used $10.2 million for the acquisition of the 49% minority interest in the Nicaragua club warehouse. In addition, the Company used approximately $11.9 million for the acquisition of the company that had leased to it the real estate and building upon which the Barbados warehouse club is located. The Company generated approximately $4.9 million in cash from investing activities in the first nine months of the fiscal year 2008, primarily from the sale of its investment in its Mexico subsidiary and the San Pedro Sula warehouse building in Honduras. In the first nine months of 2007, the additions to property and equipment totaled $22.3 million, which included the purchase of land in Guatemala and Trinidad for the new clubs that were opened in fiscal year 2007 and the completion of construction of the Company’s San Pedro Sula warehouse, and the expansion of the Company’s Via Brasil location in Panama City, Panama.

Financing activities provided cash of $9.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, primarily as a result of obtaining new bank loans and payments on bank loans for a net effect of $10.2 million of cash provided and the release of restricted cash previously held as collateral for bank loans of $8.0 million, offset by payments of $9.5 million for dividends and $1.4 million used in the purchase of treasury stock. Financing activities resulted in a net cash use of $19.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2007, primarily as a result of repaying the remaining $17.3 million balance on the long-term debt held by the International Finance Corporation, which included a prepayment of principal in the amount of $14.9 million in September 2006, in addition to the Company’s regularly scheduled principal payment of $2.4 million.

 

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Financing Activities

On November 15, 2007, the Company obtained a long-term loan of $4.5 million from Citibank N.A. and a loan of 9.0 million Barbados dollars (equivalent to $4.5 million U.S. dollars) from Citicorp Merchant Bank Ltd., to finance the purchase of the company that had leased to it the real estate and building upon which the Company’s Barbados warehouse club is located. In addition, the Company drew down $615,000 in additional short-term loans from its facilities in Guatemala. On February 13, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with Citicorp Merchant Bank for a notional amount of $4.5 million. This swap agreement was entered into to fix the interest rate of the $4.5 million loan with Citibank N.A. The loan has a variable interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.5%. Under the swap agreement, the Company will pay a fixed rate of 5.22% for a term of approximately five years (February 18, 2008 through May 15, 2013).

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt

As of May 31, 2008, the Company, together with its majority or wholly owned subsidiaries, had $5.2 million outstanding in short-term borrowings. As of August 31, 2007, the Company, together with its majority or wholly owned subsidiaries, had $3.3 million in short-term borrowings.

Additionally, the Company has a bank credit agreement for up to $10.0 million, which can be used as a line of credit or to issue letters of credit. As of May 31, 2008, letters of credit totaling $900,000 were outstanding under this facility, leaving availability under this facility of $9.1 million.

As of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, the Company, together with its majority or wholly owned subsidiaries, had $17.0 million and $9.4 million, respectively, outstanding in long-term borrowings. The increase during the first nine months if fiscal 2008 primarily relates to a long-term debt arrangement for $9.0 million to finance the acquisition of the company that had leased to the Company the real estate upon which the Barbados PriceSmart warehouse clubs is located. The carrying amount of the non-cash assets (land, building, fixtures, and equipment) assigned as collateral for long-term debt was $19.5 million and $9.7 million as of May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, respectively. Certain obligations under leasing arrangements are collateralized by the underlying asset being leased.

Contractual Obligations

As of May 31, 2008, the Company’s commitments to make future payments under long-term contractual obligations were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Payments Due by Period

Contractual obligations

   Total    Less than
1 Year
   1 to 3
Years
   4 to 5
Years
   After
5 Years

Long-term debt(1)

   $ 17,012    $ 1,838    $ 3,636    $ 3,615    $ 7,923

Operating leases(2)(3)

     97,001      6,679      12,245      10,982      67,095
                                  

Total

   $ 114,013    $ 8,517    $ 15,881    $ 14,597    $ 75,018
                                  

 

(1) Amounts shown are for the principal portion of the long-term debt payment only.
(2) Amounts shown include $851,000 in total lease payments for the lease of its current primary distribution center operations also located in Medley, Florida, which will terminate upon the surrender of the premises by the Company.
(3) Amounts shown exclude future operating lease payments due for the closed warehouse club in Guatemala. The net liability related to this lease is approximately $3.8 million and is included in the balance sheet as Accrued Closure Costs and Other Accrued Expenses.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements requires that management make estimates and judgments that affect the financial position and results of operations. Management continues to review its accounting policies and evaluate its estimates, including those related to contingencies and litigation, deferred taxes, merchandise inventories, goodwill, long-lived assets, stock-based compensation and warehouse closure costs. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the present circumstances. These accounting policies, under different conditions or using different estimates, could show materially different results on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Contingencies and Litigation: In the ordinary course of business, the Company is periodically named as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and pending actions and is exposed to tax risks (other than income tax). The principal risks that the Company insures against are workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability, property damage, employment practices, errors and omissions, fiduciary liability and fidelity losses. If a potential loss arising from these lawsuits, claims, actions and non-income tax issues is

 

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probable and reasonably estimable, the Company records the estimated liability based on circumstances and assumptions existing at the time in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in the estimation process whereby future actual losses may exceed projected losses, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

As a result of the executed legal settlement with PSC, S.A. and related entities, the following items were recorded:

 

   

For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2008, additional reserves of approximately $50,000 and $1.25 million were recorded for costs associated with the settlement respectively, for costs incurred in excess of the initial $5.5 million reserve established in fiscal year 2007, for both the cash and non-cash settlement costs pursuant to the elements of the settlement agreement described at clauses (i) and (iii) of the description of the settlement agreement and release with PSC, S.A. and related entities.

 

   

For the three months ended May 31, 2008, the Company recorded a $2.1 million reversal of a reserve previously established in connection with the put arrangement, and for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008 the Company recorded $94,000 in costs to record the fair value of the put arrangement .

 

   

As of May 31, 2008, in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy, the Company recorded the re-classification of approximately $1.7 million from additional paid in capital to a liability account, common stock subject to put agreement, pursuant to item (v) of the description of the settlement agreement and release with PSC, S.A. and related entities.

 

   

In the first nine months of fiscal year 2008, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $1.7 million as a result of the $6.75 million recorded for settlement costs pursuant to item (i) and (iii) of the settlement agreement and release with PSC, S.A. and related entities. In fiscal year 2007, when the Company originally accrued for the settlement cost, the Company was not able to estimate the tax benefit component of the settlement cost with an adequate level of certainty.

Income Taxes: A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. As of May 31, 2008, the Company evaluated its deferred tax assets and liabilities and determined that, in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” a valuation allowance is necessary for certain foreign deferred tax asset balances, primarily because of the existence of significant negative objective evidence, such as the fact that certain subsidiaries are in a cumulative loss position for the past three years, and the determination that certain net operating loss carryforward periods are not sufficient to realize the related deferred tax assets. The Company factored into its analysis the inherent risk of forecasting revenue and expenses over an extended period of time and also considered the potential risks associated with its business. As a result of this review, the Company concluded that a full valuation allowance was required with respect to deferred tax assets in several of its subsidiaries, as well as certain U.S. deferred tax assets.

The Company had federal and state tax net operating loss carry-forwards, or NOLs, at May 31, 2008 of approximately $48.7 million and $7.4 million, respectively. In calculating the tax provision, and assessing the likelihood that the Company will be able to utilize the deferred tax assets, the Company considered and weighed all of the evidence, both positive and negative, and both objective and subjective. The Company factored in the inherent risk of forecasting revenue and expenses over an extended period of time and considered the potential risks associated with its business. Because of the Company’s U.S. income from continuing operations and based on projections of future taxable income in the United States, the Company was able to determine that there was sufficient positive evidence to support the conclusion that it was more likely than not that the Company would be able to realize substantially all of its U.S. NOLs by generating taxable income during the carry-forward period. However, if the Company does not achieve its projections of future taxable income in the United States, the Company could be required to take a charge to earnings related to the recoverability of these deferred tax assets. Due to the deemed change of ownership (as defined in section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code) in October 2004, there are annual limitations in the amount of U.S. profits that may be offset by NOLs. The NOLs generated prior to the deemed ownership change date, as well as a significant portion of the losses generated as a result of the PSMT Philippines disposal in August 2005, are limited on an annual basis. The Company does not believe this will impact the recoverability of these NOLs. Due to their shorter recovery period and limitations applicable under section 383 of the Internal Revenue code regarding changes of ownership, the Company has maintained valuation allowances on U.S. foreign tax credits (generated before the date of the deemed ownership change) and all capital loss carry-forwards.

 

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

Beginning on September 1, 2007, the Company accrues an amount for its estimate of probable additional tax liability in accordance with the new provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). Under FIN 48, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant tax authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. As of May 31, 2008, the Company has classified uncertain income tax positions as $7.5 million in long-term income taxes payable and $100,000 in long-term deferred tax liabilities. The classification of this liability as current, as opposed to long-term, occurs when the Company expects to make a cash payment in the following 12 months.

Merchandise Inventory: The Company records its inventory at the lower of cost (average cost) or market. The Company provides for estimated inventory losses between physical inventory counts on the basis of a percentage of sales. The provision is adjusted monthly to reflect the trend of actual physical inventory count results, with physical inventories occurring primarily in the second and fourth fiscal quarters. In addition, the Company monitors slow-moving inventory to determine if provisions should be taken for expected markdowns below the carrying cost of certain inventory to expedite the sale of such merchandise.

Goodwill: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Accounting for Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires that the Company test goodwill for impairment based on a comparison of fair values to the carrying values of its reporting units (subsidiaries). The determination of fair value for a reporting unit involves the use of assumptions and estimates such as the future performance of the operations of the reporting unit and discount rates used to determine the current value of expected future cash flows of the reporting unit. Any change in these assumptions and estimates, and other factors such as inflation rates, competition and general economic conditions, could cause the calculated fair value of the operating unit to decrease significantly.

Long-lived Assets: The Company periodically evaluates its long-lived assets for indicators of impairment. Management’s judgments are based on market and operational conditions at the time of the evaluation and can include management’s best estimate of future business activity. These periodic evaluations could cause management to conclude that impairment factors exist, requiring an adjustment of these assets to their then-current fair market value consistent with SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” Future business conditions and/or activity could differ materially from the projections made by management causing the need for additional impairment charges. The Company recorded an approximately $897,000 impairment charge in fiscal year 2007 to write-down the long-lived assets of the San Pedro Sula, Honduras location as a result of vacating the warehouse location and moving to another section of the city. The Company has not recorded any significant impairment charges during fiscal 2008.

Stock-Based Compensation: In the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” The Company had adopted the fair value based method of recording stock options consistent with SFAS 123 for all employee stock options granted subsequent to fiscal year 2002. Under SFAS 123R, the Company is required to select a valuation technique or option-pricing model that meets the criteria as stated in the standard, which includes a binomial model and the Black-Scholes model. At the present time, the Company is continuing to use the Black-Scholes model. The adoption of SFAS 123R, applying the “modified prospective method,” as elected by the Company, requires the Company to value stock options granted prior to its adoption of SFAS 123 under the fair value method and expense these amounts over the stock options’ remaining vesting period. A change in the model used or in the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model could impact the expenses we record under SFAS 123R.

Warehouse Closure Costs: The Company provides estimates for warehouse club closing costs when it is appropriate to do so based on the applicable accounting principles. The Company has established lease obligation liabilities for its closed leased warehouse clubs. The lease obligations are based on the present value of the rent liabilities, reduced by the estimated income from the subleasing of these properties. The Company is continually evaluating the adequacy of its closed warehouse club lease obligations based upon the status of existing or potential subleasing activity and makes appropriate adjustments to the lease obligations as a result of these evaluations. Future circumstances may result in the Company’s actual future closing costs or the amount recognized upon sale or sublease of the property to differ materially from the original estimates.

 

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Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 162”). This Statement identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (the GAAP hierarchy). This Statement is effective for financial statements issued 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The Company will adopt SFAS 162 within 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the interpretation will have on its consolidated financial statements however, the Company does not expect that this Statement will result in a change in current practice.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities-an amendment of FASB Statement No.133” (“SFAS 161”). This Statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application and also encourages, but does not require, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption. The Company will adopt SFAS 161 beginning December 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the interpretation will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statement- an amendment of ARB No. 51” (“SFAS 160”). SFAS 160 amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, “Consolidated Financial Statements,” establishing accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company will adopt SFAS 160 beginning on September 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adoption will have on future consolidations. No impact on current consolidated financial statements will occur since the standard will impact future consolidated financial statements only.

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS ) No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141(R)”). SFAS 141(R) replaces SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” retaining the fundamental requirements of SFAS 141 and expanding the scope to apply the same method of accounting to all transactions or events in which one entity obtains control over one or more other businesses. This statement applies prospectively to business combinations or acquisitions after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply this standard before this date. The Company will adopt SFAS 141 as of September 1, 2009.

In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-11 (“EITF 06-11”), “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Award.” EITF 06-11 requires companies to recognize the tax benefits of dividends on unvested share-based payments in equity (increasing the Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R) “APIC Pool” of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies) and reclassify those tax benefits from additional paid-in capital to the income statement when the related award is forfeited (or is no longer expected to vest). The Company is required to adopt EITF 06-11 for dividends declared after September 1, 2008. The Company has opted for earlier application starting on September 1, 2007 for the income tax benefits of dividends on equity-classified employee share-based compensation that are declared in periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The adoption of EITF 06-11 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition and operating results.

In February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS ) No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits companies to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value at specific election dates. The Company will adopt SFAS 159 beginning September 1, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, the interpretation will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company, primarily through majority or wholly owned subsidiaries, conducts operations primarily in Central America and the Caribbean, and as such is subject to both economic and political instabilities that cause volatility in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions. As of May 31, 2008, the Company had a total of 25 consolidated warehouse clubs operating in 11 foreign countries and one U.S. territory, 18 of which operate under currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For the quarters ended May 31, 2008 and May 31, 2007, approximately 79% and 78%, respectively, of the Company’s net warehouse club sales were in foreign currencies. The Company may enter into additional foreign countries in the future or open additional locations in existing countries, which may increase the percentage of net warehouse club sales denominated in foreign currencies.

Despite the current weakness in the U.S. dollar, foreign currencies in most of the countries where the Company operates have historically devalued against the U.S. dollar and are expected to continue to devalue. For example, the Dominican Republic experienced a currency devaluation of approximately 81% between the end of the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002 and the end of

 

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the year ended August 31, 2003 and 13% (significantly higher at certain points of the year) between the year ended August 31, 2003 and the year ended August 31, 2004. There can be no assurance that the Company will not experience any other materially adverse effects on the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results, cash flow or liquidity, from currency devaluations in other countries, as a result of the economic and political risks of conducting an international merchandising business.

Foreign exchange transaction losses, which are included as a part of the costs of goods sold in the consolidated statement of operations, were approximately $515,000 and $1.5 million for the nine months ended May 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Translation adjustment gains/(losses) from the Company’s share of non-U.S. denominated majority or wholly owned subsidiaries and investment in affiliate, resulting from the translation of the assets and liabilities of these companies into U.S. dollars were ($107,000) and $1.5 million for the nine months and year ended May 31, 2008 and August 31, 2007, respectively.

The following is a listing of each country or territory where the Company currently operates and their respective currencies, as of May 31, 2008:

 

Country/Territory

   Number of
Warehouse Clubs
In Operation
  

Currency

Panama

   4    U.S. Dollar

Costa Rica

   4    Costa Rican Colon

Guatemala

   3    Guatemalan Quetzal

Trinidad

   3    Trinidad Dollar

Dominican Republic

   2    Dominican Republic Peso

El Salvador

   2    U.S. Dollar

Honduras

   2    Honduran Lempira

Aruba

   1    Aruba Florin

Barbados

   1    Barbados Dollar

U.S. Virgin Islands

   1    U.S. Dollar

Jamaica

   1    Jamaican Dollar

Nicaragua

   1    Nicaragua Cordoba Oro
       

Totals(1)

   25   
       

 

(1)

The Company opened two warehouse clubs in fiscal year 2008, one each in Guatemala and Trinidad, respectively. The Company does not anticipate any additional warehouse club openings during the fiscal year 2008.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the timelines specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and in reaching a reasonable level of assurance, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the quarter covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is periodically named as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and pending actions and is exposed to tax risks (other than income tax). The principal risks that the Company insures against are workers’ compensation, general liability, vehicle liability, property damage, employment practices, errors and omissions, fiduciary liability and fidelity losses. If a potential loss arising from these lawsuits, claims, actions and non-income tax issues is probable and reasonably estimable, the Company records the estimated liability based on circumstances and assumptions existing at the time in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” While the Company believes the recorded liabilities are adequate, there are inherent limitations in the estimation process whereby future actual losses may exceed projected losses, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007.

Available Information

PriceSmart, Inc.’s website or internet address is www.pricesmart.com. On this website the Company makes available, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with or furnishing it to the SEC. The Company’s SEC reports can be accessed through the investor relations section of its website under “SEC Filings.” All of the Company’s filings with the SEC may also be obtained at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at Room 1580, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20549. For information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room, please contact the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Additionally, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

 

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

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits:

 

  3.1(1)

   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

  3.2(2)

   Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

  3.3(3)

   Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

  3.4(1)

   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

10.1*

   Ninth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and John Hildebrandt, dated March 1, 2008.

10.2*

   Eleventh Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Edward Oats dated March 1, 2008.

10.3*

   Twelfth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Brud Drachman dated March 1, 2008.

10.4*

   Thirteenth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Thomas Martin dated March 1, 2008.

10.5

   Put Agreement, dated as of April 9, 2008, between the Company and PSC, S.A.

31.1*

   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

   Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**

   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

* Identifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** These certifications are being furnished solely to accompany this Report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and are not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of PriceSmart, Inc., whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 1997 filed with the Commission on November 26, 1997.
(2) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 29, 2004 filed with the Commission on April 14, 2004.
(3) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2004 filed with the Commission on November 24, 2004.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  PRICESMART, INC.
Date: July 10, 2008   By:  

/s/ ROBERT E. PRICE

    Robert E. Price
    Chief Executive Officer
    (Authorized Officer)
Date: July 10, 2008   By:  

/s/ JOHN M. HEFFNER

    John M. Heffner
   

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

    (Principal Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

 

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