Bath & Body Works, Inc 10-Q for FY2021 Q1
Bath & Body Works, Inc. (BBWI)
10-Q
2020-06-03
For: 2020-05-02
View Original
Added on
April 04, 2026
About this 10-Q
Bath & Body Works, Inc filed this 10-Q on June 3, 2020, covering the quarter ended May 2, 2020 (FY2021 Q1).
Headline figures
Quarter ended May 2, 2020, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $1.65B
- down 37.1% from $2.63B a year earlier
- Net loss
- $297M
- compared with net income of $40M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- -$1.07
- compared with $0.14 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________________
FORM 10-Q
_________________________________
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the quarterly period ended May 2, 2020
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 1-8344
_________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________________
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) | ||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | |
Emerging growth company | |||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.): Yes ☐ No ☒
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
As of May 29, 2020, the number of outstanding shares of the Registrant’s common stock, was 277,829,273 shares.
L BRANDS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No. | |
Item 1. Financial Statements * | |
Item 4. Controls and Procedures | |
Item 1. Legal Proceedings | |
Item 1A. Risk Factors | |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities | |
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures | |
Item 5. Other Information | |
Item 6. Exhibits | |
* | The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “first quarter of 2020” and “first quarter of 2019” refer to the thirteen-week periods ended May 2, 2020 and May 4, 2019, respectively. |
2
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
First Quarter | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Net Sales | $ | $ | |||||
Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Gross Profit | |||||||
General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Operating Income (Loss) | ( | ) | |||||
Interest Expense | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Other Income | |||||||
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | ( | ) | |||||
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes | ( | ) | |||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||
Net Income (Loss) Per Basic Share | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||
Net Income (Loss) Per Dilutive Share | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||
Dividends Per Share | $ | $ | |||||
L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
First Quarter | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax: | |||||||
Foreign Currency Translation | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Unrealized Gain on Cash Flow Hedges | |||||||
Reclassification of Cash Flow Hedges to Earnings | ( | ) | |||||
Total Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions except par value amounts)
May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | May 4, 2019 | |||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | ||||||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||||
Current Assets: | |||||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Accounts Receivable, Net | |||||||||||
Inventories | |||||||||||
Other | |||||||||||
Total Current Assets | |||||||||||
Property and Equipment, Net | |||||||||||
Operating Lease Assets | |||||||||||
Goodwill | |||||||||||
Trade Names | |||||||||||
Deferred Income Taxes | |||||||||||
Other Assets | |||||||||||
Total Assets | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (DEFICIT) | |||||||||||
Current Liabilities: | |||||||||||
Accounts Payable | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Accrued Expenses and Other | |||||||||||
Current Debt | |||||||||||
Current Operating Lease Liabilities | |||||||||||
Income Taxes | |||||||||||
Total Current Liabilities | |||||||||||
Deferred Income Taxes | |||||||||||
Long-term Debt | |||||||||||
Long-term Operating Lease Liabilities | |||||||||||
Other Long-term Liabilities | |||||||||||
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit): | |||||||||||
Preferred Stock - $1.00 par value; 10 shares authorized; none issued | |||||||||||
Common Stock - $0.50 par value; 1,000 shares authorized; 286, 285 and 284 shares issued; 278, 277 and 276 shares outstanding, respectively | |||||||||||
Paid-in Capital | |||||||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||
Retained Earnings (Deficit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
Less: Treasury Stock, at Average Cost; 8, 8 and 8 shares, respectively | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
Total L Brands, Inc. Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
Noncontrolling Interest | |||||||||||
Total Equity (Accumulated Deficit) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
Total Liabilities and Equity (Deficit) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF TOTAL EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(in millions except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
First Quarter 2020
Common Stock | Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | Treasury Stock, at Average Cost | Noncontrolling Interest | Total Equity (Deficit) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Outstanding | Par Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, February 1, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net Loss | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Comprehensive Loss | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Comprehensive Loss | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Dividends ($0.30 per share) | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based Compensation and Other | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, May 2, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
First Quarter 2019
Common Stock | Paid-In Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | Treasury Stock, at Average Cost | Noncontrolling Interest | Total Equity (Deficit) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares Outstanding | Par Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, February 2, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, February 3, 2019 | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Income | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Comprehensive Loss | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Comprehensive Income | — | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Dividends ($0.30 per share) | — | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share-based Compensation and Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, May 4, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
L BRANDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
(Unaudited)
Year-to-Date | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||
Operating Activities: | |||||||
Net Income (Loss) | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Used for Operating Activities: | |||||||
Long-lived Store Asset Impairment Charges | |||||||
Depreciation of Long-lived Assets | |||||||
Share-based Compensation Expense | |||||||
Deferred Income Taxes | ( | ) | |||||
Gains on Distributions from Easton Investments | ( | ) | |||||
Changes in Assets and Liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts Receivable | |||||||
Inventories | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Income Taxes Payable | ( | ) | |||||
Other Assets and Liabilities | ( | ) | |||||
Net Cash Used for Operating Activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Investing Activities: | |||||||
Capital Expenditures | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Other Investing Activities | ( | ) | |||||
Net Cash Used for Investing Activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Financing Activities: | |||||||
Borrowing from Credit Agreement | |||||||
Payment of Credit Agreement | ( | ) | |||||
Borrowings from Foreign Facilities | |||||||
Repayments of Foreign Facilities | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Dividends Paid | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Tax Payments related to Share-based Awards | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Financing Costs and Other | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | |||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | $ | |||||
The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
L BRANDS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
Description of Business
L Brands, Inc. (the "Company”) operates in the highly competitive specialty retail business. The Company is a specialty retailer of home fragrance products, body care, soaps and sanitizers, women’s intimate and other apparel, and personal and beauty care products. The Company sells its merchandise through company-owned specialty retail stores in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland and Greater China (China and Hong Kong), and through its websites and other channels. The Company's other international operations are primarily through franchise, license and wholesale partners. The Company currently operates the following retail brands:
• | Bath & Body Works |
• | Victoria’s Secret |
• | PINK |
On February 20, 2020, the Company and an affiliate of Sycamore Partners Management, L.P. ("Sycamore"), entered into a Transaction Agreement (the "Transaction Agreement") pursuant to which, among other things, the Company would have sold a 55 % interest in the Company's Victoria's Secret and PINK businesses (collectively, "Victoria's Secret").
On April 22, 2020, the Company received a notice from Sycamore purporting to terminate the Transaction Agreement. Sycamore also filed a lawsuit in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware on April 22, 2020 seeking a declaratory judgment that its termination of the Transaction Agreement was valid.
On May 4, 2020, the Company and Sycamore mutually agreed to terminate the Transaction Agreement. In connection with the termination of the Transaction Agreement, the Company and Sycamore agreed to settle all pending litigation in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and mutually release all claims in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement. The Company did not incur any termination penalties in connection with the termination of the Transaction Agreement.
The Company remains committed to establishing Bath & Body Works as a pure-play public company and is taking the necessary steps to prepare Victoria's Secret to operate as a separate standalone company. Management is actively engaged in implementing a comprehensive profit improvement plan that will better position the Company to evaluate the next steps for the separation of the Victoria's Secret business. The Company determined that Victoria's Secret did not meet the held for sale criteria as of May 2, 2020.
Impacts of COVID-19
In March 2020, the coronavirus pandemic ("COVID-19") was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. This pandemic has negatively affected the U.S. and global economies, disrupted global supply chains and financial markets, and led to significant travel and transportation restrictions, including mandatory closures and orders to “shelter-in-place.” The situation and preventative or protective actions that governments around the world have taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in a period of disruption, including closure of the Company's stores, limited store operating hours, reduced customer traffic and consumer spending and delays in manufacturing and shipping of products and raw materials in the U.S., China and other countries. During this period, the Company is focused on protecting the health and safety of its customers, employees, contractors, suppliers, and other business partners. The Company is also working with its suppliers to minimize potential disruptions, while managing the Company's business in response to a changing dynamic.
The Company's business operations and financial performance for the first quarter of 2020 were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All the Company's stores in North America were closed on March 17th, and only approximately 20 Bath & Body Works stores were opened as of the end of the first quarter. Additionally, operations for Victoria’s Secret Direct were temporarily suspended for approximately one week in late March, while Bath & Body Works Direct remained open for the duration of the first quarter. Since the global COVID-19 crisis began, the Company has taken prudent actions to manage expenses and to maintain its solid cash position and financial flexibility through the pandemic, including:
• | Furloughing most store associates as of April 5, while continuing to provide healthcare benefits for eligible associates; |
• | Suspending associate merit increases; |
• | Reducing salaries for senior vice presidents and above by 20%; |
• | Suspending cash compensation for the Company's former Chairman and CEO, Leslie H. Wexner, and for all members of the Board of Directors; |
7
• | Reducing capital expenditures forecast from $550 million to approximately $250 million; |
• | Reducing Spring (first and second quarter) inventory receipts versus last year by approximately 45% at Victoria's Secret and PINK, and by approximately 20% at Bath & Body Works; |
• | Suspending the quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020; |
• | Suspending store rent payments beginning in April. The Company is in active discussions with its landlords to negotiate with respect to these rent payments and go-forward occupancy costs; |
• | Amending its revolving credit facility to an asset-backed loan revolving credit facility that does not contain a leverage ratio financial maintenance covenant; and |
• | Extending payment terms to vendors. |
The Company remains committed to managing inventory, expenses and capital conservatively to preserve cash and maximize liquidity.
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) which, among other things, provides employer payroll tax credits for wages paid to employees who are unable to work during the coronavirus outbreak and options to defer payroll tax payments. Based on the Company's evaluation of the CARES Act, it qualifies for certain employer payroll tax credits, which will offset operating expenses. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recognized $52 million of qualified payroll tax credits that reduced its store operating expenses.
The Company suspended store rent payments beginning in April, and is in active discussions with its landlords to negotiate with respect to these rent payments and go-forward occupancy costs. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance in April, which allows COVID-19-related rent concessions to be treated as variable rent. The Company did not recognize any material COVID-19-related rent concessions as of May 2, 2020, as it has not yet finalized negotiations with its landlords.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. As used herein, “first quarter of 2020” and “first quarter of 2019” refer to the thirteen-week periods ended May 2, 2020 and May 4, 2019, respectively.
Basis of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company accounts for investments in unconsolidated entities where it exercises significant influence, but does not have control, using the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company recognizes its share of the investee's net income or loss. Losses are only recognized to the extent the Company has positive carrying value related to the investee. Carrying values are only reduced below zero if the Company has an obligation to provide funding to the investee. The Company’s share of net income or loss of unconsolidated entities from which the Company purchases merchandise or merchandise components is included in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company’s share of net income or loss of all other unconsolidated entities is included in Other Income (Loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The Company’s equity method investments are required to be reviewed for impairment when it is determined there may be an other-than-temporary loss in value.
Interim Financial Statements
The Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the periods ended May 2, 2020 and May 4, 2019 are unaudited and are presented pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature and necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.
Due to the impacts of COVID-19 and seasonal variations in the retail industry, the results of operations for the interim period is not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes. All derivative instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
8
The earnings of the Company's wholly owned foreign businesses are subject to exchange rate risk as substantially all the merchandise is sourced through U.S. dollar transactions. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate this foreign currency exposure for its Canadian and U.K. businesses. Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) upon sale of the hedged merchandise to the customer. These gains and losses are recognized in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying and Occupancy in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss). The fair value of designated cash flow hedges is not significant as of May 2, 2020.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents and derivative contracts with various major financial institutions. The Company monitors the relative credit standing of financial institutions with whom the Company transacts and limits the amount of credit exposure with any one entity. Typically, the Company’s investment portfolio is primarily comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits.
The Company also periodically reviews the relative credit standing of franchise, license and wholesale partners and other entities to which the Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business. The Company records an allowance for uncollectable accounts when it becomes probable that the counterparty will be unable to pay.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and the Company revises its estimates and assumptions as new information becomes available.
2. New Accounting Pronouncements
Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which requires the use of a forward-looking expected loss impairment model for accounts receivable and certain other financial instruments. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Guarantor Reporting
In March 2020, the SEC issued a final rule, Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities, that simplifies the disclosure requirements related to registered securities under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. The rule replaces the requirement to provide condensed consolidating financial information with a requirement to present summarized financial information of the issuers and guarantors. It also requires qualitative disclosures with respect to information about guarantors, the terms and conditions of guarantees and the factors that may affect payment. These disclosures may be provided outside the footnotes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company early adopted the reporting requirements of the rule in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, and elected to provide these disclosures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
3. Revenue Recognition
Accounts receivable, net from revenue-generating activities were $142 million as of May 2, 2020, $152 million as of February 1, 2020 and $182 million as of May 4, 2019. Accounts receivable primarily relate to amounts due from the Company's franchise, license and wholesale partners. Under these arrangements, payment terms are typically 60 to 90 days.
The Company records deferred revenue when cash payments are received in advance of transfer of control of goods or services. Deferred revenue primarily relates to gift cards, loyalty and private label credit card programs and direct channel shipments, which are all impacted by seasonal and holiday-related sales patterns. Deferred revenue was $348 million as of May 2, 2020, $342 million as of February 1, 2020 and $280 million as of May 4, 2019. The Company recognized $93 million as revenue during the first quarter of 2020 from amounts recorded as deferred revenue at the beginning of the period. As of May 2, 2020, the Company recorded deferred revenue of $336 million within Accrued Expenses and Other, and $12 million within Other Long-term Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
9
The following table provides a disaggregation of Net Sales for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019:
First Quarter | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||
(in millions) | |||||||
Bath & Body Works Stores (a) | $ | $ | |||||
Bath & Body Works Direct | |||||||
Total Bath & Body Works | |||||||
Victoria’s Secret Stores (a) | |||||||
Victoria’s Secret Direct | |||||||
Total Victoria’s Secret | |||||||
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International (b) | |||||||
Other (c) | |||||||
Total Net Sales | $ | $ | |||||
_______________
(a) | Includes company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada. |
(b) | Includes company-owned stores in the U.K., Ireland and Greater China, direct sales in Greater China and wholesale sales, royalties and other fees associated with non-company owned stores. |
(c) |
4. Earnings Per Share and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per basic share is computed based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares. Earnings per diluted share include the weighted-average effect of dilutive options and restricted stock on the weighted-average shares outstanding.
The following table provides shares utilized for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019:
First Quarter | |||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||
(in millions) | |||||
Weighted-average Common Shares: | |||||
Issued Shares | |||||
Treasury Shares | ( | ) | ( | ) | |
Basic Shares | |||||
Effect of Dilutive Options and Restricted Stock (a) | |||||
Diluted Shares | |||||
Anti-dilutive Options and Awards (a) | |||||
_______________
(a) | These options and awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For the first quarter of 2020, the dilutive impact of outstanding options and awards were excluded from dilutive shares as a result of the Company's net loss for the period. |
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Common Stock Share Repurchases
In March 2018, the Company's Board of Directors approved a $250 million repurchase program, which had $79 million remaining as of May 2, 2020.
The Company did not repurchase any shares during the first quarter of 2020 or 2019.
10
Dividends
Under the authority and declaration of the Board of Directors, the Company paid the following dividends during the first quarter of 2020 and 2019:
Ordinary Dividends | Total Paid | |||||||
(per share) | (in millions) | |||||||
2020 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | $ | ||||||
2019 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | $ | ||||||
The Board of Directors suspended the quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 as a proactive measure to strengthen the Company's financial flexibility and manage through the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. Inventories
The following table provides details of inventories as of May 2, 2020, February 1, 2020 and May 4, 2019:
May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | May 4, 2019 | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Finished Goods Merchandise | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Raw Materials and Merchandise Components | |||||||||||
Total Inventories | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Inventories are principally valued at the lower of cost, on a weighted-average cost basis, or net realizable value.
6. Property and Equipment, Net
The following table provides details of property and equipment, net as of May 2, 2020, February 1, 2020 and May 4, 2019:
May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | May 4, 2019 | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Property and Equipment, at Cost | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
Property and Equipment, Net | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Depreciation expense was $139 million and $145 million for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The Company remains committed to taking the necessary steps to prepare the Victoria's Secret business to operate as a separate, standalone company. Management is actively working on implementing a comprehensive profit improvement plan that will better position the Company to evaluate the next steps for the separation of the Victoria's Secret business. A component of the profit improvement plan includes a significant rationalization of the Victoria’s Secret company-owned store footprint. The Company estimates that it will close approximately 250 stores in North America in 2020. Given the closures as well as the negative operating results of certain Victoria's Secret stores, the Company recorded long-lived store asset impairment charges of $97 million within the Victoria's Secret segment in the first quarter of 2020. Long-lived store asset impairment charges are included in Costs of Goods Sold, Buying & Occupancy in the 2020 Consolidated Statement of Loss.
7. Equity Investments
The Company has land and other investments in Easton, a planned community in Columbus, Ohio, that integrates office, hotel, retail, residential and recreational space. These investments, totaling $120 million as of May 2, 2020, $118 million as of February 1, 2020 and $94 million as of May 4, 2019, are recorded in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Included in the Company’s Easton investments are equity interests in Easton Town Center, LLC (“ETC”) and Easton Gateway, LLC (“EG”), entities that own and develop commercial entertainment and shopping centers. The Company’s investments in ETC and EG are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The Company has a majority financial interest in ETC and EG, but another unaffiliated member manages them, and certain significant decisions regarding ETC and EG require the consent of unaffiliated members in addition to the Company.
11
8. Income Taxes
We have historically calculated the provision for income taxes on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate and adjusted as necessary for quarterly events. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the income tax expense for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2020 was computed on a year-to-date effective tax rate.
For the first quarter of 2020, the Company’s effective tax rate was 28.0 % compared to 33.6 % in the first quarter of 2019. The first quarter of 2020 rate was higher than the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters, which resulted in a $50 million tax benefit, offset by losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries, which generate no tax benefit. The first quarter of 2019 rate was higher than the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of tax expense on share-based awards that vested in the quarter.
Income taxes paid were $9 million and $12 million for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $88 million as of February 1, 2020, of which $81 million, if recognized, would reduce the effective income tax rate. Through May 2, 2020, the Company had a net decrease to gross unrecognized tax benefits of $41 million, primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters. The changes to the unrecognized tax benefits resulted in a $40 million benefit to the Company’s Provision for Income Taxes in the first quarter of 2020.
12
9. Long-term Debt and Borrowing Facilities
The following table provides the Company’s outstanding debt balance, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, as of May 2, 2020, February 1, 2020 and May 4, 2019:
May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | May 4, 2019 | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Senior Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee | |||||||||||
$1 billion, 6.875% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due November 2035 (“2035 Notes”) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
$860 million, 5.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due February 2022 (“2022 Notes”) | |||||||||||
$700 million, 6.75% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2036 (“2036 Notes”) | |||||||||||
$500 million, 5.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due October 2023 (“2023 Notes”) | |||||||||||
$500 million, 5.25% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due February 2028 (“2028 Notes”) | |||||||||||
$500 million, 7.50% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due June 2029 ("2029 Notes") | |||||||||||
$450 million, 6.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due April 2021 (“2021 Notes”) | |||||||||||
$297 million, 6.694% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due January 2027 (“2027 Notes”) | |||||||||||
$338 million, 7.00% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due May 2020 (“2020 Notes”) | |||||||||||
Secured Foreign Facilities | |||||||||||
Total Senior Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Senior Debt | |||||||||||
$350 million, 6.95% Fixed Interest Rate Debentures due March 2033 (“2033 Notes”) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
$300 million, 7.60% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2037 (“2037 Notes”) | |||||||||||
Unsecured Foreign Facilities | |||||||||||
Total Senior Debt | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Current Debt | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||
Total Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Issuance of Notes
In June 2019, the Company issued $500 million of 7.50 % notes due in June 2029. The obligation to pay principal and interest on these notes is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by certain of the Company's 100% owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). The proceeds from the issuance were $486 million, which were net of discounts and issuance costs of $14 million. The discounts and issuance costs are being amortized through the maturity date and are included within Long-term Debt on the May 2, 2020 and February 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Repurchases of Notes
In June 2019, the Company completed the early settlement of tender offers to repurchase $212 million of outstanding 2020 Notes, $330 million of outstanding 2021 Notes and $96 million of outstanding 2022 Notes for $669 million. The Company used the proceeds from the 2029 Notes, together with cash on hand, to fund the purchase price for the tender offers. Additionally, in July 2019, the Company redeemed the remaining $126 million of outstanding 2020 Notes for $130 million.
In the second quarter of 2019, the Company recognized a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $40 million (after-tax loss of $30 million), which includes redemption fees and the write-offs of unamortized issuance costs.
Revolving Credit Facility
The Company, the Guarantors and certain of the Company's 100% owned Canadian subsidiaries guarantee and pledge collateral to secure a revolving credit facility ("Credit Agreement"). In April 2020, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement (“Amendment”) of the Credit Agreement to convert the Company’s credit facility into an asset-backed revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”). The Amendment maintains the aggregate commitments at $1 billion, and maintains the expiration date in August of 2024. The ABL Facility allows borrowings and letters of credit in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars.
Availability under the ABL Facility is the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, determined primarily based on the Company's eligible U.S. and Canadian credit card receivables, accounts receivable, inventory and eligible real property, or (ii) the aggregate commitment. If at any time, the outstanding amount under the ABL Facility exceeds the lesser of (i) the aggregate
13
commitment and (ii) the borrowing base, the Company will be required to prepay the outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility to the extent of such excess. In addition, at any time that our consolidated cash balance exceeds $350 million, the Company will be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility to the extent of such excess. As of May 2, 2020, the Company was unable to draw upon the ABL Facility as its consolidated cash balance exceeded $350 million.
As of May 2, 2020, the ABL Facility fees related to committed and unutilized amounts were 0.30 % per annum, and the fees related to outstanding letters of credit were 1.75 % per annum. In addition, the interest rate on outstanding U.S. dollar borrowings was the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 1.75 % per annum. The interest rate on outstanding Canadian dollar-denominated borrowings was the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate plus 1.75 % per annum.
The ABL Facility requires the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 during an event of default or any period commencing on any day when specified excess availability is less than the greater of (1) $100 million or (2) 15% of the maximum borrowing amount. As of May 2, 2020, the Company was not required to maintain this ratio.
In March 2020, in an abundance of caution and as a proactive measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company elected to borrow $950 million from its revolving facility, which was prepaid upon the completion of the Amendment. As of May 2, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility.
The ABL Facility supports the Company’s letter of credit program. The Company had $28 million of outstanding letters of credit as of May 2, 2020 that reduced its availability under the ABL Facility.
Foreign Facilities
Certain of the Company's Greater China subsidiaries utilize revolving and term loan bank facilities to support their operations ("Foreign Facilities"). The Foreign Facilities allow borrowings in U.S. dollars and Chinese Yuan, and interest rates on outstanding borrowings are based upon the applicable benchmark rate for the currency of each borrowing. Certain of these facilities are guaranteed by the Company, the Guarantors and certain of the Company's 100% owned Canadian subsidiaries ("Secured Foreign Facilities"), and certain of these facilities are guaranteed by the Company only ("Unsecured Foreign Facilities").
The Secured Foreign Facilities have availability totaling $150 million. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company borrowed $10 million and made payments of $6 million under the Secured Foreign Facilities. As of May 2, 2020, there were borrowings of $107 million outstanding under the Secured Foreign Facilities, of which $18 million is included within Current Debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Borrowings on the Secured Foreign Facility mature between June 2020 and August 2024. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company agreed to cash collateralize the Secured Foreign Facilities but had not yet put the collateral in place as of May 2, 2020. The Secured Foreign Facilities will be required to be collateralized for the total lender commitments, net of certain paydowns, and, as such, reduces over time.
10. Fair Value Measurements
Cash and Cash Equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with original maturities of less than 90 days. The Company's Cash and Cash Equivalents are considered Level 1 fair value measurements as they are valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
The following table provides a summary of the principal value and estimated fair value of outstanding publicly traded debt as of May 2, 2020, February 1, 2020 and May 4, 2019:
May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | May 4, 2019 | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Principal Value | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Fair Value, Estimated (a) | |||||||||||
_______________
(a) | The estimated fair value of the Company’s publicly traded debt is based on reported transaction prices, which are considered Level 2 inputs in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. |
Management believes that the carrying values of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturity.
14
11. Comprehensive Income
The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income for the first quarter of 2020:
Foreign Currency Translation | Cash Flow Hedges | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Balance as of February 1, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications | ( | ) | |||||||||
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||||
Tax Effect | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
Current-period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
Balance as of May 2, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
The following table provides the rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive income for the first quarter of 2019:
Foreign Currency Translation | Cash Flow Hedges | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Balance as of February 2, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Before Reclassifications | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
Tax Effect | |||||||||||
Current-period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||
Balance as of May 4, 2019 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||
12. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is subject to various claims and contingencies related to lawsuits, taxes, insurance, regulatory and other matters arising out of the normal course of business. Actions filed against the Company from time to time include commercial, tort, intellectual property, customer, employment, data privacy, securities and other claims, including purported class action lawsuits. Management believes that the ultimate liability arising from such claims and contingencies, if any, is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
In July 2019, a plaintiff shareholder filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging that the Company made false and/or misleading statements relating to the November 2018 announcement that the Company was reducing its quarterly dividend. In September 2019, a different plaintiff shareholder filed a second putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio containing substantially the same allegations and seeking substantially the same relief. In October 2019, the Court issued an order consolidating the two putative class actions, appointing a lead plaintiff, and approving that lead plaintiff’s selection of lead counsel. The lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint on December 20, 2019 that asserted substantially the same allegations and sought substantially the same relief as the initial complaint. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint on February 18, 2020, the lead plaintiff filed an opposition to the Company's motion to dismiss on May 4, 2020, and the Company filed a reply brief in further support of its motion to dismiss on June 3, 2020. The Company's motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint is now fully briefed and pending before the court. The Company views this lawsuit as meritless and intends to defend against this lawsuit vigorously.
On February 19, 2020, a plaintiff shareholder filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging derivative claims on behalf of the Company against certain of its current and former directors and officers. The Company was named as nominal defendant. The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and unjust enrichment in connection with alleged misstatements about our quarterly dividend prior to the announced reduction of the dividend in November 2018. The Company intends to seek dismissal of the lawsuit.
On May 19, 2020, a purported shareholder filed a derivative lawsuit on behalf of L Brands, Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio. The complaint names as defendants certain current and former directors and officers of L Brands, Inc. and alleges, among other things, that these defendants breached their fiduciary duties by violating law and/or company
15
policies relating to workplace conduct. The Company was named as nominal defendant only, and there are no claims asserted against it. The Company is currently evaluating potential options for responding to the lawsuit.
La Senza
In connection with the sale of La Senza in the fourth quarter of 2018, certain of the Company's subsidiaries have remaining contingent obligations of $36 million related to lease payments under the current terms of noncancelable leases expiring at various dates through 2028. These obligations include minimum rent and additional payments covering taxes, common area costs and certain other expenses and relate to leases that commenced prior to the disposition of the business. As part of the sale, a liability of $5 million was recorded for these obligations. During 2019, additional reserves of $35 million were recorded related to these obligations. As of May 2, 2020, the Company has recorded reserves of $37 million related to these and certain other obligations related to the La Senza business. As of May 2, 2020, reserves of $6 million are included within Accrued Expenses and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the remaining reserves are included within Other Long-term Liabilities.
Other
13. Retirement Benefits
The Company sponsors a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan and a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan for substantially all its associates within the U.S. Participation in the tax-qualified plan is available to associates who meet certain age and service requirements. Participation in the non-qualified plan is available to associates who meet certain age, service, job level and compensation requirements.
The qualified plan permits participating associates to elect contributions up to the maximum limits allowable under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches associate contributions according to a predetermined formula and contributes additional amounts based on a percentage of the associates’ eligible annual compensation and years of service. Associate contributions and Company matching contributions vest immediately. Additional Company contributions and the related investment earnings are subject to vesting based on years of service. Total expense recognized related to the qualified plan was $21 million for the first quarter of 2020 and $19 million for the first quarter of 2019.
14. Segment Information
The Company has three reportable segments: Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret and Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International.
The Bath & Body Works segment sells body care, home fragrance products, soaps and sanitizers under the Bath & Body Works, White Barn, C.O. Bigelow and other brand names. Bath & Body Works merchandise is sold online and at retail stores located in the U.S. and Canada.
16
The Victoria’s Secret segment sells women’s intimate and other apparel, personal care and beauty products under the Victoria’s Secret and PINK brand names. Victoria’s Secret merchandise is sold online and through retail stores located in the U.S. and Canada.
The Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International segment includes the Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works company-owned and partner-operated stores located outside of the U.S. and Canada, as well as the online business in Greater China. This segment includes the following:
• | Victoria's Secret International, comprised of company-owned stores in the U.K., Ireland and Greater China, as well as stores operated by partners under franchise and license arrangements; |
• | Victoria's Secret Beauty and Accessories, comprised of company-owned stores in Greater China, as well as stores operated by partners under franchise, license and wholesale arrangements, which feature Victoria's Secret branded beauty and accessories products in travel retail and other locations; and |
• | Bath & Body Works International, comprised of stores operated by partners under franchise, license and wholesale arrangements. |
Other includes Mast Global, a merchandise sourcing and production function serving the Company and its international partners, and Corporate functions, including non-core real estate, equity investments and other governance functions such as treasury and tax.
The following table provides the Company’s segment information for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019:
Bath & Body Works | Victoria’s Secret | Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works International | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||
2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter: | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Operating Income (Loss) (a) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||
2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter: | |||||||||||||||||||
Net Sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Operating Income (Loss) | ( | ) | ( | ) | |||||||||||||||
_______________
(a) | Victoria's Secret includes long-lived store asset impairment charges of $ |
15. Subsequent Events
Victoria's Secret Transaction Agreement
On May 4, 2020, the Company and Sycamore mutually agreed to terminate the Transaction Agreement. In connection with the termination of the Transaction Agreement, the Company and Sycamore agreed to settle all pending litigation in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and mutually release all claims in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement. The Company did not incur any termination penalties in connection with the termination of the Transaction Agreement.
Leadership Changes
On May 14, 2020, previously announced leadership and governance changes became effective: Leslie H. Wexner resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (the "Board") to become Chairman Emeritus, remaining as a member of the Board. Andrew M. Meslow, Chief Executive Officer of Bath & Body Works, was appointed by the Board as Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company. Further, Sarah E. Nash, a member of the Board, became the Chair of the Board. Finally, former lead independent director Allan Tessler, as well as directors Gordon Gee and Raymond Zimmerman, retired from the Board.
17
On May 18, 2020, Stuart B. Burgdoerfer agreed to assume the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer for Victoria’s Secret, in addition to his role as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Pursuant to a mutual agreement with the Company entered into on May 18, 2020, Charles C. McGuigan will no longer serve as Chief Operating Officer of the Company or as the Chief Executive Officer of Mast Global, effective as of July 4, 2020.
2020 Stock Plan
On May 14, 2020, the stockholders of the Company approved the Company's 2020 Stock Option and Performance Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”). The 2020 Plan provides for 11.7 million shares of Common Stock available for grant, which includes 5.3 million shares of Common Stock available for grant under the previous stock option and performance incentive plan.
Legal Proceedings
On May 19, 2020, a purported shareholder filed a derivative lawsuit on behalf of L Brands, Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio. The complaint names as defendants certain current and former directors and officers of L Brands, Inc. and alleges, among other things, that these defendants breached their fiduciary duties by violating law and/or company policies relating to workplace conduct. The Company was named as nominal defendant only, and there are no claims asserted against it. The Company is currently evaluating potential options for responding to the lawsuit.
18
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of L Brands, Inc.
Results of Review of Interim Financial Statements
We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of L Brands, Inc. (the Company) as of May 2, 2020 and May 4, 2019, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), total equity (deficit), and cash flows for the thirteen week periods ended May 2, 2020 and May 4, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated interim financial statements”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of February 1, 2020, and the related consolidated statements of income (loss), comprehensive income (loss), total equity (deficit), and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 27, 2020, we expressed an unqualified audit opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of February 1, 2020, is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
Basis for Review Results
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the PCAOB. We conducted our review in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial statements consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Grandview Heights, Ohio
June 3, 2020
19
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES LITIGATION ACT OF 1995
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this report or made by our company or our management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential” and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this report or otherwise made by our company or our management:
• | general economic conditions, consumer confidence, consumer spending patterns and market disruptions including severe weather conditions, natural disasters, significant health hazards or pandemics, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events; |
• | divestitures or other dispositions, including any divestiture of Victoria’s Secret and related operations, could negatively impact our business, and contingent liabilities from businesses that we have sold could adversely affect our financial statements; |
• | the seasonality of our business; |
• | difficulties arising from turnover in company leadership or other key positions; |
• | our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified associates and manage labor-related costs; |
• | liabilities arising from divested businesses; |
• | the dependence on mall traffic and the availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms; |
• | our ability to grow through new store openings and existing store remodels and expansions; |
• | our ability to successfully expand internationally and related risks; |
• | our independent franchise, license and wholesale partners; |
• | our direct channel businesses; |
• | our ability to protect our reputation and our brand images; |
• | our ability to attract customers with marketing, advertising and promotional programs; |
• | our ability to protect our trade names, trademarks and patents; |
• | the highly competitive nature of the retail industry and the segments in which we operate; |
• | consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to manage the life cycle of our brands, keep up with fashion trends, develop new merchandise and launch new product lines successfully; |
• | our ability to source, distribute and sell goods and materials on a global basis, including risks related to: |
• | political instability, environmental hazards or natural disasters; |
• | significant health hazards or pandemics, which could result in closed factories, closed stores, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in infected areas; |
• | duties, taxes and other charges; |
• | legal and regulatory matters; |
• | volatility in currency exchange rates; |
• | local business practices and political issues; |
• | potential delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts; |
• | disruption due to labor disputes; and |
• | changing expectations regarding product safety due to new legislation; |
• | our geographic concentration of vendor and distribution facilities in central Ohio; |
• | fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; |
• | stock price volatility; |
• | our ability to pay dividends and related effects; |
• | our ability to maintain our credit rating; |
• | our ability to service or refinance our debt; |
20
• | shareholder activism matters; |
• | the ability of our vendors to deliver products in a timely manner, meet quality standards and comply with applicable laws and regulations; |
• | fluctuations in product input costs; |
• | our ability to adequately protect our assets from loss and theft; |
• | fluctuations in energy costs; |
• | increases in the costs of mailing, paper and printing; |
• | claims arising from our self-insurance; |
• | our ability to implement and maintain information technology systems and to protect associated data; |
• | our ability to maintain the security of customer, associate, third-party or company information; |
• | our ability to comply with laws and regulations or other obligations related to data privacy and security; |
• | our ability to comply with regulatory requirements; |
• | legal and compliance matters; and |
• | tax, trade and other regulatory matters. |
We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this report to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Form 10-Q and in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1. Financial Statements.
Executive Overview
In the first quarter of 2020, our operating income decreased $471 million to a loss of $318 million, and our operating income (loss) rate decreased to (19.2%) from 5.8%. Net sales decreased $975 million to $1.654 billion. At Bath & Body Works, net sales decreased $158 million, or 18%, and operating income decreased $86 million, or 55%. At Victoria's Secret, net sales decreased $689 million, or 46%, and operating income decreased to a loss of $300 million, including long-lived store asset impairment charges of $97 million. At Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International, net sales decreased $70 million, or 51%, and the operating loss increased by $31 million.
Impacts of COVID-19
In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. This pandemic has negatively affected the U.S. and global economies, disrupted global supply chains and financial markets, and led to significant travel and transportation restrictions, including mandatory closures and orders to “shelter-in-place.” The situation and preventative or protective actions that governments around the world have taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in a period of disruption, including closure of our stores, limited store operating hours, reduced customer traffic and consumer spending and delays in manufacturing and shipping of products and raw materials in the U.S., China and other countries. During this period, we are focused on protecting the health and safety of our customers, employees, contractors, suppliers, and other business partners. We are also working with our suppliers to minimize potential disruptions, while managing our business in response to a changing dynamic.
Our business operations and financial performance for the first quarter of 2020 were materially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All our stores in North America were closed on March 17th, and only approximately 20 Bath & Body Works stores were opened as of the end of the first quarter. Additionally, operations for Victoria’s Secret Direct were temporarily suspended for approximately one week in late March, while Bath & Body Works Direct remained open for the duration of the first quarter. Since the global COVID-19 crisis began, we have taken prudent actions to manage expenses and to maintain our solid cash position and financial flexibility through the pandemic, including:
• | Furloughing most store associates as of April 5, while continuing to provide healthcare benefits for eligible associates; |
• | Suspending associate merit increases; |
• | Reducing salaries for senior vice presidents and above by 20%; |
21
• | Suspending cash compensation for the Company's former Chairman and CEO, Leslie H. Wexner, and for all Board members; |
• | Reducing our capital expenditures forecast from $550 million to approximately $250 million; |
• | Reducing Spring (first and second quarter) inventory receipts versus last year by approximately 45% at Victoria's Secret and PINK, and by approximately 20% at Bath & Body Works; |
• | Suspending our quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020; |
• | Suspending store rent payments beginning in April. We are in active discussions with our landlords to negotiate with respect to these rent payments and go-forward occupancy costs; |
• | Amending our revolving credit facility to an asset-backed loan revolving credit facility that does not contain a leverage ratio financial maintenance covenant; and |
• | Extending payment terms to vendors. |
We remain committed to managing inventory, expenses and capital conservatively to preserve cash and maximize liquidity.
For the second quarter, we are committed to maximizing revenue through continued emphasis on the Direct businesses. We will thoughtfully reopen stores throughout the second quarter, taking steps to ensure the safety of our customers and associates, and adhering to government guidelines. We expect that the majority of our stores will be open by the end of July.
For additional information related to our first quarter 2020 financial performance, see “Results of Operations.”
Go-forward Plan for Victoria's Secret
We remain committed to establishing Bath & Body Works as a pure-play public company and are taking the necessary steps to prepare Victoria’s Secret to operate as a separate, standalone company. We are actively engaged in implementing a comprehensive profit improvement plan for Victoria's Secret, which includes:
◦ | An increase in focus on inventory management, sourcing cost reductions and tariff mitigations, and an increase in full-price selling driven by an improved product assortment; |
◦ | A reduction in store selling costs; |
◦ | A rationalization of the Victoria’s Secret company-owned store footprint. We estimate that we will close approximately 250 stores in the U.S. and Canada in 2020. We are also actively evaluating strategic alternatives to reduce or eliminate losses in the U.K. and China; and |
◦ | A holistic review of our home office organizations, which will include the decentralization of significant functions and services in support of creating standalone companies and a meaningful reduction in overhead expenses, along with a focus on retaining key talent. |
We believe that implementing this plan will better position us to evaluate the next steps for the separation of the Victoria's Secret business.
22
Adjusted Financial Information
In addition to our results provided in accordance with GAAP above and throughout this Form 10-Q, provided below are non-GAAP measurements which present net loss and loss per share in 2020 on an adjusted basis, which remove certain special items. We believe that these special items are not indicative of our ongoing operations due to their size and nature. We use adjusted financial information as key performance measures of results of operations for the purpose of evaluating performance internally. These non-GAAP measurements are not intended to replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP. Instead, we believe that the presentation of adjusted financial information provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present operations. Further, our definition of adjusted financial information may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. The table below reconciles the GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP financial measures.
First Quarter | |||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
Detail of Special Items - Income (Expense) | |||||||
Victoria's Secret Store-Related Asset Impairment (a) | $ | (97 | ) | $ | — | ||
Special Items included in Operating Income (Loss) | (97 | ) | — | ||||
Tax Benefit from the Resolution of Certain Tax Matters (b) | 50 | — | |||||
Tax Effect of Special Items included in Operating Income (Loss) | 25 | — | |||||
Special Items included in Net Income (Loss) | $ | (22 | ) | $ | — | ||
Reconciliation of Reported Operating Income (Loss) to Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | |||||||
Reported Operating Income (Loss) | $ | (318 | ) | $ | 153 | ||
Special Items included in Operating Income (Loss) | 97 | — | |||||
Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) | $ | (221 | ) | $ | 153 | ||
Reconciliation of Reported Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income (Loss) | |||||||
Reported Net Income (Loss) | $ | (297 | ) | $ | 40 | ||
Special Items included in Net Income (Loss) | 22 | — | |||||
Adjusted Net Income (Loss) | $ | (275 | ) | $ | 40 | ||
Reconciliation of Reported Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share to Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share | |||||||
Reported Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share | $ | (1.07 | ) | $ | 0.14 | ||
Special Items included in Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share | 0.08 | — | |||||
Adjusted Earnings (Loss) Per Diluted Share | $ | (0.99 | ) | $ | 0.14 | ||
________________
(a) | In the first quarter of 2020, we recognized pre-tax impairment charges of $97 million ($72 million after tax) related to certain Victoria's Secret long-lived store assets. For additional information see Note 6, "Property and Equipment, Net." |
(b) | In the first quarter of 2020, we recognized a $50 million tax benefit related to the resolution of certain tax matters. For additional information see Note 8, "Income Taxes." |
23
Company-Owned Store Data
The following table compares the first quarter of 2020 company-owned store data to the first quarter of 2019:
First Quarter | ||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | % Change | ||||||||
Sales per Average Selling Square Foot (a) | ||||||||||
Bath & Body Works U.S. | $ | 93 | $ | 160 | (42 | %) | ||||
Victoria’s Secret U.S. | 71 | 154 | (54 | %) | ||||||
Sales per Average Store (in thousands) (a) | ||||||||||
Bath & Body Works U.S. | $ | 245 | $ | 413 | (41 | %) | ||||
Victoria’s Secret U.S. | 464 | 1,000 | (54 | %) | ||||||
Average Store Size (selling square feet) | ||||||||||
Bath & Body Works U.S. | 2,633 | 2,592 | 2 | % | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret U.S. | 6,587 | 6,540 | 1 | % | ||||||
Total Selling Square Feet (in thousands) | ||||||||||
Bath & Body Works U.S. | 4,305 | 4,224 | 2 | % | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret U.S. | 6,804 | 6,959 | (2 | %) | ||||||
________________
(a) | Sales per average selling square foot and sales per average store, which are indicators of store productivity, are calculated based on store sales for the period divided by the average, including the beginning and end of period, of total square footage and store count, respectively. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, all our stores in the U.S. were closed on March 17, and almost all remained closed as of the end of the first quarter. As a result, comparisons of year-over-year trends are not a meaningful way to discuss our operating results this quarter. |
The following table represents company-owned store data for first quarter of 2020:
Stores Operating at | Stores Operating at | ||||||||||
February 1, 2020 | Opened | Closed | May 2, 2020 | ||||||||
Bath & Body Works U.S. | 1,637 | 3 | (5 | ) | 1,635 | ||||||
Bath & Body Works Canada | 102 | — | — | 102 | |||||||
Total Bath & Body Works | 1,739 | 3 | (5 | ) | 1,737 | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret U.S. | 1,053 | 1 | (21 | ) | 1,033 | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret Canada | 38 | — | (1 | ) | 37 | ||||||
Total Victoria's Secret | 1,091 | 1 | (22 | ) | 1,070 | ||||||
Victoria's Secret U.K. / Ireland | 26 | — | — | 26 | |||||||
Victoria's Secret Beauty and Accessories | 41 | — | (1 | ) | 40 | ||||||
Victoria's Secret Greater China | 23 | 1 | — | 24 | |||||||
Total Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International | 90 | 1 | (1 | ) | 90 | ||||||
Total L Brands Stores | 2,920 | 5 | (28 | ) | 2,897 | ||||||
24
The following table represents company-owned store data for first quarter of 2019:
Stores Operating at | Stores Operating at | ||||||||||
February 2, 2019 | Opened | Closed | May 4, 2019 | ||||||||
Bath & Body Works U.S. | 1,619 | 14 | (3 | ) | 1,630 | ||||||
Bath & Body Works Canada | 102 | — | — | 102 | |||||||
Total Bath & Body Works | 1,721 | 14 | (3 | ) | 1,732 | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret U.S. | 1,098 | 1 | (35 | ) | 1,064 | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret Canada | 45 | — | — | 45 | |||||||
Total Victoria's Secret | 1,143 | 1 | (35 | ) | 1,109 | ||||||
Victoria's Secret U.K. / Ireland | 26 | — | — | 26 | |||||||
Victoria's Secret Beauty and Accessories | 38 | 2 | (2 | ) | 38 | ||||||
Victoria's Secret Greater China | 15 | — | — | 15 | |||||||
Total Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International | 79 | 2 | (2 | ) | 79 | ||||||
Total L Brands Stores | 2,943 | 17 | (40 | ) | 2,920 | ||||||
Noncompany-Owned Store Data
The following table represents noncompany-owned store data for the first quarter of 2020:
Stores Operating at | Stores Operating at | ||||||||||
February 1, 2020 | Opened | Closed | May 2, 2020 | ||||||||
Bath & Body Works | 278 | 6 | (1 | ) | 283 | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories | 360 | — | (7 | ) | 353 | ||||||
Victoria's Secret | 84 | 2 | — | 86 | |||||||
Total | 722 | 8 | (8 | ) | 722 | ||||||
The following table represents noncompany-owned store data for the first quarter of 2019:
Stores Operating at | Stores Operating at | ||||||||||
February 2, 2019 | Opened | Closed | May 4, 2019 | ||||||||
Bath & Body Works | 235 | 9 | (1 | ) | 243 | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret Beauty & Accessories | 383 | 7 | (12 | ) | 378 | ||||||
Victoria's Secret | 56 | 3 | — | 59 | |||||||
Total | 674 | 19 | (13 | ) | 680 | ||||||
First Quarter of 2020 Compared to First Quarter of 2019
Operating Income (Loss)
The following table provides our segment operating income (loss) and operating income (loss) rates (expressed as a percentage of net sales) for the first quarter of 2020 in comparison to the first quarter of 2019:
Operating Income (Loss) Rate | |||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
First Quarter | (in millions) | ||||||||||||
Bath & Body Works | $ | 69 | $ | 155 | 9.7 | % | 17.8 | % | |||||
Victoria’s Secret | (300 | ) | 33 | (36.5 | %) | 2.2 | % | ||||||
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International | (35 | ) | (4 | ) | (53.9 | %) | (3.0 | %) | |||||
Other (a) | (52 | ) | (31 | ) | (94.5 | %) | (26.9 | %) | |||||
Total Operating Income (Loss) | $ | (318 | ) | $ | 153 | (19.2 | %) | 5.8 | % | ||||
_______________
(a) | Includes sourcing and corporate functions. |
For the first quarter of 2020, operating income (loss) decreased $471 million, to a loss of $318 million, and the operating income (loss) rate decreased to (19.2%) from 5.8%. The drivers of the operating income (loss) results are discussed in the following sections.
25
Net Sales
The following table provides net sales for the first quarter of 2020 in comparison to the first quarter of 2019:
2020 | 2019 | % Change | ||||||||
First Quarter | (in millions) | |||||||||
Bath & Body Works Stores (a) | $ | 424 | $ | 715 | (41 | %) | ||||
Bath & Body Works Direct | 289 | 156 | 85 | % | ||||||
Total Bath & Body Works | 713 | 871 | (18 | %) | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret Stores (a) | 514 | 1,149 | (55 | %) | ||||||
Victoria’s Secret Direct | 308 | 362 | (15 | %) | ||||||
Total Victoria’s Secret | 822 | 1,511 | (46 | %) | ||||||
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International (b) | 65 | 135 | (51 | %) | ||||||
Other (c) | 54 | 112 | (52 | %) | ||||||
Total Net Sales | $ | 1,654 | $ | 2,629 | (37 | %) | ||||
________________
(a) | Includes company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada. |
(b) | Includes company-owned stores in the U.K., Ireland and Greater China, direct sales in Greater China and wholesale sales, royalties and other fees associated with non-company owned stores. |
(c) | Includes wholesale revenues from our sourcing function. |
The following table provides a reconciliation of net sales for the first quarter of 2020 to the first quarter of 2019:
Bath & Body Works | Victoria’s Secret | Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works International | Other | Total | |||||||||||||||
First Quarter | (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
2019 Net Sales | $ | 871 | $ | 1,511 | $ | 135 | $ | 112 | $ | 2,629 | |||||||||
Comparable Store Sales | 65 | (84 | ) | (26 | ) | — | (45 | ) | |||||||||||
Sales Associated with New, Closed and Non-comparable Remodeled Stores, Net | (355 | ) | (534 | ) | (18 | ) | — | (907 | ) | ||||||||||
Foreign Currency Translation | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | (3 | ) | — | (5 | ) | ||||||||||
Direct Channels | 133 | (53 | ) | (1 | ) | — | 79 | ||||||||||||
Private Label Credit Card | — | (17 | ) | — | — | (17 | ) | ||||||||||||
International Wholesale, Royalty and Other | — | — | (22 | ) | (58 | ) | (80 | ) | |||||||||||
2020 Net Sales | $ | 713 | $ | 822 | $ | 65 | $ | 54 | $ | 1,654 | |||||||||
26
The following table compares the first quarter of 2020 comparable sales to the first quarter of 2019:
First Quarter | 2020 | 2019 | |||
Comparable Sales (Stores and Direct) (a) | |||||
Bath & Body Works (b) | 41 | % | 13 | % | |
Victoria's Secret (b) | (13 | %) | (5 | %) | |
Total Comparable Sales | 4 | % | — | % | |
Comparable Store Sales (a) | |||||
Bath & Body Works (b) | 20 | % | 7 | % | |
Victoria’s Secret (b) | (15 | %) | (7 | %) | |
Total Comparable Store Sales | (5 | %) | (3 | %) | |
________
(a) | The percentage change in comparable sales represents direct and comparable store sales. The percentage change in comparable store sales represents the change in sales at comparable stores only and excludes the change in sales from our direct channels. A store is typically included in the calculation of comparable sales when it has been open 12 months or more and it has not had a change in selling square footage of 20% or more. Stores are excluded from the comparable sales calculation if they have been closed for four consecutive days or more. Therefore, comparable sales results for the first quarter of 2020 exclude stores that were closed for four consecutive days or more as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, stores of a given brand are excluded if total selling square footage for the brand in the mall changes by 20% or more through the opening or closing of a second store. The percentage change in comparable sales is calculated on a comparable calendar period as opposed to a fiscal basis. Comparable sales attributable to our international stores are calculated on a constant currency basis. |
(b) | Includes company-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada. |
The results by segment are as follows:
Bath & Body Works
For the first quarter of 2020, net sales decreased $158 million to $713 million, comparable sales increased 41%, and comparable store sales increased 20% (during the period the stores were open). Net sales decreased as a result of the COVID-19-related store closures. Comparable store sales increased meaningfully prior to the temporary store closures, primarily driven by a significant increase in demand for hand soaps and sanitizers, as well as by increases in body care and home fragrance. The Bath & Body Works Direct channel, which remained open throughout the quarter, grew sales by 85% as we focused on increasing our fulfillment capacity to meet the significant and unplanned increase in demand. All major categories in the Direct Channel are experiencing positive sales growth, with high demand in soaps and sanitizers.
The increase in comparable sales was driven by increases in digital traffic and digital conversion.
Victoria's Secret
For the first quarter of 2020, net sales decreased $689 million to $822 million, comparable sales decreased 13%, and comparable store sales decreased 15% (during the period stores were open). Net sales decreased as a result of the COVID-19-related store closures. Prior to the temporary store closures, comparable store sales in all categories declined due to merchandise performance. Victoria's Secret Direct channel sales declined by 15%, driven by merchandise performance and also by the temporary suspension of operations in March.
The decrease in comparable sales was driven by declines in traffic and average unit retail.
Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works International
For the first quarter of 2020, net sales decreased $70 million to $65 million due to a decline in the Victoria's Secret International business and COVID-19-related store closures impacting Company-owned and partner-operated stores.
Other
For the first quarter of 2020, net sales decreased $58 million to $54 million due a decrease in wholesale sales to our international partners, impacted significantly by COVID-19-related store closures.
Gross Profit
For the first quarter of 2020, our gross profit decreased $646 million to $288 million, and our gross profit rate (expressed as a percentage of net sales) decreased to 17.4% from 35.5%, primarily driven by the following:
27
Bath & Body Works
For the first quarter of 2020, the gross profit decrease was due to lower merchandise margin dollars related to the decrease in net sales due to the COVID-19-related store closures.
The gross profit rate decrease was driven by buying and occupancy deleverage on lower net sales in the stores channel and a decline in the merchandise margin rate due to the sales mix shift into the direct business, which has a lower merchandise margin rate than the stores channel. This was partially offset by a meaningful reduction in promotional activity.
Victoria's Secret
For the first quarter of 2020, the gross profit decrease was due to lower merchandise margin dollars related to the decrease in net sales due to the COVID-19-related store closures and long-lived store asset impairment charges of $97 million.
The gross profit rate decrease was primarily driven by the long-lived store asset impairment charges and buying and occupancy deleverage on lower net sales.
Victoria's Secret Bath & Body Works International
For the first quarter of 2020, the gross profit decrease was due to lower merchandise margin dollars related to the decrease in net sales due to the COVID-19-related store closures.
The gross profit rate decrease was primarily driven by buying and occupancy deleverage on lower net sales.
General, Administrative and Store Operating Expenses
For the first quarter of 2020, our general, administrative and store operating expenses decreased $175 million to $606 million due to declines in store selling payroll, credit card fees and Victoria's Secret marketing expenses as a result of the COVID-19-related store closures.
The general, administrative and store operating expense rate increased to 36.7% from 29.7% due to deleverage on lower net sales.
Other Income and Expense
Interest Expense
The following table provides the average daily borrowings and average borrowing rates for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019:
First Quarter | 2020 | 2019 | |||||
Average daily borrowings (in millions) | $ | 6,077 | $ | 5,878 | |||
Average borrowing rate (in percentages) | 6.3 | % | 6.6 | % | |||
For the first quarter of 2020, our interest expense decreased $2 million to $97 million due to a lower average daily borrowing rate, partially offset by higher average daily borrowings.
Other Income
For the first quarter of 2020, our other income decreased $3 million to $3 million primarily due to lower interest rates received on invested cash balances.
Provision for Income Taxes
For the first quarter of 2020, our effective tax rate was 28.0% compared to 33.6% in the first quarter of 2019. The first quarter of 2020 rate was higher than the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters, which resulted in a $50 million tax benefit, offset by losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries, which generate no tax benefit. The first quarter of 2019 rate was higher than the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of tax expense recorded through the income statement on share-based awards that vested in the quarter.
28
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity, or access to cash, is an important factor in determining our financial stability. We are committed to maintaining adequate liquidity. Cash generated from our operating activities provides the primary resources to support current operations, growth initiatives, seasonal funding requirements and capital expenditures. Our cash provided from operations is impacted by our net income (loss) and working capital changes. Our net income (loss) is impacted by, among other things, sales volume, seasonal sales patterns, success of new product introductions, profit margins and income taxes. Historically, sales are higher during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year due to seasonal and holiday-related sales patterns. Generally, our need for working capital peaks during the summer and fall months as inventory builds in anticipation of the holiday period. Our cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries were $147 million as of May 2, 2020.
COVID-19 Response
Since the global COVID-19 crisis began, we have taken prudent actions to maintain our solid cash position and financial flexibility through the pandemic, including:
• | Reducing our capital expenditures forecast from $550 million to approximately $250 million; |
• | Reducing Spring (first and second quarter) inventory receipts versus last year by approximately 45% at Victoria's Secret and PINK, and by approximately 20% at Bath & Body Works; |
• | Suspending our quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020; |
• | Suspending store rent payments beginning in April. We are in active discussions with our landlords to negotiate with respect to these rent payments and go-forward occupancy costs; |
• | Amending our revolving credit facility to an asset-backed loan revolving credit facility that does not contain a leverage ratio financial maintenance covenant; and |
• | Extending payment terms to vendors. |
We remain committed to managing inventory, expenses and capital conservatively to preserve cash and maximize liquidity.
Working Capital and Capitalization
We believe that our available short-term and long-term capital resources are sufficient to fund foreseeable requirements.
The following table provides a summary of our working capital position and capitalization as of May 2, 2020, February 1, 2020 and May 4, 2019:
_______________
May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | May 4, 2019 | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Net Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities (a) | $ | (342 | ) | $ | 1,236 | $ | (73 | ) | |||
Capital Expenditures (a) | 55 | 458 | 123 | ||||||||
Working Capital | 166 | 873 | 750 | ||||||||
Capitalization: | |||||||||||
Long-term Debt | 5,034 | 5,487 | 5,749 | ||||||||
Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) | (1,861 | ) | (1,499 | ) | (902 | ) | |||||
Total Capitalization | $ | 3,173 | $ | 3,988 | $ | 4,847 | |||||
Amounts Available Under the Credit Agreement (b) | $ | — | $ | 981 | $ | 990 | |||||
(a) | The February 1, 2020 amounts represent a fifty-two-week period, and the May 2, 2020 and May 4, 2019 amounts represent thirteen-week periods. |
(b) | As of May 2, 2020, we were unable to draw upon the Credit Agreement as our consolidated cash balance exceeded $350 million. We had outstanding letters of credit that reduced our availability under the Credit Agreement of $28 million as of May 2, 2020, $19 million as of February 1, 2020 and $10 million as of May 4, 2019. |
29
Cash Flow
The following table provides a summary of our cash flow activity for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019:
Year-to-Date | |||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||
(in millions) | |||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period | $ | 1,499 | $ | 1,413 | |||
Net Cash Flows Used for Operating Activities | (342 | ) | (73 | ) | |||
Net Cash Flows Used for Investing Activities | (60 | ) | (106 | ) | |||
Net Cash Flows Used for Financing Activities | (138 | ) | (86 | ) | |||
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | |||
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents | (542 | ) | (267 | ) | |||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period | $ | 957 | $ | 1,146 | |||
Operating Activities
Net cash used for operating activities in 2020 was $342 million, including a net loss of $297 million. Net loss included depreciation of $139 million, long-lived store asset impairment charges of $97 million and share-based compensation expense of $20 million. Other changes in assets and liabilities represent items that had a current period cash flow impact, such as changes in working capital. The most significant items in working capital were the seasonal and COVID-19-related changes in Inventories, Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other, and Accounts Receivable.
Net cash used for operating activities in 2019 was $73 million, including net income of $40 million. Net income included depreciation of $145 million and share-based compensation expense of $23 million. Other changes in assets and liabilities represent items that had a current period cash flow impact, such as changes in working capital. The most significant items in working capital were the seasonal changes in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other, Inventories and Accounts Receivable.
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities in 2020 was $60 million consisting primarily of capital expenditures of $55 million. The capital expenditures included $32 million primarily related to Bath & Body Works for the opening of new stores and the remodeling and improving of existing stores. Remaining capital expenditures were primarily related to spending on technology and logistics to support our digital businesses and other retail capabilities.
Net cash used for investing activities in 2019 was $106 million consisting primarily of capital expenditures of $123 million partially offset by proceeds of $12 million related to our divestiture of La Senza. The capital expenditures included $83 million for opening new stores and remodeling and improving existing stores. Remaining capital expenditures were primarily related to spending on technology and logistics to support our digital businesses and other retail capabilities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used for financing activities in 2020 was $138 million consisting primarily of quarterly dividend payments of $0.30 per share, or $83 million, and $46 million of net repayments under our Foreign Facilities. We also borrowed and repaid $950 million under our Credit Agreement during the first quarter of 2020.
Net cash used for financing activities in 2019 was $86 million consisting primarily of quarterly dividend payments of $0.30 per share, or $83 million, and tax payments related to share-based awards of $9 million, partially offset by $7 million of net new borrowings under our Foreign Facilities.
Common Stock Share Repurchases
Our Board of Directors will determine share repurchase authorizations, giving consideration to our levels of profit and cash flow, capital requirements, current and forecasted liquidity, the restrictions placed upon us by our borrowing arrangements as well as financial and other conditions existing at the time. We use cash flow generated from operating and financing activities to fund our share repurchase programs. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be made at our discretion, taking into account a number of factors, including market conditions.
We did not repurchase any shares during the first quarter of 2020 or 2019.
In March 2018, our Board of Directors approved a $250 million repurchase program, which had $79 million remaining as of May 2, 2020.
30
Dividend Policy and Procedures
Our Board of Directors will determine future dividends after giving consideration to our levels of profit and cash flow, capital requirements, current and forecasted liquidity, the restrictions placed upon us by our borrowing arrangements as well as financial and other conditions existing at the time. We use cash flow generated from operating and financing activities to fund our dividends and share repurchase programs.
Our Board of Directors suspended our quarterly cash dividend beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 as a proactive measure to strengthen our financial flexibility and manage through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the authority and declaration of our Board of Directors, we paid the following dividends during the first quarter of 2020 and 2019:
Ordinary Dividends | Total Paid | |||||||
(per share) | (in millions) | |||||||
2020 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 0.30 | $ | 83 | ||||
2019 | ||||||||
First Quarter | $ | 0.30 | $ | 83 | ||||
Long-term Debt and Borrowing Facilities
The following table provides our outstanding debt balance, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts, as of May 2, 2020, February 1, 2020 and May 4, 2019:
May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | May 4, 2019 | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Senior Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee | |||||||||||
$1 billion, 6.875% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due November 2035 (“2035 Notes”) | $ | 991 | $ | 991 | $ | 990 | |||||
$860 million, 5.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due February 2022 (“2022 Notes”) | 858 | 858 | 952 | ||||||||
$700 million, 6.75% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2036 (“2036 Notes”) | 693 | 693 | 693 | ||||||||
$500 million, 5.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due October 2023 (“2023 Notes”) | 498 | 498 | 498 | ||||||||
$500 million, 5.25% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due February 2028 (“2028 Notes”) | 496 | 496 | 496 | ||||||||
$500 million, 7.50% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due June 2029 ("2029 Notes") | 487 | 487 | — | ||||||||
$450 million, 6.625% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due April 2021 (“2021 Notes”) | 450 | 450 | 777 | ||||||||
$297 million, 6.694% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due January 2027 (“2027 Notes”) | 276 | 276 | 274 | ||||||||
$338 million, 7.00% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due May 2020 (“2020 Notes”) | — | — | 338 | ||||||||
Secured Foreign Facilities | 107 | 103 | 91 | ||||||||
Total Senior Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee | $ | 4,856 | $ | 4,852 | $ | 5,109 | |||||
Senior Debt | |||||||||||
$350 million, 6.95% Fixed Interest Rate Debentures due March 2033 (“2033 Notes”) | $ | 348 | $ | 348 | $ | 348 | |||||
$300 million, 7.60% Fixed Interest Rate Notes due July 2037 (“2037 Notes”) | 298 | 298 | 297 | ||||||||
Unsecured Foreign Facilities | — | 50 | 67 | ||||||||
Total Senior Debt | $ | 646 | $ | 696 | $ | 712 | |||||
Total | $ | 5,502 | $ | 5,548 | $ | 5,821 | |||||
Current Debt | (468 | ) | (61 | ) | (72 | ) | |||||
Total Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion | $ | 5,034 | $ | 5,487 | $ | 5,749 | |||||
Issuance of Notes
In June 2019, we issued $500 million of 7.50% notes due in June 2029. The obligation to pay principal and interest on these notes is jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by certain of our 100% owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). The proceeds from the issuance were $486 million, which were net of discounts and issuance costs of $14 million. The discounts and issuance costs are being amortized through the maturity date and are included within Long-term Debt on the May 2, 2020 and February 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheets.
31
Repurchases of Notes
In June 2019, we completed the early settlement of tender offers to repurchase $212 million of outstanding 2020 Notes, $330 million of outstanding 2021 Notes and $96 million of outstanding 2022 Notes for $669 million. We used the proceeds from the 2029 Notes, together with cash on hand, to fund the purchase price for the tender offers. Additionally, in July 2019, we redeemed the remaining $126 million of outstanding 2020 Notes for $130 million.
In the second quarter of 2019, we recognized a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $40 million (after-tax loss of $30 million), which includes redemption fees and the write-offs of unamortized issuance costs.
Revolving Credit Facility
We, the Guarantors and certain of our 100% owned Canadian subsidiaries guarantee and pledge collateral to secure a revolving credit facility. In April 2020, we entered into an amendment and restatement of the Credit Agreement to convert our revolving credit facility into an asset-backed revolving credit facility. The Amendment maintains the aggregate commitments at $1 billion, and maintains the expiration date in August of 2024. The ABL Facility allows borrowings and letters of credit in U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars.
Availability under the ABL Facility is the lesser of (i) the borrowing base, determined primarily based on our eligible U.S. and Canadian credit card receivables, accounts receivable, inventory and eligible real property, or (ii) the aggregate commitment. If at any time, the outstanding amount under the ABL Facility exceeds the lesser of (i) the aggregate commitment and (ii) the borrowing base, we will be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility to the extent of such excess. In addition, at any time that our consolidated cash balance exceeds $350 million, we will be required to prepay outstanding amounts under the ABL Facility to the extent of such excess. As of May 2, 2020, we were unable to draw upon the ABL Facility as our consolidated cash balance exceeded $350 million.
As of May 2, 2020, the ABL Facility fees related to committed and unutilized amounts were 0.30% per annum, and the fees related to outstanding letters of credit were 1.75% per annum. In addition, the interest rate on outstanding U.S. dollar borrowings was the London Interbank Offered Rate plus 1.75% per annum. The interest rate on outstanding Canadian dollar-denominated borrowings was the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate plus 1.75% per annum.
The ABL Facility requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 during an event of default or any period commencing on any day when specified excess availability is less than the greater of (1) $100 million or (2) 15% of the maximum borrowing amount. As of May 2, 2020, we were not required to maintain this ratio.
In March 2020, in an abundance of caution and as a proactive measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we elected to borrow $950 million from our revolving facility, which was prepaid upon the completion of the Amendment. As of May 2, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the ABL Facility.
The ABL Facility supports our letter of credit program. We had $28 million of outstanding letters of credit as of May 2, 2020 that reduced our availability under the ABL Facility.
Foreign Facilities
Certain of our Greater China subsidiaries utilize revolving and term loan bank facilities to support their operations. The Foreign Facilities allow borrowings in U.S. dollars and Chinese Yuan, and interest rates on outstanding borrowings are based upon the applicable benchmark rate for the currency of each borrowing. Certain of these facilities are guaranteed by us, the Guarantors and certain of our 100% owned Canadian subsidiaries, and certain of these facilities are guaranteed by us only.
The Secured Foreign Facilities have availability totaling $150 million. During the first quarter of 2020, we borrowed $10 million and made payments of $6 million under the Secured Foreign Facilities. As of May 2, 2020, there were borrowings of $107 million outstanding under the Secured Foreign Facilities, of which $18 million is included within Current Debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Borrowings on the Secured Foreign Facility mature between June 2020 and August 2024. During the first quarter of 2020, we agreed to cash collateralize the Secured Foreign Facilities but had not yet put the collateral in place as of May 2, 2020. The Secured Foreign Facilities will be required to be collateralized for the total lender commitments, net of certain paydowns, and, as such, reduces over time.
The Unsecured Foreign Facilities have availability totaling $75 million. During the first quarter of 2020, we borrowed $13 million and made payments of $63 million under the Unsecured Foreign Facilities. As of May 2, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Unsecured Foreign Facilities. Subsequent to May 2, 2020, we terminated the Unsecured Foreign Facilities.
32
Credit Ratings
The following table provides our credit ratings as of May 2, 2020:
Moody’s | S&P | ||
Corporate | B1 | B+ | |
Senior Unsecured Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee | B1 | B+ | |
Senior Unsecured Debt | B3 | B- | |
Outlook | Under Review | Negative | |
Subsequent to May 2, 2020, Moody's downgraded our Corporate and Senior Unsecured Debt with Subsidiary Guarantee ratings to B2, our Senior Unsecured Debt rating to Caa1, and updated our outlook to Negative.
Guarantor Summarized Financial Information
Certain of our subsidiaries, which are listed on Exhibit 22 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, have guaranteed our obligations under the 2021 Notes, 2022 Notes, 2023 Notes, 2027 Notes, 2028 Notes, 2029 Notes, 2035 Notes and the 2036 Notes (collectively, the "Notes").
The Notes have been issued by L Brands, Inc. (the “Parent Company”) and are its senior unsecured obligations. The Notes rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior unsecured obligations and senior to any of our future subordinated indebtedness and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by each of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that also guarantee our obligations under certain of our senior secured credit facilities (such guarantees, the “Guarantees”; and, such guaranteeing subsidiaries, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). The Guarantees of the Subsidiary Guarantors are subject to release in limited circumstances only upon the occurrence of certain customary conditions.
Each Guarantee is limited, by its terms, to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor subject to avoidance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of U.S. and non-U.S. law.
The following tables sets forth summarized financial information for the Parent Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the Parent Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors and (ii) investments in and equity in the earnings of non-Guarantor subsidiaries:
SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEETS | May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | |||||
(in millions) | |||||||
ASSETS | |||||||
Current Assets (a) | $ | 3,402 | $ | 3,728 | |||
Noncurrent Assets | 5,134 | 5,357 | |||||
LIABILITIES | |||||||
Current Liabilities (b) | $ | 4,179 | $ | 4,163 | |||
Noncurrent Liabilities (c) | 8,460 | 8,772 | |||||
_______________
(a) | Includes amounts due from non-Guarantor subsidiaries of $1.072 billion and $1.091 billion as of May 2, 2020 and February 1, 2020, respectively. |
(b) | Includes amounts due to non-Guarantor subsidiaries of $2.216 billion and $2.684 billion as of May 2, 2020 and February 1, 2020, respectively. |
(c) | Includes amounts due to non-Guarantor subsidiaries of $476 million as of both May 2, 2020 and February 1, 2020. |
33
SUMMARIZED STATEMENT OF LOSS | First Quarter | ||
2020 | |||
(in millions) | |||
Net Sales (a) | $ | 1,589 | |
Gross Profit | 275 | ||
Operating Loss | (263 | ) | |
Loss Before Income Taxes | (368 | ) | |
Net Loss (b) | (256 | ) | |
_______________
(a) | Includes net sales of $39 million to non-Guarantor subsidiaries. |
(b) | Includes net loss of $8 million related to transactions with non-Guarantor subsidiaries. |
Contingent Liabilities and Contractual Obligations
La Senza
In connection with the sale of La Senza in the fourth quarter of 2018, certain of our subsidiaries have remaining contingent obligations of $36 million related to lease payments under the current terms of noncancelable leases expiring at various dates through 2028. These obligations include minimum rent and additional payments covering taxes, common area costs and certain other expenses and relate to leases that commenced prior to the disposition of the business. As part of the sale, a liability of $5 million was recorded for these obligations. During 2019, additional reserves of $35 million were recorded related to these obligations. As of May 2, 2020, we recorded reserves of $37 million related to these and certain other obligations related to the La Senza business. As of May 2, 2020, reserves of $6 million are included within Accrued Expenses and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and the remaining reserves are included within Other Long-term Liabilities.
Other
In connection with noncancelable operating leases of certain assets, we provided residual value guarantees to the lessor if the leased assets cannot be sold for an amount in excess of a specified minimum value at the conclusion of the lease term. The leases expire at various dates through 2021, and the total amount of the guarantees is $94 million. We recorded a liability of $17 million as of May 2, 2020 and February 1, 2020, and $10 million as of May 4, 2019 related to these guarantee obligations. This liability is included in Current Operating Lease Liabilities on the May 2, 2020 and February 1, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheets, and in Long-term Operating Lease Liabilities on the May 4, 2019 Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Contractual Obligations
Our contractual obligations primarily consist of long-term debt and the related interest payments, operating leases, purchase orders for merchandise inventory and other long-term obligations. These contractual obligations impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations since February 1, 2020, as discussed in “Contingent Liabilities and Contractual Obligations” in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain of our contractual obligations may fluctuate during the normal course of business (primarily changes in our merchandise inventory-related purchase obligations, which fluctuate throughout the year as a result of the seasonal nature of our operations).
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which requires the use of a forward-looking expected loss impairment model for accounts receivable and certain other financial instruments. We adopted the standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
34
Guarantor Reporting
In March 2020, the SEC issued a final rule, Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities, that simplifies the disclosure requirements related to registered securities under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. The rule replaces the requirement to provide condensed consolidating financial information with a requirement to present summarized financial information of the issuers and guarantors. It also requires qualitative disclosures with respect to information about guarantors, the terms and conditions of guarantees and the factors that may affect payment. These disclosures may be provided outside the footnotes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. We early adopted the reporting requirements of the rule in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, and elected to provide these disclosures in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
While it is difficult to accurately measure the impact of inflation due to the imprecise nature of the estimates required, we believe the effects of inflation, if any, on the results of operations and financial condition have been minor.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to adopt accounting policies related to estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its accounting policies, estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, long-lived assets, claims and contingencies, income taxes and revenue recognition. Management bases our estimates and judgments on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Market Risk
The market risk inherent in our financial instruments represents the potential loss in fair value, earnings or cash flows arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates. We may use derivative financial instruments like foreign currency forward contracts, cross-currency swaps and interest rate swap arrangements to manage exposure to market risks. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk
We have operations in foreign countries which expose us to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our Canadian dollar, British pound, Chinese Yuan, Hong Kong dollar and Euro denominated earnings are subject to exchange rate risk as substantially all our merchandise sold in Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Greater China is sourced through U.S. dollar transactions. Although we utilize foreign currency forward contracts to partially offset risks associated with our operations in Canada and the U.K., these measures may not succeed in offsetting all the short-term impact of foreign currency rate movements and generally may not be effective in offsetting the long-term impact of sustained shifts in foreign currency rates.
Further, although our royalty arrangements with our international partners are denominated in U.S. dollars, the royalties we receive in U.S. dollars are calculated based on sales in the local currency. As a result, our royalties in these arrangements are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Interest Rate Risk
Our investment portfolio primarily consists of interest-bearing instruments that are classified as cash and cash equivalents based on their original maturities. Our investment portfolio is maintained in accordance with our investment policy, which specifies permitted types of investments, specifies credit quality standards and maturity profiles and limits credit exposure to any single issuer. The primary objective of our investment activities is the preservation of principal, the maintenance of liquidity and the maximization of interest income while minimizing risk. Typically, our investment portfolio is comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits. Given the short-term nature and quality of investments in our portfolio, we do not believe there is any material risk to principal associated with increases or decreases in interest rates.
35
Excluding our Foreign Facilities, all of our debt as of May 2, 2020 has fixed interest rates. We will from time to time adjust our exposure to interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swap arrangements. Our exposure to interest rate changes is limited to the fair value of the debt issued, which would not have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
As of May 2, 2020, we believe that the carrying values of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short maturity.
The following table provides a summary of the principal value and estimated fair value of outstanding publicly traded debt as of May 2, 2020, February 1, 2020 and May 4, 2019:
May 2, 2020 | February 1, 2020 | May 4, 2019 | |||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Principal Value | $ | 5,458 | $ | 5,458 | $ | 5,722 | |||||
Fair Value, Estimated (a) | 4,151 | 5,555 | 5,486 | ||||||||
_______________
(a) | The estimated fair value is based on reported transaction prices. The estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. |
Concentration of Credit Risk
We maintain cash and cash equivalents and derivative contracts with various major financial institutions. We monitor the relative credit standing of financial institutions with whom we transact and limit the amount of credit exposure with any one entity. Typically, our investment portfolio is primarily comprised of U.S. government obligations, U.S. Treasury and AAA-rated money market funds, commercial paper and bank deposits. We also periodically review the relative credit standing of franchise, license and wholesale partners and other entities to which we grant credit terms in the normal course of business.
Item 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, 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 such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the first quarter of 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
36
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
We are a defendant in a variety of lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Actions filed against our Company from time to time include commercial, tort, intellectual property, customer, employment, data privacy, securities and other claims, including purported class action lawsuits. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the eventual outcome of any litigation, in the opinion of management, our current legal proceedings are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
In July 2019, a plaintiff shareholder filed a putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging that we made false and/or misleading statements relating to the November 2018 announcement that we were reducing our quarterly dividend. In September 2019, a different plaintiff shareholder filed a second putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio containing substantially the same allegations and seeking substantially the same relief. In October 2019, the Court issued an order consolidating the two putative class actions, appointing a lead plaintiff, and approving that lead plaintiff’s selection of lead counsel. The lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint on December 20, 2019 that asserted substantially the same allegations and sought substantially the same relief as the initial complaint. We filed a motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint on February 18, 2020, the lead plaintiff filed an opposition to our motion to dismiss on May 4, 2020, and we filed a reply brief in further support of our motion to dismiss on June 3, 2020. Our motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint is now fully briefed and pending before the court. We view this lawsuit as meritless and intend to defend against this lawsuit vigorously.
On February 19, 2020, a plaintiff shareholder filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging derivative claims on behalf of L Brands, Inc. against certain of our current and former directors and officers. We were named as nominal defendant. The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and unjust enrichment in connection with alleged misstatements about our quarterly dividend prior to the announced reduction of the dividend in November 2018. We intend to seek dismissal of the lawsuit.
On May 19, 2020, a purported shareholder filed a derivative lawsuit on behalf of L Brands, Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas for Franklin County, Ohio. The complaint names as defendants certain current and former directors and officers of L Brands, Inc. and alleges, among other things, that these defendants breached their fiduciary duties by violating law and/or company policies relating to workplace conduct. We were named as nominal defendant only, and there are no claims asserted against us. We are currently evaluating our potential options for responding to the lawsuit.
Item 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
The following information supplements the risk factors described in “Item 1A: Risk Factors” in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with the risk factors described in the 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We wish to caution the reader that the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A: Risk Factors” in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and those described in this report or other SEC filings could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in any forward-looking statements.
Divestitures or other dispositions, including any divestiture of Victoria’s Secret and related operations, could negatively impact our business, and contingent liabilities from businesses that we have sold could adversely affect our financial statements.
We continually assess the shareholder value and the strategic fit of our existing businesses, and may divest or otherwise dispose of businesses that are deemed not to fit with our strategic plan, or are not achieving the desired shareholder value or return on investment. These transactions, including any divestiture of Victoria’s Secret and related operations, pose risks and challenges that could negatively impact our business. For example, we may be unable to do so on satisfactory terms within our anticipated timeframe or at all, and even after reaching a definitive agreement to sell or dispose a business, the sale is typically subject to satisfaction of pre-closing conditions which may not become satisfied. In addition, divestitures or other dispositions may dilute our earnings per share, have other adverse financial and accounting impacts and distract management, and disputes may arise with buyers. In addition, we may be required to indemnify buyers against known and unknown contingent liabilities related to any businesses we have sold or disposed of. The resolution of these contingencies may have a material effect on our financial statements. Uncertainty about the effect of any potential divestiture of Victoria’s Secret on employees, commercial partners and vendors may have an adverse effect on us. These uncertainties may impair our ability to retain and motivate key personnel and could cause commercial partners, vendors and others that deal with us to defer or decline entering into contracts with us or seek to change existing business relationships with us. In addition, if key employees depart because of uncertainty about their future roles and the potential complexities of any potential divestiture of Victoria’s Secret, our business could be harmed. If we are
37
unable to divest any such businesses, including Victoria’s Secret, we will continue to be subject to the risks of operating such businesses.
Item 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
The following table provides our repurchases of our common stock during the first quarter of 2020:
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased (a) | Average Price Paid per Share (b) | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs (c) | Maximum Number of Shares (or Approximate Dollar Value) that May Yet be Purchased Under the Programs (c) | |||||||||
(in thousands) | (in thousands) | ||||||||||||
February 2020 | 4 | $ | 23.36 | — | $ | 78,677 | |||||||
March 2020 | 399 | 10.95 | — | 78,677 | |||||||||
April 2020 | 12 | 11.52 | — | 78,677 | |||||||||
Total | 415 | — | |||||||||||
_______________
(a) | The total number of shares repurchased includes shares repurchased in connection with tax payments due upon vesting of employee restricted stock awards and the use of our stock to pay the exercise price on employee stock options. |
(b) | The average price paid per share includes any broker commissions. |
(c) | For additional share repurchase program information, see Note 4, “Earnings Per Share and Shareholders' Equity (Deficit)” included in Item 1. Financial Statements. |
Item 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
Not applicable.
Item 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not applicable.
Item 5. | OTHER INFORMATION |
None.
38
Item 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibits | ||
10.1 | ||
10.2 | ||
10.3 | ||
10.4 | ||
10.5 | ||
15 | ||
22 | ||
31.1 | ||
31.2 | ||
32 | ||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) | |
39
SIGNATURE
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.
L BRANDS, INC. | ||
(Registrant) | ||
By: | /s/ STUART B. BURGDOERFER | |
Stuart B. Burgdoerfer Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer * | ||
Date: June 3, 2020
* | Mr. Burgdoerfer is the principal financial officer and the principal accounting officer and has been duly authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant. |
40