Ross Stores, Inc 10-Q for FY2022 Q2
Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST)
10-Q
2021-09-08
For: 2021-07-31
View Original
Added on
April 11, 2026
About this 10-Q
Ross Stores, Inc filed this 10-Q on September 8, 2021, covering the quarter ended July 31, 2021 (FY2022 Q2).
Headline figures
Quarter ended July 31, 2021, as reported in this filing, compared with the same period a year earlier where the filing states it.
- Revenue
- $4.8B
- up 79.0% from $2.68B a year earlier
- Net income
- $494.26M
- up 2141.8% from net income of $22.05M a year earlier
- Diluted EPS
- $1.39
- up 2216.7% from $0.06 a year earlier
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||||||
For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2021
| 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: | |||||||||||
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||||||
| organization) | |||||||||||||||||
| | |||||||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||||||||
| Registrant’s telephone number, including area code | |||||||||||||||||
| Former name, former address and former | N/A | ||||||||||||||||
| fiscal year, if changed since last report. | |||||||||||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | |||||||||||||||
| | par value $.01 | ||||||||||||||||
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
The number of shares of Common Stock, with $.01 par value, outstanding on August 13, 2021 was 355,365,961 .
1
Ross Stores, Inc.
Form 10-Q
Table of Contents
| Page | ||||||||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations–Three and six months ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)–Three and six months ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets–July 31, 2021, January 30, 2021, and August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity–Six months ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows–Six months ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 3. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 4. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 1. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 1A. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 2. | ||||||||||||||
| Item 6. | ||||||||||||||
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($000, except stores and per share data, unaudited) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before taxes | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for taxes on earnings (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per share | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding (000) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Store count at end of period | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($000, unaudited) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
4
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
| ($000, except share data, unaudited) | July 31, 2021 | January 30, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Current Assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | |||||||||||||||||
| Merchandise inventory | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Property and Equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| Land and buildings | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixtures and equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| Leasehold improvements | |||||||||||||||||
| Construction-in-progress | |||||||||||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||
| Current Liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses and other | |||||||||||||||||
| Current operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Accrued payroll and benefits | |||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes payable | |||||||||||||||||
| Short-term debt | |||||||||||||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-current operating lease liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||
Common stock, par value $ Authorized Issued and outstanding and | |||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | |||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings | |||||||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | |||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | Treasury stock | Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (000) | Shares | Amount | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at January 30, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued under stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| plans, net of shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| used for tax withholding | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($ | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at May 1, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued under stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| plans, net of shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| used for tax withholding | — | ( | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock repurchased | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($ | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at July 31, 2021 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six Months Ended August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock | Treasury stock | Retained earnings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (000) | Shares | Amount | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at February 1, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued under stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| plans, net of shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| used for tax withholding | ( | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock repurchased | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared ($ | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at May 2, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued under stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| plans, net of shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| used for tax withholding | ( | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at August 1, 2020 | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| Six Months Ended | |||||||||||
| ($000, unaudited) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |||||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities | |||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | |||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | |||||||||||
| Change in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Merchandise inventory | ( | ||||||||||
| Other current assets | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | ( | ||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | ( | ||||||||||
| Income taxes | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Operating lease assets and liabilities, net | |||||||||||
| Other long-term, net | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities | |||||||||||
| Additions to property and equipment | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities | |||||||||||
| Issuance of common stock related to stock plans | |||||||||||
| Treasury stock purchased | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||||||
| Net proceeds from issuance of short-term debt | |||||||||||
| Payments of short-term debt | ( | ||||||||||
| Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | |||||||||||
| Payments of debt issuance costs | ( | ||||||||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | ( | ||||||||||
| Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents: | |||||||||||
| Beginning of period | |||||||||||
| End of period | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures | |||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | $ | |||||||||
| Income taxes paid | $ | $ | |||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Three and Six Months Ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020
(Unaudited)
Note A: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation. The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the records of Ross Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) without audit and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of only normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, the results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and stockholders’ equity for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, and cash flows for the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of January 30, 2021, presented herein, has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year then ended.
Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted for purposes of these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements, including notes thereto, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2021.
The results of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and stockholders’ equity for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, and cash flows for the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020 presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.
Revenue recognition. The following sales mix table disaggregates revenue by merchandise category for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | 1 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Ladies | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home Accents and Bed and Bath | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men’s | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accessories, Lingerie, Fine Jewelry, and Cosmetics | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoes | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children’s | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Sales mix for the three and six month periods ended August 1, 2020 represents sales for the period the stores were open. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets that reconcile to the amounts shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | January 30, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in: | |||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other | |||||||||||||||||
| Other long-term assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Total restricted cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||||||||
| Total cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Operating leases. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) provided relief under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Accounting Standards Codification “ASC” 842). Under this relief, companies can make a policy election on how to treat lease concessions resulting directly from the COVID-19 pandemic, provided that the modified contracts result in total cash flows that are substantially the same or less than the cash flows in the original contract.
The Company made the policy election to account for lease concessions that result from the COVID-19 pandemic as if they were made under enforceable rights in the original contract. Additionally, the Company made the policy election to account for these concessions outside of the lease modification framework described under ASC 842. The Company recorded accruals for deferred rental payments and recognized rent abatements or concessions as variable lease costs in the periods incurred. Accruals for rent payment deferrals are included in Accrued expenses and other in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Supplemental cash flow disclosures related to leases: Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (includes new leases and remeasurements or modifications of existing leases) were as follows:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends. The Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.285 per common share in March 2020. In May 2020, the Company suspended its quarterly dividends due to the economic uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 2, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.285 per common share, payable on March 31, 2021, resuming quarterly dividends. In May 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.285 per common share, payable on June 30, 2021.
In August 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.285 per common share, payable on September 30, 2021.
Litigation, claims, and assessments. Like many retailers, the Company has been named in class/representative action lawsuits, primarily in California, alleging violation of wage and hour/employment laws and consumer protection laws. Class/representative action litigation remains pending as of July 31, 2021.
The Company is also party to various other legal and regulatory proceedings arising in the normal course of business. Actions filed against the Company may include commercial, product and product safety, consumer, intellectual property,
9
environmental, and labor and employment-related claims, including lawsuits in which private plaintiffs or governmental agencies allege that the Company violated federal, state, and/or local laws. Actions against the Company are in various procedural stages. Many of these proceedings raise factual and legal issues and are subject to uncertainties.
In the opinion of management, the resolution of pending class/representative action litigation and other currently pending legal and regulatory proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Note B: Fair Value Measurements
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short- and long-term investments, restricted cash and cash equivalents, restricted investments, accounts receivable, other long-term assets, accounts payable, and other long-term liabilities approximates their estimated fair value.
Accounting standards pertaining to fair value measurements establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. The inputs used to measure fair value include: Level 1, observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists. This fair value hierarchy requires the Company to develop its own assumptions, maximize the use of observable inputs, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Corporate, U.S. government and agency, and mortgage-backed securities are classified within Level 1 or Level 2 because these securities are valued using quoted market prices or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs.
The fair value of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows:
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | January 30, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (Level 1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (Level 1) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Investments (Level 2) | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
10
The underlying assets in the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation program as of July 31, 2021, January 30, 2021, and August 1, 2020 (included in Other long-term assets and in Other long-term liabilities) primarily consist of participant-directed money market, stable value, stock, and bond funds. The fair value measurement for funds with quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1) and for funds without quoted market prices in active markets (Level 2) are as follows:
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | January 30, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Level 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Note C: Management Incentive Plan and Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has incentive compensation programs which provide cash incentive bonuses and performance share awards to key management and employees based on Company and individual performance.
For fiscal 2021, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors established the performance measures for determining incentive compensation amounts as based on a combination of profitability-based performance goals and the attainment of specific management priorities related to business challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, as measured and approved by the Compensation Committee. As of July 31, 2021, the Company has established an accrual for this incentive compensation based on its forecasted attainment of the profitability-based performance goals and the Compensation Committee’s assessment of progress towards achievement of the specific business priorities.
For the fiscal 2020 management incentive bonus plan and performance share awards, the Compensation Committee approved modifications in August 2020 to the performance measurement goals, to be based on the attainment of specific management priorities related to business challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, as measured and approved by the Compensation Committee, as an alternative to the previously established profitability-based performance goals for 2020.
Stock-based compensation. For the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Performance awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee stock purchase plan | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, is as follows:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Statements of Operations Classification ($000) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
The tax benefits related to stock-based compensation expense for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 were $5.7 million and $11.0 million, respectively. The tax benefits related to stock-based compensation expense for the three and six month periods ended August 1, 2020 were $4.8 million and $10.2 million, respectively.
11
Restricted stock awards. The Company grants shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units to directors, officers, and key employees. The market value of shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units at the date of grant is amortized to expense over the vesting period of generally to five years
During the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, shares purchased by the Company for tax withholding totaled 13,627 and 400,593 , and 308 and 349,821 , respectively, and are considered treasury shares which are available for reissuance.
Performance share awards. The Company has a performance share award program for senior executives. A performance share award represents a right to receive shares of restricted stock on a specified settlement date based on the Company’s attainment of performance goals during the performance period, which is the Company’s fiscal year. If attained, the restricted stock then vests over a service period, generally to three years from the date the performance award was granted.
As of July 31, 2021, shares related to unvested restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance share awards totaled 4.1 million shares. A summary of restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance share award activity for the six month period ended July 31, 2021, is presented below:
| (000, except per share data) | Number of shares | Weighted-average grant date fair value | |||||||||
| Unvested at January 30, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||
| Awarded | |||||||||||
| Released | ( | ||||||||||
| Forfeited | ( | ||||||||||
| Unvested at July 31, 2021 | $ | ||||||||||
The unamortized compensation expense at July 31, 2021, was $204.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 2.2 years. The unamortized compensation expense at August 1, 2020, was $152.4 million, which was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining period of 2.2 years.
Employee stock purchase plan. Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), eligible employees participating in the quarterly offering period can choose to have up to the lesser of 10 % of their annual base earnings or the IRS annual share purchase limit of $25,000 in aggregate market value to purchase the Company’s common stock. The purchase price of the stock is 85 % of the closing market price on the date of purchase. Purchases occur on a quarterly basis (on the last trading day of each calendar quarter). The Company recognizes expense for ESPP purchase rights equal to the value of the 15 % discount given on the purchase date.
Note D: Earnings (Loss) Per Share
12
For the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021, approximately 4,400 and 2,200 weighted-average shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented. For the three month period ended August 1, 2020, approximately 628,900 weighted-average shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS because their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the period presented. For the six month period ended August 1, 2020, basic and diluted EPS were the same due to the Company’s net loss.
The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares (denominator) used in the basic and diluted EPS computations:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares in (000s) | Basic EPS | Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents | Diluted EPS | Basic EPS | Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents | Diluted EPS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amount | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Note E: Debt
Short-term debt and long-term debt. Short-term debt and unsecured senior debt, net of unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, consisted of the following:
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | January 30, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Other short-term debt financing | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total short-term debt | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: current portion | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total due beyond one year | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Revolving credit facilities. The Company's $800 million unsecured revolving credit facility expires in July 2024, and contains a $300 million sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit. The facility also contains an option allowing the Company to increase the size of its credit facility by up to an additional $300 million, with the agreement of the lenders. Interest on borrowings under this facility is based on LIBOR (or an alternate benchmark rate, if LIBOR is no longer available)
13
plus an applicable margin and is payable quarterly and upon maturity. The revolving credit facility may be extended, at the Company’s option, for up to two additional one year periods, subject to customary conditions.
In March 2020, the Company borrowed $800 million available under its revolving credit facility. Interest on the loan was based on LIBOR plus 0.875 % (or 1.76 %).
In May 2020, the Company amended its $800 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Amended Credit Facility”) to temporarily suspend, for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2020, the Consolidated Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR ratio financial covenant, and to apply a transitional modification to that ratio effective in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. In October 2020, the Company repaid in full the $800 million it borrowed under the unsecured revolving credit facility. As of July 31, 2021, the Company had no 800 million credit facility remains in place and available, and the Company was in compliance with the amended covenant.
In May 2020, the Company also entered into an additional $500 million 364-day senior revolving credit facility which was scheduled to expire in April 2021. In October 2020, the Company terminated this senior revolving credit facility. The Company had no borrowings under that credit facility at any time.
Senior notes. As of July 31, 2021, the Company had outstanding Series B unsecured Senior Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $65 million held by various institutional investors. The Series B notes are due in December 2021, and bear interest at a rate of 6.530 %. Borrowings under these Senior Notes are subject to certain financial covenants that were amended in June 2020. As of July 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
As of July 31, 2021, the Company also had outstanding unsecured 3.375 % Senior Notes due September 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $250 million. Interest on the 2024 Notes is payable semi-annually.
In April 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of $2.0 billion in unsecured senior notes in four tenors as follows: 4.600 % Senior Notes due April 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $700 million, 4.700 % Senior Notes due April 2027 (the “2027 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $400 million, 4.800 % Senior Notes due April 2030 (the “2030 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $400 million, and 5.450 % Senior Notes due April 2050 (the “2050 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $500 million. Cash proceeds, net of discounts and other issuance costs, were approximately $1.973 billion. Interest on the 2025, 2027, 2030, and 2050 Notes is payable semi-annually beginning October 2020.
In October 2020, the Company accepted for repurchase approximately $775 million in aggregate principal amount of the senior notes issued in April 2020, pursuant to cash tender offers as follows: $351 million of the 2050 Notes, $266 million of the 2030 Notes, and $158 million of the 2027 Notes. The Company paid approximately $1.003 billion in aggregate consideration (including transaction costs, and accrued and unpaid interest) and recorded an approximately $240 million loss on the early extinguishment for the accepted senior notes.
In October 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of $1.0 billion in unsecured senior notes in two tenors as follows: 0.875 % Senior Notes due April 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $500 million and 1.875 % Senior Notes due April 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $500 million. Cash proceeds, net of discounts and other issuance costs, were approximately $987.2 million. Interest on the 2026 and 2031 Notes is payable semi-annually beginning April 2021. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the 2026 and 2031 Notes to fund the purchase of the accepted senior notes from its tender offers.
As of July 31, 2021, January 30, 2021, and August 1, 2020, total unamortized discount and debt issuance costs were $24.8 million, $26.9 million, and $28.7 million, respectively, and were classified as a reduction of Long-term debt.
All of the Senior Notes are subject to prepayment penalties for early payment of principal.
As of July 31, 2021 and January 30, 2021, the aggregate fair value of the eight 2.7 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively. As of August 1, 2020, the aggregate fair value of the six then outstanding series of Senior Notes was approximately $2.8 billion. The fair value is estimated by obtaining comparable market quotes which are considered to be Level 1 inputs under the fair value measurements and disclosures guidance.
14
The table below shows the components of interest expense and income for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on long-term debt | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on short-term debt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other interest expense | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Note F: Taxes on Earnings (Loss)
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law. The CARES Act made several significant changes to business tax provisions, including modifications for net operating losses, employee retention credits, and deferral of employer payroll tax payments. The modifications for net operating losses eliminate the taxable income limitation for certain net operating losses and allow the carry back of net operating losses arising in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to the five prior tax years, respectively. Subsequently, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (“CAA”) and the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) were signed into law on December 27, 2020 and March 11, 2021, respectively. The CAA and ARPA made several changes to business tax provisions, including increasing and extending the employee retention credits through December 31, 2021, extending certain employment-related tax credits through December 31, 2025, and limiting certain executive compensation deductions, effective fiscal 2027.
The Company’s effective tax rates for the three month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, were approximately 25 % and 61 %, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate of 36 % for the three month period ended July 31, 2021 compared to the three month period ended August 1, 2020 was primarily due to fluctuations in pre-tax earnings (loss), partially offset by a revaluation of deferred taxes related to the CARES Act in the three month period ended August 1, 2020.
The Company’s effective tax rates for the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, were approximately 24 % and 31 %, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate of 7 % for the six month period ended July 31, 2021 compared to the six month period ended August 1, 2020 was primarily due to fluctuations in pre-tax earnings (loss). The Company's effective tax rate is impacted by changes in tax law and accounting guidance, location of new stores, level of earnings, tax effects associated with share-based compensation, and uncertain tax positions.
As of July 31, 2021, January 30, 2021, and August 1, 2020, the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits were $75.6 million, $67.9 million, and $71.6 million, inclusive of $9.7 million, $7.7 million, and $8.5 million of related interest and penalties, respectively. The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a part of its provision for taxes on earnings. If recognized, $60.3 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that certain state tax matters may be concluded or statutes of limitations may lapse during the next 12 months. Accordingly, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $11.1 million. The difference between the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits and the amounts that would impact the effective tax rate relates to amounts attributable to deferred income tax assets and liabilities. These amounts are net of federal and state income taxes.
15
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Ross Stores, Inc.:
Results of Review of Interim Financial Information
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of Ross Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, the related condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and stockholders’ equity for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, and cash flows for the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “interim financial information”). Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the accompanying interim financial information for it to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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 January 30, 2021, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 30, 2021, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph regarding a change in accounting principle. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of January 30, 2021 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
Basis for Review Results
This interim financial information is 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 Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards of the PCAOB. A review of interim financial information 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/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
San Francisco, California
September 8, 2021
16
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
This section and other parts of this Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements” and also those in Part I, Item 1A (Risk Factors) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2020. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2019, and in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2020. All information is based on our fiscal calendar.
Overview
Ross Stores, Inc. operates two brands of off-price retail apparel and home fashion stores -- Ross Dress for Less® (“Ross”) and dd’s DISCOUNTS®. Ross is the largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain in the United States, with 1,611 locations in 40 states, the District of Columbia and Guam as of July 31, 2021. Ross offers first-quality, in-season, name brand and designer apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 60% off department and specialty store regular prices every day. We also operate 285 dd’s DISCOUNTS stores in 21 states that feature a more moderately-priced assortment of first-quality, in-season, name brand apparel, accessories, footwear, and home fashions for the entire family at savings of 20% to 70% off moderate department and discount store regular prices every day.
Results of Operations
We believe sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 benefited substantially from a combination of ongoing government stimulus, increasing vaccination rates, diminishing COVID-19 restrictions, and strong execution of our merchandising strategies. During the quarter, we also experienced expense pressures from higher freight costs and distribution expenses primarily due to higher wages, of approximately 85 and 40 basis points, respectively (which impacted cost of goods sold) as well as ongoing COVID-related operating costs of approximately 45 basis points (the vast majority of which impacted our selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”)). We expect higher freight costs to increase further, and higher distribution expenses and the ongoing COVID-related operating costs to continue throughout fiscal 2021.
It is difficult to predict the lasting impact from the factors that benefited our results for the second quarter and first half of fiscal 2021, in particular the government stimulus payments. In addition, there continues to be significant uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, including its unknown duration, the potential for future resurgences and new virus variants, and its potential impact on consumer demand. We also face potential risks from the worsening industry-wide supply chain congestion.
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In this quarterly report, and in our reports throughout fiscal 2021, we will compare our results of operations to fiscal 2020 and also to fiscal 2019. We believe the extended closure of our operations in the spring of 2020, and the disruptions caused by COVID-19 throughout fiscal 2020, make fiscal 2019 a more useful and relevant basis for comparison in assessing our ongoing results of operations. The following table summarizes the financial results for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021, August 1, 2020, and August 3, 2019:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | August 3, 2019 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | August 3, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales (millions) | $ | 4,805 | $ | 2,685 | $ | 3,980 | $ | 9,321 | $ | 4,527 | $ | 7,777 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comparable store sales growth (decline) | 15.0 | % | 1 | (12 | %) | 2 | 3 | % | 3 | 14.0 | % | 1 | n/a | 4 | 2 | % | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses (as a percent of sales) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 71.0 | % | 77.4 | % | 71.4 | % | 70.9 | % | 87.7 | % | 71.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 14.9 | % | 19.4 | % | 14.9 | % | 14.9 | % | 20.6 | % | 14.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense (income), net | 0.4 | % | 1.1 | % | (0.1 | %) | 0.4 | % | 0.8 | % | (0.1 | %) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) before taxes (as a percent of sales) | 13.7 | % | 2.1 | % | 13.8 | % | 13.8 | % | (9.1 | %) | 14.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings (loss) (as a percent of sales) | 10.3 | % | 0.8 | % | 10.4 | % | 10.4 | % | (6.3 | %) | 10.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Amount shown is for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2019. Comparable store sales for this purpose represents sales from stores that were open at the end of fiscal 2018, plus new stores opened in fiscal 2019, less stores closed in fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2020. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 For three months ended August 1, 2020, comparable store sales represents sales from reopened stores from the date of the store reopening through the end of the quarter. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 Amount shown is for the three and six month periods of fiscal 2019 compared to the same periods of fiscal 2018 for stores that have been open for more than 14 complete months. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 Given that stores were open for less than seven weeks of the 13-week period ended May 2, 2020, the comparable store sales metric for the six months ended August 1, 2020, is not meaningful. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stores. We expect to open approximately 65 new stores in fiscal 2021. Looking forward to 2022, we expect to return to our historical annual opening program of approximately 100 new stores. Our longer term expansion strategy is to open additional stores based on market penetration, local demographic characteristics, competition, expected store profitability, and the ability to leverage overhead expenses. We continually evaluate opportunistic real estate acquisitions and opportunities for potential new store locations. We also evaluate our current store locations and determine store closures based on similar criteria.
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Store Count | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | August 3, 2019 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | August 3, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of the period | 1,866 | 1,832 | 1,745 | 1,859 | 1,805 | 1,717 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened in the period | 30 | — | 28 | 37 | 27 | 56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Closed in the period | — | — | (1) | — | — | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| End of the period | 1,896 | 1,832 | 1,772 | 1,896 | 1,832 | 1,772 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales. Sales for the three month period ended July 31, 2021 increased $2.1 billion, or 79.0%, compared to the three month period ended August 1, 2020. This was primarily due to all store locations being open throughout the second quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to all store locations being open for approximately 75 percent of the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Sales for the three month period ended July 31, 2021 also benefited from the ongoing government stimulus payments, increasing vaccination rates, diminishing COVID-19 restrictions, and strong execution of our merchandising strategies. Sales also increased due to the opening of 64 net new stores between August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.
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Sales for the six month period ended July 31, 2021 increased $4.8 billion, or 105.9%, compared to the six month period ended August 1, 2020. This was primarily due to all store locations being open throughout the first half of fiscal 2021, compared to all store locations being open for approximately 50 percent of the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and approximately 75 percent of the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Sales also benefited from a combination of government stimulus payments, increasing vaccination rates, diminishing COVID-19 restrictions, pent-up consumer demand, and strong execution of our merchandising strategies. Sales also increased due to the opening of 64 net new stores between August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.
Sales for the three month period ended July 31, 2021 increased $825.1 million, or 20.7%, compared to the three month period ended August 3, 2019. This was primarily due to a 15% increase in comparable store sales (comparing the second quarter of fiscal 2021 to the same period in fiscal 2019) which was mainly driven by a combination of ongoing government stimulus payments, increasing vaccination rates, diminishing COVID-19 restrictions, and strong execution of our merchandising strategies. Sales also increased due to the opening of 124 net new stores between August 3, 2019 and July 31, 2021.
Sales for the six month period ended July 31, 2021 increased $1.5 billion, or 19.9%, compared to the six month period ended August 3, 2019. This was primarily due to a 14% increase in comparable store sales (comparing the first half of fiscal 2021 to the same period in fiscal 2019) which was mainly driven by a combination of government stimulus payments, increasing vaccination rates, diminishing COVID-19 restrictions, pent-up consumer demand, and strong execution of our merchandising strategies. Sales also increased due to the opening of 124 net new stores between August 3, 2019 and July 31, 2021.
Our sales mix for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021, August 1, 2020, and August 3, 2019 is shown below:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | 1 | August 3, 2019 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | 1 | August 3, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ladies | 27 | % | 25 | % | 27 | % | 25 | % | 25 | % | 27 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home Accents and Bed and Bath | 24 | % | 25 | % | 23 | % | 25 | % | 26 | % | 24 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Men’s | 15 | % | 14 | % | 15 | % | 14 | % | 13 | % | 14 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accessories, Lingerie, Fine Jewelry, and Cosmetics | 14 | % | 13 | % | 13 | % | 14 | % | 13 | % | 13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shoes | 12 | % | 14 | % | 14 | % | 13 | % | 14 | % | 14 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Children’s | 8 | % | 9 | % | 8 | % | 9 | % | 9 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
1 Sales mix for the three and six month periods ended August 1, 2020 represents sales for the period the stores were open. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We intend to address the competitive climate for off-price apparel and home goods by pursuing and refining our existing strategies and by continuing to strengthen our merchant organization, diversify our merchandise mix, and more fully develop our systems to improve regional and local merchandise offerings.
We remain optimistic about our prospects for the remainder of fiscal 2021, based on our recent results and the ongoing improvements in the macro-economic environment, bolstered by increasing vaccination rates and diminishing pandemic-related restrictions. However, it is difficult to predict the lasting impact from the factors that benefited our sales results for the first half of fiscal 2021, in particular the benefit from the government stimulus payments. In addition, there continues to be significant uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, including its unknown duration, the potential for future resurgences and new virus variants, and its potential impact on consumer demand. We cannot be sure that our strategies and our store expansion program will result in a continuation of our historical sales growth, or an increase in net earnings.
Cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 increased $1.3 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, compared to the three and six month periods ended August 1, 2020, primarily due to higher sales, given that all our stores were open throughout the first half of fiscal 2021, whereas all our store locations were open for approximately 50 percent of the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and approximately 75 percent of the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Cost of goods also increased due to the opening of 64 net new stores between August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.
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Cost of goods sold for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 increased $567.0 million and $1.1 billion, respectively, compared to the three and six month periods ended August 3, 2019, primarily due to a 15% and 14% increase in comparable store sales, respectively, and higher sales due to the opening of 124 net new stores between August 3, 2019 and July 31, 2021.
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales for the three month period ended July 31, 2021 decreased approximately 45 basis points compared to the three month period ended August 3, 2019, primarily due to an 80 basis point improvement in merchandise margin, leverage of 80 basis points in occupancy costs, and a 10 basis points decline in buying costs. These costs were partially offset by an 85 basis point increase in freight costs, mainly driven by worsening industry-wide supply chain congestion, and a 40 basis point increase in distribution expenses primarily due to higher wages.
Cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales for the six month period ended July 31, 2021 decreased approximately 40 basis points compared to the six month period ended August 3, 2019, primarily due to an 85 basis point improvement in merchandise margin and leverage of 70 basis points in occupancy costs. These costs were partially offset by an 80 basis point increase in freight costs, mainly driven by ongoing industry-wide supply chain congestion, and a 35 basis point increase in distribution expenses primarily due to higher wages. We expect higher freight costs to increase further, and higher distribution expenses to continue throughout fiscal 2021.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. For the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021, SG&A increased $198.3 million and $458.0 million, respectively, compared to the three and six month periods ended August 1, 2020. These increases were primarily due to all our stores being open throughout the first half of fiscal 2021, whereas all our store locations were open for approximately 50 percent of the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and approximately 75 percent of the second quarter of fiscal 2020, and to the opening of 64 net new stores between August 1, 2020 and July 31, 2021.
For the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021, SG&A increased $125.8 million and $242.6 million, respectively, compared to the three and six month periods ended August 3, 2019, primarily due to a 15% and 14% increase in comparable store sales, respectively, to the opening of 124 net new stores between August 3, 2019 and July 31, 2021, net COVID-related operating expenses for supplies, cleaning, and payroll related to additional safety protocols, and higher incentive compensation costs due to better-than-expected results.
Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 increased five and 15 basis points, respectively, compared to the three and six month periods ended August 3, 2019, primarily due to net COVID-related operating expenses for supplies, cleaning, and payroll related to additional safety protocols, and to higher incentive compensation costs due to better-than-expected results. We expect our operating costs to continue to reflect ongoing COVID-related expenses and also higher wages.
Interest expense (income), net. Interest expense, net for the three month period ended July 31, 2021 decreased $10.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest expense on long-term debt due to the October 2020 refinancing at lower interest rates of a portion of the Senior Notes issued in April 2020, and elimination of interest expense on short-term debt due to the repayment of our $800 million revolving credit facility in October 2020.
Interest expense, net for the six month period ended July 31, 2021 increased $2.2 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to higher interest expense on long-term debt due to six months of interest expense in the six month period ended July 31, 2021 compared to four months in the corresponding period in 2020, and lower interest income due to lower interest rates, partially offset by the elimination of interest expense on short-term debt due to the repayment of our $800 million revolving credit facility in October 2020 and higher capitalized interest primarily related to the construction of our Brookshire, Texas distribution center.
Interest expense (income), net for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 increased $23.5 million and $48.2 million, respectively, compared to the three and six month periods ended August 3, 2019. These increases were primarily due to higher interest expense on long-term debt due to the issuance of Senior Notes in April 2020 and October 2020, and to lower interest income due to lower interest rates, partially offset by higher capitalized interest primarily related to the construction of our Brookshire, Texas distribution center.
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Interest expense (income), net for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021, August 1, 2020, and August 3, 2019 consists of the following:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | August 3, 2019 | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | August 3, 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on long-term debt | $ | 22,205 | $ | 28,331 | $ | 3,283 | $ | 44,399 | $ | 38,512 | $ | 6,566 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on short-term debt | — | 3,599 | — | — | 5,296 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other interest expense | 291 | 1,031 | 227 | 621 | 1,309 | 540 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (3,590) | (3,349) | (1,118) | (6,829) | (5,503) | (1,883) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | (199) | (757) | (7,174) | (435) | (4,093) | (15,640) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense (income), net | $ | 18,707 | $ | 28,855 | $ | (4,782) | $ | 37,756 | $ | 35,521 | $ | (10,417) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxes on earnings (loss). Our effective tax rates for the three month periods ended July 31, 2021, August 1, 2020, and August 3, 2019 were approximately 25%, 61%, and 25%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate of 36% for the three month period ended July 31, 2021 compared to the three month period ended August 1, 2020 was primarily due to fluctuations in pre-tax earnings (loss), partially offset by a revaluation of deferred taxes related to the CARES Act in the three month period ended August 1, 2020. Our effective tax rates for the six month periods ended July 31, 2021, August 1, 2020, and August 3, 2019 were approximately 24%, 31%, and 24%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate of 7% for the six month period ended July 31, 2021 compared to the six month period ended August 1, 2020 was primarily due to fluctuations in pre-tax earnings (loss). Our effective tax rate is impacted by changes in tax law and accounting guidance, location of new stores, level of earnings, tax effects associated with share-based compensation, and uncertain tax positions.
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law. The CARES Act made several significant changes to business tax provisions, including modifications for net operating losses, employee retention credits, and deferral of employer payroll tax payments. The modifications for net operating losses eliminate the taxable income limitation for certain net operating losses and allow the carry back of net operating losses arising in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to the five prior tax years, respectively. Subsequently, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (“CAA”) and the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) were signed into law on December 27, 2020 and March 11, 2021, respectively. The CAA and ARPA made several changes to business tax provisions, including increasing and extending the employee retention credits through December 31, 2021, extending certain employment-related tax credits through December 31, 2025, and limiting certain executive compensation deductions, effective fiscal 2027.
Net earnings (loss). Net earnings as a percentage of sales for the three month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020 was 10.3% and 0.8%, respectively. Net earnings as a percentage of sales for the six month period ended July 31, 2021 was 10.4% compared to the net loss as a percentage of sales of 6.3% for the six month period ended August 1, 2020. Net earnings as a percentage of sales for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 was higher primarily due to lower cost of goods sold, lower SG&A expense, and lower interest expense, partially offset by higher taxes on earnings.
Net earnings as a percentage of sales for the three month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 3, 2019 was 10.3% and 10.4%, respectively. Net earnings as a percentage of sales for the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 3, 2019 was 10.4% and 10.7%, respectively. Net earnings as a percentage of sales for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 was lower primarily due to higher interest expense and higher SG&A expense, partially offset by lower cost of goods sold.
Earnings (loss) per share. Diluted earnings per share for the three month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020 were $1.39 and $0.06, respectively. Diluted earnings per share for the six month period ended July 31, 2021 was $2.73, compared to diluted loss per share of $(0.81), for the six month period ended August 1, 2020. The $1.33 and $3.54 increases in the diluted earnings per share in the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 were primarily due to all our store locations being open throughout the first half of fiscal 2021, compared to all our store locations being open for approximately 50 percent of the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and approximately 75 percent of the second quarter of fiscal 2020.
Diluted earnings per share for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021 were $1.39 and $2.73, respectively, compared to $1.14 and $2.29, respectively, for the three and six month periods ended August 3, 2019. The 22% and 19%
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increases in diluted earnings per share for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021, were attributable to 20% and 16% increases in net earnings, and 2% and 3% from the reduction in weighted-average diluted shares outstanding, largely due to stock repurchases under our stock repurchase programs.
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of funds for our business activities are cash flows from operations and short-term trade credit. Our primary ongoing cash requirements are for merchandise inventory purchases, payroll, operating and variable lease costs, taxes, and for capital expenditures in connection with new and existing stores, and investments in distribution centers, information systems, and buying and corporate offices. We also use cash to pay dividends, to repay debt, and to repurchase stock under active stock repurchase programs.
| Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| ($000) | July 31, 2021 | August 1, 2020 | August 3, 2019 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,345,395 | $ | 172,421 | $ | 1,083,463 | |||||||||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (254,437) | (250,047) | (249,797) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (415,649) | 2,520,131 | (868,344) | ||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and cash equivalents | $ | 675,309 | $ | 2,442,505 | $ | (34,678) | |||||||||||
In this report, we compare our cash flows from operating activities to fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019. We believe fiscal 2019 is a more useful and relevant basis of comparison given that our stores were open for full 26-week periods in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2019. Our cash flows from investing and financing activities are compared to fiscal 2020, given the continued construction of our Brookshire, Texas distribution center and the significant financing actions we took in fiscal 2020 to preserve our financial liquidity and enhance our financial flexibility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.3 billion for the six month period ended July 31, 2021. This was primarily driven by net earnings excluding non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization, and higher accounts payable leverage (defined as accounts payable divided by merchandise inventory). Net cash provided by operating activities was $172.4 million for the six month period ended August 1, 2020. This was primarily driven by lower merchandise receipts as we closely managed inventory levels and used packaway inventory to replenish our stores. This was partially offset by merchandise payments for receipts prior to the shutdown of our operations and the net loss due to the lower sales from the closing of all store locations starting on March 20, 2020 through a portion of the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.1 billion for the six month period ended August 3, 2019 and was primarily driven by net earnings excluding non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization.
The increase in cash flow from operating activities for the six month period ended July 31, 2021, compared to the same period in the prior year was primarily driven by net earnings in the current year versus a net loss due to the lack of sales from the closing of all store locations starting on March 20, 2020 through a portion of the second quarter of fiscal 2020, and higher accounts payable leverage. Accounts payable leverage was 148% and 90% as of July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, respectively. The increase in accounts payable leverage from the prior year was primarily driven by faster inventory turnover and longer payment terms.
The increase in cash flow from operating activities for the six month period ended July 31, 2021, compared to the six month period ended August 3, 2019 was primarily driven by higher net earnings and higher accounts payable leverage. Accounts payable leverage was 148% and 74% as of July 31, 2021 and August 3, 2019, respectively. The increase in accounts payable leverage as of July 31, 2021 compared to as of August 3, 2019 was primarily driven by faster inventory turnover and longer payment terms.
As a regular part of our business, packaway inventory levels will vary over time based on availability of compelling opportunities in the marketplace. Packaway merchandise is purchased with the intent that it will be stored in our warehouses until a later date. The timing of the release of packaway inventory to our stores is principally driven by the
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product mix and seasonality of the merchandise, and its relation to our store merchandise assortment plans. As such, the aging of packaway varies by merchandise category and seasonality of purchases, but typically packaway remains in storage less than six months. We expect to continue to take advantage of packaway inventory opportunities to maximize our ability to deliver bargains to our customers.
Changes in packaway inventory levels impact our operating cash flow. As of July 31, 2021, packaway inventory was 30% of total inventory compared to 38% at the end of fiscal 2020, which reflects our use of a substantial amount of packaway merchandise to support our increased level of sales. As of August 1, 2020, packaway inventory was 25% of total inventory compared to 46% at the end of fiscal 2019. As of August 3, 2019, packaway inventory was 43% of total inventory compared to 46% at the end of fiscal 2018.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $254.4 million and $250.0 million for the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, respectively, and was related to our capital expenditures. Our capital expenditures include costs to build, expand, and improve distribution centers (primarily related to the ongoing construction of our Brookshire, Texas distribution center); open new stores and improve existing stores; and for various other expenditures related to our information technology systems, buying and corporate offices.
Capital expenditures for fiscal 2021 are projected to be approximately $650 million. Our planned capital expenditures are expected to be used for continued construction of our Brookshire, Texas distribution center, costs for fixtures and leasehold improvements to open planned new Ross and dd’s DISCOUNTS stores, investments in certain information technology systems, and for various other needed expenditures related to our stores, distribution centers, buying, and corporate offices. We expect to fund capital expenditures with available cash.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $415.6 million for the six month period ended July 31, 2021. Net cash provided by financing activities was $2.5 billion for the six month period ended August 1, 2020. The decrease in cash provided by financing activities for the six month period ended July 31, 2021, compared to the six month period ended August 1, 2020, was primarily due to the completion of our fiscal 2020 public debt offerings, net of refinancing costs and draw down on our $800 million revolving credit facility, and the resumption of cash dividend payments in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 and share repurchases in the second quarter of fiscal 2021.
Revolving credit facilities. Our $800 million unsecured revolving credit facility expires in July 2024, and contains a $300 million sublimit for issuance of standby letters of credit. The facility also contains an option allowing us to increase the size of our credit facility by up to an additional $300 million, with the agreement of the lenders. Interest on borrowings under this facility is based on LIBOR (or an alternate benchmark rate, if LIBOR is no longer available) plus an applicable margin and is payable quarterly and upon maturity. The revolving credit facility may be extended, at our option, for up to two additional one-year periods, subject to customary conditions.
In March 2020, we borrowed $800 million under our revolving credit facility. Interest on the loan was based on LIBOR plus 0.875% (or 1.76%).
In May 2020, we amended the $800 million revolving credit facility (the “Amended Credit Facility”) to temporarily suspend for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2020 the Consolidated Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR ratio financial covenant, and to apply a transitional modification to that ratio effective in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. In October 2020, we repaid in full the $800 million we borrowed under the unsecured revolving credit facility. As of July 31, 2021, we had no borrowings or standby letters of credit outstanding under this facility, the $800 million credit facility remains in place and available, and we were in compliance with the amended covenant.
In May 2020, we entered into an additional $500 million 364-day senior revolving credit facility which was scheduled to expire in April 2021. In October 2020, we terminated this senior revolving credit facility. We had no borrowings under that credit facility at any time.
Senior notes. In April 2020, we issued an aggregate of $2.0 billion in unsecured senior notes in four tenors as follows: $700 million of 4.600% Senior Notes due April 2025, $400 million of 4.700% Senior Notes due April 2027, $400 million of 4.800% Senior Notes due April 2030, and $500 million of 5.450% Senior Notes due April 2050.
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In October 2020, we accepted for repurchase approximately $775 million in aggregate principal amount of the senior notes issued in April 2020, pursuant to cash tender offers as follows: $351 million of the 2050 Notes, $266 million of the 2030 Notes, and $158 million of the 2027 Notes. We paid approximately $1.003 billion in aggregate consideration (including transaction costs, and accrued and unpaid interest) and recorded an approximately $240 million loss on the early extinguishment for the accepted senior notes.
In October 2020, we issued an aggregate of $1.0 billion in unsecured senior notes in two tenors as follows: 0.875% Senior Notes due April 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $500 million and 1.875% Senior Notes due April 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $500 million. Cash proceeds, net of discounts and other issuance costs, were approximately $987.2 million. Interest on the 2026 and 2031 Notes is payable semi-annually beginning April 2021. We used the net proceeds from the offering of the 2026 and 2031 Notes to fund the purchase of the accepted senior notes from our tender offers.
In June 2020, we amended the covenants associated with the $65 million outstanding Series B unsecured senior notes. As of July 31, 2021, we were in compliance with these covenants.
Other financing activities. In May 2021, our Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock through fiscal 2022, with plans to buy back $650 million in fiscal 2021 and $850 million in fiscal 2022. In March 2019, our Board of Directors approved a two-year $2.55 billion stock repurchase program through fiscal 2020. Due to the economic uncertainty stemming from the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had suspended our stock repurchase program in March 2020, at which time we had repurchased $1.407 billion under the prior two-year $2.55 billion stock repurchase program.
We repurchased 1.4 million and 1.2 million shares of common stock for aggregate purchase prices of approximately $175.8 million and $132.5 million during the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, respectively. We also acquired 0.4 million and 0.3 million shares of treasury stock under our employee stock equity compensation programs, for aggregate purchase prices of approximately $49.0 million and $32.3 million during the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, respectively.
In August 2021, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.285 per common share, payable on September 30, 2021. In May 2021, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.285 per common share, payable on June 30, 2021. On March 2, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.285 per common share, payable on March 31, 2021. Prior to fiscal 2021, our most recent quarterly dividend was a quarterly cash dividend of $0.285 per common share declared by our Board of Directors in March 2020. In May 2020, we temporarily suspended our quarterly dividends, due to the economic uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.255 per common share in March, May, August, and November 2019, respectively.
For the six month periods ended July 31, 2021 and August 1, 2020, we paid cash dividends of $203.4 million and $101.4 million, respectively.
Short-term trade credit represents a significant source of financing for merchandise inventory. Trade credit arises from customary payment terms and trade practices with our vendors. We regularly review the adequacy of credit available to us from all sources and expect to be able to maintain adequate trade credit, bank credit facility, and other credit sources to meet our capital and liquidity requirements, including lease and interest payment obligations.
We estimate that existing cash and cash equivalent balances, cash flows from operations, bank credit facility, and trade credit are adequate to meet our operating cash needs and to fund our planned capital investments, repayment of debt, common stock repurchases, and quarterly dividend payments for at least the next 12 months.
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Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The table below presents our significant contractual obligations as of July 31, 2021:
| ($000) | Less than one year | 1 - 3 years | 3 - 5 years | After 5 years | Total¹ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recorded contractual obligations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior notes | $ | 65,000 | $ | — | $ | 1,450,000 | $ | 1,024,991 | $ | 2,539,991 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 632,272 | 1,181,171 | 762,254 | 561,088 | 3,136,785 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
New York buying office ground lease2 | 5,939 | 14,178 | 14,178 | 936,893 | 971,188 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrecorded contractual obligations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Real estate obligations3 | 8,449 | 41,514 | 42,808 | 122,404 | 215,175 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest payment obligations | 82,438 | 160,631 | 115,775 | 279,202 | 638,046 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase obligations4 | 5,508,699 | 13,528 | 897 | — | 5,523,124 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total contractual obligations | $ | 6,302,797 | $ | 1,411,022 | $ | 2,385,912 | $ | 2,924,578 | $ | 13,024,309 | |||||||||||||||||||
1 We have a $73.1 million liability for unrecognized tax benefits that is included in Other long-term liabilities on our interim Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. This liability is excluded from the schedule above as the timing of payments cannot be reasonably estimated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2 Our New York buying office building is subject to a 99-year ground lease. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3 Minimum lease payments for leases signed that have not yet commenced. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4 Purchase obligations primarily consist of merchandise inventory purchase orders, commitments related to construction projects, store fixtures and supplies, and information technology services, transportation, and maintenance contracts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other than the unrecorded contractual obligations noted above, we do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements as of July 31, 2021.
Standby letters of credit and collateral trust. We use standby letters of credit outside of our revolving credit facility in addition to a funded trust to collateralize some of our insurance obligations. We have also used standby letters of credit outside of our revolving credit facility to collateralize some of our trade payable obligations. As of July 31, 2021, January 30, 2021, and August 1, 2020, we had $3.3 million, $15.3 million, and $4.2 million, respectively, in standby letters of credit outstanding and $56.7 million, $56.1 million, and $56.7 million, respectively, in a collateral trust. The standby letters of credit are collateralized by restricted cash and the collateral trust consists of restricted cash, cash equivalents, and investments.
Trade letters of credit. We had $32.7 million, $16.3 million, and $10.7 million in trade letters of credit outstanding at July 31, 2021, January 30, 2021, and August 1, 2020, respectively.
Dividends. In August 2021, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.285 per common share, payable on September 30, 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts. These estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience and on various other factors that management believes to be reasonable. The ongoing uncertainties and potential impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic increase the challenge of making these estimates; actual results could differ materially from our estimates. During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, there have been no significant changes to the critical accounting policies discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 2021.
See Note A to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Recently Adopted Accounting Standards) for information regarding our adoption of ASU 2019-12.
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Forward-Looking Statements
This report may contain a number of forward-looking statements regarding, without limitation, the rapidly developing challenges and our plans and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruptions, including adjustments to our operations, planned new store growth, capital expenditures, and other matters. These forward-looking statements reflect our then-current beliefs, plans, and estimates with respect to future events and our projected financial performance, operations, and competitive position. The words “plan,” “expect,” “target,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “forecast,” “projected,” “guidance,” “looking ahead,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Future impact from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and other economic and industry trends that could potentially impact revenue, profitability, operating conditions, and growth are difficult to predict. Our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements and our previous expectations, plans, and projections. Such risks are not limited to but may include:
•The uncertainties and potential for the recurrence of significant business disruptions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
•Unexpected changes in the level of consumer spending on, or preferences for, apparel and home-related merchandise, which could adversely affect us.
•Impacts from the macro-economic environment, financial and credit markets, geopolitical conditions, pandemics, or public health and public safety issues, that affect consumer confidence and consumer disposable income.
•Our need to effectively manage our inventories, markdowns, and inventory shortage in order to achieve our planned gross margins.
•Competitive pressures in the apparel and home-related merchandise retailing industry.
•Risks associated with importing and selling merchandise produced in other countries, including risks from supply chain disruptions due to port of exit/entry congestion, shipping delays, and ocean freight cost increases, and risks from other supply chain related disruptions in other countries, including those due to COVID-19 closures.
•Unseasonable weather that may affect shopping patterns and consumer demand for seasonal apparel and other merchandise.
•Our dependence on the market availability, quantity, and quality of attractive brand name merchandise at desirable discounts, and on the ability of our buyers to purchase merchandise to enable us to offer customers a wide assortment of merchandise at competitive prices.
•Information or data security breaches, including cyber-attacks on our transaction processing and computer information systems, which could result in theft or unauthorized disclosure of customer, credit card, employee, or other private and valuable information that we handle in the ordinary course of our business.
•Disruptions in our supply chain or in our information systems that could impact our ability to process sales and to deliver product to our stores in a timely and cost-effective manner.
•Our need to obtain acceptable new store sites with favorable consumer demographics to achieve our planned new store openings.
•Our need to expand in existing markets and enter new geographic markets in order to achieve planned market penetration.
•Consumer problems or legal issues involving the quality, safety, or authenticity of products we sell, which could harm our reputation, result in lost sales, and/or increase our costs.
•An adverse outcome in various legal, regulatory, or tax matters that could increase our costs.
•Damage to our corporate reputation or brands that could adversely affect our sales and operating results.
•Our need to continually attract, train, and retain associates with the retail talent necessary to execute our off-price retail strategies.
•Our need to effectively advertise and market our business.
•Changes in U.S. tax, tariff, or trade policy regarding apparel and home-related merchandise produced in other countries, which could adversely affect our business.
•Possible volatility in our revenues and earnings.
•An additional public health or public safety crisis, demonstrations, natural or man-made disaster in California or in another region where we have a concentration of stores, offices, or a distribution center that could harm our business.
•Our need to maintain sufficient liquidity to support our continuing operations and our new store openings.
The factors underlying our forecasts are dynamic and subject to change. As a result, any forecasts or forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are given and do not necessarily reflect our outlook at any other point in time. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.
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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risks, which primarily include changes in interest rates. We do not engage in financial transactions for trading or speculative purposes.
We may occasionally use forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in foreign currency prices. We had no outstanding forward contracts as of July 31, 2021.
Interest that is payable on our revolving credit facility is based on variable interest rates and is, therefore, affected by changes in market interest rates. As of July 31, 2021, we had no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility.
As of July 31, 2021, we have outstanding eight series of unsecured Senior Notes. Interest that is payable on all series of our Senior Notes is based on fixed interest rates, and is therefore unaffected by changes in market interest rates.
Interest is receivable on our short- and long-term investments. Changes in interest rates may impact interest income recognized in the future, or the fair value of our investment portfolio.
A hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in prevailing market interest rates would not have had a material negative impact on our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or the fair values of our short- and long-term investments as of and for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2021. We do not consider the potential losses in future earnings and cash flows from reasonably possible, near-term changes in interest rates to be material.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (who is our interim principal financial officer), conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at that reasonable assurance level as of the end of the period covered by this report.
It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.
Quarterly Evaluation of Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer (who is our interim principal financial officer), also conducted an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any change occurred during the second fiscal quarter of 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that there was no such change during the second fiscal quarter of 2021.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The matters under the caption “Litigation, claims, and assessments” in Note A of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
See Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2021 for a description of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Information regarding shares of common stock we repurchased during the second quarter of fiscal 2021 is as follows:
Total number of shares (or units) purchased1 | Average price paid per share (or unit) | Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs ($000)2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (5/2/2021 - 5/29/2021) | 292 | $123.87 | — | $ | 1,500,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| June | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (5/30/2021 - 7/03/2021) | 826,304 | $120.67 | 812,969 | $ | 1,401,888 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| July | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (7/04/2021 - 7/31/2021) | 635,613 | $122.20 | 635,613 | $ | 1,324,216 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 1,462,209 | $121.34 | 1,448,582 | $ | 1,324,216 | |||||||||||||||||||||
1 We acquired 13,627 shares of treasury stock during the quarter ended July 31, 2021. Treasury stock includes shares acquired from employees for tax withholding purposes related to vesting of restricted stock grants. All remaining shares were repurchased under our publicly announced stock repurchase program.
2 In May 2021, our Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock through fiscal 2022, with plans to buy back $650 million in fiscal 2021 and $850 million in fiscal 2022.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
| Exhibit | |||||
| Number | Exhibit | ||||
| 3.1 | |||||
| 3.2 | |||||
| 10.1 | |||||
| 15 | |||||
| 31.1 | |||||
| 31.2 | |||||
| 32.1 | |||||
| 32.2 | |||||
| 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 | ||||
| 101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase | ||||
| 101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase | ||||
| 101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase | ||||
| 101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase | ||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File. (The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.) | ||||
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| ROSS STORES, INC. | |||||||||||
| (Registrant) | |||||||||||
| Date: | September 8, 2021 | By: | /s/Michael J. Hartshorn | ||||||||
| Michael J. Hartshorn | |||||||||||
| Group President, Chief Operating Officer (interim principal financial officer) | |||||||||||
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Exhibit 10.1
ROSS STORES, INC.
NOTICE OF GRANT OF PERFORMANCE SHARES
The Participant has been granted an award of Performance Shares (the “Award”) pursuant to the Ross Stores, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Performance Share Agreement attached hereto (the “Agreement”), as follows:
| Participant: | [•] | Employee ID: [•] | Award/Grant #: [•] | |||||||||||
| Grant Date: | [•] | |||||||||||||
| Target Number of Performance Shares: | [•], subject to adjustment as provided by the Agreement. | |||||||||||||
| Maximum Number of Performance Shares: | 200% of the Target Number of Performance Shares. | |||||||||||||
| Fiscal Year 2021 Performance Goal Achievement | The determination of Vested Performance Shares under this award will be determined based on a 50/50 weighting of the levels of achievement of: (1) the full-year target for adjusted pre-tax profit* as stated below (quantitative measure); and (2) 2021 Key Business Priorities (qualitative measure) as assessed by the Committee. | |||||||||||||
*Adjusted Pre-Tax Profit Target (50% of performance goal achievement) | $[•] | |||||||||||||
| Performance Period: | Company fiscal year beginning [•] and ending [•]. | |||||||||||||
| Performance Share Vesting Date: | [•], except as provided by the Agreement. | |||||||||||||
| Vested Performance Shares: | Provided that the Participant’s Service has not terminated prior to the Performance Share Vesting Date, except as provided by the Agreement, on the Performance Share Vesting Date the number of Vested Performance Shares (not to exceed the Maximum Number of Performance Shares) shall be determined by multiplying the Target Number of Performance Shares by the following formula: the Adjusted Pre-tax Profit Multiplier (as defined by the Agreement) multiplied by 0.5, plus the achievement percentage level of the 2021 Key Business Priorities (as determined by the Committee) multiplied by 0.5. | |||||||||||||
| Settlement Date: | The Performance Share Vesting Date, except as otherwise provided by the Agreement. | |||||||||||||
| Vested Common Shares: | Except as provided by the Agreement and provided that the Participant’s Service has not terminated prior to the relevant date, the number of Vested Common Shares shall cumulatively increase on each respective date set forth below by the Vested Percentage set forth opposite such date, multiplied by the actual number of Vested Performance Shares, as follows: | |||||||||||||
| Common Share Vesting Date | Vested Percentage | |||||||||||||
| Settlement Date | 30% | |||||||||||||
[•] | 30% | |||||||||||||
[•] | 40% | |||||||||||||
| Employment Agreement: | Executive Employment Agreement between the Company and the Participant, as in effect at any applicable time. | |||||||||||||
| By your electronic acceptance, you agree that this Award is granted under and governed by the terms of the Plan, as amended, and the Agreement, all of which are made a part of this document. | ||
EXHIBIT 15
September 8, 2021
Ross Stores, Inc.:
We are aware that our report dated September 8, 2021, on our review of the interim financial information of Ross Stores, Inc. appearing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2021, is incorporated by reference in Registration Statements Nos. 333-06119, 333-34988, 333-51478, 333-56831, 333-115836, 333-151116, 333-210465, and 333-218052 on Form S-8, and No. 333-237546 on Form S-3.
Yours truly,
/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP
San Francisco, California
EXHIBIT 31.1
Ross Stores, Inc.
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302(a)
I, Barbara Rentler, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ross Stores, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: | September 8, 2021 | /s/Barbara Rentler | ||||||
| Barbara Rentler | ||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
EXHIBIT 31.2
Ross Stores, Inc.
Certification of Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302(a)
I, Michael J. Hartshorn, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ross Stores, Inc.;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c)Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d)Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Date: | September 8, 2021 | /s/Michael J. Hartshorn | ||||||
| Michael J. Hartshorn | ||||||||
| Group President, Chief Operating Officer | ||||||||
| (interim principal financial officer) | ||||||||
EXHIBIT 32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ross Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Barbara Rentler, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 906”), that, to the best of my knowledge:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| Date: | September 8, 2021 | /s/Barbara Rentler | ||||||
| Barbara Rentler | ||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
EXHIBIT 32.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ross Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Michael J. Hartshorn, as Principal Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Section 906”), that, to the best of my knowledge:
(1)The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and
(2)The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| Date: | September 8, 2021 | /s/Michael J. Hartshorn | ||||||
| Michael J. Hartshorn | ||||||||
| Group President, Chief Operating Officer | ||||||||
| (interim principal financial officer) | ||||||||