================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q X QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF --- THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended July 31, 2004 or TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF --- THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Transition Period from _________ to __________ Commission File Number: 33-59380 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 13-3287757 - ------------------------------- ---------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 529 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017 ---------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of principal executive offices) (zip code) (212) 808-2800 ---------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X* No ----- ----- Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No X ----- ----- As of September 3, 2004, there were 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the registrant outstanding. As of such date, all shares of common stock were owned by the registrant's parent, Finlay Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware corporation. *The registrant is not subject to the filing requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and is voluntarily filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JULY 31, 2004 INDEX PAGE(S) ------- PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003......1 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004.................................................3 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity for the year ended January 31, 2004 and the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004..............................................4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003......5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................7 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations...................16 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk......31 Item 4. Controls and Procedures.........................................31 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities............................................32 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................................32 SIGNATURES...................................................................35 PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED ---------------------- JULY 31, AUGUST 2, 2004 2003 --------- --------- Sales .......................................................... $ 188,638 $ 182,229 Cost of sales .................................................. 93,177 89,433 --------- --------- Gross margin ............................................... 95,461 92,796 Selling, general and administrative expenses ................... 87,286 84,117 Depreciation and amortization .................................. 4,374 4,177 --------- --------- Income from operations ..................................... 3,801 4,502 Interest expense, net .......................................... 5,078 4,194 Other expense - debt extinguishment costs ...................... 5,962 -- --------- --------- Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (7,239) 308 Provision (benefit) for income taxes ........................... (3,480) 113 --------- --------- Income (loss) from continuing operations ................... (3,759) 195 Discontinued operations, net of tax ............................ -- 450 --------- --------- Net income (loss) .......................................... $ (3,759) $ 645 ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 1 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED ---------------------- JULY 31, AUGUST 2, 2004 2003 --------- --------- Sales ................................................. $ 376,210 $ 357,656 Cost of sales ......................................... 185,512 174,094 --------- --------- Gross margin ...................................... 190,698 183,562 Selling, general and administrative expenses .......... 175,467 168,026 Depreciation and amortization ......................... 8,763 8,365 --------- --------- Income from operations ............................ 6,468 7,171 Interest expense, net ................................. 9,053 8,233 Other expense - debt extinguishment costs ............. 5,962 -- --------- --------- Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (8,547) (1,062) Benefit for income taxes .............................. (3,958) (412) --------- --------- Loss from continuing operations ................... (4,589) (650) Discontinued operations, net of tax ................... -- 1,061 --------- --------- Net income (loss) ................................. $ (4,589) $ 411 ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 2 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED) JULY 31, JANUARY 31, 2004 2004 --------- --------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents ...................................... $ 1,098 $ 89,481 Accounts receivable - department stores ........................ 36,185 21,602 Other receivables .............................................. 58,196 38,457 Merchandise inventories ........................................ 279,233 272,948 Prepaid expenses and other ..................................... 3,742 2,596 Deferred income taxes .......................................... -- 6,564 --------- --------- Total current assets ........................................ 378,454 431,648 --------- --------- Fixed assets: Building, equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements ....... 122,065 117,631 Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization ............... 57,942 51,506 --------- --------- Fixed assets, net ........................................... 64,123 66,125 --------- --------- Deferred charges and other assets, net ........................... 19,049 17,263 Goodwill ......................................................... 77,288 77,288 --------- --------- Total assets ................................................ $ 538,914 $ 592,324 ========= ========= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term borrowings .......................................... $ 59,968 $ -- Accounts payable - trade ....................................... 49,505 122,976 Accrued liabilities: Accrued salaries and benefits ............................... 13,289 18,756 Accrued miscellaneous taxes ................................. 6,919 7,179 Accrued interest ............................................ 3,368 3,615 Deferred income ............................................. 8,116 9,515 Deferred income taxes ....................................... 3,564 -- Other ....................................................... 16,491 15,432 Income taxes payable ........................................... 12,289 49,320 Due to parent ................................................. 1,047 8,359 --------- --------- Total current liabilities ................................... 174,556 235,152 Long-term debt ................................................... 200,000 150,000 Deferred income taxes ............................................ 23,477 21,992 Other non-current liabilities .................................... 71 80 --------- --------- Total liabilities ........................................... 398,104 407,224 --------- --------- Stockholder's equity: Common Stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized 5,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,000 shares ......................... -- -- Additional paid-in capital ..................................... 82,975 82,975 Retained earnings .............................................. 57,918 102,210 Accumulated other comprehensive loss ........................... (83) (85) --------- --------- Total stockholder's equity .................................. 140,810 185,100 --------- --------- Total liabilities and stockholder's equity .................. $ 538,914 $ 592,324 ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 3 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED) COMMON STOCK ACCUMULATED ------------------ ADDITIONAL OTHER TOTAL NUMBER PAID-IN RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE STOCKHOLDER'S OF SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL EARNINGS INCOME EQUITY --------- ------ --------- --------- ------------- ------------- Balance, February 1, 2003 ............ 1,000 $ -- $ 82,975 $ 104,525 $ 55 $ 187,816 Net income ....................... -- -- -- 13,244 -- 13,244 Change in fair value of gold forward contracts, net of tax -- -- -- -- (140) (140) Dividends on common stock ........ -- -- -- (15,820) -- (15,820) --------- ------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Balance, January 31, 2004 ............ 1,000 -- 82,975 102,210 (85) 185,100 Net loss ......................... -- -- -- (4,589) -- (4,589) Change in fair value of gold forward contracts, net of tax -- -- -- -- 2 2 Dividends on common stock ........ -- -- -- (39,703) -- (39,703) --------- ------ --------- --------- --------- --------- Balance, July 31, 2004 ............... 1,000 $ -- $ 82,975 $ 57,918 $ (83) $ 140,810 ========= ====== ========= ========= ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 4 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED ---------------------- JULY 31, AUGUST 2, 2004 2003 --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) .................................................. $ (3,759) $ 645 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization ...................................... 4,374 4,353 Amortization of deferred financing costs ........................... 262 209 Amortization of restricted stock compensation and restricted stock units ........................................... 374 76 Loss on extinguishment of debt ..................................... 5,962 -- Deferred income tax provision ...................................... 11,238 (1,334) Other, net ......................................................... 408 446 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: (Increase) decrease in accounts and other receivables ........... (11,530) 7,346 Decrease in merchandise inventories ............................. 15,204 15,079 (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other ............... 1,060 (796) Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities ............ (70,038) (16,899) Decrease in due to parent ....................................... (11,050) (1,290) --------- --------- NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES ............................................. (57,495) 7,835 --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements ........ (2,515) (2,084) --------- --------- NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES ........................ (2,515) (2,084) --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from revolving credit facility ............................ 199,679 147,026 Principal payments on revolving credit facility .................... (153,249) (149,471) Proceeds from issuance of New Senior Notes ......................... 200,000 -- Purchase and redemption of Senior Notes ............................ (154,647) -- Capitalized financing costs ........................................ (4,771) -- Bank overdraft ..................................................... 2,698 (3,335) Payment of dividends ............................................... (30,592) -- --------- --------- NET CASH PROVIDED FROM (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES ............................................. 59,118 (5,780) --------- --------- DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ..................... (892) (29) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD ....................... 1,990 1,597 --------- --------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD ............................. $ 1,098 $ 1,568 ========= ========= SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Interest paid ...................................................... $ 8,252 $ 934 ========= ========= Income taxes paid (refunded) ....................................... $ (1,122) $ 2,406 ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 5 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED ---------------------- JULY 31, AUGUST 2, 2004 2003 --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) ............................................ $ (4,589) $ 411 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation and amortization ................................ 8,763 8,719 Amortization of deferred financing costs ..................... 468 415 Amortization of restricted stock compensation and restricted stock units .................................... 609 152 Loss on extinguishment of debt ............................... 5,962 -- Deferred income tax provision ................................ 11,613 1,924 Other, net ................................................... 395 414 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase in accounts and other receivables ................ (34,322) (17,926) Increase in merchandise inventories ....................... (6,285) (1,247) Increase in prepaid expenses and other .................... (1,146) (2,464) Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities ...... (128,756) (88,024) Decrease in due to parent ................................. (10,776) (2,927) --------- --------- NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES ................. (158,064) (100,553) --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of equipment, fixtures and leasehold improvements .. (5,635) (5,030) Deferred charges and other, net .............................. -- 23 --------- --------- NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES .................. (5,635) (5,007) --------- --------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from revolving credit facility ...................... 329,516 306,484 Principal payments on revolving credit facility .............. (269,548) (272,712) Proceeds from issuance of New Senior Notes ................... 200,000 -- Purchase and redemption of Senior Notes ...................... (154,647) -- Capitalized financing costs .................................. (4,771) (431) Bank overdraft ............................................... 12,220 8,677 Payment of dividends ......................................... (37,454) (3,375) --------- --------- NET CASH PROVIDED FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES ......... 75,316 38,643 --------- --------- DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ............... (88,383) (66,917) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD ................. 89,481 68,485 --------- --------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD ....................... $ 1,098 $ 1,568 ========= ========= SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Interest paid .............................................. $ 8,832 $ 8,022 ========= ========= Income taxes paid .......................................... $ 3,223 $ 7,652 ========= ========= The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 6 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1 - BASIS OF ACCOUNTING AND PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Finlay Fine Jewelry Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries ("Finlay Jewelry," the "Registrant," "we," "us" and "our"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Finlay Enterprises, Inc. (the "Holding Company"), have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information. References to "Finlay" mean collectively, the Holding Company and Finlay Jewelry. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position as of July 31, 2004, and our results of operations and cash flows for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003. Due to the seasonal nature of the business, results for interim periods are not indicative of annual results. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with that of the audited consolidated financial statements as of January 31, 2004 referred to below. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2004 ("Form 10-K") previously filed with the Commission. The results of operations and related disclosures for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2003 reflect the Burdines departments as a discontinued operation. See Note 11 for additional information regarding discontinued operations. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to January 31. References to 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001 relate to the fiscal years ending January 29, 2005, January 31, 2004, February 1, 2003 and February 2, 2002, respectively. Each of the fiscal years includes 52 weeks. NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES: Consolidated inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market determined by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. Inventory is reduced for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. The cost to us of gold merchandise sold on consignment, which typically varies with the price of gold, is not fixed until the merchandise is sold. We, at times, enter into forward contracts based upon the anticipated sales of gold product in order to hedge against the risk of gold price fluctuations. Such contracts typically have durations ranging from one to nine months. At both July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004, we had several open positions in gold forward contracts totaling 54,500 fine troy ounces and 25,000 fine troy ounces, respectively, to purchase gold for $21.7 million and $10.2 million, respectively. The fair value of gold under such contracts was $21.5 million and $10.0 million at July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004, respectively. 7 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) VENDOR ALLOWANCES: We receive allowances from our vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements, including cooperative advertising. Vendor allowances are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales upon the sale of merchandise or selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") when the purpose for which the vendor funds were intended to be used has been fulfilled. Accordingly, a reduction or increase in vendor allowances has an inverse impact on cost of sales and/or SG&A. Effective in 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") finalized Issue No. 02-16, "Accounting By a Customer (Including a Reseller) for Cash Consideration Received from a Vendor" ("EITF 02-16"). EITF 02-16 addresses the accounting treatment for vendor allowances and provides that cash consideration received from a vendor should be presumed to be a reduction of the prices of the vendors' product and should therefore be shown as a reduction in the purchase price of the merchandise. Further, these allowances should be recognized as a reduction in cost of sales when the related product is sold. To the extent that the cash consideration represents a reimbursement of a specific, incremental and identifiable cost, then those vendor allowances should be used to offset such costs. As of July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004, deferred vendor allowances totaled (i) $15.9 million and $17.1 million, respectively, for owned merchandise, which allowances are included as an offset to merchandise inventories on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and (ii) $8.1 million and $9.5 million, respectively, for merchandise received on consignment, which allowances are included as deferred income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. HEDGING: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", as amended, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. Under SFAS No. 133, all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. SFAS No. 133 defines requirements for designation and documentation of hedging relationships, as well as ongoing effectiveness assessments, which must be met in order to qualify for hedge accounting. For a derivative that does not qualify as a hedge, changes in fair value would be recorded in earnings immediately. We have designated our existing derivative instruments, consisting of gold forward contracts, as cash flow hedges. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholder's equity, and is reclassified into cost of sales when the offsetting effects of the hedged transaction impact earnings. Changes in the fair value of the derivative attributable to hedge ineffectiveness are recorded in earnings immediately. At July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004, the fair value of the gold forward contracts resulted in the recognition of a liability of $139,000 and $144,000, respectively. The amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at July 31, 2004 of $83,000, net of tax, is expected to be reclassified into earnings through early 2005. The amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss at January 31, 2004 of $85,000, net of tax, was reclassified into earnings in the first quarter of 2004. 8 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) We have documented all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. We have also assessed, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. We believe that the designated hedges will be highly effective. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION: SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure" amends SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", to provide alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value method of accounting for stock options. As permitted by SFAS No. 123, we have elected to account for stock options using the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for the Holding Company's stock options. However, deferred stock-based compensation is amortized using the straight-line method over the vesting period. Had the fair value method of accounting been applied to the Holding Company's stock option plans, which requires recognition of compensation cost ratably over the vesting period of the stock options, net income (loss) would be as follows: THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED --------------------- ---------------------- JULY 31, AUGUST 2, JULY 31, AUGUST 2, 2004 2003 2004 2003 ------- ------- ------- ------- (IN THOUSANDS) Reported net income (loss) ........................ $(3,759) $ 645 $(4,589) $ 411 Add to net loss/deduct from net income: Stock-based compensation determined under the fair value method, net of tax ........................... (256) (225) (557) (450) Add to net loss/deduct from net income: Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income (loss), net of tax ................ 175 76 397 152 ------- ------- ------- ------- Pro forma net income (loss) ....................... $(3,840) $ 496 $(4,749) $ 113 ======= ======= ======= ======= COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS): SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" requires disclosure of comprehensive income, defined as the total of net income and all other non-owner changes in equity, which are recorded directly to the stockholder's equity section of the consolidated balance sheet and, therefore, bypass net income. For 2004 and 2003, the only non-owner change in equity related to the change in the fair value of our outstanding gold forward contracts. For the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2004, the comprehensive loss, calculated as the total of the net income (loss) plus the change in the fair value of our outstanding gold forward contracts, was $3.6 million and for the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2003 the comprehensive income was $1.2 million. For the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, the comprehensive loss was $4.6 million and for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2003, the comprehensive income was $0.9 million. INCOME TAXES: The income tax benefit for both the 2004 and 2003 periods reflects an effective tax rate of 39%. During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, a benefit of approximately $0.6 million was recorded associated with the reversal of tax accruals no longer required. Further, during the second quarter of 2004, net current deferred tax assets decreased by approximately $10.1 million, primarily as a result of the utilization of deferred tax assets related to the approval from the Internal Revenue Service of a favorable change of accounting method regarding vendor allowances. 9 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS: In June 2004, the FASB issued an interpretation of FASB No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations". This interpretation clarifies the scope and timing of liability recognition for conditional asset retirement obligations under FASB No. 143, and is effective no later than the end of our 2005 fiscal year. We have determined that this interpretation, and the adoption of FASB No. 143, will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2004, the FASB published an Exposure Draft, "Shares-Based Payment", an amendment of FASB Statements No. 123 and No. 95. Under this FASB proposal, all forms of share-based payments to employees, including employee stock options, would be treated as compensation and recognized in the income statement. This proposed statement would be effective for the beginning of our 2005 fiscal year. The Company currently accounts for stock options under APB No. 25. The pro-forma impact of expensing options is disclosed above. NOTE 3 - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS We are a retailer of fine jewelry products and operate leased fine jewelry departments in department stores throughout the United States. The fourth quarter of 2003 accounted for approximately 42% of our sales and approximately 86% of our income from operations, due to the seasonality of the retail jewelry industry. Approximately 51% of our sales in 2003 were from operations in The May Department Stores Company ("May") and 18% in departments operated in store groups owned by Federated Department Stores ("Federated"). Including our sales in Marshall Fields, which May recently acquired, departments operated by May would have accounted for 60% of our sales in 2003. NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT On January 22, 2003, our revolving credit agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation and certain other lenders was amended and restated (the "Revolving Credit Agreement"). The Revolving Credit Agreement, which matures in January 2008, provides us with a senior secured revolving line of credit up to $225.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). At July 31, 2004, $60.0 million was outstanding under this facility, at which point the available borrowings were $143.0 million. The average amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement were $34.0 million and $36.6 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 was $99.8 million, at which point the available borrowings were an additional $113.5 million. On May 7, 2004, we and the Holding Company each commenced an offer to purchase for cash any and all of our 8-3/8% Senior Notes, due May 1, 2008, having an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million (the "Senior Notes") and the Holding Company's 9% Senior Debentures, due May 1, 2008, having an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million (the "Senior Debentures"), respectively. In conjunction with the tender offers, we and the Holding Company each solicited consents to effect certain proposed amendments to the indentures governing the Senior Notes and the Senior Debentures. On May 20, 2004, we and the Holding Company announced that holders of approximately 98% and 79% of the outstanding Senior Notes and the outstanding Senior Debentures, respectively, tendered their securities and consented to the proposed amendments to the related indentures. 10 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 4 - SHORT AND LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED) On June 3, 2004, we completed the sale of 8-3/8% Senior Notes, due June 1, 2012, having an aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million (the "New Senior Notes"). Interest on the New Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2004. We used the net proceeds from the offering of the New Senior Notes, together with drawings from our Revolving Credit Facility, to repurchase the tendered Senior Notes and to make consent payments and to distribute $77.3 million to the Holding Company to enable it to repurchase the tendered Senior Debentures and to make consent payments. Additionally, on June 3, 2004, we and the Holding Company called for the redemption of all of the untendered Senior Notes and Senior Debentures, respectively, and these securities were repurchased on July 2, 2004. We incurred approximately $5.1 million in costs, including $4.9 million associated with the sale of the New Senior Notes, which have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the New Senior Notes. In June 2004, we recorded pre-tax charges of approximately $6.0 million, including $4.4 million for redemption premiums paid on the Senior Notes, $1.3 million to write-off deferred financing costs related to the refinancing of the Senior Notes and $0.3 million for other expenses. These costs are included in other expense - debt extinguishment costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. The New Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness and senior to any of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the New Senior Notes. The New Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to our secured indebtedness, including obligations under our Revolving Credit Agreement and our Gold Consignment Agreement (as defined herein), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and effectively subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries. We may redeem the New Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 1, 2008 at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of the redemption. In addition, before June 1, 2007, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the New Senior Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at 108.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. Upon certain change of control events, each holder of the New Senior Notes may require us to purchase all or a portion of such holder's New Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the purchase date. The indenture governing the New Senior Notes contains restrictions relating to, among other things, the payment of dividends, redemptions or repurchases of capital stock, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the making of certain investments, the creation of certain liens, the sale of certain assets, entering into transactions with affiliates, engaging in mergers and consolidations and the transfer of all or substantially all assets. 11 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 5 - MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES Merchandise inventories consisted of the following: JULY 31, JANUARY 31, 2004 2004 -------- -------- (IN THOUSANDS) Jewelry goods - rings, watches and other fine jewelry (first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis) ............. $297,629 $289,546 Less: Excess of FIFO cost over LIFO inventory value.. 18,396 16,598 -------- -------- $279,233 $272,948 ======== ======== In accordance with EITF 02-16, merchandise inventories have been reduced by $15.9 million and $17.1 million at July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004, respectively, to reflect the vendor allowances as a reduction in the cost of merchandise. The LIFO method had the effect of increasing the loss before taxes for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2004 by $1.0 million and decreasing income before taxes for the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2003 by $1.2 million, respectively. The LIFO method had the effect of increasing the loss before taxes for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 by $1.8 million and decreasing income before taxes for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2003 by $1.4 million, respectively. We determine our LIFO inventory value by utilizing selected producer price indices published for jewelry and watches by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Approximately $347.6 million and $364.5 million at July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004, respectively, of merchandise received on consignment is not included in merchandise inventories and accounts payable-trade in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. We are a party to an amended and restated gold consignment agreement (as amended, the "Gold Consignment Agreement"), which enables us to receive consignment merchandise by providing gold, or otherwise making payment, to certain vendors. While the merchandise involved remains consigned, title to the gold content of the merchandise transfers from the vendors to the gold consignor. Our Gold Consignment Agreement matures on July 31, 2005, and permits us to consign up to the lesser of (i) 165,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $50.0 million worth of gold, subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment Agreement. In the event this agreement is terminated, we would be required to return the gold or purchase the outstanding gold at the prevailing gold rate in effect on that date. At July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004, amounts outstanding under the Gold Consignment Agreement totaled 122,913 and 116,835 fine troy ounces, respectively, valued at $48.1 million and $46.7 million, respectively. For financial statement purposes, the consigned gold is not included in merchandise inventories on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and, therefore, no related liability has been recorded. NOTE 6 - LEASE AGREEMENTS We conduct substantially all of our operations as leased departments in department stores. All of these leases, as well as rentals for office space and equipment, are accounted for as operating leases. A substantial number of such operating leases expire on various dates through 2008. All references herein to leased departments refer to fine jewelry departments operated pursuant to license agreements or other similar arrangements with host department stores. 12 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 6 - LEASE AGREEMENTS (CONTINUED) All of the department store leases provide that, except under limited circumstances, the title to certain of our fixed assets transfers upon termination of the leases, and that we will receive the undepreciated value of such fixed assets from the host store in the event such transfers occur. The values of such fixed assets are recorded at cost at the inception of the lease arrangement and are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. In several cases, we are subject to limitations under our lease agreements with host department stores which prohibit us from operating departments for other store groups within a certain geographical radius of the host store. The store leases provide for the payment of fees based on sales, plus, in some instances, installment payments for fixed assets. Only minimum fees, as represented in the table below, are guaranteed by various lease agreements. Lease expense, included in selling, general and administrative expenses, is as follows: THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED -------------------- ---------------------- JULY 31, AUGUST 2, JULY 31, AUGUST 2, 2004 2003 2004 2003 ------- ------- ------- ------- (IN THOUSANDS) Minimum fees .... $ 850 $ 819 $ 1,700 $ 1,626 Contingent fees.. 30,988 29,693 61,934 58,264 ------- ------- ------- ------- Total ......... $31,838 $30,512 $63,634 $59,890 ======= ======= ======= ======= NOTE 7 - LONG -TERM INCENTIVE PLANS AND OTHER On December 1, 2000, the Holding Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $20 million of outstanding Common Stock. The stock repurchase program has been extended from time to time and, on June 19, 2003, the Holding Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an additional $20 million of outstanding Common Stock. The Holding Company may, at the discretion of management, purchase its Common Stock, from time to time through September 30, 2004. Additionally, the Holding Company currently expects its Board of Directors to approve an extension of the stock repurchase program through September 30, 2005. The extent and timing of repurchases will depend upon general business and market conditions, stock prices, availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, compliance with certain restrictive covenants and our cash position and requirements going forward. The repurchase program may be modified, extended or terminated by the Board of Directors at any time. Through 2003, the Holding Company repurchased a total of 1,815,159 shares for approximately $20,537,000. For the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003, the Holding Company repurchased 392,745 shares and 225,688 shares for $6,862,000 and $2,848,000, respectively. In February 2001, an executive officer of Finlay was issued 100,000 shares of Common Stock of the Holding Company, subject to restrictions ("Restricted Stock"), pursuant to a restricted stock agreement. The Restricted Stock becomes fully vested after four years of continuous employment with Finlay and is accounted for as a component of the Holding Company's stockholders' equity. Compensation expense of approximately $1.2 million is being amortized over four years. Amortization for each of the thirteen week periods ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003 totaled $78,000. Amortization for each of the twenty-six week periods ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003 totaled approximately $152,000. 13 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 7 - LONG -TERM INCENTIVE PLANS AND OTHER (CONTINUED) In August 2003, an executive officer of Finlay was issued an additional 50,000 shares of Restricted Stock, pursuant to a restricted stock agreement. The Restricted Stock vests fifty percent on January 31, 2005, with the remaining fifty percent vesting on June 30, 2007, subject to the provisions of the restricted stock agreement, and is accounted for as a component of the Holding Company's stockholders' equity. Compensation expense of approximately $774,000 is being amortized over the respective vesting periods. Amortization for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 totaled $92,000 and $183,000, respectively. In October 2003, certain executives of Finlay were awarded a total of 31,250 shares of Restricted Stock, pursuant to restricted stock agreements. The Restricted Stock becomes fully vested after four years of continuous employment with Finlay and is accounted for as a component of the Holding Company's stockholders' equity with respect to unamortized restricted stock compensation. However, such shares are not considered outstanding. Compensation expense of approximately $473,000 is being amortized over four years. Amortization for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 totaled $30,000 and $60,000, respectively. In April 2004, certain executives of Finlay were awarded a total of 32,500 shares of Restricted Stock, pursuant to restricted stock agreements. The Restricted Stock becomes fully vested after two years of continuous employment with Finlay and is accounted for as a component of the Holding Company's stockholders' equity with respect to unamortized restricted stock compensation. However, such shares are not considered outstanding. Compensation expense of approximately $629,000 is being amortized over two years. Amortization for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 totaled $78,000. NOTE 8 - EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION AND STOCK PURCHASE PLANS On April 16, 2003, the Board of Directors of the Holding Company adopted the Executive Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan and the Director Deferred Compensation and Stock Purchase Plan, which was approved by the Holding Company's stockholders on June 19, 2003 (the "RSU Plans"). Under the RSU Plans, key executives of Finlay and the Holding Company's non-employee directors as designated by the Holding Company's Compensation Committee, are eligible to acquire restricted stock units ("RSUs"). An RSU is a unit of measurement equivalent to one share of common stock, but with none of the attendant rights of a stockholder of a share of common tock. Two types of RSUs are awarded under the RSU Plans: (i) participant RSUs, where a plan participant may elect to defer, in the case of an executive employee, a portion of his or her actual or target bonus, and in the case of a non-employee director, his or her retainer fees and Committee chairmanship fees, and receive RSUs in lieu thereof and (ii) matching RSUs, where the Holding Company will credit a participant's plan account with one matching RSU for each participant RSU that a participant elects to purchase. While participant RSUs are fully vested at all times, matching RSUs are subject to vesting and forfeiture as set forth in the RSU Plans. At the time of distribution under the RSU Plans, RSUs are converted into actual shares of Common Stock of the Holding Company. As of July 31, 2004, 89,346 restricted stock units have been awarded under the RSU Plans. Amortization for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 totaled approximately $96,000 and $134,000, respectively. 14 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 9 - DEPARTMENT CLOSINGS On July 30, 2003, May announced its intention to divest 32 Lord & Taylor stores, as well as two other stores in its Famous-Barr division resulting in the closure of nine departments in 2003 and ten departments during the first half of 2004. In 2003, we generated approximately $20.0 million in sales from these 34 departments. Currently, May has not announced a specific timeline for when the remaining stores will close. For the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, we recorded charges of approximately $0.7 million, relating to the accelerated depreciation of fixed assets, the loss on disposal of fixed assets and severance. NOTE 10 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. As of September 3, 2004, we are not a party to any legal proceedings that, individually or in the aggregate, are reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. However, the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, and an unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. We have not provided any third-party financial guarantees as of July 31, 2004. NOTE 11 - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS On August 26, 2003, the Holding Company announced that Federated would not renew our lease in the Burdines department store division due to the planned consolidation of the Burdines and Macy's fine jewelry departments in early 2004. The termination of the lease, effective January 31, 2004, resulted in the closure of 46 Finlay departments in the Burdines department store division. In 2003, we generated approximately $55.0 million in sales from the Burdines departments. The results of operations of the Burdines departments have been segregated from those of continuing operations, net of tax, and classified as discontinued operations for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2003. A summary of statements of operations information relating to the discontinued operations is as follows (in thousands): THIRTEEN WEEKS TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED ENDED AUGUST 2, 2003 AUGUST 2, 2003 -------------- --------------- Sales .................................. $10,543 $21,324 Income before income taxes (1) (2) ..... 737 1,738 Discontinued operations, net of tax .... 450 1,061 - ---------- (1) Includes an allocation of $52,000 and $100,000 for the thirteen weeks and the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2003, respectively, of interest expense related to the Revolving Credit Agreement. (2) The results of operations of the Burdines departments excludes allocations of general and administrative expenses and interest expense related to the Senior Notes and the Senior Debentures. 15 PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is provided as a supplement to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Item 1 of this report. This MD&A is organized as follows: o EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW - This section provides a general description of our business and a brief discussion of the opportunities, challenges and risks that we focus on in the operation of our business. o RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - This section provides an analysis of the significant line items on the consolidated statements of operations. o LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES - This section provides an analysis of liquidity, cash flows, sources and uses of cash, contractual obligations and financial position. o SEASONALITY - This section describes the effects of seasonality on our business. o CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES - This section discusses those accounting policies that both are considered important to our financial condition and results of operations, and require us to exercise subjective or complex judgments in their application. In addition, all of our significant accounting policies, including critical accounting policies, are summarized in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K. o SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS - This section provides cautionary information about forward-looking statements and a description of certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical results or current expectations or projections. The results of operations for the thirteen weeks and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2003 reflect the Burdines departments as a discontinued operation. EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW OUR BUSINESS We are one of the leading retailers of fine jewelry in the United States and operate fine jewelry departments in major department stores for retailers such as May and Federated. We sell a broad selection of moderately priced jewelry, with an average sales price of approximately $191 per item. As of July 31, 2004, we operated 967 locations in 17 host store groups, in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Our primary focus is to offer high quality, desirable and competitively priced products, a breath of merchandise assortments and to provide superior customer service. Our ability to quickly identify emerging trends and maintain strong relationships with vendors has enabled us to present better assortments in our showcases. We believe that we are an important contributor to each of our host store groups and we continue to seek opportunities to penetrate the department store segment. By outsourcing their fine jewelry departments to us, host store groups gain our expertise in merchandising, selling and marketing jewelry and customer service. Additionally, by avoiding high working capital investments 16 typically required of the traditional retail jewelry business, host stores improve their return on investment and increase their profitability. As a lessee, we benefit from the host stores' reputation, customer traffic, credit services and established customer base. We also avoid the substantial capital investment in fixed assets typical of a stand-alone retail format. These factors have generally led our new departments to achieve profitability within the first twelve months of operation. We measure ourselves against key financial measures that we believe provide a well-balanced perspective regarding our overall financial success. Those benchmarks are as follows, together with how they are computed: o Comparable department sales growth computed as the percentage change in sales for departments open for the same months during the comparable periods. Comparable department sales are measured against our host store groups as well as other jewelry retailers; o Total sales growth (current period total sales minus prior period total sales divided by prior period total sales equals percentage change) which indicates, among other things, the success of our selection of new store locations and the effectiveness of our merchandising strategies; and o Operating margin rate (income from operations divided by net sales) which is an indicator of our success in leveraging our fixed costs and managing our variable costs. SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS During the second quarter of 2004, we continued to successfully execute our marketing and merchandising strategy, as evidenced by our 3.2% growth in comparable department sales. Total sales were $188.6 million for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2004 compared to $182.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2003, an increase of 3.5%. Gross margin increased by $2.7 million compared to 2003, and as a percentage of sales, gross margin decreased by 0.3% from 50.9% to 50.6%. Although SG&A increased $2.9 million, as a percentage of sales, SG&A remained flat at 46.3%. Although borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement increased by $26.2 million at July 31, 2004 as compared to August 2, 2003, primarily as a result of the refinancing of the Senior Notes and the Senior Debentures, the average outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Agreement decreased to $34.0 million as compared to $36.6 million in the prior year. Maximum outstanding borrowings during the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 peaked at $99.8 million, at which point the available borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement were an additional $113.5 million. During the second quarter of 2004, we and the Holding Company completed the redemption of the outstanding 8 3/8% Senior Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million and the 9% Senior Debentures having an aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million. Additionally, in June 2004, we completed the sale of the 8 3/8% New Senior Notes having an aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million. The tender offers, New Senior Notes offering and redemptions of the outstanding Senior Notes and Senior Debentures were all undertaken to simplify our capital structure by eliminating debt at the parent company level, as well as decreasing total long-term debt, decreasing our overall interest rate and extending our debt maturities. OUTLOOK We continue to seek growth opportunities and plan to continue to pursue the following key initiatives: o Increase comparable department sales; 17 o Add departments within existing host store groups; o Add new host store relationships; o Open new channels of distribution; o Continue to raise customer service standards; o Strengthen selling teams through training programs; o Continue to improve operating leverage; and o De-leverage the balance sheet. We believe that current trends in jewelry retailing provide a significant opportunity for our growth. Consumers spent approximately $54.0 billion on jewelry (including both fine jewelry and costume jewelry) in the United States in calendar year 2003, an increase of approximately $19.9 billion over 1993, according to the United States Department of Commerce, representing a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. In the department store sector in which we operate, consumers spent an estimated $4.0 billion on fine jewelry in calendar year 2002. Our management believes that demographic factors such as the maturing U.S. population and an increase in the number of working women have resulted in greater disposable income, thus contributing to the growth of the fine jewelry retailing industry. Our management also believes that jewelry consumers today increasingly perceive fine jewelry as a fashion accessory, resulting in purchases which augment our gift and special occasion sales. OPPORTUNITIES, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES We achieved sustained growth during 2003 and the first half of 2004, however, we faced certain challenges as well, including: o Dependence on or loss of certain host store relationships; and o Host store consolidation. During 2003, Federated announced that it would not renew our lease in the Burdines department store division, which resulted in the closure of 46 Burdines departments in January 2004. These 46 departments generated approximately $55 million in revenue during 2003, which is included in discontinued operations. Due to the termination of the Burdines lease, we recorded a non-cash charge of $13.8 million in 2003 for the write-down of goodwill resulting from the closure of the Burdines departments. Additionally, during 2003, May announced its intention to close certain of its smaller, less profitable stores, including 32 Lord & Taylor stores, as well as two stores in its Famous-Barr division, resulting in the closure of nine departments in 2003 and ten departments during the first half of 2004. In 2003, we generated approximately $20 million in sales from these 34 departments. During 2003, approximately 51% and 18% of our sales were generated by departments operated in store groups owned by May and Federated, respectively. Including our sales in Marshall Fields, which May recently acquired, departments operated by May would have accounted for 60% of our sales in 2003. We have operated departments with May since 1948 and with Federated since 1983. We believe that our relationships with these hosts are excellent. Nevertheless, a decision by either company to 18 transfer the operation of some or all of their departments to a competitor or to assume the operation of those departments themselves would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Additionally, the department store industry may experience significant consolidations in the future. Although we have, in the past, generally benefited from host store consolidations, there is no assurance that our host store relationships will not be impacted as a result of such host store consolidation. An important initiative and focus of management is developing opportunities for our growth. We consider it a high priority to identify new businesses that offer growth, financial viability and manageability and will have a positive impact on shareholder value. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following table sets forth operating results as a percentage of sales for the periods indicated. The discussion that follows should be read in conjunction with the following table: STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED --------------------- ---------------------- JULY 31, AUGUST 2, JULY 31, AUGUST 2, 2004 2003 2004 2003 -------- --------- -------- --------- Sales .................................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Cost of sales ............................................ 49.4 49.1 49.3 48.7 ----- ----- ----- ----- Gross margin ......................................... 50.6 50.9 50.7 51.3 Selling, general and administrative expenses ............. 46.3 46.2 46.7 47.0 Depreciation and amortization ............................ 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.3 ----- ----- ----- ----- Income from operations ............................... 2.0 2.5 1.7 2.0 Interest expense, net .................................... 2.7 2.3 2.4 2.3 Other expense - debt extinguishment costs ................ 3.1 -- 1.5 -- ----- ----- ----- ----- Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes ....................................... (3.8) 0.2 (2.2) (0.3) Provision (benefit) for income taxes ..................... (1.8) 0.1 (1.0) (0.1) ----- ----- ----- ----- Income (loss) from continuing operations ............. (2.0) 0.1 (1.2) (0.2) Discontinued operations, net of tax ...................... -- 0.2 -- 0.3 ----- ----- ----- ----- Net income (loss) .................................... (2.0)% 0.3% (1.2)% 0.1% ===== ===== ===== ===== THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED JULY 31, 2004 COMPARED WITH THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED AUGUST 2, 2003 SALES. Sales for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2004 increased $6.4 million, or 3.5%, over the comparable period in 2003. Comparable department sales (departments open for the same months during the comparable periods) increased 3.2%. We attribute the increase in sales primarily to our merchandising and marketing strategy, which includes the following initiatives: (i) emphasizing our "Best Value" merchandising programs, which provide a targeted assortment of items at competitive prices; (ii) focusing on holiday and event-driven promotions as well as host store marketing programs; and (iii) positioning our departments as "destination locations" for fine jewelry. During the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 2004, we opened four departments, including three departments in Dillard's and closed seven departments. The openings and closings were all within existing store groups. 19 GROSS MARGIN. Gross margin for the period increased by $2.7 million in 2004 compared to 2003, and, as percentage of sales, gross margin decreased by 0.3%. The components of this 0.3% net decrease in gross margin are as follows: COMPONENT % REASON ----------------------------------- ------ ---------------------------------------------- Merchandise cost of sales......... (0.7) Increase in merchandise cost of sales is primarily due to our continued efforts to increase market penetration and market share through our pricing strategy, as well as the mix of sales with increased sales in the diamond, designer and clearance categories, which have lower margins than other categories. LIFO ............................. 0.2 Decrease in the LIFO provision from $1.2 million to $1.0 million. Shortage ......................... 0.2 The 2004 physical inventory results (actual shortage vs. accrual) were more favorable as compared to the 2003 results. ---- Total ............... (0.3)% ==== SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. The components of SG&A include payroll expense, lease fees, net advertising expenditures and other field and administrative expenses. SG&A increased $3.2 million, or 3.8%. As a percentage of sales, SG&A increased by 0.1% to 46.3%. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization increased $0.2 million reflecting additional depreciation and amortization as a result of capital expenditures for the most recent twelve months, offset by the effect of certain assets becoming fully depreciated. In addition, accelerated depreciation costs totaling approximately $0.2 million, associated with the Lord & Taylor store closings, were recorded in the period. INTEREST EXPENSE, NET. Interest expense increased by $0.9 million primarily due to an increase in average borrowings ($241.0 million for the period in 2004 compared to $200.2 million for the comparable period in 2003) as a result of the sale of the New Senior Notes, which was undertaken as part of the refinancing of the Senior Notes. The weighted average interest rate was approximately 7.2% for the 2004 period compared to 7.1% for the comparable period in 2003. OTHER EXPENSE - DEBT EXTINGUISHMENT COSTS. Other expense - debt extinguishment costs includes $4.4 million for redemption premiums paid on the Senior Notes, $1.3 million to write-off deferred financing costs related to the refinancing of the Senior Notes and $0.3 million for other expenses. PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES. The income tax provision (benefit) for both the 2004 and 2003 periods reflects effective tax rates of 39%. Additionally, the 2004 period includes a benefit of approximately $0.6 million associated with the reversal of tax accruals no longer required. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS. Discontinued operations includes the results of operations of the Burdines departments. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the 2003 period was $0.5 million. NET LOSS. Net loss of $3.8 million for the 2004 period, represents a decrease of $4.4 million as compared to the net income of $0.6 million in the prior period as a result of the factors discussed above. TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED JULY 31, 2004 COMPARED WITH TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED AUGUST 2, 2003 SALES. Sales for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 increased $18.6 million, or 5.2%, over the comparable period in 2003. Comparable department sales increased 5.0%. 20 During the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, we opened 13 departments and closed 18 departments. The openings and closings were all within existing store groups. The openings included eight departments in Dillard's and the closings included nine departments in Lord & Taylor and one in Famous Barr as a result of May's decision to close certain of its smaller, less profitable stores. GROSS MARGIN. Gross margin for the period increased by $7.1 million in 2004 compared to 2003, and, as percentage of sales, gross margin decreased by 0.6%. The components of this 0.6% net decrease in gross margin are as follows: COMPONENT % REASON ----------------------------------- ------ ------------------------------------------------ Merchandise cost of sales......... (0.5) Increase in merchandise cost of sales is primarily due to our continued efforts to increase market penetration and market share through our pricing strategy, as well as the mix of sales with increased sales in the diamond, designer, and clearance categories, which have lower gross margins than other categories. LIFO ............................. (0.1) Increase in the LIFO provision from $1.4 million to $1.8 million. ---- Total ............... (0.6)% ==== SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. The components of SG&A include payroll expense, lease fees, net advertising expenditures and other field and administrative expenses. SG&A increased $7.4 million, or 4.4%. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased to 46.7% from 47.0%. The components of this 0.3% net decrease in SG&A are as follows: COMPONENT % REASON ----------------------------------- ------ -------------------------------------------------- Net advertising expenditures...... 0.4 Decrease in net advertising expenditures is due to lower gross advertising expenditures as a percentage of sales. Lease fees ...................... (0.2) Increase in lease fees is due to a change in the mix of host store group sales. Other expenses.................... 0.1 Decrease in other expenses is due primarily to the favorable leveraging of these expenses. --- Total ............. 0.3% === DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization increased $0.4 million reflecting additional depreciation and amortization as a result of capital expenditures for the most recent twelve months, offset by the effect of certain assets becoming fully depreciated. In addition, accelerated depreciation costs totaling approximately $0.3 million, associated with the Lord & Taylor store closings, were recorded in the period. INTEREST EXPENSE, NET. Interest expense increased by $0.8 million primarily due to an increase in average borrowings ($200.6 million for the period in 2004 compared to $186.6 million for the comparable period in 2003) as a result of the sale of the New Senior Notes, which was undertaken as part of the refinancing of the Senior Notes. The weighted average interest rate was approximately 7.6% for the 2004 period compared to 7.5% for the comparable period in 2003. OTHER EXPENSE - DEBT EXTINGUISHMENT COSTS. Other expense - debt extinguishment costs includes $4.4 million for redemption premiums paid on the Senior Notes, $1.3 million to write-off deferred financing costs related to the refinancing of the Senior Notes and $0.3 million for other expenses. 21 BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES. The income tax benefit for both the 2004 and 2003 periods reflects effective tax rates of 39%. Additionally, the 2004 period includes a benefit of approximately $0.6 million associated with the reversal of tax accruals no longer required. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS. Discontinued operations includes the results of operations of the Burdines departments. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, for the 2003 period was $1.1 million. NET LOSS. Net loss of $4.6 million for the 2004 period represents a decrease of $5.0 million as compared to the net income of $0.4 million in the prior period as a result of the factors discussed above. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Information about our financial position as of July 31, 2004 and January 31, 2004 is presented in the following table: JULY 31, JANUARY 31, 2004 2004 -------- -------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Cash and cash equivalents......... $ 1,098 $ 89,481 Working capital................... 203,898 196,496 Long-term debt.................... 200,000 150,000 Stockholder's equity.............. 140,810 185,100 Our primary capital requirements are for funding working capital for new departments and for growth of existing departments, as well as debt service obligations and lease payments to host store groups, and, to a lesser extent, capital expenditures for opening new departments, renovating existing departments and information technology investments. For 2003, capital expenditures totaled $12.9 million and for 2004 are estimated to be approximately $12 to $14 million. Although capital expenditures are limited by the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement, to date, this limitation has not precluded us from satisfying our capital expenditure requirements. We currently expect to fund capital expenditure requirements as well as liquidity needs from a combination of cash, internally generated funds and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Agreement. We believe that our internally generated liquidity through cash flows from operations, together with access to external capital resources, will be sufficient to satisfy existing commitments and plans and will provide adequate financing flexibility. Cash flows provided from (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003 were as follows: TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED ------------------------- JULY 31, AUGUST 2, 2004 2003 --------- --------- (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) Operating activities ............. $(158,064) $(100,553) Investing activities ............. (5,635) (5,007) Financing activities ............. 75,316 38,643 --------- --------- Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents ............ $ (88,383) $ (66,917) ========= ========= Our current priorities for the use of cash or borrowings, as a result of borrowings available under the Revolving Credit Agreement, are: 22 o Investment in inventory and for working capital; o Capital expenditures for new departments, expansions and remodeling of existing departments; o Investments in technology; and o Strategic acquisitions. OPERATING ACTIVITIES The primary source of our liquidity is cash flows from operating activities. The key component of operating cash flow is merchandise sales. Operating cash outflows include payments to vendors for inventory, services and supplies, payments for employee payroll, lease payments and payments of interest and taxes. Net cash flows used in operating activities were $158.1 million and $100.6 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003, respectively. Our operations substantially preclude customer receivables as our lease agreements require host stores to remit sales proceeds for each month (without regard to whether such sales were cash, store credit or national credit card) to us approximately three weeks after the end of such month. However, we cannot ensure the collection of sales proceeds from our host stores. Additionally, on average, approximately 50% of our merchandise has been carried on consignment. Our working capital balance was $203.9 million at July 31, 2004, an increase of $7.4 million from January 31, 2004, resulting primarily from the impact of the interim net loss (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), capital expenditures, the payment of dividends to the Holding Company and additional borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement related to the refinancing of the Senior Notes and the Senior Debentures. The seasonality of our business causes working capital requirements, and therefore borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, to reach their highest level in the months of October, November and December in anticipation of the year-end holiday season. Accordingly, we experience seasonal cash needs as inventory levels peak. Additionally, substantially all of our lease agreements provide for accelerated payments during the months of November and December, which require the host store groups to remit to us 75% of the estimated months' sales prior to or shortly following the end of that month. These proceeds result in a significant increase in our cash, which is used to reduce our borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement. Inventory levels increased by $14.4 million, or 5.4%, as compared to August 2, 2003, as a result of further investments in the diamond and designer categories. Although the increased inventory levels in 2004 has increased our outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, our average amounts outstanding are slightly lower than for the comparable period in 2003. INVESTING ACTIVITIES Investing cash outflows include payments for capital expenditures, including property and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities was $5.6 million and $5.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003, respectively. Capital expenditures during each period related primarily to expenditures for new department openings and renovations. FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from, and principal payments on, the Revolving Credit Facility offset by the payment of dividends to the Holding Company have been our primary financing activities. Additionally, during the second quarter of 2004, we refinanced our long-term debt. Net cash provided by financing activities was $75.3 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, consisting principally of proceeds from, and 23 principal payments on, the Revolving Credit Facility and proceeds from the issuance of the New Senior Notes, offset by the purchase and redemption of the outstanding Senior Notes and payment of dividends to the Holding Company. Net cash provided by financing activities was $38.6 million for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2003. In January 2003, we entered into the Revolving Credit Agreement, which expires in January 2008. The Revolving Credit Agreement provides us with a line of credit of up to $225.0 million to finance working capital needs. Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at our option, (i) the prime rate plus a margin ranging from zero to 1.0% or (ii) the adjusted Eurodollar rate plus a margin ranging from 1.0% to 2.0%, in each case depending on our financial performance. The weighted average interest rate was 3.6% and 3.7% for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003, respectively. In each year, we are required to reduce the outstanding revolving credit balance and letter of credit balance under the Revolving Credit Agreement to $50.0 million or less and $20.0 million or less, respectively, for a 30 consecutive day period (the "Balance Reduction Requirement"). Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement were $60.0 million at July 31, 2004, compared to a zero balance at January 31, 2004 and $33.8 million at August 2, 2003. The average amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement were $34.0 million and $36.6 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003, respectively. The maximum amount outstanding for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 was $99.8 million, at which point the available borrowings were an additional $113.5 million. On May 7, 2004, we and the Holding Company each commenced an offer to purchase for cash any and all of our Senior Notes and the Holding Company's Senior Debentures, respectively. In conjunction with the tender offers, we and the Holding Company each solicited consents to effect certain proposed amendments to the indentures governing the Senior Notes and the Senior Debentures. On May 20, 2004, we and the Holding Company announced that holders of approximately 98% and 79% of the outstanding Senior Notes and the outstanding Senior Debentures, respectively, tendered their securities and consented to the proposed amendments to the related indentures. On June 3, 2004, we completed the sale of the New Senior Notes. Interest on the New Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2004. We used the net proceeds from the offering of the New Senior Notes, together with drawings from our Revolving Credit Facility, to repurchase the tendered Senior Notes and to make consent payments and to distribute $77.3 million to the Holding Company to enable it to repurchase the tendered Senior Debentures and to make consent payments. Additionally, on June 3, 2004, we and the Holding Company called for the redemption of all of the untendered Senior Notes and Senior Debentures, respectively, and these securities were repurchased on July 2, 2004. The tender offers, New Senior Notes offering, and redemptions of the outstanding Senior Notes and Senior Debentures were all undertaken to simplify our capital structure by eliminating debt at the parent company level, as well as decreasing total long-term debt, decreasing our overall interest rate and extending our debt maturities. As a result of the completion of the redemption of the Senior Debentures, we are no longer required to provide the funds necessary to pay the higher debt service costs associated with the Senior Debentures. We incurred approximately $5.1 million in costs, including $4.9 million associated with the sale of the New Senior Notes, which have been deferred and are being amortized over the term of the New Senior Notes. In June 2004, we recorded pre-tax charges of approximately $6.0 million, including $4.4 million for redemption premiums paid on the Senior Notes, $1.3 million to write-off deferred financing 24 costs related to the refinancing of the Senior Notes and $0.3 million for other expenses. These costs are included in other expense - debt extinguishment costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In the past, a significant amount of our operating cash flow has been used to pay interest with respect to the Senior Debentures, the Senior Notes and amounts due under the Revolving Credit Agreement, including the payments required pursuant to the Balance Reduction Requirement. Although the Senior Notes and the Senior Debentures are no longer outstanding as a result of the refinancing, a significant amount of our operating cash flow will still be required to pay interest, directly or indirectly, with respect to the New Senior Notes and amounts due under the Revolving Credit Agreement, including payments required under the Balance Reduction Requirement. As of July 31, 2004, our outstanding borrowings were $260.0 million, which included a $200.0 million balance under the New Senior Notes and a $60.0 million balance under the Revolving Credit Agreement. Our agreements covering the Revolving Credit Agreement and the New Senior Notes each require that we comply with certain restrictive and financial covenants. In addition, we are a party to the Gold Consignment Agreement, which also contains certain covenants. As of and for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004, we are in compliance with all of our covenants. We expect to be in compliance with all of our covenants through 2004. Because compliance is based, in part, on our management's estimates and actual results can differ from those estimates, there can be no assurance that we will be in compliance with the covenants in the future or that the lenders will waive or amend any of the covenants should we be in violation thereof. We believe the assumptions used are appropriate. The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary covenants, including limitations on, or relating to, capital expenditures, liens, indebtedness, investments, mergers, acquisitions, affiliate transactions, management compensation and the payment of dividends and other restricted payments. The Revolving Credit Agreement also contains various financial covenants, including minimum earnings and fixed charge coverage ratio requirements and certain maximum debt limitations. The indenture related to the New Senior Notes contains restrictions relating to, among other things, the payment of dividends, redemptions or repurchases of capital stock, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the making of certain investments, the creation of certain liens, the sale of certain assets, entering into transactions with affiliates, engaging in mergers and consolidations and the transfer of all or substantially all assets. We believe that, based upon current operations, anticipated growth and continued availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement, we will, for the foreseeable future, be able to meet our debt service and anticipated working capital obligations, and to make distributions to the Holding Company sufficient to permit the Holding Company to pay certain expenses as they come due. No assurances, however, can be given that our current level of operating results will continue or improve or that our income from operations will continue to be sufficient to permit us to meet our debt service and other obligations. Currently, our principal financing arrangements restrict the amount of annual distributions to the Holding Company. Other dividends and distributions, including those required to fund stock repurchases, are subject to our satisfaction of certain restrictive covenants. The amounts required to satisfy the aggregate of our interest expense totaled $8.8 million and $8.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003, respectively. Our long-term needs for external financing will depend on our rate of growth, the level of internally generated funds and the ability to continue obtaining substantial amounts of merchandise on advantageous terms, including consignment arrangements with our vendors. As of July 31, 2004, $347.6 million of consignment merchandise from approximately 300 vendors was on hand as compared to 25 $352.1 million at August 2, 2003. For 2003, we had an average balance of consignment merchandise of $364.7 million. The following tables summarize our contractual and commercial obligations which may have an impact on future liquidity and the availability of capital resources, as of July 31, 2004 (dollars in thousands): PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS TOTAL LESS THAN 1 YEAR 1 - 3 YEARS 3 - 5 YEARS MORE THAN 5 YEARS ----------------------- -------- ---------------- ----------- ----------- ----------------- Long-Term Debt Obligations: New Senior Notes (due 2012)(1) ......... $200,000 $ -- $ -- $ -- $200,000 Interest payments on New Senior Notes ....... 134,000 16,750 33,500 33,500 50,250 Operating lease obligations (2) ............. 9,070 2,028 3,847 3,195 -- Revolving Credit Agreement (due 2008) (3) ................. 59,968 59,968 -- -- -- Gold Consignment Agreement (expires 2005) ................. 48,108 48,108 -- -- -- Letters of credit ........................... 11,690 11,440 -- 250 -- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- Total ....................................... $462,836 $138,294 $ 37,347 $ 36,945 $250,250 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== - ---------- (1) On June 3, 2004, we issued $200.0 million of New Senior Notes due 2012. Refer to Note 4 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. (2) Represents future minimum payments under noncancellable operating leases as of January 31, 2004. (3) The outstanding balance on the Revolving Credit Agreement at September 3, 2004 was $80.7 million. We enter into arrangements with vendors to purchase merchandise up to three months in advance of expected delivery. These purchase orders do not contain any significant termination payments or other penalties if cancelled. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS Our Gold Consignment Agreement enables us to receive consignment merchandise by providing gold, or otherwise making payment, to certain vendors. While the merchandise involved remains consigned, title to the gold content of the merchandise transfers from the vendors to the gold consignor. The Gold Consignment Agreement matures on July 31, 2005 and permits us to consign up to the lesser of (i) 165,000 fine troy ounces or (ii) $50.0 million worth of gold, subject to a formula as prescribed by the Gold Consignment Agreement. We believe our relationship with the gold consignor is good and we expect to be in a position to extend the Gold Consignment Agreement upon its expiration. At July 31, 2004, amounts outstanding under the Gold Consignment Agreement totaled 122,913 fine troy ounces, valued at $48.1 million. The average amount outstanding under the Gold Consignment Agreement was $48.0 million in 2003. In the event this agreement is terminated, we would be required to return the gold or purchase the outstanding gold at the prevailing gold rate in effect on that date. For financial statement purposes, the consigned gold is not included in merchandise inventories on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and, therefore, no related liability has been recorded. The Gold Consignment Agreement requires us to comply with certain covenants, including restrictions on the incurrence of certain indebtedness, the creation of liens, engaging in transactions with affiliates and limitations on the payment of dividends. In addition, the Gold Consignment Agreement also contains various financial covenants, including minimum earnings and fixed charge coverage ratio requirements and certain maximum debt limitations. At July 31, 2004, we were in compliance with all of our covenants under the Gold Consignment Agreement. 26 We have not created, and are not party to, any off-balance sheet entities for the purpose of raising capital, incurring debt or operating our business. We do not have any arrangements or relationships with entities that are not consolidated into the financial statements that are reasonably likely to materially affect our liquidity or the availability of capital resources. OTHER ACTIVITIES AFFECTING LIQUIDITY We have an employment agreement with one senior executive which provides for a minimum salary level as well as incentive compensation based on meeting specific financial goals. This agreement expires on January 31, 2005 and has a remaining aggregate minimum value of $0.5 million as of July 31, 2004. From time to time, we enter into forward contracts based upon the anticipated sales of gold product in order to hedge against the risk arising from our payment arrangements. At July 31, 2004, we had several open positions in gold forward contracts totaling 54,500 fine troy ounces, to purchase gold for $21.7 million. There can be no assurance that these hedging techniques will be successful or that hedging transactions will not adversely affect our results of operations or financial position. In January 2000, Sonab, our European leased jewelry department subsidiary, sold the majority of its assets for approximately $9.9 million. We recorded a pre-tax charge in the fourth quarter of 1999 of $28.6 million. As of July 31, 2004, our exit plan has been completed with the exception of certain employee litigation and other legal matters. To date, we have charged a total of $26.4 million against our revised estimate of $27.2 million. We do not believe future operating results or liquidity will be materially impacted by any remaining payments or litigation and legal matters mentioned above. SEASONALITY Our business is highly seasonal, with a significant portion of our sales and income from operations generated during the fourth quarter of each year, which includes the year-end holiday season. The fourth quarter of 2003 accounted for approximately 42% of our sales and approximately 86% of our income from operations. We have typically experienced net losses in the first three quarters of our fiscal year. During these periods, working capital requirements have been funded by borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement. Accordingly, the results for any of the first three quarters of any given fiscal year, taken individually or in the aggregate, are not indicative of annual results. INFLATION The effect of inflation on our results of operations has not been material in the periods discussed. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These generally accepted accounting principles require our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain financial statement accounts reported and disclosed at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Certain of our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K. We believe that the following discussion addresses the critical accounting policies which are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require our management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. We are not 27 aware of any likely events or circumstances which would result in different amounts being reported that would materially affect our financial condition or results of operations. MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES We value our inventories at the lower of cost or market. The cost is determined by the last-in, first-out method utilizing selected producer price indices published for jewelry and watches by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Factors related to inventories, such as future consumer demand and the economy's impact on consumer discretionary spending, inventory aging, ability to return merchandise to vendors, merchandise condition and anticipated markdowns, are analyzed to determine estimated net realizable values. An adjustment is recorded to reduce the LIFO cost of inventories, if required. Any significant unanticipated changes in the factors above could have a significant impact on the value of the inventories and our reported operating results. Shrinkage is estimated for the period from the last inventory date to the end of the fiscal year on a store by store basis. The shrinkage rate from the most recent physical inventory, in combination with historical experience, is the basis for estimating shrinkage. VENDOR ALLOWANCES We receive allowances from our vendors through a variety of programs and arrangements, including cooperative advertising. Vendor allowances are recognized as a reduction of cost of sales upon the sale of merchandise or SG&A when the purpose for which the vendor funds were intended to be used has been fulfilled. Accordingly, a reduction or increase in vendor allowances has an inverse impact on cost of sales and/or SG&A. FINITE-LIVED ASSETS Finite-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. If the undiscounted future cash flows from the finite-lived assets are less than the carrying value, we recognize a loss equal to the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the assets. We determine the fair value of the underlying assets based upon the discounted future cash flows of the assets. Various factors, including future sales growth and profit margins, are included in this analysis. To the extent these future projections or our strategies change, the conclusion regarding impairment may differ from the current estimates. GOODWILL We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or whenever events and changes in circumstances suggest that the carrying amount may not be recoverable from our estimated future cash flows. To the extent these future cash flows or our strategies change, the conclusion regarding impairment may differ from current estimates. REVENUE RECOGNITION We recognize revenue upon the sale of merchandise, either owned or consigned, to our customers, net of anticipated returns. The provision for sales returns is based on our historical return rate. 28 SELF-INSURANCE RESERVES We are self-insured for medical and workers' compensation claims up to certain maximum liability amounts. Although the amounts accrued are actuarially determined based on analysis of historical trends of losses, settlements, litigation costs and other factors, the amounts that we will ultimately disburse could differ materially from the accrued amounts. INCOME TAXES We are subject to income taxes in many jurisdictions and must first determine which revenues and expenses should be included in each taxing jurisdiction. This process involves the estimation of our actual current tax exposure, together with the assessment of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of income or expense items for tax and accounting purposes. We establish tax reserves in our consolidated financial statements based on our estimation of current tax exposures. If we prevail in tax matters for which reserves have been established or if we are required to settle matters in excess of established reserves, the effective tax rate for a particular period could be materially affected. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In June 2004, the FASB issued an interpretation of FASB No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations". This interpretation clarifies the scope and timing of liability recognition for conditional asset retirement obligations under FASB No. 143, and is effective no later than the end of our 2005 fiscal year. We have determined that this interpretation, and the adoption of FASB No. 143, will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In March 2004, the FASB published an Exposure Draft, "Shares-Based Payment", an amendment of FASB Statements No. 123 and No. 95. Under this FASB proposal, all forms of share-based payments to employees, including employee stock option, would be treated as compensation and recognized in the income statement. This proposed statement would be effective for the beginning of our 2005 fiscal year. The Company currently accounts for stock options under APB No. 25. The pro-forma impact of expensing options is disclosed in the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Form 10-Q includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical information provided herein are forward-looking statements and may contain information about financial results, economic conditions, trends and known uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those reflected in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to: o our dependence on or loss of certain host store relationships, particularly with respect to May and Federated, due to the concentration of sales generated by such host stores; o the impact of significant store closures by our host store groups; o the seasonality of the retail jewelry business; 29 o the impact of changes in the popularity of malls and our host stores and mall traffic levels; o our ability to continue to obtain substantial amounts of merchandise on consignment; o the continuation of our Gold Consignment Agreement; o the impact of fluctuations in gold and diamond prices; o attacks or threats of attacks by terrorists or war which may negatively impact the economy and/or the financial markets and reduce discretionary spending; o trends in the general economy in the United States; o low or negative growth in the economy or in the financial markets which reduce discretionary spending on goods perceived to be luxury items; o competition in the retail jewelry business and fluctuations in our quarterly results; o our ability to collect net sales proceeds from our host stores; o the impact of any host store bankruptcy; o the availability to us of alternate sources of merchandise supply in the case of an abrupt loss of any significant supplier; o our ability to identify and rapidly respond to fashion trends; o our ability to increase comparable department sales, expand our business or increase the number of departments we operate; o our ability to identify, finance and integrate any future acquisitions into our existing business; o our dependence on key officers; o our compliance with applicable contractual covenants; o the impact of future claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business; o the impact of recent accounting developments, including the impact of proposed accounting standards to require companies to expense stock options; o our high degree of leverage and the availability to us of financing and credit on favorable terms; and o changes in regulatory requirements which are applicable to our business. Readers are cautioned not to unduly rely on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our management's analysis, judgment, belief or expectation only as of the date hereof. We undertake no 30 obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In addition to the disclosure contained herein, readers should carefully review any disclosure of risks and uncertainties contained in other documents we file or have filed from time to time with the Commission. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK We are exposed to market risk through the interest rate on our borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, which has a variable interest rate. Based on the average amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement for 2003, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would have resulted in an increase in interest expense of approximately $427,000. In seeking to minimize the risks from interest rate fluctuations, we manage exposures through our regular operating and financing activities. In addition, the majority of our borrowings are under fixed rate arrangements, as described in Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. COMMODITY RISK We enter into forward contracts for the purchase of the majority of our gold in order to hedge the risk of gold price fluctuations. As of July 31, 2004, we had several open positions in gold forward contracts totaling 54,500 fine troy ounces, to purchase gold for $21.7 million. The fair value of gold under such contracts was $21.5 million at July 31, 2004. These contracts have settlement dates ranging from October 29, 2004 through March 31, 2005. ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES As of the end of our most recently completed fiscal quarter covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures are effective in reaching a reasonable level of assurance that material financial and non-financial information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms. CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting. 31 PART II - OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES There were no repurchases of equity securities made by the Holding Company during the second quarter of 2004. On December 1, 2000, the Holding Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $20 million of Common Stock. The stock repurchase program has been extended from time to time and, on June 19, 2003, the Holding Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an additional $20 million of outstanding Common Stock. The Holding Company may, at the discretion of management, purchase its Common Stock, from time to time through September 30, 2004 under the stock repurchase program. Additionally, the Holding Company currently expects its Board of Directors to approve an extension of the stock repurchase program through September 30, 2005. The extent and timing of repurchases will depend upon general business and market conditions, stock prices, availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, compliance with certain restrictive covenants and the Holding Company's cash position and requirements going forward. Through 2003, the Holding Company repurchased a total of 1,815,159 shares for approximately $20,537,000. For the twenty-six weeks ended July 31, 2004 and August 2, 2003, the Holding Company repurchased 392,745 shares and 225,688 shares for $6,862,000 and $2,848,000, respectively. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K A. EXHIBITS 10.1 Sixth Amendment, dated as of August 20, 2004, among Sovereign Bank, as agent and a bank, Sovereign Precious Metals LLC, Finlay Jewelry and eFinlay, Inc., to the Amended and Restated Gold Consignment Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2001, as amended. 10.2 Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 26, 2004, to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 22, 2003, among Finlay Jewelry, Finlay Enterprises, General Electric Capital Corporation, individually and in its capacity as administrative agent, Fleet Precious Metals, Inc., individually and as documentation agent, and certain other banks and institutions. 11 Not applicable. 15 Not applicable. 18 Not applicable. 19 Not applicable. 22 Not applicable. 23 Not applicable. 24 Not applicable. 32 31.1 Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 302. 31.2 Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 302. 32.1 Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 906. 32.2 Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Section 906. B. REPORTS ON FORM 8-K On May 7, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K furnishing information under Item 12 relating to the Holding Company's press release on May 6, 2004, announcing the Holding Company's sales for the first quarter ended May 1, 2004. On May 7, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K providing information under Item 5 relating to the Holding Company's and Finlay Jewelry's press release on May 7, 2004, announcing the commencement of cash tender offers to purchase the Holding Company's Senior Debentures and Finlay Jewelry's Senior Notes and related consent solicitations. On May 20, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K furnishing information under Item 12 relating to the Holding Company's press release on May 20, 2004, reporting the Holding Company's financial results for the first quarter ended May 1, 2004. On May 21, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K providing information under Item 5 relating to the Holding Company's and Finlay Jewelry's press release on May 20, 2004, announcing the receipt of the requisite tenders and consents from holders of the Holding Company's Senior Debentures and Finlay Jewelry's Senior Notes to amend the related indentures. On May 21, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K providing information under Item 5 relating to the Holding Company's press release on May 21, 2004, announcing that Finlay Jewelry had commenced an offer to sell $200 million of Senior Notes due 2012. On May 28, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K providing information under Item 5 relating to the Holding Company's press release on May 27, 2004, announcing that Finlay Jewelry had priced its offering of $200 million of Senior Notes due 2012. On June 4, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K providing information under Item 5 relating to the Holding Company's press release on June 3, 2004, announcing that Finlay Jewelry had completed its offering of Senior Notes due 2012. On June 7, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K providing information under Item 5 relating to the Holding Company's and Finlay Jewelry's press release on June 7, 2004, announcing that the offers to purchase the Holding Company's Senior Debentures and Finlay Jewelry's Senior Notes expired at 12:00 midnight, on June 4, 2004, and have not been extended. 33 On August 5, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K furnishing information under Item 12 relating to the Holding Company's press release on August 5, 2004, announcing the Holding Company's sales for the second quarter and the six months ended July 31, 2004. On August 19, 2004, Finlay Jewelry filed a Current Report on Form 8-K furnishing information under Item 12 relating to the Holding Company's press release on August 19, 2004, reporting the Holding Company's financial results for the second quarter and the six months ended July 31, 2004. 33 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirement 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. Date: September 3, 2004 FINLAY FINE JEWELRY CORPORATION By: /s/ Bruce E. Zurlnick ------------------------------------- Bruce E. Zurlnick Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (As both a duly authorized officer of Registrant and as principal financial officer of Registrant) 35