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EX-10.153 - EXHIBIT - TIFFANY & COex10153_corporategovernanc.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1


TIFFANY & CO.
NEWS RELEASE
Fifth Avenue & 57th Street
 
 
 
Contact:
New York, N.Y. 10022
 
 
 
           Mark L. Aaron
 
 
 
 
         212-230-5301
 
 
 
 
                         mark.aaron@tiffany.com

TIFFANY REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR RESULTS;
MANAGEMENT PROVIDES ITS 2014 FINANCIAL OUTLOOK


New York, N.Y., March 21, 2014 - Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended January 31, 2014. Worldwide net sales rose 5% in the quarter and 6% in the year. A net loss in the fourth quarter was due to a recorded charge that related to a
ruling in an arbitration proceeding (see below and “Non-GAAP Measures”); however, excluding that and specific charges recorded in the first quarter, net earnings increased 6% in the fourth quarter and 15% in the full year, reflecting the sales growth and improved operating margins. In addition, management provided its initial forecast for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2015.

Michael J. Kowalski, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “We are proud of our performance this past year. Sales and operating earnings (excluding the arbitration-related charge) rose to record levels. Sales growth was led by fine and statement jewelry, new or expanded jewelry collections including the ATLAS, ZIEGFELD, and HARMONY collections, and continuing strength in our iconic jewelry designs. Tiffany's marketing communications more effectively engaged global consumers wherever they shopped, our distribution network was expanded by 14 additional stores, and everywhere the store experience was enhanced by improved visual merchandising. And we made important additions to our management team to strengthen our ability to capitalize on the global growth opportunities before us.”

In the three months (“fourth quarter”) ended January 31, 2014:
Worldwide net sales increased 5% to $1.3 billion. On a constant-exchange-rate basis that excludes the effect of translating foreign-currency-denominated sales into U.S. dollars (see “Non-GAAP Measures”), worldwide net sales increased 9%, and comparable store sales rose 6% as a result of increased sales in all regions.

In the quarter, the Company recorded a net pretax charge of $473 million ($293 million after tax, or $2.27 per diluted share) related to an adverse arbitration ruling (see the Company’s news release issued on December 22, 2013: “Award Issued in Arbitration

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Between The Swatch Group Ltd. and Tiffany & Co.”) which resulted in a net loss of $104 million, or $0.81 per diluted share. Excluding the charge (see “Non-GAAP Measures”), net earnings rose to $190 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, from $180 million, or $1.40 per diluted share, a year ago.

In the 12 months (“full year”) ended January 31, 2014:
Worldwide net sales increased 6% to $4.0 billion. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, worldwide net sales rose 10% and comparable store sales rose 6% due to growth in all regions.

Net earnings were $181 million, or $1.41 per diluted share. Excluding the aforementioned charge in the fourth quarter, as well as expenses of $9 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, that had been recorded in this year’s first quarter for specific staff and occupancy reductions (see “Non-GAAP Measures”), net earnings increased 15% to $481 million, or $3.73 per diluted share, from $416 million, or $3.25 per diluted share, in the prior year.

Net sales highlights were as follows:
In the Americas region, total sales rose 6% to $659 million in the fourth quarter and 5% to $1.9 billion in the full year. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales rose 7% in the quarter and 5% in the full year; comparable store sales increased 7% in the quarter due to growth in most markets, and rose 3% in the full year led by growth in New York flagship store sales as well as modest growth in branch store sales.

Total sales in the Asia-Pacific region increased 8% to $275 million in the fourth quarter and 17% to $945 million in the full year. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales rose 11% in the quarter and 18% in the full year; comparable store sales increased 4% in the quarter due to growth in Greater China and most other markets, and increased 11% in the year due to broad-based sales growth across the region.

Tiffany’s business in Japan performed well throughout the year. A negative translation effect from a substantially weaker yen versus the U.S. dollar resulted in total sales declining 12% to $169 million in the fourth quarter and 9% to $579 million in the full year. However, on a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales increased 8% in the fourth quarter and 11% in the full year, with 8% and 10% growth in comparable store sales.

In Europe, total sales increased 10% to $161 million in the fourth quarter and rose 9% to $470 million in the full year. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales rose 7% in both the quarter and full year; comparable store sales rose 2% in the quarter and 4% in the year due to growth in most countries.

Other sales increased 47% to $35 million in the fourth quarter and 53% to $111 million in the full year. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total Other sales also increased 47% and

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53% in those respective periods, partly due to increases of 23% and 14% in comparable store sales of five TIFFANY & CO. stores in the United Arab Emirates, which were converted from independently-operated to Company-operated in July 2012, as well as wholesale sales of diamonds not meeting the Company's requirements.

Tiffany added 14 stores (net) in 2013. At January 31, 2014, the Company operated 289 stores (121 in the Americas, 72 in Asia-Pacific, 54 in Japan, 37 in Europe and five in the U.A.E.), versus 275 stores (115 in the Americas, 66 in Asia-Pacific, 55 in Japan, 34 in Europe and five in the U.A.E.) a year ago.

Other financial highlights:
Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net sales) increased 1.4 points to 60.5% in the fourth quarter and rose 1.1 points to 58.1% in the full year. Gross margin in both periods largely benefited from reduced product cost pressures, as well as price increases taken earlier in the year. In addition, a sales mix shift in the full year toward higher-priced, lower gross margin products offset some of those benefits.

SG&A (selling, general and administrative) expenses rose 7% in the fourth quarter and 6% in the full year, with the increases in both periods largely reflecting incremental fixed and variable labor costs and higher store-related expenses. The translation effect from a stronger U.S. dollar reduced SG&A expense growth by 3% in both the quarter and full year.

Interest and other expenses, net were $8 million in the fourth quarter and $49 million in the full year, versus $14 million and $54 million in the respective periods last year. Interest and other expenses, net in the quarter and full year included $7 million associated with a foreign currency transaction gain related to the payment of the arbitration award (see “Non-GAAP Measures”).

The Company had an income tax benefit in the fourth quarter due to the effect of the arbitration award. The effective income tax rate was 28.8% in the full year. Excluding the above-mentioned charges, the effective income tax rates were 36.1% in the fourth quarter and 34.8% in the full year, versus 35.0% and 35.3% in the prior year.

Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $367 million at January 31, 2014, compared with $506 million a year ago reflecting the Company’s $473 million cash payment tied to the aforementioned adverse arbitration ruling. Short-term and long-term debt totaled $1.0 billion at January 31, 2014 versus $959 million a year ago. As a percentage of stockholders' equity, total debt was 37% at both January 31, 2014 and January 31, 2013.


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Net inventories increased 4% in the full year to $2.3 billion at January 31, 2014. Finished goods inventories and combined raw material and work-in-process inventories increased at similar rates. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, net inventories rose 6% over last year.

Capital expenditures were $221 million in 2013, versus $220 million in the prior year.

The Company incurred a “free cash outflow” (net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) in the full year (see “Non-GAAP Measures”), which was entirely due to the $473 million arbitration award payment.

Mr. Kowalski added, “Looking forward to 2014, our management team is enthusiastic and focused on delivering healthy rates of sales and earnings growth. We are excited about our new product, marketing communications, and store expansion plans for the coming year, and look forward to delivering the promise of the Blue Box to an ever-growing global audience.”

Outlook for 2014:
For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2015, management forecasts net earnings to be in a range of $4.05 - $4.15 per diluted share. This forecast is based on the following assumptions, which are approximate and may or may not prove valid:
a)
Worldwide net sales increasing by a high-single-digit percentage in U.S. dollars and on a constant-exchange-rate basis, with all regions expected to achieve growth in their total sales and comparable store sales.
b)
Adding 13 Company-operated stores and closing four existing stores: opening four in the Americas, five in Asia-Pacific, two in Japan, and one each in Europe and Russia, while closing one each in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Japan and the U.A.E.
c)
Earnings from operations as a percentage of net sales ("operating margin") increasing due to a higher gross margin and SG&A expense growth less than sales growth.
d)
Interest and other expenses, net of $65 - $70 million with the increase over 2013 reflecting the interest cost on higher average levels of net-debt.
e)
An effective income tax rate of 35%.
f)
A 6% increase in net inventories.
g)
Capital expenditures increasing to $270 million, with the increase over 2013 largely reflecting incremental investments in certain information technology systems.
h)
Free cash flow (cash flow from operating activities less capital expenditures) of at least $400 million.


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Today’s Conference Call:
The Company will conduct a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Time) to review actual results and the outlook. Please click on http://investor.tiffany.com (“Events and Presentations”).

Next Scheduled Announcement:
The Company expects to report first quarter results on Wednesday May 21st. For notifications of future announcements, please register at http://investor.tiffany.com (“E-Mail Alerts”).

Tiffany & Co. operates jewelry stores and manufactures products through its subsidiary corporations. Its principal subsidiary is Tiffany and Company. The Company operates TIFFANY & CO. retail stores in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Japan and Europe, as well as in the United Arab Emirates and Russia. It also engages in direct selling through Internet, catalog and business gift operations. For more information, please visit www.tiffany.com or call the shareholder information line at 800-TIF-0110.

This document contains certain “forward-looking” statements concerning the Company’s objectives and expectations with respect to sales, products, store openings and closings, operating margin, interest and other expenses, the effective income tax rate, net earnings, inventories, growth opportunities, capital expenditures and free cash flow. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Information concerning risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially is set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

# # #

5


TIFFANY & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(Unaudited)

NON-GAAP MEASURES

The Company reports information in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The Company's management does not, nor does it suggest that investors should, consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company presents such non-GAAP financial measures in reporting its financial results to provide investors with an additional tool to evaluate the Company's operating results.

Net Sales

The Company's reported net sales reflect either a translation-related benefit from strengthening foreign currencies or a detriment from a strengthening U.S. dollar. Internally, management monitors and measures its sales performance on a non-GAAP basis that eliminates the positive or negative effects that result from translating sales made outside the U.S. into U.S. dollars (“constant-exchange-rate basis”). Management believes this constant-exchange-rate basis provides a more representative assessment of sales performance and provides better comparability between reporting periods. The following table reconciles sales percentage increases (decreases) from the GAAP to the non-GAAP basis versus the previous year: 
 
Fourth Quarter 2013 vs. 2012
 
Full Year 2013 vs. 2012
 
GAAP 
Reported
 
Translation
Effect
 
Constant-
Exchange-
Rate Basis
 
GAAP 
Reported
 
Translation
Effect
 
Constant-
Exchange-
Rate Basis
Net Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Worldwide
5%
 
(4)%
 
9%
 
6%
 
(4)%
 
10%
Americas
6%
 
(1)%
 
7%
 
5%
 
—%
 
5%
Asia-Pacific
8%
 
(3)%
 
11%
 
17%
 
(1)%
 
18%
Japan
(12)%
 
(20)%
 
8%
 
(9)%
 
(20)%
 
11%
Europe
10%
 
3%
 
7%
 
9%
 
2%
 
7%
Other
47%
 
—%
 
47%
 
53%
 
—%
 
53%
Comparable Store Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Worldwide
2%
 
(4)%
 
6%
 
3%
 
(3)%
 
6%
Americas
6%
 
(1)%
 
7%
 
3%
 
—%
 
3%
Asia-Pacific
1%
 
(3)%
 
4%
 
10%
 
(1)%
 
11%
Japan
(11)%
 
(19)%
 
8%
 
(10)%
 
(20)%
 
10%
Europe
5%
 
3%
 
2%
 
6%
 
2%
 
4%
Other *
23%
 
—%
 
23%
 
14%
 
—%
 
14%
* Represents sales in five TIFFANY & CO. stores in the United Arab Emirates, which were converted from independently-operated to Company-operated in July 2012, and became comparable in the third quarter of 2013.

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Net Earnings

The accompanying press release presents net earnings and highlights expenses tied to certain items in the text. Management believes excluding such items presents the Company's results on a more comparable basis to the corresponding period in the prior year, thereby providing investors with an additional perspective to analyze the results of operations of the Company at January 31, 2014. The following tables reconcile certain GAAP amounts to non-GAAP amounts:
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP
 
Arbitration award a
 
Non-GAAP
 
Quarter Ended January 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) earnings from operations
$
(167,333
)
 
$
480,211

 
$
312,878

 
As a % of sales
(12.9
)%
 
 
 
24.1
%
 
Interest and other expenses, net
8,135

 
7,489

 
15,624

 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
(71,869
)
 
179,319

 
107,450

 
Effective tax rate
41.0
 %
 
 
 
36.1
%
 
Net (loss) earnings
(103,599
)
 
293,403

 
189,804

 
As a % of sales
(8.0
)%
 
 
 
14.6
%
 
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
(0.81
)
 
2.27

b 
1.47

b 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
GAAP
 
Arbitration award a
 
Specific cost-reduction initiatives c
(decrease)/increase
 
Non-GAAP
Year Ended January 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SG&A expenses
$
1,555,903

 
$

 
$
(9,379
)
 
$
1,546,524

Earnings from operations
304,329

 
480,211

 
9,379

 
793,919

As a % of sales
7.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
19.7
%
Interest and other expenses, net
49,463

 
7,489

 

 
56,952

Provision for income taxes
73,497

 
179,319

 
3,594

 
256,410

Effective tax rate
28.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
34.8
%
Net earnings
181,369

 
293,403

 
5,785

 
480,557

As a % of sales
4.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
11.9
%
Diluted earnings per share
1.41

 
2.28

 
0.04

 
3.73

a
Amounts associated with the award issued in arbitration between the Swatch Group Ltd. and the Company.
b
Calculated using weighted-average diluted shares of 129,283,000 which includes 1,091,000 of incremental shares based upon the assumed exercise of stock options and unvested restricted stock units.
c 
Expenses associated with specific cost reduction initiatives which included severance related to staffing reductions and subleasing of certain office space for which only a portion of the Company's future rent obligations will be recovered.

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Free Cash Flow. Internally, management monitors its cash flow on a non-GAAP basis. The ability to generate free cash flow demonstrates how much cash the Company has available for discretionary and non-discretionary items after deduction of capital expenditures. The Company's operations require regular capital expenditures for the opening, renovation and expansion of stores and distribution and manufacturing facilities as well as ongoing investments in information technology. Management believes this provides a more representative assessment of operating cash flows. The following table reconciles GAAP net cash provided by operating activities to non-GAAP free cash flow:
 
Years Ended January 31,
 
(in thousands)
2014

2013

Net cash provided by operating activities
               $
154,652

               $
328,290

Less: Capital expenditures
(221,452
)
(219,530
)
Free cash (outflow) inflow
               $
(66,800
)
               $
108,760


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TIFFANY & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
Three Months Ended January 31,
 
Years Ended January 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
1,298,284

 
$
1,235,769

 
$
4,031,130

 
$
3,794,249

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
512,675

 
504,954

 
1,690,687

 
1,630,965

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
785,609

 
730,815

 
2,340,443

 
2,163,284

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
472,731

 
440,458

 
1,555,903

 
1,466,067

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arbitration award expense
480,211

 

 
480,211

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) earnings from operations
(167,333
)
 
290,357

 
304,329

 
697,217

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other expenses, net
8,135

 
14,054

 
49,463

 
53,641

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss) earnings from operations before
income taxes
(175,468
)
 
276,303

 
254,866

 
643,576

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
(71,869
)
 
96,660

 
73,497

 
227,419

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) earnings
$
(103,599
)
 
$
179,643

 
$
181,369

 
$
416,157

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.81
)
 
$
1.42

 
$
1.42

 
$
3.28

Diluted
$
(0.81
)
 
$
1.40

 
$
1.41

 
$
3.25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of common shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
128,192

 
126,857

 
127,835

 
126,737

Diluted
128,192

 
127,992

 
128,867

 
127,934


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TIFFANY & CO. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands)

 
January 31,
2014
 
January 31,
2013
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments
$
367,035

 
$
506,201

Accounts receivable, net
188,814

 
173,998

Inventories, net
2,326,580

 
2,234,334

Deferred income taxes
101,012

 
79,508

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
244,947

 
157,548

 
 
 
 
Total current assets
3,228,388

 
3,151,589

 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
855,095

 
818,838

Other assets, net
668,868

 
660,423

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,752,351

 
$
4,630,850

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
$
252,365

 
$
194,034

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
342,090

 
295,424

Income taxes payable
31,976

 
30,487

Merchandise and other customer credits
70,309

 
66,647

 
 
 
 
Total current liabilities
696,740

 
586,592

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
751,154

 
765,238

Pension/postretirement benefit obligations
268,112

 
361,246

Other long-term liabilities
220,512

 
209,732

Deferred gains on sale-leasebacks
81,865

 
96,724

Stockholders’ equity
2,733,968

 
2,611,318

 
 
 
 
 
$
4,752,351

 
$
4,630,850



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