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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - FHC Holdings Corptv480056_ex32-1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - FHC Holdings Corptv480056_ex31-2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - FHC Holdings Corptv480056_ex31-1.htm

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended October 28, 2017

 

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: 001-35239

 

 

 

FRANCESCA’S HOLDINGS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware 20-8874704

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

   
8760 Clay Road Houston, TX 77080
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(713) 864-1358

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

 

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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x    No   ¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x
       
Non-accelerated filer ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ¨
       
    Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.¨

 

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

 

The registrant had 36,179,570 shares (excluding 10,172,838 shares of treasury stock) of its common stock outstanding as of November 15, 2017.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 3
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
     
  Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 28, 2017, January 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 3
     
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 4
     
  Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 5
     
  Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 6
     
  Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 7
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 12
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 19
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 19
     
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 19
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 19
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 19
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 19
     
Item 6. Exhibits 20

 

 2 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

   October 28,
2017
   January 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
 
ASSETS               
                
Current assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents  $19,020   $53,202   $24,725 
Accounts receivable   18,150    5,605    8,218 
Inventories   38,824    23,958    42,774 
Deferred income taxes   -    8,487    5,709 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   10,179    8,823    7,745 
Total current assets   86,173    100,075    89,171 
Property and equipment, net   85,710    80,484    82,992 
Deferred income taxes   15,577    6,978    4,425 
Other assets, net   3,794    2,056    1,370 
                
TOTAL ASSETS  $191,254   $189,593   $177,958 
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY               
                
Current liabilities:               
Accounts payable  $28,239   $9,205   $16,550 
Accrued liabilities   12,848    25,761    16,629 
Total current liabilities   41,087    34,966    33,179 
Landlord incentives and deferred rent   38,327    38,092    38,821 
Total liabilities   79,414    73,058    72,000 
                
Commitments and contingencies               
                
Stockholders’ equity:               
Common stock - $0.01 par value, 80.0 million shares authorized; 46.4 million, 46.1 million and 46.1 million shares issued at October 28, 2017, January 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, respectively.   464    461    461 
Additional paid-in capital   111,065    109,008    107,908 
Retained earnings   155,319    143,557    128,922 
Treasury stock, at cost – 10.2 million, 8.5 million and 8.3 million shares at October 28, 2017, January 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, respectively.   (155,008)   (136,491)   (131,333)
Total stockholders’ equity   111,840    116,535    105,958 
                
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $191,254   $189,593   $177,958 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 3 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
 
Net sales  $105,791   $119,470   $333,187   $340,843 
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs   63,931    61,843    187,249    180,149 
Gross profit   41,860    57,627    145,938    160,694 
Selling, general and administrative expenses   41,405    41,872    126,338    116,353 
Income from operations   455    15,755    19,600    44,341 
Interest expense   (109)   (131)   (332)   (353)
Other income   88    79    278    118 
Income before income tax expense   434    15,703    19,546    44,106 
Income tax expense   195    6,009    7,711    16,740 
Net income  $239   $9,694   $11,835   $27,366 
                     
Basic earnings per common share  $0.01   $0.26   $0.33   $0.70 
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.01   $0.26   $0.32   $0.70 
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding:                    
Basic shares   35,884    37,552    36,387    38,831 
Diluted shares   35,959    37,675    36,525    38,945 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 4 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

 

   Common Stock    Additional        Treasury   Total 
  

Shares

Outstanding

  

Par

Value

  

Paid-in

Capital

  

Retained

Earnings

  

Stock, at

cost

  

Stockholders'

Equity

 
Balance, January 28, 2017   37,541   $461   $109,008   $143,557   $(136,491)  $116,535 
Net income   -    -    -    11,835    -    11,835 
Stock-based compensation   -    -    2,082    -    -    2,082 
Restricted stocks issued, net of forfeitures   264    3    (3)   -    -    - 
Shares withheld related to net settlement of equity awards   (12)   -    (142)   -    -    (142)
Cumulative effect adjustment on adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-09   -    -    120    (73)   -    47 
Repurchases of common stock   (1,614)   -    -    -    (18,517)   (18,517)
Balance, October 28, 2017   36,179    464    111,065    155,319    (155,008)   111,840 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 5 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28, 2017   October 29, 2016 
Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities:          
Net income  $11,835   $27,366 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   15,749    14,415 
Stock-based compensation expense   2,082    18 
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation   -    (2)
Loss on disposal of assets   565    265 
Deferred income taxes   (65)   (81)
Impairment charges   100    66 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (12,272)   1,364 
Inventories   (14,866)   (11,233)
Prepaid expenses and other assets   (3,529)   (1,294)
Accounts payable   16,987    2,015 
Accrued liabilities   (12,913)   301 
Landlord incentives and deferred rent   235    2,269 
Net cash provided by operating activities   3,908    35,469 
           
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (19,121)   (18,666)
Other   -    8 
Net cash used in investing activities   (19,121)   (18,658)
           
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities:          
Repurchases of common stock   (18,827)   (48,715)
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards   (142)   - 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options   -    403 
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation   -    2 
Net cash used in financing activities   (18,969)   (48,310)
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (34,182)   (31,499)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year   53,202    56,224 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $19,020   $24,725 
           
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:          
Cash paid for income taxes  $23,806   $13,014 
Interest paid  $144   $143 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 6 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Business

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation is a holding company incorporated in 2007 under the laws of the State of Delaware whose business operations are conducted through its subsidiaries.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” refers to Francesca’s Holdings Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Company operates a nationwide-chain of boutiques providing its customers with a unique, fun and personalized shopping experience. The Company offers a diverse and balanced mix of apparel, jewelry, accessories and gifts at attractive values. At October 28, 2017, the Company operated 714 boutiques, which are located in 47 states throughout the United States and the District of Columbia, and its ecommerce website. 

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and are in the form prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these unaudited financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations, changes in equity, and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented. The financial information as of January 28, 2017 was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 22, 2017.

 

These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Due to seasonal variations in the retail industry, interim results are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for a full year.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Fiscal Year

 

The Company maintains its accounts on a 52- or 53-week year ending on the Saturday closest to January 31st. Fiscal year 2017 includes 53 weeks of operations while fiscal year 2016 includes 52 weeks of operations. The fiscal quarters ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 refer to the thirteen-week periods ended as of those dates. The year-to-date periods ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 refer to the thirty-nine week periods ended as of those dates.

 

Management Estimates and Assumptions

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues, net of estimated sales returns, and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Arrangements”, which amends Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, Stock Compensation. The new guidance intends to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payments, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, forfeitures and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the applicable provisions of this guidance beginning on January 29, 2017 on a prospective basis or, in the case of recognizing forfeitures as they occur, using the modified retrospective transition method. Accordingly, prior period financial statements were not adjusted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

 7 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes – Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.” The new guidance simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by permitting classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company adopted this guidance beginning on January 29, 2017 on a prospective basis, resulting in the classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities as non-current. Prior period financial statements were not adjusted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value.  ASU 2015-11 defines net realizable value as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The Company adopted this guidance on January 29, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-04 “Liabilities - Extinguishments of Liabilities (Subtopic 405-20), Recognition of Breakage for Certain Prepaid Stored-Value Products.” The new guidance allows a company to derecognize amounts related to expected breakage to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the recognized breakage amount will not subsequently occur. ASU 2016-04 is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The amended standard may be adopted on either a modified retrospective or a retrospective basis. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements in conjunction with its evaluation of ASU 2014-09 discussed below.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” The new guidance, among other things, requires lessees to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all public business entities upon issuance. While the Company is still evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements, it expects that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its results of operations, however, will result in a significant increase in total assets and total liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet given that the Company has a significant number of leases.

    

In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This pronouncement requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods and services. This standard is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that fiscal year, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. Since the original issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued several amendments and updates to this guidance. This guidance may be adopted on a full retrospective basis to each prior reporting period presented or on a modified retrospective basis with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is finalizing its evaluation of the impact of adopting the new guidance on the consolidated financial statements. This evaluation includes reviewing current accounting policies, processes, and arrangements to identify potential differences that could arise from the application of the guidance. Based on the Company’s assessment to date, the adoption of this guidance will have the following impact: (a) estimated cost of returns will be recorded as a current asset rather than netted with the allowance for sales returns; (b) gift card breakage income will be estimated based on a historical redemption rate and recognized over the historical redemption period rather than when redemption is considered remote; and (c) ecommerce revenue will be recognized upon shipment rather than upon delivery. The Company will adopt this guidance on a modified retrospective basis on February 4, 2018. The Company expects that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

 8 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

2.Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per common share amounts are calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share amounts are calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period and include the dilutive impact of stock options and restricted stock grants using the treasury stock method. The following table summarizes the potential dilution that could occur if options to acquire common stock were exercised or if the restricted stock grants were fully vested and reconciles the weighted-average common shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
 
   (in thousands, except per share data) 
Numerator:                    
Net income  $239   $9,694   $11,835   $27,366 
                     
Denominator:                    
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic   35,884    37,552    36,387    38,831 
Restricted stocks and stock options   75    123    138    114 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted   35,959    37,675    36,525    38,945 
                     
Per common share:                    
Basic earnings per common share  $0.01   $0.26   $0.33   $0.70 
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.01   $0.26   $0.32   $0.70 

  

Potentially issuable shares under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans amounting to approximately 0.5 million shares and 0.4 million shares in the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017, respectively, and 0.3 million shares in each of the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016, were excluded in the computation of diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding due to their anti-dilutive effect. The Company also excluded contingently issuable performance-based awards totaling 0.4 million shares in each of the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and 0.3 million shares in each of the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016 from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the pre-established goals had not yet been satisfied as of the end of each period.

 

3.Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The carrying amount reflected in the consolidated balance sheets of financial assets and liabilities, which includes cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximated their fair values due to the short term nature of these financial assets and liabilities.

 

4.Gift Cards and Gift Card Breakage

 

During the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017, the Company changed the estimated period over which redemption of gift cards is considered to be remote to more closely align with recent Company experience. As a result of this change in estimate, the Company recognized $1.5 million of additional gift card breakage income included in net sales in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations.

 

5.Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes is based on the Company’s current estimate of the annual effective tax rate. The effective income tax rates for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 were 45.0% and 39.5%, respectively. The effective income tax rates for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016 were 38.3% and 38.0%, respectively. The difference between our effective tax rate and federal statutory tax rate is primarily related to state income taxes. The increase in effective tax rate in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 versus the comparable prior year period was due to the income tax effect of exercised or vested stock-based awards recognized in income tax expense.

 

 9 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6.Revolving Credit Facility

 

On August 30, 2013, Francesca’s Collections, Inc. (the “Borrower”), as borrower, and its parent company, Francesca’s LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the lenders party thereto. The credit facility provides capacity of $75.0 million (including up to $10.0 million for letters of credit) and matures on August 30, 2018.  The facility also contains an option permitting the Borrower, subject to certain requirements and conditions, to arrange with the lenders for additional incremental commitments up to an aggregate of $25.0 million, subject to reductions in the event the Borrower has certain indebtedness outstanding. At October 28, 2017, no borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

 

The credit facility contains customary events of default and requires the Borrower to comply with certain financial covenants. As of October 28, 2017, the Borrower was in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility. The credit facility restricts the amount of dividends the Borrower can pay; provided that the Borrower is permitted to pay dividends to the extent it has available capacity in its available investment basket (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), no default or event of default is continuing, certain procedural requirements have been satisfied and the Borrower is in pro forma compliance with a maximum secured leverage ratio. At October 28, 2017, the Borrower would have met the conditions for paying dividends out of the available investment basket. All obligations under the credit facility are secured by substantially all the assets of the Borrower and any subsidiary guarantor, if any. All obligations under the facility are unconditionally guaranteed, subject to certain exceptions, by Francesca’s LLC and each of the Borrower’s existing and future direct and indirect wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries.

 

7.Stock-based Compensation

 

Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date fair value and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity grant). The Company recognized a net reversal of stock-based compensation totaling $0.3 million in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 and $2.1 million stock-based compensation expense in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017. Stock-based compensation in the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016 totaled $0.9 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively.

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017, the Company granted 0.3 million shares of restricted stock to certain executives and key employees. Of the total shares awarded, 65% was in the form of performance-based restricted shares (“PSA”) while the remaining 35% was in the form of time-based restricted shares (“RSA”). During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016, the Company granted approximately 0.4 million target shares of PSAs to certain executives and key employees. The number of PSAs that may ultimately vest will equal 0% to 150% of the target shares awarded subject to the achievement of pre-established performance goals and the employee’s continued employment through the third anniversary of the award date. The RSAs vest in one installment on the third anniversary of the award date. At October 28, 2017, the Company assessed the probability of achieving the pre-established performance conditions related to the PSAs and determined that the achievement of the required performance conditions is not probable. As a result, the Company reversed $0.9 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation during the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017.

 

Forfeited Awards

 

In May 2016, Mr. Michael Barnes resigned from his positions as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. As a result of such resignation, 1.3 million of then-outstanding and unvested stock-based awards previously granted to him were forfeited. Previously accrued stock-based compensation totaling $2.6 million was reversed in connection with such forfeiture during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016.

 

8.Share Repurchases

 

On September 3, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $100.0 million share repurchase program (“Previous Repurchase Plan”) commencing on the same date.  In April 2016, the authorized amount was fully exhausted.

 

On March 15, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $100.0 million share repurchase program (“New Repurchase Plan”) which commenced upon exhaustion of the Previous Repurchase Plan. The New Repurchase Plan has no expiration date. Under the New Repurchase Plan, purchases can be made from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, under Rule 10b5-1 plans or through other available means.  The specific timing and amount of the repurchases is dependent on market conditions, securities law limitations and other factors.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s repurchase activity for the periods presented. The cost of repurchased shares is presented as treasury stock in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

 

 10 

 

 

Francesca’s Holdings Corporation

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
 
   (in thousands, except per share data) 
Number of shares repurchased   491    263    1,614    3,506 
Total cost of shares repurchased  $3,500   $4,194   $18,517   $48,017 
Average price per share (including brokers’ commission)  $7.13   $15.94   $11.48   $13.70 

 

At October 28, 2017, there was $45.2 million remaining balance available for future purchases under the New Repurchase Plan.

 

9.Commitments and Contingencies

 

Operating Leases

 

The Company leases boutique space and office space under operating leases expiring in various years through the fiscal year ending 2028. Certain of the leases provide that the Company may cancel the lease, with penalties as defined in the lease, if the Company’s boutique sales at that location fall below an established level. Certain leases provide for additional rent payments to be made when sales exceed a base amount. Certain operating leases provide for renewal options for periods from three to five years at their fair rental value at the time of renewal.

 

Minimum future rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of October 28, 2017, are as follows:

 

Fiscal year  Amount 
   (in thousands) 
Remainder of 2017  $11,994 
2018   47,809 
2019   45,382 
2020   39,931 
2021   33,108 
Thereafter   93,546 
   $271,770 

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company, from time to time, is subject to various claims and legal proceedings, including employment claims, wage and hour claims, intellectual property claims, contractual and commercial disputes and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business.  While the outcome of any such claim cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition. 

 

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

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This report contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements concern our business, operations and financial performance and condition as well as our plans, objectives and expectations for our business operations and financial performance and condition, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report are forward-looking statements. These statements may include words such as “aim”, “anticipate”, “assume”, “believe”, “can have”, “could”, “due”, “estimate”, “expect”, “goal”, “intend”, “likely”, “may”, “objective”, “plan”, “potential”, “positioned”, “predict”, “should”, “target”, “will”, “would” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events or trends. For example, all statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, sales, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates, market share and financial results, our plans and objectives for future operations, growth or initiatives, strategies or the expected outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation are forward-looking statements.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and our management’s beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are in many cases beyond our control. All of our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the risk that we cannot anticipate, identify and respond quickly to changing fashion trends and customer preferences or changes in consumer environment, including changing expectations of service and experience in boutiques and online, and evolve our business model; our ability to attract a sufficient number of customers to our boutiques or sell sufficient quantities of our merchandise through our ecommerce business; our ability to successfully open and operate new boutiques each year; our ability to efficiently source and distribute additional merchandise quantities necessary to support our growth; and our ability to integrate our new Chief Merchant. For additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our forward looking statements, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 22, 2017 (“Fiscal Year 2016 10-K”) and any risk factors contained in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other filings we file with the SEC, as well as our disclosures under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this report and in our Fiscal Year 2016 10-K.

 

We derive many of our forward-looking statements from our own operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us, or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this report as well as other cautionary statements that are made from time to time in our other SEC filings and public communications. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this report in the context of these risks and uncertainties.

 

Potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements publicly after the date of this report whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

Overview

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” and “francesca’s®” refer to Francesca’s Holdings Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

francesca’s® is a growing specialty retailer which operates a nationwide-chain of boutiques providing customers a unique, fun and personalized shopping experience. The merchandise assortment is a diverse and balanced mix of apparel, jewelry, accessories and gifts. As of October 28, 2017, francesca’s® operated 714 boutiques in 47 states and the District of Columbia and also served its customers through www.francescas.com, our ecommerce website. The information contained on our ecommerce website is not incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and you should not consider information contained on our ecommerce website to be part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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During the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017, our net sales decreased 11% to $105.8 million from $119.5 million, income from operations decreased by 97% to $0.5 million from $15.8 million and net income decreased 98% to $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share based on 36.0 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, from $9.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share based on 37.7 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, over the comparable prior year period. During the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017, our net sales decreased 2% to $333.2 million from $340.8 million, income from operations decreased by 56% to $19.6 million from $44.3 million and net income decreased 57% to $11.8 million, or $0.32 per diluted share based on 36.5 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, from $27.4 million, or $0.70 per diluted share based on 38.9 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding, over the comparable prior year period.

 

We increased our boutique count to 714 boutiques as of October 28, 2017 from 669 boutiques as of October 29, 2016. We plan to open approximately nine boutiques during the remainder of the fiscal year.

 

As previously reported, Ms. Laurie Hummel departed from her positions as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of the Company in August 2017. In November 2017, Ms. Ivy R. Spargo was appointed as Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer effective as of November 27, 2017.

 

In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey hit south Texas and Louisiana and, in September 2017, Hurricane Irma hit Florida causing widespread damage to property and infrastructure within these regions. These natural disasters negatively impacted our net sales for our boutiques located in these areas. However, the supply chain disruption we experienced at our corporate offices located in Houston, Texas was more impactful on net sales for all of our boutiques. Our corporate offices were shut down for a few days and deliveries were disrupted for several weeks. As a result, we were not able to receive merchandise at our distribution center, fulfill ecommerce orders or ship fresh merchandise to our boutiques. Because our operating model relies heavily on fresh merchandise, this disruption impacted net sales for the remainder of the quarter. There were no other material losses incurred from these hurricanes.

 

We are in the process of deploying a new technology suite of systems to enhance our omni-channel and customer engagement capabilities as part of our long-term strategic plan. This includes replacing our legacy point-of-sale system and introduction of a new order management system and a new customer relationship management system. As of the end of October 2017, we have completed the roll-out of our new point-of-sale and customer relationship management systems. We expect that these new systems will enhance our visibility into our customers’ preferences, products and supply chain resulting in improved customer service, improved operational efficiency, enhanced management analytics and increased synergies between our ecommerce and our boutique channels.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following represents operating data for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016.

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
 
Net sales growth for period   (11)%   15%   (2)%   12%
Comparable sales for the period (1)   (18)%   7%   (9)%   3%
Number of boutiques open at end of period   714    669    714    669 
Net sales per average square foot for period (2)  $107   $131   $345   $373 
Average square feet per boutique (3)   1,417    1,387    1,417    1,387 
Total gross square feet at end of period   1,012,000    928,000    1,012,000    928,000 

 

 

(1)A boutique is included in comparable sales on the first day of the fifteenth full month following the boutique’s opening. When a boutique that is included in comparable sales is relocated, we continue to consider sales from that boutique to be comparable sales. If a boutique is closed for thirty days or longer for a remodel or as a result of weather damage, fire or the like, we no longer consider sales from that boutique to be comparable sales. If a boutique is permanently closed, we exclude sales from that boutique from comparable sales on the first day of the fiscal month that it did not register full month of sales. Comparable sales include our ecommerce sales and exclude gift card breakage income.
(2)Net sales per average square foot is calculated by dividing net sales for the period by the average square feet during the period. Because of our growth, for purposes of providing net sales per square foot measure, we use average square feet during the period as opposed to total gross square feet at the end of the period. For individual quarterly periods, average square feet is calculated as (a) the sum of total gross square feet at the beginning and end of the period divided by (b) two. For periods consisting of more than one fiscal quarter, average square feet is calculated as (a) the sum of total gross square feet at the beginning of the period and total gross square feet at the end of each fiscal quarter within the period, divided by (b) the number of fiscal quarters within the period plus one (which, for a fiscal year, is five). There may be variations in the way in which some of our competitors and other retailers calculate sales per square foot or similarly titled measures. As a result, average square feet and net sales per average square foot for the period may not be comparable to similar data made available by other retailers.  
(3)Average square feet per boutique is calculated by dividing total gross square feet at the end of the period by the number of boutiques open at the end of the period.

 

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Boutique Count

 

The following table summarizes the number of boutiques open at the beginning and end of the periods indicated.

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
   October 28,
2017
   October 29,
2016
 
Number of boutiques open at beginning of period   692    652    671    616 
Boutiques added   23    18    51    59 
Boutiques closed   (1)   (1)   (8)   (6)
Number of boutiques open at the end of period   714    669    714    669 


Thirteen Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended October 29, 2016

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended             
   October 28, 2017   October 29, 2016   Variance 
   In USD  

As a %

of Net

Sales (1)

   In USD  

As a %
of Net

Sales (1)

   In USD   %  

Basis

Points

 
   (In thousands, except percentages and basis points) 
Net sales  $105,791    100.0%  $119,470    100.0%  $(13,679)   (11)%   - 
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs   63,931    60.4%   61,843    51.8%   2,088    3%   860 
Gross profit   41,860    39.6%   57,627    48.2%   (15,767)   (27)%   (860)
Selling, general and administrative expenses   41,405    39.1%   41,872    35.0%   (467)   (1)%   410 
Income from operations   455    0.4%   15,755    13.2%   (15,300)   (97)%   (1,280)
Interest expense   (109)   (0.1)%   (131)   (0.1)%   (22)   (17)%   - 
Other income   88    0.1%   79    0.1%   9    11%   - 
Income before income tax expense   434    0.4%   15,703    13.1%   (15,269)   (97)%   (1,270)
Income tax expense   195    0.2%   6,009    5.0%   (5,814)   (97)%   (480)
Net income  $239    0.2%  $9,694    8.1%  $(9,455)   (98)%   (790)

 

 

(1)Percentage totals or differences in the above table may not equal the sum or difference of the components due to rounding.

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales decreased 11% to $105.8 million in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 from $119.5 million in the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2016. This decrease was primarily due to an 18% decrease in comparable sales compared to a 7% increase in the comparable prior year period. Comparable sales decreased primarily due to a decline in boutique traffic and conversion rates as our back-to-school assortment did not resonate with our guests. Additionally, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma adversely impacted comparable sales by approximately 425 basis points, mostly as a result of the supply chain disruption we experienced at our corporate offices located in Houston, Texas. These decreases were partially offset by 45 net new boutiques opened since the comparable prior year period and $1.5 million of additional gift card breakage income recognized during the current quarter as a result of a change in the estimated period over which redemption of gift cards is considered remote. There were 640 comparable boutiques and 74 non-comparable boutiques open at October 28, 2017 compared to 596 and 73, respectively, at October 29, 2016.

 

Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs

 

Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs increased 3% to $63.9 million in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 from $61.8 million in the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2016. Cost of merchandise and shipping expenses decreased by $0.4 million compared to the same period of the prior year due to a decrease in sales volume. Occupancy costs increased by $2.5 million due to the increase in the number of boutiques in operation during the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 compared to the same period of the prior year.

 

As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold and occupancy costs increased to 60.4% in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 from 51.8% in the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2016, an unfavorable variance of 860 basis points. This change was due primarily to a decrease in merchandise margin, as a result of increased markdowns in order to sell-through our back-to-school assortment, as well as deleveraging of occupancy costs.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 1% to $41.4 million in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 from $41.9 million in the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2016. This decrease was due to a $4.2 million decrease in short- and long-term performance-based incentive expenses as the achievement of the required performance metrics is not probable given our current financial results. This decrease was partially offset by a $2.5 million increase in corporate and boutique payroll to support the larger boutique base and infrastructure investments, $0.4 million increase in marketing, and a $0.4 million increase in software and professional fees associated with our continuing investments in infrastructure and technology.

 

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expense increased to 39.1% in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 as compared to 35.0% in the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2016 due to deleveraging of expenses as a result of lower sales.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

The decrease in provision for income taxes of $5.8 million in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 compared to the thirteen weeks ended October 29, 2016 was primarily due to the decrease in pre-tax income. The effective tax rates were 45.0% and 38.3% in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate was due to the income tax effect of exercised or vested stock-based awards recognized in income tax expense.

 

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 Compared to Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 29, 2016

 

   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended             
   October 28, 2017   October 29, 2016   Variance 
   In USD  

As a %

of Net

Sales (1)

   In USD  

As a %
of Net

Sales (1)

   In USD   %  

Basis

Points

 
   (In thousands, except percentages and basis points) 
Net sales  $333,187    100.0%  $340,843    100.0%   (7,656)   (2)%   - 
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs   187,249    56.2%   180,149    52.9%   7,100    4%   330 
Gross profit   145,938    43.8%   160,694    47.1%   (14,756)   (9)%   (330)
Selling, general and administrative expenses   126,338    37.9%   116,353    34.1%   9,985    9%   380 
Income from operations   19,600    5.9%   44,341    13.0%   (24,741)   (56)%   (710)
Interest expense   (332)   (0.1)%   (353)   (0.1)%   (21)   (6)%   - 
Other income   278    0.1%   118    0.0%   160    136%   10 
Income before income tax expense   19,546    5.9%   44,106    12.9%   (24,560)   (56)%   (700)
Income tax expense   7,711    2.3%   16,740    4.9%   (9,029)   (54)%   (260)
Net income  $11,835    3.6%  $27,366    8.0%   (15,531)   (57)%   (440)

 

 

(1)Percentage totals or differences in the above table may not equal the sum or difference of the components due to rounding.

 

Net Sales

 

Net sales decreased 2% to $333.2 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 from $340.8 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016. This decrease was due to a 9% decrease in comparable sales compared to a 3% increase in the comparable prior year period. Comparable sales decreased primarily due to a decline in boutique conversion rates, particularly in the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017, as our assortment did not resonate with our guests. Additionally, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma adversely impacted comparable sales by approximately 150 basis points, mostly as a result of the supply chain disruption we experienced at our corporate offices located in Houston, Texas. This decrease was partially offset by 45 net new boutiques opened since the comparable prior year period. There were 640 comparable boutiques and 74 non-comparable boutiques open at October 28, 2017 compared to 596 and 73, respectively, at October 29, 2016.

 

Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy Costs

 

Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs increased 4% to $187.2 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 from $180.1 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016. Cost of merchandise and shipping expenses increased by $1.5 million compared to the same period last year primarily due to an increase in ecommerce shipping costs. Occupancy costs increased by $5.6 million due to the increase in the number of boutiques in operation during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 compared to the same period of the prior year.

 

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As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold and occupancy costs increased to 56.2% in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 from 52.9% in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016, an unfavorable variance of 330 basis points. This change was due to a decrease in merchandise margin, as a result of increased markdowns, as well as deleveraging of occupancy costs.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9% to $126.3 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 from $116.4 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016. This variance was due to a $6.3 million increase in corporate and boutique payroll to support our larger boutique base and infrastructure investments, $2.1 million increase in software and professional fees associated with our continuing investments in technology and infrastructure, $1.5 million increase in marketing expense and a $2.0 million prior year net benefit associated with the resignation of our prior Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the related search process. These increases were partially offset by a $4.4 million decrease in short- and long-term performance-based incentive expenses as the achievement of the required performance metrics is not probable given our current financial results.

 

As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expense increased to 37.9% in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 as compared to 34.1% in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016 due to the prior year net benefit associated with the resignation of our CEO as well as deleveraging of expenses as a result of lower sales.

 

Income Tax Expense

 

The decrease in provision for income taxes of $9.0 million in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 compared to the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016 was primarily due to the decrease in pre-tax income. The effective tax rates were 39.5% and 38.0% in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, respectively.

 

Sales by Merchandise Department

 

   Thirteen Weeks Ended   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28, 2017   October 29, 2016   October 28, 2017   October 29, 2016 
   In Dollars  

As a % of 

Net Sales

   In Dollars  

As a % of 

Net Sales

   In Dollars  

As a % of 

Net Sales

   In Dollars  

As a % of 

Net Sales

 
   (in thousands, except percentages) 
Apparel(1)  $54,663    51.7%  $64,013    53.6%  $180,071    54.0%  $182,731    53.6%
Jewelry   22,826    21.6%   26,143    21.9%   72,157    21.7%   75,573    22.2%
Accessories(1)   15,360    14.5%   17,346    14.5%   44,076    13.2%   45,783    13.4%
Gifts   10,922    10.3%   11,638    9.7%   34,873    10.5%   36,174    10.6%
Merchandise sales   103,771    98.1%   119,140    99.7%   331,177    99.4%   340,261    99.8%
Other (2)   2,020    1.9%   330    0.3%   2,010    0.6%   582    0.2%
   $105,791    100.0%  $119,470    100.0   $333,187    100.0%  $340,843    100.0%

 

 

(1)In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, swimwear was reclassified out of accessories to apparel. To facilitate comparability, prior year amounts were reclassified.
(2)Includes gift card breakage income, shipping revenue and change in return reserve.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Our primary cash needs are for capital expenditures in connection with opening new boutiques and remodeling existing boutiques, investing in improved technology and distribution facility enhancements, funding normal working capital requirements and payments of interest and principal, if any, under our revolving credit facility. We may use cash or our revolving credit facility to issue letters of credit to support merchandise imports or for other corporate purposes. The most significant components of our working capital are cash and cash equivalents, merchandise inventories, accounts payable and other current liabilities. Our working capital position benefits from the fact that we generally collect cash from sales to customers the day of or, in the case of credit or debit card transactions, within several days of the related sales and we typically have up to 30 days to pay our vendors.

 

We were in compliance with all covenants under our revolving credit facility as of October 28, 2017. On October 28, 2017, we had $19.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and $75.0 million in borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility. There were no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility at October 28, 2017.

 

We expect that our cash flow from operations along with borrowings under our revolving credit facility and tenant allowances for new boutiques will be sufficient to fund capital expenditures and our working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months.

 

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Cash Flow

 

A summary of our operating, investing and financing activities are shown in the following table:

 

   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28, 2017   October 29, 2016 
   (in thousands) 
Provided by operating activities  $3,908   $35,469 
Used in investing activities   (19,121)   (18,658)
Used in financing activities   (18,969)   (48,310)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents  $(34,182)  $(31,499)

 

Operating Activities

 

Operating activities consist of net income adjusted for non-cash items, including depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes, the effect of working capital changes and tenant allowances received from landlords. Net cash provided by operating activities was $3.9 million and $35.5 million in each of the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in the current period as compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily due to the decrease in net income and higher income tax payments partially offset by timing of payments for inventory purchases.

 

Investing Activities

 

Investing activities consist primarily of capital expenditures for new boutiques, improvements to existing boutiques, as well as investments in information technology and our distribution facility.

 

   Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended 
   October 28, 2017   October 29, 2016 
   (in thousands) 
Capital expenditures for:          
New boutiques  $13,331   $11,538 
Existing boutiques   4,400    3,316 
Technology   1,072    3,160 
Corporate and distribution   318    652 
   $19,121   $18,666 

 

Our total capital expenditures for the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 were $19.1 million and $18.7 million, respectively, with new boutiques accounting for most of our spending at $13.3 million and $11.5 million, respectively. Spending for new boutiques includes amounts associated with boutiques that are scheduled to open subsequent to the end of each fiscal quarter. We opened 51 boutiques in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 compared to 59 boutiques in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 29, 2016. The average cost of the leasehold improvements, equipment, furniture and fixtures, excluding tenant allowances which are reflected in operating cash flows, for new boutiques opened in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 was $291,000 and $234,000, respectively, while the average tenant allowance per new boutique was $55,000 and $77,000 over the same periods, respectively. The increase in average buildout costs was principally due to higher cost of leasehold improvements while the lower average tenant allowance was the result of our continued focus in lowering rental rates. Tenant allowances are amortized as a reduction in rent expense over the term of the lease. The average collection period for these allowances is approximately six months after boutique opening. As a result, we fund the cost of new boutiques with cash flow from operations, build-out allowances from our landlords, or borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Our spending for existing boutiques totaled $4.4 million and $3.3 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, respectively. The amount spent for existing boutiques in each period was used for remodeling and relocating 20 and 31 boutiques, respectively, and in the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017, for new boutique equipment in connection with the point-of-sale system rollout. 

 

Management anticipates that capital expenditures for the remainder of fiscal year 2017 will be approximately $10.9 million to $13.9 million. The majority of this amount will be spent on new and existing boutiques.

 

Financing Activities

 

Financing activities consist of borrowings and payments under our revolving credit facility, if any, repurchases of our common stock, and proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the related tax consequence.

 

 17 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities totaled $19.0 million and $48.3 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, respectively. Cash used in financing activities in each period primarily consists of repurchases of common stock.

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On August 30, 2013, Francesca’s Collections, Inc. (the “Borrower”), as borrower, and its parent company, Francesca's LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Royal Bank of Canada, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and the lenders party thereto. The credit facility provides capacity of $75.0 million (including up to $10.0 million for letters of credit) and matures on August 30, 2018. The facility also contains an option permitting the Borrower, subject to certain requirements and conditions, to arrange with the lenders for additional incremental commitments up to an aggregate of $25.0 million, subject to reductions in the event the Borrower has certain indebtedness outstanding. At October 28, 2017, no borrowings were outstanding under the credit facility.

 

The credit facility contains customary events of default and requires the Borrower to comply with certain financial covenants. As of October 28, 2017, the Borrower was in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility. The credit facility restricts the amount of dividends the Borrower can pay; provided that the Borrower is permitted to pay dividends to the extent it has available capacity in its available investment basket (as defined in the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), no default or event of default is continuing, certain procedural requirements have been satisfied and the Borrower is in pro forma compliance with a maximum secured leverage ratio. At October 28, 2017, the Borrower would have met the conditions for paying dividends out of the available investment basket. All obligations under the credit facility are secured by substantially all the assets of the Borrower and any subsidiary guarantor, if any. All obligations under the facility are unconditionally guaranteed by, subject to certain exceptions, by Francesca’s LLC and each of the Borrower’s existing and future direct and indirect wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. 

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

For information regarding our share repurchase program, please refer to Note 8 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Part I of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, as well as the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017.

 

Certain of the Company’s accounting policies and estimates are considered critical, as these policies and estimates are the most important to the depiction of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and require significant, difficult, or complex judgments, often about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Such policies are summarized in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017. As of October 28, 2017, there were no significant changes to any of our critical accounting policies and estimates as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017.

  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, please refer to Note 1 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Part I of this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

There were no significant changes to our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017, other than those which occur in the normal course of business.

 

 Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We are not party to any off balance sheet arrangements.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our principal exposure to market risk relates to changes in interest rates. Our revolving credit facility carries floating interest rates that are tied to LIBOR, the federal funds rate and the prime rate, and therefore, our statements of operations and our cash flows could be exposed to changes in interest rates to the extent that we do not have effective hedging arrangements in place. We historically have not used derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes; however, this does not preclude our adoption of specific hedging strategies in the future. At October 28, 2017, no borrowings were outstanding under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Exchange Act is processed, recorded, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

At the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Disclosure Committee and management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of October 28, 2017.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended October 28, 2017 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are subject to various claims and legal proceedings, including employment claims, wage and hour claims, intellectual property claims, contractual and commercial disputes and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these and other claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A contained in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2017 and filed with the SEC on March 22, 2017.

 

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

 

The following table provides information about the Company’s share repurchase activity during the thirteen weeks ended October 28, 2017.

  

Period (1)  Total number
of shares
purchased
   Average
price paid
per share (3)
   Total number of
shares purchased
as part of a
publicly
announced plans
or programs (4)
   Approximate
dollar value of
shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs
 
July 30, 2017 – August 26, 2017   -    -    -   $48,665,521 
August 27, 2017 – September 30, 2017(2)   264,616   $7.10    263,000   $46,802,618 
October 1, 2017 – October 28, 2017   228,149   $7.16    228,149   $45,172,425 
                     
Total   492,765   $7.13    491,149      

 

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(1)Periodic information is presented by reference to our fiscal monthly periods during the third quarter of fiscal year 2017.
(2)Includes 1,616 shares of restricted stock purchased in connection with employee tax withholding obligations.
(3)Average price paid per share includes brokers’ commission.
(4)On March 15, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an additional $100 million share repurchase program commencing upon the exhaustion of a previous $100 million share repurchase program approved in September 2013. This authorization has no expiration date. Under the repurchase program, purchases can be made from time to time through open market purchases, in privately negotiated transactions, under a Rule 10b5-1 plans or through other available means. The specific timing and amount of repurchases is dependent on market conditions, securities law limitations and other factors.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
3.1   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Francesca’s Holdings Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-173581) filed by Francesca’s Holdings Corporation on July 14, 2011)
     
3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Francesca’s Holdings Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Francesca’s Holdings Corporation on September 20, 2016)
     
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
     
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
     
32.1**   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101*   Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 28, 2017, January 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, (ii) the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Thirteen and Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016, (iii) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended October 28, 2017, (iv) Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Thirty-Nine Weeks ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016 and (v) the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

  * Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

  Francesca’s Holdings Corporation
  (Registrant)
   
Date:  December 6, 2017 /s/ Kelly M. Dilts
  Kelly M. Dilts
  Chief Financial Officer (duly authorized officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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